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Product Reviews P
Product Review: Things to Do: Get the Best Father’s Day Gift s
GMMK Keyboard
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The world’s fi rst patented mechanical modular keyboard with hot-swappable switches giving users full control – no technical experience needed Compatible with any modular MX switches with no soldering required allowing users to craft their own unique gaming experience. Designed with an att ention to detail, features discreet LED indicators, a professional-grade aluminum faceplate, and high-quality gold-plated USB cable creating a minimalistic gaming keyboard that doesn’t look obnoxious - delivering a premium look and feel
Price: $109.95 Website: pcgamingrace.com
Wireless Earbuds
Edifi er: TWS 6 are designed to deliver an unmatched listening experience with a high-end and scratch-proof design.nArmature driver technology delivers balanced, high-quality and a clear sound for the ultimate listening experience.nBluetooth 5.0 technology with Qualcomm aptX provides instantaneous pairing and a reliable connection to any smart device. Boasting up to 8 hours of playback time on a single charge with an additional 24 hours provided by the slim, credit cardlike charging case providing tunes all-day Equipped with tap-control functions for simple and convenient control, without needing to pull out your smart device Price: $79.99 Edifi er.com and Amazon.com
Sawyer Select Water Filter
Water bott les that purify fresh water to ensure access to safe, clean drinking water no matt er where your adventure takes you. Filters out virtually all contaminants found in fresh water including viruses, protozoa, cysts, dirt and sediment for truly clean drinking no matt er the water source. Features two fi lters, a foam fi lter that removes metals, chemicals and pesticides and a 0.1-micron absolute fi lter that removes particulate and pathogens to keep you safe from any and all possible contaminants
Improves the overall taste and eliminates the need to carry water while you hike, camp or travel. Lasts for 1,600 uses and removes bacteria, protozoa, chemicals and pesticides
S1 Filter: $59.99 Available at: Amazon, Target, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Dick’s
Get the Best Father’s Day Gift s
The Game of Crossnet
For the active dad! He can get his fi tness and fun all in one with this four square meets volleyball game! Enjoy at home or on the go as it sets up in minutes on grass, sand, or a gym fl oor! CROSSNET highlights: -A whole new way to enjoy volleyball without a full team! It’s easily portable and includes a travel backpack, volleyball and pump! You can set is up in just a few minutes on grass, sand, indoors, etc! -Adjustable heights make it great for all ages! $149.99 htt ps://www.crossnetgame.com/
Blisslets
A stylish way to keep nausea away, Blisslets discreetly trigger a pressure point on the wrist connected to the area of the brain that regulates feelings of nausea. Unlike the conspicuous and medical-looking nausea-bands of yore, Blisslets take care of queasiness while looking like fashionable bracelets designed for men - and women! Stops nausea from motion sickness migraines, vertigo, virtual reality games, and chemotherapy. Can be used before or after nausea starts, provides fast relief, and is all natural. There are multiple sizes for added comfort $24.99 for a set of two (must wear on both wrists for eff ective relief) htt ps://myblisslets.com/
Stealth
Stealth $99
For the fi tness buff ! Transform Basic (Boring) Plank Exercises Into A Fun, Dynamic Full-On Gaming Experience! Stealth is a breakthrough fi tness system that’s gamifying your workout one plank at a time. With Stealth, your body becomes the game controller. Simply slip your phone into the slot, choose one of its addictively fun games, and start building a stronger core and leaner physique as you twist, turn, pivot, and hold steady to reach the high score.
Price: $99.00 htt ps://trystealthnow.com/
MOBILE– The luxury hotels and resorts along Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail are preparing to safely reopen restaurants and spas in the coming days. Managed by PCH Hotels and Resorts and owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama, the properties have been open with limited services over the past weeks. They are reopening spa and restaurant services in accordance with Governor Kay Ivey’s orders.
“Over the past weeks, our hospitality experts at PCH Hotels & Resorts have thoroughly planned how to safely welcome guests back,” said Tony Davis, President of PCH Hotels & Resorts. “Our procedures have been updated and associates have been retrained,” said Davis. “We are ready to safely offer guests legendary Southern hospitality.”
