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"Those Week-End Parties" [SOLI]

<a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128491499053133714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL5cxiG0_dcdL5plliChV-UksPUiC9tnOYNs3nWk6c4sJzGA8XVxPo0wgXdf5UCE6qiy93jqRGy0rVTfyxoGW3fE_26BoNdyFDrIBG7EmW2uz-MXJdTymes-zSAIgjRANGSV_lPWmu-5c/s200/Algonquin_lobby_lounge.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>To every Sherlockian, it is always <span style="font-style: italic;">the </span>weekend.<br /><br />This is it! The long-awaited announcement of the January festivities that we Sherlock Holmes devotees always look forward to. For many of us, it's been nearly a year since we rubbed shoulders with each other from venues such as the Algonquin Hotel, Ollie's Noodle House, a city club or two, or just the streets of New York.<br /><br />This year, rather than reproduce the entire schedule here, I'm trying something a little different. In order to be much more comprehensive in my approach, I've created a separate site where you can find all of your BSI Weekend information - from schedules, to maps, to links to travel site and the general RSVP form for download. You can find this and more at the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> site.<br /><br />If you join the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5262672284">Baker Street Blog Facebook group</a>, I'll be adding BSI Weekend information and content along the way. It's a great way to meet other Sherlockians virtually and to share pictures, links and discussions with each other. Do please consider joining and seeing what it's all about.<br /><br />But one of the features I'm most excited to offer this year is <span style="font-weight: bold;">real-time updates throughout the weekend</span>. You'll be able to follow these in the upper-left section of the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/">BSI Weekend site</a>. Just think- if you can't make it to the event, you can be the first to know who receives their BSI Investitures or who gets spotted at various events.<br /><br />I hope to see you in New York in January. If you have any suggestions as to how to improve the BSI Weekend site, or if you have questions about the weekend, please drop me a line.

"Those Week-End Parties" [SOLI]

To every Sherlockian, it is always the weekend. This is it! The long-awaited announcement of the January festivities that we Sherlock Holmes...

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by Scott Monty

A Note about the 2009 BSI Weekend

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
" a week-end gathering" [LAST]</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdHQcRTLpSite5ltkGJldSffO_crvmeLT88K0b4RQfM2ebAfQtFZ2-7tec8_aMgMHOUaCYml96pMi9e6FNfftduHylVzLi4PBRfIy464h_HG8g8sUlPZmwBnwhvndqC1z3O-E5AoqV8UF/s1600-h/BSI_Wallpaper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="419" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264145555401968658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdHQcRTLpSite5ltkGJldSffO_crvmeLT88K0b4RQfM2ebAfQtFZ2-7tec8_aMgMHOUaCYml96pMi9e6FNfftduHylVzLi4PBRfIy464h_HG8g8sUlPZmwBnwhvndqC1z3O-E5AoqV8UF/s640/BSI_Wallpaper.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Even though professional life has occupied our daily routine for the past 5 months or so and our commitment to various Sherlockian pursuits has suffered, our interest has not abated. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When one receives an invitation in the mail to the annual <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">Baker Street Irregulars weekend</a>, the thrill of your first time comes flooding back. So if you've not yet had the opportunity to attend, we suggest you take note.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For many of us, it's been nearly a year since we rubbed shoulders with each other from venues such as the Algonquin Hotel, Ollie's Noodle House, a city club or two, or just the streets of New York.<br />
<br />
As we did last year, rather than reproduce the entire schedule on this site, we've posted all of the information on <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/">a separate site</a> where you can find all of your BSI Weekend information - from schedules, to maps, to links to travel site and the general RSVP form for download. You can find this and more at <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">the Baker Street Irregulars Weekend site</span></a>.<br />
<br />
Because of our responsibilities, we'll only be attending the BSI Dinner, so we won't be giving updates from all of the events, but you can still follow along on Friday evening in real-time if you'd like to see to whom the investitures go. These updates can be found in the upper-left section of the BSI Weekend site. Just think - if you can't make it to the event, you can be the first to know who receives their BSI Investitures, without having to wait for the listserv, Yahoo groups, or disussion forums to update.<br />
<br />
We hope to see you in New York in January. If you have any suggestions as to how to improve the BSI Weekend site, or if you have questions about the weekend, please drop us a line.</div>
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A Note about the 2009 BSI Weekend

" a week-end gathering" [LAST] Even though professional life has occupied our daily routine for the past 5 months or so and o...

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by Scott Monty

The Watson Fund Provides Financial Assistance for the BSI Weekend

<h4 style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 18.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;">
"to defray whatever expenses I may be put to" [SPEC]</h4>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6NzdNlbvo6h_28U9FiknzN3n03o_G6KxgtncfJd2bXpJx3HSrTMnHFYnm50zDxxnDYSdtF8Xdsv9JhWrLX20xm0x7ayqkAcnrOpQVnXOQaPG-0DqvYQzCtbmOkoLyb1dEHQDl2wCWZm/s1600/BERY+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Alexander Holder's surprise [BERY]" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6NzdNlbvo6h_28U9FiknzN3n03o_G6KxgtncfJd2bXpJx3HSrTMnHFYnm50zDxxnDYSdtF8Xdsv9JhWrLX20xm0x7ayqkAcnrOpQVnXOQaPG-0DqvYQzCtbmOkoLyb1dEHQDl2wCWZm/s640/BERY+2.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Alexander Holder, The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet" width="512" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Invitations to the </span><a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #006f85; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars & Friends Weekend</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> in New York have been sent, and the public website was just updated. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Whenever folks get their invitations, there's usually a sense of surprise, relief and even trepidation. Yes, trepidation. For some people, attending the Weekend is a difficult and onerous task.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Some simply don't like to be around crowds, or perhaps detest the (often) harsh weather of New York in January. Others boycott for personal reasons. But there are some who simply can't afford the price of the accumulated events and the travel required to get there.</span><br />
<h3>
<b><br />
</b><b>The John H. Watson Fund</b></h3>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s under Tom Stix, Jr.'s ("The Norwood Builder") term as Wiggins of the Baker Street Irregulars, Tom created the </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Dr. John H. Watson Fund</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, a financial assistance package for the BSI Weekend, and credited it as his most proud achievement of leading the BSI.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">According to the BSI:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: url("https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tw_a4UrYKN4scINd-_XJZDGoMQott_sVK3K2rdnQP3bYa6WYUPVBXQslpmTa5gvxuju7pHwO9ypIaAY-J_dTMMDb42Gkru8S6zS2z90KMvfTjw5lP0htSMiW8SJt_Biqb0H_t33ulBfs/s1600/quotation-l.png") left 5px no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #006f85; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 20px; padding-left: 40px;">
<b>The Dr. John H. Watson Fund</b> offers financial assistance to all Sherlockians (membership in the BSI is not required) who might otherwise not be able to participate in the weekend's festivities. A carefully pseudonymous John H. Watson presides over the fund and welcomes contributions, which can be made by check payable to John H. Watson and sent (without return address on the envelope) to <b>Dr. Watson, c/o The Baker Street Irregulars, at 7938 Mill Stream Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46278</b>; your letters are forwarded unopened, and Dr. Watson will acknowledge your generosity. Requests for assistance should also be mailed <i><b>immediately</b></i> to Dr. Watson at the same address, and <b>must be received by December 3</b> for timely processing of requests.</blockquote>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It is a wonderful resource that enables more people to enjoy one of the most important aspects of our hobby: spending time in the company of like-minded people. And while there are plenty of opportunities around the world to do this on a local level, the BSI Weekend happens just once a year and celebrates a long-standing (83 years!) tradition that was started by Christopher Morley.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Each year, the Fund is self-liquidating, meaning that assistance is granted to whatever extent is possible to the supplicants, and that generous Sherlockians are responsible for replenishing it every year. Traditionally this was done through simple check-writing, but then the BSI Cocktail Reception added </span><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/bsiweekend/auction.html" style="background-color: white; color: #006f85; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">an auction and drawing</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, which also raise money for the Fund. Raffle tickets are sold throughout the weekend for some choice items and Peter Blau, BSI ("Black Peter") holds forth as an auctioneer </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">sine qua non</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<br />
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">--</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>

The Watson Fund Provides Financial Assistance for the BSI Weekend

"to defray whatever expenses I may be put to" [SPEC] Invitations to the Baker Street Irregulars & Friends Weekend in N...

