Posts from — July 2008

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
Before I officially moved to Chicago, Jason Alba (so nice!) of JibberJobber, connected me with Liz Strauss of Successful and Outstanding Bloggers. I have met so many people through SOBcon that I feel like I get I’m drinking from a fire hydrant when I am around all of these smarties! Lots of information!

I thought that in interviewing Liz we would talk much more about blogging, in particular, or social media (she’s an expert there, too) but as it turned out, we sat down and had us a good old heart to heart.

As people are continuing to explore their life’s purpose, some very “real” issues come up. Here Liz and I discuss self-promotion. Even if you are not a business owner or a entrepreneur, or an up-and-coming talk show host, *wink, wink* I believe the lesson applies to all…

Don’t be afraid to be who you are. Roll your shoulders back and expect good things.

Easy enough, eh?

Liz Strauss: Self Promotion from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Find more at JenChicago.com

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

It’s officially here. Thrillist Chicago. It’s a free daily email and they only cover what they like. Why waste your time with NOT fun stuff (ie: bad reviews) is their logical position. The magazine is targeted at “guys like us” says co-founder Ben Lerer, and I think it has kickin’ stuff for everyone.

Dave, the local editor for Chicago does a great job of finding cool things to do and write about. I didn’t say that these things are all necessarily reasonable priced, but definitely cool. (I haven’t stopped thinking about this bronze appliqué holster that was featured a few weeks back by Skin.Graft. )

The party was a ton of fun and everyone was wonderfully nice. The 50/50 is an awesome bar and did a phenomenal job of hosting us. They have an amazing staff, good music and nice clean restrooms. (We love that, don’t we, Ladies?) Therefore, I say, the launch was a huge success with music, an open bar, Jet Blue giveaways and more.

Sheesh… It’s a dirty job…

If you want to get in the loop with Thrillist Chicago, you may join here.

Thrillist Chicago Launch Party from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

(A special “Thank you” to Michelle Molina for being my videographer. Music: Kevin MacLeod)

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Tuesdays at sunset in Grant Park. *sigh*

I almost don’t even have to say anything more…. The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival is an amazing gift that everyone is invited to enjoy and many take the city up on it.

Grab a blanket, snacks, your best pals and some sparkling grape juice (because technically… there’s no alcohol allowed. Umm… right.) and head out to enjoy a picnic with about a million (I have no idea how many people… a lot) other friends of Chicago.

Thank you to all of the people that chatted with me. Thank you, Daley for helping to make this happen. I think this video exemplifies so much of what is wonderful about Chicago. Beauty, energy and wonderful people. It’s no wonder we are a candidate city for the 2016 Olympics! (Whoop- whoop!)

Oh, Chicago… I just love your guts!

Ain’t nothin’ wrong with movies in the park from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Music by Rick Cates, City Lights.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
I received an invite to a pre-party for the 100th running of the Chicago Mackinac races. I admit, that yet again, I knew very little going in, but with the help of some really fun and nice people, I got up to speed quickly.

Initially, Jim, the manager of the Chicago Yacht Club gave me some great information on the race. I chatted a bit with some wonderful brothers, and John Grooters, of Grooters Productions, about the documentary they are working on which will incorporate footage taken from cameras mounted on four different boats. He said they are using iconics (?) cameras capable of being dunked, sunked and ker-pluncked… or at least able to get pretty wet!

So, the boats took off this morning and they will sail day and night for 2 to 4 days depending on wind. I think sailing may fall into the “You appreciate it, because you earned it” category… Or maybe it’s just plain old fun.

Either way, I wish I could be there in Mackinac, as the boats roll in this week… I hear it’s lovely. And the best part is… you can’t even drive there… no cars allowed. Ferries and bicycles.

Ahhh, no taxi horns… (note to self: add Mackinac to list)

100th running of the Chicago Mackinac Race from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

As I was finishing up some filming today for the Mackinac Race, at the end of Navy Pier, Samson and I passed a beautiful ship that we had to explore.

Dave Castle was kind enough to talk with me about the history of the ship, its background and how people can get involved. Being a guest crew member seems to be a wonderful way to “get away” on the open water. I may have to add that to the list.

