The two-hour classes meet once a week at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd., and typically run for three to 10 weeks. Membership fee for the two-term academic year is $30, or $20 for one term; tuition is $25-$80 per course. View all courses and facilitator profiles online at academyll.org; print registration form and mail it in with tuition. Info: 303-770-0786.

Go behind the headlines and history books with free one-hour Active Minds presentations on timely topics, including The Struggle of Syria, at the JCC, 350 S. Dahlia St., Tues., July 3, 10:15a.m. Info: 303-316-6359.
     The American West, held Mon., July 9, 2:30p.m. at Springbrooke, 6800 Leetsdale Dr. RSVP required: 303-331-9963.
     Hinduism, Tues., July 17, 11a.m. (refreshments at 10:45), at Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape St. RSVP: Jodi, 303-388-4013, ext. 307. Iran, Tues., July 10, 12:30p.m., and London: Biography of a City, Tues., 24, 5:30p.m., both at Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave. Info: 303-322-7727.
     Charlie Chaplin & the Silent Film Era, Wed., July 25, 10a.m., at Malley Senior Center, 3380 S. Lincoln St. RSVP: 303-762-2660. Parking pass available inside center.
     For details of other free presentations, visit activeminds.com or call Heidi Van Sickle at 303-550-3383.

Whether you need answers about your grandpa’s genealogy or Android’s address book, you’ll find them in classes and workshops at Ross-University Hills branch library, 4310 E. Amherst Ave.:
     Librarians answer technology questions in Tech Open House, Mondays, 11a.m. Bring your gadgets!
     Books ‘n Brown Bag Book Club meets Fridays, July 6 and Aug. 3, 12:30p.m.; Thursday Night Book Club, July 26, 6:45p.m.  Call for titles.
     DPL’s genealogy specialist James Jeffrey directs you to resources necessary to uncover family history in Discover Your Roots, Sat., July 7, 10a.m.
     Make a votive candle holder and earrings using recycled books in Crafting with Books, Sat., July 21, 2p.m.; Growing Herbs in Containers offered Sat., 28, 2p.m.
     Debate whether the book was better than the film – through mouthfuls of free popcorn – in Read It, View It, Chew It!, select Saturdays at 2p.m. Check out a copy of the title and read it before the screening: Rapunzel, July 14; and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Aug. 4.     Free. Info: 720-865-0955.

Start the summer with a look at Colorado’s past – and the new History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway – through History Colorado’s classes and workshops: Ghost Towns of the Rockies, Fri., July 6; Why the 1920s Were the Most Important Decade in American History, Told Through the Story of Keota, Colorado, Wed., 11; Golda Meir: Choices and Chances (adult subject matter, not recommended for children under 14), Tues., 17. Held 1-2p.m., $5 nonmembers. Reservations, 303-866-2394. Info: 303-447-8679, historycolorado.org.

Dig into compost in free classes offered by Denver Recycles and Denver Urban Gardens. Popular hands-on classes fill up quickly: registration opens one month before each class, and closes one week before: Sat., July 7 or 21, Aug. 7 or 18 at 9-11a.m.; Wed., July 11 or 18, Aug. 1 or 15 at 6-8p.m. Worm Workshop (vermiposting), Sat., July 14 or Aug. 11, 9-11a.m. Build-A-Pile Workshop, Sat., July 28 or Aug. 25, 9-11a.m. Info: 303-292-9900. Registration: dug.org/compost.

Christa Rook teaches the basic techniques of the traditional art of drawing and painting Buddhas in The Art of Enlightenment, Sat., July 7, 9a.m.-4p.m., at Avalokiteshvara Buddhist Center, 1081 Marion St. Preregistration required, $55.
     Prayers for World Peace and Dharma for Kids offered Sundays in July (1, 8 & 15), 10:30a.m.-noon; classes include clear teachings, meditations and prayers. Suggested donation $8 adults, $1 kids. No registration required.
     Center closed July 20-Aug. 3 for summer break; general program classes resume Aug. 8. Information: 303-813-9551, meditationincolorado.org.

Make miniatures, survey your safety or get good on your gadgets in free classes at Schlessman Family branch library, 100 Poplar St.: So Many Books, So Little Time ..., Thur., July 12, 10:30a.m.; Using Pinterest for Your Small Business, Sat., 14, 10a.m.; International  Markets – Eat the World in Denver!, Mon., 16, 6:30p.m.; DPL’s Creating Your Community Web Site, Mon., 23, 6p.m.
     Call to register for: Personal Awareness & Safety Strategies, Sat., 28, 10a.m.; Denver Museum of Miniatures, Toys & Dolls (make miniatures), Sun., 29, 2p.m.; Fun in the Sun T-shirt Embellishing, Sat., Aug. 4, 10a.m.
     Sunday afternoon (2p.m.) presentations: The Night Sky: A Journey from Dachau to Denver and Back with author Maria Sutton, July 8; husband-and-wife author team Laurie Wagner Buyer and W.C. Jameson talk up their books about the West, 15.
     Bring your gadgets and questions to Tech Open House, Thur., July 5, 10a.m.-noon. Talk geek books – science fiction, graphic novels, horror & fantasy – at Geeks Who Read, third Saturdays, 2p.m.: July 21, The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi.
     Free. Info: 720-865-0000.

