VOLLEYBALL BRINGS 500 POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS UP OUR MOUNTAIN: January through March is Junior Olympics Volleyball Tournament Season and that means approximately 500 players, family and friends, and coaches will be in Sparta at Alleghany High School each Saturday for tournament play. Players from the east usually come up Friday, arriving at 8p or later. Closer teams come early Saturday. Those coming Friday have learned there are few eating places open and have taken to eating on the trip or staying down the mountain, usually in Elkin. The Chamber is making an effort to encourage these folks to trade here. They must eat and sleep here (assuming they aren't close enough to commute on Saturday). They often have two hour breaks between play on Saturday and parents and sometimes players shop (gifts, clothes, art, etc.) or seek diversions (wineries, artisan studios, etc.). We have a website, SpartaVB.com, that is part of this effort. A Twitter and Facebook page are up. We are offering listings on the site for $25 that includes your name and/or logo, address, phone, web address (if available) and a 25 word description. The money goes for a welcome banner over Main Street. I've dummeyed-up some ads under the Eat link. If you want part of the Friday night crowd, it pays to be open past 8p. Traffic is slow in the winter. This is an attempt to capitalize on low-hanging fruit. Questions? Call 336-372-5473 and ask to speak with Ashley or Bob. Act quickly. Play begins Jan. 7.
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Ciro's Pizza Italian Restaurant's name almost says it all. They offer pizzas, pasta, calzones and strombolis, but they also offer subs and sandwiches, fish and seafood, wings and even chicken quesadilla. Ciro's is so close, nextdoor in neighboring Independence, Virginia, at 430 East Main Street. They are open late 7 days a week: until 11p Friday and Saturday and until 10p every other day and they offer coupon specials all the time. Big orders for a company party, club get together? Call about delivery. 276-773-9100
BARN QUILT NOTE CARDS: The Chamber has Barn quilt note cards, a special way to send a message. Choose from six images, in glorious color, linen card stock and linen envelope, only $3 each. That's less that greeting cards in the store and the image is from our community and you can tailor the message to any occasion. All sales income goes to the Alleghany Quilters Guild. 
GREAT BUSINESS TO BUSINESS DEAL: Bland Holland is the manager of the recently re-opened Mountain Hearth Lodge at mile post 231.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It offers luxury accommodations, gourmet breakfasts and impeccable service. This is one of the oldest bed and breakfast inns in the county and is known for its serene surroundings and for pampering customers. Holland is offering you a certificate for a free night's stay for every five paid nights' stay you refer to Mountain Hearth Lodge. There are no black-out dates or restrictions on the certificates. Use them for yourself, family and friends or best of all, for your customers coming to the area on business or for leisure travel. Please drop in and tour the property at any time or call 336-372-8743 for detailed information. If you refer a guest, make sure that we have your name and company listed to get the proper credits posted.THANKS FOR THE COMMUNITY TREE: The names Homer and Bonnie Sides is synonymous with Alleghany's Christmas tree industry and this year's Courthouse Tree was donated by Kathy Shore Nursery and Homer and Bonnie Sides. Thank you for the tree and best wishes to you all.
BUY A LITTLE, WIN A LOT: Alleghany Arts and Craft has deal going on. Make a purchase and complete a chance to earn a $100 gift certificate! Last minute shoppers: What a treat. Buy a gift for a friend and win $100 in handmade art! Drawings are quarterly in April, July, October and January. 336-372-1776
And speaking of last minutes shoppers, STUDIO REDWOOD is pulling out the stops to help late shoppers. All Robert Rothschild farm food items 15% off, 10% off, SolMate socks, and all books 10% off. Don't forget she has Old Salem Cookies, baking mixes, cheese straws and oh-so-cute JILLIE WILLIE APRONS! NEW specials each day. 336-372-7111
QUICK EDITORIAL: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone in the Chamber office: Manah Wyatt, Ashley Weaver and Bob Bamberg.
New, on Facebook: Pictures from Bob Hamm's 60th birthday party last Saturday. And photos from Gary York's Rotary Presentation. Check them out at Sparta-nc.com/facebook. Facebook aficionados, see how many faces you can tag.
HAPPENING EVERY WEEK: Alleghany Memories: Interviews with long-time Alleghany residents recalling local history Every Thursday at 8p on Alleghany CableVision Channel 98 (formerly Channel 50) and Skybest cable channel 21.
Chamber Gift Certificates: Green like money! Can be redeemed at any Chamber Merchant for goods and services (even at the pottery, jewelry, hand-painted Christmas balls, choose and cut tree place)
The Chamber office will be closed the Saturday before Christmas through New Year's Day. Please contact this office now if that poses an inconvenience for you or your business. 372-5473
The Chamber office will be closed the Saturday before Christmas through New Year's Day. Please contact this office now if that poses an inconvenience for you or your business. 372-5473
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
ON CHRISTMAS EVE
& CHRISTMAS DAY
Cornerstone Christian Fellowship cordially invites the community to their Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 5p. This service will replace the Christmas Day morning service. For more information, call 372-3070.ON CHRISTMAS EVE
& CHRISTMAS DAY
Everyone is invited to come out to the special Christmas Eve service to be held at the Sparta United Methodist Church. Services on Sunday, Christmas Day will be at 9a and 11 a. For more information, call 372-4441.
Everyone is invited to Christ Episcopal Church for the Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist at 11p on Saturday, December 24, which will include Christmas lessons and carols with Holy Communion. Christmas Day Holy Eucharist will begin at 10:30a on Sunday, December 25. There will be no Sunday School so you can enjoy the morning with your family. For more information, call 372-7983.
Weather permitting, there's lots to do in our community. Where provided, click on the links for more information.
Wednesday, December 21
Feel the spirit of the season at the Community Advent Service and Lunch.
Meet at Christ Episcopal Church for caroling.
The Annual BDC Quilt Show opens in the Business Development Center Atrium and continues through January.
Saturday, December 31: It's not too late to make your plans for New Year's Eve.
Let the Celtic sounds of the Almost Irish Band bring in the New Year at Nikola's in Roaring Gap. A special menu will top off your pleasure.
They're back! The Silver Dollar Music Park is hosting Seazuns Pleazuns. Yes folks, Seazuns Pleazuns has come out of retirement -- or been raised from the dead. That's Dennis Shaw, David Choate, Homer Crouse, Marty Miles and Nave Blevins. This is a dance and eat evening. They are serving supper and your first breakfast in 2012!
Sunday, January 1
Begin the New Year with a hike at New River State Park.
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
ACTV SPECIALS
>> Alleghany Jubilee on TV: Every Thursday at 7p on Alleghany CableVision channel 98 (formerly Channel 50) and Skybest cable channel 21.
>> Alleghany Memories: Interviews with long-time Alleghany residents recalling local history Every Thursday at 8p on Alleghany CableVision Channel 98 (formerly Channel 50) and Skybest cable channel 21.
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.
>> Veterans' Morning Coffee at the VFW: The VFW hosts an informal coffee just for veterans every Wednesday from 8:30-11 a.m. Click to learn more.
Check 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 http://www.blogger.com/www.sparta-nc.blogspot.com.
Subscribe: If you are viewing this on the Web and would like a copy emailed to you as soon as it is updated each week, email director@sparta-nc.com with Subscribe in the subject line.
Unsubscribe: If you would prefer not to receive this communication by email, please just send a return email to Director@Sparta-NC.com with the words Unsubscribe in the subject line, and you will be removed from the distribution list.
