We’ve all been following the progress of Club 125,  Greenbelt’s new community activity center, since renovations began in September.  What had been a dry cleaning store has, through both the sweat and financial equity of George Boyce and Eva Fallon, been transformed into a happening for all things technie and creative.

And just days ago the Grand Opening was a happy event, and the enthusiasm and energy for Club 125 that I saw and heard bode well for its success.

That’s clubhouse mascot Sam on the right.

Eva Fallon and George Boyce had smiles for everyone.  Their dream has become a reality.

Eva showed me the plants she’s growing in a window box behind the storefront glass. She’d researched the NASA website to find out how many plants she’d need to clean the air for a space the size of Club 125.  (Turns out it’s 15 12″ pots.)  The little garden is a nice teaching moment.

Honestly, I don’t know what this is – a science project, I’m assuming but beyond that I have no idea.  If I get an answer I’ll come back and add the info.

George talks with long-time Greenbelt City Councilman Edward Putens.

This train set did something unusual and cool but darn if I remember what it was.  (No senior moment jokes, please.)  Again, to be continued.

Geeks of all ages gathered among their kind.  Behind the monitor is Richard Bates.  I don’t recognize his pal.

Now for some info about the club.

What’s Happening There

George describes the club as part “makerspace”, where you can come and work on craft and technical projects, alone or on a team, and  part “workspace,” or where you can come and write or study.  But it’s also a learning center and a cybercafe, he told the Gazette, so maybe it’s whatever we make of it.   George loves building robots and is passionate about promoting science and engineering, but the Club will host all sorts of other activities, including writing clubs, knitting circles and who-knows-what.  Resources at the Clubhouse include a computer lab, high-speed Internet, micro-electronics, 3D printer, craft tools and supplies and an HD projector.

Funding

George and Eva founded GreenSTEMs as a nonprofit to run and seek donations for Club 125.  The Club will rely on funding from five sources: membership fees, retail sales, grants, sponsorships, and our donations.  They hope to keep costs down by using contributed labor and materials, but it will take time to get all of their funding sources up to speed.  To help, donations can be made via Paypal.  Donations are tax deductible (tax ID 27-2281084).

I’ve added GreenSTEMS to the recommended list of local nonprofits here on Greenbelt Live.