Great idea, Piano Rob--but wouldn't April Fool's Day be the most appropriate date?

Great idea. April Fools Day seems like our annual holiday.

BTW, I'm guessing Big Ace won't be able to attend. With mobile phone cameras and the like, I would be concerned that BA could not maintain her anonymity. Of course there could be big shades, hat, wig ...

I must respectfully decline....not to mention the fact that I'll be somewhere between Flagstaff and Oklahoma City.

Just occurred to me, Big Ace may still be traveling with DevilChild on the 1st. I know we are trying not to think of the dark time, but ...

You will all carry the flag for me until I return. Plus I will be able to post some.

I should have waited for Fearless Leader to start the thread but here's what I posted under the crocus thread -

The first thing that sprang to my mind was a Saturday afternoon tea at the Enchanted Herb and Tea Shop. Whichever day that Saturday is in your date range.

What is Big Ace?

For all who have come in late, Big Ace: if you dig back into late December, early January (I think) posts, there is a post with the picture of the back end of a white truck. The picture and thread will explain all.

Thanks, EL, for the thread. You rock!

If a gathering of us D@L bloggers were to occur 4/1, I could not attend as I have chorus rehearsal to conduct every Tuesday. However, that should not stop such a meeting from happening.

We have 3.5 weeks to plan this if we indeed want to get together sometime 3/23-31. Keep the suggestions coming, kids!

Even though EL will be in absentia, perhaps Mr. Sessa will grace us with his presence - sans backpack of course.

Here's hoping this comes to fruition. (Cute, huh?)

Pierre asked:

a href="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2008/01/large_in_charge.html#comments" rel="nofollow">"What is Big Ace?".

Be sure to look at the picture at the top.

Oh, I hadn't actully responded, Piano Rob, to your "Rosebud, hopefully you'll help me organize? "
Of course.

Rosebud - That's terrific! This will be a blast.

Pursuant to the announcement of D@L's First Anniversary of 4/18/2008, which happens to be a Friday, I suggest that we move our proposed Bloggers Party to that weekend, thereby celebrating both events (i.e., EL, and our first blogger get-together). That will also give us plenty of time to plan the details. How do y'all feel about that?

Pierre asked:
a href=" http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2008/01/large_in_charge.html#comments" rel="nofollow">What is Big Ace?

Be sure to look at the picture at the top.

(I thought I was so smart that I could do the command from memory. Hopefully it works better this time.)

Maybe Big Ace will dispatch me in her place. I do all her legwork for her anyway.

In fact, I was at the Parthenon or whatever that new diner is on Park downtown snapping photos for Big Ace when a freaked out owner came out and asked me what the heck I was doing.

I said something like, "Well, I'm here on behalf of Elizabeth Large, aka Big Ace. I need one of your menus."

The whole time I was thinking to myself 'what the heck am I doing?'

Mr. Sessa, you are working for a Higher Calling.

Friday, the 18th. Something to do on a Friday evening. What a novel idea for Book and me. I'm pretty sure my calendar is open then. (Who am I trying to kid, of course the freeking thing is free and open, unless there is a Rockie and Bullwinkle marathon on the vast wasteland of cable teli. And with this amount of lead time, I can get all my socks washed ahead of time.)

Love to go, but not sure how much mystery would be left if we finally see what Roberts actually looked like =)

There is something about not really knowing what the bloggers here appear in person...I dunno...it keeps things interesting with every comment each person makes.

Piano Rob, I like that idea!

Friday or Saturday of that weekend would be good for me, but I'm taking a class on Sundays in April.

I like combining it with the 1st anniversary. I read this blog from the beginning but am not sure when it was I first started posting.

Sounds great--and it's after the dreaded tax deadline. I wonder if we should all wear masks to keep up the suspense? Costume party, anyone?

How do we know that Sam Sessa and EL aren't really the same person? Have any of us ever seen the two of them together at the same time? (Any time would be great for a bloggers party!)

Wow, just reading about all of the fun makes me wish I was still living in Charm City! But alas, I'm out west now. Still addicted to D@L, I gotta keep up on the Baltimore food scene so I know where to eat when we're back in town visiting the family.

EXCELLENT ideas, gang. Let's pencil in 4/18 (indeed, a Friday) for the "D@L First Anniversary Bloggers Bash." We'll continue to write about time, place, etc.

I like the idea of masks ... depending on where we meet they'll either be noticed or not.

Sam Sessa said he'd show up in EL's place; but I suppose that still wouldn't prove that they aren't one and the same ... which might come as a shock to Gailor and Mr. L. Besides, he has to snap pix for the blog.

RtSO - you could always go sock-free.

