Free concert to be held in Ebensburg
EBENSBURG -- The band “Echoes” made up of several graduates of Central Cambria High School, will offer a free concert at Lake Rowena on Friday, August 8th from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
-- “After performing at the Relay for Life in Ebensburg this summer, we realized that our hometown community rarely gets to hear us play,” said band member Ryan Skiles. “We also thought that many people in Ebensburg would be cutting vacations short due to rising prices, so we thought that the town could use another great event.”
-- “Echoes” plays music that the entire family will enjoy. All are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and cooler! Goodfellas Restaurant will be serving pizza and soda at the event as well.
-- “We are very proud of our town and the sense of community that we all share,” said Skiles. “What is better than a free outdoor concert by the lake in the summer?"
-- The concert is sponsored by Burger King; Smorto, Persio, Webb and McGill Law Office; Wise Trailer Sales; Mid's Homemade Candy; Ebensburg Massage Clinic; CCHS Band Boosters; and Dr. John Brouse D.C.

EBENSBURG PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
EBENSBURG -- The Ebensburg Area Business Commission and Main Street Partnership have made over their website in an effort to give businesses more exposure and opportunities.
-- “The web address remains the same (www.ebensburgmainstreet.com) but there are several new features,” said Christine Strugala, Community Development Director. “One of those being that we are now able to feature rotating business advertisements on the homepage.”
-- The new homepage represents the historic nature of Ebensburg and its many assets. The business directory continues to be listed in alphabetical order, but visitors will now have the ability to search by category (i.e., restaurant, retail, etc). In addition, member news can be posted on the site.
-- “Continuing to stay current with technology is something everyone must do in order to provide better services,” said Adam Murphy, President of the Ebensburg Area Business Commission. “The website is going to give our members a much better representation in the community.”
-- The Ebensburg Main Street Program represents an important and unique partnership between municipal government (the Borough of Ebensburg) and private enterprise (the Ebensburg Area Business Commission). Combined with interested residents from the community, the Ebensburg Main Street Partnership is committed to increasing the economic vitality of the Ebensburg Central Business District. This will be accomplished through a coordinated program of promotional activities, façade and streetscape improvements and economic restructuring efforts. The Ebensburg Main Street Partnership currently has 141 members.

Get your car shined up
-- Car Show Season is here. Be sure to check out the NorthernCambria.com Car Corner for the latest shows, cruises and other events like this:
-- September 14 -- 9th Annual Make-A-Wish Car Show -- Bedford County Fairgrounds, Rte 30 & I 99 / 220 South / Bedford Exit, Bedford Pa. ALL PROCEEDS benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pa and Southern West Virginia. Donation $10.00. Registration 10 am to 1 pm. No Pre-registration. T-shirt and dash plaque while supplies last. Goody bag to first 150 cars. Participant judging. Three trophies in each class, plus Best of Show and Driver's Choice. 50/50, door prizes, chinese auction, food vendors, and more! Trophies and raffles begin at 3:30 pm. Rain or Shine. Info at www.wishconvoy.com or email: momoo@atlanticbb.net. Phone until day of show: 814-255-1889

NCABA finds new home on web
NORTHERN CAMBRIA -- The Northern Cambria Area Business Association, which has made its home here on NorthernCambria.com for the past few years, now has it's own home on the web. You can now find them at NCABA-PA.com. While we will continue to help them develop their website, you can now visit them by going directly to NCABA-PA.com, or as always, by clicking the NCABA logo here on NorthernCambria.com.
-- We will soon be offering NCABA members help developing web pages of their own to be included on both the NCABA Member Directory (which is currently under development) and here on NorthernCambria.com's Local Links page.
-- Stop by the NCABA website and take a look at their latest newsletter to see what they have planned for the rest of the year. You'll find more information on upcoming job fairs, golf tournaments, a health & wealth gala, Cambria County Night at the Curve, and much more!!
-- While you are there, be sure to find out how your business can become part of this worthwhile organization.

Toastmasters come to the Laurel Highlands
-- In the last 3 years, three new Toastmasters clubs have formed in our area. There is now a Toastmasters Club in Johnstown, Altoona and Indiana. Toastmasters is a non-profit organization that provides a positive learning environment where anyone can improve their communication and leadership skills. The meetings are twice a month and are open to the public. Contact Matt Harper at mharper@gdfengineers.com or 943-1783 x 149 to find out when and where the Toastmasters Club near you meets.

Congratulations NC class of 2008
NORTHERN CAMBRIA -- Northern Cambria High School held graduation ceremonies for the class of 2008 on June 4th. My niece was among the graduates, and I was lucky enough to be able to attend. You can take a look at some photos from the evening HERE. Best wishes to all of the graduates, and my niece Melani!!! If you see someone you know, please let me know and I can add their name to their photo caption.

DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness at Saint Francis University Health and Wellness Programs
SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY -- The DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness at Saint Francis University, in cooperation with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, has announced its schedule for the third quarter series of Preventive Health and Wellness Programs to be held beginning July 2008.
-- There is no fee or facility membership required for Highmark members to participate in these programs, and a nominal fee will be charged to non-Highmark members who sign up. The staff at the DiSepio Institute has been trained by Highmark’s wellness staff of exercise physiologists, registered dietitians and stress management experts.
-- Programs offered at our campus location include Eat Well for Life I and II, four-week nutrition programs; Discover Relaxation Within I and II, four-week stress management programs; Clear the Air, a smoking cessation class; Personal Nutrition Coaching with a registered dietitian; and HOPE, Highmark’s six-week osteoporosis management program.
-- The Personal Nutrition Coaching program is available to adults and children on a year-round basis. A parent or guardian must accompany the minor to the sessions.
-- For further information, see their flyer here, visit www.francis.edu/DiSepioInstitute.htm or call (814) 472-2783.

New Sheetz store NOW OPEN!!

In the works
-- We're always looking for some way to improve the website, or at least add something which our visitors may find interesting or useful. Our last attempts at the chat room and message board didn't go well, but we are working on setting that back up and giving it another shot. We want to add a community bulletin board where you can list your items for sale, trade, etc.
-- We have, however, had requests for more pictures on the site. In particular, I have had a request from a soldier. So, in trying to do my part for the troops, I would like to start a photo gallery. I need some help with this. So if anyone has photos of our communities they would like to share, please let me know! I'd LOVE to add them! Photos from the past or present will be welcome! It will be nice to show the history of our communities as well as what they look like now. I've started adding photos via Flickr.com. You can see what we have so far by clicking on the Flickr badge in the column at the right, just under the Community Calendar and Events and Activities link. I will try to let you know each time I add new photos. If any of you have Flickr photos, let us know, I think we can somehow add you as part of our group. (Yeah, I think - I'm still learning...)
-- For those of you that visit the Car Corner, we have added some pictures of the last few shows we have been able to make it to. If you see a photo of your car that you would like, please email me. I'd be glad to send you the original file.
-- Speaking of the Community Calendar and the Events and Activities links... the Community Calendar will become your place for community meetings, while the new Events and Activities will be a list of fun activities for you to get out and participate in! Your events are welcome! Entertainment, festivals, plays, you name it! Just email us your information and we will be glad to add your event.

Red Flash Zone kicks off
EBENSBURG -- The Ebensburg Area Business Commission and Main Street Partnership has teamed up with Saint Francis University to bring back the Red Flash Zone Program. The goal of this program is to entice University students and employees to visit and obtain discounts at participating Ebensburg businesses.
-- “We have been looking for ways to attract Saint Francis University students to Ebensburg,” said Christine Strugala, Community Development Director. “The Partnership is happy to take on this effort with hopes of bringing those at the University into Ebensburg to see what we have to offer.”
-- Seventeen Ebensburg businesses are participating. Students and employees must present their Saint Francis identification card at participating businesses to receive a variety of discounts. (See flyer HERE.)
-- “We have always had a great working relationship with the University,” said Audrey Liscomb, Treasurer of the Ebensburg Area Business Commission. “We feel there is a lot to offer the students in Ebensburg and are happy to strengthen our relationship with the University.”
-- For more information about the Ebensburg Main Street Partnership, please visit www.ebensburgmainstreet.com!

Ebensburg Program receives national Main Street accreditation
EBENSBURG -- The Ebensburg Main Street Partnership has been accredited as a 2008 National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center®. They join over 675 other Main StreetTM revitalization programs being recognized as 2008 National Main Street Programs. Each year, the National Trust Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited National Main Street Programs around the country that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology.
-- “The partnership was established in 1995,” said Adam Murphy, President of the Ebensburg Area Business Commission. “We are proud to continue this successful program.”
-- The National Trust Main Street Center works in partnership with Coordinating Main Street Programs throughout the nation to identify the local programs that meet the National Trust Main Street Center’s ten basic performance standards. These standards set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program’s application of the Main Street Four-Point ApproachTM to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress, and preserving historic buildings. For more information on the National Main Street Program accreditation, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms.
-- Since 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center has helped hundreds of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the nation reclaim the unique quality of life that only a thriving community center can provide. Through the Main Street Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization, which combines historic preservation and economic development, the Center has forged a nationwide movement for the revival of America's historic and traditional commercial districts. The Center provides a nationwide membership network, comprehensive on-site consulting services, in-depth seminars and conferences, technical publications and training materials, and national advocacy for commercial districts.

City Hotel Bar & Grill

Welcome!
-- We'd like to welcome City Hotel Bar & Grill (formerly the Palace Hotel) and Bella Java Cafe our online community! Be sure to check their websites to learn more about them. In the future, you can find them on the Local Links page of our site, be sure to let them know you saw them on NorthernCambria.com!
-- If you have a website that you would like to see linked, please let us know. We'd be glad to add you - it's FREE!!

PA Do Not Call List
-- The Northern Cambria Area Business Alliance would like to remind you that you must re-register for the PA Do Not Call List if you initially registered in 2002. Your registration is only good for 5 years. If you did not re-register by Sept. 15, telemarketers can call you. Cell phones may also be added to their lists. To check your registration or to re-register, go to www.attorneygeneral.gov