February 12, 2018
One Day Only - This Wednesday,  February 14 "SchmoozaPalooza" Tickets are BOGO

Mark your calendar for this Wednesday, February 14, and be ready to purchase your pre-paid admission to  GSSCC's 25th Anniversary SchmoozaPalooza. That day, Wednesday, February 14, i s exactly 25 business days before the event. On that day, and that day only , members who go online to purchase admission for the 25th Anniversary SchmoozaPalooza will have the opportunity to register and bring a colleague for free. This is the perfect chance to bring along a client, a vendor, or someone who might be interested in becoming a Chamber member.   

But wait.  There's more.  Members who purchase BOGO admission on February 14 will be entered into a drawing for a $250 cash prize, courtesy of our BOGO sponsor  Courtyard by Marriott - Silver Spring Downtown .
New Statewide Paid Leave Law in Effect NOW

The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act became effective yesterday, February 11. A last minute effort to delay implementation was successful in the Maryland Senate; however, thee House refused to take up the emergency bill. (Note: No Silver Spring (District 14, 18, and 20) Senators voted to support the delay.) 

Employees in Montgomery County are already covered by Montgomery County's law, but employers may also need to comply with parts of the new state law. GSSCC members (with 15 or more employees) that have employees outside of Montgomery County must comply with the new State law. To help businesses comply with the new State law, the Maryland Department of Labor has provided guidance on its website here. The Maryland Chamber of Commerce has developed a primer on complying, and GSSCC member employment attorney Marc Engel, Lerch Early and Brewer, has provided this guide.
Learn to Understand, Prevent Sexual Harassment

GSSCC member employment law attorney Marc Engel,   Lerch, Early & Brewer , will present a workshop on  Understanding and Preventing Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment  this Tuesday, February 13, at the GSSCC offices (8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 203). Informal networking over coffee begins at 8 a.m. and the program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. This free event is open to members only. Click  here to register.
Join GSSCC as We Cut the Ribbon. . .

. . .for the Grand Opening of  Massage Envy's  new salon at  955 Wayne Avenue, at 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 15. A reception will follow the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Please call the office to RSVP.
. . .at Ghar-E-Kabab on Wednesday, February 21

GSSCC will host a members-only networking lunch from noon to 1:30 on Wednesday, February 21, at Ghar-E-Kabab (944 Wayne Avenue).  Participation is limited to 24 attendees, who each have the opportunity to speak for three minutes about his or her business. $25 includes appetizer and entree.  Click here to register.
Dave & Buster's to Host on February 28

GSSCC members and guests will meet at Dave & Buster's  (8661 Colesville Road, 5th level) for the Chamber's February Business-After-Hours from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28 .  This event is free for members and first time attendees.  Click here to register.
ANNAPOLIS UPDATE. . .

We're only a third away through this year's General Assembly and, to date, more than 2,700 bills have been introduced in the combined House and Senate.  That's just 100 fewer than were considered during the entire legislative session last year. Sources expect that legislators will forward almost 5,000 bills in this session, an election year.  GSSCC reviews all the bills on a regular basis and is tracking legislation that could impact the broadest section of our membership and is relevant to the future of Silver Spring. The Chamber's Government Affairs Committee reviews a weekly tracking sheet and recommends whether or not the Chamber will weigh in on these matters either via testimony for the record, or in-person testimony by President Jane Redicker.  Click here for information about legislation being followed to date. 

Designated Funding for METRO - Delegate Marc Korman and Senator Brian Feldman have introduced legislation to establish the Maryland Metro Dedicated Fund Account in the Transportation Trust Fund. HB372, which will assure dedicated long-term funding for METRO, is being heard in the Appropriations Committee this Tuesday, February 13. GSSCC will join fellow Montgomery County business groups to support this initiative.  The crossfile SB277 is being heard on Wednesday n the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee. 
Webinar Alert - Learn How GSSCCC's Energy Co-Op Saves You $$

Does your company pay its energy costs directly to a supplier like PEPCO or Washington Gas? Do you have a contract for energy services, but wonder whether you are getting the best deal?  If so, you should know about a GSSCC member benefit that will save you money and stabilize your energy costs. You've probably been bombarded with emails, snail mail, phone calls, maybe even door knocks from companies seeking to switch you to another energy supplier.  Confused?  Don't know where to turn? 

