Caroline Collective » Features

Office Availability!

Geoff — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:26:38 +0000

We’ve got two offices becoming available, and we would love for your to be our newest office member! Let us introduce you to to suites 101 and 103!

Suite 101

Suite 101 is a comfortable 150sf office with a large window that looks into the courtyard. Delicious oak-filtered light pours into this space without getting irritatingly bright. PLUS, this space has built in storage for all of your office needs! That means more space to go uncluttered by your bookcases and file cabinets.

Suite 103

Suite 103 is of similar dimension and view to Suite 101 above, but trades the built in storage for extra floor space — reaching an ample 175sf. The walls are also a snazzy green!

Of course, when you join as an office member you get a lot more than just four walls. Office membership includes:
+Keys for 24-hour access
+Professional business address
+Conference room access (with projector and white board) — Book the times you need on a google calendar
+High speed wifi (click for a speedtest screen shot – actual speeds may vary by network use).
+Shared printer
+Coffee!
+Coworkers from diverse backgrounds
+Access to events and programming from tech meetups and entrepreneurial workshops to art openings!
+Ability to reserve the event space for workshops, receptions, meetups, and anything else you can think of!

For rates, availability, and tours, please contact us directly by email or call us at 832.429.6867. Our office hours are weekdays between 9a-6PM.

Book feature!

Geoff — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:09:11 +0000

We are featured in the book Uprising: How to Build a Brand–and Change the World–By Sparking Cultural Movements!

The book centers around brand building through creating cultural movements. We’re excited to be featured as the case study for coworking with blurbs from our very own Ned Dodington!

Here’s a quote from Ned in the book:
“It’s inevitable that we’ll see more co-working in the coming years. Not only is it reflective of a cultural and psychic shift in the workplace, but it is also a very feasible and sensible way for many people to optimize their workday to fit their complex daily schedules. It simply makes too much sense for it not to become the new norm.” – Ned Dodington, founder.

Special thanks to Scott Goodson, the folks at Strawberry Frog, and of course Laura O’Connor.

TEDxChange Simulcast at Caroline Collective

Geoff — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:15:20 +0000

The TEDsters are bringing the TEDxChange simulcast to Caroline Collective! Join us on Thursday, April 5th from 10:30-1:30 for the broadcast!

RSVP here

TEDxChange 2012 – April 5, 2012, live from Berlin

Convened by Melinda French Gates. Hosted by Chris Anderson.

The current economic climate has drawn our focus to immediate needs closest to home. But now, more than ever, it’s critical to keep site of the fact that we are part of interdependent, global community. And too many within that community cannot meet their most basic needs: food, clean water, life-saving medical treatment and vaccines.

We can’t proceed with business as usual.

On April 5, 2012, we’ll take a step back and look at the big picture: Why should we, as a society, continue to invest in global health and development? How can we work across borders and political boundaries to make positive change? And what returns can we expect on our investments?

After the simulcast, we’ll have an update from members of the TEDx Houston community on TED/TEDActive 2012, and discuss what we can do to make positive change throughout the Greater Houston area.

Speakers

Melinda Gates: Melinda Gates serves as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She helps set the overall direction of the foundation, shaping strategies, reviewing results, and advocating for the foundation’s issues. Melinda will discuss family planning and how the power to plan changes the lives of women and their families and improves whole societies.

Jeff Chapin: Jeff Chapin is a mechanical engineer and product designer for IDEO. He specializes in designing sanitation solutions for the developing world and has conducted projects in both Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Jeff will challenge traditional perceptions of ‘design’ by emphasizing the importance of sustainable, market-based systems for developing societies.

Sven Giegold: Sven Giegold is a Member of the European Parliament and one of the founding members of Attac Germany. Sven has dedicated much of his career towards green industry issues. He will talk about the power of collective action and how the actions of individuals, communities, and progressive business can lead to critical changes at a national and international level.

JUST: A local Berliner, JUST is one of the most eminent photographers of graffiti and has been recording the street art movement for more than 10 years. In his talk, JUST will draw a fascinating parallel between the rise of the Internet and the street art movement.

For more information, visit: http://gates.ly/tedxchange2012

Limited seating available: Please only RSVP if you are *certain* you will be able to attend. Remember: No-shows deprive other TED enthusiasts of the opportunity to attend!

RSVP at http://tedxhoustonchange2012.eventbrite.com/

Thinking Wrong with Marc O’Brien and Project M

Geoff — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:30:56 +0000

We are pleased to announce the guest lecture from Marc O’Brien of Project M! The lecture is set to focus on Project M and “thinking wrong”, with a Q&A shortly thereafter.

WHERE: Caroline Collective | 4820 Caroline, HTX, 77004
WHEN: Friday, April 13th 6-8:30
HOW MUCH: Free!

What is Project M?

Project M is a program for creative people who are already inspired to contribute to the greater good, and are looking for a platform to collaborate and generate ideas and projects bigger than themselves.

Visit www.ProjectMLab.com for info.

Design Blitz:

O’Brien will be running the 48 hour design Blitz the Saturday after the lecture. The Blitz will bring together local architects, designers, entrepreneurs, and business owners who will be tasked to produce a completed project in 48 hours. They have decided to pursue and produce a project focusing on food health, nutrition, and sourcing in Houston. The subject is meant to be broad initially as the point of the Blitz is the take an issue and allow the designers and entrepreneurs to create something unique. The product may end up as a marketing campaign, business plan, or art installation.

