Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce April 2012 Newsletter

Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce
April 2012 Newsletter

updated 12:51 AM CST, Fri April 27, 2012

Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce Newsletter 

April 2012 | Issue No.4 

Our mission is to provide leadership and representation in order to benefit the members operating businesses in the Rogers Park community.

Our vision is to guide businesses, service organizations and individuals to establish new businesses and promote existing businesses within the Rogers Park community. To create and stimulate an orderly economic growth, thereby enriching Rogers Park's diverse population.

The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce supports the economic development of Rogers Park businesses by encouraging residents to spend their money in our stores and restaurants through our Shop Local campaign.

We encourage visitors to dine and shop Rogers Park via tourism with our many events at local restaurants, cafes and independently owned shops. We are cultivating tradition, which is a major factor in community-building, with our Annual events including our Chamber Art Auction, Anniversary celebrations and the upcoming annual Taste of Rogers Park.

You can call or stop by anytime to join us in making Rogers Park a better place to live, work and visit. 

Sincerely,

Bill Morton
Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce
(773) 850-0049



2012 Networking Kick-Off event
Rogers Park Chamber Spring networking event

On April 27th, 2012 We will be kicking off our networking events at Quest Network Services with guest speakers: 

Ines Kinchen from Send Out Cards will speak about appreciation marketing for your business.

Anwar Thomas of Northstar Lottery Group will speak about how the Illinois State Lottery can benefit your storefront business.

CISSP Ben Pavalon will give a short presentation on internet security for your business with a Q&A afterwords

Hosted by Mark Finley, RPCC event coordinator and MC'd by Bishop James Alan Wilkowski, RPCC Treasurer.

Bill's Digital Photos and the Multi-Facet Network will be photographing and broadcasting our events live. 

Coffee and light snacks will be provided from 5pm - 8pm.

Quest Network Services
7301 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL. 60626
(773) 761-3555



Fresh Start Monday's a Success!
New RPCC program to Clean-Up Rogers Park

The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce's new Fresh Start Program titled "Fresh Start Mondays" had it's first events earlier this month. The fresh start is in reference to refreshing the cleanliness and safety of our community. Neighbors gathered to pick up litter and trash...

To support local businesses Quest Network Services, Shambhala Meditation Center, Sheridan Chase Food Mart and The Lighthouse Tavern by refreshing neglected neighboring property at 7315 N. Sheridan Road. 

For the second Fresh Start Mondays event, Chamber members and volunteers cleaned up Jarvis Plaza on Jarvis Avenue.

Businesses that benefited from our second event were East View Grocery, Greenview Smart Cleaners, Goods for Less, Jarvis Coin Laundry, Jarvis/Greenview Currency Exchange, Jarvis Grill, Luzzat Restaurant and even the Alderman's office.

Fresh Start Mondays are scheduled for every first and third Monday of the month, all year long. You can join the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce in freshening Rogers Park up!... for a cleaner and safer neighborhood with less litter, debris and contaminants on our sidewalks, streets and beaches.

Just give us a call at (773) 850-0049      ..

Our next Fresh Start Monday event will be on Monday, May 7th, 2012 from 6pm - 7pm at Ravenswood Center (Devon near Ravenswood Avenue).



Quick Links

RPCC website
RPCC on facebook
RPCC twitter



Upcoming events

Spring Kick-Off event

Friday, April 27th, 2012
5pm - 8pm

Guest speakers: Ines Kinchen - Send Out Cards, Anwar Thomas - Northstar Lottery Group and CCISP Ben Pavalon

Quest Network Services
7301 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL. 60626

 Fresh Start Mondays

 Monday, May 7th, 2012
 6 pm - 7 pm

The fresh start is in reference to refreshing the cleanliness and safety of our community.

Gloves and cleaning materials will be supplied.

Ravenswood Center
1754 W. Devon Avenue
Chicago, IL. 60660

Free Wine Tasting

Monday, April 30th, 2012
6 pm - 7:30 pm

Wine should not intimidate, it should be enjoyed. Taste offers good wine at a good price and a knowledgeable staff of good people.

