The County of Los Angeles and its partners are making a difference in the lives of people like Eric who has left prison behind and gone from homeless to housed.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

In Case You Missed It

Deadline Extension: Childcare Providers Recovery Grants

Are you a childcare provider located in Los Angeles County recovering from the pandemic? Grants starting at $15,000 are available to assist. Visit our lacountycprgrant.submittable.com to see how you can qualify.

At Your Service

Creative Recovery LA Application Workshops Available

Join the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and Community Partners to learn how to apply to Creative Recovery LA, a new grant program created to address pandemic impacts on the nonprofit arts sector. Through this new initiative the Department of Arts and Culture will award over $26 million in American Rescue Plan funds to deliver financial relief and recovery to the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Arts and Culture is partnering with LA County Libraries to host in person workshops.  Workshops will include information about the program, guidelines, eligibility requirements, and tips on submitting strong proposals—everything 501c3 nonprofit and Model A fiscally sponsored organizations will need to prepare to apply online when the application is open through February 15, 2023.

Mental Health Resources for those Impacted by Recent Mass Shooting Incidents

If you or your loved ones are experiencing mental health distress related to the mass shooting incidents at Monterey Park, Goshen, Oakland, and Half Moon Bay, do not hesitate to ask for help. 24/7 support and resources are available through our Help Line at (800) 854-7771 and through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Out and About

MVA Honors African-American Military History Month 

Join the Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs for an African-American Military History event on Friday, February 3rd, 2023 from 10am-1pm. Register for this event by scanning the QR code on the flyer. 

Learn N Make: African American and Black History Month Event

Celebrate African American and Black History Month with LA County Library! February spotlights African Americans. Learn about how African American and Black History Month is celebrated and what current Black leaders are making waves today.

The first in a series of events honoring Black History Month is today! The Learn N Make African American and Black History Month event is today from 3-4pm at Graham Library. To register for this event, click here.

Find more events hosted by LA County Library here.

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Photo: Los Angeles County / Mayra Vasquez

Star Party at Griffith Park Observatory.

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

It’s been 50 years since Alycia Hernandez, then two years old, fell into a shaft while playing with her brother. For the firefighters who rescued her that day, the passage of time has not erased memories of the heroic struggle to bring her to safety.

Did you know LA County has a weekly news magazine that takes viewers behind the scenes to showcase people and programs making a difference in Los Angeles County and its communities?

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

In Case You Missed It

Volunteer for LAHSA Homeless Count

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is the annual census that counts our neighbors experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Through the Count, we’re better able to direct and advocate for vital services to support the needs of our unhoused neighbors. The Count is coming up, taking place January 24-26, 2023. To join, please visit www.theycountwillyou.org/.

At Your Service

Get Vaccinated at Home

If you or a loved one have difficulty leaving the home to get vaccinated against COVID-19, you can request in-home vaccination by calling 2-1-1 or the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Vaccine Call Center at 833-540-0473 (8am-8:30pm; 7 days a week).

Residents can also fill out the online request form (multiple language options available) or visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaxathome for more information. Referrals from caregivers, loved ones, organizations, agencies, providers (among others) are welcome. All doses are available for eligible individuals ages 6 months and older at no cost.

The Fall 2022 booster is also available for eligible individuals. Other family members or caregivers can be vaccinated during the same visit. For resources related to paratransit and free rides for vaccination, call the Public Health Vaccine Call Center or visit the How To Get Vaccinated page.

CalFresh Market Match Program

There are over 30 farmers’ markets in L.A. County where you can shop with CalFresh AND get between $10-$15 worth of market match vouchers to buy even more fresh and healthy produce. To find your local Certified Farmers’ Market, visit Farmers’ Market Finder by the Ecology Center and enter your zip code in the search bar.

Out and About

Lifeguard Ready Training

LA County Beaches and Harbor Lifeguard Ready Training prepares youth and young adults ages 16 to 24 with the skills necessary to become a Los Angeles County Swimming Pool Lifeguard. Swimmers of all abilities welcome. Sign up today at one of our nine training facilities located throughout LA County. The LRT program will provide participants with all the equipment necessary to complete the program.

For more information, visit: parks.lacounty.gov/lrt

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Photo: Los Angeles County / Mayra Vasquez

Los Angeles based fabric artist, London Kay, is installing the one of a kind “yarnbomb” at Westminster Avenue Elementary School.

