Archive for July, 2007

Volume VI – Issue 28 July 11, 2007

In this issue:
- This Thursday, July 12 – New Single Friends “Famous Martini Party” at *BabaLuci*
- This Saturday, July 14 – Dinner Party at Hot New Chicago Restaurant *Trattoria Trullo*
- Next Friday, July 20 – “Retro Beatles” Dinner Dance at *Finley’s Grill Room* in Downers Grove
“You’re Almost Halfway Through Summer: Still Time to Live It to the Fullest”

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Parties, Parties, Parties! In Hoffman Estates, Chicago and Downers Grove! Why Not Join Us?
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This weekend, the fun continues on Saturday, July 14, when the party shifts to one of the hot new spots in Chicago, the charming new Trattoria Trullo. This beautiful new traditional Italian trattoria, located at the north end of Lincoln Square (on Lincoln at Lawrence), has quickly captured the fancy of area diners. It features savory recipes from Puglia, Italy. This great get-together will consist of a unique and highly enjoyable cocktail party (cash bar) and dinner party featuring 6 succulent entrees. It is $45 for members and $47 for guests.

Next Friday, July 20 from 7:00 – Midnight, hearken back to the days of the exciting British Invasion. Make the “Retro Beatles Weekend” for singles your time to reminisce and dance to the music of Beatles tribute band, Cavern Beat, at the popular restaurant and nightclub Finley’s Grill Room in Downers Grove. Enjoy an exciting combination of cocktails (cash bar), a full dinner and dancing to the lively and nostalgic sounds of our youth. This party is open to all singles 30s-late 50s. This complete event is $37 in advance or $39 at the door.

Don’t be left out. Sign up for this party right now at www.GourmetAdvocates.com/singlepage.html or call me any evening at 773-929-6534 with your card info.

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 12, join the New Single Friends (formerly Friends of Friends) “Famous Martini Party” at BabaLuci Italian Cafe at 1001 W. Golf Road in Hoffman Estates. This affordable, fun gathering gets started at 6:30 and goes till 10:30. It includes martini and wine specials, a buffet of substantial appetizers and live music from popular singer Johnny Romano.

It is $7 to get into the party and into the mood ($5 for Premier members). No RSVP is required.

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Details for the Next 3 Gourmet Advocates and New Single Friends Parties – Hope You’ll Join Us!
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When? – This Thursday, July 12, 6:30-10:30 p.m. or Later

What? – New Single Friends “Famous Martini Party” After-work Attitude Adjustment Featuring Delicious Northern Italian Cuisine at Where? -

The BabaLuci Italian Café

1001 W. Golf Road (2 Blocks West of Higgins) in Hoffman Estates

What a great way to meet new friends (and possibly more) who are single professionals just like you! Break out of your drab routine! Join all your single buddies and girlfriends at the BabaLuci Italian Café for the New Single Friends “Famous Martini Party” after work on Thursday, July 12.

Enjoy wine and martini specials, lots of tasty Italian appetizers (Yum!) and fascinating conversation. Plus, for your entertainment, there will be live music from singer Johnny Romano for your listening and dancing pleasure.

For all this, the evening’s cover is a mere $7 ($5 for paid members) to get you in the door and in the mood. No RSVP required. Dressy casual attire. Any questions? Contact Senny at 773-929-6534 or by E-mail at senny@FOFSingles.com
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When? – This Saturday, July 14, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.What? – “First on the Restaurant Scene” – Evening of Traditional Italian Favorites at Exciting New Where? -

Trattoria Trullo

4767 N. Lincoln Ave. (at Lawrence) in Lincoln Square

Dine, converse and socialize with other singles at the exciting new Trattoria Trullo. This charming trattoria is modeled after those in the boyhood home (Puglia, Italy) of chef/owner Giovanni DeNigris. He prepares memorable dishes based on age-old traditional recipes, served in a remarkably comfortable and cozy atmosphere.

Your evening begins with a get-acquainted cocktail hour (cash bar) in the inviting lounge area, followed by dinner in an attractive, intimate salon. Choose from:
- Chicken Saltimbocca – Sautéed Breast wrapped in Herbs, Sage and Prosciutto with Wine Sauce
- Spaghetti with Assorted Seafood and Shellfish in a Slightly Spicy Tomato Sauce
- Beef Braciole – Beef Sirloin Roulades filled with Garlic, Parsley, Pancetta and Parmesan Cheese over Orecchiette Pasta
- Grilled Atlantic Salmon over Angel Hair Pasta and Rapini in Fava Bean Broth
- Veal Scaloppini Sautéed with Artichokes and Asparagus in a White Wine Sauce
- Mahi-Mahi – Sautéed in a Potato Crust in a White Wine Sauce over Spinach.

Included with dinner are a house salad or soup and coffee or tea. Your evening is $45, for dinner, taxes and tips for advance registrations. Guests and non-members are welcome for $47. Walk-ups at the door are $47. Dressy casual attire. Park on the street or in the Ravenswood Bank lot on the north side of Lawrence Avenue.

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When? – Next Friday, July 20, 7:00 p.m. – Midnight

What? – “Retro Beatles Weekend” with a Festive Dinner of American Comfort Food and Dancing to the Music of a Beatles Tribute Band at the Inviting Where? -

Finley’s Grill Room

3131 Finley Road (1 block S. of Butterfield Rd.) in Downers Grove

Join us for a festive “Retro Beatles Weekend” dinner dance at Finley’s Grill Room, the exciting restaurant and nightclub in Downers Grove. Your evening begins with a cocktail party (cash bar), with in the restaurant’s inviting lounge area. Later, the party moves to the restaurant’s private salon for dinner. Later, you can dance to the music of “Cavern Beat,” the most popular Beatles tribute band in the Chicago area.

