Crain's Chicago Business articles from August 2005

Crain's Chicago Business archives from August 2005

McDonald's tees up China growth; Seasoned execs will spur changes at pivotal time, observers say.(News)
August 1, 2005... Byline: NORMANDY MADDEN Crain News Service When mayors in China's interior fantasize about ways to spruce up grimy industrial towns, two things top their wish list: an 18-hole golf course and a McDonald's restaurant. Since it opened...

Developers on demand; High-end builders on meeting market's desire.(The Business of Life)
August 1, 2005... Byline: MARK SCHEFFLER Lincoln Park is the hub of Chicago teardown activity, full of hungry developers vying to get in on the high-end game. Two of the biggest players, BGD&C Corp. and Metzler/Hull Development Corp., have established name...

Hilco buys bakery out of Ch. 11; Michigan company fell prey to low-carb trend.(News)(Hilco Equity Management LLC)(Awrey Bakeries Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: BRENT SNAVELY Crain News Service A Northbrook turnaround firm is partnering with another firm to buy a Michigan bakery that fell victim to the low-carb craze. A Bankruptcy Court in Detroit last month approved the sale of Awrey...

Chicago, the City that Wrecks.(The Business of Life)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Gretchen Wahl Chicago gets more beautiful all the time, graced by half-billion-dollar pleasure parks, miles of median planters and tons of wrought iron. But what about the parts of our history that are gritty, messy, inefficient,...

Highest-priced teardowns; Seven-figure homes are being bulldozed, too.(The Business of Life)
August 1, 2005... Byline: VIRGINIA GERST If the word "teardown'' calls to mind a rickety old house going for a low, low price, think again. The quality of homes being demolished can be eye-popping-their price tags soaring into the millions, especially...

Conventions.(Calendar/Datebook)(International Gem and Jewelry Show Inc)(Internal Revenue Service)(National Assn. of Asian American Professionals)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... THIS WEEK AUG. 1: American Assn. of Advertising Agencies, Fairmont Hotel, estimated attendance 600. AUG. 3-6: Jazz Dance World Congress, Palmer House Hilton, public. AUG. 4-7: National Assn. of Asian American Professionals, Hyatt...

Wanna run a gin joint? It takes political juice.(Focus: Illinois Government)(how to get liquor licenses)
August 1, 2005... Byline: EMILY BRYSON YORK To get licensed to sell booze in Chicago, you'll need patience, a clean record and a good lawyer. The entire process will cost up to $10,000 and take four to six months. The first hurdle is also the one most...

At Deadline.(Late News)(UAL Corp files for bankruptcy)(Raving Brands plans to open new facilities)(investment bank M. R. Beal opens office in chicago)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... At last, UAL to file plan for Ch. 11 exit United plans to file its long-awaited reorganization plan this week, more than 21/2 years after it sought bankruptcy protection. A spokesman says the airline will submit the plan to a Chicago...

Buck plays TIF angle; Developer wants downtown district stretched to his site.(Tax increment financing)(John Buck)
August 1, 2005... Byline: ALBY GALLUN John Buck is asking city officials to expand a downtown tax-increment financing district to include a site at Wacker Drive and Randolph Street where he wants to build an office high-rise. The expansion would make...

JOCKS GET RATINGS SHOCK; Slipping numbers signal tough times in the iPod world.(News)
August 1, 2005... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN Chicago is tuning out its shock jocks. The loudmouths who've long dominated the local airwaves-Erich "Mancow'' Muller, Steve Dahl and Howard Stern-all saw ratings slide at least 15% among their target audiences...

New mortgage fund courts controversy; Undocumented workers to get state-funded loans.(News)
August 1, 2005... Byline: STEVE DANIELS The state of Illinois is launching a new program to expand home loans to undocumented immigrants. The initiative, modeled on a similar program in Wisconsin that's generated opposition from advocates of tougher...

