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Ever eat fast food? Here are a few rules.
- Cassie Richardson, Oct 26, 2018
Check out this advice for convenience eaters.
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Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation Host First Benefit Dinner
- Oct 25, 2018
There are still tickets available for GAGDC's first benefit dinner. Get your ticket today and join the celebration!
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Chicago Native Yelyna De Leon Leon Raises Immigrant Issues as Blanca in “Will and Grace”
- Nikoleta Morales, Oct 20, 2018
Chicago’s Native Yelyna De Leon landed a remarkable role as Blanca in Episode 3 on NBC’s Emmy award winning sitcom, “Will and Grace” Second Season. The character’s remarkable journey and presence allows us to see a special bond and transformation between her and Karen (Emmy award winner Megan Mullally) where drama and comedy merge into one, addressing one of the nation’s leading issues - immigration.
In Texas, Karen arrives to visit the border where she makes remarks about sponsoring the wall and illegal drugs and meets Beverly Leslie (Emmy award winner Leslie Jordan) whom she argues with over sponsorship of the wall. Both end up in the detention center with Blanca.
Blanca is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who gets captured after trying to cross the border. She was a professional in her country and a mom who snuck across the US border fleeing the brutal gangs. She had travelled over 2,000 miles and spent her life savings paying off the cops and hiding from the cartels. In order to save her family, she let her daughter and husband escape first and now she wants to reunite with them. Blanca ends up in a Texas cell with Karen and Beverly Leslie, where she has a chance to share her personal story of grief with Karen where we, the audience, become first hand witnesses of the humane side of Karen as she shows empathy for Blanca’s deep painful story.
“I have studied law and all I can say is that it is a slippery slope, as the laws affect everyone which is why Karen and Leslie end up in the detention center where I am being held. I am sitting there listening to their conversation but we are all in the holding cell together. Karen is still grieving over Rosario. She is telling me about it and I am there to listen to her story and she is there to listen to mine. There was definitely a bond between me and Karen and we bonded as human beings,” said Yelyna De Leon. “The writing on the show is truly amazing and so timely. When I read it, and booked it, I was so happy that this was an opportunity to humanize the immigration experience, something we don’t often get to see. This is what is really happening right now, all over the world and I look at it as a forced migration. I also loved that the role of Blanca was completely in line with my purpose, which is to represent the latino community in non-stereotypical roles with counter narrative stories that are relatable and humanize us, so I am very grateful to the show for this amazing opportunity. “
Blanca’s scene were so touching and very important, and relevant scenes especially with the current political climate, so bravo to NBC and the show’s writers for this heart wrenching deep yet funny storyline. But we were left wondering what will become of Blanca? Will Karen help her get out of jail and be reunited with her family? It would be great to see the future return of Blanca as the writers have a lot to play with the special bond between Karen and her, especially after Rosario’s death and immigration is a subject that has many stories that need to be told.
If you liked Blanca’s character as much as I did on “Will and Grace” please tweet, instagram and shout out on Facebook @nbcwillandgrace.
To follow Yelyna De Leon on Social Media: @yelynadeleon.
About Actress, Writer and Producer Yelyna De Leon:
Born and raised on the southside of Chicago, where she fell in love with storytelling through the theater, Yelyna has been in numerous plays, television shows, “Bones,” “Shameless,” “Ray Donovan,” and the feature films, “A Better Life,” and the GLAAD award winning film “East Side Story,” to name a few. And will soon be seen in the comedies, “Milfriend” and “Bride Plus One.”
She is a “Br-ojan,” having received her BA from UCLA in Film/TV/Theater and Chicano Studies and her MFA from USC in Film and Television production. While at USC, she studied film, TV and comedy with director Barnet Kellman (George Lopez Show, Murphy Brown), writer David Isaacs (Cheers, Madmen), producers Gail Katz (Air Force One,) and Bonnie Bruckheimer, (Hocus Pocus, Beaches) and was the co-creator, head writer and showrunner for USC’s first single camera comedy pilot, “Teacher’s Lounge.
