Permaculture Voices Housing

That does help! My husband was fretting about fees from PayPal. Will it set off alarms if I get 15 "gifts" in a short period of time?

I need to sit down with a piece of paper and figure out how many and what sort of rooms/beds we still have available.

I will also take a spot in the bunk room and am ready to make the deposit just give the word, amazing effort Julia, thank you.


The food:
$20-30 per day to cover food is a reasonable estimate. As I said, I'm a professional chef and happy to help take on the menu planning. What do people envision? Here are some thoughts...

BREAKFAST: eggs, toast, coffee, oatmeal, bacon, fruit, cereal, milk, yogurt, cheese, pancakes, etc.

LUNCH: We could have food for to go style lunch bags; sandwiches or wraps, drinks, fruit, chips, fermented veggies, potato salad/coleslaw, granola bars/trail mix, etc. that people could make their own sandwich and take it to go.

DINNER: roast chicken and veggies, pasta, a taco night, a BBQ night, maybe even pot roast or some other braise, Thai curry fish stew, stuffed roasted peppers, stir fry with rice, soups a plenty, Mac and cheese,

DESSERT: pie, ice cream, fruit, cupcakes, brownies, cookies...


So, yeah this are just some preliminary thoughts, everybody please chime in, since it is just an initial brainstorm.

We could even consider some sort of a big feast night towards the end, or at the end of the conference.

Lastly, if you are vegetarian, vegan or have other dietary restrictions, speak up.


Jump at the sun,
Seth

Julia, I sent a nerdy spreadsheet your way to work out the pricing.

Since Paul and I wanted an extra 3 days (and Bart wanted at least one of those three extra), Paul will pay that extra amount. If anyone wants to join us those extra days, there will be a charge on top of the 7-day flat rate.

Seth - that food sounds awesome! I'm gluten-free, and Paul steers clear of dairy when he needs his brain (most days), so we're probably some of the worst to feed. I'm happy to help in the kitchen and/or make alternatives to hopefully make things easier.

OK, right now I've got 19 names in this forum, of people expressing interest, and now I have to see if there are others that sent me PMs but didn't post here. I know of one more--Adrien, our content director and podcast manager.

Thus, before I've even put money down, the Permies house is likely full. Doug Smith has a nice nearby Air BnB reserved and that has room for up to 4 people--look for his post in this forum previously.

Of course, not everyone who has expressed interest is guaranteed to come through with the money to actually reserve a spot, so don't despair, but if you haven't posted already, start considering other options.

If you can't join us for the main conference time, you might be able to hang out with Paul from Sunday night to Wednesday afternoon (three nights)--Paul is fielding the additional cost for those extra days and is open to recoup some of that by charging for pre-conference mini vacation time. (Hmmm, that brings up another question: I haven't heard about a laundry room. . . ) Similarly, I (and some others) have to leave early Monday morning but Paul is staying two more nights on the back end as well--more chances to do a little mini-vacation with the big guy. . .

I am working on Jocelyn's spreadsheet trying to figure out how to price all of the various sleeping places. Does anybody know if lunches are provided with the conference fee?

Thai fish curry stew! Fermented veggies!
I love stuff like that. I usually eat foreign food(Indian,Asian,mideastern) but I'll eat almost any thing healthy. : )

OK so I talked to Anthony, the owner of the Air B&B place and he can have up to 5 more folks at his place besides myself. He would like anyone interested to contact him directly. He is working with the website to make it possible for folks to rent each room individually with him instead of going through me. The address again is thus:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/209871?checkin=03%2F12%2F2014&checkout=03%2F17%2F2014&s=588c

I have it reserved from Wed 3/12 - Mon 3/17

If you go through the"contact me" button you can make your arrangements with him. Just let him know that you found it through me and mention the conference and he'll know what your talking about, as the site says that the place is
already booked.

I hope this helps anyone who needs it.

Everybody, please understand that thus far I've primarily been talking about housing costs. I am now confident we will have those covered. However, the costs for food are going to be in addition to the housing costs. I've got an email in to Diego asking whether lunches are provided with the conference fee. I'm thinking probably not. I think there will be one evening meal with the conference, and I'm assuming that is included in the conference price (but it's not 100% clear).

