Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Personally from
Gail,

A wonderful 3 day weekend – just what we needed! We’re flying our flag at the Haller house from now through Labor Day!

Another busy week planned so keep reading til the end!


Memorial Day Parade! Did you march in or watch the Park Ridge Memorial Day Parade yesterday? What a perfect day – not too hot, not too cold.

Once again, thank you to Bredemann Chevrolet, 1401 W Dempster, 847-698-1234, for the loan of the big red Silverado truck complete with American flags! (Next year can I please borrow the candy apple red Corvette convertible?!!!)

My entire family came out to ride in the truck: husband Gary, son Dirk and daughter Lian – it was a family event!

I was delighted that many Chamber members came out to march with us in spot 36:

Dental Placement Auxiliary Service, Inc. - Karen Anderson (President of the Chamber)
Lynnette’s School of Dance with dozens of dancers who never stopped dancing the entire parade route!
Tasty Pup
WineStyles Park Ridge
Park Ridge Community Fund
Affordable Interiors – Deborah Oberschelp (Chamber Board Director)
John Clark Management
Cardinal Fitness
Bath Fitter
Park Ridge Financial Advisors – Rick Pucci (Chamber Board Director)

And, of course, thank you to Chamber staff Cindy Clark (and Cindy’s son, Jonathan!) and Dorothy Brownstein!

I never got to see the Governor but I saw all the people in the crowds, cheering us on!


Monthly Business After Hours at Dominic’s Kitchen Store May 28! Monthly Business After Hours is this Thursday!

Dominic’s Kitchen Store has moved into their new home at 116 Main Street!

You’re invited attend their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Kick-Off since its the Chamber’s monthly networking Business After Hours event for May!

At 6pm, National Pie Champion, Food Network Challenge contestant and Executive Chef for Dominic's Kitchen Store's Culinary Arts Program, Chef Matt Zagorski, will share tips and techniques for perfect pastry pie crusts as well as demostrate his award winning recipe for Lemon Curd. Chef Matt will be available all evening to answer questions. Samples and recipes will be available.

All on the Road Catering will cater. There’ll be all kinds of wonderful things going on! You’ve got to see the store – it’s bigger and better than before!

May 28 – Thursday
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Networking, refreshments, raffle prizes and so much more!!!

Mark your calendars! Remember, these Business After Hours are included in your annual dues!!!

Rescheduling: Chamber Workshop at Comfort Inn

The Chamber workshop that was scheduled for the Comfort Inn on Thursday has been rescheduled to later in the year.
Women in Business Breakfast!
May 29 May 29, Friday – 8am to 9:30am Women in Business Monthly Networking Breakfast

Summit of Uptown, 10 N. Summit Avenue, Speaker is Faith Curtis, Life Coach: Unleashing Your Inner Power.

$10 Members/$15 for Prospective Members

Please rsvp asap! This is a popular meeting and includes a full breakfast buffet. Its hard for us when we get a lot of walk-ins without advance reservations because then we’re scrambling to get more tables and places set, more food prepared, and check in is slowed down. We’d really appreciate knowing if you’re coming!

Friday, May 29
Grand Opening
@ Amphora
To Benefit
Rainbow Hospice & Palliative Care Please join us as we celebrate “A Time for Hope” at the Grand Opening of Amphora on Friday, May 29th from 5pm – 10pm. Experience live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres at a Preview Party, Luxury Model Home Tour and Private Shopping Event located in the Shops of Uptown Park Ridge, 2 N. Northwest Highway. Individual tickets are $40 per person.
All ticket proceeds from this gala event will benefit the mission of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care. You may purchase tickets online at https://www.rainbowhospice.org/calendar/events, in person at either current Amphora location at 149 N. Northwest Hwy or Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care at 444 N. Northwest Hwy, Suite 145, by mail at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, 444 N. Northwest Hwy, Suite 145
Park Ridge, IL 60068 or by telephone at 847-292-2353.
For additional information about this exciting event please contact:

Jackie Mathews
Director of Special Events and Major Gifts
Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care
847-292-2353
jmathews@rainbowhospice.org


Shop Park Ridge Campaign in May!

May was officially proclaimed as ‘Shop Park Ridge’ month.

Please notice the sign in the windows that say ‘Thank you for shopping locally’. They were designed by Martha Berns, Dempsey Design and the photos were taken by Diddy Blyth, A Sterling Design.

The window signs (posters) are available for sale at the Chamber for just $5 each. Ron at the Frame Gallery of Park Ridge on Northwest Highway framed one of the posters for the Chamber office for $88 and he’ll give Chamber members a 20% discount too!

Please remember to shop Chamber members first! There are 400 to choose from!

Chamber Stimulus Package for May:
Shop Park Ridge! The Chamber has a ‘Chamber Stimulus Package’. Bring in your receipts totaling $100 with any Chamber members (you can combine them from various members) to be entered into drawings to win $50 in Chamber gift certificates ($200 total for the month). Receipts dated in May 2009.

Your chances of winning something are very good since as of today, there are very few entries!

Any member can add prizes to the Chamber’s drawings. Just let me know if you have gift certificates or prizes and I’ll include you in the publicity for the drawings.

Here is a list of prizes so far:

Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Four, $50 gift certificates
Ace Hardware, 700 N. NW Hwy. Three, $10 gift certificates
Lisa's Homemade Italian Ice, 10 S. NW Hwy. Four, $5 gift certificates
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Four, $10 gift certificates
Jason’s Deli $25 Gift Card


Golf Outing June 24 Hello Golfers! The Chamber Golf Outing is going to be a fun day! Great networking – bring your clients and staff!
4 Hyatt Regency O'Hare David Jacobs
Tim Parel
Chris Kremzir
Chryss Thomas
4 Liberty Bank for Savings Kane Connell
Robert Hohe
Richard Julkowski
Chris Melton
The price to golf this year is just $150 per golfer. Please see insert in the May newsletter for all available sponsorships.
Cathy Janus, Marc Printing, is providing the environmentally friendly, reusable goody bags!
Here is what we’ve received for the raffle/silent auction:
Hyatt Regency O'Hare David Jacobs 847-663-4601 Complimentary One Night Stay including dinner for two at O'H American Grill Hyatt Regency O'Hare, expires 6/24/2010
Hyatt Regency O'Hare David Jacobs 847-663-4601 Complimentary Dinner for two at O'H American Grill The Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 6/24/2010
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Linda Hills 847-318-6801 Chocolate basket ($25 value)
Savvy Salon & Spa Jim Riggio 847-518-0266 One, 1-hour massage ($60 value), expires 4/4/2010
Savvy Salon & Spa Jim Riggio 847-518-0266 One spa package #3 includes manicure, pedicure and choice of facial or massage ($114 value), expires 4/4/2010
WineStyles Tracy & Doug Bell 847-518-9463 Wine Basket
Oakton Community College Bea Cornelissen 847-635-1812 Certificate for one college credit class, value $246
Affordable Interiors Deborah Oberschelp 312-909-1255 An authentic, English-style tea complete with cucumber sandwiches, scones and British Tea served in antique bone china cups served up with design ideas and decorating tips from Affordable Interiors. Value $275


Taste of Park Ridge – Canopies on Courtland
Sat. July 11
The Chamber has 30 booths at the Taste of Park Ridge on Saturday, July 11, for a business expo, “Canopies on Courtland”.

The booths are on sale now for $325 each for members and $650 for Prospective Members.

The layout will be different this year – our booths will face both sides of the street and will be 15 on each side – then a 10 foot aisle before the 30 Taste sponsor booths. The four end cap booths will be $425 each and for members only.

I will email you the agreement upon request. Here who has signed up so far so just 25 booths are left!
Aqua Plumbing
Loyola Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine at Park Ridge
Resurrection Health Care
GB Therapeutic Massage
Rosemary Mulligan

Membership Committee Theresa Olson, Resurrection Health Care, has agreed to chair the Chamber’s Membership Committee and we’re looking for members to volunteer an hour a week to work with Theresa and me regarding membership issues. Please email me if you’re interested.
Member News Last week I visited:
Oakton Ice Rink
Park Ridge Public Library
Hay Caramba!
LensCrafters Optique
Panino’s Pizzeria
Park Ridge Frame Gallery

Business Survey State Representative Rosemary Mulligan wants to survey our businesses so please take a moment to respond:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WaJpoJHyLpu6DQ1G2CXSyQ_3d_3d

If the link doesn’t work, please copy and paste into your browser.

Allegro Music Center START YOUR SUMMER OFF RIGHT!
Up to 20% Savings on Beginning Music Lessons for Kids, Seniors, Moms and Dads. 8 week Summer courses beginning June 15 Monday – Friday 11:00am – 2:30 pm
8 Lessons Guitar and Bass $164
8 Lessons Drums, Piano, Woodwinds $184
Tuition includes one private ½ hour lesson a week for 8 weeks. Offer good for beginning students, as well as current Allegro students who wish to take up another instrument.
Please pay in advance by check or cash… Sorry, we can’t offer refunds or credits on this special offer.

FOR QUESTIONS AND SCHEDULING, PLEASE CALL ALLEGRO MUSIC CENTER: 847-692-6021
Allegro Music Center, Inc., 800 W. Devon Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068


Jim Cone - WSI Webinar Invitation - Google Analytics: Optimize Your Marketing During the Recession
Measuring your marketing dollars is all the more important in a challenging economy, so register for this session and learn:

1. How visitors interact with your website, email campaign or any other online marketing campaign you run
2. How to leverage data to define what marketing tactics are working for your business
3. Some important tools that will help you further enhance your marketing strategies
4. Ways to improve your campaigns using the information that Google Analytics provides

Registering is as easy as following the link below and completing the form. Be sure to put in my name, James Cone, when you register.

Title: Google Analytics: Optimize Your Marketing During the Recession
Date: May 28, 2009 at 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/361218904
tel: (847) 430.6842

jcone@OnlineWSIMarketing.com
online at www.onlinewsimarketing.com

Park Ridge Fine Arts Society The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society has updated their website: www.prfas.org The 2009 Concert Schedule begins June 19th. Contact Emily Kosaka at 847-217-7119 or etoy@mesirowfinancial.com regarding sponsoring a "Concert in the Park".

Veteran’s Seminar:
May 28th Join us for a seminar on Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit on May 28th at 6 PM.
Veteran’s Seminar

An educational program on Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Housing and Care Benefits on Thursday May 28th, 2009 at 6 p.m.
War-time Veterans or the surviving spouse of a Veteran are eligible for $12,672 to $23,388 a year in tax-free funds to help pay for medical costs, home care workers or assisted living options. Over 22% of eligible Veterans and 75% of eligible widows have not applied for this benefit.
Pat O’Dea-Evans, MS, RN, LCPC an expert in senior resources. Autumn Green at Wright Campus 4239 N. Oak Park Ave.Chicago, IL
Kidwinks.com
Kidwinks.com is offering any Park Ridge Business a free coupon for the month of May. Contact kidwinks.com for more details. nina@kidwinks.com or 847-685-1275.


Edward Jones Edward Jones Receives High Marks from SmartMoney Magazine

The magazine lauded Edward Jones for growing the number of financial advisors in a down market. The St. Louis-based firm, with a reputation for excellent client service, also managed to lead the pack in stock picking, according to the magazine.

The firm has consistently been ranked highly in the SmartMoney survey as No. 2 in 2008, and No. 1 in 2007 and 2005.

Edward Jones, which ranked No. 2 on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For 2009," is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones interactive Web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting Web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.

Fully Fit Lifestyles
Fully Fit Lifestyles, Inc is launching a new program this summer! It is a new fitness program, “Tweens in Training” aimed at 10-13 year olds and it kicks off mid-June. Call Cara Lindell, Founder Developmental Exercise Specialist. 1420 Renaissance Drive, Suite 308, Park Ridge, 847/390-8348 Cara@FullyFitLifestyles.com

Affordable Interiors Deborah Oberschelp, C.I.D. - Affordable Interiors Home Decorating & Design (and Chamber Board Member and Platinum Member!) is speaking at the Northwest Chapter Business Resource Luncheon on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Maggiano’s in Schaumburg!

"Dressing A House for Success: Undress that Closet and Dress Up Those Walls" Learn about de-cluttering & organizing, wall accents & staging, with a focus on how our tips can benefit Realtors.
Deborah@affordableint.com www.AffordableInt.com

The Northwest chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors is the organization that our very own Chamber member Jaye Crowley is president of!

George S. May
"Uniting the Community Through Music" Benefit Concert event at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Saturday, May 30. Park Ridge Chamber members can purchase tickets for $15 instead of $25; $30/door. All proceeds will benefit the P.A.U.S.E. Initiative music education program. Call Donna Werner, George S. May Foundation for the Arts at 847-993-5239 http://pause.gsmfoundation.org



Oakton Community College With the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, the Workforce Board of Northern Cook County was given substantial funds to stimulate local industries and assist the unemployed. A roundtable discussion will explore how your business can benefit from the stimulus money. The Stimulus Summit will be held 8 – 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, at Oakton’s Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road. Breakfast will be served. Call 847-635-1808.

FREE Job Seeker Workshops at the Library! FREE Job Seeker Workshops at the Park Ridge Public Library
Résumé / Cover Letter: Expert guidance on writing a résumé and cover letter that gets results.

Job Search Techniques: This segment will focus on exploring tactics and techniques to find jobs in today’s market, including internet job search and networking.

Interviewing: Guidance and direction will be provided to help you prepare for an interview, including the common questions that can be
expected and ways to answer them. Mock interviews will be conducted to give you an opportunity to practice skills you have learned.

Dates :

JUNE 12: Limit 15
JULY 17: Limit 15
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

Maine Center Celebrate an Early Father’s Day on Maine Center’s Fifth Annual
Odyssey Fundraising Cruise, Sunday, June 7, 2009

2 Hour Brunch Cruise; Boarding 11 AM; Embarking twelve noon.
Panoramic views of the beautiful Chicago skyline.
Complementary champagne toast. Chocolate Fountain. Fabulous raffles on board ship! Elegant buffet. Cash bar. Music.
$95 per person with $21 of each ticket price is a charitable donation.

For Reservations: Call 847-696-1570, extension 308.Only 200 seats available. Tickets will be held for pickup at check-in on the dock. Parking is available on Navy Pier.

Maine Center brings the pieces together to change lives. Maine Center provides nationally accredited mental health and substance abuse treatment services to over 3,000 3-90 year olds annually in the greater northwest suburbs. 847/696/1570 x310

Security Tip From Bill Hominick, Director of Security, The Youth Campus
Always leave on some interior lights at night. Lights should be towards the rear of the business so intruders will be silhouetted and be seen from the street.


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
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. Leys, Kirsten - Prudential Financial Services 847.627.3950
6. PC Medic Computer Repair - Jerry Flanagan 847.299.5556
7. Resurrection Health Care - Theresa Olson 847.813.3210
8. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
9. Sebastian Co. Real Estate - Don Sebastian, Jr. 847.823.3117
10. State Farm Insurance & Financial Services - Ann Witek 847.692.3260
11. The Exercise Coach - Chad Finney 847.823.0035
12. The McTigue Financial Group - Tom Canale 773.380.4025
13. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services - Lynda Tourloukis 847.401.5787
14. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling - 847-696-0477

Monday, May 18, 2009

Gail's Weekly Chamber UPDATE

Did you get out to Park Ridge “Grateful Days” – the customer appreciation days in which many of our members participated? The library did a nice scavenger hunt that even adults got excited about! We advertised on www.kidwinks.com and Nina told me that the Grateful Days listing on their website was one of the most viewed listings during the week – it was clicked on 106 times during it’s 4 day listing! kidwinks.com The site to know with kids in tow As seen on ABC, WGN, FOX & NBC - if you don’t have your business listed, you should! (That’s a tip from Gail!)
Thank you to the Retail Committee for coming up with the idea to highlight “Shop Park Ridge” month! And, don’t forget, we are selling the “Thank you for shopping locally” posters at the Chamber for just $5 each.

My son, Dirk, came home from UofI on Saturday! He’s a senior in aerospace engineering (and job hunting!)


What a GREAT
Monthly Networking Luncheon
Blackhawks President John McDonough gave a warm, funny and inspiring talk last Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare for our monthly networking luncheon.

Thank you to Dick Barton for arranging to have John speak – and also for arranging to have Todd Wessell, publisher of The Journal & Topics newspapers, who had graciously agreed to speak upon a moment’s notice about his great uncle, the legendary Chic Harley, and the new book he has written about him. The book entitled "The One and Only" comes out in a few weeks. For more information, visit www.chicharley.com. Todd will speak at one of our other monthly networking luncheons.

Thank you to John Marcopulos from Resurrection Ambulatory Care Services and Cathy Janus from Marc Printing & Graphics for their participation in our Mini Expos!

And, of course, thank you to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare for a lovely lunch and warm hospitality!!

Doug Stolz won the business card drawing for the Spotlight in July’s Chamber Connection newsletter. Here were the raffle prizes:
• $150 Chamber Newsletter insert for Member only – you provide 650 flyers
• Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: Gift Certificate One year customer preferred maintenance program for one complete system which entails cleaning the Furnace and Air Conditioning plus a future 25% savings off of any future repair bills.
• Comfort Inn O’Hare, 2 one night stays
• 2 Park Ridge Taxi PR-O’Hare Airport Trips
• Karen Larsen, Order My Gift, a Ribbon Variety Gift Catalog
• Resurrection Health Care Blanket

Thank you to everyone who donated items for the raffle!

