Classes & Activities

About Our Classes


2 students playing the drums while the instructor is on flute in Music Appreciation

Classes and activities held at The Carmel Foundation are as varied and interesting as the members who attend them.

Independent, certified instructors, including many from Monterey Peninsula College and Carmel Adult Education, teach classes in personal fitness, literature, art and music appreciation to name a few.

Qualified volunteers lead activities such as bridge, a men's discussion group, wood carving, needlecraft and photography, amongst others. Over 50 fun things to do are available to our members each week. A class schedule is available on line and published in the monthly newsletter. See below.

Class Descriptions & Schedule

 You must be a current Carmel Foundation member to sign-up for classes and activities

Collage Art/Papercraft Class

Time: 10:00am -12:00pm, Wed 10/23: Happy Halloween Notecards
Location: Seideneck Room
Instructor: Lisa Handley   plumeriapapercraft@gmail.com
Fee: $15.00 per class (materials included), payable to instructor at class
Description: Experience the fun of creative expression through collage art and papercraft! Artist Lisa Handley will provide plenty of inspiration and guidance for completing your own unique creations. You’ll explore a variety of designs and mediums (assorted papers, handmade collage fodder, upcycled ephemera and embellishments). Lisa will offer different projects for you to enjoy each month such as vision boards, artwork, notecards and gifts.

Creativity, Camaraderie...Coloring

Time: 10:00am -11:30am, 2nd & 4th Tues
Location: Craft Room
Instructor: Lisa Handley   plumeriapapercraft@gmail.com
Fee: $5.00 per class, payable to instructor at class
Description: Coloring for adults began as a trend, but this activity has had staying power with its many benefits for mind, body and spirit. Coloring is relaxing and meditative, enhances focus, reduces stress, and improves eye-hand coordination and hand strength. Treat yourself to creativity, camaraderie and the joy of coloring! A wide assortment of materials await you including coloring pages, books, cards and posters, colored pencils, gel pens, markers, crayons and more. Facilitator Lisa offers coloring inspiration and tips and provides guidance when needed. Drop in and join us, and you'll receive a warm, colorful welcome!

Fine Arts Lab
Time: 1:30pm-4:00pm, Tues
Location: Seideneck Room
Leaders: Carol Harrison, Darlene Berry
Fee: No fee, register w/Carol or Darlene at class
Description: Join members for an open lab session and paint with acrylics. Bring your table top easel and supplies and imagination.

Needlecraft Group
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm; Tues
Location: Craft Room
Leader: Connie Georis
Fee: No fee and drop-ins are welcome
Description: Meet fellow knitters and enjoy the art of needle craft with this long-standing Foundation volunteer group.

Photography, Darkroom
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm, Mon-Sat
Location: Darkroom
Leaders: Self Managed  
Fee: No fee
Description: Full-service darkroom available to Foundation members.

Photography Group
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm, Thurs
Location: Seideneck Room
Leader: Joyce Tarter Rideout
Fee: $12/annual. Register at class, guests welcome.
Description: Sharing/Guest Speakers. Group meets once a week to view local photographers works together and discusses the art of photography. www.cfphotographers.org.

SoulCollage®
Time: 10:00am-12:30pm, Wed, 10/2: The Magical Inner Child
Instuctor: Lisa Handley
Location: Seideneck Room
Fee: $30 per individual class. Register with Lisa, 512.9063 plumeriapapercraft@gmail.com.
Description: Step into the flow of SoulCollage®, and immerse yourself in mindful self-expression! Join Lisa Handley, SoulCollage® facilitator and artist, as she gently inspires and guides participants through each 2.5-hour class and helps you tap into your imagination and intuition to gather images, collage personally meaningful cards, contemplate their significance and consult with them as springboards to your own inner wisdom. Join us for creativity and camaraderie! Both new and experienced are welcomed. All materials are provided.
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Wood Carving
Time: 8:30am-11:30am, Tues & Thurs
Leader: Joe Suprenant
Location: Seideneck Room
Fee: No fee, drop-ins welcome

Description: Meet with fellow woodcarvers in an inviting atmosphere and carve together.

Greek Dance Class
Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm, Tue
Location: Diment Hall
Instructors: Janet Tezak, Rick McCarthy
Fee: No fee, register at class
Description: Janet Tezak and Rick McCarthy will teach basic Greek dancing steps from 3:30pm-4:50pm on Tuesday afternoon and then from 5:00pm-5:30pm, they will run through all the Greek dances. Darold Skerritt has taught Greek dancing for more than twenty years, and Janet and Lois are a product of his wonderful teaching techniques. They have also been part of the Greek Village dancers at many events around the Peninsula.

