Plan: 2008 Heartland Gathering in Chicago Aug 8-10

[LAZ]

The first respondents on the ethnic tour seemed to think that Saturday morning was the best time, and if we adhere to that, no, I don't think it will possible for someone to do both.

Some stores in Niles open at 8 a.m., but there are more than 50 food stores in Niles, so we won't be able to visit more than a fraction of them before lunchtime no matter how early we start. I am assuming we can skip Lo-Carbs R Here and the Sara Lee Outlet, but I assure you that it would be easy to spend the entire morning just at Super H-Mart.

The Evanston farmers' market opens at 7:30 a.m., although the time currently set for the group shopping is 9. There are roughly 30 vendors.

←

Is there anyway at alternate day can be arranged?  The dinner on Friday is at 7:30pm.    Is it possible to visit these shops in Nile in the late afternoon on Friday?  I for one would like to do both, but obviously, that won't be possible on Saturday.

←

Late afternoon Friday is not an option due to the time it would take to get from the northern suburbs down to Chinatown. Do not underestimate Chicago traffic. Inbound on Friday night is horrible, especially now with the Edens Expressway under construction. If we shifted the ethnic tour to Friday, I would not want to start later than noon. If we shop on Friday, we'd also have to figure out how to store perishables overnight.

Also, I think some of the people who wanted to go on the ethnic tour also wanted to do the bread or chocolate workshops on Friday.

Edited July 7, 2008 by LAZ (log)

[prasantrin]

I have one more question which will make me sound like such a girl, but hey, I am a girl!

What's the dress code for these events? I assume Saturday and Sunday are casual, as are the Friday workshops, but do Blackbird, the Violet Hour, and LSC have dress codes? Smart casual? Jeans OK?

I'm leaving Japan in a couple of days, so if any of the places are beyond casual, I'll need to pack appropriately.

[CaliPoutine]

I'm leaving Japan in a couple of days, so if any of the places are beyond casual, I'll need to pack appropriately.

←

Or, you can always go shopping!!!

[LuckyGirl]

Ronnie,

We just found out that Steve's daughter Jacqueline will be able to join us for the Heartland Gathering.

Will you please add her to the reservstions (or wait list if needed) for the following events:

Drinks at Violet Hour (she will be in the same boat as Stuart- would like to attend but no alcohol)

Dinner at Lao Szchuan

Group Dinner Saturday. So, now we will be Lucky Girl +4 (Steve, Stuart & Jacqueline)

I don't know if you need a head count for the shopping part of Saturday. We are torn but are leaning towards the ethinic shopping trip.

Tom,

Please add Jacqueline as a tentative to the afternoon portion of the bread class.

Thanks guys!

[tino27]

Tom,

Please add Jacqueline as a tentative to the afternoon portion of the bread class.

An update to the list ...

Heartland Gathering Bread Workshop

Friday, August 8th

So far, I have:

edsel

karen m

Amy Viny

CaliPoutine (*)

Jean Blanchard

santo_grace

torakris (*)

LuckyGirl (*) +2 (*)

prasantrin's +1

(*) = probable

[NancyH]

Tom - Please add Bob as a maybe to the bread making workshop.

Tom,

Please add Jacqueline as a tentative to the afternoon portion of the bread class.

An update to the list ...

Heartland Gathering Bread Workshop

Friday, August 8th

So far, I have:

edsel

karen m

Amy Viny

CaliPoutine (*)

Jean Blanchard

santo_grace

torakris (*)

LuckyGirl (*) +2 (*)

prasantrin's +1

(*) = probable

←

[LAZ]

So, now we will be Lucky Girl +4 (Steve, Stuart & Jacqueline)

I don't know if you need a head count for the shopping part of Saturday. We are torn but are leaning towards the ethinic shopping trip.

←

LuckyGirl, is that 4 of you altogether? Or you plus 4?

If you would like to come on the ethnic shopping tour, I need to know so that I can make sure we have enough cars to get everyone from place to place. (Thanks to Jean and Fresser for volunteering to drive!)

Update:

Ethnic shopping tour

Saturday, Aug. 9, a.m.

