2009 meets, lets fill up the months.

Having been to both the MARS and Rockford swaps this year, if I had to choose just ONE to go to, it'd be the Rockford swap.

If it's in May again I won't be around for it, but my 2 cents would be to suggest that if you're planning a roadtrip-meet, try to do it for the Rockford swap.

Not to bash the MARS guys and the effort they put into theirs. It's still a good trip. But the Rockford swap is just on a whole different scale.
 
What squid says is true, but you never know from year to year how good something will be. plus if you were more interested in frags from traders (vs from commerical interests), the MARS was actually better. the rockford had some, but the best stuff there was from a few companies.

I'll avoid the decision and probably go to both :)
 
we may have to pole this one but i would have to say Rockford swap cuz 2 birthdays and christmas all with in 35 days is going to kill us every year. so thats my only excuse
 
Rockford isn't just a swap. It is set up more like a MACNA/IMAC event that lets people sell frags. Definitely a better choice IMO.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13689661#post13689661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siropa
as a warning about rockford, some of those vendors are killer on the wallet. like dr macs.
Click to expand...

aww c'mon now...you say that like it's a BAD thing! :D

Dr Mac's booth alone made the drive worth it!

The dangerous thing about some of the commercial vendors (Dr. Mac included) is that some of them take CREDIT CARDS. :eek1:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13689886#post13689886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ebrabender
Squid remember.....your not buying anything anyways....ROFLMAO:eek1:
Click to expand...

;) I'll be moving to CA around the time Rockford hits - so my credit card will be coral-free. ;)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13689661#post13689661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siropa
as a warning about rockford, some of those vendors are killer on the wallet. like dr macs.
Click to expand...

Yes, but if you waited till closing he sold all frags for $10 and like $40 for the Acans. I got a lot from him.

My guess, and I am not sure, is that there is a good chance Dr. Mac wont come back to the swap. He came all the way from the east coast so don't bank on it.

I don't know that one of these events has to superceed a meeting though because a lot of folks up here can't go to these events.

Lisa
 
so if you guys like speakers, gimmie some ideas on who or what you would like to be "spoken to" about, and i would try and call to set some things up! i could just get them to come to a meet or send info or something....

-H-
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13699382#post13699382 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishcrzycouple
so if you guys like speakers, gimmie some ideas on who or what you would like to be "spoken to" about, and i would try and call to set some things up! i could just get them to come to a meet or send info or something....

-H-
Click to expand...

It usually isn't as simple as that if you want the good speakers. Clubs are generally expected to pay for airfare, hotel, and any other expenses when a speaker comes to a meeting to speak. Since our club is informal and doesn't have any dues or income it is very challenging to get someone to come in because we have no means to pay for expenses or give them a small check for their work on preparation and such. Getting someone close is key. There are a few people that are quite 'speaker worthy' in the Chicago area, but for the most part they are far away. Many wont come out of the goodness of their hearts, but sometimes someone will if they are in the area and gas is the only expense. When Rod came we pitched for his gas and he didn't charge anything to come up and visit the club. Some that are affiliated with businesses will speak if they get a good audience and they can write off the expenses. In these economic times though business are really cutting back, so that makes it tough on that front. This is why we usually have a project or theme at some some meetings instead. There are a couple of possibilities out there though.

Lisa
 
thanks Lisa, i would love to help organize something along those other lines if anyone is interested. Core & I live further away than most of you are probably willing to drive, so something ur way for a meeting. we would like to get more involved in the club, i know we cant always go to every meeting, but still to included is always good.
-H-


i was totally meaning someone local. i didnt think of far away, but that makes sense that ppl wouldnt want to come that far pd by themselves. too bad- maybe we could just find that ONE person that likes to travel or something.....so themes?? like?? what have you done in the past? anyone up for a field trip to like Shedd in Chi for a night?

-H & C-
 
I've been thinking about a follow-up to Brian's testing meeting. I should be able to arrange something for January at UW-Oshkosh in the chemistry department. We have a conference room that could be used for snacks/food, then of course several labs with equipment for testing.

I have some reagents for color-based tests and of course expensive uv-visible instruments for measuring absorbance (no eye-comparisons here). Also some upper-end stuff like an AA for metals analysis - depends on how in-depth everyone would like to be. Also burets for accurate titrations of things like alkalinity.

Kevin
 
that would be spectacular. What kind of cost would there be for the various reagents and supplies?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13705771#post13705771 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siropa
that would be spectacular. What kind of cost would there be for the various reagents and supplies?
Click to expand...

We'll call it science outreach. Service to the community. Putting your tax dollars to work for you. . .

Basically the costs of the chemicals is so small it's not even worth talking about. The instruments don't cost much at all to run, and supplies are already there (glassware).

So it looks like Jan 17 might be good? I'll check in the department on Monday to make sure there are no conflicts.

I'll have to have everyone sign a conduct agreement (safety stuff) that day and I'll have to come up with enough safety glasses or goggles to go around.

Kevin
 
of course i've got a cub scout event with my kid on jan 17th. doh! I think my wife might be enjoying some pinewood derby action that day if it is the day of the meet :)
 
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