VBC6 Workshops

We come together after planting the spring crops in a season of renewal. We celebrate with each other as our ancestors did. We teach each other. We share resources. We build together. This is how we remember our collective knowledge, our common sense.

Workshop topics may include, but are not limited to: community building, art with neighbors, public art, encouraging young people, urban design, and building skills. Locating workshops at or near VBC6 building sites is encouraged but not required. Workshops are free of charge to participants (except for a possible materials charge). Workshops are typically 1 to 3 hours in length and are held in the afternoon. Workshop information is published in the Village Builder prior to VBC6.

Is there a “know-tion” supporting our inherent/emergent intelligence! Is there an acknowledgement and encouragement of our being that just makes things better for us overall! Of course there is! And often that most accurate solution we seek is no further than right under our nose and way simpler than any of the difficulties we sometimes project on to situations. Ina relaxes, focused setting our workshop will explore and interpretation and reveal expressions of our most human process that is just simply simple, like ripples on a pond. Lead unmistakably with your fellows a clearer path and evolutionary well being.

When: 2:30-5:00, Friday May 19th; 1-3:30 pm Tuesday May 23rd

Where: CRHQ

Who: Martin Schulke, martin@cityrepair.org

Jim has been at the cutting edge of fruit cultivation in the PNW for over 30 years. As the founder and owner of One Green World Nursery, he’s been propagating high quality plants for the masses, and has introduced many delicious and novel varieties to the American market. His slideshow is incredibly informative, covering 20+ unique and lesser-known species well suited to cultivation in our bioregion. Jim is deeply knowledgeable and is a resource not to be missed by the fruit enthusiast.

When: 1:00-3:00, Friday May 19th

Where: Awakenings, 1016 SE 12th Street

Who: Jim

This two hour workshop will look at the theory and practice of guerilla gardening, including ethics, propagation, plants, and site analysis. Participants will have the opportunity to make seedballs and collectively design and plant a site.

When: 3-5 pm, Friday May 19th

Where: Awakenings, 1016 SE 12th Street

Who: Leonard Barrett, leonard@cityrepair.org, 503-425-9706

8-9 am daily. 1016 SE 12th Street

Natural Paint Making The workshop will focus on NW natural mineral pigments and their use as a coloring agent in natural building such as lime plaster and as a fine art material to be used in egg tempra, watercolor, milk paints, oil paints, etc.. The workshop will provide a hands-on experience on how to prepare materials that have been collected from the earth that then can be used in a variety of ways depending on the type of project and the surface in which the paint would be applied to. Some of the workshops will be directly integrated into the Marysville Pictograph Project in which the natural pigments will be used in during the ongoing creation of the project on site. When: 1-3 pm, Saturday May 20th Where: Marysville Elementary - 7733 SE Raymond., Portland, OR 97206 Contact: Scott Sutton, 503-293-5059, scottsutton76@hotmail.com – moved to Monday

Through the process of observation, we begin to see the ever-changing nature of all life. Culturally, we are experiencing a shift from dependence on highly subsidized, cheap petroleum. Permaculture offers a framework for creating a PERMA-nent CULTURE based on dynamic biological resources that transform and renew themselves indefinitely. In this workshop we will explore the Permaculture principles; in doing so we begin to engage as vital and imperative nodes in the complex web of life.

We will delve into the practice and theory of Permaculture through hands-on projects and discussion. Holding the Permaculture Principles in our hearts is one way to work towards sustainable actions. We look forward to co-creating with all of you!

When: 3-5 pm, Saturday May 20th

Where: Awakenings, 1016 SE 12th Street

Who: Marisha Auerbach and Alexis Jaquin

We’ve all had the experience of walking into a space that feels so clear and good that something inside says “Ahhh...” In this hands-on workshop, we will explore and practice ways to maintain domestic and communal space as a gracious sanctuary for Spirit. Topics include energetic and physical cleansing, banishing, altar making, and working with elemental spirits and other allies.

When: 1-3 pm, Saturday May 20th

Where: Awakenings, 1016 SE 12th Street

Contact: Carol Carmick, 503/753-5396, standing.wave@gmail.com

Portland is home to a remarkable variety of organizations that are dedicated to social and ecological transformation. How can we weave these efforts together, into a full-fledged movement of city-wide regeneration? This workshop brings key activists from progressive organizations together, to strategize about how to improve coordination between grassroots projects. Participants will identify steps that can be taken to link diverse organizations into a multi-faceted movement of change dedicated to fostering the growth of a new, radically egalitarian and sustainable Portland.

