Difference between revisions of "2009 Conference Buzz"

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*** Roger Williams National Memorial - free! - Thank Roger for separation of church & state; nice video giving the basics of Providence's founding after Massachusetts kicked him out, his unique respect and cooperation with native americans, etc.
 
*** Roger Williams National Memorial - free! - Thank Roger for separation of church & state; nice video giving the basics of Providence's founding after Massachusetts kicked him out, his unique respect and cooperation with native americans, etc.
 
*** RI State House - When built in early 20th century RI was 2nd richest state; so now we're tied with Michigan for highest unemployment. Still, it remains a majestic space, worth a visit, and so close to code4lib!
 
*** RI State House - When built in early 20th century RI was 2nd richest state; so now we're tied with Michigan for highest unemployment. Still, it remains a majestic space, worth a visit, and so close to code4lib!
−
***Providence Athenaeum - Makes you feel good about caring about libraries. Edgar Allen Poe is said to have had trysts with his sweetie, Helen, here, adding to the charm.
+
***Providence Athenaeum - Makes you remember about why you car about libraries. Edgar Allen Poe is said to have had trysts with his sweetie, Helen, here, adding to the charm.
−
***First Baptist Church of America.  One of those enchanting "colonial" churches, lovely inside and out.  Notice that it,, like most RI churches of it's era, is not on a village green. Rhode Islanders didn't want the church to be overseeing community life.
+
***First Baptist Church of America.  One of those enchanting "colonial" churches, lovely inside and out.  Notice that it,, like most RI churches of it's era, is not on a village green. Rhode Islanders didn't want the church to be overseeing community life.  
−
 
+
*** RISD (riz-dee) Museum.  With a little bit of everything, this museum serves up ancient egypt art through today.  Wonderful new addition provides, among other things, excellent new 20th century space. Also, don't miss the Buddha.
 
* History
 
* History
 
* Trivia
 
* Trivia

Revision as of 03:04, 22 February 2009

Announcements From the Organizers

Does Anybody Want To...?

  • go see some live music? see below under Things To Do: Clubs and Culture > Music.
  • Hit the rock climbing gym? See below under Things To Do: Saturday-Friday > Activities

Eats

  • Breakfast Tuesday - Thursday is continental (pastry, bagels, fruit). If you want something more substantial the Temple Restaurant in the hotel serves breakfast starting at 6am.
  • Lunch is provided on Tuesday and Wednesday. Lunch options on other days:
    • Renaissance area
      • Temple (in the hotel - macaroni & cheese is yummy)
      • Providence Place Mall - The Mall is just down the hill from the Renaissance (exit the hotel and turn right down the hill). You can check out the Apple store while you're there.
        • Street Level (Francis St): Napa Valley Grille (upscale, local seasonal), Cheesecake Factory, Joe's American Bar & Grill, Fire + Ice
        • Food Court (Level 3): Cathay Cathay, Charley's Grilled Subs, Gourmet India, Johnny Rocket's, Pizzera Regina, Popeye's Chicken and Biscuits, Surf and Turf, Taco Bell, Subway
        • Best Kept Secret: Cafe Nordstrom (inside Nordstrom's, level 3)
        • Entertainment Level (above food court): Dave & Buster's (adult arcade with food)
    • Brown Campus area - Thayer St. vicinity - a few Ground Crew recommendations, but there are many others
      • Quick: Au Bon Pain (233 Thayer), Meeting Street Cafe (220 Meeting St), East Side Pockets (278 Thayer)
      • Sit down: Paragon (234 Thayer), Kartabar (284 Thayer)
      • Ethnic: Kabob & Curry (Indian, 261 Thayer), Andreas (Greek, 268 Thayer), Phonatic (Asian, 165 Angell)
      • Coffee shops: Starbucks (218 Thayer), Brown Bookstore Cafe (244 Thayer), Blue State Coffee (300 Thayer)
  • Dinner (in addition to places mentioned for lunch)

This is just a sample of the restaurants in the neighborhoods listed below.

    • Exchange Terrace - formerly the city's train station - 0.4 miles
      • RuthChris Steak House
      • Union Station Brewery, 36 Exchange Terrace
      • Capitol Grill
      • RiRa
    • North & South Main Street - Providence's original settlement, then on the waterfront - 0.5-0.75 miles
      • Hemenways - seafood
      • ParkSide
      • Mills Tavern
      • XO
    • Down City
    • Federal Hill - famed for its Italian restaurants, but there's quite a mix; might want a cab
    • South Water & Wickenden - artsy area, antique stores & funky shops; might want a cab
      • Al Forno - considered by some the best restaurant in Providence
      • The Old Colonial

More options at PDF of recommendations from Miami University of Ohio

Dinner Plans

  • Sunday & Monday

If your travel plans include arriving in Providence on Sunday or Monday, you may want to hook up with other code4libbers for dinner. We suggest that you go to the lobby fireplace to identify like-minded souls at 5pm, 6pm or 7pm. We will point out a few nearby restaurants for your consideration, including the hotel's Temple Restaurant (http://www.temple-downtown.com/).

