City of Paramount

More Vaccine FAQs from LA County Public Health Will getting the vaccine cause me to test positive on a COVID-19 test? No. Vaccines won’t cause you to test positive on a viral test (like the swab test) that looks for current COVID-19 infection. You may test positive on some antibody tests. This is because one of the ways that vaccines work is to teach your body to make antibodies.... How do vaccines protect communities? When a person gets vaccinated, they are less likely to get a disease or pass the germ on to other people. When more people get vaccinated there are fewer people left for a germ to infect so it is harder for the germ to spread. This is called community immunity or herd immunity. Herd immunity is important because it protects people who can’t get the vaccine, for example, because they are too young or are very sick. To get more information about the vaccine, please visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/vaccine/.

Mayor Peggy Lemons’ Weekly Update for January 13, 2021 Hello Paramount. The year 2020 has come and gone without a lot of good news to share. However, as the City closes the book on 2020, we do have positive news regarding our crime statistics.... Paramount saw a large drop in violent crimes of 24%, led by a 19% decline in assaults, 32% decrease in robberies, and 75% reduction in homicides (there was one during the year). With property crimes, while there were increases in arson and auto theft (a regional problem), there were drops in theft and burglaries. L.A. County overall experienced increases in many of these areas, so we thank the Paramount Sheriff’s deputies, our Public Safety Department, and, most of all, our residents for helping Paramount continue its year-by-year decline in crime. TIP OF THE WEEK: Paramount Unified’s free meal service for students 18 and under resumed this week. Grab N’ Go meals are available for pick up Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Alondra, Collins, Gaines, Hollydale, Keppel, Lincoln, Los Cerritos, Mokler, Roosevelt, Wirtz, and Tanner. (Please visit only one site for one meal bag per child per day.) Meals To You delivers free breakfasts and lunches every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at seven PUSD bus stops Artesia Blvd. & Passage Ave., 3-3:20 p.m.; 2301 Market St., 3-3:30 p.m.; Paramount Blvd. & 54th St., 3:35-4:05 p.m.; Paramount Blvd. & 55th Way, 3:35-4:05 p.m.; Downey Ave. & Andy St., 3:35-4:05 p.m.; 7101 Rosecrans Ave., 3:45-4:15 p.m.; South St. & Ackerfield Ave., 3:45-4:15 p.m. All Friday meals for both programs will have three breakfasts and three lunches to last through the weekend.

Vaccine FAQs from LA County Public Health Can you get COVID-19 from a vaccine? No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines being developed in the U.S. have the virus that causes COVID-19 in them. Sometimes people get a fever or feel tired for a day or so after getting a vaccine. These symptoms are normal and a sign that the body is building immunity. It usually takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. If a person got infected with the virus that causes COVID-...19 just before or just after they got a shot they could still get COVID-19. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection. If I Have Already had COVID-19 do I still need to get vaccinated? Yes, you do need the vaccine even if you have had COVID-19. We don’t yet know how long you are protected after you have had COVID-19, so it is important to have the vaccine to strengthen your immunity.

The Los Angeles County Temporary Eviction Moratorium has been extended through February 28, 2021, unless repealed or extended by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. It places a Countywide ban on evictions for residential and commercial tenants, including mobile home space renters. Under the County’s Moratorium, tenants may not be evicted for COVID-19 related nonpayment of rent, as well as no-fault reasons, nuisance, denying entry to a landlord, or unauthorized occupants or pets if related to COVID-19. For more details, including how to notify a landlord, visit dcba.lacounty.gov/noevictions.

A reminder that for Christmas there will be no street sweeping on Thur., Dec. 24 and Fri., Dec. 25 and no makeup. On New Year’s Day, Fri., Jan. 1, 2021, there will be no street sweeping and no makeup. For all other days during this time, street sweeping will maintain its regular schedule and parking enforcement will continue. There will be no trash pick-up on Fri., Dec. 25. It will resume on Sat., Dec. 26 (if your collection day is Fri., put it out for Sat.). There will be no trash pick-up on Fri., Jan. 1, 2021. It will resume on Sat., Jan. 2 (same as above, if your collection day is Fri., put it out for Sat.). For questions regarding garbage collection, please call CalMet at (562) 259-1239.

Clear out your closets and garages when the City holds its next free cleanup event Clutter-Free, Paramount on Sat., Jan. 23 from 8am to 2pm at Paramount Park. See the flyer. This is for Paramount residents only so you must present a valid ID with a Paramount address. Due to its popularity, be prepared for wait times. Because of COVID-19, you must unload your vehicle and wear masks at all times. Special thanks to CalMet Services, the City’s refuse hauler, for providing containers, drop-off/pickup, and disposal at no cost. Paramount Park is located at 14400 Paramount Blvd. Feel free to share the items you’re bringing to the event at #ClutterFreeParamount then afterwards keep the conversation going by sharing your clutter-free space!

