Pencil This In

The listed events were chosen by the editors of Chicagoist and brought to you by the
2009 Toyota Corolla.

Book Signing, Kicking, Screaming and Swearing
We mentioned this event in last week's Quick Bites installment but it's absolutely worth repeating. Celebrity chef/enfant terrible Gordon Ramsay will be making an appearance at the Macy's on State location of Barbara's Bookstore today from 1-3 p.m. to sign copies of his new book, Gordon Ramsay's Fast Food. We're also hoping that the "Kitchen Nightmares" cameras are in tow, since the Macy's food court has been shut down by the Health Department in the past year for violations. It'd be interesting to see what Ramsay could unearth in a half-hour.

Ramsay will only be signing copies of the book purchased at Barbara's.

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
Jerry Springer, crooner? Damn right. He is a renaissance man, you know? This evening Springer's leaving the black lesbian Nazi bikers for Christ who love midget furries at NBC Tower and fronting a jazz trio at a special one-night concert at McCormick & Schmick's to benefit the Park School in Evanston, which assists mentally and physically challenged students. Springer's daughter Katie works at Park School, so there's your immediate connection. No word on whether Steve Wilkos will be heading crowd control. The concert will be followed by a silent auction.

41 E. Chestnut, 7-9 p.m., $25 suggested donation.

ICE CREAM!!!
The weather may not be cooperating, but today is the 30th birthday of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. To celebrate, their locations in Oak Park, Evanston, Navy Pier and Glenview are giving away free ice cream cones. Our current favorite flavor? Willie Nelson's Country Peach Cobbler.

Baking Lessons
Head to Pastoral's Lakeview location this evening, where Jory Downer, the genius behind Bennison's Bakery - Pastoral sells Bennison's offerings - will be sharing some of his techniques with interested parties from 7:30-9 p.m. The cost is $40 and you'll need to RSVP.

2945 N. Broadway