Galesburg on the Go -June 15

Altrusa International Clubof Galesburg

June 16 Wine & BeerTasting

Tompkins State BankRelay for Life Golf Outing

June 26

First Mid-Illinois Bank &Trust

jobstaxcredit.illinois.gov

VOLUME 2011, ISSUE 6 JUNE 2011

The mission of theGalesburg Area

Chamber of Commerceis to serve its members

by enhancing the business climate and

promoting and stimulating the orderly

economic growth withinthe Galesburg area.

The

Express

TrackWWednesday June 15ednesday June 15

at Seminary Estat Seminary Estatesates

550 E. Carl Sandburg Dr550 E. Carl Sandburg Dr..

For reservations, please call the Chamber at 343-1194 or send via email to chamber@galesburg.org or fax us at 343-1195

Monthly Newsletter of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce

Cost with reservation $10.00 without reservation $12.00 Buffet Lines open at 6:45 am

Galesburg On The GoGalesburg On The Go

THIS MONTH’STHIS MONTH’S

INSERTSINSERTS

RESERVATIONS PLEASE!

Sponsored by:

Business After HoursBusiness After Hours

For reservations, please call the Chamber at 343-1194 or send via email to chamber@galesburg.org or fax us at 343-1195

Come and enjoy beer, wine, margaritas and appetizers.

Remember your business card for multiple door prizes.

TTuesday June 21uesday June 215:00-7 P.M.

TTompkins Sompkins Sttate Bank ate Bank

1380 N. Henderson Street

Sponsored by:

Seminary Estates

2 check out our website

June 2nd, Beer Tasting Fund Raiser -5:00 - 7:00 PM Western IllinoisRed Cross Beer Tasting FundRaiser!!! Come join us for a greatbeer tasting event to support a veryworthy organization. Featuring beersampling from G&M Distributors,hors d'oeuvres and silent auctionitems. G & M Distributors, 200 N.Linwood Road, Galesburg CarrieBernett 309-344-1611bernettc@usa.redcross.org

June 3rd, - 4:00 - 7:00 PM Maquon'sFriday Fest Is Back!!! Maquon hasrevived their popular Friday Fest.There will be vendors selling craftsand much more. The MaquonMasonic Lodge will be serving theirdelicious pork chop sandwiches.This Ole' Rust Bucket will be openselling primitives, metal art, jewelry,Black Crow candles, antiques andflea market items. Come Join TheFun!!! Main Street downtownMaquon, on IL Route 97 309-817-0004 or 309-875-3335

June 3rd, First Fridays on SeminaryStreet - 5:00 - 8:00 PM First Fridayson Historic Seminary Street!!!Come join us for a festive streetevent with food and drink, free livemusic, featured artists and otheractivities...it's fun for all ages. Bringyour family and friends and meet atFirst Fridays on Seminary Street fora good time. South Seminary Streetoff of E. Main Street, GalesburgSeminary Street Office 309-342-1000 info@seminarystreet.comwww.seminarystreet.com

June 4th, Concert On The Lawn - 5:00PM Annual Concert On The Lawn!!!!Bring your family, friends and lawnchairs to the 26th Annual Concert onthe Lawn. This free outdoor concert ispresented by Knox-GalesburgSymphony and will feature popularmusic such as "Pirates of theCaribbean", "Harry Potter SymphonicSuite" as well as favorites including"The Stars and Stripes Forever" and the"1812 Overture". Concert soloist will beflutist Allison Milligan, 2010 MidwestYoung Junior Division CompetitionWinner. South Lawn of Old Main atKnox College, 2 E. South Street,Galesburg Pearl Stricland 309-341-7268 pstrickl@knox.edu www.knox-galesburgsymphony.org

June 10th 4-7. Discovery Depot “WooHoo We are Galesburg Night”. $2donation for the fund for admission andthen offering a variety of crafts andactivities for a $1 donation. Questionsor further information a call 309-299-9021

June 10th, - 4:00 - 7:00 PM Maquon'sFriday Fest Is Back!!! Maquon hasrevived their popular Friday Fest.

