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The Shamrock Dublin Gazette- Issue #04
Kennedy High School, La Palma, California 90623
 
December 12, 2003  
Countdown to Departure: 90 Days
 
Current Email Subscribers: 99
 
Current Temperatures 
Dublin: 57 Degrees - Rain 
Limerick: 56 Degrees - Rain 
London: 49 Degrees - Rain 
 
Henri Soucy, Editor 
http://www.kennedyband.org
 
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IN THIS ISSUE
 
(1) A Word from Henri
(2) The Mespil Hotel in Dublin
(3) Must Do's While in Dublin 
(4) I laughed when I typed some of these
(5) How to eat in London and Gain Pounds
(6) Offer from the Buena Park Post Office
(7) Fund-Raising Review
(8) Frequently Asked Questions
(9) Show me the Money
 
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A WORD FROM HENRI:
 
We had a pretty good meeting the other night. We're still
holding at 160 excited travelers going on the trip. Just
for your information, I've listed the breakdown below. 
 
Band: 112
Chaperones: 14 
Adults, Children, Staff: 34 
Grand Total: 160
 
We have a really good mix of instruments in the band. I'm
obviously not an expert on the balance needed. But I think
we'll represent Kennedy very well both in the parades and
concert settings. 
 
I worked with Mr. Anthony to assign the chaperones to the
students yesterday. That will lead to then assigning
the group of 100 on British Midlines and group of 60 on Aer
Lingus. Obviously the chaperones will follow the students.
We will keep families together. If you have a preference
for either flight, please let me know. We'll try to
accommodate your needs. 
 
At the meeting on Monday we had 19 people that signed up
for cancellation insurance forms. Norman Travel
International is sending Fed Ex to me by Thursday. I will
mail them out to you by Friday. 
 
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THE MESPIL HOTEL IN DUBLIN:
 
The Mespil Hotel is located on the Grand Canal at Baggot
Street Bridge. Your comfort is their priority. The guest
bedrooms are bright, modern and spacious and have been
tastefully decorated using natural restful colours.
 
To ensure maximum comfort, the bedrooms feature a host of
amenities, including voicemail, fax/modem connection, hair
dryer, cable TV and a complimentary beverage tray. 
 
Situated in the heart of Georgian Dublin, overlooking the
banks of the Grand Canal, the Mespil boasts an ideal city
center location. 
 
The hotel is an easy walk from St. Stephen's Green, Grafton
Street and many of the cultural and entertainment
attractions this vibrant capital city has to offer. 
 
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MUST DO'S WHILE IN DUBLIN:
 
Shop'Til You Drop: Dublin is a magnet for the fashion
pack, a fact that has not escaped the notice of the
designers; you will also find the latest collections from
young and established Irish designers. A must for all
shoppers is the central shopping area, which runs from
Henry Street to O'Connell Street and Grafton Street and is
easily explored on foot. There are also many fine shopping
centers throughout the city and county. Don't be surprised
if you spot a familiar face or two. Dublin is a regular
haunt of the super models; rock and movie stars who all
love Dublin's laid-back chic. 
 
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I LAUGHED WHEN I TYPED SOME OF THESE:
 
This finishes off the London slang. There's actually a lot
more but I thought it to be too risqué and inappropriate.
Next issue...back to Irish Slang. 
 
Blower: Slang for telephone
Guff: To pass wind
Lolli: Money
Naff Off: Go Away
Nipper: Small Child
Not on your Nelly: Not on your life
Nugget: Popular word for a pound coin
Parky: Chilly Weather
Propellerhead: Geek, Nerd
Shirt: Young attractive women
Slaphead: A bald person
Sweet as a Nut: Meaning "nice" "simple" "no problem"
Window Licker: A name for the sort of "nutter" who sits
next to you on the bus and does something weird
Zeds: Sleep
 
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HOW TO EAT IN LONDON AND GAIN POUNDS?
 
Quick: Name Britain's favorite dish? Fish and chips? Toad
in the hole? Shepard's Pie? The correct answer is...chicken
tikka masala, which most people think of as Indian but
(legend has it) was created in Britain by Indian cooks, who
adapted a traditional recipe to please the British by
adding a tomato cream sauce. 
 
