SPECIAL EVENTS

FIRESIDE CHATS

Last year's "Break Out Sessions" seemed to be a great way to get "up close and personal" with experienced unschoolers, yet I was dissatified with how hectic it seemed during them. This year, we have the wonderful "Fireside Room" available to us, and I figured this might be a good opportunity to do Break Out Sessions, but with more order.

The Fireside Room (complete with Fireplace! <g>) is located right off the lobby The room is small, so it will encourage more intimate discussions. We have arranged for one hour "chats" with speakers,
regular posters, and repeat conferees. Some have chosen topics they'd be willing to discuss. Others have left themselves wide-open for any questions you'd like to toss their way. This is more of a discussion or Q&A session than a presentation.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

We will have an Ice Cream Social Wednesday afternoon in the Courtyard of the Hotel Albuquerque. This will be a great time to introduce yourself to your online friends. We will have some "Getting-to-know-you" games to help break the ice.

Afterwards, maybe hit the pool or go out to a restaurant with another family?

TALENT SHOW

Acts must be limited to three minutes. Please do your best to stay within this time period. Otherwise, there's no way to keep it running on schedule! There will be a Talent Show table near the registration check-in. They will give you a card so that you can legibly write down your name, your age, the title of your act or talent, the number of minutes you will perform, and any comments you might like the MC to know (such as your most recent accomplishments or whether you prefer to perform early or late in the evening). We appreciate your consideration! We want the talent show to run as smoothly as possible---and that depends a lot on you!

SOUTHWESTERN BANQUET with DINNER SHOW and DANCE

Saturday night, we will have a Southwestern banquet in the hotel's ballroom. **This is an extra charge.** Please indicate which meals you would prefer---they must be pre-ordered!

We have several menu options, including children's, vegetarian, and vegan---all with a Southwestern flare!

During the banquet, there will be a floor-show! Skits and a storyteller!

After the banquet, we will have a local DJ to play all your favorite dance tunes! The dance floor will be open to hoofers of all ages to spin and twirl!

POST CONFERENCE PICNIC

Sunday sfternoon we will have a picnic at the park near the hotel. There are several restaurants nearby as well as a co-op to pick up food (Trader Joe's). This has become a nice closer for the weekend--time to wind down and say good-byes.

Nitrogen Ice Cream (At the closing picnic) - James Coburn
With a small quantity of nitrogen which I will supply, a few metal bowls and utensils, and the delicious fresh ingredients, it is possible to create nearly instantly wonderful ice-creams and dairy free sorbets and iced desserts. This will be an outdoor activity at the picnic, with people invited to participate both in the creative process and in supplying ingredients for batches of their favorite ice creams.  I will bring some safety goggles, but if you have your own that would be terrific.

Websites for more information and recipe ideas:

http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/Henry/Icecream/Icecream.html

http://webs.wichita.edu/facsme/nitro/cream.htm

http://www.ice-cream-recipes.com/

RAFFLE

Each year this gets bigger and better! Please feel free to bring a raffle donation: items range from crafts and artwork to books and toys to clothing and furniture! Surprise us!

Tickets will be for sale all weekend: 1/$1, 5/$3, 10/$5, or an arms'
length/$20 ( I just tried an arms' length and got 46)! Don't miss out on your chance to win! Drawing held Saturday night. Items may be picked up Sunday morning.

PASSION BASKETS SILENT AUCTION

Last year's State Baskets were a lot of fun and a GREAT deal for the winners! This year, we'd like to offer Passion Baskets. Share your passion! Fill a basket (or other appropriate container) with whatever someone would need to explore this new interest or hobby.

Items may be new, gently used, or purchased. As long as it's usable and in good shape and can assist a beginner in the new venture, it's fine.
You can solicit donations from distributors and wholesalers too!

Share what makes YOU feel REAL!

Examples:

As a beekeeper, I plan to fill a bee bonnet with gloves, a smoker, a hive tool, a book or two, some Burt's Bees products, two beeswax candles, and a jar of my own honey.

A bird-watcher might fill a birdfeeder with binoculars, bird books, seed, etc.

A doglover might include a book of dog names, some homemade dog biscuits (with the recipe!), a bowl, a leash, and a dog training video---all in a crate or wrapped in a dog bed.

Quilters, knitters, enophiles, chicken lovers, zenmasters, flashlight freaks, YuGiOh-ers, gamers, and gardeners...you know who you are! Share your Passions!

Proceeds go directly to provide scholarships.