The Factory Floor Newsletter - June — Factory Two

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I decided to put on one concert. One. It was 1985 and my friends were having a hard time getting shows; their goofy punk rock didn't fit with the heavy stuff (both hXc and metal) taking over. We figured out how to reserve a night at The Brewery - an actual on-campus bar at UM-Flint. Reached out to some other bands, got the Meuller brothers to run sound, and put on a show. About halfway through the night, after a couple scuffles, irritated college staff, minor vandalism, angry security guards and all the rest, I thought to myself "Okay, this was a mistake, never again."

What followed was Kishma Grotto, Ukrainian Hall, Prospect Hall, Blair Kelly Hall, Siefert's Golf Course, the Captiol Theatre basement, the Pyramid Club NYC, the Capitol upstairs, the Capitol Cafe, Kinelos, Flint Local 432 (Buckham Alley), The Lunch Studio, Flint Local 432 (Carlton's Building), Flint Local 432 (Metropolis), Masonic Temple, UM-Flint KIVA, and finally, our own building on First St. About 15 venues, maybe 3,000 concerts, and 40+ years of getting to be part of something that accidentally defined my life a huge part of my life.

L - The Headless / R - Charmin Diggs and their youngest fan

I clocked out for the last time on Saturday at 4:30pm, my stint with Factory Two/Flint Local 432 over for good. A couple hours later I walked down to the venue. New friends Adams Rd. opened. Charmin Diggs and the Dry Spells played next, maybe 20 years after Ryan's first show at the Local. The Headless played last, their debut gig. Guys I've known 25+ years. I got to hang out with Nick Mayberry and Marc Hudson and Ryan Shaw out front. I scored some free vintage Diver gear. Nobody asked me anything - the newest staff at the Local don't even know who I am. I was just a guy at a concert watching his friends on stage. I liked it. I liked it a lot. I could get used to this.

I'm not sure how to put into words what this all has meant to me. It was never the venues, or the headliners, or the afterparties, or even the bands. It was the people. It was you guys. Week after week, year after year, the Local was a way to be a small part of your lives, and to force you to let me be a small part of yours. Thank you. I love you guys so much I can hardly stand it. I love you so much my heart is bursting. And I love the Local so much I knew it was time to walk away.

See you at a show sometime.

Joel Rash
629 S. Saginaw St. • Flint MI 48502
joelrashflint@gmail.com

Last Call:

Are you okay with one final ask? We are so close to our goal! $35,400 has been raised, meaning if you guys can come together to donate $2,300 Joel will have to match it and we will hit $40K by our June 10th deadline!

This wasn't an arbitrary number. $20,000 will help with the biggest sound and light upgrades in the venue's history. The other $20,000 will help launch a permanent endowment for the Local. We've made it four decades - with your help we can last for many more. Hit the link, give what you can, and know that your support is the reason young people will have a place to call their own. Just like you had when you needed it.

Last Call to Donate!

We're hiring - Executive Director:

Factory Two is actively searching for our next Executive Director. This is an exciting moment for our organization, and we're looking for a leader who is as passionate about this community as they are skilled at running a lean, mission-driven nonprofit.

If that sounds like you — or someone you know — we'd love to hear from you. The full position description is available on our LinkedIn page, and applications can be submitted to jobs@factorytwo.org. We're reviewing on a rolling basis and hope to make a selection by end of June.

Learn More

Office Space For Rent:

Looking for space for your small business or entrepreneurial endeavor? Join the community of businesses above Local 432. Note that this is a 'quiet space,' and not suitable for band practice space, recording studios, or other noisy or high traffic uses. Rent is $800/month, and includes utilities and Internet. Email flintlocal432@gmail.com for more info.

Woodshop:

Factory Two is stocked up with interesting wood turning blanks, like these stacks of glued up cedar and walnut. Join us for a two hour lesson on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays every month and leave with a smile and a bowl you turn yourself.

Community Garden:

By Craig Farrington

A new community garden has taken root along the banks of the Flint River. Under the leadership of Factory Two instructor and regenerative farmer Susan Wilson, a small but dedicated group of gardeners have been gathering on Sunday afternoons this spring in the lot behind the building to learn just what it takes to build a community garden from the ground up.

Developing the lot at the corner of Water and Stone streets in Flint’s Carriage Town Neighborhood into a community asset has been a goal of Factory Two for many years. What started with just a few bee hives in the back corner in 2019 soon began to grow. The wire fencing that surrounded the lot came down and, with the help of Eagle Scout Gabriel Wright, the first three raised garden beds soon sprang up. GM Cares volunteers have diligently pitched in to weed and mow the area, and the once vacant lot has transformed into an extension of the makerspace.

