Thursday, May 1
 "Columbia Foundation's 26th Annual Spring Party." 5:45-8:30 p.m. $75. Spear Center. Columbia Foundation, 410-730-7840.

Saturday, May 3
 "The Center for Women and Information Technology: 6th Annual Computer Mania Day." University of Maryland Baltimore College. www.computer-mania.Info.

 “Blossoms of Hope Comcast CHERRYBRATION.” 4 p.m.–Dusk. Centennial Park. Howard County Tourism, 410-313-1900.

 "The 13th Annual Howard County Heart Ball." Turf Valley Resort. Manekin, The Creig Northrop Team.

Wednesday, May 7
 "6th Annual American Success Awards Dinner." $75. Ten Oaks Ballroom. FIRN, 410-992-1923.

Thursday, May 8
 "BWCC: Membership 101." 9-10:30 a.m. Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber, 410-792-9714.

Friday, May 9
 "Columbia Festival of the Arts Presents Paula Poundstone." 6:30 p.m. $150. The Spear Center. Columbia Festival of the Arts, 410-715-3044.

Tuesday, May 13
 "2008 Howard County Job Fair and Career Expo." Turf Valley Resort. Howard County Chamber of Commerce, 410-730-4111.

Wednesday, May 14
 "YPN Networking." 5-7 p.m. $15/$30. The Melting Pot. Young Professionals Network, 410-740-9988.

Wednesday, May 15
 "Jref: Bipartisan Bash." 5-7:30 p.m. $50. Howard Community College, Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall. 410-442-3734.

Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17
 "Preakness Celebration Balloon Festival." Turf Valley Resort, 410-423-0811.

Saturday May 17-Sunday May 18
 "Wine In the Woods." Noon-6 p.m. $20/$25. Symphony Woods. 410-313-7275.

Sunday, May 18
 "NAACCC: Community Chamber Day." 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Glen Burnie Town Center. Northern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, 410-766-8282.

Capitol College Holds Line on Tuition Costs
Capitol College, of Laurel, has announced that it will forego a tuition increase in its undergraduate engineering, technology and computer degree programs and slash tuition by $10,000 in its undergraduate business and management degree programs.

For the 2008–09 academic year, according to a fact sheet released by the college, undergraduate tuition for engineering, technology and computer degree programs will be frozen at $18,784 per year ($9,392 per semester).

For undergraduate business and management degree programs, tuition will be reduced by about $10,000 to $9,840 per year ($328 per credit hour and $4,920 per semester full-time). In addition, juniors and seniors now will be able to take business and management classes online.

“At a time when costs are rising in virtually every other sector of the state and national economy, Capitol College is holding the line on tuition and enhancing the accessibility of our degree programs so that we can continue to meet critical workforce needs in engineering and other technology-driven fields,” said President Michael Wood.

The cost-controlling moves will make Capitol College one of the least expensive independent colleges in Maryland, Wood said. He added that, in conjunction with the tuition freeze and cuts announced, the college will continue to offer its long-standing “tuition lock” policy that allows students to lock in the tuition rate they pay during freshman year, as well as a unique job guarantee program for graduating seniors.

Relocation of Arundel Federal Savings Bank in Works
A complete renovation of the Arundel Federal Savings Bank building at 655 Crain Highway in Glen Burnie will add 5,000 square feet of new office space to house the bank’s operations and executive functions. The project is expected to be completed in six months, at which time more than 25 employees will be relocated from the bank’s Brooklyn facility to the newly renovated offices.

“Completion of the project will provide increased convenience for our customers and will improve operational efficiencies for our deposit and loan processing staff. No jobs will be lost in this relocation and the added building space will accommodate Arundel Federal’s planned growth,” said Arundel Federal President George Behr, Jr.


CoStar Acquires Assets of Atlanta Information Provider’s Online Business
Bethesda-based CoStar Group has acquired the online commercial real estate information assets of First CLS Inc., which does business as The Dorey Companies and DoreyPRO, an Atlanta-based provider of local commercial real estate information.

The agreement calls for DoreyPRO customers to use the corresponding CoStar information services as called for under their DoreyPRO license agreement. They include CoStar Property Professional; CoStar COMPs; and CoStar Tenant, a searchable database of more than 3 million tenant records that is used for identifying tenants by square footage occupied, industry type, size or geographic location, for instance.

In addition, through a separate agreement, CoStar has acquired the rights to the Dorey Market Analysis Reports. Current Dorey Market Analysis Report customers will now receive the CoStar Market Report. The acquisition does not include Dorey’s print guides.

The new clients joining CoStar in the acquisition will be served by the company’s existing Atlanta research and sales team. The company’s database includes more than 32,000 office, industrial and retail properties throughout the greater Atlanta market with a combined inventory of 1.1 billion square feet.

CoStar expects this acquisition will be accretive to achieving 30% earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization margin in its U.S. operations by year-end.

Poll Reveals 82% of Americans Not Doing Enough to Ensure Their Health Through Preventive Steps
Although health care costs are rising across the board, 82% of Americans are not taking the affordable and simple steps to a healthier life, according to a new nationwide survey.

The poll further revealed that the respondents were interested in prevention, with some even practicing those lifestyles, but that more could be done to raise awareness and promote healthy habits.

