Free Art Glass exhibit, demonstrations, Feb. 3
In conjunction with Arizona SciTech festival, Art Glass Phoenix will be presenting an exhibition of some of the finest glass artists in the Valley during a free First Friday event, 6-10 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Braggs Pie Factory Gallery, 1301 W. Grand Ave. (at McKinley). These artists bring a diverse range of talents and styles to the exhibition, which is free to anyone who wants to see some amazing works all made from glass.
Anyone attending will be able to speak with the artists about their work personally as they will all be in attendance. Also, live glassblowing will be going on in the Art Glass Phoenix studio attached to the Exhibit hall. There also will be two lectures on “nanotechnology” during the glass exhibit with lectures taking place at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m., alternating with glass blowing demonstrations. The science of colored glass and how nanotechnology played (and continues to play) a role in glass art and other explanations will be discussed at this interactive and hands-on lecture by Dr. Candace Chan, assistant professor in the Materials Science & Engineering School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy at Arizona State University.
A wide variety of techniques will be on display as part of the exhibit including traditional leaded glass, blown glass, fused glass, and hybrid forms of these styles. For more information contact artglassphoenix@msn.com.

Enjoy Phoenix rec facilities for free on Feb. 4
People wanting to stay active, learn a new skill and have fun this spring can now view the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Departments full spring season class and program schedule online. Spring class registration opens Feb. 4 at 10:30 a.m. To kick off the spring season and to help people keep up with “get active” New Year’s resolutions, the department is hosting a Free Fitness Day on Feb. 4 at all its community centers and two sports complexes. The event gives residents free use of the facilities for the day and gives them an opportunity to sign up on site for spring classes and sports programs.
Most department full-service community centers feature fitness centers with modern aerobic and weight training equipment, specialized instruction areas such as dance and computer rooms and full-sized gymnasiums. Free Fitness Day allows residents to try out the centers’ membership-based fitness facilities for free and tour all the facilities. They can also try out the Rose Mofford and Encanto Sports Complexes, which boast basketball, tennis, volleyball and racquetball courts and loaner equipment to get in the game.
When spring registration opens Feb. 4, residents can choose from hundreds of classes for all ages. The spring session runs from March through May. Classes and sports programs boast affordable prices, experienced instructors and convenient times and locations. Participants can view the full schedule in the Classes and Programs link at www.phoenix.gov/parks.

Eightlim Yoga hosts workshop on Feb. 5
Eightlim Yoga, 8828 N. Central Ave., Suite 301, hosts a Yoga Wall workshop 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5. This fun and exciting workshop builds a foundation of awareness, trust and confidence using the wall during yoga practice to optimize both stretching and strength building. The wall also gives added safety and support, taking fear out of the equation.
Each student will spend two hours practicing many postures with the full support of the wall. We will start with a warm up practice and then review each posture against the wall. As a result, whether practicing a basic or more advanced pose, you will be able to achieve your full version of that pose in a very relaxed and therapeutic manor. Given the support of the wall, we will have enough time to process and implement the many detailed movements required to be fully and properly in each pose. Cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Call 480-861-5148 or visit www.eightlimyoga.com for more information or to register.

Free screening of film about adaptive reuse
No Festival Required Independent Cinema presents a free screening of “The Greenest Building,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at MonOrchid Gallery, 214 E. Roosevelt. Doors open at 6 p.m. You are encouraged to bring your own chair (folding or camp) as actual seats are limited.
Over the next 20 years, one third of our nation’s existing building stock (over 82 billion square feet) will be demolished in order to replace seemingly inefficient buildings with energy efficient “green” buildings. Is demolition on this scale really the best use of natural, social and economic resources? Or, like urban renewal projects of the 1960’s, is it part of a well-intentioned planning strategy with devastating environmental and cultural consequences? “The Greenest Building” provides a compelling argument for conservation, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of our existing building stock as the single most effective strategy for reducing, reusing and recycling one of our most important consumer products-our buildings.

Duet offers free workshop for caregivers
For the first time, Duet is offering a free, five-week workshop called “Guiding Good Choices.” In a lively and open atmosphere, grandparents raising grandchildren and relative caregivers will gain specific strategies to help the children under their care avoid drug use and problem behaviors. This award-winning workshop aims to prevent substance abuse by teaching effective family management and communication skills before the child enters adolescence.
Kim Obert, Program and Communications Manager at DrugFreeAz.org, will present the workshop. Obert became involved with the organization following the accidental prescription drug overdose of her 18-year-old son. She has since begun to help parents understand the dangers of substance abuse. The free “Guiding Good Choices” workshop will be offered Saturdays, Feb. 11, 18 and 25 and March 17 and 24 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Duet, 555 W. Glendale Ave. A light breakfast will be served. Space is limited. For more information and to sign up, contact Patricia Dominguez at Dominguez@duetaz.org or call 602-274-5022, ext. 44.

Babyar book signing on Feb. 11
Milan D. Babyar, a resident of Goodyear, will be available to sign copies of his novel, “Phishers of Men: Recognizing and Overcoming Emotional, Criminal, and Spiritual Identity Theft: A True Story,” 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at Bards Books, 3508 North 7th St., Ste. 145.
“Keep your drapes closed and your wife and kids in the house until we can get this guy on something. Don’t look him in the eye, and don’t have anything to do with him; otherwise, a rock or a bullet may be coming through one of your windows. You are in real danger and we are doing all that we can to move this guy out of this city.” Though it sounds like a nightmare or a horror movie, those words began a life-changing process for Babyar in October of 2000. See how he responded to a threat to his family and himself by standing on the Word of God while outlining three types of Identity Theft that affect everyone. Learn how a reflection of his life story brought to light the concepts of Emotional, Criminal and Spiritual Identity Theft. Be empowered to use your life experience, good, bad, happy and sad, to take the Word of God and put it into action as Christ invites all of His followers to do by making all of us “fishers of men.”