Chamber Of Commerce

Awards The Anne Arundel Tech Council announced the winners of its 2007 TechAwards. Receiving the Good Chip Award was Carematic Systems Inc., developer of online software for adults with developmental disabilities; the Tech Service Award: NMR Consulting, an information technology company; and the Innovator Award: RxNT, maker of an automatic prescription system. Force 3, a 300-employee firm that provides communications networks, network management and application support to mostly government customers, was named Tech Company of the Year.

BEIJING -- Diplomacy, apparently, has no dress code. Cal Ripken Jr., Hall of Fame baseball player turned American emissary, spent the first half of his first full day as a Department of State special envoy yesterday dressed in a sharp business suit. He shook hands, met with the American Chamber of Commerce, Olympic baseball organizers and officials with the Chinese Baseball Association. By afternoon, though, Ripken was wearing athletic gear when he introduced himself to 150 Chinese children at Xidan Elementary School in the city's fledging financial district.

The Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Baltimore Washington Regional Government Procurement Fair at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Greenbelt Marriott, 6400 Ivy Lane in Greenbelt. The event allows businesspeople to meet procurement officials from approximately 50 government agencies. Online and telephone registration is required by noon tomorrow. The registration fee is $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers by today; $95 tomorrow and at the door. Information: www.baltwash chamber.

Mary Armiger recalled a speech from about 30 years ago when her husband, Earl, asked, "Will our children be able to afford housing in Howard County?" "These words are still true today," Mary Armiger said. "Many people in our community, like teachers and hospital workers, can't afford to live here." Earl Armiger, 65, chief executive officer and president of Orchard Development, has been a longtime advocate of affordable housing in Howard County. The 37-year county resident also is a supporter of philanthropy in the community, as evidenced by the $2 million contribution that he and his wife recently made to the Columbia Foundation.

Chamber to hold awards ceremony The Howard County Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of its annual Awards for Chamber Excellence. They will be honored at the 2007 Signature Event, to be held Oct. 5 at Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in Ellicott City. The Melting Pot, a four-year-old restaurant in Wilde Lake Village Center, will be recognized as the Small Business of the Year for its growth and commitment to the community. Large Business of the Year (26 or more employees)

OCEAN CITY -- Maryland's beach resort is sending a clear message: "No slots in Md. Period." When pro-slots Gov. Martin O'Malley and the rest of the state's political elites came to town for the Maryland Association of Counties meeting here this week, they found variations on that theme plastered across hotel marquees up and down the island. Thursday morning, the city's Chamber of Commerce met with O'Malley and anti-slots Comptroller Peter Franchot, and then voted on the spot to oppose expanded gambling - not just in their town but anywhere in the state.

ISSUE: An Anne Arundel County councilman has submitted legislation to ban all electronic signs and billboards, saying that their moving pictures and video, or flashing or scrolling text, can pose a dangerous distraction to drivers. Current zoning law allows electronic message boards "as long as they are on a cycle of no less than five seconds." Councilman Jamie Benoit said he believes the billboards already are illegal; he hopes to clarify a law already on the books. "That's advertising, that you create as much disruption as you can to get people to look at your sign," said Benoit, a Democrat from Crownsville.

New chief of police to be sworn in tonight James W. Johnson will be formally sworn in tonight as the new Baltimore County police chief. The ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. in Kraushaar Auditorium of Goucher College, Dulaney Valley Road, Towson. Johnson will be sworn in by Suzanne Mensh, clerk of the court for Baltimore County. Johnson, a 29-year veteran of the department, rose through the ranks from cadet to chief. During his career, he has served in a variety of operational and administrative positions and has won numerous awards and commendations.

The smell of strawberries was strong on Allegheny Avenue yesterday. Farther down the block, past the fresh bread, summer squash and cut flowers, a grill was fired up in preparation for the lunch crowd. However, at the opening day of the Towson Farmers' Market, not all of the treats were for people. Lisa Lindsey-Davis stood behind her table, selling all-natural dog biscuits in vegetable and peanut butter-oatmeal flavors. "Its something good for the pups out there," she said. Lindsey-Davis' stand was among the new sights at the Farmers' Market, which started its 28th season yesterday in the Baltimore County seat.