RALEIGH CONVENTION PARKING!!! Don't Miss This Post!!!

Hi All,

I did some research on the Raleigh parking situation. The “deal” is that ALL parking decks and lots are owned by the City of Raleigh, which means they have a “monopoly” on what is charged for parking. Here’s what I learned:

Parking at the Marriott Raleigh City Center:
$12.00/day / on-site self parking (in parking deck below The Marriott)
$18.00/day / VALET parking (in parking deck below The Marriott)

Area parking decks convenient to the Marriott and the Convention Center:
$10/day / Lot #16 /City Center Parking Deck located at 429 S. Wilmington Street
$7-$9/day / Lot #47 / Performing Arts Deck located at 128 W. South Street*
*NOTE: only available if there are no activities taking place at the Performing Arts Center

Now, I have some REALLY good news for you! I have 5 FREE PARKING PASSES to give away via our blog! So -- email me at cschor@kindermusik.com or connieschor@aol.com (my personal email address) and let me know if you're interested in having your name in the drawing for one of these 5 FREE PARKING PASSES! We'll draw 5 names from the "hat" on Tuesday, September 30. This will be quite a savings for the 5 winners!

Until then,

Convention Connie

P.S. Have you registered for convention? Have you reserved your room at the Marriott? This is going to be the best EVER convention!

Where's Waldo (I mean -- MICHAEL!!!)

Yep -- here at Kindermusik, A Good Beginning Never Ends! And, finally, included with this blog posting is a picture of Chairman & CEO, Michael Dougherty. Your one and only challenge is to FIND him!!! So -- have a little fun with this posting -- and FIND WALDO (I mean -- Michael!). Email me today at cschor@kindermusik.com and let me know where you've found Michael in this picture!

Oh -- and I can't NOT ask this question! HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR CONVENTION? HAVE YOU RESERVED YOUR ROOM AT THE MARRIOTT RALEIGH CITY CENTER?

If not -- do not delay -- do so TODAY! To register for convention, go to the Teacher's Lounge -- it's easy breezy to do! And -- to reserve your room at the Marriott, just call group reservations at 866-260-1270 and ask for the KINDERMUSIK rate! Our block is filling up FAST (no kidding) -- so book your room today!!

Looking forward to hearing from each and every one of you and to SEEING each and every one of you at Convention in November!

Until then,

Convention Connie

Do you SKYPE??? Want to know how??? Angelica Manca can help!

Kindermusik's resident SKYPE expert Angelica Manca is ready to share some tips with you! And, she invites all of you to become Skype users! Angelica has been a Skype user for approximately 4 years and it has allowed her to stay connected with people across the globe, both professionally and personally, for free! For those of you who don’t know Angelica, she works in the International Department at KI and has daily contact with our International Partners worldwide – from Australia to South Africa, The Philippines, China, United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, India, Singapore and Germany. To quote Angelica: "I could not imagine working in this position without having access to Skype!!"

Skype can be used in multiple ways. Some of its functions include calling from Skype to other Skype users, or using the “Skype Chat” feature to communicate to your Skype contacts, so that you can send them instant messages without actually having to call them – all at no cost! For those of you who have webcams, your Skype contacts will even get to “see” you!

What do you need? A PC/ Laptop or Mac, a microphone and headset [if your PC/ Laptop/ Mac isn’t already set up] and a connection to the internet.

How do you get connected? Visit http://www.skype.com/ and download the program to your PC. Choose a username & password and you’ll be connected!

For further information on how to use Skype please visit:
http://www.skype4dummies.com/images/publicdownloads/SkypeForEducators20071017.pdf

Join Angelica today as an active Skype user! Her Skype ID is angelicamanca – Skype her with any questions or queries you may have or simply to let Angelica know that you’re connected!

Retaurants and coffee shops within walking distance of the Convention Center!!!

