Alignment Clinic - Novice School

[washburn]

It is becoming a tradition for us to hold an informal alignment clinic on the Saturday of the Novice school classoom session. This has been a very fun, loosly grouped class on how to do your own garage alignments, and includes a general bull session on what alignment means in solo and what it can do. Bench racing occasionally breaks out too.

In the abscence of our dear friend Paul, who has always provided the location and friendly hospitality, Jeff Forss has graciously offered to step up and open up his shop so that we can continue this fun event.

So, I want to extend an invitation to all, new comers and moldie oldies alike, to the 4th anual alignment clinic held at Jeff the Alignment Guys shop. We will meet somewhere around 2:30 to 3:00 pm after the Novice school. It's real loose folks...don't worry about being late. Bring your own brand of beverage. It *has* been known to go into the late hours of the evening! Word is that there may also be a small gathering at Jeff's house afterwards, and guitars may be broken out. Just a rumor.

I'll let Jeff fill in the blanks on the actual location. Hope to see some of you there!

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z... whu?

I'll open the shop and not book anything after 2:00 that day if someone can help me with the "party" part of the party. I have one offer for help, maybe another assistant would be nice. I don't know about the music "jam" finally happening though.

I sold my Noob Skool spot to a friend of Murph's which frees me up to put the CRX in a car show that day (...if it's painted by then. It doesn't need to run to look cool :P).

One more reason for the 26th to be a red letter day? I mark ONE YEAR of self employment on that day. I was going on about having a resume' burning party to celebrate. Maybe I'll bring a stack of them for us to light at the BBQ. While I'm still cranky from the stress of wondering what's going to bite me next: The city of Bloom.? Accounting blunder? Mechanical screw up? On the inside, I'm pleased as can be that it's working so far.

[phile]

I sold my Noob Skool spot to a friend of Murph's which frees me up to put the CRX in a car show that day (...if it's painted by then. It doesn't need to run to look cool :P).

And whom are you supposed to notify when you sell a spot? ;)
How about the Numbers Registrar. Both of you send me emails or PMs, please.


One more reason for the 26th to be a red letter day? I mark ONE YEAR of self employment on that day.

Good on you, mate.

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

PM sent.

Phil: "Good on you, mate."

Cheers. :beer: (Clinks soda can to screen.)

[shane86]

Jeff, i'm all down to try and help you arange any get together you're looking at...

do you wanna just do the whole thing at the shop? i can't tell you how many nights i spent at that shop just shootin the **** while it was still boostfactory...

bring some chairs and such, throw up a screen, see if ivan or gretchen can bring the projector again, i'll bring my lappy full of top gear and some data logging, or possibly even a movie...

got a grill at the shop yet? :)

[AliensRgr8]

If Ivan and Gretchen cannot secure a Projector I can almost garantee acess to one and a portable screen. I will need to look into powered speakers as we have been selling off our rental equipment.

Jeff, I am willing to help out too. Just keep me informed.

Patrick "The A\V geek" Higgins

[Ivan]

More than willing to help out. It's not a huge job to take our projector down off our ceiling, but if Patrick has one which is not currently mounted in a semi-permanent location, that would be preferable.

[gsk8r]

I'm intrigued by this "jam session" idea... Bring the strings, guys - that would be fun!

[AliensRgr8]

I think we should have a Guitar Hero jam session. I have never played it myself, but I hear it is an absolute blast.

[SUV-ETR]

Sounds like fun to me! Let us know how we can help set things up, too...

Neal

[EWAustin]

I don't have Guitar Hero, but it IS a blast, especially in a large group of friends where beer may or may not be
involved :D

[washburn]

I don't have Guitar Hero, but it IS a blast, especially in a large group of friends where beer may or may not be
involved :D

We were talking about the real thing. I saw a South Park where the kids were playing GH, and the dad pulls out a real guiter and plays "Carry on My Wayward Son". The kids all thought he was lame and stupid. It's kinda like that sometimes.

[shane86]

I've got Guitar Hero.... :)

[washburn]

I've got Guitar Hero.... :)

Got a pool cue too?

