A World of Fantasy!

Jennifer, NBC5 Street Team

Brooke and I are not typically “party animals” though you probably can‘t tell by the summer agenda.  However, the most recent stop on our activity list was a place full of fantasy.  No, it was not like “the plane, the plane” Fantasy Island.  We visited the next best thing, Lincoln Park’s very own Fantasy Kingdom.

A couple of years back, Brooke had a princess party at Fantasy Kingdom and there was non-stop fun for the kids as they dressed-up and ran around the boutique-style miniature town.  Tried and true, it was definitely a kiddie haven. And as we saw this past weekend at another birthday celebration, Fantasy Kingdom is still a top pick.

It doesn’t surprise me that the toys, dress-up clothes and play structures at Fantasy Kingdom are still in pristine condition.  I’d say that it’s partially due to some basic rules. For instance, you must have on a pair of socks and sanitize your hands before stepping one foot into the play area. But for the most part, this family owned businesses’ preservation and overall success can be attributed to a huge amount of care and professional hospitality.  Always welcoming and attentive, the Allen family runs a well-functioning play-land that is great for private parties, public play times and special holiday events.

So get ready to see sparkling fairy princesses, knights in shining armour, and “a magical world of make believe” (rest in peace Mr. Rogers) as  Fantasy Kingdom proves to be a wonderful world of fantasy right at your finger tips. 

Brooke’s Blog: Fantasy Kingdom is fun!  It makes me happy because I had my 4th birthday there and all of my friends came. I love the dress-up part and giving pretend flowers to my mom and dad.      

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DC & Johnny B on 97.9 The Loop Friday Morning

D.C. “Fete TV” Crenshaw, NBC5 Street Team

Tune in to 97.9 The Loop during the 7:00 am hour Friday morning, as I guest appear with morning radio personality Johnny B. 

I will provide my review of four new restaurants in Chicago, which include OTOM, C-House, Hub 51 and Ajasteak. Drop us a line after the show and let us know if you agree with my take on these new hot spots in the Windy City! 

If you miss the morning show, check out my blog right here on the NBC5 Street Team and eFete.net tomorrow for my reviews

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Cars & Cocktails At The W

Naywri Wright, NBC5 Street Team (Video)

Have you’ve seen the new Acura TSX? Well if not, everybody has heard of Gen Art right? Well, Gen Art is hosting the launch of the 2009 TSX tonight and you can be the first one to check it out at the Lakeshore location of the W Hotel.

After you get your car fix, head upstairs to the Altitude room, the highest floor in the W Hotel, and jam to the music of DJ Stylings of E-Six and Roan. Ladies and gents, mix, mingle and rev your engines because this is going to be hot one!

W Chicago – Lakeshore, Altitude Rm.

July 31, 07:30 PM – 10:30 p.m.

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Parties, Celebrities And More!

LaShonda Matlock, NBC5 Street Team

The Underground (56 W Illinois) nightclub will be packing in the celebs this weekend with a celebrity line-up  that you just can’t miss! Singer Katy Perry (I Kiss A Girl) hosts Thursday, MTV reality show host ‘From G’s To Gents’/rapper Fonzworth Bentley brings some “class” on Saturday while DJ Flosstradamus hits the turn-tables on Sunday!  Good luck getting in!

Moby will be spinning over at Vision (632 N. Dearborn) nightclub on Saturday August 2nd.

Sarah Vargo’s “Diva Series” continues tonight at J-Bar (next to The James Hotel. Tonight is the launch party for newcomer “Swoon Magazine“. Smooches!610 N Rush St)

And a few other very note-worthy mentions from CS Magazine party at Zed 451 ( Tuesday night! Samantha Goldberg, jewelry designer of “One of One Jewelry” looked radiant, Amy Tara Koch was reporting the latest trends, while the debonair Jeff Corney, who is an architect for Solomen Cordwell Buenz stopped by.  And you know the event was the talk of the town due to the entire Gen Art team was there: Laura Lachman, Meghan Goulette and Marcia Callaghan and Stacia Mayfield. Hi ladies! VERY HOT!739 N Clark St)

Hosts D. Graham Kostic’s mother Mary Kostic, also attended the event looking absolutely fabulous in Cynthia Rowley! Seriously, she gave every woman in the room a run for their money! TOO FIERCE!

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Dog Days, Chicago Events July 31 – Aug 3

Theresa Carter, NBC5 Street Team

“She is always a novelty; for she is never the Chicago you saw when you passed through the last time.” Mark Twain “Life on the Mississippi,” 1883

The dog days of summer are definitely here. If I were covered in fur I’d be begging for a bath. Fortunately I’m not, but if you’ve got a four-legged friend who is, take your pooch to the Anti-Cruelty Society this Saturday for Doggie Wash and Day Spa. To spoil both man and man’s best friend, try the Canine Cruise on Lake Michigan.