There will be vendors selling crafts andmuch more. The Maquon MasonicLodge will be serving their deliciouspork chop sandwiches. This Ole' RustBucket will be open selling primitives,metal art, jewelry, Black Crow candles,antiques and flea market items. ComeJoin The Fun!!! Main Street downtownMaquon, on IL Route 97 309-817-0004or 309-875-3335

June 11th, Outdoor Flea Market -Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 PM, Sunday10:00 am - 4:00 PM Monthly SecondWeekend Outdoor Flea Market!!! Comeand check our our outdoor flea marketheld the second weekend of eachmonth. Vendors will be set up out sideof the Craft & Antique Malls and foodwill be available. The malls will openfor your shopping pleasure also.Hawthorne Centre Craft & AntiqueMalls, 2188 Veterans Drive, GalesburgKathy Knapp 309-344-2818

June 12th, Free Concert - 7:00 PM FreeSummer Concert!!! The Young MarineChamber Orchestra will be presenting afree concert which is open to the publicas their 2011 Summer Concert. Comeenjoy this family friendly concert bythese fine young people. KresgeAuditorium, Knox College Center for theFine Arts, S. Kellogg Street, GalesburgHeather Acerra 309-370-7943 acer-ra12@comcast.net

June 16th 5:30-7:30 pm AltrusaInternational Club of Galesburg pres-ents Wine & Beer Tasting with appetiz-ers on the Patio 109 Lakeview Dr. EastGalesburg, Price $15 per ticket fromAltrusa member or call 368-6516

June 16th 5-7. The Depot will be open-ing our doors for the families of the menand women who are part of the localCharlie Battery National Guard unit.We are inviting them for a FREE nightat the Depot in honor of their service toour country and community. We haveplanned some activities, crafts and livemusic for the families toenjoy.Questions or further informationa call 309-299-9021

June 17th, - 4:00 - 7:00 PM Maquon'sFriday Fest Is Back!!! Maquon hasrevived their popular Friday Fest.There will be vendors selling crafts andmuch more. The Maquon MasonicLodge will be serving their deliciouspork chop sandwiches. This Ole' RustBucket will be open selling primitives,metal art, jewelry, Black Crow candles,antiques and flea market items. ComeJoin The Fun!!! Main Street downtownMaquon, on IL Route 97 309-817-0004or 309-875-3335

June 17th, More On 34 - Daily June 17 &18 - 9:00 am - 5:00 PM More On 34!!!100+ Miles of Yard Sales through sevencounties from Sandwich, Illinois toGalesburg, Illinois- GREAT FUN -

entertainment, demonstrations, historic

sites. GREAT SALES - bargains, treas-

ures, unique collectibles, crafts,

antiques. GREAT TIME - Food, lodg-

ing, attractions, shopping. 100+ miles of

US Route 34 Jeralyn Wood 309-343-

2485 jwood@visitgalesburg.com

www.moreon34.com

June 18th, Outdoor Flea Market -

Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 PM, Sunday

10:00 am - 4:00 PM Outdoor Flea

Market as part of the More On 34

Annual Event!!!! The Hawthorne Centre

Craft & Antique Malls will be open for

your shopping pleasure. There will be

many flea market vendors outdoors with

food available as a stop on the annual

100 mile More On 34 event.

Hawthorne Centre Craft & Antique

Malls, 2188 Veterans Drive, Galesburg

Kathy Knapp 309-344-2818

June 24th, - 4:00 - 7:00 PM Maquon's

Friday Fest Is Back!!! Maquon has

revived their popular Friday Fest.

There will be vendors selling crafts and

much more. The Maquon Masonic

Lodge will be serving their delicious

pork chop sandwiches. This Ole' Rust

Bucket will be open selling primitives,

metal art, jewelry, Black Crow candles,

antiques and flea market items. Come

Join The Fun!!! Main Street downtown

Maquon, on IL Route 97 309-817-0004

or 309-875-3335

June 24th, Art Exhibition - June 24 - July

23 = Tuesday - Friday , 10:30 am - 4:30

PM, Saturday 10:30 am - 3:00 PM An

exhibition of Abstract Paintings by

Danny Vu and Sculpture by Patricia

Armato both from Chicago, IL.

