The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce
West Ridge Community News
West Ridge Chamber of Commerce
  January 2014
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New & Renewing Chamber Members

Jewish Community Council of West Rogers Park

Sauganash Wellness Center

Wastemaster Inc.
  
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Community Recycling Options
2014 Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling Dates TBA!
 


 Loose papers including newspapers, magazines, school and business documents can be recycled at two convenient locations in West Ridge.   

Devon Bank 6445 N. Western
High Ridge YMCA 2424 W. Touhy
paper bin 

Wastemaster
The City of Chicago recognized long ago that businesses in the same area pay a wide range of prices for trash hauling services.*  Many times businesses pay too much when compared to a similar business nearby.

Wastemaster is an online resource for independent business owners who want to reduce their waste disposal and recycling costs.  Using a proprietary database application, we offer our subscribers easy access to local service pricing information that otherwise would be time-consuming and cumbersome to assemble. Wastemaster's savings program will create greater competition among the various waste haulers competing for your business in your neighborhood. The result is potential lower disposal rates for you.  Your help is needed!  

What do I need to do?
Please send us 2 of your recent trash hauling invoices .  You can do this in one of three ways.
1.    Fax to 773-326-3582
2.    Take a picture using your smart phone and email to [email protected].
3.    Email an electronic copy to [email protected].

What's in it for me?
After we complete the data analysis  you will receive a customized report detailing one of two scenarios.
1.    Scenario 1 - Great job!  You have one of the best waste disposal service rates in your zip code and Wastemaster will continue to send you notifications if a better rate is discovered in the future.
2.    Scenario 2 - You are currently paying a higher rate than your neighbor who has a similar pick up frequency and dumpster size.   Wastemaster will help you understand the data analysis and provide you with the tools necessary to renegotiate a lower rate through a contract extension or to negotiate a new service agreement with a different hauler when your current contract expires.  
Do I pay for this service?
There are no fees for the initial data analysis.  Wastemaster will send you an alert if we believe you can save money.  Once you receive this alert, you will have the option of working with us to help you save money.  If you decide you want to partner with Wastemaster, our fee is based on your total savings.   We can either provide you with the information to allow you to negotiate on your own or we can manage the entire process for you.   It's your choice on how you want to proceed and you are not obligated to pay for anything.

What is your privacy policy?
All personal information is kept strictly confidential.  We only share your zip code, service frequency and hauling rates with other members.  Your name, address, and contact information is not shared.  

*http://www.cityofchicago.org/dam/city/depts/doe/general/UrbanManagementAndBrownfields_PDFs/Chicago%20Franchising%20Summary%20090908.pdf


Greetings!
West Ridge MapThis monthly newsletter is an opportunity for you to find out about news and events happening in the West Ridge community.  Chamber members are strongly encouraged to submit information about business specials, news and announcements.  Make it social! Please share this email on your social networks AND remember to shop local!

Community Events

  

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 January 1- New Year's Day (Chamber offices closed)

January 15 - Business to Business Networking Lunch

January 27 - "West' Devon Avenue Safety Meeting

January 29 - Chamber Board of Directors Meeting

 

Find event details, times and other info on our website

 

 


FREE Workshops for Business

All worshops are FREE and are located at the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection - City Hall 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 805


check out the Google calendar that lists all the workshops as well:

 

Space is limited.  Please reserve your attendance by calling 312-744-2086 or email [email protected]

 

 

To learn more about BACP's workshops, visit www.cityofchicago.org/bacp

 

Home Buyer Seminar 

Thinking about Buying a Home?
Northside Community Development Corporation can help!
We offer:
- Down Payment Assistance
- First Time Homebuyer Education
- Free Credit Counseling
Come to our Free First Time Homebuyer Class
Thursday January 9th 6 PM &
Saturday January 11th 10 AM
Chase Mortgage
7015 North Western Ave Chicago
We will have speakers who will help with all aspects of the homebuying process.
Receive FTHB certification needed for most lenders and programs.
How to Get Started:
Contact our office RSVP for free homebuyer education
773-262-2290
**NCDC is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization and all of our services are provided free of charge. Income restrictions apply to most down-payment assistance programs

 

Calling All Small Business Owners!
Join us for lunch and structured business 2 business networking

Wednesday, January 15, 2014
11:30am to 1:30pm
Ethiopian Diamond II
7537 N Clark Street
Free parking is available
Registration is required
$15
To register, visit http://b2bnetworking.bpt.me
Sponsored by Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, Rogers Park
Business Alliance and West Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, contact us at
(773) 508-5885 or e-mail [email protected]
Swedish Covenant Named Top Hospital

I am proud to announce that Swedish Covenant Hospital has been recognized as a 2013 Top Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, a national organization committed to the safety, quality and affordability of health care. We are the only Chicago institution to earn this honor, which is widely cited as the nation's most competitive annual hospital quality award.

