Live From Skokie

Skokie Voice's Community Forum on Economic Development Feb 22

2012-01-28T15:35:00.000-08:00

This in from Skokie Voices...

Join Skokie Voice for its first community forum of 2012 as we explore
the prospects for economic development in Skokie.
• How will downtown Skokie be reinvented
• What impact will the new Skokie Swift station at Oakton Street have on that revitalization?
• How will new businesses on Dempster Street add to the mix?
• Who are the stakeholders guiding the process?

Join us and add your voice to the dialogue!

Confirmed panelists are:

Tom Thompson, Economic Development Director, Village of Skokie
Ann Tennes, Marketing/Communications Director, Village of Skokie
Howard S. Meyer, Executive Director, Skokie Chamber of Commerce
Randy Miles, Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie (IMODS)
Shalom Klein, Dempster Street Merchants Association
Valerie Shuman, Skokie Downtown Alliance

An open-microphone Q&A session will follow the panel discussion.

Panel topics will be based on responses to the SV economic development survey.
The survey is up at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BH93686.

More about Skokie Voice at skokievoice.org.

Train to be a Voters Registrar January 10

2012-01-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

This in from the League of Women Voters Evanston...

The Cook County Clerk's office will hold a training session for people who would like to be deputy registrars. The training should take about an hour.

Tuesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m.
at
Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton Street · Skokie

Here's your opportunity to get involved in your community in an important way.

The clerk's office needs to have the names and addresses of people who are expected to attend ASAP. Please email your information to Mary Morris, 550morris@live.com.

Ideas about spreading the word about community events

2011-11-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

~ First posted January 20, 2010, updated November 20, 2011

We here in Skokie, as well our friends in our neighboring suburbs, sponsor some interesting and important events. When I'm in charge of helping spread the word about an event, depending on the kind of event it is, I might use the given organization's website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and this blog to help spread the word about events. I also might use a targeted press release for some events. Here's some additional online news outlets and listings with whom I occasionally share information. If there are others outlets I should add to my list, I'd love to hear about them.

To share stories and photos about upcoming or recent events, consider...

SkokieNet
Skokie's community-driven online portal is for people who care about Skokie. It offers news, opinions and information in a variety of media "for the people, by the people." SkokieNet also tweets about community happenings as @SkokieNet. Frances Roehm and a few staffers and volunteers work on the site.

Evanston Now
EN ia a news and information site for the Evanston community which aims to be a friendly place for everyone in town to post news items, create a unified community calendar and share photos and opinions. It is managed by editor and publisher Bill Smith. The site includes information about how to submit and a page of resources about being a citizen journalist.

Triblocal
Community members and public relations professionals contribute the much of the content to Triblocal's website and weekly newspaper serving many of the Chicago suburbs. Event information can be posted as a calendar item or story. Including pictures will give you a better chance that your calendar item or story will make the print edition.

I've not used these sites in a couple years, so I am a little out of touch with them, but stories with possible interest beyond the Chicago area, Newsvine and NowPublic might be worth considering.

Here on Live From Skokie's blog, I occasionally accept guest submissions, but am more likely to tweet or retweet about your event and refer to your website. I'm best contacted via direct messages at @LiveFromSkokie on Twitter.

Event information can also be sent to WBEZ via psa@wbez.org.

For event listings see...

SkokieNet, Evanston Now, and Triblocal

Yelp - Start here.

CBS 2 - Submit here

ABC 7 - Submit here, where the site has been a bit glitchy.

WLS-AM - Submit here Northlight Theatre often posts here.

WDRV-FM - Submit here

WGN-AM - Submit here

WXRT - E-mail station at comments@wxrt.com for potential inclusion.

WMBI-FM - The station's community calendar aims highlight "family-friendly Christian events". Submit information at least one month before your event.

For entertaining events, you can get listed in Time Out Chicago, but you'll want know which section your listing belongs in before you submit.

Metromix Chicago features restaurants, bars, clubs, events, movies, theatre. Start here to submit information for potential inclusion.

For business events with broad appeal, consider Crain's Chicago Business. Submit information at least three weeks in advance to smallbizcalendar@gmail. Also, there's Garysguide. No, not a guide to Gary, IN, it offers listings to business events. I've not worked with it yet, but will as lots of nice things are being said about it.

For events of interest to the Jewish community in the Chicago area, submit to JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago's calendar.

If you are interested in media coverage of the event...

Check out Community Media Workshop's latest Media Event Quick Contacts list for more contact information for news outlets.

Additional contact information not included on the Quick Contact sheet:
Chicago Tribune's photo assignment desk - ct-photoassign@tribune.com.
Sun-Times photo desk - stphoto@suntimes.com.

Publishing online and in print, news tips and press releases for Pioneer Press' Skokie Review should go to Mike Isaacs at misaacs@pioneerlocal.com. If your event will be photogenic, contact Pioneer Press' staff photographer Joel Lerner (yeah, my husband) at jlerner@pioneerlocal.com or 847-414-5566.

Story ideas for Triblocal's Skokie/Evanston edition, or their Des Plaines, Morton Grove, Niles, Park Ridge papers, should go to community manager Elizabeth Vassolo at 312-731-9567 or EVassolo@tribune.com. Evanston has it's own reporter, Jonathan Bullington at 866-373-8271. Many Triblocal reporters, editors and community managers are on Twitter.

The newer online player in town is Skokie Patch. You can send news tips and press releases to George Slefo at georges@patch.com.

Buy CMW's Gettting on the Air, Online and Into Print media guide to be really thorough.

Mass communication is helpful, but...

Sharing information via the news outlets will help an organization reach external audiences, people you don't know yet and who may or may not know you. These suggestions can be a fine supplement, but not a substitute, for getting in touch with your internal audience, people who know you and have opted-in, signed up for your news.

For certain kinds of events, ask your board or committee to help spread the word via their own communication and social media networks.

Fundraiser for Niles Township Food Pantry November 11

2011-11-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

This in from Elaine Monterola and Friends of the Niles Township Food Pantry...

I'd like to invite you to a fundraising benefit supporting the Niles Township Food Pantry Foundation.

Friday, November 11, 6 - 9 p.m.
at
Hackney's on Lake
1514 E. Lake Ave
Glenview

There will be passed hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks, as well as a silent auction.
Auction items include Chicago Wolves tickets, spa visits, wine, Museum of Science and Industry passes, yoga, jewelry and more.