Mapping an Internet win; Navteq gains as Google, Microsoft, Yahoo joust for navigation lead.(News)
August 1, 2005... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH There's one clear winner in the battle brewing over Internet map services: Chicago's Navteq Corp. With annual revenue of almost $400 million, Navteq provides navigational databases to all of the technology...

For the Record.(Briefs)(UAL Corp company revenue)(Telular Corp new chairman)(McDonald's Corp marketing deal)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The FAA determined that the city of Chicago would have to move Bensenville's historic St. Johannes Cemetery as part of its plan to expand O'Hare. As expected, the FAA chose the city's expansion plan over other proposals to handle additional...

Most of Ill. a disaster area.(Illinois as primary agricultural disaster areas )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns designated nearly all of Illinois' 102 counties as primary agricultural disaster areas to help farmers cope with horrible drought conditions. The declaration qualifies farmers for assistance, including...

To stop an ordinance, start with your alderman.(Focus: Illinois Government)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Emily Bryson York As with getting a city ordinance passed, stopping a proposed ordinance is all about winning over your alderman. It helps to get fellow neighborhood business owners to flood the alderman's office with...

Stock Report: Ethanol mandate, results boost ADM.(Markets)(Archer Daniels Midland Co.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Bob Tita Federal legislation mandating greater use of ethanol, as well as strong quarterly earnings, buoyed shares of Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), the nation's largest producer of ethanol. The Decatur-based corn and...

Time to make friends with the neighbors.(Focus: Illinois Government)(municipal ordinances)
August 1, 2005... Byline: EMILY BRYSON YORK When trying to get an ordinance passed by the Chicago City Council, keep in mind that all politics is local. In this city, that means you start in your neighborhood. Ask your alderman which community groups...

Before you build, hurry up and wait.(Focus: Illinois Government)(to obtain building permits)
August 1, 2005... Byline: emily bryson york Chicago wasn't built in a day, and no wonder: It can take more than six months just to get construction permits. To get started, visit the Department of Zoning to see how your property is zoned. If you want to...

Tearing up roots: A battle over trees; Thousands removed, killed in rebuilding; 11,000 in single village.(The Business of Life)
August 1, 2005... Byline: LAURA BIANCHI Among the casualties of the residential teardown boom have been thousands of trees, some up to 200 years old-ironically, part of the charm that attracts buyers to established communities in the first place. ...

Aims to put engine maker on right track.(John Hamilton)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Bob Tita Job: President and CEO, La Grange-based locomotive maker Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), since April. Vitals: 46 years old; bachelor's degree in engineering and computer science, Princeton University, 1981; MBA,...

One couple, four houses; 'We get psyched,' says serial builder; a quest for perfect family home.(The Business of Life)
August 1, 2005... Byline: ANNE MOORE Architects, builders, subcontractors, plans, permits, materials, decisions, revisions, change orders, delays: In a lifetime, few people with jobs and kids go through the hassle of building or rebuilding a home even once....

Eye for restoration: a rehabber's view.(The Business of Life)(Neil Peck)(Interview)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Anne Moore Neil Peck, owner of S. N. Peck Builders Inc. in Chicago, specializes in restorations and bringing old buildings up to date. A board member of Windy City Habitat for Humanity, Mr. Peck, 59, helped build 150 houses in a...

Knock-down drag-outs; Teardowns reshape most coveted areas; not all want 'progress'.(The Business of Life)
August 1, 2005... Byline: LAURA BIANCHI Sometimes controversial, nearly always lucrative, the teardown real estate market continues to surge, like a wrecking ball aiming for a turn-of-the-century Victorian. In the process, property values rocket even...

Room to grow; few restrictions.(trends in housing)
August 1, 2005... Byline: DAN RAFTER When Flavia and Agostinho Rodrigues spent $225,000 in 2000 to buy a 1948 ranch house in Arlington Heights, the small home, with just 1,254 square feet, seemed a good fit. So what if it had only two bedrooms and 11/2...

