AMIA 2009

Workshops at Washington University

We are pleased to be able to host this year's AMIA workshops at Washington University. All workshops will be held in Olin Library. If you are participating in a workshop you can find a map here Campus map (PDF). You can also access and interactive online tour to find out more about the campus.

If you plan to drive, be forewarned that parking services is ticket happy. You can buy a day long pass for $5.00 at the Bookstore. If you take the bus you will be dropped off in front of this building above. There will be someone there to guide you to the Library.

If you take the MetorLink you will want to make your way towards these buildings once you surface above ground.

If anyone is interested in visiting the Film & Media Archive (home of the Henry Hampton/ Blackside Collection and William Miles Collection) you can contact Chris Pepus to make arrangements. His contact information is cpepus@wustl.edu and (314-935-8679).

Tips on Parking

Whether you're driving to the Millenium St. Louis or staying elsewhere and planning to drive in each day, here are a few tips on parking:

An enclosed parking structure, operated by InterPark, is located directly across the street from the hotel on South 4th Street.

Parking for hotel guests is $18 per day. You can come and go as you please with just the swipe of your room key. Guest parking is in the lower level of the structure - look for the sign "Millenium Hotel Parking."

Just driving in for the day? The same structure houses parking for everyone else.  There's a $5.00 Early Morning Special if you arrive before 9:00 AM and leave between 2:00 and 6:00 PM. Beyond that, regular rates apply - a 12 hour day will cost you $18.00.

If you're really looking for a bargain, there's an open-air lot, operated by Central Parking System, located directly behind the InterPark structure on South Broadway. It sits between Busch Stadium and the Hilton Hotel (Clark & Walnut). You can park all day for $5.00 after leaving your money with the attendant or in a numbered slot if no one is on duty. (Note: this lot was developed after Google Map image in the link was taken.)

Using MetroLink

With AMIA 2009 just days away, many of you have been asking about mass transit, especially in relationship to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, the St. Louis Millennium Hotel, Washington University (site of a number of workshops) and University City (home of the Tivoli Theater). MetroLink is a regional light rail system that will leave you within walking distance of these venues.

From Lambert-St.Louis International Airport

Red Line service to downtown St. Louis is available from both the Main and East Terminals. The $3.75 fare can be purchased at the vending machines near the escalators that take you to the platform. Before boarding the train, make sure you get your ticket validated at the machines located on either end of the platform. Another word of caution: cups of coffee or other liquids can get you a summons.

The trip downtown takes approximately 32 minutes. If your destination is the Millennium Hotel, your stop is Stadium (as in Busch Stadium - or Holy of Holies to the locals). The Millennium is on 4th and Clark. Upon exiting the station, follow the signs to Clark and walk two blocks east, passing Busch Stadium and crossing South Broadway along the way. The round tower of the Millennium should be visible most of the way.

To Washington University

Take the Blue Line from Stadium (the train will be headed westbound in the direction of "Shrewsbury-Landsdowne I-44"). You can also take the westbound Red Line (towards "Airport") but you must change trains at Forest Park/DeBaliviere in the process. The fare is $2.25.  Again, make sure you get your ticket validated after purchase.

The stop for Wash U is Skinker. Since the platform is subterranean, follow the signs for the University. Once you emerge, walk past the imposing ramparts of Brookings Hall toward the center of the campus to the sleek Olin Library.

Note: At peak hours, the trains of each line run at roughly 15-minute intervals. The trip takes approximately 15 minutes. Leave yourself enough time for walks from the Millennium to the Stadium MetroLink station (.3 miles, approximately 10 minutes) and from the Skinker MetroLink station to Olin Library (.4 miles, approximately 12 minutes). In short, if you're scheduled for a 9:00 AM workshop, plan to take the 8:02 AM or 8:17 AM train from Stadium just to leave yourself enough time to relax before your session.

To University City (Tivoli Theater)

Starting at Stadium, take the Red Line (towards "Airport"). Fare: $2.25. Validate ticket! The station is Delmar Loop.  After exiting the station, walk half a block south to Delmar Boulevard. Turn right and walk about half a mile west, passing the Pageant Theater, toward the Tivoli - you can't miss the sign.

For more information, maps and schedules, visit the MetroLink Web site.

Art, wine country, and the Ozarks

Missouri is at peak fall color so those of you who have a day or two before or after the conference may want to explore the area.

 

Just 20 minutes out of the city is the awesome and incredibly fun Laumeier Sculpture Park...

If you can't find the time to make the actual trip in person, it's definitely worth taking a look at their collection online.

