Saturday the 31st is a really bad day for a meetup - the place will be absolutely packed with downtown Springfield's "First Night" attendees. IMHO, the idea would be for us to hit it on a slow night, so we have better access to the gameses.
I do think that our first 2006 meetup should be on a Saturday. Maybe sometime in Feb or March??
Also, if we can get a commited group of 10 or more we can schedule a private party and have the whole place to ourselves. We will have to set that date in advance though, so we can get on Devin's schedule. A noon Saturday time would be good, then those that wanted, could stay on for the evening. (I think? Have to confirm that with Devin)
I would be happy to set this up in the spring, if there is enough interest.