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

The County of Los Angeles and its partners are making a difference in the lives of people like Amalia who has gone from homeless to housed.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

In Case You Missed It

Happy Mew and Lunar Year

Adoption fees are waived for cats and rabbits all throughout January 2023. For cats, this also includes microchips and vaccinations. It does not include licenses, pain meds, spay/neuter, or trust deposits. For rabbits, this includes microchips, spay/neuter, and vaccinations. It does not include licenses, pain meds, or trust deposits.

You can visit during public hours (2pm-7pm Wed, 2pm-5pm all other days) or schedule an appointment here. 

View all of our amazing animals currently available for adoption here! 

At Your Service

Creative Recovery LA

The Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture is launching Creative Recovery LA! 

Creative Recovery LA is a new grant initiative to address pandemic impacts on the arts and the creative economy, one of the most economically significant and hardest-hit sectors, while leveraging the unique capacity of arts and culture to catalyze our region’s economic recovery, civic connectivity, and community wellbeing. Through this initiative the Department of Arts and Culture will award over $26 million in American Rescue Plan funds to deliver financial relief and recovery to the LA County nonprofit arts and culture sector.

Creative Recovery LA includes five grant opportunities:

1. Arts Relief and Recovery Grant
2. Creative Works and Jobs for Artists Grant
3. Reopening Culture, Tourism, and Marketing Grant
4. Creative Career Pathways for Youth Grant
5. Arts for Justice-Involved Youth Grant

Applications open January 18th, 2023. For more information on eligibility click here. For Creative Recovery application guidelines, workshops, and the online application portal, visit Community Partners’ webpage.

Delete the Divide: Youth Internships & Job Training

The Youth Internships & Job Training initiative helps young LA County residents explore opportunities in computer and information technology industries and prepares them with the skills and networks they need to pursue a career in those fields. The initiative provides members direct access to job opportunities, mentorships, and hundreds of training courses offered through our partners.

For more information, visit: deletethedivide.org/youth-internships-job-training.

Out and About

Car Seat Safety Workshop

Antelope Valley Wellness Community is hosting a NO-COST Car Seat Safety Workshop!

This no-cost class, taught by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will cover current California laws regarding restraining children in the car. Each type of seat will be reviewed (from infant seats to booster seats) to help parents/caregivers choose the appropriate seat for their child. How to use and correctly install different types of seats using vehicle safety belts and LATCH system will be explained and practiced!

Information:

Friday, January 20th, 2023

2:00pm-3:00pm

Antelope Valley Wellness Community

335-B East Ave K-6, Lancaster CA 93535

Click here for more information. 

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Photo: Los Angeles County / Mayra Vasquez

Delete the Divide laptop giveaway event at East Los Angeles Library.

Like this shot? Then you’ll love our photo library! Click here access more beautiful pictures.

New on the County Channel

Take a look back at some of this year’s most impactful stories. 

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

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In Case You Missed It

Celebrate Safely

LA County Department of Public Health reminds you to take precautions as you prepare for holiday festivities. Headed to a Holiday Party? Get tested before the event and stay home if you’re sick.  

For more resources, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov.

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At Your Service

DPSS District Offices Are Now Safe Youth Zones

If you, or a youth you know, needs help to get away from an abusive situation that involves human trafficking, exploitation, or abuse, just step inside any DPSS office for immediate assistance from trained DPSS Safe Youth Zone Liaisons. Look for the Safe Youth Zone signs outside DPSS offices. Click here for a list of DPSS offices.

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Out and About

New Year’s Eve with Marina del Rey

Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2022 in Marina del Rey with a Glow Party & Fireworks Show!

For more information, visit beaches.lacounty.gov/.

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Photo: Los Angeles County

New on the County Channel

Meet Kipp, who is using the Breathe program to further her business! Breathe is a guaranteed income pilot program that provides 1,000 county residents some breathing room with $1000 a month for three years to help establish financial stability. For those enrolled, it’s more than a check; it’s a path forward that’s changing lives.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

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In Case You Missed It

Public Health Asks Residents to Mask, Get Boosted

Increased transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County means there is a higher likelihood of catching COVID during routine activities, such as grocery shopping, eating out at restaurants, running errands, or attending a concert or large holiday party. Los Angeles County moved into the CDC High Community Level last week, prompting Public Health officials to ask all residents to layer in sensible health protections including indoor masking and getting vaccinated and boosted.

One of the most effective ways to reduce COVID-19 transmission, along with transmission of other respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV, is to wear well-fitted, high-filtration masks indoors. Everyone ages 2 and older is asked to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, such as transit, retail, event venues, schools, and worksites when around others.

