Bragging Rights - Did you know that The Wilds, which opens for the summer on May 1,  has experienced the birth of 20 rhinoceros calves since 2004? The Wilds is also the only place, outside of Africa, with fourth generation rhino offspring and has one of the largest herds of white rhinos in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Learn about this and other bright spots in our community by visiting our This is Zanesville & Muskingum County, Ohio webpage, and check back frequently to see new content.

LumberTown Event - Local building material supply store LumberTown has announced the opening of a new 26,000 S.F. drive-thru lumber yard and is holding a ribbon cutting/lunch event to celebrate the occasion. The event will be held on Friday May 2 starting at 11 am.  LumberTown is providing a cookout style lunch after the ribbon cutting ceremony - please be sure to RSVP to jmasterson@zmchamber.com if you plan to attend. 

Local Spotlight - Looking at buying a new car?  Use our online buyer's guide and member directory  to check out LOCAL car dealers for your next purchase. Remember, buying locally makes for a healthier local economy which retains and creates jobs for local people.

Art Walk - The monthly First Friday Art Walk will be held this Friday in Downtown Zanesville, hosted by the Artist Colony of Zanesville. The ZAAP art auction will also be held at 625 Main Street beginning at 8:30 pm. This is great entertainment, a terrific networking opportunity, and the perfect way to support the arts. For more information visit www.artcoz.org.

Library Survey - The Muskingum County Library System is developing a new strategic plan.  As part of this effort, the Library is conducting a survey to collect opinions and ideas from the public.  Because a strong public library system is so important to our community, the Chamber has agreed to help the Library get out the word about the survey. Following is a link to the survey.  It should take about five minutes to complete.  Please help the Library be the very best it can be by participating in this brief survey.  Thank you!  http://tinyurl.com/MuskingumWebBusiness

Golf Season - A new Spring Golf Outing will be held by the Chamber on Thursday, May 29 with a shotgun start at 12 noon at Eaglesticks. This event will be an 18 hole four person scramble.  Dollar General is the major sponsor of the outing - if you are also interested in sponsoring please contact Dana Matz at dmatz@zmchamber.com. Team entry fees are $250 and hole sponsorships are $50.  To register email jmasterson@zmchamber.com. 

Big Ideas - The MCBI Regional Big Idea Contest is designed to identify businesses and  entrepreneurs who have innovative and unique ideas but don't know where to go for assistance to develop and commercialize them. It is free to enter. All Entries MUST be received by May 19, 2014.  The grand prize is valued at $1,700 in cash and services. Entry Forms can be found at www.mcbi.info.  To enter email your entry form to Bigideacontest@mcbi.info or mail it to MCBI, 2725 Pinkerton Rd, Zanesville Ohio, 43701

Shale Mart - The deadline to advertise in the next edition of Shale Mart (www.shalemart.com) is May 5.  Chamber members receive a discount when they advertise in this publication aimed at the oil and gas industry.

Submit Your Events - If you have an event coming up you should enter it in our online events and meetings calendar at zmchamber.com as a way to promote it.  It's free to members and it's simple to use.  There is a "submit new event" link on the right side of the calendar page.  Click it and fill in your details.  You can also find the calendar link at any time on the homepage of zmchamber.com.  Events entered in our online calendar also automatically posted to the Chamber's Facebook page.

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