In this issue:
- Monday, Dec. 31 – All Singles New Year’s Eve: Cocktail Reception, Dinner & Dancing in Rosemont
- “The Absolute Best Relationship Advice I Ever Got”

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You’re Invited: the Best Quality Singles New Year’s Party Anywhere Is at Cafe Zalute in Rosemont 
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I am not going to kid you. There are lots of New Year’s Eve Parties in the Chicago area. Most of them are for couples, or for singles younger than we are. For some, you may even be left wondering, “Where did these people come from?”

The Gourmet Connections, Chicago Singles Dining and New Single Friends New Year’s event is called the “All-Singles New Year’s Eve” and it is the BEST quality New Year’s Eve Party for singles (age approximately 34-59 years) in the Chicago area. And yes, like all of our other events, nearly everybody comes to the party by themselves and can feel comfortable doing so.  

Some other hotels and restaurants are charging $250 or more per person, while a couple other organizations’ parties are in the $50-some range. With the higher-priced gatherings, you are probably not getting what you pay for. For the lower-priced parties, you are likely getting what you pay for and nothing more.

If you are looking for a dance with 500-800 strangers, our party is not for you. We will provide you a quality experience — a combination cocktail reception, dinner party and dance with other singles. Our dinner is not a banquet, it is in keeping with our usual high quality events. We even are serving wine thoughout dinner — wines I personally select, not some house rot-gut.   

So, our biggest, best party of the year is less than a week away. Yes, next Monday, December 31, Gourmet Connections and Chicago Singles Dining host the 6th Annual “All Singles New Year’s Eve Party” at Cafe Zalute in Rosemont. Members of the Social Network have also been invited. The Chicago Tribune has already picked this party as one of the top New Year’s Events in the suburbs, though Rosemont is so close, many of the attendees will be from the city as well.
 
Your special evening will consist of an elegant cocktail reception (cash bar with passed hors d ‘oeuvres), a four-course dinner with personally-selected wines , and dancing ’til 1:00 a.m. Cafe Zalute, the venue for this fabulous party, is just behind the Hyatt Hotel on Devon Avenue (at River Road) in Rosemont. This party is open only to the first 100 singles who register. Spaces are being snapped up quickly, so don’t be left out.
 
Dinner includes your choice of Prime Rib, Stuffed Cornish Hen or Crab-Crusted Grouper. All come with Appetizers, Deluxe Salad, a Pasta course and 2 Side Dishes, Dessert and Wine with dinner. A Champagne toast and party favors are also included. We’ve hired one of the best DJs in the area to play until 1:00 a.m.
 
This very special event is dressy, black tie optional. It’s $99 for members and $109 for guests. While the actual party lasts till 1:00 a.m., you can stay at the restaurant until 4:00 or get a special rate of $89 to stay the night at the Hyatt Rosemont next door.
 
Sign up for this party on the secure server on our Web sites with you charge card at www.GourmetConnections.com/singlepage.html or call me at 773-929-6534.

Signups are happening very quickly and we cannot accommodate more than the limit. Please be sure to register right away. I look forward to seeing you there.
 
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Details for the “All Singles New Year’s Eve” Cocktail Reception, Dinner and Dance at Cafe Zalute
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When? – Next Monday, December 31, 7:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
 
What? – Ring in 2008 at the “All Singles New Year’s Eve Celebration” at
 
Where? -

Café Zalute

9501 W. Devon Ave. (at N. River Road, just W. of Hyatt Rosemont) in Rosemont
 
Make this New Year’s Eve Celebration one to remember with an elegant and totally fun celebration for singles at the popular Café Zalute near the Hyatt Rosemont Hotel at the corner of River Road and Devon Avenue in Rosemont. Our 6th Annual All Singles New Year’s Eve, this is one of the most popular parties in the area for singles ages 30s through late 50s.
 
Meet and mingle with single friends old and new at this exclusive dinner dance. This exciting event begins with a cocktail reception featuring a cash bar, plus passed hors d’oeuvres.

This is followed by an elegant seated dinner with wine and your choice from:
 - Crabmeat-Crusted Grouper with a Lobster-Cognac Sauce with Grilled Asparagus and   Double Baked Potato
 - 14 oz. Roasted Prime Rib of Beef with Double Baked Potato and Steamed Fresh Broccoli
 - Stuffed Cornish Hen, Roasted and Served on a Bed of Carrot and Zucchini Ribbons with  an Orange Reduction Sauce
 
Dinner also includes a Deluxe Mixed Green Salad, a Pasta Course featuring Cheese Tortellini in a Creamy Vodka Tomato Sauce, and a Luscious Chocolate and Caramel Turtle Sundae for dessert, plus coffee or tea. Complimentary wine will also be served with dinner.
 
