Happy new year everyone!

Make:PDX will be kicking off 2010 with a meeting focused on Robots. Specifically the Portland Area Robotics Society (PARTS – http://portlandrobotics.org)

PARTS will be describing their group and some members will have the robots they have built on display.

Also, the Oregon Robotics Tournament championships are coming up in February and are always looking for volunteers. More info at HTTP://www.ortop.org

Hope to see you for our first meeting of 2010!

RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/event.php?eid=284841364637&index=1

RSVP on Upcoming: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/5220734/OR/Beaverton/MakePDX-January-Meeting/TechShop-Portland/?ps=7

Saturday, November 21, 2009

3:00pm – 6:00pm

TechShop 10100 SW Allen Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005

MakePDX is getting together again and this time we will have guests from the Micro-Inventors Program of Oregon!

Ever wondered what to do after you came up with that great idea or how to go about selling it or protecting it? MIPO is an organization designed around helping inventors get to that next step!

ABOUT MIPO (http://mipooregon.org)

MIPO provides inventors with consulting, training, and resources that focus on bringing their inventions to market as a means of diversifying Oregon’s economy and increasing opportunities for solutions to societal challenges.

MIPO works with entrepreneurs to move their inventions and conceptional models toward commercialization or licensing ventures. By doing so, local communities will benefit from an increase in higher-paying jobs and better opportunities for products to enter the market that were conceived in Oregon.

By creating these opportunities, Oregon will cultivate an environment of economic and technology innovation that will increase capital investment in Oregon, create more innovative-based enterprises, emphasize job creation, while focusing on socially responsible inventions that bring solutions to our complex societal challenges.

The Days are getting shorter and the infamous Oregon winter looms large just over the horizon. So while there is still time let’s get together and celebrate another summer’s worth of projects done by getting together and eating ourselves silly! Show off your culinary prowess and bring your favorite dish for every one to try.

As usual if you bring project that you’ve been working on and show it off you’ll get a fabulous piece of Make swag.

During the BBQ we’re going to be doing an egg drop. The winner will receive a nice T-Shirt and an issue of Make magazine.

Hi guys.  This week end marks our third meeting,  and as usual it is at TechShop.

We have a speaker from the Oregon Electric Vehicles Association coming down to talk to us.  The OEVA is a group that meets every month to talk about making and using electric vehicles.

As always, there will be time for every one to show off their projects, and every one who does will get a prize.  And of course there will be drinks and snack to go along with the meeting. If you have a recipe that you really like and want to show off don’t be shy.  Cooking is making to after all.

Donald, one of the overlords from Dorkbot PDX is teaching a work shop on etching PCB’s.

The previous workshop was very well done.  Don put on a great workshop that started out with a walk through of the design process.   Later he moved on to in depth discussions of cadsoft Eagle and the etching process.

The class is this Sunday (June 14th) at tech shop 1-5pm and costs $35.  You’ll get every thing you need to etch a circuit board, except the chemicals.

This work shop is a must for any one getting started with circuit design.

May ended up being a busier month than anticipated and ultimately disrupted our plans to hold contiguous monthly meetings. However, everything is back on track for an excellent meeting for the month of June!

We have lined up a speaker from the active and inventive local electronics gurus, DorkbotPDX. They regularly have meetings at various locations around town that range from casual gatherings to focused in-depth workshops. Check out their calendar for more info.

Also we have a speaker from the Portland State Aerosapce Society. PSAS members work on airframes, avionics, communication equipment, motors, software, and more. They welcome participation from students and community members and have a list of open projects that they would like help with if you’re so inclined.

The Northwest Audiovisualists will be having a meeting at Techshop just before the Make:PDX meeting and have offered to give us a demonstration of some of the fun things they are working on as well!

Finally we are also hoping to have some craft beers available from Make:PDX members and the Oregon Brew Crew as well as Coffee provided by a local Micro-Roaster.

We’re terribly excited about keeping up the momentum from our last meeting (aside from the month-long gap) and hope to see you there. Please bring your projects and baked goods to share!

This Saturday at the World Trade Center in downtown Portland the Micro-Enterprise Inventor’s Program of Oregon will be holding an Inventor’s Showcase with the title  “Innovation Begins at Home”. Stop down and check it out!

This weekend starts the 102nd Rose Festival and with it an all new Artisans Pavilion with 40+ local vendors. Stop by and check it out.

Thanks go to Handmade NW and DIYAlert for the tip!

This Saturday TechShop is officially opening it’s doors!

Starting at 3pm, be there for demonstrations of the furnaces, Laser Cutter, and other fun stuff!

Also, they’re still looking for helpers in various areas.

from portlandtechshop.com:

We are still looking for helpers. We have another position open now as well. We are looking for people to help staff the front counter. You would be responsible for signing members in, answering the phone, minding the store, giving tours, etc. In exchange for 8 hours a week you get a free membership. We are looking for people to fill positions all days 10-6 and 12-8. If interested send us an email.

We are also still looking for shop supervisors. The deal is the same as above except basic SBU’s are included as compensation as well.

Lastly our low voltage wiring is a mess (Alarms, datacomm, ect). We need a Electrician to help us get this stuff sorted out. if interested let us know and we can work something out.

The Oregon Potters Association is having a free event at the Oregon Convention Center next week. This is the largest show of pottery and ceramics of its kind with over 150 booths and artists!

April 24th, 25th, and 26th – Doors open 10-9 Friday and Saturday, 10-5 on Sunday

From Ceramicshowcase.com:

• LARGE GALLERY featuring the finest work of professional ceramic artists from Oregon and southwest Washington.
• LOBBY - This year our lobby display will have an Animal Theme.
• INTERIORS DISPLAY Beautiful ceramic objects displayed in designer home environments.
• $50 Gift Certificates to be given away throughout the Showcase weekend. Three each on Friday and Saturday and two on Sunday. The certificates may be redeem for $50 off any pottery purchase at showcase.
• LIVE MUSIC Music for your enjoyment on the main stage, Friday 7-9pm .
• DEMONSTRATIONS Nationally recognized potters demonstrate their clay techniques each day
• OREGON WINE TASTING A selection of Oregon wines will be available for tasting.
• CLAY AREA FOR ADULTS Potters’ wheels and tables for hand building with experienced teachers are available for grown-up visitors to Showcase.
• CHILDREN’S CLAY PLAY AREA Lots of supervised fun for clay-loving kids.
• EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS Schools and colleges will present information about ceramics programs available in our area.
• HIGH SCHOOL CERAMIC ARTS GALLERY
• ENTRANCE INSTALLATION – This year our entrance installation will focus on Music for the Garden
• SCULPTURE GARDEN displaying fine sculpture from premiere Northwest Artists
• 150+ booths of diverse, spectacular ceramic objects for the home, garden and office
• Group booth displaying work from 18 emerging artists
• Central Sales, Holding Area and Package Pick-up Assistance