BarCamp Grand Rapids, inspired by the Silicon Valley event that rocked the emerging technology world with its audacity and success, will take place on August 15-16 at Calvin College.

The original Palo Alto BarCamp was born out of frustration with the stifling atmosphere of most conferences. In a bold move, the founders decided to hold an "unconference" and let the attendees decide the schedule and topics to be presented. The organizers provided only a venue, a blank schedule board, and some overhead projectors: attendees were responsible for creating all the content, giving all the presentations, and having all the fun. The experiment was a resounding success, and BarCamps in Toronto, Amsterdam, and New York City soon followed. BarCamp Grand Rapids continues this proud tradition, for the third year running.

Calvin College is generously donating classroom space, including a space for a "campout" Friday night. Gordon Food Service, Subway, and Biggby Coffee will be providing food for the event, and SageTech will be hosting a get-together after the Friday night sessions. Elevator Up has also pitched in to help keep to conference free for all attendees.

For the latest information and registration, see http://barcampgr.org/

The Michigan Flex User's Group (yes, US!) will be hosting our own FlexCamp, in Lansing.  July 30th and July 31st are the dates.  You can find out more at the event's website : http://camp.theFlexGroup.org/

FlexCamp is essentially a "Boot Camp" for Flex.  Expand your mind on everything Flex.  This camp is targeted to beginners, and intermediate developers (if you don't have any Flex experience, don't worry, you won't be lost!). 

Please, help me fill the event!  $40 for two days, and $25 for just the first day!!  We have a very special guest from Adobe doing the keynote, along with many other presentors from around the US.  More details will be forthcoming.  If you have any questions, or would like to help me run it, either email me at nick@theFlexGroup.org, or call me at 517-432-2528.   Oh, and spread the word!   Lets bring some IT back into Michigan!

On the 10th of July, the Michigan Flex User's Group is happy to present Michael Labriola from digital primates IT Consulting.  Michael, an accomplished Flex Book author will be presenting 'Navigating and Extending the Flex framework' which will show you how to find, understand and extend code in the framework to meet their needs. Don't worry, this will be an intermediate topic :)

Our meeting will be held in room 161, in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building on the campus of Michigan State University, at 7pm.  Signs will be posted on the doors to direct you to our classroom.

We will not be having a normal meeting in June.  On June 12th, we will be having our first annual Flex-A-Q at Patriarch Park in East Lansing.  Patriarch Park is located off Saginaw Highwway and Alton Roads.  This will be an informal meeting that is more about community than about code, so please bring your kids, friends, dogs, or other people (like co-workers) that may be tagging along.  We will be lighting the grill at 7pm. 

Adobe has provided money for meat, but please bring drinks and a snack to pass.  If you have special dietary needs, please email me at nick@theflexgroup.org.

See you there!