Taste of Blount is this Thursday, September 11, so make plans to join us at the Theater in the Park by the Blount County Courthouse. We'll be there from 6-8 p.m. with a live performance from the Aaron Tracy Band, and great food from Calhoun's, Campfire Grill, Chadwick's Churn, Chick-fil-A Hunter's Crossing, Froyoz, Full Service BBQ, Il Sapore Italian Grill, Jet's Pizza, Key Lime Cafe, Kroger Maryville, Lemon Grass, Panera Bread, Rocky's Jamaica Sunrise, Smokin' Joe's BBQ, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Buddy's BBQ and Vienna Coffee House.

Tickets are on sale now 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 online or call 865.983.2241.

A very special thanks to our sponsors MK Russell & Abbott Heating and Air Conditioning, Clayton Homes, City of Maryville and Knoxville TVA Employee's Credit Union. Our media sponsors are The Daily Times, WATE-TV, B97.5 and WIMZ 103.5 FM.

The Townsend Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timer's Day is just two weeks away. There are new crafters and more food options, as well as some great entertainment, as traditional bluegrass music from some of the area's best bands will be on stage. Admission is free, but you will have to pay for parking. We are offering a two-day parking pass for $10.

Don't forget Primetime is coming Oct. 28 to Maryville College's Alumni Gym. Primetime is now open to the entire Blount County Chamber of Commerce membership. There are a very limited number of 4-foot table top spaces remaining for FREE. So get your's today. Admission is $10. 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. You can sign up for a display area, but instead of standing at your booth, like a traditional trade show, you can use this event to network and meet new people in the business community!
 
To get your tickets, reserve your spot or sign up to give away door prizes please call the Blount Partnership at 865.983.2241 or email [email protected]
 
Whether you decide to have a table top space or not, come and network at the largest networking event in Blount County.

The Blount Excellence Awards have been renamed the Best of Blount Awards, and 2014 marks the first time the awards will focus on the Blount County community as a whole, rather than only on the business community. Hosted by The Blount Partnership for over 10 years, the Best of Blount will now celebrate those individuals and businesses that give their time and resources to make our county such a great place.

The event will be the evening of November 6 at the Clayton Center for the Arts, with a reception starting at 5:15 p.m. The awards ceremony and speaker starts promptly at 6:30 p.m., with awards presented in five categories: Business of the Year, Philanthropist of the Year, Community Impact Award, Bright Future Award and Tourism Award. Each will be given to a peer-nominated business or individual, with each nomination vetted and reviewed by an independent committee. Nominees do not have to reside inside Blount County, but must have made an impact on the Blount County community over the last 12 months.

Our special guest for the evening will be Robert O'Neill, a member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. One of the most highly decorated veterans of our time, he has deployed more than a dozen times and held combat leadership roles in more than 400 combat missions. He has been involved in some of our nation's most important campaigns.

Mr. O'Neill is speaking on behalf of Your Grateful Nation, a non-profit corporation that is dedicated to supporting our special operation heroes and their families by providing executive-level mentoring, transitional services and family stabilization support.

5:15-6:15 p.m. - Heavy hors d'oeuvres reception

6:30 p.m. - Awards Ceremony

7:00 p.m. - Special guest Robert O'Neill

$45 - Chamber Member & General public with heavy hors d'oeuvres

$35 - Chamber VIP Member include heavy hors d'oeuvres (Must call Chamber to reserve)

$25 - Chamber Member & General public without heavy hors d'oeuvres

The Vacation Races half marathon is 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.

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!

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.

I jumped in my way back machine and headed back to this week in 1965 when "Help" by the Beatles was in the middle of its three-week run atop the Billboard Singles Chart. The song served as the title song for both the 1965 film and its soundtrack album.

The Beatles "Help"

Sept. 8 -- PSCC Professional Development -- Coaching Fundamentals
Sept. 9 -- PSCC Professional Development -- Proactive Listening
Sept. 11 -- Taste of Blount
Sept. 12-13 -- New Midland Plaza Fall Arts & Crafts Fair
Sept. 12-13 -- Bargains around Broadway
Sept. 13 -- Smoky Mountain Bikers for Babies
Sept. 13 -- Rock the Cradle
Sept. 13 -- Stream School for Kids
Sept. 14 -- Smithview Pavilion Open House
Sept. 14 -- Tremont Institute Homecoming Celebration

Sept. 16 -- Community Food Connection of Blount County Fundraiser
Sept. 17 & 19 -- PSCC Professional Development -- Resolving Conflict
Sept. 17 -- United Way Public Service Luncheon
Sept. 17 -- Chamber Ambassadors Meeting
Sept. 17 -- Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir
Sept. 18 -- The Blount Award Luncheon
Sept. 18-20 -- True Blue Truck Show
Sept. 19 -- Saving Generation Rx
Sept. 19-20 -- Foothills Quilt Show
Sept. 20 -- Foothills Alzheimer's Walk
Sept. 20 -- Vacation Races Half Marathon
Sept. 20 -- Second Annual Cades Cove Homecoming
Sept. 20 -- Luke 14 Event

Sept. 11 -- Taste of Blount
Sept. 25 -- Coffee Club at Hilton Knoxville Airport

You can access the entire calendar here to see other community events and submit your own.

Don't forget to check out the Hot Deals brought to you from other Chamber members. Add your Hot Deal by emailing Amy to get your login info.