Business Workshops -
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center's Northeast Regional Office conducts free or low-cost workshops and conferences addressing a wide range of concerns for both start-up and existing businesses. Many of these programs are cosponsored with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, community development organizations, trade associations, banks and corporate sponsors.
NOVEMBER 6 -Financing Your Business: Do You Qualify? (Beverly)
NOVEMBER 6 -4th Annual Million Dollar Women™ Event (Salem)
NOVEMBER 13 -Your Business Plan: Soup To Nuts (Salem)
NOVEMBER 18 -Entrepreneurship: Ready, Start, Launch (Woburn)
NOVEMBER 18 Your Company and the New Identity Theft Law (Salem)
NOVEMBER 19 - Cash Flow Your Way To Breakeven (North Andover)
NOVEMBER 20 - Creative Economy Investment Opportunities (Salem)
DECEMBER 4 -Using Social Media to Grow Your Business (Salem)
DECEMBER 9 Business Legal Issues (Salem)
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Northeast Regional Office Salem State College Enterprise Center 121 Loring Avenue, Suite 310 Salem, MA 01970 Tel 978-542-6343Fax 978-542-6345
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Member Updates
Courtesy of the Stoneham Sun - The board of directors and staff of Stoneham TV announced that four members of Stoneham TV were presented awards for their outstanding achievement at the 11th annual Alliance for Community Media Northeast Region Video Festival on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Days Hotel and Conference Center in Methuen. The video festival recognizes outstanding public, educational and governmental programming in 20 categories to producers in New England and New York. Television programs are judged on their creativity, technical quality and relevance to the subject area.
Stoneham High graduates Xavier Garcia, Jonathan Garcia and Foley Ibidapo submitted two programs to the festival and received first place in both categories. They achieved this honor in the religious category for their program, “Costa Rica Mission,” a show that documented a mission trip to Costa Rica and they received the award in the diversity category for their program, “Hooah” about the African American Civil War Museum.
Stoneham resident, Randy Perillo, received second place in the sports programming category for his show, “Fifteen Minutes in Stoneham: Football in Stoneham” about the Stoneham High and Stoneham Pop Warner football programs.
The festival committee received over 400 entries for this year’s competition and the Stoneham TV board of directors and staff are proud of this year’s winners.
Stoneham TV is a nonprofit, membership-based organization that is committed to providing a TV forum for the free exchange of information and ideas which reflect the talents, skills interests, concerns and diversity of the Stoneham community. Stoneham TV provides training and assistance to anyone interested in expressing his or her creativity through television production.
For information, call 781-438-8340 or e-mail info@stonehamtv.org.
Mass. Health Care Reform 2.0
The Stoneham Chamber of Commerce is pleased to let you know about a program in which Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), and the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority (the Connector) will provide the most current insight and information about the evolving Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law. There is no charge for this session, but registration is required.
The program will include Mass. Health Care Reform – general implementation update, an explanation of revised Minimum Creditable Coverage regulations and other areas of Connector responsibility, changes to the Fair Share Contribution compliance tests, new quarterly filing requirement, and other updates, practical information and advice on other issues as we head to year-end. To register, visit www.aimnet.org Event dates are November 21, AndoverAndover Country Club, 8-10:30 a.m; December 2, Worcester Beechwood Hotel, 8-10:30 a.m.; December 16, BostonOne Ashburton Place, 9-11:30 a.m.
BOSTON – November 14, 2008 – The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) today extended the deadline for compliance with standards for how businesses protect and store consumers’ personal information.
Recognizing that the majority of breaches involve the theft of portable devices and that data encryption significantly neutralizes consumer risk if information is lost or stolen, the regulations issued in September call on businesses to encrypt documents sent over the Internet or saved on laptops or flash drives, encrypt wirelessly transmitted data, and utilize up-to-date firewall protection that creates an electronic gatekeeper between the data and the outside world and only permits authorized users to access or transmit data. The regulations were initially set to take effect on January 1, 2009, but in light of intervening economic circumstances, OCABR has extended the deadline in order to provide flexibility to businesses that may be experiencing financial challenges brought on by national and international economic conditions. The new deadlines are as follows:
The general compliance deadline for 201 CMR 17.00 has been extended from January 1, 2009 to May 1, 2009. The date is consistent with a new FTC Red Flag Rule, which requires financial institutions and creditors to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs. Businesses addressing the new FTC requirements can now address the state regulations during the same time frame.
