update on Dec 13 fundraiser

[MBS]

8-10 pm December 13,
Symphony Hall, Boston

entertainment includes:
James Taylor
Keith Lockhart & Boston Pops
Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary
"and additional special guests"

There are six levels of tickets, ranging from $75 (upper balcony seating) to (LOL)$4800 (super-duper floor seating, pre-event reception etc).

I'm happy to send invitation to whomever is interested; just send me a PM, with your email address, and I'll email you the invitation ASAP (All I ask is that you list me as the "host committee member" to which contribution should be attributed.). I'm already planning to send invitations to people who contacted me earlier. . if you wrote to me, but do not hear from me by today, please let me know.

Guys, this is going to be great. :) I hope a whole bunch of people can come.

[karynnj]

1. This sounds really really great

[ObamaKerryDem]

2. Sounds wonderful--thanks for keeping us all in the loop about this!

I will be there, hopefully! :bounce: Just shot you an email. :)

[TayTay]

3. If you can go, it would be wonderful.

There will be staff alumni there and staff we know there. An "special surprise guests" for this group means more than it says. :toast:

[Blaukraut]

4. Definitely interested!

Wouldn't it be great to have a bunch of us Kerrycrats attend?

[Democrafty]

5. I will probably attend.

It's practically in my 'hood, so hopefully we can all meet up before or after.

[whometense]

6. Just signed up.

Thanks for letting me know about it.

[karynnj]

8. Me too

I hope all of us can meet before it - it would be great to see you and others again.

[whometense]

9. It would be great to see you too.

It's been way too long.

[TayTay]

7. Hotel deal for any out-of-town visitors for that fundraiser

Went to this website: BostonHotelseye.com. Searched for aHotel near Boston Symphony Hall Found the Midtown Hotel, 220 Huntington Ave, 2 blocks from Symphony Hall, right next to The Mother Church for Christian Science.

$76.00 per night.

Not a big fancy hotel, but a good, serveacable place that is clean, convenient and safe. Check it out at http://www.midtownhotel.com/index.html It has to be booked through the BostonHotelseye.com site to get that rate.

This motel is not fancy, by any means, but it is a good inexpensive place to stay. It's convenient to the AMtrack station at Back Bay (very convenient) and convenient to the Boston Subway system as well.

Just putting that out there. No frills, but then again no big bills at Christmas time either.

[karynnj]

10. Thanks - any thought to when it is most practical for a group of us to get together?

Obviously, we will all be at the event Monday night - but I assume most of the MA people will be busy most of Monday. I am trying to figure out whether to get a room for Sunday and Monday or just Monday.

Any thoughts?

[Democrafty]

11. It might be cool to hang out Sunday

during the day, but that's speaking as a Boston person. Let us know what you decide, and we will plan accordingly :)

(I'm also free during the day Monday, and willing to accompany any tourists on various excursions!)

[karynnj]

12. I got the hotel for Sunday as well and will get to Boston around 1pm

(There is an earlier train but it leaves about 10 minutes after my local train gets to Penn Station - which is too close for comfort!)

[TayTay]

13. I would love to be there on Sunday

It would be like medicine to hang out with such good folks for a while. And touring Boston always makes me feel great.

[karynnj]

14. Fantastic - can't wait to see you!

Your tours are incredible.

[TayTay]

15. The Back Bay of Boston deserves it's own tour.

I have been trying to talk my cousin into a going to Forest Hills Cemetary in Jamiaca Plain with me. No, this isnot a symptom of depression. Forest Hills contains some of the finest outdoor sculpture in the Western Hemisphere. (It is also the final resting place of a some very significant figures in American history, but I want the sculpture tour.)

I won't drag you to Forest Hills, even if it does have Daniel Chester French statues there. (Daniel Chester French sculpted the Abraham Lincoln statue at the Lincoln Memorial in DC as well as the Minuteman Statue in Concord, Ma.) Ahm, just check this out: http://www.yeodoug.com/resources/dc_french/white/dcfrench_white.html (Or this one in Boston: http://www.yeodoug.com/resources/dc_french/white_pg/dcfrench_white_pg.html Now we know why some sculptures have fruit placed in them.) I am besotted with French's Angels. They are gorgeous.

