Philly & SE PA: August 11 BBQ

[elizabeth]

Hey folks,

In IRC we've been discussing having a Philly & SE PA BBQ on August 11th. Several ideas have been floated around as to location, but based on a number of things (cost, location, transportation) we've narrowed it down and are now looking at Norristown Farm Park (http://parks.montcopa.org/parks/cwp/view,A,1441,Q,37325,parksNav,|.asp) in East Norriton for a location.

The only downside to this location appears to be the public transportation situation, it's over a mile from the closest bus stop, and even further from the closest train station. We can probably work out some carpooling and/or picking people up from the train station if we plan appropriately though.

I've also dropped an email to the park for some details about their group and grilling policies, but from what I've seen poking around online we should be fine. Hopefully I'll be hearing back today, I'll make a note when I have confirmation that things are good to go.

Next step will be planning food, I figure we can decide on a basic menu and have people sign up to bring stuff.

[elizabeth]

Hurrah, I got a reply from the park superintendent.


Hi Elizabeth,

The Norristown Farm Park has 690 acres available to those who wish to
come out, enjoy nature, hike, etc.

The two large picnic pavilions are currently reserved throughout the
summer months.

However, there are several areas in the park where smaller picnic
shelters, picnic tables and grills exist.

These areas are not reserved and are first come, first served.

I would recommend that when you and your group come into the park, park
at the Main Visitor's Parking lot, across from the park office and walk
behind the park office. There are 2 picnic tables and a grill that no
one uses.

There is another small picnic shelter by the other larger pavilions that
also does not get used.

Since you do not live very far from the park, I would recommend coming
out and looking at the accommodations and see if they are suitable for
your club.

Also, as an FYI, there is no alcohol allowed in the park.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Yours truly,

Jeff Larsen
Superintendent

Looks like this will work out fine. If I can I'll swing by the park sometime before the event.

[elizabeth]

Jim put together a wiki page where we can say we're attending and if/what we're bringing (for) food:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PennsylvaniaTeam/Philly/PhillyBBQ

[mrreality13]

Liz
If you haven't had a chance to swing buy the park its across from Norristown H.S .(i grew up in king of Prussia) (so i know the area pretty well)
i would like to attend BUT I just got fired from work so ill be job hunting and IF i find one i cant make a commitment yet as i may have to work on a sat if i find work.:guitar:

[elizabeth]

OK, so far the wiki has people signed up for bringing the following:

Hamburger Rolls / Hot Dog Rolls / Brat Rolls
Hot dogs and Bratwurst
Potato Salad
Drinks ( Soda, Water )

So we still need someone to volunteer to bring hamburgers. Some more sides would be good (pasta salad? chips?), as well as some sort of dessert.

I've added this event to PhillyGroups.org, so hopefully in the next week we'll have some more people interested in swinging by.

[jedijf]

Desserts done!

Brownies and a Cake.

[kejava]

jamie and I will bring harmburgers and pasta salad. Any vegetarians want non-meat burgers like spicy blackbean or garden burgers?

[elizabeth]

I visited the park today, it's a nice place.

The place we'll be using is near the main office set of buildings for the park (old farm buildings). There is a parking lot (very rural, not some giant unattractive parking lot) and about 3 picnic tables and a couple grills spread around the area. It'd be nice if they were closer together, but my plan is to have it there because:


It's easy to find
It's not the most desirable place in the park, so we won't have a problem getting that spot
Easy parking


I'd suggest bringing along some folding chairs so we're not all huddled around the tables.

Driving home I remembered we needed stuff other than food! So I added these things to my list on the wiki of what I'm bringing: ketchup, mustard, relish, plates, napkins, utensils, charcoal, BBQ utensils. I'm picking these up on my way to the park, so feel free to steal any of these items from my list if you're able to bring them :)

I was thinking that we might need a sign or something saying who we were, but I'm not sure how that would work. I'll wear my Ubuntu t-shirt (Alex - you too!), and maybe that'll be enough for people to find us.

[elizabeth]

Posted about this event to both PLUG:

http://lists.netisland.net/archives/plug/plug-2007-08/msg00024.html

and PhillyGeek:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PhillyGeek/message/3952

Hopefully this will pick some more attendees up, and maybe some more team members :)

[lamalex]

thanks lyz. I made a facebook event and invited all of my friends. got a few responses

[fishie]

hmm i might go, what type of things go on at these bbq's?

[jedijf]

As this is our first BBQ - it is open for ideas.

One idea that seems to have generated much interest is a Keysigning Party.

But more than that it is an opportunity to gather outside of the confines of a LoCo sponsored or supported event. Allow us time to get to know each other in a non-pressured atmosphere.

Come on out and join us.

[lamalex]

frisbees, bikes, baseball, eating, comradery. Bring the family!

[KyleYankan]

I'm going to try and stop by (if I can make time / get motivated_)

[elizabeth]

And as always with LoCo events, a few of us will bring along our Ubuntu laptops for demos, we'll have free Ubuntu CDs to hand out and no doubt we'll be blabbering about Ubuntu a lot so questions about it are welcome :)

[jedijf]

Attention: Mossholder Family

I have your ball.

email me and we can figure out how to get it back to you in the Lehigh Valley.

Just kidding.

jedijf AT yahoo dot com

[elizabeth]

Great success! We had about 25 people come out, gave out some CDs, had some BBQ. My camera died 4 pictures into the afternoon (oops) so I only got those, but I've tossed them up on the gallery:

http://gallery.meetlinux.com/main.php?g2_itemId=243

Jim and I also blogged about it:

http://jedijf.blogspot.com/2007/08/bbq-was-hot-malt-on-fire-ntr-rekindling.html

http://princessleia.com/journal/?p=1184

Thanks again to everyone who helped bring this event together :)