Dear Porkers,

Thanks so much for signing on for another corny festival on wheels a la Pork Belly Ventures!  We are stunned by the registrations and "I'm back!" emails since the 24th of January. On our end, everything is going well, but here are a few announcements and reminders that probably shouldn't wait. 

THE ELDERS  Drum roll, please.  We have a confirmation that the Elders can join us on Tuesday or Wednesday of RAGBRAI.  Count on good craic at our midweek Pork Belly blow-out.  "Before you know it you'll be danciiiiiiiiinnnnnnnggg.  Doin' an Irish dance, HEY!" 

SNAIL-MAIL RAGBRAI REGISTRATIONS:  Remember to check on that mid-February deadline at RAGBRAI.org.  For you electronic registrants, the deadline is April 1.  If you've already done this, good on you.

OMAHA HOTEL CORRECTION   I, Tammy, goofed up on the dates mentioned in the Hotel section of our invitation letter.  Curses!  This is what it should say.  "From Saturday, the 19th, through Friday, the 25th, you will be tent-camping with Pork Belly Ventures in our Iowa host towns.  If you fly or drive into Omaha on Friday, the 18th of July, or return to Omaha with us on Saturday, the 26th, you will need hotel reservations in Omaha."  We have contacted the staff at La Quinta Inn and Suites about my goof, and they know that we have blocks of rooms ONLY on the Friday night before RAGBRAI and the Saturday on which it ends.  They will correct any misinformed Porkers who call for reservations.  Fortunately, most (if not all) of you caught my error and made reservations for the right nights, but if you suspect that you reserved a room on Saturday, the 19th, call 712-347-6595 to correct it.  So sorry for any inconvenience.  [Sorry, Cathi P.  This would happen the year you come back to us!]

LA QUINTA AVAILABILITY  Rooms are still available on both nights, though most if not all of the non-smoking double-queen rooms are taken. Just a heads-up.  Last year, people were clamoring for these rooms in June and July.  There was a waiting list, blah-blah.  So if you're sure you'll need a room, please don't give yourself a headache in June or July.  Call soon. 

TENT AVAILABILITY  We figured we'd buy a few more tents this summer, but in a single week, we've gone through upwards of 70% of the total number we planned to offer.  At this rate, they'll be gone by mid-February.  Please don't wait to claim one if you want one.

WEEKLONG SUPPORT AVAILABILITY  Last year we filled in late March.  This year, we're filling faster, but there's still time.  Just don't go to sleep at the wheel.

That's it for this one.  Thanks so much, Porkers, for throwing in with us, and we hope February brings you at least a few outdoor cycling days, wherever you are.  Stand by for more Pork News as it happens.

All the best,

Tammy (Phillips) Pavich                                                Pete Phillips 

808/946-5315 or tammypav@aol.com              712/328-6836 or petephillips@cox.net

(Honolulu-four hours earlier than Iowa)