STAUNTON, VA (05/09/2012)(readMedia)-- The following ultra-cool recreation classes are being offered by Staunton Parks and Recreation. Space is limited so register asap so you don't miss out.

Matt Baer and Claire Montaigne are serious foodies. They believe that cooking is not about the recipe, but about the ingredients, the inspiration, and the connections made between people. They are teaching several classes with us this summer including the one described below. Matt & Claire also have a blog which features some great recipes! Sign up now for their class Middle Eastern Tapas

Come join us as we cook our way through the Middle East and prepare healthy, homemade tapas. We'll teach you the tricks to creamy hummus, crispy falafel, and fresh pita. We will also make baba ghanouj, the classic roasted eggplant dip; tzatziki, a cool yogurt-cucumber dip; and tabouleh salad. Come hungry - as we will be eating from start to finish - and leave with the skills to prepare your own Middle Eastern feast at home! 6pm-8:30pm, May 18 Price: $25

It's not every day you meet a professional cheesemonger! Nathan Mancini has some great classes lined up with Parks and Rec this summer and we're especially excited about this one. We've teamed up with Shenandoah Pizza and Shenandoah Hops to bring you this fantastic class which pairs two amazing ingredients- beer and cheese. May sound odd, but the combination really does work and Nathan will show you how! Some local brews will be featured and we encourage you to stick around for a great meal after the class. His class is Beer & Cheese Pairing.

Beer often gets overshadowed by wine when talking about being paired with cheese, but let our cheesemonger show you how much better they go together! Learn which cheeses to pair with your favorite styles of beer whether its lighter, crisper Pilsners and Wheat Beers to the stronger and more assertive IPAs, Porters, and Stouts. We will pair a variety of cheeses with amazing craft beer from Europe and the USA, including our favorite local brewers. Stick around on your own for a fantastic pizza dinner at Shenandoah Pizza. 6pm-7:30pm, May 23 at Shenandoah Pizza $50

Dark Skies Bright Kids is an entirely volunteer-run program out of the UVa Astronomy Department with the core mission of enhancing science education for elementary school students. The program seeks to foster the natural curiosity of children by helping them to explore the Universe in a social setting with fun, hands-on activities. We're delighted they are making their way to Staunton in a few weeks! This is a free program, although we encourage a $5 donation per attending child. See pictures of past programs here. Dark Skies, Bright Kids Curious about the universe? Join us for an Astronomy Day! The Dark Skies Bright Kids program from UVa will bring their program to the Garden Center in Gypsy Hill Park on May 26 at 2pm.

There will be fun hands on activities, demonstrations of invisible light, and planetarium shows, and plenty of opportunities to ask real astronomers your questions about the cosmos. This event is free of charge, but donations to the Dark Skies Bright Kids program are welcome. For more information about the DSBK program, visit: www.astro.virginia.edu/dsbk. 2pm-5pm, May 26, a $5 donation suggested

Please call to let us know you are coming: (540)332-3945

Co-Ed Adult Spring Outdoor Soccer League is an 8-on-8 league played at the Soccer Complex in Montgomery Hall Park. This league is open to players ages 16 and over with games played on Tuesdays and Sundays. Rosters are limited to 20 players with any combination of male/female players. Jerseys are included in the league fee. League starts May 29. Price is $350 per team. Register by: May 18th

Posted Wednesday May 09, 2012 at 08:00 pm by City of Staunton Parks and Recreation
Last Updated Friday May 11, 2012 at 10:09 am