The Baltimore Free University has begun registration for spring classes through March 15, 2007 at the Village Learning Place (VLP) in lower Charles Village. The VLP and the Johns Hopkins Center for Social Concern co-sponsor the Baltimore Free University.

There are sixteen classes offered this spring, and registration can be done in person only at the VLP. The VLP sits in a small schoolhouse-like building at 2521 St. Paul Street--Baltimore, Maryland. It houses education resources for children. Their phone number is 410-235-2210.

Classes begin in late March and early April, and topics range from "Beer History and Appreciation" to the more practical "Preparing for Home Ownership," to the more visionary "Class Struggle and the Road to Socialism" or "Intro to Golf," depending on your taste. A full brochure with class descriptions is available at the VLP.

The VLP also is hosting an open house on March 7th, 2007 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., where instructors can be peppered with questions.

Baltimore Indymedia's own Howard Erhlich is teaching a Tuesday evening class starting on March 20 called "Anarchism for Beginners." The class will run for four sessions and cover a basic introduction, strategies, tactics, and competing perspectives.

Another thinking person's class is "John Stuart Mill: On the Utility of Religion" with Dr. Ed Hopkins. The class will run four weeks and look closely at one single essay, focusing on "a very close reading of this essay, with the goal of mastering every twist and turn of Mill's argument," according to the class description. Dr. Hopkins has taught excellent classes on Ralph Waldo Emerson and British thinker John Ruskin in the past.

The "Preparing for Home Ownership" workshop with Gwen Padow also has garnered rave reviews.

There are two cooking classes being offered, one in ballroom dancing, another in "Fearless Public Speaking," and many others on various topics and skills. Students must be 18 years or older, and registration is just $10 per class.

While most classes are at J.H.U. or the VLP in Charles Village, a "Women in Jazz" class will be held in Fells Point. The VLP has more information.