Volume 6 | February 5, 2021
The Light at the End of the Tunnel May Not Be an Oncoming Train

Shirley Horn, Secretary, Chair of Communications Committee

For the first time in nearly a year, I’m starting to believe that the light at the end of the tunnel may not be an oncoming train. Soon, families will begin to emerge from their bubbles. And we—the businesses who serve the greater Groveland/Highway 120 area–have an opportunity to recapture our share of travel dollars as life settles into a new normal. People need to see and hear about us. We need to entice them to choose our area as their preferred destination for weekend getaways, family vacations, celebrations, four-season adventures, a permanent second home, or for their forever family home. 

Your Chamber’s Communications Committee is working on outreach programs to attract consumers from NorCal and beyond. Once here, we need to make sure they are well-informed, well fed, watered, and entertained, that they have comfy accommodations, and that they can find everything they need to enjoy their time with us. Our member businesses cover all that and more, and we’ll be working together to make sure visitors and locals know just how much our community has to offer...
Chamber Board Meetings Are Now Open to the Public

The Yosemite Highway 120 Chamber of Commerce board meeting will be held on Thursday, February 11 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Our board meetings are now open to the public and we encourage members to attend. Email us to reserve your guest spot.
PG&E Discounts Available to Businesses

PG&E is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the communities we serve. Commercial or industrial customers can receive an ED Rate discount of 12 percent, 18 percent or 25 percent on the majority of their electric costs for five years. Find out if your business qualifies

COVID-19 TRAVEL INDUSTRY RELIEF RESOURCES

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has released guidance on the Program for Shuttered Venue Operators (also referred to as the Live Venue Grants Program). U.S. Travel has compiled these new details in a fact sheet for easy use.
California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program UPDATE

For new applicants in Round 2, please mark these dates and times on your calendar:
-Round 2 openED Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 8:00 am PST
-Round 2 closes on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 6:00 pm PST
-Notification about selection: February 11 - 18, 2021
-Notification about Not selected: February 24, 2021
Tuolumne County Roles Out COVID 19 Vaccine Program

At first, supply will be very limited. Vaccines will be given in phases according to priority groups. Tuolumne County is following federal and state guidelines, as well as working with our healthcare and community partners to determine the groups receiving vaccine. Follow for the Vaccine Interest Form.

COVID19 Tests Available in Groveland Each Monday

According to Tuolumne County Public Health, COVID-19 testing continues in Groveland. open at the Groveland Community Hall on Mondays from 7 AM to 7 PM. Appointments will be able to be scheduled at the LHI website. 



Yosemite Reservation System is One of a Kind

The day-use reservation plan makes Yosemite unique in the park system. According to Texarkana Gazette, Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park tried a timed-entry system in 2020 and Maine's Acadia National Park has proposed a vehicle reservation system, Gediman noted, but "we're the only ones that have this type of system."
Webinar: Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Valley Sierra is providing low-cost training for both Supervisors and Non-supervisors. Senate Bill 1343 Requires Employers of 5 or More Employees to Provide Sexual Harassment and Abusive Conduct Prevention! This Training Must Be Completed by January 1, 2021 (If Not Completed in 2019 or Within Two Years). This Training Is Required Every Two Years.
Community Press Releases
Did you know...
...that in 2019, visitors to California spent $145 billion in our state?
...that total overseas and Mexico arrivals at California ports of entries are slowly growing from 3,579 arrivals in May 2020 to 58,528 in December of 2020?
...that you can get a FREE business listing on VisitCalifornia.com?

Here's an opportunity for our consumer-facing businesses to get a boost in visibility and awareness. 
Post your tourism-related business on Visit California’s consumer website, VisitCalifornia.com. This is a free opportunity to showcase your business to over 17 million people who visit the site each year. Include a clear description, a link to your website, contact information and anything else you believe will be useful for potential travelers to know.

Any accommodations, attractions, rental cars, restaurants, retail, and transportation that might attract travelers can be listed online. 