Taste Food & Wine
1506 W. Jarvis Avenue
Chicago, IL. 60626



The members and board of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce feel strongly about and believe in our organization. We personally walk our neighborhood to visit every business in Rogers Park on a regular basis. If a struggling mom-and-pop shop needs a fundraiser, If a new business needs to be introduced to our community, The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce represents and supports Rogers Park business.

Download and print our membership application to join us and enjoy our benefits.

Join Our Mailing List!

__________________________________________


Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

CTA Rail System Map

CTA Rail System Map

By Bill Morton, Rogers Park in 1,000 Words Author
Photography by Bill Morton

updated 10:03 PM CST, Tues April 24, 2012

CTA Rail System Map (As seen at Jarvis Station)

For Travel Information Call:
1-312-836-7000

For Customer Assistance Call:
1-888-YOUR-CTA

Hearing Impaired:
1-888-CTA-TTY1

Online:
www.Transitchicago.com




Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Bananas Foster to Ann Sather

Bananas Foster to Ann Sather

By Bill Morton, Rogers Park in 1,000 Words Author
Photography by Bill Morton

updated 10:47 AM CST, Sun April 23, 2012

Ann Sather

Swedish Cuisine and Catering

Coming Soon

For more information www.AnnSather.com

773 348-2378

Despite having a pretty solid local following and having recently undergone a dining room expansion, Bananas Foster Cafe abruptly closed last October. But that left an opportunity for another restaurant to move into a prime space at the corner of Broadway and Granville and Ann Sather, which has been in Chicago for more than 65 years, is taking advantage of that.

source: Ari Bendersky, Eater Chicago: Ann Sather Taking Over Closed Bananas Foster Spot



Ann Sather
1147 W. Granville Avenue
Chicago, IL. 60626


Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Edgewater Antique Mall

Edgewater Antique Mall

By Bill Morton, Rogers Park in 1,000 Words Author
Photography by Bill Morton

updated 7:36 PM CST, Sun April 22, 2012

Edgewater Antique Mall

Open Daily

With over 45 unique, quality dealers, Edgewater Antique Mall is a must-see for any vintage shopping excursion.  The selection in the store, everything from mod to mid-century to mission style, changes quite frequently. 

The staff at Edgewater Antique Mall, including the owner, Paul Chaty, are always around with a friendly smile and offers of assistance. They can arrange delivery of your purchases and even coordinate prop rentals.

source: Jason Loper; Edgewater Antique Mall: Eclectic, Offbeat and Vintage

Edgewater Antique Mall 773-262-2525

Edgewater Antique Mall
6314 N. Broadway Street
Chicago, IL. 60660



Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Edgewater, Rogers Park, West Ridge... We're all connected.

I have been chatting with Bill Savage over the past few days about the concept behind uniting our three communities of Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge with Word 49. The conversation continued onto the pages of everyblock chicago with the following:

...And lots of folks who have lived west of Ridge all their lives call it West Rogers Park. It's a losing battle, not worth fighting, especially since contiguous neighborhoods can be considered the same place; if this story was about gang rivalries in Englewood, it would be much less relevant to RPers, but WR isn't 15 miles away, it's right next door.

Bill Savage goes on to mention:

Check out Bill Morton's new site, which covers WR, RP and Edgewater. Our problems don't magically stop at Devon or Ridge or the city limits; we're all connected, like it or not.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Saint Henry's Church

Saint Henry's Church

updated 9:05 PM CST, Weds April 4, 2012

Saint Henry Church, at 6346 North Ridge, became Angel Guardian Croatian Catholic Church in 1982, after the disused church was renovated by the Angel Guardian Croatian Catholic Mission. In 1998, it was renamed Blessed Aloysius Stepinac Parish. Saint Henry Cemetery is on the north side of the church, at the corner of Devon and Ridge.

Source: Graveyards.com, Additional photos at the Graveyards Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery feature and Word 49: Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery.

