I didn't mean to complicate things with the park suggestion. It seems like we were honing in on Maggiano's. Sounds good to me. Shall we firm it up?

Maggiano's is okay with me, but I'm a bit concerned with signing a contract for a private room unless we know we have enough folks.

One option for hanging out and chatting would be to meet at a nearby hotel and hang out at a lobby bar and then head to M's at an appointed time. That way, we'd have more time to talk in a quieter location for those who wanted to.

Just an idea. i2, do you know how much the guarantee would be for a private room at M's?

starrs, etal....there is no charge for the room....just the food...and, if I remember correctly, we have to guarantee a number about 5 days ahead of time. Of course, we wouldn't want to tell them we think there will be 20 people and only 10 send their money in.

I remember figuring and it would probably be less than we paid last year..since we would just do a flat rate.....inclusive of tax and tip.

I don't mind calling or emailing them for you.....and if we get so many commitments, then I don't mind signing the contracts......but, I will need someone else to set it all up....got a busy summer planned.

I'm guessing with 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 pastas, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, coffee/tea with tax and gratutity would be about $30 pp.

Want me to contact them or no?

I really don't think I'll be able to make it this year, so don't worry about accomodating my travel from AL. Hope you all have a great time though! And, thanks for thinking of me!

Well...darn...count me out too. Plans in our household have changed just now.
Y'all have fun!

Oh, no, Ice! We can't have it without you all. Is it the whole weekend that doesn't work or just that day? Seems like the Friday before was good for everyone, too.

However, this does illustrate the problem of signing a contract for a private room . . .

ttt for Iceeu2

KY Bourbon, let me know when you and your daughter plan to visit Ga. Tech. I take it your DD is interested in Spanish--mine is minoring in the language and planning to go abroad next year. We surely have some info to swap: [email protected]

Is the GTG off? Maybe pick another date?

Kswl - Thanks for the e-mail addy! My daughter is getting a minor in Spanish also(Chem E major - MIT). Would love to get these two together when we visit Ga Tech. My e-mail will be from AOL and I will put Fodor's in the message header.

No, I think it is very much on--right, everyone? But Iceeu2 can't make it on the 24th, and I wondered if we could accomodate Mr. and Mrs. Ice by having it another day on the same weekend. I would love to see them again.

Guy? Anybody?

Will look for your message and we will definitely plan to get together when you come!

That weekend is good for Guy because they are only in the state for a limited time. That Friday night would work for me. Sunday will not work for me.

Wish someone in Atlanta could host the GTG...

A few options:

Change the date so that iceeu can join in. Meanwhile, anyone who is interested can go to Maggiano's (no room, just a table) or come visit us up in Jasper on the 24th. Even if it's a couple of us, it can be a mini-GTG.

Or have it in Griffin on the 24th. One problem for us is the dog being by himself for too long, unless dear Partner stays behind. Anyway, it's possibile that I'd be up for the drive to Griffin, but I don't feel that I should commit.

I'm actually just a bit further than Griffin, but in the opposite direction. Exactly 1 hour 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta, if there's no traffic--which there shouldn't be.

By the way, I worried that I might have offended (especially kswl) on the Da Vinci Code threads. I definitely did not intend to. Was just letting the pompous English teacher/religious iconoclast side of me vent. (Gotta remember to reign that in at times...)

I've been trying to think of an outdoor, relaxed, dining option - similar to the Park Tavern overlooking Piedmont Park. That weekend is not a good weekend for Park Tavern. Wish I could think of a place on the northern edge of Atlanta.

If we don't do an official GTG on the 24th, I'd love to take you up on the offer for a visit in Jasper. Also want to do the beaver dam thing in Griffin. Heck, it may be a progressive GTG approach for me! :-)

I'd offer to host, but my two homes are the equivalent (in distance at least) as k's in Griffin and Guy's in Jasper. (No tennis courts or beaver dams to offer from me :-) )

Guy, if you need a dog walker or sitter I'm sure there are options in the Big Canoe/ Bent Tree area. Just an idea. Don't leave Partner behind!

Bless you, Guy, I have a hide like an elephant's and take no offense in matters of taste. I have actually been accused of having none (of course that is NOT true) in movies by my very best friend in the world.

Atlanta still works and a restaurant might be better for Friday evening in terms of finding places in the dark :) although possibly more crowded than Sat. lunch.

Iceeu2, can you let us know whether you could possibly make it on Friday evening or if the whole weekend is now impossible.

Guy, if going to Atlanta without the dog presents a problem, you could bring him to Griffin. We have a cocker spaniel mix (ancient, about 15) and are sorely missing our little Bichon who is taking a long-term visit with his rightful owner (our college student son) in Orlando. I took him reluctantly for a week's vacation and they were both so delighted with the arrangement they wanted to make it permanent :( We really miss that pooch and our moping Max would like a playdate with your puppy. Backyard is completely fenced and we "allow" dogs in the house. Max has his own chair. No need to leave Partner behind!!!