There is a $10 suggested donation at the door, enough to provide meals for an individual for approximately one week.

The food pantry is facing the highest demands in the 5 years.

To RSVP or ask questions, such as where to send a check if you can't make it to party, contact Christine Render at christinebrender@hotmail.com or 847-924-3634.

All donations are tax deductible.
Checks may be written to "Niles Township Food Pantry Foundation."

Monetary donations raised at this event will go a long way. 100% of your contribution will support the purchase of food and food packaging supplies.

The Niles Township Food Pantry Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization helping feed 3,500 men, women and children per month in the villages of Skokie, Lincolnwood, Golf and sections of Morton Grove, Niles and Glenview. During these difficult times, providing food to our struggling neighbors helps tide them over and allows them to pay other bills, like rent, utilities and medication. One of the 650 Greater Chicago Food Depository members, the Niles Township Food Pantry Foundation relies on other organizations and donations to meet the needs of the township.

Having a good portrait of yourself makes good business sense

2011-10-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

~ First posted June 25, 2011, updated October 3, 2011.

Having a good, up-to-date portrait of yourself is important no matter what profession you are in or ambitions you have.

First, you never know when the media might come a-calling wanting to feature you in an article. You’re doing yourself a favor, and the media outlet, by having a photo on hand. Because deadlines and budgets are tight, editors and producers don’t always have the resources for getting an image made for their stories quickly. Then if by chance they are able to assign a photographer to make a picture of you, there’s no guarantee you’ll like the image.

Second, as you probably already know, to help maintain your professional reputation, having a strong, smart online presence is crucial. If you are using LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or other social media sites, you’re expected to include a picture of yourself. If you're ever asked to speak at a conference, someone will ask you for a picture for their website and materials.

You’ll want to use an image that communicates the qualities you want the public to know about you. Depending on the nature of your work, you might want to have more than one portrait so that each can be in sync with a different aspect of who you are and what you do. How to keep your identities from sending conflicting messages is a conversation for another time.

And third, as the old adage goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, but who's got time to read a thousand words? Reading a picture is faster. Portraits communicate in seconds qualities of a person words can't. They transcend language. Images are more show and less tell, which is what effective communication is about.

Hmm. Yes. While this is all true, what about cost? Getting a portrait made that works can be pricey. If you're needing one and cost is a concern, consider coming to my next BizPics shoot Sunday, November 20. The shoot will include a variety of images being made, the services of a stylist and a bit of fun. Providing good portraits at a good price is just one way that Kring Lerner Group is working with individuals, entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized business and non-profits to be successful. We're currently in touch with some social service agencies who assist job-seekers to see if we can devise a plan for offering their clients' headshots at an even lower rate. Stay tuned for more on that.

Above, from left to right: Holly Rotman-Zaid (upper left) Catherine Johns, David Lindgren and Sally Chapralis (lower right) participated in the April and June shoots.

Oakton Street Road Diet Follow Up Meeting - September 27, 2011

2011-09-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

This in from the Skokie Chamber of Commerce...

On Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 3 p.m. the Village will host a meeting for Downtown Skokie business and property owners to present the results of the "Road Diet" test conducted on Oakton Street in Downtown Skokie during May and June 2011. The meeting will be held in the Petty Auditorium at the Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton Street.

In addition to presenting the test results, the Village seeks comments and recommendations in order to provide the Village Board with a sense of the business community's perceptions of the program.

RSVP to info@skokie.org or call 847-933-8257 with the number of representatives attending from your business or property.

Adaptable Baked Apple Pancake

2011-09-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Nothing beats eating an apple immediately picked from its tree, but with apple-picking season upon us, now's a good time to get lots of apples, pull out some favorite apple recipes, experiment with some new ones and have some fun.

Similar to the one's made at Walker Bros., this apple pancake is a treat. Friends and family will be grateful to you for making this dish, assuming you are willing to share.

Here we go...

2 tablespoons melted butter, or as much butter as you prefer
4 tablespoons brown sugar, or as much as you prefer
1 teaspoons cinnamon, or as much as you prefer

2 apples, peeled and pared

2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup flour, or slightly less if whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Preheat the oven to 400 or 415 degrees F.
Pour melted butter into a pie pan or a small baking pan, allow the butter to coat the sides of the pan
Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon on the butter
Place apples on top of the sugar and cinnamon
Whisk together eggs, milk and flour and pour over apples
Bake for 25-30 min. Inhale through your nose for the last 25 minutes.

The pancake will come out of the oven puffy and sizzling. You might enjoy watching it deflate. While Walker Bros. serves their pancake upside down, with the apple and sugar side up, you might like yours with the baked top up. The annoying part will be waiting for the pancake to cool enough so that you can eat it.

Prepping the apples is the most time-consuming part of this recipe, so sometimes I peel and slice them up the night before and store in a air-tight container in the refrigerator.

This is a great recipe to experiment with. Consider substituting the apples for raspberries and blueberries, or even bananas, all of which require less prep time. Consider doubling or tripling the batch depending on the size pan you use and your personal prefer. Consider adding cinnamon to the batter, or skip it all together.

The batter is the same one some cooks use to make crepes and a dish my family has made for generations, schmorn.

About Schmorn...

Schmorn is made by frying the batter in a frying pan generously lubricated with corn or olive oil and sliced into marble-sized pieces with two dinner knives and stirred as it fries. My mom and grandmother usually served it savory, seasoned with salt and pepper, but consider powdered sugar.

If you experiment this recipe, and try some variations, I'd love to hear how it worked out for you.

What's Up with the Outages?

2011-07-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

State Rep Daniel Biss Hosting Town Hall with ComEd August 1

Updated August 1, 2011.

Can we expect more power outages this summer? This winter? What is Commonweath Edison doing to fortify the grid?

State Representative Daniel Biss is hosting a town hall meeting to discuss the power outages at the Glenview Police Station 7 p.m., Monday, August 1. Area resident are invited to come speak with municipal leaders and ComEd representatives.

“We have seen several destructive storms in the past few weeks and many people have lost their power two, three or even four times for days on end. People are frustrated and nervous about losing power again, especially as we experience high temperatures," said Biss.

