UNICEF “World Water Week” Tap Project Kickoff in Chicago

I was flipping thru channels last night and saw jessica biel on cnn w/ larry king talking about how millions of children around the world don’t have access to clean water, and thought about how when I was in 3rd grade at st clements, a speaker came in to teach us the same, and passed on many ways we can help conserve from as simple as turning the water off when brushing our teeth. That talk has actually stayed with me forever since couldn’t fathom that water could ever be scarce anywhere, but realized although I was trying to follow the speaker’s advice all these years, I never did any work to try and help share the message, so trying to help do that now.

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Billy Dec Eating Human Breast Milk Cheese on NBC’s Today Show with Kathie Lee & Hoda

if following me on twitter you probably saw all the behind the scenes pics of me joining Sunda chef Rodelio Agligot on set for his killer cooking demonstration on nbc’s the today show on what happened to be our first Sunda birthday!

well after Rod and I were done, we wandered on to The Today Show with Kathie lee and hoda set- and I heard “is someone hungry” so knowing me I raise my hand- proceeded to get directed to Kathie Lee and Hoda live on camera – and told to eat some cheese – which after found out it was human breast milk cheese! you must see the end – where this video cuts into the next day where they bring me up again!!!

Omg omg omg omg oh well- we sure represented chitown’s culinary loving scene!!!!!!!! True fans right?!??! omg. Cant take me anywhere – Happy 1st Birthday Sunda!

Academy Awards in Chicago!

I know a lot of people throw academy award parties across the nation, but wanted to let you know of the 51 “official” academy award parties sanctioned by the academy of motion pictures, arts and sciences, chicago has had one of these “official” parties for the last 16 years!

One of my scariest press memories actually was when I hosted it about 5 years ago w/my buddy Amanda puck who dragged me in to do steve dahl’s radio show absolutely terrified because for months he had been making fun of me live on his show (even made my mom cry once when she heard him in the car)!  In the end, glad amanda helped me face my fear, because ended up that steve and I realized we were actually two nice guys that totally didn’t understand the other til we talked in person.. and we actually created a very nice friendship out of it!

Anywho, this year the official party celebrating the live simulcast of the 82nd annual academy awards will be from 6p-11p sunday march 7th at the gene siskel film center (164 n. state st) hosted by great friends like roger & chaz ebert, harold ramis, Betsy steinberg, mike mcnamara, Amanda puck, david zapata, brook jay and more! tickets at ticketmaster are $100 & all proceeds will benefit the gene siskel film center of the school of the art institute of chicago- enjoy!

Chicago Designer & Artist Pair with Ronald McDonald House

If follow me on twitter you probably are watching me chase whales (or tequila, quac,..) off the coast of Mexico… But wrote this about some killer artist friends w/a great event happening earlier to share, so sending it in to my blog from the boat now!

Everyone checkout this true art infused event powered by a love of fashion, a knack for art and a bond over fellow women across the world. Wednesday, March 10th allow yourself to experience “Gold Rush” – a combination of an art exhibition and fashion in one, featuring local designer Sahar Dad and local artist Misa Verbeek.

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Chicago’s Tickled pink to fight breast cancer!

like many others out there, my buddy jodi fyfe lost a loved one to breast cancer.  What I love about her though is she took immediate action to begin a very big fight, so that hopefully one day others wouldn’t have to feel that pain as well.  I met Jodi about 5 years ago when I was hosting a segment for metromix tv, there to cover and support her new tickled pink breast cancer fundraising event she had started, and was so wow’ed by her passion and determination, I never stopped supporting since.  Some years I joined all the chicago media invited to jump behind the bar to entertain and serve guests unique pink specialty drinks, some years I’ve grabbed the mic and hosted, but every year, I’m just a proud and excited guest there to enjoy all the wonderful people that have been brought together to fight this all too common battle in a really fun and positive way!

5 years & over $150,000 donated toward the cause later… jodi and her tickled pink team continue on and we will be with her… as I hope you will too! This year we get to be served and entertained by local Celebrity & media like.. TEAM WFLD-TV of Kori Chambers, Amy Freeze, Nancy Pender, Chris Sowers and Tera Williams. TEAM WGN-TV of Dina Bair and Tom Negovan. TEAM WMAQ-TV of Rob Elgas, Christian Farr, Natalie Martinez, Liz Parker, Alex Perez, Anthony Ponce, Marcus Riley, Matt Rodewald, Phil Rogers, Kim Vatis, Zoraida Sambolin and Ginger Zee, Susan Carlson of WBBM-TV, Susanna Negovan of Michigan Avenue, Amanda Puck of XA The Experiential Agency Inc.,  Liz Crokin of TheBootsGirls.com and Radaronline.com and last but not least.. the charitable firemen of the Windy City. 

