Earn gift cards by having your photo taken with Founding Fathers

In this patriotic month, you can find some of our country’s Founding Fathers peeking out of the windows at the stores and restaurants in Algonquin Commons.

As part of a promotion at the Randall Road mall, you might see George Washington when you walk into Smooch Boutique, or Ben Franklin as you’re shopping at Zales.

The forefathers — George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ben Franklin, as well as symbolic forefather Uncle Sam — are in different businesses on different days, and it’s up to you to spot the six-foot cardboard cutouts.

Once you find them, you’ll need to snap a photo and then upload it to Algonquin Commons’ Facebook page.

You’ll also need to tag the mall and the store where you spotted Ben, Abe, George and or Uncle Sam.

If you do, you’ll be entered to win a $50, $100 or $250 gift card from the mall.

You have until July is over to try to find a forefather and get your picture with him, said Kim Gilmore, whose firm started doing public relations for the mall this summer.

All four figures are out each day. They move to various businesses depending on the day the business wants them.

The cutouts have removable arms, so the businesses can dress them up how they like, Gilmore said.

Happy anniversary: Yes, it’s really been that long. The Claddagh Irish Pub at Geneva Commons, one of the first restaurants at the Randall Road outdoor mall, just celebrated 10 years in Geneva.

There have been many restaurants that have opened and closed in the mall around the Claddagh, and the Claddagh that was at the Algonquin Commons mall to the north closed a few years ago, but this one still is around.

In addition to serving its Irish fare, the restaurant has live music Saturday nights, open mic night Wednesdays, and pub trivia Thursdays.

Throughout the summer, the business also is featuring a Claddagh’s Got Talent competition at 9 p.m. every Wednesday through August 28.

The winner of the competition will receive $2,000.

Proper form: If you’re looking to get into running, or have been running for awhile and are looking to run faster, more efficiently or injury free, the Dick Pond Athletics store along Randall Road in Carpentersville has an upcoming clinic that might help.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, they are hosting the clinic called “Good Form Running,” featuring Trevor McGrath of New Balance Running.

The clinic will focus on proper mechanics as well as four areas — posture, midfoot, cadence and lean while running.

You should come to the clinics dressed in running attire.

For information or to sign up, call Karie Stringer at (847) 783-0701 or stop by the store at 2164 Randall Road.

Ÿ Amy Williams’ column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Batavia. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.