• Send typed business announcements at least two weeks in advance of the desired publication date to Business Notes, in care of Suburban Life Publications, 1101 W. 31st St., Suite 100, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Business Notes also can be faxed at least two weeks in advance of the desired publication date to Business Notes at (630) 969-0228, or e-mailed to business@mysuburbanlife.com. Items run based on the availability of space.

• Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spas is once again offering Chicago area runners the opportunity to work out the kinks after the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with complimentary upgrades to massages and pedicures the week after the race. Runners simply need to present their marathon bib number at the spa to receive their special pampering treatment. When booking your service, simply mention the Mario Marathon Special. This service will take place from Monday, Oct. 13, through Sunday, Oct. 19. For more information, call (800) 874-2624 (TRICOCI).

• Nicor Gas encourages customers to plan ahead for fluctuating natural gas prices during the upcoming winter heating season by making their homes more energy efficient. Energy Depot, a free online tool available on the Nicor Gas Web site, provides comprehensive home energy use analyses and identifies cost-saving opportunities. Energy Depot has three components: Energy Profile, Energy Calculator and the Energy Library. For more information, visit www.nicorgas.com/gascost.

• Sylvan Learning Inc., the nation’s leading provider of private tutoring for students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, announced the purchase of the formerly corporate-owned Woodridge center by local entrepreneur Fred Ganet. Entrepreneurs interested in exploring opportunities in supplemental education franchising may contact Greg Helwig at (410) 843-8729.

• Edgemark Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC in Oak Brook, has announced that Mike Wesley and Joanne Sutryk recently completed two leases within the Town Square Wheaton lifestyle shopping center on Naperville Road, between Loop Road and Blanchard in Wheaton. For more information, visit www.edgemarkllc.com.

• DuPage PADS has been awarded $10,000 from the Chicago Tribune Charities-Holiday Campaign, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, to support families experiencing the crisis of homelessness. Last year, DuPage PADS helped 93 families and 80 children. For more information, visit www.dupagepads.org.

• Adventist Hinsdale Hospital invites community members to drop off clean, gently used coats during its annual coat drive. Coats can be dropped off from 7:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Volunteer Services office, level B2 of the hospital, 120 N. Oak St., Hinsdale. Coats will be accepted until Tuesday, Sept. 9, and will benefit Hesed House, an Aurora organization that provides services to poor and homeless people.

• The Abraham Lincoln Center for Character Development and the University of Illinois Extension will hold a Character Work Workshop for leaders of small businesses from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the Aramark offices, 2300 Warrenville Road, Downers Grove. For more information or to register, contact Ken Fisher at (630) 302-2136.

• The Morton Arboretum in Lisle has marked a high point and a milestone within the last month as it continues efforts to help the world become a greener, healthier and more beautiful place. The Arboretum is honored to have a second researcher receive the prestigious L.C. Chadwick award for arboriculture research, from the International Society of Arboriculture. Dr. George Ware picked up the award during the recent ISA annual meeting in St. Louis, as an estimated 800 attendees looked on. For more information, call (630) 968-0074 or visit www.mortonarb.org.

• According to a study by the Better Business Bureau, more than 8.4 million people were victims of identity theft in 2007, with an economic loss of $49.3 billion. That’s why West Suburban Bank is urging everyone to participate in their upcoming Shred Event, a special opportunity for people to bring unwanted personal financial and/or confidential documents for proper disposal at no charge. All are invited but there is a limit of 10 boxes of shredded items per individual. West Suburban Bank, along with The Better Business Bureaus of Chicago and Northern Illinois, are hosting this free event, which will take place from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the West Suburban Bank branch at 2800 S. Finley Road in Downers Grove. For more information, visit www.westsuburbanbank.com.

• Prudential SourceOne Realty and realtors Laura Marquardt and Vicot Majovsky are hosting an annual charity event Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Carriage Greens Country Club, 8700 Carriage Greens Drive, Darien. The event is to benefit the Sunshine Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization, dedicated to helping children affected by cancer. The charity provides support services, trips and group activities for kids receiving cancer treatments in hospitals across North America. For more information, call (630) 202-1678.

• The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry has announced Marta Cullen as the Citizen of the Year. Cullen is president and principal designer of Dream Interiors Inc., a full-service interior design firm. An active member of the Chamber Events Committee, Marta also serves on the Downers Grove Downtown Management Board of Directors, and is co-chair for the new Downtown Market as part of her role on the Board of Directors for the Indian Boundary YMCA. She has served as past Campaign Events Chairwoman for the Family Shelter Service Capital Campaign and is a member of the Chicago Southwest Suburban Chi Omega Alumnae. The Citizen of the Year Award will be awarded at the Black & White Ball presented by D3 Financial Councelor Saturday, Sept. 20. For more information, call (630) 968-4050 or visit www.downersgrove.org.

• Join The Cellar Door Running Club this fall. Runs will be approximately three to four miles, with a running leader and planned route. Runs will be at 6 p.m. from Sept. 3 to Nov. 26 and is for beginning and advanced runners. After the run there will be water, wine tasting and social hour held at The Cellar Door, 5150 Main St., Downers Grove. Cost is $25 for the season and is all inclusive. For more information, call (630) 241-2030.

• The Business Ethics Debate — Bad Apples or Bad Barrels: Individuals Vs. Organizational Responsibility for Wrongdoing will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Doubletree Hotel by Hilton, 1200 N. Mittel Blvd., Wood Dale. It is hosted by Suburban Chicagoland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. John R. Boatright, Ph.D., of Loyola University at Chicago, will examine the factors and research of poor decision-making, including how competition, organizational policies, processes, systems, culture and values affect judgment, and how other principals come into play. Cost is $30 for members, $40 for nonmembers and $25 for students. For more information or to register, visit www.prsasuburbanchicagoland.org.