Tag: Coronavirus

Local Restaurant Servers Optimistic Despite Pandemic’s Impact

December 14th, 2020

One week ago, the National Restaurant Association sent a letter to Congressional leadership emphasizing that the restaurant industry needs assistance.

According to the letter, “more than 500,000 restaurants of every business type – franchise, chain, and independent – are in economic free fall.”

Eighty-seven percent of full-service restaurants (independent, chain, and franchise) report an average 36% drop in sales revenue, according to the survey.

6Smith Server Amanda Arnold and her dog Charlie

And with every restaurant trying to make ends meet, there are dozens of employees impacted.

“Although the restaurant certainly suffered lost revenue, my hours were not impacted during the summer months as 6Smith has a gorgeous lakeside patio and rooftop bar for outdoor dining,” said 6Smith server and Wayzata resident Amanda Arnold. “However, as summer came to an end and things moved back to limited indoor dining, my hours were drastically reduced. The combination of restrictions on indoor dining capacity along with a seasonal reduction in business levels (which is to be expected during the fall months at a lakeside restaurant) reduced my hours from a full time forty hour per week schedule to a part time fifteen hour per week schedule.”

Arnold moved to Minnesota from Colorado and her job in the service industry is not just a gig, it is a career and a passion.

“I have been in the service industry for almost fifteen years. Not only do I love doing what I do, I am also very good at it,” said Arnold. “I have a double major in Accounting and Finance and paid for my Bachelors Degree with the money I made waiting tables. After college, I spent two years as an auditor in public accounting and quickly came to terms with the reality that I was miserable. My return to the service industry was one of the best decisions I made and I am not considering another occupation anytime soon. Furthermore, it took years of hard work to get where I am in this industry, including tenure at the Ritz Carlton in Denver and years working at fine dining establishments in Aspen, Colorado.”

Amanda Arnold & Cam Schaefer

Arnold’s boyfriend, Cam Schaefer, also works at 6Smith.

“And just as 6smith relies on us to deliver a fantastic experience to our fabulous guests, we rely on 6smith not only for income but for a sense of family and community,” said Schaefer. “6smith has been feeding all of its employees and their families throughout the shutdown, via a daily meal available for pickup around lunchtime. It is this spirit which makes me proud to be an employee. ‘We are all in this together’ – that’s our motto this pandemic. “

Despite of the challenges facing the service industry, Schaefer, like Arnold, would not want to work in a different industry.

“Absolutely not,” said Schaefer. “Being a career server at a high-end establishment is not something you stumble into. It took years of hard work to get to where I am at.”

Unemployment has helped, but it only goes so far.

“I am currently using unemployment,” said Arnold. “Although the money I receive is only a small fraction of what I make at 6Smith, it is just enough to pay my bills and feed my family until the restaurant is able to reopen for indoor dining. However, many of my coworkers that have mortgages, car payments, and children are in a more precarious predicament.”

Both Arnold and Schaefer understand the health concerns that led to the current restrictions on Minnesota restaurants, but they believe more needs to be done to support the establishments.

“It would be nice if Congress passed a bill to provide stimulus for those in need as state unemployment is not enough for many,” said Arnold.

Until then, shop local and support local.

“You have heard it a million times but it couldn’t be more true! Support local! Buy gift-cards, order takeout, tip well,” said Schaefer.

“Restaurants may be temporarily closed for indoor dining but they are still open for takeout. You can support your local businesses by ordering your favorite food curbside,” said Arnold. “If takeout food isn’t for you, purchase some gift cards! For every $100 you spend on gift cards at 6Smith you will receive a free $25 gift card for yourself this holiday season. Once we reopen, get excited, make a reservation, and let us do what we do best which is providing an exceptional dining experience.”

6Smith Server Amanda Arnold and her dog Charlie

“I feel lucky and blessed to be where I am,” said Schaefer. “I live here in Wayzata, a town that I have come to adore, with my beautiful girlfriend Amanda and her doodle Charlie. I ride my bike to work every day, along Minnetonka’s glistening shores. I work outside almost every day all summer and get to connect with so many of you. I couldn’t be prouder of the way you are all handling this pandemic! In spite of everything you all come to our restaurant in great spirits and share your wonderful energy with all of us. Minnesota you are fabulous and thank you for taking care of us! People helping people, it’s a beautiful thing.”
Gov. Unveils Tougher COVID-19 Restrictions: Bars & Restaurants, Health Clubs, Youth Sports Impacted

November 19th, 2020
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared new restrictions on Wednesday in response to the escalating and concerning spread of COVID-19.

Walz declared that starting midnight on Friday, indoor service at bars and restaurants would no longer be permitted.

Other restrictions include:
- Social gatherings outside of the household prohibited.
- Health clubs will be closed to the public.
- Youth sports prohibited.
- Entertainment venues like bowling alleys will be closed to the public.
- Wedding receptions and life celebrations are on hold.
- Out-of-state travel is discouraged.
The new executive order is set to last until Dec. 18.

Below is a portion of the executive order. You can read it in its entirety here:

https://mn.gov/governor/assets/EO%2020-99%20Final%20%28002%29_tcm1055-454239.pdf

Social gatherings prohibited.

Except as specifically permitted in this Executive Order, social gatherings are prohibited. Social gatherings are groups of individuals, who are not members of the same household, congregated together for a common or coordinated social, community, or leisure purpose—even if social distancing can be maintained. This prohibition includes indoor and outdoor gatherings, planned and spontaneous gatherings, and public and private gatherings. Organizers of prohibited social gatherings may be subject to appropriate enforcement action by city, county, and/or state authorities pursuant to paragraph 10 of this Executive Order.

Certain Places of Public Accommodation Closed to Members of the Public.

The following Places of Public Accommodation are closed to members of the public as set forth below. “Members of the public” means people who are not workers affiliated with the Place of Public Accommodation. A. Restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, bars, taverns, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, brewer taprooms, micro distiller cocktail rooms, tasting rooms, wineries, cideries, clubhouses, dining clubs, tobacco product shops, hookah bars, cigar bars, vaping lounges, and other Places of Public Accommodation offering food, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), or tobacco products for on-premises consumption are closed to ingress, egress, use, and occupancy by members of the public, except as set forth below.

The above establishments may, and are encouraged to, offer food and beverage using delivery services, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service, or drive-up service. In offering food or beverage service under this paragraph, a Place of Public Accommodation may permit up to five members of the public at one time in the place of public accommodation for the purpose of picking up their food or beverage orders.

Organized Youth Sports.

Organized Youth Sports organizations and programs must stop all in-person activities—including practices, group workouts, games, and tournaments. i. “Organized Youth Sports” means any sports activity, where participants are children or adolescents, organized by an entity, association, club, or organization providing for registration of participants and oversight on a regular basis for a defined period of time. Sports activities within this definition include all sports offered by schools (public and nonpublic), the Minnesota State High School League, or similar organizations, as well as dance, cheerleading, and other sports traditionally offered by supplemental associations or organizations.

Celebrations and receptions.

Individuals, venues, and businesses must not host celebrations, receptions, private parties, or other social gatherings, including but not limited to those connected to weddings, funerals, life milestones (such as birthdays or retirements), family reunions, planned religious services, and other similar occasions.
Wayzata Teen Battles Severe COVID Complications

November 10th, 2020

Wayzata is a terrific community. If you need a reminder, just ask Wayzata resident Sarah Winston.

Ella Winston, Courtesy GoFundMe

Her 17-year-old daughter Ella, a senior at Wayzata High School, contracted COVID-19. At first blush, knowing the disease is worse for older folks and those with underlying health conditions, you’d think Ella, a young, healthy person would have no problem. But this was not the case.

“She is a healthy, student athlete who has a zest for life and loves to dance,” said Sarah Winston. “She is sweet, kind, caring, thoughtful, loving, funny, driven, and hardworking, to name a few.”

Sarah and Ella Winston, Courtesy GoFundMe

Ella tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday Oct. 30. She was later admitted to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis two days later.

The next morning, she was moved to ICU because of major complications she had fighting the disease.

Initially, she had a severe cough, sore throat, vomiting, chest pain and a temperature of 104.5 degrees.

