Check out how great these wedding invitations are from the talented Felix Doolittle. I think you could pick any one of his designs and have the perfect invitation! There are so many more designs to see over at his site felixdoolittle.com
Jan
28
Allbrideglamour Appealing Casual Beach Bridal Dresses Are At Cheap Price Now
England, UK (OPENPRESS) January 17, 2012 — It is never early to prepare your informal wedding within some months, especially to find a proper lightweight bridal dress for beach wedding. If so, brides will be glad to learn that there are various styles of beach wedding dresses currently available at Allbrideglamour.com. If there is a spring or summer wedding, traditional long train wedding gown is not really necessary but still rather a choice. Casual beach wedding dresses are popular now. The beach collection at AllBrideGlamour will be the one that is exactly what brides want: proper lightweight long, short, casual, pretty and also, appealing. Take a look at them in the online store. Short ones come first, just like it shows, they will be not covering up the whole legs, which can make brides-to-be look casual and still refined. They work with ruffles, embroidery patterns, strapless and sweetheart neckline. All of them can show brides
Jan
27
Cute engagement photo ideas, engagement photo poses, & engagement photo props
This weekend, we put up a Facebook post, announcing that we will be giving away six pairs of FREE tickets to the Wedding Fair by the Twin Cities Bridal Association. (If you have yet to check out the Wedding Shoppe Inc. Facebook page, you might want to do so quickly, to get the latest inside scoop on exclusive deals, upcoming events, sales, and wedding planning advice!)
To be entered into our fun little contest, the Wedding Fair Twin Cities Bridal Association Tickets Giveaway, all you need to do is email us your engagement pics. Be sure to send your engagement photos to by 12pm on Friday, January 6, as we will be announcing our randomly-selected winners of the Wedding Fair Twin Cities Bridal Association Tickets Giveaway later that afternoon!
We know a lot of you lucky ladies received romantic holiday and Christmas marriage proposals, and have obviously not had time to have professional engagement photography done in just a week’s time. So, if you have yet to have your professional engagement photography done, and would still like to be entered, you can send in your favorite snapshot of you and your fiancé – sometimes those casual pics of you and your man just being you are the best, anyway!
If you are the recipient of one of these romantic holiday and Christmas marriage proposals, and have just started thinking about getting your engagement pics taken, maybe some of these couples’ photos will spark some unique engagement photo ideas in your mind, along with ideas for your engagement photography poses, and ideas for engagement photo props (we love the idea of using a shared interest – like motorcycles – as your engagement photo props)!
Ok, enough talking, time for more of those lovely engagement photos!
(Oh, and one more thing: keep checking back for more engagement photo ideas to inspire your engagement photography poses and engagement photo props, we will be continuously adding photos, as you lovely ladies send them in!)
Now that your head is chock full of great, new engagement photo poses, you may want to find a fabulous photographer to capture you and your fiancé striking your best engagement photography poses, right? Well, lucky you! At Wedding Shoppe Inc., we have put together a handy-dandy Wedding Vendor Locator, so you can easily find all of our recommended vendors for everything from your wedding and engagement pics, to seamstresses, wedding music, and much more!
About Wedding Shoppe Inc.: Wedding Shoppe Inc. has been making dreams come true, since 1977. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Wedding Shoppe Inc. has grown into one of the largest individual bridal salons in the country. With everything from designer wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, wedding accessories, and much more, we carry everything you need for your wedding day. Because we are an authorized retailer of every single product we carry, you can be sure that you are receiving top-quality merchandise. We are 100% committed to our customers, and we attribute our continuous growth and success to our thousands of satisfied brides and grooms, who have kindly shared their experiences at Wedding Shoppe Inc. with their families and friends.
More Posts We Think You Will Enjoy:A Rural Retreat: Wedding Photography Ideas & InspirationReal Weddings: Margaret + JohnLove from Wedding Shoppe Inc. Bride Pamela: Her Online Wedding Dress Story
Jan
27
LMD members visit annual tourism day in Denver
Visit Estes Park’s (formerly the Local Marketing District) president and several of the Local Marketing District (LMD) board members attended the annual state tourism organization’s Tourism Day at the capitol on Monday, Jan. 23. Activities started at the Old Supreme Court Chambers in the state capitol.
Al White, director, Colorado Tourism Organization (CTO), and Andre Gutierrez, chairman, CTO board, delivered the opening remarks.
Also welcoming visitors were Sen. Jean White, CTO board member; Rep. Randy Baumgardner; Rep. Millie Hamner, CTO board member; Christine Scanlan, director of legislative affairs for the governor ; Rep. Mark Ferradino, minority leader; Rep. Cheri Gerou, joint budget committee; and Sen. Gail Schwartz, CTO board member.
