march–april 2011 health insurance...
TRANSCRIPT
On February 23rd Westfield Wheaton hosted a breakfastmixer to present their 20-year vision for the mall, as itrelates to the current planning process for the WheatonDowntown Master Plan rework.
Westfield hadhired a localarchitecturaland planninggroup,EhrenkrantzEckstut &Kuhn, tostudy howthe easternedge of theWheatonmall could bealtered to integrate with the Wheaton Central BusinessDistrict and the proposed B.F. Saul project across Veirs Mill
Road at the WheatonMetro Station.
In the study, threemajor connectionpoints were indentified:
1) The Reedie Roadentrance would betransformed into themall’s front door by
creating a multi-level atrium space capped off with a state of the art theater.
2) The entrance to the south near Wendy’s Restaurantwould be reworkedto create an arrivalpoint for a newresidential complexon the SE cornerof the property.
3) The office nodewas contained onthe northern edgewhere CVS sits
March– April 2011 www.wkchamber.org
2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902phone: 301-949-0080e-mail: [email protected]
Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce the
voiceWestfield Wheaton 20-Year Vision &the Wheaton Sector Plan
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Continued on page 4
Health care isn’t just a benefit for employees. It’s a companyinvestment because a healthy business relies on healthyemployees. At the January 26 Chamber lunch mixer, the
presentation showedwhat changes toexpect from the newHealth Care Law,and some advice tolower insurance costsat a business.
Our presenter wasPat Durbin, Manager
of Broker Sales at Kaiser Permanente Health Plan of theMid-Atlantic States. Pat is Past-President of NAIFA-MD,the Maryland Insurance & Financial Advisors, and can bereached at 301-816-6509 / [email protected].
Even with a snowstormgoing on outside, thelunch was comfortablyheld at China Gourmet Restaurant in Kensington.
A Small Group Planfor employees inMaryland is for 2 to 20employees. Guarantee Issue reform started in 1993. TheHealth Partnership program is for 2 to 9 employees, and
has beensince 2008.TheMarylandStateLegislaturepasses billsand the MDHealthcareCommissionregulates thelaws.
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Continued on page 4
Health Insurance Coverage for SmallBusinesses: An overview of the health insurance marketplace and the impact itis having on small businesses
Execut ive Commit teeP R E S I D E N T
Kathleen Guinan, Crossway Community 301-929-2505
V I C E - P R E S I D E N T
Sean Chrysostom, CapitalOne Bank301-356-5052
S E C R E TA R Y
Kristen Wright, St. Luke’s House, Inc.301-896-4432
T R E A S U R E R
Larry White, First Baptist Church ofWheaton 301-949-6585
S E R G E A N T- A T- A R M S
Kenneth Nelson, Mont. Coll. WorkforceDevelopment & Cont. Ed. 240-328-4747
I M M E D I A T E PA S T- P R E S I D E N T
Moshe Briel, Moshe Briel AssociatesLLC 301-801-1972
Direc torsMatt Barry, Westfield Wheaton 301-942-3200
Manuel Hidalgo, LEDC 202-540-7408
Michael Kelley, Kensington VolunteerFire Department 301-929-8000
Kalimah Matthews, Signal FinancialFCU 301-933-9100 x287
James Onder, Onder CommunicationGroup 301-367-7023
Laura-Leigh Palmer, a.s.a.p. graphics301-942-1121
Ellen Riger, EllenOriginals 301-946-7141
Kathleen Thompson, Jerry ThompsonAssociates 301-332-6524
Harold Weinberg, Miles Realty Co.301-933-6161
Tim Wiens, Jubilee Association ofMaryland 301-949-8628 x105
Ex-Off i c io D i rec torsNatalie Cantor, Mid-County ServicesCenter 240-777-8100
Cmdr John Damskey, Mont. County Police – 4th Dist. 240-773-5500
Cmdr Russell Hamill, Mont. County Police – 2nd Dist. 301-652-9200
Rob Klein, Wheaton RedevelopmentProgram, Mont. County Dept of General Services 240-777-6016
Pete McGinnity, WheatonRedevelopment Program 240-777-8126
Admin i s t ra tor & News le t ter Ed i torVicky Surles 301-949-0080
Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce
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The Senior Connection needs volunteers www.SeniorConnectionmc.orgto help their neighbors 62 and older live as independently as possible by:
- Providing escorted transportation to scheduled medical appointments- Helping with grocery shopping and running errands- Paying a friendly visit or making a phone call to share companionship
Generally a volunteer driver will provide one trip a week for one person. The typical trip is during non-rush hour, is less than 5 miles from home and takes 2-3 hours at a date and time convenient to the volunteer.
