May – June 2013 www.wkchamber.org

2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902phone: 301-949-0080e-mail: wkchamber@wkchamber.org

Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce the

voice

The popularity of social media tools like Facebook, Twitter,YouTube and Linkedin has transformed all sorts of businesses,from huge corporations to single-person companies.Social media platforms have become an important part ofcompanies’ marketing strategies. In today’s marketplace,customers expect companies to have a social media presence.They use these tools to engage with brands, participate in

conversations, andshare information,knowledge, and opinions.

The March 20Chamber mixer washeld at the CrosswayCommunity Center,3015 Upton Drive inKensington.The presentation was

given by Marisa Stoolmiller, Adjunct Faculty, InformationTechnology Institute, Montgomery College WorkforceDevelopment & Continuing Education. Information aboutMontgomery College classes on these and other businesstopics was also available. Check for the current class schedules at www.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce.

The breakfast was sponsored and catered by KaiserPermanente; Kaiser representative Pat Durbin provided a tasty and abundant breakfast spread.

Integrating Social Media into anEffective Business Marketing Strategy

Continued on page 4

Mixe

r pho

tos c

ourte

sy o

f Vic

ky S

urle

s

The annual awards dinner is a hallmark event of theWheaton & Kensington Chamber. Business leaders,community activists, residents and elected officials all cometogether to recognize the achievements of our honorees.

The 29th Annual Community Awards Banquet was held onApril 24 at the Hollywood East Café in Westfield Wheaton’sRestaurant Row. For over 18 years, the Chamber has recog-nized our area high school students and included monetarygifts provided by our generous sponsors (listed on page 6).

The Kensington Volunteer Fire Dept. this year was honoredthis year – the station that has the highest no. of volunteerhours of service of fire fighter, EMS, and paramedic servicesof any firehouse in the County. Vice President of the Boardof Education Philip Kauffman gave opening remarks.

Thanks go to the host and Chair of the Awards Committee,Ellen Riger, andto the MCKenneth Nelson.

Special thanksalso to VickySurles and JackMarshall for allof their workorganizing the event andproducing theawards program.

Wheaton & Kensington Chamber’s29th Annual Community Awards

Phot

o co

urte

sy o

f M

ike C

olel

la /

Cole

lla D

igita

l 30

1-94

2-28

53

Continued on page 4

Executive CommitteeP R E S I D E N TKathleen Guinan, Crossway Community 301-929-2505

V I C E -P R E S I D E N TMatt Barry, Westfield Wheaton 301-942-3200

S E C R E TA RYKristen Wright, St. Luke’s House, Inc.301-896-4432

T R E A S U R E RJames Onder, Onder CommunicationGroup 301-367-7023

S E R G E A N T- AT-A R M SKenneth Nelson, Mont. Coll. WorkforceDevelopment & Cont. Ed. 240-328-4747

I M M E D I AT E PA S T-P R E S I D E N TMoshe Briel, Moshe Briel AssociatesLLC 301-801-1972

DirectorsTavarious Butts, BB&T Bank 301-949-6500

Pat Durbin, Kaiser Permanente 301-816-6509

Michael Kelley, Kensington VolunteerFire Department 301-929-8000

Laura-Leigh Palmer, a.s.a.p. graphics301-942-1121

Ellen Riger, EllenOriginals 301-946-7141

George Sydnor, Fitzgerald WheatonSuzuki 301-933-7400

Kathleen Thompson, Jerry ThompsonAssociates 301-332-6524

Anna Vazzana, Signal Financial FCU301-933-9100 x234

Harold Weinberg, Miles Realty Co.301-933-6161

Tim Wiens, Jubilee Association ofMaryland 301-949-8628 x105

Ex-Officio DirectorsAna Lopez van Balen, Mid-CountyServices Center 240-777-8101

Rob Klein, Wheaton RedevelopmentProgram, Mont. County Dept of General Services 240-777-6016

Pete McGinnity, WheatonRedevelopment Program 240-777-8126

Administrator & Newsletter EditorVicky Surles 301-949-0080

Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commerce

2

Elite Dental Center Grand Opening CeremonySaturday June 8 from 2 – 6 pm Elite Dental Center opened itsdoors in February 2013 to meetthe oral health demands of thecommunity looking for compre-hensive dental care in a relaxed,luxurious environment. Theircommitment to customer servicecoupled with state-of-the-art technology has allowed them togrow exponentially, while focusingon their mission to perfect eachpatient’s unique smile.

