Looking to volunteer? Try Naperville’s RibFest, Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6. Agencies such as Gigi’s Playhouse Fox Valley and YWCA of Aurora receive donations based on the number of volunteers they supply. Volunteers are needed to serve beverages, assist in the identification tents, help in the children’s play area, distribute information at the entrance gates, serve as parking attendants, assist in the cleanup of the grounds, and support the merchandising tent. Go to www.ribfest.net/volunteer to sign up and make sure to fill in what agency you are volunteering for so they get credit!

Donate to Heartland Blood Centers’ Aurora facility between now and the end of July and receive a $5 Subway gift card. Learn about Heartland’s Student Saving Summer Scholarship Opportunity as well, where five lucky students will win a $1,000 school scholarship! Donate on Thursday, July 3, and receive a Raging Waves Waterpark pass on top of everything else. To schedule an appointment, please call 1 (800) 786-4483 or go online to www.heartlandbc.org.

The Growing Place in Aurora continues to host their “Yoga Blooms” Summer Yoga Series. You might have missed the first class, but there are still two more on July 1 and July 8, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The cost is $15 per class. Call (630) 355-4000 to sign up today.

Settlement Sundays will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sundays, July 6, 20 and 27 at Naper Settlement this month. Admission includes free sundaes with do-it-yourself toppings, courtesy of Culver’s, hands-on family activities and tours of historic buildings. Ice cream is served from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $12 adults, $11 seniors, $8 youth (4-12), free admission for children under 4, members and Naperville residents. Visit www.napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.

Community Career Center invites you to attend “Cracking the Code of a Job Description” seminar on Tuesday, July 8, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.; “Improve Job Search Stress Relief” workshop on Thursday, July 10, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; and/or “LinkedIn: Beyond the Basics” on Saturday, July 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Admission is free for members and $15 for non-members per event. Interested in becoming a member? Come July 3, 10, or 12 at 9:30 a.m. to learn what services and resources are available to you. Tour the Center and optimize your search efforts today.

Are you interested in starting a home child care business? If so, attend the YWCA of Aurora’s “Quality Beginnings!” on Tuesday, July 8, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. A brief overview of all the aspects involved in operating a family child care home, including interviewing parents, marketing your services, setting up, record keeping, taxes, and more will be covered. To register, click here.

Aurora East Educational Foundation (AEEF) will host its 13th Annual Golf Outing at Phillips Park Golf Course on Thursday, July 10, 2014. The event will feature raffles, auction items, prizes, drinks, lunch and dinner. All proceeds will go towards supporting educational programs that typically go unfunded. Cost is $125 per golfer or $450 per foursome. Several Sponsorship packages are available. Full event details are available by contacting Rhonda Mont at (630) 896-4678 or rmont@cordoganclark.com.

Concert in the Park, put on by the Fox Valley Park District, continues with GMRC Band at Montgomery Park on Thursday, July 10, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. GMRC Band bills itself as a super-group classic rock bank with a message, covering Styx, Kansas, Boston and Journey, while also playing its own originals.  Admission is free and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

The Mortgage Relief Project is holding an informational meeting at the Prisco Community Center on Saturday, July 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Hosted by State Senator Linda Holmes, State Representatives Stephanie Kifowit, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and others, learn how to take advantage of programs to help lower your mortgage, avoid foreclosure, and keep your home. To register or for more information, please call 1 (800) 532-8785 or visit www.idfpr.com.

Fox Valley Special Recreation Association is partnering with the St. Charles Noon Kiwanis to host A Day in the Park for children with and without disabilities on Wednesday, July 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the St. Charles Park District’s Pottawatomie Park. They are looking for volunteers to help with the rock climbing wall, dunk tank, inflatables, ice cream and water stations, bus detail, photography, and various game stations. Contact Jackie Hart, Support Staff Manager, at (630) 907-1114 ext. 1206 or at jackieh@fvsra.org to sign up.

Looking to volunteer? Try Naperville’s RibFest, Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6. Agencies such as Gigi’s Playhouse Fox Valley and YWCA of Aurora receive donations based on the number of volunteers they supply. Volunteers are needed to serve beverages, assist in the identification tents, help in the children’s play area, distribute information at the entrance gates, serve as parking attendants, assist in the cleanup of the grounds, and support the merchandising tent. Go to www.ribfest.net/volunteer to sign up and make sure to fill in what agency you are volunteering for so they get credit!

