San Francisco Bay Area

[Dawno]

Want to meet? I'm closer to San Jose, but willing to drive to the city or elsewhere that's central. I'm particularly interested in getting over to Berkeley and visiting The Other Change of Hobbit bookstore, so East Bay is an option, too.

[rugcat]

I live in San Francisco, but alas, I'm leaving the day after tomorrow for a couple of months--work stuff.

But if you're in SF check out Borderlands Books (http://www.borderlands-books.com/). I think it's by far the best SF/F bookstore around.

[Dawno]

Thanks rugcat! I'll make a note of it. Rarely go to the city - I'm a driving kind of person and that place is not car friendly! I'll have to gather up my courage or take the CalTrain one of these days.

My husband and I were thinking of taking BART to Berkeley from Fremont to go to The Other Change of Hobbit - probably will do later this month.

[rugcat]

You can take BART to 24th and Mission, walk one block to Valencia, and down past 20th to Borderlands. Valencia is a great street anyway, lots of restaurants, bookstores, and various other neat stores.

[Medievalist]

Valencia is a super area for just walking round. Lots of used book stores, too

[P.H.Delarran]

I'm in the Sacramento area and would definitely make the (short) drive to just about anywhere in the Bay area to meet up.
Unfortunately, I'm not very familiar with more than the usual tourist stops in S.F, so I can't offer any suggestions.

[SpookyWriter]

I'm in the Sacramento area and would definitely make the (short) drive to just about anywhere in the Bay area to meet up.
Unfortunately, I'm not very familiar with more than the usual tourist stops in S.F, so I can't offer any suggestions.Oh I so forgot to email you from work. Tomorrow, promise.

[Medievalist]

I know Powell/Union Square and the Mission fairly well. Mostly from attending Mac events at Moscone.

[P.H.Delarran]

Oh I so forgot to email you from work. Tomorrow, promise.
Too late Spook, I deleted you from my IM.
(ok ok, twist my arm and I'll add you back )
And hey, get out of this thread unless you're coming to the Bay area!

[Susan B]

Thanks rugcat! I'll make a note of it. Rarely go to the city - I'm a driving kind of person and that place is not car friendly! I'll have to gather up my courage or take the CalTrain one of these days.

My husband and I were thinking of taking BART to Berkeley from Fremont to go to The Other Change of Hobbit - probably will do later this month.

Hi,

I live in Berkeley, work in Fremont--take BART.

Some great bookstores (with readings) in Berkeley: Cody's, Black Oak, University Press Books.

Susan

[SpookyWriter]

Too late Spook, I deleted you from my IM.
(ok ok, twist my arm and I'll add you back )
And hey, get out of this thread unless you're coming to the Bay area!I used to work out of the Bay Area for Wells Fargo and enjoyed staying at the Hilton by the wharf. What's that chocolate factory down there...hmm...starts with a "C".

When I lived in Holland, my neighbors flew for KLM and once they visited SF. They brought me back a couple pounds of the most delicious chocolate. Yummy!

I'll email you tomorrow...sorry, I got busy with my project and was swamped with work lately.

[Dawno]

This looks like the germ of a possible meetup :) I'm even willing to help get two rolling, one in SF and one in Berkeley - just on different weekends, ok? :D

Between the weekend after the 4th and the last weekend in July, I'm pretty much open...any suggestions for a date? We can haggle about places later.

BTW, I'm going to bed now, so I won't get back to this until tomorrow...but do carry on while I'm away! :D

[P.H.Delarran]

July would be great, I would be most available during the second half.

[clara bow]

july works for me, too except for the last week (i'll be in san diego for comic-con). i'm closer to berkeley/san jose but i don't mind a bart ride to union square, either.

[AndreaGS]

I live in Sac-town as well and wouldn't mind driving out. Second part of July works fine for me too.

[TheIT]

Count me in, too. I'm in Santa Clara.

Spooky, I think you mean Ghiradelli chocolates. Good stuff.

[P.H.Delarran]

I'll try to contact Dahmnait and see if she's interested.
Anyone else?
Paprikapink?

[Dawno]

July 14 and 21 are the best dates I see so far. 28th conflicts with ComiCon - and I'm seriously thinking about that, so it's out for me. Not that it should stop anyone from deciding that's the day, Clara and I just won't be there.

I'll put up a poll.

[P.H.Delarran]

I could do any of those days. I prefer Berkely just because I've never been there and it's a bit shorter drive, so that's what I checked on the poll. But I'd go either place.

[TheIT]

July 21 would work better for me. Either location is fine, though Other Change of Hobbit sounds like a good place to explore.

P.S. Dawno, "Hello, Kitty" Picard just looks so wrong.... :D

[Dawno]

Doesn't it! :D

Folks, if you responded in a post but haven't voted in the poll, please do vote. If there's a tie on a date for locations, I'll have to flip a coin or something...

