Fall is in the air! Enjoyed spending time with the family this weekend. We took my in-laws, Bob & Jeanne Haller, out to celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary!
We’re asking for nominations for the Park Ridge Community Star Awards. Go to www.parkridgechamber.org on the 1st page under Announcements to download the letter and forms. We need nominations back to the Chamber no later than Friday, October 16 because we want to include the names in all our invitations and press releases. The awards will be given at the Annual Installation & Community Star Awards Dinner at the Country Club on Saturday, January 23, 2010.
The Chamber held its monthly networking luncheon at member Park Ridge Country Club last week in honor of the Park Ridge Community Fund which kicked off its annual fall campaign! We served 109 meals so thank you to all who came.
The Country Club always does a beautiful and elegant luncheon and our meal was fabulous and the service superb. Thank you to Tom McHugh and his staff for always taking such good care of us!
Through the raffles, we raised about $500 for the Community Fund and, more importantly, raised awareness to the continuing need to help our neighbors. All donations to the PRCF help Park Ridge residents and stay within the community so please open your heart and your checkbook to give generously. www.prcommunityfund.org
David Barker, president of the PRCF, eloquently told the ‘Stone Soup’ parable similar to ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, it takes everyone pitching in to take care of our own community.
Pat Ahern, Rainbow Hospice, and Bob Okazaki, Avenues to Independence, both spoke of community, caring, giving and sharing. “We’re better because you’re here.”
Thank you to all those who donated prizes for our drawings! We had more than 30 raffle prizes to give away.
1. Four Park Ridge Taxi Gift Certificate: one-way trip to or from Park Ridge to O’Hare $20 each
2. Two Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Baskets –
3. Four Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce $20 gift
4. Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce $25 gift certificate (donated by John Barrett, men’s winner of Harry O’Brien Community Run/Walk)
5. Comfort Inn O’Hare/Des Plaines One Complimentary Night Stay for Two
6. Two Champagne Ticket for free glass of champagne at Fantastic Fun Friday Night on Friday, October 16th
7. Three Resurrection Health Care Blanket
8. “Pot o’ Soup Fixin’s” State Farm Insurance and Financial Services – Ann Witek & Dominic’s Kitchen Store, valued at $400
9. WineStyles – wine tasting for up to 20, 2 hours during store hours
10. Ceramic Vase created by Designs by Dorothy Dusold
11. Two Houlihan’s Restaurant Gift Card $25
12. All on the Road Catering $25 Gift Certificate
13. Four The Perfect Dinner $25 Gift Certificates
14. The 5 Senses Real Science Made Easy from Emily Kosaka, President of The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society
15. 4 Cubs tickets from Howard Frimark
16. Cold pack, screening and massage from Sarah Kovaleski-Kraut, Advanced Physical Therapy & Health Services
17. Order My Gift gift card catalog Ribbon Collection from Karen Larsen
Last Friday, Lenscrafters had their Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Mayor Schmidt and City Manager Jim Hock and Chamber members, Ambassadors, and Board Members came out to celebrate the special occasion. Catering was by Jason’s Deli.
September 23, 8:45am-9:45am Retail Committee Meeting. Network and brainstorm ideas to bring more traffic through our stores. Meeting at Chamber.
September 24, 5:00pm-7:00pm Business After Hours Monthly Networking
Intelimind - Mark Voris, co-hosts with Lisa’s Homemade Italian Ice located at 10 S. Northwest Highway.
September 25, 8:00a.m.-9:30a.m. Women in Business Breakfast Meeting
The Personality Puzzle presented by Karen Larsen, Order My Gift. The Summit of Uptown, 10 N. Summit, Park Ridge. Member $10, Prospective Member $15.
September 30, Wed, 9 – 10:30 New Membership Committee meeting at the Chamber offices to discuss October’s membership drive.
