Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Weekly Chamber UPDATE from Gail

What a spectacular event the Installation and Recognition Dinner on Saturday was! I’m so proud of how it turned out, of my staff (Dorothy, Cindy and Marci), and all the helping hands that contributed towards the success of the event! Thank you to all of you who contributed in any way towards making it a successful event!

I’d like to say that I got to rest and relax all day yesterday – but I didn’t! I had 4 hours of rehearsal for the Washington School PTO Playmakers play, Run Forest Run! I play a tap dancing carpenter ant, Karen. It’s a musical comedy for the whole family and we’ll do 7 performances to raise money for the PTO.


Installation & Awards Dinner
‘A Night of Stars’
1/24/09
Was
Sensational!





A Night of Stars was Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 and it was a glorious evening! We’ve been receiving emails and voicemails all day today - thanking and congratulating the Chamber on a job well done! Thank you to all who phoned or wrote.

The Country Club did a wonderful job – the food was delicious and the tables looked beautiful! Thank you to Tom McHugh and his staff! We had a blue and white stars theme and everything looked so pretty!

The lovely centerpieces were donated by Kiko’s Flowers & Gifts and were a feast for the eyes! Thank you Herb, Kiko and Andy Zimmerman for 21 truly beautiful centerpieces! Please keep Kiko’s in mind for your floral needs!

The invitations and programs were designed by Baggio Studios and printed by Quinn Print Inc. Thank you to Rita and John Baggio and to Mike Quinn and Gene Walker. They were professionally done and simply perfect!

Don Sebastian, Jr., acknowledged the 2008 board and presented Ann Witek, retiring board member, with a beautiful award for her service on the board. Don also awarded his President’s Award to Lynda Tourloukis, You Can Say Yes, for all her involvement with and support of the Chamber during 2008 (newsletter, EKG, Ambassadors, and more!). The 2009 Chamber Board of Directors was installed by Mayor Frimark who swore in the new board members.

Here is the 2009 Board and their positions:
Karen Anderson
President
Dental Auxiliary Placement Services, Inc.
847-696-1988
karen@daps-inc.com

Dave Donovan
President Elect
E.J. Coyne & Company, Inc.
847-692-9077
dave@coyneinsurance.com

Anna Wasyliw
Treasurer
Harris Park Ridge
847-692-6772
Anna.wasyliw@harrisbank.com

Gail Haller
Secretary
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
827-825-3121
Gail.haller@parkridgechamber.org

Don Sebastian Jr.
Immediate Past President
Sebastian Co. Real Estate
847- 823-3117
Dsebastianjr@Sebastianco.com

Dominic Cimilluca
Director
Dominic’s Kitchen Store
847-698-1255
dominic@dominicsKitchenstore.com

Tom Dombro
Director
ING Advisors Network
847-292-9910
t.dombro@comcast.net

Curt Edlund
Director
Larsen and Edlund
847-692-7158
cedlund@larsenandedlund.com

Linda Hills
Director
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
847-318-6801
hillschocolates@sbcglobal.net

Jackie Matthews
Director
Rainbow Hospice
847-292-2353
jmathews@rainbowhospice.org

Deborah Oberschelp
Director
Select Redesign
312-909-1255
deborah@selectredesign.com

Theresa Olson
Director
Resurrection Health Care
773-355-2823
theresa.olson@reshealthcare.org

Rick Pucci
Director
Park Ridge Financial Advisors
847-759-0055
rpucci@fscadvisor.com


Of course the highlight of the night was the Community Star Awards! The people who nominated the Stars introduced them and each Star received standing ovations before and after their remarks! It was heartwarming! Here is a recap of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Community Star Awards:






Category
Nominee
Nominee's Org.

