Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of the novel coronavirus in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

L.A. County Moves Closer to Orange Tier

On March 23, the state released updated COVID-19 case rate numbers; L.A. County's adjusted case rate dropped from 4.1 new cases per 100,000 people to 3.7 new cases per 100,000 people. The test positivity rate dropped from 2.0% to 1­­­.8%. If the county continues to maintain current levels or declines in the case rate and test positivity rate, it is possible in early April for the county to move into the orange tier. The county needs to remain in the red tier for three weeks prior to be assigned to the orange tier.

Back to School Safety

The L.A. County Department of Public Health is updating its protocols for grades K-12 schools to align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health on required distancing in schools, with additional recommendations. Schools are strongly recommended to maximize distance between student seating maintaining 3 feet minimum distance at all times. It is important that schools implement critical mitigation layers including required masking, stable groups, and maintaining 6 feet of distance as much as possible during activities where students are not wearing masks, such as eating and drinking. There continues to be a requirement of a minimum of 6 feet of distance between teachers and other desks from students and other staff.
 
Check out this video to see how schools in L.A. County have prepared to welcome back students. 

L.A. County School Town Hall for Parents March 26

Join county officials Friday, March 26 at 6 p.m. for a virtual L.A. County School Town Hall for Parents. Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County Office of Education Superintendent Dr. Debra Duardo and Department of Mental Health Director Dr. John Sherin will discuss how L.A. County is protecting students and staff returning for in-person instruction, mental health support, and more.
 
The event will be live-streamed at tinyurl.com/LACSchoolTownHall
Submit questions at tinyurl.com/AskLACSchoolTownHall

LACMA to Reopen to the Public April 1

After more than a year of mandated closure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, LACMA will reopen its galleries to the public on April 1 following the guidelines provided by L.A. County for museums. LACMA members will be welcomed for Member Previews on March 26–30. To provide a safe environment for visitors and staff, LACMA has implemented new health and safety protocols and procedures in accordance with the guidelines provided by the L.A. County Department of Public Health. The new health and safety protocols include limited capacity (25% in red tier as required by the state), advance timed-entry online ticketing, required face mask wearing, mandatory online health screening and temperature check, a touchless visitor experience (including a new touchless check-in system and new sensor-based facility fixtures), enhanced and more frequent cleaning and sanitizing protocols, one-way paths through galleries, physical distancing cues and labels, new gallery guidelines to reduce gathering, hand sanitizing stations, and health and safety protocols signage throughout campus. All in-person events, such as art classes and activities, talks, concerts, film screenings, and group tours have been suspended.

Read more at lacma.org.  

IRS: Watch the Mail for Paper Checks, EIP Cards

As the next batch of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) are issued to taxpayers this week, the Internal Revenues Service (IRS) reminds the public that the form of payment for the third EIP may be different than earlier stimulus payments. More people are receiving direct deposits, while those receiving them in the mail may get either a paper check or an EIP Card – which may be different than how they received their previous stimulus payments. IRS and the Treasury Department urge eligible people who have not received a direct deposit to watch their mail carefully during this period.
 
Paper checks will arrive by mail in a white envelope from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. For those taxpayers who received their tax refund by mail, this paper check will look similar, but will be labeled as an "Economic Impact Payment" in the memo field.
 
The EIP Card will also come in a white envelope prominently displaying the seal of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The card has the Visa name on the front and the issuing bank, MetaBank, N.A. on the back. Information included with the card will explain that this is an Economic Impact Payment. Each mailing will include instructions on how to securely activate and use the card. It is important to note that none of the EIP cards issued for any of the three rounds is reloadable; recipients will receive a separate card and will not be able to reload funds onto an existing card. 
 
For more information on EIPs, visit irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-paymen

LASD to Resume Parking Enforcement April 1

Beginning April 1, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Parking Enforcement Detail will again enforce all parking violations and reinstate the issuance of street sweeping citations, expired registration citations, as well as towing vehicles that have been warned via a “Red Tag” or any other vehicle in violation of the parking laws of the State of California as well as the County of Los Angeles.
 
Read more at: http://local.nixle.com/alert/8614436/

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. FEMA, whose mission is to help people before, during and after disasters, is dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

Learn about eligibility and how to apply at fema.gov. 

Reminder: Travel Advisory Still in Effect

With spring break upon us, the L.A .County Department of Public Health encourages everyone to remain close to home and adhere to the state travel advisory which recommends no recreational travel outside a 120-mile radius. 
 
Recreational travelers and residents coming to L.A. County are required to self-quarantine for 10 days after returning from out-of-state or out-of-country travel.
 
It is recommended that resident travelers who are exposed to crowds and/or unmasked individuals in close proximity get tested upon their return. There is a heightened risk if traveling to places with high rates of community transmission, like Miami, which is recently reporting a 9% test positivity rate; this is 6 times higher than the test positivity rate in L.A. County. 
 
Remember how easily this virus can spread, and take every action you can to protect yourself and others until we all can get vaccinated. To see when it's your turn for a vaccine, go to: VaccinateLACounty.com.

