OT: Chicago meet and greet

[LGBurns]

I've been thinking about this for a long time, and I've finally decided to try to make it happen. I wasn't able to attend the wonderful get-together in Birmingham, and pining about that gave me an idea. How about arranging regional mini get-togethers? I'm up for organizing one here in Chicago. I was thinking we could try to get together a group at a centrally-located restaurant. What do all you Chicagolanders think? Anyone interested?

[Ralph]

Sure! Count us (my DW & I) in. I was just sort of thinking of something along these lines myself! We're part of a cooking group that sprouted from the supper club board, but none of the others are near the BB user I am! Nonetheless, I'll e-mail them the link to this thread. Keep me posted, either here or via e-mail.

[patrice]

This sounds great! I am in Peoria and would be interested in driving up for this.

[Chefzhat]

I am in West Michigan and I would love to be able to come. I wouldn't mind the drive. Is this open to those outside Chicago?

[erinl]

I'm a definite maybe! DH and I are currently in the process of buying/selling homes & moving, but I'm always up for meeting new people. Hey, maybe you'd all like to help us move!! Actually, we're only moving 4 blocks south, from one tiny place to a slightly bigger place. (With a real patio, though, for grilling and entertaining!)

Sorry, I went off on a tangent! Now I wish I'd posted more. I haven't been much of a presence on the bb. Oh well.

ANYWAY...I can't wait to meet everybody!

[Kelli Kerrigan]

LGBurns, you can count me in. I'd also like to see your husbands band.....now that school is over I have more free time to do stuff.

[LGBurns]

Yay! I'm glad there's interest. I'll wait a few more days to see how many more people are interested before eliciting suggestions on where and when.

Kelli, thanks for the plug for Melanie's Waiting. Right now they're getting press packets together to send to more venues and are working on an acoustic set to do at coffee houses, etc. Would you like me to give them your e-mail address to put you on their announcement list? Otherwise, stay tuned; I will definitely be posting another shameless spousal promotion when the time comes.

[This message has been edited by LGBurns (edited 06-22-2001).]

[LGBurns]

Just bumping this up. Anyone else interested?

[LGBurns]

Alright, if anyone else is interested jump right in! Here are some thoughts I had on things to do. Please chime in with any recommendations, thoughts, ideas, concerns, etc.

1) A pot luck picnic at a forest preserve. Pros: easy to organize, get to taste everyone's cooking, don't need a cut-off date or paying in advance or anything. Cons: weather

2) Getting together at a good restaurant in Chicago: Pros: don't have to lug food anywhere (particularly for those coming from out of state), not dependent on good weather. Cons: if a lot of us, may need to reserve ahead, requiring a cut-off on when people can join in; more expensive; might be limited by space (although that doesn't seem to be a problem right now); if a big group, may require a deposit; might require a "vote" on the restaurant.

Any thoughts?

[LGBurns]

Sorry this got dropped when the boards were down. I'd like to revive the idea. Could those of you who posted before let me know if you're still interested. Also please let me know if you have any ideas for how we could get together. And please, if this is the first time you saw this and you're interested let me know!

[Nanci]

I would be interested. A restaurant sounds like fun. I already belong to a cooking club and we are having trouble getting everyone together. I wish I could have attended in Birmingham, but am interested in meeting others from the B&B.

[Kelli Kerrigan]

LG! Thanks for bringing this back. Time flies, especially the older one gets!
Lets go to a restaurant..............even a Saturday or Sunday breakfast/brunch would be good.
Picking the date might be a hard decision. Let me know what I can do to help this meeting along.

[Ralph]

Ditto what I said previously.

[Grace]

Well OK - if RALPH will be there, then I guess I MUST go!! (I already know you, Kelli!! Hee hee!!) And I never made it to the CL On The Move truck today like I had planned - I have to check and see if it will still be around tomorrow- otherwise, it looks like I'll have to wait for next year!

[Ralph]

Originally posted by Grace
Well OK - if RALPH will be there,

Aw, gee, not just because of me! But thanks for your vote of confidence! Have you been to Meson Sabika?

As for the CL trailer, we weren't that impressed. A bunch of tiny samples of foods, seasonings, soap, etc., & lots of recipes (all from CL, which could probably be found on the web site), but you're only limited to 25 recipes & one of each sample. And also, the trailer is not air conditioned.

[Chefzhat]

I posted before, but I'll chime in again. I would be interested, but I am from Michigan. I wouldn't mind the drive. I swear no one from Michigan (except for SandyM) that reads, cooks, or is on the BB. Our Cooking Group is VERY SMALL!!! Alone out here in the trundra of the mitten state (maybe that's the problem?!?? Who wants to hang out with a mitten???!!!!) I envy all of you in Chicagoland that can get together!

I'll bump this to the top - can I come even if I'm from MI?

Debie

[Julie O]

Depending on when you choose to do it, I might drive up from Indy. Or, maybe you'll pick a weekend when I'll already be up there.

[LGBurns]

I just sent each of you an e-mail. If anyone else is interested, feel free to e-mail me through my profile. I'm so excited--this will be fun!

[LGBurns]

Oh boy. I owe you all a big apology. August was probably the worst month I've experienced in a long time and this got completely swallowed up. And now that school started there's no way I have time to plan this. I'm really embarassed that I wasn't able to follow through.

Thanks to Ralph, Kerri, and everyone else who got back to me. Hope we can do it another time.

My apologies again.

Linda