hillvalley Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 (edited) I am thrilled to announce that our next dinner will be held on Monday, December 5th. $15 of the cost of the dinner per person will be donated by the Chef to Coaching For College The dinner will not have a wine pairing option but you will be able to bring your own wine. Don will announce the details on Monday, November 7th. No PM's or emails please!!! Once again we are giving advanced notice about the dinner to give everyone a fair change. We will use the same lottery system as was used for the 2941 Dinner. Once the event is announced you will have 24 hours to PM me to get into the lottery. This dinner will fill up quickly and we want to make it as fair as possible. Guests and lurkers, if you would like to join us for the dinner please register. As long as you register by Tuesday morning you will be eligible for the dinner lottery. I hope you will join us! Until Monday..... Edited November 7, 2005 by hillvalley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 Is it possible to post the menu for those of us who are chicken about committing to fixed menus without a peek first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScotteeM Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 ustreetguy seemed to be enjoying his dinner as well, but I'll leave that up to him to comment. Incidentally, he is sworn to secrecy regarding the December 5th dinner, so please don't press him for information this evening at the 2941 dinner. We were having the wine pairing tonight at 2941, so Mr. S and I sat down at one of the tables cleverly set with multiple wine glasses (that's how the servers knew who was getting the wine). We joined Barbara and Craig and Monique DC, and were soon joined by Goldenticket +1. There was one empty seat at our table, which was soon occupied by a lone gentleman whom none of us recognized. We all casually scanned his name tag and saw no screen name--it read Larry T-something. Everyone at the table was wondering the same thing: Who is this mystery man? We all started to connect the dots at the same time: square jaw, broad shoulders, white shirt and tie . . . "ohmigod--you're ustreetguy!!!" He did look just like his Avatar. So we went to work on him. We tried subtlety: "You have something you'd like to share with us?" We tried reasoning: "It's almost Monday . . . we'll know soon enough anyway, so you might as well tell us now." We tried sharing stories of conversations we'd had with Don Rockwell, hoping he'd slip up in telling us his stories. I think Barbara even tried to bribe him with a bite of her escargot. But it was a no-go. I doubt that even trying to blackmail him with pictures of him eating cotton candy would have weakened his resolve. Well, we tried, but we all still have to wait until tomorrow. Rocks, you picked a good guy to share your secret! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ustreetguy Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 We all started to connect the dots at the same time: square jaw, broad shoulders, white shirt and tie . . . "ohmigod--you're ustreetguy!!!"Â He did look just like his Avatar. I suppose in build, but I'm not quite sure about the blonde hair . As always, it was a pleasure meeting everyone tonight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 I know too, but I'm not telling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted November 7, 2005 Author Share Posted November 7, 2005 Rocks, is there anyone you didn't tell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackers Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Rocks, is there anyone you didn't tell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsdc Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 so it's Monday ...when do the rest of us get to know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelGold Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) so it's Monday ...when do the rest of us get to know? Isn't it close enough to noon to fill us in??? Edited November 7, 2005 by MelGold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsdc Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 OK, I've read and re-read the posting...where does it say the announcement is happening at noon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelGold Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 OK, I've read and re-read the posting...where does it say the announcement is happening at noon? It seems like a good round-about time for an announcement... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Michael Landrum is going to open up Ray’s The Steaks in Arlington for us on Monday night, December 5th at 7 PM (dinner served at 7:30 PM). While Ray’s is usually closed on Mondays, Michael is allowing us to have the entire restaurant for a private dinner. Since we have the entire restaurant to ourselves, Virginia state law allows us to bring our own wines, and so this will be exclusively a bring-your-own wine event. I asked Michael if he wanted us to bring our own stemware as well, but he told me he wants people to relax and enjoy themselves, and so he’s happily providing a couple wine glasses for each person. And here’s the menu! An amuse-appetizer of scallop and scampi Lobster bisque Choice of hanger steak or salmon served with creamed spinach, mashed potatoes and mushrooms Choice of key-lime pie or strawberries The price? $45 including tax and tip. That’s $45, total. And if this wasn’t generous enough, Michael is graciously going to donate $15 for each person to Coaching For College, a great organization mentoring and motivating youths attending Shaw Junior High School. Please visit Coaching For College's website here. Needless to say, this event is going to sell out, and we’ll need to institute a lottery system. There’s no rush to get your requests in: as long as you PM hillvalley between now and Thursday morning, you’ll be placed into the lottery pool. Please send all requests only via PM to hillvalley. Sometime during the following few days, we’ll figure out an equitable lottery system that will allow a randomly chosen 38 people to attend. I’m going to go ahead and guarantee hillvalley and her friend the 39th and 40th spots at this dinner since she does so much hard work for this website. There you go: the Ray’s The Steaks dinner benefiting Coaching For College, December 5th at 7 PM (dinner to begin at 7:30). Bring your own wine and enjoy the evening. Cheers! Rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted November 7, 2005 Author Share Posted November 7, 2005 You all should see my in box Please do not send any other information other than if you would like one seat or two. I want to comment on Coaching for College. I have worked with a number of students involved with the program. Despite what you may think, for low income students junior high is when they need to start working on college preparation. Informal studies have shown that if you work with junior high students on college preparation and goals they are more likely to graduate from high school and continue on to college or trade school. Shaw is located near the new convention center. College was not even a thought for many of the parents whose children attend the school. Most of these students and their families could not even imagine enjoying the dinner we will at Ray's. Thank you Michael, for choosing a small but worthy organization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.A.R. Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Man, what a great deal. Do we have to be out in two hours? If so, I suggest we bundle up all of the extra wine and head on over to Corduroy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Johnston Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Nice event! Thanks for organizing it! Now do bribes really work? I have some wonderful 86 Bordoreuxs in my cellar....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenB Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 I have some wonderful 86 Bordoreuxs in my cellar....... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> If chosen, I'll bring a '53 or '55 Burgundy. No, I'm not kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 If chosen, I'll bring a '53 or '55 Burgundy. No, I'm not kidding. If chosen, I'm sitting at Stephen B's table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwertyy Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Hi! I'm new! I'm embarrassed! ... Is Ray's near a Metro, or is cab-bage required? (I usually only leave the city by plane.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Hi! I'm new! I'm embarrassed! ... Is Ray's near a Metro, or is cab-bage required? (I usually only leave the city by plane.) It's just about halfway between the Rosslyn Metro and the Courthouse Stop. Here's a hint: Get off at Courthouse and walk DOWN the hill to Ray's. Then, when going home, continuing walking DOWN the hill to the Rosslyn stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted November 7, 2005 Author Share Posted November 7, 2005 If chosen, I'll bring a '53 or '55 Burgundy. No, I'm not kidding. If chosen, I'm sitting at Stephen B's table. Tradition has it that the dinner organizer gets a glass from every bottle Hi! I'm new! I'm embarrassed! ... Is Ray's near a Metro, or is cab-bage required? (I usually only leave the city by plane.) It is Metro accessible and I am sure there will be people crossing the river who can offer a ride. I have heard from a lot of first times and newbies, please don't let that stop you from entering the lottery. Guests and lurkers, if that menu, price, and charitable cause doesn't make your mouth water and want to register I don't know what will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnb Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) If chosen, I'll bring a '53 or '55 Burgundy. No, I'm not kidding. If chosen, I'll bring some '66 and/or '61 Bordeaux. Carruades of Lafite is one possibility. Hillvalley can have all she wants as long as she sits at my table Edited November 7, 2005 by johnb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 I already got some Wild Grape Mad Dog 20/20 cold chillin'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monavano Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 I can bring a bottle of 2 buck Chuck. Pick me! Pick me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Dudes, bribery will get you nowhere. The lottery will be done via random selection in the public eye with equal chances for all. Unless, of course, someone brings a 1950 Lafleur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrescentFresh Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Dudes, bribery will get you nowhere. The lottery will be done via random selection in the public eye with equal chances for all.Unless, of course, someone brings a 1950 Lafleur. He wasn't playing in '50. Would you settle for a '72? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 I imagine that a forty of Olde English wouldn't get me anywhere with this crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwertyy Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 It's just about halfway between the Rosslyn Metro and the Courthouse Stop. Here's a hint: Get off at Courthouse and walk DOWN the hill to Ray's. Then, when going home, continuing walking DOWN the hill to the Rosslyn stop. I think you all are my kind of people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Landrum Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Do we have to be out in two hours? Two hours? My own mother doesn't get two hours. It is 90 minutes, and yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted November 7, 2005 Author Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) A few people sent me emails instead of pm's. I replied to your emails but please make sure that you send me a PM!!! I cannot guarantee that you will make it into the lottery if you don't. Also, please make sure to include your real first name in the PM. I'm going to hold out on announcing actual numbers of how many of you entered the lottery and how many total people want to come (you all have lots of friends ) but even Don was surprised. Edited November 7, 2005 by hillvalley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Tradition has it that the dinner organizer gets a glass from every bottle I would love to see hillvalley after a glass from every bottle! Too bad I will be in class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoramargolis Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 If chosen, I'll bring a '53 or '55 Burgundy. No, I'm not kidding. Stephen -- I hope this time, it'll be a red burgundy. I have to tell you, that after the BlackSalt dinner, there is no question in my mind (if there ever was), that fifty year-old white burgundy, no matter how well cellared, is not drinkable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenB Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 I heard a rumor somewhere that red wine goes nicely with red meat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted November 9, 2005 Author Share Posted November 9, 2005 I would love to see hillvalley after a glass from every bottle! Too bad I will be in class. You know me, I like a challenge. Now all I need is someone to drive me home. I'm still taking names for the lottery. You've got until Thursday morning. To all our new members from the last few days, please feel free to enter the lottery. Just send me a PM with your first name and whether you would like one or two spots. The number of spots you ask for does not change your chances of getting a seat (or two). I apologize for not responding to all of your PM's but well, that work thing gets in the way. I will post a list* (it's a long one ) of who I have heard from (although not how many spots you have asked for) Thursday night. I'll fill you in on the rest of the details later in the week. If you have any questions please post them here. Chance are someone else is wondering the same thing. One last item: someone sent me an email request for a spot and I replied, asking them to send me a PM. As far as I know you did not send me a PM. I know longer have the email so I don't know who you are. Please PM me if you want to be included in the lottery. (johnb your fine ) *If you do not want me to post your screen name on the list, or at any time, let me know. It will not effect your spot in the lottery or the dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 (edited) 60 of you have requested 105 spots This is the list of people who have PM'd me so far in alphabetical order. If you are not on the list and want to be let me know asap. I will accept names until noon tomorrow. Once he figures out how he is going to run the lottery, Don will post the details. Good Luck! B.A.R. babka banco barbara bilrus Black Sheep bookluvinbabe bougouni brr buckinghamilton Cammille-Beau capital icebox chica grace cjsadler connave corndog crackers crescentfresh DanielK David M. Dc in DC eating out eoksala giant shrimp gnatharbed hannah heather hm212 hold theline Jacques Gastreaux jm chen johnb JPW kanishka kitkatpaddywak lackadaisi Little Wing lizzie mbk melgold mktye MMM MODWOP nadya nashman1975 NotQuickDraw pete principia sam Scott Johnston Shogun silentbob squidsdc starfish stephenb twinkerlin ustreetguy Vandyhoo woodleygirl Zoramargolis Edited because the numbers keep growing! Edited November 10, 2005 by hillvalley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilrus Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 58 of you have requested 100 spots Don't you mean 40 spots? If it is 100, I like my chances, but Ray's might be a little crowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 Sorry, I wasn't clear. The numbers have now grown even larger. 61 members have requested a total of 105 spots. Some else can figure out your odds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Landrum: You win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Don't you mean 40 spots? If it is 100, I like my chances, but Ray's might be a little crowded. I think she means that 45 of the 60 asked to bring a guest, so the total is 105 seat requests. Still only 40 seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Since the restaurant will be closed for a private party, are there any restrictions on the types of alcoholic beverages that we will be permitted to bring? By that I mean, would it be OK to bring say a bottle of single malt or calvados for an after-dinner wee dram? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Landrum Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Since the restaurant will be closed for a private party, are there any restrictions on the types of alcoholic beverages that we will be permitted to bring? By that I mean, would it be OK to bring say a bottle of single malt or calvados for an after-dinner wee dram? Liquor is allowed. Wanton breaking of bottles is not. I can provide snifters but not full cocktail set-up, e. g. martini glasses, shakers, ice, garnishes etc. So sherries, ports and sipping spirits would be ideal. Cigars outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilrus Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 I think she means that 45 of the 60 asked to bring a guest, so the total is 105 seat requests. Still only 40 seats. Ahhh. I see... I'm a little dumb sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Rocks - You might want to check this out. Assuming that you want a completely random sampling from people who put their names in the hat, this is the way to go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUD Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 is it too late? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 Sure....I'll take PM's until 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillvalley Posted November 11, 2005 Author Share Posted November 11, 2005 Here is the final list. 66 members requested a total of 115 spaces. Al Dente AlexC babka banco barbara bilrus Black Sheep bookluvinbabe bougouni brr buckinghamilton Cammille-Beau capital icebox chica grace cjsadler connave Cooter corndog crackers crescentfresh DanielK David M. Dc in DC eating out eoksala giant shrimp gnatharbed hannah heather hey brookie hm212 hold theline Jacques Gastreaux jm chen johnb JPW kanishka kitkatpaddywak lackadaisi Little Wing lizzie mbk melgold mktye MMM MODWOP nadya nashman1975 NotQuickDraw otello pete principia RaisaB sam Scott Johnston Shogun silentbob squidsdc starfish stephenb twinkerlin ustreetguy Vandyhoo woodleygirl Zoramargolis Stay tuned for more details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Rocks -You might want to check this out. Assuming that you want a completely random sampling from people who put their names in the hat, this is the way to go... Okay, I'm thinking of using this, generating "66" random integers, with "1" as the smallest value and "66" as the largest value. We'll take the numbers in order, accounting for either 1 or 2 people for each number selected, until we hit 40 people total. For example, if the first number in the list is "8", we'd take "booklovingbabe," who is the 8th person in the list. If booklovingbabe is bringing a guest, that accounts for the first two slots. if she's not bringing a guest, it accounts only for the first slot. if we get to 39 slots , then should we take singles only? perhaps. If anyone can think of a better way, let me know. I need to figure out a way to do this so it's publicly accountable and visible. Any suggestions? Worst-case scenario is that you'll have to trust me to run it, then cut-and-paste the results to this thread right after I do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Rocks, I'm glad to see you putting a little Sarbanes-Oxley into everything. Very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 OK, I'm biased because I suggested the generating random numbers idea (and you really should use this page on the site, so your list doesn't have repeats), but I'm certainly fine with you generating the list, and then posting the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Johnston Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 I agree. May I also suggest that you pick several alternatives and if anyone drops out we have a list to draw from. By the way, thanks for setting this up and doing all the work! You Rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 I agree. May I also suggest that you pick several alternatives and if anyone drops out we have a list to draw from. As long as he puts 66 in the number generator, it will do a random order for the entire list, so he'll have more alternates than he needs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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