The deadline for ensuring that third-party service providers are capable of protecting personal information and contractually binding them to do so will be extended from January 1, 2009 to May 1, 2009, and the deadline for requiring written certification from third-party providers will be further extended to January 1, 2010. This tiered deadline for requiring certification will ensure proper consumer protection and facilitate implementation without overburdening small businesses during harsh economic times.
The deadline for ensuring encryption of laptops will be extended from January 1, 2009 to May 1, 2009, and the deadline for ensuring encryption of other portable devices will be further extended to January 1, 2010. Many data breaches reported to date relate to laptops, and laptops are more easily encrypted than other portable devices such as memory sticks, DVDs and PDAs.
OCABR will continue its outreach and educational initiatives throughout the fall and winter to educate businesses about these important data protection and storage requirements and their respective deadlines.
To review OCABR’s report on data breach notifications, a compliance check list, FAQs and other information related to identity theft prevention, please visit http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ocatopic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Business&L2=Identity+Theft&sid=Eoca.
Stoneham Chamber of Commerce Members were recently recognized in the inaugural issue of the Globe100's Top Places to Work in Massachusetts. The list is created based on the opinions of the workers who populate Massachusetts workplaces in a voluntary employee survey conducted by Workplace Dynamics. Leading the list of 100 best places in the Number 1 position is Winchester Hospital. Congratulations to President Dale Lodge and his community of employees! Comcast Corporation ranked seventh, Baystate Financial Services ranked 12th, Mystic Valley Elder Services ranked 17th and Eastern Bank ranked 77th! Congratulations to each of these members and to their employees!
Elements Therapeutic Massage has announced they are partnering with the Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids charitable organization, founded by Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis. The organization is dedicated to rallying local and corporate support for charities focused on the health and wellbeing of children.
“We are excited to partner with Elements Therapeutic Massage on this campaign,” said Youkilis. “This is a great way to raise awareness of our organization and rally much needed community support to continue to help children and families in need.” All Elements Therapeutic Massage studios throughout the state will collect donations through November 30,2008. Anyone donating $20 or more will receive an autographed photo of Kevin Youkilis. All those who participate will be entered into a raffle for a free 55-minute massage membership, which entitles the winner to one complimentary massage every month for a year. Some of the organizations that Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids is working with include The Italian Home for Children, providing a comprehensive network of services to emotionally disturbed children; Christopher’s Haven, which provides lodging for young cancer patients and their families; and Joslin Pediatric Health Services, caring for over 2,500 pediatric patients in Eastern Massachusetts. For more information on the organization, visit http://www.youkskids.org/. The campaign will run in all Elements studios throughout the state through Nov. 30. For more information about Elements Therapeutic Massage or to find a studio near you, visit http://www.findmyelements.com/.
Stoneham High graduates Xavier Garcia, Jonathan Garcia and Foley Ibidapo submitted two programs to the festival and received first place in both categories. They achieved this honor in the religious category for their program, “Costa Rica Mission,” a show that documented a mission trip to Costa Rica and they received the award in the diversity category for their program, “Hooah” about the African American Civil War Museum.
Stoneham resident, Randy Perillo, received second place in the sports programming category for his show, “Fifteen Minutes in Stoneham: Football in Stoneham” about the Stoneham High and Stoneham Pop Warner football programs.
The festival committee received over 400 entries for this year’s competition and the Stoneham TV board of directors and staff are proud of this year’s winners.
Stoneham TV is a nonprofit, membership-based organization that is committed to providing a TV forum for the free exchange of information and ideas which reflect the talents, skills interests, concerns and diversity of the Stoneham community. Stoneham TV provides training and assistance to anyone interested in expressing his or her creativity through television production.
For information, call 781-438-8340 or e-mail info@stonehamtv.org.
Mass. Health Care Reform 2.0
The Stoneham Chamber of Commerce is pleased to let you know about a program in which Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), and the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority (the Connector) will provide the most current insight and information about the evolving Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law. There is no charge for this session, but registration is required.
