ARTICLE
Santa Cruz County is Cautiously Reopening Remember the Buddy Holly song — “Everyday”? “Everyday it’s a getting closer, Going faster than a roller coaster / Everyday it’s a getting faster / Everyday seems a little longer / Every way love’s a little stronger...” This is a love song lost in the ages of the 1950s-’60s and reproduced many times, most recently by James Taylor, who continues the mastery of the cover song at his concerts. And yes, James Taylor is touring again. Yes, the sea breeze flows quicker today as every day we move a bit closer to normalcy. “Normalcy” defined is the condition of being normal, the state of being usual, typical or expected. This word was not a part of our ‘normal’ vocabulary until the pandemic put us all in a hibernated state for the last 15-plus months. Well, we saw a little normalcy a few weeks back as the Chamber celebrated our community leaders during a wet and rainy evening at the Dream Inn. We were grateful for the opportunity to gather safely. It was a fun night and we are delighted that our communications sponsor, Tam Communications, was there to capture the evening’s festivities. Please take a couple of minutes to listen and watch the video: 2021 Gala. Make sure you watch to the very end past the credits. My dear friend and Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm captured the essence of our return to normal in his May 1st Santa Cruz Sentinel article: Mayor Timm - Sentinel Article 5-1-2021. Derek wrote, “Have you felt the shift? It’s under foot. We are being carried forward whether we are ready or not, back to the speed of the pre-pandemic life.” How true, we are a little rusty at getting back to normal. The Santa Cruz County Chamber thrives on engaging the community, bringing people together, being a convener of information and a convener of projects, policies and programs. We are on the move again — getting our groove back as the days are getting brighter and longer. Today, our county is coming alive as our partners across the region are re-engaging with cautious re-openings at the Boardwalk, Roaring Camp, the MAH and local eateries, with music venues slowly bringing back musicians. Your Chamber staff has been diligently working to create opportunities for our members to return to normal and we are launching events that can be COVID-19 safe and that continue to abide by social distancing protocols as necessary. We are excited to announce that for the first time in nearly two decades, the Chamber is hosting a Golf Tournament at the Delaveaga Golf Course and Lodge on Friday, July 16th. Registration information is in the eNews and a link is here: Chamber Golf Tournament In addition, we have a date for the Chamber’s Annual Business Expo hosted by the Boardwalk and Cocoanut Grove. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 8th. Registration will reopen soon and all 2020 Biz Expo vendors who purchased a booth are guaranteed a booth this September 8th. We are in discussion to re-imagine our Annual Members’ meeting following social distancing and current COVID-19 protocols, as well. Details for that meeting will be announced soon. Other events that can be done safely and following the current pandemic criteria are being carefully planned and will be rolled out over the next couple weeks. Your Santa Cruz County Chamber is back stronger and more resilient than ever. Come join us to engage with the community, help us influence our policy makers and continue to promote economic vitality so our businesses can thrive in 2021 and beyond.
Santa Cruz County is Cautiously Reopening
Remember the Buddy Holly song — “Everyday”? “Everyday it’s a getting closer, Going faster than a roller coaster / Everyday it’s a getting faster / Everyday seems a little longer / Every way love’s a little stronger...” This is a love song lost in the ages of the 1950s-’60s and reproduced many times, most recently by James Taylor, who continues the mastery of the cover song at his concerts. And yes, James Taylor is touring again.
Yes, the sea breeze flows quicker today as every day we move a bit closer to normalcy. “Normalcy” defined is the condition of being normal, the state of being usual, typical or expected. This word was not a part of our ‘normal’ vocabulary until the pandemic put us all in a hibernated state for the last 15-plus months. Well, we saw a little normalcy a few weeks back as the Chamber celebrated our community leaders during a wet and rainy evening at the Dream Inn. We were grateful for the opportunity to gather safely. It was a fun night and we are delighted that our communications sponsor, Tam Communications, was there to capture the evening’s festivities. Please take a couple of minutes to listen and watch the video: 2021 Gala. Make sure you watch to the very end past the credits.
My dear friend and Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm captured the essence of our return to normal in his May 1st Santa Cruz Sentinel article: Mayor Timm - Sentinel Article 5-1-2021. Derek wrote, “Have you felt the shift? It’s under foot. We are being carried forward whether we are ready or not, back to the speed of the pre-pandemic life.” How true, we are a little rusty at getting back to normal.
The Santa Cruz County Chamber thrives on engaging the community, bringing people together, being a convener of information and a convener of projects, policies and programs. We are on the move again — getting our groove back as the days are getting brighter and longer. Today, our county is coming alive as our partners across the region are re-engaging with cautious re-openings at the Boardwalk, Roaring Camp, the MAH and local eateries, with music venues slowly bringing back musicians.
Your Chamber staff has been diligently working to create opportunities for our members to return to normal and we are launching events that can be COVID-19 safe and that continue to abide by social distancing protocols as necessary. We are excited to announce that for the first time in nearly two decades, the Chamber is hosting a Golf Tournament at the Delaveaga Golf Course and Lodge on Friday, July 16th. Registration information is in the eNews and a link is here: Chamber Golf Tournament
In addition, we have a date for the Chamber’s Annual Business Expo hosted by the Boardwalk and Cocoanut Grove. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 8th. Registration will reopen soon and all 2020 Biz Expo vendors who purchased a booth are guaranteed a booth this September 8th.
We are in discussion to re-imagine our Annual Members’ meeting following social distancing and current COVID-19 protocols, as well. Details for that meeting will be announced soon. Other events that can be done safely and following the current pandemic criteria are being carefully planned and will be rolled out over the next couple weeks.
Your Santa Cruz County Chamber is back stronger and more resilient than ever. Come join us to engage with the community, help us influence our policy makers and continue to promote economic vitality so our businesses can thrive in 2021 and beyond.