Anyway, I think we can logically, without getting too overtaxed, plan on a tour of some buildings in the Back Bay, not far from Symphony Hall. Boston nearly burned to the ground in 1872. A massive number of buildings were incinerated. The result of that was a build-out into what is now called the Back Bay. This area was newly populated by the rich and powerful and they wanted sumptuous residences to match their wealth and status in the world. (Alsa, yes Beacon Hill fell into disfavor then, but they seem to have recovered nicely in recent years.) Money, big looping scads of money were poured into public buildings. Many of these buildings were designed for public use, such as the Boston Public Library. Many others were churches. The architects, sculptores, painters and artisans commissioned to work on these buildings were some of the finest in the known world and they built truly beautiful and amazing things.

So, if you guys are up for it, I will show you some "Old Stuff." (Not wicked old, or really wicked old, just old stuff.) Like the church of the holy Hornblowers (South Meeting House in Back Bay) And you should, by all means check out Trinity Church:

"Trinity Church is the only church in the United States and the only building in Boston that has been honored as one of the "Ten Most Significant Buildings in the United States" by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 1885, architects voted Trinity Church as the most important building in the U.S.; Trinity Church is the only building from the original 1885 list still included in the AIA's current top ten list. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark on December 30, 1970.

The church also houses sculptures by Daniel Chester French and Augustus Saint-Gaudens."

So, if people want it, We can go tour beautiful things, and take breaks for tea and such.

http://ben-yosef.com/pics/trinity/

[TayTay]

16. Oh dear, I almost forgot option 2, a special event in Salem

Salem Ma is a commuter train away from Boston. (Easy, peasey, promise. Hop the train at North Station, 25 minutes later get off in Salem, 10 minute walk to the museum.)

The Peabody Essex Museum is currently hosting the world premium tour of the Treasures of the Forbidden City. These are pieces from the Emperor of China's private collection of furniture, furnishings and sculpture. These items have not been seen by more than a few folks, in or out of China, in 80 years. I am dying to see this collection. The entrance fee to the whole shebang of the PEM is $15. (Ma residents can request a pass through their local libraries, but I'm not sure it covers the price of admission to this very, very special collection.)

I would be more than happy to take folks there. We could easily be in and out of Salem in time to freshen up for the event on Monday night. Check out the website and let me know if you want to see this. The PEM alone is one of the best museum's ever because the collection is so exotic and eccentric. Having these Chinese treasures there just makes it even better.

http://www.pem.org/

(Why open a world tour of such a significant collection in little ole Salem, a city of about 38,000? Salem has a special connection to China that goes way back. At one time Salem boasted so many ships that went to so many ports of call around the world, that Sailors from North America were just assumed to come from the "country" of Salem. The PEM already has one of the best collections of Asian artifacts in North America. This "special relationship", along with the fact that so many pieces in Salem already come from China, makes it an ideal place to begin this world tour.)

[karynnj]

17. both sound really cool

not to mention - among that collection, "tea party" means exactly what it should - if not preface by "Boston".

[MBS]

18. statues in median of Commonwealth Ave are also cool. .

. . kind of hidden treasures, IMHO.

[TayTay]

20. Absolutely.

I spend a lot of time looking up at buildings and gazing at little parks and greens in and around Boston. (Cambridge too!) There is a treasure on every corner.

[ObamaKerryDem]

22. How long do you plan to be around on that Tuesday (the 14th)? I was thinking..

..that if anyone was able to or up for it, it might be nice to get together for breakfast or brunch that next morning (Tuesday) especially if people are staying over for the event (like I'm planning to). I'd be open to Sunday too but will most likely not be getting into Boston for the event until later in the day Monday (I live about 25 miles or so out). So..just throwing that out there. Can't wait to see everyone/meet those of you I have not met yet! This is so great. :)

[karynnj]

23. I'll be around until about 3:00 pm Tuesday

[ObamaKerryDem]

35. Cool! If you or anyone else here who is going is interested..

..in meeting up that Tuesday morning (Dec. 14), just let me know, on here, on PM or otherwise. :)

Excited to hopefully get to meet some of you all--and to see those of you again whom I already have! This is going to be fantastic. :D

[MBS]

24. I could do that. . n/t

[ObamaKerryDem]

21. That looks like a really good deal--thanks for posting this! :)

I'm probably going to stay overnight in Boston that night (of the event--just because it would be nice not to have to rush back to the Commuter Rail RIGHT after the event or have to worry about that! lol), so this is really good info to have. Will try Priceline, Travelocity, etc as well but this sounds great--will definitely make a note! :)

[ObamaKerryDem]

19. Just got my ticket--so excited!! :)

It will be so great just to be there and to see those of you again I have met..and meet those of you who I have not! :) I would also love to participate in a get together, if at all possible. I will most likely not be getting into Boston until shortly before the start of the event (allowing enough time to get there and get in que obviously, lol, but I mean as far as earlier that day goes..) as I have my final that afternoon (I will be leaving to go right afterward. Lucky for me the timing worked out--great incentive! lol:)). But I would be open to getting together on that Sunday or even sometime after the event. I'm considering staying overnight that night too so if anyone would want to do maybe breakfast or something the next morning (Tuesday), I'd be open to that too.

