2005 Palmetto Regional

[Jay W.]

Yeah, the Palmetto regional was great last year...I'll be there..sporting my Clemson gear!

[MikeGriffith]

Originally Posted by Billfred

As a student of the University of South Carolina, I am obligated to say that the aforementioned "dude in a chicken costume" is the one and only Cocky, the official mascot of the University (and the 2003 National Mascot of the Year).

Personally, as long as the pizza's there...

Anyways, I still think the guy in the CHICKEN suit was corny. The Tigers are by far better.

Just Joking!!!
I'll see you at 'metto

[Tytus Gerrish]

i hope those pesky no dancing signs will not make a return

[tiffany34990]

the mascot was on our bus...trying to give us directions to the social...lol..we got lost w/ the mascot on our bus too but that's okay..we got there and had tons of fun.. i can't wait-- only 4 s.p.a.m. girls including me are going so it's gonna be interesting for me but all wellz...yeah the dancing signs...what fun they are when they are up....can't wait for this trip though...week after spring break so yay!!

cya there!!

[Billfred]

I would like to append my prior my prior guide to finding Krispy Kremes. They aren't ten seconds removed from the production line, but they're close.

After finding a slew of receipts from Carolina Dining, it has come to my attention that the Grand Marketplace and the Sidewalk Café sell Krispy Kreme donuts. (The receipt says KK donuts, and now that I think of it, they sure did taste like Krispy Kremes.)

I'll take this opportunity to run down my experiences with Carolina Dining:

In the Russell House University Union
(Take Greene Street (the one that runs between the Koger Center and the Coliseum) and keep walking straight. It will be on your right, across from Preston and Woodrow Colleges.)

Grand Marketplace - First floor - The Grand Marketplace (or GMP, or "gimp" as students call it) place has the variety, and is about the largest place to eat in the building. There is a line for sushi, subs, standard cafeteria-like food, burgers, soups, and salads. And they have the all-important Krispy Kremes, as well as a Coca-Cola fountain (rare, as USC is largely a Pepsi school.)

The Coffee Cup - First floor - Starbucks coffee. Haven't tried them.

Sub Connection - First floor - Sub sandwiches, about the same as those in the GMP. If you have a choice, pick Beezer's, which I'll cover in a later post.

Zia Juice - First floor - Smoothies, aimed to be health-conscious. A bit pricey for someone on a meal plan, but if it's your thing, go for it. To satisfy your ice cream fix, go to Marble Slab upstairs.

Pandini's - First floor - Italian food. Sometimes good, sometimes not, always expensive. Stick to the pizza and the pasta, and expect to pay at least $6 for an entree and the drink. (And whatever you do, do not order extra breadsticks.) This is also a Coca-Cola restaurant.

Burger King, Chick-Fil-A, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell - Second floor - Self-explanatory. Chick-Fil-A is the only one open Saturdays, and Pizza Hut and Taco Bell close after lunch on Friday.

Mein Bowl - Second floor - Dining's in-house Asian brand. Haven't tried them. Closed on weekends.

Einstein Bros. Bagels - Second floor - The best breakfast place on campus. Period. They've got bagels of all sorts, along with milk and caffeine. Lunch is good, too.

Marble Slab Creamery - Second floor - Their ice cream will blow your mind. It does come at a cost, though; expect to spend four bucks on a cone with a mix-in, more if you have to have every kind of berry in existence. Closed Saturdays.

Elsewhere on campus

(Note: I'm leaving out a few places, such as the Bates location, because I don't reasonably expect anyone to navigate the USC campus, or walk too far from the Colonial Center for their grub.)

Cooper's Corner - Thomas Cooper Library (Right before you see the Russell House, on the right side of Greene Street, across the reflecting pool) - Coffee, soda, ready-made sandwiches, chips, and cookies. If that's all you need, you may want to try this place instead of the Russell House, as it's usually quiet. You'd expect that in a library.

Fast Break - Carolina Coliseum (down in the bottom, where classes are held--the far side from the Koger Center) - Similar to Cooper's Corner.

Sidewalk Café - Welsh Humanities Building (Walk to the Horseshoe, then go all the way back, then pass McKissick Museum in the back, then cross the bridge. Welsh is the building in the back of the courtyard in the building.) - Similar to the above, but it also has some hot items such as hot dogs, Krispy Kreme donuts, and Coca-Cola. It's the longest walk in this list, and I only recommend it if it's nice outside, as the seating is outside.

