DEMOCRACY UNLIMITED SKILLSHARE

Workshops (subject to last minute changes)

Click HERE to download the following information as a PDF

Saturday, September 23

SESSION ONE – 10AM to 11AM

*Bread Baking (Solomon)

Local baker Solomon Everta will take you from "mise en place" to "breaking bread" over the course of the day, turning to the lore and love of baking and returning to the work at hand of making fresh bread. Expect to roll up your sleeves and truly knead some dough into your own lovely bread. Each participant will walk away with a loaf of bread and the knowledge to bake your own any time you want.

Solomon is a self taught and professionally trained baker with a decade of experience with the Black Sheep Baker's Guild, Los Bagels Bakery and Café, Metropolitan Underground Bakery, Blue Ox Millworks Cob Oven Baking Demonstration Program, Synapsis Performance Space's Rising Star Bakery, and for clients through the Humboldt Exchange.

NOTES: Wear clothes that can get a bit dirty, sleeves you can roll up, and bring an apron if you have one.   This workshop will continue throughout the day - see schedule for additional times.

*Anti-Malicious Software (Cory)

Learn the basics of computer protection to keep spyware and viruses from slowing down, corrupting, or crashing your computer.

I have been working as an IT professional for three years. I am currently the computer system administrator of Trinidad Union School District and I contract with CPC Computers of Arcata and Comtech Systems of Grass Valley.

*How to Start a Small Business (Bob)

This workshop will cover the "nuts and bolts" of a Mom & Pop style operation - how to get started and what to expect. Includes funding and basic paperwork.

Bob has over 35 years of experience as a small business owner.

NOTES: You may want to bring a pencil and paper to help brainstorm and take notes.

*Conception Without a Man (Caroline)

An overview of methods for achieving pregnancy without a man, including the pros and cons of each.

I am a homebirth midwife.   I've been working for the past three years with queer and single women doing preconception counseling and inseminations.

SESSION TWO – 11AM to NOON

*Vegetarian Tamale Making (Kaitlin)

Participants will learn how to make tamales from scratch. Starting with the corn masa shell to the yummy veggie filling. After we assemble the tamales we will steam them and eat them for lunch!

Kaitlin grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico and learned to make tamales from her mother.

*Sustainable Energy at Home (John)

How to be more energy efficient in your home, whether through personal choices or new technologies.

NOTES: Bring your latest PG&E bill.

*Fertility Awareness (Ami)

In this workshop we will analyze the skills needed to map out one's menstrual cycle.   We will learn how to use charts, physical symptoms, and cycle beads.   Handouts will provide info on everythin you need to get started understanding your cycles, now.

Ami is a childbirth educator in Arcata. She has studied Midwifery and natural childbirth for 8 years.

*Herbal First Aid (Greta)

Learn how to use botanicals for first aid for injuries and dis-ease. Depending on class experience, we will stick with the widely used "first aid plants" like Arnica, or jump into some more advanced first aid techniques using a variety of traditions and tools.

Greta has been using herbal medicine to support forest defense activists' health since 1990. From running underground herbal hospitals on the front lines in the back woods to professional membership in the American Herbalist's Guild, Greta has shared her understanding of the plant world.

LUNCH BREAK (Join us for tamales!) – Noon to 1PM

Bring a sack lunch, tamales will be available too!

SESSION THREE – 1PM to 2PM

*Fix Your Computer (Michael)

This workshop will respond to participant's computer challenges in a question-and-answer format, offering appropriate suggestions and techniques for computer repair and maintenance.

NOTES: Feel free to bring your computer if it's transportable!

*Creating with Cardboard (Jim)

Hands-on workshop in building useful items with cardboard, duct tape, glue, etc. I'll show off a toolbox, guitar case and other items that I've made, and provide materials, tools and suggestions for people to start building something of their own.

Jim is a freelance writer, but regarding the workshop, the first item he ever built was a clothes hamper that lasted nearly 10 years (really just a big box with reinforced with duct tape). His tool box and guitar case have lasted about five years.

NOTES: If you like, bring any of the following: boxes, utility knife and duct tape.

