Bakersfield

Hi Everyone,

So this is my first official email as the new "chapter host" of the Bakersfield chapter of Drinking Liberally. First off - I'd like to apologize for not being able to get out an email about last week's meeting - the transition between Tom and I wasn't complete and neither of us had access to the server so that we could send a message. Second - if you've been to a meeting and I haven't yet met you, please accept my sincere apologies!

Anyway, we've been having regular meetings for a number of months, and after speaking with some of the members last week, it's apparent that there is an interest to explore some new ideas for our meetings. Since we are an all-inclusive group, I thought it'd be a great idea to hear what everyone thinks about the group thus-so-far. Therefore, I'd like to ask each of you to respond to this email answering a few quick questions so that I can gauge where we're currently at:

1) Name
2) How long you've been coming to Drinking Liberally
3) If you haven't been to a meeting yet but are on this mailing list, is there a specific reason you haven't made it yet?
4) How you found out about Drinking Liberally
5) Do you think that our group has been friendly to potential and new members? If you have only been to one or two meetings, do you feel like we have done a good job of making you feel welcome?
6) Would you be interested in having an occasional round-table discussion on specific subjects in addition to our current style of informal discussion?
7) Please do not hesitate to add any additional thoughts or comments on what you'd like to see us do in the future.

Our next meeting is Thursday, December 4th - same time and place as always. As an FYI - I will not be at our meeting on Dec. 18th - I'll be arriving via plane in Orlando for a few days before departing to PA for a week for the Holidays. If you would be interested in filling in as Host for that evening, please let me know.

Unless I speak to any of you beforehand, have an excellent Thanksgiving - enjoy the bountiful meal that will be in front of you, and if you plan on having a drink, please do so liberally, but only if you have a designated driver or happen to be hosting the festivities at your home! My in-laws are hosting this year, but I'll be cooking one of the Turkey's, as well as making my Great-Grandmother's famous meatballs (they are to die for). Of course, this Saturday I'll be concentrating on my 'Noles as the host the Florida Gators.

Thanks everyone!

Andrew

Hey Folks,

Over the next couple of months, I'm going to be stepping down from leadership of the group and handing it off to Andrew. I'll still be around and DL will always be here but I'm headed in a decidedly more partisan direction.

Thanks for everything and for now we'll keep doing things as we always have.

I love you guys. You're like my bestest friends evah!

Tom

PS We don't have the Sports Arena for the next meeting, so we'll be in the main room.

Hi Folks,

We're going out tonight and celebrating like it's 2008! We should have a bunch of new people as well and we need to start looking at the group and planning for the future.

Let's get together and get to work!

Tom