A roundup of news and announcements we don’t want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle.
by Vee Hua 華婷婷
Healthy and Safe Swimming Week Focuses on Drowning Prevention
May is an important time for Washington State residents to pay attention to water safety. Because temperatures in late spring may be hot but many rivers and lakes remain cold enough to cause shock to the body, the number of drownings is highest at this time of year.
Data from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shows that unintentional drowning deaths increased from 37% to 51% from 2018 to 2022, with about 10 happening monthly. From 2020 to 2022, between 61% to 71% of unintentional drowning incidents occurred in natural waters, with over half happening in water bodies such as lakes and rivers. About 20% of 2011 deaths occurred at individual homes, and many of those deaths occurred in very young children, including those aged 1 to 4.
Last year, Washington State created Water Safety Day — also known as Yori’s Law (House Bill 1750) — in honor of a 3-year-old boy Yori Tsunoda, who drowned in 2018. Taking place every May 15, the day is focused on water safety awareness and swim education.
Water Safety Day is followed by Healthy and Safe Swimming Week which takes place nationally from May 20 to 26 and in Washington State from May 27 to 31. This year’s theme is “Prevent Drowning: Swim Lessons Save Lives,” with a focus on basic swimming and water safety skills that will help keep youth and adults from injury or death.
To help families and individuals be more mindful of water safety, DOH shares the following tips:
- Learn basic swimming and water safety skills. Swim lessons early and often teach children the skills needed to stay safe while in and around the water.
- Wear a life jacket. Life jackets reduce the risk of drowning for people of all ages and swimming abilities.
- Be aware of the dangers of cold water and currents. When the weather warms up, the water can be cold and fast-moving from melting mountain snowpacks.
- Go to a pool, it’s the safest place to swim. Local health departments inspect pools, hot tubs, and splash pads regularly to ensure health and safety.
- Never swim while sick, and take kids on frequent bathroom breaks. Although chlorine kills most germs within minutes, some parasites can survive more than seven days.
- Avoid distractions when children are swimming or around water. Adults should supervise children anytime they are in or around water. Supervision requires complete attention, even if another adult or lifeguard is present.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and using cannabis when swimming or boating. Alcohol and cannabis impair judgment, balance, and coordination.
See more tips and shareable resources at the Center for Disease Control’s website.
Equity in Education Coalition’s ConnectWA App Serves Veterans and Community Members
Resources for Washington State veterans and community members will now be available through a mobile application designed by the Equity in Education Coalition (EEC) called ConnectWA. The free app will be available on both Apple and Android phone devices and is designed to connect its users with a wide range of services and support systems.
Designed to be easy-to-use, ConnectWA guides users step-by-step to find the assistance and services they require. The app relies on a comprehensive referral program to do things such as link veterans to Veterans’ Affairs offices or community members to a broad spectrum of support organizations that address issues around food, health, housing, and other public services.
EEC operates with a focus on “eliminating the opportunity gap and promoting success — birth through career — for all children of color in Washington State.” They offer advocacy tools, technology trainings, educational curriculum, resources, conferences, and workshops to help low-income and BIPOC workers advance their careers. ConnectWA was led by the EEC but created in partnership with 39 nonprofit organizations that work on digital equity throughout the state.
“We are thrilled to share the ConnectWA app, an app that will bridge the gap between technology and community resources and services. Washington State does not have a 211 app, and we believe the ConnectWA app can be that platform,” said Sharonne Navas, executive director of the EEC, via a press release. “At the Equity in Education Coalition, we believe in empowering individuals through inclusive solutions, and the ConnectWA app is a testament to our commitment to that.”
Artists at the Center Grant Is Open for Proposals at Seattle Center
Individuals, artists, groups, and organizations who are interested in presenting year-round pop-up performances at Seattle Center are now invited to apply for the Artists at the Center Grant. The grant is a multiyear collaboration between Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture (ARTS) and the Seattle Center, which is designed to give emerging and established artists, regardless of discipline, the opportunity to perform to the wide range of audiences that pass through the Seattle Center campus. All events will be free to the public, and artistic genres include music, dance, theater, demonstrations, and multidisciplinary work.
Artists at the Center is funded by a 10-year community benefit grant from the Climate Pledge Arena and Seattle Kraken, with support from the Uptown Arts & Culture Coalition.
Applications are due by June 25. Materials and guidelines are available on ARTS’ website, in Amharic, Chinese (Simplified), English, Korean, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. Sign language services are also available for those who need it.
A hybrid in-person and virtual informational session will be held on Thursday, June 13, at 10:00 a.m., and a previously recorded one can be viewed via YouTube.
Free Summer Performances at Seattle Center
In line with the Artists at the Center program, upcoming summer performances and events held throughout the Seattle Center campus include the following:
Zulu Jam by 206 Zulu
May 25 at 5 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall
As a part of Northwest Folklife Festival, which spans Memorial Day weekend, 206 Zulu presents “Zulu Jam,” which includes performances and a dance party. The event will also have dance workshops hosted by Orbitron (House/Hip Hop), Ben Vo (Hip-Hop Choreo), Bboy Pele (Kids Breaking); a performance by Beatbox Panda; a dance party with DJs Jointz & D’Lemma.
The Rhapsody Project
June 1 at 2 p.m. at the Mural Amphitheatre
The Rhapsody Project band, along with musicians Justin Golden and Jed Crisologo, will present a spring day full of blues, banjos, fiddle, soul, and heritage.
Show Brazil
July 7 at 2 p.m. at the Mural Amphitheatre
A Brazilian ensemble of music and dance.
More information will be available soon about the following artists, but mark your calendars!
- David Holden Jr. — June 15, 2 p.m. at the Mural Amphitheatre
- Jesse Higman — June 16, 6 p.m. at the Mural Amphitheatre
- Big World Breaks LLC — July 20, 1 p.m. at the Armory Stage
- Penguin Productions — July 25, 5 p.m. at the Mural Amphitheatre
- VCBynum Arts and Education — Sept. 3, 6 p.m. at the Armory Stage
- Das Biest Performance Project — Sept. 15, 2 p.m. at the Upper Northwest Courtyard KEXP Stage
- A Personal Point of View, LLC — Sept. 22, 3 p.m. at the Armory Stage
- Windz of Change Alliance — Sept. 28, 1 p.m. at the Mural Amphitheatre
Other upcoming events and past events can be seen on the Seattle Center’s website.
Editors’ Note: This article was updated on 05/23/2023 to correct the acronym for the Education in Equity Coalition.
Vee Hua 華婷婷 (they/them) is a writer, filmmaker, and organizer with semi-nomadic tendencies. Much of their work unifies their metaphysical interests with their belief that art can positively transform the self and society. They are the editor-in-chief of REDEFINE, a long-time member of the Seattle Arts Commission, and a film educator at the interdisciplinary community hub, Northwest Film Forum, where they previously served as executive director and played a key role in making the space more welcoming and accessible for diverse audiences. After a recent stint as the interim managing editor at South Seattle Emerald, they are moving into production on their feature film, Reckless Spirits, which is a metaphysical, multilingual POC buddy comedy. They have a master’s in Tribal Resource and Environmental Stewardship under the American Indian Studies Department at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
📸 Featured Image: A boy swims to a ball in Lake Washington during a heat wave in 2021. (Photo: Susan Fried)
The South Seattle Emerald™ website contains information and content supplied by third parties and community members. Information contained herein regarding any specific person, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the South Seattle Emerald™, its directors, editors, or staff members.
Before you move on to the next story …
The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.
If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn’t have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.
We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!