BBAC

Connection, empathy and compassion are more critical than ever. While many of us are wrestling with feelings of isolation and grief, we are also nourished by the waves of mutual-aid and community that have sprung up all around us. We wanted to share a resource that might be able to water the roots of those movements. Art Became the Oxygen, is a how-to guide from the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, for artists and communities to respond to social, environmental, and civic... crises. This guide shows examples of artistic responses to crises, ways to build connection, amplify protest, and build resilience. This resource is designed specifically for:: Artists who wish to use their gifts for healing, whether in the immediate aftermath of a crisis or during the months and years of healing and rebuilding resilience that follow. Resource-providersboth public and private grantmakers and individual donorswho care about compassion and community-building. Disaster agencies, first responders, and service organizations on call and on duty when an emergency occurs, and those committed to helping over time to heal the damage done. Art Became The Oxygen incorporates first-person experience and guidance from respected voices deeply engaged in artistic response from Katrina to Ferguson, from Sandy to Standing Rock. It includes hundreds of links to powerful arts projects, official emergency resources, and detailed accounts for those who want to go even deeper. https://drive.google.com//0B8TOgF0LhVwxNU9RQzBLdlpTc/view

We first started monitoring COVID-19 statistics for Imperial County when the information became available online from the public health office. Initially the numbers were insignificant but that was most likely due to lack of testing available and also getting the information on the website in a timely and consistent manner. Things are changing rather quickly now and to put that into perspective a little over a week ago there were 21 positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 and n...o deaths in Imperial County, now as of 4/8/20 4:52PM, we have 75 positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3 reported deaths. I still see people not practicing health and safety precautions and large groups of people congregating and socializing. I also see people not social distancing or even wearing protective face masks. Gathering in groups of any size is prohibited now except for immediate family and it is also now mandatory to wear a protective face mask in public at all times. It is understandable that people in our desert communities do not have access to PPE items like face masks so I would like to share this basic tutorial on how to make a face mask using a common bandanna. Although this does not offer the same protection as an N95 rated mask it still offers a moderate level of protection from the transmission and spread of the virus. Be safe and be well out there during this health crisis. Stay home, and if needed, protect yourself and others while out in public and wear a mask at all times....... https://makezine.com//how-to-fold-a-no-sew-bandana-face-m/

We have been getting an unusually high amount of people visiting Bombay Beach lately, as well as, other desert communities here especially while there is a stay at home order in effect during the Coronavirus outbreak. It seems the general belief is that it is safer from exposure to COVID-19 here in these small town desert communities versus being in the bigger more populated cities and areas. The Coronavirus is now a global pandemic and it has spread very rapidly in the las...t month including locally. California is now the second biggest outbreak location in our country and it has spread to almost every area in the state including our desert communities, There is nowhere safe from this other than staying at home and following CDC recommended safety practices and social distancing. What most non-residents or visitors don't understand is that these small desert communities have very limited resources including things like food, water, and medical facilities or supplies. Most all of the public amenities and even food establishments are closed to the public as well including things here in Bombay Beach. When non-residents come into these small towns and use the limited local resources it takes away the ability to provide for the local community in a time of need. This also puts all of us at a greater risk of exposure to COVID-19 and further transmission of the virus. A big part of our community here is elderly or those with underlying pre-existing medical conditions and we need to do what we can to protect them. Please kindly consider this if you are thinking about coming to our towns or communities here in the desert. Right now during this outbreak we all need to do our part in flattening the curve and slowing the spread of the Coronavirus. Also, if you have excess needed food/supplies or are able to financially contribute please consider donating to community organizations like ours or others that lack many of the things bigger communities may have in abundance. #communityispower Here is the latest Imperial County COVID-19 information: Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) in Imperial County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updated April 1, 2020 | 5:35PM Positive (Confirmed Cases) Positivos (Casos confirmados) 43* Pending Results Resultados pendientes 9** Negative Negativos 219* Total Tested 271 #protectbombaybeach ....stay home, flatten the curve <3

BOMBAY BEACH GRAFFITI REMOVAL EVENT: WHEN: SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH, 2020, 10AM UNTIL 2PM. WHERE: BOMBAY BEACH ARTS AND CULTURE CENTER... Help keep Bombay Beach beautiful and join us this Saturday to clean up and remove unwanted graffiti and tags from our neighborhoods. This will be a community driven efffort and everyone is encouraged to participate and volunteer. All volunteers will receive training and supplies to clean up graffiti in areas throughout Bombay Beach. We will coordinate our efforts and create a grid map of our town then form groups of two and assign areas to each group. Our intent and mission is to remove hundreds of graffiti tags and other acts of vandalism from our neighborhoods and make a positive difference in our community. Students and others can also earn community service hours (under 18 must have waiver signed by parent) if needed or desired. This event is made possible by contributions and donations from friends and supporters of Bombay Beach. To donate or contribute needed materials direct message us here or call (760) 790-6810. (WE WILL BE PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOWING CDC RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR SAFE PRACTICES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS) What can you do about graffiti in your community? Immediate removal within 24 to 48 hours is one key to successful graffiti prevention. In addition to quick removal, making every effort to keep the appearance of your neighborhood clean and neat will deter vandalism. Remove litter and trash, fix broken fences, trim landscaping, and ensure all lighting is working properly. #communityispower.