Star Flyer Roller Rink Closes

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

A roller skating tradition ended recently with the closing of the Star Flyer Roller Rink at 3241 E. End Ave. in South Chicago Heights. The roller rink had been open for more than 30 years.

iFix Opens at Chicago Ridge Mall

iFixandRepair, a store that promises to be able to fix broken iPhones, iPods, iPads, cell phones, and Mac or PC computers, opened recently at Chicago Ridge Mall. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

For information, call 708-320-1349 or visit iFix.

Native Plant Sale at Irons Oaks

A large variety of native plants such as Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Wild Ginger and Columbine will be available at this year’s Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow at Irons Oaks, 20000 S. Western Ave. in Olympia Fields. For information, call 708-481-2330.

Marquette Bank Hosts Free Family Party

Marquette Bank will host a free Family Party from 2-4 p.m. tomorrow at its branch at 17865 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park. For information, call 708-873-8170.

Double Dip for Oak Lawn Chamber Next Week

The Oak Lawn Chamber will host a breakfast for prospective members from 8-9 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, at Jason’s Deli, 6260 W. 95th St. Breakfast is free for new and prospective members and $5 for current members. RSVP to the chamber.

That same day, Standard Bank, 4001 W. 95th St., will host a Business After Hours from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be appetizers and beverages. RSVP to Jean Fornal at the bank at 708-499-2062.

Whitley to Address Southland Chamber

Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Doug Whitley will tackle key commerce topics as he headlines the Chicago Southland Chamber's Regional Consensus Luncheon on Monday, May 14, at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive.

Whitley will discuss the importance of a chamber membership, what we can do to improve the business environment and Gov. Pat Quinn's job creation policies. A question and answer period will follow.

Chamber officials also will announce the names of the four outstanding high school seniors, sons and daughters of chamber members, who have been chosen to receive Chamber Foundation scholarships of $2,000 each.

The cost is $40 for non-members, $30 for members, and reservations can be made on the chamber website, http://www.chicagosouthland.com/, via e-mail at info@ChicagoSouthland.com or by telephone, 708-957-6950.

Mrs. Fields Taste Test

Mrs. Fields is holding a cookie taste test Monday and Tuesday afternoon at its store inside Orland Square Mall. For information, call 708-364-0123.

Help Grow Flossmoor

May is the Flossmoor Business Association's "Help Grow Flossmoor" month. Consumers are encouraged to collect and save receipts from participating FBA members during the entire month of May. Anyone who spends money in at least three FBA members' locations is eligible for entry into a raffle for one of three gift baskets. For information, visit the Flossmoor Business Association.

CUB Issues Electricity Choice Primer

Responding to reports of customer confusion and potential power scams, the Citizens Utility Board has released a one-page primer on what the electric choices are for consumers in hundreds of communities that have passed “municipal aggregation” referendums and are beginning to negotiate electricity prices on behalf of their residents.

CUB’s primer — “What are my electricity choices?” — can be found at http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/. It is designed to give consumers a two-minute overview of Illinois’ suddenly complicated electricity market so they can avoid bad deals. For decades, residents didn’t have a choice for their electric supplier. But in the last two years alternative companies have flooded the market.

Adding to the complexity, on March 20, more than 240 Illinois communities passed referendums allowing local governments to negotiate residential prices with certain Commonwealth Edison competitors.

Now, those communities have reported a surge in consumer questions and complaints regarding door-to-door, phone and mail solicitations from energy suppliers. As communities finalize “municipal aggregation” contracts on behalf of residents, the window for alternative electricity suppliers to sign up individual customers in those communities is closing. That could be fertile ground for high-pressure sales tactics and consumer confusion, CUB Executive Director David Kolata said.

“Like no other time in the history of Illinois’ electricity market, consumers need education to avoid bad deals,” Kolata said. “If you have any questions about an offer, check with CUB and community leaders before signing up.”

Mom’s Eat Free at Chick-fil-A

Mom’s can eat for free from 8:30-10:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Orland Park Chick-fil-A on LaGrange Road.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.


You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.