Please Confirm Meal Attendance and Choose Menu

[Pamby]

When I tallied 'em up Friday, Tony Cheng's (619 H Street NW) was the winner.
www.washingtonian.com/din...sp?id=1142 (http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/restaurantDetail.asp?id=1142)
I called them today and said we'd bring 30-60 people on March 29 from 4:00 - 6:30. If we get 40 people confirmed, I can get the private room, otherwise we’d just have a group of tables in the main restaurant. I also need to call him with our party menu choice.

Please email me (again) at Psween2002@aol.com with the number in your party and names for the name tags. The name you want to be addressed by would probably be in large letters and your board id in small letters. (Give names for guests, too. I'd probably put "Guest" in small letters under their name or leave that blank.) I'm not promising to make them, but I probably will. I'd have to figure out how to do that on my new printer, so if there's a graphics maven out there who wants to volunteer to do this, that'd be good, too.

On this thread, I'd like it if we could discuss which menu we want. I'm not a big broccoli fan and like dumplings, so I'd lean toward the $19.95 menu, but I'm not a college student and not paying for a hotel room here, so if a lot of people want to go the cheaper route, I can pick out broccoli chunks! Remember that drinks, tax and tip aren't included, so add 25% plus drink.

$17.95 dinner menu: soup of the day, spring roll, *Kung Pao chicken, beef with broccoli, sweet and sour pork, baby shrimp with cashew nuts, *Szechuan string beans, Young Chow fried rice, fortune cookies, sliced orange for dessert.
$19.95 dinner menu: soup of the day, spring roll and fried meat dumpling, *baby shrimp in spicy garlic sauce, sweet and sour pork, string beans with chicken, mixed vegetable, *Hunan style beef, shrimp fried rice, fortune cookies, sliced orange for dessert.
$21.95 dinner menu: soup of the day, spring roll, fried meat dumpling, *crispy orange beef, seafood double delight (shrimp and scallop), *shredded chicken with pepper in black bean sauce, *double cooked pork, mixed vegetable, young chow fried rice, fortune cookies, sliced orange for dessert.

[Terri]

I'm allergic to cashews so I'm going with the $19.95 menu.

[kwansong99]

Im leaning towards the first option but they all sound really good.

[feelingbegins03]

I vote for the first choice, but all sound good.

[belladella]

I just emailed you to confirm my attendance.
First choice: I really prefer the $21.95 meal.

Second choice: the $17.95 meal is my second choice.

[NancyNC]

I will be there and the $17.95 menus sounds the best, but I will eat any of them! :D

[GardenKitty]

I like more of the things on the first option, but any are fine. I'll e-mail you my confirmation now.

[justsk8]

I just emailed you Pamby- thanks so much for organizing this whole thing, it is gonna be awesome! I can't wait to meet all you other MKFers!

As for the dinner menu, I am a "starving" college student (that somehow scraped together the $ for Worlds! lol) but when it comes right down to it, the difference between 17.95 and 21.95 isn't that much, and all the choices sound good to me, so whatever everyone else wants is absolutely fine with me! :)

[justsk8]

I just thought of something- the meal MUST have chicken, I mean, we can't have and MKF dinner before Michelle competes and not have chicken! :lol But I looked at all the options and they all include chicken in some way, so I stick to my original sttement that I don't have a preference on which dinner we get! :lol

[SamChez]

I will most definitely attend. I have emailed you, kind Pamby, and was so pleased with the content I simply must share:

Pamby,

I respectfully request attendance for 1 at the MKF dinner, 03/29. I am the infamous lurker SamChez you may have heard of (I was "outed" at Nationals by Belladella and Bunghodog). The bill-of fare does not matter to me as I will be all "verklempt" over the impending competition and probably won't be able to consume solid food, only certain potables. I am often referred to, in real life, as "Sam", but some choose more colorful titles. Your fastidiousness and accommodating nature for planning this extraordinary opportunity for MK conviviality is most graciously appreciated.

GO MK, kick some World butt!

Sam

[goldarad]

I vote for #1.
Thanks Pamby!

[graciesfriend]

Pamby, I e-mailed you, too! I vote for #3 but will be happy with whatever the group decides! Thanks.

[DaveSato]

Pam,
I'll go with what the majority votes and put me down for myself.

