Thank You to Our 2011-2012 GSSCC Partners

February 6, 2012

Last Chance to Register for GSSCC’s February Networking Breakfast . . .scheduled for this Wednesday, February 8, sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living of Silver Spring , at Argyle Country Club (14600 Argyle Club Road). GSSCC will recognize the Montgomery County 3 rd District Police Officer of the Quarter at this event. Respond to this message or call (301-565-3777) by TODAY, February 6, to reserve your space for the 7:30 a.m. breakfast. Members and first-time prospects pay $20 (cash, check, Visa or MasterCard at the door); non-members are charged $40. Walk-ins pay an additional $10.

Mark your Calendar for More Networking at GSSCC’s Business After Hours . . .scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, at the World Building. Members and first-time prospects are admitted free; non-members pay $40. Call 301-565-3777 or respond to this email by Monday, February 20, to register.

Would the Digital Downloads Tax Impact Your Business? Among the many provisions in the Governor’s Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) (SB 152/HB 87) is a measure that would impose the state sales-and-use-tax on the sale of “digital products.” Last week, GSSCC participated in the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee meeting with the Governor’s Chief Legislative Officer Joe Bryce to discuss the administration’s agenda. During that meeting, Bryce agreed that the language in the bill needs to be clarified. He said that more work would be done to tighten the language, but that it is the Administration’s intent to tax the purchase of canned software and other products that could be bought in a store in a tangible form. The Chamber is seeking feedback from our members regarding any concerns about this measure. You can review the specific language at http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/sb/sb0152f.pdf (go to pages 33 to 42). Let us know how this bill would this impact your business by contacting Jane Redicker at [email protected].

Public Forums Scheduled on County’s “Streamlined Development” Effort Last month, County Executive Isiah Leggett launched a cross agency “Streamlining Development” effort that is supposed to “make meaningful changes to the development application process by streamlining reviews and inspections.” The first step was to consolidate construction inspections currently done by the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS). In addition, the Montgomery County Planning Board (MCPB) said it will change the way it reviews DPS- issued building permits. The stated purpose of this endeavor is to “make these agencies more business- friendly, and make it easier to navigate the development process and obtain building permits.” The County Executive will hold two public forums “to identify areas of the development process that can be simplified or streamlined to reduce time, eliminate bottlenecks, duplication of reviews, inconsistencies and inefficiencies.” The first is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St., Rockville. The second will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9, at the same location. Registration is required at http://tinyurl.com/DPS-public- forum . Each speaker will have three minutes for comments. Written comments can be posted through March 31, 2012 at Post a Comment .

Join GSSCC’s “Fourth Fridays” Lunchtime Networking Group...... offering a little more time than the Networking Breakfast to let fellow members know about your products, events, and businesses, and to distribute handouts, flyers, and even free samples. The February “Fourth Fridays” is scheduled for 12 NOON, Friday, February 24, in the GSSCC conference room . Please RSVP to 301-565-3777 by Thursday, February 23.

MEMBER NEWS Ø Blair Mansion is on Living Social this week. Pay $20 for $40 to spend on food and drink at dinner, or pay $15 for $30 to spend at lunch. Go to http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/230/deals/162849 to get the “deal” by tomorrow. Ø C.Fox Communications is accepting applications for its third annual “inspired thought Award (it Award).” The winner will receive $30,000 of pro bono public relations services. All U.S.-based nonprofit organizations of 10 employees or more are eligible to apply. Applying organizations must demonstrate a mission-driven nature to their work and a particular need for public relations services. Application deadline is February 29, 2012. Application and guidelines may be found at http://www.cfoxcommunications.com/probono . Ø The Daily Dish welcomes Bernard Marchive, formerly chef at Le Paradou and Pesce, as its new Sous Chef under Executive Chef Jerry Hollinger. Valentine's Day reservations are still available for a special prix fixe menu with wine pairings (regular menu also available). Call 301-588-6300. Ø Hoover-Fisher Florist urges GSSCC members to order early this Valentine's Day and offers 10 percent off to those who place their orders by this Friday, February 10 for local delivery or pick up by Monday, February 13. Go to www.hooverfisherflorist.com . Ø Congratulations to Spectrum Printing for being included on the Washington Business Journals list of top commercial printers. Ø As part of its Lincoln’s Birthday Open House, Ford's Theatre has invited the Washington Revels Heritage Voices to perform two 30-minute sets of Civil War-era music and spoken word on the Theatre stage. The appearances are part of a day-long celebration not only of Lincoln’s birthday but the grand opening of the new Center for Education & Leadership , scheduled for Sunday, February 12. The Heritage Voices will perform at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are free and available at the box office beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information, go to http://revelsdc.org . Ø See your company’s news here! GSSCC would be pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Simply send us your information before close of business each Friday.

