In this issue:
- This Saturday, May 31 – Dinner Party at *Charlie’s Ale House* Followed by Dancing Nearby
- Next Saturday, June 7 – Triple Crown Party at Arlington Park and *La Chicanita* in Arlington Hts.
- Congratulations to Bill and Alla on Their Marriage
- “Enuff’s S’nuff … Wish I Were Still 6 Feet Tall and Bulletproof!”
                                                                             
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Kick-Start Your Social Life: Dinner Followed by Dancing This Saturday at Charlie’s in Wheaton
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We are just a few days away from the start of of the weekend. Now is the time to think about this upcoming festivities. And, it is a great time to kick-start your social life with us this Saturday, May 31, at Charlie’s Ale House, the popular tavern and restaurant in the Danada area of Wheaton.
 
There, we’ll enjoy a get-acquainted cocktail hour (cash bar). Charlie’s has more than beers; they have lots of wines and mixed drinks, too.  Later, we’ll enjoy a seated dinner featuring tasty American comfort food. Choose from entrees like Steak Diane, Prime Rib, Grilled Salmon, Fresh “Catch of the Day,” Hearty Pork Chop or Chicken Milanese. Yum! 
 
Then, after dinner, our party will shift to another nearby location for dancing to a live band. This entire evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing is $39 for members and $42 for guests.
 
Please sign up online with your charge card at www.gourmetconnections.com/singlepage.html
or call me at 773-929-6534 with you card info. We do need your signup as soon as possible, as we are reserving a private dining room for our party.
 
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Next Saturday, June 7, is our “Triple Crown Party” at Arlington Park Race Course in the afternoon with lots of thoroughbred racing. You can also see (and bet on) a simulcast of the Belmont Stakes from New York, as Big Brown goes for the Triple Crown.
 
After the races, we will wander over to La Chicanita, one of the best Mexican restaurants the Northwest Suburbs. This charming cantina is located in downtown Arlington Heights. Choose from 7 authentic Mexican entrees and cool off with a margarita or two. This party is open to all singles, regardless of past participation. The races are $6 in advance online at ArlingtonPark.com or $7 at the gate. The cocktail and dinner party after the races is $38 for advance signups or $40 at the door.
 
Later, if you still have any energy left, we might even take in one of the local music venues in downtown Arlington Heights.
 
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Details for This Saturday’s Charlie’s Ale House Kick-Start Party and Next Week’s Triple Crown Event
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When? – This Saturday, May 31, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (or later for dancing)

What? – “Kick-Start Your Social Life” with Hearty American Comfort Food and Fun at Popular

Where? –

Charlie’s Ale House

301 East Loop Rd. (just off Butterfield, a block E. of Naperville Rd.) in Wheaton
 
Summer’s just around the corner, so come on out to Charlie’s Ale House to kick-start your social life. This popular tavern and restaurant is located just off Butterfield Road, a block east of Naperville Road, in the booming Danada area of Wheaton. True to its name, Charlie’s serves up more than 75 tap and bottled beers, plus a full selection of wines and cocktails.
 
Meet and mingle with other singles in early 1900s-inspired décor that surrounds you with dark woods, beveled glass and mirrors, rustic fireplaces, and pressed-tin ceilings, all in an Irish tavern-like setting. The food is savory American classic comfort food. Enjoy an opening cocktail party (cash bar), followed by a dinner party with warm conversation and camaraderie. After dinner, we’ll take a short drive up the street to dance to the live band, “Cover Story.” 
 
For your dinner, choose from six of the house’s mouth-watering entrees:
- Chicken Breast Milanese, Parmesan and Herb-crusted, with Mixed Greens, Tomatoes and Balsamic Vinaigrette
- “Catch of the Day” Fish Special with Appropriate Sides
- Steak Diane – Twin Sirloin Medallions, Sliced and Served with a Brandy Dijon Shallot Sauce
- Roasted Prime Rib of Beef with Horseradish Sauce, Double-baked Potato and Green Beans
- Giant 16-oz. Pork Chop with Whiskey Applesauce, Chili-glazed Sweet Potatoes & Green Beans
- Grilled Shanghai Salmon with Oriental Noodles and Vegetables in a Soy-ginger Sauce
Also included are choice of Ale House or Caesar Salad or Soup of the Day and coffee or tea.
 
