SNAG conference workshops

Hi all,

As each year I’m trying to figure out which workshop to attend
before the SNAG conference. They all look interesting. My main
concern is about the place where the flatware workshop (by James
Obermeier)is being held: Northern Illinois University. It seems that
is more than an hour away from downtown Chicago (where I live, in
Belgium, that would mean driving to another country !!!). Are any of
you considering taking that workshop? What will you do: commuting to
downtown Chicago every day or look for a hotel nearby the
University?

In any case, I’m looking forward to meet you in Chicago.
Linda Savineau

My main concern is about the place where the flatware workshop (by
James Obermeier)is being held: Northern Illinois University. It
seems that is more than an hour away from downtown Chicago 

I have forwarded your question to the conference co-chairs. In the
meantime, here is my input.

The university is more than an hour away from downtown Chicago. 65
miles west. You can drive there, it is not an unpleasant drive. Or
you can take an Amtrack train out to Dekalb and then a bus or cab to
the university from the train station.

If I were doing it, I think I would look into staying at the
university’s hotel.

http://www.niu.edu/hsc/hotel.shtml
hotel@niu.edu
Reservations: (815)753-1444
Hotel Fax: (815)753-5099
Prices are $60.00 and up.

Here is the link to make a reservation on line:

http://www.niu.edu/hsc/hotel/request_room.shtml

Elaine

Elaine Luther
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay

Hi Linda,

It seems that is more than an hour away from downtown Chicago
(where I live, in Belgium, that would mean driving to another
country !!!). 

In Los Angeles, it sometimes takes an hour just to get to a
particular grocery store. The city of Los Angeles measures 1215.5
square kilometers…469.3 square miles for the rest of us…lol…Of
course the entire county of Los Angeles measures 4070 square miles
(10540 square kilometers). That is 1/3 the size of Belgium, and
that’s just one county. Forget the whole state. Welcome to the US!
Great big land of the very long long drive. Wish I was going to one
of the workshops, or even the conference, but I think the drive might
be a little longer for me. Hey…a little geography lesson never hurt
anyone.

Lisa, (who stayed in Louvain Belgium for three months and took
public transport. Boy do I miss that!) Topanga, CA USA

Hi, Linda,

My main concern is about the place where the flatware workshop
(by James Obermeier)is being held: Northern Illinois University. It
seems that is more than an hour away from downtown Chicago (where I
live, in Belgium, that would mean driving to another country !!!)

You’re right-- there could be some difficulty getting out there from
the conference hotel. I will check with the committee to see what,
if anything, is arranged to deal with that.

I put that workshop down as my second choice, though I’d be thrilled
to attend ALL of the offerings. Probably a good thing they’re all
simultaneous, or I’d be broke and exhausted. So if I don’t get my
first choice, you can count on me.

In any case, I feel pretty sure there will be someone local who is
going and would be happy to give you a ride. If you give the OK,
I’ll post your email to the CMAG forum for you, to look for a
volunteer. Alternatively, I could put a “ride wanted” notice for you
(or anyone else who asks) in the next issue of the CMAG newsletter.
This seems like a good idea to me.

I encourage you to take the leap of faith, send in your request for
the flatware workshop, and trust that there will be a solution. If
all else fails, maybe you could get a hotel close to the workshop
for the pre-conference period, then “move” downtown.

At least you won’t have to change languages or currency in the
process!

–Noel

I’ve heard it said that an Englishman thinks 200 miles is a long
way… An American thinks 200 years is a long time…

FWIW :slight_smile:

Kerry
CeltCraft Beads & Jewelry