In this issue:
- Tonight – Wed., Feb. 28 – FOF Motown Martini Party at *Dover Straits* in Hoffman Estates
- This Saturday, March 3 – Dinner Party with Live Music at *Tuscany* in Wheeling
- Next Saturday, March 10 – Char-grilled “Gaucho Dinner” at *Fusion Fire* in Villa Park
- “Are You Aware of the Hidden Dangers of Dry Cleaning?”

Lots of Parties for Singles Coming Your Way in the Next Couple of Weeks — Tuscany Dinner with Live Music Saturday; Gaucho Dinner Saturday, March 10

Hopefully, most of the snow is now behind us. During the next few weeks, the Gourmet Advocates and Friends of Friends have some terrific parties coming up that are sure to put some “spring” in your step. The next few are listed below. Also, watch for our combined Gourmet Advocates/Friends St. Patrick’s Day Party (always one of our biggest and best). Details should be finalized by tomorrow.

This Saturday, March 3, at 7:00-10:00 p.m. (with dancing till 11:30), the Gourmet Advocates host a fun dinner party at Tuscany, the popular Italian restaurant from Phil Stefani on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling. There will be a get-acquainted pre-dinner cocktail party (cash bar), followed by a sit-down dinner in one of Tuscany’s semi-private salons. Not only will there be six unique entrees from which to choose, but there will also be a trio that will provide live music after dinner to listen or dance to. All this takes place in a very pleasing trattoria atmosphere. Your evening is $45 for members and $47 for non-members/guests.

Then, on Saturday, March 10, We journey to the brand new Fusion Fire Italian and Brazilian Cuisine on St. Charles Road in Villa Park. This charming newcomer combines the churrascaria dining style, with gauchos that carve lots of char-grilled meats at your table or a single seafood entree (Shrimp Scampi, Tilapia, Salmon or Sea Bass), with an Italian hot and ultra-deluxe salad buffet. The owner is a former Sal & Carvao manager of Italian descent from Brazil. This grilled meat feast will be $45 for members or $47 for guests.   

Sign up today for these memorable outings at  www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html
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FOF Famous Martini Party Tonight – It’s Motown Night

Also tonight, there is another terrific party. Friends of Friends host the “Motown” Martini Party this Wednesday, February 28, from 6:00 -10:30 p.m., at the popular Dover Straits restaurant at 1149 W. Golf Road in Hoffman Estates. In addition to drink specials, there will be a complimentary buffet of substantial appetizers and Motown, R&B and Doo-Wop music from singer Vic Flanagan. It’s a night you won’t want to miss, especially at a $7 cover ($5 for Premier Members). That’s an affordability that’s hard to beat. No RSVP required. For more details, go to:
http://www.fofsingles.com/events.html .
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We all hope to see you tonight (Wednesday) at the Friends of Friends outing at Dover Straits in Hoffman Estates and this coming Saturday at Tuscany in Wheeling. Take that first big step with us to expand your circle of fun single friends.

Senny

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Here Are Details for the Next Two Gourmet Advocates Parties – Hope to See You There!
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When? – This Saturday, March 3, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (with Music till 11:30)
 
What? – Give Your Weekend an “Up Note,” Dining on Delicious Italian Cuisine with Live Music for Dancing at the Charming North Suburban Gem                 Where? -
 

Tuscany Italian Restaurant

550 S. Milwaukee Ave. (at Manchester Drive, 4 blocks S. of Dundee) in Wheeling
 
Meet, mingle and socialize with other singles while enjoying the culinary pleasures of Phil Stefani’s Tuscany. This charming gem is one of the well-regarded Italian restaurants in the northern suburbs. Tuscany prepares dishes in a rich traditional manner and presents them in a romantic and pleasing trattoria atmosphere.
 
Your delightful evening begins with a cocktail party (cash bar) in the lounge area, followed by a sit-down dinner. Your choice of entrees includes: 
-  Sautéed Tilapia Portofino with White Wine, Basil, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts
- Veal Gorgonzola – Veal Medallions Sautéed with Asparagus and Pinot Grigio Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce
- Chicken Marsala – Chicken Breast Sautéed with Mushrooms and Marsala Wine
- Ravioli Pera alla Giorgio – Pear and Parmesan Cheese-stuffed Raviolis with Pine Nuts, Walnuts, Cashews, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Pears and Mascarpone Cheese   
- Pork Chops – 3 Roasted Ribeye Chops with Roasted Potatoes and Peas in White Wine Sauce
- Spaghettini Di Mare – Shrimp, Calamari, Octopus, Clams and Mussels in a Garlic, Olive Oil and Marinara Sauce over Spaghettini Pasta
Also included with dinner are sides, and your choice of a house salad or soup, plus coffee, tea or soft drinks. After dinner, listen or dance to music from the Vic Valenti Trio throughout the rest of the evening.
 
