August 16
Seattle Sites of the Day:

The Nature Consortium
   Art-Nature-Literature Festival
   Festival Schedule

Saturday and Sunday, August 19 - 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Camp Long in West Seattle, 5200 35th Ave. SW

"This is an environmental arts festival which encompasses visual arts, theatre, dance, music, a bookfair, literary readings, environmental education, kids activities and an outdoor 'Museum of Sound.'

"This 'museum' will include various sound installations, auditory exhibits, field recordings, workshops and improvisational music performances that meander through the cabins of Camp Long. ...

"There will also be a mainstage with a myriad of performances ranging from The Total Experience Gospel Choir (9:30 a.m. Sunday morning) to a string quartet (featuring Dave Beck from KUOW's Weekday), bluegrass, improvisational dance and music, butoh dancing and Shakespeare.

"Our bookfair will be held indoors at the lodge... There will be readings by Brenda Peterson, Teresa Martino, David Horowitz, Bette Filley, PoetsWest and many more.

"Kids activities include face painting, Kindermusik (Cabin 4 on Sunday), nature sketching and coloring and block building. All performances are 'kid-friendly.'

"There will be a wide range of booths to visit with artists, crafters and environmental exhibitors. Attendees can take a nature walk, go on a bug hunt or plant identification tour, create an animal-theme block print of an endangered or threatened species or sit and enjoy festival food and drink.

"... children and adults can learn about the important connections between healthy forests, riparian zones and watersheds. Useful ideas for creating less waste, consuming fewer resources and utilizing less toxic (or non-toxic) products will be provided during the event." ...

"This is a waste-free event, so bring your own reusable cups and plates or rent-a-plate. We encourage attendees to arrive by bus (#21), bicycle, foot, stroller or carpool (parking along 35th Ave. SW).

"If you have never been to Camp Long, this is your chance to visit one of Seattle's best kept secrets, and Seattle's only campground!

"This festival is produced by The Nature Consortium, a local nonprofit organization, whose mission is to teach environmental lessons through the creative arts."

"Subsidized/reduced fee child care services are available to low income families who are working, seeking employment or are in job training programs. The goal of this program is to assist families in staying off of the welfare rolls, by offering quality and affordable child care. This program aids in the prevention of unemployment and homelessness.

"Therapeutic Child Development Services are provided to children and families who are referred by Children's Protective Services. The program provides child care, therapeutic intervention (including developmental screening, small group work, and parent co-op), parent support groups, short term counseling, parent education, transportation and referrals for additional services as needed.

"This program provides support and protection for children who have been abused or at risk of being abused. It also assists children with their linguistic, cognitive, emotional, and physical development.

"Through the APPLE (A Positive Parenting Lab Experience) Parenting Program, approximately eleven, eight to ten week, courses are offered each quarter in various locations throughout South King County." ...

"Lab classes are also conducted in order that parents have the opportunity to apply their learning in a structured and educational setting with their children. Parent education aids in the prevention of child abuse and juvenile delinquency, by teaching positive discipline, healthy choices, stress management, and appropriate expression of emotions.

"Child care services are available on site at West Auburn High School so that teen parents can enroll their children in while they work towards completion of their high school diploma. This program exists to help teen parents become self-sufficient and productive citizens."