Filed under: Events
On Tuesday, July 24th 24/8 ers were treated to ethel’s chocolate fondue and author Melanie Lynne Hauser. No one left hungry or without a book.
ethel’s chocolate lounge was again the site of a 24/8 event and we are always so pleased to bake something special up with those wonderful folks. If you have not been to ethel’s you have to go because you will never be the same. And we just learned about all of the new changes they are making, baked goods galore so its not just chocolate anymore. They are so creative and wonderful they can turn any of their locations into anything you would like for a private party or shower or birthday, try one of their locations today.
Melanie delighted everyone with her Super Mom series and conversations about writing. The 24/8 events are all about getting to know authors or experts on a personal level and Melanie was perfect for letting us into her world. Pick up one of the two Super Mom books today you will really enjoy it. You can visit Melanie anytime you like on her site and blog at, http://www.melanielynnehauser.com/.
The next 24/8 event is August 23rd at Team Blonde in Forest Park, it is going to be a really fun night.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Wow 24/8 gave away four of Stacey Ballis’ The Spinster Sisters this week. It was the first contest we ran and these gals were all very smart.
The winners were Nancy from Chicago, Julie from MI, Ellen from NJ and Leigh from Chicago. We were looking for The Spingold Sisters for the answer. 24/8 is nationwide so tell a friend or make a date to meet on 24/8.
We thank everyone for their participation and hope you check back for the next contest/giveaway that we will announce soon.
Falise and JoAnne
Filed under: Events
The July 11th event is now behind us and we had a blast. We need to do some housekeeping because there are so many parties that made the evening the success it was.
Catalyst Ranch being the perfect hosts arranged for a night of fun and frolic in the Cha Cha room. Barnes and Noble was there from the Webster store and really made the books look just a delicious as the actual food. The Red Eye and Chicago Tribune sections gave us a shout out which was appreciated.
Catalyst also put out a call to some of their favorite caterers and it was answered with a scrumptuous spread of goodies as far as the eye could see. For the goodies we thank Catalyst, J&L Catering, Limelight and Harry Caray’s.
Additionally, our goodie bags were extra wondeful because of some of Gale’s friends, Nielsen and Massey Vanillas and Zingerman’s. We also had some help from our friends at Philosopy at Nordstrom’s in Oak Brook. And Gale was extra great to bring goodies from Osteria di Tramonto one of her delicious restaurants under the Cenitare family. And we cannot forget So Tish Decorative Arts and Mid Day Cafe, FHI Magazine, Earth Salts by Mardia and Ta-Ze Olives and Olive Oil too.
Lets not forget guests were treated to receive a manicure and pedicure donated by Leigh Jones of his salon with the same name. Leigh has been working magic on the women over the city for years. We were thrilled to receive this wonderful donation which a lucky guest was able to win.
Without question the quintessential star of the evening was Gale Gand. I knew of her fame and have tasted her sweets but did not have a clue that Gale was down to earth and a marvelous weaver of stories. No one wanted the night to end.
Maybe there will be a 24/8 evening with Gale part two, we sure hope so.
Filed under: Events
At the intersection of Gale Gand and Catalyst Ranch is an evening with 24/8 proprietors, JoAnne Stone-Geier and Falise Platt. Gale is an award winning pastry chef and we are just tickled pink that she is going to join us for an evening of dishing.
Catalyst Ranch is definitely one of the most unique meetings spots in the country. So if you are curious about 24/8, sweet treats or discovering more about theRanch just mosey on by on Wednesday from 6-8:00 PM.
For this event you either need to bring a children’s book or donate $20.00 for Room to Read, www.roomtoread.org. 24/8 is proud to partner with Catalyst Ranch’s Match Books favorite organization, it is hard to argue with putting a book in the hands of a child, any child.
We are looking forward to seeing you there.
JoAnne and Falise
Filed under: Uncategorized
Entertainment reporter Joel Siegel died over the weekend from cancer. Whether you liked Joel, watched him or never heard of him is not important, but he was able through his celebrity write a book of lessons for his young son Dylan in case he could not deliver them someday in person.
This struck me as very powerful and I went out and bought the book. I wanted to see what a parent and a very gifted writer says to his young son given his diagnosis of cancer. I thought it was very moving and made me remember my mother’s own death from cancer eight years ago and wishing I had a gift like this too. Of course I was older when my mother died but I still think of her everyday and wish I could share things in person with her and hear her thoughts.
Not everyone can get a book deal as Joel Siegel did but everyone has the power to create such a legacy. We have blogs and they are in many cases free. While many of us that did not grow up with blogs search for the meaning behind them, this is certainly an extraordinary use for them.
If you know someone facing some challenges perhaps you should pick up a copy of Lessons for Dylan and maybe set up a blog for a friend today. This could be a great gift for a friend and their famliy that is perhaps the most touching thing you can do in a time of uncertainty and loss of control.
Falise
24/8 Book Club 