*In the heat of the summer season it is seldom remembered that before Bodrum became a popular summer holiday resort it was a small community subsisting on the proceeds from fishing, sponge-diving and the cultivation of figs, olives and tangerines. Bodrum’s sponge-diving tradition is commemorated by the diver’s sculpture on the waterfront (in photo) which is seldom noted. So the decision by the OASIS Shopping Mall management to honor the many generations of Bodrum sponge divers with a special exhibition on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the Mall’s establishment is a most welcome show of civic pride in our heritage. The Bodrum Sponge Divers Exhibition took a full year to put together and consists of 80 rare photographs as well as an original 1950’s diving suit, equipment and varieties of sponges, and it makes us pause to recall that the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is indebted for its beginnings to the discoveries in the deep made by Bodrum sponge divers. Visit the exhibition in the Oasis Mall from 15 June to 6 July 2008.

**The call of the sea this summer is first aimed at women with the International Women’s Sailing Week taking place in the Gulf of Gokova 14-21 June ‘08 for the “Global Sailing Women’s Cup”. Join with your own private yacht or charter a boat or join in a cabin charter as an individual. All details of this super female sailing event from Yildiz Yachting, Pupa Yachting, Cano Yachting, Frankonia Yacht Charter, or Neslihan Karayel, GSM (+90)532-332-9518; also www.womensailingschool.com .  Later on the Bodrum Offshore Yacht Club located in the Bodrum Milta Marina begins racing with the “Cabotage” Cup – for information call 0252-316-3385.

***Bodrum Milta Marina, Ortakent and Yalikavak municipalities all organized events to clean-up the shore and the sea on the occasion of World Environment Day, with particular participation of school children aiming to educate them in the importance of clean surroundings. Hundreds of kids form local schools took part picking up trash from the beaches while divers scoured the sea bottom near the shore and brought up an unbelievable collection of discards. TURMEPA (Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association) assisted or lead the way in these efforts and we hope that future endeavors of this organization will be directed at prevention of pollution in all its forms. Everybody’s help will be greatly appreciated!!