Galesburg Civic Art Center, 114 E. Main

Street, Galesburg Heather Norman

309-342-7415 info@galesburgarts.org

www.galesburgarts.org

June 25th, Railroad Days Volleyball - TBD

Volleyball at Railroad Days to support

United Way of Galesburg!!! This vol-

leyball game being held on grass is

open to 18 years and older - CoEd 4's

and 6's. First time event at Railroad

Days!!! Lake Storey Pavilion, N. Lake

Storey Road, Galesburg Ann Tucker

309-343-4434 atucker@bbwave.net

www.unitedway-galesburg.net

June 25th, Galesburg Railroad Days -

9:00 am - 5:00 PM Saturday & 10:00

am - 4:00 PM Sunday Galesburg

Railroad Days!!! Annual event cele-

brating the city's rich railroad heritage

with a carnival, exhibits, a street fair,

railyard tours, 5 & 10 K runs, a hobby

show, flea market, rib cook-off and

much more. Over 40 events --- most of

them free. Downtown Galesburg

Dennis Clark 309-337-2551 dennyclark-

travel@yahoo.com www.galesburgrail-

roaddays.org

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FINAL MONTH TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ILLI-

NOIS SMALL BUSINESS JOB CREATION TAX CREDIT

galesburg.org visitgalesburg.com greda.org 3

30“Closed”Memorial

Day

31 1 2 3

6 Chamber Golf Outing1 p.m.

7 8 9 10

13 14 Ambassador Corps -7:30 am

15

GOTG16 17

20Chamber BoardMeeting 12 noon

21

BAH 5-722 23

Constant Training24Housing Task Force -12 noon

27 28Environmental TaskForce - 12 noon

29Government RelationsTask Force-7:00 am

30 1

Chamber EvChamber Events:ents:

JJuneuneMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

RAILROAD DARAILROAD DAYS TYS TO FEAO FEATURE TURE

3 - POINT BASKETBALL3 - POINT BASKETBALL COMPETITIONCOMPETITION

3 Point Basketball returns to Railroad Days on Saturday, June25th, with individual or doubles competition. Players may com-pete in the following three divisions:

� Individual - Age 9 and under � Individual - Ages 10 and up � Doubles - May include players from each age group,

such as a parent and childAll entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis;the tournament is limited to 50 singles and 25 doubles. Earlyregistration is encouraged.

Check in begins at 9:00 A.M. and rules will be reviewed at10:00 before competition begins.

* For further details, please see the full rules and a registrationform attached to this newsletter *

FUTURE CHAMBER

ACTIVITIES AND SPONSORS

2011 Galesburg on the Go

MONTH/DATE BUSINESS

July 20 available

August 17 Pilot Club of Galesburg

September 21 Century Link / Alzheimers

October 19 United Way

2011 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

MONTH/DATE BUSINESS

July 14 Miller Dredge

July 28 IH Mississippi Valley CU

August 30 Trillium Dell Timberworks

September 27 Knox College

October 6 Hawthorne Inn

“LaGrace Hall of Hope” Summer Concert

Saturday,.June 25 The “LaGrace Hall of Hope” Summer

Concert will take place on Saturday, June 25th at the Faith

Baptist Church located at 1247 S. Farnham Street, Galesburg,

starting at 2:00 P.M. Doors will open at 1:30 P.M. with no

reserved seating. The “LaGrace Hall of Hope” Summer

Concert will star Lubov Valois (Luba) an accomplished

pianist/vocalist from the Chicago area, formerly of Galesburg,

featuring her original compositions and arrangements.

Opening acts will be announced. LaGrace has a special place

in Luba’s heart from the summer of 2006, when she worked as

a volunteer Christian counselor at the homeless shelter for

women and children. Refreshments and fellowship afterwards.

Tickets will be available at a suggested donation of $15.00.

For ticket information, call Sandra at (309) 368-3416 or stop by

the Brighter Life Bookshoppe Ltd., 292 E. Simmons Street,

Galesburg, (309) 344-3987. All proceeds will benefit LaGrace

Hall of Hope.

UNITED WAY TO HOST VOLLEYBALL TOURNEY

United Way of Knox County will hold a Railroad Days Grass

Volleyball Tournament on June 25th and 26th at Lake Storey

Park. Teams of six will compete on Saturday and teams of

four will compete on Sunday. For both days and all divisions,

there will be pool play into a double elimination tournament.