Going to Italy? Take in Italy: The Art of Travel – Things to Know Before You Go!, a free travel seminar, Tues., July 10, 6:30-7:30p.m., or Sat., 28, 11a.m.-noon, at the Italian Institute, 677 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 100. Limited space, RSVP: 303-733-4335, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Want to actively participate in keeping insurance companies accountable for their rate increases under current law? Sign up for Colorado Consumer Health Initiative’s Why Consumers and Advocates Should Care About Rate Review training, Tues., July 10, 9-10:30a.m., at the Daniels Fund, 101 Monroe St., Room 126. RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Info: 303-839-1261.

Roll up to Ross-Cherry Creek branch library, 305 Milwaukee St., for classes, crafts and book clubs this month: Healthy Living (dangers lurking in personal products), Tues., July 10, 6p.m.; Between the Covers Book Club discusses Anton Chekov’s The Cherry Orchard, Tues., 17, 2p.m.; Author Dusty Saunders: Heeere’s Dusty: Life in the TV and Newspaper World, Wed., 18, 6p.m. Info: 720-865-0120.

Mosaic workshops, classes, open studio time and a mosaic supply shop can be found at TileMosaicGirl, in the Workshops building, 4340 E. Kentucky Ave., #244, in Glendale: Tempered “Crash” Glass Mosaics, Wed., July 11 & 18, 6-9p.m.; Outdoor/Garden Mosaics, Sun., 22 & 29, 1-4:30p.m.; and Make a Mosaic Quickie Workshop, Wed., 25, 6-9p.m. Info: 720-435-3057, tilemosaicgirl.com.

Professional development workshops at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work are offered this month: Thur., July 12,Working with Military Families; Fri., 13, Neurobiology and Social Work; Thur., 26, Trauma-Informed Care. Workshops run 8a.m.-5p.m. at Craig Hall, 2148 S. High St. Pre-registration required.Info: David Rossi, 303-871-3464 or du.edu/socialwork, click on “Upcoming Events.”

Mayu honors Shambhala Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron’s birthday, with a Pema Chodron Afternoon Retreat, Sat., July 14, 1-4p.m., featuring video teachings, guided meditation practice and discussion. Beginners welcome; $10 suggested donation. Other offerings: Buddha and Love Lecture, Fri., 20, 7-9p.m. ($10). Asian-influenced, Buddhist-inspired meditation center is located at 1804 S. Pearl St. Info: 303-832-0033, mayusanctuary.com.

Learn or deepen your practice of sitting and walking meditation in A Taste of Mindfulness In the Garden, Sun., July 15, 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. ($55-65) at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Hands-on What Made My Good Plant Go Bad? gives an overview of the most common types of plant problems and how to nip them in the bud, Tues., 24, 6-9p.m. ($39-44). Sunrise Vinyasa Yoga at the Gardens is held every Tuesday & Thursday, 7-8:30a.m., through September ($8-10 per session). Info: 720-865-3580; botanicgardens.org.

Explore the art, beauty and creativity of trees in Denver Botanic Gardens’ Bonfils-Stanton Lecture Series – Beyond Bark: Playing, Learning and Growing in Denver’s Canopy – presenting Beautiful, Edible Trees with author Nan K. Chase, Thur., July 19, 7p.m., in Mitchell Hall, 1007 York St.; $20 nonmembers. Social hour and tasting by Slow Food Denver at 6p.m. (included); book signing at 8:30. Chase hosts a Harnessing Garden Food Power workshop Fri., July 20, 10a.m. ($60 nonmember).
     Visit botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3580 for tickets.

Fresh City Life and Whole Foods Market host Eat To Live with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Sat., July 21, 2-4p.m., featuring the New York Times bestselling author, Q & A session and book signing, in the Level B2 Conference Center of the central Denver Public Library. Free, registration encouraged.
     Other free FCL July offerings: Watch the classic 1961 film The Innocents, based on Henry James’ Turn of the Screw, then hear Central City Opera perform excerpts from their summer offering, Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, Tues., July 10, 6-9p.m., in the Level B2 Conference Center. Registration encouraged.
     Weekend Music Series presents free concerts, Sundays, 2-3p.m., in Schlessman Hall: Mountain Music Duo, a performance of Ciranda, a children’s suite depicting games and tunes of Brazil, July 8; and Songs Judaica, Jewish cultural music sung by Faye Nepon, accompanied by pianist Sheldon Sands, 15.
     Author Jon Cotter explores how to locate the center of your story, and spin crisp and absorbing dialogue from remembered conversations in Turning Truth to Fiction writing workshop, Tues., July 17 & 31, 5:30-7:30p.m. Registration required.
     Craft Services offers popular workshops – register early: Craft Smash Journals, Sat., July 14, 2-4p.m. ($10); Behind the Cover: Tour Denver Bookbinding and Build Your Own Book Workshop, Wed., 18, 10a.m.-noon ($15); Let’s Bring Back Beginning Knitting: Barbie’s Closet, Mondays, 9, 16, 23, 30, 5:30-7:30p.m. ($20); and Finishing School for Wayward Knitters, Wednesdays, 11, 18, 25, noon-2p.m.
     Watch Evil Under The Sun (1982) while working on your latest craft project at Knitflix, Tues., July 24, 5:30-7:30p.m.
     Unless noted, no registration required, and held in DPL’s Level 1 Fresh City Lounge, 14th Ave. & Broadway.
     Info/registration: denverlibrary.org/fresh, 720-865-1206.

