And a glorious day it was!

Thanks to all who made the 10/24 Ann Arbor ReSkilling Festival a success!

• Nice blog post here.
• an article from annarbor.com's Janet Miller.
• some photos of the day from Tamara Wendt
• our submission to 350.org, photo by Laura Smith

We've started to post some hand-outs from the sessions.

Latest (and final) version of schedule

Click the schedule link to get the final version. We don't plan to make any more changes. There may be a few last-minute additions, but we'll just tell you when you get there. Don't miss the 12:30 pm theatre skit and 350.org photo op! Be part of this international day of climate action.

List of Events

Here is PDF of current schedule. As of today, here's the list of sessions. Use Search to see detailed descriptions:

• A Door to the Future: Community Art Project--Susan Dallas Nimlin
• Caring for the Land: Hands on Management To Help Native Flora and Fauna Care for You --Lynn Kalfsbeek
• Clothesline Tips from a Lazy Grandma--Marsha Traxler
• Constructing a Simple Residential-Scale Greenhouse--Dave Sebo
• Environmental Dance and Movement Meditation--Irena Nagler
• Food Substitutions for Those with Sensitivities-- Joanna Mills
• Furthering Fermentation: Dosas, Idlis, and Gundru! -- Andrew Brix
  
• Gathering of the whole (12:30 - 1 pm): GIVE THE PLANET A HAND--interactive community performance-led by Transition Ann Arbor, followed by group photo for 350.org
• Goat-milking demo--Sue Shink
• Growing Oyster Mushrooms on Coffee Grounds--Matt Demmon
• Herbal Shampoo Making--Caryn Simon
• How to make Traditional Seitan--Linda Conrad
• Introduction to Small-scale Beekeeping--Robert J. McLeod
• Knitting Basics--Margarete Walsh
• Make and Use an Immune System Tonic from Herbs (to counter swine flu) --Gaia School of Herbal Studies -- Michelle Medley
  
• Making and growing in cold-frames and hoop-houses--Jeff McCabe
• Nature Circles: Play in Nature--Jim Dreyer
• Nature Circles: Play in Nature--Molly Jarin
• Outdoor and Indoor Composting --Nancy Stone
• Repurposed Thrifted Smock Apron--Leslie Sievert
• Re-Skilling Hearts and Minds: The Anishinaabe Perspective on Life --Marsha Traxler
• Root Cellars: Brainstorming Session--Linda Diane Feldt
• Singing in Harmony--Jeanne Mackey
• Sock Darning--Margarete Walsh
• Solar Water Heating--David Collins
• Stumbling into an Urban Chicken Coop--Judy Stone
• Sustainable Neighborhoods: Getting Started --Jeannine Palms
• Taking food to the next level with texture, taste & timing--Heather Brumwell
• Wild Edibles--Liz Durfee & Blake Marshall
• Winterizing Your Commute (Biking, walking and beyond)--Nancy Shore

Furthering Fermentation: Dosas, Idlis, and Gundru!

Description: Learn some lesser-known fermentation techniques for full flavor and preservation. Dosas and idlis are traditional South Indian rice and lentil "breads". Gundru is a unique Nepalese ferment.

Presenter: Andrew Brix

Bio: I started baking bread seven years ago, brewing beer and wine three years ago, and have recently branched out into some lesser-known fermentation techniques.

Goat Milking Workshop

Description: Overview of basic dairy goat care and participate in milking two nubian dairy goats. These goats have only been milking for two months, so you will get a taste of what it's really like to be a beginner goatherd!

Sue Shink

Bio: Sue Shink has been raising American Border Leicester sheep and spinning and weaving their wool for six years. She has been milking goats for all of two months. Sue focuses on sustainable grass-based grazing with herbal health support for the diverse animals living on her farm just down the road from Blanche Price.

Partner Play Yoga

Description: Yogis of old recognized the energy of elements and creatures in the natural world as having certain power and effect on the human body and mind. So much so that they named yoga poses for these elements and creatures; such as "tree" pose, "mountain" pose, "downward dog" pose,etc. The sages knew that the "feeling tones" of the poses and even the energy of their names held importance for deeper understanding of transcendence. What we'll be doing today is "enjoying" the deeper understanding by bringing another element into the mix – the element of play and letting our bodies partner with each other and with the earth in a fun exploration of yoga.

Patty Hart

Grass Lake Sanctuary

Bio: Patty teaches group and private yoga classes at her studio, Every Body Happy Yoga & Healing Center LLC, in Dexter, Michigan. In her more than 12 years of teaching she has happily explored the feeling relationships which naturally express through one's body-mind with yoga. These include the relationships of: conscious breath and movement, and physical discomfort and energetic blockages - helping students nurture these relationships for health and healing. Patty's approach to teaching yoga is playful, creative and continually evolving.

Food Substitutions For Those With Sensitivities

Description: Want to learn ways to change recipes into healthier ones? Then this class is for you! You will experience ways to substitute soy, gluten (wheat), dairy, eggs, nuts, sugar and still have great tasting food.

Joanna Mills & Heather Brumwell
Grass Lake Sanctuary

Bios: Joanna was a teacher who became so chemically and food sensitive that she had to take an early medical retirement. She spent years experimenting with food combining and substitutions. Even though she has healed most sensitivities she still feels the desire to substitute foods that feel most healing for her.

Heather has been inspired by her life's events to study and work within the field of holistic health for the past 20 years. A main focus has been on developing a relationship with food, and understanding the impact of food on our bodies. Heather has taught cooking classes and helped coordinate catering events with food that truly supports our bodies and well being.