Monthly Archives: March 2012
Dale Levitski unviels Frog N Snail Today!
Chicago EATER ran photos of the interior of Dale Levitski’s (Top Chef Season 3) new restaurant on Broadway, with its natural woods and stone, custom-made wood back bar, exposed Edison pendants and more.
Frog N Snail will open Friday March 30th for lunch and dinner hours start April 4th.
3124 N. Broadway
Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping – Chicago Spring Deals
My partner and I
discovered Farrell’s eXtreme Body Shaping this Winter. We joined the
first 10 week session to officially launch in Chicago, in January.
When they launched in January they offered 3 class choices – 2 in the AM, and 1 in the evening.
The next session will run April 14 thru June 23. And they will now offer 6 classes a day!
If you mention our site, you can get a big discount for the 7am, 6:30pm, or 7:30pm classes!
(see classes and pricing online)
We have both seen great results, and plan to continue on with the program in April. We have both seen our body fat drop, inches melt off our waistline and our muscle mass
grow.
In 45 minutes a day, six days a week, (yes! 6 days a week!) Farrell’s can help you make
real changes in your fitness and overall health. Results are typical
with the Farrell’s program. In 10 weeks with Farrell’s, you will see the
eXtreme changes you expect out of your fitness and nutrition
commitments.
To enroll you must make an appointment to sign
up in person at the facility before Friday April 13th. OR, come in
during their evening hours of 5pm to 8pm.
Farrell’s eXtreme Body Shaping
821 W. Blackhawk Off Halsted, S. of North Ave.
312-624-9794
*If you do not get through when calling –
leave a message. Sometimes the staff is tied up leading classes or
helping other clients.
Best Gay Chicago’s BEST Baseball Kick Off Events
Baseball Kickoff
for Equality is just one week from today!
Tuesday April 3rd –
Join EQIL at
Sluggers Sports Bar (3540 N. Clark Street) to celebrate Opening Day 2012. Enjoy cocktails,
light bites, and the chance to win door prizes! Baseball tix, anyone?
A $10 donation
includes 2 complimentary cocktails, light bites, and a drawing ticket.
Come meet some new friends and let’s celebrate the beginning of the 2012
baseball season! Get your tickets now for this fun event.
We look forward to seeing you on April 3 at Sluggers!
THEN …
Thursday April 5th!
CREW opens at 10:00 am of the Cubs home opener.
4804 N. Broadway
Stop by before the game for a complimentary breakfast and drink specials. Come back after to celebrate the Cubs win!
Fun starts at 10:00 am with drink specials and breakfast. (while it lasts!)
Game time is at 1:20
(I never understood those add starting times….does anyone know why?)
Candace Gingrich in Chicago March 29
It’s poetic justice (or perhaps just an accurate reflection of real
life) that GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has a half sister who
is not only lesbian, but also married and a gay-rights activist.
Candace Gingrich-Jones visits Northeastern Illinois University for a speaking gig Thursday 29.
Accidental Activist: A Personal & Political Journey
March 29, 2012
Thursday 7pm FREE
The Accidental Activist, the title of Candace Gingrich-Jones’
1996 autobiography, captures best her path to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) advocacy well. Her involvement in the movement for
queer equality began in 1995 when her brother, Rep. Newt Gingrich,
R-GA., was elected House speaker and she had an opportunity to make her
voice heard. Since then she has not stopped advocating for the issues
importance to the LGBT community.
Wine and Class Arrive in Chicago at O’Hare
“Call me Bubbles darling everybody does!” – Bubbles Devere
Is anyone here old enough to remember… about 30 years ago, you
would walk into the airport, and there was MAYBE, 2-3 places to get
some bad awful airport food? Then, fast food came to airports!
Followed by Starbucks, which was then followed by big chains. Now
anything your heart desires is at the airport!
Two new wine bars opened over the weekend at the O’Hare airport – Bubbles Wine Bar in Terminal 3 (complete with piano!) and Beaudevin Wine Bar in Terminal 1.
Both are operated by airport foodservice firm HMSHost.
Travelers can drop by either bar to enjoy fine wines and sparkling
wines, which can be paired with gourmet entrées or small plates.
Beaudevin offers more than 20 red, white and sparkling wines by the glass, bottle or flight, along with small plates .
The Bubbles Wine Bar is in Terminal 3 near Gate H4, and focuses on
sparkling wine and craft beer joined with sushi roll pairings. The bar
chain was first introduced by HMSHost at Schiphol International Airport
in Amsterdam, and has been named by Executive Life magazine as one of
the “chic-est airport bars,” the Department of Aviation said.
