Get the Most from Your GSSCC Membership

Learn more about how GSSCC works to promote and advocate on behalf of member businesses at the Chamber's free Member Orientation Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. this Wednesday, July 19, at Eggspectation (923 Ellsworth Drive).  Click here to log in and register.

Can You Dance Your Way to a Promotion?

Join GSSCC's Young Proferssionals Network and learn how at its "Dance Your Way to a Promotion" workshop and happy hour from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, hosted by Arthur Murray Dance Studio (10801 Lockwood Drive, Suite 150).  Attendees are invited to stay at the studio after the workshop for a free "Salsa Basic" dance class at 7 p.m. Click here to log in register.

WSSC Water Main Replacement Project to Close Parts of Colesville

Beginning early next month, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) will begin work to replace 1.5 miles of 20-inch water mains on Colesville Road from Georgia Avenue to the Beltway. This effort, while necessary, will create substantial disruption for businesses along the route. WSSC coordinators for the project have agreed to meet with GSSCC member businesses to provide more details about the timing and staging of the project and answer questions from business owners. GSSCC has scheduled a meeting for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, in the Chamber conference room. Member who would like to participate should email Jane Redicker.

GSSCC Delivers Plaques to Thank, Honor Firefighters, EMTs 

GSSCC President Jane Redicker last week delivered Shining Star award plaques to the 12 Montgomery County Fire Stations from where firefighters and emergency medical technicians were deployed to respond to the tragic explosion and fire on Arliss Avenue last August. Representations from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service were on hand at the Chamber's Awards & Installation Dinner last month to accept the Chamber's gratitude and recognition for their service in connection with tragedy and for the work they do every day. Thanks to the generosity of GSSCC member Bud Miller Associates Inc., the Chamber was able to present plaques to every single station involved in fighting the fire, saving lives, and caring for the injured. Plaques will be delivered next week to the three Prince Georges County stations also responding.

*  Kudos to  Sergio's Ristorante  on being mentioned in Washingtonian Magazine's July issue as one of George Pelecanos' favorite places in Silver Spring. Peleanos called Sergio's a "little sleeper restaurant. . .on Colesville that's been serving really good Italian food for 30 years."

* Join the Silver Spring Urban District , along with GSSCC member representative on the Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Committee, at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, for "a simple toast" to celebrate the recent installation of patriotic pole banners adorning Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring. The banners were made possible, in part, through a generous donation from The Tower Companies . The "toasting" will take place in front of the Lee Building (8601 Georgia Avenue) at the intersection of Georgia and Colesville. RSVP here .

* Hats off to Bell Flowers! This week, those  most in need of a smile, including patients at Holy Cross Hospital, Washington Adventist Hospital, residents at senior assisted living centers and nursing homes, and many others will receive an unexpected gift. They will all receive Cheerful Be Happy® Bouquets  filled with vibrant flowers and plants, hand-designed and hand-delivered by Bell Flowers.

Next year - 2018 - marks GSSCC's Silver Anniversary, and plans are underway to celebrate this milestone in style. To kick off the commemoration, the Chamber is sponsoring a special anniversary logo design contest that is open to all members. The winner will receive a $500 prize. The winning design, to be used on all printed and electronic materials, the Chamber's website, and all promotional items, will be selected by a committee chosen by the GSSCC Board. Submissions are due by close of business on Friday, August 25. Entries must be submitted electronically to Jane Redicker. Designs must maintain the integrity of the current GSSCC logo, with no alterations to current colors (for specific PMS colors, contact Jane Redicker). Submissions may be made as jpg files, but winners will be required to provide vector art originals prior to final selection. Limit three entries per person. Designs may not include copyrighted materials and all fonts must be acquired legally. The winning design and all vector art files become the property of GSSCC.

GSSCC is also offering members the opportunity to create the 25th Anniversary theme or tagline to be used throughout the year. Entries should be submitted to Jane Redicker  by Friday, August 25. Limit three entries per person.

Website Workshop Rescheduled to August 15

GSSCC's Non-Profit Team workshop on "Websites that Build Your Brand and Drive Your Mission," has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 15, at the the Chamber offices. Shala Graham of Brand Calling (formerly SW Creatives) will lead the discussion and offer a first-hand analysis of an attendee's website. Free for members, click here to register.