Finley’s taste-tempting cuisine is served in appealing supper club-style contemporary surroundings of sandstone and teak. Choose from these mouth-watering entrees:
- Chicken Madeira – Sautéed Chicken Breast, Fresh Asparagus and Melted Mozzarella Cheese with Smashed Potatoes with a Mushroom Madeira Sauce
- Aunt Ruth’s Pot Roast – Slow Cooked Pot Roast, with Baby Carrots, Celery and Pearl Onions over Garlic Smashed Potatoes
- Pork Chops – Twin 8 oz. Center Cut Loin Chops, topped with Apple Bourbon Sauce with Homemade Smashed Potatoes and Apple Chutney
- Salmon Grilled on a Cedar Plank with Orange Ginger Sesame Sauce and Basmati Rice
- Hunters Meat Loaf – Individual 1 lb. Loaf, served with Homemade Smashed Potatoes, topped with Mushroom Madeira Sauce

All entrees include a Mixed Green Salad. Your entire evening is $37 for dinner, entertainment, taxes and tips for advance reservations. Walk-ups at the door are $39, space permitting. Dressy casual attire. Park in the lot. Party is open to all singles, 30s through late 50s.

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

“You’re Almost Halfway Through Summer: Still Time to Live It to the Fullest”

When I was a kid, I used to always think of summer as lasting from the beginning of June through the end of August — the summer break from school. As I’ve grown older, the good news is that I now consider the summer season to last from the beginning of May to the end of September, essentially any weather not too brisk or blustery to keep most outdoor pursuits from proceeding normally.

Using that new timetable, we’re now heading into the halfway point of the summer. Good news! That’s plenty of time to avail yourself of the area’s many outdoor activities. Better yet, why not use this time to build your social life as well.

While increased outdoor physical activity may leave you a bit sore as you get into “summer shape,” some of your social muscles may also have atrophied over that same time. Why? Because unfortunately you and I sometimes tend to live our lives in the past or the future instead of the present. It’s easy to relegate our social lives to the back burner or tell ourselves the good times are all behind us or the best is ahead if we only lay this grand foundation. There are any number of reasons (some valid, others rationalized) for this thought pattern.

Think about common “limiting” statements we make or hear such as:
- I’ll start dating after I lose another 10 pounds.
- I’ll begin dating when my kids are out of school for the summer.
- I’ll go out next month, after I get this important project done (get that next position up the ladder, raise).
- I know that I’m not ever going to find anyone like him/her (Is that good or bad?)
- I’ll join that singles club in the fall when “I’m more up to it.”
- I’ve got a lot of bills right now, so I’ll wait till I get those paid down.
- I have to help my mother (sister, charity) right now, so I’m not up to dating.
- I’m saving for my new car, house, outfit, etc.
- This summer I’m concentrating strictly on projects around the house.
- I’m not yet in shape to do those things I enjoy (biking, running, tennis, golf, etc.)

Am I in any way suggesting these reasons are not valid? Absolutely not. They are certainly worthwhile. However, in a balanced life you make time for ALL the things important to you. If your social life is really important, as you say it is, then make time for it. Aren’t YOU important, too? No one dies saying, “I wish I’d worked more!”

Often, we feel that our social life is not worthy of the same status as other more “noble” pursuits. Those around us may even reinforce this attitude, especially our bosses and our family. As a result, our social life is given a lower priority. Alas, procrastination toward doing something about it becomes a practiced skill. The easiest thing to do is what you’ve always done or nothing at all. What a choice – the bar scene or HBO on a Saturday night!

For most of my life, I was a workaholic. My strong, but over-the-top, work ethic caused me to rationalize that if working 50 hours a week was admirable, then 60 or 70 must be the path to success. I would constantly build (and live) for that future time when I’d truly succeeded. But, my strategy ignored the diminished productivity of the longer hours, stress on my health, internalized resentment and loss of meaningful time with friends and family. In reality, longer hours are rarely noticed or appreciated. Efficiency is a smarter, more productive approach.

You say you’re not a workaholic. Great! Now, ask yourself how you’ll feel at the end of this summer. Will you be very happy (or even satisfied) with how much you’ve accomplished socially?

Will you have made a lot of new friends, or a few close ones and milked the summer for every ounce of fun and enjoyment you could get out of it? Will each night and weekend have been a treasure? If so, then you’re living for today. If not, consider what obstacles you are putting in place that hold you back.

Face it. If once September has passed, you look back and regretfully ask, “Where did the summer go?” it may be time to re-evaluate your priorities. If, at each summer’s end, you can only reminisce about the good summers you used to have or vow that next summer will somehow be better, you’re in trouble. If past summers or future summers look better than the one you’re in right now, you are missing the best year of your life and need a new strategy to maximize the summer for yourself.

Don’t try to plan out every weekend for the rest of the summer right now. That can be as counter-productive as work-holism. Instead, write down your overall summer social goals (maybe 5 things you really want to do) and post them very visibly (on your bathroom mirror or near your computer). Then, when you plan your leisure time or the next weekend, assess how each activity moves you closer to what you want to accomplish regarding your 5 goals. You can modify your goals as you progress through the summer, but don’t let things you ought to do take the place of those things you really want to do. These goals are for you, not for somebody else.

If you try this approach, you’ll soon find that your summer gradually becomes more fulfilling. You should also notice that the obligations of job, family and other priorities somehow all get done. The difference? Now you and your social life have become priorities.