My role?  To work with my underground & rockit ranch team to make sure the party rocks so all these superstars above can work their magic and make sure you and your friends have an absolute blast! so the party is at our place, the underground, this Friday, feb 26^th from 7-10p… drinks, food, Music, fun, amazing crowd, be there! for more info and tix go to www.tickledpinkchicago.com … and at bare minimum… just help spread the word as there are unfortunately many people out there that this could benefit in one way or another!  And together with jodi and the tickled pink crew- we will keep on fighting! You rock- b

Dance marathon to help children’s memorial hospital!

Anytime you can mix entertainment, fun, energy, dancing, music, spirit,… to do good, I’m a huge supporter… which is why I am a huge fan of the infamous annual ‘Chicago Dance Marathon’ to benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital!

It’s pretty amazing to watch Hundreds of “dancers” gather for 13.1 nonstop hours of straight crazy dancing to show support and dedication to helping kids in need! Check this video, you can see it’s quite a unique experience that helps so many, so I encourage all to grab some friends and join in!

This year the event takes place Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place from 8am-9pm. Click here to register
and Check out Children’s Miracle Network at (childrensmiraclenetwork.org) for more info!

(and yes, fist pumping will be allowed as long as its used for good!)

Rockit Billboard Social Media Campaign

Rockit Billboard Campaign from A Chicago Thing on Vimeo.

Chicago Big Brothers Big Sisters

Shout out to my buddies Jillian Harris & ed Swiderski of “The Bachelorette” who turned me on to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Chicago Bowl for Kids’ Sake 2010 that they are competing in… sounds like a blast! And all for an amazing cause… which I love…

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States – they’ve been connecting with and helping kids for over a century! Their main goal is to develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people, ages 6 through 18. Here are some unbelievable stats that really impressed me even more so with this organization :

By participating in the young mentoring programs, Little Brothers and Sisters are :

More Confident in their schoolwork performance

Able to get along better with their families

46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs

27% less likely to begin using alcohol

52% less likely to skip school

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers dozens of programs altered to address specific needs, ethnicities and areas such as community-based, school-based, mentoring military children, etc.

To kick jillians and ed’s butts in bowling and to support this amazing cause in a super fun way… click… http://tr.im/NFi3

Chicago Blackhawks’ Brian Campbell Foundation Texas Hold ‘Em Event!

Shout out to Chicago Blackhawks’ brian campbell for launching his new foundation “Campbell for Kids” raising funds for chicagoland charities helping children w/ learning disabilities, autism & other special needs!

Join brian, other pro-athletes & celebs tmrw/Weds (2/10) at Horseshoe Casino for a fun texas hold’em tournament charity launch party! Not only are there cash prizes, but I love that if you beat a Blackhawk or other celebrity player you get the jersey off their back!

Drinks, Food, Gaming, Live Entertainment, silent/live auctions,.. & more! Tickets at www.campbellforkids.org! roundtrip shuttles from Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W Hubbard) leaving at 4:20pm, 5:05pm, 5:50pm, 6:50pm & back for the Official AfterParty @ Rockit are free!  Seeya there!

Chicago Equinox Cycle for Survival to Fight Cancer

Come out to celebrate the first annual Cycle for Survival race in Chicago! Cycle for Survival began in 2007 by Equinox member Jennifer Goodman Linn, who had been diagnosed with a rare soft-tissue cancer.  She credits her exercise regimen at Equinox gym with helping her get through her battle with cancer.

Over the past 3 years, the event has raised more than $2 million for cancer research with over 2,000 participants.  Past proceeds have funded a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan-Kettering resulting in a new chemotherapy regimen that has proven more effective at shrinking tumors in patients.

The Chicago event will take place on Saturday, February 6 at the Equinox in the Loop and will consist of 100 teams, each with up to 8 members.  I’m especially proud to say that the rockit ranch family will have its own team participating in the event!  To donate to the fundraiser through our team click  http://tr.im/MPjZ Hope to see you all there!