When: 3-5 pm, Saturday May 20th

Where: Disjecta

Contact: Brush, Jenny Leis, Bruce Podobnik, 503 236-7552, podobnik@lclark.edu

8-9 am daily. 1016 SE 12th Street

Reconnect to your self, your community, and your inner and outer nature through the eco-psychology model called The Four Shields of Human Nature. Based on the medicine wheel, the four directions, and the four seasons, this is a common sense approach to self-awareness and transformation. Participants will learn the model experientially and then learn how to apply the concepts in their daily lives and in their communities through nature-based self-generated ceremonies and rituals.

When: 1-4 pm, Sunday May 21st

Where: Outside Location TBD

Contact: Jay Fields, 503.679.7979, fields.jay@gmail.com

Ever wondered what it’s really like to eat only raw foods? With this class you will learn all you need to know to begin incorporating more nutritious raw foods into your diet or even go completely raw! Topics will include: sprouting made easy, “live” dehydration, simple compositions, the raw food pantry, and an overview of the science behind what makes raw foods “superfoods” for you and the planet. Bring a notebook and your appetite!

When: 1-2:30 pm, Sunday May 21st

Where: CRHQ

Who: Mark Holladay, 503-234-2436, holladaymark@yahoo.com

The fungal kingdom presents many opportunities for earth healing and personal healing. Mushrooms can be used to remediate toxic soils, enhance the health of the garden, purify water, and discourage pests. This workshop will introduce participants to fungi in the garden and as earth healers. We discuss and implement ways of welcoming mushrooms into the garden and our hearts.

When: 3-5 pm, Sunday May 21st

Where: Awakenings, 1016 SE 12th Street

Contact: Marisha Auerbach, queenbee@herbnwisdom.com

8-9 am daily. 1016 SE 12th Street

In this workshop, we will begin with the premise that our own body is our most direct link to the Earth. Beginning with a brief presentation to engage our sense of ethics and activism, we will explore various improvisational and body-based art games derived from such diverse techniques as yoga, contact improvisation, action theater, butoh and many others. Through these physical practices, we initiate the process of learning permaculture principles directly through the body. This work is intended to restore the arts to their rightful place at the center of a healthy and sustainable community. No experience necessary–just bring a spirit of playfulness.

NalaWalla is a transdisciplinary performer, teacher and community activist who emphasizes the central role that the participatory arts must play in healing fractured ecologies and communities. Her BODYECOLOGY and BODYVERSITY curriculums synthesize body-based art forms with principles of deep ecology in order to move beyond the rational, and facilitate a wholistic, wholebody understanding of permaculture. Nala bridges her ecologic and artistic sensibilities through the BCOLLECTIVE, based on her off-the-grid homestead on Marrowstone Island, Washington.

The BCOLLECTIVE is a rural-based umbrella organization dedicated to promoting wholistic understanding and revisioning of sustainable community, and providing the means for its practical implementation through active crosspollination between the arts and sciences. The BCOLLECTIVE aims to blend arts practice, teaching and performance with permaculture principles in order to build a thriving, commonsense model of community.

Located on a rural Pacific Northwest Island, BCOLLECTIVE provides residential opportunities to artists interested in the grounding influence that nature and simple living can offer their work.

When: 1-2:30 pm, Monday May 22nd

Where: Disjecta

Who: NalaWalla, nalawalla@hotmail.com, 360.643.3747 http://www.bcollective.org

We all speak, we all write. this is a practice for empowering your words and your voice. journeying with your expression, allowing the deepest parts of self to arise and be heard. This is an inspirational activity, we will hold sacred space with reverence…allowing exactly what comes out to be perfect, judgeless and pure. Some will be miracles; others may be much needed exercises to arrive at the miracle later. No expectations, just watch and listen and let the string of inner being be pulled. Letting the music out...... Letting the Magic out....Let the soul speak.....

Our form will be to write together for several timed segments, with a lot of freedom around given themes....then we will read aloud to one another. There will be a Community Board for posting some of our writings to share with everyone. Bring paper and pen or laptop if you prefer.

When: 3-5 pm, Monday May 22nd; 2-4 pm, Wednesday May 24th.

Where: CRHQ

Who: Laurrien Gilman, 206-323-4483, lemonflax@hotmail.com

Flowers are known for their beauty but imagine the beauty that they add to a meal! Marisha Auerbach has collected over fifty different kinds of edible flowers throughout the season and has been creating culinary delights with them for over eight years. This workshop will introduce participants to the edible flowers available in this season with suggestions for cultivation as well as recipes for including flowers in your diet.

