Calendar

Look for our calendar at: Tompkins County Public Library, Southside Community Center, Gimme Coffee (Cayuga St.), Durland Alternatives Library (Cornell), Home Green Home, Greenstar West End and Greenstar Oasis, Autumn Leaves Used Books, Mama Goose, The Shop, and GIAC.

SUMMER 2012

Affordable Housing Discussion Group
Who: Matt Gordon mattgordon11@gmail.com
When: 3rd Tuesday of the month: June 19th, July 17th, August 21st
Where: Dewitt Park (Shawn Greenwood Park) / Rain location is Buffalo Street Books next to the Greenstar Oasis.
Wish you could own a little piece of land on which to build a home? Or maybe you’d rather just have a house in town that you could call your own? Come join a spirited discussion on the topic of affordable housing where we’ll dream up some creative ways of making a place for yourself (and possibly your friends and family as well!) Topics include but are certainly not limited to: land access, building on the cheap, what IS affordable?, cooperative models, natural building, sustainable design, finance models such as pay-as-you-go, mortgage & peer-to-peer lending options, urban vs. rural dwelling, zoning, loan access and anything else we feel to be relevant.

Beginners Glassblowing
Who: JR/ Fire on the Water Studios info@fireonthewaterstudios.com
When: 6/16, 7/14, 8/18 12pm
Where: Fire on the Water Studios 317 Taughannock Blvd
Come make some magick! Learn the art of glass blowing and have some fun! You will acquire the basic fundamentals for glassblowing. How to handle the tools, the glass, and the torch.
Students will leave with a marble or a pendant, maybe something more!

Being Human cinema group
Who: Hope  epoh.wobniar@gmail.com
When: 6/4, 6/18, 7/2, 7/16, 7/30, 8/13, 8/27 6pm
Where: Watermargin Cooperative, 103 McGraw Place
Film series and discussions exploring–humans in nature! The ways humans relate to nature & the environments, the places where nature and civilization meet, what civilization is and what it means (for the earth & other life on it), the condition of humans in current civilization. A goal of this course is to bring attention to preconceptions and assumptions about the earth and what our place is in it and to advocate a biocentric (vs anthropocentric) worldview. The films will span lots of different genres, but the list is still tentative: Koyaanisqatsi, Powwaqatsi, The Gods Must Be Crazy, Baraka, Cave of Forgotten Dreams (doc about Chauvet cave paintings), The Fourth World War, Princess Mononoke; there will be space later in the course for participants to screen films they feel are relevant. June 4: The Gods Must Be Crazy, June 18: Koyaanisqatsi, July 2: Powaqqatsi, July 16: Baraka,  July 30: The Fourth World War, August 13: Cave of Forgotten Dreams, August 27: Princess Mononoke

Bikes, Birds, and Bullfrogs!
Who: Jeremy mod26@hotmail.com
When: 6/16, 7/14, 8/11 9am
Where: Shawn Greenwood/DeWitt Park
Another summer of exploring urban ecology! This class bikes around town stopping at parks and greenways within the city. Bring yourself and a friend! If you have binoculars bring them along. All ages and abilities are most welcome to join. If you have a particular naturalist ability come share your knowledge with us. Spontaneous swimming may occur. Yeah Summer!

Call to Farms!
Who: Veterans’ Sanctuary Mike Perry 585-402-0658
When: Every Mon 10am-5pm
Where: 46 King St, Trumansburg
Welcome in the summer by planting, growing and eating with us! We’re an all-volunteer community garden inspired by permaculture. We create a healing space and a supportive community for veterans and their supporters. Everyone welcome!

Capoeira
Who: Ramadan, Ramadan333@hotmail.com
When: Wed 6:15 -7:15pm
Where: City Health Club 402 West Green St.
Capoeira is best described as “a dance like a fight, a fight like a dance.” An Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance, it was created in Brazil by slaves brought from Africa. This class is an introduction to the basic movements, music, and culture of capoeira, with a focus on the “Sequences of Mestre Bimba” – attack and defense training combinations developed by the capoeira master who is considered the contender of modern “capoeira regional”.

Char-B-Q! Biochar demonstration and Discussion
Who: Matthew Ocone matthew.ocone@gmail.com
When: 8/12 4-6 PM
Where: 196 Wood Rd. Freeville
Interested in creating Biochar? Want to Learn more about it? Come to the Char-B-Q and see how Biochar is made on a small scale with a Top-Lift Updraft Kiln. Biochar creation is a carbon Negative process that creates a valuable soil amendment from agricultural waste. We will be demonstrating its production in a kiln purchased with a grant from Sustainable Tompkins, and discussing biochar technology as solution for climate change, and as a community scale energy resource.

Configuring GNU/Linux for Beginners
Who: Paul proge@riseup.net
When: 6/19, 6/26, 7/03, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14 5:30-6:30pm
Where: Southside Community Center Computer Lab, 305 S Plain St
GNU/Linux distributions are the most accessible and user-friendly operating systems currently available. They are free alternatives to proprietary operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Mac OSX. We cover the installation and configuration of GNU/Linux distributions, as well as basic uses of software libre such as browsing the internet, email configuration, and word processing. Participants should bring their own computers and be prepared to reconfigure them to use a GNU/Linux distribution. To join the class, write an email to proge@riseup.net and request to join the class website at https://we.riseup.net/gnulinux_beginners

Critical Mass: Bike Ride
Who: No Leaders!
When: Last Fri of Month, Meet @ 5:30 ride @ 6pm
Where: Shawn Greenwood (Dewwit) Park
Come celebrate bicycles and cyclists rights. Join us in claiming the streets for a fun and engaging community bike ride! There are no permanent leaders; whoever is in front calls the shots and where we end up is always a pleasant surprise.

Crochet Your Own Bottle Holder
Who: Tali Fridman 273-1309 tali.massage@gmail.com
When: 7/18, 5pm
Where: RSVP for location
“Wow, nice water-bottle holder!” Wouldn’t it be nice to hear this from multiple friends and strangers, as they admire your homemade carrier? And wouldn’t it be neat to say, “Thanks! I made it myself!” Well, come to this class and all this will happen. Experienced and novice crocheters welcome. Please bring a crochet hook and some kind of twine or strong yarn. I like hemp twine, nice and strong. Note: If you are interested but the time doesn’t work for you, please get in touch and we’ll find a time that does!

DIY Methane Digester Build
Who: Henry anapasco@hotmail.com
When: 5/29 10am-5pm
Where: 13 Freese rd. Hank’s House
Build your own Polyethylene tube Methane Digester! We will be constructing Bio-Digesters with a 300 gallon capacity (an ideal size for a cook stove). Materials are left over from a previous workshop but donations will gladly be accepted for material cost (but not necessary). In one day we might have enough time + materials to build 5-12 digesters, so class size cap is at 10 people (which means, strike when the iron’s hot and sign up soon to get your spot).

DIY Solar Oven Build
Who: Shira and Ari Evergreen info@shirari.com, Shawn Reeves of EnergyTeachers.org
When: June, date will be chosen based on availability of those who RSVP
Where: 1885 Hanshaw Road
Want to cook with solar power but don’t have the cash to buy one of those spiffy solar cookers? Come to this hands-on workshop to learn how to build a solar oven using recycled materials. We’ll make one together and empower you to make your own at home.

Free Food Preservation Workshops
Ongoing with IthaCan, check in at http://www.ithacan.ning.com, workshops posted throughout the season. IthaCan is a web-based social network where home food preservers in Tompkins County organize food preserving events and share information.

Grow Your Own!
Who: Jean Simmons, Kerra Quinn, and others drydencommunitygarden (at) gmail.com 607-844-3006
When: 3rd Tuesdays 6:30-8 pm
Where: Dryden Community Center Cafe, 1 Main St Dryden
Since Feb 2011 Dryden Community Garden has hosted Grow Your Own! gardening classes at the Dryden Cafe on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. A new topic is covered each class and we often recruit community members to lead. These are group discussion classes, everyone is welcome to bring their own knowledge to share and we often digress into other topics. Example topics are: no-till methods, kombucha brewing, indoor seed starting, Seed orders, pest control, companion planting, etc. We serve locally harvested herbal teas and organic air-popped corn. All are welcome and there is a play area for children.

Healing Arts & Workshops
Who: Local health and wellness practioners and teachers 742.0568 joannkingsley@earthlink.net
When: 7/19, 7/20, 7/21, 7/22
Where: Healing Arts Neighborhood at GrassRoots Festival behind the craft vendors GrassRoots Healing Arts provides free healing arts services and workshops for anyone at the festival. Last year’s free workshops included Drumming, Afro Cuban Percussion, Fiddle and Banjo, Songwriting, Music as a Vehicle for Change, Rising Shining, Yoga Trance Dance, Power of Movement, TaiChi, QiGong for Breast Wellness/Cancer, and Family Yoga. Free services included Acupuncture, Insight Coaching, SomaVeda Thai Yoga, Nutritional Assessment,Naturopathic Consultations, Magnet Rollouts, Massage Therapy; and Healing through Sound, Inspiration, Touch, Didjeridoo and Vibrations, Prayer, and Shamanic Energy. IF YOU’RE A TEACHER OR PRACTITIONER- contact JoAnn Kingsley 607.742.0568 or joannkingsley@earthlink.net. http://www.facebook.com/grassrootshealing

Intro. to Bioregional Mapping
Who: Adrian Williams mail@grassrootsecological.org
When: 6/12, 7/10, & 8/14 6pm
Where: RSVP for location and directions
What do we call home, and why? The bioregion has long been a useful concept to understand what Doug Aberley calls “the boundaries of home.” With the burgeoning locavore movement and the coming changes promised by Peak Oil, the idea of bioregionalism has never been more relevant. Join us for a series of three workshops to explore the boundaries of our bioregion, where the ecological and cultural intersect, and then put pencil to paper to craft maps of our home. Class size limited; RSVP. For more information visit grassrootsecological.org.

Improv Playdate: Open Improv Play Group
Who: Aner at425@cornell.edu
When: 6/8, 22/6, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 6-8:30pm
Where: Jillian’s Drawers, 171 E MLK (the Commons)
Come play improv games! New to improv? No problem – this is a good-way to taste it. These sessions will include people of all levels, with games offered to suit attendants. The idea is to play freely in an open atmosphere: whatever you bring is fine, you don’t need to be an actor or comedian. Improv is about letting yourself be in the here and now and discovering where your imagination goes when you let yourself free. Try it. You’ll come back. Interested in free improv class? Write to inquire. Experienced and want to join a group? Same thing. Can’t do Fridays but want to try it? Write!

Ithaca Geology
Who: Nicolás and Felipe pinpochis@yahoo.com.ar
When: weds 4-5pm 6/13-7/25
Where: The Bookstore, 519 N Cayuga St.
The idea is to introduce people to basic geology principles, and after that learn about local geology by both discussion tables and most importantly short field trips. We will teach how to use compasses and how to interpret geological maps, also how to recognize rocks in the field. We will discuss what we know about Ithaca’s geological history. With that we can later discuss what fracking is and how it affects the environment. We would also like to show people how to access different geological sources of information (like the Cornell department, the Museum of the Earth).

Know Your Rights Under OSHA
Who: Carlos H. Gutierrez outreach@ithacahealth.org 330 1253
When: 8/15 6-8pm
Where: Ithaca Free Clinic 521 West Seneca St
This training is designed for immigrant, vulnerable workers, and people and community organizations serving these populations. This program is partly funded by the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The curriculum covers the importance of the Rights to Workers under the OSH Act (1970), Employer Responsibilities, Standards, Inspections and Safety and Health Resources.

Knowledge Lab
Who: Valentin Vollmer vv (at) knowded.com, 518 290 0266
When: 6/10, 3-6pm
Where: RSVP for details
Knowledge Lab is like a micro Freeskool: we learn from the people present. Everyone can offer or request a topic in the beginning of the class, we match the interests, split up and learn. It is very much like a 3 hour learning open space. Just come and be open to what is gonna happen! RSVP please since we need a minimum amount of participants. Also check facebook.com/knowded

Learning Songs with Take Action Resistance Singers
Who: Barbara Kane Lewis Bkanelewis@gmail.com
When: Every other Wed @6 starting 6/6
Where: Ithaca commons fountain, email to confirm/rain location
Please join us to learn/teach old and new songs of resistance. We need music to face all the challenges of the world right now. We have a vision of hundreds of people holding hands and coming together to sing in the Ithaca Commons. Please join us and help this dream become a reality! All ages and abilities welcome! Bring your instruments or just bring your enthusiasm.

