Yearn to Learn

Learn and Munch – at EQ at the Party Source in Bellevue, KY. EQ stands for “Entertainment Quotient” and they offer hands on group cooking classes for 8 with scrumptious eats after your done. Don’t want to get your hands dirty? Attend a cooking demo – you still get to eat the results, but you watch while the experts do their thing.
Find details at www.thepartysource.com.

In Vino Veritas – Paul Ortiz has recently founded The Cincinnati Wine School, offering in depth educational classes on wine – a departure from the usual tastings at wine merchants around town. Ortiz was the sommelier at Boca for several years. The school’s “Basics of Wine” is a three-week series for $115. Each class is two hours, with six to eight wines tasted each class. Class I is about grape growing and winemaking. Classes II and III offer introductions to whites and to reds. “Expect to have a great time while you learn about old world and new world wines and what makes them different,” says Ortiz about the classes. You have to love his tag-line: “Where you’ll love the homework, too.” Find out more at www.cincinnatiwineschool.com.

Vertigo No More –Try rockclimbing at Rockquest Climbing Center in Sharonville, where you can tackle 18 and 45 foot walls after a quick one-hour lesson for $7.00. You’ll need to climb in pairs, as one person is the “belayer” or helper, while the other climbs. Rockquest offers climbing for beginners and an 80 ft wall for the more experienced. Private lessons go for $30. They’ll help you organize a party, too. Check out details at www.rockquest.com.

School for the Fun of It – UC’s Communiversity let’s you take advantage of living in a college town and have fun at the same time. Communiversity offers classes in sports, computer competency, cooking, music, dance, finance seminars, writing, handicrafts… the list goes on and on. A smattering of what’s coming up? Try Healthy Cooking with an Ethnic Flair, starting Saturdays on June 23 (four lessons for $139) or learn about antiquing with author and expert, Frank Farmer Loomis on July 21 in Sidney, Ohio. Or check out all the other offerings at www.uc.edu/ace.

Amazing Grace – Become a Swan with ballet lessons from the Annelise von Oettingen School of Ballet, on the West side. Their adult beginner class, "From Misfits to Magnificence," is targeted to teens and adults who want to become more graceful: Mondays 7:45-8:45. Learn more at www.avoballet.org.

Go Play Outside – Learn to play tennis, sail or horseback-ride. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission offers adult tennis lessons at Lunken Airport (http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/crc/pages/-8543-/) $60 for six lessons. Strictly Sail in Blue Ash will teach you to sail via their combined classroom and on-the-water lessons. Get two three-hour classes for $99, which includes one day in the classroom and the second day on the water in Brookville, IN. Billed as a safe way for the beginning sailor to learn, find out more at www.strictlysail.com. For horseback riding, try the Winton Woods Riding Center, at Winton Woods Park. Get more details at here. The park offers lessons from beginners to advanced and teaches Western, Hunt Seat, Dressage and Jumping. Lessons are $207-276, depending on the day of the week, for 12 lessons.

Throw a Pot – Not at someone…I mean throw a pot on a wheel. Tap into Cincinnati’s heritage as the home of Rookwood Art Pottery by taking a lesson at Funke Fired Arts, (formerly Annie’s Mud Pie Shop) on Wasson Rd. in Hyde Park. Six week classes run $160. “People who come here say we have a great environment, a sense of community,” says owner Tom Funke. He also offers advanced lessons and “funkier” (ok, I couldn’t resist) classes like mosaics and metallic glazes. Check out their Web site at www.funkefiredarts.com.

Get Crafty – One woman's scrap is another’s treasure. Scrap-booking is all the rage! Save those ticket stubs, wine labels (see above), photos of your first cruise and little Andrew’s handprint from preschool and turn them into treasured and artistic memories at Scraps Etc., with locations in Cherry Grove, Cincinnati Mills and Symmes Twp. Initial classes are free ($5 fee, with a $5.00 off coupon). All the materials you need for scrap-booking are available at the stores, but you'll have to supply the memories. Go to www.scrapsetc.com to start generating some crafty ideas.

Find Your Voice – At Women Writing for (a) Change, in Silverton. Experience Creative writing classes for women (and some for men) in a safe environment where no one is going to take a red pencil to your words. The writer is in control of the feedback she gets. Materials even say you can request a standing ovation! “We offer a nurturing community which brings words to women and the words of women to the world,” says Mary Pierce Brosmer, founder of the Women Writing for (a) Change Movement. All kinds of writing are welcome, from journaling to fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction. Beginners and more advanced students are both welcome. Monthly Saturday Samplers are free. Seven week summer classes begin the week of June 11th. Learn more about this group of aspiring wordsmiths at www.womenwriting.org.

The Art of Self Defense – Learn Moo Gong Ryu, or “the way of guarding peace,” style of martial arts at Cincinnati Tae Kwon Do Center on Red Bank Rd. All fitness levels and ages are welcome. Adult beginners can start any time. Fees are on a monthly basis, costing $77 per month for up to 12 classes. The first month is $160, because you buy a uniform and get a 30-minute private lesson. After just a couple of lessons, you’ll be knocking out choreographed “forms” and breaking boards – yes, really! They promise. But don't break your keyboard out of excitement. You'll need it to type in this Web site: www.cincinnatitkd.com.

While Watching the Boob Tube – Take up needlepoint and have something to show for your time watching Tony Soprano order a hit or the latest American Idol hopeful get thrown off the show. Would-be needlepointers can learn the basics at The Top Drawer in Mariemont. Beginner’s classes are $20, including materials, offered once a month on the second Wednesday from 6-8 pm. You’ll be stitching in no time and able to make some of the nifty things available at the store like eyeglass cases, Christmas ornaments, handbags and belts. Get one stitch closer to a new pastime by visiting www.topdrawer-needlepoint.com.

Enchanted Moments – This metaphysical book and gift shop, offers workshops, readings and energy work. Reiki is offered once a quarter. Drumming is the first Tuesday of every month. In addition, upcoming special classes include Meditation and Visualization on June 8 from 7-9, with Steve Thompson from Sedona, Arizona. Thompson will also offer a workshop on June 10: 8 Steps on the Path to Spiritual Freedom. A tarot class is also being offered June 6th, 13th and 20. Check the Web site for more options: www.enchantedmoments.org.