Bicycle course by CyclingSavvy

Posted on March 18, 2014 by

Transition Amherst invites you to a three part experiential bicycling course to teach us all bicycling in traffic effectively.

CyclingSavvy Pioneer Valley is excited to offer the   3-part course in Amherst for Bay State Bike Week 2014 beginning Friday, 05/16, 6:00PM-9:00PM and continuing Saturday, 05/17, 9:00AM-4:30PM with lunch break.

Tuition is $75. To register, go to http://register.cyclingsavvy.org/howtoregister. For more information, go to http://cyclingsavvy.org or contact CyclingSavvy Instructor Eli Damon at 413-530-3861 or email cyclingsavvy-pioneer-valley@eli-damon.info.

To register, go to
https://register.cyclingsavvy.org/howtoregister

Details of the three parts:

1) Truth & Techniques of Traffic Cycling
Fri May 16, 2014 @ 6:00 pm

This fast-paced 3 hour classroom session features guided discussion, video and animation. This session familiarizes students with bicycle-specific laws, traffic dynamics and problem-solving strategies. Students discover that bicycle drivers are equal road users, with the right and ability to control their space.

This session is available á la carte. You may take it as a stand-alone class.

2) Train Your Bike
Sat May 17, 2014 @ 9:00 am

This 3 hour session is conducted in a parking lot. It consists of a set of progressive drills designed to increase students’ control and comfort handling their bikes in various situations.

Most bicycling crashes do not involve motor vehicles. They are with fixed objects, pavement hazards, pedestrians, animals or other cyclists, and could be avoided with better bike-handling skills.

This session is available á la carte. You may take it as a stand-alone class.

3) Tour of Amherst
Sat May 17, 2014 @ 12:00 pm

This session is a 3.5 hour experiential tour of our city’s roads. The course includes some of the most challenging road features (intersections, interchanges, merges, etc.) a cyclist might find in his/her travels. The students travel as a group, stopping to survey and discuss each exercise location. After observing the feature, discussing the traffic dynamics and the best strategy for safe and easy passage, the students ride through individually and regroup at a nearby location.

This session is only available with the full course. Bike-handling exceptions can be made for trike drivers.

This session is designed to give you the confidence and problem-solving skills to handle any situation you might encounter.

CyclingSavvy Pioneer Valley is the local branch of CyclingSavvy (http://cyclingsavvy.org),
a wildly successful nation-wide cycling training program.

Posted in Cargo Bicycling, Reskilling Workshops | Leave a comment

SUNRISE & SUNSET GATHERINGS AT THE U.MASS. SUNWHEEL

Posted on March 11, 2014 by

SUNWHEEL GATHERING INFORMATION

VERNAL EQUINOX 2014 — SUNRISE & SUNSET GATHERINGS AT THE U.MASS. SUNWHEEL:

Thursday, March 20, 2014
6:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (EDT)

Come mark the vernal equinox at the U. Mass Sunwheel. Celebrate the start of spring and learn about the three dimensional geometry of the solar system. Its science and its fun. Dress warm and bring boots. Children and dogs are encouraged to come. For more information contact Michele or Andy: Morrisfri@aol.com.

Posted in Celebrating Amherst, Group Process, Other Projects, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Permaculture Design: Connecting you with your backyard landscape

Posted on March 5, 2014 by

Learn how permaculture design connects you with your landscape, creating a mutually beneficial relationship of food production, native plants, and energy-wise design. This is an opportunity to join in a permaculture designer’s consultation and assessment of a local backyard landscape, complete with design strategies and plant recommendations.

The workshop will begin with a presentation highlighting the relationship between homeowner and residential landscape, as seen through the unique “lens” of a permaculture designer. Then, we will lead a site tour from the designers’ perspective — discussing Gabor’s past and current goals, describing strategies that he has already implemented, and identifying what is and isn’t working. We will focus on alternative or complimentary design solutions that would help the landscape continue to thrive.

Broadfork Permaculture Design is a worker-owned cooperative landscaping company located here in the Pioneer Valley. The company focuses on edible landscapes and ecological design. Find them online at: www.broadfork.coop

Logistics:

The date for the workshop is March 29, Saturday, 2pm to 4pm, at 44 Beston street in Amherst.

As always, the workshop is free. Donations will support the work of Broadfork Permaculture. Suggested donation: $5 to $15.

Space is limited – please RSVP (send an email to gaborzol@gmail.com or call 413-253-9755) to ensure a spot.