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by Scott Monty

The Dr. John H. Watson Fund and the BSI Weekend

<h4 style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: merriweather; font-size: 18.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;">
"to defray whatever expenses I may be put to" [SPEC]</h4>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6NzdNlbvo6h_28U9FiknzN3n03o_G6KxgtncfJd2bXpJx3HSrTMnHFYnm50zDxxnDYSdtF8Xdsv9JhWrLX20xm0x7ayqkAcnrOpQVnXOQaPG-0DqvYQzCtbmOkoLyb1dEHQDl2wCWZm/s1600/BERY+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="Alexander Holder's surprise [BERY]" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6NzdNlbvo6h_28U9FiknzN3n03o_G6KxgtncfJd2bXpJx3HSrTMnHFYnm50zDxxnDYSdtF8Xdsv9JhWrLX20xm0x7ayqkAcnrOpQVnXOQaPG-0DqvYQzCtbmOkoLyb1dEHQDl2wCWZm/s640/BERY+2.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Alexander Holder, The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet" width="512" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Invitations to the <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> in New York have been sent, and the public website was just updated. <br /><br />Whenever folks get their invitations, there's usually a sense of surprise, relief and even trepidation. Yes, trepidation. For some people, attending the Weekend is a difficult and onerous task.<br /><br />Some simply don't like to be around crowds, or perhaps detest the (often) harsh weather of New York in January. Others boycott for personal reasons. But there are some who simply can't afford the price of the accumulated events and the travel required to get there.<br /><br /><h2>
<b> The John H. Watson Fund</b></h2>
In the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s under Tom Stix, Jr.'s ("The Norwood Builder") term as Wiggins of <a href="http://bakerstreetirregulars.com/" target="_blank">the Baker Street Irregulars</a>, Tom created the <b>Dr. John H. Watson Fund</b>, a financial assistance package for the BSI Weekend, and credited it as his most proud achievement of leading the BSI.<br /><br />According to the BSI:<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Dr. John H. Watson Fund offers financial assistance to all Sherlockians (membership in the BSI is <u>not</u> required) who might otherwise not be able to participate in the weekend's festivities. A carefully pseudonymous John H. Watson presides over the fund and welcomes contributions, which can be made by check payable to John H. Watson and sent (without return address on the envelope) to <b>Dr. Watson, c/o The Baker Street Irregulars, at 7938 Mill Stream Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46278</b>; your letters are forwarded unopened, and Dr. Watson will acknowledge your generosity. Requests for assistance should also be mailed immediately to Dr. Watson at the same address, and must be received by December 3 for timely processing of requests.</blockquote>
<br />
It is a wonderful resource that enables more people to enjoy one of the most important aspects of our hobby: spending time in the company of like-minded people. And while there are plenty of opportunities around the world to do this on a local level, the BSI Weekend happens just once a year and celebrates a long-standing tradition (84 years!) that was started by Christopher Morley.</div>
<div>
<br />Each year, the Fund is self-liquidating, meaning that assistance is granted to whatever extent is possible to the supplicants, and that generous Sherlockians are responsible for replenishing it every year. Traditionally this was done through simple check-writing, but then the BSI Cocktail Reception added <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-weekend/" target="_blank">an auction and drawing</a> [<b><i>Editor's Note</i></b>: to be updated], which also raise money for the Fund. Raffle tickets are sold throughout the weekend for some choice items and Peter Blau, BSI ("Black Peter") holds forth as an auctioneer nonpareil.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">--</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div>
</div>

The Dr. John H. Watson Fund and the BSI Weekend

"to defray whatever expenses I may be put to" [SPEC] Invitations to the Baker Street Irregulars Weekend in New York have b...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

The Watson Fund Provides Financial Assistance for the BSI Weekend

<h4 style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 18.2px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;">
"to defray whatever expenses I may be put to" [SPEC]</h4>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6NzdNlbvo6h_28U9FiknzN3n03o_G6KxgtncfJd2bXpJx3HSrTMnHFYnm50zDxxnDYSdtF8Xdsv9JhWrLX20xm0x7ayqkAcnrOpQVnXOQaPG-0DqvYQzCtbmOkoLyb1dEHQDl2wCWZm/s1600/BERY+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Alexander Holder's surprise [BERY]" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6NzdNlbvo6h_28U9FiknzN3n03o_G6KxgtncfJd2bXpJx3HSrTMnHFYnm50zDxxnDYSdtF8Xdsv9JhWrLX20xm0x7ayqkAcnrOpQVnXOQaPG-0DqvYQzCtbmOkoLyb1dEHQDl2wCWZm/s640/BERY+2.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Alexander Holder, The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet" width="512" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Invitations to the </span><a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #006f85; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> in New York are on their way, and the public site will be updated on November 20 (stay tuned). </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Whenever folks get their invitations, there's usually a sense of surprise, relief and even trepidation. Yes, trepidation. For some people, attending the Weekend is a difficult and onerous task.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Some simply don't like to be around crowds, or perhaps detest the (often) harsh weather of New York in January. Others boycott for personal reasons. But there are some who simply can't afford the price of the accumulated events and the travel required to get there.</span><br />
<h3>
<b><br />
</b><b>The John H. Watson Fund</b></h3>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s under Tom Stix, Jr.'s ("The Norwood Builder") term as Wiggins of the Baker Street Irregulars, Tom created the </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Dr. John H. Watson Fund</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, a financial assistance package for the BSI Weekend, and credited it as his most proud achievement of leading the BSI.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">According to the BSI:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: url("https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tw_a4UrYKN4scINd-_XJZDGoMQott_sVK3K2rdnQP3bYa6WYUPVBXQslpmTa5gvxuju7pHwO9ypIaAY-J_dTMMDb42Gkru8S6zS2z90KMvfTjw5lP0htSMiW8SJt_Biqb0H_t33ulBfs/s1600/quotation-l.png") left 5px no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #006f85; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 20px; padding-left: 40px;">
<b>The Dr. John H. Watson Fund</b> offers financial assistance to all Sherlockians (membership in the BSI is not required) who might otherwise not be able to participate in the weekend's festivities. A carefully pseudonymous John H. Watson presides over the fund and welcomes contributions, which can be made by check payable to John H. Watson and sent (without return address on the envelope) to <b>Dr. Watson, c/o The Baker Street Irregulars, at 7938 Mill Stream Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46278</b>; your letters are forwarded unopened, and Dr. Watson will acknowledge your generosity. Requests for assistance should also be mailed <i><b>immediately</b></i> to Dr. Watson at the same address, and <b>must be received by December 3</b> for timely processing of requests.</blockquote>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It is a wonderful resource that enables more people to enjoy one of the most important aspects of our hobby: spending time in the company of like-minded people. And while there are plenty of opportunities around the world to do this on a local level, the BSI Weekend happens just once a year and celebrates a long-standing (82 years!) tradition that was started by Christopher Morley.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Each year, the Fund is self-liquidating, meaning that assistance is granted to whatever extent is possible to the supplicants, and that generous Sherlockians are responsible for replenishing it every year. Traditionally this was done through simple check-writing, but then the BSI Cocktail Reception added </span><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/bsiweekend/auction.html" style="background-color: white; color: #006f85; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">an auction and drawing</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, which also raise money for the Fund. Raffle tickets are sold throughout the weekend for some choice items and Peter Blau, BSI ("Black Peter") holds forth as an auctioneer </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">sine qua non</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">So if you're </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">in need</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> of some financial assistance, please write to Dr. Watson at the address above with a budget that outlines what you need. And if you're </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/johnhwatsonfund" target="_blank">able to support</a></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> this important effort to enable your friends and colleagues attend, <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/johnhwatsonfund" target="_blank">by all means, do so</a>.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span> <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">--</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span>

The Watson Fund Provides Financial Assistance for the BSI Weekend

"to defray whatever expenses I may be put to" [SPEC] Invitations to the Baker Street Irregulars Weekend in New York are on...

