1.  Some of very favorite Twitter friends have invited me to Burger Bar Chicago this Sunday and my mouth is already watering…  For $30 you get unlimited access to the extensive and gourmet menu, while you cheer on the Saints… or the Pats.  In any case, you’ll get great TwitPic opps at @BurgerBarChi with some of Chicago’s most influential tweeps like:  @JodyRobbins, @FeliciaCago, @MafiaHairdreser, @LindaBergonia, @Refrigeration and of course, yours truly @JenChicago.

2. What is life without pizza?  La Madia ensures that we don’t have to ask ourselves this question.  The gourmet pies will be sold for $20 and include 2 beers, paired for you- if you’d like.  Wanna pick up and be the hero of the condo party?  Call for take-out.

3. Smoke Daddy  Being from Texas, I’ll take any excuse to chomp on some bar-b-que.  For about $10 per person, you enjoy their Super Bowl special of two pulled meats, two sides and choice of bread.  Wash it all down with $15 Miller Lites.  Stick around after the game for live music starting at 9pm.

4. Do you like to multi-task?  If you’re like me, the idea of staying in motin during the game is quite appealing.  10pin Bowling Lounge has a $25 Super Bowl special that includes bowling from 5 p.m. until the end of the game, and a halftime “bowler’s” buffet.  Register to win a Jamacian vacation in their raffle.

5. Margaritas goes with anything- and especially they especially go with football.  I think.  In any case, Angels & Mariachis includes margarita cocktails in their $40 package which also includes a delicious all-you-can-eat taco bar.  Arriba!

What did I miss?  Where will you be watching the game and who are you cheering for?

Hey there Chicagoans- I want to invite you to Chicago Auto Show‘s First Look for Charity 2012.  I was recently invited to the media preview of the First Look and, as you can see in the video… I had a great time.

Tickets to the gala are $250 with over $200 of each ticket going to the charities.  The event is a truly elegant event requiring tuxedo suits and fancy gowns. (oh yeah?)  While getting a first look at all the new 2012 vehicles you can eat, drink, flirt and DANCE to the delightful sounds of Blues Traveler, the band of the evening!  Eek!  I love them!

It’s gonne be a great time benefitting wonderful local charities.  Join us.

From the website:

First Look for Charity stands as one of Chicago’s greatest one-day fundraisers, regularly generating about $2 million for 18 area nonprofits. Held at McCormick Place the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens its 10-day public run, the benevolent event is anticipated by socialites and car buffs alike.

The tuxedo-mandatory gala affords participants the chance to stroll the show floor amid opulence not present during the public portion of the Chicago Auto Show. Guests are treated to champagne, wine, soft drinks, elegant hors d’oeuvres and desserts-all while being the first to explore that year’s edition of the nation’s largest auto show. This year’s edition features the chance to win a 2012 Cadillac Escalade and a 2012 Cadillac SRX.

Since it debuted in 1992, First Look for Charity has raised more than $32 million for significant Chicago area charities.

For tickets to the Gala Parte:  http://www.movember.com

**For more information on how you can be part of JenChat, email me here.

You KNOW it!  It’s The 20th Annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® presented by BMO Harris Bank!  This family-friendly day long event starts at 11am in Pioneer Court with music and activities leading up to the ceremonial lighting by Mickey and Minnie Mouse.  At the conclusion of the parade, stick around for a magnificent fireworks display at 7pm right over the river.

In the attached JenChat video, I’m talking with Bob Dion, co-chair of the Lights Festival.  Tune in to find out:

• Where you can stand to get a good look at the procession
• Great reasons you should get there early
• How you can score free treats sponsors like Eli’s Cheesecake and Garrett Popcorn
• How you can be a part of the event by bringing a glow stick

What is sadly different about us, however, is that Stacy lost her mom and 3 aunts to ovarian cancer and I wasn’t even sure what “ovarian cancer” was until I met her.  They call it a “silent killer” because the symptoms are subtle at first and hard to control once it hits an advanced stage.

The good news is that instead of wallowing in fear and self-pity, Stacy, decided to to something positive about it- especially since early detection is the key.

Dance Out Loud is a movement and event benefitting Bright Pink, an organization that empowers young women who are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer by providing them with education and support.  The high-spirited event will be held Friday, November 11 at Brownstone Tavern in Chicago.  Tickets to the events include an open bar, endless appetizers,  costumes, prizes, an event shirt (C9 by Champion) and of course, DANCING to your favorite 80s and 90s tunes!

If you need more information, Dance Out Loud is really responsive on Twitter and Facebook- and I know Bright Pink would welcome your donation even if you can’t make it to the event.

As for me- that costume contest is as good as won.

By me- that is.

PS: Stay in “The Loop” with the #Chicagolicious newsletter!

Eric and Kathy‘s 2nd Chance Homecoming (101.9 fm The Mix) exceeded my expectations and I’m already looking forward to the third annual next year.  From the take-home pictures, to the decor, mascots, music… and of course, Goo Goo Dolls- I want to thank the entire staff that made Saturday night come together so beautifully at The Fairmont Hotel.  And big “ups” to Walgreens for sponsoring such a fun and well-produced event.  Put me down for the next one.

Back to the event.  So I’m pretty stoked about the entire line-up and I’ve got some burning questions for Steve Kaplan, like “How did you retire at the age of 39 and is there still time for me to follow your pattern?”  What can I say?  I wanna be rich AND happy… just like everyone else.

I have a discount code if your up for some big thinking and even BIGGER actions with us.  Use code “JMP10″ here –>   http://jmpglobal.eventbrite.com/

From the Eventbrite page:

Jennifer Christenson, Monika Dixon, & Patrycja Drozdek Announce Their New Venture: JMP Global

 Presenting To You: THINK BIG…ACT BIGGER!

A Networking Event For Chicago Professionals… Connect, become inspired by and learn from successful entrepreneurs and motivational speakers, grow your network, and succeed!  Guest of Honor:  Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White  Special Guest Speaker:  Steve Kaplan, Business & Personal Success Expert, Bestselling Author, and Speaker at www.stevekaplanlive.com

VIP GUEST PANEL INCLUDES:  Chris Foltz, President at Christopher Foltz & Company,  Kerry Knee, Owner at Flirty Girl Fitness, Rahier Rahman, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at POM Solutions, LLC 

Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Time: 6:30PM-9:30PM

Location: The Blackstone Hotel

636 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

I had the pleasure of visiting with the Chicago icons in their green room at The Mix.  The Homecoming party will feature a mascot (currently being voted on by the community), a full Homecoming Court, cocktails, a DJ and… a private concert by The Goo Goo Dolls.  Though tickets sold out in 4 minutes, Chicagoans can still WIN tickets with Eric & Kathy on the air, on their Facebook Page and on Twitter with the hashtag #EK2ndHC

PS: Shout-out to Walgreens for being the title sponsor and Fairmont Hotel for hosting the event.

I saw Azhar’s one-man show last and grabbed a little face-time with the comedian on camera.  He’s an interesting character and his fresh perpective on life and what it is to be, look and live as a Muslim in America was funny, smart and deep.

Citizen of the World will be running through October and you can get the schedule and make reservations with The Joynt here.

From the website:

 Citizen of the World is his latest creative project, after touring over 20 countries on five continents all over the planet. Given his unique cultural perspective, Usman is situated between East and West, between Faith and Atheism, between America and the rest of the world.

Support Performance Art- it ain’t easy being cheesy, ya know?

For more #Chicagoliciousness follow my Twitter stream @JenChicago.  Do it.