"I hope that people can attend the meeting to let us know how they’ve been affected and hear from ComEd representatives about ComEd’s plans to improve their ability to respond to these outages.”

In Springfield, Daniel Biss represents Illinois state's 17th District which includes parts of Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Morton Grove, Northbrook, Skokie, Wilmette, and Winnetka and all of Golf and Northfield.

18th District residents might like to know that Robyn Gabel is expected at the town hall.
Also expected is District 57's Elaine Nekritz, Glenview's Kerry Cummings, Northbrook's Sandy Frum and Northfield's Fred Gougler.

The Glenview Police Station is at 2500 E Lake Ave. in Glenview.

Representative Biss can be contact with any questions at 847-568-1250 or repbiss@gmail.com.

Volunteers needed for Niles Township Food Pantry food drive on July 16

2011-07-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

This in from Cathy Struzynski...

The July food drive is set for July 16, 2011 at the Dominicks in Morton Grove, located on Dempster, at the southeast corner of Dempster and Waukegan. Volunteers are needed from 9:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and we would like four volunteers for each shift. Please let me know your availability for one or more of the shifts and indicate your first, second and third choice for each possible shift. Once I receive responses, I will confirm your scheduled time. The shifts are:

9:30 – 11:00
11:00 – 12:30
12:30 – 2:00
2:00 – 3:30
3:30 – 4:30

The last shift includes assisting in unloading the food at the Food Pantry.

Significantly more people are using the Food Pantry and our contributions are invaluable. Cynthia Carranza, the Food Pantry Director, is very grateful for our efforts and the food we collect is distributed in just a few days. Volunteering for at least one shift is an easy way to help our less fortunate neighbors. Please respond with your availability, indicating the number of shifts you can cover and your first, second and third choice for each shift.

Thanks for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.

Have a happy Fourth of July weekend.

Construction on the new Skokie Swift station at Oakton progresses

2011-06-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Monday afternoon, June 27, 2011 at Oakton Street and Skokie Blvd. in Skokie looking north. [Photo by Karen Kring]

Volunteers needed for Niles Township Food Pantry Food Drive June 25

2011-06-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

This in from Cathy Struzynski...

I'm sorry for the late notice, but we just finalized the arrangements for the June food drive. The upcoming food drive is set for June 25, 2011 at the Jewel in Skokie, located at 9449 N. Skokie Boulevard.

Volunteers are needed from 9:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and we would like four volunteers for each shift. Please let me know your availability for one or more of the shifts and indicate your first, second and third choice for each possible shift. Once I receive responses, I will confirm your scheduled time. The shifts are:

9:30 – 11:00
11:00 – 12:30
12:30 – 2:00
2:00 – 3:30
3:30 – 4:30
The last shift includes assisting in unloading the food at the Food Pantry.

Significantly more people are using the Food Pantry and our contributions are invaluable. Cynthia Carranza, the Food Pantry Director, is very grateful for our efforts and the food we collect is distributed in just a few days. Volunteering for at least one shift is an easy way to help our less fortunate neighbors.

Please respond with your availability, indicating the number of shifts you can cover and your first, second and third choice for each shift.

Thanks for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.

David Taxman in (the play) Skirmishes in June

2011-06-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

This in from David Taxman, Niles North alum, and my husband's second cousin once removed...

I am in an hour long comedy called Skirmishes, which is a series of skits dealing with the battle of the sexes. It takes place on Wednesdays in June starting June 8, going until June 29, at 8 p.m. So there are a total of 4 shows. Tickets are only $12.

Gorilla Tango Theatre
1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, Illinois (map)

I hope you can come and hopefully enjoy a great show.

More info about it on Facebook.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Gorilla Tango is new Margie's Candies. Love that place. Love their sundaes!

Skokie Green Business Network

2011-06-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

Skokie resident Greenout Cleanout's Fran Horvath has started a new LinkedIn group for Skokie businesses: Skokie Green Business Network.

Says Fran: This is a place to share ideas, ask questions, or bring up challenges you face trying to make your business more sustainable (green). Every business owner can do something large or small to make a difference.

Niles North Class of '80, Fran is one of the founders of BASE, Business Alliance for a Sustainable Evanston, and former owner of Ethical Planet, a vegan general store.

Social Media Drop-in Clinic May 27

2011-05-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

Benefit for End Polio now

My firm, Kring Lerner Group, is hosting a social media drop-in clinic to benefit clients, colleagues, friends, neighbors and End Polio Now campaign of the Rotary Club of Evanston. My husband Joel and I are members.

Drop in with your questions about LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, blogging, etc. between 4 and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 27 to Kring Lerner's office at Coworking Evanston, at 600 Davis in Evanston. Whether you are new to using social media tools, or more experienced, you'll learn something.

Suggested donation to End Polio Now fund is $1/minute.

Come casual. Prepare to leave smarter.
Our credo: There's not such thing as a dumb question. Being an expert is only a relative term. There's always something to learn.

Snacks will be served.

RSVP by messaging me with approximately time we can expect you. Deadline to reply: 4 p.m. on May 27. I ask for this so that if no one comes, I know I can eat all the guac, popcorn, cupcakes, whatever snacks I get by myself.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

By the way, social media for business is the topic of discussion at the next Evanston Women in Business luncheon May 31.

Also, if you're needing a new headshot for LinkedIn or other sites, Kring Lerner's next BizPics shoot is June 12.

Hazardous To Your Health: Radiation, Oil Spills, and Coal Mine Collapses

2011-05-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

Join a lively discussion on May 10 in Chicago

This just in from journalist Laura Washington...

From oil spills to coal mine collapses, disasters have, unfortunately, become commonplace. And now, after being struck by earthquakes and tsunamis, Japan is facing a nuclear crisis. Closer to home, Chicago is only 60 miles from its own nuclear power plant and Illinois has more of these facilities than any other state in the U.S.

Join us for a panel discussion about how we get our energy, measure the pros and cons, and discuss how the aftermath of recent disasters affect life in our city today.

When: Tuesday, May 10, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Chicago History Museum

Laura will moderate this discussion. Panelists include Henry Henderson, Director, Midwest Program-National Resources Defense Council, WBEZ’s Michael Puente, a bureau reporter who has covered a range of topics related to energy use in the community and Kennette Benedict, the Executive Director and Publisher of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a magazine established by Manhattan Project scientists in 1945 to inform the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons and other catastrophic threats to humanity.

