Monday, November 17, 2008

Gail's Monday Chamber UPDATE

First, thank you to Bailey’s Restaurant, for hosting our monthly networking luncheon last week. The food was fabulous (I had the pork) and the service was wonderful. The restaurant is not closing any time soon and they’re taking reservations for Thanksgiving!

Also, a big thank you to Dr. Susan Crawford, from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, for speaking on “The ’08 Flu & Cold Season. What’s in Store?” It was informative and she made it interesting with her Powerpoint presentation!

And of course, thank you to the 37 members who attended! I love how you all come through to support each other. We had two prospective members that I’m working on!








Thursday:

Networking Business After Hours Nov. 20
Business After Hours: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 31 S. Northwest Highway, Thursday Nov. 20 5-7pm

No additional charge – included in your membership!!!

This tasty event will include an opportunity to make your own treats! Plus a fudge making demonstration, and of course a whole lot of sampling. There will be a showcase of holiday gift ideas and a discount of 20% off all purchases and orders. What a great time to get those customer and family gifts ordered! Other delectable refreshments will be enjoyed!

Come to network with other Chamber members. Support our local retail merchants in Uptown! Shop locally! Save gas.

RSVP to the Chamber so Linda Hills knows how many to expect!



Women in Business Holiday Luncheon:

Nov. 21
The Women in Business Holiday Networking Luncheon will be held at the Hyatt Rosemont at Devon and River Road on Friday, November 21.



Lynda Tourloukis is a motivational coach with her own business, You Can Say Yes! And she’ll speak about ‘Stresslessness’ – how to stress less throughout the holidays!



Please bring non-perishable cans and boxes of food to replenish the Maine Township Food Pantry which lost over 50 boxes of food in the recent floods and needs your help to re-stock.



Cost for the luncheon is $25 for Members and $30 for future members! RSVP to the Chamber. Don’t miss out on this fun event!




Winterfest 2008

11/28/08
Winterfest 2008, November 28, Friday after Thanksgiving.

So many activities are planned!

Thank you to the following for sending in donations in support of Winterfest:

2 Sisters

Anthony Valentino

Baked by Betsy

Christ Karras

City of Park Ridge

Comcast

Dominic's Kitchen Store

George Burrows

Harris Bank

Hay Caramba!

Indira Salon - Tracey Nass

Liberty Bank

Northwest Hwy Building

Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur Knowledge Group (EKG)

Park Ridge Multi Med

Rocky Mt Chocolate Factory

South Park Merchants

Villano Interiors


The Entrepreneur Knowledge Group (EKG) is a Chamber committee made up of business entrepreneurs strategizing best business practices. The EKG will be housed for one day only at 116 Main Street to celebrate an Open House coordinating with Winterfest and to offer the residents Holiday opportunities, popcorn, and hot cider. Debbie Oberschelp, Select Redesign, will decorate the windows. These EKG Businesses will include (so far):

Laughter with Lynda Tourloukis, You Can Say Yes!

Health Tips with Susan Frangos, Higher Level Wellness

Easy Gift Giving with Karen Larsen, Order My Gift

Wealth Tips with Belinda Rosenberger, Merrill Lynch

Complimentary Photos with Diddy Blythe, A Sterling Design

Reimaging your space with Deborah Oberschelp, Select Redesign

Automating your space with Jasna Ostojich, Home Control Plus, Inc.

Kid Friendly Ideas with Nina Taluc & Jean Lemke, Kidwinks

Christmas Cards & Graphics with Rita Baggio, Baggio Studios

Unique Advertising Opportunities with Cathy Janus, Janus Premiums

Check out the website www.parkridgewinterfest.com for the latest schedule of events, which stores will be open, who is doing what and where – also for the donation form as we’re still taking donations since everything costs money! We’ll even take credit card and Paypal.com donations.






Chamber Economic Stimulus Program!



And



Chamber Gift Certificates
Don’t forget to bring in your receipts from Chamber members totalling $500 or more! We’ve got a few but your chances are really good for winning a Chamber Gift Certificate!

You can win $200 in Chamber gift certificates! (2 at $100 will be given away!)

For a current list of Chamber members, go to www.parkridgeChamber.org and click on ‘Business Directory’. We’ve had OVER 65 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!). Just a little crowing, our member count is at 395 today! Only 5 more to go to make 400!

Speaking of gift certificates, I was listening to National Public Radio this morning (NPR) and they discussed gift cards in general and that with so many stores going out of business, the gift cards are worthless. So, here’s a plug for our Chamber Gift Certificates – they’re free to buy, and free to redeem for our members. Non members pay a 20% surcharge. We make no money off of our members! We do this as a benefit to you and to encourage residents to shop locally and bring foot traffic to your door.





Installation & Awards Dinner

‘A Night of Stars’

1/24/09


A Night of Stars: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009. It’s 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.



(Note: All nominations for Community Star Awards must be in to the Chamber by Dec. 12 by 4:30 p.m. in order to be considered. We cannot accept any late nominations.)



At the dinner, the 2009 Board of Directors including the new President will be installed.



