The Mousetrap is on its way East. Several Makers Faires and more, follow along on www.lifesizemousetrap.org

The Konan Express hitched up and ready to hit the road

Follow along with the Lifesize Mousetrap while it heads back east.

Click here to join the journey

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Leather, Drop In Repair Clinic Saturday!

Drop In Repair Clinic Saturday 6/26/2010- 10am to 4pm

Richard Lee is hosting a leather repair clinic where you can bring your Leather and Textile riding gear in for repairs “WHILE YOU WAIT” or alterations to be picked up at a later date.

A PARTIAL LIST OF REPAIRS I CAN PERFORM;

Replace zippers, linings, knit cuffs and waist band. Repair rips, holes, and busted seams. Stitch patches. Full alterations, shorten sleeves and hems, re-cut collars and lapels.

Free estimates on major repairs and alteration. Work dropped off to be picked up at a later date should be ready within 3 to 5 working day.

While you wait repairs are first come, first served and are quick and simple repairs. One or two lines of stitching to close a seam, embroidered patches, snaps & rivets, gloves, boots.

Ask about other sewing services available.

Time and Date; June 26, 2010. From 10am to 4pm

Place: Nimby (www.nimbyspace.org)

8410 Amelia Street (X-85th)

Oakland, CA 94621

E-mail Richard

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MISSING! Partially filmed at NIMBY has hit the silver screen, or LCD, Plasma… anyway…

We are happy to tell you that the film “Missing” was chosen as a finalist for the “Beyond the Still” contest headed by Vimeo/Canon. It is now open for public voting so please be kind enough to check out their film and if you feel as strong about it as we do please vote for it. They will be happy to answer any questions on it after your done viewing it ;). Here is the link: http://www.vimeo.com/groups/beyondthestill/ Click on the movie missing or go right to the movie here Here is the link: http://www.vimeo.com/12477897
Check out all the movies and if you think theirs is the best then vote. If you don’t and feel like voting for theirs anyways, well they will be much obliged.

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SYZYGRYD

Syzygryd is taking shape with this week. The center is looking great and the flanges are going on the big tubes this week. Check out the syzygryd website!

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MILKTROPOLIS

Check out the Milktropolis

This is under construction here at NIMBY!

The Steampunk Tree house is getting ready to

head East!

The first truck is being loaded right now and the second shortly after, almost 100 feet of space will be used to hold all the parts to the newly refurbished tree house. You can find more info about this project at the Steampunk Tree house website.

Open Arts Network Partner Profile: NIMBY

Long before ROTFL and TTYL, there was NIMBY: “Not In My Back Yard!” The acronym doesn’t always stand for a vow to fight local zoning ordinances; it’s also the name of a do-it-yourself, industrial art space in Oakland, California, that provides artists with a place to make what would be impossible to create elsewhere. One of our Open Arts Network partners, NIMBY enables projects with a high wow-factor, such as Steam Punk Tree House and Lifesize Mouse Trap (as in the board game), to be realized. Business manager Rachael Norman told me more about this hub of innovation…

Would you briefly describe NIMBY and its mission?

NIMBY is a large (64,000-square-foot) DIY space in East Oakland that serves the Bay Area’s industrial art community. Metal workers, jewelers, dreamers, musicians, engineers, plumbers, electricians, computer programmers, and tinkerers creating projects large and small can all be found working at NIMBY. Steel shipping containers are the building blocks of the NIMBY shop space, and are centered around shared common work areas. At NIMBY you can create anything from the smallest electronic device to some of the largest sculptures seen in the world.

When and how did NIMBY get started?

NIMBY began in a 28,000-square-foot warehouse in West Oakland. Michael Snook founded NIMBY, with no initial investment, in April of 2004. Steel shipping containers were purchased and brought to the space one at a time as funds allowed. Snook intended to set up a functional facility in which to work on projects, and has formed an organization that supports thousands of artists each year.

How far do artists working at NIMBY come from?

Each year, we support thousands of artists and craftspeople from far and wide who want to build a great variety of projects. Most NIMBY artists reside in the San Francisco Bay Area, but artists from as far away as New York, Europe and Australia use NIMBY to create large-scale works that will be shown in the western United States. Large-scale works built here can been found at Burning Man, Maker Faire, Coachella, and exhibitions and museums around the world.

