[dlvorg] On the fast track - Please respond if your name is called ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Things are falling into place
The clock is ticking
Laundry List
Lunch with
Golf and Topgolf
Various topics
Check-in discussion
Schedule clarity
Various activities
Working schedule
Administrivia
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Org List:

This is the DLV 2017 Organizational Mailing List (dlvorg_at_divalas.vegas)
Replies to this message will be forwarded to the DLVORG list and not
the DLV-Announce or DLV-Discuss list.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Things are falling into place:

First and foremost this week, if your "name is called" in this mailing,
please respond as is appropriate. We are in catch-up mode at this time
and anything that anyone can do to help us move along is appreciated.

Thanks go out to all who have agreed to coordinate various activities!
We are still a bit behind the power curve but most definitely catching
up.

All: Please look over the working schedule (below) carefully, as many
additions and changes have been made over the last week. In particular,
please be sure that things that you are directly involved with are
properly listed.

This mailing has everything received prior to Monday morning. If you
sent in something and do not see at least a reference to it, please
rattle some cages. :)

Validated headcount as of this writing is 81. This is still below what
we had at this time last year, due to the lateness of the returnee
sign-up roll-out, but is rapidly catching up.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The clock is ticking:

We have just 10 full weeks until our event.

One of our first priorities needs to be locking down the evening for the
second major gathering. Cami (see below) is proposing Friday. Comments
on this are needed.

We want to get activity sign-up rolled out shortly after the first of
March, about 7 weeks from now. All activities which need some kind of a
headcount or sign-up need to be solid as of that time as far as time,
place, cost, etc.

The rest of this mailing deals mainly with recurring or repeated
activities. However, we do have a need for new and different activities
of all types, including but not limited to:

Dining activities: We'll have two evenings where we need to have smaller
dining activities. Three smaller ones are already planned but not placed
on the schedule yet (Ruth's Chris, Hofbrau or similar, Ricardo's or
similar). Several more are needed. We'll also have two evenings where a
mid-size dining activity can be paired with a featured "anchor"
activity. Trevi is planned but not yet scheduled and there's room for
one more.

Social activities: These can be "wet" or "dry" and can happen about any
time, daytime or evening. One is already on the schedule and a second
has been spoken of. There's room for several others.

Shows: Large or small, inexpensive or high-end. Shows have been known to
work well either as mid-size anchor activities, stand-alone or paired
with a dining activity, and as smaller group things on our multi-track
evenings. One higher-end show is in the works.

Touristy and outdoorsy stuff: One item is being planned but there's
always room for more.

Almost anything else is welcome, particularly things that have never
been done at DLV or at any other TG event.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laundry List:

For those new to the volunteer scene, the dreaded Laundry List (known
sometimes as the "nag list") is a recurring "feature" of these mailings
as we count down the weeks and days to our event. Items listed are those
which are in need of some kind of attention or response.

If your name is called, please don't keep us hanging! :)
. . . . . . . . .

First, some recurring activities which need a host(ess). All of these
are very easy and great for new volunteers to get the hang of
coordinating activites (plus voting status).

Katie's Koffee Korner needs hosts or hostesses for Sunday, Monday and
Friday if it is to happen those days. The only qualification is to be
awake at the hour. :) It can be renamed to {YOUR} Koffee Korner if you
like.

Lunch With(out) Ginger needs hosts or hostesses for Sunday and Tuesday.
Again, this can be renamed Lunch With {YOU} if you like.

Three sessions of Late Night Dancing will need a host(ess). Three nights
are spoken for but the exact evenings are not in stone. All evenings can
be said to be available.
. . . . . . . . . .

Next is a list, in no particular order, of various activities where last
year's Coordinators have first refusal rights to repeat a similar
activity this year and have not yet indicated their intention to do so
or not to do so. Obvious one-shot activities and smaller dining and
social activities are not listed here.

Marisa: You previously stated that you would be willing to host(ess) the
second large gathering. Are you still up for this? Cami has volunteered
to take it (see below) or perhaps you two can work together? Please let
us know and see the item below.

U-Drive Exotic Car Racing: Zoe? (Cami? Stacy?) Will this or something
similar be repeated this year?

Erotic Heritage Museum: Marisa? (Linda? Sherry?) Are there any plans or
desires for any kind of EHM-centered activity this year?

Dance Lesson: Dionne? Any plans for any kind of dance instruction items
this year?
 
Creative Wigs activities: Cami? Will this be happening again this year?
This has been drawing decent-sized crowds for daytime activities, so we
should try to nail down at least the day and approximate time so other
activities can be worked around this.

Flamboyance Drag Show: Vera? Any plan for something similar this year?
 
Mainstream Clubbing: Valorie? Any plans for similar clubbing activities
this year?

