Arbutus Business and Professional Association

Bettina Tebo of Abbey Bail Bonds told members of the Arbutus Business and Professional Association that most of her clients are not hard-core criminals, but average people who may have committed a relatively minor traffic violation or other infraction, and through a series of circumstances, often as simple as moving to a different address, find themselves on the receiving end of a bench warrant.

During the association's meeting, Tebo explained that the process often begins when a client says he did not receive a mailed notice to appear in court and a bench warrant is issued for their failure to appear.

The notice to appear in court could be the result of a traffic stop or some other routine infraction.

Should a person be arrested for not appearing in court, a bail bondsperson is called in to guarantee that the defendant will appear at the next court appointment, according to Tebo.

If a second party guarantees the bond, either financially or by assigning his or her property, those assets may be forfeited if the bond subject fails to appear before the court, she said.

Bondspeople are responsible for guaranteeing their client's appearance in court until the issue is settled.

She said they have a right of entry that police departments do not share, if they need to secure the person who is the subject of the bond.

Tebo explained that the fee structure for a bail bondsperson is set by the General Assembely and, at present, a bond fee is set at 10 percent.

Discounted fees or additional interest charges are illegal in Maryland, she said.

In Maryland, bail bond providers are licensed by the Maryland Insurance Commission.

Abbey Bail Bonds has been in business for over 25 years and may be reached at 410-788-4888.

ABPA members were pleased to hear from Lt. John Rossbach of the Wilkens Police Station that crime trends continue to decline in the Arbutus area.

A deception crime was reported in the Catonsville area in which two men identified themselves as inspectors to an elderly resident and while one kept the homeowner occupied, the other collected valuables.

Residents are reminded to be cautious when allowing anyone that they have not previously contacted into their homes for service or utility work.

Baltimore Gas & Electric, Verizon and other utilities, as well as representatives of city or county agencies, should be able to provide identification, and a supervisor's telephone number to verify the reason for their visit.

Kevin Gibbons-O'Neil, assistant athletic director for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County's athletic department, thanked the members of the ABPA for their welcome and support.

He said he was particularly pleased by the Retrievers/Believers signs in Arbutus.

During this year's basketball season, live sports broadcasts have been scheduled from Gianni's Italian Bistro, 3720 Washington Boulevard, starting in December, he said.

Dr. Douglas Miller, team chiropractor for the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Blast, is providing a wellness seminar for businesses interested in learning about the benefits of chiropractic care.

Tara Baldwin, a certified life coach and speaker, offered members the invitation for a lunch and learn seminar on behalf of Miller.

Call her at 410-991-5629 or go to www.marylandchiropractic.com.

Sue Miller, of the St. Agnes Foundation, has agreed to chair the 2010 Arbutus Arts Festival Committee.

Richard Greene (Arbutus Auto Painting and Bodyworks), who chaired the event for the past several years, is stepping down but will continue to play an active role with the committee.

Terry Nolan, president of the ABPA is working with representatives at UMBC to create an interactive map of Arbutus businesses. Interested members should call him at 410-242-9177 to have their business included.

The ABPA will offer banner sponsorships for the Christmas holiday season at $100 each.

Banners will feature a Christmas tree and provide space for the sponsor's information.

Camera-ready art may be included.

Call Patti Sue Nolan at 410-242-9177 before October 20 to place an order.

Santa House sponsors as well as volunteers are being sought.

Contact Jill Black at 410-747-9622 or JillBlack@ymaryland.org.

The ABPA will begin marketing for its next member directory publication due for distribution in spring of 2010.

Lulu Lancelotta, a representative of Melaleuca, the Wellness Company, will handling advertising sales.

Members will receive an information packet by mail.

Directory space is offered to ABPA members first, then to non-member businesses in the greater Arbutus area.

Contact Lulu at lulu@saferforyourhome.com.

The director of Baltimore County's Office of Economic Development, David Iannucci, was the first in the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce's speaker's series. Iannucci told members of the Arbutus and Catonsville business groups that Baltimore County's ability to weather the financial storms of the past year was due to several factors.

He said the county's economic strengths include:

* An educated populace -- the largest concentration of college graduates in the region and the second highest in the state.

* A lower-than-average commercial vacancy rate.

* An unemployment rate that has remained consistently lower than both the regional and the national average.

Iannuccis explained that the county has a diverse economic base, with approximately 57 percent of business activity focused on technology, shipping/transportation, financial services, professional and business services, government, and educational and health services.