The dinner is open to all members, their guests, their families, residents – anyone who wants to attend! But seating is limited so please rsvp early. $60 per person.



The Chamber is 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.



Networking beings at 6 p.m. with cocktails. Dinner served at 7 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, and Cathy Janus.



We’re also looking for silent auction & raffle items. So far, the following are donating items for our auction/raffle:

American Eagle

Baileys Restaurant

Dominic's Kitchen Store

French Twist, A Hair Salon for Men and Women, Niles

Hay Caramba!

Howard Frimark

Hyatt Regency O’Hare

Jackie's Nails & Spa

Journal Newspaper

Kustom Kribs

Lutheran General Hospital

Minuteman Press of Des Plaines

Nika le butik

Order My Gift

Park Ridge Fire Department

Perry's Pizzaria

Pioneer Press

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Select Redesign

The Lock Up Storage Center

Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark at Grand Geneva

Wine Styles


And the following sponsors have also committed to us:

Dental Auxiliary Placement Services

Lutheran General Hospital

Resurrection Hospital

Thank you for your support!

Member News

Tell me what’s going on in your business so I can get the word out! Its free. Just send me the info in the 3rd person in an email so I can cut & paste. My weekly updates also are posted on the Chamber blog www.parkridgechamber.blogspot.com once they are sent out. Short and sweet is always best. I edit when necessary.

Indira Salon & Spa News!
Indira Salon & Spa, located at the Shops of Uptown, is under construction and will be open mid-December. Call 847-698-0123 to start reserving your appointments for the holidays! INDIRA is a full-service salon and spa that offers cut, color, style, makeup, wax, facials, manicures & pedicures, body treatments, massage and bridal services. Visit our website www.IndiraSalonSpa.com for more detailed service descriptions. Stop by the salon during Winterfest and receive complimentary Aveda samples, coupons & menu. We are now accepting positions for Stylist, Massage Therapist, Esthetician, Makeup Artist and Retail Advisor, please send resume to owner Tracey Nass at chameleongirl@new.rr.com.



Maine East High School
Jeff Gallichio, teacher at Maine East High School, says if your firm has any assembly of marketing items that his students can do for you at no charge, call him directly at 847-692-8480 to discuss.



Catalyst Marketing & PR

Special Offer
From November 12 to December 31, 2008, Catalyst Marketing & PR offers a special holiday promotion. For only $250, they will prepare a press release about you, your business and/or your products. We will: Interview you; Visit your Web site for additional information; Write a press release, based on the interview and Web-site information; Review a draft of the press release with you, to check details; and Provide the final press release to you.

You can share the final press release with the media and post it to your Web site. For an additional charge, we can distribute the press release to the media for you.

Questions? Please call me or drop me a note: Carol A. Simantz, President, Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.,1420 Renaissance Drive, Ste. 301-E, Park Ridge; Phone: (847) 298-8748; Fax: (847) 298-8904; carol@catalystmarketingpr.com

Happy Anniversary: Dental Auxiliary Placement Service, Inc.
Congratulations to Karen Anderson, RN and her company, Dental Auxiliary Placement Service, Inc. on their 20th Anniversary in Business!Karen and her staff have been servicing the Dental Community by providing Temporary and Permanent Dental Staff for Dentists offices, here in Park Ridge and Nationwide. A Medical division was started a few years ago, as well.Karen has been a member of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce since 1999 and will be inducted as the new President of the Chamber in January 2009.

TriPilates

Holiday Specials!
TriPilates has two holiday specials: one is on the front page of the PR Herald Advocate: New Client Holiday offer of 1 FREE mat class with online pre-registration (www.tripilates.com click on schedule and sign up)
Holiday Health Package: 3 mat classes, 3 equipment classes (including beginners), and 1 private lesson for $185. (savings of $39!) Here's the link:
http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=2720&stype=40
TriPilates, LLC
833 W. Touhy Avenue
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 698-6338 www.tripilates.com

Wine Styles
Wine Styles at 105 S. Northwest Highway: Join us for our One Year Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, December 6th from 12-5 p.m. with over 20 wines open, raffle with great prizes, live entertainment!

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
WINTERFEST EVENTS at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory! Friday, November 28

Double decker buses, the arrival of Santa, and many more activities will be going on around town. Bring the family out to enjoy the festivities. Of course, we will be a part of the action with things going on at the store, so be sure to stop by.

Coloring Contest - 11 prizes to be awarded. Stop by the store to get a picture of our very own Truffles the Bear to color. The contest winners will be announced during Winterfest. The chocolate prizes will be on display in the store. The age categories are: 6 and under, 6 to 13, and over 13. (yes, there is no age limit). There will be 2 prizes for each age category and an additional 5 winners randomly selected from all entries. Sampling of Holiday Specialties

Come on over during Winterfest for a taste of some of our holiday treats, including our candy cane bark, hot cocoa and other treats.





Lynnette’s School of Dance Trip to Mexico
Lynnette's School of Dance collected baby clothes for the children of Hogar del Pobre orphanage in Celeya, Mexico. Lynnette's daughter, now 16, was adopted from there as a baby. Lynnette left for Celeya yesterday to visit the 200 children in the orphanage. 847-823-7334.

