The Bishop Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a new grant program to benefit small businesses in Bishop that have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to a generous private donor, an emergency fund has been established with $20,000 available to provide immediate financial assistance.
All businesses with a physical location inside Bishop City limits are eligible to apply online at www.bishopchamberofcommerce.com. All applications will be reviewed and scored by a committee utilizing a two-stage process to ensure equality and fairness.
It is important to note that unlike the SBA programs, this is not a first-come, first-served application process. Applications will open on May 6th and close on May 17th , 2020. All applications will be reviewed after the close date and funds will be awarded by the end of this month.
“We know $20,000 won’t be able to help everyone; however, we are very grateful to the private donor that allowed us to establish this program,” states Tawni Thomson, Executive Director of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce. “If there are individuals or businesses that would like to contribute to grow the fund, donations in any amount would be welcome.”
Questions regarding the application or additional contributions should be directed to the Bishop Chamber of Commerce via email – execdir@bishopvisitor.com.
Heavy water flow in the Owens River leaves no choice but to cancel the derby.
Posted by Seth Conners
According to Tawni Thomson, The Bishop Chamber of Commerce regrettably announces cancellation of the 2017 Blake Jones Trout Derby which was scheduled for March 11th. A unique set of circumstances beyond the chamber’s control led to the decision.
On Friday, February 24th Los Angeles Department of Water and Power rescinded its permission to hold the event at Pleasant Valley Reservoir due to public safety concerns. Strong winter storms have caused extremely high water level in the reservoir and dangerously high water flows in the Owens River. The chamber immediately began working with LADWP, Inyo County, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife seeking other options. Millpond was suggested as a safe alternative; however, on Monday, February 27th CADFW informed the Bishop Chamber that Millpond is not a viable location. According to CADFW regulations, Millpond is not open to trout fishing this time of year.
“Since LADWP issued the public safety warning for PVR and the Owens River, and no safe alternative is available, the Chamber’s Executive Committee has no choice, but to cancel the event for this year,” explains Tawni Thomson, Bishop Chamber CEO.
This is not a decision taken lightly. The chamber had been making plans for many months and invested several thousand dollars in advertising and prizes. They also understand the financial impact to the local economy; however public safety must be the highest priority.
The 2017 event was to be the 50th Annual Blake Jones Trout Derby and the Bishop Chamber had many new and fun activities planned to celebrate the milestone. “We’ve decided not to view this as a total cancellation. We will still have the 50th Anniversary, it will just be in 2018,” says April Leeson, Chamber Event Coordinator.
While the chamber is disappointed, they are not upset with LADWP or CADFW. “It was wonderful to see representatives from all agencies working so hard to try to save the derby,” Thomson states. “We really appreciate everyone’s suggestions and sincere efforts.”
Preregistered derby contestants will have all fees returned. “It will take us a few weeks to process the refunds and we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding,” explains Thomson.
A moment of silence will be part of an acknowledgement by the Bishop City Council tonight. The regular meeting of the Bishop City Council will include a time to honor the late businessman for his contributions to the community. Wilson’s Eastside Sports has been a pillar of Main Street Bishop for decades. The tribute to James Wilson is scheduled to take place directly after the council begins the open session portion of their meeting tonight at 6pm. The Bishop City Council meets in their chambers at 301 west line street.
Tonight’s (Monday, July 27th) agenda includes a closed session at 5pm for labor negotiations followed by the open session. The Inyo County Planning Department will make a presentation on the North Sierra Highway Corridor plan. The department heads will make presentations to the council and Executive Director Tawni Thomson will present the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau update. Under new business, the Bishop City Council will consider the approval of changing two parking spaces on East South Street from unrestricted to 24 minute parking. The council will also be asked to approve the city’s official response to the Grand Jury Report relating to the annual inspection of the Bishop Police Department.
