[dlvorg] Hotels, and everything but the Welcome Celebration ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Happenings in the near future
Hotels for DLV 2014
EHM Fantasy Ball
Winery dinner
Golf suggestion
Fine dining and shows
PF Chang and Makeovers
Katie's Koffee Korner
Working schedule
Administrivia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Org List:

This is the DLV 2014 Organizational Mailing List (dlvorg_at_geekbabe.com)
Replies to this message will be forwarded to the DLVORG list and not
the DLV-Announce or DLV-Discuss list.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Happenings in the near future:

This mailing covers just about everything there is with the exception of
the Welcome Celebration. More info on the Welcome Celebration options is
in the pipeline and an additional ORG mailing on the topic of the
Welcome Celebration will come out shortly, which will include comments
received so far.

As a reminder, your comments about the Welcome Celebration options
presented in the last mailing are encouraged.
. . . . .

The next big item coming up is the announcement of our suggested hotels.
Please see the item on this immediately below.
. . . . .

Big thanks to those who have volunteered to plan various items. Even
though we have less time to plan this year, it appears that we are ahead
of the power curve and doing nicely on the programming part of our
planning cycle.
. . . . .

Again, the schedule has been updated. Please check it over, as there
have been many additions and tweaks over the past week or so.

For those of you who are planning or anticipating activities, please
select timeslots, even if tentative, as things are happening quickly.
. . . . . . . . . .

There have been no objections received on the motion to declare the age
of 21 as the minimum to participate in Diva Las Vegas. We can consider
this motion to have carried by consensus and acclamation.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hotels for DLV 2014:

It's now the time in the planning cycle to announce our suggested hotels
for Diva Las Vegas 2014.

First, an introduction to the hotel suggestions for those who are new to
the DLV volunteer scene and a review for those who are not new.

Our event has never been centered around a hotel. Proposals to name a
single exclusive or non-exclusive hotel for our event have always been
voted down over the years.

Some of our attendees, however, do have a need for some guidance in
selecting a hotel. To meet this need we name a few hotels with those
with the following needs, among others, in mind:

1. For those who are unfamiliar with Las Vegas and do not know where
to stay.

2. For attendees who want to know which hotels are known to be
TG-Friendly (or at least TG-oblivious) and have a good track record
with DLV attendees.

3, For any attendees who, for any of several reasons, wish to be in the
proximity of other DLV attendees. This may be for convenient sharing of
rides, for camaradarie and companionship, or various other reasons.

In recent years the importance of carefully selecting these hotels and
encouraging certain attendees to use them has come to light. We want to
avoid having attendees without transportation being left out by staying
miles away from the others. Also, we want to help out those who find the
process of selecting a hotel to be confusing and overwhelming. (This was
also cited as a need at this year's Pinkfest.)

We want to avoid the "one size fits all" hotel suggestion. Our people
have different needs, wants, and pocketbooks.

In the past few years we've zeroed in on a strategy which does meet the
needs of the vast majority of those in need of hotel suggestions. This
names three specific hotels with the following criteria:

1. One hotel which is reasonably-priced but is known to be clean,
comfortable, and LGBT-friendly.

2. One off-Strip low-rise hotel, again, known to be clean, comfortable,
and LGBT-friendly. This is particularly for those who may be shy of such
things as crowded hotel lobbies and elevators.

3. One more upscale hotel which is known to be LGBT-friendly.

Ideally, these hotels will be in reasonable proximity to each other.
"Walking distance assuming you like to walk." :)

We (the PM team) would like to present the following slate of hotels to
you, for an up or down vote on the slate as a whole, as our suggested
hotels for Diva Las Vegas 2014:

1. Harrah's, as our reasonably-priced option.

2. Tuscany, as our low-rise off-Strip option.

3. Paris, as our more-upscale option.

Please consider this to be a motion raised by (Annie, JoAnn, Beverly,
choose one) and seconded by another (choose another). :)

You may notice that this slate is exactly the same as last year's. "If
it ain't broke, don't fix it!" :)

As always, we will cite the "Casino Hotels" and "Non-gaming Hotels"
sections of our our Big List on the web to be secondary suggestions for
those who do not care for any of the above and do not have a need to
stay within easy reach of the others.

So? Why not the Imperial Palace/Quad?

It's still in a state of flux, construction and remodeling are expected
to still be going on during the DLV 2014 dates. In checking rates,
Harrah's is actually slightly cheaper for the DLV dates.

So? Why not a downtown hotel as an option?

