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Check out our question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member at the bottom of the email. So, here we go with our 122nd installment visiting with Nate Worthington, Operations Manager for
Maryville Modern Dentistry.
COFFEE CLUB THIS THURSDAY
 Join use October 25 for the October
Blount Chamber Coffee Club sponsored by Blount Memorial Hospital held at East Tennessee Medical Group (266 Joule Street, Alcoa) at 7:45 a.m.
Wake up to new business contacts at Coffee Clubs. 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.
CBBC BANK FOOTHILLS BRANCH RIBBON CUTTING
 Come on down to the CBBC Bank Foothills Branch (600 Foothills Mall Dr., Maryville)
ribbon cutting ceremony for its grand re-opening on October 25 at 10 a.m. They will be having a day-long celebration from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. So stop by and check out the new digs.
UNITED WAY ACTIVITIES
 The Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) is a particpating location for the United Way's "Can"Paign which is a county-wide competition in the quest for most pounds of food donated. The "Can"Paign runs Oct. 22-Nov. 2. In addition, a $1 donation equals two pounds of food. So, if you care to donate as we near the holidays, please stop by and drop off your canned food items.
Additionally, October 26 from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. is United Way's Gas Day. Look for the United Way banner at your favorite gas station where volunteers will be available to fill up your tank, wash windshields and accept tips on behalf of the United Way. A portion of your fuel purchase goes to the 2018 United Way Campaign.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IS NOVEMBER 24
 This Nov 24, the Blount Partnership wants to celebrate Small Business Saturday with you! It's a special holiday created so communities can show love for small local businesses. And it wouldn't be a celebration without businesses like you joining us!
The day was setup to help businesses with their most pressing need -- getting more customers. The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before.
If your small business is interested in participating, please email
alawson@blountpartnership.com. We will help get the word out about shopping locally at the beginning of the holiday season.
EARLY VOTING CONTINUES UNTIL NOVEMBER 1
 Early voting for the Federal & State General, Alcoa, Louisville, & Maryville City Election continues until November 1, 2018. The following locations and times are available for your convenience.
Blount County Courthouse - Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Saturday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Blount County Public Library - Monday thru Friday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Everett Parks & Rec - Monday thru Friday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Pellissippi State - Monday thru Friday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR VALID PHOTO ID TO VOTE
IMPROVING YOUR COMPANY'S WORKERS' COMPENSATION CULTURE
 Join us October 23 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for a special Lunch and Learn session about workers' compensation at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). The fee is $15 and includes lunch.
REGISTER ONLINE.
Attendees at this presentation should expect to learn ways to turn a workers' compensation claim into a workers' recovery plan, ways that employers may be negatively influencing their workplace culture regarding workplace injuries and the impact that a workplace culture has on the cost and length of recovery in workplace injuries.
There will also be the latest updates to the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Act, as well as Bureau Rules or Policies and the effective date(s) of those updates.
FRIGHTFUL TRUTH ABOUT CYPER SECURITY IN THE WORKPLACE
 In this digital age, we are faced with an onslaught of new threats, new ways to be tricked, and never-ending ways to be manipulated by thieves on the internet, and beyond. Join us as we treat you to simple, easy steps you can take to increase your level of cyber security, decrease your liability, and help protect your employee's identity, keeping the ghastly ghouls of the internet at bay! Presented by Allevia Technology and Premier Solutions International Light refreshments and treats will be provided! Join us October 24 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership, 201 S. Washington St., Maryville.
REGISTER HERE
POWER CONNECT LUNCH
 Join us for a mid-day networking lunch on October 30 at 11:30 a.m., at Smoky Mountain Brewery (743 Watkins Rd, Maryville). Meet, Mingle, Lunch, Connect, Nibble, Engage and Network with other influential professionals.
While you (and the other guests) will have an opportunity to introduce your business, current areas of focus and/or anything you could use help with, all I ask is that everyone shows up with a focus on how they may be able to add value for the other attendees.
