Berkeley Meetup Nov. 27th @ 1pm @ Au Coquelet -- University/Milvia in Berkeley

Post by **jacob** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:46 pm

We'll meet at Au Coquelet in downtown Berkeley on Saturday Nov. 27th.
See Instructions how to get there.
A few of you have already met me, but I don't think anyone has met each other. I'll bring a sign to put on the table saying ERE. If I don't show up first, you may want to do the same.
(I'll attempt to wear a gray suit jacket with a lapel pin)

NYC ERE · Post by **NYC ERE** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:47 pm

looking forward to it! i will bring some three-buck chuck, maybe some t-day leftovers.

Post by **jacob** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:52 pm

And everybody bring a bottle opener this time

Q · Post by Q » Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:55 pm

Aww man - I will be out of town for once. Turkey Day in New mexico this year...

Post by **jacob** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:59 pm

+1 more.

Q · Post by Q » Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:42 am

Any chance of it moving up or down 1 weekend and not that weekend?

Post by **jacob** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:48 am

I'm trying to coordinate it with Zev (the honored guest) flying in from NYC. This was the weekend given.

NYC ERE · Post by **NYC ERE** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 2:36 am

I'm flexible, though--could do end of Dec.

Post by **jacob** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:16 am

+1 more.

dragoncar · Post by **dragoncar** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:36 am

Tentative +1 (+.9?)
Zev: It's still only two bucks whenever I go. Well, there's tax...

Post by **jacob** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 2:12 am

If anyone wants to get started in vermicomposting, I can bring some red wiggler worms.
You need to have your composter set up already, since the worms need to go somewhere when you bring them home. You can buy a $100 unit, or you can make your own for less than 10 bucks out of a bucket or tote. Here are some instructions. Do this in advance and let me know if you want some free worms.

mike · Post by **mike** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 12:39 am

Self & masalawoman should be able to make it too.
Will bring something to eat (low glycemic load) and some wine (white & red).
And yes, also a cork screw

Post by **jacob** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 7:58 am

It turns out the park has a NO ALCOHOL policy.

NYC ERE · Post by **NYC ERE** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:55 pm

hm... change of venue, anyone? i haven't been to the Cheese Board in a long time--they don't have a single paleo-friendly item, but if i'm going to have a dose of gluten, that'd be the place to do it.

it's not really a great hangout because there aren't many tables (no large ones), but there's Peet's around the corner, where we could sit. i would happily be the one buying a coffee to make our stay legit.
alternatively, there's lots of nice plazas and lawns on the UCB campus to meet at.

mike · Post by **mike** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 5:07 pm

Damned No Alcohol Policy! Ok so no wine then.
Seeing that the weather forecast says rain on Saturday (and assuming they are correct)...should we have a backup location..say the Berkeley Public Library ? (open from 10 am to 6 pm)..just a couple of blocks from the Bart Station on Shattuck Avenue (downtown Berkeley station)
http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/ab ... ations.php
Being a library and all I am assuming though there would be no possibility of bringing food much less wine

What say?
M

NYC ERE · Post by **NYC ERE** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:19 pm

A few ideas in case of rain, alternatives to the library idea (a good gathering place, but we wouldn't be able to talk much):
* Au Coquelet on University@Milvia in Berkeley. I know it from student days--you can hang out there for hours with just a coffee purchase.

* Peet's on Fourth St. -- great coffee, not as big of a place

* Starbucks at Oxford/Center -- Starbucks is a cheapskate's paradise; I regularly go there in NYC without purchasing anything. This location is particularly bright and pleasant.
* a wild card: my family's house in San Francisco. Also bright and pleasant, though probably not very convenient for many of you. It's close to the Balboa Park BART station. It would be a nice opportunity for me to set an ERE first--first person to host ERE meet-ups on two coasts.

Bakari · Post by **Bakari** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:52 am

I doubt very much that the policy is enforced, especially if its a group of reasonably quiet, well behaved adults, who keep it low profile.

I don't think I have ever even seen a cop at Caesar Chavez.
Are people supposed to RSVP?

Me, +1

Post by **jacob** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:18 pm

Given the 40-50F temperature and the 70% chance of rain, I think we should move it indoors.
Personally, I'd prefer a place with not too many surrounding people. My spectrum analyzer isn't very good at separating multiple conversations in noisy environments.
I'd estimate we're currently around 10 ppl.

NYC ERE · Post by **NYC ERE** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:52 pm

Okay, chances of rain are up to 80% now. I'm going to take the reins and announce:
We'll meet at 1pm at Au Coquelet. If you take BART to the Downtown Berkeley Station, walk north for a couple blocks to University Ave., then take a left and walk down to Milvia, which is one block west; it's on the southeast corner of University/Milvia. If you're coming via I-80, get off at University Ave. and come up about two miles to Milvia.
There are two rooms at Au Coquelet--the front room is where we'll try to meet, as the back room is restaurant (meal) service only. I'm hoping that because of the holiday, it will be pretty dead.
My Google Voice number is (646) 770-0451 -- feel free to call or text if you need directions or whatever. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

gratonman · Post by **gratonman** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:33 am

Enjoyed meeting everyone in Berkeley yesterday !

Jacob, thanks for organizing.

Zev, thanks for suggesting Au Coquelet for the meetup. Things known from student days come in handy.