Currently the award winning, slasher feature film she wrote, produced and is in, “Murder in
the Woods,” starring Jose Julian (A Better Life), Chelsea Rendon (Vida) and Catherine Toribio (Jane The Virgin) with Danny Trejo (Machete), is doing the festival route and garnering
rave reviews and a lot of buzz. The film premiered to a sold out audiences at the 2017 FICG in LA at the Chinese Theater, won the Best Film Award at the 2017 LA Skins Fest, and sold out every screening in Portland, NY, Denver and at the Chicago Latino Film Festival in April of 2018.
For more information: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0209680/.
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Building a Family Institution, Edward & Shirley Calahan
- Reprinted from EDWARD & SHIRLEY CALAHAN TBTNEWS, Oct 18, 2018
Edward & Shirley Calahan are entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and communicators who've spent their lives serving the Chicagoland community. This longstanding and committed team has been delivering to their community for over four decades.
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Justice Informed
- Valerie F. Leonard, Oct 4, 2018
Xavier Ramey, the CEO and Lead Strategist for Justice Informed, LLC, will be a guest on the Nonprofit Utopia podcast on Monday, October 8, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., CST. The Nonprofit Utopia podcast is an online forum where nonprofit stakeholders can discuss the latest developments in the sector and increase their capacity to serve their clients and build sustainable communities. Valerie F. Leonard, the Founder of Nonprofit Utopia, is the host.
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Look Before You Leap: 5 Things You Must Do Before Joining That Board
- Valerie F. Leonard, Oct 4, 2018
You have just been invited to join a board of directors of one of the hottest local nonprofits in the city. What should you do before accepting?
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Making the Case for Support in Times of Change
- Valerie F. Leonard, Oct 4, 2018
Writing a compelling case for support is not always as easy as it seems. In Case Development 201, Communications Consultant Andrew Brommel writes “an organization’s case for support is ultimately ‘your message to your donors—why should they give to your organization?’” In this day and age of increased competition for fewer dollars, a nonprofit’s answer to the funders’ question must be stronger than ever before.
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Ark Productions Announces the World Premiere of The Law of Moises
- Oct 1, 2018
Chicago, IL - Ark Productions and Questar Entertainment are proud to announce the World Premiere of The Law of Moises, a family adventure film starring Nic Caruccio, Aaron Fotheringham, Yeniffer Behrens, Billy Dec and directed by Crystal Barnes.
Logline: A troubled young filmmaker desperate to escape his small town discovers his destiny is to save it.
The Law of Moises is a family adventure film about destiny and dreams, whether the dreams we choose are actually the dreams destined for us. The dream that Moises has is to leave his dead-end small town to make big films that will change the world. However, his dream is interrupted when frogs, flies, and a slew of other biblical plagues threaten to destroy his hometown and forcing Moises to make a decision; to either follow his dream or live out his purpose.
Synopsis: The Law of Moises is a family adventure film about MOISES ("moi-‘sez") who since the death of his parents at the age of nine has only dreamt of one thing – getting out of Cairo, Illinois, a stifling 9 square-mile town, to make his own films that will change the world. Similar to his namesake -Moses 2,000 years earlier- our hero, Moises suffers from a speech impediment and anger issues. The similarities don’t stop there... in the town, there seems to be BLOOD flowing in the Mississippi River! Other plagues follow, including frogs and locusts that aim to devour the town's historic landmarks.
After a moment of divine intercession and a nudge from his older sister (Yeniffer Behrens), Moises (Nic Caruccio) discovers his purpose: to stay and save his hometown from destruction. After a confrontation with the Mayor (Tom McElroy) - whose evil plan for misuse of a $30 million fund incited the plagues to begin with- Moises, along with a few of his buddies use Scripture and cell phones as weapons to avert each ensuing plague, and Cairo, Illinois is saved!
