National Train Day, May 7th: Invite Mayoral Candidates to Our Local Amtrak event

[FayeforCure]

Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul, is the official spokesperson for National Train Day 2011!

If we really want to make Jacksonville a destination...........

http://www.facebook.com/NationalTrainDay

[PeeJayEss]

So, is someone planning an event for Jacksonville? I don't see anything listed on the website besides Naples, Miami, and Tampa

[johnnyroadglide]

There is nothing in Jacksonville planned for National Train Day, but I believe a few of us here were talking about doing something ourselves. I have spoken with the folks at NARP (National Association of Rail Passengers) and they are willing to assist us in getting something set up. They also said they will contact the local Amtrak office and see if they can provide any information/pamphlets/leaflets. Setting up at the Amtrak Station would be useless since there is basically no one there from 10am until 4pm. I am thinking of downtown somewhere, maybe Hemming Plaza. A small table set up with a few chairs and some information. A few of us hardy souls maybe from 11 till 1 to catch downtown workers at lunch hour.
Just a few thoughts.

[Ocklawaha]

Why not see if we can use the grand old waiting room at JACKSONVILLE TERMINAL? If someone will set it up, I'd be happy to give some historical tours.

OCKLAWAHA

[fsujax]

Ock, call me and lets discuss this. I want to help set something up. Would be nice to get Brown or Hogan to attend whatever we can set up at Jacksonville Terminal.

[johnnyroadglide]

Not to throw a blanket but who would even know anyone was there if it was set up in the Terminal? No one goes there except for meetings.

[fsujax]

That is what we need to figure out. If the weather is nice we could hold something outside, and Ock could give tours of the inside.

[johnnyroadglide]

Actually now that I look at the calendar May 7 is a Saturday so setting up in Hemming would entertain the homeless and thats about it. Maybe the Jacksonville Landing? Is anyone shopping there on a Saturday?

[FayeforCure]

Actually now that I look at the calendar May 7 is a Saturday so setting up in Hemming would entertain the homeless and thats about it. Maybe the Jacksonville Landing? Is anyone shopping there on a Saturday?

I like it and can help getting it set up. Ock are you guys meeting tonight? Where?

[L.P. Hovercraft]

I know it's under a highway overpass, but what about setting up a table at the Riverside Arts Market the week of, or even week before?  Lots of eyeballs on Saturdays--even if it's just to let people know to go downtown to the rail terminal?

[johnnyroadglide]

I know it's under a highway overpass, but what about setting up a table at the Riverside Arts Market the week of, or even week before?  Lots of eyeballs on Saturdays--even if it's just to let people know to go downtown to the rail terminal?

Thats not a bad idea at all. RAM is on Saturdays. Even if we didn't do anything at the Terminal, having a table with information on trains, flyers, pamphlets etc would be a great way to get info to people who might not think about train travel.
Whats the cost to set up a table at RAM?

[L.P. Hovercraft]

It's $35+tax to set up a booth for artists, but looking at their website, they do offer space for local community service organizations so that may be an option to pursue.

I saw JTA there a few weeks ago with one of their infamous potato chip truck fake trolleys.  I felt bad afterwards because I kind of gave the guy working the booth a hard time, asking when we were going to get real trolleys in Jax.  Sorry dude, I know you were just doing your job!

Here's the info:
http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/serving.html

Email Brandy at: info@riversideartsmarket.com

[johnnyroadglide]

It's $35+tax to set up a booth for artists, but looking at their website, they do offer space for local community service organizations so that may be an option to pursue.

I saw JTA there a few weeks ago with one of their infamous potato chip truck fake trolleys.  I felt bad afterwards because I kind of gave the guy working the booth a hard time, asking when we were going to get real trolleys in Jax.  Sorry dude, I know you were just doing your job!

Here's the info:
http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/serving.html

Email Brandy at: info@riversideartsmarket.com

Thanks I have sent them an e-mail. But we are not a charitable or non profit organization. Just a bunch of local rail supperters who want to do something to promote National Train day. Unless MJ wants to lend their name to the effort.

[tufsu1]

Actually now that I look at the calendar May 7 is a Saturday so setting up in Hemming would entertain the homeless and thats about it. Maybe the Jacksonville Landing? Is anyone shopping there on a Saturday?

I like it and can help getting it set up. Ock are you guys meeting tonight? Where?

from what I understand, there is no MJ meeting tonight

[johnnyroadglide]

Got a reply back from RAM. We have to be a non profit organization to set up a table at RAM. Individuals and groups are not allowed unless they are non profit or charitable type groups. Where else can we go where there will be lots of people?