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Popular Restaurant Nuestra Mesa Re-Opens Today After 11-Day Closure

Camas, WA — After a self-imposed closure on July 19, the popular Mexican restaurant, Nuestra Mesa, is re-opening its doors today for full dine-in and takeout service.

Mesa voluntarily closed its doors upon learning a family member had tested positive for COVID-19. Customers were told the situation, and were politely asked to leave that Sunday afternoon.

Since that time, all Mesa employees were tested and the entire restaurant was professionally cleaned. It was a thorough three-hour process in which all surfaces were sanitized.

“All our employees tested negative for COVID-19 and our restaurant underwent a thorough, professional cleaning,” said Todd Moravitz, co-owner of the restaurant. “We thank you for your patience. We made your safety and the safety of our employees a priority.”

Mesa serves gourmet Mexican cuisine in historic downtown Camas. They are following all state-mandated COVID-19 safety guidelines, and have physically distanced outdoor seating, as well. Hours are 11:30-9 daily.

Learn more at www.nuestramesacamas.com or visit their social media sites on Facebook and Instagram.

For takeout or dine-in reservations, call 360.210.5311.

Mesa
www.artfuljuxtaposition.com
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Grains of Wrath Re-Opens Tuesday After Employee Testing, Deep Cleaning

Grains of Wrath, which closed its doors nine days ago after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, has announced they are re-opening Tuesday, July 28 at 11 am.

“We are happy to report all tests that have come back were negative,” said Brendan Greenen, Partner and General Manager at GoW. “Our team member that initially tested positive is doing well and continues to quarantine.“

The popular downtown microbrewery and restaurant closed its doors on Saturday, July 18 moments after learning a support staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Since that time, all employee tests have been completed — all negative — and the space underwent a thorough professional three-hour cleaning that included testing surfaces, a complete wipe down and decontamination spray over all hard surfaces.

“We would like to thank the community for the outpouring of support and well wishes as we navigated this scenario,” GoW said in a statement. ”Thank you again for your patience, we look forward to seeing you soon!“

GoW is open 11 am-10 pm daily. Governor Inslee’s recent mandate only changes their operation as follows:

  • Indoor diners must be of the same household.
  • All tables are 5 or less.
  • GoW now shuts down at 10 pm on Friday an Saturday, per the limitations.

Given the CDC and state COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants, takeout ordering is also encouraged. You may order online at: www.gowbeer.com

COVID-19
www.arktana.com
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Camas Shirt Project Raises Nearly $5,600 To Assist Local Businesses

The Camas Shirt Project, which launched in April, has raised nearly $5,600 in profit, which will be distributed to several local businesses this week.

“The concept was to raise funds for downtown Camas businesses that were either shut down, getting shut down, or only able to partially function,” said Joseph Graves, a local business owner who helped coordinate the effort. “We started in March with this great idea that came from Mel Locke.”

To date, the Camas Shirt Project sold 722 shirts, of which 598 were sold online, and 124 were sold by local merchants. 

Locke owns Universal Martial Arts, and after witnessing how quickly local businesses were shuttered beginning March 16 because of the coronavirus pandemic, he decided a fun T-shirt project would be a good way to help out.

“Camas supporters did come out and we see a lot of people wearing the T-shirts, especially on Fridays,” said Locke. “The goal was to sell 20,000 shirts, and I think my expectations were too high. It was hard when some of these businesses couldn’t open for 90 days.”

The monetary distribution happens this week, and participating businesses simply needed to fill out a final form to get their share.

“We are so fortunate to have people in our community helping out our downtown businesses navigate this pandemic,” said Jennifer Senescu, Executive Director of the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce. “Not only have they raised significant funds, they’ve raised morale. They are helping to keep morale high.”

Shirt
www.lilyatelier.com

“This has grown to Happy Valley, as well,” said Graves. “It’s a good idea, and we’ve made improvements to make sure fulfillment and printing are totally dialed in.”

The shirts were initially printed at Printforia, but are now printed at Print Lab in Washougal. The shirts were designed by Tolo Tuitele, of Fuel Medical.

“I’m still excited about it, and I think we should do another run,” said Locke.

Graves wants to build on what they started.

“Now, we’ll start having fulfillment done so I can work on more designs,” said Graves. “We will have an Robert F. Kennedy shirt and other people that have said something worth knowing and remembering.”

