There are a few things in life that almost everyone dreads – paying income taxes, hitting the interstate on a holiday weekend, a summer cold – and standing in line at the Motor Vehicle Administration!  No matter how short your transaction, there’s never an “un-busy” time at the MVA.  However, there is an alternative – and a great one, at that – where you can conduct almost all of your motor vehicle transactions in 10 minutes or less.  Can’t believe it?  Then check out Frenny’s Tag and Title Service! Frenny’s Tag and Title Service offers many of the same services available at the MVA, including registration, title service, tag service, tag renewal service, transfer tags, duplicate titles, and temporary registrations for motor vehicles and trailers (with the exception of personalized or handicapped tags). With locations in Pikesville (1310 Bedford Avenue, Suite 101) and Elkridge (7281 Washington Boulevard, Suite A), Frenny’s can get you in and out the door in 10 minutes – less time than you’d typically spend at the MVA.

Frentrice Glover is the owner of both locations of Frenny’s Tag and Title Service and is a true entrepreneur at heart.  Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Frenny worked in the insurance industry for 19 years and continued providing insurance services while striking out on her own with two additional businesses – the tag and title service, and a shop called Gift World that offered clothing, jewelry, accessories, and shoes.  After several years, she decided to focus all of her energies on the tag and title business and relocated to the Baltimore County location.  Her second location in Elkridge opened in 2011.

Frenny enjoys meeting new people and helping them with their vehicle needs.  She understands that time is valuable and helps people save time by providing fast, efficient, and accurate vehicle services at reasonable cost.  Frenny’s Tag and Title Service charges you the same fees that you would pay at the MVA, plus a modest service charge for the speed and convenience of the services. In addition to offering services to the general public, Frenny also works with small dealerships to help them process their registrations.

In addition to running the two locations of her business, Frenny enjoys traveling (when she can – she’s a self-proclaimed workaholic!) and swimming.  She offers the following advice for entrepreneurs or anyone looking to start their own business:  Do your research and do things the right way – don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Save your valuable time for something you enjoy!  Visit Frenny’s Tag and Title Service for your motor vehicle needs.  Locations are open as follows:  Pikesville – Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 AM and 5 PM by appointment (phone number 410-356-6877); Elkridge – Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM.

Americans spend a considerable amount of time on the road – driving to and from work, running kids to and from school and activities, and just keeping up with the demands of everyday life.  With this in mind, the inside of your car should be comfortable, enjoyable, and attractive…if it’s not, then you might want to contact GS Auto Upholstery for help!

Owned and operated by Gil Spirlet, GS Auto Upholstery offers a full line of services for the interior of your car, including seats, carpets, headliners, dashboards, doors, and more.  They work with all fabric, leather, and vinyl, including Alcantara, ultra suede and ultra leather, but specialize in leather repair and replacement.  GS also provides service and care for convertible tops, including repair and replacement of glass and plastic windows, as well as frame and hydraulic system repairs and replacements. They can seek out and repair leaky sunroofs and keep the mechanics of your “window to the sky” running smoothly.  Care and repair of vinyl and simulated convertible tops are also on their list of services.

Born and raised in Bowie, Maryland, Gil obtained his Associates Degree in Business Administration from Prince George’s Community College.  He originally aspired to auto body work but took a part-time job with an auto upholsterer while still in college and never turned back.  After graduation, he moved up to a full-time position in upholstery while working out of his father’s one-car garage doing additional interior work on the side.  After a few years, Gil decided to take the leap and open his own shop, and in August 1989 he opened GS Auto Upholstery in Millersville.  The rest is history.

Gil has extensive experience with classic car restoration from the inside out.  He is currently preparing to open another business that specializes in appraisals of classic cars.  He enjoys working on his own classic vehicles and is the proud owner of four: a 1972 Buick GS455 Convertible, a 1941 Buick Roadmaster, a 1971 MGB Roadster, and a 1979 Lincoln Mark V Collectors Series.  When he’s not crawling around inside or under a vehicle, Gil enjoys spending time with his two sons, playing baseball, golfing, cooking, and camping.

In addition to superior interior work on any make and model of automobile, GS Auto Upholstery provides installation, repair, and service for boat interiors and recreational vehicles. They also work with most insurance companies if the work you require is the result of an accident or other type of covered damage to your vehicle.  Estimates are always free and no appointment is needed.  Visit www.gsautoupholstery.com to find out more, or stop by to see Gil and his staff Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM at 1027 Benfield Boulevard in Millersville.

