Happy Monday,
Lian and I went to Washington School’s Ghouls Night Out on Friday in costume (she was London Tipton - an heiress on Disney channel much like Paris Hilton - and I was a witch); and Lian graduated to the next level in her swimming lessons at the Community Center! Plus, she had her first strings concert last week at school where she played the violin.
Last Wednesday was the 6th week of the Citizen’s Police Academy. Chamber member, Dr. Kenney, who is a pediatric dentist is also a forensic dentist who gets called out to identify victims of plane crashes. He had interesting stories and gruesome pictures.
It’s this Thursday, October 30. Our Business After Hours monthly networking event will be held at Central Baptist Village from 5 to 7 p.m. CBV is at 4747 N. Canfield Road in Norridge. Food & Beverages provided. Check them out at:
www.cbvillage.org Thank you for hosting this month’s Business After Hours networking event!
Please rsvp to the Chamber. Take advantage of these networking events that are included in your Chamber membership!
Our Women in Business networking event at Dominic’s Kitchen Store last Wednesday was fun! We had almost 30 attend. Chef Matt Zagorski was entertaining while he demonstrated a few dishes that we all enjoyed consuming! Dominic offered a 20% discount and it looked like just about everyone bought something!
Thanks to Dominic Cimilluca for hosting; Chef Matt for the demonstration; WIB Co-Chairs Marta Hoover, Copy Set Center, and Karen Larsen, Order My Gift. Marta donated the wine which was purchased from Chamber member Wine Styles. The sandwich wraps were made by Chamber member Applauze Catering. Karen donated the desserts! It was a great event and there was lots of networking going on besides shopping and eating!
Also last week was the Kidwinks.com Ribbon Cutting with about 20 in attendance! Jean Lemke and Nina Taluc did a lovely job with the website and it was demonstrated at the ribbon cutting. They also had a beautiful banner made. All on the Road catered the event and Wine Styles donated a wine tasting for 10 as a raffle prize which Jim Cone, WSI - We Simplify the Internet, won! I love how our members work together to support each other!
The Business to Business Expo & Taste last week was wonderful! I was gratified to see so many of our Chamber members in attendance. The exhibitors told me they thought it was worthwhile – I hope it increases your business tenfold! Thank you to exhibitors from our chamber:
• Bath Fitter
• Citywide Printing
• Commerce Group Service/Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Harris N.A.
• Liberty Bank for Savings
• The Bethany Terrace…A Health & Rehabilitation Center
• Titan Worldwide
Plans are underway for Winterfest 2008, November 28, Friday after Thanksgiving.
The Chamber is taking a lead role in the organizing, planning, funding of Winterfest. I know you get lots of requests for donation dollars especially going into the holiday season. But this is a Park Ridge tradition that our community not only enjoys and expects but really needs – especially this year. People are sticking closer to home and we want their shopping dollars to stay in the community. Please consider donating for this one day event in any amount. Check out the website www.parkridgewinterfest.com for the donation form. We’ll even take credit card and Paypal.com donations.
The buses are $1,100 each and we’ve ordered 3 of them. South Park Merchants and the City committed funds for the event but we need so much more. It costs about $5 - $6K to put on this event so I could really use your help.
Going on now! Bring in receipts from Chamber members totaling $500 or more and you will be entered into a drawing to win $200 in Chamber gift certificates! (2 at $100)
For a current list of Chamber members, go to www.parkridgeChamber.org and click on ‘Business Directory’. We’ve had almost 60 new members join since the Community Guide was published so checking online is the most accurate way to see who is a member (and who isn’t!). Maybe we’ll get more members out of this campaign!
Would you like to serve on the Board of Directors for the Chamber? You can nominate yourself or someone else. You can email info@parkridgechamber.org or go to our website to download it. Every year, 6 terms are up and 6 need to be voted onto the board. 12 total directors with staggered terms.
Park Ridge’s brightest stars will shine on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 at the 73rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Recognition and Installation Dinner at the Park Ridge Country Club. The winners of the Community Star Awards will be honored that evening.
In addition, the 2009 Board of Directors including the new President will be installed.
The Chamber will recognize outstanding citizens, officials, and volunteers with a Community Star Award. All Park Ridge-based companies and organizations are invited to submit nominations in any of the award categories. Information is being sent to all Chamber members and organizations in Park Ridge in early October and will be available on the Chamber website www.parkridgechamber.org around the same time. Nominations are due not later than Dec. 12.
This annual dinner event is shaping up to be as successful as ever, but the Chamber is still seeking financial support by offering a number of opportunities for businesses to promote themselves at the event with a range of sponsorships and donations of auction items. Program book ads are also available. Contact the Chamber office or visit the website for details.
Sponsors and prize donors to date include Timber Lake Lodge & Water Park, 2009 Chicago & Midwest Wine Show, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Liberty Bank for Savings, Dominic’s Kitchen Store, and others.
The event starts at 6 p.m. with cocktails. Dinner is served at 7 p.m. followed by the installation and award ceremonies. For tickets or additional information, please contact the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce office at 847-825-3121 or visit www.parkridgechamber.org.
The Planning Committee consists of:
David Schmidt; Dick Barton; Donald A. Sebastian, Jr.; Jackie Mathews; Karen Anderson; Marta Hoover; Chris Valentine; Valerie Niskanen.
We’re also looking for silent auction & raffle items. So far, we have the following commitments:
Pioneer Press Ad
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark at Grand Geneva
Journal Newspaper Ad
Stacy, hairdresser (certificates to come)
Dominic's Kitchen Store
Do you know about our Greeter Box program? The special needs students at Maine East High School assemble the boxes for the Chamber that go out to all the new residents. In the first year, 500 boxes were sent out. We originally charged $250 for each participant stating it was the introductory rate and would go up to $400 during year 2. However, we are going to raise it only to $275 and only because there was a postage rate increase. Each box costs over $5 to deliver but for your business to reach every new resident, it costs you only 55 cents per box ($275 annual cost divided by 500 boxes sent out). These firms currently participate and we can include a few more so if you’re interested, please let me know:
1 Advanced Physical Therapy
2 Albar Products
3 Brickton Montessori School
4 Central Baptist Village
5 Chiropractic Physicians of Park Ridge
6 Davis & Engert
7 Dental Auxiliary Placement Service
8 Dominic's Kitchen Store
9 Duraclean Services
10 First Chicago Bank & Trust
11 First United Methodist Church
12 Gartner Orthodontics
13 Home Comfort Heating
14 John Kenney DDS
15 Kiko's Flowers
16 Liberty Bank
17 Lutheran General Children’s Day Care
18 MB Financial Bank
19 McGarry's Auto Repair
20 Messiah Lutheran Church
21 Midwest Palliative & Hospice Care
22 PACES (Parent And Child Education & Support)
23 Park Ridge Chiropractic Center
24 Park Ridge Garden Club
25 Park Ridge Public Library
26 Perry's Pizzaria & Catering
27 Regus Business Center
28 Ridge Family Physicians
29 St Andrews Lutheran Church
30 St Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
31 St Matthew Center for Health
32 State Farm Insurance & Financial Services – Ann Witek
33 Tripilates
34 Y-Tech Heating & Cooling
35 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Members I visited last week:
Dominic's Kitchen Store
Wine Styles
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Park Ridge Sav A Lot
XO Glow
Kidwinks.com
Park Ridge City Hall
Park Ridge Public Works
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Park Ridge Park District
A Sterling Design – Diddy Blyth
Prospective members visited:
Sarena Optical
Oberweis Dairy
Marriott SpringHill Suites
Check out the new Chamber Blog. Simply post your comments. www.parkridgechamber.blogspot.com
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Lutheran General Children’s Hospital Benefit:
On Saturday, November 8, Robert Lord Builders, Inc. will host an exciting day of charity events to include; celebrity appearance by Dan Hampton of the Chicago Bears, the ultimate green expo, organic wine tastings and much more. The event will be held at the nationally award winning, and internationally reported “First In The World Ultimate Green Home”, in St. Charles, Illinois. The luxury “green” estate features one of a kind craftsmanship noted to be the most environmentally friendly residence in the Chicagoland area. This home is not only the ultimate “green” home, it is the ultimate “dream” home! Be one of the first to tour this home that has created history, set the standards for architectural design and has taken the steps in forever changing the world. Ticket price is only $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
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The Men’s & Women’s Association of Lutheran General Hospital Proudly Presents a Folk Music Tribute
Music By The “CHOIRBOYS” Folk Revival Trio. Hear them at www.thechoirboys.net Music featuring the sounds of… The Kingston Trio; The Chad Mitchell Trio; Peter Paul & Mary; The Limeliters; & others. Saturday, November 15, 2008 7:30 p.m. Lutheran General Hospital Olson Auditorium. Tickets are $20.00. Refreshments will be available. To purchase tickets contact Elsa Rivera-Araujo at (847) 723-6105. All proceeds will benefit Lutheran General Hospital special projects. FREE PARKING
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D64 Elementary Learning Foundation (ELF): “Oceans 64” Casino Night which raised nearly $40,000 to fund innovative education will be held on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Beau Jolie Banquets in Schiller Park. The Elementary Learning Foundation was established in 1994 as an independent, not for profit 501-C3 organization. ELF has awarded nearly $500,000 to fund over 150 programs & initiatives. You can help in many ways through donations (a donated item or gift certificate for our silent/live auction), sponsorships (gaming tables, food, entertainment, valet parking, printing, etc.) or underwriting. The sponsorship levels are as follows: $1000, $500 and $250. 100% of funds raised from this event will support grant programs and District 64’s 4,000 students.