What programs and services do you provide for artists?

NIMBY not only offers workspace to create, but supports its artists with resources, assistance in sourcing re-purposed material, storage of art pieces, logistical and technical guidance, and networking. This supportive culture, shared by all members of the NIMBY community, is at the root of the amazing art that emerges from its doors. As we have grown, programs have been developed to provide discounted trucking rates for artists and assistance in seeking grant funding for projects, as well as to coordinate paid opportunities for artists to show their artwork.

So, hosting and supporting large-scale projects, performances and artworks -– things that other spaces might not have room for — is really NIMBY’s specialty…

NIMBY is best known for supporting large-scale projects such as Colossus, the Steampunk Tree House, and Lifesize Mouse Trap. When Snook founded NIMBY he found that there was a lack of facilities that had both the space and heavy equipment needed to support such projects. While many artists work at home or in smaller shops, the space and resources needed to create large-scale works of art can quickly become overwhelming to an individual. When many artists share a much larger space, the costs can be kept much lower.

It takes an incredible amount of effort and dedication to manage a space like NIMBY. Volunteers add much to the effort of growing and sustaining us. It is no small task to make a facility like this safe, affordable, function and legal.

Do you sponsor/host events both on-site and off-site?

From time to time NIMBY does host events. Historically, these events have ranged in size from large gatherings to small performances and exhibitions. Over the years there have been robot operas, project fundraisers, and most recently, DO IT FOR HAITI, a monumental benefit and clothing drive.

As NIMBY has grown, great efforts have been made to work with the City of Oakland to be able to host a variety of events at our space. Unfortunately, the expense and time involved in this have made small events, exhibitions, and performances impossible to host in our new location at this time.

What is one fact about your organization that you wish was more widely known?

NIMBY has always been supported entirely by our community. Thousands of supporters and volunteers are the only reason NIMBY continues to thrive. We are an entirely self-supporting organization, and this is no small feat.

Have you seen an increase in demand for any of your services in particular during this recession?

During these tough economic times we have been seeing local city governments looking to increase revenue by ensuring that all businesses in their jurisdiction are fully code compliant. This trend has raised operating costs to such a level that individual artists cannot come in to compliance, a situation that is often compounded by the fact that artists frequently work in older buildings that have fallen into disrepair. Because NIMBY has gone through the process of being compliant with fire and building department regulations, we have seen an increase in artists interested in working in our space.

When and how do you know that you are succeeding in your mission?

When NIMBY is bustling with activity and brimming over with projects, new ideas and creativity. It is inspiring to be a part of workdays during which hundreds of people are working together and making the impossible possible before our eyes.

How people can get involved with NIMBY?

To get involved, email volunteer@nimbyspace.org.

Wherever you find Joe Rut you’ll find a fifth!

Joe Rut is celebrating the release of his 5th CD, “Injured While Faking own Death” with a very special show at the Great American Music Hall, Friday, April 30. If you see him once this year, please come to this one!!

Wonderful and surreal comedian Will Franken is opening the show, and Joe’s gonna be joined by an amazing band including fiddler Jason Kleinberg, pedal steeler Joe Goldmark, drummer John Hanes, bassist Dave Jess, Guitarist Danny Allen, Steve Lucky on piano and Hammond B3 organ, and singer Val Esway, as well as other special guests! Joe will be playing songs from the new CD as well as tunes from his first 4 albums. Help spread the word!

Joe Rut w/ special guest Will Franken
Friday April 30
Great American Music Hall
859 O’Farrell St., San Francisco
Doors 8/show 9
$14
Tickets on sale beginning Sunday, Feb 28th.
www.gamhtickets.com

12 Minutes

Thats how far we are from the old NIMBY, only 12 minutes, 93.2% of the time and the rest of the time it rarely goes more than 16 minutes.

DIY Yurt Workshop:

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The Burning Man Special Events Team is supporting a number of free, interactive workshops — by Burners for Burners — designed to share the skills and expertise of our community.  These workshops are intended to further the principles of gifting and radical self-reliance using tools that are readily available.  Our 3^rd workshop this year is off-site at NIMBY in glorious E. Oakland – check it out!

DIY Yurt Workshop: How To Build and Set Up a Yurt.

