Marching bands, walking bald eagles, aliens, children on parade…and Transition Palo Alto! On Saturday, May 2nd, we joined hundreds in Palo Alto as part of the May Fete Fair, which follows the (93rd) annual Children’s Parade. This year’s theme was No Space to Alienate – be Unique, be Free, be yOu (UFO), so of course there were aliens and spaceships everywhere!

After dodging closed streets, I and my kids unloaded boxes of recycled to-go containers and shiny plastic doodads rescued from the landfill, gathered generously by Trina. We marched (and rode a bike) in the parade with their respective schools, and we ended up at a table on the grass at the parade, where William Mutch was staffing a table where children were making UFOs and aliens out of those recyclables. We had a display of aliens and spaceships made at the Craft Night and artfully arranged by Trina. Using those as examples (or ignoring them entirely!), children braided yarn, stuck on tape, stuffed prescription bottles and ice cream containers, stuck stickers and bottle caps, and created amazing worlds of their own imagination. A few of the creatures and vehicles below. We were calling it Junkology (thanks, Elliot!) and having a blast of it.

Thanks to William Mutch, Roy Kornbluh, Peter Ruddock, Vanessa Warheit and Trina Lynn-Wilson for making this happen, and to all the children and parents for making this event out of this world!

We were saddened by the closure of Common Ground, a place where we once shared stories and goods and ducked inside to say hi or buy a little something. Alas, no more, but we have a temporary home for our sharing expos – along with a new name.

The Holiday Share Faire will be at Cubberley Community Center this year, in room H6, on the side of the Charleston Shopping Center (Piazza’s) and in the back near the Friends of the Palo Alto Library booksale, right next door to the Cubberley Artists’ Open Studios. It will be a busy afternoon, starting at 1pm.

Food and beverages will be outside, along with fun demos like solar ovens and music. Massage, yoga, garden tips, succulents, wreath-making, kids’ area, storytime, and more are on the offering from local experts who will guide you through.

If you bring or need goods, stations will hold books, clothes, crafts, garden produce, toys, and holiday decorations as well. The whole family is welcome, and we recommend taking public transportation (bus 32, 35, 88, 104) or biking to this accessible place. Rain will not cancel the indoor and covered portions.

More information about this event and others, and sponsors at transitionpaloalto.org/sharing-expos

Join us and share with us – just look up, there might be mistletoe on the door!

You never can tell what might happen at a sharing expo! We have many planned events, but sometimes the less planned are wonderful surprises as well.

This fall’s Expo was no exception. Last Sunday (September 21), we gathered in the parking lot behind the Common Ground store for sharing skills, goods, and more. On the lineup were water-saving techniques and ideas for home and garden, plus kids’ activities, grain grinding, community organizers, and music.

We started with signage – a new banner made by those who attended Craft Night, along with signs and William Mutch’s handmade permanent wooden name tag. My son and daughter handed them out, along with regular name tags. In the meantime, Caryll-Lynn and David Neighbors Helping Neighbors had set up a tent of info and boxes for collecting extra food, Nick Turner of Deep Nature Gardens displayed beautiful pots that were mini ecosystems of themselves, Wendy Hediger from Zero Waste Palo Alto demonstrated green cleaning alternatives and Anna Ravenscroft pulled out her gleaming white grain grinder to demonstrate grinding wheat, corn, kamut, and even lentils. My ancient coffee-turned wheat grinder sat by its side looking a little sheepish.

Herb Moore had long since set up his music station – visitors were soon playing found items like tuna cans and mason jars. Willi Paul hung up a giant poster of the water cycle and childrenchildren, including mine, started right away coloring it in. Marianne Mueller was having animated discussions with her colorful and super low water plants for the garden. William Mutch was at the Permaculture cafe talking about ways to make gardens drought – resistant. All this was planned, and it was all lovely.

I sat down and decorated a few arms and hands with cooling henna designs. The goods share was going strong too – lamps and toys and books and clothes and plants came in and wandered off.

Then we had: surprise sweet and crunchy and savory snacks brought by Expo benefactors (with water served in Zero Waste Party Pack cups). Copies of Potter the Otter. Extra comfy chairs left out to use. William lead storytime for the kids with a leisurely reading of The Lorax. My children (were those mine?) were quiet and focused. Children sat together coloring. People shared their own fascinating stories and histories and asked how they could help.