Brickton Art Center: On Saturday November 8, 2008, presents third Art Evolution event featuring artwork created live in their gallery by local artists to the rhythms of great music. 7- 9pm Enjoy friends, refreshments and music while you experience the creative process first hand. Featured artists include Aviva Alter, Alan Lerner, Nancy Rosen, Emily Rutledge, Johanna Silva and more. A selection of artwork will be available for purchase and auction. Tickets are $20 which include wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres from All on the Road Catering. You must be 21 and over to attend this event.
Academic Tutoring Centers is proud to announce the publication of their ACT prep guide called ACT SUCCESS. It is the winning combination for students looking to increase scores and increase potential scholarship dollars. Next to a student’s GPA, the ACT exam is the most important factor in determining college admission. Most families do not know that less than 1% of all full ride scholarship money is awarded to athletes! That means the other 99% of all scholarship money is based on other factors - such as ACT scores! Year after year, Academic Tutoring Centers has families report that they saved thousands of dollars per year in tuition simply because their child’s ACT score went up after prepping with Academic Tutoring Centers. ACT prep season is here and registration has started. If you have a high school junior, don’t delay; contact Academic Tutoring Centers today! For further information please call 847-823-5300 or visit www.academictutoringcenters.com.
The students of Lynnette's School of Dance have been hosting a baby shower for the children of Hogar del Pobre orphanage in Celeya, Mexico. Lynnette's daughter who is now 16 years was adopted from the orphanage when she was 6 months old. The collection of baby clothes has been a huge success. If any chamber member would like to donate clothes or a monetary gift, it is appreciated very much. Lynnette will be traveling to Celeya at the beginning of December to purchase Christmas presents for the other 200 children in the orphanage. All the Christmas presents will be purchased from donations. 847-823-7334
Oakton Community College presents Feminist Ecology: Women and the Earth, a juried exhibition of art by women through Nov. 7. Tomorrow, 10/28, from 5 to 8 p.m. is the Gala Opening Night Reception featuring hors d’oeuvres, gourmet coffee bar, and a chance to meet and talk with the artists. 847-376-7061.
Maine South High School Music Boosters present its traditional ‘Band-O-Rama’ on November 8, a dinner and concert by the MS Marching Band, Color Guard and Hawkettes. Donations, silent auction items and raffle items are requested. Funds generated each year pay for scholarships, workshops, and lessons. 847-698-1756
Business After Hours Hosts – thank you! Save the dates:
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory will host the Business After Hours on November 20!
Sun & Moon Yoga will host the Business After Hours on January 29,2009.
The Summit of Uptown will host the Business After Hours on February 19, 2009.
Save the date! Saturday, January 17, 2009
Service Organization Night Out with the Chicago Wolves Hockey Team. The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, The Elks Club, The Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and other service organizations are invited to bring the whole family! We’ll meet first at The Elks Club in Des Plaines for a buffet dinner and to network.
Enjoy free parking, prizes just for the Service groups, and a Skates (the Wolves Mascot) Bobble Head Doll and get a ticket to another Wolves game!
Tickets for all this will be $25 adults and $19 for kids 12 and under. 56 tickets to the game will be sold. If you want to come just for dinner and networking at the Elks Club, its $17 for adults. Thank you to Rick Pucci for putting it together!
We have collected 101 cell phones to date! That’s 101 service men and women overseas who will get an hour phone card to call home with! A big THANK YOU to Jo Ann Arnswald, MB Financial Bank, who has collected the most cell phones so far.
You can still help our military personnel keep in touch with their families. Donate your old cell phone, battery and charger for recycling. For every donated cell phone, a 60 minute phone card is sent to a military person to use to call home.
The Chamber office is a drop off collection point. These caring Chamber members have also agreed to be drop offs centers for your used cell phones (and battery and charger):
• Sebastian Co. Real Estate (601 W. Devon),
• Ann Witek’s State Farm Insurance & Financial Services (701 ½ W. Devon)
• MB Financial Bank (1014 Busse Hwy)
For more information on this wonderful program, check out www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday Update
Greetings from Gail!
It’s Monday again,
Lian had swimming at the Community Center and ice skating at Oakton again!
Last week was the 5th week of the Citizen’s Police Academy. We met at the Des Plaines Police Department indoor shooting range and I got to shoot a 9 mm Sig and 9 mm rifle (M5) and a shotgun! When I served in the Air Force, I earned my Expert Marksman ribbon but that was a long time ago! I’m proud to say that all my shots were centered on the torso of the target!
On Friday, I went to Outback Steakhouse for the lunch to benefit Muscular Dystrophy Assocation. In walked four handsome young marines in dress uniform! I just had to take their picture! I’ll post it on our website under Event Photos!
It was a SUCCESS!
Luncheon with the Park Ridge Community Fund!
Our monthly networking luncheon in honor of the Park Ridge Community Fund’s 50th Annual Campaign Kick-off was a huge success! Our goal was to have 100 attendees and we had 117!
A huge ‘Thank you’ to Tom McHugh at the Park Ridge Country Club and his staff for another fabulous meal and beautiful place settings!
And a special ‘Thank you’ to all who pitched in to make the event a success: Tom Dore, formerly of Chicago Bulls fame; David Barker, president of the PRCF board; Don Sebastian, Jr, president of the Chamber board; Ann Witek, business & residential volunteer for the PRCF; Carol Beitz, executive director of the PRCF; Diddy Blyth, A Sterling Design, for taking photographs.
Thank you to the following members for donating raffle prizes. All proceeds went to the Park Ridge Community Fund – my goal was to raise $500 and we raised $820 for the Fund!
· Holiday Inn O’Hare Gift Certificate for weekend night’s stay, including breakfast for 2
· Rocky Mountain Chocolates (Linda Hills) – Chocolate treats and gift certificate for more!
