New skill share club encourages people to teach each other
DSM Skillshare is helping residents learn practical and creative skills from their neighbors — for free.
Why it matters: In an era of online classes and workshops, the new organization brings people together for hands-on, in-person experiences.
How it started: The idea started when founder Cheltzie Miller-Bailey ran into car trouble a couple of years ago and realized she had no clue what to do.
Frustrated and feeling powerless, she tells Axios that she almost signed up for mechanic classes at DMACC.
But that sparked a bigger thought: What if people could learn everyday skills from each other without the cost or intimidation of formal classes?
The first event last month, led by DSM Crochet Club, was so popular that a second session had to be added afterward on the fly.
How it works: Community members volunteer to teach what they know — whether it's woodworking, car maintenance or makeup application.
Sessions are currently held at the Wander Women Midwest office in the Market District. Registration is required.
What's next: The group's next event on Sunday focuses on self-care, including planning self-care and finding strength through movement.
March will focus on gardening with professional and hobbyist gardeners helping people prep for the growing season.
Get updates on future sessions by following DSM Skillshare on Instagram.
The bottom line: "I know what it feels like to be stuck, wishing I had someone I could trust to teach me the things I need to know," Miller-Bailey says. "This is about making sure no one in our community has to feel that way."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Footage of sea lion found wandering 30 miles away from coastline sparks outcry: 'This instantly made my heart so sad'
The effects of humans on the climate are increasingly dire, and with social media, we can see the impact firsthand. An Instagram video has garnered attention from concerned wildlife lovers, showing a sea lion 30 miles from the coast to which it belongs. This heartbreaking video was shared by Washington Post climate coverage (@postclimate) and shows a lone sea lion wandering the dry landscape of Chile's Torres del Paine National Park. The text in the video reads, "According to a regional director for Chile's National Fisheries Service, the sea lion was likely searching for food." While the Professional Association of Diving Instructors reports that sea lions can be out of water for extended periods with no problem, it is abnormal for the animals to be so far from their stomping grounds, as proved by locals' and professionals' reaction to seeing it. Commenters on the post shared similar shock. "This instantly made my heart so sad," one said. Someone else added, "We're watching the climate crisis, and the demise of all of the innocent, magnificent creatures that had nothing to do with it." The sea lion's hunger led it to territory where it did not belong. As a sea lion's diet consists entirely of marine life, per NOAA Fisheries, this one's journey signifies the dark impact of issues such as overfishing, resource shortages, pollution, and habitat destruction. Sea lions elsewhere have exhibited similar strange behaviors as a result of climate change. In California in 2023, a boy was bitten by a sea lion while swimming. Though sea lions are not to be considered friends — as is true for any wild animal — this one was acting strangely, with twitching eyes and a lethargic demeanor, likely because of toxic algae nearby. These experiences with sea lions highlight how pollution, habitat destruction, and the overheating planet have trickle-down effects that harm everyone. Fortunately, the sea lion was brought back to its home and joined its herd. While a positive end to the creature's story, the work is far from done in protecting wildlife. To combat the climate crisis, first and foremost, you can get educated and inform those around you. From there, actionable steps include quitting single-use plastics, not littering, and switching to more eco-friendly energy sources. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Axios
6 hours ago
- Axios
More fathers are taking paid parental leave
More men are taking paid paternity leave in states that have the benefit, per a study out Saturday shared exclusively with Axios. Why it matters: Taking time off to bond with a newborn or newly adopted child has all kinds of upsides, not just for fathers and their families, but for women in the workplace, too. Men, women and children all see positive health impacts — including reduced infant mortality rates, research finds. How it works: Though there is no federal paid leave, 13 states and Washington, D.C., have policies. They're typically funded by payroll taxes, and pay out a certain portion of a worker's income, giving parents about 12 weeks of "bonding" leave. In most states, workers have the right to take time off, and many states offer job protection so you can't be fired while away. By the numbers: Fathers and mothers