February 2008
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce Newsletter February 2008

RECYCLE for Education SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NEXT SHREDDING/RECYCLING EVENT! * Tuesday February 26 * 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, February 5 from 530- 730pm at Buckingham Pavilion, 2625 W. Touhy 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, February 5 * 530-730pm * Buckingham Pavilion * 2625 W. Touhy * Refreshments will be served

Think spring 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 2411 MEETINGS. * When? 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm * Where? 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.
If your business or residence is located between Pratt and Devon and Ridge to Kedzie then participate in the future of our community by ATTENDING CAPS 2412 MEETINGS.
2412 - Complete 2008 CAPS Meeting Schedule Beat 2412 meets the 4th or 5th Wednesday of each month. At Warren Park we meet in the field house. At Devon Bank we meet in the Community Room in the basement. At Boone School meetings will be held in the Auditorium, use the south entrance on Washtenaw. * Wednesday, February 27th 7:00 pm Boone School, 6710 N. Washtenaw * Wednesday, March 26th 7:00 pm Warren Park , 6601 N. Western * Wednesday, April 30th 7:00 pm Boone School, 6710 N. Washtenaw * Wednesday, May 28th 7:00 pm Boone School, 6710 N. Washtenaw * Wednesday, June 25th 7:00 pm Warren Park , 6601 N. Western * Wednesday, July 23rd 7:00 pm Warren Park , 6601 N. Western * Wednesday, August 27th 7:00 pm Warren Park , 6601 N. Western * Wednesday, September 24th 7:00 pm Boone School, 6710 N. Washtenaw * Wednesday, October 29th 7:00 pm Boone School, 6710 N. Washtenaw * No November Meeting * Wednesday, December 10th 7:00 pm Devon Bank, 6445 N. Western For further information call the 24th District Neighborhood Relations Office at 312-744-6321 . To obtain the entire 2008 schedule on the web, go to caps24.org and click on 2412. To get the years schedule emailed to you, simply send an email to 2412meetings@caps24.org and the full years schedule will be automatically emailed to you. To contact beat facilitator Avy Meyers - avy@ureach.com

Healthy Living from World Wide Wellness
Good nutrition is a major concern with the public. The obesity epidemic, the health risks posed by poor eating habits - they have made us aware that we need to pay attention to our diet. Hippocrates, the father of medical science said, " Let food be your medicine." Wellness and nutrition are based on the principal that natural, whole foods are the ideal source of the nutrients your body was meant to consume, and are your best medicine. Good nutrition is an essential part of a healthy and enjoyable life. What is important to know · The Journal of the American Medical Association recommends multivitamins for all adults. But take a ordinary vitamin or supplement and you don't necessarily know what you are getting. Pharmaceutical quality supplements and replenishments provide the most effectiveness. For Women · Soy Isoflavones help to reduce the mild mood swings and other common symptoms associated with pre-menstrual syndrome and menopause. · Anti-oxidants fight free radials to help the body resist aging. They provide support to the body's natural defense system. For Men · Natural herbs such as saw palmetto support prostate health. · Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids aid in cardio-vascular health. Balanced whole foods bring nutrition for life. This information was provided by Judy Sachs and Linda Andros of World Wide Wellness. jmlsachs@yahoo.com 773-615-8410

Earned Income Tax Credit - Its Money In Your Pocket!
For more information about the EITC, the Child Tax Credit or other assistance, please call 311 or visit the City of Chicago Web site at www.cityofchicago.org/CTAC/. In other areas of Illinois , call the IRS at 800-829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov . Owe less tax and get cash back from the IRS through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Even if you don't owe income tax, you can get the credit and cash! · Does your family earn up to $35,241 with one child? You may get up to $2,853 back. · Does your family earn up to $39,783 with more than one child? You may get up to $4,716 back. · Are you at least age 25 and under age 65, without children, and earning up to $14,590? You may get up to $428 back. · Average EITC refund last year for Chicagoans was $2,008. · Investment income cannot be more than $2,900 for the year. Get your taxes done for free! Free tax preparation assistance from professionally trained volunteers may be available in your community. The Tax Counseling Project (TCP) and the Tax Assistance Program-It Adds Up (TAP) are Chicago-area non-profit programs offering free tax preparation assistance to families earning less than $40,000 and individuals earning less than $15,000. TCP and TAP provide trained volunteers at 33 sites in Chicago and 22 sites outside Chicago . To find a free tax preparation location in Chicago , call 311, the City's non-emergency information line. Outside Chicago , call 312-409-1555 or 312-630-0273 . Mayor Richard M. Daley encourages you to get all the tax relief you deserve! You or someone you know could be eligible for a tax refund! Tax Counseling Project sites will be open from January 26 to April 15 on the days indicated for each site. (For more information, call 312-630- 0273.) · All 2007 W-2 and 1099 forms · Social Security cards for all household members · Copy of 2006 tax return · Photo identification LOOP City Hall 121 N. LaSalle Also open Tues. and Thurs. in Feb. and Tues. in Mar. & April 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. NORTHWEST Roberto Clemente Community Academy 1147 N. Western (Division and Western) Also open Tues. and Thurs. in Feb. 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Reilly Elementary 3650 W. School (Belmont and Central Park ) Only open Sat. Jan. 26-Mar. 1 WIC Food Center 4624 W. Diversey (Cicero and Diversey) WIC Food Center 3110 W. Armitage Ave. (Armitage and Kedzie) Wilbur Wright College 4300 N. Narragansett-Rm. L127 (Narragansett and Montrose ) Closed Mar. 22 NORTH McCormick Boys & Girls Club 4835 N. Sheridan (Lawrence and Sheridan) The Tax Assistance Program will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the following Saturdays: Jan. 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; March 1, 15, 22, 29; and April 5, 12. (For more information, call 312-409-1555 .) City Hall will also be open Jan. 22, 24, 29, and 31, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Tax Assistance Program - It Adds Up® Sites and Hours Tax Counseling Project Sites and Hours - Chicago Area These programs are partially funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the City of Chicago What you need to bring to all locations: Accommodations for people with disabilities will be made available. If you need an accommodation, please call 311 at least 72 hours before your visit. NORTHWEST Association House 1116 N. Kedzie Mon. and Wed. 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. NORTH Truman College 1145 W. Wilson Mon.-Thurs. 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Loyola Park 1230 W. Greenleaf Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. LOOP Harold Washington College 30 E. Lake Mon.-Thurs. 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