When: 3 – 5 pm Monday, May 22

Where: Grace Institute

Who: Marisha Auerbach

Toby is one of the most articulate ambassadors of permaculture wisdom around. His slideshow on pattern understanding explains how the human brain is wired for pattern recognition and goes on to show how we can use this incredible capacity to implement permaculture systems.

When: 1-3 pm, Monday May 22nd

Where: Awakenings, 1016 SE 12th Street

Contact: Toby Hemenway

The workshop will focus on NW natural mineral pigments and their use as a coloring agent in natural building such as lime plaster and as a fine art material to be used in egg tempra, watercolor, milk paints, oil paints, etc.. The workshop will provide a hands-on experience on how to prepare materials that have been collected from the earth that then can be used in a variety of ways depending on the type of project and the surface in which the paint would be applied to.

When: 7-9pm, Monday May 22nd – NOTE NEW TIME

Where: Disjecta - 230 E Burnside

Contact: Scott Sutton, 503-293-5059, scottsutton76@hotmail.com

8-9 am daily. 1016 SE 12th Street

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) refers to a consciousness and set of skills that connects us with what is most alive in ourselves and others. In NVC we learn to hear and express the universal human needs that motivate everything we say and do. In this way we find common ground to move forward and take effective action with compassion for ourselves and others. Aikido is a highly refined martial art developed in the 20th century as both a means of martial practice and spiritual training. While the direct translation reads “harmony energy path”, it is often referred to as the Art of Peace. The movement and energy of an attack is redirected without need for collision or use of force. The physical practice of this fundamental principal of Aikido leads to deeper understandings of people and nature while teaching essential skills for conflict resolution and peace work. Aikido requires no advantage in strength or speed, and is practiced successfully by people of all ages and abilities.

Central to both is the idea of being in harmony with one’s partners. In this workshop we will explore how verbal communication and physical posturing express mind-body coordination, and encourage the development of both verbal and physical expressions of peace in daily living.

LaShelle Charde has worked as a professional psychologist and trainer for the last twelve years. She has worked with children of all ages for the last 20 years. She holds a master’s degree in psychology and has trained in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) with Marshall Rosenberg and other internationally known NVC trainers. She is a committed Zen practitioner and this shows in the clarity and depth of her work. LaShelle delights in helping others learn to relate from a place of connection, compassion, and integrity. See her website: http://www.wiseheartpdx.org

Deston Denniston is the Chief Instructor of the Crooked Branch Dojo, an Aikido Yuishinkai affiliate.. He began studying Aikido in 1994. In 2004–’05 he spent four months training intensively at Australia under the supervision of Michael Williams Sensei, earning his Shodan and permission to teach. He began informal Zen practice in 1996. He is currently a Masters student in Agriculture at WSU, where he focuses on Permaculture and Agroforestry. When he is not studying he can usually be found practing aikido and building cob. http://www.crookedbranchaikido.com

When: 1-3 pm, Tuesday May 23rd

Where: Disjecta

Contact: Deston Denniston at cobbuilder@yahoo.com, LaShelle Charde at www.wiseheartpdx.org

Is there a “know-tion” supporting our inherent/emergent intelligence! Is there an acknowledgement and encouragement of our being that just makes things better for us overall! Of course there is! And often that most accurate solution we seek is no further than right under our nose and way simpler than any of the difficulties we sometimes project on to situations. Ina relaxes, focused setting our workshop will explore and interpretation and reveal expressions of our most human process that is just simply simple, like ripples on a pond. Lead unmistakably with your fellows a clearer path and evolutionary well being.

When: 2:30-5:00, Friday May 19th; 1-3:30 pm Tuesday May 23rd, 2:30-5 Friday May 26th

Where: CRHQ

Who: Martin Schulke

Perennial Forage Systems are gardens that act as a closed system, similar to the native forest. A garden of this sort produces food, fertilizers, flowers, craft items, and other useful things year round with minimal maintenance. In this workshop, we will discuss the philosophy and establishment plan for a perennial forage system while installing a system for the Lewis school. We will be considering plants that will be useful for the outdoor classroom and education center.

When: 3-5 pm, Tuesday May 23rd

Where: Lewis Elementary 4401 SE Evergreen Street

Contact: Marisha Auerbach, queenbee@herbnwisdom.com

8-9 am daily. 1016 SE 12th Street

How does one dig a swale to catch and store our collective intelligence? What do the zones and sectors of human relationships look like? This workshop will explore ways of applying permaculture and whole systems design to our urban social landscapes.