Community Organization
Cristov Dosev
Knights of Columbus

Government
Gary Warner
Maine Township Clerk

Large Business
Diane Blanks
Volunteer St Matthew Center for Health

Not for Profit
Jackie Mathews
Rainbow Hospice

Outstanding Youth
Melissa (Missy) Ryan
Student at Maine South High School

Outstanding Youth
Robert Porter
Student at Maine South High School

Schools
Judie Zoromski
Mary, Seat of Wisdom

Small Business
Albert Galus
Academic Tutoring Centers





Thank you to Dental Auxiliary Placement Service for underwriting the pianist, Fred Simon who played beautifully throughout the evening. Liberty Bank for Savings for was a Table Top Sponsor as was Lutheran General Hospital. Harris Park Ridge underwrote the Community Star Awards while Resurrection Health Care covered the dinners for the Stars!

Accents by Jenny provided the Stars’ flowers and donated the presentation roses for Lynda Tourloukis, President’s Awardee.


Thank you again to the Committee who planned the event for months to ensure not only a successful event but also reviewed the dozens of Community Star nominations for hours to select the perfect Stars: Karen Anderson, Dick Barton, Marta Hoover, Jackie Mathews, Valerie Niskanen, Don Sebastian, Jr., Dave Schmidt, and Chris Valentine.

Thank you to all of you who donated the Silent Auction items!

Diddy Blyth and Greg Duda, A Sterling Design, took photographs of the evening and of couples. You can purchase photos online with these instructions: Go to: www.asterlingdesign.com
Look up PR Chamber – Stars 1/24/2009

Order Type One – Image Enhanced before purchase
· Select image
· Decide enhancements you will request
o Minor enhancements will be No Charge
o Major work will be quoted before starting
· Call A Sterling Design (847-698-6383) and tell us 1) the number of the image, 2) your phone number, and 3) the type of enhancement you desire.
· The work will be done; the enhanced image will be put back on line. We will call you.
· Purchase your image on line.
Order Type Two – no changes
· Purchase as is on line.


January Business After Hours
Sun and Moon Yoga will host the Business After Hours this Thursday, Jan. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. with finger foods, healthy cookies, wine and yoga demonstrations. Please call the Chamber to RSVP so Anna Basile knows how many to order food for!

Women in Business
Women in Business will meet at Rainbow Hospice at 444 N. Northwest Highway (suite 145) on the last Friday of the month, 7:30 a.m., January 30. Chicago Radio Personality, Catherine Johns, is the keynote speaker: ‘Creating A Positive Image’. Panera Bread joined the Chamber today and will be catering the WIB breakfast. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for prospective members. There are 24 rsvp’s in as of today – I’ll update you later this week.

Member News
Last week, I visited Dominic’s Kitchen Store; Quinn Print, Inc.; Bailey’s Restaurant; Winestyles; ps: accessories; Park Ridge Park District; Park Ridge Library; Jewel Foods, and of course the Park Ridge Country Club!



Jay Crowley Installed as President of Women’s Council of Realtors!
Jay Crowley, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty Partners, Park Ridge was installed as the 2009 President of the Northwest. Jay will serve a one-year term as President. The Northwest Chapter is one of eleven chapters in the state of Illinois. Communities it draws from include Park Ridge among many. The Illinois website: Illinoiswcr.org
“Women’s Council has so much to offer REALTORS® who are feeling challenged in our current marketplace. Our education is fabulous, our networking superb, our support systems invaluable. I’m ready to lead us to our best year ever!” said Jay Crowley.
We are proud to announce that WCR, Northwest Chapter has made WINGS our charitable recipient for 2009.