The event is free, but we request you make a reservation on our website http://chicagohistory.org/planavisit/upcomingevents/special-events/in-the-k-now.

Monday Toolbox for Chicago-area business leaders

2011-03-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

This just in...

Chicago-area professionals are invited to attend the Monday Toolbox hosted by Cynthia Early.

Mission: Local professionals meet biweekly to talk about challenges and successes in the small business arena. Not exclusively geared toward salespeople, we meet to learn how to better connect with our clients, in a positive and open atmosphere.

Group Format: We usually meet the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month for an hour starting at noon at 1131 Emerson St. in Evanston. So we have the room ready to accommodate everyone, we appreciate RSVPs via 847-328-7853. It's BYOL, bring your own lunch.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Monday, April 11: In the interest of spring cleaning, Sue Koch and Angie Garbot will talk about How to Clean Up your Image!! Sue has presented to the Toolbox crowd before, specializing in Social Media and how to get yourself out to the public! Angie is a professional photographer that will talk about the importance of updating your photographic image, both in print and and online! Angie specializes in showcasing the real YOU in her work. Angie will also give us an opportunity to get new head shots taken!

Monday, April 25: Revitalize yourself with this program featuring Heather McCutcheon of Mindful Marketing and JJ Jones of Indigo Studios! Heather will present her expertise in energy and shakra work to improve your focus and emotional well-being. JJ owns a studio featuring yoga booty ballet, Zumba, and other dance/movement classes, and she also teaches yoga and meditation classes. JJ will teach us some conscious meditation techniques which can be used anywhere to make you feel energetic, focused and more rested.

Monday, May 9: Captain Dale Fochs of the Evanston Fire Department will come in to give us helpful hints on staying safe at home and at work during this season of spring cleaning! We will also talk about other City of Evanston programs that are there to help you at home and in business!

Facebook can blurs the lines between personal and professional

2011-03-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

Deb Lawrence shares her take on this social media tool

The use of Facebook in the business world tends to cause several different types of reactions. Eye-rolling is very common with those who turn their noses up, and wonder why a rational human being would even consider using something like Facebook for business. I suspect that these folks have either never been on this website, or have perhaps only seen the movie, “The Social Network.” This is how they have drawn their conclusions as to the usefulness of Facebook.

Personally I have used Facebook both socially and for business. Yes, I did consider whether I wanted to mesh my personal and business lives. But since I don’t have a secret, “double-life” on the wild side, I don’t really care, if my business associates know that I have a golden retriever, two cats, three kids and a great husband.

What has fascinated me, is that in my industry of marketing /public relations, is the ability of Facebook to resurrect friendships and relationships, transcend relationships and solidify friendships on a deeper level. This applies to business as well as personal relationships.

Many people have said, that I’m a natural networker, and I say, I was networking without knowing what it was, or before it was popular. I enjoy people, and learning about people. I find people interesting. And that is what makes the world go around.

Facebook has become a tool to me in my career. It has helped me to network on a more personal level with many people in the business world. Specifically, I have had the ability to get to know various people who I never would have reached out to in the past. One example, is that when the Skokie Chamber of Commerce has needed a keynote speaker or an emcee for events, I reached out to business contacts through Facebook. Having been connected to various "friends", it was a natural extension of an online relationship. In seeking a win-win situation, I was able to communicate easily through Facebook and provide “details and event links” to the potential speakers. Entire programs were set up through Facebook.
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Deb Lawrence is the Business Employer Services & Community Relations for Illinois workNet Centers of Northern Cook County. She was recognized as the Skokie Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Volunteer of the Year.

TED Talks for kids and adults

2011-03-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Do you know about the TED Talks?

TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, is a non-profit dedicated to "ideas worth spreading". Started in 1984, TED activities now go beyond annual conferences, which I've yet to get to in person. I watch the TED Talks online and always come away with an additional perspective on issues I'm already engaged in and a greater understand of issues I'd rarely thought about.

Recently in TED Conversations, a mom asked for recommendations for TED Talks to share with her daughter. Concerned that the results of this very useful exchange wouldn't be available after the close of the conversation, I'm sharing some of the recommendations here, all of which I've listened to too.

All of these are suitable for adults as well.

Jamie Oliver talks about our country's dwindling mortality given our eating habits and how we can turn it around and save our kids.

Young Birke Baehr discusses the dark side of the industrialized food system, his dream of being an organic farmer and suggests not eating food that sparkles.

Young Adora Svitak challenges all to rethink the term "childish". She thinks learning should be reciprocal.

Gever Tulley talks about playing with fire, knives, spears, appliances, the digital millenium copyright act, cars and how to raise kids to be creative, confident and in control of their environment.

William Kamkwamba discusses building an electricity-generating windmill for his family when he was 14.

Young Sirena Huang plays her violin and discusses the 16th Century technology, design and entertainment value of her instrument.

Geert Chatrou is an amazing whistler.

Natasha Tsakos discusses the environment between reality and imagination, science and art, creative collaboration and connection, and producing meaningful work. She performs a piece from her show "Upwake".

A mathematician and a magician, Art Benjamin does "mathemagic".

Wow. Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demonstrate SixthSense.

By the way, November 20, 2011 is Universal Children's Day and TEDxYouthDay.

Harry Steindler discusses SLSF, philanthropy and taxes

2011-03-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

Taken from Harry Steindler's prepared remarks at this year's Skokie Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, February 4, 2011.

I am a partner with Silver, Lerner, Schwartz & Fertel, SLSF, a forty-person, Skokie-based CPA firm. I take care of business owners’ and leaders’ worries about their financial and tax reporting needs so they can concentrate on creating financial and personal success. At SLSF we strive to be the best firm to work for in Chicago. We take care of our staff...and they and our partners promise to take good care of you.

For the second consecutive year we are proud to be one of the sponsors of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce Annual Board Installation and Member Awards Luncheon.

SLSF is a 29-year-old firm, born and bred in Skokie. We currently have seven partners. Unlike many of our competitors we have survived and thrived as we moved to our second generation of ownership and leadership. Luckily, in the room today, and back at the office, we have some of the people who will successfully move our firm to a third generation in the years to come. We work with closely-held businesses and non-profit organizations of all shapes and sizes from mom-and-pop shops to companies with over $100,000,000 in revenue. We are really, really, really great accountants, tax professionals, business consultants, best friends and life coaches to our clients. Although we work successfully with almost any industry, we spend a large amount of time working with manufacturers, distribution and logistics companies, restaurant groups, real estate organizations, health care companies and with all sorts of individual clients.

