Business Owners

He saw his first Blue Angels show in Detroit at age 6, and Thomas Frosch says the experience inspired him to want to become a pilot. He saw four more performances while attending the Naval Academy, including one the "Blues" put on before his graduation in 1992. Now commander and flight leader of the Blue Angels, Frosch, a Navy commander, was looking forward to returning to Annapolis this week, where he would have led his team through its traditional jaw-dropping show as part of the Academy's graduation week.

He saw his first Blue Angels show in Detroit at age 6, and Thomas Frosch says the experience inspired him to want to become a pilot. He saw four more performances while attending the Naval Academy, including one the "Blues" put on before his graduation in 1992. Now commander and flight leader of the Blue Angels, Frosch, a Navy commander, was looking forward to returning to Annapolis this week, where he would have led his team through its traditional jaw-dropping show as part of the Academy's graduation week.

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.

At Liam Flynn's Ale House in Baltimore's Station North Arts and Entertainment District, two George Washingtons will get you a can of Natty Boh. But a single Baltimore BNote, with an image of Frederick Douglass on one side and an oriole on the other, will get you the same beer at half price. It's a special the bar's proprietors use to promote the circulation of the local currency. "It's a deal - and people take advantage of it every day," said Liam Flynn. "Usually it's about 20 BNotes a day. " The BNote recently turned 2 years old and is now accepted at more than 200 local businesses.

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.

This letter is in response to Mr. Carnahan's Sept. 6 letter, about the sign in Laurel reading "built this company with no help from the government," where Mr. Carnahan says the sign is a "misguided act of boasting. " First, I would be curious whether Mr. Carnahan owns his own business? Second, it is true that the government, in some important ways, assists businesses, but they also get in the way with too much "assistance. " And who pays for this assistance? Us! Third: I have watched my husband for the last 20 years build his business, six days a week, 10-12 hours a day, literally with blood, sweat and tears!

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.

Sol Kramer, who turned a Depression-era 15-cent balsa toy airplane business into a leading wholesale hobby empire, died of pneumonia April 24 at Hospice by the Sea in Pompano Beach, Fla. The former Pikesville resident was 96. Born in Baltimore, he was the son of Lithuanian immigrants. His father, Morris, was a Saratoga Street tailor. His mother, Dora, was a homemaker. Mr. Kramer was a graduate of the old Robert E. Lee School and received his diploma from City College at age 14. "He and his brother, Lou, belonged to the Junior Birdmen of America, a model airplane club promoted by the Hearst newspapers," said his son, Dr. Karl Kramer of Coral Gables, Fla. "His brother was really the airplane builder.

Kelsey Kleinhen, owner of Kelsey's Kloset Boutique, is organizing a Spring Fest at Cherry Tree Shopping Center. The family-friendly spring festival will take place April 27, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 11200 Scaggsville Road, located off Routes 29 and 216. There will be face painting, food, live music, a mini fashion show and photo booth. Surrounding business vendors include Tree House School of Music, Dan Kamen Photography, Paul Mitchell School, Cookie Lee, Energy Drinks, Erin Krespan Photography, Universal Life Coach, Chloe & Isabel, Pure Romance, Tastefully Simple, Perfectly Posh, Evvy Lou Handmade Cloth Diapers, Thirty One, Legaci Buys Gold, Nomades, Pink Zebra and Creative Memories.

Sen. Ben Cardin lamented snowballing damage from federal budget cuts in town hall meetings with federal workers and small-business leaders Friday, pledging to work toward an alternative budget solution by October. But he acknowledged that achieving a compromise between similar budget proposals from the Senate and President Barack Obama and another from the House of Representatives could be a challenge. He spoke to two dozen Howard County business owners and more than 50 employees at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt.

In reading Dan Rodricks ' column on the Dogwood Restaurant's closing last week, I felt compelled to write and thank him for bringing to light the restaurant and the good deeds that have come to an end ("Dogwood made a difference in lives," March 21). It's not just about Baltimore losing yet another business. Being the office manager and working with owners Galen and Bridget Sampson over the last short year has been the greatest job I've ever held. They are two of the most honorable people I have had the pleasure of knowing.

With its Page 3 headline in the Real Estate Section about the sale of retired Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis' Florida home, The Sun continues to laud a professional athlete who leaves damaged business owners in his wake ("Live like Ray? It'll cost about $5 million," March 17)? Mr. Lewis' failed MVP Lanes in Hunt Valley got him favorable coverage in the paper twice, while contractors were so damaged that the proceeds from the sale of his home may not even cover their losses. Dennis R. McCartney, Dundalk Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts

A Towson law firm plans to challenge the renewal of the Recher Theatre 's liquor license in an effort to stop the establishment's plan to become a nightclub. The Charles E. Brooks Law Offices will file a petition with the county liquor board within the next week on behalf of residents and property owners, according to Jean Kosloski, an attorney with the firm. Liquor licenses in Baltimore County expire April 30. "We object to them becoming a nightclub," Kosloski said. "That type of usage in the center of Towson is kind of a disaster waiting to happen.

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.

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.

Gov. Martin O'Malley is at it again, and his proposed plan to raise the gasoline tax in Maryland must be defeated ("Gas tax: Pay now or later" Mar. 13). The brunt of Mr. O'Malley's new $3.4 billion gas tax proposal to increase funding for Maryland's transportation needs will fall squarely on Maryland's motorists and gasoline retailers. Under Mr. O'Malley's proposed gas tax hike, Maryland's gas tax rate would skyrocket to 39.5 cents per gallon, and it would become the 5th highest gas tax burden in the nation if gas averaged $3.50 a gallon per year.

Here we go again, observing our government changing laws to suit the business owners at the expense of the poor schmucks who are just trying to buy a little entertainment ("City politicians rush to save Ticketmaster's user fees," Feb. 24). Shame on Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and shame on the Ravens, the Orioles and all the smaller outfits that support Ticketmaster's stupendous rip-off of the American public. How could they stomp on the very folks who support their businesses?