Located conveniently above theWheaton Metro Station atGeorgia Avenue and Reedie Driveat MetroPointe, they’re in theheart of the current redevelopmentin downtown Wheaton.

Elite Dental Center believes thatachieving quality dental careshouldn’t be difficult, so they make it simple to achieve yourhealthiest, most beautiful smile!

Elite Dental Center11175 Georgia Ave.Unit AWheaton, MD 20902301-933-5175

www.DentistWheatonMD.com

The 18th Annual

Sunday, June 9 from 11 am – 5 pmFeaturing Food, Cooking Demos,Wine Tasting, Music and More!

In the Wheaton Triangle at thecorner of Grandview Avenue and Reedie Drive in downtownWheaton (one block north of the Metro Station).

Taste of Wheaton features foodsamples from some of downtownWheaton’s best restaurants, foodand wine tasting, live music; artsand crafts. For more info, visitwww.WheatonMd.org.

Fiftieth Anniversary for theAcademy of Professional Barbers

The Academy of Professional Barber/Stylists(APBS) has been “Wheaton’s Best Kept Secret”for the past fifty years. First established in June1963, the Academy is a bedrock and anchor ofthe Wheaton community and remains the theproud home of the Five-Dollar Haircut.

The Academy isrecognized as oneof the leadingschools of its kindand is approvedby the Maryland

Higher Education Commission. The facilitiesare in corner storefront in the Miles Building at2401 Blueridge Avenue, next to the Wheaton &Kensington Chamber of Commerce office.

The main room of the Academy has a neatlyarranged collection of antique barber chairs. Ifthe chairs could talk, they would recount endlessstories and testimonials of satisfied customersover the past half-century. At nearly 2,000 sq. ft,the training area is designed in the same décor asa traditional barber-stylist shop with sinks, backbars, an array of mirrors, cabinets and hot latherdispensers for straight razor shaves.

Since its inception the Academy of ProfessionalBarbers was established as a learning institution.The student to teacher ratio does not exceed 20:1 and the philosophy is dedicated to providing the community with a sophisticated level of professionally trained Barber-Stylists.

The APBS course is comprehensive and rangesfrom hair cutting for men and women, physiologyof the hair, chemistry, professional ethics, to shopmanagement. With the combination of art, skill,and customer interaction learned at the Academy,students are well equipped to meet the needs ofan increasing population and affluent demo-graphic. Higher incomes and the evolving hairstyles for men and women are boosting thedemand for the services of art and proficiency ofhair cutting and styling of both men and women.The Academy is an incubator for the local economy – offering placement assistance to their dedicated graduates.

The Academy also works closely with St. Luke’s House – offering free haircuts to thehomeless who are in process of trying to enter the workforce. Additionally, the Academy has along-standing relationship with senior citizens,offering discount coupons for haircuts at theHoliday Park Senior Center in Wheaton.

Contact the Academy at 301-942-2260 for moreinformation, or visit www.AcademyofBarbers.info.

TH A N K YO U T O TH ES E ME M B ER RE N EWA L S!

AppliancesAppliance Distributors UnlimitedJack Marshall301-816-9601JackADU@comcast.netwww.ADU.com

Credit UnionSignal Financial Federal Credit

UnionAnna Vazzana301-933-9100 x234avazzana@sfonline.orgwww.sfonline.org

Dance InstructionWheaton Studio of DanceShannon Rush-Locke301-949-5111wheatonstudio@hotmail.comwww.wheatonstudioofdance.com

Fitness/Community ServicesYMCA Silver SpringSaurabh Paul301-585-2120saurabh.paul@ymcadc.orgwww.ymcadc.org

Gift Baskets, Party PlanningEllenOriginalsEllen Riger301-946-7141ExquisiteLadyEl@comcast.netwww.EllenOriginals.com

Government Services –Montgomery County

Mid-County Services CenterAna Lopez van Balen240-777-8101AnaLopez.vanBalen@

montgomerycountymd.govwww.wheatonmd.org

Wheaton Urban DistrictSidney Cooper240-777-8106sidney.cooper@montgomery

countymd.govwww.wheatonmd.org

Graphic DesignLetterforms Typography &

Graphic DesignL. Jeannette Feldner301-942-9186lj.feldner@verizon.netwww.LetterformsDesign.com

Photographers/Photography Studios

Colella DigitalMichael J. Colella301-942-2853michael.j.colella@gmail.comwww.ColellaDigital.com

Signage, Advertising SolutionsSign-A-Rama-Silver SpringStacey Brown301-273-3462Stacey@SignaRama-SilverSpring.comwww.SignaRama-SilverSpring.com

TH A N K YO U T O OU R NEW ME M B ER S!

