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!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Gail's Weekly Chamber UPDATE
Today I’m starting with a fresh template for the eblast as I think through the weeks of cutting and pasting, I lost some of my formatting and people were emailing me that margins were wonky. I hope this now looks good for everyone! Please note that there are headings in the black on the left side (this one says “Personally, from Gail” – do you see it?).
Thank you to those who showed up at City Hall on Saturday in a show of support for Economic Development for the City. The Chamber feels strongly that economic development is vital for businesses in Park Ridge and that it not be relegated to an additional duty within Administration.
Dave Donovan, president of the Chamber; Dick Barton, past president; Jackie Mathews, president elect; Theresa Olson, director; Katrin Eisenberg, member; Kevin Witek, member; Marci Derrick, Chamber staff and I were all there on Saturday as a show of support! Our petition had 86 supporters to date!
Riggio’s and Rick Biagi! A big thank you to Tony Riggio at Riggio’s Ristorante on Oakton and Milwaukee for a fabulous spread for lunch last week!
And a huge thank you to Rick Biagi, an attorney with McNeal & Devitt, for speaking at the luncheon last week on social media and how employers need to be aware of legal ramifications in the use of websites such as Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.
And thank you to the 53 who attended! It was another fabulously successful event! The following won prizes (thank you to those who donated prizes too!):
1. Microsoft Office 2007 valued at $679 was won by Ann Marie Frank, AMA Dancers (donated by Microsoft)
2. Park Ridge Taxi Gift Certificates went to John Clark, Clark Management; and Bob Suriano, Side Job Bob
3. Ken Mylander, Harris Bank, won a beautiful coral necklace designed, crafted, and donated by Prospective member and guest of Joanna Czapla (Subway on 2618 Dempster), Ivone Czapla.
4. Newsletter Insert into the Chamber monthly newsletter won by Bill Bialk, Albar Products
5. Subway 2618 Dempster Gift Cards were won by Kirsten Leys, Prudential; Ken Mylander, Harris Bank; & Bill Bialk, Albar Products
6. Travel Blanket in carrying bag was won by Mary Schurder, Center of Concern
The Business Card Winner, Chris Zalinski of Chris’ Landscape, will be featured on the cover of the May Chamber newsletter in the ‘Spotlight’.
Winning prizes are some of the many benefits of attending our Chamber monthly networking luncheons!
Linked In at the Tech Forum 15 members attended the Linked In discussion which was moderated by Ben Wilson, Falkor Group. Thank you to all who came and contributed to the lively and informative forum. It was perfect timing, coming on the heels of Rick Biagi’s talk from the luncheon the day before!
Here’s who attended – don’t forget that every time we have meetings, committees, forums – they are networking events for you and your business!
Ben Wilson, Falkor Group, LLC
Gail Haller, Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Sue & Lou Irmo, Irmo Insurance
Susan Frangos, Higher Level Wellness
Bruce Naber, Achieve Physical Therapy
Jo Ann Arnswald, MB Financial Bank
Matt Coyne, E. J. Coyne & Company, Insurance
Carol Simantz, Catalyst Marketing Public Relations
Bruce Nelson, Nelson Music Consulting
Rick Pucci, Park Ridge Financial Advisors
Joe Campagna, Grant Merchant Services
Lynda Tourloukis, You Can Say…Yes Motivational Services
Jim Norman, Rapid Data Response
Kirsten Leys, Prudential
Mary Kay Bochenek, The Moorings of Arlington Heights (Presbyterian Homes)
Ribbon Cutting at Chickie’s Diner What a fun time at Chickie’s Diner’s Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony last Friday! If you haven’t been there yet, go have breakfast or lunch! It’s a fun place for the whole family. It will take you back to the 50’s and if you’ve never been to the 1950’s, then are you in for a treat!
Mayor Schmidt and Kim Uhlig were there along with Chamber board of directors and other Chamber members. Diddy Blyth, A Sterling Design, took a ton of pictures and Lily Bouquet and Chickie the Chicken were a hit with everyone!
Truly, with the juke box blaring, a fun time was had by all! Gary and Jacque Trick did a wonderful job – please visit them at 920 Busse Hwy (just east of Dee Road).
Electronics Recycling Day! 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. Our major sponsor is Liberty Bank for Savings and Kane Connell is the chair of the event!
Other sponsors include:
Maine Township
Highway Commission
State Farm Insurance/Ann Witek
MB Financial Bank
ING Financial Advisors
Would you like to be a sponsor? Just send me an email. All sponsors will be included in all marketing for the event.
We’ll also need lots of volunteers to help out! Hoping to get Kiwanis, Rotary, Boy Scouts, and all other service organizations!
Thank you to the City for providing a front loader and driver The people from the Sheriff Work Alternative Program (SWAP) have confirmed and will be there.
To offset the $5 per car fee, we’ll hand out a generic Chamber coupon worth $5 off any $10 purchase, good for any of the listed retailers through the end of April. No change would be given and only one coupon good per purchase. Merchants would NOT be reimbursed by the Chamber when redeemed, but it will draw people into your place of business and give you some additional exposure! 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 Chamber members will appear on the $5 coupon so let me know if you want to be added to the coupon:
2 Sisters
Kustum Kribs Baby Boutique
Park Ridge Paint
Perry's Pizzaria & 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
PREN 3 is forming! The Park Ridge Executive Network 3 will meet at 9 a.m. on 3rd Friday each month starting this Friday, March 19. This is a non
So far, we have:
1. Maria Renella, Mortgage Broker
2. Susan Mellin, Financial Representative, Rabjohns
3. Tom Dombro, ING Advisors Network (Insurance)
This 3rd group of PREN, a non-compete leads and referral group within the Park Ridge Chamber with only one person per profession.
The goal behind the Park Ridge Executive Network groups are to get and receive leads and referrals from other members of the group, to get to know each other, and to feel comfortable in the knowledge that a lead will be well taken care of. It’s important that all members of the group attend on a regular basis in order for the success of the group.
Rules of Engagement:
1. Park Ridge Executive Networks
• PREN 1 meets 2nd Friday
• PREN 2 meets the 4th Tuesday
• PREN 3 meets the 3rd Friday
2. PREN members must pick one PREN group and stick with it – you can check out the other PRENs to see if it’s a better fit but each member has to eventually stick with one PREN group.
3. If you miss 3 consecutive PREN meetings, then your spot becomes available for your replacement to slide in as we do have a waiting list for various professions.
This is included in your Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce annual dues at no additional charge to you!
Park Ridge Goes Green! The Retail Committee of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce has planned a ‘Park Ridge Goes Green’ campaign from April 17-24, 2010. Can you participate?
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 - whether it be a giveaway, a percentage off, or another special offer.
Cubs Game! Chamber Cubs Game
We’re at it again – providing you with more fun! Here’s an offer for Cubs tickets as a group and we’d all sit together. Rick Pucci made all the arrangements (he’s got great connections!). Don’t delay as we think these will go fast and we only had 75 to start with!
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
Red Geraniums You know that the Red Geranium is the OFFICIAL flower of Park Ridge, right?
Think of how we can exploit that! (I mean that nicely, of course).
I’m hoping to be able to sell flats of red geraniums and have every house in Park Ridge fill their gardens and containers with red geraniums. We should have photo contests, drawing contests, a red geranium pageant, a red geranium parade… ok, lets start small this year and let it grow!
What can you do to show off our Red Geranium, the official flower of Park Ridge?
Mega Connect Multi-Chamber Networking Lunch With the DBR, Des Plaines, Glenview, Glencoe, Highland Park, Mt. Prospect, Niles, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wheeling/Prospect Heights, Wilmette, Winnetka and Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chambers of Commerce
Thursday, March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bristol Court Banquets, 828 E. Rand Road, Mount Prospect (beside Brunswick bowling alley)
RSVP and Payment Due by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11
Member Pre-Registration Fee: $25 ($35 after 5 p.m. March 11); Non-Member Fee: $35
Walk-ins strongly discouraged and may not be accommodated!
Here’s who is registered just from our Chamber and we can still get you in but at the $35 rate:
Anna Basile Sun & Moon Yoga
Diddy Blyth A Sterling Design
Mary Kay Bochenek The Moorings of Arlington Heights - Presbyterian Homes
Carlie Chislof Sun & Moon Yoga
Jim Cone WSI - We Simplify the Internet
Christine DePaepe A & N Mortgage Services, Inc.
Kevin Faley Northview Bank & Trust
Jenny Fitzgerald Sabella & Graham, P.C.
Jeannie Frankowski J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors
David Froede Bartlett Tree Experts
Orit Gordon First Data Independent Sales - Northern Illinois
Steve Kuk Comcast Business
Angela LaRue Integrity Physical Therapy
Carol Mooney Harris, N.A.
Kenneth Mylander Harris Bank
Rhonda Parrow Rainbow Hospice & Palliative Care
Maria Renella Baytree Lending
Evan Shorr The Care of Trees
Mary Tremont The Moorings of Arlington Heights - Presbyterian Homes
Member News Here’s the Chamber members I’ve visited recently:
Riggio’s Ristorante
Chickie’s Diner
MB Financial Bank
Falkor Group
Park Ridge Public Library
Noodles & Co.
Jewel Foods
Shell Gas Station at Touhy and Greenwood (our only gas station in the Chamber!)
If you have any news you’d like to add to the Monday Updates, please email me the info so all I have to do is copy and paste!
Kiwanis Shoe Drive – drop off at 720 Garden In this section is a big break of white space and I don’t know why – especially with this new, clean template. Do you know why it keeps happening?
Just during the month of March, the local AM & PM Kiwanis, an international group of volunteers dedicated to changing communities one child at a time, will be sponsoring a collection of old shoes (baby, ladies, gym shoes, regular shoes all for both men or women's) for major countries of the world-Greece, Spain, Italy, Ireland & now Chile.
Once filled the boxes are dropped off at "Share Your Soles" in Chicago where they are cleaned, stitched, and shipped overseas. The AM Kiwanis meets at 6:45 am at LaPeep Restaurant on Wednesdays and the Noon Kiwanis meets at the Summit on Tuesday at Noon. For additional info call Dave Donovan at 847-692-9077(O) or 847-696-0280(H).
Charitable Tax letters are not given for this program.
The Chamber office at 720 Garden Street is a drop off for your shoes! Bring them here between 8:30 and 4:30 M-F.
Bethany Terrace The Bethany Terrace will host “Know the 10 Warning Signs” presented by The Greater Illinois Chapter/Alzheimer’s Association on Wednesday, March 24, from 1:30 to 2:30.
This program will focus on the 10 warning signs of serious memory problems, provides a basic overview of Alzheimer’s disease, and covers risk factors, diagnosis, and the benefits of early detection. The program will also include video footage that addresses the fears and myths associated with dementia. Individuals featured in the films include real people who are living with the early stages of dementia, as well as their families.
The Bethany Terrace is located at 8425 Waukegan Road in Morton Grove. The program is free and will include light refreshments. Pre-registration is requested. For more information and to register, call (847) 933-2413
Affresco AFFRESCO Park Ridge
St. Patrick was ITALIAN! Prix-Fixe Dinner
$25/Person 4-Course Dinner
Please visit www.affrescopizzeria.com for full menu
NOW OPEN FOR BRUNCH, Every Sunday 9am-2pm
847-292-0233
Book your next special event with AFFRESCO!
Christenings, Communions, Graduation – are all around the corner!
Book now for special offerings – ask for Monica or Sergio
Appeal your Property Taxes! On Thursday, March 18th, State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) and Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Brendan Houlihan will be holding a seminar on how residents can appeal their property tax assessments.
“I want to ensure that in these times of economic uncertainty, my friends and neighbors can stay in their homes,” Kotowski said. “Owning a home is the American dream. We can’t let high property taxes take that dream away from people.”
In 2007, Kotowski passed a law to keep in place Cook County’s seven percent property tax assessment cap. This year he is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 3171, which provides an income tax deduction for individuals with grossly overpriced homes.
Because property values are at a historic low, Commissioner Brendan Houlihan is organizing taxpayer appeal seminars throughout Cook County. These seminars are opportunities for individual homeowners to seek relief in their property taxes due to a depressed market, and over valuations to their homes.
Seminar attendees are asked to bring their property tax bills. There will be a short presentation about the appeal process, and staff from the Board of Review will be on hand to answer questions, and help fill out appeal forms. Everyone who files a timely completed appeal form will be considered for a property tax value re-assessment from the Board of Review.
The seminar will take place at 7 P.M. on Thursday March 18th at Senator Kotowski’s District Office, 1300 W Higgins Road Suite 210, in Park Ridge. Anyone with questions should contact Commissioner Brendan Houlihan’s office at (312) 603-3644. The Board of Review considers appeals on a township basis. Maine Township is open for appeals until March 29th. For more information please go to www.CookCountyBoardofReview.com.
“Home prices have dropped this year, and many people are being asked to pay too much in property taxes,” Kotowski said. “Please come to the seminar or contact the Board of Review. They will help you determine if you are eligible for property tax relief.”
Principal of the Year: Steve Isoye Maine East High School
Congratulations to Steve Isoye, principal of Maine East High School for being named Principal of the Year!
WSI Webinar Title: Monetizing Facebook for Businesses: 5 Deadly Mistakes Businesses Can't Afford To Make
Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
Registration Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/957409281
(Don't forget to put in my name, James Cone, to complete your registration).
The webinar will be conducted by Baltej Gill, who is a Search Engine Marketing Specialist at WSI. Baltej has over 5 years experience in training and educating consultants and organizations on how to leverage Internet marketing in their business. He has held several workshops internationally and trained Internet marketing consultants on subjects such as search engine optimization, conversion architecture, social media and web analytics.
If you have any questions about this webinar, please give me a call at 847.430.6842
Contact me: 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, Barbara Tyksinski: 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, John Barrett: 847.823.1830
7. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge: 847.318.7550
8. Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.: 847.298.8748
9. D'Agostino's Pizza & Pub: 847.518.8700
10. Falkor Group LLC: www.falkorgroup.com
11. Global Handmade Hope: 847.720.4084
12. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: 847.824.4336
13. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors: 773.588.4332
14. K.G.M. Plumbing, Inc.: 847.583.8988
15. le Flour Bake Shop, Nicole Bujewski, 773-631-1400
16. Leys, Kirsten; Prudential Financial Services: 847.627.3950
17. Minuteman Press of Deerfield: 847.279.8550
18. Park Ridge Community Fund: 847.825.5311
19. Periodontics of Niles, P.C. Dr. Dorothy Anasinski: 847.685.6686
20. Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs/Catering, Nick Straub: 847-823-4422
21. Pickwick Theatre: 847.825.5800
22. Resurrection Health Care, Theresa Olson: 847.813.3210
23. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
24. Sebastian Co. Real Estate; Don Sebastian, Jr.: 847.823.3117
25. Subway of Park Ridge at 2618 Dempster: 847.813.9552
26. The Juniper Center, Margo Jacquot: 847-759-9110
27. Unbound Technology, Joshua Nichols: 847-235-4994
28. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services, Lynda Tourloukis: 847.401.5787
29. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling: 847.696.0477
You can be here!
Thank you to those who showed up at City Hall on Saturday in a show of support for Economic Development for the City. The Chamber feels strongly that economic development is vital for businesses in Park Ridge and that it not be relegated to an additional duty within Administration.
Dave Donovan, president of the Chamber; Dick Barton, past president; Jackie Mathews, president elect; Theresa Olson, director; Katrin Eisenberg, member; Kevin Witek, member; Marci Derrick, Chamber staff and I were all there on Saturday as a show of support! Our petition had 86 supporters to date!
Riggio’s and Rick Biagi! A big thank you to Tony Riggio at Riggio’s Ristorante on Oakton and Milwaukee for a fabulous spread for lunch last week!
And a huge thank you to Rick Biagi, an attorney with McNeal & Devitt, for speaking at the luncheon last week on social media and how employers need to be aware of legal ramifications in the use of websites such as Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.
And thank you to the 53 who attended! It was another fabulously successful event! The following won prizes (thank you to those who donated prizes too!):
1. Microsoft Office 2007 valued at $679 was won by Ann Marie Frank, AMA Dancers (donated by Microsoft)
2. Park Ridge Taxi Gift Certificates went to John Clark, Clark Management; and Bob Suriano, Side Job Bob
3. Ken Mylander, Harris Bank, won a beautiful coral necklace designed, crafted, and donated by Prospective member and guest of Joanna Czapla (Subway on 2618 Dempster), Ivone Czapla.
4. Newsletter Insert into the Chamber monthly newsletter won by Bill Bialk, Albar Products
5. Subway 2618 Dempster Gift Cards were won by Kirsten Leys, Prudential; Ken Mylander, Harris Bank; & Bill Bialk, Albar Products
6. Travel Blanket in carrying bag was won by Mary Schurder, Center of Concern
The Business Card Winner, Chris Zalinski of Chris’ Landscape, will be featured on the cover of the May Chamber newsletter in the ‘Spotlight’.