Maine Center Housewalk 12/5
Maine Center

32nd Annual Park Ridge Christmas Housewalk to Benefit Maine Center on Friday December 5th from 5:30 – 9:30 pm. All proceeds from the annual Housewalk benefit Maine Center, a not-for-profit community behavioral health organization located in Park Ridge. Tickets are $20.00 if purchased before 12/05/08 and $25.00 if purchased on the day of the walk. For further information contact: Suzanne Henn, Maine Center (847) 696-1570 ext. 310.





Dominic’s Kitchen Foods
Celebrate Dominic’s Kitchen Store’s 5th Anniversary in Park Ridge: now through 16th. FREE cooking classes! Special anniversary product offers! Free WMF Ball Whisk with any $50 purchase this day. Free assembly and $50 off any Big Green Egg this day. Dominic’s Kitchen Store thanks its customers for 5 great years with the biggest food making event ever in Park Ridge. Sign up! Class Space is limited! Call Dominic Cimilluca at 847-698-1255 or via email at dominic@dominicskitchenstore.com



St Andrew Life Center Lecture

Wed. Nov. 18
Please join us for a Continuing Education Lecture Presented by Therese Cecchin RN, BSN, CMC Life Care Innovations, Inc. When Hoarding Takes Over a Life Program Objectives and Topics: What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Registration: 3:30 p.m. Program: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saint Andrew Life Center 7000 North Newark Avenue, Niles, IL Please R.S.V.P. by November 14 to Erin Baltzar, Director of Marketing and Admissions, At 847-647-8332



A Silver Connection

12/10/08 Conference
Pat O’Dea-Evans, RN, LCPC and COO of Paxem, Inc (parent of Chamber member A Silver Connection) is reaching out to employers and Human Resources Executives regarding a special meeting “Supporting Caregiver Employees While Increasing Profitability” held on December 10, 2008 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Registration is limited to only 50 employers and cost is a reasonable $50.00 that includes lunch.

In 2004, over 1 million Illinoisans provided care to a family member, ranking our state 6th nationally. It is estimated that family caregivers comprise 13 percent of the national workforce and that 62 percent of this population have had to adjust their work life as a result. Consequently, businesses can lose as much as $34 billion dollars each year due to employees’ need to care for loved ones. To support the working caregiver and ensure that employers maintain a stable workforce, the Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, AARP and the Illinois Department on Aging are sponsoring a workshop specifically dealing with the challenges facing employers of working caregivers. Details: “Supporting Caregiver Employees While Increasing Profitability” Wednesday, December 10, 2008; 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with Networking Lunch; Marriott Chicago at 540 North Michigan Avenue; Call 847-269-6272 for registration form. Keynote Speaker is Melissa Isaacson, Sports Writer for the Chicago Tribune and a caregiver to her parents who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
This is an excellent opportunity for networking, examining working caregiver issues, and identifying ways to balance the needs of working caregivers while increasing profitability.



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 and families are invited! Meet, eat and network at The Elks Club in Des Plaines. Free parking at the game, prizes just for our groups, and a Skates Bobble Head Doll – plus two tickets to another Wolves game!

Cost is $25 adults and $19 for kids 12 and under. Only 40 tickets left to the game are for sale. 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!





U.S. Troops: Please Help!


Maine Township Partners with Golf Mill and Journal to Collect Items for Troops

Monday, Dec. 8 through Dec. 15 2008, Maine Township will collect items and monetary donations for our troops overseas. The Journal & Topics Newspapers and Golf Mill Shopping center are also key sponsors of this significant holiday Troop Drive.

The drive’s goal is to collect much-needed personal items such as lip balm, beef jerky, drink packets, AA and AAA batteries, hand and foot warmers, individually wrapped snacks, magazines, white tube socks, foot powder, phone cards and other items not supplied by the military or available to the troops in the field, especially combat areas.

Collection bins for the public will be placed in the vestibule at Maine Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Rd. in Park Ridge, at The Journal & Topics Newspapers offices, 622 Graceland in Des Plaines, and at the customer service desk at Golf Mill Shopping Center, 239 Golf Mill Center in Niles.

Monetary donations should be also mailed to Maine Township, 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge, Ill 60068. Make checks payable to “MTMS.” Funds will be used to purchase the items from the list. Adding a greeting card or letter is an optional but welcomed addition to any donation – the troops enjoy receiving cards and letters too.

All donated items will be sent to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by the American Legion.

In addition to the collection bins used at sponsor locations, Golf Mill will have a holiday tree in their customer service area at which participants can make their donations in a festive atmosphere. The tree will have individual ornaments with needed items on them. Shoppers may take the ornaments as a reminder of what is needed to purchase and then return them to the customer service area.

For more information on how you can make a positive impact in the life of a soldier overseas this holiday season, call 847-297-2510 or visit www.mainetownship.com.