3

Spotlight on New MemberSierra Pacific Mortgage

Family Partnership Opens Residential Mortgage Branch in Kensington

Sierra Pacific Mortgage announces the opening of theKensington, MD branch, located at 10410 KensingtonParkway, Suite 105, Kensington, MD 20895.

Branch managers Tina and Brendan McKay, are lifelongMontgomery County residents with over 40 years in theresidential mortgage industry.

Tina McKay previously served as President of the MDAssociation of Mortgage Professionals. She offers over 30 years of experience managing nationwide regional operations and sales teams. Tina holds licenses inMaryland, Virginia, Delaware and Washington, DC.

Brendan McKay brings 10 years of experience in the mortgage and financial services industry, where he hasserved as a trusted residential mortgage advisor to countless individual mortgage clients. Brendan holds licenses in Maryland and Virginia.

About Sierra Pacific MortgageSierra Pacific Mortgage is a leading national mortgagebanking company, based in Folsom, CA and serving theretail, wholesale and correspondent mortgage banking markets in 47 states through 11 regional fulfillment centers.Sierra Pacific’s mission is to deliver consistent, competitivepricing, andto providetheir customersthe finestexperiencethroughstreamlinedsystems,the bestindustrytools,effectivecommunication, and superior customer service with everybranch, every day. www.SierraPacific-Kensington.com

Equal Housing Lender. WADC #MLB1012235.MD #06-20260. Licensed by the VA State CorporationCommission #MC-5275. Branch NMLS #1012235.

Mortgage BankingSierra Pacific Mortgage Co.Brendan & Tina McKay10410 Kensington Pkwy, Ste 105Kensington, MD 20895301-960-8309Tina.McKay@spm1.comwww.SierraPacific-Kensington.com

Real EstateGlenmont MetroCenterJames Roembke240-403-5066j.roembke@buchananpartners.comPete Jervey240-333-3695pjervey@westpathre.com

A series of performances set in the beauty ofthe gardens each Tuesday evening in June. Free of charge; no registration is required. Don’t forget your chairs and blankets

Tuesdays in June, 6:30 – 8:00 pm NEW LOCATION – on the Visitors Center Lawnat Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. For more info, call 301-962-1400 or check online at www.brooksidegardens.org

SUMMER TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIESJune 4 – Oasis Island Sounds: Popular Caribbean dance music, including Reggae, Calypso, Steel drums and African music.

June 11 – Rita Clark and the Naturals: A spirited blend of NewOrleans roots music with an infusion of New York’s East Village.

June 18 – DreamStreet: Classic Rock.

June 25 – Trio Caliente: Inimitable blend of Flamenco, Pop, andBrazilian Jazz.

~ THE AWARDS ~The 2013 Chamber Tribute Award

Kensington Volunteer Fire Department

MID-COUNTY CITIZEN’S ADVISORY BOARD AWARDSThe Mid-County Citizen’s Advisory Board Citizen of the Year

Susan DeFord

The Mid-County Citizen’s Advisory Board Civic Assoc. of the YearCommunity Partners of Aspen Hill

WHEATON REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEEWheaton Revitalization Award