For hours of all the locations on campus, go to http://www.sc.edu/dining/letseathours.pdf

For what Carolina Dining says about the locations, visit http://www.sc.edu/dining/brochure_2004-2005.pdf

Hope this helps!

[Jonathan M.]

Wow this is going to be SUCH a fun regional. I'm glad to see that a bunch of teams that were at Florida are going to be there. 179 was amazing. So were 180 and 312. And of course our alliance Partners in the finals 1251 the Tech-Tigers. (and most everyone else in Florida). This is going to be tough and fun. Can't wait. Only about 2 more weeks! See you guys there!

[Frank L.]

Let's get Palmetto going. Here are a few things to report. Palmetto will be webcast and will be on NASA TV. For those teams returning from last year...you will remember that we gave out several cases of bottled water...we will be doing that again...to keep all team members hydrated. The team social will be at USC Engineering on Friday p.m. Unloading will be the same as last year....just pull around to the rear of the building...unload on level ground...then pull around to the parking lots. We are working hard to create lots of pit space and space around the pits....will know more later in the week. Plans include hanging a large screen on the back of the curtain facing the pits that will be used to project team standing, etc....should be able to be seen from any place in the pits. We will be circulating outside on Thursday a.m. as teams arise looking for teams that may owe dryage charges on their shipping...you know those have to be paid before any crates can be moved...always a pain...we will try to facilate as best as possible.

Palmetto promises to be a great regional with the field of teams joining us. All the great Fla. teams ... 179, 180, 312, 1251...just to name a few...an from the great robotic state of NJ...teams 11 and 25...old friends 34 from Alablama....just to name a few....and don't loose sight of all of the SC teams...several regional winners, finalists, and engineering inspiration award...oh!...I predict that this is going to be wild.

Please don't hesitate to email me or any host Team 343 members...If I can't answer...will try to get to the person, that can....more to come following our planning committee meeting tomorrow.

[Billfred]

Just one thing to note, for anyone driving in from Assembly Street, or anywhere along that way...



...good luck. The streets marked in red are closed for road construction. I'd suggest either going in via the US 21 Connector or going Pendleton to Lincoln.

I'm not sure if they're open to pedestrian traffic--I'll see what I can find out this week.

[Swampdude]

Looking forward to seeing everyone. I keep hearing great things about this venue. One question: Will there be a practice field? or a partial at least?

[Meredith343MiM]

Hmm... practice field... If i'm not mistaken there was one last year... actually i think it was ours (team 343's) because i remember bringing the carpet and goals and such. I could be very wrong though... most regionals have a practice field... so I wouldn't expect Palmetto to be any different If not better ( I had to add that in there...)
On another note: Palmetto regional! Just 8 days away!!! *eek!* I'm SO excited! It's during our spring break so that should make it ultra-enjoyable. We had a great time last year and expect it to be the same this season. Being a South Carolina team I consider this my "home regional" and I wouldn't have it any other way For the teams that have been complimenting the regional. THANKS! I consider it a true compliment having been involved in the process to make the regional happen! See you all there! ~Meredith

[Billfred]

Just as an update to my last post here, the sidewalks are open, at least along Greene Street. So walking to the Russell House (for food, an ATM, or The WUSC Challenge) and points out that way will be no problem.

[Lauralynne C]

Does anyone know how far it is from the competition to the building where the Social is on Friday night? Can we walk or do we need our bus?

[Billfred]

If you're of average health, you can make the walk. (If you've got someone with some leg problems, you may have a case for taking the bus, but I made it fine last year.)

Just take both pedestrian bridges for the Strom Thurmond WFC, and work around kinda funkily, and you'll get there without having to contend with Assembly Street.

<edit>On a side note, Swearingen is notorious for the lack of nearby parking. So I'd recommend not taking the bus if you can at all help it.)</edit>

[techtiger1]

Palmetto will be awesome ! Thank you Cutting edge and Mim for your kind words about 1251. You guys were great at Fl keep it up and o yeah we see ya if we do infact make it up there. Should be fun though. good luck to all.






Drew Disbury
1251 the techtigers
2004- Ucf regional all star rookie
2005- Ucf Finalist with 845 and 1270
2005- Ucf judges award

[tiffany34990]

last year there was some space to practice i remember....

thanks billfred for helping w/ the food..lol..we won't starve


and since s.p.a.m. and i will be in town...if there are any girls interested in the Robot Chick Union (RCU) please stop by team 180, S.P.A.M.'s pit and i can tell you all about it..thanks

just another week now and it'll be practice rounds still..pits not closed yet

cya all there