Wow! April 18th is my birthday! I could make a joke that everyone could co-celebrate that but I think I'll be spending the evening with my sweetie. Restaurant has not yet been determined but I myself was hoping for Jalapenos. So I probably won't be able to attend festivities.

Misha... contemplating an addition to her user name.

hmmmm, April 18th is not good. I have a funeral that day.

I for one am quite sure that Sam and EL are not the same person. Sam has been known to be mean to people named Darlene (or Dahlink) and Lady Elizabeth is never mean. Okay, she can be snippy when she needs sun, but she has company there.

So, any additional recommendations for specific venues/day?

I still like the idea of afternoon tea on Saturday, but am open to any suggestions.

Misha - A fellow Aries! Froeliche Geburtstag (way early). I celebrate mine on the date traditionally known as the signing of the Treaty of Appomattox. Sometimes I feel as if I was born that year, too!

Rosebud - I think an afternoon tea is a grand idea. Elegant, tasteful, not unnecessarily expensive, and it would suit the tastes of almost every D@L poster.

RoCK - you plan ahead for funerals that are held on a Friday evening? Just wondering ...

Piano Rob... Hale Aries! I celebrate mine with a reading of the poem, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere". Maybe I should incorporate that into a name change? I think I need something more spiffy. Midnight Misha maybe?

Ooohh, Midnight Misha - femme fatale, woman of mystery, ma cherie amour. Works for me.

From the Baltimore Business Journal;

Gertrude's restaurant wins Cornell culinary showcase.

Yes, I got that press release. Just haven't had time to check out Cornell's Web site. EL

As I suggested in an earlier post, the idea of a tea room in a strip mall is too good to miss.

After Mr. Dave's review of Royal Farms, I'm wondering if they cater? We could find a bowling alley (duck pins, of course) and have the party there. Not quite as up-market as a strip mall tearoom, but this is a gathering of D@L bloggers, after all.

Party, party, party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tea at a strip mall sounds almost as good as broasted chicken at the defunct Towson Inn. If I am invited I think I am looking forward to it.

Ms. Regina, yes, there is always that niggling doubt when being seen in public with members of the sandbox. But, be brave. Dust off those tea gloves and wide-brimmed hat (the better to hide behind, in cast of a flying bread roll or police raid.)

Regina - Of course you are invited, along with any other D@L blogger that doesn't mind coming out from behind the screen and meeting in the real world.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

I wonder how many "others" there are like me. I have read the blog from the very first day and check it several times a day. I guess I am called a "lurker". These days I am too busy reading all of the posts to post my own comments! It's nice to see so many new sandbox players each week. I think if I start posting more regularly I will have to enhance my name. There is another Christine.

-Christine the Lurker

Um... does the tea room have any booze?

I think I want a good buzz on when I meet our feathered friend (not to mention a few others too!)

I'm starting to question whether someone isn't messing with my mind, now that I see Bacon Girl AND Bourbon Girl.

Many talents, many identities, Taloned Avengers must have.

Someone messing with your mind??!!

Hmmm... I am the other Christine. This is interesting Christine the Lurker. And I too am an Aries like Piano Rob and Midnight Misha....I could switch it up to something new but I'll have to think on it.....

I am moonlighting as Christine the Lurker until we find something more suitable. Somehow Christine 1 and Christine 2 (getting a little Dr. Seuss) doesn't quite keep up with names with pork or bacon in them. Or large taloned avengers. We must thing of something a bit jazzier.

"Other" Christine (the Aries) - I supposed "Christine the Ram" wouldn't cut it as your moniker, right?

Okay, D@Lers - as of this post I am detecting a preference for the "Tearoom in a Strip Mall" for our First Bloggers Party, on Saturday, April 19. If said establishment is dry, then Bourbon Girl will have to come already medicated. However, we could find a "high tea" somewhere that serves tea, cucumber sandwiches, and bourbon. (Intriguing.)

On the other hand, I like RtSO's suggestion of a RF-catered party at a bowling alley - although I am a 10-pin kegler myself (we don't know from duckpins in MKE, don'cha know).

Perhaps, if we are serious about having this Party of the Sandbox Dwellers, we should discuss our preferences for geographical location. So, 4/19/08, time TBD, but where? Inner Harbor; Mt. Vernon; Roland Park; Towson; etc.

Let the posting begin, and Rosebud and I will take a meeting to assemble the specifics.

I'm pretty sure the suggestion of Royal Farms was in jest, but of course we are serious about getting together, masks and feathers and all.

OF course the RF suggestion was in jest - it was in jest, wasn't it, RtSO?

Anyway, with or without masks and feathers, let's think about location, location, location.

If the "other" Christine agrees I will become the Lioness, as I am a Leo.