A wide range of data and dashboards on COVID-19 from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are available on the Public Health website at publichealth.lacounty.gov.

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At Your Service

#FoodEquityLA

We’re turning the tables on food insecurity in LA County! More than 70 community-based organizations and 100 food-system experts have just released an ambitious blueprint for fixing LAC’s broken food system: lacountyfoodequityroundtable.org

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Out and About

Winter Events with Beaches & Harbor

The Department of Beaches and Harbors has several fun activities lined up through this winter season. Whether it’s a stroll through the Marina Lights, catching the holiday boat parade or ringing in the new year – there’s lots to do!

To learn more about upcoming events, click here.

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LOS ANGELES – Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) announced Thursday that he and his staff will be hosting a free toy holiday giveaway at the Boys & Girls club gym at Estrada Courts in Boyle Heights.

Hundreds of families  will be invited to receive free toys to help celebrate the holidays. Additionally, there will be a  photo booth, a DJ and a Santa on-site. Other organizations coordinating the toy giveaway  include the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) and the Housing Authority of the City of Los  Angeles (HACLA).  One toy will be given per child and each child must be present to receive each toy.  

The Boyle Heights community and the surrounding areas are on the road  to recovery after the worst of the economic downturn, many families are still  unable to afford toys for their children for the holidays.

The toy giveaway will  help bring the holiday spirit to these families which is important because during  the last two holiday seasons, Boyle Heights was hit extremely hard by COVID-19.

WHEN:

Saturday, December 17 

Event: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 

WHERE:

Boys & Girls Club of Estrada Courts 

3232 Estrada Street 

Los Angeles, CA 90023 

Parking:

Parking lot next to the gym. 

 

The annual tree lighting ceremony at Jerry Moss Plaza marks the beginning of the Holiday Season.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

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In Case You Missed It

Laptop Giveaway Event

The County of L.A. is hosting special Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment and FREE laptop giveaway events at seven library locations on Saturday, December 10, 2022.  The ACP is a federally funded program offering up to $30 off your monthly internet bill.  One hundred laptops will be given away at each location for new enrollments.

To learn more and see a list of locations, visit ACP Enrollment & FREE Laptop Giveaways – Delete The Divide.

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At Your Service

Grant Opportunity: Childcare Providers Recovery

Are you a childcare provider located in Los Angeles County recovering from the pandemic? Grants starting at $15,000 are available to assist. Visit our lacountycprgrant.submittable.com to see how you can qualify.

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Out and About

Howly Jolly Adoption Event

This weekend at the Carson Gardena Animal Care Center, adoption fees will be waived for all adoptable dogs that have been in care for 60 days or longer. The waived fees include adoption, vaccination, spay/neuter and microchips. It does not include medication, licenses or trust deposits.

For more information, visit animalcare.lacounty.gov.

Winter Events with LA County Parks

It’s Park Time L.A. County! Parks After Dark returns with an enchanting Winter Wonderland experience that will bring holiday cheer and 40 to 80 tons of snow to 34 L.A. County Parks in the month of December. This holiday action packed celebration is for the entire family and is bigger and better than ever before, with more snow, more toys, more craft activities and more fun! All for free!

For more information on Parks After Dark Winter Wonderland, visit parks.lacounty.gov/winterpad.

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LOS ANGELES – LA County Parks and Recreation is collaborating with the Los Angeles Clippers and Jr. Clippers to provide our participants additional benefits. We offer youth and girls basketball leagues, ages 3 to 15 (ages vary by location).

Registration fee is $25.00, and it will cover uniform, game official, and participation award at the end of the season. The Youth Basketball League will provide opportunities for participants to learn the fundamental skills of Basketball and stay active. Participants will learn and display sportsmanship, teamwork and responsibility.

Divisions, dates and times may vary between locations. See below for a full list of locations.

SIGN UP TODAY

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This Winter at LA County Parks, Basketball is Back!
Available at these Locations

NORTH AGENCY

Crescenta Valley Park – 3901 Dunsmore Avenue, La Crescenta, CA 91214

George Lane Park – 5520 West Avenue L-8, Quartz Hill, CA 93534

Jackie Robinson Park – 8773 East Avenue R, Littlerock, CA 93543

Stephen Sorensen Park – 16801 East Avenue P, Lake Los Angeles, CA 93591

Castaic Sports Complex – 31320 North Castaic Road, Castaic, CA 91384

Loma Alta Park – 3330 North Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, CA 91001

El Cariso Park 13100 Hubbard Street, Sylmar, CA 91342

SOUTH AGENCY

Athens Park – 12603 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90061

Alondra Park – 3850 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Lawndale, CA 90260

East Rancho Dominguez Park – 15116 South Atlantic Avenue, Compton, CA 90221

Bethune Park – 1244 East 61st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90001

Carver Park – 1400 East 118th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Campanella Park – 14812 Stanford Avenue, Compton, CA 90220

Helen Keller Park –  12521 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90044

Lennox Park – 10828 South Condon Avenue, Lennox, CA 90304

Jesse Owens Park – 9651 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90047

Washington Park – 8908 South Maie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90002

Roosevelt Park – 7600 Graham Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90001

Ted Watkins Park – 1335 East 103rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90002

Mona Park – 2291 East 121st Street, Compton, CA 90222

Victoria Park – 419 Martin Luther King Jr. Street, Carson, CA 90746

Del Aire Park – 12601 South Isis Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250

Adventure Park – 10130 South Gunn Avenue, Whittier, CA 90605

Amigo Park – 5700 South Juarez Avenue, Whittier, CA 90606

Mayberry Park – 13201 East Meyer Road, Whittier, CA 90605

Sorensen Park – 11419 Rosehedge Drive, Whittier, CA 90606

EAST AGENCY

Belvedere Park – 4914 East Cesar Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90022

City Terrace Park – 1126 North Hazard Avenue, East Los Angeles, CA 90063

Obregon Park – 4021 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90063

Salazar Park – 3864 Whittier Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90023

Saybrook Park – 6250 East Northside Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90022

Carolyn Rosas Park – 18500 East Fajardo Street, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

Hacienda Heights Community Center – 1234 Valencia Avenue, Hacienda Heights, CA
91745

Manzanita Park – 1747 South Kwis Avenue, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

Pathfinder Park – 18150 Pathfinder Road, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

Rowland Heights Park – 1500 South Banida Avenue, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

Steinmetz Park – 1545 South Stimson Avenue, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

Arcadia Park – 405 South Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006

Bassett Park – 510 North Vineland Avenue, La Puente, CA 91746

Charter Oak Park – 20261 East Covina Boulevard, Covina, CA 91723

Dalton Park – 18867 East Armstead Street, Azusa, CA 91702

Pamela Park – 2236 Goodall Avenue, Duarte, CA 91010

Allen J Martin Park – 14830 East Giordano Street, La Puente, CA 91744

Rimgrove Park – 747 North Rimgrove Drive, La Puente, CA 91744

San Angelo Park – 245 South San Angelo Avenue, La Puente, CA 91746

Sunshine Park – 515 South Deepmead Avenue, La Puente, CA 91744

Valleydale Park 5525 North Lark Ellen Avenue, Azusa, CA 91702

LOS ANGELES – It’s Park Time L.A. County! Parks After Dark returns with an enchanting Winter Wonderland experience that will bring holiday cheer and 40 to 80 tons of snow to 34 L.A. County Parks in the month of December.

This holiday action packed celebration is for the entire family and is bigger and better than ever before, with more snow, more toys, more craft activities and more fun! All for free!

Parks After Dark Snow Patrol teams, staffed by passionate and dedicated Parks & Recreation personnel, are ready to transform local parks into wintry paradises complete with sled runs, photo opportunities, snack stations, holiday treats and a craft village where children can decorate their own holiday stocking! Families should plan to arrive early at their local park for a toy giveaway for ages 0-17, while supplies last.

New this year to the Winter Wonderland experience is a Teen Zone where young adults can enjoy their own space to hang out with their friends, create and design art, listen to music, silkscreen holiday shirts and make their own personalized Santa hat!

Also beginning this year, selected parks will double their fun with Mega Snow days, which will bring up to 80 tons of snow to Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park, Val Verde Park, Belvedere Park, El Cariso Park, Loma Alta Park, Ted Watkins Park, Roosevelt Park and Valleydale Park.

The L.A. County Parks Winter Wonderland is possible thanks to the generosity of Los Angeles Department of Social Services, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the L.A. County Probation Department.

“Parks After Dark brings family, friends, neighbors and community together in their local park,” County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Norma Edith García-González said. “The Winter Wonderland experience will provide youth and families a memorable snow day experience and much more to celebrate the joy of the holiday season. I am grateful to DPR Staff for all their work to bring 40 to 80 tons of snow to 34 parks this holiday season!”