Brickton Montessori
BRICKTON MONTESSORI ANNOUNCES WINNERS IN GEOGRAPHY CONTEST
Brickton Montessori School elementary and middle school students recently participated in the “National Geographic Geography Bee” contest. The first, second and third place winners now have the chance to qualify for State level competition. The winners are: First Place; Eighth grader, Maya Golliday, Second Place; Fourth grader, Tyler Flechs and there was a tie for Third Place; Seventh grader, Sydney Delin and Sixth grader, Aiden Hardy. Congratulations to all of the winners!!
Founded in 1986, Brickton Montessori School draws students from Chicago’s Northwest side and the neighboring suburbs. It is conveniently located just South of the Kennedy Expressway at Cumberland and serves children ages 2-14. Programming is available from 6:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. year-round. Brickton is one of the few Chicago-area schools fully accredited by the American Montessori Society and ISACS. Visit us a www.brickton.org

Bethany Terrace – Good Samaritan Program
The Bethany Terrace will be collecting new and gently worn winter items of clothing for its Good Samaritan Program. The Bethany Methodist Communities’ Good Samaritan Program funds medical and residential care for seniors who are neglected, homeless and indigent. It is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Call Molly Arnoldt 773.714.0646


A-Abiding Care
A-Abiding Care recently honored several caregivers and administrative staff at the Annual Employee Service Awards Luncheon: Pamela Davenport, Ava Martinez, Funmi Soyege, Keji Sopitan; Dottie McGuire, Roberta Meyer, Ella Davis.

Seminar:
Tax Tips
HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THE I.R.S. LATELY? Tips For Tax Savings and Safety!

Program is scheduled for evening of February 18, at the Park Ridge Public library. Several Chamber members will be presenting.
Call Diane Forsythe for more information: 847-268-2600


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


Thank you to our Platinum Members:

Aardvark Builders 312.504.4090
Applications Network 847.823.1830
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

CHICAGOLAND PARENTS FIND WHERE KIDS EAT FREE USING KIDWINKS.com

Kidwinks.com, a website developed by Nina Taluc and Jean Lemke, two Park Ridge, IL moms, offers a unique way for parents in the Chicago area to save money when dining out with their children. Kidwinks’ Kids Eat Free Calendar allows parents to click on any day of the calendar to get a list of restaurants offering “kids eat free” or other kids’ dining deals on that day.
Taluc says “With over 200 kids’ dining deals for the Chicago area, we have compiled what is easily the most comprehensive database of its kind, and in these troubled economic times, parents really appreciate this resource.” Lemke adds “The Kids Eat Free Calendar is one of the most popular features on our site, and when I include a link to “kids eat free” specials in our e-newsletter, it is always the most popular click-through.”
Some examples of what can be found using the Kids Eat Free Calendar on kidwinks.com are:
Incredible Deals:
• Bogart's in Rosemont, IL – Family Night – On Tuesdays, up to 3 FREE kids meals for each adult entree purchase. Bogart's is located on the Premier Level of the Muvico Theatre in Rosemont.
• McKenna's Restaurant in Rolling Meadows, IL – On any day, up to 4 kids eat free when ordered from the kid's menu per full paying adult.
• Pinstripes in Northbrook, IL – Mom &Tots Playdate every Tuesday & Thursday, 10am - noon; Kids can enjoy a complimentary yogurt & fresh food buffet and parents enjoy a free coffee station while bowling. Kids bowl for $5 and Moms bowl free. On Sundays, kids 12 & under eat FREE at the Pintastic Brunch.
Local Favorites:
• Al Primo Canto, 5414 W. Devon, Chicago, IL - Kids 6 and under eat free at Al Primo Canto when you order the all you can eat family feast, served family style. They also eat free for Sunday brunch..
• Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar – 3358 N. Paulina, Chicago, IL - Kids under age 11 eat free Monday – Friday at this modern-day bistro in Lakeview. Parents can enjoy upscale Italian food while the kids munch on pizza, pasta and ice cream.
• Sage Grille, 260 Greenbay Road, Highwood, IL - Kids under 12 eat free from the Kid’s Menu Sunday through Thursday. One child eats for free with every purchase of an adult entree.

