From: Diva Las Vegas organizers (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Date: Mon Feb 01 2010 - 07:21:28 CST
In this mailing:
Org List
February
First and foremost
Charles Bar timing
Roller Derby Boot Camp
English High Tea
Dining options
The M Resort (and group photos)
Lunch With Mary Beth
Symphony
M resort comments
Working schedule
Administrivia
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Org List:
This is the DLV 2010 Organizational Mailing List (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Replies to this message will be forwarded to the DLVORG list and not
the DLV-Announce or DLV-Discuss list.
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February:
Long mailing, lots of things happening as we firm things
up and head down the road to the big event!
Thanks to all who have responded on various items and those
who have volunteered to take on the newly-added activities!
. . . . .
"Warm newcomer" sign-up began this past weekend. As of this
morning we have 120 validated attendees signed up, and the
magic machine says that 104 of these will show up. We have
already reached our critical mass. Two validations are
still outstanding, which is actually to be expected.
If anyone has a need for the actual sign-up data, please
write in and explain the circumstances. We also do have
such things as hotel reports, capacity projections, etc.
. . . . .
Now is the time when we need to be filling in the details
of the upcoming event, things like removing those TBAs on
the schedule, firming up times and such.
Looking ahead, the last week of March is the time when all
activities which need a sign-up or a headcount need to be
solid. We open the activity sign-up April 1 and that is a
hard-stop deadline! It's trivial to add something prior to
this date, but almost impossible after activity sign-up
begins.
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First and foremost:
Nora has respectfully declined to coordinate a Bahama
Breeze ending this year, the reason being an impending
family issue which makes her attendance at such an
affair doubtful.
Therefore, if this is to happen, one of us will need to
step forward and make it, or an alternative, happen.
I would prefer that this be taken by someone who is not
already coordinating multiple activities for DLV 2010.
Those who are local do have an advantage, but being local
is not an absolute necessity.
We have contact information for anyone who wants to take
this on, and the group is known to the BB staff, so there
will be no "cold calling" involved. The BB staff has
always been easy to work with, and in the past they have
never insisted on an up-front deposit and they have been
very nice in allowing the large group to order off of the
regular menu.
Do we have any volunteers? TIA, gang.
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Charles Bar timing:
Gina writes:
>I don't think Charles works Wednesday night (thurs. Morning)
>so the traditional after limo tour charles bar may be in
>jeapardy.
Sanity check here ... IIRC, we did the Charles Bar on Wednesday
night into Thursday morning in 2009 and Charles was there.
Has Charles' schedule changed?
If so, we need to reschedule.
Gina, anything to report?
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Roller Derby Boot Camp:
Rosada writes:
>>Rosada? Your Roller Girl thing?
>Yes, the Roller Derby Boot Camp Activity is still on for
>those gals that are interested.
>There has been no further contact with Lali, the gal in
>charge of training, other than to say that she will be
>there for us. The activity is scheduled for two nights,
>possibly three.
>I'm planning on being there two nights, Tuesday and
>Thursday 8:30 - 9:00 for whoever wants to join me.
Thanks, Rosada. I'll get this on the schedule for both
evenings. I think it's a good fit to the Tuesday multi
track lineup, and a good secondary-track option against
NSD on Thursday.
I'm going to mark this one "sign-up requested for headcount"
unless you say otherwise.
>Also, you don't have to skate if you don't want to. You
>can be a spectator, but I'm guessing you'll probably want
>to skate rather than watch.
>We'll just meet at the address, which is 5657 Hickman Avenue.,
>LV, Nev. I'm using my GPS system to navigate and find the
>location. Phone number is 702-580-9407.
I'm assuming you mean Hickam Avenue.
Hickam Avenue is in North Las Vegas, just south of Craig.
5657 would put it between Jones and Decatur, easy to get
to by going straight out Rancho, past the NLV Airport.
I will get this added to the activity map. The map does
not extend that far out, but I'll put an arrow on Rancho
indicating "that-a way" is the way to go. :)
I would, however, suggest some kind of carpool effort,
perhaps meeting at one of our hotels or a vendor such
as Glamour Boutique. That would be a somewhat spendy taxi
ride out there.
>I haven't heard back from any of the local Las Vegas gals
>about this address
Well, I'm not local, but I do know where it is. :)
>There is a Saturday evening training session at 7:00.
