ANNOUNCING COLON PALOOZA 7

scouty
scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Colon Palooza 7 will be in Key West, Florida October 21st-25th.

We have gotten a block of rooms at the Casa Marina Resort with some great rates! If you click on the link below you can check out the hotel and if you click on guest rooms each of the different kinds of rooms. The rates are guaranteed if you want to come early or stay later, just tell them when you make your reservation.

Island Vista rooms - $159
Ocean View rooms - $199
One bedroom suites (non view) - $225 (by far the best deal I could find at any of the hotels in Key West)
One bedroom suites (ocean view) - $319

http://www.casamarinaresort.com/

The resort opened on New Years Eve 1920 and every US president has visited or stayed at the resort , with the exception of George W Bush. It has 2 outdoor pools, the island’s largest private beach, jet skis, parasailing, Hobie Cats, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing and much more. They offer beach massages and have 24 hour room service too.

The planning for the weekend agenda is still in the works but some of our options are: lunch on a private island, sunset cruises, Ernest Hemingway and Harry Truman museums, the Aquarium, the National Park (Suzann can get another stamp), Fort Jefferson, train and trolley tours and or course the free sunset concerts on Mallory Square and the nightlife of Duval Street. Motor Scooters are my preferred mode of transportation while there since everything is so close but bicycles would do too.

For those of you not familiar with the Colon Paloozas, here’s a quick history and hopefully others will post their perceptions and experiences to tell you more (visuals and more info can be accessed at : http://colonpalooza.com/). In 2004, some on this board that had become “friends in the battle” decided to plan something where those that were able could meet face to face, hug to hug. 5 years later we are still having them and still meeting and hugging. They are not anything really formal (a bunch of semi-colons could never pull that off) with a few events planned if you are interested. You are welcome to do your own thing/things too. It is a celebration of life and lives and there could be a tear or two shed as we remember friends, soon to be followed by fun and laughter. Over the years, dozens have attended and good times were had by all. I am especially appreciative of the time we were able to spend with “those who have gone on before us” (Nanuk, Kerry, and Jana). I actually feel like they are right there with me while we are having our fun and think they would be disappointed if we stopped having the events. I know I would if the shoes were reversed.

The theme for this year’s Palooza is “INCREASE YOU LAUGH EXPECTANCY ATTEND CP7”. And look for more posts as there is more information to share. If you have any personal request, ideas of what to do, or questions about the event, send me an email here.

There are only a limited number of rooms and if we need more I can GUARANTEE YOU, the rates will be higher. To reserve your room; call 1-877-597-9696, you will need to tell them you are with the Colon Palooza 7 group to get the rates (the weekend rate for the Island Vista rooms are already up to $229 today). If you really want to come and need less expensive accommodations, send me an email, there are places but not ones where I could get a block of rooms. The weekend we are there is the beginning of a 2 week Mardi Gras like festival (we’ll be there the tranquil part of the festival I’m told) so the rates will probably only go up over time.

The Colon Paloozas are open to any and everyone that “experiences colorectal cancer” whether you are a “newbie” or an “old timer”. Bring whomever you want to share a very special and enlightening time with, the more the merrier. The mix is what makes them so special so those of you new to your journey, come on down and meet some of your new and “old” friends from the board.

You can fly directly into Key West. Most of the airlines now have the smaller jets that can land there so rarely do you have to take a “puddle jumper”. Of course you would fly into Miami, rent a car and drive the scenic 3 hours down.


That’s it for this message, email me if you have any questions etc. Hope to see you there!!

Lisa P.
«1

Comments

  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    Great location!
    What a great location! Excellent choice!

    Not sure I will be able to make it but I'm dreaming about it already....

    And I love the theme -- "increase your laugh expectancy" - !

    Tara
  • trainer
    trainer Member Posts: 241
    cp7
    Great news, thanks. Will make our res. right away. Since I;ve never attended, is there a program on developments?
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    CP7
    The hotel looks great! After going to San Francisco, I'm really looking forward to CP7. Thanks, Lisa for all of your hard work.
    Hey Everybody,let's INCREASE OUR LAUGH EXPECTANCY and have a huge group attend this year. I've heard "the more, the merrier" and with our "laugh expectancy" we will definately have a merry time.
    Jo Ann
  • betina61
    betina61 Member Posts: 642 Member
    Great!!
    I was really hoping the choice was Key West I go there very often because I live in Miami,is a beautiful place, I'm sure everyone will enjoy it.
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    Thank You!
    Thanks, Lisa, for all of your extra efforts in planning this event. Although I didn't get to attend last year's palooza, even though I had secured my room and had my plane ticket, I am hoping I will be able to make it this year. I, too, love the theme.

