Hi,

I am working on nametags, which won't be printed until Friday night.

Please let David Hammond and I know if you transferred your tickets to someone else. We will need a PM with your real name and screen name, then who you transferred it to with a real name and screen name, if any.

If you put your name on any gift for the exchange, then your recipient will know whom to thank.

Regards,

Just a quick reminder: if you can spare a little to help others in need, please bring some canned or other nonperishable food for the annual LTH donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Also, I just learned that you can set up your Amazon account to automatically donate 0.5% of your purchases to the charity of your choice. I just set up mine to donate to the GCFD, but you can type in your favorite charity and see if it's in there (or go with one of the five suggested organizations).

mamagotcha wrote:Just a quick reminder: if you can spare a little to help others in need, please bring some canned or other nonperishable food for the annual LTH donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Also, I just learned that you can set up your Amazon account to automatically donate 0.5% of your purchases to the charity of your choice. I just set up mine to donate to the GCFD, but you can type in your favorite charity and see if it's in there (or go with one of the five suggested organizations).

Thanks for the reminder, mamagotcha.

I believe people can also give you a check made out to GCFD, right?

Has the food pantry requested anything specific this year? I know in the past there have sometimes been requests for certain items that are in short supply.

Here is a list of foodie gifts you might want to avoid for the gift exchange. http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining- ... s/?slide=1 Although you would make quite the impression if you showed up at the party wearing that gummy bear sweater!

We had a little money left in the kitty so C2 bought some bottles of Cava, probably enough to put one on each table...enough for everyone to have an aperitif. Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

Aha!!! The impetus for the alcohol in the trunk post, perhaps ??? Really looking forward to this!

boudreaulicious wrote:Aha!!! The impetus for the alcohol in the trunk post, perhaps ??? Really looking forward to this!

You are so right!

Would really like to catch the Big 10 game, does Katy have a TV? And is there a cool bar nearby where we can watch after dinner?

petite_gourmande wrote:Would really like to catch the Big 10 game, does Katy have a TV? And is there a cool bar nearby where we can watch after dinner?

I'm pretty sure that Katy's (thankfully) doesn't have any TVs. As to a local bar, I'll defer to those who live in the area, but I'm pretty sure there are some nearby.

stevez wrote:

petite_gourmande wrote:Would really like to catch the Big 10 game, does Katy have a TV? And is there a cool bar nearby where we can watch after dinner?

I'm pretty sure that Katy's (thankfully) doesn't have any TVs. As to a local bar, I'll defer to those who live in the area, but I'm pretty sure there are some nearby.

The nearest bar, Bar Louie, is across the street and probably where one would go if one wanted flat screens. Food and drinks both mediocre (not that anyone will need more of the former after our dinner).

For a much more convivial atmosphere and a place where you can get most excellent Manhattans, I'd recommend Barclay's, which is about three blocks away. Next door is Poor Phil's, which also has flat screens.

David Hammond wrote:For a much more convivial atmosphere and a place where you can get most excellent Manhattans, I'd recommend Barclay's, which is about three blocks away.

Barclay it is, will bundle up for the 3 block hike.

Steve and David - Thanks!

petite_gourmande wrote:

David Hammond wrote:For a much more convivial atmosphere and a place where you can get most excellent Manhattans, I'd recommend Barclay's, which is about three blocks away.

Barclay it is, will bundle up for the 3 block hike.

Steve and David - Thanks!

Be forewarned, though, I'm pretty sure Barclay's does not have flatscreens (though they might); what they do have is excellent Manhattans:

If you want to watch the game you can do Bar Louie which as David noted is no big shakes (the burger is quite good though), but I'd really rather go to Poor Phil's next door to Barclay's. The beer selection is WAY better and occasionally you can snag a Gumballhead or Zombie Dust. The bartenders know their beer, the oysters aren't bad (I may be in the minority on this opinion) and there's plenty of screens to watch your game. Barclay's, while a very nice bar, isn't the kind of place to watch a game, it's a place to enjoy company in my humble opinion.

zoid wrote: Barclay's, while a very nice bar, isn't the kind of place to watch a game, it's a place to enjoy company in my humble opinion.