When: 1-3 pm, Wednesday May 24th

Where: Awakenings 1016 SE 12th Street

Who: Just Young, Leonard Barrett, Alexis Jaquin, 206-948-0120, younjust@gmail.com

Portland is known as one of the most forward-thinking cities in the USA, and proud of it. We are excited to engage this year’s “Village Builders” in deep and reflective dialog, creating a truly visionary message to guide the City of Portland’s future plans. Workshop leaders Jenny Leis and Erica Ritter have over a decade of combined experience in informal education and community organizing, including work with Tryon Life Community Farm, OMSI, and of course the City Repair Project.

We will meet for approximately 90 minutes. After a period of guided reflection on how we currently experience our city, we will move into facilitated, creative dialog about prospects for the next 20 years. Participants will have the opportunity to create a personal, individual vision; and to collaborate as a group in the flow of creative thought that is true dialog. We will provide resources for conducting similar workshops in your own communities. Expect a few quirks – we aim for a deeply human, creative, fun experience.

When: 1-3 pm, Wednesday May 24th

Where: Disjecta

Contact: Erica Ritter and Jenny Leis

The Portland Waldorf School (PWS) is home to one of the largest bioswales in Oregon and will offer a two-part workshop on May 24th and 25th. The first presentation will be an introduction to bioswales. This workshop will cover why we want them, what function they serve and a general description of how they are constructed and planted. Each hour and a half workshop will include a 45-minute PowerPoint presentation, a 15-minute break followed by a 30-minute tour of the bioswale with a questions and answers session.

When: 2-3:30, Wednesday May 24th

Where: 2300 SE Harrison Street, Milwaukie, OR. 97222

Who: Jennifer Wells, Portland Waldorf School (503) 654-2200 ext.210, Jennifer.Wells@portlandwaldorfschool.org

2300 SE Harrison Street Milwaukie, Oregon 97222 (503) 654-2200 ext. 210

Driving directions: The Portland Waldorf School is located in Milwaukee, Oregon, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Portland. Take 99E (also known as McLaughlin Blvd.) south to Milwaukee. You’ll know you are in Milwaukee when you come to the first stop light on Harrison Street. Go two more blocks and take a left turn onto Monroe Street. Go Two blocks and you will see a large brick building with a large playing field in front. Park either in the Monroe Street parking lot on school grounds or across Monroe Street in the American Legion parking lot where we have permission to park.

Bus directions: The main bus transit mall for Milwaukee is located on Main and Jackson. The PWS property boarder the bus transit center. There are several Tri-Met buses from Portland that provide service directly to and from the bus mall (ex. Bus #75 and #33)

we all speak, we all write. this is a practice for empowering your words and your voice. journeying with your expression, allowing the deepest parts of self to arise and be heard. This is an inspirational activity, we will hold sacred space with reverence…allowing exactly what comes out to be perfect, judgeless and pure. Some will be miracles, others may be much needed exercises to arrive at the miracle later. No expectations, just watch and listen and let the string of inner being be pulled. Letting the music out...... Letting the Magic out....Let the soul speak.....

Our form will be to write together for several timed segments, with a lot of freedom around given themes....then we will read aloud to one another. There will be a Community Board for posting some of our writings to share with everyone. Bring paper and pen or laptop if you prefer.

When: 3-5 pm, Monday May 22nd

Where: CRHQ

Who: Laurrien Gilman, 206-323-4483, lemonflax@hotmail.com

The Heart of Now at VBC is a set of experiences designed to help people be present with themselves and their bodies with specific focus toward connecting with the earth and the natural world.

When: 2-5 pm, Wednesday May 24th

Where: CRHQ

Who: Karen Suwinski, 541-937-3351 x109, heartofnow@lostvalley.org

8-9 am daily. 1016 SE 12th Street

Learn the basic elements of an urban habitat, identify native plants, plant native species, create a water or brush structure, discuss and address maintenance issues, etc. Workshop Presenter: Portland Parks & Recreation, Community Gardens Program Workshop

When: 1-3 pm, Thursday 25 May

Where: Fulton Community Garden, Native Habitat Area (off SW Barbur Blvd at SW 3rd & SW Miles above Terwilliger Curves)

Contact: Portland Community Gardens, (503) 823-1612, comgardens@ci.portland.or.us

Learn how to propagate Oyster Mushrooms in an outdoor environment without using plastic bags or waiting for logs to fruit. We will weave a beautiful willow basket and fill it with pasteurized straw and mushroom spawn. We will speak of other methods of cultivation and all the wonderful things about mushrooms while we weave. Oyster Mushrooms are delicious, lower cholesterol levels, and have been found to break down petrochemicals contaminates (including diesel fuel) in the soil.

When: 1-3 pm, Thursday 25 May

Where: SE 12th and Market

Contact: Tammy Davis, 541-510-9658, ancientspin@hotmail.com

8-9 am daily. 1016 SE 12th Street

Utlilizing permacutlural:eyes and active participation we’ll explore the co:creative vision of future culture through some foundational principles of the emergent design concept. People will walk away with new perceptual tools and a fresh look at where they see themselves in the mandala of Life.

When: 3-5 pm, Friday May 26th

Where: Awakenings, 1016 SE 12th Street

Who: Just Young, 206-948-0120, younjust@gmail.com

In this 2 hour workshop, we will begin to discover the many ways in which language and writing can be used to manifest the world we most want to live in. There is a long tradition of poetry, story and essay being used to channel power, raise awareness and create change. Through a series of interactive exercises drawn from a variety of artistic and ritual traditions, we will begin the process of writing a world into being. Participants will leave the workshop with several pieces of their own writing, tools for continuing this practice on their own and a reading list for further inspiration.

When: 1-3 pm, Friday May 26th

Where: CRHQ

Who: Eve the Lady Apples

Is there a “know-tion” supporting our inherent/emergent intelligence! Is there an acknowledgement and encouragement of our being that just makes things better for us overall! Of course there is! And often that most accurate solution we seek is no further than right under our nose and way simpler than any of the difficulties we sometimes project on to situations. Ina relaxes, focused setting our workshop will explore and interpretation and reveal expressions of our most human process that is just simply simple, like ripples on a pond. Lead unmistakably with your fellows a clearer path and evolutionary well being.

When: 2:30-5:00, Friday May 19th; 1-3:30 pm Tuesday May 23rd, 2:30-5 Friday May 26th

Where: CRHQ

Who: Martin Schulke

8-9 am daily. 1016 SE 12th Street

Cohousing has been referred to as the new way to create an old-fashioned neighborhood. This workshop explores what kind of physical changes can encourage interactions between neighbors in order to build community.

When: 1-3:00, Saturday May 27th

Where: TBD

Who: Heather Carver, East Portland Cohousing, 503-233-8452, tierrabodhi@gmail.com

A Revolution Disguised As Organic Gardening

In the Maritime Northwest, it is possible to grow all our own food year-round with limited time and effort to establish a system. As petroleum becomes more expensive and the costs of produce rises, this model whispers subtle echo’s of urban food security. A perennial forage system functions much like a natural ecological system, and yields year round produce with minimal work. After two years of developing this system, Marisha has been eating fruits and vegetables primarily from the garden. Marisha provides most of her income from the garden and has surplus produce and crafts to give away and trade for other supplies.

This presentation is an invitation for you to visit Marisha’s garden through slides and philosophy. She will be discussing how you can work towards self-reliance in produce if you have property to work with as well as guerrilla tactics to grow more food and flowers in the urban areas. This workshop offers an opportunity to create cultural change through gardening.

When: 3-5 pm, Saturday, May 27th

Where: Awakenings, 1016 SE 12th Street

Who: Marisha Auerbach

led by Jon Young: Practical tools for celebrating the relationships to ourselves, our families, and our natural landscapes.

For thousands of years human survival has been tied to our connection to the natural world and our family. Although there have been drastic changes in a few generations, our bodies & minds are still perfectly designed to live as our ancestors did, in healthy communities tied to the mountains, trees and animals around us.

This program identifies core ingredients instrumental in building a community of joy, appreciation, and consensus with family, friends and coworkers. Drawing on stories and teachings that remind us of our natural body, mind and spirit, we will develop a radiant approach to peacemaking that shifts the future of our community, land, and all the children that follow us.

For more information contact Tommy Mckoy tommy_mckoy@yahoo.com for more information

When: May 27, All Day

Where: Sunnyside Elementary

Cost: (sliding scale)

To register: Contact Tommy Mckoy tommy_mckoy@yahoo.com for more information

This training is meant to raise awareness of something that is known by many people but discussed by far too few – the issue that is being called Peak Oil. Included will be: facts about fossil fuels’ decreasing availability and increasing production cost, a discussion of the changes we are going to have to make regarding how we live with or without oil (and other increasingly unaffordable fuels), and what each of us can do in the short and long term.

When: 3-5 pm, Saturday, May 27th

Where: CRHQ

Who: Emily Pollard, info@portlandpeakoil.org