Weekly Village Update 11.19.20

 

Chamber News 2021 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors ‌ Ronnie Mark, Tanger Outlets Melissa Picket, Blowing Rock Inn Lee Carol Giduz, BRAHM Emily Brinker, The Speckled Trout & Bottle Shop Zak Amar, Vixter Ray Medlin, Century 21 Mountain Vistas Charlie Sellers, The Blowing Rock Attraction Kim Rogers, Jenkins Realtors Rhonda Smith, Blowing Rock Furniture Gallery Carey Driskell, Residential Representative Dana Clark, Walker College of Business P. J. Wirchansky, Chetola Resort Joyce Zellner, Residential Representative Ben Powell, Residential Representative Chelsea Garrett, di Santi, Watson Erin O’Hara, Meadowbrook Inn Kenneth Wehrmann, Monkee’s of Blowing Rock Ellen Harrell, Appalachian Home Care Sandra Williams, LifeStore Banking and Insurance Chamber Directory Ad Sale Ad spaces for the 2021 Chamber Membership Directory are available for purchase now through Dec. 16th . Our directory has been the #1 requested free publication the Chamber produces. Over 12,000 of the new guides will be distributed through the Blowing Rock Visitor Center, all N.C. Welcome Centers, handed out at trade shows and available through our lodging partners. They will also be mailed to each person who contacts the Chamber requesting information on Blowing Rock. Take this opportunity to market and promote your business to thousands of potential visitors and customers! New this Year - in house design services. Want to place and ad or update an old one but don't know where to begin? We've got you covered. Design services begin at $95. Contact Regina today to reserve your space! TOBR Seeks Applicants for Various Boards Planning Board - 4 Vacancies Board of Adjustments - 3 Vacancies Tourism Development Authority - 1 Vacancy BR Appearance Advisory Commission - 3 Vacancies Alcohol Beverage Control Board- 1 Vacancy If you have an interest in serving on one of these important citizen boards, please complete a Board Appointment Application by Monday, January 4, 2021.  The application is located on our website (www.townofblowingrock.com) or a copy can be picked up at Town Hall. Once completed please submit to Hilari Hubner, Town Clerk, at Post Office Box 47, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 either by mail or email to clerk@townofblowingrocknc.gov. Holiday Decorating Contest Want to show off your business's Holiday Spirit? The Holiday Decorating contest will be live on Facebook from Dec. 11-24th. The public will be asked to vote by "liking" the image or images of their choice! All business are encouraged to enter. Awards will be given to a retail business for Best Window Display and to a business for Best Indoor or Outdoor display. Email Suzy to enter the Holiday Decorating contest by Dec. 9th. High Country Workforce has come out with a new Labor Update. Read the full report here. Google is offering FREE Small Business Advisors session till the end of the year. Learn more and book your appointment here. Looking to explore new marketing ideas? Here is a list of 50 Local Marketing Ideas. Including becoming a Chamber Member! SlowCOVIDNC App NCDHHS has come out with the SlowCOVIDNC app to help notify others about exposure points. Download the SlowCOVIDNC Exposure Notification app, enable your Bluetooth and Exposure Notification settings, and be notified if you have been in close contact with someone who has shared a positive COVID-19 test result in the app.  Once you opt-in to the notification system, you can also anonymously share a positive COVID-19 test result in the app. SlowCOVIDNC protects your identity and privacy while empowering you to protect yourself, your family, and your community. SBTDC Survey The Small Business & Technology Development Center has prepared a survey to determine the impact of COVID-19 on small business supply chain. Fill out the survey here. To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Suzy@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday. Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday! Upcoming Activities & Meetings Lighting of the Town/Parade - Cancelled Thanksgiving Kiln Opening at Traditions Pottery Studio - November 28th Festival of Lights at Chetola - November 29th Holiday Stroll - December 4th Member News Thursday Night Locals Night Cafe Violette is offering $10 Martinis & $10 Mussels every Thursday from 5pm-8pm. and Sipping Sunday's special on select red wine at half price (glass and bottle) from 5pm-8pm. The Hellbender is doing a weekly Thursday Night Special - enjoy a Burger, Salad or Wings with a draft beer or glass of wine for $11! The Speckled Trout will have live music tonight from 6pm-8pm. Enjoy live music or grab a beer and sit on the heated patio! Carlton Gallery Open House Carlton Gallery’s 38th Winter Group Exhibition with Small Works begins with a Holiday Open House on Friday and Saturday, November 27-28 from 10 am to 5 pm. This exhibition features small works in paintings, decorative and functional pottery, basketry, gourds, wearable fiber, wood, glass, and jewelry by the many talented artisans in the gallery. J.W Tweeds Special Avoid the Crowds! J.W. Tweeds will open our doors from 9:00 am until 10:00 am on Saturday, November 28th, for an exclusive Black Saturday shopping event for only our Chamber members and friends. Take an additional 20% off all merchandise including sales and promotions. High Country Real Estate Report At the end of the October REALTORS® recorded, year to date, 2,634 homes sold for $923.48 million. That just surpassed the year-end totals for 2019; 2,608 homes with $804.59 million. Even more impressive, for the year so far the median sold price is up 16 percent compared to the entirety of last year, $280,000 to $240,500. In October, REALTORS® sold 414 residential listings worth $166.7 million. It was the second consecutive month - and only the second time ever - regional homes sales broke the 400 mark. High Country Dinning Pass Black Friday Deals start on Tuesday Nov. 24th with High Country 365. Purchase a discounted Dinning Pass and you will be saving money and supporting our restaurants and schools! Purchase online starting Tuesday here. Sharing Tree Holiday Program Last year the Hunger and Health Coalition gave gifts to 221 children and 58 seniors in need throughout the community. With the pandemic far from over, we expect that number will only rise. While celebrating this season, make time to remember that not everyone gets to enjoy the holidays, and help us ensure that every family that asks us for help can get it. Donations can be made by credit card to the Hunger and Health Coalition via their virtual store on their website or by mailing a check or cash donation to P.O Box 1837, Boone, North Carolina, 28607. All donations must be submitted by December 2nd to ensure enough time for gifts to be purchased for families. Thank you. If you would like to donate or would like more information on the Sharing Tree, please call (828)262-1628 and ask to speak with Anita Wilson, Director of Operations. We wish you health and safety as this tumultuous year ends and all the best going into a new year. We'd love to see you! The Chamber Team is glad to see our businesses re-opening! Email Regina to let us know you're open and we will stop by for a socially distance visit. More events and updates can be found on our online calendar. To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Suzy@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday. Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday! Thank you to our 2020 Chamber Partners!