Oakton

‘Empty Bowls’
Hunger issues locally and around the world are the focus of Empty Bowls at Oakton, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Ceramics artists and students from the greater Chicago Area have contributed hundreds of beautiful and unique bowls for this annual fundraiser. For a donation of $12, participants select a unique handcrafted bowl that is theirs to keep, and receive a simple meal of soup and bread as a reminder that “someone’s bowl is always empty.” The event includes a raffle drawing for unique ceramic pieces donated by local artists, as well as a silent auction for prizes that include sculpture and jewelry. Sponsored by the Ceramics Club at Oakton Community College, Empty Bowls is a nonprofit, global movement that has raised millions of dollars for food banks, soup kitchens, and other meal programs. Entertainment will be provided by Patchouli [www.patchouli.net], an acoustic duo whose songs about healing and compassion inspire the human spirit. For information, contact emptybowls@oakton.edu, or call 847-635-1699.

Unemployment Compensation Update
Illinois Employers' 2008 Unemployment Compensation Update

This is a half-day seminar with a Q&A session immediately following.
The current economy is forcing many Illinois employers to make staff reductions to cut payroll expenses. But if you aren’t informed on Illinois Unemployment Compensation law and best practices for employers, you could be missing out on savings by paying more unemployment taxes than necessary.

Did you know the Illinois Unemployment Tax is the only tax an employer has a chance of reducing? You can control your unemployment costs! Knowing how to work within complex unemployment laws will be uncomplicated after attending this seminar.

On December 1, 2008, all employers in the state of Illinois will be mailed a Contribution Rate Determination. This will determine your unemployment costs for 2009. The employer will have 15 days to issue a protest if your rate was assigned incorrectly. Bring your Contribution Rate Determination with you to the seminar to verify that the state has correctly assigned your 2009 rate. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 311 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1500, Chicago $169.00

Having trouble with the link? Simply copy and paste the entire address listed below into your web browser:
http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?1Q,P1,DCA7E543-2063-4220-B310-2AD040FE3643

Chicagoland Chamber 12/4/08


Please save the date for a special Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday, December 4, 1:00-2:30PM, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Office, 200 E. Randolph, Suite 2200, with guest speakers, Ryan Mouw, Senior Government Relations Officer, CTA and Karin Sommer, Associate, Metropolitan Planning Council. Mr. Mouw will discuss the City of Chicago and CTA’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Pilot Program. Bus Rapid Transit is a strategy to reduce bus travel times, increase service predictability, and improve customer amenities. In April 2008, the City of Chicago and CTA were selected to receive a federal grant for $153.1 million to implement four BRT pilot routes in Chicago upon completion of a formal grant process. The grant requires the rollout of BRT in four pilot corridors by April 2010, BRT will begin piloting elements in 2009. Ms Sommer will give a presentation on the Metropolitan Planning Council’s recently released report, Moving at the Speed of Congestion, which measures the true cost of congestion to the Chicago region. Moving at the Speed of Congestion pegs the cost our region pays as a result of congestion at $7.3 billion per year. The Council has proposed the Capital Investment Accountability Act to direct all transportation spending to the projects that provide the greatest return. Please email GRCommittees@chicagolandchamber.org to confirm your attendance. (Please specificity which committee your RSVP is for in the subject line)





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, November 10, 2008

Gail's Weekly Chamber Update

I was at a 3 day conference last week from Wed through Friday in Decatur. It was put on by the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and there were 110 chamber of commerce leaders there. My head is spinning with all the wonderful things I learned and ideas that were shared! You’ll be hearing more about them as we plan our next year.
Tomorrow is Veterans Day – the 11th day of the 11th month! Women are Veterans too! I proudly served in the Air Force for 5 ½ years after I graduated from ASU – as did my brother. Our father was in the Navy so we grew up as ‘Navy Brats’ and spent time overseas. We’ll be flying the flag tomorrow at our house in honor of all the vets who’ve served – and for those still serving. God bless the United States of America!
Page down to see that Maine Township Partners with Golf Mill and Journal to Collect Items for Troops and how you can help!

This Wednesday is our November Monthly Networking Luncheon:

November 12, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Bailey’s Restaurant, 10 N. Cumberland, Park Ridge
Dr. Susan Crawford, from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, will speak about: “The ’08 Flu & Cold Season. What’s in Store?”
$25 Member; $30 Prospective Member

Don’t be left out! Please rsvp today!

This is who has rsvp’d to date so if you don’t see your name, please email or call the Chamber:
1 Angela Berger Park Ridge Public Library
2 Dorothy Brownstein Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
3 Gale Cerabona Central Baptist Village
4 Thom De Vries Loyola Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine
5 Marci Derrick Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
6 Tom Dombro ING Advisors Network
7 Jenny Fitzgerald Sabella & Graham PC
8 Donna Habich American Society of Anesthesiologists
9 Gail Haller Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
10 Carol Linning H&R Block
11 Georgia Loukas Impact Design
12 Jasna Ostojich HomeControlPlus, Inc.
13 Rosemary Sajovic Journal & Topics
14 Adam Sonenshein Noodles + Company
15 Aggie Stempniak City of Park Ridge
16 Janet Van De Carr Park Ridge Public Library
17 Anna Wasyliw Harris Bank


Business After Hours at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
31 S. Northwest Highway
Next Week: Thursday Nov. 20 5-7pm
No additional charge – included in your membership!!!
This tasty event will include an opportunity to make your own treats! Plus a fudge making demonstration, and of course a whole lot of sampling. There will be a showcase of holiday gift ideas and a discount of 20% off all purchases and orders. What a great time to get those customer and family gifts ordered! Other delectable refreshments will be enjoyed!