    Hugs,

    Kay
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    Whooo Hoooo!!!
    Looking forward to CP7!!! I can hardly wait - come on everyone, come on down to Key West! I promise, you will have a great time and will meet some of the best people on the planet...and hey, we won't mind if you say COLORECTAL in mixed company :)

    The Colon Palooza events are wonderful times with wonderful people. I encourage everyone to join us!

    Thanks, Lisa, for pulling this together...the hotel looks great!
  • Lisa Rose
    Lisa Rose Member Posts: 598 Member
    usakat said:

    Whooo Hoooo!!!
    Looking forward to CP7!!! I can hardly wait - come on everyone, come on down to Key West! I promise, you will have a great time and will meet some of the best people on the planet...and hey, we won't mind if you say COLORECTAL in mixed company :)

    The Colon Palooza events are wonderful times with wonderful people. I encourage everyone to join us!

    Thanks, Lisa, for pulling this together...the hotel looks great!

    Key West ~ Awesome!!!!
    Looks like plans are in the making for another AWESOME PALOOZA........... Fantastic!!!!

    How about a sunset cruise for a group activity, check out the link below.


    COMMOTION ON THE OCEAN SUNSET SAILS with LIVE MUSIC
    http://www.furycat.com/key-west/sunset-sailing-music.htm


    Count us in,
    Lisa and Andy

    PS, current picture from L-R
    Suzann , scouty ( Lisa P ) and Lisa Rose
    Taken at CP6 in San Francisco, Nov 2008
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    Lisa Rose said:

    Key West ~ Awesome!!!!
    Looks like plans are in the making for another AWESOME PALOOZA........... Fantastic!!!!

    How about a sunset cruise for a group activity, check out the link below.


    COMMOTION ON THE OCEAN SUNSET SAILS with LIVE MUSIC
    http://www.furycat.com/key-west/sunset-sailing-music.htm


    Count us in,
    Lisa and Andy

    PS, current picture from L-R
    Suzann , scouty ( Lisa P ) and Lisa Rose
    Taken at CP6 in San Francisco, Nov 2008

    I LOVE the photo!!!
    You gals are the best!!! I can hardly wait to see you again in Key West!

    Scouty...you crack me up : )
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    usakat said:

    I LOVE the photo!!!
    You gals are the best!!! I can hardly wait to see you again in Key West!

    Scouty...you crack me up : )

    Man..
    ...This sounds like a blast, wish I lived closer :(
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    usakat said:

    I LOVE the photo!!!
    You gals are the best!!! I can hardly wait to see you again in Key West!

    Scouty...you crack me up : )

    Notice the T-shirts!!!!
    Katie,

    We all have on the cool ones y'all gave us for CP6!!! I am doing my best Indian underwear imitation, "creeping up behind".

    From left to right in her photo; LP3, LP1,and LP2.

    We will have a blast!!!

    Lisa P.
  • sladich
    sladich Member Posts: 429 Member
    Can't wait
    Thanks Scouty for setting this up. John and I are looking forward to it. It should be a blast!!!!

    Debbie
  • Lisa Rose
    Lisa Rose Member Posts: 598 Member
    sladich said:

    Can't wait
    Thanks Scouty for setting this up. John and I are looking forward to it. It should be a blast!!!!

    Debbie

    CP7 - Here We Come
    Just got off the phone from the Casa Marina ~ all booked.

    Cheers!
    Lisa and Andy
  • suzannchili
    suzannchili Member Posts: 134 Member
    Stamp?
    Did someone say stamp? Is there by any chance a dinner cruise from Key West to Alcatraz so I can get the stamp I missed from last year's Palooza? In our haste to make the boat back to Fisherman's Wharf- I never did get that National Park stamp. Just kidding. The plans look great. Thank you for all of your hard work! I'll book my room this week. Looking forward to seeing all of my pals and meeting lots of new ones! These Palooza's are so wonderful and important! I still laugh when I think of the the other Paloozas and cheer right up when I see pictures from the past weekends.
    Suzann
  • suzannchili
    suzannchili Member Posts: 134 Member
    Lisa Rose said:

    Key West ~ Awesome!!!!
    Looks like plans are in the making for another AWESOME PALOOZA........... Fantastic!!!!

    How about a sunset cruise for a group activity, check out the link below.


    COMMOTION ON THE OCEAN SUNSET SAILS with LIVE MUSIC
    http://www.furycat.com/key-west/sunset-sailing-music.htm


    Count us in,
    Lisa and Andy

    PS, current picture from L-R
    Suzann , scouty ( Lisa P ) and Lisa Rose
    Taken at CP6 in San Francisco, Nov 2008

    Commotion on the Ocean!!
    Yup- that's us- let's for sure book that trip!
  • sladich
    sladich Member Posts: 429 Member
    Thanks again
    Scouty,

    Thanks for clearing up the room mess. One question - can we get a DWI for driving a moped under the influence?

    Debbie
  • Lisa Rose
    Lisa Rose Member Posts: 598 Member
    sladich said:

    Thanks again
    Scouty,

    Thanks for clearing up the room mess. One question - can we get a DWI for driving a moped under the influence?

    Debbie

    KathiM
    Hey KathiM,

    I know you like Coyote Ugly for dancing and entertainment, but check out this place in Key West.

    Captain Tony’s Saloon
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/nerboo/2354922148/in/pool-71461932@N00

    Somethings look the same!

    Too Funny!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    Lisa Rose said:

    KathiM
    Hey KathiM,

    I know you like Coyote Ugly for dancing and entertainment, but check out this place in Key West.

    Captain Tony’s Saloon
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/nerboo/2354922148/in/pool-71461932@N00

    Somethings look the same!

    Too Funny!

    I need to buy bras, I guess!
    maybe I should buy a 46DDD!!! That would be able to house a small family, plus my ample bosom...ROFL!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • trainer
    trainer Member Posts: 241
    Rooms are going fast and I have a question about the rates
    We've booked a room for the CP7 and a couple of questions remain:

    1. You said the rate was $159, yet I was told it was $179. They also said they waived the $20 resort fee,which sounds to me like a three-card monty thing going on. Can you confirm the rates?

    2. We've not been to one of these, so it would be helpful to know at least a broad agenda. It might have an effect on our arrival for the event.

    Thanks for doing all this. We regularly stage and organize events for clients, ranging from 50 people to 500 and they're all chocked full of hassles and flap.
    Thanks for checking on these things.

    FYI, there are 6 rooms left, Island Vista only, according to the hotel as of today.

    Anyone reading this can chime in with advice. Also, note that this property is a Hilton HHonors property, so if you belong to the frequent guest program, be sure to give them your account number.
  • sladich
    sladich Member Posts: 429 Member
    trainer said:

    Rooms are going fast and I have a question about the rates
    We've booked a room for the CP7 and a couple of questions remain:

    1. You said the rate was $159, yet I was told it was $179. They also said they waived the $20 resort fee,which sounds to me like a three-card monty thing going on. Can you confirm the rates?

    2. We've not been to one of these, so it would be helpful to know at least a broad agenda. It might have an effect on our arrival for the event.

    Thanks for doing all this. We regularly stage and organize events for clients, ranging from 50 people to 500 and they're all chocked full of hassles and flap.
    Thanks for checking on these things.

    FYI, there are 6 rooms left, Island Vista only, according to the hotel as of today.

    Anyone reading this can chime in with advice. Also, note that this property is a Hilton HHonors property, so if you belong to the frequent guest program, be sure to give them your account number.

    Mix up
    Here's a message from Scouty (Lisa) about the mix up:

    Howdy everyone!!

    After a few of us, including me, made our reservations I need to share a
    procedural change. Sorry for the confusion but when it came time to sign the
    contract I did not know how many of each rooms to include. So the sales
    contact and I did a "basic" contract and if you want a higher priced room,
    just go thru me and we can get it done in emails.


    SO


    If you want one of the rooms listed below other than the Island Vista $159
    rate or if you want to come early and/or stay later, book Island Vista rooms
    for whatever nights you need then send me an email telling me what you want
    differently from your reservation. FYI, there is a daily add on fee of $20
    covering resort fees and other **** charges hotels add and they will
    tell you that when you book your room. That charge applies to whatever kind
    of room you book.

    Examples:

    Debbie and John want an ocean view $199 room for Tues Oct 21st thru Sun Oct
    25th. They call the hotel reservation number below and book an Island Vista
    room for the time (they will probably get 2 reservation numbers). They send
    me an email with their reservation numbers and what they want. Then I send
    an email to my sales contact who upsales the room (and gets a little bonus
    for it). After she does her upsale, they call back and make sure they have
    the reservations they expect.

    Another example:

    Mark wants a one bedroom non view suite for Wed Oct 21st thru Sun Oct 25th.
    Mark calls and reserves an Island Vista room for the 21st-25th. Then he
    notifies me that he wants to upgrade to the suite. I contact Pilar (my
    contact) and make it happen. Again Mark calls to check and make sure he got
    what he expects.

    I took most of the ones that I don't think will be at CP7 off this list.

    If you have any questions, let me know.

    Thanks, Lisa

    I hope this helps! I look forward to meeting you at CP7!

    Debbie
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    trainer said:

    Rooms are going fast and I have a question about the rates
    We've booked a room for the CP7 and a couple of questions remain:

    1. You said the rate was $159, yet I was told it was $179. They also said they waived the $20 resort fee,which sounds to me like a three-card monty thing going on. Can you confirm the rates?

    2. We've not been to one of these, so it would be helpful to know at least a broad agenda. It might have an effect on our arrival for the event.

    Thanks for doing all this. We regularly stage and organize events for clients, ranging from 50 people to 500 and they're all chocked full of hassles and flap.
    Thanks for checking on these things.

    FYI, there are 6 rooms left, Island Vista only, according to the hotel as of today.

    Anyone reading this can chime in with advice. Also, note that this property is a Hilton HHonors property, so if you belong to the frequent guest program, be sure to give them your account number.

    Great questions trainer!!
    I'm thrilled you are asking them, I've been to enough of them to know what to expect and forget that others don't.

    Thanks to Debbie for posting my email about the rates. It seems we are in battle of symatics, the contract reads $159 plus the daily resort fee of $20 while the hotel reservationists tell you the other. Bottom line each room is $179 with 11.5% taxes!!

    trainer, bless you for organizing events like you do. I am a project/program manager by trade and like that the Paloozas are pretty loosy goosy which makes it easier on the host and hopefully the expectations of the guests. We get some pretty decent rates at cool locations so anyone that wants to take advantage of that can, you are not obligated to attend any of the scheduled events but are more than welcome if you want to.

    Some may just want to hang out on the private beach and/or do all the water sports things the resort offers. We are planning a few things and here are some of the ideas as of today (keep in mind this could change as we find other things to do):

    Wednesdays are usually check in days and people arrive at all hours. With a smaller crowd it is easier to track arrival times and an informal greeting in the lobby as you check in is pretty special.

    Thursday evening is the official "meet and greet" event, probably the one event you do not want to miss. For those that checked in the day before there are usually plans made for breakfast, tours and other events as people get to know one another. You also could have the day to yourself. There is a nightly free sunset party at Mallory Square that we'll want to catch after the "meet and greet". What happens after that is all TBD.

    Friday mid morning will have a motor scooter "tour" of some sort planned that may involve fake tatoos and do rags but it will definitely include lunch at a local place featuring the the Key specialties of fried counch and key lime pie (and yes Debbie I think you can get a DWI on a scooter but hopefully not at 11AM!). This "road trip" will end mid afternoon so folks can prepare for the sunset cruise with live band; there are dozens to chose from but Commotion on the Ocean looks the most appealing for the price so far.

    Saturday lunch reservations will be made on a remote island that we have to take a boat to get to (Lattitudes). The dinner menu is pricey with fancy dress but lunch is casual and only charges $12 for a burger and fries which is not bad for the cool island feel. After that will probably be an informal "pub crawl" checking out bands, bars, and the stores on Duval Street. Some will be leaving early the next morning so Saturdays are not usually late nights, but Friday is a different story.

    That's a rough idea of the weekend plans I have right now. Let me know your thoughts and please offer other things to do.

    You are right, only 6 more rooms left at these rates!!!!!!!!!!!

    Book now folks!!!

    Lisa P