I'm sensing the Special Select Committee of the Whole on Catering and Bread Rolls is having second thoughts on Royal Farm. Its seems such a shame. The sushi I bought back when Lady E brought it to our attention, is still in my frig looking as fresh and yummy as when I bought it (I'm still trying to figure out the EPA Toxic Waste label on the bottom of the container.) I was hoping to fill out the hors d’oeuvres table with my own small contribution.

Tea seems a bit stilted for a party, even if it eminates from a strip mall.

What about one of the not-too-pricey places that folks consistently rave about here? Such as Waterfront Hotel, Samos, Duda's, Mama's on Half Shell, etc.? I'm sure I'm forgetting many. But the idea is good food, good drink, not too expensive, appropriate mingling opportunities, and no one has to come pre-medicated.....

RtSO - Perhaps Book could sample your sushi prior to presenting it for the Sandbox's pleasure.

Bourbon Girl - I'm with you regarding a tea party vs. other venue. But, this being a democratic blog, let's see how the majority feels. Meanwhile, I vote for a comfy watering hole in Fell's Point that has, as BG put it, "good food, good drink, not too expensive."

What do you think, kids?

Book (not so) respectfully declines. Muttering something about book burning.

My vote is with Bourbon Girl (hell with that name, I'll vote anyway she wants: candy's nice, liquor is quicker and she comes with her own.)

I'm happy to go wherever the majority want to go.

I vote for a place that has bourbon and bacon. Can't go wrong with that.

Piano Rob, that wasn't you in the "Liberace" get-up on the local news last night--was it?

So sorry for the delay in response. I can handle Christine the Ram if Chrisatine 2 wants to be Christine the Lioness....LOL. This is wacky. Everyone elses names have to do with meat or flowers. And now we bring in additional animals...

Let's bring in lots of animal names (its a food blog) It will be something else to madden the vegans.

You first Rugbert the Ocelot!

Dahlink - While I come from the same town as Liberace and admire his piano artistry, I wouldn't be caught on camera dressed as him. (I can't afford all the jewelry.) No, I was too busy playing the piano at Center Stage last night to be bothered with the local media.

BTW - only five weeks from tomorrow before our First D@L Bloggers Party!

I am a sometimes poster/ lurker. I was thinking of coming to this blog party. I like the idea of a fells watering hole with good food, if I can get a vote.

So long as your chad isn't dangling, vote. And in the finest tradition of Mayor Richard Daley (of fond memory): vote early and often.

I think we may have cleared another hurdle: The Blogger Party will be Saturday, April 19, and it will take place in Fell's Point. The chair opens the Sandbox for suggestions of establishment. (Perhaps our Fearless Leader will recommend a place.) Remember, we are looking for something with good food, good drink, a comfortable place to meet new people, and reasonably priced. Discuss!

And in the finest tradition of Mayor Richard Daley (of fond memory): vote early and often.

I think that one predates the Daley clan. I remember it being attributed to Boss Tweed in the Tammany Hall era.

The cynical phrases "Vote early -- and often" and "Vote early -- and vote often" are variously attributed to three different Chicagoans: Al Capone, the famous gangster; Richard J. Daley, mayor from 1955 to 1976; and William Hale Thompson, mayor from 1915-1923 and 1931-1935. All three were notorious for their corruption and their manipulation of the democratic process. It is most likely that Thompson invented the phrase, and Capone and Daley later repeated it. (I found this on the web.)

According to this link (from Chicago Public Radio, no less), William Safire traced the origin of “vote early and often” to one of Martin Van Buren’s sons, back in the 1840s. I’d still say that the most memorable use of the line was in the song “Vote Early And Often For Curley”, a campaign song for Mayor James Michael Curley of Boston.

Thus endeth the history lesson. Now, let us return to picking a suitable venue, as April 19 approacheth!

'notorious for their corruption and their manipulation of the democratic process.' So how does that not fit the sandbox?

Getting back to the topic at hand (ahem!), I vote for any place we can BYOB and with no corkage fee. You can enjoy your bourbon with pigs feet, and I'll sip some Pinot Grigio and we'll all be happy campers.

Names, give us names.

Names depends on the time. If it's night time on a Saturday in Fells, there are very few, if any, places to suggest because they will be overrun with drunk college kids.

If it's afternoon, we probably have our pick of places, in which case we have at least Waterfront, Koopers, John Stevens, Duda's, as solid options for good food and drink and socializing

There is also the relatively new Alexander's Tavern (reviewed by EL, yes?), haven't been yet, though how can you fault a place that pours ($1 drafts) when it rains? Maybe we could get lucky.

Ohhhhhhhhhh Opera Robert!!!!! You and your Van BUren Boyz!!!! We are crazy abot the Van Buren boyz in Marseilles. Oh we are top gun number one ccrazy asbout them!!! ha ta!