Along Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Continued
Golf Trail
All pools have reopened, except the Battle House pool which will reopen Friday, May 22. The RTJ golf courses and resort tennis courts are available, where applicable. Spas and restaurants will be opening in the coming days with a major focus on safety and social distancing. Initially, spas will offer hair and nail services. Massages, facials and access whirlpools and other spa amenities will be added in the future. The reopening timeline and enhanced safety protocols are highlighted below.
“We are in this together and ask all guests and associates for their help to abide by the Governor’s “Safer at Home” order,” said Davis. “These certainly are unprecedented times, yet we realize the importance of reconnecting, gathering, playing and relaxing. Our hospitality team is ready for our guests to arrive.” For more information on the hotel and resort portfolio, visit www.rtjresorts.com.
Updated Resort and Hotel Safety Protocols:
• Hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the hotels and resorts. • Public areas are cleaned and sanitized every two hours. • Some services and hours of operation have been temporarily adjusted. • Signage encouraging social distancing and other safe practices have been placed throughout the properties. • When preparing guest rooms and other areas, our associates use professionally sourced cleaning products which are proven to be effective Updated Spa Protocols against viruses and bacteria. • Initially the spas will be offering nail • Collateral materials which can’t be and hair services. Massages, facials properly sanitized have been removed and other spa services will be added from guest rooms. at a later date. • Thorough cleaning and disinfect•All spa providers’ temperature will ing occur in each guest room prior be taken before they begin their shift. to guests arriving. Remote controls, • All providers will be wearing masks clocks, ice buckets, drawer handles, during your spa visit. furniture, bathroom amenities, haird• Gloves changed after each guest. ryers, light switches, pens, doorknobs, • All tools used during the spa service and other room items are disinfected. will be thoroughly sanitized. • To reduce the number of people • Guests are welcome to wear their accessing guest rooms, Housekeeping own PPE to the spa such as masks/ services provided only upon request. gloves, but not required. • We have expanded the use of PPE • All manicure/pedicure stations and (personal protective equipment) with treatment rooms are thoroughly saniour team members. Masks and gloves tized before and after each guest. will be worn where appropriate. • All areas of the spa/salon will prac• Additional restaurants and bars will tice 6 ft. social distancing. reopen as business increases. For more on Alabama, >CLICK HERE
Places to Go: Hot Scottsdale
SCOTTSDALE – “It’s a dry heat,” Arizonans say, and visitors echo.
It’s true, summers in Scottsdale are HOT; from the number shown on the thermometer to the resort rates. Scottsdale welcomes travelers back with hot savings and provides the ultimate sizzling summer escape. ItsThatHot.com is a one-stop shop for trip planning, whether that means turning up the fun for the whole family or resetting with rest and rejuvenation. Read on for some of the desert’s hottest deals.
HOT HOTEL STAYS
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: With rates starting at $199, the newly renovated Princess packs in fun for the whole crew. Featuring six pools with two 200-foot waterslides, a white sand beach, private cabanas and cocktail bars, the resort keeps kids and adults cool and entertained. Beat the heat with morning golf at TPC Scottsdale and splash into family-friendly evening “dive-in” movies.
JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa: Unveiling a fresh new look and offering plenty of room to unwind, this luxury resort at the base of the majestic Camelback Mountain offers summer rates starting at $179. Find peace and relaxation at The Spa, meander through the property’s garden terraces and Sonoran Desert trails, and feel right at home in pueblo-style rooms.
The Bespoke Inn: Slip away to
Scottsdale with rates as low as $102 at this charming, 10-room boutique hotel in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Enjoy brunch at Virtù, the on-property restaurant conceived by acclaimed Chef Gio Osso, rent a bike for the day from the Inn’s bike shop to cruise through downtown art and shopping, and settle into cozy accommodations for the night.
PERFECT SUMMER DAY
Morning - Rise and shine for a sunrise hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve before the heat of the day sets in, to get the blood pumping and catch premium Sonoran Desert views.
Cool off indoors and refuel with a healthy breakfast and fresh juice at Farm & Craft or kick it up a notch with a boozy brunch at Hash Kitchen, offering a buildyour-own bloody mary bar.