Parks After Dark, launched in 2010, has proven to be a successful prevention and intervention program that provides multiple benefits to vulnerable communities, decreasing violence and crime, and increasing social cohesion and community well-being. In 2018, Parks After Dark was recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association, which presented L.A. County Parks and Recreation with is Best in Innovation award.

For more information on Parks After Dark Winter Wonderland, visit https://parks.lacounty.gov/winterpad

Locations, dates, and times for Parks After Dark Winter Wonderland are listed below:

Friday, Dec. 2

• Col. Leon H. Washington Park – 8908 S. Maie Ave., Los Angeles (4-8 p.m.)
• Mary M. Bethune Park – 1244 E. 61st St., Los Angeles – (4-8 p.m.)
• Charter Oak Park – 20261 E. Covina Blvd., Covina – (4-8 p.m.)
• Pamela County Park – 2236 Goodall Ave., Duarte – (4-8 p.m.)

Saturday, Dec. 3

• Eugene A. Obregon Park – 4021 E. First St., Los Angeles – (12-4 p.m.)
• City Terrace Park – 1126 N. Hazard Ave., East Los Angeles – (4-8 p.m.)
• Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park – 905 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles (12-4 p.m.) (Mega Snow)
• George Washington Carver Park – 1400 E. 118th St., Los Angeles – (4-8 p.m.)
• Val Verde Community Regional Park – 30300 W. Arlington Rd., Val Verde
  (12-4 p.m.) (Mega Snow)
• Belvedere Community Regional Park – 4914 E. Cesar Chavez Ave., Los Angeles
  (4-8 p.m.) (Mega Snow)

Friday, Dec. 9

• Adventure Park – 10130 S. Gunn Ave., Whittier – (4-8 p.m.)
• Sorenson Park – 11419 Rose Hedge Dr., Whittier – (4-8 p.m.)
• Saybrook Park – 6250 E. Northside Dr., East Los Angeles – (4-8 p.m.)
• Jesse Owens Community Regional Park – 9651 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles –
  (4-8 p.m.)

Saturday, Dec. 10

• El Cariso Community Regional Park – 13100 Hubbard St., Sylmar – (12-4 p.m.) (Mega Snow)
• Loma Alta Park – 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena – (4-8 p.m.)
• Helen Keller Park – 12521 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles – (12-4 p.m.)
• Athens Park – 12603 S. Broadway, Los Angeles – (4-8 p.m.)
• San Angelo Park – 245 S. San Angelo Ave., La Puente – (12-4 p.m.)
• Bassett Park – 510 N. Vineland Ave., La Puente – (4-8 p.m.)
• East Rancho Dominguez Park – 15116 S. Atlantic Ave., Compton – (12-4 p.m.)
• Ted Watkins Memorial Park – 1335 E. 103rd St., Los Angeles – (4-8 p.m.)
  (Mega Snow)
• George Lane Park – 5520 W Ave L-8, Quartz Hill (4-8 p.m.)

Friday, Dec. 16

• Ruben F. Salazar Park – 3864 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles (4-8 p.m.)
• William Steinmetz Park – 1545 S, Stimson Ave., Hacienda Heights – (4-8 p.m.)
• Amigo Park – 5700 S. Juarez Ave., Whittier – (4-8 p.m.)
• Amelia Mayberry Park – 13201 E. Meyer Rd., Whittier – (4-8 p.m.)

Saturday, Dec. 17

• Stephen Sorenson Park – 16801 E. Avenue P, Lake Los Angeles (12-4 p.m.)
  (Mega Snow)
• Jackie Robinson Park – 8773 E. Avenue R, Littlerock – (4-8 p.m.)
• Mona Park – 2291 E. 121st St., Compton (12-4 p.m.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Park – 7600 Graham Ave., Los Angeles – (4-8 p.m.)
  (Mega Snow)
• Rimgrove Park – 747 N. Rimgrove Dr., La Puente – (12-4 p.m.)
• Allen J. Martin Park – 14830 E. Giordano St., La Puente – (4-8 p.m.)
• Valleydale Park – 5525 N. Lark Ellen Ave., Azusa – (4-8 p.m.) (Mega Snow)

LOS ANGELES – New on the County Channel:

Thanksgiving has special meaning this year for seniors living alone or in congregate settings thanks to a food program run by the Aging and Disabilities Department that ensures elderly residents receive three nutritious meals a day. For the centenarians featured here, the meals may fill their stomach, but those who deliver them warm their hearts.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

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In Case You Missed It

Having a Safe Thanksgiving

This week, many of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving and gathering with friends and family over the long weekend. We are grateful this year to have the tools that allow us to gather with a lot of safety. It will mean however that all of us are likely to need to take some common-sense precautions to avoid future disruptions and the spread of illness.

