Why does Santa have three gardens? So he can ho-ho-ho.
CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP 85% TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Looking for a tax deduction to ring out 2015? Remember that your Blount County Chamber Membership fee is 85% tax deductible if you renew by December 31. Call 865.983.2241 or
email Amy.
Why did the elf push his bed into the fireplace? He wanted to sleep like a log.
JANUARY AFTERNOON MIXER MOVED
 The January 10
afternoon mixer originally scheduled to be at Sleep Outfitters has been moved to Vienna Coffee House (212 College Ave. Maryville). The event runs from 3:45-5 p.m.
Mixers are designed to offer our members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization in an "open house" setting and open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.
The North Pole doesn't import goods because it's Elf Sufficient.
TWO PLACES TO SPEND NEW YEAR'S EVE
Looking for a New Year's Eve event, try one of these:
New Year's Eve Dinner at RT Lodge: We are open this New Year's Eve! For the warmest, coziest (and tastiest) start to 2019, come and raise a glass or two with us! If loud music and party poppers aren't really your thing, come and cozy up at RT Lodge and welcome in the New Year. Feast on our hearty and comforting five-course New Year's Eve menu thoughtfully created by Chef Trevor Stockton and our culinary team. There'll be a glass of bubbly on us at midnight! $90 per person plus tax and service (does not include alcohol).
Blount Habitat for Humanity NYE Gatsby Gala: Blount County Habitat for Humanity will host its second annual 1920s themed NYE Gatsby Gala at a new location this year! Join us at the historic Capitol Theatre in your best 1920's attire for a night of entertainment and enjoyment in support of 26 years of building affordable homes in Blount County. You'll step into the world of 1920s opulence from the moment you arrive including the addition of an open bar and Sullivan's catering. The gala will include hot era jazz, cold drinks, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, swanky silent auction, casino tables and much, much more! NYE Gatsby Gala: $125 per person.
What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic
WINTER WOODY PLANT ID - DAY PROGRAM
 Join the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont on January 26 for a one-day experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Winter is a unique and beautiful time of year to investigate trees and plants of the Smokies.
Cost: $64 (Includes breakfast and lunch)
Learn more on our
website.
What do Santa's little helpers learn at school? The elf-abet!
HR FOCUS GROUP SET FOR JANUARY
 Can you believe the first HR Focus Group is set for January 9, 2019? Sign up today for Ryan Allen, Senior Loss Control Specialist for Accident Fund as he presents an enlightening seminar on Making Safety Successful. Topics to be covered include Common Safety Pitfalls, Safety Management Leadership, Basic Safety Program Elements, Building for Continued Success and Tools to Elevate Safety.
REGISTER HERE.
Why does Santa Claus go down the chimney on Christmas Eve? Because it soots him
MLK BUSINESS LUNCHEON
 The MLK business luncheon will be held at the Clayton Center for the Arts on January 18 at noon. The cost is $35 per person or $350 per table of 10. Reservations are required to attend this event and can be made by calling the Blount County Chamber of Commerce at 865-983-2241. The keynote speaker will be Mr. Cassius Cash, Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.<
Other MLK Celebration Weekend events include:
MLK Kids and Families Fair
Saturday, January 19, 2019
1 p.m. at the Blount County Library
Community Worship Service
Sunday, January 20, 2019
4 p.m. at St. John Baptist Church, Alcoa
MLK Day March/Program
Monday, January 21, 2019
12:45pm Assemble at MLK Center
1pm March from MLK Center to Maryville College
2 p.m. Program at Nutt Theatre in Clayton Center
Christmas tree trend started because people thought it would spruce things up a bit.
SOFT SKILLS SESSION FOR DECEMBER
 It's Your Career! That's the focus of a free soft skills session offered in partnership by the Blount County Public Library, the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County and the Blount County Chamber of Commerce.
Registrations are currently being accepted online at
www.blountchamber.com for a class entitled Creating Infographics for Promoting Your Business on Dec. 21. This course qualifies for .2 CEU's awarded by Pellissippi State.
All classes are conducted in the Blount County Library's learning lab located at 508 N. Cusick in Maryville and limited to 50 participants. A complete class description is located on the registration site. All classes run from 8-10 a.m. with networking beginning at 7:30 a.m.
What do you call an elf that can sing? A wrapper.
LYNDA AT THE LIBRARY
 Businesses need to take advantage of the Blount County Library's subscription to Lynda.com. Using your library card, get access to Lynda.com, a LinkedIn Company, with thousands of courses in software, creative and business skills to develop your staff skills and meet learning needs at your own convenience.
Learn More
What type of Christmas dessert shouldn't you trust? Mince spies!
DECEMBER MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS
 Member-to-member promotions are here. Submit to the email below. Check out the latest offer from Puleo's, Airport Hilton and RCN Technologies. See other promotions at
member-to-member promotions. New offers are being posted almost daily, so check out the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Member-to-Member promotions online. This Member-to-Member Promotional Program offers you and your company the opportunity to market your products and services to the membership.
Here's how it works:
1. Submit a PDF of a service, product or discount you'd like to offer to the Chamber membership to
jmuir@blountpartnership.com. Be sure to include an expiration date.
2. An email with all the promotions will be sent out on the final Monday of every month to our member database.
3. All promotions will be posted on
www.BlountChamber.com
What is the cow's holiday greeting? Mooooory Christmas.
REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL
 Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!
Local businesses give a community its flavor.
GOT AN EVENT OR NEWS? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT
Is your organization hosting an event in the community? Submit it
here on our community calendar. If it's a tourism event or any good news about your business, please
send it to us. We'd love to share it with the community.
REMEMBER WHEN
Topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week in 1986 was "The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby and the Range. Tupac Shakur sampled the song in his hit "Changes."
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