Ira Kader of KW Graphics considers networking events extremely important, given present economic conditions. "I've been impressed with LICBDC," says Ira. "We joined to foster new relationships. What better way to increase sales through a network than with referrals from its members?" Ira suggests that LICBDC members make a concerted effort to help fellow members with referrals. "These referrals could be business associates, colleagues, and even friends. Obviously, we are not just going to recommend anyone to our contacts, that is why it is extremely important to network together not only at group functions, but also network outside the group with members on your own time. Get to know these people, so we can all feel comfortable when we make these recommendations. LICBDC is asking each of us to try to generate referrals. This would be win-win for all of us. As the saying goes, it is better to give than receive, so, if we can all give a little, it should come full circle with referrals back to you. Not only helping each individual business but would greatly enhance the value of our organization as well. Please help us get this program underway. Ideas and or suggestions would be appreciated. Many thanks to you all for your continued support!" Contact Ira at 917-748-0315 or irakader@kwgraphicsinc.com.

What do you think? Join the discussion at our LinkedIn site.

Congratulations to SDS Global Logistics on its 35th anniversary. SDS traces its roots to 1943, when it was founded by two brothers as a local trucking company. It now handles shipments to 25 international destinations nightly. SDS President Tony Racioppo also served as President of the Messenger Courier Association, as was inducted into their Hall of Fame last year.

Conceptual Interiors Inc. offers an approachable, creative and efficient way to make the most out of your interior design project. Whether you are looking to renovate your home or design a restaurant, they specialize in creative space planning solutions that are multi-functional and elegant. Their 3D renderings put you into your finished interior before anything is even built so that you can properly visualize and understand your space. Improve the flow of your interior while increasing storage and organization by using their custom furniture services. Finally, pull it all together with the right color, tile, furniture and window treatments and make it a space you love to be in! See more of their residential, commercial and hospitality work at www.yourinterior.com. Contact them at 718.663.8434 or info@yourinterior.com.

Helen Uffner Vintage Clothing, LLC is a 6,200 sq. ft. Long Island City costume rental house dealing in only authentic 1860's-1970's clothes and accessories to the trade only. In business for over 30 years with an experienced staff available for prop & wardrobe styling, they have received 4 Costume Design Emmy Award citations for "Lonesome Dove," "A Woman of Independent Means," "The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All" and "The Inheritance." They carry men's, women's and children's clothes and accessories that include shoes, hats, purses, costume jewelry, walking sticks, parasols, fans, watches, eyeglasses, cufflinks, ties, gloves, scarves, luggage and shawls. Helen has been interviewed for numerous periodicals from the New York Times to Paris-Match and featured on European TV, on the History Channel, demonstrating the history of men's ties and also guest lectures on clothing history.

Clients include fashion designers (POLO to Marc Jacobs); films (Out of Africa to Revolutionary Road); episodic TV (SNL to Gossip Girl); TV commercials (TD Bank to Heineken); magazine editorials and print ads; music videos; Broadway (Cabaret to Blithe Spirit) to regional theater; book jackets (Simon & Schuster to Doubleday); artists and photographers (Meghan Boody to Matthew Barney). Visit www.uffnervintage.com or call (718) 937- 0220.

Long Island City is now open for kids!
Change is in the air. Our children are growing and our neighborhoods are growing as well. Until a few years ago, there were few children growing up in Long Island City. Now LIC Kids, a new fully equipped center for children, is opening its doors in the neighborhood. The founders, parents of two boys, moved to Long Island City 8 years ago and their commitment to the LIC community is as strong as ever. The center's goal is to meet great demand of the neighborhood's parents for their children's development. The center offers gymnastics, martial arts, yoga, theater, Mommy & me, drop-offs, camps during school recess and many other classes. LIC Kids offers space for open play, birthday parties, shows and so much more. Martial Arts classes for adults. Evening classes for working parents with babysitting services will also be available. There is also a cute New York City yellow taxi, a hair cutting station for kids.