Sun 4/25

2pm – 4pm presentation & hands-on demo led by (boy)blondie

at NIMBYspace, 8410 Amelia St., Oakland CA

directions: http://www.nimbyspace.org/contact/

Amelia is a small dead-end street off 85^th Ave w/good parking!

This workshop will cover:
- A brief history of the Mongolian yurt, including advantages over teepees and other similar structures.
- A review of the different yurt materials and why I chose the ones I did.

- Basic tools you’ll need.

- Construction tips and techniques.

- Making jigs for cutting slats and drilling holes.
and some experienced-burner advice:

- How to set a yurt up and keep it from flying away!

We’ll be outside in the sun, or in the warehouse if it rains.

Please dress accordingly.

RSVP to hold your spot to Terry <helpishere@sbcglobal.net>

<h2>

Norville Parchment,  Open Studios>

</h2>

SOMA ARTISTS STUDIOS. A DYNAMIC WORKPLACE FOR ARTISTS OF MANY DISCIPLINES.

Coome see Norville Parchment in his new studio and check out his new set of paintings. Please join him for some wine and treats and to see the new paintings.

30+ artists will be displaying their work in an incredible variety of media, including ceramics, collage, glass, drawing, furniture, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, and more.

Date:
Friday, April 16, 2010
Time:
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:
SOMA Artists Studios
Street:
689 Bryant st
City/Town:
San Francisco, CA

UPDATE ON ARTS ACTION:

Many thanks to all of you who took time to contact the City Council and to those who came to the meeting at City Hall. This made a difference! You were heard and the results were good.

Margo Dunlap wrote:

<snip>

The Oakland City Council responded optimistically to the Arts Action. Kernighan is on record for stating her support for a mitigated cut at 15%. De La Fuente stated he will not support the cuts to the Arts. Nadel stated that the Arts are an economic development tool and that the Arts bring people together. Brooks and Kaplan stated their support for maintaining the Arts.

<snip>

This is not over, you can still send letters and emails to the Oakland City Council. Those of you from out of town can express how much you spend in Oakland/Alameda County when you come here to see performances, art exhibits, etc. The Council will be voting on this in the next few weeks, lets keep up the momentum and see that we are heard.

B. Council Contacts:
District 1, Jane Brunner, jbrunner@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7001;
District 2, Pat Kernighan,pkernighan@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7002;
District 3, Nancy Nadel, nnadel@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7003;
District 4, Jean Quan, jquan@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7004;
District 5, Ignacio de la Fuente. idelafuente@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7005;
District 6, Desley Brooks, dbrooks@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7006;
District 7, Larry Reid, lreid@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7007
At-Large, Rebecca Kaplan, rkaplan@oaklandnet.com (510) 238-7008

Not sure who your council member is? Click here to find out:

Additional Resources and References available online: Click here for more info

Happy Easter from all of us at NIMBY

Wednesday March 31, 2010

Email Councilman Larry Reid >

As many of you have probably already heard The Oakland City Council is having a meeting this Thursday, April 1^st. Item #8 is to cut the Cultural Arts Trust budget 50%, yes, fifty percent!

Oakland has one of the highest, if not the highest, number of people per capita who list their occupation Artist. What good are the arts? The arts span all ages, cross all boundaries and open our imagination to possibilities. Art challenges our intellect, temps our emotions and creates a vehicle for social interactions that may otherwise never materialize. Art can range from wildly abstract to extremely concrete, pleasant to disturbing, peaceful to riotous, art affects us individually and as a group but the bottom line is without art there will be a very, very large void.

The Oakland City Council needs to hear from you today! This is not something you can let slide or try to get to later, you need to act and act now. Oakland is a leader in the arts and to let the budget be cut will just be the first ripple through the entire arts community. Cities throughout the United States pay attention to what other cities are doing. When we take a stand and let the government know what we want they will listen. In 2008 we stood up and were heard, the budget was saved, we can do it again! Take the time to write the Oakland City Council. We have made it very easy, our website at NIMBY is all set up for you to just copy our sample letter, click the email address, paste the letter and put your name on it. Yes, it would be better if you would take a few minutes to write a letter but at the very least copy and paste one today.

Check history, it is full of nations and empires that disappeared when its citizens no longer held their core beliefs and values, one person can make a difference.

