Blair Business Mirror to Feature Al's Tavern
Environmental Clubs Rate High Priority of Sustainability Coalition
Chamber Board to Meet Following Summer Hiatus
GRYP "Summer Bash" to be Held This Friday
Chamber Announces Organizational Meeting on Next Chamber Trip
ACE Award Nominations Deadline Approaching
Survey Will Help to Assess Blair County's Health Needs
Changed Your Buying Habits Yet?  Let Us Know!
Privilege Pages Provide Great Value at a Low Price
Chamber Energy Program: Great Savings on Commercial Electric Rates
Congratulations...
Blue Card Discounts 

Blair Business Mirror to Feature Al's Tavern
Al’s Tavern, a local bar/restaurant celebrating fifty years in business, is the feature cover story for the August Blair Business Mirror which is published tomorrow as a supplement to the Altoona Mirror. This issue also includes a Q&A feature on retired banker Dean McKnight, an article on the impressive conclusion to a Leadership Blair County class’s community project and the details of the upcoming Early Childhood Education Summit. A copy of the Blair Business Mirror will be mailed to each Chamber-member business and organization.

Environmental Clubs Rate High Priority of Sustainability Coalition
The Chamber’s Coalition on Sustainability is hoping to ramp-up an effort to create more Environmental Clubs in Blair County Schools. “Some clubs have been started in a few school districts but we haven’t been able to coordinate an effort that would bring consistency countywide,” explained Katrina Pope of the Intermunicipal Relations Committee who chairs the Coalition. “We’re looking forward to determining ways to make that happen.” The Coalition is holding a subcommittee meeting on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the IRC Office, located in the Logan Township Municipal Building. Anyone interested in the topic of Environmental Club creation is encouraged to attend.

Chamber Board to Meet Following Summer Hiatus
After two months without a meeting, The Chamber’s Board of Directors will re-convene on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at the Devorris Center. The Board will address a number of issues including a plan that would continue the Buy Here. Live Here. program over a long period of time. The Board will also hear a presentation from Denny Doll, chair of the Leadership Blair County Alumni Committee. Any Chamber Members who would like to address the Board should contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 by noon tomorrow.

GRYP "Summer Bash" to be Held This Friday
The 2012 GRYP Summer Bash will be held this Friday, August 17th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Barneywood facility of NPC, located at 327 Tee Box Road in Duncansville. Any young professional looking to make meaningful connections in a fun, relaxed atmosphere should already have this evening marked on their calendar. The event will feature delicious food, free beverages, awesome door prizes, volleyball, horseshoes, golf, and much, much more. Live entertainment will be provided by Conner Gilbert. The cost to attend is just $10 for GRYP members and $15 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Prior to this event, there will be a 9-hole golf tourney starting at 4pm. Please contact Jessica Meck for more details and to sign-up. This event is sponsored by S&T Bank, with additional sponsorship by Furrer Beverage Company.

Chamber Announces Organizational Meeting on Next China Trip
The Blair County Chamber is going back to China. “It was only a matter of time,” admitted Chamber President Joe Hurd, who was part of the organization’s maiden voyage there along with ninety-seven others last November.  “We have received a considerable number of calls, asking that we put another trip together.  Most of those calls have come from friends and relatives of people who were with us on the last trip. That speaks to the level of satisfaction from that group.”  The next trip will be in the Spring rather than in the Fall. It will depart from Altoona on April 12, 2013 and will return April 20th.  “It will be the same itinerary as the last trip but will contain an optional side trip for anyone who went last year and wants to head in another direction,” Hurd pointed out.  “Just as the previous trip, the cost is ridiculously low and the accommodations are incredible.” An informational meeting will be held for the China Trip on August 28th at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center. A representative from Citslinc, the company that coordinates the trip, will be on-hand to make a presentation and to answer any questions. Pre-registration for the meeting is recommended but not required.  Call The Chamber at 943-8151 or email Marilyn Templon.

ACE Award Nominations Deadline Approaching
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce's Farm-City Committee is pleased to announce that nominations are still being accepted for the ACE (Agricultural Community Excellence) Award. Nominations will be accepted until this Friday, August 17, 2012. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Stacy Hoover at The Chamber, 814-943-8151. To access a Nomination Form, click here.

Survey Will Help to Assess Blair County's Health Needs
The Healthy Blair County Coalition is conducting a survey to find better ways to utilize assets that impact community health needs. Local employers are being asked to complete the Business Asset Survey which will help the Coalition to develop an intervention plan, an important component of the Affordable Care Act. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete. Individual responses will be kept confidential and the information generated will not be used to solicit your business or to encourage you to participate in projects or programs undertaken by any of the participating organizations. To access the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6L5H37K. For more information, contact Coleen Heim at 944-0884, ext. 305.

Changed Your Buying Habits Yet?  Let Us Know!
Too often, recognition bypasses people who deserve it most. The Chamber is attempting to change that through its “Buy Here. Live Here.” program. “We’re encouraging people to change their buying habits,” remarked Randy Green of McCartney’s, who chairs the BHLH Steering Committee. “When they do, we want to point that out to others. And we want to thank the people who are showing consideration for the future of their community.” If you are one of those people or your business has taken steps toward local buying, call Joe Hurd at The Chamber today (943-8151) or email him.

Privilege Pages Provide Great Value at a Low Price
If you were able to send an 8 ½ by 11 inch marketing piece about your business or organization to more than 1,100 business people for only $125, would you? Well several smart Chamber Members have been using “Privilege Pages” for quite some time. These marketing pieces are inserted in the monthly issues of the Blair Business Mirror that are direct mailed to The Chamber’s membership list. They are an effective way to hit a target audience that is often hard to reach. If you want your business to gain a competitive edge, call Jessica Meck at The Chamber today at 943-8151 and reserve your Privilege Page.

Chamber Energy Program: Great Savings on Commercial Electric Rates
If your business is a member of the Blair County Chamber and you haven’t enrolled in a discount program for electricity, you’re already losing money. To remedy that situation, check out The Chamber’s commercial energy program through OnDemand Energy. The rates are great and the service is outstanding. Simply visit the website at http://www.ondemandenergy.com/ and see what you’ve been missing!

Congratulations...
. . . to Stan Sheetz, President/CEO of Sheetz, Inc., who was recently named a 2012 Golden Chair Award winner by Nation’s Restaurant News.  The award recognizes leaders in the restaurant industry who have consistently demonstrated improved overall business performance and growth.

Blue Card Discounts
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.    

Sylvan Learning Center	Present you Blue Card to receive a free diagnostic assessment and one free week upon enrollment.
Tammy Kehr, Agent - State Farm Insurance	Present your Blue Card to receive a FREE State Farm Insurance and Financial review. The review is your opportunity to look at your overall financial picture and protection needs, clarify your goals and help ensure all your immediate and long-term protection and planning needs are being met.
Teeter Group	Present your Blue Card on your purchase of your business insurance through Penn National Insurance and (depending on total group premium and claims experience) you could earn an annual dividend.
The Building II Athletic Club	Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off our regular membership fee.
The Cashman Financial Group, Inc.	Attention Business owners: Call 1-800-722-0610 to learn how to receive a FREE Copy of National Best Seller "Tax Free Retirement" by Patrick Kelly.