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
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