Please join us for fun and networking with fellow Chamber members at Business After Hours.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming dates:

April 23- Therm Tech

May 14- Black Mountain Community Endowment Foundation at Center for the Arts

May 28- Black Mountain Inn

June 25- Morning Glory

July 23- Black Mountain Chocolate

August 20- West End Cabinets

September 24- Black Mountain News

October 22- First Citizen's Bank

The Chamber will host the 2009 "Value Our Valley" Local Business, Job and Health Fair on Saturday, May 16 at Owen Middle School from 9 A.M. - 2 P.M.

Formerly the "Shopper’s Expo," this year’s fair not only encourages residents to shop locally but also features employers who will be presenting what jobs they offer and the skills and education required.

There will also be a separate section for health care providers.  Participants may receive complimentary health screenings and learn about the health services available to them in the Valley.

The fair will have exhibits of over 50 local merchants, service providers and nonprofits.

The first 250 families at the fair will receive a free gift bag. There will also be door prizes, refreshments, hamburgers and hot dogs.

Again this year, Rainbow Recycling will offer a Styrofoam recycling collection.  The community is invited to drop off their clean Styrofoam packaging, whether molded, blocks or sheets, “peanuts,” or firm spongy foam from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  All foam pieces must be free of tape, glue, and cardboard.  Peanuts must be clean and in securely closed plastic bags.  All foam packaging pieces will be recycled and the peanuts will be re-used by The UPS Store in Black Mountain. 

Value Our Valley Local Business, Job and Health Fair is free and open to public. There is a small charge for exhibitors and sponsors. For more information or to register as an exhibitor or sponsor, contact the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce at 828-669-2300.

Montreat Rentals- three cabin rentals in Montreat.  Elizabeth Ellett, 404-252-5408, www.montreatrentals.com.  Esellett@mindspring.com.

Allyson A. Stone Attorney – attorney at law.  828-357-8356.  allysonstone@aol.com.

The Thrifty Taoist- affordable acupuncture and holistic care.  Greg Hagan and Jean Brannon.  828-713-9185.  www.thriftytaoist.com.  thriftytaoist@yahoo.com.

The Village of Cheshire – a community of homes, town homes and cabins available for rent and sale.  Retail spaces available.  Eddie Colley.  828-669-6657.  www.villageofcheshire.com.  info@villageofcheshire.com.

Black Mountain Lodging- cabin rental in The Village of Cheshire.  Ed Turley.  828-357-8476.  www.vrbo.com/231084.  ed1946@charter.net.

Sun Dance Ridge- real estate development.  Bill Fagan.  828-669-5557.  www.sundanceridge.com.  timelessmountainhomes@usa.net.

InDeMand Landscape Management- florist, gardening, landscaping, nursery.  Trent Ferguson.  828-669-5478.  www.indemandlandscaping.com.  Info@indemandlandscaping.com.

Numbers of visitors at the Black Mountain Visitors Center: February- 919, March 1139.

Phone calls answered by volunteers: February-561, March- 631.

1-800-number calls (calls received on 800 number usually requesting information on visiting or relocating): February- 58, March- 62.

TDA Postage (amount the chambers spends to respond to requests for information on visiting or relocating): February- $837.68, March-$707.00.

E-Mail (number of e-mail requests for information about the area): February- 99, March- 92.

Website visitors:  February-26,610, March- 32,989.

Rainbow Recycling will be sponsoring a Plastic Plant Pot Collection & Swap at the Black Mountain Garden Show and Sale on Saturday, May 16^.  Anyone can drop off unwanted PLASTIC plant pots (other than the thin, hand-crushable type) and anyone can pick up available plastic pots for re-use.  If you have a very large quantity or any questions, please contact Rainbow Recycling in advance, 669-5459.

The Old Depot Association and Gallery announces its Twelfth Annual Black Mountain Arts and Crafts Show taking place on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 in downtown Black Mountain.  Nearly 65 booths of juried arts and crafts will feature an array of works including woodworking, pottery, jewelry, painting, stained glass, fiber art, paper Mache and handcrafted musical instruments.  Other highlights of the event include artist demonstrations, food and music.  The show is free and open to the public.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Visit www.olddepot.org for more information.

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