Can you give me a ride to the meetings?
No, unfortunately I cannot do this. However, there are several ride programs in town that can accommodate you. I will post more information about that after doing some research. Bring your family and friends. They are welcome at the meetings as well!

What happened to the Sunday meetings?
Because there was very low regular attendance, I decided not to keep having the Sunday meeting as a scheduled event. However, if you are in from out of town please do contact me and I will meet you anytime that is convenient.

What if I can't come to a meeting? Can I meet with you another time?
Absolutely yes. Do you live here and can't make a meeting? Contact me and we can meet for coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. You name it.

Can I suggest a place? What are the meeting location criteria?
Of course, I encourage you to make suggestions. What we are looking for is pretty straightforward.

We like good food, with a menu that allows for a range of prices and taste options. Some people want to eat dinner. Others might just have a drink or dessert. So we leave what you order up to you. Order nothing if you like, just come by our table and visit.

I find it is helpful at these meetings to have WiFi so I can look up things, and I also will report the meeting results right then, which usually means I blog them faster.

Other than that, I try to pick a place that will not be swamped on Thursday night so we have room to breathe and talk.

How do I find you at the meeting?
Well, often I will be carrying something with the Vasculitis Logo on it. I also try to put out some obvious looking papers. Sometimes I might put up a red balloon. Mostly though, you can look for the biggest tallest man you have ever met in your life, and that will probably be me. I am seven feet tall and hard to miss.

PREVIOUS MEETING LOCATIONS:

(Preserved until I get a chance to clean this up and improved the way I archive this information.)

May 2010 we met at:

December 2009
January 2010
we met at
McAlister's Deli
"2200-A Louisiana Boulevard, NE
Albuquerque NM 87110
t: 505-884-5004
f: 505-884-5005
WiFi Enabled"
http://www.mcalistersdeli.com/locations/zipcode.asp


NOVEMBER 2009 we met at:
Shoney's
6810 Menaul Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110-3624
(505) 883-0040
shoneys.com
VERDICT = Never again

OCTOBER 2009 we met at:
California Pizza Kitchen Store 295
2241 Q St
Albuquerque, NM 87110-2279
(505) 883-3005
cpk.com
VERDICT = We would go here again, especially for a 20% non-profit donations event.

SEPTEMBER 2009 we met at:
McAlister's Deli - Locations
"2200-A Louisiana Boulevard, NE
Albuquerque NM 87110
t: 505-884-5004
f: 505-884-5005
WiFi Enabled"
http://www.mcalistersdeli.com/locations/zipcode.asp
VERDICT = We would go here again.

AUGUST 2009 and prior, we met at:
Albuquerque Grill
1015 Rio Grande Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104-2031
(505) 217-1619
riograndeinn.com
VERDICT = We would go here again.

OLDER INFORMATION BELOW THIS LINE IS OUT OF DATE

As of February 2009, we now have two meetings every month.

One at 6PM on the third Thursday of every month, and one at 2PM on the Sunday immediately following the Thursday meeting.

Someone will always plan to be there for the Thursday meeting, rain or shine. (Bottom line, this means I will be there no matter what. Come if you can.) Still, your RSVP would be kindly accepted by Joseph Carpenter.

The Sunday meeting is considered a "rain check" meeting, so please do RSVP if you plan to attend the Sunday meeting. (Bottom line, this means if I do not know you are coming, then I may not be there.)

The monthly meeting  will be a chance to get to make friends with people who understand what you are going through.

You can choose to come to one, or both meetings.

See the chapter calendar for dates of all meetings.

I have a standing arrangement with the Albuquerque Grill. It is not quite formal, because our group is small. As we get bigger, they are ready to accommodate our future needs. Including arranging for speakers once we get to that stage.

So, please come one come all... This is a chance to get to know each other, offer mutual support, and learn more about the vasculitis condition. We will also discuss ways to spread awareness about our chapter and the Vasculitis Foundation in general.

The Albuquerque Grill is located on Rio Grande Blvd, just off Interstate 40. I chose it because it is conveniently located near the heart of the city, and offers a favorably diverse menu. The restaurant is attached to the Best Western Rio Grande Inn:

Best Western Rio Grande Inn
1015 Rio Grande Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
Tel: 505-843-9500 | Fax: 505-843-9238
Website: http://www.riograndeinn.com/restaurant.html

HERE IS A MAP

Dress Code: Casual

You can see the door in the photo. Parking is right there in front, or you can also park on the side. There is a hotel layout map online on the hotel website.

Please do RSVP to Joseph Carpenter. Send Email to Joseph, or see the CNMVF contact page for more ways to reach him. Whatever works best for you.

Hope to see old friends and meet some new ones!

: Joseph Carpenter
Send Email to Joseph
Albuquerque, NM
CSS Parent, Daughter DX March '08
Celebrating seven months without symptoms!
Central NM Chapter - Vasculitis Foundation
http://www.nmvasculitis.org



Why Thursday? The early members did not want to meet on weekends, and Thursday works for me. If you come to the meetings regularly, you can have a vote in when and where we meet. So, come to the meetings! :o)

Why Sunday? Turns out some people had trouble making the weekday meeting, or thought it would end too late in the day, so I added this rain check meeting to accommodate their needs.