Be sure to join us Oct. 26 from 7:45-9 a.m. for coffee club hosted by Glenstone Galleries & Gifts (364 Lindsay St., Alcoa). Coffees 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. Coffees are open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.

Also make plans to attend two ribbon cuttings this week. Rice Automotive is holding its grand re-opening on Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. for the ribbon cutting, but the entire day is filled with activities as the community is invited to visit its new showroom. There will be door prizes every hour beginning at 9 a.m. an open house with food and beverages from 5-7 p.m.

Sleep Outfitters (1100 Foch St., Maryville) is holding its ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. as part of its open house that runs until 6 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

 

GRAINS AND GRITS SET FOR NOV. 4

The second annual Grains and Grits event, a festival of Southern spirits and gourmet grub, will bring together whiskey lovers from around the state for the East Tennessee celebration of the new Tennessee Whiskey Trail, a 26-stop distillery tour across the state of Tennessee organized by the Tennessee Distiller's Guild. All 26 distilleries will gather for the celebration at the Townsend Visitors' Center on Saturday, November 4.

Grains and Grits will be open from 6- 9 p.m. with parking opening at 5 p.m. at the Townsend Visitors' Center located at 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend. Tickets for Grains and Grits are $65 online at GrainsAndGritsFest.com or $75 the day of the event. Online purchase is suggested as there are a limited number of tickets. The website also includes additional event information, such as a full list of distilleries, venue details and more.

Sponsors for Grains and Grits include MGP, Brooks Grain, Silo Cigars and Robert D. Pinson.

 

FREE LONE SURVIVOR MOVIE VIEWING

Local manufacturer DENSO presents a free viewing of the movie Lone Survivor, which tells the story of Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell and his team's attempted capture of Taliban leader Ahmad Shah in June 2005, on Monday, Nov. 13 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall on the Maryville College campus (502 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN).

Free general admission tickets limited to two per person can be ordered through the Clayton Center for the Arts ticket office at 865.981.8590 or online. The movie is rated R and may not be suitable for children under 18.

Donations will be accepted at the viewing for the Lone Survivor Foundation which aids America's wounded service members and their families as they adjust to the effects of their experiences and help them transition into their new normal.

 

WORKERS' COMPENSATION SEMINAR

Join us Nov. 7 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for a workers' compensation seminar at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). Cost is $15 and includes lunch. RSVP to Amy if you wish to attend.

Attendees at this presentation should expect to learn 1) Ways to turn a workers' compensation claim into a workers' recovery plan. 2) Ways that employers may be negatively influencing their workplace culture regarding workplace injuries. 3) The impact that a workplace culture has on the cost and length of recovery in workplace injuries. 4) Ways to improve the workplace culture, reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and save money. 5) The major statutory requirements of the current Tennessee workers' compensation laws that are important for all stakeholders to know.

 

ETMAC LUNCHEON

Don't forget to register for the 35th Annual ETMAC Veterans Appreciation and Recognition Luncheon taking place Thursday, Nov. 9, 11:30 to 1:00, at the Knoxville Marriott! Cost is $30 per person; or $300 per table of ten. Tables and seats are filling up fast, so reserve your seat/table asap! The last day to make reservations is Friday, Nov. 3. ALL SEATS MUST BE PREPAID. Register online at www.etmac.org.

 

LIMITED SINGLE TICKETS REMAIN FOR NIGHT WITH THE LONE SURVIVOR

Retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell and author of the New York Times best-selling book Lone Survivor, which recounts the heroic sacrifices of fellow SEAL team members assigned to Operation Red Wings, is the guest speaker for the Blount Partnership's Best of Blount Awards, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m., at the Clayton Center for the Arts on the Maryville College campus.

Tickets are on sale for $35 (plus taxes and fees) by calling the Clayton Center at 865-981-8590 or online.

Luttrell takes us from the rigors of SEAL training and what it takes to join the America's elite fighting force, to the battle on the mountain, into his family's experience of community support and generosity, and back to his own incredible story of survival and grace. In powerful narrative, he weaves a rich account of courage and sacrifice, honor and patriotism, community and destiny that audiences will find both wrenching and life-affirming.

In his emotionally raw account, Luttrell honors the memories of all those who died, sharing with us the incredible bravery, courage and honor of these extraordinary warriors. He holds their lives up as examples of the SEAL's guiding philosophy.

In January 2014, Luttrell's amazing story made the leap to the big screen with the blockbuster film, Lone Survivor, directed by Peter Berg and starred Mark Wahlberg as Luttrell. The film celebrated a historic open, earning the second biggest January debut of all time.

Sponsors are Massey Electric, Cherokee Millwright, Blount Excavating, Stowers Machinery, Interstate Mechanical, DENSO, Nisus Corp., T.W. Frierson Contractor and First Tennessee Foundation.

 

GET PLACEMENT IN 2018 BASICALLY BLOUNT

The 2018 Basically Blount lifestyle magazine and membership directory is entering production once again. This annual, full-color lifestyle magazine and chamber membership directory is initially distributed to all Chamber members starting Feb. 2018, along with distribution four times throughout the year via area professional offices, newcomers, visitors, and new businesses all looking to relocate to Blount County.

In addition to intriguing stories and area photography that highlight the best of Blount County, Basically Blount also includes a finger-indexed, color-coded directory and buyer's guide of all Chamber members. Chamber members consistently tell us that they keep Basically Blount on hand throughout the year in order to find business products and services when they need them.

We are pleased to offer a variety of advertising opportunities at cost effective rates through our media kit. We have contracted with Marcon Marketing Consultants, a local Chamber member, to handle production and ad sales.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Basically Blount, the importance of supporting the Chamber, and how to get your business involved, contact: Rick Ford of Marcon Marketing at (865) 705-8580.

 

PSCC JOB FAIR

We are pleased to announce that our Blount County Campus Job Fair takes place Wednesday, November 1, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Pellissippi State Blount County campus (2731 W Lamar Alexander Parkway, Friendsville, TN).

This year we are focusing on part-time and/or seasonal employment opportunities. Also, if a business offers internship or co-op opportunities, we'd like to assist the employer in finding students for those work options.

 

BLOUNT COUNTY UNITED WAY "DO GOOD" T-SHIRTS

Each year, thousands of donors join our fight for the health, education and self-sufficiency of every person in the community. Clearly, members of this community have big hearts and "do good" for those in need. So now it's time to show your friends and family how proud you are to give back to the community in which you live and work.

Hop on over to the online store to view all the different t-shirt options. And help us spread the word! All proceeds go to the 2017 campaign.

 

MOVERS FOR MUTTS TO AID ANIMALS

The Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) is serving as a drop off location for the Two Men and a Truck Movers for Mutts collection drive until November 20, to provide necessary pet items to animal shelters and stray pets this fall.

Two Men and a Truck is partnering with shelters, schools, and businesses from areas surrounding Knox and Blount Counties. These locations will serve as drop off points for essential pet items.

 

NOVEMBER MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS NEEDED

Member-to-member promotions are needed for November. Check out the offers from Regions Bank, Exxon Mobil, Swagtown and a great deal on radio ads from WKVL. See these and 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

 

REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!

 

They dictate their own prices to remain competitive, which means you can often find better quality items at good costs.

 

Find what you're looking for in the Chamber Directory.

 

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, please email Ashlee so she can post it on www.SmokyMountains.org.

 

Also, please send us any news releases or good news about your business. We'd love to share it with the community.

 

REMEMBER WHEN

Topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week in 1981 was "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)," performed and co-written by Christopher Cross, which was the main theme for the 1981 film Arthur starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. The song won the 1981 Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.