Agreed.

is there any wait list for our party tomorrow? there's a chance i won't be able to go and i'd rather sell my ticket in advance. if i decide at the last minute i lose the money and deprive somebody who might really want to go. i if there's anyone interested, please email me. the holiday party is always terrific fun. thanks, justjoan

justjoan wrote:is there any wait list for our party tomorrow? there's a chance i won't be able to go and i'd rather sell my ticket in advance. if i decide at the last minute i lose the money and deprive somebody who might really want to go. i if there's anyone interested, please email me. the holiday party is always terrific fun. thanks, justjoan

Joan,

Meanwhile there are people seeking tickets who posted up thread.

Sorry, if you cannot make it.

Regards,

One more ticket available for the first person who says they want it. My guest is stranded in shreveport and wont make it due
To flight cancellations. I will be at the party and will bring the ticket there.

Toria

I will take your ticket

Kelly

cathy, thaibasil is buying my ticket. so please make them a name tag (or two). thanks, have fun tomorrow. joan

justjoan wrote:cathy, thaibasil is buying my ticket. so please make them a name tag (or two). thanks, have fun tomorrow. joan

Hi Cathy
I'm trying to get another ticket from Toria for my friend.

Kelly
(ThaiBasil)

ThaiBasil wrote:

justjoan wrote:cathy, thaibasil is buying my ticket. so please make them a name tag (or two). thanks, have fun tomorrow. joan

Hi Cathy
I'm trying to get another ticket from Toria for my friend.

Kelly
(ThaiBasil)

Sorry for Joan and Frank, though I guess it works for ThaiBasil and friend.

Toria - unless advised otherwise, I assume Kelly/ThaiBasil is taking Frank's ticket.

Thanks!

Regards,
CAthy

Okay good will bring ticket to party.

Food donation questions:

David Hammond wrote:I believe people can also give you a check made out to GCFD, right?

Yes! If people would prefer to donate checks or cash, it will also go straight to the Greater Chicago Food Depository first thing Monday morning with the rest of the donated items.

stevez wrote:Has the food pantry requested anything specific this year? I know in the past there have sometimes been requests for certain items that are in short supply.

Here's the most recent list of needed items:

Grains: Rice, Pasta, Cereal, Macaroni & Cheese
Proteins: Beans, Peanut Butter, Tuna
Canned Goods: Vegetables, Fruits
Shelf Stable Groceries: Chili, Soup, Pasta Sauce, Stew, Jelly

But really, any non-perishable food will make a difference. When I go to make a donation like this, I try to put myself in the receiver's shoes... what would they be delighted to see when they open their box?

Thank you so much, dear LTHers! I'm so proud of us for doing this!

Hi,

Nametags are printed.

If anyone sells or gives their ticket to someone else, please advise on this thread.

See you all very soon!

Regards,

OK, looks like I have a ticket! Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight.

Thanks,

Glenn

Too sick to come without infecting all; missing this party is killing me. SO my ticket is for sale if anyone wishes.

petite_gourmande wrote:

David Hammond wrote:For a much more convivial atmosphere and a place where you can get most excellent Manhattans, I'd recommend Barclay's, which is about three blocks away.

Barclay it is, will bundle up for the 3 block hike.

Steve and David - Thanks!

Lake Street Kitchen + Bar, about five doors east of Katy's, has flat screens, too.

mamagotcha wrote:Food donation questions:
..
But really, any non-perishable food will make a difference. When I go to make a donation like this, I try to put myself in the receiver's shoes... what would they be delighted to see when they open their box?
..

That's a brave statement given this audience

David Hammond wrote:

petite_gourmande wrote:

David Hammond wrote:For a much more convivial atmosphere and a place where you can get most excellent Manhattans, I'd recommend Barclay's, which is about three blocks away.

Barclay it is, will bundle up for the 3 block hike.

Steve and David - Thanks!

Lake Street Kitchen + Bar, about five doors east of Katy's, has flat screens, too.

David - thank you for the looking out for me, but gave up my ticket to Glennpan. Have a great time to all!