MAY, 2010 – GENERAL MEETING:
The Chamber’s May, 2010 General Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 6th, at 8:00 a.m. at Essence MedSpa and Wellness Center (6413 N. Kinzua Ave.). The Chamber would like to thank Amal Elbahnasawy for hosting this meeting and Mark Freedman from Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood restaurant for hosting our April, 2010 General Meeting. Essence MedSpa and Wellness Center will be making a presentation to membership regarding their landscaping proposal for several of the planter boxes along the east side of N. Kinzua Ave.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING:
The next Board of Directors’ meeting will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 4:00 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 COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE:
The Edgebrook Community Garage Sale will be held 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 located on both sides of the street and for just $30, they will get two (2) booth spaces (one for your car and one to display your items). Visit the Chamber’s website for a registration form. Send your registration form and check to the chamber office (6440 N. Central Avenue, Chicago, IL 60646). Thanks go out to Geri Schnock from Palladinetti & Associates for bringing back to life one of the chamber’s oldest events!
SPRING LUNCHEON:
The Edgebrook, Sauganash and Lincolnwood chambers of commerce and the Albany Park Community Center are co-sponsoring a “Spring Luncheon” and networking event at Monastero’s Ristorante (3935 W. Devon Ave.) on May 12, 2010 (11:00 – 12:30 pm.). You are in for a treat as the guest speaker will be Mark Newton, President and CEO of Swedish Covenant Hospital. Attendees will receive a wonderful lunch orchestrated by Maria G. Monastero (Members $25, Non-Members $30). Please make out and mail your checks to the Sauganash Chamber of Commerce (6023 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60646).
5K FUN RUN & WALK FOR BREAST CANCER:
The Edgebrook Chamber is partnering up with Koenig & Strey, Real Living (5364 W. Devon Ave.) to “Paint Edgebrook Pink” by sponsoring a 5K Fun Run & Walk for Breast Cancer” on May 22, 2010 (9:00 am start time) at the Bunker Hill Forest Preserve. Many of our families have been touched by this disease, so let us come together as a neighborhood to honor survivors, commemorate loved ones and pay tribute to those who are no longer among us. Every cent of your donation ($25 per individual and $40 for a family) will go to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength so it can continue its mission of information, empowerment and peer support to ensure NO ONE must face breast cancer alone. This event is spear-headed by Richard Murawski, principal broker of Koenig & Strey, Real Living and broker Linda Kramer (lkramer@koenigstrey.com or 773-401-5898).
2010 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GOLF OPEN:
The 2010 Chamber of Commerce Golf Open will be held at Ridgemoor Country Club, 6601 W. Gunnison Street, Chicago, Illinois on Monday, June 14, 2010. The event is being hosted by the Edgebrook, Edison Park and Sauganash Chambers of Commerce and the Kedzie Elston Business Industrial Council. The 2010 golfing outing has been developed to meet your business needs! The event starts at 11:30 a.m. with registration, practice and lunch on the patio! The “shot-gun” format golf open will start at 1:00 p.m. Afterwards, a buffet dinner (with business networking opportunities galore!) will be served from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. What are the business advantages of this format? I’m glad you asked!
* You will avoid fighting rush-hour traffic.
* You can work a half-day and still play a round of golf.
* If you do not golf, you can work a full day and still enjoy a buffet dinner and network too!
* If you just don’t have the time, you can still sponsor the event and advertise your business in an economical way.
The various amenities and ways to participation have already been posted on the Chamber’s website. Simply download the registration form, fill it out and return it to the Chamber office. It’s a snap! Come join us in the fun and remember to bring your business cards with you.
2010 EDGEBROOK FESTIVAL:
The dates for the annual Edgebrook Festival are set! Come join us on Friday, July 23rd (5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.) and Saturday, July 24th (11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.) The festival will once again be located on N. Kinzua Ave. (east of the METRA tracks and north of W. Devon Ave.). The Festival will feature: 17-hours of live music from local bands; a beer garden; numerous local food vendors; a Kids Corner; and lots of artisans & crafters. Look for festival advertisements in your local newspapers. Sponsorship and exhibitor registration forms have been posted on the Chamber website. Simply download them, fill in your information and return them to the Chamber office.