[EWAustin]

We were talking about the real thing. I saw a South Park where the kids were playing GH, and the dad pulls out a real guiter and plays "Carry on My Wayward Son". The kids all thought he was lame and stupid. It's kinda like that sometimes.

No Worries, I can play that too :D

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

This shindig is getting big. I might take work in that day and I still hope to put my car in that show. Would a couple of folks be willing to handle any A/V plans and one other person work with me on menu and cooking needs? It's pretty rustic here so the food will need to be BBQ/picnic fare. I only have two teeny grills so I'll need to figure out something there. For prep I have a cool Coleman camp kitchen with a counter and "sink".

Thanks,

Jeff

[washburn]

Don't go too nuts Jeff. It started out that people just brought a beer or two along and we sat around and BS'd for awhile. The BBQ came into play last year, but I would expect that if someone wants to BBQ, just bring along your own food. Didn't mean for someone to foot the bill for a big party. I say bring stuff if you want, we'll just do the demo, and what happens happens. (Heh..what happens at the Alignment shop stays at the alignment shop!) :)



This shindig is getting big. I might take work in that day and I still hope to put my car in that show. Would a couple of folks be willing to handle any A/V plans and one other person work with me on menu and cooking needs? It's pretty rustic here so the food will need to be BBQ/picnic fare. I only have two teeny grills so I'll need to figure out something there. For prep I have a cool Coleman camp kitchen with a counter and "sink".

Thanks,

Jeff

[gsk8r]

Between Patrick and Ivan, I think the A/V stuff is handled.
Shane, bring your computer with Top Gears & whatnot.

People could bring their own chairs, beverages and a bag of chips or something.

We'll bring a card table for the snacks.

[shane86]

Between Patrick and Ivan, I think the A/V stuff is handled.
Shane, bring your computer with Top Gears & whatnot.

People could bring their own chairs, beverages and a bag of chips or something.

We'll bring a card table for the snacks.

I"ll bring the laptop :)

[Matt D.]

I'll open the shop and not book anything after 2:00 that day if someone can help me with the "party" part of the party. I have one offer for help, maybe another assistant would be nice.
I'm not attending the novice school that day but plan on attending the alignment clinic. Let me know if you need any help with anything during the day. If you have a grill I have no problem manning that.

[Andrew]

I'll come.

[engifineer]

I plan on trying to make it if I can. I will even pick up some LaRossa in memory of Paul, who got me drinking it :)

[hamradio]

not to bring up a 2 week old thread, but what all goes on at said alignment clinic?

[stoooo]

You'll be shown how to check your alignment with nothing more than a ball of string, a lump of wood, a couple of pins, and some jack stands. It's very interesting and informative if you like the techie side of the sport. Of course, the demonstrations do work better when the car being used has tyres that are all the same size :)

Just don't expect to show up and have *your* car aligned.

Stuart.

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

People will want to check road closings and detours between Dunwoody and TAG. The American Blvd. bridge over 35W is closed. There's a mess at the Crosstown Commons. There may even be a chunk of Lyndale closed where it goes under 62. If someone wanted to use a Sat-Nav device to find a route for Sat. and pass it to others, that might help.

I'm beginning to think it's personal: "Hey, lets close every route between Jeff's house and his shop! Yeah, that be funny & stuff."

[washburn]

May be a good idea to print out some maps for people like me who have no idea what you just said. If you can't do maps, describe a route in a PM and I can. Thanks!!

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

I can use an internet map service, but I figure sat-nav would be more up to date.

Maybe when I'm up that way Friday night (Davina And The Vagabonds at The Times) I could recce (is that how the rally guys say it?) a route from Dunwoody to the shop, but it wouldn't be posted til 1:30am.

[AliensRgr8]

I was able to get a projector and screen for the video type stuff. I do not have a powered set of speakers anymore. They all got sold. So if anyone has a set of computer speakers and can bring them along, I am sure everyone attending would be very greatful. Plus feel free to bring any videos you would like to share.

[washburn]

I can use an internet map service, but I figure sat-nav would be more up to date.

Maybe when I'm up that way Friday night (Davina And The Vagabonds at The Times) I could recce (is that how the rally guys say it?) a route from Dunwoody to the shop, but it wouldn't be posted til 1:30am.

