#PortlandME - #RipeForRepair Meetup

April 12 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Odd Fellows Hall
651 Forest Ave
Portland, Maine 04101 United States

"#RepairMeetups are free community events where people come together to help each other fix everything from small home appliances to damaged textiles.

They’re about celebrating under- appreciated skills and learning new ones, holding on to things that take a lot of resources to make but can quickly end up in landfills, and connecting with other humans. Experts, novices and curious spectators welcome!

#BCM will be in attendance with #PortlandGearHub to offer assistance with a wide variety of common bike repairs, like brake adjustments, tuning gears, fixing flat tires, lubricating chains, and removing wobbles from wheels."

FMI:
https://www.bikemaine.org/event/ripe-for-repair-meetup-portland-2/

#SolarPunkSunday #BicycleCoalitionOfMaine
#BikeTooter #BuildingCommunity
#Repair #RepairReuseRestore
#BikeMaintenance #Workshops #SkillSharing #MaineEvents #FixIt

Ooooh... I just found the date for the next #RipeForRepair meetup in #PortlandME, and also some cool events at the #PortlandPublicLibrary (building #Habitat, #SeedSwaps, etc). What #SolarPunk related events are happening where you are? The #SolarPunkSunday team wants to know!!!

#RepairCafes #ToolLibraries #ToySwaps #ClothingSwap #Mending #Workshops #CircularEconomy #Sharing #BuildingCommunity #PracticalSolarPunk

Our next monthly meetup is this Wednesday, 3/11, at 6:30PM in the CITE building on the EFSC Melbourne campus. RSVP - https://www.meetup.com/spacecoastsec/events/312454533 #buildingcommunity #spacecoast #brevard #infosec #cybersecurity

So, the @AgroecologyMap hasn't posted in a while... I do hope they return to Mastodon. Meanwhile, they do have a cool website that highlights #Agroecology projects around the world, and have an excellent resource page...

https://agroecologymap.org/en/home/index

#SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood #Resiliency #FoodSecurity #BuildingCommunity #SustainableAgriculture #FoodForests #Permaculture

Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday, @UnicycleSam ! #BuildingCommunity is so important (as is mending!)

#SudburyMA - #SustainableSudbury meeting

Wednesday, March 11, 2026
7:30 – 9:00pm

Monthly on the second Wednesday

First Parish of Sudbury
327 Concord Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA

"Sustainable Sudbury steering committee monthly meeting, upstairs in the Commons room."

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r/week/2026/3/11

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #Sustainability #MassachusettsEvents

#NYC - #RepairCafé #ElBarrio is more than a place to reach out.

It’s a growing community built around repair, learning, and collective care.

Upcoming 2026 sessions:

Sundays
March 15th, April 19th, May 17th, June 28th, July 19th, August 16th, September 13th, October 18th, November 15th and December 13th

From 11 to 2pm
Location: at El Barrio Artspace PS109

"What is a Repair Café?
Repair Cafés are free, community-led events where volunteer experts help visitors diagnose and fix broken household items. They started in The Netherlands in 2009 and have now spread to cities and communities all around the world.

At Repair Café El Barrio, we most commonly repair vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, lamps, clocks, clothing, and audiovisual equipment (including computers and cameras). Our goal is to empower visitors with hands-on repair skills. We don’t just fix things for you — we work with you, side by side!

When & Where
We meet once a month in the main gallery of El Barrio Artspace at 215 East 99th Street. Each Sunday session runs from 11am to 2pm and is donation-based: pay what you wish. Enjoy coffee, fresh fruit, and other refreshments while repairing your items.

To participate, send us a photo and a short description of what you’d like to repair. Once confirmed, we’ll reserve your spot for that session."