*Sources: VisitCalifornia.com and the US Department of Commerce/Travel & Tourism Office.
Yosemite National Park Updates
  • Yosemite National Park Reopens | Yosemite is reopening on February 5th to overnight visitation. Call 209/372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for the most up-to-date conditions (the information below only reflects planned or long-term closures)

  • COVID-19 Restrictions | Face masks are required in all federal buildings and federal lands. Park operations vary based on local public health conditions. Before visiting, please check the park website to determine its operating status. Additional details are available at www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please recreate responsibly.

  • YH Operations Phased Reopening & Expanded Hours |
  • The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Valley Lodge will reopen for overnight accommodations on the afternoon of Friday, February 5th. On opening day, the hours will be as follows. Please note hours will change again on February 6th.:
  • The Ahwahnee
  • Dining Room open for dinner only 5:30pm – 8:30pm
  • Bar 3:00pm – 9:00pm
  • Gift Shop 2:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Sweet Shop 2:00pm – 6:00pm
  • Yosemite Valley Lodge
  • Base Camp open for dinner only 4:00pm – 8:00pm
  • Gift Shop 2:00pm – 6:00pm
  • Degnan’s and the Village Store will also resume normal hours on Friday, February 5th:
  • Degnan’s: 7:00am - 11:00am, 11:30am - 6:00pm
  • Village Store: 9:00am – 7:00pm
  • Starting Saturday, February 6th, The Ahwahnee and YVL will resume pre-closure hours:
  • The Ahwahnee
  • Dining Room: Breakfast 7:00am - 10:00am; Lunch 11:30am - 2:00pm; Dinner 5:30pm - 8:30pm
  • Bar 2:00pm – 9:00pm
  • Gift Shop 9:00am – 7:00pm
  • Sweet Shop 11:00am – 6:00pm
  • Yosemite Valley Lodge
  • Base Camp: Breakfast 7:30am - 10:00am; Lunch 11:00am - 2:00pm; Dinner 4:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Gift Shop 10:00am – 6:00pm
  • The Lounge and Starbucks will reopen at a later date (E. Callahan)

  • February 1st Snow Survey Results | Despite numerous difficulties, surveyors were able to measure 18 of the 22 snow courses in the Tuolumne and Merced basins. Prior to the storm, the snowpack was about 15-20% of average; after the storm it is 75-85% of average for both basins. (M. Fincher)

  • Yosemite National Park To Require Day-Use Reservations | Starting February 8 - National Park Service News Release January 29, 2021 Yosemite National Park -- Beginning February 8, visitors to Yosemite National Park will need a day-use reservation to enter the park. The temporary day-use reservation system will allow the park to manage visitation levels to reduce risks associated with exposure to COVID-19. Day-use reservations will be required for all users, including annual and senior pass holders. Each reservation is valid for seven days and must be validated the first day of the reservation. Reservations are available on www.recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1. Each day-use reservation is valid for one vehicle and the occupants of that vehicle. For more detailed information, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/covid19.htm  For visitors staying inside the park, at the Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Valley Lodge or Upper Pines Campground, day-use reservations are included with overnight lodging reservations. The reservation system will be in effect until local public health conditions improve. The health and safety of?park?visitors, employees, and partners continues to be our number one priority.?? For further information on?Yosemite?National?Park, please visit www.nps.gov/yose. (J. Richards)

  • El Portal Road Traffic Control | Work on the NPS-owned 70kV transmission line will take place January 13 - March 12 along El Portal Road from the park boundary to the powerhouse. This requires intermittent traffic control 0700-1600 Monday through Friday (no holidays) no longer than 10 min. Please plan accordingly. (K. Bablitch)

  • Bridalveil Fall | The Bridalveil Fall parking lot and trails are closed to visitation to allow for ongoing rehabilitation work. NPS crews are currently constructing a new accessible trail and making other trail and site repairs. Contractor work consisting of utility upgrades and parking lot and bus platform improvements will begin later this summer and will continue through May 2021. (P. Johnson)

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