Vaccine Updates

State Expands Vaccine Eligibility to 50+ Californians Starting April 1 and All Individuals 16+ on April 15 Based on Expected Supply Increases

With supply of vaccines expected to significantly increase in the coming weeks, the state is expanding vaccine eligibility to more Californians. Starting April 1, individuals aged 50+ will be eligible to make an appointment, and individuals 16+ will be eligible to make an appointment to be vaccinated starting on April 15.
 
Based on the current estimates, California expects to be allocated approximately 2.5 million first and second doses per week in the first half of April, and more than 3 million doses in the second half of April. California currently receives about 1.8 million doses per week. These estimates may be adjusted as time goes on. The state has the capacity to administer more than 3 million vaccines per week, and is building the capacity to administer 4 million vaccines weekly by the end of April.
 
Even with expanded vaccine supplies, it is expected to take several months for willing Californians to be vaccinated. Based on public information shared by vaccine manufacturers and the federal government, California expects to receive several million vaccine doses per week starting sometime in April.
 
Read more on the California Governor website

My Turn COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling System Now Available in 12 Languages

The state's online COVID-19 vaccine scheduling tool My Turn is now offering services in a total of 12 languages, allowing more state residents to comfortably navigate MyTurn.ca.gov. The website is now available in Armenian, Japanese, Khmer, Punjabi, and Russian, along with languages already offered: Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and English.
 
Individuals who do not have access to the internet can sign up for an appointment by calling My Turn's toll-free hotline 1-833-422-4255, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. My Turn operators can provide on-demand assistance in English and Spanish, translators who speak more than 250 languages are also available as needed.

What is vaccine efficacy?

In a new video, Vox Media explains what vaccine efficacy means and how much it matters in the fight to end the COVID-19 pandemic: youtu.be/K3odScka55

How to Talk to Family and Friends About COVID-19 Vaccines

Talking with family and friends about the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine can be hard. You can help by listening without judgement and identifying the root of their concerns. Things to remember to help open the discussion include:

• Listen to questions with empathy
• Ask open-ended questions to explore concerns
• Ask permission to share information
• Help them find their own reason to get vaccinated
• Help make their vaccination happen

Learn more at cdc.gov.

Renter Resources

Tenants’ Rights Workshop Tonight 

Join the L.A. County Office of Education Community Schools and Stay Housed L.A. County for a special tenant workshop tonight, March 25 at 6 p.m. via Zoom to learn more about your rights and how you can stay housed.
 
Register at: bit.ly/3bDye8

CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Available to Income Eligible Households

Get ready California, rent relief is on the way. Income eligible households who need financial assistance for unpaid rent and utilities will be able to apply for help through the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program. If you have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19, have past due rent or utilities, and have a household income that is not more than 80% of the area median income, you may be eligible to receive help to pay past due or future rent and utilities from the State of California. Landlords and renters can verify eligibility immediately by visiting HousingIsKey.com, or by calling 833-430-2122, and if eligible, apply.

Small Business Support

Small Business Stabilization Loan Program

The L.A. County Development Authority has launched an affordable and flexible business loan program to support and help stabilize businesses in the region. Small Business Stabilization Loans range from $50,000 to $3 million, and can be used for working capital, equipment purchases, inventory, or refinancing of existing loans at higher interest rates.
 
The Small Business Stabilization Loan Program will accept applications through April 16, 2021, or until $20 million in funding requests is received, whichever occurs first.
 
The program pairs the loan with technical assistance from partners that offer complementary online webinars, one-on-one financial consultations, application assistance, and an evaluation of a business' readiness to submit an LACDA loan application. The final “How to apply for an LACDA loan” webinar, a pre-requisite for submitting a Small Business Stabilization Loan application, will be held on March 25, 2021, in English and Spanish.
 
To register for a webinar, or obtain more information on the requirements to apply for the Small Business Stabilization Loan Program, please visit BizStabilization.lacda.org, or call (626) 586-1550.

Virtual Programs

Bookmark Coloring Contest Entries due March 26

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes and Los Serenos de Point Vicente invite kids grades TK-5 to use their creativity to create an ocean-themed bookmark for the Virtual Whale of a Day Bookmark Coloring Contest! Entries are due March 26.

Learn how to enter at whaleofaday.com.

Mark your calendars for Virtual Whale of a Day April 10!

In partnership with Los Serenos de Point Vicente, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is thrilled to announce Whale of a Day 2021 — a VIRTUAL event! This year’s event will showcase all the best our community has to offer while continuing to educate about the migration of the Pacific gray whale.

All content for the event will be free for viewing on Saturday, April 10 by visiting whaleofaday.com. There is no registration to participate in the event.

You can pre-register to pick up an activity bag by visiting apm.activecommunities.com/rpv/Activity_Search/998. The activity bag will contain educational materials, giveaways and components to participate in a craft/story time. Once you are registered you may pick up your activity bag at Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall located at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard during business hours between March 15 and April 2.

This is not a live event. All event features will be made available on our website on Saturday, April 10 and will remain posted for your viewing pleasure! Mark your calendars today, and join us for a Virtual Whale of a Day.