“This is a classic case of knowing the right thing to do for one’s health and simply not practicing preventive care,” said Matt Narrett, chief medical officer of Erickson Health – sponsor of the recent poll and a forum held entitled, “The Politics of Prevention – Washington’s Role in a More Health Conscious America.” “I’m encouraged by the results, however, because the data shows Americans understand the value and benefits of preventive care and just need that last nudge that Congress and organizations like Erickson Health can offer them.”

“The results of this poll are important. We know that preventative services such as mammograms, colonoscopies and simple dental exams are vital tools in the fight against serious disease. We now have to act on this knowledge; procrastination costs lives and fuels the high cost of health care,” said Sen. Ben Cardin. While a member of the House, then-Congressman Cardin authored a provision that became law to add coverage for preventative benefits to Medicare.

XTS Receives Strategic Investment From AurionPro Solutions
Ellicott City-based XTS, creator of enterprise management analytics software for planning and managing Citrix and other virtualization platforms, has announced a strategic investment by the U.S. subsidiary of AurionPro Solutions Ltd. (aurionPro), a provider of global technology solutions.

Adding to an initial investment in XTS by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the investment proceeds from aurionPro will be used to increase market awareness and accelerate growth in the company’s global distribution channel. In addition to the investment, the companies agreed to an extended development contract and appointed Samir Shah, managing director of aurionPro U.S. operations, to the XTS board of directors.

DCA Announces the Development of a New Facility in Pennsylvania
Dialysis Corporation of America (DCA), headquartered in Linthicum, has announced the development of a new facility in Camp Hill, Pa. The new center, DCA’s 11th in Pennsylvania, will have 24 treatment stations, and the company expects that it will further solidify its leading role in the greater Harrisburg market.

“We are thrilled to be continuing our growth in Pennsylvania, one of our core markets with a demonstrated track record of success,” said President and CEO Stephen Everett. DCA owns 35 free-standing kidney hemodialysis centers, located in seven states, and provides patients with a full range of in-center and at-home hemodialysis services, as well as providing in-hospital services in many of its markets.

Constellation Acquires Non-Operating Interest in Woodford Shale
Constellation Energy Partners has closed its previously announced acquisition of non-operating interest in producing wells located in the Woodford Shale in Oklahoma from an affiliate of its sponsor, Constellation Energy, for $53.4 million.

The acquisition was fully funded with debt from the company’s revolving credit facility. “The Woodford Shale provides us with a foothold in an up-and-coming geographic area and access to low-risk production with limited exposure to increased capital commitments, operating expenses and resource demands,” said Stephen Brunner, CEO of Constellation Energy Partners. “By purchasing 100% proved developed producing wells we have further solidified our expected cash flows.”

GPC Receives Award From Security Initiative in Nebraska
General Physics Corp. (GPC), whose world headquarters is located in Elkridge, has been awarded a contract by the Tri-County Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) in Omaha, Neb., to provide a range of Homeland Security services.

Under this contract, GPC will provide program management, strategic planning, hazard and vulnerability assessments and training, as well as plan, develop, conduct and report the results of Homeland Security exercises over an 11-month period. GPC will also assist the UASI in creating performance measures, including clarifying new goals and objectives using risk assessment and strategy updates; documenting contributions that helped achieve prior goals and objectives; and other services.

UA Partners With Women’s College Lacrosse Entity
Under Armour and the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) have announced a comprehensive five-year partnership. As part of the partnership, the IWLCA named Under Armour as its primary corporate sponsor and exclusive athletic product supplier.

The name Under Armour will be integrated into all facets of the IWLCA’s major initiatives, including tournaments, academic awards, NCAA polls and coaches’ clinics. The brand has become the official title sponsor for the Champions Cup, North-South Game and Capital Cup. The corporation is also the new title sponsor for the IWLCA’s National Coaches Poll and presenting sponsor of the Annual Coaches Meeting and Clinic.

The growing movement toward green buildings will be the focus of the spring meeting of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), to be held Thursday, April 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton, 1910 Dual Highway in Hagerstown.

NACM’s Credit Manager’s Index Marks First Economic Contraction
For the first time since the Columbia-based National Association of Credit Management’s (NACM) seasonally adjusted Credit Manager’s Index (CMI) was calculated in February 2002, the March 2008 combined index has fallen below the crucial 50 level, indicating an economic contraction.

The contraction was the sixth decline in seven months, and a record six of 10 components fell. The service sector fell below 50 for the second consecutive month, while the manufacturing sector tied a record low of 51. “It was an unhappy report,” said Daniel North, chief economist for credit insurer Euler Hermes ACI.

“The information in the report confirms other national data, such as negative growth in non-farm payrolls, record home foreclosures and real retail sales falling year over year, which indicate that the economy is almost certainly in recession,” North said.

While the Federal Reserve Bank has reacted quickly to soothe the turbulent financial markets, it takes up to a year for Fed interest rate cuts to have their full effect. “When that happens, and when the housing market finally regains its footing, then the economy will begin to recover, perhaps by the end of 2008 or the beginning of 2009,” he said. A complete index can be viewed at http://web.nacm.org/cmi/pdf/CMI_March2008.pdf.