Dear
Members and Friends of the Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Association
This
information about three very important events: (1.) Our annual
Novruz celebration; (2.) A special gathering for Zemfira
Akmedova, for those who know her; and (3.) Information about a
special award to City Councilmember Ms. Jan Drago.
Novruz:
Mark
your calendars! We are holding our annual Novruz celebration
on Saturday, March 21st. We will be sending you
further information as this date approaches, but, please mark your
calendar now so you can save this date.
We will have Uzbek food and dance, live music, and a very fun time
celebrating Novruz together. The doors open at
6:00 PM, and the evening will conclude between 9 PM and 9:30 PM.
The location is the same as the past two years, at the Sandpoint Education
Center, 6208 60th Ave. NE, in Seattle.
Everyone is welcome--all those from Central Asia and anyone who
loves that region.
The cost is $5 per person if you bring a dish to share (not just
cookies or candy). Children under 12 are free!
If you do not bring a dish, then the cost is $10 per person.
We
do need help!!
If you are interested in volunteering to help with setup, ticket
taking, distributing the food, clean up, etc. then please let me know
right away. This event takes a lot of work to make it so successful.
Every year all present have had a great time together and love this event.
Be watching for further information in the next few weeks. We hope
to see you there!
Gathering
for Zemfira Akmedova:
Join
in greeting Zemfira Akmedova!
After an absence of 20 years, Zemfira Akmedova arrived in Seattle on
February 3!
From her position in the Tashkent's Mayor's Office of International
Relations Department, Zemfira was instrumental in the success of the Peace
Park and many other Seattle-Tashkent citizen diplomacy projects. We
want to let her know how much we appreciate her and the help she gave us.
There are several options to see Zemfira:
There will be an old fashioned American pot luck dinner at Fred Noland and
Susan Hansen's house this coming Sunday, February 8, at 5:00 p.m.
Feel free to bring whomever you think would enjoy the opportunity to see
Zemfira again and have supper with a great group of people. Fred and
Susan live in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood at 1107 Grand Avenue.
Send them an email (mailto:noland.hansen@gmail.com)
and let them know if you're able to join the group and your
anticipated food or drink contribution. Let them know, too, if you need
directions.
Whether or not you are able to join the Sunday potluck, Zemfira will be
here until February 20 and would enjoy spending time with people
individually. If, for example you would like to have Zemfira over
for a meal or take her on an excursion to some favorite place or event,
you can call Rita Hopstein (425-670-8200) who will be organizing Zemfira's
overall schedule. Zemfira will be staying with Rita (through Feb.
11), with Fred Noland and Susan Hansen (Feb. 12-16) and with Rosh Doan and
Ginger Warfield (Feb. 17-20). All of these hosts will be happy to
“time share” during the periods when Zemfira is living with them.
We hope to see you Sunday.
Uzbek Honor for
City Councilmember Ms. Jan Drago:
Seattle City
Councilmember Ms. Jan Drago has been a long time friend of the STSCA.
The Uzbekistan embassy in Washington, D.C. has just honored and
recognized her for her work in support of the positive relations between
Seattle and Tashkent and the country of Uzbekistan.
There was a special ceremony at the Uzbek embassy on January 17, 2009, to
present to Ms. Drago the Embassy's and Ambassador's Special Appreciation
Award in “recognition of her outstanding efforts and commitment to
developing Seattle-Tashkent Sister City ties and promoting better
understanding between the United States and Uzbekistan.” The
award was presented by Ambassador Abdulaziz Kamilov.
The STSCA appreciates Ms. Drago's longtime support for the STSCA and her
friendship. Ms. Drago clearly deserves this recognition
and our thanks!
Sincerely,
Dan Peterson,
President,
Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Association
Last Update: 07 February 2009
Logo courtesy Mamoun
Sakkal
