Updates, First Friday gift drawing, Wakulla News offer - The E-Newsletter from the Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce

Welcome to our newest member: Jacob Staack - Shepherds Insurance Group, Inc. 850.901.7203 https://shepherdsinsurance.com/  Medicare Costs at a Glance - find out more here Are you interested in a First Friday drawing campaign? Dear Chamber Members: Starting from the earliest onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the Chamber Team exponentially increased our efforts to promote our Chamber of Commerce businesses. These efforts included the purchasing and distribution of additional shop local ads via multiple outlets (radio, newspaper, and social media).  These efforts were very well received and helped ease the burden this crisis presented. Additionally, we implemented a business support campaign geared towards the restaurants and businesses impacted by the Government mandated shutdowns/restrictions.  This targeted campaign included the purchasing of gift-cards from those impacted businesses and then the promotion of them throughout Wakulla County with a bi-weekly Facebook contest open to all.  These contests were very popular and by all accounts were a monumental success. Building upon the success of the aforementioned contest, the Chamber is contemplating running a “First Friday” Facebook contest  more UPDATES ARE NOTED IN BLUE We'd love to share your business news! If you are in the restaurant business and have any special offers (take out or take home, curbside service etc.) or new hours you would like to share, we’d love to include on our Facebook page.   NOTICE OF AZALEA PARK TEMPORARY CLOSURE   Please be advised Azalea Park in Crawfordville will be temporary closed on May 25, 2020 – May 31, 2020, weather permitting.  The purpose of the temporary closure is for repairs and resurfacing of the walking track. Let's Walk Florida This week we are kicking off a new, FREE, 10-week health and wellness program called “Let’s Walk Florida!” and I am officially inviting you to join us and to help spread the word. This program encourages people to increase their physical activity each week by providing support and encouragement through educational materials, videos, and group interaction via a private Facebook group (optional). This program is FREE and focuses on helping people set goals and find ways to increase their physical activity in ways that work for them.  Please click here for more information and a link to the registration page. We are taking registrations all this week, so please share this with folks as appropriate.  I hope you will be able to join us! Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.  ___________________________ Samantha Kennedy, M.S. Extension Agent II, Family & Consumer Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension Wakulla County 84 Cedar Avenue | Crawfordville, FL 32327, Phone: (850) 926-3931   Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Provides Reemployment Assistance Update The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued reemployment assistance updates on the Reemployment Assistance (RA) Claims Dashboard. As of May 11, DEO has paid 665,949 claimants a total of over $1.7 billion ($1,722,449,560). Of the 665,949 claimants paid, 23,031 individuals received Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. As of May 11, nearly $11.5 million has been paid to claimants for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.  More on  assistance here   The Small Business Administration recently issued the following press release.  Disaster loans for working capital are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Florida as a result of a drought that began on Feb. 25, 2020.  The loans are available in the following counties: Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla in Florida. CareerSource Capital Region COVID-19 Employer Essentials Toolkit Updated Information  CareerSource Capital Region's Essentials Toolkit offers a simple and effective one-stop source for finding business assistance. This resource toolkit is designed to assist Gadsden, Leon, and Wakulla County businesses and organizations in accessing critical workforce development resources, programs, and services that are needed during this time. The COVID-19 Employer Essentials Toolkit compiles relevant resources and provides a foundation for stakeholders to identify critical information. More information can also be found on our website. This document includes information about Short Term Compensation Temporary Lay Off Program Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification Local Emergency Assistance for Non -Profits OEV Business Resource Guide SBA Debt Relief Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund Black Business Loan Program Florida's Action Plan for Mitigation Emergency Business Loans and  The CARES Act Stay informed about COVID19 - https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/ COVID -19 Ca t e g or y B -  Public Assistance for Private Non - Profit Organizations F o c u s  o n H o s p i t a l s , C l i n i c s , E m e r g e n c y M e d i c a l P r o v i d e r s information here Comprehensive list of current federal actions and opportunities prepared by the White House in response to COVID-19.   The Governor’s Re-open Florida Task Force Report, the plan in phases - https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/covid19/Taskforce%20Report.pdf. COVID-19 Poster outlining employee rights relating to the COVID-19 virus.  