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Happy New Year! 1 Membership 101 2
MEGA Networking Event 3 Member-to-Member 5Benefits
Member Spotlight 6
New Members 7 Winterfest Photos 8
Holiday Party Photos 9
Pomfret & Grim 10
The Exchangeree 11
Gizmos & Gadgets 12
BCPL Schedule of Events 13
Towson Tavern 15
Slomin’s Shield 16
January Calendar 17
Inside this Issue
January 2019
Happy New Year to our Chamber Members and Friends!
2018 was a very challenging year for our chamber and many other groups due to the weather. We had the coldest festival in years, eight Feet on the Street concerts were cancelled, Rocktoberfest was cold and dreary, and many of our farmers markets were affected by wind and rain.
Despite all of that, though, we had a wonderful year! A few of our highlights were:• Continued increase in membership with the help of the membership/marketing committee• The placement of flower boxes and baskets around downtown Towson, made possible with assistance from the State of Maryland• The inaugural Toast of the Town, celebrating the accomplishments of local businesses • A successful Towson 4th of July Parade and 4 on the 4th Race • Over 4,175 volunteer hours clocked to ensure the success of over 100 events and projects on the streets of Towson• The designing and opening of Patriot Plaza with Baltimore County, where we will have new events starting in Spring 2019• The start of bi-monthly Membership 101 meetings where new and current members can learn how to get the most out of their chamber membership• Free monthly breakfasts and cocktail parties for our members to network with each other and expand their connections
Over the last 11 years, Towson has seen unparalleled growth. We will continue to work with our local government and the residential communities to ensure that it is smart growth.
We will also continue to provide our members with educational seminars, networking opportunities, a strong voice to our local government and tools for your success. Make the most of your membership by attending monthly meetings, joining a committee, or staying updated by following us on social media.
I am so very grateful to work for and with so many wonderful people. I wish you a prosperous new year and health and happiness to you and your family.
Nancy HaffordExecutive DirectorTowson Chamber of Commerce
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Learn more about the Towson Chamber & how to make the most of your membership
12:00 p.m.Alex Cooper Auctioneers
908 York Road Towson, MD 21204
Please cal l 410 .825 .1144 to reserve your spot . Space is l imited . Lunch wil l be provided .
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17th MEGA NETWORKING EVENT
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 (Inclement weather date: Feb. 6, 2019)
5:30 to 7:30 pmSheraton Baltimore North 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204
Network with businesses throughout Baltimore County.Includes a trade show. Show off your business for ONLY $175, includes one registration fee. $200 for non-members. Contact the chamber office to reserve your space. First Come, First Served!
Pre-Registered: Members $35, Non-Members $45 At the Door: Members $40, Non-Members $50 Cost includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and one FREE drink ticket. Cash Bar will be available.
Make sure to validate your parking ticket at the front desk for FREE PARKING!
Register today online at
Event Sponsored By: Catonsville Chamber of Commerce, Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce, Baltimore County Business Association, Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, Greater Arbutus Business Association, Hereford Zone Business Association, Hunt Valley Business Forum, Northwest Chamber of Commerce, Perry Hall White Marsh Business Association, Pikesville Chamber of Commerce, and the Towson Chamber of Commerce
Towson, Baltimore County
www.towsonchamber.com
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Advertising & Promotion
Opportunities
One-Page InsertAdvertise a special sale
or promotion with
an 8.5x11” insert for
$50 in our monthly
newsletter. Advertising for
community events is free.
Email Sponsorship“Sponsor” an email that
goes out to over 1500
business contacts.
Includes your logo and
a click-through to your
website. (Costs vary)
Towson TimesAdvertise in the Towson
Times! (Costs vary)
Questions?Contact: Liz Bailey
Please Join Us!Board & Member Breakfast
Wednesday, January 16th8am-9am
Meeting starts promptly at 8am, please arrive early to check in and enjoy breakfast!
The Sheraton Baltimore North903 Dulaney Valley Road
Towson, MD 21204
Click here to register
Have you renewed your membership for 2019?
