Mothership HackerMoms

HackerMoms earns it’s first award.

admin — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:11:04 +0000

Thanks to SF Bay Guardian and anyone (and everyone) who nominated us for their locally-grown Small Business Award. Best of all, we won in the Women in Business category. We couldn’t have asked for a better Mother’s Day gift.

SF Bay Guardian Small Business Award

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Rad Moms with Power Tools

admin — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:57:32 +0000

When you have a small space, finding the right furniture, equipment, and storage is like a giant jigsaw puzzle. We’d moved beyond plastic folding tables and needed sturdy tables that worked for adults and kids (with wandering crayons and paintbrushes.) We wanted tables that joined together to create one big community table. Smart design and function were also important. And we needed to stay within our diminishing Kickstarter budget. When we couldn’t find and/or afford what we imagined… we decided to hack it. What a fun way to go.

Thanks to our fearless leader HackerMom Wendy of Walrus, we kicked it Amish-style and hand-built six tables last Sunday. We used plywood, glue, screws, L-brackets, chalk-board paint, wax, casters and numbered stencils. We played loud music and nobody complained. Sure it was hard work, but we had a blast and walked away with this amazing sense of accomplishment. Oh yeah, our new tables are pretty rad too. Special thanks to Economy Lumber for your generous non=profit discount.

Mothership HackerMoms Wood Working Workshop

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Marriage Tune Up with Dr. Jessica. Friday, April 19th, 8-10pm. Potluck and plenty of wine.

admin — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:34:24 +0000

Marriage with kids is nothing like marriage without. Our favorite clinical psychologist of early parenthood support, Dr. Jessica Michaelson, will discuss the long, bumpy transition, plus answer your burning questions on salvaging and recreating your relationship. Friday night talk followed by Q&A with wine and potluck snacks throughout (and possibly a trip to Nicks Bar afterwards!). Partners are welcome to join you, but not required. Free for HackerMoms, $35 for non-members. (No childcare, since it’s a late one!)

Cheza Nami African music class for kids starts back April 13th.

admin — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:44:15 +0000

Instructor Catherine Ndungu-Case of the Kikuyu tribe started her non-profit Cheza Nami to teach her twins the songs and dances of her native Kenya. You and your kids (6 months-5 years) will enjoy 30 lively minutes of songs, games, music, drum circles and African-themed stories in a highly energetic and rhythm-centric class.

When Starts Saturday April 13, 10:00-10:30am
Costs: $12 drop-in class, general public. $10 for HackerMoms.
Or, $60 if you purchase a 6-class series

African Music, Drums and Dance for Kids

Hacker Sprouts and Cheza Nami return to The Mothership.

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Aya’s Battle Against the Disney Princesses

admin — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:14 +0000

Before I became a mom at the age of 41, I was many things, including a hip-hop artist. Mostly, I did hip-hop theater, a solo show about fighting sexism in music. But I also rocked many a mic in the club. Little did I know that these skills would come in handy in my new battle against sexism: children’s literature.

– Aya de Leon

Check out HackerMom/writer Aya de Leon’s brilliant new article

Emcee Battle Against the Disney Princesses in Bitch Media.

Aya’s freestyle take on Snow White.

April’s First Fridays at Walrus / Temescal Alley.

admin — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:10:49 +0000

Love First Fridays but can’t handle the crowds/mayhem mixed with the Ergo/stroller? If you haven’t been to Temescal Alley’s First Friday, you’re in for a treat. There’s lots of kids (mayhem on a smaller scale) groovy parents, wine, foodie pop-ups, music and new works from emerging artists. HackerMom Wendy Renz’s newish store Walrus (upcyclers of vintage and pre-owned goods for the home) will feature the talented artist/illustrator Erin Althea (she’s an awesome HackerMom too.) And for something sweet, Walrus will host a honey tasting from locally-made Taste Honey. See you Friday!

When: Friday, April 5th, 6-9pm. Where: Temescal Alley (behind Pizzaiolo)

Where the Wild Things Grow. Outdoor Playscapes for Kids Workshop.

admin — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:56:00 +0000

I love connecting people with nature and am continually amazed at how the right natural environment brings out creativity, bravery and independent thinking in humans of all ages.

