Today is the last day to get your discounted tickets for $25 to the Best of Blount Awards on Nov. 12 with comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo. Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 26, all sales will be done at the Clayton Center for the Arts at $30. So if you haven't gotten yours, now's your last chance. Call the Chamber at 865.983.2241 or go online.

 

Please come out to The Juice Box - Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening on Friday, Oct. 30 from 3-5 p.m. Let's welcome them to Blount County in a big way.

 

JOIN US FOR PRIMETIME ON TUESDAY

It's a Spooktacular Party at Primetime presented by US Cellular.

Primetime is here on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 4-6 p.m. at Maryville College's Alumni Gym. Admission is $15. Don't forget to bring a door prize.

This Halloween-themed event is your best opportunity to meet many Chamber members from all sectors of the community in one location. Use this event to network and meet new people in the business community!

To get your tickets or sign up to give away door prizes please call the Blount Partnership at 865.983.2241 or email [email protected]

Come network at the largest networking event in Blount County.

 

COMEDIAN FRANK CALIENDO TO PERFORM AT BEST OF BLOUNT AWARDS

Comedian, actor and impressionist Frank Caliendo will perform at the Best of Blount Awards on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Maryville College's Clayton Center for the Arts. Chamber members can get their discounted tickets for $25 through Monday, Oct. 26 by calling the Chamber at 865.983.2241 or clicking here. After Monday, all ticket sales will be handled at the Clayton Center for $30.

 

Caliendo is best known for his work on the Fox Network television series MADtv, and as the in-house prognosticator for Fox NFL Sunday. In 2007 and 2008, he performed his impersonations on his own show, Frank TV, which aired on TBS. He is known for his impressions of Charles Barkley, NFL color commentator John Madden, sportscaster Jim Rome, comedian Robin Williams, actors Morgan Freeman and William Shatner, and United States Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

 

The Best of Blount, which focuses on the Blount County community as a whole rather than only on the business sector, celebrates those individuals and businesses that give their time and resources to make this area an outstanding place to live and work. Awards will be given for Philanthropist of the Year, Community Impact Award, Bright Future Award, Business of the Year and the Tourism Award.

 

REGISTRATION CONTINUES FOR FINAL SOFT SKILLS SESSION OF 2015

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 nine months.

 

Registrations are currently being accepted for "Working Smarter: Keys to Career Success," on Nov. 20. More classes will be offered in the spring, so be sure to check back for complete details.

 

With more and more millennials entering the workforce, employers have noticed many workers in a variety of professions are lacking in several areas, including problem solving, conflict resolution and critical observation. But, even though they possess the hard skills to get an interview, it's the important soft skills that will land the job and help them keep it.

 

All classes are conducted at the library located at 508 N. Cusick in Maryville and limited to 30 participants. Those interested must register online. 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.

 

NOMINATIONS NEEDED FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The Blount County Substance Abuse Prevention Action Team is seeking nominations for the 2015 Substance Abuse Prevention Awards. Click here for information, including the criteria for the four awards and a nomination form. We encourage you to nominate youth and community members that are champions in substance abuse prevention in Blount County. Please feel free to share these forms with others who may have interest in making a nomination. All nominations are due by Wednesday, Nov. 18.

 

REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL

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

 

When you shop with local merchants, more of your money stays close to home; supporting the parks, recreation centers, libraries and other things that make this community a great place to live.

 

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

 

CHAMBER BENEFIT OF THE WEEK

FREE Help Sessions for Small Businesses
Paine Bickers LLP, Kramer Rayson LLP, Wimberly, Lawson, Wright, Daves & Jones PLLC along with Kizer and Black Attorneys have agreed to offer up their expertise to any small business entrepreneur who need answers or advice on human resources or regulations governing small businesses for a half-hour session.

Common types of business disputes include breach of contract, property and lease disputes, debt collections and negotiating and drafting effective contracts. Human resources (HR) issues commonly experienced by employers include benefits distribution, resolving conflicts, worker safety, establishing productivity, recruiting employees, arranging and carrying out training and preventing discrimination.

 

Contact Amy for more information.

 

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

I had to go with a Halloween song for the flashback this week. Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers topped the Billboard singles chart with the "Monster Mash," this week in 1962.

Bobby "Boris" Pickett - "Monster Mash"