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by Scott Monty

Financial Assistance for the BSI Weekend

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"to defray whatever expenses I may be put to" [SPEC]</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6NzdNlbvo6h_28U9FiknzN3n03o_G6KxgtncfJd2bXpJx3HSrTMnHFYnm50zDxxnDYSdtF8Xdsv9JhWrLX20xm0x7ayqkAcnrOpQVnXOQaPG-0DqvYQzCtbmOkoLyb1dEHQDl2wCWZm/s1600/BERY+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Alexander Holder's surprise [BERY]" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6NzdNlbvo6h_28U9FiknzN3n03o_G6KxgtncfJd2bXpJx3HSrTMnHFYnm50zDxxnDYSdtF8Xdsv9JhWrLX20xm0x7ayqkAcnrOpQVnXOQaPG-0DqvYQzCtbmOkoLyb1dEHQDl2wCWZm/s640/BERY+2.jpg" title="Alexander Holder, The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
With the recent spate of invitations to the <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> in New York came a sense of surprise, relief and even trepidation. Yes, trepidation. For some people, attending the Weekend is a difficult and onerous task.<br />
<br />
Some simply don't like to be around crowds, or perhaps detest the (often) harsh weather of New York in January. Others boycott for personal reasons. But there are some who simply can't afford the price of the accumulated events and the travel required to get there.<br />
<br />
In the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s under Tom Stix, Jr.'s ("The Norwood Builder") term as Wiggins of the Baker Street Irregulars, Tom created the <b>Dr. John H. Watson Fund</b>, a financial assistance package for the BSI Weekend, and credited it as his most proud achievement of leading the BSI.<br />
<br />
According to the BSI:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>The Dr. John H. Watson Fund</b> offers financial assistance to all Sherlockians
(membership in the BSI is not required) who might otherwise not be able to
participate in the weekend's festivities. A carefully pseudonymous John H.
Watson presides over the fund and welcomes contributions, which can be made
by check payable to John H. Watson and sent (without return address on the
envelope) to <b>Dr. Watson, c/o The Baker Street Irregulars, at 7938 Mill
Stream Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46278</b>; your letters are forwarded unopened,
and Dr. Watson will acknowledge your generosity. Requests for assistance
should also be mailed (quickly) to Dr. Watson at the same address.</blockquote>
<br />
It is a wonderful resource that enables more people to enjoy one of the most important aspects of our hobby: spending time in the company of like-minded people. And while there are plenty of opportunities around the world to do this on a local level, the BSI Weekend happens just once a year and celebrates a long-standing (82 years!) tradition that was started by Christopher Morley.<br />
<br />
Each year, the Fund is self-liquidating, meaning that assistance is granted to whatever extent is possible to the supplicants, and that generous Sherlockians are responsible for replenishing it every year. Traditionally this was done through simple check-writing, but then the BSI Cocktail Reception added <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/bsiweekend/auction.html" target="_blank">an auction and drawing</a>, which also raise money for the Fund. Raffle tickets are sold throughout the weekend for some choice items and Peter Blau, BSI ("Black Peter") holds forth as an auctioneer <i>sine qua non</i>.<br />
<br />
So if you're <b>in need</b> of some financial assistance, please write to Dr. Watson at the address above with a budget that outlines what you need. And if you're <b>able to support</b> this important effort to enable your friends and colleagues attend, by all means, so do.<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
<br />

Financial Assistance for the BSI Weekend

"to defray whatever expenses I may be put to" [SPEC] With the recent spate of invitations to the Baker Street Irregulars We...

