BUSINESS
The Regional News
FINANCIAL FOCUS
Thursday, December 10, 2015
9
Time for some New Year’s (financial) resolutions The countdown to 2016 has just about begun. If you’re like many people, you might be mulling over some New Year’s resolutions, such as hitting the gym more, learning a new language or taking a cooking class. All are worthy goals, but why not add some financial resolutions as well? For example … … Pay yourself first. Even if you aren’t living “paycheck to paycheck,” you probably don’t have much trouble spending your money — because there’s always something that you or a family member needs, always a repair required for your home or your car, always one more bill to pay. But if you are going to achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you need to invest consistently. So before you pay everyone else, pay yourself first by having some money automatically moved from your checking or savings account each month into an investment. … Take advantage of your opportunities. If you have a 401(k) or similar plan at work, take full advantage of it. Contribute as much as you can afford – or at least enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered – and choose the mix of investments that give you the potential to achieve the growth you need at a level of risk with which you are comfortable. … Focus on the long term. In the short term, you might be excused for not wanting to invest. The headlines are typically scary, the financial markets are frequently volatile and the future often looks murky. Yet, if you can look past the uncertainties of today and keep your focus on tomorrow, you will find it easier to follow a disciplined investment strategy that gives you the opportunity to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.
JIM VAN HOWE
Edward Jones Investments …. Don’t be driven by fear. When the market is down, investors tend to react with fear. Specifically, they rush to sell their investments, afraid that if they don’t “cut their losses,” they might sustain even bigger ones. If you can get past this feeling, you may find that a down market can offer you the chance to buy quality investments at good prices. … Forget about the “hot stocks.” You’ll hear friends, co-workers and talking heads on television tout today’s “hot stocks.” But by the time you might hear about them, they may have cooled off — and, in any case, they might not be appropriate for your needs. Forget about “getting rich quick in the market” — it probably won’t happen. True investment success requires patience and persistence. … Cut down on your debts. It’s easy to pile up debts, but a lot harder getting rid of them. Yet, if you can reduce your debt load even moderately, you’ll free up money you could use to invest. So look for ways to conserve, cut back and consolidate — it will be worth the effort. Making these resolutions — and sticking to them — can help you as you work toward achieving your financial goals. Jim Van Howe is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Palos Heights. His office is at 7001 W. 127th St. He can be reached at 361-3400.
COMINGS & GOINGS
Supplied photo
League of their own celebrate a retirement
Nine Palos and Chicago area professional women gathered together to celebrate the recent retirement of Jan Plecki, who faithfully served Palos Heights School District 128 for more than 18 years at the Chippewa School. These women have been meeting for more than 40 years and have experienced life passages together all while serving their communities well. Shown are Carol Uher (front row from left), Patt Bailey, Doris Ganz, and Mary Sheridan (back row from left) Dorothy McCloskey, Mary Pat Harvey, Jan Plecki, Maureen Hagen and Sheila McGuire. Seven of these ladies taught for years and two are in the health profession. McCloskey weeds the Anniversary Garden at Lake Katherine.
‘Christmas crooners’ show at Royalberry venue on Sat. By Tim Hadac Elvis has left the building, but Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Michael Bublé are on their way—sort of—to one of the most popular family restaurants in the Southwest Suburbs. Celebrity tribute artists have packed in customers repeatedly over the past year or so at Royalberry Waffle House & Restaurant, 6417 W. 127th St., Palos Heights, with another must-see/must-hear Christmas special set for this Saturday evening, headlined by crooners Jimmy Vincent and Nick Gutierrez. “These special events have been a huge success,” said Royalberry co-owner and Palos Heights resident Frank Salman. “We’ve had tributes to such entertainers as Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cher, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Johnny Cash, the Beatles and others. This Saturday’s event should be a showstopper, as well.”
Tickets are priced at $25 each and include a home-style meatloaf dinner with mashed potatoes, vegetable, soup and salad served at 5:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m. Drinks and dessert are extra. Tickets are sold at the restaurant. For more information, call 388-6200. The idea for the celebrity tributes night came from a loyal customer, Salman said. “I always listen to my customers,” he said. “They are a great source of experience and ideas.” Popular for its breakfasts for more than a decade, Royalberry has in recent years crafted an image as a cozy-yet-chic eatery. A modest yet well-stocked bar was added in 2013, when Salman and his brother, Zeek, remodeled the restaurant in the wake of a small kitchen fire, transforming tragedy into triumph. “I love Palos Heights. It’s a great place to live, and it’s also a great place to do business,” Salman concluded.
