All posts by Joe Kurtz

APRIL WORKSHOPS AT THE COLAB

APRIL WORKSHOPS & EVENTS HAPPENING

AT THE COLAB!

*Check out what’s happening at the CoLab for the month of April. All workshops and events are FREE of charge for participants unless otherwise stating. Happy CoLaborating!*

CoLab-Workshop-Calendar-APRIL


 

Recycling for Your Home 101 with COB Director of Recycling Susan Attridge Wednesday, April 5th @ 5:30pm – We’re all becoming more conscious of our waste but what exactly can we recycle from our homes? Join the Director of Recycling for the City of Buffalo, Susan Attridge, as she hosts a presentation on common items in and out of your house that can be recycled through various measures and organizations around the city. Register here!

FREE Guided Meditation – Thursday, April 7th at 6:30pm – Join meditation instructor Janet Deese for the University Heights CoLab’s first guided meditation class for beginners. Let those weekday blues fly away or the stresses of the world just roll off your back in this class which will teach you the basics of opening your mind and heart in the form of meditation. No yoga mat or other materials necessary – as Ms. Deese says, “just come with an open mind.” Register here!

#HappyPeriod OPEN Organizational Meeting – Saturday, April 9th –  Hashtag Happy Period (http://hashtaghappyperiod.org/) are a not for profit group with the intention to provide menstrual hygiene kits to the homeless who would otherwise go without. Their initiative supports everyone that has a monthly flow, including teenagers, nonbinary, and the LGBT community. They’ve setup their home base in the CoLab and we’re happy to have them be a part of the team! Come join in their regularly monthly meeting to build hygiene kits and talk about future projects.

DOPE Collective Pop-up Art Gallery Saturday, April 16th from 7pm to 11pm – The DOPE Collective (Dismantling Oppressive Patterns for Empowerment) will be presenting a pop-up gallery of their artists work. These talented local artists bring years of experience and their mission of building a more positive and stronger alternative arts and music culture to the city of Buffalo. Come check out the talent and

Have Your Say! (Buffalo Green Code Advocacy) – Thursday, April 20th from 6pm to 9pm – Join Tool Library staff member Aaron Krolikowski as he hosts an open informational event designed to facilitate guidance for the public to show and share their support for the Buffalo Green Code. The Buffalo Green Code (http://www.buffalogreencode.com/) is a historic revision of Buffalo’s land use and zoning policies that will promote investment, facilitate job creation, and improve the environment. The work to create a healthy, sustainable, and prosperous community is already well underway, spurred by residents in neighborhoods across the city. The Buffalo Green Code is designed to support and build upon this progress so attend this workshop to learn how you can send your support to your local and city officials to aid in the adoption of this revolutionary policy! Register for the event soon!

Healthy Living Lecture – Thursday, April 21st @ 6pm – Ever think about going vegan? What taking the stairs can really do for you body? What microwaving really does to the food you eat? Then join this group of health-conscious WNYers as they host their monthly meeting covering a range of nutrition topics from going vegan to the latest food research out there. If you’re thinking about living a healthier lifestyle, but lack the motivation or know-how to get there then this is the group for you! Register here!

DIY Little Libraries at The FoundrySaturday, April 29th @ 9am – 2pm – The University Heights Tool Library and Foundry are proud to announce a collaborative effort to create, build, and install 20 unique little libraries around the city with the help of the community. Attend a Prep and Build Day on Saturday, April 29th to learn how to build the framework for a little library and if you’re feeling up to it stay around and decorate your creation with reclaimed materials found around the city. Once the Little Libraries have been completed by May 14th, the organizations will be hosting a fundraiser where the public can bid on each little library to take home for their neighborhood. Create, build, share, repeat! Register via the Foundry’s event page located here!

DIY Historical Preservation Workshop & More!

DIY HISTORICAL PRESERVATION WORKSHOP & MORE!

Check out a list of our latest workshops to be gracing the space of the CoLab in the months of March and April! With Earth Day in April, the CoLab is dedicating the whole month to providing you green and eco-friendly inspired workshops. If you or someone would like to host a green workshop or event then please email is with your name, number, and a little bit about your event to colab@ourheights.org

*Don’t forget to check out the People Inc. Pop-Up Gallery which is on display in the CoLab and available for viewing during the normal operating hours of the University Heights Tool Library (www.thetoolibrary.org)*


MARCH WORKSHOPS & EVENTS


 

Historical Preservation for YOUR Home  – Wednesday, March 23rd @ 5pm – Think you own a house with some historic value but don’t know where to begin the research? Want to know the resources and benefits available to you for preservation? Then come attend a DIY Historic Preservation course taught by the University at Buffalo’s very own Dr. Ashima Krishna from the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and planning! Learn the basics of historical preservation and find out some facts that may lead you to discover your home has historical value to it! Register here for free!

