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Eloquent Conversationalist
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 Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:46 am
UPDATE 13 May 08: The Gathering Is ON! 6 July - 18 July 2008Chicago, Illinois, USA At my place!
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Go to the link above, or just use http://www.googlemaps.com and search for California and Devon, Chicago, IL. Then do a "Search Nearby" for hotels, and pick one that's within walking distance. There are 8 hotels within one mile of my intersection. I want to make sure that everyone can walk over to my place to have Shabbat dinner, get back to their hotel rooms, then come back for lunch the next day. I don't want anyone to be breaking Shabbat just to get to my place and see a real Shabbat in action!
Due to safety concerns (yours as well as mine), I will not be able to put anyone up as an overnight guest; "internet strangers" are not always as cool and harmless in person as they seem online. Count on needing a hotel room, unless you've got family you can stay with.
DATES: 6-18 July 2008
I'll still have to go to work during these dates, but I can play host most evenings, and of course I welcome Shabbat visitors -- just not overnight, so make sure that your hotel is within walking distance of my place.
These dates work for me because my RLSO, who doesn't want to meet "all these internet strangers," will be out of town. Frankly I'll be a bit bored, if I don't get some folks to come keep me company.
OTHER CONCERNS: MINORS
Minors (before their 18th birthdays) will need to bring their PARENT or LEGAL GUARDIAN for purposes of hotel rental at the very least, as well as liability issues and medical issues that are not able to legally be dealt with by anyone other than a parent or guardian. I know it sucks, but if you get into an accident, you want someone there who can sign the forms so you can get medical treatment for injuries.
ACTIVITIES: Playing the Tourist
Cubs game at Wrigley field
Visiting the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum
Taking a boat tour of the Chicago River or on Lake Michigan (also educational, but hey, you're on a boat!)
Walking tour of some cool part of the city
Taking a Segway tour or bike tour (expensive, but I understand it's worth it, from those who've done so)
Shopping in the Magnificent Mile (more like window-shopping; it costs a fortune)
Other? Post suggestions!
ACTIVITIES: Jewish
Lunches or dinners out at kosher restaurants!
Shopping kosher grocery stores
Visiting the Judaica book/supply stores
Touring local synagogues
Maybe getting a rabbi or other knowledgeable person to give us a group lecture
Attending a lecture/class that's been scheduled for the community-at-large
Other? Post suggestions!
ACTIVITIES: Getting To Know You
Picnic in a park together
Taking a walk around Jewish and non-Jewish neighborhoods
Activities away from the group, just to get a break from all the togetherness? (Ask your parent/guardian for an afternoon; they'll be touched)
Also, if there's anyone who doesn't want to observe Shabbat (in full or in part), they should feel comfortable going and doing their own thing, while those who want to make Shabbat can either do it separately or together, as we each choose. Just make sure to tell me BEFORE 6 JULY 2008 who's coming to my house for dinner, so I know how much food to buy and cook. And anyone who's coming to my place will be pressed into kitchen service, because cooking together is one of the most fun things about having visitors for the Sabbath. Cooking together makes people family.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 12:28 pm
Sounds like you guys are going to have lots of fun! So sad I can't make it. sad
You all better take pictures though.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:43 pm
By "you guys," you mean "pretty much only Divash, unless someone else posts here pretty soon," right? wink
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:04 pm
I wish I lived in Chicago, but alas I am stuck in NYC for the summer...
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:55 pm
I might actually be able to go >.>
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 9:10 am
Woohoo! Remember to bring a parent or legal guardian if you're a minor. I cannot be responsible for people's minor children, no matter how mature you are. There could be severe legal problems for me.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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darkphoenix1247 Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 4:03 pm
Yay; I have absolutely no idea if I can come or not yet, but I'm glad this is a step in the right direction!
Was hoping this would coincide on my birthday since we're headed up to see family then, but I'll certainly ask!
I also vote for visiting Old Orchard. (A really pretty shopping center) And since I'm a Cubs fan, I also vote for that. blaugh
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 5:44 pm
If I can figure out a way to get my editor to green light a story in chicago... I could write it off as a tax credit.
And then I'd be there with bells on.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 7:41 am
Don't forget, anyone who's under 18 needs to bring a parent or legal guardian.
This is for a lot of reasons.
1. If you should (G*D forbid!) get hurt or ill, you need someone who is legally able to sign you into a hospital and make sure that you get treatment. This is the reason that an older sibling isn't quite going to be enough. PARENT, or LEGAL guardian. If your sibling is your LEGAL guardian, fine. I want to see the papers that certify them as such, however.
