CHEERS TO THE CHILDREN

As summer has faded away, I have found myself looking for a new cocktail to replace the frosty beers and chilled margaritas I enjoyed all summer long (in moderation, of course). Lately is seems that regardless of red or white, this season wine is the word here at Zapwater Communications.

This fall The Abbey Resort in Fontana, WI will be hosting After the Crush Wine and Dine Series. Renowned chefs and vintners from around the globe will be visiting The Abbey Resort to share with guests their knowledge about cuisine and wine from different regions of the world. Italian, French, Spanish and even Pacific Northwestern wine and cuisine will be featured in this four-weekend series that starts on October 24th. In addition to the fabulous food and wine, guests can also take in the breathtaking foliage Lake Geneva is famous for.

If you can’t sneak away for a weekend retreat but still are looking for that perfect vintage, look no further than Chicago’s own Underground for Starlight Children’s Foundation Midwest’s third annual “Cheers to the Children” wine tasting event. Proceeds’ from the event, to be held on Thursday November 6th, will benefit Starlight’s mission in helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Guests will be able to mix and mingle as they sip and swirl a variety of wines and nibble on tasty hors d’oeuvres. Tickets for “Cheers to the Children” are available for $45 in advance though the Starlight Children’s Foundation Midwest website or, if available, $60 at the door.Both these events will not only help you to relax and enjoy fall, but also help you look a little wiser in the world of wine. Cheers!

Emma Richards
Intern

MS. GREEN

Having blogged about green fashion accessories this past Earth Day about our client Tivi, it’s only natural to talk about another earth-friendly client making a difference today.

Lynn McMahan, better know as Lynn S. Green, is a Chicago philanthropist who embodies the qualities of a passionate green goddess. Lynn not only serves as an expert on living in sustainable style, she is also an esteemed businesswoman and developer.
As the owner and president of Trinity Development, Lynn incorporates a 360 ° green program both in and out of her homes. The small yet significant footprints Trinity leaves on our planet truly fascinates me. Trinity uses local resources whenever possible, in turn reducing transportation and fuel costs and helping to support the local economy. It was also interesting to learn that indigenous trees and plants that are typically cut down or destroyed when making room for a building site are actually replanted and used in final landscaping. Trinity also donates unused construction items to charitable groups, like Habitat for Humanity, instead of filling dumpsters with large quantities of reusable items that eventually end up in our landfills.

From lipsticks to light bulbs, Ms. Green has paved the way for making the longevity of our future possible with her eco-ethics. Currently, Trinity is developing green homes in Cordillera and Vail, Colorado.

With Greenivale coming up next month, eco-friendliness is infiltrating our everyday activities. I learned from Lynn and Trinity Development that the three R’s are more powerful than ever (reuse, recycle and reduce...please).

Cassandra Mazur
Intern

CAN A PENNY DO ANYTHING? SURE IT CAN...

A penny can’t buy you much of anything these days. But did you know in Pakistan and Afghanistan it could buy a student a pencil? Yes, sure it can.

Following my last blog about the wonderful book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, I have been inspired to help Mr. Mortenson’s cause by setting up a jar here at the Zapwater office to help benefit his non-profit, Pennies for Peace.

The program uses money collected to build schools in the two previously mentioned countries and provide education in areas forgotten by the rest of the world. In researching more about the program, I came to learn that $600 dollars can pay a teachers salary for a year. I have set a goal to raise this amount at the Zapwater office in six months.

So next time you stop by Zapwater's headquarters, remember to bring a penny or ten; drop it in the jar and help change a child’s life forever.

John Delaney
Office & Special Projects Manager

GREEN GALA

Celebrating its seventeenth year, Green Tie Ball is now less than a month away!

The Zapwater team has been working behind-the-scenes since April on handling media relations for all the gala pre-events and is now getting the press excited to attend and cover the #1 charity event in the Windy City. The celebrated gala will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at Chicago Scenic Studios from 8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Located at 1315 N. North Branch St. (one block north of Division and North Branch), the venue is a 100,000 square foot enclosed warehouse space and benefits Chicago Gateway Green. This legendary fundraiser has set the standard for black-tie soirees attracting more than 3,000 attendees, featuring chefs from over 75 of Chicago’s top restaurants, premium bars, charitable gaming and entertainment. This year’s theme Greenivale—where “green” meets Carnivale—is an explosion of sights and sounds.


Tickets for Greenivale are still available. Individual gala tickets start at $150 and include access to the entertainment, premium bars, a charitable gaming tent, and tastings from dozens of Chicago’s top culinary kings. For the high-rollers, tickets for a reserved table seating for ten are priced at $5,000 and include cocktail service in the VIP area, $2,500 in charitable gaming chips in the Horseshoe Casino lounge, complimentary select spa services from Mario Tricoci Salon and Spa and much, much more. All Green Tie Ball XVII guests are also encouraged to purchase raffle tickets for $25 to enter to win onsite a Toyota Prius with a two-year lease, compliments of Chicago Northside Toyota, a member of the Bob Loquercio Auto Group.

I know where I'll be on Saturday, September 13th, experiencing THE green gala. Don't miss out, tickets for Greenivale are available through Tickets.com or at GreenTieBall.org.

Kiran Advani
Vice President, Lifestyle

72 HOURS, ZAPWATER STYLE

It’s not every week that you can start with an open house in the suburbs, followed by a Carnivale, topped off with a 2.0 grand opening event (complete with burlesque dancers) and then end the festivities by Dressing Up! Get ready, here we go!

