Andy's Updates shares news about all aspects of the Anaheim community. Thanks for tuning in!
This week's issue includes:
- COVID-19 case update
- OC Black History Parade
- Homeless Point in Time Count
- Center of Hope
- New Anaheim magazine
- Electric vehicle workshop
|
|
Omicron wave in dramatic decline |
If there’s anything good about omicron, it's that the COVID-19 variant is living up to expectations and declining as quickly as it spread.
Anaheim and Orange County are seeing a rapid fall in cases after the omicron wave peaked in early January.
For the seven days through Feb. 1, cases across Orange County fell by 55 percent to 19,720, down from 43,604 a week earlier.
The trend was similar in Anaheim, where cases fell 58 percent to 2,930, down from 6,930 a week earlier.
Case levels remain higher than we'd like to see, but the decline is dramatic and encouraging coming off the record cases recorded in early January.
The trend has followed our forecasts of a rapid rise and fall, based on how omicron played out earlier in South Africa, Britain and New York.
We continue to watch a subvariant of omicron known as omicron BA.2, which has been detected in Orange County and across California. But, so far, it is not having any impact on declining cases.
For now, omicron remains with us and is highly contagious. We urge everyone to carry on with caution.
If the trend holds, we expect to see a return to a pandemic “normal” — where cases are stable but we continue to follow basic precautions.
Getting vaccinated and boosted remains our best defense. In the omicron wave, the lowest number of cases were among the boosted.
|
|
OC Black History Parade this Saturday |
Happy Black History Month, Anaheim!
We’re thrilled to welcome back the 42nd annual OC Black History Parade and Unity Festival to downtown Anaheim this Saturday, Feb. 5.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organizers cautiously put the event on hold last year, but it's back this year and better than ever.
The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. on Anaheim Boulevard at Lincoln Avenue, travel south to Water Street then double back to end at Broadway. It will include marching bands, floats, elected officials and community groups.
The parade will feature R&B Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Kenny Lattimore as grand marshal.
Other featured celebrities will include celebrity news reporter Loren LoRosa and former martial artist champion Fredia Gibbs.
Following the parade is a unity festival from noon to 5 p.m. on Center Street Promenade. The festival will feature youth and health villages, a college fair, food trucks and vendors, and endless entertainment.
Live entertainment will span three stages and feature various musical artists.
The Muzeo will also host winning artwork from the 9th annual OC Heritage Council Youth Art Contest as part of the OCHC Black Excellence Art Exhibition.
The OC Black History Parade and Unity Festival is unlike any other event we see in Anaheim. We hope everyone comes out to enjoy the energy, comradery and strong sense of community of this beloved tradition.
|
|
Homeless Point in Time Count |
Every two years we work with our county partners to count the number of homeless and unsheltered people in our community. It’s known as the Point in Time Count.
We do so to know how many people there are, assess the level of services we provide and get a better understanding of how we can better help this population.
These counts have been critical in helping Anaheim address homelessness in our city and the region. With a better understanding of our homeless population, we’ve been able to transition nearly 5,000 people out of homelessness since 2014.
The 2022 Point in Time Count will take place Feb. 21-24, and you can get involved.
Volunteers are needed to help count people in the field and provide operations support at six deployment centers.
Morning shifts for field surveyors are from 5 to 8:45 a.m. and evening shifts from 7 to 10:45 p.m. Deployment center shifts run prior to and after the field shifts.
Volunteers can sign up at Everyonecountsoc.org, where you can also find more information and register for a volunteer training.
Thanks for helping us make a difference in Anaheim!
|
|
Center of Hope breaks ground |
We joined the community this week in celebrating the groundbreaking of the Center of Hope, a comprehensive homeless campus by The Salvation Army.
The 6.9-acre campus will include a 325-bed shelter, 72 permanent supportive housing apartments, onsite medical, dental and pet care, and an existing 175-bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.
Center of Hope is being built on the site of the current Anaheim Emergency Shelter, which has helped hundreds of people off the streets and onto a pathway out of homelessness since it opened in January 2019. The site is on Lewis Street in an industrial area of our city.
Anaheim's partnership with The Salvation Army on Center of Hope is part of our long-term solution to addressing homelessness in our city. Since 2014, we're helped nearly 5,000 people off the streets on a pathway to a better future.
|
|
Anaheim magazine is back and better than ever, after being on hold for two years due to the coronavirus crisis.
The winter 2022 edition includes a new and improved design with a more modern look and feel.
Inside, you can find stories about:
- Anaheim’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Our city’s bright future and recovery
- The 42nd annual OC Black History Parade
- Be Well OC in Anaheim
- And much more!
The magazine is mailed to every address in the city and can also be found online here.
Thank you for all of your patience, perseverance and doing your part during these unusual times. We hope you enjoy the new and improved Anaheim magazine.
|
|
Electric vehicle workshop |
Electric vehicles, known as EVs for short, are gaining use and popularity, which is good for our environment.
If you're looking to get more information about charging an EV at your home or business, Anaheim Public Utilities is here to help.
Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 16, for a workshop on EV technology, charging options and electrical panel considerations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