Missouri wine country is a fairly well kept secret. However, prior to prohibition, Missouri was the second largest state for wine production in the country (NY was #1). The industry took a while to recover but has been growing steadily in the past few years. The country side is beautiful and you may find yourself surprised at the quality of some of the wines. If you have time for only one place - I suggest Hermann, Missouri.

 

If you have a little more time on your hands you can explore and plan a trip on the websites Missouri Wine Country and Missouri Wine. Below is a video from the Missouri Division ofTourism.

If you are interested in outdoor recreation, hiking, or exploring the A little further Southwest is the Missouri Ozarks region. Two of America’s clearest and most beautiful spring-fed rivers make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the first national park area to protect a wild river system.

Out and About - Amenities around the Hotel

Most of you will, at some point, venture out of the hotel looking for some food, drink, and entertainment. There are a few areas that should peak your interest.

The most obvious, and right outside the hotel is the Arch.

 

The Gateway Arch Riverfront website provides information about planning your visit including: trips to the top of the Arch (not for the claustrophobic), the Museum of Westward Expansion at the base of the Arch, and the Old Court House - site of the historic Dred Scott case.

Close by is Laclede's Landing -the site Pierre Laclede settled in 1763 as a fur trading post and named St. Louis. The 9-block area consists of cobbled-stoned streets and "vintage brick-and-cast-iron warehouses dating from 1850 through 1900, now converted into shops, restaurants, and bars."

 

The Landing has a decent website. Not all of its amenities are listed, but it does have a good map and walking tour section with pictures.

Another great area is Washington Avenue may be a place to start your exploring. Just 6 blocks north of the hotel, Washington Avenue was once a prosperous canyon of architecturally beautiful brick buildings housing shoe, clothes and fashion manufacturers.

The street fell into disarray over time, but a large revitalization project has helped to bring it back to life. There is an emerging neighborhood of residential lofts, galleries, bars and clubs, restaurants, and other entertainment. A few online guides offer a sample of what you can find.

Here are a few highlights:

The Dubliner

Flamingo Bowling

Mosaic (Lounge open till 3am)

Just a block over from Washington on Locus Ave. is Roosters - the best place in St. Louis for breakfast and weekend brunch. 

Last but not least, the Culinaria - A Schnucks Market  on the corner of Olive and 9th is a "hybrid urban market grocery" which offers a coffee bar, gelato, wine, spirits, and prepared foods. 

 

Pints and Pubs

With an Irish name like “Patrick Flanigan” it is safe to say that I often end up in a pub.  The downtown and surrounding areas have some of the best pubs in St. Louis.  If you find yourself in need of a pint after a long day, many pubs are just a short cab ride, or long walk from the Millennium Hotel.

 

One of my favorite Irish pubs in downtown is The Dubliner located at 1025 Washington Avenue.  The Dubliner is large and open with a central bar that offers a decent selection of beers on tap ranging from the local beer to the standard Irish imports. 

They pour Guinness properly and serve pub fare as well as entrees.  On weekends, the Dubliner has live music.  Tuesdays are trivia nights where they offer happy hour prices ($4 pints/wells and ½ price appetizers) until close.  Amidst the hanging flags of all the Irish counties are 9 big screen TV’s where you can catch the local teams as well as European

soccer (football) or rugby.

 

Seven blocks East on Washington is Tigin Irish Pub & Restaurant located 333 Washington Avenue.  Tigin belongs to the Fado Irish Pub franchise and offers a larger and better selection of beers on tap than the Dubliner as they include many of the European standards with local St. Louis beers. 

They don’t offer entrees, but their pub fare has a wide selection including sandwiches, salads, burgers, and appetizers.  The pub itself is not as open as the Dubliner and has more nooks and crannies for seating.  There are plenty of flatscreens to catch the European sports such as soccer and rugby, or the local teams.

 

When I first moved to St. Louis the one name everyone said when I asked “where can I find a good pub?” was “McGurk’s”, and they were right.  J.P. McGurk’s Irish Pub & Garden is located at 1200 Russell Blvd in Soulard area of town, which is just south of downtown.  McGurk’s has again been rated as one of the top ten Irish establishments in the United States.  A visit to McGurk’s will confirm the high rating.  It is a pub of many rooms, with many bars, all of which have a fine selection of draft beers.  There is also one of the best outside patio’s in the city for outside drinking and dining.  If you’re hungry you can choose from pub fare or the dinner menu.  If you can only go to one pub in St. Louis, it should be McGurk’s.

