Weekly Village Update 3.25.21

 

Chamber News New Executive Order NC Capacity Restrictions Will Ease Friday   As North Carolina’s trends continue to show improvement and vaccine distribution increases, Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the state will continue to ease some COVID-19 restrictions. Executive Order No. 204 takes effect March 26 at 5 pm. The state’s general mask mandate remains in effect.   Capacity changes have been made in three categories. Indoors and Outdoors up to 100% Capacity, Subject to Masks and 6 ft. Social Distancing:  Museums and Aquariums Retail Businesses Salons, personal care and grooming businesses, tattoo parlors   Indoors up to 75% and Outdoors up to 100% Capacity, Subject to Masks and 6 ft. Social Distancing: Restaurants  Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries Recreation (e.g., bowling, skating, rock climbing) Fitness and Physical Activity Facilities (e.g., gyms, yoga studios, fitness centers) Pools Amusement Parks   Indoors and Outdoors up to 50% Capacity, Subject to Masks and 6 ft. Social Distancing:  Bars Movie Theaters* Gaming Facilities* Meeting, Reception, and Conference Spaces Lounges (including tobacco) and Night Clubs Auditoriums, Arenas, and other venues for live performances Sports Arenas and Fields (includes professional, collegiate, and amateur *Movie theaters and gaming facilities may operate at up to 75% capacity outdoors.   Changes also include: ·    The number of people who may gather indoors will increase from 25 to 50. ·    The number of people who may gather outdoors will increase from 50 to 100. ·    The restriction on the late-night sale and service of alcoholic beverages on bars, restaurants, and other establishments is fully lifted.   See FAQs for Executive Order 204 here>> Blowing Rock Young Professionals Calling all Young Professionals! The pandemic suspended all BRYP event in 202o but we are ready for a fresh start! Email Suzy@Blowingrock.com to learn how to get involved. Unity in the Community Purchase a High Country 365 Dining Pass and get the second one for a discounted price. They will donate 50% to the Watauga County School of your choice to support education heroes! Click here to purchase! Tax Update If you haven’t already heard, the state and federal tax filing deadline has been extended from April 15 to May 17. Without changes to state law, interest will accrue on any taxes owed beginning April 15. The Chamber will continue to advocate for that change, as well as that state tax policies regarding deductible business expenses using PPP funds will mirror those at the federal level. How to talk to your employees about the Vaccine Linked below is information from the US Chamber and NCDHHS on best practices employers to promote the Covid-19 vaccines. US Chamber Best Ways for Employers to Promote Covid-19 Vaccines Current Covid-19 Restrictions in NC Upcoming Activities & Meetings Blowing Rock Easter Egg Hunt - March 27th Opening Day at Tweetsie Railroad - April 2nd Trout Derby - April 3rd Town Council Meeting - April 6th Ribbon Cutting - Appalachian Fossil Museum - April 9th Member News Feature Heading  On Thursday April 1, at 6 pm the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) will help kickoff Greening My Plate Month with a panel discussion on the intersections of land conservation, local food, and natural beauty. This panel will consist of representatives from Blue Ridge Conservancy, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, BRAHM, as well as local farmers who work on land protected by the conservancy.  ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/97392867766 Tuchin Center ARTalks & Events Join the TURCHIN CENTER for the Visual Arts for their spring semester ARTtalks with easy and safe access to their exhibition artists. ARTtalks include a presentation from the artist about their practice, their current exhibition and an opportunity for participants to ask questions. For more information and to register, visit their website: tcva.org/learn/arttalks. Other Blowing Rock News awards in Division O: 1st PLACE, FEATURE WRITING (David Rogers) 1ST PLACE, SPORTS NEWS REPORTING (David Rogers) 1st PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY-SPORTS FEATURE (Craig Weston) 1st PLACE, EDITORIALS (David Rogers) 1st PLACE, COMMUNITY COVERAGE (David Rogers) 1st PLACE, USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS (David Rogers, Hannah Beaver, Craig Weston) 2nd PLACE, RELIGION & FAITH REPORTING (David Rogers) 2nd PLACE, LEDES (David Rogers) 3rd PLACE, CITY, COUNTY GOVERNMENT REPORTING (David Rogers) 3RD PLACE, ELECTION/POLITICAL REPORTING (David Rogers) 3rd PLACE, SPORTS NEWS REPORTING (David Rogers) 3rd PLACE, SPORTS FEATURE WRITING (David Rogers) 4th PLACE, VIDEO (David Rogers, Eric Luke, and Sydney Brittain for “Independence Day”) Blowing Rock News Awards Congratulations to Blowing Rock News for receiving 15 awards in the Online Division of the North Carolina Press Association editorial contest for 2020! In mid-November, Blowing Rock News editor and publisher David Rogers announced that the popular digital-only news publication was being shut down and he was making the transition to roles with Mountain Times Publications as editor of The Blowing Rocket and lead sports reporter for the Watauga Democrat. We're Hiring! Life Store Bank - Marketing Specialist/Insurance Systems Assistant Life Store Bank - Admin Assistant Hospitality House - Finance Assistant Visit the Blowing Rock Job Opportunities Facebook group to see job postings from Westglow, Meadowbrook Inn, and more! This Facebook group is monitored by the Chamber and for Chamber members to share employment opportunities. More events and updates can be found on our online calendar. To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Suzy@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday. Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday! Thank you to our 2021 Chamber Partners!

