Playing Catch-up

All right, it's time to play some serious catch-up on this blog. Here are a few tidbits I've been accumulating during the past week or so:

• The Indianapolis Art Center is accepting registrations for its second-session classes. Click here for a full schedule. If you're pressed for time, try sparking your creativity with one of the weekend workshops instead of the seven-week classes.
• Want to learn more about creating a sustainable home? Green Piece Indy has a great tip about the upcoming Indiana Building Green symposium, to be held March 12-13 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Some of the sessions are geared toward commercial builders, but others make sense for individuals (such as the one about choosing "green" furniture).

Tomorrow evening, I'm headed to Frasier's Gourmet Foods for chef Erin Kem's grains class. I'll let you know how it goes!

Online University Lectures

While I was recovering from the worst flu of my life last week, my husband decided to take over my blogging research duties. He found a real gem: Academic Earth, a collection of university lectures posted online.

Take a one-off lecture or an entire semester's worth of classes; it's up to you. How about "The American Novel Since 1945"? Not your style? Try "Private Equity and the Financial Crisis" or "The World is Flat 3.0" with Thomas Friedman. A lecture on elliptical orbits from MIT? You can see why I'm excited about this resource!

Overdue Away Message

Readers, I have tons of updates waiting for you, and I will soon be posting them all ... as soon as I shake this flu and become a little more coherent. Please bear with me! I'll be back with you soon.

Tuesday Tidbits

On Thursday evening, I'm finally making my way to Boca Loca for a beading class. I'll give you a full report soon! In the meantime, here are a few tidbits to tide you over.

• Kiss Z Cook in Carmel has posted its March class calendar. I gave my mom a gift certificate for Christmas, so I'll probably be at one of these classes. Maybe "Breakfast Goodies" or "St. Patty's Irish Food and Beer"?
• The Knit Stop in Keystone has redesigned its Web site, making the class listings much easier to access. Sign up now for classes on specific patterns, or enroll in "rookie," intermediate or advanced classes to improve your knitting or crochet technique.
• Conner Prairie is offering an adult pottery class on Tuesday evenings in March. The focus is on wheel-throwing and glazing techniques.
• Another upcoming Conner Prairie event: An Evening Dinner with Freetown Village (March 21). Enjoy an evening of traditional African-American cuisine and 1870s period entertainment, including parlor games, story-telling and songs. (Reservations required.)

iMOCA Lecture: Defining Postmodernism

A recent cover story in the Star's Sunday section reminded me of an arts-related resource we often overlook: the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, or iMOCA. Founded by a former co-worker of mine, the museum offers an artistic perspective we don't often see locally.

The museum offers changing exhibitions by up-and-coming artists, as well as interesting educational opportunities. Coming up next: a free class series titled "iMOCA 201 Goes Postmodern on the Art World." The class, taught by Butler University professor Elizabeth Mix, will define postmodernism in relation to art. Classes will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Feb. 11 to March 4.

If you can't make it to the class, stop by the iMOCA gallery instead. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.

Moving: Dromtonpa Buddhist Center

The Dromtonpa Buddhist Center -- where I recently attended a meditation class -- is moving to new digs next weekend. The center is relocating from its awkward home in Fountain Square to a house on North Keystone Avenue, which should make the center more visible and convenient.

Interested in learning more about meditation? Check the center's Web site for a schedule of drop-in classes and guided meditation retreats.