As of Tuesday we understand Councilman Reid had only received twenty letters defending the Arts budget, lets bump that number up! Be heard now, there is no second chance.

*****SAMPLE LETTER****  Copy the following letter:

Dear Councilperson Reid,

As a patron of the arts I am opposed to any reduction of the Oakland Cultural Arts Budget. When you cut the arts you kill imagination, imagination that could lead to the next great scientific breakthrough, discovery of a more efficient source of energy or the conversation that makes friends out of enemies.

The arts play a very important role in society, one that must not be sacrificed. The arts are the fertile grounds that breed musicians, sculptors, doctors, scientists, engineers and on and on. The arts keep history alive. Think of one aspect of your life not affected by art; your family, your home, the clothes you wear, the music you listen to, the books you read. Art affects virtually every aspect of your life, and my life. Mr. Reid, I implore you to keep the budget intact and to preserve the arts.

Respectfully,

Once you have copied this letter click this link and it will open your email and address it to Councilman Larry Reid, District 7, Oakland.

Email Councilman Larry Reid One Click Letter >

lreid@oaklandnet.com

Along with the Steampunk treehouse there are several other projects happening,

Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector are building a 60 foot tall obelisk for the City of Santa Rosa. Made out of concrete, steel and bicycle parts the obelisk will stand watch over Santa Rosa Avenue.

Marks website is www.markgrieve.com

Hanging from the ceiling any day now will be rings, rings and more rings. Markand Ilana are also working on a San Francisco Arts Commission piece for the new Visitacion Valley Public Library.  Somehow Mark and Ilana will be working on both projects at once, they may have clones.

Work continues inside the shop while a movie is shot out back, this is a post apocalyptic movie several years in the making. Here’s the teaser  http://www.trashandprogress.com

This was last month when we had an electric roadster testing out its steering and brakes.

http://pressroom.prlog.org/NIMBYevents/

If you are unable to attend - please donate to the NIMBY Haiti Fund. All proceeds will go to the participating organizations doing work on the ground in Haiti.

Non-monetary donations we can accept:

• Clothing (light-weight summer, all sizes)
• Shoes, all sizes
• Medical Supplies: Gauze, Tape, Neosporin, Tylenol/Advil (Generics OK)
• Kotex and Cloth Diapers
• Towels and Sheets
• Water-proof tents
• Plastic Storage Boxes (Large) for packing, shipping and giving Haitians something to store their personal effects in.  If you can bring nothing else, bring these!

This event is organized by NIMBY.

DO IT FOR HAITI on Facebook

Events begin at 2:00 p.m., with children’s activities and performances, indoor and outdoor art installations, music and dance.

Partnering Organizations Include:
Bellot Idovia Foundation-Oakland, CA/ Haiti: http://www.bellotidovia.org
CARE - San Francisco, CA / Haiti : http://www.care.org
Catholic Relief Services - San Francisco, CA /Haiti :http://www.crs.org/
Sirona Cares - San Francisco, CA /Haiti : http://www.sironacaresblog.com
What If Foundation - San Francisco, CA / Haiti : http://www.whatiffoundation.org/
Zanmi Lakay – Pacifica, CA / Haiti : http://www.zanmilakay.org

Live Music and Performance: SF Mime Troupe, Kalbass Kreyol, The Bodice Rippers, The Joe Rut Band, Funky Bula, Marisa Lenhardt, The Society, Chicken John & Dr. Hal and more…
Childrens Theater and Events: Sustainable Living Road Show, The Life Sized Mouse Trap, Plastic Bag Wallet Making, Face Painting
Art Installations: The Flaming Lotus Girls, Robots – Justin Gray, Tesla Coil – Jon Behrens, The Museum of Unnatural Selection by Jen Forbes, Goat Man Dan, Therm / Exxotherm, Thermocracken, Jamie Vaida, The Disgusting Spectacle, Feng Jin, Robot by Adam Ebel
Plus D.I.Y / D.I.F.H. projects for all ages

Featured Speakers Include:
Joe Dacany - EMT: CA–11 Disaster Medical Assistance Team member currently working in Haiti.
Marc D’Silva – CRS : Senior Development Officer for Catholic Relief Services which has been working in Haiti since 1954.
Dana Fischer- Retired USAID education officer in Haiti
Michelle Lacourciere - Sirona Cares: Director: Heading Northern California Haiti Relief Effort with U.S. Coast Guard.
Hilda Oropeza- CARE: Director of Community Partnerships at CARE USA which has been working in Haiti since 1954.
Jen & Guy Panteleon - Zanmi Lakay: Founders who have been working with orphaned children in Haiti since 1997. Currently in Haiti and will be returning for the event.
Margaret Trost - What If Foundation: Founder providing food and education programs to impoverished children in Haiti since 2000.

