In this issue:
- This Friday, Feb. 29 – “Leap Day” Cocktail Party, Dance and Buffet at *Cafe Zalute* in Rosemont
- Next Saturday, March 8 – Italian Dinner Party with Dancing at *Tuscany* in Oak Brook
- “You’ve Probably Been in the Same Boat as Me – Maybe You Can Help”

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You’re Invited: Cocktail Dance This Friday in Rosemont; Dinner and Dancing Next Week in Oak Brook
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This Friday, you are invited to join us for a “Leap Day” Celebration Cocktail Party, Dance and Buffet featuring delicious Northern Italian cuisine at the very popular Café Zalute at Devon and River Road in Rosemont. After a long cold winter, what better time to enjoy yourself and let your hair down! This fun event goes from 7:30 ’til midnight.
 
Enjoy a get-acquainted cocktail party (cash bar) and music from DJ “Rockin’ Rob” for your dancing and listening pleasure. There will also be a tasty light supper buffet of pizzas, pasta in creamy Vodka–tomato sauce and various finger foods from Café Zalute’s highly regarded kitchen for your enjoyment throughout the evening.
 
This fun event is an “Open Party” for all members, non-members and guests, regardless of past participation. Your evening is $18 in advance or $19 at the door, covering the buffet, entertainment and dancing, taxes and tips. Past similar parties have drawn some of our largest crowds, so advance reservations with payment are highly advisable. Walk-ups are welcome, but will be accepted only as space permits. Dressy casual attire. Park in the lot.

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Next Saturday, March 8, the party schedule moves to Oak Brook, to the very popular Tuscany Italian Restaurant located across 22nd Street from the Oak Brook Mall. Your very appealing evening starts with a get-acquainted cocktail party (cash bar), followed by a full dinner and later by live music for dancing. Choose from six creative entrees, each with minestrone or salad and coffee or tea.

Your party is $45 for members and $47 for non-members or guests for dinner, entertainment, taxes and tips for advance registrations. 
  
To sign up for either of these fun events, go to www.GourmetConnections.com/singlepage.html
  
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Details for the Next Two Exciting Chicago Singles Dining and Gourmet Connections Parties
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When? – This Friday, February 29, 7:30 p.m. – MidnightWhat? – Gourmet Connections and Chicago Singles Dining Host a “Leap Day” Celebration Cocktail Party, Dance and Buffet Featuring Delicious Northern Italian Cuisine at
 
Where? –

Café Zalute

9501 W. Devon (1/2 Block West of River Road) in Rosemont
 
Legend has it that “Leap Day,” (February 29) that special event that appears once every four years, is a day when the normal rules of conduct don’t necessarily apply. After a long cold winter, what better time to enjoy yourself and let your hair down!
 
Enjoy a cocktail party and dance at the popular Café Zalute Italian restaurant and cocktail lounge in Rosemont. Gourmet Connections, Chicago Singles Dining and New Single Friends together host an enchanting evening featuring a get-acquainted cocktail party (cash bar) and music from DJ “Rockin’ Rob” for your dancing and listening pleasure.
 
There will also be a tasty light supper buffet of pizzas, salad, pasta in creamy Vodka–tomato sauce and various finger foods from Café Zalute’s highly regarded kitchen for your enjoyment throughout the evening. Join us there to celebrate, dance, talk, eat and drink with all your single friends – the more the merrier! Past parties have drawn around 70-75 singles to this venue.
 
This fun event is an “Open Party” for all members, non-members and guests, regardless of past participation. Your evening is $18 in advance or $19 at the door, covering the buffet, entertainment and dancing, taxes and tips. Advance reservations with payment are highly advisable. Walk-ups at the door are welcome, but will be accepted as space permits. Dressy casual attire. Park in the restaurant lot.

To sign up for this party online right away, go to www.GourmetConnections.com/singlepage.html
 
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When? – Next Saturday, March 8, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (with dancing afterward)What? – Give Your Weekend an “Up Note,” Dining on Delicious Italian Cuisine with Live Music for Dancing at the Charming West Suburban GemWhere? -

Tuscany Italian Restaurant

1415 W. 22nd Street (across from Oak Brook Center) in Oak Brook
 
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 western 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:
- Veal Scaloppine Portobello – Veal Medallions with Portobello Mushrooms and a Port Wine Demi-Glaze Sauce
- Pollo Con Spinachi – Grilled Chicken Breast Marinated with Herbs over Sautéed Spinach
- Chicken Ravioli Mezaluna – Chicken-Filled Raviolis with Brandy, Tomatoes, Cream and Basil Sauce  
- Pork Chops – 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
- Salmon, Sautéed with White Wine, Garlic, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Asparagus
Also included with dinner are sides, and your choice of a house salad or Minestrone, plus coffee or tea. After dinner, listen or dance to music for 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.

Sign up for either of these parties right away at www.GourmetConnections.com/singlepage.html or call me at 773-929-6534 with your card information.
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Singles Notebook – “Get-Real” Thoughts and Opinions from Jim “Senny” Senhauser
 

“You’ve Probably Been in the Same Boat as Me – Maybe You Can Help”

At one time or another, you probably have been in the same boat that I’m in right now. For the past five months, I have been looking for a full-time day job. Yes, it is true that being president of Success Singles Club is not a full-time job, at least not one with a full-time job type of income.
 
For the past five years, in addition to running my singles businesses, I have managed my small marketing and new product development consulting firm. However, last year as the economy drifted downward, it became clear that these businesses would not be enough. In addition, I miss being in the arena of day-to day marketing and new product development.
 
Over my career, I have developed, launched and marketed more than 1500 new products. Retail sales for these products have surpassed $5 billion. The lines that I have managed have included Golden Books (children’s books), Betty Crocker and Favorite Brand Name (cookbooks), Gibson (gift wrap) and PIL (children’s sound books and early learning toys). My titles were mainly Marketing Director or VP.
 
To see my complete resume, please go to http://www.IdeaTreeLtd.com/resume/   
 
My point is not to bore you (or try to impress you) with my career history. Instead, I am reaching out to you. Collectively, many of you work for and know of a lot of companies and people who might have a position that would be a good fit for my talents and energy.
 
I do check on most of the Internet job boards each day. These channels have produced a few interviews for me. In these cases, I have generally been in the top 3 or 4 finalists, out of 250 or 300 candidates. But, with numbers like these, you must admit that landing a job this way still turns out to be a bit of a “crap shoot.”
 
I write specifically today because my chances improve markedly if you know somebody who knows somebody who might have a suitable marketing position for a guy like me. In essence, it is job networking done in the same way I encourage you all to do social networking. Most jobs are not filled off of Monster, Career Builder or similar sites. Moreover, you know better what kind of company you work for and whether it might be a good garden in which I could blossom and grow, while helping the company succeed and grow.
 
Again, the position I would be seeking may be called Marketing Director, Vice President, Manager or New Products Director. It may also be Director of Product Management, Senior Product Manager or Product Manager. Basically, my background has been mainly in the creative industries (books, toys, gifts, calendars, gift wrap, printing, publishing, etc.), devising consumer products mainly for major retailers. In addition, I once was a CPA, so I am an “analytical creative” or a “creative analytical.” 
 
A number of you have probably been in a similar position to me, perhaps recently.  You even may yourself be looking for a position at this very moment. If so, you realize the challenges. Sadly, it’s clear that some companies still may choose to shy away from candidates who are over 50 years old. If you are currently looking and I could be of any help to you, I would be glad to lend whatever assistance I can.
 
Thanks in advance for all your consideration and help. Again, my resume is at http://www.IdeaTreeLtd.com/resume/ . I can be reached at my Gourmet Connections E-mail or at 773-929-6534.
 
Here’s to having a good job, a solid bunch of friendships and relationships and a great life!

Successful Single! ©2008 – Success Singles Club, Ltd. (formerly the Gourmet Advocates, Ltd.)
 
Jim Senhauser’s “Singles Notebook” column (used with permission) is ©2008 IdeaTree, Ltd., Chicago, IL 60613. “IdeaTree” is a registered trademark of IdeaTree, Ltd.