Archive for January, 2007

Volume VI – Issue 5 January 31, 2007

In this issue:
- This Friday, Feb. 2 – Friends of Friends “Super Weekend” Rally and Dance at *Furlongs* in Palatine
- This Sunday, February 4 – All Singles Super Sunday at *La Majada* in Oak Park
- Next Thurs., February 8 – Friends of Friends “Famous Martini Party” at *BabaLuci*
- Next Saturday, February 10 – Annual “Dateless, Not Desperate” Pre-Valentine’s Dinner/Dance at *Magnum’s Cristal* in Rolling Meadows
- “How Is a Satisfying Relationship Like Being in the Super Bowl?”

What a Super Week – Music and Dancing Friday; Margarita and Mexican Game Sunday

This weekend, there are two Super Bowl-themed parties.

First, on Friday night, February 2, from 7:30 – Midnight, Friends of Friends is hosting the “Super Weekend” Kickoff Rally Dance to root the Bears on to victory (while having a fun time just basking in the joy of the hour with other single fans). All the fun takes place at the popular Furlongs Sports Bar and Grill at 920 E. Northwest Highway, just off Rt. 53 in Palatine. Included are drink specials, complimentary substantial appetizers and dancing (and some karaoke) to our own DJ till midnight. Casual football-related attire is encouraged, not required. It’s open to all Gourmet Advocates and their friends. Your entire evening is $12 (or $10 for Premier Members).

Then, this Sunday, February 4, the Gourmet Advocates and Friends of Friends have our annual giant All Singles “Super Sunday” Party. It will be at La Majada Mexican Restaurant in Oak Park just off I-290. It’s a great chance to feast on a continuous array of delicious Mexican dishes throughout the evening. There will also be an OPEN BAR from 4:30 – 6:30 where you can enjoy margaritas or other liquid libations. This special event to view the Super Bowl on a big-screen TV includes lots of prizewinners all game long. The entire party of food, drink, football and fun (including all taxes and tips) is $47 for advance tickets or $49 at the door. This is also an Open Party for all singles (30s through 50s), so bring all your friends.

Next Thursday and Saturday, there are two more key parties that are pre-Valentine’s warm-ups. The next Friends of Friends “Famous Martini Party” is at BabaLuci Italian Cafe at 1001 W. Golf Road in Hoffman Estates on Thursday, February 8. It’s from 6-10:30 p.m. and includes drink specials, lots of appetizers and live music from Johnny Romano for listening and dancing. There’s a $7 cover ($5 for Premier members).

Then, Saturday, February 10, 7:00 p.m. – Midnight, is the 3rd Annual “Dateless, Not Desperate” Valentine’s Weekend Party featuring delicious American Classic cuisine and a singles dance at Magnum’s Steakhouse and Cristal Lounge 1701 Golf Road in Rolling Meadows. One of our largest and most popular parties of the year, this fun dinner dance is open to all singles (30s through 50s) and includes a cocktail party (cash bar), a full dinner with your choice from 5 tasty entrees, plus dancing to our own DJ after dinner. It’s $47 for members and $49 for guests to attend with advanced reservations.

All four parties should be loads of fun with great chances to get to know other singles and develop new friendships and relationships. You definitely don’t want to miss out.

Sign up right now for these memorable outings at www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html

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Here Are Details for the Next Four Outstanding Parties – Hope to See You There!
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When? – This Friday, February 2, 7:30 – Midnight

What? – Friends of Friends Singles “Super Weekend” Kickoff Rally and Dance at Where? -

Furlong’s Sports Bar and Grill

920 E. Northwest Highway in Hotel Indigo (just west of Rt. 53) in Palatine

Now that our beloved Bears have made it to the Super Bowl, it’s only appropriate that we all celebrate this once-in-a-great-while feat. Join with lots of other singles (30s through 50s) for the “Super Weekend” Kickoff Rally and Dance to root the team on to victory (while having a fun time just basking in the joy of the hour with other single fans). Includes drink specials, complimentary substantial appetizers and dancing to our own DJ till midnight.

