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.
Collage Art/Papercraft Class
Time: 10:00am -12:00pm, Wed 10/8: Gratitude-Themed Tag Book
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: Self-led
sign-up at class
Fee: No fee
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!
healcode: The Creative Mind - Creative Art 1 NOW Drawing with Dante
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: Self-led
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, 10/22: The Power of Enchantment
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.
The Crafty Crew
Time: 12:00pm-3:30pm, Fri
Location: Seideneck Room
Instructor: self-led
Fee: No fee, Drop-ins welcome
Description: Join us for a fun and creative gathering where you can work on new or unfinished craft projects in the company of fellow crafters. This group is self-led. Bring your own supplies and enjoy a friendly, inspiring atmosphere. (non-toxic materials only).
Wood Carving
Time: 8:30am-11:30am, Tues & Thurs
Leader: Joe Suprenant
Location: Seideneck Room
Fee: No fee, drop-ins welcome
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: Lynn Rombi
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.
Mindful Movement
Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm, Thurs
Location: Wellness Room
Instructor: Kristin Ramsden
Fee: $50/10 sessions (1st trail session free, sign-up 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.
Film Discussion Group
Time: 1:15pm-2:30pm, Thurs
Location: Blanchard A
Leader: Andrew Schoneberg
Fee: No fee, drop-ins welcome
Description: Like a book club—but with movies! Watch a selected film at home, then join the group to share reactions, memories, and reflections. Andrew Schoneberg will guide discussions and show memorable clips from classic films, comedy shorts, and other cinematic gems. In the first sessions, no advance viewing is required—just come enjoy the clips and conversation.
Gratefulness Group
Time: 3:00pm-4:15pm, Thurs
Location: Blanchard A
Leader: Ted Hill
Fee: No fee, email tedsup@gmx.com to join meeting
Description: Facilitated by Ted Hill, this group explores how practicing gratitude can enhance resilience, improve mental well-being, and strengthen relationships.Through reflective practices, guided discussions, and practical exercises, participants will learn to reframe challenges, foster a positive mindset, and embrace gratitude as a powerful tool for personal growth.Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, navigate change, or simply bring more joy into daily life, Ted will guide you through actionable strategies and meaningful conversations in a supportive, welcoming space. No fee. Drop in OK.
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 (experienced players only)
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm, Wed
Location: Craft Room
Fee: No fee; drop-in welcome.
Description:
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
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.
Ping Pong
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm Mon; 12:00pm-4:30pm Tues; 12:00pm-4:30pm Wed; 4:00pm-5:30pm Thurs; 8:30am-4:00pm Fri 10:00am-3:00pm Sat; verify schedule at 624.1588
Location:Tech/Wellness Room
Facilitator:Self-managed:Drop ins welcome
Texas Hold'em - Full to capacity
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm, Thurs
Location: Craft Room
Facilitator:: Micky Lawler
Texas Hold'em/Saturdays - Full to capacity
Time: 11:30am-2:30pm, Sat
Location: Craft Room
No facilitator::Drop ins welcome
Thursday After-Hours with Cornhole and Ping Pong
Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Location: Garden Courtyard and Tech/Wellness Center
No facilitator::Drop ins welcome
Oracle Card Reading
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm, Tue, 9/30
Location: Tech/Wellness Room
Instructor: Terri Lee
Fee: No fee, donations accepted, drop-ins welcome
Description: Step into a space of gentle reflection and inspiration with an Oracle Card Reading experience with Terri Lee. Whether you’re seeking guidance, clarity, or simply a moment of calm, this lighthearted and uplifting session offers insight through beautifully illustrated cards. Bring your curiosity and an open heart!
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: >Jill Sheffield Wellness Studio
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: Jill Sheffield Wellness Studio
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
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: 10/3: God and Reason; 10/10: War and Peace; 10/17: Love and Beauty; 10/24: Freedom and Purpose; 10/31: The West and the Rest
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: Off-site Zoom
Leader: Jim Emery
Foundation Reading and Discussion Group
Time: 10:00am-11:30pm; Weds
Location: Blanchard C
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.
