I cannot recommend the Institute of Urban Homesteading's Cheese Making Intensive enough…read more This day and a half "intensive" is a combination of the cheese making 1, 2 and 3 classes, taught by IUH founder Ruby. It's fast-paced and she throws a lot of information at you, but the whole process is warm, interactive and accessible. I immediately felt like I could leave Ruby's home and make these cheeses (and other dairy products!) we had learned in my own. I especially love that she's found what seems like the perfect middle ground between science lesson and home-cook/homesteader understanding. She brings her personal experience in with just enough of the science and technical understanding to make home cheese making incredible accessible and attainable. I also love that IUH also has a sliding scale for fees because it demonstrates the value they put on what they teach in making these classes more widely accessible. I already have the summer farm tours on my calendar, and I can't wait to take my next class.

I haven't done anything with this organization in years, but thought highly of them in the past…read more Over the past couple of years I've tried to unsubscribe from their emails. I just tried again today using their "unsubscribe" link. What I got back was NOT a confirmation that I'd been unsubscribed. Rather, it was a detailed email from an unknown (to me) mail server company which wanted me to click on THEIR link to actually unsubscribe. I'm not about to click on an unknown link from an unknown sender. I think a direct request using the "Unsubscribe" link in an Urban Homestead email and sent from the very email address I want unsubscribed is absolutely sufficient. I do not recommend getting on their email list.

Diana came over and provided one on one serger lesson for me. She was really patient and showed me…read morethe very basics of getting going with my serger - how to thread, some interesting tools and tricks specific to my machine - things I need to know to even begin to play around with this complicated AF machine. Full confession: this is a second review, the first one was immediately after taking a class and I was extremely disappointed - I felt like the class wasn't organized or efficient with time and I left not knowing anything more than when I started. But Diana reached out to me directly and came to my house and provided 1.5hr personal lesson, which I tremendously appreciated. After talking with her, it sounds like that class was really challenging for many reasons and I respect that there are situations out of your control, like the class dynamic and when people show up with weird machines you're not familiar with. I greatly appreciated her reaching out to me - I'm so used to getting burnt by things like that, that it didn't even occur to me to reach out about the negative experience! At the end of the day, all I wanted was to be able to load the d*mn machine and to serge a corner. That being said, I realized that moving forward, spending the extra $$ for a one on one might be a better choice for me in the future - with a baby, a full-time job and often very specific needs/questions re: sewing/serging, this hour+ together was way more helpful and manageable than a class. Ultimately, I found Diana to be very approachable, easy to work with, and very patient.

Took the 3 hour Intro to the Machine class and it was awesome. I was nervous & knew basically…read morenothing about seeing. Diana was so patient, warm & her teaching style is very accessible. I learned all about my machine and don't feel intimidated by it anymore. Highly recommend her classes!

I found out about and registered for the class super last minute by calling Cecilia the day before…read morethe start date and she was able to fit me in. Cecilia is pleasant and the class I am in consists of 8 women, all 30-40 age range. The class that I am taking is called Beginning Sewing I : From the Start. This is a 5 classes series that consists of a weekly 3 hour class from 6pm - 9pm. The class in 5 parts costs $175 (not including materials, which you would have to purchase yourself) consists of: Class 1: Sewing and general concepts Class 2: How to read pattern, marking and cutting patterns, and custom fitting. Class 3: Sewing machine, sewing seams, finishing seams. Class 4: Pressing techniques and pressing tools Class 5: Finish sewing project The series consists of making of a garment from patterns, and we are not expected to touch a sewing machine until the 3rd class. There is a lot of learning -- about fabrics, patterns, and cuts. Thus far what I find the most interesting thing I have learned is why clothes don't fit and how to make adjustments. It is an eye-opening experience for me to take this class. Cecilia is very organized and knowledgeable -- you will learn things in her class that won't be found in your regular beginning sewing book. As for the store, you won't find fabrics or patterns here. The small store offers a good selection of notions (Cecilia has mentioned that she's picky about the quality of what she puts in her store), some books, sewing machines, and sewing furniture (which needs to be ordered and then delivered). There are other classes available but schedules are still being worked out. Beginning Sewing seems to be the most popular regular class.

3 words for $28 seems like a lot but I'm not keen on how much these things are supposed to cost…read more Brought in an apron on Wednesday to have 3 words embroidered (not more than an inch in size) and was told it would be ready by Saturday. The only really frustrating thing about the experience was trying to get an estimated time frame of when the apron would be done. When I asked when I could expect it, the lady sternly told me she had a lot of orders but it would be ready by Saturday. I probably should have been more direct about when exactly I needed it but I just figured they close at 6pm so it would have to be done before then... I called around 3pm and was told it would be ready by 4:30. Luckily I was able to get it wrapped and ready for a bday dinner...but it was definitely cutting it close. I'd recommend bringing in your items way in advance just in case they are backed up and can't turn an order over quickly.

I got a few healing stones, a bracelet and a reading from Omi. This space is so welcoming,…read morebeautiful, and healing, especially for Black and Indigenous folx

From the owner: Temple of Earth Apothecary is a Black led herb shop, multi-generational freedom school and…read morecommunity healing space, selling locally grown bulk herbs, house-made herbal preparations and metaphysical, ritual goods. Individual healing consults, readings and bodywork are available at the Temple, as well as classes, workshops on herbal medicine and the healing arts through the Freedom School of Black & Indigenous Mystery and Ancestral Herbal Medicine works.

