It’s supposed to be warming up soon! Easter is this Sunday. Lian was on spring break last week and my husband, Gary, a teacher, is on spring break this week! Our son, Dirk, a senior at UIUC, made it home safely from Florida for his spring break.
I was the only one without a spring break so I treated myself to a bracelet at Erica’s Jewelry! Check out the newest rage in charm bracelets, similar to Pandora but called Beadles or Reflections, where you can add beads to the silver bracelet for any occasion.
I had Nadya Zimmerman, Tanya Travel, plan & book our summer vacation and she got us such a great deal to an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana! Call her for your travels too!
Today is mainly about Chamber news and I’ll send another one on Thursday regarding Member news – send me your info!
Let’s all focus on one Chamber member this week!
Please go visit Linda at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 31 S. Northwest Hwy, 847-318-6801, and buy some Easter chocolate!
There are over 400 Chamber members so if even half of the membership goes to her shop and spends $10 this week, it would give her $2,000 in business and who wouldn’t be happy about that?
Chamber members get 10% off at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory! So go and get your traditional chocolate bunnies and cream eggs, plus other fun tasty treats to make your Easter special!
If we don’t support our own members, they’ll disappear – and we don’t want that!
Thank you to Chris Valentine, Edward Jones for donating 2 desks to the Chamber! Also, thank you to Diane Forsythe, ABI Mortgage, for donating conference room furniture and a sofa to the Chamber! Thank you to Baird & Warner for chairs for the Park Ridge Nonprofit Center! And last, but not least, a huge thank you to Bill Cunningham, William Cunningham Movers, Inc., for moving all the new furniture in!
Joe Dydio – thank you & your staff for a wonderful Business After Hours last Thursday – the food and drinks were amazing! We figured about 100 people showed up.
Thank you to those who brought prizes and who bought tickets. The money we made is going to Rainbow Hospice to buy one of the animals for the Promise of Park Ridge: Two by Two. Here are the winners:
1. Kris Hansen won the Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007
2. Dave Schmidt won the Chamber insert
3. Kirsten Leys won the Chicago Sinfonietta concert tickets donated by Karen Nelson
4. Houlihan’s gift baskets were won by Jack Owens, George Bellas, Dotti Ellis, Nina Taluc, and Valerie Niskanen
5. Jack Owens won a Park Ridge Taxi Gift Certificate
6. Dick Barton won a Rosewood Gift Certificate
7. Sandy Svizzero and Mark Fruth each won a D-Agostino’s Pizza gift card
8. Affresco gift cards were won by Dawn Disher; Hugh Mathis; J. Mathews; Lynda Tourloukis; Judy Donovan; Karen Nelson; Jack Owens; Dotti Ellis; Linda Hills; and Paul Adlaf
9. Bob Suriano won the Kiko’s Flowers handbag
Thank you to Dr. Lisa Campbell, Willow Wellness Center, who was our featured speaker at the Women in Business breakfast last Friday. Dr. Campbell spoke on Women and Friendships in Business and Life.
Also, thank you to Jason’s Deli for catering the breakfast with hot sandwiches, pastries, fresh fruit, o.j. and coffee!
We had a nice turnout of about 30 people!
Announcing a new group within the Park Ridge Chamber: Young Professionals of Park Ridge!
We lifted the minimum to under 40!
Jenny Fitzgerald, Sabella & Graham, is the Chair!
Brand New: Young Professional of Park Ridge (under 40) meets the 3rd Wednesday, April 21st from 11:30-1:00 p.m. at the Chamber. Bring your own lunch.
For more information, contact Chair:
Jenny Fitzgerald, Staff Accountant
Sabella & Graham, P.C.
776 Busse Hwy.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-696-1611-Phone
April 1, Thursday, 10:00am – 11:30am Entrepreneur Knowledge Group (EKG) Regus 350 S. NW Highway, Suite 300 – A resource group for entrepreneurs.
April 8, Thursday, 9:00 a.m.– 10:30a.m. TechForum, 720 Garden St. Microsoft is flying out for this one and they’re bringing gifts to raffle off! Come hear ideas from Microsoft & Falkor Group on how to get the most out of your Office software. All on the Road is catering the continental breakfast. RSVP to the Chamber.
April 9, Friday, 8:45am – 9:45am PREN 1: Park Ridge Executive Network, Chamber Office
April 9, Friday, 9:00am – 10:30am Chamber Communications Committee, Chamber Office April 9, Friday, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
April 9, Friday, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at D’Agostino’s Pizza & Pub, 742 W. Higgins Road, Join the Mayor and fellow Chamber members for delicious food and networking at this new restaurant in town.
April 14, Wednesday, 11:30am – 1:30am Multi Chamber Networking Luncheon with Rosemont, Mt. Prospect & Des Plaines Chambers, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue Speaker is Margaret Stender, President & CEO for the Chicago Sky/WNBA to talk about the team’s new home court…Allstate Arena. $25 members and $30 prospective members and walk ins.