Thanks for Renewing! GSSCC thanks the following companies for renewing their membership last month: Argent Apartments; BlackFinn American Saloon; Blair Mill LLC; Caribou Coffee; Chevy Chase Land Company; Conceptual Geniuses; Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region; Esystems, Incorporated; Fairland Animal Hospital; First Call Office Products, LLC; Hanagan's Auto Body; Kefa Café; Kest, Forte & Rottenberg, P.A.; Lebanese Taverna Café; Metro Metro & Associates; My Carpet Cleaning Service; Party Rescue Team, Inc.; Pyramid Atlantic Art Center; Rollingwood Apartments; Self Storage Plus; Service Care Pharmacy; Shepherd's Table, Inc.; Silver Spring Regional Services Center; Summit Hills Apartments & Corporate Suites; The Universities at Shady Grove; Tiger Personnel Service, Inc.; TNT Auto Parts, Inc.; Twin Towers; and Washington Adventist University.

Host a GSSCC After Hours at Your Business GSSCC is planning the 2012 events calendar and only three months are still available for members to host an “after hours” networking event at their businesses. Call 301-565-3777 or email Laura Alin ([email protected]) for more information or specific dates.

Chamber Members Do Business with Chamber Members Chamber members support each other by doing business with each other and by offering fellow members special deals and discounts. GSSCC tracks these discounts at the special “members only” section on our website. Go to www.gsscc.org and click on the “Member Login” button on the left. Put in the GSSCC username (gssccmember) and password (15years) and go to “Member to Member Discounts.” To add your company’s special offer to members, call the Chamber (301-565-3777).

UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS Ø Major Annual Events Committee – 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7, Chamber Conference Room Ø Membership Development Committee – 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, Chamber Conference Room

Note about GSSCC Committee Meetings -- All GSSCC Members are welcome to participate in Chamber committees. Members are welcome to attend committee meetings to assess interest in joining a committee. RSVP is required and priority will be given to existing committee members when speakers are scheduled.

Thank you to our 2011-2012 GSSCC Partners Corporate Partners –Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; M&T Bank; Montgomery College; Washington Adventist Hospital Business Partners – AFI Silver Theatre; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Chevy Chase Land Company; Discovery Communications; Digital Industry; EagleBank; The Fillmore; Holy Cross Hospital, Lerch, Early & Brewer; Linowes & Blocher LLP; Statland & Katz, Ltd.; United Therapeutics Corp. Partners – Atlantech Online; Eggspectation; Elite Personnel; Sandglass Systems; Social & Scientific Systems, Inc.

Friends – First Call Office Products; Harvey Maisel/Maisel Hollins Development

February 13, 2012

Call Today and Sign-up for GSSCC’s Business After Hours . . .scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, at the World Building . Members and first- time prospects are admitted free; non-members pay $40. Call 301-565-3777 or respond to this email by Monday, February 20, to register.

From Annapolis. . . . GSSCC is following a number of bills currently introduced in the Maryland General Assembly. Summaries of a number of those on the radar screen are at the end of this message.

REMINDER – Public Forums Scheduled on County’s “Streamlined Development” Effort Register your concerns or comments on the County Executive’s consolidation of all construction inspections into the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) at one of two public forums scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. TOMORROW, Tuesday, February 14, or from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9. Both forums will be held at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St., Rockville. Registration is required at http://tinyurl.com/DPS-public-forum . Each speaker will have three minutes for comments. Written comments can be posted through March 31, 2012 at Post a Comment .