are coming close to parity, finds the report from advocacy group Paid Leave for All. The study looked at the share of men and women taking advantage of these policies in the 10 states where they are already up and running, including in Washington, Colorado and Massachusetts. (Some states have laws on the books, but the programs aren't yet paying benefits.) They found that men took, or applied for, at least 40% of the leave taken in eight of ten states over the last full year for which data was available. In D.C., men took 35% of leaves and in New Jersey it's 30%. Zoom in: The newer programs are seeing much more equitable take-up. In Colorado, where leave was enacted in 2024, fathers make up half of new parents taking the time off. In Washington state, established in 2020, it's more than half. Back when California became the first state to enact paid parental leave in 2005, men comprised just 18% of those who used the benefit. Now it's 44%. New Jersey, established in 2010, has gone from 11% to 30%. The big picture: " A thing that the United States actually does well when it comes to paid leave is that all state programs' bonding leave are fully gender equal," says Molly Weston Williamson, who wrote the report. Each parent who works is entitled to the leave; there's no limitation for those who aren't so-called "primary" parents. Plus, states in recent years have paid more attention to making these policies more accessible in ways that have benefited men. Some of the earliest states to enact leave found that if wage replacement rates were too low, fathers were far less likely to use the benefit. Newer programs have higher rates and they're structured so that lower-income workers get a higher percentage of wages covered, typically about 85%. Caveat: Women who give birth are often entitled to separate medical leave. That's not part of this data. A few mothers may take only medical leave after childbirth and forgo bonding time off. That's a small cohort, says Williamson. Between the lines: Certainly there are those who believe fathers shouldn't take paternity leave — former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was mocked by conservatives for doing it. And lately there's been increasing attention paid to those who long for more traditional modes of parenting, where dads stayed at work while moms remained home. The study counters that narrative.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Staff Accepts Dogs—Realize They Have Puppy Shelter 'Didn't Mean to Send'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Chicago shelter welcomed in a transfer of puppies from Memphis, but what they discovered was an extra dog among that bunch that didn't belong. Scott runs the Instagram account @4evertails and volunteers at local animal shelters across Chicago. He uses his social media to show off the available dogs in need of forever homes. And his recent day with Pimiento quickly melted hearts. Pimiento, a 4-month-old pit bull mix, lived in a shelter in West Memphis. However, he somehow managed to get "scooped into the wrong squad," the caption on Scott's June 9 Instagram video said. That squad was a litter of puppies that was being transferred to One Tail at a Time, an animal rescue based in Chicago. During Pimiento's day with Scott, the two went out for a walk in the city, where people came up to pet the pup. He made sure people knew Pimiento was available for adoption. Scott showed off the dog's unique stature—short and long, with front paws that bow out. He even snapped pictures of the pup to give him a better shot at adoption, as good photos can help pets get adopted faster and attract potential adopters to shelters, an article from PetFinder states. "[The shelter] had said they would take him back, but One Tail is an incredible organization, and any dog that comes under their care, they will do everything to get adopted," Scott told Newsweek. The Memphis shelter "didn't mean to send" Pimiento along with the puppies, but as it turned out, everything happens for a reason; he has been adopted and is officially off the market. Screenshots from a June 9 Instagram video of a shelter volunteer taking out a 4-month-old puppy after the dog was accidentally transferred to that location. Screenshots from a June 9 Instagram video of a shelter volunteer taking out a 4-month-old puppy after the dog was accidentally transferred to that location. @4evertails/Instagram The Instagram video of Pimiento quickly became a hit, bringing in over 123,000 views and 8,758 likes as of Friday. People fell in love with this pup, calling him the "cutest dog." "I would carry him everywhere. He's amazing," wrote one viewer, to which Scott replied he was doing that on their walk: "His little legs could only get him so far." Another added: "Love his sitting pose, such a cutie pie." A third person commented: "I love the flippers." One Tail at a Time even chimed in: "The sweetest and silliest little guy! Thanks for showing him off." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
