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Decades ago, my city turned an old school into an activities center. I recently found out they have a woodshop in there open to the public, after you take an orientation class (and for $5 every visit). (My woodshop is in my unheated garage). The class is once a month, so I went last night to see what is was like (there are a few tools I do not have). There were nine other people. There was a college age boy and his mother, 3 men and 4 women, probably in their 50’s and 60’s.
It is a former classroom, so not massive, certainly not shop class size. The instructor showed us how to use a power tool, then each person took a turn. He really wasn’t saying much about the ins & outs of the tools, so after a few minutes of not speaking, I started to interject. Most of the people had never used any of these tools, so just flipping the switch and making a cut with a saw doesn’t really teach you anything. They do have a good variety of tools, but some of them were not working well. The compound sliding mitre saw worked fine. But the table saw was another story. After a few people rip cut a half inch board, it started to shut off on people. The board had a little “cup” in it, but that shouldn’t have stopped the saw. They would get half way and it would stop. We reset and tried again and it stopped again. Eventually we gave up. One difficulty of a shop is the power that some of the power tools need, They really cannot share breakers with another tool. I do not know how this room is wired, but the dust collection system breaker kept popping. We moved over to the jointer, which is the one tool I do not have and really need. We used it, but I do not think it is working well. The instructor later said he thinks the adjustment gauge is broken. So that is not very helpful if the cut depth is not working correctly. I am a little wary about the sharpness of the blades also. Next was the 12” planar. The feed rollers were not working and I think those blades are dull also, it didn’t sound good and was leaving marks in the wood. The rest of the tools worked fine. There was a router table, a 14” band saw, a scroll saw, belt/disc sander, spindle sander, drill press. There were a few hand tools (sander, drill, jig saw, air compressor, brad nailer) that we did not use. It is great that the City has this available all day. But I am worried about the maintenance and care of the equipment. The jointer is the main thing I am in need of, so I am not sure about going to use one that is not working properly. Though I would like to find some fellow woodworkers to work with.
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My Aunt is having her annual family cookie bake off tomorrow.... and I am finally going. So tonight I mixed up 3 batches of dough. I call them "Party Press" because that is what the recipe from the 1970's was called. It came in a little booklet from Pillsbury. Other people call them "Spritz". I no longer have the booklet (lost that a long time ago) and the paper that I typed it on (yes typed) is a little worn....    Of course there is always an adventure with making. I forgot to check on my flour, so had to run to the store. I have more than enough wheat and rye, but was almost out of white. Then my handheld mixer was a little weak as I got 3+ cups of flour in the bowl. It overheated and stopped for a few minutes (I have not bought a nice countertop mixer). I do actually have a second handheld that I pulled out and used for the third batch. (never been used)
I believe every school building should have culinary classes for all kids at all ages. So many cross-curricular and life skills. Kids could run a soup kitchen or make food to take to homeless. I did read about 1 middle school creating a food truck to get food tho their classmates who are food insecure. What a great idea.
I went to downtown Akron today to check out the Innerbelt National Forest. It is a little plot of land (roughly 30 m x 30 m) in downtown Akron, next to the former Innerbelt and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
There are some sitting areas, a "sandbox", a stage/ampitheatre , a game/dining area.... and of course some trees.
It is just a concept, a pilot project, an idea of getting some green into downtown. Hopefully it has shown the City of Akron (& the State of Ohio) that it is possible and NECESSARY to get some greenspace / park area / community area into downtown. What will they do with the actual innerbelt land? What can they? Some forward thinking cities are building tiny home villages for the homeless, as well as a support services building. Is this close enough to transportation and other services they need. Could they build and awesome Food Rescue kitchen in this space?
Her are the rest of my pics. I also looked at the beginning of the Towpath Trail
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