Archive for October, 2006

Volume V – Issue 45 October 25, 2006

In this issue:
- This Friday, October 27 – Halloween Party at *Yanni’s Greek Restaurant* in Arlington Hts.
- Next Friday, Nov. 3 – “First on the Scene” at *Fiddlehead Cafe* American Bistro in Lincoln Square
- Next Saturday, Nov. 4 – “Old World Italian Dinner” at *Balducci’s* in Willowbrook
- “Have We Forgotten the Lessons of Halloweens Past?”

Friday Night! Handsome Hairy Wolfmen and Gorgeous Ghouls Dance at Yanni’s

This Friday night, October 27, grab all your friends by the throat and drag them to the Gourmet Advocates/Friends of Friends “Hairy Wolfmen and Gorgeous Ghouls” Halloween Party. It’s open to all singles (30s-50s). Scream with pleasure at the sight of all the clever costumed characters, risen from their crypts for a night of howling.

Enjoy a roaring-good time at Yanni’s Greek Restaurant just off I-90 at the Arlington Hts. exit. We’ll have a slab-full of tasty appetizers and lots of specials on liquid elixirs. “Rockin’ Rob” plays tunes till midnight to dance to (with a little karaoke, too). Lots of frighteningly good fun for $15 at the door ($13 for Premier members). Don’t feel like dressing up? Come to cheer on the throng. BE THERE or BEWARE.

Next weekend, we’re hosting two more parties. The first is Friday, November 3, at the brand new Fiddlehead Cafe at 4600 N. Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Square. Fiddlehead Cafe is a brand new wine-oriented bistro, with 30 pours by the glass and a menu of wine-friendly fish, meat and chicken entrees, all in an attractive, contemporary atmosphere.

Saturday night, we head to Willowbrook, at 7611 S. Madison, just off I-55, for an “Old World Italian Dinner” at the famous Balducci’s. Enjoy a variety of delicious traditional dishes, served in a cozy atmosphere. Metromix gives it 4 stars.

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– Here’s the Upcoming Line Up of Terrific Gourmet Advocates Parties –
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When? – This Friday, October 27, 8:00 p.m. – Midnight

What? – One of the Biggest Parties of the Year! Your Fiendishly Fun “Handsome Hairy Wolfmen and Gorgeous Ghouls” Halloween Party

Where? -

Yanni’s Greek Restaurant

10 E. Algonquin Road (at Arlington Hts. Road, a block off I-90) in Arlington Heights

How Much? – $15 at the door; $13 for paid members at the door (greenbacks)

Meet, mingle and howl with lots of other singles in this after-dark attitude adjustment (or is it experiment?) Halloween Party at that popular Greek restaurant, legendary for its frighteningly good food, Yanni’s Greek Restaurant.

Join with lots of other monsters, ghouls, nurses with cold stethoscopes and warm hearts, vampires, failed science experiments, zombie cheerleaders, bad boys, ex-mother-in-laws and geeky, whack-job political figures for an evening of good-natured fun. You say you’re not a costume-type guy or ghoul — show up anyway and cheer on the throng. Torches not required. The party is open to all singles (30s-50s).

The friendly chemists at Yanni’s will be mixing up an array of specially priced potions, elixirs and antidotes from vodka, whiskey or anything else you please to help ease you through whatever curse ails you. Gnaw and gorge on an overflowing table of tasty appetizers to please your palate. Enjoy listening and dancing (and occasionally howling) to music from “Rockin’ Rob” – our favorite DJ. To torture you further, there may even be some karaoke later in the evening. Costume or casual attire – your choice. No RIP or RSVP required. Park in the lot.

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When? – Friday, November 3, 7:30 – 10:00 p.m.

