Mizzou-Illinois Football Trip

This idea is about taking a road trip to St. Louis to see MU-Illinios in the Edward Jones dome. It's a big game in St. Louis, and could be marketed that it's the place to see Nathan Scheelhasse's new team.

Need:
Tickets: Brent Arnesberg or MU Season Ticket Holder
Transportation: Looking for an RV or bus (or this could be on your own)

Lodging: Anyone have access to a fun place to stay?

Brunch on the Hill

Saturday Sept 5th

It would be a Saturday evening game at the big Edward D. Jones Dome. So people would leave Sat and either come back late night or spend the night and come back on Sunday.

Maybe package with a Tailgate or Mass at the Cathedral

or

Breakfast with the Jesuit Provencial

Auction Items Now

1. Notre Dame Package with private jet and game tickets
2. Breckenridge Condo
3. 7 Days at Park City Utah Condo
4. Plaza Lighting.. donated by Wirken and PB&J
5. Pheasant Hunt donated by Ron Jury
6. Upper Classman Parking Space
7. Sophomore Parking space
8. Loch Lloyd Golf Membership
9. Name that Street and Pizza
10. Week in Ireland donated by Sullivan Foundation
11. Senior Graduation package… with ring
12. Ten people with Father B at Jaspers
13. Fund a Need… Financial aid again this year
14. Lunch with Father Baum…. .. that seems to scare and embarrass the boys
15. Presidents Parking Spot for one year
16. Raffle package.. with the $$ amounts for winners… no gift prizes this year
17. Christmas Eve with Father Baum
18. Beef and probably the same stuff included as last year

NYC Trip

For New York City, looking for the following:
-Tickets to Theatre/backstage/rehearsal viewings, etc

-Need the Penthouse to stay at

-Airline tix/frequent flier

-Yankee's tickets

-Daily Show Tickets or Colbert Report Tickets

-CBS Entree to Katie Couric from Brian O'Laughlin's pal

SNL:

I wrote the following email that my co-worker sent to Jason Sedakis to ask for tickets.

Jason:
Hello—first of all, I am not holding a gun to Chad Elstun’s head who has worked for me the last 4 years, nor will I give a lawn job to my neighbor Kevin Shank if you say NO this most outrageous request; but I do not want to let down Judie Scanlon from your semi-alma mater Rockhurst High School.

Here’s a quick background:I am the chairperson for the Live Auction Committee for Rockhurst High School’s Auction that is coming up in April 2009. We are putting together a trip to New York and an idea came up to get tickets to SNL. Judie mentioned she knew you or your family, I mentioned that I am good friends with Chad and Kevin—so I get the dubious honor of asking you a favor, even though you didn’t graduate from Rockhurst.

What we are looking for:
4 Tickets to a SNL for Fall 2009 show--October or November
Or
Tickets to a taping/practice/rehearsal
(And I firmly expect this next idea to be shot down in flames)
Any chance to meet/greet the cast. (except Lorne!)
Or any idea on how to get a NBC tour, backstage on shows, or VIP-esque treatment

Honestly, I know you are besieged with requests like this, and it’s ok to say no. But what the hell, thought I’d ask.

You can email me to say NO at jmurphy@touchnet.com or in the unlikely event you want to tell me un-publishable stories about either of those guys, my cellphone is 913.485.6699. Or you can have someone contact me on how to set this up.

Thanks for listening.

Chicago Trip

This trip could go a couple of ways:

Girls Trip--or Guy's Trip--or Couple's Trip:

Girls: Shopping Focus on Michigan Ave Shopping, Spas, Dinner

Guys: Cubs Game & Bars & Rush/Division Dinner

Couples: Girls shop whilst guys to to Cubs Game & Dinner out

Logistics:

Airfare: We can easily get Southwest Tickets and transportation to the Miracle Mile

Need Cubs Tix--or the apartment boxes from Luckens' company

Need lodging or a in city penthouse--or Gold Coast Apartment

Royals Idea

Need to put together a package for the KC Royals. Here is what we have so far & what we need:

Have:
Shank the Royals TV producer will be able to give a behind the scenes tour BEFORE the game starts--get them down on the field.

I have a call into Laura Grosshans 816.921.8000 who is the pulicity person for the Royals about throwing out a first pitch or singing the national anthem. Need to be a season ticket holder and it costs something like $150sih

Will also ask her about how to get to do the hotdog races

Need:
Someone with good tickets and a parking pass

Preferrably the Dugout Suite or Crown Seating

Other Ideas

Do we know any sports agents or front office People

Does Jeff Montgomery know anybody that can give us entree

Bat Boy or Shagging flies @ batting practic

Rome Trip-Progress

All:
Fr. Tom Cummings had a contact for the Jesuit Guest Bureau in Rome, their sole purpose is to help Jesuits and their Friends with assisting in visits to Rome. I an email to Francesca Caetani and received the following response.

