STOC 2005 Local Information


Contents:

Documents with local information:

Visa Requests

For traveling to the United States to attend STOC 2005, please allow extra time for travel planning. Attendees visiting the U.S. should be particularly aware and careful about visa requirements, and should plan travel well in advance. Please direct your questions regarding visa matters to Irene Frawley at frawley@acm.org. If you require a visa memo, please send your name, complete mailing address and fax number to frawley@acm.org, and for those with accepted papers, please include the title and all authors of your paper. Mrs. Frawley will assist you in providing visa memos for attending the conference. Please note that it may take several days for a visa memo to be sent out after it is requested. Please plan accordingly.


Room Reservation

Marriott Hunt Valley Inn The STOC 2005 conference will take place in the

Baltimore Marriott Hunt Valley Inn
245 Shawan Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21030, USA
Phone: +1-410-785-7000
Fax: +1-410-527-9491
http://www.marriotthuntvalley.com

Negotiated room rates: Single $119.-, Double $119.-, Triple $139.-, Quad $159.-

Room reservation: Please download the reservation form and fax it to the hotel by April 18. (Earlier is better! Rooms may also be available after that date, but no guarantees will be given.)

The reserved block of rooms is completely booked out. If you have problems reserving a room near the Marriott hotel and do not know how to find alternative accommodation, please send an email to stoc05@cs.jhu.edu.

Facilities and services: On-site Restaurant, room service, coffee shop, cocktail lounge, laundry valet, concierge services, gift shop/newsstand, full business center, safe deposit box at front desk.

Guest room amenities: Speaker phone, voice mail, high-speed internet access, TV with remote control, in-room movies, newspaper delivered (Mon-Fri), refrigerator available, complimentary in-room coffee, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, bathrobe, cribs available.

Sports and recreation: Indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center with exercise room , whirlpool, sauna, massage therapist, tennis courts. Golf, squash, and jogging and biking trails nearby.


Finding a Roommate

In order for us to match you with some roommate(s), please email the following information to either Srinivasan Parthasarathy (sri@cs.umd.edu) or Nan Wang (nwang@cs.umd.edu):


Travel

By airplane: From BWI, it is recommended to travel by taxi (around $55.-) or shuttle (around $35.-). Reservations can be made at www.theairportshuttle.com and at www.supershuttle.com. A much cheaper ($1.35 one way) but more time-consuming way of reaching the hotel is to use the light rail system. The light rail system has a stop at BWI and a stop within walking distance of the hotel (click here to see the map). Unfortunately, a part of the light rail track is currently under construction (north of North Avenue) so that a part of the trip has to be done in a shuttle bus. For more information, please visit www.mtamaryland.com.

From the other airports, either a shuttle (see the links above) or a rental car from AVIS may be used. A rental car from AVIS is convenient because AVIS has a branch within walking distance of the hotel.

By car:

Once on I83, leave the I83 at exit 20A. (Click here to download a local map.) The conference hotel is located at the right side. It has plenty of parking spaces available for guests and conference attendees.


Activities

Baltimore Inner Harbor:

Ladew Topiary Gardens Baltimore Maritime Museum
Pier 3, East Pratt Street
410-396-3453

The museum displays Baltimore and the nation's maritime heritage and offers tours of the USCGC Taney, the last surviving warship from the attack on Pearl Harbor; the U.S. submarine Torsk, which sank the last two Japanese combatant ships of World War II; and the Lightship Chesapeake, a floating navigational lighthouse.


Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street
410-685-5225

One of Baltimore's premier locations for family entertainment. Explore three full floors of hands-on exhibits, an IMAX theater, a planetarium, a newly renovated kid's room, an observatory, and a cafe.

National Aquarium in Baltimore
Piers 3 and 4, 501 East Pratt Street
410-576-3800

More than 11,000 animals, aquarium displays, and daily dolphin shows take visitors on a journey through aquatic environments while promoting conservation of wildlife and its habitats.

Attractions around Baltimore:

Loch Raven Reservoir Loch Raven Reservoir
Holding the billions of gallons of clean water necessary to slake the thirsts, water the gardens and wash the cars of over one million residents of Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Loch Raven reservoir is also a magnet for those who love the outdoors, attracting nature lovers, serious outdoor sports enthusiasts and casual strollers. The reservoir and its surrounding watershed are just 2 miles to the east of the conference hotel and are easily accessible by automobile. Portions of the road section are closed on weekends creating a protected area for cycling, running or just plain ambling, sauntering or roaming. Fishing and boating are allowed in the Loch (which means "lake") but no gasoline engines are permitted. Bring paddles or an electric motor for your boat. Serious athletes and weekend warriors will appreciate the many miles of winding, off-road trails that are perfect for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Ladew Topiary Gardens Ladew Topiary Gardens
3535 Jarrettsville Pike
Monkton
410-557-9466

One of the most outstanding topiary gardens in America features 15 thematic flower gardens over 22 acres. Ladew's circa 1747 Manor House includes an oval library. Also enjoy the nature walk, cafe, and gift shop.


Medieval Times Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
7000 Arundel Mills Circle
Hanover
443-755-0011 or 888-WE-JOUST

Feast on a four-course meal while watching spectacular horsemanship and an authentic medieval jousting tournament. An unforgettable evening for the entire family.



Batwing Six Flags America
P.O. Box 4210
Largo
301-249-1500

Six Flags America is an exciting theme/water park featuring over 100 rides, shows, and attractions. Eight outstanding coasters headline - including the notorious Batwing and Superman Ride of Steal coasters.




Further information about activities in and around Baltimore can be found at http://www.baltimore.org.



Questions and Comments: If you have any questions or comments, please send them to stoc05@cs.jhu.edu.