Yes, downtown is becoming increasingly popular with our people. We
suggest the following for those who wish to promote downtown as a place
to stay for DLV:

Stay downtown. Announce your intent on our Discussion Forum. Select a
hotel and promote it on the Discussion Forum as well. Place it on our
Big List if it is not already. (As of this writing, only one downtown
hotel is on the Big List.) Most importantly, state that you will be
willing to share rides with others staying with you. If and when we
get a critical mass of our people staying downtown, then we can add
a downtown hotel to our list of suggestions.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EHM Fantasy Ball:

This item was included in a response to the Welcome Celebration,
extracted here for this "everything else" mailing.

Marisa writes:

Sherry and I would like Thursday for the EHM Fantasy ball.
. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks, Marisa. It's on the schedule. Please adjust the start time
as needed.

We'll use the term "EHM Fantasy Ball" for this activity unless we are
instructed otherwise.

This leaves Tuesday as our traditional multi-track Eating Out Night and
Mainstream-Alternative Night. Items which have already been tentatively
planned for that night have been placed on the schedule Tuesday evening.
Additional dining options and after-dinner options of all types are
welcome in the Tuesday evening timeslots.

In addition, there will be a proposal for a First Night Sunday strategy
coming out shortly after (if?) :) things quiet down a bit.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winery dinner:

Gina writes:

I'd happy to help host the winery dinner, I don't have any need to be the
head hostess.
. . . . . . . . . .

Well Gina, the question may very well be, will you be the head hostess
if nobody else volunteers? :) Edy does have "first refusal rights" but
has not spoken.

Edy? Got yer ears on? :)

And, Gina? Any news about Charles?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Golf suggestion:

Mindy writes:

Re the golf. Check with Wildhorse in Henderson. I used to play there a
lot. Nice course and I believe they have decent rates for groups.

https://golfwildhorse.com/outings/golf-outings/corporate-a-non-profit-outings.html
. . . . . . . . . .

Beverly responds:

Let's put golf on the schedule for Tuesday morning at 9:00. I haven't
heard for sure from Danielle but that is the time slot we are shooting
for.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fine dining and shows:

Delaney writes:

I can do a night or two of moderately upscale dining, depending on
the needs of the schedule.

I haven't started to look at booking venues and their requirements yet,
but my first choice will be to try to get Alize this year, and if that
doesnb't work out, a place such as Andre's, Nove Italiano, Pamplemousse
or Eiffel Tower restaurants (do we see a pattern: four out of five are
French :-)).

I was thinking Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings, but I'm flexible.

Also, if we feel there will be adequate interest (and it is needed on
the schedule), I can look at some options wrt a later evening (9:30)
show. Jersey Boys, Cirque, or the like - right now, I'm not seeing a lot
on the April schedule that impresses me, but it's early. My first
choice(s) would be either Celine or Shania at the Colosseum, but based
on the rotation, it does not appear either will be there during Diva.
Thanks,
. . . . . . . . . .

Merci, Mlle. Delaney.

Tuesday looks to be our "Eating Out Night" so any of the above would be
fine. Pamplemousse turned out exceptinally well last year, but please
select whatever you want this year.

As for shows, Beverly has tentatively placed the Frank Marino Show on
the slate for Tuesday, but there is definitely room for another one on
that evening, particularly a higher-end Cirque or headliner type of
show. A show could work on various other evenings as well.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PF Chang and Makeovers:

Sara writes:

In response to Annie's questions about PF Chang's, the dinner is
certainly portable to other weekdays. I was mostly making reference to
it being nicely attached to EHM as it has for the last three years. But
there are other concerns as well in moving PFC from Wednesday. Tuesday
night has been an evening for a lot of smaller choices. This included
the upscale option which I would not put PF's up against (since I plan
on attending the upscale dinner again this year). Thursday night had its
own track of long-standing fav's (Trevi comes to mind) which again, I
have had little interest in conflicting with that one. I get the
scheduling issue with the venue but it seems the least disruptive to
slot NSD in the previous Limo Tour spot. All that said, I'm inclined to
put PFC down for Wednesday and I'll let the chips fall where they may.

Comment on makeovers, Friday late-afternoon in advance of the Ending
Celebration is when we have been doing the Macy's Makeover Experience
and I would like to keep this on the schedule as well.
. . . . . . . . . .

It's your call, and we won't schedule PF Changs until you say so.

Marisa and Sherry have tentatively selected Thursday for the big EHM
Fantasy Ball, and PF Changs would pair nicely with that, but again,
this is your call. Please let us know.