Besides the importance of treating our clients well, our people have a great time working with each other and we care about our community immensely. We have a Fun Committee and great food that helps us through tax season. We have a Community Cares Committee that is committed to giving back. In the past year our firm has donated time, money and leadership to many organizations:

The following are groups to whom we donated through the efforts of our staff-run Committee –

Catholic Charities Adopt-a-family,
Niles Township Food Pantry,
Soldier’s Angels,
The Lymphoma Research Foundation,
Little City,
St Phillip’s Church Clothes Closet,
WINGS - Women In Need Growing Stronger,
American Cancer Society,
Libenu, Housing for Jewish young adults with developmental disabilities
Greater Chicago Food Depository,
PAWS,
St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital,
Susan G Komen and
Ronald McDonald House.

As a firm and individually we realize how important it is to give to give to those in need.

During the past year, we have also taken on a lot of exciting initiatives at SLSF.

We have renewed our lease and will be taking additional space at 8707 Skokie Blvd.
We have increased our staff count by almost 7 percent.
We recently joined AGN, an international association of accounting firms, to expand our ability to serve clients around the globe.
We are working with a marketing consultant to continue to expand new business opportunities.
We brought in renowned Loyola University professor, WBEZ radio personality and philosopher Al Gini to teach all of us about ethics and leadership.
We formally reviewed our managing partner and our entire partner group; one of the only professional firms our size to do so.
We did all of this so that we can continue to grow to best serve our clients and to continue to strive to be the best firm to work for in Chicago.

It has been a very good year at SLSF. We very much appreciate the support of the Chamber and of our local business community.

I am going to talk about a Skokie institution. One that stands out for what they do, but may not be familiar to everyone here. I’m talking about Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center.

Turning Point which began serving our community in 1969 is an outpatient mental health center that, according to its website “exists to provide expert care and relief, no matter who you are or what your situation might be. They guide you through the most frightening and difficult steps and decisions you face and help to ensure that you maintain your legal rights. They provide solid support, every step of the way, recognizing each client’s efforts to change, stabilize and grow.

My firm is lucky enough to be Turning Point’s auditors. Whenever I am at their building I see patients that could be my children, or your children. I see people who through no fault of their own need a level of service and support to keep going, to maintain a level of independence. I see people who may not make it if not for Turning Point and other organizations like them. Here are a couple of comments from Turning Point clients:

“I have friends here. They are good people who don’t want to cause
trouble. They just need extra help to stay well. I don’t want to be
marginalized in an institution. And I’m willing to fight tooth and nail to
prevent that.”

“My life has really changed. I don’t cry every day; that is only because I
have somewhere to come […] I’ve been here almost two years, and I can
count how many days I’ve missed other than going to the doctor on one
hand [….] I need the people around me so I can change and continue to
get well. By being a mirror, maybe someone can see me and say, I can
get better like her”

And finally, a telling comment from a Turning Point staffer:

“I have a client right now who is facing homelessness, and in the past we
would have been able to help her out. We’re working as hard as we can to
find the resources, but they’re just not there.”

For the year ending June 30, 2010, 75% of Turning Point’s funding--the funds that pay professionals to help these people...the funds that help their clients, our neighbors, friends and family become productive members of our society--came from Illinois taxpayers. That’s 75% of the Turning Point budget: Turning Point’s clients need the state to be solvent. The over 2,100 clients served by Turning
Point need the state to be able to pay their bills.

Turning Point and their clients are not alone; there are hundreds of similar organizations, helping the developmentally disabled, mentally handicapped, victims of domestic violence, people recovering from substance abuse, people diagnosed with crippling physical illnesses that are funded by state and federal tax dollars.

Governments, as representatives of our society, and we as individuals, through fundraising efforts like we have at SLSF, and as I’m sure many of the businesses represented here today have, need to be there to make sure that those that may not have been born with equal opportunity, are given every opportunity to be full, contributing members of society. That’s why it’s important to support organizations like Turning Point and other of our non-profit clients such as SHALVA, National Association for Down’s Syndrome, North Center for Handicapped Children, the Lawyer’s Assistance Program and the Rory David Deutsch Foundation – organizations funded by taxes and individual contributions that give people that opportunity.

In his final speech, Hubert Humphrey said,

“The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in
the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly;
those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped. "

I don’t know how much we should pay in taxes. I don’t know how much is overspent. I don’t know how much is wasted, but I do know there is a big role for government to play and there are people who truly need our help to be all they can be, or to merely make it to tomorrow. That’s what good governments and great societies do. By looking after our neediest, by making the least able, more
able, we pull everyone up, bring us all to a higher level. That’s why our taxes do matter and why the work that government does matters.
................................................................................................................................................................

A graduate of Niles East and University of Illinois at Chicago, Harry Steindler has been in public accounting for just over thirty years; he joining SLSF in 1988.

Chicago Hypnosis Center offering a sweetheart deal

2011-02-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

Skokie Chamber of Commerce member Chicago Hypnosis Center is offering a sweetheart of a deal. Sign up for a hypnosis program with your sweetheart, or a friend, and one of you gets helped for free. The deal ends on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, at 5 p.m.

Here's what you need to know...

Chicago Hypnosis Center works with people on weight loss, smoking cessation, better sleep, performance enhancement, pain management and overcoming unreasonable fears.

There's no predetermined set program for accomplishing these goals. Each program is tailored for an individual's needs.

What they do always do is start with a consultation to get a good sense of the person's objectives and lay out a plan to help them get there. The program could be anywhere from two or three sessions, or more, depending on a client's goals and motivation.

To learn more about hypnosis and the Center's practice, go to their website. Also check out this recent Dr. Oz show that discuss weight loss and hypnosis.

Contact Karen Hand or Catherine Johns at 773-725-3200 to learn more about the deal and how they can help you.

Scott Holtz named Skokie Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year

2011-02-10T23:15:00.000-08:00

Why me? Why not you?

This in from Scott Holtz...