Karaoke: Linda? Any plans or desire for Karaoke this year?
. . . . . . . . . .

Next are recurring activities which are "up for adoption" as the
previous Coordinators will not be sponsoring them this year. As of this
writing these are:

Nordstrom's Makeovers
PF Chang dinner
English High Tea
Just You Open House

The staff at all of these knows our group well, so if anyone wants to
take these over, there's no awkward cold calling and such.
. . . . . . . . . .

To all volunteers who have not yet committed to doing one or more
activities, please be thinking of what you would like to do! :)
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Lunch with:

Aejaie writes:

I'm happy to host a "lunch with" on Monday and Wednesday. I will send
two restaurants in the next couple of weeks.

Tuesday's event at Kona Grill could be a "lunch with", but I would leave
the decision up to Dionne, as she is the hostess.
. . . . .

Dionne writes:

> Dionne? Aejaie? Is this intended to be our daily lunch, or will this
> be in addition to the usual "Lunch With" activity?

The 1 pm lunch starting time was intended to not interfere with LwG noon
time event. Our lunch can be moved forward, if necessary since I have
reserved the room for 12 - 3pm.

There's a headcount limit of 28, max 32. Last year the headcount was 28.
. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks, ladies.

We'll include the daily Lunch With on Tuesday as well.

All: As of now, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are spoken for as
far as Lunch With. Thanks to those who volunteered! This leaves Sunday
and Tuesday where we need lunch volunteers.
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Golf and Topgolf:

Dionne writes:

If TopGolf is in the evening, does it replace the outdoor golf which had
lower attendance last year?

If LurL lunch replaces the LwG, does it make sense to have golf that
day?
. . . . .

Cami writes:

Golf tournament-

I really don't have an interest in running the normal Tuesday golf
outing. I will reach out to Jamie Norman again to see if she will
organize it. I'll keep you posted. If no one does it, I will arrange
some tee times on Tuesday for those interested to play.

Top Golf-

I don't believe it will work as a group outing with minimums, so I will
plan an afternoon outing ala carte. I am thinking Wednesday at 3 PM. We
might have to wait awhile, but so be it. I could move that if needed to
Thursday or even Friday if needed.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

Thanks ladies.

We'll pencil in Golf on Tuesday.

I really do not see LurL (new DLV acronym?) :) and Golf as being in
competition, as they are quite different and neither of them has the
ability to exhaust, or significantly impact, the pool of potential
participants for the other. If there is a need to reschedule either
of these, please do so sooner rather than later in the process.
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Various topics:

Aleta writes:

> When we've done our first evening downtown, we've sometimes had a
> more "safe" option as well, for those not ready for the wide-open
> downtown scene.

Downtown is fine with me.

Annie responds:

All: Any objection to designating downtown at the Sunday afternoon and
evening meta-venue?
. . . . . . . . . .

Aleta continues:

> Flamingo Buffet has been used as a place-holder location, so the
> actual venue will be the choice of the host or hostess.

I am looking forward to lunch. I feel it important to emphasize the
buffet/quick serve format as opposed to table service format, lunch is very
popular in Las Vegas, it is important to consider space and seating
availability with groups at peak lunch hour, as well as separate checks going
forward.

> Thanks, Dionne. It's on the schedule. (And I'm sure they will thank
> you for negotiating separate checks.) :)

I liked the format of the lunch last time around, it was a very nicely done
event, but could they get a bigger room. I can understand needing a room for
this kind of event. I did find the glassed in space to be kind of cramped and
claustrophobic, how much flexibility do we have here.

> I think that everyone is in agreement that it will be a Good Thing{tm}
> to encourage our attendees to use (and share rides with) Uber and/or
> Lyft. Any downsides, please speak now or forever hold it.
>
> For those who already use Uber/Lyft, and are confident doing so in their
> chosen mode, that's just peachy. Done deal!

I do it around 3-5 times per week.

> I have a few real-world Big Burning Questions about this.

> First, how many of our people (who do not use Uber/Lyft) will do the
> hoop-jumping to join?

I don't know, one needs to have the appropriate mobile device to use the
apps.

> Will there be any shyness issues? I've been told that Uber no longer
> shows the driver the first name nor the phone number of the passenger.
> Lyft supposedly gives the driver the first name and last initial.

The driver does have the first name of the requesting passenger, I have
been contacted by phone or text. I understand they do it though the
application, just as I contact a driver through the app. I don't have
the driver's actual phone number and I'm of the understanding they don't
have mine. Yes they ask for me by name. They have to know the name of
the passenger in order to pick up the correct person. There is nothing
to be shy about here. I am still learning about these matters even
though I've probably some over two hundred rides by now. I'll stand
corrected if I'm wrong and thank you.

Yet I can understand a concern if one's name on the profile might differ
from the person's presentation.

Maybe this will help.

https://help.uber.com/h/bde0e5d6-5b92-4018-b803-ab192106d4f1

https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/articles/214216247-How-to-Edit-Your-Profile

> Would it be worth our effort to try to do some kind of "Uber Car Pool"
> type of thing between Flamingo and Bahama Breeze on Monday evening?

It's nice when people can get together on something, Uber/Lyft cars hold
up to four passengers, though four can get crowded with three in the
back seat. I think Uber XL/Lyft SUV options seat six. It is important to
consider how payment is to be shared among the group, especially before
beginning the trip.
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Check-in discussion:

Aleta writes:

> + 3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo)

> The only way we're gonna see if such a thing will work is to try it.
> No, this is not intended to be high-visibility or high-profile in
> any way.

This can work and not be obvious, however sometimes internet access
isn't very good in some of these large buildings. An offline operating
mode should be planned for.

> An in-person check-in establishes that first in-real-life contact
> with the group. IMAO, an in-person check-in is far more important
> to a first year attendee. It can initiate that "sense of belonging"

I agree on that point.

> It also (if possible, and this is highly desirable) gives the
> opportunity to pick up the name tag.

For those who wear name tags, I understand, I'm with you.

> My Big Burning Question is along the line of how many returnees would
> do the actual hoop-jump, as in take the effort to do those few clicks
> with a laptop or smart phone?

I would, not much different from me buying a ticket for the Acela
Express on my phone as opposed to getting in the lines at the stations
for a paper ticket. I did it a few times in the station just before
departure though I generally plan ahead.

> In the past we've discussed the idea of having attendees print their
> own name tags using an image generated on line.

I'm fine with the print option being made available I've seen many print
their Amtrak e-tickets and presenting them at the gates and then being
scanned by the conductors on the train.

> A related question is how many of those who checked in on line would
> take the effort to pick up their name tags at a later time?

I don't know, but I'm fine with my e-ticket version.

Here's a little online guide as to how I did it.

https://www.amtrak.com/eticketing-your-ride-is-just-a-barcode-away
. . . . .

Dionne writes:

Bare Minerals has offered to serve as a check-in place, if requested.

If their offer is acceptable, I need to confirm with them what we need
to have done. Their staff will need to be informed. Please let me know
if this is of interest to the group. Parking is free at Fashion Show
Mall.
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

Thanks, ladies.

I do know that both WIFI (don't know/remember if it's free or not) and
carrier 3/4G service work well in the area we're planning for on-site
check-in. I have used this area semi-frequently in the past.

Yes, a manual check-in sheet is a good back-up to have in case there
is any kind of technology issue.

Although I do not like stomping on "production" systems (and I do
consider our on-line systems to definitely be "in production" between
now and our event) on-line self check-in and the code to display a name
tag image are clear additions and don't involve invasive re-coding of
anything significant. I want to think about this a bit more before doing
it, but I think that both are possible for this year's event.

As far as using Bare Minerals as a check-in location, we've had firms
volunteer in the past to be our de facto "headquarters" but none of them
were convenient for the attendees. Bare Minerals is not as badly located
as the two firms I'm thinking of, but it still requires a long walk or a
ride for almost all of our people.

If you (Dionne or any other volunteers) wish to do check-in at Bare
Minerals, as a secondary check-in site, I see no problem. The one thing
we REALLY need to watch this year is that if a schedule item says "Check
in available", we have to be 100% sure that check-in IS available at the
location and time specified. We've been gigged on this multiple times in
recent years on the survey. Just say so if you want this to happen. You
can do check-in on most any smart phone or laptop/tablet/netbook with
Internet access or, if you want to do things the hard way, using a copy
of the check-in sheet.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule clarity:

> + 11:00am: Bare Minerals Makeovers (Bare Minerals, Fashion
> Show Mall)

This listing appears as only 11 am is available for appts. 11 am - 7 pm
would give a better idea of the available hours.
. . . . . . . . . .

Let's discuss how to handle this.

Yes, the versions of the schedule utility that produce the textual
summary versions list only the start time and not the duration. They are
all generated from the database and the times are not free-form. An
ending time is not stored in the database currently.

The tabular schedule (http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/maincal.html) DOES
have the ability to show a long duration activity on the main screen but
it's UGLY when it does so. Trying it with Golf a few years back resulted
in a display that was all but unusable. Golf dominated the display and
everything else was small and scrunched up around it.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that all complete versions of the schedule will have
the duration (a free-form field) and any notes on the activity.

This includes the "drill down" activity details from the tabular
schedule (try it, link above) and all versions of the complete schedule
such as the "ugly printed" one and the custom schedule when the duration
and/or the notes are selected.

Currently the duration shows "All day until 7:00pm" and the notes show
"Phone 702-369-1556 for appointment. They know all about our group and
are very TG-friendly."