Connect
Multi Chamber Networking
May 20 Multi-Chamber Networking Breakfast on Wednesday, May 20•7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center, 9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie (near Old Orchard at Golf Road & Skokie Boulevard)
$20 for members paid in advance
$30 for members paying at the door and all non-members
See insert in the May newsletter for registration. Walk-ins are discouraged but if you let me know you want to come, I can see if you can be accommodated!
Here’s who we have going:
Gale Cerabona Central Baptist Village
Tammy Cook 10 til 2 Chicago - North Shore
Dyan Dalesandro Frost Ruttenberg & Rothblatt PC
Wes Davis Davis Insurance
Josh DeRossett Jason's Deli
Al Dordek Frost Ruttenberg & Rothblatt PC
Jenny Fitzgerald Sabella & Graham, P.C.
Chris Jenkins Northside Community Bank
Jason Kipker Jason's Deli
Karen Larsen Order My Gift
Alina Lin Frost Ruttenberg & Rothblatt PC
Adam Paoli John Hancock Financial Network
Peggy Kennedy Carlucci Restaurant
Paul Davis Cardinal Fitness



Monthly Business After Hours at Dominic’s Kitchen Store May 28!
Dominic’s Kitchen Store has moved into their new home at 116 Main Street! Please plan to attend their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony which will also be the Chamber’s monthly networking Business After Hours event for May!

Dominic’s is planning wonderful things but I won’t spill the beans until he’s confirmed them - but you don’t want to miss out!

May 28 – Thursday
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Networking, refreshments, raffle prizes and so much more!!!

Mark your calendars! Remember, these Business After Hours are included in your annual dues!!!

Chamber Workshop at Comfort Inn
May 28
The Chamber sponsors a workshop next week – only $30 for members! $40 for future members.

‘Would you like to have MORE business? Would you like your customers to be MORE loyal to you, and ignore your competition? Would you like to have referrals coming from every direction, without putting in any extra effort to “sell?” In today’s business environment- with increased competition and more choices available to your customers- the best way to create a significant competitive advantage is by providing outstanding service.

This compelling workshop is for everyone – especially those who have their own business and work for themselves.

Join us for this interactive workshop where you will:
• Learn the difference between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty
• Be introduced to the necessary mindset for providing exemplary service
• Understand how to track your cycle of service, through the eyes of your customer
• Identify more ways to add value to the service you provide
• Discuss strategies to make difficult customers easier to deal with
• Create an action plan to “WOW your customers with service!”
• And much, much more!

INFORMATION:
This dynamic and engaging workshop will be facilitated by Jeff Rosset, President of Compass Coaching & Development. Compass C&D has helped organizations all over the Chicagoland area to grow, increase profitability, and achieve their long-term goals and objectives. Compass C&D specializes in the areas of leadership, employee engagement, and overall organizational development. Learn more about Compass Coaching & Development by visiting www.Compass-CD.com
Location: www.ohare-comfortinn.com


Women in Business Breakfast!
May 29 May 29, Friday – 8am to 9:30am Women in Business Monthly Networking Breakfast
Summit of Uptown, 10 N. Summit Avenue, Speaker is Faith Curtis, Life Coach: Unleashing Your Inner Power. $10 Members/$15 forProspective Members


Shop Park Ridge Campaign in May!





May was officially proclaimed as ‘Shop Park Ridge’ month.

Please notice the sign in the windows that say ‘Thank you for shopping locally’. They were designed by Martha Berns, Dempsey Design and the photos were taken by Diddy Blyth, A Sterling Design.

The window signs (posters) are available for sale at the Chamber for just $5 each. Ron at the Frame Gallery of Park Ridge on Northwest Highway framed one of the posters for the Chamber office!

Please remember to shop Chamber members first! There are 400 to choose from!

The 3/50 Project Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce is a Supporter of the 3/50 Project www.the350project.net
Saving the brick & mortars our nation is built on!

What 3 independently owned businesses here in Park Ridge would you miss if they disappeared? Stop in. Say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

If half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine the positive impact if ¾ of the employed population did that!

Pick 3. Spend just $50 each month with any 3 and save our local economy.

It all begins with you!
Chamber Stimulus Package for May:
Shop Park Ridge! The Chamber announces a ‘Chamber Stimulus Package’. For the month of May, bring in your receipts totaling $100 with any Chamber members (you can combine them from various members) to be entered into drawings to win $50 in Chamber gift certificates ($200 total for the month).
Your chances of winning something are very good since as of today, there are no entries yet! I’m sure they’ll be rolling in soon so we will hold the drawings the first week of June instead of each week in May but all the prizes will be given away!

Any member can add prizes to the Chamber’s drawings. Just let me know if you have gift certificates or prizes and I’ll include you in the publicity for the drawings.

Here is a list of prizes so far:

Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Four, $50 gift certificates
Ace Hardware, 700 N. NW Hwy. Three, $10 gift certificates
Lisa's Homemade Italian Ice, 10 S. NW Hwy. Four, $5 gift certificates
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Four, $10 gift certificates


Newsletter Coupons Coupons in the monthly newsletter: Only $10! You provide the copy and this is all we want, short & sweet:
Business Name
email l phone l contact name
Special Offer on one line
Twenty words or less to describe
offer on two/three lines
Expires: 00/00/00
Email it to me!

Memorial Day Parade in
Park Ridge! We’re #36 in the Memorial Day Parade! Please join the Chamber!!!! We have 6 company members so far:
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Lynette’s School of Dance
Bath Fitter
Tasty Pup
WineStyles Park Ridge

Golf Outing June 24 Hello Golfers! I know you’re out there! Here are the 8 golfers who have signed up and paid so far!
4 Hyatt Regency O'Hare David Jacobs
Tim Parel
Chris Kremzir
Chryss Thomas
4 Liberty Bank for Savings Kane Connell
Robert Hohe
Richard Julkowski
Chris Melton
The price to golf this year is just $150 per golfer. Please see insert in the May newsletter for all available sponsorships.
Cathy Janus, Marc Printing, is providing the environmentally friendly, reusable goody bags!
Here is what we’ve received for the raffle/silent auction:
Hyatt Regency O'Hare David Jacobs 847-663-4601 Complimentary One Night Stay including dinner for two at O'H American Grill Hyatt Regency O'Hare, expires 6/24/2010
Hyatt Regency O'Hare David Jacobs 847-663-4601 Complimentary Dinner for two at O'H American Grill The Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 6/24/2010
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Linda Hills 847-318-6801 Chocolate basket ($25 value)
Savvy Salon & Spa Jim Riggio 847-518-0266 One, 1-hour massage ($60 value), expires 4/4/2010
Savvy Salon & Spa Jim Riggio 847-518-0266 One spa package #3 includes manicure, pedicure and choice of facial or massage ($114 value), expires 4/4/2010
WineStyles Tracy & Doug Bell 847-518-9463 Wine Basket
Oakton Community College Bea Cornelissen 847-635-1812 Certificate for one college credit class, value $246
Affordable Interiors Deborah Oberschelp 312-909-1255 An authentic, English-style tea complete with cucumber sandwiches, scones and British Tea served in antique bone china cups served up with design ideas and decorating tips from Affordable Interiors. Value $275


Taste of Park Ridge – Canopies on Courtland
Sat. July 11
The Chamber purchased 30 booths from the Taste of Park Ridge for the Saturday, July 11, business expo entitled “Canopies on Courtland”.

The booths are on sale now for $325 each for members and $650 for Prospective Members. The layout will be different this year – our booths will face both sides of the street and will be 15 on each side – then a 10 foot aisle before the 30 Taste sponsor booths. The four end cap booths will be $425 each and for members only.

I will email you the agreement upon request. Here who has signed up so far so just 25 booths are left!
Aqua Plumbing
Loyola Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine at Park Ridge
Resurrection Health Care
GB Therapeutic Massage
Rosemary Mulligan

Membership Committee Theresa Olson, Resurrection Health Care, has agreed to chair the Chamber’s Membership Committee and we’re looking for members to volunteer an hour a week to work with Theresa and me regarding membership issues. Please email me if you’re interested.
Member News Last week I visited:
Noodles & Company
Oakton Ice Rink
Park Ridge Public Library
Hay Caramba! – we took the family for dinner Saturday after our son came home from college!
Dominic’s Kitchen Store
Walgreens



WineStyles has a Job Openening! Seeking a motivated, energetic, creative, and honest individual looking to be a long term team member in an upscale wine shop. Primary responsibilities will be as an Event Coordinator. Other job responsibilities to work in the store; this person will also have responsibilities on the retail side, helping organizing our expanding wine club etc.
-Event planning experience
-Some wine knowledge would be helpful and appreciated
-Effective communication skills
-Sales experience
-Flexible schedule
To start 10-15 hours a week; Email Tracy Bell at parkridge@winestyles.net

Jos. A Bank Clothiers Exclusively for you! Buy any suit at regular price, get a 2nd suit (of equal or lesser value) FREE! PLUS - 2 FREE dress shirts ($84.50 value) and 2 FREE silk ties ($84.50 value)!! Call Nancy Graham, JoS. A. Bank Clothiers - 164 N. NW Hwy, at 847-692-3091 for more information.

Park Ridge Fine Arts Society The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society has updated their website: www.prfas.org with their 2009 Concert Schedule beginning June 19th. They are coordinating their 2009 Ad booklet and fundraiser, so contact Emily Kosaka at 312-595-8091 or 847-217-7119 or etoy@mesirowfinancial.com if you'd like information regarding sponsoring or co-sponsoring a "Concert in the Park".

