If you have been reading this newsletter for some time, you know that I often host dinners after the close of major genealogy conferences. The dinners usually are held on Saturday evening, after all the official activities of the conference have closed. The dinners are a 17-year tradition that will be maintained after the close of this year's FGS conference in Salt Lake City.
These dinners are always "Dutch Treat" and are very, very informal. In fact, most of the time it is a noisy and boisterous crowd that gathers at a local dining establishment and consumes copious amounts of food and beverages. The dinners are totally unplanned and have absolutely no agenda. We have no speeches, no program, and no set menu. You are invited to join a bunch of genealogists who are like yourself: in town on a Saturday night and looking for a place to eat and relax. We especially invite those who have not joined us before.
If you know someone who has attended one of these Saturday night dinners at another conference, please ask them if they enjoyed it. You can also view pictures of last year's successful dinner after the FGS conference in Austin at http://eogn.typepad.com/photos/fgs2004dinner. Please note that everyone in the pictures seems to be smiling.
Attendance is always limited to the following people:
- Those who read this newsletter
- Those who know somebody who reads this newsletter
- Those who think they have heard of this newsletter.
If you have attended one of these dinners in the past, please be aware that this year's dinner has three major differences from past events:
- It is being planned in advance. (Yes, that is a major change.) Reservations have already been made at Z'Tejas, a Mexican restaurant.
- We depart for the restaurant from the front of the convention center at 5:45 PM. That is earlier than in past years.
- You MUST notify me NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 7 if you want to join us. The restaurant has a limited number of seats, and seating will be strictly on a first come, first served basis. I am not sure if we will be able to accommodate additional guests at the last minute. If you are not on the list by September 7, you might not have a seat at the restaurant.
We generally go to Mexican restaurants, and the good news is that we will continue that tradition. I have eaten at Z'Tejas in the past, and the food was excellent. You can see the Z'Tejas web site at http://www.ztejas.com. Check out the recipe for Ancho Chili Fudge Pie.
Z'Tejas is at 191 South Rio Grande Street, an excellent address for a Mexican Restaurant! The restaurant is in a complex called The Gateway. It is the old Union Pacific Railway Station that has been converted into a shopping and entertainment complex.
We have a reservation at Z'Tejas for 6:00 PM (that is earlier than usual) on Saturday, September 10. We all will meet in front of the Salt Palace Convention Center (the location of the FGS conference) and walk together as a group to the restaurant. We will be departing at 5:45 PM SHARP.
It is a four-and-a-half block walk from the Salt Palace to the restaurant, but keep in mind that the blocks in Salt Lake City are longer than those of most other cities. Google Maps says that the walk is six-tenths of a mile.
I will have transportation available for those who have walking difficulties. Please notify me if you need transportation when you make your reservation. With advance notice, I should be able to accommodate everyone.
Again, the dinner is "Dutch Treat." We will be ordering from the restaurant's regular menu. Please be aware that there will be one check for all of us. You will need to bring cash to pay for your meal and gratuity as handling individual checks or credit cards is impossible for this large crowd.
If you would like to join this rowdy crew of genealogists for Mexican food on Saturday night, please send an e-mail to dinner@eogn.com. I suggest you do so now. Please tell me your name and the name of each guest that will accompany you. Also, please let me know if you or any of your guests are unable to walk the four-and-a-half blocks so that I can arrange for transportation.
Please send that request no later than midnight of September 7. I will reply with a confirming e-mail within twenty-four hours.
I'll see you at dinner on Saturday night!