 

Swedish Covenant Hospital was selected as a Top Hospital out of a record number of 1,324 hospitals participating in The Leapfrog Group's annual survey. The list includes 22 Top Rural Hospitals, 55 Top Urban Hospitals and 13 Top Children's Hospitals. Past Top Hospital award recipients include Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center.

 

Our community partners have played an invaluable role in helping us provide exceptional treatment and care.  We believe that our ties to our surrounding community are critical to our position as a Top Hospital. We're not just steeped in our community; we are our community because:

  • Nearly 85% of our hospital visits come from patients within five miles of the hospital.
  • Approximately 70% of our employees live in Chicago, and more than half live within five miles of the hospital.
  • Our hospital stimulates $275 million in economic activity and works closely with local businesses.
  • We spend more than $3 million on community wellness programming and services each year.

 

Your insights about the needs of your community members have allowed us to effectively expand our services-in recent years, we have invested in new technologies to meet those needs, such as advanced 3-D mammogram technology which provides earlier and more accurate breast cancer diagnoses, and sophisticated heart imaging technology.

 

The prestigious Top Hospital designation comes on the heels of our fourth consecutive "A" hospital safety grade from The Leapfrog Group. We remain committed to utilizing and supporting local businesses, and we appreciate your ongoing support.


CJE Senior Life Events for Older Adults and Their Families
CJE SeniorLife offers ongoing support groups and programs on a wide variety of topics of interest to seniors and their families. Fees vary according to the program and individual circumstances and some groups may be partially covered by Medicare and supplemental insurance. For information or to join a group, call CJE SeniorLife at 773/508-1000 or visit us online at www.cje.net for full calendar listings and support group meeting dates/times.

 

  • Parkinson's Support Group for Caregivers

Two meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month. The first group meets from 1 to 1:45 p.m. The second group meets from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Individuals who are involved in the care of someone with Parkinson's can learn about Parkinson's and caregiving, meet others who face similar challenges, and discover ways to relieve caregiver stress and burn-out. The group is led by social workers Nina Afremow, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. and Julie Katsman, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. Open to the public. Weinberg Community for Senior Living, Gidwitz Place, 1551 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015. For more information about this group, call Nina at 847/236-7853.

Monthly meeting dates: January 15

 

  • Parkinson's on the Move: Free Exercise Program for People with Parkinson's

Two specialized exercise classes-moderate and intermediate-developed specifically for CJE, which address weakened muscles, the risk of falls and functional independence, are held every Wednesday and Friday in Deerfield. Moderate classes are held from 1 to 2 p.m. Intermediate classes are held from 2 to 3 p.m. Classes instructed by exercise professionals from The Comprehensive Group are focused on flexibility, restoring movement and rhythm control. Open to the public. Weinberg Community for Senior Living, Gidwitz Place, 1551 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015. Please call Michelle Bernstein at 847/236-7852 to learn the details about the two levels of participation-moderate and intermediate-and to register for classes.

Monthly meeting dates: Every Wednesday and Friday throughout January (CJE SeniorLife will be closed in observance of New Year's Day on Wednesday, January 1)

 

  • Mindfulness Stress Reduction

            Meets every Tuesday from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Mindfulness helps people increase their awareness          about where their thoughts and attention are focused, and to keep that focus-in the       present moment.Mindfulness helps the individual deal with the following issues in            particular: Chronic illness or pain; negative thoughts and feelings about oneself; and all            types of stress and anxiety. This therapy group is led by David Donaldson, L.C.S.W. at     Bernard Horwich Building, 3003 W. Touhy Ave., Chicago, IL 60645. $30 per session; group is       6 sessions, may be covered by Medicare and secondary insurance. Participation requires       advanced screening and registration. Please call 773/508-1129 for more information.

