Donations Being Accepted for "Basket of Hope" Project
The Leadership Blair County Alumni Committee has undertaken a “Basket of Hope” project to provide Family Services of Blair County a one-year supply of baskets so that each family leaving either the Emergency Shelter or the Domestic Abuse Shelter can gain some initial footing in overcoming less than ideal circumstances. The goal is 120 baskets. Individuals or organizations interested in helping should provide a laundry basket(s) containing laundry soap, dryer sheets/fabric softener, bleach, windex, multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, Comet, dish soap, dish cloths, dish towels, toilet brush, sponges, 4-pack of toilet paper, four rolls of paper towels, napkins and paper plates. You can also add dishes, cookware, silverware, small appliances, kitchen utensils, towels, washcloths, bed linens or cleaning supplies. Baskets can be delivered to the Blair County Chamber office by August 31st. Should you have any questions, please contact Judy Juda at The Chamber, 943-8151.

Chamber Board Approves Home & Garden Show Budget
The Board of Directors of The Chamber has approved a budget for the 2012 Blair County Home & Garden Show. The budget still requires approval from the Board of the Blair/Bedford Builders Association. “Our 2011 show was more successful in several ways than previous shows although we’re still budgeting rather conservatively,” admitted Stacy Hoover, The Chamber’s Vice-President of Events & Technology. “Our committee has some great ideas for 2012 and we’re anticipating a high quality event.” Despite the fact that the next show is still seven months away, prior year exhibitors can sign-up to participate in that show and, if they do so by September 16th, they receive a 5% discount. To reserve the space that they had at the 2011 show, they need to make a reservation by September 30th. Call The Chamber at 943-8151 to make that reservation.

Submit Questions to Ask Senator Eichelberger
The September 8th Chamber Breakfast Club will feature State Senator John Eichelberger as keynote speaker.  The question-and-answer format for the event will have the Senator answering questions submitted in advance from members of the Blair County Chamber.  If you’d like to submit a question(s) for consideration, please email it to Joe Hurd at jhurd@blairchamber.com by no later than August 26th.  Please try, as much as possible, to keep the topic of the question(s) related to business.

Can You Help Our Region Retain its 814 Designation?
A hearing will be held on August 24th at 6:00 p.m. at the Ramada Altoona Conference Center for the purpose of providing the public an opportunity to weigh-in on the proposed changes to the 814 Area Code.  The public is encouraged to attend the public input hearings, where residents will have the opportunity to present remarks that will become part of the record upon which the Commission will base its final decision. For businesses and parties of the case who are attending the public hearings, the Commission offers the following list of questions as guidance. The PUC and State Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate in public input hearings.  They include:  
      1.   Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though
          it is not required, you may want to write out your statement,
          which can be read.
     2.     Bring copies.  If you have a written statement you would  
          like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies
          for the court reporter and several copies for the other
          participants.   
     3.      Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask
          you a question to clarify something you said.  For those
          interested in submitting written comments directly to the PUC,
          letters can be addressed to the following and reference
          Docket No. P-2009-2112925:  Mr. Robert F. Powelson,
          Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) 400
          North Street P.O. Box 3265 Harrisburg, PA  17105-3265

"Issues" Program on Higher Education Tapes Tuesday
Taping will take place tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. for the next Chamber “Issues” program.  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.

ACE Award Nomination Deadline Friday
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 for individuals, organizations, businesses, farm families and/or self-nomination.  Click here to secure a form.  For questions, contact The Chamber at 943-8151. The deadline to submit a nomination is August 26th at noon. 

GRYP Holding Lunch 'n' Learn on Financial Topic
The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will hold a Lunch ‘n’ Learn entitled “Financing for Young Professionals” on August 31st from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Nicoletta’s Restaurant, 1700 Eighth Avenue in Altoona.  Guest speaker will be Brian Uhlinger of Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC.  The cost to attend is $22 for Chamber members; $30 for non-members and $17 for Chamber-member businesses that send three or more attendees.  To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

Chamber Will Again participate in Business & Industry Expo
The Blair County Chamber will once again partner with twelve other chambers throughout the region in presenting the Central PA Regional Business & Industry Expo, to be held Thursday, November 3rd from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. To obtain a registration form for the event, click here.

WE-LEaD, WISE Women to Present Accomplished Speaker
On September 13th, The Chamber’s WE-LEaD Committee will join forces with WISE Women of Blair County to present, “Leaving the Land of NO … No Time, No Energy, No Opportunity, No . . . !”  Presenting the program will be internationally recognized author and educator Evelyn Resh.  The event will take place from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Center.  A dessert reception follows.  The cost is $25-per-person.  For reservations, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Congratulations...
. . . to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona which recently ranked fourth in the entire system and first in the northeast region in HealthSouth’s second quarter clinical rankings. HealthSouth has 97 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across the United States
. . . . to Juniata College which has been recognized in four categories in the nationwide Chronicle of Higher Education 2010 “Great Colleges to Work For” survey
. . . . to Geisinger Health System which has been named to the Becker’s Hospital Review 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare for 2011
. . . . to Vic Gioiosa of ARC Federal Credit Union in Altoona who has been appointed to the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, headquartered in Harrisburg. Gioiosa will represent credit unions operating in Congressional District 9.

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.

Shear Perfections	Present your blue card and receive 50% off any service for first time customers. You then receive 10% off every service thereafter.
Imler's Poultry	Receive a 15% discount on the first six months of billing on a new warehousing or storage agreement of a year or longer.
Investment Savings Bank	Blue Card holders can receive a FREE 401k rollover consultation at Investment Savings Bank/ISB Advisors.
Iron Masters Country Club	Present your Blue Card during the 2011 season for 18 holes for $33 or 9 holes for $16.50. Price includes a cart. (Offer good for weekdays Monday through Friday all day and weekends after 2 p.m.)
Irving Seltzer d/b/a The Columns	Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive a 15% discount on rental charges.