Chamber "Breakfast Club" on Cyber Bullying is Thursday
Orientation to Describe Business Hall of Fame Process
Chamber Board to Catch-Up Following Summer Hiatus
GRYP "Summer Blast" is Friday at Buccinese Society
Submit Questions to Ask Senator Eichelberger
Chamber Members Asked to Support 814 Effort 
Top Educators Featured on Chamber Television Program 
ACE Award Nomination Deadline is August 26th
Blue Card Discounts 

Chamber “Breakfast Club” on Cyber Bullying is Thursday
At our monthly Breakfast Club on August 18th at The Casino at Lakemont Park, The Chamber will be departing from its usual business-specific topics to focus attention on a growing problem primarily aimed at young people who spend considerable time on the internet.  Craig S. LeCadre of the State Attorney General’s Office, a frequent presenter at Leadership Blair County sessions, will present, “Sticks & Stones: Cyber Bullying.”  The often-graphic presentation is a must-attend for parents and educators.  The program itself runs a little longer than most Breakfast Club presentations, so this one will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude at 9:15.  Corporate sponsor for the Breakfast Club is MedExpress.  The cost to attend is $16 for Chamber Members and for non-members.  To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

Orientation to Describe Business Hall of Fame Process
The businesses and organizations that will be honored at the 2011 Business Hall of Fame Dinner on October 17th are to attend an orientation tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. at the Devorris Center to learn more about the agenda for the evening and the protocols related to dress, publicity and punctuality.  “The event moves along quite nicely if everyone understands the time frames and keeps to the guidelines regarding remarks from the podium,” explained Judy Juda, The Chamber’s Vice-President of Programming & Membership Education.  “The purpose of the Orientation is to emphasize what’s important and to threaten if necessary.”

Chamber Board to catch-Up Following Summer Hiatus
After not meeting during the months of June and July, the Blair County Chamber Board of Directors will meet on Thursday to catch-up with the many programs, events and issues that took place during the summer months.  “In the summer, the Executive Committee of our Board meets to approve financials, new members and whatever else creeps onto the business radar,” acknowledged Chamber President Joe Hurd.  “In the past, the summer was an opportunity for our staff to catch its breath and get caught-up.  No more.  Now we continue to forge ahead, particularly with publications and advocacy initiatives.  The pace doesn’t slow very dramatically.”  Thursday’s Board meeting begins at noon at the Devorris Center.  Any member desiring to bring something before the Board should contact Hurd at 943-8151 to be added to the agenda.

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.

Chamber Members Asked to Support 814 Effort
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

Top Educators Featured on Chamber Television Program
Severe cuts in state funding for higher education is just one of several factors that colleges in the region face as they look for new and better ways to meet the needs of area students.  What’s the strategy going forward?  That will be one key discussion point as The Chamber brings top educators together for its next “Issues” program which will tape August 23rd at the Altoona Public Access Studio.  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.  Sponsorships for the program are available at just $150 each.  To sponsor, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com.

ACE Award Nomination Deadline is August 26th
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. 

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.

Go Time Promotions	Present your Blue Card during your visit to receive a FREE business advertising consultation.
Go Time Sports Performance Training Center	Present your Blue Card and when you purchase two months of training, receive the third month for free
Green Home Goods, Inc	Present your Blue Card to receive a 10% discount on gifts and accessories, or on eco-flooring and furniture.
Harry K. Sickler Associates	Receive 10% discount for any first-time tax preparation and a free consultation with an accountant with your Blue Card.
HH Brown Shoe Co., Inc.	Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off any purchase from the Cove Shoe Outlet Store.

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