ENDWELL (WBNG) -- Local musician Tyler Reed has changed the way he tours after the coronavirus pandemic forced him and his band, Second Suitor, to cancel upcoming concerts.

Back in January, Reed left his job at Broome-Tioga BOCES in pursuit of touring opportunities with the band in the Northeast and out west in California.

While the shows are no more, Reed's passion for music hasn't wavered or stopped.

"Music is the blood that pumps through my veins," he said. "Without it, I don't know what to do."

So what he decided to do was simple: drive-up concerts, which provide entertainment at a social distance.

"This is wonderful to be able to jump back into the world a little bit, and to bring some smiles to some people. I'm so excited people are happy about this idea," he said.

Reed has performed solo as he and the other band members are still trying to figure out the best way to rock on while also staying safe.

But for the concerts he has done, it's helped give him the energy he needs during a difficult time for many.

"As much as I love providing people with this outlet, this fun and this happiness, this is important to me and my mental health," Reed said. "Touring and playing music is all I am and all I do."

Family friends and "concert-goers" Michele and Chad Mapes enjoyed Reed's acoustic punk rock performance.

"It was fabulous," Michele said. "It kind of gives you a new perspective on different ways to do things you wouldn't ordinarily think of."

The tour not the traditional road trip of music, but one Reed thinks helps a little more during a time like this.

"This is kind of a way for me to tour still and promote...but also just promote happiness and being kind and making people smile."

For more coronavirus coverage, click here.

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Performing on patios: Musician brings concert to you - WBNG-TV

Cities around the world are having a look at it, but it will be a challenge.

Not long ago, everyone was excited to see Vilnius, Lithuania, take back the streets and give them to restaurants; now this is being looked at as a strategy for saving restaurants all over the world. In most cities, if the restaurants are open at all, there are limitations on capacity and distance between tables, regulations that make it difficult to earn a living. Outdoor patios have always provided a boost for restaurants, but now they are a lifeline.

As usual in North America, some cities are more aggressive and progressive than others. Kriston Capps writes in CityLab that Al Fresco Dining Is the Restaurant Industrys Best Hope. Some cities are already permitting it, and in others restaurant operators are demanding it.

NYC Restaurants Need Open Streets NOW from STREETFILMS on Vimeo.

Clarence Eckerson's latest epic for Streetsfilms looks at the situation in New York City, with host Henry Rinehart. Some quotes:

"My people and I are hurting. My city is hurting. Our leaders are not creating the safety and certainty that our lives and our jobs require."

"When the weather changes, after 100 days of solitude, we are all going to be desperate to be together, but to be safe. All we know now is that safety requires space. There is available public space in front of every door. Restaurant people are planners and doers. We do not sit alone in silence well. Give restaurants access to open streets and they will bring us all hope and sustenance."

Another city where the Mayor is usually dragged kicking and screaming to do anything progressive is Toronto, where the Mayor actually sounds positive about it on Global News.

I think that it could be a lifeline for some of the restaurants, especially in light of the fact that they will probably be required to have tables further apart inside and outside, said Toronto Mayor John Tory. He said hes asked Transportation Services to find possible locations where expanding patio spaces would be possible and is expecting a report "fairly soon... I think we can sweep away some of the red tape and get this done as a way of making the city friendly for everybody but also our friends in the restaurant business," Tory said.

Alas, the words "fairly soon" have a special meaning in Toronto, and patios are regulated really tightly; they take years to get approved, thanks to NIMBY opposition to people having fun after nine o'clock. Then there are the approvals to serve alcohol which come from another level of government. The patio season is starting now, and "fairly soon" probably means November.

There are other issues of climate besides November chills; there is also July heat. Kriston Capps writes:

Is al-fresco-everything the answer? It has its downsides. Especially in the Southern states that are rushing headlong to reopen, summer brings miserable heat and humidity. Diners who are forced to choose between increased air-conditioned virus exposure indoors or sweating outside may stay home or stick to takeout. Pandemic skeptics dont recognize any such tradeoff, of course. Customers in Georgia who see coronavirus exposure as a matter of personal choice are likely going to go with AC every time.

The fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has turned into a culture war is going to be a serious issue in many places.

I suspect another big issue will be washroom access. These are usually at the rear of restaurants, or in older, smaller restaurants, in the basement. Customers should also be washing their hands before they eat. Having them all traipsing through the inside of the restaurant may be problematic.

