This is an Open Thread / Coffee Hour and all topics of conversation are welcome. Today's suggested topic is alternative community centers. I'm pleased to report that a new coffee house / community hub has opened in the Vallejo downtown supported by the Vallejo Oddfellows's San Pablo Lodge #43. It is called The Hub Vallejo.
What is for dinner? How are you doing? What is on your mind. If you are new to Street Prophets please introduce yourself beyond the fold in a comment. This is an Open Thread / Coffee Hour and all topics of conversation are welcome.
Jump the fold for pictures & video of The Hub Vallejo. And, I have included a bit of history about the Oddfellows.
Odd Fellows San Pablo Lodge #43 in the heart of downtown Vallejo
The name Oddfellows refers to a number of friendly societies and fraternal organisations operating in the United Kingdom. It also refers to a number of Lodges with histories dating back to the 18th century. These various organisations were set up to protect and care for their members and communities at a time when there was no welfare state, trade unions or National Health Service. The aim was (and still is) to provide help to members and communities when they need it. The friendly societies are non-profit mutual organisations owned by their members. All income is passed back to the members in the form of services and benefits.
From Wikipedia: Oddfellows
Below is a great video describing the project. And for those that can not view the video below is text from The Hub website that covers quite a bit of what is explained in the video.
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The Hub is a place for all of us to connect, share our knowledge, show our work, build community and create activity, interest, vibrance and prosperity in our city. The Hub us located in the Odd Fellows San Pablo Lodge #43 in the heart of downtown Vallejo. Odd Fellows lodges have traditionally supported their community service work by renting out ground floor retail space in the center of the towns they serve. This model worked for the Vallejo lodge for nearly 150 years, but since the 1990′s, downtown Vallejo has turned into a near-ghost town, with empty storefronts lining what was once the booming main street of Vallejo.
A new approach was needed to keep the lodge operational. The Hub was conceived to do that while keeping the Odd Fellows tradition of serving their community. Or goal is to build a community art and education center that will bring the community back to downtown Vallejo. We need to bring business and life back to downtown – not only to help our Odd Fellows lodge stay open, but to restore our vital role in community service.
The Hub is a nexus for all arts in Vallejo. It is a place for all of us to connect, share our knowledge, show our work, build our community, and create activity, interest vibrance & prosperity in our city. The Hub offers:
Performance space for
Live Music
Open Mic
Poetry
Theater
Movie Screenings
Classes and Workshops
Arts and crafts techniques
Culinary – such as Homebrew 101
Gardening
Writing
Working Artist series on promotion and business management
From The Hub Website
Seating Area & Art Gallery Wall
We are the family of Oddfellowship, composed of Men, Women, and Youth, who have come together in our local community to be a part of something great. Through working in our local Communities, States, Provinces, or Nationally we understand that we can make a difference in the lives of people in our World. - About the Odd Fellows Vallejo
The Hub Stage
Do you believe that Friendship, Love and Truth should be the basic guidelines to live by? Do you want to make a difference? YES? Then we need you! Your community needs you! - About the Odd Fellows Vallejo
Open Mike Night
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows began in 18th Century England, it was deemed odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need without recognition and pursuing projects for the benefits of all mankind. - About the Odd Fellows Vallejo
Open Mike Night
Our deep history began in North America, with the United States and Canada in 1819, and is continually expanding throughout the World in 26 countries. The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs are striving to make the world a better place to live, seeking to Improve and elevate the character of mankind. - About the Odd Fellows Vallejo
Open Mike Night
The members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows are sometimes referred to "Odd Fellows" or "Rebekahs." Odd Fellows have also become known in many areas as "The Three Link Fraternity" which is evidenced by our world wide "Three Link Emblem" which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth. These three links symbolize the chain that binds our members together and illustrates that our Communities, States, Provinces and Nations are strongest when joined together. - About the Odd Fellows Vallejo
Open Mike Night
The Hub
350 Georgia St
Vallejo Ca 94590
Thursday & Friday: 12:00pm - 6:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Events and workshops are often scheduled outside of these hours.
(See the Calendar for details)
The Cafe Area (under construction)
Sofas and Couches make up the front row seating! With TV trays!
I hope you enjoyed this report on what is going on in my community. So, what is new in your community?
Regards,
Jonathan