A little after 3:30: Leftovers were donated and carried away. Tables put away. Last conversations dragged on and goodbyes were cheerful. Promises and hopes and enthusiasm for next time!

Our fall sharing expo is coming soon with a busy lineup of fun things to see, do, and learn.

Come join us to share garden produce, arts and crafts supplies, books, toys, and clothes.

We’ll also have some cool skills to share this fall. Our demos include a Permaculture Cafe, grain grinding, henna painting, water saving tips, and activities for kids – they can color the water cycle, do some scrapophony, and all can join in on more fun. We’ll have a special class on drought-proofing your garden and more.

Come meet your neighbors and learn something new in the parking lot at Common Ground, Sunday, September 21, from 1 to 3pm! 

More details here

Our quarterly sharing expo kicks off summer on June 15 from 1-3pm at Common Ground. Come share goods, skills, and stories with us and your neighbors.

As usual, we will be sharing books, toys, garden produce, craft supplies, and clothing. Anna Ravenscroft is bringing sun tea to drink, Hannah from Fabmo will have fabric and other samples to share, plus these new demonstrations:

– Marianne Mueller will host a Master Gardener table to talk about starting brassicas from seed and organic pest management

– Annette Puskarich will host a Master Composter table

– Roy Kornbluch will demonstrate the biochar oven he made

– Debbie Mytels from Acterra will show us different kinds of lighting and how they use energy

– Victoria Armigo will do a workshop on making self-watering planters, open to all. 5 planters will be offered at cost.

– Herb Moore will play live music

– Diane and Dave Ruddle will demonstrate various solar ovens (with food) and kids can learn how to make their own.

– William Mutch will host a Permaculture Cafe to discuss permaculture and our local agricultural ecosystem

It:s sure to be fun for all ages! Join us. More details here at http://www.transitionpaloalto.org/sharing-expos

Holiday Sharing Expo

Neighbors sharing goods,,skills, and more!

TIME CHANGED: 1-3PM (Expo only)

Sunday, December 8 – FREE!

Common GroundGround Organic Supply & Education Center

http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org

559 College Ave, Palo Alto

Come join us for our annual Holiday sharing expo, and ring in the holidays with your neighbors, old and new! Share crafts, books, clothes, toys, and any garden items (or bring garden produce to the Garden share earlier in the day). We’ll also be sharing holiday goods and decorations.

We’ll be bringing you old and new things to see and do: You can tune up your bike, Start composting, make rugs from t-shirts, sharpen your knives, share on video, and taste some mulled cider. More demos to come as well!

PLEASE NOTE: The Garden Share will continue to be at 11am on the second Sunday of each month, including December 8. Please join the Garden Share, grab lunch, and stay with us at the Expo afterward!

THE EVENTS:

Composting – Annette P will teach composting basics, how you can get started, and a great way to keep food out of the landfill while enriching your garden.

Rag rugs – Anna will demonstrate a brilliant use for tons of old t-shirts – useful rugs you can make yourself.

Knife sharpening – William will help you save those dull blades with tue right techniques for getting a clean, sharp cutting edge.

Bike workshop – Tom and David will be on hand to help you learn to get your bike running on all speeds, safely.

Clothes, toys, and books – Bring your gently used clothes, toys, and books to share, or take something interesting. Please no stained, broken, or torn items.

Garden share -While the garden share is happening at 11am the same day, same place, please bring your garden produce there and stay for the expo.

Crafts -Bring your arts and crafts supplies, holiday crafts, and other knickknacks in good condition to our craft table for sharing.

Refreshments – We will be making mulled cider to share, but feel free to bring local or homemade food items only to share. Bring a reusable cup to drink from. If you come empty-handed, you’re still welcome!

Throughout the Bay Area, neighbors are Coming together to share skills and goods. Our event is supported by Transition Palo Alto,,Common Ground, Fabmo, Deborah’s Palm, SCRAP, Acterra, Planetshifter.com, Opalz, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Slow Food South Bay, and Transition Silicon Valley.

The Common Ground store is open during the event, so plan to stop in to get any supplies you need. Also, the event is only 3 blocks from the California Ave Farme’s Market (9am to 1pm), so you can shop and eat beforehand. The Garden share is also at Common Ground 11am to noon, so you can share your garden bounty, grab lunch,then join us for the Expo at 1pm.

