Ren Allen

Dear Live and Learn attendees,

This is a hard letter for me to write, but necessary. After much
deliberation and looking at alternatives, it seems the 2005
conference would be better off in a city other than Pensacola. I
have been looking forward to this and planning for months, so it's
really hard to let this go, I hope you'll all understand.

Hurricane Ivan did so much damage, I don't believe Pensacola is any
longer the best location for 2005. Before I could get information
from the beach, I believed we could still pull it together. After
contacting the hotels last week, it's very apparent that nothing
will be resolved in time for me to put on a wonderful event. Several
hotels, including the Clarion, were so badly damaged they don't even
think they will rebuild...ever.
There is only one hotel that can handle our needs and it is
expensive (even by beach standards) and not interested in helping me
much due to their new monopoly. I don't think I can get anyone a
good rate in this circumstance and you all deserve the best.

Kelly and Ben have agreed to host the 2005 conference in St. Louis
and will have details for you shortly. I plan to host the 2006
conference here in Pensacola, which is really exciting, as it will
be the Live and Learn five year anniversary conference!! I promise
it will be an exciting event.

In the meantime, please spread the word about next year and I hope
everyone will get on board in supporting Kelly by volunteering! I
will be in charge of the raffle this time around, so you KNOW I'll
be bugging you all.:)

Thank you in advance for your understanding in this situation. I
know it's not an easy thing to change plans midstream, but I know
St. Louis will be very exciting and Live and Learn will continue to
grow and evolve as the BEST unschooling conference ever!

Cheers,
Ren

P.S. Feel free to pass this along to other lists.