September, 2007, Networking Breakfast
Jeff Ludwig of NAI Michael Companies
offers good advice for county's future
Joe Hines, CBN-PG Vice President, awarded several checks at the September Networking Breakfast, including scholarship funds contributed by Leadership Members Steve Kemp and Tony Laubach.

Fr. George Wilkinson and Principal Michelle Jones of Holy Redeemer were awarded $750 from Kemp's Premier Leadership Membership, and Fr. Jim McKay and new Principal Carl Patton of St. Mark the Evangelist, received $350 from Key Leadership Member Laubach. Patton, Jones and Fr. George are pictured above..

This month's grantee was Elizabeth Seton HS. In the photo, Principal Sharon Pasterick and Stephanie Auletta from Seton receive the check from Joe Hines. Pasterick said that although it would be tempting to put the grant in with their new building fund, they would set it aside for needy students. Pasterick added, "We don't ever turn a qualified student away because of lack of funds."
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CBN-PG regulars may remember this month's speaker, Jeff Ludwig (pictured,) from past updates on the Chorbajian kids, whom Jeff and his wife took in after the untimely death of former CBN-PG President Dr. Jay Chorbajian and his wife,

Ludwig, of the NAI Michael Companies, talked about commercial real estate trends in the County. He noted that each day 600, 000 commuters travel through the County to get to jobs in DC and Northern Virginia. For the past 12 years, Ludwig has been trying to keep some of those jobs here.

He noted that out of $800 million in contracts in 1997, only $34 million went to Prince George's. Ludwig mentioned that an effort was in place by Reps. Hoyer and Mikulski to steer federal money to jobs in the County. He forecasted 40,000 jobs over the next 10 years, which he hopes will solve social, as well as economic problems for families, who won't have to travel as far to work.

Plenty of real estate agents were on hand to hear Ludwig talk, including Larry Hudson of New Focus Realty and Albert Millard of Exit First (pictured.) At the end of his talk, Ludwig reported that the Chorbajian kids all are doing well and seem to be well-adjusted following the tragedy they lived through. After thanking CBN-PG for its support, Ludwig said, "most people get to count their blessings, but we get to hug ours."

August, 2007, Networking Breakfast
Steve Kemp launches new garage,
warranty program at SK Motors
At the August Networking Breakfast, Sponsor Steve Kemp of SK Motors announced that he was re-entering the auto maintenance business, with the opening of a new garage.

This was the tenth breakfast meeting Kemp has sponsored, and he used his time to award a free oil change to CBN-PG member Joe Kumper of the Catholic Standard, who picked a winning ticket.

Kemp also promoted a new "Peace of Mind" extended warranty program with 0% financing that is available to CBN-PG Members at a 10% discount.

Speaker Paul Woodburn of Ben Dyer Associates reviewed the EYA Arts District project, (pictured at left,) now underway in Hyattsville and how these projects come together.

Woodburn, a graduate of St. Ambrose and DeMatha, stressed the cooperation between their team and those working on DeMatha's convocation center. He suggested monitoring projects on the MNC-PPC website. Other helpful sites charting north County development include Rethink College Park and Route 1 Growth.

This month's grant was awarded to Myneko Broadhurst of Forestville Pregnancy Center by President Jim Palmer (pictured at right.) In other business, members were reminded of the Monday, October 22, Golf Tournament and the Sunday, October 28 Crab Feast. There is a need for volunteers for both events. Call 301-779-7833 to donate time, goods, services, or to be a hole sponsor.

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