Business Owners

— Just arrived for a six-day vacation, Mark and Diana Moyer strolled down the boardwalk, frozen drinks in hand, pausing to watch a teenage boy do a back flip onto the beach. The Moyers, from Northampton, Pa., are back in Ocean City for the first time in several years — both were laid off during the recession. But this year, with Mark back at work and their children grown, they have more money to spend and more freedom to spend it. "It's a dependable place," Mark Moyer said Wednesday, recalling the family's vacations to Ocean City going back 15 years.

— Just arrived for a six-day vacation, Mark and Diana Moyer strolled down the boardwalk, frozen drinks in hand, pausing to watch a teenage boy do a back flip onto the beach. The Moyers, from Northampton, Pa., are back in Ocean City for the first time in several years — both were laid off during the recession. But this year, with Mark back at work and their children grown, they have more money to spend and more freedom to spend it. "It's a dependable place," Mark Moyer said Wednesday, recalling the family's vacations to Ocean City going back 15 years.

Diamond Event Services will presents The Pink Event, a women-focused expo, Saturday, March 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Laurel West, 15101 Sweitzer Lane. The Pink Event is committed to the advancement of women-owned, small businesses and the expo provides a venue for these business owners to display their creativity and expand their brands in the products and services they provide. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 the day of the event. Tickets include shopping demos, free continental breakfast and refreshments, door prizes, mini inspirational sessions, speakers, music and event expo bag. A Pink Swag Bag goes to the first 75 people.

Maryland, according to a new survey of business titans, is the 40 th most business-friendly state, down from 37 last year. Or, put another way, we are the 11 th least friendly. Those are the findings by Chief Executive magazine's annual survey . Business leaders were asked to rate states based on their taxes, regulations, living environment and quality of workers. According to the magazine, Maryland's "income-tax increases on 'middle class' nick and frustrate business owners.

With flavors like Raspberry Truffle, Cotton Candy and Burgundy Cherry, Storm Bros. Ice Cream Factory has never had a problem luring walk-in customers to its perch near City Dock in downtown Annapolis. The 35-year-old shop's location in one of Maryland's most heavily visited tourist areas has mostly been a blessing, says owner Svienn C. Storm — a line of eager patrons often snakes along the sidewalk outside the shop on a sunny afternoon. But lately, he said, the downtown spot has had a significant downside.

Main Street business and property owners can share their safety needs or concerns with Laurel Police Chief Richard McLaughlin at a Coffee with the Chief, Friday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at Partnership Hall, 811 Fifth St. All Laurel businesses and residents are invited to attend, and coffee and light refreshments will be served. Reservations are requested by Wednesday, April 25. Contact the Laurel Board of Trade at 301-483-0838.

Business owners were evenly divided about whether the inaugural Annapolis Triathlon had a positive effect on the city, a new survey has found. Requested by the city council's Economic Matters Committee, the survey was one of two conducted about the triathlon. The second, by the triathlon's organizers, polled participants in the Sept. 9 competition. "We felt it was important to have a third party look at the big picture of these type of events," said Mike Miron, Annapolis' director of economic development.

Money is out there to be made, if you know whom to talk to.Small- and large-business owners will be able press flesh and swap business cards with purchasing agents from government agencies and private industry from 8 a.m. to noon March 28 at the "Meet the Buyers Fair." The fair, sponsored by the Northern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, will be at the Sheraton International at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.The purchasing agents control the purse strings to $60 million, said Kirk J. Falk, who is handling the fair for the chamber.

Sixteen months after its creation, the Mason Dixon Business Association is going strong."The association has really taken off. It has filled a need that was here and we keep gaining membership," said Robert A. Schwalenberg, a founder of the group and regional manager for Forest Hill Bank's northern territory.The business association, which first met in June 1994, is trying to unite the businesses scattered along the Maryland-Pennsylvania line in northern Harford and southern York County, Pa.It also is trying to increase the political clout of businesses in the two counties that frequently have felt ignored by politicians.

Did you know that:* Innovations such as the aerosol can, artificial heart valve, optical scanner, soft contact lenses, pacemaker and zipper were developed by small businesses?* More than 20 million Americans own small businesses and create two out of every three new jobs in the United States?* About half of the nation's private-sector work force is employed by small businesses?The U.S. Small Business Administration doesn't want the country to overlook the contributions of entrepreneurs and has been touting their accomplishments this week, which is officially designated Small Business Week.

