October 2005 In this issue: Make the Most of Your Membership Chamber Urges County to Fulfill the Promise... Discover the Taste of Silver Spring GSSCC Sponsors First Forum for Developers Unpaid Invoices Prompt New Policy for Networking Breakfasts Members in the News GSSCC Members Support Hurricane Relief Efforts Linked with this issue: Member to Member Discounts GSSCC Calendar Membership Drive New Members since June 2005 ********* MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN October 1 - December 31, 2005! ********* When membership grows, everyone benefits! Help GSSCC expand its member base and win a prize! FIRST PRIZE: Movement Analysis for Better Health (Courtesy of Fitwell Training Solutions) -- Goes to the first member who recruits a total of 3 new members from October 1 through December 31, 2005. SECOND PRIZE: $50 Savings Bond (Courtesy of EagleBank) -- Goes to the first member who recruits a total of 2 new members from October 1 through December 31, 2005. See attachment for more info. More Items Needed! Help welcome new GSSCC members! GSSCC member companies may provide quantities of giveaway items such as mugs, note pads, pens and other items with your business imprint to include in welcome bags for new GSSCC members. To contribute items, contact Nancy Pond at npond@gsscc.org or call 301/565-3777. Upcoming GSSCC Events October, 2005 NETWORKING BREAKFAST Wednesday, October 12 7:30-9:15 a.m. Holiday Inn Silver Spring 8777 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring Parking available in public garage behind hotel. BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Wednesday, October 26 5:30-7:00 p.m. Clipper Magazine & Mrs. K's Toll House Restaurant 9201 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring November, 2005 (Note schedule changes to accommodate holiday.) NETWORKING BREAKFAST Wednesday, November 9 7:30-9:15 a.m. Riderwood Village 3110 Gracefield Rd. Silver Spring BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Wednesday November 16 5:30-7:00 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott 810 Wayne Ave. Silver Spring GSSCC's Office Closed Thursday, November 24 Friday, November 25 GSSCC Thanks Our BUSINESS AFTER HOURS SPONSORS Trendz Rejuvenation Spa (July) Zipin & Melehy (August) Shepherd's Table & RGF Culinary Services (Sept) SINCERE THANKS TO OUR ONGOING SPONSORS The following members deserve special recognition, for their help and support in throughout the year: Atlantech Online, Inc. for providing the Chamber's internet service Lee Development Group for providing the Chamber's office space Sandglass Systems, Inc. for hosting and maintaining the Chamber's website GSSCC's 2005-2006 Board of Directors CHAIR Carmen Camacho Bud Miller Associates, Inc. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Tom Collins Atlantech Online, Inc. VICE CHAIR Economic Development Fred Samuels Cahn & Samuels LLC VICE CHAIR Fundraising Dewey Thomas Encore Management Corporation VICE CHAIR Government Affairs Scott Wallace Linowes and Blocher LLP VICE CHAIR Membership Development Valerie D. Day St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church TREASURER Jawed Khan Consolidated Theatres, The Majestic DIRECTORS Ray Barry AFI Silver Theatre Pat Bennett Citibank, FSB Larry "The Banker" Bolton, EagleBank Paul DiPiazza Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd. M. Genevieve Hardesty Trizec Properties, Inc. Barbara Henry Discovery Communications, Inc. Abby Kern Borders Books and Music Mary Frances leMat Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. Aurelia Martin, City Place Mall Roscoe M. Moore, Jr. PH RockWood Corporation Alyssa Oberman United Therapeutics Brad Stewart, Ph.D., Montgomery College Stacey Wahlert, Chevy Chase Land Company John Walsh Data Quality Solutions, Inc. Stephanie Warlick Colorworks Promotions PRESIDENT Jane Redicker MANAGER, MEMBERSHIP & PROGRAMS Nancy Pond ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT L'Tanya Chew Business E-News Editor: Jane Redicker Design: Sandglass Systems Copyright by the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce 8601 Georgia Ave., Ste. 203 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301/565-3777 Fax: 301/565-3377 www.silverspringchamber.com info@gsscc.org

Make the Most of your Membership "Why did you join the Chamber?" It's a question we’ve been asking folks lately -- first our GSSCC Board members, and most recently the members of our Membership Committee. The responses, as you might imagine, are as varied as our membership. But they also strike a few common chords: For the networking. To be in the know. To give me some political clout. To be a part of positive change. None of this comes as a surprise. Our Chamber is certainly known throughout the County for our excellent networking opportunities. And we pride ourselves on knowing what’s going on in the community, and what’s happening in here Silver Spring. That's why I joined the Chamber in 2001. With most of my client base outside this area, my primary motive for joining was not the networking opportunities. We had been in Downtown Silver Spring since 1977. We watched as the redevelopment bought new businesses to the neighborhood, gave smaller businesses the opportunity to expand, and vastly increased the "people traffic" on the street in Downtown. It was a new and exciting experience. I decided I not only wanted to keep abreast of the changes, but I wanted to be a part of them! I joined both the Membership and Fundraising Committees. I quickly realized the wonderful sense of community that is shared among our members, the commitment to working together to accomplish things that would never be possible for a small business like mine working alone. So much of the revitalization