where connections are made and business happens. . .(sm)
T: 781.643.4600 E-mail: info@arlcc.org
Chamber Connections
Volume 6, Issue 6
April 14, 2010
Greetings!

Greetings!

With the warm weather comes plans for outdoor events, family gatherings, graduations and renewal! The chamber is also renewing it's committment to our members with the re-launch of Shop Arlington First - be sure to respond by April 15th (see article below) 

You can also create and renew new business relationships at the ucpoming multi-chamber networking event (see artlce below).

If your home or business was affected by the recent floods, you may be elligible for assistance through the SBA (see article right).

Remember when you need a service or looking to make a purchase, think of your fellow chamber members - and of course to Shop Arlington First!

The Arlington Chamber
Shop Arlington First - additional value added benefit of your Chamber Membership
Respond by April 15th!
Chamber Logo




Think Local - Buy Local - Shop Arlington First

Supporting local, sustainable business

Shop Arlington First is an initiative of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce (www.arlcc.org) and proudly sponsored in 2010 by Leader Bank of Arlington. As a result of this sponsorship we are now able to offer this initiative as an additional value added benefit of your Chamber membership - at no additional cost to you!

Shop Arlington First is based around a gift certificate program that supports local businesses.Designed to encourage town area residents to "think local" when considering where to make purchases and to 'shop local' whenever possible, our goal at the Chamber is to increase market share to our local businesses by increasing awareness about the personal and community benefits of choosing local.

The objectives of the program are to:
- Re-circulate more dollars in our community
  to promote a strong local economy
-Support and strengthen locally owned,
  independent businesses and local jobs
-Preserve and enhance our unique neighborhoods.

Since the launch of Shop Arlington First in 2005, $100,000 has been redeemed in Arlington.

To be a participating chamber member business simply "OPT IN" by sending an email entitled "OPT IN" to info@arlcc.organd sign up to participate in the Shop Arlington First initiative aimed to drive business to your door and encourage more dollars to remain in the local community.

Your business will enjoy increased visibility with a listing on the Shop Arlington First web page, a direct link to your business web site and your business listing included on the Shop Arlington First insert included with each gift certificate folder.

Deadline to be included in printed material is April 15, 2010.

Please support the Chamber in keeping business local, sustainable and growing and OPT IN now

Simply send an email with the Subject:"OPT IN" to info@arlcc.org  to participate in the Shop Arlington First.

Not a chamber member? You can join by clicking HERE

Special thanks to Leader Bank for sponsoring Shop Arlington First
Leader Bank logo
Multi-Chamber Business Card Exchange
Tuesday, April 27th 5:30pm
Mark your calendars, gather your business cards and company brochures and make your reservation for another great networking and marketing event.
 
Network with Chamber members from Arlington, Bedford, Burlington, Concord,Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Newton-Needham, North Suburban, Peabody, Reading-North Reading, Stoneham, Waltham, Watertown-Belmont, Wellesley, Wilmington and Winchester!.

Shared table space will be available and provided on a first come, first served basis.
 
WHAT:  Multi-Chamber Business Card Exchange
WHEN: Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
            (Workshop 4:30 - 5:30 pm)**
 
WHERE: DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel, 550 Winter St,. Waltham

REGISTATION FEE:  Members $10.00, Visitors $20.00

**Special added bonus workshop!
Jay Wallus of Street Smart Training
Turn An Inexpensive Greeting Card into a
Client Attraction and Retention Tool.
4:30pm - 5:30 pm
 
Register online HERE
Welcome Our New Members
Meet new Chamber members here first! As members join, we will provide you with their company name, a direct link to their website and contact information, too.

Honest Research, Inc.
www.honestresearch.net
Tel: 781.646.4763.
Contact: Maria LaRosa
mlarosa@honestresearch.net

Web Category: Business Services and Organizations 

--------------------------------------------------------------

Ray Daly Electric, Inc.
Tel: 781.648.3300
Contact: Ray Daly
dalyelectric1@verizon.net
 
Web Category: Electicians
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Bank of America
655 Massachusetts Ave
Arlington, MA 02476 
www.bankofamerica.com
Tel: 781.483.3107
Contact: Helen Mastroianni
helen.mastroianni@bankofamerica.com
 
Web Category: Banks
Chamber Member Events/Announcements
Let us help you get the word out!  Send event and/or announcement information to info@arlcc.org

~ EVENTS~


Germaine Lawrence - 30th Anniversary Auction and Dinner Gala
Sunday, May 2nd 2010 - 5:00 PM -
Boston Marriott Newton, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue in Newton
Mark your calendar for Germaine Lawrence's 30th Anniversary Auction and Dinner Gala. This is our largest fundraiser and the contributions from this event are essential to maintaining our high quality, innovative programs for girls.

There are many ways to help. You can:
- Be a Sponsor
- Host a Table
- Place an ad
- Attend and encourage your friends to join you!


