THE BEDFORD BANNER  

                                                                                                   December  2013   
 

 

In This Issue
New Health Plans
Suzanne & Co. Holiday House Tour
Message from Chamber President
Business Development Update
Bedford First
Chamber Announcements
Chamber Connections
Facebook
Helping Small Businesses with
 New Health Plans
By Daisy Maxey

Some financial advisers are starting to help small-business owners explore their health-insurance options and potential tax savings through the

Affordable Care Act. But for small businesses and their advisers who haven't started the process, now's the time to act. In the newly created health-insurance marketplaces, small-business owners may have options not previously available or access to less expensive coverage choices. Some also may be eligible for a valuable tax credit. It's crucial they move quickly with the help of their advisers so they don't miss some of those opportunities.

 

"Businesses have to get rolling a little earlier than consumers," says

Katy Votava,  founder of GoodCare.com. For 2014, the new health-insurance program, also called Obamacare, is open to employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees. It will expand to businesses with as many as 100 employees in 2016 and is expected beyond that in 2017. As things stand now, 17 states and the District of Columbia will operate their own health-insurance

marketplaces, seven will partner with the federal government in hybrid marketplaces and the government will operate marketplaces for the 26 states that haven't established their own, according to Small Business

Majority, a Washington, D.C., advocacy group run by small-

business owners. The federally facilitated Small Business Health Options Program marketplace, or SHOP, where business will eventually be able to

compare insurance options and sign up for health insurance, has

suffered with technical glitches. But that needn't delay the

process of exploring options. Since Oct. 1, small businesses have been able to dial a call center at 800-706-7893 to begin examining their options and to

apply for insurance offered in the federal marketplace. Click here for more information

Suzanne & Co. Holiday House Tour

housetour
 

By Lisa Cerquiera 

 

Save the date for Bedford's annual Suzanne & Company Holiday House Tour, Sunday, Dec 15 from 1 to 4pm. Get into the holiday spirit and jingle all the way while visiting a variety of delightfully decorated homes in Bedford.

 

This year's tour includes one of Bedford's landmark homes -the big green farmhouse on Davis Road. The Victorian farmhouse with a wrap-around porch on the top of the hill was built in 1910 by Charles Clark with lumber milled at the historic Bacon Fitch Ashby Clark Mill just outside Bedford center, with handcrafted period details including beautifully carved moldings, casings, newel posts and spindles. It sits on a two acre lot that backs onto the many acres of the Clark Conservation Area land behind it, and it's across the street from the Little Meadow Conservation Area and the Concord River, so it has a wooded feel - including frequent visits from deer and coyotes.

 

The Clark family had a long history in Bedford - according to the April 20, 2011 newsletter of the Bedford Historical Society, the mill was purchased by Charles Clark in 1874 and then sold by the Clark family to the town of Bedford in 1945. The mill and dam were destroyed in 1947 to provide better drainage for the development of Hanscom Air Force Base near the headwaters of the Shawsheen River.

 

Marty Guay, one of the current owners, grew up across the street and remembers coming over to sled on the big hill with his friends as a child. As long as he can remember, he dreamed of living in this house and used to tell his wife Ann that if it was ever available, he was going to buy it. One day just over three years ago, she noticed the "for sale" sign and called to tell him - as soon as he came home from his business trip, he looked at the house and said "we're moving!" -becoming only the second owner in the home's history

 

Since moving in, Marty and Ann Guay have completely renovated with a close eye on maintaining the original details whenever possible, including the moldings, floors and woodwork. In addition, they finished the third floor, which now includes an office, bathroom and bedroom. (Please note, only the first floor is included as part of the tour.)

 

Given it's prominent location at the top of the hill and its proximity to the Lt. Elezer Davis School, friends have told Ann and Marty that as they drove by, they often  wondered what it was like inside.  Last year, Ann stopped by the office of Suzanne & Co. and asked if she could put a sign for the Bedford Education Foundation's Winter Bash in the front of their building. Suzanne replied,"Sure, if you'll be part of the house tour next year!"  It is now a year later, and the Guays' house is part of the house tour. Ann shares, "It's a great event and we're happy to be a part of it. It's one of the things that makes living in Bedford so special and I hope people enjoy visiting our home as much as we enjoy living here."