We need to decide which of these sounds fun, next find if there is an American Jesuit there that could be a tour guide for us. Hardest part is getting scheduled for the visits to the Catacombs because it has to be done by the PEOPLE themselves, not third parties like the Jesuit Guest Bureau:

Here is Francesca's response:

Dear Mr. Murphy,

This is in answer to your e-mail of December 10th.

I am enclosing a list of Hotels /Pensiones/Religious Houses for you to choose from.
Keep in mind that when you place your reservations information such as the exact dates of arrival and departure to and from Rome, how much you have in mind to spend, how you would want to be settled in the rooms (i.e. single room, double room, triple room with or without the bathroom in the room, etc.) will not only be useful but necessary.

The hotels/pensions that I am enclosing are all mostly in the Vatican area.
I particularly recommend the Trinitarian Institute, Reside Madri Pie and Istituto Maria Bambina, as my first choice, but they need a reservation placed in several months ahead of time. As a second choice I would look into Hotel Florida and Hotel Joli which are located near Piazza Risorgimento, on Via Cola di Rienzo, just a few minutes from the Vatican walls, but are not convents.
Real nice hotels you may find in the first sheet of the enclosed file under the name "Hotels" (i.e. Columbus Hotel, Cicerone Hotel, de la Ville Hotel, etc.).

Papal Audiences are held only on Wednesday mornings. We do not have the calendar yet for 2009/2010. However we only need a couple weeks ahead to the established date to put in an order for this event. Therefore we have plenty of time for this.

On Sunday at 12 noon His Holiness appears at the 3rd story window of the Papal apartments overlooking Piazza St. Pietro to give a General Blessing and recites the Angelus. Tickets are not needed, you merely appear at St. Peter's Square.

The policy for visiting the Vatican Gardens has changed. Now visitors must contact the Vatican Museums directly in order to reserve tickets (fax number # 06.69885100 or # 011-39-06-69884019 or e-mail visiteguidatesingoli.musei@scv.va) and the cost is Euro 18,00. Some reductions are available, and certain information is required in order to reserve tickets. For full information, contact the Vatican Museums: 011-39-06-6988-4676.

Tickets for the Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel can be purchased at the main entrance. The opening hours are the following: from Monday through Friday from 08:30 AM to 4:00 PM, which is the last entrance to the Museums, final closing at 6:00 PM. Sunday they are closed except for the last Sunday of each month from 8:30 AM. to 12:30 PM , which is the last entrance to the Museums, final closing at 2:00 PM. There are a few cafeterias located inside which permits you to visit the museums at your leisure.

If you wish to place in a reservation for the private tour of the Vatican Museums their e-mail is visiteguidatesingoli.musei@scv.va or the fax number is # 011-39-06-69884019. You will be inserted within a group with a fixed itinerary. There is a total charge per person for this private tour, the entrance fee and headphones of Euro 29,50. Generally this tour is in the morning. Once you make the reservation via fax the Vatican Museums will reply to you and give you all the instructions and information that is necessary to visit the Museums.

The Rooms where St. Ignatius wrote the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus and directed its early growth have been restored. They can be visited from 4 PM to 6 PM; they are open to the public during those hours. They are located at Piazza del Gesù; the entrance is just to the right of the Church as you face it.

Concerning the Vatican Archives I would presume there is a similar procedure, perhaps the Pontifical House could answer this question better than the Jesuit Guest Bureau:
Prefect of the Pontifical House
Vatican City
FAX number: 39-06-6988.5863

A very nice museum and house is the Borghese Gallery, which is open on Tuesday through Sunday with entrance from 9 AM to 5 PM. It is also the only museum where you have to make a reservation ahead of time. The reason for this is the fact that only groups of 50 people at a time are admitted. You can either phone to: 011-39-06-32810 and, when a tape in Italian starts transmitting dial 2 for the English-speaking operator, or try to fax their number: 011-39-06-32651329.
The cost of this visit is Euro 8,50.
The site for the Borghese Gallery is the following:
http://www.ticketeria.it/ticketeria/default-eng.asp
http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/evilla.htm
http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/it/default.htm
The e-mail for the Borghese Gallery is the following:
info@ticketeria.it

It is also possible to hire a private guide, English-speaking, who could take you " by foot " to any particular Roman sites and the Vatican Area, of course, at your choice. The price per hour (with a minimum of three hours) for the Roman sites is Euro 70,00. Where as for the Vatican Area Teresa charges a flat fare (including Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica) which is € 290,00, entrance and reservation fee to be added (Euro 23,00 per person).
If you are interested, I would have to know the exact date or dates you would want this tour, since Teresa, the guide has a very heavy schedule of private tours at that time of the year. Then, I could arrange this, after knowing also the meeting place with the guide which could even be your hotel or my office, Jesuit Guest Bureau, etc.