 

Another pub that is worth mentioning is located in the Central West End area which is a few miles West of downtown.  The Scottish Arms located at 8 S. Sarah Street a few blocks from Saint Louis University.  What makes The Scottish Arms special, besides the kilts and Scottish flare is they offer the largest selection of scotch whiskeys in town.  They too offer European sports and beers along with a full dinner menu (best garlic mashed potatoes in town).

 

There are more pubs in other areas of town, but The Dubliner, Tigin, McGurk’s, and The Scottish Arms are the ones where I enjoy taking friends who are visiting St. Louis.  While they may be very similar, each is unique and is a good place to grab a bite and a pint while watching a match.  As for good sports bars to catch a game, I’ll blog on that soon.

Best of St Louis

               

Just in time for AMIA 2009, the Riverfront Times Best of edition is released.

The Riverfront Times is an authority on St. Louis events and entertainment. You can find info on weekend events, festivals, shows, and nightlife in our St. Louis. This newspaper is owned by Village Voice Media.

The Annual Best of edition highlight over 400 top picks in the following categories:

• People & Places
• Sports & Recreation
• Arts & Entertainment
• Goods & Services
• Restaurants
• Food & Drink
• Music
• Bars & Clubs

There will be a hard copy at the main information table during the conference (for those of you who still like to get newspaper ink on your hands while you get your information).

Hockey Night in St. Louis, November 5th

For those looking for a sporting event to attend in St. Louis during the AMIA Conference 2009, the St. Louis Blues will host the Calgary Flames November 5^th at 7:30 PM.  The Blues are off to a fine start after four games, especially when compared to the local football team.

 

For info on getting to Scottrade Center or on Scottrade Center in general, which is located at 14^th Street and Market, a short cab or Metro ride from the Millennium Hotel.

 

You can buy tickets in advance, or may find some tickets available on the street before the game

More information about the Blues can be found on the St. Louis Blues website.

 

Props to STL

Just wanted to give props to STL for being rated the 3rd most affordable destination in the country by Travel and Leisure Magazine. Way to be cheap St. Louis!

Using MetroLink

With AMIA 2009 less than a month away, many of you have been asking about mass transit, especially in relationship to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, the St. Louis Millennium Hotel, Washington University (site of a number of workshops) and University City (home of the Tivoli Theater). MetroLink is a regional light rail system that will leave you within walking distance of these venues.

From Lambert-St.Louis International Airport

Red Line service to downtown St. Louis is available from both the Main and East Terminals. The $3.75 fare can be purchased at the vending machines near the escalators that take you to the platform. Before boarding the train, make sure you get your ticket validated at the machines located on either end of the platform. Another word of caution: cups of coffee or other liquids can get you a summons.

The trip downtown takes approximately 32 minutes. If your destination is the Millennium Hotel, your stop is Stadium (as in Busch Stadium - or Holy of Holies to the locals). The Millennium is on 4th and Clark. Upon exiting the station, follow the signs to Clark and walk two blocks east, passing Busch Stadium and crossing South Broadway along the way. The round tower of the Millennium should be visible most of the way.

To Washington University

Take the Blue Line from Stadium (the train will be headed westbound in the direction of "Shrewsbury-Landsdowne I-44"). You can also take the westbound Red Line (towards "Airport") but you must change trains at Forest Park/DeBaliviere in the process. The fare is $2.25.  Again, make sure you get your ticket validated after purchase.

The stop for Wash U is Skinker. Since the platform is subterranean, follow the signs for the University. Once you emerge, walk past the imposing ramparts of Brookings Hall toward the center of the campus to the sleek Olin Library.

Note: At peak hours, the trains of each line run at roughly 15-minute intervals. The trip takes approximately 15 minutes. Leave yourself enough time for walks from the Millennium to the Stadium MetroLink station (.3 miles, approximately 10 minutes) and from the Skinker MetroLink station to Olin Library (.4 miles, approximately 12 minutes). In short, if you're scheduled for an 8:30 AM workshop, plan to take the 7:32 AM or 7:47 AM train from Stadium just to leave yourself enough time to relax before your session.

To University City (Tivoli Theater)

Starting at Stadium, take the Red Line (towards "Airport"). Fare: $2.25. Validate ticket! The station is Delmar Loop.  After exiting the station, walk half a block south to Delmar Boulevard. Turn right and walk about half a mile west, passing the Pageant Theater, toward the Tivoli - you can't miss the sign.

For more information, maps and schedules, visit the MetroLink Web site.