YourPalWill-athon - Say Goodbye - Jan 17, 2009

How many of you remember when the latest in chow news came via "hot posts". One of the few (if any) benefits to Chowhounds awful software was this box that would let you see all the recent posts on the entire site, not just Chicago. Over a few weeks you'd maybe not read a lot of these posts, but at least get intrigued over certain names who showed up so often. Who was this Melanie Wong for instance. I think I was not alone in being attracted to a certain handle by a NYC poster, "YouPalWill" Who would not want a pal Will? Then, lo and behold, Will showed up in Chicago.

Will soon integrated himself in our foodie world and proved the meaning of his name. He did yeoman work tracking down Chicago soul food and was a crucial all night taxi driver for an all-night-athon. Will has been a great supporter of various causes, both as a leader and as a willing (get it....) joiner of others. If he was not there for Inspiration Cafe this week, it was girl scout cookies the next week. Sadly, Will is leaving us in Chicago to apply is same good cheer, knowledge of Southern food and insight into troubled poker playin' pit men to Denver.

Before I make this too much of an eulogy, it has to be mentioned, of course, obviously, that Will is, I believe, the only Chowhounder/LTHer/good eater to have been mentioned in the Stern's Roadfood for his namesake sandwich at Riviera.

There should be something suitably stupid and fun to send Will off. What exactly? We have set a date, 1/17/09, but otherwise are open for ideas. It will be in the PM BTW. Will's key parameter is that he wants what Chicago has and Denver does not. Please help there.

And respond here or via PM if interested. After hearing ideas and seeing the amount of people, we can finalize a plan.

Congrats MyPalWill!

You know, Will and I ran into each other on his flight back to Chicago from Denver in December. The flight was delayed by 2 hours (I think)! Will was sitting behind me in First Class, a wise upgrade choice given the circumstances!

I would vote for Chinese food as a goodbye meal! We had a discussion about the dismal choices for Chinese food in Denver, with me on my google phone trying to prove him wrong (I failed...).

Anyways, count me in for dinner!

I'd certainly like to be part of any YourPalWill sendoff. The only issue is, that date conflicts with the Green City Market "Snout to tail" event. That event is over in the early afternoon, but I'm not sure how much of an appetite anyone who is attending the GCM will have for a grand tour or anyting like that. Is that date set in stone?

stevez wrote:I'd certainly like to be part of any YourPalWill sendoff. The only issue is, that date conflicts with the Green City Market "Snout to tail" event. That event is over in the early afternoon, but I'm not sure how much of an appetite anyone who is attending the GCM will have for a grand tour or anyting like that. Is that date set in stone?

Steve, I plan on being at the GCM, so that will be worked into the equation.

Hi,

Chinese sounds good to me. I know Will likes Ed's Potsticker House.

Regards,

I won't be able to make it, but I'm sad to hear that Will is heading out of town. I will be eating Chinese food in spirit!

Rob, thank you for this very kind gesture. I have RSVPed myself for the exercise is porky gluttony that afternoon. Who can resist Kahan and Wiv on the same bill? Obviously, I will carry forward in my reduced state and try to live up to the mantra that I set at the all night a thon of having had a full serving of everything at both events. I like the idea of Chinese.

Bravo, sir, for your services to the greater sandwichhood of Chicago, and many richly edifying posts here. If family schedule allows, I will make both events.

I'll be pounding back pig earlier in the day at GCM, too, but I'd like to make this event.

Odd thought: after all that meat, might we want to entertain a more vegetable-based cuisine (Chinese might qualify, but I'm thinking something rawer and greener).

My sources tell me that what's being served at the GCM event will just be little tastes and samples. We may want to keep that in mind when making our afternoon plans. And yes, we (me +2) are going to try to be a part of the Will send-off on this day.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:My sources tell me that what's being served at the GCM event will just be little tastes and samples. We may want to keep that in mind when making our afternoon plans. And yes, we (me +2) are going to try to be a part of the Will send-off on this day.

=R=

I called Laura at the GCM office and plans are to have the main tasting at 10:30AM. The market is open from 8:00AM to 1:00PM. A more detailed schedule is in development, and I'll post it here when it's available.

My husband and I would like to be added to the list. Just tell us where and when.

Suzy

Please keep me in the loop, I would like to attend.

pd

Rob,

Count me in, sorry to see Will go, happy for a reason to get together. And I'm with Cathy in that Ed's Potsticker House sounds a good idea.