Line Dancing
Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm, Thurs
Location: Diment Hall
Instructor: Belle James
Fee: $5/class, sign-up at class
Description: Come learn to Line Dance- it's FUN! Line dancing originated from European Folk dances and gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s especially after the creation of the "Tush Push" and "Electric Slide" in the 70s. Finally in the 1980s, dozens of line dances were choreographed for specific songs and a line dance craze ensued that continues today with thousands of different line dances to every kind of music you can imagine.

Gratitude and Empathy Group
Time: 3:00pm-4:15pm, Thurs
Location: Blanchard A
Leader: Ted Hill
Fee: No fee, email tedsup@gmx.com to join meeting
Description: The Gratitude and Communication Group happens with a special emphasis on appreciation. In these troubling times, it's important to look for things that we can be grateful for. Hope you can join us in this enlvinening group.

Men's Discussion Group
Time: 10:30am-11:45am, Mon
Location: Seideneck Room
Leader: Lou Aldana
Fee: No fee, drop-ins welcome
Description: A friendly group of the Foundation's men meet for an enjoyable morning of varied discussions. Sometimes it's an open discussion of current events, or a presentation by one of our members, or perhaps a guest speaker. We make an effort to invite speakers that cover subjects of local interest. Come by and meet your fellow Foundation members!  Q & A's, comments and opinions are always welcome and well-received. If you have an interesting background or expertise, stop by and we will schedule you for presentation.

Men's & Women's Discussion Group
Time: 2:30pm-4:00pm, Tue
Location: Blanchard A
Facilitator: Self-led
Fee: No fee, sign up at discussion group
Description: Join us as we will offer fresh topics to discuss in a personal and lively manner. Meaningful and harmonious discussion is encouraged.

Women Sharing with Women
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fri
Location: Blanchard A
Facilitator: Self-led
Fee: No fee, sign up at discussion group
Description: Come and connect with other women in this safe and supportive environment. Group is limited to 12 members. No fee. Drop-ins welcome.

American Mohjong (experienced players only)
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm, Wed
Location: Craft Room
Fee: No fee; drop-in welcome.
Description: Open to teaching beginners!

Bridge, Duplicate
Time: 12:00pm-4:30pm, Fri
Location: Craft Room
Leader: Susan Lea and Pat Canada
Fee: $2/per session, open room, register at classSusan 869.8280 or Pat 747.673
Description: This is a social game and tries to adhere to ACBL rules. It is not an ACBL sanctioned game, so players do not receive "master points" for their participation. There is a wide range of experience levels in our players. Players who wish to join should have a partner, although once familiar with the group, the facilitator can assist in matching up players with someone in the group who needs a partner for a day. Each player contributes $2 each day that they play, and small money prizes are given to the top 3 teams, both N/S and E/W.  Players are not required to know how to score the Traveler forms, although we do need players with that knowledge. We use the standard bid boxes. A signup sheet is on hand to sign up for the following 2 weeks, but players can call to sign up or cancel.

Canasta, Intermediate
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm, Mon
Location: Craft Room B
Leader:Vicki Torcolini
Fee: No fee
Description: Playa Canasta with fellow Foundation members.

Chess
Time: 1:00pm-4:30pm, Thurs
Location:Field Cafe or Garden Courtyard
Fee: No fee Drop-ins welcome

Chess Lessons with Cole
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm, 1st Mon/mo
Location:Seideneck Room
Fee: No fee Drop-ins welcome

Cribbage
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm, Wed, 10/9 & 10/23
Location:Craft Room
Leader: Larry Parrish
Fee: No fee, register with Larry, 622.7455, lparrish@toast.net
Description: Creativity! Calculation! Confirming! "C" is for Cribbage.

Cribbage Lessons
Time: By appointment
Instructor: Larry Parrish
Fee: No fee, register with Larry, 622.7455, lparrish@toast.net
Description: Creativity! Calculation! Confirming! "C" is for Cribbage.

Games: Open Game
Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm, Wed; 1:00pm-4:00pm, Thur
Location:Craft Room
Leader: No leader
Fee: No fee, open room
Description: Meet with fellow members for a fun afternoon of bridge, mah jongg...

