ATTENTION LOCAL ARTISTS: My sister turned me on to etsy.com, an online sales resource for handmade and vintage goods. More than just an ebay for artisans, it seeks to combine the selling with contact tools not unlike facebook to link artisan and buyer as well as link the members of the etsy community with each other and useful resources. If a buyer likes your products, your sales site can be saved as a favorite. There are etsy video tutorials where etsy artisans share tips with other etsy artisans and much more. If you are a local artist and are looking for a way to sell online (and who wouldn't want to make their products available to anyone in the world with a computer?), this is a unique resource that opens the world to your products. There is a cost, but it seems reasonable. Scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click the About link. It will bring up a video that offers an overview of the site.TAKE THE DOT
SURVEY: North Carolina Department of Transportation is requesting citizens to participate in a survey about biking and pedestrian needs in the state. It takes about 10 minutes and who knows, it may make a difference. I'm sorry they don't ask if power poles in the middle of the sidewalk are a problem in your community, but there are a place for comments. Show off your technology savvy. Follow this link and click on the survey button (shown at the left).CONTEST FOR CHEFS: Taste of North Carolina is holding a contest for chefs to submit their best recipes for a chance at a $500 prize and trophy in their Best Dish in North Carolina! The recipe has to use ingredients and products from the state. We've got restaurants and the restaurants have chefs. Why not give it a shot. It would be great publicity for the restaurant and for the community.
TASTY TUESDAYS: Speaking of restaurants, Tasty Tuesdays is a program sponsored by smokefree.nc.gov to celebrate that beginning in 2011 all NC restaurants are smoke-free. Citizens are encouraged to eat out on Tuesdays. When you do, encourage the chef to enter the Best Dish in North Carolina recipe contest. (Wouldn't it be great if someone in the county won!}
NW REGIONAL LIBRARY PHOTO CONTEST: The Northwestern Regional Library is accepting entries into its 2011 Traveling Photography Contest through Feb. 18. The contest is open to all registered patrons of the member libraries of the Northwestern Regional Library system, except for anyone whose primary source of income is photography. You may become a registered patron at the time of entry at any participating library. Winners will be announced at a reception March 8, at 6:45 pm at the Charles H. Stone Memorial Library, 319 West Main Street, Pilot Mountain. Contact the Alleghany Library, a part of the Northwestern Regional Library, for entry forms and further information. 336-372-5573
Weather permitting, there's still lots to do in our community. Where provided, click on the links for more information.
TUESDAY, JAN. 25
The Newcomers Club meets at 5:30p at the River Rock Grill and Family Fun Center for bowling and burgers. If you are new to the area (moved here, began work here or began worshiping here in the last 2 years) you are invited. Click to learn more.
THURSDAY, JAN. 27
NW REGIONAL LIBRARY PHOTO CONTEST: The Northwestern Regional Library is accepting entries into its 2011 Traveling Photography Contest through Feb. 18. The contest is open to all registered patrons of the member libraries of the Northwestern Regional Library system, except for anyone whose primary source of income is photography. You may become a registered patron at the time of entry at any participating library. Winners will be announced at a reception March 8, at 6:45 pm at the Charles H. Stone Memorial Library, 319 West Main Street, Pilot Mountain. Contact the Alleghany Library, a part of the Northwestern Regional Library, for entry forms and further information. 336-372-5573
Weather permitting, there's still lots to do in our community. Where provided, click on the links for more information.
TUESDAY, JAN. 25
The Newcomers Club meets at 5:30p at the River Rock Grill and Family Fun Center for bowling and burgers. If you are new to the area (moved here, began work here or began worshiping here in the last 2 years) you are invited. Click to learn more.
THURSDAY, JAN. 27
(THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR FEB. 3) Mark your calendar for Business After Hours with Touch of Grace women's apparel and accessories and florals and the Mustard Seed Cafe in the Smithey's building. Great food, door prizes, product demonstrations (I can't reveal the products. You'll have to come to see), and entertainment. Join your friends and neighbors with Touch of Grace and the Mustard Seed Cafe in the Smithey's building for Chamber Business After Hours 5 - 7 p. For information, call 336-372-7444 or 336-372-5551.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28
Wine Tasting: Join the gang to sample the fruit of the vine at Backwoods Bean Coffee Shop the fourth Friday of the month. Gather with friends and sample some new wines. Check their Website for the featured selections or call 336-372-7888.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 28-30
Special weekend for Friends of Laurel Ridge: Join the staff of Laurel Ridge Moravian Camp in Laurel Springs for this year's Friends Weekend! Friday evening enjoy dinner and fellowship together as well as musical entertainment from special guests. On Saturday there will be several brainstorming sessions, including information about the campaign, facility updates, expanding Friends, and more. Saturday afternoon is open for enjoying time on the mountain; staff will be available to show people the new Suncatcher and Nature Center. Bingo will be offered Saturday evening and everyone will worship together on Sunday before heading home. Call the office today to reserve a room; the weekend is free of charge for all Friends as a thank you for their generous support of Laurel Ridge. 336-359-5922 or 888-831-5922
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28
Wine Tasting: Join the gang to sample the fruit of the vine at Backwoods Bean Coffee Shop the fourth Friday of the month. Gather with friends and sample some new wines. Check their Website for the featured selections or call 336-372-7888.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 28-30
Special weekend for Friends of Laurel Ridge: Join the staff of Laurel Ridge Moravian Camp in Laurel Springs for this year's Friends Weekend! Friday evening enjoy dinner and fellowship together as well as musical entertainment from special guests. On Saturday there will be several brainstorming sessions, including information about the campaign, facility updates, expanding Friends, and more. Saturday afternoon is open for enjoying time on the mountain; staff will be available to show people the new Suncatcher and Nature Center. Bingo will be offered Saturday evening and everyone will worship together on Sunday before heading home. Call the office today to reserve a room; the weekend is free of charge for all Friends as a thank you for their generous support of Laurel Ridge. 336-359-5922 or 888-831-5922
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Weight Loss Challenge Support Group meets at the Alleghany Library. Join with your friends and neighbors to discover a slimmer you.