· Potbelly Sandwich Works Gift Set
· Dr. Niki Laskaris Certificate for $250 Zoom Custom Teeth Whitening Trays and Gel
· Duraclean Services (Springers) - $50 Gift Certificate for carpet and/or furniture cleaning
· H & R Block Gift Certificate for $50 and other H&R goodie items donated by Carol Linning
· Lia Sophia Jewelry donated by Carol Linning’s daughter
· WineStyles: Wine tasting for 2 hours for up to 10 people
· A Sterling Design Photographic Artists (Diddy Blyth): One 8x10 on-location family, baby, or pet portrait
· Outback Steakhouse $45.00 Gift Certificate
· Janus Premiums – (Cathy Janus) Women’s Medium Black Golf Shirt and Environmentally Friendly Matching Sports Bottle
· The Exercise Coach – Chad Finney – 6 sessions with Personal Trainer
· Park Ridge Chiropractic Center, P.C. (Dr. Travis Dearborn) – Gift Certificate for a Massage
· Higher Level Wellness – Susan Frangos – Gift Certificate for 1 Free Counseling Session
· Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate $20
· Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate $20
· Oakton Community College Tote Bag & Stadium Blanket
· Minuteman Press – Jim & Gail Solotke - $25 Gift Certificate
· Chicago Rush Arena Football – Gift Certificate for 10 Tickets
· Chicago Rush Arena Football – Gift Certificate for 10 Tickets
· Chicago Rush Arena Football – Gift Certificate for 10 Tickets
· JoS. A. Bank Men’s Clothing Store – Nancy Graham - 6 Decorative Jars of Candy
And, of course, thank you to chamber staff, Dorothy Brownstein, Cindy Clark and Marci Derrick for their hard work behind the scenes in pulling off another successful event! They took all the rsvp’s, processed checks and credit cards, made name tags, and so much more. Thank you, ladies, for being a joy to work with!
For more information about the Park Ridge Community Fund, please check out:
http://prcf.park-ridge.il.us/about.html
Mission:The mission of the Park Ridge Community Fund is to assess the needs of the community, raise funds, and allocate those funds to charitable organizations and health causes, especially research, rehabilitation and education.
Ribbon Cutting: Kidwinks.com
This Wednesday, 10/22, at 10 a.m. in the Chamber offices: Kidwinks.com Ribbon Cutting!
We’ve never had a ribbon cutting for a home based business before and I’m delighted to be able to hold it at the Chamber. If you’re a home based entrepreneur, come and check it out to see if you’d like to have one for your business here at the Chamber! The mayor will be here along with chamber board members and Ambassadors. We’ll take photos so it’s great publicity! Come out and support one of our newer members!
Let us know if you you can make it! Refreshments and raffle prizes! Here’s your photo opp!
Oct. 23 Multi-Chamber B2B Expo & Taste!!
This Thursday, 10/23: FREE!!! You want to be there!
Business to Business Expo & Taste!!! FREE to attend!
Did I mention it’s FREE???!
We’re expecting hundreds! A business card will get you in! No need to rsvp! Free food! 70 booths. Valet parking. Thursday, October 23: Chateau Ritz 9100 N. Milwaukee, Niles from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
From Park Ridge, the following members are exhibitors so stop and say ‘hi’ and support our members:
· Bath Fitter (Booth #40)
· Citywide Printing (Booth #45)
· Commerce Group Service/Blue Cross Blue Shield 6
· Harris N.A. (Booth #62)
· Liberty Bank for Savings (Booth #8)
· The Bethany Terrace…A Health & Rehabilitation Center (Booth #1)
· Titan Worldwide (TBA) – they do the marketing wraps on CTA & PACE buses – and the interiors and the bus stops!
New Chamber Economic Stimulus Program!
Press releases were sent out last week and were published in both the Park Ridge Herald/Advocate and the Journal Topics announcing our new Chamber Economic Stimulus Program! Just in time for the holiday season!
Bring in receipts from Chamber members totaling $500 or more and you will be entered into a drawing to win $200 in Chamber gift certificates!
For every $500 in receipts you bring in, you’ll be entered into the drawing. We’ll give away $100 Chamber gift certificates for receipts dated 10/22 thru 11/30/08. We’ll give away $100 Chamber gift certificates for receipts dated 12/1/08 thru 12/31/08.
The program is open to everyone! You can show receipts from member restaurants (too many to name), grocery stores (Jewel & Dominick & Morningfields), spa services, insurance & financial services, anything spent with Chamber members and not just with one – total up everything and as long as it comes to at least $500 and its all with Chamber members, you can submit your name!
Please spend Chamber gift certificates with Chamber members. That’s all part of the benefit of your membership.
For a current list of Chamber members, go to www.parkridgeChamber.org and click on ‘Business Directory’. We’ve had more than 50 new members join since the Community Guide was published so checking online is the most accurate way to see who is a member (and who isn’t!). Maybe we’ll get more members out of this campaign!
Football Mania!
This is the last week for selling Football Mania tickets! The games start this Sunday. Our tickets win! Come to the Chamber to buy your ticket. $20 each. $10,000 in cash prizes. Winning tickets pulled each week once started.
We had $420 worth of winners for Baseball Mania! Aggie Stempniak won $300; John Young won $60; and Julianna Maller won $60!
Map!
The Park Ridge map has been published and saturated to every single family residence in Park Ridge last Thursday. We got 2,000 copies of the map here in the Chamber – stop by and pick one up. Pioneer Press did a very nice job for us and the Chamber receives a portion of the ad revenues so it’s a win/win! This map will last for 2 years before we print again. If you note any corrections, email them to the chamber and we’ll save them for the next printing.
Business After Hours:
Central Baptist Village
Our Business After Hours monthly networking event this month will be held at Central Baptist Village on October 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. CBV is at 4747 N. Canfield Road in Norridge. Food & Beverages!
www.cbvillage.org Please rsvp to the Chamber.
1/17/09: ‘SONO’
Save the date! Saturday, January 17, 2009
Service Organization Night Out with the Chicago Wolves Hockey Team
The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, The Elks Club, The Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and other service organizations are invited to bring the whole family!
We’ll meet first at The Elks Club in Des Plaines for a buffet dinner and to network. We get free parking, prizes just for the Service groups, and a Skates (the Wolves Mascot) Bobble Head Doll! And to top it off, you’ll get a ticket to another Wolves game!Tickets for all this will be $25 adults and $19 for kids 12 and under. 56 tickets to the game will be sold. If you want to come just for dinner and networking at the Elks Club, its $17 for adults.
Thank you to Rick Pucci for putting it together!
Calling all Home Based Entrepreneurs!
Our EKG and PREN groups are considering the day after Thanksgiving to hold an open house. If you have products or services to sell, this is an opportunity to display or simply reach out to residents. The owner of the vacant store at 147 S. Vine (where Brickton Art Center was) across from City Hall will allow us to use the site for the day.
We need more entrepreneurs to commit and pull it together so please let me know if you’re interested!
The Chamber owns a large and very fancy popcorn machine – we could set it up for this event too! Who can resist the smell of popcorn popping?
Are you interested in being involved in Winterfest? Let me know that too – what do you want to do?
Members Visited
Chamber Blog
Member News
Wine Styles
Kidwinks.com
Amphora
Nelson Automotive
Lutheran General Children’s Hospital Benefit
Members I visited last week:
Park Ridge Park District
Park Ridge Country Club – Tom McHugh
Outback Steakhouse – Rich Callahan
A Sterling Design – Diddy Blyth
Kidwinks.com – Nina Taluc
Wine Styles
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Dominic’s Kitchen Store
Walgreen
Non-members I visited last week:
Titan Worldwide (they joined!)