Paramount Unified will be distributing 10-days’ worth of meals to families of PUSD and community children on Tues., Dec. 29 from 8 - 11am at Mokler Elementary School. It is recommended that families drive-thru or come with strollers/wagons due to the amount of food. * All meal kits are pre-packaged and frozen. * Cooking and heating instructions will be provided. * Meals will be given out in the drop-off zone at Mokler. * Regular meal service will resume on Mon., Jan. ...11. This will be the only day of meal distribution during the break. For questions, please call (562) 602-6031 from 7am-2 pm. See more

Make Christmas bright this season for deserving Paramount kids ages 1-12 by donating new unwrapped toys to the City’s toy drive. Today you can drop them off at the Mariposa Center in Progress Park in the round-about in front of the building from noon to 3pm and Tues. from the 7am to 10am and noon to 3pm. Or bring them to the Recreation Office (15300 Downey Ave.) today until 5pm and Tues. between 8am and 5pm. #WeAreParamount!

The YMCA of Greater Long Beach is hosting a food distribution today, Tues., Dec. 22 and tomorrow, Wed., Dec. 23 from 9am-5pm. This is open to Paramount residents. You need to register with the time, your name, and number of family members at LBymca.org/Food or by using the QR Code in the flyer. It takes place at 855 Elm Ave., Long Beach in the Scottish Rites parking lot. Please bring a cart to assist you in carrying your food. Favor de elegir la mejor hora para recoger su comida al poner abajo su nombre completo y el número de familiares que tiene para reservar su(s) caja(s) en LBymca.org/Food.

A note about yard sales. As part of the latest safety modifications imposed by L.A. County’s Health Officer Order, yard sales are not allowed since they are considered a gathering of non-household members and non-essential. Please follow the protocol, which will be in effect at least through Dec. 27.

Come out to Breakfast with Santa tonight! At the Bianchi Theatre parking lot starting at 6pm. Holiday displays, apples and candy canes, crafts, face masks donated by Jayone Foods, Inc. When you get home, visit the Virtual Recreation page at paramountcity.com for videos showing how to make the crafts. Drop off a new unwrapped toy for deserving Paramount kids ages 1-12. It all goes until 9pm or whenever supplies run out. Even though guests will be in their vehicles, please wear a mask at all times. Thanks!

All restaurants in L.A. County can only offer take out, drive through, or delivery service for at least the next three weeks. Numerous food establishments in Paramount offer these options. Now, more than ever, we need to support these businesses, and all local small businesses in town. See the attached list of local restaurants and their options.

You have a chance to make Christmas bright this season for deserving Paramount families by donating a new unwrapped toy to the City’s toy drive for ages 1-12. There are a variety of ways to donate. Bring them to Breakfast with Santa this Fri. night and give it to a staff member at the end of the event. Drop them off at the Mariposa Center in Progress Park in the round-about in front of the building on Mon. and Tues. from the 7am to 10am and noon to 3pm. Or bring them to the Recreation Office (15300 Downey Ave.) on those two days between 8am and 5pm. Merry Christmas to all!

An easy recipe from our Virtual Recreation program!

Here are some yummy holiday treats that you can make at home!

Paramount City Hall and the City Yard will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24 through Dec. 31 and on New Year’s Day in the spirit of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Critical services, however, will remain available. The Paramount Sheriff’s Station will be open on all those days from 8am to 5pm. Graffiti response and removal and standby emergency Maintenance Workers will be on-call. But such things as building permits/inspections, payments of water bills and dog licensing at City Hall, and some of the other significant services residents rely on will not be available during those days.

PUSD’s new Meals To You will deliver free breakfasts and lunches for all children 18 years or younger beginning Wed., Nov. 4 with deliveries made every Mon., Wed., and Fri. at five different PUSD bus stops from 4pm to 4:30pm. See the flyers for the locations. This is in addition to the District’s free Grab N’ Go meals for pick up that are distributed Mon., Wed., and Fri. from 7:30 to 8:30am and 11:30am to 1pm at the schools listed on the other flyer. (Please visit only one site for one meal bag per child per day.) Go to paramount.healtheliving.net/ or call 562-602-6031 for more information.

Paramount residents six years and older can get a free flu shot on Sat., Nov. 7 at Paramount Park from 9am to noon, 14400 Paramount Blvd. Drive-through only, medical staff provided by Apple Care. Thank you to the donors for their support: Apple Care, City of Paramount, L.A. Care, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Grocery Outlet, State Assemblymember Anthony Rendon, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, The Cavanaugh Law Group, Quality Health Care Partners, World Energy.

