In this issue:
- This Saturday, March 31 – Dinner with Live Music at *200 East* in Downtown Chicago
- This Sunday, April 1 – Singles Gathering at “Midwest Wine Expo” in Oakbrook Terrace
- Next Friday, April 6 – Dinner with “Vegas Musical Revue at *100 South Chop House* in Elmhurst
- “Yes, We Can All Learn Something about Living from Elizabeth Edwards”

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Your Big Weekend: Motown Music with Comfort Food Saturday; Huge Wine Tasting on Sunday
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**Dare to Compare** — I hope that you are as excited as I am about the prospects for a wonderful spring and summer party season. This past fall, the Gourmet Advocates put out a survey to our members and guests. We got 150 responses. One suggestion you had for us was to host even more parties that went beyond the cocktail/dinner party combination that has traditionally comprised the majority of our parties and those of our Chicago-area competitors.

**You spoke – We Listened** — The result of your input is that through this coming weekend, the Gourmet Advocates will so far have hosted 15 parties in 2007. Of those, 11 featured some additional type of activity or entertainment. This has led to larger crowds and higher participation with more chances for singles to mingle and connect. It’s just another reason to become a member of the Gourmet Advocates.   

**This Weekend** – The fun continues this Saturday evening, March 31, when you can join us in Chicago for a memory-filled dinner with live music from Jerry Hendrix at 200 East on Chestnut Supper Club, near Water Tower Place. Those of you who were with us in Oak Brook near the end of January at Al di La can attest to what a wonderful show Jerry (a former singer with the original “Drifters”) puts on. Dinner and dancing is $41 for members and $43 for guests. Don’t be left out!
 
Then, this Sunday afternoon, April 1, we are heading to the “Midwest Wine Expo” at the Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook Terrace. What a great way to sample your favorites from hundreds of wines from more than 250 vintners!  This luscious wine feast is $25 for members and non-members and is open to all singles (30s through 50s). You won’t ever find a similar event that has so many quality wines to sample, especially for such an affordable price. That’s one reason it is so popular. The event sponsor said they might have to cut off ticket sales early, so sign up right away.

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

**Next Friday, April 6, from 7:30 on, kick off the holiday weekend with us in Elmhurst at 100 South Chop House and Grill at 100 S. York Road, just south of the railroad tracks. Join us for dinner with live entertainment from singer Johnny Rome. Johnny performs an exciting musical revue paying tribute to the songs of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Neil Diamond. It’s loads of sing-along fun!

The party starts with a get-acquainted cocktail hour followed by a plated dinner with seven luscious entrees to choose from, plus appetizers, salad and sides, coffee, tea and soft drinks. This fun-filled dinner party at 100 South with entertainment is $45 for members and $47 for guests. Make plans to bring your friends and join us there!
 
Sign up online now for this fun gathering at www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html 
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**FOF Singles**
Tentative April dates for Friends of Friends “Famous Martini Parties” are Thursday, April 12, and Wednesday, April 25. $7 cover charge ($5 for Premier members). No RSVP required. Dressy casual attire. (see www.FOFSingles.com for party details).
Any questions? Contact Senny at 773-929-6534 or by E-mail at senny@FOFSingles.com.

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Details for This Weekend’s Great Gourmet Advocates Parties – Hope to See You There!
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When? – This Saturday, March 31, 7:00 – MidnightWhat? – “New on the Scene” Tasty Comfort Food and Live Music for Dancing at Where? -

200 East on Chestnut Supper Club

200 E. Chestnut St. (in Hotel Seneca, 2 blocks E. of Michigan Ave) in Chicago
 
Meet and mingle at the new at 200 East on Chestnut, an enticing new supper club just off Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. 200 East features tasty comfort food favorites with an Italian slant along with live music for your listening or dancing pleasure.
 
Your evening starts with a get-acquainted cocktail hour (cash bar) in the lounge area. Later, the party moves into one of the restaurant’s inviting salons for a full plated dinner with choice of six taste-tempting entrees:
- Sautéed Shrimp, Broccoli and Fresh Tomatoes in a Light Garlic and Olive Oil Sauce over Linguini
- ”Brickhouse” Chicken, a House Favorite Whole Chicken, De-boned and Pan seared with Special Seasonings with Choice of Potato or Vegetable
- Pan-seared Crab-crusted Tilapia, Topped with Crab then Baked to Perfection with Choice of Mashed Potatoes or Sautéed Vegetables
- Slow-cooked Braised Short Ribs of Beef, Served with Mashed Potatoes
- Char-grilled Pork Chops – Two 10oz. Center-cut Chops with Choice of Potato or Vegetable
- Char-grilled Atlantic Salmon, Served with Grilled Vegetables
Your dinner also includes your choice of soup or salad, and coffee or tea.
 
