Arbutus Business and Professional Association members have started decorating the East Drive area in preparation for Santa's return to town on Nov. 28.

Santa arrives by fire truck at 6 p.m., courtesy of the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department and will make his way to his special location on the grounds of the Ice Cream Cottage after a side trip to the Arbutus Town Hall where he'll be greeted by caroling Girl Scouts and excited children.

In addition to the Boumi Temple Clowns, this year's activities will included a moon bounce, outdoor movies and a life-sized Candyland game.

Snacks and treats, as well as small gifts for children, will be provided by ABPA members.

Once Santa is settled in, he'll be available for in-person visits and photos Thursdays and Fridays starting Dec. 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Saturdays starting Dec. 5, 2-4 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sundays starting Dec. 6, 2-4 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 22 and 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department again provides the perfect accompaniment to a visit with Santa with its annual train garden, one of the best in the area.

Stop by 5200 Southwestern Blvd., 6:30-8:30 p.m. during the week or weekends, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The garden is also open on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As always, this event is free of charge, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Arbutus Business and Professional Association member Richard Greene's Arbutus Auto Painting and Bodyworks is the home of another great train garden.

The arrangement takes advantage of the large display area in this former car showroom, utilizing a platform for a multi-level arrangement featuring cityscapes, countryside and some businesses that will look very familiar to Arbutus residents.

The display is open during business hours. Call 410-242-0036.

Advertising opportunities for the Arbutus Business and Professional Association's 2010 directory has started.

Janet Bruchey and Patti Sue Nolan are coordinating ad sales with Lulu Lancelotta acting as field representative.

Members and 2009 advertisers should have received application packages by mail. If not, call Janet at 410-242-2801 or Patti Sue at 410-242-9177.

Those wishing to advertise for the first time should contact Lulu at 443-629-9828 or lulu@saferforyourhome.com.

The Arbutus Business and Professional Association wishes to thank the following member businesses for their generous contributions to the October Most Fun Networking event:

Bettina Tebo (Bail Money): A mini-hay bale with money

Southwestern Car Care: Basket of Car Care products

Buckingham Automotive: gift certificate

Melaleuca, The Wellness Company, local representative Lulu Lancelotta: gift basket

Law Office of Terrence Nolan: restaurant gift certificate

M&T Bank: Ravens team glass set

Tonya Crowl-Gifford: Gift certificate for professional services

Catonsville Wellness Center, Christine Koloski, energy practitioner: gift certificate for professional services

The Arbutus Business and Professional Association would like to thank the organizers of the recent Casino Night, Mary Bunting, Terry Nolan, Sean Conlon and Colleen Orendorff; the basket crew of Patti Sue Nolan and Bettina Tebo; Ascension School for the hall and volunteers; and Janet Bruchey and Jeff Utzinger for all of their help.

Full list of contributors in next month's article.

Stephen Mackowiak, business development manager for Glacial Energy, was the guest speaker at the Arbutus Business and Professional Association's November meeting.

He said Glacial Energy is a retail electricity supplier licensed to operate in 15 states, including Maryland.

He explained that an energy reseller, Glacial Energy does not generate or deliver electrical power.

It purchases energy from providers with savings to the business customer the result of negotiating a lower purchase price.

To determine if your business can save money through the program, contact Stephen at 443-223-8660 or Stephen.Mackowiak@glacialenergy.com.

Arbutus Business and Professional Association President Terry Nolan joined the members of the Lansdowne Business and Professional Association at its meeting November 17.

Lansdowne Business and Professional Association President Charles Kountz welcomed his group's members and guests that included several representing the Arbutus and Catonsville business groups to last week's meeting.

Pierce Macgill, who handles commercial revitalization in the county's eight districts on the west side for the Office of Economic Development, was among the guest speakers at the event.

He provided an overview of the programs offered to help new and existing businesses in making aesthetic improvements.

A variety of plans allow for such diverse needs as architectural changes, landscaping and parking improvements, awnings and siding, and for those who don't own the property in which they are located, loans for interior improvements.

Many of the programs the county offers can be used in combination with state and private financing plans, he said.

During the Lansdowne group's meeting, Glenn Garnes, founder of ConsumerWins.com, a web-based sales program modeled on social networking, talked about businesses can encourage consumers to shop locally.

Garnes urged area businesses to enroll to in order to reach a broader local market through the social networking component and consumers should enroll at a low cost to take advantage of discounts offered by member merchants.

ConsumerWins.com also offers merchants the opportunity to select a charity to be the recipient of 100 memberships the charity can then resell as a fundraiser.

Garnes said the program is small at present, with businesses in Columbia, Laurel and Ellicott City, and he is now focusing on expanding into Arbutus, Catonsville and Lansdowne.

Calendar of events

Nov. 27: Santa arrives in Lansdowne one day before making his way to Arbutus.

Join the members of the Lansdowne Business and Professional Association as Santa arrives with the help of the Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Department at 5:30 p.m.

Santa's Lansdowne home is at 2912 Hammonds Ferry Road.

Enjoy holiday carols by Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church's choir.

The Santa House will be open Friday through Sunday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 20.

Dec. 8: St. Agnes Hospital holds its annual Gift of Lights program at 4 p.m. in the hospital chapel.

The Christmas Tree of Lights will be illuminated after the program in the Alagia Auditorium.

The Tree of Lights honors and remembers loved ones during the holiday season.

To make a donation, call the Saint Agnes Foundation office at 410-368-3155.

Dec. 10: Arbutus Business and Professional Association meets at 1 p.m. at Leon's Triple L Restaurant, 5309 East Drive. Arbutus Times and Catonsville Times reporter Kevin Rector will be the featured speaker.

RSVP to Patti Sue Nolan at 410-242-9177 or Paula Wolf at go.paula@verizon.net.

Dec. 13: Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department pancake breakfast, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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