by Cynthia Towers, ACB Convention Coordinator
I selected the title of "Anticipation" because that was also the Carlie Simon song used to promote Heinz ketchup in the past. Heinz, Hershey, the Steelers, the Pirates and the Primanti Brothers are all famous Pittsburgh institutions.
Plans are under way to make the 42nd annual convention of the American Council of the Blind a rip-roaring success. Slated for July 5-12, 2003, the Westin as the lead hotel and the Hilton as the back-up, have started to take reservations and the Daniel L. Lawrence Convention Center, where the majority of our meetings will be held, is nearing total completion. Originally referred to as the "Gateway to the West," Pittsburgh boasts a population of 370,000 and 1.2 million when surrounding counties are taken into account. Established in 1758, it has an average temperature of 82.5 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Some Pittsburgh firsts are KDKA, the first radio station, 1909, the Pirates' first World Series win, Winky's, the first fast food chain even before McDonald's and the Steelers' first original name was the Pirates.
When you fly into Pittsburgh International you will be 17 miles from the hotels. A cab ride will run around $35 one way and the shuttle service, called Airport Transportation, which runs every half hour, is $14 each way. Your stay at the Westin for $85 per night will mean that you will be connected to the convention center via a skywalk or you can go down and just cross the street. Your stay at the Hilton for $79 is approximately six blocks from the convention center, but don't worry. The Hilton has agreed to provide shuttle service to and from the convention center.
While in Pittsburgh you will have much to choose from during whatever "down time" (down time? what's that?) you might have. The Strip (no, not that kind) District is a 30-block long section located alongside the Westin and is a source for dining and entertainment. Hand-crafted brews, museums, theaters and the Primanti Brothers are close at hand. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce ACB's new tour coordinator. Berl Colley of Lacey, Wash. is a longtime ACB member, advocate for people who are blind and Washington's (WCB) state president. He brings a wealth of travel and tour experience to ACB and has already begun working on what promises to be some incredible venues.
So, who are these Primanti Brothers anyway? Well, back in the days when Pittsburgh was a steel town, truckers rolling through the warehouse district did not have time to sit down for a meal. Steel workers would get their meals "to go" all between two pieces of bread. And so it is to this day -- the ultimate rival to Subway -- when you go to the restaurant, you call out your order. No one writes anything down, it's just made on the spot. The meat, veggies, and condiments along with your side dishes are all placed inside the sandwich. Yes, that's right, the French fries and coleslaw are all in there too!!! I'm told I've just gotta have one; stay tuned, I'll report back in future issues.
Speaking of the future, make reservations for the Westin at (412) 281-3700 and for the Hilton at (412) 391-4600. I suggest you use these direct numbers rather than calling the national 800 numbers for each to ensure that your request is properly handled. As I sit at my computer and write this, it is 12:30 a.m. and I am still wide awake. But this will soon end as I return to the land of the middle schooler and waking up at 5 a.m. Be that as it may, I have enjoyed being your national convention coordinator and look forward to all that lies ahead. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have matters you need to discuss with regard to convention. My home number is (206) 729-9654. I live in Seattle, home to Starbucks and the Mariners. By the way, Starbucks coffee, and all the fixings, are in every sleeping room. You computer users may contact me at ctowers@acb.org. Your convention committee is already hard at work to make the 2003 convention magnificent and memorable while managing a myriad of multitudinous meetings. Stay tuned; it's going to be a great ride.