[freegeek-e-newsletter] March FreeGeek E-newsletter

[e-newsletter at lists.freegeek.org]

Free Geek's email newsletter has come your way once more.  This month, it's
our 2005 Annual Report issue!

If you'd like to stop receiving this newsletter, please scroll down to the 
very bottom of this email and follow the instructions.

Contents:

I. Volunteer of the Month
II. 2005 Annual Report
III. Martin's in Uganda!
IV. Free Geek in the Press
V. Happenings Around Town
VI. Wishlist

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I. VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Every month, we recognize one volunteer for all he or she has done for Free
Geek.  This month's recipient is:

Roy Marshall!

Even though Roy's only been a builder for a little over a year, he's our most
prolific builder yet.  Twice a week, he comes to Free Geek and builds 2-3
computers.  Dave says that he's probably donated more to the reuse of
computers in Portland than any other builder in Free Geek history.

Roy's also quite helpful, and is happy to answer any question that other
build volunteers may have for him.  He's donated greatly to the overall 
well-being of the Build Program!

Thanks, Roy!

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II. 2005 ANNUAL REPORT

For the first time ever, the results of our annual number-crunching are 
available online in an easy-to-digest form!  Go to:

http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/2005_Annual_Report

to see an impressive collection of charts, tables, statistics, and 
explanations.

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III. MARTIN'S IN UGANDA!

On February 22nd, 2006, Martin Chase, intrepid Build Coordinator, set off for
Uganda to build an Open Source computer lab out of recycled hardware for Gulu
University while teaching those who will maintain the lab how to do so. The
project was funded and spearheaded by the University itself and the Beaverton
Rotary Club.

Read Martin's online journal at http://www.freegeek.org/uganda/

We're very excited to have the opportunity to send a Geek to Uganda, and
enjoy watching Martin's progress from afar.

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IV. FREE GEEK IN THE PRESS

We've recently received a small rash of attention in the press.  Fortunately,
the rash doesn't itch.  In fact, we like it!

* DesignTechnica  http://news.designtechnica.com/featured_article46.html
DesignTechnica is an online resource for those interested in techie
electronic goodies (computers, cameras, cell phones, etc.).  They also have
some well-trafficked community forums and news pages.  The article written
about Free Geek was pretty spot-on, and generated about 75,000 website hits
for us in February.

* Lifestyles Northwest  http://lifestylesnorthwest.com/ind/distribution
Lifestyles Northwest is a local free newspaper that comes out once a month.
They write general-interest articles for those 40 and over.  It's not 
available online, but the link above will point you towards various places 
around town where you can pick up a paper copy.

* Honna's Report  http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Free_Geek_and_the_PAWC
A PSU student wrote a short report on the Portland Alliance of Worker
Collectives ( http://pawc.net ) and features Free Geek.  The paper is a good,
short introduction to PAWC and life in a collectively-run organization.

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V. HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN

Bingo for North Portland Bike Works!
Mississippi Rising Ballroom
4000 N. Mississippi Ave. at Shaver
8pm

Join in the fun for a great cause.  There'll be plenty of prizes and beer.
Call North Portland Bike Works for more information.

North Portland BikeWorks is a collectively run non-profit neighborhood
learning center that provides information, resources and skill-sharing
programs to low-income and marginalized populations to advocate the use of
environmentally sustainable, self-reliant transportation.  (They rock)

North Portland Bike Works
3951 N. Mississippi
503-287-1098
http://www.npdxbikeworks.org/

*************************************************
Sunday, March 12th
1-5pm
Clinton Street Theater
2522 SE Clinton St
Free Movie Screening

From The Award Winning producer of "Trading Places" and "The Rose"

Aaron Russo's "America: From Freedom to Fascism"
The highly anticipated documentary about the fight for freedom inside America

This event is a pre-screening.  Go to http://www.freedomtofascism.com/ to
view trailers of the film.

**********************************************
Saturday, April 22
10am to 10pm
Sellwood Park
SE 7th Ave & Miller St

Earth Day is here again!  The Earth Day Celebration features:

* 70+ local and sustainable businesses and enviro organizations
* 3 solar-powered stages of live music
* Kids' village by SCRaP
* T-palas (City Repair's whimsical village tea house)
* Better Transportation Fair
* Health and Wellness area
* Free seed and plant exchange from Portland Community Gardens
* Service Projects at Oaks Bottom
* Organized bicycle rides from all parts of Portland to Sellwood Park
* and much more!

This annual, fully volunteer-driven event is where Free Geek got its start.
It's always fun, family-friendly, and true to its ideals.  Check out
http://cityrepair.org/wiki.php/projects/earthday for more information, and
visit the Free Geek booth when you go to the event!

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VI. WISHLIST

You might not know it, but many of our basic supplies (like printer paper and
TP) are donated to us by individuals with big hearts and a few extra dollars
in their wallets (or good scavenging skills!).  We'd very much appreciate
donations of any of the below:

- A forklift
- Band-aids
- Simple Green general spray cleaner
- Cream and sugar for coffee
- Dry Erase Markers
- Hand towels
- 8.5" x 11" single-sheet white printer paper (100% post-consumer
  recycled, if possible)
- Food and drink for volunteers (especially chocolate)
- Locking cabinets (with keys, please!)
- Big hugs!

As a quick and easy alternative, we welcome your online monetary donations.
Just visit https://www.applyweb.com/public/contribute?freegeek to contribute
to Free Geek online.

** A big thanks to longtime volunteer Berkeley Fisher for sponsoring our TP
and dish soap purchases.  Thanks to him, we'll be able to buy the
environmentally friendliest products for our staff and volunteers! **

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Ha!  You've made it to the end of another Free Geek newsletter.  As a reward
(or punishment, depending on your point of view), here's a parting joke:

Q: What's a computer geek's favorite horror thriller?

A: "IT" by Stephen King.


Until next time,

Shawn Furst
Volunteer Program Coordinator
Free Geek
1731 SE 10th Ave.
Portland, OR 97214
(503)232-9350
info at freegeek.org
http://www.freegeek.org


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