Niles ethnic grocers (list)

tammylc

Jean Blanchard*

LuckyGirl+3**

torakris

white lotus+1

Fresser*

Fat Guy

*Additional drivers

**probable

[tino27]

Tom - Please add Bob as a maybe to the bread making workshop.

Absolutely. An update to the list ...

Heartland Gathering Bread Workshop

Friday, August 8th

So far, I have:

edsel

karen m

Amy Viny

CaliPoutine (*)

Jean Blanchard

santo_grace

torakris (*)

LuckyGirl (*) +2 (*)

prasantrin's +1

NancyH's +1 (*)

(*) = probable/maybe

[white lotus]

Tom - Please add Bob as a maybe to the bread making workshop.

Absolutely. An update to the list ...

Heartland Gathering Bread Workshop

Friday, August 8th

So far, I have:

edsel

karen m

Amy Viny

CaliPoutine (*)

Jean Blanchard

santo_grace

torakris (*)

LuckyGirl (*) +2 (*)

prasantrin's +1

NancyH's +1 (*)

(*) = probable/maybe

←

Dance & I would like to join in as well. Cheers, wl

[torakris]

Tom - Please add Bob as a maybe to the bread making workshop.

Absolutely. An update to the list ...

Heartland Gathering Bread Workshop

Friday, August 8th

So far, I have:

edsel

karen m

Amy Viny

CaliPoutine (*)

Jean Blanchard

santo_grace

torakris (*)

LuckyGirl (*) +2 (*)

prasantrin's +1

NancyH's +1 (*)

(*) = probable/maybe

←

Tom,

Count me in as a definite! I booked my tickets yesterday and will roll into Chicago at 5am... We are are starting at 6 right?

[ronnie_suburban]

We just found out that Steve's daughter Jacqueline will be able to join us for the Heartland Gathering . . .

Got it

I don't know if you need a head count for the shopping part of Saturday. We are torn but are leaning towards the ethinic shopping trip.

←

I only need a head count for the meal itself.

Updated lists . . .

Thursday Dinner at Blackbird

=R= +4

Alchemist

newbie21

tammylc* + 1*

jesteinf +1

edsel

prasantrin* +1*

Jean Blanchard +1

santo_grace +1

HOLLY_L

NancyH +1

Nina C.* +3*

nyokie6 +1

nsxtasy +1

yellow truffle +3

joiei*

Sam Iam +1

Elrushbo

stuart_s

daniellewiley +1

Amy Viny +1

white lotus +1

cat lancaster

ricain + 1 (officially in, due to cancelations)

-47- (38 definite, 9 probable)

1 spot remains for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, as we still have 9 "probables".

Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour

=R= +4

HeatherM

Alex

tammylc* +1*

jesteinf +1

edsel

tino27 +1

Lady T

prasantrin* +1*

Marmish* +1*

newbie21

Nina C.* +3*

Jean Blanchard +1

santo_grace +1

HOLLY_L

NancyH +1

nyokie6 +1

nsxtasy +1

yellow truffle +3

joiei*

moreace01 +1

Sam Iam +1

LuckyGirl +2

Darcie B

kasw* +1*

stuart_s*

daniellewiley +1

Amy Viny +1

Aaron Deacon

white lotus +1

cat lancaster

ricain + 1

-60- (48 definite, 12 probable)

Only wait list spots remain for Thursday's cocktail session

Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan:

=R= +4

prasantrin +1

torakris

tammylc +1*

CaliPoutine

Alex

Sam Iam +3

Fresser

NancyH +1

nsxtasy +1

jesteinf +1

kasw* +1*

tino27 +1

HeatherM

santo_grace +1

Kerry Beal

edsel

Cathy2

yellow truffle +1

nyokie6 +1

stuart_s

HOLLY_L

white lotus +1

LuckyGirl +2

LAZ +1

daniellewiley +1

karen m

hsm +1

Amy Viny +1

Fat Guy

-54- (51 definite, 3 probable)

26 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan

Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church:

=R= +4

NancyH +1

torakris

edsel

LuckyGirl +3

Alchemist

CaliPoutine

Alex

tammylc

jesteinf +1

nsxtasy +1

Kerry Beal

Marmish +1

moosnsqrl +1

Osnav +1

prasantrin* +1*

tino27 +1

Sam Iam +3

nr706 +1

hsm +1

joiei

Jean Blanchard +1

newbie21

moreace01 +1

HOLLY_L

santo_grace +1

daniellewiley +1

kasw +1

dls*

nyokie6 +1

Nina C. +1

LAZ +1

maggiethecat +1

Elrushbo

Darcie B

white lotus +1

Fresser

cat lancaster

HeatherM

Lady T

yellow truffle +3

Amy Viny +1

Aaron Deacon

sweintraub* +1*

karen m +1

ricain + 1

elfin +1

Fat Guy

-86- (81 definite, 5 probable)

Only 4 spots remain for Saturday's group meal

Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately.

Thanks!

=R=

Edited July 9, 2008 by ronnie_suburban (log)

[LuckyGirl]

So, now we will be Lucky Girl +4 (Steve, Stuart & Jacqueline)

I don't know if you need a head count for the shopping part of Saturday. We are torn but are leaning towards the ethinic shopping trip.

←

LuckyGirl, is that 4 of you altogether? Or you plus 4?

If you would like to come on the ethnic shopping tour, I need to know so that I can make sure we have enough cars to get everyone from place to place. (Thanks to Jean and Fresser for volunteering to drive!)

Update:

Ethnic shopping tour

Saturday, Aug. 9, a.m.

Niles ethnic grocers (list)

tammylc

Jean Blanchard*

LuckyGirl+3**

torakris

white lotus+1

Fresser*

Fat Guy

*Additional drivers

**probable

←

Hi Laz and Ronnie,

Sorry for my confusing/incorrect count.

For the shopping tour it will be me plus 2. We will have a car with us so no need to worry about transporting us.

For the group dinner it will be me plus 3.

Diane

Edited July 8, 2008 by LuckyGirl (log)

[ronnie_suburban]

For the group dinner it will be me plus 3.

Diane

←

I've gone back and edited the most recent list, above. You are now +3 (total of 4) for Saturday's group meal at the church.

=R=

[LAZ]

I have one more question which will make me sound like such a girl, but hey, I am a girl!

What's the dress code for these events?  I assume Saturday and Sunday are casual, as are the Friday workshops, but do Blackbird, the Violet Hour, and LSC have dress codes?  Smart casual?  Jeans OK?

←

None of them have formal dress codes of the jacket-and-tie variety. I'd guess the Violet Hour has the strictest code. According to partner Toby Maloney:

We aren't against Sleeveless under-shirts, in the right context. The filthy, stretched out dago-tee a la Cops is completely different than a fresh wife beater on a rockabilly guy or girl. I personally can't stand those Gold's Gym shirts where the arm holes brush the tops of the pants anytime/anywhere. A nice pair of leather slides are fine, but a beat up pair of plastic ADIDAS sandals where the toes hang way over the front (and cut those toenails for the love of god) is well... baseball hats backwards or otherwise are frowned upon inside. I think it's reasonable to ask gentlemen to remove their hats inside.

If I were going, I would do smart casual for Blackbird and the Violet Hour, although you probably could get away with jeans.

Jeans are definitely OK at Lao Sze Chuan, which is very casual (and I assume we are going to be in their private room anyway). By the way, those of you who've decided to skip LSC...you don't know what you're missing!

[tino27]

Dance & I would like to join in as well. Cheers, rolleyes.gif wl

Tom,

Count me in as a definite! I booked my tickets yesterday and will roll into Chicago at 5am... We are are starting at 6 right?

Absolutely. An update to the list ...

