IdeaXchange member Paul Berg will be leading a full day Urban Photo Safari, April 3, 2010. The workshop will include lecture, shooting and critique segments. The field portion will focus on Sherman Park, a hidden gem that contains waterways, stone bridges and beautiful landscape design. Berg will provide tips on composition, exposure and developing photographic style throughout the day.

Equipment requirements: Digital SLR with manual override. Recommended gear: tripod, one or more lenses of various focal lengths (or one zoom) and dress for potentially inclement weather.

Tamron will be providing free loaner lenses to all workshop participants.



Haus Financial Services is now educating condo owners and hosting other events (i.e. iX!) in our new office/Resource Center!

Please share the upcoming seminar information with condo owners you know who have a habit of complaining about their associations.  The solutions are out there–we are trying to bring them to the masses.

2/27/10 - “New Year, New Start For Your Association”

3/3/10 - “All On Board!  Effective Communication For Board Members” (This is a great topic about communication in general, if you want to brush up on those skills!)

3/27/10 - “New Condo Associations: Ensuring the Financial & Physical Integrity of Your Investment”

Hope to see you soon!

Lauren Peddinghaus

Haus Financial Services, LLC



lv-greetings_holidayStill shopping for holiday cards or stationery gifts? From now through the end of the year, Greetings by Lidia Varesco Design is offering free shipping of all orders* (see details below)

If you are looking for last-minute holiday cards, or need stationery gifts for clients or colleagues, I invite you to browse my online greeting card shop. We also offer personalized Notecards too!

*Please mention this offer when placing your order. Free shipping is via first-class mail. Offer good through Dec. 31, 2009.



I spent the last month revamping my website. The site features a new services page, an improved portfolio, fresh testimonials and my Tech Tips for Non-Technical People. You can sign up for updates via RSS or Email and submit your own ideas for my Tech Tip section.

The content was written by fellow ideaXchanger Jenni Prokopy and my portrait taken by Rodger Ruzanka. Explore the site, and let me know what you think!



My entry for Placemaking Chicago’s “What Makes Your Place Great?” contest made it to the final voting round! Click here to vote. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for my photo of the south end of the lakefront bike trail.

Voting runs through Sept. 14. It’s a great way to “think local” and support Chicago—and if I win, I can participate in a roundtable featuring the other 3 winners. Thanks for your vote!

Learn more about Placemaking Chicago here.



Help a small business grow with the click of a mouse… nominate them in the “Love a Local Business” campaign from Intuit. Typing a few kind words about your favorite local hangout or service provider literally puts them “on the map”—not to mention gives them a chance to win a $1000 Intuit Growth Grant. Or nominate your own business and share why you love what you do.

Nominate your favorite local business now!



ideaXchanger Lidia Varesco was recently featured in the book Freelance Design in Practice by Cathy Fishel (HOW Books, 2009). This book, valuable for both newbies and experienced freelancers, covers all the aspects of freelance life, such as finances, finding clients and work/life balance. 

Our e-newsletter Solstice was featured in the book as a way for a freelancer to “announce yourself to the world.”



Trying to figure out Twitter?

Been there! It can be baffling to beginners. It IS baffling to beginners.

But YOU can take advantage of the months I spent researching, watching and learning how Twitter works…so you can eliminate the long learning curve.

I’m offering a hands-on small group workshop on June 24th in Lincoln Park.

In this 2-hour  session, you’ll:
• create a Twitter goal
• develop a Twitter plan
• learn how and what to post
• discover who to follow and how to build a following
• learn the best Twitter apps for easy, efficient tweeting
• and of course, learn all the jargon and symbols.

Whether you’re selling hula hoops or houses, social media will help you gain visibility faster than anything you’ve ever done.

Hands on. No Hype. Twitter 101.

Sign up today.

Wednesday, June 24th
10a – noon
$75

To register, go to http://www.rickeygold.com/current-workshop.html

For more info,twitter-icontwitter-icon1 contact Rickey at 773.348.4973 or rg@rickeygold.com



Neighborhood Networking is heading south… the South Loop, to be exact. This month, we are joining with Business by Referral Chicago (BBR) for double the networking opportunities. Connect with other businesses and as usual, sample great appetizers from a local favorite.

Wednesday, June 24th from 5–7:30 pm at Cuatro Restaurant, 2030 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago IL.

Tickets: $10 in advance / $12 at the door. Buy your tickets here.

Bring lots of business cards and/or promo materials. Share this invite with fellow business owners and friends.

Hosted by Lidia Varesco Design (IdeaXchange member) & Elizabeth Lulu Miranda of Mercury Organizing Professionals

For updated info visit our blog.



Design Feast is a go-to resource for students, professionals, educators and the design-curious—delivering relevant and diverse design content, creative voices and projects.

Read the latest designer interview with IdeaXchange member, Megan Coleman.