Sunday, April 22, 2012
Self-taught photographer Christina Michelle Glover has moved her business to downtown Oswego.
Christina Michelle Glover loves being in the middle of people’s celebrations as she photographs priceless family moments. Three years ago, Glover met a wedding photographer who inspired her to start her own business, Christina Michelle Photography. Glover said she’s always been creative and just knew she could take good pictures and enjoy the work. Her husband had just been laid off, she was a stay-at-home-mom and she needed something, she said. “I am so grateful to God for taking me from financial hardship and then placing me in the middle of people’s celebrations," Glover said. "The sweetness is not lost on me. It took the heaviness of life off of me and taught me that what makes us 'rich' and brings us happiness and hope are our …
41.68339
-88.35003
25 E Jackson St, Oswego, IL
/articles/indies-only-christina-michelle-photography
/locations/6850361
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Jodi Heifner-DiVietro of JL Design Group, LLC designs it all from doctor's offices to kids bedrooms.
Jodi Heifner-DiVietro, owner of JL Design Group, LLC in Oswego, helps clients realize their taste as she tackles interior design projects of all sizes. Heifner-DiVietro’s projects are diverse. She said her work is split between residential and commercial work. With a health care background, she often works with doctor’s offices but said her true love is children's design. Residential projects include: kitchen and bathroom renovation, color consultations, window treatments and accessorizing. Commercial projects include a bit of everything, Heifner-DiVietro said, from a one-room office to the Oak Lawn Public Library. “A lot of listening goes on,” said Heifner-DiVietro of her approach to working with customers. “Getting to know the client on …
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Art Black says treating customers with individual attention is the key to success.
Oswego Cyclery and Running uses knowledge and attention to detail to match each customer to the correct bike and keep Oswego’s bikes performing. Owner Art Black worked in his brother-in-law’s bike business prior to opening the Oswego Cyclery in 2004. Black was riding along the bike path through Oswego when he decided Oswego could use a bike shop. Black said he built his shop around serving families and has grown to serve all types of bike riders. When a customer walks into the shop, Black said he asks them what they are trying to achieve with their purchase. He asks questions and helps the customer avoid an impulse buy and also encourages a test drive of the bike. “Giving attention to the customer is the No. 1 thing I stress with my …
41.684369
-88.351919
Oswego Cyclery and Running
26 Main St, Oswego, IL
/articles/indies-only-oswego-cyclery
1349903
/locations/6702181
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Janelle Pitula has operated her west side pet store since 2008.
Janelle Pitula opened Wags to Whiskers in her hometown to empower pet owners with knowledge and help dogs and cats live healthier, fuller lives. Wags to Whiskers is a full-service pet center that offers natural food products, full service grooming, self-serve bathing, a dog playroom and resources. Pitula’s dog, Tally, had all various health problems. Pitula said when she changed Tally’s diet to more natural foods, her health immediately turned around. “I learned that the difference between natural pet food and commercial pet food was immense and can completely change a pet’s life,” Pitula said. Offering natural pet food was Pitula’s main motivation for starting her business. Pet grooming was a natural add-on, she said, since a good groomer…
41.694649
-88.381838
1057 Station Dr, Oswego, IL
/articles/indies-only-wags-to-whiskers
/locations/6655114
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sheff Brothers Pizza, Fore Family Fun complement one of the area's only indoor golf simulator facilities.
Under one roof, Bogies Indoor Golf Club, Fore Family Fun and Shef Brothers Pizza offer entertainment options for adults and families. Bogies has full-swing golf simulators. Golfers book a tee time and bring their own clubs and ball. They choose from over 60 courses, including world famous courses such as St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. Both the course and surroundings are exactly the same as the real location, said owner Greg Sheffield. “Golfers love it,” Sheffield said. “It’s a good substitute and allows you to avoid the wind and muddy conditions.” The golf simulator is also a good place to learn the game and there are no pressures of the outside golf course, such as the group playing behind you, Sheffield said. There are golf leagues for …
41.708108
-88.271616
Bogies Indoor Golf Club
1501 Mitchell Dr, Oswego, IL
/articles/indies-bogies
1350822
/locations/6607759
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Rhonda Johnson happy to be part of downtown business community.