BUSINESS NOTES Free business safety inspections Moraine Valley Community College has partnered with Safety by Design, a safety consulting firm with over 35 years of experience, to provide free and confidential onsite safety advice to employ-
ers looking to create or improve their injury and illness prevention programs. The goal is to develop a safety partnership that protects employees, reduces costs and increases productivity. According to Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for Occupational Safety and
Health, 4,679 workers died on the job in 2014. Contact Corporate, Community and Continuing Education at Moraine Valley to schedule a safety assessment. For more information, e-mail Mary Jo Murphy at murphym272@morainevalley.edu, or call 974-5798.
AREA PROPERTY TRANSFERS Following are the property transfers in the area, according to the latest report, as received from the Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office. The Regional News does not attempt to correct errors made by that office.
Fajitas opens fourth location in Mokena Fajitas Mexican Restaurant, a local chain based in Countryside, opened its fourth location a few weeks ago in a strip mall at 88th Avenue and 191st Street in Mokena. Owner Walter Narsolis opened his first location in Countryside before branching out and opening in Tinley Park in 2010 and Frankfort in 2012. The newest location is at 19118 S. 88th Ave. in the former Chef Paul’s steakhouse that closed several years ago. The restaurants specialize in chicken and steak fajitas but offer a full menu with Mexican dishes such as burritos, tacos and tamales. They all offer beer, wine and margaritas. Narsolis said the restaurants are family friendly and he has a kids menu for younger guests. The Mokena location has a dining room and a separate door for takeout orders. Delivery may be offered at a later date. Narsolis has three video gaming machines at his Tinley and Countryside locations and may add them to the Mokena restaurant at a later date. Video gaming is not allowed in Frankfort. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call the restaurant at (708) 336-3750 or visit www. fajitasmexican.com.
Tastee Freez update Last week, I wrote about the Tastee Freez closing in Hickory Hills and how it might have meant the end of an era. While I still haven’t heard anything from the company, and its website still only lists two down-
BOB BONG state locations for Tastee-Freez, a regular reader says the brand is alive and well in Berwyn. According to Rita Maniotis of Berwyn, Tastee-Freez is alive and well in Berwyn on the corner of 26th Street and Clarence Avenue. Thanks for the info, Rita.
BP station closed The BP gas station and convenience store at 10631 Southwest Highway in Worth, which reopened earlier this year after being shut down has closed again. The pumps are shut down though there is still merchandise on the store shelves.
Mariano’s now hiring for Orland store Mariano’s Fresh Market, which is expected to open early next year at Orland Crossing shopping center at 14225 S. 95th Avenue in Orland Park, has opened a recruiting center for the 400 or so employees the supermarket expects to hire to staff the store. The center is located at 14432 S. John Humphrey Drive and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Interested applicants can also apply online at www.marianos.com/careers. The store, which is owned by the Roundy’s chain based in Milwaukee, is looking for both full-time and part-time workers for such positions as baker, cake decorator, cashier, catering, floral
designer and general staffers. Kroger plans to buy out Roundy’s grocery stores, including the Mariano’s chain, for $3.60 a share, a total purchase price of about $178 million, the company announced last month. The company is open to experienced workers as well as entry-level employees.
Cleaner closes in Tinley Eagle Cleaners closed in October after a long run in the Jewel/ Osco plaza at 171st Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park. According to a sign on the door, the store at 17123 S. Harlem Ave. was taken over by the plaza owner, Heidner Properties, as of Oct. 7. The sign said anyone who was looking for clothing left at the dry cleaner should call 630-894-0099. The cleaner had been operating at the plaza for decades.