Your entire evening is $39, covering dinner, taxes and tips for advance reservations. Guests and non-members are welcome for $42. Walk-ups will also be accepted at the door for $42. Dressy casual attire. Park in the lot.
  
Register today online with your charge card at www.gourmetconnections.com/singlepage.html
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When? – Next Saturday, June 7, 2:00-5:00 p.m. (optional) and 6:00- 9:30 p.m.

What? – “Triple Crown Day at the Races” at *Arlington Park* 2200 W. Euclid Ave. in Arlington Hts. Followed by a Fun Evening of Delicious Mexican Food at the Popular

Where? -

La Chicanita Mexican Restaurant

200 N. Dunton Ave. (at Miner St., just N. of NW Highway) in Arlington Heights
 
Recognized as one of the top restaurants in the Northwest Suburbs for mouth-watering Mexican cuisine, La Chicanita serves up delicious beef, chicken and seafood specialties and some outstanding Margaritas (9 flavors). Join lots of other singles for a cocktail hour (cash bar) and feast of traditional dishes in warm, welcoming surroundings.
 
Your optional afternoon of activity involves exciting thoroughbred racing at Arlington Park, one of the most beautiful racecourses in the country. The running of the Belmont Stakes will take place and will be simulcast from New York to Arlington. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion Big Brown will be going for the first Triple Crown in 30 years. View the running and bet on the race with lots of other singles and racing fans.
 
Entrance to the track is $6 in advance (at arlingtonpark.com) or $7 at the gate and is not included in the cost of this event. Meet us inside the track at the John Henry “Against All Odds” (bronze horse) statue on the Apron Level Balcony at the back of the building (in the middle) overlooking the paddock. We’ll be there to greet you on the hour at 2, 3, and 4 p.m. (racing starts at noon, if you want to see all races). We’ll meet up and watch and bet on the best races of the day. We expect to sit in the lower grandstand along the home stretch. None of us is an experienced bettor, so don’t be concerned about embarrassing yourself. (I like the color of that horse; I think I’ll pick him!)

The evening at La Chicanita begins with a get-acquainted cocktail party (cash bar).
This is followed by sit-down feast of dishes with 7 delicious entrées from which to choose:
- Steak Fajitas – Steak with Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Grilled Onions, Guacamole & Pico de Gallo
- Shrimp al Mojo de Ajo – Large Shrimp Sautéed in a Butter Garlic and Lime Sauce with Cilantro
- Grilled Bass Tacos – 3 Grilled Bass Tacos with Pico de Gallo, Rice, Beans and Shredded Cheese
- Chicken Mole Poblano – Chicken Breast withPeppers, Nuts and Seeds, in a Deliciously Spicy Chocolate Mole Sauce with Choice of Two Sides
- Steak Tampiqueña – Grilled Skirt Steak and a Ground Beef Enchilada with Guacamole
- Shrimp Fajitas – Shrimp with Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Grilled Onions, Guacamole & Pico de Gallo
- Chicken a La Chicanita – Diced Chicken Breast Grilled with Onions, Tomatoes and Poblano Peppers, topped with White Cheese and Chipotle Sauce with Two Sides
All dishes come with appropriate sides, tortillas, Chips and Salsa and Guacamole and Coffee/Tea.
 
This entire evening of dinner and fun (including all taxes and tips) is a mere $38. This is an “Open Party” with members, guests and non-members all welcome for advance registrations, regardless of past participation. Walk-ups will also be accepted at the door for $40, as space permits. Dressy casual attire. Park on the street, or in a nearby municipal lot south of NW Hwy.
 
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*Another Marriage*
Congratulations to Bill and Alla Tansey on their marriage on March 27. Bill and Alla met 2 1/2 years ago at our New Year’s Eve Party at Gibson’s and have been dating ever since. Bill was a member of the club for a couple of years, while it was Alla’s first event.
 