Chain Restaurants:
• Denny's - Many Chicago area locations - Kids eat free Tuesday nights and in some locations Saturday nights too, 4 pm to 10 pm at participating restaurants.
• Steak 'n' Shake - Kids eat free at all Steak n Shake restaurants throughout the Chicago area on Saturday and Sunday. For each adult who spends at least $9.00, one child gets a free kids meal. This offer is for dine-in customers only.
• Colonial Cafe – Many Chicago area locations - Every Monday night after 4:00 pm, Kids Eat Free. The first Monday of each month is CLOWN NIGHT!

Kidwinks member Sue Biagi says “With four kids under the age of nine, eating out can get quite expensive for our family. The Kids Eat Free Calendar on kidwinks.com is a lifesaver for me.”
Kidwinks.com is free for all to use, and restaurants may list their kids meal specials on the Kids Eat Free Calendar for free.

Kidwinks.com makes Chicagoland parent’s lives easier by providing an all-encompassing resource to find kid-friendly activities, events, restaurants, shops and services. For more information, please visit www.kidwinks.com.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Gail's Chamber Update

We’re very busy planning ‘A Night of Stars’ and it will be a fabulous event with live music, silent auction, installation of the new board and honoring the 8 Community Stars! Please plan to attend. My goal is to have at least 200 in attendance and we’re more than half way there. Tom McHugh said I had to stop at 270 so, technically, there is limited seating! Get your reservations in now! You don’t want to miss out on the Chamber’s biggest networking event of the year!



Don’t forget that we’re still accepting used cell phones at the Chamber. Each phone donated gets a U.S. soldier overseas a 60 minute phone card so he/she can call home for free. We’ve sent in 111 phones to date and have a bunch more, ready to mail. District 64 Elementary Schools have Green Teams that will also be collecting phones this month and bringing them to the Chamber office. For more information, go to www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com It’s a wonderful program!



And, personally, I’ve been busy with rehearsals for the musical, ‘Run, Forest, Run!’ which will debut next month at Washington School. The PTO is very active and we typically raise more than $10,000 for the school to cover things not in the public school budget like playground equipment, computers, and cultural events.



Installation & Awards Dinner

‘A Night of Stars’

1/24/09


A Night of Stars is less than two weeks away: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 and you’re invited!



The 2009 Chamber Board of Directors will be installed and the Community Stars will be honored. Please return your reply card, and don’t forget your payment! It’s just $60 per person for a fabulous gourmet meal at the Country Club!



There will be no monthly networking luncheon in January because of the Installation & Awards dinner so please come to the dinner. It’s open to everyone! We’ll have 10 per table if you’d like to buy a whole table!



Thank you to sponsors, Baggio Studios for designing the invitations and program ad book; Dental Auxiliary Placement Service for sponsoring the pianist, Fred Simon; Kiko’s Flowers & Gifts for providing all the table centerpieces; Quinn Print Inc for printing the invitations and the program book; Liberty Bank for Savings for being a Table Top Sponsor; Lutheran General Hospital and Resurrection Health Care for their monetary donations. I appreciate your support very much!



Here’s a list of the items being donated so far for the silent auction:

A Sterling Design
Complimentary Sitting; 8x10 portrait. Certificate with 6 greeting cards of Park Ridge

Academic Tutoring
ACT prep course (gift certificate) for Junior

Accents by Jenny
Gift Certificate for Floral Arrangement

American Eagle
6 months basic website hosting and maintenance

Baileys Restaurant
Baileys Gift Certificates (2)

C Sharp Consulting
Music and Wine Basket: C Sharp Consulting - a Sales, Marketing and Management Organizaton porviding solutions for the Music Industry.

