Education will take center stage at the next Business for Breakfast on Thursday, September 18, at 8 am in the Ervin Community Room at Grace Ridge Retirement Community. Burke County Public Schools Superintendent and Dr. Michael Helmick, the new president of Western Piedmont Community College, will be the guest speakers. Look for more details in the next Chamber newsletter, but please hold the date for this important community event from your Burke County Chamber of Commerce and plan to attend. The event is free for Chamber members but reservations will be required, so plans can be made for the hot breakfast buffet.

With the 19th Annual Chamber Golf Classic, presented by Carolinas HealthCare system Blue Ridge,  just five weeks away, the field of golfers is nearly full, so here’s your pre-tourney check list:

 Sign up to be a hole sponsor. Sponsorship is just $175. Your company or organization’s name will be displayed at the hole, and you’ll have the opportunity to man the hole with information about your company’s products or services.

Montreat College has extended its deadline for the Fall 2014 term enroll in the Bachelor of Science program in Psychology and Human Services.  Montreat will accept applications through Friday, August 22, 2014, for the program that will be taught in Morganton. Fall classes will begin Tuesday, August 27 at Western Piedmont Community College (Main Campus). To arrange a personalized information session, call Patricia Thompson right away at 828-475-2431.  If you are interested in applying for the Fall Term, open these two documents: Opportunities and e-packet.

Then apply for free at: https://www1.cfnc.org/applications/Montreat_College_Adult_Undergrad/apply.html?application_id=3636

Branch Manager Sylvia Ross is pleased to announce that United Service Credit Union at 705 West Fleming Drive is now Self-Help Credit Union. Self-Help is a non-profit, member-owned, federally insured, state-chartered credit union in North Carolina that provided more than $168 million in financing to families, businesses and non-profits in 2013. Founded in 1980, the credit union is one of three entities under the umbrella of the non-profit Center for Community Self-Help that also includes the Self-Help Ventures Fund and the Center for Responsible Lending. Under the banner of the Center for Community Self-Help, the three organizations provide financing, technical support, consumer financial services and advocacy for those left out of the economic mainstream, including women, low income, low wealth, rural and minority clients and communities with the mission of “Creating and protecting ownership and economic opportunity for all.” According to Self-Help, the credit union has, over time, demonstrated that low income borrowers pose no greater credit risk than other borrowers. Those  borrowers range from non-profits, child care centers, community health facilities and public charter schools to residential and commercial real estate projects and have proven their determination to repay their loans, build their businesses, improve their communities and build wealth. While its name is new, the credit union has served the community from its location for 16 years. For more information, contact Sylvia at (828) 433-7383 or visit www.self-help.org.

If you’ve been curious about the stately and striking log home located just off I-40 at Exit 118, then you’re invited to take a first-hand look inside at the Timber Block Open House on Saturday, August 23, from 9 am-5 pm and Sunday, August 24, from 12 pm-5 pm. There will also be workshops at 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday addressing solid log homes vs modern building products and processes. Timber Block Homes feature revolutionary R30 insulation, Energy Star Certification and HERS certification. Plus, new “Neighborhood Envy” incentives creates special