Kidwinks.com
FREE Kidwinks.com is offering any Park Ridge Business a free coupon for the month of May. Contact kidwinks.com for more details. nina@kidwinks.com or 847-685-1275. Any Park Ridge business that would like to advertise to parents (men & women 25-45 years old in the Chicago area). Advertise more effectively. Kidwinks.com where your advertising dollar goes a whole lot farther. Kidwinks.com is looking for experienced sales people to work part-time selling online advertising.

Triblocal Party May 21 Triblocal launch party on Thursday, May 21st. The party will be at Blues Bar in Mount Prospect, with free appetizers and refreshments. This will be an incredibly informative party, with a great chance to mingle with local community business owners. RSVP by Wednesday, May 20th to Katie Cousino at kcousino@tribune.com.
Please call 630 368 4245 with questions.
George S. May
"Uniting the Community Through Music" Benefit Concert event at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Saturday, May 30. Tickets $25 in advance (Park Ridge Chamber members can purchase tickets for $15 instead of $25!); $30/door. All proceeds will benefit the P.A.U.S.E. Initiative music education program. Call Donna Werner, Executive Administrator, George S. May Foundation for the Arts at 847-993-5239 http://pause.gsmfoundation.org



Oakton Community College With the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, the Workforce Board of Northern Cook County was given substantial funds to stimulate local industries and assist the unemployed. A roundtable discussion will explore how your business can benefit from the stimulus money. The Stimulus Summit will be held 8 – 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, at Oakton’s Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road. Breakfast will be served. Call 847-635-1808.
***
It doesn’t matter if you spend your work day glued to a monitor or if your job allows for a more distant relationship with the computer. In any industry, computer literacy is vital to the way people communicate and succeed today.
Enhance your computer skills by taking classes at Oakton Community College. Aside from computer skills, you also will learn communication, management, and critical thinking skills – all valuable resources on the job and in life.
Classes are available for students of all skill levels. Basic computer literacy courses introduce essential concepts, such as keyboarding and the Windows operating system. More advanced classes include a survey course of computer software and courses dedicated to specific programs, such as Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint. For students interested in learning a new software or skill, classes are offered in popular topics such as Photoshop, Web authoring software, and Web page creation. Register now for summer or fall classes. To learn more about Oakton’s computer classes, call 847-376-7055.

Veteran’s Seminar:
May 28th Autumn Green Italian Farmers Market on Saturday, May 23rd from 8am-12 pm at 4239 N. Oak Park Ave, Chicago. Local Vendors Will Offer¬: Homemade pastas; Assorted cheeses and meats;Homemade breads; Local produce; And much more!!! Proceeds to benefit the Italian American War Veterans!
Come to learn more about how veterans and surviving spouses can live at Autumn Green for as little as $300/month.
Join us for a seminar on Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit on May 28th at 6 PM.
Veteran’s Seminar
An educational program on Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Housing and Care Benefits on Thursday May 28th, 2009 at 6 p.m.
War-time Veterans or the surviving spouse of a Veteran are eligible for $12,672 to $23,388 a year in tax-free funds to help pay for medical costs, home care workers or assisted living options. Over 22% of eligible Veterans and 75% of eligible widows have not applied for this benefit.
Pat O’Dea-Evans, MS, RN, LCPC an expert in senior resources. Autumn Green at Wright Campus 4239 N. Oak Park Ave.Chicago, IL 60634
Grand Opening
Amphora
To Benefit
Rainbow Hospice & Palliative Care Please join us as we celebrate “A Time for Hope” at the Grand Opening of Amphora on Friday, May 29th from 5pm – 10pm. Experience live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres at a Preview Party, Luxury Model Home Tour and Private Shopping Event located in the Shops of Uptown Park Ridge, 2 N. Northwest Highway. Individual tickets are $40 per person.
All ticket proceeds from this gala event will benefit the mission of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care. You may purchase tickets online at https://www.rainbowhospice.org/calendar/events, in person at either current Amphora location at 149 N. Northwest Hwy or Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care at 444 N. Northwest Hwy, Suite 145, by mail at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, 444 N. Northwest Hwy, Suite 145
Park Ridge, IL 60068 or by telephone at 847-292-2353.
For additional information about this exciting event please contact:

Jackie Mathews
Director of Special Events and Major Gifts
Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care
847-292-2353
jmathews@rainbowhospice.org

Maine Center Celebrate an Early Father’s Day on Maine Center’s Fifth Annual
Odyssey Fundraising Cruise, Sunday, June 7, 2009

2 Hour Brunch Cruise; Boarding 11 AM; Embarking twelve noon.
Panoramic views of the beautiful Chicago skyline.
Complementary champagne toast. Chocolate Fountain. Fabulous raffles on board ship! Elegant buffet. Cash bar. Music.
$95 per person with $21 of each ticket price is a charitable donation.

For Reservations: Call 847-696-1570, extension 308.Only 200 seats available. Tickets will be held for pickup at check-in on the dock. Parking is available on Navy Pier.

Maine Center brings the pieces together to change lives. Maine Center provides nationally accredited mental health and substance abuse treatment services to over 3,000 3-90 year olds annually in the greater northwest suburbs. 847/696/1570 x310

Park Ridge Taxi Park Ridge Taxi Adds Technology for Passenger Safety and Security
Park Ridge’s hometown cab company has installed a new companywide system equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities for all its vehicles. Over 50 units for Park Ridge Taxi and its sister company, Community Cab (Des Plaines), now are all connected with this state of the art technology. The system launched May 7.
“We are investing over $50,000 a year in equipment and service contracts to bring this technology to our cabs,” says Dean Dinev, owner of the two companies. “It has many benefits such as saving fuel, improving response time, and providing management controls but even more importantly the system provides for improved passenger safety and security.”
This new system provides the company with the ability to monitor the location of each cab at all times and automatically record that information. It also allows management to monitor response times, wait times, and even calculate the speed of a cab. At times, the speed of the cab can be compared with posted speed limits.
The system utilizes Sprint Nextel “push to talk” phones equipped with GPS. The units work basically like a walkie-talkie with improved features.
Organization Tip from Amber’s Organizing 5 Quick Tips to Keep your Desk Clear
1. Set a buzzer on your phone or computer to go off 15 minutes before your work day ends. Spend those 15 minutes clearing off your desk- i.e. filing paper, returning your glass to the kitchen, and pencils back in the pencil cup.
2. Use your calendar as much as possible. Instead of having piles of paper that pertain to different projects stacked all over, schedule the individual tasks of the project onto your calendar ( to remind you to complete the project) and file away all that paper. Of course make sure the project paper is in labeled hanging folders and store all projects in one file drawer.
3. Purchase a business card & receipt scanner- my favorites are www.neatreceipts.com or www.cardscan.com. Business cards and receipts can really pile up quickly if not taken care of immediately. Start tracking business expenses easily and stop wasting lead opportunities for yourself or your business partners by losing track of contact information.
4. Toss your post its & misc. pads of paper out. Instead get yourself a small four by eight inch notebook in a bright color or pattern. Take it with you everywhere and at the start of each new day, date the top of a new clean page. Then throughout that day write down all your missed phone messages, thoughts, ideas, or tasks to do. This will help you keep track of all the misc. information you take in on a daily basis and cut down on all the napkins you scribble on in restaurants or random scraps of paper in the car that end up getting lost.
5. Create an action center or station on your desk. Sort your paper into actions such as – file, pay, shred, scan, fax, call, mail, pending, etc. Then organize your “action papers” into labeled containers such as stackable trays or file folders in tiered slots/wires. Each person will have use different action verbs depending on their profession or job title– so use the action verbs that best suit your needs.
Amber's Organizing, LLC located in Chicago, IL
Professional Organizing for Home and Offices
Amber Kostelny-Cussen, Certified Professional Organizer ®
main 773-628-7404 cell 708-925-7574
Security Tip From Bill Hominick, Director of Security, The Youth Campus
Solid doors should be equipped with a peephole. If yours does not, it is easy to install one and should be done soon. If you lease or rent the space, check with your owner first. Being able to see who is at the door before opening it can prevent a crime.


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
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. Leys, Kirsten - Prudential Financial Services 847.627.3950
6. PC Medic Computer Repair - Jerry Flanagan 847.299.5556
7. Resurrection Health Care - Theresa Olson 847.813.3210
8. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
9. Sebastian Co. Real Estate - Don Sebastian, Jr. 847.823.3117
10. State Farm Insurance & Financial Services - Ann Witek 847.692.3260
11. The Exercise Coach - Chad Finney 847.823.0035
12. The McTigue Financial Group - Tom Canale 773.380.4025
13. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services - Lynda Tourloukis 847.401.5787
14. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling - 847-696-0477

Monday, May 11, 2009

Gail's Weekly Chamber UPDATE

Hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day! I sure did. My son, Dirk, called me from Champaign and wished me a HMD and then I got to spend the whole weekend with Lian, doing mom and daughter stuff! We went shopping for a bike for me but I didn’t find anything that I liked – too bad we don’t have a bike shop in the Chamber! I’ve visited both bike shops in town but neither joined.