That's probably what we're stuck with, at least for this year. I might
suggest emphasizing the time availability in an Activity Highlight and
in any other items about the BM makeovers. We can also add a line to the
Late Notices section of the Final Attendee Information.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Various activities:

Cami writes:

Late night dancing-

I saw a great rock cover band during Thanksgiving so I am going to find
out what night they are playing at Bally's and announce that for one
night instead of Paris.
. . . . .

Red Rocks-

I went up there last trip and I am thinking of organizing an afternoon
trip/hike up there. Can be Thursday or Friday if Top Golf stays on
Wednesday.
. . . . .

Carnegie Deli at The Mirage for lunch-

Again we can move around but perhaps Friday.
. . . . .

Show and Dinner-

Once again, I will organize a higher end dinner followed by a show or
vice versa, perhaps Donnie and Marie if they are playing. I can do this
on Wednesday or Thursday night. I will do some research and advise.
. . . . .

Farewell Dinner-

I don't mind running this if Marisa doesn't want to but she should see
if the place is available asap. It should be Friday night IMHO.
. . . . .

As for LYFT and UBER. This isn't rocket science and very easy to use. I
do it all the time in LV. Have people download the app and it works.

UBER still has the persons name and phone # and often calls you.

I just retired so I have some time to work on things easily, (when I am
not skiing).
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

Thanks again for all you've done and will do, Cami.

Just let us know which night(s) you want to do Dancing At Bally's and
we'll get it on the schedule.

Same with Red Rock. Most daytime timeslots are open now.

We have you penciled in for Lunch With Cami at the Carnegie Deli, where
a slice of cheesecake serves six, on Friday. :)

Also, assuming we do the Farewell things on Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday would be good for a dinner/show pairing.

We have a call-out to Marisa WRT the Farewell evening. She officially
has first dibs but you can arm-wrestle her for the privilege or else
work together if you both agree. :)

Also, I retired last year and my experience is 180 out from what you are
reporting. :) I don't ever know how I found the time to go to work! It
seems like I have less totally free time now, really. :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working schedule:

Diva Las Vegas 2017 schedule
Tentative and subject to change
All times Pacific Daylight Time
PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS AS THE FINAL
AND ACCURATE DIVA LAS VEGAS SCHEDULE.

Sunday, March 26:
    11:00am: Bare Minerals Makeovers (Bare Minerals, Fashion Show Mall) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch Without Ginger (Flamingo Buffet) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Monday, March 27:
    11:00am: Bare Minerals Makeovers (Bare Minerals, Fashion Show Mall) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Aejaie (TBD) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
     5:00pm: New Attendee Welcome and Orientation (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     6:00pm: Happy Hour (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     7:00pm: Welcome Dinner (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     8:30pm: Meet And Greet (Bahama Breeze) - mv
     9:00pm: Official Group Photo (Bahama Breeze) - mv
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Tuesday, March 28:
     8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo - Club Cappucino) - ms
     9:00am: Diva Las Vegas Invitational Golf (Wildhorse Golf Club) - ms
    10:30am: TG Tuesday - Social at The Center (The Center) - sv
    11:00am: Bare Minerals Makeovers (Bare Minerals, Fashion Show Mall) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch Without Ginger (Flamingo Buffet) - ms
     1:00pm: Love Ur Look Luncheon (Kona Grill Fashion Show Mall) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Wednesday, March 29:
     8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo - Club Cappucino) - ms
    11:00am: Bare Minerals Makeovers (Bare Minerals, Fashion Show Mall) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Aejaie (TBD) - ms
     3:00pm: Topgolf (Topgolf) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Thursday, March 30:
     8:00am: Katie's Kozy Koffee Korner (Flamingo - Club Cappucino) - ms
     9:00am: Pistol and rifle shooting (Discount Firearms) - ms
    11:00am: Bare Minerals Makeovers (Bare Minerals, Fashion Show Mall) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch Without Ginger (Flamingo Buffet) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
 
Friday, March 31:
    11:00am: Bare Minerals Makeovers (Bare Minerals, Fashion Show Mall) - ms
     12:00n: Lunch With Cami (Carnegie Deli - Mirage) - ms
     3:00pm: On-site DLV Check-in (Flamingo) - ms
     6:00pm: Farewell Happy Hour (TENTATIVE) - ms
     7:00pm: Farewell Dinner (TENTATIVE) - ms
     8:30pm: Farewell Social (TENTATIVE) - ms
    10:30pm: Late Night Dancing (Paris - Le Cabaret) - ms
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2017 organizational list.

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

dlvorg_at_divalas.vegas <--- NOTE: New address, all lower case

Diva Las Vegas 2017
March 26 - 31, 2017
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Received on Wed Jan 11 2017 - 05:30:03 CST