 

Ann and Marty enjoy decorating for the the holidays in a traditional style that suits their home, with lots of pine boughs, white lights and her collection of Byer dolls. While Ann is still working on the specific decorating plans for this year, she says "I will definitely make it even more special this year.  My friends have referred me to Pinterest for inspiration and I do plan to incorporate the French Canadian tradition of decorating a Christmas tree outside as well, which we've seen on our visits to Quebec."

 

When she's not overseeing home renovations or decorating for the holidays, Ann puts her legal skills to work as a volunteer with many organizations advocating for children's causes, including sitting on the board of directors for the Mass Advocates for Children and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts.  Earlier this year she was appointed to the Bedford School Committee.

 

The tour includes a number of other homes throughout Bedford, highlighting the heritage and range of architectural styles represented here. And to keep visitors sharp, an identical holiday item will be placed in each home - the first three people to correctly identify it win tickets to next year's house tour.

 

In the course of visiting the homes, guests are invited between 2 and 5pm to gather at the Congregational Church on Great Road for refreshments and holiday cheer, including the annual wreath raffle and the opportunity to shop for those special people on your gift list at the holiday bazaar. This is the tour's 16th year and proceeds support the activities of the Chamber of Commerce, including scholarships awarded to local students.

 

Tickets are $20 in advance ($15 for seniors, $8 for children), and $25 day of the event - available at the New England Nursery at 216 Concord Road, Great Road Gallery & Framing at 363 Great Road, and online at bedfordchamber.org.




A Message from Chamber President
  

Dear Bedford Chamber members;

 

It has been an honor serving as the President of this great Chamber over the past two years.  As a chamber we have been able to continue the great work of my predecessor and we are now in a stronger position than ever!  I am extremely confident that your next president, Adam Schwartz, will continue this progression.  I would like to thank all of you who have invested your time and energy in making this chamber the great organization that it is.  I know you will all continue in your generous contributions of your time and energy so that we can become an even greater organization.  Also I would like to give an extra special thank you to the Board of Directors and an even bigger thank you to the Executive Board.  Most of all I would like to thank our Executive Director Maureen Sullivan who makes this all possible!

 

Sincerely,

Josh Cohen 

Business Development Update

The Business Development Committee has been very busy tackling several issues that continue to effect Chamber businesses.
Alcohol Policy: Currently the present alcohol policy is being studied by a Selectman subcommittee made of Margot Fleischman and Mark Siegenthaler. Sign By Law Policy: Businesses can request an extension for the free-standing sign trial until January 31st only for businesses that file an application for a special permit. This ensures businesses would not have to wait 2-3 months to put their sign back up.
Depot Park/Depot District: Chair Adam Schwartz is putting together a brainstorming meetings to discuss ways on improving this area and what can be done to encourage visitors to Depot Park to check out local nearby retail businesses. Anyone interested in participating can contact him at [email protected]
  

  Bedfordfirst  BEDFORD FIRST 

 


Participating members as of 11/1

 

B & D Advertising Agency - 10% discount on any size
advertisement placed in the Bedford (or surrounding town) "Town
Book" Directory

Bedford Vision Center & Dr. Kiana Kaymanesh - 20% off any

frame & lens combination

Bedford Plaza Hotel - 10% discount off rack rate - use code SP10

Garrison Knight Financial Planning, LLC -Complimentary "get
acquainted" meeting plus 15% discount on all hourly financial

planning services

Great Road Gallery & Framing - 10% off all complete customframing
Quality Data Base Design -Free initial consultation, 10 %
discount on development fee

Baldwin Insurance - 5 % member discount

JRM Antiques - Purchases $1-$50.00 - 10%, $50.00 and up- 20%

The UPS Store - 15% off packaging/shipping supplies, 5% off shipping charges, 25% off Printing/Copying/Large format printing/blue printing, 20% off Notary Service

SORA - 10 % off any food in the restaurant or lounge

Bedford Florist - 10% off all purchases
First Parish of Bedford - 10% discount on cost of building usage

New England Nurseries, Inc. - 10% on all purchases except year end clearance items
Art Smith & Associates - 2 hour design consult
Christine Pinney Marketing - 10% off on all interent consultin services
  Watson Law Offices - I-9 Annual audit review offered at half price to           

 OrganizingWorks!- 10% off first organizing session, 5 % off second session

             existing members & free to potential members who agree to attend one Chamber function

                             Connected View -25% of subscription 

  

 

 

                              Click here for information and an application .
 .
            CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS 

 

 

 Each month, Executive Director Maureen Sullivan tapes the Chamber Connections at the Bedford Tv Studio. Check out the links below of who she has interviewed and if you are  interested in being a guest, email her at

