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Deadline is Wednesday to Register for Bahamas Cruise
Sustainability Coalition to Feature Tour of Tyrone Paper Mill
Transportation Committee Urges Greater Federal Consideration
"Operation Our Town" Topic of February Breakfast Club
Some Sponsorships Still Available for Chamber "Breakfast Club"
Last Chance to Register for Dale Carnegie Training
Noted Economist to Speak at Saint Francis
Congratulations...
Blue Card Discounts

Deadline is Wednesday to Register for Bahamas Cruise
If you are one of the people in Blair County who can’t tolerate cold weather and would like to warm-up for at least a week, then The Chamber’s cruise to the Bahamas is right up your alley. The bad news is that you only have until Wednesday to book it. The cruise runs from March 18-25. Give Heritage Travel a call today (946-1600) and they will provide all the details. Remember: The cost is inexpensive and transportation is provided from Altoona to the Port of Baltimore. So come and relax with The Chamber and thaw out.

Sustainability Coalition to Feature Tour of Tyrone Paper Mill
The American Eagle Paper Mill in Tyrone is one of the region’s best examples of a business focused on the highest standards of sustainability. To showcase that effort, The Chamber’s Coalition on Sustainability has arranged for any Chamber Member to take a guided tour of the plant this Tuesday, January 31st beginning at 11:00 a.m. There is no cost to take the tour. For more information or to register, call The Chamber at 943-8151.

Transportation Committee Urges Greater Federal Consideration
The Chamber’s Transportation Committee has signed a letter that also includes the signatures of more than a thousand businesses and chambers of commerce nationwide advocating for better federal transportation legislation. The letter, addressed to members of U.S. House and Senate, encourages Congress to hasten the long-delayed reauthorization of federal highway and transportation programs. “As a Transportation Committee, we spend a considerable amount of time speculating on what potential transportation projects may occur in our area and it’s a little frustrating when there’s so little movement in determining what monies will be available,” remarked Bob Kunselman of The EADS Group who chairs the committee. Anyone interested in joining the Transportation Committee should contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.

"Operation Our Town" Topic of February Breakfast Club
The tradition continues. On February 9th, The Chamber will once again partner with Operation Our Town on a Breakfast Club presentation to be held at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The program will begin with a short video and power point presented by Randy Feathers of the PA Attorney General’s Office. Feathers will then confer Law Enforcement Awards to Deputy Attorney General Patrick Leonard, Agent Thomas Moore and Detective Sgt. Troy Johannides. Following those presentations, the 2012 Community Partnership Award will be presented by the Operation Our Town Board to the County of Blair. Corporate sponsor for Breakfast Club is First National Bank. The cost to attend the Breakfast Club is $16.00 for Chamber Members and $30.00 for non-members. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Some Sponsorships Still Available for Chamber "Breakfast Club"
One of The Chamber’s most well-attended networking opportunities is the monthly Breakfast Club. Each Breakfast Club brings with it the opportunity for a Chamber-member business to be the sponsor/host. That opportunity provides a few minutes of podium time, recognition in all promotional publications as well as the right to place materials at each place setting and on a separate display table. And all for just $300. A few months are still available during 2012 but they won’t last long. If your business or organization would like to be a Breakfast Club sponsor, contact Jessica Meck at 943-8151.

Last Chance to Register for Dale Carnegie Training
The Dale Carnegie “Skills for Success” training begins this Thursday and only a few spots in the class still remain. The eight-week program is being done in partnership with the Blair County Chamber. “Skills for Success” will provide attendees an extensive background on things like effective networking, relationship building, stress management and leadership development – just to name a few. Sessions will be held at the Comfort Inn Hotel in Duncansville. For more information or to register, contact Jeff Davis at (814) 931-1963.

Noted Economist to Speak at Saint Francis
Saint Francis University is sponsoring a special “Global Economic Outlook for 2012” at the university’s John F. Kennedy Auditorium on February 9th at 6:30 p.m. Guest lecturer is Dr. Arthur Laffer, frequently referred to as the “Father of Supply-Side Economics” and creator of the famous Laffer Curve. For ticket information, contact Jessica Semko at 472-3087.

Congratulations...
. . . to the individuals and businesses honored at last Friday’s Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation. They are: Debra Dellaposta – Athena Award, Sherri Stayer – Joseph P. Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award, Robert Good – George Award, Derek Miller – GRYP Impact Award, Booker Moore – Donna D. Gority Servant Leadership Award, Linzi Beisinger – Small Business Person of the Year, and Hayes Large Architects – Loyalty Award. James Crawford was also re-presented the Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award. Crawford had first been presented the ACE Award at last October’s Farm-City Dinner.

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.

Traficante Family Chiropractic

Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive initial consultation, examination, spinal scan and x-rays (if needed) when you make a $10 donation to the ARC of Blair County.

Woody's II

Present your Blue Card to receive $1 off any large hoagie. Offer is good for up to 4 hoagies per order.

Advanced Chiropractic

Present your Blue Card for first day services including a consultation, examination and x-rays (if necessary) for a $10 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation! Valued at over $150. Come and see if chiropractic can help you!

Advanced Regional Center for Ankle and Foot Care

Present your blue card to receive $15.00 off any in-stock Crocs OR $25.00 off in-stock sandalistas OR Formula 3 Nail Fungus Treatment for $30.00.

Altoona Community Theatre

Present your Blue Card and receive $4.00 off individual tickets for ACT Mainstage Productions at the Mishler Theatre.

January 30, 2012

Upcoming Events

Register online

Breakfast Club

Thursday, February 9, 2012
7:45 - 8:55 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park

Topic: Operation Our Town

Sponsored By:

Register Here

GRYP Networking Event

Thursday, February 16, 2012
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

The Knickerbocker Tavern

Register Here

Business After Hours

Thursday, February 23, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Allegheny Ballet Company

Register Here

GRYP Snow Tubing

Friday, February 24, 2012
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Blue Knob All Seasons Resort

Register Here

Blair County Home & Garden Show

March 2, 2012 - 1:00 - 9:00 p.m.
March 3, 2012 - 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
March 4, 2012 - Noon - 5 p.m.

Jaffa Shrine

Upcoming Committee Meetings
Week of 1/30/12

Home & Garden Show Committee
Tuesday, January 31, 8:30 a.m.
The Chamber

Coalition on Sustainability
Tuesday, January 31, 11:00 a.m.
American Eagle Paper Mills

Business Hall of Fame Committee
Wednesday, February 1, 8:00 a.m.
The Chamber

Leadership Blair County Adult Committee
Wednesday, February 1, 3:30 p.m.
Devorris Center

Leadership Blair County Alumni Committee
Thursday, February 2, 7:30 a.m.
Reliance Bank

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