Winter 2010 Meet & Greet ....

[My Raven]

Folks, thought it is about time for another event since the Easy Bake Oven swelter in 100 degree heat last Summer ....
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:flamingde :flamingde :flamingde :flamingde
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EVENT POST UPDATED 2 February 2010
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Our meet has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 20th
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PARKING
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As you travel west on Franklin Street you will turn RIGHT at the intersection with Columbia Street. Spanky's Bar will be on your right and Top of the Hill will be on the left corner. We will use the parking deck at the corner of Columbia St and Rosemary St. Once you turn right onto Columbia Street the first street on your right is Rosemary Street. Turn RIGHT and the parking deck will be immediately on your RIGHT.
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I will arrive early and plan to be at the entrance. I suspect we will have no problem parking on top of the 3 level deck as a group and our cars will be secure and not subject to dings and careless drivers parking. Parking is $1 an hour in this municipal deck.
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LUNCH
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Due to a scheduling conflict at the Carolina Club and the Club's preparation for a wedding reception I have rescheduled our lunch. It will be held at Noon at the Top of the Hill Restaurant at the corner of Franklin and Columbia Streets which is Blue Heaven's ground zero for Carolina Fever.
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We Should Meet PROMPTLY at 11:30 for Lunch at the Deck for Enough Time to Visit the Planetarium.
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Top of the Hill's lunch menu is listed on their website.
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http://www.topofthehillrestaurant.com/index.html
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TOUR Morehead Planetarium :bouncy:
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The Planetarium Saturday hours are from 10 to 3:30. The featured February production is Astronaut which begins promptly at 1:30 so I would hope we can walk down in time for us to make the show and then we can tour the planetarium facilities.
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Further details about the Planetarium programs and the Astronaut production can be found at the website:
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http://www.moreheadplanetarium.org/
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http://www.stateuniversity.com/assets/logo/image/706/large/Morehead_Planetarium.jpg
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ORIGINS & HISTORY: Morehead Planetarium
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The building is the first planetarium in the South and it was only the sixth to be built in the United States when it was dedicated and opened to the public in 1949. Designed by the same architects who planned the Jefferson Memorial, the cost of its construction, more than $23,000,000 in today’s dollars, made it the most expensive building ever built in North Carolina at the time. The original projector was purchased and shipped from Sweden by the buildings benefactor, namesake, and UNC alumnus, John Motley Morehead.
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GROUP PHOTO SHOOT
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I plan to phone the UNC Campus Police to inquire as to whether we can arrange a RetroBird photo op at the infamous campus landmark, The Old Well.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Well
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HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
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Listed below are several local accommodations at various price points
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HAMPTON INN
2 STARS - From $80 per night
1740 Fordham Blvd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: 919-968-3000
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HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
3 STARS - From $81 per night
6119 Farrington Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: 919-489-7555
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COURTYARD MARRIOTT
3 STARS - From $97 per night
100 Marriott Way
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: 919-883-0700
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CAROLINA INN
4 STARS - From $163 per night
211 Pittsboro St
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone: 919-933-2001
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A UNC Landmark & Walking Distance to the Top of the Hill ...
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http://www.carolinainn.com/
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IT IS NOT TO LATE TO JOIN US!
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As in the past our bordering state members (or anyone for that matter is welcome to join us) ...
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CHAPEL HILL MAP:
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http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=chapel+hill,+nc&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.335236,77.607422&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Chapel+Hill,+Orange,+North+Carolina&ll=35.9132,-79.055844&spn=0.008064,0.018947&z=16
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ATTENDANCE LIST:
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YES Gary & Kay Adams - Greensboro, NC
YES Lynda Bywaters - Alexandria, VA
YES Chuck & Debra Goode - Statesville, NC
YES Paul & Margaret Gregory - Conway, SC
YES Bob & Emilia Griffin - Garner, NC
YES Mike & Deborah Hall - Smithfield, VA
YES Jim & Diana Heath - Chesapeake, VA
YES James & Sheila Hoots - Concord, NC
MAYBE Chuck Kennedy - Jamestown, NC
YES Will & Sharon Kirk - Chapel Hill, NC
YES Kevin McKeel & Barbara Liles - Wilson, NC - I defer Navy to a True Blue Devil ... :joker:
YES Joe Moore - Raleigh, NC
YES David & Blenda Mullis - Mt. Gilead, NC
YES Tom & Libba Pressley - Clyde, NC
YES LaVerne Ransone - Richmond, VA
YES Sam & Nancy Redman - Mocksville, NC
YES John & Sandy Simmons - Indian Trail, SC
YES Charley & Elle White - Norfolk, VA

[islandtime]

Depending on weather, sounds like a winner! It's within my comfort zone, so I could do it.

[4LOWBIRDS+1]

SOUNDS LIKE FUN, COUNT US IN. RON AND CHARLOTTE.

[islandtime]

Joe - Mike Hall (from Smithfield) said he & Deborah would attend if the weather permits!

[David M 7173]

Joe
Blenda and I will be there with bells on.
David

[2Redbirds57/02]

Joe,

Nancy and I will be there.

[mexibird]

Thanks for the invite. Please add Bob and Emilia Griffin to the list.

[NC2k2TBird]

Joe,

Kay and I would like to come.

[LuvOurBird]

Don't forget we have Pappasito's that starts the kick off of the Event season. We need to work the date around Super Bowl. We have been working on trying to add a special outing for Saturday which is why we have not put out a date. Perhaps this could coincide with Pappasito's for people who cannot make it to Atlanta. They did that last year in Texas and it was great.

[lovebirds]

Joe,
Bobbi and I are interested, depending on weather....Do you have a street address for the Club? Need to check driving time................Thanks, Lloyd

[Will]

Joe,
Bobbi and I are interested, depending on weather....Do you have a street address for the Club? Need to check driving time................Thanks, Lloyd

General Alumni Association of the Univ. of No. Carolina
George Watts Hill Alumni Center
Stadium Drive
Chapel Hill NC 27514

phone: (919) 962-1208
web site: alumni.unc.edu

[jim heath]

Joe I sent a PM, but please add Diana and I to the list, Thanks Joe.

Jim

[My Raven]

General Alumni Association of the Univ. of No. Carolina
George Watts Hill Alumni Center
Stadium Drive
Chapel Hill NC 27514
phone: (919) 962-1208
web site: alumni.unc.edu

Thanks, Will!

There is plenty of parking available at the club so no worries there. We can park at the top tof the deck to avoid the "door dings" and the "hand smudges" ... :duh:

[Will]

And coming in at number 11: Will & Sharon, motoring cross-country all the way from ... Maple Drive.

There are no basketball games (men's or women's) scheduled for 1/23, so there won't be traffic jams in town that day. Good news for anyone who might be driving in.

Another organization I belong to holds a national convention every summer, plus local & regional meets most everywhere most all the time, & they always give a "longest distance" award to whoever came from farthest away. Sound like fun? I'm not suggesting we all contribute for a new set of Michelins or anything like that. I'll let our Social Chairman take it from here. Just a suggestion.

Everything you want to know about the entire planet, including Chapel Hill, is available on the Internet, of course, but if I can answer any questions, post 'em here or PM me. I might even know the answer ... mm-hmm ... says Will.

[islandtime]

Everything you want to know about the entire planet, including Chapel Hill, is available on the Internet, of course, but if I can answer any questions, post 'em here or PM me. I might even know the answer ... mm-hmm ... says Will.
OK - I have one for you Will - will it be sunny on the 23rd of January in Chapel Hill? :nervous::poke::wink:

[My Raven]

The skies are always CAROLINA BLUE over Chapel Hill ... :cool:

[Will]

In these parts, the sun shines from breakfast until suppertime. Otherwise, it's dark. The 23rd should be no exception. :duh: Next question.

[My Raven]

In these parts, the sun shines from breakfast until suppertime. Otherwise, it's dark. The 23rd should be no exception. :duh: Next question.

That was not spoken like a TRUE TAR HEEL ... I am reporting you to Roy Boy's & The Rams Club ... :ugone2far

[islandtime]

OK - next question...are we all required to wear Carolina Blue that day???:naughty:

[My Raven]

OK - next question...are we all required to wear Carolina Blue that day???:naughty:

A friendly word of advice is NOT to wear RED or NAVY BLUE ... Right, Will? :angel:

[2Redbirds57/02]

Is it OK to drive a Red Bird?

[My Raven]

Joe,
Bobbi and I are interested, depending on weather....Do you have a street address for the Club? Need to check driving time................Thanks, Lloyd

I hope you and Bobbi can make it!

[My Raven]

Is it OK to drive a Red Bird?