FMI:
https://www.repaircafeelbarrio.org/

#SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafes
#RepairCafesNYC #FixIt #RightToRepair #RepairReuseRestore #BuildingCommunity

#BurlingtonVT - Old North End Repair Cafe - hosted by @LabB

Next one is March 21, 2026

"Old North End Repair Cafe is a monthly event where anyone can have anything repaired for free! Computers, clothes, appliances, tools, furniture, #bikes, what have you, we’ll work with you to get it fixed. We are an official #RepairCafe and are listed on repaircafe.org

This event happens every third Saturday of the month from 11am till 3pm at 12 North St, Burlington VT.

If you’re interested in volunteering (or at least want to get an email when the next event is happening), please fill out our volunteer interest form. Free food is provided for volunteers! No experience necessary, only curiosity!

Old North End Repair Cafe is funded by Laboratory B member dues and by donations from you!"

FMI:
https://www.laboratoryb.org/repaircafe/

#SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafesVT #FixIt #BikeRepair #BuildingCommunity #RepairReuseRestore #RightToRepair #RepairCafes

#PeterboroughNH - #MAXTMakerspace #RepairCafe - March 14, 2026

Every Second Saturday
10 AM - 2 PM

MAXT Makerspace:
Noone Falls, 50 Jaffrey Road, Peterborough, NH, 03458

"What do you do with a broken toaster? Or with a bike when the wheel runs out of alignment? Or with a sweater full of moth holes? MAxT is organizing New Hampshire's first Repair Cafe on the 2nd Saturday of each month to help you fix what's broken.

Our volunteer repair experts will be available to help you make all possible repairs. Tools and materials will also be on hand. You can bring your broken items from home. Repair stations will include small electronics, clothing, bikes, furniture, toys and jewelry - anything that is broken is welcome and more than likely can be repaired!

By promoting repairs, MAxT MAkerspace wants to help reduce mountains of waste, put neighbors in touch with each other in a new way and discover that a lot of know-how and practical skills can be found close to home.

The event is free but donations to the repair cafe are encouraged to keep this event going."

Source:
https://maxtmakerspace.org/repair-cafe

#SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafesNH #FixIt #SkillSharing #BuildingCommunity #Repair #RepairReuseRestore #NHEvents

#PortlandME - #RipeForRepair Meetup

March 8 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Odd Fellows Hall
651 Forest Ave
Portland, Maine 04101 United States

"#RepairMeetups are free community events where people come together to help each other fix everything from small home appliances to damaged textiles.

They’re about celebrating under- appreciated skills and learning new ones, holding on to things that take a lot of resources to make but can quickly end up in landfills, and connecting with other humans. Experts, novices and curious spectators welcome!

#BCM will be in attendance with #PortlandGearHub to offer assistance with a wide variety of common bike repairs, like brake adjustments, tuning gears, fixing flat tires, lubricating chains, and removing wobbles from wheels."

https://www.bikemaine.org/event/ripe-for-repair-meetup-portland/

#SolarPunkSunday #BicycleCoalitionOfMaine #BikeTooter #BuildingCommunity #Repair #RepairReuseRestore #BikeMaintenance #Workshops #SkillSharing #MaineEvents #FixIt

#WellingboroughUK - #WellingboroughEcoGroup - #CommunityAllotment

Working Parties / Meet-ups are every Wednesday!

"Wellingborough Eco Group have taken on a plot at #LadywellAllotments in Wellingborough, to give people the chance to share skills and to grow plants. The site was cleared and is now a user-friendly space to grow #fruit, #vegetables and other plants to benefit the #community.

The Plan

We decided that everyone should be able to use the plot, so hard standing for car parking, and access to a covered area near the entrance was seen as a must. Spaces for two cars will be provided at the front of the plot. A covered 12′ X 8′ ‘gazebo’ will be on the right as you enter plot. A fence will separate the parking strip from the rest of the plot.