Famous Footwear
Check out the new Chamber Blog. It’s another member benefit and a way to keep up with the available technology to network and market your business. Simply post your comments.
www.parkridgechamber.blogspot.com
Other Member News:
“Ladies Nite” wine tasting October 23rd 5-8 $10pp and $5.00 for wine club members. WineStyles Park Ridge, 105 S. Northwest Highway 847-518-WINE (9463) www.winestyles.net/parkridge
Kidwinks.com: In celebration of their ribbon cutting ceremony on October 22nd, Kidwinks.com will be highlighting Park Ridge in their newsletters during the week beginning October 20th. They will particularly concentrate on family-oriented activities, restaurants, shops and services. Kidwinks' members from throughout the Chicagoland area will be encouraged to visit Park Ridge (especially to take the train - kids love trains!) during this week and see what our city has to offer families. Please contact kidwinks at info@kidwinks.com or 847-685-1275 if you are interested in participating. kidwinks.com <http://www.kidwinks.com/> The site to know with kids in tow
Amphora at 149 North Northwest Highway (847) 518-9000 just published their first newsletter with decorating tips and pictures of their inventory! Check it out: http://amphorahome.com/newsletters/october_08/final.html
Nelson Automotive buys and sells quality used cars! Eric Nelson is Diane Forsythe’s nephew. My son, Dirk, bought a used Nissan Maxima from Eric two years ago. This past summer, Dirk went to see Eric at his new warehouse at 2454 E. Oakton in Arlington Heights and he traded in his 1992 Maxima for a 2000 Nissan Maxima that he loves! If you have a car to sell, call Eric at 847-HEY-CARS (439-2277). He was raised in Park Ridge and graduated from Maine South – and got his college degree in Automotive Marketing! Support our home-grown entrepreneur!
Lutheran General Children’s Hospital Benefit:
On Saturday, November 8, Robert Lord Builders, Inc. will host an exciting day of charity events to include; celebrity appearance by Dan Hampton of the Chicago Bears, the ultimate green expo, organic wine tastings and much more. The event will be held at the nationally award winning, and internationally reported “First In The World Ultimate Green Home”, in St. Charles, Illinois. The luxury “green” estate features one of a kind craftsmanship noted to be the most environmentally friendly residence in the Chicagoland area. This home is not only the ultimate “green” home, it is the ultimate “dream” home! Be one of the first to tour this home that has created history, set the standards for architectural design and has taken the steps in forever changing the world. Ticket price is only $15 in advance and $20 at the door
Business After Hours Hosts – thank you! Save the dates:
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory will host the Business After Hours on November 20!
Sun & Moon Yoga will host the Business After Hours on January 29,2009.
The Summit of Uptown will host the Business After Hours on February 19, 2009.
91 Cell Phones for Soldiers = 91 Hours!
We have collected 91 cell phones to date! That’s 91 service men and women overseas who will get an hour phone card to call home with! A big THANK YOU to Jo Ann Arnswald, MB Financial Bank, who has collected the most cell phones so far.
You can still help our military personnel keep in touch with their families. Donate your old cell phone, battery and charger for recycling. For every donated cell phone, a 60 minute phone card is sent to a military person to use to call home.
The Chamber office is a drop off collection point. These caring Chamber members have also agreed to be drop offs centers for your used cell phones (and battery and charger):
· Sebastian Co. Real Estate (601 W. Devon),
· Ann Witek’s State Farm Insurance & Financial Services (701 ½ W. Devon)
· MB Financial Bank (1014 Busse Hwy)
For more information on this wonderful program, check out www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Contact me:
Gail Haller
Executive Director
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
32 Main Street, Suite F
Park Ridge, IL 60068
phone: 847.825.3121
fax: 847.825.3122
email: gail.haller@parkridgechamber.org
website: www.parkridgechamber.org
Monday Update
Greetings from Gail!
It’s Monday again,
Lian had swimming at the Community Center and ice skating at Oakton again!
Last week was the 5th week of the Citizen’s Police Academy. We met at the Des Plaines Police Department indoor shooting range and I got to shoot a 9 mm Sig and 9 mm rifle (M5) and a shotgun! When I served in the Air Force, I earned my Expert Marksman ribbon but that was a long time ago! I’m proud to say that all my shots were centered on the torso of the target!
On Friday, I went to Outback Steakhouse for the lunch to benefit Muscular Dystrophy Assocation. In walked four handsome young marines in dress uniform! I just had to take their picture! I’ll post it on our website under Event Photos!
It was a SUCCESS!
Luncheon with the Park Ridge Community Fund!
Our monthly networking luncheon in honor of the Park Ridge Community Fund’s 50th Annual Campaign Kick-off was a huge success! Our goal was to have 100 attendees and we had 117!
A huge ‘Thank you’ to Tom McHugh at the Park Ridge Country Club and his staff for another fabulous meal and beautiful place settings!
And a special ‘Thank you’ to all who pitched in to make the event a success: Tom Dore, formerly of Chicago Bulls fame; David Barker, president of the PRCF board; Don Sebastian, Jr, president of the Chamber board; Ann Witek, business & residential volunteer for the PRCF; Carol Beitz, executive director of the PRCF; Diddy Blyth, A Sterling Design, for taking photographs.
Thank you to the following members for donating raffle prizes. All proceeds went to the Park Ridge Community Fund – my goal was to raise $500 and we raised $820 for the Fund!
· Holiday Inn O’Hare Gift Certificate for weekend night’s stay, including breakfast for 2
· Rocky Mountain Chocolates (Linda Hills) – Chocolate treats and gift certificate for more!
· Potbelly Sandwich Works Gift Set
· Dr. Niki Laskaris Certificate for $250 Zoom Custom Teeth Whitening Trays and Gel
· Duraclean Services (Springers) - $50 Gift Certificate for carpet and/or furniture cleaning
· H & R Block Gift Certificate for $50 and other H&R goodie items donated by Carol Linning
· Lia Sophia Jewelry donated by Carol Linning’s daughter
· WineStyles: Wine tasting for 2 hours for up to 10 people
· A Sterling Design Photographic Artists (Diddy Blyth): One 8x10 on-location family, baby, or pet portrait
· Outback Steakhouse $45.00 Gift Certificate
· Janus Premiums – (Cathy Janus) Women’s Medium Black Golf Shirt and Environmentally Friendly Matching Sports Bottle
· The Exercise Coach – Chad Finney – 6 sessions with Personal Trainer
· Park Ridge Chiropractic Center, P.C. (Dr. Travis Dearborn) – Gift Certificate for a Massage
· Higher Level Wellness – Susan Frangos – Gift Certificate for 1 Free Counseling Session
· Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate $20
· Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate $20
· Oakton Community College Tote Bag & Stadium Blanket
· Minuteman Press – Jim & Gail Solotke - $25 Gift Certificate
· Chicago Rush Arena Football – Gift Certificate for 10 Tickets
· Chicago Rush Arena Football – Gift Certificate for 10 Tickets
· Chicago Rush Arena Football – Gift Certificate for 10 Tickets
· JoS. A. Bank Men’s Clothing Store – Nancy Graham - 6 Decorative Jars of Candy
And, of course, thank you to chamber staff, Dorothy Brownstein, Cindy Clark and Marci Derrick for their hard work behind the scenes in pulling off another successful event! They took all the rsvp’s, processed checks and credit cards, made name tags, and so much more. Thank you, ladies, for being a joy to work with!
For more information about the Park Ridge Community Fund, please check out:
http://prcf.park-ridge.il.us/about.html
Mission:The mission of the Park Ridge Community Fund is to assess the needs of the community, raise funds, and allocate those funds to charitable organizations and health causes, especially research, rehabilitation and education.
Ribbon Cutting: Kidwinks.com
This Wednesday, 10/22, at 10 a.m. in the Chamber offices: Kidwinks.com Ribbon Cutting!
We’ve never had a ribbon cutting for a home based business before and I’m delighted to be able to hold it at the Chamber. If you’re a home based entrepreneur, come and check it out to see if you’d like to have one for your business here at the Chamber! The mayor will be here along with chamber board members and Ambassadors. We’ll take photos so it’s great publicity! Come out and support one of our newer members!
Let us know if you you can make it! Refreshments and raffle prizes! Here’s your photo opp!
Oct. 23 Multi-Chamber B2B Expo & Taste!!
This Thursday, 10/23: FREE!!! You want to be there!
Business to Business Expo & Taste!!! FREE to attend!
Did I mention it’s FREE???!
We’re expecting hundreds! A business card will get you in! No need to rsvp! Free food! 70 booths. Valet parking. Thursday, October 23: Chateau Ritz 9100 N. Milwaukee, Niles from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
From Park Ridge, the following members are exhibitors so stop and say ‘hi’ and support our members:
· Bath Fitter (Booth #40)
· Citywide Printing (Booth #45)
· Commerce Group Service/Blue Cross Blue Shield 6
· Harris N.A. (Booth #62)
· Liberty Bank for Savings (Booth #8)
· The Bethany Terrace…A Health & Rehabilitation Center (Booth #1)
· Titan Worldwide (TBA) – they do the marketing wraps on CTA & PACE buses – and the interiors and the bus stops!
New Chamber Economic Stimulus Program!
Press releases were sent out last week and were published in both the Park Ridge Herald/Advocate and the Journal Topics announcing our new Chamber Economic Stimulus Program! Just in time for the holiday season!
Bring in receipts from Chamber members totaling $500 or more and you will be entered into a drawing to win $200 in Chamber gift certificates!
For every $500 in receipts you bring in, you’ll be entered into the drawing. We’ll give away $100 Chamber gift certificates for receipts dated 10/22 thru 11/30/08. We’ll give away $100 Chamber gift certificates for receipts dated 12/1/08 thru 12/31/08.
The program is open to everyone! You can show receipts from member restaurants (too many to name), grocery stores (Jewel & Dominick & Morningfields), spa services, insurance & financial services, anything spent with Chamber members and not just with one – total up everything and as long as it comes to at least $500 and its all with Chamber members, you can submit your name!
Please spend Chamber gift certificates with Chamber members. That’s all part of the benefit of your membership.
For a current list of Chamber members, go to www.parkridgeChamber.org and click on ‘Business Directory’. We’ve had more than 50 new members join since the Community Guide was published so checking online is the most accurate way to see who is a member (and who isn’t!). Maybe we’ll get more members out of this campaign!
Football Mania!
This is the last week for selling Football Mania tickets! The games start this Sunday. Our tickets win! Come to the Chamber to buy your ticket. $20 each. $10,000 in cash prizes. Winning tickets pulled each week once started.
We had $420 worth of winners for Baseball Mania! Aggie Stempniak won $300; John Young won $60; and Julianna Maller won $60!
Map!
The Park Ridge map has been published and saturated to every single family residence in Park Ridge last Thursday. We got 2,000 copies of the map here in the Chamber – stop by and pick one up. Pioneer Press did a very nice job for us and the Chamber receives a portion of the ad revenues so it’s a win/win! This map will last for 2 years before we print again. If you note any corrections, email them to the chamber and we’ll save them for the next printing.
Business After Hours:
Central Baptist Village
Our Business After Hours monthly networking event this month will be held at Central Baptist Village on October 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. CBV is at 4747 N. Canfield Road in Norridge. Food & Beverages!
www.cbvillage.org Please rsvp to the Chamber.
1/17/09: ‘SONO’
Save the date! Saturday, January 17, 2009
Service Organization Night Out with the Chicago Wolves Hockey Team
The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, The Elks Club, The Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and other service organizations are invited to bring the whole family!
We’ll meet first at The Elks Club in Des Plaines for a buffet dinner and to network. We get free parking, prizes just for the Service groups, and a Skates (the Wolves Mascot) Bobble Head Doll! And to top it off, you’ll get a ticket to another Wolves game!Tickets for all this will be $25 adults and $19 for kids 12 and under. 56 tickets to the game will be sold. If you want to come just for dinner and networking at the Elks Club, its $17 for adults.
Thank you to Rick Pucci for putting it together!
Calling all Home Based Entrepreneurs!
Our EKG and PREN groups are considering the day after Thanksgiving to hold an open house. If you have products or services to sell, this is an opportunity to display or simply reach out to residents. The owner of the vacant store at 147 S. Vine (where Brickton Art Center was) across from City Hall will allow us to use the site for the day.
We need more entrepreneurs to commit and pull it together so please let me know if you’re interested!
The Chamber owns a large and very fancy popcorn machine – we could set it up for this event too! Who can resist the smell of popcorn popping?
Are you interested in being involved in Winterfest? Let me know that too – what do you want to do?
Members Visited
Chamber Blog
Member News
Wine Styles
Kidwinks.com
Amphora
Nelson Automotive
Lutheran General Children’s Hospital Benefit
Members I visited last week:
Park Ridge Park District
Park Ridge Country Club – Tom McHugh
Outback Steakhouse – Rich Callahan
A Sterling Design – Diddy Blyth
Kidwinks.com – Nina Taluc
Wine Styles
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Dominic’s Kitchen Store
Walgreen
Non-members I visited last week:
Titan Worldwide (they joined!)
Famous Footwear
Check out the new Chamber Blog. It’s another member benefit and a way to keep up with the available technology to network and market your business. Simply post your comments.
www.parkridgechamber.blogspot.com
Other Member News:
“Ladies Nite” wine tasting October 23rd 5-8 $10pp and $5.00 for wine club members. WineStyles Park Ridge, 105 S. Northwest Highway 847-518-WINE (9463) www.winestyles.net/parkridge
Kidwinks.com: In celebration of their ribbon cutting ceremony on October 22nd, Kidwinks.com will be highlighting Park Ridge in their newsletters during the week beginning October 20th. They will particularly concentrate on family-oriented activities, restaurants, shops and services. Kidwinks' members from throughout the Chicagoland area will be encouraged to visit Park Ridge (especially to take the train - kids love trains!) during this week and see what our city has to offer families. Please contact kidwinks at info@kidwinks.com or 847-685-1275 if you are interested in participating. kidwinks.com <http://www.kidwinks.com/> The site to know with kids in tow
Amphora at 149 North Northwest Highway (847) 518-9000 just published their first newsletter with decorating tips and pictures of their inventory! Check it out: http://amphorahome.com/newsletters/october_08/final.html
Nelson Automotive buys and sells quality used cars! Eric Nelson is Diane Forsythe’s nephew. My son, Dirk, bought a used Nissan Maxima from Eric two years ago. This past summer, Dirk went to see Eric at his new warehouse at 2454 E. Oakton in Arlington Heights and he traded in his 1992 Maxima for a 2000 Nissan Maxima that he loves! If you have a car to sell, call Eric at 847-HEY-CARS (439-2277). He was raised in Park Ridge and graduated from Maine South – and got his college degree in Automotive Marketing! Support our home-grown entrepreneur!
Lutheran General Children’s Hospital Benefit:
On Saturday, November 8, Robert Lord Builders, Inc. will host an exciting day of charity events to include; celebrity appearance by Dan Hampton of the Chicago Bears, the ultimate green expo, organic wine tastings and much more. The event will be held at the nationally award winning, and internationally reported “First In The World Ultimate Green Home”, in St. Charles, Illinois. The luxury “green” estate features one of a kind craftsmanship noted to be the most environmentally friendly residence in the Chicagoland area. This home is not only the ultimate “green” home, it is the ultimate “dream” home! Be one of the first to tour this home that has created history, set the standards for architectural design and has taken the steps in forever changing the world. Ticket price is only $15 in advance and $20 at the door
Business After Hours Hosts – thank you! Save the dates:
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory will host the Business After Hours on November 20!