We walked to the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on Saturday for fluffy pancakes and saw a lot of friends there – I’m still waiting to hear if we won anything from the raffle prize table!

I attended the Park Ridge Newcomers dinner for their committee members as I’m a co-chair with Jean Lemke (Kidwinks.com) for the Book Club! And I also attended the MCYAF (Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation) volunteer appreciation event. MCYAF educates about healthy lifestyle choices for our youth, teaching them alternate behaviors to drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

Speaking of our youth, great kids are coming home from college to a poor job market – please let me know if you’re hiring summer kids as they’re lining up outside my door and I’d like to help them.


Monthly Networking Luncheon! This Wednesday, May 13, in 2 days, is our monthly networking luncheon at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare! 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Complementary self-parking (not the valet parking!) Take a ticket in the self park and then we’ll have it validated in our dining room.

The turnaround of the Chicago Blackhawks in the last two seasons has been called an act of genius and great timing. Blackhawks President John McDonough has been credited with masterminding the brilliant marketing of this storied Chicago sports franchise which is now enjoying record attendance and success on the ice.

McDonough, a native of Edison Park, will tell how it was done.
A graduate of Notre Dame High School in Niles and St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, McDonough frequently lectures at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Notre Dame University, and Marquette University. He started his sports marketing career with the Chicago Sting and later the Chicago Cubs where he was promoted to President in 2006. He joined the Chicago Blackhawks as President in November, 2007 and currently serves in that capacity.

In the event of a conflict with a road Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoffs game, McDonough regretfully will be unable to attend.
If the Hawks win tonight, John McDonough will speak at our luncheon. If they lose tonight, the series goes to Game 7 and he will be with the team in Vancouver and unable to speak.

Our back-up speaker will be Todd Wessell, publisher of The Journal & Topics newspapers, who has graciously agreed to speak upon a moment’s notice! Todd will be talking about his great uncle, the legendary Chic Harley, and the new book he has written about him. The book titled "The One and Only" comes out in a few weeks. For more information, visit www.chicharley.com. Todd will be rebooked for another date if Mr. McDonough is able to join us.

Here’s who has rsvp’d so far so if you don’t see your name, let us know asap so I can let the Hyatt Regency O’Hare kitchen know:

1 John Barrett barrett-TECH
2 Dick Barton Barton & Barton, Ltd.
3 Angela Berger Park Ridge Public Library
4 Diddy Blyth A Sterling Design
5 Dorothy Brownstein Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
6 Tammy Cook 10 til 2 Chicago-North Shore
7 Marci Derrick Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
8 Chad Finney The Exercise Coach
9 Jenny Fitzgerald Sabella & Graham
10 Kathleen Frey Pioneer Press
11 Gail Haller Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
12 Suzanne Henn Maine Center
13 Marilee Higgins Resurrection Ambulatory Care Services
14 Maggie Higgins Resurrection Ambulatory Care Services
15 Sara Koveleski-Kraute Advanced Physical Therapy
16 Matt Kropp
17 Matt Kropp Guest
18 Kirsten Leys Prudential Financial
19 John Marcopoulos Resurrection Ambulatory Care Services
20 John McDonough Chicago Blackhawks - guest speaker
21 Deborah Oberschelp Affordable Interiors
22 Theresa Olson Resurrection Ambulatory Care Services
23 Adam Paoli John Hancock Financial Network
24 Phillip Racette Prospective Member
25 Pat Roa-Perez Prospective Member
26 Doug Root Home Comfort Heating & Cooling
27 Pat Rubino Ross E. Rubino, DDS
28 Kelli Christensen Dr Ross E. Rubino, DDS
29 Norman Schaetzlein Norman Printing Services
30 Tom Schroeder Commerce Group Service
31 Amy Sullivan Sullivan & Johnson, Ltd.
32 Sonia Teruel Comfort Heating & Cooling, Inc.
33 Janet Van De Carr Park Ridge Public Library
34 Anna Wasyliw Harris Park Ridge
35 Kevin Witek Y-Tech Heating & Air Conditioning

Here’s the delicious menu:

Butter, Lola and Frisse Lettuces with Tomato and Cucumber
&Sweet Onion Dressing
Roasted Natural Chicken Breast –
Pocketed with Parma Ham and Sun Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Polenta and Mascarpone
Grilled Asparagus
Barolo Sauce
Freshly Baked Rolls Served with Creamy Butter
Espresso Panna Cotta
Offer Assorted Soft Drinks, Coffee, Decaf, and Tazo Tea


We also have mini-expo’s available so you can set up early, hand out brochures, and talk with the guests – plus you’ll speak to the group for 60 seconds.
1. Resurrection Ambulatory Care Services
2. Available
3. Available
4. Available

Shop Park Ridge Campaign in May!






Chamber Stimulus Package!
May has been officially proclaimed to be ‘Shop Park Ridge’ month. Look for the posters in the windows that say ‘Thank you for shopping locally’. They were designed by Dempsey Design and the photos were taken by A Sterling Design. The window signs (posters) are available for sale at the Chamber for just $5 each. Ron at the Frame Gallery of Park Ridge on Northwest Highway is framing one of the posters for the Chamber office!

Please remember to shop Chamber members first!

The Chamber’s Retail Committee, chaired by Linda Hills, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, is planning the weekend prior to the Memorial Day weekend: Friday, May 15; Saturday, May 16; and Sunday, May 17 as customer appreciation days: Grateful Days!
Here is what’s going on:

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 31 S. Northwest Hwy, 847-318-6801. Rush in for sales, free samples, and contests all 3 days, fudge-making demonstrations on Saturday, hands-on pretzel dipping Friday night and Sunday, Plus - "Name the New Chocolate" contest!

2 Sisters Boutique, 7 S. Prospect Ave., 847-698-3808, May 15- Shop and Sip....refreshments while you shop 5-7pm- Enjoy 20% off your entire purchase. May 16- Free gift with purchase- Enjoy 20% off your entire purchase. May 17- Cupcakes & lemonade- Enjoy 20% off your entire purchase

Nika le butik, 143 N. Northwest Hwy, 847-696-1700, For every $100 spent, receive a coupon for $10 off their next purchase. They are called "Nika Dollars”. Free gift with purchase that weekend while supplies last.

Park Ridge Public Library, 20 S. Prospect Ave, 847-825-3123
Flower Power Scavenger Hunt - Stop into the Library between May 15-17 to take part in our flower powered scavenger hunt. Feel the love as you go from store to store to decode our groovy message. Book your way back to the library with your completed form by May 18, and you will be entered to win some neato prizes. All ages welcome!

Jason’s Deli, 608 West Touhy Avenue, 847-593-6149
Free Ice Cream (with purchase of a meal) and donating a $25 gift card to the Chamber for the stimulus program!

Comfort Inn O’Hare,2175 E. Touhy Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018, 847-635-1300. “TWO” sweet of a deal !” Come enjoy a weekend get-a-away at the Newly Renovated Comfort Inn O’Hare. For $100 plus tax you will receive: King size guest room. Bountiful breakfast for two. Lunch and dinner for two at Tiffany’s restaurant. Saturdays or Sundays only.

Dominic’s Kitchen Store, 116 Main Street, 847-698-1255. For every $100 spent receive a $10 gift card for future purchases when you mention ad.

Raffia, 29 S Prospect Avenue, 847-825-7734. Receive a complementry Peace bracelet or earrings with purchase, while supply last.Spend $50 Save $10. Enter drawing for a Dogeared Canvas Tote or a "Peace" scarf.

WineStyles, 105 S. Northwest Highway, 847-518-WINE (9463). Wine Tasting, Friday, May 15th 6:30-9:00 with over 40 wines open; taste pizza and appetizers. $10pp Wine Club Members; $15 pp non wine club members. Order wines at discounted prices with $10 back when you purchase at least two bottles of wine. Saturday & Sunday, May 16th taste wines all weekend. $5.00 coupon for purchase over $50 for the weekend.(not valid with 6 for $60 table or 5 for $75)

Park Ridge Paint, Glass & Wallpaper 737 Devon Ave., 847-823-1439, Just in time for your spring projects, offering FREE 2oz. Benjamin Moore color samples. Limit one per household.

North Shore Dental Group, Luma Naim, D.D.S., 444 N. Northwest Highway, Suite 230
$200 OFF ZOOM! Whitening Certificate (regular price $450). $29.99 for: exam & full mouth X-ray (regular price$179) for new patient only. Just mention "Park Ridge Chamber".

Interior Visions Designs, Inc., 520 Devon Ave., 847.825.0450 Have you seen us on NBC, in the Chicago Tribune, and in Home Fashion magazine? Usually by appointment only, we’ll be opening our doors this Friday and Saturday so that you can learn what we’re all about in a casual setting. Everyone who stops in will receive a gift certificate for a FREE HOUR of in-home interior design consultation.
“Designing Green in a Brown World” – Friday 1-2PM – Learn about going green and the impact to your health, the environment, and the economy.
Open House – Friday 2-5PM, 6-8PM and Saturday 11AM-2PM – Stop in and “play” with paint samples and fabric books.
“Color My World” – Friday 5-6PM and Saturday 10-11AM – Learn about the way color affects our lives.