But ultimately, I suspect that the biggest issue is that we have run out of time. So many rules have to be waived, NIMBYs ignored, decisions made. In one Canadian city, the Mayor said he wouldn't close a lane unless every store owner on the street was consulted. A good parallel to this might be Vision Zero; everybody loves the idea, but implementation is another story.

They are all going to just run out the clock. It's a shame, because it could have been glorious.

Cities around the world are having a look at it, but it will be a challenge.

Read the rest here:
Will expanded patios save the restaurant business? - Treehugger

Yumbii

Nearly a month on from Gov. Brian Kemps announcement that restaurants could begin reopening dining rooms with social distancing measures in places to prevent the spread of coronavirus, a steady stream of eateries continue to announce a resumption of dine-in service.

Heres a list of the recent announcements weve received from local restaurants. Be sure to check the social media or websites of your favorite restaurants to see when they plan to reopen their dining rooms.

Ponce City Market in Old Fourth Ward started reopening its food hall today, May 22, with Brezza Cucina, El Super Pan and W.H. Stiles Fish Camp. Additional food stalls and restaurants will open over the next two weeks.

The patio at Georges Bar & Restaurant in Virginia-Highland is open, as well as limited inside dining.

Yumbii Taco Shop on Peachtree Road has opened its dining room and patio.

Lazy Betty in Candler Park will reopen its dining room and patio beginning June 3.

Jai Hos Dutch Valley location has reopened its patio, and so has Nina & Rafi at StudioPlex Alley.

Homegrown Restaurants Doc Cheys in Grant Park and Morningside, Dragon Bowl at Emory Village and Osteria 832 in Virginia-Highland have all reopened their patios.

Biltong Bar at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta has opened its dining room.

Buckhead eateryMission + Market has reopened their dining room and patio for dine in guests.

Forza Storico on the Westside has reopened the patio to guests for outdoor dining.

Sugar Factory in Midtown has reopened for dine-in, curbside pickup and delivery.

Firepit Pizza Tavern is open regular hours for dine-in service along with curbside, takeout and delivery.

Folk Art in Inman Park is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for dine-in and takeout.

Olive Bistro is Midtown and Vinings has opened its patio and is also offering takeout, delivery, and curbside.

Manuels Tavern in Poncey-Highland has created an outdoor seating area in its back parking lot for those ordering takeout.

Read more:
More Intown restaurants announce reopening of dining rooms and patios - Atlanta Intown

UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. (WJMN) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced earlier this week of the partial reopening of regions eight and six of Michigan, including the entire Upper Peninsula and the northern region of the Lower Peninsula.

Friday is finally here and people have been enjoying being outside of their homes.

Retail shops, restaurants, and bars are now able to open at half-capacity.

One shop, Local 3 stopped at was Babycakes Muffin Company in Marquette. They have a few seats inside for people to sit at as well as three tables outside for customers to eat their treats.

Babycakes has been open since last Wednesday for take out and contactless pick-up.

Its pretty busy. Today was definitely the busiest day. Its been a little bit slow and we totally understand that but now that people can sit outside and enjoy their coffee, its been really nice in here, said Hanna Johnson, a barista at Babycakes.

Babycakes is encouraging their customers to wear masks, all of their employees are wearing masks and gloves and continually sanitizing their building.

Its not just businesses welcoming guests again.

Some of the most popular places around Marquette County have been closed for weeks. With the warm temperatures and sunshine, people were out and about Friday enjoying the reopening of beaches and parks.

People like Lance Crevier from Peshtigo, WI said he is looking forward to enjoy some time outside.

Im very excited to get out and around and with no restrictions as far as public access goes.

One of the areas most popular city parks, Presque Isle, has been slowly reopening. First to car traffic only, but on Friday bikes, boards, and families were enjoying a place theyve been missing.

Eight-year-old Marquette resident Sophia Hatfield screamed FREEDOM! when her and her family finally got to enjoy some time spent at Blackrocks on Presque Isle.

Weve been stuck in our house and we still are but we get to come down here finally.

More:
Parks to patios: People enjoy partial reopening of U.P. retail businesses, outdoor recreations - WOODTV.com

Its a fraction of the eligible businesses in the city.