He said an estimated influx of 3,900 jobs is expected in Baltimore County as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Act, and an additional 3,600 households will relocate to the county.

Baltimore County's Economic Development office is continuing its business loan programs and is stepping up its ReDiscover Your Neighborhood Downtown promotional program.

Area businesses interesting in finding out what the office can do to help them become established or grow should call 410-887-8000.

The following businesses made generous donations to the ABPA's joint networking event with the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce at UMBC in September: Paul's Restaurant, The Lunchbox, Janet Bruchey, Sorrento of Arbutus, Little Abner's Liquors, Wild Wolf's Beef Shack and Leon's Triple L Restaurant.

Southwest Emergency Services is in need of pasta (spaghetti) and sauce for food basket donations. All help and donations gratefully accepted.

Volunteers needed to answer phones, provide food, sort clothing and assist shoppers and to provide clean-up of the facility. Training provided.

Call 410-247-8154.

Welcome, new members

Law Office of Bruce A. Kent

5517 Oregon Avenue

410-247-5805

bkentlaw@verizon.net

Soroptimist International of Arbutus

(Honorary member)

represented by Zoe Ann Rohm

www.soroptimistarbutus.org

Calendar of Events

Oct. 15: The fifth annual Most Fun You Ever Had Networking, Networking Event starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Fish Head Cantina, 4802 Benson Avenue. Tickets are $20 per person and include three drink tickets for beer, wine or soda; hors d'ouevres, door prizes, and all the networking you can handle.

Call Mary Bunting at 410-952-3727 for information.

Tickets at Arbutus Auto Painting and Bodyworks, Law Office of Terrence M. Nolan or Leeds Dry Cleaners.

Oct. 17: An offer you can't refuse. A crab cake-eating contest will be held at noon at Gianni's Italian Bistro, 3720 Washington Boulevard, to benefit the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department's squad replacement fund.

Contestants have 10 minutes to eat as many Gianni's 10-ounce jumbo-lump crab cakes as they can. Winner receives dinner for two at Gianni's. Additional prizes provided by WCBM radio.

Activities end at 3 p.m.

Cost is $15 per entrant. Limit 15 participants.

A fire engine and ambulance tour, fire prevention tips and blood pressure checks available.

For information, go to www.arbutusvfd.org.

Oct. 18: Susan B. Komen Maryland Race for the Cure will take place in Hunt Valley. ABPA member Wayne McDowell, whose wife is a breast-cancer survivor, will take part in the race and is encouraging friends and family to support him. Wayne's Team is "Teachers for Tatas" and as of this writing have raised over $300 to support breast cancer research. To help, call him at 443-324-1943 or go to www.komenmd.org.

Nov. 6: The ABPA and Ascension School co-host a Casino Night at 8 p.m. at Brewer Hall, 4601 Maple Avenue. Enjoy an evening of gaming, food and entertainment.

All proceeds donated to the ABPA and Ascension School. Tickets are $40 and include beer, wine and soft drinks; a buffet catered by Gianni's Italian Bistro, entertainment by The Elvis Man, and a variety of games. A Chinese Auction will conclude the evening.

Call Mary Bunting at 410-952-3727 or Patti Sue Nolan at 410-242-9177.

Ascension students' parents call Kim Nicholson at 443-324-1272.

Nov. 7: Soroptimist International of Arbutus holds its annual Princess Tea at the First Baptist Church of Lansdowne, 2320 Alma Road, 1-3 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. Reservations requested by October 16.

Call Maureen Potter at 410-247-1503 or send a check payable to SI Arbutus to Alverta Dockins, P. O. Box 24122, Halethorpe, MD 21227. Information at www.soroptimistarbutus.org.

Nov. 7: State Sen. Edward Kasemeyer, Dels. Steven DeBoy and James Malone, and Councilman Samuel Moxley host a benefit to raise money for Southwest Emergency Services and the Catonsville Emergency Food Ministries. Event starts at 7 p.m. at the Lodge, 2832 Nine Mile Circle. Tickets are $10. Call Jeff Utzinger at 410-247-4816.

Nov. 22: The annual Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department's Train Garden opens at the department, 5200 Southwestern Boulevard. The train garden is its 16th year as one of the best in the Baltimore area. For promotional opportunities, call Chuck or Connie at 410-747-3861 or 443-538-1229.

Nov. 28: Santa Claus returns, riding a fire truck. Get in the holiday spirit as the ABPA presents its annual salute to Santa at the Arbutus Town Hall. Children of all ages will enjoy caroling, a life-size Candyland game, and treats galore.

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