Please be prepared for parts or all of the workshop to take place outside (weather related).

Posted in Reskilling Workshops, Uncategorized, Walks | 4 Comments

Transition Film Festival, Second Chance

Posted on February 28, 2014 by

Wanted to let you know that this Second Chance to enjoy the 2012 and 2013 Transition Towns Film Festival Movies will be freely offered at two sites in March. We hope that you are willing to share this information with your Transition Towns groups.

You can join us for the Second Chance in Amherst at the All Things Local Store, 104 North Pleasant Street, on Saturday, March 8th from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. or in Northampton at Northampton Community Television (backside of the High School) 380 Elm Street, on Monday, March 10th from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Enjoy a snack and an hour’s worth of some of the best films from 2012 and 2013, followed by a discussion session facilitated by Tina Clarke, Eastern Region Transition Town Trainer, that will motivate individuals to think more about how they can live sustainably in the valley.

Bernardston internationally renowned filmmaker Rawn Fulton will MC, and facilitate a discussion with those members of the audience who are interested in making a film for the 2014 Film Festival. There are still topics and many sustainable projects left to explore through the eye of a lens: energy efficient housing, sustainable food production, transportation, manufacturing, and waste management. Perhaps you are aware of a project already underway like the manufacturing process at Just Soap, the pedal powered natural soap, Zip Car, shared vehicle transportation that saves you money while it saves the environment, or a cooperative housing development which is cheaper, saves resources, and builds community. We can help you find a videographer to film your story about a sustainable project, which may be shown at Greenfield Community College’s Cohn Dining Commons from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Friday, November 14th, 2014, and will definitely be shown on local media center stations, their websites, and be available at local libraries on DVD.

For general information about the Pioneer Valley Transition Towns Film Festival go to here or e-mail PVTTFF@gmail.com. For more information about video content contact Tina Clarke, Eastern Region Transition Town Trainer, tinaclarke@gmail.com, 413-658-8165 or Judy Phillips, Organizing Group, judyphillips1@gmail.com, 978-544-2653.

Hope to see you at the movies and thanks for sharing. Judy

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Conversation About Region-Wide Resilience

Posted on February 28, 2014 by

On March 15, at Antioch University in Keene NH, fellow Transitioners and Resilience-Builders from around New England will gather to discuss the resilience of New England as a whole. The discussion will be much richer with you present, and we hope you will consider joining us. Register here.

The day will allow for a lot of open-ended discussion, so that we can consider open and important questions, such as:

– Why are we focusing on region-wide resilience?
– What are the key dimensions of region-wide resilience?
– Is New England the right region to consider?

A team has drafted a short Concept Paper about region-wide resilience to jumpstart this conversation. It is offered in the spirit of provoking reflection and as a springboard for further discussion, and we look forward to your reactions. Please read, download and add comments about the Concept Paper here.

We will also spend time “workshopping” potential action ideas that are percolating among this network. These are ideas that would invite involvement from the region as a whole, and/or, would have a regional impact. If you have an idea, we want to hear about it. Please respond to this email and let us know.

Event Details:

Join the Conversation About Region-Wide Resilience
Saturday, March 15, 2014
10am – 4:30pm
Registration at 9:30
Coffee, light breakfast, and lunch provided; Donations will be requested to help defray costs
Antioch University
40 Avon Street
Keene, NH
In-home hospitality is available on a first come, first served basis

Hope to see you,
Sarah Byrnes
On behalf of the convening initiatives: Transition Portland & the Resilience Hub, Somerville Climate Action, Global Awareness Local Action, Transition Montpelier, Transition Newburyport, Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition, and the Transition Keene Task Force

Posted in Dialogues and Conversations, Other Projects | Leave a comment

All Things Local Store grand opening on March 1st 2014

Posted on February 20, 2014 by

This has been a long project in the making. Years ago we had a name and a model, but not much else. What we really needed then was a location.

It seems to me that since the location came into view things sped up. Having it downtown, and, what more, right next to another Co-op, is greatly helpful. Today it may not have a full selection of food items, or full shelfs for that matter, but it surely has a delightful atmosphere.

To acknowledge this new value our community has, and the tremendous amount of work the board, staff and volunteers contribute, after a few months of functioning, an event is coming up as you see from the image.

