Business Briefs

PowerVision Partners

PowerVision Corporation, an e-business and e-commerce solution provider, has joined the Oracle Partnership Program. This relationship gives PowerVision increased access to the latest Oracle software and pre-release technologies and opens up new business opportunities.

Additionally, PowerVision is now an official Great Plains Solution Developer Partner, authorized to sell and customize eEnterprise, which offers a fully integrated suite of applications.

NETfanatics Acquires Panurgy NorCal

NETfanatics, Inc., a strategic Internet development and integration company and subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. has acquired substantially all the assets of Panurgy NorCal, an Internet services subsidiary of Panurgy, Inc. based in San Francisco, for $3.35 million in cash.

The acquisition joins together two well-established Internet service companies, and increases NETfanatics' total work force to more than 100 employees. The integration of Panurgy NorCal into NETfanatics will provide greater competitive strengths and capabilities in meeting the demands of large, transaction based web sites.

Microsoft Honors Extreme Logic

Extreme Logic has been selected by Microsoft Corporation as the Microsoft Certified Solutions Provider (MCSP) Partner of the Year 2000 for North America.

Extreme Logic ranks as one of the top five global partners with respect to its level of technical expertise and proven ability to deliver solutions featuring Microsoft products.

Corvis Completes Longest All-Optical Transmission

Corvis Corporation, an optical networking company, and Williams Communications have successfully completed the longest all-optical communications transmission over land "in history."

Optical communications uses light to transmit data and voice at much faster speeds than conventional technologies. Columbia-based Corvis, which has filed for an IPO, says its technologies "transmit signals entirely in the optical domain, which results in higher performance and reliability for carriers."

Grant For Walkers

Walkers in Darkness, Inc., a Columbia- based nonprofit organization, has received a $25,000 unrestricted grant from the Schwab Fund for Charitable Giving on behalf of the Gaines Family Foundation of Colorado.

Walkers in Darkness is a support organization for people with mental illness such as depression and bipolar disorder.

New Program At College Park

University of Maryland at College Park has initiated a unique living, learning environment for upper-class undergraduate students who have the dream to start their own businesses.

The Hinman Campus Entrepreneurship Opportunities (CEOs) Program will have its first class of entrepreneurs this September who will begin developing the critical business skills that will enhance their probability of creating successful start-up companies.

TSI TelSys Sells LavaLogic

TSI TelSys Inc. has sold its LavaLogic Business Unit for $2 million is cash to Xilinx, Inc. of San Jose, Ca.

The LavaLogic advanced technology does not fit into the focus of TSI TelSys Inc., a subsidiary of TSI TelSys Corporation, and the cash received will be used for working capital for the company.

New Amplifier For NextWave

NextWave Technologies has built and tested a prototype of the first Syncrodyne amplifier.

Syncrodyne is a completely new amplification technique for communication signals capable of providing enormous power gain while operating at 90 percent efficiency. The Syncrodyne work has been supported by the Office of Naval Research in consultation with the University of Maryland's Nonlinear Dynamics Group. Its commercialization strategy is geared toward wireless communications.

Harkins Begins New Project

Harkins Builders has started construction at the Reisterstown Village Apartments project, a four-story, wood frame building with 72 units for elderly residents.

Financing is being provided by HUD 202.

Rapid Sign Wins Award

Rapid Sign Center has won the Leadership Award presented at the Annual Sign World Convention.

For the second consecutive year, owners Joe and Judy Brown received the award for outstanding contribution to the organization and service to sign-store owners.

MedStar Completes Georgetown Acquisition

MedStar Health has completed the transaction agreement to acquire the clinical enterprise of Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC).

The clinical components of GUMC are now operated as part of MedStar Health, making it the 15th largest community-owned, nor-for-profit healthcare system in the U.S.

Laurel Hospital Gala

Laurel Regional Hospital will hold its annual gala, “Stroll to the Oldies: A 1950s Homecoming,” on Saturday, October 21 at the Hyatt Regency in Baltimore.

The fundraiser will benefit the establishment of an Adolescent Mental Health Program at the hospital.

For tickets or sponsoring opportunities, call 301-497-7913.

D&B Medical Expands

D&B Medical Management Solutions, Inc., offering multi-specialty medical billing and practice consulting, has opened new offices in Columbia Corporate Park.

Cuts Against Cancer Slated August 20

Rafet's Hairmasters and Natural Nails & Cosmetics are hosting the fourth annual Cuts Against Cancer Cut-A-Thon on Sunday, August 20, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at their stores in the Columbia Mall. All proceeds benefit the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource and Image Center, which helps cancer patients and their families locate information and services that make living with cancer easier.

Cut-A-Thon services include manicures for $10 each and haircuts for $20 each. Raffle tickets to win a “Day of Beauty” and other prizes are available at participating salons: envy, George of New York Hair Design, Lufti's International Salon & Spa, Mason & Friends Hair, Skin and Nail Studio, Patrick's Hair Design, Natural Nails & Cosmetics, Rafet's Hairmasters, Solon Francisco Hair Studio, Sphere Concept Salon and Victoria & Albert Hair Studio. All of the salons will have representatives at the Cut-A-Thon. Walk-in appointments will be taken the day of the event.

