Andy's Updates: COVID-19 update, summer fun, rent assistance

August 2021

Andy's Updates is back in its monthly form, sharing news about all aspects of the Anaheim community. Thanks for tuning in!

This week's issue includes:

COVID-19 update
Summer fun
Public art survey
Rent assistance
Library of the Year
Be water wise

Find more about the city of Anaheim at Anaheim.net.

COVID-19 update

It feels like a bad case of deja vu, but coronavirus cases are up again and presenting a challenge for our community.

Yet unlike the summer 2020 and winter 2020-21 surges, things are different this time around.

While the Delta variant is driving the spread of cases we're seeing, the good news is that the vaccines are holding up well in protecting those who have been vaccinated.

Yes, there are breakthrough cases among the vaccinated. But they are far less common and typically don’t bring symptoms or serious illness.

The vast majority of cases we are seeing are among the unvaccinated.

Countywide, the case rate among the unvaccinated is 25 per 100,000 people, on par with Orange County in February during the winter surge.

Among vaccinated people, the case rate is 5 per 100,000 people.

With the rise in cases comes a recommendation from the California Department of Public Health for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks in indoor public spaces.

The back and forth on masks is frustrating, we know.

While masks can play an important role in slowing spread, vaccines are the best tool we have.

Vaccines are why Anaheim is trending better than the rest of the county, rather than leading it as we saw during the winter surge.

The highest rates of new cases now are in coastal and southeastern Orange County.

In Anaheim, we are 60 percent fully vaccinated with 68 percent having at least one shot on their way to full vaccination.

If you’ve been vaccinated, thank you. If not, doing so is easier than ever with shots available at City Hall, Brookhurst Community Center and local pharmacies and retailers.

Find out more at Anaheim.net/vaccines.

Video Spotlight: Community Care Response Team

Six months in, Anaheim's Community Care Response Team is proving effective as the next phase in our ongoing effort to address homelessness. Check out the video to learn more about this exciting pilot program.

Community Care Response Team Six Month Review

Soak up summer

Doesn’t it feel good to enjoy summer again and do more of the things we know and love this time of year?

We hope you’ve had a chance to safely reconnect with family and friends at a picnic, outdoor concert or sporting activity at one of our 60-plus parks.

While the kids may be heading back to school soon, there’s still much to enjoy during the month of August.

Here’s a brief lineup of event at Anaheim parks:

Aug. 3

National Night Out

5-8 p.m.

Cost: free

La Palma Park, 1151 N. La Palma Parkway

Get to know your Anaheim Police Department with cool car, motorcycle, helicopter and SWAT displays and demonstrations by the K9 and motorcycle units. Enjoy food trucks and more!

Aug. 4, 11

Nature Nights

7 p.m.

Cost: free, but registration required; a $5 donation per family is suggested

Oak Canyon Nature Center, 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road

Start the evening with a nature walk led by staff naturalists, then join under the oak trees for a formal presentation.

Aug. 7

DSB - A Tribute to Journey

7-9 p.m.

Cost: free

Pearson Park Amphitheatre, 401 N. Lemon St.

Enjoy songs from world-class musicians paying tribute to Journey’s musical legacy at a truly nostalgic outdoor concert.

Aug. 14

Santanaways

7-9 p.m.

Cost: free

Pearson Park Amphitheatre, 401 N. Lemon St.

Bask in the iconic fusion of rock ‘n’ roll and Latin American jazz synonymous with Carlos Santana and brought to life by this highly sought-after tribute band.

Aug. 26

Pacific Symphony: Symphony on the Go!

7 p.m.

Cost: free

Juarez Park, 841 S. Sunkist St.

Hear the sounds of the symphony in your neighborhood park! Pacific Symphony will set up their mobile stage for a truly unique performance. Don’t forget your lawn chair or blanket.

Public art survey

Who doesn’t love going for a stroll in their neighborhood and passing by a sculpture, fountain or mural?

Maybe you’ve seen the painted LOVE mural in downtown Anaheim, or tiled murals at Ponderosa Skate Park and Paul Revere Park. How about the fountains at Aloe Greens Park or K9 sculptures at La Palma and Olive Hills dog parks?

Through the years, Anaheim has added pieces of public art throughout our community, and we’re looking to add more.

Do you know something that would look really cool at your neighborhood park or community center? Or maybe you have an idea for a mural that celebrates the uniqueness of Anaheim.

We are all ears.

Share your public art ideas or feedback in our quick and easy online survey. You can also be entered into a drawing for a prize pack!

Learn more at Anaheimpublicart.org.

Rent assistance

Anaheim is accepting applications from landlords for financial assistance to cover unpaid rent and tenant utility bills due to the economic impacts of the pandemic.

Landlords with impacted properties in Anaheim can apply for state payment covering up to 100 percent of unpaid rent from April 2020 through September 2021 under the latest round of Anaheim's Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Applications are now available at Anaheim.net/rentassistance.

Previous rounds of the program only covered a portion of the rent owed, in line with state guidelines at the time, and relied on tenants to apply. This current round is for landlords only, and offers full coverage of back rent owed by qualifying tenants.

Tenants with unpaid rent can still take part in the program by working with their landlord to apply for assistance.

You do not need to reapply if you've already applied with Anaheim during prior phases of our rental assistance program.

We are currently still processing applications submitted in the previous round and will notify tenants and landlords when their application has been reviewed.

Landlords or tenants who previously applied for assistance to cover 80 percent of unpaid rent do not need to reapply to be considered for the additional 20 percent (adding up to 100 percent promised in new state law).

Find more information and answers to frequently asked questions at Anaheim.net/rentassistance.

Library of the Year

Anaheim Public Library’s work to keep serving our community during the challenges of the pandemic has earned an exclusive national honor.

Anaheim Public Library was recognized as national 2021 Library of the Year for exemplary service to the community with creativity and innovation.

After the pandemic closure of Anaheim library branches, community centers, schools and even major venues such as the Disneyland Resort, Anaheim Public Library shifted to become a lifeline for residents who rely on the Library as a place to learn and access information.

Library staff continued their well-loved educational programs online, offering engaging storytimes, parent workshops and science and arts-focused programs.

Keeping kids and families engaged at home, virtual programs streamed online gave a sense of reassuring normalcy, connection and comfort during a unique and difficult time for Anaheim.

The Library pivoted beyond books to meet the community's needs, being the first to offer curbside service and virtual programs in the region.

Pandemic outreach included expanding Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Chinese, Farsi and Korean books in the Library’s collection, creating a tailored Library card to address the unique challenges faced by foster youth and by offering technology workshops and art kits for seniors.