Butterfly Gift Shop at Resurrection Medical Center, 7435 W. Talcott Ave., Chicago 773-792-6388
Spend $50, May 15-17, and receive a gift certificate for $10 off any future purchase, Spend $100 and receive a gift certificate for $20 off any future purchase. Offer not valid with any other discounts. Gift certificates expire 90 days from issuance, are not redeemable for cash and are not combinable with any other discounts.

Park Ridge Center for Plastic Surgery, 444 N. Northwest Hwy., Suite 220. Buy any Facial, Microdermabrasion, or Chemical Peel Get One Free 20 % off Any Laser Package 15% off Any Neaclear Product.

Regus Business Center, 350 S. Northwest Hwy - Suite 300, Stop in for a tour and receive a coupon for a free day (8 hours) in one of our meeting rooms. Professional Environment in which to meet with clients, vendors and colleagues!

Lisa's Homemade Italian Ice, 10 S. Northwest Hwy, 847-692-3737
Stop in for a bubble gum blowing contest. Lets see who can blow the largest bubble. Each day there will be a winner. Try our "Tie Dye" Italian ice and as always free samples.

TriPilates, 833 W. Touhy Ave, 847-698-6338. Show your gratitude for friendship: bring a friend, 2 for 1. If you've never *tried* Pilates, you can learn together. If you have, you know what a gift you are giving. Mat classes Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 15, 16 and 17 at 9:15 each day. Sign up online or just show up. Just $18 drop in (for two!) *offer for first time clients only. www.tripilates.com

Chamber Stimulus Package for May:
Shop Park Ridge! The Chamber will have another ‘Chamber Stimulus Package’. For the month of May, bring in your receipts totaling $100 with any Chamber members (you can combine them from various members) to be entered into drawings each week to win $50 in Chamber gift certificates ($200 total for the month).

Any member can add prizes to the Chamber’s drawings. Just let me know if you have gift certificates or prizes and I’ll include you in the publicity for the drawings. For example, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is donating a weekly prize of a $10 gift certificate! Thank you Linda Hills!

Newsletter Coupons Only $10! You provide the copy and this is all we want, short & sweet:
Business Name
email l phone l contact name
Special Offer on one line
Twenty words or less to describe
offer on two/three lines
Expires: 00/00/00
Send it to me!
Connect
Multi Chamber Networking
May 20 Multi-Chamber Networking Breakfast on Wednesday, May 20•7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center, 9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie (near Old Orchard at Golf Road & Skokie Boulevard)
$20 for members paid in advance
$30 for members paying at the door and all non-members
See insert in the May newsletter for registration.

Memorial Day Parade in
Park Ridge! We’re #36 in the Memorial Day Parade! Please join the Chamber!!!! We have 6 company members so far:
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Park Ridge Garden Club
Lynette’s School of Dance
Bath Fitter
Tasty Pup
WineStyles Park Ridge

Golf Outing June 24 The price to golf this year is just $150 per golfer. Please see insert in the May newsletter for all available sponsorships.
Hyatt Regency O’Hare sent in the names of the first registered foursome (and check) – and a silent auction donation!!! Thank you!
Cathy Janus, Marc Printing, is providing the environmentally friendly, reusable goody bags!
Here is what we’ve received for the raffle/silent auction:
Company Name Item Donated
Hyatt Regency O'Hare Complimentary One Night Stay including dinner for two at O'H American Grill Hyatt Regency O'Hare, expires 6/24/2010
Hyatt Regency O'Hare Complimentary Dinner for two at O'H American Grill The Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 6/24/2010
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Chocolate basket ($25 value)
Savvy Salon & Spa One, 1-hour massage ($60 value), expires 4/4/2010
Savvy Salon & Spa One spa package #3 includes manicure, pedicure and choice of facial or massage ($114 value), expires 4/4/2010
WineStyles Wine Basket
Oakton Community College Certificate for one college credit class, value $246

Taste of Park Ridge – Canopies on Courtland
Sat. July 11 The Chamber purchased 30 booths from the Taste of Park Ridge for the Saturday, July 11, business expo entitled “Canopies on Courtland”.

The booths are on sale now for $325 each for members and $650 for Prospective Members. The layout will be different this year – our booths will face both sides of the street and will be 15 on each side – then a 10 foot aisle before the 30 Taste sponsor booths. The four end cap booths will be $425 each and members only.

I will email you the agreement upon request. I’ve sold a few already and have had several inquiries. This is a fundraiser for the Chamber.
Membership Committee Theresa Olson, Resurrection Health Care, has agreed to chair the Chamber’s Membership Committee and we’re looking for members to volunteer an hour a week to work with Theresa and me regarding membership issues. Please email me if you’re interested.
Member News Last week I visited:
Panino’s Pizzeria
Jason’s Deli
MCYAF
Park Ridge Newcomers Club
Raffia
Regus
Oakton Ice Rink
Park Ridge Public Library
Kiwanis
Park Ridge Community Fund
Dental Placement Auxiliary Service, Inc.


KIDS FAIRE May 16 - Saturday State Senator Dan Kotowski is sponsoring a KIDS FAIRE this Saturday, May 16th from 9:00am until noon at the Pioneer Park Community Center, 500 South Fernandez, Arlington Heights. This free faire is an annual event and will benefit all of the communities of the 33rd District. Businesses will be on hand to showcase their products or food and there will be raffles and events for the kids in attendance.

Shredfest
May 16 Keller Williams Realty Partners has their Shredfest this Saturday Mat 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 700 Bussee Hwy, P.R. Shredding services are provided at no cost if you either make a donation or bring items to help WINGS provide support to their patrons. More info: www.kwhomefinder.com
Park Ridge Fine Arts Society The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society has updated their website www.prfas.org with their 2009 Concert Schedule beginning June 19th. They are coordinating their 2009 Ad booklet and fundraiser, so contact Emily Kosaka at 312-595-8091 or 847-217-7119 or etoy@mesirowfinancial.com if you'd like to place an ad in the booklet or would like information regarding sponsoring or co-sponsoring a "Concert in the Park".

Maine Center Celebrate an Early Father’s Day on Maine Center’s Fifth Annual
Odyssey Fundraising Cruise, Sunday, June 7, 2009

2 Hour Brunch Cruise; Boarding 11 AM; Embarking twelve noon.
Panoramic views of the beautiful Chicago skyline.
Complementary champagne toast. Chocolate Fountain. Fabulous raffles on board ship! Elegant buffet. Cash bar. Music.
$95 per person with $21 of each ticket price is a charitable donation.

For Reservations: Call 847-696-1570, extension 308.Only 200 seats available. Tickets will be held for pickup at check-in on the dock. Parking is available on Navy Pier.

Maine Center brings the pieces together to change lives. Maine Center provides nationally accredited mental health and substance abuse treatment services to over 3,000 3-90 year olds annually in the greater northwest suburbs. 847/696/1570 x310

Kidwinks.com
FREE Kidwinks.com is offering any Park Ridge Business a free coupon for the month of May. Contact kidwinks.com for more details. nina@kidwinks.com or 847-685-1275. Any Park Ridge business that would like to advertise to parents (men & women 25-45 years old in the Chicago area). Advertise more effectively. Kidwinks.com where your advertising dollar goes a whole lot farther. Kidwinks.com is looking for experienced sales people to work part-time selling online advertising.

Party! Triblocal launch party on Thursday, May 21st. The party will be at Blues Bar in Mount Prospect, with free appetizers and refreshments. This will be an incredibly informative party, with a great chance to mingle with local community business owners. RSVP by Wednesday, May 20th to Katie Cousino at kcousino@tribune.com.
Please call 630 368 4245 with questions.

George S. May "Uniting the Community Through Music" Benefit Concert event at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Saturday, May 30. Tickets $25 in advance (Park Ridge Chamber members can purchase tickets for $15 instead of $25!); $30/door. All proceeds will benefit the P.A.U.S.E. Initiative music education program. Call Donna Werner, Executive Administrator, George S. May Foundation for the Arts at 847-993-5239 http://pause.gsmfoundation.org

Oakton With the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, the Workforce Board of Northern Cook County was given substantial funds to stimulate local industries and assist the unemployed. A roundtable discussion will explore how your business can benefit from the stimulus money. The Stimulus Summit will be held 8 – 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, at Oakton’s Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road. Breakfast will be served. Call 847-635-1808
North Shore Women’s Conference May 15 2nd Annual Women’s Conference – A Great Opportunity for Your Business!
Please go to our website for more information on this exciting event!
Today is the deadline to be a Table Sponsor for May 15 Connect and to register.
Call DBR Chamber at 847-945-4660 to register and mention Park Ridge.


Park Ridge Garden Club Plant Sale this Saturday PLANT SALE, MAY 16, 2009, HODGES PARK, 9 A.M. – 1 P.M.
Mark your calendars to participate in the 2009 Park Ridge Garden Club Plant Sale. We will have many unique plants from Planters Palette, as well as annuals & veggies from Antons, and, or course, our member plants.