SAVE THE DATE...for the 2012 Silver Spring Golf Tournament Mark your calendar today and plan to join some 100 Chamber member business leaders for a day of networking and fun at the Chamber’s annual golf tournament, scheduled this year for Monday, May 21 at Argyle Country Club . Members of the 2012 Golf Committee are already working to make this event the best yet. Plan now to join us as a sponsor and/or a player at this year’s event. Not a golfer? Join us for the awards reception after the tournament for dinner and networking. Watch this space and your email for more details.

MEMBER NEWS Ø Signs By Tomorrow announces its "Imagine It…We Can WRAP It!" challenge . You’ve seen vehicle wraps promoting various businesses, and Signs By Tomorrow even wrapped an entire building for a client. But the company thinks its customers can take wrapping a step further and is offering one winner a totally free wrap, up to 1,200 square feet of material. Simply send a photo of what you think would be amazing or crazy to wrap, and if your idea is selected, you get it wrapped courtesy of your local Signs By Tomorrow signage and graphics center, in partnership with 3M and UASG. Ø Congratulations to The Washington Group on a record year in 2011. The company was so successful that it is now actively seeking talented professionals to expand its ranks. Twelve positions are available. Interested, or know someone who is? Email [email protected] for details. Ø See your company’s news here! GSSCC would be pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Simply send us your information before close of business each Friday.

GSSCC MEMBER VALENTINE’S DAY PROMOTIONS Ø Celebrate Valentine’s Day with one of these GSSCC member restaurants, all offering special promotions: BlackFinn American Saloon, Blair Mansion Restaurant, The Daily Dish, Eggspectation, Fire Station 1 Restaurant & Brewing Company, Mrs. K's Restaurant, and Tropical Ice Cream . Go to http://tinyurl.com/GSSCC-Valentine-Specials for offers from each restaurant. Ø Valentine's Day is when? No, don't panic. Chamber Member, Kirsten Aymer of Mary Kay Cosmetics is ready to help with free gift wrapping, delivery, and custom gift services. Each order includes a special free gift and Chamber members save 10 percent. Call 202-487-1737 or email [email protected] . Ø Community Bridges is partnering with El Golfo Restau rant (8739 Flower Ave.) for a special day-after- Valentine’s Day benefit. Dine at El Golfo between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, mention Community Bridges, and 20 percent of the proceeds of your order will go to benefit the organization’s after- school programs. For more information, call 301-585-7155 or email [email protected] .

UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN FEBRUARY Ø Membership Development Committee – 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, Chamber Conference Room

Legislation GSSCC is Following in the General Assembly SB272 – Workplace Fraud Act – Revisions – would repeal the presumption that an employee-employer relationship exists when payment is made for work performed and revise how the term “independent contractor” is defined to bring it in line with Federal classifications. – FAVOR

SB634 and HB841 – Food Service Facilities-Open Windows and Doors – (Sen. Brian Frosh, Sen. Rob Garagiola, Sen. Roger Manno, Sen. Jamie Raskin, Del. Sheila Hixson, Del. Tom Hucker, Del. Jeff Waldstreicher) – would establish regulations that would allow restaurants and other food establishments to open doors and windows in seasonable weather. – FAVOR

SB 699 – Farebox Recovery Rate Increase – Would increase from 35 percent to 50 percent the farebox recovery rate of operating costs for public transit services provided by the Maryland Transit Administration. – FAVOR

HB456 and SB549 – Small Business Reserve Program-Definition of Small Business-Revision – (Sen. Karen Montgomery, Sen. Jamie Raskin, Del. Heather Mizeur) – would expand the definition of what constitutes a “small business” under the Maryland Small Business Reserve Program. Current law requires small businesses within an industry sector to be below both a total employee size and a gross sales volume. This bill would allow a business to qualify as a small business if it meets either of these criteria. – FAVOR

SB 740 – Property Tax - Charter Counties - Education Funding – (Sen. Rich Madaleno) – authorizes the county council of a charter county that has a property tax revenue or rate limitation to set a property tax rate higher or to collect more property tax revenues than authorized under the county charter for the sole purpose of funding local schools. – OPPOSE

SB 269 – Combined Reporting – (Sen. Brian Frosh, Sen. Rich Madaleno, Sen. Roger Manno, Sen.. Karen Montgomery, Sen. Jamie Raskin) -- would alter Maryland’s income tax laws to impose a system of mandatory unitary combined reporting for corporations. This change would cause huge shifts in tax liabilities among Maryland businesses engaged in interstate commerce. – OPPOSE

SB 249 and HB 784 – Millionaires’ Tax – (Del. Tom Hucker) – would re-impose the 6.25 percent personal income tax bracket on high-income earners. (The General Assembly’s Department of Legislative Services reports that Maryland has the 2nd highest state and local income tax revenue as a percent of personal income.) – OPPOSE

SB 248 – Gross Receipts Tax – (Sen. Karen Montgomery) – would impose an alternative minimum tax on corporations based on a percentage of their gross receipts. These amounts are not based on profits or an ability to pay, and penalize industries that have high gross receipts but low net margins. The bill would significantly increase business taxes on Maryland employers. – OPPOSE

SB218 – County Income Tax, Authority to Impose on a Bracket Basis – (Sen. Roger Manno) -- would raise the maximum county income base from 3.2 percent to 3.5 percent and authorize counties to impose the increased tax on a bracket basis that would fall disproportionately on small business owners who need to reinvest income into their companies. -- OPPOSE

Friends – First Call Office Products; Harvey Maisel/Maisel Hollins Development

February 21, 2012

Call Today and Sign-up for GSSCC’s Business After Hours . . .scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, hosted by ROYCO at the World Building (8121 Georgia Ave.) Join fellow and future Chamber members (eight prospective members are registered so far) for an evening of great networking and the chance to win some fabulous door prizes. Members and first-time prospects are admitted free; non-members pay $40. Call 301-565-3777 TODAY or respond to this email NOW. Park in the Montgomery County Parking garage behind the building, and enter via the back door (look for the Chamber signs).

From Annapolis. . . . As of this morning, more than 1,300 bills had been introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates, more than 1,000 in the Maryland Senate. GSSCC has compiled a list of those bills that affect business across the board in general, affect Montgomery County specifically, or relate to matters addressed by the Chamber’s list of State legislative priorities. Through the Chamber’s involvement on the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee, we are tracking and acting on those relevant to business. To see a review of some of this legislation, go to: http://tinyurl.com/MD-bill-track . This list will be updated throughout the session.

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MEMBER NEWS Ø Welcome new Chamber member Corporate Bar & Grill! GSSCC was on hand to cut the ribbon for the official grand opening of the former Piratz Tavern at 8402 Georgia Avenue, transformed late last week into a brand new restaurant with a brand new concept courtesy of experts from Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue.” Check out the self-serve taps and mixed-drink bar at the front of the restaurant. Ø Atlantech Online, Inc . announced the opening of its second Internet data center in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The facility, located in Rockville, will primarily support the growth of the company’s server collocation business, by adding approximately 10,000 gross square feet of space and 130 cabinets to the data center portfolio. Ø Laubach & Regnell Financial Services has available for sublet a 12 x 12 professional office with floor to ceiling windows in its suites at 8720 Georgia Ave., just a block from U.S. District Court and two blocks from Metro. Access to the kitchen, conference room, and services of the receptionist station are included. Interested members should email Tony Laubach at [email protected] . Ø See your company’s news here! GSSCC would be pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Simply send us your information before close of business each Friday.

UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN FEBRUARY Ø Membership Development Committee – 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, Chamber Conference Room

Friends – First Call Office Products; Harvey Maisel/Maisel Hollins Development

February 27, 2012

Mark Your Calendar for GSSCC’s March Networking Breakfast . . .scheduled for Wednesday, March 14, and sponsored by Ackerman Security, at Fire Station 1 Restaurant (8131 Georgia Ave.). GSSCC will recognize the Montgomery County 3 rd District Police Officer of the Quarter at this event. Respond to this message or call (301-565-3777) by Monday, March 12, to reserve your space for the 7:30 a.m. breakfast. Members and first-time prospects pay $20 (cash, check, Visa or MasterCard at the door); non- members are charged $40. Walk-ins pay an additional $10.

Make your Voice Heard in Opposition to Sales Tax on Services The Maryland House Ways & Means Committee will hear testimony at 1 p.m. next Tuesday, March 6 on a bill (HB 1051 ) introduced by Committee Chair Sheila Hixson (Silver Spring District 20) that would extend the sales tax to 29 additional services, including such business services as tax preparation, management and business consulting, public relations, direct mail advertising, real property management, motor vehicle maintenance and repair, staffing services, drafting, business brokerage services, and notary public services. If your company provides these kinds of services, the cost to your customers would rise by 6 percent overnight, potentially sending them to providers in other local areas where there is no tax. Since these activities are not taxed in neighboring jurisdictions, the bill would give your competitors in those states an advantage in providing those business services. In addition, small businesses would be disproportionately impacted by extending the sales tax to business services, as larger companies can perform many of these services in-house. If you use these services, your cost of doing business will increase as a result of the tax. While it is not likely that this bill will be enacted in its entirety, it is likely that a number of these services will be singled out and added to other tax bills that will be enacted to close the State’s budget deficit. If your company provides or uses these services, it is important that you make your voice heard in opposition. If you would like to sign up to testify, please call the Chamber office. Or, please write to Delegate Hixson at [email protected] and your local delegates and senators. Find them at http://mdelect.net/ . Simply insert your addresses (business and home) where indicated and the site will show you the elected officials who represent your area.

GSSCC Comments on Councilmember Berliner’s Small Business Navigator Bill Council President Roger Berliner has introduced legislation that would create a position in the County Executive’s office that would help small businesses navigate the myriad government rules, regulations, and requirements. While the Chamber applauds the Council President’s desire to help small businesses through the often burdensome process, GSSCC leaders would prefer that the Council take steps to reduce regulations that make the process difficult and expensive. The Chamber sent the attached letter Council President Berliner in advance of a hearing on the bill tomorrow evening.

REMINDER – Public Forums Scheduled on County’s “Streamlined Development” Effort Register your concerns or comments on the County Executive’s consolidation of all construction inspections into the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) at the second of two public forums scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9. The forum will be held at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St., Rockville. Registration is required. Alternatively, written comments can be posted through March 31, at Post a Comment .

Don’t Miss GSSCC’s Third Annual “Anniversary SchmoozaPalooza” . . .commemorating the Chamber’s 19 th anniversary, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28 in the Atrium at Lee Plaza. The event admission price – which includes hors d’oeuvres and one drink – is just $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Pre-paid reservations are required by Friday, March 23. Call today to reserve your space. The Chamber thanks these member companies who have signed on as table sponsors for the event: Colesville Towers; CQI Associates; Endless Coffee/Water; First Call Office Products, LLC; Hoover- Fisher Florist, Inc.; Metro Metro & Associates; Montgomery College; Shepherd's Table; Sign-A-Rama Silver Spring; Statland & Katz, Ltd.; The Fillmore; United Bank; and ZipCar .

MEMBER NEWS Ø Orion’s Attic, the Chamber’s newest member, is in search of 20,000 to 25,000 feet of commercial real estate somewhere in Maryland/DC area to house an antiques mall. At least one bay door, ample parking, plenty of electrical outlets, heat and AC are required. Need to accommodate a “quick move-in.” Contact Chris Lancette at 202-731-9447 or [email protected] . Ø Pyramid Atlantic Art Center invites yoga enthusiasts to relieve stress and help raise money for arts programs by participating in a 75-minute class at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, at the Fillmore Silver Spring. Cost is only $20 and participants receive a complimentary ticket to the performance of Crowded Streets – The Dave Matthews Tribute Band that evening. Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] . Ø See your company’s news here! GSSCC would be pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Simply send us your information before close of business each Friday.

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UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS Ø Membership Development Committee/Major Events Committee joint meeting – 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, Chamber Conference Room Ø Economic Development Committee – 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 1, Chamber Conference Room – Maryland State Highway Administration to discuss master plan for Georgia Avenue from the Capital Beltway to 16th Street (potential replacement of the reversible lanes with a tree-lined center median and road widening that could eliminate some parking areas.) Ø Government Affairs Committee – 9 a.m. on Friday, March 2 – Review of current legislation before the Maryland General Assembly

Friends – First Call Office Products; Harvey Maisel/Maisel Hollins Development