Visit Estes Park is the new name for LMD operations and organization, and the office has a new address, phone number and email.
The Destination Marketing Organization of the Local Marketing District has adopted the name “Visit Estes Park” for all its operations. The name is friendlier, adheres to emerging industry standards for tourism organizations and eliminates confusion created by the acronyms LMD and DMO. We’re really happy to have finally settled on a working name that describes what we do: market Estes Park’s tourism industry. The full name for operations is Visit Estes Park — The Destination Marketing Organization. VisitEstesPark also is our website — URL: VisitEstesPark.com.
Along with adopting a new name for operations, Visit Estes Park moved from the Visitor Center to offices at 1200 Graves Ave. on Jan. 13. As the work of Visit Estes Park continues to grow, we needed more space than the Visitor Center could provide. We’ll be having an open house in the near future. Watch for details about that.
Moving means we also have a new phone number: (970) 586-0500.
Moving to new offices, separate from the Town of Estes Park means Visit Estes Park staff have new email addresses, as well. To email one of us, use the initial of our first name and the last name. For example, you can reach Peggy Campbell at ; Suzy Blackhurst at ; Kirby Nelson at ; Peter Marsh at ; and Mike Oline at .
A concentrated effort to promote Estes Park for the next few winter months is ongoing, with Pay Per Click and Facebook advertising, our Facebook page (Facebook.com/EstesPark) and our re-energized Twitter account (Twitter.com/VisitEstesPark). Public relation efforts include pitching snowshoeing and romantic stays, including the Valentine’s Vow Renewal ceremony at the Stanley Hotel on Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. The event, revived from past years’ vow renewals by Visit Estes Park and the Stanley Hotel, was a huge success last year and is promoted throughout the Front Range area. To augment our photo assets, a photo and videography shoot, complete with models, has been scheduled for early February.
Winter Festival
Thanks to all the volunteers, chili cooks, vendors, spirits’ providers and the tireless organization of Elizabeth Fogarty, this year’s Winter Festival beat the record number of attendees who came to the event last year. About 4,700 people attended the 2011 version of the festival, overcrowding the tent that had been set up in Bond Park. To alleviate that overcrowding, the event was moved to the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park and it met all expectations for attendance and fun for those who attended. By the end of Sunday’s events at the fairgrounds, 6,981 people had attended. Counts for daily events: the Ceilidh on Friday night: 200; Saturday: 4,364; Sunday: 2,307. Online ticket sales: 110.
Especially for the event, Visit Estes Park launched a Winter Festival campaign that included both the advertising and PR programs. The advertising program included Pay Per Click, a special website landing page, radio commercials and Facebook advertising. Turner PR helped promote the festival and Winter Trails Day, which saw about 900 participants. Among the press coverage received were stories in 5280, Westword, KUNC radio, CBS Denver, Denver Post, Longmont Times Call, and Colorado Tourism’s weekly newsletter.
Visit Estes Park represents area at Bridal Show
Janice Mason, group sales and services coordinator, attended the Bridal Festival fair at The Ranch in Loveland on Jan. 8. Couples toured the event, featuring everything from wedding apparel to catering companies available in Northern Colorado.
Karen Lynch, assistant general manager for the Stanley Hotel, accompanied Mason, helping with the constant stream of brides and grooms interested in Estes Park for their destination wedding. The Bridal Festival’s organization tracked attendance and provided Mason with 321 leads for potential wedding bookings at area venues.
PR needs spring and summer packages
Turner PR is pitching our spring and summer specials and packages and we need your information. What are you planning to offer? We’ll need to know the name of your package (the more creative it is, the more likely it will get picked up by the press), dates the offer is active and what the offer is. Just send the information to Suzy Blackhurst at or call her at (970) 586-0500.
Record number at Visitor Center and Rocky Mountain National Park
It truly was a banner visitation year. Door counters at the Visitor Center showed 401,692 people came through the doors at the building. And, Rocky Mountain National Park had its third busiest year in history: 3,335,862 visitors.
Jan
27
Vintage vibe in vogue for weddings
HARD to believe, but the days are already getting longer.
Summer – and wedding season – is just around the corner.
If your nuptials are scheduled for 2012, it’s time to get cracking. You’ve got a venue to book, a dress to buy and the many details to consider that will help turn out the day you’re dreaming of.
Local event planners say the year’s hottest trend will be a return to traditional weddings and details. Alexandra Fischer, the inhouse events and wedding expert at Hollyburn Country Club, says many brides are opting for vintage-inspired fashion and décor, from old Hollywood formal (think Great Gatsby-esque style) to royal wedding touches.
Fischer also predicts this year will see an injection of romance into the wedding scene – with plenty of Victorian flair such as lace in wedding dresses, muted, calming palates and a demure style overall.