Sidenote – Starbucks has started offering beer and wine in select cities
– I am sure it won’t be long for that trend to arrive at the airport.
LGBT Wedding Expo Sunday March 25th
This is a very fun event – we went last year and you got lots of great ideas! Flowers, cakes, photography, caterers , cocktails and more!
4th Annual Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo in Chicago!
Couples throughout Illinois are continuing to joyfully plan their civil union ceremonies
– JOIN US as we celebrate together!
The
4th Annual Same Love, Same Rights LGBT Wedding Expo will be hosted once
again by the beautiful Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, with a signature
view of the river and is scheduled for Sunday March 25th, 2012.
(easy access right off the Brown Line M. Mart exit!)
This year’s event promises more excitement than ever, with New
Planning Trends, Fresh Giveaways & Samples, and over 30 select
gay-friendly exhibitors to help create the ceremony of your dreams.
Event planners, officiants, ceremony & reception venues,musicians
and DJs, photographers, caterers, floral artists and more! Travel,
health, home and family-planning businesses will also be represented.
First 200 couples will receive a
keepsake fabric Swag Bag! Exciting Raffle Giveaways this year include
Sightseeing Tours courtesy of Anita Dee Yacht Charters!
This
event is free to attend; $5.00 donation per person is suggested, but we
do ask that you pre-register for free tickets. 25% will go directly to
Equality Illinois!
RESERVE NOW ONLINE!
Chicago Flower & Garden Show Running through March 18th
We got a sneak peak of this years Chicago Flower & Garden Show this weekend!
The show is running though March 18th @ Navy Pier.
This year the worlds of fashion and horticulture will collide, creating an experience that rivals the hottest runway show!
Lots of ideas to help you make your yard, patio or balcony the envy of your neighbors!
There is actually a lot more than think going on. Seminars and Workshops, a photography competition, Garden Gourmet cooking demonstrations, a huge Marketplace with more than 100 vendors of gardening, landscape and horticulture products
and services will showcase their green and eco-friendly wares at this
show favorite.
Designer Ramsey J. Prince and several other local designers have built some very cool home design vignettes.
Showcasing the latest in furniture and awesome accessories.
Show ends March 18th!
LOTS more photos on
our Facebook page
Set the trend – Order your tickets now!
Order your tickets online and save $2 off the box office price!
St Patricks Day Downtown Chicago
A modern day miracle occurs each year as part of the St. Patrick’s Day
Parade celebration when the Chicago River turns an incredible shade of green.
For the past 40+ years the Chicago River turns green
for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebration. It’s a breathtaking color of green similar to the greens of Ireland from where
it got its name “The Emerald Isle.”
The storyline goes: In 1961 Stephen Baily was
approached by a plumber who was wearing some white coveralls, they knew
this only because they could see some of the original color. These
coveralls had been mostly stained or dyed a perfect shade of green, an
Irish green to better describe it.
It was when Stephen Bailey
asked how the coveralls got this way, that they discovered that the dye
used to detect leaks into the river turned green, not just any color
green, but the perfect color green. Baily said“Why couldn’t we dye the
whole river for St. Patrick’s Day?”
A green tradition was born in Chicago.
And they actually use an orange dye, not green!
Downtown will be crazy busy starting at about 9 am! Over at DOWNTOWN BAR, doors open at 10am with drink specials! – or celebrate St. Pats in evening at 10pm with their Karaoke.
:-( It’s True…Rosie is Leaving Chicago
A report on the Huffington Post
cites an “insider” who says Ms. O’Donnell was not happy about commuting
from her New York home to tape the show at Oprah Winfrey’s former Near
West Side studio. (WTF? She just bough a condo here in Chicago!)
She’s also found it more difficult to persuade guests
to travel to Chicago that it would be to book them on a New York-based
show, the source said.
The news came on the same day that reports said Ms. O’Donnell had found a buyer for her Lakeview home six months after she bought it. It had been listed on the market for just a day.
Ms.
O’Donnell bought the Chicago property as she began taping “The Rosie
Show,” which took over Harpo Studios after Ms. Winfrey ceased production
on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” to focus on her OWN network.
“The Rosie Show” has undergone changes since its debut. Ms. O’Donnell recently cut staff and stopped filming before a studio audience.
The Bible and Homosexuality 101
As some of you readers may know, a certain person, who shall remain nameless, has been harassing Best Gay Chicago, trying to shove bible quotes down our throats. He has actually been calling our office 20-30 times a day, and the police are now involved. His own church, urged us to get a restraining order.