Tournament prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in

each division and each player registered will receive a tourna-

ment t-shirt.

Pre-registration is encouraged and due by June 17th.

* Event information and a registration form are included as anattachment to this newsletter *

June 30th marks the final date that small businesses andorganizations can take advantage of the Governor's SmallBusiness Job Creation Tax Credit.

Small businesses and non-profits with fewer than 50employees may be eligible for the credit for any positionthey create between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.The position must pay at least $10 per hour, or the equiv-alent of $18,200 annually. Any sized business or non-profit may be eligible for the credit if they hire a formerworker-trainee from the 2010 "Put Illinois to Work" pro-gram. More than 26,000 people received valuable on-the-job training through this program last year.

Further details of the Jobs Tax Credit are included in theflyer attached to this newsletter. Information is also avail-able at http://jobstaxcredit.illinois.gov.

U.S. CHAMBER STUDY RANKS STATES BY EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS

Keeping Illinois in Business

Workforce Investment Services Support Businesses

According to the U.S. Department ofLabor (DOL), “Whether you have oneemployee or 10,000, the publicly fundedWorkforce Investment System can be avaluable addition to your human resourcecapabilities and an invaluable tool totransform your workforce for the 21st-century economy.”

DOL explains the following ways in whichthe workforce investment system worksfor businesses:

Increases your profitability through ananalysis of available government incen-tives, tax credits, and assistanceUses real-time information about work-force and career information, such aslocal wages and economic trends, industry competencies, standardizedtraining to inform your business decisions Reduce recruitment costs and increaseretention through workforce solutions,such as screening and referral of job-ready candidates. (all info from the DOLwebsite)

Many of these services are providedthrough local Illinois WorkforceInvestment Areas staff at Illinois

workNet® Centers. Each LocalWorkforce Investment Area (LWIA)has a Local Workforce InvestmentBoard (LWIB). Unlike Federally controlled programs that operate ona one-size-fits-all design, the LWIBsare locally based and composed ofrepresentatives of business who make upthe majority of the Board, as well as rep-resentatives of local educational entities,labor organizations, community-basedorganizations, economic developmentand Illinois workNet® partners. Theyaddress the business and employmentneeds specific to the WIA they represent.Business and employment needs in anIllinois metro area are far different thanthose in a rural area. These Boards ana-lyze labor data and employers’ needs fortrained workers in that geographic area.This determines what kind of training willbe provided to unemployed workers,underemployed workers, and employeeswhose skills need to be upgraded.

Businesses are much more likely tothrive when they have a highly trainedwork pool from which to recruit employ-ees. Additionally, businesses are able toretain loyal employees who need upgrad-

ed skills in order to meet developing

needs of a company. Workforce

Professionals, funded through the

Workforce Investment Act, can assist

businesses with these endeavors. They

also can provide employers with assis-

tance in job postings that recruit the best

qualified candidates, assist in testing of

candidates, and may assist in retraining

current employees.

If you are looking for assistance to com-

pete in this tough economy, contact your

area workforce professionals. Their mis-

sion is to improve your profitability and

productivity through solutions that sup-

port your business goals. Let your local

team of workforce professionals deliver

employment and training services that

grow your business.

4 check out our website

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce'sWorkforce Freedom Initiative recentlyreleased a study, conducted by SeyfarthShaw LLP and Navigant Economics,revealing that states with the largest bur-den of labor and employment regulationare sacrificing opportunities to reducetheir unemployment rate, generate newbusiness startups, and create jobs.

The study shows that if each state wereto improve their regulatory climate to thelevel discussed in the report, the effectwould be equivalent to a one-time boostof 746,462 net new jobs nationwide.Moreover, the rate of new business for-mation would increase by 12 percent,resulting in the creation of 51,590 newfirms nationally each year. Reducing theburden of labor and employment regula-tions in the states could act as a freeshot of economic stimulus, equal toapproximately 7 months of job creation atthe current average rate.

To conduct the study, Seyfarth Shaw sur-

veyed states' labor and employment poli-cies across six broad categories: theemployment relationship and the cost ofseparation; minimum wage and livingwage laws; unemployment insurance andworkers compensation; wage and hourpolicies; collective bargaining issues; andthe litigation/enforcement climate. Withinthese broad categories, they examined34 individual policy areas.