You and Nancy are always welcome in any color if I am host ... :biggrinsa

[JerryP]

I only have 9,900 new posts to catch up on. Maybe if I do, then I maybe able to make at least one of these. January is also a busy business month for me.

[884Fearless]

Joe,
Would love to come! Sounds like alot of fun.
So is this going to be a two-day event then?
Count me in!:smilegrin
Thanks!
Patte

[Will]

That was not spoken like a TRUE TAR HEEL ... I am reporting you to Roy Boy's & The Rams Club ... :ugone2far

I agree with you, Joe, my answer was my half-farted attempt at humor but :nono: it kinda stank. Okay, I'll leave the jokes to Jay Leno from now on. Elle gave me a 2nd chance with her question from the couturier dept., so I'll explain that, yes, this town is awash in Carolina blue. In other parts of the US it's called sky blue, robin's egg blue, baby blue, or, among the truly enlightened, simply DSB. The guy who announces the Tarheel games on the radio calls the team "the boys in bashful blue," a desciption that makes me smile. In the needle trade (sportswear, uniforms etc.) the color is officially known as Columbia blue--which is odd considering the relative anonymity of their teams compared to the dominance of UNC in men's basketball, women's soccer, women's field hockey & others. Ah, well. The explanation probably lies in the fact that one school is located in NYC, the other in a small, sleepy town somewhere down south. So, to Elle & everyone else, I'd say dress in colors (for the Canadians: in colours) that represent the 'Nest the best!

As to the question about driving a red Retro to Chapel Hill, I'll answer at a later date. Some people can answer questions briefly. I can't. I'm Will.

[lvtbird733]

Joe,

Count me in.

LaVerne

[lbyh2os]

Joe,

Count me in.

LaVerne

And I'll be right behind her.

[lbyh2os]

And I'll be right behind her.

Well, that was short lived, I'm not going to be able to make it afterall. Sorry, I was very excited about coming down there.

[NC2k2TBird]

Joe,

Are we still on for the 23rd?

[Will]

Next question: Is it safe to drive a red retro in this town? Answer: Are you crazy? In this town?!! LOL. Shari & I each bought a new car in the summer of '87, they were both red, & we had no problems with our color choice. I drove mine for 12 years & Shar kept hers for 16 years & nobody hassled us about being red. Side note: The babysitter for the family next door said she saw our 2 red "trucks" (her word) in our driveway & assumed we were both firefighters. We weren't. The vehicles were a Chevy S-10 Blazer & a Mazda B2200 extended-cab pickup.
No matter what color Retro you bring to Chapel Hill, I think the populace will be in a state of shock & awe when they see your car, especially if Joe Jr. leads us on a cruise-thru on campus & about the town. I'm 99% certain that mine is the only Retro in the twin towns of Chapel Hill & Carrboro. I have seen a guy who drives around in a '56 Original Bird (coral, white top, spare tire kit on the back) but I've never had a chance to meet him. There are, of course, a few 4-seater 'Birds around, but this is overwhelmingly a BMW & Volvo kind of place. A dozen Retros cruisin' along will be a real eye-opener, jaw-dropper, traffic-stopper, etc. Be prepared to be :shocked: stared at.

[My Raven]

Folks please check your pm box ...

[SixPac]

Joe, I checked my PM box and there was absolutely nothing in it. Please advise.

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

[islandtime]

The switch works for us, Joe. We understand completely.

Charlie, if you feel left out, I'll send you a PM just to put a smile on your face!:yes:

[SixPac]

Elle, this is Charlie (not your Charley). I await your PM. This has been a bad, bad day. Margaret needs to see a smile on my face.


:dog::dog::dog::dog::dog: Fritz is happy.

[4LOWBIRDS+1]

JOSEPH, YOU CAN MARK CHARLOTTE AND ME AS YES ON THE LIST. IF IT IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK, CHARLOTTE WOULD LIKE TO BRING THE CAROLINA BLUE THUNDERBIRD. LET US KNOW IF THAT IS OK.

[Chuckster]

Folks please check your pm box ...
Joe,

No PM here

[4LOWBIRDS+1]

WE GOT OUR PM AND WE CAN MAKE THE FEB. 20TH AS FAR AS WE KNOW. CHARLOTTE WAS SAD THAT SHE WILL NOT GET THE CAROLOINA BLUE OUT IN JAN.

