June 9
Seattle Sites of the Day:

Russian Folk Group

"The idea to organize a professional singing group came in November of 1995, when several Russian families gathered together for a traditional Holiday celebration. They sang popular folk songs, danced and played games. In order to keep Russian traditions and songs alive..."

"Now our Russian Folk Group 'Khorovod' performs and shares the traditions, folk songs and dances from the different regions of Russia."

"Besides making and eating quantities of bliny, a Russian old-time Maslenitsa might include masquerades, snowball fights, sledding, swinging on swings and plenty of sleigh rides... Work would come to a halt, as people threw themselves into partying, visiting, eating and drinking. ...

"As befits a sun festival, fire provides the final glorious moment. On Sunday evening, [an effigy of] Lady Maslenitsa is paraded to the edge of the village, stripped of her finery, and consigned to the flames of a bonfire. Any bliny which have escaped thus far are also thrown on the fire, for once Lady Maslenitsa is reduced to ashes, and the ashes buried in the snow, Lent has begun."

Tenants Union

"Saturday, June 10: Councilmember Judy Nicastro's Renters' Summit 8:30am to 1pm at the Northwest Rooms of the Seattle Center. Please check in with the Tenants Union booth when you arrive. For more information call Scott at the Tenants Union at 206-722-6848 x103"

"It's crucial that tenants, who make up 52% of Seattle's population, are there to give their input."

"Do you have a question about your rights? Our online brochures have answers to many of the most commonly-asked questions. For a personal consultation, visit our office at 3902 S. Ferdinand St. in Seattle, or call the Tenants Union Hotline."

"The Community Management and Development web site has over a hundred training documents for community mobilizers, and is used by facilitators, coordinators and trainers around the world.

"Training topics include NGO and CBO capacity development, gender strategy, environment, management training, poverty eradication, urban farming, income generation, learning an oral language, brainstorming, monitoring, report and proposal writing, role playing, and many others.

"We are looking for volunteer translators to put the material into French and Spanish.

"The latest news is the start-up of a small electronic discussion group ('loop') on these topics, with participants from around the globe (e.g. Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malta, Norway, Palestine, Philippines, Singapore, Uganda, South Africa, Tanzania, UK, USA, Vietnam, Zambia, and elsewhere).

"To monitor or join the discussion, write bm038@scn.org and introduce yourself."

- Phil Bartle