Womanspace Programs for June 2010

Contact: Gale Ketteler, Program Coordinator/Marketing Specialist, gale@womanspace-rockford.org, 815-877-0118

More information available at www.womanspace-rockford.org.  You may also register there for programs and events via credit card or PayPal®, and sign up for Intertwinings e-news.  Registration after deadline will be accepted on a space-available basis only. Call 815-877-0118 or email gale@womanspace-rockford.org, for more information. Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Drive in Rockford.

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34th Annual Glitzy Garage Sale Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5 from 8am-5pm, plus special deals on Sunday, June 6 from 9am-1pm. It’s time for the Womanspace Glitzy Garage Sale under the big tents! This is our biggest and longest-running fundraiser and your one-stop shop. Clean house and drop off your donations through June 2. There are many sorting, pricing and hauling tasks we need help with May 31-June 6. For more information on which items we accept for garage sale donations, or to volunteer, please call 815-877-0118, email info@womanspace-rockford.org or visit www.womanspace-rockford.org. 

Mandalas Art Exhibit Grand Opening reception on Friday, June 11 starting at 5:30pm during the “Wine & Wanderings” preview to the Volunteer Appreciation Party. Exhibit open May 24 through August 11, Monday-Thursday, 9a-5p, plus evenings and weekends when programs are scheduled, in Gallery 1 (Fountain View Room). Freewill Offering. Mandalas are used in several spiritual traditions as a point of focus and meditation. The circular form can be simple or complex. Both creating and viewing a mandala may be a “calming” experience. Artists featured are Dorothy Bock, Elaine Hirschenberger, Cindy Hughes, Pat Lai, Sue Mount, S. Janet Petersen, Marshia Shulz, Raymond Shulz, & Chrissy Stanfa. 40% of your purchase benefits Womanspace and its programs.

Lunch and Learn: Alexander Technique Wednesday, June 2 Noon-1:00p, Presenter: Dr. Philip Schalow, Location: Fountain View Room, Cost: $10. Walk-ins welcome. Discover how you can get rid of harmful tension in your body by using Alexander Technique. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a re-education of the mind and body. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting and other daily activities. It’s an intelligent way to solve body problems. Sponsored by State Farm Agent Lisa Mawyer. Bring a sack lunch. Dr. Philip Schalow is a professional violinist who qualified to teach Alexander Technique in 1981, and increased his skill base by studying the art and science of chiropractic. He opened 1st Step Chiropractic, Rockford’s only NUCCA procedure chiropractic office in 2003, and helps the Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin community to regain health, balance and ease of movement using specialty chiropractic and Alexander Technique.

Evening Yoga Dates: June 2-August 25, Times: Wednesdays 5:30–6:45pm, Instructor: Tami Bogard, Location: Womanspace Library, Cost: $50/five classes or $12/class. De-stress and unwind after work with yoga. Tami utilizes Hatha Yoga to help you find a happy balance between physical intensity and deep relaxation. This class for adults is open to both men and women, at all levels of ability and experience. Dress comfortably and bring a sticky mat. A Personal Fitness Trainer since 1992 and certified by The American Council on Exercise, Tami views her occupation as a way to help people. Teaching yoga since 2003 has allowed her to use her past knowledge of the body in a whole new way. “I feel very grateful that I am allowed to make a living doing something I love so much.”

Yoga for Women Dates: June 3-August 26, Times: Thursdays, 9:30–10:45a, Instructor: Una Ryan, Location: Womanspace Library, Cost: $40/four classes or $12/class. Yoga is an easy-to-learn workout program that not only improves flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina, but also reduces anxiety and stress. This basic Hatha Yoga class for adults will also help improve mental clarity, so the time spent in practice is more than worth it. Dress comfortably and bring a sticky mat. Una has studied yoga since the early 70s with a number of local teachers, beginning with Behram Guard. She has also taken workshops with Rodney Yee, Donna Farhi, and Patricia Walden. Una teaches basic Hatha Yoga, emphasizing reduction of stressful tension in mind and body.

Daf Drum Lessons Dates: June 3-August 26, Times: Thursdays, Level 1 Noon-1:00p, Instructor: Pardis Haghdoost, Location: Gallery 3 in New Dimensions, Cost: $40/four classes or $12/class. Bring your Daf drum and learn how to play this mystical instrument from a native Persian. The Daf is a large hand-held drum with metal rings that jangle against the inside frame. Pardis will teach technique and also share the spiritual side of the drum as it is used in sharing the writings of Rumi, Hafiz & other mystics. In addition to the weekly class, you will need to practice regularly. Contact Womanspace for information on sources for purchasing a Daf. Pardis Haghdoost is an RN at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Her passion and ancestral talent lies in reciting Rumi’s poetry and playing the daf drum, used ceremonially for centuries in her native Persia.

