Official SE MI meetup thread

[SharonRB]

Okay, folks, the details are set:

Date: Saturday, August 5

Time: Noon to at least 3:00 p.m.

Location: We've reserved the Central Shelter at Heritage Park (Between 10 and 11 Mile Rd. west of Farmington in Farmington)for three hours at $20 an hour. If people think we need to reserve it for another hour, let us know, but we figure no one will have reserved it after that and we can probably stay. If not, we can just move out of the shelter and stay in the park. The shelter only has four picnic tables, so bring blankets or chairs if you want to. Blue4barb has been kind enough to front the money, so it would be great if people can chip in whatever they can the day of the picnic so she can recoup the cost.

Food/drink: Bring your own everything. We may pick up some chips and snacks, but you're on your own here for the most part. If you want to bring a dish to share, cookies, etc. feel free, but it's not required.

Family and friends are welcome.


SPECIAL GUEST: Nancy Skinner will be attending at least part of the event with the caveat that if something comes up that she absolutely cannot get out of, she may have to cancel. We should plan on expecting her to be there, though.

The parking lot for this part of the park is close to this shelter and this area is pretty separate from the rest of the park. There are two swings in this area, but there is a playground in another area of the park. If you have any other questions about the park itself, please direct them to blue4barb or go to the website at http://www.ci.farmington-hills.mi.us/Community/ParksAndFacilities/Parks.asp#HeritagePark. Note that the shelter described here is not the one we'll be at. The large shelter has been reserved for the next year.

[livvy]

1. Nice work! Sounds good to me. n/t

[SharonRB]

3. Thanks, Roomie

Spread the word...I want a good turnout!

[maddogesq]

2. OUTSTANDING! :) nt

.

[SharonRB]

4. Thanks, maddog

I look forward to meeting you.

[1gobluedem]

5. I hope to be there

So far, the day is wide open.

One question: is alcohol allowed? I didn't see anything on the website but then I didn't look very closely either.

[SharonRB]

6. I wondered the same thing.

We'll have to check into it. Worst-case scenario, bring it if you want and if it's not allowed, you can leave it in your car.

I also look forward to meeting you.

[1gobluedem]

8. And me you!

I'll probably let some of the A2 candidates know about this too.

[SharonRB]

9. Good idea.

I hope the weather is good, because the shelter doesn't hold a lot of people, and I hope we get a good turnout.

[progmom]

11. you''ll have to take pictures for me

Even if I left the station the minute I got off the air, there's no way I could get there before 3pm.

[1gobluedem]

12. Get a sub....

No problem...:D

[SharonRB]

13. Good idea!

[progmom]

15. I'll have a sub the following week

...I'm going to Texas! :o

[SharonRB]

14. I have a feeling it won't be over at 3

We've just reserved the shelter until 3.

[blue4barb]

16. No alcohol allowed per park rules. sorry :-(

But there is an Irish pub nearby in downtown Farmington as TahitiNut mentioned in another thread.

[IdaBriggs]

7. If I'm not in Portland, I'll be there!

Good job organizing everything -- thank you, Sharon! :)

[SharonRB]

10. I hope you can make it, Ida

I'd love for you to meet Nancy in person.

And please thank blue4barb, too. She did the legwork at Heritage Park.

[IdaBriggs]

53. Woo Hoo! I should be back from Portland in time for the meet-up!

We get on a plane on Thursday, and return Wednesday (assuming I don't have a nervous breakdown between now and then -- this has been an incredibly stressful journey!!!).

Looking forward to seeing everyone! And Kicking this thread to remind everyone to come!

:kick:

[SharonRB]

54. I'm glad you'll be there.

I'll be posting an update in another thread in the next few days. Nancy will be there right at the beginning, will have to leave to go to an anti-Wal-Mart rally to speak, and then will come back. I'll be posting the details about the Wal-Mart thing once they know where it's going to be. They've asked her to speak and it starts at 1:00. One of those things that came up and she really has to do, but she won't disappoint us.

I'm hoping that people will stay past 3:00, even though we may have to vacate the shelter at that time. I think the more valuable time with Nancy will be after she comes back from the rally, as she won't be getting ready to rush off.

[Flex]

17. Are other local Democratic groups invited?

Howdy,

I know it's probably not an issue but I thought I'd check. There is a fairly strong local Democratic club in Farmington/Farmington Hills who may be interested in joining the picnic. Should I give them a shout?

Also, there is a Drinking Liberally club in Ann Arbor who may be interested in the event. Again, while there may be some overlap in membership with the Democratic Underground, I can give them a shout as well if you wish.

Or someone else can contact either group. I'm a member of the local club, and have gone to the Drinking Liberally in Ann Arbor a couple of time, but I can't say that I can speak for anyone but myself for this being a great idea.

Cheers,

-Flex

[SharonRB]

18. Absolutely!

Especially with Nancy coming, I'd love to see a big turnout. The Farmington Dem Club would be great, as it's in her district.

Maybe we can do some recruiting for DU, too, and get some more members.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

Great first post.

[maddogesq]

19. As your doggie do...

I forwarded the info to our Farmington club president and several members, and I will remind them of it at our regular club meeting on 7/19. Oh, and I look forward to meeting you too. Worked at Nancy's office on day off last week, and told Andrea and Amy that I knew you from DU.

[SharonRB]

20. Yeah, Amy told me you were there via PM

[Flex]

21. Invitations will be sent!

Great!

I'll be there, and I sent a message to our chair as well.

I'll drop a line to the Drinking Liberally folks tomorrow.

Let's see how many people we can get.

Thanks,

-Flex

P.S. Matt at Michiganliberal tipped me off to this party. He should
get any credit due for promoting this.

[SharonRB]

22. By the way, please note that alcohol is NOT permitted in the park!

[livvy]

23. Here's a basic map to get an idea of location

[blue4barb]

24. Heritage Park info:

The park includes:

Nature Discovery Center (with restrooms) which will be a short walk from our shelter/area
(center is fairly new- very interesting for both kids and adults!)

Lots of nature trails

Pond area (I spotted a couple deer last week)

Playground equipment (couple of swings by our shelter area, but most playstuff is near
the large north shelter)

Central Shelter (our area) has four large picnic tables available

FYI: Check out link above in Sharon's post for a detailed map of park. Also check out livvy's
post for an area map.

This weekend I'll post the park rules/regulations which I think are fairly standard for most
city parks (including No Alcohol)

If you have any specific questions about the park, I'll try to answer them. :-)

[TahitiNut]

25. ... but no Frisbee Golf.

:cry: Well, I'll bring a 175 gram Ultmate Disc for casual muck-about. :shrug:

[blue4barb]

26. Is that a frisbee? (No frisbee skills whatsoever.)

[TahitiNut]

27. Yep. It's good for just playing catch.

The one's for playing disc/frisbee golf are smaller, more edge-weighted, and the throwing technique is different.

[blue4barb]

28. Wow! The pics are just what I needed to get motivated for some

frisbee fun! Think I'll check out that frisbee golf course sometime, must be the one mentioned in another thread.

[TahitiNut]

29. Here's a site that shows all the disc golf courses in Metro Detroit ...

http://flyingsaucerdg.com/courses.html

It's a funky, working class way to get a bit of exercise, a bit of (non-political) frustration, a bit of fresh air, and an occasional "Wow! Did you see that!!!"

[TahitiNut]

30. Did you know that Governor Granholm proclaimed last month (June) ...

... as Disc Golf Month in Michigan? Yep. She did. Uh-huh. Ubetcha.

