Albany Park Chamber of Commerce

Art Exhibits, Concerts & Festivals in Albany Park

Summer 2008

*Khmer Spirit: Arts & Culture of Cambodia, Art Exhibit

Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial,

2831 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625

Open now through September 2008

The exhibit features Cambodian paintings, sculptures, bas-reliefs, costumes and musical instruments from Cambodia.

*Concerts in the Parks, Free Music Concerts

Horner Park, California Ave between Montrose and Irving Park Road and

Ravenswood Manor Playlot, across from CTA Ravenswood Brown Line Francisco Station

Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights in June, July & August 2008

From salsa and reggae, to gospel and jazz, the Park District’s Concerts in the Parks series offers Chicago families a fun, affordable way to spend an evening in their own community. Bring a lawn chair or blanket but prepare to dance and sway the night away. Featuring local artists: Michael McDermott Band, School of Rock, Dive Bar, Snatch Inc., Beckon Q and more!

*American Spanish Dance Festival featuring Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater

Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625

June 18-30, 2008

Celebrating their fourth decade, internationally acclaimed Flamenco dance group “Ensemble Espanol” presents three gala concerts and World Premieres, painting, sculpture and dance exhibits and seminars featuring their company of forty dancers with guest artists, ballerinas, and Flamenco guitarists from Spain.

*The 23^rd Annual Irish American Heritage Festival (“Irish Fest”) Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Street, Chicago, IL 60630 July 11-13, 2008

The Irish American Heritage Festival attracts 12,000 people from all over the Midwest and features three days of music on five stages showcasing the finest in local and international Irish and American music, dance and family activities–fun for the entire family. Headliners include: Gaelic Storm, The Makem and Spain Brothers, The Young Dubliners, The Tossers, Seven Nations and Solas.

*13^th Annual Chicago Korean Festival Bryn Mawr Avenue, from Kedzie to Kimball Avenue August 9 & 10, 2008 The festival features a mix of traditional and contemporary Korean entertainment on two stages, such as dancing and drumming, martial arts demonstrations, live music and Ssireum (Korean style wrestling). Munch short ribs, marinated beef, spicy rice cakes and more foods from vendors, and browse crafts and goods.

*"Aqui Estoy," a production of the Albany Park Theater Project

Goodman Theater during the Latino Theater Festival, 170 N. Dearborn St

7:30pm on August 12, 2008

Named one of the best shows of 2007 by the Chicago Sun-Times, Aquí Estoy is composed of two provocative theater pieces based on months of interviews conducted by APTP youth ensemble members about the lives of undocumented immigrants in Chicago. "Amor de Lejos" chronicles the tough lives of day laborers from Central America and Mexico. "Nine Digits" is the moving story of a Chicago teen who has been an undocumented immigrant since his parents brought him to the United States from Colombia when he was age six. With astonishing originality, Aquí Estoy humanizes the often corrupt and mean-spirited rhetoric of the national immigration debate. To purchase tickets by phone, call (312) 443-3800, for group sales call (312) 443-3820.

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Local Aldermanic Office Contact Information

IAlderman Mell, 33rd Ward: (773) 478-8040

Alderman Allen, 38th Ward: (773) 545-3838

Alderman Laurino, 39th Ward: (773) 463-5594

Alderman O'Connor, 40th Ward: (773) 769-1140

Alderman Levar, 45th Ward: (773) 545-2545

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Adopt-A-School Needs You!

Have you ever wanted to get your business involved as a partner with a local school? Well, this is the perfect time to find out more about that possibility! Why not consider taking an active role as an Adopt-A-School partner? The program is flexible. Each partnership develops its own program structure and goals based on the resources of the adopter and the needs of the schools. For more information, please call Chicago Public Schools at 773-553-1000.

