Monthly Archives: May 2016
GAY PROM in Boystown May 21st
PRIDE PROM–Righting the Rite
On Saturday, May 21st, (7-10pm) Boystown hosts the inaugural Pride Prom: a chance to rewrite history. Kicking off Pride Season, Pride Prom promises attendees a night full of music, drinks, and memories as they relive their Prom night with the date they have always wanted to ask. For many couples, Pride Prom offers a chance for redemption, either from their fashion faux pas from high school, or being able to create a memorable night in a welcoming environment, for others, it will be their first prom experience. Prom excitement is at a fevered pitch as attendee’s frequent local Boystown businesses to make sure they are ready for the big night.
Local business owners and community leaders Ramesh Ariyanyakam and Edward Gisiger of Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club shared their story with Northalsted Business Alliance, which reflects just one of the many heart warming and stories that have been shared while creating the ideal Pride Prom experience.
NBA: What were your prom experiences like?
R: I grew up in England! Prom is completely alien to me!
E: Gay couples were not permitted to go to Prom when I was in high school, so I decided to not attend at all. To be honest, I always picture the dance scene from Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion when I think of what prom would probably have looked like if I had gone.
NBA: When did the two of you meet?
E: We met 18 years ago at Circuit, and I remember it like it was yesterday. Ramesh approached me and asked “do you speak Spanish?” I replied, “si”, and we’ve been together ever sense. To this day, every time he asks me to do something I don’t want to do, I always reply “si”.
NBA: Why did you choose Boystown as the place to live and open your business?
R: We chose to live in Boystown because we wanted to be close to our friends. Opening up our business here seemed like a natural progression as we wanted to have an entertainment destination spot where you can enjoy a beautiful dinner and watch the world’s best divas. Boystown is the premier gay neighborhood in the Midwest, if not the world, so it made complete sense for us to establish our business here.
NBA: Besides Pride Prom, what would your ideal date night be like?
E: Of course, we would have dinner and drinks at Kit Kat while watching a fabulous show. After, we would head down to Yoshi’s Café for dessert, and then Roscoe’s Tavern for a little dancing.
NBA: In light of recent events, how important do you think it is for businesses to be accepting of LGBT people?
R: It is of vital importance. We are the leaders in the LGBT community and we have to lead with a positive example. Everyone is welcome at our business, LGBT or otherwise!
NBA: How important is it for local businesses to support and engage with the community?
E: Kit Kat has been around for over 15 years, and that has been our goal since the day we opened. We want to work with other businesses to create a space that is welcoming and entertaining for everyone, and to ensure that Northalsted remains a world class destination for its visitors. It’s one of the main reasons we spend a lot of time involved with beautification and security on behalf of the community.
Ramesh and Edward’s story is just one of the many that help make Pride Prom a truly special event for Boystown. With the support of 15 local businesses, Alderman James Cappleman as honorary co-chair, and many pillars of the community coming together to celebrate, Pride Prom will embody the sense of togetherness that the LGBT is known for.
tickets are available at www.northalsted.com. ($100 / includes complimentary beer and wine).
JOB POSTING Chicago
Job Posting:
Executive Assistant to Chemical Company President and CEO
Location: Chicago
Salary: $50,000
Hours/Week: 50 +
Benefits: Medical, 401K, Vacation
Number of Employees in Company: 40
Job Description: Reporting directly to the President and CEO, the Executive Assistant provides executive support in a one-on-one working relationship. The Executive Assistant serves as the primary point of contact The Executive Assistant must be creative and enjoy working within a small, entrepreneurial environment that is mission-driven, results-driven and community oriented. The ideal individual will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, with strong written and verbal communication, administrative, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Executive Support
- Completes a broad variety of administrative tasks for the President & CEO including: managing an extremely active calendar of appointments; completing expense reports;
Composing, and preparing correspondence that is sometimes confidential; arranging complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries, and agendas; and compiling documents for travel-related meetings.
- Plans, coordinates and ensures the CEO’s schedule is followed and respected. Provides “gatekeeper” and “gateway” role, creating win-win situations for direct access to the CEO’s time and office.
- Researches, prioritizes, and follows up on incoming issues and concerns addressed to the
President, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature. Determines appropriate course of action, referral, or response.
- Provides a bridge for smooth communication between the President’s office and internal departments; demonstrating leadership to maintain credibility, trust and support with senior management staff.
- Works closely and effectively with the CEO to keep him well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up appropriately. Acts as a “barometer,” having a sense for the issues taking place in the environment and keeping the President updated.
Education and Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), Adobe Acrobat, and Social Media web platforms.