Winning prizes are some of the many benefits of attending our Chamber monthly networking luncheons!
Linked In at the Tech Forum 15 members attended the Linked In discussion which was moderated by Ben Wilson, Falkor Group. Thank you to all who came and contributed to the lively and informative forum. It was perfect timing, coming on the heels of Rick Biagi’s talk from the luncheon the day before!
Here’s who attended – don’t forget that every time we have meetings, committees, forums – they are networking events for you and your business!
Ben Wilson, Falkor Group, LLC
Gail Haller, Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Sue & Lou Irmo, Irmo Insurance
Susan Frangos, Higher Level Wellness
Bruce Naber, Achieve Physical Therapy
Jo Ann Arnswald, MB Financial Bank
Matt Coyne, E. J. Coyne & Company, Insurance
Carol Simantz, Catalyst Marketing Public Relations
Bruce Nelson, Nelson Music Consulting
Rick Pucci, Park Ridge Financial Advisors
Joe Campagna, Grant Merchant Services
Lynda Tourloukis, You Can Say…Yes Motivational Services
Jim Norman, Rapid Data Response
Kirsten Leys, Prudential
Mary Kay Bochenek, The Moorings of Arlington Heights (Presbyterian Homes)
Ribbon Cutting at Chickie’s Diner What a fun time at Chickie’s Diner’s Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony last Friday! If you haven’t been there yet, go have breakfast or lunch! It’s a fun place for the whole family. It will take you back to the 50’s and if you’ve never been to the 1950’s, then are you in for a treat!
Mayor Schmidt and Kim Uhlig were there along with Chamber board of directors and other Chamber members. Diddy Blyth, A Sterling Design, took a ton of pictures and Lily Bouquet and Chickie the Chicken were a hit with everyone!
Truly, with the juke box blaring, a fun time was had by all! Gary and Jacque Trick did a wonderful job – please visit them at 920 Busse Hwy (just east of Dee Road).
Electronics Recycling Day! 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. Our major sponsor is Liberty Bank for Savings and Kane Connell is the chair of the event!
Other sponsors include:
Maine Township
Highway Commission
State Farm Insurance/Ann Witek
MB Financial Bank
ING Financial Advisors
Would you like to be a sponsor? Just send me an email. All sponsors will be included in all marketing for the event.
We’ll also need lots of volunteers to help out! Hoping to get Kiwanis, Rotary, Boy Scouts, and all other service organizations!
Thank you to the City for providing a front loader and driver The people from the Sheriff Work Alternative Program (SWAP) have confirmed and will be there.
To offset the $5 per car fee, we’ll hand out a generic Chamber coupon worth $5 off any $10 purchase, good for any of the listed retailers through the end of April. No change would be given and only one coupon good per purchase. Merchants would NOT be reimbursed by the Chamber when redeemed, but it will draw people into your place of business and give you some additional exposure! 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 Chamber members will appear on the $5 coupon so let me know if you want to be added to the coupon:
2 Sisters
Kustum Kribs Baby Boutique
Park Ridge Paint
Perry's Pizzaria & 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
PREN 3 is forming! The Park Ridge Executive Network 3 will meet at 9 a.m. on 3rd Friday each month starting this Friday, March 19. This is a non
So far, we have:
1. Maria Renella, Mortgage Broker
2. Susan Mellin, Financial Representative, Rabjohns
3. Tom Dombro, ING Advisors Network (Insurance)
This 3rd group of PREN, a non-compete leads and referral group within the Park Ridge Chamber with only one person per profession.
The goal behind the Park Ridge Executive Network groups are to get and receive leads and referrals from other members of the group, to get to know each other, and to feel comfortable in the knowledge that a lead will be well taken care of. It’s important that all members of the group attend on a regular basis in order for the success of the group.
Rules of Engagement:
1. Park Ridge Executive Networks
• PREN 1 meets 2nd Friday
• PREN 2 meets the 4th Tuesday
• PREN 3 meets the 3rd Friday
2. PREN members must pick one PREN group and stick with it – you can check out the other PRENs to see if it’s a better fit but each member has to eventually stick with one PREN group.
3. If you miss 3 consecutive PREN meetings, then your spot becomes available for your replacement to slide in as we do have a waiting list for various professions.
This is included in your Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce annual dues at no additional charge to you!
Park Ridge Goes Green! The Retail Committee of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce has planned a ‘Park Ridge Goes Green’ campaign from April 17-24, 2010. Can you participate?
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 - whether it be a giveaway, a percentage off, or another special offer.
Cubs Game! Chamber Cubs Game
We’re at it again – providing you with more fun! Here’s an offer for Cubs tickets as a group and we’d all sit together. Rick Pucci made all the arrangements (he’s got great connections!). Don’t delay as we think these will go fast and we only had 75 to start with!
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
Red Geraniums You know that the Red Geranium is the OFFICIAL flower of Park Ridge, right?
Think of how we can exploit that! (I mean that nicely, of course).
I’m hoping to be able to sell flats of red geraniums and have every house in Park Ridge fill their gardens and containers with red geraniums. We should have photo contests, drawing contests, a red geranium pageant, a red geranium parade… ok, lets start small this year and let it grow!
What can you do to show off our Red Geranium, the official flower of Park Ridge?
Mega Connect Multi-Chamber Networking Lunch With the DBR, Des Plaines, Glenview, Glencoe, Highland Park, Mt. Prospect, Niles, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wheeling/Prospect Heights, Wilmette, Winnetka and Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chambers of Commerce
Thursday, March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bristol Court Banquets, 828 E. Rand Road, Mount Prospect (beside Brunswick bowling alley)
RSVP and Payment Due by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11
Member Pre-Registration Fee: $25 ($35 after 5 p.m. March 11); Non-Member Fee: $35
Walk-ins strongly discouraged and may not be accommodated!
Here’s who is registered just from our Chamber and we can still get you in but at the $35 rate:
Anna Basile Sun & Moon Yoga
Diddy Blyth A Sterling Design
Mary Kay Bochenek The Moorings of Arlington Heights - Presbyterian Homes
Carlie Chislof Sun & Moon Yoga
Jim Cone WSI - We Simplify the Internet
Christine DePaepe A & N Mortgage Services, Inc.
Kevin Faley Northview Bank & Trust
Jenny Fitzgerald Sabella & Graham, P.C.
Jeannie Frankowski J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors
David Froede Bartlett Tree Experts
Orit Gordon First Data Independent Sales - Northern Illinois
Steve Kuk Comcast Business
Angela LaRue Integrity Physical Therapy
Carol Mooney Harris, N.A.
Kenneth Mylander Harris Bank
Rhonda Parrow Rainbow Hospice & Palliative Care
Maria Renella Baytree Lending
Evan Shorr The Care of Trees
Mary Tremont The Moorings of Arlington Heights - Presbyterian Homes
Member News Here’s the Chamber members I’ve visited recently:
Riggio’s Ristorante
Chickie’s Diner
MB Financial Bank
Falkor Group
Park Ridge Public Library
Noodles & Co.
Jewel Foods
Shell Gas Station at Touhy and Greenwood (our only gas station in the Chamber!)
If you have any news you’d like to add to the Monday Updates, please email me the info so all I have to do is copy and paste!
Kiwanis Shoe Drive – drop off at 720 Garden In this section is a big break of white space and I don’t know why – especially with this new, clean template. Do you know why it keeps happening?
Just during the month of March, the local AM & PM Kiwanis, an international group of volunteers dedicated to changing communities one child at a time, will be sponsoring a collection of old shoes (baby, ladies, gym shoes, regular shoes all for both men or women's) for major countries of the world-Greece, Spain, Italy, Ireland & now Chile.
Once filled the boxes are dropped off at "Share Your Soles" in Chicago where they are cleaned, stitched, and shipped overseas. The AM Kiwanis meets at 6:45 am at LaPeep Restaurant on Wednesdays and the Noon Kiwanis meets at the Summit on Tuesday at Noon. For additional info call Dave Donovan at 847-692-9077(O) or 847-696-0280(H).
Charitable Tax letters are not given for this program.
The Chamber office at 720 Garden Street is a drop off for your shoes! Bring them here between 8:30 and 4:30 M-F.
Bethany Terrace The Bethany Terrace will host “Know the 10 Warning Signs” presented by The Greater Illinois Chapter/Alzheimer’s Association on Wednesday, March 24, from 1:30 to 2:30.
This program will focus on the 10 warning signs of serious memory problems, provides a basic overview of Alzheimer’s disease, and covers risk factors, diagnosis, and the benefits of early detection. The program will also include video footage that addresses the fears and myths associated with dementia. Individuals featured in the films include real people who are living with the early stages of dementia, as well as their families.
The Bethany Terrace is located at 8425 Waukegan Road in Morton Grove. The program is free and will include light refreshments. Pre-registration is requested. For more information and to register, call (847) 933-2413
Affresco AFFRESCO Park Ridge
St. Patrick was ITALIAN! Prix-Fixe Dinner
$25/Person 4-Course Dinner
Please visit www.affrescopizzeria.com for full menu
NOW OPEN FOR BRUNCH, Every Sunday 9am-2pm
847-292-0233
Book your next special event with AFFRESCO!
Christenings, Communions, Graduation – are all around the corner!
Book now for special offerings – ask for Monica or Sergio
Appeal your Property Taxes! On Thursday, March 18th, State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) and Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Brendan Houlihan will be holding a seminar on how residents can appeal their property tax assessments.
“I want to ensure that in these times of economic uncertainty, my friends and neighbors can stay in their homes,” Kotowski said. “Owning a home is the American dream. We can’t let high property taxes take that dream away from people.”
In 2007, Kotowski passed a law to keep in place Cook County’s seven percent property tax assessment cap. This year he is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 3171, which provides an income tax deduction for individuals with grossly overpriced homes.
Because property values are at a historic low, Commissioner Brendan Houlihan is organizing taxpayer appeal seminars throughout Cook County. These seminars are opportunities for individual homeowners to seek relief in their property taxes due to a depressed market, and over valuations to their homes.
Seminar attendees are asked to bring their property tax bills. There will be a short presentation about the appeal process, and staff from the Board of Review will be on hand to answer questions, and help fill out appeal forms. Everyone who files a timely completed appeal form will be considered for a property tax value re-assessment from the Board of Review.
The seminar will take place at 7 P.M. on Thursday March 18th at Senator Kotowski’s District Office, 1300 W Higgins Road Suite 210, in Park Ridge. Anyone with questions should contact Commissioner Brendan Houlihan’s office at (312) 603-3644. The Board of Review considers appeals on a township basis. Maine Township is open for appeals until March 29th. For more information please go to www.CookCountyBoardofReview.com.
“Home prices have dropped this year, and many people are being asked to pay too much in property taxes,” Kotowski said. “Please come to the seminar or contact the Board of Review. They will help you determine if you are eligible for property tax relief.”
Principal of the Year: Steve Isoye Maine East High School
Congratulations to Steve Isoye, principal of Maine East High School for being named Principal of the Year!
WSI Webinar Title: Monetizing Facebook for Businesses: 5 Deadly Mistakes Businesses Can't Afford To Make
Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
Registration Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/957409281
(Don't forget to put in my name, James Cone, to complete your registration).
The webinar will be conducted by Baltej Gill, who is a Search Engine Marketing Specialist at WSI. Baltej has over 5 years experience in training and educating consultants and organizations on how to leverage Internet marketing in their business. He has held several workshops internationally and trained Internet marketing consultants on subjects such as search engine optimization, conversion architecture, social media and web analytics.
If you have any questions about this webinar, please give me a call at 847.430.6842
Contact me: 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, Barbara Tyksinski: 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, John Barrett: 847.823.1830
7. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge: 847.318.7550
8. Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.: 847.298.8748
9. D'Agostino's Pizza & Pub: 847.518.8700
10. Falkor Group LLC: www.falkorgroup.com
11. Global Handmade Hope: 847.720.4084
12. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: 847.824.4336
13. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors: 773.588.4332
14. K.G.M. Plumbing, Inc.: 847.583.8988
15. le Flour Bake Shop, Nicole Bujewski, 773-631-1400
16. Leys, Kirsten; Prudential Financial Services: 847.627.3950
17. Minuteman Press of Deerfield: 847.279.8550
18. Park Ridge Community Fund: 847.825.5311
19. Periodontics of Niles, P.C. Dr. Dorothy Anasinski: 847.685.6686
20. Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs/Catering, Nick Straub: 847-823-4422
21. Pickwick Theatre: 847.825.5800
22. Resurrection Health Care, Theresa Olson: 847.813.3210
23. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
24. Sebastian Co. Real Estate; Don Sebastian, Jr.: 847.823.3117
25. Subway of Park Ridge at 2618 Dempster: 847.813.9552
26. The Juniper Center, Margo Jacquot: 847-759-9110
27. Unbound Technology, Joshua Nichols: 847-235-4994
28. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services, Lynda Tourloukis: 847.401.5787
29. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling: 847.696.0477
You can be here!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Gail's Weekly Chamber UPDATE
The musical comedy, The Melting Plot, opened to rave reviews last week! We had 4 performances and have 3 more this weekend. There are still good seats left for Friday, Saturday matinee and Saturday evening! Contact kellymuno@comcast.net if you would like any tickets (just $8). Thank you to Jo Ann Arnswald, Susan Frangos, Kirsten Leys, Sue and Lou Irmo, and Dave and Judy Donovan for coming out yesterday and laughing so loud I could hear you!
And here’s a shameless plug for the musical:
“From the audience - Jo Ann Arnswald, MB Financial Bank, wanted to spread the word to her fellow chamber members that they still have the chance to see fellow Ambassador Ben Wilson of Falkor Group, Gail Haller and Cindy Clark in the delightfully funny "The Melting Plot" at Washington School. See them sing, see them dance, see them in funny costumes - Cindy's ears are the best. Don't miss this chance to Hee Haw with our fellow chamberites. You'll love the show!”
This week I’ll be working on the Community Guide. Only those members who paid their 2010 dues will be listed! That was my gentle, not-so-subtle reminder to renew NOW! Thank you!
Last week, the Chamber’s Ambassadors hosted our quarterly new member orientation and we had a great turnout of around 25 people total! Thank you to Houlihan’s, Subway on Dempster, and le Flour Bakery for bringing a wonderful assortment of food to eat! We had so much food that the delighted PREN group that met next got to also eat!
It was a great morning for networking between new members and those who stayed to experience the Park Ridge Executive Network non-compete group too!
On Thursday evening, the Park Ridge Community Fund hosted the Chamber’s Business After Hours and also had its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Schmidt and City officials, the Chamber’s Board and Ambassadors and other members. All on the Road catered the affair with elegant appetizers. Rumor had it that as many as 100 attended the event, making it the most widely attended Business After Hours ever!
Thank you to Kim Uhlig, Economic Development Director for the City, for speaking at our Women in Business breakfast on Friday here at 720 Garden. We had about 43 in attendance. Barb at All on the Road Catering set up a wonderful breakfast! Great networking all around!
Linda Hills won the Chamber gift certificate in the business card raffle!
March 3, Wednesday, 9:00am – 10:00am Marketing Subcommittee of the Retail Committee Meeting Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street
March 4, Thursday, 10:00am – 11:30am (EKG) Entrepreneurial Knowledge Group Monthly Meeting, Regus, 350 S. NW Highway, Suite 300 – A group for new and emerging entrepreneurs.
March 10, Wednesday, 11:30am – 1:30pm Monthly Networking Luncheon, Riggio's Ristorante, 7530 Oakton, Niles – Speaker is Bert Adams, Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. The Better Business Bureau – Begin with Trust”. $25 for members and $30 for prospective members. Please RSVP in advance to the Chamber.
Bert Adams is a Senior Business Relations Advisor at the BBB. He was Regional Sales Manager for the Rockford office of the BBB from 1994 until 1998, leaving the Bureau to manage sales of laboratory supplies for 11 states for Qorpak, Inc., based in Pittsburgh. Invited to rejoin the BBB in 2006, Bert works in the main office in downtown Chicago.
In the Park Ridge community, Bert is the church organist at Park Ridge Presbyterian church on Crescent Ave. During each year, the church offers three major concerts for the community, and we appreciate the support of many Park Ridge residents for these musical offerings.
March 11, Thursday, 8:45am – 10:15am TechForum, 720 Garden St. Tech Forum will be going in-depth on LinkedIn: what is it, who uses it, how to use it, etc. Open to all Chamber members.
March 12, Friday, 8:45am – 9:45am PREN 1: Park Ridge Executive Network Meeting, 720 Garden Street
March 12, Friday, 9:00am – 10:30am Communications Committee Meeting, Chamber Office
March 12, Friday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at Chickie’s Diner, 920 Busse Highway, Join the Mayor, and fellow Chamber members at this back retro diner. Come experience delicious food and a fun atmosphere for the entire family.