Heartland Gathering Bread Workshop

Friday, August 8th

So far, I have:

edsel

karen m

Amy Viny

CaliPoutine (*)

Jean Blanchard

santo_grace

torakris

LuckyGirl (*) +2 (*)

prasantrin's +1

NancyH's +1 (*)

white lotus +1

(*) = probable/maybe

[prasantrin]

None of them have formal dress codes of the jacket-and-tie variety. I'd guess the Violet Hour has the strictest code. According to partner Toby Maloney:

We aren't against Sleeveless under-shirts, in the right context. The filthy, stretched out dago-tee a la Cops is completely different than a fresh wife beater on a rockabilly guy or girl. I personally can't stand those Gold's Gym shirts where the arm holes brush the tops of the pants anytime/anywhere. A nice pair of leather slides are fine, but a beat up pair of plastic ADIDAS sandals where the toes hang way over the front (and cut those toenails for the love of god) is well... baseball hats backwards or otherwise are frowned upon inside. I think it's reasonable to ask gentlemen to remove their hats inside.

If I were going, I would do smart casual for Blackbird and the Violet Hour, although you probably could get away with jeans.

Jeans are definitely OK at Lao Sze Chuan, which is very casual (and I assume we are going to be in their private room anyway). By the way, those of you who've decided to skip LSC...you don't know what you're missing!

←

Thanks! I should be OK, then.

And why, pray tell, are you not going on Thursday? Think of all the food!

[LAZ]

And why, pray tell, are you not going on Thursday?  Think of all the food!

←

I live here. I can go anytime. I'm leaving room for you foreigners.

[karen m]

Ronnie, Please add me to the Violet Hour Thurs. Night Waitlist.

- Since it's that late I have time to unwind from my work commute in Rolling Meadows . Looking forward to meeting everyone. If it happens great.

[ronnie_suburban]

Ronnie,  Please add me to the Violet Hour Thurs. Night Waitlist.

←

No need for that, as we've had a recent cancelation, via pm. You're officially in.

Updated lists . . .

Thursday Dinner at Blackbird

=R= +4

Alchemist

newbie21

tammylc* + 1*

jesteinf +1

edsel

prasantrin* +1*

Jean Blanchard +1

santo_grace +1

HOLLY_L

NancyH +1

Nina C.* +3*

nyokie6 +1

nsxtasy +1

yellow truffle +3

joiei*

Sam Iam +1

Elrushbo

stuart_s

daniellewiley +1

Amy Viny +1

white lotus +1

cat lancaster

ricain + 1

-47- (38 definite, 9 probable)

1 spot remains for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, as we still have 9 "probables".

Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour

=R= +4

HeatherM

Alex

tammylc* +1*

jesteinf +1

edsel

tino27 +1

Lady T

prasantrin* +1*

Marmish* +1*

newbie21

Nina C.* +3*

Jean Blanchard +1

santo_grace +1

HOLLY_L

NancyH +1

nyokie6 +1

nsxtasy +1

yellow truffle +3

joiei*

moreace01 +1

Sam Iam +1

LuckyGirl +2

Darcie B

stuart_s*

daniellewiley +1

Amy Viny +1

Aaron Deacon

white lotus +1

cat lancaster

ricain + 1

karen m

-59- (49 definite, 10 probable)

Only one spot remains for Thursday's cocktail session

Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan:

=R= +4

prasantrin +1

torakris

tammylc +1*

CaliPoutine

Alex

Sam Iam +3

Fresser

NancyH +1

nsxtasy +1

jesteinf +1

tino27 +1

HeatherM

santo_grace +1

Kerry Beal

edsel

Cathy2

yellow truffle +1

nyokie6 +1

stuart_s

HOLLY_L

white lotus +1

LuckyGirl +2

LAZ +1

daniellewiley +1

karen m

hsm +1

Amy Viny +1

Fat Guy

-52- (51 definite, 1 probable)

28 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan

Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church:

=R= +4

NancyH +1

torakris

edsel

LuckyGirl +3

Alchemist

CaliPoutine

Alex

tammylc

jesteinf +1

nsxtasy +1

Kerry Beal

Marmish +1

moosnsqrl +1

Osnav +1

prasantrin* +1*

tino27 +1

Sam Iam +3

nr706 +1

hsm +1

joiei

Jean Blanchard +1

newbie21

moreace01 +1

HOLLY_L

santo_grace +1

daniellewiley +1

dls*

nyokie6 +1

Nina C. +1

LAZ +1

maggiethecat +1

Elrushbo

Darcie B

white lotus +1

Fresser

cat lancaster

HeatherM

Lady T

yellow truffle +3

Amy Viny +1

Aaron Deacon

sweintraub* +1*

karen m +1

ricain + 1

elfin +1

Fat Guy

-84- (79 definite, 5 probable)

Only 6 spots remain for Saturday's group meal

Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately.

