Subject: Announcement of LSC meeting, August 14-16, 1997

The first (charter) meeting of the LIGO SCIENCE COLLABORATION (LSC) will be held at Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on August 14 and 15. Some development groups may wish to continue on the 16th.

If you plan to come, please fill out the acceptance and confirmation form below. Please return this form (by e-mail or regular mail) on or before July 29.

REGISTRATION: Meeting Registration Fee: $30.00 for transportation, xerox, and refreshments. Please be prepared to pay upon arrival, using either cash, personal check, or traveler's check.

LODGING: The bulk of on-campus housing has been reserved by two previously scheduled conferences, so it will be neccessary for most participants to stay in nearby motels. A few early birds may be able to reserve lodging at the Faculty Club, 504/388-2356, [mention LIGO meeting for university rate of ~$40], and Pleasant Hall, 504/387-0297, may have a few openings just before the conference dates.

We suggest the Comfort Inn. It is a plain multistory motel, 150 rooms, on Interstate 10, on the north side of the Acadian Thruway Exit. Their Official address is 2445 S. Acadian Thruway. The distance to the LSU physics building is 3.2 miles. Turn off Acadian at the Denny's Restaurant sign, and go past the La Quinta Inn entrance. It is not fancy, but it's cheap. It has modem ports on the phones, a swimming pool, a coin op laundry on the premises, and continental breakfast included. Ask for a room on the pool side, and it should be quiet. A block of 50 rooms has been reserved at a conference price of $55/night (for either single or double beds), if you mention LIGO. These rooms will be released on July 30th, so make a reservation before then to get the conference rate. Call the motel direct at 504/927-5790, or FAX to 504/925-0084.

Immediately next door is a La Quinta Inn, 504/924-9600, $75.

One mile east on Interstate 10, at the College Drive exit, are several upscale hotels, The Radisson 504/925-2244, and the Hampton Inn, 504/926-9990. You can also consult the LIVINGSTON OBSERVATORY web site, under the LIGO home page for other choices.

For Airline information, again, consult the LIVINGSTON OBSERVATORY web site, under the LIGO home page. If you want to add a day or two of diversion, New Orleans is the preferred airport. The Baton Rouge airport has many fewer flights, and you will usually change planes at Dallas, Memphis, or Atlanta, but it is probably less hassle to arrive there. On Wednesday evening, August 13, there will be a very simple welcome event, details to be announced.

The meeting will begin Thursday morning, August 14, with a bus trip to the LIVINGSTON OBSERVATORY site. The bus will depart from the LSU Physics and Astronomy building at 8:30 sharp. Rain date is the following morning. TRANSPORTATION IN BATON ROUGE : Rental cars from all the usual suspects are available at both airports. Cab service from BR to the motel is expensive ($20) but always available. The airport is about 10 miles north of the motel.

ACTIVITIES: Thursday and Friday nights will feature dutch treat banquets at some good restaurants. A tour of the LSU antenna will be arranged. Early risers will be able to arrange to jog or walk around beautiful University Lake (4 miles). New Orleans and the French Quarter is about a 2 hour drive.

CLIMATE: Visiting Louisiana in August is a bit like visiting Minnesota in January; its the season where usually only the hardy natives are up and about. Be prepared for tropical conditions, meaning a high temperature of 95 F, a low of 80 F, and very high humidity. Expect at least one sharp rainshower, usually in the afternoon. (Natives sometimes travel without an umbrella if they are near shelter, figuring to wait out the shower.)

The Program, and further information on activities, will come with later announcements.

We are looking forward to your visit in August. Please be sure to let me know if you have any questions. Please return the Acceptance and Confirmation for to Syd at syd@ligo.caltech.edu

Best regards,

Sydney Meshkov and Warren Johnson

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Acceptance and Confirmation Form 1997 LIGO SCIENCE COLLABORATION MEETING LSU, BATON ROUGE, LA AUGUST 14 - 16, 1997

Please check the appropriate choice:

I shall attend ________; or I shall not attend ________; or I will need a parking permit for a rental car_________; or I will be a rider in someone else's rental car________; or not sure yet_______________;

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