a chicago thing http://www.billydec.com/blog chicago culture, celebrity, arts, & entertainment with billy dec Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:32:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc billydecbloghttp://feedburner.google.com NYFD Running To Remember 9/11 Through Chicago Today! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/billydecblog/~3/xcuwSWUbcz8/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/nyfd-running-to-remember-911-through-chicago-today/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:04:13 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=3500

The New York Fire Department is running cross-country in remembrance of the victims of September 11th. This “tour of duty” started in Los Angeles on August 12 at 8:46am when the first plane struck. They will run a total of 4,600 miles stopping in Las Vegas, Oklahoma, New Orleans, Chicago, Washington DC,.. ending the run on September 11th in New York as a symbolic gesture and commitment to peace & an opportunity to acknowledge emergency services globally. They are actually in Chicago today- so if get a chance, watch & support them for this great tribute!

Below is an excerpt from their page for why they run- truly an inspiration for all.

“We run to remember them. First and foremost this is our purpose and intent, to honor their sacrifice, respect their courage, and appreciate their commitment to service and devotion to duty. To remember them and their humanity. We also begin this journey with an understanding that so many people have suffered and are suffering to this day, the survivors, the loved ones left behind, the workers involved in reclaiming the World Trade Centre Site, the families, friends and co workers of the passengers and crews of the American Airlines and United Airlines Flights, the emotional and physical scars of this attack are devastating and potentially far more reaching than we can imagine. It has changed our world, irreversibly, forever. It is our duty to remember what happened on September 11 and reinforce all that is good about humanity.”

Every day, people risk their lives to protect us, so we can all live a better life. For this, I am truly grateful. More info on the organization and their schedules routes can be found on www.tourofdutyrun.com

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/nyfd-running-to-remember-911-through-chicago-today/feed/ 0 http://www.billydec.com/blog/nyfd-running-to-remember-911-through-chicago-today/ My handmade custom hats from chicago’s optimo http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/billydecblog/~3/umeF_K0moQE/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/my-handmade-custom-hats-from-chicago%e2%80%99s-optimo/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:51:30 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=3494

meet the man that has made custom handmade hats for Johnny depp, tom hanks, buddy guy, paul newman, Bernie mac, andy Garcia & many many more classic hat lovers like me! his name is graham Thompson of optimo hats on the south side of chicago and if you check this behind the scenes video I randomly did w/him, you will be as fascinated & hooked as I am!

You can tell his way of customizing handmade hats is a scarce art, a deep passion that is super special, and deserves the worldwide respect he gets for his craft & product… It’s all just an honor to have him based out of the windy city, where we have a long history of rocking killer custom hats! When you do visit his hometown gem of a shop, graham & crew will walk you through picking the finest materials helping to custom design your hat to compliment your head and face, posture, and style… I highly recommend it for yourself or giving the gift of the experience to a friend or family member who would dig it. For more info visit www.optimohats.com or call 773.238.2999 and tell them you got my shoutout! You should also hit up their store September 9th for their 1st ever Hat Event from 6-9pm!

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/my-handmade-custom-hats-from-chicago%e2%80%99s-optimo/feed/ 0 http://www.billydec.com/blog/my-handmade-custom-hats-from-chicago%e2%80%99s-optimo/ Chicago White Sox Salsa and Stars with Ozzie Guillen and Friends http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/billydecblog/~3/wWFm2CHAw9U/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/chicago-white-sox-salsa-and-stars-with-ozzie-guillen-and-friends/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:49:45 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=3489

Here’s a great pic of me & chicago white sox coach ozzie guillen just seconds before I was asked to throw out the 1st pitch at a big game in front of tens of thousands of ppl last month. Man ozzie heckled the heck out of me (I still threw a strike!), and is all the strong, demanding, outspoken character you hear about & more!

There is a softer side to ozzie though that most don’t know about.  take his event he is hosting “Salsa and Stars with Ozzie Guillen & Friends” – a great upcoming fundraising event to raise money for families and children in crisis. It will be hosted by the Ozzie Guillen Foundation and Chicago White Sox Charities and will feature a salsa jam session with ruben blads, tito nieves, Gilberto santa rosa and ocho y mas.  Guests will also enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvers, and get amazing deals on a killer silent auction.

The event will take place at 6:30p on Monday, September 13th at the River East Arts Center and tickets are available at whitesox.com/community or by calling 312.674.5387! Spread & support!

The Ozzie Guillen foundation, founded by Guillen and his wife, is one of the most trusted organizations in Venezuela and helps improve the lives of children and their families affected by cancer.  It has also expanded to support foster children and educational opportunities for the underserved.

Chicago White Sox Charities provides support to Chicago-based organizations offering support in education, athletics, and families in crisis.  CWSC has donated millions since it was established in 1990 and strives to improve the quality of life for the people in Chicago.

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/chicago-white-sox-salsa-and-stars-with-ozzie-guillen-and-friends/feed/ 0 http://www.billydec.com/blog/chicago-white-sox-salsa-and-stars-with-ozzie-guillen-and-friends/ All my pics from South Africa, Namibia, Safari, Great White Shark Diving, Sandboarding…& more! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/billydecblog/~3/sZj9_Twtwok/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/all-my-pics-from-south-africa-namibia-safari-great-white-shark-diving-sandboarding-more-2/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:31:01 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=3036


Those of you who follow me on twitter & facebook got to see some amazing pics in real time on my recent African adventure and I appreciate all your raving reviews!  For those who didn’t follow me (you really should click and follow now to stop missing out), I included a bunch here as people keep asking for more!

This trip was so amazing that I am going to let the pics speak for themselves… and click to see videos of me great white shark diving, on safari, eating with andrew Zimmern of travel channel’s bizarre foods, biking thru a game reserve & sandboarding down Namibian dunes… and give a big thanks to wendy Conlan who planned my trip along with ker & downey, one & only capetown, kapama, andrew zimmern… and everyone else who made it unforgettable! Thank you!

]]> http://www.billydec.com/blog/all-my-pics-from-south-africa-namibia-safari-great-white-shark-diving-sandboarding-more-2/feed/ 0 http://www.billydec.com/blog/all-my-pics-from-south-africa-namibia-safari-great-white-shark-diving-sandboarding-more-2/ Walking/biking thru safari & sandboarding down dunes in Namibia http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/billydecblog/~3/A4le0GOCMBE/ http://www.billydec.com/blog/walkingbiking-thru-safari-sandboarding-down-dunes-in-namibia/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:09:21 +0000 billydec http://www.billydec.com/blog/?p=3070

This video is kind of hilarious of me in Namibia last week getting out of my safari truck to walk around with animals.. and even take it a step further to mountain bike through the game reserve too!  Then it cuts right to me on top of huge sand dunes in swakupmond on the west coast of dessert Namibia snowboarding down and wiping out… such a nerd I know… enjoy!

Click to see video of me great white shark cage diving, eating with andrew Zimmern of travel channels’ bizarre foods, running into all my fav animals on safari in kruger park south Africa, or click to see all my africa pictures…

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