The Next Meeting of the Belmont-
Central Chamber of Commerce will be:
Tuesday July 14, 2009 8:30 a.m.
American Metro Bank 4903 W. Fullerton
Join American Metro Bank for a free workshop on Identity Theft
in today’s society. Come learn from the experts what identity theft is
and how to report it. Panelists will include members from attorney
general’s and identity theft protection offices. Refreshments will be
served. As always meetings are free and open to members and non
members alike but advanced registration is required so please
call Bob Tarschis at 773-328-5033 by July 10th. (see
attached flyer)
We’ve Moved
Don’t forget the Belmont-Central Chamber of Commerce has a new
location. Our office is now located right in the heart of the shopping
district, 5534 W. Belmont. Our new phone and fax: 647-1644 and
647-1645. e-mail:
bob@bccc.comcastbiz.net
OLR Offers July Health Programs
Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center, 5645 W. Addison,
will offer the following health events. For more information and to
register, call 877-RES-INFO (877-737-4636).July 1: Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome discussion. Free.. July 7: Diabetes Support
Group Call 773-794-8329 for more information; July 10:
Cholesterol Screening $15 fee; July 10: Healthy Aging Program
free; July 23: Arthritis Support Group. Free.
Keep Chicago Cool
The City of Chicago offers a wide variety of services to protect the
public from extreme heat. Dial 311 for information on cooling
centers. Also, the City advises its citizens to check on their
neighbors and relatives, particularly the elderly and infirmed during
periods of extreme heat, or to register with the City for a well being
call during these periods. Those registered will be contacted to see
if help is needed.
Belmont-Central Streetscape
Our streetscape project has now resumed with the south side of Belmont
Avenue being re done as well as installation of additional trees and
benches. We thank Alderman Ariel Reboyras,
30th
Ward,
Alderman Ray Suarez,
31st
Ward,
and Alderman Tom Allen,
38th
Ward
for supporting this project.
PS:
To all the businesses who ordered new planters we’d like to remind
them that it is their responsibility to fill them with flowers and to
upkeep them (as per their agreement with the City).
“SBIF”
Don’t forget that the Small Business Improvement Fund or
“SBIF”
can help you do improvements on your properties using “TIF” funds.
Improvements such as new windows, floors, heating and air conditioning
are just some of the many ways you can be reimbursed for work up to
75% of the cost (with a maximum of $150,000). For an application
packet please visit the Chamber office or call
SomerCor 504,
312-360-3300.
Free Parking! Free Parking!
Don’t forget to remind your customers that we have plenty of free
parking at 3140 N. Central. Thanks to our tax payers from
Special Service Area 2, your customers can park for free all day.
With the installation of more parking meters in the neighborhood among
other continuing expenses, this couldn’t be a better incentive to shop
Belmont-Central. Those businesses who’d like window posters
advertising the facility can stop by the Chamber office or call
647-1644.
It’s Sidewalk Sale Time
There’s still time to join Belmont-Central’s annual Sidewalk Sale
July 9 thru 12. This is a good way to give your business exposure
and increase sales and customer base. Call the Chamber office now for
more information and participation at 647-1644.
Participants so far include:
Baco Fashions, A Thrift, Salvation Army Store, Rainbow Shops,
Someone’s Treasures, Plaza Bank, X-Sport Fitness, Metro Sales,
Hispanic Regional Clinics, & Dr Peter Meyer.
Help the Homeless
Though your heart may be in the right place, it is wrong to give
panhandlers money because many of them are substance abusers and your
money will likely be spent on alcohol, tobacco, and worse. The
Northwest Side Task Force is working to get the word out that
there is help (and hope) for those homeless and addicted individuals.
The Haymarket Group has a printed flyer in English and Polish
that directs these individuals to seek help through many resources.
Please call the Chamber office for copies of this flyer. You can
keep them on hand to distribute whenever you encounter a problem with
vagrants panhandling, sleeping on benches, etc. Also, for more
information on the Northwest Side Task Force to Combat Homelessness
call the Department of Human Services at 312-246-8232.
Protect Your Business
Here are some web sites and phone numbers which you’ll find very
helpful in protecting your business.
www.checkprogram.com/cookcountyil
www.FBI.gov
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
www.IC3.gov
www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com
www.cmiftf.org
www.annualcreditreport.com
www.secretservice.gov
To report identity theft call 1-866-999-5630
To report counterfeit currency call 1-312-353-5431
To report bad checks call 1-866-581-7284
Remove Unsightly Graffiti
All businesses are aware of the ongoing problems with graffiti, and
while the City provides graffiti removal when paint is used (call
311), they do not remove graffiti which has been etched into glass. To
get this sort of vandalism corrected log onto
http://pressurewashingsystems.com/
or
www.chicagopowerclean.com
Keep Belmont-Central Clean
Thanks to Special Service Area 2 we have help in keeping our
sidewalks clean. However, it is often an uphill and ever increasing
battle. Therefore we are reminding all businesses that it is not only
your civic responsibility but your lawful duty to keep a clean
storefront. Also, every business abutting a corner with flower pots
and benches should make a special effort to see that those areas are
kept clean. While it may seem an indomitable task at times, if every
one pitches in the shopping strip will look so much better and attract
more customers. Thank you for your cooperation.
Coming this Month…
Independence Day...July 4th
Special Service Area #2 Meeting...July 9th
(call 647-1644 for more information)
Annual Sidewalk Sale...July 9 thru 12th
Identity Theft Workshop at American Metro Bank...July 14th
(click
here for more information)
And looking ahead…
Ultimate Networking Event...September 17th