October 10, AutumnFest: Windows on Parade! Visit over 50 stores with decorated themes in their windows. Costumed pet parade at 9:30. I Spy Challenge by Library. Live music by The Break, Speedfreak, Celtic Bikini! Other activities and fun planned for the whole family! No charge! www.Prautumnfest.wordpress.com
October 13, 8:00am-9:00am New Member Orientation Regus, 350 S. Northwest Hwy, Suite 300, Park Ridge – Hosted by Chamber Ambassadors to familiarize newer members with Chamber benefits. October 14, 11:30pm-1:30pm Monthly Luncheon Riggio’s Ristorante, 7530 Oakton
Niles, 847-698-3346. Featured Speaker: Todd Wessel, editor Journal Newspaper, published author.
October 16, 7:00pm-10:00pm Fantastic Fun Friday! 720 Garden Street, Nonprofit Center. Games, Spa samplings, sweets and so much more!
October 21, 5:00pm-7:00pm Women in Business After Hours Networking Event. Dominic's Kitchen Store, 116 Main St. Park Ridge. Holiday Cooking - food, drinks and networking! Member $10 Prospective Member $15.
October 22, 3:00pm-6:00pm Multi Chamber Business to Business Expo & Taste. Bristol Court Banquets. 3 – 6 p.m. 9 Chambers participating!
October 23, 8:45am-9:45am PREN 1 Park Ridge Executive Network Leads and referral group within the Chamber with just one person per profession. Chamber Offices, 720 Garden St. Park Ridge.
October 27, 8:45am-9:45am PREN 2 Park Ridge Executive Network Chamber Offices, 720 Garden St. One person per industry.
October 27, 5pm-7pm Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Houlihan’s Restaurant, 550 W. Touhy Ave. Join fellow Chamber members and Ambassadors and Mayor Schmidt as we welcome Houlihan’s to Park Ridge.
October 29, 5:00pm-7:00pm Business After Hours Monthly Networking Morningfields, 800 Devon See their wine shop, bakery, specialty goods & more!
Chic Harley Book Launch Announced
“The One and Only,” the full-length biography of the life of Charles “Chic” Harley, written by family-member Todd C. Wessell, is available now. The book can be purchased online at www.chicharley.com and at special upcoming book-signing events. A free DVD with special Harley photos and other materials will be included in book purchases while supplies last.
Wessell is Published and Editor of The Journal & Topics Newspapers based in Des Plaines, Illinois.
The official launch party for “The One and Only” will be June 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2930 S. River Rd., Des Plaines, Illinois. There will be a special live presentation by Wessell along with the first book-signing. The evening, complete with light hor d’ourves and a cash bar, will take place in cooperation with the Chicago Chapter of the Ohio State Alumni Association. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Please R.S.V.P. by emailing booklaunch@chicharley.com or by calling 847-299-5511. Free parking is available at the hotel lot as well as the adjacent lot, directly to the
For other events or for more details on the book, please visit www.chicharley.com or call 847-299-5511.
Football Mania tickets are still on sale! We have 16 winners left to announce – each week our Chamber tickets sold include one winner! Last week one of Tom Dombro’s tickets that he sold won $100! We would have had another $200 winner but that ticket didn’t get sold yet.
Come to the Chamber to buy your ticket for just $20.
AutumnFest: Windows on Parade!
Linda Hills, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, is the chair of the Chamber’s Retail Committee which is planning “AutumnFest: Windows on Parade!” All businesses and merchants in Park Ridge are invited to participate in the daylong event on Saturday, October 10.
The objective is to have a community event which will bring residents and visitors into Park Ridge to see and enjoy the community and visit all the retail shops.
Events are a Costumed Pet Parade around the library at 9:30 a.m. Krisers is providing goody bags! Retailers will decorate their windows with a specific theme and the library will plan an I Spy Scavenger Hunt. Contests for best windows, tastings, live bands (The Break and Speedfreak are both confirmed!), store sales, and themed window displays are all in the works.