  • Tuesday & Wednesday

We're expecting some kind-of-organized group dining options, possibly with signups in the registration area. Watch this spot for more details.

Discounts

Things To Do: Monday

If you have the time and inclination on Monday, you may want to head up College Hill, about 1 mile, to see historic Benefit Street, visit the Brown campus or go to lunch on Thayer Street. If so, you can walk or take advantage of shuttles we’ve arranged for the pre-conferences (but please give priority to pre-conference attendees).

  • 7:45 am – 9:45 pm
  • 11:45 am – 1:45 pm
  • 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm

Things To Do: Tuesday

Things To Do: Wednesday

American Farm documentary, Dinner Buffet of locally sourced food ($15) at 6:15pm, Film at 7pm at Local 121, 121 Washington Street

Things To Do: Thursday

Things To Do: Saturday-Friday

nearly all are easily walkable from the Renaissance

  • Fresh Air
  • Beer
  • Clubs
  • Culture
    • Art
      • RISD Museum of Art
        • Shawn Greenlee - Occasions: Occasions produces subtle interactions of synthetic tones mediated by the resonance of space and the reception of the listener. It is a long form, audio-installation utilizing a 12-channel speaker array to project sound in the exhibition space. Each of the twelve speakers produces a unique tone gliding between established frequencies. The twelve speakers are divided into two groups which move asynchronously thus creating a fluctuation in acoustic and psychoacoustic phenomena as the glissandi interact. When listening, what one will notice most obviously are several beating frequencies and difference tones - and that the perception of these is in large part due to where the listener positions herself in relationship to the speakers. The sound of the HVAC will begin to wax and wane as Occasions interferes with its site.
    • Music
      • RI Philharmonic, next door to the Renaissance - Rush Hour Series: Copland, Britten, Shostakovich (Thur 6:30)
    • Theater
  • Activities
    • Rock Climbing - David Cloutman wouldn't mind getting a few hours in at the local rock climbing gym one evening during the conference. Looking for interested attendees. Would probably involve a cab ride. "Rhode Island Rock Gym"
  • Movies
  • Sports - Dunkin Donuts Center, 1 LaSalle Square
    • Basketball: Providence College vs. Notre Dame (Sat., noon), Providence College vs. Pitt (Tue 7pm)
    • Hockey: Providence Bruins vs. Springfield Falcons (Sun 4)
    • "Monster Jam" (Fri 7:30)
  • Other - Flower & Garden Show (RI Convention Center, 1 Sabin St, Sat 10-9, Sun 10-6)

Divine Providence

  • Seeing the Sites
    • don't miss: top EZ cheap walkable visits that prove you didn't stay in the hotel during all of code4lib
      • Roger Williams National Memorial - free! - Thank Roger for separation of church & state; nice video giving the basics of Providence's founding after Massachusetts kicked him out, his unique respect and cooperation with native americans, etc.
      • RI State House - When built in early 20th century RI was 2nd richest state; so now we're tied with Michigan for highest unemployment. Still, it remains a majestic space, worth a visit, and so close to code4lib!
      • Providence Athenaeum - Makes you remember about why you car about libraries. Edgar Allen Poe is said to have had trysts with his sweetie, Helen, here, adding to the charm.
      • First Baptist Church of America. One of those enchanting "colonial" churches, lovely inside and out. Notice that it,, like most RI churches of it's era, is not on a village green. Rhode Islanders didn't want the church to be overseeing community life.
      • RISD (riz-dee) Museum. With a little bit of everything, this museum serves up ancient egypt art through today. Wonderful new addition provides, among other things, excellent new 20th century space. Also, don't miss the Buddha.
  • History
  • Trivia
  • "36 Hours in Providence, R.I." piece in the New York Times TRAVEL section from August, 2008.

Ground Crew Contacts

Please feel free to contact us about anything, any time, between now and the end of the conference.

  • Birkin James Diana, birkin_diana@brown.edu, cell 401-378-8246
  • Bonnie Buzzell, bonnie_buzzell@brown.edu, cell 401-487-0245
  • Jean Rainwater, jean_rainwater@brown.edu, cell 401-241-0098
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