OK...I will at least get a map together that has your location on it. People can find their own way worst case.

[stoooo]

From Dunwoody, wouldn't it just be South/East on 94, South on 35W, East on 494, South on Lyndale, West on 80th, then take the left on to the side street your shop's on ? Or does part of that route have the blockages on it that you're talking about ?

Stuart.

[njbed]

From Dunwoody, wouldn't it just be South/East on 94, South on 35W, East on 494, South on Lyndale, West on 80th, then take the left on to the side street your shop's on ? Or does part of that route have the blockages on it that you're talking about ?

Stuart.

That would work except 35W will be closed this weekend from I494 to I94 northbound and I94 to Hwy 62 southbound . Maybe Lyndale south to Diamond Lake then east to Nicollet south to American Blvd then back to the West.

Or I'm sure the published detour will be I394 to Hwy 100 South then east on I494.

[Ivan]

Yeah, Hwy 100 would probably be the safe bet:

Google map route (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=8303248509360290409,44.972070,-93.289670&saddr=818+Dunwoody+Blvd,+Minneapolis,+MN+55403+%28 Dunwoody+College+of+Technology%29&daddr=44.970628,-93.329887+to:1009+w.+80th+st,+bloomington+mn&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=12&via=1&sll=44.915825,-93.28485&sspn=0.173346,0.282898&ie=UTF8&z=12)

[SaturnRaycer]

What's wrong with the "scenic" route? Stay right on Lyndale all the way. You get to absorb the ambience of some interesting South Minneapolis neighborhoods, maybe find an interesting place to stop for lunch. The beer will still be cold because it won't take THAT much longer to get to Jeff's (unless you stop for a long lunch).

[njbed]

What's wrong with the "scenic" route? Stay right on Lyndale all the way. You get to absorb the ambience of some interesting South Minneapolis neighborhoods, maybe find an interesting place to stop for lunch. The beer will still be cold because it won't take THAT much longer to get to Jeff's (unless you stop for a long lunch).

Jeff mentioned Lyndale is messed up around the crosstown, so I was avoiding it but if it is open then straight down would be great. For those not averse to city street driving the Lyndale route really is a pretty nice route (unless the winter created lots of pot holes).

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

As of 1:30am, a straight run up Lyndale, then straight onto 35W is open, I assume all the way to 82nd. (I wanted to get home so I got off on 66th.) If you exit 82nd and go left accross the bridge and then left down the frontage road, the last right before going under American Blvd. will take you through a parking lot that exits right by the shop. If you go straight under A.B. you'll end up on the 494 frontage road and you'll need to find your way back South a little.

Hwy 100 is a ways out of the way to the West.

I'll be in by 10:00.

1009C West 80Th Street
Bloomington, MN.
55420

1009 W80Th is a welding shop, I'm right behind it.
Nearest intersection: American Blvd. and Dupont.
2 blocks from Motorwerks.
1.5 blocks from Roger's Autobody.
Almost next door to Da Afgan restaurant.

I hope that makes sense, I'm dozing off here....

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

Thanks to Pat for doing this again, thanks to Josh & Ivan for setup help, Patrick and Shane for the A/V, and Team One Out for the food run. I had fun, I hope the rest of you did too. Other than me rudely running to Sam's Club without leaving a note, then having Curt show up to a locked shop at 1:30 (...and my phone was in my jacket in the Bronco when he called), and we forgot to toast Paul for hosting in the past, I think things went very well.

[phile]

Other than me rudely running to Sam's Club without leaving a note, then having Curt show up to a locked shop at 1:30 (...and my phone was in my jacket in the Bronco when he called), and we forgot to toast Paul for hosting in the past, I think things went very well.
A comedy of errors like that is a perfect tribute to Paul.

[AliensRgr8]

I want to say thank you Jeff for allowing us to use your space to hold this clinic. You have help out the club and it members so many times, I just hope someday we can help you out. I would also like to thank Pat Washburn for giving up some of his time to help explain the basic points of car setup and showing us how to measure the adjustments in our own garages. Also, thank you Shane for providing us some after dinner Entertainment.

Patrick