Disc Golf Month

Whereas, It is estimated that Michigan has over 10,000 recreational disc golfers and 70 public disc golf courses currently operating throughout the state; and,

Whereas, Disc golf is an excellent “lifetime sport” for all ages and can be found in 20 countries worldwide; and,

Whereas, Disc golf conditions the upper and lower body, providing a wonderful opportunity to improve our health; and,

Whereas, Disc golf provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy Michigan’s beautiful natural environment; and,

Whereas, In June 2006, Hudson Mills Metropark will once again be the site of the Great Lakes Open, Michigan’s largest professional Disc Golf tournament, which will see over 240 of the best touring professionals and top-flight amateurs compete for a total purse of cash and prizes that exceed $20,000; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 2006, as Disc Golf Month in Michigan.

[blue4barb]

31. No, but I'm learning a lot tonight about why it's a great activity.

Thanks for the link to the nearest courses. At the meetup/picnic if you're willing to show me a couple of simple tips on throwing frisbees, I'll give it my best shot.

[noonwitch]

32. I'm going to be up north that weekend

It's Gramma's 90th birthday, so I'll be up in Traverse City-we're having a party for her at the nursing home, which, incidentally, is the nicest nursing home I have ever seen (The Pavillions at Munson).

So, when not at the party, I will be swimming, sunning, shopping and eating well.

[etherealtruth]

33. Sounds great ...

Thanks for putting this together.

Will anyone be bringing children?

[SharonRB]

34. I don't know if they are, but they are absolutely welcome

One of the reasons for doing it in the afternoon is so people can bring their families if they want to.

I look forward to meeting you.

[PassingFair]

37. Writing the date on the calendar, Sharon!

Hope nothing comes up to stop us showing up!

[SharonRB]

38. Oh, I'm so happy you're planning to be there

I hope MrsG somehow can arrange to come, too, but I know it may be difficult.

[PassingFair]

36. I'll be bringing at least 2 kids!

I'm gonna bug Mrs. Grumpy to bring her two, also.

[SharonRB]

39. Hurray!

I hope you can convince her! And I'd love to see your kids again (and hers). After all, the two Wannabes are DU members, too.

[etherealtruth]

40. So will I

...be bringing at least 2 kids, that is.

Looking forward to meeting all.

[AFSCME girl]

43. Hi Buddy!

I wish I could go with you. I am leaving for the AFSCME Convention in Chicago that day.

AFSCME girl (a.k.a. Kirkan) :hi:

[etherealtruth]

44. What time are you leaving?

I'd be happy to come and get you/ drop you off.

[AFSCME girl]

47. Our flight leaves at

12:30pm on Saturday afternoon. Thank you for the offer, though. I will fill you in on all the details when I get home ~ I'm hoping we have some really great speakers like at the last convention in California :bounce:

[ScreamingMeemie]

49. BabyG's bday party is that day. We're going to have to pass this time...

Sorry. :(

[SharonRB]

52. Aw, I'm so sorry, MrsG

Let's try to plan something to get together soon, though.We'll miss you.

[SharonRB]

35. Kick

[blue4barb]

41. Heritage Park info:

We have reserved the Central Shelter from 12-3 PM. The shelter has four large picnic tables
under the canopy.
Lawn chairs/blankets may be useful. Bug repellent is advisable.
Small parking lot is adjacent to the Central Shelter.

No alcohol, no dogs per park rules.

Happy to hear some of you are bringing kids since it's a great place for them, especially the Nature Discovery Center. Of course, lots of trails to explore too.

[SharonRB]

42. Thanks, Barb

Are you coming to Founder's Day Saturday or will you be out of town?

[blue4barb]

45. Out of town. I'll miss all the action (and the crowds!).

[SharonRB]

46. That's what I thought.

Have a great trip. I'll talk to you when you get back.

Nancy's staff will be bringing a tiny tent on the 5th, too. Just big enough for a couple of folding tables and some chairs, but it will be another source of a bit of shade.

[etherealtruth]

48. Thanks for the info ....

The nature discovery center sounds like something my children would really enjoy.

[ScreamingMeemie]

50. BabyG is having his birthday that day...

:( I'll be thinking of you all, and wish life would freaking work out so I could get together with you sometime soon Sharon.

[TahitiNut]

51. .

:(