Hold that thought. When we discuss any pre-DLV things
on Saturday, bring is up if you want.
>I'm afraid I haven't any information to offer you on that.
>I was hoping one of them would have some extra time to check
>out the location of the roller derby boot camp to get a feel
>for the neighborhood its in.
>From Google maps I 'd say its in the North Las Vegas area.
Yes, NLV does have an iffy reputation, but this should be
north of anything truly insalubrious. (Nora will note that
I used the correct $5 word this time!) :)
If I get into Las Vegas prior to DLV (doubtful, but still
possible) and I have a car I'll drive out there and check
it out.
>There is no charge for the training session, but I was told
>that they would appreciate a donation. I figure something
>like what you would pay for a session at your local roller
>skating rink.
I've got that on the schedule. Maybe you might suggest some
level of appropriate donation?
>Don't forget - you have to bring your own equipment, i.e.
>skates, protective gear, something to wear that can withstand
>falling and sliding on your bottom. And you will have to sign
>a waiver.
Got it in the schedule notes. Thanks, Rosada.
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English High Tea:
Marilyn writes:
>Yesterday, I spoke with the Four Seasons Hotel (using the
>contact provided by Jamie Renae - thanks Jamie) and reserved
>a time (2 PM on Friday the 23rd) for the English High Tea.
>Please note that the time was moved from 3 PM to 2 PM.
Thanks, Marilyn. It's adjusted on the schedule.
>An actual count of participants is needed at least 72 hrs ahead
>of time. Since my credit card is being held for this, I would
>like this event to remain a pre-pay event.
Understood. That would make your deadline on Tuesday, and I see
no reason why this would not work.
>How to do the pre-pay is new to me, so I'm asking for some
>assistance on the best way to do this. The basic price is $30
>($38 if champagne or a martini is included) and a generous tip
>should be added to that sine they have always provided
>excellent service for the 5 times I've gone.
You have several options, and you can choose any, all, or
none of these. We'll announce on the activity sign-up screen
that prepayment is required and that it must be paid by the
deadline you set.
Here are the payment options that have been used in the past:
1. Snailmail prepayment, prior to DLV. History has shown
that the follow-through rate on this method is abysmally
low! Should you use this option, be prepared for a certain
amount of "but I sent it/I haven't received it" back and
forth.
2. Paypal. Not everybody uses this, and not everybody
trusts it. It does allow payment to be made by credit
card or Visa/MC branded debit cards, even from those who
are not Paypal members. Of course, Paypal takes their cut
of the action!
3. Payment in person at DLV. Since your deadline is Tuesday
afternoon, you could collect in person at DLV. The Welcome
Celebration would be an excellent venue at which to collect.
Follow-through rate is much higher in person, particularly
if you take an active role and seek out those who have
signed up.
4. Glamour Boutique. Amy has offered to take payment for
various DLV activities, as they did for NSD last year.
We're planning to use this for the Limo Tour this year.
The big advantage to this is that the attendees can bundle
multiple activity payments on one check or credit card
transaction. Of course, Glamour Boutique will be taking
a cut of the action, and rightly so, for this option.
I might suggest that you use options 3 and 4, and I think
that your follow-through will be highest with a combination
of the two, since it allows those who will not be present
prior to your cut-off to pay conveniently, plus it allows
those who wish to pay in person to do so.
Anyway, I think you're on the right track and we can
consider this activity to be solid. Thanks!
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Dining options:
One of our greatest needs is for dining options in a few of
our timeslots.
Big thanks to those who have stepped up to the plate and
taken these on. Thanks in advance to those who will be taking
these on. :)
For many of these, it can be incredibly low-maintenance and
a quick ticket to voting status. For a minimalist approach,
just pick a place and agree to be there. Then do a headcount,
split the group into 3-4-somes, and take available tables.
Yes, you can also, if you wish, insist that the staff
re-arrange the tables into one long honking one, which
will be oh-so-obvious and trigger mandatory gratuities. :)
+Sunday, April 18:
+ 6:00pm: Happy Hour options (various)
+ 7:00pm: Dinner options (Various)
For Sunday we have three informal options, two somewhat
ethnic in nature, one of them being somewhat "safe", and
one buffet option.
