MARCH, 2010 – GENERAL MEETING:
The Chamber’s March, 2010 General Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 4th, at 8:00 a.m. at Essence MedSpa and Wellness Center, located at 6413 N. Kinzua Avenue (the former Rose Mortgage property). The Chamber would like to thank Amal Elbahnasawy for hosting this meeting and Kate Gallagher from North Shore Community Bank – Sauganash for hosting our February, 2010 general meeting.
This is a special general meeting given that Essence is about ready to open their doors to the public. The Essence facility has been completely renovated and is something to behold! The Chamber has arranged for a sneak preview tour for chamber members that attend this general meeting. Essence staff will be presenting details about the daily fitness and health programs they have to offer. Don’t miss it!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING:
The next Board of Directors’ meeting will be held on Thursday, March 18, 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 still dealing with tough economic times and therefore, the membership dues deadline has been extended until Friday, March 22, 2010. For the typical member, your $125.00 annual membership costs you less than $11.00 a month (and it is tax deductible too!). The Chamber is your only voice with governmental officials and agencies. It is important to renew your membership now! Like anything worthwhile, you have to support it financially. Don’t wait to decide until it is too late. 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. Don’t be left out of the 2010 membership directory!
EDGEBROOK GARAGE SALE:
Geri Schnock from Palladinetti & Associates has re-instituted one of the chamber’s oldest events, the Edgebrook Garage Sale (one-day event). It will take place on Saturday, May 8, 2010 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) and will be located on N. Kinzua Ave. (site of the annual Edgebrook Festival). Vendors will be on both sides of the street and for just $30.00, they will get two (2) booth spaces (one for your car and one for your booth). What you now consider disposable is someone else’s treasure! Come out, enjoy the day, move some stuff out of the basement and make a few bucks in the process. Nice! Check out the Chamber’s website for a registration form and the garage sale rules and regulations. Send your registration form and check to the chamber office (6440 N. Central Avenue, Chicago, IL 60646).
NORTHWEST SIDE BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY:
The Edgebrook and Gladstone Chambers of Commerce are 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 a four-color format and your business will be advertised to over 18,000 area homes! Other forms of advertising are also available. Full-page advertisements range from $475 to $775 depending on the preferred location in the directory. The response to this affordable advertising campaign has been wonderful. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to promote your business!
If possible, e-mail either chamber a PDF file of your business card. For more info, call Gale Goles, Gladstone’s Executive Director at (773) 775-8871 or email her at: execdir@gladstoneparkchamber.com.
SWEDISH COVENANT HOSPITAL:
The Edgebrook and Sauganash chambers are co-sponsoring an “After-Hours” networking event sponsored by Swedish Covenant Hospital on March 10, 2010 (5:30 – 7:30 pm) at Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood (3900 W. Devon Ave.). The discuss will be centered around the natural “body clock” and circadian rhythms.
IMPORTANT EDGEBROOK FESTIVAL UPDATE:
The dates for the chamber’s annual Edgebrook Festival have changed! The new dates are Friday, July 23, 2010 (5:00 – 11:00 pm) and on Saturday, July 24, 2010 (noon – 11:00 pm). Look for festival advertisements in your local newspapers soon! There will be an improved festival format & layout and more music and artisan / crafters. Volunteers are needed!
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 just $350. Included is a five-year maintenance program that covers everything. Get your business name visible in Edgebrook! Thousands of cars drive through the Central / Devon intersection, everyday day of the year. Promote your business to potential customers in a very economical way!
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 feetin 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).
SWAP CLEANUP 2010 HELPERS NEEDED:
Spring is nearly upon us and the chamber will be sprucing up downtown Edgebrook with the help of the Cook County Sheriff’s SWAP Cleanup Program. The chamber seeks volunteers and will provide Starbucks coffee and pastries. The cleanup dates (Saturdays only) are as follows:
- May 1, 2010
- June 26, 2010
- July 24, 2010
- August 28, 2010
- October 16, 2010
WEBSITE ADVERTISEMENTS:
The Chamber is now offering you several options to advertise your business on its website. You can consider taking out a Business Card “Website” advertisement for $100 and it will be posted on the “front-page” of the website for one calendar year! If you do so, your business website will be “linked” to the chamber’s website for FREE! Send your card to the Chamber office to sign up.
If you choose not to take out a business card website advertisement, you can have your Business Website “linked” to the chamber’s website for a very reasonable $50.00 fee for one calendar year.
In addition to the above, you can post your Business Flyers (special rates, business news, deals, sales, etc.) on the Chamber’s Website. Once you pay a nominal $25.00 annual fee, you can post one of your flyers every quarter for no addition charge.
2010 WELCOME PACKET PROGRAM:
The Chamber always seeks your promotional items. Bring them to the Chamber office or any general meeting. Please take advantage of this FREE chamber service and promote your business!
PLEASE HELP THOSE IN NEED:
The New Hope Community Food Pantry’s (7115 W. Hood Avenue in Norwood Park) mission is to feed the hungry and share resources to improve the quality of life for those in need. It is easy to get caught up in our own financial situations, but there are those in much worse shape. Several chambers of commerce are hosting a fund-raiser (Friday, April 16, 2010 at Blackthorn Manor Banquets, 7280 W. Devon Avenue, $40 per person or $75 per couple). Call the Edison Park’s Executive Director Rita McGovern at (773-631-0063) to purchase tickets.
EDGEBROOK HISTORIC SOCIETY:
The Edgebrook Historic Society has a full slate of events planed for 2010. As a non-profit organization, they depend on your membership support. Please call Madeline Olson, Membership Chairman for an application form at (773) 775-8122 and consider joining this worthy organization.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
THURSDAY, MARCH 4TH – 8:00 AM
General Membership Meeting
Essence MedSpa and Wellness Center
6413 N. Kinzua Avenue (formerly Rose Mortgage)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10TH – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Swedish Covenant Hospital Health Care Program
Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood Restaurant
3900 W. Devon Avenue, Lincolnwood, IL
THURSDAY, MARCH 18TH – 4:30 PM
Board of Directors’ Meeting
Edgebrook Branch Chicago Public Library
5331 W. Devon Avenue
THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST – 8:00 AM
General Membership Meeting
Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood Restaurant
3900 W. Devon Avenue (Lincolnwood)
THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST – 8:00 AM
General Membership Meeting
Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood Restaurant
3900 W. Devon Avenue (Lincolnwood)
FRIDAY, APRIL 16TH – 7:00 PM
New Hope Food Pantry Fund-Raiser
Blackthorn Manor & Banquets
7280 W. Devon Avenue
SATURDAY, MAY 8TH – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Edgebrook Chamber Garage Sale
N. Kinzua Avenue, directly north of W. Devon Avenue and just east of the METRA commuter line
THURSDAY, May 20TH – 4:30 PM
Board of Directors’ Meeting
Edgebrook Branch Chicago Public Library
5331 W. Devon Avenue