Great program for the community to engage people into the construction industry. Teaching life…read moreskills and a pre-apprenticeship program to help individuals get a foot in the door for a career.

Honestly the best pre apprenticeship program there is in the bay‼ not sure what kind of experience…read morethe negative review went through but this place is a good mine for knowledgeable information and great connections. Not only that but even with the life lessons you will learn and apply to your daily life , you will see a change in yourself if you make it to the end. But this program is not for the weak or entitled....you have to really put your all into it and if not you'll find yourself wasting your own time not them wasting yours. Numerous ppl have been able to turn their whole life around after graduating from here and I'm one of them. BIG THANKS to all the staff for everything they have done and still do

I came into project heartbeat emt class 78 with doubt and imposter syndrome but unlike this course…read morethe instructors and active emts/paramedics are here for you...they do what any other actual training paramilitary program "break you down and build you back up" Huge shout out to Jeff Johnson aka head honcho aka el jefe Huge shout out to Tyler Huge shout out to JT Huge shout to the elite and put the fear of God into you Michelle And every other instructor who put time into our practice CLASS 78 PHB!!!!

Took the 8 week emt course here and can confidently say that the instructors are amazing people…read morethat are down to earth, kind and strict when needed to be. I feel prepared with the knowledge that they gave me to get out there and start my ems career. Special thanks to Jeff for being an awesome instructor and lecturing for hours on end.

This a great local resource for woodworkers. The Mt. Diablo Adult Education program offers may…read moreadult woodworking classes for beginners to advances woodworkers, along with open shop classes. The woodworking 1 class is a great introduction to all the equipment through the process of building a beautiful step stool. The day and night classes include men and women of all ages. The fees are very reasonable to get access to great equipment. The teachers are knowledgeable and very willing to help. For more info: https://mdae.mdusd.org/

I'm taking a woodworking class here, and I'm thoroughly satisfied with the level and quality of…read moreinstruction. The tools in the wood shop are great, and the instructors really know their stuff. What's more, those guys sure know how to keep a sharp edge on their equipment. Tuition is, in my opinion, up to what one would expect to pay in today's economy, especially considering that everyone is scrambling for cash to stay afloat, even the local government and its affiliated programs. The registration process on the archaic website is a touch on the byzantine side, though. It looks a lot like the very first website I ever coded when I was 16 years old. Uhh, now that I think about it, it looks like the website I designed a few years ago. But I'm no web designer, so hah! Point being, you're gonna have to dig around a little bit to find what you're looking for, but once you've found it, the actual act of registering for a class is pretty straightforward. Now, back to the woodworking instructors: Between the Bill and Dave, they've got about 70 years experience, 20 fingers, 20 toes, and 8 eyes (they both wear glasses). So I trust them to teach me the ways. I don't know if I'll ever be able to snatch the pebble from their hands, but I'm confident that they're showing me how to keep all my phalanges and body parts so that I could snatch that pebble, even if only in theory. I plan on taking many more courses here, especially in the "Working with Wood" category of classes. Now go forth and learn something new!

One of the best cups of cold brew I've ever had. My only frustration with this place was the fact…read morethat it didn't open until 9 AM. Thankfully they were open when it came time for my second caffeine fix of the day. The space is also absolutely gorgeous and they appear to host lots of educational / experiential events for coffee lovers. Highly recommend!

May 2026 Give this place a crown!…read more Very cool and unique coffee shop that roasts it's own coffee, has community events, and is welcoming! I was torn between the coffeeflights and their speciality drinks. Got their "Hey Mambo!" Which has housemade raspberry amaretto Italian soda with espresso and milk of your choice. It was definitely unique. It was well made an exactly like they said it was, but it just wasn't something I'd order again. Next time I'd get the coffee flight. Nice and kind service with clean seats and clean restrooms.

Beats me as to why I didn't write a review earlier. I've written with Teresa in her workshops for…read moreover 14 years, and I look forward to writing with the group every Wednesday. That time slot has become a sacred time for me. Teresa is funny, kind, astute, and a dedicated teacher ( and so talented) who encourages one to write deeply and honestly. One feels nourished in this space. She has written books and essays that speak volumes of her excellence in craft and the art of narration. I feel so honored and grateful to have met her and to have been able to write with her. Thank you Teresa! You're really one of a kind! https://teresaburnsgunther.com

Teresa is a naturally gifted writing teacher and coach. She makes it look possible to get yourself…read moreon the page. High recommendation. I've had several writing coaches throughout the years

What a great group. Supportive, fun, creative people who are all on the same journey to be better…read morecommunicators and public speakers. Super helpful not just with work but outside work too in terms of building relationships and making friends.

My first visit was around February of 2013. I was nervous. Nervous to be there and worried that I…read morewould have to speak. The group was warm and inviting. I did not have to speak on my first visit, other that to introduce myself. Over the following months, I got my courage up. I have completed many short speeches, and my nervousness has gone from a earth shaking roar to a manageable occasional rumble. And it is fun! Not only has my ability to speak in public improved dramatically, but I have learned to be a better listener, I have met new friends, and I have found a creative outlet for writing and storytelling, Meetings are in an art studio in Oakland's Warehouse District, know for its eclectic art studios and nightlife - Only blocks from downtown Oakland with plenty of free parking. I highly recommend that you visit Warehouse Toastmastes. You will be glad you did!