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Browsing all posts from January, 2010.
01/15/10
Live on KISS FM w/ Drex about Chicago Haiti Support
Chicago, and the U.S. in general, has really done an amazing job to support the victims in Haiti in this tremendous time of need – as discussed in this behind the scenes video of me & Drex live in KISS radio this morning, in case didn’t catch it. In the end, real dollars sent is what matters right now – at any level – and motivating people to join you. See my last post for a number of ways that can help….thx all
Tags: drex, drex in the morning, fundraiser, haiti, kiss fm
01/14/10
"Bachelorette" Jillian Harris & Billy Dec TweetNMeet Fundraiser Party to Benefit Haiti
Sounds random I know- long story short- my buddy jillian & I had a tweetnmeet party set for our twitter followers this Saturday- many friends on twitter and facebook asked me to use my network, venues, ideas,… whatever I could, to host a fundraising event fast to immediately help victims in Haiti. I quickly proposed to jillian that we turn our tweetnmeet into a fundraiser- not only to raise money quick, but to work with our network to call people to action fast- it was a no brainer for both of us- and its on-
We are hosting our tweetnmeet/fundraiser event this Saturday January 16th at rockit Wrigley (3700 n clark) to benefit the redcross/haiti. drinks & apps on us from 9-10p where we are asking for $20 minimum at the door. If can’t make it early, of course come when can, donations accepted until we close at 2am. Info & rsvp at info@rockitwrigley.com
If can’t come at all, please spread the word any way you can, as that’s half the battle, and try to make a donation to any of the many other options that exist out there. I have pulled together some suggeestions off my facebook, twitter & the internet- sure there are way more out there- but hopefully this is a good start- thanks all- and good luck-
The American Red Cross has set up a text message donation account enabling anyone in the US to text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the recovery effort. The fully deductible donation will be billed to your mobile phone account.
YELE.ORG or text ‘YELE’ to ’501501′ and a donation will be made and charged to your cell phone bill
American Red Cross redcross.org; 800-RED-CROSS
CARE care.org; 800-521-CARE
Catholic Relief Services crs.org; 800-736-3467
Operation USA opusa.org; 800-678-7255
Salvation Army salvationarmyusa.org; 800-SAL-ARMY
U.S. Fund for UNICEF unicefusa.org; 800-FOR-KIDS
World Vision worldvision.org; 866-280-6587
Le passage fri 1/15 6p-9p accepting donations of all kinds, buddy joel barnes donating tips at bar too
Saturday at 7pm. Let’s buy every bottle of water in the Chi and bless our brothers and sisters in Haiti. 2950 W Washington. 7pm (Boys and Girls Club of Chicago)
Soul Veg (chicago) is collecting non-perishable vegan food clothing etc. 4 Haiti humanitarian relief call 773 224 0104
@ChicagoRedCross fundraising effort in your Chicago home/business for #Haiti, contact 312-729-6120 / ChicagoFD@usa.redcross.org
@WholeFoodsCHI Whole Foods Market Chicago If you are looking to support a local group helping with Haiti earthquake relief, please… http://bit.ly/6DMwCX
@MonicaGaspard: ATTN CHICAGO: Relief efforts for Haiti local changed to the LEVY CENTER 7:30p 300 Dodge Ave Evanston anybody wanna go?
@gslivingston: Save Haiti! Press Conf. & Prayer Vigil – Today @ 5pm RainbowPUSH Headquarters – 930 E. 50th Street, Chicago
Sounds random I know- long story short- my buddy jillian & I had a tweetnmeet party set for our twitter followers this Saturday- many friends on twitter and facebook asked me to use my network, venues, ideas,… whatever I could, to host a fundraising event fast to immediately help victims in Haiti. I quickly proposed to jillian that we turn our tweetnmeet into a fundraiser- not only to raise money quick, but to work with our network to call people to action fast- it was a no brainer for both of us- and its on-
We are hosting our tweetnmeet/fundraiser event this Saturday January 16th at rockit Wrigley (3700 n clark) to benefit the redcross/haiti. drinks & apps on us from 9-10p where we are asking for $20 minimum at the door. If can’t make it early, of course come when can, donations accepted until we close at 2am. Info & rsvp at info@rockitwrigley.com
If can’t come at all, please spread the word any way you can, as that’s half the battle, and try to make a donation to any of the many other options that exist out there. I have pulled together some suggeestions off my facebook, twitter & the internet- sure there are way more out there- but hopefully this is a good start- thanks all- and good luck-
The American Red Cross has set up a text message donation account enabling anyone in the US to text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the recovery effort. The fully deductible donation will be billed to your mobile phone account.