Hope to see at least a lot of you all there! This is so exciting--what an honor for Senator Kerry and so well deserved! Thanks MBS for keeping us all in the know about this and helping for it to happen! :)

[MBS]

25. minor update: Band of Brothers may come, too

there seems to be some possibility that Kerry's (Vietnam) Band of Brothers will make an appearance at the fund-raiser. . .

[karynnj]

26. That would be really nice - especially as they really were given such

an awful time by the republicans in 2004 after they stood up for Kerry.

[ObamaKerryDem]

34. Agree. This would be so awesome!

So nice for some of JK's TRUE friends (aka the men he served with, who did not back stab him in '04..)to be included in this, too. :)

[YvonneCa]

27. Most of the time, living in California is...

...such a good thing. :7 Today, I'm wishing it was a little closer to Boston. ;) This sure sounds like fun. I'd love to get to meet all of you.

[ObamaKerryDem]

36. Aww I would've loved to have gotten to meet you, too! Maybe sometime else soon? :)

I can relate, having been on the West Coast up until later this year, lol. And if things had worked out just a little differently, I might've been saying much the same thing as I'm going back there (to AZ) for the holiday on Dec. 21st..so thankfully this happened before that! But I'm sure there will be other events. I'd love to get to meet everyone here eventually! :)

[YvonneCa]

37. I hope so. If any of you get tired of the winter weather...

...maybe I could convince you all to visit California during the summer. :evilgrin: I still want to come to Boston, though, one day. I've never been to any of the New England area. It is so beautiful and so historic. :hi:

[Inuca]

28. :-( :-( :-( :-(

I would have LOVED to go and inthe process be able to meet some of you face-to-face. It would have been rather crazy money-wise, but I might have gone for it. But I will be barely back from my overseas trip, still jet lagged, I am sure, no way I can take off again. As I said, :-( :-( :-( :-(, I am the most disgusting shade of green with envy.

[Luftmensch067]

31. So sorry, Inuca!

I know how it is to miss something like this and wish so hard you could be there!

Check your PM.

:hug:

[fedupinBushcountry]

29. Oh, how I wish I could come

but have to go to Pennsylvania for Xmas as my son is getting engaged on Xmas eve. After having just gone to Disneyworld my pockets are empty. Have fun and want to see lots of pics.

[karynnj]

30. Congratulations to your son, but we will miss you!

[karynnj]

32. The Boston Herald reported on this event today - and on a fundraiser

"Christmas with Senator Brown". http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20101114john_kerry_salutes__john_kerry/

[ObamaKerryDem]

33. I noticed that..

..they mention that Brown is throwing a Christmas party that starts at $100 a pop (never once pointing out the fact that you can get into JK's celebration for less..), all without the snark that accompanied their (flawed) description of JK's event. Not that I'm surprised at all. Just highly, highly annoyed at the double standard! :)

[karynnj]

38. Their title is obnoxious, as both events are alike in being set up by

the people around the Senators. Not to mention, there is far more to celebrate in Kerry's case. The fact is 25 year as a Senator is an accomplishment - and one we all hope Brown never has. It certainly is fair for Kerry to celebrate that milestone.

The BH seems to average more than one Brown puff piece a day now, each calling him the "most popular politician in the state"- which likely means they thing he needs the shoring up.

[MBS]

39. he really did lose cachet with MA election results

Please, please, please may MA dems find a strong candidate to run against him..

[karynnj]

40. I hope they find a good candidate to run against him

I hope that people see that even if he is a nice guy, he is really over his head as Senator.

I think NJ will throw Christie out in 2013 - between losing education money because of ideology and incompetence, he stopped the tunnel, which is a huge project for NJ. He also is now speaking of climate change not being proven - that might play in Oklahoma, but not NJ.