Doctors quickly identified that she also had kidney failure.

On Day 5 in ICU, as if Sarah Winston didn’t have enough on her mind, she found out that insurance was not going to cover her daughter’s hospitalization. You see, Sarah is a single mom of three children.

Despite Sarah, initial resistance, a good friend, Jen Rasmussen, had an idea. She suggested they start a GoFundMe page to help raise the necessary funds to cover Ella’s medical expenses.

Meanwhile, doctor’s worked to stabilize Ella’s blood pressure – it was too low after battling COVID and an infection. Fortunately, as her blood pressure went up, her temperature was going down.

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the Winstons learned Ella had a bacterial staph infection. Ella was fighting multiple fronts. Ella was also put on oxygen because those levels were too low.

Although she had severe mouth and throat pain, her blood pressure and oxygen levels stabilized and it seemed like her body was better able to fight the infection with the help of antibiotics.

As Ella fought, her mother was right there with her, sleeping at the hospital, not leaving her side. As Sarah prayed for her daughter’s recovery, she reminded Ella that she was not alone.

“I’ve prayed every night, as I know others have, (she has an army of prayer warriors) that she heals and gets better with each new day,” said Winston. “I have also prayed each night that no one else has to go through the awful suffering that she has.”

Unfortunately, Ella has been diagnosed with myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, but she is steadily improving. Just another obstacle for her to overcome.

She has Facetimed her friends – a sure sign this teen is feeling a bit better.

Her message to other parents is to follow the CDC guidelines and keep their children home after being exposed by someone who tested positive. She believes things would be different if proper precautions were taken.

“My own daughter would not have been exposed and she would not have ended up in the ICU with COVID turned to pneumonia, heart failure, kidney failure, liver distress, along with a staph bacterial infection, just to name a few issues she’s dealing with. I don’t wish this onto anyone.”

Back to the GoFundMe page that Rasmussen convinced Sarah Winston to do. Within two days of launching, the fundraiser had totaled more than $100,000 out of a $150,000 goal. And we’re not talking about a handful of big donations, this was truly grass roots. To date, there were roughly 2,000 separate donations with only a handful over the $1,000 mark.

“Overwhelming, to put it lightly,” said Winston. “We feel beyond blessed and thankful for the outpouring of love, prayers and well wishes.”

It doesn’t necessarily take a horrific situation like the one the Winston’s are enduring to remind us how great the Wayzata community is. But a situation like this does a great job of shining a light on that fact.

You can find out more about the GoFundMe fundraiser for Ella here.
Wayzata Schools To Present Hybrid Learning Plan To School Board

August 6th, 2020

In a letter to Wayzata Public Schools families and staff, Superintendent Chace Anderson announced that the school district will present a hybrid learning plan to school board members next week.

Below is the text the school district sent out in an email Thursday afternoon.

Dear WPS Families and Staff,

I am pleased to share Wayzata Learns—A flexible plan for the 2020-21 school year. Safe learning is at the heart of our planning for the 2020-21 school year. One thing the virus is teaching us all is to be flexible. This plan reflects that flexibility, preparing us for the possibility of in-person learning and the necessity of distance learning as the year progresses.

Based on the current trends of COVID-19 in our community, we are proposing to practice safety by beginning the year with hybrid learning. Our Wayzata Distance Choice scenario is an option for families who are not comfortable with hybrid or in-person learning.

The Wayzata Learns plan is being presented to the Wayzata School Board at a Work Session today at 4 p.m. A link to the meeting can be found on our online District Calendar.

Please share your feedback by completing the survey that can be found in the Wayzata Learns plan no later than noon on Saturday, August 8. The Board is planning to take action on a recommendation at its August 10 regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Thank you again for your continued support, patience and understanding as we do our very best to plan for the 2020-21 school year.

Sincerely,

Chace B. Anderson

Superintendent

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Gov. Tim Walz announced last week that individual Minnesota public school districts will determine their own instruction plans for the upcoming school year as a part of the Safe Learning Plan.

COVID-19 cases in each school district will impact how school districts determine the plan for fall.

