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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. Get a FREE Trial of Constant Contact!  As a THANK YOU for being a supporter of our Chamber, please enjoy a FREE trial of Constant! Just click below to sign up! Sign up for your FREE trial
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1st Financial Credit Union Celebrates 75 Years!
First Financial Credit Union is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. To celebrate we are rewarding new and existing Chamber members with giveaways and a chance to win cash prizes. We are also offering extremely low auto loan rates on new and used cars. Please feel free to check our website at www.firstfcu.org, or call Sandi at 847-676-8000x112 for questions or more information.
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Area Garage & Yard Sale
Sponsored by the North Boundary Home Owners League
Sunday, August 25, 2011
9:00am - 2:00pm
For more information and to get a map of locations contact the North Boundary Home Owners League at P.O. Box 59831 Chicago, IL 60659 info@nbhol.org
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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.
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Thank You to Supporters of the 6th Annual Tournament of Heroes Softball Game!
 | | The 2011 winners - The West Ridge Firefighters. |
A big thank you to all who came out to the Police/Fire Softball game on July 11. Special thanks to the Misericordia Heartzingers, Performing Arts Ltd. Dancers, the Music House Rock Band, Tony Powers, Avy Meyers & Mark Zander.
Sponsored by:
Sauganash Wellness Center, McDonald's, Subway, Domino's Pizza, Chiro One Wellness Centers, Devon Bank, Glencrest Healthcare, US Cellular, Century 21 Universal Real Estate, St. Francis Hospital, First Commercial Bank, Mullen's Bar & Grill, Patel Handicrafts & Utensils, Villa Palermo Restaurant & Morelia Supermarket
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The Fundamentals of Business-to-Business Sales & Marketing 
This is an excellent marketing book for small business owners - all 209 pages of it. However, for some of us, it may be difficult to find the time to read and absorb all the marketing information in this book.
If you prefer to quickly "Hit the ground running" with your marketing program, you may want to click on: Marketing Flowchart for a one page flowchart of easy to follow steps showing how small businesses can market to other businesses.
Upload Your Flow Chart Here
As you take steps to grow your business, send me your information at dennis@ProfessorDennis.com and I will try to tell your story in future issues.
Dennis J. Frantsve
TaxCutters, Inc
2457 W. Peterson
773-728-1500.
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Sponsor a Student -School Supply Drive
State Senator Heather Steans, State Representitive Kelly Cassidy and Alderman Harry Osterman are working to collect school supplies for low-income children in the neighborhood. For more information and to get involved email cathy@heathersteans.com or call 773-769-1717.
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Office Depot Saves You Money!
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Office Depot stores to bring you discounts on the most frequesntly purchased office supplies.
We encourgae all local businesses to sign up for this unique program.
Discounts can be used at any Office Depot store or online. Deals can be up to 40% off items such as paper, toner and ink. Even office fruniture and printing are included. Please contact the Chamber to sign up!
Find Out More Here!
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Business Owners Have A Lot to Worry About!
With the Business Owners Legal Solutions Plan, we can help ease some of those worries. As a part of the BOLSP membership, you have access to quality lawyers for legal advice and services and also receive valuable consulting and more with GoSmallBiz.com. Let Fran Tarkenton Help Advertise your Business. FREE ONE YEAR Gosmallbiz.com. Growing America One Business at a Time. Call your Pre-Paid legal Independent Associate for more information. Eric Finkelstein at 312 569 0068 or gosmallbizchgo@gmail.com |
Get up and Go!!!
Explore Chicago's Neighborhoods this Summer!
This summer, the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture has expanded its popular Get Up and Go! Conversation Series to extend throughout the summer and to offer free, guided tours of Chicago's neighborhoods. West Ridge will be the featured neighborhood on Tuesday, August 2 at 12:15 p.m. in the Chicago Cultural Center's Visitor Information Center (77 E. Randolph Street).
Hosted by Mark Bazer, Redeye columnist, humorist and host of The Interview Show at The Hideout, the Series will highlight the arts, history and cultural riches of a different neighborhood each week by engaging a neighborhood expert in an interview-style conversation. Following the 45-minute conversation, the audience is invited to attend a free walking-tour of the neighborhood. Tours will last approximately one-hour, not including transit time, and will depart from and return to the Chicago Cultural Center via the CTA. CTA passes will be provided to visitors taking the tour.
The Get Up and Go! Conversation series is part of Urban Excursions: Explore Chicago, the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture's 2011 summer initiative showcasing hundreds of treks, tours, itineraries, and other urban adventures downtown and throughout the neighborhoods, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. For more information about Get Up and Go! andUrban Excursions, visit www.ExploreChicago.org/summer.
West Ridge Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amie Zander will be the featured neighborhood expert and tour guide for the neighborhood. The Chamber decided to participate in this partnership as a way to promote tourism throughout our unique and diverse neighborhood and specifically on Devon Avenue - The International Marketplace.