Casinos cover bets on new tax; Lower rate drives push for more revenues.(News)
August 1, 2005... Byline: KRISTINA BUCHTHAL Responding to a big shift in how they're taxed, Illinois casino boats are trying to boost revenues by staying open longer and offering amenities to entice more gamblers. When the state increased gambling taxes...

Call on regulators - before they call on you.(Focus: Illinois Government)(business government relations)
August 1, 2005... Byline: BRIAN McCORMICK The best way to keep regulators away from your business: Spend as much time with them as you can. Daniel McKay, a lawyer and former bank regulator, tells his bank clients to build strong relationships with the...

FAA affirms: City should act on O'Hare plan.(Opinion)(Federal Aviation Administration)(O'Hare International Airport )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... An environmental impact statement released last week by the Federal Aviation Administration confirms that the city's plan to expand O'Hare International Airport would reduce congestion and delays without significantly increasing air, water or...

New ways we live at home; Great rooms, storage, technology prompt new-building boom.(new trends in housing)(teardown boom)
August 1, 2005... Byline: DARCI SMITH They want open living areas for the family to do everything from prepare meals to watch movies-plus lots of storage space and sophisticated wiring. Instead, they find tiny, disconnected rooms in homes built for families...

Creating challenges to change; Stringent rules make developing, expanding much slower going.(Lake Forest Historic Preservation Commission)
August 1, 2005... Byline: DAN RAFTER Drew Ferris isn't thrilled with the city of Lake Forest. Mr. Ferris, owner of Northbrook-based homebuilder Ferris Homes, is trying to add 600 square feet to his 100-year-old, three-story home in one of Lake Forest's...

A day late-'No house is safe'.(demolition of ranch houses)
August 1, 2005... Byline: DAN RAFTER Joe Kunkel missed his chance. In 2000, he found his dream house in north suburban Lincoln-wood. At $239,000, it sat on a corner lot, had three bedrooms and two bathrooms and was circa the 1950s. Mr. Kunkel, real...

In end, 'Welcome to the block'; After building dust-ups, a fairly warm reception.(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: MARK SCHEFFLER With all the controversy that can surround teardowns, what happens once the new families move in? In most cases, they are greeted well: The spirit of diplomacy prevails over any bad blood or feelings of...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
August 1, 2005... * A July 25 story on ShoreBank misidentified the Little Village bank that could fit the profile of an institution ShoreBank would be interested in buying. It is Second Federal Savings & Loan Assn. of Chicago. * The number of workers at...

How can I find architectural salvage pieces?(www.salvageweb.com)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Darci Smith Chicago is a hub for salvage-artifacts from homes and buildings of yesteryear-with plenty of reputable dealers, says Mark Steinke, owner of Revival, a South Loop gallery-type shop with decorative salvage and antiques....

Wide lots, ranches say 'tear me down'; Builders, brokers develop eye for likely properties.(The Business of Life)
August 1, 2005... Byline: VIRGINIA GERST What makes a house a teardown waiting to happen? Builders and brokers say certain features of a house, or the plot it sits on, make it tempting prey. "A house on a slab is a guaranteed teardown,'' says architect...

More building, fewer neighbors; Writer tallies the losses of a gentrifying area.(effects of housing rehabilitation)
August 1, 2005... Byline: GRETCHEN WAHL White middle-class urbanites agree: Gentrification is everything that happens after I move into a neighborhood. I moved into the neighborhood around the North Side intersection of Montrose and Ashland avenues...

Rebelling against 'newer is better'; Expanding a house with a pedigree; still dwarfed at 3,800 sq. ft.(house renovation)
August 1, 2005... Byline: DAN RAFTER Gary Gand's house in Riverwoods, 50 years old this year, was a teardown waiting to happen when he bought it. Despite an architectural pedigree, the house's single floor, no basement and just 2,200 square feet of...