Membership can be renewed by sending a check to the
chamber office or over the phone via credit card:
410-825-1144
Questions? Contact Joan Selllers: [email protected]
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Member-to-Member BenefitsEnjoy these specials offered exclusively for members of the Towson Chamber. Businesses may
reference the Chamber Directory, or contact the Chamber office to confirm eligibility.
AAA Mid-Atlantic – Nicholas Starr, [email protected] $50 Classic Primary Membership for 1st year (Normally $74), One FREE classic associate for the first year (normally $46), Waived Enrollment Fee (Normally $15), Additional $5 Discount for Perpetual Membership. To claim this discount, use the code: “TOWSON”
Drive Now LLC – Natasha Itheme, [email protected] $50 off Driver’s Education class, $10 off Driver Improvement or Drug & Alcohol Class , $15 off private driving lessons, Free Driver Improvement Training class for Fleet Drivers within 30 days of writing a Drive Now Insurance Commercial Auto Policy, Instant Insurance quotes geared specifically for new drivers and international license holders, License plates tag return - free pickup within 5 mile radius.
Roland Park Chiropractic – Dr. Silke Laub, [email protected] Utilize this link for a 20% special discount on all supplements for chamber members. From Vitamin D or multivitamins, special men’s health or women’s health supplements: https://wellevate.me/silke-laub
THB Bagels & Deli – Steve Warrick, [email protected] Free Dessert Platter ($29.95 value) to all Catering Lunch orders over $100. Monday through Thursday. Pickup or delivery between 10 am and 2 pm. Not valid for Breakfast orders. Must mention the Member to Member promo. Place the order at www.eatTHB.com or call 443-912-2249
The Point in Towson – Erica Russo, [email protected] 20% off to all members for food, beverages and catering. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
Zerodraft Maryland – Kurt Pfund, [email protected] NO COST Quick Home Energy Check-up (LED bulbs, efficient-water measures, pipe insulation, etc., installed by a trained energy technician), 5% Chamber discount on Commercial LED Lighting Upgrades, 5% Chamber discount on Home Performance Energy Upgrades
Slice of Towson – Paul Rizas, [email protected] 20% off any and all 20” XXL Family Sized pizzas
Brown Rice Korean Grill - Eric Lin, [email protected] 20% off your catering order
Pure Water Technology - Travis Rugemer, 443-487-4908 Free water test -- we’ll test your business’ tap or well water for lead, copper, iron, chlorine, nitrate, PH, hardness and more!
Fully Promoted Towson - Jessica Joyce, [email protected] One free digitizing of company logo ($69.00 value) to all chamber members. Must mention member-to-member promo.
The 10% RuleKeep your business local and make 10% of your expenditures stay within Towson. Just think of the
impact... If a company grosses $300,000.00 per year and they see an additional 10% or $30,000.00, that could mean hiring someone, expanding product lines, or making their interior and exterior look better.
Keep business in Towson and create a positive environment for our community!
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University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center Receives an ‘A’ for Patient Safety in Fall 2018 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade
University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2018 Hospital Safety Grade, a large improvement from receiving a ‘B’ in the spring. The designation recognizes UM St. Joseph Medical Center’s efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting the highest safety standards in the United States. The Leapfrog Group is a national organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care.
“As guided by our True North and our mission of loving service and compassionate care, providing exceptional, safe, quality care to our community is what makes UM St. Joseph Medical Center such a special place,” says Dr. Thomas B. Smyth, MD, President and CEO. “It is because of the hard work and dedication of our talented employees that UM SJMC has been awarded this safety grade.”
“Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grades recognize hospitals like UM St. Joseph Medical Center that focus on advancing patient safety. This ranking provides an important resource for patients, and a benchmark for hospitals, to determine how care at one hospital compares to others in a region,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Hospitals that earn an A Hospital Safety Grade deserve to be recognized for their efforts in preventing medical harm and errors.”
Developed under the guidance of a National Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.
UM St. Joseph Medical Center was one of 855 acute care hospitals across the United States awarded an A in the Fall 2018 update of grades. To see UM St. Joseph Medical Center’s full grade details, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.
About The Leapfrog Group Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.
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NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHTWelcome to the Towson Chamber !