The fun all takes place at Furlong’s Sports Bar and Grill, the popular sports bar in the Hotel Indigo, just west of Rt. 53 on Northwest Highway in Palatine. It will be a fun dance with our own DJ on hand to play music for a lot of dancing and a little karaoke throughout the evening. In addition, Furlong’s will also have lots of drink specials, plus a training table buffet of mouth-watering substantial appetizers.

Attire for the “Super Weekend” Kickoff Rally and Dance will be football casual. You’re encouraged (but in no way required) to wear your “Big Game” jersey, cheering or pom-pon outfit, Bear suit or anything football-oriented. Awards for “Best Team Spirit.”

For all this, it is a very affordable $12 cover in advance or at the door ($10 for premier members) to get in. All restaurants in Palatine, including Furlongs, are non-smoking. Have any questions? Contact Senny at 773-929-6534 or by E-mail at: senny@FOFSingles.com.

Advance signups with a charge card are at www.fofsingles.com/events.html
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When? – This Sunday, February 4, 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.

What? – All Singles Super Sunday for the Big Game – Margarita and Mexican Food Feast at Where? -

La Majada Mexican Restaurant

226 W. Harrison St. (at Harvey) in Oak Park (just off I-290, 4 short blocks west of Austin near the exit)

It comes along only a few times in your life – a chance to root on the beloved Bears in the biggest game for Chicago in a couple of decades against the hated Colts. What better way to enjoy a championship game than with …
- Lots of single friends old and new as you …
- Feast on La Majada’s delicious Mexican food throughout the afternoon and evening and …
- Enjoy a two-hour OPEN BAR from 4:30 to 6:30, which should pretty much get you through the pre-game ritual up to about halftime.
- Plus, there will also be hundreds of dollars for prizewinners throughout the afternoon and evening.
All the “Margarita and Mexican” Big Game festivities take place in La Majada’s private party room where you’ll watch the action on a giant TV.

La Majada is a hidden gem that delivers delicious Mexican food (and lots of it). The restaurant also serves up a mean margarita, daiquiri or Mexican cerveza (beer). The feast includes Chicken Quesadillas, Beef Mini-Flautas, Chicken Chimichangas, Mexican Chicken Wings, Homemade Guacamole, Salsa and Taco Chips, Beans, Rice and Sour Cream.

Your entire party is $47 for advance reservations, including a continuous array of Mexican food, two-hour open bar, and awards for prizewinners. It also covers all taxes and tips. This is an “Open Party,” so all singles are welcome. We ask you to sign up in advance so we can properly gauge the food and staffing and best plan for your arrival. Some walk-ups will be accepted for $49 as space permits. Casual attire. Plenty of street parking. Casual attire; jeans okay. This is a non-smoking party.

Register online with your charge card at www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html
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When? – Next Thursday, February 8, 6:00 – 10:30 p.m.

What? – Friends of Friends Famous Martini Party at the Popular Italian Restaurant Where? -

BabaLuci Italian Cafe

1001 W. Golf Rd. (just west of Higgins) in Hoffman Estates

Enjoy a singles mixer and themed martini party for singles (30s through 50s) at the very popular restaurant BabaLuci Italian Café in Hoffman Estates. Includes drink specials (cash bar) and a tasty buffet of substantial appetizers. There will also be live music from Johnny Romano for your listening and dancing pleasure. BabaLuci is non-smoking.

$7 cover ($5 for Premier members). Hosted by Friends of Friends Singles. For questions, go to: http://www.fofsingles.com/ or call Jim at 773-929-6534.
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When? – Next Saturday, February 10, 7:00 p.m. – Midnight

What? – Third Annual “I May Be Dateless But I’m Sure Not Desperate” Valentine’s Weekend Party Featuring Tasty American Classic Dishes plus Dancing at the Beautiful Where? -

Magnum’s Steakhouse and Cristal Lounge

1701 Golf Road (1/2 mile W. of Algonquin, in Continental Towers) in Rolling Meadows

Come to the third annual Valentine’s Weekend “Dateless, Not Desperate” dinner dance, a tongue-in-cheek celebration of choosing to be single rather than settling for anything less. This party is always one of our most popular of the year, and draws a large crowd.