– HackerMom Laura Henry

HackerMom and Landscape Designer Laura Henry of Where The Wild Things Grow and Christianna Lenox, a permaculture and edible playscape expert, will be teaching this workshop. They have secret ways to get your kid outside every day this summer. Thanks to our Bay Area Indian Summer, there’s still plenty of time to start planting (and planning) now.

Laura and Christianna will talk about fun plants for kids, making hidden spaces, projects kids love and some creative ideas for moving parts that will keep them busy for hours while you sip something frothy and read something trashy.

Bring a photo of your outdoor space (or a drawing,) paper and your imagination. Let’s get out there and play!

Date: Sunday, April 7th, 2-4pm.

Free for HackerMoms, $15 non-members.

Please RSVP for childcare at info@hackermoms.org.

Hacking a workshop on a Kickstarter promise

admin — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 04:06:22 +0000

We will forever be grateful to those who pledged dollars towards our successful Kickstarter campaign. We are working hard to send our “gifts” in the mail over the next couple weeks. Dozens of hand-made artwork were made by our kids, booby hats were lovingly knit and t-shirts finally arrived. What’s left? A promise to send 50 works of art/objects made out of rubber. Figuring out how to make it was the hack of the week.

Molding tiny creatures out of sculpting clay was just the beginning of a 2-part mold making and casting workshop led by HackerMom and artist Erin Althea. We used RTV urethane rubber for the molds and polyurethane resin for the casting parts. Upcoming “how-to” instructions coming soon (and 50 molds still to pour…) but here’s a sneak peak at what may end up on your doorstep.

A big thank you to Tap Plastics for their 50% discount on materials.

Digital Music & Cello Beatbox Lab for kids. Funk & Love at The Mothership.

admin — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 06:29:02 +0000

Soul. Funk. Cello. Digital. Beatbox. Silly, darn fun.

Hacker Sprouts welcomes the wacky, modern and funky sounds of puppeteer Toni Tone and Cello Joe’s Digital Music and Cello Beatbox Lab for Kids (ages 2-7. Babies welcome too.) Two more Saturday morning sessions: 3/23 & 3/30, 10am.

Toni Tone & Cello Joe funk & love in the house.

Here’s what’s coming up next session:

1) Getting the wiggles out: Toni leads the gang in Pop and Lock dance moves, hip hop, b-boy funky style break dance fusion. Yup, this includes kids & caretakers, so dust off your “running man” and be prepared to look pretty silly. We’re going there!

2) Getting the beatbox noises out: learning bass, snare, high-hat beat box noises. Call and response play.

3) Ready for Mic TIme: Sample and loop phrases from the kids AND parents. Next week: famous quotes from great thinkers, philosophers and revolutionaries (or whatever they want!) Samplings will be used in an original CD created just for this lab!

4) Circle Story Time: we end with an improv puppet adventure and interactive story telling with live cello accompaniment.

Toni ads: “If you have any story themes that you think would be pertinent to the kids’ lives for education and theme relevance, just let me know.”

Classes are held at Mothership HackerMoms, Saturday morning 10am-10:45am. (3/23 & 3/30) $15 for HackerMoms, $20 drop in fee. CD’s will be available at the end of the series from the kids’ beatbox jams. Please RSVP to info@hackermoms.org.

News as of 3/3/13

shosho — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:58:58 +0000

BIG LOVE for our inspiring hacker homies, hubbies and community: Workshop Weekend‘s the epitome of peer-learning and welcomes kids. Buds at Sudo Room hackerspace starting a hacker radio station! Ace Monster Toys giving us laser cutting education. Met amazing women in computing at O’Reilly conference like Latinas Who Code, Black Girls Who Code, Hackbright Academy, Femgineer. We’d like to host some women/kid programming classes – or learn programming with your kid! Finally, highly recommend “Steve Jobs: the Lost Interview” on Netflix for the man who was the ultimate artist, hacker and visionary. Also:

Met a mom from Atlanta, GA starting their own HackerMom-esque space. It’s on our list to give some basic guidelines to help set up new HackerMoms spaces in your town.
Space update: We moved in some new furniture, lockers and equipment, including our big, new-to-us Epson Stylus Pro 9880 for printing fabric. How-to workshop coming.
Tackling Hacker Sprouts educational childcare vacuum on all fronts: researching teaching interns, member coop/freestyle, prepaid providers and outside trade. Childcare is always our (and every parent’s) biggest puzzle. Your insights welcome.
Starting prep for Maker Faire and Mothers Day Party, both in May. We got some ideas, but would love yours too.
Hacker Sprouts: New Digital Music Lab for Kids will blow their minds. Had great Toddler Tech class in bookbinding and physics of parachute making. 4 classes left and drop-ins welcome!

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HackerMoms Workshops

Silicone Mold-making Lab: Saturday & Sunday, March 16-17, 2-4pm

We promised in our Kickstarter campaign that one reward would be mini sculptures created from molds we make ourselves. Illustrator and HackerMom Erin Althea et al show how to sculpt the object, create the mold, let dry and then fill it across two days. We’ll follow this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M400dj19nUsand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtodXHMDOP8. Think of sculptures the size of a small plum with a flat back or bottom, like a bust or animal head or something kooky you’d display in your house. Some of the objects will be sent to Kickstarter supporters. Free for HackerMoms, $35 non-members plus $15 materials fee. (No childcare offered for this due to the chemicals in the materials)

Creating Outdoor Play Spaces for Kids: Sunday, March 31, 2-4pm

Landscape designer/HackerMom Laura Henry (wherethewildthingsgrow.com) has secret ways to get your kid outside to play every day this summer. Come to this workshop and get some great ideas for setting up your outdoor environmentto keep your child engaged. We’ll talk about great plants for kids,making hidden spaces, projects kids love and some great ideas for moving parts that will keep them busy for hours while you read a book and drink iced coffee. Since Bay Area summers continue through October, there’s plenty of time. Bring a photo of your outdoor space (or a drawing) and paper so we can plan some awesome spaces. Free for HackerMoms, $15 non-members. (RSVP for childcare.)

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HACKER SPROUTS

NEW! Digital Music Lab for Kids (2.5-7 years)

Thoroughly modern intro to funky live looping, beatboxing and sampling voice & music a la Oakland’s tUnE-yArDs (Listen to sample from her hit “Gangsta” http://www.amazon.com/tUnE-yArDs/e/B002LFQWJK/ref=ac_dpt_sa_link). 2 musicians – professional beatboxer and cellist, Cello Joe and HackerMoms creative caretaker and puppeteer Toni Tone - will loop funky live cello beats and record your child’s voice (and yours!). Songs will be shared as MP3′s and the best songs will be collected in a Hacker Sprouts CD. Get funky, and bring a musical instrument or talent to share. Toni Tone’s puppets will be there singing with her too! www.cellojoe.com |www.giantpuppetssavetheworld.com | www.tonimikulka.com

Saturdays, March 17, 24, 31 at 10-10:45 am. $20 for general public, $15 for HackerMoms. Kids participating in all 3 classes receive the CD for free, a $20 value. RSVP ASAP at info@hackermoms.org.

TODDLER TECH: Early Art and Science
Drop-ins welcome. Zetta Tech Science teaches this art-and-science mash-up for our youngest experimenters is designed to be fun for both the kids and their caregivers. Join us as we make paper casts from recycled junk mail, add your mark to the Great Crayon-Smear Mosaic Tapestry, enjoy the fresh air on our Beachcomber, Flower Press, and Chalk-Art Flash Mob field days, make and dye your own tu-tu with traditional Indian plant pigments, and celebrate the finale with a homemade ice-cream social!
January 19th- March 23, 2013 (10 week session) 11am-12:30pm
ages 3-6 $145 (includes materials fee), Drop-in fee: $15. info@hackermoms.org.

Luv ya and POWER TO THE MOTHERS!