Business Briefs

On Oct. 19, the Corridor Improvement Commission presented the Curbie Award to three St. Charles businesses that have worked to maintain attractive landscaping and enhance the aesthetic appeal to preserve the charm and character of St. Charles as a captivating community.

The city of St. Charles congratulates this year's recipients: Jim Webb Sr. and Sue Webb of Royal Builders and Royal Real Estate , 1003 W. Main St.; Lee and Jane Norris of Norris Funeral Home , 100 S. Third St.; and John Marshall of Cedar Crossing Offices , 1120 E. Main St.

In 2008, Royal Builders installed new landscaping to enhance the beauty of their building while drawing new business to their organization for approximately $20,000.

In 2002, Lee Norris built an addition to their original building. Norris designed the addition as well as the landscaping. The approximate cost each year was $1,000.

The landscaping design efforts at Cedar Crossing Offices cost approximately $10,000 per building.

This year's Delnor Auxiliary Charity Ball -- "The Diamond Celebration: A Past to Cherish, A Promise to Fulfill" -- will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the St. Charles Country Club, 1250 Country Club Road.

The event will mark 60 years of the Delnor Charity Ball tradition, and will feature cocktails, a live auction, dinner, dancing and entertainment reminiscent of the period when the first ball was held.

Tickets are $175 each; black tie is optional. All proceeds raised will be used to fulfill the Auxiliary's $1 million dollar pledge of support to Delnor Health System . To reserve tickets, call 630-208-4265 or visit www.supportdelnor.org .

Nearly 50 members of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce attended a "Do-It-Yourself Marketing" workshop recently at the Hilton Garden Inn in St. Charles. The member-only event was developed by the Chamber staff and Chamber member-presenters for businesses seeking low- and no-cost marketing ideas, suggestions and advice.

During the half-day workshop, participants had the opportunity to visit up to six of the eight marketing "topic tables" available -- developing a basic marketing plan, writing press releases, using MS Outlook as a marketing tool, promotional products and giveaways, Chamber marketing opportunities, social media, direct mail and print advertising.

"Our members are always looking for help to market their businesses and in this economy we are trying to provide this service at an event everyone can afford," said Lori Hewitt, the Chamber's President and CEO. "This event was done at a cost of just $10 to our members and they were able to visit six presenters who all had great tips and strategies for low- and no-cost ways to better promote and market your businesses."

For more information, visit www.stcharleschamber.com .

Play N Trade Video Games opened last month at 1938 W. Fabyan Parkway in Batavia next to Trader Joe's. Dan Moore and his wife, Lisa, run the gaming store that boasts 10 32-inch screens so gamers can try before they buy. The store has games for everyone from old-school Atari and retro Nintendo 64 and Sega to PlayStation 3.

Moore, a former airline pilot, said the gaming franchise is family friendly and was attractive as one of the few businesses doing well in today's market. The shop is on Facebook and offers a "Players Club" for serious gamers.

The grand opening will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 7. Call 630-482-9500.

Donna's Jewelry Box has opened at 111 E. Main St. in St. Charles.

The store sells gemstone and silver jewelry pieces designed by Donna, complementary jewelry pieces searched out for sale, various gemstone objects and figurines, and jewelry boxes.

A portion of the store is dedicated to Pulitzer Prize-winning news photographer Bob Fila's photographic art.

The gemstone items offered for sale generally are semi-precious natural gemstones. Some have been heat-treated or dyed to enhance their colors. Customers can read some history about their favorite gemstones on fact sheets placed around the store while sipping hot tea.

Chiro One Wellness Centers are hosting their fourth annual Share the Abundance Food Drive to collect nonperishable food items to be given to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. From Nov. 2 through Nov. 23, donations of nonperishable food items will be accepted at local Chiro One Wellness Centers. Chiro One has centers in North Aurora, 110 Hansen Blvd., 630-701-1450; and St. Charles, 546-F S. Randall Road, 630-443-0400. Suggested items include canned foods, dried foods, boxed food or food, such as peanut butter, in plastic containers.

Comcast is accepting nominations from high school principals and guidance counselors to nominate their high school seniors who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher for the 2010 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program.

These $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to students who have met the qualifications. Home-schooled seniors also are eligible for this program. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 11. Winners will be notified by the end of January. For more information about the scholarship, visit www.comcast.com/scholarships. For more information about the foundation and its programs, visit www.comcast.com/inthecommunity .

buybuy Bab y has opened its new 34,000-square-foot superstore at 301 N. Randall Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Batavia store is the third store in Illinois. buybuy BABY is also located in Downers Grove and Schaumburg.

Its extensive selection includes an assortment of premier infant and toddler merchandise in categories including furniture, car seats, strollers, feeding, bedding, bath, health and safety essentials, toys, learning and development products, clothing and a unique selection of seasonal and holiday products.

For more, visit www.buybuybaby.com .

Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice of Geneva has announced the appointment of two new members to the board of directors.

Roger A. Albrecht, CFA, is Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Mid-Continent Capital in Chicago. Albrecht, a Geneva resident, has an extensive background in financial services, with stints at Morningstar, First Colonial Bankshares & Trust Company and Harris Bank.

Jon Miki, CPA, is a founding partner of Loberg, Miki & Associates, LLP, in Geneva. Miki's background is in both the public and private accounting sectors, and includes manufacturing/distribution, entertainment, software, railcar, real estate and service. Miki lives in West Chicago.

For more information visity www.fvvh.org, or call 630-232-2233.