Bicycling
Open Shop Nights. Have a bike to donate or need help with a bike repair? Visit the volunteer-run community bike shop. Tues., 6–8 p.m.; Wed., 5–7 p.m. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre St., Montpelier. By donation. 552-3521 or freeridemontpelier.org.
Cyclocross Ride. A mellow, 1–2 hour dirt-road cruise. All abilities welcome; cyclocross bike highly recommended. Mon., through May 27. Meet at 6 p.m. at Onion River Sports, Montpelier. 229-9409 or onionriver.com.
Cycling 101. Train for a summer of riding with Linda Freeman and Onion River Sports. Build confidence, strength, endurance, road-riding skills and a sense of community with relaxed rides on local paved roads. For all abilities. Tues. Meet at 5:30 p.m. at Montpelier High School. Drop-ins welcome until July 2. 229-9409 or onionriver.com.
Books
Ongoing Reading Group. Improve your reading and share some good books. Books chosen by group. Thurs., 9–10 a.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St. 223-3403.
Book Discussion Group. Group focuses on The Thoughtful Dresser: The Art of Adornment, the Pleasures of Shopping, and Why Clothes Matter, by Linda Grant. Facilitated by Peggy Ramel, AmeriCorps member at Central Vermont Council on Aging. Fri., 10–1:15 a.m., through June 14. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St. Free; books available for $13. Sign up at 223-2518.
Computers
Tech Help at the Library. Get help with any computer or Internet questions, or learn about the library’s new circulation software and how to use ListenUp to download audiobooks and more. Bring your iPod, tablet, phone, laptop or other device. Wed., 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., through mid-April. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338 or kellogghubbard.org. Additional help on second and fourth Tuesdays: see Upcoming Events.
Crafts
Beaders’ Group. All levels of beading experience welcome. Free instruction available. Come with a project for creativity and community. Sat., 11 a.m.–2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plainfield. 454-1615.
Dance
Ecstatic Dance. Dance your heart awake. No experience necessary. Sun., 5:30–7:30 p.m., Christ Church, State St., Montpelier. Wed., 7–9 p.m.; first and third Wed.: Worcester Town Hall, corner of Elmore and Calais roads; second and fourth Wed.: Plainfield Community Center (above the co-op). $10. Fearn, 505-8011 or fearnessence@gmail.com.
Ballroom and Latin Dance Class. With instructor Samir Elabd. For beginning to intermediate dancers. No partner necessary. Tues., May 14–June 4. Waltzing 6–7 p.m.; wedding and party dances 7–8 p.m. $14 per class; walk-ins welcome. Register at 225-8699; information at 223-2921.
Food
Free Community Meals in Montpelier.
All welcome.
Mondays: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Tuesdays: Bethany Church, 115 Main St.,
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Wednesdays: Christ Church, 64 State St.,
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Thursdays: Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Fridays: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre St.,
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Sunday: Last Sunday only, Bethany Church, 115 Main St. (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue), 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Barre Farmers’ Market. Local produce, meats, poultry , eggs, honey, crafts, baked goods and more. Wed., 3–6:30 p.m. City Hall Park, Barre.
Capital City Farmers’ Market. 50-plus farmers, food producers and craftspeople, plus live music and cooking demos. Sat., 9 a.m.–1 p.m., through October. 60 State St., Montpelier. Carolyn, 223-2958 or manager@montpelierfarmersmarket.com.
Noon Cafe. Soup, fresh bread, good company and lively conversation. Wed., noon. Old Meeting House, East Montpelier. By donation. oldmeetinghouse.org.
games
Apollo Duplicate Bridge Club. All welcome. Partners sometimes available. Fri., 6:45 p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. $3. 485-8990 or 223-3922.
health
Free HIV Testing. Vermont CARES offers fast oral testing. Thurs., 2–5 p.m. 58 East State St., suite 3 (entrance at the back), Montpelier.
371-6222 or vtcares.org.
Affordable Acupuncture. Full acupuncture
sessions with Chris Hollis and Trish Mitchell. Mon. and Wed., 2–7 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
79 Main St., suite 8 (above Coffee Corner), Montpelier. $15–40 sliding scale. Walk in or schedule
an appointment at montpeliercommunityacu
puncture.com.
H Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism. Sliding-scale herbal clinics. Student clinic: Mon., 1–5 p.m. and Tues., 4–8 p.m. $0–$10. Professional clinic: Tues.–Fri. $0–$100. 252 Main St., Montpelier. Consultations by appointment only. Call 224-7100, info@vtherbcenter.org, or
vtherbcenter.org.
Kids
Story Time at the Waterbury Public Library. Mondays, babies and toddlers. Fridays, preschoolers. 10 a.m. Waterbury Public Library. Free. 244-7036.
Story Time at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-4665.
Story Hour at the Aldrich. For babies, toddlers and kindergarteners. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., through mid-May. Aldrich Public Library, Washington Street, Barre. Adrianne, 476-7550.
Story Time and Playgroup. For children age 0–6. Story with Sylvia Smith, followed by playtime with Melissa Seifert. Wed., 10–11:30 a.m. Program follows the Twinfield calendar and is not held on weeks when the school is closed. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.
Baby Play Playgroup. For children birth to age 3 and their adults. Thursdays, 9:30–11 a.m., through June 13. St. Augustine’s Church, Barre Street, Montpelier. Christopher, 262-3292,
x 115. fcwcvt.org.