YELE.ORG or text ‘YELE’ to ’501501′ and a donation will be made and charged to your cell phone bill
American Red Cross redcross.org; 800-RED-CROSS
CARE care.org; 800-521-CARE
Catholic Relief Services crs.org; 800-736-3467
Operation USA opusa.org; 800-678-7255
Salvation Army salvationarmyusa.org; 800-SAL-ARMY
U.S. Fund for UNICEF unicefusa.org; 800-FOR-KIDS
World Vision worldvision.org; 866-280-6587
Le passage fri 1/15 6p-9p accepting donations of all kinds, buddy joel barnes donating tips at bar too
Saturday at 7pm. Let’s buy every bottle of water in the Chi and bless our brothers and sisters in Haiti. 2950 W Washington. 7pm (Boys and Girls Club of Chicago)
Soul Veg (chicago) is collecting non-perishable vegan food clothing etc. 4 Haiti humanitarian relief call 773 224 0104
@ChicagoRedCross fundraising effort in your Chicago home/business for #Haiti, contact 312-729-6120 / ChicagoFD@usa.redcross.org
@WholeFoodsCHI Whole Foods Market Chicago If you are looking to support a local group helping with Haiti earthquake relief, please… http://bit.ly/6DMwCX
@MonicaGaspard: ATTN CHICAGO: Relief efforts for Haiti local changed to the LEVY CENTER 7:30p 300 Dodge Ave Evanston anybody wanna go?
@gslivingston: Save Haiti! Press Conf. & Prayer Vigil – Today @ 5pm RainbowPUSH Headquarters – 930 E. 50th Street, Chicago
Tags: american red cross, bachelorette, boys and girls club chicago, care, chicago red cross, disaster relief, earthquake, facebook, fundraiser, haiti, jillian harris, le passage, levy center, operation usa, rainbow push, rockit wrigley, salvation army, soul veg, twitter, unicef, whole foods, world vision, yele
01/13/10
Video of Half Price Tuesday Night Ice Skating at Wrigley Field!
The chicago entertainment, fashion & hospitality industry comes out to rockit Wrigley every Tuesday night to eat, drink, network & party- then someone put a rink out across the street in front of Wrigley field- and then this all happened… watch the video, it speaks for itself…. And share it! Haha!
Tags: chicago, ice rink, ice skate, industry, rockit wrigley, skate, wrigley field
01/12/10
Wonder what it's like to do live Chicago radio? Here's the behind the scenes…
After being a guest on a ton of talk shows last week from oprah radio to wgn 720a live… a bunch of people hit me with great questions on twitter intrigued about what its like to do live radio shows for millions (which totally freaked me out while on air) so I thought I would flip my cam on and show you what its like visually! If want to hear the whole audio interview click here. Fyi, this interview was part of a new segment on 720am where www.ChicagoNow.com bloggers shout out a whole lot of fun Saturdays from 9a-12p- so tune in!
As for my upcoming press dates, this week I am at this same location doing bob sirott’s show at exactly 12:35p during most people’s lunch hour so please walk by the infamous wgn radio tribune tower glass and wave hi to us! (If anyone stages a flash mob I will celebrate you- haha!). Will be talking about the fun cub-aholic fan party we are doing this Thursday night at rockit Wrigley with media hosting like my buddy david kaplan (from trib, Comcast sportsnet tv, radio,…),some cub player friends (it’s a secret for now who’s coming), a ton of fans who miss the cubs,… all to kick off the cub convention this weekend! I’m also on Mancow this Friday 9am to talk about my fight against hunger with a fun karaoke party on Friday 1/22 from 8p-10p benefiting the chicago food depository… please tune in!
(oh, and rumors are true- my 1ST tweet N meet got rave reviews to point that some are making me do it again! Especially those that missed the first one- so it’s this sat 1/16 9-10p contact katierose@rockitranch.com)
After being a guest on a ton of talk shows last week from oprah radio to wgn 720am live… a bunch of people hit me with great questions on twitter intrigued about what its like to do live radio shows for millions (which totally freaked me out while on air) so I thought I would flip my cam on and show you what its like visually! If want to hear the whole audio interview click here. Fyi, this interview was part of a new segment on 720am where www.ChicagoNow.com bloggers shout out a whole lot of fun Saturdays from 9a-12p- so tune in!
As for my upcoming press dates, this week I am at this same location doing bob sirott’s show at exactly 12:35p during most people’s lunch hour so please walk by the infamous wgn radio tribune tower glass and wave hi to us! (If anyone stages a flash mob I will celebrate you- haha!). Will be talking about the fun cub-aholic fan party we are doing this Thursday night at rockit Wrigley with media hosting like my buddy david kaplan (from trib, Comcast sportsnet tv, radio,…),some cub player friends (it’s a secret for now who’s coming), a ton of fans who miss the cubs,… all to kick off the cub convention this weekend! I’m also on Mancow this Friday 9am to talk about my fight against hunger with a fun karaoke party on Friday 1/22 from 8p-10p benefiting the chicago food depository… please tune in!