I think it's reasonable to prorate food costs by how many days you are eating (food can be purchased and prepared in varying quantities, unlike the housing). I need to hear from everyone that is interested, stating arrival and departure times, so I can start to figure out how many meals we need. So if you've budgeted $200 for lodging, and you're going to be here for 5 days, realize there will be another $100-$150 of expense beyond what you have to spend to get to the house, to cover for meals.

The absolute cheapest option is probably the Air BnB for $35/night I mentioned on the first page of this thread. Next up might be sharing with Doug Smith and eating cheaper food. Please declare yourself ready to spend a minimum of $350 for the privilege of staying in a $3million house with Paul, eating "better than organic" food, (because I think I may have more than 20 people on the list right now).

Hey Julie, I'm coming in on Wed and out on Mon.
All the prices discussed so far seem pretty reasonable so count me in for food and a bed.
I'm certainly no chef but more than happy to help any way I can.

I would like to stay the 12th-17th.
The food price is acceptable to me.

Hey there! I just negotiated with my lovely wife for a trip to Permie Voices. Got room for a single?

She tells me that I am the farmer, she is the cook. So this conference, sadly, is just me this time.


Seriously looking forward to it. I can bring my own air mattress and sleeping bag if there are no single beds available.


So many of my Permie heroes are speaking. Too bad there are a couple occasions when more than one breakout group is going on that I REALLY WANT TO ATTEND AT THE SAME TIME!

Oh, I am excited!!!

Richard Hasting

I am in. Sounds like fun. Currently planning for 5 days but we are just a few hours north so I am trying to extend the trip. Food sounds great and my wife will be staying at the house to watch our little one and can help with meals. I could even bring a few of our rabbits and honey.

Hi Julia hoping we are counted among your 19, Myself and Lise are still very interested.
2 single beds are our first choice then air matresses, just in case would we need to bring sleeping bags or is there extra bedding available there?
We are fine with the costing you come up with and thanks for all your efforts

Hi Julia, me and my wife will be arriving mid-morning Thurs March 13, and departing first thing Monday March 17. Four full days of food for two people.

We would like a private bedroom to ensure a good night's sleep before presenting at the conference.

Thanks for working to put this together, let me know if there is anything I can do to assist your efforts.

cheers! gonna be a good time!

Hi Julia, i declare myself ready !

Don't know if Paul or Jocelyne talk to you, but i'll be filming Paul during the conference, and would love to be part of the house adventure. Don't know if there is a room still available. Maybe we could put a shared google doc or something, where we can see what is still available. But if there is a spot left, i m interested ! Just let me know how to send you a deposit, or anything you will need from me. And if there is still space and there is a way to choose, how can i do that ?

Thanks in advance.

BART

So, I also wanna stay at the house before and enter the conference. I'm gonna be arriving either Sunday night (9th) or Monday AM (10th) and leaving on Tuesday (18th) or Wed (19th), depending on when I get the cheapest flights, so I can help kick in to defray Paul's costs for the extra days. The prices sound good to me, not the cheapest but totally worth it, I look forward. As, I said before I will be alone and can take a single bed in the bunk room or whatever else is available. Ready to make the deposit and start thinking about food.

Permiecation,
Seth Peterson

don't mind me, I'm just the guy who doesn't have his piece of land yet, so I try to save every penny I can.

For the food, I love doing a couple meals that are all out and very enjoyable, but I'm just fine doing some meals pretty cheap (bfast: oats and two eggs)

But I will go with the house flow on this one.

My suggestion is, if we are trying to do all healthy foods, right? not to do all of our shopping there at the conference, rushing around trying to find a sprouts or whole foods and paying through the nose.

Certain non-perishable foods can be had in bulk from Amaz0n and if Tom is okay with it, shipped to the house ahead of time. I don't know if that would be too much of a headache to ask a 3 million dollar house owner or not@??

Using that tactic, buying in bulk and having the items arrive the week or two weeks before the conference could save 10's if not 100's of dollars. Maybe even 1000 smackers for the 20 people over the 5-10 day period.

