12 things to do this winter that don't require snow

Climb the walls at Maine Rock Gym, Portland
Colder weather leads to cabin fever. Cabin fever makes people climb walls, and the walls in most cabins aren't conducive to climbing. But at Maine Rock Gym, the walls want you to climb on. The gym is open daily throughout the cold months and first timers can get instruction to get them started. All levels are welcome and ladies can take advantage of the women's climbing night on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.
Maine Rock Gym
127 Marginal Way, Portland | 207-780-6370 | merockgym.com
Introductory package for the first timer costs $28 and includes everything.

Swing your partner at Maine Ballroom, Portland
The waltz was once considered risque, since it was a couple's dance rather than a group dance and the man was obliged to put his arm around the lady's waist. Gasp! It's lost that reputation these days, but that hasn't prevented plenty of would-be dancers from taking up the steps. Maine Ballroom Dancing offers classes in Ballroom, Argentine tango, swing, waltz and rumba.
Maine Ballroom Dance
614 Congress St., Portland | 207-773-0002 | www.maineballroomdancing.com
Classes vary from four to six-week sessions and cost around $40 to $60. Drop-in practice also offered for $5, like the Wednesday-night Argentine Tango.
Also check out: Casco Bay Movers, Portland

Get crafty at Artascope Studios, South Portland
There's something about the ability to say "I made that" that's undeniably appealing. At Artascope Studios in South Portland, students can let their inner artist rule the evening while making hammered silver rings, crochet wire jewelry, fused glass pendants, image transfer art and more. Classes include instruction and all the materials. All you need to bring is imagination.
Artascope Studios
352 Cottage Road, South Portland | 207-799-5154 | artascope.com
Classes range from $40 to $80

Roll with it at Happy Wheels, Portland
Roller skating rinks have been witness to heartbreak before - of the Junior High variety. Maybe you haven't been back since Joey broke up with you during a couple's skate. Maybe it's time to reclaim the rolling wheels and the oblong hardwood floors. You're an adult now, dangit. No childhood romance is going to keep you away! (But you'll wear your rad hypercolor shirt anyway, just in case Joey is there.)
Happy Wheels
331 Warren Ave., Portland | 207-797-8207 | happywheelsskatecenter.com
Tuesdays are adults nights from 7:30 to 10 p.m.; admission is $6.50. All-ages skates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Bow to no one: Archery lesson at Central Maine Archery, Auburn
Maybe you're not looking to be the next Robin Hood. Or maybe you are. But learning the art of archery is sort a skill that always comes in handy. Plus it's wildly entertaining to hunt balloons. Take a lesson or head over with a pal for Friendship Fridays and get two for the price of one lane and rentals only $10.
Central Maine Archery
213 Washington St., Auburn | 207-783-3060 | www.centralmainearchery.com

Go on strike at Bayside Bowl, Portland
Bowling was once thought to be the sport of middle-aged men who worked factory jobs during the day and wore bathrobes around the house on weekends. But it's proven to be a much cooler way to spend an evening than previous thought. It helps that Bayside Bowl also has a fine menu (pork cigars!) and live music most nights, not to mention the mood lighting.
Bayside Bowl
58 Alder S., Portland | 207-791-2695 | baysidebowl.com/
Lanes are open 4 to 11 p.m. Monday thru Wednesday, noo to 1 a.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. $25/hour per lane on Sunday thru Thursday; $30/hour per lane on Friday and Saturday.
For more bowling alleys: www.bowlingfan.com

Race to the finish at Maine Indoor Karting, Scarborough
There are places where cutting people off is frowned upon - the interstate, for example, or in line at the grocery store. But at Maine Indoor Karting, your devilish get-ahead driving tactics are not only okay, they're celebrated. There are no cops clocking your speed here, though there are awesome racing suits.
Maine Indoor Karting
23 Washington Ave., Scarborough | 207-885-0058 | www.maineindoorkarting.com
$22 for single race; memberships and discounts available

Learn to self-meditate: "Just Breathe - Simply Meditate" at The Heart Opening, Portland
Cold weather, icy roads and a three-month case of chapped lips can sometimes have a negative impact on your personal Zen levels. Take a meditation workshop to learn the art of meditation and help find yourself a happy place again...even if it's 3 degrees outside.
The Heart Opening
227 Congress St., Portland | 207-228-1139 | meditationinmass.org/meditate-portland
Workshops are $8 per class and run noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday and 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Hang with The Bard during Naked Shakespeare at Wine Bar, Portland
Naked! That gets everyone's attention. But "naked" here means "without sets, stage and costumes"...but with clothes. The monthly event is always a crowd pleaser, as is the wine.
Wine Bar
38 Wharf St., Portland | 207-772-6976 | www.acorn-productions.org/pages/NakedShakespeare.html
Naked Shakespeare takes place at 8 p.m. the first Monday of the month; free to watch, donations welcome.

See what's in the cards with a Tarot Reading at Dobra Tea, Portland
The future is so uncertain. And it's even sometimes hard to make sense of the past. But a reading with Jackie Major might help get things in order and help you see life more clearly. Got a big decision to make? Talk to Jackie. Keep dating the same lame dude? Talk to Jackie. Kinda skeptical? Talk to Jackie.
Dobra Tea
151 Middle St., Portland | 207-210-6566 | www.dobrateame.com
1 to 5 p.m. Sundays at Dobra Tea, Portland; $15 for 10 minutes, $25 for 20 minutes, $35 for 30 minutes.

Film and food for thought...and also actual food at Frontier, Brunswick
Catching today's blockbuster isn't a bad way to spend a frigid winter afternoon. But catching an independent flick at Frontier means you'll be entertained by the big screen AND see a hand-picked film you might not have the chance to see anywhere else. Plus, the drink and dining menu here makes regular movie theater food look like freezer-burned nonsense...because, well, it kind of is.
Frontier, Brunswick
14 Maine St. Mill 3 Fort Andross, Brunswick | 207- 725-5222 | www.explorefrontier.com

Let your genius shine during Pub Trivia
Workweeks can be so...blah. If only there were some nighttime occupation you could participate in that would both stimulate your noggin and enable you to unashamedly support your local watering hole. Enter: pub trivia. There's plenty of trivia night to go around:
Run of the Mill | 7 p.m. Mondays
100 Main St., Saco | 207-571-9648 | therunofthemill.net

Parker's Restaurant | 7 p.m. Mondays
1349 Washington Ave., Portland | 207-878-3339 | www.parkers-maine.com

Jimmy the Greeks | 7 p.m. Mondays
215 Saco Ave., Old Orchard Beach | 207-934-7499 | jimmygreeks.com

The Liberal Cup | 8 p.m. Tuesdays
115 Water St., Hallowell | 207-623-2739 | theliberalcup.com

Binga's Stadium | 8 p.m. Tuesdays
77 Free St., Portland | 207-347-6072 | www.bingasstadium.com

Ri Ra | 8 p.m. Tuesdays
72 Commercial St., Portland | 207-761-4446 | www.rira.com

Brian Boru | 7 p.m. Wednesdays
57 Center St., Portland | 207-780-1506 | brianboruportland.com

Margarita's (Brown Street) | 8 p.m. Wednesdays
11 Brown St., Portland | 207-774-9398 | www.margs.com