Go to www.shirtsforcamas.com to order yours.

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Inslee Issues Series of Rollback Orders on Several Businesses Statewide

OLYMPIA — Governor Jay Inslee announced Thursday a series of rollbacks and restrictions on bars, restaurants, fitness centers, weddings and funerals as new confirmed coronavirus cases continue to rise statewide.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the changes:

Weddings and funerals — Effective Aug. 6

  • Receptions are prohibited (ceremonies permitted)
  • Occupancy is limited to 20 percent capacity or 30 people, whichever is less. People must be able to maintain physical distance of six feet.

Restaurants and bars — Effective July 30

  • Alcohol sales must end at 10 pm
  • Table size reduced to five people and total occupancy to 50 percent capacity in phase 3
  • Game areas must close
  • Bars will close indoor service
  • Limiting indoor dining at restaurants to members of the same household. People meeting from different households can still dine outdoors.
  • No indoor service at any bar, brewery, tavern, winery or distillery, regardless of whether food is being served.
  • For counties in the third phase of the four-part plan, restaurant table sizes must be reduced to five people, and indoor occupancy to 50 percent.
  • Restaurants must also close down game areas, such as for video games, pool tables and darts, until their county has reached the fourth phase.

Gyms and fitness centers — Effective July 30

  • Phase 2: Indoor fitness services limited to 5 people (not including trainers and staff)
  • Phase 3: Total occupancy limited to 25 percent capacity

“We do not take these steps lightly,” Inslee said. “We know every prohibition is a challenge for individuals and business owners. But we know that if we fail to act, we will expose thousands of people.”

Inslee
www.artfuljuxtaposition.com

Secretary of Health John Weisman also announced today new guidance on face mask requirements.

His new order mandates that face coverings are worn in all indoor common areas, not just public spaces. His new mandate includes elevators, hallways, apartment buildings, college dormitories, hotels, motels, universities, assisted-living facilities and adult family homes.

The new mask mandate goes into effect Saturday.

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A Beer at a Time Temporarily Closes After Customer Drives Through Wall

Camas, Wa — A Beer at a Time is temporarily closing its doors after its west side wall was hit by a car  over the weekend.

“A 15 year-old driver, with her learner’s permit, thought her car was in park, but it was in drive so she went through the side of the building,” said A Beer at a Time’s owner, Shelby Piersol. “Her mom was with her. We bordered up the hole and decided it was best to close until it’s inspected by a structural engineer. I would be devastated if our customers or employees got hurt.”

The car punched a hole through the brick wall, but nobody was hurt. 

Piersol doesn’t have an estimated timeline on the inspection, repairs or when the popular craft beer taproom will reopen.

“Our biggest concern is public safety,” said Piersol. “Our customers have sustained us through the pandemic and we hope to reopen as soon as possible. I hope in 20 years she’ll look back on this and laugh. Their family is one of great customers.”

Beer
www.artfuljuxtaposition.com
Beer
Punched hole in the wall.
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ERC Report: Retail Trade Helps Lead Washington’s Economic Recovery

This past month, Washington state revenue collections came in $260 million higher than the June forecast, according to a Economic and Revenue Forecast Council report.  The higher collections are not due to deferred payments being paid back (as those came in on target), but show greater economic activity, primarily in retail trade.  

A key part of the economic report says:

Non-retail trade payments were down about 20%, similar to the forecasted decline in total collections for the period. During May, a majority of counties reached Phase 2 of the state’s pandemic reopening plan, which allowed non-essential retail establishments to open on a limited basis. In June, most of the remaining counties reached Phase 2 and several reached Phase 3, so next month’s retail trade activity could also be higher than forecasted. It remains to be seen, however, if the higher activity is sustainable or if it represents a one-time response to several months of pent-up demand.   

  • U.S. employment increased by 4.8 million jobs in June; the unemployment rate declined to 11.1%.
  • Light vehicle sales improved for a second straight month but remain 24.1% below June 2019 levels.
  • Housing units authorized by building permits and housing starts both increased in May but were below May 2019 levels.
  • Washington employment continued to recover in June following the historic decline in April.
  • Washington manufacturing activity improved in June for the first time since February.
  • Major General Fund-State (GF-S) revenue collections for the June 11 – July 10, 2020 collection period came in $260.7 million (14.8%) higher than the June forecast.
  • Revenue Act tax collections were $247.0 million (19.7%) higher than forecasted and other tracked revenue came in $13.6 million (2.7%) higher than forecasted.
  • Most of this month’s surplus was from higher-than-expected taxable economic activity in retail trade, the result of the allowed May opening of non-essential retail establishments in a majority of counties. While increased June openings may bring another month of stronger-than-expected activity, it remains to be seen if the activity is sustainable or merely a temporary release of pent-up demand.