Lisa Ng, senior catering sales manager at Four Seasons Vancouver, agrees, and says the vintage vibe plays out in different ways.
“A lot of brides like to add some bling: dangling chandeliers or long strings of crystals.” While others like to infuse their event with a “shabby-chic” feel, by creating do-it-yourself table numbers and menus.
The cost savings incurred by doing some elements themselves allows wedding couples to spend more in other areas, says Ng, like the food.
The focus on food and wine is an enormous shift in the 12 years she’s been planning weddings, she says. When she started (at another hotel), the wedding package usually came with a set menu.
Especially with Vancouver’s buzzy restaurant scene, foodfocused publications, websites and blogs, “everyone’s a foodie,” says Ng. At Four Seasons, couples now sit down with chef and customize their menu. And with the city’s only hotel kosher kitchen and justannounced Chinese kitchen, Four Seasons is equipped to please.
Some of Ng’s other top trends that she predicts will gain in popularity this year:
? Lounge settings for the cocktail hour. Many brides and grooms love to have a space set with a mix of lowslung couches and chairs for relaxing before dinner and enjoying hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
? Ice bars, sometimes with the couple’s initials carved into them, and with holes drilled for liquor bottles make an impact.
? Photo booths, red carpet photos, or onsite photography and editing services so that guests can get in on the action are proving very popular.
? Environmentally friendly celebrations continue to gain traction.
While Four Seasons is already a certified Green Key hotel, Ng says they can go further with linenless tables, soy candles, an Oceanwise and sustainable menu, and by providing a list of green vendors for their couples to use.
? Dessert and candy bars have been all the rage for several years. The former – offering a selection of smaller desserts – lets guests sample a range of treats; the latter can either be for snacking on, or for filling favour bags at the end of the night.
? The return of the late-night buffet is another hot trend, says Ng.
The hotel recently did a carnival theme for one wedding’s late-night noshing, complete with mini hot dogs, mini doughnuts and cotton candy.
Regardless of trends you choose to follow (or start!), both Ng and Fischer agree the best weddings are the ones that are all about you, with personal details infusing the event from invitations to favours.
© Copyright (c) North Shore News
Jan
27
Nightlife: Two Way Street Coffeehouse
January 27, 2012 10:38AM
Updated: January 27, 2012 10:38AM
Comedy Shrine: Mike Marvell with Tim Baker, Jan. 27-28. Tickets are $15-$20. Chicks are Funny, 8 p.m. Thursdays. $10. Who’s Line Improv shows 8, 10 p.m Fridays and 4, 8, 10 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets are $10-$15 for adults; $8-$12 for students. At 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. Call (630) 585-0300 or visit comedycomedy.net or comedyshrine.com.
The Improv: Pablo Francisco, Jan. 27-29. $24. Acts are submit to change. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Fridays; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturdays; and 7 p.m. Sundays. At 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. Call (847) 240-2001 or visit improv.com.
Zanies Comedy Night Club: John Roy, Jan. 27-28, $23. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 and 9:45 p.m. Fridays; and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturdays at Pheasant Run Resort and Spa, 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles. Tickets are available at (630) 584-6342 or ticketmaster.com. Visit zanies.com.
GreenRoom Improv: 100% clean. 99.27% hilarious. GreenRoom will have an extended stay in Hemmens Cultural Center Cabaret Theater in the Round will host the GreenRoom Improv at 7 p.m. the first Saturday of the month to March 2012. Next show: Feb. 4. Tickets are $12 for adults; $8 for students and seniors. At Hemmens Cultural Center, Symphony Way and North Grove Avenue in Elgin. Visit hemmens.org.
Lucy’s Comedy Cafe: A night of comedy at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Raue Center for the Arts. Ages 18+. Tickets are $25, $20 in advance. Ages 18+. At 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Call (815) 356-9212 or visit rauecenter.org.
Yorkville Big Band Dances: 7-9 p.m. Feb. 12 at Timber Creek Inn & Suites, 3300 Drew Ave., Sandwich. Tickets are $10. Call (630) 553-0153 or visit timbercreekinnandsuites.com.
Arthur Murray Dance Center: 8:15-10 p.m. Jan. 27. At 1911 Glacier Park Ave., Naperville. Call (630) 355-6240 or visit chicagoarthurmurray.com
Bachelors ’n’ Bachelorettes: The Batavia chapter of Square Dancing Club meets from 8 to 10:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month at the Free Methodist Church, Third and Walnut streets, St. Charles. Call (630) 584-1343 or (630) 896-7133.
Barn Dance Sunday: At 6 p.m. the second Sunday of each month. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for ages 12 to 18; and free for children under 12. At the Kuhn Barn in Fermilab’s Village, Sauk and Batavia roads, Batavia. Call (630) 840-2061 or visit fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub.