CITY OF CHICAGO LITTER NOTICE
Each year, the City of Chicago must use millions of taxpayer dollars to clean-up litter. Refuse can cause neighborhoods and business districts to look run down and deteriorated. The City has implemented an aggressive anti-littering program to alert people to help eliminate this problem and allow these funds to be targeted to more productive uses. You can down load the info at: www.cityofchicago.org/streetsandsanitation.
2010 CENSUS – STAND UP AND BE COUNTED:
By now, we all know the nation is in the midst of the 2010 census. It is critically important to Illinois and the City of Chicago (in order to receive its fair share of federal funding) that EVERYONE is counted by filling out the questionnaire you should have received by now in the mail. It is quick, easy AND it is the LAW. If you did not receive a questionnaire or need help filling it out, PLEASE contact the census bureau at: www.census.gov/2010census. Let’s do our civic duty and be counted, it is the right thing to do!
WEBSITE ADVERTISEMENTS:
The Chamber’s Website Business Card promotion has been a smashing success. Already, twenty (20) businesses have taken advantage of this advertising program. Ample room has been created on the website to accommodate many more business cards if you are interested. For a nominal charge of $100 for one (1) calendar year (less than $8.50 per month), your business card will be posted on the front-page of the chamber’s website. If your business has a website, one simply has to double-left click on your business card, and BOOM, they are transported to your website (just like Scottie did in Star Trek!)
CHICAGO SIGN AMNESTY PROGRAM:
From April 15th through October 15, 2010, the City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection is offering its Chicago Sign Permit Amnesty program to any existing business with an existing sign, canopy, awning, marquee or banner that advertises that business at that business location. If you apply for the correct permits you need during the amnesty period, your fees will be waived for the first year. For more information, please call: (312) 744-6249 or visit: www.cityofchicago.org/bacp.
LISA MADIGAN’S – CONSUMER CORNER:
Is a “reverse mortgage” an appropriate financial tool? A reverse mortgage is a unique type of loan where you are able to withdraw money (a lump sum, a fixed amount each month or some combination) based on the equity you have built up in your home. REMEMBER HOWEVER, if you leverage 100% of your home’s equity your heirs will be left with nothing and if you fail to meet the terms of the loan, you could lose your home to foreclosure. Visit the Attorney General’s website at: www.IllinoisAttorneyGeneral.gov for more information.
WEDDING BLISS, PART 63:
On April 19th, Mary Lou and Jim Quinn celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary! Reliable sources tell the chamber, that when the Quinn’s went down to City Hall for their wedding certificate, it was still under construction. Seriously, congratulations to the Quinn’s!
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010 – 8:00 AM
General Membership Meeting
Essence MedSpa and Wellness Center
6413 N. Kinzua Avenue
SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2010 – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Edgebrook Chamber Community Garage Sale
N. Kinzua Avenue (directly north of W. Devon Avenue and just east of the METRA line)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2010 – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Spring Luncheon and Networking Event
Monastero’s Ristorante
3935 W. Devon Avenue.
THURSDAY, May 20, 2010 – 4:00 PM
Board of Directors’ Meeting
Edgebrook Branch Chicago Public Library
5331 W. Devon Avenue
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2010 – 8:00 AM
General Membership Meeting
East of Edens Restaurant
6350 N. Cicero Avenue
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2010 – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Signature Bank – Chamber of Commerce Golf Open
Ridgemoor Country Club
6601 W. Gunnison Street
THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2010 – 8:00 AM
General Membership Meeting
North Shore Community Bank & Trust – Sauganash
4343 W. Peterson Avenue
FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2010 – 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010 – 11:00 AM TO 11:00 PM
Edgebrook Festival – 2010
Kinzua Avenue just east of the METRA tracks and north of W. Devon Avenue; adjacent to Baird & Warner
GENERAL MEETING AGENDA – MAY 6, 2010