Posts from — March 2009

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

The ChiGuide.com just had its launch party at Landmark on March 26, 2008. This new online publication holds a special place in my heart being a ChiGuide.com contributor myself. We tip off locals and visitors alike with the coolest and best of Chicago food, music, dining, nightlife, arts & culture and sports.

From one Chicagoan to another… Welcome to the world, ChiGuide.com.

ChiGuide Launch Party v3 from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

I’m not the only one having a blast in Chicago! Samson and I have been here for almost a year in June and we are loving every changing season! This winter, I let Samson’s hair get longer than I ever had before and when I tried to brush him, I realized that he was matted underneath. I knew his next grooming would have to be the ol’ springtime buzz cut.

Soggy Paws was recommended to me by Jim Quinn, a native Chicagoan who knows this city like the back of his hand, and he was right! Paul and Kevin are the super far out owners and sheer delight to be around! Their love for both dogs and people was exemplified at “Yappy Hour”!

Samson and I heart Yappy Hour.

Who let my peeps out? from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

PS: Samson Knoedl is on Facebook.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
It was a HUGE success! Arthur Murray’s Fourth Annual “Dancing with Chicago Celebrities” raised $67,000 for the Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®,and what a fun way to do it! All of the toe-tapping fun went down on Friday, March 13, 2009, when Chicago celebrities paired with Arthur Murray professional dance instructors at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The winning team included Dana Kozlov, Assignment Reporter from CBS 2, and her Arthur Murray partner Edgar Chavarria. The MVP went to Robbie Ventura, who along with his team raised the most – $4,680. Other celebrities competing included Pat Cassidy, Radio Personality on WLS 890 AM, Lourdes Duarte, Assignment Reporter for WGN 9, Daryl Hawks, Sports Anchor and Reporter for NBC 5, Evelyn Holmes, Assignment Reporter for ABC 7, and Katie Lorenz, Miss Illinois 2008. The night’s emcee was NBC 5 Sports Anchor, Mike Adamle. WGN Anchor Dina Bair, NBC 5’s Meteorologist, Ginger Zee and ABC7’s Traffic Reporter Roz Varon also returned as alumni.

Dancing with Chicago Celebrities! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

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JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Last week I had a chance to learn about an organization called Hadassah. Hadassah Chicago Chapter is a Jewish organization that started in 1913 and promotes Zionist ideals in the United States, Israel and throughout the world. What these women and men have been able to accomplish in the past 94 years, is nothing short of outstanding. From funding hospitals and colleges to being the leader in stem cell research, Hadassah is making a huge difference in the lives of so many.

Hadassah Chicago Chapter alone raises TWO BILLION each year to support their programs! The group continues to grow in the Chicago area with events like the one I went to recently at LUXBAR. The food was outstanding and Bridget Albert, the Master Mixologist, whipped up some delightful concoctions with some of my favorite new liquors, like Pama. Everyone was kind, informed and obviously very dedicated to the cause. I learned so much about Israel, after chating with Howard Kaplan, that it is now on my list of “places to visit”! Howard described the Israeli landscape as “downtown Miami beach” and even went on to call Israel a “junior America”!

Overall, this is an amazing organization that knows very clearly their purpose and the impact that people can make when they join together for a common goal. In the words of Fran Givertz, President, “Yes, times might seem tough, but Hadassah is tougher.”

To find out more about Hadassah Chicago Chapter check here. If you are ready to help support the initiative, on April 30, Chicago Hadassah hosts their largest fundraiser of the year starring hot Israeli dance company Renana Raz and teens from the Hadassah Neurim Youth Village. All proceeds benefit Hadassah Neurim, which each year gives 1,200 at-risk Israeli children the education and confidence building they need to succeed and help their country. For tickets and sponsorships, call 847.675.6790.

For more stories of hope, check out JenChicago.com.

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JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

It’s another rockin’ segment of “Word on the Street” on 24/7 Chicago!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
One of my favorite spots to hang in all of Chicago is The Joynt. The place just oozes “cool” with phenomenal live music, stiff drinks and private parties, like the one last week for Chazz Palminteri and his one-man show, A Bronx Tale. Overall, the biggest “take away” I got from this night of fun and excitement was succinctly put by Chazz himself… “Don’t waste your talent.”

Word up, Chazz. Advice taken.

Opening Party for A Bronx Tale with Chazz Palminteri @ The Joynt from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

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JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

This Friday, March 13th, Arthur Murray hosts the 4th Annual Dancing with the Chicago Celebrities at the Hyatt Regency Chicago benefiting the Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I had a chance to “get the scoop” with some of the instructors of Arthur Murray, get a quick lesson AND EVEN got a sneak peek at performances by Ginger Zee and Daryl Hawks, both from NBC Chicago!

You’re invited… to Dancing with the Chicago Celebrities! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

The deets…
Instructors from the dance studio have been paired with local celebrities to perform a ballroom competition followed by two professional floor shows! There will be a cocktail reception with a cash bar beginning at 6pm. Doors open and the main event will begin promptly at 7pm. Tickets are $195 per person, and may be purchased online at www.dancingwithchicagocelebrities.kintera.org.

2009 Chicago Celebrities scheduled to appear are: Pat Cassidy, Radio Personality on WLS 890 AM, Lourdes Duarte, Assignment Reporter for WGN 9, Daryl Hawks, Sports Anchor and Reporter for NBC 5, Evelyn Holmes, Assignment Reporter for ABC 7, Dana Kozlov, Assignment Reporter from CBS 2, Katie Lorenz, Miss Illinois 2008, and Robbie Ventura, Professional Cyclist from Lance Armstrong’s team

I’ll see you on the dance floor!

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JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Check out my first appearance on 24/7 Chicago! The show airs Saturday nights after SNL (Saturday Night Live) and this particular episode first aired on Valentines Day 2009.

We shot the episode at Hub 51, which is a gorgeous venue with outstanding food! Thanks, RJ!

Word on the Street: Hub 51 from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

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JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

When Sarah sent me the email asking if I would participate in Maven’s Date Auction I hesitated only for a moment before deciding… OF COURSE!  After all, everybody knows that date auctions are fun… right?  And since I AM a Funologist, it just stands to reason that this event is RIGHT up my alley!  It was a charity event to boot and I had a great chat with Tim about The Keep On Keeping On Foundation at one of my favorite spots downtown, Martini Park!

Though I didn’t get a chance to talk to all of the bachelors and bachelorettes at the auction, I DID get some fantastic interviews!  Sarah did a great job of picking good-looking people with good hearts to get up on the auction block and I chatted it up with quite a few!  Cuties!  All of them!  One of the things that I really like about this video is that I got a chance to talk to people about their hearts… and, of course, laughing all the way! 

And THAT is the kinda show I wanna watch!

PS:  Thank you Sarah.  It was so much fun and I am honored you thought of me!

We Just Keep On… Sharing The Love! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

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