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. 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.

Healthy Finances, Healthy Bodies
Wednesday Feb. 20 the Education Sampler speaker's bureau presents "Healthy Finances, Healthy Bodies" at the Levy Center on Dodge St. in Evanston . Speakers: Duchyll Joseph of Lifestyle Designs, Maureen Schumar, Registered Representative of ING Financial Partners, INC. and Margaret Kendall, mortgage consultant 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm For Futher Information: call Maureen 847- 279-9862

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 .

News From Juice +
Juice Plus is a great addition to any household looking to make a small change with big benefits. There will be two seminars coming up, one in February and one in March. February 7, 2008 at 7:30 pm Anti-Aging and Optimal Health Presented by: Valerie Early, R.D. South Park Community Center 833 Talcott, Park Ridge March 6, 2008 at 7:30 pm The Keys to Optimal Health Little Things Mean a Lot! Presented by: Ellen Schlichting, RN South Park Community Center 833 Talcott, Park Ridge For more information, please contact :Gina Israel, RDH, BS, WHE pursuinghealth@sbcglobal.net 312-405-5744 Juice Plus+ is a whole food concentrate in convenient capsule, gummie or chewable form. INGREDIENTS: apples, cranberries, cherries, dates, oranges, papaya, peaches, pineapples, beets, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, kaletomatoes, parsley, spinach, barley (no gluten), and oats (no gluten). Listen to an eight minute message on our 24 hour info hotline: 1-800-942-1260

Salsa/Tango at Indian Boundary Park At Indian Boundary Park , 2500 W Lunt, you can spice up your dancing with hot salsa and cha cha moves in a one-night dance lesson/practice party on Tuesday, February 19, 7:30-9:30 pm. Run by a professional teacher and open to singles and couples. You'll get mini-lessons throughout the evening, with time to practice. Cost is $10. For more info call 773/282 5108.

Rogers Park/ West Ridge Historical Society's 22nd annual House Tour The 22nd annual House Tour, "Crossing California ," is to take place Sunday May 4, 2008, from 1 PM to 5. The tour will feature homes, places of worship, and other structures of historic interest west of California Avenue, between Pratt and Touhy. In the past two decades, so many of our neighbors in the communities of Rogers Park and West Ridge, who appreciate the historic significance of our area, have been willing to open their homes, making the house tour possible. It's our hope that community members, like you, will find this celebration of our history as fascinating as we do, and participate by opening your home for the tour. The annual house tour is the Society's major annual fundraiser, and will attract people not only from our neighborhoods, but also from all over the area to visit distinctive homes along and around California Avenue. Our house tours are carried out scrupulously. People are escorted in groups by the homeowners, who walk the visitors through the homes, sharing stories of fascination about architecture, a unique decorating style, or events of significance that took place within these walls. Visitors are pre-registered and screened, and are drawn primarily from our membership. Society volunteers are posted at each home to accept entry tickets and to provide added security. In more than two decades, our house tours have proved to be a safe and pleasant activity for all involved. It's our goal this year to feature seven unique homes, including apartments. The tour will also include parks, places of worship and other spots of public interest, to make for a rich and interesting experience! Each stop will feature photos of what that particular place looked like prior to the building boom, to take visitors back in time. It will be a wonderful day, but it can't happen without the participation of homeowners in the neighborhood. Please consider featuring your home in the 22nd Annual House Tour. You will be participating in a wonderful kind of community bonding, the celebration of our history, culture and heritage. We're reachable via the phone number below, and via email at rpwrhs@aol.com . ROGERS PARK/WEST RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 7344 North Western, Chicago, Illinois 60645-1814 Phone: (773) 764-4078 Fax: (773) 764- 2824 Rogers Park/ West Ridge Historical Society -

How to Market Your Business Join us Wednesday, February 27 from 830am- 10am for an informative session on how to market your business effectively. Devon Bank Conference Center 6445 N. Western, lower level As we get caught up in the day to day activities of running and maintaining our business finding the time to identify our marketing needs is difficult. How do we effectively, efficiently and economically achieve and establish the best marketing plan for our small business? Join us as Professor Bala Balachandra, J.L. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University answers these questions and gives ideas on how to better market your business. Breakfast will be served Please RSVP by Feb 25 calling 773- 465- 2500 x1300 or to the Chamber 773-743-6022 . Sponsored by the West Ridge and Lincolnwood Chambers of Commerce and Devon Bank.