Volunteers have expressed gratitude for the emotional lift they feel while serving to make a senior’s life a little happier. Volunteering strengthens community and rewards with making new friends. Time commitment and schedule are flexible.Life skills training provided. Volunteer liability insurance coverage provided.
Please call 301-962-0820 x14 or e-mail [email protected].
TH A N K YO U T O TH ES E ME M B ER RE N EWA L S!
AccountantsMendoza & Company, Inc.Alejandro Mendoza301-962-1700mendoza@mcaccountants.comwww.mcaccountants.com
Banks /Financial InstitutionsWachovia BankOscar [email protected]
Barber SchoolAcademy of Professional
Barbers/StylistsTrudie [email protected]
Credit UnionSignal Financial Federal
Credit UnionKalimah [email protected]
Fire Department / Emergency Medical
Kensington Volunteer Fire Department
First Deputy Chief Michael [email protected]
Martial Arts InstructionBlack Belt Martial Arts CenterRobert & Sheeba [email protected]
StorageExtra Space Storage, Inc.Michael [email protected]
Womens’ Clothing /AccessoriesMarian’s ConnectionsMarian [email protected]
Huff-N-Puff Cleaning Services has launched a newdivision called “Personal Services”. Huff-N-Puff hasbeen serving Montgomery County and neighboringportions of Washington, D.C. for 30 years by providinghome cleaning services.
The new division reflects a commitment to the commu-nity providing personal services with an emphasis on:
• Helping seniors remain independent;
• Reaching out to families or friends that have a convalescing loved one;
• Helping clients focus on more important things whilethe service takes care of some of their daily tasks.
Their purpose is to offer an alternative option to families that are part of the “sandwich generation”,but also to any individuals that require non-medicalassistance with their everyday needs.
Personal Services can do their laundry, ironing, maketheir beds, help with light meal preparation, visit with them, and more – while the client runs their own errands.
For more information, please call Elizabeth Lewallen at 301-942-3777 or email [email protected].
Health InsuranceKaiser PermanentePatrick S. Durbin10810 Connecticut AvenueKensington, MD [email protected]
Signage, Advertising SolutionsSign-A-Rama-Silver SpringStacey Brown11252 Triangle LaneSilver Spring, MD 20910301-273-3462info@SignaRama-SilverSpring.comwww.SignaRama-SilverSpring.com
W E LC O M E T O T H E S E N E W M E M B E R S ! Introducing:Personal Services
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The Montgomery Art AssociationMAA Gallery
at Westfield Wheaton Mall11160 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton, MD 20902
Upper Level across from the Hallmark StoreLocated near the Wheaton Red Line Metro Station
Explore the works of local artists in their new galleryinside Westfield Wheaton Mall
MAA Gallery information: 301-787-0120
Gallery Hours:Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 12 - 8 pm
Sunday: 1 - 5 pmwww.montgomeryart.org
January Lunch Mixer – Health Insurance Continued from page 1
today. The densificationalong Veirs Mill Roadand the introduction ofmixed uses corresponds to the vision being created by the
County planning staff in the Wheaton Sector Plan.
The presentation by Jim Agliata, VP of Development (240-669-0332) was held at the Westfield North Office
Building. Matt Barry, General Manager of Westfield, andSidney Woods, Marketing Director (301-942-3200) werealso on hand to answer questions.
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Organizations lobby legislatures and this can increase costs.There is a standard platform for all carriers, and carriers distribute products through brokers and direct, with standardized commissions.
Groups need an advocate, or Brokers/Consultants. Theycan help with shopping coverage and understanding plans,sincesometimesgroupsonly seewhat isperceivedin themarket.
Efforts to lowercostsinclude: increased wellness coverage, increased companycontributions, and spousal coverage, since there is no needfor double spousal coverage. Also subsidy plans and TaxCredit Plans.
The various types of plans include: HMO, DHMO, POS,PPO and HDHP/HAS, and voluntary plans can fill-in the gaps. To research rates, people can go directly to companies, GA’s, brokers, or websites.
Some of the immediate changes to the Healthcare ReformFederal Law that passed last year in the Patient Protectionand Affordable Act are: no more annual CAPS; GI for chil-dren under 19 on individual plans (started 9/23/10); age 26dependents; grandfathering; and exchanges. 48 of 50 stateshave received grants of 1 million to start HIE Exchanges.
Starting in 2014, the idea has been to give consumers morechoice and transparency. Also, increasingly require EHRs –Electronic Health records.
Controlling costs aims to provide affordable coverage for all.The more people in the system – EMRs – aims to reduceerrors and increase efficiency, which increases transparency.Hospitals write off millions of dollars each year. GWU,Holy Cross and John Hopkins are starting these models.Increased company contributions saves dollars.
www.KaiserPermanente.org
China Gourmet Restaurant3739 University Blvd, West
Kensington, MD 20895
301-946-94004
February Breakfast Mixer – WestfieldContinued from page 1
www.westfield.com/wheaton
Kensington Arts Theatre - KATpresents
THE LAST 5 YEARSat The Kensington Town Center
3710 Mitchell Street, Kensington, MD 20895
SHOW DATES: Last 2 days! Friday, March 18and Saturday, March 19 at 8 pm
TICKET INFO: call 206-888-6642or katonline.email@gmailcom
www.katonline.org
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_________________________________________(Company Name)
_________________________________________(Phone Number)
_________________________________________(e-mail address)
The 27 th Annual
Wheaton & KensingtonChamber of Commerce
Community Awards BanquetWednesday, April 13, 2011
From 6 to 9 pm
Payment by: ❏ Check Total Amount $ __________ for ______ ReservationsPayment by: ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ AmericanExpress
Account #: ___ ___ ___ ___–___ ___ ___ ___–___ ___ ___ ___–___ ___ ___ ___
Expiration Date: ___ ___–___ ___ Name on Card: ___________________________Signature: _________________________________________________________Address Card is Issued to:______________________________________________
at Hollywood East Café
11160 Veirs Mill Road, #136Wheaton, MD 20902
(in Westfield Wheaton’s Restaurant Row)www.HollywoodEastCafe.com
240-290-9988
_________________________________________(Attendee)
_________________________________________(Attendee)
_________________________________________(Attendee)
$35 in advance (by April 12) or $45 at the doorFor Sponsorship Opportunities and Benefits, contact Vicky Surles at the Chamber office
call: 301-949-0080 • email: [email protected] • fax: 301-949-0081
Celebrate the connection and goodwill between citizens, businesses,schools, and public safety workers in the area community. Help usgive thanks to those receiving these well-deserved annual awards.
The 27th Annual Community Awards Banquet • Wednesday, April 13, 2011Reservations are valid when accompanied by payment • Cancellations must be made in writing by April 12
Return reservations and payment to:Wheaton&Kensington Chamber of Commerce2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101Wheaton, MD 20902
$35 in advance (by April 12)$45 at the door
Wheaton& KensingtonChamber of Commercethe voice forYOUR business!www.wkchamber.orgFor registration informationcall: 301-949-0080fax: 301-949-0081email: [email protected]
www.wkchamber.org
~ The Award Categories ~The Mid-County Citizen’s Advisory Board Civic Association and Citizen of the Year
The Police, Rescue Squad, and Fire Department Public Safety Awards
Einstein, Kennedy, and Wheaton High School Teacher, ESOL Student, and Community Service Awards
Chamber Member of the Year, and Outstanding Chamber Service Award
The Chamber will honor the Chuck Levin Family this year:The Levins have contributed to Wheatonfor so many years and have given us Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center.
Dressy Business /Cocktail AttireSee reverse for SponsorshipOpportunities and Benefits.
