From the Founder

Thank you everyone for your emails in response to our February newsletter! Your words inspire and motivate us here at BBFN. I also want to take this opportunity to thank our talented website designer and developer, Karen Wegehenkel, for donating her time, energy and patience to update our website this month! And my brother, Thomas Spellman, who generously donates server space for our website and discussion lists as well as website programming whenever needed. Their generosity and expertise is limitless and I owe it all to them for making this entire enterprise possible.

Columnists Worldwide
We are delighted to introduce our five new contributing editors who have come on board: Alice in Austria, Clo in France and in the US are Colleen, Lilian and my very own mother, Sharon! You absolutely must check out their columns each month where they will wow you with their inspiration, tips, humor, struggles and thoughts. Each has a different angle on raising children bilingually and biculturally so don't miss their columns each month.

Newsletter Sections
We've come up with a listing of repeating sections for each newsletter (thank you everyone for your suggestions!):

• Features & Essays - you can find in-depth articles and essays on a range of topics from baby food to love across borders to Multicultural identity.
• Columns - Each month our five contributing editors will share insights and information with you via their columns.
• News Around the World - We scour the web to find interesting and relevant stories about language, culture, identity and diversity.
• Ages & Stages - be prepared and reassured for each stage of your child's language and emotional development.
• Tips & Advice - information to help you make informed decisions and to stay on track.
• Humor & Fun - Don't forget that raising bilingual/bicultural children should be fun! Here are some stories to make you laugh and activities to get you involved as a family.
• Marketplace Spotlights - Here you can find highlighted schools, businesses, products, book reviews and more!
• Website Spotlights - a few links to websites that we find especially interesting, inspiring and motivating.
• What's New at BBFN? - a quick rundown of new articles, sections, features and more than have been added to the website since the last newsletter.
• Look Who's Talking - a reminder of our upcoming presentations and seminars.
• Did You Know? - visit us each day to get motivated with a daily tip, word, quote, wisdom and Did You Know?. Plus: once a week you will find an activity to help you keep bilingualism and biculturism alive in your family! Check out today's listings!
• Mailbag - where we share your letters and emails with the rest of the world.
  

These past four weeks have been extremely busy for us at BBFN as we created and implemented a new website navigation (something we have been meaning to do for ages) as well as continuing to learn the ropes of putting together a newsletter. Who would have known it would take so much time and focus? Let us know what you think about both!

Inspirational Folks
The most inspirational moments this past month have been getting to know new people in both our local Seattle as well cyberspace communities.

I am honored to have had the chance to get to know our new contributing editors over the course of the past month. I think you will agree once you get to know them via their columns that these women are intelligent, caring, thoughtful and insightful. I am honored to have them on board!

I also had the opportunity to meet some amazing people in the Seattle community who have had a tremendous impact on the lives of families both locally and around the world.

On March 8th I attended a good-bye party for the MAVIN Foundation founder and executive director, Matt Kelley. The speakers in the audience spoke about him with emotion, care and gratitude and each told a story about how his organization had completely changed their lives. Being a part of this good-bye event is something that touched me deeply and will stay with me always. I look forward to learning more about MAVIN and getting to know its members and staff.

While at the Matt Kelley good-bye event, I had the honor of meeting the One World Now! founder, Kristin Hayden, and hearing her speak about the support Matt had provided to get One World Now! off the ground. Kristin is clearly a dedicated founder with tremendous energy and vision.

Through my contact with the MAVIN Foundation, I came to know about Kevin Henry, the Cultural Diversity Program Coordinator for the City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services Department. During a conversation with Kevin, I learned even more about the various programs in the Seattle area dedicated to promoting the understanding of cultural diversity. One of Kevin's many projects is the KBCS Voices of Diversity radio program, which airs on Wednesday evenings. But that is not all. Kevin speaks to organizations and groups throughout the area as well as authoring various articles for publications, all in an effort to promote an understanding of cultural diversity everywhere.

I am honored to have had the chance to meet and get to know such informed, insightful and kind people who are changing the world for good, one conversation and essay at a time. I look forward to getting to know each of them better and learning from their expertise! To learn more about them and other wonderful organizations, groups and businesses, check out our organizations link.

Don't be a stranger! Drop me a line or two at: corey@biculturalfamily.org.

Corey Heller
Founder