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.