Electric Auto Show, Lockpicking, and a special assignment

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Busy day today! At least a few of us are headed down to Schoolcraft College for the Michigan Electric Auto Association‘s car show, which should need no further explanation.

This evening’s big event is the recreational lockpicking class, taught by PS:One‘s own Eric Michaud. The event is scheduled to start at 6, but there’s absolutely no harm in arriving earlier. Doors should be open by 5, follow our Twitter to confirm.  (Or just check that little “the space is open/closed” box in the sidebar.)

Oh yes, that special assignment? It’s for students of tonight’s class:

If you don’t have picks (or even if you do), swing by your local auto parts store and pillage their bin of used windshield wipers! The steel blade-stiffening strips therein can be made into DIY picks pretty easily, and what’s more useful than learning to pick locks? Learning to pick locks with improvised tools, of course!

Space Fight: Group comedy show outing tonight 8pm

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“Written by Go Comedy! resident cast members Jen Hansen and Pete Jacokes, Space Fight takes a unique look at the Star Wars story exploring the politics of the Empire, the grass roots campaign of the Rebellion, and the emotional struggles of Darth Vader, while poking fun at the ridiculousness of one of the world’s most beloved sci-fi sagas.”

Right then. What’s not to love? Jen’s an i3Detroit member, and a bunch of us are headed out there to watch one of our own, support a local Ferndale business, and laugh our butts off. Join us?

(Bet you didn’t know Yoda started his career as a community organizer, did ya?)

Power Wheels build TONIGHT 6:30ish

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What’s the stupidest possible thing you can do with a Power Wheels car? Upgrade the motors and batteries, put a 170-lb adult on it, and send him careening around a race course, of course! That, plus some electrical fires and embarassing video footage, are the apparent goal of the Power Racing Series, organized by Chicago hackerspace Pumping Station: One.

Naturally, we’re participating. We’re also looking for a smaller adult.

The competition takes place at Maker Faire Detroit, at the end of July, which gives us just six weeks to build and test our entry. Tonight we tackle the frame, body, and hopefully motor mounting! Members and non-members alike are encouraged to swing by and partake in the lunacy. I’ll try to have the doors open by 6:30, but as always, check the Twitter feed for notification.

Intro to Lock Picking – 6/12 @ 6p

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With i3 Detroit moved to our brand new location and some build out completed, it’s time to start offering our world famous classes. 

So we are bringing back our most popular class of all time, Intro to Lock Picking.  Come join globe trotting security specialist Eric Michaud for a night of learning and fun.

The class will start with a hands-on lesson with the master.  Sets of lock picks will be available for purchase but it’s first come first serve.  You can also buy sets online or at a local spy shop (Southfield, MI).  We also ask that everyone bring a standard key opening master lock or similar. 

Following the class, we will have a speed tournament for both our experienced pickers and our newly trained amateurs.  Prizes will be awarded.   

Hope you can make it out.  Please reserve your seat today.   Eventbrite Link

Pricing:
Public – Purchase Lock Picks w/ Class: $20
Public – Just Class: $10
i3 Member – Purchase Lock Picks w/ Class: $10
i3 Member – Just Class: Free!!

Mini Maker Faire: Saturday!

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It’s officially here! Last year’s Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire surpassed all expectations, drawing over a thousand people. This year, the sky’s the limit!

i3Detroit will of course have a presence, along with other area hackerspaces, and dozens of other interesting groups.  The event is held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Fairgrounds, 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Admission is free, and the doors will be open from 10am to 5pm.

But you probably knew that. Folks who follow our blog aren’t really the ones we need to reach here — it’s the people one or two steps out, your friends, who might not know about this event, or might not realize it’s already here.  To reach them, we need your help, so drag someone along, won’t you?