Glamour + Gourmet, A Girls’ Night Out at Andreas Hogue Salon

Hi Chicago! I’m Ashley Hogue, owner at Andreas Hogue Salon in Northbrook, and we have a really fun evening planned in honor of Earth Month!

On Tuesday, April 30th, your evening will begin at 6pm with a variety of gourmet food + wine at Whole Foods Market Northbrook’s Lifestyle Center (private party room). You will then journey to the salon for coffee + dessert and to experience one of our mini services. Choose from an Aveda Hand Massage/Paraffin Dip, a Mini Manicure, or a Mirabella “Just Eyes” makeover (a makeup application/consultation). We will also be raffling off haircuts, manicures, and an amazing gift basket worth $320 as well as a 10-class pass to Dailey Method!

Tickets are $30 each or $50 for ALL THREE salon services! Your donation will benefit the Alliance for the Great Lakes and help better water quality, promote water conservation, restore and enhance habitats and maintain healthy beaches in and around Lake Michigan.

For more formation contact ashley@andreashogue.com. Please RSVP to Hilary at (847) 272.1616.

-Ashley Hogue

Tags: Andreas Hogue Salon, Aveda, benefit, charity, Dailey Method, Earth month, food, fun, gifts, girls, hair, lake michigan, makeup, nails, night out, salon, spa, Whole Foods Market, wine

“Mothers in the Mills” Annual Benefit Hosted by The Puppy Mill Project

Attention all animal lovers! This is Cassy from Ripple Public Relations, and I wanted to spread the word about an amazing benefit coming up on Saturday, May 11^th at John Barleycorn River North (149 W. Kinzie). Chicago-based non-profit organization, The Puppy Mill Project, is holding their annual benefit to honor the “Mothers in the Mills”, just in time for Mother’s Day.

The “Mothers in the Mills” benefit was created to honor and bring attention to all mother dogs held captive in the mills on Mother’s Day weekend. The mother dogs are force bred until they are no longer profitable to the breeder. These breeders supply the puppies to pet stores and to the public, unbeknownst to them. This incredible organization is enlisting the help of the Chicagoland community for this heartfelt and truly inspiring event.

From 6:30-10:30pm, guests will be able to enjoy a night of drinks and dancing, with a gourmet buffet dinner, silent auction, and raffle prizes – all while contributing to a great cause. Steve Sanders,WGN-TV Anchorman will be the guest emcee, and Chicago fan favorite band, Out of Control, will be performing.  Tickets are $100 per person ($125 at the door), and can be purchased here.

It’s a fact that 99% of animals sold at pet stores are puppy mill animals that are bred in deplorable conditions. The mission of The Puppy Mill Project is to educate Chicago and beyond about these puppy mills, and put an end to this multi-billion dollar industry. Check out their YouTube video: “I Will Be Saved”.

For more information on The Puppy Mill Project, visit The Puppy Mill Project.

- Cassy Murphy, Ripple PR

Tags: anchorman, animal, animal lovers, benefit, breed, chicago, dinner, dogs, emcee, John Barleycorn River North, mills, Mother's Day, Mothers in the Mills, non-profit organization, Out of Control, pet stores, prizes, puppies, puppy, raffle, Ripple Public Relations, silent auction, Steve Sanders, The Puppy Mill Project, wgn tv

SOUTHSIDE BOXING ICON IN THE FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE!!!

Martin McGarry, native of Co Mayo, Ireland spent his youth fighting for his place among his many brothers and sisters.  His teenage years were spent in boxing rings spanning several continents.  As an adult he devoted his life to training boxers and taking kids off the streets, giving them an outlet to box and a safe place to channel their energy.  Now he is the one in need.

Fighting Amyloidosis, a terminal genetic disease that has already killed his mother and two of his brothers is one fight that you can’t train for.  The only medicine available is not yet approved by the FDA, and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Martin leaves Monday for Europe, to the only Doctor in the world who will treat him.  This treatment comes at a hefty price. And while Martin is loved by all who have ever met him, love alone will not save him; for that we need funding.

The Fight for Martin McGarry Benefit is being held on Sunday December 2nd, 2012 at 115 Bourbon Street from 1-6pm.  And while the ultimate goal is to raise funds, the turnout is expected to include the “who’s who” of high profile Chicagoans.  Not only is it a fundraiser, it has been coined the ”social networking event of the season”!   The raffle prizes include a 5 day cruise on a private yacht in St. Thomas (think rap video wealth with a South Side twist), a Luxury Lincoln MKZ, a 4 day stay in a state of the art oceanfront condo on the white sandy beaches of Ft. Lauderdale, World Class Golf packages and dozens more items you surely must have dahling! Help in the Fight For Martin McGarry, and help us save a life that has devoted his to helping so many.  As a wise friend recently said…..Be There or Be a Jerk! Follow us on Twitter for more info and hope to see you there! – Moira Curran

Tags: Amyloidosis, benefit, Bourbon Street, Boxer, boxing, chicago, fundraiser, Ireland, Martin McGarry, Networking, raffle, south side, Terminal Disease, The Fight for Martin McGarry, Weekend

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs! Well, kind of

I hope your calendar is clear this Friday night.  Why you ask?  Because it will be raining cats and dogs of course!  Ok, not literally.  But it’s the Anti-Cruelty Society’s 12^th Annual Fall Benefit, appropriately named: It’s Raining Cats & Dogs!  What can you expect from this extraordinary event (and I can assure you, it will be extraordinary)?  Here’s the inside scoop.