of Silver Spring can be attributed to the hard work done by Chamber members who came together for a common goal. As a Chamber, we're still working together to build this community. You'll read here about a recent forum the Chamber hosted for area developers. The goal was to highlight what has already been accomplished and look ahead to yet undiscovered potential, particularly in terms of retail development. The Chamber is also bringing the business community together to push the County to fulfill the promise made to all of us – businesses and residents – and build the Civic Center and Veterans Plaza, with all the amenities and style originally planned. In all of these efforts, the Chamber provides a voice and political clout, even to a small businesses-owner like me, who would otherwise not be heard by our elected officials on matters that affect our businesses and quality of life. And that’s certainly a valuable benefit of being affiliated with my fellow GSSCC members. My active involvement in GSSCC has also given me the opportunity to form business and personal relationships with other members whose services I now use. And, because of my regular participation in Chamber events and my committee work the past few years, my client base has also expanded to include Silver Spring based businesses. Networking. Knowledge. Political influence. Making things happen. The benefits of your Chamber membership are many. But what’s the key to realize them? Two words: active involvement. I became a part of what is going on in Silver Spring, I realized our organizational political clout, I expanded my business, all because I chose to be an active and involved member. I joined and went to work helping the Chamber and supporting the community – and the rewards just keep coming. To realize the true value of your Chamber membership, I encourage you to become actively involved – or if you already are, take your involvement to the next level. Attend our events. Contribute to our newsletter. Share your ideas. Go to work on a committee. Do at least one of these and you’ll be making the most of your membership investment. Chamber Urges County to Fulfill the Promise Build Civic Building, Veterans Plaza GSSCC has reaffirmed its unwavering support for building the Silver Spring Civic Center and Veterans Plaza, as originally promised to the citizens and businesses of Silver Spring. Following are excerpts from a letter sent to both County Executive Douglas Duncan and to each member of the Montgomery County Council in which the Chamber urges the Executive and the Council to find a creative way to secure funding for this project and fulfill their promise to the people and businesses of Silver Spring. "On behalf of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to strongly urge you to seek full funding for the completion of the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza, including the pavilion and ice skating rink, in the form originally promised to the businesses and citizens of Silver Spring. " "The Civic Building and Veterans Plaza are vital to the heart and soul of the downtown revitalization. Completion of these facilities -- as originally envisioned and designed -- fulfills the County's promise to replace the Armory and Kuhn Park, both among the first victims of demolition to make way for downtown Silver Spring redevelopment. Funding must be provided for: Civic Building Community Spaces -- Community spaces within the Civic Building, including a great hall with fixed stage, atrium, art gallery and community meeting rooms should be built as originally planned. Ice Skating Rink/Pavilion -- The ice skating rink and pavilion should be built as promised. Building Interior/Exterior and Finishes -- The Civic Building and Plaza must be built with the high-quality materials originally specified to ensure that it fulfills its goal as the landmark anchoring the downtown area. "To build anything less -- as is now being proposed by the County -- would be a disservice to those citizens and businesses who have worked so hard to make the dream of a revitalized Silver Spring the reality it is today. But, as we often say, we're only half-way there. There is still more work to be done to complete the dream and the Civic Building and Veterans Plaza are key to continued success. "We strongly urge the County Executive and the County Council to find a creative way to secure funding for this project and fulfill the promise to the people and businesses of Silver Spring." The Chamber will be in touch with the Executive and key Councilmembers to arrange meetings and further emphasize our support. The Council and Executive need to understand that the businesses and citizens of Silver Spring believe that a promise has been made that should not be broken. Should you like to express your support for this effort by sending an email to the County Executive and County Councilmembers, click here for details. Discover the Taste of Silver Spring Mark your calendar now for GSSCC's fall fundraising event. Come "Discover the Taste of Silver Spring," and enjoy an evening of networking and culinary delights, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Tuesday evening, November 8. Discovery Communications has generously agreed to provide the venue for this event., scheduled for Tuesday evening, November 8. Members of the GSSCC Fundraising Committee are currently asking GSSCC restaurant members to offer some of their signature "taste" treats as part of the evening's fare. The committee is also creating other sponsorship opportunities for members who want to be a part of this exciting event. Invitations will be sent to all GSSCC members, and to members of other area Chambers of Commerce. Ticket price is $40 for