Ouch...

...just got off the phone with a local luthier who has the guitar in hand and was discussing the truss rod issue with me. He estimates $250-$300 for removing the board, replacing the rod and gluing the board back down.

More than fair and also more than what I want to spend.

We discussed my previous amature luthier experience and he encouraged me to give it a go myself. We talked tools, techniques and what not. He seemed pretty positive I should be able to handle it without too much trouble. Really, that was above and beyond on his part, and I thanked him heartily.

In the course of my research, this was interesting to read:

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/removal.htm

Edit to add later in the day.....

Just placed the first order with StewMac...talk about being optimistic:

0417 - 8" Wooden Radius-sanding Blocks - 12" radius - $15.95  
4465 - Seam Separation Knife - $8.20  
0412 - 4" Wooden Radius-sanding Blocks - 12" radius (Quantity 2 @ $10.80) - $21.60
0968 - Traditional Truss Rod Kit - 24" x 3/16" - $10.11  
4058 - Thread Cutting Die - 10-32 thread - $4.99  
0652 - Franklin Liquid Hide Glue - $9.15  
1637 - Fret Pullers - $26.45