They say a house is not a home without a pet.  Whether it’s a dog, a cat, a bird, a hamster, or any other creature with which you form a bond of affection, pets truly do add a special joy to our lives.  It’s important to keep them healthy, happy, and looking and feeling well.  Doggie Styles, Inc., of Prince Frederick, Maryland, knows how to do just that!

Kim Smith is the owner of Doggie Stylez, located at 155 Central Square Drive in Prince Frederick.  A consummate animal lover, Kim operates her business with the goal of making sure that the animals that she cares for and grooms have a positive experience.  She offers services for dogs including bathing, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and anal gland checks, and she specializes in hand-scissoring techniques, as well as the standard clipper cuts for your furry friend.  Realizing that a dog’s coat is affected by its diet, she also offers all-natural dog foods that are nutritious and great for a healthy coat and skin.

Kim started working with animals as a veterinary technician and apprenticed with a groomer for almost two years to hone her grooming skills.  She moved on to working for groomers but was concerned with the fear and apprehension that the in-out grooming process seemed to instill in the animals, and she wanted to ensure that nervous dogs, elderly dogs, and reactive dogs were treated in the most caring way possible.  After some time providing grooming on a house-call basis, Kim decided to open Doggie Stylez, where she now provides a positive and caring experience for all of her clients.  Kim takes pride in knowing that she has been able to help some of her more anxious clients overcome their fears of being touched, brushed, and groomed – fears that may have been instilled during less sensitive grooming experiences.

When you take your dog to Doggie Stylez, they are treated like one of Kim’s own pets.  If they are new to the grooming process, they are slowly introduced to all that it has to offer – sometimes it takes up to 4 visits for a dog to become acclimated, in a calm and sensitive way, to the process.  They have playtime before and after their appointments and they are not kenneled while there.  As an owner, you can drop your dog off for services or schedule an appointment where you can stay with your dog during the treatment.  The average appointment time is about 1.5 hours, depending on the size of the dog, the dog’s coat, and the dog’s individual needs.

Doggie Stylez also offers services for cats, including bathing, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and haircuts/combouts if necessary.  Cats are more sensitive to certain sounds, so a foam bath can be used to keep the cat calm and comfortable during the process.  Most cats, though, do not require regular bathing and can be kept clean and neat with regular brushing at home.

For dogs, Kim recommends a bath and grooming every two months for short-haired dogs (or sooner if the coat begins to smell).  Longer-haired dogs require regular brushing at home and often need a trim and grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.  Nails should be clipped once a month or sooner, depending on how fast the nails grow.

If you want your dog or cat to have a caring grooming experience, give Kim at call at Doggie Styles at 443-295-7831.

It may be cold outside, but if you ride a motorcycle, it’s never too early to think about warmer weather and hitting the open road.  If you’re looking for a place to take your bike for maintenance, customization, or (heaven forbid) accident repairs, look no further than Lucky Cycles!

Located in Owings, Maryland, Lucky Cycles provides service, maintenance, and customization of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In business since 2004, owner Jim Purdy thoroughly enjoys each day of hands-on bike work. He puts his experience as a Harley mechanic to work each day performing routine repairs, but he really sinks his teeth into ground-up customizations. He specializes in building custom choppers and has completed dozens of modifications and service on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Jim’s passion for motorcycles began when his dad and a friend built him a custom mini bike when he was 7 years old. As a youth he raced motocross and continues to ride today.  Growing up, Jim and his father spent time working on  projects, including a complete ground-up restoration of his first car, a 1972 SS Nova.  After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a career in law enforcement in the DC area, Jim decided to return to his first love – working with metal and machines – and established Lucky Cycles while still working full-time in law enforcement.  After building three show-winning choppers in 2004, Jim decided to focus on Lucky Cycles full-time, turning it into the business he loves.

If you’re not in the market to customize your bike but want to keep it in tip-top shape, Lucky’s can take care of that for you, too. Parts and accessories are reasonably priced.  Services like paint, powder coating, chroming, custom parts and mounts, and frame-up restoration are also on the menu. Visit their web site at www.luckycycles.com to see what they have done and can do for you!  Lucky’s also works with all insurance companies, so if you are ever in a situation where you need your bike repaired due to an accident, give Jim a call at 410-286-7557.

Lucky Cycles is located at 6981 Briscoes Turn Road in Owings, MD. Stop in and see what they can do for you!

