Official A2K Gathering in Chicago, May 7th, 2006!

Ah, Francis.... a busy businessman!

BBB -- that's too bad. At least you can enjoy it vicariously.

I drove over from Canada three years ago, and they thought I was a very suspicious character indeed.
And the folks in Boston did not think too much of the Canadian numberplates, either....some made rude gestures.

... furtive eyes, hat carried low over brow & a strange accent might easily be construed as suspicious behavior some places...

mctag : if you are driving a car with canadian license plates, go to south carolina or florida. there they'll even fly the canadian flag in front of motels and hotels !
we cross into the united states/new york state - by way of the 1000 island bridge - fairly often. while our "accent" - many can't figure out where to place it - may make us a bit of a "security risk", we've found that as soon as we explain to the customs officer that we going shopping in the u.s. , we'll be given a friendly wave and a "enjoy your shopping" greeting. as long as you are willing to drop some dollars stateside you'll be welcome, i think. hbg

Great plans you all have.
May is too early for me- I will be in Chicago again in July.

I'm with Francis on this. I really admire you people who can make definite plans for travel that far in advance. I'm hoping I'll be able to get to Chicago May 6th, but I certainly can't guarantee it. How do I know what other obligations might have come up six months from now?

Did I dream Margo said she might go?

I just had prioritized a Jazz club visit with Andrew for that weekend - it worked. :wink:

That would be so great!

Strewing carrots to attract a bunny to hop across the wide wide sea...

I just received a PM from J_B alerting me to this thread. I'm pretty sure I can make it (I can get some cheap accomodations without too much trouble). My job takes me out of town sometimes, but that doesn't happen too often.

May is a great time to come to Chicago. The weather is usually mild, not as rainy as April. There are tons of things to do in the city. The Cubs are not in town that weekend but the world champion White Sox are -- a three game series against Kansas City. Then there is the Art Institute, the museums, Navy Pier, live music, theater, and lots and lots of food. You can get some idea of what's going on at the Chicago Office of Tourism site.

Anyone looking for rock-bottom lodging costs should check out the HI-Chicago Hostel. It's a hostel -- Spartan accomodations, multiple occupancy rooms -- but it's dirt cheap and it's right downtown.

I'd left my number at the Garfield Park Conservatory for a call-back. Just heard they are booked for May 6th (wedding season books things up very early).

I haven't heard back from The Burghoff yet, I'll keep you posted...

Wow, thanks, J_B!

I hate to introduce any more uncertainty into the proceedings, but I noticed that rates are usually much better on Sundays than Saturdays, and there is the wedding thing (weddings are usually on Saturdays).

Or even Friday evening, if everyone is already in town. When Mr B and I started planning our May wedding in January we quickly discovered that Saturday was out of the question. We ended up with a lovely place on Friday, May 5th which is, ironically, the same weekend we're talking about and one of the reasons I won't be available.

Sunday would probably let you hold it outside at one of the parks, Friday or Sunday indoors is much easier to find than Saturday.

Seems to have been a good idea to buy my flight from Chicago on Monday (and arriving already on Thursday :wink: ).

Here's an odd idea -
how about Saturday breakfast-brunch? People may still be arriving on Fri and some leaving on Sunday. Those who want to take children places Sat. afternoon can, or take themselves to the Zoo, etc.

Then those who want to go for beers on Sat night can group together and those who want to hear jazz, go on a boat cruise, etc. can do that..

I'm still liking the trolley thing...

Yeah, the trolley thing is cool...

I just got my response from the Garfield Park people, too (I forgot I'd sent the question):

I guess I'm confused about Garfield Park. Was the photo, I think on a J_B post, the part that would be $750.? or the regular old room that was more like $25.00 for a few hours..

Burghoffs seems sort of handy..

Am trying to remember a beer garden Sublime mentioned once. Back in a bit.

I went off on a Garfield Park tangent after parks were first mentioned (by JP, I think), the above is more of an FYI than any particular endorsement.

I'm perplexed about how we'd do food for that, re amounts and choices...
I looked up sublime's beerbar link from some time ago, Resi's Bierstube, and Burghoffs. Can't find Burghoff's menu, but as to Resi's, I worry that vegetarians would have near nothing to eat..

Anyone look at the Millenium park restaurant link I gave on page 14? That can be reserved and seems to have built in roominess...

I just left a call back message for the Park Grille at Millenium park, Osso.