Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Blog

 

Chamber News Upcoming Meetings & Events Talent Jam - Thursday, November 4th at 5:00pm Economic Development Council Meeting - Tuesday, November 9th at 3:00pm Grand Opening of HB House - Friday, November 12th at 5:00pm Business After Hours - Foggy Rock/4 Forty Four - Tuesday, November 16th at 5:30pm Entrepreneurial & Business Development Committee Meeting - Thursday, Nov. 18th at 8:15am State of the Town - Thursday, November 18th at 5:30pm From the Desk of... Charles Hardin, President/CEO ‌ I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who ran for public office in Blowing Rock this week. Willingness to volunteer one’s time, talents and resources to serve the community is something that should be recognized and appreciated by all who are to be represented in Town government. These are not easy jobs, especially in today’s political climate. They should never be taken for granted by the citizenry. The 245 years of our American experimental democracy have been built on the backs of the many volunteers who have been willing to make these personal sacrifices. Next, I would like to take a moment to congratulate Charlie Sellers, Doug Matheson, Pete Gherini, and Melissa Picket for their election success. The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is committed to working with all elected officials regardless of party affiliation to advance pro-business policies that support business, grow our economy, and improve the lives of the residents and business owners of our community. We believe we need leaders who are focused on building consensus, overcoming policy differences, exercising, and demonstrating governmental excellence and those who can offer real pathways to help our community continue to grow responsibly and provide opportunities for all of our citizens. Finally, I want to thank all the residents who took their personal time to exercise their greatest freedom and came out to vote Tuesday. The turnout for a non-presidential election was pretty good. Please don’t ever take this privilege for granted! Talent Jam Thursday, November 4th from 5:00 - 7:00pm at Ransom Pub An event that authentically connects our local talent and the organizations that need them in ways that traditional networking events or job fairs simply don't. This is a high-energy, hyperlocal event that features dueling, open-mic pitches where companies looking for talent, and people that have talent, each deliver alternating 60-second pitches. The event is followed by a casual but impactful networking reception. Click here for more information. CACCE 2022 Board of Directors The Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE) is pleased to announce their 2022 Board of Directors.  The following chamber professionals have been elected to serve on the 2022 Executive Committee: President – Pamela Christopher, Anderson Area (SC) Chamber President-Elect – Charles Hardin, Blowing Rock (NC) Chamber Treasurer – Liz Horton, Greenville (SC) Chamber Immediate Past President – Lindsay Keisler, Catawba County (NC) Chamber Read full press release here. NCDOT Notice Highway 321 will be reduced down to 2 lanes south of Blowing Rock from November 8, 2021 to December 15, 2021. Both southbound lanes will be closed during this time to allow for work to be conducted on the rock face just south of the Blackberry condos (Caldwell County). Southbound traffic will merge into the northbound lane during this time, and the northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane. Restaurant Hours With unpredictable staffing and abrupt changes in travel patterns due to covid-19, restaurant hours have been changing often. The Chamber of Commerce is currently maintaining a listing of Blowing Rock restaurant hours. The hours are updated weekly. Bookmark this page for reference so you can help your guests and customers when they are looking for dining!  Restaurant Hours List Watauga Covid-19 Update  In areas with substantial and high transmission, the CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant, and to protect others. Watauga County is considered an area of High transmission. AppHealthCare offers COVID-19 testing by drive-thru Monday through Friday 8:30-10:00am at each of our clinic locations. No appointment is needed. Read the full weekly Watauga County Covid-19 Update here. Member News HB House Grand Opening Join us for a fun, fall evening featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony with Boone Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Canvas Beauty Bar, Caitlyn Brooke Aesthetics, and Sunlight Wellness. Giveaways, AMB & Grandfather Winery, more! Egg Rollin Fall Dinner November 11th from 5:30pm - 7:00pm $60/per couple CBD Infused Menu Spring Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Grilled Salmon, Mashed Potato's, Chorizo Cream, Wild Berry Rangoon with Sorbet & Chocolate Drizzle, pared with wine from Shadowline Winery. Call Lee Anne to reserve - 828-964-5741 Handmade Holiday Market Join The Mustard Seed Market for their second annual Handmade Holiday Market on December 3rd & 4th from 10am-6pm. Handmade goods from local artisans, live music, food truck, and The Mustard Seed Christmas shop. Yonder Mountain String Band & Del McCoury Band The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, welcomes Yonder Mountain String Band and the Del McCoury Band on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 7pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Yonder Mountain String Band has redefined bluegrass music, expanding the traditional acoustic genre beyond its previously established boundaries by steadily pushing the envelope into the realms of rock n’ roll and improvisation. The Del McCoury Band, fronted by the legendary McCoury, is the most awarded band in bluegrass history. The bands take the stage together for a one-night-only highly anticipated double-bill concert. Tickets are $45 adults, $40 faculty/staff, $25 students. A livestream option is also available for $15 per household. The North Carolina plate raises $500,000 each year! North Carolina Blue Ridge Parkway License Plate The Blue Ridge Parkway. 469 miles of scenic views, wildlife, trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, history, culture, photographs, and memories. Protect all this and more by purchasing or renewing your North Carolina specialty license plate for your car, motorcycle, or RV. For each new or renewed specialty plate fee, $20 goes to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation to protect and enhance the scenic route. An additional $10 supports the N.C. Department of Transportation Wildflower Program. The entire specialty plate fee of $30 is tax deductible. Join thousands of drivers proudly displaying their support for this exceptional place. Learn More Here. 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 2021 Chamber Partners!