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Welcome to The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Greetings!
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce is a City of Chicago delegate agency here to service the businesses located within our community. We offer events and seminars throughout the year that can assist you with many of your business needs. Please feel free to contact us at anytime if you need business assistance. Please remember that snow removal in front of the business is your responsibility. Please shovel sidewalks to make it easier for those visiting your business or taking public transportation. Sidewalks located in SSA #43 Devon Avenue will be plowed continuously throughout the storm. Please be patient, clearing the snow will be no easy task. 2011 Chamber Officers & Board of Directors Barbara Singal, Ease the Day - President Vimal Prajapati, Past President Rose Powers, Chicago Public Library - Secretary Javaria Atcha, 1st Commercial Bank - Treasurer Directors Wahaj Ahmed, IQRA Bookcenter Mina Cardenas, Community 1st Bank Marie Genovese, Century 21 Universal Jennifer Smith, High Ridge YMCA Irv Loundy, Devon Bank Susan Patel, Patel Handicrafts & Utensils Chris Prucnel, McDonalds Anil Sharma, Insurance World Agency Richard Trumbo, Music House Inc.
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Take a Business Survey
Tax Cutters, a WRCC member invites you to take a quick survey about a new business venture they are considering.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q9M8LD5. |
Printed Post Cards Gets Thru
Do you realize that our communications technology impedes business communications?
E-mail is a fantastic way to communicate with people that you have a business relationship with. But what about prospects who you want to reach out to? If you succeed in penetrating the SPAM blockers, how many prospects will actually read an email designed to solicit their business?
So, you may use the telephone. Of course, if you market directly to consumers, there is the "DO NOT CALL" list which prohibits calls to many consumers. While there is not a Do Not Call list for businesses, there is the ubiquitous voice mail. How many prospects respond to your voice mail messages?
So, is there a better way to approach new prospects? Sure! One way is membership in groups which provide networking opportunities, such as a Chamber of Commerce. Another way is to mail printed post cards to people that are good prospects for your business.
And, printed post cards get thru. There are no "Do Not Send" regulations to interfere with you communications with your prospects. Plus post cards can not be ignored as easily as voice mail messages. There are no envelopes to open. Post cards are in the prospects' faces. They may ultimately choose to discard them, but they usually notice your message before they do.
Dennis J. Frantsve
TaxCutters, Inc
We've Moved!! 2457 W. Peterson
773-728-1500. |
News From the North Town Garden Society
We're planning an interesting line-up of speakers. We'll meet as usual, the first Thursday of each month: Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, May 5 at the Warren Park fieldhouse, at 7pm. Please mark your calendars.
Thursday, February 3 at Warren Park field house:
Topic: Indoor Plants II. The doctor is in! Jennifer Brennan from Chalet will speak on Houseplant Survival: Repot, De-Bug, and Fertilize. Jennifer will bring demonstration plants and her magnifying glass. You are welcome to bring your ailing plants (wrapped up well against the cold) for a diagnosis.As always, we begin at 7:00 with refreshments and announcements. The presentation begins at 7:30 with time afterward for the diagnoses.
Dues are $15.00 per person; $25.00 per couple; an additional $5.00 if you wish to be notified by mail.
Looking forward: Wednesday, Feb. 16, the owners of Spice House (Central St. in Evanston) will speak on the lure and lore of spices at the Skokie Public Library at 7:00 p.m. We tried to get them to speak to us, but they are only doing large groups at Libraries. If you are interested in attending, please sign up at our Feb. 3 meeting, and we'll make arrangements for a midwinter excursion. No fee.
Looking further ahead towards spring, please mark these dates on your calendars:
Saturday, May 14, giant plant sale at Warren Park in collaboration with the Indian Park Advisory Board. With Michael Oster organizing, this sale of mostly homegrown and organic plants has the potential to be an excellent fundraiser for the garden we wish to develop at Warren Park(volunteers to grow and sell plants will be needed).