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Save the Date - Open House Chicago
The Chicago Architecture Foundation is conducting Open House Chicago October 15 & 16, 2011 to give visitors free access to more than 100 special places and spaces throughout the City that are rarely open to the public. Visitors will take self guided tours hosted by local residents in 5 diverse neighborhoods: downtown Chicago, Bronzeville, Garfield Park/North Lawndale, Little Village & Rogers Park/West Ridge. Sites range from the original Sears Tower to an apartment building resembling a castle with a Moorish style basement swimming pool, to a development that re-uses bowling alley flooring.
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce is a proud community partner of Open House Chicago 2011.
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Performing Arts Ltd. Call For Extras This holiday season will kick off in West Ridge with the Performing Arts Ltd. performance of "The Nutcracker". PAL is looking for adults from the local business community to participate in this year's production.
NO DANCE EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY! Adult performers will be used in party scenes throughout the performance and will be a great opportunity to get your business involved in the local community. Invite colleagues and clients to see you on stage!
The performances will be held at St. Scholastica Academy and at Lincolnwood Town Center in late November & early December.
If you are interested in getting involved in the 2011 PAL performance of "The Nutcracker", please contact PAL owner, Katie Kinnyon at 773-262-DANCE or stop on by the studio at 2740 W. Touhy Avenue. |
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Upcoming Events
Northwest Network Golf Outing
Wednesday,
August 24, 2011
1:30pm shotgun start
White Pines Golf Club $150 per golfer 3rd Quarter 2011 Luncheon
Thursday, September 8 1230-2pm Location US Cellular Store,
7564 N. Western Speaker: Kim Valente from JVS Chicago "Preparing a Business Plan to Present to a Financial Institution" $15 for WRCC members/$20 non-members Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling Day
Sunday, September 11 9am -noon Devon Bank
6445 N. Western Joint Networking Event! West Ridge Chamber of Commerce & Jewish B2B Networking Wed. September 14 8am - 9:30am Devon Fish & Pizza $15 in advance $20 at the door Celebrate Small Business Week! Social Security
More than Meets the Eye Wed. October 6
5:30 -7:00pm
Devon Bank
6445 N. Western FREE for WRCC members/ $5 for non members Passion for Style Arts & Crafts Fair Sunday, November 20
10am-3pm Holiday Inn North Shore
5300 W. Touhy $3 in advance / $5 at the door
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July Chamber Members
New & Renewing
First Financial Credit Union
K-9 Lovers, LLC
Law Offices of Denise DeBelle
Swedish Covenant Hospital
\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.
Summer 2011 Services Include:
sidewalk sweeping and trash can emptying
M, W, Th, F, Sa & Sun
Sweeping of sidewalks on residental blocks east and west of Devon Avenue between Leavitt & Sacremento
Servicing of the 24 Big Belly Solar cans
Landscaping of 20 City of Chicago Planters between Western & California
and the 8 new flower planters like the one pictured below.
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Recycling Options
Fall Shredding & Paper Recycling
Sunday, September 11
9am-noon
Devon Bank Parking Lot
6445 N. Western Ave.
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.
In 2010, West Ridge recycled 31.68 tons of paper!
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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 |
National Night Out Activities
The CAPS National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2011.
BEAT 2411 event will be held at McDonald's at 6900 N. Western Avenue from 6:00-8:00pm.
BEAT 2412 event will start at 6pm at Devon/Artesian. The march will head down Artesian to Pratt in response to attempts by the Latin Kings to get a foothold in this area. BEAT 2413 event will start at 7:15pm at Devon/Artesian. This march will head to Claremont/ Rosemont for refreshments.
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High Ridge YMCA Last Blast Summer Fest
August 27 - 1-5pm
2424 W. Touhy - in the parking lot
FREE to YMCA members, $2 for non-members
- Dozens of Dollar Games!
- Basketball Shootout!
- Movie in the Pool!
- Obstacle Course!
- Performance by Critical Dynasty
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Multi Chamber Event
Two worlds. One stage. Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin and Opera superstar Nathan Gunn combine their musical talents to create a unique and powerful evening.
Wednesday August 31, Show STARTS at 8pm
Lawn Seats $15
You may arrive at Ravinia anytime after 4pm and enjoy the atmosphere on the lawnwhile socializing and networking with the other attendees.Laura and Gail will arrive early and secure a prime location on the lawn.Look for the BLUE Balloons and a GP Chamber BannerBring Lawn CHAIRS & a Picnic Basket.OR purchase your food & drink at the food court.
Yes I want to attend! Please send an RSVP email to westridgechamber@sbcglobal,.netAND Purchase your tickets online
Purchase Your Tickets Now |
North Side's Small Business Development Fund Gets Rolling
 | Denise Buckman and Kevin Morris of Rolling Clean Car Wash with
Tom Laures, North Side's Small Business Loan Officer. |
North Side Community Federal Credit Union (North Side) has been servicing the Uptown neighborhood for years. North Side's new SBDF allows entrepreneurs the funding to help start a business or expand an existing business. In February of this year, North Side received funds from the Office of the City Treasurer to offer Chicago-based small businesses micro loans. An existing business can borrow up to $35,000 while a start up operation can qualify for up to $15,000. Typically, these loans are used for build out, working capital and for acquiring machinery, tools and inventory. The loan term is up to 5 years at a prime +2% interest rate. As of June 2011, the current rate is 5.25%. Find Out How You Can Obtain Funds |
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