ABA meeting at the Library:
Tuesday, March 6, starting 7:00 p.m.
66 Front Street (downstairs, via side door)
Meetings are free of charge, and are open to all business owners, executives, and managers

Annual Election of officers for next year!

Presentations/Speakers:
- Adam Sachs of John Hancock Financial Network will explain the services he offers.
- Kou Hang of Sovereign Bank will speak briefly about the ABA Welcome Baskets program.
- Mike Corkery of Custom Software Solutions, Inc., will demo some enhanced features for the ABA Web site, including listing our businesses by categories.
- Chief Scott Rohmer of the Ashland Police Department will talk about safety in your business environment.

"Business After Hours"
Claudette Rowe of KnowledgePoints Learning Center will host this month's social networking opportunity at her location -- 25 West Union Street -- starting right after the meeting!

Beginning in April, "Business After Hours" will be held at the library following our meeting (just outside the meeting room) from 8:30 to 9 p.m. If you'd like to sponsor one, contact coordinator Dianna Hopper of Di's Little Friends Playcare at 508-736-3724. The sponsor fee is $50 payable to the ABA (half is donated to the Friends of the Library). Then it's up to you the extent of food and drink you'd care to supply -- anything from a tray of cookies or snacks and soda from home, to hot hors d'oeuvres, to more elaborate fare! It's a great opportunity to expose your business to attendees at the monthly meeting as well as to the community.

Here are some of the benefits of being a sponsor:
- Showcase your products or services by displaying your promotional material and signage, samples of your work, etc., all around both meeting areas that night.
- Have a few minutes to speak at the main meeting.
- Be featured on the ABA Web site and in the newsletter.
- Get publicized in the local newspapers and on WACA-TV.
- Enjoy the networking opportunities that lead to more business for you.

Vote 3/6 for these nominated officers, to take office in April:

Nominated for President: David Teller of Ryan Insurance Agency, Inc.
Nominated for Vice President: Bob DePeron of Money-Wise Solutions LLC
Nominated for Secretary: Kou Hang of Sovereign Bank; and Claudette Rowe of KnowledgePoints Learning Center
Nominated for Treasurer: Elyse Shuster of CruisingCo.com & MouseEarVacations.com
Nominated for Publicity Coordinator: Linda Herring of Art by Herring Design Services
Nominated for Members-at-Large: Mike Corkery of Custom Software Solutions, Inc.; Glenn M. Travis of GMT Home Designs, Inc.; Judi Teller, Realtor - Berkshire Realty Group; Adam Sachs of John Hancock Financial Network; Jason Rutherford of Federated Church of Ashland; Dianna Hopper of Di's Little Friends Playcare; and Lisa Giargiari of M.T. Giargiari Electrical Service.

Rediscover Ashland 2007
Promoting local businesses through our annual June event doesn't have to be as complex as the last couple of years. Rediscover Ashland could be an expanded Sidewalk Sale that includes a chili contest and music -- or something similar -- and of course we'll set a rain date this year. If you can help coordinate this event, please call Bob DePeron at 508-665-4225. Unless volunteers step forward very soon, RA 2007 is in serious jeopardy of not happening!

Welcome Baskets
The residential Welcome Baskets program will be restarted in April. All ABA members are free to participate. Please prepare 30 items that you want to include in the baskets, and drop them off at Sovereign Bank, 12 Front Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 10. Contact Kou Hang at 508-881-1130 with any questions. 

The ABA welcomes a new member:
Chris Granger of NightLife Oil Burner Service, Inc.