BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID;X-RICAL-TZSOURCE=TZINFO:-//com.denhaven2/NONSGML ri_cal gem//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:&ldquo\;AN EVENING WITH THE STARS&rdquo\; OSCAR NIGHT GALA ON SUNDAY\, FEBRUARY 24\, 2013 TO BENEFIT AUTISM SPEAKS \nFEATURING WGN'S TED BRUNSON\, OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK&rsquo\;S PATTI VASQUEZ AND ABC's "19 0 NORTH" MARK NILSSON\nCHICAGO - On Sunday\, February 24\, 2013\, Autism Speaks is proud to announce the 5th Annual\, An Evening with the Stars Red Carpet Spectacular\, taking place at the InterContinental O&rsquo\;H are Hotel\, 5300 N. River Road in Rosemont\, Illinois. \;\nAn Evenin g with the Stars\, which raised over $150\,000 for autism research and a wareness last year\, will once again bring the glitz and glamour of Holl ywood to the Windy City this February\, featuring red carpet arrivals\, pre-show interviews broadcast live on the big screen\, and live and sile nt auctions with prizes ranging from dinner-theater packages to all-expe nse paid trips to Hollywood\, New York City\, and the Dominican Republic .\nAn Evening with the Stars is the only Oscar-themed fundraiser in Chic agoland to benefit children and families struggling with autism\, a neur ological disorder that affects 1 out of every 88 children. \; With t he glamorous backdrop of the 85th Annual Academy Awards broadcast\, all proceeds from this Hollywood themed fundraiser will benefit Autism Speak s\, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization\, dedi cated to funding research into the causes\, prevention\, treatments and a cure for autism.\nHosting this year&rsquo\;s event are ABC&rsquo\;s &l dquo\;190 North&rdquo\; Mark Nilsson\, Emmy award-winning host of WGN-TV 's Chicago's Best Ted Brunson and Chicago Comedienne/OWN Network star\, Patti Vasquez. Brunson and Vasquez both have a personal connection to au tism. \; \;\nGuests will also be treated to a very special multi -media segment featuring the stories of individuals on the autism spectr um as well as a special musical segment by Chicago recording artist Andr ew Salgado. The evening will culminate with the viewing of the 85th Annu al Academy Awards(R) telecast on multiple giant screens inside the Inter continental Ballroom. \;\nCo-Chairs Dan and Kerry Schlaack co-founde d this event with long-time autism advocate Teri Steinberg in 2006\, two years after their youngest son\, Henry\, was diagnosed with autism. Whe n asked about the 2013 benefit\, Schlaack commented\, "We are thrilled w ith the overwhelmingly positive response for this exciting evening benef iting those affected by autism and are touched by the tremendous support this fundraiser has received from the community\, the media\, an extrem ely dedicated committee\, and some of Chicago's own stars who are joinin g us on the red carpet on Oscar night!" \; \; \;\nJoining th e Schlaack&rsquo\;s this year are Co-Chairs Christine Swiderski and Shar i Gillespie\, who also have a personal\, family connection with Autism.\ nThe 2013 An Evening With the Stars aims to raise $170\,000. \; Tick ets begin at $200 for individuals and sponsorships at $1\,500 to $10\,00 0 for tables of 4 to 10 people. \; Premiere sponsorships include an all-inclusive evening starting at 5:30 pm with the special pre-show VIP reception as well as premier seating at the benefit. For more informatio n\, please call 224-567-8573 or visit www.eveningwiththestars.org.\nOthe r VIP guests scheduled to attend An Evening with the Stars include (in a lpha order\, at press time): \; Actor and personality Aaron Freeman\ ; Former Denver Broncos Cornerback\, Dave Blaha\; Former Washington Reds kins and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver\, Charlie Brown\; Former Chicago Bear\, Allan Ellis\; Former Chicago Bears tight end\, Brian Glasgow\; Fo rmer Chicago Bears running back Mark Greene\; Telemundo's Oscar Guzman\; Former Chicago Bears wide receiver\, Ike Hill\; Former Chicago Bear Joh n Janata\; Miss Illinois USA 2013\, Stacie Juris\; Former Chicago Bears wide receiver Glen Kozlowski\; Actor Joe Mantegna (via video)\; State Re presentative\, Karen May\; Former Minnesota Vikings tight end\, Marc May \; Grammy Award Winner &\; Co-Founder of Survivor &\; Ides of Marc h\, Jim Peterik\; WGN TV\, WGN Radio and Chicago Tribune entertainment r eporter Dean Richards (via video)\; Former Denver Broncos\, Dallas Cowbo ys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT\, Reggie Smith\; Former Buffalo Bills OT\ , Marques Sullivan\; Former Chicago Bears tight end Jim Thornton\; Forme r Atlanta Falcons\, Rams and Steelers running back\, Tim Tyrrell\; and F ormer Chicago Bears corner back\, Donnell Woolford.\nAbout Autism\nAutis m is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental br ain disorders &ndash\; autism spectrum disorders &ndash\; caused by a co mbination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are cha racterized\, in varying degrees\, by communication difficulties\, social and behavioral challenges\, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimat ed 1 in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum &ndash\; a 78 percent increase in six years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.\nAbout Autism Speaks\nAutism Speaks is the world&rsquo\;s lea ding autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to fundin g research into the causes\, prevention\, treatments and a cure for auti sm\; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders\; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Spea ks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright\, the grandpar ents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of G eneral Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Si nce its inception\, Autism Speaks has committed over $195 million to res earch and developing innovative resources for families. Each year Walk N ow for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 95 cities across North America. On the global front\, Autism Speaks has established partnershi ps and related activities in over 40 countries on 5 continents to foster international research\, services and awareness. To learn more about Au tism Speaks\, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.\nFor reservations and other information:\nAutism Speaks at 224-567-8573\neveningwiththestars.org URL:http://desplaines.patch.com/events/an-evening-with-the-stars-oscar-ni ght-gala-on-sunday-february-24-2013-to-benefit-autism-speaks SUMMARY:“AN EVENING WITH THE STARS” OSCAR NIGHT GALA ON SUNDAY\, FEBR UARY 24\, 2013 TO BENEFIT AUTISM SPEAKS LOCATION:InterContinental Chicago O'Hare: 5300 N River Rd\, Rosemont\, IL END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR