Lost TV Star Headlines Independent Film Fundraiser at Park West

We're squiring Terry O'Quinn (aka John Locke from Lost) about town tomorrow for a media tour to promote a fundraiser at Park West this Saturday evening, put on by our client Michelle Durpetti Events. The money goes to the independent film Using, which will premiere in November 2011 at Sundance Film Festival. After party at Bull & Bear.

Last year I blogged about my dear friend Lady Luck and Chicago Gateway Green's Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament, a star-studded blast. As a member of Gateway Green's associate board, I've had the honor in helping with this year's "Gaming for Green" 5th Annual tournament on Thursday, August 5, once again at the green, gorgeous venue Galleria Marchetti.

The grand prize is a $5,000 buy in to the World Series of Poker Circuit Event at Horseshoe Casino, Gaming for Green's presenting sponsor.

This year, thanks to the amazing connection of fellow associate boarder Brandon Carone, registrants who order online at www.gatewaygreen.org can get gift certificates ($350 worth) to Mercadito, Japonais, Enclave, Cuvee, Akira and Verto Salon.

But this isn't a party just for the poker sharks! Spectators like me will enjoy live entertainment, other charitable gaming, complimentary cocktails, cigars and food.

Celeb participants include emcees Carmen DeFalco and John Jurkovic from ESPN 1000 Radio and:

• Richard Roeper, Sun Times/WLS AM,
• Ginger Zee and Natalie Martinez, NBC 5 TV,
• Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune,
• DC Crenshaw, Game Time Dine,
• Ted Widen, Chicago Scene Magazine,
• Jessica Zweig, Cheeky Chicago,
• Ryan Baker, CBS 2
  
• and lots more.

Soooo.... know when to hold 'em for a great cause and come on out August 5. Proceeds go to greening and sustainably beautifying Chicago's expressways, gateways and communities.

Welcome Home Stanley!

I've had quite a ride working in "National Championship" cities. I launched my career in entertainment at the Breslin Center, during which time the Michigan State University basketball team earned the nice, shiny trophy. Then I moved east to work for Olympia Entertainment, the business/operating arm of the Detroit Red Wings during their Stanley Cup streak. The year I hopped over to do marketing for the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons sent me a mini-trophy to thank me for our partnership when they ultimately took the crown from the Lakers. In 2005, I moved to Chicago just before the fervor of the White Sox win. But having moved here from Hockeytown, I was shocked by the near-vacant halls of the United Center during home Blackhawks games. Witnessing the team turn around over the past three seasons, gain back this fiercely loyal sports town, and finally bring home Stanley last week... this was perhaps the most thrilling of all championship wins. I was raised on the game of hockey, complete with hosed down, backyard skating rinks. It is great to see millions of new people embrace this icy sport in the Windy City. Congrats to the team, and to the city, For The Win. (Photo: Molise PR client Garrett Popcorn Shops releases limited edition Stanley Cup tin).

Dining By Design and the rest of '09

Reflecting on Twenty Oh Nine. Oh what a year. I've blogged (although seldomly) about grand openings, Green Tie Ball, AKIRA Garden of Eden Fashion Show and more. I've worked with baseball legends Ron Kittle (White Sox, he was our hilarious "bouncer" at the Garrett Popcorn grand opening), and Fergie Jenkins (my client Lawry's The Prime Rib hosted a party to celebrate his Chicago Cubs jersey retirement). I had the privilege of publicizing the work of celebrity hair stylist George Gonzalez of George the Salon on an incredible campaign with Between Friends agency for Domestic Violence Awareness month in October.

In November, I worked with DIFFA Chicago (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS) on Dining by Design- securing one of the best design/build companies in the business The Dobbins Group ,who joined forces with Vancouver's interior designer Jillian Harris, to create a fun "Man Glam" tablescape (pictured above in no particular order: Jillian & Ed, Vincent & Lonnie from Genuine Entertainment, D.C. and Alayna Crenshaw, Tom and Suzie Dobbins, Alex Vaysman & Lindsey Kirleis of The Dobbins Group).

Looking forward to all the excitement of the ever-evolving PR industry in 2010.
Happy Holidays!

Chicago Gateway Green, a nonprofit organization that seeks to sustainably beautify Chicago's gateways and communities, received some national attention as the beneficiary of the Victoria's Secret exclusive, invite-only VIP reception to mark the grand opening of its Michigan Avenue store. Hosted by the gorgeous "Angels," superskinny-supermodels, the evening was attended by Gateway Green supporters, city officials and even some of my client friends like restaurant designer Jillian Harris and folks from Garrett Popcorn Shops.

Garrett Popcorn Shops Magnificent Mile Grand Opening

October 15 marked the grand opening of Garrett Popcorn Shops' flagship store at 625 N. Michigan Avenue. It also happens to be Garrett's 60th Anniversary as a beloved Chicago brand. I started planning the celebratory activities surrounding these milestones back in July, and the results were "Magnificent." On Tuesday we had a private VIP reception at the store, co-hosted by Concierge Preferred magazine. We brought in Levi Restaurants to cater premium cocktails and finger food- including beef sliders served in Garrett wax paper bags out of Hawkers boxes. Here I am at the party with Alecia Dantico, director of social media for Garrett, and interactive media guru Amy Korin.

On Thursday we officially opened the doors to the public, and despite the pouring rain and cold temps, we had a line around the block for hours. We handed out blue Garrett Popcorn Shops ponchos (rain or shine, there's always a line!) and gave away prizes like free popcorn and 60th anniversary commemorative T-shirts reading "Love can be messy," and complete with orange CheeseCorn fingerprints.

Finally, on Saturday, we invited Mayor Daley, Alderman Brendan Reilly, John Chikow from Greater North Michigan Avenue Association, and more special friends for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the kitchen.

What a week! It is official- Garrett Popcorn Shops is finally back on the Magnificent Mile!

Green Tie Ball XVIII - Rhapsody in Green Raised Some $$Green

Green Tie Ball - Rhapsody in Green raised some serious Gs for Chicago Gateway Green and its mission to sustainably beautify our fine Windy City. This past Saturday a capacity crowd (sold out before doors even opened!) gathered at a green-glowing Chicago Illuminating Company. As usual, the crowd was movin' and shakin' with A-listers and celebs including the great Marcus Riley of NBC5 pictured with me here. There were many exciting points of the evening including Lifeway Foods placing the highest bid during the live auction - $37,500 for a Gateway Green Expressway Partnership!