Seasons Greetings from the White House Holiday Party! December 17, 2009 I just got back from the white house holiday party! Here’s my a picture of me in front of the white house Christmas tree in the “blue room” wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year in 2010! The event was absolutely amazing, so many trees, eggnog, carolers, familiar faces, happy vibes, food, sweets,… if you follow me on twitter (click here to follow me on twitter) I sent you pics the whole way through! and as I said before on this blog, after being a guest at the white house a couple times in the past, I always feel so proud to see how many Chicagoans are running the most iconic house, monument, office, positions,.. in the country- I mean, in the world! It’s funny- you walk in and your jaw drops because it is so historic, so iconic, it’s what you have seen in every movie, tv show, history book,… and you are so mindful and respectful of everything while a bit reserved and intimidated by how important everything and everyone is… and then someone says, “hey, I know you from chicago!” It’s shocking because everyone grows up thinking the people around you are just regular people, and the people in the white house are just extraordinary people- so seeing it all come together and play out as the same thing just takes forever to process… in the end, it just shows anyone can be those extraordinary people, and these Chicagoans and their teammates are those extraordinary people now… and I am just proud to be here to see it all happen. Anyway, I want to share two things randomly on my mind from the party and will leave it at that. Someone questioned my reasoning on twitter for supporting obama and I simply said, I love this country so much that I will always support our president representing all of us to the rest of the world… past present & future. The second thing I want to share is that our president said some nice things at the holiday party about it being the season of giving and sharing… and i hope we all have the time, strength and heart to all do some of that right now, especially for the holidays, especially with the challenges in the world today. That being said, if there is anything I can ever do for you… donate gift certificates or space to your charities you are a part of, get you and your office space for your holiday party for those not having one this year, put anything together for you after the holidays as I am sure January all will want to be tight on budgets, and/or help you with anything to have more fun and happiness w/ your friends & family… just ask in section below with contact info and will surely do my best! Happy holidays all… I appreciate you… I just got back from the white house holiday party! Here’s my a picture of me in front of the white house Christmas tree in the “blue room” wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year in 2010! The event was absolutely amazing, so many trees, eggnog, carolers, familiar faces, happy vibes, food, sweets,… if you follow me on twitter (click here to follow me on twitter) I sent you pics the whole way through! and as I said before on this blog, after being a guest at the white house a couple times in the past, I always feel so proud to see how many Chicagoans are running the most iconic house, monument, office, positions,.. in the country- I mean, in the world! It’s funny- you walk in and your jaw drops because it is so historic, so iconic, it’s what you have seen in every movie, tv show, history book,… and you are so mindful and respectful of everything while a bit reserved and intimidated by how important everything and everyone is… and then someone says, “hey, I know you from chicago!” It’s shocking because everyone grows up thinking the people around you are just regular people, and the people in the white house are just extraordinary people- so seeing it all come together and play out as the same thing just takes forever to process… in the end, it just shows anyone can be those extraordinary people, and these Chicagoans and their teammates are those extraordinary people now… and I am just proud to be here to see it all happen. Anyway, I want to share two things randomly on my mind from the party and will leave it at that. Someone questioned my reasoning on twitter for supporting obama and I simply said, I love this country so much that I will always support our president representing all of us to the rest of the world… past present & future. The second thing I want to share is that our president said some nice things at the holiday party about it being the season of giving and sharing… and i hope we all have the time, strength and heart to all do some of that right now, especially for the holidays, especially with the challenges in the world today. That being said, if there is anything I can ever do for you… donate gift certificates or space to your charities you are a part of, get you and your office space for your holiday party for those not having one this year, put anything together for you after the holidays as I am sure January all will want to be tight on budgets, and/or help you with anything to have more fun and happiness w/ your friends & family… just ask in section below with contact info and will surely do my best! Happy holidays all… I appreciate you… 5 Responses Lynne December 17, 2009 That (the photo) is really great Billy! And a lovely post as well! Happy Holidaze! Reply Anthony F. December 17, 2009 Hey Billy, I’m a big fan of yours, Rockit is one of my favorite restaurants. One reason I started following you on Twitter is because I’m really intrigued by the entrepreneur. After reading this piece, I realized this is my chance. I need some help from you: Advice! I really want to work at doing what I love, video production, visual effects, and most of all, storytelling. I’m having some success, mostly at giving away my services! Unfortunately, I’ve just had a huge malfunction on my video camera, which I can’t afford to fix, and even if I could it would make more sense to upgrade to HD. So, I’ve been thinking of trying to get some sort of “corporate sponsorship.” Meaning, trying to get a PR / Marketing company to help me with a new camera and in return, I’ll film events, parties, anything they want, and then I’ll edit the footage and make custom graphics and DVDs until I’ve done enough to work off the cost of the camera. So, what do you think? If I went to someone with that would they laugh me out of their office? Thanks in advance. Thanks also for all the work you do for the greatest town in world, Sweet Home Chicago. Cheers, Anthony Reply J'nai Gaither December 17, 2009 Hi Billy. How are you? I’m glad you