Lots of stuff happening in the next couple of weeks, here’s a more or less random assortment of it: Raquel Leduc is a waitress at Three Aces who was shot in an especially vicious robbery about two weeks ago. To help her with her expenses while she’s off work, the bar-restaurant is holding a benefit called “Hell Can Wait” on Sunday October 7, beginning at 9 p.m. and running till closing. The band “Black Actress” will play, there will be a burlesque show, a raffle, DJs, and frankly Chef Matt Troost says he doesn’t know what all it’s going to consist of, but he says there’s a lot of support from the industry and he guarantees a good time and a number of surprises. Call the restaurant at 312-243-1577 or just show up on Sunday.
• Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn’s calendar keeps filling up for their upcoming Chicago visit to promote their new book Salumi: The Craft of Italian Dry Curing. Now they’re going to be doing an in-restaurant demonstration on Saturday, October 20 at The Publican, from 1 to 3 p.m., complete with tastes of charcuterie (drinks and bigger eats are at the usual prices). No reservations required, but we’d go early. Other events include the event on Friday at Floriole Cafe & Bakery and the master class on Sunday at EL Ideas, for which a few places are still available.
• Scrumptious Pantry, whose artisanal canned goods are sold at local markets, continues a series of classes called Heirloom 2.0 devoted to old ways for new lifestyles, we guess you’d say. October 11 will be “Healthy With Household Herbs 101,” with Loru Gorcyca from Merz Apothecary talking about how common herbs can help with various ailments. Other upcoming classes include “50s Favorite Party Dishes Revisited” on November 1 and “Canning 101” on December 6. Find out more about them here.
• Letherbee’s limited edition autumn gin will make its debut Sunday, October 7 at the latest edition of Vincent’s Koffeeshop, the monthly industry night-slash-Amsterdam-themed (koff, koff) event. In keeping with the restaurant’s Dutch theme, the restaurant will be done up this time to evoke Dutch New York and turning into Sleepy Hollow Tavern. The makers of Letherbee will be on hand, and various cocktails using the gin will be on offer. It runs 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the autumn gin will only be available at Vincent, The Violet Hour and Longman & Eagle.