Gov. Tim Walz at news conference July 30, 2020

The State of Minnesota recommends the following learning models according to the number of COVID-19 cases.

These are recommendations that are given to the individual school districts to help determine what is best for their students and staff.

There were basically three options on the table: 1.) Students return to class full time, 2.) Students return to class part time and do distance learning part time, 3.) Students do only distance learning.

According to a recent survey of families done by the Wayzata school district, more than half of parents interviewed were either very comfortable or comfortable with in-person instruction.

Meanwhile, more than half of school district staff stated they were very comfortable or comfortable in returning to their school/work location this fall according to a school district survey.

RELATED CONTENT: Back To School: What Will It Look Like For Wayzata Schools?
Back To School: What Will It Look Like For Wayzata School District?

July 27th, 2020

No doubt, the biggest question on the minds of Minnesota parents is whether public schools will open back up in the fall.

The state should be releasing guidelines soon. Those guidelines will need to be followed by the school.

There are three options: 1.) Students return to class fulltime, 2.) Students return to class part time and do distance learning part time, 3.) Students do only distance learning.

“The best scenario is what is in the best interest of our students, families and staff,” said Wayzata School District Superintendent Chace Anderson. “The pandemic is an ever-changing situation and what may be a preference today can change tomorrow. We are learning right now from other schools across the country that are opening and others that will remain closed. We will be prepared for all of the scenarios in the event one or all of them need to be implemented.”

Kim Anderson and family live in Wayzata

This past spring parents needed to quickly switch gears as their students adapted to distance learning.

“We probably were thriving at it three days in total and the rest of the time, simply surviving it,” said Kim Anderson, Wayzata resident and mother of three students in the Wayzata School District.

Anderson said she, her husband and kids were committed to sticking with the online program.

Anderson family e-learning chart

“When things were starting to go off the rails, we stopped and took a break, went outside, rode bikes, got some fresh air,” said Anderson. “I knew in the back of my mind that we were in it for the long haul and I wasn’t willing to fight and get frustrated over getting it done when I knew how hard this was on them and us.”

Wayzata Public Schools Superintendent Chace Anderson

“We learned a lot from our distance learning last year and believe we will be even better capable to continue distance learning if needed this year,” said Chace Anderson. “As for in-person learning, we have been working throughout the summer with our staff to make sure we will have the safest environment for learning given the circumstances. A team of 40 staff from across the district are in the midst of planning for each of the scenarios that may be directed by the state and will be sharing more information with families and staff in early August.”

“Parents in the district have been reaching out to me, to other school board members, to principals and to the superintendent, in a variety of combinations, to articulate their hopes and concerns for the upcoming school year,” said Wayzata Public Schools Board Member Seanne Falconer. “These parent communications have been invaluable in bringing to light nuanced issues and offering novel solutions and I really appreciate that they’ve connected with me. I’ve kept a log of them as well as passed them all on to Dr. Anderson and his team who are building out the plans for every possible learning scenario.”

Wayzata Public Schools Board Member Seanne Falconer

“As a working parent of two young grade-schoolers, I’ve heard from many parents who are in my family’s exact same situation who offered very different ideas of what the district should do,” said Falconer. “But all of the communications I’ve received shared the same urgency and concern for their kids’ physical and emotional health, academic progress and access to the teachers and paraprofessionals that their kids rely on for their Wayzata education.”

“I believe a hybrid is probably the best, most reasonable and realistic approach,” said Kim Anderson.

“I believe in the risks and seriousness of COVID-19, so the idea of continuing to send my kids into an environment where they could catch it, bring it home and/or infect family members weighs on my mind and heart. But I balance that against their emotional, mental, and physical well-being and believe that some (if not all) in-person learning will be better for them, than staying at home.”

Wayzata Public Schools recently completed a survey that showed most parents prefer to have their children in school. The survey said that parents want this to be done in a safe manner.

“The challenge is how to accomplish that, which is what we are working on,” said Chace Anderson. “Our mission is to teach each and every student as safely as possible considering this global pandemic. “

Kim Anderson worries about her children getting sick and about the safety of teachers, friends and extended family members. But she acknowledges there is a balance between physical and mental health.

“I go back to the data, the general likelihood of mild symptoms in most people, especially children and weigh that against the overall emotional, physical and mental well-being of them being back at school,” said Kim Anderson.

Another survey found that most of the schools’ staff are comfortable with returning.

“We are experiencing something that we have never experienced before, that alone is enough to create concern,” said Chace Anderson. “We have dedicated professionals who believe in what they do, believe in their students and believe in our community and will be there with them every step of the way however learning may look in the fall.”

“I just want to thank all the teachers and staff of Wayzata Schools for all they did during the very difficult distance learning period of last school year,” said Kim Anderson. “And what they are continuing to do to evaluate the right, smartest and safest options for moving foward in the coming school year, in light of the ongoing pandemic. There was always updated and sufficient communication from the district, our teachers and staff at Gleason Lake were incredible.”
City Of Wayzata Mulls Mask Mandate

July 16th, 2020

There is talk about a statewide mask mandate, but so far, Gov. Tim Walz has not issued the order.

Several cities throughout the Twin Cities are not waiting and are implementing their own mask mandates in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Excelsior and Minnetonka are two of those cities.

The City of Wayzata is considering one too.

“It is ultimately a decision that the Mayor and Council would have to approve,” said City Manager Jeff Dahl. “The item will be on the agenda on Tuesday’s meeting. They have asked us to get more information regarding: what other cities are doing and why, what do Wayzata business want, how would we enforce.”

Minnetonka’s order specifically requires masks indoors. It takes effect Thursday, July 23.

Here’s a link to Minnetonka’s mandate.

Excelsior’s order is currently in effect. It requires face covering in indoor areas accessible to the public including restaurants, retail stores, spaces of public accommodation, entertainment venues and common spaces in multi-family residential and multi-tenant office buildings.

Here’s a link to Excelsior’s requirements.
The Hotel Landing Riding Out COVID-19 Storm, Wayzata Residents Reconsider Overseas Trips

June 14th, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly challenging for the staff of Wayzata’s The Hotel Landing, restaurant ninetwentyfive and Läka Spa.

“Like most all hotels in the state, and the country for that matter, we were faced with unfathomable declines in demand and revenues,” said The Hotel Landing Area Director of Sales & Marketing Diane Reardon. “That coupled with the concerns for the health and safety of our staff, guests and communities created challenges we couldn’t have dreamed possible back in February.”

There have been more than 24,000 direct hotel-related jobs lost in Minnesota due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Like hotels across the country, the significant impact of the pandemic put us in the heartbreaking situation of having to furlough many of our employees and eliminate positions,” said Reardon. “Since the outset of the pandemic, we have worked diligently to support our team even while they have been out of work. We, along with our management company Sage Hospitality Group, launched an associate relief fund that allowed us to provide our out-of-work associates with care packages of food and other necessary household items.”

Travel spending in Minnesota year-to-date is down 83% as of the week ending May 23 according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).

“Initially, we of course saw a huge decline in every kind of travel and business at our hotel,” said Reardon. “Currently, we are seeing pickup in leisure travel, as there is pent up demand for people who want to get out of the house after being cooped up for weeks on end. We’re seeing that a lot of this demand is coming from the local and regional area.”

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) says in May, the number of passengers being screened at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is down more than 90 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

There were 501 daily departures in May 2019 compared to just 124 in May 2020.

Jim & Judy Betty of Wayzata

Judy and Jim Betty of Wayzata booked a cruise for mid-September along the Danube River in Europe.

“During early March, British Airways cancelled our flight and rebooked us on a much less direct route,” said Jim Betty. “At that point, I contacted them and they were most happy to refund the cost of the flight.”

Betty said uncertain conditions regarding international travel at this time was a factor in deciding to cancel the trip.

“Will the cruise even operate? Will we be quarantined upon arrival and what actual flights will be offered by fall?,” said Jim Betty.

Fortunately, the Bettys have someone in their corner to help with cancelling the trip.