More than basic meditation is taught at Yoga of the Mind, 8 E. 1st Ave., like Grounding & Centering Class, teaching an active meditation technique affecting interaction with others, Sun., July 22 & 29, 2-4p.m. $39. Free 15-minute aura/chakra energy clearings offered Tuesdays, 5:30-6:45p.m.; drop-ins welcome. Info: 303-549-6502, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jason Shaw explains the causes of foundation settling and how to address the resulting bulges and cracks in Foundation Woes, Wed., July 25, 7p.m., in National Jewish Hospital’s Heitler Hall, 1400 Jackson St. (parking available in Jackson St. lot). The free lecture is part of the Congress Park Historic Speakers series. Visit congressparkneighbors.org or call 303-377-4913 for details.

Seniors Gone Wild: Oh My Aching Bones! Thurs., July 26, 1:00p.m. Jewish Community Center, Boardroom, 350 S. Dahlia St. Join orthopedic surgeon Dr. Arthur Heller as he discusses “Arthritis of the Hip and Knee, Surgical and Non-Surgical Joint Pain Treatment Options and New Technologies in Hip and Knee Replacement.” Q & A will follow the presentation. Light refreshments will be served and a Dr. Oz book will be given away as a door prize. Space is limited! Register today by calling 1.888.STRYKER (787.9537). 

Celebrate Colorado design as you help solve neighborhood design dilemmas, take part in a mass skill swap and talk solutions with design experts in Untitled #49 (Ideate), Fri., July 27, 6-10p.m. Watch the latest installment of Buntport Theater’s Joan and Charlie Discuss Tonight’s Theme, listen to local music and more, all included with general admission. Cash bar. Info: collective.denverartmuseum.org, 720-865-5000.

Enjoy an evening of interactive art, tasty margaritas, light fare and beautiful music while customizing a glass with colorful enamel paints in CHAC It Up! Wine Glass Painting, Fri., July 27, 6:30-9p.m., at Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, 772 Santa Fe Dr. $20 includes materials and a margarita. RSVP required; phone payment to Belinda, 303-571-0440. Info: Cindy, 720-236-9389.

Tour an urban communal farm, help harvest produce for a food pantry, then participate in workshops at the next free Social Forum, Sun., Aug. 12, at Ekar Farm, 181 S. Oneida St. Tour at 8:30a.m., forums 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m.: Denver Water; Food Justice; and From Farm to Table. Bring a vegetarian lunch. Open Forum/lunch begin at 12:30p.m.
     No registration required, just come and consider these current concerns with other thoughtful people. Info: Roya, 720-771-7400, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Join Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln for a historical presentation of civil rights and historic facts, plus a Q&A session, at Progressive Women of Colorado’s (PWC) next forum, Tues., Aug. 14, 5:30-7:30p.m., at Unity Church, 3021 S. University Blvd. $12-25 donation benefits co-sponsors Colorado Progressive Coalition and PWC.
     Bring in hygiene products (as well as nonperishable food) for PWC and CPC’s Needed Items Drive for Colorado Crime Victims; a list is on the website. Purchase tickets at door (cash or check) or online at progressivecoalition.org. Info: Stephanie, 303-867-0310.

Learn how to reach people with intellectual disabilities in Extending Friendship, an all-day workshop by Ancient Paths Church, Mon., Aug. 20, 9:30a.m.-4p.m., at Washington Park Chapel, 1001 S. Pearl St. Recommended for pastors, worship leaders, family members and people called to mentor people with special needs. Cost: $35/person, $120/church (up to five people) before July 15; $40, $135 after. Sign up or details:email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Expand your network and re-energize your job search with the 8 O’clock Job Club, meeting Wednesdays, 8-10a.m., at 3773 Cherry Creek North Drive, Ste. 575. Refine your networking pitch and learn the latest resources for securing your next job opportunity. $5 materials fee. Reservations (required)/info: 303-331-3401, thewinsorgroup.com.

Happy Pathways Laughter Club offers free Laughter Yoga classes at Washington Street Community Center, 809 S. Washington St., every Thursday, 4:30-5:30p.m. Info: 720-917-4890.

YAME (Yoga All May Encounter) classes are donation-based, open to all, drop-in classes that are held on Sundays, 5-6:30p.m., at Harmony Yoga, 560 S. Holly St., #15. Beginners are encouraged to attend. Mats provided. Info: sameyoga.com; Mike Miller, 720-231-0521.

Free yoga on Sundays at 10:10a.m. Beginning and intermediate practitioners welcome. Held in the park; call for location and info: MJ, 720-244-8252.