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GSSCC101 New Member Orientation Breakfast

Whether you are a new GSSCC member or a new employee of a long-time member, this FREE breakfast, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20*, at Eggspectation (923 Ellsworth Drive), can help put your Chamber membership to work for you! Register here. *Please note the date change.

Young Professional's Beach Party After-Hours

All Chamber members and guests are invited to celebrate the one-year anniversary of GSSCC's Young Professional's Network at a "Beach Party After-Hours," scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27. The celebration will be hosted by the Sheraton Silver Spring (8777 Georgia Ave). Enjoy complimentary appetizers, giveaways, one free drink, cash bar, beach games, validated parking, and more. Register now for this FREE event!

Preparing for Changes in Federal Overtime Regulations

Proposed new regulations governing which employees must be compensated for overtime are scheduled to become final at some point this year. The precise date is still unknown, but once the final rules are issued, employers are likely to have fewer than 120 days to comply. The primary changes substantially increase the wage threshold for employees' earnings, more than doubling it from $23,660 to $50,440. Lerch, Early & Brewer employment attorney Marc Engel has offered some advice to help employers prepare for the change. Click here to read his article.

Breakfast + Coffee + Networking

Join GSSCC for our February Business Networking Breakfast, scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, February 10, at Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring Downtown (8506 Fenton Street). Enjoy a delicious breakfast, round table networking, and make great connections. Take advantage of our early-bird pricing, and click here to register.

Networking Luncheon at Amina Thai, Silver Spring

Join GSSCC for our first Connect @ Lunch of the year, scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, at Amina Thai, Silver Spring (8624 Colesville Road). This members-only networking event is just $25 and includes a choice of appetizer, choice of entree, choice of dessert, and a soft drink. Spaces are limited, so click here to register now.

GSSCC Cuts the Ribbon for Kefa Cafe's Grand Re-opening

AG Kitchen Hosts First Networking Breakfast of the Year

* Congratulations to Contemporaries, Inc. on being selected once again by the National Institutes of Health to provide administrative staffing during the next 5 years. Click here to read the press release.

* Congratulations to A.G. Kitchen for winning the "Editor's Pick" for Bethesda Magazine's "Most Creative Menu" for 2016.

* Bibim (formerly Sligo Cafe) has announced its soft opening scheduled for Monday, January 25. Enjoy 15 percent off all checks that include food purchases.

* Mark your calendar for The Urban Winery's cupcake decorating class, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20. The cost is $25 to decorate two cupcakes and enjoy a glass of wine.

* SW Creatives is hosting two upcoming workshops for nonprofits. "Become a Nonprofit InDesign Warrior" workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, to help nonprofit communicators get learn to use the software to maintain and build their own design elements. Get more details here. "Branding 101 for Nonprofits" is a free webinar starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10. Get more details here.

* All Set Restaurant & Bar and Mrs. K's Toll House will be participating in Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's "Winter Restaurant Week" from Monday, January 25 through Sunday, January 31. Enjoy $22 lunch specials and $35 dinner specials. Click here to see the menus.

* Silver Spring Town Center Inc. is hosting an arts salon from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, in the Betty Mae Kramer Gallery in the Civic Building. The salon will feature a performance oriented show-and-tell for artists of all disciplines based around the theme of healing. Light refreshments will be provided. Click here to RSVP.

* Community Bridges Inc. is seeking organizations, preferably those accessible by Metro, interested in offering internship and volunteering opportunities at its first career summit, scheduled for Saturday, March 19, at the Sheraton Silver Spring (8777 Georgia Avenue). The summit is designed for girls in grades 6 through 12 in Montgomery County Public Schools. All potential interns/and volunteers will be pre-qualified. For more information, contact nmegwalu@communitybridges-md.org.

See your company's news here! GSSCC would be pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Simply send us your information before close of business each Friday.

Upcoming GSSCC Committee Meetings

* Economic Development Meeting - 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 21. Robert Kronenberg, Montgomery County Planning Department, will provide an update on the Lyttonsville Sector Plan and a preview of the upcoming South Silver Spring Sector Plan.

* Membership Development Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 26.

About GSSCC Committee/Team Meetings: All GSSCC members are welcome to participate in Chamber committees. Members are welcome to attend committee meetings to assess interest in joining a committee. Meetings are typically held in the GSSCC Conference Room. Advance RSVP is required and priority will be given to existing committee members when speakers are scheduled.

Thank you to our 2015-2016 GSSCC Partners

Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Statland & Katz Insurance, Inc.; Washington Adventist Hospital

Business Partners - AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home Loans; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Digital Industry; Discovery Communications; EagleBank; The Fillmore Silver Spring; Holy Cross Hospital; Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.; Linowes & Blocher LLP; M&T Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corp.; Washington Property Company.

Partners - Adam S. Lowe Photography; Atlantech Online; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; My Office Products; Signs By Tomorrow;
Social & Scientific Systems.

Friends- Harvey Maisel/Maisel Hollins Development