The postings have generated lots of comments – and someone from PFLAG Detroit posted this:
The Bible has long been used by
society to discriminate against, and persecute gays and lesbians. Careful
study, however, reveals that while the Bible does condemn homosexual and
heterosexual cult prostitution, it says nothing about loving committed
homosexual relationships. Jesus himself said nothing about homosexuality,
which leads many to believe it was not one of his main concerns.
Unfortunately, many passages from the Bible are often taken out of
context, or interpreted without consideration for the cultural aspects
associated with the time period in which they were written. To emphasize
this point, consider the following sentence: “He was such a neat
man.” In order to understand the writers meaning, you must consider
the time period in which it was written. If this sentence were written in
the 1900’s it would be assumed that the word “neat”, was a
reference to the man’s tidiness. If it were written in 1996, however, the
word “neat” could be interpreted to mean both tidy, or the
presence of admirable qualities.
Many versions of the Bible exist. Each reflects the limited scientific
knowledge, personal beliefs of its translators, and the social beliefs of
the time period in which it was translated. Personal biases, and societies
prejudices have unavoidably distorted the Bible’s many translations. In
addition, it is sometimes difficult to find a current word that accurately
defines the Hebrew or Greek term in question. Unfortunately, this has
resulted in the mistranslation of some of the more ambiguous text
contained in the Bible.
Perhaps the two most widely abused verses used to condemn homosexuality
come from Leviticus.
You shall not lie with man as one lies with a women; this is an
abomination.
Leviticus 18:22
If a man also lie with mankind as he lieth with a woman, both of them
have committed an abomination; they should surely be put to death.
Leviticus 20:13
First of all, the Holiness Code of Leviticus was written primarily as a
ritual manual for Israel’s priests. Christians today are not bound by the
rules and rituals described in Leviticus. (Galatians 3:22-25) If
Christians today insist on using this passage to condemn homosexuality,
then they are also bound by the other rules and rituals described in
Leviticus.
Among other things, the Holiness Code of Leviticus prohibits:
Sexual intercourse during a women’s menstrual cycle
Tattoos
Wearing certain types of jewelry
Eating certain kinds of meat
Wearing clothing made from blended textiles (cotton-polyester
blends)Cross-breeding livestock
Sowing a field with mixed seed
Eating or touching the dead flesh of pigs, rabbits, & some
forms of seafoodMen cutting their hair or shaving their beards
The Holiness Code also endorses polygamy and requires Saturday to be
reserved as the Sabbath. Obviously, it is unfair to use these passages to
condemn homosexuality, while ignoring the fact that most Christians do not
follow the rest of the rules and rituals outlined in the Holiness Code of
Leviticus.
It should also be noted that the word abomination was translated
from the Hebrew word toevah and means something found detestable by
God because it is unclean, disloyal, or unjust. The term abomination
is generally associated with idolatry and the Canaanite religious practice
of cult prostitution. (Ezekiel) Given toevah’s strong association
with cult prostitution it is unlikely that this passage applies to loving
responsible homosexual relationships.
PFLAG Detroit does an awesome job analyzing the bible and I encourage you to take a look. It gives us good ammunition, for when we are attacked by those preaching the bible.
Red Dress Party Chicago April 21 with Beverly McClellan
Chicago Red Dress Party
and visibility for the HIV/AIDS movement and raising funds for
organizations that provide vital community services.
Dress for the fight, end AIDS.
Last years party was a smashing success! And this years event which will be at Joffrey Ballet Studios is expected to be even bigger! The four hour event is a guaranteed great time!
The Voice’s Beverly McClellan has been confirmed to perform at the Chicago Red Dress Party on April 21, 2012 at the Joffrey Ballet Studios. McClellan was a contestant in the “Final 4” on the first season of NBC’s The Voice, an incredibly popular American reality talent show, currently in its second season. ALSO a 2012 GLAAD Outstanding Music Artist Nominee.
The Voice introduced
her to the world as a singer of stunning power and range, comparable to
Etta James, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge; to name a
few talents whose legacies she evokes. On The Voice, McClellan
chose Team Xtina and was coached by the diva herself. Chicago Red Dress
Party is honored to have the support of such a multi-talented
performer.
While it’s hard to trace the roots of a long standing tradition we’ll do
our best to bring you the history of this grand standing event. In the
early 1990’s two gentlemen were dating when they both contracted
HIV/AIDS. To show their love and dedication they vowed when one of them
passed away the other would attend their funeral adorned in a red dress.
From this promise the concept of the Red Dress Party began. Currently
there are Red Dress Parties all over the United States from Seattle,
Washington to Chicago, IL.
