Bears Quarterback Rex Grossman Challenges Chicagoans to First Snowball Throw of the Year

Starbucks Coffee Company: What: Bears Quarterback Rex Grossman will challenge Chicagoans to the first snowball throw of the year, celebrating the return of Starbucks holiday beverages. Participants will have the opportunity to throw snowballs through wreath targets, housed in a three-dimensional holiday-themed backdrop. Finalists will get a chance to go one-on-one in a snowball throwing contest with Rex Grossman. Winners will receive a signed football and other prizes. Date/Time: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 -- 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Location: 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago; (West end of Merchandise Mart driveway at Orleans Street and the Chicago River) Background: This event is part of Starbucks national holiday launch, including the return of the company’s iconic seasonal red cups, Christmas Blend coffee, and much-anticipated holiday beverages and merchandise. In keeping with the Starbucks holiday tradition, attendees will be invited to contribute to the WGN Neediest Kids Fund. Starbucks colorfully-clad Santa Brigade will be on hand to provide freshly brewed coffee, Starbucks cards and "Cheer Passes.” Starbucks "Cheer Passes” are small, individually numbered cards that fit in the palm of your hand, and while the size of the card itself may not be big, the cheer it represents could be huge! Cheer Passes not only remind recipients to pass on an act of kindness or holiday cheer to another person, but will also allow them to track their "chain of cheer” via Starbucks holiday Web site www.ItsRedAgain.com to see just how far one thoughtful gesture really can travel. Starbucks Coffee Company Through the dedication of our passionate partners (employees), Starbucks Coffee Company has transformed the way people in 37 countries enjoy their coffee, one cup at a time. Starbucks is the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world, with more than 12,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offering its customers the highest quality coffee and human connection through the Starbucks Experience, while striving to improve the social, environmental and economic well being of its partners, coffee farmers, countries of coffee origin, and the communities which it serves. Through Ethos Water, Starbucks demonstrates its long history of integrating a social conscience into all aspects of its business. The Company surprises and delights its customers by producing and selling bottled Starbucks Frappuccino® coffee drinks, Starbucks DoubleShot® espresso drink and Starbucks® superpremium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships, and Starbucks™ Coffee and Cream Liqueurs through a marketing and distribution agreement, in other convenient locations outside its retail operations. The Company’s brand portfolio includes superpremium Tazo® teas, Starbucks Hear Music™ compact discs, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia. These brands’ unique and innovative personalities allow Starbucks to appeal to a broad consumer base.