[TheIT]

Whoops! I just looked at my calendar and it looks like July 14 will be better for me, although I think I can also make July 21. I'll be walking in the Wharf to Wharf race down in Santa Cruz on the 22nd and I had the weekends mixed up. I've already voted for the 21st in the poll, so here's another vote for the 14th.

[Dawno]

I'd like to start making plans - so are we ok with Berkeley on the 14th and SF on the 21st?

[P.H.Delarran]

I'm unexpectedly scheduled to work now on the 14th (darnit!), but can make SF on the 21st.

[Varthikes]

I'm in Fremont. Not too far north of San Jose. :)

[Dawno]

Then I hope you'll come join us!

I'll post details soon.

[Dawno]

Update: I've exchanged emails with the owner of The Other Change of Hobbit regarding a July 14th visit. If he's not tied up in their 30th anniversary event he said he'd love to talk to us as a group about the bookseller's side of the business. The store opens at noon - perhaps we could meet there just before noon and then after we're done we can retire to a nice spot for drinks/eats etc...thoughts?

[MacAllister]

Ohhh....what a terrific thing to do, Dawno. Wish I could be there, too. Did you already link to this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Other_Change_of_Hobbit), and I just missed it?

[Dawno]

Nope, I don't think I did. The official site for TOCoH (http://www.otherchangeofhobbit.com/hours.html) (I'm linking to the page with directions and hours) is here.

[P.H.Delarran]

Oh what a great idea.
Now I'm even more bummed that I can't make the 14th!

[clara bow]

works for me!

[Dawno]

Can I hear from the rest of you? I'd like to get an idea of how many are coming while I look for a spot for us to eat at after the bookstore visit.

[P.H.Delarran]

I'm trying to trade shifts so I can have the 14th off..I'll know tomorrow.

[clara bow]

Long Life Vegetarian Company is cheap and good, fwiw. and within walking distance, of the bookstore i think. don't quote me on that, though.

I'll eat anything except seafood.

[P.H.Delarran]

Ok, so I got the 14th off. I'll be there :snoopy:

But I can't do both weekends and will not be making SF on the 21st after all.

[Dawno]

yay P.H.!

My husband and I will be at the store just before it opens at Noon to meet everyone. I hope that someone from the store will be able to give us a little bit of history and answer questions, then we can browse for a bit. Afterwards, there's a place two blocks from the bookstore, Triple Rock Brewery and Alehouse - snacks, pub food, outdoor seating if the weather is nice.

I'm still open to ideas if there's anything else anyone would like to suggest. Otherwise, I look forward to meeting everyone there on the 14th!

[P.H.Delarran]

Sounds fun!
So, we have Dawno, TheIt, ClaraBow and myself?

[Dawno]

Varthikes? Can you make it on the 14th?

It's looking a bit iffy for me on the 21st - that's my birthday weekend and hubby has been hinting about something special :) Not that it should stop anyone else from organizing a meet on that day...

[TheIT]

Unfortunately, I'll be out of town on the 14th. I got invited to my nieces' birthday party, but I still should be able to do something on the 21st.

Maybe we could also do something in the San Jose area sometime?

[clara bow]

to confirm I'll be there.

Ok, back to revisions....

[Tish Davidson]

Is it too late to join in? I live in Fremont. And can you give the address and time?

[P.H.Delarran]

Yay!
Dawno linked to directions earlier in this thread. And she said she'd be arriving at the bookstore a little before noon. That's about when I'll be there.

[Dawno]

Not to late for anyone - the more the merrier! Please - read up thread for time and directions. My husband and I are looking forward to meeting all of you.

My picture is in my profile - that might help you recognize me. I'll bring along a little sign, too, that says AW or something like that, so you'll know for sure.

I'm really looking forward to this - hope you are, too!

[Dawno]

Tomorrow's the day! I hope you all still manage to make it there. I'll be waiting in front of the bookstore at 11:45.

[rugcat]

So sorry I'm out of town. Would have loved meeting you guys.

[Dawno]

Meet Address: 2020 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley - Time: Meet just before noon and be first in the door :)

I'm a tallish gal with dark auburn hair, I'll be wearing a Hawaiian style (in mostly turquoise print) campshirt and khaki capris. I look forward to seeing you there!

[Dawno]

I had a great time yesterday, got to meet Clara Bow and spent time talking to Tom Whitmore the owner of The Other Change of Hobbit. Sorry that others of you couldn't get there this time - I hope we can try again some day.

As for next weekend - it's up to you folk - I'll make the trek to SF if there's serious interest, so please speak up if you still want to give it a try.

[P.H.Delarran]

Wish I had been there!
Can't make Sunday though.
Hopefully next time.

