OK Kids, Flypsyde has turned over the reigns as emcee of the Springfield meeting to blushingme. I’m starting this new-and-improved thread to make a fresh start, so to speak. The other thread was approaching 150 posts and had gotten rather unweildy. And we had sort-of stagnated. However, new information has come to light and I have decided to start a new thread to keep things current.
First things first. We have a new location! Cheddar’s presented some difficulties; namely, they wouldn’t take reservations and we would have to show up at 4:00 P.M. to have any hope of getting enough room for all of us. So Cheddar’s is out.
The new site of Spiffle II is a very nice, very friendly down-home bar & grill kind-of place called The Barrel Head, 1517 Wabash Ave.
The Barrel Head is more of a bar than a restaurant, although they do have a complete menu. Horseshoes figure prominently on the menu (:D) but they also have salads, burgers, etc. The place is quite comfortable and very nice, and I’m sure everyone will find it most agreeable. And then you can all compliment me on what a great place I chose.
Most importantly, since it’s a bar we can eat first and then drink for several hours, which is kind-of what we were going for anyway. We’ll begin the eating/drinking at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 7th. If anybody wants to do anything Friday night or Saturday lunch, that’s up to you. I probably won’t be able to make it to either of those events.
So that’s where it stands. I’ll be back in a moment to provide directions, hotel info, and the most up-to-date list of attendees as possible.
Sorry, UncleBill. You are hereby confirmed. Should I serve you Holy Communion or something?
Your best bets for hotels, since we’re meeting at a place on the near west side of the city, are going to be those hotels in a little hotel district on the far west side of the city. Those include:
[ul]
[li]Fairfield Inn Telephone: 217-793-9277[/li][li]Comfort Inn Telephone: 217-787-2250[/li][li]Courtyard Inn Telephone: 217-793-5300[/li][li]Sleep Inn Telephone: 217-787-6200[/li][/ul]
Obviously none of these are particularly fancy, but they’re all very nice and in a very good part of town.
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, I suggest The Renaissance Springfield Hotel (217-544-8800) or the Springfield Hilton Hotel (217-789-1530), both right across the street from one another downtown. Be warned: parking downtown is an utter nightmare.
*Directions from the West Side hotels:
If you’re staying at the Fairfield, Comfort, Courtyard or Sleep Inn, the little street that runs between your hotel and the parking area for Target/Wal-Mart across the street is Freedom Drive. Go north on Freedom Drive to the light. Hang a right (east) onto, uh, I think it’s Lindberg. But it doesn’t really matter, there’s only one light. Take a left (north) at the next light, onto Veteran’s Parkway. Go two (or is it three) lights to Wabash Avenue. Turn right (east) on Wabash Avenue. The Barrel Head will be on the north (left) side of Wabash Avenue about 1 mile east on Wabash. When you get to the light just past Jeffrey Allan’s on your right, you’re there.
If you’re staying somewhere else, post it here and I’ll try to give you coherent directions.
Hows about folks just use mapquest to get a map? Gracias for the numeros and all (good God, Miami is getting to me!), I’ll make the calls when I firm up my flights.
It’s a LOT easier if we all stay in one hotel. And more fun, too. (Also, it helps with that whole “hanging out in the hotel after the bar” thing.) I doubt the Renaissance is gonna let us come back, tho.
So…first, rasta: any chance we could get a group rate at one of those hotels? Failing that, just pick one and tell us to get a room there.
UncleBill is confirmed?? SOMEONE help me! I already asked for the weekend off work. I am planning to attend. I have to haul two kids with me who will be bored after the first hour…anyone have a teenager and a tv/vcr to amuse the two morons for 2-4 hours for me?? please???
OK Falcon, I’m going to call the Courtyard today to see if they’ll block off a section of 10 rooms for us to secure a group rate. For those of you who stayed at the Renaissance last year, the Courtyard is going to be a couple of notches down on the fancy meter, but it’s still very nice.
Actually, the more I think about it, I’m going to have them block off a suite, too. Chris CTP’s friend Terry is loaded, so she may prefer a suite…
You know, this sounds like a blast, but I have to send my regrets. I’ll be going to Barbados for a week instead.
Have a good time, everybody!
And yes, UncleBeer, my hotel will have a bar. Actually the good bar will be in my room itself. Kind of like how my father has a bar in the trunk of his car.
The Courtyard sounds good to me, and I think a suite for late night large group drunken debauchery is a fine idea. I’d be willing to kick in a few extra $$ if cost is an issue. I will likely be arriving sometimes early Saturday afternoon. Not sure if I’m driving or hitching a ride with someone else yet.
And for the group name at the hotel - how about “Cecil Adams Family Reunion?”
Take me out of “still thinking” and put me in “royally bummed that I can’t make it”.
Work, after sending me variously to Ireland, Phoenix and Atlanta over the last 2 months has perversely decided that I am too vital to be away during the month of April.
Have a blast. Post pictures. Someone raise a pint for me.
Another vote for The Courtyard:
I just talked to the guy and he quoted me
$70 for a room with two queen sized beds
$120 for a suite -king size bed and pullout sofabed in the other room
I can live with those prices provided I have someone to share, VileOrb and I may split a room…
The idea of a block of suites sounds intriguing…split 4 to a suite its dirt cheap!
Count me as a definite. The pregnant Mrs beagledave will wisely avoid this debacle (someone needs to be available for bail money)…she will be reuniting with old college chums probably at the hotel. Does the hotel bar have Guinness? Does the Barrelhead have Guinness?
(Also, it helps with that whole “hanging out in the hotel after the bar” thing.) I doubt the Renaissance is gonna let us come back, tho.