Most travelers to London have noticed that the one sure way
to eat cheaply is to go for Indian food. But you might have
to dig a little bit. The best buys are likely to be at
lunch rather than dinner. By law they have to post the
menu outdoors by the entrance. 
 
A typical Indian packed lunch would include three dishes: a
main (lamb rogan josh, chicken tikka maslaa), a vegetable,
and rice. Expect to pay between $7.40 to $9.30. 
 
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OFFER FROM BUENA PARK POST OFFICE:
 
I mailed out yesterday a one-page request form and two
accompanying handouts from the Buena Park Post Office to
all of you that I do not have a copy of your passport. I'm
not sure which of you has already applied for your
passport. If you haven't and want to take advantage of the
offer, please contact me as soon as possible. I will make
sure you have all of the forms needed. Mrs. Lewis from the
Buena Park Post Office will be coming to the school on
either Thursday, January 8th or Saturday, January 10th to
process your request for a passport. At that meeting you'll
need your forms completed, two copies of a color passport
size photo, valid birth certificate and two personal checks
or money orders to pay the U.S. Department of State and
U.S. Post Office. I need to know as soon as possible how
many of you want to take us up on this offer.  Then we can
decide which day is better for all. The Thursday or
Saturday date. 
 
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FUND-RAISING REVIEW:
 
Scrip: I would again recommend you purchase as much scrip
as possible between now and February. If you have any
questions please contact Tammy Deptula. She can be reached
at (714) 994-1263. 
 
I remember one parent was remodeling their kitchen and
spent almost $7,000 at Home Depot. They purchased scrip
first and netted almost $200 for their son's student
account. Even if you aren't remodeling, you might know
somebody that is. I'm sure they'd be glad to help. 
 
I had 13 parents sign up for the donation letters. I will
be emailing by Friday. It's in Microsoft Word and can be
easily personalized to your son or daughter. 
 
I had 9 parents who were in interested in a separate
fundraiser. I will be calling each one of you to
understand your financial needs. Then I will schedule the
meeting. I am dedicated to helping you make this dream for
your child of a trip to Ireland and England a reality. I
totally agree with Mr. Anthony that the memory of this
adventure will last a lifetime. 
 
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
 
(Q1) Will we be able to tour the city on our free time? Do
the parents always have to be with us wherever we go? Or
will we not have any free time? 
(A1) To be totally honest, it will depend upon a number of
factors. Where we are. What time of the day it is. In
Ireland there's not as much risk as London. Take it from
me, in London that underground (subway) is confusing and if
you're not careful, you can really get lost. 
 
Normally questions will be answered in the weekly
newsletter. If the questions require an immediate response,
I'll send out a special email. 
 
mailto:henri.soucy@ngc.com?subject=questions
 
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SHOW ME THE MONEY:
 
$100 US Dollars = $57 Pound Sterling (Great Britain)
$100 US Dollars = $82 Euro (Ireland) 
Rate valid as of: 12/12/2003 
 
Currency conversions are based on Yahoo Currency
conversion. 
 
Excerpt from CNN: "The dollar hit a record low against the
euro as traders bet the Federal Reserve would keep interest
rates at historic lows, providing little reason for
overseas investors to exchange currency into dollars."
 
That excerpt basically explains the dollars fall to other
foreign currencies. Hopefully the Federal Reserve or the
current administration will intervene to support the
dollar. 
 
Bank of America has offered to give us a better exchange
rate than normal for converting our dollars into euros and
pound sterling. So make sure you get your Currency Request
Form plus check or money order made out to the "Shamrock
Regiment" in no later than January 31st to the Band Room
lockbox. My plan is to convert during February at the most
optimum time.
 
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Thank You For Your Readership!
 
 Henri Soucy, Editor
 12903 Belcher Street
 Norwalk, CA 90650-3329 
 Telephone: 310-332-3239
 Pager: 310-232-4458  
 http://www.kennedyband.org
  Email Address: henri.soucy@ngc.com
 
 Bob Anthony, Kennedy Band Director
 Telephone: 714-220-4119
 
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