It’s Tuesday, part way through the ERF 2007 Conference.  You’ve been diligent and attentive through field trips, workshops, plenary sessions, poster sessions, and oral presentations.  Your mind is abuzz with thoughts about climate change and estuaries, what is happening to water quality in our estuaries, and what we really need to tell our resource managers. You still haven’t seen your colleague from grad school or the person you shared a lab with until they moved to the west coast. You’ve been inside the RI Convention Center for days and your back is getting stiff from lack of exercise. It’s time to go to Club ERF.

Food and Socializing!!

      Yes, it’s 6 pm and time to get out into Providence and head over to 145 Clifford St. – ERF is taking over "Snooker's Lounge" for the night!  There you will find a buffet of sandwiches, pizza, veggies and other delicious foods. Use your drink coupon for a beer or glass of wine. Check out what ERF surprises you might find showing on the big projection screens over the main bar.  Mingle with fellow ERF attendees in the spacious nightclub, which even has an outside deck (sometimes it IS warm in early November in Providence!).  Find a quiet spot to catch up with friends by one of the windows or at the second bar. (Note: Snooker's requires that guests be at least 18 years of age and have proper ID.)

Pool Challenge!!

      But don’t just talk – play pool.  Yes, we will have 14 pool tables where you can challenge your friends and impress your colleagues.  Whether you have never played pool or if you hone your skills at every opportunity, there will be plenty of tables for everyone.  Gather past and present members of your lab to play together. Get federal employees and academics together and see what happens.  There will be at least one challenge – the home team, the New England Estuarine Research Society, will take on any or all ERF affiliates for bragging rights until ERF 2009.

Live Music and Dancing!!

      At 8 pm, you can keep playing pool, or move to the other end of the Club for dancing or just to listen to the music.  And not just any dancing, but dancing to the Outlyers.  A New England-based band, the Outlyers, took their name from the scientific term related to something apart from the norm – that is a good way to describe the diverse songlist the band has built and the way it interacts with audiences.  This five-piece band with three vocalists easily switches from swinging blues to rock to alt country and everything in between.  The Outlyers play many songs by familiar artists but keep it interesting by selecting songs that you may have rarely heard played live but are perfect for a dancing and fun-seeking crowd.  The Outlyers have a natural connection to ERF - band member Richard Ribb manages the National Estuary Program for Narragansett Bay when he is not playing.  You may have danced to the music of Richard and others at the 2004 Coastal Society meeting or the recent Association of National Estuary Programs meeting, both in Newport, RI   The Outlyers like to get the audience involved and to create an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment even if you don’t want to dance – so watch for special ERF activities along with the music – right up until midnight.

      A club of our own in Providence to catch up with friends and colleagues until 1 am, with good food and drink, pool tables, music, dancing until midnight – all this for $29.  Buy your ticket with your conference registration. Don’t miss Club ERF at ERF 2007 on Tuesday November 6 at 6!