It sounds like starrsville, kswl, and I are the only ones who are definitely in on it for the weekend of the 24th. So let's decide...Friday or Saturday are good for all of us, so somebody pick. Someone also needs to say where--my place or a restaurant in Atlanta?

kswl, you are also welcome to bring your dog to Jasper. Mine would love it. (And thank you for your kind offer, BTW!)

guy, are you in BC or BT? I know the new public safety officer at BC and can get input if you need a pet-sitter.

I'm game for either day and any of the three locations.

BT. I say you decide, starrsville. I might be able to make it to Griffin, but kind of doubt it.

We'll be in Bent Tree from June 15th to the 28th, so you and kswl can just come on by whenever. I'll email you our phone #, and you can call us. Maybe we can make impromptu plans and meet in Atlanta. (I love to go there, but DP is a bit of a homebody.) Mom will be with us until the 21st. I think our only real plans are to see the aquarium. Whatever the decision is, I'm okay with it.

kat, you are so nice. We would love to see you again also. No, it's the entire weekend that's out. Have an upcoming wedding in August and the bride needs some help in Nashville, TN, and that's the only time we can get together.

Y'all have fun. The real icee would love to take you up on the beaver hunting sometime. He used to go lots of Saturday nights and help a friend who was having property destroyed...Now, wait a minute...Saturday nights..beaver hunting...hum........!!!!!!

You guys have a ton of fun and we will catch ya next time.

If our plans change again, I will see where and when you are meeting and try to catch up with you.

Okay, here's my count. Have no idea if it's accurate

1- wanderlust - prefers the north side
2, 3, 4, - k, s, and guy - any of the 3 suggested locations are okay
5 - tcapp - yes
6 - Sabrina - yes - any location okay
7 - kybourbon - maybe
(8 & 9 - probably not, i2 and OSB)

With guests, we are in the 12 - 18 range. Pretty normal attendance for a GTG.

My preference would be Saturday atoutside patio dining in at a casual location where we could hang out and visit more - and actually hear one another. M is just so loud to me. I'm trying to think of something like Park Tavern or Einstein's - but NOT in Midtown/ Buckhead.

Wanderlust - can you help us think of a similar location?

I think if we have it "in the middle" more of the maybes will be able to come. If not - and it's just the 3 (or 6) of us - we can pick Jasper or Griffin.

That's my .02.

starrsville - If it's still the 23rd or 24th, I will work my plans around it. There will be 2 of us.

Where's Mr. and Mrs. OWJ--hope they can come too!

also--what about idbkd of recent ny hotel controversy. He said he was interested in attending and lives in the Atlanta area, no?

Yep, Kelly said on another thread he was interested. I was hoping he - and wanderlust - would weigh in with possible locations on the north side.

Hope more decide to join us!

How about OWJ and Mr. OWJ?

I will weigh in just to bookmark this. I am most likely out of state that weekend, but could possibly come as a last minute thing. Make no plans around me!

If it's Jasper or Griffin, I will bring the Pama! Or do restaurants in Atlanta allow BYOB as they do in NJ?

Some do - for a corkage fee (usually moderate)

Hope you can make it noe.

I think OWJ was a bit on the fence based on how hubby was doing. I think his back is much better. It's the last week of school. I hope she posts soon with a "yes". She's one of the reasons I'm thinking Atlanta may be better. Hubby may not want to do an hour drive - after recovering from back problems.

OWJ, the person who built this house had a home gym in the basement. One of his contraptions is still here: a hanging bar where he hung from his knees upside down at least once a day. He had a bad back and his orthopedist suggested it. Has anyone mentioned this for Mr.OWJ's ailment?

Prayers and good wishes for a full recovery, Mr. O, and hope you two can come to the GTG in Atlanta.

Do you remember the contraption Richard Gere hung from in American Gigolo? I've always wanted to be able to hang like that. Imagine the relief on the spine! Ahhhhh!!!!

Hi!
Just saw this--have been offline for the good part of two weeks.

Count OWJ2 and I as probably yes's. His back is much, much better--just family stuff could interfere w/us not making it.

I have a distro list saved on my hotmail account so it didn't get wiped out when our harddrive died. Should I send it to you, starrsville???

OWJ

Did this GTG happen or is it still in the planning stage? If it hasn't happened yet, I'd love to come.

So, what's up, doc?

GTG set for Saturday, June 24 at a restaurant in Atlanta yet to be named---or have we? Starrsville, I guess we might want to nix the private room idea unless they have one available a few days before the GTG? I still like Maggiano's because of Buckhead location, but would love to venture out to a less well-known spot on Starrsville's or OWJ's recommendation.

or, offer still stands for home accomodating pets :(|)

Sorry, our plans have changed and we won't be in the area at that time. Hope we can make it some other time.
Have fun.

Sorry that I will not be able to join you on the 24th. Our vacation plans have changed. Would love to meet all of you. Will try again another time.

Are we on or off? Jasper or Griffin? Or do we just wander through restaurants in Atlanta looking for Fodor's pins?

TTT

I have starrsville's email, and will send her a note asking her to post here. She seemed to be in charge...