The only think I can think of is the rooms at Manuel's [link] It's close, but I don't know how much control we could have over our surroundings. The Trolley Barn and some of the places on Ponce that rent rooms for parties start as twice as much as The Highland Inn ballroom.

Ima put up a poll for the 14th so we can have some actual data.

March 30-April 1 the Final 4 is held in Atlanta.

The Highland Inn has a wedding in the ballroom March 24.

April 7 is Easter.

Okay, the Final Four weekend definitely has to be out. Craziness. And Easter, yeah, that's a no-go as well.

But regarding the 24th -- are we already committed to the Highland Inn? (I ask this b/c I can't remember anything about the hotel discussion. My brain is a void on this.) If not, surely there are other hotels available.

I called them because I was familiar with it - I don't think either Ginger or I got any response from the Convention Bureau people. So we can look further afield, but it'll have to be one-by-one.

March 30-April 1 the Final 4 is held in Atlanta.

Brendon would love that date. I'm good with any weekend except Easter.

Or we could change the date to February and have it at my house.

I just got an e-mail back from the theatre guy to say that he thought a sing-along would be great. He's looking around to see if there's a film verson available, which is what they'd need.

This is making me sad now that I can't come (any date before Mid-May is out for me, so I have no horse in the March 24th type race)

From Manuel's website:

We offer free parking, a full catered menu and do not charge a room rental fee. We have event spaces, both private and semi-private, that hold from 25-150 people.

This sounds like it has possibility.

Also, I must point out the amusement factor of holding a Buffista event on a road called Ponce.

I'm on Ponce practically every day. It's Ponce de Leon Avenue (pronounced pahnse dee lee-on, to the horror of Spanish speakers everywhere), but most people just call it Ponce.

Here are the room rates if we don't rent the ballroom:

Single (1 Full size bed) $81.85

Queen (1 Queen size bed) $89.95

Double (2 Full size beds) $99.95

Suite (1 Queen size bed with a sitting area) $105.95

We're a possible to come - it's a 6-hour drive with a 3 year old and a 9 month old. Much depends upon how patient the 9 month old will be, and we won't know that until he's closer to that age. I mean, he's a dream to drive now, but as kids get mobile they get antsier. It could be hell in a sedan.

mr. flea was like, "Um, what would the kids and I do?" I said, "Hang around with buffistas and go to the aquarium." I think he doesn't really get it.

I'm a possible. Later dates would be much easier for me than earlier ones.

I'm pretty much a lock unless it's on Easter weekend. Though I may attend Prom in jams and a tanktop if the temperatures zoom up where I expect them to go.