April 16, Friday, 9:00am – 10:00am PREN 3: Park Ridge Executive Network, Chamber Office, Non-compete leads & referral group.New group forming with many open spots. Call the Chamber to see if your industry is available. Meets 3rd Friday of every month.
April 21, Wednesday, 8:45am – 9:45am Retail Committee Strategize on bringing business to merchants, stores, and other retailers. Plans special events and marketing to promote Park Ridge retail.
April 21, Wednesday, 11:30 to 1:00 Young Professionals of Park Ridge. 720 Garden. New group of under 40 professionals chaired by Jenny Fitzgerald, Sabella & Graham. Bring your own lunch. Other members include Joe Compagna, Grant Merchant Services; Jon Beaty, ATI Physical Therapy; Marianna Kotzeva, Mutual Financial Corp.
April 23, Friday. 8:45 – 9:45am PREN 1 Park Ridge Executive Network Non-compete leads & referral group with one person per profession. Meets 2nd & 4th Fridays.
April 23, Friday, 11:30am – 1:30pm Women In Business Monthly Networking Luncheon Debbie Harris, owner of TriPilates, to speak on "Be Good to Yourself - Mind, Body and Spirit". Catered by Panino's Pizzeria. $15 Member; $20 prospective member/walk-ins.
April 24, Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm Electronics Recycling Event, 100 S. Western, Senior Center parking lot. $5.00 per car (except cell phones accepted at no charge).
April 27, Tuesday, 9:00am – 10:00am PREN 2: Park Ridge Executive Network Non-compete leads & referral group with one person per profession. Meets 4th Tuesday each month.
April 28, Wednesday, 7:00pm – 4:00pm Multi Chamber Networking Extravaganza...and Taste of the Meadows Club, 1950 W. Golf Road $10 Member $20 prospective member
April 24, Saturday, Electronics Recycling Day, parking lot of Senior Center, 100 S. Western. $5 per car. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hosted by the Chamber in partnership with the Park Ridge Park District.
Liberty Bank for Savings is the major sponsor! Kane Connell is the chair of the event!
Here’s the list of other sponsors to date and you can be a sponsor too!
1 ING Financial Advisors
3 Maine Township
4 MB Financial Bank
5 Park Ridge Garden Club
6 State Farm Insurance/Ann Witek
7 Township Highway Commission
8 City of Park Ridge
A Chamber coupon worth $5 off any $10 purchase, good for any of the listed retailers through the end of April will be given to each driver.
Merchants should collect the used coupons and turn them in to the Chamber with your name on them, and I’ll hold a drawing for a newsletter insert valued at $150 (winner provides 650 flyers and we’ll provide insertion and mailing to all members in our monthly newsletter). It’s a win/win!
These participating Chamber members will appear on the $5 coupon so let me know if you want to be added to the coupon:
2 Sisters Boutique
Amphora LLC
Global Handmade Hope
Kustum Kribs Baby Boutique
le Flour Bake Shop & Market
Park Ridge Paint, Glass & Wallpaper
Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
The Perfect Dinner
Uptown Chiropractic Center
WineStyles Park Ridge
The Following Items Will Be Accepted for Recycling/Reuse:
• All computer-related equipment [Anything that can be plugged into a computer]
• TV’s
• VCR’s
• DVD players
• MP3 players
• PDA’s
• Video Game Consoles
• A/V Equipment
• Cell phones (Park Ridge Chamber will collect and donate to the www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com program.
The Following Items Will Be NOT Accepted:
• Refrigerators
• Stoves
• Microwaves
• Toasters
• Blenders
• Food processors
• Hair dryers
• Fans
• Air conditioners
• Washing machines
• Dryers
The Retail Committee of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce promotes the ‘Park Ridge Goes Green’ campaign from April 17-24, 2010.
Go to http://parkridgegoesgreen.wordpress.com/ and fill out the short two question registration form.
You can offer an incentive from your business to encourage people to bring in their own bag for shopping.
Chamber Cubs Game on May 14!
The Chamber is selling Cubs tickets as a group - we’ll all sit together. 24 Sold! 71 left!
May 14, 2010
Playing the Pittsburgh Pirates
1:20 p.m. at Wrigley Field
$25 per person (discounted from $42)
Section 208 - above the Cubs Bull Pen
RSVP by April 15 or until we run out. Only 68 tickets left!
RSVP only with cash or check written out to ‘Park Ridge Chamber’ and mailed or delivered to 720 Garden Street (no credit cards for these tickets.)
Thank you to Rick Pucci for arranging this for the Chamber! Rick is with Park Ridge Financial Advisors and also sits on the Chamber board. Call him with any questions at 847.759.0055
Or email him at rickpucci@pwfinancial.net
Because the Red Geranium is the OFFICIAL flower of Park Ridge, the Chamber is encouraging businesses, City, and residents to plant red geraniums in their gardens, containers, and window boxes.
Will you buy a flat of red geraniums from the Chamber? Let me know as I’d like to get as many orders as possible before placing an order.