View the Teaser for the film at: https://vimeo.com/273605305
The Premiere will be held over a 2 day period:
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Friday, October 12
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Sunday, October 14
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- Screening of The Law of Moises @ 7pm
- Park Community Church
1001 N. Crosby St./ Chicago, IL 60610
- Light Refreshments @ 5:30pm
- Q & A with Director & Actors @ 8:30-9:15pm
FREE PARKING
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- Screening of The Law of Moises @ 7pm
- The Davis Theater
4614 N. Lincoln Ave./ Chicago, IL 60625
- Light Refreshments @ 5:00pm
- Q & A with Director & Actors @ 6:45-7:15pm
FREE PARKING
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Ark Productions Announces the World Premiere of The Law of Moises
- Oct 1, 2018
Chicago, IL - Ark Productions and Questar Entertainment are proud to announce the World Premiere of The Law of Moises, a family adventure film starring Nic Caruccio, Aaron Fotheringham, Yeniffer Behrens, Billy Dec and directed by Crystal Barnes.
Logline: A troubled young filmmaker desperate to escape his small town discovers his destiny is to save it.
The Law of Moises is a family adventure film about destiny and dreams, whether the dreams we choose are actually the dreams destined for us. The dream that Moises has is to leave his dead-end small town to make big films that will change the world. However, his dream is interrupted when frogs, flies, and a slew of other biblical plagues threaten to destroy his hometown and forcing Moises to make a decision; to either follow his dream or live out his purpose.
Synopsis: The Law of Moises is a family adventure film about MOISES ("moi-‘sez") who since the death of his parents at the age of nine has only dreamt of one thing – getting out of Cairo, Illinois, a stifling 9 square-mile town, to make his own films that will change the world. Similar to his namesake -Moses 2,000 years earlier- our hero, Moises suffers from a speech impediment and anger issues. The similarities don’t stop there... in the town, there seems to be BLOOD flowing in the Mississippi River! Other plagues follow, including frogs and locusts that aim to devour the town's historic landmarks.
After a moment of divine intercession and a nudge from his older sister (Yeniffer Behrens), Moises (Nic Caruccio) discovers his purpose: to stay and save his hometown from destruction. After a confrontation with the Mayor (Tom McElroy) - whose evil plan for misuse of a $30 million fund incited the plagues to begin with- Moises, along with a few of his buddies use Scripture and cell phones as weapons to avert each ensuing plague, and Cairo, Illinois is saved!
View the Teaser for the film at: https://vimeo.com/273605305
The Premiere will be held over a 2 day period:
|
Friday, October 12
|
Sunday, October 14
|
- Screening of The Law of Moises @ 7pm
- Park Community Church
1001 N. Crosby St./ Chicago, IL 60610
- Light Refreshments @ 5:30pm
- Q & A with Director & Actors @ 8:30-9:15pm
FREE PARKING
|
- Screening of The Law of Moises @ 7pm
- The Davis Theater
4614 N. Lincoln Ave./ Chicago, IL 60625
- Light Refreshments @ 5:00pm
- Q & A with Director & Actors @ 6:45-7:15pm
FREE PARKING
|
For tickets, please visit: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/3621911.
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Gazing into his wife's eyes helped save her life
- Cassie Richardson, Sep 28, 2018
This daily act of love helped spot one of the deadliest cancers
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ComEd Launches Energy Academy at Dunbar Vocational High School in Bronzeville
- Sep 26, 2018
Dunbar Vocational Academy High School in Bronzeville has launched the Dunbar Energy Academy in conjunction with ComEd. Introduced on September 25th to the first group of ninth graders, members of the Dunbar High School class of 2022, the program will make the science of energy a key part of the students’ four-year learning experience.
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New bi-weekly Podcast Series Offers Uncensored look into the world of Black Women on the Corporate Climb
- Sep 24, 2018
A new podcast series called I Choose the Ladder launches nationwide on Spotify and offers an uncensored look into the real success stories of Black women who sought out to make a significant impact in corporate America. The podcast, which promises to deliver authentic conversations and tangible resources that listeners can apply to their own corporate climb is the brainchild of Watchen Nyanue, Vice President of Marketing Partnerships for the WNBA Chicago Sky.