INTERESTED IN SERVING ON A CHAMBER COMMITTEE?
The Chamber is looking to fill the following committees:• Towsontown Spring Festival• Towson Gardens Day• Winterfest• Golf Tournament
If interested, please contact the Towson Chamber of Commerce at 410.825.1144 or email Nancy Hafford at [email protected]
• Ambassador• 4th of July Parade• Taste of Towson
WSMT InsuranceRobert Jacomen1614 E. Churchville RoadBel Air, MD 443-987-0593 | [email protected]
TRG NetworkingAlbert Blaize11436 Cronhill Drive, Ste. 4BOwings Mills, MD 21117410-363-6980 | [email protected] Services/Networking
Mid-Atlantic MediaJacqueline Ruane11459 Cronhill Drive, Ste. AOwings Mills, MD 21117410-404-2039 | [email protected]/Communications
Earthkare LandscapingKraig Leatherman9 Nightingale Way, Unit C5Lutherville, MD 21093443-324-2774 | [email protected]
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TOWSON WiNTerfeSTThank you to all of the sponsors and volunteers who made Winterfest a month of fun for the whole family!
Photos courtesy of:
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Thank you to everyone who celebrated the holidays with us at last month’s Towson Chamber Holiday
Party at Charles Village Pub!
10Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC
Is your 401(k) or other Retirement Plan in compliance with today’s ever-changing regulatory environment?
If you are not sure, contact us to complete a complimentary, comprehensive review.
James J. Pomfret, ChFC®, CLU®, AIF®
Managing Director – Investment Officer
(410) 494-6822
Michelle Harf-Grim, CRPC®
Vice President – Investment Officer
(410) 494-6870
Sarah R. Telljohann, CFP® ChFC®,
Senior Registered Client Associate
(410) 494-6820
Pomfret & Grim Private Wealth Management Group
of Wells Fargo Advisors
2350 W. Joppa Road | Lutherville, MD 21093
(800) 777-8714
CAR-1118-00131
is proud to support
TOWSON WiNTerfeST
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Teens Drop Spindle Teen, adult For those with a basic knowledge of spinning or for adventurous begin-ners, make your own drop spindle and learn how to spin wool. Ad-vanced attendees learn to ply multi-ple strands to make stronger yarn. Supplies provided. Jan 15 Tue 6:30 PM LGBTQ+ Teen Meetup Teen Create your own blackout poetry with fellow middle school- and high school-age members of the LGBTQ+ community. Snacks and supplies provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Towson Library. Jan 22 Tue 7:00 PM Adults Trivia Night Adult Have fun and compete to win prizes with other trivia aficionados. Spon-sored by the Friends of the Towson Library. Jan 2 Wed 7:00 PM Yoga and Meditation for Begin-ners Adult Simple yoga and meditation for your well-being. Bring a yoga mat or tow-el. Registration required (online, by phone, or in branch). Jan 6 Sun 2:00 PM Ready, Set, Go! Nuts and Bolts of Starting a Business Adult The Maryland Small Business De-
velopment Center teaches you how to write a business plan and other aspects of starting a business. Reg-istration required. Contact 240-342-9410 or visit marylandsbdc.org to register. Jan 8 Tue 6:00 PM Zentangle® Adult Learn a new way to relax by creating works of art using the Zentangle® Method. Zentangle® uses structured doodling called "tangling." This can calm and reduce stress, improve focus and build self-confidence. Becky Boynton, a certified Zentan-gle® teacher, demonstrates step-by-step how to use simple patterns and shapes like lines and circles to cre-ate your own work. No art experi-ence necessary. All supplies provid-ed. Sponsored by the Friends of the Towson Library. Registration re-quired (online, by phone or in branch). Jan 10 Thu 7:00 PM Jan 15 Tue 2:00 PM Decorative Altered Cigar Boxes Adult Use mixed-media art to create your very own decorative altered cigar box. Your final creation can be used as a personal gift or gift container, as a home decoration or for storage of small items. Sponsored by the Friends of the Towson Library. All supplies provided. Registration re-quired (online, by phone or in branch). Jan 12 Sat 2:00 PM Computers for Beginners Adult Interested in learning computer ba-
sics and want to improve your typ-ing? Join us for an introductory com-puter course. Registration required (online, by phone or in branch). Jan 14 Mon 7:00 PM Drop Spindle Teen, adult For those with a basic knowledge of spinning or for adventurous begin-ners, make your own drop spindle and learn how to spin wool. Ad-vanced attendees learn to ply multi-ple strands to make stronger yarn. Supplies provided. Jan 15 Tue 6:30 PM
History Book Club Adult Join us as we discuss The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Mil-lard. Jan 16 Wed 7:00 PM
Towson Branch • 320 York Road • 410-887-6166
bcpl.info
All branches will be closed on January 1 for New
Year’s Day and on January 21 for Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day
See other side for more events!
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Looking for Restaurant Specials and Happy Hour deals in Towson? Local eatery that would like to promote your business?Join our Facebook group!
Towson Restaurant Deals & Happy Hours
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January 2019
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1
Chamber Office closed
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9 12-1pm Membership 101 Location: Alex Cooper Auctioneers 5:30-6:30pm Festival Committee Meeting Chamber Office
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14 12:00-1:00pm 4th of July Parade Committee Meeting Chamber Office
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16 8-9am Monthly Board Meeting & Member Breakfast Sheraton Baltimore North
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30 5:30-7:30pm MEGA Networking Event Sheraton Baltimore North
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Brandon Simpson, Palisades of Towson
Chuck Connolly, Farmers Insurance
Colin Exelby, Celestial Wealth Management
C.R. Hogendorp, American National Insurance
Craig Carmichael, St. Joseph’s Medical Center
Deb Moriarty, Ph.D., Towson University
Debbie Phelps, BCPS Education Foundation
Edward Kilcullen, Maryland CASA Association
James Pomfret, Wells Fargo Advisors
2018-2019 TOWSON CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim Bojanowski Past President
Zest Social Media Solutions
Mary Fran StromyerTreasurer
Kenneally & Co., P.A.
Sarah RyanPresident
SECU
BOARD MEMBERS
OFFICERS
Lisa BiseniusVice PresidentTowson Town
Center
Edouard S. MutabaziSecretary
Vision Iconique
Joe Shagena, Destiny Mortgage Group
Lynne Lochte, Goucher College
Mark Shulman, DDS
Melony Wagner, Charles Village Pub
Nancy Hoffmann, LiveTowson.com
Pam Gilmour, Financial Fitness
Paul Schwab, Azrael, Franz, Schwab, & Lipowitz
Todd Huff, Brooks-Huff Tire and Auto Centers
Nancy HaffordExecutive Director
Liz BaileyMarketing Director
Joan SellersMembership Coordinator
Towson Chamber Staff:
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2018-2019 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONBusiness Name:
Contact Person:
Address:
Phone: Fax:
Email:
Website:
Number of Employees:
Type of Business as listed in the Yellow Pages:
How did you hear about us?
Please check the appropriate values:
1-5 employees: $250
6-20 employees: $275
21-30 employees: $350
31-45 employees: $400
46-75 employees: $475
76-100 employees: $525
Over 100 employees: $1,000
Plus $30 one-time application fee
= Total Investment $
Return this application with your dues investment made payable to: Towson Chamber of Commerce44 W. Chesapeake AvenueTowson, MD 21204To pay by credit card, please call the chamber office: 410-825-1144
Add sponsorship opportunities for 2018-2019
Winterfest & Baltimore County Tree Lighting
Towson Beautification Program
Towson 4th of July Parade
Taste of Towson
Chamber Golf Tournament
Towsontown Spring Festival
For more information on sponsorship packages, contact the
chamber office: 410-825-1144
Please Be Advised:Internal Revenue Bureau Cumulative Bulletin, No 2, page 105 reads: Membership fees or dues by individuals to a Chamber of Commerce are deductible from gross income as a business expense provided the memberships is employeed as a means of
advancing the business interests of the individual corporation.
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Towson Chamber of Commerce44 W. Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
[email protected]: 410-825-1144
Fax: 410-832-5863