From the website:

Maryland’s PRIDE is a reproduction of an 1812-era Baltimore Clipper privateer. She is Maryland’s working symbol of the great natural resources and spectacular beauty of the Chesapeake Bay region. Her mission is threefold:

• to promote Maryland trade and tourism
• to represent the goodwill of all Maryland’s citizens
• to provide a unique education platform via onboard programs and the Internet for American history and maritime sciences.

The Pride of Baltimore II is owned by the state of Maryland and is run by Pride of Baltimore, Inc., a non-profit.

Pride of Baltimore II from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

As you may, or may not, know Chicago is a candidate city for the 2016 Olympics. In addition to bringing in revenue and national recognition, it is being said that it will evolve the way we do business in the city. Mmm… evolution is good.

*sigh* I just love that Chicago was nominated. He’s so wonderful. (yes, it’s personification) And it doesn’t suprise me that others feel the same way I do. I really can’t get over how lovely and clean and efficient and exciting and nice and everything this city is…

…you know like when you are super-sweet on someone and then he/she just does or says the nicest thing(!) and you have to take a deep breathe to contain your delight? Yeah… that’s SO like me and Chi.

Anyway… in my quest to give you the inside scoop on Chicago, I am learning a TON about EVERYTHING! My head is spinning but it just makes me love Chi more!

However… In a separate post, remind me to discuss the fact that people keep telling me how miserable I will be in the winter. I don’t doubt it’s cold, but winter has her own problems. It’s SUMMA-TIME in Chicago, People! Please refer back to my boating video if you need a refresher. Don’t live in the past OR the future… Live now!

Back to the Olympics (OlymPIC or OlymPICS?) party. It was really cool and over at Millennium Park.

And you know how I like to skip over to Millennium Park. So much so, that I’m going to give her a nickname. Millie, I think. Hmmm…Yes, I like that. Okay, it’s official. Millie = Millennium Park

So, I went to go see Millie and I had a chance to chat with some volunteers, ride some crazy ride (that seriously scared me because my feet were slipping out of my shoes!) laugh with some nice young olympians, drink wine, hear Daley, dance barefoot, talk with some flipper guy and a whole lotta other stuff!

Well… just watch the video. That’s easier.

And for Pete’s sake, let me know you are out there! Hearing from you makes me smile… and you know how I like to smile, don’t you?

Peace out.

PS: Do you think the writing should be first or the video?

Chicago 2016 party from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

I love playing sports. I was a cheerleader growing up and that was a TON of fun, but I understand why my father encouraged me to play a team sport. Turns out… I’ve got a little competitiveness to my personality. What can I say? I grew up with brothers (Richie and Jasey) and I had to learn to hold my own.

I looked up Chicago Sports and Social Club to see what was going down on the sports scene and found a kickball tournament fundraiser a few blocks from home. The tournament had tons of fun-loving people in like colored shirts, free hot dogs, hamburgers and, of course… the energy drink of champions… beer. And all of the money raised went to Ryno Kid Care.

Ryno Kid Care is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children with serious medical conditions and their families, by providing supportive, compassionate and meaningful programming.

We had a blast making it the finals. We played well and for a good cause. That’s my kind of volunteer work. That’s just good time management.

And you can’t beat that.

Well, you could try… We could arm wrestle for it.

The Charter One Pavillion on Northerly Island hosts a variety of musical acts throughout the summer in downtown Chicago. The venue is the brainchild of Mayor Daley. In May of 2003, Daley hired a private crew to rip up the runways of the then, Meigs Field, in the middle of the night. Soon after, the pavilion was born.

Last night, Al Green (who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from BET) promoted his newest album, Lay it Down, with an outdoor concert at the pavillion. The man can sing.

The wind, the view, and the music were incredibly moving… and I was, once again, reminded of my love affair with this gorgeous city.

Yes, my sweet Chicago… we shall stay together.

Let’s stay together, Chicago. from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

The new iPhone was released today and my new gadget buddy, Eric Benderoff, of the Chicago Tribune suggested that I cover the story for JenChicago. I admit, I am not a “techie” and I had NO idea what a big deal it was going to be! Thanks for the tip, Eric!

People had been waiting in line at the Apple store on Michigan Avenue since 3:00 in the afternoon the previous day! I still can’t say I totally “get it”… but one thing is FOR SURE… there’s a whole lotta Apple-love out there! Way to go, Apple!

The new iPhone… Apple-icious! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Lots of love and appreciation to my mom, who woke up at the crack of dawn with me to film!