had fun in the White House. Wish I could go! Also, the Latin/Parker reunion last month was awesome. It was my first time at the Underground. It’s pretty much my new fave lounge space. Can’t wait to go back! As you probably know, I’m an Associate Board member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. I’m also a member of the Junior Council of the Children’s Memorial Hospital (we’re holding our kickoff party at the Underground on Jan. 15) and on the Planning Committee for the Grand Chefs Gala. I know Sunda is going to be a part of the Gala this year. Anyway, both of those boards require me to procure auction items as part of the membership requirements. Would Sunda be willing to donate some kind of food experience to either one or both causes? I know the kind of food experience that I’m looking for and can explain to you under separate cover. Please let me know. Ilysa knows my contact info if you’d like to discuss the issue further. Both of these causes are super important to me (which is why I serve on the boards) and so many other people. I’d like for us to raise as much money as possible to support the respective causes. Let me know if there’s anything you can do. And happy holidays to you and your family. Also,thank you so much for being so generous and dedicated to Chicagoans. We really appreciate it. Thank you so much for always wanting to help us out! Reply scott weitzman January 11, 2010 Billy, Here’s one for you…I work for contract industries..we do custom millwork and restaurant booths. I have called your office many times to bid new projects, but no one will let me get my foot in the door. All we want to do is bid your next project. We have done Sushi Samba, Bull & Bear, and many other downtown restaurants. Thanks for considering… Scott Reply Kirsten January 13, 2010 Hey Billy! I’m glad you offered! I actually co-founded a non-profit youth center in the Bridgeport / Chinatown area of Chicago back in 2003 called Project: VISION, Inc. We offer lots of after-school programs to upper elementary and high school students – things like tutoring, ACT prep courses, ESL classes, and even pair the kids up with opportunities to give back to the community. You can see more about what we do by visiting http://www.projectvisionchicago.org. We typically have a few fundraisers throughout the year so that we can continue offering these programs to kids for free. Please remember Project: VISION because I hope to be able to hit you up at a later date for maybe a gift certificate or something to one of your wonderful establishments. You’re the best – keep doing what you do! Thanks, Kirsten Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Lynne December 17, 2009 That (the photo) is really great Billy! And a lovely post as well! Happy Holidaze! Reply
Anthony F. December 17, 2009 Hey Billy, I’m a big fan of yours, Rockit is one of my favorite restaurants. One reason I started following you on Twitter is because I’m really intrigued by the entrepreneur. After reading this piece, I realized this is my chance. I need some help from you: Advice! I really want to work at doing what I love, video production, visual effects, and most of all, storytelling. I’m having some success, mostly at giving away my services! Unfortunately, I’ve just had a huge malfunction on my video camera, which I can’t afford to fix, and even if I could it would make more sense to upgrade to HD. So, I’ve been thinking of trying to get some sort of “corporate sponsorship.” Meaning, trying to get a PR / Marketing company to help me with a new camera and in return, I’ll film events, parties, anything they want, and then I’ll edit the footage and make custom graphics and DVDs until I’ve done enough to work off the cost of the camera. So, what do you think? If I went to someone with that would they laugh me out of their office? Thanks in advance. Thanks also for all the work you do for the greatest town in world, Sweet Home Chicago. Cheers, Anthony Reply
J'nai Gaither December 17, 2009 Hi Billy. How are you? I’m glad you had fun in the White House. Wish I could go! Also, the Latin/Parker reunion last month was awesome. It was my first time at the Underground. It’s pretty much my new fave lounge space. Can’t wait to go back! As you probably know, I’m an Associate Board member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. I’m also a member of the Junior Council of the Children’s Memorial Hospital (we’re holding our kickoff party at the Underground on Jan. 15) and on the Planning Committee for the Grand Chefs Gala. I know Sunda is going to be a part of the Gala this year. Anyway, both of those boards require me to procure auction items as part of the membership requirements. Would Sunda be willing to donate some kind of food experience to either one or both causes? I know the kind of food experience that I’m looking for and can explain to you under separate cover. Please let me know. Ilysa knows my contact info if you’d like to discuss the issue further. Both of these causes are super important to me (which is why I serve on the boards) and so many other people. I’d like for us to raise as much money as possible to support the respective causes. Let me know if there’s anything you can do. And happy holidays to you and your family. Also,thank you so much for being so generous and dedicated to Chicagoans. We really appreciate it. Thank you so much for always wanting to help us out! Reply
scott weitzman January 11, 2010 Billy, Here’s one for you…I work for contract industries..we do custom millwork and restaurant booths. I have called your office many times to bid new projects, but no one will let me get my foot in the door. All we want to do is bid your next project. We have done Sushi Samba, Bull & Bear, and many other downtown restaurants. Thanks for considering… Scott Reply
Kirsten January 13, 2010 Hey Billy! I’m glad you offered! I actually co-founded a non-profit youth center in the Bridgeport / Chinatown area of Chicago back in 2003 called Project: VISION, Inc. We offer lots of after-school programs to upper elementary and high school students – things like tutoring, ACT prep courses, ESL classes, and even pair the kids up with opportunities to give back to the community. You can see more about what we do by visiting http://www.projectvisionchicago.org. We typically have a few fundraisers throughout the year so that we can continue offering these programs to kids for free. Please remember Project: VISION because I hope to be able to hit you up at a later date for maybe a gift certificate or something to one of your wonderful establishments. You’re the best – keep doing what you do! Thanks, Kirsten Reply
