It doesn’t get much better than seeing the happy faces of children as you hand them toys for Christmas! Thanks to PR maven extraordinaire Dionne Williams, I was able to do just that…with Jennifer Hudson, no less! Jennifer, along with WGN-TV, organized several toy drives around the city ending with the big toy giveaway with over 600 kiddies at Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier. It was an uplifting experience, not only seeing all of the happy kids, but also hearing Jennifer sing “Oh, Holy Night” HER way! OMG! She’s never looked better and has lost even more weight since the Michigan Avenue Magazine party where she performed in October. She started her foundation, the Hudson- King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims, which honors the memory of her late mother Darnell Hudson Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian King. Its mission is a noble one, helping families who have lost relatives to a violent crime, with basic needs including food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling. Her sister, Julia, appeared onstage with her too and it was sweet to see how close they are. Jennifer said since they had such wonderful Christmases, they wanted as many kids as possible to have the same. Donald Buster Woods & G3 performed as well as Walt Whitman & the Soul Children. One of my favorite anchors, Valerie Warner (WGN-TV AM), was there along with Matt McGill (WVON) who shared the emceeing duties. The gorgeous Miss Black Illinois, Jalissa Amber Meredith, was there too, as well as fellow gift-giver Billy Dec of Rockit Ranch Productions. Renowned choreographer and owner of the Multicultural Dance Company, Homer Bryant, was also present along with his talented students who danced beautiful ballet and modern numbers. The place was packed to the rafters with students from the Abraham Lincoln Center. Its president, Zirl Smith, spoke as well as some of the other event sponsors which included Doris Lowry, Dr. Ronald Sam, AGB Investigative Services and Walgreen’s. The venue couldn’t have been more perfect and, since this was my first time to Wonderfest, I felt like a kid myself. I wandered through the magic and discovered a full size Ferris wheel, a rock climbing mountain, a cookie making display, a full size ice-skating rink, giant slides, a mini train, a HUGE Christmas tree, a hairdo booth for little girls, funnel cakes, Garrett’s popcorn stands and lots of exciting carnival rides including a Tilt-a-Whirl! There were also magnificently decorated trees of all sizes everywhere you looked. This wonderland helps to make Christmas in Chicago so very special for all ages. I’m so glad Jennifer is back home in Chicago. Weight Watchers has never had a more beautiful spokesperson. Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims can be sent c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP, 237 W. 35th St., 4th floor, New York, NY 10001 ATTN: William L. Abrams, Esq. (Additional photos by Caitlin Saville, Mila Samokhina and Thomas Blue…to view ALL event pics, please check out my Chicago Now site.
Designer Pamella Roland’s Spring 2011 collection was previewed recently at Neiman Marcus by an excited group of friends and fans. Helen Melchior and I co-hosted along with Neiman’s GM Wendy Krimins and PR director Tina Koegel. The Zodiac Room was buzzing and the luncheon party tables were decked out in beautiful shades of silver and burgundy. This collection is one of the best I’ve seen by any designer! Pamella showed stunning cocktail, evening and daytime looks that evoked Old Hollywood glamour – so refreshing after season after season of dressing down! There were surprise symbols under two guests’ plates for wonderful gifts donated by Pamella and her Director of Sales and Marketing, Kenneth Marks. One gift, a vanilla cashmere poncho valued at $2,500, was won by Cynthia Olson. The other gift included two tickets to her upcoming show during Fashion Week in NYC and it is Andrea Schwartz who will be going