Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Singapore

• Oshaberi Cafe – Sunday, February 12th, 2:00 at Once Upon a Milkshake. Oshaberi Cafe is an effort to foster interaction between JETAA members and the Japanese community in Singapore. Bring your Japanese speaking friends, and share in the conversation and games

JETAA Northern California

• Norwegian Wood Movie Night – Tuesday, February 7th, 6:45 at Kabuki Theater in Japantown. Based on Haruki Marukami’s novel, Norwegian Wood will be showing at Kabuki from now until the 9th. JETAANC is getting a group together to see it this Tuesday, so don’t miss your chance.
• Kabuki on Film: The 47 Ronin Project – This is a year long exploration of the original Kabuki version of the popular tale. Beginning last Sunday, the JETAANC and San Mateo Kabuki clubs are teaming up to bring you two different celebrated productions of the complete epic on film. Screenings begin at 1:30 at the San Mateo Japanese American Community Center.
• Joshikai Pre-Valentine’s Day Networking Event – Thursday, February 9th, 6:00 at Muka. Joshikai is a networking group for Japanese women and women with connections to Japan. Migle, chat, and share stories with other women in English and Japanese over snacks and wine.

JETAA D.C.

• JBook Meeting – Monday, February 27th, 6:30 at the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC. This month’s selection will be Roshomon and the Seventeen Other, but Ryunosuke Akutagawa. As this is a collection of short stories, this is a perfect chance to see what JBook is all about without having to read everything.

JETAA Western Australia

• Kaiwa – Thursday, February 9th and 23rd, 5:30 at 43 Below. Join in and practice your Japanese skills with friends and alumni.

JETAA Music City

• Cooking Class with Nashville Top Chef Toshihiro Nishimoto –  Saturday, February 11th, 5:00. Learn how to make Japanese cuisine from a true master at this fun and educational event.

Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA New York

• JET Alumni Survey – JETAANY is asking members and friends of JET to fill out a brief survey requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as part of the “Return of JET-vestment.” The survey asked about what people have been doing following their time on JET and the data will be kept confidential, so take 5 minutes and help out. The survey can be found here
• Carnegie Hall Flower Exhibit – Thursday, January 26th, 8:00 at Carnegie Hall. JETAANY is headed to a Japanese style bouquet arrangement exhibit at Carnegie Hall.
• Shinnenkai - Saturday, January 28th, 1:00 at Restaurant Riki. Celebrate 2012 Year of the Dragon with your fellow JET Alumni at this year’s shinnenkai. Izakaya style dishes and all you can drink fun.

 

 

Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

Announcing the return of JETAA Chapter Beat! After a long hiatus, Chapter Beat returns to regular bi-monthly updates about what’s happening in JET Alumni chapters around the world. Check it out to see what events are taking place near you in the JETAA community.

JETAA Chicago

• Shinnenkai Culture Festival – Saturday, January 21st, 4-7 P.M. at the Japan Information Center. Celebrate Japanese culture and the new year with snacks, games, and trivia. Fun for all ages.
• Indoor Volleyball League – Starts today, Tuesday, January 10th, 7:15-10:15 at St. Andrews Gym.
• 2012-13 JET Program Interview Volunteers – The next round of JET Program interviews is coming up and the Japan Information Center is looking for JET Alumni to help out with the interview process in February and March.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

• Shinnenkai – Saturday, February 4th, 6:00 at the Nagomi Tea House. Eat, drink, and celebrate the arrival of 2012 with your friends at PNWJETAA

JETAA Northern California

• Volunteer to Staff a Japanese Craft Table – Saturday, February 4th, 11-4 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center’s Lunar New Year Festival. Come out and share some Japanese culture by helping organize activities related to Japan like origami, janken-pon contests, and more.
• Kabuki Club – Sunday, January 22nd, 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. This month’s selection is a special screening of Ranpei Goes Insane (Ranpei Monogurui), a mix of action, comedy and historical drama.

JETAA Hawaii

• 2012-13 JET Program Interview Volunteers needed – February 21-24, JETAA Hawaii is looking for JET Alumni interested in helping out with upcoming interviews for the next group of potential JETs. Help out, share your experience, and be a part of the future of the JET Program

JETAA Southern California

• Shinnenkai and Winery Tour – Saturday, January 14th. Tour begins at 4:00, dinner at 5:00 at the San Antonio Winery. Celebrate the new year over a glass of wine with your friends and fellow alumni.
• 2012-13 JET Program Interview Volunteers needed – February 21-24, JETAASC is looking for volunteers interested in helping out with upcoming interviews for this year’s JET hopefuls.

JETAA Sydney

• Beach BBQ – Sunday, January 29th, 1:00 at Shelley Beach in Manly. Get outside for some sun and good eats, including yakisoba and suikawari.

JETAA Portland

• Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 14th, 6-8 at D.J.K. in Beaverton.  Celebrate 2012 with new and old friends alike with the group at JETAA Portland.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.

 

via JETAA London. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, writing and translation.

——————————————————————————————————————————–

With so many alumni chapters and ex-JETs on Twitter, JETAA London is keen to encourage a bit of JET Twit (see what we did?). Pre-departure orientations for the latest JET recruits are taking place throughout this month and we would love to hear from ex-JETs and Japan lovers keen to pass on their advice, knowledge and wisdom.

Send your tips to @jetaalondon using the hashtag #jettips.

And you can follow us too if you like!