2. For most forms of travel these days, minors need to be accompanied by an adult, or have an adult sign them over to the temporary custody of the travel authorities, then have the travel authorities sign them over to an adult when they reach their destination. I am not going to be able to meet everyone at airports and train depots.
3. If any of you run into any unsavory characters, I want someone nearby who is able to help you. Yes, yes, I know, you can look after yourself. The morgue is filled with people who could look after themselves.
4. If anyone disappears/gets kidnapped, I want someone nearby who can tell the police, "Yes, she was wearing a Matisyahu concert T-shirt," or "He's epileptic and needs his meds," or "If she were able to make a phone call but not able to speak freely, her password to communicate that is 'mosquito bites'." Your parents or guardians know you best and can give the most answers to the authorities.
5. I don't want anyone's parents wondering, "Why is this adult stranger inviting my child to a different city without me?" I want your folks here, meeting me, and knowing full well that I invited the parents specifically to be here. I don't want anyone thinking evil, terrible things about me. I also don't want them worrying about your safety the whole time you're in Chicago. Bring them, and everyone will feel much better.
Therefore, anyone who can't show me either a valid ID that says you're eighteen, and can't introduce me to their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), is not welcome to come to my home. Not for evening dinner, not for Shabbat dinner or lunch, not for anything. I absolutely cannot be legally responsible for minors who aren't related to me. It is too much responsibility, and it scares me to think that something could happen to you and I wouldn't be able to sign papers for your medical care or help the authorities locate you. We will miss you, but it's not worth risking your health and safety.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 8:09 am
I might be able to make it, actually. I just got my car back, and I have nothing planned for those days. I probably wouldn't be able to stay for long, though.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 8:33 am
Food At The Gathering
There are three ways to eat while you're in Chicago: restaurants, grocery stores, and my home. My home will be open for Shabbat evening and Shabbat lunch. That leaves all other meals up to you.
I highly recommend going to the local grocery stores to pick up fruit, cereal, and milk, if you get hotel rooms with mini-fridges in them. If not, there are individual servings of soy milk that don't need to be refrigerated; or you could pick up a cheap cooler and some ice, and keep things coolish that way; or you could simply make a daily breakfast-run to the nearby City Fresh Market. This will save you a lot of money on breakfasts. I also recommend buying a little paring knife, a little cutting board, a dish sponge, and a teeny bottle of dish soap. You can cut fruit or vegetables, then wash up right in the hotel sink. I've actually managed to live for a couple of weeks at a time this way, just buying little things daily at local grocery stores, in towns that don't have any kosher restaurants or all-kosher grocery stores. My neighborhood does have kosher grocery stores.
There are also many kosher restaurants in my neck of the woods. There's a Chinese place (take-out or delivery only, no sit-down eating, but it's DELICIOUS -- meat, no dairy). There's a Middle Eastern place that does take-out, delivery, or sit-down dining (meat, no dairy). There are multiple little family places with linoleum tables and good, hearty, inexpensive fare (dairy, usually, no meat). There are pizza places, both walking distance and driving distance (should anyone choose to rent a car).
And, again, Shabbat dinner is on me. Just let me know how many people are coming in advance, and whether anyone is vegetarian, vegan, has food allergies, or anything that they absolutely won't eat.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 8:54 am
So we've covered accommodations and food, and somewhat looked at activities. Anyone have any further questions about things?
Oh, and if you are able, minors should get their parents to log in as you, and read these posts so that they know what's going on.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 12:15 pm
I got 2 camping trips, and i need to visit Dr Girlfriend while she does a simester of residency in Ohio.
So I'm not gonna make it.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 7:30 am
We'll miss you, Neuf, but have a great time with your GF, and we'll tell you all about it.
My plan involves telling everyone "Meet me at X restaurant/address at X time. I'll be wearing X and drinking X, so you'll recognize me right away." Then everyone will come there at the time specified, meet up with me, we'll all talk about what to do next, and off we go. smile
I also plan to be at various places in the evenings during the week, and yes, we can share cellphone numbers at the initial meet-and-greet if you want to get together that way versus by emailing one another (since not everyone's got a laptop).
In other words, anyone who doesn't make that initial meeting and doesn't PM me on Gaia to ask when/where else to meet up with the group... may be outta luck.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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darkphoenix1247 Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 3:52 pm
Talked to my parents- they say it's a possibility, though I couldn't stay the whole time.
Heh- this would be pretty awesome if we actually got to meet. Besides Divash (obviously), anybody else planning on coming? blaugh
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