You will find here the ...re-occurring... newsletter for AHA! There are
far too many neat things that have happened recently, so I will try to
keep this as short as possible:

Feeling antsy? Have idle hands? (tsk tsk) Here are some projects looking
for your skills.  The folks in charge of these are asking for some help,
so jump in.  Details are at
http://wiki.allhandsactive.com/Projects#Member_Projects :
- Backyard Brains wants your brains to help out with a number of
electronics projects.  Got some EE chops? Talk to Greg Gage.
- Delta 3D printer c/o Tyler and Michael: this extra large 3D printer
currently in the works should herald a quantum leap in AHA's 3D printing
capabilities.
- Internet-enabled Vending Machine c/o Eric Hackenberger: dispense
beverages from the cloud! There are many possible uses for a fun project
like this.  Because we can.

The nitty gritty:
-------------------

In the last month we had,
~$1,800 in station time / concessions
~$1020 in membership income.
~$675 in income via classes

Last month there were 28 members and 7 staff on the roster at AHA! This
is probably some kind of new record.  A big thanks to all of our
generous members who help make AHA happen!

Upcoming events:
-----------------------

- AHA Kids after school programs are starting up in a couple of weeks.
If you have some youngins, check it out here:
http://www.allhandsactive.com/2012/08/registration-is-open/ .  Even if
you don't have youngins, please help spread the word on your blog or
other social network of choice!

- AHA is partnering up again with the AADL to run events next month,
including a workshop on 3D printing, and the exploration of all things
shocking with Seeing Electricity.

- We are pleased to host the folks from the Game Maker Meetup, which
happens the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month starting at 7:00.

Goings on in the last several weeks:
----------------------------------------------

- As a parting gift, Jenn made some foam broadswords (in the back tool
room, AKA Dogfort).  Feel free to vent your frustrations with fellow
hackers in the alleyway, but always wear your safety goggles. :)  There
can be only one!

- Another gift from Jenn: the WubWub Theremin up above the electronics
bench.  Feel free to play around with it and make some interesting tunes.

- Our loyal Cupcake 3D printers have received numerous upgrades over
time, and are now able to speedily print all sorts of beautiful
widgets.  Come see them in action at one of our monthly 3D printing
classes, or any Thursday Build Night.

- The AHA Power Wheels Racing Team made an excellent showing both in
Dearborn for Maker Faire Detroit, and in Chicago for the Maker Faire
there.  We were able to finish all the races, and even won awards for
our notorious and unquestionable style (case in point:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8421/7742715360_c3657bbdd8_z.jpg ).

- AHA made another great showing this year at Maker Faire Detroit, where
-- in addition to the Power Wheels racing -- we ran workshops all day
long on knitting, Arduino, Python, model rocketry and cockroach science
(c/o Backyard Brains).  We had countless folks stop in to check us out,
so many that the Maker Faire crew awarded us Editor's Choice for our
hard work! Thanks to the many individuals who helped out.

And lastly, a quick update on the space:
---------------------------------------------------

- We are currently in the process of improving our ventilation in our
prototyping and back tool room so that dust and laser cutting fumes will
not be an issue.  We've already put in a fresh air intake (connected to
the A/C!) -- next step is to pump out stale air.

- We are doing constant refinements on our day-to-day and Purgatory
processes (Purgatory is where disowned projects go before being
recycled); and we are improving the aesthetics of our entryway (thanks,
Ox!).

- Every 1st Sunday of the month is waffles and cleaning! Join us and
help out with keeping the space shiny clean and organized.  Waffles
start at noon, cleaning starts around 2:00.

And that's all there is for now -- thanks for reading! As always, if you
haven't checked out AHA in a while, get yourself there for a Thursday
evening Build Night.  Bring a project, get inspired, become a member! :)

Got questions? Sound off to bo...@allhandsactive.com , or reply to this
thread.

Yours,
-- Nate Y.