Archive for November, 2006

Volume V – Issue 50 November 29, 2006

In this issue:
- This Saturday, December 2 – “Jingle Bell Hop” Dinner Dance at Café Zalute in Rosemont
- Next Friday, Dec. 8 – Senny’s Nativity Party (for December Babies) at Weather Mark Tavern in Chicago
- This Thursday, Nov. 30 – Friends of Friends Martini Party at Dover Straits in Hoffman Estates
- “What Often Sets Successful Singles Apart from Those Who Aren’t? ”

Hop on Out to Café Zalute in Rosemont on Saturday for a Fun Evening

Each year, our club hosts several holiday parties. The first is our “Jingle Bell Hop,” a more casual Dinner Dance that takes place this Saturday, December 2, at Café Zalute in Rosemont. It is an “Open Party” and is $42 in advance, whether you are a member or a guest. While we have had some fun at recent cocktail party/dance get-togethers at this venue, you cannot appreciate it fully until you savor the Café’s full dining capabilities. Add to it dancing to our own DJ, and you have makings for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Then, next Friday, we have our annual “Nativity Party.” It’s for everybody who, like me, was born in December and had their birthdays continually overshadowed by all the Christmas and Holiday Season festivities. So, regardless of when your birthday is, come celebrate or commiserate with me (Senny) and the other December babies as our birthdays approach. The venue for this momentous celebration is the Weather Mark Tavern, a lively new nautical themed restaurant in Chicago’s South Loop. Weather Mark serves some delicious variations on American comfort food. Why not do some early shopping, then drop down to the South Loop for this celebration. It’s $39 for members and $41 for guests. No gifts, please.

Sign up online right away for these Gourmet Advocates parties at www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html
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Here’s the Details for Upcoming Gourmet Advocates Parties
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When? – This Saturday, December 2, 7:00 p.m. – Midnight

What? – “Jingle Bell Hop” Cocktail Party, Dinner and Dancing Featuring Delicious Northern Italian Cuisine at the Very Popular

Where? –

Café Zalute Restaurant and Lounge

9501 W. Devon Ave. (just west of River Road, near I-294) in Rosemont

Remember the good old days, when you could go to that really great Italian restaurant on the corner and celebrate the advent of the holidays with friends over a totally satisfying dinner? And then after dinner, you’d dance the night away to your favorite songs? Well, you’re in luck.

The Gourmet Advocates host the “Jingle Bell Hop” cocktail party, dinner and dance at the delightful Café Zalute in Rosemont. Mix and mingle with single friends old and new during a get-acquainted cocktail party (cash bar) followed by a delicious three-course dinner featuring the restaurant’s noteworthy Italian cuisine.

Choose your entrée from the following sumptuous dishes:
- Sautéed Veal Francaise – a Light Egg Batter with a Lemon Butter Sauce and Potato
- Pan-roasted Tilapia – Fillet with Chopped Tomatoes, Layered with Garlic Spinach and Mashed Potatoes in Lemon Basil Butter Sauce
- Seafood Risotto – Fresh Mussels, Clams, and Shrimp Sautéed in a Spicy Red Sauce with Italian Rice
- Chicken Cardinale – Sautéed Breast in a Light Tomato Sauce with Roasted Red Peppers and Mozzarella Cheese, Fresh Asparagus with Rigatoni Marinara
- Crusted North Atlantic Salmon – Pan-seared, Almond-crusted Fillet with Beurre Blanc Sauce, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Fresh Julienne Vegetables
- Pork Chop Vesuvio – Double-cut 14 oz Charbroiled Chop Sautéed in Garlic, Wine, Oregano, Green Peas, Mushrooms, and Potato Wedges
Your dinner also includes a Garden Salad, a Trio of Decadent Desserts and Coffee or Tea.

After dinner, dance the night away to favorite songs from our own DJ. It will be a fun celebration of the memorable times of yesterday, while making new friends. Your evening is $42 for members, guests and non-members. Walk-ins are $44, as space permits. This is an “open party” for all singles, regardless of past participation.

Remember the good old days, when you could go to that really great Italian restaurant on the corner and celebrate the advent of the holidays with friends over a totally satisfying Sign up online right away for any Gourmet Advocates parties at www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html
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When? – Next Friday, December 8, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.

What? – This Is for the Holidays (and Your Birthday, Too) December “Nativity” Birthday Blowout Dinner Party at the New

Where? -

Weather Mark Tavern

1503 S. Michigan Ave. (near 15th St.) in Chicago’s South Loop (3 blocks south of Roosevelt)

For those of us who celebrate our birthdays near Christmas (and other December holidays), growing up we always had to share the spotlight this time of year. Join me, Senny, and the other December babies as we celebrate the holidays and our birthdays with all our single friends at this December “Nativity” Birthday Blowout Party.

Celebrate with us at the terrifically laid-back Weather Mark Tavern, in Chicago’s South Loop. This unique tavern and restaurant features unique renditions of American comfort food – tasty updates of the traditional classics.