I never set out with the goal in mind of being member of the year. Frankly, it came as a total surprise. I am truly honored. After I was presented the award I did some research and found myself in the company of some big hitters in the community where previous recipients include the Doubletree and Holiday Inn. I thought to myself those businesses contribute so much to the success of the Chamber what did I do to deserve this recognition?

What I do for the Chamber is what I hope the Chamber and every member of the Chamber will do for me. I talk about the Chamber and actively promote it. I find members for the Chamber or find business for members of the Chamber. I get involved in the Chambers business so I can better understand what it does and why they do it so I can help where I can. The Chamber is a part of the community and more people outside the Chamber need to discover what it offers and I am doing my part to help promote that.

My association with the Chamber has presented me with many opportunities to build relationships with local businesses and given me the chance to meet and work with many community leaders from IMODS to my friends at the Park District and Village Hall. My association with the Chamber has given me countless business leads and quite a few signed contracts not to mention a bunch of new friends I value highly.

The Chamber has allowed me to start the Economic Development Task Force and to work on bringing together the leaders of business in the Chamber and Village government. Recently, I have been given the chance to evolve the Wednesday Car Shows into a full summer series of entertainment events from movies to concerts we are calling “Wednesdays on the Green”. Every Wednesday from mid May building up to the Backlot Bash at the end of August please join us on the Village Green in Downtown Skokie for some real fun.

I hope that by reading this you will now be inspired to get involved. There is a chance for everyone to be Member of the Year. What can you do to make a difference?
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Scott prepared these remarks for the Skokie Chamber of Commerce's newletter. President and lead designer for 5207 Inc., Scott and his family live in downtown Skokie.

Adventures in Networking

2011-02-08T13:59:00.000-08:00

This just in from Shalom Klein...

Networking WORKS for you!

About 15 months ago, I moved back to Skokie to grow our family business. My father, Moshe Klein, has been an accountant for almost 30 years and has focused on helping individuals on getting their financial house in order. Together we developed a small business model that our clients love. (We become our client's business office and handle their bookkeeping, accounting, and taxes for under $99 / monthly -- no hourly fees).

As a kid, I always hung out at my father’s office but never imagined I would end up in the family business. That said, I was the only 3’rd grader that had a budget… I obviously picked a few things up during the late nights “working” at the office. 20 years later, I came back to grow our already successful firm, and needed to figure out how to successfully reach the business community.

I realized something – when you are out there connecting people, people connect you! I started meeting many business owners, job seekers, neighbors, friends, and family for coffee (yes, I love Starbucks) and finding out who they are looking to meet. Having developed a large Rolodex / Blackberry, filled with contacts in all industries, I'm now considered a valuable resource and connector. More than two dozen calls come in daily from friends and strangers around the country asking if I know someone that specializes in this or that. Just yesterday, a client asked if I can recommend someone to fight their red-light violation.

Today, I still network all day, every day, but many of those connections that I made a year ago are “working” for me. They are putting me in touch with contacts that I may benefit from meeting. It is a common thing to see people that have gotten jobs or are doing business, thanks to that “Cup of Joe” that I had a while back.

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Shalom Klein is the Business Director of Moshe Klein & Associates, Ltd., a Skokie-based accounting firm that provides low cost bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services for small businesses. A tireless networker, he founded Jewish B2B Networking, which plans and hosts events for small businesses in the Midwest. He is also the publisher of Jewish Business News, a new magazine with distribution of 15,000 in the Chicago area. Shalom can be reached at 773-904-0102, shalom@mkabusiness.com and at @SYKlein.

Skokie during Blizzard 2011

2011-02-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

Joel Lerner made this picture at the beginning of his shift shooting for

Pioneer Press/Skokie Review: Downtown Skokie looking northwest at 10 a.m. on

Tuesday, February 2, 2011 from the third floor of the Metropolitan on Oakton.

Other images of neighbors battling and enjoying the snow are up at on Joel's Facebook page.

Special thanks to the folks at Optima that helped Joel get some access that enabled
him to get some nice images he couldn't have gotten any other way. See one of them below.

All Skokie Photo Contest deadline December 1

2010-11-26T12:51:00.000-08:00

Please share this invitation to have pictures of Skokie neighbors and family in the Skokie Historical Society's archives...and possibly win a prize.

Chicago Hypnosis Center offers free stress reduction classes Dec 8 and 9

2010-11-23T05:05:00.000-08:00

This in from Skokie Chamber of Commerce member Chicago Hypnosis Center...

Chicago Hypnosis Center offers a complimentary Holiday Stress Reduction Class with Karen Hand.

She'll teach participants how to control or even remove stress around the holidays and through the New Year.

When: Wednesday, December 8th at 6 p.m. or Thursday, December 9th at noon.

Where: Chicago Hypnosis Center, 4801 West Peterson Avenue, Suite 601, Chicago IL 60646

Registration: Space is limited. Pre-registration is required via 773-725-3200.

All Skokie Photo Contest has begun

2010-10-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Dig out those old photos and shoot some new ones, Skokie!

Time to submit your new and old photos of Skokie friends and neighbors to the All Skokie Photo Contest so they might win a prize and potentially be included in the Skokie Historical Society's photography archives.

SkokieNet has organized this contest with the All Skokie Photo Project.

Sweet pictures will win sweet treats from Sweet Attila's. First prize is a year's worth of cookies. The best Halloween and Thanksgiving theme pictures will win a gift certificate.

With the help of folks submitting images to the All Skokie Photo Contest and everyone who cares about Skokie, the All Skokie Photo Project will update the world on what Skokie is all about.

Through photos, you're invited to help tell Skokie's story.

Inclusivity and creativity are important elements of this project, which is why your involvement is vital.

The All Skokie Photo Project is a community photo project, a photo census, of sorts, making and collecting photos of everyone who's made Skokie what it is today--everyone who lives, works, studies or worships in Skokie, past or present, or otherwise cares about our village, which includes students, teachers, families, athletes, workers, politicians, brides and grooms, worshipers, club members, business owners, immigrants and more. The list goes on. Skokie is very diverse and the Skokie community is being asked to help tell Skokie's story with pictures and, yes, accompanying text.

Get scanning and shooting now, because the deadline is December 1, 2010 and time flies.

Check out the details.

Originally posted in August. Updated October 25, 2010.

