Yesterday, members of CREW took an optimistic look during their luncheon with a panel called ?Opportunities in Inopportune Times.?  Also on the menu at East Bank Club: chicken (not ham).

Bond Cos. Robert Bond, Navigant Consulting?s Jim Farrell, W.E. O?Neil Construction's Joanna Haerle, and JDI Realty's Rob Weil, with moderator Jeanne Peck  of Fifield Cos. Jim says don't watch the traditional economic indicators to figure out if business is up; just look at the sales of two major companies: If Wal-Mart  sales are going up and Starbucks  sales are going down, we're still in a recession, he said. Robert forecasts it will be 2013 before the country recovers from job losses. (Thanks to Lynn Renee Photography  for being quick with the camera shutter on these two photos.)

Photo courtesy of Lynn Renee Photography

Chicago Economic Development Institute?s Nina Fain  greets Lamp, Inc?s Emily Portugal  and Lisa Schultz.  Networking was one of the skills touched upon by Joanna Haerle during the panel, adding ?We're using this down time to teach our people new skills like how to use Building Information  Modeling and to get LEED-AP Certified,? Haerle said. Rob says now is the time to learn to be of the most value, rather than just being a commodity.