Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day checklist:

Networking and expanding your connections? Check.

A free ticket to the best comedy show in town? Check.

Join the Chamber for a Virtual After Hours with Improbable Comedy next Wednesday, March 17, at 5 p.m., sponsored by Print Exhibit PARTNERS.

Save the Date: LinkedIn Panel Discussion Tuesday, April 13

As worldwide social media use climbed during the pandemic, LinkedIn saw new records of growth and engagements.

Save the date for Tuesday, April 13, at 11 a.m. when the Chamber will share how to tap into that growth and use it for professional networking and connecting, recruiting prospective employees and clients, and strengthening your business’ brand.

Watch this space for more details!

Join the Chamber for a virtual joint networking event with the Rockville Chamber of Commerce.

Last week, Governor Larry Hogan announced that capacity limits for indoor and outdoor dining would be removed across the state and lifted restrictions for retail shops, gyms, houses of worship and recreation facilities.

The County Council, acting as the Board of Health, approved changes to COVID-19 restrictions which will occur in two phases, some already in affect as of 5 p.m. on Friday, March 12, and others beginning Friday, March 26.

The changes began on March 12 are:

The changes beginning March 26 are:

Read the County Council news release here for more details.

Last week, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that the state income tax filing deadline for Marylanders has been extended by three months to July 15, 2021.

This extension is due to state and federal legislation related to 2020 tax filings and economic relief for taxpayers impacted by COVID-19. The extension applies to individual, pass-through fiduciary and corporate income tax returns and no interest or penalties will be assessed if returns are filed and taxes owed are paid by the new deadline.

Those who claim the earned income tax credit, which is designed to benefit low-to-moderate income working taxpayers, will have the adjustments automatically made to their filings. For taxpayers who already have submitted their returns, those refunds will begin to be processed on April 15 with no further action required by the taxpayer.

The Comptroller’s Office says it will notify the public when new tax forms are available on its website and social media accounts. Taxpayers with questions about RELIEF Act provisions can contact reliefact@marylandtaxes.gov and people with general tax questions can email taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov.

Read the announcement here.

The Chamber is celebrating any member business that successfully pivoted to navigate changes brought on by the pandemic. Share your story with the Chamber by emailing Jane Redicker here.

Last week the Chamber celebrated International Women’s Day with Secrets of Successful Montgomery County Businesswomen.

GSSCC would like to extend a hearty thank you to Elise Ambrose, Elite Personnel; Stacey Brown, Signarama Silver Spring; and Katheryn Hoerster, Nothing Bundt Cakes Silver Spring, for sharing their stories of success, challenges, and hope with us.

The event recording can be viewed here.

* The Eleanor will reopen its Downtown Silver Spring location on Thursday, April 1, according to a post on the restaurant’s Instagram account. Read the Source of the Spring article here.

* Patient First has shared a Spring Sports Safety reminder to help athlete’s stay safe and healthy as they return to the field. Read here for information on COVID-19 safety, stretching, equipment checks, and concussions.

* Humanity & Inclusion has partnered with FreeWill, a free service to help create a legal will and legacy gift online. There is no charge and it is not required – though highly encouraged – to leave a bequest to Humanity & Inclusion. For more information, read here.

* Docs in Progress is offering a “Spring Break Teen Filmmaking Workshop” from Monday, March 29, to Friday, April 2. Open to teens ages 13 to 17, the virtual workshop covers the basic elements of filmmaking including story development, visual composition, camera movement, interview basics, audio, and editing. Register here and email contact@docsinprogress.org for more information.

* Montgomery Community Media Summer Youth Media Academy applications open this month and on Wednesday, March 17, at 4 p.m., MCM will host a free informational event to learn more about the academy application process and program highlights. For registration information, read here.

See your company's news here! Send us your news releases and news items by noon on Friday for publication in the following Monday's edition. Click here for guidelines on submitting Member News.

* Membership Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23.

* Economic Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24.

* Small Business Owners Network Virtual Meeting - 12 noon on Thursday, April 1. Topic: When and How to Explore New Markets. (Advance registration required here.)

Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Joseph W. McCartin Insurance;

 Business Partners - Andalman & Flynn, AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home 

 Partners - Peak Performance Digital; Bell Flowers; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; Image360.