We have the Macy's Makeovers on the schedule for Friday. Same times
as last year. Please let us know if there are any adjustments to be
made.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Katie's Koffee Korner:

Kandi writes:

(Quad - Betty's Cyber Cafe) - ms

I have this comment from my Oct. trip report about my experience at the
QUAD, Betty's cafe. I went back to my hotel room, gabbed turkey wrap
($8) from the QUAD hotel lobby shop, Betty's. It had a soggy taste &
poor quality. I stayed in that night.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

I'm sure Katie and Bev are taking notes.

Did you take the item back and call the attention of the staff? Most
places will want to make things right.

I've had the various offerings, mostly baked goods, from Betty's over
the years and never had anything like this. I'm sure this is a one-off.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working schedule:

Diva Las Vegas 2014 schedule
Tentative and subject to change
All times Pacific Daylight Time

Sunday, March 30:
    10:00am: Religious services (Metropolitan Community Church) - sv
     1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
    10:00pm: Dancing at Paris (Paris - Cabaret Lounge) - ms
 
Monday, March 31:
     7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Quad - Betty's Cyber Cafe) - ms
    11:00am: Studio Lites Open House (Studio Lites) - sv
     1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
     5:00pm: New attendee Welcome and Orientation (tba) - mv
     6:00pm: Happy Hour (tba) - mv
     7:00pm: Dinner (tba) - mv
     8:00pm: Welcome Celebration (tba) - mv
    10:00pm: Dancing at Paris (Paris - Cabaret Lounge) - ms
 
Tuesday, April 1:
     7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Quad - Betty's Cyber Cafe) - ms
     9:00am: Diva Las Vegas Invitational Golf (TBA) - ms
     1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
     6:00pm: Happy Hour options (various)
     6:00pm: Hofbrau Happy Hour (Hofbrauhaus) - ms
     6:00pm: Ruths Chris Happy Hour (Ruths Chris - Harrahs) - ms
     7:00pm: Eating Out Night (various)
     7:00pm: Ruths Chris option (Ruths Chris - Harrahs) - ms
     7:00pm: Hofbrau option (Hofbrauhaus) - ms
     9:00pm: Mainstream-Alternative Night (various)
     9:30pm: Frank Marino Show (The Quad) - ms
    10:00pm: Dancing at Paris (Paris - Cabaret Lounge) - ms
 
Wednesday, April 2:
     7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Quad - Betty's Cyber Cafe) - ms
     9:00am: Pistol and Rifle Shooting (TBA) - ms
     1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
     6:00pm: Dinner (Pahrump Valley Winery) - ms
     7:30pm: Night of the Soiled Doves (Private facility) - mv
    10:00pm: Dancing at Paris (Paris - Cabaret Lounge) - ms
 
Thursday, April 3:
     7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Quad - Betty's Cyber Cafe) - ms
     1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
     7:30pm: EHM Fantasy Ball (Erotic Heritage Museum) - mv
    10:00pm: Dancing at Paris (Paris - Cabaret Lounge) - ms
 
Friday, April 4:
     7:30am: Katie's Koffee Korner (Quad - Betty's Cyber Cafe) - ms
     1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (tba) - ms
     3:00pm: Macy's Makeovers, session 1 (Macy's FSM) - ms
     3:45pm: Macy's Makeovers, session 2 (Macy's FSM) - ms
     4:30pm: Macy's Makeovers, session 3 (Macy's FSM) - ms
     5:15pm: Are you paying attention (Free drink if you are)
     5:30pm: Reply if you want it (First one gets it)
     6:00pm: Happy Hour (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     7:00pm: Dinner (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     8:00pm: Farewell Get-Together (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     8:30pm: Official group photo (Bahama Breeze) - mv
    10:00pm: Dancing at Paris (Paris - Cabaret Lounge) - ms
    11:59pm: Late Night Clubbing (Club Surrender - Wynn) - ms
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2014 organizational list.

One address for all items regarding this list, additions, removals,
changes, submissions, questions, etc.:

dlvorg_at_geekbabe.com <--- NOTE: all lower case

Diva Las Vegas 2014
Sunday, March 30 - Friday, April 4
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Archives of this list appear on the web at:

http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/org14arc/

To unsubscribe: Simply reply to this message with the word UNSUBSCRIBE
in either the Subject: field or the first line of an OTHERWISE BLANK
message body. The word "unsubscribe" (case is insignificant) should be
the only item in the subject field or the first line of the message,
justified to the left.

To send material to this list: Send submission as regular e-mail to
the address: dlvorg_at_geekbabe.com
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Received on Thu Nov 14 2013 - 07:27:56 CST