Hand & Foot
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm, Mon
Location:Craft Room B
Leader: Susan Sailow
Fee: No fee
Description: “Hand & Foot” is a North American game related to canasta. Each player is dealt two sets of cards using one as the “hand” and one as the “foot. There are numerous variations of the game and no “standard” rules. You can either play as individuals or as teams. No fee. Drop-ins welcome.

Rummicube
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm, Tue
Location:Field Cafe
Leader: Kristen Ramsden
Fee: No fee
Description: Meet with fellow members for a fun afternoon of Rummicube

Texas Hold'em - Full to capacity
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm, Thurs
Location: Craft Room
Facilitator:: Micky Lawler

Texas Hold'em/Saturdays
Time: 11:00am-2:00pm, Sat
Location: Craft Room
No facilitator::Drop ins welcome

Mindful Movement
Time: 1:30pm-2:45pm, Thur
Location: Wellness Center
Instructor: Kristin Ramsden
Fee: $5/class, payable to instructor at class
Description: Come experience a beautiful, young form of movement (better known in Europe) that will inspire and refresh you! Eurythmy is a meaningful, harmonious movement modality that makes sound visible through gesture. We will move together in the space to the spoken word, so wear comfortable clothing! This is a class for anyone who loves poetry, who can stand upright, who enjoys working with others and who likes to move; no previous experience necessary! Kristin Ramsden is an experienced teacher of the art, trained in England and Germany, has performed across the globe, and has taught both adults and children in many countries worldwide since 1979. All are welcome; learn something new, surprise yourself and come!

Personal Fitness, Lo-Impact
Time: 9:00am-10:00am, Mon, Weds, Fri
Location: Diment Hall
Instructor: MaryAnn Rousseau
Fee: $5/class or $50/mo suggested donation, register at class
Description: Enjoy a fun and relaxing work-out for strength and flexibility with a focus on balance and core work. Class includes warm up, low impact aerobics, muscle toning, cool down and stretching to great music and laughter! For men and women.

Walking Group
Time: 1:30pm-3:00pm, Wed
Location: local paths, beaches & parks
Coordinator: Member Services
Fee: No fee; register w/member services, 624.1588
Description: Are you looking for a little adventure & outdoor exercise?  Join us Tuesday afternoons for our Weekly Walking Group.   We have been exploring all that this breathtaking Peninsula has to offer, while enjoying each other's company.  Past adventures have included walks at Stillwater Cove, Bird Rock to Indian Village, Scenic Drive & Point Lobos State Natural Preserve. 

Yoga, Chair
Time: 8:30am-9:30am, Thurs
Location: Wellness Center
Instructor: Jody Emerson Quintana
Fee: $8 per class, register at class
Description: Gentle chair yoga. Balance, stretch, move, relax and renew.

Yoga, Gentle with Kathleen Karachale
Time: 10:00am-11:00am, Tue & Thurs
Location: >Tech/Wellness Room
Instructor: Kathleen Karchale
Fee: $5 per class, call member services to be waitlisted 624.1588
Description: Yoga is a great practice to help improve strength, balance, flexibilty and enhance lung capacity. Through mindful breathing techniques and meditation, yoga offers a greater sense of peace and focus on the present moment.

Yuan Qigong Class Series
Time: 10:00am-11:15am, Weds
* Location: Tech/Wellness Room
Instructor: Dale Mirmow, Certified Master Teacher
Fee: $10 drop-in, register at class
Description: The Qigong class will give you the fundamental tools and practices of Qigong that will aid with the prevention of illness, increased balance and flexibility, and improvement in one's overall health and well-being. Qigong can be done while sitting, standing, or moving, and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Qigong is easy to incorporate into your daily life, and regular practitioners enjoy more energy, good health and well-being, and are better able to deal with issues of stress, anxiety, and pain.

Spanish, Conversational
Time: 9:30am-10:30am, Tue, 9/3-11/12 (no 10/8)
Location: Blanchard A
Leader: Majo Spencer
Fee: $20/class. Email instructor at majospencer@yahoo.com or call 801.560.8437 to register
Description: Classes are held in Spanish with a variety of themes, topics, current events and in-depth conversation.

History and Philosophy Lectures
Time: 10:00am-11:30am, Fri: 10/4: Capitalism and Marxism; 10/11: Classical Liberalism and Post-Modernism; 10/18: Voting and Elections; 10/25 Natural Law and the Consititution
Instructor: Lawrence Harris
Location: Seideneck Room
Fee: $10/class, register w/instructor at class
Description: These series of classes will explore several themes in Western history, politics, and culture.

Non-Fiction Reading Discussion
Time: 10:30am-12:00pm, Thurs
Location: Blanchard A
Leader: Jim Emery

Fee: No fee, drop-ins welcome
Description: Weekly meeting in person or via zoom.

Foundation Reading and Discussion Group
Time: 10:00am-11:30pm; Weds
Location: Blanchard B
Leader: Bill Richards
Fee: No fee, drop-ins welcome
Description: Meet weekly to read and discuss books with new friends!

Mindful Drumming Circle
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm, 2nd & 4th Mon/mo
Location: Seideneck Room
Instructor Linda Sweet
Fee: No fee
Description: Find your inner rhythm and discover the benefits of drumming! Bring your own drum/percussion instrument.

Private Voice and Flute Lessons
Time: 9:00am- 12:00pm, Wed by appointment
Location: Blanchard A
Instructor Elise Rotchford
Fee: contact Elise   831.521.0420 or eliserotchford@gmail.com.
Description: Instructor Elise Rotchford M.A. is a performing artist, music director, educator, and archivist for Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck. She has also served as the personal music librarian for Luciano Pavarotti and The Three Tenors. A skilled flutist and vocalist, Elise is currently the Marketing Coordinator for Monterey County Pops!

Piano Lessons with Pam Lawrence
Time: 9:30am-11:00am, Sat by appointment
Location: Diment Hall
Instructor Pam Lawrence
Fee: $100/mo. Call Pam for scheduling   831.277.7638.
Description: Lessons are personally tailored to your needs. A keyboard will be available for use during lessons, but the student will need their own keyboard or piano at home for practice. Pam Lawrence holds an M.A. in Music with an emphasis on piano-organ-harpsichord. She taught for 13 years at Gavilan College and also has maintained a private teaching studio, Monterey Bay Music, for 40 years

Singing Class
Time: 2:30pm-3:30pm, Fri
Location: Diment Hall
Instructor Nancy Bennett, M.A. member-National Association Teachers of Singing
Fee: $12, payable to instructor at class
Description: Learn breathing for singing, expand your range, improve musicianship plus receive tools for better singing! All this while sharing the joy of singing with others in a suppportive atmosphere. Music will be provided and geared to your taste.

Creative Writing: The Short Story
Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm, Fri,
Instructor: Lawrence Harris, Seideneck Room
Fee: $10/1 class, sign-up at class
Description: This class will introduce the student to the basics of short story writing specifically "flash fiction", or the short, short story or the very short story. This is a type of story that is about 1500 words or less. Students will learn the basic elements of the story, such as character, setting, plot, P.O.V. (point of view), and others. Students will practice the craft of writing in class. Students will read from several short stories. And several historical and contemporary writers will be read and studied to enhance the students understanding of short story writing. Handouts: Lesson Plans and copies of several short, short stories will be handed out in class Lawrence Harris holds a B.A. in Art, and Certificates in the Great Books and Creative Writing. He also has an M.S. in Political Science. He currently teaches at local colleges.

Writing Memoirs Writing
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm, Mon
Time: 9:30am-11:30am, Weds
Location: Craft Room
Instructor: Illia Thompson
Fee: $50/monthly suggested donation, register w/Thompson   236.1118 or i.thompson33@me.com

Description: For over 30 years, Illia Thompson encouraged writers to tell their won stories. Her motto "you cannot make a mistake!" A prompt is sent out the previous week for use as a springboard for current writing, if you wish. You may use this opportunity to write your ongoing story. The group reads their own writing and memories are often triggered by each other's words.



Lo-impact personal fitness class exercising in Diment Hall

Performing Arts/Entertainment

 You must be a current Carmel Foundation member to sign-up for classes and activities

The Listening Place Reader's Theater Proudly Presents "Copenhagen"
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm (doors open 12:30pm), Saturday, 10/5
Location: Diment Hall
Facilitator The Listening Place Reader's Theater
Fee: Free, no reservations required
Description: Set in 1941 German-occupied Denmark, "Copenhagen" is an intellectual thriller that captures an electrifying and dangerous period in history. Described as brilliant, witty, and thought-provoking, it is a fugue for three voices. Directed by Suzanne Sturn and featuring Ron Genaur as Niels Bohr, Suzanne Sturn as Margrethe Bohr, and Richard Boynton as Werner Heisenberg. Produced by Linda Hancock and Susan Keenan, with staff assistance from Maryann Rousseau and Pat Horsley. No fee and no registration required.