As a fund-raiser for the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource and Image Center, Bun Penny Market & Café in the Columbia Mall will be donating $2 for every sandwich purchased the day of the Cut-A-Thon.

Charity Roasts Hospital Chief

Family and Children's Services is roasting Vic Broccolino, the president & CEO of Howard County General Hospital, in a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 16, 7-11 p.m., at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville.

Roasters will include Broccolino's brother, Dario, Columbia Association Vice President Maggie Brown, builder Blaise Cooke, Dr. Harry Oken, County Executive Jim Robey, HCGH Board of Directors Chair Bev Wilhide and surprise guests.

Family and Children's Services chose to honor Broccolino as a model of community leadership. The organization provides mental health services to children, adolescents, adults and families, as well as in-home services for the elderly.

Tickets are $75 per person. For information, call 410-997-3557.

Delivery.com Chooses Laurel Marketing

Delivery.com, a provider of same-day and scheduled delivery services for Internet retailers, has selected Laurel Marketing & Design to provide advertising, marketing, and design services.

“Delivery.com is the first company to provide a true 'last mile' solution, and the first one to help Internet retailers give their customers what they really want: delivery in hours, not days," said Sarah Pugh, president of Laurel Marketing & Design. "We see unlimited potential."

Grant Preserves Connect-A-Ride

Gov. Parris Glendening has given a $70,000 grant to the Corridor Transportation Corp. to help cover a budget shortfall and preserve transit services, including Connect-A-Ride in Laurel and the BWI Business District.

The $140,000 budget shortfall was due to increased diesel fuel prices and operating costs. Private contributions and cost cutting made up the rest of the shortfall, allowing fares to be held at $1 and preventing proposed service cuts.

Corridor Transportation also operates the HATS bus service in Columbia and eastern Howard County.

Enterprise Homes in West Baltimore

Enterprise Homes of Columbia, part of the Enterprise Foundation, has closed on financing to rehabilitate 30 rental apartments for low- and moderate-income families in West Baltimore adjacent to Bon Secours Hospital.

Roundtable for Small Business Owners

The Columbia Small Business Roundtable is being formed to serve as a free resource for owners of small businesses, including those based in the home, according to facilitator Yvonne Chiarelli, a local business coach.

Beginning Thursday, Aug. 17, the roundtable will meet every first and third Thursday of the month, 12:30-2 p.m. at the Center for Business & Technology Development, 9250 Bendix Road in Columbia. This is a drop-in, brown-bag lunch meeting featuring a discussion topic and opportunities for problem solving, resource identification and networking.

For more information, contact Yvonne Chiarelli at 410-740-1168 or yvonne@creativepossibilities.com.

U.S. Foodservice Donates Food

U.S. Foodservice has agreed to donate surplus and unsellable foot items to America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. The Columbia-based company will contribute food directly from its 35 U.S. distribution centers.

Paragon Expands

Paragon Computer Services and Paragon Smart Technologies is leasing additional space in Ellicott City to meet the expansion caused by a 40 percent growth in revenues this year. The company provides technology services and consulting, specializing in systems integration, e-business solutions and Internet connectivity.

HE Delivers Buys Mom's Shuttle

HE Delivers Unlimited, which provides home-to-work services in Howard County, has purchased Mom's Shuttle and will be providing transportation for children at Trinity School, Glenelg Country School and some public schools.

For information, call 443-394-7372.

Kozy Shack Names Marriner

The foodservice division of Kozy Shack, manufacturer of ready-to-eat deserts, has selected Marriner Marketing Communications of Columbia as its advertising agency of record.

Marriner was chosen to increase Kozy Shack's brand awareness and expand market share for its all-natural line of puddings and desserts.

They Knew It Was Coming

The majority of recently downsized executives weren't surprised to find themselves in career transition, according to a survey of 1,202 out-placed managers by Lee Hecht Harrison, an outplacement consulting firm.

Ellen Burke, general manager of the Columbia office, said 78 percent of those surveyed anticipated their organizations downsizing and 57 percent weren't surprised to learn they were among those to be laid off.

“This may be because many employees have become accustomed to downsizing and what signs to look for,” said Burke. “Thirty-five percent of respondents said they had been downsized before and 65 percent has survived a previous downsizing with their most recent or prior employer.”

Banks Announce Earnings

F&M Bancorp, headquartered in Frederick, reported a 20 percent increase in earnings for the second quarter to $4.8 million or 44 cents per share. Earnings increased by 13 percent in the first half of 2000 to $9.5 million or 78 cents per share.

FCNB Corp. of Frederick, with branches here, reported second quarter earnings of $3.5 million or 30 cents per share, a 9 percent increase over last year. For the first half, earnings were up 6.9 percent to $7 million or 59 cents per share.

Sandy Spring Bancorp of Olney had second quarter earnings of $4.2 million or 44 cents per share, a 5 percent drop from the same period in 1999. For the first half, earnings were up 6 percent to $9.2 million or 96 cents per share.