Sun & Moon Yoga will host the Business After Hours on January 29,2009.
The Summit of Uptown will host the Business After Hours on February 19, 2009.
91 Cell Phones for Soldiers = 91 Hours!
We have collected 91 cell phones to date! That’s 91 service men and women overseas who will get an hour phone card to call home with! A big THANK YOU to Jo Ann Arnswald, MB Financial Bank, who has collected the most cell phones so far.
You can still help our military personnel keep in touch with their families. Donate your old cell phone, battery and charger for recycling. For every donated cell phone, a 60 minute phone card is sent to a military person to use to call home.
The Chamber office is a drop off collection point. These caring Chamber members have also agreed to be drop offs centers for your used cell phones (and battery and charger):
· Sebastian Co. Real Estate (601 W. Devon),
· Ann Witek’s State Farm Insurance & Financial Services (701 ½ W. Devon)
· MB Financial Bank (1014 Busse Hwy)
For more information on this wonderful program, check out www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Contact me:
Gail Haller
Executive Director
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
32 Main Street, Suite F
Park Ridge, IL 60068
phone: 847.825.3121
fax: 847.825.3122
email: gail.haller@parkridgechamber.org
website: www.parkridgechamber.org
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Gail's Monday Update
From Gail, Executive Director:
What a great weekend – Lian and I went to the Pickwick, said hi to Dino, and saw ‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ which we enjoyed – then to Potbelly’s for dinner and to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for dessert! And of course we made our routine stops at the Park Ridge Public Library and the Park District for swim and ice skating lessons!
I also attended week 3 of the Citizen’s Police Academy where a Detective Dorner told us about Identify Theft, computer crimes, and how to protect your family from both. Its important to check your credit report each year. He recommends that every 4 months check your credit report for free at www.annualcreditreport.com I did it over the weekend and it was quick and easy.
My friend, Lori, and I visited Wine Styles and Dominic’s Kitchen Store! My husband, Gary, retained Chris’ Landscape to do our lawn maintenance at home. Its wonderful living and working in Park Ridge and we always support Chamber members. I’ve had friends say, “Let’s go to ____” and I’ll say, “They’re not chamber members – so let’s go to Noodles or Potbelly’s or Tandoor’s, etc.” and we do!
Newsletter: The Chamber Connection
Did you get your Chamber newsletter in the mail yet? It was mailed last week after assembly by the Maine East High School students with special needs – to whom I’m very grateful! Thank you again!
The ads and inserts are paid for by the businesses. The money we bring in pays for the postage to mail out the newsletters so this is not a program that costs us. It’s a great benefit to the members and pays for itself. That’s how the Chamber attempts to manage the majority of its events.
10/15 Luncheon with the Park Ridge Community Fund!
As of this morning, we have 60 rsvp’s for our monthly networking luncheon next week at the Park Ridge Country Club. Don’t be left out! This is going to be a great event!
The Chamber is honoring the Park Ridge Community Fund (PRCF) by hosting our monthly luncheon in their honor to launch their 50th Annual Campaign Kick-off.
Tom Dore, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, is our keynote speaker along with David Barker, president of the PRCF.
11:30 to 1:30 at $25 per person.
The menu has been selected and is guaranteed to tickle your taste buds:
· House Tossed Salad with Raspberry Dressing
· Breast of Chicken a la Greque
· Grilled Asparagus
· Saffron Risotto
· Sourdough Rolls and butter
· Ice Cream Turtle Sundae
If you’d like to bring a raffle prize, let me know! It’s a good way to get your name and business in front of all the attendees! Money raised that day will be donated to the Park Ridge Community Fund! The Chamber will also donate gift certificates for the drawing.
So far, we have (and thank you to the donors!)
· Holiday Inn O’Hare – one weekend night stay plus breakfast for 2
· Duraclean Services - $50 gift certificate for carpet/furniture cleaning
· Potbelly Gift Basket
· H&R Block Services - $50 gift certificate & more
· Lia Sophia jewelry
· Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Delectable Treats
· Chamber Gift Certificates
Everyone is invited – we expect to hit 80 to 100 people! RSVP to the Chamber now!
Women in Business
10/22
5-7pm
Our next Women in Business meeting will be held at Dominic’s Kitchen Store on Oct. 22 which is a Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Dominic Cimilluca’s friend, Chef Matt Zagorski, will show us holiday entertaining tips and we get to eat the creations! In September, Chef Matt was a featured chef in the Food Network’s successful Food Network Challenge series. This December, Chef Matt will be a guest chef on “Dishin’ with Dionna” which airs on NBC.
Dominic will also offer 20% off everything in his store that evening!
Thank you to Marta Hoover, CopySet Center, for providing the beverages and to Karen Larsen, Order My Gift, for the dessert tray. The event will be catered by Applauze Catering! $10 for members and $15 for prospective members so bring a friend!
Ribbon Cutting: Kidwinks.com
10/22 at 10 a.m. in the Chamber offices: Kidwinks.com Ribbon Cutting!
I hope you can make it! RSVP – refreshments and raffle prizes!
Outback Steakhouse Benefit
Outback Steakhouse is not normally open for lunch however they will be this Friday and next Friday – Oct. 10 & 17 for a benefit. The restaurant will donate all the proceeds from both days to the Muscular Dystrophy Association research. The cost is $20 per person for a set lunch and their hours are 11:30 to 1:30. 8101 W. Higgins. Cash or check only – no credit cards. Call 773-380-0818 for more info and reservations. Let’s get a group together and meet at noon!
1/17/09: ‘SONO’
Thanks to Rick Pucci for chairing a “Service Organization Night Out” on Saturday, January 17 – save the date and mark your calendar!
The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, The Elks Club, The Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and any other organizations which would like to participate are invited to bring the whole family!
We’ll meet, eat, and network and then attend a Chicago Wolves hockey game where more surprises are planned for us!Free parking - raffles just for the Service groups and even a Skates (the Wolves Mascot) Bobble Head Doll! Tickets for everything will be $25 each so SAVE THE DATE for fun for the whole family!!!
You'll also receive another free ticket to a future hockey game!
Football Mania!
Don’t forget! Football Mania tickets are still on sale at the Chamber! $20 each. $10,000 in cash prizes. Winning tickets pulled each week once started.
We had $420 worth of winners for Baseball Mania! Aggie Stempniak won $300; John Young won $60; and Julianna Maller won $60! Buy your Football Mania tickets here at the Chamber!
Library Book Sale
Park Ridge Public Library Friends of the Library:
Fall Book Sale
Saturday, November 8, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Park Ridge Public Library First Floor Meeting Room
Half-Price Sale Sunday, November 9, noon-2:00 p.m.
Preview Night Friday, November 7, for Members Only 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Numbers given out beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Friends membership may be purchased at the door.
Comcast Business Services
This morning, the Chamber switched over to Comcast Business Services for telephone, internet, and video. Everything is working great! Call Doug Stolz at 847-331-2500 if you want to switch, improve the performance of your internet service, and save money! The Chamber anticipates saving over $1,000 in the first year but, more importantly, our internet is faster! And now I have cable tv at the Chamber too as I brought in a tv from home! (They installed it for free!)
PREN – An Open House?
Last week we held the Entrepreneurs Knowledge Group (EKG) meeting. Many are home-based entrepreneurs who get together to bounce ideas off each other and to combine resources where possible. The group is considering getting together during Winterfest - the day after Thanksgiving - to hold an open house and, for those who may have tangible products to sell, to display and sell their products. We’ve gotten the green light from the owner of the vacant store front at 147 S. Vine (where Brickton Art Center used to be) across from City Hall. But we need more entrepreneurs to commit and pull it together so please let me know if you’re interested!