TICKETS HAVE JUST WENT ON SALE! GRAB THEM THIS WEEK AND YOU CAN SAVE!
Prices will gradually increase from March 9th-April 13th. So the quicker you buy – the more you save!
The only rule for the evening is that all guests must wear red.
Gay Christmas Film to Shoot in Chicago with Ronnie Kroell
Scrooge & Marley
is a modern-day variation on Charles Dickens’ classic story of the
holidays, A Christmas Carol. Recounted from a gay sensibility, with
heart, comedy and music, the magic of Dickens’ timeless tale of a
man’s redemption at the holidays-thanks to the help of three ghostly
spirits-comes alive from a fresh perspective that will appeal to
audiences of every persuasion.
Scrooge & Marley, an independent film, will be shot in
Chicago May 2012. The film is based on an original script by Ellen
Stoneking, Richard Knight, Jr. and the late Tim Imse. It will be
directed by Knight and Peter Neville.
The film is being financed by investors, and is also launching an Indie
GoGo campaign this week, under the name Scrooge & Marley film.
They
hope to raise $15,000 by April 4, to add to the investor funding. See Indiegogo.com .
Several actors are already tentatively signed to the project, including: Megan Cavanagh (A League of Their Own, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Exes and Ohs); Rusty Schwimmer (North Country, The Surrogate, Drop Dead Diva, Bones,
Louie); Ronnie Kroell (Bravo’s Make Me a Super Model, Eating Out-Drama Camp and Into the Lion’s Den); and Becca Kaufman, a renowned Chicago-area vocalist.
Auditions for additional roles will be held in March. Casting will be coordinated by Heather Schmucker. For details email casting@scroogeandmarleymovie.
“I think movie fans of all types will love Scrooge & Marley
– especially those with a soft spot for good old-fashioned Christmas
movies like myself,” Knight said. But the completed film will also be
the realization of a long-held
dream. “At last, there will be a holiday movie that gay people can call
their own something that we can return to year after year.”
ScroogeAndMarleyMovie.com
On Twitter | On Facebook
Farrells Chicago, A New Way To Work Out That Body
OK, I know you have a gym membership.
How long have you been going?
Are you stuck in rut, doing the same routine?
Have you hit a plateau?
Maybe it’s time shake your body up!
My partner and I discovered Farrell’s eXtreme Body Shaping this Winter. We joined the first 10 week session to officially launch in Chicago, in January.
We are in Week 7, and both have seen great results, and plan to continue on with the program this Spring. We have both seen our body fat drop and our muscle mass grow. But everyone has different goals.
OPEN REGISTRATION IS STARTING NOW for the next Session which Begins in April
Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping is a results based fitness program for
participants of any age, lifestyle, sex or athletic ability. The program
was developed by Lance Farrell — a long-time taekwondo competitor and
teacher — specifically to combat obesity and to help people develop
healthy lifestyle habits by incorporating the fat-burning, strengthening
and endurance building aspects of competitive martial arts training
into a course for regular people who aren’t interested in sparring or
contact drills.
In 45 minutes a day, six days a week, (yes! 6 days a week!) Farrell’s can help you make
real changes in your fitness and overall health. Results are typical
with the Farrell’s program. In 10 weeks with Farrell’s, you will see the
eXtreme changes you expect out of your fitness and nutrition
commitments.
The local owner and instructor Jason does an awesome job. He first went through the Farrell’s program in Iowa. Went on to become an instructor, then moved to Chicago last year to open this location.
The Farrell’s program combines four essential elements needed to make eXtreme changes in your bodyshape:
- Cardiovascular exercise to Burn Fat
- Strength training to Build Muscle
- Nutrition plan to help you Eat Healthy
- Instructors and coaches to keep you Encouraged throughout your journey
“Our mission is simple: We want to inspire you to live your life with power and purpose.
We are in business to help our members transform their lives —we have
helped over 30,000 people (and counting!), and we are ready to help you
too!“
FARRELL’S eXtreme Body Shaping
If you show up to class and follow the plan, YOU WILL SEE RESULTS!
Guaranteed – or your money back.
Don’t miss the next session of classes – and get a banging beach body NOW!
Farrell’s eXtreme Body Shaping
821 W. Blackhawk Off Halsted, S. of North Ave.
312-624-9794
JOIN FXB.com
Civil Unions Burdened with Complex Illinois State Income Tax Rules
By Linu Thomas
Civil Unions became effective on June 1, 2011 in Illinois through the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.