The program will include Mass. Health Care Reform – general implementation update, an explanation of revised Minimum Creditable Coverage regulations and other areas of Connector responsibility, changes to the Fair Share Contribution compliance tests, new quarterly filing requirement, and other updates, practical information and advice on other issues as we head to year-end. To register, visit www.aimnet.org Event dates are November 21, AndoverAndover Country Club, 8-10:30 a.m; December 2, Worcester Beechwood Hotel, 8-10:30 a.m.; December 16, BostonOne Ashburton Place, 9-11:30 a.m.
BOSTON – November 14, 2008 – The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) today extended the deadline for compliance with standards for how businesses protect and store consumers’ personal information.
Recognizing that the majority of breaches involve the theft of portable devices and that data encryption significantly neutralizes consumer risk if information is lost or stolen, the regulations issued in September call on businesses to encrypt documents sent over the Internet or saved on laptops or flash drives, encrypt wirelessly transmitted data, and utilize up-to-date firewall protection that creates an electronic gatekeeper between the data and the outside world and only permits authorized users to access or transmit data. The regulations were initially set to take effect on January 1, 2009, but in light of intervening economic circumstances, OCABR has extended the deadline in order to provide flexibility to businesses that may be experiencing financial challenges brought on by national and international economic conditions. The new deadlines are as follows:
The general compliance deadline for 201 CMR 17.00 has been extended from January 1, 2009 to May 1, 2009. The date is consistent with a new FTC Red Flag Rule, which requires financial institutions and creditors to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs. Businesses addressing the new FTC requirements can now address the state regulations during the same time frame.
The deadline for ensuring that third-party service providers are capable of protecting personal information and contractually binding them to do so will be extended from January 1, 2009 to May 1, 2009, and the deadline for requiring written certification from third-party providers will be further extended to January 1, 2010. This tiered deadline for requiring certification will ensure proper consumer protection and facilitate implementation without overburdening small businesses during harsh economic times.
The deadline for ensuring encryption of laptops will be extended from January 1, 2009 to May 1, 2009, and the deadline for ensuring encryption of other portable devices will be further extended to January 1, 2010. Many data breaches reported to date relate to laptops, and laptops are more easily encrypted than other portable devices such as memory sticks, DVDs and PDAs.
OCABR will continue its outreach and educational initiatives throughout the fall and winter to educate businesses about these important data protection and storage requirements and their respective deadlines.
To review OCABR’s report on data breach notifications, a compliance check list, FAQs and other information related to identity theft prevention, please visit http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ocatopic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Business&L2=Identity+Theft&sid=Eoca.
Stoneham Chamber of Commerce Members were recently recognized in the inaugural issue of the Globe100's Top Places to Work in Massachusetts. The list is created based on the opinions of the workers who populate Massachusetts workplaces in a voluntary employee survey conducted by Workplace Dynamics. Leading the list of 100 best places in the Number 1 position is Winchester Hospital. Congratulations to President Dale Lodge and his community of employees! Comcast Corporation ranked seventh, Baystate Financial Services ranked 12th, Mystic Valley Elder Services ranked 17th and Eastern Bank ranked 77th! Congratulations to each of these members and to their employees!
Elements Therapeutic Massage has announced they are partnering with the Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids charitable organization, founded by Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis. The organization is dedicated to rallying local and corporate support for charities focused on the health and wellbeing of children.
“We are excited to partner with Elements Therapeutic Massage on this campaign,” said Youkilis. “This is a great way to raise awareness of our organization and rally much needed community support to continue to help children and families in need.” All Elements Therapeutic Massage studios throughout the state will collect donations through November 30,2008. Anyone donating $20 or more will receive an autographed photo of Kevin Youkilis. All those who participate will be entered into a raffle for a free 55-minute massage membership, which entitles the winner to one complimentary massage every month for a year. Some of the organizations that Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids is working with include The Italian Home for Children, providing a comprehensive network of services to emotionally disturbed children; Christopher’s Haven, which provides lodging for young cancer patients and their families; and Joslin Pediatric Health Services, caring for over 2,500 pediatric patients in Eastern Massachusetts. For more information on the organization, visit http://www.youkskids.org/. The campaign will run in all Elements studios throughout the state through Nov. 30. For more information about Elements Therapeutic Massage or to find a studio near you, visit http://www.findmyelements.com/.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Community Events
Though the weather outside was truly frightful…the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce and Town of Stoneham tree lighting, hosted by Dr. Eugene Mickey, went on as planned last Sunday on the Stoneham Town Common.
