Chamber Board Approves Seven New Members
Buy Here. Live Here. Work Groups Meet Today
Chamber Joins Marcellus Shale Coalition
Orientation is Tuesday for Business Hall of Fame Honorees
Knickerbocker Tavern to Host "Green Drinks"
Collection Underway for "Basket of Hope"
Chamber Heading Back to China. Are You Going Along?
Blair County's Health Needs Rely on Your Servey Participation
Chamber Looking for BHLH Success Stories
Privilege Pages Provide Great Value at a Low Price
Chamber Energy Program: Great Savings on Commercial Electric Rates
Congratulations...
Blue Card Discounts 

Chamber Board Approves Seven New Members
The Chamber’s Board of Directors approved seven new members to the organization at last Thursday’s Board Meeting. The new members are: Beneyfield & Farrell of State College, Blair County Community Action Agency of Altoona, Corless & Associates of Hollidaysburg, Dennis P. McGeehan of Duncansville, Hydraulic Solutions of Altoona, Roaring Spring Community Library of Roaring Spring, and Sports Evolution CrossFit and Sports Performance of Altoona.

Buy Here. Live Here. Work Groups Meet Today
As The Chamber’s Buy Here. Live Here. program continues to spread the word about the importance of local purchasing, the work groups that undertake the tasks associated with that initiative are scheduled to meet today at 3:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center. And they’d welcome new blood. “The program has a number of vital components so the need for energetic volunteers is considerable,” noted Randy Green of McCartney’s who chairs BHLH. “The more involvement we have, the easier it will be to keep on-track with our implementation strategy.” Green encourages anyone interested in helping to either call The Chamber at 943-8151 or just show up for the meeting.

Chamber Joins Marcellus Shale Coalition
The Blair County Chamber is the newest member of the “Shale Works for US Coalition,” an effort undertaken by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for 21st Century Energy. The Coalition will look at ways that Marcellus Shale can more effectively benefit regions of Pennsylvania where natural gas drilling is taking place and also in areas where only negligible drilling occurs. “We were asked to join the Coalition because of our location and the potential for our business community to get involved in several phases of the Marcellus Shale effort,” explained Chamber President Joe Hurd. “We have a lot to offer.” The Chamber’s Board of Directors approved the organization’s involvement at last Thursday’s meeting. Any Chamber Member interested in taking part in the Coalition should contact Hurd at 943-8151.

Orientation is Tuesday for Business Hall of Fame Honorees
Any business or organization voted to the 2012 Blair County Business Hall of Fame or selected to receive an Award of Distinction at the Hall of Fame Dinner on October 15th will learn the specifics of the event at a special orientation meeting set for tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. at the Devorris Center. The orientation will include an honoree Q&A and will be conducted by The Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame Committee.

Knickerbocker Tavern to Host "Green Drinks"
The Knickerbocker Tavern, located at 3957 Sixth Avenue in Altoona will host the next “Green Drinks” networking event this Tuesday, August 21st beginning at 6:30 p.m. and concluding whenever the last person leaves. Green Drinks is a program of the Blair County Chamber’s Coalition on Sustainability. It is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in discussing sustainability or other environmental issues to do so in a relaxed, social atmosphere. There is no charge to attend and no need to register in advance. For more information, contact Katrina Pope at 942-7472.

Collection Underway for "Basket of Hope"
For the second consecutive year, the Blair County Chamber’s Leadership Blair County Alumni are accepting donations of common household goods to be given to women and families through Family Services’ Emergency Shelter and Domestic Abuse Project. There are many ways that the items can be donated; as an individual or an office, with a group of neighbors or with a church group. Fill an entire laundry basket or donate just one item. Donations can be dropped-off at the Blair County Chamber Office, 3900 Industrial Park Drive in Altoona, between August 28th and August 31st. The Chamber Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chamber Heading Back to China. Are You Going Along?
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.

Blair County's Health Needs Rely on Your Survey Participation
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 www.surveymonkey.com/s/6L5H37K. For more information, contact Coleen Heim at 944-0884, ext. 305.

Chamber Looking for BHLH Success Stories
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 www.ondemandenergy.com/ and see what you’ve been missing!

Congratulations...
. . . to Juniata College which was named one of the “Great Colleges to Work For” by the Chronicle of Higher Education for 2012.  It is the third time that Juniata has gained the recognition since the poll began in 2008.

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.    

Corl-Grove Services, Inc.	Blue Card holders and their businesses qualify for 10% off standard fees when certifying 5 or more employees per session. CPR and First Aid Certifications are issued through the American Heart Association and are valid for 2 years.
Raphael's	Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive 10% off your bill (except alcohol). Closed Sundays.
Reiki Center for Body and Mind	Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive 20% off your first Reiki Session or Massage Therapy Session
The New Specialty Lift Truck, Inc.	Present your Blue card to receive 35% off a Forklift Rental
The Village at Morrisons Cove	Receive 15% off Dinner Purchase when you present your Blue Card at The Bistro at the Village Green (The Village at Morrisons Cove). Limit one coupon per customer per visit. *Only good with purchase of an entree.