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

New Guidance on Private Gatherings

Today, the L.A. County Department Public Health updated its Health Officer Order to align with new guidance from the state that allows private gatherings of three or fewer households, as long as the private gathering is outdoors, everyone wears a cloth face covering and keeps at least six feet of physical distance, food is in single-serve disposable containers, and the duration of the gathering is two hours or less.

Private gatherings with people from different households increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission, with the risk increasing the longer the gathering. Public Health recommends if you do gather with two other households, that you do so with the same households each time, to create a quasi-bubble that can reduce the risk of spreading the virus. It is very important that you do not attend any private gathering if you are experiencing symptoms of illness, have tested positive for COVID-19 or if you have been exposed or likely have been exposed to someone positive.

A household does not include group living situations such as dormitories, fraternities, sororities, residential care facilities, or commercial group living arrangements such as boarding houses, hotels, or motels.

Large public events and gatherings remain prohibited, even if held outdoors.

Read the revised Health Officer Order and find more guidance at publichealth.lacounty.gov/coronavirus.

RPV Playgrounds Now Open

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has reopened all playgrounds in compliance with Los Angeles County’s revised Health Officer Order. All visitors to City playgrounds must comply with posted guidelines that outline the following requirements from the California Department of Public Health:

Face masks over the mouth and nose are required for everyone 2 years of age or older with caregiver supervision at all times to ensure face mask use.
Do not use the playground when different households are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet.
Caregivers must monitor to keep adults and children from different households at least 6 feet apart.
Consider coming on different times or days to avoid wait times and potential crowded times.
No eating or drinking in playground, to ensure face masks are worn at all times.
Wash or sanitize hands before and after using the playground.
Elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions should avoid playground when others are present.
Limit visit to 30 min per day when others are present

Due to a recent unrelated inspection of playground equipment by the City, some equipment will remain closed to the public until further notice so upgrades can be installed:

Swings for ages 5-12 years at Hesse Park, Ryan Park, Ladera Linda Park, and Eastview Park
Select playground structure elements, including slides and climbers at Hesse Park and Ladera Linda Park

A schedule for the remaining work is under development and will be shared as soon as it is available. The following equipment is open to the public:

Playground structures at Hesse Park, Ryan Park, Ladera Linda Park, and Eastview Park
Swings for ages 4 years and under at Eastview Park and Ryan Park

If you have questions, please contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 310-544-5260 or parks@rpvca.gov.

It’s Global Handwashing Day

The COVID-19 pandemic provides an important reminder that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy is also one of the simplest —washing your hands with soap and water. Learn more this Global Handwashing Day at bit.ly/36O64Wh.

LAST CHANCE! Complete your Census TODAY.

Today is your last chance to respond to the 2020 Census! The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of census data and census participation. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape your community’s future for the next 10 years. Respond now at my2020census.gov.

Keep Your Loved Ones Safe from COVID on Election Day

L.A. County reminds voters that voting by mail is the safest voting option during the pandemic. You can drop your ballot in your mailbox or at any of the 400 official Vote by Mail Drop Boxes in L.A. County. Keep your community healthy, vote early and vote safely! Make your plan to vote at plan.lavote.net.

As a reminder, there is an official L.A. County Vote by Mail Drop Box near the flagpole outside Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard.

ICYMI: Managing the Emotions of Distance Learning - Parenting in 2020

In case you missed it, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District has uploaded a recording of the first of its virtual Fall Parent Education Series with South Bay Families Connected and Dr. Moe Gelbart, titled “Managing the Emotions of Distance Learning: Parenting in 2020.” Watch the virtual talk on PVPUSD’s YouTube channel at youtu.be/QYN7Z8jwwxg.

For a list of future events in the series, visit pvpusd.net.

For additional online youth wellness resources, including resources to support youths during distance learning, please visit southbayfamiliesconnected.org/pvpusd.

PVLD Friday After School Fun!

Join librarians from the Palos Verdes Library District every Friday after school for a TK-5 friendly virtual activity! Librarians are planning cool crafts, silly science, cooking up after school snack ideas and lots more! See PVLD’s calendar for what they’ve got planned at bit.ly/347iLZs.

Know a Senior in Need of Meal Assistance? Great Plates Delivered Extended through November 8

If you know a senior in need of meal assistance, it's not too late for them to apply for L.A. County's Great Plates Delivered Program, which has been extended through November 8.

Through Great Plates Delivered, the county is providing three home-delivered meals a day to qualifying older adults and adults over 60 who are at high-risk for COVID-19. This effort is not only assisting seniors, but it is helping the local restaurant, hospitality and transportation communities get back to work.

To learn more and apply for meal assistance, visit wdacs.lacounty.gov/greatplates.

FBI Warns of Potential Charity Fraud Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many Americans want to help during the COVID-19 pandemic by contributing to charities, but the FBI is warning that scammers also want to help — they want to help themselves to your money.

Nationwide, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have received reports of scammers fraudulently soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19. They are leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to steal your money, your personal information, or both. Don’t let them.

Charity scams often occur when a scammer poses as a real charity or uses the name of a real charity to get money from you.

Be careful about giving money to any charity calling you for donations and be wary if you get a call about a donation pledge that you don’t remember making. Remember, you can’t always believe your caller ID. Scammers often spoof organizations’ phone numbers. It’s always best to research the organization telephone number yourself and call direct to verify. Do not be pressured or rushed to donate. That is a strong indicator of a scam.

Similarly, if you receive an email purporting to be from a charitable organization, do not click on links. These could be attempts to download viruses onto your computer or cell phone. Watch out for charity names which sound very similar to well-known charities, as well as email addresses that are not consistent with the charity soliciting donations. Instead, search for the charity using an internet search engine to ensure you’re connected to the actual charitable organization.

Get more tips from the FBI at ow.ly/1EPQ50BSIZF.

Free Flu Shots at Select L.A. County Libraries

The L.A. County Department of Public Health and L.A. County Library are offering free flu vaccines to those 6 months of age and older at select library locations across the county. Flu shot clinic dates and locations for October and November are available at lacountylibrary.org/free-flu-shots.

Drive-thru options are available at select locations. Physical distancing, masking requirements, additional disinfecting and other measures are in place at each free flu shot clinic location to prioritize the safety of customers and staff.

If you're thinking of getting a flu vaccine, L.A. County recommends calling your regular health care provider to see what other shots you may need. If you don’t have a regular provider, dial 2-1-1 (the L.A. County Information Line) or visit publichealth.lacounty.gov for a list of no cost or low-cost vaccine providers.

To view a recent interview with Dr. Erika Flores Uribe from the L.A. County Department of Health Services regarding the differences between the flu and COVID-19, visit fb.watch/18qSRG1MBx.

Find more resources in the Department of Public Health’s Flu Prevention Toolkit for the Community.

Deadline for County’s Small Business Revitalization Grant Program Extended

Did your business have to close its doors due to COVID-19?

The application period for L.A. County’s Small Business Revitalization Grant Program, which opened last week, has been extended to October 19, 2020, 11:59 p.m.

Eligible applicants will receive $30,000 to use for working capital such as employee payroll, working capital to continue operations, payment of outstanding business expenses, and adaptive business practices needed to remain open.

Businesses considering applying should note that the funds being used for these grants are extremely time sensitive. It is imperative that applicants submit all documentation required, apply by the deadline, and respond to all LACDA communications in a timely manner.

Learn more and apply at revitalizationgrant.lacda.org.

Letter to Governor Newsom and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors

Last week, the City sent a letter to Governor Newsom and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors urging them to reassess state and county reopening guidelines so that more businesses, more classrooms and places of worship can operate indoors in a manner that is safe and responsible. The letter noted that although L.A. County’s adjusted case rate falls in the most restrictive tier in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the positivity rate falls in the moderate tier. But because the guidelines keep counties in the stricter tier, L.A. County’s restaurants, gyms, places of worship and other sectors must still operate outdoors only, even if they are located in a community with a relatively lower infection rate. It also noted that although the county has opened the waiver process for in-person instruction for grades TK-2, the program grants waivers to schools based on their percentage of students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, not on community case and positivity rates. City staff will continue to monitor this issue. Read the letter in the City Manager’s Weekly Administrative Report.

Drive-Thru Shredding Event October 17

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes and EDCO are offering a free document/paper shredding event on Saturday, October 17 from 8-11 a.m. in the RPV City Hall overflow parking lot located at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard.