[jvanal]

Choice 2 is my preference but whatever majority turns out to be is gine also! Thanks!

[fstxfan]

vote for choice #3. $21.95, but I will eat anything.

[zins]

I just sent you an email, but will add my choice here as well. I vote for choice 2
Thanks for all your hard work.

[GardenKitty]

I know this technically isn't MK chat, but given the time frame for this event, you may want to post a thread in the MK Chat section giving the details of the dinner just to make sure everyone sees it. Also, there was some discussion of where to take a group photo and I think a number of people, incuding me, think the best place is at the dinner on Saturday since a lot of us would be there anyway.

Thanks again for all your work.

[mkdreamer07]

Garnet49 and I will be attending together and please add two votes for the second choice:b I will email you with our names

[Pamby]

You haven't emailed me with names for nametags.

I suppose I can excuse Dave, since it's pretty easy to figure that one out, but I'm hoping fstxfan has a pronounceable name we can use!

Also, between votes I've gotten on email and the ones in the thread, it's currently a dead heat between the $17.95 and $19.95 menus.

We're also right at 30-31 people right now, so we still need a few more to get the private room.

[IzzyS]

I would love to go but my plane gets in around 4:00 p.m. at the Reagan Airport. I'll need to check in at the Hyatt Capitol Hill, and then I can meet you all there. I don't know how long all of that will take. Count me in for one, anyway.

Does anyone know how close all of these things are to each other? I've never been to D.C. other than the airport and I'm afraid I'm going to be completely disoriented! Thanks!

[Debbie]

Izzy, go to Sandra Loosemore's page (www.frogsonice.com/skateweb) and go to her Worlds info page that is linked from the top of her home page. One of the links under the transportation info section takes you to a very good map of the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop (the site is stationmasters.com) and you can even print it out. Basically, it's got the streets (with names) in the area and the major landmarks, like the hotels, MCI Center, and Convention Center. You'll see how you can walk between the two.

FYI to everyone - someone posted on SkateFans that it's better to walk on H St at night in the area, as opposed to G St.

Pamby, the dinner sounds great, and kudos to you for organizing it. I'd love to meet everyone, but I'm going to be with my mom, and I think she might feel out of place. She's a big MK fan, but the message board and posting stuff is kind of my thing. Is anyone else bringing guests? I wouldn't want her to feel left out. I think I need a couple of days to mull it over. I'll e-mail you Pamby if we do plan on coming. When is your deadline? (I can mull faster, if need be.)

[justsk8]

Debbie, I think it would be cool if your mom came. I mean, if she's an MK fan it doesn't matter if she posts or not! I am bringing a friend too, and I'm also a little nervous because she's a huge figure skating fan, but not particularly of Michelle. Not that she doesn't like her though. All I know is that Kristi is her ultimate fave and I don't know who her favorite eligible lady is now, if she has one. But I would say that all the MKFers would make your mom feel at home with other MK fans! :)

[Pamby]

I could be wrong, but I suspect that anyone interested enough in skating to attend the competitions with you won't feel TOO out of place at the dinner. I can't tell you offhand how many guests we have signed up, but there'll certainly be a few.

[GardenKitty]

Debbie, definitely bring your mom. I think she'll be pleasantly surprised by the range and diversity of the people here at MKF. We have people of all ages and professions. At the recent NY lunch one lurker was afraid to come thinking everyone would be very young. We assured him we have everyone from students to active professionals and retirees. He came and I think he had a great time. Plus, being around people who are excited about the event is likely to get your mom even more involved and excited about the event herself. Fun is definitely contagious.

[katializ]

Pamby
Count me in. Just let me know where we are meeting.

liz

[Pamby]

Since we're not eating immediately after an event, we'll just meet there at 4:00 or so on Saturday. Tony Cheng's is at 619 H St. NW, which is immediately north of the Arena (the Arena is on F St between 6th and 7th Streets.) Tony Cheng's has a Mongolian Barbecue downstairs. The Seafood restaurant is where we'll be. That's upstairs on the second level. If we get 40 people, we can get the private room, which is yet another flight of stairs from that. (Don't have the full list with me, but I think we're currently around 32 plus 3 or 4 maybes). If they'll let me, I'll try and tape up signs. Otherwise, I'm sure the host/hostess will know where we are.