Event Details

• Debut of the NEW Point Vicente Interpretive Center Exhibits
• Puppet Show “Guillermo goes to Mexico”
• Abalone Cove Tide Pool Tour
• Take part in the Silent Auction April 1-10
• Native Plant Garden Tour
• Whale Education
• Story and craft demo (be sure to pick up an activity bag at RPV City Hall)
• Learn about animal pelts and skulls
• Entertainment and more!

If you have questions about this year's event, please contact the Recreation and Parks Department at events@rpvca.gov or 310-544-5260.

Peninsula Seniors Virtual Activities

Peninsula Seniors is a nonprofit organization offering activities and services that enhance and enrich the lives of senior adults on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and in the surrounding community. While you’re staying safer at home, join Peninsula Seniors for a variety of Zoom activities throughout the week. For a calendar of activities for both members and non-members, visit pvseniors.org/events.

Palos Verdes Peninsula Village Zoom Info Session April 9

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Village builds community with older adults while they remain in their homes as they age. PVP Village has been serving its members throughout the COVID-19 crisis with a calendar full of virtual social opportunities, continuing transportation to essential appointments, computer help including Zoom and FaceTime, grocery shopping, handyman help and referrals.

For information about this dynamic and caring community of friendship and support, contact Executive Director Marianne Propst to participate in a Zoom information session on Friday, April 9 at 1 p.m. You also may call for an informal chat or to arrange a socially distant visit.  

Call 310-991-3324 or visit www.peninsulavillage.net for more details.

Outdoor Recreation Programs

Hunt for the Golden Egg Starts Monday!

Welcoming all children 1-10 years old! Eight golden eggs will be hidden daily from March 29 – April 3 in the lower field located at the Ladera Linda Community Center. The eggs can be found from 12-5 p.m. only. If a golden egg is found, it can be exchanged for a prize basket at the Community Center office between 12-5 p.m. One basket per household, with plenty of goodies for all to enjoy.

Last Chance: Get Outdoors and Find Verde in the Park! 

Rancho the Elf's distant cousin Verde the Leprechaun will be visiting RPV parks during the month of March and causing mischief while we are fast asleep. Visit the parks below to discover the chaos he has caused! Can you spot his tracks?
Here's when and where you can find Verde's tracks:

• March 22-28: Robert E. Ryan Community Park
• March 29-April 3: Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park

For more information, please contact the Recreation and Parks Department at parks@rpvca.gov  or 310-544-5260.

Find more activities in the Spring 2021 Recreation Guide!

Registration Open for After School Recreational Enrichment Program

Registration is open for the After School Recreational Enrichment Program offered by the San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA and the City at Hesse Park! 

Register your child today at bit.ly/sppyenrichment

The after school program is for grades K-5 and will take place from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday at Hesse Park through June 11.

This program is 100% outdoors and features activities covering science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), individual conditioning physical exercise, enrichment, and much more, all designed to maintain physical distancing and follow Los Angeles County Department of Public Health protocols. Fees are $100 per week, per child.

• For more information, visit ymcala.org.
• Download a program flyer at: bit.ly/3gunjxl

Upcoming Local Blood Drives

Blood donations have decreased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthy, eligible donors are urged to come out and give to ensure there’s lifesaving blood on the shelves for those who need it.

The American Red Cross is holding upcoming blood drives in Rancho Palos Verdes:

Monday, March 29
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ascension Lutheran Church
26231 Silver Spur Road

Thursday, April 15
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ascension Lutheran Church
26231 Silver Spur Road
 
Tuesday, April 20
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pacific Unitarian Universalist Church
5621 Montemalaga Drive
 
Reserve a time online at redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: PACIFICUNITARIANCHURCH.

Visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to complete the pre-donation paperwork.

The Red Cross has implemented additional precautions to ensure the safety of its donors and staff. There is no evidence that the novel coronavirus can be transmissible by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases worldwide of transmissions for any respiratory virus, including the novel coronavirus.

For a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Help save lives and get insight into whether you may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

For more information, visit redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Data

Cases

For a list of cases broken down by city, demographic characteristics, and settings, visit the L.A. County Department of Public Health's Locations & Demographics page.

For an interactive dashboard with maps and graphs showing testing, cases and death data by community, poverty level, age, sex and race/ethnicity visit: http://dashboard.publichealth.lacounty.gov/covid19_surveillance_dashboard/

An interactive dashboard of COVID-19 cases in the South Bay maintained by the City of Torrance is available at bit.ly/2XB1fv1. The dashboard reflects information sourced by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Vaccinations

According to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, as of March 8, 34.2% of Rancho Palos Verdes residents age 18 and over received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov/covid19 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov/COVID19
World Health Organization: who.int/coronavirus
California Governor’s Office: covid19.ca.gov
County of Los Angeles: lacounty.gov/covid19
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: https://www.fema.gov/Coronavirus-Rumor-Control
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at rpvca.gov/notify

Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
 
Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

• Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge (for COVID-19-related alerts, text the keyword "cv19rpv")
• Registering online at alertsouthbay.com
• Downloading the free Everbridge app on an iOS or Android device from the App Store or Google Play. Select “Find an organization or subscription” and search “alertsb”

Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert LA County at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/