Baby Play Playgroup. For children birth to age 3 and their adults. Thurs., 9:30–11 a.m., through June 13. St. Augustine’s Church, Barre Street, Montpelier. Christopher 262-3292, x 115 or
fcwcvt.org.
Dads’ and Kids’ Playgroup. For children birth to age 5 and their male grown-ups. Free dinner provided before playtime. Thurs., 6–7:30 p.m., through June 13. Family Center of Washington County, 383 Sherwood Dr., Montpelier. Christopher, 262-3292, x 115 or fcwcvt.org.
Cub Capers Story Time. Story and song for children age 3–5 and their families. Led by Carrie Fitz. Sat., 10 a.m. Children’s room, Bear Pond Books, 77 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 229-0774 or jane@bearpondbooks.com.
language
English Conversation Practice Group. For students learning English for the first time. Tues., 4–5 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St.. Sarah, 223-3403.
Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and practice your language skills with neighbors. Noon–1 p.m. Mon. Hebrew, Tues. Italian, Wed. Spanish, Thurs. French. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
music
Sing with the Barre Tones. Women’s a cappella chorus. Mon., 6:30 p.m. Alumni Hall (second floor), near Barre Auditorium. 223-2039 or rjmorgan1956@comcast.net.
Monteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal. New chorus members welcome. Wed., 4–5 p.m. Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for location and more information.
Friday Night Community Drum Circle. Open drumming hosted by the Unitarian Universalists of Barre. Everyone welcome. Fri., 7–9 p.m. Parish house, Barre Universalist Church, Main and Church streets, Barre. Follow your ears or follow the signs. Accessible venue possible with advance notice: 503-724-7301
recycling
Free Food Scrap Collection. Compost your food waste along with your regular trash and recycling. Wed., 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat. 6 a.m.–1 p.m. DJ’s Convenience Store, 56 River St., Montpelier. cvswmd.org.
Dollar Days. Bring in odd and sundry items for reuse, upcycling and recycling, including toothbrushes, bottle caps, cassette tapes, books, textiles, batteries and more. Mon. and Fri., 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Additional Recyclables Collection Center, 3 Williams Ln., Barre. $1 per car load. Complete list of accepted items at 229-9383, x 106, collino@cvswmd.org or cvswmd.org.
spirituality
Christian Meditation Group. People of all faiths welcome. Mon., noon–1 p.m. Christ Church, Montpelier. Regis 223-6043.
Christian Science. God’s love meeting human needs. Reading room: Tues.–Sat., 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; Tues., 5–8 p.m.; and Wed., 5–7:15 p.m. Testimony meeting: Wed., 7:30–8:30 p.m., nursery available. Worship service: Sun., 10:30–11:30 a.m., Sunday school and nursery available. 145 State St., Montpelier. 223-2477.
Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging text study and discussion on Jewish spirituality. Sundays, 4:45–6:15 p.m. Yearning for Learning Center, Montpelier. Rabbi Tobie Weisman, 223-0583 or info@yearning4learning.org.
H Noon Hike and Walking Meditation. Join Alicia Feltus, integral yoga instructor, for a walk from Tulsi Tea Room to Hubbard Park for guided walking meditation. Meet at Tulsi Tea Room. Wed.,12–12:40. 917-4012 or aliciafeltus@gmail.com.
Shambhala Buddhist Meditation. Group meditation practice. Sun., 10 a.m.–noon; Tues., 7–8 p.m.; Wed., 6–7 p.m. Shambhala Meditation Center, 64 Main St., 3F, Montpelier. Free. 223-5137. montpeliershambala.org.
Zen Meditation. Wed., 6:30–7:30 p.m. 174 River St., Montpelier. Free. Call Tom for orientation, 229-0164. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont.
Sports
Roller Derby Open Recruitment and
Recreational Practice. Central Vermont’s Wrecking Doll Society invites quad skaters age 18 and up to try out the action. No experience necessary. Equipment provided: first come, first served. Sat., 5–6:30 p.m. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre Street. First skate free. centralvermontrollerderby.com.
teens
The Basement Teen Center. Cable TV,
PlayStation 3, pool table, free eats and fun events for teenagers. Mon.–Thurs., 3–6 p.m.; Fri., 3–11 p.m. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main St., Montpelier. 229-9151.
Mad River Valley Youth Group. Sun., 7–9 p.m. Meets at various area churches. Call Ben, 497-4516, for location and information.
yoga
Yoga with Lydia. Build strength and flexibility as you learn safe alignment in a nourishing, supportive and inspiring environment. Drop-ins welcome. Mon., 5:30 p.m., River House Yoga, Plainfield (sliding scale). Wed., 4:30 p.m., Green Mountain Girls Farm, Northfield (sliding scale). Tues. and Fri., noon, Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier. Rates and directions at 229-6300 or saprema-yoga.com.
Yoga and Wine Thursday. With Lori Flower. All levels welcome; bring your own mat. Wine bar open after class. Thurs., 5:15–6:30 p.m. Fresh Tracks Farm, 4373 Rte. 12, Montpelier. $8. 223-1161 or freshtracksfarm.com.
Community Yoga. All levels welcome to this community-focused practice. Fri., 5:30–6:30 p.m. Yoga Mountain Center, 7 Main St., 2F, Montpelier. By donation. 223-5302 or yogamountaincenter.com.