HI

also sent PM, but just in case here's a post -

if there are spaces left I'd like to purchase 2 tickets, please.

thanks!

Hi all,

We are approaching the date by which we need to let Marie's know how many people we will be. So, I am requesting the following:

1) If you want to attend the dinner and haven't already let us know, please do so asap (and include the number of people in your party). I will reply by sending a pm with instructions for how to purchase tickets.

2) If you've already indicated (here or by pm) that you want to attend but haven't yet paid for your tickets, please do so as soon as it is convenient for you.

3) If you've paid for your tickets and don't see your name on the list below, please let me know immediately.

Btw, we still have plenty of room, so please don't hesitate to join us if you are 'on the fence.'

Thanks,

=R=
for the GNRs

Confirmed attendees (i.e. paid)

nr706 +1
dansch
LynnB +1
jesteinf +1
Khaopaat
GAF
KennyZ
Hellodali
jimswside
BR
ChgoMike (and his countless minions)
nicinchic +1
ucjames
leek +1
<><><><><><>

I'm interested in attending +1.

Thanks,
edc

I'd like to attend, but that price is just too steep for me. I don't doubt it's been calculated fairly; just wanted to say that it's only the cost, not lack of interest, that prevents me from attending. I might not be alone in this.

Katie wrote:I'd like to attend, but that price is just too steep for me. I don't doubt it's been calculated fairly; just wanted to say that it's only the cost, not lack of interest, that prevents me from attending. I might not be alone in this.

Sorry you won't be able to join us, Katie. The list of confirmed attendees here is a core part of an obviously larger group; things are shaping up for a great crowd of community members and restaurateurs (slash resource managers!). Special care was taken to ensure a price that would not exceed last year's in this economy, and this year's even includes brews! We look forward to welcoming everyone to the table.

Confirmed attendees (i.e. paid)

nr706 +1
dansch
LynnB +1
jesteinf +1
Khaopaat
GAF
KennyZ
Hellodali
jimswside
BR
ChgoMike (and his countless minions)
nicinchic +1
ucjames
leek +1
Gypsy Boy
RAB + REB (sittin' in a tree... )
BR
Pigmon + trixie-pea
<><><><><><>

=R=

I will go, but only if Pizzaboy goes. PIZ-ZA- BOY PIZ-ZA-BOY PIZ-ZA-BOY!

Just kidding, it will be me +0.

I just want to urge everyone who's signed up for this event to send their payments asap. I need to let Marie's know our count by Thursday afternoon. I'm going to set a cut-off time of 3 pm on Thursday October 15 for payments. If I do not receive your payment by then, I will take that to mean that you've changed your mind about attending, and you will not be included in the count that I give to Marie's. Please understand that we absolutely cannot accept payments at the door.

Thanks,

=R=
for the GNRs

The following may be more detail than is of interest to most of you, so feel free to skip it. For both of you who are interested , here is our approach.

The GNRs are not self-supporting and only continue by relying on the financial contributions of some of the volunteers, in addition to the time and effort they contribute. At times, I am not exactly sure why this makes sense to us, but we are proud of the program and what it does, and have fun with parts of it - particularly the dinner, but also the overall role the GNRs play in LTHForum and the Chicago culinary scene.

We do believe that for the long term health of the GNR program it needs to be self-supporting and have discussed treating the GNR dinner like a benefit where we would charge a much higher price in order to pay for the entire program (the program does not cost a lot, but there is a cost for the dinner above what we charge, the certificates, frames, etc and the total does run to 4 figures every year even with all the labor donated). We do not want to go in that direction as we feel the GNR dinner is a Board celebration and, as such, needs to be priced so that as many Board members as possible can attend. And while a $100 a plate dinner at a fancier place might raise some money, that would be a different GNR program than the one we love.

Unfortunately, we are just not able to cut the price any further. I look forward to seeing many of you, and many of the proprietors of the new GNRs, on the 19th. It is a fun evening, and the opportunity to mix with the new GNR owners and chefs is special.

If you would like to discuss this further, let's move it over to Site Chat, please, rather than hijack this thread.

d
for the GNRs

David,

I think that it would make sense to talk - on Site Chat, perhaps - about fund-raising strategies for LTH. I would guess that a simple request for support for LTH would generate sufficient resources, even without having a "closed" dinner. Someone would need to arrange with a website in which those interested could make contributions. And if the contributions could be counted as "charitable" so much the better.

GAF wrote:I think that it would make sense to talk - on Site Chat, perhaps - about fund-raising strategies for LTH. I would guess that a simple request for support for LTH would generate sufficient resources

Gary,

Thanks for the input, but "request for support" has been discussed in the past and is not a direction LTHForum will be taking.

Regards,
Gary

OK, but I was responding to David's suggestion that LTH was looking for ways to raise money for the GNRs or for the board in the form of a benefit. This would be another way of accomplishing the same purpose, but certainly not the only way of doing it.

GAF wrote:OK, but I was responding to David's suggestion that LTH was looking for ways to raise money for the GNRs or for the board in the form of a benefit.

Gary,

I don't want to get in a semantics battle with a professor. I simply meant as a general theme LTHForum will not be following the past chowhound model of soliciting the membership for funds.

Enjoy,
Gary

Gary F,

If it adds anything - be assured we are working on the funding of the GNRs, though so far we have not made a lot of progress. But we do not like the idea of LTHForum based fund-raising, a la WBEZ pledge drives, both because we do not like how that would impact the web site and we think there is a better way.