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*Latest news and information about the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce*

Albany Park Chamber of Commerce Events Summer & Fall 2008 3rd Annual Summer After Hours Event at Merle's Coffee Shoppe: Thursday, July 10, 2008, 5-8pm at Merle's Coffee Shoppe, 4642 N. Francisco Avenue, two blocks south of Lawrence Avenue between Sacramento and California. All are welcome! Free for Chamber members, $10 for non-members. Network with fellow businesses and residents on the outdoor patio. Enjoy Chef Jeff's delicious hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, with live entertainment from the Rico Family! Call Liz at (773) 478-0202 x 12 to reserve your place today!* Albany Park Free Health Fair at Jesus House Chicago: Saturday, July 19, 2008 from 12pm-5pm at Jesus House Chicago, 4332 N. Kedzie Ave, just south of Montrose. All are invited and welcome to attend! Bring your family for school physicals, school & immunization shots, blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks & hemoglobin checks. You'll also enjoy free food, music & gifts! Are you a business owner, doctor or pharmacist and want to participate? Call Daniel at (773) 866-9461 or visit www.jesushouse.org for more information. The Ultimate Business Networking Event: Thursday, September 18, 2008 from 5:30pm-9pm at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Avenue. Network with nearly 400 fellow businesses from northwest side communities, including Portage Park, Edison Park, North-Pulaski-Armitage, Gladstone Park, Belmont-Central, West Ridge and more! Try food samples from restaurants all over NW side! The king of networking events, this evening will include food from restaurants throughout the City of Chicago, one drink ticket (with cash bar), a business card raffle. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available. $15 entrance fee (cash or check only, please) for all businesses. Call Liz at (773) 478-0202 x 12 for more information. North Park University's 2008 Homecoming Block Party: Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 9:30a-1:30pm. Sponsor a booth for your business and get exposure to nearly 4,000 students, residents and local alumni!* Albany Park Chamber of Commerce is a partner with North Park University and as a special bonus: Chamber members get half-off booth sponsorship prices! Call Liz at (773) 478-0202 x 12 for more information. ______________________________________________________________________________ Illinois Smoking Ban in Effect January 1, 2008 *The Illinois Smoking Ban goes into effect on January 1, 2008. Smoking is banned indoor and within 15 feet of any entrance to all public places of employment including restaurants, bars, taverns, retail stores, offices, concert halls, private clubs, lobbies, bowling allies, etc. The Smoke Free Illinois Act, signed into law by Governor Rod Blagojevich last July, is designed to protect people from the dangers of tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke. The new law supersedes most local "no smoking" laws throughout the state, including the Chicago Clean Indoor Air Ordinance, which was initially passed in 1988 and updated most recently in 2005. The law also requires "No Smoking" signs to be posted at every entrance. Free signs are available for download on the city's website at www.cityofchicago.org. Additionally, ashtrays are to be removed from the premises. The changes effective January 1 will affect those businesses in Chicago that would have been required, by current city ordinance, to be smoke free by July 1, 2008. Business owners and managers who have questions and concerns about the new state law should visit the City's website for information or call 311. ____________________________________________________________________* WE HAVE MOVED! PLEASE VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION! The Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence Avenue Development Corporation and North River Commission are now located at: 3403 W. Lawrence Ave, Suite 201 The handicapped accessible office is located at the corner of Lawrence and Kimball Avenues in the Albank Professional Building, across the street from the CTA Kimball station and Albany Bank & Trust. Metered street parking is available on Kimball or Lawrence Avenue, as well. ____________________________________________________________________ Albany Park Chamber of Commerce 2008-2008 Board of Directors:* President- Andrew Levin, Bass Realty 1st Vice President - Andy Mourikes, International Plaza 2nd Vice President, Scott Schultz, Celebrity Properties Treasurer - Diana Torres, Albany Bank & Trust Secretary - Saima Causevic, Northside Realty and L&S Management Board of Director, Larry Anderson, Tre Kronor Restaurant Board of Director, Hassib Blan, Metro Plaza Board of Director, Shu Chan, Lawrence-Kedzie Storage Board of Director, Karima Deabes, Chicago Premier Distributor & La Femme Boutique Board of Director, Kate J. Rogers, Accion Chicago Board of Director, Newar Raya, Jerusalem