This is all being done with no budget so if you wanted to sponsor, we could get flyers, post cards, and book markers printed - we have a really cool logo designed for the event!
Check out the website: www.Prautumnfest.wordpress.com
For more information, contact the Chamber at 847-825-3121; or Linda Hills, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory; hillschocolates@sbcglobal.net; 847-318-6801. Our list of themed windows is growing and we are past the goal of 50 participants:
On Thursday, October 22, 2009, the Des Plaines, Edison Park, Greater Lincolnshire, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Park Ridge, Skokie and Wheeling/Prospect Heights Chambers of Commerce will hold a “TASTE” in conjunction with our 2009 Multi-Chamber Fall Business-to-Business Expo. Booths are available (value $300) to any member restaurant, caterer, deli or banquet hall who wishes to offer complimentary samples of their food during the event.
The Multi-Chamber Expo and Taste will be held at the Bristol Court Banquets, 828 E. Rand Road, Mount Prospect from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Expected attendance is 600 business people.
Each Taste participant will be invited to showcase their delicacies/food samples, distribute menus, and meet potential customers. We ask that you provide an adequate quantity of food highlighting one or two of your specialties. The Chamber will provide a 6-ft. skirted table with two chairs in an 10x10 (wide) booth.
There will be no cooking allowed on site so food will have to be transported from your business location. There is a $25 charge for use of an electrical outlet.
The available food booths are limited so we ask that you RETURN the completed contract by September 25th. This will allow all the chambers of commerce time to promote your name on event materials. It is important that you respond quickly. Booths will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Email me for the contract.
Spring Fest Idea Begins To Blossom
Journal & Topics Newspapers Online
Spring Fest Idea Begins To Blossom
By CRAIG ADAMS Journal & Topics Reporter
Although still in the planning stages, a possible Red Geranium Festival in Park Ridge is taking shape.
"I've gotten a lot of interest," said Gail Haller, Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce executive director. "We are looking at next spring."
She explained that she was researching festivals in other towns that are based on different flowers, and then she discovered that Park Ridge has an official flower: the red geranium.
"I didn't see an official bird; I didn't see an official anything else," she said. "I thought that would be so cool to have everyone growing red geraniums."
Haller spoke to several business owners in town and received a lot of positive interest. One of the interested businesses is TeaLula where owner Sheila Duda agreed to research and create a red geranium tea for the event.
Haller hopes to involve the Park Ridge Garden Club in judging of red geranium gardens and to bring in the schools and art classes with a logo contest. She foresees parades, pageants, and games in coming years.
"It could grow and take a life of its own like the Taste of Park Ridge," she said.
Story posted Wednesday, September 16, 2009
I visited:
Accents by Jenny
Park Ridge Public Library
Oakton Ice Rink
Tom Canale, McTigue Financial Group
Noodles & Co.
Lenscrafters Optique
Jewel Foods
Walgreens
WineStyles
Potbellys
Regus
Dominic's Kitchen Store & Just Chef It.com was on WGN News Around Town segment with Ana. We want our very own Dominic to become a regular on WGN and here’s how.
WGN relies on the feedback from viewers. Chef Dom will post it on his website soon www.justCHEFit.com so send WGN a quick email saying that you enjoyed seeing Dominic from Dominic's Kitchen Store on the Around Town Segment on Sept. 10.
Include:
Your FIRST Name Only
Your Town
Your Zipcode
Brief Note saying that you loved the Tailgating Cooking Demo on Around the Town on Sept. 10!
Send the email to: wgntvnews@tribune.com
I did it and it was easy and fast!
The Kalo Foundation is hosting their ‘Arts & Carafes’! Friday, September 25 at the Park Ridge Country Club!
Experience an amazing evening of wine, food, music, and art. Enjoy a sit-down wine tasting perfectly paired with delicious gourmet food, great entertainment and a lively silent auction.
$50 per person. www.kalofoundation.org for more info.
"Park Ridge Charity Classic 5K" Saturday, September 26th, 2009 - 8:00 am
Our 32nd Annual Running!
A flat, FAST, out and back course with only two right angle turns and one 180°. Split times at 1 mile and 2 mile. "Illinois' fastest 5k course" as 32% of the all-time Illinois age group records were set on the Charity Classic course (source IL T & F).
The starting line and packet pick-up/registration area is located just behind the Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068. The major intersection is Touhy Ave. & Northwest Hwy. Register on-line until Friday, September 25, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. for $18.00 by clicking the "Registration" tab above. Race day registration is from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. and is $25.00.
http://www.runrace.net/images/cncLftBtmffffff.gif
Park Ridge against Parkinson’s – WineStyles is hosting a wine tasting with appetizers to benefit those with Parkinson’s disease Friday October 23rd from 6-9 where you can taste over 30 wines and snack on lovely appetizers at Park Ridge Country Club.
$40 per person, all proceeds to go towards Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s disease research.
Tracy Bell/owner
WineStyles Park Ridge, 105 S. Northwest Highway
847-518-WINE (9463)
http://www.winestyles.net/impdates.asp?id=457625&page=1
The Park Ridge Ministerial Association sponsors the Sunday Suppers Ministry that serves nutritious meals in a welcoming atmosphere to those in need on Sunday evenings. The suppers take place at St. Paul of the Cross Church in the Parish Life Center.
With winter coming upon us, they are looking for donations of 75 warm winter scarves to give to those in need.
Their goal is to begin distributing the scarves the first Sunday in November...hopefully before the temperatures begin to drop or the snow flies. The need is for approximately 25 - Male; 25 - Female; 15 - Unisex; 5 - Boys; 5 - Girls.
Members of the Chamber can call Susan Raap at 773-416-0536 or email her at susan.raap@gmail.com for more details or to arrange for dropping off items - or - to have them picked up.
What a worthy cause – thanks Sue who works at member Rosewood Restaurant! If you can knit, please knit a scarf to keep someone warm (like a hug!)
SAVE THE DATE: The Board is making plans for a FALL GARAGE AND MEMBERS PLANT SALE, tentatively set for Friday and Saturday October 2nd and 3rd. We're announcing it now because we'd like you to save your good "stuff" for our sale. If you're cleaning out a basement, closet, or garage, please hold onto the good things for our sale. The plant sale part will consist of member plants only.
Donate blood and you could win a Viking Cooking School class!
You could win a cooking class for two, compliments of Viking Cooking School, 140-D N. Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, IL and learn to cook from the professionals.
From October 1-31, 2009 all participating donors at the Glenview, Skokie and Lake Zurich donor centers are eligible to win. There will be one winner from each donor center.
Additionally, when you make a blood donation with LifeSource, you will receive a free Mini-Wellness Check, which includes pulse, temperature, hemoglobin (iron), blood pressure and cholesterol screening.
To schedule your donation appointment, please contact LifeSource at 1-877-543-3768. Please do the following to prepare for your blood donation:
• Eat a good meal prior to your blood donation.
• Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of your blood donation.
• Bring your photo ID and social security number (last four digits required).
Connie Clibourn
CDC Field Recruiter
LifeSource Chicagoland's Blood Center
Phone: 847-226-4848
E-mail: cclibourn@itxm.org
“Buy 4 TribLocal ads and get 2 for free!”
TribLocal is the Hyper-local weekly newspaper that is produced through the joint cooperation and participation of TribLocal journalists and residents of your community. It is distributed weekly within the Chicago Tribune on the top of the front page of the home delivered papers as well as inserted inside the single copy papers. It is a great way to reach your immediate trade area!