March 17, Wednesday, 8:45am – 9:45am Retail Committee Meeting, Chamber Office
March 18, Thursday, 11:30am – 1:30pm Multi Chamber Networking Lunch, Bristol Court Banquet Hall, 828 East Rand Rd., Mount Prospect. Multiply your networking potential with 14 Chambers. $25 members and $35 prospective members. RSVP to the Chamber. See more below!
March 21, Sunday, 10:30am – 9:00pm Buy 1 Get 1 Free for All Chamber Members and Families at Noodles & Company, 510 Touhy Avenue. Come for lunch…come for dinner! Visit their website for menu options: www.noodles.com
March 23, Tuesday, 9:00am – 10:00am PREN 2: Park Ridge Executive Network, 720 Garden Street. The 2nd non-compete leads & referral networking group in the Chamber.
March 25, Thursday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Business After Hours Monthly Networking at Technology MD, 350 S. Northwest Hwy. Suite 200 - Meet fellow Chamber members in fun and friendly atmosphere with refreshments as we network!
March 26, Friday, 8:00am – 9:30am Women in Business Breakfast Networking Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – Speaker, Dr. Lisa Campbell, Willow Wellness Center on Women & Friendships. Catering by Jason's Deli. $10 members and $15 prospective members.
Mega Connect Multi-Chamber Networking Lunch With the DBR, Des Plaines, Glenview, Glencoe, Highland Park, Mt. Prospect, Niles, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wheeling/Prospect Heights, Wilmette, Winnetka and Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chambers of Commerce
Thursday, March 18•11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bristol Court Banquets, 828 E. Rand Road, Mount Prospect (beside Brunswick bowling alley)
RSVP and Payment Due by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11
Member Pre-Registration Fee: $25 ($35 after 5 p.m. March 11); Non-Member Fee: $35
Walk-ins strongly discouraged and may not be accommodated!
• Multiply your networking potential! Chamber members from the 14 chambers will have the chance to promote their businesses to an expanded audience.
• Members looking for a productive networking experience will enjoy the structured format of this program. It gives each participant an opportunity to speak to a receptive audience about his/her company’s products and services.
• The event will begin with informal networking over lunch. After that, the group will be divided into small groups at assigned tables where each gives a 2-minute presentation on his/her firm. Following will be an additional presentation to a second and third group of participants. In addition, everyone will receive a contact list of pre-registered participants. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to expand your reach and resources!
• Please note that table assignments will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. If you are not there by 11:45 a.m., your space may be given away to another participant and you will need to check-in at the “Late Registration Table.” Please arrive on time to get the most out of your networking experience!
Here’s who we have signed up to date:
Diddy Blyth A Sterling Design
Mary Kay Bochenek The Moorings of Arlington Heights - Presbyterian Homes
Marianne Guinee Private Quarters
Evan Shorr The Care of Trees
Mary Tremont The Moorings of Arlington Heights - Presbyterian Homes
Let me know what’s going on in your business and I’ll send it out in my Monday updates for free!
We are still collecting your old cell phones for www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com To date, we have shipped out 716 cell phones which equates to 716 hours that our military personnel overseas can call home and talk to their loved ones! It’s a wonderful program that donates a 60 minute phone card to an overseas serviceman/woman for every cell phone donated! Thank you to District 64 and their Green Teams who brought in 240 cell phones which we shipped out last week.
For the week of March 1st – March 5th Morningfields of Park Ridge will be offering:
• Monday, March 1st – $10.00 off any delivery order of $50.00 or more
• Tuesday, March 2nd – $15% off any lunch delivery order of $100.00 or more
• Wednesday, March 3th – 10% off any hot food catering order (minimum 10 people)
• Thursday, March 4th – 15% off any breakfast delivery order of $100.00 or more
• Friday, March 5th – Free Delivery on orders of $25.00 or more
We’ve Lowered Our Cake Prices – Same Great Quality, Now a More Affordable Price - Made for any special occasion
$10% off any cake, special pastry or cupcake order (for delivery only) (March 1st – March 5th)
New cake pricing available on our website at www.morningfields.net
We are currently updating all of our catering menus for 2010 (will be available soon) that will feature:
1. new items
2. new recipes
3. more affordable pricing
4. convenient packaging
5. customization of any order (scroll down if there is a break here!)
Melissa Rufo
Catering Manager
Morningfields
800 W. Devon
Park Ridge, IL. 60068
847-696-4200 x4
melissa@morningfields.net
www.morningfields.net
Changes brought on by the 2009 Credit Card Act will have a significant impact to the acquiring community. Specifically, as part of the new law, consumers who attempt to pay for transactions and hit their credit limit (credit cards—Feb 22) or available DDA balance (debit/check cards – July 1) will be declined at the point of sale unless they had requested a higher line of credit or had enrolled/opted in for overdraft protection when establishing an account. Since the practice by banks prior to this was often to extend “float,” many consumers were accustomed to riding close to their limit/balance. Our belief is that neither retailers (especially small ones) or consumers will understand why transactions are getting declined and will blame the retailer or the processor. In actuality, the credit card issuers and banks are responsible.
Joe Campagna
Principal, Grant Merchant Services
847-292-0609
www.grantmerchantservices.com
grantmerchantservices@hotmail.com
Chickie’s Diner All you can eat Fish Fry! Every Friday - Starting March 19, 2010
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Served with Fresh Cut Fries or Tator Tots, Cole Slaw, Hush Puppy, and Tartar Sauce
$10.95 per person
Still Open at 6:00 a.m. for Breakfast on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. on weekends!
920 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068, 847-823-1956
Panino’s is offering homemade pepper and egg and tilapia sandwiches tuna, and cheese pizza and much much more for Lent.
28 S. Fairview 847.823.3450
Are you an avid gardener or just a lover of flowers and beautiful spaces? Either way, you will enjoy the Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier this month. Jo Ann Arnswald, MB Financial Bank, invites you to visit her branch at the corner of Busse Highway and Oakton Streets for $2.00 off coupons for admission to the show. And when you visit, ask Jo Ann and her staff about the RED HOT offer for people with a Green thumb!
WineStyles needs a part time book keeper; and a part time sales person. 5 – to 10 hours a week Sunday 12-5.
Tracy & Doug Bell/owners
WineStyles Park Ridge
105 S. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, Il 60068 847-518-WINE (9463)
My name is Brendan Houlihan, and I am a Commissioner at the Cook County Board of Review. At the Board, we hear thousands of property tax appeals from Cook County residents. Our job is to make sure you do not pay more than your fair share in property taxes, but we cannot help if you do not appeal. You may be paying too much in property taxes. The Board of Review is now open for appeals until March 29th.
My office is open to answer your property tax questions and to help you file your appeal. There is no cost to file an appeal. My office provides an extensive outreach program throughout Cook County, and will be scheduling an outreach in your area within the next few weeks. For further information on how to file an appeal, please call my office at (312) 603-3644. Again, the deadline to file is March 29th, so please contact my office as soon as possible. The Board of Review’s website also contains information about appealing your property assessment at www.cookcountyboardofreview.com .
Sincerely,
Commissioner Brendan F. Houlihan
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, Barbara Tyksinski: 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, John Barrett: 847.823.1830
7. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge: 847.318.7550
8. Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.: 847.298.8748
9. D'Agostino's Pizza & Pub: 847.518.8700
10. Falkor Group LLC: www.falkorgroup.com
11. Global Handmade Hope: 847.720.4084
12. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: 847.824.4336
13. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors: 773.588.4332
14. K.G.M. Plumbing, Inc.: 847.583.8988
15. le Flour Bake Shop, Nicole Bujewski, 773-631-1400
16. Leys, Kirsten; Prudential Financial Services: 847.627.3950
17. Minuteman Press of Deerfield: 847.279.8550
18. Park Ridge Community Fund: 847.825.5311
19. Periodontics of Niles, P.C. Dr. Dorothy Anasinski: 847.685.6686
20. Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs/Catering, Nick Straub: 847-823-4422
21. Pickwick Theatre: 847.825.5800
22. Resurrection Health Care, Theresa Olson: 847.813.3210
23. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
24. Sebastian Co. Real Estate; Don Sebastian, Jr.: 847.823.3117
25. Subway of Park Ridge at 2618 Dempster: 847.813.9552
26. The Juniper Center, Margo Jacquot: 847-759-9110
27. Unbound Technology, Joshua Nichols: 847-235-4994
28. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services, Lynda Tourloukis: 847.401.5787
29. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling: 847.696.0477
30. You can be here!
And here’s a shameless plug for the musical:
“From the audience - Jo Ann Arnswald, MB Financial Bank, wanted to spread the word to her fellow chamber members that they still have the chance to see fellow Ambassador Ben Wilson of Falkor Group, Gail Haller and Cindy Clark in the delightfully funny "The Melting Plot" at Washington School. See them sing, see them dance, see them in funny costumes - Cindy's ears are the best. Don't miss this chance to Hee Haw with our fellow chamberites. You'll love the show!”
This week I’ll be working on the Community Guide. Only those members who paid their 2010 dues will be listed! That was my gentle, not-so-subtle reminder to renew NOW! Thank you!
Last week, the Chamber’s Ambassadors hosted our quarterly new member orientation and we had a great turnout of around 25 people total! Thank you to Houlihan’s, Subway on Dempster, and le Flour Bakery for bringing a wonderful assortment of food to eat! We had so much food that the delighted PREN group that met next got to also eat!
It was a great morning for networking between new members and those who stayed to experience the Park Ridge Executive Network non-compete group too!
On Thursday evening, the Park Ridge Community Fund hosted the Chamber’s Business After Hours and also had its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Schmidt and City officials, the Chamber’s Board and Ambassadors and other members. All on the Road catered the affair with elegant appetizers. Rumor had it that as many as 100 attended the event, making it the most widely attended Business After Hours ever!
Thank you to Kim Uhlig, Economic Development Director for the City, for speaking at our Women in Business breakfast on Friday here at 720 Garden. We had about 43 in attendance. Barb at All on the Road Catering set up a wonderful breakfast! Great networking all around!
Linda Hills won the Chamber gift certificate in the business card raffle!
March 3, Wednesday, 9:00am – 10:00am Marketing Subcommittee of the Retail Committee Meeting Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street
March 4, Thursday, 10:00am – 11:30am (EKG) Entrepreneurial Knowledge Group Monthly Meeting, Regus, 350 S. NW Highway, Suite 300 – A group for new and emerging entrepreneurs.
March 10, Wednesday, 11:30am – 1:30pm Monthly Networking Luncheon, Riggio's Ristorante, 7530 Oakton, Niles – Speaker is Bert Adams, Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. The Better Business Bureau – Begin with Trust”. $25 for members and $30 for prospective members. Please RSVP in advance to the Chamber.
Bert Adams is a Senior Business Relations Advisor at the BBB. He was Regional Sales Manager for the Rockford office of the BBB from 1994 until 1998, leaving the Bureau to manage sales of laboratory supplies for 11 states for Qorpak, Inc., based in Pittsburgh. Invited to rejoin the BBB in 2006, Bert works in the main office in downtown Chicago.
In the Park Ridge community, Bert is the church organist at Park Ridge Presbyterian church on Crescent Ave. During each year, the church offers three major concerts for the community, and we appreciate the support of many Park Ridge residents for these musical offerings.
March 11, Thursday, 8:45am – 10:15am TechForum, 720 Garden St. Tech Forum will be going in-depth on LinkedIn: what is it, who uses it, how to use it, etc. Open to all Chamber members.
March 12, Friday, 8:45am – 9:45am PREN 1: Park Ridge Executive Network Meeting, 720 Garden Street
March 12, Friday, 9:00am – 10:30am Communications Committee Meeting, Chamber Office
March 12, Friday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at Chickie’s Diner, 920 Busse Highway, Join the Mayor, and fellow Chamber members at this back retro diner. Come experience delicious food and a fun atmosphere for the entire family.
March 17, Wednesday, 8:45am – 9:45am Retail Committee Meeting, Chamber Office
March 18, Thursday, 11:30am – 1:30pm Multi Chamber Networking Lunch, Bristol Court Banquet Hall, 828 East Rand Rd., Mount Prospect. Multiply your networking potential with 14 Chambers. $25 members and $35 prospective members. RSVP to the Chamber. See more below!
March 21, Sunday, 10:30am – 9:00pm Buy 1 Get 1 Free for All Chamber Members and Families at Noodles & Company, 510 Touhy Avenue. Come for lunch…come for dinner! Visit their website for menu options: www.noodles.com
March 23, Tuesday, 9:00am – 10:00am PREN 2: Park Ridge Executive Network, 720 Garden Street. The 2nd non-compete leads & referral networking group in the Chamber.
March 25, Thursday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Business After Hours Monthly Networking at Technology MD, 350 S. Northwest Hwy. Suite 200 - Meet fellow Chamber members in fun and friendly atmosphere with refreshments as we network!
March 26, Friday, 8:00am – 9:30am Women in Business Breakfast Networking Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – Speaker, Dr. Lisa Campbell, Willow Wellness Center on Women & Friendships. Catering by Jason's Deli. $10 members and $15 prospective members.
Mega Connect Multi-Chamber Networking Lunch With the DBR, Des Plaines, Glenview, Glencoe, Highland Park, Mt. Prospect, Niles, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wheeling/Prospect Heights, Wilmette, Winnetka and Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chambers of Commerce
Thursday, March 18•11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bristol Court Banquets, 828 E. Rand Road, Mount Prospect (beside Brunswick bowling alley)
RSVP and Payment Due by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11
Member Pre-Registration Fee: $25 ($35 after 5 p.m. March 11); Non-Member Fee: $35
Walk-ins strongly discouraged and may not be accommodated!
• Multiply your networking potential! Chamber members from the 14 chambers will have the chance to promote their businesses to an expanded audience.
• Members looking for a productive networking experience will enjoy the structured format of this program. It gives each participant an opportunity to speak to a receptive audience about his/her company’s products and services.
• The event will begin with informal networking over lunch. After that, the group will be divided into small groups at assigned tables where each gives a 2-minute presentation on his/her firm. Following will be an additional presentation to a second and third group of participants. In addition, everyone will receive a contact list of pre-registered participants. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to expand your reach and resources!
• Please note that table assignments will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. If you are not there by 11:45 a.m., your space may be given away to another participant and you will need to check-in at the “Late Registration Table.” Please arrive on time to get the most out of your networking experience!
Here’s who we have signed up to date:
Diddy Blyth A Sterling Design
Mary Kay Bochenek The Moorings of Arlington Heights - Presbyterian Homes
Marianne Guinee Private Quarters
Evan Shorr The Care of Trees
Mary Tremont The Moorings of Arlington Heights - Presbyterian Homes
Let me know what’s going on in your business and I’ll send it out in my Monday updates for free!
We are still collecting your old cell phones for www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com To date, we have shipped out 716 cell phones which equates to 716 hours that our military personnel overseas can call home and talk to their loved ones! It’s a wonderful program that donates a 60 minute phone card to an overseas serviceman/woman for every cell phone donated! Thank you to District 64 and their Green Teams who brought in 240 cell phones which we shipped out last week.
For the week of March 1st – March 5th Morningfields of Park Ridge will be offering:
• Monday, March 1st – $10.00 off any delivery order of $50.00 or more
• Tuesday, March 2nd – $15% off any lunch delivery order of $100.00 or more
• Wednesday, March 3th – 10% off any hot food catering order (minimum 10 people)
• Thursday, March 4th – 15% off any breakfast delivery order of $100.00 or more
• Friday, March 5th – Free Delivery on orders of $25.00 or more
We’ve Lowered Our Cake Prices – Same Great Quality, Now a More Affordable Price - Made for any special occasion
$10% off any cake, special pastry or cupcake order (for delivery only) (March 1st – March 5th)
New cake pricing available on our website at www.morningfields.net
We are currently updating all of our catering menus for 2010 (will be available soon) that will feature:
1. new items
2. new recipes
3. more affordable pricing
4. convenient packaging
5. customization of any order (scroll down if there is a break here!)
Melissa Rufo
Catering Manager
Morningfields
800 W. Devon
Park Ridge, IL. 60068
847-696-4200 x4
melissa@morningfields.net
www.morningfields.net
Changes brought on by the 2009 Credit Card Act will have a significant impact to the acquiring community. Specifically, as part of the new law, consumers who attempt to pay for transactions and hit their credit limit (credit cards—Feb 22) or available DDA balance (debit/check cards – July 1) will be declined at the point of sale unless they had requested a higher line of credit or had enrolled/opted in for overdraft protection when establishing an account. Since the practice by banks prior to this was often to extend “float,” many consumers were accustomed to riding close to their limit/balance. Our belief is that neither retailers (especially small ones) or consumers will understand why transactions are getting declined and will blame the retailer or the processor. In actuality, the credit card issuers and banks are responsible.
Joe Campagna
Principal, Grant Merchant Services
847-292-0609
www.grantmerchantservices.com
grantmerchantservices@hotmail.com
Chickie’s Diner All you can eat Fish Fry! Every Friday - Starting March 19, 2010
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Served with Fresh Cut Fries or Tator Tots, Cole Slaw, Hush Puppy, and Tartar Sauce
$10.95 per person
Still Open at 6:00 a.m. for Breakfast on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. on weekends!
