Where It's At

by Mary F. Patel

Convention fever hits this week as state delegates prepare for the national conventions. This year, the Democratic and Republican conventions are scheduled back to back, making the whole shebang a logistical nightmare for the media.

The Democrats are up first in Denver. Many attendees will arrive Saturday, and the convention officially begins Monday, Aug. 25, at the Pepsi Center.

It's standard for the hosting state to sponsor an opening-night party for all delegates, and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has organized a Western-themed barbecue at Red Rocks Stadium to feed and entertain the masses.

Pennsylvania boasts 213 delegates and alternate delegates.

Joe Barber (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Denver has not turned out to be the most convenient place for lodging. Hotels near the convention center were booked eight months ago, and the Pennsylvania delegates are housed miles away at the Marriott, accessible by rail car. Needless to say, complaints have ensued. Lodging in neighboring towns is going fast and not cheap. A simple travel lodge costs upward of $500 per night, and these cheesy motels don't even have a pool or mini bar.

As of press time, it's still unknown whom Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama 's running mate will be — Evan Bayh , Joe Biden , Hillary Clinton , Tom Kaine and Kathleen Sebelius have all been discussed.

Obama has been busy gracing the cover of Essence magazine with his family, while Michelle Obama has a full photo spread for Ebony magazine.

Of course, at any convention, parties are a priority — and the Democrats are prepared.

The Google party is the hot ticket at this convention — a very hard party to get in to, and if you're not on the list, forget it. The location is secret.

The Creative Coalition, that adorable group of celebrities and comedians who like to get on the bandwagon for every convention, will be hosting their usual panel discussions at various locations, as well as a Black Eyed Peas concert to coincide with a red-carpet party somewhere in town.

The following high-profile actors are expected to drop in at various events: Annette Bening , Ellen Burstyn , Susan Sarandon , Quentin Tarantino , Alan Cumming , Fran Drescher and Anne Hathaway . It's doubtful whether a star's endorsement has any impact on voting outcomes. But the stars sure like to think so.

Another hot-ticket item the Coalition is sponsoring is the Celebration of African American Leaders reception with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and influential black members of the entertainment industry, including Spike Lee .

The Human Rights Campaign is sponsoring a Cyndi Lauper concert during the week, and LGBT Democratic group Stonewall is hosting its national convention in Denver directly before the DNC begins. There will be 11 representatives from the Pennsylvania delegation present.

Not far behind the Dems will be the Republicans, who storm into Minneapolis Sunday, Aug. 31. Their official convention begins on Labor Day, Sept. 1.

With GOP presidential nominee John McCain at the forefront, Republicans appear to be in a calmer mood than the Democrats. Still, the party roster has not yet been completed.

There will be a number of parties and delegate receptions for state delegates to attend before and after the official sessions, but specifics have not yet been announced and are being kept under wraps.

McCain also has not yet announced his choice for vice president, though he'll likely do so before the convention.

Possible GOP veep choices include Tom Ridge , Timothy Pawlenty and Mitt Romney . Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota, will be the special guest at the Billy Meehan Clam Bake, an annual event held by the Philadelphia Republican City Committee on Sunday, Aug. 24.

(rcpatel@aol.com)