Best Wishes to the happy couple for a wonderful life together!
 
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Singles Notebook – “Get-Real” Thoughts and Opinions from Jim “Senny” Senhauser
  

“Enuff’s S’nuff … Oh To Be 6 Feet Tall and Bulletproof!”

 
Over the weekend, while attending a picnic, one of my friends, whom I had not seen in a year, remarked that I was looking “prosperous.” For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the term used in that way, a couple centuries ago, “prosperous” meant that the person in question was not thin, hence had more than enough to eat. Sadly, I have to admit that my buddy was right. Though I have realized for some time that I’ve been carrying around several extra pounds, it still feels differently when you hear it from others.
 
When I was a kid in high school, I once sneaked away from my sick bed to play in a football game, despite having a strep throat and a temperature of 101. Hey, my coach and team were counting on me. That day, I played an exceptional game, even sending two opposing players to the hospital (not intentionally of course). Was it stupid on my part to play that day? Absolutely! But, at that age, I felt that I was 6 feet tall and bulletproof. As teenagers, we all think we’ll live forever.
 
As we grow older, we all realize that we’re not invincible. The Center for Disease Control notes that 60% of Americans are overweight, with 25% being obese.  Because we all only get one trip around the track, we all have to take better care of ourselves. Since I am in the former category, not ready to punch my ticket, I am undertaking a program to cut 15-17 pounds over the next couple of months.
 
Those of you who know me are well aware of my penchant for savoring good food and wine. That certainly will not change. The reason that I have increased my girth is probably the same with many of you. It is not because of the quality of the food and drink that I consume. It is just that I consume too much and do not exercise enough. I eat when I feel stressed or nervous or occasionally just out of habit.
 
I read once that a psychiatrist, analyzing the primary differences between people who are thin and those who are not, found the major difference to be the number of reasons and excuses that they give to eat. Slim people only eat when they are hungry. If I limit the reasons I eat to pure enjoyment and when I am hungry, I will drop those pounds.
 
Don’t be overly concerned; I pledge to not make a big deal out of my recent epiphany. To keep myself honest, I will chart my weight progress under my signature each week with set of numbers, so that you can see if I am “being my word.” It will not make me 6 feet tall (I’m 5’10”) and bulletproof, but it should help me be healthier. Wish me luck! My starting point is 205 pounds and my goal is between 185 and 190. Some of you may even want to join me.
 
Here are a dozen useful ideas I have used for cutting some extra pounds in the past:
 1) Eat more soups and salads, with lots of vegetables and broth, and less meat.
 2) Reduce the carbs, especially those coming from white flour or white bread.
 3) Eat smaller portions – limit protein portions to the width of your fist.
 4) Eat when you are hungry and only enough so that you are no longer hungry. This means perhaps 5 small meals a day, with less total daily food consumption.
 5) Drink a big glass of water first thing in the morning; and several more throughout the day.
 6) If the size of your meal does not “fill you up,” eat more vegetables.
 7) Avoid prepared foods, especially those with corn syrup, gravy, salt and sugar.
 8) Increase you daily walking routine, including a planned daily walk and taking more stairs and errands on foot.
 9) Don’t eat fruit with proteins or starches. Don’t eat proteins with starches (bread, cereal bread, potatoes). Eat vegetables with proteins or vegetables with starches.
10) Don’t eat late. You may hear not to eat after 8 p.m., but that is not accurate. Just be 
sure to eat at least 3 hours before bedtime.
11) Eat only half your entrée when you go out to dinner. Take the rest home for another meal.
12) Sleep 7 to 8 hours each night. Lack of sleep causes people to experience a feeling similar to hunger. They over-eat and then don’t sleep well, fueling a vicious cycle.
  
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Have a sunny, wonderful weekend. We hope that you can join us this Saturday at Charlie’s Ale House in Wheaton. Hearty food, refreshing drink and delightful company, followed by dancing — what more could you ask?
 

205 – 0 = 205
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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.