Five Free, Fun Things at Miami in March

Hollywood films, Appalachian Reflections, receptions, relaxation and more

compiled by Susan Meikle, university news and communications, meiklesb@MiamiOH.edu.

Miami Matters brings you five free, fun things to do at Miami each month from events listed on the Miami Events calendar.

We've highlighted five activities for March on Miami's Oxford, Middletown and Hamilton campuses (March 23-29 is Miami's Spring Break).

Tuesdays  @ 7 p.m.:  "Hollywood Hoods" film series at Miami Hamilton Downtown  

March 10, 17:  "Hollywood Hoods" film series is part of the Colligan History Project Series "Public Enemies" – a look back at the Prohibition Era. Richard O. Jones, award-winning arts journalist and former writer and editor for the Hamilton Journal-News, discusses the gangster genre hits "The Roaring Twenties" and "Dillinger."

March 10: "The Roaring Twenties," 104 minutes, 1939, James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart's last film together. They meet in a foxhole at the end of WWI and become bootleggers when they get back to the states. Totally fictional but spans the era, ending a few days after the 21st Amendment is ratified.

March 17: "Dillinger," 70 minutes, 1945, starring Lawrence Tierney, the first film made about the gangster John Dillinger. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Miami Hamilton Downtown is located at 221 High St., Hamilton. Free metered on-street parking for 2 hours.

Thursday, March 12: Women's Read-In: "Bringing Your Stories to the Table – Global Cuisine and Culture"

11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.  320 King Library, Oxford

Share a favorite author, book or recipe — but if you don't want to read, feel free to just stop in and enjoy.  Register for a slot to read or to find books on women's writing on food and food culture at the Women's Read-In website. 

Tuesday, March 17: Reception and program: " The Ready Ones: American Children, World War II, And Propaganda"

4-6 p.m., Special Collections, 320-321 King Library, Oxford

Reception for the spring exhibition: "The Ready Ones: American Children, World War II, And Propaganda" exhibition curated by Katherine Wills-Wright, master's student in history. The exhibition runs through May 15.

Tuesday March 17: " An Evening of Appalachian Reflections" by Ercel Eaton

6-8 p.m. Verity Lodge Meeting Room, MUM

Ercel Eaton, who grew up in the Appalachian mountains, is an author of two books, a poet and a retired journalist after 43 years at the Hamilton Journal-News. Appalachian Yesterdays, in its fifth printing, is a compilation of her work on life in the Appalachians. "During my four-plus decades of newspaper writing, I talked to scores of mountain-born people who migrated to these parts," Eaton said. "I heard many tales of trials and difficulties of living in that part of our beloved country. But, cutting through their life stories, was a continual brightness of how much they loved (and still loved after moving north) the hills of southeastern Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia." Eaton's first and foremost ambition has always been to dispel the "hillbilly" stereotype of the Appalachian people. Light refreshments will be served.

Reduce stress with Fitness 4 life lunchtime workshops:

All Fitness 4 Life classes are free, sponsored by Benefits and Wellness. All you need is your Miami ID. Download a spring schedule of classes and workshops here . 

Thursday, March 12:  Indoor Tai Chi  12:10-12:55 p.m. 44 Withrow Court, Oxford

If you're looking for a way to reduce stress, consider tai chi (TIE-CHEE). No tai chi experience needed, all are welcome. Originally developed in China for self-defense, tai chi has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that's now used for stress reduction and a variety of other health conditions.

Fridays, March 6, 13, 20: Roll It Out 12:10-12:40 p.m., 33 Phillips Hall, Oxford

Foam Roller Class: The foam roller is an excellent tool for stretching tight muscles. Just a few minutes a day on the foam roller can relax muscles, reduce the likelihood of injury and improve range of motion. During this interactive class, taught by an Airrosti Rehab Center chiropractor, you’ll learn 10-15 basic movements on the roller and how to incorporate them into your daily routine. All exercises can be modified for all fitness levels. And you still have time for lunch!