• Get Vaccinated: First, we should all do our very best to be sure we are up to date on our vaccines. The flu shot and the COVID-19 updated bivalent booster are both widely available in LA County and you can receive both vaccines at the same time. Many people may be thinking that it is too late to get vaccinated before Thanksgiving because the vaccines need time to be effective. While protection does ramp up over the 1-2 weeks after you are vaccinated this does not mean that you will have zero protection until this point. You will still have some protection and you will be prepared for future events. Most pharmacies have these vaccines readily available without an appointment. You can also visit our website: ph.lacounty.gov/howtogetvaccinated.
• Test Before Gathering: If you are hosting, consider asking guests to take a home COVID test before they come over. If you are going to a gathering and you know there will be an older person there or others who are at high risk for severe illness for COVID, test before you arrive just to be safe and ensure that you are not passing along anything that you do not want to be. COVID-19 home tests for all DPH employees are covered by your insurance.
• Stay Home if Sick: If you are coughing, sneezing, have a runny nose, fever, or other concerning symptoms, you should stay home and not risk infecting others. Even a scratchy throat could result in passing along a respiratory virus. Please stay home, rest, and recover.
• Maximize Ventilation: Look for ways that you can improve ventilation in your home. If it is not too cold, stay outdoors as much as possible. When inside, open windows or a screen door and use fans to move the air. If you have an HVAC system in your home, set the fan to ‘on’ and make sure your filters are installed properly. You can also use a portable, high-efficiency air cleaner, also known as HEPA air purifiers. Improving ventilation in your home, as well as gathering in larger rooms where people are spaced apart or going outside, if possible, can help reduce the transmission of airborne illnesses.

Adopt-A-Family Program

The Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Toy Loan and Volunteer Services Program is gearing up to host the annual Adopt-A-Family Program, the much-anticipated holiday campaign to bring joy to over 1,000 low-income families receiving DPSS benefits and services.

The call is once again going out to encourage individuals and organizations to help make a difference in the community by supporting this worthwhile program.  Sponsoring a family is a wonderful way to celebrate the true spirit of giving.

For over 30 years, the Adopt-A-Family Program has partnered with the community and generously sponsored families needing support during the holidays. Last year, the program provided gifts of clothing, toys, food, and other new items to approximately 1,800 families.

Sponsors may choose the size of the family, general location, and how many families they would like to sponsor. There is no limit to the number of families. Once matched with a family, the sponsor reviews the family’s wish list and decides what and how much to give.

Individuals or organizations interested in adopting a family may fill out an online sponsor application at https://bit.ly/DPSSAAF. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, December 9, 2022.

For more information, contact DPSS Volunteer Coordinator Brenda Gonzalez Camacho at [email protected].   

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At Your Service

Emergency Rent Assistance Program for CALWorks Families 

CalWORKs participants who are behind on rent can call the DPSS Customer Service Center at (866)-613-3777 to request Emergency Assistance to Prevent Eviction (EAPE). Download the EAPE fact sheet to learn more. Submit an application to you CalWORKs Eligibility Worker at your district office.

Laptop Giveaway Event

The County of L.A. is hosting special Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment and FREE laptop giveaway events at seven library locations on Saturday, December 10, 2022.  The ACP is a federally funded program offering up to $30 off your monthly internet bill.  One hundred laptops will be given away at each location for new enrollments.

To learn more and see a list of locations, visit ACP Enrollment & FREE Laptop Giveaways – Delete The Divide.

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Out and About

Tree Lighting Event

Usher in this festive time of year with the official lighting of LA County’s Christmas tree at The Music Center. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate while experiencing a live performance by Skid Row-based Urban Voices project. 

Mon, Nov 28 | 5 pm

Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center
135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, 90012

This free event is open to all!

Winter Events with LA County Parks

It’s Park Time L.A. County! Parks After Dark returns with an enchanting Winter Wonderland experience that will bring holiday cheer and 40 to 80 tons of snow to 34 L.A. County Parks in the month of December. This holiday action packed celebration is for the entire family and is bigger and better than ever before, with more snow, more toys, more craft activities and more fun! All for free!

For more information on Parks After Dark Winter Wonderland, visit parks.lacounty.gov/winterpad.

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Photo Finish

Photo: Mayra Beltran Vasquez / Los Angeles County