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Community Champion $1000Full page ad in the event programCompany logo and name in the programRecognition at eventReserved table for 8
~ Sponsorship Opportunities ~
Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce
is proud to host our 27th Annual Awards Banquet Wednesday, April 13, 2011, from 6-9 pm, at Hollywood East Café
at 11160 Veirs Mill Road #136, Wheaton, MD 20902.
This annual awards dinner is a hallmark event of the Wheaton & Kensington Chamber. Businessleaders, community activists, residents and elected officials come together to recognize the achievementsof our honorees. This Gala honors businesses, students, teachers, Chamber members, and Public SafetyWorkers for their enthusiastic contributions to the richness of the Wheaton & Kensington Community.
The Chamber will honor the Chuck Levin Family this year. The family ofChuck and Marge Levin has contributed greatly to Wheaton for so many yearsand has given us Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center.
For over 16 years, the Chamber has recognized our area high school students and also included monetary gifts provided by our various sponsors. The Chamber has been committed to encouraginglocal businesses to mentor the students destined to become our future leaders.
You are invited to be a Sponsor of this eventName of Sponsor (as it will appear in program): ___________________________________________________Enclosed is my payment of $____________ made payable to Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce.
E-mail company logo / and or full-page ad to: [email protected] / www.wkchamber.orgName & Title: ______________________________________________________________________________Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________Phone: __________________________ E-mail: _______________________________________________________ Credit Card Acct #: __________ __________ __________ __________ Exp Date: _____ /_____Name on Card: ______________________________________ Signature: ______________________________Address Card Issued to:_______________________________________________________________________
Please mail (or fax 301-949-0081 credit card) payment to:Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce, 2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101, Wheaton, MD 20902
For more information, contact Vicky Surles at 301-949-0080 or [email protected]
Community Hero $500 sponsor of Public Safety AwardCompany logo and name in the event programWill present the Public Safety Award at event (one of 4)Recognition at event4 complimentary tickets
Community Partner $275Company logo in the event programCompany name listed in programRecognition at event2 complimentary tickets
Community Supporter $150Company logo in the programCompany name listed in programRecognition at event1 complimentary ticket
Community Advocate $90Company name listed in programRecognition at event1 complimentary ticket
Evening MixerCome for an introduction to the new Irish Pub in town!
An Irish TraditionThe Irish appreciate the good things in life – friends,food, music and drink. These are at the heart of Ireland’scultural tradition. Neil Foley, co-founder of The LimerickPub and a native of Limerick Ireland, is an award-winningIrish fiddle and tin whistle player, and one of the best inMaryland.Come meet Neil in person and enjoy a little bit of Ireland.
Please RSVP to:Vicky Surles301-949-0080 or [email protected]
Wheaton& Kensington Chamber of Commerce
The Limerick PubFeaturing lively Irish folk music,a 20 foot long bar, a cozy fireplace and a great darts area.
No entrance fee ~ Cash Bar
Authentic Pub appetizers will be served.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011from 5:30 – 7:00 PM
atThe Limerick Pub
11301 Elkin Street, Wheaton, MD 20902301-946-3232 ~ www.theLimerickPub.net
~ Mix & Network with Other Businesses ~
Our Mixers are on thefourth Wednesday ofthe month.
Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of CommercethevoiceforYOUR business!
Postage
e-mail: [email protected]: www.wkchamber.org
301-949-0080
2401 Blueridge Ave, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902
WBO & Chamber Networking Happy Hour February 10
It was another successful collaborationbetween the Women Business Ownersof Montgomery County and theWheaton & KensingtonChamber of Commerce for
networking on February 10, at Hollywood East Caféin Westfield Wheaton Mall. The group of over 70business owners and community residents met for anevening of networking and delightful conversation.Janet Yu of Hollywood East hosted a wonderful
evening armed with vegetarian spring rollsand chicken dumplings.Special thanks to Chip and Ellen of
Just Right Handyman Services,and Angie Segal of Action Coach for the fantasticdoor prizes.Naomi Abrams of Worksite Health and SafetyConsultants (Program Director for WBO) andWendy Howard of WH Consulting chaired andplanned the event.
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