AUGUST, 2009 – GENERAL MEETING
The Chamber’s August, 2009 general meeting will be held on Thursday, August 6th, at 8:00 a.m. at Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood, 3900 W. Devon Avenue, (847) 677-6663. The Chamber would like to thank Mark Freedman for hosting this meeting and Board of Director Kate Gallagher from North Shore Community Bank & Trust – Sauganash for hosting our July general meeting.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
The next Board of Directors’ meeting will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM at the Edgebrook Public Library, 5331 W. Devon Avenue (312) 744-8313. Thanks again to Kathryn Panares for providing our meeting room.
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.
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISEMENTS:
Business card newsletter advertisements are available for $100 per year. Send your business card to the Chamber by the 20th of each month in order to be included in the next newsletter.
EDGEBROOK FESTIVAL 2009 – RECAP
Thanks to the efforts of Alderman Patrick J. Levar (45th Ward) and Alderman Brian Doherty (41st Ward) the annual Edgebrook Festival held on Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th was, once again, a smash hit!
The Festival featured a fantastic Kid’s Corner sponsored by Swedish Covenant Hospital and hosted by Linda Eck and 18-hours of great live music by local bands (thanks to Pat Lyons for coordinating the musicians!).
A food and beverage court with a well-stocked beer garden and great food provided by local businesses including: Happy Foods, Lee Concessions, Moher Public House, Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood and Village Inn Pizza.
A doggy adoption sponsored by the Chicago Canine Rescue and our local Baird & Warner (Lisa Kon and Jan Kupiec) offered homeless puppies a warm and loving new home. In addition, dozens of artisans & crafters sold unique and stylish items. Included in this newsletter is a thank you to all of the Chamber’s festival sponsors, artisans, musicians and volunteers. Without you, this annual event could not have happen!
THE CHAMBER THANKS ALL OF YOU!
2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ ELECTIONS
The process of preparing the new board slate of Chamber Officers and Directors for the 2009 / 2010 calendar year has been concluded. Included in this newsletter is the proposed board slate that was ratified at the Board of Directors’ July 16, 2009 meeting. The slate will now be voted on at the September 3rd general meeting by chamber members in attendance. The Chamber thanks everyone who got involved and it looks forward to another great year! If you would like to volunteer for a chamber committee, please call the chamber office at (773) 775-0378.
WELCOME PACKET PROGRAM
The Chamber again running short of your promotional items! You can bring them to the Chamber office or any general meeting. This is another free chamber service for you business so take advantage of it!
ULTIMATE BUSINESS NETWORKING!
Twenty Chambers of Commerce and Community Groups are hosting the 5th annual Ultimate Networking Event on Thursday, September 17th from 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM at the Irish American Heritage Center located at 4626 N. Knox Avenue. For a nominal $15 admission fee, businesses will receive great exposure, unlimited networking with potential new clients and dine on a wide selection of delicious local food! The chamber is seeking the donation of food items and raffle prizes. There will be tables for businesses to display their promotional items. Take advantage and drop off your promotional items at the chamber office. If you need additional information about this great event, please call the chamber at (773) 775-0378.
PARKING LOT UPDATE:
It is with deep regret the chamber must inform membership of the passing of Ron Brunelli, owner of the chamber’s parking lot. Mr. Brunelli always put the interests of Edgebrook before his own. Over time, I got to know and understand this man and it was a real pleasure working with him. In this writer’s opinion, it would be hard to find a more civic-minded person. When economic times hit all of us in 2008, Mr. Brunelli stepped up to the plate and lowered the chamber’s monthly rent without having been asked to do so. Mr. Brunelli will be sorely missed.
Koenig & Strey, GMAC Real Estate, located at 5364 W. Devon Avenue (the old Les On’ Drugs store), is once again planning to host a FREE community “Shredding and Recycling Day” on Saturday, August 15, 2009 (11:00 am until 2:00 pm) in the chamber parking lot. Thanks go out to managing broker, Richard Murawski for coming up with this great idea. Take advantage of this program and don’t add anymore paper waste to an ever-growing and nationwide landfill problem.
The chamber has received a generous parking lot donation from Starbucks’ new store manager, Ryan Musil. Starbucks has also renewed their membership in the chamber! Please call the chamber at (773) 775-0378 if you would like to contribute to this cause. If you’d prefer, you can mail your donation directly to the chamber office (6440 N. Central Avenue, Chicago, IL 60646).
SWAP 2009 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The chamber’s cleanup program coordinated with the Cook County Sheriff’s SWAP Program is in full swing and you should already see a difference. The chamber seeks volunteers to help coordinate this effort. The chamber will even spring for
coffee and bagels! Help us spruce up the downtown and take pride in your community.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT:
The Chicago Police Department’s 16th District will be hosting its annual “National Nights Out” event at the Norwood Park fieldhouse (5801 N. Natoma Avenue) on August 4, 2009 (5:00 pm – 9:00 pm) For more information, call the 16th District CAPS office at (312) 742-4521). WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!
Starbucks Coffee Company: is located at 5406 W. Devon Avenue has become a fixture for Edgebrook residents and offers an array of delicious beverages for people on the go. Come in and meet Ryan Musil (their new store manager) and enjoy a cup of java brewed to your specifications. Ryan is interested in know how Starbucks can better serve you and he can reached at (773) 631-4791.
Law Offices of Gregory J. Fraterrigo: A new addition to the Edgebrook business community, Mr. Fraterrigo’s offices are located at 6430 (Suite 201) N. Central Avenue, just around the corner from RE/MAX City View’s offices. They specialize in personal injury, workers’ compensation, litigation and real estate and business transactions. Call then at (773) 774-4500 to setup an appointment.
