Names & notes

Friday, March 9, 2007

The Southern Maryland Business Network has welcomed new member John Urquidez of Promotion Partners.

The Leonardtown business consults with clients to enhance trade show results through the development of exhibits and graphics and providing training and suggestions on best practices.

Urquidez is also a member of the St. Mary’s Chamber of Commerce and the Business Showcase Committee.

SMBN is an independent, nonprofit, self-directed organization. Members are dedicated to being a ‘‘virtual sales force” for other members of the group by exchanging business referrals and developing new business relationships. Meetings are held weekly from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Southwinds Adult Active Community off Billingsley Road on Southwinds Place in White Plains. For more information, go to www.smbn.org or call Irene Cusack at 301-893-9001.

Conference to serve equine, farming community

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Commission will host a three-day equine conference from March 15 to 17 at the J.T. Daugherty Center in Lexington Park.

The conference is geared to farm owners who are interested in the horse industry, equine businesses or horse owners seeking information on how to care for their horses, and those who might be considering the purchase of a horse or pony. Attendees can choose among the sessions or attend all three days.

Sessions March 15 include information on hay production with particular reference to Southern Maryland’s climate and soil types and optimal hay⁄forage types for the horse industry, pasture renovation and land management for horses and fencing and facility options. Sessions March 16 will focus on nutrition and health, boarding as a business and a keynote address from Julie Goodnight, horse trainer. Goodnight will offer a special session March 16 geared to prospective and current owners on buying and evaluating horses and choosing a trainer.

On March 17, Goodnight will present horsemanship and training demonstrations at Flat Iron Farm in Great Mills. Cost is $20 per day or $50 for all three days. The price includes a continental breakfast and lunch on March 15 and 16. To see if space is available, call at 301-274-1922 or e-mail info@somarylandsogood.com.

Chamber seeks nomineesfor Working Woman award

The Charles County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominees for its 38th annual Working Woman of the Year Award. The award recognizes local working women who demonstrate initiative, creativity, professional skills, work ethics, positive work spirit, community involvement and reliability.

Nomination forms were recently mailed to chamber member businesses. The completed forms are due March 26.

The past seven winners were Chris Mais of the Charles County Board of Education (2006); June Becker of the Center for Children (2005); Delores C. Datcher, a member of the College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees (2004); Karen Winters, a secretary at Civista Health Inc. (2003); Ruth Jaquith, a bookkeeper for Joan Carol Design and Exhibit Group (2002); Elizabeth ‘‘Betty” Hayden, an accounting assistant for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (2001); and Robin Hemsley, a residential coordinator for the Spring Dell Center (2000).

Call 301-932-6500 or 301-870-3089 or e-mail info@charlescountychamber.org.