What? – “First on the Restaurant Scene” Dinner Party at

Where? – the Brand-New Contemporary American Bistro

Fiddlehead Cafe

4600 N. Lincoln Ave. (at Wilson) in Chicago’s Lincoln Square

How Much? – $45 for members; $47 for non-members and guests

Enjoy the culinary pleasures of the just-opened Fiddlehead Café. Two ex-Bin 36 veterans, David Byers and Mark Amodeo, took over the former Square Kitchen, transforming it into a new contemporary American bistro. Chef Robert Levitt, formerly of Del Toro and North Pond, is the new executive chef. His seasonally changing menu emphasizes wine-friendly fare. More than 30 wines by the glass, including several distinctive pours.

After an opening cocktail party (cash bar), sit down to enjoy wonderful cuisine along with warm conversation and camaraderie. Choose from six of the house’s sumptuous entrees: Roasted Free-Range Chicken Breast; Roasted Trout with Couscous; Steak Frites; Linguini with Shrimp, Clams and Mussels; Grilled Monkfish with Porcini Mushroom Bread Pudding or Slow-roasted Pork Shank with Bacon-braised Lentils

Also included is a signature Field Green Salad or Seasonal Soup of the Day and coffee or tea. Dressy casual attire. Street parking on Lincoln, Wilson or in a pay lot half a block south of the restaurant.
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When? – Saturday, November 4, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

What? – “Old World Italian Dinner Party” at the Famous, Family-owned

Where? -

Balducci’s Italian Restaurant

7611 S. Madison Ave. (at Frontage Road, just off I-55) in Willowbrook

How Much? – $40 for members; $42 for non-members and guests

Dine with and get to know other single professionals at an “Old World Italian Dinner Party” at the famous Balducci’s Italian Restaurant in Willowbrook. Balducci’s serves up traditional Italian dishes, created using favorite recipes from the old country. This white tablecloth charmer has garnered 4-star ratings from area diners for more than 30 years, from its off-the-beaten-path location just north of I-55.

Your evening begins with an hour-long cocktail party followed by a sit-down dinner in one of the restaurant’s comfortable salons. Choose from 7 delicious dinner entrees. Also included is your choice of soup or salad, hot bread with fresh roasted garlic, plus coffee or tea. Dressy casual attire. Park in the lot.

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*Membership* – If you are not already a member, we encourage you to join now so you can continue to participate. Non-members can attend one event to “check us out.” Right now, for $79 a year, you can take part in all the fun events and take advantage of the many benefits our club offers. Become a member at http://www.gourmetadvocates.com/Membership.htm
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Also check out the latest discussion in “Singles Notebook” on “get-real” dating and relationships for those over 30 at the new site, http://www.singlesnotebook.com/
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**Your Most Up-to-Date Listing of Gourmet Advocates and FOF Parties and Events**

- This Friday, October 27 – Friends of Friends/Gourmet Advocates Halloween Party and Dance (costumes encouraged, not required) at *Yanni’s Greek Restaurant* at Arlington Hts. and Algonquin Rds. in Arlington Heights. Dance to DJ “Rockin’ Rob”, great appetizers, awards for best costumes. $15 cover ($13 for Premier Members).

- Next Thursday, November 2 – 6:00 – 10:30 p.m. Next Friends of Friends “Famous Martini Party” will be at *BabaLuci* 1001 W. Golf Road (a couple blocks west of Higgins) in Hoffman Estates. Drink specials, heavy appetizers and live music for dancing. $7 cover ($5 for Premier members)

- Next Friday, Nov. 3 – 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Gourmet Advocates “New on the Scene” Party at the beautiful, just-opened, wine-friendly American bistro *Fiddlehead Cafe* at 4600 N. Lincoln Ave. (at Wilson) in Chicago’s Lincoln Square. Choose from six terrific entrees and 30 wines by the glass, including flights. $45 for GA members; $47 for non-members, guests and walk-ins.

- Next Saturday, Nov. 4 – 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Gourmet Advocates “Old World Italian Dinner Party” at the famous *Balducci’s Italian Restaurant* 7611 S. Madison St. in
Willowbrook (a few blocks east of Rt. 83 at I-55). $40 for members; $42 for guests.