*Graywater/Rainwater Reclamation (Bill)

I will show you simple ways to get free water from the sky and ways to divert and clean drain water to safely use on plants, etc.

Bill is a certified medical assistant. For the past 3 years he has been interested in permaculture and sustainability. Resident of Humboldt for 25 years from Los Angeles.

*Papier Mache Puppets (Leslie)

Use paper bags and other materials to make masks and puppets for theater, activism, or just plain fun!

Leslie runs the Synapsis Gallery and Theater Space in Eureka and creates all sorts of imaginative art to inspire and challenge our community.

SESSION FOUR – 2PM to 3PM

*Making Body Scrubs and Lotions (Jess)

In this workshop we will make body scrubs, bath salts and solid lotion bars out of natural ingredients that can be purchased locally.  You will have fun learning how to make wonderful gifts for yourself for a friend!

Jess owns Jessicurl, a local hair care manufacturing company specializing in curly hair products.  Since starting Jessicurl in 2002, she have developed over 100 different hair and body care formulas for Jessicurl, her own personal use, and as private label products. She loves to experiment and come up with different products she can use or give as gifts.

NOTES: Bring an apron if you have one.

*Global Warming - What You Can Do (Jennifer)

We'll calculate our own global warming impact, develop a personal action plan to reduce that impact, and explore ways to influence others to do the same.

Jennifer is the Volunteer Project Coordinator of the Redwood Alliance Climate Action Project.

NOTES: Bring a utility bill if you can - even better, one from summer and one from winter.

*Creating with Cardboard (Jim)

See description at 1pm.

*Intro to Sewing Outdoor Gear (Peter)

Ever had a rain jacket that just didn't fit, wondered if you really needed all those straps on your backpack, or simply wanted sweatshop free outdoor gear?   Learn how to start making your own outdoor gear! We will cover the basics from how to select materials and patterns to the basics of commonly used outdoor fabrics. All skill levels welcome.

Peter was inspired to start sewing after reading Ray Jardine's book: Beyond Backpacking - he describes the basics of how to make your own equipment and above all encourages us to give it a try. Peter really enjoys working with his hands and has taught trail construction and habitat restoration. Last year he purchased a used sewing machine and has been having fun with it ever since.

*Zine-Making (Jessica)

"Zine" is short for "self-published magazine" meaning you get to be the writer, the artist, the editor and the publisher. In this workshop learn about the different types of zines, the history of zine-making, strategies for making your zine readable and copyable. We'll be checking out a variety of zines from across the country and getting some hands on practice making zine pages. For beginners to advanced zinesters, creative writers to activists with an agenda.

Jessica is a case manager at North Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters, a pirate radio DJ, a volunteer for a prisoner solidarity organization, a former Mormon and a queer punk in an inter-racial relationship. She's been making and collecting zines for 4 or so years.

SESSION FIVE – 3PM to 4PM

*Making Draft-Stoppers (Sam)

As chilly Humboldt winter approaches, you can warm yourself and save energy by plugging up the cracks in your abode. This workshop will cover the basics of making draft stoppers to keep the cold out!

Sam is a self-professed textile geek who lives to craft useful items out of reclaimed fabric.

*Creating with Cardboard (Jim)

See description at 1pm.

*The Zen of Bicycle Maintenance (Julie)

Julie will briefly describe the principles of bicycle mechanics and then demonstrate how to fix a flat tire, lubricate, and adjust brakes.

Julie is an anarcha bicycle lover and traveler. She learned bicycle maintenance while traveling across the U.S. She knows basic repairs and has a moderate understanding of how to replace parts out of necessity.

NOTES: Wear clothing that you don't mind getting dirty and bring your bicycle if you like!

*Qi-Gong Meditation Techniques (Bill)

Clear and balance your own acupuncture channels an easy complete routine consisting of an energizing exercise, a strengthening and aligning exercise, a purification exercise, an energy balancing exercise and a tranquil setting exercise to strengthen intuition.

Bill has studied Chi Gong for 20 years and traveled across the USA and Hong Kong to study self-improvement practices

NOTES: Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in.

SESSION SIX – 4PM to 5PM

*Scrabble Strategies (Christine & Anna)

Description coming soon!

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