Leadership Blair County Youth Retreat Begins Today  
"Business After Hours" Set for Baker Mansion
August "Breakfast Club" to Feature Dynamic Speaker, Topic
Some Sponsorships Still Available for Chamber Television Program
Nomination Sought for 2011 ACE Award
Bring-in a New Chamber Member, Enjoyt the Rewards
Interested in Joining a Chamber Committee?
Curve Boosters Sponsoring Buses for "Blair County Day"
Congratulations...
Blue Card Discounts

Leadership Blair County Youth Retreat Begins Today
The eighth class of The Chamber’s Leadership Blair County Youth program begins today with the first day of a two-day retreat at the Laurel Lodge in Duncansville.  The class is comprised of twenty-four sophomore students from Blair County high schools.  Once the retreat is completed, the class will have one full-day session each month culminating in a graduation ceremony in May, 2012.

"Business After Hours" Set for Baker Mansion
As hard as it is to believe, many lifelong residents of Blair County have never been to Baker Mansion .  Just as hard to believe is the fact that many business men and women who rely on a solid client base for their success don’t know a great networking opportunity when they see one.  Wouldn’t it be great to kill two birds with one stone?  You can this Thursday by attending the next Chamber Business After Hours from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Baker Mansion .  The event is hosted by the Blair County Historical Society and promises to be a great night out for anyone looking to mix work and fun.  The cost for Chamber members is just $5.00 in advance and $6.00 at the door.  To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

August “Breakfast Club” to Feature Dynamic Speaker, Topic
At its monthly Breakfast Club on August 18th at The Casino at Lakemont Park , The Chamber departs from its usual business-specific topics to focus attention on a growing problem primarily aimed at young people who spend considerable time on the internet.  Craig S. LeCadre of the State Attorney General’s Office, a frequent presenter at Leadership Blair County sessions, will present, “Sticks & Stones: Cyber Bullying.”  The often-graphic presentation is a must-attend for parents and educators.  The program itself runs a little longer than most Breakfast Club presentations so this one will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude at 9:15.  Corporate sponsor for the Breakfast Club is MedExpress.  The cost to attend is $16 per person and includes a full breakfast buffet.  To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

Some Sponsorships Still Available for Chamber Television Program
Severe cuts in state funding for higher education is just one of several factors that colleges in the region face as they look for new and better ways to meet the needs of area students.  What’s the strategy going forward?  That will be one key discussion point as The Chamber brings top educators together for its next “Issues” program which will tape August 23rd at the Altoona Public Access Studio.  The program will then run throughout September on the Public Access Channel.  “The Role of Higher Education in Regional Development” is the title of the hour-long program that will be moderated by WTAJ’s Carolyn Donaldson.  Panelists will be: Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, Chancellor of Penn State Altoona; Dr. Wayne Powel, Provost of Saint Francis University; Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Dr. Thomas Kepple, President of Juniata College; and Dr. Thomas Foley, President of Mount Aloysius College.  Sponsorships for the program are available at just $150 each.  To sponsor, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com.

Nominations Sought for 2011 ACE Award
The Blair County Chamber’s Farm-City Committee has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 20th Annual Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award.  Activity and participation in Blair County community affairs and the promotion of Blair County agriculture are the criteria used for selection.  Nominations may be submitted by individuals, organizations, businesses, farm families and/or through self-nomination.  Nomination forms have been faxed over The Chamber’s fax network and will also be a privilege page in the mailed copies of the July Blair Business Mirror.  Click here to secure a form.  For questions, contact The Chamber at 943-8151.

Curve Boosters Sponsoring Buses for "Blair County Day"
The Altoona Curve Booster Club is sponsoring buses to PNC Park for “Blair County Day” on Saturday, August 20th.  The Pittsburgh Pirates will be playing the Cincinnati Reds beginning at 7:15 p.m.  Fireworks will follow the game.  The cost for a box seat ticket and bus transportation is just $60.  Reservations can be made by calling Duane Bordell at 944-2585.

Congratulations...
. . . to Dongell Chiropractic which was approved as a new member of The Chamber by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors last week.

Blue Card Discount offers

Here are a few of the discounts you can receive with your Chamber Blue Card. Click here to see the full list of Blue Card Discounts. To have an offer listed contact Stacy Hoover at The Chamber at 943-8151.

The Building II Athletic Club	Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off our regular membership fee.
The Cashman Financial Group, Inc	Present your Blue Card on your visit and receive a FREE copy of "Taking the Mystery Out of Retirement Planning" OR  receive a FREE consultation for your 401(k) or 403(b) plans. (A value of $250.)
Therapeutic Massage by Holly Reid	Present your Blue Card to receive $10 off a 1-hour massage or $5 off a 1/2-hour massage.
AON Professional Wrestling	Present your Blue Card when you buy one ticket to an AON Wrestling event and get 1 ticket for FREE. Limit one offer per guest.
ARC Federal Credit Union	Present your Blue Card and your first book of checks are FREE when you open a new checking account at ARC Federal Credit Union.

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