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by Scott Monty

Tips for Making the Most of the #BSIWeekend

<h4 style="text-align: center;"><b>"Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser" [SILV] </b></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFYYwNkDcFee52TLetezTvrjJuCKXcoJ8tRTmgBBmyA6s8xbAhLwknSBTpj-Pkrx6jpEyFqM9xEg-CaN-pHP8mPZatyZtGZm8Rqasu7Kb8BZSgUSpY_ZdFEBKopS_ZrYAzONcuAGPHOHA/s1600/BSI+logo+full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFYYwNkDcFee52TLetezTvrjJuCKXcoJ8tRTmgBBmyA6s8xbAhLwknSBTpj-Pkrx6jpEyFqM9xEg-CaN-pHP8mPZatyZtGZm8Rqasu7Kb8BZSgUSpY_ZdFEBKopS_ZrYAzONcuAGPHOHA/s640/BSI+logo+full.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: center;">With the </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend</a></b><span style="text-align: center;"> coming up, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike.</span><br /><br />The <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> is happening January 12-16, 2022, and it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for three or more days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may have only known online until now.<div><br /></div><div>Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation, and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6OGNTJ9y_alsmGZ4itwvxut6FnZFBQOLkk-N2WkkKYRjWi6VhW3taPMuwHbm71ZOdynxKBFX43yxwG0F0HkBqsQx3Z1pc4kiIezeMXQG6zPdPVmG4FPv6y_wsBc8QavGdfNnOZ680d6u/s1600/TWIS+Hugh+Boone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6OGNTJ9y_alsmGZ4itwvxut6FnZFBQOLkk-N2WkkKYRjWi6VhW3taPMuwHbm71ZOdynxKBFX43yxwG0F0HkBqsQx3Z1pc4kiIezeMXQG6zPdPVmG4FPv6y_wsBc8QavGdfNnOZ680d6u/s320/TWIS+Hugh+Boone.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">All tips gladly accepted</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the BSI Weekend.<br /><br />This is the <b>ninth </b>annual installment of this post — the first of which was inspired by interviewing several members of the Baker Street Irregulars — including some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades. Information has been updated to reflect changes in the city as well as in technology.</div><div><br /></div><div>And this year, the ongoing pandemic has incurred some changes as well.<br /><br /><br />And if there are any additional tips that you think would be helpful to attendees, please feel free to add your own as a comment below. And if you'd like a sense as to what happens, listen to <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" target="_blank">Episode 74</a>:<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/191368218&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe><br /><br />Herewith are the suggestions:<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Health 💉</h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>While Sherlockians like to imagine a world where "it's always 1895," the reality of the present day is that we are still fighting a global pandemic. While it's not Tapanuli fever or the black Formosa corruption, it's a good idea to take precautions.</li><li>The first thing to note is that all events hosted by the Baker Street Irregulars require proof of vaccination for entry. The virus situation is always changing, so please visit the B<a href="https://files.bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-event-covid-19.pdf" target="_blank">SI Event Covid-19 requirements PDF</a> for the latest details. And check that PDF again on January 11 in case there are any last-minute changes.</li><li>If you're doing non-BSI things in New York, the city also requires proof of vaccination for indoor activities such as dining.</li><li>And it wouldn't hurt to wear a mask when you're indoors and around a lot of people as well. </li><li><b style="font-style: italic;">Remember:</b><i> Your health and the health of loved ones at home when you return are of great concern to people who like to share your company at these events. </i>❤️</li></ul></div><div><ul><li><b>PLEASE NOTE: </b>To get the latest BSI event news, go to the BSI website and sign up for the free <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-news-via-email" target="_blank">News from the BSI</a> email service.</li></ul></div><div><br /><h3>Bags 🧳</h3><ul><li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you buy. If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so. </li><li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward. </li><li>You might also consider <b>bringing a shopping bag to the Merchants Room</b> on Saturday to carry your various purchases. Not all merchants provide bags; carting away your haul is <i>your</i> responsibility. And you <i>do</i> want a haul, don't you?</li></ul><br /><h3>Meeting Others 📇</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bring business cards. You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information. Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, Twitter handle, etc. </li><li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time. </li><li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner.</li><ul><li><b><i>Pro tip</i></b>: there's usually a pen in the dinner packet.</li></ul><li>Allow yourself time to schmooze with other Sherlockians. This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends. </li></ul><br /><h3>Comportment / Etiquette 🤝</h3><ul><li><b>Do</b> tell people how good it is to see them again — or to meet them for the first time after having known them only online. <b>Do</b> tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. <b>Do</b> tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship. </li><li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances. </li><li>In this hyper-connected world, it's easy to forget that there are those attending the weekend for whom "it is always 1895" — or nearly so. When you're taking photographs, please be mindful of those who are firmly rooted in the 20th century and who might not want to appear on your  timeline by <u>asking their permission</u> to share your photos of them online. Common courtesy is timeless.</li></ul><div><br /></div><h3>Attire 🥿 🧥</h3><ul><li>Bring comfortable shoes. The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking. </li><li>This one is especially for the ladies: it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li><li>Bring warm clothes. It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say they know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather. </li><li>Dress in layers. Many times the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could – and did – comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on. </li></ul><br /><h3>Money 💰</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bring small bills. They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees. </li><ul><li><b><i>Pro tip</i></b>: We prefer withdrawing $2 bills from the bank and bringing them with us to make things extra efficient.</li></ul><li>Bring a checkbook to the Merchants Room as not everyone takes credit cards and you may find an item you must have. </li><li>If you see something you're interested in at the Merchants Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room – it will probably be gone by then.</li><li>Most of the vendors in the Merchants Room are very kind and understanding people, and many are also collectors or Sherlockians themselves. If you would care to haggle with them, they're likely open to it. It can't hurt to ask.</li><li>The BSI and Wessex Press tables will accept <b>credit cards, PayPal and Apple Pay</b>.</li><li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend – and then double it. That might get you through. 💸</li></ul><br /><h3>Time 🕰️</h3><ul><li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests. Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition. Schedule your time. </li><li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home). </li><li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians who may be headed to the same events as you.</li><li>Alternatively, download a ride-hailing app (such as Uber, Lyft or Via) to help you avoid these waits. <b>See below for more details and a way to save money on rides</b>.</li></ul><br /><h3>Getting Around 🚕 🚇 🚶</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Hey, Magellan, guess what? You have the power of a global satellite navigation system in the palm of your hand. That is, if you have a smartphone. Google Maps or Apple Maps are indispensable for getting around, by foot, taxi, or public transportation.</li><li>If you want something customized to New York, there are other apps to choose from: <a href="https://citymapper.com/nyc" target="_blank">Citymapper</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=guide.unitedstates.newyork.prod&hl=en_US&gl=US" target="_blank">New York Guide for Android</a> and iOS has the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-travel-guide-offline/id319296365?mt=8">New York Travel Guide and Offline Map</a>.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If you don't like using the map app on your phone, print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified. Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn). </li><li>Download and print the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/2019/12/summary-of-events.html" target="_blank">Summary of Weekend Events</a> from <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">bsiweekend.com</a> (and seen below), or bookmark it on your smartphone. </li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's <a href="http://mysteriousbookshop.com/" target="_blank">Mysterious Bookshop</a> and are staying at The Westin Grand Central Hotel, the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway. From Grand Central take a <b>4</b> or <b>5</b> express train <b>two</b> stops to <b>Brooklyn Bridge Station</b>; it is a very short walk over to Otto's. Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes. </li><li>Download the <b>MYmta app</b> from the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mymta/id1297605670?mt=8">App Store</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.mta.mymta&hl=en">Google Play</a> for navigating the subway. </li><li>Pool funds with others to buy regular per-ride <b><a href="http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm">MetroCards</a></b>. These can be shared by up to four people on each trip and are good for one transfer between subway/bus or between buses on uptown/crosstown routes within 2 hours.</li><ul><li>If you're 65 or older, present ID for a reduced fare MetroCard – $2.75 for two rides with the same transfer provisions noted above. <b>Note:</b> a 65+ MetroCard <b><i>cannot</i></b> be shared and you must find a live 'token booth' clerk to inspect your ID – reduced fare not available in machines.</li><li>If you reach the end of the Weekend with a balance on your MetroCard, return to New York more frequently! Or give your card to local-area Sherlockians.</li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Download a ride-hailing app such as <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787" target="_blank">Lyft</a> or Uber. </li><ul><li>We highly recommend <a href="http://ridewithvia.com/" target="_blank"><b>Via</b></a>, which costs only $5 per ride anywhere in Manhattan and is one of the best values from the airport. Use the code <b><a href="http://ridewithvia.com/">scott5q3</a></b> to sign up and get a free ride.</li><li>If you'd like a code for Lyft, use <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787">SCOTT726787</a> to sign up and receive a $5 credit towards rides.</li></ul><li><b>Pro Tip:</b> </li><ul><li><a href="http://ridewithvia.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Via</a> offers the <b>1-week Manhattan 24/7 <a href="https://support.ridewithvia.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002370132-What-is-the-ViaPass-" target="_blank">ViaPass</a></b>, which is a great option if you're planning on non-subway transportation. It will give you up to <b>4 rides per day</b> (all day!) of up to $12 each in Manhattan (most Via rides are $5 or less) and will give you <b>20% off</b> any rides to the boroughs or airports. There is an additional nominal charge for +1s. The cost for a 1-week Manhattan 24/7 ViaPass is <b>$89 + tax</b>.</li></ul></ul><br /><h3>Logistics 📝</h3><ul><li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system. </li><li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now? </li><li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable in years past in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable a few years ago) – if this happens again, vests/waistcoats are not advised. Unless you're <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaric/8379354330/">Mattias Bostrom</a>. </li></ul><br /><h3>The Unscheduled 📅</h3><ul><li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you prefer to eat breakfast alone – saving energy for later conversations).</li><li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “<i>You know my methods. Apply them</i>.” </li></ul><br /><h3>Dining 🍽️</h3>What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Westin Grand Central Hotel.<br /><ul><li>The restaurant scene in NYC has changed drastically during the pandemic. Some old favorites may no longer be there; some may have restricted hours or dining arrangements.</li><li>Check <b><a href="https://www.opentable.com/landmark/restaurants-near-grand-central-station" target="_blank">Open Table</a></b> for restaurants that take reservations; they offer free booking and allow you to see availability of tables by time and by number of seats. </li><li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the <b><a href="http://www.oysterbarny.com/">Oyster Bar</a></b> for dinner after the Thursday night lecture. There are a number of <b><a href="https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/restaurants/" target="_blank">Grand Central Restaurants</a></b> inside. </li><li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries nearby, check <b><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g60763-d103371-Grand_Central_Terminal-New_York_City_New_York.html" target="_blank">TripAdvisor</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Restaurants+Near+Grand+Central+Station&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY" target="_blank">Yelp</a></b>,</li><li>And heaven forbid, don't forget about the <a href="http://www.redflamenyc.com/">Red Flame</a>, the perennial favorite next door to the Algonquin Hotel on W. 44th Street.</li></ul><br /><h3>Online 📱</h3>Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that:<br /><ul><li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend on Twitter is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>. We have a feed set up on the <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend website</a>, or you can simply follow along by clicking on the hashtag, or even on <a href="http://tweetdeck.com/">TweetDeck</a>. </li><li>We also have a <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock/lists/sherlockians">list of Sherlockians on Twitter</a> whom you might consider following. A number of them will be at the weekend as well.</li><li>The Doylean Honors will be held online as well as in person on Thursday, January 13 at 11:15 am EST. <a href="http://acdsociety.com/Honors/Honors.html" target="_blank">Register at the ACD Society site</a>.</li><li>And don't forget about <a href="https://www.doingsofdoyle.com/p/the-literary-agents.html" target="_blank">The Literary Agents, who are hosting a Zoom meeting</a> at 10:00 am EST on Sunday, January 16.</li></ul><br /><br />Here is a handy downloadable and printable guide for the weekend; you may also bookmark it on your smartphone for easy reference (or download the Scribd app [<b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDkQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fscribd-worlds-largest-online%2Fid542557212%3Fmt%3D8&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNFJrFun262V6ZZVXqQGlmr6dpo80A&sig2=1OSvbhebL4loQDJvzNIoJA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">iOS</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEIQFjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.scribd.app.reader0%26hl%3Den&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNGmLSiZ-MqZs3_glflhk5qz1KmvgQ&sig2=O0KNeNDotXW6UwFloblUBA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">Android</a></b>] to make it easier).<br /><br /><a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/540764015/The-2022-BSI-Weekend#from_embed" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" title="View The 2022 BSI Weekend on Scribd">The 2022 BSI Weekend</a><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/540764015/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-VrIuhT5MsUxe9Jmuofmn" tabindex="0" title="The 2022 BSI Weekend" width="100%"></iframe><br /><br /></div><br />And this year, Monica Schmidt has created <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/15khA9aIru03NI-O1aH6SARTWjsouUe6DUIQTXk9aIl4/edit?usp=drivesdk&fbclid=IwAR1kCfGk0796ssWAhvJYm1BgPHbLLfRH-ajm5qCip4jD_hENs4Tcw-Lw284" target="_blank">a handy schedule</a></b> for those who are more visually inclined.<div><br /></div><div>That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment here on our site or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be the beneficiaries.<br /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">--<br /></div></div>

Tips for Making the Most of the #BSIWeekend

"Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser" [SILV] With the BSI Weekend coming up, we thought it might be helpf...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Remembering Our Very First Time

