JANUARY, 2010 – GENERAL MEETING:
The Chamber’s January, 2010 General Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 7th, at 8:00 a.m. at North Shore Community Bank & Trust – Sauganash, 4343 W. Peterson Avenue, (773) 545-5700. The Chamber would like to thank Kate Gallagher from for hosting this meeting and Peter Spryopoulos from East of Edens Restaurant for hosting our December, 2009 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.
2010 CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP DUES:
We are all dealing with tough economic times, but it is important to renew your membership! Benefits include: inclusion in the membership directory that is distributed to local businesses, residents and community groups; receiving the monthly newsletter by email; linkage to the chamber website; inclusion in the Member-to-Member Discount and Welcome Packet programs; eligibility to participate in the Street Banner program and the annual Edgebrook Golf Outing and Summer Festival. Dues must be received by January 31, 2010 to be included in the membership directory. A renewal form has been included in this newsletter.
CHAMBER NEWSLETTER GOING “GREEN”:
The January, 2010 issue of the chamber’s monthly newsletter will be the last one that will be mailed “hard copy” to “all” chamber members. In order to save on rather significant and ever escalating printing and mailing costs AND to do our part in saving the world’s ecology by reducing our dependence on paper usage, the chamber has decided on a new newsletter delivery format. Starting with the February, 2010 issue, chamber members with an email address will be receive it via a mass email blast or via the internet by logging on to the chamber website and view it there. For those without internet access or an email address, the chamber will still mail those members a hard copy of the newsletter.
JANUARY, 2010 – GUEST SPEAKER:
Ms. Gina M. Caruso, Assistant Commissioner of the Community Programs Division of the City of Chicago’s Department of Community Development will be the guest speaker at the Chamber’s January, 2010 general meeting. As you all know, the chamber is trying to identify any and all possible funding sources to acquire the Devon and Central parking lot that the chamber has been renting for the last twenty-five years in order to provide Edgebrook shoppers with FREE parking.
Ms. Caruso will be presenting the City’s Special Service Area (SSA) program. Basically, a SSA is a specifically defined geographic area that is designated by City Council. Once designated, a SSA authorizes the levy of additional taxes, above and beyond what is currently being paid to the county, to pay for a multitude of eligible activities including: acquisition, landscaping, street cleaning, etc. This annual real estate tax revenue stream could be dedicated to pay off long-term financing for the acquisition of the parking lot. Given that state and federal funding has dried up, the SSA program might be the most realistic way to keep the parking lot available for shoppers. We need to seriously consider this option and Ms. Caruso is an expert on it.
2009 HOLIDAY SLEIGH RIDE RECAP:
The Chamber and Happy Foods co-sponsored the annual Holiday Sleigh Ride on Monday, December 7, 2009. Approximately 400 moms, dads and kids were taken on a 20-minute hay-ride tour of neighborhood homes to see their outdoor holiday decorations. Santa, Frosty the Snowman and chamber helpers handed out hot chocolate and cookie treats. The event had a miniature zoo with over a dozen animals (and a camel!) to hold the interest of children while they waited for the ride to return. Kudos to Barbara Eastman of Happy Foods for making this a “cool” event
2009 CHAMBER HOLIDAY DINNER RECAP:
The Chamber’s annual Holiday Dinner was held on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at Monastero’s Ristorante, 3935 W. Devon Avenue. Thirty-five (35) members and friends came out on a chilly and icy night and were not disappointed! Maria G. Monastero developed a great dinner menu that was a big hit. The after-dinner auction was presided over by Michael Erde and netted a tidy sum of revenue to help sponsor other events throughout 2010.
BUSINESS CARD WEBSITE ADVERTISEMENTS:
Take out a business card “website” advertisement for $100 for a calendar year and you will receive a FREE link to the chamber’s website! Send your card to the Chamber by the 20th of each month to be included.
EDGEBROOK FESTIVAL 2010 UPDATE:
METRA has allowed the chamber to use the western half of N. Kinzua Avenue on Friday and Saturday in 2010 for our annual festival. The chamber’s Festival Committee has decided the festival will be held on Friday, July 30, 2010 and Saturday, July 31, 2010. Look for an improved format and festival layout! Volunteers are always needed!
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).
2010 BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY:
The Edgebrook and Gladstone Chambers of Commerce are once again working together to produce an updated Northwest Side Business Card Directory to help promote area businesses. The cost of running your business card in this directory is an economical $100.00. The directories will be published in four-color and your business will be advertised to over 18,000 area homes! Other forms of advertising are also available. For more information, call Gladstone’s Executive Director Gale Goles at (773) 775-8871 or email her at: execdir@gladstoneparkchamber.com.
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 also 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 info, 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. Promote your business to potential customers!
SOME GOOD TAX NEWS:
It is nice to know that our own Bridget Gainer, 10th District Cook County Commissioner played a major role in the rolling-back of the 1% sales tax that has been a political football for the past several months. Rolling back the sales tax a half a cent doesn’t seem like a lot, but it will give our retail establishments a boost and it will also force county government to be more cost effective and look to itself to finds ways to cut waste and duplication before asking taxpayers to bear the brunt of ever rising costs. Thanks Bridget!
SMART INVESTING SEMINAR:
Jillian Holly (our Morgan Stanley Smith Barney financial advisor) wants everyone to be aware of an upcoming information seminar entitled: Smart Investing in Today’s Environment. Gain insights that can help you make investment decisions to position your portfolio for what lies ahead in 2010 and years into the future! The seminar will be held on January 14, 2010, at the Lincolnwood Place Retirement Community (7000 N. McCormick Boulevard, Lincolnwood) from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. This seminar is FREE, but seating is limited so call (847) 831-7903 to reserve your place! If you any questions about this seminar or investment advice in general, email Jillian at: Jillian.Holly@morganstanley.com.
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!
The EDGEBROOK GARAGE SALE IS BACK!:
Geri Schnock from Palladinetti & Associates wants everyone to be aware that one of the chamber’s oldest events will be making a comeback. The Edgebrook Garage Sale (a one-day event) will take place on one Saturday in May, 2010 (date to be determined). It will be located on N. Kinzua Avenue (the location of our annual Edgebrook Festival). Garage sale vendors will be line both sides of the street. The cost for booth space is still being decided, but to be sure it will economical. Stay tuned!
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
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)
MARCH 4TH – 8:00 AM
General Meeting
East of Edens Restaurant
6350 N. Cicero Avenue
MARCH 18TH / 4:30 PM
Board of Directors’ Meeting
Edgebrook Branch Chicago Public Library
5331 W. Devon Avenue
GENERAL MEETING AGENDA – JANUARY 7, 2009
Call to order: Julie A. Schultz
Introductions: All in Attendance
Prior Meeting Minutes: Jim Oehler
Treasurer’s Report: Marilyn Henry
Parking Lot Report: Bob Madiar
OLD BUSINESS:
Chamber Parking Lot Update: Julie A. Schultz
Holiday Sleigh Ride Recap: Bob Madiar
2009 Holiday Dinner Recap: Bob Madiar
LEGISLATIVE LIAISON: David Wians, State Farm Insurance
NEW BUSINESS:
“Going Green” Initiative: Julie A. Schultz
2010 Membership Directory and Dues: Julie A. Schultz
2010 Edgebrook Garage Sale: Geri Schock
2010 Edgebrook Festival: Bob Madiar
GUEST SPEAKER: Gina Caruso, Assistant Commisisoner
City of Chicago, Department of Community Development
Special Service Area Program
ADJOURNMENT: