November – December 2014 www.wkchamber.org 2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101 Wheaton, Maryland 20902 phone: 301-949-0080 e-mail: [email protected]Wheaton & K ensington Chamber of Commerce the voice The Chamber’s Evening Halloween Mixer on October 29 was held at The George Apartments roof-top G Lounge. What a BOO-tiful view of the Capital Region, looking south on Georgia Avenue. Halloween costumes were optional! There was plenty of beer & wine, with appetizers and festive desserts. Rhonda McLendon, the building manager and host, gave the group a tour of the new apartments, and lined up a new tenant. MIxer photos courtesy of Vicky Surles Halloween Mixer on Roof-Top Lounge at The George Apartments Continued on page 5 People were invited to meet and discuss issues with various candidates that were running for state and local office this November at a “Meet the Candidates” Networking Happy Hour on September 25. The Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce partnered with GreenWheaton for this informative event, and a lively group of business people and community activists met for an evening of conversation and questions for the candidates. Maryland State Senator Richard Madaleno (Dem, District 18) was among those that attended, as well as quite a few Montgomery Co. Board of Education candidates, including Laurie Halverson, Jill Ortman-Fouse and Kristin Trible. Happy Hour photos courtesy of Vicky Surles “Meet the Candidates” Green Drinks Networking Happy Hour Continued on page 4
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November – December 2014 www.wkchamber.org
2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902phone: 301-949-0080e-mail: [email protected]
Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce the
voice
The Chamber’s Evening Halloween Mixer on October 29was held at The George Apartments roof-top G Lounge.What a BOO-tiful view of the Capital Region, lookingsouth on Georgia Avenue.
Halloween costumes were optional! There was plenty ofbeer & wine, with appetizers and festive desserts. RhondaMcLendon, the building manager and host, gave the groupa tour of the new apartments, and lined up a new tenant.
MIx
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hoto
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of V
icky
Sur
les
Halloween Mixer on Roof-Top Loungeat The George Apartments
Continued on page 5
People were invited to meet and discuss issues with variouscandidates that were running for state and local office thisNovember at a “Meet the Candidates” Networking HappyHour on September 25. The Wheaton & KensingtonChamber of Commerce partnered with GreenWheaton for
this informative event, and a lively group of business peopleand community activists met for an evening of conversationand questions for the candidates.
Maryland State Senator Richard Madaleno (Dem, District18) was among those that attended, as well as quite a fewMontgomery Co. Board of Education candidates, includingLaurie Halverson, Jill Ortman-Fouse and Kristin Trible.
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“Meet the Candidates” Green DrinksNetworking Happy Hour
Continued on page 4
Executive CommitteePR E S I D E N T
William Moore, IHOP 301-942-2323
VI C E-PR E S I D E N T
Tavarious Butts, BB&T Bank 301-929-2005
SE CO N D VI C E-PR E S I D E N T
James Onder, Onder CommunicationsGroup 301-367-7023
SE C R E TA RY
Kristen Wright, CornerstoneMontgomery, Inc. 240-650-8398
Arts OrganizationsInterAct Story TheatreAli Oliver-Krueger32 Pennydog CourtWheaton, MD [email protected]
InterAct Story Theatre is a professional touring theatre foryoung audiences and arts educationorganization that has been touringfor many years, and wants to startputting down roots in their homecommunity of Wheaton.
Spotlight on New MemberBeltway Visa and Passport
A new addition to the Wheaton-Kensington Chamberof Commerce is Beltway Visa and Passport, LLC ofKensington. Beltway Visa and Passport is a visa andpassport expeditor offering both regular and emergencyservice at all embassies and consulates in WashingtonD.C. as well as the U.S. Passport Office at the U.S.Department of State. Using a network of experiencedagents, Beltway Visa and Passport specializes in meetingthe urgent, last minute needs of clients traveling forbusiness or tourism.
The company is owned and operated by nativeWashingtonian Ted Emerson. He grew up in Bethesdaand graduated from St. John’s College High School in
the District (1981), TheCatholic University ofAmerica (B.A. 1985) andthe University of Maryland(M.B.A. 1994). Ted hasspent the last three decadesworking in the courier,logistics, fleet management,and driver leasing indus-tries. He was a foundingpartner of a driver leasingfirm and sold his interest inthe company in 2010.
Ted spent the last four years managing the visa,passport and document legalization division for a largetransportation company in Washington, D.C. He has extensive experience processing at most of the consulates in Washington, D.C. as well as theAuthentications Office at the U.S. State Department,the Washington Passport Agency and the District of Columbia Notary Commission.
