Eblast 7/13

Cindy,
Did you get to the Taste of Park Ridge? I sure hope so! What a blast it was! Albert Galus and his Taste Committee did a great job! Check it all out www.tasteofparkridge.com

Thank you to Uncle Dan’s Pizza & Pub for hosting our monthly networking luncheon and plying us with every type of pizza imagineable! The salads and desserts were fabulous too – Dan Cummins said they bought a bakery and their desserts were all baked onsite.

Also thank you to Ed Coyne who spoke on behalf of the Park Ridge Rotary about the wonderful projects they have accomplished. Charlotte Ogorek just got back from Peru on a Rotary mission also. What a great service organization! And it seems that most of the members of Rotary are also Chamber members – so thank you for that too!

Speaking of service organizations, at our Monthly Networking Luncheon on November 18, we’ll be featuring service organizations. So, if you are a service organization and would like to have a complimentary mini-expo table to pass out literature, please mark your calendar! More details to follow later.

Thank you to all the booth participants for the “Canopies on Courtland” Business Expo which was on Saturday. What great weather we had. Here are those who had booths:
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Loyola Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine at Park Ridge
Resurrection Medical Network
GB Therapeutic Massage
A-Abiding Care, Inc.
Prudential Financial Services - Kirsten Leys
First Chicago Bank & Trust 905 Touhy P.R.
EKG - Park Ridge Chamber Entrepreneurial Knowledge Group
St. Matthew Center for Health
The Youth Campus
Lenscrafters Optique
Sun and Moon Yoga
Triblocal – Chicago Tribune
Bathfitter
Chiro One Wellness Centers LLC
North Shore Dental Group
H&R Block Tax Services
Safe-Guard Basement Technologies, Inc.
Park Ridge Center for Plastic Surgery S.C.
Technology MD
Affordable Interiors
Northwest Suburban Council Boy Scouts of America
J.C. Lilly Windows and Doors
Y-Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
Order My Gift - Karen Larsen
Higher Level Wellness
Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation
Park Ridge Garden Club
Park Ridge Historical Society


We have just 3 ad spaces available for the August newsletter. Ads are $25 per month or $250 for the whole year. Call Cathy Janus, Marc Printing & Graphics at 847-568-9200 as she is doing the ad sales for us! But we need your ad by tomorrow as we’re composing the newsletter today!
New Member Orientation New Member Orientation: The Chamber Ambassadors’ quarterly new member orientation is scheduled for tomorrow at 8 a.m. at the Comfort Inn O’Hare Boardroom, 2175 E. Touhy, Des Plaines.

Ribbon Cutting Coldwell Banker
Coldwell Banker, 27 N. Northwest Highway, is having their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Come join the Mayor and other City officials along with the Chamber Board and Ambassadors as we celebrate the opening of new offices!
The Chamber’s Retail Committee headed by Linda Hills, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, has requested of the City to allow A-Frame signs in front of stores in Park Ridge. Mt Prospect allows them. The discussion item is an agenda item on the City's Committee of the Whole meeting tonight at 7 p.m.
Please plan to attend and join in on the discussion if you would like to see A Frame Signs approved in Park Ridge. Your voice is needed to help this pass. Linda Hills, Sheila Duda from TeaLula, Uncle Dan’s, and Lisa’s Italian Ice will be represented but we’d like more merchants to come out in a show of unity. I’ll also be there.
The Chamber Retail has its regular monthly meeting this Wed., July 15, from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. here at the Chamber. We’ll be discussing a fall event and you’re invited!
July 14, 8:00am to 9:30am NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION! Members joining the Chamber this year are welcomed to attend this informative new member orientation hosted by the Chamber Ambassadors. Comfort Inn, O'Hare Boardroom, 2175 E. Touhy Avenue, Des Plaines. Call today to rsvp!
July 15, 8:45am to 9:45am Park Ridge Executive Network PREN 3 headed by Belinda Rosenberger with Merrill Lynch. One person per industry. Please call to rsvp and see if your industry is open. Prefer seasoned professionals with at least 5 years in business.
July 22, 7:30am to 9:30am MULTI-CHAMBER NETWORKING BREAKFAST
Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center. Chicago North Shore, 9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, $20 member $30 prospective member.
July 28, 8:45am-9:45am PREN2 Park Ridge Executive Network Leads and referral group within the Chamber with only one person per industry. At the Chamber office, 32 Main Street. Included in your Chamber membership fees.
July 28, 5:35pm-10:30pm MULTI-CHAMBER Event At Schaumburg Flyers Game, Alexian Field 1999 Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg 60193, An annual Multi-Chamber of Commerce Networking Event complete with Picnic, Baseball BINGO, Baseball game and the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a Bingo Card.
July 29, 8:30am-11:30am Chamber Workshop: Customer Loyalty: Your Key to a Booming Business!, Comfort Inn O'Hare/Des Plaines, 2175 E. Touhy Ave, Des Plaines, This compelling workshop is for anyone, even for someone who has their own business and works for themselves.
July 30, 5:00pm-7:00pm Business After Hours Monthly Networking, TeaLula, 11 S. Fairview Ave, Park Ridge, Network at the beautiful TeaLula store! RSVP to the Chamber
July 31, 8:00am-9:30am Women In Business Breakfast Meeting, Park Ridge NonProfit Center, 720 Garden, Park Ridge, Speaker: Vivette Payne to speak about networking, Member Fee: $10, Prospective Member Fee: $15

Summer Concerts 2009

Our 49th Season includes six concerts featuring the acclaimed Park Ridge Fine Arts Symphony; all free, outdoor performances, open to the public, presented at 8:00p.m.

Barbara Schubert, Music Director and Conductor

Friday, July
Multi-Chamber Networking Breakfast: STRENGTHEN YOUR SURVIVAL SKILLS

RSVP and Payment Due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2009
If your payment is not received, you are not registered!

With the DBR, Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian, Evanston, Glenview, Glencoe, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wilmette & Winnetka Chambers of Commerce

Wednesday, July 22•7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center, Chicago North Shore, 9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie (near Old Orchard at Golf Road & Skokie Boulevard) in the Monaco Room, top floor.

Member Pre-Registration Fee: $20 ($30 after July 15)
Non-Member Fee: $30
Walk-ins strongly discouraged and may not be accommodated!

Multiply your networking potential! Members from the above Chambers of Commerce will have the chance to promote their businesses to an expanded audience at the Connect Multi-Chamber Networking Breakfast on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:30 a.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel & Conference Center.

Members looking for a productive networking experience will enjoy the structured format of this program, which gives each participant an opportunity to speak to a receptive audience about his/her company’s products and services.

The event will begin with informal networking over hot buffet breakfast. After that, the group will be divided into small groups at assigned tables where everyone will give 2 minute presentations on their companies. Following will be an additional presentation to a second group of participants. In addition, everyone will receive a contact list of pre-registered participants. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to expand your reach and resources!

Please note that table assignments will begin promptly at 7:45 a.m. If you are not there by 7:45 a.m., your space will be given away to another participant regardless of pre-payment. Please arrive on time to get the most out of your networking experience!

The Park Ridge Chamber Golf Outing will be held with the Skokie Chamber at Chevy Chase on September 9. There will be a few changes made as we dovetail the two golf outings into one. Everyone who has already paid is ‘grandfathered’ at the same rate. As soon as we finalize the details, I’ll post them on our website, in our newsletter and in my Monday eblast.

I visited these members at the Taste of Park Ridge:
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Tasty Pup
TeaLula
All on the Road Catering
Dominic’s Kitchen Store
Jason’s Deli
WineStyles
Baked by Betsy
Dairy Queen
Hay Caramba!
Lisa’s Homemade Italian Ice
Morningfields
Subway

Lian and I also went to Oakton Ice Arena and the library – also members of course! Always remember to shop Chamber members first!
Tasty Pup will be featured on the Hungry Hound segment of the ABC Channel 7 News on July 29 at 11 a.m. Stay tuned!

Congratulations to Rick Pucci, Park Ridge Financial Advisors (and Chamber Board Member) and his daughter, Scarlett Pucci, 17, who on 7/11/09, while pitching for her US Travel Team, The Chicago Out Burst Gold, during the Illinois Metro College Exposure tournament, earned a full 4 ½ year Athletic and Academic scholarship to the prestigious University of St. Francis!
Congratulations: Silver Connections recently received Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification!

To become certified, a company must go through a strict certification process. Silver Connections now has the opportunity to offer and receive help from other women owned businesses.
The Park Ridge Fine Arts Symphony presents the Summer Concerts every Friday at 8:00 pm through August 7th at Hodges Park.

Each week, TeaLula, All on the Road Catering, Lisa's Italian Ice and Rocky Mountain Chocolate, proud sponsors of the concerts, will offer for purchase the finest tasty treats of Park Ridge. So, pack your chairs and let us pack your food. We'll be there at 6.

Friday, July 17 is the Opera Gala Featuring Soprano Winifred Brown and mezzo-soprano Jessye Wright take center stage for an evening of opera hightlights, with arias and duets from Madame Butterfly, Tosca, Die Fledermaus, Merry Widow and more.

Join in the Fun and Festivities on Sunday July 19th for the Laughter Cycle. 9:30am - Noon Begins at Centennial Park 200 S. Western Ave

Bring your bikes and limber up your laughter as we begin our first site at Centennial Park. Be on the look out for our "Find the Funny" Scavenger Hunt then get back on your bikes as we take the laughter on to Five more sites.... Laughter Exercises, Wheel lot of fun, Scavengering for more fun at 5 more sites. Then onto a "Laughing Lunch" at Noodles Restaurant for even more fun and a prize for the best Scavenger collage. You may just find your own funny along the way....it's contagious!

This FREE event is open to all and sponsored by Chamber member
You Can Say...Yes! Motivational Guidance Services
For a fun way to let loose this week...join us for the Jolly!
Questions: Lynda@youcansayyes.com (847) 401-5787
More info at :www.parkridgelaughter.com
THE SUMMIT OF UPTOWN
G I A N T GARAGE & DRIVEWAY SALE
FRIDAY, JULY 24th
8am-3PM proceeds benefit THE PARK RIDGE COMMUNITY FUND
• Construction items— doors, toilets, etc.
• SMALL refrigerators
• Furniture, LAMPS
• ARTWORK
• Home goods
• Christmas & seasonal decorations
• Craft items
• Games, BOOKS
• Children’s items
• MISCELLANEOUS
10 N. Summit (at Touhy) Park Ridge

If anyone from the community wants to bring items (NO CLOTHES), please drop them off by Wednesday, July 22nd.

Parking available in the Library lot across the street
isawka@summitofuptown.com (847) 825-1161

Come Party with Rainbow Hospice in August

Don’t miss out on a fantastic evening, an even better value and a great cause. Put Lake Effect on your calendar for August 28th, 2009 from 5:00pm to Midnight at the Palmer House Hotel in downtown Chicago.

Lake Effect will include multiple entertainment venues, an amazing array of food, open bar, and more all for just $75 a ticket. Live music will continue through the night, headliners scheduled to appear are:

American rock band and Chicago area natives,
PLAIN WHITE T’S
The blues/jazz/rock stylings of Chicago Blues guitarist
MELVIN TAYLOR BAND

And the broad talents of a President Obama local favorite,
THE GENTLEMEN OF LEISURE BAND

100% of your ticket proceeds will also go to support the kids and families of Good Mourning, the most extensive family-focused children’s bereavement program in the Chicago Area, helping thousands of families cope with grief and loss for more than 30 years.
Tickets are limited so tell your friends and grab yours today at
www.LakeffectParty.com

1st Annual Harry O’Brien Community Run / Walk - The Park Ridge Community Fund and the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting this event on Saturday, August 29th for the entire community.

It continues the legacy of Harry O’Brien, one of our most beloved community members who was often called ‘Mr. Park Ridge”.

Proceeds will support the social service organizations funded by the Park Ridge Community Fund all of which provide vital programs and services to Park Ridge. Due to severe State funding cuts, Park Ridge is in serious jeopardy of losing many vital human services.

This fun event will help ensure the survival of our community’s emotional well-being. See flyer or call the Park Ridge Community Fund office at (847) 825-5311. Register online at: www.prcommunityfund.org

We also need sponsors!
Congratulations to the following Chamber Members who did not sell alcohol to underage undercover agents trying to purchase:

Dominick's Finer Foods
Hay Caramba! Restaurant
Morningfield's
Noodles and Company
Perry's Pizzaria & Ribs/Catering
Pickwick Restaurant
Uncle Dan's Pizza & Pub
WineStyles

SBA Expands 504 Loan Program
The Small Business Administration has announced permanent changes to a loan program to help companies that want to refinance existing debt and expand.
The changes will affect 504 loans, which can be used to purchase business real estate or fixed assets, such as heavy equipment or machinery, and expand current development projects. Eligible small businesses will now be able to use half of a 504 loan to refinance previously purchased assets, provided the machinery or project was used towards the expansion of the business. "Expansion" includes any project that involves the acquisition, construction or improvement of land, building or equipment for use by the small business, according to the SBA.
To qualify, a business must meet the following conditions:
 The refinanced debt cannot exceed half of expansion costs.
 The refinancing interest rate and terms must be better than the existing debt.
 The existing debt must be collateralized by fixed assets.
 The borrower must be current on existing debt payments for one year.
 For every $50,000 in SBA guarantee, the business must create or retain one job.
For more information on the 504 loan program and eligibility requirements, go to http://www.recovery.gov or www.sba.gov/recovery.


Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce's Mix & Mingle Networking Event invites the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce:

The Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you and the members of your Chamber to participate in our first ever suburban networking event. This unique event will combine networking with over 10 area chamber's and performances by Chicago Cabaret performers Beckie Menzie, Tom Michael, Rob Dorn, Amy Cole, and Laura Freeman.

You and your members will receive member pricing for this event. Attached is the event information.
July 17th, 2009
6:30pm to 9:30pm
Tickets: $20 (Members) $30 (Non-Members)
Skokie Theatre Music Foundation
7924 N. Lincoln Avenue • Skokie, Illinois 60077
Join the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for it's first ever suburban networking. Bringing together members from ten or more surrounding chambers of commerce and the Chicago Cabaret Professionals organization, this will be an unprecedented networking event. Three Cat Media will present a showcase of cabaret talent including After Dark winners Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael, and local cabaret favorites Amy Cole, Rob Dorn, and Laura Freeman.

During the evening we will enjoy appetizers, an array of chocolate, champagne and a sampling of the best Chicago cabaret. We will end the evening with a complimentary array of pizza at Skokie’s own Village Inn which will include a drink with the presentation of your event ticket. This not to be missed event is a must to build your referral network in a whole new way.

To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact Christina Pinson via phone at (773) 303-0167 or via email at cpinson@glchamber.org. Tickets can also be purchased online at http://glchamber.org.


The City wants to know how you feel about this proposed ordinance. Email your opinion to Kim Uhlig at kuhlig@parkridge.us

9-3-6 REMOVAL OF SNOW FROM SIDEWALKS

Every owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or other person having charge or control of any commercial property that abuts a public sidewalk is required to remove snow and ice from such sidewalk within twenty-four (24) hours after an accumulation of snow of two inches (2”) or more, and to keep it free from snow, ice and other obstructions. In the event that the snow or ice on a sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot be reasonably removed without damage to the sidewalk, the owner or occupant of the property shall within said twenty-four hour period cause a de-icing material, such as sand, salt or other material, to be put on the sidewalk to make travel thereon reasonably safe and shall maintain the sidewalk in such condition until removal of ice and snow is possible. This Section does not provide a private cause of action for damages or create a standard of care, obligation or duty that provides a basis for a private cause of action for damages.

SECTION 2: BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Park Ridge, that Article 9, “Public Ways,” Chapter 3, “Obstructions and Deposits,” is hereby amended to add Section 7, “Penalty,” which shall read in its entirety as follows:

9-3-7 PENALTY

Any person found guilty of violating the provisions of this Chapter, except for Section 9-3-6, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). A separate offense shall be deemed committed for each day on which a violation exists. Any person found guilty of violating Section 9-3-6 shall be fined fifty dollars ($50.00). Any person who violates Section 9-3-6 shall be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each day that a violation exists.

Art of Health
A fair sponsored by the Service League of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital to thank the community for giving the hospital an opportunity to serve its members for the last 50 years. The fair will include a mix of artwork displays, family and children activities, health screenings and food.
Saturday, September 12, 2009 10am-4pm
Sunday, September 13, 2009 12pm-4pm
Rain or shine! FREE admission.
Who:
Attendees – members of the community
Organizers – Service League Board of Directors
Participants – artists, hospital departments, community organizations
How/Where:
• North surface parking lot
• Event will be held under tents
For sponsorship or volunteer opportunities for this event, please contact Lewis Wilker at 630-267-7988 or email: wilker1301@comcast.net
Part of the proceeds to benefit the hospital and its programs.
FREE Job Seeker Workshops at the Park Ridge Public Library
Dates : AUGUST 17: Limit 90

Workshops start at 9:30 a.m. sharp. Please come 15 minutes early.
**Latecomers will not be allowed into the workshop after 9:30 a.m.
Please register by calling the Reference Desk at 847-720-3230 or online at: www.parkridgelibrary.org/calendar.html

The Better Business Bureau is offering $50.00 off BBB Accreditation for Chamber members. For more information, contact: Bert Adams Senior Business Relations Specialist, BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois, Inc. www.chicago.bbb.org badams@chicago.bbb.org (312) 245-2518 (Direct Line)

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
1. Affordable Interiors - Deborah Oberschelp 312.909.1255
2. barrett-TECH - John Barrett 847.823.1830
3. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge - 847.318.7550
4. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling - 847.824.4336
5. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors - 773-588-4332
6. Leys, Kirsten - Prudential Financial Services 847.627.3950
7. PC Medic Computer Repair - Jerry Flanagan 847.299.5556
8. Resurrection Health Care - Theresa Olson 847.813.3210
9. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
10. Sebastian Co. Real Estate - Don Sebastian, Jr. 847.823.3117
11. State Farm Insurance & Financial Services - Ann Witek 847.692.3260
12. The Exercise Coach - Chad Finney 847.823.0035
13. The McTigue Financial Group - Tom Canale 773.380.4025
14. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services - Lynda Tourloukis 847.401.5787
15. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling - 847-696-0477