I saw Up in the Air last night and it was a pretty solid reminder of the uncertainty of both the current economy and life in general.

It’s difficult to find anyone who has been entirely insulated from the recession, and many excellent writers I know are trying their hand at freelancing to get by. But it can be difficult to get a freelance career off the ground from your own home — too many distractions.

That’s why I think it is incredibly awesome of Float Left Labs in Manchester to open Archimedes Space, which gives freelancers and small companies a space to work, connect and mentor students of Float Left Labs.

Freelancers can use the space for free until Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Membership after that is quite reasonable, but it’s a good opportunity to check out the space and see how well you can work in it.

I don’t have kids, but many New Hampshire families on a budget do, so I like to point out family-friendly activities.

Last week, Jaiden’s Angel Foundation had to postpone its annual Family Fun Day in Milford due to the weather. Although the forecast calls for unpredictable weather again, it’s on today — like Donkey Kong.

Activities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Milford United Methodist Church on North River Road. There will be a petting zoo, dunk tank, games, karaoke, music by Amy Conley and Driven, a chili cook-off, face painting and a performance by Riverbend Youth Company.

Check it out with the kids!

I received my first tip this week on a cool and free event happening in the Seacoast on Saturday, June 6.
Thanks, Mark, for drawing my attention to the Seacoast Local Festival in Portsmouth. It’s the fourth year for the event, which takes place in the heart of the Port City and has expanded this year into the Bridge Street Parking Lot. Also new this year is a photography exhibit, which draw from the organization’s “You Are Here” photo blog.
Pretty spiffy stuff.
The spin on this festival is that 26 local nonprofits will be on hand to talk about what they do and how you can get involved. Yes, they will also have performances by local artists and that’s always cool, but this is a great opportunity to learn about all the unique nonprofits and businesses that make Portsmouth such an awesome little city by the sea.
Or, here’s how the organizers put it:
These days, we need our nonprofits more than ever—to brighten our days, to help us when things are ugly, to take care of the environment) and they need us—to volunteer, to recognize them, to appreciate their good work and to provide fiscal support. It’s a relationship that is important, and sustaining for our community.
I spent my fresh-out-of-college years in nonprofits and worked a second job for a spell at the New Hampshire Spinal Cord Injury Association.
I can tell you, donations of money of course are fantastic but many small nonprofits that do big, great things do so with a very small paid staff. Don’t underestimate the value of giving your time, even if you’re just helping advertise and event or mail out a newsletter or update a Web site. It’s a huge help and you won’t empty your wallet to do so. Plus, you have the benefit of feeling like a part of something meaningful, something bigger than yourself.
You can’t put a price on that.