Afternoon - Relaxation seekers can find a sense of calm at a quiet, sparkling pool, like that of the luxe Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, where taking a dip
near the infinity edge provides an unbeatable panorama of the wild desert landscape. Detox the body and mind with the Hammam Experience, go deep with a massage, or restore the skin with a facial at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia’s Joya Spa.
Adventurers explore the hidden paradise found on the Lower Salt River via kayak, where calm waters meet rugged desert shores and the chance to see wild animals.
Evening - Come sunset, it’s time to get to sipping on the Scottsdale Wine Trail or enjoying some suds along the Scottsdale Ale Trail. Then, it’s time for dinner at one of the city’s 800 restaurants, like Citizen Public House, where modern takes on classic comfort food and a salad so famous, it has its own Facebook page, unite with unbeatable barrel-aged cocktails.
Top off the night at the historic Sugar Bowl and indulge in cool and decadent treats like classic shakes, floats and sundaes or their signature “Camelback Sodas” – served since the 50s and named after the nearby Camelback Mountain.
For more information, story ideas and trip-planning inspiration, please visit ScottsdalePressroom. com. or www.itsthathot.com.
For more on Arizona > CLICK HERE
People to See: The Ferryboat Musicians
In March 1979, Al Levy was a shaggy-haired, bearded student att ending Evergreen College, when he and a fellow student decided to play their guitars and banjo aboard the Washington State Ferry MV Kaleetan on their way to Port Townsend, Washington. Thus, began an amazing magical era in the Pacifi c Northwest which became known all around the world for the Ferryboat Musicians.
Now just over 41 years later, Allen Levy, a practicing therapist in Anchorage and presently chair of the Psychology Licensing Board for Alaska, has published a new book, Blue Water Bluegrass: The Ferryboat Musicians.
He and his son, Adam, recently set up their instruments in the front yard of his home in Anchorage and got to relive the bygones of an era from years ago. They played two 45-minute sets to an audience of about 30 people in the neighborhood.
They performed an array of top ten Ferryboat music favorites - songs including I-5 South and Ain’t Gonna Cry by Steve Guthe, Slipped Disc by Benny Goodman, Me and My Uncle by The Grateful Dead, Jambalaya by Hank Williams, several fi ddle tunes and songs writt en by Al.
Al Levy grew up in Anchorage. He and his musical partners
made money while students at made money while students at Evergreen State College. Evergreen State College.
“For years I struggled until I realized that making a life I realized that making a life with music is richer than makwith music is richer than making a living with music,” he said. ing a living with music,” he said. “People had a fascination with the experience we created playing and sharing our music on the ferry boats. It made the journey profound and enjoyable - being connected, rather than alone and isolated.”
Blue Water Bluegrass: The Ferryboat Musicians took him eight years to write. He wrote over 500 pages and his editor had him cut the book in two.
“I respect and value tradition. But I also love making hamburger out of sacred cows,” he said. “Creativity doesn’t come from me. It comes to me and fl ows through me. I let go of my ego and let the story tell itself.
“Music has three elements: melody, harmony, and rhythm. Ferryboat Music is public, connected, and interactive. It demanded situational awareness, empathy, connection and communication. There was a dynamic give and take of energy between us— and there was joy in gett ing people to not just listen, but to actively participate in the music.
Al off ers up his lessons learned from his life as a Ferryboat Musician: 1. Turn Your Fears into Action Plans -- When your fear sounds the alarm, face it coolly, calm down, take a few breaths, and turn your brain on. Challenge yourself to identify the steps needed to overcome the challenges you face. 2. Make Love Your Antidote to Fear. Use your love to make you stand up and face forward, even when your fear screams “run.” 3. Make Your Own Music. Music gives you an opportunity to connect with yourself and with other people. Music from digital sources is okay, but don’t let it be the only music in your life. Enjoy live music every chance you get. 4, Make the Most of Your Connections. The world is your mandala—a representation of the universe organized around you as the central point. 5. Choose to Do What You Love to Do. Recognize that things are as they are, and you are a part of them. Happiness starts as a state of mind – a mood—a passing feeling that comes and goes.
Places to Go: Eureka Springs
EUREKA SPRINGS - Eureka Springs’ two landmark historic hotels, the 1886 Crescent and the 1905 Basin Park, will be reopening to full service on Monday, June 15. This comes on the heels of several successful “weekend only” careful openings at both properties. Both properties will continue to strictly adhere to health safe protocols as set down by Governor Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) during this reopening phase. “This includes all of our services at both the Crescent and the Basin Park to our guests, patrons and friends,” says Jack Moyer, general manager and executive vice-president for both properties.
At the Crescent Hotel will be nightly lodging, SkyBar Gourmet Pizza and scenic overlook dining, New Moon Spa & Salon, a full slate of daily resort activities, and the ever-popular Crescent Hotel Ghost Tours. The planning for weddings at the Crescent’s numerous venues has also been opened for gatherings up to 50 total attendees.
Downtown Eureka Springs’ centerpiece, the Basin Park Hotel, will be offering guests an even more enjoyable experiential visit than in years past. This follows the recent redevelopment of this seven-story epicenter in the heart of the town’s entertainment district. Two-bedroom suites have been added with an expanded common area and the inclusion of a soaking tub and walk-in shower.
Spa1905 has added comfortable and sharply designed spa suites for guests who want to immerse themselves into the spa experience. Guests wil enjoy added service and amenities, exclusive hot tub access and are just footsteps away from the plethora of services and treatments that Spa1905 offers. Located just outside the spa on the same floor is the magnificent new outdoor gathering space, set aside a limestone bluff. This space includes an outdoor hot tub, fire pit and patio furnishings with only the sky overhead.
A resort host can guide guests to everything fun and exciting to see and do in Eureka Springs plus introducing hotel guests to the well-developed list of daily programming,
A totally new addition to Eureka Springs’ downtown scene is
Jack Rabbett’s Whisky Bar offering the casual atmosphere of a living room featuring plush, comfortable seating, a fireplace, pool tables, and walls of big screen televisions. This downtown getaway is located just down the hallway from the highly popular Balcony Restaurant & Bar, also being fully reintroduced, with its alfresco seating that overlooks downtown on one side and Basin Spring Park on the other.
The paranormal aspect of the Basin Park Hotel has not been overlooked. Soon, a totally new experience, now in development, will be offered to both hotel guests and visitors to Eureka Springs. Patrons will be treated to hearing tales of happenings that occurred inside the limestone and pink dolomite walls of this historic structure and they will be able to partake in a unique investigation from the hotel’s roof to the depths of its hidden cave. Ticketing for this adventure will be available through ReserveEureka.com.
Other attractions throughout the arar will also be open. For a list of speial events, visit www. eurekaspringsonline.com.
For more on Arkansas, >Click Here
With open spaces and a vast selection of indoor and outdoor venues, the wine country gem of California’s Central Coast offers an unforgettable experience for group events in a changing world
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY — The Santa Ynez Valley has long woven an uncommon balance of work and play into its everyday life. For this reason, the wine country gem of California’s Central Coast has long been a welcome alternative to merely ordinary destinations for family reunions and corporate retreats.
As planners begin to organize their group events, the wide-open and uncrowded spaces of the Santa Ynez Valley seem uniquely fit for these changing times. The region’s laidback culture, natural landscape, and outdoor activities, not to mention worldclass wines, thriving culinary scene, and year-round mild weather, have long combined to foster unforgettable gatherings. And the region’s variety of venues, ranging from small wineries to large outdoor event spaces, and from traditional indoor facilities to picturesque vineyard settings, are particularly appealing in today’s times.
“With meeting planners being asked to reimagine their approach to traditional formats, venues, and experiences for group events, the Santa Ynez Valley provides them with the setting, options, and space they need to ensure their events are unique, productive, and safe,” said Shelby Sim, CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley. “Many of the same qualities that make the Santa Ynez Valley such a beloved wine country destination—rolling hills and vineyards, a thriving culinary scene, and open space as far as the eye can see, to name a few—are the same qualities that make it ideal for a meeting, conference, or corporate retreat.”
MEET: With an ever-expanding roster of venues, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to conference spaces, hotels, resorts, and inns of all shapes and sizes. Resorts such as the timeless Alisal Guest Ranch & Re
sort, the recently renovated Flying Flags RV Resort, and the flexible and expansive options at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, Hotel Corque, and Chumash Casino, can fully accommodate most any meeting or corporate retreat. While other, smaller properties like Skyview Los Alamos, Fess Parker Wine Country Inn, The Landsby, Santa Ynez Inn, The Ballard Inn, and the newly renovated Vinland Hotel & Lounge are ideal for more intimate gatherings.
WINE: Home to more than 100 wineries, many of which have their own unique outdoor spaces, the Santa Ynez Valley can also offer a wine country event not possible in most destinations. From the vineyard settings of Brave & Maiden and Roblar Winery, to the views from Sanford Winery and Presqu’ile Winery, to the myriad options and unique architecture of Sunstone Winery and Brick Barn Wine Estate — just
Wine Country in Wide Open Santa Ynez Valley
to name a few — the region offers a seemingly endless variety of winery options.
EAT: The Santa Ynez Valley’s strong agricultural roots have helped foster the region’s world-renowned wine and its creative culinary scene, and evolve together. In the Santa Ynez Valley, farm-to-table is no empty cliche. The food served in most of the region’s best restaurants is sourced within 30 miles of where it is consumed, and the cuisine is diverse, including imaginative wine country fare, Italian, Santa Maria-style barbeque, traditional Danish dishes, as well as French, Asian fusion, and more. First & Oak in Solvang has the honor of being the region’s first Michelin Plate restaurant, a designation that often leads to a future Michelin Star rating. And many of the Santa Ynez Valley’s top restaurants offer curated
menus and private dining spaces, including Brothers at the Red Barn, Industrial Eats, and more.
“What sets the Santa Ynez Valley apart as an event destination is just how vast the region is and how unique the choices are, with an ability to accommodate anything from intimate winery retreats and incentive travel, to larger events in more traditional venues,” Sim said. “With so many spaces that are so close to Los Angeles and the Bay Area yet feel far removed from urban life, planners are able to design an event that perfectly suits their needs at a time when safety, flexibility, and peace of mind are particularly important.”
For more information, or to research events and attractions, book lodging and activities, and create a custom travel itinerary, visit visitsyv.com.
About the Santa Ynez Valley:
Barely two hours from Los Angeles and a scenic four-hour drive from San Francisco, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to six distinct towns each with their own culture, vibe and menu of experiences. Blanketed with fruitful farms and vineyards, the California Central Coast wine region’s temperate weather allows for year-round activities of all sorts, spread throughout the historical communities of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang. Destination dining and world-class wines await, accompanied by lodging at every level, all painted into atmospheric backdrops that colorfully mesh Old World and Old West. Visit more than 100 wineries, feast on chef-driven cuisine, and enjoy festive events and design details from Victorian-era to mid-century to modern Danish. For more information, including a listing of wedding venues, restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, and events, go to VisitSYV.com.
For More Information on California, >CLICK HERE
Places to Go: Legoland Florida
This family theme park and resort is reopening and ready to play in the safest way possible.
WINTER HAVEN – The ReMerlin attraction reopenings to sort’s extensive plan of enbe confident with our Resort’s hanced health and safety measreopening plan...” said General ures have been endorsed by the Manager of LEGOLAND FloriPolk County Commission and da Resort Rex Jackson. “We’re Winter Haven Mayor Bradley T. ready to play, and we look forDantzler and now fully comply ward to reopening LEGOLAND with Governor DeSantis’ ExecFlorida Resort as a safe and utive Order 2020-123. As the memorable place for families to health and safety of guests and play again.” employees at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort continues to be PLANNING paramount, the plan includes Guests are encouraged to reduced capacity, cashless paydownload the LEGOLAND moments, social distancing pracbile app, and review the website tices and enhanced cleaning rein advance of their arrival, for gimes. a full outline of the parks’ new
“As part of Merlin Enterarrival and attractions procetainments, our leaders across dures, as well as details on the the globe have been sharing enhanced cleaning measures. best practices daily, and we’ve Tickets and vacations should be been able to apply what we’ve booked in advance online, when learned from other successful possible.
Guests should be prepared to make on-site payments using a credit or debit card as cash will no longer be accepted on property. Guests experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 should refrain from visiting the Resort.