Oct. 23 Multi-Chamber B2B Expo & Taste!!
Another great networking opportunity: Business to Business Expo (B2B) and Taste!!!
Come for free if you have a business card! No need to rsvp to attend but could use more Restaurants for the Taste (only $50 for a booth for restaurants). So far, the following restaurants have signed up (none from our chamber):
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
California Pizza Kitchen
Maggiano's Little Italy
The Yumbus Station Restaurant
Cumberland Café
Rex Italian Foods
Panera Bread
Illinois Nut & Candy
Edible Arrangements
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Thursday, October 23: Chateau Ritz 9100 N. Milwaukee, Niles from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Participating Chambers: Des Plaines, Edison Park, Morton Grove, Mt Prospect, Niles, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wheeling
$300 for a booth except for Restaurants which only pay $50 for a booth (they’re providing food, after all!)
$500 Major sponsor (only 5 spots left): PRIME booth location; Name in event promotional materials; Expo Signage; Name/logo on cover of event program.
Members I visited last week:
Pickwick Theater - Dino
Park Ridge Park District
State Farm Ins. & Financial Planning – Ann Witek
Potbelly’s
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – Linda Hills
Wine Styles
Dominic’s Kitchen Store – Dominic Cimilluca
Susan Frangos – Higher Level Wellness
We Simplify the Internet – Jim Cone
Catalyst Marketing & PR – Carol Simantz
Park Ridge Public Library
Park Ridge City Hall – Police Department
McLennon Commercial Real Estate – Gary Stubits
Comcast – Doug Stolz
Baggio Studios – Rita Baggio
Barton & Barton - Dick Barton
Dental Auxilliary Placement Services – Karen Anderson
Sebastian Co Real Estate – Don Sebastian Jr.
Pioneer Press – Jennifer Williams
Coupon Saver – Curt Case
Janus Premiums – Cathy Janus
We now have a BLOG for the Chamber! Members can add their events to it. Another member benefit and another way to keep up with the available technology to network and market your business. Simply post your comments.
Check it out: www.parkridgechamber.blogspot.com
Other Member News:
Go Figure is celebrating its 5th anniversary in Oct and GB Therapeutic Massage will celebrate its 1st year!
Kidwinks.com: In celebration of their ribbon cutting ceremony on October 22nd, Kidwinks.com will be highlighting Park Ridge in their newsletters during the week beginning October 20th. They will particularly concentrate on family-oriented activities, restaurants, shops and services. Kidwinks' members from throughout the Chicagoland area will be encouraged to visit Park Ridge (especially to take the train - kids love trains!) during this week and see what our city has to offer families. Please contact kidwinks at info@kidwinks.com or 847-685-1275 if you are interested in participating. kidwinks.com <http://www.kidwinks.com/> The site to know with kids in tow
Northwest Suburban Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizens Banquet on Thursday October 16th 2008 7:00 p.m. at the Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows. The Northwest Suburban Council will be honoring Mr. Ed Goldberg President/CEO of St Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. Phil Rogers with TV 5 is this year's Keynote Speaker and promises to be very exciting as Phil just returned from covering the Olympics in China. Individual seats for this very special evening are $150.00. If you would like an electronic brochure of this event, or have further questions, please contact NWSC Finance Director Pete Stikovich. http://www.nwsc.org
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Thank you to everyone who has brought in their old cell phones!
Please help our military personnel keep in touch with their families. Donate your old cell phone, battery and charger which get recycled. For every donated cell phone, a 60 minute phone card is sent to a military person to use to call home.
The Chamber office is a drop off collection point. These caring Chamber members have also agreed to be drop offs centers for your used cell phones (and battery and charger):
· Sebastian Co. Real Estate (601 W. Devon),
· Ann Witek’s State Farm Insurance & Financial Services (701 ½ W. Devon)
· MB Financial Bank (1014 Busse Hwy)
For more information on this wonderful program, check out www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Contact me:
Gail Haller
Executive Director
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
32 Main Street, Suite F
Park Ridge, IL 60068
phone: 847.825.3121
fax: 847.825.3122
email: gail.haller@parkridgechamber.org
website: www.parkridgechamber.org
What a great weekend – Lian and I went to the Pickwick, said hi to Dino, and saw ‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ which we enjoyed – then to Potbelly’s for dinner and to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for dessert! And of course we made our routine stops at the Park Ridge Public Library and the Park District for swim and ice skating lessons!
I also attended week 3 of the Citizen’s Police Academy where a Detective Dorner told us about Identify Theft, computer crimes, and how to protect your family from both. Its important to check your credit report each year. He recommends that every 4 months check your credit report for free at www.annualcreditreport.com I did it over the weekend and it was quick and easy.
My friend, Lori, and I visited Wine Styles and Dominic’s Kitchen Store! My husband, Gary, retained Chris’ Landscape to do our lawn maintenance at home. Its wonderful living and working in Park Ridge and we always support Chamber members. I’ve had friends say, “Let’s go to ____” and I’ll say, “They’re not chamber members – so let’s go to Noodles or Potbelly’s or Tandoor’s, etc.” and we do!
Newsletter: The Chamber Connection
Did you get your Chamber newsletter in the mail yet? It was mailed last week after assembly by the Maine East High School students with special needs – to whom I’m very grateful! Thank you again!
The ads and inserts are paid for by the businesses. The money we bring in pays for the postage to mail out the newsletters so this is not a program that costs us. It’s a great benefit to the members and pays for itself. That’s how the Chamber attempts to manage the majority of its events.
10/15 Luncheon with the Park Ridge Community Fund!
As of this morning, we have 60 rsvp’s for our monthly networking luncheon next week at the Park Ridge Country Club. Don’t be left out! This is going to be a great event!
The Chamber is honoring the Park Ridge Community Fund (PRCF) by hosting our monthly luncheon in their honor to launch their 50th Annual Campaign Kick-off.
Tom Dore, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, is our keynote speaker along with David Barker, president of the PRCF.
11:30 to 1:30 at $25 per person.
The menu has been selected and is guaranteed to tickle your taste buds:
· House Tossed Salad with Raspberry Dressing
· Breast of Chicken a la Greque
· Grilled Asparagus
· Saffron Risotto
· Sourdough Rolls and butter
· Ice Cream Turtle Sundae
If you’d like to bring a raffle prize, let me know! It’s a good way to get your name and business in front of all the attendees! Money raised that day will be donated to the Park Ridge Community Fund! The Chamber will also donate gift certificates for the drawing.
So far, we have (and thank you to the donors!)
· Holiday Inn O’Hare – one weekend night stay plus breakfast for 2
· Duraclean Services - $50 gift certificate for carpet/furniture cleaning
· Potbelly Gift Basket
· H&R Block Services - $50 gift certificate & more
· Lia Sophia jewelry
· Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Delectable Treats
· Chamber Gift Certificates
Everyone is invited – we expect to hit 80 to 100 people! RSVP to the Chamber now!
Women in Business
10/22
5-7pm
Our next Women in Business meeting will be held at Dominic’s Kitchen Store on Oct. 22 which is a Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Dominic Cimilluca’s friend, Chef Matt Zagorski, will show us holiday entertaining tips and we get to eat the creations! In September, Chef Matt was a featured chef in the Food Network’s successful Food Network Challenge series. This December, Chef Matt will be a guest chef on “Dishin’ with Dionna” which airs on NBC.
Dominic will also offer 20% off everything in his store that evening!