David McNulty speaks! Northwest Chapter Business Resource Luncheon
Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 11am to 1:30pm, 1901 E. Woodfield Road, Schaumburg , Illinois
11:00-12:00: AFFILIATE FAIR featuring 10 Northwest Chapter affiliate members Lunch and Program follows fair.
“Home, Smart Home: Brains & Beauty through Green Design”
Certified Kitchen Designer & Residential Interior Designer; Owner and President of McNulty Design Group, Inc of Park Ridge , Illinois
David McNulty, a Certified Kitchen Designer and Residential Interior Designer, is the owner and president of McNulty Design Group, Inc. in Park Ridge , Illinois . His accomplishments include repeat appearances on HGTV’s “New Spaces” and Comcasts’ Contempo Talk. He has also shared his professional experiences on the nationally syndicated Radio Show “Home Improvement USA”. He has won numerous regional and national design competitions, most recently “Best Kitchen Design” by the Home Builders of Greater Chicago, and continues to be on the forefront of design publications featuring Luxe, Trends, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Romantic Homes, Country Sampler, Women’s Day, Signature Kitchens & Baths, and Builder Profile magazines. He also presides as a design judge for the national publication Professional Remodelers’ “Best of The Best” design competition for the past 3 years that features hundreds of national design and construction entries.
Due to his authentic belief in environmental awareness, David McNulty was chosen by the Museum of Science and Industry to design and provide cabinetry for the kitchen, bathrooms, bookcases, and storage bench for their special project; “Smart Home Green + Wired”. It has been accepted to present energy saving and environmentally responsible material and construction ideas to the public for another year beginning March 9, 2009.
Brigitte Cornelius, TGI Clean Air & Water (847.394.2047):
WCR Member: $22; Guest/Potential Member: $27
www.illinoiswcr.org
Our Mission: We are a network of successful REALTORS® empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Veteran’s Seminar Veteran’s Seminar
An educational program on Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Housing and Care Benefits on Thursday May 28th, 2009 at 6 p.m.
War-time Veterans or the surviving spouse of a Veteran are eligible for $12,672 to $23,388 a year in tax-free funds to help pay for medical costs, home care workers or assisted living options. Over 22% of eligible Veterans and 75% of eligible widows have not applied for this benefit. Join is for this complimentary seminar as
Pat O’Dea-Evans, MS, RN, LCPC an expert in senior resources
Provides a seminar on this Wartime Veterans Benefit.
Autumn Green at Wright Campus 4239 N. Oak Park Ave.Chicago, IL 60634
A Senior Lifestyle Community
Grand Opening
Amphora
To Benefit
Rainbow Hospice & Palliative Care Please join us as we celebrate “A Time for Hope” at the Grand Opening of Amphora on Friday, May 29th from 5pm – 10pm. Experience live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres at a Preview Party, Luxury Model Home Tour and Private Shopping Event located in the Shops of Uptown Park Ridge, 2 N. Northwest Highway. Individual tickets are $40 per person.
All ticket proceeds from this gala event will benefit the mission of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care. You may purchase tickets online at https://www.rainbowhospice.org/calendar/events, in person at either current Amphora location at 149 N. Northwest Hwy or Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care at 444 N. Northwest Hwy, Suite 145, by mail at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, 444 N. Northwest Hwy, Suite 145
Park Ridge, IL 60068 or by telephone at 847-292-2353.
For additional information about this exciting event please contact:

Jackie Mathews
Director of Special Events and Major Gifts
Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care
847-292-2353
jmathews@rainbowhospice.org

Bill Hominick at BHominick@theyouthcampus.org who commanded the PRPD Crime Prevention Bureau for almost 20 years offered this safety & security tip:
‘Make sure your business name and address is on your backdoor as well as the front door. If law enforcement finds a rear door open, they shouldn’t have to go around to the front of the business to radio the name and address to the dispatcher. This also makes it easier for delivery drivers to locate a business.’
What a great tip! Thanks, Bill! Can’t wait for the next tip!

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
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. Leys, Kirsten - Prudential Financial Services 847.627.3950
6. PC Medic Computer Repair - Jerry Flanagan 847.299.5556
7. Resurrection Health Care - Theresa Olson 847.813.3210
8. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
9. Sebastian Co. Real Estate - Don Sebastian, Jr. 847.823.3117
10. State Farm Insurance & Financial Services - Ann Witek 847.692.3260
11. The Exercise Coach - Chad Finney 847.823.0035
12. The McTigue Financial Group - Tom Canale 773.380.4025
13. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services - Lynda Tourloukis 847.401.5787
14. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling - 847-696-0477

Monday, May 4, 2009

Gail's Weekly Chamber UPDATE

Tasty Pup catered the Daddy-Daughter dance at Washington last Friday to which my husband, Gary took our daughter, Lian, and they danced the night away!

As I reviewed the pictures of the electronics recycling day, I realized that I forgot to mention that John Alan Boryk, the pastor at First United Methodist Church of Park Ridge, came out to volunteer his time and muscle for hours that Saturday!

Its really beginning to look and feel like Spring around Park Ridge!
May has been officially proclaimed to be ‘Shop Park Ridge’ month. Look for the posters in the windows that say ‘Thank you for shopping locally’. They were designed by Dempsey Design and the photos were taken by A Sterling Design. The window signs (posters) are available for sale at the Chamber for just $5 each. I’m having one framed by Ron at the Frame Gallery of Park Ridge on Northwest Highway – I went in this morning and asked him to ‘surprise me’!

Please shop Chamber members first!

The Chamber’s Retail Committee, chaired by Linda Hills, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, is planning the weekend prior to the Memorial Day weekend: Friday, May 15; Saturday, May 16; and Sunday, May 17 as customer appreciation days: Grateful Days!

Let me know what you’ll do for Grateful Days so I can publish a schedule of events for the weekend in local papers.

The Chamber will have another ‘Chamber Stimulus Package’. For the month of May, bring in your receipts totaling $100 with any Chamber members (you can combine them from various members) to be entered into drawings each week to win $50 in Chamber gift certificates ($200 total for the month).

Any member can add to the Chamber’s drawings. Just let me know if you have gift certificates or prizes and I’ll include you in the publicity for the drawings. For example, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is donating a weekly prize of a $10 gift certificate! Thank you Linda Hills!

Why Shop Locally? When we shop locally, we help make a strong, vibrant local economy that translates into a unique and interesting city. Your shopping dollars have a huge impact on the local economy. Because local businesses bank locally, hire local accountants, attorneys and designers, advertise in local media, and pay taxes.

By continuing to shop locally, it ensures we have choice & diversity of products & services. More businesses mean more choice. And it’s often easier for independent businesses to carry more specialized lines, or new products, or to support local artisans.

Shopping Park Ridge creates a vibrant & sustainable culture for independent business. Something wonderful happens when small business thrives – it attracts more small businesses, creating
pockets of complementary shops. You might see a clothing
store open first, then an accessory store, followed by a shoe
store and maybe a café.

Shopping locally develops & maintains community character. Ask someone to name their favorite shop or café…chances are it’s an independent business. Yet we often forget these local places rely
on our patronage to survive. Park Ridge is not just a target
market to them—it is their home, and they have a personal
vested interest in the long-term health of this community. Please shop Park Ridge! Please shop Chamber members first!

The Women in Business luncheon at the Park Ridge Historical Society offered up many favorite books which Dara Gocheski,
Reader Services Manager at the Park Ridge Public Library,
put here:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=62619839506&topic=9992
Dara also Tweeted this link on the Library’s Twitter page: http://twitter.com/prpl.

Thanks for doing that, Dara!
Last Wednesday, Catherine Johns’ workshop, “Create a Powerful Presence!” was phenomenal! Every woman should take this course from Catherine because we can’t see ourselves as others see us. Catherine was able to give each person feedback on various areas.

Thank you to Nichole Squires at the Comfort Inn O’Hare for hosting us.

I’m proud to say that Catherine Johns joined the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce!

Dick Barton had this press release published in the local papers:

The turnaround of the Chicago Blackhawks in the last two seasons has been called an act of genius and great timing. Blackhawks President John McDonough has been credited with masterminding the brilliant marketing of this storied Chicago sports franchise which is now enjoying record attendance and success on the ice.

McDonough, a native of Edison Park, will tell how it was done at the May 13 luncheon of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon is open to members and non-members. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr, Rosemont.

A graduate of Notre Dame High School in Niles and St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, McDonough frequently lectures at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Notre Dame University, and Marquette University. He started his sports marketing career with the Chicago Sting and later the Chicago Cubs where he was promoted to President in 2006. He joined the Chicago Blackhawks as President in November, 2007 and currently serves in that capacity.

In the event of a conflict with a road Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoffs game, McDonough regretfully will be unable to attend.

Registration and networking starts at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is served at noon. McDonough will address the group starting around 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members and guests.

For additional information, please contact the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce office at 847-825-3121; www.parkridgechamber.org.

