Andersonville Itinerary Contest on Pinterest or Foursquare

UPDATE: Wow! We had 17 entries in our Andersonville Itinerary Contest. Great job, Andersonville lovers! We are pleased to announce that Layne Fargo has been chosen as the winner! Those of you who didn't win - don't worry, we still have 2 MORE WEEKS of contests. And now, there is an awesome resource for people wanting to find the coolest things in Andersonville!

Check out all of our awesome entries:

• http://pinterest.com/krs7803/my-andersonville-itinerary/ 
• http://pinterest.com/paginatrix/andersonville/
• http://pinterest.com/iamapatientgirl/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• https://pinterest.com/jenmwalsh/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• http://pinterest.com/youthfulwinter/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• http://pinterest.com/jessiface/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• http://pinterest.com/dawnradakovich/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• http://pinterest.com/novedieci/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• http://pinterest.com/librarianhot/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• http://pinterest.com/paysoncroy/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• http://pinterest.com/flysparrow/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• http://pinterest.com/chriscad1/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• http://pinterest.com/windycitygene/my-andersonville-itinerary/
• https://foursquare.com/user/13149975/list/davids-andersonville-itinerary
• https://foursquare.com/matthewsm1th/list/my-andersonville-list
• https://foursquare.com/shojotora/list/my-andersonville-itinerary
• https://foursquare.com/user/32276334/list/my-andersonville-itinerary

We are excited to announce this week's BIG giveaway: a 2-night stay at the Andersonville Guesthouse in January-March, 2013! You'll be ensconced in one of their 2-bed, 2-bath units that sleeps up to 6 people, complete with either balcony or patio, spa-like bathrooms with a luxury steam shower and a bubble-jet bath/shower, fireplace, cable TV, washer/dryer, free garage parking space, and more!

You may not want to leave...however, this contest is all about what you would do if you had 2 days to spend in Andersonville!

CONTEST: Create ONE of 2 different options: A Pinterest board OR a Foursquare list called "My Andersonville Itinerary." Fill it with things that you already love or would like to try in Andersonville - shopping, eating (or drinking), entertainment, sights, etc.

RULES: You must include the Andersonville Guesthouse on the board or list. Everything else is up to you! Please include a minimum of 12 items. For Pinterest: Include business names (where applicable) and the #Andersonville hashtag with each pin. For Foursquare: Be sure to include a tip about the business/location so everyone knows why you love it so much. Once your pinboard or list is complete, please leave a comment on this post with a link to your itinerary. We also encourage you to post your link to Twitter (@avillechamber) or the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Facebook page so that everyone can admire your creativity and mad planning skillz! One entry will be selected from a random drawing.

PRIZE: A 2-night stay in a 2-bed, 2-bath unit at the Andersonville Guesthouse, valid January-March 2013 (retail value: up to $692.58), for up to 6 people.

DEADLINE: Contest ends at 11:00am on Monday, December 10.

Visit us on Pinterest to see a sample itinerary: http://pinterest.com/avillechamber/jessica-s-andersonville-itinerary

Visit us on Foursquare for a sample list: https://foursquare.com/p/andersonville-chamber-of-commerce/37497694/list/jessicas-andersonville-itinerary

Also, we encourage you to become a fan of the Andersonville Guesthouse on Facebook - it's a great place to find out about discounted rates and other specials!

Andersonville Holiday Contest Goes 'Off The Beaten Path' during Late Night Andersonville!

Tonight is Late Night Andersonville, which means the stores stay open late and offer special one-night-only discounts for all of your holiday shopping needs.  Details about Late Night Andersonville are here, and a link to the Late Night Andersonville coupon with all of the discounts is here.

But not all businesses in Andersonville are right on Clark Street.  In fact, some of our favorites are a little 'off the beaten path!'  So today's Andersonville Holiday Contest focuses on two such businesses - Painted Light Photography & Framing Gallery and Tree House Humane Society.  And offers an extra something for all of you animal lovers!

Painted Light owner Barb Laing has been a fixture in Andersonville for 20 years, and runs her framing gallery and gift shop at 1742 W. Balmoral.  She brings an artist's touch to all her framing and photo restoration projects, and carries an array of locally made, whimsical products.  I always find fun and unexpected gifts there during the holiday season.  Plus she makes some amazingly delicious punch!

Tree House is an organization that promotes the inherent value of every animal and strives to educate the public about proper and responsible animal care, with a focus on the care and placement of stray cats with special physical and emotional needs. Located at 1212 W. Carmen, they are committed to finding every healthy and treatable animal a home and to helping lead the way to a no-kill nation.

And now the contest:

Visit either (or both!) locations during Late Night Andersonville (Friday, November 30, 6:00-10:00 pm) and check in on your mobile phone (Foursquare/Facebook/Yelp - whatever you got), and get entered to win great prizes.  Tree House is giving away a kitty gift basket; Painted Light is giving away a $50 gift certificate.

To entice you to make that walk west or east, both are featuring great events during Late Night Andersonville. Tree House is hosting an open house where you can see their space and meet some of their (many, many) feline residents.  If you love cats, this is an awesome opportunity - it really is a fun place to be!  Painted Light is offering a casual photo shoot for your holiday customized greeting card needs.  She's a great photographer and will have a festive holiday backdrop and everything - just show up wearing your holiday photo finest.  Even bring your favorite furry companion!  She asks that in return you make a $10 donation to P.A.W.S., former home of store mascot Duke.

