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 3/27: Decorative Paper Eggs
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.

Healcode: Learn Sumi-e with Saschja

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, 3/13, The Seasonal Wisdom of Springtime
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.

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.

Current Events Discussion Group
Time: 10:30am-11:30am, 1st & 3rd Tues
Location: Craft Room
Leader: Maria Litka Bennet
Fee: No fee, drop-ins welcome
Description: Join fellow members as we discuss hot topics in the news!

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.

Great Minds Online (edX & TED Talks)
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm, 2nd & 4th Wed
Location: ZOOM
Leader: Joan Beller
Fee: No fee, register with Joan, 238.2087
Description: Topic: varies

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.

American Mohjong
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: Barbara Wells
Fee: $2/per session, open room, register at class 624.5461
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, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Monday/month
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm, 3rd Mon/mo
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

Cribbage
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm, Wed, 1/3, 17, 31
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...

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/First Monday
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm, 1st Mon/m
Location: Craft Room
Facilitator:: Vicki Torcolini

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

Mindful Movement
Time: 2:00pm-3:15pm, 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.

The Creative Mind
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm, Fri
Location: Blanchard A
Coordinator: Maggie Hardy
Fee: $10/class for materials sign-up at class
Description: Want to get those brain cells bubbling? A creative mind is an active mind and a healthy one. This interactive, engaging class allows participants to expand and exercise their creative juices through easy and enjoyable in-class assignments. Every session is different. Some will make you think, and others will make you laugh. Bring your imagination and sense of humor. Maggie Hardy has managed global events including the Olympics and the Academy Awards. She now focuses on assisting nonprofits and corporations to think outside the box. 

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: >Blanchard A
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, 1/9-3/26
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: 3/1: Multiculturism and Social Cohesion; 3/8: Truth v Skepticism; 3/15: Why Beauty Matters; 3/22: Social Justic and its Discontents; 3/29: Slavery, the US Constitiution and American History
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!

The Carmel Foundation Book Club
Time: 1:30pm-3:00pm, last Fri/mo
Location: Blanchard A
Facilitator: Carleen Whittelsey
Fee: No fee, drop-ins welcome
Description: Next book for discussion is "The Lincoln Highway"

Mindful Drumming Circle
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm, 2nd & 4th Mon/mo
Location: Seideneck Room
Instructor Linda Sweet
Fee: No fee
Description: Spend your Saturday morning in a fun-filled and enriching journey through music of all ages and genres with Elise Rotchford, performing artist, music director, and educator. Explore the evolution of music from ancient times to current trends. Opera, musical theatre, chamber music, piano, guitar, classical, and popular music featuring guest artists.This series will cover the history of American Folk Music. Guest artist Richard Ginnell, music critic for the LA Times, will present his recently published book on the famous folk trio The Limeliters, Saturday, March 9.

Piano Lessons with Pam Lawrence
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesdays by appointment
Location: Blanchard B
Instructor Pam Lawrence
Fee: 30 minute lesson/$35. 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

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

Frank Sinatra - the Man and His Music
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm, Sat 4/6
Location: Diment Hall
Facilitator Will Furman, Vocalist, Gerry Williams, Piano
Fee: Free, no reservations required
Description: Frank Sinatra’s 60 year career had many ups and downs. He sold more than 250 million records. Come to the performance and you will hear My Way, Strangers in the Night, The Way you Look Tonight, New York New York, That’s Life, You Make Me Feel So Young, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, All the Way, Luck Be a Lady Tonight, Three Coins in a Fountain.

Monterey County Theater Alliance and Westfield Productions Present "Eye Contact"
Time: 12:30pm-1:45pm, Sat 3/2
Location: Diment Hall
Facilitator Monterey County Theater Alliance and Westfield Productions
Fee: Free, no reservations required
Description: by Jeffrey Westfield, directed by Fred Bologna Diment Hall, no fee, no registration The state decides that your heritage makes you an undesirable and you must be removed from society. Suppose you're a teenage girl, unwilling and unable to process this terrible reality, yet forced to flee while your family is destroyed. Based on a true story, Helga Burch, a local resident, wasn't sent to the horrific camps, but had several close personal Nazi encounters. Not reared as Jewish, by denying any knowledge of the Jewish faith, and supported by many generous people, young Helga was saved. The play Eye Contact, illuminates a world of terror imposed on innocents by political events. Eye Contact is supported by the Arts Council for Monterey County.



 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
>
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.


Cultivate Loving-Kindness with Mindfulness & Soulcollage ®
Time: 10:00am-2:45pm, Sat, March 2 Location: Seideneck Room
Instructor: Lisa Handley and Emily Nicholl
Fee: $60/includes materials, payable to instructor at workshop, register with Lisa at plumeriapapercraft@gamil.com
Description: Join Lisa Handley, artist and SoulCollage® Facilitator, and Emily Nicholl, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and meditation facilitator, for a special workshop experience focused on cultivating personal and global loving-kindness through the blended methods of mindful meditation and SoulCollage®, a creative, contemplative form of expressive art. Contact Lisa to register at plumeriapapercraft@gmail.com. $60 includes handouts and materials. Please bring your own bag lunch (lunch break 12:00 - 12:30).

Healcode Dealing with Dementia NOW Vedic Astrology - Free Intro
Teacher Illa Thompson and students in her Memiors Writing Class.

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
Past Lives
Wednesday, March 6
1:30pm, Diment Hall
2023 Romance/Drama (PG-13) 1hr 45min
  IMDB Details & Trailer

Maestro
Saturday, March 9
12:00pm, Diment Hall
2023, Biography Drama (R) 2hr 9min
  IMDB Details & Trailer

Indiana Jones
Saturday, March 16
12:00pm, Diment Hall
2023 Action Adventure (PG-13) 2hr 34min
  IMDB Details & Trailer

Fantastic Fungi
Saturday, March 23
12:00pm, Diment Hall
2019 Documentary (NR) 1hr 20min
  IMDB Details & Trailer

Saturday Double Feature
Elephant Whispers
Saturday, March 30
12:00pm, Diment Hall
2022 Documentary (PG) 41min
  IMDB Details & Trailer

Dancing with the Birds
Saturday, March 30
12:45pm, Diment Hall
2019 Documentary (PG) 52min
  IMDB Details & Trailer


Movie poster for Nyad