Roundabout Singing with Kristin Ramsden
Time: 11:30am- 12:30pm, Wed
Location: Wellness Center
Instructor Kristin Ramsden
Fee: $30/mo, payable to instructor at class 831.521.0420 or eliserotchford@gmail.com.
Description: Who doesn't love to sing rounds? Come join us to learn simple rounds that everyone can enjoy, regardless of your singing experience.
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.
Short Story Writing
Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm, Fri,
Instructor: Lawrence Harris, Blanchard A
Fee: $15/per 3 hr class, sign-up at class
Description: Join the Short Story Writing instructor for an engaging writing class. Each class includes detailed lesson plans, and homework prompts will be assigned for reading and discussion in the following session. Tuition is $10.00 per person, per 2-hour class. For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Lawrence Harris at 415.828.9748.
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
Classic Film Series: Bell Book and Candle
Time: 2:00pm, Mon, 10/13
Location: Diment Hall
Facilitator: Classic film expert Andrew Schoneberg
Fee: Free
Description: Kim Novak glows in this bewitching 1958 romantic comedy. She’s a modern-day witch living in NYC's Greenwich Village.
When she meets strait-laced Jimmy Stewart, she decides to make him hers by casting a love spell.
She takes additional pleasure in doing so because he's engaged to her old college rival. However, she will lose her powers if she falls in love. The charming cast includes Jack Lemon, Ernie Kovaks, Hermione Gingold and Elsa Lanchester. Photographed in lush color and enlivened by spritely musical underscoring. Introduced by film expert Andrew Schoneberg.
Film Discussion Group
Time: Monday, 10/6 & 10/20
Location: Blanchard A
Entertainers Andrew Schoneberg
Fee: Free, no reservations required
Description: Like a book club — but with movies! Facilitator Andrew Schoneberg will select an enjoyable film for you to watch at home in advance, then join the group to share reactions, memories, and reflections. Andrew will guide the conversation with thoughtful questions to spark discussion. At meetings, we’ll also watch extraordinary scenes from classic films, comedy shorts, and other cinematic gems. For our first couple of sessions, no advance viewing is required — we’ll simply enjoy clips together and swap memories of favorite movies and the times, places, and people we shared them with.
The Listening Place Reader's Theater Presents "The Gin Game"
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm,. Saturday 10/11
Location: Diment Hall
PerformersReader's Theater
Fee: No fee, no registration required
Description: The Gin Game, a comedy-drama, featuring Mark Shillstone and Pat Horseley.
2nd Annual Carmel Chess Classic
Time: 10:00am-6:00pm,. Saturday 10/11
Location: Seideneck Room
FacilitatorJoseph Rice, USCF Tournament Director
Fee: Free for TCF members & K-12 students, all others $10 Registratin begins at 9:15am at event
Description:
A tournament event open to all chessplayers, ages 5 to 105, novice to grandmaster, hosted by The Carmel Foundation and Days & Knights of Monterey County.
Free for Carmel Foundation members & K-12 students • $10 for all others
Rated sections require USCF membership (join at uschess.org)
Round Times:
• Championship, Challengers, Contenders:
10:30am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm
• Candidates: 10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm,
3:30pm
• Swiss-system pairings — no eliminations.
Clocks: G/30;+30
Awards:
• Crystal trophies for 1st place in each
section
• Medals for all K-8 participants
• Blitz playoff for ties
• Section winners qualify for future
tournament levels
More info
Joseph Rice, USCF Tournament Director
Jos.Rice@comcast.net | 831-524-4488
Carmel Foundation Chess Club meets Thursdays, 1:00pm–4:00pm
• Poetry Readings
• Monterey County Theater Alliance
• The Listening Place Reader's Theater
• Film School
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.
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