Pysanky (pronounced “PIH-sahn-keh”) is a fascinating traditional Ukrainian egg-decorating technique passed down through generations since pagan times. Simple to intricate designs are applied to an egg with melted beeswax using a special tool called a "kistka," then the egg is dipped into progressively darker-colored dyes. A multi-layered pattern results that is revealed when the wax is melted off at the end. This wax-resist style of decorated egg is one of Ukraine's national symbols.

In this workshop, you will learn to make these beautiful eggs yourself! You will be provided with examples, direct instruction and support as well as all the tools and materials needed to design and create your own pysanky.

This class will have a winter theme, including seasonal motifs of holidays and nature.

Nancy Rhoades is a retired teacher with a lifetime of experience in making things…from pottery to calligraphy and illumination, from sewing and weaving to writing pysanky, and more.

The craft of Pysanky is a joy to teach, and Nancy is delighted to have the opportunity from CCC to share this particularly beautiful folk art with you.

Pysanky (pronounced “PIH-sahn-keh”) is a fascinating traditional Ukrainian egg-decorating technique passed down through generations since pagan times. Simple to intricate designs are applied to an egg with melted beeswax using a special tool called a "kistka," then the egg is dipped into progressively darker-colored dyes. A multi-layered pattern results that is revealed when the wax is melted off at the end. This wax-resist style of decorated egg is one of Ukraine's national symbols.

In this workshop, you will learn to make these beautiful eggs yourself! You will be provided with examples, direct instruction and support as well as all the tools and materials needed to design and create your own pysanky.

This class will have a winter theme, including seasonal motifs of holidays and nature.

Nancy Rhoades is a retired teacher with a lifetime of experience in making things…from pottery to calligraphy and illumination, from sewing and weaving to writing pysanky, and more.

The craft of Pysanky is a joy to teach, and Nancy is delighted to have the opportunity from CCC to share this particularly beautiful folk art with you.

Please join us at CCC's Page Center, or on Zoom, for this Comet Talk!

Several hundred years ago, in an age before satellites, radar or even complete maps, it was very challenging navigating the open seas where there were no landmarks. But clever humans from different parts of the world (including the Vikings, the Indians (people from India) and other seafaring people) boldly and successfully navigated the open oceans using the stars, basic calculus, and simple but ingenious tools. This lecture will examine and demonstrate the tools and methods of those curious and inventive seafarers.

Presenter Steven Law is a poet and Pushcart Prize-nominated essayist. He’s the author of “Gone. Encounters with Awe, Wonder and Reverence While Exploring the American West” (Middle Creek Publishing, 2024), and "Polished", a book of poems about exploring the Colorado Plateau by foot and by raft (Westbow Press, 2015). 

Steven is an award-winning journalist, and a Contributing Writer for Panorama: the Journal of Travel Place and Nature. His travel essays have won numerous Gold and Silver awards at the Travelers Tales Solas Awards for Best Travel Writing.

He has worked as a farmer, short-order cook, waiter, journalist, travel writer, newspaper editor, magazine editor, Grand Canyon river guide, overland guide, and public relations coordinator.

He is a master of Sabaku Yoku Meditation.

He lives in northern Arizona with his wife and two daughters.

A Supportive Mixed Media Workshop

Are you finding it hard to imagine the future you want—or to gather the momentum to bring your vision to life? Vision Boarding in Uncertain Times offers a refreshing, supportive approach to reclaiming clarity and direction. In this two-session mixed-media class, you’ll gently re-vision the traditional vision board, transforming it into a grounded, nurturing tool for self-discovery rather than pressure or perfection. Through guided reflection, creative exercises, and meaningful discussion, you’ll explore your unique strengths, reconnect with what truly sustains you, and identify opportunities for self-nurturing. You will create one to two new vision boards aligned with your personal strengths and emerging possibilities. Join us to cultivate insight, inspiration, and a renewed sense of hope—no matter what the world around you is doing. 

This class meets on two Tuesdays: Jan. 13 and Jan. 20, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Michelle Gray, Coaching Psychologist and owner of Authentic Path Coaching, has over 40 years of professional experience in Expressive Arts and Coaching. She provides transformative well‐being coaching with those making transitions while exploring their authentic life path. She loves to help others Awaken Creative Solutions through individual, relationship, group coaching.  Michelle was also a recipient of 2024 ARTx Grant for Dreamscapes Unveiled, an art show integrating Jungian psychology, sleep, and dreams.

Learn how to lead and facilitate effective, productive, and successful meetings in a one-day workshop. You will gain practical skills to plan, manage, and facilitate with confidence and clarity. Through real-world scenarios and hands-on activities, discover techniques to encourage participation and keep discussions on track. This class is ideal for project managers, team leaders, or anyone looking to advance their career with essential skills to facilitate team, business, and community meetings.

We will take a 30 minute break for lunch; please bring your own lunch, snacks, etc.

Instructor Katherine Sánchez Meador served as a partnership coordinator, facilitator, team leader, and a resident ecosystem management instructor. She provided support and guidance for projects of national significance in the Pacific Northwest, the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI.org), and national leadership curriculum development and delivery. Katherine facilitated leadership teams including the 4FRI Board of Supervisors, Enterprise Program Executive Leadership Board, and the Southern Appalachian Sub-regional Team. She also created and led an on-line facilitation community of practice.

Do you like to get out into the backcountry and explore? Are you prepared to spend a freezing night out in the woods even if you weren’t planning to? This is a hands-on course on what to do, what to pay attention to, and how to maximize your fun and stay safe on a cold weather hike in northern Arizona. Participants will learn the five survival priorities when faced with an emergency, and we'll practice building shelters and starting a fire, conditions permitting. We will also learn how Search and Rescue works when you engage them. In addition to the resources, lists, handouts, and knowledge you’ll take home, the class fee also includes SOL Heat Sheets, plastic match safes, and parachute cord. After you sign up we’ll also provide a list of things you’ll need for the class.

This class meets for two days:

• Friday, Jan. 30, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and
• Saturday, Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Instructor Shawn Nittmann has been with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit since 2013 where he is a member of the board of directors, an operations leader, and a navigation and survival instructor. He has completed over 200 Search and Rescue missions in Coconino County and is trained as a wilderness EMT. He has also been a part-time Biology Instructor and Community Education Instructor at CCC for many years.

Assistant instructor John Penna has been with the Coconino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue unit since 2017 and is currently focused on Preventive Search and Rescue. John was previously an ops leader, navigation instructor, and a member of technical support, participating in over 200 incidents and 300 events.