Google Calendar & FormsThursday, March 24th @ 5:30pm This one is for all the surveyors and community leaders out their! The third workshop in our DIY Google Drive Series will walk you thru the basics of creating an effective feedback form so you can seek the comments and suggestions you need from your community to help focus and drive projects! Register here for FREE!

“The Drift Market” – Saturday, March 26th @ 4pm – Come drift away, Join Paris Henderson a talented artist and videographer living in Buffalo, NY as he hosts his first pop-up show. Come check out all his new art & designs along with a couple of his thrifty friend’s pieces! Good tunes, good vibes, good stuff all across the board so you can’t miss out with this market. One night only. Check it out!

Google Sheets [i.e. Excel] and Fusion Tables –  Wednesday, March 30th @ 5:30pmLooking to manage your companies finances or create a map of target locations for an upcoming project? This fourth workshop will provide you the basics you need to accomplish both of these tasks! Register here for FREE!

People Inc. Pop-up Art Gallery OPENINGWednesday, March 30th @ 11am – Having already made an impact by designing the Tyler Street Community Garden’s rain barrels, People Inc. are back with their first full fledged pop-up show in the CoLab! Works of art from their participants in The Arts Experience program will be displayed in a pop-up art gallery from March 8th to the middle of April with their formal gallery opening on the 30th at 11am. Come for the friends, fun, food, and amazing artwork from talented local artists!


APRIL WORKSHOPS & EVENTS


 

Community Poetry Reading/Art Exhibition – Sunday, April 3rd from 5pm to 8pm – Stop by the CoLab for a FREE poetry and verse readings from local artists around the city. Share in this creative event so don’t forget to bring some friends and family! No register necessary, just CHECK IT OUT!

Google Slides [i.e. PowerPoint]Wednesday, April 4th @ 5:30pm Every project needs a platform to display the work and effort that went into its creation. This final workshop will take everything you’ve learned, and a little more, to help you create a presentation for any occasion! Register here for FREE!

Recycling for Your Home 101 with Susan Attridge Wednesday, April 5th @ 5:30pm – Join the Director of Recycling for the City of Buffalo, Susan Attridge, as she hosts a presentation on common items in and out of your house that can be recycled through various measures and organizations around the city. Mark it on your calendars as Registration will soon be live!

Have Your Say! (Buffalo Green Code Advocacy) – Thursday, April 7th from 6pm to 9pm – Join Tool Library staff member Aaron Krolikowski as he hosts an open informational event designed to facilitate guidance for the public to show and share their support for the Buffalo Green Code. The Buffalo Green Code (http://www.buffalogreencode.com/) is a historic revision of Buffalo’s land use and zoning policies that will promote investment, facilitate job creation, and improve the environment. The work to create a healthy, sustainable, and prosperous community is already well underway, spurred by residents in neighborhoods across the city. The Buffalo Green Code is designed to support and build upon this progress so attend this workshop to learn how you can send your support to your local and city officials to aid in the adoption of this revolutionary policy!

#HappyPeriod OPEN Organizational Meeting – Saturday, April 9th –  Hashtag Happy Period (http://hashtaghappyperiod.org/) are a not for profit group with the intention to provide menstrual hygiene kits to the homeless who would otherwise go without. Their initiative supports everyone that has a monthly flow, including teenagers, nonbinary, and the LGBT community. They’ve setup their home base in the CoLab and we’re happy to have them be a part of the team! Come join in their regularly monthly meeting to build hygiene kits and talk about future projects.

DOPE Collective Pop-up Art Gallery Saturday, April 16th from 7pm to 11pm – The DOPE Collective (Dismantling Oppressive Patterns for Empowerment) will be presenting a pop-up gallery of their artists work. These talented local artists bring years of experience and their mission of building a more positive and stronger alternative arts and music culture to the city of Buffalo. Come check out the talent and

Healthy Living Lecture – Thursday , April 21st – Ever think about going vegan? What taking the stairs can really do for you body? What microwaving really does to the food you eat? Then join this group of health-conscious WNYers as they host their monthly meeting covering a range of nutrition topics from going vegan to the latest food research out there. If you’re thinking about living a healthier lifestyle, but lack the motivation or know-how to get there then this is the presentation for you! Mark it on your calendars as Registration will soon be live!

DIY GOOGLE DRIVE SERIES: COME UP TO SPEED WITH THE TECH OF OUR TIME

Out of touch with the technological times? Looking to maximize the efficiency of your personal or business life? Then it’s time to get familiar with Google Drive! Join the first workshop in a series as CoLab founder Joseph Kurtz and Tool Library staff provide you with the 101 knowledge of how to get the most out of your Google Drive. He’ll be taking walking you thru all the apps and resources Google Drive has to offer so you can create content of your own!


