[dlvorg] Final ending evening comments ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Closing Evening
Carmine's price concern
Carmine's Vs. BB
Italian food
Carmine's and point of order
Carmine's pricing
Carmine's pricing
Administrivia
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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.
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Closing Evening:

This mailing consists of only the comments regarding the selection of
the ending venue. Other items will be covered in a general ORG mailing
shortly after the first of the year.

Thanks to all who have commented. The floor is now closed for discussion
on the ending venue. Those of voting status can expect a special ballot
mailing within the next few days. If you are of voting status and do not
receive this by Thursday evening at the latest, please let us know.

Our timeframe for a decision on this has always been the middle of
January, and a vote in early January puts us right on target.
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Carmine's price concern:

Bob writes:

Just looking at the online menu, I see that the prices are "high-end".
Maybe those who want Carmine's can afford, at least double the prices of
BB, but I can't and I'm sure that most of our group won't be able to
afford it after spending all week long.

Not one food item under $14.00, including deserts (not incl. beverages).

http://www.bing.com/search?q=carminesnyc.com&qs=n&form=QBLH&pq=carminesnyc.com&sc=3-15&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=944b6f6a14474e3297217f43b540598e#>

On the other hand, it is supposed to be the best Italian restaurant on
the East coast. Their reputation precedes them. I just think that the
prices will be a turn off and the ambiance won't make any difference. It
might even be somewhat uncomfortable to some of us who don't like to
valet or walk to far to the destination.

BB is tried and true. Less expensive, sociable, friendly staff, brightly
lit room instills comfort and happy thoughts.
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Carmine's Vs. BB:

Katie writes:

Hi Gang.

I think we may need a head count here so with this in mind I for one can
personally say that if we have the B/Breeze for a kick off event (which
I support wholeheartedly) and also for the end of week gathering too
then I would likely take a night off on Friday evening and go somewhere
else.

I fail to see why we are going into panic mode at this point when we
still have 3 and 1/2 months before D L V 2014 arrives.

We have made a few mistakes over the years had to and repeat things that
did not work well the year before due to a lack of fresh ideas but
always recovered the next year with new and improved ones from both old
and new attendees so lets start mild panicing at the end of January and
not do it now.

Vote 1... I like the idea of BB for Monday and Carmines for Friday.
There is nothing wrong with BB at both ends of the week but it would be
so much better to have a different surroundings for the closer and I
would be disappointed if people went home with a bad reports of a great
event when a wide variety of classy options would have sent them home
riding on cloud 9.

Before we started going to Bahama Breeze it was a New Idea from one of
our Org members and likely some objected to it when it was brought up
and look how successful it has been, so let's try something new and keep
the excitement flowing..Cami has taken the time to investigate the place
and recommends it highly... I respect her judgement!

I realize that it might be a bit nervy for a newer lady but quite a lot
of us will be staying at either Harrah's or The Quad so there would be
no need for a new girl to walk over there alone. I volunteer to help
anyone who is still a bit shy come Friday evening to walk with her to
Caesars from Harrah's. (As long as she dresses appropriately of course)
and is time conscious.
 
Variety is the spice of life as they say and we will never know unless
we try something different so let's work with this idea and hopefully
it is a huge success which will be repeated for years to come!

Katie.
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Italian food:

Susan writes:

I know that you lovers of Italian food are going to find this hard to
believe, but there are many of us who don't. Personally cheese and
garlic makes me physically sick. Even the smell of garlic that
overwhelms some Italian restaurants, will keep me away. No I don't
drink blood. Also there are many people who don't eat pasta.

As far as referring to the survey goes, one can justify either opinion.
If memory serves, and at my age it doesn't always, the response to one
of the questions suggested that most people have no objection to using a
venue more that once.
 
Bahama Breeze has been very successful for many years now as the closing
venue. Why would we mess with success and use BB for the opener and not
the closer?. I'm not in favor of risking the sure thing just to try for
a better opener. I support Bahama Breeze for both venues. I could
support using Carmine's for the opener,but would not attend. The way it
is now I'm concerned that we could end up with a weak opener and a weak
closer.
 
Thanks Cami for all that you have done on behalf of DLV with the
Carmine's staff.
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Carmine's and point of order:

Jill writes:

I am not agains Carmine's but still have questions about that venue. It
sound like it meets our needs for socialization. But I have questions
about the dinning style and menu. First, for health reasons I cannot eat
heavy starches. I am limited there. Normally even at the BB I eat a
sandwich or salad. However, They do not show any on their menu on the
home page. Second, I am not a fan of family style dinning. I do not mind
sharing, but it gives me less control over what I eat. So, do we have to
eat or can we just get drinks and socialize, etc.
 
Annie, in your comments you said Carmines met all our criteria. However
wasn't expense one of the issues brought up in the survey.
 
Also as a point of order. The motion and second were to use the BB as
both an opening and closing venue. Voting for one or the other, DD or
Carmine's would not be an option under that motions. It seems if we want
that we need to do some work, either by substitue motion or having the
first motion and second withdrawn.
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Annie responds:

We will be voting on the motion as presented and clarified, for or
against.

We are in essence down to two choices for the ending evening. Options
such as Circus Circus, that Asian buffet, and PF Chang did not get any
traction. Buca di Beppo and Firefly were judged as unworkable.

The effect of the up or down vote will be a decision between Bahama
Breeze and Carmine's, since the trigger is ready to be pulled on
Carmine's should the motion to use Bahama Breeze twice fail.

The ballot will be clarified to indicate the effect, but it will be a
straight up or down vote on the motion to use BB twice.
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Carmine's pricing:

Annie writes:

There seems to be some confusion regarding the pricing of the menu
items at Carmine's.

This applies to Carmine's as well as to Buca di Beppo and similar
"family style" Italian joints. The experience is intended to be
reminiscent of the Italian Sunday Dinner with a lot of food, yes a
lot of libation, and good company..

The pricing is somewhat deceptive. A table will typically order two or
so main dishes, an appetizer, a salad, a few sides, a dessert or two,
all shared among those at the table (and occasionally at adjoining
tables).

The menu items are not intended for a single person. The portion size
would be absurdly large for one person, outrageously large for two, and
very large for three.

The cost per person will be more in line with typical restaurant prices
per person.

Carmine's will be giving us the option of the full menu or the prix fixe
specials, so there will be plenty of choices and options.
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Carmine's pricing:

JoAnn writes:

To All--

The "fine print"about the online menu for Carmines. The referenced web
site for menu pricing below is for New York City, not Las Vegas.

In other words, lets go to the source --Las Vegas-- for the prices and
then compare it to other Vegas restaurants of similar menu and quality.
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Received on Tue Dec 31 2013 - 09:00:29 CST