WE-LEaD Spring Workshop is Thursday
Chamber Board Approves Five New Members
Point of Fitness to Host Wednesday’s “Business Before Hours”
“Business After Hours” Heads to Hollidaysburg
Best Practices Forum to Focus on Small Games of Chance
Sustainability Coalition to Tour Altoona Lung Specialists
Justice Session is Next for LBC Adult Class
Small Businesses Invited to Participate in Veterans Event
Informational Meeting for Chamber’s London Trip Set for April 30th
Chamber Members Invited to Consider Commercial Electric Program
Chamber Committee Will Partner on Judicial Debate
Registered Yet for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic?
Applications Deadline Today for 2014 LBC Youth Class
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
WE-LEaD Spring Workshop is Thursday
The Chamber’s WE-LEaD – Women Encouraging: Leadership, Education and Development – will hold its annual Spring Workshop on Thursday, April 25th from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Center. Nationally-recognized speaker Marsha Petrie Sue will present “Decontaminate Toxic People Without Sharp Objects or Duct Tape.” The cost to attend is $65 for Chamber Members, $70 for non-members and $60-per-person in groups of five or more from the same company. Continental breakfast and full buffet lunch are included. Corporate sponsor for the event is Blair Medical Associates. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Chamber Board Approves Five New Members
At last Thursday’s meeting of the Blair County Chamber’s Board of Directors, the following businesses were approved for membership: A Better Balance Chiropractic of Altoona, Clear Creek Environmental of Duncansville, Coldwell Banker Town & Country Real Estate / Scott White of Altoona, The Good Funeral Home, Inc. of Altoona, and X-Pert Communications of State College.
Point of Fitness to Host Wednesday’s “Business Before Hours”
One of Blair County’s newest health and fitness centers will host The Chamber’s next “Business Before Hours” this Wednesday, April 24th from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Point of Fitness, located at 370 Pound Lane in Duncansville, welcomes the business community to come and learn about the wide variety of classes and individualized workout opportunities offered in a unique and engaging atmosphere. “We try to be different,” explains Point of Fitness owner Kara Cunningham. “Sometimes people get a little intimidated by some of the larger clubs. You really have to see and experience what we have here to appreciate the difference.” The Business Before Hours will follow an open house format and will include a healthy, light breakfast for attendees. There is no cost for Chamber Members to attend; non-members may attend for $10. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
“Business After Hours” Heads to Hollidaysburg
The next Chamber “Business After Hours” will be held this Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Razors Edge, 1304 North Juniata Street in Hollidaysburg. The salon, owned by Joe DeGennaro, Jr., was expanded in November with a unique partnership with Bareminerals Make-up and Skin Care, providing an extensively trained make-up and skin care artist to the staff. The cost to attend Business After Hours is $6.00 for Chamber Members in advance and $7.00 at the door. Non-members may attend for $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Best Practices Forum to Focus on Small Games of Chance
The Chamber’s Community Benefit Coalition of Non-Profits will hold its quarterly Best Practices Forum this Friday from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. Blair County Treasurer Jim Carothers will be the speaker/facilitator at the Forum which will focus attention on how businesses can avoid compliance problems related to Pennsylvania’s new Small Games of Chance restrictions. There is no cost to attend the Best Practices Forum but registration is limited to non-profit members of the Blair County Chamber. To register, call Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Sustainability Coalition to Tour Altoona Lung Specialists
Altoona Lung Specialists, located at 800 Chestnut Avenue in Downtown Altoona, is one of the region’s most environmentally prudent business models. For that reason, The Chamber’s Coalition on Sustainability will conduct a tour of that facility this Friday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Any Chamber Member is invited to be part of the tour and there is no cost to participate. Simply contact The Chamber at 943-8151 to register.
Justice Session is Next for LBC Adult Class
The seventh monthly session of The Chamber’s Leadership Blair County Adult class will take place on Friday from 7:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Hoss’s Corporate Office will be the home base for the session, which focuses on justice, although the session begins with a tour of the Blair County Prison. Among the speakers for Session Seven will be Attorney’s Jackie Bernard and Pete Weeks and Blair County Judge Jolene Kopriva. For more information on Leadership Blair County, contact Judy Juda at 943-8151 or visit The Chamber website at www.blairchamber.com.
Small Businesses Invited to Participate in Veterans Event
The Small Business Tournament of Champions, a partnership between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Hiring Our Heroes” program and Spike TV’s “Hire a Veteran Campaign,” invites any business with fewer than 500 employees and an annual revenue of less than $20 million to compete for the title of the most veteran friendly small business in America. The winning business will receive a 30-second Public Service Announcement produced-by and aired on Spike TV to highlight its commitment to veteran-friendly practices. The winner will also receive two tickets, roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations to attend the Spike TV Guys’ Choice Awards in June where their business will be recognized. Applications will be accepted online at www.VetChampsTourney.com through April 26th.