Your party is $45 for members and $47 for non-members or guests for dinner, entertainment, taxes and tips for advance registrations. Walk-ups will also be accepted at the door for $47 (space permitting). Dressy casual attire. Park in the lot.
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When? – Next Saturday, March 10, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
 
What? – “New on the Restaurant Scene” – An Exciting Evening Dining on Char-grilled Meats or Seafood at  
Where? -

Fusion Fire Italian and Brazilian Cuisine

123 E. St. Charles Rd. (at Charles St. , 1/2 mile W. of Route 83) in Villa Park
 
The recently opened Fusion Fire, a delightful Brazilian Churrascaria-style charcoal grill restaurant, is the newest addition to the west suburban dining scene. Their style of grilling and roasting was developed in southern Brazil, the land of the Gaucho. It highlights flavorful meats, especially beef (but also chicken and pork), cooked over wood charcoal on skewers.
 
Like other local churrascarias, Fusion Fire has a beautiful signature salad bar. The owner, Emerson Tonon (formerly of Sal & Carvao) hails from the Italian area of southern Brazil. So, he has added an Italian pasta, side dish and antipasti bar to this unique rotisserie grilling adventure. In addition, if you are not in the mood for a feast of meats, you can instead choose to dine on one of several fish entrees to accompany your salad and Italian bar.
  
Enjoy an opening cocktail party (cash bar) with other singles, followed by a sit-down dinner to enjoy wonderful cuisine along with warm conversation and camaraderie. Servers will come to your table to carve and serve you boundless portions of 10 charcoal grilled meats ranging from filet mignon, sirloin, and pork tenderloin, to sausages, barbecued ribs, and chicken.
Or, if you prefer seafood, choose one of the following single entrée options:
- Grilled Jumbo Scampi
- Grilled Salmon over Butternut Squash, Tomatoes and Baby Spinach
- Pan-fried Golden Tilapia
- Egg-battered Sea Bass in Garlic, Lemon Wine Sauce with Sautéed Spinach.
 
Included with all options are multiple trips to a huge, ultra-deluxe salad bar, and Italian pasta, side dish and antipasti bar. Your evening is $45 for members and $47 for non-members and guests, covering your churrasco dinner or seafood entree, salad bar, Italian bar, coffee, tea or soft drinks, taxes and tips for advance reservations. Walk-ups will be accepted at the door for $47. Dressy casual attire. Park in the restaurant’s lot or behind Childtime Kindergarten nearby.

Register 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 all the benefits our club provides. 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

“Are You Aware of the Hidden Dangers of Dry Cleaning?”

Those of you who know me well are aware that I have some allergies. The further something is from “natural”, the more negatively it affects me.

Today, I want to point out a hidden danger present in your everyday life. It is something that can trigger negative health reactions in people who are not necessarily “allergic.” I am talking about the current common dry cleaning methods. The term “dry cleaning” is a misnomer. It should instead be called “non-water” cleaning. In most cases, the cleaning processes consist of bathing clothes in a strong chemical solvent called perchloroethylene, or “perc” for short, used by more than 80 per cent of dry cleaners.

This solvent is also a strong de-greaser used to strip metals and can leave a certain residue that remains on the fabric long after it dries. Perc can give clothes a telltale sharp odor that only gradually fades away. This chemical is absorbed into a person’s system through inhalation and contact with the skin. Needless to say, studies have shown perc to be a known carcinogen, with reactions that include dizziness, liver damage, nervous disorders and contact dermatitis. It also can cause reproductive health problems in women. Clearly, perc’s strength in dissolving organic compounds is also its drawback once it enters the human body. In addition, it is a listed EPA water contaminant.

A buddy of mine, who grew up in the dry cleaning business and continued in it after college, passed away several years ago at age 51. He’d gone through a prolonged bout with liver cancer. Not being a doctor, I won’t comment on the precise causes of my buddy’s cancer. What I do know, from personal experience, was that unless my perc-cleaned clothes were aired out for at least a week outside, they gave me headaches and made my skin turn red and itchy when I wore them. This was clearly not an acceptable price for me to pay to have clean clothes. Chances are that I am more sensitive to this chemical than you are. But, does that mean that it is not negatively impacting you?

Seeking alternatives to perc-based dry cleaning in the Chicago area, I found two very viable approaches. The first, a company in Chicago, is called the Greener Cleaner, (5312 N. Broadway). This shop actually uses a process called wet cleaning, where they wash your clothes in water and special soaps and control shrinkage as they dry and press them. The Greener Cleaner performed well on my sweaters and tightly woven wools, like gabardine, but proved less effective on loosely woven wools or wool-silk blends.

For my wools, I have used several dry cleaners in suburban Chicago that employ the “GreenEarth” silicone cleaning system. This process, a venture that includes GE and Proctor and Gamble, is utilized at a growing number of area cleaners. Find the closest GreenEarth cleaner to you at: http://www.greenearthcleaning.com/roster.asp  

I’ve used these green cleaners for four years. My clothes come out spotless, without shrinkage and odor. The price is similar to that of perc-based cleaners. As time goes on, I am sure more cleaners will adopt this and other “green” methods, since there has been legislation introduced to eventually outlaw perc (but it is not mandatory until 2020). Besides negative health effects, perc also has been shown to have long-term air and water quality and ozone-depletion concerns associated with it.

Given that there are other safer alternatives, shouldn’t we all consider parting with perc?

Jim Senhauser’s “Singles Notebook” column (used with permission) is ©2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 IdeaTree, Ltd., Chicago, IL 60613. “IdeaTree” is a registered trademark of IdeaTree, Ltd.