Barack Obama Inaugural Ball

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

"Dreams From My Father" American Scholars Inaugural Ball

Join Fete and the American Scholars as we celebrate the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama.

Four Seasons Hotel, Georgetown
2800 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC

Date: January 18th, 2009
8 pm - 2 am

Featuring 1,500 of the most distinguished talents from academia, industry, and politics as well as several acclaimed celebrity guests in music and film.

High end cocktail reception, catered by the Four Seasons event staff;

Formal tributes to notable scholars, identified for their direct contributions to education;

Live musical performances and celebrity hosts;

Back Tie Attire

Tiered Ticket Pricing:
Graduate Level: $350 each
- General Admisson
- Limited open bar
- Commemorative Inaugural Gift

Doctorate Level: $550 each
- Complimentary tended bar service throughout the evening
- VIP amenities, including exclusive networking lounge, complimentary valet lounge and coat check
- Additional live performances and live band
- Commemorative Inagural Gift

To purchase tickets visit www.americanscholarsball.org. Reference Fete in the sponsor code section.

Labels: american scholars, barack obama, dc crenshaw, events, fete select tv, four seasons hotel, inaugural ball, washington dc

The Impossible Made Possible!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

It happened! I'm speechless, amazed, excited, elated, shocked and emotional. It's surreal that Barack Obama is our new President. Let me put this in perspective on how personal this is to me and many others who were there from the beginning over four years a go.

For those of you who have been a part of eFete for sometime, you know that we started on an improbable journey a while back. Many of you didn't know his name. In-fact, most couldn't pronounce his name. When Barack announced his run for the U.S. Senate no one gave him a chance. A State Senator with no name and no money. Friends that were connected politically told me that he wouldn't have a chance to win. Since I hadn't been involved in politics before, I didn't know what to expect. But I remember sitting down with Barack for lunch eight years a go discussing politics and our backgrounds and thinking that this guy was no ordinary politician. Therefore, I wasn't sold on what the experts had to say. In his headquarters downtown Chicago, with about 15 other folks, we discussed and planned his first fundraiser. His strategy and vision at that time was very clear and precise. He wanted to have a snowball effect on his campaign where folks would start to get excited about who he was and what he stood for. That momentum and excitement would then spill over to others, and so on, and so on. It worked and proved all of the naysayers wrong. He catapulted onto the national scene at the 2004 DNC and captivated a nation with that speech. I saw him the next week at the gym and said "Barack, that speech!". He said with a grin and a smile, "D.C. did you like that?" He inspired a nation and started something special. Many of you were there. It's personal!

Barack announced that he was running for President of the United States of America. Again, naysayers were asking, "What is he thinking?" Okay, he won the U.S. Illinois Senate, but President? Is America ready for a black President? Most folks didn't think so, but those of you that were there from the beginning knew better. His campaign strategy was no different from his run for the U.S. Senate. He inspired folks and got the snowball effect rolling. Americans understood who he was and what he stood for. Young folks got involved and people wanted a change. It wasn't about race it was about results. Everyone started to believe that "Yes We Can" and it made a difference. Barack was never about politics but about people. He is a man that cares about people that happens to be a politician. It was evident from my personal one-on-one interactions with him and during his campaign tour. It's personal!

We respect all Obama non-supporters and their differences on political views. But, whether you are an Obama supporter or not, you have to acknowledge his road and arrival to the White House was historic and unprecedented. The journey that started in homes like mine in Chicago that moved to large crowds in Missouri, North Carolina and Florida, inspired many and prompted a change. His message hit home with the majority and gave hope to the minority. It's personal!

Last night I stood in the middle of Grant Park with my arms folded reflecting on what this means. People were in the streets chanting "Yes We Can", "Yes We Can". It was surreal and the tears started to flow. So great for our country and the rest of the world. I can now tell my 3 month old son that the impossible is truly possible. I saw his vision from the beginning and many of you did also. My friend, Barack Obama, the next President of the United States of America. Yes, it's personal!

Labels: african americans, barack obama, bon v chicago, chicago politics, dc crenshaw, election 2008, fete select tv, first black president, president of the united states, presidential election

Barack Wins Sushi Battle

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

RA Sushi , the stylishly edgy sushi restaurant and bar, announced the winning roll from VOTE RA!, the taste test campaign for political pundits and sushi supporters held during the span of the Democratic and
Republican conventions.

