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**ESU 6 RIH ISTE TREK! Let's go learn in Philly!**
7 Great tips for ISTE Newbies (First time conference attenders)!

Top Things to do in Philadelphia 5-Day weather forecast for Philadelphia Public Transportation Information

Embassy Suites Philadelphia - Center City 1776 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-561-1776
 * HOTEL INFORMATION**

Each of you has a reservation for your own room at the Embassy Suites that will be paid by the RIH grant.

If you are bringing along someone, the following information that was shared by Sandy Blankenship with NETA board members applies to you. Bottom line: We can't pay for the additional room charges through the grant. Plan to pay for them on your own before leaving the hotel.

//I did some checking with Rich (the NETA treasurer) as we have an extra charge for a 2nd person in the room for Embassy Suites, Philadelphia. Single occupancy is $220, two people to the room is another $20 per day. If you check your registration, anything over the $220 room charge would be your responsibility. In my case, with my husband going with me, I'll need to pay the extra $20 a day. Rich also stated that you cannot just reduce your stipend reimbursement for this amount. When I traveled when working at the ESU, I usually was able to get the charges for Al put on my own credit card at the time I checked into the hotel. So, if this applies to you, you might check on that.//


 * FLIGHT INFO:**


 * Plan to arrive at the Lincoln airport one hour early**. (I know it's going to be an early day!) If you choose to check a bag, there is an additional fee. Please plan to pay for that individually and request reimbursement. SAVE YOUR RECEIPT! (As a side note, if you are into collecting free stuff . . .t-shirts, coffee mugs, pencils, etc, there is usually a lot of it in the vendor area. Please sure to save room in your suitcase or carry-on.)

Depart Arrive United 5892 Operated by: United Express/Expressjet Airlines LNK 06:02 AM 6/25/2011 ORD 07:35 AM
 * Outbound to Philadelphia**

United 3778 Operated by: United Express/Mesa Airlines ORD 08:29 AM 6/25/2011 PHL 11:25 AM

United 0741 PHL 05:00 PM 6/29/2011 ORD 06:24 PM
 * Returning to Lincoln**

United 5877 Operated by: United Express/Expressjet Airlines ORD 09:18 PM 6/29/2011 LNK 10:57 PM


 * MEALS:**

Please plan to pay for your own meals while on the trip, and then submit a reimbursement form when we return. Guidelines:
 * No alcohol will be reimbursed. Please ask for it to be billed separately if you choose to order alcohol.
 * Only meal costs for grant covered participants will be reimbursed - if you bring someone along, please pay for their meals/expenses separately.
 * Please be reasonable with meal costs. General guideline: $60/day including any ground transportation.
 * Breakfast should be included in the hotel room rate.
 * Monday night, there is a free NETA reception you are all invited to attend that will have appetizers and drinks.


 * Dining Tips from Rich Molettiere, NETA treasurer and Philly native**: (NOTE, since all of the Nebraska folks are staying at the same hotel, it's easy to find a group to go to dinner with if you want to network with other folks.)

Something to consider for those going to ISTE in Philly ... Food during the conference...go to the Reading Terminal Market pronounced RED-ING not READ-ING. It's adjacent to the Convention Center. This is the same Reading as in the Reading Railroad of Monopoly fame). There are multiple restaurants and stands there as well as Bassett's Ice Cream (one of Philly 's best know ice creams - the other is Breyers). If you like baked goods, check out the cannolis at Termini Brothers Bakery - it's to die for. Also, be on the lookout for Philly soft pretzels - I usually buy a 1/2 dozen at the airport and have them eatern before my train gets me to my hometown. They don't look like anything you've seen - more like a 2"x6" pretzel. These are definitely NOT the "Super Pretzel" sold in shopping malls. Although stands sell it with cheese (an abomination to the locals), it's best with brown mustard.  Of course we'll arrange a group visit to Pat's Steaks in South Philly - a short taxi ride for the original Philadelphia cheesesteak and its most famous competitor, Geno's Steaks, which is located across the street. Price is @ $8.00, there is NO restroom, they only take cash but are open 24 hours a day. By the way, Pat's serves @ 1,500 sandwiches per day. It's a Philadelphia institution. If you hold up the line, they WILL tell you to move to the back of the line to get your order ready :) and re-read the sign that tells you how to order a sandwich. Also, remember that steaks are ordered at one window and you get everything else at the window to the left. Want a taste of a Philly soda then order a "birch beer" soda - not alcoholic but with a unique taste. From the airport, you can safely take the train for @ $4.00 and walk a block or two to the hotel or the shuttle (@ $8.00).  For those that like baseball, the Phillies will be in town playing Oakland. I'm going to a game saturday evening with my brother & his wife - my family lives 30 miles outside Philly . The stadium has been sold out for over 150 consecutive games so tickets are not easy to get.  Oh, and by the way "you's-guys," water is pronounced "wooder" and pop will get you laughed at - it's soda :) See you in Philly - Yes, I'm excited to be going home. Rich Molettiere