WE HAVE A TON OF MEDIA TO SORT THROUGH SO PLEASE STAY TUNED TO OUR BLOG. THERE'S PLENTY MORE ON THE WAY THAT WE HOPE TO COLLECT FROM OUR FRIENDS WHO TOOK THE TRIP WITH US.
Thanks-
-Tom
p.s. we had a great time and are still taken aback by the events we witnessed.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Layout
Here's the parameters for the trip that they sent us, take a look:
Dear Participant:
We’re very excited that you will be taking part in the Manchester Community College bus trip to Washington, D.C., for the Presidential Inauguration. In this letter you will find:
• General information about the trip
• Rules and regulations
• Suggestions for packing
General Information
• Buses leave from MCC at 7 am on Monday, January 19. Plan to arrive a little early so that we can load luggage and be ready to roll at 7 am.
• The campus will be closed on January 19. No one will be granted admittance to the buildings on the morning of the 19th or on the evening of the 21st.
• All cars must be parked in C-lot on the left side of entrance, keeping the vehicles clustered together. This is in case of snow removal needs.
• MCC PD is asking that all students who will be parking their vehicles in C-lot please provide the department with their license plate numbers.
• We have “camping” accommodations at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) at Dupont Circle in Washington. The good news: it’s only about a mile and a half to the Mall from the JCC! The bad news: it’s only about a mile and a half to the Mall from the JCC! Yes, it is right in the middle of things, so anticipate LOTS of crowds, traffic delays, etc.
• “Camping” accommodations means that you will need a sleeping bag, and an air mattress is highly recommended! The JCC is a beautiful facility with bathrooms, showers, etc. MCC will be the only group “camping” at the JCC.
• After initial check-in, everyone has to leave the JCC. You must return between 10 pm and midnight on the night of the 19th.
• In general, everyone must leave the JCC by 8 a.m. each day and must return between 10 pm and midnight (there are locked rooms where sleeping bag, etc., can be stored during daytime hours).
• On Inauguration day, the JCC will offer day passes to the group that will allow people to come and go as they please, to watch events on the JCC TVs, and munch on hot snacks all day. The cost is $10 per person. We strongly encourage you to seriously consider this option!
• There will be a very low-key Inaugural “Ball” (informal attire; the target population is young adults) at the JCC from 7-11 pm on the night of the inauguration. Members of our group are welcome to purchase tickets to the event if they choose to. Because of the ball, though, it will probably be difficult for anyone to get to sleep before 11! (The usual 10-midnight curfew applies on Inauguration Day for anyone who doesn’t take the day pass option).
• You must be ready to board the bus by 2:30 p.m. on the day AFTER the inauguration (Jan. 21) and return to MCC that night.
Rules and Regulations
Everyone who participates in this trip is an ambassador for Manchester Community College and is expected to conduct himself or herself appropriately AT ALL TIMES.
Absolutely no alcohol or controlled substances are allowed on the buses or in the JCC.
Students must return to the JCC between 10 pm and midnight. If you do not return in time, you will be locked out!
All participants must show a photo ID and a JCC ID (which will be provided when you board the bus) in order to enter the JCC.
The JCC is a kosher environment. ONLY KOSHER FOOD ITEMS can be brought into the JCC. (Look for a small K inside of a circle on food packaging; this symbol indicates that the item is kosher.)
No loud or unruly behavior will be tolerated in the JCC. Please remember—people are trying to sleep!
Students will be assigned to a chaperone and asked to check in via cell phone at various times during the trip. The individual chaperones will make their own arrangements with their assigned students as to when the calls will be made.
Students are responsible for making their own arrangements for meals and activities while in Washington. There are many free activities in Washington, such as the Smithsonian museums and the national monuments. We will provide photocopied street maps of DC when you board the bus.
Any participant who violates these rules and regulations will be sent home immediately at his/her own expense.
Be Sure to Bring…
• Warm clothes and footwear—it can be very cold in Washington in January!
• Any medications you need
• A photo ID
• A fully –charged cell phone
• A sleeping bag (you may want to bring an air mattress, too)
• Enough money for food and $10 for a day pass to the JCC on Jan. 20 (if you choose)
• Snacks (make sure they’re Kosher if you want to bring them into the JCC—see above)
• A water bottle
You may also want…
• A guidebook or good-quality street map (we will provide you with a photocopied map)
• A little extra money for souvenirs
• A camera
Do NOT Bring…
• Valuables such as jewelry
• More than one small piece of luggage, duffle bag or backpack
Reminders and Helpful Hints
Over 4 million people are expected to attend the inauguration. Expect to be in very crowded areas most of the time. As in any crowded situation, it’s a good idea to have a rendezvous point so that if you and your party become separated, you can find each other again. The best rendezvous point will probably be the JCC itself.
Again, as in any crowded situation, it is good to remember that not everyone around you may be “nice.” Keep your money and other belongings close to your body and inside your clothing if possible.
Expect to encounter a lot of security checks. Backpacks may not be allowed in all areas, especially along the parade route, and are probably best left at the JCC.
The closest you can possibly get to the actual inauguration is the National Mall. Jumbotrons are going to be broadcasting on the Mall so that the crowds can view the inauguration ceremony and speech. (We’re pointing this out because we don’t want students to be disappointed if they don’t actually see the President up close!)
We’re very glad that you will be making the trip. We believe that if you follow the guidelines presented here, everyone will have a safe and memorable trip.
Best wishes,
The Inaugural Trip Committee
Yeah, the 12 a.m. curfew is pretty lame, but we realize that they need to lock the doors at some point. We couldn't be more excited, stay tuned for more tonight, maybe a video of us getting ready to go. Peace
-ICE Radio
Dear Participant:
We’re very excited that you will be taking part in the Manchester Community College bus trip to Washington, D.C., for the Presidential Inauguration. In this letter you will find:
• General information about the trip
• Rules and regulations
• Suggestions for packing
General Information
• Buses leave from MCC at 7 am on Monday, January 19. Plan to arrive a little early so that we can load luggage and be ready to roll at 7 am.
• The campus will be closed on January 19. No one will be granted admittance to the buildings on the morning of the 19th or on the evening of the 21st.
• All cars must be parked in C-lot on the left side of entrance, keeping the vehicles clustered together. This is in case of snow removal needs.
• MCC PD is asking that all students who will be parking their vehicles in C-lot please provide the department with their license plate numbers.
• We have “camping” accommodations at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) at Dupont Circle in Washington. The good news: it’s only about a mile and a half to the Mall from the JCC! The bad news: it’s only about a mile and a half to the Mall from the JCC! Yes, it is right in the middle of things, so anticipate LOTS of crowds, traffic delays, etc.
• “Camping” accommodations means that you will need a sleeping bag, and an air mattress is highly recommended! The JCC is a beautiful facility with bathrooms, showers, etc. MCC will be the only group “camping” at the JCC.
• After initial check-in, everyone has to leave the JCC. You must return between 10 pm and midnight on the night of the 19th.
• In general, everyone must leave the JCC by 8 a.m. each day and must return between 10 pm and midnight (there are locked rooms where sleeping bag, etc., can be stored during daytime hours).
• On Inauguration day, the JCC will offer day passes to the group that will allow people to come and go as they please, to watch events on the JCC TVs, and munch on hot snacks all day. The cost is $10 per person. We strongly encourage you to seriously consider this option!
• There will be a very low-key Inaugural “Ball” (informal attire; the target population is young adults) at the JCC from 7-11 pm on the night of the inauguration. Members of our group are welcome to purchase tickets to the event if they choose to. Because of the ball, though, it will probably be difficult for anyone to get to sleep before 11! (The usual 10-midnight curfew applies on Inauguration Day for anyone who doesn’t take the day pass option).
• You must be ready to board the bus by 2:30 p.m. on the day AFTER the inauguration (Jan. 21) and return to MCC that night.
Rules and Regulations
Everyone who participates in this trip is an ambassador for Manchester Community College and is expected to conduct himself or herself appropriately AT ALL TIMES.
Absolutely no alcohol or controlled substances are allowed on the buses or in the JCC.
Students must return to the JCC between 10 pm and midnight. If you do not return in time, you will be locked out!
All participants must show a photo ID and a JCC ID (which will be provided when you board the bus) in order to enter the JCC.
The JCC is a kosher environment. ONLY KOSHER FOOD ITEMS can be brought into the JCC. (Look for a small K inside of a circle on food packaging; this symbol indicates that the item is kosher.)
No loud or unruly behavior will be tolerated in the JCC. Please remember—people are trying to sleep!
Students will be assigned to a chaperone and asked to check in via cell phone at various times during the trip. The individual chaperones will make their own arrangements with their assigned students as to when the calls will be made.
Students are responsible for making their own arrangements for meals and activities while in Washington. There are many free activities in Washington, such as the Smithsonian museums and the national monuments. We will provide photocopied street maps of DC when you board the bus.
Any participant who violates these rules and regulations will be sent home immediately at his/her own expense.
Be Sure to Bring…
• Warm clothes and footwear—it can be very cold in Washington in January!
• Any medications you need
• A photo ID
• A fully –charged cell phone
• A sleeping bag (you may want to bring an air mattress, too)
• Enough money for food and $10 for a day pass to the JCC on Jan. 20 (if you choose)
• Snacks (make sure they’re Kosher if you want to bring them into the JCC—see above)
• A water bottle
You may also want…
• A guidebook or good-quality street map (we will provide you with a photocopied map)
• A little extra money for souvenirs
• A camera
Do NOT Bring…
• Valuables such as jewelry
• More than one small piece of luggage, duffle bag or backpack
Reminders and Helpful Hints
Over 4 million people are expected to attend the inauguration. Expect to be in very crowded areas most of the time. As in any crowded situation, it’s a good idea to have a rendezvous point so that if you and your party become separated, you can find each other again. The best rendezvous point will probably be the JCC itself.
Again, as in any crowded situation, it is good to remember that not everyone around you may be “nice.” Keep your money and other belongings close to your body and inside your clothing if possible.
Expect to encounter a lot of security checks. Backpacks may not be allowed in all areas, especially along the parade route, and are probably best left at the JCC.
The closest you can possibly get to the actual inauguration is the National Mall. Jumbotrons are going to be broadcasting on the Mall so that the crowds can view the inauguration ceremony and speech. (We’re pointing this out because we don’t want students to be disappointed if they don’t actually see the President up close!)
We’re very glad that you will be making the trip. We believe that if you follow the guidelines presented here, everyone will have a safe and memorable trip.
Best wishes,
The Inaugural Trip Committee
Yeah, the 12 a.m. curfew is pretty lame, but we realize that they need to lock the doors at some point. We couldn't be more excited, stay tuned for more tonight, maybe a video of us getting ready to go. Peace
-ICE Radio
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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