(continued from previous page) in the inner workings of the business. I started consulting after my second child was born; working for myself allowed me to remain in the business that I loved and still be able to raise my own children.” Hope grew up in Highland Park and now resides in Deerfield. “I have been in the area my whole life; I think that’s reassuring for some of my clients. I am in Highland Park often, I shop weekly at Sunset and many other stores, I have doctors there…and of course, I love the great restaurants.” She has been featured in Crain’s Small Business and has participated in wedding-planning seminars as a panelist. Expanding your resources is another benefit of Chamber membership. “I decided to join the Highland Park Chamber when I learned that they were going to start a monthly networking event,” says Dan Gelfond, owner of Keepsake Family Tree Video based at 2411 Shadow Creek Lane, Riverwoods (847-940-9999). “Networking provides us with an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and referrals. You personally get to know other business owners and learn about their companies. If I need anything—for instance, printing services—I usually have a trustworthy contact.” With over nine years of videography experience, Dan concentrates on personal and corporate events. He creates montages and transfers old video tapes to DVDs. “I specialize in interviewing a parent or grandparent to capture their life story. We call these ‘Living Legacy DVDs.’” According to Dan, “Residents from Highland Park know what they want. Their events are usually upscale, and they appreciate my level of customer service.” And Dan likes Highland Park’s service-minded shops and restaurants. Dan has a broadcast background and worked with Steven Spielberg’s Survivor’s of the Shoah Foundation interviewing holocaust survivors. The Chamber is a terrific resource for retail and service organizations, there are also a number of business-to-business members. “We are proud to be members of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce,” Alfred Klairmont, president of Imperial Realty, states. “We have been with the Chamber for 20 years, and we admire what the Chamber does. It is a source of strength for community businesses.” A family-owned, full-service commercial real estate company, Imperial Realty (773-736-4100, www.imperialrealtyco.com, 4747 W. Peterson, <strong>Chicago</strong>) primarily buys commercial properties to manage and lease over the long-term. These include office buildings, shopping centers, industrial space and some residential properties. Currently, the group owns and manages 10 commercial properties in Highland Park and over 80 properties in the <strong>Chicago</strong> metropolitan area. “I believe the strength of the downtown shopping district is the quality of Highland Parkers,” Al explains. “ Residents seek top-notch service and are willing to pay for it.” Al, a lifelong resident, has a background in economics and real estate. He is the president of the Highland Park Central Business District Property Owners Association; the group is currently working with the Chamber and the City to promote the downtown district. Non-profit organizations are part of the Chamber membership mix, as well. The Highland Park/Highwood Kiwanis Club (PO Box 16, Highwood, 847-849-8957) has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for many years. According to its president Don Spaidal, “We 20 / Fall 2007 hope to attract new members and remain involved in community activities.” He added that business people from Highland Park are always generous with both their time and money. The club raises money for local charities. “Our next fundraiser will be Peanut Day, the third Friday in September,” says Don. In 2006, the group donated $10,000 to non-profit organizations including PADS, Highwood Recreation Center, Opportunity, Inc., Spinoza, La Casa, United Way, Save the Children and the Boy and Girl Scouts. “We are fairly new to the Chamber but are not newcomers to Highland Park,” says Adina Torchman, Regional Director of the Northern Region of Jewish Community Centers (JCC) of <strong>Chicago</strong>. The Bernard Weinger JCC (300 Revere Drive, Northbrook, 847-412-4212) has served Highland Park for more than 30 years and offers programs for all ages, including fullday child care, preschool, summer camp, vacation-day programs, after-school recreation, sports and leagues, fitness, aquatics, adult classes and travel. “Our experience as a member of numerous Chambers is very positive, and we are excited about our association with Highland Park businesses and organizations,” she noted. A number of Highland Park families belong to Weinger, so joining the Chamber was natural. “Many volunteers and members of our Board of Directors are from Highland Park.” A recent unforgettable event was for families to celebrate Israel’s 59th birthday. “We had a camel for the kids to ride…It was a wonderful afternoon,” Adina recounted. “We also open our doors to families during ‘snow days,’ when most other facilities close. Parents may still need to get to work, so we make every effort to meet their needs.” When the Center celebrated its 10th anniversary, they honored Helen Weinger, who named the facility in memory of her late husband Bernard. “Her son-in-law Lory Spector, who lives in Highland Park, told the story of how he and others went door to door in 1975 in Highland Park to elicit interest in creating a Jewish Community Center in the north suburbs.” JCC of <strong>Chicago</strong> has an annual campaign that includes a concert at Symphony Center. On November 5, 2007, they will feature Joshua Bell with the <strong>Chicago</strong> Symphony Orchestra. Holly Samonte-Ampon is the manager of The Cooling Station, an ice cream and party place in Highwood at 315 Waukegan Avenue. To schedule your ice cream party, call 847-266-5164. Holly is also a freelance writer and science writer/editor who can be reached at 847-312-2784 or coolingstation_holly@yahoo.com. If your organization values the Highland Park base—both business and residential—the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce is a valuable entry point. Chamber members enjoy exclusive networking opportunities and openings to sponsor community events (Fashion Week 2007 and the Highland Park Open golf outing, to name just two). The Chamber provides referral services to bring new customers to you and unique communications outlets (six00threefive, for example, and other media packages). The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful platform for your professional brand-building. For more information, call 847-432-0284 or visit ehighlandpark.com. While on our web site, be sure to click on the “Directory” to find just the retail, professional, arts and entertainment resources for you.
t Highland Park Hospital, we’ve been providing access to the finest physicians and most advanced technology for over 85 years—all in a comfortable community setting. Sure, you can travel downtown for quality healthcare, but why not stay in your own neighborhood www.enh.org ©2007 Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Fall 2007 / 21
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