920 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068, 847-823-1956
Panino’s is offering homemade pepper and egg and tilapia sandwiches tuna, and cheese pizza and much much more for Lent.
28 S. Fairview 847.823.3450
Are you an avid gardener or just a lover of flowers and beautiful spaces? Either way, you will enjoy the Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier this month. Jo Ann Arnswald, MB Financial Bank, invites you to visit her branch at the corner of Busse Highway and Oakton Streets for $2.00 off coupons for admission to the show. And when you visit, ask Jo Ann and her staff about the RED HOT offer for people with a Green thumb!
WineStyles needs a part time book keeper; and a part time sales person. 5 – to 10 hours a week Sunday 12-5.
Tracy & Doug Bell/owners
WineStyles Park Ridge
105 S. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, Il 60068 847-518-WINE (9463)
My name is Brendan Houlihan, and I am a Commissioner at the Cook County Board of Review. At the Board, we hear thousands of property tax appeals from Cook County residents. Our job is to make sure you do not pay more than your fair share in property taxes, but we cannot help if you do not appeal. You may be paying too much in property taxes. The Board of Review is now open for appeals until March 29th.
My office is open to answer your property tax questions and to help you file your appeal. There is no cost to file an appeal. My office provides an extensive outreach program throughout Cook County, and will be scheduling an outreach in your area within the next few weeks. For further information on how to file an appeal, please call my office at (312) 603-3644. Again, the deadline to file is March 29th, so please contact my office as soon as possible. The Board of Review’s website also contains information about appealing your property assessment at www.cookcountyboardofreview.com .
Sincerely,
Commissioner Brendan F. Houlihan
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, Barbara Tyksinski: 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, John Barrett: 847.823.1830
7. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge: 847.318.7550
8. Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.: 847.298.8748
9. D'Agostino's Pizza & Pub: 847.518.8700
10. Falkor Group LLC: www.falkorgroup.com
11. Global Handmade Hope: 847.720.4084
12. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: 847.824.4336
13. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors: 773.588.4332
14. K.G.M. Plumbing, Inc.: 847.583.8988
15. le Flour Bake Shop, Nicole Bujewski, 773-631-1400
16. Leys, Kirsten; Prudential Financial Services: 847.627.3950
17. Minuteman Press of Deerfield: 847.279.8550
18. Park Ridge Community Fund: 847.825.5311
19. Periodontics of Niles, P.C. Dr. Dorothy Anasinski: 847.685.6686
20. Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs/Catering, Nick Straub: 847-823-4422
21. Pickwick Theatre: 847.825.5800
22. Resurrection Health Care, Theresa Olson: 847.813.3210
23. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
24. Sebastian Co. Real Estate; Don Sebastian, Jr.: 847.823.3117
25. Subway of Park Ridge at 2618 Dempster: 847.813.9552
26. The Juniper Center, Margo Jacquot: 847-759-9110
27. Unbound Technology, Joshua Nichols: 847-235-4994
28. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services, Lynda Tourloukis: 847.401.5787
29. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling: 847.696.0477
30. You can be here!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Gail's Weekly Chamber UPDATE
Thanks to those who purchased tickets for The Melting Plot, the musical comedy at my daughter, Lian’s, school. We open this Thursday! Panino’s Pizzeria will be selling pizza on opening night so you can have ‘dinner and a play’. Liberty Bank is a show sponsor which is perfect since the Statue of Liberty is a main character! We’re still selling tickets – the 7 shows are 2/25 to 2/28 and 3/5 to 3/6. $8 ticket – and its a family show! Ben Wilson, Falkor Group, plays Mayor Yankee Doodle Dandy; Cindy Clark from the Chamber and I both play moms and we’re all singing and dancing. There’s an Italian family and a French family, a donkey family and elephant family… you’ll be rolling in the aisles!!! Email me for the ticket form and I’ll send it to you!
We have another busy week planned – read on to find out about the new member orientation, business after hours and Women in Business – all this week!
And, CONGRATULATIONS to Dorothy Brownstein at the Chamber who just celebrated 10 years with the Chamber!
Come to 720 Garden Street this Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the Chamber’s Monthly Business After Hours Networking event!
Our host is the Park Ridge Community Fund. It will also be a ribbon cutting with Mayor Schmidt and other City officials plus the Chamber Board and Ambassadors and YOU are invited!
All on the Road Catering & Bakery will provide the appetizers. Many fun things are scheduled and, of course, there will be lots of networking!
There were a lot of people at the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for ATI Physical Therapy, 951 W. Touhy Avenue last week! I bet around 40 came out to celebrate the opening and ribbon cutting. As usual, Barb at All on the Road Catering & Bakery did a fabulous job with the food! Diddy Blyth, A Sterling Design, took tons of pictures while Mayor Schmidt cut the ribbon. Pictures are posted on our website and also on www.triblocal.com.
February 23, Tuesday, 9:00am – 10:00am New Member Orientation, Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – All new members are invited to this Ambassador Reception to meet the Chamber Ambassadors, Chamber Executive Director, a Board of Directors Representative and other new members. Get your questions answered and discover how to maximize your membership investment.
We have 17 new members attending the Ambassador’s Orientation! Here they are:
1 Jon Beaty ATI Physical Therapy
2 Stephanie Avelar Dentalplans.com
3 Joe Campagna Grant Merchant Services
4 Joe Dydio Houlihan’s Restaurant
5 Angela LaRue Integrity Physical Therapy
6 Sue Irmo Irmo Insurance Agency, Inc.
7 Nicole Bujewski Le Flour Bake Shop
8 John Mackin Mackin Associates
9 Anne Stephens Meeting Professionals Expectations
10 Karen Black Messiah Lutheran Child Care Center
11 Carole Crawford Minuteman Press of Deerfield
12 Maria A. Renella Mortgage Banker
13 Sue Mellin Rabjohns Financial Group
14 Joanna Czapla Subway of Park Ridge
15 Jeff Nathanson The Heartland Group
16 Margo Jacquot The Juniper Center
17 Mary Tremont The Moorings of Arlington Heights
Tomorrow is going to be a busy morning! Right after the new member orientation is the non-compete leads and referral networking group, Park Ridge Executive Network (PREN 2), which will meet from 10:30 to 11:30 and several of the new members will stay to try it out.
If you stay and find out there is already someone who has been in PREN 2 in your profession, you can observe but won’t be able to discuss your business. We may have enough people to start a 3rd group. We should have competitions between the PREN groups!
February 26, Friday, 8:00 am – 9:30 am Women in Business Networking Breakfast Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – Speaker Kim Uhlig, Economic Development Director, "What’s Happening with Park Ridge Business and City Hall".
Catered by All On The Road Catering and Bakery. $10 Members; $15 Prospective Members.
March 3, Wednesday, 9:00am – 10:00am Marketing Subcommittee of the Retail Committee Meeting Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street
March 4, Thursday, 10:00am – 11:30am (EKG) Entrepreneurial Knowledge Group MonthlyMeeting, Regus, 350 S. NW Highway, Suite 300 – A group for new and emerging entrepreneurs.
Please send me news about your business so I can send it out to 600 member contacts! People always tell me how much they enjoy reading about what’s going on each week. Just stick it in an email so I can copy and paste without re-writing or editing it.
Karen Anderson, Dental Auxiliary Placement Service, Inc., who is the Immediate Past President for the Chamber Board, and her husband, Kent, won the silent auction prize at the Annual Installation Dinner which was dinner with the mayor. Last week they had dinner at Affresco with Mayor Dave Schmidt! They said everything was wonderful!
Tasty Pup at 49 Summit Avenue is selling Pepper and Egg sandwiches everyday for Lent!
Happy belated birthday to Chris Valentine who’s birthday was Feb. 14!!!
Also, Chris serves on the board for the Park Ridge Teen Center and asked if anyone might have a vacuum cleaner that they're not using and may want to donate to the PR Teen Center.
If so please let Chris or Kerry (Teen Center) know. Kerry's phone # is 847-696-9211 & Chris’s office # 847-824-9922. Thank You!
Chris Valentine, Financial Advisor , Edward Jones
A new development for one of our Chamber members - Park Ridge moms, Nina Taluc and Jean Lemke creators and founders of Kidwinks.com discuss Indoor Play Areas on WGN's Midday News segment Focus On The Family. To view the video click here.
--
kidwinks.com
The site to know with kids in tow
As seen on ABC, WGN, FOX & NBC
Spring training doesn’t just apply to baseball. Get your business ready for this year’s campaign by learning new skills at Oakton Community College. With reasonably-priced classes at under $300 each, Oakton offers a variety of business courses that will level the competition this season.
Prepare for the growth opportunities ahead by improving your promotional techniques through a marketing course at Oakton. Several seven-week courses begin in March, including: Principles of Marketing (MKT 131); Advanced Public Relations and Special Events (MKT 244); Green Events Planning (MKT 263); Integrated Marketing Communications (MKT 270); and Brand Marketing (MKT 271).
To better captain your team, sharpen leadership skills with a management class at Oakton. Courses beginning in March include: Principles of Management (MGT 121); Supervisory Development (MGT 140); Intro to TWL (MGT 156); Effective Leadership (MGT 225); Managing Diversity in the Workplace (MGT 232); and Employee Staffing and Selection (MGT 266).
Registration for these courses is going on now. For details, contact Sue Cisco, chair of marketing and management, at scisco@oakton.edu. A comprehensive list of other available courses can be found at www.oakton.edu/late_start/late_spr10.pdf.
Mega Connect Multi-Chamber Networking Lunch With the DBR, Des Plaines, Glenview, Glencoe, Highland Park, Mt. Prospect, Niles, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wheeling/Prospect Heights, Wilmette, Winnetka and Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chambers of Commerce
Thursday, March 18•11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bristol Court Banquets, 828 E. Rand Road, Mount Prospect (beside Brunswick bowling alley)
RSVP and Payment Due by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11
Member Pre-Registration Fee: $25 ($35 after 5 p.m. March 11); Non-Member Fee: $35
Walk-ins strongly discouraged and may not be accommodated!
• Multiply your networking potential! Chamber members from the 14 chambers will have the chance to promote their businesses to an expanded audience.
• Members looking for a productive networking experience will enjoy the structured format of this program. It gives each participant an opportunity to speak to a receptive audience about his/her company’s products and services.
• The event will begin with informal networking over lunch. After that, the group will be divided into small groups at assigned tables where each gives a 2-minute presentation on his/her firm. Following will be an additional presentation to a second and third group of participants. In addition, everyone will receive a contact list of pre-registered participants. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to expand your reach and resources!
• Please note that table assignments will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. If you are not there by 11:45 a.m., your space may be given away to another participant and you will need to check-in at the “Late Registration Table.” Please arrive on time to get the most out of your networking experience!
District 64 Elementary Learning Foundation (ELF): It’s Party Time!!!
Join ELF for a day of fun at Party Time Palace Family Entertainment Center on Friday, March 12th between 11am and 9pm for a fun family activity for all ages. Party Time Palace is an indoor party and play center featuring inflatables, laser tag, Chicago style miniature golf, inflatable bull riding, spacewalk, prize games, 40’ electric train, toddler activities, food and drink, awesome prizes and more.
It’s simple – no advance reservations or purchase needed. When you arrive at Party Time Palace you can select which family special package you would like to buy or simply purchase game tokens or attraction tickets based on what your child or family wants to do at this exciting entertainment center. In advance, visit their website at www.partytimepalace.com or call 847-437-3100. Their address is 723 West Golf Road in Des Plaines.
Party Time Palace is owned by District 64 family, and they are donating 25% of net proceeds from this day to ELF which in turn benefits the students of District 64!
Questions? Contact Marci Derrick, ELF Trustee, at marciderrick@yahoo.com.
CARDINAL FITNESS DONATES TO HAITI RELIEF: Helping Those In Times of Despair
Cardinal Fitness is in the process of donating over 2,000 cases of bottled water to those devastated by the recent earthquake in Haiti. As a community-focused fitness center, Cardinal Fitness hopes to spread health and replenishment in this time of need. By partnering with Friends of the Orphans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children in Latin America and the Caribbean, Cardinal Fitness will transport the 34 pallets of water to where it is needed in Haiti.
"Friends of the Orphans and Cardinal Fitness have partnered during this time to help in the Haitian relief efforts. Cardinal Fitness has donated over two thousand cases of fresh water and we are encouraging our communities, members, friends, and business partners to join us in this effort by making monetary donations at www.friendsoftheorphans.org. Even the smallest donations are a tremendous help," said Emilie McClughen, Cardinal Fitness director of marketing. “We would also like to thank our friends at Dr. Pepper/Snapple for providing the water to us at floor cost and DHL’s assistance in delivering the water. They helped make this possible.”
For more information on Cardinal Fitness’s efforts and how you can help, please visit cardinalfitness.com. Cardinal Fitness fans can follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/cardinalfitness) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/cardinalfitness). Also, please visit www.friendsoftheorphans.org to donate to the relief effort.
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About Cardinal Fitness
Cardinal Fitness is a state-of-the-art fitness center that offers memberships for only $19.95 per month. Memberships are month-to-month with no long-term contracts. As one of the fastest-growing health club chains in the Midwest, members enjoy access to more than 50 locations.
About Friends of the Orphans
A 40-year-old nonprofit organization with six regional offices in the United States, Friends of the Orphans supports a network of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) homes and their outreach programs in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries. Together, Friends of the Orphans and NPH transform the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children by creating families for life through values of unconditional love, shared responsibility and education. This enables children to transcend poverty and grow into caring and productive members of their communities.
Since its founding in 1954, NPH has assisted nearly 16,000 children and currently cares for more than 3,300 in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. NPH outreach programs, including the only free pediatric hospital in Haiti, serve more than 30,000 children and adults each year. By making a difference in the lives of the children through volunteer and donation opportunities, our supporters’ lives are enhanced as well.
The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society proudly celebrates 2010 as milestone for "50 Years of Summer Concert".
Emily Kosaka, Dennis Van Mieghm, Dan Aranda, Dawn Himley-Grandi and the rest of The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society Board (PRFAS) are proud to announce the celebration of 50 Years of Concerts in Hodges Park this year.
"Save the Date". The Park Ridge Symphony Orchestra will play and honor the 50 year anniversary and the special people of the City of Park Ridge Friday July 16, 2010. We will also celebrate this milestone at Our Annual Fundraiser Benefit Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Park Ridge Country Club.
"Mark your calendars and Save the Date". We welcome memorabilia, ideas and help for this milestone year. Please email prfas@yahoo.com if any questions, or contact one of our board members.
Park Ridge Community Fair Connect. Volunteer. Explore
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sponsored by the Park Ridge Public Library
Is your organization looking for a way to showcase the many services it provides? Would your group benefit from an opportunity to tap into the resources and talents of residents and other community organizations? Is so, please plan to participate in a Community Fair being sponsored by the Park Ridge Public Library as part of our celebration of National Library Week. This year’s theme, “Communities Thrive @ your Library”, provides an ideal opportunity for the Library to partner with community organizations in support of the vital role these organizations play in making Park Ridge a thriving, vibrant community. We hope that your organization will participate.
The fair will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. To accommodate as many participants as possible, tables for the fair will be set up in both the Large Meeting Room and on the Second Floor. Some organizations will need to share tables. Table locations and the sharing of tables will be assigned based on the order that registrations are received. We will email you to confirm your attendance and send a parking map closer to the date of the fair.
Each fair participant will have table space available for displays and handouts. Some wall space can also be made available. We expect the fair to be well attended; please have at least 100 brochures to distribute.
We would like you to be represented at this year’s Community Fair. If you have any questions, please contact Angela Berger at (847) 720-3202.
We hope to hear from you by March 15. As part of the fair, we will be distributing a booklet with information on each participating organization. If you would like to attend or have your organization’s information in the booklet, fill out the following survey by March 15:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RWHDFMD
The deadline for ads in The Center's 3/6/10 program has been extended to 2/22/10. Very affordable costs are $100 full page, $50 1/2 page and $25 1/4 page. For more benefit info, visit our website at www.centerofconcern.org. Your support will be most appreciated!
The Center of Concern
1580 No. Northwest Hwy., Suite 310
Park Ridge IL 60068
847/823-0453 x138
fax 847/824-8437
Security Tip from Bill Hominick, The Youth Campus
Graffiti is Everyone’s Problem…
Graffiti costs American communities more than $8 billion per year. It hurts property values, drives away business, and sends the message that nobody cares about the community. Graffiti is a gang’s way of marking its perceived territory. Graffiti is everybody’s problem. Here’s what you can do to help.
Report It
◗ Report graffiti immediately. The sooner it is reported, the sooner it can be removed.
◗ If you see graffiti in progress, report it—don’t try to intervene. Call the police. Some places have graffiti hotlines or tiplines, which usually, like the police offer anonymity to people reporting crimes.