Do you drive a car?  Chances are pretty good that you do, and if you’re like most people, you want to keep it in good working condition so that you can get as much life out of it as possible. If you’re looking for a quality car care center that can keep your buggy in tip-top shape, look no further than Bowie Auto Service on Old Chapel Road in Bowie, Maryland.

Bob and Rose Woolley are the owners of Bowie Auto Service and have been providing quality car care for 21 years.  They perform all types of auto repairs on both foreign and domestic vehicles, including scheduled maintenance packages, system flushes (power steering, radiator, transmission, brakes), tire installation, mounting and balancing, shocks, struts, air conditioning service, axles, wheel bearings – and a host of other services from a list that’s too long to list here (but check their web site at www.bowieautoservice.com for a more complete list).  They also perform light work on diesel trucks.  Their location at 15300 Old Chapel Road is a filling station, so you can refuel before or after your service visit with regular gasoline or diesel fuel.  They also service ARI fleet vehicles.

A native Marylander, Bob has been getting his hands dirty with auto repairs since he was 15 years old, when he began working for Pat Goss at his garage in Riverdale, Maryland (you may recognize Pat as the host of the TV show Motor Week).  In fact, Bob honed his mechanical skills under Pat and worked at that same garage (after it changed hands) for 18 years before making the move to purchase his own station in Bowie in 1990. He opened up his shop and welcomed his first customers, doing auto servicing and repairs and running the business on his own for the first year.  As the business began to grow, he hired additional technicians to assist him.  Bob and Rose were married in 1994, and Rose came on board with the business full-time in 1996, taking over the administrative and marketing side of things so that Bob could concentrate fully on service.

In their spare time, Bob and Rose enjoy fishing and going to the beach, and they are active members of two local car clubs – the Asphalt Angels and the High Rollers (where Bob serves as president).  They restored a 1975 Chevy Laguna S3 that Bob purchased years ago and can be seen with it at area car shows.  They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

To keep your car running for years to come, the Woolleys recommend that you keep up with all scheduled maintenance and have services performed at the recommended intervals.  Make sure all fluids have been checked and are at the proper levels and tires are at their recommended pressures for safe winter driving.

Stop in for fuel and say hi to Bob and Rose – and if you need service, give them a call at 301-464-1112.

Trees are wonderful.  They provide us with oxygen, shade, beautiful scenery, fruit, and a rainbow of colors in the fall – just to mention a few things!  Sometimes they can cause problems, too, especially when weather causes them to become unstable or destructive.  It’s important to keep your trees healthy and stable for their well-being and yours – and that’s where our Merchant of the Month can help!

Economy Tree Service, Inc., provides complete tree service to keep the trees on your property in tip-top shape. They provide tree trimming, fertilizing, tree removal, lot clearing, stump grinding, shrub trimming and shrub removal services. They also specialize in hazardous tree removal – trees located next to houses or buildings or close to wires. Economy Tree Service also handles shrub trimming and removal, deadwood removal, storm damage, cleanup services, and tree spraying for disease and insects.

A native of Kent Island, William Roy has owned and operated Economy Tree Service since 1991. After working for another tree company, he decided to “branch” out on his own, buying a chipper and a stump grinder and growing his business from the roots up.  His operation now features two crews (including two arborists) and nine trucks, including chip trucks, bucket trucks, pickups, and log trucks. Economy Tree is headquartered in Queenstown on the Eastern Shore and serves customers in Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Caroline Counties, as well as the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County area.  They also provide services for the town of Easton as well as Queen Anne and Talbot Counties, and state roads.

Economy Tree also sells firewood at reasonable prices and will deliver to your location for a nominal fee (or you can pick it up).  If you are having a tree trimmed or serviced, you can choose to have the trimmings chipped into mulch or, if big enough, cut into fireplace-sized logs for your use – or you can have it all hauled away!  William recommends oak, locust, and cherry for fireplace or woodstove use as they are all clean-burning hardwoods.  Poplar burns fast and pine leaves a residue in the chimney.

To keep your trees healthy, safe, and looking good, William recommends that you keep them trimmed and have the deadwood thinned so that the wind doesn’t catch them and cause damage.  He also recommends fertilizing for trees that have suffered damage from storms or insects.

Economy Tree Service provides 24-hour emergency service as well as free estimates.  Regular business hours are 7 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday.  They are located at 100 Arrington Road in Queenstown.  Visit the website at www.economytreeserviceinc.com or give them a call at 410-827-5198.