I might want to add in tax and tip to whatever menu choice we make and collect money as people come in and pick up their nametags, then you just pay for your drinks as you order, but I'll check with them on that. (Sorry I forgot to call today -- probably it's best not to call during the dinner rush, so I'll call tomorrow.)

www.stationmasters.com/Sy...lrypl.html (http://www.stationmasters.com/System_Map/GALLRYPL/gallrypl.html)

[Charmed One]

Hi Pamby,

I sent you a PM, let me know when
you get it. :)

Btw, I would like to vote for the $17.95
menu.

take care,
~nice angel~

[boosfun]

I'd like to attend with my friend as well...he's a long time lurker. I'll email you. We prefer the $17.95 meal.
Thanks

[graciesfriend]

Hi Pamby, I checked with Heather about this and she said it would be OK. I'm going to bring a BIG card to the dinner that everyone can sign for Francis, a member of the MKF who is a Marine and stationed in Kuwait. I'm sure he would love to get something from all of us from Worlds!

Thanks again for all your work organizing the dinner; I know these things are always a ton of work (which is why I stopped doing such things in my office years ago). I'm sure we will all have a great time!

[ThaiBrit]

Count me in (with my mother as well). My vote is for #3, with the second choce of #1. Thanks Pamby!

[Pamby]

My list is at home, but as of last night there were 34 with 5 maybes. Between emails and messages here, I'd say we're definitely over 40 people now, so I called and told them we'll have enough people for the private room.

I double-checked a couple of things: 1) Steamed white rice will be avaible as well as fried. 2) All dishes can be prepared without MSG if we give notice 1 day ahead of time. 3) There's some sort of sound system so we can play the MK Music CDs. 4) Drinks will be pay-as-you-go from a cash bar.

I'll add tax and tip to the cost of the menu we choose and collect the money as people enter and pick up their nametags. I haven't totalled it up recently, but it looks like the $17.95 menu has pulled into the lead. That would be $22.50 per person with tax and 15% tip. $23 with 18% tip. I'd want to round it to $23 and not deal with change.

I don't need a final headcount until next Thursday, but I'll be entertaining my sister and attending many of the events, so the fewer changes at the last minute, the better. Also, if those who confirmed on this thread would please email me their names, they can be printed on the nametags instead of handwriten on-site!

[IzzyS]

Thanks for the info! My plane comes in around 4, but it looks like the airport is very close to the hotel and the hotel is less than a mile from the restaurant. So...between going from the airport and checking into my hotel, I might get there around 5 or so but I'll still join you. Any meal is fine with me.

Thanks again! That map is very helpful!

[Debbie]

OK, everyone, I was convinced! Pamby, I e-mailed you yesterday - I'm sure you must have gotten it by now. That's good to know about the rice, although it looks like the $17.95 menu has won. But it's still good we can get a choice.

Can't wait to meet everyone!

(Those who are in the 200 sections, make sure you visit those of us in the 100 and 400 sections sometime during the week. I don't think those of us at other levels can access the club level.)

[Pamby]

Could you please email me at Psween2002@aol.com with your and your guest's first names for the name tags?

In other news, we're now closing in on 50 attendees! (48 confirmed, plus 2 late arrivers, 5 maybes). And I should make it clear that I do intend to ask for all the dishes to be made without MSG.

I'm hoping to get downtown to check out a practice session this weekend. Hope to see some of you there!

[justsk8]

What's MSG?

[Pamby]

...is mono-sodium glutamate. It's a flavor-enhancing additive often used in Chinese food. Many people are sensitive to it and ask that it be omitted.

[MikeNYC]

I think I'm going. Mike & Tim

thx for doing all this.

M.

[kwansong99]

:eek :eek :eek :eek :eek
50+ MKFers!!! I hope DC is ready for us!! :rollin :rollin Yay! i cant wait to meet everyone! :D

[leon]

Please sign me up for one place. I'll eat whatever is served.
Thanks for doing this -- This is wonderful.
leon

[Terri]

Pam,

I try to pay everything by credit card when I'm away from home, are we only able to pay with cash or does the restaurant accept credit cards?

[fstxfan]

Pam,
I emailed my roommate, she has plan, so it will be just me all by myself.

[Pamby]

Well, I'm pretty sure it's going to be just one big bill, so my plan was that we'd just collect cash from everyone.

I don't know if they could split it off for us.