Meet, mingle and socialize with other singles while enjoying the culinary pleasures of Magnum’s Steakhouse. The evening begins with a cocktail party (cash bar) in the Cristal Lounge, followed by a sit-down dinner. The Lounge’s warm, inviting ambiance creates an atmosphere conducive to romantic dining and post-dinner dancing to our own DJ. We have hired one of the best for this affair. Your choice of entree includes:
- Sliced Sirloin London Broil with Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Chicken Scallopine – Artichokes, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, and Olives in Wine Sauce with Wild Rice
- Grilled Shrimp with Herb Garlic Butter and a Baked Potato
- Two 10-oz. Center Cut Broiled Pork Chops with a Baked Potato
- Herb-crusted Atlantic Salmon with Wild Rice

Also included with dinner are a mixed green salad, and sides with coffee or tea. After dinner, enjoy more conversation and dancing. Your evening is $47 for members, and $49 for non-members and guests for advance registrations. We are expecting a large crowd, so walk-ups will be accepted at the door for $50 only as space permits. Dressy attire. Park in the lot. This is an “open” party, open to all singles regardless of past participation. This is a non-smoking party.

Register today online with your charge card at www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html
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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 – Thoughts and Opinions from Jim “Senny” Senhauser

“How Is a Satisfying Relationship Like Being in the Super Bowl?”

With all the hoopla going on in the week approaching the Super Bowl, perhaps surprisingly I got to thinking about how being in a truly fulfilling, satisfying and happy relationship is probably a lot like being in the Super Bowl. You may be wondering where such an analogy would come from (as you glance between the back pockets of my khakis). However, I can assure you that this thought comes from a couple of Super Bowls that especially stick in my mind.

The first example is one you are quite familiar with – Super Bowl XX, played in 1986 and won by the Bears over the Patriots, 46-10. I recall the pride and hope that this city felt about that game and that team. It seemed like the first of many Super Bowls victories that the Bears would claim – a dynasty was building, for sure.

Somehow, that dynasty didn’t ever happen. Despite all the talent the team had, they could not ever get over that hump again. In subsequent years, other teams with less talent but more luck or smaller egos or a greater hunger for the championship managed to beat the Bears.

My second example is Super Bowl XXXIV, played in 2000. The St. Louis Rams won that game over the Tennessee Titans, 23-16. That contest was especially memorable because Tennessee was driving for a touchdown at the end of the game, but fell short at the final gun when receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled at the 1-yard line. The Titans had come all that way to lose by a mere yard. Despite having a number of solid teams since, the Titans have yet to return to the Super Bowl.

So what exactly does all this Super Bowl history have to do with relationships?

The marvelous athletes who make it to the Super Bowl play football from the time they are in grade school until they are fully grown to get to this game. But getting to the game is not the final pinnacle. Being victorious in that game is the final reward. Still, despite all the joy and pride that victory brings, even that is not enough. Every player worth his salt wants to defend the championship, continuing to capture the Super Bowl as many times as he can until he retires.

So, I repeat what does all this Super Bowl stuff have to do with relationships?

Each one of us dates and tries to form romantic relationships for a significant portion of our “grown-up” life. In so doing, we search for that rare, beautiful “special someone” with whom we can create the kind of fulfilling, happy and satisfying, (and lasting) romantic relationship and life that we have always dreamed of. When at last we find that very special person, we want to make sure that we give our absolute best efforts toward building a lasting relationship. We don’t want to be like the Tennessee Titans and come so far only to fail just before reaching our ultimate goal. For those of you who have come close to achieving your dream relationship before, you know the pain that comes when somehow you cannot make your dream become a reality.

But even if you do achieve your dream relationship and your goal, just like the ‘85 Bears, you have to keep working harder than ever to try to keep that dream relationship wondrous, vital and fresh. Your initial victory is only an invitation to defend your title year after year after year. Laziness and complacency are your enemies. You cannot rest on past victories, inflated egos and overconfidence, but instead need to remain hungry to maintain, grow and constantly improve your relationship, romance and communication.

So, here’s to the Bears capturing a hard-fought and brilliant Super Bowl victory! And let’s hope you and I achieve our personal Super Bowl victories as well!