Dance Connection: Ballroom dance club. Singles and couples welcome on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Charles School of Dance, 1429 W. Main St., St. Charles. Call (630) 202-3222 or email or visit chrisburdick.com.
Dance Mania: Dances at Diplomat West, 681 W. North Ave., Elmhurst. Members are $11, member’s family and students are $9, non-members are $13. Dance Host are available to dance with the single ladies. Beginners, newcomers and singles are always welcome. Call (847) 813-1910 or email or visit dancemaniachicago.com.
DeSarge Danceworld: Arg Tango at 7:10 p.m. Sundays. Technique at 7:10 p.m., Ballroom at 8 p.m. Mondays. Salsa at 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Free Beginner Ballroom class at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Swing at 8 p.m. Thursdays. Hustle at 7:10 p.m., open dance session 8 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays. Classes are $12; open dance is $5. At 632 Amersale Dr., Suite 104, Naperville. Call (630) 355-1188 or visit desargedanceworld.com.
DuPage Dance Center: The center offers open dances and group lessons five nights a week, wedding dances and club dances that alternate to keep up with current trends at 1163 E. Ogden Ave., No. 620, Naperville. Admission is $12. Call (630) 369-3699 or visit dupagedancecenter.com.
English Country Dance Group: Meets the first Sunday of the month at the Kuhn Barn in Fermilab’s Village, Sauk and Batavia roads, Batavia. Admission free but donations are accepted. Call (630) 584-0825 visit fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub/folkdance.html.
International folk dancing: Folk dancing is offered at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Kuhn Barn in Fermilab’s Village, Sauk and Batavia roads, Batavia. Admission free but donations are accepted. Call (630) 584-0825 or (630) 840-8194 or email .
Latin dance: Free salsa lesson at 8 p.m. Thursdays at La Sierra De Aurora Restaurant and Banquets, 2121 E. New York St., Aurora. Dance to salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia and a touch of raggaeton at 9 p.m. No gym shoes, caps or athletic wear. Age 21 and over. $5 cover charge. Call (630) 251-3906 or email .
Line dancing: Dance class at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Downers Grove Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Call (630) 533-5233 or email .
Line dancing: Free line dancing is offered at The Salvation Army, 1710 S. 7th Ave. in St. Charles, at 3 p.m. every Tuesday. Call Cathy Winters at (630) 377-2769, 210.
Naper Squares: Naper Squares dance at Jefferson Jr. High the third Friday of the month, 1525 N. Loomis., Naperville, September to May. Admission is $6. Square dancing starts at 8:15. Call (630) 964-0565, (630) 505-8312 or email .
Norman’s Saturday Night Ballroom Dance: The last Saturday of the month, 8 to 11 p.m. at the Butterfield Park District, 21W730 Butterfield Road, just east of Rt. 53. $10. Singles and couples welcome. Call (630) 739-4237 or (312) 339-3425, email or or visit normsdancefamily.com.
Scottish country dancing: Silk and thistle Scottish country dancing is offered at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Kuhn Barn in Fermilab’s Village, Sauk and Batavia roads, Batavia. Admission free but donations are accepted. Call (630) 584-0825 or (630) 840-8194 or email .
Square dancing: Downers Grove Square dances take place the second Friday of the month at Herrick Junior High School, 4435 Middaugh Ave., Downers Grove. Rounds begin at 7:30 p.m. and squares are from 8 to 10:15 p.m. Call (630) 654-2710 or (708) 301-1522.
Sterba’s Dance Sport: Group classes at 8 p.m.; Mondays — Salsa, Wednesdays — Swing, Thursdays — Beginner Ballroom, Fridays — All levels of Ballroom with our practice party to follow the group class at 9 p.m. $10 per class. Drop in. At 572 Weston Ridge Dr, Suite 128, Naperville (near the Route 59 train station, next door to Starbuck’s). Call (630) 548-2930 or visit SterbasDanceSport.com.
Two Left Feet Dance Center and Club offers social dance instruction for beginner dancers. Open dances are held monthly. Our primary focus is on ballroom and latin dancing and in addition we offer toning classes, Tai Chi Classes, Flamenco dancing, Belly dancing and children’s ballet and ballroom dance classes. Call (630) 717-9930 or visittwoleftfeet.net.
Willowbrook Ballroom: Country and Western lessons and dance Tuesdays. Salsa lessons and dance Wednesdays. Big band bash Thursdays. Ballroom dancing, 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays. $14. Swing dancing, 8 to 11 p.m. Sundays. $10. At 8900 S. Archer Ave. Call (708) 839-1000. Visit willowbrookballroom.com.
Adelle’s: At 1060 College Ave., Wheaton. Call (630) 784-8015.
Arcada Theatre: Kashmir, 8 p.m. Feb. 17. $19-$39. At 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Call (630) 962-7000 or visit oshows.com.
Ashbury’s: At 335 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook. Call (630) 739-2377.
Ballydoyle Irish Pub and Restaurant Aurora: He Said She Said, Jan. 27. Mr. Blotto, Jan. 28. At 28 W. New York St., Aurora. Call (630) 844-0400. Visit ballydoylepub.com.
Ballydoyle Irish Pub and Restaurant Downers Grove: Soda, Jan. 27. The Pork Tornadoes, Jan. 28. At 5157 Main St., Downers Grove. Call (630) 969-0600. Visit ballydoylepub.com.
Bar Louie Naperville: At 22 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call (630) 983-1600. Email .
BlackFinn American Saloon: At 16 W. Jefferson. Naperville. Call (630) 717-0400.
Bull Moose Bar & Grill: At 202 S. Main Street in Sandwich.
The Capri Ristorante Italiano: At 2155 City Gate Lane, Naperville. Call (630) 904-8101.
Carlucci: At 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove. Call (630) 512-0990 or visit carluccirestaurant.com.
City Gate Grille: At 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville. Call (630) 718-1010.
Comfort Zone BBQ: Live music Friday and Saturday nights. At 37 W. New York St., Aurora. Call (630) 897-7096. Visit comfortzonebbq.com.
Daniel’s Den: At 115 E. South St. (Rt. 34), Plano. Visit daniels-den.org.
D.O.C. Wine Bar: Second Wednesdays Ladies Night, featuring complimentary manicures, massages and waxing services. At 326 Yorktown, Lombard. Call (630) 627-6666. Visit docwinebarchicago.com.
Dolce Amore: At Route 59 at 87th St., Naperville. Call (630) 904-7500 or visit DolceAmoreNaperville.com.
Doug’s American Grill: At 333 E. Indian Trail Road, Aurora. Call (630) 892-7833.
The Dupage Inn: Live music every Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight. At 410 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove. Call (630) 963-2565.
Elgin Public House: At 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Call (847) 468-8810. Visit elginpublichouse.com/.
Erik & Me: At 1 W. Illinois, St. Charles. Call (630) 377-9222.
Features Bar and Grill: At 10 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call (630) 416-3310.
Fox and Hound Pub and Grill: At 4320 E. New York St., Aurora. Call (630) 236-9183.
Frankie’s Blue Room: At 16 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call (630) 416-4898.
Gasthaus Zurlinde: Live Music every Friday & Saturday night. Whiskey Bar is quiet, no cover. At 15 N. Grove Ave, Elgin. Call (847) 695-8828.
Heaven on Seven: At 224 S. Main St., Naperville. Call (630) 717-0777.
Hotel Baker: At 100 W. Main St. (Route 64), St. Charles. Call (630) 584-2100. Visit hotelbaker.com.
The House Pub: At 16 S. 1st Ave., St. Charles. Call (630) 945-3479.
Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House: At 55 S. Main St., Naperville. Call (630) 548-3764.
JB’s Pub: Show Tunes Sundays is from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. At 297 S. McLean Blvd., Elgin. Call (847) 695-0626.
Jambalaya: At Pheasant Run Resort and Spa, 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles. Call (630) 584-6342.
Jilly’s: At 103 S. Main St., Naperville. Call (630) 355-1001.
Luigi’s House Italian Restaurant: At 778 N. Route 59, Aurora. Call (630) 375-6400.
L’Eiffel Bistrot & Creperie: At 100 W. Higgins Road, Barrington. Call (847) 428-4783 or visit leiffelbistrot.com/.
The Lucky Monk: The Redmonds, Jan. 27. At 105 At Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington. Call (847) 898-0500 or theluckymonk.com.
Nick & Pat’s: At 1031 Station Drive, Oswego. Call (630) 554-7773.
Mill Race Inn: At 4 East State St. Geneva. Call (630) 232-2030.
O’Brien’s Pub & Grill: At 12 N. River St., Batavia. Call (630) 406-9200.
Orazio’s Pub: At 333 N. Center St., Naperville. Call (630) 357-4350.
Penny Lane Pub: Live music Friday and Saturday nights. At 28W705 Penny Road, South Barrington. Call (847) 428-0562 or visit PennyRoadPub.com.
Quigley’s Irish Pub: At 43 E. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Call (630) 428-4774 or visit quigleysirishpub.com.
Rizzos: Live music, 9 p.m. Mondays; Live blues band, 7 p.m. Wednesdays; DJ on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Live music on patio Fridays and Saturdays weather permitting. No cover. At 6 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Call (630) 305-4396 or visit rizzobar.com.
Shanahan’s: At 2009 Ogden Ave. Downers Grove. Call (630) 725-9110.
Stillwater: Triceratops Club, 8 p.m. Sundays. At 5141 Main St., Downers Grove. Call (630) 324-4291.
Tailgaters: Drunken Skunk, Jan. 27. Hairbangers Ball, Jan. 28. At 431 W. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook. Call (630) 679-1994 or visit tailgatersgrill.com.
Tessa’s Famiglia e Amici: At 16 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Call (630) 357-9200.
Tilted Kilt: At 2300 Bushwood Dr., Elgin. Call (224) 359-5458.
Timpano Martini Bar and Chop House: At 22 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call (630) 753-0985.
Two Brothers Roundhouse: At 205 N. Broadway, Aurora. Call (630) 264-2739.
Two Way Street Coffee House: Dennis Stroughmatt, Jan. 27. $7. Singarounds are offered at 2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays. $1. An unplugged open mike night for high school and college students is offered at 7 p.m. the last Thursday of every month. No cover. Bluegrass Jam at 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month. $1. At 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Call (630) 969-9720 or visit twowaystreet.org.
Villa Verone: Elgin Opera’s Festival of Singers, 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 12. At 13 Douglas Ave., Elgin. Call (847) 742-0263.
Delightful Dining: Reservation deadlines are one week before the scheduled event, and must be made through Delightful Dining at delightfuldining.com, by calling (630) 588-8289.
New Beginnings: We are a self help support group for individuals going through separation, divorce or death of a spouse. Speakers present on a variety of topics every other week. New Beginnings meets weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9 p.m. at St. Raphael Church, 1215 Modaff Road, Naperville. Join us for social activities every Saturday. Contact newbeginnings-naperville.com.
St. Charles Singles Club: Singles age 40 and older are invited to dances and other social activities. Dances are held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Dance lesson, 6:30-7:30 p.m. and dancing to DJ music 7:30-11 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 4077 E. Main St., St. Charles. Admission is $10 for visitors. Memberships available. Call (630) 340-6647 or visit stcharlessinglesclub.com.
Submit items, including time, date, place and phone number, two weeks before publication to Weekend, Sun-Times Media West, 495 N. Commons Dr., Suite 200, Aurora, IL 60504; fax to (630) 978-8509; or email to .
Jan
27
Buy Wedding Invitations Online
Posted in: Wedding Invitations by Brideorama | January 21st 2012 | no comments
When couples decide to get married, there are many things they need to do and one of the most important things is to start looking for the perfect wedding invitations. Given that today there are couples who have very little time to plan their wedding, they either ask a wedding planner to come help them out or they do everything that is needed for the wedding online.
The online world has taken over us and it could not be better. There is no simpler way to find the perfect thing and it is also a good way of saving time and at times, even money. Therefore, if you want to find some of the best wedding invitations, without wasting too much time, going online is the best option you have.
The online world is the best equivalent of the traditional stores, where you had to spend hours to find the things that you were interested in. now it is a lot easier and more comfortable, thanks to the fact that you can browse quickly through all the wedding invitations samples a online store can have; then you can place the order, make the payment and in a couple of days, you have the order delivered at home.
Making shopping online is the best thing in the world, as it saves us a lot of time and this is the main reason for which there are so many couples who go searching for the right wedding invitations online. It is quick and it also has many other advantages. One of the advantages is that you can even create your own wedding invitations and you will receive it at home and the only things you will need to do will be to address the invitations and send them to all the people you want to have at your wedding.
There is no simpler way to find the perfect wedding invitations but by going online. Today, most of the traditional stores have an online page where they place all their products, thus making it easier for people to find whatever they were looking for, in this case, their wedding invitations. There is no better and easier way to find the perfect invitation but by going online and companies have made the best out of it.
Buy Wedding Invitations Online (Source: rs2guru.com)
Given that there are so many people who work very much and who do not have too much spare time left to plan their wedding, going online and finding the right things seems like the best solution. And it is! All you need to do is pick a sample and place your order. Then, you pay with your card and in a couple of days, the wedding invitations will be delivered at your home. The best part of the online world is that it allows people to look through hundreds if not thousands of models and they get to choose the one that suites them the best.
Buy Wedding Invitations Online (Source: weddingguest-book.com)
Another important thing is that going through these samples is easy and it does not take too much time. Therefore, buying your wedding invitations online is the best thing you can do if you do not have too much time to spare.
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Jan
27
Scio photographer featured in 2012 national calendar
SCIO — Johan Doornenbal is a young man who wears many hats as anorganic farmer, college student, pet store employee andphotographer.
His skills with a camera were recently recognized by a farmcooperative with members in 33 states.
A photo Doornenbal took in October 2007 of two young Jerseycalves at a watering trough outside one of the family’s barns atThomas Valley Farm near Scio is the June image in Organic ValleyCooperative’s annual calendar that salutes organic farming.
The farmer-owned cooperative is based in LaFarge, Wis., andrepresents more than 1,700 farmers.
“I had just purchased my first professional camera, a Canon10D,” Doornenbal said. “I went hiking around the farm and tookabout 300 photos that morning.”
Doornenbal said Organic Valley Cooperative asked him severalmonths ago to send them farm photos.
“I sent them several and never heard anything, so I reallydidn’t know what they were doing,” Doornenbal said. “Then, I got apackage of 10 calendars and I thought, well, that’s overkill. ThenI started looking through them, and was really excited to see myphoto. It totally made my day.”
Doornenbal said he had considered turning photography into hisprofession, but decided to keep it as a hobby instead.
“I still take wedding and senior photos, but there are otherthings I want to do for a living, with photography on the side,”Doornenbal said. “I want photography to be relaxing, but if peoplecontact me, I will be happy to do some photography for them.”
A photo of dairy farmers Gary and Connie Moore of ClackamasCounty is featured for December. The photo was taken by Leah Harb.Other photos are from Wisconsin, New York, Minnesota, Washington,Maine, Vermont and Maryland.
Doornenbal is the third generation of his Dutch-heritage familyto work on a dairy farm.
In 2010 he spent a week traveling across the country on a buspromoting organic food production. The tour was called “TheGeneration Organic, Who’s Your Farmer?” and included stops atHarvard, Yale and Brown universities.
Three months ago, Doornenbal completed a similar tour, this timespending three weeks on the west coast.
“We traveled from Montana to central California,” Doornenbalsaid. “It was the regional I’m familiar with, and it was awesome, areally good experience, and I made some great friends.”
Doornenbal said about 18 people participated, averaging about aweek each.
About the farm
Johan Doornenbal’s parents, Joe and Astrid Doornenbal, purchasedthe family’s 276-acre farm about 10 years ago after branching offfrom a family dairy operation in Modesto, Calif.
The family’s focus is care for healthy cows that produce richmilk from grass that has been fertilized with only naturalfertilizers such as manure or compost. The family does not usecommercial synthetic fertilizers on the property.
The cattle’s winter feed ration also is free of pesticides,synthetic fertilizers, synthetic growth or breeding hormones andantibiotics.
Jan
27
Booksellers Explain How to Make Friends and Influence People
Booksellers Explain How to Make Friends and Influence People By Claire Kirch Jan 26, 2012
More than 150 booksellers crowded into a hotel meeting room during Wi7 to learn from three stars in the children’s bookselling world how they too can become “hometown stars with children’s books.” The panel, moderated by the ABA’s Joy Dallanegra-Sanger, featured Colette Morgan, owner of Wild Rumpus, in Minneapolis; Diane Capriola, owner of Little Shop of Stories in the small city of Decatur, Ga.; and Cynthia Compton, owner of 4 Kids Books & Toys, in an upscale Indianapolis suburb. While the three stores are located in diverse locales, each bookseller emphasized the necessity of creating a magical space inside the store, selecting stock carefully, and partnering with other local businesses and organizations. ‘Energize the Atmosphere’ 
Front row (l. to r.): Diane Capriola, owner of Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Ga., and Colette Morgan, of Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis. Back row (l. to r.): Cynthia Compton, 4Kids Books & Toys in Indianapolis, and moderator Joy Dallanegra-Sanger, ABA senior program officer. Photo: Claire Kirch.Morgan, whose store is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, declared, “I assume everyone walking into the store wants to have a good time.” As soon as one enters Wild Rumpus, one is met with a barrage of noise, from the plethora of animals living there (the store is also licensed as a pet store), mixed in with the music playing overhead. “It’s important to energize the atmosphere,” Morgan explained, describing the store environment as being one of “controlled chaos,” and the store’s inventory as “eclectic and intelligent.” Wild Rumpus is renowned throughout the region for hosting exciting events as well as for stocking unusual titles; Morgan explained that she uses coop funds to produce events that people will want to attend and does not stint on props. “If you need to rent a champagne fountain and pour chocolate milk through it, do it,” she said. Last year, Morgan took advantage of $19,000 in coop funds to host author events, for which she does not charge, as she wants to be inclusive. Morgan also uses coop funds to purchase books for children in inner-city schools when the store hosts author events at these schools. “If one child in one of those classes becomes an author or illustrator, it could be because of that,” she said. Morgan said the store doesn’t publicize this, but children purchasing items with their own money receive a 20% discount. And publisher promotional swag – like t-shirts or caps – goes to young customers. “They appreciate publisher giveaways so much more than me or my staff ever could. It’s like gold,” she said. ‘Have Big Ideas’ Like Morgan, Capriola emphasized the importance of “thinking outside the box” to entice new customers and keep regulars loyal. This, like Wild Rumpus, also can involve