            Monthly meeting dates: January 7, 14, 21 & 28

 

  • Expressive Movement: Dance Therapy Program

            Meets every Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. Does difficulty with communication due to dementia         make traditional exercise classes a challenge to you or a loved one? Dance therapy has many        benefits for persons with dementia. You do not need to be a dancer to participate! So come with a       passion for music and movement and discover new strengths while gaining the support of others     with similar challenges. This dance therapy program is led by a dance/movement therapist, Erica             Hornthal, LCPC at Weinberg Community for Senior Living, Gidwitz Place, 1551 Lake Cook            Road, Deerfield, IL 60015. $35 per class per individual package        rates available. An extra $10 is      charged if a caregiver, spouse or family member accompanies participant. Please call

            847/848-0697 for more information about this group.

Monthly meeting dates: January 6, 13, 20 & 27

  • Living Life Through Loss: A Drop-In Bereavement Support Group

Meets every Wednesday, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Any adult over the age of 60 who has lost a loved one in the past three years is encouraged to attend. Sponsored by CJE SeniorLife and the Jewish Healing Network. There is a $5 fee for each session. Bernard Horwich Building, 3003 W. Touhy Ave., Chicago, IL 60645. For more information, call 773/508-1129.

Monthly meeting dates: January 8, 15, 22 & 29 (CJE SeniorLife will be closed in observance of New Year's Day on Wednesday, January 1)

 

  • Making Connections: Seniors with Adult Children with Disabilities

Meets first and third Tuesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. This support group offers families an opportunity to connect, share experiences and learn about benefits and community resources. Sponsored by CJE's Linkages Program. There is no charge. Bernard Horwich Building, 3003 W. Touhy Ave., Chicago, IL 60645. Those interested in attending must register in advance by calling 773/508-1694.

Monthly meeting dates: January 7 & 21

  • Caregiving Support Group for Loved Ones with Dementia - Evanston

Meets the first and third Wednesday of every month from 11 a.m. to noon. This support group is for individuals who are involved in the care of a loved one with dementia. Participants will learn about dementia and caregiving; meet others who face similar challenges and share experiences; discover ways to relieve caregiver stress and burn-out. On-site respite care available during the support group (pre-registration required). CJE SeniorLife Adult Day Services, 1015 Howard St., Evanston. For more information and to pre-register, call Amy Zann, L.C.S.W., at 773/508-1690.

Monthly meeting dates: January 15 (CJE SeniorLife will be closed in observance of New Year's Day on Wednesday, January 1)

  • Holocaust Survivors - Coffee and Conversation

Meets every Monday and Thursday throughout the month

Sponsored by Jewish Child and Family Services (JCFS) and CJE SeniorLife

 

Mondays, 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center,

9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077. Sponsored by JCFS and CJE SeniorLife. There is no charge. To register, call 847/568-5200.

Monthly meeting dates: January 6, 13, 20 & 27        

 

Thursdays, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at JCFS Joy F. Knapp Center, 3145 W. Pratt Blvd., Chicago, IL 60645. There is no charge. To register, call 847/568-5100.

Monthly meeting dates: January 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30

  • Scrabble Club

Meets on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. For word lovers and game players of all skill levels. Learn the classic game of Scrabble or get tips to sharpen your skills with instructor and tournament director Joe Cortese. There is no charge. Bernard Horwich Building, 3003 W. Touhy Ave. Chicago, IL 60645. For more information, call 773/508-1000.

Monthly meeting dates: January 8, 15, 22 & 29 (CJE SeniorLife will be closed in observance of New Year's Day on Wednesday, January 1)

 

*Ongoing Older Adult Learning programs include Scrabble Club, Music with Les, Sit & Get Fit, Schmooze It or Lose It, yoga, computer classes and more. Call CJE SeniorLife at 773/508-1000 for more information or check our online calendar at www.cje.net.

 

 

   
Surge Ahead in 2014!
Dennis pic

If you keep doing what you have been doing you are likely to keep getting what you have been getting. Is that good enough? If not, then plan to Surge Ahead in 2014.

Get New Customers in 2014

Referrals are great but they are a reactive approach to getting new business. You depend on someone else to give a referral to your business. So, you might consider supplementing your referrals with a proactive effort to get new customers. Direct Mail is often a good approach since you can closely target who your promotions go to.

Get More Business from Existing Customers in 2014

Freshen your image. Add new items. Use in-store signage to help your customers find what they need. Give superior personal assistance. I had a friend who was involved in a book store business. His approach when a customer made an inquiry was not to say "It's in aisle three." He would walk with them to the location and put the book in their hand. Most people then purchased the book.


 

Dennis J. Frantsve,

Account Executive

[email protected] 

Cell: 847-347-0631

Grace Printing

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The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce thanks you for your continued support.   
Sincerely,
 
Amie L. Zander
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce
 
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