[NC2k2TBird]

We are on for Feb 20th too. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

[2Redbirds57/02]

Feb. 20 is good for us also. No problem.

[mexibird]

Feb 20 works fine for the mexibird.

Bob and Emilia Griffin

[islandtime]

Joe - Mike & Deborah have confirmed for Feb 20th.

[My Raven]

Joe - Mike & Deborah have confirmed for Feb 20th.

Thanks, Elle! :thumbsup:

[gentry609]

Joe - Margaret and I would love to join you. If it is a weekend event have you any suggestions for overnight hotel/motel nearby?

[4LOWBIRDS+1]

SAD NEWS FROM EAST TENNESSEE, WE HAVE A UNITED WAY EVENT ON THE 20TH AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE THERE.

[My Raven]

Joe - Margaret and I would love to join you. If it is a weekend event have you any suggestions for overnight hotel/motel nearby?

:cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

Super! I will do some checking and post several options at different price points on the original post.

SAD NEWS FROM EAST TENNESSEE, WE HAVE A UNITED WAY EVENT ON THE 20TH AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE THERE.

Well, :ugone2far ... I was looking forward to meeting you both but I certainly understand.

I hope you can join us for future 2010 events. :bouncing:

[4LOWBIRDS+1]

DIDN'T I SEE YOU NAME ON THE LIST FOR ATLANTA? IF SO, SEE YOU THERE, BUT NOT IN THE DSB.

[My Raven]

DIDN'T I SEE YOU NAME ON THE LIST FOR ATLANTA? IF SO, SEE YOU THERE, BUT NOT IN THE DSB.


Yes! See you then. :thumbsup:

Oh How I Wish I Had Had Your DSB at CBT!

[2Redbirds57/02]

Joe, add these two couples to your list of attendees.

Chuck and Debra Goode ------Statesville, NC
John and Sandy Simmons -----Indian Trail, SC

[My Raven]

Super!

Happy the TCTC folks are joing us again!

[richardjodoin]

Count Pauline and I in......weather permitting. We are iced in till this afternoon, LOL.
Would you email me the address to meet so I can enter it into my Tom Tom? Please.

I would love to meet you guys in person.

[Will]

More info about Chapel Hill, if you will ...
SPEED TRAPS. I-40 has 3 exits taking y'all into CH--one up north of town (take NC 86 south into town), another straight east of town (take US 15-501 westbound into CH) & the 3rd is southeast of town (take NC 54 westbound into CH). I'll let Joe provide directions to everyone; I just want to chime in with my observation that there's almost always a patrol car waiting to catch people coming into town southbound on NC 86 (from the 1st exit) & another car waiting to catch speeders headed out of town on NC 54 (going to the 3rd exit). The simplest thing for you to do, of course, is just to mind the posted speed limits: 35 mph in town & usually 45 on the outskirts. I've never thought the cops here to be overly aggressive or unreasonable, but in those 2 locations ... I dunno ... they're always there.
FRONTPAGE NEWS. Well, maybe not. But I'd like to contact the editor of the local paper, Dan Way of the Chapel Hill Herald, & tell him in advance about our event--that is, if we all agree we'd be okay with the coverage. Let me know if you don't like this idea. This is, after all, Joe Jr's Journey & it's rude & pushy of me to jump in on the planning. On the other hand, I've met the ed.
FAMOUS FACES. I just read this a.m. that John Grisham, Mississippi small-town lawyer turned big-time novelist, recently bought a condo in CH. I don't think he & his wife & their 2 sons are moving here; the paper said his wife is enrolled as an undergrad at UNC, which happens to be right across the street from their condo. Wow, talk about nice student housing (a $900,000 condo). The other local john & her John & that whole cast of characters ... well, they're all in hiding in & around CH, coming out only when summoned to court; the book comes out day after tomorrow, & I suppose we'll read about it in supermarket tabloids. It's publicity CH could do without. More authors ... less sleaze ... I'm Will.

[My Raven]

Hi Folks ...
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I have updated Post #1 with the particulars as things are coming together for our event including parking, accommodations, venue changes and the Planetarium schedules.
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Will, YES PLEASE!
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You are more than welcome to contact any media outlets you deem appropriate even The Daily Tar Heel ...
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[2Redbirds57/02]

Joe, most likely we will not have any Early Birds in our group as John and Sandy do not have one. They will be driving their `04 Merlot, and since attending Battle Ship Thunder Chuck and Debra have purchased a Retro Bird. I think it is a `04 gray with tan accent.

