Accounting Tips for Year End in a Difficult Economy

Don’t wait until March or April, 2010 to find out what your 2009 tax return might look like. Start getting your books and records cleaned up now.  On Thursday, December 3, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Rollin Groseclose, a CPA with Johnson, Price, & Sprinkle, will present accounting tips for year end in a difficult economy at the Chamber in the Asheville Merchants Corporation Boardroom. Topics for this seminar will include:

• How to utilize business losses to recover prior taxes paid
• What can be done before year end to lower your taxes and have your financial results quicker
• What can be done to get a better handle on your accounting picture in 2010
• What you should start doing now to have better financial results in 2010
• How to potentially lower your accounting bill
• How to get your tax returns – and any refunds – sooner

The session is $20 to attend, registrations can be taken on the AshevilleChamber.org website.

Chamber Collecting for MANNA Food Bank

The Chamber is collecting items for MANNA Food Bank from November 18 through December 21 to help families in need this holiday season.  Chamber members and community members are encouraged to collect items in the workplace and bring them to the Chamber's visitor center for collection.  Anyone bringing items for donation to the visitor center will receive a 10% coupon to the Asheville Shop.  Items most in need include canned fruits, meats, and vegetables, soup, meals in a box, cereal, grains, and fruit juice.  For more information on how you can help those in need with donations to MANNA Food Bank visit their website at mannafoodbank.org.

China Trip Deposits due by December 15

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a trip to China. In cooperation with CITSLINC International, INC., this experience is available to all Chamber members and friends for an attractive rate of only $1,999.  Anyone interested in learning more about the 2010 China trip should visit the Chamber website or contact Jane Anderson at 828.258.6112.  To reserve your spot a $500 deposit must be paid to the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce prior to December 15, 2009.   The remaining balance will be due on January 1, 2010. 

Asheville Holiday Parade this Saturday

One of Asheville's longest traditions, the Asheville Holiday Parade, has been an part of our community holiday celebration since 1946.  The Asheville Downtown Association has over 90 entries in the 2009 parade that is being presented by the Biltmore Company.  The 2009 parade is themed, Our Appalachian Holidays, to celebrate our local heritage.This year's Grand Marshals are local Appalachian music greats David Holt and Laura Boosinger!  During the parade various floats will be collecting food, clothing, children's items, pet items, and more to help those in need this holiday season.  To learn more about the parade, including the parade route, visit ashevilleparade.org.

Chamber Names New Office Supply Partner for SmartBuys Program

The Chamber is proud to announce a new partnership with Office Depot to provide discounted rates on office supplies to Chamber members.  The partnership with Office Depot combines the purchasing power of chambers across the country to offer members discounts on commonly purchased office products.  A “Best Value” list of 195 items, averages a 51 percent discount off the list price. An additional 30,000 items in the general catalog are discounted 10 percent off the list price. Larger companies are able to earn additional discounts based on their purchasing patterns. To learn more about the saving opportunities with Office Depot contact Angela Dixon at 980.254.6116 or  angela.dixon2@officedepot.com.  The partnership is one of four in the SmartBuys program; learn about other saving opportunities on telecommunications, direct mailing, and more on the Chamber website.

AIR Celebrates with the Taste of Asheville on November 19

The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association is proud to announce the return of the Main Course Dining program with buy one get one free deals all over the city! Join AIR to celebrate with the Taste of Asheville launch party November 19 at the Venue on Market Street. The Taste of Asheville will feature culinary delights from the 18 independent restaurants participating in the 2010 Main Course Dining program. Tickets for the evening are $75 per couple or $50 per individual and come with the Main Course Dining package, a $600 value.  Learn more about the event and purchase tickets on AIRAsheville.org.

Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm Offers Newsletter

Receive the Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm newsletter. Stay up to date with the events at the tree farm happening during the holidays and throughout the year. The farm provide articles on various topics from Christmas tree care, choosing the perfect tree, new arrivals at the tree farm, local calendar of events and other industry related articles. The farm is open November 20 through December 20 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. They look forward to seeing you at the farm. You can sign up at BoydMountainTreeFarm.com.