I can't go. My dog sitter had plans to be in Vancouver until the 3rd and now she shattered her leg. I am thinking we might have to find another option but so love her. DOGS are a major hindrance to travel these days.

Macross, sorry you cant make it.

For those planningn on coming, if you haven't already, pls email TDudette with your info.

<b>When you know you are coming, please email me at <i>donnafrhody at gmail dot com</i>. Please include your real and online names, name of person(s) with you, and a telephone number. The number could be needed for last minute changes or if you get lost! As we get much closer to April, I will send private emails with the information.</b>

I have reservations at Marriott also and am looking forward to this.

There are a handful of emails this a.m. but I haven't posted them yet.

<B>So many folks have said "Good job!" to me but the bravas belong to yestravel. I'm just taking dictation. </B>

When you know you are coming, please email me at donnafrhody at gmail dot com. Please include your real and online names, name of person(s) with you, and a telephone number. The number could be needed for last minute changes or if you get lost! As we get much closer to April, I will send private emails with the information. Also, please add the nights you plan to join the group for a meal so yestravel can get a reasonable estimate ASAP!

<b>Dinner on Saturday, April 29.</b>

LouisaH and I have been contacting restaurants to find a centrally located spot for the dinner on Saturday, April 29. Restaurants downtown with private rooms available on a Saturday evening have a food & beverage minimum ranging from $2,000 - $4,000+. The $2,000 minimum is likely doable with the number of people we expect (between ~35 and 45).

Carmine's http://www.carminesnyc.com/locations/washington-dc/ seems to have the best pricing of all the restaurants we have contacted. They have rooms that would acccommodate us. Carmine's serves a <b>family style meal for $42 + tax (10%), gratituty at our discretion and 3% admin fee on food and beverage</b> You have a choice of 2 each of appetizers, pastas, main courses and desserts. Beverages are not included in the $42 and would be extra.

Does this sound reasonable for people? Carmine's requires a $1000 deposit. I would be willing to make this payment, but want to feel assured that folks are ok with this restaurant & the cost.

I am fine with that...and you get a drink on me for all your hard planning for us.

Marnie -- I'll accept , but hope to see you before then.

I've just sent an email to those people who have indicated to Tdudette that they are coming to the April 29 dinner @ Carmine's. If you are coming and did NOT get my email please let me know -- thanks!

Just to update everyone -- We have ~40 people coming to the GTG, so should be a good time. We have 2 dinners planned, one Friday night, April 28 at Acadiana,
http://www.acadianarestaurant.com/menus.html the other is Saturday night @ Carmine's for a family style meal. We are in a private room at Carmine's.
http://www.carminesnyc.com/locations/washington-dc

Carmine's is 2 blocks from the Verizon Center where our 2 playoff teams will be playing, the Wizards and Capitals (had to get that in!). You can expect the area around the Verizon Center to be crowded with playoff bound fans. Many of you are staying at the Marriott Marquis which is about a 20 minute walk to Carmines. Acadiana is right up the street from the hotel.

The marches mentioned in posts above are still on. I understand that they are coordinating and planning a week of events and press releases to highlight science and the climate. Have no idea what the turnout might be.

Anyone who hasn't decided to come, please join us -- everyone is welcome!

Sending an email today with info on Carmine's to anyone signed up for dinner on April 29 -- please respond to me via email. Thanks!

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO AVOID THE CLIMATE MARCH OR PARTICIPATE
The People's Climate March is this Saturday. It kickoffs at 12:30 at the Capitol at 3rd and Jefferson SW. That is approximately 1.5 miles from the National Museum of African American History & Culture at 1400 Constitution Avenue, NW, between Madison DR & Constitution Ave and between 14th and 15th Streets.

The March proceeds up Pennsylvania Ave to the White House & expects to rally there at ~2 pm. As a point of reference that is about .7 mile from the Museum of African American History & Culture.

From there they will march to the Washington Monument grounds for the wrap up at ~3:00. As a point of reference the Monument is close to the AA Museum - about .3 of mile.

I have never attended a march in DC with any violence or problems. They tend to be uplifting & friendly even with those protesting the protest. Fear not should you come upon it or even consider joining it for a part of it -- making loud noise at the WH sounds like a nice way to vent!

Saturday is forecast to be close to 90 and a touch humid.

Looking forward to meeitng lots of new people Saturday evening @ Carmines.
Here is the link to the March info
https://peoplesclimate.org/logistics/#schedule