Cobb Chamber President & CEO David Connell will appear in "The Nutcracker" to show his dedication to education by dancing with The Georgia Ballet's professional company. Watch this special performance on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. This is not to be missed!

   Also performing are community leaders Earl Reece, executive director of the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, Holly Comer, executive director of the YWCA of Northwest Georgia, and Kim Gresh, chief executive officer of S.A. White Oil Company.

   A portion of each ticket sold will benefit the YWCA of Northwest Georgia. Tickets for the performance start at just $15 and can be purchased at www.georgiaballet.org, or by calling 770-528-0881.

   The Cobb Chamber is recruiting volunteers for the 2012 Ambassador committee. Ambassadors meet monthly and serve as volunteer Chamber liaisons by contacting new members, attending Chamber functions and facilitating personal connections among members. By acclimating new members to the Chamber's programs and services, Ambassadors serve as mentors to fellow members. Ambassadors receive recognition throughout the year at various Chamber events and on the Chamber's website.

   Click here for an application. Ambassadors must be members in good standing for at least a year and must be knowledgeable about the Chamber and its programs and events. A selection committee will review applicants and announce the 2012 Ambassadors in January.

   Contact Megan Stambaugh at mstambaugh@cobbchamber.org for more information on the Ambassador program.

   Come join us at the next Business-After-Hours on Dec. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Belk at Town Center Mall. Enjoy complimentary food, drinks and networking. The Chamber's Business-After-Hours events are great opportunities for business people to connect in a casual environment.

   Members are admitted free when registering online. General admission is $20 online and $30 at the door. Online registration closes on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at noon. Register today!

   If you’re interested in serving as a host sponsor for a Business-After-Hours event in 2012, contact Stephanie Cox at scox@cobbchamber.org.

   The Cobb Chamber is looking for business and civic leaders to participate in "Principal for a Day" on Feb. 8 for Marietta City Schools and Feb. 15 for Cobb County Schools.

   The Chamber will place volunteers in Cobb and Marietta City schools to experience a half day in the shoes of a principal. The day includes one-on-one time with the principal, meetings with the faculty, as well as time in the classroom with students.

   If you are interested in participating, contact Hannah Orr at 770-859-2360 or horr@cobbchamber.org.

   The Cobb Chamber will mark its 70th anniversary at the Annual Dinner gala celebration on Jan. 28, 2012. The black-tie optional occasion, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, will be at the Cobb Galleria Centre in the John A. Williams Ballroom.

   Help us celebrate the many successes of 2011 under the leadership of Chairman Rob Garcia of Bank of North Georgia, who will pass the torch to Tony Britton of Community & Southern Bank. Greg Morgan of Mauldin & Jenkins will step into the role of Chairman-Elect.

   Click here to register for this event. For more information on our platinum Annual Dinner, visit www.cobbchamber.org/annualdinner.

   The Cobb Chamber is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Small Business of the Year. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Small Business of the Year awards. The Chamber is debuting the Small Business Hall of Fame, which showcases winners from years past. The 2012 Small Business of the Year will be selected from the Top 25, which will all be honored at the Chamber's First Monday Breakfast in June 2012.

    For nomination criteria and a nomination form, visit www.cobbchamber.org/sboy.