Thursday, June 16 NGS Garden Walk
(volunteers to distribute fliers will be needed)
Sunday, June 26 Tea in Eva's Garden
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| SBIF Money is Available for Touhy & Western Businesses
The Small Business Improvement Fund uses TIF dollars to provide grants up to $150,000 to businesses located within the TIF district. Currently, the Touhy/Western TIF is accepting applications.
The grants do not have to be repaid!
Eligible Expenses For a SBIF Grant include, but are not limited to:
- New windows, floors or roof
- Sign removal and replacement
- Tuck pointing
- New heating, ventilation and air conditioning
- Improvements to accommodate disabled patrons or workers
- Purchase of adjacent property for building expansion or parking
To obtain your application, please go to Somercor 504 or contact the West Ridge Chamber. |
| The Moose Grill is now open!
Please come enjoy a fresh, tasty and affordable menu, as well as, warm and comfortable atmosphere. The burgers are the house specialty. You won't be disappointed!
The winter hours are M-F 10:30 - 6, Sunday 10-2ish. Feel free to call ahead at 773-359-1991. For Chamber members, there is a community board available for you to post your special events or business cards.
Hope to see you soon!
The Moose Grill
7210 N. California
(off the corner of Touhy and California)
773-359-1991 |
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Mayoral Candidates Discuss Economic Issues at Forum & Luncheon on Northwest Side
Candidates for Mayor of Chicago discussed issues important to Chicago's small businesses at a lively forum and luncheon attended by hundreds of business and community leaders. The event was co-hosted by a coalition of 18 Chambers of Commerce on Chicago's
north and northwest side. The forum was moderated by Andy Shaw, President and CEO of the Better Government Association.
During the forum, mayoral candidates Carol Moseley Braun, Gery Chico, Miguel Del Valle, Patricia Van Pelt Watkins and William "Dock" Walls III answered questions from moderator Andy Shaw. The forumfocused specifically on issues of importance to small businesses, including attracting new business and industry to Chicago, stimulating economic growth to create new jobs, reforming City management and practices, and district promoting Chicago's neighborhoods to visitors.
The event was covered by ABC Channel 7, WBBM-TV, WGN-TV, The Sun Times, The Nadig Newspaper, Northwestern University's Medill News Service, and Korean news website FocusK.com.
The event co-hosts included the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, Albany Park Community Center,Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing/NORBIC, Business Partners - Chamber for Uptown, Edison Park Chamber of Commerce, Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce, Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, Latin American Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Bend Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce, Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, Polish American Chamber of Commerce, Portage Park Chamber of Commerce, Rogers Park Business Alliance,Sauganash Chamber of Commerce, West Ridge Chamber of Commerce and Uptown United.
The forum took place on Thursday, January 20, 2011 from 11:30am to 1:30pm at Porretta's Elegant
Banquets, 3718 N. Central Avenue. |
| Simulation and Modeling
WORKSHOP IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO
Where? TechNexus/ITA, 200 S. Wacker Dr.,Chicago Downtown, IL
When? Thursday, February 17, 2011:: 7:30AM-12:30 PM
Fee: $99 Flat; �Includes Handouts, CBF, Refreshment,� &� Lunch;� Max. 40 People
Registration: See below. Must Register for a Head Count
Who Will Attend? Any one starting aBusiness and having a Business
Prerequisite/Level: The participant must be a business Owner or, a prospective Business Owner. Bring your Internet ready laptop.
Level: Intermediate
Agenda
07:30: Registration, Continental Breakfast & Networking
08:00: Introduction of the Course, Speaker & Participants
08:15: Business Plan Workshop: An� Overview
08:30: Introducing Business Plan & the Planning that comes with it
08:40: Benefits of Business Plan
08:50: Structure of a Basic Business Plan & Additional Components needed
09:10: Break Even Analysis
09:30 Break
09:45: Comparison of Goals and Objectives With Accomplishments, Keeping Track of Expenditure & Cost Savings:
******What Lenders Look For Loans? Detailed Discussion
10:15: Actual Preparation** of a Basic Business Plan by Participants
11:45: Lunch, Q & A, Drawing
12:30: Workshop Ends
** Participants must bring with them the administrative and Financial information of their companies. And their Internet ready laptop Start-up businesses use realistic assumptions. Call/e-mail if you have� a question/comment. We will try to accommodate.