Weekly Village Update 3.18.21

 

Chamber News Entrepreneur Roundtable Hey, entrepreneur! Learn more about the dynamic new resource Startup Caldwell-Watauga, and ask your burning business questions to our expert panel of entrepreneurs, mentors, and small business owners during our Virtual Entrepreneur Roundtable event on March 18th from 12:00-1:00 PM. Confused about how to start and grow your business? Have specific questions about being a business owner in Caldwell and Watauga counties? Our panelists are ready to answer any and all of your questions and help you succeed. You don't want to miss this event! Bass Lake Sidewalk Project   This week, contractors for the Bass Lake Sidewalk Project will be focusing efforts on drainage construction at the intersection at 221 and Main Street. Based on NCDOT agreements, work can only be performed in the roadway from 9am-4pm weekdays. During these hours, motorists may want to consider alternative routes around the intersection. Traffic control is being conducted, but minimal delays are expected. The intersection will be opened back up this week and will remain open until flat work begins for the walkway itself. For the foreseeable future, 221 beyond the intersection will be limited to one lane Monday – Friday from 9am-4pm.  NC Pro Bono Legal Help Flyer NC Pro Bono Resource Center This free remote clinic is designed to help small businesses and nonprofits navigate the legal issues they are experiencing due to COVID-19. Small businesses and nonprofits will get to meet with a lawyer for a free 45-minute legal consultation by phone or video conference (client preference). Clinic appointments are scheduled at a time that is convenient for the client and attorney. After you apply for services, we will match you with a lawyer, and the lawyer will call you to schedule your appointment. Boone Area Real Estate Report - Housing inventory remains at a record low in the High Country area as homes continue to be purchased almost as soon as they are listed, according to the latest real estate report by the High Country Association of REALTORS©. REALTORS© sold 182 homes worth $91.4 million in February. That’s a 5 percent increase in unit sales compared to last February, the month prior to the shutdown of North Carolina due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read Full Report Here. Read the Weekly Covid-19 Situation Update - March 12, 2021 here. Update from AppHealthCare “With three approved COVID-19 vaccines now available, it is important to note that each vaccine is safe and effective and has been studied in clinical trials. We have full confidence in these vaccines and hope people will take the vaccine that is offered to them when it’s their turn. The news of a third vaccine provides more hope, and we are very glad to have more vaccines available to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” stated Jennifer Greene, Health Director, AppHealthCare. Upcoming Activities & Meetings Easter Family Photos at Tanger Outlets - March 19-21 BRAHM's New Exhibit Opens - TRANSFORMATION - March 20th Blowing Rock Easter Egg Hunt - March 27th Opening Day at Tweetsie Railroad - April 2nd Trout Derby - April 3rd Member News We Are Open! Café Violette is open after a short Winter break. Thursday Night they have $10 Mussels & Martini's. Reid's Café is open after a short Winter break. Check out their menu on line. The Gamekeeper Restaurant & Bar has expanded their outdoor seating to include private igloos. Enjoy warm and safe outdoor dinning! The Speckled Trout Restaurant & Bottle Shop is open after renovating their kitchen! The Schaefer Center Presents The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) virtual performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, will showcase the university’s Dept. of Theatre and Dance in Best of the Appalachian Dance Ensemble Thursday, March 25 at 8pm, the final event of the SCP spring season. This virtual best-of program will feature nine previously recorded works from faculty choreographers danced by App State student performers. All curated works were produced and presented between 2011-2019 and highlight the genres of modern dance, tap dance, dance of the African diaspora, and dance theatre. Run time is 75 minutes. The event is free, but registration is required. BRPF Hydrangea Garden Clean-up Moses H. Cone Memorial Park 1 to 4 p.m., March 24-27 Love gardening? The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has a fun opportunity for you. The nonprofit is seeking volunteers from 1-4 p.m., March 24-27, to spruce up the hydrangea garden at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. Participants will prune the peegee hydrangeas and remove debris near Bass Lake on the estate. Volunteers can attend all sessions or select specific days. Watauga County Extension Agent Paige Patterson will give a course on proper pruning techniques at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 24. To sign up to help, e-mail Audrey Pearson at apearson@brpfoundation.org. St. Patty's Day The Horton $8 The Irish Cocktail (a traditional Irish whiskey staff drink) $11 Call me Irish Coffees $5 Ice cold Guinness stouts $7 Clover 🍀 Closer Shooters (green lucky shots) We’re open in our lounge and rooftop Thursday & Friday 4pm till last call 10pm Saturday 12pm till last call 10pm Sunday 12pm till last call 6pm Dates: Friday March 19 - Sunday March 21 Friday March 26 - Sunday March 28 Hours: Friday 2PM - 5PM Saturday and Sunday 12PM - 3PM Easter Photos at Tanger Outlets Spring is in the air, hop into spring with fresh portraits of the kids and the entire family presented by Reg & Kala Photography, LLC. Photo sessions are 10 minutes long and cost $125.00+ tax! After your photo session you will receive an online gallery where you can choose and purchase your digital files or prints!   CLICK HERE to book your session and select your photo packages! Photo sessions by Reg & Kala Photography, LLC will be located in Suite 16, just near Banana Republic and Van Heusen. Don’t forget to shop with your TangerStyle 25% OFF Savings Coupons for extra savings on the perfect Spring and Easter outfits for everyone! Tuchin Center ARTalks & Events Join the TURCHIN CENTER for the Visual Arts for their spring semester ARTtalks with easy and safe access to their exhibition artists. ARTtalks include a presentation from the artist about their practice, their current exhibition and an opportunity for participants to ask questions. For more information and to register, visit their website: tcva.org/learn/arttalks. More events and updates can be found on our online calendar. To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Suzy@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday. Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday! Thank you to our 2021 Chamber Partners!