FEBRUARY, 2009 – GENERAL MEETING
The February, 2009 Chamber general meeting will be held on Thursday, February 5th, at 8:00 AM, at Myron & Phil Streak and Seafood, 3900 W. Devon Avenue, (847) 677-6663. The Chamber thanks Mark Freedman for hosting this meeting and Kate Galllagher from North Shore Community Bank – Sauganash for hosting our December general meeting.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING
The next Board of Directors' meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2009 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.
2009 CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP DUES
We are all dealing with tough economic times, but it is important to renew your membership! Benefits include: inclusion in the annual Membership Directory distributed to local businesses, residents and community groups; receiving the Monthly Newsletter; linkage to the chamber Website; inclusion in the Member-to-Member Discount and Welcome Packet programs; eligibility in the Banner program; and participation in the annual Edgebrook Festival and Golf Outing. Dues must be received by February 16, 2009 to be in the membership directory. A membership letter and renewal form are included in this newsletter.
SIGNUP FOR THE BANNER PROGRAM
Applications are still being accepted for the Chamber's Street Banner Program. A Standard Banner is $300 and a Custom Banner is $350. The program includes a five-year maintenance program that covers everything. A purchase form is included in this newsletter.
AFTER-HOURS BUSINESS NETWORKING
The Edgebrook, Lincolnwood and Sauganash Chambers of Commerce will be co-hosting an after-hours business networking event at Myron & Phil Streak and Seafood (3900 W. Devon Avenue) on February 19, 2009 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Chamber members pay a nominal fee of $5 and non-members just $10. Host Mark Freedman will be offering members of any of the participating chambers of commerce a special dinner discount! A flyer regarding this event has been included in the newsletter (please return this flyer to your respective chamber of commerce, listing the number of attendees and your applicable check).
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISEMENTS:
Business card newsletter advertisements are available for $100 per year. Send your card to the Chamber by the 20th of each month to be in the newsletter. The Chamber thanks the following for renewing their newsletter advertisements!
* Marilyn Henry, Edgebrook Massage Therapy
* Harriet Luden, Donna's Garden
CAPS BANK SAFETY SEMINAR
The Chicago Police Department's CAPS Implimentation Office will be hosting a Bank Safety Seminar for banks, credit unions and other interested parties on July 23, 2009 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, at the 16th District Police Station located at 5151 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Topics of this seminar will include: counterfeiting (currency, postal money orders, vehicle titles, etc.); insurance fraud; financial exploitation of seniors; bank robbery; 911; 311 and much more. For more information, please contact Sgt. Karl J. Scherer, Community Policing Officer at 312-742-4521.
CHAMBER PARKING LOT POLICY
The Chamber's parking lot is intended for patrons of Edgebrook businesses only! Cars have and will be 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 also prohibited and cars will be towed.
2009 GOLF OUTING SURVEY
Chamber member participation in this event has been rather low the past few years. Attached is a survey seeking your opinion on whether to continue or forego this event in 2009. This survey will also be sent to membership via email. Please take the time to respond to this survey, your voice counts!
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).
CHICAGO CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
The Chicago City Clerk's Office has launched a new and improved website and has already posted over 700,000 pages of text. Every ordinance and city budget approved by the Chicago City Council dating back to 1981 is now available for review on-line. The website also offers an easy to use and powerful search engine to locate the legislation important to you. You can also find the date, time and location of various City Council sub-committee meetings and their proposed agendas. For more information, visit the Clerk's website at: www.ChiCityClerk.com.
REAL ESTATE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF?
Did you know you are still eligible to file for real estate property tax refunds for tax years 2004 through 2007 if you qualify? Are you aware of all of the exemptions you may qualify for? Thanks to the office of 39th Ward Alderman Margaret Laurino, help is now available to you to determine if you are owed a real estate tax refund. Alderman Laurino's staff will help you with the paperwork to apply for a refund if your eligible. You can call the alderman's office at (773) 736-5594 or you can visit the Cook County Assessor's website for information and applications at: www.cookcountyassessor.com.
OFFICE DEPOT DISCOUNT PROGRAM
If you are a dues-paying member of the Edgebrook, Lincolnwood, Sauganash or West Ridge Chambers of Commerce, you are in luck! Members of these chambers of commerce can take advantage of Office Depot's discount program that could mean significant savings if you purchase your office supplies from them. Even if you already have a business account with Office Depot, you can still take advantage of this program. Each of the aforementioned chambers of commerce has lists of various office supply items and the corresponding savings you can achieve using this program. Check it out!
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS
Amongst the fine program items the Edgebrook Branch Chicago Public Library has to offer in February, a member of the Lyric Opera Lecture Corps will present the music and history of "The Abduction from the Seraglio," by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on February 21st at 1:00 PM. Call (312) 744-8313 for more information.
SWEDISH COVENANT HOSPITAL
On February 21st (10:00 am – 11:00 am or from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm), Swedish Covenant Hospital will be conducting a one-hour tour of its department of Laboratory and Pathology Medicine. Meet board-certified physicians that specialize in chemistry, hematology, pathology and micro-biology. The cost is a nominal $7.00. To register, call (773) 947-3150 or simply go online at : www.sciencechicago.com.
CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
In recognition National Children's Dental Health month, Joyful Dental Care (6314 N. Cicero Ave.) is offering FREE fluoride treatments to all children ages 6-14 who also come in for a cleaning and exam in February! Call (773) 736-7767 for an appointment.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
FEBRUARY 5TH – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood
3900 W. Devon Avenue
FEBRUARY 19TH (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
After-Hours Business Connection
Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood
3900 W. Devon Avenue
MARCH 5TH – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
Monastero's Ristorante
3935 W. Devon Avenue
MARCH 19TH – 4:30 PM
Board of Directors' Meeting
Edgebrook Branch – Chicago Public Library
5331 W. Devon Avenue