(oh, and rumors are true- my 1ST tweet N meet got rave reviews to point that some are making me do it again! Especially those that missed the first one- so it’s this sat 1/16 9-10p contact katierose@rockitranch.com)
Tags: bob sirott, chicago cubs, chicagonow.com, comcast sportsnet, cubs, cubs convention, david kaplan, greater chicago food depository, hunger, mancow, oprah radio, rockit wrigley, tribune tower, twitter, wgn radio 720am
01/07/10
Your Social Media Voice is Making a Difference
it’s definitely a whole new world with you & social media in my life! Every year I make my own marketing plans for all my venues based on what I think is hot- but this year I let you, my friends on facebook, twitter & this blog, all decide what we deliver! (check video about our crazy experiment, also attached the press release below that just went out)
Funny how freaked some get when hear that I am risking everything on “outsiders” or “randoms” as they put it, but I actually think it all makes sense? I mean, who knows best about what guests of my places want, but those guests and those that care to interact about entertainment with me, right? well, guess we will find out soon- because it all launches this Friday 1/8! see you at all your fun ideas- which I love btw, thank you!
it’s definitely a whole new world with you & social media in my life! Every year I make my own marketing plans for all my venues based on what I think is hot- but this year I let you, my friends on facebook, twitter & this blog, all decide what we deliver! (check video about our crazy experiment, also attached the press release below that just went out)
Tags: Blog, chicago cubs, cooking class, cubs, facebook, ice skating, karaoke, live music, press release, rockit bar and grill, rockit wrigley, twitter, wine
01/06/10
Heating up Chicago w/ Grandma's Goulash!
Chicago is a family loving melting pot! And I love when that melting pot is shared to bring warmth to all of us… with that, I really enjoyed this story in the chicago suntimes today featuring my chef’s grandma’s secret Hungarian goulash recipe that was brought to America and is now shared with us all in chicago (click here for full story, or enjoy my fav highlights w/ the recipe below)… hope you enjoy & share too!
“The heat is on, with spices in the mix
BY SEANAN FORBES
Come winter, we lift the levers on the thermostats. People with fireplaces develop a serious interest in wood. From coast to coast, chefs break out seasonings that give food a warmth that has nothing to do with temperature… James Gottwald, who rules the kitchen at Rockit Bar & Grill in River North and Wrigleyville, learned to cook from his grandmother, his babchi. She came from Romania, where winters are a serious business, bringing her traditions with her.
Remembering his childhood winters, Gottwald says, “We had goulash every day.” It was adaptable. Whatever was at hand — potatoes, dumplings, onions, parsley root — went into the pot. Paprika added depth of color and spicy warmth. The stew appeared at every meal. Even in the morning? “Yes.” Gottwald grins. “It was goulash for breakfast with an egg on top. That was the best. Underneath there would be a buttermilk biscuit, potatoes, pasta — any kind of starch to stick to the guts. You could go out and play in the snow all day after that.” Or, for that matter, survive the morning walk to the train station. Goulash isn’t a standard on Rockit Ranch’s menu, but Gottwald plans to add it for a week, to celebrate his grandmother. And that brings us back to Sherman’s observation. If you want to bring warmth to the table, it’s all about love.
This recipe comes from Maria Boicesco, grandmother of Rockit chef James Gottwald. “This is not a dish that can be rushed,” Gottwald says. After a day or two (if it lasts that long), it makes a hearty breakfast. As a morning dish, serve it over toasted bread with a fried duck egg on top.
MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS
1 pound beef shank, cut into 1-inch cube
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Black pepper
1 heaping tablespoon Hungarian paprika (hot or mild)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium to large onion, julienned
¼ teaspoon ground caraway seed
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 bell pepper, medium dice
1 stalk celery, medium dice
1 bay leaf
2 tomatoes, large dice
2 to 3 cups water, beef stock or chicken stock (enough to barely cover)
Season the meat with salt, black pepper and paprika. Set meat aside at room temperature, to allow it to absorb the seasonings.
Heat a heavy-gauge pot on the stove. (Traditionally, Babchi would cook it in a Dutch oven over a wood-burning fire.)
Heat the oil. (Butter or lard may be used, if you prefer.) Add the onions and cook over medium heat until lightly brown, not dark or crispy. Pull the pan off the heat and add the meat. Stir well and let the flavors get happy.