AREA MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
>> Alleghany Jubilee: Come to listen or come to dance to the blue grass and old time
musicians who play on Tuesday beginning at 7p and Saturday at 8p. Admission $4. The Jubilee is located on North Main Street, across from the courthouse. 336-372-4591
>> Crouse House Pickers: Local blue grass and old time musicians jam each Monday, 2 blocks north of the Courthouse at the Crouse House in Crouse Park, beginning at 6p. Come and play or just listen. No charge, but a donation is appreciated. 336-372-5473
>> Silver Dollar Music Park: Line dance lessons every Monday 6-8:30p. Supper served at 6p and lessons at 7p. Get both for $12; just a lesson or just a meal for $7. Check the website calendar. 336-372-6874
GREAT ACTIVITIES TO DO ANYTIME
>>Barn Quilt Trails: Barns and other structures throughout Alleghany County are adorned with large squares illustrating quilt patterns and add interest to a driving tour of the countryside. Drop by Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center for a brochure. We are in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main Street, Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>>Driving Loops: Brochures for three driving loops of the Alleghany countryside are available at the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center. Each loop is about a leisurely hour's drive and includes information on historic points along the way. The Chamber office is in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main Street, Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>> Alleghany Historical Museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to experience local history and to see the new displays, 7 North Main Street, Sparta.
Check our calendar for upcoming events: On our website are listings for our Calendar. Check them often and let us know if your activity is not listed.
Bob Bamberg
Executive Director
Alleghany Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1237 Sparta, NC 28675
336-372-5473
Director@Sparta-NC.com
Sparta-NC.com
This email is a weekly update of news and information from your Chamber of Commerce. If you do not receive a fully formatted copy, it can be viewed on the Web at www.sparta-nc.blogspot.com. If you would prefer not to receive this communication, please just send a return email to Director@Sparta-NC.com with the words Unsubscribe in the subject line, and we will remove you from the distribution list.
AREA MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
>> Alleghany Jubilee: Come to listen or come to dance to the blue grass and old time
musicians who play on Tuesday beginning at 7p and Saturday at 8p. Admission $4. The Jubilee is located on North Main Street, across from the courthouse. 336-372-4591
>> Crouse House Pickers: Local blue grass and old time musicians jam each Monday, 2 blocks north of the Courthouse at the Crouse House in Crouse Park, beginning at 6p. Come and play or just listen. No charge, but a donation is appreciated. 336-372-5473
>> Silver Dollar Music Park: Line dance lessons every Monday 6-8:30p. Supper served at 6p and lessons at 7p. Get both for $12; just a lesson or just a meal for $7. Check the website calendar. 336-372-6874
GREAT ACTIVITIES TO DO ANYTIME
>>Barn Quilt Trails: Barns and other structures throughout Alleghany County are adorned with large squares illustrating quilt patterns and add interest to a driving tour of the countryside. Drop by Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center for a brochure. We are in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main Street, Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>>Driving Loops: Brochures for three driving loops of the Alleghany countryside are available at the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center. Each loop is about a leisurely hour's drive and includes information on historic points along the way. The Chamber office is in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main Street, Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>> Alleghany Historical Museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to experience local history and to see the new displays, 7 North Main Street, Sparta.
Check our calendar for upcoming events: On our website are listings for our Calendar. Check them often and let us know if your activity is not listed.
Bob Bamberg
Executive Director
Alleghany Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1237 Sparta, NC 28675
336-372-5473
Director@Sparta-NC.com
Sparta-NC.com
This email is a weekly update of news and information from your Chamber of Commerce. If you do not receive a fully formatted copy, it can be viewed on the Web at www.sparta-nc.blogspot.com. If you would prefer not to receive this communication, please just send a return email to Director@Sparta-NC.com with the words Unsubscribe in the subject line, and we will remove you from the distribution list.
