I had meant to get this post out yesterday, seeing as Janine’s post about planning for meal time at a big conference like ours is vital to a successful experience. Perhaps that just means while you waited, you’re hungrier for information about where to get some grub at the conference.

Gina Loveless, one of our more active MACUL members and Director of the Elementary Education Special Insterest Group (SIG EE), put together a little KML file of her favorite eateries in the downtown Detroit area. If you have Google Earth or Microsoft Virtual Earth, check out a few places you can eat around the Motor City by downloading the MACUL Detroit Area Food KML file.

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty picky about eating. I need to eat regularly. So when I go to a conference, I like to scope out the choices and plans for food.

With Whom
This includes deciding who I’m eating with ahead of time if possible. I already have plans for two evenings, and two lunches, so I’m getting close to having each meal covered. I hate to be at a big conference eating all alone. So I like to plan ahead.

Invite a Colleague
In the early days of attending MACUL conferences when I didn’t know many people, I was so grateful when work colleagues invited me for a meal. So, have you made plans for at least one meal with colleagues from your school at the MACUL conference yet? Time to start thinking about it!

Invite a Colleague – 2
What about someone you want to learn from? Maybe they don’t have a plans for a meal? I have also emailed people I wanted to touch base with, catch up on news, or learn about what they are doing. Sometimes they are busy, other times they say yes. It’s worth asking. Get a few people together!

What and Where
The next question is what to eat and where. Personally, I prefer my oatmeal packets in the morning, but usually you can get a good breakfast at your hotel. Lay down a good foundation for your day!

For lunch, sometimes you can snag something at a SIG meeting. Registering for a SIG annual meeting usually includes food. You might learn something too. There are vending areas both on the main floor and the exhibit hall. Mmm. A nice baked potato. Note, though, that you need to psych yourself up to pay “conference prices”. That’s just how it is. Plan for it!

One lunch you should definitely plan for is Wednesday. If you’re doing two separate preconference sessions, you will be hard pressed to get some food in between if I remember correctly. The vendors aren’t open yet on Wednesday, and the restaurants are a bit of a trek away. Hard to get there and back in an hour. My favorite little conference trick is to order two peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to go in the morning from my hotel restaurant. Voila! There’s your lunch (if you like peanut butter).

In the evening, some light eaters may be able to subsist on hors d’oeuvres at various conference evening events. But if you want to scope out the restaurants, do a little browsing here and here (scroll down). You might ask your friends who are heading to the MACUL conference what restaurants they recommend.

Did you say “no email offers” when you registered? If so, you’re missing out on all the vendor offers for food and a demo of their products. This is another great way to get some munchies and learn something at the same time.

Planning
So, while you’re planning the sessions to attend, think about your stomach too!

Don’t forget to bring a good water bottle too! You need water to feed your brain!

Veteran conference attendees, please comment. What are your tips for eating at the MACUL Conference in Detroit?

Photo Credit: Goodson, Kathy. dsc04922.jpg. OCTOBER 2, 2007. Pics4Learning. 9 Mar 2009 <http://pics.tech4learning.com>

Stephanie. juice.jpg. February 13, 2007. Pics4Learning. 9 Mar 2009 <http://pics.tech4learning.com>

Let’s face it. We can only survive so long on free Smarties, Starburst, and Hershey Kisses before we become in need of real nutrition…like…hotdogs!

Yesterdog has been serving up heaven on a bun for 32 years. They offer a limited menu but make up for it in supreme quality.

Yesterdog- $1.60, chili, onion, pickle, ketchup, mustard

Krautdog- $1.80, kraut, pickle, mustard

Veggie- $1.80 cheese, kraut, onion, pickle, ketchup, mustard (no dog)

Cheddardog- $1.90, chili, cheese

Ultradog- $1.90, chili, cheese, onion, pickle, ketchup, mustard

Killerdog- $2.10, chili, cheese, kraut, onion, pickle, ketchup, mustard

Chips and Pepsi fountain products are the only other menu items. Hours are 10:30 to 2:30 am (Mon-Sat).

Yesterdog is located in Eastown at 1505 Wealthy SE. It is a bit out of walking distance from DeVos so you’ll need a vehicle. Here is a Map.

My session about Web 2.0 in the early grades is scheduled for 10:00 am on Friday. I think Yesterdog will be the perfect way to celebrate its completion. Anyone who would like to meet up around noon is more than welcome to indulge in this local delicacy with me. Send an email to alosik at hamiltonschools.us and we will set something up.

Bring your cash. No credit cards or checks are accepted.