Making Homemade Yogurt
Who: Rachel Firak rfirak@gmail.com
When: 7/14 10am- 12:30 pm
Where: TBA (downtown Ithaca)
Learn how to make fresh homemade yogurt! Yogurt making is the simple, inexpensive, and fun process of using beneficial microorganisms (“probiotics”) to transform milk into a creamy, rich, and tangy health food. Making yogurt at home can help your family save money and avoid the additives found in commercial yogurt. In this class, we’ll talk about the basics of making yogurt through the process of lacto-fermentation and demonstrate how to make it yourself, using only what you have in your kitchen. Each person will leave with a traditional yogurt “starter” that will last a lifetime.

Map & Compass 1
Who: Don Austin donaust@gmail.com
When: 6/13&20, 7/11 5:30 – 7:30pm, 6/24 4 – 6pm
Where: Dewitt Park, Corner of Cayuga & Buffalo St.
This course will teach the basic knowledge and function of map and compass used separately and together. The first hour will cover the mechanics of each instrument, crucial elements of navigation, as well as important terminology. This is an interactive course that will offer students the opportunity to apply these instruments in a safe, accessible setting. Maps and compasses will be available for students to borrow during the course. This course is specifically geared toward beginner map & compass users. All classes will be held at Dewitt Park. In case of rain, classes will be moved to an indoor location. Please RSVP at least one day in advance at donaust@gmail.com

Medication Pitfalls
Who: Martin Ginsburg, MD Co-sponsored by Ithaca Health Alliance and Lifelong jpendleton@tclifelong.org 607.273.1511
When: 6/27 10am-12pm
Where: Lifelong’s Activities Room 119 West Court St
Learn how to avoid side effects, get the best results on a treatment regimen, and use medications in a timely and proper manner. Martin Ginsburg, MD has been teaching in the Lifelong Learning Program as well as volunteering as a physician at Ithaca Free Clinic since 2007. Pre-registration is encouraged but not mandatory. Please call 607.273.1511 or email jpendleton@tclifelong.org with subject line: “Medication Pitfalls.” Co-sponsored by Ithaca Health Alliance and Lifelong.

Meditation Class
Who: JaYa 607 339 7179
When: Weds (please contact to make sure it’s happening)
Where: CaSa MaSa 501 S Cayuga St. #2
These sessions (pretty much every Wednesday all summer long), will vary slightly each week- though consistently emphasizing a practical, heart centered approach to meditation. Together we find courage and compassion within ourselves, strengthening our community of sisters and brothers.

One World Hoop Troop
Who: One World Hoop Troop oneworldhooptroop@gmail.com
When: Fridays 5:30pm
Where: Park near Gimme Coffee on Cayuga St.
One World Hoop Troop is a group of amazing hoopers committed to bringing happiness to the world, one hoop at a time. Bring your hoops out to play and hooping isn’t all that we do. We’re interested in a variety of performance art so bring your poi, your staff, baton, juggling things, or drums. It’s about building new skills, community, and most of all having fun!

Peoples Herb School
Who: Greg Gregdov@gmail.com 631-745-9486
When: 6/7 6/14 6pm
Where: 513 Spencer Rd
This will be a weekly herbal study group. All levels of experience are encouraged to attend. We will meet weekly to share knowledge of Materia Medica, harvest plants, make medicine, and whatever else we want to focus on. This group will be a venue to support our individual growth in the field of herbal medicine. Please RSVP if interested and can’t make either of first 2 sessions.

Resisting Capitalism
Who: Ashley Cake adccake@gmail.com
When: Weds 6-9pm
Where:
This class will seek to share the scholarship and activist practices that have been produced confronting capitalism at the local and global levels from decolonizing, anti-racist, anti-sexist, and anti-heterosexist perspectives. The emphasis will be on producing knowledge at the local level and gathering strategies for transformative social action, what some activists and scholars have called a “globalization from below.” Especially as intellectual work, knowledge production, and network organizing seek to confront the hierarchies, dominations, and exploitations of global capitalism, this class will seek to understand and discern actionable analyses of the market and its effects in our everyday lives.

Retreat Within
Who: JaYa 607 339 7179
When: 8/3-8/8
Where: TBA
This meditation retreat will be located in a rustic structure, perhaps even a simple camp-out in the national forest. Mostly in silence, we will be meditating most of the day- sometimes with guided instruction. Also, expect discussion times (how our practice is going), Yoga, and song sharing. RSVP and phone conversation is a requirement for this 5 night retreat. (Dates subject to change). Limit: 12 participants. Registration deadline is July 25th.