to Lincoln Center in February! The loaded goody bags had guests oohing and ahhing, too. Some of the holiday revelers included Leslie and Kate Zentner, Lauren and Marina Tatar, Sherren Leigh, Laura Barnett, Laura and Andrea Schwartz, Victoria Holdren, Lydia Fisher, Margie Habermann, Liz Sharp, Joyce Wippman, Cheryl Tama-Oblander, Joan Kohlmeier, Mary Pat and Cindy Burns, Arabel Rosales, Amelia Silva and Melinda Jakovich among others. To view ALL of the event photos by Caitlin Saville, please visit my Chicago Now site. I am so thrilled for the Joffrey Ballet’s beautiful and talented Victoria Jaiani on her recent inclusion in the Tribune’s “Chicagoans of the Year” feature this weekend. Only 10 people were chosen by Tribune arts critics and writers and our very own Victoria was one of them! Other worthy choices included Ernest Wong and Peter Schaudt (landscape architects), Ty Tabing (Exec. Director of the Chicago Loop Alliance), Martha Lavey (Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre), Riccardo Muti (music director of Chicago Symphony Orchestra), Paulinho Garcia (singer-songwriter-guitarist), Syl Johnson (blues/soul singer and producer), Gigi Pritzker (stage and film producer) and Blue Balliett (a young adult novelist). Congrats to all of these deserving and dedicated winners! Mark your calendars now for the “Love is in the House” party to benefit the building of the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House at 211 E. Grand. The party will be on Thursday, February 10th from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Trump International Hotel located at 401 N. Wabash. There will be entertainment, fine dining, a luxury car raffle and a mystery celeb auction to make any heart swoon! Tickets start at $100. For more info, please visit www.loveisinthehouse.com or contact Kristine Farra at 312-953-9567. Steppenwolf is gearing up for its second annual “Steppenwolf Salutes Women in the Arts: An Annual Luncheon Forum,” which honors a woman for her career in the theatrical arts. This year’s luncheon and conversation (which has a format similar to “Inside the Actor’s Studio”) will be held on Tuesday, March 15th, at the W Hotel Chicago-City Center, and will feature Steppenwolf ensemble member Martha Plimpton. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit Steppenwolf’s Professional Leadership Program, a nationally recognized training program for young professionals pursuing a career in arts administration. Host committee members include Nora Daley Conroy, Donna LaPietra, Jan Melk, Christie Hefner, Leslie Hindman, Leigh Bienen, Elizabeth H. Connelly, Lynn Lockwood Murphy, Susan Payne and moi. Tickets start at $200. For more info, please e-mail [email protected] or call 312-654-5632. It’s never too early to plan your parties for 2011, since we all seem to be getting busier and busier! So make sure you add “Lido des Boyz,” a burlesque and theatrical fundraising event, to your social calendar now! This party, benefitting Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), will take place on Saturday, March 5th at Park West with two shows at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Now in its fifth year, “Lido des Boyz” is comprised of more than 130 volunteer dancers and performers from top companies including River North Dance and Giordano Dance among many others and was supported by more than 1,400 attendees last year. It’s produced by Dance for Life co-founders Keith Elliott and Todd Kiech. This year’s presenting sponsor is Macy’s. To join in the fun, visit www.ChicagoTakesOff.org. (I heard a rumor that D’Manda Donation will be there, too! I can’t wait!) I hope you all had a healthy and happy holiday and that Santa was good to you! We had a Christmas Day Chili Party featuring Chuck’s famous chili and these adorable cookies by neighbor Stefani Turken. Too cute for words! Love, Candace [email protected]
P.S. I will be back on Tuesday, January 11th. Hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year!!!!
The Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker has been named the #1 Nutcracker in America and I’m sure founder Robert Joffrey is beaming in the “Land of Snow!” This timeless production never ceases to thrill me and put me in the holiday spirit. I love seeing all of the little kids in the audience dressed in their holiday best with worried mothers hoping they will sit still and enjoy seeing all of the magic onstage. Our dancers have never looked better and, in their exquisite costumes, they all look like the dazzling stars that they are. This year’s co-chairs for the Family Dinner – Odele Hawkins and Suzette Bulley – created a wonderful evening of family fun with an environmental theme. Chicago event designer Jody Elting featured a 12-foot recycled water bottle tree with recycled Birch trees to separate the many “creation stations” that included popcorn stringing, snowflake and dessert decorating, face painting and photo ops with characters from the Nutcracker. CircEsteem, a local non-profit, taught mini guests how to walk a tight wire and spin plates while their talented young performers entertained with stilt walking and a giant rolling wheel. There was locally sourced poultry and vegetable products and many other green features specific to the Palmer House which was dressed to the nines in holiday décor. (The breathtaking tree in the Grand Lobby is one of the best in the city.) The family-style dinner was one of my favorites, too! There were huge bowls of stuffing, mac and cheese, platters of turkey and fried chicken, cranberries, whipped potatoes of all kinds, veggie platters, salads, desserts...oh my! They had me at mac and cheese though, of course! Our Joffrey has been hailed as “America’s Company of Firsts” – the first dance company to perform at the White House at Jacqueline Kennedy’s invitation, the first to appear on television, the first American company to visit Russia, the first classical dance company to go multi-media, the first to commission a rock n’ roll ballet, the first and only dance company to appear on the cover of Time, and the first company to have a major motion picture based on it, Robert Altman’s “The Company.” Whew! I am so proud and happy to have this world class dance company right here in the heart of Chicago at the Joffrey Tower! Artistic Director Ashley Wheater said, “When you think about the Nutcracker, it’s about dreams becoming a reality. It’s about finding a place of beauty, and I think that what Gerry Arpino did was, he made the role of the child in the wheelchair really a possibility to be included with everyone else.” This ballet truly makes dreams come true for everyone who sees it around the holidays. I hope you will put it on your list of yearly family traditions, too! (Click through to my Chicago Now site for ALL event pics by Caitlin Saville!) What a great group of women at the annual TCW/Peninsula Holiday Luncheon this year! TCW’s owner and prez Sherren Leigh and the Pen’s regional VP and GM Maria Zec teamed up to invite a dynamic bunch of 55 lucky women to this year’s event which was held in Avenues. Even two-star Michelin Award-winning Chef Curtis Duffy turned out to meet and greet everyone after serving up an A+ meal which included a caviar appetizer, Alaskan king crab, hamachi with grains, seeds and nuts and, for dessert, a crabapple croissant. The room was dressed in holiday finery with something twinkling on every table and touches of Christmas red all around – even the massive draperies upon entering created a dramatic red peak at the delights to come upon entering. Some of the happy invitees included Rochelle Trotter, Hedy Ratner, Julie Selakovich, Dori Wilson, Laura and Andrea Schwartz, Cindy and Mary Pat Burns, Shauna Montgomery, Kristina McGrath, Tsi-tsi-ki Felix, Joy Germont, Judi Gorman, Zarada Gowenlock, Hazel Barr, Shelley Farley, Tiffani Kim, Sheila O’Grady, Abby O’Neill, Anita Ponder, Lisa Madigan, Amy Wimer, Jean Antoniou, Sheryl Dyer, Judge Anne Burke, Laura Barnett, Lee Bauer, Gemma Allen, Pam Capitanini, Susan Carlins, Joan Harris, Anu LaRoya, Mary Ann Rose, Laura Sage and Carolyn Jacob to name a few. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Thanks Sherren, Maria and Chef Duffy for a memorable holiday luncheon! (To see more fab pics by Caitlin Saville, click here.) ‘Tis the season for lunches and dinners! Another wonderful get-together was hosted by the Inaugural Women’s Auxiliary Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Auxiliary Chair MaryAnne Smith (darling wife of Coach Lovie), along with board members Jacki Chase, Pam Cumpata, Vali Fotos, Helen Pates and moi, invited a group of like-minded women who we hope will become a part of this budding board which will support the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House being built now in Streeterville. If you haven’t visited Le Cordon Bleu College, then you are missing out on an ambitious and delicious dining experience. Their student-run restaurant at 361 W. Chestnut, Chataigne, serves breakfast (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.), lunch (noon