Send Resume with References to:
BEST Summer Vacation Rentals
Beaches, boats, lighthouses, quaint shops, a variety of restaurants, and exciting nightlife awaits you as you enjoy one of our beautiful waterfront condos…
Majestic Getaways offers premier condo rentals in major locations throughout the Midwest;
including Saugatuck and Douglas Michigan. 140 miles from Chicago, these Small towns = BIG Fun! Visit the twin cities of Saugatuck and Douglas Michigan for a welcoming, casual atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the community. Lots of LGBTQ folks from the Midwest flock here to get away from the bigger city life to enjoy the small town feel and great outdoors. Grassy dunes, white sand beaches and quaint streets of shopping make these harbor towns the perfect getaway.
St Joe Michigan. St. Joseph is carefully nestled on the southern tip of what has been termed “The Riviera of the Midwest.” This deepwater port town is a growing resort community – part of a “small town” chain stretching from the state line in a spectacular arc along Lake Michigan. The lakeshore is peppered with remarkable sand dune formations and lined further inland with a lush countryside that produces some of the nation’s finest orchards and vineyards. It is the largest non-citrus fruit growing region in the nation.
Located just 90 miles from downtown Chicago, St. Joseph is a quaint community situated within the larger Benton Harbor/St. Joseph MSA.
South Haven Michigan. One of Michigan’s featured Beachtowns, South Haven defines resorting on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore with majestic vistas and dazzling sunsets.You’ll feel this rich heritage as you gaze over our 100-year old lighthouse -a welcoming beacon in an often turbulent world.
Sandusky Ohio. Sandusky is midway between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east. Thrill seekers will have no trouble getting their kicks in Sandusky, home to the world-renowned Cedar Point Amusement Park, boasting 17 roller coasters, plentiful children’s attractions and carousels.
Outside the park, the city entices travelers with its sandy white Erie shores, stunning coastal trails, mysterious Seneca Caverns and numerous refreshing water parks. The downtown waterfront boasts historic architecture, charming boutiques and unparalleled views over Lake Erie.
and Chicago Illinois – Besides Pizza, hot dogs, skyscrapers and world class shopping, Chicago is also known for it’s waterfront. Spanning Over 30 miles of beaches and waterfront that offer the perfect settings for playing, relaxing and soaking it all in. An 18 mile bike path, kayak rentals, dinner cruise on Lake Michigan it’s all here! And you can rent a place Downtown Chicago located in the heart of the city, overlooking the Chicago River!
WATERFRONT VACATION RENTALS by MAJESTIC GETAWAYS offers premier condo rentals! Visit their website for more details and photos. Call them at (269) 349-7700!
Hepatitis C on the Rise
Howard Brown Health Issues Statement on
Newly Released Hepatitis C Data from the CDC
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released preliminary data showing that hepatitis C–related deaths are at an all-time high in the United States. The data finds that more Americans now die as a result of hepatitis C infection than from 60 other infectious diseases reported to the CDC – including HIV, tuberculosis, and pneumococcal disease – combined.
In response, Dr. Magda Houlberg, Chief Clinical Officer for Howard Brown Health, release the following statement:
“Howard Brown Health has been working to increase the numbers of patients screened for hepatitis C (HCV) and to use the most up-to-date treatment approaches for the people we serve. The numbers released by the CDC are very concerning, especially considering risk factors prevalent in the LGBTQ and other communities. Howard Brown uses a unique, multidisciplinary approach to HCV screening and treatment, which includes screening in primary care and sexual health walk-in settings, nurse education, case management, and pharmacy support. With aggressive screening and a robust approach to treatment, we can decrease these numbers in the future.”
In 2015, Howard Brown Health screened 5,743 unique patients for HCV, with a positivity rate of 2.5%. Also in 2015, an HCV project team was formed, meeting weekly to review patients on treatment, or in queue for, treatment. All Howard Brown physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants participate in a training for community-based medical providers in effectively treating HCV in the primary care setting.
In 2015 Howard Brown’s HCV team served 192 patients living with active HCV, and cured 44 patients.
Factors that contribute to the spread of HCV include lack of access to healthcare, stigma, lack of availability of sterile needles and syringes for hormone treatment, outdated views, lack of available sterile needles and syringes for people who inject drugs, barriers to education and screening, sexual transmission, and poor insurance coverage.
Dr. Houlberg added, “We encourage people concerned about possible HCV infection or who need guidance exploring treatment options to consult medical experts.”
Howard Brown’s Walk-in Clinic offers access to screening on a sliding-scale fee structure six-days a week. Hours and other information are posted at howardbrown.org. Patients may also consult their provider on an appointment basis. Call 773-388-1600 to schedule an appointment.
Cinco De Mayo Boystown
4 days of CINCO DE MAYO events in Boystown
@ El Mariachi 3906 Broadway!
Proud Supporters of the LGBTQ Community!
Visit all of their locations…