Based on the results of Seyfarth Shaw'ssurvey, Navigant Economics developedan Employment Regulation Index (ERI)to sort the states into one of three tiers:good, fair or poor, to reflect their overallregulatory environment. 15 states are inthe "good" category, 20 in the "fair" cate-gory, and 15 in the "poor" category.

It was unfortunate to find that Illinois wasranked in the "poor" category. The reportnotes that "Governors across the countryare looking at ways to encourage eco-nomic growth in their states, and reformof state labor and employment regula-

tions could make an important contribu-

tion to returning the U.S. to a more rapid-

growth trajectory."

This ranking further affirms the need to

change the regulatory burden in Illinois,

particularly in the area of workers' com-

pensation. Business leaders throughout

the state have cited the current workers'

compensation system as an obstacle to

growth and new jobs creation. Our

Chamber and local leaders will continue

to work with legislators statewide to pro-

mote reform of the system, creating a cli-

mate of enhanced business opportunities

and reduced costs to our employers.

The full report of the U.S. Chamber study

and be viewed at

http://www.uschamber.com/reports/impact

-state-employment-policies-job-growth-

50-state-review.

• Mail to: Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 749 Galesburg, IL 61402-0749

• Call: 309-343-1194

• E-Mail: chamber@galesburg.org

• FAX: 309-343-1195

Name of business: ______________________________________________________________________

Names of those attending:_________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

I want to make an announcement. Name: ___________________________________________________

I want to donate a door prize (please list below):

Door Prize: ___________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE NOTE: Reservations are required and must be received by the Chamber office no later than Noon, Tuesday June 14 the same as the cancellation deadline.

If a cancellation is not received, you will be held financially responsible for the $10 fee.

Wednesday June 15, 2011 Time: 7:00 am (Buffet Line opens at 6:45 a.m.)

Cost: $10.00 ($12.00 without a reservation)

Sponsored by:

Held at Seminary Estates

550 E. Carl Sandburg Drive

Seminary Estates

Proceeds benefit community service, an annual scholarship program and literacy projects

Altrusa is an international volunteer service organization of business and professional leaders

dedicated to improving the community by personal service.

Presents:

Wine & Beer Tasting

With appetizers

On the Patio

Thursday June 16 2011

109 Lakeview Drive, East Galesburg Home of Mark Kleine

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

$15 per ticket

Carpooling is recommended

Tickets available from any Altrusa member

or the following downtown merchants:

Calico Cat

Denim & Pearls

Galesburg Flower Shop

Innkeeper’s Coffee

Call 368-6516 for additional information

Beer and wine samples

courtesy of

Euclid

G & M Distributors

Southern Wine & Spirits

Food samples by Thrushwood Farms

ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL CLUB

OF GALESBURG

SUNDAY, JUNE 26 SWAN CREEK GOLF CLUB, AVON

12PM REGISTRATION & LUNCH

1PM START TIME

4 person teams ~ 18 hole Superball $50/person includes:

cart, greens fees & food contests, door prizes,

raffles & more!

CALL BRENT AT 309-465-3834 TO SIGN UP

Providing Financial Services Since 1865.

Ask any customer, and they will tell you First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust takes business banking

to a new level. Our checking accounts range from a basic free package to more robust

options that provide detailed monthly analyses, earnings credit and higher interest rates

for higher balances. Plus, our expertise in SBA Loans allows us to match you with the right

loan package at a competitive rate. First Mid is more than a bank… we’re your friends and

neighbors who provide advice and support when you need it most.

Costa Catholic Academy offers quality education to grades Pre-K through 8th. All students are taught to excel in core subjects as well as art, music and foreign language.