The Women in Business Holiday Networking Luncheon will be held at the Hyatt Rosemont at Devon and River Road on Friday, November 21.

Lynda Tourloukis will speak about ‘Stresslessness’ – how to stress less throughout the holidays!

We’ll also be collecting non-perishable cans and boxes of food to replenish the Maine Township Food Pantry – they lost over 50 boxes of food in the floods.

Cost for the luncheon is $25 for Members and $30 for future members! RSVP to the Chamber.
Plans are ongoing for Winterfest 2008, November 28, Friday after Thanksgiving but we need your help! We’re asking for $100 from each Uptown merchant and those on Northwest Highway – here is who has said yes so far with $100 checks and I want to acknowledge and say thank you:
2 Sisters
Anthony Valentino
Liberty Bank for Savings
Baked By Betsy
George J. Burrows
Harris Bank Park Ridge
The Northwest Highway Building
Also, the City is donating money and so are the South Park Merchants so a HUGE thank you to both!
As we work together, it will all come together!
Check out the website www.parkridgewinterfest.com for the donation form. We’ll even take credit card and Paypal.com donations.

Bring in your receipts from Chamber members totalling $500 or more! Enter the Chamber drawing to win $200 in Chamber gift certificates! (2 at $100 will be given away!)
For a current list of Chamber members, go to www.parkridgeChamber.org and click on ‘Business Directory’. We’ve had OVER 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!).


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 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.

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, the following are donating:
• Pioneer Press
• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
• Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark at Grand Geneva
• Journal Newspaper
• French Twist, A Hair Salon for Men and Women, Niles
• Dominic's Kitchen Store
• Park Ridge Fire Department
• The Lock Up Storage Center
• Jackie's Nails & Spa
• Select Redesign
• American Eagle
• Dental Auxiliary Placement Services
• Resurrection Health Care
• Mayor Howard Frimark
• Minuteman Press of Des Plaines

It’s going to be a great time so please save the date now! It’s for all Chamber members and guests and residents within our wonderful community! $60 per person.
Since I was at a conference last week, I didn’t get to visit anyone but will do so this week!
But we did get a new Platinum member, PC Medic Computer Repair 847-299-5556. Now we have 5 Platinum members!

Check out the new Chamber Blog. Simply post your comments. www.parkridgechamber.blogspot.com
Food Network Stars appearing in Park Ridge to celebrate Dominic’s Kitchen Store’s 5th Anniversary in Park Ridge; Nov. 10th through 16th; Sign up for FREE cooking classes! Special anniversary product offers! Free WMF Ball Whisk with any $50 purchase this day. Free assembly and $50 off any Big Green Egg this day. Dominic’s Kitchen Store thanks its customers for 5 great years with the biggest food making event ever in Park Ridge. Come in! Sign up! Class Space is limited! Call Dominic Cimilluca at 847-698-1255 or via email at dominic@dominicskitchenstore.com
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Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter www.alz.org/illinois Now what was i sayiNg?
This free hour-and-a-half long workshop is designed for “Boomers,” or healthy older adults, who are interested in brain health and who want to keep their memories sharp for as long as possible. The fun, informative and interactive program focuses on how our memory works, normal age-related changes vs. serious memory problems and tricks and techniques to stimulate and challenge the brain. Tuesday, November 11 2008 time: 2pm- 3:30pm LocatioN: Central Baptist Village 4747 N. Canfield Avenue Norridge RegistRatioN: To register for this free program call 847.933.2413 or visit www.alz.org/illinois.
Maine Center
32nd Annual Park Ridge Christmas Housewalk to Benefit Maine Center on Friday December 5th from 5:30 – 9:30 pm. All proceeds from the annual Housewalk benefit Maine Center, a not-for-profit community behavioral health organization located in Park Ridge. Tickets are $20.00 if purchased before 12/05/08 and $25.00 if purchased on the day of the walk. For further information contact: Suzanne Henn, Maine Center (847) 696-1570 ext. 310.
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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. For more information go to: www.district64elf.org
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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. 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, now 16, was adopted from the orphanage as a baby. The collection of baby clothes has been a huge success. If any chamber member would like to donate clothes or a monetary gift, it would be greatly appreciated. Lynnette will be traveling to Celeya at the beginning of December to purchase Christmas presents for the other 200 children in the orphanage. 847-823-7334
Access Oakton: With holiday festivities already crowding our calendars, your digital camera skills need to be in peak condition to capture all those picture-perfect moments. One way to become better prepared is to organize your photo files. Customizing photo names can quickly clean up digital clutter and more clearly identify your special memories. To get started on a Windows operating system, simply select the files you want to rename, then right click on the first picture in the group. In the menu option, left click on “Rename.” Type the new file name using the following format: Filename (1). Press enter. The subsequent selected files should follow suit. For example, if the filename entered is MyParty (1), the subsequent files should read MyParty (2), MyParty (3), etc. For those interested in learning more tips and shortcuts like this one, enroll in Introduction to the MS-Windows Operating System (CIS 116) or Windows Fundamentals (CAB 110) at Oakton Community College. Adobe Photoshop (CAB172) or Fundamentals of Digital Imaging using Photoshop Elements (GRD 160) offer more advanced tips to enhance your digital photography skills. Spring classes begin Jan. 20, 2009. To learn more about computer classes offered at Oakton, please contact Michele Reznick at 847-635-1904 or mreznick@oakton.edu.
Please join us for a Continuing Education Lecture Presented by Therese Cecchin RN, BSN, CMC Life Care Innovations, Inc. When Hoarding Takes Over a Life Program Objectives and Topics: What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? Discuss the compulsion to collect. Signs/symptoms of hoarding Behavioral therapy. Other mental disorders seen in hoarding 1.0 Continuing Education Unit will be offered to social workers and discharge planners. Tours and dinners to go will be available after the lecture. Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Registration: 3:30 p.m. Program: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saint Andrew Life Center 7000 North Newark Avenue, Niles, IL 60714 847-647-8332 Please R.S.V.P. by November 14 to Erin Baltzar, Director of Marketing and Admissions, At 847-647-8332 Resurrection Health Care Resurrection Health Care Senior Services For all
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Sharon Curcio, Realtor at Baird & Warner said she just listed the best looking condo in Park Ridge! If you know someone looking to move right into a new home please have them call me at 847.823.1855.