My Search for the Maya: Cruisin' the Yucatan Date: June 7, Time: Monday, 7:00–8:30p, Instructor: Susan Lee, Location: Fountain View Room, Cost: $10. Walk-ins welcome. Join Susan as she recounts her recent journey through the jungles of the ancient Maya. The adventure begins on board a ship departing Tampa with a quick trek through Key West and colorful butterflies. She then set sail for the Yucatan. Traveling from cave to cave in Belize on zip lines and rope bridges, Susan walked the path of the ancients in sticky heat, across rock outcroppings and through knee deep water. Crouching, crawling and climbing through sacred ceremonial caves, she saw sacred Mayan alters and pottery shards that once contained offerings to their gods. As majestic and awe-inspiring as the massive stone pyramids are in Tikal, Guatemala, they are nearly swallowed by the jungles of the rainforest. Climbing to the top of the temple is rewarded by an unparalleled vision of the lush landscape surrounding the long-abandoned city. The final stop in Cozumel has Susan making corn tortillas and flipping fish over a flame as a relaxing end to an amazing adventure, punctuated by a brilliant sunset over the Caribbean Ocean. Susan Lee has been a member of Womanspace since 2001. She enjoys coming to our campus for wheel thrown pottery, oil painting, and the various social and community events we offer. Susan is also an alto in Womansong Chorale.

EarthMatters Date: June 9, Time: Wednesday, Noon-1:15p, Presenter: Sue Hoople, Location: Fountain View Room, Cost: Freewill Offering-Suggested Donation $5. Walk-ins welcome. Whether you’re a novice or active “greenie,” this group is a fun and positive way to share information and accept the challenge of helping our environment. Each month an environmental topic with a wealth of background and research is presented and discussed. Prior attendance is not required. Bring a sack lunch.

Children's Art Camp: Playing with Purpose Ages 7–10. Dates: June 14, 15, 16, 17, Time: Monday–Thursday, 9:00a–Noon, Instructor: Dorothy Bock, MFA, Location: New Dimensions Studio, Cost: $95 (includes all materials) Register by June 10, Space is limited so register early! This four-part camp is designed to spark the creative talent that each child possesses. In the focused projects presented, those talents will be drawn together using a wide variety of skills and the child's life experiences. Work in drawing, printmaking, clay sculpture, painting and cut-out poster design will comprise this art experience. Snacks provided at mid session break.

Lunch and Learn: Reflexology Date: June 16, Time: Wednesday, Noon-1:00p, Presenter: Gretta Anderson, Location: Fountain View Room, Cost: $10. Walk-ins welcome! Reflexology is a healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears that correspond to every system of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body. Come learn more about this ancient healing art that goes back 5000 years to the Egyptians. Gretta has been a Reflexologist since 2004 and is co-owner of enTrance Center with her husband, Paul Dale Anderson. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and has been a Reiki Master Teacher since 2001. Gretta studied aromatherapy with Jeanne Rose, and is self-taught in the use of healing stones, first inspired by Steven Rosley.

Rockford Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Expo and Luncheon on Thursday, June 17, 10:30a-1:30p at Cliffbreakers. Cost: $35 for lunch; $40 for Expo tabletop. Sponsored by Womanspace and Swedish American Center for Women. This event begins with a Women in Business Expo followed by lunch and a panel discussion featuring Julie O’Rourke–Alpine Bank, Kathy Vigna–Hamilton Sundstrand, Roberta Holzwarth–Holmstrom and Kennedy, and Linda Grist Cunningham–Rockford Register Star. To have a tabletop exhibit you must also purchase a lunch. The event will conclude with the announcement of the 2010 Women in Business Awards: Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow, Woman Manager of the Year, and Woman Business Owner of the Year. Nominations are due June 4.

Poetry Workshop: Remembering Women through Verse Date: June 17, Time: Thursday, 6:30–8:30p, Instructor: Jan Chronister, Location: Fountain View Room, Cost: $20 Register by June 15. Poet Jan Chronister leads a basic poetry-writing workshop with a focus on how to take ideas and start getting words down on paper. She will also read some of her poems published in Target Practice (2009 Parallel Press, UW-Madison Libraries). Click here for a review. This chapbook chronicles many of the women and relatives influential in Jan’s life. It is full of surprises, strong images, character sketches, family stories and Lake Superior landscapes, sometimes all in the same poem. Jan has been writing poetry for over forty years. She has been published in regional and national anthologies and is two-time winner of the Lake Superior Writers Contest. She has also won awards in contests sponsored by the Wisconsin fellowship of Poets, the Tallgrass Writers Guild (IN), and the Brainerd Writing Alliance (MN). She contributes to Dust & Fire, an anthology of women’s writing, and frequently appears in the Wisconsin Poet’s Calendar. Jan teaches college-level English as an adjunct professor and thrives writing poetry at home in the woods near Maple, Wisconsin.

Summer Solstice Celebration Dates: June 19, Time: Saturday, 11:00a–Noon, Facilitator: Ruth Ora Jackson, Location: Womanspace Labyrinth, Cost: Freewill Offering Registrations preferred by June 17. Join us for a mid-summer celebration of the longest day of the year. Ruth will lead us in a beautiful and transformative experience to welcome summer. Weather-permitting, we'll walk the Labyrinth on our prairie. To reach the labyrinth, follow the ribbon hoops through the pine forest to the prairie. Ruth Ora Jackson, MS, ND, CNHP, has a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and offers psychological and health counseling at her private practice.

