Volume 3 | January 15, 2021
Help us Welcome Yosemite Express
to the Yosemite HWY 120 Chamber of Commerce
The local newspaper now proudly serves all nine of our foothill and mountain communities with one edition. Publisher Debbie Cook shares the vision of connecting us to each other and providing a chance to support each other's events and businesses. Look for the redesigned newspaper which goes hand-in-hand with a dynamic new website, both offering opportunities to see and be seen throughout our region. Yosemite Express now covers La Grange, Lake Don Pedro/Subdivision, Coulterville, Greeley Hill, Buck Meadows, Groveland, Big Oak Flat and Pine Mountain Lake. Welcome to the Chamber, Debbie. 
California Workforce Association Host Return-To-Work Webinars

The sessions will cover the following topics: Return-to-Work requirements from Cal/OSHA for workplace safety evaluation of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) hazards. Identifying and responding to COVID-19 cases in the workplace. Physical distancing and personal protective equipment. Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance, Paid Family Leave, and Workers’ Compensation. 
New California Laws Affect Agricultural Operations

According to DailyDemocrat.com, wildfire defense, labor, crop protection and the nearly yearlong COVID-19 pandemic led to a flurry of new laws affecting agriculture, many of which took effect New Year’s Day.
In addition, two laws enacted in 2016 will continue to affect pay rates for agricultural employees. As of Jan. 1, the state minimum wage has risen again, to $14 per hour for larger employers 
California Lawmakers Return To The Capitol With Urgent To-Do List

California state lawmakers in both chambers reconvened at the state Capitol this week for the first time since August to debate and pass laws NPR reports. "Normally, January and February “tend to be slow” for lawmakers, says Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). But with a looming wave of evictions,


Gasoline Boosts U.S. Consumer Prices; Inflation Still Benign

Reuters is reporting that U.S. consumer prices increased solidly in December amid a surge in the cost of gasoline, though underlying inflation remained tame as the economy battled a raging COVID-19 pandemic that has weighed on the labor market and services industry.
PPP Available for First Time Applicants Through CRF

The Opportunity Fund, as part of the California Rebuilding Fund loan program, is providing early access to our PPP portal for FIRST TIME APPLICANTS! If you did not receive PPP funds last year, they are ready to take your application (they are not yet accepting applications for “Second Draw”)! 
30% Off Square Stands through January 26, 2021

Get 30% off Square Stand through January 26, take 30% off Square Stand for 9.7″ iPad (2017, 2018), iPad Pro 9.7″, or iPad Air (1,2). Use the code SAVE30 at checkout.




BUSINESS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Yosemite Bank
The Yosemite Highway 120 Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that each month we’ll randomly select a member business to showcase. This month, we spoke with Betsy Duncan, the branch manager of the Yosemite Bank division of Premier Valley Bank located on Main Street in downtown Groveland. Read on to find out how Yosemite Bank can help you and your business and learn why banking locally makes sense.
 
What programs does Yosemite Bank have available for business banking and personal banking customers (current or potential new clients) that might help them with Covid-19 relief? What is the best way for a new customer to reach out for information?
 
For small businesses, PPP loans will be available and are applied for online through a web portal, but we are happy to be a resource in helping customers get started with their applications. In addition, our new Buy Local Loans (up to $5,000) might be helpful to personal banking customers for Covid-19 relief. 
 
The best way to reach us right now is by calling us directly at 1-877-896-4396 (editor’s note: although this isn’t a 209 number, dialing this number will connect you directly with the branch—you will not be routed through a call center!). Or you can come and visit the branch in person...
Yosemite National Park Updates
  • Bridalveil Fall Parking Lot | 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. 
  • Badger Pass Nordic Open | As of 9:00am on Thursday, December 31, the Badger Pass area is accessible for winter recreation and Nordic use. All Yosemite Hospitality services are closed. The Glacier Point Road is accessible for Nordic use as usual, but grooming will be intermittent and rough. Temporary restrooms and trash disposal is available in the parking lot. Please recreate safely and responsibly. 
  • Day Use Visitation Hours | Yosemite is still open for visitors from 8am - 5pm each day. No overnight camping available.
SERVICE SPOTLIGHT | Visit Tuolumne County
Visit Tuolumne County announces that Tuolumne County Restaurant Week will take place January 22-31, 2021. 
Restaurant Week is a celebration of local restaurants, cuisine, chefs, wine and cider makers, breweries and food producers, and is a collaborative way to share the bounty of Tuolumne County. In 2021, with its unique circumstances limiting dining in its traditional sense, Restaurant Week will look different than in years past years. Click below to learn more and sign up!
Featured Listing | Gina Hernandez of Yosemite Area Real Estate
20166 Pine Mountain Drive #125, Groveland CA 95321 | $1,200,000.00

A Beautiful and rare find Lake House in Pine Mountain Lake! Just 35 miles from Yosemite, in historic Groveland, CA. Spacious 3232 square feet home on .54 acre lot plus 2 car garage lakefront complete with doc and lake views. Super energy efficient cost saving solar panels, this amazing lake house features a level entry main living area all custom designed and remodeled with cabin flair, stunning floor to ceiling windows with lake views, enormous grand kitchen with the works! Beautiful Granite surfaces, high end appliances, stainless gas range, custom knotty Alder cabinetry included 2 large built-in hutches, custom wood inlay tile flooring in kitchen, sub-zero refrigerator, double ovens plus warmer, wine refrigerator, built-in Miele Expresso/Coffee maker and dishwasher...
Want to be featured in The Weekly?
We love to feature our members on social media and in our weekly newsletter, so be sure to tag us in your Facebook and Instagram posts, or email us with your blog articles, news, sales and discounts, updates and more!