This event is sponsored by NIMBY. http://www.nimbyspace.org
During the DO IT FOR HAITI benefit on February 20th from 2 pm - midnight, NIMBY will be accepting donations of food and clothing items to send with second-wave relief efforts to Haiti. NIMBY is partnering with Sirona Cares for this drive. All goods will be delivered by the U.S. Coast Guard. Contributions will be distributed throughout Haiti to specific locations (schools, churches and orphanages) in the Sirona Cares network. All proceeds from the event will be donated to organizations working directly with Haiti relief efforts.

Members of the media are welcome.

“DO IT FOR HAITI” Artists and Performers:
Sf Mime Troupe: http://www.sfmt.org
Kalbass Kreyol: http://kalbasskreyol.com/
The Bodice Rippers:http://www.myspace.com/thebodicerippers/
The Joe Rutt Band: http://www.joerut.com/
Marisa Lenhardt: http://www.marisalenhardt.com/
The San Francisco Early Music Society: http://www.sfems.org/
Chicken John & Dr. Hal: http://www.chickenjohn.com/ and http://www.askdrhal.com/
Sustainable Living Road Show: http://www.sustainablelivingroadshow.org/
Life Size Mouse Trap: http://www.lifesizemousetrap.org/
Flaming Lotus Girls: http://www.flaminglotus.com/
Robots – Justin Gray: http://www.graywrxfabblog.blogspot.com/
The Museum of Unnatural Selection by Jen Forbes: http://www.themuseumofunnaturalselection.com/
Omega Recoil – Jon Behrens: http://www.omegarecoil.com/
Goat Man Dan: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jay_que/3865397373/
Therm / Exxotherm: http://www.therm.biz/
Jamie Vaida: http://www.artacrossamerica.org/
The Disgusting Spectacle” http://www.laughingsquid.com/the-disgusting-spectacle/
Feng Jin: http://www.dreamcatcherarts.com/
Robot by Adam Ebel: http://www.adamebel.com/

Items we accept:

* Clothing, including new or used underwear, for all ages. It would be incredibly helpful if these donations could be separated (babies, small children, large children, women & men’s clothes).
* Shoes, all sizes
* Food items: non-perishable, ready to eat items
* Medical Supplies: Gauze, Tape, Neosporin, Tylenol/Advil (Generics OK)
* Kotex and Cloth Diapers
* Towels and Sheets
* Plastic Storage Boxes (Large) for packing, shipping and giving Haitians something to store their personal effects in. If you can bring nothing else, bring these!

NIMBY as an organization exists to serve the community. Through this event we hope to do our part to help a nation of people in great crisis. During this event we will have speakers from organizations working on the ground in Haiti, Haitian food and cultural activities, and interactive art and building workshops for children.

An incredible cast of artists and performers have already stepped up to volunteer their time to this important cause. The Life Sized Mouse Trap, Justin Grey’s Robot’s, The Flaming Lotus Girls, The Sustainable Living Road Show, Chicken John and Dr. Hal, John Behren’s Tesla Coil, and many, many others have volunteered to provide art. Musical volunteers include Sila and the Afrofunk Experience, The Bodice Rippers, The Joe Rutt Band, Marissa Lehnhardt, and more.

While some members of our community are able to travel to Haiti to volunteer with aid organizations those of us that are here can do our part as well.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event please email – volunteer@nimbyspace.org

We can use you.  Badkitty is taking on the volunteering coordination efforts here, and we are excited about what is on our horizon.  If you are interested in volunteering, please email volunteer@nimbyspace.org.  In your message please include the following information.

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Location:
How you would like to contribute:

You will be contacted with upcoming opportunities.

Thanks and much appreciation.