Green City Snout to Tail tastings start at 10:30, plenty of time to mix, mingle, nosh and still be peckish for dinner.

Enjoy,
Gary

If this is a dinner, we're definitely out because I have something (deferred office holiday party) that night. However, if it's a post-market lunch or bite of another kind, that would be very workable for us.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:If this is a dinner, we're definitely out because I have something (deferred office holiday party) that night. However, if it's a post-market lunch or bite of another kind, that would be very workable for us.

=R=

Sorry, Ronnie, I think dinner is what I was thinking. As to what to eat, Chinese seems a winning idea. Ed's Potsticker is fine with me, I'm also thinking of Spring World. I'll see what else germinates before making a final call.

Vital Information wrote:
Sorry, Ronnie, I think dinner is what I was thinking. As to what to eat, Chinese seems a winning idea. Ed's Potsticker is fine with me, I'm also thinking of Spring World. I'll see what else germinates before making a final call.

Between those two, I'd much prefer Ed's, but I guess it should be Will's call.

Hi,

If this could be considered for lunch, I would appreciate it. Otherwise I would come to Chicago for the pork, then either have to find something to do (which I could, if need be) or go home and comeback for dinner.

Regards,

Vital Information wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:If this is a dinner, we're definitely out because I have something (deferred office holiday party) that night. However, if it's a post-market lunch or bite of another kind, that would be very workable for us.

=R=

Sorry, Ronnie, I think dinner is what I was thinking. As to what to eat, Chinese seems a winning idea. Ed's Potsticker is fine with me, I'm also thinking of Spring World. I'll see what else germinates before making a final call.

No problem at all, Rob. Will and I had already discussed the possibility of getting together before he leaves, so if this ends up being a dinner, we'll try to work something else out for another time.

=R=

Wow... lot's of great ideas.

I just talked to Will a few minutes ago, his preference is for Lao Sze Chuan... but, always the affable bloke, he said he would be o.k. with Ed's.

Since I recently had a few new (for me) tasty dishes at LSC, I am throwing my vote in for this place. [But an either or vote, also]

What say ye?

I'd happily accept LSC as an Ed's substitute. Have we considered making this a lunch? I propose meeting at LSC right after the Green City Market shindig closes down, say 1:30?

I hope to join you as well for this farewell. For me, lunch will be better since I, too, will be at the Green City Market event.

It looks like there is a groundswell for lunch at LSC after the Green City Market event. Should I make a reservation at LSC for 1:30 (depending on Will's availability)?

Might we want to confirm with Vital Info (the originator of this farewell dinner plan) and Will that lunch is the way to go.

Honestly, it would probably be better for me as a lunch, but I'd defer to VI and YPW to make sure it would work better for them, too. So, guys, what say you?

I'm waiting to hear Will's view.

I'm game for lunch, but my preference would be for dinner for a few reasons:

1) A farewell toast or two might go down better at an evening event.

2) The GCM event would lend itself to a later than typical lunch, do we want to sit down to a big lunch at 2 or later?

3) Would it freeze out those who can only make dinner?

Anyways, my prefence is for dinner, but this event is for and about Will, not me--beyond that, I'm certainly influenced by all the lunch wanters above too.

Vital Information wrote:3) Would it freeze out those who can only make dinner?

Dinner seems to be freezing out many who can only make lunch. Agan, it's up to Will, but whatever direction this event is going to take, it's time to firm up the plans and get our reservaton set.

stevez wrote:It looks like there is a groundswell for lunch at LSC after the Green City Market event. Should I make a reservation at LSC for 1:30 (depending on Will's availability)?

Why do not you go ahead and make the reservation for 12:

Will
Rob + Sheila
Santandar
Ronnie S
David H
GWiv
Steve Z
GAF
Cathy2
Peter D
CrazyC

+1, I might bring Mike...

OK, SteveZ is helping firm up the reservation for a late lunch at Lao Sze Chuan. Let's get a final count by the end of the day (say 7 PM). The list so far:

Will
Rob + Sheila
Santandar
Ronnie S + 2
David H
GWiv
Steve Z
GAF
Cathy2
Peter D
CrazyC + 1

I'm going to make a reservation for 20 people. Please sign up here if you want to come. According to Rob's list, there are 5 spots left (though I'm not sure if GWiv's duties at the GCM will allow him to attend this event). Once those spots fill up, we'll start a wait list.