Nearly 300 bars, breweries, cafes, distilleries and restaurants in Denver have applied for the city patio expansion program as of Friday after the city started taking applications earlier this week.

A list provided by the citys Joint Information Center shows businesses started applying at noon on Monday after the city announced the program, which is supposed to provide more dine-in service space for restaurants to follow social distancing rules in place due to COVID-19.

Rules are still being developed, but the program would allow businesses to expand into outdoor areas like adjacent parking lots, streets and sidewalks.

The first 10 applicants include:

Excise and Licenses spokesperson Eric Escudero said over email there are 2,794 establishments in the city including bars and restaurants that could be eligible for the patio expansion program.

The city is still waiting on guidance for dine-in restaurant services from the state. The city said no applications have been approved as of Friday, though it expects to approve the first applications soon. Approval will be required from both the city and state. Food or drink establishments arent allowed to have onsite consumption until there are changes to state law, which the city expects will be announced on Monday.

As we expected, the city has received a great deal of interest in this program and its clear this initiative could meet a real need for our local bars and restaurants, city spokesperson Nancy Khun said in an email to Denverite. Although we dont have a reopening date for these businesses yet, if reopening is permitted, were prepared to help Denverites be able to enjoy dining outdoors this summer with social distancing and safety still in mind.

Lisa Sanchez owns Berkeley Inn and Nug Nugs Diner and applied for expansion program for both. The two eateries are about a block away from each other on Tennyson Street. Sanchez received federal money to help stay afloat but said this program could help expand seating for about 40 people between the two eateries and help pay a combined staff of nine people.

As soon as I saw that link come up, I said, OK, here we go, Sanchez said. It could change the game. Im struggling to pay the rent right now. If they allow me to do what they say theyre going to do, I can pay my rent and pay my girls.

Andrs Chaparro owns LaRola Urban Colombian Food at Zeppelin Station and Los Parceros, another Colombian food restaurant on Colfax Avenue near Monaco Parkway. Los Parceros has offered take-out since the pandemic started, though Chaparro said he plans on using the citys patio program to expand his existing outdoor seating space.

Right now, he has space for two tables outside Los Parceros to seat four people each. He wants to expand onto space in front of neighboring businesses and has already reached out about providing more seating. He hasnt applied to the citys program yet.

Anyone who comes here always asks can we sit because they are not yet informed about the process, Chaparro said. He estimated providing outdoor seating could triple his daily revenue.

Other restaurants may take more of a wait-and-see approach. Pizzeria Locale brand manager Chris Donato said the popular pizza restaurant is not interested in applying at the moment and instead will wait on more information about dine-in options. The restaurant has patios at two of their locations and has stayed open while offering take-out services.

Were excited that Denver is headed in this direction, Donato said. We figure there are some restaurants that will truly benefit from this. Were just not sure if were one of those restaurants yet.

Read the rest here:
Nearly 300 restaurants, bars and breweries have applied for Denver's new patio expansion program - Denverite

Introducing the best worst podcast hosts Calvin Mattheis and Ryan Wilusz of The Scruffy Stuff podcast by Knox News. Knoxville News Sentinel

Is it just us, or does a cold beer always seem to taste better outside on a warm day?

Patios and rooftops are just a couple of Calvin Mattheis' favorite things, and Chris Weller of Let Us Drink Knoxville joined the show to share some great news for the podcast co-host: Two patios are gearing up on Gay Street.

Calvin and co-host Ryan Wilusz discussed Weller's collaboration on the patios as part of his work with Foraged Farms.Ryan visits the zoo on reopening day and celebrates Calvin's birthdayat a socially distanced party.

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The duo also discusses the completion of the Magnolia streetscape and a controversy shared on social media involving police and a Knoxville councilwoman.

Plus, a former intern is returning to helpKnox News better connect with our community. Isabel Lohman joins the show to share her plans and explain how you can help.

Stories discussed on the show:

Zoo Knoxville: So far, so good as zoo reopens with 'sparse' guests but more could be allowed

Homeless camp: Councilwoman Amelia Parker's encounter with police at a homeless camp left her 'shaking'

Magnolia Avenue: The 'sidewalks beckon' on Magnolia Avenue; the streetscape project is complete

Hotel Knoxville: Downtown hotel sold at auction after shutting down in March

"The Scruffy Stuff" co-hosts Ryan Wilusz, left, and Calvin Mattheis of Knox News have a grand ol' time at a "Real News" party.(Photo: Submitted NFS)

If you're joining us for the first time, "The Scruffy Stuff" is a podcast about "anything and everything under the Sunsphere."

