I’m not sure what to make of this one: Two men are suing Marriott for not providing them with “hand-controlled golf carts that rotate and tilt the seat to allow mobility-impaired golfers to swing at the ball while seated.” Does this really fall under the Americans with Disability Act? I honestly have no idea. Guess we’ll find out once the lawyers duke it out.

In protest to Florida’s recently passed “stand your ground” law, which allows people to use deadly force and guns to defend themselves in public areas without first trying to escape, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence began handing out fliers at the Miami airport warning visitors not to rile the locals, who might shoot them if provoked. So, if you have an upcoming meeting in that area, be forewarned that your airport meet and greet might contain an element you’d probably rather not have.

(from the New York Times, via Medpundit, who tells a great story about her Americans-and-guns experience in Ireland.)

When I grow up, I want to be able to write like Patti Digh. For a weekly mind-stretch, check out her 37 Days. This one is pretty directly related to meeting planning, especially for planners who have international attendees or who plan meetings outside their home countries. Plus, it’s just beautifully written, and it made me both laugh and think. And be glad my junior high Spanish teacher at least taught us some usable phrases, like ¿dónde está el cuarto de baño?

It sounds as if the Hyatt Regency New Orleans fate is still unclear, according to an article in hotel-online. Its owner is trying to work up a public-private partnership, and it sounds like the city’s mayor is somewhat behind that happening. From the article:

Strategic Hotel Capital has not made a final decision yet on whether to restore and reopen the hotel.

“We will watch and see if the local, state and federal governments can get their act together, and how money will be dispersed and when,” [Laurence Geller, head of Strategic Hotel Capital Inc., which owns the hotel] said.

To date, he says he hasn’t seen effective coordination, and this worries him. “I’m terrified when there are three monolithic government agencies that have to talk to each other,” he said.

Meanwhile, the J.W. Marriott in New Orleans has reopened for business as of last Friday.

Just in case parking lot stripes and escalator railings aren’t far enough out sponsorship opportunities for your next convention: You can always offer to let folks sponsor the local wildlife (click here for more examples of logo-painted bugs. And no, I’m not endorsing bug torture, but this was too wild to pass up!)