**UPDATED Nov 29, 2011 :: We’re thrilled to announce we have the honor yet again of being host to 2011′s Best of the Midwest Gala! Tuesday, December 6th come to Rockit Bar and Grill (22 W Hubbard) to celebrate the premier filmmaking talents in Chicago and the Midwest. It’s been an exceptional year for The Midwest Independent Film Festival and here’s your chance to join in the excitement! Click here for more info, a list of the nominees and to get your tickets - http://www.midwestfilm.com/pages/vote_/155.php See you there!**

Everyone knows and loves the mainstream movie festivals across the country; Sundance, Cannes, New York, Toronto, etc, that’s a given.. but let’s not forget our local “Midwest Independent Film Festival” solely dedicated to the Midwest filmmaker, presenting audiences with regionally produced independent cinema (here’s a pic of me, Mancow and Four Time Golden Globe nominee Armand Assante from last year)Celebrating local arts & talent is something I’m personally passionate about, so for the 2nd year in a row, I’ve helped give The Best of the Midwest Awards a warm & festive home at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard). This year, join us on Tuesday, December 7th starting at 7pm!

There are some great attendees slated to be there, from Oscar nominee Steve James (Hoop Dreams) to screenwriter Steve Conrad (Pursuit of Happyness),.. So its a perfect opportunity for those interested in the film industry to come on out and network w/ people that are excelling in the field. For BMA tickets go to  http://ow.ly/3ke1G (includes two full hours of appetizers & hosted bar), but if you can’t swing the ticket cost you are in luck –I have 20 tickets to giveaway to my ever so loyal & awesome Twitter & Facebook friends (click on each if not connected w/me yet). Just post on my facebook &/or twitter.. “I follow you and want to win the Film Fest tix too!” Enjoy!

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

well after we 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!

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!