to 1 p.m.) and dinner (7 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Monday through Friday. Enjoy French cooking with an inventive modern flair in this casual fine dining establishment while allowing the students to apply their culinary training and gain relevant experience to further their chosen careers in food service and preparation. For reservations, please call 312-873-2032...it’s a win/win for all involved. Click here for more fun photos! Big congratulations to designer Elda de la Rosa on her 10th anniversary! Friends and fans came out in force to congratulate this much loved designer on 10 years designing couture. Dusty Stemer led the charge to plan this party and it was much appreciated by all who love her. Elda looked terrific and was beaming throughout the evening as old and new friends came through her atelier doors at the Pink Palace, located at 5555 N. Sheridan Road. The invite read from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. but Elda told me she didn’t leave until 12:30 a.m. when the last well wisher departed! Congratulations Elda…we all love you! For more info on this amazing designer visit www.eldadelarosa.com or call 773-769-3128. (Extra pics by Steve Starr…to see more party pics, please click here!) There is still time to make plans to attend the Sundance Film Festival this year! Columbia College Chicago AND Brenda Sexton, return to Sundance January 21st through 24th with several days of food, fun, film screenings and conversation with industry insiders. Eric Winston, Columbia College’s VP for Institutional Advancement, tells me they have even negotiated great rates at the Waldorf Astoria in Park City, Utah for attendees! Wish I could make it this year – it was a blast last year hangin’ with Robert Redford, etc. (Yeah, right!) Anyway, hope you go and fill me in on the details! Say hi to Bob for me, too! For reservations, click here. Michigan Avenue Magazine’s Holiday Bash at Horseshoe Casino sure looked like fun! I wasn’t able to attend but thanks to Steve Starr’s photos, I felt like I was there! Editor-in-chief Susanna Negovan and publisher Dan Uslan, along with a hot host committee led by DC Crenshaw (founder and prez of Fete, the world’s premier dining network), planned a fabo party in the decadent VIP room at Horseshoe. Check out Steve’s fun pics on my Chicago Now site and see what I missed! Well, you know it’s a sign of the times when you start receiving ecards from Hef at LA Mansion West! First, you find out he tweets and now this! I’ve collected a lot of these invites because, well, quite simply, they are works of art and are a unique part of Playboy’s history. Through the years, I’ve received cards from Hef which chronicle his life. In 2008, the card featured his twin girlfriends Kristina and Karissa Shannon; in 2007, it was Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson (pre-boob jobs); in 2004, it was him and Holly in a bunny costume; and 2003 must’ve been a lonely year for Hef since the card only featured him on the front. These cards also bring big money on eBay but I don’t plan on ever selling mine. Still, it’s a sad time for Playmates, Bunnies and all who love the world of Playboy with this latest aspect of “progress.” I even received my invite to the New Year’s Eve party this year via the computer. In the past, these gilded invites featured fabulous Vargas-style artwork by Olivia de Berardinis. Sigh...I feel a Charlie Brown Christmas coming on... In closing at Christmas time, I want to thank you all for following my blog. I started Candid Candace a little over two years ago with about three readers – all being my immediate family – but it has grown in ways I could never have imagined. Stay tuned for lots of exciting news in the New Year...I’ve had lots of requests for advertising, and this is going to happen in the coming year along with a slightly redesigned and updated website. Wish me luck but, as always, I am jumping in with both feet! Have a blessed, healthy and happy holiday with the ones you love. And now enjoy one of my favorite Christmas/Holiday videos EVER below! Love, Candace [email protected]
One of my favorite events is the World of Chocolate benefitting the Aids Foundation of Chicago. Not only is it really “sweet” fun (pun intended!) but the people who attend are all in full holiday-happy mode which makes it even more exciting! This year, 1,700 guests attended this ninth annual winter soiree to sample sweet and savory morsels from 26 of the city’s finest restaurants, chocolatiers and caterers. Held at the Hilton Chicago, this one-of-a-kind event commemorated World AIDS Day and raised more than $170,000 to support AFC and the fight against HIV/AIDS. Guests savored a variety of unusual and tasty treats including chocolate mashed potatoes, caramel sea salt truffles and red ribbon cookies. Booths sparkled spectacularly amidst holiday displays in a room draped by Tom Kehoe with the honorary color of the evening – red. The décor, which included gorgeous oversized lamps and round banquette seating, made the large ballroom seem like a cozy, charming