That means all the news happening in and around downtown Knoxville, including business, music, beer, events and more.

Do you or a loved one suffer from FOMO? Then you may be entitled to "The Scruffy Stuff," hosted by urban life writerRyan Wiluszand visual journalistCalvin Mattheis.

You may have seen us around town Calvin with his runway figure and countless cameras and me, looking like an urban lumberjack with abeer (not on the clock, of course).

Given our positions as highlyesteemed journalists or so we've told ourselveswe are often the first to know what's going on around town. We bring it to you via stories, photos and videos at knoxnews.com.

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"The Scruffy Stuff" is thecherry on top, only better. It's an entire fruit salad of fun, facts and fun facts available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio and Google Podcasts.

Just search for "The Scruffy Stuff."

We'll release a new episode every Thursday for you to listen to while youre snacking on the sofa putting on that "Quarantine 15" or icing your carpet burn from all theliving room yoga.

If you have ideas or questions you want us to discuss, slide into our Instagram DMs@knoxscruffand@knoxvillephoto.

Read or Share this story: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2020/05/21/scruffy-stuff-let-us-drink-knoxville-talks-new-downtown-patios/5233458002/

Link:
The Scruffy Stuff: Let us drink! Plans for two downtown patios are revealed on the podcast - Knoxville News Sentinel

DENVER (CBS4) The City of Denver is taking applications from restaurants wanting to expand outdoor seating options for when the state allows businesses to start accepting dine-in customers again. Official guidelines for restaurants to operate are expected to be released on Tuesday from the State of Colorado.

We would use our patio for some dining outside potentially with some guidance from the city or state. We have a big garage door, and it allows for some good air flow. So it might be something we can utilize up there yet that would mean we would have to bring out to-go business down to our dining room, said Jason McGovern, the owner of Crush Pizza and Tap in the Denver Highlands neighborhood.

The Denver application process states The intent of the program is to allow for greater physical distancing and safety for patrons when the states public health orders allow restaurants and bars to resume sit-down service. While final rules and regulations are still in development, proposals could include expansion into designated outdoor areas such as adjacent parking lots, streets and sidewalks.

McGovern says restaurant owners have spent sleepless nights thinking about what allowing dine-in customers would look like, but exact rules from the government are needed.

Most restaurant owners have already been thinking about it. Tents outside, extra umbrellas, patio tables we dont currently own that we could acquire somehow. Its exciting, but its also a daunting task thinking about how do we reintroduce customers, he said. Were as flexible as we can be in this time.

Over the past five-and-a-half years, the pizza restaurant has had to change several times. McGovern was able to hire back some staff after receiving Paycheck Protection Program funding and now the restaurant concentrates on delivery, something it used to rely on third-party apps to handle.

The patio has worked as a location to distribute pick-up orders and keep staff safe, but now it will likely need to be the seating for customers. Inside the small shopping center the restaurant is located in at 38th Avenue and Kalamath Street, there arent many options for expanded outdoor dining.

With reopening a possibility for the first time in two months, many things remain uncertain.

Were again going to have to think about a different way of doing business. Reservations would be ideal and they would be key, McGovern said. Were not even 100% sure well reopen immediately once we get the guidelines from the city or state. We want to see what we can do from a business standpoint. Just because a guideline comes out and says you can open doesnt mean it still fits the business weve created here so far.

LINK: Denver Restaurant Proposal Application

More here:
Exciting, But Daunting: Denver Restaurants Invited To Apply To Open Patios - CBS Denver

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines.

1.These popular Fort Worth patios have reopened for dining al fresco.While the pandemic continues, patios are proving popular for folks whod rather not dine indoors, and those simply looking for a fresh change of scenery. Here are some of Fort Worths best patios that have reopened to diners all adhering to COVID-19 precautions.

2.New Aldi supermarket brings discount groceries to far north Fort Worth. A new supermarket known for its super cheap prices is opening in far north Fort Worth. Aldi, the discount grocery chain, will open a location at 5129 Golden Triangle Blvd., east of I-35W.

3.It's curtains for Fort Worth-based Pier 1, but 2 other home-goods stores reopen. In very sad news, longtime Fort Worth-based Pier 1 Imports is calling it quits, while two home-goods chains have reopened their Dallas-Fort Worth stores.

4.New Fort Worth music venue fills valuable niche for mid-sized shows. Tulips FTW, a new music venue in Fort Worth that has tentatively set its opening date for August 2020, is set to fill a niche the city has been without for almost 20 years.

5.Fort Worth's Coyote Drive-In revs up summer with new live concert series. Fort Worth's Coyote Drive-In has hopped on the hottest trend of our social-distanced summer of 2020: the drive-in concert. The inaugural show in the new Coyote Drive-in Concert Series will take place Saturday, May 23.

See more here:
Patio reopenings top this week's 5 hottest Fort Worth headlines - culturemap.com

State transportation officials have given Stillwater the OK to temporarily block off parking areas on either side of Main Street in downtown for bars and restaurants and businesses to operate outside, Mayor Ted Kozlowski said Friday.

Its huge, he said. The idea that we can have another almost 20 feet all along Main Street for a patio for people to eat food and buy stuff is a very cool thing.

On Tuesday, the Stillwater City Council approved a plan that gives business owners the green light to temporarily expand outside by using parking spaces on city-owned streets dining and shopping areas commonly referred to as parklets.

But that didnt help the bars and restaurants and other businesses on Main Street, a 30-mph state highway with one lane of traffic in each direction. Moreover, the state announced Wednesday that starting June 1 bars and restaurants statewide will be limited to outdoor dining only and no more than 50 patrons at a time.

Weve got five patios in downtown Stillwater and some of them are huge but most of our older restaurants dont have room in the front or back to have patios, Kozlowski said. I think most everybody was operating under the assumption that there was going to be some indoor capacity allowed.

Kozlowski called the governors office Thursday to explain the citys Main Street dilemma and ask for permission to temporarily use the parking spaces.

It was kind of my Hail Mary, he said.

He was put in touch with Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who Kozlowski said called him Friday to say the city is good to go with the plan and that by Wednesday it will be finalized by the state.

In other parts of Stillwater, the city is leaving it up to business owners to design their dining and shopping areas. For Main Street, Kozlowski said that he assured Kelliher the city would drop down concrete barriers for safety across the entire roughly six-block stretch of road downtown.

Stillwater is also finalizing plans to set up four or five giant party tents in private and public parking lots in the downtown area for outdoor dining, Kozlowski said.

Kozlowski estimates that around 60 parking spots along Main Street will be eliminated because of the new parklets. But lost parking is the least of my concerns right now, Kozlowski said, adding he would welcome large crowds.

Parking is always an issue in Stillwater, he said, but somehow we still manage to get 40,000 people downtown for the Fourth of July. They all find a place to park. I want parking to be a problem right now.

See the original post here:
Stillwater gets OK from MnDOT to turn part of Main Street into patio space - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

The experience won't be anything like you were used to before coronavirus.

Gov. Tim Walz announced the conditions required for reopening June 1 on Wednesday afternoon. Among the new rules in place:

Restaurants have been closed from on-site service since March 17.

Walz called bars and restaurants "fixtures" that "make life just a little bit better" for Minnesotans.

"They are integral, and not just to our economy," said Walz, who called dining out something that "makes living in Minnesota so great."

Walz also announced Wednesday that salons, barbershops, and tattoo parlors could reopen, though only at 25 percent of their normal capacity. For those businesses, masks are required for both workers and customer alike.

Non-essential retail businesses were allowed to reopen effective Monday, though only at 50 percent capacity; at the same time, the state's "stay-at-home" requirement lapsed, and small gatherings (fewer than 10 people) were allowed.

A so-called "phase III" would see bars and restaurants reopen for indoor service "with capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements" and "increased capacity" allowed for retail, hair, and tattoo businesses. That's also when gyms, bowling alleys, and movie theaters would get the OK to start operating again.

Walz didn't give a hint Wednesday on how long this phase of the plan will last.

All Minnesotans who can work remotely must continue to do so, and will during the next phase of reopening the state as well.

We'll update this post as more information becomes available.

Go here to read the rest:
Minnesota bars and restaurants to reopen June 1 with patios, masks, and distancing - City Pages