Alcoa/Knoxville TN

This visit I stayed in a nice Homewood Suites at Turkey Creek.  Lots of chains and not the quaintness of downtown Knoxville where I was told to try Nama this time.  I stayed on the side by the expressway and it was very noisy with traffic.  If I do this again, I will ask for the other side.  I ate breakfast at Mimi's to get a break from hotel food and it was really good.  Florentine quiche and a yummy muffin.  Great service.  Ate at Connors Steakhouse and seafood-again, great service and delicious bass.  I still may stay downtown next year as the walk to the "square" is good and the restaurants keep appearing.  I might also stay at airport Hilton but rent a car so I am not captive.  We'll see.

Flying into Knoxville makes it very easy as the schools are right by airport.  I have stayed at Hilton as you can walk thru breezeway and the car will take you to schools.  I have also rented a car and stayed at Marriott which is fine too.  When I return in February, I may hunker down at the Hilton and not rent a car.  I am using it tonight to go out to eat.  Am going to Connors Steak House.  Stay tuned for a review.
Teachers really pushing back here and my patience was short.  Trying to keep a smile.  Developing a FAC and she is great, but no one seems to have much energy. There was one highlight, Ms. Tate, so she may be our saving grace!!!
Lots of restaurants in Knoxville downtown and I have stayed there at Hilton and a little boutique hotel.  Don't like driving so far in am.  I haven't found a perfect restaurant yet.  My plane was delayed for about 6 hours last night.  Am wondering if I should drive next time......

Cleveland, OH note from Shari about hotels etc.

I think Jean and I both thought that the HGI downtown was absolutely fine... and in walking distance of good restaurants.

I've only worked outside of Cleveland proper, so I don't usually stay downtown. My favorite hotels are in Westlake, about 20 minutes out of downtown. I love the Hyatt Place and I like the Hampton Inn and the Marriott Residence Inn. There's a new Doubletree there that I haven't tried. All these hotels are near Crocker Park, which has a plethora of shopping, a Barnes and Noble, a movie theatre, and lots of very good restaurants. So, I stay in Westlake when I'm working around Cleveland.

It's really a nice city... lots of good restaurants and downtown "arts" is very vibrant!

Hatboro, PA

Yes to admin here. Stayed at Springhill Suites nice but no breakfast until 6:30.  No coaching right now.  Did 2 K-1 combined workshops.  Teachers are on board.

Bellmawr, PA hopefully not me

Not a very friendly contact here.  No to Residence Inn in Deptford. Old and not great and noisy.  Teachers were great.  They didn't buy student materials consistently and some levels made their own. Really?????

Islip, NY Connequot District

What a great week I had.  I ate at the following restaurants:
Da Noi-The service was better than my ravioli entree.  Very enjoyable
Tellers-In an old bank in downtown Islip-very elegant and good food.  Lobster Bisque a little salty, but salmon very nice.
La Tyvola-The teachers recommended this and it was very good.  The service a bit slow but I had my book.  They give you a nice pour of wine as they bring to your table and if it's close to being empty, you win!!!
I drove from JFK, but because there are not that many flights back to ATL I had to sit for a few hrs even though I was finished early.  I may try LGA or Newark next visit.

The teachers were doing a Level 1 certification and starting in Jan/Feb but they had the best attitudes..  Love this school district.  Michelle Delaney will take it from here.

Pizza for lunch was amazing.  Don't want to get on the scale tomorrow.  xo

Washington DC January 10-15

Here all week and still want to rent a car.  It ends up being about the same for Wilson price wise and gives me a lot more flexibility.  The drivers were making me nauseas and some weren't dependable etc.  Even though driving can have it's challenges, I have been doing this all year so far.  Staying at Hilton Garden Inn on 22nd.  The whole gang will be here this time so maybe I can get them interested in this blog!  Stay tuned.