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Names & notes: Verizon launches FiOS TV in Bowie

Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006

Verizon Communications Inc. launched FiOS TV in Bowie this week.

The service, according to Verizon, includes more than 180 digital video and music channels and more than 20 high-definition channels.

The company already offers the service in Clarksville, Columbia and Ellicott City, and expects to also offer the digital service in parts of Anne Arundel County this month, according to a press release.

Nationally, the company offers the digital television service in parts of Virginia, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York and Texas.

Small Business Initiativeto hold Procurement Day

Prince George’s County’s Small Business Initiative will host a procurement day to alert entrepreneurs of construction opportunities.

The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 16 at the Prince George’s Economic Development Corp., 1100 Mercantile Lane, Suite 115A, Largo.

Small-business specialists are expected to outline opportunities for school construction projects, the Washington Nationals baseball stadium and housing development.

Registration: Toni Miles, 301-583-4650.

ZIPS Dry Cleaners plansto open franchises

ZIPS Dry Cleaners of Greenbelt expects to award as many as eight new franchises in Maryland and Virginia over the next 18 months.

Started in 1996, ZIPS now operates 12 stores, including in Frederick. Interested franchisees should expect to invest at least $500,000, including a $50,000 franchise fee.

Business group plansBowie networking lunch

SmallCompanies.com will host a networking lunch at Rip’s Country Inn Tuesday morning. The monthly lunch is for entrepreneurs looking to do business in the Bowie and Mitchellville areas, according to the group.

Registration: rips@smallcompanies.com.

Chevy Chase Banksettles legal case

Chevy Chase Bank, the third largest bank in deposits in Maryland with $7.5 billion, has agreed to pay $16.1 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that Chevy Chase charged excessive interest rates on credit cards.

Baltimore Circuit Judge John Glynn preliminarily approved the settlement last week. Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, a public interest law firm in Washington, D.C., filed the lawsuit in 1999.