The Anti-Cruelty Society is Chicago’s oldest and largest private, open admission, unlimited stay humane society – helping to find “forever homes” for cats and dogs.  Through various programs and services like low to no-cost adoptions, spay/neuter clinics, cruelty investigations, humane education, charity veterinary clinics, dog training classes, and so forth, the organization helps over 50,000 animals and humans every year.

While supporting this remarkable cause at Chicago’s famous Palmer House Hilton hotel, you’ll be noshing on fabulous food prepared by the city’s finest chefs.  Some teasers?  Amanda Downing of Rockit Bar & Grill and Rockit Burger Bar (who doesn’t love what has been named “the best burger” in town by Good Morning America & Citysearch?), Patricio Sandoval of Mercadito (authentic Mexican cuisine, yum!), Ryan Pitts of RL (that’s right, the man behind Ralph Lauren’s iconic restaurant is on-board), John Coletta of Quartino (you can finally enjoy this rustic Italian restaurant that is jam-packed every weekend WITHOUT the wait), and Jeffrey Sills of Sprout (no explanation needed) will all be in attendance – to name just a few.  And in case you were wondering, complimentary cocktail bars will be stationed around the room.

NBC5’s Stefan Holt will be emceeing the evening which, in addition to the mouthwatering menu, will feature music from The Flat Cats, non-stop dancing, an old time photo booth, a cash raffle, a live & silent auction – including a safari trip to South Africa!, and adorable, ADOPTABLE cats & dogs serving of course as your host committee.

Individual tickets are $175 in advance or $200 at the door.  Better yet, Billy Dec has a few on-hand that you can enter to win.  Catch his regular “What’s on Dec” segment on Windy City Live tomorrow morning at 9:00am for all of the details.

So, is your calendar clear?  I’m assuming it will be now.  Enjoy!

-Kara Blasquez 

Tags: adopt cat, adopt dog, Amanda Downing, animal welfare organization, Anti-Cruelty Society, authentic Mexican food, benefit, best burger, billy dec, cash raffle, charity, chicago events, Citysearch best burger, finest chef, forever homes, Good Moring America best burger, It’s Raining Cats and Dogs, Jeffrey Sills, John Coletta, live auction, local cause, Mercadito, NBC, NBC5, Palmer House Hilton, Patricio Sandoval, photo booth, Quartino, Ralph Lauren restaurant, RL, rockit bar & grill, Rockit Burger Bar, Ryan Pitts, silent auction, Sprout, Stefan Holt, The Flat Cats, top chef, What's on Dec, windy city live

Bike-in Movie Nights are Back!

Tags: 1550 bar, Bar, benefit, Bikes, city farm, lincoln park, Movie, new belgium, night, non-profit, rooftop, summer, warm, weather, whole foods

Help Turn Bags Into Wishes For Make A Wish Illinois

“They” say to try and do at least one good deed a day right? Open the door for someone, help someone carry their groceries, or even something as simple as letting someone go in front of you in line. In this instance that I speak of, good deeds go a long way. You have the power to help a kids dream come true and have a blast with a couple of your friends!

On Saturday at 7pm, the 4th Annual Bags to Wishes Tournament to benefit Make-A-Wish^® Illinois is taking place at MINI of Chicago (1111 W. Diversey). Their goal this year is to raise over $30,000 to be able to grant 6 wishes to Illinois children living with a life-threatening medical condition!

The Associate Board, who is a group of young professionals serving the Make-A-Wish Foundation through event-based fundraising, promotion of volunteerism and philanthropy are hosting this great event!

They will have door prizes, raffle, silent auction, games, beer, wine & appetizers!

So grab some friends, form a team & make a wish come true!

Tickets are $55 per player or $110 per team. Non-player tickets are $40.

Tickets are available online at http://www.bagstowishes.org/ or by calling 312.602.9419.

FYI Make-A-Wish^® Illinois is dedicated to helping children with life-threatening medical conditions & all proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois.

-Amanda Rivera

Tags: 2012, Associate Board, Bags to Wishes, benefit, chicago, make a wish, Make A Wish Illinois, MINI of Chicago, raffle, silent auction

Jennifer hudson's (american idol, dreamgirls..) holiday toy drive & giveaway at navy pier!