St. Henry's Church

A.D. 1905.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery

Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery

updated 6:06 PM CST, Weds April 4, 2012

Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery is the only surviving churchyard (that is, a graveyard adjacent to and affiliated with a church) within the city of Chicago. Located in the West Ridge neighborhood on the far north side, the church, erected 1905, is a neo-Gothic structure, clad in brick with ornamentation of limestone and bronze. Originally serving the German Catholic community, as the population changed, it was given to a Croatian parish in the 1970s. Local legend has it that "Sailor Jack", the boy on the "Cracker Jack" box, is buried here, though various identities are given for him. I have not yet found definitive proof of this.

Source: Graveyards.com, Additional photos at the Graveyards Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery feature.

Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery office located at Calvary Cemetery 301 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois (847) 864-3050

Office hours 8:30am - 4:00pm Mon-Fri
9:30am-1:00pm Saturday


Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Fresh Start a Success in Rogers Park

Fresh Start Mondays a Success!

By Bill Morton, Rogers Park in 1,000 Words Author
Photography by Kris Luck

updated 8:52 PM CST, Mon April 2, 2012

The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce's new Fresh Start Program titled "Fresh Start Mondays" had it's first event earlier today. The fresh start is in reference to refreshing the cleanliness and safety of our community. Neighbors gathered to pick up litter and trash including broken glass, fast food wrappers and discarded cigarette butts at 7315 N. Sheridan Road.

The location was selected due to regular complaints that the chamber of commerce received regarding the neglected property and it's close proximity to local businesses Quest Network Services, Sheridan Beach Foods and The Lighthouse Tavern at 7301 N. Sheridan Road.

Fresh Start Mondays are scheduled for every first and third Monday of the month, all year long. You can join the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce in freshening Rogers Park up!... for a cleaner and safer neighborhood with less litter, debris and contaminants on our sidewalks, streets and beaches.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Philip Rogers

Added photos of the Philip Rogers memorial stone and Indian Boundary Park Lagoon today with the following information:

Philip Rogers, Born in Ireland, came to Rogers Park about 1834 and bought 1600 acres from the government. First lived in a log house at Lunt and Western Avenues. Died in 1856. Village named after him in 1844.

Indian Boundary Park Lagoon is an urban oasis for people and a safe haven for wildlife, this natural area offers a restful place in the city. The prairie, trees and wetland areas surrounding the lagoon have been restored with plant species native to Illinois.

Bill Morton

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Events in Ward 49

I added the new Fresh Start Monday events to the Word 49 calendar:

Every first and third Monday of the month, join the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce in freshening Rogers Park up! Benefits local businesses through a cleaner and safer neighborhood with less litter, debris and contaminants on our sidewalks, streets and beaches. Think tourism. Neighborhood cleanup lasts one hour and snacks will be provided. Working together to Clean Up Rogers Park!

Also added eleven April 2012 events at The Lighthouse Tavern (7301 N. Sheridan Road Chicago, IL. 60626).

Check out the Events section for more details.

Bill Morton

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

49th Ward elections

I just added a new page to Word 49 to cover 49th Ward elections, and elections that directly affect the 49th Ward. I expect to add

The importance of voting in every election

Information on registering to vote

Assistance in finding your polling place

Information on early voting

Absentee voting information
- by mail
- for military/civilian overseas voters
- for those with a physical disability
- residents of license nursing homes
- hospitalized voters

Candidate statements and issues

How to contribute or volunteer for a candidate

Election results


- Bill Morton

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Word 49 statistical data

Taking lead from my first blog, Rogers Park in 1,000 Words, This is the first statistical data posted for Word 49 (49th Ward related material).

What I'm really enjoying is the difference of statistics between RP1000 and Word 49. While Rogers Park in 1,000 Words is being hit heavily by search engine terms such as Charmers Cafe Summer hours, Rogers Park blog, Rogers Park gang signs and Omar Estrada (youth murdered by gang while sitting on a bench at Touhy Park)... Word 49 search terms include the more analytical

1.  Word 49

2.   Swanette Triem

3.   Chicago K-8 Rogers Park School District

4.   engineering ethics case study example

5.   first settlers in Rogers Park Chicago

6.   parks located in Downtown Chicago

7.   Rogers Park Chicago Illinois Census demographics

8.   Rogers Park Public Schools Chicago

9.   Rogers Park school Chicago

10. Rogers Park, Chicago

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Western from Devon to Touhy

I visited Western Avenue from Devon Avenue to Touhy in West Ridge today.