You need to ensure that this is posted in a location where it can be seen by all employees The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has posted additional Questions and Answers regarding implementation of certain provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).   For your reference, the updated information begins with Question #38. Updated FAQ about the CARES Act here CARE Act loans for Small Businesses are on a first come, first serve basis.  Congress is planning on increasing the amount available due to such high demand.   The US Treasury has a “tool box” of information and current guidance for both lenders and borrowers.  It also provides a search tool to find lenders in the area participating in the program. https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses United Way of the Big Bend List of Agency Partners  Resources  The COVID-19 Call Center is available 24/7: +1 (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov  Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline for all consumers in the state: 866-9NO-SCAM  FL COVID-19 Updates: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/  FDOH Educational Material: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/covid19-toolkit.html  CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html  CDC Mitigation strategy: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community-mitigation-strategy.pdf Eden Springs Protective Measures:  Restricted all visitations to their facility to those critical to operations as of March 11, 2020.  We understand the frustration surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the ban on visitation in our facility. We have implemented new options for you to video chat with your loved ones. o If you have an android phone or tablet you can download google duo. o If you have an IPhone or IPad we have an IPad to utilize face time.  If you would like to utilize one of these new options, please call the front desk at 926-7181 to schedule a time. As always please feel free to call anytime to speak to your loved one or to get an update from our staff.  If you would like to visit your loved one through the family room window as seen in our recent posts, please call the facility main number to schedule a time!  Wakulla County BOCC Protective Measures: In response to COVID-19 and with State and Federal guidance, the following actions are being taken:  All BOCC Offices will re-open by April 22, 2020. Offices will be taking proactive measures to practice social distancing.  The following “Programs” are still closed until further notice: Medart Recreation Department, Community Center, Equestrian Center, Library, and the UF/IFAS Extension Office;  The Library is open to “Curbside” pickup only until further notice. Please call the Library at 926-7415 or email at wcpl@wakullalibrary.org for procedures;  Shell Point and Mashes Sands Beaches are now “OPEN”; parking is only allowed in designated parking areas (no parking in the right of way).  The regular BOCC Meetings and Planning Commission Meetings will be conducted via Communications Media Technology (please visit www.mywakulla.com for meeting info);  All County maintained boat ramps are open (Wakulla River Upper Bridge, Wakulla River Lower Bridge, Shell Point, Rock Landing, Newport, Mash Island, Levy Bay, Bottoms Rd., N T Smith, & Lake Ellen);  The following County Parks are open: Azalea Park, Hickory Park, Hudson Park, Medart Park, & Woolley Park.Wakulla County Courthouse Protective Measures:  The 2nd Judicial Circuit Chief Judge has issued AO 2020-03 and 2020-07 "Close Non-Essential and Non-Critical Court Operations"  Effective at 5 pm March 18, 2020, the Wakulla County Courthouse is closed for general public access. Parties needing to file emergency petitions and file in essential court case activities are allowed to file necessary documents. These will be reviewed by a duty judge. Hearings are not being held in most cases and in others are held electronically. No jury trials or public dockets are scheduled. Please call the Wakulla County Clerk’s office for general information and to ask questions at 926-0300  Passport applications are not being accepted until further notice.  Marriage Licenses are not being processed at this time. Please continue to monitor the Clerk’s website for any updates.  For filing documents in official records, call the Clerk’s Office to schedule dropping off your official records via a drop box.   PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT  The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners announces approval of Wakulla County’s Vacation Rental Reopening Plan.  The Plan was approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on May 19, 2020.  The approved Plan is as follows: view here   Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Protective Measures:  Effective Thursday April 30,2020 The front lobby of the Sheriff’s Office is now open.  The Wakulla County Communications/9-1-1 Division now has a list of questions for all calls requesting a first responder be dispatched. This helps to ensure that first responders can prepare accordingly to protect themselves and our citizens.  