Let’s face it. Life, at times, can become boring and mundane.
The good news is that this fall and winter, Indianapolis residents don’t have to continue their cycle of routine. There are plenty of places around town to expand one’s knowledge.
Following are class ideas to pique your interest; get yourself out of your home and into an out-of-the box activity; or get your creative juices flowing and into something you’ve wanted to experience.
Gingerbread House Making 101
Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Ind.
Nov. 13 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Cost: $35 per team/$32 Conner Prairie member teams (teams include one adult and one teen working together)
Under the guidance of expert baker Rascia Jackson from Rascia’s Creative Cakes, teams will receive one pre-constructed gingerbread house to decorate, royal icing and candies for decoration. Jackson will show you how to construct a gingerbread house, as she discusses ingredients, techniques of piping using a pastry bag, icings and fancy finishes. Apply these new skills to a gingerbread masterpiece of your own for entry into Conner Prairie’s Gingerbread Village competition! Entry deadline: Nov. 14.
For more information, call (317) 776-6006 or visit connerprairie.org.
Homemade baby and kid food: Purees
Indy’s Kitchen, 2442 Central Ave.
Oct. 4 from noon – 1:30 p.m.
Cost: Bring items such as Ball jars (see complete list on website)
Come learn how to make healthy, interesting, and tasty food at home to feed your children. Participants will discuss three types of purees: first foods, a basic prepared fruit, and an intermediate stretcher. Also, they will prepare either avocado or banana puree as an introductory first food; prepare a mixed fruit puree; and look at simple vegetable pairings. Learn fun ways to inspire your children to try new foods and build their palates from the very beginning. If you wish, bring at least three clean pint-sized Ball jars so you can take home some of what you prepare.
For more information, email tradeschoolindy@gmail.com or visit tradeschool.coop/Indianapolis.
Meet a raptor
Eagle Creek Park, 5901 Delong Road
Now through Dec. 5 from 4-4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Have you ever glared at a bird of prey up close? Meet a live bird of prey and find out where raptors live, what they eat, and much more! Free with park admission, meet at the Ornithology Center.
For more information on this event, call (317) 327-7148 or visit indy.gov/eGov/City/DPR/Pages/IndyParksHome.aspx. For a complete list of Indy Parks fall events, visit funfinder.indy.gov or pick up a 2014 Fall Fun Guide at various locations around town.
Indy Wine Trail
Monday – Thursday during each winery’s operating hours
Cost: $10
Visit seven award-winning wineries all within minutes of downtown Indianapolis. The Indy Wine Trail is an organization of seven area wineries, each with something different to offer. From urban settings to sprawling vineyards, you’ll experience the many faces of Indiana vintners and a variety of wine styles. You can pick up a Trail Passport at any Trail winery. Get your Passport stamped at all seven locations and receive a free gift.
For more information, call (812) 546-0091 or visit indywinetrail.com.
Beginning Bridge
Indianapolis Bridge Center, 8030 Castleway Drive
Tuesday evenings, 6:30 – 8:30; Thursday mornings 9:00– 11:00,
Cost: $175 for the class and the book, or you can pay $15 for the book and $20 for each lesson you attend.
This is the class for people who have never played Bridge, or who played long ago and want to brush up on their skills to start playing again. They start with an introduction to the mechanics of the game. Then participants cover basic bidding – opening the bidding and responding to your partner’s bids. A couple of sessions on competing against your opponents’ bids rounds out the course. When you finish the class you are ready to play in a beginner game at the Bridge Center.
Just can’t get outside? Here are some classic board and card games to ensure hours of fun indoors for the whole family.
Scrabble
Clue
Sorry
Mancala
Chess
Risk
Monopoly
Connect Four
Uno
Skip-Bo
For more information, call (317) 845-5887 or visit indianapolisbridge.com.
