Congratulations CCI Health & Wellness Services

Join GSSCC as we cut the ribbon for the grand opening of   CCI Health & Wellness Services  ( 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 1200) at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, November 29. Tour the new space; enjoy light appetizers and a chance to win raffle prizes. An after party  with an extended happy hour  will follow from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at All Set Bar & Restaurant . Click here  to register.

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving
to you and yours from all of us at GSSCC. The office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 24 and 24. We will reopen on Monday, November 27
GSSCC's YPN Hosts Educational Workshop,
Plans Community Service Event

GSSCC's  Young Professional's Network  will explore "The Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Stardom" at a workshop and happy hour from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday, November 30, on the rooftop at  Kaldis Social House (918 Silver Spring Ave.)   Complimentary appetizers and a specialty YPN cocktail will be offered; a cash bar will be available.  Click here  to register.

The Young Professional's Network will come together for a community service project 
at  Aspenwood Senior Living Community  from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6 . GSSCC"s young professionals will bring holiday cheer to the residents as they join for caroling, dinner, and gingerbread house making. Ugly Christmas sweaters welcome! To register, click here .
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS - GSSCC Wants to Know
How did Last Year's Minimum Wage Increase Affect Your Business?

The Montgomery County Council is considering a bill that will increase the County minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020. As a result of legislation enacted in 2013, the rate increased to $10.75 per hour this year and will rise to $11.50 per hour on July 1 of next year. A majority of Councilmembers (Elrich, Navarro, Hucker, Riemer, and Leventhal) are supporting further increases to $12.50 per hour on July 1, 2018, to $13.75 per hour on July 1, 2019, and to $15 per hour on July 1, 2020.  GSSCC testified against the additional increases during a public hearing this past summer, arguing that many small businesses and nonprofits have not yet adjusted to accommodate the previous increases and that it is unknown how much this measure will increase the County budget and, subsequently County taxes and fees. Work sessions on the new bill resume on December 7, and GSSCC would like to hear from members about hos that previous increases have affected business. Affected members are encouraged to email jredicker@gsscc.org with information.
Confused about the New Sick & Safe and Federal Overtime Laws? 

GSSCC has heard from a number of small businesses and non-profit organizations concerned or confused about Montgomery County's new Sick & Safe Leave Law (which took effect on October 1) and the new Federal overtime regulations (which become effective on December 1). To help members better understand how to comply with these new laws, GSSCC will host a workshop with   Marc Engel, an employment attorney with  Lerch, Early & Brewer, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, at United Therapeutics headquarters (1040 Spring Street). Click  here to register for the workshop.
Members Connect at Not Your Average Joe's Business After Hours




Mark your Calendar for the December Networking Breakfast

Join us for GSSCC's next Business Networking Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7 at Eggspectation (923 Ellsworth Drive)  Register here.  
REMEMBER TO LOCK YOUR VEHICLE!

Montgomery County Police 3rd District officials have reported 67 thefts from autos in the downtown Silver Spring area since September 2016. The majority of these thefts are from unlocked vehicles. Members, please remember: Lock your cars, and tell your employees and customers to do the same.


* Congratulations and welcome to the newest GSSCC chamber member, Dave & Busters, on its grand opening today, Monday, November 21, in Ellsworth Place.
   
* Easter Seals Serving DC,MD,VA has announced that Jonathan Horowitz, currently the organization's Chief Operating Officer, will take over as President and CEO in February 2017, as Lisa Reeves retires after seventeen years of service. Read more here.

Aspenwood Senior Living (14400 Homecrest Road) is hosting a Holiday Networking Happy Hour  from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  next Tuesday, November 29. Cocktails and chef signature creations from its five star dining program will be served.  RSVP  to Sharon at (301) 598-6424.

* Thanks to PEPCO for joining "Utilities United Against Scams Day," a nationwide effort to protect customers from scammers. The week-long campaign focused on exposing the tricks scammers use to steal money from customers, and providing tips to help customers protect themselves. Read more here.

* Several GSSCC Members were named among Montgomery Magazine's Best of Montgomery County 2016.  Congratulations to:  Olazzo (Italian Food), Copper Canyon (Happy Hour), Adega Wine Cellar (Wine Bar), The Greene Turtle  (Sports Bar), Rod Miller Inc.  (HVAC), Strosniders  (Hardware Store), EagleBank (Bank), Monument Bank (Bank), Sandy Spring Bank  (Bank), Kefa Cafe (Coffee Cake), AFI (Movie Theater), Corcoran Caterers (Caterer), and Riderwood  (Retirement Community).

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 GSSCC Committee Meetings

Membership Development Committee Meeting    - 9  a.m. on Tuesday, November 22

Event Committee Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 6

* Young Professional's Network Committee Meeting - 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 
December 7

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 2016-2017 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; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Digital Industry; Discovery Communications; EagleBank; 
The Fillmore Silver Spring; Holy Cross Hospital; Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.; Linowes & Blocher LLP; M&T Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corp.; Washington Property Company.


 
Partners - Adam S. Lowe Photography; Atlantech Online; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; Elite Personnel; 
My Office Products; Signs By Tomorrow;
Social & Scientific Systems.


 Friends- Harvey Maisel/Maisel Hollins Development