DEMOCRACY UNLIMITED SKILLSHARE

Workshops (subject to last minute changes)

Click HERE to download the following information as a PDF

Sunday, September 24

SESSION ONE – 10AM to 11AM

*Vegan Cheese & Chocolate Chip Cookies (Martha)

How to make organic plant base alternatives to cheese whiz and ricotta.   The secrets of vegan baking.

Martha is the former owner of Soy Devine vegan goods.   Her motto is "Stay low on the food chain and still enjoy life.

*Know Your Legal Rights (David)

This will be a basic introduction to criminal procedure and will cover how to interact with the police.

David practiced law for 10 years in Texas.

*Basic Household Appliance Repair (Bill)

Learn about the most common problems with appliances and how to fix them as well as how to maintain them to optimum efficiency.

Bill has been a self-employed handyman for 15 years locally.

*Video Shooting Basics (Eileen)

This workshop will introduce you to the basics of shooting your own videos for art, storytelling, and/or rabble-rousing. We will focus on video shooting techniques for personal storytelling and shooting events on the fly. Lighting, framing and audio will be covered.

Eileen does independent media and teach video shooting and editing. She was incredibly helpful in documenting and publicizing the effort to pass Measure T this past spring.

NOTES: Participants are encouraged to bring their cameras.

*Solar & Electric Application (Roger)

An introduction to using solar and electric technology to save you money, decrease your impact on the earth, and liberate you from dirty oil companies.

Roger installs solar power systems for conscious community members around Humboldt County and enjoys creating new alternative energy technologies, from bicycle-powered saws to electric cars.

*Tips on Cooking for Kids (Sara & Kira)

Learn easy ways to cook fun foods that kids will love to eat!

Sara is a nanny. She many years of experience in successfully figuring out what kids will actually eat. Kira is a certified natural chef with a passion for building things out of salvaged materials.

*Scamming Free Money (Maxwell)

How to get access to free money. Topics covered include dumpsters, scholarships, grants, and more!

Maxwell is a community organizer, university professor and dumpster diver extraordinaire.  His interests include maximizing freedom and minimizing oppression.

SESSION TWO – 11am to noon

*Making Hashbrowns (Willoughby)

Want to make really good hashbrowns?   This workshop will show you the secrets of shredding and frying perfect potatoes.

Willoughby learned to make exceptional hashbrowns from his grandpa and is excited to share them with you!

*Managing Mega-Pixel Pictures (Heather)

So you took a bunch of digital photos, and you want to share them in a way that won't crash your friends' computers.   This workshop will help you to deal with big photo files so that they are useable, shareable, and high quality.

Heather teaches at CR and the Eureka Adult School. She is also a freelance graphic and web designer.

*Spectra-Chrome Treatments (Eleanor)

Description coming soon!

*Know Your Flow/Make Menstrual Pads (Molly)

This workshop offers a brief overview of the menstral cycle processes, with a focus on self sufficient moon time practices.  Learn a method of sewing your own pads, explore tampoon alternatives, discuss herbal remedies for cramps, get local resources and much more!

Molly hopes to become a midwife in the future and work towards expanding access to and quality of reproductive health care.  She is a nursing student at College of the Redwoods, a certified labor doula, a student of midwifery, and she currently works at Planned Parenthood. 

*Homeowner Triage (Jon)

Description coming soon!

LUNCH BREAK – Noon to 1PM

Bring a sack lunch.

SESSION THREE – 1PM to 2PM

*Canning Jam (Shannon)

Learn the basics of canning berry jam and other "high-acid" foods - a cost-effective way to turn your overflowing fruit trees (or the berries in the local forest) into sweet yumminess that can last all year.

Shannon supplies herself with jam by raiding local public lands for blackberries once a year and hopes to someday include other foods - from albacore to apples - in her canning craziness.

NOTES: If you can bring berries and a half-pint jar, we can make more jam to take home!

*Simple Book-Making (Becky)

Description coming soon!

*Building with Pallets (Kira)

Reclaim wood from wasteful pallets and put it to use for you! This workshop will describe ways to use pallets for construction of useful and sturdy household items and more.

SESSION FOUR – 2PM to 3PM

*Making Body Scrubs & Lotions (Jess)

In my 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.

*Beginning Knitting (Dana)

Learn the basics of knitting and practice knit and purl stitches.   Talk about simple projects, ask questions, and start working on a project in the company of other beginners.   A great way to prepare for the rainy season!

Dana is a long-time knitter, gardener, and teacher.

NOTES: Bring a skein of yarn that you LOVE - and needles if you have 'em. This workshop can continue as a knitting circle if folks are interested.

*Meeting Skillz (Hannah & Jared)

Tips and techniques to help your meetings flow well, stay focussed and finish on time. Learn the art of being a good meeting participant and get ideas for how to be a better facilitator. An overview of the consensus process will be offered, and meetings roles to help your meeting run smoothly.

Hannah and Jared have been to lots of meetings, both as participants and as facilitators. Some of these meetings went great, others sucked. They want to help bust the myth that good meetings are solely the responsibility of the facilitator!

*Worm Composting (Kevin)

Home scale vermicomposting that can be done in a variety of locations, including indoors!   Turn kitchen scraps and your local newspaper into nutrient rich organic plant fertilizer.

Kevin is a farmer with a specialty in Community Supported Agriculture.   He is an agrarian philosopher and master composter.

NOTES: Be prepared to get a bit dirty!

*Knot Tying (Arnica)

Need a knot? Here are some basic, useful knots that you can use at home or around town for keeping things tied up (or tied down).

Over many years of climbing in trees and sailing the open waters, Arnica has mastered a host of useful and beautiful knots.

SESSION FIVE – 3PM to 4PM

*Rules? Just Feel It...DANCE! (Sabina)

Salsa, Cha-cha, Samba, Merengue, African dancing...all can be mixed and dance to anything as long as you feel the rhythm of the music. Sabina is interested in the energy of the dancing. She can lend it to you in a workshop accompanied with a few steps and techniques. Then you can incorporate them in the dance floor and feel good.

Sabina was born in Venezuela and lived in Bolivia until she was 18. She moved to New Mexico 2 years ago where she learned how to dance by copying her two best friends (and a couple of workshops and live music). Dancing to drums, singing, laughing, and nature are the 4 things that she needs to be 99% complete (she need to figure out the other 1%).

NOTES: Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared for fun!

*Basic Massage for Relaxation (Mashaw)

Basic Swedish techniques focusing on key areas that 90% of people complain about.

Mashaw is a certified Massage Therapist with five years of practical experience.

NOTES: Wear comfortable clothes that can be quickly removed behind a drapery or cover.  Not everyone will have to disrobe though, just those who offer themselves up for practicing on!