We could probably get by with this, but it would be nice to
have one more in there. We don't have an upscale sit-down
option yet.
. . . . .
+Tuesday, April 20:
+ 7:00pm: Eating Out Night (Various)
Currently we have Joe's, Milano's, and Marisa's Choice which
has yet to be solidified. Add to that the dinner portion of
the Murdery Mystery Dinner-Theater and we have four options.
I think there's room for one more here, and I might suggest
either an upscale sit-down option (Roy's?) or maybe a buffet
option.
Just about anything would work. Famous Daves? Komal? Cafe
Heidelberg?
. . . . .
+Thursday, April 22:
+ 6:00pm: Local Happy Hour (TBA) - ms
+ 7:00pm: Local Dinner (TBA) - ms
Although we do now have the Roller Derby Boot Camp on
Thursday evening opposite NSD, I do think we still need
some kind of a general-interest option in here as well.
It really doesn't have to be a straight happy hour and
dinner. About any in-town options would fit here.
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The M Resort (and group photos):
Tracy writes:
>Hiya yes I going forward on this idea for the Wednesday
>7:30pm time slot if that may be good for the girls/lady's
>and boys/men/so's open to that.
That timeslot will work well. Thanks Tracy, it's on the
schedule.
>But first I have a question please I have not seen any
>mention about the group photo?? Last year it was done just
>before the limo tour so that is my dilemma kinda???
>please let us discuss that so I know if I need to move back
>my event timing to address the best time for my request option
>for the M.
Here's the story on the group photo ...
The crowd we got for the photo last year was mostly those
at the Trevi dinner. We tried to get others there, but we
didn't get many, if any, who weren't doing either the Trevi
thing or the Limo Tour.
Therefore we probably won't be repeating that same scenario
for 2010, although there probably will be some kind of a
posed group shot at one of the stops on the Limo Tour.
The obvious location for a posed group shot this year will
be at the Welcome Celebration at the peak of the crowd. I'm
sure we'll have at least 100 there, and I'm sure it's very
possible to do this, providing ...
#include <JoAnn_Herding_Cats_Analogy.h> :) :) :)
We can work out the specifics with Suzane, who will most
likely know of a setting at the HRC which will work.
Anyway, you shouldn't need to adjust your plans to work
around group photos.
>what I did have in mind is a get together at the M at their
>Ravello lounge I had a great time there in fem mode and I
>think this will be a fun thing to do. This is a description
>from the web site.:
+The seating is comfortable (plush, velvet chairs and large
+booths) and there's a large bar right in the lounge so you
+can get your drinks while still enjoying the music. But,
+speaking of the music, It's free, sort of. Unlike other bars
+and lounges, there isn't a cover charge to enter Ravello, but
+there is a two drink minimum for table seats.
+The live entertainment is six days a week with drink specials.
+Last week, we announced a brand new line-up to ramp up our
+entertainment. Below is the line-up, but the one day we're
+really looking forward to is tomorrow's Rockstar Karaoke!
>Plus there is lots of other choices for food and gaming
>entertainment on location for a more diverse night out in
>this what i have found to be a very tv/tg friendly place for
>us Lady's.
>This is my projected request so what do you think????
I think it sounds fine.
I would suggest that you make some kind of a decision as to
what the group's dining choice will be so it can be included
in the detailed schedule, and select a very explicit easy
to find place to meet.
Since the M Resort is somewhat distant, your turnout might
be better if you coordinate some kind of a carpool effort,
but that's your call.
>Oh and this could work for the Thursday time slot as an
>option to the night of the soiled doves too if the group
>photo is on Wednesday.
I think the need for such an activity is about equal for
both Wednesday and Thursday, so I'll keep this on Wednesday
unless you say otherwise.
Thanks again.
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Lunch With Mary Beth:
Mary Beth writes:
>For lunch this year, since I couldn't get much of a turn-out
>last year at Rio (which is a shame since it's one of the
>better buffets in Vegas) I'm thinking of perhaps the Las
>Vegas Hilton, which is only $13.99 and looks like it has a
>pretty good menu.
Thanks, MB. It's on the schedule, at least tentatively.
I'm kinda surprised that the turnout at the Rio was low.
It (Rio Buffet) is one of the consistently-good ones.