Thanks!

=R=

[tammylc]

Ronnie, you can confirm me for the Blackbird dinner, but my +1 won't be making it. But we will be 2 for the Violet Hour. And it'll just be me on Friday.

Thanks!

[tino27]

tammylc -- my +1 (Chris) would like to volunteer for sous chef duty for Saturday's dinner. He's a pretty skilled home cook (who specializes in Indian cuisine).

LAZ -- my +1 (Chris) would like to go on the ethnic shopping tour on Saturday morning.

[REB]

Hi!

My husband and I have newly returned to the Chicago area from the east coast and would very much like to join in the festivities next month. If spots aren't available for any of the events below, please add us to the wait lists. This sounds like it's going to be an amazing weekend.

Thursday - 2 for Blackbird

Friday - 2 for Chinatown dinner

Saturday - 2 for the big meal

As far as Saturday goes, we're local and are happy to help with any prep/cooking.

Thanks so much to everyone for their efforts. We can't wait to meet the Chicago/midwest eGullet folks.

[ronnie_suburban]

Ronnie, you can confirm me for the Blackbird dinner, but my +1 won't be making it. But we will be 2 for the Violet Hour. And it'll just be me on Friday.

←

My husband and I have newly returned to the Chicago area from the east coast and would very much like to join in the festivities next month.  If spots aren't available for any of the events below, please add us to the wait lists.  This sounds like it's going to be an amazing weekend.

Thursday - 2 for Blackbird

Friday - 2 for Chinatown dinner

Saturday - 2 for the big meal

←

Updated lists . . .

Done and done!

Thursday Dinner at Blackbird

=R= +4

Alchemist

newbie21

tammylc

jesteinf +1

edsel

prasantrin* +1*

Jean Blanchard +1

santo_grace +1

HOLLY_L

NancyH +1

Nina C.* +3*

nyokie6 +1

nsxtasy +1

yellow truffle +3

Sam Iam +1

Elrushbo

stuart_s

daniellewiley +1

Amy Viny +1

white lotus +1

cat lancaster

ricain + 1

REB +1

-47- (41 definite, 6 probable)

Only 1 spot remains for Thursday's dinner, although it's likely that some who have signed up will drop out, especially since we still have 6 "probables".

Thursday Drinks at The Violet Hour

=R= +4

HeatherM

Alex

tammylc +1

jesteinf +1

edsel

tino27 +1

Lady T

prasantrin* +1*

Marmish* +1*

newbie21

Nina C.* +3*

Jean Blanchard +1

santo_grace +1

HOLLY_L

NancyH +1

nyokie6 +1

nsxtasy +1

yellow truffle +3

moreace01 +1

Sam Iam +1

LuckyGirl +2

Darcie B

stuart_s*

daniellewiley +1

Amy Viny +1

Aaron Deacon

white lotus +1

cat lancaster

ricain + 1

karen m

-58- (51 definite, 7 probable)

Only 2 spots remain for Thursday's cocktail session

Updated list for the Friday night dinner at Lao Sze Chuan:

=R= +4

prasantrin +1

torakris

tammylc

CaliPoutine

Alex

Sam Iam +3

Fresser

NancyH +1

nsxtasy +1

jesteinf +1

tino27 +1

HeatherM

santo_grace +1

Kerry Beal

edsel

Cathy2

yellow truffle +1

nyokie6 +1

stuart_s

HOLLY_L

white lotus +1

LuckyGirl +2

LAZ +1

daniellewiley +1

karen m

hsm +1

Amy Viny +1

Fat Guy

REB +1

-53- (53 definite, 0 probable)

27 spots remain for Friday night's dinner at Lao Sze Chuan

Updated list for the Saturday dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church:

=R= +4

NancyH +1

torakris

edsel

LuckyGirl +3

Alchemist

CaliPoutine

Alex

tammylc

jesteinf +1

nsxtasy +1

Kerry Beal

Marmish +1

moosnsqrl +1

Osnav +1

prasantrin* +1*

tino27 +1

Sam Iam +3

nr706 +1

hsm +1

Jean Blanchard +1

newbie21

moreace01 +1

HOLLY_L

santo_grace +1

daniellewiley +1

dls*

Cathy2

nyokie6 +1

Nina C. +1

LAZ +1

maggiethecat +1

Elrushbo

Darcie B

white lotus +1

Fresser

cat lancaster

HeatherM

Lady T

yellow truffle +3

Amy Viny +1

Aaron Deacon

karen m +1

ricain + 1

elfin +1

Fat Guy

REB +1

-84- (81 definite, 3 probable)

Only 6 spots remain for Saturday's group meal

Again, please take a look at the above lists and let me know if I have failed to record your status accurately.

Thanks!

=R=

Edited July 9, 2008 by ronnie_suburban (log)

[ronnie_suburban]

Yes.

In the next day or so, I will be sending separate pm's -- one for each of the 4 pre-paid events -- to each person who has signed up here.  Those pm's will contain links to the EventBrite.com site where your payments will be accepted.  So, depending on how many events you've signed up for, you will receive between 1 and 4 pm's, each with a separate link.  If you're bringing guests, you will sign them up and buy their tickets, via these links, at the same time.

What this means is that once you sign up and pay at EventBrite.com you will not need to bring any money to any of the events (unless you plan on making extra purchases).  However, this is the only payment option available.  We will not be accepting any payments at the door for any of the events.  Blackbird, The Violet Hour and Lao Sze Chuan events will simply be paid up front.  All attendees will have to do is show up and eat/drink.

For the group-shopping, as in previous years, money will be redistributed to those who are shopping/cooking by Tammy, most likely on the morning of the event but because of the Ethnic Shopping Tour etc., those details are not 100% ironed out yet.

It's probably also worth mentioning that sign-ups collected here for the 4 pre-paid events will have expiration dates.  In other words, those who have claimed spots here will have first dibs at EventBrite.com but the window to purchase and lock in will not be indefinite.  Once we start taking pre-payments at EventBrite.com, those who have already signed up here will have the right of first refusal to secure their reservations, by paying for them.  However, after a certain date (which is yet to be determined but will be included in the pm's), unpaid-for reservations will go back into the general pool and become available for any eGS member to purchase.  This is probably only relevant as it pertains to the events which are at or near capacity.  After the expiration date passes, I will post the links to EventBrite.com here on the thread and from that point forward, all sign-ups will be handled exclusively through EventBrite.com.

For now, though, those folks who have not yet signed up but would like to attend, should post here.  I will then add you to the lists we're maintaining on this thread and send you a pm (or pm's) with the appropriate link(s) to EventBrite.com.

When you sign up at EventBrite.com, in addition to providing payment, you will also be asked to provide other basic information (first name, eGS handle, home town).  This information will be used to a) keep track of paid attendance, b) let other eGS members who's signed up (attendee lists showing handles and home towns will be viewable at EventBrite.com) and c) create name tags for attendees.

I hope that this all makes sense.  Please be on the lookout for those pm's in the first part of this coming week.

Thanks!

=R=

←

Hi all,

PM's have now been sent to everyone who's shown on the sign-up lists above. If you have not received a separate pm for each of the events for which you signed up, please let me know.

Those who have requested reservations here will have until Tuesday July 22 to secure them, by paying for them via the links provided in the pm's. After that, those spots will go back into the general pool and become available for any eGS member to purchase. Ticket sales for all 4 of these events will be open until 11:55 pm ET on Tuesday August 5. This is when we plan to cut off ticket sales, so that we can provide adequate lead time to the establishments we will be visiting.

On a related note, we hope to post prospective menus for each of the applicable events shortly.

Thanks,

=R=

[joiei]

I am going to have to back out. I will be preparing a dinner on that Saturday night for 12 at work so I am in the process of changing all my plans, canceling reservations, things along that line. Next year for sure especially if it is Kansas City.