Motorola takes aim at global cell phone lead; New Razr phone and GSM deal score gains across market spectrum.(News)
August 1, 2005... Byline: MIKE DANO Crain News Service Motorola Inc. emerged as the clear winner of the second-quarter handset battle. The company's strike at Nokia Oyj's dominance in the low-end phone market scored a direct hit, while it also managed to...

CTA's money pit; BIG BUCKS, SMALL BANG FOR AGENCY'S PLANNED EXPRESS LINE TO O'HARE.(Transit Authority of Chicago)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Greg Hinz Any company that wants to stay in business figures out fast that it better make good use of its limited investment capital. Blow it on chasing a couple of wild geese and the future disappears. The same applies to...

Copper tops.(The Business of Life)(Copper River salmon)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Caught in the icy-cold, glacier-fed water of this Alaskan river, Copper River salmon are prized for their bright red flesh, firm texture, rich flavor and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. To survive the brutal journey upriver through hundreds...

On the Move.(Herbst LaZar Bell Inc. appointed Ford G. Pearson as CEO)(OfficeMax Inc. appointed Ryan Vero as chief merchandising officer )(DeVry Inc. appointed Sharon Thomas Parrot as senior vice president)
August 1, 2005... ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING Herbst LaZar Bell Inc., Chicago: Ford G. Pearson, 63, to CEO, from executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Wheels Inc. He replaces Walter Herbst, 68, who continues as chairman. CONSUMER SERVICES...

Yield curve flattens Clark; Another blow to broker beset by Spitzer, new regs.(Clark Inc)
August 1, 2005... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH Clark Inc., already harried by federal regulators and New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, has a new problem: the flattening Treasury yield curve. The shrinking spread between short-term and long-term...

Want city work? Red tape awaits.(Focus: Illinois Government contracts)
August 1, 2005... Byline: STUART LUMAN With all the recent firings and indictments at City Hall, it's hard to know who to see about getting a contract with the city of Chicago. If you're a white-male- owned business, the process is fairly simple: For...

How to drop one on your competition.(Focus: Illinois Government)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Brian McCormick One way to make government work for you is to sic it on your competitors. Dropping a dime on a rival may feel unsavory but it can be a legitimate tactic. In some industries, like insurance, the rules of...

The state of contracts.(Focus: Illinois Government)(how to apply for state contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Stuart Luman To win a state contract, you must first register with the state, by filling out a bidder's application form on the Illinois Central Management Services Web site. You must also register with the state's Department of...

This Week; Top ICC exec resigns, second in 2 months.(Briefs)(Scott Wiseman resigns as executive director of Illinois Commerce Commission )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Steve Daniels Amid an expanding probe by the Illinois attorney general's office, the executive director of the Illinois Commerce Commission is resigning to take a new job. Scott Wiseman, 40, has been named Midwest regional...

Demolition Man.(The Business of Life)(Dominick DiSilvio, general maanger of DMD Services Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Kevin Davis Dominick DiSilvio, 37, owner and general manager of demolition contractor DMD Services Inc., Northlake Years on the job: 18 Salary: $125,000 to $175,000 Duties: Takes clients through demolition process,...

Leaf Savers.(cases against real estate developers for removing trees)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Laura Bianchi While some shade-loving property owners are fighting city hall, others are making news with legal skirmishes over individual trees. In Chicago, Alan and Diane Buchman are fighting a much-publicized battle to save...

Preservationist heeds burbs' call; He's summoned to ID what deserves saving; scores of worthy homes.(Jim Peters's effort to protect houses from demolition)
August 1, 2005... Byline: DAN RAFTER Preservationist Jim Peters and 15 students descended on Arlington Heights last fall armed with cameras, notebooks, pens and computers. Their goal? Find homes in the northwest Chicago suburb that should be protected from...