>I've not eaten there before, so does anyone know if
>a) it's any good, or
>b) if there have been any incidents there at previous DLVs.
Over the years, the Hilton Buffet has been like a yo-yo as
far as food quality is concerned. In the early 2000s it was
consistently good.
Then it slipped. We used it for LWG in 2006 and did get some
complaints about the food. We haven't used it since.
Recent reports are that it has improved, but I haven't been
there personally in the recent past, so this is hearsay.
No negative incidents, and Hilton did get glowing remarks
from a couple people who stayed there for last year's DLV.
Anyway, I'll keep it listed at the Hilton unless you say
otherwise.
>Also, the Hilton is on the monorail so it is at least
>accessible, which the Rio may not have been being off-Strip.
This is true.
Parking for the Hilton Buffet is also very easy if you use
the parking structure marked "Sports Book parking" and enter
that way.
. . . . .
If you want a suggestion for a buffet, one I enjoyed
recently is the semi-new Cafe Lago Buffet at Caesars.
This has a theme of quasi-upscale Italian, replacing the
former buffet of a Bacchanalian pig-out theme. :)
<digression>
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2421/were-there-really-vomitoriums-in-ancient-rome
</digression>
It's not cheap, but I've eaten there twice in the past few
months and it was very good both times. They had what I
would call almost-restaurant-quality prime rib for dinner.
As you may have noticed, I'm using it for a Sunday dinner
option. IIRC, it's $17-ish for lunch. ($23-ish for din-din.)
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Symphony:
Diane writes:
>Afternoon,
Uh, yes, it is. :)
>The LV Symphony is playing on WED 4/21 - Its a great time to
>get dressed up (if you wish). The Phoenix symphony is alot
>of fun to attend.
>Connoisseur Series IV - April 21, 2010, 6:30pm
>Corbin Beisner, Piano
>Please call 702-258-5438, Ext. 226 for tickets
>The Las Vegas Philharmonic's Connoisseur Series will once
>again offer intimate performances by top artists in the city's
>most elegant homes during the 2009-2010 season. The dates will
>be October 14, 2009, November 17, 2009, February 24, 2010 and
>April 21, 2010.
>Each evening begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception. Tickets are
>$125 or $400 for the WHOLE series. (I think Ind. tickets run
>around $35). Guest performers will be announced soon. Call
>258-5438, Ext. 226, for more details.
>Concert Schedule All concerts are at Artemus W. Ham Hall on
>the campus of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. - 4505
>S. Maryland
Yes, something like this would fit well into the Wednesday
schedule, rounding it out nicely. I can evision this to be
of strong special interest to some.
The Big Burning Question to you, Diane, and I'll be very
surprised if you didn't see this coming ... :) :)
Are you willing to "adopt" this so it can happen?
If we're going to announce this as an option to the DLV
folks, we need to be sure that we at least have a host or
hostess there to, at minimum, look out for others and
welcome them.
You don't need to do any hardcore busy work such as two-
stepping tickets, unless of course you would like to do
so to assure the group sits together, you just have to
agree to be there.
If you want to do this, please let us know and I'll get
this on the schedule.
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M resort comments:
Kate writes:
>I visited the M Resort in October and even though this would
>not suit everyone's taste, it might be a nice night out
>option for quite a few of us.
>The lounge beside the reception area is a terrific spot,
>tailored to some real nice upscale DLV sipping and socializing.
>Would any Vegas residents or frequent visitors know, Or could
>do some research for me what the cost of a cab from let's say
>from the general area of Paris to the M would be?
The Las Vegas Taxi Calculator does not like the address of the
M, but the fare should be easy to ballpark. St. Rose is about
12 miles due south of Flamingo on the Strip. The driver is
gonna want to take the expressway to avoid the Strip logjam,
so add about 2 miles in there lengthwise.
I think the charge is now $3.50 to turn on the meter, plus
$2.40 per mile, with a significant nuisance fee for waiting
time, which does include "stuck in traffic time", so the drop
would be $3.50, the mileage would be $33.60, and let's say
maybe a worst case of 10 minutes waiting time for $5. That
comes to $42.10 plus tip, worst case.
This is why I suggested to Tracy that a carpool be planned.
>I had a rental car during my stay and it seemed to be a very
>long way south of the strip.
