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MetroPointe apartments wins state award for mixing incomes

MetroPointe, a mixed-use, 173-unit apartment complex in downtown Wheaton, was named the "Mixed Income Project of the Year" by the Multifamily Executive Magazine, a D.C.-based real estate magazine, for providing low-income housing mixed with market-price units on top of a metro station. MetroPointe was co-developed by Bozzuto Development Company and the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission. The HOC owns the complex, which has 53 units set aside for people with low incomes. The entire project sits on top of the Wheaton Metro at Georgia Avenue and Reedie Drive.

"MetroPointe accomplishes the county's goal of smart growth, work-force housing and deep affordability for the County's lowest-income residents, all in one community. It is smart growth at its very best," said HOC Chairman Michael J. Kator in a MetroPointe press release.

MetroPointe was built over an aging Kiss & Ride lot and was finished in September of last year. The parking spaces and drop-off area have been relocated into an onsite parking garage that is shared by residents and Metro users. For more information on the complex, visit www.metropointeapts.com. Read Multifamily Executive Magazine at www.multifamiliyexecutive.com.

Local dentist takes a stand against sweets this Halloween

One area dentist is redefining the phrase "put your money where your mouth is." This Halloween, trick-or-treaters can bring their excess candy to Fenton Family Dental, 8630 Fenton St., Suite 708, in downtown Silver Spring and receive a gift certificate from a local restaurant and a toothbrush. Dr. Toussaint Crawford is leading this anti-decay movement by giving away gift certificates and electric glowing toothbrushes in exchange for cavity-provoking candy.

Global sugar consumption for kids' increases by about 2 percent annually and currently sits at 50 million tons per year. Candy can lead to hyperactivity and weight gain and in some cases, the wrong types of candy can also lead to broken teeth and damaged braces, Toussaint said in a press release.

Candy will be collected Monday at Fenton Family Dental during regular business hours. The candy must be unopened. It will then be shipped to troops overseas.   

Dr. Crawford is available to provide more information at 240-839-5100, or visit Fenton Family Center online at www.fentonfamilydental.com.

Wheaton small business network helps emerging inventors

The Maryland Small Business Development Network of the Capital Region, which is based in Wheaton and provides management and technical assistance to area entrepreneurs, recently helped Germantown resident Miguel Angel Perez with financing, business planning and marketing to launch his own invention, according to a press release.

The MDSBDC helped Perez commercialize his invention, the Plumber's Holder by Clasp, which makes it much more efficient to perform plumbing-related tasks while preventing accidental spills of dangerous liquids and chemicals.

Perez has developed a working prototype of the Plumber's Holder by Clasp, which is available for review under the appropriate terms and conditions of confidentiality. After working with Marisela Villamil, the bilingual business counselor from the MDSBDC, the product is now being made available for licensing to manufacturers in the plumbing-accessories industry. Perez is hoping to have the Plumber's Holder by Clasp in full production and available to the public in the near future.

More information about the invention can be obtained by contacting the publicity/press department of New Product Help.com at (877) 445-0494 ext. 2700 or at products@newproducthelp.com.

For more information about the Maryland Small Business Development Center Network, visit www.mdsbdc.umd.edu. For details about the Capital Region Small Business Development Center, visit www.capitalsbdc.umd.edu.