KYLiquid

lakeland is fine by me...any details ont he resturant.

Tremor

Since I am from Lakeland of course my vote would be here. lol. Although Orlando isnt too bad either.

The restaurant that was mentioned is Harrys Seafood in Downtown Lakeland near Munn Park. There is a parking garage and also some parking along the streets. There is an area for eating outside on the patio...not sure if it will accomodate 30+ again but it might. Also a few clubs around the corner for more socializing. Or just hang out in the park which might even be decorated for Christmas by then.

Mantis

Tremor, can you see your car when at the outside patio area?

D- yer funny. Sleep is what you need on a plane, right? A vacation before a vacation....what more can you ask for....

OBTIQ

i know this is going to sound stupid but i just moved here last year from Ny and have no clue where the hell lakeland is... is it far from orlando... i live in Ocoee

Mantis

It is about an hour from Tampa towards Orlando.

Tremor

If you are parked at the immediate street, kentucky ave. you can but there is only probably so many spots on each side of the street (parallel parking). No way you can really hold them. If you have to park around the corner on Main or one street over on Tennessee you should still be close enough to see them. Garage area is definitely no.

I guess it just depends on getting there early and grabbing the spots.

Mantis

Do you think you can get the restaraunt to reserve the spots if you guarentee a certain capacity of eaters. I eat a lot, I can vouch for 2. 25 people is a good rough estimate for that area since it is central...

Mantis

guarAntee? geez, thank god I got my colledge edumacation. it really helps with day to day life...

Tremor

They arent owned by the restaurant...just city parking spaces.

Rx8honey

Its pretty closed to you, compared to me in ORL. It's the mid point between ORL and Tampa.

KYLiquid

you should come out to the meet on nov 19th (this sat) it would give you a chance to meet people, PM me if you want info for this or other events!

Mantis

Hey Tremor, do you have a link to the restaraunt so that we can see how to get there. Are we decided yet? Anyone not want to go to Lakeland?

Rx8honey

I think the majority is OK with Lakeland. We just need to know where now.

Mantis

Here is the info from the links I was reading earlier:

Harrys Seafood Bar & Grille
101 N Kentucky Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801

(863) 686-2228

Tremor, once we get a headcount, will you be the go to person for reservations? You had said, Kentucky Ave, right?

FlyingLeggs

I'd like to join if the the invitation is open. I could probably swing Lakeland, but if you guys want to come up to Clearwater Beach. A few friends with some sweet rides and I could definitely hang out. One with a nice 93' 7.

Tremor

Hi all...I was working in the area yesterday and I can now tell you there are about 14 spots on each side of Kentucky Avenue. Munn Park is all lit up with Christmas stuff now. I can handle the reservations if needed.

Mantis

I called the City of Lakeland and spoke with Jim Nixon (863-603-6313 oversees parking) to see if the parking in front of Harry's can be reserved and he said no because there are many holiday events that night. Said something about fake snow all day. He said there is a metered parking lot, but since it is such a busy thoroughfaire (SP) he wouldnt recommend that parking ($35 to reserve and you can't see if from the restaraunt.

He said that he does have the parking garage behind Harrys and said that we could use the roof level if we wanted. He said they usually have part of the garage gated and closed to keep riff raff out. He said that he can have a guard let us in to use the roof lot and lock it when we want to go over and eat.

He also said to talk to the restaraunt because one of the hostesses was there and said that they are booked with a lot of Christmas parties right now. We will need to make reservations soom. Tremor, this guy said to talk to Jason who is the GR MGR or Gina about reservations. I would suggest the outdoor area like we did before to not interfere with there regular business. I might also suggest that we choose a time that is after the regular dinner crowd.

If you guys like the idea of the top level of the garage (no other parking to keep us together as a group) and may be good for some photos, we could plan on meeting at 6 there and hang for an hour for everyone to arrive and then have the guard lock our cars up and go dine together.

Too much info? Sounds like we need to make some decisions on this fast to even be able to eat there. We need to know who is definately coming for him to make a reservation. I would say 16 and increase it later. James and I will definately be there.

KYLiquid

Ill be out in that area for thanksgiving (thursday the 25th). My grandmother and aunt both live in Indian Rocks beach, on the intercostal, so Ill be out there that day. Its just a few mins from clearwater....anyway, come along to the meet on DEC 3 if you can, and bring friends, just make sure that you post how many people and how many cars so they can be included in the head count for the dinner reservations.

Also there is a meet tommorow (sat 19th Nov) in orlando, there is a group leaving from tampa in the morning, maby you can tag along.

Mantis

war eagle!!

Digital_Damage

Let me know the where and the when, PS I live in Clearwater also

KYLiquid

I think the parking garage is a GREAT idea, some of my best car photos are in parking garages, my car is silver so it kind of blends in with the concrete, but people with black cars, or red/yellow/blue/green it makes the car really stand out...the contrast of all the grey and bright colors.

If we all washed out cars we could get some awsome pictures.

I 2nd the idea of the locked parking garage roof top.

TREMOR, get in touch with the resturant and see if they have a spot left for us on the 3rd! I really wanna do this now, sounds like it will be a blast!

Tremor

I will contact the restaurant in person this weekend and talk to the persons involved. Also just in case this falls through I would also like to suggest the Ale House in Lakeland as an alternative. They have a big patio and a big open parking lot. I will let everyone know something Monday or so. I may be at the meeting in Orlando tomorrow as well.

Tremor (aka Randy)

Mantis

Hey Tremor, we will be meeting a friend over there on our drive in the morning. Check tampabaymiatas.net site under club events, miatas and rotaries.

Betsey

Tremor

Ok...since I didnt get to make it to the Orlando meet I figured I would at least do some recon work for the Dec. 3rd meet in Lakeland. So I grabbed my digital cam and took pics of harrys and ale house. The meet would be much better at Ale House but I need to call them back to confirm a time because they already have a party scheduled on the 3rd for 6pm. If we schedule for 8pm (to eat not arrive) I think they can fit us in. Harrys just isnt big enough (outdoors) or convenient for parking for a group of 20+ in my opinion.

Anyways...here are the two for you all to compare.
http://www.tremornet.net/images/alehouse.jpg
http://www.tremornet.net/images/harrys.jpg

If everyone agrees I can call to make the reservations and will post new directions ASAP.

Thanks

Tremor

miater

you know there are two hooters in lakeland. I never have a problem getting up for hooters.