Wondering where you might be able to pick up a "cup of joe" or a quick bite to eat between sessions? Well, you might just be able to find your answer here! Raleigh area educator Diane Colin recently provided a list of restaurants that are within walking distance and I wanted to share a few of these with you! Here goes:

Located AT the Marriott Raleigh City Center:

1. Starbucks!
2. Posta Tuscan Grill (open for breakfast, lunch AND dinner)
3. Bar Posta (for a late night "drink of choice")

Within walking distance:

1. Grove Cafe & Bar at the Sheraton (distance: 0.1mi); 421 S. Salisbury Street (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner / $10-$20)/American
2. Poole's Downtown Diner‎ (distance: 0.1mi) / http://www.poolesdowntowndiner.com/ / 426 S. McDowell Street (open for lunch and dinner / moderate pricing) /American
3. Chick-Fil-A‎ (distance: 0.1mi) / 412 Fayetteville Street Mall (closed on Sunday)
4. Yancy's (distance: 0.1mi) / http://www.yancysjazz.com/ / Fayetteville Street (open for lunch and dinner / most items under $30) / Cajun, Creole
5. McDonald's‎ (distance: 0.2mi); 101 E South Street
6. El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant (distance: 0.2mi); 329 S. Blount Street (open for lunch and dinner / most items under $10)
7. Wild Ginger Asian Bistro & Sushi (distance: 0.2mi) / http://www.wildgingersushi.com/ / 180 E. Davie Street (open for lunch and dinner / lunch under $15; dinner under $30)
8. Pharaoh's American Grill (distance: 0.2mi) / http://www.pharaohsamericangrill.com/ / 170 E. Davie Street (open for weekday lunch/sandwiches / most under $7)
9. Sosta Cafe (distance: 0.2mi) / http://www.sostacafe.com/ /130 E. Davie Street (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner/closed weekends / under $10)
10. Sam & Wally's Eatery (distance: 0.2mi) / http://www.samandwallys.com/ / 434 Fayetteville Street (open for breakfast and lunch /most items under $7) / Deli
11. Port City Java (distance: 0.2mi) / http://www.portcityjava.com/ / 234 Fayetteville Street (open for breakfast and lunch/inexpensive sandwiches, salads, pastries)
12. The Big Easy (distance: 0.2 mi) / http://www.thebigeasy.4t.com/ / 222 Fayetteville Street (open for lunch & dinner/under $20) / Cajun
13. Creole Mecca Restaurant (distance: 0.2mi) /13 E Martin Street (open for breakfast, lunch & dinner / under $10) /American, Southern BBQ

This is just a "taste" of the restaurants within walking distance of the Marriott and the Raleigh Convention Center. And, as you'll see, there are prices to suit every budget!

So -- if you haven't already registered for convention, do so TODAY (deadline is October 1st); and, if you haven't reserved your room at the Marriott Raleigh City Center, all 1-866-260-1270 and request the KINDERMUSIK rate. Our room block is quickly filling up, so don't delay!!!

One more thing: If there are items that you'd like to have posted to our convention blog, just email me at cschor@kindermusik.com. As we get closer to convention, I'm sure there will be many, many, many questions and we can provide this information to all via the blog!

Until then,

"Convention Connie"

Be a part of the Convention show!!!

You’ve registered for Convention – now you can be a part of the show. Help us celebrate the ages and stages of Kindermusik by sending in favorite photos of your classes in action (group photos are nice, but we really want to see you movin’, groovin’, rockin’ and rollin’). Include your name, educator number, curriculum and unit portrayed in the photo. Be sure to have permission from families to send the photos on to us, though! That's oh so very important!

Just email your pictures to the following email address by NO LATER THAN October 1st to: kiconventionpix@kindermusik.com.

It's not too late to register for convention....or to book your room at the Marriott Raleigh City Center! Reserve your place today!!!

Until then,

"Convention Connie"

Let's Have a Ball!

Have you registered for Convention? Now is the perfect time! Simply login to the Teachers' Lounge and click on 'Registration' on the lefthand Navigation Bar. You won't want to miss moments like this! (Captured by one of last year's attendees).

Also, did you know the "Who's Who" attending Convention are posted in the Teachers' Lounge Homepage? Login to see the hundreds of Educators already registered. You won't want to miss the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and the chance to make new ones!

Things to do in Raleigh!!!

Are you wondering what ELSE there is to do in the Raleigh, North Carolina area? Well, Raleigh is centrally located: about three hours from the majestic North Carolina mountains (Boone & Asheville areas) and about two hours from the beautiful North Carolina beaches (Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach area, in particular).