Winter is just around the corner, and with it, ski season.  Cash Flow Plus is proud to provide merchant services for the Annual Ski Swap, a fundraiser to benefit the Ski Liberty Ski Patrol.  The swap takes place this Sunday, October 30, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Ski Center, located at 4300 Fordham Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20016.  The rain date is Saturday, November 5.  Ski and snowboard enthusiasts can buy or sell used ski and snowboard equipment and clothing at this event, which is the D.C. area’s largest ski swap.

The Ski Liberty Ski Patrol is part of the National Ski Patrol System, Inc., a non-profit organization formed in 1938 and dedicated to promoting skiing and snowboarding safety throughout the country.  The NSP has a Ski Patrol presence at 98% of the ski resorts in the United States.  There are about 27,000 NSP members nationwide, with 120 members at Ski Liberty.  The Ski Liberty Ski Patrol, founded in 1974, is a member of the NSP.  Some of its members have been patrolling the same mountain since the 1970s.

Members of the Ski Patrol are volunteers who donate their time and expertise to provide aid and assistance, at no cost, to injured skiers and boarders throughout the United States.  The NSP’s premier outdoor emergency care course is used to educate ski patrollers throughout the world.

The annual Ski Swap at the Ski Center is the Ski Patrol’s only source of income – the proceeds from the swap support their tireless first-aid efforts, purchase training equipment, and cover expenses in conducting training courses for Patrol members.

If you are interested in attending the swap, here are some guidelines:

• If you are selling items, registration begins at 9:00 AM.
• Return by 3:30 PM to pick up unsold items. Items not picked up by 3:30 PM will be considered donated to the Ski Patrol.
• Pay by credit card, cash or check. You will receive a check in the mail for any sold items less a 20% commission from the Ski Patrol. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks to receive your check.
• For easy ample parking on Swap Day, turn on 50th Street from Massachusetts Avenue and use the large parking lot behind the office buildings.
• Boots and bindings over 10 years old cannot be sold.

Whether you are a skier or a boarder, there is something for everyone!  Come out and support the Ski Patrol!  They’re there when you need them!

As we move deeper into autumn and toward colder weather, we instinctively start thinking of gatherings with family and friends, warm and comforting meals shared and enjoyed, all topped off with a sweet finale.  As you plan your holiday parties – or any celebration, for that matter – be sure to contact our Merchant of the Month, Du Paul’s Catering!

Du Paul’s Catering is a family-owned and operated business located in the Safeway shopping center in Prince Frederick, Maryland.  Paula Van Tassel opened the business in 1994 and has been catering large and small events in the Calvert/St. Mary’s/Charles county area ever since.Du Paul’s aims to provide freshly prepared and tasty meals followed by home-made desserts at a reasonable price. Paula’s weekday business is mostly corporate, feeding local offices and businesses, while focusing on private parties and weddings on the weekends.

Born in Seaford in Southern England, Paula attended South Bank University in London and worked in the administrative department of the hotel industry.  She developed an interest in food service after helping out with banquets and receptions, and her interest was enriched by traveling to other countries and sampling their cuisines.  Paula met her husband, Dutch, while overseas and relocated to Maryland in 1983, establishing her home in Prince Frederick.

Du Paul’s has achieved a loyal following of regular customers, and Paula thoroughly enjoys serving them. Most of her new customers are referred by the regulars, which is the most valuable advertising that any business could wish for!

Du Paul’s specializes in full-service buffet-style catering, although some of their customers prefer to pick up a few favorite items for their parties.  Popular items include their famous strawberry shortcake, shepherd’s pie and lasagna (great comfort foods!).  Their homemade pies are also legendary in the tri-county area, including chocolate fudge, apple, peach, pumpkin, and pecan.  Other desserts include fresh-baked cookies, brownies, and cheesecake. If casseroles don’t fit the bill, you can opt for other favorites like oven-fried chicken, pork barbecue, traditional homemade potato salad and cole slaw, Greek pasta, scalloped potatoes, and broccoli salad.  Paula strives to use local produce wherever possible in all of her preparations.

While Paula really enjoys cooking and pleasing people with her creations, she relishes the flexibility that owning her own business offers to her, especially when the time comes to visit family in England.  She enjoys traveling overseas to reconnect when she can.  Paula also appreciates the efficiency that Cash Flow Plus has introduced to her business – many of her orders are by telephone, and she finds it quick and easy to process them with the services that CFP has to offer.