Art Hatley: A Musical Journey Through the Decades
Time: 12:00pm, Sat, 10/19
Location: Diment Hall
Performer Art Hatley
Fee: Free
Description: Art Hatley is a theatre-trained actor, veteran of numerous productions, and an accomplished singer-songwriter. When asked about his music, he says, "It depends on which guitar I pick up, what mood I'm in, and what I have to say. He has performed across the U.S. and the Caribbean, even for a U.S. President. Learn more at www.ARTHATLEY.com. At The Carmel Foundation, Art will perform hits from the '50s to the '80s, including songs by Del Shannon, The Animals, The Beatles, and more, along with some of his original music. A Foundation member and Carmel resident, Art lives in Carmel Meadows with his wife, Marjorie. They have three adopted children and three grandchildren. No fee or registration required

Butterflies of Monterey County
Time: 12:00pm, Sat, 11/9
Location: Diment Hall
FacilitatorChris Tenney and Jan Austin
Fee: No fee,   no registration required
Description: Chris, a retired schoolteacher and amateur naturalist, began documenting local butterflies in 2005 and now collaborates on butterfly studies with UOP Stockton. Chris also co-authored Birds of Monterey County before shifting his focus to butterflies. He completed a “Butterfly Big Year,” recording 526 species across the U.S. Jan, a writer and photographer with a lifelong love of nature, is a fourth-generation Monterey County resident. The two met through their shared passion for butterflies. No fee and no registration required.

Chess Tournament
Time: 9:15am - 6:00pm, Sat, 10/12
Location: Seideneck & Craft Rooms
FacilitatorJoseph Rice
Fee: No fee   524.4488 or Jos.Rice@comcast.net.
Description: Player on-site registration 9:15am-10:00am the morning of the event. 3 rounds: 10:30am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm No eliminations. No withdrawals unless arranged at registration (1/2-point bye for unplayed game) or if requested at least 15 minutes before scheduled round. Group portrait at 3:30pm. Awards ceremony at 5:30pm. 3 sections: USCF-rated Champions, USCF-rated Challengers, and non-rated Club Entrants to rated sections must be current members of USCF (join or renew at uschess.org) Swiss-system pairings. Accelerated Swiss-system pairings if more than 8 players in section. Champions section limited to top 8 entrants. Games timed with 30 minutes per player, plus 30s increment added with each move. (G/30; +30) Chess sets, clocks, and official scoresheets are provided Players must record all moves of their games on official scoresheets or in their own scorebook. $10 entry fee (waived for Carmel Foundation members and K-12 students). Additional donation toward Days & Knights of Monterey County chess outreach is gratefully accepted. Trophy to 1st place in each section; Playoff blitz match in the event of ties Medal to runners-up in each section. Carmel Foundation Chess Club meets Thursdays 1-4pm, contact Cole 650. 323.3232. For more information, or to subscribe to Play Chess Monterey! weekly email newsletter, contact: Joseph Rice, USCF Tournament Director, Jos.Rice@comcast.net, 524.4488.



 Join us for

   • Poetry Readings

   • Monterey County Theater Alliance

   • The Listening Place Reader's Theater

   • Film School


 


Ribbon cutting with the Carmel Chamber of Commerce in the newly refurbished Techonology Center
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Listening Place actors performing

Workshops

 You must be a current Carmel Foundation member to sign-up for classes and activities

The Carmel Foundation hosts one day workshops. These workshops cover a wide array of topics and are presented by people with expertise in the area being discussed.

Wednesday Programs


Lectures and entertaining programs are held Wednesday afternoons at 2:30pm in Diment Hall. A variety of slide presentations, lectures, and musical entertainment is offered. At the conclusion of each program, refreshments are served by a committee of volunteers. These programs are given as a community service and are open to the public without charge.

Wednesday Programs Schedule
Speaker and audiece at a Wednesday Program in Diment Hall

Cinema at the Foundation

 
 You must be a current Carmel Foundation member to sign-up for classes and activities
Hush...Hush, Sweet Charolotte
Foundation Classic Series
Saturday, October 12
12:00pm, Diment Hall
1965 Horror/Drama (13+) 2hr 12min
  IMDB Details & Trailer

Wicked Little Letters
Saturday, October 26
12:00pm, Diment Hall
2023 Comedy/Mystery (R) 1hr 40min
  IMDB Details & Trailer

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Movie poster for Nyad