living room. Local celebrity judges included Malika Ameen (“Top Chef: Just Desserts” contestant), Valerie Beck (president and founder of Chicago Chocolate Tours), Kathy Brock (WLS-TV, ABC anchor), Richard Dayhoff (nationally recognized fashion designer), Billy Dec (CEO and founder of Rockit Ranch Productions), Miss Foozie (irrepressible female impersonator), Jan Jeffcoat (WFLD-TV, FOX anchor), Steven Hamilton (celebrated food photog), Sarah Levy (Sarah’s Candies), Bill Pritchard (Sr. VP of Community Affairs for Chicago Pride), Loni Swain (WGCI-FM on-air personality), Fritz Knipschildt (guest of honor and world renowned chocolatier) and moi. Governor Pat Quinn was on hand as a guest of honor and promised to sign the civil union legislation into law after the first of the year causing the crowd to roar with cheers. Even mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel was there working the crowd, taking pics and shaking hands. During the event, guests enjoyed lively entertainment provided by DJ Mark Picchiotti, an elaborate buffet, champagne and cocktails. Many guests came dressed for fun wearing playful costume props including feather boas, cowboy hats and giant clown glasses. The judges awarded special vendors with awards in five categories: The Hot Chocolate Award for overall tastiest treat went to Terry’s Toffee, the Loco Cocoa Award for most creative use of chocolate was presented to the Hearty Boys (their chocolate infused BBQ pulled pork with bourbon sweet mashed potatoes was incredibly tasty!), the Sweet Booth Award for best overall presentation went to the Peninsula Hotel for their creative winter ski chalet (the Pen also won the Chocoholic’s Dream Award for most visually enticing dish as well as the People’s Choice Award for guests’ overall favorite chocolatier). Some other highlights included Mama Picky’s whose family has been in the business since the ‘20s. They even grow their own pecans for their chocolates! Talbott Teas and Chocopologie by Knipschildt Chocolatiers were both named as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things while the Illinois Nut Company presented LGBT chocolate toppers. Another favorite of mine, Just Like You Like It Catering, offered delicious comfort food including mashed potatoes and fried sweet potato strings covered in chocolate sauce. Trust me, it was delicious! The Palmer House’s darling homage to the 70’s included TaB cans lit from below on the walls with Chef Stephen Henry and staff serving up delicious chocolate TaB floats. Can’t wait to see what kind of fabulous creations are offered at the tenth winter party in 2011! To view ALL event pics, please visit my Chicago Now site. (Additional pics by Steve Starr.) The Service Club of Chicago, one of the oldest women’s charitable organizations in the city at 120 years old, held their annual Holiday Luncheon in one of the most beautiful rooms in the city, Cathedral Hall at the University Club. My first thought upon entering was that I had died and gone to Hogwarts: The soaring ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows framed the enormous 22-foot tree which was exquisitely laden with ornaments! The luncheon was a sell out with over 200 guests attending and the holiday shopping offered some of the best gift ideas around. Vendors included Mary, Mary – who had the coolest ballerina ornaments (I bought two for friends) – among many other holiday delights. Tails in the City had the most adorable puppy wear! I bought two little, bitty red and green knitted scarves for Mickey and Rooney. And LuLu’s at the Belle Kay featured their always-gorgeous vintage jewelry selections. The luncheon committee, which included Hazel Barr, Jean Antoniou, Holly Barr, Cheryl Bollinger, Yvette Cusack and Stacie McClane outdid themselves this year and I hope we return to this magical spot again next year. Cheryl even created the whimsical snowman centerpieces on all of the tables—talk about an involved hands-on committee!!! Every guest brought a children’s book which was donated to the Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital. To find out more about all of the wonderful efforts of this organization, please visit www.serviceclubofchicago.org. (Additional pics by Steve Starr...to view ALL event pics, please click here!)
One of my very favorite magazines, Chicago, celebrated its 40th anniversary in grand style recently at the James Hotel. Over 450 friends came out on this snowy night to toast publisher/general manager Rich Gamble and editor Dick Babcock. Rich had this to say: “In 2004, we were the first city monthly ever to win a National Magazine Award for general excellence, tantamount to an Oscar in the magazine business. Our readers rewarded us with their loyalty: Chicago is the largest city monthly magazine in the United States.” Yeahhh! Familiar faces seen in the crowd included Sugar Rautbord, Greg Hyder, Amanda Puck and her cute boyfriend Jerome Weitzel, Amalie Drury, Laura Schwartz, Carmen Rivera and Chicago’s Natalie Sturgis and so many more. To see ALL of the fun party pics, please check out my Chicago Now page.