Even Duke gets in on the action!

So visit some great Andersonville businesses, do some holiday shopping, help some awesome animals, get your holiday photo card picture taken - Late Night Andersonville will be the place to be tonight!

Painted Light Photography & Framing Gallery, 1742 W. Balmoral, 773-275-4121
Tree House Humane Society, 1212 W. Carmen, 773-784-5488

Late Night Andersonville and the Andersonville Holiday Contests are programs of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all of the best neighborhood news!

Andersonville Wish List Contest on Pinterest

This holiday season we are giving away thousands of dollars worth of great stuff from your favorite Andersonville businesses with daily and weekly contests.  Now that the Thanksgiving leftovers have been (mostly) polished off, it is time to announce our first contest, with a grand prize of $250 in gift certificates from five great Andersonville stores!

CONTEST:  Create a Pinterest board called "My Andersonville Wish List" featuring at least one item from each sponsoring store:  the Andersonville Galleria, GreenSky, The Haymaker Shop, Room Service and Ya Ya’s Antiques.  You can include gifts you'd like to get AND/OR gifts you like to give others.  Also feel free to pin any other items you see in Andersonville stores that would be perfect for your wish list!

RULES:  Include the store name and #Andersonville hashtag with each pin. Pins CANNOT link to an e-commerce site other than that of an Andersonville business (i.e. You’d better not be linking to Amazon!). Pins may link to non-ecommerce sites (blogs, etc.) if they are being used as inspiration. You can also upload photos that you have taken in the store with your smartphone. You must pin at least one item from each store that is sponsoring the giveaway. Once your pinboard is complete, comment on this post with a link to your wish list, send us the link on Twitter @avillechamber or post it on the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.  One winning entry will be selected from a random drawing.

PRIZE:  Grand prize is a package of $50 gift certificates from the Andersonville Galleria, GreenSky, The Haymaker Shop, Room Service and Ya Ya’s Antiques for a total value of $250.   Please thank these businesses for their sponsorship by liking them on Facebook!

DEADLINE:  Contest ends at 11:00am on Monday, December 3^rd. Late Night Andersonville (this Friday, Nov. 30) is a great chance to visit Andersonville stores to add items to your wish list!

Visit our Pinterest page to see a sample wish list: http://pinterest.com/avillechamber/jessica-s-andersonville-wish-list/

Happy pinning - we can't wait to see what you come up with!  And look for daily contests for other great prizes all week long.

Andersonville Galleria, 5247 N. Clark - Facebook
GreenSky, 5357 N. Ashland
The Haymaker Shop, 5507 N. Clark - Facebook
Room Service, 5438 N. Clark - Facebook
Ya Ya's Antiques, 5517 N. Clark - Facebook
Andersonville Chamber of Commerce - Follow us on Twitter - Like us on Facebook

Join the Andersonville Toy Drive For Chicago Children's Advocacy Center

The Chicago Children's Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization that provides support and a wide range of services to children who have been physically and sexually abused.  For the past seven years, we have been honored to partner with some of our local businesses to support their work by donating toys for their annual holiday party.  In that time, Andersonville has donated thousands and thousands of dollars worth of toys to vulnerable children in need.

Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy or a $15 gift card to this great cause.  Click here for a list of suggested items.  Donations can be dropped off at the Chamber office, 5356 N. Clark 2nd floor, Monday-Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.  They can also be dropped off at these Andersonville businesses during regular business hours:  the Landmark of Andersonville, 5245 N. Clark; Green Genes, 5111 N. Clark; and The Coffee Studio, 5628 N. Clark.  Donations will be accepted from now until Monday, December 10.

You can also double your donation!  Toys Et Cetera, 5311 N. Clark, will donate a toy of equal value for every toy purchased at the store for the toy drive.  Donations must be left at the store in the donation box at the register.  This offer is good from Friday, November 23 through Monday, December 10.  Friday, November 30 is Late Night Andersonville - from 6:00-10:00 pm you can save 10% off any purchase at Toys Et Cetera with the LateNight Andersonville coupon. 

For more information, please contact Jason Cox at the Chamber office at jcox@andersonville.org or 773-728-2995.  If you would like more information about the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, you can visit their website at www.chicagocac.org.  

Andersonville Homebrew Contest: Fall Session

Following the success of our summer homebrew contest and numerous positive remarks from brewers and attendees the Andersonville Development Corporation welcomes the addition of a second homebrew event. The Andersonville Homebrew Contest: Fall Session will feature nearly two dozen homebrewers (eight more brewers than our last event!) looking to earn the title of top brew. This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of Hamburger Mary's Brew and Grill, Brew Camp and Mightbytes.

The event will be hosted at Hamburger Mary's (Mary's Attic) on Thursday, November 15th from 6:30pm until 9:30pm. Attendees are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance as ticket sales are limited.

Attendees of the event will be treated to samples of each homebrew, small bites compliments of Hamburger Mary's, music and a complimentary tasting glass for the event. Attendees also have the opportunity to win prizes for themselves, including "How to Brew at Home" classes from Brew Camp. Tickets for the event are only $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Tickets are available for purchase through our Brown Paper Tickets event site.

Homebrew aficionados who think they have what it takes to showcase their brew and earn the top title can enter the competition by visiting our online submission form: Brew Camp Submission Form. Three prizes will be awarded for Popular Vote, Judge's Pick and eco-Beer (for the sustainably minded brewer). Prizes will  include gift certificates from Brew Camp and more.