Following tonight’s meeting the next regular meeting of the Bishop City Council will be held on Monday, August 10th.
bishop city council, bishop california, bishop police department, james wilson, inyo county planning department, bishop chamber of commerce
The Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce will host “Taste of the Sierra” this Friday, May 1st. Many of the area’s finest restaurants, bakeries and caterers will offer samples of delicious cuisine from 6pm until 9pm. For only a $25 donation, you’ll enjoy unlimited samples of scrumptious food and receive two beverage tickets good for beer, wine or soda. Fifteen exhibitors have registered, so you can count on a wonderful variety of tasty treats. “A Taste of the Sierra” is always great fun and it’s an important fundraiser for the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. Everyone is invited and we hope to see you there! The “Taste” event will be held in conjunction with the first night of the Home Show, so be sure to stroll through the exhibits to see the latest & greatest products & services for your home.
bishop news, bishop chamber of commerce, eastern sierra news
White Mountain Visitor Center Temporarily Closing for Re-Design
The White Mountain Visitor Center, located in Bishop, California, is temporarily closing for a re-design. The visitor center will close after business hours on April 3, 2015.
The redesign is expected to take three weeks to complete. The visitor center should re-open by April 27th, 2015. In the interim, visitor center staff will be partnering with the Bishop Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center to continue to provide information services, issue permits, etc.
The re-design is much needed. A new visitor services desk, shelving, flooring and paint are part of the effort to more efficiently use space in this small, but busy, visitor center to provide better services to our visitors. Many of the furnishings and flooring date back to the late 1970s.
The Inyo National Forest would like to thank the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) for donating part of the funds for the re-design and the Bishop Chamber of Commerce for sharing their space to ensure visitors to the Eastern Sierra continue to receive the range of information and services while the work is completed.
bishop news, us forest service, bishop chamber of commerce
A Benefit Sale for Round Fire Relief Efforts is this Weekend
Organizers will give victims one last chance to pick up donated items before the sale Saturday and Sunday.
According to the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, the morning after the Round Fire generous donors began dropping off donations of clothing, shoes, bedding, toiletries and other items to aid those displaced from Paradise and Swall Meadows. The fire claimed one home in Paradise and numerous homes in Swall Meadows.
The Salvation Army, Tri-County Fairgrounds, Bishop Chamber and many devoted volunteers have been working diligently for weeks to sort and display the items. Dozens of families have picked up items and expressed true gratitude.
The outpouring of support has been phenomenal – so much so that more items have been collected than can possibly be used by the fire families.
Organizers will hold a “Community Benefit” sale with the remaining items this weekend at the Home Economics Building, Tri-County Fairgrounds. Proceeds from the sale will benefit both the local Salvation Army and the Round Fire Relief Fund. Hours for the Community Benefit Sale will be Saturday, March 7th, 9am until 6pm and Sunday, March 8th, 12noon until 4pm. Only cash and checks will be accepted.
Organizers indicate that the sale will feature an amazing selection of clothing for men, women & children; shoes of all sizes and so much more! All proceeds will benefit both the Salvation Army and the Round Fire Relief Fund.
eastern sierra news, bishop news, salvation army, round fire, bishop chamber of commerce
From the Bishop Chamber of Commerce: The Bishop Chamber of Commerce has heard from citizens, visitors, business & property owners that some downtown Bishop buildings might benefit from a little “sprucing up.” They’ve also heard that money for capital improvements is often hard to come by and that’s why the Bishop Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce this new project!
Thanks to a generous anonymous local sponsor, the chamber is offering a grant program to pay for upgrades for downtown Bishop storefronts.
The Bishop Building Improvement Program (BBIP) will provide funds through a simple grant application process. For the current 2014/2015 cycle, BBIP will allocate $7,500 to fund projects that may include paint, lighting, new canopies or awnings, signs or other cosmetic upgrades and repairs to buildings within the downtown Bishop commercial district.
Approved projects may be funded entirely or may be used with matching funds. Eligible applicants may be property owners or business tenants, with owner’s approval, located within the historic core of downtown Bishop.
Details about the program and application materials are now available on the chamber’s website www.bishopvisitor.com. Hard copies may be picked up at the Bishop Chamber Office – 690 N. Main and at Bishop City Hall – 377 W. Line Street.