Yeah, the Internet is such a great tool to save money!
Bulk qinua , lentals, rice, amaranth, spices...

Julia Winter wrote:

I'd love to hear from various people what they think they can spend for lodging--not per night, but total.

I am budgeting around ~ $200-$300 for lodging.

Private rooms are not a necessity for me. I could even use floor space indoors or a couch.

Not much is needed for this simpleton.

Rob

Ce, you're right that buying in bulk saves money and I hope I can achieve some of that. One of the complications is that Paul and Jocelyn (and me, a little bit, and others, most likely) are eating a paleo diet, which avoids grains (and beans! I can't go along with this part, so I'm not paleo) and is mostly things like grassfed beef, pastured pork, pastured (or compost pile) chicken eggs and fresh veggies. Other people are likely to be vegetarian, in which case the veggies are great and beans and grains are welcome. I'm obviously going to have to collect a fair amount of information from everyone who ends up staying in the Permies house.

I think in the almost 3 months we have until the event we can work out a good deal for food. I don't want anyone to plan on eating for $10 a day, though, unless they're going to do their own. Beans and grains are pretty easy to buy in bulk. Azure Standard will deliver organic vegetables (and many other things), with a $500 minimum order for a particular location so I'm going to look hard at that option.

Paul and Jocelyn, Adrien Lapointe, myself, Ce Rice, Kevin Hiebert, Cameron Pierce, Tomas More and wife, Colleen Carter and Lise, Adam Klaus and wife, Matthew and Kat Beckman, Bart Glumineau, Seth Peterson, Rob Kaiser, Matthew Beckman and wife, are on the list (some had communicated via PMs, for those careful thread watchers). Wow, and that's 20 (I'm not counting babies, as they don't impact the septic system.) Huh. There are more people who expressed interest a few days ago, but, um, well, I don't know what to do or say. Things have been moving fast. I don't have money from anybody (and Tom doesn't have money from me yet) so nothing is written in stone, but wow, I think we're full.

Richard Hasting, I'm thrilled that you've negotiated a trip to the conference, but I don't know if it's possible for you to stay at the big house. I recommend looking into the smaller group that Doug Smith is getting together (look up the thread for his post, with a link).

If you are a person who said you wanted to stay last week or earlier and you're catching up now (and you're not in that list of 20 people above), I'm terribly sorry, but it seems the house is full. No, we can't have more than 20 people and no, we can't have campers. From the rental agreement, see in particular #10 and #11:

7) I (We), our guests and visitors, agree to not smoke in the house. Also that there will be no loud or large parties in the house or on the premise. The renters will maintain the premises in good order and appearance and conduct themselves in a manner not offensive to the neighbours. Renter is subject to immediate eviction for such occurrences.

I (we) our guests and visitors, agree that any drug use on the property, or any disturbance, annoyance, endanger, or inconvenience of the neighbours; or use the premises for any immoral or unlawful purposes, or violate any law or ordnance or commit waste or nuisance on or about the premises will immediately terminate our occupancy and rental agreement of these premises.

9) Owner or Owner’s Agent may enter the premises immediately in the event of an emergency, in order to perform necessary repairs and/or maintenance; and with 24 hours notice, for normal maintenance or to show a prospective renter.

10) Occupancy (including small children, infants and visitors) is not to exceed 20 persons without prior permission from the Owner, Managers. If more than the maximum number is found to be occupying the leased property, I (we) agree that a charge of $100.00 per person will be made to my (our) credit card, or if I (we) are paying by check or money order, I (we) will promptly submit moneys due. Additionally, this Agreement may be immediately terminated without refund.

11) Occupancy of RV campers and /or tents on the premises or parking lot is forbidden.

12) Written permission must be obtained to have pets on the premises – except Seeing Eye dogs with prior authorization.

I think this is going to be great, and I feel bad that good people who think they are in, but didn't obsessively follow this thread over the weekend, will not get to stay with us. It is what it is. Sometimes a little OCD is a useful thing!


