DECEMBER, 2009 – GENERAL MEETING:
The Chamber’s December, 2009 General Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 3rd, at 8:00 a.m. at East of Edens Restaurant, 6350 N. Cicero Avenue, (773) 545-8888. The Chamber would like to thank Peter Spryopoulos from East of Edens Restaurant for hosting this meeting and Mark Freedman from Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood Restaurant for hosting our November general meeting.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING:
The next Board of Directors’ meeting will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 4:30 PM at the Edgebrook Public Library, 5331 W. Devon Avenue (312) 744-8313. Thanks again to Kathryn Panares for providing us with our meeting room.
DECEMBER, 2009 – GUEST SPEAKER:
Nicki Bell a physical therapist from Swedish Covenant Hospital will be the guest speaker at the Chamber’s December, 2009 general meeting. The focus will be ergonomics, how best to organize your work space and exercise at your work station.
BREAKFAST WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS:
On November 5, 2009, the Edgebrook Chamber of Commerce co-hosted the annual “Breakfast with your Legislators” event at Café Touche’, 6731 N. Northwest Highway. 38th Ward Alderman Thomas Allen, 39th Ward Alderman Margaret Laurino, 41st Ward Alderman Brian Doherty, Illinois Senator Ira Silverstein, Illinois State Representatives John D’Amico and Michael McAuliffe and Cook County Commissioners Peter Silvestri and Bridget Gainer were some of the officials who engaged in a lively discuss regarding: federal health care legislation, unemployment and real estate taxes and other hot button issues. Over 70 people were in attendance making this another great event! Thanks go out to Rita McGovern for coordinating this event.
CHAMBER PARKING LOT AT RISK, AGAIN!!!
As you may be aware, the heirs of the estate of the late Ron Brunelli, owner of the parking lot the chamber rents to provide free parking for the benefit of Edgebrook residents and businesses, are actively marketing the property for sale. The asking price is not a figure the chamber can absorb by itself. In order to save this gem of an economic asset for all concerned and keep it a parking lot, the chamber will need help from everyone, and lots of it. Glenn Nadig from Nadig Newspapers has been spearheading an effort to bring all the local governmental officials together for a meeting to discuss what funding alternatives are available to acquire the property. The chamber is pulling out all stops in order to acquire the property and maintain it as parking lot forever. However, the potential of a development entity purchasing the property for the conversion to other, more intense uses is a real threat. Financing such a costly acquisition may be beyond the chamber’s means if forced to do so without financial help. Stay tuned for further developments!
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!
* David & Priscilla Solomon from ASAP Printing
* Jim Oehler from Century 21 – Ambassador
* Mary Lou & Jim Quinn from B.Q.S. Realty, Inc.
* Jan Kupiec from Baird & Warner
* Janet Newell from Right At Home
2009 HOLIDAY SLEIGH RIDE:
The Chamber and Happy Foods (thanks, as always to Barb Eastman) will once again co-sponsor the Holiday Sleigh Ride on Monday, December 7, 2009 (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM). Families will be taken on a 20-minute tour of neighborhood homes to see their outdoor holiday decorations. Santa, Frosty and their helpers (volunteers needed!) will offer hot chocolate, cider and festive cookie treats to all attendees. The sleigh ride will start in the alley between Happy Foods and the Chamber parking lot at N. Central Avenue.
2009 CHAMBER HOLIDAY DINNER:
The Chamber’s annual Holiday Dinner will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2009 (6:00 – 10:00 PM) at Monastero’s Ristorante, 3935 W. Devon Avenue. The cost is $35.00 per person and Maria Orszula’s dinner menu is sure to please everyone. Cocktails start at 6:00 p.m. and dinner follows 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.
EDGEBROOK FESTIVAL 2010:
The chamber recently received some great news regarding this annual family event. METRA, who owns the western half of N. Kinzua Avenue (the current festival site) has allowed the chamber to use it on Friday and Saturday next year! Now that the chamber has received this critical approval, the chamber’s Festival Committee will be hard at work to develop an improved format and festival layout that will be more conducive for vendors and patrons alike!
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 is free of snow / ice is a provision of your business license (Section 4-4-320 & 10-8-180).
TOYS FOR TOTS CHARITY DRIVE:
Jim Oehler from Century 21 Ambassador (5342 W. Devon Avenue) has indicated Century 21’s Edgebrook office will once again be collecting new and unwrapped toys for the “Toys for Tots” Christmas charity drive. The Marine Corps will be picking up these children donations during the week of December 7th. Even in tough economic times, it is still the season of giving. Any donation you make will put a smile on the face of someone little girl or boy and it will make you feel good too! For more information, call Jim at (773) 763-6464. Ho, Ho, Ho!
SIGNUP FOR THE BANNER PROGRAM
The Chamber’s Street Banner Program is still accepting applications. A Standard Banner costs a mere $300 and a Custom Banner with your business logo is an economical $350. The program includes a five-year maintenance program (from the time of your initial installation) that covers everything. You can’t find a better deal anywhere! For more information, call the chamber office at (773) 775-0378. Get your business name visible in downtown Edgebrook! Remember, thousands of cars drive through the Central / Devon intersection, everyday day of the year!
HOMEBUYERS TAX CREDITS:
Mark Fritsch, President of Talman Mortgage & Financial Group advises first-time homebuyers (FTHBs, that is, people who have not owned a home within the last three years) they maybe be eligible for this tax credit. The credit is 10% of the purchase price, with a maximum credit of $8,000. In order to qualify, your purchase contract needs to be in effect by April 30, 2010 and your home sale must close no later than June 30, 2010.
Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 and joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total tax credit amount. Those who own more than these cap amounts may still be eligible for a partial tax credit. Qualifying buyers may purchase a property with a maximum sale price of $800,000. The benefit of a tax credit is that it is a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction. If you owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, you would owe nothing! Better yet, if the amount of income tax you owe is less than the tax credit, you would receive a check for the difference. You can’t beat that with a stick! For more information about this program, call Mark directly at (773) 294-5626 to setup an appointment!
2010 WELCOME PACKET PROGRAM
The Chamber thanks every business that participated in the Welcome Packet program! The Chamber always seeks your promotional items and you can bring them to the Chamber office or any general meeting. Please take advantage of this FREE chamber to YOU!
HELP PREVENT STROKES:
Jenise Celestin from Swedish Covenant Hospital cautions that stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the leading cause of adult disability. What you may not know is 80% of strokes are preventable. For more information, check out Swedish Covenant Hospital’s website at: www.swedishcovenant.org.stroke.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
DECEMBER 3RD – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
East of Edens Restaurant
6350 N. Cicero Avenue
DECEMBER 7TH (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Chamber’s Holiday Sleigh Ride
Happy Foods
6415 N. Central Avenue
DECEMBER 10TH (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Chamber’s Annual Holiday Dinner
Monastero’s Ristorante
3935 W. Devon Avenue
JANUARY 7TH – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
North Shore Community Bank & Trust – Sauganash
4343 W. Peterson Avenue
JANUARY 21ST / 4:30 PM
Board of Directors’ Meeting
Edgebrook Branch Chicago Public Library
5331 W. Devon Avenue
FEBRUARY 4TH – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood Restaurant
3900 W. Devon Avenue (Lincolnwood)