Please note: In case of rain, the event will be cancelled.

Questions? Email rani – bacraftswap at gmail.com

Holiday Sharing Expo

Neighbors Sharing Food, Crafts, Skills, and Goods

Sunday, December 9 11am – 12:30pm FREE !

Common Ground Organic Garden Supply & Education Center www.commongroundinpaloalto.org

559 College Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Hop on your bikes with your friends and family for a multiple
skill and goods sharing event, just in time for the holidays. At this special holiday event, we’ll have a regifting exchange, share holiday decor, and have a few holiday-themed demos as well. So join us to share your garden and kitchen bounty, your extra arts
and crafts supplies, beloved (or neglected) books, old clothing,
children’s toys, gifts, and holiday decor. Bring what you have to share;
take home something you don’t. We’ll also share stories, make
music, and make sure your bike is safe. We’ll have demos on
kitchen skills and craft techniques on the half-hour, too.
Bring your bikes, bike supplies, homegrown fruit, vegetables,
eggs, herbs, honey, flowers, paints, markers, books, shirts,
skirts, pants, fabric, yarn, paper, sheet music, patterns, books,
garden tools, craft tools, toys, kits, seeds, unwanted gifts, and more. Be sure to
bring a bag to take home the bounty, so you’ll have enough for
gifts!

Local Garden Share – Bring extra bounty from the garden (produce,
fruit, herbs, eggs, honey, flowers, plants in pots), things made
in the kitchen from the things from the garden, seeds, seedlings,
tools, utensils, books, magazines. Anything garden and
food-related is welcome.

Craft Share – Bring your arts and crafts supplies and tools,
holiday decorations, and even artistic creations to share. Share
with other crafters to find new uses for fabric, yarn, sewing
supplies, paper craft supplies, paint and pens, glues,
sketchbooks, pretty boxes, holiday decorating supplies, wreaths,
candle and soap-making kits, jewelry, and much more. We’ll have
demos on some fun crafts and gifts you can make for the holidays, and Fabmo will be on hand. Extra materials will be donated to SCRAP.

Bicycle workshop – Let’s work together to do minor maintenance
and make minor adjustments to improve your bike for efficiency,
safety and comfort, with Tom Kabat. He’ll help you with: Tire
pressure, Oiling squeaky chains, Seat ergonomics, Adjusting
bar position for good wristernomics, Adjusting gears, brakes
and headsets. He can also coach you through fixing a flat tire!

Book share – Turn in your old beloved books in readable
condition (no pages missing please) and take home a new good
read. Bring fiction, nonfiction, kids’ books, travel guides,
biographies, audiobooks, how-to guides, and more. Any extras will
be donated to the library.

Clothes share – Bring something that no longer fits but still
looks good (free of stains and tears) and find something that
you need to complete your wardrobe. Skirts, pants, winter gear,
dresses, suits, socks, bathing suits, shirts, coats, baby clothes,
children’s clothes, hats, and more. All ages’ clothing welcome.

Toy share – Kids bored of the same old toys? Need a good gift for
small hands? Trade in a toy for something new-to-them, and get
the next generation involved in sharing and keeping things out
of the landfill. Bring toys in playable condition, no sharp or
broken parts, please. Extras will be donated to a local
children’s shelter.

Transition Tales – we’ll continue with Transition Tales videos,
by Willi Paul, as you share stories about your experiences with
Transition and in the community for the holiday season.

Re-Gifting exchange – Got some gifts collecting dust? Bring them to our regifting exchange for someone else’s holiday gifting. You might find a few stocking stuffers or treasures for yourself band your loved ones, as well.

Music – come and make music with us!

Throughout the Bay Area, neighbors are coming together for
sharing locally grown, fresh produce, as well as arts and crafts
supplies, and other household items. Our Palo Alto sharing event
is supported by a coalition of community ecological organizations
and neighborhood groups including: Acterra, Barron Park Green
Team, Barron Park Garden Network, Barron Park Assn, Common Ground,
City of Palo Alto Community Gardens, Deborah’s Palm, FabMo, Midtown
Green Team, Opalz, SCRAP, Slow Food South Bay, Transition Palo Alto
and Transition Silicon Valley.

The Common Ground store is open during the event, so plan to
stop in to get any supplies you need to continue your garden
bounty or more. Also, the event is located only 3 blocks from
the California Ave Farmers’ Market, which is open from 9:00 AM
to 1:00 PM. You will have time to shop or have a meal at the
market before or after the event.