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"You will excuse me, however, if I speak frankly to you." [DANC]</h4>
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Early November marks an exciting time in our own Sherlockian calendar. This is historically the time of year that we find out about the specifics of the Baker Street Irregulars Weekend.</div>
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The annual gathering in New York City happens every January (as it has for over 70 years), with Sherlock Holmes devotees assembling from all over the world. The Weekend — and really, it's more than a weekend, with events starting as early as Wednesday — is open to all interested Sherlockians and is something of a movable feast as attendees east and drink their way through New York. We'll be updating <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">the BSI Weekend website</a> soon with all of the official information and reservation forms, so stay tuned for that.</div>
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While the BSI Dinner is still an invitation-only affair, the rest of the weekend is as inclusive an event as anyone can imagine. Whether you're attending for the first time or the 51st time, you're greeted with open arms and plentiful introductions to other like-minded individuals. </div>
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We've heard many fellow Sherlockians say that to them, the BSI Weekend is something of a second Christmas. The prospect of connecting and reconnecting with so many friends from cities and years past, as well as from online interactions, is really what our little hobby is all about.</div>
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So we hope you'll indulge us this personal memory of the very first BSI Dinner invitation we received from Tom Stix, "Wiggins" of the BSI at the time. It arrived exactly 20 years ago today and our excitement is still just as strong today as it was then.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
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But you don't need an invitation to attend the Weekend events overall. We hope you'll make your own plans to descend on New York and join your fellow revelers at the oldest and most expansive annual Sherlockian event.</div>
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I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere will be covering the BSI Weekend, capturing images, sounds and impressions that we'll be sharing in January and February of 2016. Perhaps we'll see you there!</div>
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Remembering Our Very First Time

"You will excuse me, however, if I speak frankly to you." [DANC] Early November marks an exciting time in our own Sherlocki...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

The Gillette Luncheon Has a New Home

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"willing to fill a vacancy" [REDH]</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5k1pUZhcmuJ0m3wNfrTxrDDgcEzpxg9ltr25_Qd0E5RX2E3mlIelHJF_5x6et4gYXmaCF8OgXDBcbBNj8hSwqHHEJFoFMPful2jbSy3iPApxyQCImjp1W_2EwRmx4d6j0cH5ydc73cW8/s1600/Moran%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5k1pUZhcmuJ0m3wNfrTxrDDgcEzpxg9ltr25_Qd0E5RX2E3mlIelHJF_5x6et4gYXmaCF8OgXDBcbBNj8hSwqHHEJFoFMPful2jbSy3iPApxyQCImjp1W_2EwRmx4d6j0cH5ydc73cW8/s640/Moran%2527s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you've ever attended a <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend</a> in New York (or paid attention to the updates that emanate from the Weekend that you can follow online in early January), you'll note that one of the events is the William Gillette Memorial Luncheon.<br />
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In recent memory, the event has been held at Moran's Chelsea, a restaurant that had its origin in the Civil War era, when Irish immigrants dominated work on the Hudson River piers that lined the nearby waterfront. Inside Moran's, the era is still held close, as cozy wood-burning fireplaces are topped with glowing brass fixtures and Irish touches like the display cases filled with Waterford crystal, and a single lace curtain covering the back window.<br />
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But that two decade span of BSI Weekend history changed suddenly earlier this year, as the restaurant's owner <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/22/goodbye-morans-when-a-neighborhood-joint-closes.html" target="_blank">sold the building and the new owner closed Moran's</a>.<br />
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Considering this historic change — one that affects many attendees of the BSI Weekend — we thought it an appropriate time to reflect on the history of the Gillette Luncheon and its previous venues. Accordingly, we asked current host Susan Rice, BSI, ("Beeswing") ASH ("A Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with Some Observations  upon the Segregation of the Queen") for a summary of how the William Gillette Luncheon came to be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkSO8PWtV7E-STZQex4svDtTBpPGSnRDzY7Y4nNSHksNoXdcTd-lv_lLpXbs-dTB_xbGmHUeth_vgKG2cF59hkOItj323IrNX7RsvtmipkrhZ3Xljh-9jz_Ja392Le-iLbFbCp4cNr2CG/s1600/dividing+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="25" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkSO8PWtV7E-STZQex4svDtTBpPGSnRDzY7Y4nNSHksNoXdcTd-lv_lLpXbs-dTB_xbGmHUeth_vgKG2cF59hkOItj323IrNX7RsvtmipkrhZ3Xljh-9jz_Ja392Le-iLbFbCp4cNr2CG/s320/dividing+line.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Susan Rice: </b>The custom of a luncheon on the same day as the BSI Dinner wafted into being in 1945. Clifton Andrew was an exceptionally convivial Sherlockian from Akron, Ohio, who traveled to New York each January on an overnight train from Cleveland. It arrived in the city mid-morning and Clif was too eager for Irregular companionship to wait until dinner. His technique was straightforward: he lurked in the lobby of the <a href="http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-lost-1884-murray-hill-hotel-park.html" target="_blank">Murray Hill Hotel</a>, accosted anyone he recognized or suspected of being an enthusiast and invited them to join him for lunch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgUKMEr22nJyUNKJQLMOyyiMSUNobeINEeJNLN7MYSZZfi4yJdkMN-uDpvAO-muf7eXcfU6_UJHo7hwPg_bFbgr8yLVlZPcwnSGUBACXD2i7p3xwCPsohZS-AA30-uzodfYXh525EPRS6/s1600/murray+hill+hotel+foyer+lounge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The lobby of the Murray Hill Hotel" border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgUKMEr22nJyUNKJQLMOyyiMSUNobeINEeJNLN7MYSZZfi4yJdkMN-uDpvAO-muf7eXcfU6_UJHo7hwPg_bFbgr8yLVlZPcwnSGUBACXD2i7p3xwCPsohZS-AA30-uzodfYXh525EPRS6/s640/murray+hill+hotel+foyer+lounge.jpg" title="Murray Hill Hotel lounge" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The foyer lounge of the Murray Hill Hotel (Library of Congress)</td></tr>
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A photograph of the 1948 participants reveals that he attracted eleven diners, Edith Meiser among them. From these early unceremonial occasions, Clif conceived of a luncheon, “with no particular theme in mind except Sherlockian fellowship, good food, and for those so inclined, liquid refreshment of various designs and potencies.” He dubbed it the "Scion Societies Lunch."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Attendees of an early version of what would become the William Gillette Memorial Luncheon, in 1948.<br />
Front row: Dick Van Fossen, Ben Feingold, Clifton Andrew, J. Hyslop, Leslie Marshall<br />
Back row: Roland Hammond, Doyle Beckmeyer, L. H. Denton, Edith Meiser, Allen Robertson, Harold Clemens, Laurence P. Dodge </td></tr>
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The luncheons of the 'Forties were irregular and depended on happenstance rather than planning, but starting in 1946, Clif Andrew walked the group to <a href="http://www.keens.com/" target="_blank">Keen’s Steakhouse</a>. In 1953 a poster of William Gillette in his most famous role caught their eyes. The luncheon was immediately dubbed the William Gillette Memorial Luncheon, and we number the luncheon from that year.<br />
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A young New York editor named <a href="http://www.ash-nyc.com/LMcGaw.htm" target="_blank">Lisa McGaw</a> began attending the luncheon regularly in the early 'Fifties, and just before the 1962 birthday weekend she received a call from Clif to say he would not attend, and asking her to assume the responsibility of collecting the money and settling the bill. Clifton Andrew never again attended the birthday festivities. Later that year, he sent Lisa his mailing list, seventeen names in all, and asked her to take care of future arrangements. He died in December, 1963.<br />
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Lisa, a shy, private person, hosted the luncheon for 25 years. She continued to set the luncheon at Keen’s until it closed for some years, when she moved it to <a href="http://www.theoldhomesteadsteakhouse.com/" target="_blank">The Old Homestead</a>, another Victorian steakhouse, where it remained throughout her tenure. She maintained Clif Andrew’s emphasis on companionship and conversation, inviting a speaker only rarely.<br />
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Clearly remembered, however was the year in the late 'Seventies when <i>The New Yorker</i>’s Brendan Gill spoke of his memories of William Gillette during Gill’s childhood in Hartford, Connecticut. In the summer of 1989 Lisa called me from her retirement in North Carolina to say that her health was failing and it was time to transfer the responsibility for the Gillette Luncheon. By that date, the mailing list she sent me numbered nearly 200. In 1994 we had grown too large to be accommodated in a single room at the Old Homestead, so at the suggestion of ASH Patricia Moran I relocated it to <b>Moran’s Chelsea</b>. We now attract roughly 140 participants.<br />
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Those are the facts behind the storied history of this happy little gathering. As you might imagine, the closing of the restaurant this spring and the weeks of radio silence that followed were of great concern to those who attended the luncheon in recent years. The good news is that <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150428/chelsea/morans-restaurant-reopens-as-fillmore-room" target="_blank">Moran's has reopened</a> and is now known as <a href="http://www.fillmoreroom.com/" target="_blank">The Fillmore Room</a>.<br />
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Susan had been in close contact with the new owners during that time and provided an update, along with a short summary of the lunch's history:<br />
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A brief recap: the luncheon is now more than 70 years old. In those seven decades it has had only three hosts, and except for the founding luncheon, only three dining venues. That record was challenged this year when Moran’s Chelsea was sold and closed for renovation. I am delighted to announce that this change will not affect our remarkable fidelity in an ever changing world: the new owner is intrigued by our history and <b><i>the Gillette Luncheon on January 15, 2016 will take place in the same venue, now called The Fillmore Room</i></b>. However, there is no truth to the rumor that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fillmore_(Unity_Church)" target="_blank">Charles Sherlock Fillmore</a> is its namesake.</blockquote>
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Have you attended the Gillette Luncheon on the past? Do you have particular memories from your time there? Please consider telling us about it in our comment section below.<br />
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Watch the <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend website</a> for more updates about the 2016 BSI Weekend in the coming weeks.<br />
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<i>Image credit: <a href="https://instagram.com/p/jRyiMSApNg/" target="_blank">I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere (Instagram)</a></i><br />
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--<br />
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The Gillette Luncheon Has a New Home