Updated 12/24/10: here’s video mix from actual event so you can hear jennifer hudson singing, see the beautiful winter wonderland at navy pier, feel the happiness of giving toys & smiles to kids in need.. Please enjoy & spread this holiday cheer.. And have a wonderful holiday!

i’m honored to join Oscar winning chicagoan jennifer hudson in giving away toys to local kids in need tomorrow (12/22) at navy pier’s winter wonderfest, just one of the many fascinating events in her life that she talks about in this attached wgn news interview that I found interesting.  I’m also grateful to all of you who supported our sunda toy drive, which has produced so much more than we expected, that I will be passing out extra toys to 100 additional kids in need tomorrow on your behalf!

The event will be amazing with Jennifer singing holiday songs, and putting smiles on so many kids’ faces, all to benefit the jennifer hudson foundation, in honor of jennifer’s late nephew julian king, to help families who’ve lost relatives to a violent crime with basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and even grief counseling… So if can drop by navy pier and donate, toys, money, whatever, we’ll be there from 10am until noon.. and don’t forget, it’s navy pier’s winter wonderfest, so there’ll be indoor ice skating, rides, christmas caroling, and lots of last minute shopping you can do while helping out others!  Happy holidays everyone!

Tags: benefit, billy dec, charity, chicago, jennifer hudson, jennifer hudson foundation, julian king, navy pier, sunda, toy drive, wgn, winter wonderfest

Emmy Winner Jeremy Piven back in Chicago to Give away Role on Entourage!

Jeremy Piven & I made this quick lil fun video for you & your friends while i was on the set of hbo’s “entourage” playing the role of one of ari gold’s agents!  it’s about how you can get on the show too! So check it out and spread the word on email, blogging, facebook, twitter, or even speaking human to human!

This year our event happens on Saturday June 26th!  We went a step further and added an intimate dinner w/Jeremy at Sunda just before the usual crazy festivities at rockit bar & grill from 6p-10p! its a must for mingling w/Jeremy & the crew, enjoying drinks, hors d’oeuvres, music, fun, silent/live auction (including the “entourage” walk-on role!)… and to help get all proceeds to kids who want to excel in art & theatre!

Tickets to the Rockit portion are $125, to include the Sunda dinner its $300, and the number to call at Piven Theatre workshop to order tix is 847.866.8049 and website is www.piventheatre.org for more info!

**Updated Thursday, June 24th at 4pm ::: Just confirmed the official after party is at The Underground – arrive at 11pm sharp when doors open, space is limited. $20 cover to benefit The Piven Theatre Workshop.

BTW – if you missed me on ABC this morning – here’s the link - http://bit.ly/b66ukW

Sneak peek into the amazing silent auction….

At Sunda:

Set Visit to ABC’s Private Practice; meet Kate Walsh

Week at a villa in Tuscany

Napa Valley wine tour

Tickets to Swell Season concert; meet the band

At Rockit:

Entourage walk-on and set visit

Two tickets to a Matt Damen movie premiere

Drumming lessons from the drummer for Morrissey

Tags: aidan quinn, auction, benefit, billy dec, charity, chicago, entourage, hbo, jeremy piven, john cusack, joyce piven, kate walsh, piven, piven theatre workshop, piven theatre workshop benfit, rockit bar and grill, summer, sunda, theatre, tickets, win

Chicago Big Brother Jeff Schroeder heading for Amazing Race

shout out to my new chicago buddy, Big Brother Season 11′s Jeff Schroeder – who was just announced as a contestant on the next Amazing Race…check out story at….http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race/bio/jordan_and_jeff_16/bio.php?season=16

i also attached a random video clip of us in the kitchen of Rockit Wrigley during the Haiti Fundraiser I hosted with Bachelorette, Jillian Harris last saturday where the possible new show was mentioned… congrats man and thanks for getting more chitown representation out there!

Tags: amazing race, benefit, big brother, fundraiser, haiti, jeff schroeder, jillian harris, the bachelorette

A Karaoke Fundraiser to Fight Hunger

Its tomorrow! And we need you there!  Serious- Its only a $20 donation & I am buying drinks & food from 9-10p, at rockit Wrigley- so stop by and support! I have been talking about helping Haiti & hunger locally on radio & tv all week- see past couple posts- my video of me on drex & Mancow live are particularly impactful- and the video here where I am on tv Comcast sportsnet / chicago tribune live was one of the more calmer ones where not so rushed, and could explain more.

All proceeds benefit the chicago food depository, chicago’s nonprofit food bank working to end hunger where new records for individual pantry visits in recent months are up almost 20% versus a year ago- and sadly- donations are down!

So you know, the poverty rates for cook county (14.8%) & chicago (20.6%) continue to rise and are higher than the national average (13.2%). the unemployment rate in cook county was 10.7% in november, 4% higher than last year (6.7 percent). obviously times are tough for all, but w/ hunger & starvation in our own community & neighborhoods, we need to all help… so please join me at my karaoke fundraiser tmrw/friday night by rsvp’ing to info@rockitwrigley.com .. see you there and thank you!

Tags: benefit, chicago cubs, david kaplan, derrek lee, fundraiser, greater chicago food depository, haiti, hunger, rockit bar and grill, rockit wrigley