January 2008

Happy New Year! We encourage you to start the new year off right by getting involved with WRCC this year. Being an active member in your local Chamber of Commerce is one of the best ways to grow your business. Make 2008 the year to get involved!

RECYCLE for Education
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NEXT SHREDDING/RECYCLING EVENT!
* Tuesday January 29 * 530-7pm *please note the earlier time * Devon Bank Parking Lot * 6445 N. Western The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Devon Bank, Cintas Document Management and Recycle Plus have teamed up to bring our community a place to recycle/shred locally and for a good cause. FREE DOCUMENT SHREDDING WHILE YOU WATCH! * BRING YOUR ITEMS: * Paper, newsprint, magazines, glass, plastics, cans, metals etc etc * Please separate, rinse and crush bottles and cans A portion of the money generated will stay in West Ridge and fund community education programs. Do you know of a school or program that is looking for funding? If so, please have them call the WRCC for a RECYCLE for Education funding application. 773-743- 6022
1ST TUESDAYS Networking with the Chamber
Join us Tuesday, January 8 from 530- 730pm at Century 21 Universal Real Estate - 7300 N. Western for networking, food and fun! Be sure to bring plenty of business cards ! Wether you own a small business, work for a large one or are a concerned resident, WRCC's 1st Tuesdays provide a great opportunity to meet and mingle with the movers and shakers of West Ridge . Questions? Call the Chamber office at 773-743-6022 * Tuesday, January 8 * 530-730pm * Century 21 Universal Real Estate * 7300 N. Western * Plenty of Parking * Refreshments will be served

Get ready for winter with Comfort Heating & Cooling!
Don't forget to schedule your annual Tune- up! CALL NOW FOR AN APPOINTMENT! SPECIALS good for ALL of our wonderful West Ridge neighbors: $85 Furnace Clean and Check $100 Boiler Clean and Check DON'T FORGET to change your filter on a regular basis. Sleep Easy with Comfort 24/7/365 Comfort Heating & Cooling, Inc. 888-268-4464 ComfortHeatCool@aol.com
JOIN THE CAPS TEAM!
If your business or residence is located between Howard St and Kedzie and Ridge to Kedzie then participate in the future of our community by ATTENDING CAPS MEETINGS. * When? 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm * Where? January, April, July & October at St. Margaret Mary's Activity Center 7341 N. Claremont * ALL OTHER MONTHS - Bernard Horwich JCC, 3003 W. Touhy If you can't attend, you can still play an active roll in our community by joining our online CAPS2411 group. JOIN 2411 CAPS ONLINE HERE -

Get to Know your Public Representatives
The February 5th election is fast approaching, and in preparation for it the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce, West Rogers Park Community Organization and SSA #43 Devon Avenue will host a civics event-- "Get to Know Your Public Representatives"-- on Wednesday January 23, 2008, from 7- 9 PM, in the auditorium of the Daniel Boone Elementary School (6710 N. Washtenaw Ave.) Alderman Stone, Commissioner Suffredin, State Representative Lang, State Senator Silverstein, and Congresswoman Schakowsky have already agreed to participate in this event, and we are still awaiting word from Senators Obama and Durbin. The event will consist of three parts. First, each representative will have a few minutes to explain how his/her office functions. Second, the representatives will answer questions from the audience. And third--and most important--the representatives will meet with their constituents face-to-face in small groups. Come here what your public representatives can do for you! Ask them about your specific concerns! Meet with them personally! Remember to save the date--January 23rd--and take this opportunity to get to know your public representatives. They are here to serve you.

1/1/08 Smoke Free law On January 1, 2008 the Smoke Free Illinois Act (SFIA) will take effect and ban smoking in almost all public places. This new law will impact businesses such as bars, restaurants that have not already gone smoke free, tobacco retailers and those businesses that were programmed to go smoke free in July, 2008. If you have additional questions, or are in need of "No Smoking" signs for your place of business, please visit the City of Chicago's website, www.cityofchicago.org , or call Efrat Stein, Director of Public Information, City of Chicago-Department of Business Affairs and Licensing, 312-744-5365 . Additional Smoke Free Resources -

Save the Date - Starting a Business in Illinois Seminar
Join WRCC, Dev Corp North at JVS Chicago the Duman Center on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30a.m. for our program at the Chicago Public Library North Town Branch. "Starting a Business in Illinois ." is a program for those in the community that want to start a business. Please RSVP to WRCC at 773-743-6022 .

FREE Workshops from City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Licensing (DBA).
FREE Business Education Workshops offered to you by the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Licensing (DBA). All the workshops are taught by industry professionals and are designed to help you grow your business. January's classes include "Obtain or Renew a Sidewalk Cafe Permit," "Prepare For Your Business Inspection," "Financial Incentives/Loans for Businesses and Nonprofits," "How to Write a Business Plan," and more. All workshops are held at the DBA Office, 121 N. LaSalle Street, City Hall, Room 805, Chicago, IL . To obtain more information, or to RSVP, call (312)744- 5344. List of January 2008 Workshops -

WRCC 2008 Installation Dinner
Join us for the WRCC event of the year!
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to attend the installation of our 2008 Officers and Board of Directors. Wednesday, January 30 600pm cocktails & networking 700pm dinner & installation Cash Bar Holiday Inn North Shore 5300 W. Touhy Kosher & Veggie meals will be available, please indicate with your RSVP Tickets are$ 40 per person or tables of 8 for $275 RSVP with payment is required by Friday, January 18 to the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce.Now accepting Credit Cards! Tickets will be held at the door Please send RSVP and payment to the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce 2720 W. Devon Avenue Chicago, IL 60659 Tickets will not be available for purchase the night of the event 2008 Officers President, Vimal Prajaparti, AG Edwards & Sons a division of Wachovia Securities, LLC. Member SIPC. Immediate Past President Alice Dungey - DeVry University Chicago Vice President of Membership, Marie Genovese Century 21 Universal Vice President of Special Events/Marketing - Patti Downes, Century 21 Universal , Vice President of Fundraising -Jill Grimshaw, High Ridge YMCA, Treasurer, Jerome Marshall,-LaSalle Bank Secretary, Rose Powers - Chicago Public Library Northtown Branch 2008 Board of Directors Irving Loundy - Devon Bank Syed Wahajuddin Ahmed - IQRA Book Center Iftikar Hassnat - Republic Bank Aaron Morgan - Good Morgan Fish

Help the High Ridge YMCA reach their campaign goal of $25,000!
The High Ridge YMCA has been serving the community for over 51 years. Offering a wide variety of services for all members of the family. Help the High Ridge YMCA reach its campaign goal of $25,000 by participating in the banner recognition sponsorship program. Your business can be recognized for helping the Y reach its goal. For more information or to make a sponsorship, contact Jill Grimshaw at 773-326-2929 .

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS FOR PUBLICATION! Don't forget to maximize your WRCC membership by sending events to be published in this newsletter. This blast goes to over 800 local businesses, residents and other people who are interested in our community. Please submit all info via email to westridgechamber@sbcglobal.net by the 15th of the month.