Preschoolers Reflect on Lithuanan Independence

Lithuanians commemorate spring, not only as a time of renewal, but also a time for reflection on its tumultous path to independence. Preschool Children at the Suburban Lithuanian Montessori School „Žiburėlis" in Lemont, IL, and their teachers experienced a day of reflection in February supported in part by the generosity of the Chicagoland Lithuanians Rotary Club.

On Tuesday, February 17th, the preschool children observed Lithuania's independence. They were dressed in the traditional lithuanian costume. The teachers facilitated discussions about the Lithuanian national flag and coat of arms. The children sang traditional songs and poems taught by their teachers. This experience was shared with some of the members of the Chicagoland Lithuanians Rotary Club, Saulius Janusiunas, club president, Sarunas Griganavicius, club treasurer and Egle Vasiliauskiene, club school committee chairperson, as well as the District Govenor Michael Slevnik from Rotary International District 6450.

The Suburban Lithuanian Montessori School „Žiburėlis" received support from the Chicagoland Lithuanians Rotary and Rotary International District 6450 through the Rotary International District 6450 District Simplified Grant. This grant made possible the purchase of school desks, cabinets and montessori activities.

The Chicagoland Lithuanians Rotary club meets in Westmont, IL and is a group of business men and women dedicated to philanthropy. This club was chartered in 2007 and currently has over 25 members.

Suburban Lithuanian Montessori School „Žiburėlis" is a non-profit preschool for children, ages 3-6 years. It is a unique school that offers a full immersion school in Lithuanian Monday through Friday. Its mission is to foster a child’s development using the Montessori method, as well as teach the Lithuanian culture, language and traditions. To learn more about the Suburban Lithuanian Montessori School „Žiburėlis" go to http://www.ziburelis.org/.

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Click on the aforementioned linkedin poll to voice your thoughts!

The Business Owner’s Upside to a Down Economy: Commercial Real Estate

I just read in the Business Ledger that business owners who lease or buy commercial property can leverage the economy to improve their #1 expense line item after payroll. The bottom line is that the tenant or buyer has an advantage given the turmoil the landlord/seller is experiencing. Landlords are not receiving rent and losing tenants to bankruptcy. Sellers are seeing their property values drop considerably and are looking to short-sale prior to foreclosure.

Seemingly, there is hope for the tenant and buyer. I have always been a proponent of having the business owner’s rights represented. And in today’s economy, appropriate commercial real estate representation is crucial. From the tenant’s vantage point, the lease agreement can make or break a business. There are clauses within every lease, such as termination options (the ability to terminate a lease prior to the lease end date), holdover clauses (lease ends, rent increases at the option of the landlord until a renewal lease is set in place), that the typical business owner may only glance over or overlook. It is the responsibility of the tenant rep to make sure the interests of the business owner are represented and those items negotiated in order to protect the interest of the tenant.

Commercial real estate buyers are looking for a sound analysis of the market. It is the responsibility of the commercial real estate broker to bring to the buyer’s attention the vacancy rates and more importantly the net absorption rate of space. In other words, how much space is available and how quickly can it get filled; this is typically a direct relationship to the asking rent of the project.

In today’s economy, the savvy business owner understands that knowledge is crucial in surviving this recession; and the knowledgeable commercial real estate broker is an invaluable asset as part of the business owner’s team.

Sponsor the Suburban Lithuanian Montessori Preschool

In 1983, the Suburban Lithuanian Montessori (SLM), also known as „Žiburėlis“, began operating as a not-for-profit institution. Established strictly for educational purposes, the Lithuanian Montessori immerses its students in the Lithuanian language and traditions while following the guidelines of the Montessori teaching methods.

The Suburban Lithuanian Montessori is located in the Lithuanian World Center in Lemont, Illinois. Tuition at the SLM is much lower than that of other Montessori schools, and the school relies on fundraising activities and donations to remain in operation.

On April 25, 2009 our main annual fundraiser will take place. This year‘s event will include dancing and dinner, a program booklet listing our supporters, as well as a silent auction.

We would like to invite you to consider placing a business advertisement or congratulatory message in this booklet and/or donating a silent auction item.

All donors receive a receipt for donation with the Suburban Lithuanian Montessori Tax Exemption ID Number.

Our deadlines for both the advertising for the booklet and the silent auction is the week of February 23rd.

Please download the aforementioned forms and send with payment to:
Suburban Lithuanian Montessori, Attn: Vilija Garbonkus, 14911 127th St., Lemont, IL 60439

All checks should be payable to Suburban Lithuanian Montessori. Please consider sending any art work for advertising via email to vilija.garbonkus@tjgcommercial.com or postal mail on CD or jump drive.

Should any questions or concerns regarding placing an ad in the program booklet or donating a silent auction item arise, please feel free to contact me at vilija.garbonkus@tjgcommercial.com.

Your generosity will enable our school to continue its high quality education of preschoolers. Thank you in advance for your contribution.