Transition Town Chelsea

• Herbal Wisdom, Linda Diane Feldt

  Bio: A student of the healing arts since 1973, Linda Diane Feldt, NCTMB, PTP, has provided an integrated approach to holistic health care since 1980. She has authored three books, and numerous articles, is a blogger and teacher. Linda Diane's community work includes currently serving as the President of the Board of Directors of The People's food Co-op. She has provided a free class for the Co-op for more than 18 years on herbal wisdom, and is a regular blogger for AnnArbor.com on the subject of wildcrafting and foraging. For more information, please visit her web site www.holisticwisdom.org.

  Description: Linda Diane will be available to answer questions and lead discussions on herbal medicine and foraging. With a focus on local plants, you'll recieve a handout on what you can find in your backyard and local natural areas. There will also be information on collecting, preserving, and enjoying local plants. What is abundant and easy? What special plants do we have in the area? Even if you are moderately experienced chances are you'll learn a few new things. And if you are a beginner to foraging and herbal medicine this will be an inspiring introduction given by an enthusiastic and generous teacher.

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• Permaculture Approach to a Conscious Future: from Consumers to Producers, Part  1, Nathan Ayers

  Bio: Nathan Ayers is a Permaculture Design educator born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI. He is founder of the Burns Park Green Energy Association, and co founder of Transition Ann Arbor. He is certified in Permaculture design, Organic gardening, and NABCEP trained in Solar Photovoltaic systems. With his company Chiwara Permaculture Design, Nathan and his team are helping Michigan homes, business, and communities take responsibility for their Food and Energy production. At any given moment, Nate is also a Musician, Surfer, and Dog lover.

  You can learn more at www.chiwarapermaculture.com

  Description: With much of our culture's attention shifting to all things sustainable, Permaculture is emerging as the definitive design methodology for the transition to an Energy Conscious future.

  By planning human settlements in ways that mimic the relationships found in Nature, Permaculturists are creating inspiring solutions to the worlds most pressing issues of peak oil, climate change, food and water shortages, and economic instability.

  A central theme in Permaculture is the design of ecological landscapes that produce food. However, Permaculture entails much more than organic perennial food production. Integrating Renewable Energy, Natural Building, Water systems, Transportation, Waste Recycling, and Land stewardship are all central themes found in Permaculture Design.

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• Canning 101: Introduction to a Tradition, Kristin Uthus

  Bio: Kristen is a biology instructor at Eastern Michigan University, but her real job is being mom to two boys and two Yorkies. Besides canning her garden bounty, her hobbies include knitting, beading, and playing music.

  Description: Everyone loves fresh food, but every food has a season. Canning offers a way to preserve food to be enjoyed year round, but many people are nervous about the process. Is it safe? How do I start? What supplies do I need? What can you can? I will answer all those questions and any other ones you may have. I hope you'll leave class with the intention of filling your shelves with food you have preserved yourself!

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• From Woodlot to Fireplace, Mike Muha

  Bio: By profession I’m a computer guy, but I love to get out in the woods. I’ve been cutting and burning wood for over 20 years. We heat primarily by wood with our zero-clearance fireplace (wood stove built into the wall to look like a fireplace) using mainly trees which have died or blown down on our land.

  Description: Discussion and demonstration of cutting wood for heating, from what tools to use, chainsaw safety, splitting wood, drying wood, building a fire.

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• Learn to Give and Benefit from Massage Therapy, Kevin Costello

  Bio: Kevin initiated his study of massage at UCHA in Omaha, NE. In addition to his subsequent certifications, he continues a self-study to deepen his certifications in these and related fields. He now practices his own unique blend of the styles he has been exposed to in a dynamic, soothing approach to massage therapy.

  Description: Experiential hands-on approach to learning massage therapy. Take care of you and your loved ones.

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• Permaculture Approach to a Conscious Future: from Consumers to Producers, Part  2, Nathan Ayers

  Bio: Nathan Ayers is a Permaculture Design educator born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI. He is founder of the Burns Park Green Energy Association, and co founder of Transition Ann Arbor. He is certified in Permaculture design, Organic gardening, and NABCEP trained in Solar Photovoltaic systems. With his company Chiwara Permaculture Design, Nathan and his team are helping Michigan homes, business, and communities take responsibility for their Food and Energy production. At any given moment, Nate is also a Musician, Surfer, and Dog lover.

  You can learn more at www.chiwarapermaculture.com

  Description: With much of our culture's attention shifting to all things sustainable, Permaculture is emerging as the definitive design methodology for the transition to an Energy Conscious future.

  By planning human settlements in ways that mimic the relationships found in Nature, Permaculturists are creating inspiring solutions to the worlds most pressing issues of peak oil, climate change, food and water shortages, and economic instability.

  A central theme in Permaculture is the design of ecological landscapes that produce food. However, Permaculture entails much more than organic perennial food production. Integrating Renewable Energy, Natural Building, Water systems, Transportation, Waste Recycling, and Land stewardship are all central themes found in Permaculture Design.

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• Re-purposing Old Clothing Materials, Hajnal Minger

  Bio: Born and raised in Transylvania/Romania. Emigrated to USA 26 years ago. Married with two sons.

  Worked for Ford and Visteon as powertrain designer for 22 years. Recently started HAKA creative solutions LLC. Firm believer in the need for sustainability and trying to practice and teach as much of it as possible.

  Description: Will show you how to take an old clothing item and re-make it into another.

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• Making Compost Easy for  the Home Gardener, Wendy Cole

  Bio: Wendy is a Chelsea native who earned her bachelors in horticulture from Michigan State University. She worked as a horticulture agent for the MSU/Washtenaw County Extension service, where she ran the Master Gardener program, assisted the public with plant and insect diagnosis, soil samples, and other home horticulture needs. Wendy left the Extension Office to homeschool her three boys, and help her husband, Allen, run Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.

  Description: Discover for yourself why gardeners call compost “black gold”. Making compost doesn’t have to be complicated or smelly. This class will cover the benefits of composting, setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance, and how to use finished compost.

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• Build a Hoop House and Keep On Growing!, Scott Alf

• The (Easy Rider) Art of Bicycle Maintenance

  Bio: Common Cycle was formed in February of 2010. We are a community-based organization empowering Ann Arbor to ride bicycles by providing access to education, workspace, and resources.

  Description: Has your bike ever made a weird sound and you don’t know why? Do you want to learn how to change a tire and keep your bike tuned up and ready to ride? Join us to learn the basics of keeping your bike in working order and fun to ride!

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• Extending the Growing Season, Gonzalo Silverio

• Relaxation as Rejuvenation, Ginger Boyce

• Preserving Food – and Your Health -  by Fermentation, Hajnal Minger

Bio: Born and raised in Transylvania/Romania. Emigrated to USA 26 years ago. Married with two sons.

Worked for Ford and Visteon as powertrain designer for 22 years. Recently started HAKA creative solutions LLC. Firm believer in the need for sustainability and trying to practice and teach as much of it as possible.

Description: Demonstration of how to pickle vegetables. Step by step instructions and documentation.

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• Don’t Throw that Coat Away – Braid a Rug!, Cathy Muha

  Bio: I’m a webmaster at UM Health System, but I like to leave modern technology behind to be creative in cooking, preserving foods, rug-braiding, and other crafts.

  Description: Learn to braid a rug using old wool clothing, from tearing strips to stitching the braids together.

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• Build a Hoop House and Keep On Growing!, Scott Alf

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