Seize the Future Development Foundation, Aurora’s economic development public/private partnership, announced The Finish Line Downtown Grant Program, a new grant program to provide building rehabilitation assistance to property owners in downtown Aurora, last week. Grants for 20% of the rehabilitation cost up to $75,000 will be available. For more information or to find out if your business qualifies, please contact Ashley Sarver, Development Coordinator, at sarvera@investinaurora.org or (630) 256-3163.

Naper Settlement is one of 47 museums across Illinois that received funding from the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program. The $629,200 in funds will provide the needed capital for Naper Settlement to implement its design plans to replace the aging electrical infrastructure on the 12-acre museum campus.

Donor to Heartland Blood Centers’ Aurora facility between now and the end of the month and receive a $5 Subway gift card. To schedule an appointment, please call 1 (800) 786-4483 or go online to www.heartlandbc.org.

GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley is currently taking registrations for tutoring in both literacy and math, but the cut-off is today. If interested, please contact the Playhouse at (630) 778-7529. Be ready to supply the child’s name, parents’ names, home phone number, cell phone number, email address and availability for the child for every day of the week.  The more availability the child has, the better his or her chances are of receiving a tutor.

The Growing Place in Aurora is hosting “Yoga Blooms” Summer Yoga Series, one hour sessions over three successive weeks, June 24, July 1 and July 8, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The cost is $15 per class or $30 for all three classes. Call (630) 355-4000 to sign up today.

DayOne Network invites you to come see the Kane County Cougars take on Wisconsin tomorrow, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. DayOne will also be the recipient of the 50/50 proceeds from this game, so be sure to show your support. Tickets are $10 each and must be purchased through DayOne. Contact Sue Tansey at (630) 879-2277 or stansey@dayonenetwork.org to do so.

The 26^th Annual Children’s Challenge Golf Outing and Dinner, put on by the Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley, will be held on Wednesday, June 25, at Fox Bend Golf Course in Osewego. The event starts at 1:15 p.m. and boasts a four person scramble format, $10,000 cash hole-in-one prize hole, and a southwestern cookout after completion of play. Golf is $85, golf and dinner is $100. For more information, call Jill Orr at (630) 820-6303.

The 2014 R66 National Hot Rod Association Nationals are Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29 at Chicagoland Speedway/Route 66 Raceway. Buy your tickets today by emailing groupsales@chicagolandspeedway.com. Get 20% off through a Hot Deal!

Concert in the Park, put on by the Fox Valley Park District, continues with On a Dime at Montgomery Park on Thursday, June 26, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. On a Dime bills itself as a super-group classic rock bank with a message, covering Styx, Kansas, Boston and Journey, while also playing its own originals.  Admission is free and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

The 18^th Annual Blues on the Fox is taking place Friday, June 27 from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. and continues Saturday, June 28, from 2:00 to 11:00 p.m. at RiverEdge Park. Tickets are $20. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult 18 years of age or older. Go to http://riveredgeaurora.com/events/blues-fox-festival-2014/ for more information.

SPARK is teaming up with PNC Bank at Aurora’s Farmers Market to bring you “Learning is All Around Me!” Ready for School & Life Learning Mobile Adventure on Saturday, June 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The free event will include fun, interactive learning kiosks for kids and grownups, photo opportunities, and giveaways. Contact Trish Rooney at (630) 896-4636 or trish.rooney@uwfoxvalley.org for more information.

Join Naper Settlement as they celebrate the 130^th birthday of the Martin Mitchell Mansion on Sunday, June 29, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Enjoy a mini-cupcake with ice cream, take a tour of the Mansion and play games. Cost is $12 for an adult, $10 for seniors (62+), and $8 for youth (4-12). Visit www.napersettlement.org for details.

Aurora East Educational Foundation (AEEF) will host its 13th Annual Golf Outing at Phillips Park Golf Course on Thursday, July 10, 2014. The event will feature raffles, auction items, prizes, drinks, lunch and dinner. All proceeds will go towards supporting educational programs that typically go unfunded. Cost is $125 per golfer or $450 per foursome. Several Sponsorship packages are available. Full event details are available by contacting Rhonda Mont at (630) 896-4678 or rmont@cordoganclark.com.