After dinner, the cash bar continues. The lounge and dining room will be cleared and you can dance through the night until 1:00 a.m. to music from our own DJ, one of the best in Chicagoland. Your evening also includes party favors and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
 
Your complete and memorable evening, including cocktail party, 5-course dinner including wine, dancing, champagne toast and party favors, taxes and tips is $99 for members and $109 for guests. Dressy attire with black tie optional. Parking in the lot. Space is limited; so please register early.
 
This event has sold out in advance several times over the last few years, and you don’t want to be turned away. Should you desire, rooms at the Hyatt Hotel are available for a special reduced rate of $89 if you book in advance.

Sign up for this fantastic party today at www.GourmetConnections.com/singlepage.html to claim your spot.

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

“The Absolute Best Relationship Advice I Ever Got”

Sometimes seemingly mundane conversations can be the source for very meaningful insights.
 
About this time several years ago, I was invited to a member’s holiday party. There, I met a number of fascinating people. Lively conversation ensued, leading to a discussion that would forever change my view of relationships, especially committed romantic ones. In fact, that night I would go so far as to say that I got some of the absolute best relationship
advice I ever heard.
 
The origin of this view-altering conversation initially did not seem to be the least bit monumental. There I was, in a typical cocktail party circle, talking with two other singles about relationship challenges when a married couple, in their early 60s, joined into our discussion. Somehow, when the conversation turned to the differences among our various lifestyles, it came out that this couple had been married to each other for 20-odd years, the second marriage for both of them. Then, one single in our circle asked them the rather generic question, “What’s the secret to your success in a second marriage?”
 
Bingo. The woman said that after each of their first marriages had turned out so badly, when they decided to re-marry they made a simple vow to each other. Their reciprocal promise as a condition of their marriage was, “You be nice to me, and I’ll be nice to you.” We talked further about what that meant. Terms like mutual respect for each other’s opinions and feelings (regardless of whether you agree or not with your partner’s view), kindness, truth, and considerate behavior came up first.
 
Delving deeper, we talked about the true basis for love — the combination of respect, admiration, trust, romantic attraction and, most of all, complete acceptance of that person. We also spoke about how not to be disagreeable when you disagree and how to “fight fair” when you argue, not ever going to personal attacks or behavior that would diminish your partner personally.
 
This concept is so simple, yet so essential. Still, when most marriages or romantic relationships go bad, invariably it is one of those aspects of “being nice” that gets cast aside. Lack of respect for the other person’s opinions, views or feelings plants the seeds of contempt. This is deadly to any relationship, but especially a committed one. The trust pact is broken.
 
Likewise, in cases when bosses and employees have a significant falling out, or friendships experience major problems, chances are someone has shown signs of disrespect or contempt. (Note: This can be especially true around this time of year at employee holiday parties. One careless liquor-induced comment to the boss can forever torpedo your career.)
  
Why is it so difficult for us to be “nice” to each other? Probably because somewhere along the line somebody over-emphasized to us that “being nice” was in one way or another “being weak,” rather than simply respectful, kind and considerate of others. How niceness and weakness came to be confused is anyone’s guess. Still, you can see it surface in our society through the dialogue and actions of many of our politicians, our corporate heads, some of our fathers (or mothers) and even our teachers and coaches.
 
Perhaps the saddest example of how this confusion plays out is when a woman somehow feels that it’s okay that she is belittled or verbally abused (or worse) by her partner. She may have learned from a few men in her life that such emotionally and possibly physically damaging behavior is somehow masculine or what strong men should be like.
 
Worse yet, she might think it is all that she deserves. Just because Dad (or some other significant males) acted this way, doesn’t make it right. Since it was someone she loved (or at least respected) as a child who treated her badly, it can be a confusing and often difficult mindset to break.
 
Some women can likewise be verbally or physically abusive to men. It is less common, but can be equally damaging.
 
I am certainly not suggesting that guys all be weenies or women become lapdogs, nor that competitive spirit and independent thinking somehow disappear. However, being overly competitive, highly sarcastic, disparaging or willing to win at any cost is not a solid strategy to build many long-term successful relationships of any sort. For every smug, self-assured winner, there is always a resentful loser. And that kind of arrogance is an act that gets real-old real-quick.
 
“You be nice to me, and I’ll be nice to you.” This is a simple vow that I hope all of you will be ready and willing to make when that next special someone comes along. Why not make it for any relationship that you want to last!
 

 
Successful Single! ©2007 – Success Singles Club, Ltd. (formerly the Gourmet Advocates, Ltd.)
 
Jim Senhauser’s “Singles Notebook” column (used with permission) is ©2005 and 2007 IdeaTree, Ltd., Chicago, IL 60613. “IdeaTree” is a registered trademark of IdeaTree, Ltd.