Art

Hi Judy, glad another group is growing. You'll have a lot of fun. I had both of our SoCal GTG's in my house, with my travel videos showing on my big screen and my slde projector on automatic as well as lots of discussions and eating. We did pot lucks but the next one will be a self BBQ. If you have it in someones home, make sure that they don't have to do to much during the gathering. It is really interesting to put faces to names and get to know each other on a more personal basis. <BR>Have a great GTG. <BR>Art <BR>

Lily

This sounds fabulous. I'll definitely be there. I live near Vinings, but I can travel to Roswell or wherever we decide. I, too, was hoping someone would suggest this. Thanks!

Gail

Hi again - <BR> <BR>Judi - agree about the volume in Fratelli's! and that Pastis' hours don't fit the plans... <BR> <BR>Swallow in the Hollow has big tables and great space and atmosphere for walking around and talking, but El Mexica would work, too. Also, a new restaurant has just opened on Canton Street, "La Med" - not sure of hours, but can check. Has great outdoor patio with tables. <BR> <BR>I live in the Magnolias Townhomes on Magnolia Street, walking distance from historic area (Pastis and Fratelli's are around the corner), and the offer is still open if we need a meeting place. Size of group would matter, but it's a pretty big townhouse! <BR> <BR>I would love to see this first gathering as the beginning of possibly a quarterly meeting to discuss trips, share photos, and just dish about TRAVEL! I know, I know, I'm getting ahead of things here..... <BR> <BR>Back to you... <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

wes fowler

Judi, <BR>I think, once again, that BOB THE NAVIGATOR is right on the mark. It may be less hectic to meet first at someone's home, as terrifying a thought as that might be for the prospective host or hostess. With almost 20 prospective attendees, not including spouses and presumably with more still to be heard from, to turn up at a restaurant and attempt to introduce oneself and engage in conversation in the midst of a mob scene might be less than successful. (Can't imagine the impact on the restaurant staff!) With so many of the subdivisions in the Atlanta area boasting of their clubhouses, might a clubhouse not be the most likely spot to initially meet, introduce oneself, talk up a storm regarding travel experiences and then move on to a restaurant? Just a thought.

M&J

With many of us driving long distances, we are about 90 minutes south of Hartsfield, the earlier in the day to gather the better---more time for talking. <BR>We gotta have name tags ! <BR>We are looking forward to this gathering. <BR>Good suggestion, Wes. Perhaps someone has a clubhouse we can peacefully invade? <BR>Maybe we use a caterer?

Judy

Hi All, this is going to be great fun IMO. I think we should set a date, time, and place, with maybe an intro type of "gathering" as Bob and Wes suggested, yes? Judy

megan

I'm glad to see so many people are interested in getting together in Atlanta. <BR> <BR>Having sought Bob the Navigator's advice on my first trips to Paris and Italy, I would love the opportunity to meet him and thank him in person. <BR> <BR>Fratelli is loud if you are in the main dining room, but the Roswell location has a private dining room that would fit a group of 20-30 people. The food is good. The service is good. The price is right. It gets my vote, but of course, I'll go along with the crowd.

Bob Brown

Interested. But, my trip is in September. <BR>I will not be back until the last week of the month. <BR>

Dana

This really sounds great. May I add my 2 cents? I'd love to do it sooner, September seems sooo far away. <BR> <BR>PS) I live in Dunwoody and all these locations are very close to my home. <BR>Unfortunately I don't have a clubhouse in my complex.

Judi

Dana, I understand your feeling, like a kid waiting for Christmas! But it seems that September 9 works for most people and we will stick to that rather than going back to square one. As Gail says, hopefully this will be the first of many. <BR>Bob and Wes, definitely we will need some "meet and greet" time before sitting down to dinner. Gail, what would be your cut-off number for meeting at your house? We would consider it a stand up cocktail party. BTW, I am so envious of your location; I have wanted to live in Old Roswell for years but just can't seem to get out of the 'burbs. A catered dinner at a clubhouse would be the ideal but that would entail 1) a clubhouse, 2) a committee to organize, 3) a definite head count and 4) the willingness of everyone to share the costs. <BR>We will check out La Med this week. <BR>Art, thanks for your input. I remember your saying that you had BBQ duty and missed out on the conversation. Bummers! I know you joined the Chicago GTG and if you happen to be in Atlanta on September 9 you are welcome to join us. Bob Brown, I'm sorry you will miss this one but hope you will be able to join the next time!

Joe

I live in Buckhead and would like to meet some other Fodorites. I will be going to Italy in September, so early in the month would be good.

Gail

Hi All - drove by La Med (Mediterranean Food and Tapas Bar) on Canton Street in Roswell early this evening and it looked very inviting - candlelit tables under the trees in the courtyard. Might be available for a "private party" on that Sunday for a couple of hours before they open for dinner at 5:00. Since they have just recently opened, it would certainly be good advertising/marketing for them! (Also, there is a nice B&B within walking distance for anyone who wanted to spend the night, and many other small restaurants and shops.) Just an idea for consideration.... <BR> <BR>I'm leaving for Florida in the A.M., so check it out, Judi and others, if you have time, and see what you think....if this place doesn't work, we'll figure out something else! <BR> <BR>My ever-practical husband wisely reminds me that parking for a group at our townhouse would be a major problem. I always let my enthusiasm carry me beyond good sense (makes for great travel adventures)! Sorry...maybe someone who lives in a "real" house could host! <BR> <BR>

Art

Thanks for the invite Judi, but I will be in Berlin Germany that day and picking up our car the next to start out Poland and Romania trip. Would love to join yall at a future one though. <BR>Cheers <BR>Art <BR>

Judi

Art, your upcoming trip sounds very interesting. I know you will post a report on your return. An invitation to join us is extended to anyone who may be in Atlanta on September 9. <BR>Judy and I have had some email conversations and have come up with a plan: <BR>She has graciously invited us to her home for a pre dinner party. She lives off Holcomb Bridge; you can email her for directions. We have decided to start at 3 o'clock on Sunday, September 9. That will give us a couple of hours to chat. From there we will go to Rio Bravo or On The Border. (We made an executive decision that a Mexican restaurant is more festive.) She is going to check them out to see which would be best for us. Both are near her house. <BR>As Judy is providing the meeting place I think it is the responsibility of the rest of us to bring beer, wine, soft drinks, etc. and munchies. <BR>She and I are going to meet for lunch at the end of the month or in July to chat and make plans. If you would like to join us, please email one of us. <BR>This is going to be soooooo much fun!! <BR>BTW Gail, we had dinner at La Med. The food was a bit hit or miss but they have only been open for three weeks. The patio would be great for a get together; however, if it rained we would have no Plan B. The restaurant is a converted house and consequently is made up of several small dining rooms. <BR> <BR>

Dana

How small this world is. Judy (rem?) and I were neighbors, I used to live off Holcomb Bridge too! <BR> <BR>Judi/Judy, if you need help planning, please let me know if I can help. I am a catering director/ meeting planner by trade. <BR> <BR>Dana <BR> <BR>Dana

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Good work ladies. I will try hard to mesh that into my very busy retirement schedule. Does this mean that Judy or Judi is our contact person? I will supply the pepcid for after dinner. Do I hear any clamoring for my world famous "Faces of Europe" slide tray?? <BR>Sounds like fun !

Peg

Thanks Judy and Judi for getting it together! I'd also be more than happy to help in any way (I'm off Holcomb Bridge and Barnwell!)Looking forward to it. Peg

Judi

Bob and others, you can contact either Judy or me (or both.) We will both be out of town off and on the next couple of weeks but I will check on Fodors once in awhile when I'm in LA. And yes, I think I do hear a clamor for Europe slides..and photo albums or anything else anyone would like to share. Also, the Pepcid or Tums may be good after dinner mints. <BR>BTW, we will have name tags to help those of us whose short term memory is slipping. <BR>Peg, thanks for your kind offer. I'm sure you will hear from one of us. <BR>

Judi

I forgot to say to Dana, how fortunate for us to have a professional caterer/meeting planner in our group. You may want to give us some tips on our "Meet and Greet" party. I'm sure you will think of something that we may have forgotten. Thanks.

Judi

To the top for the weekend surfers in Atlanta. Come join the GTG; it will be a lot of fun! <BR>