"willing to fill a vacancy" [REDH] If you've ever attended a BSI Weekend in New York (or paid attention to the updates ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

To Sherlockians, It Is Always 'The' Weekend

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<span style="text-align: start;">"I was invited to a weekend gathering" [LAST]</span></h4>
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<a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">The Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> has long been a set of annual events that is anticipated with great joy. Which is why those of us who have been going or who have heard about it for years are always thrilled to see the invitation arrive in the mail.<br />
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An email we received from Susan Rice, BSI, 2s, ASH ("Beeswing") and Mickey Fromkin, BSI, ASH ("The Missing Three-Quarter") for the William Gillette Luncheon summed it up nicely:<br />
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Children dream of Christmas or Chanukah, gourmands long for Thanksgiving, Champagne lovers await New Year's Eve, but those who follow the Master cast their anticipation past these holidays and look forward to what we still call the birthday weekend, though it can last five days."</blockquote>
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Of course, the BSI Dinner for many is the signature event, with its invitation-only status. And while it may be tempting <a href="http://sherlockpeoria.blogspot.com/2013/11/its-bsi-invitation-charlie-brown.html" target="_blank">to sulk for those who don't receive an invitation</a> to BSI Dinner, it's important to note that <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/2013/11/master-schedule-of-events.html#sthash.cMSZvNDi.dpbs" target="_blank"><i>the</i> Weekend lasts from Wednesday to Sunday</a> and that there is only a single event that is closed to the public. Which is one of the reasons we call bsiweekend.com the <b>Baker Street Irregulars <u>and Friends</u> Weekend</b>.</div>
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And frankly, for us, the attraction of the festivities has never been solely about the BSI Dinner. The first time we attended the dinner, it was pretty exciting, but each successive year, it's been about the entire experience of the full weekend - traveling there with friends, seeing familiar faces from a year ago, meeting up with regulars (and Irregulars), exchanging stories about families, jobs, hobbies and more. It's about cavorting with our fellow Sherlockians, regardless of who has an invitation to which dinner.</div>
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<a href="http://bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">The BSI and Friends Weekend</a> site and the <i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/bsiweekend.html" target="_blank">Baker Street Journal</a></i> site each have information related to the activities that will be taking place in New York City in January 2014. There you'll be able to find information about all of the essential events, from the BSI Distinguished Speaker Lecture (as opposed to the BSI Distinguished Lecturer Speech) to the William Gillette Lunch, Vendors Room and BSI Reception, among others.</div>
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And once again, the Baker Street Babes are bringing it with their second annual <a href="http://bakerstreetbabes.com/daintiest-thing-under-a-bonnet-charity-ball-2014/" target="_blank">Daintiest Thing Under a Bonnet Charity Ball</a>, with proceeds going toward the Wounded Warrior Project. We'll be looking to collect some material for the podcast, catch up with our sponsors and host a little reception for our contributors.</div>
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Oh, and once again, we'll be trying to share as much as we can via the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd" target="_blank">#BSIWeekend</a> hashtag on Twitter.</div>
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All in all, it's going to be some weekend. Way more fun than those guys seemed to be having at <a href="http://www.bsiarchivalhistory.org/BSI_Archival_History/L40s.html" target="_blank">the 1951 BSI dinner</a> above.</div>
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To Sherlockians, It Is Always 'The' Weekend

"I was invited to a weekend gathering" [LAST] The Baker Street Irregulars Weekend has long been a set of annual events that ...