Thank you to Marta Hoover, CopySet Center, for providing the beverages and to Karen Larsen, Order My Gift, for the dessert tray. The event will be catered by Applauze Catering! $10 for members and $15 for prospective members so bring a friend!
Ribbon Cutting: Kidwinks.com
10/22 at 10 a.m. in the Chamber offices: Kidwinks.com Ribbon Cutting!
I hope you can make it! RSVP – refreshments and raffle prizes!
Outback Steakhouse Benefit
Outback Steakhouse is not normally open for lunch however they will be this Friday and next Friday – Oct. 10 & 17 for a benefit. The restaurant will donate all the proceeds from both days to the Muscular Dystrophy Association research. The cost is $20 per person for a set lunch and their hours are 11:30 to 1:30. 8101 W. Higgins. Cash or check only – no credit cards. Call 773-380-0818 for more info and reservations. Let’s get a group together and meet at noon!
1/17/09: ‘SONO’
Thanks to Rick Pucci for chairing a “Service Organization Night Out” on Saturday, January 17 – save the date and mark your calendar!
The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, The Elks Club, The Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and any other organizations which would like to participate are invited to bring the whole family!
We’ll meet, eat, and network and then attend a Chicago Wolves hockey game where more surprises are planned for us!Free parking - raffles just for the Service groups and even a Skates (the Wolves Mascot) Bobble Head Doll! Tickets for everything will be $25 each so SAVE THE DATE for fun for the whole family!!!
You'll also receive another free ticket to a future hockey game!
Football Mania!
Don’t forget! Football Mania tickets are still on sale at the Chamber! $20 each. $10,000 in cash prizes. Winning tickets pulled each week once started.
We had $420 worth of winners for Baseball Mania! Aggie Stempniak won $300; John Young won $60; and Julianna Maller won $60! Buy your Football Mania tickets here at the Chamber!
Library Book Sale
Park Ridge Public Library Friends of the Library:
Fall Book Sale
Saturday, November 8, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Park Ridge Public Library First Floor Meeting Room
Half-Price Sale Sunday, November 9, noon-2:00 p.m.
Preview Night Friday, November 7, for Members Only 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Numbers given out beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Friends membership may be purchased at the door.
Comcast Business Services
This morning, the Chamber switched over to Comcast Business Services for telephone, internet, and video. Everything is working great! Call Doug Stolz at 847-331-2500 if you want to switch, improve the performance of your internet service, and save money! The Chamber anticipates saving over $1,000 in the first year but, more importantly, our internet is faster! And now I have cable tv at the Chamber too as I brought in a tv from home! (They installed it for free!)
PREN – An Open House?
Last week we held the Entrepreneurs Knowledge Group (EKG) meeting. Many are home-based entrepreneurs who get together to bounce ideas off each other and to combine resources where possible. The group is considering getting together during Winterfest - the day after Thanksgiving - to hold an open house and, for those who may have tangible products to sell, to display and sell their products. We’ve gotten the green light from the owner of the vacant store front at 147 S. Vine (where Brickton Art Center used to be) across from City Hall. But we need more entrepreneurs to commit and pull it together so please let me know if you’re interested!
Oct. 23 Multi-Chamber B2B Expo & Taste!!
Another great networking opportunity: Business to Business Expo (B2B) and Taste!!!
Come for free if you have a business card! No need to rsvp to attend but could use more Restaurants for the Taste (only $50 for a booth for restaurants). So far, the following restaurants have signed up (none from our chamber):
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
California Pizza Kitchen
Maggiano's Little Italy
The Yumbus Station Restaurant
Cumberland Café
Rex Italian Foods
Panera Bread
Illinois Nut & Candy
Edible Arrangements
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Thursday, October 23: Chateau Ritz 9100 N. Milwaukee, Niles from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Participating Chambers: Des Plaines, Edison Park, Morton Grove, Mt Prospect, Niles, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wheeling
$300 for a booth except for Restaurants which only pay $50 for a booth (they’re providing food, after all!)
$500 Major sponsor (only 5 spots left): PRIME booth location; Name in event promotional materials; Expo Signage; Name/logo on cover of event program.
Members I visited last week:
Pickwick Theater - Dino
Park Ridge Park District
State Farm Ins. & Financial Planning – Ann Witek
Potbelly’s
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – Linda Hills
Wine Styles
Dominic’s Kitchen Store – Dominic Cimilluca
Susan Frangos – Higher Level Wellness
We Simplify the Internet – Jim Cone
Catalyst Marketing & PR – Carol Simantz
Park Ridge Public Library
Park Ridge City Hall – Police Department
McLennon Commercial Real Estate – Gary Stubits
Comcast – Doug Stolz
Baggio Studios – Rita Baggio
Barton & Barton - Dick Barton
Dental Auxilliary Placement Services – Karen Anderson
Sebastian Co Real Estate – Don Sebastian Jr.
Pioneer Press – Jennifer Williams
Coupon Saver – Curt Case
Janus Premiums – Cathy Janus
We now have a BLOG for the Chamber! Members can add their events to it. Another member benefit and another way to keep up with the available technology to network and market your business. Simply post your comments.
Check it out: www.parkridgechamber.blogspot.com
Other Member News:
Go Figure is celebrating its 5th anniversary in Oct and GB Therapeutic Massage will celebrate its 1st year!
Kidwinks.com: In celebration of their ribbon cutting ceremony on October 22nd, Kidwinks.com will be highlighting Park Ridge in their newsletters during the week beginning October 20th. They will particularly concentrate on family-oriented activities, restaurants, shops and services. Kidwinks' members from throughout the Chicagoland area will be encouraged to visit Park Ridge (especially to take the train - kids love trains!) during this week and see what our city has to offer families. Please contact kidwinks at info@kidwinks.com or 847-685-1275 if you are interested in participating. kidwinks.com <http://www.kidwinks.com/> The site to know with kids in tow
Northwest Suburban Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizens Banquet on Thursday October 16th 2008 7:00 p.m. at the Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows. The Northwest Suburban Council will be honoring Mr. Ed Goldberg President/CEO of St Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. Phil Rogers with TV 5 is this year's Keynote Speaker and promises to be very exciting as Phil just returned from covering the Olympics in China. Individual seats for this very special evening are $150.00. If you would like an electronic brochure of this event, or have further questions, please contact NWSC Finance Director Pete Stikovich. http://www.nwsc.org
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Thank you to everyone who has brought in their old cell phones!
Please help our military personnel keep in touch with their families. Donate your old cell phone, battery and charger which get recycled. For every donated cell phone, a 60 minute phone card is sent to a military person to use to call home.
The Chamber office is a drop off collection point. These caring Chamber members have also agreed to be drop offs centers for your used cell phones (and battery and charger):
· Sebastian Co. Real Estate (601 W. Devon),
· Ann Witek’s State Farm Insurance & Financial Services (701 ½ W. Devon)
· MB Financial Bank (1014 Busse Hwy)
For more information on this wonderful program, check out www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Contact me:
Gail Haller
Executive Director
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
32 Main Street, Suite F
Park Ridge, IL 60068
phone: 847.825.3121
fax: 847.825.3122
email: gail.haller@parkridgechamber.org
website: www.parkridgechamber.org
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Park Ridge Public Library Friends of the Library, Inc.
Fall Book Sale
Saturday, November 8, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Park Ridge Public Library First Floor Meeting Room
Half-Price Sale Sunday, November 9, noon-2:00 p.m.
Preview Night Friday, November 7, for Members Only 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Numbers given out beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Friends membership may be purchased at the door.
Saturday, November 8, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Park Ridge Public Library First Floor Meeting Room
Half-Price Sale Sunday, November 9, noon-2:00 p.m.
Preview Night Friday, November 7, for Members Only 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Numbers given out beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Friends membership may be purchased at the door.
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