animals, such as Little’s Shop’s “dog wedding” story time last April, when there was a lot of public interest in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. Staffers read Angelina and the Royal Wedding, a wedding planner came in and discussed how to plan a wedding, and two dogs were then “married,” complete with cake and a party. “Have big ideas and hire staff you can trust to do it all,” Capriola said, explaining that the store hosts book-based summer camps to bring people into the store during an otherwise slow time. “Parents love the idea that their kids are spending their days in a bookstore, reading and talking about books,” she said, noting that it’s important to involve the local community, by bringing in adults to speak with the children and to participate in activities with them. Capriola emphasized making friends with other businesses and organizations. Recalling the community effort that has gone into producing the Decatur Book Festival, now in its seventh year, Capriola pointed out, “The littlest idea can become the biggest thing if you have the right community partnerships. Don’t be shy about promoting your store to your community,” she added, and to support local businesses, “walking the talk.” Building Bridges Using the morals contained in classic fairy tales to spice up her presentation, Cynthia Compton emphasized that one’s store must stand out – use social media and other opportunities to underscore the store’s one unique strength. She also emphasized that, like Hansel and Gretel, booksellers should not go into the woods alone. “Partner with a group to sponsor an event,” she said, “It’ll fill the room and it builds bridges.” 4 Kids also partners with local organizations in allowing them to use the store’s space for their special events, such as a local yoga center, a math tutoring company, and a magician who teaches classes. “They use our space and give us free classes to gift our customers with,” she explained. Compton has cut out her entire media advertising budget, and instead gives out $5 gift cards, considering them as advertisements for the store. “It only costs you money if they come in and use it,” she pointed out. “They’ll also be carrying the card in their wallet.” Like the Three Little Pigs, Compton said, one should carry building materials wherever one goes. The store has been hosting more and more “pop-up book fairs” in nurses’ rooms in hospitals, in fire stations, in the backs of churches, in teacher lounges, and “wherever there are adults working who need to buy books for their kids.” “I want books out in the community,” Compton insisted.
Jan
27
Comprehensive Wedding Services at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto Exceed Expectations
TORONTO, Jan 10, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –From engagement parties to honeymoons, The Ritz-Carlton, Torontowelcomes brides- and grooms-to-be to one of the city’s newest luxuryhotels featuring comprehensive wedding services including aworld-class spa, exceptional dining and luxurious Toronto weddingvenues available for all or part of your wedding celebrations.
The Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton specialize in combiningthe finest elements with the most luxurious Toronto wedding venues toensure an unforgettable experience that is a true representation ofpersonal style. Treat your wedding party to a day of pampering at thespa where you’ll find soothing treatments inspired by the beauty ofCanada’s great outdoors. Or for engagement and bachelor parties,rehearsal dinners and day-after brunches, indulge guests in thesavory cuisine of the hotel’s signature restaurant — TOCA by TomBrodi — featuring local, organic, sustainable ingredients. For amore casual gathering, there’s TOCA Bar, offering a tapas-style menuand more than 60 wines by the glass; or DEQ, an urban dining oasiswith breathtaking views of Simcoe Park and the CN Tower.
And for the main event, your wedding’s Toronto location at TheRitz-Carlton is complemented by the legendary service, exquisitecatering and attention to detail only The Ritz-Carlton can provide.Intimate or grand, you’ll discover breathtaking spaces forcelebrations of virtually any size, including the city’s largestluxury ballroom. On the 2nd and 4th floors, our Toronto weddingvenues are greeted by generous pre-function spaces boasting dramaticfloor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Metro Hall Park and RoyThomson Hall.
After you’ve said “I do” and bid farewell, savor youronce-in-a-lifetime celebration with the Bed and Breakfast package*before leaving on a honeymoon. Available through the end of the year,the package includes overnight accommodations, overnight valetparking and breakfast for two at TOCA.
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*Terms and conditions apply. View full package details onlineincluding cost and expiration dates.
About The Ritz-Carlton The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., ofChevy Chase, Maryland, currently operates 77 hotels in the Americas,Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. TheRitz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned theprestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizesoutstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations,contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S.1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at ritzcarlton.com .The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiaryof Marriott International, Inc. /quotes/zigman/213258/quotes/nls/mar MAR +0.09% .
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Media Contact The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto (416) 585-2500
SOURCE: The Ritz-Carlton
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