Grand Opening Schedule:
11:00 am : Ribbon-Cutting with House Rep. Ellen Story
12:00 – 5:00 pm : Music, demos, food samples, beer and wine tasting!
5:00 to 6:00 pm : Members-only Afterparty

All this at the Store’s location, 104 N Pleasant Street in downtown Amherst.

See more at the store’s new website, allthingslocal.coop.

Posted in All Things Local links, Celebrating Amherst, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pete Seeger event

Posted on February 18, 2014 by

Transitions Amherst was present at the big Pete Seeger memorial sing-a-long Sunday Feb. 17th. Michele and Andy Morris-Friedman and Abbie Jenks (from Pelham) worked the crowd of over 600 people, giving information about up coming TA events, and spreading the word about preparing for our post energy future. We were able to get the emails of some people who are interested in our group and sharing those skills of self sufficiency that make up the core of community resilience. Plus we had a great time singing. Remember what Arlo Guthrie says, “You’ve got to sing loud if you want to end war and stuff.” – Andy

Posted in Celebrating Amherst, Other Projects | 1 Comment

Holiday Greetings

Posted on December 1, 2013 by

Rob Hopkins, a key founder of the global Transition movement, has been following things we in Transition Amherst have done over the past year. He has looked at our website and he mentioned some events we had in his blog here and here.

Now he’s asked if we’d like to be one of 30 Transition Initiatives around the world sending a holiday greeting to everyone who connects with the Transition Network — at least the 1400+ Transition Initiatives in 44 countries. He’s also asked for a photo — he’s referring to a fun Transition practice where a whole bunch of people from a town gather in a room with a balcony above them and bunch together and wave to a camera.

Hi Tina,

During December I am planning every day to post a different ‘Season’s Greeting’, a short message from one Transition initiative to the rest of the movement. It need only be 2 or 3 paragraphs, perhaps mentioning something your group has done this year that it is very proud of, something it is looking forward to about next year and a short message to the wider movement. We have been choosing groups based on those that appeared in the most recent roundup. We’d be really honoured if Transition Amherst felt it might be able to do such a thing.

I would need it next week, might that work for you? Thanks. If you had a photo of the group too that would be fantastic.

Thanks, and many thanks for all that you do.

—
Catalyst and Outreach Manager, Transition Network.
43 Fore Street, Totnes, Devon. TQ9 5HN.
You can follow my blog here or follow me on Twitter as @robintransition.
My new book The Power of Just Doing Stuff: how local action can change the world is now published.

Posted in Celebrating Amherst, Dialogues and Conversations | Leave a comment

Welding Workshop

Posted on November 26, 2013 by

Whether one uses welding to fix up garden tools, build something functional, or create an art piece, it is a skill that is harder to find than wood working, carpentry or gardening. Resourcing a fix in this area from someone providing the service is more expensive, and thus probably not worth it (do I want to pay $50 or even $35 to have my $39 shovel welded in a shop that is harder to get to than all the places selling shovels nearby?

That’s why it is fun for me to be able to do the fix myself. It takes a welding machine, some knowledge about the metallic materials involved and occasionally some knowledge of physics and a tad of imagination – and I have foraged into a profession from which people either refrain or do as a full time job earning their living.

Lately, however, I have seen welders becoming more affordable and easier to use, so this trend is changing. That’s why I am happy that a friend of mine asked me to teach her welding – although my skills are limited, I am excited to do it, because looking around when I wanted to learn welding, I had to do it by reading and doing, because I failed to find an instructor (or even someone skilled and willing to show).

On November 30, Saturday from 1-3pm I will hold a workshop on welding at 44 Beston street, Amherst. We will look at the theory behind welding, materials used, the different types of machinery doing the welding, and associated safety. Then we also will do the actual thing.

Due to the need for welding helmets to safely participate in the workshop attendance is limited, so please definitely let me know if you are interested to confirm we still have space (email Gabor)

Posted in Reskilling Workshops | Leave a comment

All Things Local Store is Preparing to open

Posted on October 16, 2013 by

Lots of things are happening. The space is being prepared best serve the market.

All Things Local has a new website. Plese visit it here: allthingslocal.coop!

There is an informational PDF with lots of pictures documenting what happened during a gathering that happened in Portland:
Coop Markets – Local Roots & All Things Local – Transition Amherst at the Portland gathering last weekend

And our very own Andy Morris-Friedman made a video of the party ATL held a few weeks back.

Posted in All Things Local links, Celebrating Amherst, Other Projects | 1 Comment