Bring your sensitive, private and confidential documents (such as pay stubs, medical and insurance records, old income tax returns, and bank/mortgage statements) in your trunk or truck bed for secure on-site shredding to prevent or reduce the possibility of identity theft or fraud. The limit is a maximum of three bankers size boxes (approx. size of 10"x12"x15") or paper bags per household. Documents with staples or paper clips are acceptable. However, remove all papers from metal three-ring binders. This event is offered free of charge to RPV residents to assist with the destruction of their personal documents. This event is not offered to businesses or residents of other cities. Please bring proof of RPV residency such as a utility bill or ID.

Due to COVID-19 safety measures, residents must remain in their vehicle and wear a face covering. To help minimize physical contact and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, this event will be exclusively for paper/document shredding. There will be no electronic waste collection or mulch giveaway. Please note that the Rancho Caninos Dog Park will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For a list of frequently asked questions, visit bit.ly/36FOX94.

If you have additional questions about shredding, please call EDCO’s customer service phone number at 310-540-2977 or visit www.rpvrecycles.com. Alternatively, you may call RPV Public Works at 310-544-5252 or email publicworks@rpvca.gov.

Decorate and Display Your Scarecrow at City Hall!

Halloween may look different this year, but the City wants to help you celebrate safely – with a scarecrow decorating contest at City Hall!

Drop off your fully assembled, family-friendly decorated scarecrow at City Hall (30940 Hawthorne Boulevard) anytime between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on October 25 and 26, where it will be put on display outside and entered into a contest for a prize! Categories include Best in Show, Most Festive and Most Creative. Winners will be announced on October 27. Prizes include a gift certificate to Big Nick’s Pizza, a gift from the Great American International Seafood Market and a nautical-themed gift basket! Entries will remain on display outside City Hall through November 1. Drive by and take a look from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

See flyer for contest rules and restrictions: bit.ly/3ddrg9i

Virtual Día de los Muertos Mini Altar Workshop November 1

Join us November 1 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for a family-friendly Día de los Muertos mini altar workshop to celebrate a loved one who has passed away. The workshop will include a presentation about the tradition of Día de los Muertos. To participate, reuse a shoebox from home, obtain a 2 x 3 inch copy of a photo of a loved one, and use the craft materials in the supply kit (provided).

Cost: $10. Space is limited. Register today at apm.activecommunities.com/rpv.

See flyer at: bit.ly/2I3KnY

Space Open in After School Recreational Enrichment Program

Registration is currently open for the After School Recreational Enrichment Program offered by the San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA and the City at Hesse Park! The after school program for grades K-5 takes place from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday from through December 18. 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. Registration remains open.

**Due to lower than anticipated enrollment at Ryan Park and Eastview Park, these locations will be placed on hold until there is more interest.**

For more information and to register for the After School Recreational Enrichment Program, visit bit.ly/3jg58gA or ymcala.org. Download a program flyer at: bit.ly/3gunjxl

Red Cross Blood Drive October 23 - Donate for a Chance to Win a $1,000 Amazon Gift Card!

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 City and the Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula are holding a Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, October 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Reserve a time online at redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: PVPRotary. Visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to complete the pre-donation paperwork.

Come to give for your chance to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card! (The Red Cross is giving away five in October. Restrictions, terms and conditions apply. Visit rcblood.org/unite for details.)

The 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.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Julia Parton at jparton@malagabank.com or 310-613-4085.

Download event flyer at bit.ly/36fTcIq

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 310-683-3157, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.

Palos Verdes Estates Blood Drive October 30

The City of Palos Verdes Estates is hosting a blood drive on Friday, October 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the PVE Police Station at 340 Palos Verdes Drive West.
Appointments can be made online at ucedonor.com (click on “Blood Drives” and enter “COPVE” in the Account Code box), or by phone at 310-825-0888 X 2.

Eligible donors will receive a promotional item. COVID-19 antibody testing with select blood donations.

Cases

As of October 15, there are 286,183 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Los Angeles County (population 10.17 million), including the South Bay, so the public should not think one location is safer than another and everyone should be aware and practice physical distancing. The total includes 322 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes (population 41,731), 105 in Palos Verdes Estates (population 13,190), 44 in Rolling Hills Estates (population 8,066), 12 in Rolling Hills (population 1,874), and 11 in the unincorporated areas of the Peninsula. Countywide, 6,834 people have died.

According to the Department of Public Health, 13 deaths have been reported in Rancho
Palos Verdes. The City extends its deepest condolences to the families of these residents.

For a list of cases broken down by city, demographic characteristics, and settings, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm

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.

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about the novel coronavirus.

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/