All classes provide children with the opportunity to build confidence through participation in physically challenging courses, as well as, the opportunity to explore and express their own individuality in a variety of artistically enriching programs. Children will build coordination, core-body strength, confidence and agility with non-competitive games, specialized kid- equipment and room to move. Group activities will encourage young children to touch, try and think creatively. When your child participates, he or she will enjoy one of the most practical and immediately impactful ways to influence their lives for the better. During Summer camp, kids will jump, swing and tumble with coaches during gym, create masterpieces in the classroom, enjoy outdoor sports, and do so much more. It is a priority of LIC Kids management and staff to regularly inform parents about their child's progress and to encourage them to share their reactions and suggestions in order to maximize program benefits to their child. For information about Summer Camp and Fall classes, visit http://www.lickids.com

Located in Long Island City, Hour Children's Hour Working Women Program (HWWP) offers customized training to women who come from chronically unemployed families. Classes are provided in resume writing, interviewing, customer service, workplace behavior and ethics, personal budgeting, and conflict resolution. Participants receive further training, preparing them for positions including: receptionist/administrative assistant, data entry, marketing and sales, teacher assistant, housekeeping, and maintenance. Of the 20 women enrolled in the program; twelve have located permanent, sustainable employment or have been promoted by their employer. "The women in HWWP are hard working, ambitious, high quality employees and they deserve a second chance. They are trained and eager for employment. We promise that our candidates will be your hardest working employee," says Johanna Flores, Coordinator Job Developer/Job Trainer of Hour Working Women Program. Please contact her at 718 433 4724 ext 22 or jflores@hourchildren.org.

Administaff is a publicly traded (ASF:NYSE) national Professional Employer organization, providing human resources to over 6,000 small to mid- size businesses. By offering businesses an instant infrastructure with all HR needs under one umbrella, Administaff brings tremendous economies of scale. Services include processing payroll, recruiting and selection of new employees, and procurement of health and worker's compensation insurance etc. They offer a selection of Fortune 100 employee benefit programs at cost contained price points. Get relief from all HR administrative burdens so you can focus on growing your company, while reducing employer liabilities. Contact 631.824.4812 or Lisa_Henkel@administaff.com.

Specializing in all things imprinted, Green Mountain Graphics offers high-quality, cost- effective signs, awards, and promotional products for your business. Their services include everything from indoor and outdoor signs and directories to personalized badges and nameplate engraving. Successfully serving local, regional, and national markets since 1994, they operate out of their factory/showroom at 21-10 44th Drive, Long Island City, New York. Make sure to stop by their showroom, or check out their website at www.signsandimprints.com or call 718.472.3377.

Karen Fitzgerald is a visual artist. She has an active studio practice and completes public and private commissions. For over 20 years she has been producing round, luminous oil paintings that recall the profound experience of beauty in the natural world. Recently she has begun creating works that employ gilding, including 23k gold, silver and copper in the process. She welcomes studio visits. As a board member of Long Island City Artists, Inc., Karen is active in the local arts community. Currently, LICArtists is presenting a 5 venue exhibition, curated by Judith Tolnick Champa for LICArtists. It features 44 artists and 66 artworks that celebrate the Centennial of the Queensboro Bridge. More information can be found at www.LICArtists.org. During the weekend of May 30 and 31, LICArtists produced an Open Studios project that involved over 160 artists showcasing their work directly to the public in their working studios. Contact Karen at Kbfitzgerald@gmail.com and visit her website: www.Fitzgeraldart.com

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House, Inc. is a non-profit service provider in Western Queens, supporting residents in their efforts to achieve greater success and self-sufficiency. Since its founding in 1899 by the pioneering social reformer and photojournalist Jacob A. Riis, the agency has offered a wide array of quality programs to help youth, adults, seniors and families improve their lives. Led by Executive Director William T. Newlin for nearly 20 years, the organization employs 113 experienced professionals and has earned numerous awards for the quality of its services. Hundreds of community residents rely on Riis Settlement for academic and after-school programs, English language and computer literacy classes, case assistance and counseling, health and nutrition education, employment assistance, civic engagement activities, and much more.

Riis Settlement is a community-based organization that prides itself on understanding and responding to the changing needs of the community it serves. To support the newest residents of the community, Riis helps more than 500 immigrants each year improve their English skills. At the same time, Riis Settlement has continued to build upon their award-winning programs for kids and teens- serving more than 650 youth through after-school programs, summer employment, career and college preparation, and its highly-regarded Danish Cultural Exchange Program. Riis also provides a valuable support system for seniors in the community through physical and mental health services, free/low-cost meals, and free transportation. Contact Chris Hanway at 718.644.6290, ext. 118 or visit www.riissettlement.org.