Google Drive Introduction and NavigationWednesday, March 9th The first workshop will take you thru the basics of Google Docs and GMail (from navigating to sharing to exporting, we’ll teach you it all!)

Google Docs [i.e. Word] and GMail Wednesday, March 16th @ 530pm The second workshop will take you thru the basics of Google Docs and GMail (from navigating to sharing to exporting, we’ll teach you it all!)

Google FormsThursday, March 24th @ 5:30pm This one is for all the surveyors and community leaders out their! The third workshop will walk you thru the basics of creating an effective feedback form so you can seek the comments and suggestions of your community to help steer your projects!

Google Sheets [i.e. Excel] and Fusion Tables –  Wednesday, March 30th @ 5:30pmLooking to manage your companies finances or create a map of target locations for an upcoming project? This fourth workshop will provide you the basics you need to accomplish both of these tasks!

Google Slides [i.e. PowerPoint]Wednesday, April 4th @ 5:30pm Every project needs a platform to display the work and effort that went into its creation. This final workshop will take everything you’ve learned, and a little more, to help you create a presentation for any occasion!

Register here for FREE or will out the google form below!

Fair Housing Policy & DIY Shelves Workshops

FAIR HOUSING POLICY WORKSHOP

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Are you a tenant or landlord with a few questions revolving around your housing rights and lease? Then attend this FREE workshop presented by Housing Opportunities Made Equal which is focused on providing you the information you need to make sure your rights are being protected as a tenant or landlord. An HOME educational specialist will be on hand to provide you with the basics and to answer any questions you might have regarding your current situation.

When: TUESDAY, February 9th @ 530pm

Where: University Heights Community Laboratory (CoLab) 9 W. Northrup Place Buffalo, NY 14215

How: Register here or by emailing your name, number, zip code, and email to colab@ourheights.org

DIY SHELVES

DIY-Winter-16-730x502

Looking to acquire some new skills for 2016? Need a little more storage in your house? Then this workshop is the perfect choice for you. Attend a FREE workshop presented by engineer and Tool Library staff member Matthew Gates as he walks you thru a simple shelving unit he’s designed for those of us just getting familiar with power tools to build our own.

When: THURSDAY, February 11th @ 6pm

Where: University Heights Community Laboratory (CoLab) 9 W. Northrrup Place Buffalo, NY

How: Register here or by emailing your name, number, zip code, and email to colab@ourheights.org

Fair Housing Policy Workshop and Q&A

FAIR HOUSING POLICY presented by HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal)

tenants_rights

Didn’t get a chance to attend the presentation by Katherine Sponaugle educational specialist at HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) on tenant and landlord rights? Are you a tenant or landlord with a few questions regarding housing policies and responsibilities? We’ll don’t miss the chance to attend this is the presentation and Q&A designed just for you! Learn tenant & landlord rights, landlord-tenant laws, and fair housing guidelines from a Housing Opportunities Made Equal (H.O.M.E.) Educational Specialist. A short Q & A session will follow so bring any questions you might have surrounding your place of residence, but not too many, as we don’t want to keep her all night again. :) #communitycollaboration

When: Tuesday, February 9th @ 6pm

Where: University Heights CoLab [9 W. Northrup Place Buffalo, NY 14214]

How: Register by filling of this google form or by emailing your name, number, zip code, and email to colab@ourheights.org

DIY Winter Tree Stewardship & DIY Seedlings

DIY WINTER TREE STEWARDSHIP

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It’s never to early to start getting into the gardening spirit and that’s just what the CoLab is encouraging with two upcoming DIY gardening workshops. It may be cold, but this one of the ideal times to prune the dead or broken branches off your tree. Attend a FREE Winter Tree Stewardship Workshop this weekend Saturday, January 30th from 10am- 12pm and learn the basics like:

– Proper pruning techniques

– Ideal pruning times

– Different types of harmful limb growth (i.e whips, shoots, crossers, etc…)

– Tree Biology

All ages are welcome to attend but come bundled up to do some bundling of your own! Show up at the University Heights Community Laboratory no later than 10:15am ready to kickoff the gardening season a little early and to give a little love to neighborly trees.

*Gloves and pruning tools will be provided*

DIY SEEDLINGS

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Keeping the early gardening preparation spirit alive, come back Monday, February 1st @ 6pm for a DIY Seedlings Workshop. Come learn how to plant and grow seedlings in advance of your gardening season so you can plant some new babies in the Spring!

Register online at ourheights.org/colab by filling out the appropriate Google form or by emailing colab@ourheights.org with your name, email and zip code. Hurry as registration is filling up fast!

*Gloves and gardening tools will be provide. Also, participants will receive free seeds or seedlings to take home*

*Feel free to bring any seeds you might want to exchange as well!*

Tool Library Member Forum

The University Heights Tool Library wants to build a better Buffalo, and they want input from their members on how to build it!