“I see people in our district working hard everyday to bring their businesses back to pre-COVID-19 levels, and this report shows the results of so many efforts,” said Senator Ann Rivers, 18th Legislative District. “I support them, and we need to keep a balance in our state as we continue to recover from the effects of this pandemic.”

Employment Outlook

The council has just one month of new Washington employment data since the June forecast was released. The report says employment continued to recover in June following the historic decline in April. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose 86,500 (seasonally adjusted) in June, which was 34,600 more than expected in the June forecast. Private services-providing sectors added 74,600 jobs in June. Construction employment increased by 10,100 jobs and manufacturing added 1,700 jobs despite the loss of 3,000 aerospace jobs. Government payrolls were unchanged in June. Washington’s unemployment rate declined to 9.8% in June from 15.1% in May and 16.3% in April. The April rate was an all-time high in the series that dates back to 1976.

Tax Payments

The report also says total tax payments as of July 2 from electronic filers who also filed returns for May activity in the June 11 – July 10, 2019 period were down 9.0% year over year (payments are mainly Revenue Act taxes but include some non-Revenue Act taxes as well). Last month payments were down 14.4% year over year. Some details of the payments:

  • Total payments in the retail trade sector increased 6.3% year over year. Last month, payments were down 7.1% year over year.
  • Payments from the motor vehicles and parts sector were down 4.1% year over year. Last month, payments in the sector dropped 54.3% year over year.
  • Retail trade sectors showing strong year-over- year growth were miscellaneous retailers (+77.8%), electronics and appliances (+32.2%), nonstore retailers (+28.9%) and building materials and garden supplies (+12.4%).
Economic
www.electlarryhoff.com
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Doing Business During a Pandemic: Dave Sobolik’s Story

Everyone has had to adjust to life during the COVID-19 pandemic. For some it’s been incredibly challenging, and for others it hasn’t, but everyone’s had to make changes.

Meet Dave Sobolik, a local real estate investor with Homevisor (website: www.homevisor.pro) whose work life was turned upside down when Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order went into effect in March. The order halted all residential construction, and limited how real estate brokers conduct business.

“In Washington, we can show houses, but we have to call a few hours in advance, because they don’t want people crossing paths,” he said. “I can show clients of a party of two, but one at a time. I can take one through the property practicing social distancing. There are notes saying ‘don’t touch anything, leave shoes at doorways, wear masks,’ etc.”

And, like so many others, Sobolik just stayed home during the quarantine.

“A big part of my time was spent connecting with people in my sphere to check in and see how everyone is doing,” Sobolik said. “I like to do whatever I can to help with their needs. I have offered to do grocery shopping for people. Anybody who needs something I pair them up. I did a lot of research for clients.”

Creatively, as a small business owner, he worried about tenants who weren’t able to pay rent so he reached out to local business owners and community members to record their experiences. It became a fascinating video series — available on his personal Facebook page.

“I call it the SOB Experience. I don’t want to offend anybody I just want to draw attention to what they’re doing. I’m doing 5-15 interviews with each of these people. I released an interview with Jeff Snell, Superintendent of Camas Schools. And, the whole purpose was to get behind the scenes. I’ve interviewed local fitness instructors and therapists. There are many people being creative on how to keep their doors opens. I hope to create awareness.”

The experience, and temporary change of pace, taught Sobolik a lot.

“I’ve learned lots of things,” he said. “Namely, the strength of the human spirit. I’ve had 175 people that I reached out to over three to four weeks.”

And, he found that people are in three buckets:

  1. People who are financially secure that are enjoying their home time, and enjoying this increased focus on family time.
  2. People with short-term income loss, or permanent income loss, who are determined to use this time to improve themselves and are very positive thinking. 
  3. People who lost their job who have no savings and don’t know what to do next, and are in a fear and retreat space. 

“Technology helps us cope,” said Sobolik. “Thank goodness for that. We have to help people, lift them up. Let me know we care.”

