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!