Grass paths will then lead from the gazebo across the plot to the left side, with a raspberry border between it and the fence, and vegetable growing area moving down the plot. Either side of this area, grass paths will run to the bottom of the allotment. Midway down the plot, we will assemble the greenhouse as a central feature. Grass paths will cross the plot in front and behind the greenhouse. Water butts will be put either side of the greenhouse.

The first path will lead to our wildlife garden and pond to the left of the plot, behind the neighbouring plot holders shed. A bench is also planned for this area. The apple tree next to this will have its canopy raised to allow more space for seating and the path.

Behind the #greenhouse, we will construct raised beds and #CompostBins. Our two sheds will be built in the two corners at the rear of the plot. One will be for storage, the other for a composting toilet. A solar panel could be attached to the toilet shed to power a light, water pump and fan for the loo. Both sheds will have numerous water butts alongside them.

The People

Anyone can volunteer at the Community Allotment, you don’t have to know anything about #gardening and tools will be provided. We have working parties at the allotment on Wednesdays, these are advertised on our dedicated Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/communityallotment, meet you at the gates to the allotment at the end of Hillside Road, or call 07311 705705 to get in."

FMI:
https://wellingboroughecogroup.org.uk/eco/community-allotment/

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood

#UMaineCooperativeExtension - Bulletin #4311, Planning and Managing a Community “Giving” Garden in Maine

By John Jemison, Extension Professor, Soil and Water Quality, University of Maine Cooperative Extension

"Fifteen years ago, I taught an Environmental Sustainability course for University of Maine Cooperative Extension. It was a seven-evening session involving approximately 20 hours of education/training. I asked participants to return 20 hours of service to the community. I also suggested (having never really gardened in a group or community setting) that we might consider taking some unused town land and starting a garden where we could supply food to the Birch Street Senior Citizen Center in #OronoME. A low-cost lunch is offered at the center four days a week, which helps ensure that Orono seniors do not go hungry. I thought some fresh food would be nice. The original plan fell through, but we altered the plan to grow diverse fresh vegetables and bring a bag of vegetables with a recipe to people living in low-income senior housing near the garden. We have delivered many tons of food over the past 15 years and made great connections with seniors in the area. All of us have learned a great deal about the challenges and rewards of growing food and working together. This publication is an effort to capture what we have learned and give others a guide to do this type of a program in another area. The information provided here should be reasonably applicable across all New England.

Guide Organization

This guide is intended to help anyone who has an interest in community gardening to do that task with skill and capacity. Gardening isn’t difficult, but gardening well is not easy. This guide can be useful for anyone who gardens, but I have designed it intentionally to help people start community gardens and community giving gardens. This guide provides information on gardening methods; pest management; what, when, and how to plant specific vegetables with a focus on #NewEngland growing conditions; delivery program basics; and putting the garden to bed for the winter. I have also included some links to recipes that can be given to the food recipients so that they know what to do with the foods we provide."

Learn more:
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/4311e/

#SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens #FoodSecurity #Gardening #GivingGardens #BuildingCommunity #FreshFood

#Maine - #CommunityGarden Map

via #UMaineCooperativeExtension

"Community gardens are 'collaborative projects on shared open spaces where participants share in the maintenance and products of the garden, including healthful and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables'. Community gardens are important resources for towns and neighborhoods as they have the reciprocal effect of benefiting the community, environment, and individuals who participate.

Numerous health and wellbeing outcomes have been reported as a result of participating in a community garden:

- Promote a sense of belonging: The social aspects of community gardens can attract residents who may not normally engage in gardening activities, but see it as an opportunity to be seen or remain active in their community.
- Expand social networks: Many families with children have found community gardens to serve as a social network, and in some cases, a safe space for kids to play while adults tend to their plots.
- Improve physical health: Community gardeners often experience improved physical health through the natural ways in which gardening serves as exercise and increases their daily consumption of vegetables.
- Enhance mental health: Engaging in gardening activities provides residents with the opportunity to relax, decompress and enjoy their time outdoors.

