Uncovering Your Past in Land Records

Grace DuMelle will be speaking at the Gail Borden Public Library as part of an event with the Elgin Genealogical Society.

Learn how to access a trove of public records that can provide maiden names, death dates, proof of relationships, and much more. Once you know the two types of indexing systems (tract book and grantor-grantee) you can work in any county in the United States. Specialized maps and legalese will also be deciphered.

Where: Gail Borden Public Library
270 N. Grove Ave.
Elgin, IL 60120
When: March 3, at 9:30 a.m.
Cost: FREE

BYOB Updates

Lake Claremont Press friend, Jean Iverson, author of BYOB Chicago, reminds us that BYO is very popular in this economy. Here are some of her upcoming BYOB Chicago events:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009: Local wine club Chicago GrapeNuts will be hosting a prix fixe dinner at Argentinian BYOB Tango Sur, where I will also be giving a short presentation on BYOB dining in Chicago (but mostly we'll be eating and drinking). Tickets for the prix fixe dinner are $35 ($45 if you would like a copy of BYOB Chicago, 2nd editionthrown in). Tango Sur is one of the city's most treasured BYOBs, with its delicious parrillada (tabletop grilled meats), homemade chimichurri sauce, and inviting atmosphere. Tons of great, juicy wines originate from Argentina, which is now the fifth largest wine producer in the world. Bring some Malbec or a Sauvignon Blanc and join me and the GrapeNuts!

FEBRUARY IS BYOB MONTH at Pastoral, an artisanal cheese, bread, and wine shop. For a limited time, both of Pastoral's Loop and Lakeview locations are offering BYOB Two Packs, which include two bottles of wine designed to pair with popular cuisines at Chicago BYOBs and a copy of BYOB Chicago, 2nd edition. There's a Thai two-pack, a sushi two-pack, and others, eliminating the question of which wine to bring to your favorite BYOB. These make incredibly unique gifts!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2009: "Open That Bottle Night" is once again upon us. This annual event was conceived by Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, who pen the "Tastings" column for The Wall Street Journal. The couple recognized that many of us have that special bottle of wine that we're saving for a "special occasion." On Open That Bottle Night (OTBN), wine enthusiasts the world over are encouraged to just open that bottle and enjoy! One of the restaurants in my book, Magnolia Cafe, is waiving corkage for OTBN. Take advantage...