REGISTER: For Other Workshops including Free Cloud Computing: Click::http://simulationandmodeling.com/samCCPresentationSchedule.html
Contact with Questions/Comments:
Dr. Asoke K. Bhattacharyya , Speaker
Simulation & Modeling���� 815-524-5109
www.simulationandmodeling.com
BusinessPlanWorkshop@simulationandmodeling.com BUSINESS PLAN: PLANNING YOUR BUSINESS AND KEEPING TRACK |
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Upcoming Events
Thursday, February 3 545-7pm"Online Databases for Business Owners" Chicago Public Library North Town Branch, 6435 N. California
Wednesday, March 2
600pm - 830pm
Cloud Computing
Devon Bank Confrence Room
6445 N. Western Avenue
FREE
Wednesday, March 16 900am - 1030am
Bookkeeping Basics
Tax Cutters, 2457 W. Peterson
$5 for WRCC members / $10 non-members 2nd Quarter 2011 Luncheon Thursday, April 7
1230-2pm
Century 21 Universal
7300 N. Western Ave.
Speaker: Demetrio Maguigad from the Community Media Workshop
"Getting your Business into the Media"
$15 for WRCC members/$20 non-members Spring Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling Sunday, April 10
9am - noon Devon Bank Parking Lot
6445 N. Western Avenue
Thursday, May 19, 2011 830-1030am
"Social Media - The good, the bad & the ugly"
DeVry University
3300 N. Campbell
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January New & Renewing Chamber Members
Donna Szymanski
KFC Restaurants
Raj Jewelers
UPS Store #5923
Brilliant Electric, Heating & Cooling
Law Offices of Virginia Prihoda
Rogers Park Business Alliance
Go Small Biz Chicago
Simulation & Modeling
West Ridge Bungalow Neighbors
Par Birdie Foods
Surplus Deals
Northshore Clinical Labs
North Boundary Home Owners League
Ivah Urbanski & Maggie Blondis, Dream Town Realty
North Town Garden Society
Noorani Enterprises
Chicago Public Library North Town Branch
Rose Powers
McDonalds
NP Jewelers
All American Bank
Peterson Park Health Care Center
Abbey Fishman Romanek
CJE Senior Life
We thank you for your support!
Need to pay your 2011 dues?
PAY HERE |
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SSA #43 Devon Avenue
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce is the Service Provider for the Devon Avenue Special Service Area.
Winter 2011 Services Include:
sidewalk snow removal when there is 2 inches or more of accumulation
sidewalk sweeping and trash can emptying
M, W, F
weekly servicing of the 24 Big Belly Solar cans
maintenance of winter landscaping
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Recycling Options
The Chamber sponsors two locations for you to recycle paper 24/7/365
Devon Bank
6445 N. Western Avenue
High Ridge YMCA
2424 W. Touhy Avenue
You can drop off business or school papers, magazines, newspapers or soft covered books at either location at anytime day or night.
All papers are used to make recycled newsprint. Plus, the Chamber uses this program as a way to raise funds for our programs. We collect a small monetary amount per ton of paper we collect each month.
Save the earth & support your local Chamber. |
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Available Properties
The Devon Bank Building has office space for rent. Please contact Irv Loundy at 773-423-2424 for details!!
Commercial Space
2818 W. Devon, Chicago
$329,000
call 847-863-4977 |
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ATTENTION WESTERN AVENUE BUSINESSES
In 2010 the Chamber partnered with the Rogers Park Business Alliance and West Rogers Park Community Organization on the Western Avenue Economic Development Study. As part of the process of the study we are currently offering a FREE opportunity to Western Avenue businesses to help stimulate spending.
All Western Avenue businesses are invited to submit a discount to be printed in a coupon booklet that will be distributed throughout the community. Please click below to download the sign up form. DEADLINE IS FEB 18!
Western Avenue Coupon Sign Up
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