Potential rival gets enthusiastic reception in Daley territory.(2007 mayoral campaign)(Column)
August 1, 2005... Byline: James Ylisela Jr. In case you missed it, the 2007 mayoral campaign kicked off with a bang on July 15, when 150 people packed a steamy VFW hall and witnessed a little history in the making. It might have been a rather dull rally...

Datebook.(Calendar/Datebook)
August 1, 2005... this Week AUG. 1: Jewish Vocational Service presents Building Rapport Skills That Work. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. JVS, 1 S. Franklin St. Free. (312) 673-3437. AUG. 2: Women's Business Development Center presents Financial Analysis I. 12:30 to...

Bulldozers busy in nearby vacation spots; Gigantic getaways: 'Lakefront cottages' give way to big homes.(trends of real estate industry)
August 1, 2005... Byline: DAN RAFTER A vacation from teardowns? Not likely in nearby getaway areas of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, where buyers are busily replacing small cottages in desirable areas with spacious new construction. Patricia...

Deere in headlights of its bold forecast; Farm woes cultivating doubts whether tractor maker can hit its goals.(forecasts of sales and stocks)
August 1, 2005... Byline: BOB TITA A surprisingly strong second quarter prompted Deere & Co. to ratchet up its fiscal 2005 projections, igniting a rally in Deere's stock that's now threatened by increasing signs that farmers are likely to pull back on new...

Fitting in is in eye of the beholder; Careful approach to one strikes another as 'jarring, out-of-scale'.(Margaret Giffen and Bill Giffen's Glen Ellyn remodeling and renovation)
August 1, 2005... Byline: LAURA BIANCHI Blending new construction into an older neighborhood can stir up more dust than an excavator. Margaret and Bill Giffen wanted their new Glen Ellyn home to fit in with the old-fashioned character of that community....

Historic neighborhoods' new look; What happens when the facades-and faces- do a total turnaround.(housing demoliltion and redevelopment)
August 1, 2005... Byline: MARK SCHEFFLER When the teardowns started on his Lincoln Park block in the 1990s, Tom Graziano began taking a grim tally of all that was lost: solid three-flats of Joliet limestone, signature red brick houses and the sense of...

Developer plans project in downtown Aurora; Condo buildings would include retail, eateries.(News)(Vanstrand Group Inc.)
August 1, 2005... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Suburban Aurora, long troubled by blighted and vacant tracts of land around its aging downtown, has been targeted by a local developer planning a $100-million mixed-use project to bring condominiums, retail and...

New mall to focus on furniture; Shopping center would be first of its kind here.(News)(Jaffe Cos.)
August 1, 2005... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Home sweet home is the theme of a new shopping center planned for South Barrington, the first in the region to cluster tony retailers peddling furniture, lighting and other housewares. A development partnership...

Hedge fund braves public eye; In a spinoff, Deerfield would get scrutiny but no cash from investors.(Markets)
August 1, 2005... Byline: KATE RYAN A large Chicago-based manager of hedge funds and other investment vehicles is on track to become a publicly traded company by the end of the year. Deerfield & Co. LLC, which has $8.7 billion in assets under...

Designer lenses.(The Business of Life)(John Robert Wiltgen)(Brief Article)(Interview)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Laura Bianchi Interior designer John Robert Wiltgen, 46, founded the design firm that carries his name 25 years ago. He has done work on multimillion-dollar homes in Chicago's Prairie Avenue Historic District, estate homes at the...

YOU'RE SPIRED; Carley bids to trump the Donald at pinnacle of condo market.(News)(Christopher T. Carley)(Donald J. Trump )
August 1, 2005... Byline: ALBY GALLUN Christopher T. Carley's plan to build North America's tallest building pits a developer little known outside Chicago against the nation's most famous real estate magnate: Donald J. Trump. Mr. Carley's 115-story...

Need To Know.(Focus: Illinois Government)(small businesses contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... $91 million Allocation for state of Illinois contracts for small businesses with minority, woman or disabled ownership in 2005. Chicago's average monthly spending on city contracts* October 2005 Target date for transferring...

