Posts from — November 2008

Here is the full write up and the video is embedded below.

Today is the last day to vote! The website is kinda tricky, so make sure your stars stick!

Thank you!

Vote for “American Dreams, Chicago16!” here!

My Darling Friends,

The Chicago 2016 Organization is holding a video contest asking people to answer the question “Why Chicago?” (as in, why should Chicago host the 2016 Olympics)

So, of course, being JenChicago, I HAD to enter!  I created a song and dance called the “Chicago16” and with the help of wonderful friends produced the video, which is online now!  The first round of voting ends this Tuesday (November 25) and the top 5 finalist will be announced the day after Thanksgiving.  So please register and vote as soon as possible!

To vote, you must register (fill in blanks, answer questions, receive a confirmation email) and then you can score the videos.  I know it may seem like a lot of work, but I figure… that’s what friends are for, right?  And you KNOW I’d do it for you!  The bonus is that by voting, you are entered to win a trip for 6 to watch the Olympians train in Colorado!

You may watch and vote on all of the videos or only vote for mine… and as MY friend, I am sure you will find that “American Dreams, Chicago16!” is the only video up there deserving the 5-STAR rating!

Here is the link: http://www.chicago2016.org/contest/entries.aspx and you may have to scroll for “American Dreams, Chicago16!” among the other submissions.

Thank you, in advance, for helping me.  When Oprah interviews me after I win, I will be sure to tell her what amazing friends I have!

Here is the video, but you must go to the 2016 site to vote!

American Dreams, Chicago16! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Videography by Ben Mahoney Productions

You know you wanna sing along!

CHICAGO16!

Just a few reasons/ why I love this town

Made it a dance/ that’s how we get down

check this out/ it starts like this

You walk 4 steps and here’s the twist

Mimic the lake/ make your arms roll

Beauty of the water will soothe your soul

Then you pop it out/ heart beating for

ALL of America/ flag we adore

American dreams. Chicago16. American dreams. Chicago 16.

Step up/ buildings scraping the sky

Views like candy/ meant for the eye

Down to the subway, hop on the “EL”

C.T.A./ transit done well

Rose through the ashes of the Great Fire

Built Second City/ incredibly higher

American dreams. Chicago16. American dreams. Chicago 16.

ALL different cultures/ united. Free.

Turn it for the people/ you and me

kick it on out, like we do for da’ teams

Cheer on our athletes/ American dreams

American dreams. Chicago16. American dreams. Chicago 16.

Food’s top-rated/ exciting. yummy

Represent. Put your hands on your tummy

To welcome the Olympics/ we sliiide

Open a hand to friends world-wide

From here it begin/ right back at the top

Everybody know this city don’t stop

So shake your tail feather/ make a big scene

And that’s how you do “Chicago-16”

American dreams. Chicago16. American dreams. Chicago 16.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

di·va - [dee-vuh, -vah] noun, distinguished female singer; prima donna. Goddess, fine lady.

Every Thursday, in downtown Chicago, divas gather at Madame Tartine for MAVEN’s Diva Series. This weeks’ series featured the Ladies of le dress, Eva and Robyn Anderson! The sister-in-laws opened the “dresses-only” store this summer, as a result of their personal experiences in trying to locate dresses for a variety of events. The store has a price range from $40 to $500 with sizes ranging for 0 to 12.

The Diva Series runs weekly from 7-11 with complimentary champagne cocktails from 7-8pm. And though Madame Tartine is packed full of beautiful women, the smart guys know that the Diva Series isn’t just for the ladies. (that’s a hint, guys!)

Come celebrate the Diva Series with Sarah Vargo and Renae Placinski of MAVEN!

Maven’s Diva Series w Le Dress! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

The 2016 Olympic Committee is having a video contest encouraging supporters to describe “Why Chicago should host the 2016 Olympics”.

I believe the answer is… Because we have a dance. And it’s called the Chicago-16. With the help of some wonderful friends, I have created a song and dance to answer the question of “Why Chicago?”

Below is a video explaining how to do the dance along with the text directions. We are going to film the dance at Plan B in Chicago’s Wicker Park on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 starting at 6pm. If you would like to be part of the video, please RSVP (jen@jenchicago.com) and show up! It’s all about having fun, not about having a PhD in dance!

Chicago-16 Dance Instructions from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1-4: Starting w your right foot, walk four steps forward. Roll your arms parallel in front of you.

5-6: Step out w your right foot to the right side. Pump right arm and body as if to mimic two heartbeats.

7: Left leg closes to right. Right arm raises straight up.

8: Drop down to a closed-legged squat.

1-4: Pump your body by standing and squatting every other count.

5-8: Pivot turn (step right forward, turn 180 degrees, repeat) Return to the front.

1-3: Kick right front w heel on ground, switching feet every other count.

4: Straighten legs to the side and face left.

5-6: Slap belly with right then left hand.

7: Slide to your left, extending your right arm and dragging right foot.

8: Close.

REPEAT!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Let me tell you a little story about a fellow named, Samson…

Okay, we don’t have time for a long drawn out story, but suffice it to say… Samson is my friend, my buddy, my dog. And I love him. Very much.

There are a lot of dog lovers, like me here in Chicago and we all want to take care of our little friends. They need their nails trimmed, teeth brushed, hair cut, la-la-la… One might think it a good idea to buy some clippers, a nail file and toothpaste… and then just have at it, BUT if you have ever tried to groom a squiggly dog, in less than 3 hours, you would know how easy it is to make the little guy look like he just stepped off the set of Fraggle Rock. Trust.

So, as I was searching for a place to groom my best pal, I found Streetervile Pet Spa and Salon. I spoke with the owner, Marion, and was convinced that Samson was going to be in good hands. And, of course, he was!

Beware: If you thought Samson was handsome before… hold on to your socks!

Samson gets a haircut from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

What do you get when you combine the Garfield Park Conservatory, wonderfully costumed performers, DJs, dancing, and a whole lotta Hornitos tequila?

Midnight in the Garden of Agave. Check it!

Hornitos’: Midnight in the Garden of Agave from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.