Informational Meeting for Chamber’s London Trip Set for April 30th
The informational meeting regarding The Chamber’s trip to London this Fall has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, April 30th at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. The London trip will depart on October 26th and return November 2nd. To obtain a brochure or to register to attend the informational meeting, call The Chamber at 943-8151.
Chamber Members Invited to Consider Commercial Electric Program
In the three years since the rate caps on electricity were removed in Pennsylvania, more than 300 businesses have signed-on to the Blair County Chamber’s Commercial Electric Program. Practically all of those businesses have gone through at least one renewal of that program and have stayed onboard. “They’ve looked around and determined that what they’ve got is better than what they can get elsewhere,” acknowledged Chamber President Joe Hurd. “It’s a great program because of the rates and the credibility. Those factors alone have made it desirable.” OnDemand Energy, which oversees the program, will continue to work with The Chamber and an informational meeting will be held on April 30th at 9:00 a.m. at the Devorris Center for any business that would have an interest in learning more about the program. “The actual informational session will last about thirty minutes and there will be ample time for questions,” Hurd pointed out. “The only criteria for participation is that the business has Penelec as its supplier and that it be a member of our Chamber.” To register to attend, call The Chamber at 943-8151.
Chamber Committee Will Partner on Judicial Debate
The Blair County Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee will partner with Blair Countians for Drug-Free Communities and Penn State Altoona’s Division of Student Affairs on a judicial debate involving the three candidates for Blair County judge. The debate will be held on Thursday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Center. Former Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority, a member of the Legislative Action Committee, will serve as moderator. Questions for the debate will be supplied by the three partnering organizations. There is no cost to attend and the public is invited.
Registered Yet for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic?
Registration is underway for the 2013 Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Chamber Golf Classic. The popular event is set for Monday, May 13th at Iron Masters Country Club in Ore Hill. The price of participating remains the same -- $150-per-golfer and $600 for a foursome – and that includes golf, a delicious luncheon, a special gift for each golfer, a post-Classic reception and Comfort Carts that keep the golfers hydrated. For the second consecutive year, the event will feature a ball drop, coordinated through Pine Bottom Aviation Services of Martinsburg. To reserve a team or an individual spot in this year’s event, contact The Chamber at 943-8151.
Applications Deadline Today for 2014 LBC Youth Class
The application process continues for the 2014 Class of Leadership Blair County Youth. Current high school freshmen at Blair County schools are eligible to apply for the program. Applications must be accompanied by two referrals from non-family members (teachers, guidance counselors, employers, etc.). Students can obtain an application from the guidance office at their schools, by clicking here or by stopping at The Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development. Deadline to apply is today.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Aaron Craig, a project engineer and Vallery Johnson, office manager, who have become partners at P. Joseph Lehman, Inc. in Hollidaysburg.
. . . to Amanda Stoehr Drumm, assistant director of marketing and communications at Saint Francis University, who recently received a “Cuppie Award” from CUPRAP, The Association of Communicators in Education. Drumm received the award in the feature article category for her article “Uncharted Waters” that appeared in the spring 2012 Saint Francis University Magazine.
. . . to Jessica Meck, Vice-President of Membership Services & Development at the Blair County Chamber, who received the “Breakthrough Award” from Dale Carnegie’s Course Skills for Success.”
. . . to Peoples Natural Gas, which was one of ten companies recognized for outstanding safety performance by the Energy Association of Pennsylvania.
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 Jessica Meck at The Chamber at 943-8151.
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Laurel Eye Clinic
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Present your Blue Card to receive $350 per eye discount on Lasik surgery and/or buy 1 pair of prescription glasses at regular price to receive half off a second pair of equal or lesser value.
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Mill Hill Farm Supply, Inc.
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When you present your Chamber Blue Card, receive $5 off a $25 or more purchase. All Mill Hill products qualify, including bird feed, pet food, garden seeds, gardening supplies plus much more!
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Oak Spring Winery
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Present your Blue Card to save 10% on your order at Oak Spring Winery.
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Park Audio Plus!
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Present your Blue Card to receive 4 years Interest Free Financing on all Tempur-Pedic & Serta Icomfort mattress sets plus a Free $200 gift card, free delivery, & Free removal of old bedding.
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Peterman's Flower Shop
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive a 10% discount on any product or service...including weddings!
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For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
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April 22, 2013
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Business BEFORE Hours
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Point of Fitness, Duncansville
Register Here
WE-LEaD Spring Workshop
Thursday, April 25, 2013
7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Center
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, April 25, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Razor's Edge, Hollidaysburg
Register Here
GRYP Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up
Saturday, April 27, 2013
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Meet at Home Depot Parking Lot
Backbone Bash
Friday, May 3, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Buccinese Society
Register Here
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 4/22/2013
Transportation Committee
Thursday, April 25th, 8:15 a.m.
Devorris Center
Farm-City Committee
Friday, April 26th, Noon
Hoss's - Duncansville
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