C.Catotti Wrote:-
> What is the schedule for the show? (Dates/Time/Location). > Will there be any Z88 things or QL only? > Thanks! > > Chris Catotti > PO BOX 621777 > OVIEDO FL 32762-1777 > U.S.A. Hi Chris, Below is the relevant info on the US Show. I will (hopefully) be attending, and will have a few Z88 Bits and pieces for sale - it you want to contact me privately if there is anything specific you need, as I will be travelling by air from Ireland and need to pack light. Cheers, Darren Branagh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Quanta and NESQLUG are pleased to sponsor the US 2002 QL Show to be held at the Park Inn in Oxon Hill, Maryland on Saturday 1 June 2002. Several European vendors are expected including J-M-S, QBranch, and Q-Celt. Jim Hunkins plans to demo QDT the QL Desk Top. After the show there will be a NESQLUG meeting open to all attendees. A Maryland Crab Fest is planned for Sunday. The Park Inn is a newly renovated motel just off the I-95/I-495 beltway around Washington, D.C. just north of the Potomac River and is 12 km from the White House, U.S. Capital and the numerous free attractions on the Mall. There is bus service and the Branch Ave. Metro station (www.wmata.com) is five minutes away by car. The special QL room rate is $59 per night for 1 to 4 people. There is a swimming pool, game room, free parking, free local phone calls, and free continental (coffee, juice, pastries) breakfast. The meeting room is in the Park Inn. The QL rate is good for stays longer than just the weekend. It is guanteed for reservations made by 15 May 2002. To make reservations call 301 839-0001 or Fax 301 839-0002 or email , Keith Winge, the General Manager: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mention the QL Show. Do not make reservations using the Park Inn 800 number or the Park Inn web site. NESQLUG plans to arrange airport pickup/return for Reagan Washington National (closest to Park Inn), Dulles, or Baltimore-Washington Airports. Contact Al Boehm if you are planning to come or for more information: tel: 256 859-8051 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here is more info about the Oxon Hill Park Inn near Washington, D.C. The address is: Park Inn, 6363 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Oxon Hill is the first town in Maryland after you cross the Potomac heading north on I-95 which for this stretch is also the beltway around Washington, I-495. Driving Directions: (Exits refer to exits in Maryland.) I-95 South - exit 4A, St Barnabas Road, Through 5 lights, Hotel on Right. (St. Barnabas "Ys" into Oxon Hill Rd.) I-95 North - exit 3A, Left off ramp, Through one light, Hotel on Left. There are numerous fast food restaurants slong Oxon Hill Road near the Park Inn. Plus there is the nearby Rivertown Common Shopping Center. Oxon Hill has a petting zoo if you bring younger children. Oxon Hill also has harness racing at Rosecroft Raceway. The Washington, D.C. Mall stretches about 2 miles from The US Capitol to The Linclon Memorial near the Potomac River. Attractions on or just off the Mall include The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Korean War Veterans Memorial, The White House, National Museum of American History, The National Aquarium, The National Museum of Natural History (includes dinasuars!), National Gallery of Art, US Botanic Garden, Voice of America, National Air and Space Museum, The Hirshhom Museum and Sculture Garden, plus The Smithsonian Institute with several art, invention, and historical buildings. Most of these attractions are FREE! In the summer, the Mall often hosts various events. The last time I was there was International Day with music, food, and displays from all over the world. My sources indicate the Hot Night Spots are in nearby Crystal City and Arlington rather than D.C proper. For those who arrive Friday, many of us plan to eat supper at the Beijing Hunan Chinese Restaurant, 6049 Oxon Hill Road not far from the Park Inn. Tel: 301 567 1900. We will gather in the Park Inn parking lot at 6:30PM to share rides to the Restaurant. What is a Maryland Crab Fest? by Al Boehm Well for starters you wear very casual clothes. Very casual. That's because eating crabs is a very messy enterprise. In the old days a Crab Fest was always outdoors. Newspaper was spread on the table. Now they often use a large roll of white or brown wrapping paper to cover the tables. Afterward the remains are wrapped in the "table cloth", discarded, and a new paper applied. The Chesapeake Blue Crab is one of the World's delicacies. Just ask anyone from Maryland. But the real secret is the Old Bay Seasoning which is used abundantly when the crabs are steamed. You will need to eat four to six crabs or more to get filled. Thus, crabs are generally sold by the dozen or even by the bushel. I am not a big beer drinker - maybe six bottles in a year. However, that Old Bay Seasoning is made to mix with beer. Usually beer is sold by the pitcher at a Crab Fest. If you can't take alcohol. consider a non-alcoholic beer. The unmatched flavor of a Crab Fest is due to the combination of beer along with the sweet crab meat flavored with Old Bay Seasoning. Of course, Soda and other drinks are available. A basket of crabs are dumped on the table. There are male and female crabs and each has aficionado that believe one or the other is better. Females are called she's and can be recognized by their wide "apron" on the bottom. You may hear a customer order a dozen she's. You are given a small hammer to crack the crab's shell. These shells are much thinner than a lobster or King Crab leg. At home all we generally used is the heavy end of a butter knife. When you pull off the top shell, you will see the rows of gills. These are called devils and folklore has it that this is the only part of the crab you are not supposed to eat. Good meat is found in the body of the crab and also in the claws, but most consider the best to be at the root of the backfin. French fries or other side orders are often ordered, but many just eat crabs. Steamed crabs are hard shelled crabs. There is a time when a crab sheds its shell and grows a new one. At this time the shell is soft and eatable! Fried soft shell crabs are often available as a sandwich. When the she crab molts, a male will grasp her, protect her, and mate for a day or two. There are also crab cakes which have crab meat mixed with bread and spices. Some of my fondest memories are of a hot summer day when we spent the morning catching a bushel or two of crabs, then steamed them, and tapped a keg of beer. We would eat and drink all afternoon and into the evening. We would do this in bathing suits and afterward take a dip in the Chesapeake to wash off.