Committee Chair Linda Corapi (Gardens Galore) and Board Member Rick Corapi (Century 21 GR Associates) their families and volunteers served hot soup, hot cocoa, cookies and hot popcorn. It was no surprise that the Stoneham Girl Scouts turned out enforce and they all sang beautifully – many thanks to the adults who came with them and braved the rain to be at their performance!
Santa made his appearance courtesy of DCS Services, Inc. and visited with a number of children and the WODS 103.3 radio van provided games and prizes for those who attended. In spite of the rain, the ice sculptor did an excellent job of creating a beautiful Polar Bear Ice Sculpture, which, unfortunately, didn’t survive quite as long as planned given the rain.
The evening concluded with a musical presentation from Merrimack Valley Chorus and the lighting of the holiday tree with Dr. Eugene Mickey at the switch!
Special thanks to Dr. Mickey. without whom our event truly would not have happened. We also want to thank Gaetano’s Ristorante, Pignone’s Café, Anthony’s Italian Specialties and RigATony’s at Dairy Dome for their delicious soups, Montvale Plaza for the hot cocoa, Super Stop & Shop and Shaw’s for the cookies and paper goods, Spartan Hardware for the popcorn, Stoneham Independent & Stoneham Sun for their great coverage before, during and after our event, Dr. Diane Bonanni, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Stoneham’s Department of Public Works, the Stoneham Fire & Police Departments, the Stoneham Fire & Police Auxiliaries and the First Congregational Church.”
Special thanks also go the following volunteers – Board President Anthony Clark (DCS Services, Inc.), Board Member Cathy Doucet (Doucet Remodeling & Design, Inc.), Board Member Judy Sadacca, Phyllis Palermo and Birdie Coombs all from Hallmark Health, Board Member Ralph A. Barile, Jr. (Barile Funeral Home), from Life Care Center of Stoneham Joanne Waters, Chrystal Durand, Debbie Hurley and Valerie Jacobs, Jean Brian and her family (Jean Brian Hair Salon), Judy Katz and her family (Curves of Stoneham), Dr. Bruce & Jill Doyle (Family & Cosmetic Dentistry) and their family, Rocco, Michelle & Kevin Corapi, Alora Frederick, Nicole Fabiano (Century 21 GR Associates), Ed Aprile (Gaetano’s Ristorante), Anthony Piccoli (Anthony’s Italian Specialties), Tom Iovanni, Deanna & Chris DeVasto and Jason & Terry D’Amaral (J & H Moonwalk Rentals).
The SHS 1982 Beautification Fund is currently working on their 2008 project - the new build of the Police Box that was removed from Stoneham Square many years ago when the square was renovated. The Police Box has been the Chamber's logo since its inception in 1984, and we are excited that it will soon again be positioned in the square. The group hopes to raise $11,000 to cover the cost of the project. If you would like to contribute or have more information, contact Chris Oneschuk (oneschuk@comcast.net).
Welcome to the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce Blog
Welcome to the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce blog. We plan on providing you with updates about Chamber events past and future, as well as information that you can use to build your business in Stoneham.
This is also a good place to get information about Stoneham, including news, resources and upcoming Chamber member businesses events as well as community events.
If your business or organization would like us to post your upcoming community event, please contact us through the Chamber website or call the Chamber office (781-438-0001). We need at least three weeks notice in order to ensure that your event is properly listed. (All submissions are subject to approval by the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce.)
This is also a good place to get information about Stoneham, including news, resources and upcoming Chamber member businesses events as well as community events.
If your business or organization would like us to post your upcoming community event, please contact us through the Chamber website or call the Chamber office (781-438-0001). We need at least three weeks notice in order to ensure that your event is properly listed. (All submissions are subject to approval by the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