Mattress store opens in Lockport A new Mattress Firm store opened recently in a small retail building at 16453 W. 159th St. in Lockport. The company moved into the Chicago marketplace last year after it acquired the Bedding Experts and Back to Bed mattress chains. For more information, call (815) 838-1161. If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com. You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.com and www. southlandsavvy.blogspot.com
Orland Park Grasso Linda J to Letocha Iwona, 9906 Shady Ln, Many, $97,500; Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr to Skurnicki Sandra M Trust, 17941 Alaska Ct, Unit #2, $170,000; Eisen Ian to Kim David, 10232 Hyacinth Ct, $182,000; Degregorio Philip A Tr to Weaver Luca, 9714 Hummingbird Hill Dr, $290,000; Smieszny Daniel to Weizeorick John, 11230 Lakefield Dr, $210,000; Anderson Christopher Scott to First Midwest Bk Tr, 7925 W 157th St, Unit #79251N, $118,000; Theis William A to Mangan Lynnea M, 11905 Cormoy Ln, $208,000; Zerbs Gwendolyn to Kaminskiene Laimute, 15256 Highland Ave, $167,500; Bell William H IV to Fee Edward, 7910 Laguna Ln, $240,000; Kalkowski David to Lamonte David, 17653 Greenfield Dr, $385,000; Standard B&T Co Tr to Figus Luke N, 13642 Santa Fe Trl, $337,500; First Midwest Bk Tr to Strutz Martin, 15714 Brassie Ct, Unit #157142S, $160,000; Yan Peter W to Moawad Ayman, 11858 Bates Ct, $440,000; Hill Lynn M to Parker Robert C, 16600 Robinhood Dr, $210,000; Hedenschoug Mike D to Biskup Mark R, 11131 Ravengate Ct, $197,000; Gross Andrew Tr to Haberman Susan, 11147 Wisconsin Ct, Unit #2A, $125,000; First Bk Manhattan Tr to Vandermolen Sheryl L, 18124 John Charles Dr, Unit #6, $201,000; Kennelly David F to Hajek Kristina N, 14408 S 90th Ct, Unit #1D, $125,000; Deener Jamey L to Siedlecki
Genevieve, 8900 Silverdale Dr, Unit #4G, $135,000; Curran Marjorie Ann Tr No 7642 to Abdelrasoul Jamine, 7923 W 157th St, Unit #79231S, $142,000; Mcpolin Larry P to Altman Roy E, 17517 Mahyer Dr, $320,000; Vail Michelle Tr to Cacheris Karen Zelinka Tr, 17756 Bos Dr, Unit #98, $220,000; DLJ Mtg Cap Inc to Kalinowski Patryk, 15604 117th Ave, $228,000; Judicial Sales Corp to Edward Gal Inc, 9146 140th St, Unit #104, $39,000; Marquette Bk Tr to Swanson Brye J, 14928 Huntington Ct, $151,000; Polk William F to HP IL I LLC, 16741 Cardinal Dr, $270,000; Stanard B&T Co Tr to Larson Elias T, 8123 Bob-o-Link Rd, $350,000. Palos Heights Wickart Kevin J to Brown Les-
lie L, 13478 Turtle Pond Ln, Unit #13478, $153,000; Winterfield Robert D II to Zigmantas Einius, 12657 S 75th Ave, $360,000; Uzzardo Vincent A to Kemp Frederik M, 12826 S Shawnee Rd, $334,500; Bare Michael to Lowisa Pawel, 6848 W Linden Dr, $215,000; First Midwest Bk Tr to Michon Lorraine, 13204 Oak Ridge Trl, Unit #132041A, $165,000. Palos Park Revethis William G Extr to Leon Betty, 9728 E Mill Dr, Unit #E1L7, $133,000; Parisi Joseph V Tr to Kachinsky Therese A, 2 Dan Mar Trl, $359,000; Judicial Sales Corp to Element Investment Corp, 9748 E Mill Dr, Unit #E2L18, $82,000; Marquette Bk Tr to Kobel Patricia A, 9759 Creek Rd, Unit #B1L23, $143,000.
Mortgage Rates Around the Area First Midwest Bank (as of Dec. 7) 30-year fixed
RATES APR POINTS 4.125 4.160 0
15-year fixed
3.375
3.470
0
30-year fixed Jumbo
4.000
4.045
0
United Trust Bank (as of Dec. 7)
30-year fixed
RATES APR POINTS 4.000 4.021 0
15-year fixed
3.250
3.286
0
10-year fixed
3.125
3.178
0
Prospect Federal (as of Dec. 7)
30-year fixed
RATES APR POINTS 4.000 4.047 .25
20-year fixed
3.750
3.814
.25
15-year fixed
3.125
3.191
.25
All rates subject to change daily. Equal opportunity lenders.