Call Erin Foley for more information at 708-836-2773
http://www.d64.org/site/files/strategicplan_8_09_flyer.pdf
http://www.d64.org/form.php?fid=d02925373b593a7352246ee84106f59d&admvw=y
Volunteers Invited to Join School District 64 Strategic Plan “Action Teams” by September 25
More than 100 volunteers are needed to assist with planning work this fall as Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 tackles the next phase in developing its strategic plan. Community residents are invited to join with teachers and other District 64 staff to craft the steps needed to implement the draft plan’s five broad strategies.
“What will District 64 schools be like in 2020? We are inviting community members of all ages and backgrounds to help us answer this question by joining an action team to work with us from October through January,” Superintendent Sally Pryor stated. “The action team topics are wide-ranging, and we hope community members will step forward for a team that sparks their curiosity, inspires their passion, or matches their interests or expertise,” she added.
Volunteers are invited to complete a brief form on-line via the District’s Web site (www.d64.org) or e-mail or call Dr. Pryor’s office (spryor@d64.org or 847-318-4300) by Friday, September 25. At least 15-20 volunteers are needed for each action team, which ideally will have a balance of community members and District staff.
The five action teams are:
1. Accelerating the Advanced Use of Technology – We will accelerate the use of advanced technology as an integral component of the educational program and to effectively manage our system.
2. Building a Model for Personal Student Goals – We will develop and implement a model for setting, measuring and achieving personal goals for each student related to academics, civil behavior, talents and interests.
3. Collaboration within Our Partnership – We will develop and implement plans to ensure all members of our vital partnership (staff, families, community members and organizations) are working collaboratively to help us achieve our mission.
4. Expectations for Student Learning and Instructional Practices – We will define and clarify expectations for student learning, ensure all staff effectively differentiate instruction, and use assessment data to support students in meeting or exceeding the District’s targeted benchmarks.
5. Providing Support and Tools for Change – We will develop and implement plans to ensure staff and community members understand, are committed to, and have the tools to carry out changes within the system that are needed to achieve our mission and objectives.
The action teams will begin their work on Thursday evening, October 8 at Emerson Middle School. Dr. Howard Feddema, the District’s Strategic Plan facilitator, will lead a general orientation and the teams will then begin work. The teams will set their own pace through the fall, and will wrap up in January.
The key components of the draft plan were developed late this spring by a separate planning team and presented to the Board of Education in May. The key components include: beliefs; mission; objectives; strategies; and, parameters. The full plan is available on the District 64 Web site (www.d64.org).
As stated in the draft plan: “The mission of District 64, a vital partnership of staff, families and community, is to inspire all students to embrace learning, discover their strengths and achieve personal excellence in order to thrive in and contribute to a rapidly changing world by providing a rich, rigorous and innovative curriculum integrating civil behavior and fostering resilience.”
2nd Annual College Football Day!
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
Saturday October 31, 2009 3:30 p.m. Ryan Field
$26 per ticket ON SALE NOW:
Includes:
• Admission to the Nationally Televised Big 10 Game
• Wildcat Alley - Opens two hours before kick-off (closes at kick-off)
• Concession Stands featuring classic ballpark food as well as local Evanston vendors
• Goose Island Beer Garden - two free beers (21+) per ticket
• Meet Northwestern Men's and Women's Basketball teams and get autographs
• Balloon Twisters, Face Painters & Caricaturist
• Free entertainment and keepsakes
• Free games for kids: athletic skills zone, football toss & lacrosse target
• Northwestern Marching Band
• Appearance by Willie the Wildcat for photo opportunity!
• See the Park Ridge Chamber’s Name up on the Big Scoreboard
• Might be the last chance to see College Football’s All Time Winningest Coach – Joe Paterno
• Postgame Fireworks!
• Face value of ticket = $50.00!
• Come out and network while having fun!
Limited number of tickets! Reserve yours now!
RSVP to Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce (847) 825-3121 or
Rick Pucci of Park Ridge Financial Advisors (847) 759-0055
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
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