Where Can You Buy a Real Christmas Tree in the Southwest Suburbs?

Christmas tree farms aren't as prevalent as they once were, but there's still a handful of southwest suburban spots where you can pick up the holiday's most popular greenery, beyond just your local grocery and home improvement stores.

WHERE: 1500 83rd St.  WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 18 PRICE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS: The farm offers 45,000 spruce and pine trees on a 35-acre property spanning Woodridge, Darien and Downers Grove. Trees cost $60 a piece and saws can be rented for $5; no credit cards accepted. MORE INFO: Read a full story about Ide Christmas Tree Farm on Woodridge Patch, visit the farm's website, or call 630-743-4032 WHERE: 13332 Bell Road WHEN: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24 PRICE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS: Since 2004, the five-acre farm has sold fraser firs starting at $38 in price and ranging from 5- to 12-feet-tall in size. …

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Chamber Notes: Members Preparing for Oswego's Holiday Events

The holiday season brings so much activity all across Oswego's business sectors.

I like to think that the holidays bring out the very best in us.  Just days ago, the Oswego Chamber’s Inspiring Women of Oswego presented a check to Mutual Ground, the local charity they chose and raised funds for throughout the course of the past twelve months.  Also just days ago, our five leads groups challenged each other to determine which group could provide the most assistance to the Kendall County Food Pantry.  When the dust settled on the “Great Hunger Challenge”, it took 4 vans to haul all the food plus in excess of $2,500 in cash to the pantry in Yorkville. Now here we are celebrating Thanksgiving weekend, the unofficial kickoff of the Christmas season.  Our Chamber is going to be involved in a couple of major events beginning …

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Local Businesses Have Got Your Post Thanksgiving Deals

The local big box retailers aren't the only ones with the holiday bargains.

Local small businesses are the heart of any thriving community. Oswego is no different, and there are plenty locally owned businesses to complete a fair amount of your holiday shopping. With that in mind, here's a photo slideshow of some of the area businesses offering deals on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Also, on Saturday shop downtown for Downtown Dollars. Shop at your favorite stores on Main Street and enter for a chance to win $100. Five winners will be drawn and the "dollars" can be used just like cash at any participating store. Free cups of coffee will also be given away at select retailers.

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Local Restaurants Open and Serving Up Stress-Free Meals on Thanksgiving

Not in the mood to cook an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner this year? Not to worry; countless local restaurants are ready to do the job for you, no clean-up required. Many places require reservations or fill up fast though, so be sure to call ahead.

ADDRESS: 2139 City Gate Lane, Naperville THANKSGIVING HOURS: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. MORE INFO: Visit Sugar Toad's website to check out its special Thanksgiving menu or call 630-778-8623 ADDRESS: 39 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville THANKSGIVING HOURS: Noon to 7 p.m. MORE INFO: Visit the listing for Ted's Montana Grill in our directory, visit the restaurant's website to see the special Thanksgiving menu, or call 630-848-2255 ADDRESS: 1740 Freedom Drive, Naperville THANKSGIVING HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. MORE INFO: Visit Cooper's Hawk's website to check out the special Thanksgiving menu, or call 630-245-8000 ADDRESS: 23 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville THANKSGIVING HOURS: Noon to 7 p.m. MORE INFO: Visit Rosebud's listing in our directory, or call 630-548…

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Woman Puts a Bow on Budding Business

Michelle Bolman began Shell Bell Hair Bows about two years ago and has found a following at Second Born Consignment shop.

What started out as ribbons and a barrette has turned into a home grown business for Michelle Bolman. Bolman began making hair bows for her daughter, Madilyn, 5, a few years ago, as well as for the children in the daycare she operates out of her home. “Word-of-mouth got around and slowly it became, ‘Can you make something to match this dress or for the holidays?’” Bolman said. Then, she was referred by a friend to consider selling her creations at Second Born Consignment, which opened in downtown Oswego in June. The move has proven to be a success. “That’s kind of where it all blew up and expanded,” the Montgomery resident said. With her Shell Bell Hair Bows business, Bolman can spend can spend anywhere from 20 minutes to more than an hour…

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Indies Only: Tony Sidio Finds Solutions to Computing Problems

Computer consultant services small businesses and individual clients.

Tony Sidio works from home to solve computer problems – big or small. He is a people person who enjoys technical challenges and strives to provide value-added service to each of his clients. “I’ve always had a knack for figuring things out and was the unofficial go to guy for any computer problem,” said Sidio, whose background includes advertising and sales. He officially started in the computer business in 1994, working in sales for a small computer company where he was able to wear lots of hats and gain technical training. In 2004, the company Sidio worked for was sold. He began Tony Sidio Consulting from his home office, keeping expenses down and passing those savings on to his clients, he said. Sidio doesn’t acknowledge that the US is …

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Oswego Couple Leading Legions to a Healthy Lifestyle

Dave and Melissa Kiest have built their fitness business from the ground up — literally.

What began as a handful of people doing high intensity workouts in the basement of Dave and Melissa Kiest’s Oswego home has turned into a business with about 150 clients. The Kiests, along with partner Jason Heller, opened up Bare Bones CrossFit at 125 Wheaton Ave., Yorkville, in July 2010. “It’s been huge,” Dave Kiest said. “Word-of-mouth got out because people were seeing results so quickly.” Bare Bones CrossFit tries to build a friendly but competetive atmosphere where people "support one another in obtaining optimal physical fitness and health," according to the company's website. The workouts are short, intense and designed to produce results, the website states. “It’s kind of like a personal trainer in a group setting,” said Dave …

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Partnership Gives Boost to Local Small Businesses

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee Community College and the Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center are working together to to provide high level consulting to qualifying businesses.

A partnership between two Fox Valley business specialists for start-ups is giving a leg up to small companies that want to grow. The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee Community College and the Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center are working together to give entrepreneurs an opportunity to access critical business advice they otherwise might not be able to afford. “We’re working to help businesses that have already got some growth under their belt and are ready to take the next growth step and hire some people or add on to their business,” said Harriet Parker, manager of the Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College. The program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Association Small Business Jobs …

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