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Singles Notebook – “Get-Real” Thoughts and Opinions from Jim “Senny” Senhauser

Get Rid of the Gargoyles on Your Shoulder

“Have We Forgotten the Lessons of Halloweens Past?”

When we were children, Halloween was always a special time. As little costumed characters, it was a chance to dress up as a super-hero, a pirate (though few of us understood what pirates really were), a beautiful princess, or something scary. It was a time when we could make believe that we were those things, and, for that day or evening, we actually were. Our parents and the neighbors on the block would fawn over us and tell us how strong, big, brave, scary or beautiful we looked. Even for a kid who stood 3 foot 4 inches, it was a chance to feel 8 feet tall. Sadly, those feelings were not destined to last.

As we grew older, somehow our parents or grandparents (when we were no longer so adorable), teachers, peers, “exes,” siblings (especially the older ones), bosses, other adults and numerous other sources embedded some less encouraging words or actions of in our psyches. These negative thoughts made us overly aware of what we couldn’t do rather than what we could.

Through their negative talk or actions of limitation, these usually well-intended people often reinforced in us that we were either “too this” (i.e. little, weak, young, fat, poor, bad, lazy) or “not enough that” (smart, pretty, capable, realistic, mature, talented or whatever). We learned all those things we couldn’t hope to achieve rather than what we could dream to become.

If you think about it, the “Catch 22″ is that often in trying to help us, they stomped on our ambition that in life we could be anything we wanted. In trying to protect us, shape our character, punish us, shield us from disappointment or, worst of all, raise their own self-esteem, those we counted on to teach us about life instead sometimes succeeded only in limiting our potential.

Through comments or deeds, they managed to reinforce our insecurities, make us feel guilty, become controlling, dwell on our flaws instead of our strengths, stifle our imagination and otherwise cause us to be reluctant to make decisions, make our own mistakes or learn to take calculated risks (and their consequences). Today, self-doubt and pessimistic internal talk that creep into our subconscious are often a result of this prolonged negative reinforcement.

I was lucky. Overall, my parents were very supportive. They listened to me and let me make most of my own decisions and personal choices. They showed confidence and trust in me. So, while they did not go along with my desire for our family to replace the dining room table with a pool table, they did not make me feel stupid for suggesting that possibility. In the end, their support built my confidence.

Knowing many of you (and just knowing human nature in general), I would guess that not all of you were as lucky as I was. Your Halloween fantasies of being a super-hero, a beautiful princess or a pirate have long since been squelched by actions or talk from others (and now even by you yourself). In the process, limits to your confidence and your potential took root. You’ve got to fight it. You simply cannot let your “inner talk,” those negative thoughts and insecurities that people around you have planted in you psyche, keep you from being who you want to be.

You don’t have to be a PERFECT husband, wife, lover, parent, boss, employee, buddy, girlfriend, dancer, writer, singer or athlete to become the BEST ONE YOU CAN BE. You just have to once again become confident that this is possible, and that you deserve no less. Yes, possible for you, not just for other people. The reality is you can be as beautiful, friendly, considerate, kind, bright, likeable and lovable as you allow yourself to be. It’s also pointless to blame those who implanted negative self-limiting thoughts within you. Just recognize what happened, forgive them and move forward resolutely with confidence.

So, during this Halloween season, it’s time for you to once again actually become a super-hero. You are bright, talented, and strong enough to conquer those imaginary scary monsters. Otherwise, they will be like gargoyles that sit on your shoulders, constantly trying to beat you down. Instead, cast out the curses of self-doubt, self-pity and self-talk that try to convince you that “you’re too this and not enough that” to be who you really want to be. Like monsters in the closet, the ones on your shoulders will disappear when you finally shine a light on them.

It’s also time to once again become that beautiful princess or that brave pirate (whatever that is) or just that strong, capable, decisive person. Remember, it is up to you to choose whether to believe that you can or to think that somehow you cannot. Your actions will follow your attitudes, and it’s scary how much you can accomplish if you just believe that you can.