Ted remarked “I am extremely excited about BeltwayVisa and Passport, LLC. The company’s philosophyreflects my desire to be customer driven, honest,responsive and a determined advocate for our clients.”He also noted, “as a new member of the Chamber ofCommerce, I have been very impressed with everyoneI’ve met across the organization as well as on the Board.You can tell immediately that they are organized, openand friendly while being strong advocates for their members in the community. I look forward to workingwith them in the future as we grow our business.”
Ted EmersonBeltway Visa and Passport, [email protected] Wake DriveKensington, MD 20895www.BeltwayVisa.com
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Service Corps of Retired Executives is a national non-profit association.
SCORE volunteers have significant experience in the ownership, operation and/or management of both smalland large businesses in many fields.Members offer free counseling and mentoring to thosewho wish to start or build existing businesses.
www.WashingtonDC.score.org1-hour appointments are available from 10 am to 4 pmMondays and Wednesdays at the Wheaton Library11701 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902Call 240-777-0678 to schedule an appointment.
Let SCORE Help You for the Life of Your BusinessBUILD • GROW • THRIVE
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Wendy Howard of WH Consulting deserves the credit forplanning the event that was held at The Limerick Pub,11301 Elkin Street, Wheaton, MD 20902 (301-946-3232).There was plenty of good food courtesy of creative PubChef Scott Squire, with various drink specials.
GreenWheaton was sad to say goodbye to Communicationsand Administrative Assistant Sara Brosnan at the end ofSeptember, when she accepted a job working for a Virginianon-profit organization. She was a great help for the past year and half assisting the Executive Director WendyHoward with administrative, communication, and outreach tasks.
Wheaton Green Drinks meets on the 4th Thursday of themonth. GreenWheaton, Inc. is a Maryland non-profitdedicated to engaging the community in education andoutreach that promotes Wheaton, MD as a model sustain-able community with a “visibly green” and healthy environ-mental footprint. www.greenwheaton.org
“Meet the Candidates” Happy HourContinued from page 1
Cost is $5 in advance (option for members only) or $10 at the door or Online pay~ Continental Breakfast ~ Mix & Network with Other Businesses ~
Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce
Breakfast MixerKeeping Your Business Relevant in a Changing MarketWhether you have a retail shop, provide a specialized service, work business-to-business,
or have a nonprofit in need of outreach, you need to keep your business relevant!with Casey Willson, Manager, Main Street & Sustainability ProgramsAmerica’s SBDC Small Business Development Center, University of MD
and also Devala Janardan and Dan Thompson, of WUDAC (Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee) with a discussion about Wheaton Businesses
What has 2014 Taught Us? What Does 2015 Hold in Store for Us?2013 and 2014 were dramatic years for small businesses and their customers! Changes in the economy,new products and services, accelerating impact of e-commerce, volatile cost of goods and services,and rapidly evolving technology have all impacted the interaction of businesses and their customers.
Casey Willson will offer insights on what is impacting customer behavior; how bricks and mortarand outward facing communication effects customers’ decision-making and brand perception.
Sponsored by:
www.GriswoldHomeCare.com/Aspen-Hill-Wheaton
301-330-7646
The spacious roof-top lounge includes TVs, billiards, andfoosball. The outside terrace has a fountain & fire pit alongwith the great views.
Special thanks to Chamber members Emma Williams ofThe Party Rescue Team, and Jhenileen Libongco fromUrban Thrift / The Arc Montgomery County — for
providing Halloween decorations and helping to decoratethe lounge. Also, thanks to Ellen Riger of EllenOriginalsfor lending us even more decorations!
The George Apartments11141 Georgia AvenueWheaton, MD 20902855-646-0214
Halloween Mixer at Roof-Top Lounge of The George ApartmentsContinued from page 1
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Cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door
~ Please bring a new unwrapped toy for the Toy Drive ~Ideas! Soccer balls, board games, arts & crafts materials, gifts for babies, gifts for teens
• Pick up a Drop-off Box for Toys to place at your business
Celebrate the season and join us for the Kick-off of the 16th annual ANGELS FOR CHILDREN Holiday Toy Drive.
www.wkchamber.org
Cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door $5.00
of eachentrance ticket will bedonated
to the
Toy Drive!
Payment by: ❏ Check Total Amount $ __________ for ______ ReservationsPayment by: ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ AmericanExpress
Expiration Date: ___ ___–___ ___ Name on Card: ___________________________Signature: _________________________________________________________Address Card is Issued to:______________________________________________
Join the fight against rising hunger in America!Give thanks and help neighbors in need this holiday seasonby joining the Hunger March sponsored by Mid-CountyUnited Ministries (MUM).Gather Sunday, November 23 at 3 pm at Presbyterian Churchof the Atonement, at 10613 Georgia Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902.From there, walk the .75 miles north on Georgia Ave. withbanners and donated food for MUM’s food pantry. Or jointhe group as they reach the Mid-County Regional Center, 2424 Reedie Drive in Wheaton, and stay for a reception.