The purpose of developing this community garden map is to help connect Mainers with community gardens in their area and how they can become involved. There are three major categories of community gardens on the map we’ve developed, and they include:

- Individual: Gardens to grow your own food on your own plot
- Collective: Gardens where a group grows food for community need
- Both: Gardens that have both individual plots and collective growing for community need"

Read more:
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/community-garden-map/

#SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwnFood #GrowYourOwn #BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #MaineGardens #FoodSecurity

#PortlandME - #CultivatingCommunity partners with the City of Portland to manage 11 #CommunityGardens.

"Our Community Gardens program provides opportunities for people to grow healthy, local food within Portland’s city limits. Our program also supports growing spaces at affordable housing locations and we collaborate with community members to maintain several urban food forests. We strive for a community where everyone has access to grow and harvest food for themselves and their families."

FMI [includes link to waitlist]:
https://cultivatingcommunity.org/community-gardens/

#SolarPunkSunday #Maine #PortlandMaine #BuildingCommunity #FoodSecurity #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood

#SanfordME, #SpringvaleME - #LandTrust Receives Donation for #AccessibleGarden

March 20, 2023

"The Sanford Community Garden will further expand this year with new wheelchair-accessible garden beds, thanks to a generous donation from Kennebunk Savings Bank.

According to Bud Johnston, President of MWLT, the gift will enable the Land Trust to build six beds for the benefit of those unable to use the existing beds at the garden. Each bed will have two sections – a 3 x 8-foot elevated growing table and a 3 x 4-foot raised bed, 20-inches high. This combination will allow for different gardening activities. The beds will sit on a concrete slab for ease of movement and convenience. Gardeners also will park on a paved surface.

Kennebunk Savings has been the official sponsor of the community garden since its inception in the spring of 2019. In 2022, funding was provided to double the garden’s size in response to demand, and to provide each gardener with everything needed to have a successful harvest without cost. Altogether Kennebunk Savings has provided $30,000 in support of the garden. Dr. Johnston said “I am certain I speak for all those involved with the Garden in saying that we are truly grateful for the generous support of Kennebunk Savings.”

'A community garden grows more than just nutritious food. It benefits the public by building connections – we engage with the earth and we engage with each other,' said Bradford C. Paige, President and CEO of Kennebunk Savings. 'We are pleased to present the #MousamWayLandTrust with a $7,500 donation in support of the creation of an #ADAAccessible garden beds so people of all abilities – everyone in this growing community – can enjoy this space. At Kennebunk Savings, we believe being a good neighbor means investing in our community.'

The Sanford Community Garden is located at the David and Linda Pence Community Ecology Center and the McKeon Environmental Reserve off Blanchard Rd. in #SpringvaleME. It is managed by Patty and Kevin McKeon, University of Maine Extension York County Master Gardener Volunteers."

FMI:
https://mousamwaylandtrust.org/2023/03/20/land-trust-receives-donation-for-accessible-garden/

#SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood #FoodSecurity #BuildingCommunity

One of my friends here on Mastodon, but who lives on the other side of the planet, sent me a DM talking about how they feel like folks here (myself included) are their real family. I so agree with that! No matter where on Earth they reside, my friends here on Mastodon are my family -- our HUMAN family!

#NoBorders #WereAllHuman #BuildingCommunity #Fediverse

Just happened again at the current #BuildingCommunity exhibition about #Göbeklitepe and the other #TaşTepeler here in #Berlin.

The journal from 2015 even reveals which day this #ShaftStraightener came to light. It was a Wednesday. 😉

Just happened again at the current #BuildingCommunity exhibition about #Göbeklitepe and the other #TaşTepeler here in #Berlin. The journal from 2015 even reveals which day this #ShaftStraightener came to light. It was a Wednesday. 😉

#CitizensAssemblies: strengthening democracy and participation

" #Earth4All advocates for citizens’ assemblies as a way of restoring public trust and participation in politics and creating safe spaces for dialogue around polarising issues.

