DECEMBER, 2008 – GENERAL MEETING
The December, 2008 Chamber general meeting will be held on Thursday, December 4th, at 8:00 AM, at Monastero’s Ristorante & Banquets, 3935 W. Devon Avenue, (773) 588-2515. The Chamber thanks Maria G. Monastero for hosting this meeting and Mark Freedman from Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood for hosting our November general meeting. Hosting a meeting is great for increasing the exposure of your business.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
The next Board of Directors’ meeting will be held on Thursday, January 15th at 4:30 PM at the Edgebrook Public Library, 5331 W. Devon Avenue (312) 744-8313. Thanks, to Katherine Panares for providing our meeting room.
CHAMBER PARKING LOT POLICY
The Chamber’s parking lot is intended for patrons of Edgebrook businesses only! Several cars have been towed. Please remember a two-hour parking limit is being strictly enforced (7:00 AM until 9:00 PM each day (Monday through Sunday). Overnight parking is prohibited and cars in the lot after midnight will be towed. Please respect the right of other shoppers to also use the parking lot.
SIGNUP FOR THE BANNER PROGRAM
The Chamber’s Street Banner Program is moving along nicely and 32 banners have been hung! Applications are still being accepted. A Standard Banner is $300 and a Custom Banner is $350. The program includes a five-year maintenance program that covers everything. What a great and inexpensive way to advertise your business! A purchase form is included in this newsletter.
MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR 2009
A membership letter and a membership renewal form for your 2009 membership dues are included in this newsletter. Although we are all dealing with some tough economic times, it is important that you renew your membership! We need you! If you are not a member, it is never too late to sign up. Dues must be received by February 16, 2009 to be in the award-winning Membership Directory. It is another great way to advertise your business!
HOLIDAY SLEIGH RIDE
The Chamber and Happy Foods will once again co-sponsor the Holiday Sleigh Ride on Monday, December 8, 2008 (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM). Families will be taken on a 20-minute tour of neighborhood homes to see their outdoor holiday decorations. Santa, Frosty the Snowman and their helpers will offer hot chocolate, cider and festive cookie treats to all. The sleigh ride will start in the alley between Happy Foods and the Chamber parking lot. Volunteers are needed to hand out and goodies!
2008 CHAMBER HOLIDAY DINNER
The Chamber’s annual Holiday Dinner will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2008 (6:00 – 10:00 PM) at Al Primo Canto Galeteria, 5414 W. Devon Avenue. The cost is only $35.00 per person and chamber event coordinator Maria G. Monastero is cooking up a wonderful dinner menu that will please everyone. Cocktails start at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m. The Chamber asks all who plan on attending to donate a gift ($15 or so, with a secret cryptic message attached) for the After-Dinner Auction (please see enclosed flyer).
LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST RECAP
On October 30, 2008, the Edgebrook, Edison Park, Norwood Park, and Portage Park Chambers of Commerce co-hosted the annual “Breakfast with your Legislators” event at Zia’s Trattoria, 6699 N. Northwest Highway. The breakfast was attended by over 60 people. Aldermen Thomas Allen (38th), Margaret Laurino (39th), Brian Doherty (41st), and Patrick J. Levar (45th), U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, Illinois Senator Ira Silverstein, Illinois State Representatives John D’Amico and Michael McAuliffe and Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri were present to speak to a number of important issues. Kudos to Rita McGovern, for coordinating this event!
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER!
Chris Schultz of State Farm Insurance, recently open a branch office at 6430 N. Central Avenue (Unit C) and provides insurance and financial services to the Edgebrook community. You can call Chris at (773) 775-4558 or send him an email at chris@chrisschultzagency.com.
CITY SNOW REMOVAL NOTICE
All Chicago businesses and commercial property owners are required, under Municipal Code, to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property or businesses (Section 4-4-310 and 320). Business owners should clear a path at least 5 feet in width. It is important to remember that a sidewalk free of snow / ice is a provision of your business license (Section 4-4-320 & 10-8-180).
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISEMENTS:
Newsletter advertisements are available for $100 per calendar year. Mail your business card to the Chamber by the 20th of each month to be included in the next newsletter. The Chamber would like to thank Joe Piper from Raminiak, Piper & Co. and Dr. Deanna Minkler from the Sauganash Wellness Center for renewing his newsletter advertisement! This is just another way to advertise your business inexpensively.
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS RECAP
The Chamber’s annual Halloween Happenings event was wonderful as dozens and dozens of young children were dressed in their scary best as they walked around downtown Edgebrook to receive yummy candy from local businesses. Kudos to Julie A. Schultz (Koenig & Strey, GMAC), Jillian Holly and Katherine Matha (Edward Jones Investment) and Deneen Obuchowski (Deneen Obuchowski Freelance) for coordinating this family-oriented event and taking pictures of all the frightful-looking children. A special thanks goes out to Richard Murawski of Koenig & Strey, GMAC for making his office available as the “starting point” location for this event.
CHAMBER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The Chamber is proposing a very active schedule of events for the benefit of local residents and businesses for the 2009 calendar year. The Chamber has thirteen standing committees and needs to have a sufficient number of volunteers to staff each committee. Chamber members and local residents are urged to consider volunteering for any number of committees that you are interested in lending a hand. This matter will be discussed at the Chamber’s December 4, 2008 General Meeting and sign-up forms will be available for those interested in helping out. To learn more, please call the Chamber office at (773) 775-0378.
CONSUMER CORNER INFORMATION
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan warns homeowners at risk of losing their home due to foreclosure to be aware of unscrupulous businesses seeking to profit from their misfortune. Beware of anyone who calls you or shows up at your front door promising to save your home. Real help doesn’t find you: you have to go looking for it. Stay in touch with your lender as mortgage companies are under increasing pressure to put programs in place to help families keep their homes. For more information about this issue, check out the Attorney General’s website at: www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov or call the Homeowner’s Referral Helpline at 1-866-544-7151.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
DECEMBER 4TH – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
Monastero’s Ristorante
3935 W. Devon Avenue
DECEMBER 8TH (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Chamber’s Holiday Sleigh Ride
Happy Foods
6415 N. Central Avenue
DECEMBER 11TH (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Chamber’s Annual Holiday Dinner
Al Primo Canto Galeteria
5414 N. Central Avenue
JANUARY 8TH – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
Monastero’s Ristorante
3935 W. Devon Avenue
JANUARY 15TH (8:30 AM – 9:30 AM)
Before-Hours Breakfast Networking Event
Office Max
Location To Be Determined
JANUARY 18TH – 4:30 PM
Board of Directors’ Meeting
Edgebrook Branch – Chicago Public Library
5331 W. Devon Avenue