-20- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ June, 2020
ARRIVAL
At the time of reopening, the Park will operate at 50 percent of its capacity. If guests are arriving by car, they should expect to leave spaces in between vehicles and follow additional spacing instructions. All park employees and guests will be required to undergo non-invasive temperature checks.
THROUGH THE RESORT
Every employee at LEGOLAND will wear a facial covering, and we will provide complimentary masks to encourage all our guests, ages three and above, to do the same. More than 200 hand sanitizing stations have been added throughout the park. Enhanced cleaning measures throughout the day will disinfect high frequency touch points.
The all-new LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel is also now open for reservations. LEGOLAND Theme Park will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and LEGOLAND Waterpark will be open daily from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit legoland.com
Things to Do: In Albany
Walk through a courtyard where the former Radium Springs Casino once stood (above.) Enjoy foliage-draped hillocks, crystal clear waters, and flora, both indigenous and exotic. The park features a restored terrace, new sidewalks, a casino garden and gazebo. Credit: Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau
Mingle with the meerkats in the wild. Hear Ray Charles play in the Plaza. Get an eyeful of the universe. Come face to face with creatures of the deep.
Conveniently located off I-75 and I-10 in southwest Georgia, easily accessed Albany, has adventure that is out of this world: Chehaw animal and adventure park; Thronateeska Heritage Center with Wetherbee Planetarium and Museum of History; Flint RiverQuarium; Radium Springs Gardens; Art Museum of Albany; Theatre Albany; Historic Bridge House/ Albany Welcome Center; and the Albany Civil Rights Institute—home of the Freedom Singers. Albany has more than two dozen hotels, fun eateries and malls, boutiques and specialty gift shops – and is an affordable home base for day trips to regional attractions like the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. For more information, visit VisitAlbanyGA.com.
Annual Events
Snickers Marathon and Half Marathon, March, AlbanyMarathon.com
Chehaw’s Native American Cultural Festival, April, Chehaw.org
Frontier Festival at Chehaw, January, Chehaw.org
Fast Facts and Trivia
The Bobwhite Quail is Georgia’s official state game bird and gives Albany one of its best known nicknames. Albany is known as the Quail Hunting Capital of the World.
Radium Springs, located in Albany, is Georgia’s largest natural spring, also known as one of the Seven Wonders of Georgia
Albany was named for the capital city of New York.
Phillip Phillips, American Idol Winner, played at Albany local restaurants such as Harvest Moon and Mellow Mushroom before auditioning for the reality show. For more on Georgia >CLICK HERE
Things to Do Tamarack Ziplining
TAMARACK/ PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Tamarack Resort has received approval from Central District Health for its phased reopening. The phased approach prioritizes the health and safety of employees, guests, and homeowners while resuming dining, lodging, and recreation-based activities.
“We appreciate the leadership of the governor, the Valley County Commissioners, and our front-line first responders who have worked tirelessly to keep us safe during this pandemic,” said Scott Turlington, Tamarack president. “Our team has worked hard to reimagine every aspect of the Tamarack experience to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of everyone who will come and play at Tamarack’s mountain playground this summer.”
Starting May 16, Tamarack resumed its dining and lodging services and will also open its meadow hiking and biking trails for complimentary use while encouraging appropriate social distancing. Tamarack’s recently opened retail outlets, including the Clearwater Coffee Shop and Village Market and Deli, will also reopen with enhanced health and safety protocols. Construction on The Village at Tamarack will resume, including real estate tours of the Village residential units and the real estate gallery. Additional activities will resume: • Open: Scenic lift rides on Tamarack Express • Open: Waterfront Cabana motorized & non-motorized boat rentals •Open: Lift-served mountain biking •June 6: Tamarack Zipline Tours (dependent on mid-mountain snow melt) •Mid-June: Guided whitewater rafting trips on the Cabarton stretch of the North Fork of the Payette River.