SUBWAY: is located at 5410 W. Devon Avenue and George Nijmeh, the new store manager invites you to meet the new SUBWAY team. George and his staff can cater your event with a great selection food items that will be sure to please your hungry holiday crowd. They are open everyday from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm. Call George at (773) 775-5687 to place your order!
The Trading Post: is located 5510 W. Devon Avenue, specializes in the sale of fine cigars, smoking tobacco and accessories. Stop in and see William Espinosa and let him help you with your purchase.
NORTHWEST NETWORK GOLF OPEN:
Gladstone Park and several other sister chambers of commerce of Edgebrook are co-sponsoring a golf outing on August 19, 2009 (check-in at 11:00 am and a shotgun start at noon) at the Glenview Park Golf Club (800 Shermer Road, Glenview, Illinois, 847-724-0259). Call the Gladstone Chamber of Commerce at (773) 775-8871 for details on how to participate.
RAINBOW HOSPICE SUMMER EVENT:
Rainbow Hospice is sponsoring the “Lake Effect” benefit event at the Palmer House Hotel (5:00 pm until midnight) to support their Good Mourning bereavement program for children. Experience multiple entertainment venues (including live music), an amazing array of food and open bar for just $75 per person. Tickets are limited so hurry and grab yourself a pair of them at www.LakeffectParty.com
CHICAGO LITTER NOTICE
Each year, the City of Chicago spends millions of dollars to clean-up litter. Refuse causes neighborhoods and business districts to look rundown and deteriorated. The City has implemented an aggressive anti-littering program and you can download the information at: www.cityofchicago.org/streetsandsanitation.
VOLATILE ORGANC COMPOUNDS (VOC):
We can all be shocked into changing our lifestyles at the strangest times. My epiphany happened during a rare cleaning frenzy. I had assembled a small army of products to combat dirt and bacteria in the bathroom. A bottle of something to remove soap scum. The ubiquitous blue liquid for mirrors. A small bottle that spewed goopy stuff for stainless steel polishing. Something that smelled lemony. Let the cleaning begin!!!
Then, my daughter wandered in. “Don’t you KNOW about Volatile Organic Compounds?” she gasped in that know-it-all teenager whine. “You ABSOLUTELY CANNOT see that band!” I yelped. Calming, I said (haughtily), “The band’s name describes men of your age. It’s dangerous for you to fawn over some young “organic compound” who thinks he’s “volatile””.
“Mother,” she cried. “Volatile Organic Compounds are toxic chemicals that can have a severe impact on indoor air quality in the house and make you sick!”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, do tell,” I sighed.
“The cleaning products you’re using are dangerous,” she said in that ‘no–wonder-the-world-is-in-such-trouble-because-adults-are-so-stupid’ voice. “Volatile means that they “off gas” and emit chemicals easily into the air at room temperature.”
“The world is full of chemicals,” I said patiently. “I would like a clean bathroom.”
“But Mom!” she shrieked in her best saving-the-world voice. “It’s been shown that those chemicals can cause dizziness, headaches and exacerbate asthma attacks. Plus, they get flushed down the drain into the water supply!” I looked at her suspiciously and then launched the time tested tactic GUARANTEED to make teenagers go running. “Honey,” I said sweetly. “I’m not wedded to these chemicals. You can clean the bathroom your way.” That stopped her! For a split second, she seriously considered turning the Volatile Organic Chemicals back into a rock band. But she looked at me and said, “We’ll need supplies.
• Baking soda to remove the stains from the tile (this works in the kitchen too).
• Castile soap for cleaning the floor and walls.
• Cream of tartar to remove the stains in the bath and sink.
• Hydorgen peroxide for some heavy stains. You can use this in place of bleach in the laundry too.
• Lemon juice to remove tarnish and lighten stains. It’s also great to cut grease in the kitchen.
• Vinegar to unclog the drains. It can also remove carpet stains and cleans cookware and countertops.”
Oh my GOD! I am living with Mother Nature not a teenager! Isn’t she supposed to be skipping school and getting tattoos?
“We don’t know the effects of these chemicals on our bodies,” she said piously. “And, we flush them into the waste stream where they stay for a long time. I’d like to have healthy children who will live in a healthy world.” Got me there. I changed my ways and now buy vinegar and baking soda in bulk. But, I still think the “Volatile Organic Compounds” is a K*** B*** name for a band.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
AUGUST 6TH – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood Restaurant
3900 W. Devon Avenue
AUGUST 19TH – 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Northwest Network Open
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Glenview Park Golf Club
800 Shermer Road, Glenview, Illinois
SEPTEMBER 3RD – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
East of Edens Restaurant
6350 N. Cicero Avenue
SEPTEMBER 17TH – 4:00 PM
Board of Directors’ Meeting
Edgebrook Branch – Chicago Public Library
5331 W. Devon Avenue
SEPTEMBER 17TH – 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Ultimate Networking Event
Irish American Heritage Center
4626 N. Knox Avenue
GENERAL MEETING AGENDA – August 6, 2009
Call to order: Julie A. Schultz
Introductions: All in Attendance
Prior Meeting Minutes: Jillian Holly
Treasurer’s Report: Marilyn Henry
Parking Lot Report: Bob Madiar
OLD BUSINESS:
2009 Edgebrook Festival ReCap: Bob Madiar
SWAP Cleanup Dates / Volunteers: Susanne Chakos
Chamber Parking Lot Update: Bob Madiar
LEGISLATIVE LIAISON: David Wians, State Farm Insurance
NEW BUSINESS:
Proposed 2009-2010 Board Slate: Bob Madiar
Welcome Packet Program: Marilyn Henry
Ultimate Networking Event: Bob Madiar
September 17, 2009
5:30 pm until 9:00 pm
Irish American Heritage Center
4626 N. Knox Avenue
ADJOURNMENT: