Biweekly Third District Update

County of Riverside California - External sent this bulletin at 12/22/2021 04:45 PM PST

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From the Desk of

Chuck Washington

Dear Third District Resident,

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May Christmas and the coming New Year bring happiness and health to you and your family.

If you’re looking for a light conversation starter on Christmas Day, feel free to use the fun, Christmas-themed trivia questions below. To find the answers, scroll to the bottom of this newsletter.

What Christmas carol was the first song ever broadcast from space in 1965?
Which American president banned Christmas trees in the White House?
Which country began the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?
What did people put on their Christmas trees before Christmas lights?
What did the other reindeer not let Rudolph do because of his shiny red nose?

Sincere regards,

Chuck Washington

CalCompetes Grant Program

The California Competes Grant is available to businesses that want to locate to California or stay and grow. A total of $120 million in California Competes Grant funds are available for allocation in the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The maximum grant award is $36 million. The application period is open Jan. 3, 2022 to Jan. 24, 2022.

The CalCompetes Grant is available to businesses of any size if the project meets at least one of the following criteria:

· Will create at least 500 new full-time jobs in California

· Will make capital investments of at least $10 million

· Will take place in an area of high unemployment and/or poverty as defined in the California Competes Tax Credit regulations

More info is available on this one page fact sheet

First 5 Riverside Champion for Children Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the First 5 Riverside County Champion for Children Award. The award was created to honor and bring awareness to people and organizations whose leadership and advocacy embody the vision of First 5 Riverside County. Nominations are due by Dec. 31, 2021.

The next Champion for Children will be awarded a sponsorship of up to $1,000 to support a community event. They will also be presented a plaque and certificate by the Riverside County Children and Families Commission in spring 2022 and will be recognized on the F5R website and social media channels.

Nominees must be residents of Riverside County for at least two years. The impact from this award must benefit children in Riverside County. It is preferred that nominees also work in the County; however, that is not a requirement. The recipient selected will have achievements that align with F5R strategic goals, including quality early leaning, comprehensive health and development, and resilient families.

For more information about the award, visit https://bit.ly/3E1Q3Jy and to access the fillable nomination form, visit https://bit.ly/3yBzgM1.

Supervisor Donates Christmas Tree to Newly Rebuilt Homeland Church

In 2016, tragedy struck the Community First Church of God when their church was destroyed in a fire. Despite this great loss, the church persevered, and this past November, a grand reopening ceremony was held to commemorate the church’s rebuild.

In celebration of the church’s restoration, Supervisor Washington donated the beautiful holiday tree pictured below to Community First Church of God, which is now on display at their newly rebuilt sanctuary in Homeland.

“We would like to thank Supervisor Washington for this gift during the holidays. We adopted this tree as our Advent tree to represent hope, faith, peace, love and joy,” said Pastor Mike Gratzke.

Supervisor Washington received the tree for being a sponsor at this year’s Riverside University Health System Foundation Festival of Trees event. Proceeds from the Festival of Trees fund lifesaving equipment and programs for RUHS Medical Center’s pediatric units, including the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit and the child abuse and neglect unit.

Scams Target Senior Population, Part 8

Taken from “CARE: When Trust is a Weapon,” by the County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services

As the population of older adults in Riverside County increases, we see more and more scammers trying to trick the elderly community. This article is part eight of a series on fraud that targets older adults. This week’s article focuses on Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams.

These scammers are using the telephone and direct mail to entice you to buy into high-stakes foreign lotteries. They use victims’ account numbers to make unauthorized withdrawals, or their credit card numbers to run up additional charges.

If you are contacted by someone stating you have won, do not give them any money, bank account numbers, social security numbers or any other personal information. Report it to your local law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

A young girl sitting on the ground outside and wearing a hoodie clutches a teddy bear tightly to herself.

REMINDER: Volunteer for the Homeless Point-in-Time Count

Every year, counties throughout the nation spend a day interviewing homeless residents. This event, called the Point-In-Time Count, gives a “snapshot” of the number of homeless individuals in Riverside County on a specific day. The interviews allow us to learn more about why they are homeless, how long they have been homeless and what kinds of programs and services they might need to help them become housed. Point-in-Time Count information is also used to attract resources that can help alleviate homelessness.

The interviews are conducted using a mobile app. Training is provided, and volunteer teams go out in groups accompanied by a law enforcement officer to ensure everyone’s safety. The general count takes place from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. There will also be a homeless youth count from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 through Friday, Jan. 28, 2022.

To volunteer with the General Point-in-Time Count, visit MoreThanACount.org.

To volunteer with the Youth Point-in-Time Count, visit YouthCount.MoreThanACount.org.

REMINDER: Riverside County Opens Warm Centers to Protect Residents from the Cold

As temperatures begin to fall, cool centers throughout Riverside County have begun opening their doors, offering residents a warm and cozy place to relax.

Currently, there are 58 warm centers open to the public in partnership with local organizations such as libraries and community centers. The centers are available to residents at no cost.

Below are details for warm centers located in the Third District. To see a full list of warm centers, visit https://bit.ly/3IuMkHD.

Anza Library: Located at 57430 Mitchell Road in Anza, this site is open 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 951-763-4216.

Idyllwild Library: Located at 54401 Village Center Drive in Idyllwild, this site is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 951-659-2300.

Murrieta Senior Center: Located at 5 Town Square in Murrieta, this site is open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 951-304-7275. Please note that this site is open to seniors only.

Mary Phillips Senior Center: Located at 41845 6th Street in Temecula, this site is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 951-694-6464.

Updated COVID-19 Protocols

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued updated guidance on face coverings due to the emergence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. On Dec. 13, 2021, the CDPH announced that is it now requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status beginning Dec. 15, 2021 through Jan. 15, 2022. The State will continue to monitor the situation and will reassess after Jan. 15, 2022.

To view the full COVID-19 update for face coverings, mega events and travel updates click here.

Riverside County COVID-19 Update

As of Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, Riverside County’s COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 residents is 19.2, and our positivity rate is 6.1 percent.

Help keep our community and your family safe by getting your COVID-19 vaccine. The County of Riverside is vaccinating residents ages five and up. Vaccination clinics provide first and second doses, additional doses for those with immunosuppressed health and Pfizer booster doses for all individuals 16 and older who completed a Moderna or Pfizer primary series at least six months ago, or a Johnson & Johnson primary series at least two months ago. At this time, only the Pfizer booster dose is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 16 and 17. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster doses are available to those 18 and older who have also completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination.

To make an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, call 2-1-1 or visit www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine. You can also schedule an appointment at a Community Health Center by calling 800-945-6171. If you are unable to leave your home for medical reasons, you can be vaccinated from the comfort of your home by calling 833-422-4255 or visiting myturn.ca.gov.

If you recently tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, you may be eligible for monoclonal antibody treatment. For more information, please call the RUHS Medical Center at 951-486-6520.

Daily updates on the county’s COVID-19 cases are posted at www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus and on Facebook at @countyriversidedepartmentofpublichealth and Twitter at @RivCoDoc. For state updates, visit www.cdph.ca.gov, and for national updates, visit www.cdc.gov.

As of Dec. 22, 2021, 6.6 percent of Riverside County residents are partially vaccinated (154,574 residents), 57.9 percent are fully vaccinated (1,349,519 residents), and 19.9 percent (390,579 residents) have received their additional dose/booster vaccine. To see a larger image with additional statistics, click on the picture above.

Answers to Trivia Questions

1. Jingle Bells

2. Theodore Roosevelt

3. Germany

4. Candles

5. Join in any reindeer games

Contact Us

As always, the Riverside County Third District Supervisor’s Office is pleased to offer in-person services Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at our French Valley Office at the French Valley Airport (37600 Sky Canyon Drive, Murrieta) or by appointment at our Valle Vista Office inside the Valle Vista Sheriff’s Station (43950 Acacia Avenue, Hemet). Please contact our office before your visit by calling 951-955-1030 or emailing d3email@rivco.org. For regular Third District updates, visit our Facebook (@supervisorchuckwashington), Instagram (@supervisorchuckwashington), Twitter (@SupWashington) and website (SupervisorChuckWashington.com).

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To send a message to Supervisor Washington, please use this email address: d3email@rivco.org

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