◗ Encourage everyone in the community to report graffiti as soon as it happens.
◗ Contact the property owner whose building has been vandalized by graffiti. Stress the importance of quick cleanup. Form a neighborhood group to help property owners clean up graffiti quickly.
◗ Take a photo of the graffiti. It may provide information that will lead to identification of the vandal.
Remove It
◗ Removing graffiti promptly is the best way to prevent it. Prompt, persistent removal usually results in a nearly zero rate of recurrence. Before any graffiti removal begins, however, find out whether the police want to photograph it as evidence.
◗ Some communities paint a mural over the graffiti if the site is suitable. Involve the community in painting a mural to celebrate the history of the community or its diversity. (Ask local paint companies to donate the supplies.) Vandals seldom put graffiti on murals.
◗ When painting over graffiti, save some of the paint for touchups in the event of future vandalism.
◗ Some municipal governments have guidelines for removing graffiti. Check with your local government. In some jurisdictions, property owners are given a certain time period in which they must remove graffiti, after which a violation can be issued.
◗ Look in the Yellow Pages (under “Graffiti Removal”) or on the Web for companies that specialize in cleaning up graffiti.
Prevent It
◗ Rapid removal is one of the best ways to prevent future graffiti. Removing graffiti tells the vandals that people care about the community and that their work has little chance of being seen.
◗ Plain smooth surfaces invite graffiti. For walls, choose patterned and rough concrete surfaces
or tiled or mosaic surfaces; for fences, use chain, lattice, or wooden picket fences.
◗ Choose paints and coatings to deter graffiti. Dark colors make graffiti harder to see. Anti-graffiti
coatings are available as well. A sacrificial coating is one that can be easily removed if graffiti artists strike. A protective coating can be easily cleaned.
◗ Plant trees, shrubs, or climbing vines to restrict access to tempting walls. Plants with thorns or
strong scents are good deterrents.
◗ Use good lighting to deter vandals from popular graffiti sites.
◗ Encourage community groups to adopt a wall or area to keep it clean, well maintained, and graffiti free.
◗ Encourage local merchants who sell paint and painting supplies to become responsible retailers. Responsible retailers observe existing laws against selling spray paint and broad
tipped markers to customers under the age of 18 and do not display these items where they might be vulnerable to shoplifting. They post warning signs about the penalties for graffiti vandalism.
◗ Coordinate a graffiti awareness campaign in your community. Educate potential graffiti artists about the legal consequences of graffiti vandalism: the vandal’s driver’s license may be suspended, and fines—or even jail time—may be the result of future offenses. Victims of graffiti may sue the perpetrator’s parents, and the parents may be fined or ordered to provide restitution.
◗ Encourage anyone you think might be tempted to do graffiti to check out art schools instead or to get involved by doing posters, murals, and other art projects at their schools.
◗ Like our Merchant’s Association Newsletter, Involve the media. Distribute information about the harm graffiti vandalism can do to a community. But caution them not to display the work. Graffiti vandals want their work to be seen and publicizing graffiti only encourages them.
◗ Contact Keep America Beautiful (www.kab.org) to see what you can do to make your community beautiful and crime free
The news below was run in last week’s eblast but is still timely so I’m leaving in.
Please join us and support teen substance abuse prevention programming in Maine Township!
Cheeseburger in Paradise on February 23, 2010 from 5-8 p.m.
All you can eat – soft drinks included. Live, engaging, musical entertainment by Victor Pacini (Author, Speaker, Entertainer). Raffles & Prizes. For tickets call Vickie at 847-391-5403
Or mail check to MCYAF
2720 S. River Rd. Suite 128
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Bring family and friends.
Please forward to any and all.
Support Teen Substance Abuse Prevention Programming in Maine Township
MCYAF
Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation
2720 S. River Rd. Suite 128
Des Plaines, IL 60068
847-858-7090
Illinois Workforce Compromised and Threatens Drug-Free Workplace (pg. 9, lines 2-6, pgs 19-20, lines 26, 1-6)
• This bill will not permit the ingestion of cannabis in the workplace but will permit the ingestion before entering the workplace. The bill nullifies drug-free workplace laws by stating that the employee is not considered to be under the influence “solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of cannabis that appear in insufficient concentration to cause impairment.”
• The bill establishes a mythical level of “impairment”. Unlike alcohol whose level of impairment is .08, a level of impairment for marijuana has never been established and remains zero.
• Emerald Steel Fabricators Inc. v. Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries; court found that , by discharging the temp to hire employee because of his medical marijuana use the employer failed to reasonably accommodate complainant’s disability. (September 2007)
Aging 101: In 60068
Know your healthcare options, And keep it local!
Join us on March 1st at 1:00 PM for an interactive forum led by three premiere Park Ridge health care providers. Professionals from Abiding Care, Saint Matthew Center for Health and Sunrise Senior Living will identify quality healthcare options BEFORE you need them!
Learn of the local resources available to you and your loved ones; from private duty home care to rehab to assisted long-term care.
March 1st at 1:00 PM
Park Ridge Senior Center
100 S. Western Ave.
Light snacks and beverages will be served. Don’t miss this FREE informative event!
Registration suggested by calling (847) 692-3597.
Raffle prizes donated by local Park Ridge businesses, including a Gift Certificate from the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society proudly celebrates 2010 as milestone for "50 Years of Summer Concert".
Emily Kosaka, Dennis Van Mieghm, Dan Aranda, Dawn Himley-Grandi and the rest of The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society Board (PRFAS) are proud to announce the celebration of 50 Years of Concerts in Hodges Park this year.
"Save the Date". The Park Ridge Symphony Orchestra will play and honor the 50 year anniversary and the special people of the City of Park Ridge Friday July 16, 2010. We will also celebrate this milestone at Our Annual Fundraiser Benefit Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Park Ridge Country Club.
"Mark your calendars and Save the Date". We welcome memorabilia, ideas and help for this milestone year. Please email prfas@yahoo.com if any questions, or contact one of our board members.
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, Barbara Tyksinski: 847.518.8958
3. Aqua Plumbing, Heating and Cooling: 847.459.7900
4. ATI Physical Therapy: 847.292.0151
5. barrett-TECH, John Barrett: 847.823.1830
6. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge: 847.318.7550
7. Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.: 847.298.8748
8. Falkor Group LLC: www.falkorgroup.com
9. Global Handmade Hope: 847.720.4084
10. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: 847.824.4336
11. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors: 773.588.4332
12. K.G.M. Plumbing, Inc.: 847.583.8988
13. le Flour Bake Shop, Nicole Bujewski, 773-631-1400
14. Leys, Kirsten; Prudential Financial Services: 847.627.3950
15. Park Ridge Community Fund: 847.825.5311
16. Periodontics of Niles, P.C. Dr. Dorothy Anasinski: 847.685.6686
17. Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs/Catering, Nick Straub: 847-823-4422
18. Pickwick Theatre: 847.825.5800
19. Resurrection Health Care, Theresa Olson: 847.813.3210
20. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
21. Sebastian Co. Real Estate; Don Sebastian, Jr.: 847.823.3117
22. Subway of Park Ridge at 2618 Dempster: 847.813.9552
23. The Juniper Center, Margo Jacquot: 847-759-9110
24. Unbound Technology, Joshua Nichols: 847-235-4994
25. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services, Lynda Tourloukis: 847.401.5787
26. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling: 847.696.0477
27. You can be here!
We have another busy week planned – read on to find out about the new member orientation, business after hours and Women in Business – all this week!
And, CONGRATULATIONS to Dorothy Brownstein at the Chamber who just celebrated 10 years with the Chamber!
Come to 720 Garden Street this Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the Chamber’s Monthly Business After Hours Networking event!
Our host is the Park Ridge Community Fund. It will also be a ribbon cutting with Mayor Schmidt and other City officials plus the Chamber Board and Ambassadors and YOU are invited!
All on the Road Catering & Bakery will provide the appetizers. Many fun things are scheduled and, of course, there will be lots of networking!
There were a lot of people at the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for ATI Physical Therapy, 951 W. Touhy Avenue last week! I bet around 40 came out to celebrate the opening and ribbon cutting. As usual, Barb at All on the Road Catering & Bakery did a fabulous job with the food! Diddy Blyth, A Sterling Design, took tons of pictures while Mayor Schmidt cut the ribbon. Pictures are posted on our website and also on www.triblocal.com.
February 23, Tuesday, 9:00am – 10:00am New Member Orientation, Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – All new members are invited to this Ambassador Reception to meet the Chamber Ambassadors, Chamber Executive Director, a Board of Directors Representative and other new members. Get your questions answered and discover how to maximize your membership investment.
We have 17 new members attending the Ambassador’s Orientation! Here they are:
1 Jon Beaty ATI Physical Therapy
2 Stephanie Avelar Dentalplans.com
3 Joe Campagna Grant Merchant Services
4 Joe Dydio Houlihan’s Restaurant
5 Angela LaRue Integrity Physical Therapy
6 Sue Irmo Irmo Insurance Agency, Inc.
7 Nicole Bujewski Le Flour Bake Shop
8 John Mackin Mackin Associates
9 Anne Stephens Meeting Professionals Expectations
10 Karen Black Messiah Lutheran Child Care Center
11 Carole Crawford Minuteman Press of Deerfield
12 Maria A. Renella Mortgage Banker
13 Sue Mellin Rabjohns Financial Group
14 Joanna Czapla Subway of Park Ridge
15 Jeff Nathanson The Heartland Group
16 Margo Jacquot The Juniper Center
17 Mary Tremont The Moorings of Arlington Heights
Tomorrow is going to be a busy morning! Right after the new member orientation is the non-compete leads and referral networking group, Park Ridge Executive Network (PREN 2), which will meet from 10:30 to 11:30 and several of the new members will stay to try it out.
If you stay and find out there is already someone who has been in PREN 2 in your profession, you can observe but won’t be able to discuss your business. We may have enough people to start a 3rd group. We should have competitions between the PREN groups!
February 26, Friday, 8:00 am – 9:30 am Women in Business Networking Breakfast Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – Speaker Kim Uhlig, Economic Development Director, "What’s Happening with Park Ridge Business and City Hall".
Catered by All On The Road Catering and Bakery. $10 Members; $15 Prospective Members.
March 3, Wednesday, 9:00am – 10:00am Marketing Subcommittee of the Retail Committee Meeting Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street
March 4, Thursday, 10:00am – 11:30am (EKG) Entrepreneurial Knowledge Group MonthlyMeeting, Regus, 350 S. NW Highway, Suite 300 – A group for new and emerging entrepreneurs.
Please send me news about your business so I can send it out to 600 member contacts! People always tell me how much they enjoy reading about what’s going on each week. Just stick it in an email so I can copy and paste without re-writing or editing it.
Karen Anderson, Dental Auxiliary Placement Service, Inc., who is the Immediate Past President for the Chamber Board, and her husband, Kent, won the silent auction prize at the Annual Installation Dinner which was dinner with the mayor. Last week they had dinner at Affresco with Mayor Dave Schmidt! They said everything was wonderful!
Tasty Pup at 49 Summit Avenue is selling Pepper and Egg sandwiches everyday for Lent!
Happy belated birthday to Chris Valentine who’s birthday was Feb. 14!!!
Also, Chris serves on the board for the Park Ridge Teen Center and asked if anyone might have a vacuum cleaner that they're not using and may want to donate to the PR Teen Center.
If so please let Chris or Kerry (Teen Center) know. Kerry's phone # is 847-696-9211 & Chris’s office # 847-824-9922. Thank You!
Chris Valentine, Financial Advisor , Edward Jones
A new development for one of our Chamber members - Park Ridge moms, Nina Taluc and Jean Lemke creators and founders of Kidwinks.com discuss Indoor Play Areas on WGN's Midday News segment Focus On The Family. To view the video click here.
--
kidwinks.com
The site to know with kids in tow
As seen on ABC, WGN, FOX & NBC
Spring training doesn’t just apply to baseball. Get your business ready for this year’s campaign by learning new skills at Oakton Community College. With reasonably-priced classes at under $300 each, Oakton offers a variety of business courses that will level the competition this season.
Prepare for the growth opportunities ahead by improving your promotional techniques through a marketing course at Oakton. Several seven-week courses begin in March, including: Principles of Marketing (MKT 131); Advanced Public Relations and Special Events (MKT 244); Green Events Planning (MKT 263); Integrated Marketing Communications (MKT 270); and Brand Marketing (MKT 271).
To better captain your team, sharpen leadership skills with a management class at Oakton. Courses beginning in March include: Principles of Management (MGT 121); Supervisory Development (MGT 140); Intro to TWL (MGT 156); Effective Leadership (MGT 225); Managing Diversity in the Workplace (MGT 232); and Employee Staffing and Selection (MGT 266).
Registration for these courses is going on now. For details, contact Sue Cisco, chair of marketing and management, at scisco@oakton.edu. A comprehensive list of other available courses can be found at www.oakton.edu/late_start/late_spr10.pdf.
Mega Connect Multi-Chamber Networking Lunch With the DBR, Des Plaines, Glenview, Glencoe, Highland Park, Mt. Prospect, Niles, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wheeling/Prospect Heights, Wilmette, Winnetka and Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chambers of Commerce
Thursday, March 18•11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bristol Court Banquets, 828 E. Rand Road, Mount Prospect (beside Brunswick bowling alley)
RSVP and Payment Due by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11
Member Pre-Registration Fee: $25 ($35 after 5 p.m. March 11); Non-Member Fee: $35
Walk-ins strongly discouraged and may not be accommodated!
• Multiply your networking potential! Chamber members from the 14 chambers will have the chance to promote their businesses to an expanded audience.
• Members looking for a productive networking experience will enjoy the structured format of this program. It gives each participant an opportunity to speak to a receptive audience about his/her company’s products and services.
• The event will begin with informal networking over lunch. After that, the group will be divided into small groups at assigned tables where each gives a 2-minute presentation on his/her firm. Following will be an additional presentation to a second and third group of participants. In addition, everyone will receive a contact list of pre-registered participants. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to expand your reach and resources!
• Please note that table assignments will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. If you are not there by 11:45 a.m., your space may be given away to another participant and you will need to check-in at the “Late Registration Table.” Please arrive on time to get the most out of your networking experience!
District 64 Elementary Learning Foundation (ELF): It’s Party Time!!!
Join ELF for a day of fun at Party Time Palace Family Entertainment Center on Friday, March 12th between 11am and 9pm for a fun family activity for all ages. Party Time Palace is an indoor party and play center featuring inflatables, laser tag, Chicago style miniature golf, inflatable bull riding, spacewalk, prize games, 40’ electric train, toddler activities, food and drink, awesome prizes and more.
It’s simple – no advance reservations or purchase needed. When you arrive at Party Time Palace you can select which family special package you would like to buy or simply purchase game tokens or attraction tickets based on what your child or family wants to do at this exciting entertainment center. In advance, visit their website at www.partytimepalace.com or call 847-437-3100. Their address is 723 West Golf Road in Des Plaines.
Party Time Palace is owned by District 64 family, and they are donating 25% of net proceeds from this day to ELF which in turn benefits the students of District 64!
Questions? Contact Marci Derrick, ELF Trustee, at marciderrick@yahoo.com.
CARDINAL FITNESS DONATES TO HAITI RELIEF: Helping Those In Times of Despair
Cardinal Fitness is in the process of donating over 2,000 cases of bottled water to those devastated by the recent earthquake in Haiti. As a community-focused fitness center, Cardinal Fitness hopes to spread health and replenishment in this time of need. By partnering with Friends of the Orphans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children in Latin America and the Caribbean, Cardinal Fitness will transport the 34 pallets of water to where it is needed in Haiti.
"Friends of the Orphans and Cardinal Fitness have partnered during this time to help in the Haitian relief efforts. Cardinal Fitness has donated over two thousand cases of fresh water and we are encouraging our communities, members, friends, and business partners to join us in this effort by making monetary donations at www.friendsoftheorphans.org. Even the smallest donations are a tremendous help," said Emilie McClughen, Cardinal Fitness director of marketing. “We would also like to thank our friends at Dr. Pepper/Snapple for providing the water to us at floor cost and DHL’s assistance in delivering the water. They helped make this possible.”
For more information on Cardinal Fitness’s efforts and how you can help, please visit cardinalfitness.com. Cardinal Fitness fans can follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/cardinalfitness) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/cardinalfitness). Also, please visit www.friendsoftheorphans.org to donate to the relief effort.
(scroll down if there is a break here!)
About Cardinal Fitness
Cardinal Fitness is a state-of-the-art fitness center that offers memberships for only $19.95 per month. Memberships are month-to-month with no long-term contracts. As one of the fastest-growing health club chains in the Midwest, members enjoy access to more than 50 locations.
