The Make A Wish Foundation of Illinois is celebrating their 25th Anniversary of their Gala the “Wish Ball” this Saturday May 21st by honoring 25 people and organizations that they have deemed “Leaders In Joy!”  I am beyond honored to say that I am among this humbled group along others like Michael Jordan, Mayor Daley & Maggie Daley, Larry Wert, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Brian Urlacher, the Chicago Blackhawks and more. Since 1985 Make A Wish has been granting special wishes to children facing life threatening illnesses giving each child the power to decide the nature of their wish, providing a sense of renewed faith, courage and self-confidence. These are not in any way “last wishes” but experiences that remind the wish kids that although everything in their world seems to be falling apart, there is still good and magic out there, and I love that message.

As much as there are “Leaders In Joy” being honored, to me this event will be way more about celebrating the work that the Make A Wish team has done by granting nearly 10,000 wishes across the state! One of those wishes was for an awesome little girl, Sydney Martin, (in picture above) that I had the pleasure of meeting last March when helping her present her necklace jewelry line in a run-way show. I blogged about Sydney right after not only because I was extremely moved by her story, but also I was excited about her talents & future.  She was diagnosed in 2007 with an extremely rare blood disease called Langerhan’s Cell Histicytosis (LCH), and started her own necklace line she has used to raise over $120,000 for LCH research.  I’m just inspired by that, and feel like I got just as much out of helping, as she may have received by being granted a wish.

Because of the wonderful feelings and giving all the way around, I’m really looking forward to honoring her, the many many other kids like her, and all those that have been an important part of building the Illinois chapter in to the largest and most well-known wish-granting organization in the region.. to be included in that is something I will always cherish.

For more information about the Make A Wish Foundation and this year’s Wish Ball – please take the time to visit www.wishes.org.

Fans of the Bears, helping the community, Education, great food & drink, meeting amazing people… This event is for you!!!  Chicago Bears’ Rashied Davis has supported my philanthropic events for art, theatre, feeding poor.. for years.. and I am honored to help him get the word out about how his huge heart has taken it to the next level by hosting his own huge party for a wonderful cause on Tuesday May 17th from 6-8p at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard)!

This amazing event will support Rashied Davis Charities’ efforts to “teach students how to overcome obstacles to success through inspiration, preparation and discipline.” They help empower the fundamentals of reading, writing and speech to underserved kids teaching them how to apply tools to problem solve, communicate properly and just be an all around contributing member of society. I’m fully on board w/their mission, I have often talked about how communication leads to relationship building which leads to personal growth and opportunities.. And I’m always behind a fun time to help accomplish all of that!

So join us May 17th!  You can mingle with a bunch of Chicago Bears like Lance Briggs, Alex Brown, Anthony Adams, Jerry Azumah, Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox… different local celebrities, media, and all around fun supporters from everywhere who just care like you… cocktails, appetizers, silent auction & more… Get your tickets now: http://rashieddavischarities.org/homepage.aspx and I’ll see you there!

Check out this video I did a while back w/many other fun chicagoans singing our fight song “bear down chicago bears!” someone just sent it to me on twitter and it seemed perfect to share since the whole city is gearing up for the big game this sunday between the bears and the packers in their only other post season match up since their first in 1941- which happens to also be the year this song was written!

It was december 14, 1941, just one week after the attack on pearl harbor, when the bears won 33-14 going on to win the nfl championship against the new york giants! The bears/packers rivalry began in 1921, which makes it the longest and oldest standing rivalry in the nfl. No wonder people are saying it’s gonna be the biggest game in history, even bigger than the actual superbowl feb 6th… Which I already got my tickets for because I know the bears are gonna go all the way!  Go bears!!!

go bears!

While i was a guest on WGN 720Am Radio this weekend (click here for podcast), I was excited to hear all the interest in the way this blog has been highlighting new Chicago talent offering them a shot at much needed exposure… and just wanted to thank all of you who have made all the suggestions to me via twitter, facebook, in person,… its all about you and them… and I thank you for letting me be a part of it!

In that spirit, I thought I would share something that really caught my attention today that someone just sent me on twitter about a local performer whose latest song and video will for sure stick in your head (watch above)!  His name is Kidd Russell, a former college football player turned indie music favorite. While in school, Kidd took a radio production class and started to realize and appreciate the music business. After his first five years in the music business he teamed up with producer Matt Jenkins in 2008 and started Junkyard Productions. Since then, Kidd has had songs featured on MTV Jams, MTV2, Foxsports, CW,…

He describes his music as sounding like “the Midwest, fall leaves, flannels, hoodies, love, football, Friday night lights, snowy mornings, wine on a summer night, friends and hard times song over original reggae, rock, hip hop and the occasional rockabilly beats.”  Check out his blog  - www.kiddrussellmusic.com – where he shares his thoughts, new music, fun random videos and his latest hit “E North Ave” featuring Ross Golan of Glacier Hiking.

and for all you want to be actresses – they are actually looking for a girl to play kidd’s love interest for their new video! looking for a “girl next door” look, 20-30 years old – if you think you have what it takes contact david turvey at turveyfilms@yahoo.com!

There’s some breaking news today in the world of Chicago sports teams that really hit home w/ me! The White Sox declared they will retire Frank Thomas’ No. 35 as the former Sox player simultaneously announced his retirement! I had to give him a shoutout – he’s always been one of my favorite players and friends to hang w/ back when he played for and lived in Chicago!

Word has it that Thomas’ uniform number will be retired during a ceremony on August 29th at Cellular Field when the Sox take on the NY Yankees – also known as “Frank Thomas Day!” Congrats brother – what an unbelievable honor that is so rightfully deserved!

In celebration of all, sharing this pic of Frank and another Chicago sports legend buddy, Richard Dent, at my bday party a couple years ago! Thought it was relevant because just hung w/ Richard in Miami for the Superbowl.

Bummed about news that he didn’t get entry into the 2010 class of The Pro Football Hall of Fame after 6 times up for it as a finalist in the last 7 years. Huge bummer – but Richard – keep your head up man, you are an inspiration for athletes, Chicagoans and football fans alike. You’re time will come!