The Shops on AmherstChris Georgatsos and Mary Georgatsos, owners

PUBLIC SAFETY AWARDSThe 4th District Police Public Safety Award

PO2 Andrew Suh

The Wheaton Rescue Squad Public Safety AwardLois Bell

The Kensington Vol. Fire Dept Public Safety AwardEMS Lt. Sue Malloy

HIGH SCHOOL AWARDSEinstein High School Teacher of the Year Award

Kate Ligon

Einstein High School ESOL Student of the Year AwardJonathan Garcia Rivera

Einstein High School Student Community Service AwardEvelyn Flamenco

Kennedy High School Teacher of the Year AwardTamara Jennings

Kennedy High School ESOL Student of the Year AwardJonathan Hernandez

Kennedy High School Student Community Service AwardErin Rutter

Wheaton High School Teacher of the Year AwardTalia Shnider

Wheaton High School ESOL Student of the Year AwardErick Omar Flores

Wheaton High School Student Community Service AwardElena Robles

CHAMBER AWARDSThe Chamber Member of the Year Award

IHOP, William Moore, President

The Outstanding Chamber Service AwardSmart Computer, Co., Seth Katz

The Non-Profit of the Year AwardParent Encouragement Program

Businesses can run promotions and offers on theirFacebook page with social media campaigns that turnfans into customers, resulting in increased business.They can promote it to their e-mail list and social networks – to engage their existing audience and attract new fans.

With social campaigns:• Offer a coupon to your fans – they’ll share your pagewith their friends, and you’ll get new customers.

• Share exclusive content – offer resources or guides toengage your audience.• Run a sweepstakes – drive social word of mouth, growyour e-mail list and engage your fans with prizes.• Get donations – build awareness for your cause orevent with a landing page to raise donations and create buzz.• Sell with e-commerce –encourage your fansto buy your productsor services with alink from yourFacebook page, andoffer discounts.• Share a video –increase fan engagement by posting a video.

Google offers a host of free services such as word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, blogs, videostorage, talk, and personalized searches. Take advantageof these tools from Google for office and personal use.

Follow Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic Stateson Twitter – @KPMidAtlantic provides timely and useful information. It is a great resource, providing tipsabout healthy eating andactive living, and hostsTweet Chats around thehashtag #kpmaschat;follow the discussion and participate on important health topics.

March Mixer – Using Social Media Continued from page 1

Mixe

r pho

tos c

ourte

sy o

f Vic

ky S

urle

s

Chamber’s 29th Annual Community AwardsContinued from page 1

4

Sponsored by:

www.KaiserPermanente.org

Continued on page 6

Phot

os c

ourte

sy o

f M

ike C

olel

la/C

olel

la D

igita

l 30

1-94

2-28

53/

View

and

ord

er A

war

ds D

inne

r pho

tos a

tcol

ella

phot

o.co

m/W

Kaw

ards

13

2013 AWARD WINNERS GROUP PHOTOFront row from left: EMS Lt. Sue Malloy, Kensington Vol. Fire Dept. Public Safety Officer; Susan DeFord, Mid-CountyCitizen’s Advisory Board Citizen of the Year; Kate Ligon, Einstein HS Teacher of the Year; Evelin Flamenco, Einstein HSCommunity Service Student of the Year; Lois Bell, Wheaton Vol. Rescue Squad Public Safety Award; Erick Omar Flores,Wheaton HS ESOL Student of the Year; Elena Robles, Wheaton HS Community Service Student of the Year; Talia Shnider, Wheaton HS Teacher of the Year; Tamara Jennings, Kennedy HS Teacher of the Year; Erin Rutter,Kennedy HS Community Service Student of the Year; Jonathan Hernandez, Kennedy HS ESOL Student of the Year.

Back row from left: Fire Chief Jayme Heflin, Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, 2013 Chamber Tribute Award;Chris Georgatsos, owner of The Shops on Amherst, The Wheaton Redevelopment Advisory Committee WheatonRevitalization Award; William Moore, President of IHOP, The Chamber Member of the Year; Jonathan Garcia Rivera,Einstein HS ESOL Student of the Year; PO2 Andrew Suh, The 4th District Police Public Safety Officer of the Year; Cheryl Wieker, Parent Encouragement Program, The Non-Profit of the Year; Seth Katz, Smart Computer Co,Outstanding Chamber Service Award.

Not pictured: Mary Georgatsos, co-owner of The Shops on Amherst, The Wheaton Redevelopment AdvisoryCommittee Wheaton Revitalization Award; Marguerite Elmer, Community Partners of Aspen Hill, The Mid-CountyCitizen’s Advisory Board Civic Association of the Year.

