Members of the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry showcased their business expertise during the 12th annual Business Expo on Oct. 23 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center.

With 40 booths, visitors had their choice of businesses to check out, from tasting food to hearing about the latest in chiropractic treatment from Dr. Dan Coffey of DC Spinal Wellness & Sports Rehabilitation located at 1300 S. Finley Road, with another location opening up on Main Street.

One of the best parts of this Expo is the food tasting. Lynda Oertel, the sales and marketing manger of The Capital Grille restaurant at 87 Yorktown Center, was in fine form serving up tasty rib eye steak sandwiches that were melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

“The Capital Grille has been doing great since we opened our doors in Lombard,” she said.
Prairie and Vine Wine and Gift Shop, located at 29 E. Park Blvd., Villa Park, was the new kid on the block.

This warm and cozy wine bar offers plenty of ideas to bring friends together. From wine tasting parties to wine classes or holding your own tasting, this unique concept is quickly becoming the in thing to do.

Other events include: murder mystery nights, book clubs, wine and chocolate and wine and cheese nights, wine for beginners classes, storytelling nights and seasonal events.

Yeager Fotografix at 112 W. St. Charles Road is a place we really need in Lombard.

Did you ever watch those decorating shows on television where they show reproductions of pictures that are blown up and even made to look like paintings? And then did you wonder where to go to get that done for yourself?

Well this is what they do. I have been looking for a place like that and here they are right in our own backyard.

So I will let you know how my pictures turn out.

I ran into our new Village Manager David Hulesberg at the Business Expo and reminisced about the first month I started this column which was over eight years ago.

He was the director of community development at the time and invited me on a tour of Lombard.

During his tour he pointed out many places worth investigating. I confidently told him I was pretty sure I had been everywhere he told me to go. And then on his way out he asked me if I ever played WhirlyBall.

Thinking this game was for kids I said “no.”

“You need to check out the WhirlyBall booth next,” he said on his way out.

All I can tell you is that WhirlyBall is now next on my list for things to do in Lombard. I will write about it when I go, but what it is, is somehow playing ball in little bumper cars. It is like a sport. WhirlyBall is located at 800 E. Roosevelt Road.

Coming in as I was going out I met our Village President Bill Mueller with his wife, Eileen. He is looking good, feeling good and on his way to recovery from his recent illness.

Business Expo 2008 highlighted some of our key businesses in Lombard and gave us chance to have a real “Taste of Lombard.”

Craft show time   

St. Pius X Council of Catholic Women are having their annual Christmas Magic Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the St. Pius X Social Center, located at the corner of Madison Street and Westmore Avenue.

Put them on your craft circuit and remember they serve lunch. Take heed! Forty-eight shopping days left until Christmas!