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. Only 40 tickets left to the game are for sale. 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!
Maine Township Partners with Golf Mill and Journal to Collect Items for Troops
Beginning on Monday, Dec. 8 through Dec. 15 2008, Maine Township will be collecting items and monetary donations for our troops overseas. The Journal & Topics Newspapers and Golf Mill Shopping center are also key sponsors of this significant holiday Troop Drive, announces Township Supervisor Carol A. Teschky, who is Chair of the drive.
The drive’s goal is to collect much-needed personal items such as lip balm, beef jerky, drink packets, AA and AAA batteries, hand and foot warmers, individually wrapped snacks, magazines, white tube socks, foot powder, phone cards and other items not supplied by the military or available to the troops in the field, especially combat areas.
Collection bins for the public will be placed in the vestibule at Maine Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Rd. in Park Ridge, at The Journal & Topics Newspapers offices, 622 Graceland in Des Plaines, and at the customer service desk at Golf Mill Shopping Center, 239 Golf Mill Center in Niles.
Monetary donations should be also mailed to Maine Township, 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge, Ill 60068. Make checks payable to “MTMS.” Funds will be used to purchase the items from the list. Adding a greeting card or letter is an optional but welcomed addition to any donation – the troops enjoy receiving cards and letters too.
All donated items will be sent to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by the American Legion.
In addition to the collection bins used at sponsor locations, Golf Mill will have a holiday tree in their customer service area at which participants can make their donations in a festive atmosphere. The tree will have individual ornaments with needed items on them. Shoppers may take the ornaments as a reminder of what is needed to purchase and then return them to the customer service area.
For more information on how you can make a positive impact in the life of a soldier overseas this holiday season, call 847-297-2510 or visit www.mainetownship.com.

Do you know there are considerable changes to the Internal Revenue Code that will dramatically affect how 403(b) retirement plans operate as of January 1, 2009? Do you know how to complete the updated IRS Form 990?
We have a seminar that you can’t afford to miss! Make plans to join us on Wednesday, December 3 for a morning session and lunch in Willowbrook for Not-for-Profit Retirement Plans: Preparing for 2009 IRS Changes. These are changing tax laws affecting your organization and you must stay in compliance. RSVP today!
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce and professional services firm Sikich LLP have developed a half-day seminar to inform you about changes in IRS Form 990 and the not-for-profit tax changes that impact your organization. There are numerous changes to the Internal Revenue Code that will dramatically affect how 403(b) retirement plans operate as of January 1, 2009. Join other association and chamber professionals on Wednesday, December 3 in Willowbrook to learn how to stay in compliance. This seminar will cover:
• An introduction to the revised IRS Form 990.
• How to incorporate transparency and comply with the revised IRS Form 990.
• How to comply with new Internal Revenue Code regulations for operating your 403(b) retirement plan.
• What your basic fiduciary responsibilities are under ERISA.
• How to handle vendor fee analysis and DOL Model Fee Disclosure.
Who should attend?
• Chamber of Commerce Professionals
• Association Leaders
• Non-Profit Executives
• Association Management Firms
• Finance and Administration Executives
• Human Resource Leaders
• 403(b) Plan Professionals
• Legal Professionals
CPE Credit: 3.0 credit hours available upon request through Sikich LLP. For more information about CPE credit, please call Jen Tibbs, Sikich, 217-862-1835 or email jtibbs@sikich.com.
When/Where/How Much
When: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Holiday Inn Willowbrook, 7800 South Kingery Hwy, Willowbrook, IL
How Much: $49 (lunch included)
How to Register
Online: www.ilchamber.org to register or download additional forms
Mail: completed form and check to:
Illinois Chamber of Commerce | P.O. Box 19258 | Springfield, IL 62794-9258
Fax: completed form with credit card information to: 217.522.5518
Questions: 217.522.5512, ext. 226 or email seminars@ilchamber.org

