Happy Halloween!

Thanks to Barbara and the Rec Council for the great parade and party! Remember, trick-or -treaters are out tonight, 6-8pm. Turn on your porch lights if you want a visit from tiny -- and very cute -- ghouls and goblins.


-- Posted from the iPhone of Awesome

President Obama Visits Cheverly

Edit: Okay. We have two posts about President Obama's Cheverly visit. What can we say? This is exciting (and good news on a day of bad local news...) We're excited.

Late word today that President Obama was in the Chv today -- he visited Metropolitan Archives, a small business in the industrial corridor (sounds fancier that way, eh?)

The Gazette has the story...


ChvChick would like to invite the President over for a cappucino the next time he decides to visit the neighborhood. We'd also welcome the President and his family at Cheverly Community Market...just sayin'...

Obama stops in Cheverly to announce boost for small businesses

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009
Obama stops in Cheverly to announce boost for small businesses

State senator's company hosted event

http://www.gazette.net/stories/10212009/prinnew161852_32567.shtml

by Daniel Valentine | Staff Writer
President Barack Obama chose a Prince George's County business as the backdrop for a new policy announcement today, his second surprise appearance in the Maryland suburbs this week.
The president gave a speech to a small crowd at the warehouses of Metropolitan Archives in Cheverly, where he announced plans to boost lending by smaller community banks and increase the amount entrepreneurs can borrow from the Small Business Administration.

"These small businesses are the engine of job growth in America," the president told the crowd of about 130 invitees. "They fuel our prosperity."

The expansions will require congressional approval.

Metropolitan Archives, which stores files and records for major law firms and accounting groups in Washington, D.C., purchased its new $7 million headquarters in February using a $2 million loan from the SBA.

White House officials called the company Friday looking to set up the event, said Douglas J.J. Peters, co-owner of the business and state senator (D-Dist. 23) from Bowie, who started the business years ago with a school friend, Joseph Incarnato.

"We're just kind of in shock that this is really happening," Peters said a few hours before Obama arrived, as Secret Service agents sent dogs searching the halls.

On Monday, the president toured Viers Mill Elementary School in Silver Spring.

Invites were kept secret for the event this week, with most people only learning about the appearance the day before. Throngs of police cars and Secret Service surrounded the building, located in an industrial zone off the Capital Beltway, where dogs and agents searched every car before parking.

The crowd was composed of a mix of representatives from national business and banking groups, local small business owners and elected officials, who waited in the closed room for around two hours for the chance to see Obama during his 10-minute appearance.

"You set out your week, and then something like this happens, and you drop everything," said County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), who attended the news conference. "It's always great to have the president in town."

Other local politicians included Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Dist. 26) of Fort Washington, a co-investor in the business, and Sen. Nathaniel Exum, Del. Justin Ross and 2010 county executive candidate Rushern L. Baker — all of whom endorsed the president early in 2007 and were delegates at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

"Everybody's asking, ‘Can you get me in?'" Ross told an audience member as they waited.

Invitees included many local business owners who have used the SBA loan program in the past. Natalie and Timothy Proctor, Glenn Dale residents who own a New Carrollton auto repair service, sat with a copy of the president's book, hoping for an autograph.

"We only found out last night," Natalie Proctor said. "We told our mothers. Oh, and they've told everybody."

Other local owners included Saundra Thurman-Custis of Bowie, whose company, Crystal Enterprises Inc., recently received a loan through the SBA to add 33 workers to their business, which supplies cafeteria services at federal office buildings in the region.

"[The SBA representatives] were very easy to work with," said Thurman-Custis, who said she is glad the program is expanding.

Peters and Incarnato appeared on stage with Obama, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Karen Mills, administrator for the SBA, as the president lauded their growth.

"These small businesses are what will pull us out of this recession," Mills said.

After his televised speech, the crowd rushed the stage as the president shook hands.

E-mail Daniel Valentine at dvalentine@gazette.net.

Thrill the World 2009

Get ready to set a world record while raising money for charity and having a great time with friends and family! Saturday, October 24, a group of Cheverlyites will join thousands at Freedom Plaza in DC and around the world (32 countries so far!) to dance Michael Jackson's "Thriller"! What a perfect way to lead up to Halloween!

There are rehearsals in Cheverly on Friday nights (October 9, 16, and 23) at Cheverly United Methodist Church, 3rd Floor. Rehearsals are 7:00-8:00pm for children ages 5-14, and 8:00-9:00pm for anyone over age 14. The cost is $30 per person, or $50 for families.

Get the details here. Still have questions? Contact Jeanne Robinson (240-374-3945) or visit the main website for Thrill the World 2009 here.

Cheverly Soccer Club Teams are forming now!

Cheverly Soccer Club is gearing up for the 2009-2010 indoor season and they're looking for players to fill out their teams!

Visit the website for details and downloadable registration form. Practices begin in late October at Cheverly Community Center.

The Club is also looking for coaches -- no experience is necessary. If you're interested, please contact Jim Allegro.

New Law on the Books!

Do NOT text and drive!


Effective October 1, 2009, Section 21-1124.1 of the Maryland Annotated Code prohibits text messaging to write or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle in motion or in the travel portion of the roadway (sitting at a light or stop sign).

Violating this new law could result in the Suspension of the operator's license.

Don't TEXT and Drive!