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It's a busy week around the Blount Partnership. But first, we'd like to say thank you to those who participated in distributing membership packets during Operation Thank You. If you did not receive your 2015 membership packet, please let us know by calling 865.983.2241.
Now, make plans to join us for a pair of ribbon cuttings along with a coffee club and state legislative briefing this week.
Brookdale Browns Creek is hosting a wine & cheese open house and ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., with the ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Hartman's Flowers is holding a grand re-opening on Friday, Feb. 27 from 3:30-5 p.m.
Dollywood is sponsoring the February coffee club at the Blount Partnership boardroom on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 7:45-9 a.m. And finally, join us for a State Legislative Briefing with Senator Doug Overbey and Representatives Art Swann and Bob Ramsey on Friday, Feb. 27 at 8 a.m. at the Blount Partnership boardroom. Be sure to check out the Blount Partnership's official advocacy website. On this site you can contact your elected officials on issues important to your business interests, access a variety of voter resources including zip code identification of your local, state and federal elected officials and stay informed with up-to-date news, legislation, and issues important to Blount County.
REGISTER FOR FREE CONSTANT CONTACT SOCIAL MEDIA SEMINAR
 The Blount Partnership is hosting a free social media seminar presented by Constant Contact entitled, "You're Social, Now What? Making Social Media Work for You," on Wednesday, March 11 from 1-3 p.m. Register here.
This seminar will give you a closer look at the popular social media networks -- Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google +.
You will learn the benefits of using each network, three things you must do to make everything work, how to create content that is interesting and relevant to your audience, how other organizations are using social media, some do's and don'ts of each channel - best practices; how to connect with others (the "right" way), how to tell if your social activity is working, and discussion of productivity tools that will save time.
DR. DARCY HOFFMAN HOSTS SUCCESS HABITS THAT WORK SEMINAR
The Blount Partnership is proud to present a seminar that is a must for entrepreneurs, sales leaders and independent agents who want to create a high performance team. Dr. Darcy Hoffman presents " Success Habits That Work" on Wednesday, April 8 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Blount Partnership boardroom. The cost is $20 and includes lunch and Hoffman's book. Register here.
Workshop Topics:
1. How to achieve personal and business success from the inside out.
2. Seven principles to forming habits that work.
3. How to create a millionaire mindset.
4. How to develop a "new normal" that will change your finances, family and your future!
TOWNSEND BIKE BASH RETURNS
The Townsend Bike Bash, former known as the Dancing Bear Bike Bash, is back by popular demand to reflect the growing popularity of biking in the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
The event, presented by Dancing Bear, Cycology Bike Shop, Dogwood Cabins, Big Meadow Campgrounds and Apple Valley Stores, is set for Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 9 a.m. Riders have the option of a 30 or 50-mile ride that begins at the Apple Valley Country Store at 7140 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend, TN. The registration fee is $45 and can be done online at www.bikereg.com/townsend-bike-bash. For more information, call 865-448-6000
There will be two rest stops and a lead and a "sweep" rider. Each registrant will receive a free tee shirt and complimentary catered lunch by the Apple Valley Cafe at the completion of the ride.
The ride benefits the Townsend Walland Business Association with a portion of each registration fee going to support more biking and more events in Townsend on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies.
Lodging is available at Dancing Bear Cabins, Dogwood Cabins and Big Meadow Campground in Townsend.
BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NEEDS AUCTION ITEMS
The Blount County Fire Protection District presents its 20th annual Coats for our Community fundraiser on April 25, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Maryville, 202 West Lamar Alexander Parkway (across from the Blount County Courthouse)
The Blount County Fire Protection District is requesting any items or services that you are willing to donate to be auctioned.
The purpose of the fundraiser is to keep our neighbors "safe and warm." The plan is to place a smoke alarm in every home that doesn't have one and to raise funds to purchase and provide new warm coats to our children in need in Blount County, Alcoa, Maryville, Greenback and Seymour schools.
Donation checks, which are tax deductible, are also accepted and my be written to Blount County Fire Protection District and note "COATS" or donate online at www.blountfire.org.
The mailing address is BCFPD, P.O. Box 4488, Maryville, TN 37802-4488. For more information, call 865-983-2133.
H&R BLOCK 50% OFF
H&R Block is having a special promotion now through March 15. Anyone who didn't use H&R Block last year will get 50% off what they paid for last year to another provider ($75.00 minimum). Find out more at 800-472-5625 or HRBLOCK.COM
SAM'S CLUB HOSTING GOLF TOURNEY TO BENEFIT ETCH
Sam's Club is hosting a golf tournament to benefit East Children's Hospital, Friday, April 17, 2015, at Three Ridges Golf Course in Knoxville, Tenn. A putting contest begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. in the four-man scramble competition. Click here for more information on entering your team or becoming a sponsor.
FREE BUSINESS OPERATION WORKSHOPS
 The Blount County Chamber of Commerce and the Blount County Library have partnered with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center to present 14 free business operation workshops on Google, social media, business marketing and planning, starting a business and government contracting for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Workshops are held at the Blount County Chamber, 201 S. Washington St., Maryville, TN, and at the Blount County Library, 508 North Cusick Street, Maryville, TN. Participants are free to bring their own lunch.
For more information or to attend any of the following workshops, participants are asked to register by clicking on the Training tab at www.tsbdc.org.
| Location | Date | Seminar Topic | Time | | Chamber | Feb. 26 | Pin and Tweet Your Business to Success | 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Register here | | Chamber | March 12 | Starting a Business | 9 a.m.-Noon Register here | | Chamber | March 19 | Government Contracting | 11:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Register here | | Library | April 9 | Google-ize My Business | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register Here | | Library | April 21 | Google My Business | 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. | | Library | June 11 | Growth Wheel - Business Legal Issues | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | | Chamber | June 25 | Business Planning | 9 a.m.-Noon | | Library | Aug. 6 | Growth Wheel - Business Processes | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | | Chamber | Aug. 20 | Social Media | 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. | | Library | Sept. 10 | Growth Wheel - Choosing Employees | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | | Chamber | Sept. 24 | Starting a Business | 9 a.m.-Noon | | Chamber | Oct. 8 | Social Media | 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. | | Library | Oct. 22 | Growth Wheel - Ownership & Management | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | | Chamber | Nov. 12 | Business Planning | 9 a.m.-Noon |
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
Manfred Mann's Earth Band's remake of "Blinded by the Light," a song written and originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen, topped the Billboard Charts this week in 1977.
 | | Manfred Mann - Blinded by the Light |
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