For more information, contact the Bishop Chamber (760)873-8405
bishop news, bishop chamber of commerce, eastern sierra news
Sign Up Now to Participate in Bishop’s Community Christmas Events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
We’ve turned the calendar page to November and that means the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce is already busy planning several events to ring in the holiday season. They are seeking your participation.
On Friday night, December 5th, everyone is invited to the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Bishop City Park. Festivities will include hot chocolate & cookies, carolers and a visit from Santa! Following the tree lighting, shoppers can get a great start on Christmas Shopping by taking a stroll downtown through the Street of Lights. Many businesses will be open late, and shoppers will have a chance to win great raffle prizes by having the official Street of Lights map stamped by participating merchants.
On Saturday, December 6th the annual Christmas Parade will celebrate the theme “Connecting Christmas Past with Christmas Future.” Now is the time to register your float, car, waking or equestrian group.
It is free and easy to join in the Home & Business Decorating Contest. Once your decorations are up, simply give the Chamber a call to sign up or nominate a location. They’ll come out and take pictures and upload to the Chamber Facebook page then winners will be determined by “likes.”
The Bishop Area Chamber extends an invitation to everyone to join in these fun and important community events. Please mark your calendars now.
For more information or to sign-up, please drop by the chamber office at 690 North Main Street, or telephone April at (760) 873-8405.
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Bishop / Christmas / Holiday Season / Eastern Sierra / Bishop Chamber of Commerce / Tree Lighting / Parade / 2014
And, Marian (with her sons) painted the water tower in Lone Pine…
Lone Pine AltaOne FCU Branch Manager, Marian– and her sons, helped paint the Gateway to the Eastern Sierra Water Tower
Plus, they record their own commercials…
AltaOne FCU Branch Managers, Corinna of Bishop and Marian of Lone Pine, work together to record their new commercial with KIBS KBOV Radio. Click for the Imagine Sweepstakes through Oct. 15th.
AltaOne members can now access some of the most cutting-edge technological tools to help manage their finances — MSC Online, mobile apps, BudgetPro, BillPayer, Popmoney, etc. Outside the AltaOne world, technology continues to explode. Products such as Google Glass — the amazing eyewear that conducts Google searches, snaps photos and videos and tracks trending news — are already here.
Let us take a gander at what other items are on the horizon that are destined to “wow” the world.
The “Eye-Witness”
The Eye-Witness
A portable retinascanner may soon be available to help fight identity theft and protect your personal security. The tiny device is only 5″ long x 3.5″ wide. The scanners can be used by financial institutions to identity members conducting transactions in an efficient and unassuming manner. Look for these devices to really take off when the technology is incorporated into a smartphone.
The Six-Million-Dollar … Finger?
Bionic Fingers Could Help Humans Get a Grip
How annoyed do you get when you realize the beer bottle is not a twist-off and you cannot find a bottle opener? Introducing “bionic fingers.”
These robotic devices, which are still just prototypes, simplify such tasks as peeling a banana and unscrewing bottle caps. Developed by MIT researchers, users wear the “supernumerary robotic fingers” on the wrist. The device is equipped with two “fingers” that move in-sync with the real fingers.
Too Much Scale?
As if stepping on a scale is not difficult enough for some folks. Now there is a scale that not only displays your weight — it also discloses your body mass index, heart rate and fat mass.
The Withings Smart Body Analyzer is quite the know-it-all. The $150 device also knows the indoorair qualityand room temperature.
We will be far more impressed if the scale can tactfully recommend the right diet for users, as well.
Holographic Telepresence
Holographic Telepresence – Well, that’s a little creepy.
Just when we learned how to use video conferencing tools, the next incarnation has already arrived — holographic video conferencing.
“Holographic telepresence” transmits a 3-D moving image to each destination – giving the appearance that you are actually in the room with your associates.
The technology already exists for other purposes. For example, it has recreated deceased rapper Tupac Shakur’s image for a music festival.
The Polish company Leia (named after the Star Wars’ Princess Leia), has produced the Leia Display XL, which projects images onto a cloud of water vapor. This technology is destined to achieve widespread popularity. Expect to see it marketed within about a year.
