Queen City Resiliency Salon
A community place for real conversation in uncertain times.
The Salon brings people together to examine how small cities can stay strong, adaptable, and connected.
Our focus is practical resiliency, the everyday capacities that help communities weather disruption and support one another.
For a concise explanation of the Salon’s ideas and current projects, you can download the overview flyer.
All of our events can be found on Queen City Resiliency Salon Eventbrite Page for more information and RSVPs!
Next Gatherings
What-the-Node Wednesdays: Let’s Mesh Around!
Wednesday September 16th, 30th; October 14th*; November 4th, 18th, 2026 · Staunton Innovation Hub · 6:00–8:00 PM
*October 14th meeting will be devoted to setting up ATAK devices in preparation for the October 17th ATAK Air-soft event.
Where are you at: curious, confused, or connected?
Curious about mesh networks? Got a Meshtastic device you’re still figuring out? Or just want to see what it’s all about?
Join us for What-the-Node Wednesdays: Let’s Mesh Around! a beginner-friendly, low-pressure space to tinker, learn, and connect. No experience needed, seriously. Whether you’re totally new or already experimenting, you’re welcome here.
Bring your device, your questions, or just your curiosity. We’ll troubleshoot together, share what we’re learning, and celebrate the little wins (yes, blinking lights count).
What to expect:
- Hands-on help getting started with Meshtastic
- Friendly folks learning and experimenting together
- Plenty of “wait… that worked?!” moments
Come hang out, try things out, and mesh around with us.
Queen City Resiliency Salon at the Farmer's Market!
Saturday September 5th; October 3rd; November 7th and 21st, 2026 · Staunton Farmer's Market · 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
We’ll be hosting a table at the local farmers market and would love for you to stop by, say hello, and connect with others in the community.
Come meet members of our group, learn more about the mesh networks and time banking programs we’re currently working on, and chat about ways to get involved. Whether you’re curious, passionate about local food and community, or just browsing the market, we’d be happy to see you!
We’ll have information about upcoming events and opportunities, plus plenty of time to talk and answer questions.
🗓 When: September 5th and October 3rd; 8 am - 12 noon
📍 Where: 2020 West Beverley St.
Feel free to drop by anytime while the market is open, no need to stay the whole time. If you're already planning to visit the market, swing by our table and say hi!
Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting new ones.
Monthly QCRS Meetings - TBD
Wednesday September 23rd; October 21st; November 25th, 2026 · Staunton Public Library · 6:00–8:00 PM
We will continue to host monthly meetings, I haven't booked a speaker but the room is booked for these days.
Linux Community Tech Workshop
Wednesday September 12th, 2026 · Staunton Public Library · 1:00–4:00 PM
Bring your laptop and curiosity to the Linux Workshop, where friendly volunteers will help you explore Linux and open-source software.
Curious about Linux? Got an older laptop gathering dust? Wondering what your computer can do outside of Windows or macOS?
Come experiment with us! We’ll have volunteers and prepared USB drives to help you try Linux on your own computer without replacing your current operating system or committing to an installation.
No Linux experience required. No coding required. You don’t even have to know what Linux is yet. Curiosity is enough.
What is Linux?
Linux is a free and open-source operating system—an alternative to Windows or macOS. It can run on everyday computers and can even help give older hardware a second life.
At the workshop, we can help you boot Linux from a USB drive, explore the desktop, connect to Wi-Fi, try everyday applications, and see how it works with your hardware. When you’re finished, remove the USB and your computer can boot normally again.
Why a Linux Workshop?
Because community resilience includes technological resilience. Learning how our technology works, keeping useful computers out of the waste stream, exploring open-source alternatives, and sharing skills with our neighbors all help build a more capable and resilient community.
What Should I Bring?
Bring a laptop if you have one—especially an older one you’d like to experiment with. No laptop? You’re still welcome to come watch, ask questions, and learn.
Want to take Linux home? Let us know when you register if you’d like a prepared USB drive to continue experimenting after the workshop. This helps us know how many drives to purchase.
A Quick Note About Your Data
This event is about exploration, not permanent installation. We will not erase your existing operating system or intentionally modify the files stored on your computer. As always, we recommend backing up important files before bringing your device.
Want to Help?
We’re looking for Linux-friendly volunteers and donations of new or gently used USB flash drives. Have some Linux knowledge, spare USB drives, or both? We’d love to have you be part of it.
Come try something different with your neighbors!
ATAK AIRSOFT!
Saturday, October 17 | 12:30–4:00 PM
Augusta Airsoft | $50 per participant
What happens when you combine Airsoft, real-time mapping technology, mesh communications, teamwork, and a little friendly competition?
You get ATAK AIRSOFT a hands-on opportunity to have a great time while learning technology and communication skills with real-world applications.
Hosted by the Queen City Resiliency Salon, this event is about building familiarity with tools, communication methods, and teamwork that can also be valuable during search and rescue operations, emergencies, disasters, and other situations where reliable communication and situational awareness matter.
We're going to learn by doing.
What is Airsoft?
Airsoft is a recreational team sport in which participants use replica-style airsoft equipment that fires small plastic BBs. Games typically involve objectives that require communication, movement, planning, and teamwork.
For this event, Airsoft gives us something especially valuable: a fun, dynamic environment where participants have to communicate, coordinate, navigate, and make decisions together instead of simply learning about technology in a classroom.
What is ATAK?
ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit) is a mapping and situational-awareness application originally developed for use in demanding operational environments.
