The Chris O-pinion: Bearing down on the new year, it’s time to think about resolutions as a business person.  Will you take fewer lunches at your desk?  Finally get a handle on social media?  Focus on new initiatives or shore up your existing business?  Let me know and I’ll share results anonymously.   Or I may just single you out and assign you one.

Retailers in Annapolis open until midnight for holiday shopping and festivities. See Annapolis Business Association for details.

ALL OVER – Maryland’s economy is stabilizing but recovery is slower because the state has a government-led economy, claims economist Anirban Basu at the recent annual meeting of the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber. More than two years after the end of the recession, Marylanders and the rest of the country are trying to offset their low consumer confidence with increases in retail and auto sales (consumer spending is 72% of overall economy). Thanks to contributor and event sponsor Tower Federal Credit Union.

LINTHICUM – Northrop Grumman Corp. has been awarded a contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop more efficient radio frequency (RF) transmitter technology through the Microscale Power Conversion program. The three-year, $8.9 million deal aims to produce more efficient RF transmitters without increasing their size.

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GREENBELT – Chesapeake Hospitality has opened the Doubletree by Hilton Raleigh Brownstone, a new property in NC. With the 190-room hotel the company adds the Doubletree brand to its portfolio that includes Hilton, Starwood and InterContinental Hotel Group.

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BWI AIRPORT – Southwest Airlines has added a nonstop roundtrip service from Baltimore to Tucson, AZ. Service will begin February 12.

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ANNAPOLIS – More than one-third of bribe demands in the U.S. are premised on winning new business (25%), attempting to influence a government official (5%) or receiving inappropriate treatment such as a favorable court ruling (4%). TRACE’s 2011 BRIBEline United States Report analyzes 73 bribery demands reported anonymously.

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ANNAPOLIS – Economic instability, Arab Spring, ethnic/racial disputes, elections in unstable areas and global health are among the challenges and risk for organizations next year according to iJET International.

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FULTON – Julie McMillin is the new president of NewDay Reverse, a division of VA and reverse mortgage lender NewDay Financial. Lee manages the direction of the group and the selection and training of originators.

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ANNAPOLIS – Victor Thomas has joined Syndicus as Managing Director of Life Sciences. He will bring to the technical staffing and business solutions company his expertise in GxP regulations, mitigating regulatory risk and system development.

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