January

• What is the real story behind all the bad economic news?

• Why are we not richer by our burgeoning tangible wealth, instead of poorer by a snowballing financial “debt”?

• How could it be that an innocent child born in the U.S. today is already, according to the “experts,” a quarter-million dollars in “debt”? When did newborn babies borrow this money? How are they supposed to “repay” it? Is their future mortgaged before it starts? Has “original debt” replaced “original sin”?

• If every dollar in circulation is “borrowed” into existence through “loans” from private banks, where does the money to pay the “interest” come from?

• After a century of explosive growth in real economic activity, why have we not grown out of our “debt”? Is there a perverse logic built into the system that is causing us to grow into it our “debt”?

• Why in the last century have family farmers been forced off the land by financial foreclosure, or threat of foreclosure, until now those living on the farm comprise less that two-percent of the population?

• What is this “debt” burden doing in real terms to our civilization, our earth, ourselves? What is “debt” anyway? What is its effect on the psyche of generations growing up in saturation of its financial demands, ecological devastation and social disintegration?

• If I am well-educated, working hard and “playing by the rules” in the “richest country on earth,” why can I not pay my bills and/or why am I perpetually in debt?

• Has fear of financial destitution replaced fear of dying as the most dreaded eventuality in people’s lives?

• Is there hope?

These and many other monetary riddles haunt our post-modern world. Indeed, they are increasingly experienced as threatening the viability of our personal lives, the existence of civilization, and even the continuation of life on earth itself. Can we get a perspective on this? Can we turn a corner? Is there a vision on the other side?

Location

This class is designed as a complete introduction to the basics of wheel building. We are posting this class late, but if we have sufficient interest we will start the first class with lacing rims. The second class will entail bringing the wheel up to tension and truing it radially and laterally. It is okay if you don't understand what this means we will start at the beginning. No prior knowledge is necessary, however, it will be useful to understand the basics of truing.

We will be following Gerd Shraner's method feel free to peruse his book http://www.icelord.net/bike/ArtOfWheelbuilding.pdf

I am going to push this into January because not enough people registered in time. Please let me know if you would like to join us.

Location

a discussion group in order to design a class for future Exco sessions

for who: home buyers, home owners, land lords, renters with housing livability issues

What: home assessment, Project assessment, cost assessment

This class is designed as a complete introduction to the basics of maintaining your bicycle yourself. Learning to fix your own bike can save you money, ensure access to reliable transportation, and be a rewarding personal experience to understand how your vehicle functions. Participants aren’t expected to know anything beforehand – the only thing you need to bring is your lovely selves, your bike if you want, and a creative desire to learn!

In addition to providing technical explanations and building mechanical knowledge and confidence, this class will attempt to provide a basic overview of the role of community bike shops throughout the country and world, as we work to build sustainable transportation movements locally and globally.

Location

Clases gratis! Guarderia disponible con previa registracion

Clases de Musica y Dibujo Hip Hop
Lugar: Cafeteria de la Escuela de la Ascension, 1723 Bryant Ave N, Minneapolis
Fechas: Todos los Sabados de 4:00 a 6:00 PM desde el 30 de Enero
Para inscripcion, mayor informcion oguarderia contactar a Christian al 612-207-4901

EXCO Academia Comunitaria es una organizacion inspirada por el derecho de libre acceso a la Educacion, el saber a todos nos ayuda por igual, no te lo guardes, compartelo! Tienes ideas o quisieras participar contacta a maria al 612-669-1422.

Location

Clases gratis! Guarderia disponible con previa registracion

Lugar: Sabathani Community Center, 310 E 38th Calle, Minneapolis
Fechas: Todos los Martes y Jueves de 11:30 A 12:30 PM desde el 26 de Enero
Para inscription, mayor infomacion o guarderia contactar a Nancy al 612-227-3097

EXCO Academia Comunitaria es una organizacion inspirada por el derecho de libre acceso a la Educacion, el saber a todos nos ayuda por igual, no te lo guardes, compartelo! Tienes ideas o quisieras participar contacta a maria al 612-669-1422.

Location

Drawing from a nude model is foundational for artistic training and provides a great chance for anyone interested in art making to learn more about representing the figure.  Without the cultural and material layers of clothing the form and volume of the figure are most accessible and dynamic as a nude.  The Macalester College Art Alliance has hosted professional models from the Twin Cities area for several years and is now offering weekly open sessions.  The evening will start with warm-up sketches then after the halftime break will be spent on two longer (20-30 min) poses.  All levels of experience and all nature of media from pen to paint to play-doh are welcome and encouraged!  Every Thursday, 7-9 pm.

Location

Basic photography and adobe photoshop will be taught during sessions.

Participants will go home at the end of the final session with a portfolio. Sessions are every friday from 6-8PM at the In Progress Studio 301 (262 4th Street East). Bring your own camera, if you have one. Basic knowledge of photography and adobe photoshopis not needed....

Location