December 26, 2004

Dear Colleagues,

      Now that you have celebrated your Christmas or Hanukah, I wish you a Happy New Year for 2005, and welcome you to Philadelphia. Attached are two maps that will assist you in making the trip to Temple University Center City (TUCC) Philadelphia, and to the ASSA. If you arrive by air, the cab fare to downtown is approximately $20. There is a shuttle for $8 per person (USA Limo or Lady Liberty). If your luggage is easy to manage, you can take the local SEPTA train to Market Street. The Temple University Building is located across the street West from City Hall, and the building is easily identified with a large red letter T. The 16 hotels serving ASSA are identified on the Philadelphia map. You can walk to those nearby, or easily get a taxi for a few dollars.

      If you arrive by air in Newark New Jersey or New York City, you can go to Philadelphia by train (AMTRAK). To book your reservation, call 1-800-872-7245. Refer to Convention Fares Code X65D-921 when making your reservation. Get off at 30^th Street Station and either take a cab or subway to City Hall (14^th Street and Market).

      Because our conference is very compressed, I have ordered Box Lunches delivered with a variety of sandwiches/salads. Their cost will be approximately $10 each day, with coffee/tea/soda/etc, for which you can pay at registration. I have also arranged for a modestly priced dinner at a pleasant neighborhood restaurant before you return to your hotel. On January 6^th our program ends with wine and cheese at Temple to be followed by dinner on your own. There are many choices for dining nearby.

Ingrid Rima

NOTE:  The best way to access the map for TUCC is to go to:  www.temple.edu/maps then click on Temple University Center City. It also provides driving directions, should you be arriving by automobile.