About Friends of the Orphans
A 40-year-old nonprofit organization with six regional offices in the United States, Friends of the Orphans supports a network of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) homes and their outreach programs in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries. Together, Friends of the Orphans and NPH transform the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children by creating families for life through values of unconditional love, shared responsibility and education. This enables children to transcend poverty and grow into caring and productive members of their communities.
Since its founding in 1954, NPH has assisted nearly 16,000 children and currently cares for more than 3,300 in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. NPH outreach programs, including the only free pediatric hospital in Haiti, serve more than 30,000 children and adults each year. By making a difference in the lives of the children through volunteer and donation opportunities, our supporters’ lives are enhanced as well.
The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society proudly celebrates 2010 as milestone for "50 Years of Summer Concert".
Emily Kosaka, Dennis Van Mieghm, Dan Aranda, Dawn Himley-Grandi and the rest of The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society Board (PRFAS) are proud to announce the celebration of 50 Years of Concerts in Hodges Park this year.
"Save the Date". The Park Ridge Symphony Orchestra will play and honor the 50 year anniversary and the special people of the City of Park Ridge Friday July 16, 2010. We will also celebrate this milestone at Our Annual Fundraiser Benefit Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Park Ridge Country Club.
"Mark your calendars and Save the Date". We welcome memorabilia, ideas and help for this milestone year. Please email prfas@yahoo.com if any questions, or contact one of our board members.
Park Ridge Community Fair Connect. Volunteer. Explore
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sponsored by the Park Ridge Public Library
Is your organization looking for a way to showcase the many services it provides? Would your group benefit from an opportunity to tap into the resources and talents of residents and other community organizations? Is so, please plan to participate in a Community Fair being sponsored by the Park Ridge Public Library as part of our celebration of National Library Week. This year’s theme, “Communities Thrive @ your Library”, provides an ideal opportunity for the Library to partner with community organizations in support of the vital role these organizations play in making Park Ridge a thriving, vibrant community. We hope that your organization will participate.
The fair will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. To accommodate as many participants as possible, tables for the fair will be set up in both the Large Meeting Room and on the Second Floor. Some organizations will need to share tables. Table locations and the sharing of tables will be assigned based on the order that registrations are received. We will email you to confirm your attendance and send a parking map closer to the date of the fair.
Each fair participant will have table space available for displays and handouts. Some wall space can also be made available. We expect the fair to be well attended; please have at least 100 brochures to distribute.
We would like you to be represented at this year’s Community Fair. If you have any questions, please contact Angela Berger at (847) 720-3202.
We hope to hear from you by March 15. As part of the fair, we will be distributing a booklet with information on each participating organization. If you would like to attend or have your organization’s information in the booklet, fill out the following survey by March 15:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RWHDFMD
The deadline for ads in The Center's 3/6/10 program has been extended to 2/22/10. Very affordable costs are $100 full page, $50 1/2 page and $25 1/4 page. For more benefit info, visit our website at www.centerofconcern.org. Your support will be most appreciated!
The Center of Concern
1580 No. Northwest Hwy., Suite 310
Park Ridge IL 60068
847/823-0453 x138
fax 847/824-8437
Security Tip from Bill Hominick, The Youth Campus
Graffiti is Everyone’s Problem…
Graffiti costs American communities more than $8 billion per year. It hurts property values, drives away business, and sends the message that nobody cares about the community. Graffiti is a gang’s way of marking its perceived territory. Graffiti is everybody’s problem. Here’s what you can do to help.
Report It
◗ Report graffiti immediately. The sooner it is reported, the sooner it can be removed.
◗ If you see graffiti in progress, report it—don’t try to intervene. Call the police. Some places have graffiti hotlines or tiplines, which usually, like the police offer anonymity to people reporting crimes.
◗ Encourage everyone in the community to report graffiti as soon as it happens.
◗ Contact the property owner whose building has been vandalized by graffiti. Stress the importance of quick cleanup. Form a neighborhood group to help property owners clean up graffiti quickly.
◗ Take a photo of the graffiti. It may provide information that will lead to identification of the vandal.
Remove It
◗ Removing graffiti promptly is the best way to prevent it. Prompt, persistent removal usually results in a nearly zero rate of recurrence. Before any graffiti removal begins, however, find out whether the police want to photograph it as evidence.
◗ Some communities paint a mural over the graffiti if the site is suitable. Involve the community in painting a mural to celebrate the history of the community or its diversity. (Ask local paint companies to donate the supplies.) Vandals seldom put graffiti on murals.
◗ When painting over graffiti, save some of the paint for touchups in the event of future vandalism.
◗ Some municipal governments have guidelines for removing graffiti. Check with your local government. In some jurisdictions, property owners are given a certain time period in which they must remove graffiti, after which a violation can be issued.
◗ Look in the Yellow Pages (under “Graffiti Removal”) or on the Web for companies that specialize in cleaning up graffiti.
Prevent It
◗ Rapid removal is one of the best ways to prevent future graffiti. Removing graffiti tells the vandals that people care about the community and that their work has little chance of being seen.
◗ Plain smooth surfaces invite graffiti. For walls, choose patterned and rough concrete surfaces
or tiled or mosaic surfaces; for fences, use chain, lattice, or wooden picket fences.
◗ Choose paints and coatings to deter graffiti. Dark colors make graffiti harder to see. Anti-graffiti
coatings are available as well. A sacrificial coating is one that can be easily removed if graffiti artists strike. A protective coating can be easily cleaned.
◗ Plant trees, shrubs, or climbing vines to restrict access to tempting walls. Plants with thorns or
strong scents are good deterrents.
◗ Use good lighting to deter vandals from popular graffiti sites.
◗ Encourage community groups to adopt a wall or area to keep it clean, well maintained, and graffiti free.
◗ Encourage local merchants who sell paint and painting supplies to become responsible retailers. Responsible retailers observe existing laws against selling spray paint and broad
tipped markers to customers under the age of 18 and do not display these items where they might be vulnerable to shoplifting. They post warning signs about the penalties for graffiti vandalism.
◗ Coordinate a graffiti awareness campaign in your community. Educate potential graffiti artists about the legal consequences of graffiti vandalism: the vandal’s driver’s license may be suspended, and fines—or even jail time—may be the result of future offenses. Victims of graffiti may sue the perpetrator’s parents, and the parents may be fined or ordered to provide restitution.
◗ Encourage anyone you think might be tempted to do graffiti to check out art schools instead or to get involved by doing posters, murals, and other art projects at their schools.
◗ Like our Merchant’s Association Newsletter, Involve the media. Distribute information about the harm graffiti vandalism can do to a community. But caution them not to display the work. Graffiti vandals want their work to be seen and publicizing graffiti only encourages them.
◗ Contact Keep America Beautiful (www.kab.org) to see what you can do to make your community beautiful and crime free
The news below was run in last week’s eblast but is still timely so I’m leaving in.
Please join us and support teen substance abuse prevention programming in Maine Township!
Cheeseburger in Paradise on February 23, 2010 from 5-8 p.m.
All you can eat – soft drinks included. Live, engaging, musical entertainment by Victor Pacini (Author, Speaker, Entertainer). Raffles & Prizes. For tickets call Vickie at 847-391-5403
Or mail check to MCYAF
2720 S. River Rd. Suite 128
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Bring family and friends.
Please forward to any and all.
Support Teen Substance Abuse Prevention Programming in Maine Township
MCYAF
Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation
2720 S. River Rd. Suite 128
Des Plaines, IL 60068
847-858-7090
Illinois Workforce Compromised and Threatens Drug-Free Workplace (pg. 9, lines 2-6, pgs 19-20, lines 26, 1-6)
• This bill will not permit the ingestion of cannabis in the workplace but will permit the ingestion before entering the workplace. The bill nullifies drug-free workplace laws by stating that the employee is not considered to be under the influence “solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of cannabis that appear in insufficient concentration to cause impairment.”
• The bill establishes a mythical level of “impairment”. Unlike alcohol whose level of impairment is .08, a level of impairment for marijuana has never been established and remains zero.
• Emerald Steel Fabricators Inc. v. Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries; court found that , by discharging the temp to hire employee because of his medical marijuana use the employer failed to reasonably accommodate complainant’s disability. (September 2007)
Aging 101: In 60068
Know your healthcare options, And keep it local!
Join us on March 1st at 1:00 PM for an interactive forum led by three premiere Park Ridge health care providers. Professionals from Abiding Care, Saint Matthew Center for Health and Sunrise Senior Living will identify quality healthcare options BEFORE you need them!
Learn of the local resources available to you and your loved ones; from private duty home care to rehab to assisted long-term care.
March 1st at 1:00 PM
Park Ridge Senior Center
100 S. Western Ave.
Light snacks and beverages will be served. Don’t miss this FREE informative event!
Registration suggested by calling (847) 692-3597.
Raffle prizes donated by local Park Ridge businesses, including a Gift Certificate from the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society proudly celebrates 2010 as milestone for "50 Years of Summer Concert".
Emily Kosaka, Dennis Van Mieghm, Dan Aranda, Dawn Himley-Grandi and the rest of The Park Ridge Fine Arts Society Board (PRFAS) are proud to announce the celebration of 50 Years of Concerts in Hodges Park this year.
"Save the Date". The Park Ridge Symphony Orchestra will play and honor the 50 year anniversary and the special people of the City of Park Ridge Friday July 16, 2010. We will also celebrate this milestone at Our Annual Fundraiser Benefit Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Park Ridge Country Club.
"Mark your calendars and Save the Date". We welcome memorabilia, ideas and help for this milestone year. Please email prfas@yahoo.com if any questions, or contact one of our board members.
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, Barbara Tyksinski: 847.518.8958
3. Aqua Plumbing, Heating and Cooling: 847.459.7900
4. ATI Physical Therapy: 847.292.0151
5. barrett-TECH, John Barrett: 847.823.1830
6. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge: 847.318.7550
7. Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.: 847.298.8748
8. Falkor Group LLC: www.falkorgroup.com
9. Global Handmade Hope: 847.720.4084
10. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: 847.824.4336
11. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors: 773.588.4332
12. K.G.M. Plumbing, Inc.: 847.583.8988
13. le Flour Bake Shop, Nicole Bujewski, 773-631-1400
14. Leys, Kirsten; Prudential Financial Services: 847.627.3950
15. Park Ridge Community Fund: 847.825.5311
16. Periodontics of Niles, P.C. Dr. Dorothy Anasinski: 847.685.6686
17. Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs/Catering, Nick Straub: 847-823-4422
18. Pickwick Theatre: 847.825.5800
19. Resurrection Health Care, Theresa Olson: 847.813.3210
20. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
21. Sebastian Co. Real Estate; Don Sebastian, Jr.: 847.823.3117
22. Subway of Park Ridge at 2618 Dempster: 847.813.9552
23. The Juniper Center, Margo Jacquot: 847-759-9110
24. Unbound Technology, Joshua Nichols: 847-235-4994
25. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services, Lynda Tourloukis: 847.401.5787
26. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling: 847.696.0477
27. You can be here!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Gail's Weekly Park Ridge Chamber UPDATE
Our weekend was full with family things to do – plus rehearsals for ‘The Melting Plot’! Ice skating, parties, shopping, library, yada yada… Congratulations to the underdog Saints for winning!
Chickie’s Diner opens today! Marci and I will be there for lunch. 920 Busse Highway (by Dee). Check them out at www.chickiesdiner.com It looks really cute! We’ll have their Grand Ribbon Cutting on March 12 with City Officials and Chamber members but you can check them out starting today!
We had such a good time at the Chocolate & Champagne Networking Event last week! A dozen Chambers joined forces to put all their networking super powers to work. Thank you to those who signed up through the Park Ridge Chamber as Exhibitors: Valerie Niskanen, St Matthew Center for Health; Karen Gruber, The Perfect Dinner, and show sponsor TribLocal (Jim Hirsch and Katie Cousino). This is a money maker for our Chamber so thank you for exhibiting and for attending. By the way, if you’re a walk in, even if from our Chamber, we get no credit for you. So for future, please sign up in advance and get the early bird discount and then we get the credit!
Two Park Ridge Chamber members, Eric Nelson of Nelson Automotive and Susan Raap from Rosewood Restaurant were among the many judges for the DECA competition held in Rosemont last week at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. 800 high school students representing dozens of high schools competed.
Maine South High School Junior and son of Marci Derrick, Scott A. Derrick, took 1st place in his event (Hospitality & Tourism) and will proceed to state! (I didn’t judge him!)
Eric Nelson judged for marketing while Gail Haller and Sue Raap judged the Restaurant Management areas.
DECA helps students to develop skills for successful business careers, build self–esteem, experience leadership and practice community service. DECA members create friendships with like–minded people from all over the world at career and leadership conferences and build resumes that move them to the top of the job and college application list.
DECA develops future leaders in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Over 185,000 high school students in 5,000 chapters, located in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Guam benefit from the unparalleled network and curriculum–enhancing programs DECA provides for those with an interest in marketing, management and entrepreneurship.
February 10, Wednesday, 9:00am – 10:00am Marketing Subcommittee of the Retail Committee Meeting Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street
February 10, Wednesday, 11:30am – 1:30pm Monthly Networking Luncheon Affresco Restaurant, 11 N. Northwest Hwy. Gloria Jean H. Waber has worked with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Bad Check Restitution program for four-and-a-half years. The diversion program has been able to recover $4.5 million in restitution for businesses during this time. She has worked in both the corporate and non-profit sectors with over 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing, community relations and investor relations for a Fortune 500 company. She also has experience interacting with governmental agencies and law enforcement in order to assist companies on how to benefit from these partnerships. She is a graduate of De Paul University and Roosevelt University, and is a Chicago native.
Our second speaker, Special Agent Andy Staley, has been with the United States Secret Service since November 2007 and is assigned to the Chicago Field Office as part of the counterfeit squad. Special Agent Staley will bring samples of counterfeit bills to show us! He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Southern Illinois University School of Law.
$25 member $30 prospective member. RSVP to the Chamber 847.825.3121 or email me.
February 11, Thursday, 8:45am – 10:15am Technology Forum: Microsoft Windows 7 Event/Falkor Group LLC Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street. Technology Forum is open to all Chamber members. Topic: Operating Systems. Bring your questions! Bring your knowledge! This is not a lecture but an open forum of asking/anwering questions pertaining to the topic of the month!
February 12, Friday, 8:45am – 9:45am PREN I Meeting Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street A leads and referral networking group within the Chamber at no additional charge. One person per profession, please. Speaker this week is Ken Martens, KGM Plumbing.
February 16, Tuesday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for ATI Physical Therapy, 951 W. Touhy Avenue. Please join the Chamber Board, Ambassadors, Mayor Schmidt, and other City Officials as we celebrate the opening of a new business in Park Ridge! Feel free to invite your staff and co-workers.
February 20, Saturday 4:30pm -10:00pm Chicago Wolves Hockey & Dinner The Elks Club, Des Plaines at 4:30/Allstate Arena at 6:30pm COST IS $28.00 for adults, $22 for kids. RSVP to Chamber
February 23, Tuesday, 9:00am – 10:00am New Member Orientation, Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – All new members are invited to this Ambassador Reception to meet Chamber Ambassadors, Chamber Executive Director, a Board of Directors Representative and other new members. Get your questions answered and discover how to maximize your membership investment.
February 23, Tuesday, 10:30am – 11:30am PREN 2 (Park Ridge Executive Network) The second group of PREN; leads and referral group within the Chamber with only one person per industry. Please call the Chamber at 847-825-3121 to see if your industry is available. No fee; included in your membership.
February 25, Thursday, 5pm to 7pm Park Ridge Community Fund Ribbon Cutting, Grand Opening and Chamber Business After Hours Networking! At the Chamber Office in the Park Ridge Nonprofit Center, 720 Garden St. Join us for this exciting Business After Hours as we celebrate. Mayor Schmidt, Chamber Members, Ambassadors, Park Ridge Community Fund Board and friends will be in attendance. Enjoy refreshments at this festive celebration and networking event. Call the Chamber to make a reservation.
February 26, Friday, 8:00 am – 9:30 am Women in Business Networking Breakfast Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – Speaker Kim Uhlig, Economic Development Director, "What’s Happening with Park Ridge Business and City Hall". Catering by All On The Road Catering and Bakery. $10 Members; $15 Prospective Members.
Tasty Pup at 49 Summit Avenue is offering 1 free Gyros sandwich with a purchase of a Gyros, fry and large drink on Fridays.
Kronos, our Gyros vendor is having a contest with scratch off game cards. With the purchase of a Gyros sandwich, a customer would get a game card and could win free Gyros for a year. The contest ends Feb. 26.
Send some love to your Valentine from Baked by Betsy!
Perfect for college students or loved ones far away.
Baked by Betsy
124 S Prospect Avenue
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
847-292-1434
Valentine's Care Package
4 chocolate crinkles
4 double chocolate cookies
4 confetti cookies
2 monster cookies
2 Valentine's decorated cookies
$33 includes shipping/tax
Order by noon on Tuesday February 9th for normal ground shipping
Shipments after that date may need expedited shipping
The February 11 meeting of the Park Ridge Garden Club will be held in the community of the Park Ridge Senior Center at 7pm. The program will be "A Climate Crisis". Guest speaker, Kent Taylor, was a diver/lecturer at the Shedd Aquarium. This is a presentation largely created by Al Gore, updated from his movie "An Inconvenient Truth". The science, the observed evidence, how we got here and what we can do to minimize the effects of global warming on our climate are the subjects of his talk. All are welcome. Attendees are asked to bring a can of soup to be donated to the Maine Township food pantry "Souper Bowl of Caring" event.
Judy Connors, Publicity 847-698-5929
Have you accumulated countless belongings while living in your home?
Do you wonder how you’ll ever be able to downsize?
Do you ask yourself... “How will I ever sell my home or condo in this economy?”
“My home needs so many improvements before I sell it!”
We can help…
Join us
Thursday, February 18, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Refreshments & Snacks will be Served
GuestSpeakers
Deborah Oberschelp, C.I.D., Affordable Interiors Certified Interior Decorator, member of International Furnishings and Design Association, Certified Interior Decorators International, Greater Chicagoland Decorators Coalition, and The Society of Decorating Professionals
Mary Jo Zeller, Gero Solutions Certified Relocation Transition Specialist, Woman of the Year (by the Village of Arlington Heights/Greater Woodfield Area Convention Bureau), and Founding Member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers
R.S.V.P. by February 15
4747 N. Canfield Avenue
708.583.8500 | www.cbvillage.org
4747 N. Canfield Avenue Norridge, IL 60706
Independent Living • Assisted Living • Nursing Care • Memory Care
Valentine's Day is quickly approaching!
Below is our Valentine's Day special menu. We hope you enjoy our selections!
Coconut Meringue Cake with Passion Fruit Ganache~$23.00
Black Forest Cake~$18.75
Double Chocolate Valentine Cake with Fresh Raspberries~$18.75
Boxed Trio Truffles~$9.50
Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake~$15.00
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries~$3.75
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting~$2.75
Hazelnut Financiers with Apricots~$8.50
Linzer Cookies with Raspberry or Apricot~$1.75
Hand-Decorated Valentine Cookies $1.75-$18.50
We would appreciate 2 days notice for your special order to ensure availability. Thank you!
le Flour Bake Shop
6701 N. Olmsted Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631
773.631.1400 Phone
773.631.1401 Fax
WineStyles Park Ridge
105 S. Northwest Highway
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
847-518-9463
Join us for a night of romance and wine and all things lovely and divine.
Valentine's Weekend Wine Tasting Event Friday, February 12th 5-8
Two tables of Wine Tasting with Larry from Metro and Matt from Heritage Wine Cellars, snack on appetizers from All on The Road Catering along with chocolates from Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory and listen to the smooth sounds of Joe Brown, a local saxophone player along with his band.
$10 for wine club members and $15 for non wine club members.
Reservations Mandatory 847-518-WINE (9463) Space is limited - call now
Store Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 11-7
Sunday 12-5
Closed Mondays
WEEKLY WINE TASTINGS Friday evenings
MOMS! We got 'em. You want 'em.
The tens of thousands of moms who visit kidwinks.com each month do so because they are actively looking for things to do with their children in the Chicago area.
So how do you reach these valuable MOM$? Get them in your door? We recommend our Enhanced Listing Account for 6 months of excellent, multi-platform exposure for only $900 - our best value.
Learn more about kidwinks.
SO??? You need more convincing?
• Our job at kidwinks is to help you promote your business.
• We recently provided coveted television exposure to six of our listing businesses for free by including them in our Indoor Play Places interview on WGN's Midday News' Focus on Family segment.
• WGN's ad department tells us a one-minute ad on that show is worth $1,000 and reaches 25,000 Chicago area women ages 25-54. The editorial value increases when you consider that kidwinks is an independent third party showcasing the businesses.
• WGN has invited kidwinks back monthly to cover different topics/themes each month.
• We appreciate our advertisers, and consider them first for these segments.
BONUS! Act now for these added extras:
1. Sign up now for our Enhanced Listing Account and you'll be included in two of our Specialized Guides. The Indoor Play Places Guide currently showcased on kidwinks.com has been the most viewed listing on kidwinks since it was published in early January.
2. Sign up and pay for your Enhanced Listing Account by Friday, February 5th, and receive 4 tickets ($120 value) to Monster Jam.
www.kidwinks.com
The news below was run in last week’s eblast but is still timely so I’m leaving in.
The Park Ridge Nonprofit Center “officially” opens its doors at 720 Garden Street
We’re so pleased to announce the “official” opening of the Park Ridge Nonprofit Center at 720 Garden Street. As many know, the building began limited operations when the Chamber relocated its offices to 720 Garden in September. Now, we are beginning our operations as a multi-tenant nonprofit center that will serve the nonprofit organizations of the Park Ridge community. Our hope is that the Park Ridge Nonprofit Center will become a collaborative of nonprofits sharing workspace, meeting space, and eventually offering workshops and additional resources. On February 15th, we’ll begin offering office, meeting, and event space at below market rates to local organizations. We encourage you to read more about us on our insert in the Chamber newsletter and contact us at info@ParkRidgeNonprofitCenter.org for more information.
The Park Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees Presents
CHICAGO in History and Mystery
Saturday, February 27, 2010
6:45 – 10 p.m.
Featuring Geoffrey Baer, WTTW personality and expert on all things Chicago – Rick Kogan, author and host of Sunday Papers on WGN and three Chicago mystery authors: Gillian Flynn, JA Konrath and Henry Perez
Join us for an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres and Chicago celebrities. Profits from this evening’s event will be used to redecorate the Children’s Department.
Tickets $50 in advance, $60 after February 20 or at the door if tickets remain.
Dress is business casual – 21 and over.
*The Library is still accepting donations of raffle prizes and sponsorships for this event. All donors will be acknowledged in the evening’s program and in the May/June issue of the Library’s newsletter.
Tots on Tuesdays : Tues. Feb. 9th at 11:15 am
Join us for kids' story time every second Tuesday of the month from 11:15-11:45 am. This Tuesday we're reading "Papa, Do You Love Me?" a heartwarming and beautiful story set in Africa, by Barbara Jossee. Appropriate for all ages.
Green Spa Night: Wed. Feb. 17th from 7-9 pm
Natural soapmaker Eleanor Reily teaches us how to make indulgent, eco-friendly spa products from delicious Fair Trade foods (ie, cocoa, olive oil). You'll get to test the green spa products, enjoy light refreshments, and leave with recipes and tips for home use. $10. RSVP required, limited space available - call (847) 720-4084 or email customerservice@globalhandmadehope.com.
Global Handmade Hope
428 W. Touhy Ave. Park Ridge, IL 60068
M-F 10-6:30, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
(847) 720-4084
www.globalhandmadehope.com
Healthy Choices
Where:
Park Ridge Plaza Building
350 S. Northwest Hwy
1st Floor Conference Room
Park Ridge, IL 60068
When:
February 09, 2010 at 06:00 PM -to-
March 16, 2010
You Have Options!
This Boot Camp will be offered
In Person
Tuesday Nights at 6pm
Parrk Ridge Plaza Building
350 S. Northwest Hwy
Park Ridge, IL
In Teleconference call:
Thursdays
February 11th-March 18th
1:00 - 2:00pm
7:30 - 8:30 pm
Let me know your preference
Susan Frangos, CBK
Chief Butt Kicker and Wellness Coach
Higher Level Wellness, LLC
847 361-6185
Please join us and support teen substance abuse prevention programming in Maine Township!
Cheeseburger in Paradise
February 23, 2010
5-8 p.m.
All you can eat – soft drinks included. Live, engaging, musical entertainment by Victor Pacini (Author, Speaker, Entertainer). Raffles & Prizes. For tickets call Vickie at 847-391-5403
Or mail check to MCYAF
2720 S. River Rd. Suite 128
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Bring family and friends.
Please forward to any and all.
Support Teen Substance Abuse Prevention Programming in Maine Township
MCYAF
Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation
2720 S. River Rd. Suite 128
Des Plaines, IL 60068
847-858-7090
Illinois Workforce Compromised and Threatens Drug-Free Workplace (pg. 9, lines 2-6, pgs 19-20, lines 26, 1-6)
• This bill will not permit the ingestion of cannabis in the workplace but will permit the ingestion before entering the workplace. The bill nullifies drug-free workplace laws by stating that the employee is not considered to be under the influence “solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of cannabis that appear in insufficient concentration to cause impairment.”
• The bill establishes a mythical level of “impairment”. Unlike alcohol whose level of impairment is .08, a level of impairment for marijuana has never been established and remains zero.
• Emerald Steel Fabricators Inc. v. Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries; court found that , by discharging the temp to hire employee because of his medical marijuana use the employer failed to reasonably accommodate complainant’s disability. (September 2007)
Dominic is having a 20% discount for all Chamber members – just need to mention you’re a member. Good through Valentine’s Day!!!
In addition, buy one cooking class, get one half off!
116 Main Street – 847.698.1255
Morningfields, 800 Devon Ave, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Check Out Our Website
www.Morningfields.net
Please be our guest for a Valentine's Day wine tasting event on Thursday February 11th from 4-7pm! We will be sampling various red and white wines from Heritage Wine Cellars, Southern Wines & Spirits, Trinchero Family Wines and Wirtz Beverage Illinois!
We will have food and dessert spreads for sampling and everything in the store will be 10% off for that night only! So make sure you show up with your friends, an appetite and your shopping list!
Maine Township Celebrates Local Government Week with Open House
Families and all residents are invited to come and get a closer look at historic Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge, and learn more about the wide variety of services offered by the Township’s departments. The Township is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, March 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free but donations of non-perishable food will be gratefully accepted for the Emergency Food Pantry.
Highlights of the evening will include tours of Town Hall, light refreshments and a prize drawing for children. Town Hall was designed in the late 1950’s by the son of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It was originally used as a church but later sold to the Township. The facility was renovated several years ago, reflecting the improvement efforts of Township leaders.
“We are very proud of what we do at Maine Township and take special pride in our Town Hall building,” says Carol A. Teschky, Supervisor. “We invite all our residents and their families to stop by on March 10 and help us celebrate the third annual Local Government Week.”
For more information on the Open House or other Township events, please call 847-297-2510. Information is also posted on the Township website www.mainetownship.com.
St. Mary’s Mardi Gras for Haiti 2010
February 13, 2010, Cocktails from 6 to 7 p.m., Dinner from 7 to 8 p.m. Live Entertainment.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 306 S. Prospect Ave, Park Ridge, 847-823-4126
Due to the human tragedy occurring in Haiti as a result of the earthquake and its aftershocks, this year we will be donating ALL proceeds from our annual Mardi Gras fundraiser to help our Haitian brothers and sisters. Please come and celebrate with us, knowing that your donation will help the members of the one of the world's most impoverished nations in its time of desperate need.
Purchase keys to unlock hope for Haiti and for a chance to win fabulous prizes. If your key “unlocks” the bells you have won a prize!
Unlock the Box and Raffles from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets and keys on sale now! Buy Keys, Win prizes! To purchase call 847-823-4126
$50 single * $100 couple * $40 senior single * $80 senior couple *
$75 balcony single (Premium seating and drinks included)
$150 balcony couple (Premium seating and drinks included)
The Bells of St. Mary's now ring for Haiti! Buy one key for $10 or six for $50! And don't forget that our Mardi Gras celebration includes music by Joe Lill's Six of One, auctions, fabulous prizes, delicious Cajun food, and more!
Sponsored by the Park Ridge Community Health Commission:
We are organizing a Park Ridge Weight Loss Challenge aka Park Ridge’s Biggest Losers… as a community outreach program for our citizens. It will involve asking people to organize a team of any number and come and weigh in with their team for a series of 6 weeks, every Monday Feb. 8th-March 15th (right before spring break).
The team who loses the most weight will be crowned the Champions of the Park Ridge Weight Loss Challenge and win some prizes yet to be determined.
It is open to everyone and there is no charge for this activity.
We will meet at the Public Works Building and people can come between 7:30 pm and 9:00 to weigh in. I am recruiting organizations and businesses to participate in a mini health fair each Monday that we meet so people will have access to resources that can help them obtain a healthy lifestyle.
Teri Collins, Community Liaison and Member
Park Ridge Community Heath Commission
Email with questions: Teri Collins tcato3@att.net
Her cell: 847-456-8267
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, Barbara Tyksinski: 847.518.8958
3. Aqua Plumbing, Heating and Cooling: 847.459.7900
4. ATI Physical Therapy: 847.292.0151
5. barrett-TECH, John Barrett: 847.823.1830
6. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge: 847.318.7550
7. Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.: 847.298.8748
8. Falkor Group LLC: www.falkorgroup.com
9. Global Handmade Hope: 847.720.4084
10. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: 847.824.4336
11. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors: 773.588.4332
12. K.G.M. Plumbing, Inc.: 847.583.8988
13. le Flour Bake Shop, Nicole Bujewski, 773-631-1400
14. Leys, Kirsten; Prudential Financial Services: 847.627.3950
15. Park Ridge Community Fund: 847.825.5311
16. Periodontics of Niles, P.C. Dr. Dorothy Anasinski: 847.685.6686
17. Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs/Catering, Nick Straub: 847-823-4422
18. Pickwick Theatre: 847.825.5800
19. Resurrection Health Care, Theresa Olson: 847.813.3210
20. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
21. Sebastian Co. Real Estate; Don Sebastian, Jr.: 847.823.3117
22. Subway of Park Ridge at 2618 Dempster: 847.813.9552
23. The Juniper Center, Margo Jacquot: 847-759-9110
24. Unbound Technology, Joshua Nichols: 847-235-4994
25. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services, Lynda Tourloukis: 847.401.5787
26. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling: 847.696.0477
27. You can be here!
Chickie’s Diner opens today! Marci and I will be there for lunch. 920 Busse Highway (by Dee). Check them out at www.chickiesdiner.com It looks really cute! We’ll have their Grand Ribbon Cutting on March 12 with City Officials and Chamber members but you can check them out starting today!
We had such a good time at the Chocolate & Champagne Networking Event last week! A dozen Chambers joined forces to put all their networking super powers to work. Thank you to those who signed up through the Park Ridge Chamber as Exhibitors: Valerie Niskanen, St Matthew Center for Health; Karen Gruber, The Perfect Dinner, and show sponsor TribLocal (Jim Hirsch and Katie Cousino). This is a money maker for our Chamber so thank you for exhibiting and for attending. By the way, if you’re a walk in, even if from our Chamber, we get no credit for you. So for future, please sign up in advance and get the early bird discount and then we get the credit!
Two Park Ridge Chamber members, Eric Nelson of Nelson Automotive and Susan Raap from Rosewood Restaurant were among the many judges for the DECA competition held in Rosemont last week at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. 800 high school students representing dozens of high schools competed.
Maine South High School Junior and son of Marci Derrick, Scott A. Derrick, took 1st place in his event (Hospitality & Tourism) and will proceed to state! (I didn’t judge him!)
Eric Nelson judged for marketing while Gail Haller and Sue Raap judged the Restaurant Management areas.
DECA helps students to develop skills for successful business careers, build self–esteem, experience leadership and practice community service. DECA members create friendships with like–minded people from all over the world at career and leadership conferences and build resumes that move them to the top of the job and college application list.
DECA develops future leaders in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Over 185,000 high school students in 5,000 chapters, located in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Guam benefit from the unparalleled network and curriculum–enhancing programs DECA provides for those with an interest in marketing, management and entrepreneurship.
February 10, Wednesday, 9:00am – 10:00am Marketing Subcommittee of the Retail Committee Meeting Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street
February 10, Wednesday, 11:30am – 1:30pm Monthly Networking Luncheon Affresco Restaurant, 11 N. Northwest Hwy. Gloria Jean H. Waber has worked with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Bad Check Restitution program for four-and-a-half years. The diversion program has been able to recover $4.5 million in restitution for businesses during this time. She has worked in both the corporate and non-profit sectors with over 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing, community relations and investor relations for a Fortune 500 company. She also has experience interacting with governmental agencies and law enforcement in order to assist companies on how to benefit from these partnerships. She is a graduate of De Paul University and Roosevelt University, and is a Chicago native.
Our second speaker, Special Agent Andy Staley, has been with the United States Secret Service since November 2007 and is assigned to the Chicago Field Office as part of the counterfeit squad. Special Agent Staley will bring samples of counterfeit bills to show us! He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Southern Illinois University School of Law.
$25 member $30 prospective member. RSVP to the Chamber 847.825.3121 or email me.
February 11, Thursday, 8:45am – 10:15am Technology Forum: Microsoft Windows 7 Event/Falkor Group LLC Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street. Technology Forum is open to all Chamber members. Topic: Operating Systems. Bring your questions! Bring your knowledge! This is not a lecture but an open forum of asking/anwering questions pertaining to the topic of the month!