Liquors Board of Director, Carmen Torres, Parkway Bank Board of Director, John Tunnell, Tunnell & Associates, LLC _____________________________________________________________________ History & Mission For more than 75 year, your neighbors have been building and strengthening your community through the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce. Our organization provides the most powerful anchor for what we think are the best communities in the Chicago area. At the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, we don't just talk about the future, we shape it! more. more... _____________________________________________________________________ Look for upcoming special events co-hosted with: Pulaski Elston Business Association Kedzie Elston Business Industrial Council Portage Park Chamber of Commerce &		Art Exhibits, Concerts & Festivals in Albany Park Summer 2008 Khmer Spirit: Arts & Culture of Cambodia, Art Exhibit Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial,* 2831 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 Open now through September 2008 The exhibit features Cambodian paintings, sculptures, bas-reliefs, costumes and musical instruments from Cambodia. Concerts in the Parks, Free Music Concerts Horner Park, California Ave between Montrose and Irving Park Road and* Ravenswood Manor Playlot, across from CTA Ravenswood Brown Line Francisco Station Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights in June, July & August 2008 From salsa and reggae, to gospel and jazz, the Park District’s Concerts in the Parks series offers Chicago families a fun, affordable way to spend an evening in their own community. Bring a lawn chair or blanket but prepare to dance and sway the night away. Featuring local artists: Michael McDermott Band, School of Rock, Dive Bar, Snatch Inc., Beckon Q and more! *American Spanish Dance Festival featuring Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 June 18-30, 2008 Celebrating their fourth decade, internationally acclaimed Flamenco dance group “Ensemble Espanol” presents three gala concerts and World Premieres, painting, sculpture and dance exhibits and seminars featuring their company of forty dancers with guest artists, ballerinas, and Flamenco guitarists from Spain. *The 23^rd Annual Irish American Heritage Festival (“Irish Fest”) Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Street, Chicago, IL 60630 July 11-13, 2008 The Irish American Heritage Festival attracts 12,000 people from all over the Midwest and features three days of music on five stages showcasing the finest in local and international Irish and American music, dance and family activities–fun for the entire family. Headliners include: Gaelic Storm, The Makem and Spain Brothers, The Young Dubliners, The Tossers, Seven Nations and Solas. *13^th Annual Chicago Korean Festival Bryn Mawr Avenue, from Kedzie to Kimball Avenue August 9 & 10, 2008 The festival features a mix of traditional and contemporary Korean entertainment on two stages, such as dancing and drumming, martial arts demonstrations, live music and Ssireum (Korean style wrestling). Munch short ribs, marinated beef, spicy rice cakes and more foods from vendors, and browse crafts and goods. "Aqui Estoy," a production of the Albany Park Theater Project Goodman Theater during the Latino Theater Festival, 170 N. Dearborn St* 7:30pm on August 12, 2008 Named one of the best shows of 2007 by the Chicago Sun-Times, Aquí Estoy is composed of two provocative theater pieces based on months of interviews conducted by APTP youth ensemble members about the lives of undocumented immigrants in Chicago. "Amor de Lejos" chronicles the tough lives of day laborers from Central America and Mexico. "Nine Digits" is the moving story of a Chicago teen who has been an undocumented immigrant since his parents brought him to the United States from Colombia when he was age six. With astonishing originality, Aquí Estoy humanizes the often corrupt and mean-spirited rhetoric of the national immigration debate. To purchase tickets by phone, call (312) 443-3800, for group sales call (312) 443-3820. _______________________________________________________________________________ Local Aldermanic Office Contact Information IAlderman Mell, 33rd Ward: (773) 478-8040 Alderman Allen, 38th Ward: (773) 545-3838 Alderman Laurino, 39th Ward: (773) 463-5594 Alderman O'Connor, 40th Ward: (773) 769-1140 Alderman Levar, 45th Ward: (773) 545-2545 _____________________________________________________________________ Adopt-A-School Needs You! Have you ever wanted to get your business involved as a partner with a local school? Well, this is the perfect time to find out more about that possibility! Why not consider taking an active role as an Adopt-A-School partner? The program is flexible. Each partnership develops its own program structure and goals based on the resources of the adopter and the needs of the schools. For more information, please call Chicago Public Schools at 773-553-1000. _____________________________________________________________________