Here’s something worth planning ahead for: The Fifth Annual Signature event, “My Kind of Town,” will be held on Saturday, January 29th at the River East Art Center located at 435 E. Illinois St. from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. This chic cocktail party benefits the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation which is evolving into America’s #1 advocate for children and families battling pediatric cancer. This year alone, over 13,000 children will be diagnosed with this horrible disease. CEO/President Kathleen Casey started this much-needed organization when her son Bear was diagnosed at age three with the most curable form of pediatric cancer but, sadly, five and a half years later, he lost his courageous battle. His remarkable spirit gave birth to Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Over the last 18 years, Bear Necessities has funded over $3 million for critical research and support services. Tickets, which are $60 in advance and $75 at the door, can be purchased by calling Karen Roark at 312-214-1200, X29 or by e-mailing her at [email protected]. To learn more about this wonderful organization, please watch this short video. The Old Town Triangle’s Annual Holiday Party was packed to the brim with neighbors who were entertained by the “Sounds of Sweetness,” which is Walter Payton College Prep High School’s male a cappella ensemble. Formed in 2001, they sang a number of joyous holiday tunes to a rapt audience and thanked event organizer Shirley Baugher for bringing them to our Old Town party. Guests enjoyed all manner of home-baked goods, caroling led by Jeff Weaver, crafts for the kids conducted by Amy Ewaldt and the beautiful artwork by Elizabeth Weber. The Sounds of Sweetness have performed all over the country and recently appeared on ABC 7 Morning News live from Christkindl Fest in Daley Plaza. If you live in Old Town and are not Triangle members, you can join by visiting www.OldTownTriangle.com and come join in our fun! Auctioneer extraordinaire Leslie Hindman recently celebrated a birthday at her 100-acre farm, Fair Warning, in Bull Valley, Illinois. There were so many friends there to wish her well – including long-time friends Mary Lou Gorno and Mike Sneed who made the birthday toast – that we were spilling over into the magnificent barn where the sit-down dinner was held. Leslie had hired a delightful duo to perform some of her favorite songs from the ‘70s and it was a wonderful celebration for a terrific and well-loved friend. BTW, Leslie auctioned off a beautiful Norman Rockwell painting Sunday afternoon for a very tidy sum! Congrats and Happy Birthday, Leslie! We love YOU! (Click here for more pics from this fun night!) This year, I am only buying Christmas gifts for my son Charley and my mother-in-law Jean. Chuck and I couldn’t squeeze another geegaw into our home so I think this is a wise and money-saving decision this year. However, I do have some recommendations for some delightful gifts if you are so inclined! One of my favorite shops – Mangel Florists – is located at the Drake Hotel. Mangel has been around forever but many don’t realize they have a packed gift shop as well as floral services! You feel like you’ve stumbled into Santa’s workshop there are so many visual delights! Even their windows are some of my very favorites in the city—sort of like mini Bergdorf Goodmans. Another favorite shop for gifts is the Joffrey Ballet’s gift shop. Their selections include Monskey Nutcracker dolls (“Bob” has just been named one of the top five holiday gifts this year by Time Out Chicago), jewelry boxes, ballet bears, Nutcracker pop-up books, ornaments, Joffrey logo clothing, note cards, mugs and photo albums to name a few. You can order online here. Greg Hyder told me about Brimfield, a store that opened recently at 5219 N. Clark in Andersonville. Owner Julie Fernstrom loves plaids, flannels and antiques so her shop is filled with wondrous things including vintage Christmas items! I hear it’s selling out fast though so you better pop in! Happy hunting! (View more fantastic holiday finds here.)
Well, that’s it for this week! I hope all of you and your loved ones are enjoying this magical holiday season. There is so much to see and do in Chicago now! Two of my favorites are the Zoo Lights Festival at the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Christkindl Market in Daley Plaza…maybe I will see you there! I will be wearing the oversized Santa hat! :)
Love, Candace [email protected] P.S. Special thanks to writer Jessica Radloff and AOL’s City’s Best for naming me the “Unofficial Hostess of Chicago!” Thanks for this honor, Jessica and City’s Best! :)
