Klarinet Archive - Posting 000758.txt from 2004/07

From: Nancy Buckman <eefer@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Fwd: I got my room
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2004 22:54:33 -0400


>Just a note to let those of you who sent me notes of support know that I
>did finally get my room back. I never got a call back from the Marriott
>Sales manager, even though I requested one after the issue had been
>resolved. He left it to an underling to call me back. I have since
>spoken to the general manager and to the corporate office. It appears
>that room reservations were not the only thing about this conference that
>was overbooked. I have it from a pretty accurate source that the exhibit
>hall was double booked.
>My reservation confirmation had a disclaimer on it that specifically said
>the Marriott would not do what they tried to do to me.

>197478c.jpg
>After about my fifth call to Mr. Castaldi, the sales manager, I got tired
>of him not returning my calls (I had been trying to reach him since
>Friday). I called back a sixth time and left him a message reminding him
>of the disclaimer. I told him either he was to reassign my room back to
>me, or I expected the Marriott to pick up my ENTIRE Fest tab for the
>inconvenience, or he would hear from an attorney in the morning. Within
>twenty minutes I had a call from his assistant with a new confirmation
>number. So to anyone else who might be dealing with this situation, that
>is what you will have to do to keep your room. And to David Blumberg, the
>rooms are quite nice actually. Audrey Travis has been staying there since
>Saturday and her room is just fine.
>
>There is a courtyard that separates the Inn from the Conference
>Center. There is a large parking garage right behind the
>Conference Center. Behind the garage is a huge parking lot and on the
>other side of the lot is the Smith Theatre (which is enormous). There is
>a lot of construction between the big lot and the Theatre, so I am
>assuming there will be busses running. Also, bring an umbrella. It has
>rained daily for most of the summer. Daytime temps are between 85 and 90
>and the humidity is high. You will need insect repellent if you are going
>to Wolf Trap (don't go without it) and I would recommend long pants and
>shoes and socks. Bring a lightweight jacket and a hat, and wear these
>items in the park. Then spray your clothing with the repellent. If you
>are not accustomed to using repellent, it can make you jittery if you put
>it directly on large areas of your skin (don't forget to rub some on your
>neck, hands and ears). And read the label. It should contain DEET as the
>active ingredient and should be around 50%. Less means less effectiveness
>and more means if you get it on your skin you are more likely to have to
>deal with the jitters.
>
>For those of you who wish to make a journey into D.C. from the Inn, you
>will need to take a cab to Prince George's Plaza and take the Metro to
>whatever part of town you want to visit (do not even attempt to drive -
>there is nowhere to park). Audrey and I went yesterday and it is fairly
>simple.
>
>For those of you wishing to visit the Smithsonian Museum of American
>History musical instrument hall, many of the instruments have been pulled
>for cleaning. The Air and Space Museum is fully open though. While the
>museums are generally free (some exhibits have an entrance fee), the food
>is terribly expensive ($16 for lunch yesterday - milk, a cup of soup and a
>tuna sandwich). Other sites close to the National Mall other than the
>Smithsonian would be the Washington Monument, National Holocaust Memorial,
>the Vietnam Memorial, the National Gallery of Art, the National Archives,
>the U.S.Capitol Building and the White House. You must have advance
>tickets (free, but to be obtained from state senators and representatives)
>to view the White House and the Capitol interiors.
>
>To all who are coming, have a safe trip.
>
>Nancy
>
>Nancy Buckman
>Principal Clarinet / Orchestra AACC
>eefer@-----.net

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