Factory Two members may know Susan as our long-serving sewing instructor, but may not know that she runs Wilson Family Farm in Holly, Michigan, where she raises poultry, goats and sheep. At each community gardening class session Susan shares her hard-earned horticultural wisdom and leads the group in projects such as soil preparation and the construction of raised beds.

“There is a huge opportunity for classes and hands-on learning in the garden. These classes are not just about growing the food. It’s about everything from soil management, irrigation, food preservation, right up to the point where you’re putting it in your mouth,” she said.

Flint resident Sandra Ellison was the first to sign up. She’s a gardener who likes to try new methods. “I was excited when Factory Two started this garden. I had taken some classes here before with my daughter. I've been trying to do a garden on my own and the first couple of years it was great, but last year was a disaster. I feel like I need to learn more.”

Every class is a chance to talk with fellow gardeners and profit from their past successes and failures. Recent conversations in the garden have included regenerative farming practices, upcoming seed swaps and new Tik-Tok gardening trends, but food security is the topic that keeps sprouting up.

“A lot of people are struggling to eat right now. My daughter visited Italy recently and she said that they have oranges and lemons growing on trees everywhere. People can just go up and grab an orange and eat it and I was like that’s pretty cool. I just know that if somebody’s hungry, they can come in here to this garden and get some tomatoes or cucumbers,” shared Sandra.
Susan also believes in the power of community gardens. “Having a program like this will provide not only healthy food, but economic benefits for individuals and their families. It also strengthens ties within the community as we work together, side-by-side.”

Community Gardening classes are free for Factory Two members, and $5 for non-members with your first session free! Gardeners and aspiring gardeners of all skill and ability levels are welcome to participate at their own pace. Children are welcome to come get their hands dirty for free when accompanied by an adult. Upcoming class topics include planting seedlings, container gardening, composting, and permaculture and regenerative farming practices.

There are scholarship spots available for the full gardening series - email info@factorytwo.org to claim yours!

Learn More and Sign Up

Last call for nonprofits to take part!

Do you like Disco? Do you like Tech? You'll love Flint DiSCoTech - the Flint Digital Service Corps. Flint nonprofits are encouraged to apply to this free program devoted to assessing and solving your most pressing technology and IT issues! Limited spots remain and the clock is ticking so get in touch today. To get started, reach out to Queontae:

Learn More

Sewing Lab:

Our Sewing Lab is seeing lots of action, and there are three ways you can take part:

1. Take one of our regular classes that run weekly on Saturdays from 11:15am to 2:15pm. No membership is needed to take classes at Factory Two, and each class is just $25 with materials included!

June 6: Learn to Sew: Garden/Hobby Tote
June 13: Learn to Sew: Washable Throw Pillow
June 20: Learn to Sew: Retro Daisy Granny Square
June 27: Learn to Sew: Tote Bag

2. Have a sewing project in progress but not sure what comes next? Join us for B.Y.O.P. Sewing Night every Tuesday with professional sewing instructor Susan. This program is designed for beginner and intermediate sewers who want extra guidance while working on their own projects.

3. Join us for the Sewcial Sewing Club, a free drop in session where you can bring your own project and share space with others while you work, troubleshoot, and complete your item. This month on June 25.

Factory Two and Local 432 in the news:

• Flint Monster Society keeps their beloved events rolling
• Never the Crash drops new video shot at the makerspace
• Solidarity Buttons operating out of F2, shipping worldwide
• Veteran Flint musician debuts new band at the Local
• yo.bro. drops new video

At Factory Two he is kind, helpful and mild-mannered Jimmy, screen printing instructor. On the weekends? He is Jimmy Thunders, guitar god! Congrats on your win for Best Rock Band at the Review Music Awards for Domestic Disturbance!

Some of you may know Justin Caskey from his Everything Fades brand. What you may not know is of all of the work he’s been putting into the Local behind the scenes since moving his storefront into the building. From helping shape the aesthetic of the space to working on future merch and branding ideas, Justin has quickly become an important part of the team. The crew is shaping up nicely Everyone welcome Justin to the Flint Local 432 team!

Upcoming Events:

Sign-up starts on July 1st! Check the July newsletter for the link.

Donate Here

Safely donate via PayPal. Factory Two is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN #26-1940660.
As such your donation may be tax-deductible for income tax purposes.

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