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

Thank you to our Platinum Members:
• Aardvark Builders 312.504.4090
• Kumon Math & Reading Centers 847.939.5090
• PC Medic Computer Repair 847-299-5556
• State Farm Insurance & Financial Services - Ann Witek 847.692.3260
• The Exercise Coach 847.823.0035

Monday, November 3, 2008

Gail's Weekly Chamber Update

Can you believe the weather this weekend? It was fabulous for all the little trick-or-treaters! Lian and I visited the South Park Merchants where they really get into Halloween!

I’ve completed 7 weeks of the Citizen’s Police Academy. We learned about traffic stops, how to conduct one, and then practiced them! It was so interesting – I had no idea what goes into them. You think they’re the easiest thing the police do but they never know what to expect so they can be quite dangerous!

Nominations for the Chamber’s Board of Directors is due by the end of the day this Friday, November 7. If you’re interested, contact the Chamber for the nomination form or download from www.parkridgechamber.org in Announcements.





Thank you to:

Central Baptist Village


Thank you to Gale Cerabona and the staff at Central Baptist Village for hosting the Chamber’s October Business After Hours networking event last week! They had wonderful food – enough for everyone who turned out for the event.

www.cbvillage.org At least 6 prospective members also came to network and meet with Chamber members so it was profitable for those who showed up! Contacts are made and relationships flourish when you attend the networking events!






Winterfest
Plans are ongoing for Winterfest 2008, November 28, Friday after Thanksgiving but we need your help! It takes money to put on these events. If everyone gave even just a little bit, it makes for a great event. We’re asking for $100 from each Uptown merchant and those on Northwest Highway – here is who has said yes so far with $100 checks and I want to acknowledge and say thank you:

2 Sisters

Anthony Valentino

Liberty Bank for Savings

Baked By Betsy

George J. Burrows

The Northwest Highway Building

Also, the City is donating money and so are the South Park Merchants so a HUGE thank you to both organizations!

As we work together, it will all come together!

Check out the website www.parkridgewinterfest.com for the donation form. We’ll even take credit card and Paypal.com donations.

It costs about $5 - $6K to put on this event so I could really use your help.




Chamber Economic Stimulus Program!
Don’t forget – save those receipts from our Chamber members! Bring in your receipts from Chamber members of $500 or more – you’ll be entered into a drawing to win $200 in Chamber gift certificates! (2 at $100 will be given away!)

For a current list of Chamber members, go to www.parkridgeChamber.org and click on ‘Business Directory’. We’ve had OVER 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!).





Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Events!
Mark your calendar!



November 6, Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Entrepreneurial Knowledge Group (EKG) A group for new and emerging entrepreneurs. Chamber Offices, 32 Main Street, Suite F. Included in your membership!



November 12, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Monthly Networking Luncheon

Baileys Restaurant, 10 N. Cumberland, Park Ridge

Susan Crawford, M.D., from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, to be the guest speaker: “The ’08 Flu & Cold Season. What’s in Store?”

$25 Member; $30 Prospective Member



November 14, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Park Ridge Executive Network (PREN) Meeting – Leads and referral group, Chamber Offices, 32 Main Street, Suite F (one person per industry). Included in your Chamber Membership at no additional fee.





Our monthly networking Business After Hours will be on Thursday, November 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Please rsvp to the Chamber. Included in your Chamber Membership at no additional fee.



Women in Business Holiday Luncheon
The Women in Business Holiday Networking Luncheon will be held at the Hyatt Rosemont at Devon and River Road on Friday, November 21.



Lynda Tourloukis will speak about ‘Stresslessness’ – how to stress less throughout the holidays!



We’ll also be collecting non-perishable cans and boxes of food to replenish the Maine Township Food Pantry – they lost over 50 boxes of food in the floods.



Cost for the luncheon is $25 for Members and $30 for future members! RSVP to the Chamber.





‘A Night of Stars’

1/24/09
Did you see our press release got published in both the Pioneer Press and the Journal? Thank you to Dick Barton for writing it! Here it is again, in case you missed it!



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 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.





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, the following are donating:

Pioneer Press
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark at Grand Geneva
Journal Newspaper
French Twist, A Hair Salon for Men and Women, Niles
Dominic's Kitchen Store
Park Ridge Fire Department
The Lock Up Storage Center
Jackie's Nails & Spa
Select Redesign
American Eagle
Dental Auxiliary Placement Services
Resurrection Health Care
Mayor Howard Frimark
Minuteman Press of Des Plaines




Also, we have a professional pianist: FRED SIMON http://www.opendoormanagement.com/fredsimon/index.html

Fred Simon has been making music for over thirty years, composing for records, live performance, film, dance, and television, with instrumentation ranging from solo piano to symphonic orchestra. Thank you to Karen Anderson for arranging and sponsoring Fred!