Are new menus worth a taste? Different twists on steak, pasta; one sour server.(The Business of Life)
August 1, 2005... Byline: Laura Bianchi Smart chefs refresh their menus occasionally to satisfy the regulars, offer seasonal variety and, sometimes, adjust to market conditions. Here are three favorites with fresh ideas. Coco Pazzo 300 W. Hubbard...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
August 8, 2005... * Developer John Buck is trying to acquire a building at 312 W. Randolph St. The street direction was incorrect in an Aug. 1 story. * The debut of Erich "Mancow" Muller's radio show was incorrect in an Aug. 1 news story. The show debuted in...

NEED TO KNOW.(Focus: Small Business)
August 8, 2005... Byline: Compiled by Emily Bryson York 1 in 5: Small business owners who believe a major competitor is acting illegally or unethically against them. 49%: Percentage of small businesses that say their principal competition is located...

Kraft's cheese whizzes rethink a core product; Cooking up new ideas to win back marketshare.(News)(Kraft Foods Inc.)
August 8, 2005... Byline: JULIE JARGON Cotton candy-flavored string cheese, cheddar infused with heart-healthy fish oil, cream cheese laced with probiotic bacteria to aid digestion. Kraft Foods Inc. is studying all these possibilities and more as it tries...

Want to sell to big firms? Then act like one; Showing resources, skill is the best way to land large companies' biz.(Focus: Small Business)
August 8, 2005... Byline: CYNTHIA HANSON AND EMILY BRYSON YORK For many small business owners, selling to a big company is an uphill battle. For one thing, corporate purchasing managers may feel they're taking a risk by using small vendors. "There's a...

FEDS SIDETRACK Railroad Revamp; Paltry funding undermines $1.5-billion plan to eliminate bottlenecks, threatening Chicago's position as No. 1 freight hub.(News)
August 8, 2005... Byline: BOB TITA An effort to untangle Chicago's snarled railroad traffic suffered a setback when Congress earmarked far less money for the project than planners had anticipated. With a price tag estimated at $1.5 billion, the Chicago...

What's in a name? To this shopper, a lot.(News)(Federated Department Stores Inc. to buy May Department Stores Co. )(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... Byline: Jeremy Mullman Federated Department Stores Inc., the soon-to-be owner of Marshall Field's, is surveying customers to see how they'd feel about changing the 153-year-old store's name, perhaps to Macy's. One consumer likely...

Amateur tourney opens Chicago Golf Club's doors; Exclusive, century-old course a throwback; public gets glimpse.(News)
August 8, 2005... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Chicago's oldest golf club will allow the public a rare peek this weekend when the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton hosts the Walker Cup, a decades-old match that pits the best American amateur golfers against golfers...

Big buddy system.(Focus: Small Business)
August 8, 2005... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN A badly structured deal with a big company can not only hurt a small business, it can kill it. "A lot of new business can put you out of business,'' says Stephen Maduli-Williams, president of Chicago Community...

To fight the gorilla, be nimble, unique; Differentiation is the key to competing against larger firms.(Focus: Small Business)
August 8, 2005... Byline: EMILY BRYSON YORK When you go toe-to-toe with the big guys, the most important thing to do is differentiate yourself. What makes your business unique? Where are you going to beat them? And what can you provide that will build...

David v. Goliath; You probably can't afford a legal battle with a big company, so strategy is key.(Focus: Small Business)
August 8, 2005... Byline: SANDRA SWANSON When a corporate behemoth steps on your toes, or accuses you of squashing theirs, it's hard to avoid feeling defeated from the start. How can you protect trademarks and trade secrets when you don't have the coffers...

United delays reorg plan.(Briefs)(United Air Lines Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... United Airlines' more than 21/2-year stay in bankruptcy could extend into next year now that parent company UAL has delayed filing a plan for leaving Chapter 11 protection. The nation's No. 2 airline had expected to submit the plan last week in...