Wednesday, July 16

3:00 pm
Our journey to Des Plaines to visit Feldco, Chicago’s own home renewal specialists, began in the late afternoon and was an hour and half reminder of why I live in the city, it only took that long to go 26 miles! In that time, we managed to wave at fellow drivers, call Allison’s grandma, watch planes land freakishly close at O’Hare and then some.

5:00 pm
Our task for the night was to host and staff a private reception for media and VIP’s, giving them a “behind the windows, siding and doors” look at the all-new Feldco showroom and headquarters.

8:30 pm
The night was a success, as drinks were poured (with one minor bartender finger injury) and RA Sushi was devoured, the crowd was truly impressed by the new Des Plaines facility.

Thursday, July 17

5:00 pm
Prepping for events entails a lot of work, including stuffing gift bags for guests. In preparation for a Friday afternoon/evening event at le Dress, I kidnapped our intern Ashley for a night of stuffing, staffing and dancing.

7:00 pm
After meticulously prepping 100 bags, we crossed over from Wicker Park to Bucktown for the Carnivale celebration at Akira. Proceeds from the door benefited Chicago Gateway Green, the non-profit organization dedicated to beautifying and greening Chicago, and served as the second of three pre-events for this years’ annual Green Tie Ball.

9:00 pm
A quick change and cab ride later, we found ourselves at Crimson Lounge, ready to participate in the Grand Opening 2.0 celebration. Scantily-clad burlesque dancers stole the stage and almost bared all (I was impressed!), and the Crimson Kitties made their debut dancing performance. Champagne, appetizers and DJ Kiss filled the night and I even had my own dance-off with one of my favorite DJ’s, Matt Roan!Friday, July 18

10:30 am
As the day begins with a totally crazy cabbie, what other kind is there really, I was ready to put the week to bed, but not before I “le Dress”ed it up at le Dress’s media event and official grand opening. The city’s newest dress-only boutique treated media and guests to champagne, wine, amazing truffles, cheeses and cupcakes (all from our great friend Rehanna at Chocolate Grape), toasting to the boutique’s success and walls of beautiful dresses. I myself felt a bit like Katherine Heigel, I tried on at least 27 dresses throughout the day!

7:30 pm
Equipped with two bottles of wine, I grabbed a cab and headed home, where I immediately toasted with my fiancé to a whirlwind 72 hours – Zapwater style!

Holly Ramsey
Publicist

GAME ON!

Chicago Gateway Green starts its countdown to Green Tie Ball XVII by teaming up with sponsor Horseshoe Casino to host a World Series of Poker Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday, June 11.

Famed gaming company Harrah’s Chicagoland casino, Horseshoe Casino, brings the Las Vegas ambience to Galleria Marchetti, located at 825 W. Erie St., for this special Chicago Gateway Green fund-raiser!


This pre-gala event features a $200 buy-in qualifying round to play to ten finalists. Each finalist will be awarded two gala tickets to the final round of play at Greenivale—where Carnivale meets “green” in an explosion of sight and sound. One lucky player will win a $10,000 seat at the 2009 World Series of Poker final in Las Vegas. Spectators are welcome to purchase tickets for $25 to watch the card sharks, enjoy the complimentary cocktails and culinary treats, as well as be on hand for some sensational surprises.

Retail boutique Akira will be upping the ante during the charitable gaming event for Chicago Gateway Green by presenting a “Vegas” themed runway show with fashions from designer lines from Betsey Johnson, Anna Sui, Ben Sherman, Just Cavalli, BCBG Max Azaria, and French Connection, just to name a few.

No prior experience necessary, just get in the game for a great cause!

EATING FOR A CAUSE

As if I need a reason to eat more Tunacado, my favorite entrée at RA Sushi! At least this week the money I spend on my sushi fix at RA is going to a great cause and while I scarf down yummy rolls and salty Edamame, I can at at least feel good about it.

This week, May 25-31, RA will host its fourth annual "Nicky's Week" fundraiser to benefit the renowned St. Jude Children's Hospital. 100% of the proceeds from sales of various food and beverage items will help the amazing efforts at St. Jude's to help treat and cure children with life-threatening illnesses.

The fundraiser was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient Nicky Maillard, who died in February 2005 after a long battle with brain cancer. A nephew of one of RA's founders, Nicky holds a special place in the hearts of many RA employees. Also, every year patients and families of the hospital visit a restaurant and share their stories with the staff.

RA has raised more than $150,000 for the national hospital and this year they hope to raise $100,000 more. This is an amazing cause and I hope to encourage anyone that loves sushi as much as me to come to RA next week and give a little back!

Annie Neyman
Senior Publicist

PAPER, PRINTS AND CHARITY INITIATIVE

Legion Paper is the largest distributor of Fine Art, Museum Mounting Board, Decorative and Digital Art Papers in North America. Legion prides itself on developing papers that meet the industry's highest standards of quality and is equally committed to establishing and maintaining relationships with esteemed artists. The company’s latest charitable initiative is a testament to both these missions and of personal meaning to its Southern California office.

In the wake of last year’s September 2007 wildfires in San Diego, we approached a handful of Legion's most devoted users and friends asking them to share their favorite California-themed landscape images.

After receiving great response, Legion sent paper to participating artists and compiled assortments of six California-themed prints in limited edition Moab Chinle Economy Folios. These four books are now being auctioned online through Ebay’s “Giving Works” with 100% of the proceeds donated to raise money for the Glendale, California San Diego Red Cross.

Participating artists include Barbara Bordnick, Chris Conrad, Jim Graham, Douglas Kirkland, Judith Monteferrante and Michael Zide.

While many of Zapwater client events are charity driven, this is a new and unique endeavor for the Legion Paper. Accordingly, on behalf of Legion, Zapwater invites you to click here for more information.