Additionally....there's a LOT to do while in the City of Raleigh. Keep in mind that you'll be only a few minutes' drive from three top universities: UNC-Chapel Hill (also known as CAROLINA!), Duke University, and N.C.S.U. (home of the Wolfpack). Below is a list of just a few of Raleigh highlights. And, note that all TWENTY of these "things to do" are FREE:

1. N.C. Museum of History -- Sparkling facility showcases North Carolina's unique and colorful history. (919) 715-0200. Closed on Mondays.
2. N.C. Museum of Art -- Features one of the South's best collections. (919) 839-6262. Closed on Mondays.
3. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences -- Learn about the state's natural history, from the coastal plains to the mountains. (919) 733-7450.
4. N.C. Sports Hall of Fame -- Members include Arnold Palmer, Dean Smith and Richard Petty. Housed in the N.C. Museum of History. (919) 715-0200. Closed on Mondays.
5. State Capitol -- This National Historic Landmark was built in the 1830s. Greek Revival architectural style. (919) 733-4994.
6. North Carolina Executive Mansion -- Called "the most beautiful governor's mansion {interior} in America" by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. (919) 733-3456. Call in advance to make reservations for guided tours.
7. Parks, Lakes and Greenways -- Visitors to Greater Raleigh can enjoy more than 150 beautiful parks and lakes, covering 6,500 acres, and 46 miles of greenways. For a detailed listing, call the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 849-8499.
8. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens -- A colorful variety of trees, shrubs and flowering plants surround a life-size bronze statue of Dr. King. (919) 834-6264.
9. State Farmers Market -- Produce doesn't get any fresher -- or more colorful - than at this 75-acre open air market. (919) 733-7417. Admission is free; produce is not.
10. Artspace -- A center for the visual arts featuring 44 working artists in open-to-the-public studios. (919) 821-2787. Closed Sundays.
11. J.C. Raulsten Arboretum at N.C. State University -- Features more than 6,000 varieties of plants from 55 countries. (919) 515-3132.
12. Historic Oakwood-- Victorian neighborhood listed in the National Tour of Historic Places. Nearby Oakwood Cemetery is the resting place of U.S. Senators, N.C. Governors, Confederate soldiers and generals. Neighborhood: (919) 834-0887. Cemetery: (919) 832-6077.
13. Pullen Park-- Downtown park featuring a 1911 antique carousel, train ride, kiddie boat ride and pedal boats. (919) 831-6468. Hours vary; small fee for rides.
14. State Legislative Building-- Home of the N.C. General Assembly. Designed by Edward Durrell Stone, who also designed the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the American Embassy in New Delhi, India. (919) 733-7928.
15. St. Augustine's College Chapel -- Built in 1895, the chapel is home to the bishop's chair, a memorial to the Right Reverend Henry Beard Delany. (919) 516-4189. Hours: June - July, Mon. - Fri. 9 am-5 pm; Aug. - May, chapel service on Sundays at 11 am.
16. African-American Cultural Complex -- An exposition of contributions made by African Americans to the development of North Carolina and the United States. (919) 231-0625. Call in advance to schedule appointment.
17. Raleigh City Museum -- Interesting exhibits take visitors through the 200-year history of the Capital City. New location downtown at Historic Briggs Hardware Building (1874). (919) 832-3775. Hours vary; call for details.
18. North Carolina Solar Center -- Demonstration house and research facility on the N.C. State University campus. (919) 515-3799. Closed Saturdays.
19. Historic Oak View County Park -- Historic farmstead that focuses on Wake County's agricultural heritage. (919) 250-1013. Open Monday through Saturday. Main house by appointment only.
20. Ray Price Legends of Harley Drag Racing Museum — Check out the only Harley-Davidson drag racing museum in the world located on the second floor of one of the largest Harley dealerships in the United States. The newly-expanded showroom is the home of the world-famous drag racing champion Ray Price. (919) 832-2261.

If you have any questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact me. I'm here and available to help, as are all of my fellow employee owners! I can't wait to meeting you in Raleigh in November!

Until then,

Connie

(aka "Convention Connie")