I Choose the Ladder will be available starting Wednesday, September 19th with new episodes Tuesday’s thereafter on Stitcher and Spotify, listeners will also be able to listen via ichoosetheladder.com. The podcast, which has 40 episodes already recorded, will feature interviews with some of the country’s most influential women including Chicago’s top CEO’s such as Andrea Zopp, CEO, World Business Chicago, Dorri McWhorter, CEO, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, and Terrie-Lynne Devonish, Chief Compliance Officer, Aon. The style of the podcast is honest and conversational and will shed light on topics that are more relatable to young Black women.
“Our primary listeners will be Black women between the ages of 22 and 34 who are college educated many with advanced degrees. These women are hungry for mentorship from other successful Black female corporate superstars. When I was starting out as a professional this kind of information was hard to come by. I wanted to create a place where we can have Black female corporate leaders sharing and offering their wisdom and insights based on their own experiences in an engaging, relatable, conversational style,” explained Watchen Nyanue.
The podcast will be ushered in with a networking and listening event on September 19, 2018 at the Chicago Center for Arts & Technology (CHICAT). Attendees will get a premiere listen of a 10 minute introduction segment about the podcast through headphones that will be done in the style of a silent disco party. The event will also feature Nyanue moderating a conversation on being a black woman in Corporate America. The three executives providing their perspectives are Nicole White, Global Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Avison Young, Obele Brown-West Hinsley, EVP, Client Experience Digital & Innovation Lead - Central Region, Weber Shandwick, and Karla Evans-Davis, Head of Integrated Marketing & Media, Ulta Beauty.
Additional Background on Podcast Creator and Host Watchen Nyanue:
Watchen Nyanue is a strategic marketing and business development expert from Liberia, who resides in Chicago, Illinois. She is currently the Vice President of Marketing Partnerships for the WNBA Chicago Sky.
As an advocate for female leadership and empowerment, her journey has been filled with more than twelve years of executive experience, where she has excelled as a proven business strategy leader who understands the importance of building relationships and capitalizing on a firm “it” factor in order to take the organization to the next level.
Watchen holds a bachelor’s in communication from DePauw University. She is currently pursuing her MBA at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Prior to working at the Sky, she has had the honor of working with a multitude of renowned companies, including Comedy Central, Hearst Digital, Yahoo!, and Johnson Publishing Company.
When she isn’t immersed in her career, Watchen happily serves on the Board of Trustees of the Associated Colleges of Illinois. The NextGen group of UNICEF and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is also a 2018 Chicago Business Journal Women of Influence Honoree
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Chicago Dental Society Launches Oral Safety Campaign
- Sep 19, 2018
Just in time for school sports season, CDS dentists are making custom-fit mouthguards more accessible and affordable for families, by offering 50% off for kids and youth.
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Eat Away Your Risk of Heart Disease?
- Cassie Richardson, Sep 14, 2018
Find out what food may be linked to lower rates of heart attack and stroke
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NONPROFIT “RENEWABLE NATION” APP AIMS TO CLOSE SOLAR GAP IN AMERICAN HOMES AND SCHOOLS
- Max Karlin mkarlin@hastingsgroup.com via prnewswire.com, Sep 12, 2018
Nonprofit Seeks to Cut Through “Confusion and Clutter” Paralyzing Many Potential Solar Adopters.
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G2 Crowd Announces Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship Program
- G2 Crowd,, Sep 4, 2018
Leader in B2B Reviews to Award $60,000 in Scholarship Funds to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
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Join Us for Engaging in Politics while Remaining on Mission and Staying Non-Partisan
- Digital Nonprofit Chicago Club, Sep 4, 2018
Engaging in Politics while Remaining on Mission and Staying Non-Partisan
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Local Businesses Show Signs of Supporting Safe Passage Program
- Sep 4, 2018
This is a wonderful way for businesses, parents, and residents throughout the City to become involve in the community.
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Statement from Speaker Madigan Reaction Rahm Emanuel Service Ending
- Jon Maxson, Sep 4, 2018
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Tuesday, regarding Rham Emanuel.
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ComEd Helps Customers in Bronzeville Community Save Money and Energy with New Mobile App
- Aug 31, 2018
ComEd is piloting an app in the Bronzeville community that helps customers save on energy and contribute to local non-profit organizations. The Save and Share™ mobile app allows residents who live in and near Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood to save on energy bills – and give back to their community at the same time.
The Save and Share app is available to Bronzeville residents who opened their current ComEd account before April 17, 2018, and live in the 60608, 60609, 60615, 60616, 60621, 60637 or 60653 ZIP codes. Visit ComEd.com/SaveAndShare for more information.
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To Usher in the Fall, Brews, Brats & Brass Gets a New Name and a New Vibe - Introducing the Fall Forward Festival in Hyde Park September 14-16
- Aug 29, 2018
Chicago, Ill - Eat, Drink, Be Events is revamping and renaming its Brews, Brats & Brass Oktoberfest to the Fall Forward Festival in Hyde Park taking place from September 14-16. Attendees will enjoy even more top-notch food ranging from salty to sweet, live music, and full bars.
The Fall Forward Festival includes autumn beer and ciders along with amazing Jack Daniels cocktails all wrapped around an intimate whiskey tasting, amazing food, live music and great drinks.
It’s the same level of fun with a new name just in time to pay homage to the end of summer and the transition into fall. This year’s musical acts include Lee Farmer, Gemini Jones, MYS Michelle ,DJ Shon Dervis and Ernie Adams and more, with food featurings from Krave Chicago, Surf's Up and Prime Catering plus much more.
“Serving as the official festival representing the “last hurrah” of the summer, the weekend is intended to bring our community together while celebrating how it has and will continue to ignite our future, especially right here in Hyde Park” said Wallace E. Goode, Jr., Executive Director of the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce.
The event is presented by Eat Drink and Be Events, The Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce and Jack Daniels.
The festival takes place on 53rd and Lake Park West (behind Hyde Park Bank-across from Promontory).
Schedule is Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday 2pm-10pm, Whiskey Sampling is from 3pm-6pm,
Sunday 2pm-8pm with Whiskey Sampling running from 3pm-6pm.
Admission is $15 which includes one beer or wine ticket. $30 for a three day pass and $25 for the Whiskey Tasting Pavilion to experience a fantastic variety of balanced and flavorful whiskey options to try including the very popular Jack Daniels.
ABOUT EAT, DRINK & BE EVENTS
Eat, Drink & Be Events is a socially conscious Chicago-based special event company that focuses on bringing high quality food and beverage events to emerging communities.
ABOUT HYDE PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The mission of the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce is to assist local member businesses in conducting their business in our community. As a resource for member businesses, the HPCC provides information regarding the programs and services offered by various City of Chicago agencies, acts as an advocate for its members’ interests within the community and to the City of Chicago, offers a forum for members to meet with other local business leaders to discuss their business interests and community matters. HPCC’s work for its members and with other community organizations has resulted in a healthy and strong business community in Hyde Park.
ABOUT JACK DANIELS
Jack Daniel's is a brand of Tennessee whiskey and the top-selling American whiskey in the world. It is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee, by the Jack Daniel Distillery, which has been owned by the Brown-Forman Corporation since 1956. Jack Daniel's is distilled in a process that gives it the title of a Tennessee whiskey, a term recognized by the federal government in 1941, almost 80 years after Daniel started distilling the stuff. The process is different from other American whiskeys in that the spirit is filtered through layers of sugar-maple charcoal. At the distillery, visitors might see huge piles of maple wood being burned on “ricks.” The wood falls into itself as it is burned, making charcoal. The whiskey is then filtered through it over a period of four days, then through white wool to remove any of the charcoal.
Follow the festival on facebook, instagram and twitter. Tickets are on eventbrite
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Advocate Trinity Hospital Named Among Best in Heart Failure Care
- Cassie Richardson, Aug 21, 2018
Hospital Named Among Best in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report
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MadeGood Foods in collaboration with My Dental Gallery and Razzmatazz Games & Grill host FREE Back to School Bash for Chicago’s south side area youth
- Aug 21, 2018
Chicago, IL (August 20, 2018) - To ensure children residing on the south side of Chicago are well equipped and excited to head back to school, MadeGood, a company dedicated to providing healthy snacks that are school safe, organic and rich in nutrients, is partnering with My Dental Gallery and Razzmatazz Games & Grill to host a first-of-its-kind Back to School Bash from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 26 at 3900 S. Ashland Ave.
