One of my favorite events is the World of Chocolate benefitting the Aids Foundation of Chicago. Not only is it really “sweet” fun (pun intended!) but the people who attend are all in 
full holiday-happy mode which makes it even more exciting! This year, 1,700 guests attended this ninth annual winter soiree to sample sweet and savory morsels from 26 of the city’s finest restaurants, chocolatiers and caterers. Held at the Hilton Chicago, 
this one-of-a-kind event commemorated World AIDS Day and raised more than $170,000 to support AFC and the fight against HIV/AIDS. Guests savored a variety of unusual and tasty treats including chocolate 
mashed potatoes, caramel sea salt truffles and red ribbon cookies. Booths sparkled spectacularly amidst holiday displays in a room draped by Tom Kehoe with the honorary color of 
the evening – red. The décor, which included gorgeous oversized lamps and round banquette seating, made the large ballroom seem like a cozy, charming living room. Local 
celebrity judges included Malika Ameen (“Top Chef: Just Desserts” contestant), Valerie Beck (president and founder of Chicago Chocolate Tours), Kathy Brock (WLS-TV, ABC anchor), Richard Dayhoff (nationally recognized fashion designer), Billy Dec (CEO and founder of Rockit Ranch Productions), Miss Foozie (irrepressible female impersonator), 
Jan Jeffcoat (WFLD-TV, FOX anchor), Steven Hamilton (celebrated food photog), Sarah Levy (Sarah’s Candies), Bill Pritchard (Sr. VP of Community Affairs for Chicago Pride), Loni Swain (WGCI-FM on-air personality), Fritz 
Knipschildt (guest of honor and world renowned chocolatier) and moi. Governor Pat Quinn was on hand as a guest of honor and promised to sign the civil union legislation into 
law after the first of the year causing the crowd to roar with cheers. Even mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel was there working the crowd, taking pics and shaking hands. During the 
event, guests enjoyed lively entertainment provided by DJ Mark Picchiotti, an elaborate buffet, champagne and cocktails. Many guests came dressed for fun wearing playful costume props including feather boas, cowboy hats and giant clown glasses. 
The judges awarded special vendors with awards in five categories: The Hot Chocolate Award for overall tastiest treat went to Terry’s Toffee, the Loco Cocoa Award for most creative use of chocolate was presented to the 
to the Peninsula Hotel for their creative winter ski chalet (the Pen also won the Chocoholic’s Dream Award for most visually enticing dish as well as the People’s Choice Award for guests’ overall favorite chocolatier). Some other highlights included Mama Picky’s whose family has been in the business 
since the ‘20s. They even grow their own pecans for their chocolates! Talbott Teas and Chocopologie by Knipschildt Chocolatiers were both named as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things while the Illinois Nut Company presented LGBT chocolate toppers. Another favorite of mine, Just Like 
The Service Club of Chicago, one of the oldest women’s charitable organizations in the city at 120 years old, held their annual Holiday Luncheon in 
over 200 guests attending and the holiday shopping offered some of the best gift ideas around. Vendors included Mary, Mary – who had the coolest ballerina ornaments (I bought two for 
friends) – among many other holiday delights. Tails in the City had the most adorable puppy wear! I bought two little, bitty red and green knitted scarves for Mickey and Rooney. And LuLu’s at the Belle Kay 
featured their always-gorgeous vintage jewelry selections. The luncheon committee, which included Hazel Barr, Jean Antoniou, Holly Barr, Cheryl Bollinger, Yvette Cusack 
and Stacie McClane outdid themselves this year and I hope we return to this magical spot again next year. Cheryl even created the whimsical snowman centerpieces on all of the tables—talk about an involved hands-on committee!!! Every guest brought a 
children’s book which was donated to the Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital. To find out more about all of the wonderful efforts of this organization, please visit www.serviceclubofchicago.org. (Additional pics by Steve Starr…to view ALL event pics, please click here!)
One of my very favorite magazines, Chicago, celebrated its 40th anniversary in grand style recently at the James Hotel. Over 450 friends 
came out on this snowy night to toast publisher/general manager Rich Gamble and editor Dick Babcock. Rich had this to say: “In 2004, we were the first city monthly ever to win a National Magazine Award for general 
excellence, tantamount to an Oscar in the magazine business. Our readers rewarded us with their loyalty: Chicago is the largest city monthly magazine in the United States.” Yeahhh! Familiar 
faces seen in the crowd included Sugar Rautbord, Greg Hyder, Amanda Puck and her cute boyfriend Jerome Weitzel, Amalie Drury, Laura Schwartz, Carmen Rivera and Chicago’s Natalie Sturgis and so many more. To see ALL of the fun party pics, please check out my Chicago Now page.