[email protected] 

 

Madeline Altman ~ Bedford TV

Linda Stimson ~ Inner Visions Interiors

 

Adam Schwartz - Business Development


Mara Briere - Grow a Strong Family

The UPS Store

 

 Joan Turnberg - Live Life Well 

 

Dr. Jean Marc Slak ~ Slak Chiropractic Group


Lea Ann Knight ~ Garrison Knight Financial

 

The Goddard School 

 

Brookline Bank 


Kristen Presley/Bedford VA

Karen Kenney/ OrganizingWorks

JRM Antiques 

 

                                           The Bedford Citizen

 

 The Bedford Children's Center 

 

                                                 Sign Bylaw 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

RENEWALS

WILL BE MAILED NEXT WEEK 

________________
 
I am a Bedford Business

video...... 

I am a Bedford Business

 

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR 

 

December 12
Board of Directors Meeting
Bedford Police Station
5:00 PM

December 12
Chamber Holiday Celebration
New England Nurseries
216 Concord Rd
Bedford, MA
6-8 PM
please RSVP by 12/10

December 15
Suzanne & Co.
Holiday House Tour
1-4 PM
  
 

 Welcome to New Members

 

Bedford Cupcakes
119 Great Road
Bedford, MA

781-275-8500  

 

 
2013 Chamber Members

Amptek Inc.

Art Smith & Associates

Atlantic Capital Strategies
Atlantis Sports Club
Atria Longmeadow Place

B & D Advertising Agency
Baldwin Insurance Agency

Baudanza Electric Company
Bedford Acupuncture
Bedford Car Wash

Bedford Center for the Arts

Bedford Children's Centre 

Bedford Family Connection
Bedford Farms
Bedford Florist       
Bedford Funeral Home
Bedford Historical Society
Bedford Montessori
Bedford Motel
Bedford Orthodontics
Bedford Vision Center
Bedford Plaza Hotel
Bedford TV
Brightview Concord River
 Brookline Bank
Brown & Brown, P.C.
Cafe Luigi
Callahan's Karate Studio
Calling All Pets
Cambridge Savings Bank
Carlton & Duran CPAs

Carleton-Willard Village
Christine Pinney Marketing
Connected View
Cormier Law, LLC  

Dalya's Restaurant
Debbie Spencer Higgins Group

Design 1 Kitchen & Bath
Design 2 Order
Design Photo
Dr. Dianne Bridgeman
Diane Cadogan Hughes/The Higgins Group
 Designing Healthy Lives

Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel

 Dr. Kiana Kaymanesh

DSA Printing

Edward Jones Investments 

Elm Brook Place
EMD Millipore
Enterprise Bank & Trust Co
 First Choice Care, LLC.
 First Parish Church   Flatbread

FUJIFILM Recording Media USA,
F.W.Webb
Garrison Knight Financial Planning  

Genetti's Wine & Spirits
Get in Shape for Women 
Great Road Gallery & Framing 
Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Harold Nichols Insurance Agency
  Heritage At Bedford Springs 
Independent Living Innovations
Inside Out Staging and Design
JRM Antiques
Keller Williams Realty
Kimberly Bee Design
Leary Auto Repair
Lexington Symphony

Live Life Well

McColough Associates, Inc.
Mead Bors. Tree Serice
Mettler-Toledo Thorton, Inc.
Middlesex Savings Bank

Minuteman Volkswagen Inc.

New England Nurseries, Inc

North Road Chiropractic
Organix Spa & Salon
OrganizingWorks

Oscar S. DePriest IV, DMD,PC
Panera Bread
Patrick Sullivan/The Middlesex Group

Patriot Pediatrics
Paychex, Inc.
Peter C. Quinn Insurance Agency

Progress Software

Quality Data Base Design 
Rental Car Momma
  Richard Egan Insurance

Right At home
Salon OZ
Serenity Yoga
Slak Chiropractic Group
Soho
Spaulding Management
Shovi Websites
Spencer Company
Spire

St. Michael Parish Center
Strawberry Hill Properties
Summit Health & Fitness
TD Bank
The Bedford Citizen
The Bedford Minuteman
The Boardroom Bistro

The Goddard School
The Higgins Group Realtors
The UPS Store
UVisualize, LLC Travel

Pulte Homes of New England, LLC

Vela Ventures

Watson Law Office 
Wicked Loyal 
William Raveis Real Estate

 

 

 

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