Member FDIC • Equal Opportunity Lender

Galesburg - Main101 E. Main St.Galesburg(309) 343-9181

Galesburg - Henderson1535 N. Henderson St.Galesburg(309) 344-1203

Knoxville - Main331 E. Main St.Knoxville(309) 289-2331

TOP 200C O M M U N I T Y

B A N K SUS BANKER MAGAZINE- JUNE 2010

MOSTT R U S T W O R T H YC O M P A N YFORBES MAGAZINE- AUGUST 2010

To learn more about First Mid, visit us online.

www.firstmid.com

than a Bank... Business BanKinG sOLuTiOns

Business Checking

Business savings

Lending – sBa Loans & More

Cash Management services

Trust & Wealth Management

insurance

More

“Even if it’s five minutes before closing on a Friday,

the staff at First Mid is always available to answer

questions. Whether we need help with our business

checking or we’re looking for products that will help

make our everyday banking simpler, they take the

extra time and find the right solution. ”

– Costa Catholic Academy Left to Right: Ken Fliss (Development Director), Susan Stolt (Business Director), Theresa Mangieri (First Mid Business Banking Expert), and James Kovac (Administrator/Principal)

They go beyondour expectations.“ ”

High transaction volumes without high fees!

If your business writes a significant number of checks,

deposits large volumes of checks and cash, or has to

frequently withdraw cash each month, then this is the

account for you. Perfect for businesses that need a

full array of business banking services, First Mid’s

Commercial Analysis Checking helps you get the most

out of every dollar by providing:

• Detailed monthly analysis that shows exactly how your funds are working for you

• Earnings credit on checking balance that helps offset some or all of your monthly service fees

• Two great bundled service options that make “doing business” simpler and more convenient

• Convenient online account access

• No minimum balance

Open your account today with a low minimum deposit of just $100!

Member FDIC www.firstmid.com

Making Sure Every Dollar Pulls Its WeightWITH COMMERCIAL ANALYSIS CHECKING

• Business Debit Card

• Double Check

• Online Business Banking

• ACH Origination

• Online Business Bill Pay

• Positive Pay

• Everything in Bundle 1

• Remote Deposit Capture

• ACH Fraud Filter

Additional Services

• Merchant Services

• Business Credit Card

For more information, visit or call your nearest First Mid banking center, log on to www.firstmid.com, or call (309) 343-9181.

BUNDLE 1

BUNDLE 2

Two bundles. One great way to save.

COMING SOON…

Commercial Interest Checking! (currently only available to sole proprietors)

Earn interest on your checking balances. Higher balances receive higher interest.

Visit http://JobsTaxCredit.illinois.govEmail JobsTaxCreditProgram@illinois.gov

Call (800) 252-2923

“Business owners can go online and register for their tax credits, provide substantiating data, and print out their credit certificates, without ever having to leave their office. This law gives employers a strong incentive to continue providing good jobs for workers who need it most. ” - Governor Pat Quinn

Businesses Hiring Put Illinois to Work-ers•Any-size business that hires a participant

in 2010 “Put Illinois to Work” programEligible Jobs•Position filled by 2010 “Put Illinois to

Work” worker-trainee •Created between 7/1/10 - 6/30/11•Position pays no less than $10/hour

or equivalent with minimum $18,200 annually.

•Position sustained for at least one year.•Withholding tax goes to Illinois.•Hourly or full-time, but not partners or

independent contractors. Tax Credits•Certificate at six months and one year

Eligible wage now $10/hr; Encourages hire of “Put Illinois to Work”-ers

$2500 Illinois Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit EXPANDED

Small Businesses •Eligible if, as of June 30, 2010, you

employed 50 or fewer full-time employees (counting all locations)

Eligible Jobs•Created between 7/1/10 - 6/30/11•Position pays no less than $10/hour

or equivalent with minimum $18,200 annually.

•Position sustained for at least one year (not necessarily held by the same individual for the year).

•Withholding tax goes to Illinois.•Hourly or full-time, but not partners or

independent contractors. Tax Credits•Certificate after one year

The Sustainable Business Center is Going Organic

Ribbon Cutting

Hospice

Compassus

galesburg.org visitgalesburg.com greda.org 5

Hospice Compassus’ Director ofSocial Services and Ambassador Corpmember Doug Gibb and Director ofClinical Services Susie Bates (with scis-sors) and other personnel were joined bythe Galesburg Area ChamberAmbassador Corps to recognize therecent move to their new office at 755

North Henderson Street, Galesburg.

Currently employing over 30 people,Hospice Compassus of Galesburg need-ed a larger facility to accommodate theexpanding staff and needs. TheGalesburg facility covers Nine countiesextending into the Quad Cities and into

the Macomb area and as far as

Oquawka. Hospice Compassus has been

around for twenty-three years and been

known as Prairieland Hospice and

Community Hospices.