[My Raven]

UPDATE:
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Lunch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at Top of the Hill.
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I would like for us to all be at the deck by 11:15 at the latest. It is a short walk over to the restaurant.
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We need to be at the Planetarium by 1:15 to be seated by 1:30 p.m. for the showing of Astronaut. This a short walk also from the restaurant. I have included the synopsis below.
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Admission to the Planetarium and the show is $7.25 and $6 for folks 60 + years of age.
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---------------------------------------------
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Astronaut - The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut?
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This planetarium show takes you from Earth into space ... and beyond! :usa:
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Presented in high-definition fulldome digital video with explosive surround sound, "Astronaut" is an adventure unlike anything you've ever encountered.
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Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopie regions of the human body. Meet the animated test astronaut Chad and discover the perils that lurk in space from his viewpoint!
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"Astronaut" is narrated by Ewan McGregor and produced by the National Space Centre. :cool1:

[My Raven]

Also, Elle & Libba please bring your wide camera lenses. I suspect we are going to need it.

The Campus Police were not to thrilled with our idea of a quick park and pic of the Old Well so we may have to settle for the Smith Center for our picture.

[gentry609]

Sorry Joe for this late announcement but we will be unable to make the meet due to Paul's health issues. Hope you all have a great time.

[My Raven]

Hi Margaret: No worries: I understand and would expect no different under the circumstance. We will miss you.

[Will]

Never enough can be written about Chapel Hill ...
WEATHER. Looks good. Saturday is predicted to be mostly sunny, high of 51 degrees. Most of the snow from last Saturday (2.1") and the Saturday before that (5.1") has melted.
BEER FESTIVAL. The World Home Brew Festival is being held in town on Saturday from 5-9 pm for those who brew beer at home. It's called the Winter Brew Bash. More info at www.worldhomebrewfest.com. Oh, and it's sold out. Sorry.
FREE RIDE. The municipal bus system, Chapel Hill Transit, is free. No ID required, just climb aboard & ride. I know--if you come to town with your Tbird, who wants to ride the bus, right? Just saying.
DEJA VU. You've never been to the campus before but it looks familiar? It was used in a 1995 movie, Patch Adams, starring Robin Williams. The campus was renamed the "Virginia Medical College," which is where the real Patch Adams MD went to school. It was also used in a movie I saw in the late '60s called Three in the Attic. Again, the name "UNC" was not used: the movie is set at a New England men's college & a nearby women's college, both given fictitious names.
THE KING'S ENGLISH. As long as I've lived here, I've never been able to pronounce the name "Chapel Hill" correctly: it's "CHOPPah HEEya." I'll work on it. Ah'm Weel.

[scoops]

The Campus Police were not to thrilled with our idea of a quick park and pic of the Old Well so we may have to settle for the Smith Center for our picture.

Ohhhh, you've got to be kidding :poke:

[Will]

HOLD THE PHONE, MALONE!
We have a new place to park--we'll use the lot directly in front of the Morehead Planetarium. It's free until 3:00 pm, it's convenient, it's outside, it's prettier than inside the deck, & it's an easier walk to & from Top of the Hill. It's easy to find this lot--it's right in front of the Planetarium. Enter at the yellow toll booth (which will be empty) & toll-gate (which will be up). After 3 pm the clock starts ticking at the rate of $1.50 per hour per car. Pay upon leaving the lot.
THE MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM. Easiest way to spot it is to look for the big tell-tale dome on top.
THE PARKING LOT. There's a 25' tall sun dial in the middle of the lot.
HELP LINE. I'll be waiting for you in the parking lot with my cell phone in my pocket. Call me if you need directions. (919) 593-6707.
HOLIDAY INN, CHAPEL HILL. Special discount for UNC Hospital visitors: $75.95 per night. Toll free reservations: call 1-888-452-5765 & ask for the "UNC hospital rate." Local number is (919) 929-2171. www.hichapelhill.com. Oh, did you say you're not in town on a hospital visit? Well...
I'm Will

[islandtime]

Joe has organized another amazing event! We just got home...the weather was perfect, the parking arrangment was super, lunch was great at the "Top of the Hill"...and I'll let y'all know later how the pics turned out. :naughty: Have to spend some time with the fur-babies right now. :dog::cat:

[islandtime]

OK - here's a sample...