May want to check out 3DWorld, Creative Arts etc magazines (found in Barnes and Noble and Books-a-Million type stores).  Chicago should be loaded with those type stores.  Frequency these type magazines have tutorials on doing some neat stuff.  Additionally, these magazines have an enclosed CD or DVD disk that frequently contain free software programs like Carrara 5 Pro, Truespace 7, Bryce, Poser stuff, Vue, 2D art software etc.--cost around $16.00US for the Mag, so check it out carefully.  Jan