Rhonda Johnson opened One on One Fitness, Inc. to provide a different atmosphere for individuals to get fit. Her trainers devise exercise programs specific to the individual’s goals and clients work out in a private setting. The first 10 years Johnson worked in the fitness industry, she worked in gyms. “I always saw the same people doing the same things and they were all generally physically fit,” Johnson said. “I realized there was a great need for private training without the gym setting.” Johnson said she opened her private studio in downtown Oswego to eliminate the gym feel and to offer services to individuals of all ages and abilities based on their individual goals. There are no machines. Instead, trainers incorporate items like …
41.68309
-88.35183
One On One Fitness
8 W Washington St, Oswego, IL
/articles/indies-only-one-on-one-fitness
1350723
/locations/6558649
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Vern Spevak has performed with some of the greats. Now he's teaching Oswego how to keep the beat.
Vern Spevak is an accomplished musician with an impressive resume and a family legacy of 200 years of drumming. He has performed with renowned musicians like jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Louie Bellson; Motown legend Mary Wilson; and Tonight Show host, Jay Leno. With assistance from his two children, Spevak now focuses on teaching his skills and love for music to the Oswego community. Spevak Percussion Concepts, Inc. specializes in teaching drumming and the percussive arts. Spevak defines percussion instruments as anything struck to produce a musical sound. Examples include: keyboards, marimba, xylophone, glockenspiel, timpani and other instruments from around the world. Spevak believes his approach to teaching represents a “superior …
41.67871
-88.33685
Spevak Percussion Concepts
49 Stonehill Rd, Oswego, IL
/articles/indies-spevak-percussion
1962697
/locations/6508856
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Five 2011 Oswego High School graduates and one senior are working together this summer to earn money towards their college tuitions.
Last summer, five friends were each motivated to earn money toward the cost of college, but they couldn’t find jobs. In brainstorming, they realized a commonality: they each had some landscaping experience. More importantly, they knew someone in the field who could help them. Oswego Landscaping was born. And although their first summer didn't go off as well as they hoped Jake Masey said they're making a fresh start in 2012. “We learned a lot and this summer we are starting earlier and are more organized and committed," Masey said. John Vann has 28 years experience as a landscape architect and has provided training and mentoring for Oswego Landscaping. “I think it’s so cool to see kids taking initiative and responsibility,” Vann said. “Plus…
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Oswego woman has been selling her lead-free product for nine years.
Dena Marie Andersen’s habit of burning candles became expensive, so she utilized trial and error to create her own perfect candle. Nine years later, the Oswego woman has sold thousands of them. “It started as a hobby for myself. Then my friends wanted me to make candles for them. Then they referred me to their friends,” Andersen said. “Within three months of making my first candle, I was selling at craft shows. “It’s important to me to offer a good quality product. I based my candles on the best candles in the market,” Andersen said of her product, Country Candles by Dena Marie. Country Candles are lead-free, so they will not put off any black soot, Andersen explained. Andersen’s candles are triple-scented so they have the same scent start…
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Chris McClimans has been waiting 20 years for the right opportunity, and she's finally got her chance.
At 5:30 a.m. Friday, Chris McClimans began living her dream. That's when McClimans opened My Sister’s Lil Donut Shoppe at 25 S. Madison St., alongside her sister, Betsy Kammerer, the shop’s manager. “This location is the perfect spot for what I’d envisioned. If I couldn’t open the shop here, I wouldn’t do it. My desire was to be downtown – it has a great history,” McClimans said. “We plan to be part of all downtown events.” McClimans said she’s wanted to open a donut shop for 20 years. “I just like a good donut and I enjoy making them,” she said. McClimans and Kammerer have prior experience working together in a bakery. McClimans said they work well together. “It’s my passion, and I’m the laborer,” said McClimans. “Betsy will keep me calm…
41.684241
-88.350509
25 S Madison St, Oswego, IL
/articles/indies-only-my-sister-s-lil-donut-shoppe
/locations/6362007
Ismael Rodriguez
8:49 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Phenomenal work & Great personality !! Congratulations ! more ›