Sarah "Virginia" Littleton, a retired nurse and part owner of a Baltimore County pharmacy and nursing home, died Thursday at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson of renal failure complicated by a stroke. She was 83. Mrs. Littleton, born Sarah Meyer in Baltimore, was raised in Highlandtown by a grandmother, Sarah Pugh Meyer. Mrs. Littleton's father, a shipbuilder for Bethlehem Steel, also lived with them. As a young woman, Mrs. Littleton worked for General Motors as an operator of a comptometer, a mechanical calculator, but she quit her job to care for her terminally ill grandmother.

Main Street business and property owners can share their safety needs or concerns with Laurel Police Chief Richard McLaughlin at a Coffee with the Chief, Friday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at Partnership Hall, 811 Fifth St. All Laurel businesses and residents are invited to attend, and coffee and light refreshments will be served. Reservations are requested by Wednesday, April 25. Contact the Laurel Board of Trade at 301-483-0838.

Tooling along on a Harley Sprint motorcycle in June 1972, Bob Miller alternated between taking main roads and riding alongside the railroad next to the swollen Patapsco River as he wove his way from Sykesville to Elkridge, filming scene after scene of destruction in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agnes. As a lifelong resident of the area dubbed "The Hill," where homes sit high above the Patapsco and Historic Main Street in Ellicott City, Miller took the 25-mile trip out of curiosity and as a way to merge his two loves, motorcycle riding and amateur filmmaking.

Annapolis officials plan to introduce a resolution at Monday night's city council meeting that would require council approval for special events at City Dock, following complaints from downtown business owners. Annapolis Mayor Joshua J. Cohen, Aldermen Richard E. Israel and Ross H. Arnett III, all Democrats, have sponsored the resolution. The issue came up last summer when a group of downtown business owners criticized the city for not better policing the festivals that take place in the city's historic district.

In less than 200 years, the free market and respect for individual liberty took this nation from a rough frontier to a global economic superpower. Today, however, state-level economies are clearly headed in the wrong direction, with the negative consequences of their actions being placed squarely on the backs of Americans. As Marylanders, we have a battle in front of us that will literally cost us billions. Unfortunately, our state has decided to respond to a tough economy with back-breaking tax increases and various regulatory controls.

Instead of blindly raising the cost of gasoline and diesel to Maryland consumers, now is the time to rethink how the more than $3 billion spent yearly on transportation needs in Maryland are funded. We should not allow government to squeeze more money out of Marylanders' pockets without a thorough review of how the funds are administered and utilized. Motorist-paid gas taxes and vehicle fees are by far the largest source of transportation funding for both highways and mass transit.

LA PLATA - From what remains of the office supply company - a 30-foot pile of wood and plaster - it seemed reasonable to expect that it would be some time before Shipp Data Supplies would reopen. "What do you mean? We're open for business today," said Vicki Shipp, trying to convince cleanup crews that she was serious. Though it will be months before she and her husband reopen their storefront in downtown La Plata, they are taking orders by fax at their home, she said. Days ago, Charles Street, La Plata's main street, was a thriving commercial district.

An article in Sunday's Business Section incorrectly stated when some companies that own buildings must comply with public accommodations provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Companies with 11 to 25 employees and between $500,000 and $1 million in annual revenues will not be subject to civil actions until July 26, 1992. Companies with 10 or fewer employees and with $500,000 or less in annual revenues will not be subject to lawsuits until Jan. 26, 1993. Larger companies will be subject to lawsuits on Jan. 26, 1992.

Diamond Event Services will presents The Pink Event, a women-focused expo, Saturday, March 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Laurel West, 15101 Sweitzer Lane. The Pink Event is committed to the advancement of women-owned, small businesses and the expo provides a venue for these business owners to display their creativity and expand their brands in the products and services they provide. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 the day of the event. Tickets include shopping demos, free continental breakfast and refreshments, door prizes, mini inspirational sessions, speakers, music and event expo bag. A Pink Swag Bag goes to the first 75 people.

Myles Julian Feldman, a founder of a restaurant equipment business, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease Dec. 15 at Pinecrest Delray Hospice in Florida. The Boca Raton, Fla., resident had previously lived in Stevenson. Mr. Feldman was 82. Born in Atlantic City, N.J., he was the son of Samuel Feldman, a restaurant supplies salesman, and Frieda Feldman, his office manager. The family moved to Baltimore, where Mr. Feldman was a 1946 graduate of Forest Park High School.