If you think you might also be interested in participating in the Design Blitz over the weekend, contact us and we’ll get you in touch with the organizers. The organizers are currently putting together a small team of local architects, designers, and entrepreneurs who will be tasked to think bigger than themselves. Contact us for more information to get involved.

Who’s HOU at SxSW

Geoff — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:02:49 +0000

We’re excited to announce the launch of a project and website from a few of our members! Who’s HOU is an organization promoting the music, film and interactive industries of Houston, and they’ll be representing at SxSW in a big way!

Who’s HOU is a digitally driven organization promoting the music, film and interactive industries of Houston Texas. At SXSW 2012, Who’s HOU will have a stand at the trade show representing official performers, filmmakers, speakers, and panelists from Houston. It’s a charming project that thrives on community collaboration.

Who’s HOU features Houston at SxSW.

Check out the endorsement video from Mayor Anise Parker, filmed and produced by Who’s HOU.

While Who’s HOU’s event coverage is limited to only the official, they are happy to film and interview any individual from Houston on the ground at SxSW. If you are presenting officially at SxSW and would like to be covered, interviewed, and/or filmed, please contact Who’s HOU. Participation is encouraged!

For those following along online, you can catch SxSW coverage from their tweets and video uploads. Who’s HOU will have a crew filming on the ground and regularly uploading video content throughout the festival.

We’re delighted by the level of collaboration from our members, and spearheading it all is Karen Aptekar. Thanks to nonprofit partners TALA, Houston Technology Center, KTRU, and Houston Film Commission.

It’s Mural Time

Geoff — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:57:00 +0000

The Montrose Art Society is painting a mural at Caroline Collective! MAS member Raul Gonzalez designed “Building Life” for the exterior of the Collective and we’ve begun work!

“Building Life” features abstracted humans converging into something…bigger.

Preparatory drawing for “Building Life”

The Montrose Art Society is an artist collective that sets engaging directly with the community within their mission. You may remember their recent exhibition here last September, and portraiture workshop shortly thereafter. They’re an all-around great arts group and they’re fun to work with, to boot!

Raul has exhibited in the past at Caroline with the John Palmer’s 2011 Escapists and his own solo show, as well as participated in the recent Caroline Collective Print Sale. Raul is also a founding member of the Montrose Art Society.

Raul explaining the workflow

Please follow along with us on Raul’s blog.

This mural is possible by a gracious in-kind donation Valspar Paint, and the Montrose Art Society! Progress continues this weekend!

Web/Tech Meetup Blitz!

Geoff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:03:47 +0000

Next week we’ll have a full schedule of tech and web meetups!

Your best friends

From introductory to more sophisticated levels, we’ll have you covered for implementing new strategies and solving problems on the web. Here’s the schedule:

Tuesday, February 21st 6:30-9PM:
Ruby and Rails Meetup
The Houston Ruby Group will convene and discuss the popular web application framework! People of all skill levels are encouraged to attend.

Wednesday, February 22nd 6:30-9PM: Get Your Business Online Round Table
It’s back again! Join an expert-moderated round table discussion from getting started creating a website to promoting it online with advertising and social media. The discussion is tailored for the participants of the discussion, so you’re sure to learn something new!

This meetup is free if you RSVP in advance, but $10 at the door!

Thursday, February 23rd 6:30-9PM: Drupal Users Group
The Drupal Users Group will return on Thursday to talk about the open-source content management system. The spectrum from novices to developers are welcome!

February Jelly!

Geoff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:50:37 +0000

The February Jelly is Friday the 10th!

Jellies are casual coworking events where people come together to work for the day. We provide chairs, wireless internet, and interesting people to talk to, collaborate with, and bounce ideas off of.

On the second Friday of every month we’ll waive the drop-in fee for coworking, so bring a friend or come by and make a few! A little change in scenery and socialization might be just the cure for your home-office blues, or perhaps it’s the catalyst in your next creative breakthrough. You’ll have to see it to find out.

Towards the end of the day things will slowly shift into the weekly office happy hour!

WHERE: Caroline Collective! 4820 Caroline, HTX, 77004
WHEN: Friday, February 10th 10AM-6PM
HOW MUCH: Free!

RSVP On Facebook!

New Private Office!

Geoff — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:39:22 +0000

We’re announcing a new dedicated desk space and a vacant private office in our lovely South Building!

Giant window!

As you can see, this spacious 120sf office has a huge window! It also has some snazzy track lights, which are somewhat unique to the space. Our office memberships include 24-7 keyed access, coffee/print/wifi, mailbox, and plenty of coworkers. Offices like this don’t stay open for long, so strike while the iron is hot!

To celebrate this opening, we’re running a deal: If you sign up in February for six months of full or office membership, one month is free!
(Please contact us for more information on this deal)

New Dedicated Desk Space!

Geoff — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:39:20 +0000

We’re announcing a new dedicated desk space and an open private office in our lovely South Building!

Sweet dedicated desks in a minty-fresh office.

The new dedicated desk space has some good stuff going for it:
+Great light (thanks, clerestory window and track lights!)
+Located in South Building (low foot traffic!)
+Close proximity to bathroom and kitchenette
+A little extra breathing room
+Plus all of the regular amenities our full members receive