Ghost Box, "Biggest Loser" Bernie, Sexy Chicago, & History for Kids

It's quite a line up for our next reception, this Wednesday, Dec. 2, at our 2nd floor office at 1026 W. Van Buren, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Free and open to all, but please RSVP as space is limited.

Join us for wine and other holiday refreshments, raffles, festive mingling, tunes from our 8-track player, a used book sale, LCP books priced just right for affordable holiday gift-giving, and these special Chicago guests:

Ursula Bielski (Chicago Haunts, More Chicago Haunts, etc.) will sign copies of her new book Chicago Haunts 3 (Thunder Bay Press) and demonstrate a "ghost box," a.k.a. "telephone to the dead," including some amazing sound clips...

You may know Bernie Salazar as the at-home winner of 2008's Biggest Loser on NBC, but

before he lost an amazing 130 lbs. on television he was a Chicago educator and Chicago Bulls Matador (see Sports Traveler Chicago if you need an explanation). Bernie will be talking about his new endeavors to promote reading and exercise to children, including his new children's book Monstercize.

Poet and Lavender Cabaret producer Franky Vivid, co-author of LCP's 2010 book, Michelle L'amour's Sexy Chicago, will read some of his Chicago love poems.

And, Renee Kreczmer, CPS 3rd grade teacher extraordinaire and author of our forthcoming book on Chicago history for schoolkids, will talk about her book and the many fun ways to introduce and explore Chicago history with your children.

Where else can you have all this on Wednesday night? Join us!

It's Time for Mistletoe & Trolley

This sounds fun...all things Chicago-holiday-wonderful, plus a peppermint brownie. Come on!

From Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.:

"Chicago Holiday Lights Tour

Tour Length: 2 Hours
Group Size: 25 Person Min / 32 Person Max Per Trolley
Price: $23.00 per person

*Price includes York Peppermint Brownie and hot cocoa from Hershey's. Based on 25 or more passengers (32 max / trolley). Price reflects downtown Chicago/Lincoln Park area pickup or drop off. Travel charges may apply for other areas.

Description:

Kick off the holiday season with an entertaining 2 hour lightly narrated tour aboard a famous Chicago Trolley. Sing carols as your holiday trolley sleigh ride whisks you amongst the festive lights and enchanting sights of wintertime in Chicago:

• The Magnificent Mile
• State Street & Macy's Holiday Windows
• Daley Plaza's 40-foot Tree
• Buckingham Fountain
• Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest

We'll also make the following stops to capture a feel for the season:

Christkindlmarket - A traditional German American Holiday Market with distinctive crafts, artistic glass creations, delicious sweets, holiday food and drinks. [LCP NOTE: Stop by the Lake Claremont Press booth for some affordable Chicago-centric gift giving!]

The Hershey's Store - Sip delicious hot cocoa and nibble on York Peppermint brownies fresh from this famous chocolatier.

What a wonderful way to start your holiday season! Your family, friends or business associates will want to make this a part of their yearly holiday tradition!

Call our Charter Sales Dept. at 773-648-5000 to book today or request a quote online!"

If you're reading this, you can join us

More info on some of our special guests at our free upcoming holiday parties:

Wednesday, November 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Sgt. David Haynes & Christopher Garlington, authors of the forthcoming The Beat Cop’s Guide to Chicago Eats, will pass out donuts and eatery advice, and air a special live edition of their radio show.

Wednesday, December 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Ursula Bielski signs copy of her new book, Chicago Haunts 3, and demonstrates a “ghost box,” a.k.a. “telephone to the dead,” along with some interesting audio clips…

CPS 3rd grade teacher extraordinaire and author of a 2010 LCP title for children Renee Kreczmer discusses the many ways to introduce Chicago history to kids.

Wednesday, December 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Jean Iversen will sign copies of the new edition of BYOB Chicago. Wine tasting and food samples from restaurants in the book to accompany.

Denise Maple from the West Loop’s VaVaVroom, a West Loop business devoted to the female motorcycling enthusiast is on hand to discuss her products and biking.

And, at all Events:

· Wine & other refreshments.

· Festive mingling.

· Lake Claremont books priced for affordable holiday giving.

· Lake Claremont Press garage sale (de-cluttering our office & warehouse).

· Used book sale (business books & more).

· Vintage & collectible Chicago book sale (we've accrued quite a few over the years!).

· Free raffles.

Please join us.

Space is limited, RSVPs requested.

Chicago Food & Dining Trends

Sharon Meyers and Robert Scarola, a local hospitality industry marketing and PR team, begin a monthly segment covering Chicago food and dining trends tonight, November 14, on WIND-AM 560’s Restaurant Radio Show (Saturdays from 5 p.m.–6 p.m.) with hosts Dane Neal and Tom Reboletti. Robert Scarola co-authored Alpana Pours with Channel 11 Check, Please! host, Alpana Singh.

Visit Our Christmas Wagon

For 29 days straight between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, Lake Claremont Press will join German & Austrian vendors in Daley Plaza for the 13th Annual Christkindlmarket. We won't be selling pretzels or cuckoo clocks, but we will have our Chicago books priced for affordable holiday gift-giving. All books will be reduced AND they will be: Buy 2, get a 3rd free; Buy 3 books, get 2 free; Buy 4 books, get 3 free; and Buy 5 books, get 4 free. The market's schedule of events includes Santa, parades, tree lighting, the Rockettes, live music, and more. We will also have the new 3rd edition of Jean Iversen's BYOB Chicago, Susan Blumberg-Kason's All the Tea in Chicago, and some Chicago-centric CDs from Bloodshot Records. Come say hello!

Wine, Cheese, Cookies, Books, Collectibles, Camaraderie

Holiday Receptions Calling all Chicago lovers, book lovers, history lovers, bargain lovers, librarians, booksellers, Lake Claremont Press fans, and curious others! Stop by the "new" Lake Claremont Press office (1026 W. Van Buren, Second Floor) for one of our four holiday receptions. Free refreshments. Festive mingling. Lake Claremont books priced for affordable holiday giving. Lake Claremont Press garage sale (de-cluttering our office & warehouse). Used book sale (business books & more). Vintage & collectible Chicago book sale (we've accrued quite a few!). Free raffles. Special Chicago guests! (More to follow.) Wednesday, November 11, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Space is limited. Please RSVP. One block from UIC-Halsted blue line station. One block from Morgan Street exit. Free parking available in gravel lot at Van Buren & Morgan.