Weekly Village Update 9.27.18

Commerce Communications

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

Chamber Events & News

LAST First Friday Sip & Shop of the Season! October 5th, 3 pm until... Blowing Rock merchants invite you to join them for the LAST "happy hour" style stroll of this season where you can sip and shop in stores from 3 pm until... (many stores may be open late!) Stop by your favorite shops, or check out a new one, before heading over to Music on the Lawn! Free refreshments at participating locations! Facebook Event

LAST Art in the Park of the Season! October 6th, 10 am - 5 pm Join us on Park Avenue for the LAST Art in the Park of the season! Don't miss your last chance to see some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcasing their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more at this show. Free parking downtown on the street and in the parking decks. Free trolley from Tanger Outlets and Food Lion, all day, looping every 20 minutes. Thank you, Modern Toyota and Subaru, Boone for sponsoring our 2018 season! Learn More

LAST Concert in the Park of the Season! October 7th, 4 - 6 pm Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Memorial Park for the LAST Concert in the Park of the season! Family-friendly, casual and free! We are wrapping up the season with traditional swing music by The Starlighters. Thank you, Premier Sotheby's International Realty, Blowing Rock for sponsoring our 2018 season! Learn More

Great Networking at The Blowing Rock Members enjoyed breathtaking views and even better networking at our recent Business After Hours event at The Blowing Rock Attraction. Host Charlie Sellers welcomed members with great food and beverages under a perfect sky. Over 80 people were in attendance, and we launched our new "RSVP to enter the drawing" incentive. Read More

Image from Inc. Magazine

Comparing Yourself and Your Organization to Others? Be Careful When Comparing One Thing to Another. How often do we compare ourselves and our organization to others? It's a common exercise that can ultimately be a negative experience because we all have our own personal and organizational DNA. We are apples and oranges in most cases. A recent Inc. Magazine article on LinkedIn suggests that we should compare ourselves to who we were yesterday instead of comparing ourselves to others. Do we want to be better than them or better than what we were yesterday or last year? Read More

Real Estate Report The local housing market was sizzling in August, as Realtor® sales were the highest recorded in the High Country area in at least 13 years. Rising mortgage rates didn’t deter buyers. Neither did prices, with the average closing price the highest in eight years. Read 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

Top Pick for Fall Color The Atlanta Journal Constitution recently listed their "top picks for fall color that include several Georgia state parks, a scenic view of the foliage by train, and a spot in North Carolina." Guess where that spot in NC might be? Blowing Rock is included in this collection of places that mostly focuses on natural scenery, with a great mention of our Main Street, hiking, and local events. Learn More

Supporting Hurricane Florence Recovery Blowing Rock Woodworks will donate 5% of their profit on all cutting boards, cheese boards, serving platters, and sushi planks to rebuilding efforts in coastal North Carolina. Call 828.459.6636 for details. 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

Festival of Trees Registration Deadline is October 5th Looking for a way to give to Western Youth Network this year? What better way than to participate in the Festival of Trees event as a tree or wreath designer! This is a great way to spend time with friends and family, show off your talents, and come together for a great cause! Learn More

Steamroller Print Fest October 5th, 12 - 5 pm Join the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts for a large-format, steam-roller woodblock printing spectacle with a variety of printmaking kiosks, food trucks, music, and more! There will be screen printing, wood and linoleum block printing, 3D printing, CNC engraving, tintype portraits, buttons made from tiny prints, printed t-shirts and a kids print-stamping booth. Free and open to the public. Learn More On Saturday, a printmaking workshop for Appalachian State students will take place on the campus in Wey Hall. The public is invited to observe, however space in limited.

Fundraising Yard Sale October 6th, 8 am - 1 pm The Blowing Rock Women's Club is holding a yard sale at 144 Green Street. All profits will go towards their scholarship fund for local students. Items include Christmas & holiday décor, kitchen items, home décor and much more! For more information, email brwomensclub@aol.com. Facebook Event

Alexander Arts Lecture: Lady Rebels October 7th at 4 pm The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) is proud to welcome Erin R. Corrales-Diaz, Assistant Curator of American Art at the Worcester Art Museum for its annual Alexander Arts Lecture. This year's talk is titled Lady Rebels: Southern Women Artists and Art Education during America’s Gilded Age.  Learn More

Frank and Kay Golf Classic October 8th at 1:30 pm Get ready to tee off at Hound Ears Club for Hospitality House! Men’s, women’s and mixed foursomes are invited to the four-person scramble format event that features a hole-in-one contest, putting contest, 13 yard par 3 challenge, prizes, gift bags, cigars, silent auction, on-course snacks and catered hors d’ouevres. Learn More & Register

Community Events & News

Town of Blowing Rock Fall Clean-Up October 1st - 5th The “Fall Semi-Annual Clean-Up” includes white goods, yard debris, mattresses, etc. Please separate yard debris into three piles: loose leaves, limbs, and plants; do not block ditches or drains. The Semi-Annual Clean-Up is offered in the fall and spring of each year. Questions? Call the Town of Blowing Rock at 828.295.5200

Chamber Information and Meetings

Blowing Rock Farmers Market: Thursdays, 4-6 pm, Park Avenue Board of Directors Meeting: Wednesday, October 3rd at 8 am Candidates Round Table: Thursday, October 4th at 7 pm, American Legion First Friday Sip & Shop: Friday, October 5th, 3 pm until...?, Participating Blowing Rock Merchants Art in the Park: Saturday, October 6th, 10 am - 5 pm, Park Avenue, Downtown Blowing Rock Concert in the Park: Sunday, October 7th, 4 - 6 pm, Memorial Park, Downtown Blowing Rock Business After Hours: Thursday, October 11th, 5:30 pm - 7 pm, The Schaefer Center Ribbon Cutting: Thursday, October 18th at 4 pm, Fireflies Executive Board Meeting: Tuesday, October 23rd at 8 am Candidates Forum: Tuesday, October 23rd at 5:30 pm, Watauga County Courthouse Board of Directors Retreat: Thursday, November 15th, 9 am - 3 pm, BRMC Clubhouse and Grill All meetings are held in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.