Place back onto medium heat and lightly toast the paprika-laced meat. The paprika can burn fast, so turn down the heat or pull it off the fire and stir constantly. This should take 10 to 15 minutes.
Next, add the caraway and cook for 2 more minutes. (Caraway is not always used and not necessary, but it’s a nice spice if you have it.) Add the garlic, bell pepper, celery, bay leaf and tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, then add water and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and slowly simmer for 3 hours, or until the meat is fork tender. You may need to add more water. You also may cover the pot; it’s your choice. The collagen in the meat will lend viscosity to the broth.
Serve over buttered noodles or spaetzle.
Note: There are many variations. Parsnips, carrots, potatoes can be added halfway through the cooking process. Boicesco was very fond of using parsley root. Visually similar to parsnip, parsley root is sweeter.
Half of the water can be replaced with beer or white wine. It all depends on what you have on hand.
Maria Boicesco”
Chicago is a family loving melting pot! And I love when that melting pot is shared to bring warmth to all of us… with that, I really enjoyed this story in the chicago suntimes today featuring my chef’s grandma’s secret Hungarian goulash recipe that was brought to America and is now shared with us all in chicago (click here for full story, or enjoy my fav highlights w/ the recipe below)… hope you enjoy & share too!
“The heat is on, with spices in the mix
BY SEANAN FORBES
Tags: goulash, james gottwald, rockit bar and grill, romania, wrigleyville
01/04/10
my 1st chicago tweet 'n meet party!
Alright all my friends on facebook, twitter & www.aChicagothing.com, you asked for it, let’s have a party!
Yes, I took down all your suggestions & requests on what you would want at this party, and yes, the party will have it! (well, a majority of it, some of the requests were completely silly & ridiculous, go figure!)
Here are some details:
-It’s this Saturday night, January 9th from 9p-2a @RockitWrigley (3700 N. Clark) w/ some of my favorite rock mashup djs, musical performers, fun friends, and more!
-there will be a private reception from 9p-10p for my followers on twitter w/specialty drinks & hors d’oeuvres! To attend from 9p-10p you and your guests (who better be fun!) must be following me on www.twitter.billydec.com and RSVP to KatieRose@RockitRanch.com asap as space is limited!
-for those like me who want a table for dinner at rockit before the party, Katie rose can accommodate you as well- enjoy and see you there!
Alright all my friends on facebook, twitter & www.aChicagothing.com, you asked for it, let’s have a party!
Yes, I took down all your suggestions & requests on what you would want at this party, and yes, the party will have it! (well, a majority of it, some of the requests were completely silly & ridiculous, go figure!)
Here are some details:
-It’s this Saturday night, January 9th from 9p-2a @RockitWrigley (3700 N. Clark) w/ some of my favorite rock mashup djs, musical performers, fun friends, and more!
-there will be a private reception from 9p-10p for my followers on twitter w/specialty drinks & hors d’oeuvres! To attend from 9p-10p you and your guests (who better be fun!) must be following me on www.twitter.billydec.com and RSVP to KatieRose@RockitRanch.com asap as space is limited!
-for those like me who want a table for dinner at rockit before the party, Katie rose can accommodate you as well- enjoy and see you there!
**UPDATED January 12th, 2010 : My first Tweet ‘N Meet party was such a success (and I know some of you missed it) that I’m doing another this Saturday – all the info for this weekend is the same above!**
01/02/10
Backstage exclusive w/ Gossip Girl Leighton Meester
What a way to kick off the new year! Last night crowds of crazed gossip girl, underground & www.achicagothing.com fans got treated to a live performance by Leighton meester who plays blair waldorf on “gossip girl!” and it was definitely a raging time! (most of the free tickets came through twitter as they always do so if not following me click here so don’t miss out anymore!)
My partners Arturo Gomez, brad young & I like to thank our supporters a couple times a year with surprise celebrity performances, and I have to say, even though we have had john mayer, ashlee simpson, kanye west,… and dozens of other high profile stars perform live at our places for all, this group of fans got just as crazy for their girl Leighton!
Check out this video of me & Leighton chilling backstage at the underground before her show thanking you all for all your support… on behalf of www.achicagothing.com& rockit ranch productions… we appreciate you! Oh, and much more to come in 2010… stay tuned!
updated : January 4th – 10am :: here’s some press from leighton’s performance….
Page Six - http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/we_hear_c7zIsfKYIVv8HAsX3yMrBK
NBC - http://tr.im/JpCv
Chicago Tribune - http://tr.im/JpOK
Tags: ashlee simpson, gossip girl, john mayor, kanye west, leighton meester, the underground, twitter