Fox Valley Special Recreation Association is partnering with the St. Charles Noon Kiwanis to host A Day in the Park for children with and without disabilities on Wednesday, July 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the St. Charles Park District’s Pottawatomie Park. They are looking for volunteers to help with the rock climbing wall, dunk tank, inflatables, ice cream and water stations, bus detail, photography, and various game stations. Contact Jackie Hart, Support Staff Manager, at (630) 907-1114 ext. 1206 or at jackieh@fvsra.org to sign up.

We Welcome Our New Members Who Joined in May

This past May, we welcomed the following to the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce. As always, we encourage you to get to know your fellow members. It is only through collaboration that we will be able to move our region’s business community forward.

Sears Appliance & Hardware: Located in Batavia, this hometown-style store combines a powerful blend of brand name products (Kenmore, Craftsman, Die Hard, etc.) and services with the entrepreneurial spirit of local business ownership.

Tax Time Services, LLC: Tax Time Services is available for all tax preparation, bookkeeping, public notary, and audit service needs throughout the year—not just during tax season.

Save Wave Energy: A one-stop resource for effectively managing total energy spending, Save Wave Energy guides electricity and natural gas purchases in order to help companies achieve performance and budget objectives.

Lily Corporation: A leading manufacturer of resin dispensing equipment and accessories for the construction industry, Lily Corporation equipment is currently in use in more than 25 countries.

Comfort Suites: Centrally located near the Aurora Transportation Center and RiverEdge Park, Comfort Suites boasts a seasoned staff that is rich with hospitality and hotel experience, with top marks in customer service as shown by their ranking on Trip Advisors.

Nationwide Insurance: Nationwide is an insurance and financial services agency that sells home, auto, commercial, and life insurance, as well as a full suite of financial services products for both the accumulation and preservation of wealth.

Naperville Township: In partnership with the greater Aurora, Naperville, and Warrenville communities, Naperville Township provides township services in an efficient and effective manner in order to preserve/enhance the quality of life for local residents.

Costco: A wholesale retailer and membership warehouse club, Costco sells a variety of products to its members, from apparel, appliances, bed and bath, cleaning supplies, electronics, furniture, gas, health and beauty, home decor, housewares, jewelry and much more. Join today!

PLS (954 E. New York St., 902 N. Lake St., 1261 N. Lake St., 2904 E. Ogden Ave., and 2150 W. Galena Blvd.): PLS can provide just about any financial service required—check cashing, wire money, pay bills, vehicle registration, etc.—along with fast and easy personal and auto title loans without the hassle of verification.

First Choice Coffee Services: First Choice Coffee is an office coffee delivery service that provides coffee, brewers, water, break room supplies, break room maintenance and more, making sure their customers’ break rooms are at their best.

Congratulations to Michele Ptaszek, who was recently honored by Exelon for her volunteer service with Gigi’s Playhouse Fox Valley. A $5,000 cash grant from Exelon was awarded to Gigi’s Playhouse in Ptaszek’s honor. Click here to read the full article.

Waubonsee Community College President Dr. Christine Sobek will join the governing body of the American Association of Community Colleges, the primary advocacy organization for America’s community colleges, come July 1. Sobek’s fellow AACC member presidents elected her to a three-year term on the 32-person board earlier this year.

Legendary pitcher Harvey Sterkel was joined by more than 100 friends, family, former teammates and local dignitaries last Tuesday night at Stuart Sports Complex, where a dedication ceremony was held to officially christen “Harvey Sterkel Field.” Sterkel is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of fast pitch softball. From 1956 to 1977, he played for the Aurora Sealmasters and Home Savings and Loan teams.

Seize the Future Development Foundation, Aurora’s economic development public/private partnership, announced today The Finish Line Downtown Grant Program, a new grant program to provide building rehabilitation assistance to property owners in downtown Aurora. Grants for 20% of the rehabilitation cost up to $75,000 will be available. For more information or to find out if your business qualifies, please contact Ashley Sarver, Development Coordinator, at sarvera@investinaurora.org or (630) 256-3163.

The Breakfast Club at Sunnymere will meet on Wednesday, June 18, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. A hot breakfast will be severed while Claire Anderson from Rush-Copley Medical Center holds an informational session on “Congestive Heart Failure.” Admission is free.