Members are a valued part of what keeps the Tool Library operating and they want help from their members to strategize ways to improve the Tool Library in the short and long term, and how we can all be a part of creating a better Buffalo! Join them as they host their first annual Member Forum on Saturday, December 12th from noon to 4pm in the University Heights CoLab (9 W. Northrup Place). Stop by to chat for a few minutes or stay a few hours. They want to hear from you how they can continue to grow and improve. Refreshments will be provided.

Register Today!


Round Table Discussions

The forum will an open house format, with some structured discussion topics at half an hour intervals. Topics of discussion include:

  • 12:30PM – Membership fees
  • 1:00PM – Hours of operation
  • 1:30PM – Tool reservations
  • 2:00PM – BREAK
  • 2:30PM – Signage
  • 3:00PM – Fundraising
  • 3:30PM – Expansion

Wall-to-Wall Brainstorming

We’re also going to be using the blackboard, whiteboard, and newsprint on the walls of the CoLab to ask you for additional input on the following topics:

  • Tool wish-list
  • Storage/organization ideas
  • Community projects
  • Classes/workshops
  • Online functionality
  • Getting the word out
  • Partnerships

Sharing Your Tool Library Story

Finally, they’ll have a camera setup in the back room of the Tool Library for any members that would like to share their story about their experience with Tool Library. What tools have you used? How much money has the Tool Library saved you? Why do you choose to borrow tools instead of buy them? What role do you think Tool Libraries can play in a neighborhood?

We think our members are our most powerful advocates, so we’d like to hear from you!


Online Feedback

For those members who are unable to join them on the 12th, they will send out a follow-up email after the forum that will allow you to submit your feedback electronically. We’d like to hear from as many members as possible.

Questions? Please email here!

Closing Out the Tyler Street Community Garden

With the snow on its way it’s time to close out another successful gardening season at the Tyler Street Community Garden. Our volunteers have put in a tremendous amount of effort to revitalize and maintain the community garden this year and we want to end the year strong with one last workshop and workday.

Putting Your Garden to Bed 2Putting Your Garden To Bed

Learn how to prep your ground and raised beds for the cold, winter months in this free workshop presented by expert gardener Caesandra Seawell. This is a learn-by-doing demonstration so come prepared for one last round of gardening as we’ll be covering the beds and laying down landscaping fabric and mulch along the paths between the raised beds. Anyone and everyone is welcome so bring a friend or two to get your last minute gardening fix!

*Note: We have King Alfred Daffodil bulbs available for any participants

When | Saturday, November 21th @ 10am

Where | 73 Tyler Street Community Garden

 Final Tuesday in Tyler Street Community Garden

Since we tackled the closing of the garden last week at our workshop,  we’ll be having our first (of multiple) planning meeting for next years season! So come with any ideas and ways to improve the connection between the garden the community we are aiming to serve. We’ll be meeting at the University Heights CoLab next the the University Heights Tool Library.

When | Tuesday, November 24th @ 3:30pm

Where | University Heights CoLab [9 W. Northrup Place Buffalo, NY 14215]

Topics of Discussion:

– Allocating a number of raised beds to communal beds

– 2016 Events & Workshops

– Signage and Fence Mural

– Community and volunteer outreach

 

Tenant & Landlord Rights Workshop on Wednesday, November 18th @ The CoLab

tenants_rights

Tenant and Landlord Rights Workshop

presented by Housing Opportunities Made Equal

Are you a renter or landlord in need of information pertaining to housing policies and codes? Look no further as the CoLab hosts the perfect workshop for you! Attend a Tenant Rights Workshop on Wednesday, November 18th from 6pm to 7pm in the University Heights CoLab (9 W. Northrup Place Buffalo, NY 14215) and learn about tenant-landlord rights, landlord-tenant laws, and fair housing guidelines from a Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) educational specialist!

When: Wednesday, November 18th from 6pm to 7pm

Where: University Heights CoLab ( 9 W. Northrup Place Buffalo, NY 14215)

How: Register by emailing your name, email, phone, and zip code to coalb@ourheights.org OR by submitting the Google form below. Space is limited so sign up today!

Final Tuesday in the Tyler Street Community Garden

Final Tuesday's October Slider II

Final Tuesday in the Tyler Street Community Garden

It’s the final Tuesday of the month again! Join residents of University Heights and the dedicated volunteers of  the Tyler Street Community Garden (73 Tyler Street Buffalo, NY 14214) today from 3:30 – 5:30pm for their monthly workday in the garden. Today’s agenda will consist of prepping the beds for the winter and planting crocus, tulip, and daffodil bulbs in the beds and neighboring green spaces,  which will blossom in the spring.

They’ll bring to the tools and gloves. You bring a family member, friend, or neighbor and an appetite for community improvement!