It’s going to be a great time so please save the date now! It’s for all Chamber members and guests and residents within our wonderful community! $60 per person.



Members Visited





















Prospective Members











Chamber Blog

Member News

Book Sale!









Edward Jones Lunch & Learn





Central Baptist Village Seminar













Lutheran General Children’s Hospital Benefit













Maine Center Christmas Housewalk on Dec. 5th

















LGH

Folk Music Tribute













D64 ELF













Brickton Art Center











Academic Tutoring Centers:

‘ACT Success’











Lynnette’s School of Dance









Maine South







Oakton















Resurrection Health Care Seminar













Save the Dates!


Members I visited last week:

Citywide Print

Summit Specialtees

Tasty Pup

Sebastian Co. Real Estate

Park National Bank

Morningfields

State Farm – Ann Witek

Perry’s Pizzeria

National City Bank

Hay Caramba!

Central Baptist Village

Park Ridge Public Works

Potbelly Sandwich Works

Park Ridge Park District

Walgreen

Jewel

Minuteman Press of Des Plaines



Prospective members visited:

Jackie’s Nails & Spa (she joined!)

ps: accessories (she joined!)

Wireless Park – T-Mobile Store

Giuseppe’s European Hair Styles

Annika Shoes

The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy

Kelly’s Meat Market

Action Skateboard Shop

Solari & Huntington

Scissorhands

Living Seas Aquarium

Boston Market



Check out the new Chamber Blog. Simply post your comments. www.parkridgechamber.blogspot.com

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.

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Perry Wein and Nick Boudreau, financial advisors with Edward Jones, are hosting a lunch at Zia’s Trattoria on November 5 at noon for a Lunch and Learn. Seating is limited and reservations are mandatory. Please call (847) 692-7719 to reserve your space no later than November 4, 2008.

Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter www.alz.org/illinois Now what was i sayiNg?

This free hour-and-a-half long workshop is designed for “Boomers,” or healthy older adults, who are interested in brain health and who want to keep their memories sharp for as long as possible. The fun, informative and interactive program focuses on how our memory works, normal age-related changes vs. serious memory problems and tricks and techniques to stimulate and challenge the brain. Tuesday, November 11 2008 time: 2pm- 3:30pm LocatioN: Central Baptist Village 4747 N. Canfield Avenue Norridge RegistRatioN: To register for this free program call 847.933.2413 or visit www.alz.org/illinois.

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.

32nd Annual Park Ridge Christmas Housewalk to Benefit Maine Center on Friday December 5th from 5:30 – 9:30 pm. The four homes featured on this year’s Housewalk are a collection of new and old. The residences are each decorated with their own style of holiday tradition.

All proceeds from the annual Housewalk benefit Maine Center, a not-for-profit community behavioral health organization located in Park Ridge. Maine Center is nationally accredited and has been serving the residents of Maine Township for over 40 years. Maine Center provides mental health and substance abuse treatment. Many of the clients do not have insurance, but no one is turned away, as Maine Center will pay for those services that are in need.

Tickets are $20.00 if purchased before 12/05/08 and $25.00 if purchased on the day of the walk.

For further information contact: Suzanne Henn, Maine Center (847) 696-1570 ext. 310.

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

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

Access Oakton: Concerns on Wall Street may be causing headaches across the country, but massage therapists are working hard to soothe hose pains (and other body aches). With skills in relaxing clients – and an economic climate where most people could use some tension release – massage therapists are in high demand. In fact, job opportunities for massage therapists are expected to continue to grow over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. As increasing numbers of people learn the benefits of this alternative treatment, more trained massage therapists will be needed. To meet the demands of the market, Oakton Community College, in conjunction with ASIS Massage, offers a two-semester program that prepares individuals for a career in massage therapy.

Please join us for a Continuing Education Lecture Presented by Therese Cecchin RN, BSN, CMC Life Care Innovations, Inc. When Hoarding Takes Over a Life Program Objectives and Topics: What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? Discuss the compulsion to collect. Signs/symptoms of hoarding Behavioral therapy. Other mental disorders seen in hoarding 1.0 Continuing Education Unit will be offered to social workers and discharge planners. Tours and dinners to go will be available after the lecture. Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Registration: 3:30 p.m. Program: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saint Andrew Life Center 7000 North Newark Avenue, Niles, IL 60714 847-647-8332 Please R.S.V.P. by November 14 to Erin Baltzar, Director of Marketing and Admissions, At 847-647-8332 Resurrection Health Care Resurrection Health Care Senior Services For all of You, All of Your Life. seniors.reshealth.org

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.



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.

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. Only 40 tickets left to the game are for sale. 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!






Social Security for Small Businesses
Social Security Update:

Social Security has a free electronic filing solution for small businesses. It’s called W-2 Online and it offers the following benefits:



- It’s safe and secure;

- No paper forms to purchase;

- No software needed;

- Get an extra 30 days to file (until the last day of March);

- Get an immediate receipt of filing, and more.



Find out why 97% of small business rate W-2 Online as convenient and very easy to use. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/employer and select Business Services Online today!




101 Cell Phones for Soldiers = 101 Hours!
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