It's also pretty funny that a number 8 followed by a ) makes the little guy with glasses, and that ended up next to the "no drugs" rule. That wasn't me! Anyway, it's my name on the agreement, so I need to have everyone abide by the terms of the agreement..

OOH, wait!

I have Matthew Beckman and Kat down twice in my list. That means I have two spots. . . will send PMs to those who spoke up on this list, but not yesterday or today, and hope that only 2 respond. . .

If anybody sees another error, please point it out.

Thanks!

And, now there is one spot: Laurie Wayne, you're the next contestant in . . . the Permie House!!

I don't think Adrien is coming to the event.

He'll know by Tuesday. If he can't, another spot opens up! I've got an email in to Tom, the house's owner, about exactly how many sleeping items he has in the house total.

Colleen, and Lise, are you two womanly/thrifty enough to share a king or queen bed?? Lots of room in a king bed, and women aren't as oogly as men on this topic. . .

My current issue is that I have only 4 official couples, but at least 6 King or Queen sized beds.

Julia, I'm interested in shared lodging and have no problem to share a bed or other arrangement (couch, sleepingbag...) I'm female. Please consider me if you have an spot

Hi Julia
Lise and I would take a king size bed no problem.

Hi Jeinny, I will consider you, but there are a few people ahead of you for the 1 or 2 spots left.

Colleen - hurray! That will help a lot.

Thank you very much. I hope a spot can be open.

Say Julia,

i realize it's a long way off now, but could I get on the waiting list next? It's a long shot, sure. But I can sleep in any ol' arrangement you need me to!

Thanks,
Derick
25, male, not the least bit fussy, non-snorer

This is very exciting to see everything coming together so quickly!

Can't wait for the Permaculture Marinade! Soaking in all that Permie camaraderie for 5 days and then going out to bring permie flavour everywhere. Infecting countless minds!! Bwah hah hah hah

Julia Winter wrote:Hi Jeinny, I will consider you, but there are a few people ahead of you for the 1 or 2 spots left.

Colleen - hurray! That will help a lot.

I have still not secured lodging yet.

If you find that spot on the floor (though at my age, preferably a bed:-) ) let me know.

Richard

So, yeah, the house is full. For a day or two we were overfull, through my own error, but it turns out Adrien can't get away from work, so we are back to merely "full." (Whew! )

I'm about to send over $2000 to VRBO, and I need to figure out how to get $ from y'all. Can we do checks? Can you mail checks to me at work? (I don't want to put my home address on the internet, even via Purple Mooseage.) Then, when people's checks clear I will really REALLY know that we are full.

In the meantime, Derick has started a thread for brainstorming about camping within driving distance of the conference here:

https://permies.com/t/30603/southwest-usa/Permaculture-Voices-Camping-Resource-Planning

I would direct all of you that are looking for housing to this thread. Check back here, because here is where I will announce any openings that possibly occur, but get busy arranging some housing because the casino is crazy expensive and other places are likely to fill up.

A check is fine with me. Just Purple me your address.

Julia Winter wrote:So, yeah, the house is full. Can we do checks? Can you mail checks to me at work? (I don't want to put my home address on the internet, even via Purple Mooseage.) Then, when people's checks clear I will really REALLY know that we are full.

Here's a thought...if you don't want to do home address via purple moosage, perhaps we could just send you personal email address via PM and then you could send us your home address via email.

Rob

No paypal?

I dunno. I was going to, then my husband fretted about us getting dinged as a business (and having to pay fees). I really have no idea. We have a personal PayPal account, if someone can explain to me how to do this I'm OK with it. I can float the costs for a while so I'm not too worried about timing. . .

First, please nail down the full ten days.

I will paypal you $900 for the extra three days and then people that want to be there during those days can reimburse me (some amount that I have not yet figured out).

Can you tell me (publicly or privately) what your paypal account is?

Done. The place is reserved from 4pm on 3/9 until 10am on 3/19. I just sent $2300 or so to VRBO last night--more will be due in February.

I'm going to start sending PMs to people about where to send money.

On PayPal, there is a box that you can check for "Personal" which exempts it from the fees.

I haven't done it for a while, so you may need to search around to find it.

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