For more info go to: www.germainelawrence.org
OR Contact Nyasha Pfukwa
781-859-1220

 npfukwa@germainelawrence.org

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MOAR Laughs C
omedy Show
Regent Theatre
Arlington, MA,

Sunday, May 2nd, 7pm

Featuring EIGHT Comedians!
Bob Seibel, Joey Carroll, George MacDonald, Julie Barr, P.J. Walsh
Chris Zito, Carolyn Plummer, Jack Lynch as host
 
Limited reserved seats at just $25 or GA at just $15!  
 
.*Proceeds  benefit MOAR, the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery!


http://www.regenttheatre.com/events/moar.htm

Thanks to all who attended the Jasper White Summer Shack benefit dinner for Right Turn!  It was a great night and we are especially grateful to Jasper White for donating the food, James Montgomery, the Right Turn Band and Tony V. for being a part of the festivities!
 
Now that the holidays and big games have passed, time to think about getting tickets to the MOAR Laughs!


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~ANNOUNCEMENTS~

Arlington Center for the Arts announces....

Summer Vacation Arts Programs for students 4-16
Come to the info session on Sunday, April 18th 2-4pm

- Young at Art for pre-K
- Vacation Arts for kids entering grades 1-6
- Summer Drama Programs for kids entering grades 1-6
- Counselor in Training for teens entering grades 7-10
- Teen Art Studios for teens entering grades 6-10


For more information go to: www.acarts.org

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BODY MIND SYSTEMSŪ TRAINING CENTER announces...

Martial Arts Summer Summer Program for students aged 6-12yrs
- Individual as well as Group Instruction
- Daily Lectures
- Games to develop strength, speed
and agility
- Program Contest
- Thursday pizza parties
- and more......

Week 1 - July 12, 2010 - July 16, 2010
Week 2 - July 26, 2010 - July 30, 2010
 Half Day: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Call to Reserve Your Spot
(Walk-ins Welcome)

Register before April 17th and receive a free T-Shirt!

301 Broadway, Arlington MA
781-646-8660
www.bodymindsystems.com
charles@bodymindsystems.com


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SCORE

SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneurial education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide.

A SCORE counselor comes to the Arlington Chamber's office on the first Wednesday of every month to meet with Chamber members for confidential one-hour consultations. Both members and non-members can take advantage of this opportunity.

Appointments for Wed. April 7th are FULL.  To reserve an alternate date/time, please contact the Chamber office at 781-643-4600.

NOTE:N
on-members will be charged a $20 fee payable to the Chamber of Commerce at the time of the SCORE appointment. The consultations will continue to be free for Chamber members.
Town Government News
Town Seal
Here you will find government news that might have an impact on business here in town. Below you will also find links to subscribe to town news and committee agendas.


Click on this link and scroll to the bottom of the webpage to sign up for and receive emailed agendas frrom any of the following governing bodies and/or to receive Town news:
  • Board of Selectmen
  • Redevelopment Board
  • Zoning Board of Appeals
  • Board of Health
PTO Thift ShopOne Whittemore Park
Arlington, MA  02474
781.643.4600
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In This Issue
Shop Arlington 1st
Welcome Our New Members
Chamber Member Events
SCORE
Flood Recovery Assistance
SBA Stands Ready to Assist Massachusetts Residents Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding
ONLINE ASSISTANCE APPLICATION
SBA Stands Ready to Assist Massachusetts Residents
Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding
 
WASHINGTON- Following the announcement of the Presidential disaster declaration in Massachusetts for several counties affected by the severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12,Administrator Karen G. Mills of the U.S. Small Business Administration issued the following statement:
 
"The U.S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the people of Massachusetts with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist homeowners, renters, and small businesses with federal disaster loans. Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA."
 
The disaster declaration covers Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties in Massachusetts, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Barnstable, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire in Massachusetts; Tolland and Windham in Connecticut; Cheshire, Hillsborough and Rockingham in New Hampshire; and Bristol, Newport and Providence in Rhode Island.
 
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
 
Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage in the future.
 
For small businesses and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Interest rates are as low as 2.625 percent for homeowners and renters, 4 percent for businesses and 3 percent for non-profit organization with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.
 
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at
1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT or sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  
Massachusetts residents affected by this disaster may fill out a loan application online by visiting SBA's secure Web site at

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Default.aspx

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is May 28, 2010.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is December 29, 2010.      
Chamber Member Constant Contact Showcase
Check out the
Member Showcase where we feature  Chamber members using Constant Contact for their email campaigns.
 
For details on how to submit an example from one of your campaigns, look for details coming to you next week.

TOOT YOUR HORN!

You write it, format it, paste it into an email and we will print it.*

Use this STYLE SHEET to format your item.

Past it into the body of an email.

Send it to:
info@arlcc.org. 







*Editor reserves the right to edit.
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