For all recreation updates, visit TamarackIdaho. com • COVID-19 training for employees pursuant to Central District Health (CDH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines •All employees will receive daily temperature checks and be provided gloves and masks to wear during interactions with the public •Enhanced cleaning and sanitizing of all hightouch surfaces, lodging properties, and recreation equipment •Installation of Plexiglass dividers at all point of sale locations • Hand sanitizing stations located throughout the resort, including all high traffic areas, elevators, and entry ways to main buildings • Signage and markers to support all social distancing guidelines • Limiting the number of guests inside dining, reception, and ticket areas • Use of one-time menus in dining establishments • Use of touchless card readers for transactions • Complimentary masks available for all guests who forget to bring their own
The resort encourages all guests planning to visit Tamarack and surrounding mountain communities in Valley County to respect new protocols in place at local businesses and recreation areas – by continuing social distancing, wearing a mask in public, practicing good hand hygiene, and staying home when feeling sick. More information is at ProtectYourMountainPlayground.com
For more on Idaho > Click Here
Chicago Welcoming Visitors
CHICAGO – Tourism & Hospitality Forward, is a new initiative to accelerate and spur Chicago’s tourism industry post-coronavirus and help expedite the City’s economic recovery. To date, a coalition of more than 250 local tourism, hospitality, meeting and event-related organizations and businesses have signed on to the pledge promising alignment, collaboration and socially responsible tourism and hospitality that will instill confidence in residents and visitors as they return to Chicago.
“This current crisis has been simply devastating to so many, including the tourism and hospitality industry, and we recognize that these unprecedented challenges require unprecedented and swift actions in order to restore this economic driver for the City,” said Glenn Eden, Chair of the Choose Chicago Board of Directors. “Our first priority is to promote socially responsible tourism. We will demonstrate to our guests that through the operational changes and precautions taken, it is safe to enjoy Chicago again.”
As the City transitions through a phased reopening, this alliance of industry partners will work together to establish best practices and safety measures for the health and safety of residents and visitors alike when cultural institutions, hotels, attractions and restaurants return to regular business and welcome guests.
Chicago Welcoming Visitors
“I applaud Choose Chicago’s commitment to developing safe, collaborative solutions to the profound impact COVID-19 has had on our city’s vital tourism and hospitality industry,” said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “Despite the challenges we face, the strength of our recovery is being built on forward-looking partnerships like these which are mutually supportive and rooted in the data of this disease, allowing us to build and grow more resilient, inclusive, and powerful than we’ve ever been.”
There are four components to the pledge: • SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PLANNING: We will put the safety of our patrons and employees first by adhering to public health guidance and direction and become leaders in socially responsible tourism and hospitality. • DEDICATED AND STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT: We will recognize the importance of taking a strategic and collaborative approach by dedicating the time to align across sectors and develop the phased plans we need to thrive in this challenging environment. • AUTHENTIC AND INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE: We will work together to spur the traffic of Chicago visitors and guests by enhancing our efforts to create unique ways to leverage all of the city’s dynamic neighborhoods and authentic assets. • UNPARALLELED CHICAGO ADVOCACY: We advocate for all that Chicago has to offer by cross-promoting offerings and collaborating on shared offers to create a mutually beneficial environment for the industry and ultimately a stronger economy for the city.
Additionally, Tourism & Hospitality Forward announced an outreach and engagement framework that participants can leverage to bring visitors back to Chicago when the time is right. The framework includes: • Promoting Chicago’s reopening in a calibrated manner with programs and promotions, such as staycations, designed to engage local audiences. • Launching seasonal initiatives to bring leisure travelers to Chicago with an emphasis on neighboring states. • Reinforcing that Chicago will continue to be the best place to do business as the City competes for meetings and events. • Maximizing all Chicago has to offer through a unifying marketing campaign.
Planning has been underway with several working groups aligned by sector, including accommodations, museums and attractions, arts & culture, festivals, and special events including sports and a dedicated focus on unique and diverse neighborhoods.
“These groups initially began meeting to focus on initial and almost immediate reopening strategies,” said Eden. “They have now evolved and have been rolled up to collaborate with and support Mayor Lightfoot’s longer-term Reopening and Recovery Task Force, including marketing and economic development for the City as a whole.”
“The traditional visitor and convention delegate will remain our ultimate goal in the recovery process,” said David Whitaker, President & CEO of Choose Chicago. “In the early phases of reopening we are going to have to focus and rely on our local residents, nearby suburban and regional visitors and the drive market as a whole. While they will be the first to easily return to their favorite spots and activities, they can also be ambassadors as we welcome guests and visitors back to Chicago.”