During his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air days DJ Jazzy Jeff often played second behind Will Smith, but Thursday night he’s the top dog at Lumen. And despite what Eminem said, Moby will be leading the pack at Vision on Saturday.

Your dogs’ll be barking after the 6th Annual Run For Gus 5k Run/Walk for Children’s Memorial Hospital. Take the “Glitzy Gold Coast” tour and you can walk through the “lap” of luxury. Your children will look at you with puppy dog eyes if you don’t take them to Bears Family Night on Friday, although if you spend too much time in the beer garden you may end up in the dog house.

All right, you’re probably wishing you could muzzle me right now, but I can’t let sleeping dogs lie. For the last month and a half I’ve been working my tail off. The Local Tourist’s been a bit of a mutt and I’ve been grooming it to be a pure-bred. I’ll have a big announcement next week when I let it out of the kennel.

Have a great weekend! (I know, I know, this week was a groaner. Feel free to bark at me.)

Theresa

p.s. Thanks to everyone who came to Texas de Brazil last Thursday! It was a great event and a fantastic venue.

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The 220 Report – The Hot List…People and Places You Should Know

Glenn Murray, NBC5 Street Team

What’s hotter than a July day in Chicago? The people, places and things that you’ll find on my monthly  “Hot List”.  Without a doubt, the music at the Ven Sherrod Image Gallery in the University Village neighborhood last Friday night added a few extra degrees to the temps inside the tri-level venue. ”.The smooth jazz and soulful R & B of Llae-F performing at the After Hours Wine and Chocolate Tasting ( part of a monthly tasting series around the city).  The crowd was whipped into a frenzy (a combination of wine, from  the South Loop Winestyles, thanks to owner and “Wine Diva“ Tracye Hinton, the humidity in the air, and smoldering sounds produced by the trio of musicians). Llae –F is headed by Junius Paul and features William Kurk on keys and frequent guest Corey Wilkes on trumpet. Catch them soon, you won’t be disappointed. The band’s next performance is August 15^th and 16^th at Andy’s Jazz Club, 11 East Hubbard.

“Kreatively Hot”: Kreative Soul owner and jewelry artist Madame Pilar is on a major hot streak.  She was recently featured on the cover of N’Digo Magapaper and her store, located at 3744 North Broadway, was selected by Uptown Magazine as a Chicago traveler’s destination for 2008. Pilar is also the host of  “Meditation Mondaze”  on WKCR Internet Radio where she’s interviewed everyone from Gospel superstar Yolanda Adams to rising stars like Dwele.  Other “jobs”  this renaissance women holds include hosting events (she happened to be the host of the “Music and Lyrics” event) and being a loving,devoted, wife and mother. And her talent knows no boundary as she can lay down a mean verse on the mic!  Find out more about Kreative Soul:  www.kreativesoulsbypilar.com 

I  remember last year accompanying photographer Clifton Henri to the famed Harlem Book Fair. At that event he wowed New Yorkers with his unrivaled ability to create provacative images.  This year, the man we like to call the “Young Gordon Parks” (his idol and inspiration)  has taken another city by storm. Besides showing at every major art event in the Chicagoland area, he ventured to New Orleans during the 4th of July  and was featured at the Essence Music Festival’s Art Pavillion. Artists are selected by the magazine to display at this very high profile exhibit and judging from the work he’s produced over the past few years, he won’t be turned down soon.  See more of Clifton’s images at: http://www.kreationsart.com 

That’s my hot list and I’m stickin to it…speaking of hot, I’m off to Milwaukee to catch the Cubs and Brewers.

Until Soon… Glenn

Dwele and Pilar

“Jazz Branching” by Clifton Henri

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Interviewing, Liz Strauss, a Successful and Outstanding ‘Chicago-Based’ Blogger!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Before I officially moved to Chicago, Jason Alba (so nice!) of JibberJobber, connected me with Liz Strauss of Successful and Outstanding Bloggers. I have met so many people through SOBcon that I feel like I get I’m drinking from a fire hydrant when I am around all of these smarties! Lots of information!

I thought that in interviewing Liz we would talk much more about blogging, in particular, or social media (she’s an expert there, too) but as it turned out, we sat down and had us a good old heart to heart.

As people are continuing to explore their life’s purpose, some very “real” issues come up. Here Liz and I discuss self-promotion. Even if you are not a business owner or a entrepreneur, or an up-and-coming talk show host, *wink, wink* I believe the lesson applies to all…

Don’t be afraid to be who you are. Roll your shoulders back and expect good things.

Easy enough, eh?

Find more at JenChicago.com

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