After dinner, you’ll be entertained by the incomparable Jerry Hendrix, former singer with the original “Drifters.” Jerry performs Motown, Doo-Wop and R&B Classics, plus a few Rat pack tunes. Your evening is $41 for members and $43 for guests, which covers dinner, entertainment, taxes and tips for advance reservations. Dressy casual attire. Valet or street parking.

Sign up right away for this fun evening at: www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html
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When? – This Sunday, April 1, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.What? – Spring Food and Wine Fantasy at the “Midwest Wine and Food Expo” Where? -

Drury Lane Theater

100 Drury Lane (just W. off Spring Rd., just S. of Roosevelt Rd.) in Oakbrook Terrace
 
Enjoy a giant tasting of hundreds of upscale wines from more than 250 vintners. The Midwest Wine and Food Expo is a succulent celebration of fine wines from more than a dozen countries and cuisine with appetizing foodstuffs from 18 superb west suburban restaurants and caterers. Join an entourage of other singles as we spend the afternoon touring, tasting and sampling everything throughout the festival.
 
We have secured an exclusive reduced rate for this event $25 (compared to $35 at the door for the general public). To participate with our club, you must register in advance through the Gourmet Advocates, not Binny’s. Sign up right away as the sponsor says ticket sales may have to be cut off early.
 
Sign up for these great parties right away at: www.gourmetadvocates.com/singlepage.html
 
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Singles Notebook – “Get-Real” Thoughts and Opinions from Jim “Senny” Senhauser

Yes, We Can All Learn Something About Living from Elizabeth Edwards

By now, you no doubt have heard about the announcement made this past week by Elizabeth Edwards. Elizabeth is the wife and, in the truest sense, life-partner of presidential candidate John Edwards. In 2004, she discovered that she had breast cancer and had been treated for it. Sadly, Elizabeth recently discovered that the cancer had spread to her rib and hip, and while treatable, it is incurable. Yep, two words that no one ever wants to hear in the same sentence – “cancer” and “incurable.” While chemotherapy can help to prolong her life, there is no prognosis for a cure.

For the Edwards, this had to be very devastating news. They have three children, ages 25, 6 and 8, and previously lost a son when he was a teenager. John, who is currently sitting in the third position among Democrats according to the latest presidential polls, is poised to do well in Iowa and South Carolina, two of the early states for choosing the nominee for 2008. But, the campaign will not be easy; in fact it will be grueling. Given that there likely is limited time left in Elizabeth’s life, one could not blame the Edwards for choosing to pull out of the 2008 presidential race.

They, however, have chosen to go forward with the campaign. Elizabeth has said that she will not allow the limitations of cancer to define her life. If she went home, she would only be waiting around to die. For Elizabeth, her life needs to mean more than that. To quote Dylan Thomas, Elizabeth is truly resolved to “… not go gentle into that good night.”

Not everybody may agree with the Edwards, but no one can argue that it is not their decision. You have to admire her courage. Certainly, it will be difficult on her husband and children. Still, how many times does a person get to be part of a presidential campaign and get to have their life mean that much to others?

As singles, we all can learn something from Elizabeth Edwards. Too often in life, we let our “diseases” define our futures and us. Whether it is cancer, allergies, asthma, hepatitis, herpes, arthritis, diabetes, joint problems or any other incurable diseases or chronic conditions, we should not let them define us for the rest of our lives. Yes, we need to be aware of them and take normal precautions, but that does not mean we should shut ourselves off from others or from our true potential.

I would also suggest that you hold that same Edwards courage credo true for diseases of the spirit. What do I mean? Simply that as singles, it is often far too easy for us to allow our upbringing, our pasts, our bad relationship experiences and, to a large extent, our physical perceptions of ourselves to define us and determine our futures.

Should you remain aware of these issues? Absolutely. But, regardless if your father was a congressman or a criminal, or whether your waistline or your bust line is 36, or you had an amicable or a nasty divorce, YOU get to determine how you let these circumstances define your potential and your future. Only you get to decide whether these conditions will become learning tools or limitations for the rest of your life.  

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life …” is a saying that has become so cliché. But that does not mean that it does cannot have some validity for you.

Me? I prefer to express a similar sentiment this way, “Life is short. You have to grab it by the throat and say ‘give, give’ until you have conquered it, and not allowed it to conquer you.” It is not so poetic as the previous one; but you have to agree that it is proactive.

So, here’s to Elizabeth Edwards. May she grab her cancer and life by the throat until she has accomplished all that she wants for herself and her family in life, defining them on her own terms. And our thoughts, prayers and blessings go out to Elizabeth and her family.   

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.