Open to ALL Blount County Chamber members, but you
must RSVP online. This is a Dutch Treat lunch.
Event chair Tony Saddy of Get Fit Maryville will lead the event.
NETWORKING TRAINING CLASS
 If you've ever been nervous about networking or want to learn how to do it better, then you need to attend this fabulous free seminar by Raeus Jae Cannon on November 6 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville). It will be the best 90 minutes of your week.
You will learn how to stop making cold calls and steer more prospects toward you.
REGISTER ONLINE.
$50 TICKETS ON SALE FOR THE BEST OF BLOUNT
 Two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and University of Tennessee All-America Peyton Manning is the guest speaker for the
Blount Partnership's Best of Blount Awards, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m., at the Clayton Center for the Arts on the Maryville College campus.
A limited number of balcony tickets are on sale for $50 (plus taxes and fees) using PASSCODE: Manning18 by calling the Clayton Center at 865-981-8590 or
online.
The question and answer show format features queries provided by fans submitted at
www.blountchamber.com/ask-peyton prior to the event.
Awards will be given for Philanthropist of the Year, Community Impact Award, Bright Future Award, Business of the Year, First Responder Award and the Tourism Award.
Event sponsors are Massey Electric, Pilot Flying J, Cherokee Millwright, Blount Excavating, DENSO, T.W. Frierson Contractor, C2RL Engineering, McCarty Holsaple McCarty, Stowers Caterpillar, Joseph Construction and First Tennessee Foundation.
GET PLACEMENT IN 2019 BASICALLY BLOUNT
 The 2019 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. 2019, 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.
On top of the lifestyle magazines, we will have a complete online version on both the chamber and economic development websites.
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
Sign up today and promote your business in a primary marketing tool utilized by the Chamber and Economic Development Board. Key positions will go quickly!
SOFT SKILLS SESSION FOR OCTOBER
 It's Your Career! That's the focus of free soft skills sessions offered in partnership by the Blount County Public Library, the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County and the Blount County Chamber of Commerce that are scheduled over the next three months.
Registrations are currently being accepted online at
www.blountchamber.com for a class entitled Improving Your Presentation Style - Strategies for Engaging Presentations set for October 26. This course qualifies for .2 CEU's awarded by Pellissippi State.
The other classes offered are: Making Your Social Media Look Good on Nov. 30 and Creating Infographics for Promoting Your Business on Dec. 21.
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.
FREE TECHNOLOGY CLASSES AT LIBRARY
 The Blount County Public Library is offering free computer classes in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint (2016) and Gmail. Receive an opportunity to gain a nationally recognized certificate from Northstar Digital Literacy. Course descriptions and schedules are listed below. The free classes meet in the Blount County Public Library's new Learning Lab (outside the library in the former First Tennessee Bank branch building) unless otherwise *noted. Spaces are limited and registration is required. To register, please visit the library's Information Services Desk or call (865) 982-0981, ext. 1450, or (865) 273-1428. Sign up no earlier than one month prior to a class.
Microsoft Excel 2016 Essentials: 2-session class. Bring a USB drive.
M/F - Nov. 5 @ 9-12:30 PM, Nov. 9 @ 8-10:30 AM
M/F - Dec. 10, 12 @ 2-4 PM.
Microsoft Word 2016 Essentials: 3-session class. Bring a USB drive.
M/W/F - Dec. 3, 5, 7 @ 2-4 PM
Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 Essentials: 3-session class. Bring a USB drive.
M/W/F- Nov. 26, 28, 30 @ 2-4 PM
Gmail How-To's: 1 session class. Bring a USB drive.
M - Nov. 19 @ 9-11 AM
 Additionally, businesses need to take advantage of the 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
NOVEMBER MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS NEEDED
 Member-to-member promotions are needed for November. Submit to the email below. Check out the latest offer from Laser Aesthetics of Maryville. 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
REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL
 Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!
A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.
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 1976 was "If You Leave Me Now" by Chicago. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera as well as being the first No. 1 hit for the group. The song won Grammy Awards for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.
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