[jvanal]

Pamby:

Please add two additional people to the RSVP list. Any menu preference is fine for them.

They will be at worlds and would like to attend. They adore MK.

I will email you their names.

Thanks!

[jlta]

Pamby, I emailed you a few days ago. I will be attending with 1 guest. Just wanted to make sure you received it.
TIA

[bagelpuss]

I hope it's not too late to join the dinner! I'll go for the $19.95 dinner, but can I change my mind when I get there? Hope to see y'all soon!

[Terri]

Thanks Pamby, could you let us know for sure if we can only pay cash? Thanks.

[Pamby]

The meal is served family-style, so we all get the same menu, and it's pretty obvious now that the $17.95 ($23 with tax and tip) menu is the winner, so I went by today and told them we want that menu made without MSG and that we currently have 55-60 people.

I can add people thru Thursday, but please email me (as soon as possible) at Psween2002@aol.com with the names for the nametags.

[Pamby]

The dinner is at 4:00 on Saturday March 29 at
Tony Cheng's Seafood Restaurant
619 H St. NW (upstairs)
This is just north of the arena. The arena entrance is on F St between 6th and 7th Sts facing south.
From the arena:
1) Go west on F Street (right as you exit the arena, toward the Metro station)
2) Turn right (north) on 7th St. (You'll pass Legal Seafoods and Ruby Tuesdays among others on the opposite side of the street. McDonalds and Chipotle Grill on your side of the street.) G Street doesn't go through the arena block, so the first right will be H St which has the "Chinatown Gate" above it. There are several Chinese restaurants on this street. Tony Cheng's is on the opposite side of the street, so:
3) Cross H St. and turn right. Tony Cheng's is about halfway down the block, across from a construction site. You'll see the "Seafood Restaurant" part of the vertical sign first and a wheelchair ramp at the entrance. There's a Mongolian Barbecue downstairs, "Seafood restaurant" upstairs. Party room is on the third floor.

[justsk8]

I am so excited that this is really here! Thank you thank you thank you to Pamby for organizing this whole thing! I absolutely can't wait to meet all you MKFers! :D

Just a few more days folks!

[DonKwan]

Hi Pamby - I emailed you a few weeks ago. I hate to be redundant, but, just in case - I will be attending with one guest. Thanks!!

[fstxfan]

Pam,
is the party reserved under your name or MKF?

Hi Everybody,
Pam has done a great job of organizing this party, lets give a round of big applause, and to make her job a bit easier, please have exact change ready when arrive at the party.
I usually charge everything while traveling, but I think it make sense to pay cash on this one, time is very important, can you imagine 50+ plus people using charge cards at the same time?
See you all at DC

[Pamby]

As a rule I haven't been responding to confirmation emails unless there's a specific question I have to answer, because there are just too many (and my AOL email outbound was being flaky). So don't worry if I haven't responded.

[Teddy99]

Hi Pamby, I sent you an email, I would like to join you guys for dinner also! See you Saturday!
edited to add: Thanks so much for organizing this, I can't wait to meet fellow MKF'ers!

[Terri]

Pam has done a great job of organizing this party, lets give a round of big applause, and to make her job a bit easier, please have exact change ready when arrive at the party.
I usually charge everything while traveling, but I think it make sense to pay cash on this one, time is very important, can you imagine 50+ plus people using charge cards at the same time?

Yes, thank you. It was clarified that Pamby will be responsible for collecting payment for the entire bill and it won't be the restaurant. And we'll help her out with the nametags and checklist. Thanks Pamby!

[Pamby]

I gave him both my name and the group name. If they'll let me, I'll tape up a couple 8.5x11 signs pointing you in the right direction, but just ask for directions to the party room. I doubt there'll be another party of 60+ there at 4:00 on Saturday!

And perhaps I should reiterate that the extent of my "Programming" for this event is that I will look and see if/how we can play MK Music CDs (if someone brings them - Splits?) and we should probably at some point go around all the tables and make everybody stand up and introduce themselves. If somebody is bringing a sign to the LP and wants to hang it at dinner beforehand, come around 3:45 or so and we'll check with the management about it, but I'm not planning anything in the way of decorating.

[justsk8]

I can definitely bring my CDs Pamby- that would be great if we could play them! I could even give them to you during the short program or something so that you were sure you had them. Just tell me what to do :)