April 2007

The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce has lots of opportunities for your business to take advantage of this spring. We currently have a wide range of programs including the Devon/Western SBIF, Devon SSA,Golf Outing & 2nd Annual Police/Fire softball game for your business to get involved in. Continue reading this newsletter for more info on all WRCC programs. Finally, the Chamber would like to wish all of you a Happy Easter and a blessed Passover . Please remember to check with your favorite shops because closures and varied hours many take place due to the holidays. Think spring!

1st Tuesdays with the Chamber
Please join us for networking and fun on Tuesday, April 3rd from 530-730 at Curves Fitness at 7300 N. Western.
NETWORKING * PRIZES * FUN!!!
Meet other Chamber members, residents, and others who take an interest in our neighborhood. Refreshments will be served. Bring plenty of business cards!

Legal Structures & Insurance for Small Businesses
Do you want to learn more about the best legal structure for your business, and about the types of insurance you should carry to protect your business and its assets?
This FREE workshop will be presented by lawyers and insurance professionals from the Community Economic Development Law Project and Safeco Insurance. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2007 630- 830pm at the Uptown Center Hull House 4520 N. Beacon.
Registration is required to Curt Roeschley at 773-561- 3500

AHS Opening Doors to Women Reminder for the upcoming Opening Doors Group on April 3rd at 5:30pm at AHS Family Health Center on Relaxation Qigong and Yoga by Jennifer O?Hara from the Heartwood Center for Body Mind and Spirit, Evanston . Please Call Faiza Khan to register for the group at 773 761 0300 .

Looking to showcase your business??
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce is looking for businesses to host our 1st Tuesdays networking events. If your business is interested in promoting itself to 20-30 chamber members from 530-730 on the 1st Tuesday of the month please give us a call. All you need to do is open your business to us and provide light refreshments. We have openings for August - November 2007.
Past event holders include: Curves, Century 21 Universal, Devon Bank, Music House Inc, Community 1st Bank, Century 21 Jacob Realty, LaSalle Bank, 1st Commercial Bank. .This is a fun and easy way to get potential customers in your door! Please call Amie Zander at the Chamber office to book your date! 773-743-6022

THANK YOU to COMMUNITY 1ST BANK!
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce would like to say a big THANK YOU to Community 1st Bank located at 7555 N. Western Ave. As the hosts of the March 1st Tuesdays event, Community 1st made a donation of $451 to the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce. The donation will be used to fund that various programs that the Chamber hosts each year. THANK YOU!!!

Neighborhood Planning Website -check it out!
Earlier this year students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign came to Chicago , specifically the West Ridge Neighborhood to work on a plan for our neighborhood. The West Ridge Chamber met with these students to help them identify some of the positives/negatives within the area. The students then set out to create a new look for the area using existing structures and elements, plus adding a few new ones. To see how their project is progressing we encourage you to log on to their website listed below and take a look. You can even comment on what elements you like/dislike. We expect to have the U of I students back in the neighborhood in early May to present their ideas to the community. Check it out! U of I Planning Site -

Last Call for Streetpole Banners on Devon Ave!
As you may have noticed Devon Avenue is brightly decorated with new banners that hang on the streetlight poles. These banners are available for your business to display its name on the thousands of shoppers that come here each day. They are easily seen from the street by both walkers and drivers. At this time we have a VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF POLES AVAILABLE BETWEEN CALIFORNIA & WESTERN. If your business would like a banner on Devon you must act now! banners are $300 each for members of the Chamber. Discounts are available to those who purchase 3 or more. Call the Chamber office today to reserve your space 773-743-6022 .

2007 Golf Outing - Save the Date!
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce is joining forces with the Portage, Gladstone & Jefferson Park Chambers of Commerce for the 2007 Northwest Network Open.
The outing is scheduled for Thursday, August 16 and will be held at Maple Meadows Golf Course in Wood Dale, IL . Its a 10am shot gun start. Cost is $135 per golfer and includes - 18holes, golf cart, continental breakfast, box lunch with beverage and Texas BBQ with open bar dinner.
YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT! To reserve your foursome early - please call the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce at 773- 743-6022. We are expecting between 80-100 golfers, so call today! Sponsorships are available! We are also looking for prize donations - gift certificates, etc.

Last chance to become a Sponsor!
On Monday June 25th the 24th District Police Department will play the West Ridge Firefighters at Thillens Stadium. (corner of Kedzie & Devon). The 2nd annual Tournament of Heroes Softball Game is fun for the whole family and a great chance for your business to support the local Police & Fire Departments. This is your last chance to become a sponsor of this event.
GRAND SLAM - $1000 - get your logo on the T- shirts the players will wear & will be sold to the crowd, plus a full page ad in the program, your business name on a pennant at the event & opportunity to hang you companies banner at the event.
TRIPLE $ 300 - 1/2 page ad in program book, business name on pennant at the event
DOUBLE $ 200 - 1/2 page ad in program book, business name on pennant at the event
SINGLE $ 100 - 1/2 page ad in program book, business name on pennant at the event
BB $50 - Business name on a pennant at the event Please call the Chamber to become a sponsor by April 15. Otherwise, see you at the game!
DEVON/WESTERN SBIF APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 20
If you own a business or own a commercial property located within the Devon/Western TIF district you may qualify to receive a grant of up to $50,000 from the City of Chicago. Grants can be used for renovations to the interior/exterior of your property/store. To see if your property qualifies, please call Amie at the Chamber office 773-743-6022 . Applications are due by April 20. You can either get one at from the chamber office, or download one at the website below.

SSA Commissioner NEEDED!
The newly created Devon Ave. SSA #43 is looking for a volunteer to sit as a Commissioner of the SSA. Duties include attending meetings, researching vendors, community outreach etc etc. The only requirements are that you must either OWN a property or business within the SSA area and be willing to commit some time to this project. If you are interested in becoming involved with the exciting Devon Avenue, Special Service Area #43, please contact Amie Zander at 773-743-6022 . Deadline for applications is May 1, 2007.