This year's spring meeting is April 24 - 26. You are more than welcome to attend the whole weekend and I'm sure you'll find the room and board rates to be very reasonable. Cost of the room with tax is $39.24. Cost of the room rental is an additional $225. I suggest we pro-rate the room cost among the board members who are present. We can decide on that in Chicago, I would say. Friday night is just for arrival. We generally walk to a local restaurant to share conversation and meal. Bill Kinney will be arranging a restaurant for our Saturday evening meal.
The Board meeting will be all day on Saturday. If you live locally, try to attend all or some. Saturday evening is a banquet at the Chicago Curry House. It is located at 899 South Plymouth Court. We always enjoy the cultural eating experience and sharing with as many as can attend. Sunday morning is a wrap up meeting and we break up by noon.The focus of this meeting will be to plan the coming year's Seed Grant program.
The Lisle Board will be meeting at the International Hostel in downtown Chicago. See [www.hichicago.com] for further details. If you are attending please let Mark know if you want accommodations at the hostel. About the hostel, the website says:
Located in the center of downtown Chicago and in the heart of Chicago's thriving education district. HI-Chicago is very close to Lake Michigan and within walking distance of Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. Our neighborhood is safe, fun and easy to get to from anywhere in Chicago. Activities from the hostel include free walking tours and excursions throughout the city. You will also receive discounts to many of Chicago's best attractions, including Chicago Architecture Foundation, Bobby's Bike Hike, Sears Tower and Hancock Observatory. The hostel has capacity for 500 guests and facilities include internet access, laundry and friendly staff to help you explore Chicago! We are open to serve you 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The addess is: 24 East Congress Parkway Chicago, IL 60605
Bill Kinney, who lives nearby, says: "As to hotels: Close by are the Hotel Blake, Hilton Towers, Essex Inn and Travelodge Chicago and Best Western Grant Park. That is probably a good ranking order of the hotels as well although it may also be price reflective. I think the Blake might be a good option and could actually give a decent rate."
A Special Note is that the Congress Hotel is located closeby. This is a hotel that has been under picket since about 2001 and involved in several labor disputes. This hotel has been sued for unfair labor practices, collective bargaining agreement violations and unpaid pension and welfare contributions. President Obama has even vowed to walk the picket lines as president!!to the hostel are at: http://www.hihostels.com/affiliates/hiusa60034.php?country=US&city=a60034&AffiliateID=97060 And are:
Rail: Amtrak/Union Station. Bus #126, $2.00. Board bus on south side of Union Station on Jackson at Canal Street. Bus follows Jackson to Michigan. Get off at Congress and Michigan. Walk one block west to hostel on corner of Congress Pkwy and Wabash.Airport: O'Hare Int'l (ORD): 18 miles from hostel, CTA Blue line train $2.00, exit LaSalle. Walk 3 blocks East on Congress Pkwy. Midway (MDW): 11 miles from hostel, CTA Orange line train $2.00, exit Library. Follow State St south one block, left at Congress Pkwy, one block east to Wabash.
Bus: Greyhound Bus Terminal: Bus # 7, $2.00. Walk north on Jefferson, three blocks to Jackson. Board the bus on the south side of Jackson, heading east. Take the bus to the terminal at Congress Plaza. Walk two blocks west on Congress Parkway to Wabash.Metro: Brown, Purple, Orange line trains: Library (State/Van Buren).Walk 1 blk S on State and 1 blk E on Congress. Red line train: Jackson/State. Walk 1.5 blks S on State to Congress, 1 blk E. Green line train: Adams/Wabash. Walk 3 blks S on Wabash to Congress.
Blue line train: LaSalle. Walk 3 blks E on Congress.Parking: 10m Adjacent to Hostel - additional fee (Bill can assist with suggestions for parking. Probably will be relatively expensive)
