Neighborhood News

COVID-19 Update | Pacific Palisades

As the first COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Los Angeles County, Public Health reported that hospitalizations were accelerating at a “disastrous speed.”

The first shipment of vaccine arrived on Monday, December 14, at one of nine pre-positioned sites, with plans for the eight other sites to receive their shipments within two days, according to information provided by Public Health.

“The current expected initial allocation for LA County is 82,875 doses,” the statement continued, “and we are hoping to receive two additional allocations in December.”

As of Monday, December 14, there were 4,203 people with COVID-19 currently in the hospital across the county, with 21% in the ICU.

“Our reality is frightening at the moment with over 4,200 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and almost half of our ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients,” Public Health reported. “By next weekend, there are likely to be over 5,000 patients hospitalized and more than 50% of ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.”

As the Post went to print Tuesday, confirmed cases of COVID-19 had reached 543,769 across Los Angeles County when factoring in Long Beach and Pasadena, with 8,431 deaths. The number of cases in Pacific Palisades reached 312, with an additional 65 in Palisades Highlands.

“The best thing everyone can do right now is stay home as much as possible and only go out for work, exercise or for essential services,” according to Public Health. “When you must leave your home, always wear a face covering and stay at least six feet away from people you do not live with at all times.”

—SARAH SHMERLING

Holiday Cookie Challenge | Palisades Branch Library

The Palisades Branch Library announced its first holiday cookie challenge, open to Los Angeles area participants ages 10 through 19.

Participants are invited to submit an original cookie recipe, along with a photo of the finished cookies and a brief description of the origins of the recipe, by Saturday, December 26. A panel of teen volunteers will be baking the recipes at home and judging the finalists’ cookies based on taste and appearance. The bakers of the top three cookies will be awarded Visa gift cards.

Depending on the number of submissions, there may be a chance for the public to vote for their favorites in order to narrow it down to the finalists.

Participants must also include their name, age and neighborhood in their submission, which may be in a Google or Word document.

Completed submissions should be sent to YA Librarian Jessica Levy at jlevy@lapl.org.

—LILY TINOCO

Houck Construction Art Contest | Pacific Palisades

Los Angeles-based Houck Construction is accepting submissions from artists ages 7 through 18 to use on corporate stationery of Houck Construction, BOLD and Rockefeller Kempel Architects next year.

“We want to expose artists and their artwork to professional designers, architects, photographers and artists who have made a living enjoying their work,” according to details on Houck’s website. “The purpose is to lift up young artists.”

The theme for the spring 2021 contest is gratitude, and multiple mediums will be accepted through February 25, 2021.

Nine $250 prizes will be awarded in March, and the winners will be featured on the company’s website.

Palisades Charter High School student and artist Cece Dale recently took home the top prize in Houck’s Thanksgiving-themed contest.

For more information, visit houckinc.com/2020/11/18/community.

—LILY TINOCO