Carmen Nicole's Wellness Spa
Spa Basket- 1 classic facial; 1 hr swedish massage; 1 seasonal pedicure; 1 yoga or pilates class

Chicago Fire Soccer
Team autographed pennant

Chiropractic Physicians of Park Ridge
1 digital scan of feet and custom molded orthotics

Chris' Landscape Inc.
American Girl: Molly Story Collection

Chris' Landscape Inc.
Sylvania DVD/ CD Player

Chris' Landscape Inc.
Three visits: landscape maintenance service (details on certificate)

Classic Quick Print
Gift Certificate

Dominic's Kitchen Store
TBD

French Twist Hair Salon
Gift Certificates (2)

GB Therapeutic Massage
1 hour massage with basket of Goodies (natural soap, shea balm, etc)

Hay Caramba!
Gift Certificate

Hobbs Hobby Hut
Signed, framed photo of Geovany Soto, 2008 NL Rookie of the Year

Howard Frimark
Commitment via Dick Barton

Hyatt Regency O’Hare
Overnight Stay and Dinner

Impact Design
Interior design consolation

Indira Salon
Gift Certificate for a Facial

Jackie's Nails & Spa
Gift Certificate for Manicure and Pedicure

Jewel Osco
Gift Card

Journal Newspaper
1/2 page ad in the Journal Newspaper

Kiko's Flowers & Gifts
20 tables flower arrangements

Kustom Kribs Baby Boutique
TBD and item is coming per Marta

Lutheran General Hospital
TBD - raffle prize

Lynette's School of Dance
$100 gift certificate basket

Marianne Murphy (artist)
Watercolor Painting of Chicago Skyline

Minuteman Press of Des Plaines
Hand Painted Child's Rocking Chair

Nika le butik
A fabulous night of shopping for group of 8 or more ladies, including champagne, wine, music and appetizers with discount shopping of 20% for hostess.

No 'e' Disign
Jewlery designed by Suzann Wilson

Order My Gift - Karen Larsen
Selection from Gift Catalog

Park Ridge Financial Advisors
One confidential, customized Financial Plan in writing. Comes with a 45-minute, no-charge consultation

Park Ridge Fire Department
Pick up at home in firetruck and lunch for four at fire station

Park Ridge Herlad-Advocate
Half page display ad in the Herald-Advocate

Park Ridge Multi Med
1 hour Massage Gift Certificate

PC Medic, Inc.
5 gift certificates for Computer & Laptop Repair Services

Perry's Pizzaria
Gift Certificate

Pines Men Store
Gift Certificate (2)

Pioneer Press
1/2 page display ad in Park Ridge Herald-Advocate

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Chocolate Gift Basket

Rosewood Restaurant
Gift Certificates (4) for lunch $5.00 or dinner $10.00 off purchase

Score! Educational Center
Five - 1 hour sessions

Select Redesign
2-hour consultation and redesign for a living or dining room

Sun & Moon Yoga
10-class yoga class package

Tasty Pup
Gift Certificate (2)

The Exercise Coach
8 sessions on a gift cert.

The Lock Up Storage Center
gift certificate for Month storage

Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark
1 night stay in a 1-bedroom up to 4 waterpark wristbands

Titan Worldwide
two-sheet poster on the Cumberland El Stop 4 weeks!

TriPilates
Pilates Package: separate basket

WineStyles
Wine Tasting

You Can Say Yes
Motivational Package




Please get your reply cards in today!







1/17/09: ‘SONO’
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! Kids get goody bags!

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!



January Business After Hours
Sun and Moon Yoga will host the Business After Hours on the last Thursday, Jan. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. with finger foods, healthy cookies, wine and yoga demonstrations.

Women in Business
Women in Business will meet at Rainbow Hospice at 444 N. Northwest Highway (suite 145) on the last Friday of the month, 7:30 a.m., January 30. Chicago Radio Personality, Catherine Johns, is the keynote speaker: ‘Creating A Positive Image’. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for prospective members. More details to follow.

Football Mania!
Chris Valentine (Edward Jones) didn’t believe me when I called to tell him he won $500 in Football Mania! He bought one ticket for $20 – not a bad return on investment!

Programs
We’re working on some wonderful programs for our members from a mayoral debate in March to Blackhawks general manager to sharing the spotlight with Rotary and the Park Ridge Community Fund. So much going on! Lots of behind-the-scenes stuff! Stay tuned!



I intend to plan some educational workshops throughout the year so let me know if there is a specific topic you’d be interested in learning more about – or if there is a specific topic you would like to present (without being a hard-sell job).

Member News
Members I visited last week:

Liberty Bank for Savings (Lian opened a kid’s savings account)

Park Ridge Country Club

City Hall

Rotary

Walgreens

Jewel Foods

District 64 – Washington Elementary School

Dr. Ross Rubino and Dr. Kelli Christensen

Accents by Jenny (florist)

Select Redesign – Debbie Oberschelp



New Members:

Our first new member of the year is Sullivan and Johnson, Ltd – Amy Sullivan and Craig Johnson are CPA’s – an accounting firm.



In addition to them, we’ve received applications from Sunbelt Business Brokers (John Meyers); Healthcare Driven Systems (Joseph Heinz); Jason’s Deli (John DeRossett); To Bridge with Grace, a Healing Harbor, Inc. (Donna Cornille is a massage therapist). I can’t keep adding them onto last year’s count since now its all about renewals.



The Community Guide will be published by Pioneer Press and sent to every household in Park Ridge on March 19 (the saturation date). In order to be listed in the Community Guide, dues for 2009 must be paid by February 13.



If you’d like to place an ad in the Community Guide, please call Kathleen Frey 847- 486-7313.



Who can resist puppies?
FREE black lab (mixed) puppies for adoption. Contact Dick Barton at 847-698-5069 or dbarton@bartonchicago.com for information.



Workshop:

You Can Say Yes!

&

Sun and Moon Yoga
Did you know Jan 17th is New Years Resolution Bust Day? If you don't like making resolutions, haven't made goals or plans for 2009 yet or simply feel overwhelmed by the process join us for a three hour workshop that includes laughter, meditations and a creative vision process where you will find a way to create your own calendar of 2009 that includes your dreams, great ideas and goals by the time we are through and all in an easy and relaxed manner! Snacks and supplies included. Fee is $25 and you can register in advance at www.youcansayyes.com/visual.htm



A workshop created by You Can Say Yes Motivational Guidance Services

January 17th from 1-4pm

Sun and Moon Yoga
2024 Oakton Ave in Park Ridge

Contact Info: Lynda Tourloukis Lynda@youcansayyes.com or (847) 401-5787



WSI
WSI : Recession Proof your business with Internet Marketing



All chamber members are invited to a webinar called ‘Get Clients at YOUR Doorstep’ that is coming up on Wednesday Jan 14th at 12pm CDT.


If you have not registered already, you can click on the link below or paste the address into your browser and then fill in the required information. You will need to put my name (James Cone) in as the one who has invited you to the webinar.



Title: Get Clients at YOUR Doorstep

Time: Wednesday Jan 14th at 1pm EST

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/898738760



WSI is an international company with over 1500 offices in 87 countries. They have analyzed the Internet marketing spend of the tens of thousands of customers they have, and will be discussing some of their broad findings about where the ‘Smart Money’ is going.



The webinar will cover the following topics:

 Pay Per Click Advertising: Targeting your advertising dollars for a focused message

 Search Engine Optimization: Rank better then your competition

 Social Media Optimization: Commercial Value to your Business

 Internet Marketing and the future: Changes in Google you need to know and leverage now!



If you are serious about growing your business, I encourage you to attend this session.





James Cone
Internet Marketing Consultant
tel: (847) 430.6842
fax: (847) 655.2772
jcone@OnlineWSIMarketing.com
online at www.onlinewsimarketing.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


Thank you to our Platinum Members:

Aardvark Builders 312.504.4090
Applications Network 847.823.1830
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, January 5, 2009

Gail's Weekly Update

Happy New Year, Everyone!



