Have you registered for Dust or Magic 2010? Are you worried about logistics? Here are the ten most common questions:
1. WHERE WILL I SLEEP?
A) The Inn at Lambertville Station (www.lambertvillestation.com) number is 609-397-4400. Our rate is $110/night for Sunday, November 7, and Monday, November 8. Saturday is full already; a few rooms are still left for Sunday.
B) The Lambertville House (www.lambertvillehouse.com, (609) 397-0200) is across the street. Through some shrewd negotiating, we were able to get a rate of $158/night (for normally $400/night B & B style rooms with hot tubs). Picky Teacher will be staying in one of the luxury suites, with Dr. Montessori.
C) Other options can be found at http://dustormagic.wikispaces.com/Local+Inns.
2. HOW WILL I GET THERE?
If you can get to Newark Airport, you have lots of options –
A) The Official Dust or Magic Van (includes a singing driver) will be running to and/or from Newark Liberty International Airport at 3 hour intervals on Sunday. If you need a ride, please send us your arrival time, airline and flight number and your cell phone number as soon as possible.
B) The Trans-Bridge (www.transbridgebus.com) bus line is the fastest way to get to and from NYC, Newark Airport and Lambertville. Buses start at the NYC Bus Terminal (called Port Authority) and the drivers know how to cut through NJ traffic like a hot knife through butter. Buses depart Newark at 10:45 AM and 3:15 PM on Sunday and arrive at Lambertville about 90 minutes later (note that you’ll miss the first session if you take this later bus). You can buy tickets at the Trans Bridge/Olympia Trails ticket counter (about $34 for a round trip). The bus will drop you approximately two blocks from the Lambertville Station Restaurant at the Sunoco station. The bus also will take you back to the airport on Tuesday.
3. HOW WILL I GET HOME?
On Tuesday, for those who live hard and die young, EARLY FLIGHTS, there is a bus leaving Lambertville at 12:20, to arrive at the Newark gate at 1:35 PM, for flights after 2:30 PM or so, with carry on bags (you’ll miss lunch, and feel rushed but you’ll catch all the sessions).
SLIGHTLY LATER FLIGHTS, eating a full lunch, departing at 1:55 PM, arriving at Newark at 3:15 PM for 4:30 or later flights. This is the best option. We’ll also have the van and limo bus options.
4. WILL ANYONE KNOW ME? AND WILL I MAKE FRIENDS?
Picky teacher wants you to make friends and socialize. This is healthy, and part of your developing interpersonal skills. If you’d like to include a short (100 to 150 word) biography in the binder, please send to lisa@childrenstech.com, along with a photo, no later than Monday, October 25th. Include professional or personal links you want others to see.
5. I’M FAMOUS AND DON’T WANT TO BE IN ANY YOUTUBE VIDEOS
Picky teacher feels your pain. We’ll make every effort to make sure you stay out of videos or photos. First, let us know in advance; and second, you have to be proactive. There are many cameras and recording devices going and some very serious tweeters in the audience. If you participate in a group discussion, be very clear that “this is off the record.” To date, we have not had a problem. Also, know that participation in group photos and KAPi Voting is optional.
6. WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
LITERATURE. We provide a table for the free exchange of research, samples, or promotional materials, but do not allow selling. You can bring up to 60 copies with you, or send them in advance to the Inn (label “Dust or Magic”). NETWORKING. To add handouts or papers, request permission to join http://dustormagic.wikispaces.com. At www.dustormagic.com, you’ll also find links to a group Facebook page, a Diigo group and a Twitter feed.
COMPUTER. It is also useful to bring a laptop for trying products or previewing web-based material. Power strips and wireless web access will be provided during the sessions.
DEMOS. Bring a product that could be classified as “dust” or “magic”, or bring a product in development for on-the-spot feedback. See http://dustormagic.wikispaces.com/Demo+Guidelines.
OTHER STUFF. Don’t forget walking shoes, for an early morning stroll along the Delaware river, casual clothing, a digital camera, and a notebook for your million dollar ideas.
7. WHAT WILL I EAT?
We have selected a menu so that both meat and non-meat options are available. If you have other dietary requests, please let us know so we can plan accordingly. If we can be of any assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to contact us either by phone 908-284-0404 (9 to 3 PM, EST) or by email (marybeth@childrenssoftware.com or warren@childrenstech.com). Note that we do not supply one meal — dinner on Monday night. That is on your own.
8. WHAT IF I COME IN A DAY EARLY?
Stay at the airport or NYC Saturday night, and take the Transbridge bus directly to Lambertville (www.transbridgebus.com) on Sunday. If you’re coming in on a Red eye, our first van pickup on Sunday is at 8 AM. Mark S. will be on that bus.
Another option is to rent a car and come to Flemington Saturday and check into the Hampton Inn. On Saturday night, we’ll have a BBQ at our house, to test the wine. If you’re doing this, and have a car, please let us know. We’ll probably ask you to give some people rides if you don’t mind.
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FMGNJHX>
Hampton Inn Flemington, 14 Royal Road, Flemington – (908) 284-9427, where “The room was nice, clean, and had nice amenities.” $134 PLUS TAX. We’ll take you to the Lambertville Inn around 11:00, where you can check in and relax; or do some writing using the Inn’s free, no-password required Wi Fi.
9. WHEN DO I HAVE TO ARRIVE?
Dust or Magic registration starts at 3 PM, the first session is at 4PM in the Riverside room.
10. I WANNA PH.D. If you want UPENN Graduate School of Education credit for attending Dust or Magic, let us know in advance. There is an extra $100 fee.
Call or email us if you have any further questions.
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