February 12, Friday, 8:45am – 9:45am PREN I Meeting Chamber Office, 720 Garden Street A leads and referral networking group within the Chamber at no additional charge. One person per profession, please. Speaker this week is Ken Martens, KGM Plumbing.
February 16, Tuesday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for ATI Physical Therapy, 951 W. Touhy Avenue. Please join the Chamber Board, Ambassadors, Mayor Schmidt, and other City Officials as we celebrate the opening of a new business in Park Ridge! Feel free to invite your staff and co-workers.
February 20, Saturday 4:30pm -10:00pm Chicago Wolves Hockey & Dinner The Elks Club, Des Plaines at 4:30/Allstate Arena at 6:30pm COST IS $28.00 for adults, $22 for kids. RSVP to Chamber
February 23, Tuesday, 9:00am – 10:00am New Member Orientation, Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – All new members are invited to this Ambassador Reception to meet Chamber Ambassadors, Chamber Executive Director, a Board of Directors Representative and other new members. Get your questions answered and discover how to maximize your membership investment.
February 23, Tuesday, 10:30am – 11:30am PREN 2 (Park Ridge Executive Network) The second group of PREN; leads and referral group within the Chamber with only one person per industry. Please call the Chamber at 847-825-3121 to see if your industry is available. No fee; included in your membership.
February 25, Thursday, 5pm to 7pm Park Ridge Community Fund Ribbon Cutting, Grand Opening and Chamber Business After Hours Networking! At the Chamber Office in the Park Ridge Nonprofit Center, 720 Garden St. Join us for this exciting Business After Hours as we celebrate. Mayor Schmidt, Chamber Members, Ambassadors, Park Ridge Community Fund Board and friends will be in attendance. Enjoy refreshments at this festive celebration and networking event. Call the Chamber to make a reservation.
February 26, Friday, 8:00 am – 9:30 am Women in Business Networking Breakfast Chamber Office at 720 Garden Street – Speaker Kim Uhlig, Economic Development Director, "What’s Happening with Park Ridge Business and City Hall". Catering by All On The Road Catering and Bakery. $10 Members; $15 Prospective Members.
Tasty Pup at 49 Summit Avenue is offering 1 free Gyros sandwich with a purchase of a Gyros, fry and large drink on Fridays.
Kronos, our Gyros vendor is having a contest with scratch off game cards. With the purchase of a Gyros sandwich, a customer would get a game card and could win free Gyros for a year. The contest ends Feb. 26.
Send some love to your Valentine from Baked by Betsy!
Perfect for college students or loved ones far away.
Baked by Betsy
124 S Prospect Avenue
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
847-292-1434
Valentine's Care Package
4 chocolate crinkles
4 double chocolate cookies
4 confetti cookies
2 monster cookies
2 Valentine's decorated cookies
$33 includes shipping/tax
Order by noon on Tuesday February 9th for normal ground shipping
Shipments after that date may need expedited shipping
The February 11 meeting of the Park Ridge Garden Club will be held in the community of the Park Ridge Senior Center at 7pm. The program will be "A Climate Crisis". Guest speaker, Kent Taylor, was a diver/lecturer at the Shedd Aquarium. This is a presentation largely created by Al Gore, updated from his movie "An Inconvenient Truth". The science, the observed evidence, how we got here and what we can do to minimize the effects of global warming on our climate are the subjects of his talk. All are welcome. Attendees are asked to bring a can of soup to be donated to the Maine Township food pantry "Souper Bowl of Caring" event.
Judy Connors, Publicity 847-698-5929
Have you accumulated countless belongings while living in your home?
Do you wonder how you’ll ever be able to downsize?
Do you ask yourself... “How will I ever sell my home or condo in this economy?”
“My home needs so many improvements before I sell it!”
We can help…
Join us
Thursday, February 18, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Refreshments & Snacks will be Served
GuestSpeakers
Deborah Oberschelp, C.I.D., Affordable Interiors Certified Interior Decorator, member of International Furnishings and Design Association, Certified Interior Decorators International, Greater Chicagoland Decorators Coalition, and The Society of Decorating Professionals
Mary Jo Zeller, Gero Solutions Certified Relocation Transition Specialist, Woman of the Year (by the Village of Arlington Heights/Greater Woodfield Area Convention Bureau), and Founding Member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers
R.S.V.P. by February 15
4747 N. Canfield Avenue
708.583.8500 | www.cbvillage.org
4747 N. Canfield Avenue Norridge, IL 60706
Independent Living • Assisted Living • Nursing Care • Memory Care
Valentine's Day is quickly approaching!
Below is our Valentine's Day special menu. We hope you enjoy our selections!
Coconut Meringue Cake with Passion Fruit Ganache~$23.00
Black Forest Cake~$18.75
Double Chocolate Valentine Cake with Fresh Raspberries~$18.75
Boxed Trio Truffles~$9.50
Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake~$15.00
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries~$3.75
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting~$2.75
Hazelnut Financiers with Apricots~$8.50
Linzer Cookies with Raspberry or Apricot~$1.75
Hand-Decorated Valentine Cookies $1.75-$18.50
We would appreciate 2 days notice for your special order to ensure availability. Thank you!
le Flour Bake Shop
6701 N. Olmsted Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631
773.631.1400 Phone
773.631.1401 Fax
WineStyles Park Ridge
105 S. Northwest Highway
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
847-518-9463
Join us for a night of romance and wine and all things lovely and divine.
Valentine's Weekend Wine Tasting Event Friday, February 12th 5-8
Two tables of Wine Tasting with Larry from Metro and Matt from Heritage Wine Cellars, snack on appetizers from All on The Road Catering along with chocolates from Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory and listen to the smooth sounds of Joe Brown, a local saxophone player along with his band.
$10 for wine club members and $15 for non wine club members.
Reservations Mandatory 847-518-WINE (9463) Space is limited - call now
Store Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 11-7
Sunday 12-5
Closed Mondays
WEEKLY WINE TASTINGS Friday evenings
MOMS! We got 'em. You want 'em.
The tens of thousands of moms who visit kidwinks.com each month do so because they are actively looking for things to do with their children in the Chicago area.
So how do you reach these valuable MOM$? Get them in your door? We recommend our Enhanced Listing Account for 6 months of excellent, multi-platform exposure for only $900 - our best value.
Learn more about kidwinks.
SO??? You need more convincing?
• Our job at kidwinks is to help you promote your business.
• We recently provided coveted television exposure to six of our listing businesses for free by including them in our Indoor Play Places interview on WGN's Midday News' Focus on Family segment.
• WGN's ad department tells us a one-minute ad on that show is worth $1,000 and reaches 25,000 Chicago area women ages 25-54. The editorial value increases when you consider that kidwinks is an independent third party showcasing the businesses.
• WGN has invited kidwinks back monthly to cover different topics/themes each month.
• We appreciate our advertisers, and consider them first for these segments.
BONUS! Act now for these added extras:
1. Sign up now for our Enhanced Listing Account and you'll be included in two of our Specialized Guides. The Indoor Play Places Guide currently showcased on kidwinks.com has been the most viewed listing on kidwinks since it was published in early January.
2. Sign up and pay for your Enhanced Listing Account by Friday, February 5th, and receive 4 tickets ($120 value) to Monster Jam.
www.kidwinks.com
The news below was run in last week’s eblast but is still timely so I’m leaving in.
The Park Ridge Nonprofit Center “officially” opens its doors at 720 Garden Street
We’re so pleased to announce the “official” opening of the Park Ridge Nonprofit Center at 720 Garden Street. As many know, the building began limited operations when the Chamber relocated its offices to 720 Garden in September. Now, we are beginning our operations as a multi-tenant nonprofit center that will serve the nonprofit organizations of the Park Ridge community. Our hope is that the Park Ridge Nonprofit Center will become a collaborative of nonprofits sharing workspace, meeting space, and eventually offering workshops and additional resources. On February 15th, we’ll begin offering office, meeting, and event space at below market rates to local organizations. We encourage you to read more about us on our insert in the Chamber newsletter and contact us at info@ParkRidgeNonprofitCenter.org for more information.
The Park Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees Presents
CHICAGO in History and Mystery
Saturday, February 27, 2010
6:45 – 10 p.m.
Featuring Geoffrey Baer, WTTW personality and expert on all things Chicago – Rick Kogan, author and host of Sunday Papers on WGN and three Chicago mystery authors: Gillian Flynn, JA Konrath and Henry Perez
Join us for an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres and Chicago celebrities. Profits from this evening’s event will be used to redecorate the Children’s Department.
Tickets $50 in advance, $60 after February 20 or at the door if tickets remain.
Dress is business casual – 21 and over.
*The Library is still accepting donations of raffle prizes and sponsorships for this event. All donors will be acknowledged in the evening’s program and in the May/June issue of the Library’s newsletter.
Tots on Tuesdays : Tues. Feb. 9th at 11:15 am
Join us for kids' story time every second Tuesday of the month from 11:15-11:45 am. This Tuesday we're reading "Papa, Do You Love Me?" a heartwarming and beautiful story set in Africa, by Barbara Jossee. Appropriate for all ages.
Green Spa Night: Wed. Feb. 17th from 7-9 pm
Natural soapmaker Eleanor Reily teaches us how to make indulgent, eco-friendly spa products from delicious Fair Trade foods (ie, cocoa, olive oil). You'll get to test the green spa products, enjoy light refreshments, and leave with recipes and tips for home use. $10. RSVP required, limited space available - call (847) 720-4084 or email customerservice@globalhandmadehope.com.
Global Handmade Hope
428 W. Touhy Ave. Park Ridge, IL 60068
M-F 10-6:30, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
(847) 720-4084
www.globalhandmadehope.com
Healthy Choices
Where:
Park Ridge Plaza Building
350 S. Northwest Hwy
1st Floor Conference Room
Park Ridge, IL 60068
When:
February 09, 2010 at 06:00 PM -to-
March 16, 2010
You Have Options!
This Boot Camp will be offered
In Person
Tuesday Nights at 6pm
Parrk Ridge Plaza Building
350 S. Northwest Hwy
Park Ridge, IL
In Teleconference call:
Thursdays
February 11th-March 18th
1:00 - 2:00pm
7:30 - 8:30 pm
Let me know your preference
Susan Frangos, CBK
Chief Butt Kicker and Wellness Coach
Higher Level Wellness, LLC
847 361-6185
Please join us and support teen substance abuse prevention programming in Maine Township!
Cheeseburger in Paradise
February 23, 2010
5-8 p.m.
All you can eat – soft drinks included. Live, engaging, musical entertainment by Victor Pacini (Author, Speaker, Entertainer). Raffles & Prizes. For tickets call Vickie at 847-391-5403
Or mail check to MCYAF
2720 S. River Rd. Suite 128
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Bring family and friends.
Please forward to any and all.
Support Teen Substance Abuse Prevention Programming in Maine Township
MCYAF
Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation
2720 S. River Rd. Suite 128
Des Plaines, IL 60068
847-858-7090
Illinois Workforce Compromised and Threatens Drug-Free Workplace (pg. 9, lines 2-6, pgs 19-20, lines 26, 1-6)
• This bill will not permit the ingestion of cannabis in the workplace but will permit the ingestion before entering the workplace. The bill nullifies drug-free workplace laws by stating that the employee is not considered to be under the influence “solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of cannabis that appear in insufficient concentration to cause impairment.”
• The bill establishes a mythical level of “impairment”. Unlike alcohol whose level of impairment is .08, a level of impairment for marijuana has never been established and remains zero.
• Emerald Steel Fabricators Inc. v. Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries; court found that , by discharging the temp to hire employee because of his medical marijuana use the employer failed to reasonably accommodate complainant’s disability. (September 2007)
Dominic is having a 20% discount for all Chamber members – just need to mention you’re a member. Good through Valentine’s Day!!!
In addition, buy one cooking class, get one half off!
116 Main Street – 847.698.1255
Morningfields, 800 Devon Ave, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Check Out Our Website
www.Morningfields.net
Please be our guest for a Valentine's Day wine tasting event on Thursday February 11th from 4-7pm! We will be sampling various red and white wines from Heritage Wine Cellars, Southern Wines & Spirits, Trinchero Family Wines and Wirtz Beverage Illinois!
We will have food and dessert spreads for sampling and everything in the store will be 10% off for that night only! So make sure you show up with your friends, an appetite and your shopping list!
Maine Township Celebrates Local Government Week with Open House
Families and all residents are invited to come and get a closer look at historic Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge, and learn more about the wide variety of services offered by the Township’s departments. The Township is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, March 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free but donations of non-perishable food will be gratefully accepted for the Emergency Food Pantry.
Highlights of the evening will include tours of Town Hall, light refreshments and a prize drawing for children. Town Hall was designed in the late 1950’s by the son of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It was originally used as a church but later sold to the Township. The facility was renovated several years ago, reflecting the improvement efforts of Township leaders.
“We are very proud of what we do at Maine Township and take special pride in our Town Hall building,” says Carol A. Teschky, Supervisor. “We invite all our residents and their families to stop by on March 10 and help us celebrate the third annual Local Government Week.”
For more information on the Open House or other Township events, please call 847-297-2510. Information is also posted on the Township website www.mainetownship.com.
St. Mary’s Mardi Gras for Haiti 2010
February 13, 2010, Cocktails from 6 to 7 p.m., Dinner from 7 to 8 p.m. Live Entertainment.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 306 S. Prospect Ave, Park Ridge, 847-823-4126
Due to the human tragedy occurring in Haiti as a result of the earthquake and its aftershocks, this year we will be donating ALL proceeds from our annual Mardi Gras fundraiser to help our Haitian brothers and sisters. Please come and celebrate with us, knowing that your donation will help the members of the one of the world's most impoverished nations in its time of desperate need.
Purchase keys to unlock hope for Haiti and for a chance to win fabulous prizes. If your key “unlocks” the bells you have won a prize!
Unlock the Box and Raffles from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets and keys on sale now! Buy Keys, Win prizes! To purchase call 847-823-4126
$50 single * $100 couple * $40 senior single * $80 senior couple *
$75 balcony single (Premium seating and drinks included)
$150 balcony couple (Premium seating and drinks included)
The Bells of St. Mary's now ring for Haiti! Buy one key for $10 or six for $50! And don't forget that our Mardi Gras celebration includes music by Joe Lill's Six of One, auctions, fabulous prizes, delicious Cajun food, and more!
Sponsored by the Park Ridge Community Health Commission:
We are organizing a Park Ridge Weight Loss Challenge aka Park Ridge’s Biggest Losers… as a community outreach program for our citizens. It will involve asking people to organize a team of any number and come and weigh in with their team for a series of 6 weeks, every Monday Feb. 8th-March 15th (right before spring break).
The team who loses the most weight will be crowned the Champions of the Park Ridge Weight Loss Challenge and win some prizes yet to be determined.
It is open to everyone and there is no charge for this activity.
We will meet at the Public Works Building and people can come between 7:30 pm and 9:00 to weigh in. I am recruiting organizations and businesses to participate in a mini health fair each Monday that we meet so people will have access to resources that can help them obtain a healthy lifestyle.
Teri Collins, Community Liaison and Member
Park Ridge Community Heath Commission
Email with questions: Teri Collins tcato3@att.net
Her cell: 847-456-8267
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, Barbara Tyksinski: 847.518.8958
3. Aqua Plumbing, Heating and Cooling: 847.459.7900
4. ATI Physical Therapy: 847.292.0151
5. barrett-TECH, John Barrett: 847.823.1830
6. Cardinal Fitness of Park Ridge: 847.318.7550
7. Catalyst Marketing-Public Relations, Inc.: 847.298.8748
8. Falkor Group LLC: www.falkorgroup.com
9. Global Handmade Hope: 847.720.4084
10. Home Comfort Heating & Cooling: 847.824.4336
11. J.C. Lilly Windows & Doors: 773.588.4332
12. K.G.M. Plumbing, Inc.: 847.583.8988
13. le Flour Bake Shop, Nicole Bujewski, 773-631-1400
14. Leys, Kirsten; Prudential Financial Services: 847.627.3950
15. Park Ridge Community Fund: 847.825.5311
16. Periodontics of Niles, P.C. Dr. Dorothy Anasinski: 847.685.6686
17. Perry's Pizzeria & Ribs/Catering, Nick Straub: 847-823-4422
18. Pickwick Theatre: 847.825.5800
19. Resurrection Health Care, Theresa Olson: 847.813.3210
20. Ross E. Rubino, D.D.S.P.C. & Associates 847.825.1002
21. Sebastian Co. Real Estate; Don Sebastian, Jr.: 847.823.3117
22. Subway of Park Ridge at 2618 Dempster: 847.813.9552
23. The Juniper Center, Margo Jacquot: 847-759-9110
24. Unbound Technology, Joshua Nichols: 847-235-4994
25. You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services, Lynda Tourloukis: 847.401.5787
26. Y-Tech Heating & Cooling: 847.696.0477
27. You can be here!
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