GSSCC and other Chamber members, $45 for non-members. (Advance ticket purchase only. No sales "at the door.") Watch your email for more information about this great opportunity to sample some of Silver Spring's great food, to meet old business associates and new, and to raise money to support GSSCC's programs and activities. GSSCC Sponsors First Forum for Developers Silver Spring: Unbelievable Success, Undiscovered Potential was the theme for the recent GSSCC Forum for Developers, sponsored by a sub-group of the Chamber's Economic Development Committee. A group of 26 developers -- some who already have projects in Silver Spring, others who have successfully developed elsewhere but have not looked at our community -- joined GSSCC Board members and Montgomery County government officials for a look back and a look ahead at the miraculous revitalization of Silver Spring. The goal was to encourage new developers to consider the opportunities here, especially for additional retail development. The panel of presenters included Maryland State Delegate Herman Taylor (Dist. 14), standing in for County Executive Doug Duncan, State Senator Ida Ruben, County Council President Tom Perez, Councilmember Steve Silverman, Silver Spring Regional Center Director Gary Stith and Montgomery County Housing and Community Affairs Director Elizabeth Davison. Thanks to Discovery Communications for providing the venue, to City Place for sponsoring the reception, and to RGF Culinary Services for providing the food and beverage at cost. Unpaid Invoices Prompt New Policies for Networking Breakfasts You've heard the old saying that there's no such thing as a free lunch. The same can be said for GSSCC Networking Breakfasts! Due to the increasing level of outstanding invoices for Networking Breakfast, GSSCC has revised its policies with regard to late reservations, walk-in fees and invoicing. Currently 85 members owe for at least one breakfast, and 26 for two or more, despite receiving multiple invoices over many months. All told, these unpaid invoices have left GSSCC more than $1,600 short - money that can and should be going toward new programs and activities. Unless and until companies with two or more invoices pay in full, GSSCC will be unable to accommodate these members for future Networking Breakfasts. A second problem for the Chamber is the increasing number of both "no-shows" (members who made reservations but did not cancel before the deadline) and unannounced walk-ins, both of which have increased dramatically in recent months. This makes it difficult to provide an accurate count to the hotel by its deadline, and usually results in further Chamber losses. Effective immediately, GSSCC will adopt the following procedures: Walk-Ins: Members who call or email after the stated reservation deadline will be treated as walk-ins, and will be charged $30 -- the regular price of $20 for a reserved member, plus $10. Also, we will not be able to include names of walk-ins on the roster provided to each attendee. Administrative Charge for Invoices: Members to whom GSSCC must send an invoice after the event (this includes no-shows and those who request an invoice at the door) will be charged an administrative fee of $10 in addition to the breakfast fee for the privilege of receiving an invoice. Policy for Two or More Unpaid Invoices -- Members (companies or organizations) who have two or more outstanding invoices must pay those invoices in full before being allowed to register for another breakfast. If your company has received notices for an unpaid breakfast, please do GSSCC and your fellow members the courtesy of paying as soon as possible. Members In the News Atlantic Online recently launched the Silver Spring Wi-Fi, the first free outdoor public hotspot for wireless internet access in Montgomery County. The company is also now offering an integrated package of voice, broadband internet and IP-based applications to small and medium-sized businesses. Later this month, BOSS (Business Owners of Silver Spring) will reveal the winners of its "Best of Silver Spring" contest. Best restaurants, landmarks, fun activities, favorite places for coffee, ice cream and other treats are based on votes received this summer from residents, businesses and visitors. Those who received prizes for participating will also be announced. Chiquita Sorrels, owner of Catilin Enterprises, LLC, was elected president of Women Business Owners of Montgomery County, effective September 1, 2005. Anthony R. Messina, Jr. has been named the new head of school for the Chelsea School. Hats off to Contours Express for its generous support of one of Lifetime TV's "Earth Angels," a local mother and daughter who founded "Happy Helpers," dedicated to spending their weekends making and delivering meals to the homeless in Baltimore. Contours Express has donated two free gym memberships to the pair and pays the cost of utilities for the "Happy Helpers" office. Data Quality Solutions recently received an expedited patent for its Enterprise Business Process Management System and Method, a new technology to help with U.S. Government "counter terrorism" efforts. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, only on rare occasions, expedites the patent review and approval process for innovative, promising inventions that are in the national interest. Encore Management Corporation has moved to its new offices at 8665 Georgia Avenue. 1st Choice Staffing and Consulting has expanded and moved to the World Building at 8121 Georgia Avenue. (New phone number is - 301-563-6404.) The company recently received a HUBZone certification from the SBA, and was awarded its first international contract for program assistance in China from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and a contract for Temporary Administrative Support from the U.S. Department of Justice Junior Achievement is looking for classroom volunteers in Forest Knolls, Glen Haven, Highland View, Kemp Mill and Sligo Creek elementary schools this fall, and E. Brooke Lee, Sligo and Silver Spring International Middle Schools this spring. Interested GSSCC members should contact Sheila Fishlowitz (202-777-4481) sfishlowitz@janca.org. Linowes & Blocher LLP announced that James Grier Hoyt has joined the firm as partner and Brandon J. Fields, Bryson M. Filbert, Hillary C. Mintz and Earl E. Wise, III have become associated with the firm. The Primary Care Coalition recently received $25,000 from Bank of America for its Rockville Child Assessment Center, the only facility of its kind in Montgomery County. The Center offers a comprehensive, culturally competent response to child abuse that works closely with the police department, the state's attorney and child welfare services. Congratulations to Chris Archer and Radius Technology Group, Inc., an information assurance and security services company, on being named Technology Company of the Year by the Maryland Incubator Association RGF Culinary Services recently purchased Ronaldo's of Potomac Cooking School in the Kentlands. The school offers adult and children's classes, parties, corporate team building, supper clubs and more. Congratulations to Rickman Research & Communications, celebrating its 10th anniversary in business this year. The firm does surveys, focus groups and other research. Social & Scientific Systems has acquired CODA Research, Inc., bolstering the company's survey research and the epidemiology support capacity and adding roughly 100 employees. The company also announced the following promotions: Mary Tondreau, named the company's first chief administrative officer (CAO) and Laura Dechter, promoted to vice president; and new appointments: Booker Evans, joining as director of office services and facilities management and Nina M. Prescott joining as staff development and training manager. Congratulations to Whole Foods Market! The company is celebrating its silver (25th) anniversary this year and the Silver Spring store is celebrating its 5th anniversary. Congratulations to York Castle Tropical Ice Cream celebrating 20 years at its current Silver Spring location, and best wishes to Caroline Tey celebrating her fifth year with the popular treat spot. The celebration continues through the rest of the year. Representatives of five GSSCC members are among Montgomery County's 25 Outstanding Women for 2005. GSSCC Chair Carmen Camacho of Bud Miller Associates, Inc., Frankie Blackburn of IMPACT (Downtown Silver Spring), Helen Frederick of Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Charlene Nunley of Montgomery College and Kim Watson of Potomac Electric Power Company will be honored at a gala luncheon sponsored by Rockville Economic Development, the Rockville Chamber of Commerce and Women Business Owners of Montgomery County. One of the 25 will receive the prestigious Athena Award, celebrating women who strive for the highest levels of accomplishment, excel in their chosen fields and open paths for others to follow. GSSCC Members Support Hurricane Relief Efforts Acorn Self Storage, which already provides year round storage space and transportation services to Mid-county United Ministries, Rebuilding Together and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, has pledged a storage unit and a 15-foot truck to Montgomery County Volunteer Services for hurricane relief. The company is also collecting and donating "work clothing" to those hurricane victims who are being relocated to Montgomery County. CHF International, a Silver Spring-based humanitarian and relief organization working world-wide, is currently assessing how to best channel its resources and expertise to assist in the long-term recovery and reconstruction needed to help the thousands whose lives and livelihoods were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The organization anticipates making a detailed announcement in the coming days. Colorworks Promotions has generously offered temporary warehouse space to local organizations collecting goods for the hurricane relief efforts. Contours Express donated all of its September enrollment fees to help in the hurricane relief efforts. Montgomery College providing tuition-free access to its programs for Gulf Coast college students displaced by Hurricane Katrina, who have relocated to Montgomery County. Additionally, Montgomery College and the Montgomery College Foundation will seek to assist students with the cost of books, supplies, and other critical needs, through Board of Trustees' Scholarships, Montgomery College Foundation Scholarships, and other donated funds. TSC (Technology Service Corporation) is matching dollar for dollar donations from its employees for hurricane relief. W.C. and A.N. Miller Realtors collected cash donations from its realtors, which were matched up to $6,000 by the company. Proceeds were donated to the American Red Cross. In addition, participating realtors at W.C. and A.N. Miller donate a portion of each of their settlements to Habitat for Humanity. This contribution is also matched by the company. GSSCC members at the September 28 Business After Hours contributed $225 to chamber hurricane relief efforts being coordinated through the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). ACCE's established the fund to help chambers hit by the recent hurricane disaster rebuild their organizations and their communities. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to this effort, please make checks payable to CGEF and send them to the GSSCC office.