Seeking input on Dallas '13 dates of April 13th weekend.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:26 pm

Of course I've paid $500 for tickets to the Met Opera that weekend to see Die Walkure, an opera I've never been to and that I REALLY want to see.

Based on prior comments, it sounds like the following dates for BWE Dallas '13 would be:

Thursday, April 11
Friday, April 12
Saturday, April 13
Sunday, April 14

Nic, I think you should come down to Maine, we'll make a road trip to Dallas. We'll drink some great northern Medocs on the way down. I'll drive.

First rule: I'll only do this weekend if DavidG can make it. As everyone knows, he is designated as the alternate Benevolent Dictator in the event that the BD cannot perform his duties. I have many things going on right now, including very big criminal cases and caring for a father whose health is failing rapidly. If his health prevents me from participating in April, I'm sure that everyone will understand.

Secondly, I need to be satisfied that we can legally conduct BWE events in Texas. That has always been a rule for BWE events. I'll work with HM$ on this. Do they allow wine BYOB in TX?

Thirdly, I need to be convinced we can get at least 30 people to participate. Robert Goulet, I hereby order you to attend.

In any event, I'd like to get some input here.

Sincerely, your Benevolent Dictator.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:47 pm

Shit, talk about pressure...

I'll start working on an Academy sub for me next week. I would put the DBGAPI (DBG Attendance Probabilty Index) at 65%.

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:40 am

BYOB is legal in Texas, as long as the restaurant does not serve hard liquor. I have multiple venues to select from.

I second the 30 person (or thereabouts) requirement. As much as I love you guys, I don't want this to be remembered as the BWE event where 5 of us sat around and stared at each other.

hm$

RDD · Post by **RDD** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:53 am

We'll be there...........

RDD · Post by **RDD** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:09 am

JimHow wrote:.....Nic, I think you should come down to Maine, we'll make a road trip to Dallas. We'll drink some great northern Medocs on the way down. I'll drive.

......Sincerely, your Benevolent Dictator.

Y'all may as well overnight here in Charlotte. I have a 1990 Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) I've been saving for Nic for like 10+ years. Also we can drink his 1989 Cantemelrle.

I'll go blow the garage out with grass blower and throw some burlap sacks on the floor.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:36 pm

That weekend works for Lucie and me.

We are headed to Dallas today to view a Chihuly exhibition and see my nephew and his guitar group perform at Sangria. Dallas is not exactly in the backwoods--I am confident that sophisticated BWEers will find it a good place for the convention.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 3:19 pm

ok with us

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:45 pm

Paula and I plan on making it. It is possible that I may be running a large learning conference that week, which could delay us until Friday - hopefully not.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:50 pm

Looking good!

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:55 am

Thanks for the offer JIm and Rob, but like I,ve already said, 2013 is not good for me. In April, our 3rd kid will be 6 weeks old, and I have to be at work from January until May.

Please stop the nice word, nice offer, nice wines, etc... I really wish I could be there, but it is barely impossible. The only luck would be that I win the lotto, but I don<t purchase any tickets...

Sad sad Nic.

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:21 pm

Are these dates now written in stone or are they still subject to change. If these are the dates I'll try this week to negotiate a vacation switch.

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:36 pm

Lisa and I are in as long as work doesn't get in the way. I would put our odds of attendance at over 80%.

SF Ed

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:10 pm

We're in.

Tom

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:15 pm

These dates are confirmed as soon as DavidG confirms!

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 2:16 pm

The future of Ophthalmology (yeah, like I'm that important

) or the BWE Convention?

I don't know how this could have taken more than a moment's consideration...

I'm in!

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 2:51 pm

Yeah!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 2:51 pm

You da man!

It is hereby declared by Benevolent Dictatorial Decree:

Dallas '13 shall occur on the weekend of April 13th!

So it is written. So it shall be done.

Dates of BWE convention in Dallas:

Thursday, April 11, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Sunday, April 13, 2013

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:58 pm

I'm in! At least two of us and hopefully we'll take a few days before to see the Longhorn state!

Danny

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:26 pm

now, accomodations. calling HM$

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:28 pm

Glad to see you guys coming Danny!

Teyyyxsas here we come!

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 2:08 am

Hi Guys!

Lisa and I are thrilled to be hosting. We will have at least 1 event at our house, but I will start working on dinner venues for each night, daytime options, and of course hotels.

A few things you should know about my fair city.

