It is raining cats pooties and dogs woozles.
I posted a little info in a diary that quickly scrolled yesterday so I'm going to repost that for folks who are in town for the debate or debate related activities.
From Maura Satchell's diary yesterday, Last Time: Vets and Other Obama Supporters, Nashville, Tomorrow, BE THERE!
Parking in The Village sux really bad.
Parking anywhere near Belmont will be worse.
My husband had to do an interview out there, parked across from the media tent and it still took him 20-30 minutes to get to the tent because of one way access, credentialing, etc.
They will start closing roads at 4pm. Belmont Blvd., Acklen, 15th Ave., and Bernard will be closed to traffic.
The sidewalks will close at 6pm for the motorcades.
I SO wish I could join you guys. Have fun!
There is a lot going on in town today so I am just going to include a few things.
Yes, I was invited to attend the after debate party at Al Gore's house in Belle Meade. $5000 a couple. I declined. But I appreciated the invite (thanks, Chip!!) and I hope those who go have a blast meetin' and greetin'.
The Belmont Debate is goin' green! read about it here.
There is an invitation only debate watch at the Ryman which my husband is attending. Politicos, health care wonks, and country stars. Yeehaw. ;o)
He's currently at a Health Care Council meeting hosted by (gack) Bill Frist. I hope the breakfast made it worth it, honey.
Here's a good timeline for today. Please note the following items:
4 P.M.
Regional Demonstration for Peace and Real Human Priorities, Nashville Peace Coalition, 21st Avenue S. and Blakemore.
5 P.M.
Obama supporters march from 21st Avenue South and Magnolia Boulevard to Belmont.
Currently happening is the SHOUTAmerica Health Care Leadership Conference with Bob Corker and Jim Cooper addressing 100 student government folks .
Maplewood High School (as well as Hume Fogg and a few others) are having debate watch parties for their social studies classes which I think is very cool.
Mercy Lounge is having a debate watch party and after party with live music including How I Became the Bomb and Futureman. It is free but you must be 21 or over to enter.
They are in the historic cannery row district on 8th Ave. South.
For the media (maps at link):
Parking To Pickup Media Credentials
Inman Health Sciences Center & Parking Garage
Entrance: Off Wedgewood Avenue which runs West and East. Parking entrance will be marked clearly.
Parking on Levels P3 and P2: Media will be allowed to park on the top few levels of this underground parking for credentialing ONLY.
Shuttling to Campus: Media will be shuttled from our off-site parking at Greer Stadium to the campus beginning Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7 a.m. Shuttles will run through Wednesday.(Click PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION for a full schedule.)
Media Off-Site Parking at Greer Stadium
Greer Stadium off 534 Chestnut Street
Map From Campus To Greer Stadium
Map Of Greer Stadium Parking Areas, Shuttle Locations for Students, Media
Click Here For Directions To Greer Stadium
From Media Credential Pickup Parking in Inman Health Sciences Center & Parking Garage to Greer Stadium:
Turn right onto Wedgewood Ave., travel 0.7 miles.
Turn left onto Eigth Avenue South, travel 0.5 miles
Turn right onto Chestnut Street, travel 0.4 miles
Greer Stadium is on left
* Travel time is approximately 5 minutes
Belmont is providing a shuttle service for media from this off-site parking location.
The only parking on site at Belmont will be for media work and satellite trucks. Parking on campus is extremely limited.
Media Shuttle Schedule
Media shuttles run daily from Greer Stadium pick up/drop off location.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. (every 30 minutes)
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008 6:15 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (every 15 minutes on the 1/4 hour)
Monday, Oct. 6, 2008 6:15 a.m – midnight (every 15 minutes on the 1/4 hour)
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008 4:15 a.m. – 3:15 a.m. Wednesday (every 15 minutes on the 1/4 hour)
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 7:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
*All times are subject to change
Revised shuttle stops: Media members, volunteers, students and employees who need to travel to Greer Stadium: pick up is on the sidewalk adjacent to Inman Health Sciences Center & Parking Garage near the Wedgewood Ave intersection.
Taxi Service will be available Tuesday night through Stewart Transportation at Delmar Avenue and Belmont Boulevard near the Department of Sport Science Building.
Security
All equipment and vehicles must be in their positions by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6, 2008. Vehicles must contain the appropriate parking pass which includes contact information for personnel with keys.
Belmont is wedged into a very small geographic area so parking there is bad on a good day. Today will be a nightmare.
There is a public parking lot behind Fido in The Village (meet up spot for the march). There is also one off of Belcourt behind the Posh and the other shops that line the street.
Here is a report from WSMV on expected traffic issues.
Closed parking lots:
Psychology Building Lot: Closed from Wed., Oct. 1 at 4:30 p.m. thru Wed., Oct 8.
Gravel Lot at Corner of 15th and Acklen: Closed from Wed., Oct. 1 at 4:30 p.m. thru Wed., Oct 8.
All the lots/spaces below will be closed from 5 p.m. Fri., Oct. 3-midnight, Tues., Oct. 7:
Curb Event Center Garage
Gravel Lot at Corner of 15th and Bernard
Inman Center Garage
Soccer Field Drive Curb Parking
East Belmont Circle Curb Parking
All Spaces Behind Hail, Heron & Pembroke
Acklen Avenue Curb Parking
Fidelity Lot Parking
Belmont Blvd. Curb Parking (from Athlete’s House to Morningside)
Lot in front of Freeman/Massey Business Center
Belmont Circle (in front of Belmont Mansion and residence halls--Closed to thru traffic & parking)
Hitch Building Lot
Bunch Library Lot
LCVA Lot
There is stuff going on all day at Bongo Java as well as a debate watching party there tonight.
An email from the Obama campaign listed it as Bongo Java Cafe but the cafe is actually in East Nashville on 11th so don't get confused.
Bongo Java is at 2007 Belmont Blvd. (across the street from Belmont U.) Please keep in mind that streets are closing at 4pm.
The weather is horrible. Rain off and on and possible storms later.
McCain is at the Marriot so if you're anywhere near there expect Secret Service nightmares.
I so wish I could join y'all! I will be afk for an hour or so - just wanted to provide some info.