When I was a kid, a music teacher came to our school every other week. She had long hair, wore crocheted maxi skirts and played the autoharp. I was in love. She led us in songs like “The Happy Wanderer.” Like all kids, we showed the most vigor during the chorus: “Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” Pure joy. That sense of unbridled pleasure at being outdoors is what writer David Ryan will get at in his talk, “The Gentle Art of Wandering,” Saturday evening at the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area (7100 Tramway NE). The idea is to ditch any agenda, expect to find something interesting wherever you walk and to pay attention so that you find it. You don’t even have to leave the city—urban wandering offers plenty of delights. It’s really about encouraging your senses to come to life and being mindful as you wander, which isn’t a bad way to approach pretty much all of life (don’t forget to carry water wherever you wander). Ryan will share tips and observations, which also appear on his blog: gentleartofwandering.com (his book of the same title is available there). As part of the City’s Saturday Sunset Series, the talk happens on June 14 at 7pm, and is free and open to all. (Kathy Freise)

Shutterbugs gather up your best pieces and pick some to submit for hanging in the new Bernalillo County headquarters when the gov-peeps move to Alvarado Square, happening now until Monday, August 31. The selected photographs will be printed in a large scale and format. They will be used to create a welcoming environment for county customers, county employees and the general public. Some will be used on the windows of the new Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office suite. The photographs should represent the history and character of Bernalillo County and its people, places, landscapes and unique events in our county. There are some big bucks involved as chosen photographers will receive $1,500, with a limit of one photograph per artist. The chosen photos will become part of the public art program’s permanent collection. There is no fee or age limit required to submit. For more information, visit bernco.gov/community-services/current-call-for-entries.aspx. Ends August 31. (Carolyn Carlson)

City on the Edge is a breezy, smart podcast looking at the stories from Albuquerque history that have often been overlooked. Each episode takes a deep dive into a topic like the 1955 crash of TWA flight 260, Sandia Man or the 1918 quarantine. Worthwhile listening that will spur your curiosity about things you didn’t even know about in the city where you live. It’s free and available wherever you get your podcasts. (Clarke Condé)

In the words of Dean Martin, “Baby, it's cold outside.” So lend a helping hand to the homeless folks in Burque by contributing to Astro-Zombies' 8th Annual Holiday Sleeping Bag Drive. Now through Saturday, Dec. 24, drop off new, adult-sized cold weather sleeping bags at the comic store to help local homeless people weather the winter cold. The bags will be distributed throughout the community on Christmas Eve. And for each bag you donate, you'll also be entered in a raffle to win awesome prizes from the likes of Masks Y Mas, Rude Boy Cookies, Archetype Dermigraphic Studio and more. After all, when told, “Baby, you'd freeze out there,” even Dean's lady asked him to lend her a coat. (Renée Chavez)