I hope you had fun and safe holidays with your loved ones! The Haller family celebrated with extended family and friends throughout the holidays and we all made it through unscathed.



My office pc finally died with no hope of resurrection. A new one is on its way so I'll be up and running better than new very shortly thanks to my tech guy, John Barrett, Applications Network (and Platinum member!).



So, this comes from my personal laptop but I wanted to get a few things out today.



We got our first new member of the year: Sullivan and Johnson, Ltd. in Park Ridge!



We have three major networking events this month: dinner and hockey on Saturday, Jan. 17th; the Business After Hours at Sun and Moon Yoga on the last Thursday of the month, Jan. 29; and of course, A Night of Stars, on Saturday, Jan. 24. Go to our website for more information: www.parkridgechamber.org



That Saturday for A Night of Stars, we'll install the new Chamber president and board of directors, and say thank you to the outgoing directors.



We'll also honor the Community Stars! I just wanted to mention that we had many nominations and the committee deliberated for hours as there were so many wonderful nominations sent in. Each one was worthy in his or her own right so thank you to those who submitted nominations.



There are still opportunities to sponsor at the dinner and I'll send out that list separately. Reservations are rolling in and several tables of 10 have been sold. Its going to be a fun night so please get your reservation in!



Apparently some people in past years didn't realize that A Night of Stars is open to the community and all our members - and it is! So, please come!



We're also selling ads for the program ad book.



Thank you to Dick Barton for writing the press releases that have been getting published in the newspapers!



We are still accepting used cell phones. They get recycled and a 60 minute phone card is donated to a soldier overseas for every cell phone donated.



The dues checks are rolling in and I appreciate it. I hope you appreciate that dues have not changed for many years. I'm hoping to make it up in volume! Do you think the chamber can hit 500 this year? With your help, if you brought in a new member, we could double! Anyone who brings in a new member receives a $10 Chamber Gift Certificate!



Our Entrepreneur Knowledge Group – EKG – meets this Thursday at the Chamber at 10:00 a.m. This group is for entrepreneurs to come together and brainstorm.



Our PREN (Park Ridge Executive Network) meets this Friday at the Chamber at 8:30. It’s a leads and referral group with one person per industry. No charge but please rsvp.



Some Member News:



SCORE! had their ribbon cutting grand reopening ceremony last Saturday with Mayor Frimark in attendance. Congratulations!



Dr. Travis Dearborn, chiropractor, is extending a 20% discount on Whole Food Organic Supplements from www.standardprocess.com A good way to start the new year! He'll also do a nutritional assessment that helps determine exactly what to take and how to take it. Good through January.



From Deborah at Select Redesign:

Start out the new year by giving your home a fresh look! Call Deborah at Select Redesign and she will custom design a solution for you within your style and budget! 312-909-1255; deborah@selectredesign.com



WSI, We Simplify the Internet:

Just a quick note to ask you to keep 1 hour open on Wednesday Jan 14th at 12pm CST. You will recall that I operate an Internet Marketing business and our main office location in Toronto has just notified me of a very special webinar entitled, ‘Get Clients at YOUR Doorstep’, that is being hosted on Wednesday Jan 14th at 12pm CST.



We have been hearing a lot about the global economic condition, and how they are affecting local businesses everywhere. The webinar will focus specifically on what is growing in this receding economy and more specifically how to Recession Proof your local business by helping bring clients to your doorstep.



Title: Get Clients at YOUR Doorstep

Time: Wednesday Jan 14th at 1pm EST

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/898738760



You can click on the link and register with your first and last name and email address. You would also be required to enter my name, ‘James Cone’, to complete the registration. You will then receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.



James Cone, Internet Marketing Consultant, tel: (847) 430.6842, fax: (847) 655.2772 jcone@OnlineWSIMarketing.com, online at www.onlinewsimarketing.com





See you soon!



Gail

Gail.Haller@parkridgechamber.org

847-825-3121



Website: www.parkridgechamber.org