“The Back to School Bash is a part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring all students are well-equipped for the school year,” says Nima Fotovat, president of MadeGood Foods, Inc. “Because nearly two children in every classroom have a food allergy, we’re thrilled to provide book bags filled with school supplies and allergy-friendly, school-safe snacks for students to enjoy throughout the school day. We’re also thankful to USA Expo and American Family Insurance for jumping at this opportunity for additional support in making this a possibility”.
During the event, students will enjoy a variety of free products, including fully stocked book bags packed with MadeGood’s Granola Bars and Crispy Squares, free game cards for all-day play at Razzmatazz Games & Grill, and free dental cleanings from Dr. Ogbonna Bowden, DDS, owner of My Dental Gallery. To top it off, children can get free haircuts from award-winning barber Mark Lawrence, the owner of Shop Official, and up-and-coming barber, Martese Cole.
"We’re thrilled to host the Back to School Bash in partnership with MadeGood and My Dental Gallery,” said Simon Horwell, general manager at Razzmatazz Games & Grill. “The celebration is another avenue for children to authentically be themselves and enjoy the experience, innocence and fun of being a child, in a safe setting, and we’re pleased to be a part of this experience.”
“As someone born and bred on Chicago’s South Side, I respond to any opportunity to give back to my community and this event is a great example of business leaders coming together to influence our youth positively,” said Dr. Ogbonna Bowden DDS, owner of My Dental Gallery. “Every child should have access to dental care, but that’s not always the case. It’s my hope that free cleanings for students will ensure each child shows up for their first day of school with fresh and clean pearly whites."
About MadeGood
MadeGood® is dedicated to providing healthy snacks that are rich in nutrients, allergy friendly and minimally processed. All products contain wholesome and organic ingredients that are ethically sourced. MadeGood is a good choice for your health, your family’s health and the planet’s health. Trust in something better. For more details, visit madegoodfoods.com or follow @madegoodfoods on Twitter.
About Razzmatazz Games & Grill
Located on Chicago’s South Side, Razzmatazz Games & Grill is a 20,000-square foot indoor entertainment complex with thrilling games, attractions and slides for adults and kids of all ages. The entertainment center has over 80 games, Route 66 bowling, bouncy houses and inflatable slides, as well as a full service bar and restaurant. Open daily, it hosts birthday parties and event outings for any group type. Visit razzmatazzchicago.com to learn more.
About Chicago Indoor Sports
Located next to Razzmatazz, Chicago Indoor Sports is Chicagoland’s premiere 90,000 square-foot indoor sports facility, featuring state-of-the-art turf fields and a basketball court. Additionally, the facility hosts special events, trade shows and conventions. Guests can always enjoy delicious meals and cocktails at the full service bar. Visit chicagoindoorsports.com to learn more.
About My Dental Gallery
My Dental Gallery is a state-of-the-art facility that utilizes the latest technology to provide patients with the highest quality dental care. Boasting a wide variety of services and procedures, My Dental Gallery can help you enjoy a restored and vibrant smile. Visit our Woodlawn Chicago Dental offices to enjoy special amenities, including cell phone charging stations, cable television, custom music options, and ultra-leather reclining chairs.
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Advocate Trinity Hospital Announces New President
- Cassie Richardson, Aug 20, 2018
Rashard Johnson named as President of Advocate South Suburban and Advocate Trinity Hospitals
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Build the Backdrop for Your #GivingTuesday Story by Refining Your Community Needs Assessment Skills
- Valerie F. Leonard, Aug 15, 2018
The Nonprofit Utopia community will be hosting 2 free webinars to help nonprofit professionals strengthen their community assessment skills. Facilitated by Valerie F. Leonard, the community's founder, the webinars will provide an overview of the community assessment process and help participants demonstrate need, even in communities that seem to be over-resourced.