~ View and order Awards Dinner photos at colellaphoto.com/WKawards13 ~

5

6

OUR 2013 SPONSORS

29th Annual Chamber Awards Honored Community, with Help of SponsorsContinued from page 5

Phot

os c

ourte

sy o

f M

ike C

olel

la/C

olel

la D

igita

l 30

1-94

2-28

53/

View

and

ord

er A

war

ds D

inne

r pho

tos a

tww

w.co

lella

phot

o.co

m/W

Kaw

ards

13

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

STUDENT AWARDS SPONSORS

COMMUNITY HEROES

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

Academy of Professional Barbers/Stylists

Evergreen Montessori School

Griswold Home Care, Aspen Hill-Wheaton

Inwood House

Letterforms Typography & Graphic Design

Little Caesars Pizza Wheaton

Logan’s Automotive

Montgomery College

Patch.com

Wheaton Studio of Dance

Ewing, Hines InsuranceAgency

COMMUNITY ADVOCATES

The Little Bitts Shop

The Tenants of WHEATON SHOPPING CENTER

DIGITAL

GGlenmont

MetroCenter LLC

The Castle atForest Glen

EliteDentalCenter

Kensington Volunteer

Fire Department

Wednesday, May 22, 2013from 7:30 – 9:00 AM

at the

Wheaton Library11701 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902

240-777-0678 • Enter in the lower level parking lot entrance

Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce

Breakfast MixerFinancial Pitfalls

and Strategies for Overcoming these Obstacles

~ Continental Breakfast ~ Mix & Network with Other Businesses ~

A Presentation by:Chris Campbell, Foundation for Financial Education

_________________________________________(Company Name)

_________________________________________(Phone Number)

_________________________________________(e-mail address)

Return payment to: Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce2401 Blueridge Avenue, Suite 101 • Wheaton, MD 20902

❏ Check ❏ Cash Total Amount $ _________ for ______ Reservations

Cost is $5 in advance (option for members only) or $10 at the door

_________________________________________(Attendee)

_________________________________________(Attendee)

_________________________________________(Attendee)

www.wkchamber.org

Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of Commercethe voice forYOUR business!

www.wkchamber.orgFor registration informationcall: 301-949-0080fax: 301-949-0081email: wkchamber@wkchamber.org

Cost is $5 in advance (option for members only) or $10 at the door

Our BreakfastMixers are onthe fourthWednesday of the month.

Financial Pitfalls such as:• Lack of plan or inadequate plan • Improper debt management • Lack of estate plan

• No tax planning strategy • Buying advice over internet • No exit strategy

F3E ~ Foundation for Financial Education (Non-Profit Educational Speaker’s Bureau – 501(c)3) offers a widevariety of workshops designed to help everyone from young adults just entering the workforce to retireeshoping to preserve their nest eggs in this volatile economy.

www.F3Eonline.org240-499-0390

Wheaton&KensingtonChamber of CommercethevoiceforYOUR business!

Postage

e-mail: wkchamber@wkchamber.orgwebsite: www.wkchamber.org

301-949-0080

2401 Blueridge Ave, Suite 101Wheaton, Maryland 20902

The British Players present

The 49th Annual Music HallJune 7 – 22

An evening of cabaret style entertainment bursting with musicand laughter, accompanied by thePalace Variety Orchestra!

Box Office: 301-838-0042or visit

www.BritishPlayers.orgDirectors: Albert Coia &

Malcolm EdwardsProducer: Kim NewballMusical Director: Brock HolmesStage Manager: Lee ZahnowChoreographer: Sue Edwards

Mr. Chairman: Malcolm EdwardsCheeky Chappie: Albert CoiaMembers of the Company

and Bow Belles

atKensington Town Hall3710 Mitchell Street

Kensington, MD 20895

Green Drinks Networking Happy HourThursday, May 23, from 5 – 8 pm

Meet the Greens – join GreenWheaton and your other community Greensfor another Green Drinks with other members of the community, who alsowant to thrive in environmentally sustainable communities.

Eat, drink and be ‘green’!$5 entrance donationatHollywood East Café11160 Veirs Mill RoadWheaton, MD 20902 • 240-290-9988in Westfield Wheaton MallRestaurant Rowwww.hollywoodeastcafe.com

Questions? Contact Wendy Howard301-946-5091 or e-mail info@greenwheaton.org.www.greenwheaton.org

Wheaton Green Drinks meets on the fourh Thursday of the month.GreenWheaton, Inc. is a Maryland non-profit dedicated to engaging thecommunity in education and outreach that promotes Wheaton, Marylandas a model sustainable community with a “visibly green” and healthy envi-ronmental footprint.

Save the Date: GreenWheaton Gala Thursday, June 27, 2013