The Entrepreneurial Knowledge Group (EKG) meets at Regus Business Center 10am – 11:30amthis Thursday, May 7. It’s a group of entrepreneurs who get together to discuss common issues and find solutions – and, of course, networking! Let me know if you’d like to come out. Chaired by Lynda Tourloukis, You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services.
Multi-Chamber Networking Breakfast on Wednesday, May 20•7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center, 9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie (near Old Orchard at Golf Road & Skokie Boulevard)
$20 for members paid in advance
$30 for members paying at the door and all non-members
See insert in the May newsletter for registration.
We’re #36 in the Memorial Day Parade! Please join the Chamber!!!! We have 6 company members so far:
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Park Ridge Garden Club
Lynette’s School of Dance
Bath Fitter
Tasty Pup
WineStyles Park Ridge

The price to golf this year is just $150 per golfer. Please see insert in the May newsletter for all available sponsorships.
Hyatt Regency O’Hare sent in the names of the first registered foursome (and check) – and a silent auction donation!!! Thank you!
Cathy Janus, Marc Printing, is providing the environmentally friendly, reusable goody bags!
Here is what we’ve received for the raffle/silent auction:
Savvy Salon & Spa One, 1-hour massage ($60 value), expires 4/4/2010
Savvy Salon & Spa One spa package #3 includes manicure, pedicure and choice of facial or massage ($114 value), expires 4/4/2010
Hyatt Regency O'Hare Complimentary One Night Stay including dinner for two at O'H American Grill Hyatt Regency O'Hare, expires 6/24/2010
Hyatt Regency O'Hare Complimentary Dinner for two at O'H American Grill The Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 6/24/2010
WineStyles Park Ridge Wine Basket

The Chamber purchased 30 booths from the Taste of Park Ridge for Saturday, July 11, business expo entitled “Canopies on Courtland”.

The booths are on sale now for $325 each for members and $600 for Prospective Members. The layout will be different this year – our booths will face both sides of the street and will be 15 on each side – then a 10 foot aisle before the 30 Taste sponsor booths. The four end cap booths will be $425 each and members only.
Last week I visited:
Park Ridge Paint, Wallpaper & Glass
State Farm Insurance - Ann Witek
Perry’s Pizzaria
McNulty Design Group
Walgreens
Morningfields
Erica’s Jewelry
National City Bank
Sebastian Co. Real Estate
South Park Cleaners
Go Figure
WineStyles
Potbelly’s Sandwich
Jason’s Deli
Library
Oakton Ice Skating Rink
Tasty Pup
Summit Specialtees
2 Sisters
Allegro Music Center
Tom Dombro, ING Advisors
Raffia (Debbie joined the Chamber!) – Welcome!

Prospective Members I visited:
Living Seas Aquarium
Tim Malz, Edward Jones
Across the Street


Home maintenance tips, brought to you by Home Comfort Heating & Cooling:

Spring is here and with summers approach now is the best time to have your Air conditioning units inspected to ensure proper operation, energy savings and extended longevity of your equipment.

Just like your car, failure to check your systems refrigerant levels will result in costly repairs or failures in the future.
Call Doug Root, Home Comfort Heating & Cooling, Inc. 847 824-4336

The Youth Campus is seeking foster and adoptive parents who can protect, love and nurture a child who is less fortunate, giving them a chance for a stable, happy life. Become one of the special people who inspire hope, improve a future, and make a difference in a child’s life. Call The Youth Campus at 847 823-5161.

Affordable Interiors of Park Ridge is celebrating its 1-year anniversary. The interior decorating and design business is owned by Deborah Oberschelp, a Certified Interior Decorator and longtime local resident. Originally a home staging and redesign service called Select Redesign, AI has now grown into a full-service home and office decorating and design business. Deborah’s mission is to minimize costs while maximizing quality and style.
AI offers a 20% discount to Chamber Members and member referrals on all decorating and design services.
Affordable Interiors, 322 Wisner St., Park Ridge www.affordableint.com 847/692-2470 or 312/909-1255 – Deborah Oberschelp, C.I.D.

Kidwinks.com is looking for experienced sales people to work part-time selling online advertising.

Kidwinks.com is offering any Park Ridge Business a free coupon for the month of May. Contact kidwinks.com for more details. nina@kidwinks.com or 847-685-1275. Any Park Ridge business that would like to advertise to parents (men & women 25-45 years old in the Chicago area). Advertise more effectively. Kidwinks.com where your advertising dollar goes a whole lot farther.

kidwinks.com
The site to know with kids in tow
As seen on ABC, WGN, FOX & NBC

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is celebrating Mothers Day with chocolate dipped strawberries! Order now: 847-318-6801



Tim Perry’s firm has changed from Countrywide Home Loans to Bank of America Home Loans! Same address at 31 S. Prospect Avenue. Email: tim.perry@bankofamerica.com Call him at 847-698-1900

Triblocal launch party on Thursday, May 21st. The party will be at Blues Bar in Mount Prospect, with free appetizers and refreshments. This will be an incredibly informative party, with a great chance to mingle with local community business owners.
RSVP by Wednesday, May 20th to Katie Cousino at kcousino@tribune.com.
Please call 630 368 4245 with questions.

2 Sisters has a great selection of gifts for all the special ladies on your Mother's Day list. Use these coupons NOW through May 10th for additional savings!
Visit us them our NEW location
7 S. Prospect!
This Saturday: Kiwanis Club's annual Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, May 9th at the PR Presbyterian Church from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. 847-825-4630. Bill Scharringhausen, Secretary, Kiwanis Club of Park Ridge-Morning.
"Uniting the Community Through Music" Benefit Concert event at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Saturday, May 30. Tickets $25 in advance; $30/door. All proceeds will benefit the P.A.U.S.E. Initiative music education program. Call Donna Werner, Executive Administrator, George S. May Foundation for the Arts at 847-993-5239 http://pause.gsmfoundation.org

With the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, the Workforce Board of Northern Cook County was given substantial funds to stimulate local industries and assist the unemployed. A roundtable discussion will explore how your business can benefit from the stimulus money. The Stimulus Summit will be held 8 – 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, at Oakton’s Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road. Breakfast will be served. Call 847-635-1808
2nd Annual Women’s Conference – A Great Opportunity for Your Business!
Please go to our website for more information on this exciting event!
Please join us as we celebrate “A Time for Hope” at the Grand Opening of Amphora on Friday, May 29th from 5pm – 10pm. Experience live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres at a Preview Party, Luxury Model Home Tour and Private Shopping Event located in the Shops of Uptown Park Ridge, 2 N. Northwest Highway. Individual tickets are $40 per person.
All ticket proceeds from this gala event will benefit the mission of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care. You may purchase tickets online at https://www.rainbowhospice.org/calendar/events, in person at either current Amphora location at 149 N. Northwest Hwy or Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care at 444 N. Northwest Hwy, Suite 145, by mail at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, 444 N. Northwest Hwy, Suite 145
Park Ridge, IL 60068 or by telephone at 847-292-2353.
For additional information about this exciting event please contact:

Jackie Mathews
Director of Special Events and Major Gifts
Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care
847-292-2353
jmathews@rainbowhospice.org

BBB Warns Against Scams Based On Swine Flu Fears
Scammers are creating their own epidemic of spam e-mails

Chicago, IL-April 29, 2009 - Relying on reports from national Internet security experts, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be on the lookout for spam e-mail messages, which take advantage of the public's concern about the Swine Flu, but could contain malware, other computer viruses, or are disguised attempts to sell products such as vitamins.

"Scammers are quick to latch onto whatever grabs the public's attention," says Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. "They know an e-mail about a hot, interesting topic will cause many people to open the message. That's the opportunity the scammer needs to infect a computer, go phishing for personal information or present an unwanted marketing message."

According to McAfee Avert Labs, an online security company, spammers began pumping out e-mails as soon as the first accounts of swine flu were being reported in the news, accounting for two percent of all spam messages. The messages include such subject lines as, "Madonna caught swine flu!" and "Swine flu in Hollywood!" The company reports that the e-mails do not contain malware but often link to online pharmacies.

Other online security sources note that more than 250 Web sites with the term "swine flu" have been registered within the first few days following the announcement of the outbreak and predict that the scams artists are preparing to use such Web sites in a variety of different online scams.

BBB offers the following advice to avoid swine flu scams:

• Avoid opening e-mail from an unknown source and do not click on any links in the body of the e-mail or open any attachments. Instead, delete the e-mail or report it to the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding the e-mail to spam@uce.gov

• Don't believe online offers for vaccinations against swine flu because a vaccine does not exist. For more information on swine flu and updates on progress in fighting the outbreak, go to www.cdc.gov/swineflu

Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date and all operating system security patches have been installed. If your computer becomes infected as the result of a spam e-mail about swine flu, you can report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov

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. Leys, Kirsten - Prudential Financial Services 847.627.3950
6. PC Medic Computer Repair - Jerry Flanagan 847.299.5556
7. Resurrection Health Care - Theresa Olson 847.813.3210
8. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
9. Sebastian Co. Real Estate - Don Sebastian, Jr. 847.823.3117
10. State Farm Insurance & Financial Services - Ann Witek 847.692.3260
11. The Exercise Coach - Chad Finney 847.823.0035
12. The McTigue Financial Group - Tom Canale 773.380.4025
13. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services - Lynda Tourloukis 847.401.5787
14. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling - 847-696-0477