Aurora University is hosting several informational session for those who are interested in continuing their educations. For those interested in education, there will be a Doctor of Education Breakfast and Information Session on Wednesday, June 18, at 9:00 a.m. Go to www.aurora.edu/EdDInfo to register. For those interested in business, there will be a Graduate Business Programs Open House, also on Wednesday, June 18, at 6:00 p.m. Go to www.aurora.edu/gradbusiness to register.

Join Hunter Gyington of Closer Consulting and Mike Cooper of Sales Kitchen for “The 2014 Sales Growth Challenge: Recipe for Results in the Second Half” workshop on June 19, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Learn to avoid mistakes when hiring sales people and how to identify good candidates, put them into action, and receive immediate results. Seating is limited. Continental breakfast will be provided. Click here to register.

Join State Representative Stephanie Kifowit at the Aurora Public Library (Eola Branch) on Thursday, June 19, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and learn about how property tax is assessed, appeal rights, and more. The Township Assessors from DuPage County, Kane County, and Naperville Township will be on hand to answer any questions.

Naper Nights Community Concert Series starts this weekend, June 20-21, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. with Michael McDermott and the Duke Street Kings preforming the music of Bruce Springsteen on Friday, and Mike and Joe bringing the greatest pop and rock hits from the ’90s to today on Saturday. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for this opportunity to enjoy music under the stars on the beautiful grounds of Naper Settlement. Admission is $15 senior/adult (13+), $10 youth (4-12), while Members are free. To purchase tickets, go to http://www.napersettlement.org.

The Two Brothers Summer Festival is coming up, June 20-22. Enjoy three days of music with a focus on charity and community. General admission is $5 on Friday, $10 on Saturday, and free on Sunday. Go to www.twobrothersbrewing.com/summer-festival/ to find out more or to purchase tickets.

The Growing Place is hosting its annual Gardener’s Art Festival on Saturday, June 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at their Naperville location. The free event features more than 40 garden artists, live music, refreshments and educational presentations throughout the day covering a wide range of topics. At the Aurora location, the “Yoga Blooms” Summer Yoga Series will start on Tuesday, June 24, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information on either of these events, call (630) 355-4000 or go to www.thegrowingplace.com.

DayOne Network invites you to come see the Kane County Cougars take on Wisconsin on Tuesday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. DayOne will also be the recipient of the 50/50 proceeds from this game, so be sure to show your support. Tickets are $10 each and must be purchased through DayOne. Contact Sue Tansey at (630) 879-2277 or stansey@dayonenetwork.org to do so.

The 26^th Annual Children’s Challenge Golf Outing and Dinner, put on by the Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley, will be held on Wednesday, June 25, at Fox Bend Golf Course in Osewego. The event starts at 1:15 p.m. and boasts a four person scramble format, $10,000 cash hole-in-one prize hole, and a southwestern cookout after completion of play. Golf is $85, golf and dinner is $100. For more information, call Jill Orr at (630) 820-6303.

The 2014 R66 National Hot Rod Association Nationals are Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29 at Chicagoland Speedway/Route 66 Raceway. By your tickets today by emailing groupsales@chicagolandspeedway.com. Get 20% off through a Hot Deal!

The 18^th Annual Blues on the Fox is taking place Friday, June 27 from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. and continues Saturday, June 28, from 2:00 to 11:00 p.m. at RiverEdge Park. Tickets are $20. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult 18 years of age or older. Go to http://riveredgeaurora.com/events/blues-fox-festival-2014/ for more information.

SPARK is teaming up with PNC Bank at Aurora’s Farmers Market to bring you “Learning is All Around Me!” Ready for School & Life Learning Mobile Adventure on Saturday, June 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The free event will include fun, interactive learning kiosks for kids and grownups, photo opportunities, and giveaways. Contact Trish Rooney at (630) 896-4636 or trish.rooney@uwfoxvalley.org for more information.

Aurora East Educational Foundation (AEEF) will host its 13th Annual Golf Outing at Phillips Park Golf Course on Thursday, July 10, 2014. The event will feature raffles, auction items, prizes, drinks, lunch and dinner. All proceeds will go towards supporting educational programs that typically go unfunded. Cost is $125 per golfer or $450 per foursome. Several Sponsorship packages are available. Full event details are available by contacting Rhonda Mont at (630) 896-4678 or rmont@cordoganclark.com.