Effective March 20, 2020, Sexual Offenders, Sexual Predators, Career Offenders and felons participating in their legislatively mandated registrations at the WCSO Annex Building by CID personnel will do so under new procedures. Offenders updating registration information will provide the required documentation to CID personnel through the glass partition in the front lobby. CID personnel will electronically update the FDLE database, print items for signature, and the offenders will sign the documents in the lobby (CID will override the electronic signature in the FDLE database). The only offenders to pass into the restricted area of the CID office space will be those required to be fingerprinted, and only then by a CID employee equipped with a facemask and gloves.  Effective Thursday April 30, 2020 The WCSO firing range is now open.  The WCSO Citizens Academy has been postponed until further notice. Wakulla County Jail Protective Measures:  Effective March 19, 2020 New intake procedures have been put in place to screen all arrestees brought into the facility.  Effective May 4, 2020 the facility will start accepting Immigration detainees.  Effective March 19, 2020 Visitation will be reopening effective May 4, 2020.  Effective March 18, 2020 all Wakulla County Jail Volunteer programs will be cancelled until further notice: o Substance Abuse/ Drug Abuse. o AA/NA o Religious Services, (Volunteers Only) o Domestic Violence. Wakulla County Schools Protective Measures:  The quarantine period for Public School closure in Florida is extended until May 1st at this time. The school board will continue to provide meals and are working on additional instructional materials and online materials for our students to cover the extra 2 weeks added to the closure period. We encourage everyone to continue to practice social distancing and self-isolation as much as possible in order to stop the spread of infection.  Wakulla School District began student meal distribution 03/23/2020. Emphasis on meal delivery to bus stops by school buses was placed to ensure more of our students will receive meals. You will also be able to pick up meals at the student drop off location at Wakulla High School. This will happen between the hours of 9:30-11:00 am. For additional information please visit https://www.wakullaschooldistrict.org/covid-19-plan. 4-H Virtual Summer Camp Sign-up: “Summer just isn’t summer without 4-H camp” Crawfordville, FL - For years, campers have enjoyed a week at 4-H Camp and have participated in day camps in their home counties. But this summer, those traditional activities have been put on hold.  Wakulla 4-H Program Director Rachel Pienta said, “Extension faculty across the state have been hard at working creating fun virtual options for summer camp experiences.  Parent and youth can choose from a diverse array of offerings – all free for any youth ages 5 to 18, no need to be a current 4-H member.” 4-H Agents in the Florida panhandle know that summer just isn’t summer without 4-H camps. So, they are bringing summer camp to you! Beginning May 15th, registration is open for these virtual summer camps: More here   Member Business News: Hours of operation subject to change AAA’s branch office is closed to foot traffic; staff is in the office and available by phone 850-907-1000. Jeff Ewaldt - Aflac agent. Representing American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac) in supplemental and life policies for business and personal protection. To learn more or enroll remotely I may be reached at 850.445.9211. Bay Leaf Market – closed  The Best Western will have new operating hours Starting April 1, 2020.  7am-5pm. Until further notice, the hotel will only be taking reservations for long term stays.  COOK Insurance office is operational. Lobby closed to public. Available by phone call 850-926-6612 Gulf Specimen Marine Lab -  will be partially reopening the aquarium beginning Monday, May 11th. We have planned a safe step-by-step approach towards reopening the aquarium in accordance with both local health and government agencies. We will be implementing and maintaining standard safety protocols that will allow visitors to safely visit the aquarium. To do this, we are operating at a 25% capacity which means that we are limiting the number of visitors allowed in the aquarium at any given time. It is highly recommended that all visitors make reservations in advance. We cannot guarantee the availability of entrance tickets for walk-ins. Reservations for entrance tickets can be made by calling our office at (850) 984-5297. Each group will be allocated 45 minutes in the aquarium and must not exceed a total of 10 people which will allow visitors to take turns while maintaining social distancing guidelines.   HUB Florida Wakulla Office (Wakulla Insurance) – closed to public, working remotely, available by phone or email Logan Roofing still operating Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM, with limited staff in the office. We are however, closed to the public. Should any customers need to drop off any documents, we have a drop box out front and the office staff that is working will pick up. If there is a request to see a sample board of any of the shingles for a project, contact the office (850-926-3080/office@loganroof.com) and we will make that available on the front porch for the homeowner to view.  Root 319 Cuts and Color - rescheduling appointments for salon now, adhering to social distancing guidelines; spa will reopen week of May 19 Ross Tucker, Insurance Agent, representing United Healthcare for Medicare Plans---Open daily M-F from 8-5 on the phone, and by appointment. Call 926-2200. Tallahassee Leon Federal Credit Union now has a new location at 2190 Crawfordville Hwy - lobby is closed to the public but drive-through is open for business            Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m./Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.                         Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Physician Partners offering TeleHealth for patients that have Medicare, Medicaid, United Health Care, CHP, BCBS and Humana. The office is still open to see patients in house, but TMHPP is utilizing TeleHealth for the patients most at risk. The Wakulla News offer Due to the Current Pandemic situation, The Wakulla News is offering a FREE 1/8 PAGE ad B/W       FREE ~ FREE ~ FREE to all businesses in Wakulla County who are a privately owned or a family owned business. We would like to do our part to help get the economy moving forward!! IF YOU HAVE NEVER ADVERTISED WITH US IN THE PAST – WE WELCOME YOU! No Strings Attached – We want to help! If you choose …  – We are also offering a dollar for Dollar program through June / includes the July Neighbor. Example: Pay for a 1/8 page Ad – we will upgrade & run a ¼ page Ad for you OR Pay for the 1/8 and run the same ad next week for FREE Pay for a Quarter page – We will upgrade & run a half page ad for you OR Pay for the 1/4 and run the same ad next week for FREE IN ANY CASE – Take advantage of the FREE AD.GO to WWW.TheWakullaNews.net  by Friday, May 22, 2020 Click on the Green & Black Banner at the top of the page with  CPR Logo ( Community Program Relief) Fill out the very short form – hit send.  For questions call  Lynda Kinsey, 850-926-7102, The Wakulla News TheWakullaNews.com Lkinsey@TheWakullaNews.net Tiger Rock Martial Arts – offering at home video lessons via video teleconference for their clients Total Care Dental, Crawfordville: Office reopened, rescheduling appointments at this time Become a United Way Team Member - see flyer for contact informationVCA Wakulla Animal Hospital. now making appointments for spay and neuter surgeries, as well as dentals Wakulla Carpet Brokers is still open with regular business hours of 8 till 4 Monday thru Friday and is making sure to take all precautions. Wakulla Urgent Care is offering TeleHealth for patients that have Medicare, Medicaid, United Health Care, CHP, BCBS and Humana. Wakulla County Special Needs Prom – postponed to first week in May 2021 Member Restaurants  Breakfast Station #12 re opening May 13 Donkeys Bar & Grill - TEXT or call in your Take - Out orders  to 850-745-8916 hours of operation 7 days a week, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Indoor seating as recommended by Governor's orders. Outdoor seating seating as well. Family Coastal Restaurant temporary hours: Wednesday - Friday - 11 - 9; Sunday - Tuesday 11-3, closed Saturday. Indoor seating as per Governor's social distancing orders. Food n Fill #2 - Our kitchen is OPEN! We are serving breakfast from 7 am to 10 am and lunch / dinner from 10 am to 7 pm Monday thru Saturday. In order to minimize your wait time we recommend you call ahead at 850-745-8687 to place your order or order online at www.foodnfill.com  Hamaknockers BBQ – Outdoor seating and To-Go orders  The Kast Net – Pick up only until further notice, call 850-421-1255 Lodge at Wakulla Springs open - Restaurant Hours: 11am-8pm (seating in restaurant available) 7 Days a week Parlor Hours: 10am-6pm - 7 Days a week Macks' Country Meats - Open, limited number of shoppers at a time. Also, hot deli now open daily serving fried chicken tenders, wings, pork chops, hamburgers, philly sandwiches, and daily specials McDonald’s – Drive-Thru, and Walk-in-take-out Myra Jean’s – Inside dining and curbside pick up Ouzts Too – Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, indoor and outdoor seating will be arranged as per Governor's social distancing orders, continuing curbside pick up Riverside Café – Tiki hut seating as per Governor's social distancing orders, continuing Riverside and curbside service open 7 days for take out from 11-8  Root 319 Cuts & Color open under Governor's guidelines Rumors Coffee House - reopened The Seineyard at Wildwood and The Seineyard Rock Landing will be open Thursday - Sunday for lunch and dinner, indoor and outdoor seating will be arranged as per Governor's social distancing orders and will continue to serve take -out orders The Seineyard Woodville will be open Tuesday - Sunday lunch and dinner and will offer Blue Plates 11-3 and Seafood lunch specials 11-3 Woodville number 850-421-9191 Daily blue plate and seafood lunch special posted on our website. Indoor seating will be arranged as per Governor's Social Distancing orders Sonic – Drive-Thru open Taco Bell- Open at 10:00am Drive-Thru only Zaxby’s - Drive-Thru only. New offering -now has family meals that would feed a family of 4 for only $24.99 Local Financial Institutions - drive through only

Disclaimer: The Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce provides this calendar of events as a service to its members and a convenience in the community.  No endorsement of the scheduled events or organizations by the Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce is either expressed or implied. Copyright © 2020 Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because of your membership with the Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce Our mailing address is: Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 598/23 High Dr Crawfordville, FL 32326

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