Our D.C. pols must make rail funds a priority.(Opinion)
August 8, 2005... A critical local project came up short in the horse-trading over the $286.5-billion, four-year federal transportation funding bill passed two weeks ago. As reporter Bob Tita writes this week, Congress allocated only $100 million for a plan...

This Week: Europe apparel biz may not sell: Sara Lee.(Briefs)(Sara Lee Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... Byline: Julie Jargon Sara Lee CEO Brenda Barnes conceded last week that the company may not find a buyer for its European apparel business, as planned. "There's always a possibility that we won't sell European apparel,'' she said last week...

Nothing fancy, but speedy fun in Aurora; Orchard Valley can feel too small; many choices.(The Business of Life; golf course)
August 8, 2005... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY A "sporty'' course is neither long nor complicated nor difficult, just straight-ahead fun-and that's how loyalists at Orchard Valley Golf Course have defined their club practically since it opened a dozen years ago....

Getting treated like the big guys; Vendors with large clients often bring sharp staff, speed to projects.(Focus: Small Business)
August 8, 2005... Byline: CHRISTINA LE BEAU It's a valid fear that a company with big clients won't give your puny account the attention you need. But when you find the companies that will, it can pay off in big ways. Companies that provide services for...

Trader triage.(The Business of Life)(Chrysa Rivera, a registered nurse)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... Byline: Kevin Davis Chrysa Rivera, 52, registered nurse, associate director of health care services, Chicago Mercantile Exchange Years on job: 20 Salary range: Up to $109,000 Duties: Manages mini emergency clinic next to...

Ringing up Yorktown mall; REIT cuts deal to acquire Lombard shopping center.(News)(CBL and Associates Inc. buys the mall from Pehrson/Long Associates Inc. )
August 8, 2005... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY The largest mall owner in the Southeast has agreed to buy Yorktown Center in Lombard, one of the Chicago area's last independently owned regional malls, according to several people familiar with the plan. CBL &...

On the Move.(People)(appointments)
August 8, 2005... FINANCIAL SERVICES LaSalle Bank N.A., Chicago: Paul D. Augsburger, 44, to senior vice-president of the metro real estate group, from first vice-president. Pritzker Group, Evanston: Jim Hoffman, 37, to senior vice-president, from...

You can see clearly now...(The Business of Life)(clean waters of Lake Michigan)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... Byline: Anne Moore A lack of water, it turns out, can be good for our water. Chicago athletes who train in Lake Michigan report "Caribbean-like'' clarity this summer, the first time many can ever recall being able to see the lake's...

Both sides benefit in business mentor relationship.(Opinion)(mentoring)
August 8, 2005... Byline: Mary Burns Twenty years ago, a media rep called on me to explain why his publication was meaningful to the food account I was managing in my first advertising position. What I didn't know then was that this person would be...

For The Record.(Briefs)(Sara Lee Corp's financial records)(Wrigley Company Ltd's stocks sold)(increase in apartment occupancy rates )(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... Shirley McMayon, formerly natural resources director for the Chicago Park District, steered $8 million in district work at Millennium Park and elsewhere to business executives who showered her with $137,000 in cash, gifts and free vacations,...

No joke: Olympics muscle theater.(Focus: Small Business)(ImprovOlympic Theater)(I.O. Theater)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... Byline: EMILY BRYSON YORK It's not just big for-profit companies that occasionally kick sand in the face of a small business. Just ask Charna Halpern, owner and co-founder of the ImprovOlympic Theater. The 25-year-old North Side comedy...

Keefer's bests 437 Rush; Tiptop service, mood make it smart choice.(The Business of Life)(restaurants)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... Byline: ANNE MOORE Despite 437 Rush's more interesting and varied food, Keefer's atmosphere and service make it the better choice for a business lunch. Two steakhouses, same neighborhood, similar prices. Which one is better for a...