What can you do to show off the Red Geranium, the official flower of Park Ridge? Take photos of red geraniums, or of gardens filled with them, or of front porches showcasing containers of red geraniums!
Since we have an official City flower, let’s really make use of it!
Are you interested in starting or joining:
1. A Legislative Forum
2. A Health Care Forum
3. A Community Garden which would be for the entire community of Park Ridge
Also, would you be interested in volunteering to make and/or serve meals at the St. Paul of the Cross Sunday Night Suppers? They’re feeding almost 100 people!
Would you be for or against an increase in the cost of your business license in order to keep the position of Economic Development Director if the fees could be earmarked to retain the fulltime Economic Development Director?
Right now about $170,000 is generated from business licenses but if it was doubled, then the increased revenue, if earmarked, would cover all the ED programs.
I’m just saying…
3rd Annual North Shore Women’s Conference – A Great Opportunity for Your Business!
Note: Please sign up through Park Ridge Chamber!
If you have a woman-owned company, or a company that caters to women, you’ll want to jump on this opportunity for high visibility at the 3rd Annual North Shore Women’s Conference on Friday, May 14, 2010. Presenting Sponsors will receive the following: Listing as Presenting Sponsor with logo on ads, websites, invitations, programs, posters and banner, Expo booth in prime location and four luncheon tickets.
The event will be widely promoted to professional women throughout the North Shore via advertising in the What’s Happening Community Newspapers and Pioneer Press Newspapers, plus media releases, posters, and the publications and websites of the 18 sponsoring chambers of commerce. The fee to be a Presenting Sponsor is $500.
Please consider participating as an Exhibitor if not as a sponsor. Women’s networking groups have increased in numbers and popularity in every chamber on the North Shore. Because of this, we know this event is going to be a huge success, and you’ll want to be a part of it. Over 400 women business owners participated in last year’s event!
Keynote Speaker, Beth Rosen, 4 Keys Media, is sure to draw many participants. Beth Rosen is a leading edge Social Media strategist whose versatility and expertise in media and the promotional arts allow individuals and companies to realize their full potential on Twitter & Facebook as well as through podcasting and blogging. She will present: “The Social Media Phenom”.
1. Save The Date!
The 2nd annual Harry O'Brien Run/Walk will be held on Sat. August 28th.
The Park Ridge Chamber and Park Ridge Community Fund will co-sponsor this event.
If you wish to be on the information list, please email obrienrunwalk@aol.com
2. Save the Date! The Chamber plans to march in the Memorial Day Parade again so if you want to march with us, just let me know. Last year we had 10 Chamber businesses and had a blast! This year I’m hoping for the red Corvette from Bredemann! Lynnette’s School of Dance was the first member to contact me and sign up!
3. Save the Date! The golf outing will be September 2 at Chevy Chase with Skokie Chamber.
I received a suggestion from the Retail Committee that because my Monday eblasts are so long, they should be separated into Chamber news and then Member news.
So, here’s the plan – my chamber updates on Mondays starting today will be all about the Chamber events.
Then I’ll send a separate update starting on Thursday which will be all the Member news. What do you think?
Gail Haller
Executive Director
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
720 Garden Street
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. Accounteque Services Inc.: 847.768.9100
2. All on the Road Catering & Bakery: 847.518.8958
3. AMA Dancers & Company: 847.727.7066
4. Aqua Plumbing, Heating and Cooling: 847.459.7900
5. ATI Physical Therapy: 847.292.0151
6. barrett-TECH: 847.823.1830
7. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge: 847.318.7550
8. Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.: 847.298.8748
9. The Comfort Inn O'Hare/Des Plaines: 847.635.1300
10. D'Agostino's Pizza & Pub: 847.518.8700
11. Falkor Group LLC: www.falkorgroup.com
12. Global Handmade Hope: 847.720.4084
13. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: 847.824.4336
14. Hyatt Regency O'Hare: 847.696-1234
15. Jason's Deli: 847.823.0210
16. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors: 773.588.4332
17. K.G.M. Plumbing, Inc.: 847.583.8988
18. le Flour Bake Shop: 773-631-1400
19. Leys, Kirsten; Prudential Financial Services: 847.627.3950
20. Minuteman Press of Deerfield: 847.279.8550
21. Park Ridge Community Fund: 847.825.5311
22. Periodontics of Niles, P.C.: 847.685.6686
23. Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs/Catering: 847-823-4422
24. Pickwick Theatre: 847.825.5800
25. Resurrection Health Care: 847.813.3210
26. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates: 847.825.1002
27. Sebastian Co. Real Estate: 847.823.3117
28. Subway of Park Ridge at 2618 Dempster: 847.813.9552
29. The Juniper Center: 847-759-9110
30. Unbound Technology: 847-235-4994
31. William Cunningham Movers, Inc.: 773.594.0398
32. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services: 847.401.5787
33. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling: 847.696.0477
34. You can be here!
No comments:
Post a Comment