Please note: This is an outdoor event. In case of rain,
event will be cancelled.

More information about Craft swaps and Garden shares.

DP Craft Swap 9-22-12

Neighbors sharing Crafts, Clothes, Books, and Music
*Saturday, September 22* 1:00pm – 3:00pm FREE !
Deborah’s Palm
555 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (behind building)

Hop on your bikes with your friends and family for craft, clothes, and book
swap and share. Join us to share your extra arts and crafts supplies,
beloved (or neglected) books, and old clothing. Come ready to sew in our
sew-off, make music with found objects, and learn from a few craft demos.
Bring what you have to share; take home something you don’t. Bring your
herbs, flowers, paints, markers, books, shirts, skirts, pants, fabric,
yarn, paper, sheet music, patterns, books, garden/craft tools, and more. Be
sure to bring a bag to take home the bounty!

Craft Share – Bring your arts and crafts supplies and tools, and even
artistic creations to share. We’ll have demos on simple crafts you can
make, techniques you can learn, a chance to show off your skills, and even
a crochet lesson. We’ll also have a sew-off – trade your sewing skills
using craft swap supplies. Fabmo will also be on hand with supplies and a
great demo. Any extras will go to SCRAP-SF.

Scrapophony– Fun with Found Sounds – Learn to make and play some simple
‘musical instruments’ from things found around the house. Discover the joys
found sound and explore the wonders of sound via everyday objects. Humans
have been experimenting with ways to make music with found objects (sticks,
bones, rocks…) for about as long as there have been humans. Join us in
rekindling that sense of auditory exploration which is the wellspring of
musical creativity.

Book share – Turn in your old beloved books in readable condition (no pages
missing please) and take home a new good read. Any extras will be donated
to the library.

Clothes share – Bring something that no longer fits but still looks good
(free of stains and tears) and find something that you need to complete
your wardrobe. Any remaining clothes will be donated to Goodwill for
recycling.

Refreshments will be provided.

Throughout the Bay Area, neighbors are coming together for sharing arts and
crafts supplies and other household items. Our Palo Alto sharing event is
supported by a coalition of community ecological organizations and
neighborhood groups including: Deborah’s Palm, Palo Alto Green Teams,
Opalz, Fabmo, SCRAP, Transition Palo Alto and Transition Silicon Valley.

Deborah’s Palm is a non-profit organization offering all women a place to
unwind, connect with others, discover new options, and restore a sense of
well-being. Any donations made to Deborah’s Palm are tax-deductible.

Please take home any excess of what you bring, if you can. Some items such
as books, craft supplies and clothes may be donated to local charities and
shelters.

Questions/comments/signup contact rani bacraftswap at gmail.com

I knew it was going to be a fun event when someone at the grocery store said it would be a beautiful day. Peter Ruddock and I set up the tables with lots of help from others and Common Ground, and those helping and doing demos (Herb Moore, Willi Paul, Wendy Breu, Tom Kabat, Annette Isaacson, Katherine Wong, and more!) started setting up as well.

On this particular beautiful, sunny Sunday, we had a lot of wonderful new treats beyond either the usual Garden Share or Craft Swap. Our almost-regular Herb Moore set up Scrapophony, creating music with interesting scrap materials ranging from PVC pipe and gears to glass jars wrapped in rubberbands. We gathered as Herb conducted us from a slow low pitter-patter to a thundering rainstorm, up and down, until the last crescendo and finale.

Tom Kabat, along with Trevor and Katie, was repairing and testing out bicycles and even scooters, riding figure-eights through the parking lot with bells ringing.

Tables were set up for sharing the usual garden produce (this time including a wide variety of seeds and greens, eggs, gorgeous blooms, and lots of summer produce) and craft swap items, but we had more tables: books, toys, and clothes as well. Kids played among the toys and set out their cherished baby items, and many of the items were eagerly snatched up as their stories were told. I took the opportunity to find a few gems myself.

Willi Paul set up near the garden tables with his video camera, a screen, and a chair – making videos of people’s stories and histories of coming to the expo, their association with Transition, and their thoughts about the impending future. You can see his post on his blog and watch these first ever Transition Tales here or above (the presenters include myself, Patricia Becker, Peter Ruddock, Romola Georgia, folks from Transition Cupertino, and first-time visitors to the share).

Wendy Breu did a delightful demo on making stunning lavender wands from fresh lavender from the garden, weaving colorful ribbon among the stems to make a keepsake, to keep moths away, and to enjoy the fragrance for years.

Valerie showed up unexpectedly with a massage table and gave complimentary massages to sharers. Several people brought food as well, unasked, and shared other items that were in excellent condition and useful. Many remaining items were given to the library, a local garage sale to raise funds for charity, or other local charities. In all, over 100 people attended the event, and many told me they hoped for more like this in the future. All these were wonderful new additions to our sharing and truly made it reskilling and sharing in multiple senses of the word. Thanks to the community for making our soon-to-be-great event really great!

The Soon-to-be-Great Reskilling and Sharing Expo
Neighbors Sharing Food, Crafts, Skills, and Goods
Sunday,  August 12 11am – 12:30pm      FREE !
Common Ground Organic Garden Supply & Education Center
www.commongroundinpaloalto.org
559 College Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Hop on your bikes with your friends and family for a multiple skill and goods sharing event. Join us to share your garden and kitchen bounty, your extra arts and crafts supplies, beloved (or neglected) books, old clothing, and children’s toys. Bring what you have to share; take home something you don’t.   You’ll also learn to make homemade musical instruments and get a (or learn to do your own) bike tunup. We’ll have demos on kitchen skills and craft techniques on the half-hour, too. Bring your bikes, bike supplies, homegrown fruit, vegetables, eggs, herbs, honey, flowers, paints, markers, books, shirts, skirts, pants, fabric, yarn, paper, sheet music, patterns, books, garden/craft tools, toys, kits and more. Be sure to bring a bag to take home the bounty!

Local Garden Share – Bring extra bounty from the garden (produce, fruit, herbs, eggs, honey, flowers, plants in pots), things made in the kitchen from the things from the garden, seeds, seedlings, tools, utensils, books, magazines. Anything garden and food-related is welcome.

Craft Share – Bring your arts and crafts supplies and tools, and even artistic creations to share.  We’ll have demos on simple crafts you can make, techniques you can learn, a chance to show off your skills, and even a crochet lesson.

Bicycle workshop – Let’s work together to do minor maintenance and make minor adjustments to improve your bike for efficiency, safety and comfort, with Trevor and Katie. They’ll help you with: Tire pressure, Oiling squeaky chains, Seat ergonomics, Adjusting bar position for good wristernomics, Adjusting gears, brakes and headsets. They can also coach you through fixing a flat tire!

Scrapophony– Fun with Found Sounds – Learn to make and play some simple ‘musical instruments’ from things found around the house. Discover the joys found sound and explore the wonders of sound via everyday objects. Humans have been experimenting with ways to make music with found objects (sticks, bones, rocks…) for about as long as there have been humans. Join us in rekindling that sense of auditory exploration which is the wellspring of musical creativity.

Book share – Turn in your old beloved books in readable condition (no pages missing please) and take home a new good read. Any extras will be donated to the library.

Clothes share – Bring something that no longer fits but still looks good (free of stains and tears) and find something that you need to complete your wardrobe. Any remaining clothes will be donated to Goodwill for recycling.

Toy share – Kids bored of the same old toys? Trade them in for something new-to-them, and get the next generation involved in sharing and keeping things out of the landfill. Extras will be donated to a local children’s shelter.

Throughout the Bay Area, neighbors are coming together for sharing locally grown, fresh produce, as well as arts and crafts supplies, and other household items. Our Palo Alto sharing event is supported by a coalition of community ecological organizations and neighborhood groups including: Acterra, Barron Park Green Team, Barron Park Garden Network, Barron Park Assn, Common Ground, City of Palo Alto Community Gardens, Deborah’s Palm, Midtown Green Team, Opalz, Slow Food South Bay, Transition Palo Alto and Transition Silicon Valley.

The Common Ground store is open during the event, so plan to stop in to get any supplies you need to continue your garden bounty or more.  Also, the event is located only 3 blocks from the California Ave Farmers’ Market, which is open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  You will have time to shop or have lunch at the market after the event.

Please take home any excess of what you bring, if you can. Other items such as toys, books, craft supplies and clothes may be donated to local charities and shelters. More information will be posted at http://transitionpaloalto.org