[Dawno]

Do we have any interest in a Saturday July 21st meetup in San Francisco? I need to firm up my weekend plans with my husband. If there are at least two or three folk who are really enthusiastic about meeting, I'll organize a place to meet.

[Dawno]

Due to lack of response I won't be going to SF tomorrow - let's try this again another time, though.

[September skies]

I've been away from aw boards a bit and just saw this for the first time - but i would have loved to have gone. when you try it again, I would love to go. my schedule is quite flexible.

[TheIT]

Another possible meeting location might be Castro Street in Mountain View. There are several book stores and restaurants there.

If anyone's game, I'd probably have some time tomorrow to go to Mountain View rather than SF. I'd still like to meet some of you folks in person.

[Dawno]

I'd be happy to meet up in Mountain View tomorrow - Books Inc. on Castro has a nice little coffee shop upstairs. I wanted to go by Global Beads down the street and get some beading supplies anyway, so I was planning a trip downtown. (all of 5 minutes away).

[Susan B]

So sorry I missed this! I was out of town July 5-15, also not reading the boards during that time.

I live in Berkeley and would love to meet at one of the bookstores there again. Could also get into SF. (I also work in Fremont, though that's not a real bookstore kind of town, though there is Borders and Barnes and Noble of course.)

Susan

[TheIT]

Global Beads sounds good, too. I'm always up for looking at art supply and bookstores, although I keep telling myself I need to use up my current supply of beads before I can buy anything else.

What would be a good time? Mid-afternoon?

[Dawno]

I'd really like to see a commitment of 3 or more people before I agree to something, even in Mountain View - this is my birthday weekend and I do have some plans.

[kg_crow]

Just back in town. Did this meeting happen? I live in the East Bay, my Lady the book junkie lives in SF. She knows every bookstore in SF and we can suggest restaurants. We've been to a number of meetings of another board. Please put me on the list for the next one. Thanks.

[clara bow]

Whew, have I been absent, or what?

Anyway, I just wanted to say I had a BLAST meeting Dawn(o) and the G man in Berkeley!!! I can't meet up often, but I would love to go on an outing like this again. If no one else can make it, then I just have Dawno to myself again, so...nyah!

Thanks again, Dawno, for setting it up.

[rugcat]

If you guys can set another meet in September, I'll be back in SF by then.

Or, you could all come to my book launch of Dog Days (http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Days-John-Levitt/dp/0441015530/ref=sr_1_1/002-1100690-1682420?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185329740&sr=1-1) at Borderlands Books (http://www.borderlands-books.com/) on November 11. Free cake!

[AceTachyon]

Darn! Missed the fun.

I'm in Concord so I'm game to meet in Berkeley. Just a BART ride away.

I'll keep my eye on this thread for possible future meets.

[talkwrite]

Is it truly possible to translate a poem? If you've attended recent Lit&Lunch events you may have heard poets Robert Pinsky and W.S. Merwin speculate on the impossible and yet necessary task of the translator. Here's an opportunity to answer the question for yourself, just in time to celebrate World-in-Translation month in May. Join us for a poetry translation workshop with Sidney Wade, poet, translator, and co-editor of Strange Harbors, the forthcoming volume from TWO LINES World Writing in Translation. Discounted registration fee prior to Friday, May 2.
Center for the Art of Translation and The Northern California Translators Association present
Translating Poetry: A Primer
When: Saturday, May 17, 2008, 1 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Mechanics' Institute Library Meeting Room, 4th floor, 57 Post Street (near Market Street), San Francisco
This is a hands-on workshop in the art of literary translation, designed both for those who are new to the field and interested and for those more experienced with the undertaking. There will be an introduction to the most basic elements of the craft and some of the more exasperating issues. Procedures, questions, and conflicts will all be discussed. This workshop will entertain the following sorts of questions: Who is best qualified to translate poetry? How does one start? Why choose one language over another? What is a literal trot? How does a literal trot get translated into a fine poem in English?
INSTRUCTOR:
Sidney Wade is the guest poetry editor of Strange Harbors: TWO LINES World Writing in Translation. She is currently a professor at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where she teaches poetry and translation workshops. She translates Turkish poetry and wrote Istanbul'dan/From Istanbul, which was published in Turkish and in English by Yapi kredi Yayinlari, Istanbul. She is a recent president of the Associated Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) and the author of four other collections of poetry: Stroke, Celestial Bodies, Empty Sleeves, and Green.
ATA Continuing Education Credit: ATA-certified attendees will earn three Continuing Education points.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Click on the link below to register:
http://www.ncta.org/displayconvention.cfm?conventionnbr=5105 (http://www.ncta.org/displayconvention.cfm?conventionnbr=5105)

By phone: (510) 845-8712