Our Pedal Power workshop on Saturday, 01/30 was a huge success, with more than 70 people attending. Thanks to everyone who came out, asked questions and gave us feedback. We look forward to offering a second workshop in the next month or two. We’ll post more information as soon as we get the details ironed out.

Thanks to a huge outpouring of interest in our bike-powered generator workshop, registration is closed for the Sat. Jan. 30 presentation. Since there’s been so much support for this workshop, make.shift will likely hold a second workshop in the coming months. If you’re interested in attending, please contact make.shift and we’ll get more information to you.

Thanks for the overwhelming support!

info@makeshiftproject.com
(510)499-0535

What: “Pedal Power: a Bicycle Generator Workshop”
When: 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, January 30
Where: American Museum of Radio & Electricity, 1312 Bay Street
Price: $10
All ages welcome

Make.Shift will present “Pedal Power: a human-driven bicycle generator workshop” at Bellingham’s Museum of Radio and Electricity from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 30. Licensed electricians from Mac&Mac Electric will instruct participants on how to build a bike-powered generator that can power anything from basic household appliances to a live concert.

Mac&Mac electricians will be building a bike generator similar to Make.Shift’s current “Power Wheel.” Make.Shift uses the Power Wheel to power live shows indoors and outdoors in Bellingham, educating the music community about its environmental impact. Workshop participants will also receive written building instructions to take home.

No materials are required. This workshop is safe for all ages. Please contact Make.Shift at info@makeshiftproject.com or 510.499.0535 to reserve a spot.

All proceeds will benefit Make.Shift, a Bellingham-based 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping struggling musicians while lessening their impact on the environment. The American Museum of Radio and Electricity offers a variety of dynamic science education classes, workshops and events through their SPARK (Science Powered Adventures for Real Kids) program. AMRE is also a 501c3 nonprofit organization and can be reached at www.amre.us or 360.738.3886.

The Power Wheel is currently on display in the front window of AMRE. Take a look! Please contact make.shift for Power Wheel photo opportunities.

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, December 9, 2009 | From The Cascadia Weekly

On the surface, this story is about an art show. But it’s not what’s hanging on the wall that’s actually at the heart of the matter.

(more…)

Copied from The Western Front
by Katherine Garvey

An entire show powered by one bicycle. A touring van fueled by biodiesel. A communal practice space paid for by donations. While novel in theory, one Bellingham organization actually turned their ideas to promote the local music scene into a reality.

(more…)

Some things we could use at the moment. Let us know if you can help!

1. Sheet aluminum for the base of our second bike generator. We’re looking for a 1/4-inch to 3/4 inch-thick sheet, 38 inches long by 19 inches wide. We’re happy to cut a sheet down to size.

2. A multi-meter or volt meter for use with our Power Wheel bike generator. A meter will help us learn exactly how effective our generator is at creating and storing power!

3. A copy machine! The machine we we’ve been working to fix turned out to be more trouble than it was worth. Please let us know if you’re interested in donating a copier to get the “Duplexer” project back on track!

3. Paper for the copy machine (The Duplexer). We use 100 percent post-consumer waste paper (8.5×11 or 11×17).

4. A button-maker. We’d love to give bands access to a button maker so they can make their own low-cost pins for sale.

5. An adjustable v-belt for our second bike generator.

6. Van seats for the musicians who will otherwise have no place to sit. We’re looking for two bench seats.

7. A portable pop-up-type event tent (or two). With these, we can throw outdoor shows even in the rainiest Bellingham weather.

8. Raffle items for our fundraisers. We encourage local businesses to donate items or gift certificates to be given away at our events, helping Make.Shift realize our mission.