The St. George's Historical Society will present Treasures and Traditions of Russia.

The audio-visual slide show presentation will be conducted by Ann Smith-Gordon of the Patients Assistance League Service on Thursday at 8 p.m. at the St.

George's Town Hall Theatre.

Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling Tony Saunders at 297-1955.

Proceeds will be shared by the St. George's Historical Society and PALS.

*** The Grand Art Festival by the Sea takes place this Sunday and will feature hundreds of entries on display along Front Street.

And Bermudian entertainment and area restaurants will make it a festival for the senses.

Spectators will have the opportunity to cast their vote for the People's Choice Award from amongst the `My Bermuda' entries in the art competition.

All proceeds from the Grand Art Festival by the Sea will go towards the Masterworks Foundation Visual Arts Scholarship.

The winner of the first Visual Arts Scholarship is Joseph Mathias.

*** The Department of Cultural Affairs will host Afternoon Teas throughout the month of May in honour of the 1999 Heritage exhibition Honouring Our Elders, Bermuda, The Last 100 Years.

The teas will be free to all seniors.

The first tea party will take place this afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Bermuda Cathedral on Church Street in Hamilton.

Other Afternoon Teas will take place on May 14, 17, 19, 25 and 28, all at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral.

To make your reservations, call the Department of Cultural Affairs at 292-9447.

*** The Montessori Academy in Warwick will be the place to be on Saturday as they host a Spring Fair.

The noon to 5 p.m. fair will feature games, face painting, a fun castle, food, Gombeys and much more.

There will also be a raffle which includes prizes like a $1,000 travel voucher, a 50 cc bike, a computer, a cellular telephone and a weekend for two at a local hotel.

*** Recent events in Colorado have highlighted a rarely considered aspect of childrearing -- depression.

Sponsored by Government's Child and Adolescent Services Department, the recent Child Depression Awareness Day saw information on the illness distributed to each school in the Island.

Psychiatrist Enid Melville said the main purpose of the day was to get more information into the hands of parents and teachers.

"We are trying to inform people generally that depression occurs in children,'' she said. "We wanted them to know the many facets of it and the ways it manifests itself in children.'' Many of the children who are behaving badly, performing poorly in school or using drugs and alcohol could be depressed.

"These more visible problems often mask the more subtle sign of depression,'' Dr. Melville said. "By knowing the signs and symptoms, parents and teachers can help children deal with the feelings of despair and helplessness.'' Left untreated, depression in children can lead to school failure, substance abuse, and even suicide.

Dr. Melville added: "The good news is help is available. Take the time to learn more about child depression. For many children depression is a painful, daily reality.''