Be included in Skokie's history: Get your picture taken Sunday for FREE

2010-09-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

Get ready for your close-up, Skokie, and become part of Skokie's history!

The All Skokie Photo Project invites everyone with ties to Skokie, everyone who makes Skokie what it is today, to get their picture made for inclusion in the Skokie Historical Society's photography collection.   

When: Sunday, September 26, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (at the same time as Skokie's Farmers' Market)

Where: Skokie Heritage Museum, 8031 Floral Ave. in Downtown Skokie

Bring a friend or neighbor. The event's Facebook page offers a clue about who else is expected.

George Pfoertner and I will be the primary shooters.  

Comb your hair or not. We'll be making real pictures of real people as they want to be known.   

Participation is free, but a donation would be appreciated.   

Photos from this shoot will be posted as soon as possible on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/WeAreSkokie.   

The All Skokie Photo Project is a year-long community photography project aiming to make pictures of everyone with ties to Skokie--everyone that lives, works, worships, studies in Skokie, ever has, or who just care about Skokie--by May 2011 for inclusion in the Skokie Historical Society's archives.   

We aim to update the world on what Skokie is about now.   Besides getting your picture taken, you'll be asked to fill out a questionnaire so we can write a short story about you to go with your picture.

Inclusivity, creativity, bridging the gap among people of different backgrounds and promoting pride in Skokie is the focus.

Were you at the first Rocky Horror Picture Show fun at the Skokie Theatre?

2010-09-15T23:22:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 28, 2010, approx 10:40 p.m.: The house was sold out for the first screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Skokie Theatre

That's Aleks Krapivkin in the red t-shirt standing up on the left in the back. Joel Lerner is the guy with the camera shooting for the Skokie Review standing in the aisle on the right. I think that is Carly Tennes in the black tank top in the second row. Who else do you know in this picture?

On August 28, Scott Holtz, Kring Lerner Group and other fans of the Skokie Theatre organized a benefit--a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the classic musical sci-fi satire about an alien transvestite named Frank-n-Furter who aims to build the perfect man and his fellow Transexual Transylvanians. Originally released in 1975, this cult favorite features young Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf.

Save the date: The next benefit screening is Animal House on Oct 30.

There's also talk of another screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show in early 2011.

Stay tuned. For more information, contact Scott Holtz.

Niles Township Food Pantry needs food and volunteers Sept 25

2010-09-13T05:06:00.000-07:00

This just in from Cathy Struzynski...

I hope everyone had a great summer and is ready for the fall season. After several scheduling difficulties during the summer, we are hopeful to have regularly scheduled food drives for the Niles Township Food Pantry this fall. Cynthia Carranza, the Director of the Food Pantry, reports that the need for food from the pantry keeps increasing and donations to the Niles Township Food Pantry are needed now more than ever.

To help stock the Food Pantry shelves, a food drive is set for September 25, 2010 at the Jewel in Niles, located at 8203 W. Golf. Volunteers are needed from 9:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. We would like four volunteers for each shift. Please let me know your availability (via cathystruzynski@yahoo.com) for one or more of the shifts and indicate your first, second and third choice for each possible shift. Once I receive responses, I will confirm your scheduled time. The shifts are:

9:00 – 10:30
10:30 – 12:00
12:00 – 1:30
1:30 – 3:00
3:00 – 4:30
The last shift includes assisting in unloading the food at the Food Pantry.

The need is great, the time commitment relatively small and the appreciation for our efforts from the staff at the food pantry is gratifying. You can be a part of this project to help our neighbors by volunteering for at least one shift. Please respond with your availability, indicating the number of shifts you can cover and your first, second and third choice for each shift.

Thanks for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.

We Are Skokie: a few of the pictures from the All Skokie Photo Project

2010-09-08T07:16:00.000-07:00

These are just some of the pictures made for the All Skokie Photo Project. These happen to all be by me, but other photographers are shooting too. Other photographers are being assigned to shoots and shooting pictures on their own. Those who want to contribute pictures and the stories that go with them should consider submitting them to the All Skokie Photo Contest.

To see more, go to the Skokie Historical Society/Skokie Heritage Museum to see Picture #1, the picture of nearly 300 people taken at Festival of Cultures or go to Facebook.

The next shoot is scheduled for Sunday, September 26 at the Museum.

If you have any questions about the Project, you can contact me directly at krkring (at) gmail.com.

Fran Roehm appointed advisor to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help eliminate the digital divide

2010-09-07T02:38:00.000-07:00

This just in...

Frances Roehm, SkokieNet Librarian and Community Liaison at the Skokie Public Library, has recently been appointed by Illinois Senate President John Cullerton to serve on the statutorily created advisory committee of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for its Eliminate the Digital Divide program. This grant program, created in 2001, provides digital literacy grants to public computing centers in low income communities across Illinois.

"The committee is charged with advising DCEO staff regarding grants for computer access and training for folks who otherwise would not have it," says Fran. "This agency's grants support digital literacy and reach state residents who are job hunting and receive assistance with their resumes, adults who receive assistance in developing needed computer workforce skills, and others who otherwise would be without the tools to compete or take part in an increasingly digital world."

In 1998, Fran created, and with her colleagues maintains, the ChicagoJobs.org website. Since 2005, Fran has been involved with the development of Illinois CLICKS!, the online information portal designed to provide digital information resources for all in the state, including the 1 million residents without traditional library services. Fran is also a member of Gov. Quinn’s Illinois Broadband Deployment Council and will seek to work with the DCEO and other digital literacy advocates to support the computer technology centers and libraries that offer this important service along with the expansion of broadband and information services statewide.

For more information on IDCEO EDD program see granttracker.ildceo.net.
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Through the All Skokie Photo Project, I'm working with Fran and other at SkokieNet on the All Skokie Photo Contest. I'm an advisor for SkokieNet. Fran is on Facebook and tweets as SkokieGal.

All Skokie Photo Project's photo fun at the Backlot Bash

2010-08-21T13:06:00.000-07:00


All Skokie Photo Project's Picture #1, severely cropped

The Skokie Backlot Bash will be more than bands, rides, food and movies this year.

The All Skokie Photo Project's Picture #1, the big group photo taken at the Festival of Cultures in May, will be on display at the Skokie Heritage Museum, 8031 Floral Ave., 12-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29. Maybe you remembering me writing about this picture which launched the Project earlier this year.