“We have worked with the same travel agent for at least 20 years, she is our advocate in all those issues, and any refunds that the trip operators offer will be returned to us,” said Jim Betty. “It is a good decision to use a competent travel agent.”
Restrictions On Wayzata Bars, Restaurants Loosened This Week

June 7th, 2020

On Wednesday, June 10, restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50 percent occupancy.

Grocer’s Table Patio

RELATED CONTENT: Gov. Unveils Plan To Reopen Restaurants, Republicans Push Back

Meanwhile, gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.

Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades, and museums may open at 25 percent capacity.

Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, may increase occupancy rates to 50 percent while requiring reservations.

Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts, and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity.

Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50 percent.

Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.

“Thanks to your dedication, we are now in a position to carefully turn the dial toward reopening society,” Gov. Tim Walz said. “As we move forward, it is more important than ever that we each do our part as we trust and rely on each other to keep our state safe.”

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RELATED CONTENT: Wayzata Churches Using Caution When Considering Reopening

RELATED CONTENT: Wayzata Declares Local Emergency

RELATED CONTENT: Gov. Walz Orders K-12 Minnesota Public Schools Temporarily Closed To Battle Coronavirus
Special City Council Meeting Friday Regarding Restaurant Patio Permits

May 28th, 2020
The City of Wayzata will hold a special City Council meeting Friday, May 29 at 7:30 a.m.

The council will consider the adoption of an emergency ordinance granting the City Manager authority to review applications and issue permits for temporary outdoor patios.

Here’s a link to the meeting’s agenda.

This is in response to Gov. Tim Walz’s “Stay Safe” Executive Order which allows restaurants to open for dining on June 1 under the following main conditions:
- Outdoor sit-down dining only
- Patrons must make reservations;
- The restaurant must create a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan; and
- Seating area may not hold more than 50 people.
RELATED CONTENT: Gov. Unveils Plan To Reopen Restaurants, Republicans Push Back

This meeting will be held remotely using video conferencing platform Zoom.

Members of the public may listen but comments will not be accepted at the meeting.

Members of the public may submit comments or questions about items on the agenda in advance by emailing PublicComment@wayzata.org.

The meeting is available for members of the public to listen via phone by calling 3126266799 and enter Zoom Meeting ID 983 5880 3309.

Staff recommends approval adoption of the emergency ordinance.
Given the circumstances due to COVID-19, staff does not propose charging a fee for these permits.

The City Attorney has drafted the attached draft Ordinance which would authorize the City Manager, through staff, to approve Temporary Outdoor Patio Permit Applications which, under normal circumstances, may not be allowed by code, or at a minimum, need Council approval.
Civic Engagement Has Never Been Easier

April 6th, 2020
COVID-19 has turned everything upside down.

It has changed the way we do virtually everything.

We view most of these changes as inconveniences – or worse.

But one change might be a tremendous opportunity.

It has never been easier to participate in local government.

The Wayzata City Council will host a workshop and city council meeting Tuesday, April 7 via video conference.

The workshop is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. The city council meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m.

You can participate from the safety of your own home. There’s no excuse not to be dialed in and have your voice heard.

Of course, the video conference method is a precaution due to the concern about the spread of COVID-19.

Members of the public may submit comments or questions about items on the agendas in advance by various means:
- Email – PublicComment@wayzata.org
- Call – City staff at (952) 404-5300
- Mail – Wayzata City Hall 600 Rice Street East, Wayzata, MN 55391 (Attn: Public Comments)
The meeting is available for members of the public to listen via phone by calling 312.626.6799 and entering Zoom Meeting ID 267 452 146.

You can review the city council workshop agenda here.

The city council meeting is slightly different because you can actually watch on Channel 8, WCTV and stream it on the city’s website at wayzata.org.

Members of the public may submit comments or questions about items on the agendas in advance by various means (see above).

To speak during the Public Forum and/or Public Hearing portions of the city council meeting, you may call 312.626.6799, enter Zoom Meeting ID 197 594 897, and press *9 to speak.

You will be placed on hold and muted until you have been recognized and invited to speak.

You can review the city council meeting agenda here.

Well, there you have it, there’s really no reason not to take part in some fashion.

Civic participation is the backbone of a democracy.

You don’t even need to get off your couch!