Here’s To Harry!

March 2nd, 2010

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Harry Caray is one of Chicago’s all time biggest names. From catch phrases like ”Holy cow!” to his successful streamline of restaurants across the city, this man’s existence deserves to be celebrated everyday. Fortunately, on March 1st, 2010, the date that would have marked Harry’s 96th birthday, fans and celebrities across the country gathered to remember the late Harry Caray and salute him in a toast to honor his legacy.

With the grand opening of Harry’s newest restaurant on Navy Pier, events got going as early as 5am! The day’s activities included 96 cent farris wheel rides, a spring training rally, an amazing fireworks display and most impressively, the unveiling of Harry’s Chicago Sports Museum where several influential pieces of Chicago’s sports history are displayed, including Harry’s signature eyeglasses.

As the evening progressed, several celebrities and restaurant investors gathered at the venue to pay their respects and engage in Harry’s toast. The Boots Girls got the pleasure to sit down with former Harry Caray employee and esteemed actor, James Denton, known best for his role on ABC’s Desperate Housewives. James was pleasantly down-to-earth and absolutely charming. We were instantly impressed!

When James was 30-years-old he moved to Chicago to pursue a dream in acting. With unpaid theater gigs in small venues, it was hard for him to maintain financial stability, but he wasn’t willing to give up. As James says now, ”Harry kept me alive.” Harry offered James a job at the Italian Steakhouse on Kinzie where he remained a loyal employee for over three years.

When offered the opportunity to become an investor in the restaurant, James was elated! ”I was real happy they called me!” he exclaimed! ”They could’ve had just about anyone involved because the restaurant is so successful and they were pretty selective with who they let in the group. I was very flattered and happy they chose me because it truly is a full circle story.”

Obviously Harry’s is equally as impressed to have a name like James representing their venue, as he earned his very own display case in the restaurant’s museum. Displayed in glass are signed memorabilia, but most incredibly, forgotten pay checks from back in the day when James was an employee earning less that eighteen dollars a stub.

James admitted, ”I don’t really have the kind of money to be a restaurateur but we scraped it up and found a way to get involved because this place is great. The concept is great.”

Getting outside the realm of baseball, we were able to chat with James about the recent volunteer work he’s been doing, and how he is so motivated to dedicate so much time towards philanthropy.

First off is James’ band Band From TV who within the year, has earned over $3 million! “The band is going great. We donate to over 30 different charities and let’s be honest, it’s a bunch of middle-aged guys pretending to be rock stars. We started out five years ago to play one gig, but just realized it was such a great charity event. The guys are truly great about it.”

Some upcoming gigs include, a Casino at Niagara Falls, and most impressively, ”a tiny gig for a guy whose daughter needs surgery and he can’t afford it. We’ll show up, play a set for however many dozen people show up and he’ll keep the money.” Wow, if that doesn’t melt your heart then we don’t know what will!

Other recent projects where you can catch James are his work with Disney’s “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day Program” where he helps the Muppets build a house, as well as his Orange County minor league baseball team, his endlessly successful work with Desperate Housewives and finally, an upcoming flick called Damaged Goods.

It was truly an honor to meet and chat with a man who has everything going for him, most impressively, a humbled approach to an extravagant lifestyle. Other celebs who graced Harry’s party included Richard Roeper, Harold Ramis, Bobby Hull, and even, Ronnie Woo Woo! Together, the big names, and biggest fans gathered to remember a man whose enthusiasm lives on, by singing his praises in a toast to Harry’s seventh inning stretch solo, ”Take me Out to the Ball Game.”

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The Ultimate Chicago Celebrity Sighting!

November 14th, 2008

The Cubs season may be over, but that doesn’t mean their no. 1 fan goes into hibernation. Ronnie Woo Woo was just spotted at the Halsted Street and North Avenue CTA stop wearing his only outfit: his full Cubs jersey! However, today his outfit had a twist. It read “Obama O8″ on the back.

The Boots Girls know all too well about Woo Woo’s love for Barack Obama. Click HERE to watch him passionately tell us and Jerry O’Connell about his pick for president at a Chicago Starbucks a few months ago! LOL!

He told us then that Obama told him that if he got to the White House, Woo Woo would get an invitation to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Can you imagine Ronnie Woo Woo rockin’ out in the Lincoln Bedroom? HA!

Opening Day Today For Cubs & WooLife!

March 31st, 2008

Woo! Woo!

In honor of opening day here today in Chicago at Wrigley Field, we wanted to post the trailer for a movie titled WooLife about the life of our very special friend and loyal Cubs fan Ronnie Woo Woo.

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We recently captured video of Jerry O’Connell meeting Woo Woo at Starbucks.

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The video is available today and you can buy the DVD at a WooLife.com or at Wrigleyville Sports across from Wrigley Field. A donation of $5 dollars is made to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.

Ronnie Woo WOOS Jerry O’Connell At Chicago Starbucks! LOL!

February 26th, 2008

OMG!

Chicago legend and unofficial Cubs mascot Ronnie Woo Woo brought some sunshine into The Boots Girls’ otherwise rainy Monday afternoon yesterday by chilling with us at Starbucks.

(FYI: For you non-Chicagoans, Woo Woo never misses a Cubs game and proudly wears his Cubs jersey 24/7 as you can see in the video and photo!)

Then Jerry O’Connell walked in. Since O’Connell is currently filming in the Windy City, we felt obligated to introduce him to one of our city’s most beloved icons!

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O’Connell pleasantly surprised us, because he’d heard of Woo Woo before. Despite our rowdy Woo Woo ambush, he could not have been cooler or nicer as you can see in the video. Definitely check it out - it’s hilarious!

Ronnie Woo Woo’s 2008 Cubs Predictions

February 26th, 2008

Before the Jerry O’Connell storm hit Starbucks, The Boots Girls were having a nice chat with Ronnie Woo Woo over some hot chocolate and coffee.

Woo Woo filled us in on his 2008 Cubs predictions and his big plans to head down to Arizona for spring training.

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