With ballots collected from all three RA Sushi Illinois restaurants (Chicago, Glenview and Lombard), the Barack Attack defeated the McCain Terrain with 174 votes to 166 votes as the best tasting maki.

The roll created to embody the character, integrity and honor of Democratic nominee and Illinois Senator Barack Obama will be inaugurated onto the menu for $10, with $3 of every order benefiting Rock the Vote.

In honor of this culinary commemoration, RA Sushi and Rock the Vote will host registration events to encourage diners at each Chicagoland location to register to vote prior to Tuesday, Oct. 7, the last day to register in Illinois to be eligible to vote for the 2008 Presidential election.

BARACK ATTACK -Layered with smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber and artichoke rolled in rice and seaweed and topped with crunchy blue tempura bits, finished with a sweet eel sauce and wasabi mayo

EVENTS:

Thursday, Oct. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. -VOTE RA! registration event at RA Lombard

Friday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m.- VOTE RA! registration event at RA Glenview

Monday, Oct. 6 from 6 to 8p.m. -VOTE RA! registration event at RA Chicago and official check presentation to Rock the Vote

RA Sushi will also offer $6 Appletini and Cosmopolitan cocktails during the Rock The Vote registration events.

RA Sushi Chicago at1139 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

RA Sushi Lombard at310 Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL 60148

RA Sushi Glenview at2601 Aviator Ln., Glenview, IL 60026

Labels: barack obama, chicago, chicago restaurants, contests, dc crenshaw, fete chicago, fete select, fete select tv, john mccain, ra sushi, sushi

Barack Obama Fundraiser Featuring Chicago Fashion Designer Extraordinaire Maria Pinto

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Join fashion designer Maria Pinto at her Maria Pinto Boutique, as this is potentially Barack Obama's last Chicago appearance before the election. Come see Barack address his supporters at this fundraising event benefiting the Obama Victoty Fund.

Saturday, September 20th, 2008
3:00 - 5:00 PM

Maria Pinto Boutique
135 N Jefferson Street Chicago, IL

Register For Obama and Maria Pinto

Labels: barack obama, election 2008, fundraiser, maria pinto boutique, obama victory fund, presidential election

Obama vs. McCain Maki Roll Showdown

Monday, August 25, 2008

The political scene has been at the forefront for Chicagoans the past 18 months. My personal friend and Illinois Senator Barack Obama has taken the world by storm with his charisma and inspiring speeches that has won over hundreds of millions of people. John McCain is experienced, but is trying to change his perception of being old and out of touch with typical Americans. With the help of the media, You Tube and cyberspace nothing has been off limits when comparing and contrasting the Presidential candidates on policy, style, age, family, wealth, and now...um...sushi?

Yes folks, it's true. Now Obama and McCain will go "maki-to-maki" in a taste test at RA Sushi for the best maki roll. You will have a chance to vote for either the Obama roll or the McCain roll as the best political roll conceived by the RA Sushi chef.

The "Blue" Barack Attack Roll is layered with smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber and artichoke rolled in rice and seaweed and topped with crunchy blue tempura bits, finished with a sweet eel sauce and wasabi mayo.

The "Red" McCain Terrain Roll consists of spicy tuna, crab mix and cucumber rolled in rice and seaweed and topped with crunchy red tempura bits, finished with a sweet eel sauce and spicy mayo.

In a non biased taste test, I personally liked the McCain roll better, although I think that they could have come up with something better for Barack who represents more flavor than the roll that represents him. Nonetheless it was an interesting and enjoyable taste test.

During both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions starting Monday August 25th thru Sept 5th, you can taste and vote for your favorite Presidential roll on the Campaign Platter at RA Sushi for $10. A portion of the proceeds, $3 from every sale of the Campaign Platter, will benefit Rock The Vote. The winning candidates roll will be inaugurated onto the menu at all three Illinois RA Sushi restaurants starting on Friday, September 12 through Friday, Oct 3. Also diners will be able to register to vote at RA Sushi Chicago on Monday, Oct 6, as part of a Rock The Vote event that will be held there.

Check out RA Sushi at www.RAsushi.com for more information.

Labels: barack obama, chicago, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete chicago, fete select, john mccain, maki rolls, ra sushi, restaurants, sushi, taste test