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
So, is someone planning an event for Jacksonville? I don't see anything listed on the website besides Naples, Miami, and Tampa
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
Quote from: johnnyroadglide on April 05, 2011, 09:24:07 AM
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?
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?
Quote from: L.P. Hovercraft on April 05, 2011, 12:39:31 PM
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?
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
Quote from: L.P. Hovercraft on April 05, 2011, 01:06:22 PM
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. ;D
Quote from: FayeforCure on April 05, 2011, 11:46:26 AM
Quote from: johnnyroadglide on April 05, 2011, 09:24:07 AM
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
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?
Quote from: johnnyroadglide on April 05, 2011, 02:02:00 PM
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?
I think you answered your own question earlier....
QuoteActually 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.
I thought homeless people liked trains....
(http://www.americanpopularculture.com/images/lennon2.jpg)
Okay well I have sent an e-mail out to the folks at The Landing to see if this is something that would be allowed. I'll keep everyone posted as to their response.
Quote from: johnnyroadglide on April 05, 2011, 02:02:00 PM
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?
Why not just pony up the $40??? If this becomes a legit event, I'll throw down $10.
I still like the idea of doing something at the Prime osborn...maybe there is an event at the Prime (or the Landing) and information at RAM
Theres nothing special at The Landing or at the Prime on May 7. The only event going on that day is FSCJ graduation at the arena.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on April 05, 2011, 02:40:16 PM
Quote from: johnnyroadglide on April 05, 2011, 02:02:00 PM
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?
Why not just pony up the $40??? If this becomes a legit event, I'll throw down $10.
I will ask RAM..and let you know.
Guys and gals. I just got e-mail from the folks at The Landing and not sure how to respond so I would like some input. They have offered us a table for $20 at their Earth Day Celebration April 16th. Just 11 days away. The whole idea of what we want to do is to promote National Train Day May 7. On May 7. Not three weeks early. Part of me thinks this could be good, but the other part has some reservations.
So I am open to any and all suggestions/commentary.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on April 05, 2011, 02:40:16 PM
Quote from: johnnyroadglide on April 05, 2011, 02:02:00 PM
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?
Why not just pony up the $40??? If this becomes a legit event, I'll throw down $10.
Cap, RAM says the $40 fee is for vendors who actually sell stuff.
Maybe set up a table at ram through operation lifesaver.
Quote from: Lunican on April 05, 2011, 04:04:14 PM
Maybe set up a table at ram through operation lifesaver.
Do you know anyone at OL to contact?
I am disappointed in RAM for not allowing any opportunities.
-Josh
Quote from: johnnyroadglide on April 05, 2011, 03:11:00 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on April 05, 2011, 02:40:16 PM
Quote from: johnnyroadglide on April 05, 2011, 02:02:00 PM
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?
Why not just pony up the $40??? If this becomes a legit event, I'll throw down $10.
Cap, RAM says the $40 fee is for vendors who actually sell stuff.
This is further evidence that Metrojax needs a non-profit arm to be able to champion causes at events like this. I think the Landing idea is worthwhile. Unfortunately I will be in Washington DC, so I will not be able to man the booth. Maybe Ock would be able to Mann (awesome pun intended!) the booth next Saturday.
Maybe they will allow you to register as entertainment. The sax player, belly dancers and juggling teenager are not non profits or charitable organizations.
Quote from: Ralph W on April 05, 2011, 07:17:55 PM
Maybe they will allow you to register as entertainment. The sax player, belly dancers and juggling teenager are not non profits or charitable organizations.
Maybe we can collectively sing a song for rail ;D
After all, music is a universal language.
Based on the lack of response to my earlier post about setting up at the Jax Landing for Earth Day next week, I guess that idea is out.
And being a street performer at RAM wouldn't work too well either no matter how good we sang. ;)
I'm still open to ideas for having some sort of table set up somewhere prior to National Train Day. Downtown Art Walk is always the first Wednesday of the month. May 4 is that date. Could we do something on that date. I believe its 5pm to 9pm.
I can't wait to BRING MY TRAIN to work on May 7!
I spoke with Dr. Wood today. If you would still like to pursue the idea of setting up an info table at RAM on May 7th for national train day, give him a call at 384-5529, identify yourself and what you would like to do and he will see what, if anything, can be done. Not sure if this would be feasible for the location but he said if you could set up a model train layout that would be cool. Something to think about. Tell him Magic Ralph sent you.