Tweens' Art Camp: Creative Surprises Ages 10–13. Dates: June 21, 22, 23, 24, Time: Monday–Thursday, 9:00a–Noon, Instructor: Dorothy Bock, MFA, Assistants: Norm Knott & Maddie Witt, Location: New Dimensions Studio, Cost: $95 (includes all materials) Register by June 17, Space is limited so register early! This camp will reinforce some earlier learnings in sketching, painting, and illustration. Techniques in sculpture and painting will be reviewed and projects will employ two or three of these experiences in a single project. Integration of various materials (clay, wood and tiles, painting and fabrics, water color and ink sketches, collage and design) will be suggested and guided as needed. New approaches in the use of materials will accompany some traditional content. Snacks provided at mid session break.

Tweens' Afternoon Camp: Creative Fun Ages 10–13. Dates: June 21, 22, 23, 24, Time: Monday–Thursday, 1:00–4:00p, Instructors: Sue Hoople, Carol Valaitis, Norm Knott, Glendia Strandin & Eli Karvelis, Location: Womanspace Campus, Cost: $95 (includes all materials) Register by June 17, Space is limited so register early! Send your tweens to the morning art camp with a sack lunch for the supervised noon break, and let them spend the day on our campus! Each afternoon will be filled with educational fun, like Cosmic Nature exploring and journaling on our prairie, forest and gardens with Sue, Kool Kids Campfire and Solar Cooking with Carol, Make a Hiking Staff and more nature art with Norm, plus Improv Acting with Glendia and Juggling with Eli! Bring three hacky sacks if you have them.

Family Fun Night: Campfire Stories Date: June 25, Time: Friday, 7:00–9:00p, Location: Fire Circle (next to parking lot), Cost: Freewill Offering. Registrations preferred by June 24. For all ages, men, women and children. Come share your favorite songs and stories around our fire circle, located at the edge of our parking lot. Bring a lawn chair, plus food or drink to share (S'mores anyone?) and be prepare to be nostalgic, inspired, amazed and perhaps even frightened!

SpacePacers Walking Group Walking is one of the best things you can do for your body, mind and spirit. . .and it doesn’t cost anything! Have fun in this women-only group and make friends while improving your health.  Sometimes creative and unconventional methods and incentives are planned to reach our daily steps goal, like our Virtual Walk to Mardi Gras. SpacePacers schedules walks two to three times a week in and around the Rockford area. There is no cost to be part of this Womanspace group and you are free to join us at any time for as many or as few walks as you want. If you are interested, please e-mail us to be put onto the list.

Green Fundraiser EarthMatters is both our environmental group and a beautiful and functional and reusable shopping bag! Come to Womanspace and get your environmentally-sound reusable totes for just $10 each. They’re made by a woman-owned and operated company here in the U.S. from 100% post-consumer recycled water bottles, and they make a great statement!

Walk the Labyrinth The Womanspace labyrinth and other gardens are free and open to the public daily during daylight hours. Labyrinths have been used by many spiritual traditions for over 4000 years. Our 11-circuit design is modeled after the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth in France. It opens you to a meditative and transformative experience - the ancient practice of circling to the center, incorporating the imagery of the spiral into a meandering, but purposeful path. Its many turns reflect the journey of life, which involves change and transition, rites of passage and cycles of nature. Starting at the circle drive, follow the prayer ribbon hoops through the woods, turn right at the bench and onto the prairie to discover the labyrinth.  Allow yourself at least an hour to fully experience the journey to the center and back out again.

Holistic Health Room Womanspace has a wonderful space for providing massage therapy, Reiki, and other bodywork. Appointments are made directly with the service provider, who will inform you of fees and other details. To contact a provider or learn more about our rental contract, contact us at info@womanspace-rockford.org or 815-877-0118.

Ceremonies, Gatherings and Celebrations at Womanspace Consider Womanspace for your wedding, memorial service, renewal of wedding vows or other celebrations. Over the past decades, many people have enjoyed ceremonies on our grounds and in our facilities. Contact Womanspace for rental fees and information on how we can provide a one-of-a-kind experience in our gardens, pine forest, Labyrinth and other meeting areas.

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About Womanspace: Womanspace seeks to inspire individuals to discover new talents, interests and friendships, and is dedicated to helping people live their best lives through programs that enhance mind, body and spirit. Situated on a seven-acre campus with art studios and galleries, Gallery2Go gift shop, beautiful gardens and a labyrinth, Womanspace has touched the lives of more than 20,000 men, women and children since its founding in Rockford, Illinois in 1975. Womanspace operates as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Directions: From Mulford or Alpine/Spring Creek, take Spring Brook Road to Applewood Lane.  Travel one block north on Applewood and then turn left on Maria Linden Drive. At the top of the hill, veer to the right in front of the lot for Provena Cor Mariae.