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It's football time in Tennessee! Well it is that. But more importantly, it's coffee club week. This month we are meeting at LeConte Realty, 604 Crawford Street, Maryville, TN. Coffee begins being served at 7:45 a.m. We might even see a Chamber Ambassador Drew Miles who shares the building. So let's pack the house and enjoy a little get together before the Labor Day weekend.
 Later on Thursday, the Blount Young Leadership Development (BYLD) group is holding its monthly social at Calhoun's in Maryville from 5:30-7 p.m. BYLD is Blount County's young professional group focusing on helping professionals, 40 and under, develop their careers and grow into community leaders through networking, professional development, education and community outreach.
Also, the Alcoa City briefing is being held Friday at 8 a.m. at the City of Alcoa Building, 223 Associates Boulevard, Alcoa, TN 37701.
It hard to believe, we are only a month away from the Townsend Fall Festival and it's really coming together nicely with some new crafters and more food while continuing with the traditional bluegrass music on stage. Admission is free, but we are offering a two-day parking pass for $10. That'll save you six bucks off the regular parking rate and who knows, you can get another bloomin' onion or a tasty treat.
 Two quick things. First, don't forget that the Chamber has free prescription cards. Offer your employees the opportunity to receive discounts on prescription drugs and other health care services, regardless of any health insurance program you offer. The card is free and there is no enrollment. Check out this and other benefits.
 Second, come be part of Primetime Oct. 28 at Maryville College's Alumni Gym. It's a Spooktakular Party at Primetime where we mix up a concoction of business connections, food music games and door prizes. There are 88 four-foot booth spaces available on a first-come basis (Chamber members who joined between 2012-14 get free booth space & 2 tix). Get your $10 tickets, booth space or donate a door prize by emailing Amy or call 865.273.1206. See who's already coming.
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR TASTE OF BLOUNT
 Tickets are on sale now for the 13th annual Taste of Blount set for 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11 at Theater in the Park in Maryville with live music by the Aaron Tracy Band (next to the Blount County Courthouse). Chamber members can get their tickets for $25 each, public is 30 and students are $15 with ID. Remember, admission goes up $5 the night of the event. So get your tickets now. Call 865.983.2241 to order.
WE NEED NOMINATIONS FOR BEST OF BLOUNT AWARDS
 Do you know someone or business that should be considered for a Best of Blount Award? Well, nominate them today for either business of the year, philanthropist of the year, community impact award, tourism award and bright future award.
 Be sure to save the date of Nov. 6 at the Clayton Center for the Arts as Rob O'Neill, one of the most highly-decorated combat veterans of our time, is the guest speaker. He was a team leader with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. O'Neill has deployed more than a dozen times, and held combat leadership roles in more than 400 combat missions in four different theaters of war. A highly-trained Navy SEAL, he led the military's most elite and was involved in our nation's most important campaigns. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for ticket information. VACATION RACES  Do you like distance run? If so, you'll want to take part in the Vacation Races half marathon set for Sept. 20. The course runs from Heritage High School in the Hubbard Community outside Maryville and ends in Townsend. Find out more information at greatsmokymountainshalfmarathon.com and check out the promo video. BUT FIRST LET ME TAKE A #SELFIE Now's your opportunity to be featured during the 2015 Blount Partnership Annual Meeting set for Jan. 30 at the Airport Hilton. We want your selfies. Any selfie of you, taken any time and any place. (Please take your pictures safely; especially not while driving.) How it Works: Be a part of our selfie collage by following these 3 easy steps: 1. Take a selfie 2. Tag #BPAM2015 3. Post your pic to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email. Don't forget to use the #BPAM2015 tag on ALL your selfies and look for them at the Annual Meeting! GOT AN EVENT? 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 Let's jump in our time travel machine and go back 30 years ago this week when Ray Parker Jr's. "Ghostbusters" topped the Billboard Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks. It was nominated at the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song, but lost to Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You."
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