In simple terms, ATAK can help a team build a shared picture of where people are, where important locations or objectives are, and what's happening around them. Depending on the equipment and configuration being used, team members can work with maps, location information, markers, routes, and other shared information.
Those capabilities can have applications well beyond an Airsoft field. Familiarity with situational-awareness tools can be valuable when communities are coordinating during search and rescue efforts, severe weather, disasters, communications disruptions, and other emergencies.
Why ATAK + Airsoft?
Because the best way to understand a tool is often to use it while you're actually trying to accomplish something.
During ATAK AIRSOFT, participants will have an opportunity to put their ATAK orientation into practice in a live, team-based environment. You'll have to communicate. You'll have to keep track of your team. You'll have to understand what's happening around you. You'll have to work together toward an objective.
And you'll get to discover what works and what doesn't before you're ever trying to figure it out during an actual emergency.
That's exactly why the Queen City Resiliency Salon is hosting this event.
We want to build community resilience.
Resilience isn't just about owning equipment. It's about people knowing one another, learning how to communicate, becoming comfortable with useful tools, practicing together, and building the relationships and experience that can make a difference when something unexpected happens.
Airsoft gives us a fun way to practice those skills.
IMPORTANT: ATAK Orientation Required
Attendance at the October 14 What-the-Node Wednesday ATAK Orientation is required to participate in this event.
The October 14 session will introduce participants to the ATAK devices and provide the basic hands-on orientation you'll need before we take them onto the Airsoft field.
Please do not register for ATAK AIRSOFT unless you can also attend the October 14 orientation.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 12:30–4:00 PM
Location: Augusta Airsoft
Cost: $50 per participant, paid to Augusta Airsoft
Prerequisite: Attendance at the October 14 What-the-Node Wednesday ATAK Orientation
Come ready to move, communicate, experiment, learn, and have some fun.
You might come away a better Airsoft player.
But more importantly, you'll leave with more experience using technology, communicating as a team, and working alongside members of your community.
Let's play. Let's learn. Let's connect. And let's build a more resilient community together.
https://augustaairsoft.com/
Staunton Repair Café & Community Tech Lab — Third Event
Saturday November 14th, 2026 · Staunton Public Library · 1:00–4:00 PM
Fix things. Learn skills. Build community. Got something broken? Curious about tech? Want to meet neighbors who know how to fix things?
Fix things. Learn skills. Build community.
Got something broken? Curious about tech? Want to meet neighbors who know how to fix things?
Join us for the second Staunton Repair Café & Community Tech Lab: a hands-on, community-powered event where people come together to repair everyday items, share knowledge, and connect.
🛠 What to Expect
Bring your broken items, your questions, or just your curiosity. We’ll have volunteer-led stations including:
- Repair Table (small appliances, tools, lamps, household items)
- Electronics & Laptop Help
- Mesh Networking & Radio
- Linux & Privacy Tools
- Sewing & Mending
No experience required, just a willingness to learn or help.
🤝 A Community Experiment
This is our third event, so expect a little chaos, a little confusion, and a lot of learning. That’s part of the process.
The goal is simple:
- Connect people who have skills with people who need help
- Create a space where neighbors can meet and collaborate
- Start building relationships that continue beyond the event
Ideally, you’ll leave not just with something fixed (or closer to it), but with new connections — people you might trade skills with, collaborate with, or simply get to know.
⏳ Earn Time Credits
Participants can earn hOUR economy time bank credits by:
- Helping repair items
- Teaching skills
These credits can be exchanged for help from others in the community.
🌱 Why This Matters
Too many things get thrown away.
Too many skills go unused.
When neighbors repair things together, we build something bigger than the fix — we build community.
💡 Come As You Are
You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need to bring anything (though you’re encouraged to!). Just show up.
Let’s figure it out together — and improve as we go.
Get involved: houreconomy.org
Fix things. Learn things. Teach things.
https://houreconomy.org/
Current Focus
The Resiliency Salon is an ongoing, participatory process. Notes from each meeting including photos of working boards, transcribed ideas, and action items are captured and updated as capacity allows.
→ See what’s underway
Have thoughts to share?
Questions, ideas, or follow-ups related to the Resiliency Salon can be emailed to: s i g n a l @ k a m r e s e a r c h . g l o b a l
Messages may inform future discussion or action items.
How to Join / What to Expect
Attendance is open. No membership, no fees.
Each gathering typically includes:
- Thoughtful, facilitated conversation
- A brief educational segment
- Collaborative work toward practical initiatives, such as repair networks, time banking, or local economic literacy
Come as you are. Curiosity and goodwill are the only requirements.
Why Resiliency?
Modern life depends on systems that are powerful but fragile.
When a single authority or server controls a basic need, the whole community feels the impact when that system falters.
Recent examples make this plain:
- When centralized agencies handle food assistance, a shutdown can interrupt support for thousands of families.
- When our internet depends on large corporate servers, an AWS outage can disrupt businesses, schools, and emergency communication.
- Network shutdowns, whether accidental or intentional, can isolate entire regions at once
These moments reveal a simple truth: centralization concentrates both capability and vulnerability.
A Practical Alternative
Resiliency is not isolation; it is independence supported by community.
An individual can’t thrive alone and doesn’t need to. What matters is cultivating a community that:
- Trades locally
- Repairs rather than replaces
- Shares skills and resources
- Maintains multiple channels for communication
- Can function even when larger systems stumble
A community with its own capacity is a community that endures.
Resiliency is the practice of building that capacity together: steadily, cooperatively, and with confidence in our shared resilience.
Stay Connected
Email: s i g n a l @ k a m r e s e a r c h . g l o b a l