More to come, when we have more to share. Meanwhile, let me suggest again that if anyone wants to discuss this further we move it over to Site Chat so as not to clutter up this thread.

d
for the GNRs

Confirmed attendees (i.e. paid)

nr706 +1
dansch
LynnB +1
jesteinf +1
Khaopaat
GAF
KennyZ
Hellodali
jimswside
BR
ChgoMike (and his countless minions)
nicinchic +1
ucjames
leek +1
Gypsy Boy
RAB + REB (sittin' in a tree... )
BR
Pigmon + trixie-pea
edc +1
<><><><><><>

Remember folks, tickets need to be purchased by Thursday 10/15 at 3 pm because that's the time by which we need to let the restaurant know how many we're going to be. There's still plenty of room, so please join us if you're still considering doing so.

=R=

I'd like to come too

Confirmed attendees (i.e. paid)

nr706 +1
dansch
LynnB +1
jesteinf +1
Khaopaat
GAF
KennyZ
Hellodali
jimswside
BR
ChgoMike (and his countless minions)
nicinchic +1
ucjames
leek +1
Gypsy Boy
RAB + REB (sittin' in a tree... )
BR
Pigmon + trixie-pea
edc +1
MelT
<><><><><><>

Remember folks, tickets need to be purchased by today at 3 pm because that's the time by which we need to let the restaurant know how many we're going to be. There's still plenty of room, so please, join us if you're still considering doing so.

=R=

Ok, I guess we're good to go.

When I spoke to Nadine earlier, she generously offered to entirely waive the corkage fee on any wines we purchase in their attached liquor store next door. So, if wine is your preference, plan to arrive a bit early, purchase some wine(s) to accompany your meal and have them ready on your table when we sit down to eat.

They also offer bottles and wines by the glass in the restaurant but the selection in their liquor store is much larger than what's offered in the restaurant.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:Ok, I guess we're good to go.

When I spoke to Nadine earlier, she generously offered to entirely waive the corkage fee on any wines we purchase in their attached liquor store next door. So, if wine is your preference, plan to arrive a bit early, purchase some wine(s) to accompany your meal and have them ready on your table when we sit down to eat.



=R=

does the same apply to bottles of tequila?

jimswside wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:Ok, I guess we're good to go.

When I spoke to Nadine earlier, she generously offered to entirely waive the corkage fee on any wines we purchase in their attached liquor store next door. So, if wine is your preference, plan to arrive a bit early, purchase some wine(s) to accompany your meal and have them ready on your table when we sit down to eat.



=R=

does the same apply to bottles of tequila?

Unfortunately, it does not.

I think it's a City of Chicago issue and it can only be applied to wine.

=R=

Do we know what their usual corkage is?

leek wrote:Do we know what their usual corkage is?

LOL, it is an ultra-steep $2.50/bottle (for wine purchased in their store), so it's always reasonable. As for outside wine, I'm not sure what their policy is but I didn't think it would apply here, so I didn't bother asking.

=R=

not very familiar with that area of the N. Side, how is parking around there? metered parking(I got a bunch of quarters just in case)?

Either way looking forward to tonight, one of the best LTH events of the year.

jimswside wrote:not very familiar with that area of the N. Side, how is parking around there? metered parking(I got a bunch of quarters just in case)?

Lots of street parking, which I believe is free. Marie's also has their own small(ish) parking lot. Parking should not be a problem.

G Wiv wrote:Lots of street parking, which I believe is free. Marie's also has their own small(ish) parking lot. Parking should not be a problem.

thanks for the logistical info gary, helps us suburban/rural attendees.

In case it's pertinent, last time we ate at Marie's (not knowing the other options) we parked at a meter just up the street - so there are meters as well.

Mhays wrote:In case it's pertinent, last time we ate at Marie's (not knowing the other options) we parked at a meter just up the street - so there are meters as well.

I think the "meters" are free after 7:00, but I'm not 100% sure it isn't 9:00. The meters are actully those pay boxes now and are located only on Lawrence. Parking on the side streets is free.

stevez wrote:

Mhays wrote:In case it's pertinent, last time we ate at Marie's (not knowing the other options) we parked at a meter just up the street - so there are meters as well.

I think the "meters" are free after 7:00, but I'm not 100% sure it isn't 9:00. The meters are actully those pay boxes now and are located only on Lawrence. Parking on the side streets is free.

It's 9PM. They do take credit cards, so no need to carry a bunch of quarters.

Kennyz wrote:

stevez wrote:I think the "meters" are free after 7:00, but I'm not 100% sure it isn't 9:00. The meters are actully those pay boxes now and are located only on Lawrence. Parking on the side streets is free.

It's 9PM. They do take credit cards, so no need to carry a bunch of quarters.

I was just wondering if that area has been converted to pay boxes, or if I'd have to bring a dozen quarters...thanks for the info!

Khaopaat wrote:

Kennyz wrote:

stevez wrote:I think the "meters" are free after 7:00, but I'm not 100% sure it isn't 9:00. The meters are actully those pay boxes now and are located only on Lawrence. Parking on the side streets is free.

It's 9PM. They do take credit cards, so no need to carry a bunch of quarters.

I was just wondering if that area has been converted to pay boxes, or if I'd have to bring a dozen quarters...thanks for the info!

No problem! I've got lots; I'll bring them and sell them to you. Cheap!