charity

Be a Hero, Have a Ball! Join Ted Brunson, of WGN’s “Chicago’s Best,” Ed Swiderski of “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor Pad”fame, renowned DJ Jason Kalendr, and other notable guests for the Autism Speaks Heroes Bash, this Thursday, November 29th, 6pm-9pm, at Sushi Samba (504 N Wells). This is not your average fundraiser! This lively event is known for having the best drinks, the best vibe and the best crowd—drawing a who’s who of Chicago’s most social and generous young professionals.

The holidays are always a time for giving back to those in need. Food pantries receive some of their highest donations of the year, toy & coat drives are abundant and bell ringers for the Salvation Army are outside of almost every store. But there’s one important group that tends to be left out of the conversation and they’re some of our best friends…our pets! If people are in need, chances are their pets need some help too.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s too early to talk about holiday stuff. Halloween just ended, right? Well you may not want to participate, but next thing you know, you’ll be hearing “Let it Snow” on LITE FM. In between searching for the perfect gifts for your loved ones, take a break to enjoy some Chicago holiday classics.

Handlebar, Magnum P.I., Easy Rider? What’s your mustache poison? Starting today, men all over the world unite to grow magnificent mustaches and raise money for men’s health initiatives such as prostate and testicular cancer every year during the month of November. This phenomenon is deemed “Movember” and adds a fancy little spin to the widely recognized and female adored “No Shave November” and has been sparking the interest of facial hair Aficionados everywhere.

On November 2nd, a fabulous ball will be held to commemorate and honor one of the art communities’ most valued and respected “outsider” artist. Cleo F. Wilson, a founding member of Intuit and former Executive Director of the company, also spent 25 years at Playboy Foundation while using her powers for good around the Chicago art community to inspire and encourage those around her. The philanthropist and art activist will receive the 2012 Visionary Award for her respected achieved efforts that have helped make Intuit the organization it is today. The organization I’m talking about is of course Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art. At Intuit, they strive to spread their mission of nurturing outsider, self-taught, and unconventional artists. The organization believes in all kinds of artists – whether they are outside of the normal realm of artistry, are self-taught artists or are classically trained.

I hope your calendar is clear this Friday night. Why you ask? Because it will be raining cats and dogs of course! Ok, not literally. But it’s the Anti-Cruelty Society’s 12th Annual Fall Benefit, appropriately named: It’s Raining Cats & Dogs! What can you expect from this extraordinary event (and I can assure you, it will be extraordinary)? Here’s the inside scoop.

The 4th Annual American StreetBall Classic will be held on Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Attack Athletics. The tournament, sponsored by PERL Mortgage, brings together teams to take part in 3-on-3 basketball competitions, will benefit Imerman Angels. Imerman Angels provides personalized connections that enable 1-on-1 support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers. For a person newly diagnosed with cancer, no amount of media attention on the disease can substitute for a knowing companion who can empathize with their disease, someone who has been the patient themselves. Imerman Angels’ mission is to ensure no one faces cancer alone.

Pull the jogging stroller out of the back of your closet, wipe the baby spit off your exercise clothes, pack some snacks for the kids and let’s run! Come join fellow Chicagoans and Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN) on October 28th for the Strollers in Front 5K Walk & Run at Montrose Harbor.

Everyone knows Chicago will be focusing on fashion this week because it’s…oh yeah Fashion Focus Chicago. And while I want to hit up every event this week has to offer, there are some events that are a little unique.

I can honestly say that AKIRA is my favorite retail store in the entire city of Chicago and there are a million reasons why. I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5 so I can keep this short & sweet. 1. Their insanely stylish & innovative women’s & men’s clothing /footwear 2. All of their locations (Over 17 in neighborhoods all over the city & even the suburbs!!) 3. Their amazing customer service & stylists (You won’t walk out their door without a bag or two swung over your shoulder) 4. The co-owner …Jon Cotay (Sweetest & smartest owner in the industry...hands down!) 5. & last but definitely not least…their FASHION SHOWS!