Weekly Village Update 9.20.18

Commerce Communications

Be "in the know" with Chamber news, local happenings & more!

Chamber Events & News

Business After Hours TODAY! September 20th, 5:30 - 7 pm Join us for a fun evening of networking, nibbles, and live music by The Harris Brothers at The Blowing Rock! If you haven't already, please RSVP. Your RSVP helps us plan this event and is your entry "ticket" for door prizes! Don't forget your business card for networking. Facebook Event

Nominations for Board of Directors Now Open! The Blowing Rock Chamber is looking for a few good people to serve on its board of directors. Each year at this time the board takes nominations for board seats from the membership at large. If you know of someone, perhaps yourself, who would be interested in being part of a very active group of business leaders helping to forge the future of our community while supporting and promoting our business members, please email Charles Hardin. These nominees, along with those submitted by the board, will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee and a slate of directors will be submitted to the membership for a vote in late October or early November.

For Smart Advice on Time Efficiencies, Look to Artificial Intelligence When you think of artificial intelligence (AI), your mind might conjure images of futuristic robots or computers that are able to act as humans do. But AI isn’t just an idea for the future. It’s making a real impact on businesses today and could factor even larger in the years to come. Read More

Vote Blowing Rock the South's Best! Voting is now open for Southern Living's South's Best awards 2019. We all know Blowing Rock is the best of the best, but let's vote and make sure readers of Southern Living Magazine know as well! Online voting is open through October 9th. (Helpful hint: When voting online and you're asked "What states have you visited", if you select "None of the Above", you'll have NC cities and towns in your voting selections.) Vote Now

Email Marketing Discounts for Chamber Members Interested in reaching your customers via email marketing and want to try out a popular and user-friendly tool? Register using this link for a free 30-day trial of Constant Contact. Chamber members who then opt for a 6 or 12 month plan prepayment will receive a discount of up to 25%! In addition to the discounted rate, Constant Contact also hosts educational webinars exclusively for Chamber members once per quarter. Don't miss out on these free learning opportunities to better market your business! Do you already use ConstantContact.com? Be sure to tell them you're a member of our Chamber to receive the discount! Learn more

Mark Your Calendar and Prepare for the November Election

Candidates Round Table October 4th at 7 pm The Blowing Rock Civic Association invites you to a round table discussion at the American Legion in Blowing Rock to learn the candidates' positions on issues that impact you and the Blowing Rock county district. Laurel Lane to Wallingford is an alternate route if the Farmers Market is still breaking down on Park Avenue. Read More Candidates Forum October 23rd at 5:30 pm The annual Watauga County Meet the Candidates Forum will be held at the Watauga County Courthouse. The event is co-hosted by the Boone Area & Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce. A live simulcast can be heard in its entirety on WATA (1450 AM / 96.5 FM). Read More

Member Events & News

Turchin Center for the Performing Arts Announces Steam Roller Print Fest This inaugural event is a partnership between the Turchin Center and the Appalachian State University Department of Art. It will be a fun-filled outdoor event with the highlight being steamroller printing, as well as printing demonstrations, kiosks, kids activities, t-shirt printing, music, raffles and more! According to event organizer Professor Scott Ludwig, “Print Fest is a community celebration that will highlight “all things print”! For many, printmaking is something of mystery, even though it is so pervasive in our visual culture. Read More

Hospitality House Announces Inaugural Frank and Kay Golf Classic This signature event will honor the legacy of philanthropy and leadership that Frank and Kay Borkowski have bestowed upon the High Country since their arrival in 1993.  “Frank and Kay have been an integral part of the mission and vision of Hospitality House,” stated Hospitality House director of development Todd Carter. “Their passion for helping those less fortunate is unparalleled.” Read More

Ghost Train Opens September 21st The Ghost Train is coming to Tweetsie Railroad, with a nighttime train ride, Haunted House, Freaky Forest, Amusement Rides, 3-D Maze, Warp Tunnel, Black Hole, live entertainment and trick-or-treating. It is spooky fun for the whole family. Every Friday and Saturday evening, 7:30 - 11:30 pm, September 21st - October 27th. Learn More

Community Dog Wash Fundraiser September 22nd, 11 am - 3 pm Come out to Bistro Roca for their first ever dog wash fundraiser! Proceeds will support the Watauga Humane Society and the Watauga High School Volleyball team! Bring your dog to the parking lot at Bistro Roca and have the Watauga Volleyball team wash them! Please have your dog(s) on a leash. Facebook Event

Artist Reception: Monique Carr September 22nd, 11 am - 5 pm Alta Vista Gallery in Valle Crucis has a new show of oils by nationally-acclaimed, award-winning plein air painter, Monique Carr. “Textures of Nature” is hanging now through October 13th, and it can be previewed on the gallery’s Facebook page. On Saturday, September 22nd, from 11 am to 5 pm, the public is invited to drop in at Alta Vista to enjoy the new show and to hear Carr discuss her art. Refreshments will be served. Read More Learn More

Thinkers & Drinkers September 24th, 7 - 9 pm The Ridgeline has a new event every Monday night... "Thinkers and Drinkers" Trivia Mondays. There will be food and drink specials, as well as prizes! For more information, call 828.773.9097 Learn More

Dulcimers, Ukuleles, and Vocals September 25th at 2 pm Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves will be performing at the Harvest House in Boone. The music styles Lois plays on her dulcimer go beyond Southern Appalachian, and she has introduced the instrument’s voice in new musical settings. Besides mountain dulcimer, Ehukai plays the Chapman Stick, Hawaiian-style ukulele, bass and guitar. Learn More

Black, Gold & Pink Tailgate Event September 29th, 10 am - 2 pm Join Tanger Outlets in Blowing Rock for the App State Homecoming tailgate event and help kick-off the season of breast cancer awareness! All proceeds will benefit our local High Country Breast Cancer Foundation. They will be accepting registrations for their 5K run on October 27th and selling #TangerPINK cards for $10! Facebook Event

Fall Community Food Truck Night October 3rd, 6 - 8 pm Invite your friends and neighbors, bring your family, and join First Baptist Blowing Rock for a great night of live music and food on the lawn! Enjoy food from All Thai’d Up Ice Cream, The Cardinal Boone, Egg Rollin’, and J&J’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice food trucks. Facebook Event

Community Events & News

Town of Blowing Rock App The Town of Blowing Rock developed an app to help visitors learn the whereabouts of their most basic needs such as restrooms, parks, parking lots and spaces, handicap parking spaces, AppalCART Route, government buildings and other valuable information. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store on your device, search for "Town of Blowing Rock" and download the app!

Chamber Information and Meetings

Blowing Rock Farmers Market: Thursdays, 4-6 pm, Park Avenue Business After Hours: Thursday, September 20th at 5:30 pm, The Blowing Rock Executive Board Meeting: Tuesday, September 25th at 8 am Board of Directors Meeting: Wednesday, October 3rd at 8 am Candidates Round Table: Thursday, October 4th at 7 pm, American Legion Candidates Forum: Tuesday, October 23rd at 5:30 pm, Watauga County Courthouse Partner Appreciation Event: Tuesday, September 25th at 6 pm, Celebrating our 2018 Partners - If you're interested in sponsoring or partnering in 2019, please email Loni. All meetings are held in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.