Urban Homesteading Reading Group
Who: Janet Edwards edwards.rosemaryj@gmail.com
6/26, 7/31, 8/28 6-8pm
Where: Buffalo Street Books, Dewitt Mall, 215 N Cayuga St.
This book group is a continuation of the Urban Homesteading Reading Group held in the spring. We will be discussing books that focus on the modern homesteading movement and homemaking. All homesteaders and persons interested in homesteading are welcome to attend, not just “urbanites”! 6/26: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food and Life – Barbara Kingsolver 7/31: Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer – Novella Carpenter 8/28: Canning for a New Generation: Bold, Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry – Liana Krissoff

Veterans’ Sanctuary Combat Paper Project
Who: Nathan Lewis 7165315362
When: 6/7, 6/17, 6/21, 6/28 2-10pm
Where: Howl Studios, Behind Ithaca Antique Mall.
Combat Paper is the process of turning military uniforms into paper. We make big sheets and little sheets. The paper can be used for writing, painting, bookbinding, printing etc. This is primarily for veterans, active duty, reserve or National Guard. Family members of veterans and military personnel are also very welcome. In the workshops we will make paper and learn basic bookbinding patterns. Bring uniforms or clothing that has meaning to you.

Vocal Improvisation Beat Energy Collective (VIBE)
Who: Shoshi shoshiety@riseup.net
When: 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8,20 6-7:30pm
Where: To be determined by the collective – respond with your ideas about indoor and outdoor spaces!
Vocal improvisation beat energy is a boisterous, beautiful & stress-relieving exploration of the body-voice’s sound. VIBE is excellent for organizing & building trust in cooperatives. We’ll sing & free up the voice, hands & feet with body percussion; practice rhythm, timbre & layering exercises; play story-telling & song mash-ups using improv skills in collectivity. This isn’t solo vocal training & you needn’t prior experience. I’m not a vocal trainer, but love singing & playing these games, & am looking forward to vibing collectively! Please email your 1) availability for all 6 meetings (or specify absences), 2) prefer outdoors or indoor meeting space, 3) questions!

Warrior Writers – for Veterans of All Wars
Who: Veterans’ Sanctuary veterans.sanctuary (at) gmail.com Nate 716-531-5362, Jenny 570-269-7528
When: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 6-8pm
Where: The Owl Cafe, Above Autumn Leaves on the Commons
This writing workshop is for military veterans to express their ideas, feelings and creativity. Writing can be a part of the healing process. This is a safe environment to discuss all subjects and meet new veterans with similar experiences. You are not required to share or participate if it is not comfortable. All veterans of all ages WELCOME. For future dates and more info, check warriorwriters.org

Weekly Group Walk
Who: Steven Freidmutter costaricasteven@yahoo.com
When: Tuesdays 5:30-7pm
Where: Meet at Ithaca Farmers Market (center entrance)
I will organize/lead a weekly walk from the Ithaca Farmers Market. We meet on Tues at 5:30 (30 minute window) starting June 5. At 6PM we begin an hour walk on the trails at the water. Feel free to socialize or be in your own space … come alone or with a friend. The IFM is a beautiful place when there is no market going on. Having a weekly ongoing group walk you can drop in on as you like is what I hope we create.

Wellness Tent & Demonstrations
Who: Local health and wellness practitioners outreach@ithacahealth.org 607.330.1253
When: 7/14, 11am-4pm
Where: Dragon Boat Festival, Cass Park Inlet Rt 89/Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca
Come learn about local health and wellness resources, participate in demonstrations, enjoy free samples, and watch the exciting Dragon Boat Races! At the festival, there will be world class racing with top teams from across the Eastern USA and Canada. IF YOU’RE A PROVIDER/PRACTITIONER: promote and educate the community on your practice by tabling at the Wellness Tent. Email outreach@ithacahealth.org or call 607.330.1253. The Health and Wellness Tent is sponsored by Ithaca Health Alliance and the Dragon Boat Festival is sponsored by the Ithaca Asian American Association. http://fingerlakesdragonboat.org/

Writing for the Soul
Who: Dawn M. St John dmsj75@gmail.com
When: Every other Fri starting 6/1, 7pm
Where: DeWitt Park, or elsewhere near the Commons – meet at Owl Cafe
This class will be about therapeutic and/or spiritual/inspirational writing. There are no requirements except a willingness to open your heart and mind. Sharing your writing is optional. Each week will feature a different theme or prompt, and assignments for the next week will be given at the end of each class.