Here’s something worth planning ahead for: The Fifth Annual Signature event, “My Kind of Town,” will be held on Saturday, January 29th at the River East Art Center located at 435 E. Illinois St. from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. This chic cocktail party benefits the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation which is evolving into America’s #1 advocate for children and families battling pediatric cancer. This 
year alone, over 13,000 children will be diagnosed with this horrible disease. CEO/President Kathleen Casey started this much-needed organization when her son Bear was diagnosed at age three with the most curable form of pediatric cancer but, sadly, five and a half years later, he lost his courageous battle. His remarkable spirit gave birth to Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Over the last 18 years, Bear Necessities has funded over $3 million for critical research and support services. Tickets, which are $60 in advance and $75 at the door, can be purchased by calling Karen Roark at 312-214-1200, X29 or by e-mailing her at kroark@bearnecessisties.org. To learn more about this wonderful organization, please watch this short video.
The Old Town Triangle’s Annual Holiday Party was packed to the brim with neighbors who were entertained by the “Sounds of Sweetness,” which is Walter Payton College Prep High School’s male a 
cappella ensemble. Formed in 2001, they sang a number of joyous holiday tunes to a rapt audience and thanked event organizer Shirley Baugher for bringing them to our Old Town party. Guests enjoyed all manner of home-baked goods, caroling led by Jeff Weaver, crafts for 
the kids conducted by Amy Ewaldt and the beautiful artwork by Elizabeth Weber. The Sounds of Sweetness have performed all over the country and recently appeared on ABC 7 Morning News live from Christkindl Fest in Daley Plaza. If you live in Old Town and are not Triangle members, you can join by visiting www.OldTownTriangle.com and come join in our fun!
Auctioneer extraordinaire Leslie Hindman recently celebrated a birthday at her 100-acre farm, Fair 
Warning, in Bull Valley, Illinois. There were so many friends there to wish her well – including long-time friends Mary Lou Gorno and Mike Sneed who made the birthday toast – that we were 
spilling over into the magnificent barn where the sit-down dinner was held. Leslie had hired a delightful duo to perform some of her 
favorite songs from the ‘70s and it was a wonderful celebration for a terrific and well-loved friend. BTW, Leslie auctioned off a beautiful Norman Rockwell painting Sunday afternoon for a very tidy sum! Congrats and Happy Birthday, Leslie! We love YOU! (Click here for more pics from this fun night!)
This year, I am only buying Christmas gifts for my son Charley and my mother-in-law Jean. Chuck and I couldn’t squeeze another geegaw into our home so I 
think this is a wise and money-saving decision this year. However, I do have some recommendations for some delightful gifts if you are so inclined! One of my 
favorite shops – Mangel Florists – is located at the Drake Hotel. Mangel has been around forever but many don’t realize they have a packed gift shop as well as floral services! You feel like 
you’ve stumbled into Santa’s workshop there are so many visual delights! Even their windows are some of my very favorites in the city—sort of like mini Bergdorf Goodmans. Another favorite shop for gifts is the Joffrey Ballet’s gift shop. Their selections include Monskey Nutcracker dolls (“Bob” has just been named one of the top five holiday gifts this year by Time 
Out Chicago), jewelry boxes, ballet bears, Nutcracker pop-up books, ornaments, Joffrey logo clothing, note cards, mugs and photo albums to name 
a few. You can order online here. Greg Hyder told me about Brimfield, a store that opened recently at 5219 N. Clark in Andersonville. Owner Julie Fernstrom loves plaids, flannels and antiques so her shop is filled with wondrous things including vintage Christmas items! I hear it’s selling out fast though so you better pop in! Happy hunting! (View more fantastic holiday finds here.)
Well, that’s it for this week! I hope all of you and your loved ones are enjoying this magical holiday season. There is so much to see and do in Chicago now! Two of my favorites are the Zoo Lights Festival at the 
Lincoln Park Zoo and the Christkindl Market in Daley Plaza…maybe I will see you there! I will be wearing the oversized Santa hat! 🙂
Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com
P.S. Special thanks to writer Jessica Radloff and AOL’s City’s Best for naming me the “Unofficial Hostess of Chicago!” Thanks for this honor, Jessica and City’s Best! 🙂