The next time you are planning a party, wedding, reunion, anniversary, or picnic, be sure to contact Du Paul’s Catering.  They are located at 184 West Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick and can be reached online at www.dupaulscatering.com.

There’s nothing like having your own car – for some people, it’s almost an extension of themselves. A person’s choice of automobile says a lot about their lifestyle and personality, so when a problem crops up, or it’s time for regular maintenance, it’s a good feeling to know that your car is in the right hands.  Our merchant of the month strives to keep your car running at its peak!

Tech Automotive and Broken Wing Cycles, located in Huntingtown, Maryland, performs all types of maintenance and repair service for cars, trucks, and motorcycles.  With a staff of four ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)-certified mechanics and an exhaust specialist, Tech Auto strives to extend the life of your vehicle for as long as possible.

Tommy Gilmartin, owner of Tech Auto, realized early on that he had a talent for automotive repair when he began working on cars as a teenager.  He worked for many years for several auto dealerships, expanding his experience and honing his craft, prior to venturing out on his own. In 2006, he opened the doors of Tech Auto, offering car and truck repair. An avid motorcyclist, Tommy added motorcycle repair to his line of services, specializing in fixing crashed bikes.  The “Broken Wing Cycles” name actually comes from the fact that Tech Auto works predominantly on Harley Davidson cycles, and the Harley logo often contains eagle’s wings.  Tommy takes in those injured “eagles,” mends those “broken wings,” and sends them back to “fly” again!  Tech Auto also offers hot-rod custom exhaust systems.

Like many business owners, Tommy enjoys being his own boss and running his own business.  He continues to perform repairs on a daily basis but focuses on the challenging cases that appear on his doorstep.  When he’s not mending a Harley or working on a repair, he takes to the road on his Harley Davidson Road Glide motorcycle; he also enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his 5 grandchildren.

Tech Auto provides service for all makes and models and offers hot-rod custom exhaust systems, too.  They have a regular roster of customers but are always willing to welcome new ones.  Give Tommy a call at 410-257-9101 or visit the shop at 155 Prospect Drive, Suite 103, in Huntingtown, MD.  The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM.

Are you looking for a new look?  Maybe a new haircut, a bit of color or curl?  Perhaps a relaxing manicure or facial is what you need…or better yet, a pick-me-up for your feet that seem to be spending a lot of time out of shoes this summer!  Whether you’re looking for a change to your style, a few hours of pampering, or simply a trim, Julians Hair Designers can help!

Located in the Lions Creek Center on Route 260 in Dunkirk, Maryland, Julians Hair Designers offers a myriad of hair, skin, and nail care designed to make you look and feel your best from head to toes!  Teresa Zanelotti-Whitten and Joanie Zanelotti-Cook, sisters and partners in Julians, and their staff of professionally-trained stylists provide the best in haircuts and styles for women, men, and children, as well as texturizing, coloring, waving, and reconditioning.  Skin care includes customized and specialized facial treatments, waxing, and makeup application, and for beautiful hands Julian’s offers a full range of manicure services and nail enhancements. They can also help keep your feet fresh and pretty during the summer with full pedicure services.

Julians is a family-owned business through and through and has been serving customers for 31 years.  Teresa and Joanie’s parents, Joseph and Doris Zanelotti, helped the sisters open their first two salons in Camp Springs in Prince George’s County in 1981. When they relocated to Calvert County, their parents retired and Teresa and Joanie took over the administration of the business in addition to providing hair, nail, and skin care services.  They have been serving their loyal clients (and new ones, too) ever since.

Both Teresa and Joanie were born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Takoma Park before moving to the Upper Marlboro area. In addition to having four children each and grandchildren, too (Teresa has 6, Joanie has 1), the sisters enjoy outdoor activities, especially fishing.  They take pride in giving back to their community as much as possible – the salon has raised funds for the Avon Breast Cancer Awareness program for several years in a row now and actively participates in the Relay for Life.  They also support the Wigs for Kids program, which uses donated hair to make wigs for children who are undergoing chemotherapy treatments or have other hair-loss conditions. Teresa also served on the State Board of Cosmetology for nine years.

Teresa and Joanie invite you to visit Julians Hair Designers for a new look or a pampering service!  They are located at 2823 W. Chesapeake Beach Road in Dunkirk.  For an appointment, call 301-812-0800.  You can also visit their website for  detailed information and pricing at www.julianshair.com.