This spring the Sustainable BusinessCenter is planting fruits and vegetablesin a garden located behind the mainbuilding. Our main focus has been toensure the quality, taste and wholesome-ness of our produce which is why wehave chosen to use organic growingmethods.

To start our garden off we will be plant-ing certified organic seeds. Since theUSDA now regulates the word organic,using USDA certified organic seed isimportant to the Sustainable BusinessCenter because it means that the seedshave not been genetically modified ortreated with chemicals. Choosing organ-ic growing methods means utilizing natu-ral fertilizers such as compost andmanure instead of chemical fertilizers.We will rely on beneficial insects andbirds to reduce pests and diseaseinstead of insecticides. Herbicides willalso be replaced with conscious landmanagement strategies such as croprotation and mulching or old-fashionedweeding by hand.

One important change that we havemade to the Sustainable BusinessCenter’s landscape is to add a row of

trees behind the building. This is one ofour strategies for ensuring that our pro-duce is not effect by chemicals used byother growers. As the trees continue togrow they will create a wind break, pro-tecting our garden from the chemicalparticles blown in from other fields.

The Sustainable Business Center is notcurrently a certified organic grower, butjust because a grower is not USDA certi-fied does not mean that their produce isnot organic. In fact, USDA regulationsallow growers who sell less than $5,000of agricultural products annually to labeltheir produce as organic as long asgrowers follow the organic standards setby the National Organic Program (NOP). This means small producers do nothave to bear the heavy costs of payingfor a USDA accredited certifier to inspecttheir garden. In the case of untruthfullabeling of conventional produce asorganic the small-scale growers can befined up to $10,000.

When purchasing organic produce it isimportant to talk to the people you’rebuying from. Find out whether or notthey are certified organic and if they, likeus, are not certified ask them what kind

of fertilizers, herbi-cides, and insecti-cides they are using.In many cases theirproduce may begrown under NOPstandards or maybeusing more stringent methods.

The Sustainable Business Center isworking to bring nutritious and local foodback to the community by producingfresh, pesticide-free food to use in enseason, our commercial kitchen, and toserve in our café.

For more information about theSustainable Business Center, pleasevisit us at www.sustainablebusinesscen-ter.com or call us at (309) 343-1191.

For more information regarding localfood and agriculture, contact LoreleiUllrich at lorelei@sustainablebusiness-center.com

FIRST ANNUAL "BIRDIES FOR BOOKS" GOLF TOURNAMENT

CEDAR CREEK CLEANUP

6 check out our website

What does a Little tykes tractor, a swim-

ming pool, a swing set slide, bicycles

and a shopping cart all have in com-

mon? They were among the "treasures"

found by volunteers while cleaning the

banks of Cedar Creek.

Organized by the Chamber's

Environmental Task Force Group, 38

men, women and children collected trash

along the creek from South Arthur Street

to Linwood Road on April 30th. In addi-

tion to picking up nearly 3000 pounds of

debris, they also collected bags of alu-

minum cans and a variety of metal

goods, all of which were recycled by

Eagle Enterprises Recycling. In addition

to Eagle, event sponsors included

Koppers, Inc., Knox County Landfill,

Knox County Soil and Water

Conservation District, Knox County

Health Department, Fox Portable

Restrooms, Hy-Vee and the City of

Galesburg.

We are grateful to our sponsors and

especially our volunteers, who made this

the most productive cleanup we have

had to date.

In support of reading programs in

School District #205, the first annual

"Birdies for Books" golf tournament will

be held at Oak Run Golf Course on

Saturday, June 18th. The event is spon-

sored by Bill's Auto Body.

Beginning at 8:00 A.M., the format will

be a 4-person scramble. The entry fee

is $50 per person and includes greens

fees, golf cart and food, catered by the

Watering Hole. A variety of raffles and

contests will be held on several holes.

An awards ceremony will be held follow-

ing the event, with prizes and raffle

drawings.

Event founder and coordinator Andy

Sheldon noted that Galesburg schools

have a limited budget for various read-

ing programs, and there is aneed to strengthen educationalfunding for this purpose. All pro-ceeds from the tournament willbe donated to District # 205 fortheir reading programs.