Your evening starts with an hour-long cocktail party (cash bar) in the inviting nautical themed lounge area. Later, we’ll move into Weather Mark’s dining room for a sit-down dinner in attractive exposed brick and rich wood surroundings.

Choose from seven of the house’s sumptuous signature entrees: Tarragon-braised Salmon; Seared Chicken with Natural Jus; Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin; Roasted Scallops; Veal Meatloaf; Roasted Halibut and Macaroni and Cheese Gratin with Wild Boar Sausage or Portobella Mushroom. Dinner also includes unique side dishes and your choice of several homemade soups or unique salads, plus coffee or tea.

Your evening is $39 for members and $41 for guests, which covers dinner, taxes and tips for advance reservations. Walk-ups at the door are $41. Dressy casual attire. Valet or street parking or take the Red Line to Roosevelt and walk south.

Sign up online right away for any Gourmet Advocates parties at www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html
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Friends of Friends Event This Thursday
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For all of you interested in the Friends of Friends “Famous Martini Parties,” the next one is this Thursday, November 30, from 6:00 – 10:30 p.m. at the very popular Dover Straits at 1149 W. Golf Road in Hoffman Estates (3 blocks west of Higgins). We are always treated very well at Dover Straits, one of our favorite venues. There will be lots of heavy appetizers, plus live music for your listening and dancing pleasure. It is a great way to meet some new friends, all for a very affordable $7. No RSVP required. Just show up after work prepared to enjoy yourself and the crowd.

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*Membership* – If you are not already a Gourmet Advocates 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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Singles Notebook – “Get-Real” Thoughts and Opinions from Jim “Senny” Senhauser

Getting Connected for a Better New Year

What Often Sets Successful Singles Apart

from Those Who Aren’t?

There’s a new year approaching quickly. And sadly, that can be a very scary thought for a number of singles. Are you one of them?

Looking back over this past year, I’m sure you started out 2006 with a lot of plans, expectations, and goals, especially as they related to your social life, relationships and your single life in general. Maybe you wanted to find that “special someone.” Perhaps you just wanted to date a lot and enjoy your single status more. Or, you might have just wanted to get ANY kind of single social life going after a period of not being active in the single dating scene for some time.

Perhaps now is a good time to ask yourself one important question. “Are you a successful single?” Now, what exactly do I mean by a “successful” single? A lot of that has to do with how you yourself view success in your life. Do you have a lot of friends? Are you feeling happy and fulfilled socially, romantically and in all your relationships for that matter? Are you at peace with past relationships? Is your family life the way your want it to be? And are you satisfied, excited and even energized about your career and income? Are you pleased and confident with the direction your life appears to be heading?

If these questions are too overwhelming to ponder right now, try asking yourself just this one. “Now that we are approaching the end of the year, are you where you thought you would be?” If you are, you probably made the same decision that many other successful singles did. It seems to be a “common thread” for success for singles (and others for that matter). Still, it does not come easily for all of us.

If you aren’t where you planned, or expected to be at this point, I’d be willing to bet you didn’t experience this “common thread.”

The “common thread” I am talking about is GETTING CONNECTED. No, I am not talking about “hooking up” with somebody on a Friday night at the local bar for a night of passion. I am talking about meeting, getting to know and building all kinds of friendships and relationships with other singles (plus friendships with non-singles).

This process is known as a “Relational Approach” to meeting and interacting with other singles. Basically, it means getting to know people over time as friends first, and later, possibly more, all in a natural setting. It is an inclusive approach (”hey, come and join us!”). It contrasts with those “hunt and sort” approaches, like Internet, video or speed dating, intended to exclude most singles who do not meet some physical, age or income criteria.

When I write about this kind of “Relational Approach” to becoming a successful single, typically some reluctant singles give me a long line of excuses like …
- “I am only interested in meeting one person. Why would I want to get to know people I am not interested in dating?”
- “I don’t have time for this. I want results NOW!” (So, they try the NOW approaches for years, with little success.)
- “This is out of my comfort zone. It’s just not me.” (That’s exactly the point – to drag you out of your comfort zone and broaden your horizons.)
- “I’m afraid that others will think of me or label me as ‘desperate’, ‘overly eager’ or even ’single’.” (Not the ones that matter. Is it better to remain unfulfilled and worry about what a few shallow and inconsequential people think?)

The prescription I’m suggesting for the coming year is to become connected. Yes, get involved in the social networking (and even some business networking) occasions provided by the Gourmet Advocates, Friends of Friends and some other clubs and groups in greater Chicago. And, our club is planning a broader array of activities and resources in the coming year to help your accomplish your networking goals.

I close with a brief story. Two years ago, our club participated in a Fast Dating event. I went and invited one of my friends, Ron, who was also a member. He canceled at the last minute because of work obligations. At that event, I met a woman who was attractive and charming. We went out on a get-acquainted date, but there was no mutual spark. Still, another lady who had attended the speed dating event and I both encouraged Ron to call the lady we’d met there. Those two met, hit it off, and are getting married next weekend. That’s what social networking is all about – getting connected and developing a network of supportive, encouraging friends.