SOME IDEAS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF TOURS THAT THE GUIDE COULD OFFER:
ANCIENT ROME: The emblems of the city: Coliseums, Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, Pantheon
RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE ROME: Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Montecitorio, Piazza di Pietra, Navona Square ending the tour in Campo Di Fiori, the most vibrant of Roman Squares, with a wonderful fruit and flower street market. Nearby are the Cancelleria Palace, Palazzo Farnese and Palazzo Spada, the city's finest Renaissance and Baroque Palaces.

BORGHESE GALLERY: Famous for masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio and gorgeous Pauline statues carved by Canova.

SAINT ANGEL CASTLE: The ancient Papal Fortress.

BERNINI TOUR: Besides his masterpieces in the Vatican and in the Borghese Gallery, you can see the famous Saint Teresa's statue in Santa Maria della Vittoria, Sant'Andrea al Quirinale, Tritone Fountain, Saint Andrew delle Fratte, Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo, Fountain of the Four Rivers, Piazza della Minerva's elephant, Saint Angel Bridge, etc.

CARAVAGGIO TOUR: Besides his masterpieces in the Vatican Picture-Gallery and the Borghese Gallery you can visit Santa Maria del Popolo, San Luigi dei Francesi, Sant'Agostino.

MICHELANGELO TOUR: Besides his masterpieces in the Vatican you can see the Moses (his masterpiece), Piazza Campidoglio, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Farnese Palace, etc.

RAPHAEL TOUR: Besides his masterpieces in the Vatican you can visit the famous Villa Farnesina, Santa Maria del Popolo (Chigi Chapel), Santa Maria della Pace, Sant'Eligio degli Orefici, etc.

UNDERGROUND TOURS: a) San Clemente, which is the building that best represents the architectural palimpsest that is Rome. It's the most amazing and varied historical stratification. Descending to the third and the lowest level you will see Pagan Rome and the very beginning of the Christian City. b) Domus Aurea, which was the marvelous Residence of Imperator Nero (at the moment closed for restoration).

OSTIA ANTICA: Many people have visited Pompei, but haven't seen Ostia, which is a little jewel - - - it would be a shame to miss it. It's in the Roman outskirts, but it only takes about 30 minutes by subway. You will see an ancient Roman town with its buildings, villas, ancient SPA, the Roman theater, etc.

Concerning the Scavi tour visitors are supposed to apply directly to the Vatican office. I do not handle this matter. Please see below how to put in a reservation:
Given the unique location of the Vatican necropolis, a visit to these excavations is a privilege accorded to visitors by the Excavations Office and depends entirely on the space available and the preservation needs of the necropolis.

Due to the need to give careful attention to the conservation of this irreplaceable historical-archaeological site, wherein is preserved the original Grave of St. Peter, only about 200 visitors per day are permitted in the necropolis.

Groups are arranged by language and are composed of about 12 participants. Only those who are 15 years or age or older are permitted to make the visit. No exceptions whatsoever can be made.

On account of the significant and repeated difficulties that the Excavations Office has had with third-party requests for tickets (i.e. through travel agents, etc.), the Office will only make reservations directly for those individuals who will actually be visiting the necropolis. No third-party applications will be processed. Confirmations for visits will only be sent to those who will actually be visiting the excavations.

While purses and small handbags are permitted in the excavations, visitors are reminded that large bags and backpacks are not permitted in the excavations at all. St. Peter’s Basilica offers a free bag check service located in the lower right façade of Basilica. Large bags and backpacks must be deposited there prior to coming to the Excavations Office.

Photography, with or without flash, is not permitted in the excavations.
This must be done before entering the office to pick up your tickets.

Reservations
Reservations are only by e-mail: scavi@fsp.va, by fax: (39-06) 6987-3017, or directly in the Excavations Office.
With your request to visit the excavations, please provide the following information:
The exact number of visitors
Their names (in case of groups, the composition and provenance of the group is also needed [e.g. university, parish, etc.])
Language desired for the visit
The dates available during which the Office can arrange the visit (The precise time of the visit will be determined by the Excavations Office).
Contact information (an e-mail address, fax number, or full postal address) so that the Excavations Office may advise you about your visit.

When a visit is possible, the Office will send a proposed date and time. If the proposed date and time are acceptable, the visitors must so inform the Excavations Office, which will then definitively confirm the visit.

