At the Christy Webber opening: Mayor Daley in front of the American flag, and with Webber. Below: Ald. Burnett and Ald. Shiller with Webber. Lower right: Webber, singer Ella Jenkins, and Ald. Burnett. Photos by Cathy Seabaugh______
Openly lesbian entrepreneur Christy Webber, who started Christy Webber Landscapes 17 years ago and now has 180 employees, hosted a holiday open house Dec. 6 to show the company's new headquarters at 2900 W. Ferdinand.
The facility, which has a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline, is LEED ( Leadership in Environment and Economic Development ) Gold Rated, thanks to such features as geothermal heating/cooling, storm water management, solar hot water and a greenroof.
Mayor Richard Daley, who spoke highly of Webber in his address to the several hundred in attendance, was joined by many community leaders and local politicians, including Ald. Helen Shiller and Walter Burnett. The new office is located in Burnett's ward.
In related news, Webber has been elected director of the 850-member statewide Illinois Landscape Contractors Association ( ILCA ) . A member of ILCA since 1994, Webber serves on student outreach and has participated as a Certified Landscape Technician ( CLT ) judge.
She was the first Illinois woman to become a CLT.
For ILCA information call 630-472-2851 or visit www.ilca.net . For more on Christy Webber Landscapes, see www.christywebber.com or call 773-533-0477.