Did I throw you off with that headline? You’re thinking, Agent X, have you gone mad? This is the Who’s Who issue! Well, of course I know that, but if you’ve made it onto the Who’s Who list, then you’re someone who also knows what’s what in the real estate industry. The folks in these pages are dedicating their lives to the business and making a big ol’ impact. They know what’s up, and that’s why they get to be featured in a fancy issue with their mugs captured by a professional photog. Of course, this is all old hat for me, since I’ve been in the Who’s Who issue for longer than it’s existed. So let’s get into the gossip.
Tony Mattar and Haley Levine opened their own brokerage: HomeCo Chicago. It’s been open for about a month now, but who needs to buy advertising space when you can just send your clients and closest real estate pals HomeCo koozies to get the word out? I’ve lost count of all of the Insta posts featuring folks showing off their summer drinks kept cool via these wonders of beverage-keeping technology. In fact, I’m sipping on a chilled sangria right now, advertising for my competition. Oh well!
Also spotted on the social media feeds: Marlene Rosenstein and her daughter Dena Fox enjoyed a fabulous vacay in the south of France recently. Scouting for their own summer home, or looking into shooting an episode of “House Hunters International,” perhaps? Time to give Adrian Leeds a run for her euros!
I’m back on the party train, and so far, no embarrassing stumbles! At least none that I can remember. On June 25, I attended MREDpalooza at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. The event was from 9 to 4, and the invite promised that I would be amazed. Turns out, I was. However, I did not see a juggler on a unicycle as promised on the invite. Perhaps next year?
On June 27, I managed to hit up two events. First, Emily Santos held a broker open at the city’s most expensive rental. At $45,000 a month, the property did not disappoint. Later, I attended a moderated discussion at the South Shore Cultural Center. In case you didn’t know, this is where Barack Obama got married. I know this because a former editor of this very magazine had her wedding there, and she always reminds me of this fact. Anyway, the Chicago Bungalow Association hosted a chat moderated by Sarah Ware with writer Carlo Rotella about his new book on the South Shore and the Bungalow Belt. The discussion was fantastic, as was the dessert reception. Had to loosen my belt a bit after that one.
The rain may finally be drying up, so let’s give some shout-outs to these summer babies. Heather Gustafson will celebrate her birthday on July 8, while Kenneth Dooley and Julie Busby can party together on July 11. You better believe Janet Belieff will do some major celebrating on July 12, while Jim LaHa will have a laugh with Ilyce Glink and Jill Silverstein on their July 13th bdays. Debora McKay celebrates on July 14, while Matt Farrell, Sarah Leonard and Grace Sergio share a July 16th birthday. Erik Stegemann is on his own on July 18, but maybe he can meet up with Joe McBreen, Bruce Beddard, John Kmiecik and Garry Benson during their July 19th fun. Last — but never, ever least — Gail Spreen will get another year wiser on July 21.