Photographed Devon Bank and Warren Park.


Bill Morton

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Edgewater and West Ridge

Today, I took a cruise from Rogers Park into Edgewater and West Ridge to scope out some interesting locations for future features.

I traveled via Devon Avenue from Sheridan Road to McCormick, visited Indian Boundary Park and Misericordia Home at 6300 N. Ridge Avenue.

Photography will be posted after the structure of Word49.com is complete.


Bill Morton

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

49th Ward Legislation records

I'm studying the 300 most recent 49th Ward Legislation records today.

Bill Morton

Calendar Connect

Today, I added the option to share your Google calendar with Word 49 to promote your upcoming events.

Bill Morton

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

City Services complete

This afternoon I completed the City Services directory including 718 direct-link entries and the description:

There are many city services and resources that you can independently utilize to report an issue, receive assistance or improve our communities. This is your no-alderman-required direct link to the City of Chicago. Remember to always dial 911 for emergencies.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

- Bill Morton

Word 49 Research and Development

I've spent the past few days consulting with 49th Ward residents in Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge regarding everything from the design to content of the new Word 49 site.

There is nothing like taking the time to go out there in person to speak with the people face-to-face.

In words of the people...

Bill Morton

City Services and City Council

Separated City Services and City Council into their own sections. Built up City Services with direct links to City of Chicago online forms and added a "Like" button for the Word 49 facebook page.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

- Bill Morton

Word 49 is online

Testing the new Word 49 at Charmers Cafe.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

- Bill Morton

Word 49 Calendar

Today, I've been visiting local businesses and organizations regarding the addition of their events in the new Word 49 event calendar.

So far, I've added West Ridge Chamber of Commerce events, music events and open mic night at Red Line Tap, Game Nights at Quest Network Services and Free Wine Tastings at Taste Food & Wine.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

- Bill Morton

Late Night 49th

I've been burning the midnight oil creating the Official Word 49 events calendar and working with the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce Board on the local business directory.

This is really starting to take form, but realistically, we still have a long way to go!

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

- Bill Morton

Word 49 progress

There has been steady progress with the formation of Word 49.

Purchased www.Word49.com today.

Initiated www.twitter.com/word_49.

Modified http://www.flickr.com/groups/49thward .


I have also been adding and refining the main Word 49 subject categories today. At this point, I have created the following:

Home - News and Updates, http://49thward.blogspot.com/

About Word 49 - The purpose of Word 49, http://49thward.blogspot.com/p/49th-ward_28.html

Edgewater - About Edgewater, http://49thward.blogspot.com/p/edgewater.html

Rogers Park - About Rogers Park, http://49thward.blogspot.com/p/rogers-park.html

West Ridge - About West Ridge, http://49thward.blogspot.com/p/west-ridge.html

Local Directory - Directory of local businesses and organizations, http://49thward.blogspot.com/p/49thward.html

City of Chicago - City Services and City Council updates, http://49thward.blogspot.com/p/chicago.html

Events - Upcoming events, http://49thward.blogspot.com/p/ward49.html

Contact - Contact information, http://49thward.blogspot.com/p/ward-49.html


- Bill Morton

Word 49 Administration

I just created the Word 49 Administrator account.

- Bill Morton


Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Word 49

I'm expanding my Rogers Park in 1,000 Words format today to cover all of the 49th Ward including Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge.

Read all about it on our About Word 49 page

Audio services in Rogers Park

Listed as one the best companies in Chicago that transfer a cassette tape into a CD, Quest Network Services at 7301 N. Sheridan Road, has experienced and knowledgeable in-house audio technician Bill Morton.

Local Cassette Transfer Service featured on Rogers Park in 1,000 Words.