When a visit is not possible:
Given the limited number of group possible, not all requests can be answered positively.
On occasion, due to the vast number of requests received and the time needed to process them, it may not be possible for the Office to even respond to an application prior to one’s arrival in Rome. In such cases, the Excavation Office regrets that a visit will not be possible.

Office hours
The Excavations Office is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, except Sundays and holidays.
Excavations Office Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Closed Sunday and Holidays
Usually the last tour each day begins at 3:30 pm

Tickets and Reaching the Excavations Office
The visitor must always confirm his reservation in the way and during the time period given by the Excavations Office in positive responses to requests.
Visitors ought to be at the Excavations Office [without large bags and backpacks] at least five minutes prior to the beginning of their tour.

The Excavations Office may be reached through the Holy Office Gate to the Vatican (through the colonnade to the left, on Via Paolo VI). The Swiss Guard will direct the visitors to the Office.
The visit to the necropolis ends back at the Excavations Office.

On occasion, the basilica and the excavations may be closed for unforeseen reasons. In such cases, the Scavi Office will attempt to reschedule those groups affected by the closing. When this is not possible, any reservation deposit will be refunded.
Excavations OfficeFabbrica di San Pietro00120 Vatican City
Tel. +39 06 6988.5318Fax +39 06 6987.3017 - 6988.5518
E-Mail: scavi@fsp.va
ROMAN NECROPOLIS ON VIA TRIUMPHALIS

As part of celebrations marking the fifth centenary of the Vatican Museums, the new section of the Roman necropolis on the Via Triumphalis is now opened. The sector came to light in 2003 during building work on a parking lot within Vatican City.

Excavation work in this area was undertaken by archaeologists from the Vatican Museums who uncovered a cemetery, part of the same complex that was discovered between 1959 and 1960. The two areas constitute part of a large burial ground along the old Via Triumphalis which led from Rome to Veio (Isola Farnese) over Monte Mario. Thanks to this latest discovery it is now possible to visit two of the most complete and well-documented necropolises of imperial Rome: the one on the old Via Cornelia (which can be visited in the excavations under St. Peter's Basilica) and this one on the Via Triumphalis.

Archaeologists have found around 40 small and medium-sized mausoleums, and more than 200 individual graves on various levels, many with inscriptions. Most of the tombs - which date from the end of the first century BC to the beginning of the fourth century AD - are well preserved, and some have decorations, frescoes and mosaic floors.

Funerary altars, urns, and sarcophagi with figures in bas-relief have also been brought to light. Of particular interest is the sarcophagus of a young 'equites' (knight), Publius Caesilius Victorinus (270-290 AD), which shows a figure in prayer next to a tree and with a bird above. Some of the tomb inscriptions specify the profession and/or the place of origin of the occupants, while some of the altars have holes to hold flower garlands.

The archeological site may be visited on Fridays and Saturdays in groups of no more than 25 persons. Reservation is obligatory and may be done by sending a fax to Vatican Museums - Office for Special Visits (no. 0669881573) or by writing to visitespeciali.musei@scv.va.
If I can be of any further help and /or provide you with information, please do not hesitate to contact the Jesuit Guest Bureau.

Sincerely,Francesca CaetaniJesuit Guest Bureau Via dei Penitenzieri, 16/C 00193 Rome - Italy Phone: 39 (06) 68977478Fax: 39 (06) 68977479E-Mail: jesuitguestbureau@sjcuria.org

Blog Instructions

All:

Time to get into the 21st century and use this new-fangled internet thingy effectively for our Committee. I've set up this BLOG (which stands for Web-Log) so we can all see what is going on, status of items, what we need, suggest to each other who know what, and work together collaboratively and asynchronously without necessarily having to BE together in the same room.

It's fun to use and learn something new:
This will be a great tool, bu only if it's used. All emails I send out will have a link to this so we can all communicate here. Besides, your sons and daughters are doing this all the time. Put this in your FAVORITES on your browser so you can get to it easily. OR Subscribe to a Feed if you feel so advanced. It will automatically update your brower.

Here is how a blog works:
It's almost like pubishing an online magazine--I write the articles and you all can write letters to the editors, or publish comments to the articles--and we can all see and read them. Instead of massive email chains, we can see what everyone thinks.

Comments
At the bottom of every BLOG, you'll see a link next to a little pencil called COMMENT. That is where you click on and write something that everyone can see. You may be required to start an "Account", but it is as simple as typing your email, giving yourself a password, then adding information.

Archives
This is where we can keep track of each item we're working on and see the status. You will be able to see the archive of all the posts/blogs/articles to track status.

Finally, it's what all the kids are doing and you'll be amazed on how easy it is to communicate.

You are now a blogger!