1. Dallas is a destination city for shopping and eating, first and foremost.
2. That said, we have some great attractions such as the 6th Floor/JFK Museum (a must see), the Nasher Sculpture Garden, and 2 world class art museums in Fort Worth. And if you come in Wednesday, you can see Turandot at the Dallas Opera. Outside of NYC, Dallas has one of the best operas in the US.
3. We now have 2 good wine mega-stores -- Specs and Total Wine.
4. Hotels. I promise, promise, promise, you do not need to worry about a hotel. You are free to do what you want, but we won't start to see great deals until 4-5 weeks out from the date, and there will be plenty. We have lots of hotel space all over the city. Make a refundable reservation if you want now, but worry about what wine you are bringing, not where you are staying.
5. Anyone who wants to bring kids can -- we have a great group of sitters.
6. You will need a car.

hm$

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:27 pm

Please count me and guest in.

I haven't been to Dallas since my sister and her family moved from there to Lyon 10 years ago. And I lived there for a summer some 25 years ago (I mostly remember the women and a few bars, as one does at that age).

I may only have Christmas to get access to my wines, so if we know the blind tasting wines I can contribute. Otherwise you'll be stuck with whatever I find when I start looking in Dec!

Thanks HMS and L.

Looking forward to it!

Michael-P

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 4:20 pm

For a New York perspective on a brand new museum in Dallas, see

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/arts/ ... nted=1&hpw

(You might need a subscription to the NYT to view this.)

sdr · Post by **sdr** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:01 pm

I'm almost certainly in.

I'm curious about restaurants that do not have a hard liquor license. That's rare in most big cities. Can you give us some hints? Is there a variety of styles, such as modern American, French, Italian, Asian, etc.?

Stuart

Claret · Post by **Claret** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:22 am

If my employment situation remains stable I am in.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:46 am

I don't know the good possibilities near downtown, Stuart, but Howard will advise.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 4:30 am

mrs vino quite enjoyed herself this week in Dallas. Thanks HM$ for the recs.

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:32 pm

Many of the better restaurants in Dallas, aside from steakhouses, lack a hard liquor license . All potential venues are what I would describe as contemporary American fare, except one which is country french.
I am also looking into renting a place and having one of these chefs cater the dinner.

More to come.

hm$

of7271 · Post by **of7271** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:46 pm

How I wish I could attend. Given that I'll be in Houston the following week (also for Wagner but not the Ring-- "Tristan und Isolde" at the Houston Grand Opera, instead) it's a shame that I'll still be across the pond the weekend you are planning the annual round BWE festivities.

I'll certainly be there in spirit and although it's tentative, some friends of mine in the UK are keen to do a short tour of the Médoc with me this summer. Advice and suggestions are more than welcome!

-Omar

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:44 pm

Hey Omar good to hear from you.

robertgoulet · Post by **robertgoulet** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:10 am

Goulet will be there in spirit I'll c u when our in Florida!! Thank for the invite

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:10 am

Loks like Mrs. G will be joining me.

Sorry to miss you Omar. Stop by and let us know what you're drinking more often.

RG, gonna have to get you to one of these things soon.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:03 am

Looking forward to taking the BWE road show to Texas. We'll get you to a convention Goulet!

robertgoulet · Post by **robertgoulet** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:37 pm

Is my new buddy Mr. Litwar attending?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:44 pm

Is Dallas viable?
Are we going to have a sufficient critical mass of attendees?
What is the current headcount?

robertgoulet · Post by **robertgoulet** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 2:33 pm

My teammate Orlandorobert is trying to get me to consider it...I told him u guys wouldn't know what do us with us!!

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:05 pm

Going to make a week out of it and see a bit of Texas with Danielle. Planning on going into San Antonio and driving into Austin,??College Station for a quick visit and then up to Dallas for Thursday night whatever. Hope this is still viable Jim.

robertgoulet · Post by **robertgoulet** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:50 pm

Austin...best city in texas

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:13 pm

Let's get a firm confirmation list started:

1. stefan + 1 (Lucie)

Others who said yes or probably yes: DavidG + 1, JHow, hm$ + ?, sdr +1, dstgolf + 1, MichaelP + 1, SF Ed + 1, Tom in DC + 1. RDD + 1, Jay Winton + 1, JCNorthway + 1, Claret + ?. Others who said maybe: robertgoulet. Anyone else?

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:42 pm

I am definitely planning on attending. Been looking at flight schedules for the trip to Dallas for BWE 2013. Just need to make sure this is a go before I buy the tickets. At this point, Marjorie is not sure about her work schedule.

Chris Bublitz