Business Comings & Goings: Westfield Sells Chicago Ridge Mall

Edward Hines VA Hospital recently opened a bigger and better outpatient clinic at 10201 S. Cicero Ave.

The new clinic is about a mile away from the old clinic but it has almost three times as much clinical space and much more parking. The Department of Veterans Affairs opened the clinic a decade ago to serve veterans who can’t make the trip to Hines in Maywood. The clinic serves more than 5,400 patients per year.

"VA is committed to providing our veterans with top quality health care as close to their homes as possible,” Peter Dancy, acting director of the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, said in a release. “We are always looking for better ways to serve our veterans. 

“This new location in Oak Lawn allows us to expand our services to veterans in areas like mental health and social work, women’s health, nutrition, pharmacy, etc.  We are thrilled to provide our top quality health care to veterans in this area in a brand new state-of-the-art clinic location.”

For information, call 708-499-3675.

Garrett to Address Chamber

Jim Garrett, president and CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau, will be the guest speaker at the monthly luncheon on May 8 at .

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch at noon.

Garrett will give a 15-minute presentation on the CSCVB.

All events are open to members and business owners.

For information or reservations, call the chamber office at 708-424-8300 or email office@oaklawnchamber.com.

Westfield Sells Chicago Ridge Mall

Australian-based Westfield Group announced last week that it was selling 90 percent stakes in its Chicago Ridge and Louis Joliet malls as part of a $1 billion deal with Starwood Capital Group.

Westfield will retain a 10 percent stake in the 838,608 square foot Chicago Ridge Mall and the 971,025 square foot Louis Joliet Mall and continue to manage them, the company said in a news release.

Connecticut-based Starwood also purchased majority stakes in five other Westfield-owned malls in the United States. An additional Westfield property was sold to another buyer in a separate transaction.

Westfield retains ownership of Old Orchard Mall in Skokie, Fox Valley Mall in Aurora and Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills.

Marquette Bank to Offer Scholarships

has announced 55 local high schools have been selected to participate in the 2012 Marquette Bank Education Foundation Scholarship Program, which has a 46-year tradition of providing scholarships to graduating seniors from neighborhoods near Marquette Bank’s 24 branch locations.

The scholarships are available to students who demonstrate financial need, maintain at least a B average and have an outstanding record of community service. 

Since 1967, more than $2.3 million has been awarded to more than 1,281 high school students.  

The 2012 scholarship amount is $2,500.  Scholarship recipients are selected by their school’s principal or guidance counselors and are recognized at an awards ceremony attended by friends and family.  The scholarship can be used to cover expenses at any higher education program including: four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, vocational training or trade schools.  To apply, students from participating schools can pick up an application in the guidance counselor’s office. 

Local schools participating in the program include:

• Evergreen Park High School
• Leo Catholic High School
• Maria High School
• Queen of Peace High School
• Reavis High School
• St. Ignatius College Prep.
• St. Laurence High School
• St. Rita of Cascia High School

For information on the Marquette Bank Education Foundation Scholarship Program, call 1-888-254-9500 or visit www.emarquettebank.com/about_foundation.cfm.

Marquette Bank Offers Estate Planning Seminar

and the law offices of Stephen M. Sutera are partnering to offer a free life care and estate planning seminar at the Oak Lawn Hilton at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 3.

Sutera will answer questions regarding wills, trusts, estate planning and senior life care planning at the seminar entitled, Effective Senior Life Care & Estate Planning Strategies – Understanding Your Options in Today’s Complex World.

Light refreshments will be provided during the event. Anyone interested in attending should register by calling 708-460-5166 as seating will be limited.

CSCVB Business After Hours

The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a Business After Hours to observe National Tourism Day next Wednesday, May9,  from 5-7 p.m. at the CSCVB Offices, 2304 E. 173rd St. in Lansing, with a celebration of tourism's benefits to the local, regional and state economy.

In addition, CSCVB will host a silent auction with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Sertoma Centre, 4343 W. 123rd St. in Alsip, a training and job placement center for disabled adults.

For information, call Elizabeth at 708-895-8200.  

Cycling for Hope Hospital

will host the second annual Cycling for Hope - An Adapted Cycling Event on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 94th Street and Keeler Avenue.

This free event is for family members and persons ages 4 to adult with either physical or visual disabilities. Disabled guests will learn about adapted cycling options available as well as test drive a variety of bikes including hand cycles and tandem bikes. This event also features a special appearance by Sheila O'Neil, 1996 Paralympian and bronze medalist in the 100-meter wheelchair track.

Space is limited. To register, call 1-800-328-8622, event code: 1P36. This event will be held rain or shine.

Veterans Business Boot Camp

Governors State University will host its annual Veterans Entrepreneurial Boot Camp next Wednesday, May 9.

The daylong event includes speakers, seminars, expert panel discussions designed to promote veteran business start-up and growth and development of existing veteran-owned businesses. 

Seminar topics include Marketing Your Business on a Shoestring Budget, Veteran Financing Opportunities Through the SBA and a Variety of Lenders, Military Friendly Franchising Opportunities, Your Internet Presence, Planning Your New Business, Business Plans Why?, Biz Plan Financials,  Government Contracting - How to get my business Certified MBE, WBE, SDVOSB 8(a), Export Opportunities the "Law and Order of Entrepreneurship," Business Killers, Develop a Referral Mindset and Perception - what are they thinking?

The event is free to veterans. A complimentary breakfast and full lunch will be provided.

All presentation material and other helpful tools will be provided free to attendees on a dog tag-style flash drive.

Cost is $25 for business partners of veterans and family members (due at registration).

For information, call Bob Rakstang at 708-534-8390.

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

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