Sobolik
www.vixoncabinets.com
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Inslee Addresses Face Masks, Virus Spikes, Returning to ‘Where We Were in March’

OLYMPIA, WA — Governor Jay Inslee on Tuesday reaffirmed his support for the updated face covering mandate, which requires businesses to refuse service to any customer not wearing one, saying it will help curb growing COVID-19 infections rates, which have been reported as spiking throughout the state.

Inslee made his comments during an afternoon news conference and was joined remotely by Dr. Kathy Lofy, the state’s public health officer during the session.

“It’s hard to believe how far we have come, and we’re only half way through 2020,” Inslee said. “This fight has been tough, it’s been unpredictable. And we know it has been very tiring for all of us — for our families, for our workers and our businesses, as well. Last week, I announced a pause on reopening phases because of the increasing COVID-19 activity … We have made progress in this fight and that’s good news. I want to reopen our economy. I want to reopen our businesses. I want for people to be able to go back to work.”

Some highlights from the address:
• Regarding COVID-19 spikes: “If these trends were to continue we could have to be prepared to go back to where we were in March. But, there is good news: We have made great progress in this fight but there is more to do …”
• Some other points Inslee made: “The rate of positivity is increasing in regions. It had been at 3.8% but now it’s at 5% or higher. According to the WHO, if it’s higher than 5% a country shouldn’t lift restrictions. We will keep that in mind.”
• The state is imposing a two-week pause on all county requests to advance to a higher phase.
• Some counties still in phase 1 would be allowed to move to a modified version of phase 1, allowing for private construction projects to resume and more customers can be served at restaurants and bars. The order will apply to Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties.
• He also blasted President Trump several times: “We have a president who tries to deceive Americans about this topic. Six days ago he said this virus is going away. He said a version of that 19 times. This virus will only go away if we make it go away.”
• Bar service would be removed for those counties in phase 3, although establishments can still provide bar seating areas for their customers.
• In response to a reporter regarding cases spiking, he said: “We might have to go back and close some of these businesses, and we do not want to do that. We want to continue opening.”

Inslee
www.electlarryhoff.com
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Innovation During a Pandemic: The Arktana Live Stream Viral Watch Party

What came about as an idea to expand their business, Arktana is bringing product to the people— quarantine style.

“We’ve worked through this pandemic as best we can but we needed to do something different before we get to Phase 2,” said Ann Matthews, owner of Arktana.

So, what is it?

The party requires an enthusiastic leader who lets Arktana deliver their products to their driveway or backyard.

Once the store’s live event begins, these quarantine pods can touch and feel product while team Arktana livestreams the event at their store.

“It gives our customers the opportunity to touch and feel product during the live feed and order on the spot through the website: www.arktana.com and if the item happens to be on the rack at that time they can take it home.”

It’s an idea that is starting off with a bang. The next watch party is scheduled for Friday at 5:30.

Tune in a their Facebook page to watch!

If you’d like to host your own watch party, contact Ann at ann@arktana.com

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New Rules: Businesses Defying Closure Orders Can Be Cited, Fined

TUMWATER, WA — Washington businesses that decide to open or operate in direct violation of Gov. Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order may be cited and fined for unsafe workplace conditions under emergency rules filed today by the state Department of Labor & Industries. L&I filed these new rules at the direction of Inslee.

”The closure order and the Safe Start Plan to reopen businesses are in place to keep workers and the public safe and to prevent the spread of the easily transmissible coronavirus,” said L&I in a statement today.

The emergency rules take effect immediately. They give the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) the authority to cite businesses for being open or for operating in a way that is purposely defying the phased-in approach and, as a result, putting their workers at risk.

“We’re all in this together, and most businesses are doing the right thing for our state and our communities. Unfortunately, there are some that are choosing not to,” said L&I Director Joel Sacks. “The coronavirus is a known workplace hazard and businesses must follow the requirements to keep their workers and the public safe.”

Protecting Worker Safety

L&I said they will work with the state Emergency Operations Center to take in and respond to complaints about businesses that are operating illegally. If employers are found to be defying the Governor’s order, they’ll be informed and directed to close or adjust operations immediately. If they do not, they’ll face a workplace safety citation that could carry a fine of nearly $10,000 or more.

Along with contacting businesses by phone and in writing, L&I will perform in-person spot checks on some of the businesses to make sure they are following through and complying with the Safe Start requirements.

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