Join GSSCC for one of a series of webinars and learn about: regulations and consumer protection laws; the difference between the Chamber's purchasing co-op and other options; rates and contract terms; how to avoid scams; how to read your bill; and much more. These no-obligation webinars are scheduled as follows:  1 p.m. this Tuesday, February 13; 11 a.m. next Tuesday, February 20; and 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27. The webinars are free, but advance registration is required. Simply go to the CQI Associates home page at www.cqiassociates.com, click on the date that you want to participate, and follow the steps to RSVP.
Market Your Business via Unique GSSCC E-Cast 

Have your email message delivered to the inboxes of more than 1,150 individuals on GSSCC's email list.  Market special promotions, share an upcoming event, drive traffic to your web site, or just let fellow members know about your organization.  GSSCC will send out one e-cast per month in 2018.  The cost is $200.  For more information contact Alison, 301-565-3777 or amclaughlin@gsscc.org.
* Kindall Evolve will host  EvolveU, a two-session interactive workshop on development for emerging leaders, from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, February 22, and Thursday, March 1, at the  Silver Spring Civic Center (1 Veterans Plaza).  Click here for more information.

* Improbable Comedy  will present Silver Spring LIVE, a stand-up comedy show highlighting local comedy talent, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, at Highwood Theatre (914 Silver Spring Avenue). Click here for more information.

* Victory Karate (9332 Georgia Avenue) is now offering Zumba classes on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:00 a.m.  The first class is free, click here to see the flyer.

Community Bridges  has been nominated as a finalist for The Atlantic 's  The Renewal Awards , a nationwide competition recognizing local organizations driving positive change in their communities. Based on votes from various communities, five organizations will each receive a $20,000 grant from Allstate and five runners up will each receive a $10,000 grant from Allstate.  Online voting runs through Wednesday, February 21, click here to vote.

* Dr. Roscoe Moore, PH Rockwood Corporation, has been appointed Senior Scientific Advisor to Global BioLife inc. by Singapore eDevelopment Ltd. Read more here.
Valentine's Day Specials
* Hoover-Fisher Florist, Inc. will offer GSSCC members a 20% discount on all products, the promotion code is GSSCC. 
* The Original Velatis Inc . will give a 10% discount to GSSCC members on all products.   
* All Set Restaurant & Bar offers a Three Course Prix Fixe Menu   from guest Chef Randall Matthews. 
* Not Your Average Joe's offers a special Valentine's Menu   from today through February 14.

See your company's news here! GSSCC is pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Please submit items via email to info@gsscc.org before close of business each Friday. Include a pdf of news releases or other flyers.
Upcoming GSSCC Committee/Group Meetings

* Non-Profit Team Roundtable - 9 a.m. Tuesday, February 20 at SEEC (8905 Fairview Road, Suite 300) Note new time and location.

* Economic Development Committee - 9 a.m. Thursday, February 15. Update from WSSC on Colesville Road work; discussion with MC DOT on bike lane project for Silver Spring; presentation on proposed Business Improvement District in Silver Spring

* Membership Development Committee - 9 a.m. Tuesday, February 27
About GSSCC Committee/Team 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. Meetings are typically held in the GSSCC Conference Room. Advance RSVP is required and priority will be given to existing committee members when speakers are scheduled.
  Thank you to our 2017-2018 GSSCC Partners
 
Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Statland & Katz Insurance, Inc.; Washington Adventist Hospital

 
Business Partners - AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home Loans; Atlantech Online; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Digital Industry; Discovery Communications; EagleBank; Eggspectation; 
The Fillmore Silver Spring; Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd.; Linowes and Blocher, LLP; M&T Bank; Revere Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corporation; Washington Property Company.

 
Partners - Adam Lowe Creative; Bell Flowers; Carlton Creative; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; IBI - Innovative Business Interiors; 
My Office Products; Signs By Tomorrow.
 
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