The Zoom ID and passcode information listed here for the City’s virtual Neighborhood Watch presentation on Wednesday was incorrect. We apologize for any confusion or difficulties it might have caused. You can view an archived version of the meeting, which featured a discussion on homelessness, at the City’s YouTube page at: https://youtu.be/_PabjHoP6cs or in the Videos section.

Congrats to our 3rd place winners! Thank you for your creativity and participation! Wishing you all a Happy Halloween. And stay tuned for all the 2nd and 1st place winners.

Due to the County Vote Center’s use of the parking lot in front of Progress Park Plaza, the weekly Farmers Market will move to Paramount Park for the next two Fridays during its normal hours of 9am-2pm. Check it out for great fresh produce and other delicious items and treats. And order the latest #WeAreParamount t-shirts, sold at cost for $17. Orders must be in by Nov. 6. You can also download an order form at paramountcity.com.

Paramount residential renters who have lost income because of COVID-19 can get free money to help with rent or utility payments of up to $1,000 per month for two consecutive months. These would be paid directly to the landlord or utility company and do not need to be paid back. To qualify you must meet certain income limits. For more information in English and Spanish, or to download an application, visit paramountcity.com/community/cdbg. You can also get an application at City Hall or have one mailed to you by calling 562.220.2036. Funding comes from the Federal government’s CARES Act.

Congratulations to Paramount’s spookiest dwellings who placed first, second, and third in our Halloween Home Decorating Contest, and to everyone who took part. Here is a map of all participants and photos of the winners. Happy Halloween, everybody! Don’t forget to visit the City’s Drive-Thru Fright Fest this Friday starting at 6pm at the Bianchi Theatre parking lot entering at Paramount Blvd. and All America Way.

Happy Wednesday, Paramount. More than three decades ago, the City embarked on its mission to be environmentally friendly. We began by resurfacing our streets with asphalt made from recycled tires and our efforts have grown steadily over time. Things like using reclaimed water at most parks and traffic medians, buying hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles for the City fleet, putting in catch-basin screens to prevent debris from entering rivers and the ocean, and rezoning indust...rial areas for green uses. Our commitment to implementing this change has again been recognized by the Institute of Local Governments. For the third consecutive year, we have been awarded a Beacon Spotlight Award for Sustainability Best Practices (one of only 30 cities in California for 2020). After winning at the Silver and Gold levels, the City has now reached Platinum, the highest. This year we also received a Gold Spotlight Award for an 18% Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction. The Beacon Awards are presented to cities that implement effective climate action practices that improve the quality of life. We couldn’t have made these strides without our residents, businesses, regional partners, and local utilities. Together we are creating a greener, more sustainable community for the future. TIP OF THE WEEK: As stated here two weeks ago, Paramount’s COVID-19 case numbers have been going down. We are in the middle of the pack when compared to all other cities in L.A. County when it comes to total number of cases over time. According to the County's Public Health page, Paramount is 26th on the list of total cases and 42nd in terms of the adjusted case rate (the number of people getting sick each day). These figures do not include Long Beach or Pasadena. Still, numbers are climbing again, and we can’t emphasize enough how important it is to follow protocols and get a flu shot this season. Speaking of vaccinations, the City will be giving free flu shots on November 7 at Paramount Park from 9 a.m. to noon. This will be a drive-through event. Watch our social media for further details as we get closer. #WeAreParamount! Visit www.paramountcity.com/COVID-19 for the latest info.

Tune in tomorrow, Wed., Oct. 28 at 6pm for the City’s next virtual Neighborhood Watch presentation on Zoom. To watch, dial 1.669.900.9128, then enter the meeting ID of 926 8694 5742 and the passcode of 199431. The discussion will be on homelessness.

Crime Prevention Month Safety Tip 3: How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Fraud.

The L.A. County Vote Center at Progress Park Plaza (15500 Downey Ave.) is now open from 10am to 7pm through Nov. 2, and then 7am to 8pm on Nov. 3. Vote Centers at Alondra Middle School Gym (16200 Downey Ave.) and Paramount High School, West Campus Gym (14708 Paramount Blvd.) will open Oct. 30 with the same hours. All Vote Centers will follow public health and safety guidelines: Voters must wear face coverings and gloves (they will be made available if needed). Wiping and sani...tizing all surfaces and Ballot Marking Devices after each voter. Social distancing of six feet. Election Workers wearing protective gloves and masks. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-815-2666 or email [email protected]. To learn more, visit LaVote.net. See more