At 50 inches wide and 30 inches high, approx. 300 people are in the picture, including the Mayor George Van Dusen, Jan Schakowsky, Lou Lang, Beth Coulson, Howard Meyer, Krishna Goyal, Scott Holtz, Ann Tennes, Janet Rosenberg, Jim Szczepaniak, Norman Kozak, Julia Clarke, Bill Schmidt, Bill Novello, Jin Lee, Ken Grossman, Roy Swenson, Svetlana Kramarova, David Battaglin, Omprakash Kamaria, Rich Reeder, Jelly Carandang, Joel Farber, Nora Cotter, Mark Adler, Jenna Dodson, Paul Pitalis, Nanciann Gatta, Louie Posey, Robert Yuen, Mary Recchia, Leah Raffe, Matthew Robins, Jason Block and so many others who make Skokie what it is today and friends.

This will be the first public display of this picture. The Village's Janelle Silva gave the picture a "Wow!".

Other photos made since the launch will be on display too.

Lasting Memories, the portrait and wedding studio in downtown Skokie, will be shooting for the Project on Saturday and Sunday starting at noon each day. They'll be making free prints for everyone who poses. Even those who've already had their picture made for the Project are invited to come get another one made.

The All Skokie Photo Project will also be making two other large group pictures during the Bash. I expect it will be me shooting the picture of the audience just before the screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Skokie Theatre on Saturday night. Another picture will be made from the main stage at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday.

All are invited to shoot pictures of the fun at the Bash and submit them to the All Skokie Photo Contest to possibly win a year's worth of cookies from Sweet Atilla's and for potential inclusion in the Skokie Historical Society's photo archives. If you don't have a camera, you can check one out from the Skokie Public Library.

The All Skokie Photo Project is updating the world on what Skokie is about now, at the beginning of the 21st Century, through photographs and the stories that go with them. This year-long project aims to make (or collect) pictures of everyone that makes Skokie what it is today. Inclusivity and creativity in all aspects of this project are key to its success. Contact me at AllSkokiePhotoProject@gmail.com to discuss yours or your organization's ideas.

Q and A with Scott Holtz, Rocky Horror Picture Show event organizer and...

2010-08-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

Scott Holtz and other big cheeses in Skokie have enlisted the help of Dr. Frank N. Furter and Meatloaf to help save the Skokie Theatre.

And so the Rocky Horror Picture Show will play at the Skokie Theatre August 28.

To better understand Scott and his cause, I posed some questions. Here's his response:

Q: What inspired you to organize this screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show to benefit the Skokie Theatre?

Scott: The Skokie Theatre needs our help! It is a gem of a space and could be central to what is coming for Downtown Skokie. It is a gathering place. In the past when times were hard places like the Skokie Theatre provided the escape the public needed. We must work to save what we have in downtown Skokie to use that to get more here. A full house at the Skokie Theatre nightly would support more nightlife here. The matinees could offer more opportunities for a noon shopping/eating crowd.

Q: Why Rocky Horror? Why not Sound of Music or something more mainstream?

Scott: I wanted this event to be an experience. The Sound of Music is fine to watch on your TV at home or live on stage. Rocky Horror needs to happen in a public space with people. It (RHPS) doesn't work on DVD in your living room. What fun is audience participation with 1 person? Besides - you look pretty silly doing the Time Warp alone.

Q: What is so special about this theatre?

Scott: Its past, its present and its future. It's been re-invented many times. Just as we struggle to find the identity for Downtown Skokie the same struggle has occurred over the life of the theatre. Where the current vision started with just jazz , the Skokie Theatre has evolved into including everything from live theatrical performances to cat acrobats.

Q: Why should others--local, country and state government officials; real estate developers; area businesses; community members--care about this
theatre and help support it?

Scott: It is a theatre. It has a life. I cannot imagine another use for that building or that property. It can become a key in the Village center. Steps from Village Hall and one of the finest public libraries in the country, it has a place. There is sculpture all over the Village Green. A successful theatre could help turn Downtown Skokie into a fine regional art/education/performance center.

Q: What do you see in the Skokie Theatre's future? What do you envision it could be in order for it to remain viable?

Scott: It needs to offer a variety of programming options and become more community friendly. There needs to be a solid marketing effort to provide an awareness for the theatre. Marketing has always been word of mouth and by chance. I think if more people are aware of the theatre and what is doing selling tickets would be much easier.

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By day Scott is website designer living and working in downtown Skokie. He used to work in theatre as a set and lighting designer. In is scarce free time, Scott is board member of IMODS (Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie) and Skokie Chamber of Commerce where he was named Volunteer of the Year for 2009. Scott has been instrumental in forming the Economic Development Task Force for the Skokie Chamber. With Caryn Watson, he runs Skokie's Classic Car Show. Oh, and he can run a 5 K in 28 minutes.

Sunday's Garage Sale to Benefit Multiple Sclerosis Sufferer

2010-08-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

Next week, Sunday, August 8, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., a multi-family garage sale to benefit a multiple sclerosis sufferer is scheduled to be held at 9636 Lawler in Skokie, that's across from Old Orchard and down the street from Niles North.

Items for sale include collectibles, 32” TV, desk, furniture, maternity clothes, plus size clothes, housewares, rug, paintings, lots of stuff for the college students and more.

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The family hosting the garage sale are the Taxmans, my cousins.

Scenes from Skokie's Fourth of July Parade

2010-07-08T05:16:00.000-07:00

Masons were just one of the community groups to come out to march in Skokie's Fourth of July parade.

WBBM's Mary Frances Bragiel interviewed one of the parade goers.

Karen Wallace (center) marched, while her sister Robin Wallace, in skates, rolled in the parade with their uncle Michael Vernon and other "Jan fans".

These "Jan fans" know how to roll.

Candidate for State Representive Daniel Biss worked both sides of the parade.

Temple Beth Israel came out again this year.

Friends watched the parade in front of Skokie House on Lincoln Ave.

Michael Becker next to Skokie House.

UBD aka Urban Beat Dance marched again this year.

Rolling up Lincoln Ave.

The bands were great again this year.

Marine Corps veteran Joe Leifer.

Julie, Max and Sam Yusim.

These kids worked their lemonade stand on Oakton.
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