Actually, M is on the Strip. (Las Vegas Boulevard) However
it's a good 10 miles south of anything of significance.
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Working schedule:
Diva Las Vegas 2010 schedule
Tentative and subject to change
All times Pacific Daylight Time
Sunday, April 18:
0:01am: Rocky Horror Picture Show (Onyx Theater) - sv
11:00am: Religious services (Metropolitan Community Church) - sv
2:00pm: Studio Lites Open House (Studio Lites) - mv
4:00pm: Art Tour, session 1 (Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art) - ms
6:00pm: Happy Hour options (various)
6:00pm: Irish Pub Happy Hour (McMullan's) - ms
6:00pm: Firefly Happy Hour (Firefly - Plaza) - ms
6:00pm: Caesars Happy Hour (Caesars Palace) - ms
7:00pm: Dinner options (Various)
7:00pm: Irish Pub Dinner (McMullan's) - ms
7:00pm: Firefly Dinner (Firefly - Plaza) - ms
7:00pm: Caesars Buffet Dinner (Caesars Palace) - ms
9:00pm: After-dinner common gathering (TBA) - mv
Monday, April 19:
10:30am: Makeover Tips with Stacey (Bare Escentuals) - mv
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (TBA) - ms
3:00pm: Beginner Open House (See notes) - sv
4:00pm: Art Tour, Session 2 (City Center) - ms
6:00pm: Happy Hour (Hard Rock Cafe Strip) - mv
7:00pm: Dinner (Hard Rock Cafe Strip) - mv
8:00pm: Welcome Meet and Greet (Hard Rock Cafe Strip) - mv
Tuesday, April 20:
8:00am: Diva Las Vegas Invitational Golf (Desert Rose) - ms
9:00am: Harmony Nail Spa Open House (Harmony Nail Spa) - mv
10:30am: Makeover Tips with Stacey (Bare Escentuals) - mv
1:00pm: Lunch With Mary Beth (Hilton Buffet) - ms
3:00pm: Beginner Open House (See notes) - sv
4:00pm: Art Tour, Session 3 (Arts Factory) - ms
6:00pm: Happy Hour options (various) - ms
7:00pm: Murder Mystery Interactive Dinner-Theater (tba) - sv
7:00pm: Eating Out Night (Various)
7:00pm: Milano's option (Milano's) - mv
7:00pm: Joe's option (Joe's Crab and Steak) - ms
7:00pm: Marisa's choice (TBD) - ms
8:30pm: Mainstream-Alternative Night (Various)
8:30pm: Pub Crawl (TBA) - sv
8:30pm: Level 107 Lounge (Stratosphere) - sv
8:30pm: Roller Derby Boot Camp (Roller Derby Training Center) - ms
9:00pm: Viva Elvis show (Aria - City Center) - ms
9:30pm: Divas - Frank Marino Show (Imperial Palace) - ms
Wednesday, April 21:
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (TBA) - ms
2:00pm: SO and Partners Get-together (TBA) - ms
3:00pm: Beginner Open House (See notes) - sv
6:00pm: Quiet Evening At Home HH and Dinner (See notes) - sv
6:00pm: Happy Hour (Trevi) - ms
7:00pm: Dinner (Trevi) - ms
7:30pm: M Resort Get-together (M Resort) - ms
8:00pm: Pajama Party (See notes) - sv
9:30pm: Limousine Tour (TBA) - ms
Thursday, April 22:
2:00am: Charles Bar (Bellagio) - ms
11:00am: Glamour Boutique Open House (Glamour Boutique) - sv
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (TBA) - ms
5:00pm: Night Of The Soiled Doves (CR) - mv
6:00pm: Local Happy Hour (TBA) - ms
7:00pm: Local Dinner (TBA) - ms
8:30pm: Roller Derby Boot Camp (Roller Derby Training Center) - ms
11:00pm: Late Evening Dancing (Paris) - ms
Friday, April 23:
9:00am: Pistol/rifle shooting (TBA) - ms
1:00pm: Lunch With Kimberly (TBA) - ms
2:00pm: Walk off your lunch (TBA) - ms
2:00pm: High Tea (TBA) - ms
11:00pm: Late Evening Dancing (Paris) - ms
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Administrivia:
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Diva Las Vegas 2010
April 18 - 23, 2010
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