Weekly Village Update: 8.3.17

Chamber Events & News

First Friday Sip & Shop TOMORROW! Friday, August 4th, 3 pm until ? Downtown Blowing Rock Participating Blowing Rock merchants invite you to join them for a "happy hour" style stroll where you can sip and shop in downtown stores. Stop by your favorite shops, or check out a new one before heading over to Music on the Lawn! Free refreshments at participating locations. Sip & Shop Map

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Art in the Park Saturday, August 12th, 10 am - 5 pm Park Avenue, Downtown Blowing Rock August Featured Artist: Julie Simon, Jewelry http://jewels-by-julie.com/ FREE Admission! FREE parking downtown on the street and in the parking decks on Wallingford St. and at BRAHM.  FREE trolley from Tanger Outlets and Food Lion.

Facebook Event

Shred Day! Wednesday, August 16th, 9 am - 1 pm First Citizens Bank Collect the papers you want to have shredded, pack them in your car or truck and bring them to the parking lot behind First Citizens Bank! FREE! No limit!

Scam Alert! Blue Ridge Energy is warning the public about telephone scams targeting members. The scheme involves the caller demanding immediate payment by phone to avoid having electricity disconnected to the home or business. Avoid becoming a victim! Read more

Small Business Workshop Sales & Use Tax Thursday, August 17th at 11:30 am Catawba Valley Community College This FREE workshop will cover the basics of tax compliance ranging from registering for a sales and use tax account, learning about the most common types of sales and use taxes collected, and preparing and filing a sales and use tax return.

Information & Registration

SAVOR Vendor is a Finalist! Congratulations to John Holman! His locally made product, Spur Vodka, is a finalist in Our State Magazine's Made in NC Awards! Many of you will remember John from SAVOR Blowing Rock! Maybe you saw him at Taste or perhaps sampled his Spur Vodka (made from muscadine grapes) at the Grand Tasting. Most notably, he led the seminar “What makes Vodka Vodka?” which received rave review from attendees. Our State Magazine will announce the winners on August 24th. Good luck, John!

Workers Compensation Insurance Rates for Chamber Members First Benefits Insurance Mutual, Inc. (FBIM) specializes in workers’ compensation. Formed by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association as a member benefit in the early 1990s there are now over 60 North Carolina Chambers of Commerce and trade associations that offer FBIM as a member service.  As a chamber member you have access to an insurance carrier that prides itself on personable service, competitive rates and experienced claims management.

Learn more at www.firstbenefits.org

Real Estate Report Midway through 2017 local real estate sales are slightly ahead of last year’s pace, according to the latest report by the High Country Association of Realtors®. The summer selling season hasn’t been as frantic as last year, but inventory is expanding. New sellers continue to enter the market, reflecting a national survey which shows strong sentiment that now is a good time to sell. Read More

Welcome New Member: High Country Breast Cancer Foundation The mission of the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., is to support breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families in the High Country of North Carolina. Through events such as the High Country Walk/Run for Breast Cancer, funds are raised and awarded as scholarships to local women and men fighting breast cancer. High Country Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. is an all-volunteer foundation whose funds remain in the community.

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The First Annual High Country Walk for Breast Cancer will be held Saturday, October 28th at 9 am in Downtown Blowing Rock. The walk/run will be a 5K starting and finishing at the American Legion. All money raised remains in the High Country to help individuals and families in our local community. Register now!

Member Events & News

94th Annual Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show: Hunter/Jumper Division Now through August 6th A capacity crowd of horses, riders and trainers have begun descending on the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve for the second phase of the 94th Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. Spectators and exhibitors are getting a big boost at this year’s show which welcomes Hunters and Jumpers to the L. M. Tate Show Grounds for two weeks of intense competition. Admission to the shows is just $10 a day for adults and free for kids 12 and under. Cash is best at the gate. People may come and go as they like throughout the day. Read More

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An Appalachian Summer Festival Presents: YEStival Saturday, August 5th at 7 pm Holmes Convocation Center Yestival will feature special guest Todd Rundgren and an opening set from Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy honoring the magic of Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, YES embarks on a national tour, treating fans to a set list of greatest hits from all of the band’s studio albums up to 1980 and showcasing the storied history of one of the world’s most influential, ground-breaking and respected progressive rock bands. Performing their classic hits, the audience can expect iconic favorites such as “Roundabout,” “Starship Trooper,” “Yours is no Disgrace,” “Going for the One,” “And you and I” and countless others.

