As if public schools in America weren't dim enough, our boy in the White House -- who, like a long line of his predecessors, fancies himself "the education president" -- has crushed the Department of Education's budget further than it already was, assuring a new generation of hopelessly brain-dead children. Sounds like it's time for home schooling. Get an intro to home schooling at Holiday Inn (3355 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale) from Alpha Omega Publications. One of the largest providers of home-school curricula, AOP is also a devoutly Christian organization, so if you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you'll have to cherry pick the good stuff. But hey, even that's better than having a 12-year-old who can't identify the U.S. on a world map, right? Admission is free. Call 800-622-3070.
FRI 8/8
Looking for some outdoor fun with a lighthearted social message? Grant Livingston is a songwriter's songwriter, a folk singer about town, the acoustic Jimmy Buffett, if you will. He weaves tales of old Florida, the environment, and social commentary into his songs with a dash of humor. And he performs as part of the "MacArthur Under the Moonlight" concert series. How appropriate. Throw on that straw hat and palm-tree-print shirt and enjoy this night under the stars at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (north end of Singer Island, 10900 SR 703, North Palm Beach). Tickets cost $5 per person and children age 10 and younger are admitted free. Starts at 7 p.m. Call 561-624-6952.
SAT 8/9
Art lesson alert! Giclee is derived from the French verb gicler, meaning to "squirt" or "spray." Giclee images are high-resolution digital scans printed with archival quality inks onto various surfaces, usually canvas or watercolor paper. Before it is printed, the artist can manipulate or change the colors or objects in the image. The giclee process provides better color accuracy than other means of reproduction. And giclee is exactly what you'll see at the opening of the new Edna Hibel Gallery (901 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach). The exhibition features pieces by Hibel herself, who has been working in a variety of media for almost 70 years. Check out some giclee and also browse a new line of fine art pocketbooks at 2 p.m. Call 561-752-1656.
SUN 8/10
Sure, there's plenty to criticize in Israel's handling of the Palestinians. It seems, from the outside looking in, that one is unable to point to "the good guys" and "the bad guys" over there. Whether it's the Berlin Wallesque creation currently being built or the constant news of women and children being maimed, Israel's response to suicidal Palestinian madmen has been, at times, overkill. But how do you discuss this without getting slammed as anti-Semitic? Moreover, how do you tell anti-Semitism from legitimate criticism of Israel? Florida Atlantic University's Davie Campus (2912 College Ave., Davie) holds an anti-Semitism interactive workshop from noon to 4 p.m. The workshop particularly targets college campuses and the growing problem of anti-Semitism found therein. Reservations are required, and admission is $10. Call 954-252-6949.
MON 8/11
What with all these fancy telephones, telegraphs, and what have you, writing seems to be a dying art. Not writing in the most basic sense, of course. No, we're talking about the craft of writing. There's a difference between a Hallmark greeting card and a Faulkner novel, after all. Can we hold out hope that children of the future will be able to read and write to the extent of practicing the craft? Maybe. Kim Kerrigan, president of Corporate Classrooms, offers a workshop titled "Get a Grip on Your Writing" at the Riverland Library (2710 W. Davie Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) from 6 to 7:45 p.m., so you need not fear if your ability to compose a decent letter is all but lost. Kerrigan's workshop students learn six steps that allow one to write with ease, organization, and confidence -- at least, that's what she claims. Admission is free, though reservations are required. Call 954-791-1085.
TUE 8/12
It seems whenever one goes out onto the hippie scene -- be it a concert, a happening, a drum circle, a to-do, or whatever -- it tends to be a bit of a sausage factory. Sure, there are a few ladies, but men tend to dominate. Couple that with the fact that the 1980s men's movement had a great deal to do with heading out into the wilderness to bang on drums and scream a lot and chances are you won't find a drum circle with a large group of women involved. Secret Woods Nature Center (2701 W. State Rd. 84, Dania Beach) caters to this minuscule niche with its Women's Drumming Circle. From 7:30 to 9 p.m., women age 12 and older learn different drumming techniques before banging on the bongos. A few drums and other percussion instruments are available for use, though participants are encouraged to bring their own. Admission is $5. Call 954-791-1030.
WED 8/13
Mmm... summer. A veritable cornucopia of organic goodness, and South Florida is a bastion of health nuts. It's great to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, but sometimes you need a more fulfilling mission. What with all the farmers' markets and "green" markets 'round these parts, the Sunset Market at Weston offers a free alternative. Dig through a variety of unusual crafts, vintage clothing, antiques, flowers, collectibles, and other market-type bric-a-brac. You can also enjoy live music by Mark & Blake or just lounge in the park. Sunset Market happens twice a month at Linear Park (1630 Bell Tower Ln., Weston) from 5 to 9 p.m. Call 954-888-9118.