To sponsor or participate in thisevent, please contact AndySheldon at 368-3168 orwww.birdiesforbooks@hotmail.com.

galesburg.org visitgalesburg.com greda.org 7

AMBASSADOR CORPSLance Aten..........................................Tompkins State Bank

Amye Bean.....................Retired Senior Volunteer Program

Carrie Bernett......................................American Red Cross

Trent Cox................................................First Midwest Bank

Nancy Dahlberg......................Century 21/Tucker Swanson

Jim Dieterich.....................Midwest Bank of Western Illinois

Doug Gibb...........................................Hospice Compassus

Mary Ann Hale..................Knox-Warren Special Education

Bob Juraco..............................................Wells Fargo Bank

Theresa Mangieri................................First Mid-Illinois Bank

Doris Medhurst..........................Orange Julius/KarmelKorn

Carl Nixon....................................Accounting Systems, Inc.

Annette Pickrel..................................................F & M Bank

Lori Putnam.......................................................F & M Bank

Chris Ryner.....................IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union

Angie Randolph..................................First Mid-Illinois Bank

Larry Shaw...................................................Mel Foster Co.

Jackie Turner................................................Mel Foster Co.

Candy Webb..................................Focused Sales Solutions

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

CHAIRMAN

Geoff Hurd..................Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes

VICE-CHAIRMAN

Steve McKelvie.......................Johnson Building System

TREASURER

Dave McDonald.............................McDonald & Conolly

DIRECTORS

Alderman Wayne Allen........................City of Galesburg

Kelli Bennewitz................................................City Clerk

Josh Gibb.................Galesburg Community Foundation

Mike Holloway..............................................F & M Bank

Julie Lambasio.........................................Lambasio, Inc.

Tammy Lufkin........................................Hansen Lumber

Dave Rasmussen.............................Hy-Vee Food Store

Jerry Reynolds...............................Knox County Landfill

Pearl Strickland...................Knox-Galesburg Symphony

CHAMBER PRESIDENT

Robert C Maus

Galesburg Business Index

March 11 February 11 March 10

Real Estate Activity (MLS) (Board of Realtors)

Number of listings Sold 104 56 110

Dollar Volume Sold $8,755,537 $4,692,700 $9,096,664

Average Selling Price $84,188 $83,798 $90,066

Knox County Labor Force (IDES)

Civilian Labor Force 25,853 25,586 24,992

Number Employed 23,549 23,242 22,698

Unemployment Rate 8.9% 9.2% 9.2%

State Sales & Use (City of Galesburg Financial Department)

Taxes Collected $506,162 $446,248 $479,879

June Visitors to Galesburg

June 03, 2011 First Friday on Seminary Street

June 05, 2011 Limited Rods Cruise

June 17 & 18, 2011 More On 34

June 25 & 26, 2011 Railroad Days

June 25, 2011 VAC Wagon On Wheels

June 25, 2011 Scarlet Ladies Red Hatters

June 25, 2011 20th Century RR Club

June 25, 2011 Mid American Tour

June 25, 2011 National Railroad Historic RR Tours

June 25,2011 Wisconsin Chapter National

Railway Society

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Federal Companies

Mr. Jon Rogers

200 National Rd., E. Peoria

694-4500 x2268

Western Illinois Realty LLC

Ms. Jane Phillips

879 N. Henderson St., Galesburg, 343-4165

240 E. Main St., Knoxville, 289-4115

Monthly Newsletter of the Galesburg AreaChamber of Commerce

185 S. Kellogg StreetP.O. Box 749Galesburg, Illinois 61402-0749

Phone: 309-343-1194Fax: 309-343-1195Email: chamber@galesburg.org

PRESORT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 60GALESBURG, IL

STAFF

PRESIDENTRobert C. Maus

VICE PRESIDENT, MEMBERRELATIONSA.C. (Dick) Dickson

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTMary Plue

BOOKKEEPERPatsy Gray

TOURISM EXECUTIVE DIRECTORJudy Guenseth

TOURISM SALES ASSOCIATEJudy Moorehead

TOURISM ASSOCIATEJerry Wood

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