Tickets: $55/adult, $40/student Information & Tickets

Switzerland and Tales of King Arthur Saturday, August 5th Ensemble Stage presents two great shows this weekend! Psycho-Thriller "Switzerland" at 7:30 pm Set in a remote chalet located in the Swiss Alps, best-selling author, Patricia Highsmith is spending her final years as a recluse which is quite alright with her. Of course, when a mysterious young man shows up at her door claiming to be from her publishing house, things get, shall we say... interesting.  Kids Theatre "Tales of King Arthur" at 11 am This show is full of energy, intrigue and audience participation. Bring the kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, the husband that acts like a kid, the wife that still thinks she's a kid, or heck, any kid between the ages of 3 and 93 that wants to have a fun time.

Information & Tickets

Craft for a Cause Tuesday, August 8th at 5:30 pm & 7:30 pm Blowing Rock Brewing Company This event will showcase 5 Blowing Rock Brewing craft beer styles paired with 5 unique food items to create a one-of-a-kind Blowing Rock Ale House experience. Proceeds from the event will help to expand the Middle Fork Greenway project. Appetizers will be offered before each seating and brewery tours will be given throughout the evening. A speech will be given about the Middle Fork Greenway and about the beer/food pairing during each seating.

Tickets: $25/each. Only 45 tickets will be sold for each seating. Two seatings available. Questions? Call 828.414.9600  Facebook Event

Upcoming at Blowing Rock Art & History Museum

Scholars and Scones: Walking Toward the Sunset Thursday, August 10th at 11 am For more than 200 years, the Melungeons have been the subject of folklore and speculation in Appalachia and beyond. Wayne Winkler, director of public radio station WETS-FM in Johnson City, TN will discuss this mixed-ethnic population and share some of the latest research on their mysterious ancestry. Learn More

Precious Metal Clay Jewelery Workshop Friday & Saturday, August 11th &12th at 10am Experience the magic of Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and explore how it can be transformed into beautiful fine silver jewelry shaped by your hands. This workshop which will teach participants a variety of basic techniques that will enable them to make their own one-of-a-kind silver creation. Tool kits and metal clay will be provided, just bring your imagination. Learn More

Camera Clinic Saturday & Sunday, August 19th & 20th Grandfather Mountain Amateur and professional photographers can now register for the Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic, a two-day seminar that offers presentations from outstanding photojournalists and opportunities for participants to improve their skills. The clinic also allows participants the rare opportunity of photographing scenic Grandfather Mountain at dawn and dusk, along with chances to network with others interested in the craft.

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A Total Eclipse of the Sun!

Your calendars have been marked for the total eclipse taking place on August 21st, now it's time to plan how you're going to take in the experience!

Eclipse Party Visit Grandfather Mountain to view one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events! The Nature Museum will host arts and crafts activities for kids, solar-themed snacks and face-painting. At 1:30 pm, pick up your solar eclipse glasses and head to the Mile High Swinging Bridge for an unabated view of the partial solar eclipse.

Eclipse T-Shirt & Glasses Mast General Store has you covered! Remember your experience with a t-shirt and view the eclipse safely from beginning to end with special eclipse glasses. These items are moving quickly, so don't delay. Orders totaling $99 or more ship FREE or choose the ship-to-store option for free shipping on any order anytime!

Community Events

Last of the Season!

Movies in the Park Thursday, August 3rd at dusk (8:30 pm) Movies in the Park wraps up with Matilda TONIGHT! Bring the family, lawn chairs and a blanket to Memorial Park and enjoy the last outdoor movie of the season. Tonight's feature is sponsored by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce.

Monday Night Concerts Monday, August 7th at 7 pm Monday Night Concert Series wraps up next week with Amy Marie Young, Federico Eiguchi, Matthew Primm & Friends performing in the gazebo at Broyhill Park.

Chamber Events, Information & Meetings

Blowing Rock Farmers Market: Thursdays at 4 pm, Park Avenue Art in the Park: Saturday, August 12th at 10 am, Park Avenue Concert in the Park: Sunday, August 13th at 4 pm, Memorial Park Gazebo (music by Nashville Songwriters Association International) Chamber Board Meeting: Wednesday, August 16th at 8 am, Chamber Board Room Chamber Executive Board Meeting: Tuesday, August 22nd at 8 am, Chamber Office Business After Hours: Tuesday, August 22nd at 5:30 pm, Tweetsie Railroad Volunteer Appreciation Dinner: Tuesday, August 29th at 5:30 pm, American Legion Hall Chamber Board Meeting: Wednesday, September 6th at 8 am, Chamber Board Room