Under this law, partners in a civil union must file a joint Illinois Income Tax returns as married couples beginning in January. Although, the Illinois Department of Revenue did not make it clear if they were going to accept joint returns when the law went into effect, it has now mandated them. Because partners in a same-sex civil union cannot file joint federal returns, they will have to take special steps this year to file their Illinois returns.
If you are an opposite-sex civil union and you and your partner are treated as spouses for federal income tax purposes, you have the option to file an Illinois state income tax return as married filing jointly or married filing separately just like any other married couple. This favorable filing status for federal purposes does not apply for same-sex civil unions. Because same-sex civil unions are not recognized under federal law, partners to a same-sex civil union are not permitted to file joint federal income tax returns or to claim tax breaks or protections that the federal government affords to married spouses.
For state purposes, Illinois allows same-sex civil unions to file a state income tax return either as married filing jointly or married filing separately, but the Illinois Department of Revenue does not make it easy for these couples to be compliant. In order to file either married filing jointly or married filing separately you must complete a “mock” federal return with the same filing status you picked for the state return. For example, if you and your same-sex partner choose to file a joint Illinois return, you must complete a federal “as-if-married-filing-jointly” return, for Illinois purposes only. Also, if you and your same-sex partner choose to file separate Illinois returns, you must complete federal “as-if-married filing separately” returns, for Illinois purposes only. It is very important that you do not send the “mock” federal return you prepared to the IRS. The “mock” returns will be used for Illinois purposes only. When completing your “mock” federal return please include all schedules and attachments, applying all the federal rules for the married filing status you choose. In addition, on the Illinois income tax return you must enter “as-if-married” federal information where Illinois requires federal information. The worst part of this process is that same-sex civil unions will not be allowed to properly file using electronic methods (E-File). Same-sex civil unions must file a paper return.
Special Situations
Special situations you may encounter while completing your federal “as-if-married” return for IL state income tax purposes only.
Earned Income Credit – You must compute your federal earned income credit using the income of both partners in order to properly calculate the correct amount for the state.
“As-if-Married-Filing-Separately” – If you choose this filing method for your “mock” federal return remember that you cannot claim an earned income credit or receive a federal deduction for student loan interest and higher education tuition.
Capital Losses – If you have a net capital loss this year or a net capital loss carryover to this year and offset it against your partner’s capital gain on a recomputed joint return, you may not carry your capital loss over to any other year, even if you file separately in that year or file a joint return with a different spouse.
Net-Operating Losses – If you have a federal net operating loss this year or a federal net operating loss carryback or carryover to this year and you use that loss to offset income of your partner on a recomputed joint return, you may not carry that loss to any other year, even if you file separately in that year or file a joint return with a different spouse.
Please refer to the Illinois Department of Revenue website for additional information on same-sex civil union tax filing procedures or call Provident Light Advisors at 866-256-9621 to schedule an appointment to discuss your return. Provident Light Advisors LLC provides accounting, tax, and consulting services. We are simple, honest, and affordable. Since we are a family owned business we treat our customers as members of our own family. No matter what the time of the day we are here to answer your accounting and tax questions. Provident Light Advisors is also a proud member of the Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Linu Thomas, Partner
Provident Light Advisors LLC
22 W. Washington Street Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 957-5751
Chicago Flower and Garden Show March 10-18
HORT COUTURE!
This isn’t your grandmother’s flower show! While it’s still “all about the plants,” there’s much more to do, see, learn and experience than ever before. With the theme, “Hort Couture,” more than 25 featured display gardens take their cues on style and beauty from the incredible designs, colors, textures and fabrics found in high-fashion couture garments. Visitors of all ages experience can-do takeaways and discover the latest color combinations in hundreds of floral varieties.
The Chicago Flower & Garden Show – nationally known for its extensive displays of inspiring gardens, exciting and educational plant combinations and motivating industry leadership – is more than an event. The show’s director and owner of its production company, Flower Show Productions, Inc. – Tony Abruscato, who is very active in the gay community – is a philanthropist, too. In 2011, the show’s preview event benefited Chicago Gateway Green and the Chicago Botanic Garden. Show organizers estimate total value of cash and plant donations in 2011 exceeded $100,000.
Who: Landscape Architects, Garden Builders, Plant Growers, Artists
What: Chicago Flower & Garden Show
When: Saturday, March 10 through Sunday, March 18, 2012
Times: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Preview Benefit ~ 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, March 9 ~ Tickets are $125 per person. Proceeds benefit local sustainable charities.
Where: Chicago’s Navy Pier
Why: Inspire, educate and motivate visitors of all ages by offering can-do, practical tips and ideas for beautifying and enhancing their gardens, patios, porches, decks, lawns and landscapes.