We are calling for citizens’ assemblies on economic systems change so that we, the people, get a say in the kind of economic system we want.

What is a citizens’ assembly?

Citizens’ assemblies are designed to allow for a public debate outside of political parties. A randomly-selected group of citizens representing the full diversity of society are invited to participate in a process to explore an issue and formulate recommendations to government or parliaments. Often, independent experts are brought in to discuss problems and potential solutions.

We are living in a time of social and political polarisation. Social tensions are on the rise, bolstered by skyrocketing #inequality, and #democracy is increasingly at risk. Just 39% percent of people trust their governments to make good decisions. We urgently need to rebuild trust in our political systems.

On the other hand, we know that around the world, people want economic systems change. Holding citizens’ assemblies on this topic would open up space for exploring the kind of change we want, building trust and understanding between different groups, and co-creating a common agenda for the greater good.

In the 2024 Earth for All survey, 62% of people surveyed supported the use of citizens' assemblies to increase citizens’ influence in political decision-making.

What are some examples of citizens’ assemblies?

Citizens’ assemblies have already been used successfully to navigate politically contentious issues in highly polarised democracies. Prominent examples include:

- The Irish citizens’ assembly on abortion. The assembly is credited with helping Irish society navigate a deeply polarising issue. It led to a referendum and eventually a change in law.
- The Canadian Citizens’ Assembly on Democratic Expression, a three-year initiative to look at impact of digital technologies on society.
- France’s Convention Citoyenne Pour le Climat, the climate citizens’ assembly and a similar UK Climate Assembly.
- The Global Citizens’ Assembly for People and Planet was launched at New York Climate Week in 2024 and aims to bring citizen participation to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil."

Source:
https://earth4all.life/resources/citizens-assemblies/

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity
#BuildingResilience #NoKings
#NoRulers #AddressingInequality #PowerCorrupts #PowerToThePeople

Came across this in a post about #SolarPunk a few weeks ago (post may be gone)... Anyhow, I've been reading #DavidGraeber and #DavidWengrow's book, "The Dawn of Everything," and thought the question posited by #Graeber was relevant to #SolarPunkSunday...

Are You An #Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!

"Every time you treat another human with consideration and respect, you are being an anarchist. Every time you work out your differences with others by coming to reasonable compromise, listening to what everyone has to say rather than letting one person decide for everyone else, you are being an anarchist. Every time you have the opportunity to force someone to do something, but decide to appeal to their sense of reason or justice instead, you are being an anarchist. The same goes for every time you share something with a friend, or decide who is going to do the dishes, or do anything at all with an eye to fairness"

David Graeber, The Ultimate Hidden Truth of the World, p 243, published 2009

"Chances are you have already heard something about who anarchists are and what they are supposed to believe. Chances are almost everything you have heard is nonsense. Many people seem to think that anarchists are proponents of violence, chaos, and destruction, that they are against all forms of order and organization, or that they are crazed nihilists who just want to blow everything up. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Anarchists are simply people who believe human beings are capable of behaving in a reasonable fashion without having to be forced to. It is really a very simple notion. But it’s one that the rich and powerful have always found extremely dangerous.

At their very simplest, anarchist beliefs turn on to two elementary assumptions. The first is that human beings are, under ordinary circumstances, about as reasonable and decent as they are allowed to be, and can organize themselves and their communities without needing to be told how. The second is that power corrupts. Most of all, anarchism is just a matter of having the courage to take the simple principles of common decency that we all live by, and to follow them through to their logical conclusions. Odd though this may seem, in most important ways you are probably already an anarchist — you just don’t realize it.

Let’s start by taking a few examples from everyday life."

Read more:
https://davidgraeber.org/articles/are-you-an-anarchist-the-answer-maysurprise-you/

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #BuildingResilience #NoKings #NoRulers #Inequality #PowerCorrupts