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by Scott Monty

Recap of Day 2 of the 2010 BSI Weekend

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"irregularity at meals" [3STU] </h4>
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The Friday of the BSI Weekend is typically spent running from meal to meal. By the end of it, one begins to wonder if it was even a wise thing to do to commit to a breakfast, large lunch, and catered dinner all in a single day. But then one thinks back on the conversations had, friendships rekindled, and new faces met, and one realizes that it's well worth the expanding waistline.<br />
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The William Gillette Memorial Luncheon has been in existence for over 60 years. Currently held at <a href="http://www.moranschelsea.com/">Moran's Chelsea Restaurant</a>, it originated as a lunch for out-of-towners who arrived early for the BSI dinner.<br />
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Now it's open to everyone who would like to attend, so you'll see a strong contingent of locals as well as travelers. The locals also include the Friends of Bogey's of Baker Street, a stage troupe who always have an humorous skit that incorporates William Gillette.<br />
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This year, hilarity ensued as they took a Holmesian approach to nursery rhymes and we were treated to Peter Peter Amberley, the Adventure of the Christmas Pie, the Three Rubadubs, the 24 Black Peeps, and a Cardboard Box containing the severed tails of three vision-impaired mice.<br />
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<b>The BSI Dinner</b></h3>
The highlight of the weekend for those who are invited to attend is always the annual dinner of the Baker Street Irregulars — the very event that that got this entire movement started. This year, there was plenty to be excited about, including some celebrity sightings such as Neil Gaiman, Laurie R. King and Curtis Armstrong, to name a few. But the real stars are the Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts who make it such an interesting place to be.<br />
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This year, the dinner was held at a new venue for the BSI — the <a href="http://www.yaleclubnyc.org/">Yale Club</a>, just a couple of blocks from the Algonquin Hotel. It was the equivalent of the Union League Club, The Woman for 2010 — typically the (long-suffering) wife of a long-standing BSI member was Karen Gurion, wife of Andrew J. Peck, BSI ("Inspector Baynes, Surrey Constabulary"). She was toasted by Jerry Margolin ("Hilton Cubitt") and then she gave her own remarks.<br />
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Of Andy's acquisition of an original Frederic Dorr Steele illustration of Sherlock Holmes, she remarked, "That's art?" To which, noted dealer Otto Penzler, who was in attendance replied, "So sell it back!" Karen clearly warmed up to the group, saying that she felt like Sally Field: "You like me! You really like me!" And indeed, we do.<br />
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Following the cocktail party, we wound our way upstairs to the dining room and began the proceedings of the evening. Wiggins got right to the awards, first doling out a special crystal award with Queen Victoria on one side and Sherlock Holmes on the other, to Freda Howlett, widow of Holmesian Tony Howlett and one of the co-founders of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London.<br />
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Directly following Freda's award, Mike launched into the Eddies - awards given to the editors of BSI publications to demonstrate his thanks for the hard work they've done. They were:<br />
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<li>Steve Rothman for <i><a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/2007/12/31/remarkable-mixture/">A Remarkable Mixture</a></i></li>
<li>Les Klinger for his general editorship of the <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/tag/manuscript/">BSI Manuscript</a> and <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/tag/history/">History Series</a> and <i>A Tangled Skein</i></li>
<li>John Bergquist for <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/2009/05/12/so-painful-a-scandal/"><i>So Painful a Scandal</i></a></li>
<li>Susan Dahlinger and Glen Miranker for co-editing the 2007 BSJ Christmas Annual <i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/christmasannuals.html">Rathbone Returns</a></i></li>
<li>Gianluca Salvatore for editing <i><a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/2006/12/31/mandate-for-murder/">Mandate for Murder</a></i></li>
<li>A posthumous award to H. Paul Jeffers for the 2005 BSJ Christmas Annual <i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/christmasannuals.html">Once a Week in Baker Street</a></i></li>
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Some remarks from Wiggins followed: the <a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/">BSI Archives</a> will become increasingly important over the next five years and the correspondence of every member of the BSI is sought; more scholarly conferences around the country will be happening; and we need to keep in mind not to take ourselves too seriously. That being said, we launched into some papers, some serious, some not so serious.<br />
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Nils Nordberg ("A Norwegian Named Sigerson") opined on the Scandinavian roots of Holmes, and was followed by Sue Vizoskie ("Mrs. Saunders") who posited that Holmes was a woman (!). Finally, Nathan Hartley ("Penang Lawyer") discussed the original Penang lawyer and the real identity of James Mortimer. Then, Peter Blau ("Black Peter") took the podium and gave a toast to An Old Irregular - in this case, Bill Rabe. We'll have some of the audio at a later date. But Peter let us know that Bill, who was one of the inspirations behind "Aunt Clara," which we sing every year, got his inspiration from a song called "Mush Mush."<br />
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Henry Boote ("Meyers, Toronto") stepped up to tickle the ivories and gave us a rendition of "Mush, Mush" and then invited Scott Monty to belt out a few stanzas of "Aunt Clara" with gracious help from the audience on the chorus.<br />
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And as if that wasn't enough musical entertainment, we were joined by Ray Jessel, the songwriter who was responsible for the Broadway musical <a href="https://amzn.to/2PwG2Aa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Baker Street</i></a> (you can purchase it by clicking through)<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000CQQGVE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Ray gave some brief remarks and then played a few songs on the piano, including the memorable "A Married Man." He shared that to write for Watson was eaier, as "he represents the human element" in the Canon. <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000CQQGVE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />To say that it was a treat to hear Ray play would be an immense understatement.<br />
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We then stood on the terrace for the BSIs we lost over the last year. They included: Edwin King, Joe Fink, Ed Lauterbach, Edward Starr, Richard Warner, Frank Beckman, and H. Paul Jeffers. Then it was time to move on to the happier part of the program...<br />
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<b>The Honours List</b></h3>
The awarding of the irregular shilling is always a marvelous thing. There were nine in the class of 2010, as well as three Two-Shilling Awards:<br />
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<li>"Lord Bellinger" - Tom Cynkin</li>
<li>"Ettie Shafter" - Pj Doyle</li>
<li>"Vernet" - Sir Christopher Frayling</li>
<li>"Imperial Tokay" - Patricia Guy</li>
<li>"The Red Circle" - Laurie R. King</li>
<li>"Violet Smith" - Sarah Montague</li>
<li>"Holloway and Steele" - Daniel Polvere</li>
<li>"The Three Gables' - Sally Sugarman</li>
<li>"Isadora Klein" - Maria Carmen Veiga Hayzen</li>
<li>John Bergquist, Two Shilling Award</li>
<li>Bob Coghill, Two Shilling Award</li>
<li>Steve Doyle, Two Shilling Award</li>
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The dinner concluded with the reading of "A Long Evening with Holmes."<br />
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Recap of Day 2 of the 2010 BSI Weekend

"irregularity at meals" [3STU] The Friday of the BSI Weekend is typically spent running from meal to meal. By the end of it,...

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by Scott Monty

Tips for Making the Most of the BSI Weekend

<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">“</span><b>Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser</b><span style="text-align: left;">”</span><b> [SILV] </b></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFYYwNkDcFee52TLetezTvrjJuCKXcoJ8tRTmgBBmyA6s8xbAhLwknSBTpj-Pkrx6jpEyFqM9xEg-CaN-pHP8mPZatyZtGZm8Rqasu7Kb8BZSgUSpY_ZdFEBKopS_ZrYAzONcuAGPHOHA/s1600/BSI+logo+full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFYYwNkDcFee52TLetezTvrjJuCKXcoJ8tRTmgBBmyA6s8xbAhLwknSBTpj-Pkrx6jpEyFqM9xEg-CaN-pHP8mPZatyZtGZm8Rqasu7Kb8BZSgUSpY_ZdFEBKopS_ZrYAzONcuAGPHOHA/s640/BSI+logo+full.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: center;">With the </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-event-dates/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend</a></b><span style="text-align: center;"> coming up next month, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike.</span><br /><br />The <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/2022/10/17/plans-2023-bsi-weekend/" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> is happening January 15-19, 2025, and it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for three or more days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may have only known online until now.<div><br /></div><div>Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation, and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6OGNTJ9y_alsmGZ4itwvxut6FnZFBQOLkk-N2WkkKYRjWi6VhW3taPMuwHbm71ZOdynxKBFX43yxwG0F0HkBqsQx3Z1pc4kiIezeMXQG6zPdPVmG4FPv6y_wsBc8QavGdfNnOZ680d6u/s1600/TWIS+Hugh+Boone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6OGNTJ9y_alsmGZ4itwvxut6FnZFBQOLkk-N2WkkKYRjWi6VhW3taPMuwHbm71ZOdynxKBFX43yxwG0F0HkBqsQx3Z1pc4kiIezeMXQG6zPdPVmG4FPv6y_wsBc8QavGdfNnOZ680d6u/s320/TWIS+Hugh+Boone.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">All tips gladly accepted</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the BSI Weekend.<br /><br />This marks <b>12 years</b> since we began sharing these tips — the <a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2012/12/a-suggestion-perhaps-houn_28.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">first of which</a> was inspired by interviewing several members of the Baker Street Irregulars — including some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades. Information has been updated to reflect changes in the city as well as in technology.</div><div><br /><br />And if there are any additional tips that you think would be helpful to attendees, please feel free to add your own as a comment below. And if you'd like a sense of what it's like, listen to <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" target="_blank">Episode 74</a>:<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/191368218&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe><br /><br />Herewith are the suggestions:<br /><br /><h3>Health 💉</h3></div><div><ul><li>While Sherlockians like to imagine a world where "it's always 1895," the reality of the present day is that we are still fighting a global pandemic. While it's not Tapanuli fever or the black Formosa corruption, it's a good idea to take precautions.</li><li>Consistent with other New York City venues, the BSI does not expect to have mask or vaccination requirements for the BSI-hosted January 2025 events. You still might want to check the <a href="https://files.bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-event-covid-19.pdf" target="_blank">BSI Event COVID Policy</a> for the latest details. </li><li>When traveling in the winter months, it doesn't hurt to wear a mask when you're indoors and around a lot of people, especially if you or a loved one is immunocompromised. </li><li><b style="font-style: italic;">Remember:</b><i> Your health and the health of loved ones at home when you return are of great concern to people who like to share your company at these events. </i>❤️</li></ul></div><div><ul><li><b>PLEASE NOTE: </b>To get the latest BSI event news, go to the BSI website and sign up for the free <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-news-via-email" target="_blank">News from the BSI</a> email service.</li></ul></div><div><br /><h3>Bags 🧳</h3><ul><li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you buy. If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so. </li><li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward. </li><li>You might also consider <b>bringing a shopping bag to the Merchants Room</b> on Saturday to carry your various purchases. Not all merchants provide bags; carting away your haul is <i>your</i> responsibility. And you <i>do</i> want a haul, don't you?</li></ul><br /><h3>Meeting Others 📇</h3><ul><li>Bring business cards (a quaint tradition). You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information. Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, social media, etc. </li><li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time. </li><li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner.</li><ul><li><b><i>Pro tip</i></b>: there's usually a pen in the dinner packet.</li></ul><li>Allow yourself time to schmooze with other Sherlockians. This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends. </li></ul><br /><h3>Comportment / Etiquette 🤝</h3><ul><li><b>Do</b> tell people how good it is to see them again — or how lovely it is to meet them for the first time after having known them only online. </li><li><b>Do</b> tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. </li><li><b>Do</b> tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship. </li><li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances. </li><li>In this hyper-connected world, it's easy to forget that there are those attending the weekend for whom "it is always 1895" — or nearly so. When you're taking photographs, please be mindful of those who are firmly rooted in the 20th (or 19th!) century and who might not want to appear on your timeline by <u>asking their permission</u> to share your photos of them online. Common courtesy is timeless.</li></ul><div><br /></div><h3>Attire 🥿 🧥</h3><ul><li>Bring comfortable shoes. The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking. </li><li>This one is especially for the ladies: it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li><li>Bring warm clothes. It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say they know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather. </li><li>Dress in layers. Many times, the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could – and did – comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on. </li></ul><br /><h3>Money 💰</h3><ul><li>Bring small bills. They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees. </li><ul><li><b><i>Pro tip</i></b>: We prefer withdrawing $2 bills from the bank and bringing them with us to make things extra efficient.</li></ul><li>Bring a checkbook (or cash!) to the Merchants Room, as not everyone there takes credit cards and you may find an item you must have. </li><li>If you see something you're interested in at the Merchants Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room – it will probably be gone by then.</li><li>Most of the vendors in the Merchants Room are very kind and understanding people, and many are also collectors or Sherlockians themselves. If you would care to haggle with them, they're likely open to it. It can't hurt to ask.</li><li>The BSI and Wessex Press tables accept <b>credit cards, PayPal and Apple Pay</b>.</li><li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend – and then double it. That might get you through. 💸</li></ul><br /><h3>Time 🕰️</h3><ul><li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests. Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition. Schedule your time. </li><li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home). </li><li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians who may be headed to the same events as you.</li><li>Alternatively, download a ride-hailing app (such as <b>Uber </b>or <b>Lyft, </b>or <b>Curb </b>for taxis) to help you avoid these waits. <b>See below for more details and a way to save money on rides</b>.</li></ul><br /><h3>Getting Around 🚕 🚇 🚶</h3><ul><li>Hey, Magellan, guess what? You have the power of a global satellite navigation system in the palm of your hand. That is, if you have a smartphone. Google Maps or Apple Maps are indispensable for getting around, by foot, taxi, or public transportation.</li><li>If you want something customized to New York, there are other apps to choose from: <a href="https://citymapper.com/nyc" target="_blank">Citymapper</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=guide.unitedstates.newyork.prod&hl=en_US&gl=US" target="_blank">New York Guide for Android</a> and iOS has the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-travel-guide-offline/id319296365?mt=8">New York Travel Guide and Offline Map</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>If you don't like using the map app on your phone, print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified. Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn). </li><li>Download and print Monica Schmidt's <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-SRASH4lG_1rciTn59bGhCR_EDiLDF4ep5-TWufe_mU/edit?tab=t.0" target="_blank">handy schedule</a></b>, particularly if you're more visually inclined. It's a nice grid.</li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdxJKMSy6W139X7WiiU3r3Q_9ln-onca3Cp1_rETHHoHfM8zFdPSG9dW4OYjwzDuQnjvgU7XwZtWzfIk4361TdZSr8xWEn7r-4Zyb2__X1VA8WyCrD1iMF9D_KM_0m91c07NFPFMbKpc2rH5Vt13a_5akAj_4s2bdsgMSougjkBsI6hzAdFJeBs7_GwQHz" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="998" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdxJKMSy6W139X7WiiU3r3Q_9ln-onca3Cp1_rETHHoHfM8zFdPSG9dW4OYjwzDuQnjvgU7XwZtWzfIk4361TdZSr8xWEn7r-4Zyb2__X1VA8WyCrD1iMF9D_KM_0m91c07NFPFMbKpc2rH5Vt13a_5akAj_4s2bdsgMSougjkBsI6hzAdFJeBs7_GwQHz=w400-h302" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click image to enlarge; <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-SRASH4lG_1rciTn59bGhCR_EDiLDF4ep5-TWufe_mU/edit?tab=t.0" target="_blank">click here</a> to open document</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><ul><li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's <a href="http://mysteriousbookshop.com/" target="_blank">Mysterious Bookshop</a> and are staying at The Westin Grand Central Hotel, the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway. From Grand Central take a <b>4</b> or <b>5</b> express train <b>two</b> stops to <b>Brooklyn Bridge Station</b>; it is a very short walk over to Otto's. Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes. </li><li>Download the <b>MYmta app</b> from the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mymta/id1297605670?mt=8">App Store</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.mta.mymta&hl=en">Google Play</a> for navigating the subway. </li><li>Pool funds with others to buy regular per-ride <b><a href="http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm">MetroCards</a></b>. These can be shared by up to four people on each trip and are good for one transfer between subway/bus or between buses on uptown/crosstown routes within 2 hours.</li><ul><li>If you're 65 or older, present ID for a reduced fare MetroCard – $2.75 for two rides with the same transfer provisions noted above. <b>Note:</b> a 65+ MetroCard <b><i>cannot</i></b> be shared and you must find a live 'token booth' clerk to inspect your ID – reduced fare not available in machines.</li><li>If you reach the end of the Weekend with a balance on your MetroCard, return to New York more frequently! Or give your card to local-area Sherlockians.</li></ul></ul><ul><li>Download a ride-hailing app such as <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787" target="_blank">Lyft</a>, Uber, or <a href="https://my.gocurb.com/invite85u83u" target="_blank">Curb</a>. </li><ul><li>If you'd like a code for <b>Lyft</b>, use <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787">SCOTT726787</a> to sign up and receive a $5 credit towards rides.</li><li><b>For NYC taxis, </b><a href="https://my.gocurb.com/invite85u83u" target="_blank">download the Curb app</a> and use the code <b>85U83U</b> to get $5 when you create an account. You can either request a cab with it,  or when you're in a cab simply enter a 7-digit code displayed in the cab and it will pair with your device.</li></ul></ul><br /><h3>Logistics 📝</h3><ul><li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system. </li><li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now? </li><li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable in years past in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable a few years ago) – if this happens again, vests/waistcoats are not advised. Unless you're <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaric/8379354330/">Mattias Bostrom</a>. </li></ul><br /><h3>The Unscheduled 📅</h3><ul><li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you prefer to eat breakfast alone – saving energy for later conversations).</li><li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “<i>You know my methods. Apply them</i>.” </li></ul><br /><h3>Dining 🍽️</h3>What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Westin Grand Central Hotel.<br /><ul><li>The restaurant scene in NYC has changed drastically during the pandemic. Some old favorites may no longer be there; some may have restricted hours or dining arrangements.</li><li>Check <b><a href="https://www.opentable.com/landmark/restaurants-near-grand-central-station" target="_blank">Open Table</a></b> for restaurants that take reservations; they offer free booking and allow you to see availability of tables by time and by number of seats. </li><li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the <b><a href="http://www.oysterbarny.com/">Oyster Bar</a></b> for dinner. There are a number of <b><a href="https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/restaurants/" target="_blank">Grand Central Restaurants</a></b> inside. </li><li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries nearby, check <b><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g60763-d103371-Grand_Central_Terminal-New_York_City_New_York.html" target="_blank">TripAdvisor</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Restaurants+Near+Grand+Central+Station&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY" target="_blank">Yelp</a></b>,</li><li>And heaven forbid, don't forget about the <a href="http://www.redflamenyc.com/">Red Flame</a>, the perennial favorite next door to the Algonquin Hotel on W. 44th Street.</li></ul><br /><h3>Online 📱</h3>Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that:<br /><ul><li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>.  </li><li>The Doylean Honors will be held <b>online </b>as well as in person on Thursday, January 16 at 11:15 am EST. <a href="http://acdsociety.com/Honors/Honors.html" target="_blank">Register at the ACD Society site</a>.</li></ul><br /><br /></div><div>That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment below or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be beneficiaries.<br /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">--</div></div>

Tips for Making the Most of the BSI Weekend

“ Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser ” [SILV] With the BSI Weekend coming up next month, we thought it might be h...

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by Scott Monty

I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

IHOSE header

"Those Week-End Parties" [SOLI]

A Note about the 2009 BSI Weekend

The Watson Fund Provides Financial Assistance for the BSI Weekend

The Dr. John H. Watson Fund and the BSI Weekend

The Watson Fund Provides Financial Assistance for the BSI Weekend

Financial Assistance for the BSI Weekend

Tips for Making the Most of the #BSIWeekend

Remembering Our Very First Time

The Gillette Luncheon Has a New Home

To Sherlockians, It Is Always 'The' Weekend

Recap of Day 2 of the 2010 BSI Weekend

Tips for Making the Most of the BSI Weekend

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