I thought I'd start a whole new thread instead of the discussion continuing where it currently resides...

We need to start planning this as we're really only a couple of months away. At this point we're pretty wide open in terms of where and when. We could go back where we had it last year or we could go somewhere else. Where it was is certainly simple since Ian can look after booking it and there aren't a bunch of hoops to jump through. I'm going to make a couple of suggestions.

1. We get it catered. I suggested this last year too and was voted off the island. I'm suggesting it again. We've got a great Brazillian BBQ place next door to our office that caters. It's either $20 or $25 per plate for a feast and the food is outstanding. Ian has some other suggestions too...

2. Everyone pays up front. If we get 30 people planning to be there, it works out to less than $10 per person for the hall and then whatever the per-plate catering cost is. Collecting finds up front will get more of a commitment from people. The "I'll be there if I don't have anything better to do" line doesn't work...sorry...

Other suggestions are welcome although we need to decide on something fairly quickly to get things booked...

I'm in

I will also check out some facilities and catering options

You can always count on Deirdre and I to come up for any social events. I like the catering idea and the Brazilian thing - I've never had food from Brazil before (does beer count, I've had Brazilian beer of course)...but I'm game for sure. I also like the idea as no one has to worry about spending the day cooking and it makes it super easy for us out of towners.

True that...now that I'm a quasi-out-of-towner...

The venue we had last year was actually a good spot - decent space for all of us, no parking worries, etc.

As far as the collection up front goes - I'm all for it! I can see about other catering options if anyone wants...(we have a whole BOOK up at the front of the office lol)

I'll mark this thread so I get email notifications, I will help with this as best I can

Now as far as dates go, isn't December usually pretty hectic? and November is already upon us...should we do this in January to give us a bit more time to arrange, and get issues ironed out, or see how everyone is in December?

What, you can set threads up to send you e-mail notifications...what sort of magic is this?

January works as well...it should be pretty clear I will come up and hang out with the Volvo gang whenever. I've also promised to do a welding clinic at some point and would like to see Roj's collection of vintage iron...maybe we could combine these events. I could do an hour or so on the mystery of welding sheet metal, dent repair and sheet metal work (make your own metal bird house just like the wood ones at the Home Depot classes).

Thoughts?

This is sounding like a plan, and I agree that January is a good time.

Yep, on the bottom left of the page, under the Reply and New Topic buttons.

yep How else do you think I know when to randomly reappear?

January works, gets everything settled after the christmas rush, and let's do it on a saturday or sunday to make it easier on the non-calgarians

hmm, the welding clinic idea - where would we hold this? Methinks (god knows I could be wrong though) wherever we rent space from might not be too happy to have welding going on...would this be best to commandeer somebody's garage or something? (yeah, knower of anything welding I am not...so shh!)

If it's in January I'm pretty sure the wife and I will make it (And Brook too, she will be 4 months so I dont think she will eat much)

As for the welding clinic, im all in!!

I checked at our local coffee shop & catering company "Friends". great little place and really good food. (Dale has been there for some wine tastings). Anyway they rent out their restaurant after hours (7:00pm I think) a quaint little place that will seat 30 comfortably. Rent for the space is $45 hr. Then the food is what we want, but an example is full lasagna meal with salad, garlic toast & desert squares all for $12 person.

So this is another option

I think that's a great choice Ian. Lots of couches and padded chairs. The price seems reasonable enough. Even if we have it for 5 hours it's only $220 plus meal. If only 20 people come that's still just over $20 per person. I say we decide on a day and book it...

Won't they be a bit dry?

Ah yes, special silica recipe, but with the right beverage the sand particles slide right down

Speaking of beverages I will have to check on the rules and requirements in their place.

Margie did say they were booking up fast for the rest of the year, I told her it would probably be in January and she said no problem then.

Giddy Up.

sounds like a great idea Ian!