JETAA London – @jetaalondon

Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Portland

• J-Kaiwa – Friday, July 8th, 7:00 at Hawthorne Lucky Lab. Practice your Japanese or just get together with friends for a drink at Lucky Lab.
• Sayonara BBQ – Saturday, July 9th, 12:00 to 3:00. JETAA Portland is having a potluck BBQ for the new departing JETs. Enjoy the outside with some good company and get to know the new JETs.
• Tabemashou Dinner – Tuesday, July 12th, 6:00 at Sambi. Tabemashou group is a group that explores, critiques and enjoys Japanese dining in Portland.

JETAA Southern California

• JETAASC Picnic – Saturday, July 9th, 11:00 to 3:00 at the Torrance in Wilson Park. Celebrate summer sun and fun outdoors in South Bay. Share your wisdom from your year(s) on JET with this year’s departing JETs.

JETAA New York

• New JET & Vet JET Dinner – Monday, July 11th, 6:30 at Apple Restaurant. Meet the new JETs and share your wisdom and experiences. A nijikai with Karaoke to follow.
• JETAANY Boat Cruise – Wednesday, July 27th, 7:00 to 10:00 at Pier 81. JET alumni in New York are getting together for an after work boat cruise. One drink is included in the price of the ticket, so come out and relax on the water.

JETAA Canberra

• O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, July  6th, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

• 2011 Pizza JET Together – Saturday, July 9th, 5:30 to 7:00 at One Union Square. Get to know the new JETs and share your stories over a slice of pizza with PNWJETAA.
• Post-Pizza Nijikai – Saturday July 9th, 7:30 at the Elephant and Castle. Keep the night going with the Pizza afterparty for new and old JETs alike.

JETAA Northern California

• Kabuki Club – Sunday, July 24th, 2:00 at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California. This month’s selection will be the classic “Shiranami Gonin Otoko: The Five Bandits.”

 

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.

Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Southern California

• Mixer at Wine Expo – Wednesday, June 29th, 7:00 at the Wine Expo in Santa Monica. Join JET Alumni, friends and family for wine tasting, good eats and a chance to meet the new JETs before they depart next month.
• JETAASC Picnic – Saturday, July 9th, 11:00 to 3:00 at the Torrance in Wilson Park. Celebrate summer sun and fun outdoors in South Bay. Share your wisdom from your year(s) on JET with this year’s departing JETs.

JETAA New York

• Japanese Heritage Night at Mets Citifield – Tuesday, June 21st, 6:30 at Citifield Stadium in Flushing. Join JETAANY and the Japanese residents of NYC in celebrating Japanese Heritage as the NY Mets take on Hideki Matsui and the Oakland A’s.
• Nihongo Dake Dinner – Wednesday, June 29th, 7:00 to 9:00 at Vapiano downtown. Practice your Japanese with friends and alumni over pizza and pasta.

JETAA Minnesota

• JET Send-off BBQ – Thursday, July 7th, 6:30. Send off the new batch of JETs in style, and enjoy some good food in the process. People with last names A-M bring a side dish, and N-Z bring desserts!

JETAA Portland

• Book Club – Sunday, June 26th, 1:0 at the Jade Teahouse & Patisserie. This month’s selection is The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Hiashino. Start reading now so you can be part of the discussion.

JETAA Western Australia

• Winter Matsuri in Swan Valley – Sunday, June 26th, 10:00 to 5:00, bus departing from Barrack Street Jetty. The trip includes a trip to 2 wineries with tastings, a nougat factory with tasting, a chocolate factory and a brewery.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.

Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Chicago

• JET Alumni Author Panel – Friday, 10th, 6:30 to 8:00 at the Barnes and Thornburg, LLP. JETAA and the Japan American Society of Chicago are hosting a panel featuring Lars Martinson, D.H. Cermeno and Jamese Kennedy.
• Monthly Executive Board Meeting – Monday, June 13th, 6:30. Drop by for a friendly dinner and talk about the shape of what’s to come for Chicago JETAA.
• Summer Beach Volleyball – Tuesdays, from 6:30 to 7:30 starting June 14th. Chicago JETAA is fielding a beach volleyball team, the Jet Setters, in this year’s Players Sports Group Summer Beach Volleyball Leagues. All skill levels are welcome, so join the team.

JETAA Western Australia

• Winter Matsuri in Swan Valley – Sunday, June 26th, 10:00 to 5:00, bus departing from Barrack Street Jetty. The trip includes a trip to 2 wineries with tastings, a nougat factory with tasting, a chocolate factory and a brewery.

JETAA Florida

• Tampa New JET Welcome Party – Saturday, June 18th, 7:00 at Tampa Karaoke. Get to know the new generation over a song or three.

JETAA New York

• Kyushu Happy Hour – Wednesday, June 8th, 6:30 at Nightengale Lounge. This month’s happy hour has a Kyushu theme, so all those who lived/traveled or enjoyed Kyushu are welcomed to attend and meet alums and members of the Kyushu Battenkai.
• Book Club – Tuesday, June 14th, 7:00 at the Flatiron Building. This month’s selection is The Woman on the Other Shore by Mitsuko Kakuta.
• Quarterly Meeting – Wednesday, June 15th, 6:30 at the Japan Local Government Center. Come discussion the upcoming pre-departure orientation and upcoming summer events, as well as other opportunities for those looking to get involved.

JETAA Canberra

• O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, June 8th, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.

JETAA New England

• 2011 JET Orientation Happy Hour – Saturday, June 11th, 5:30 at Lucky’s Lounge. Come meet the new crop of JETs over a drink and share your stories and experiences.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

• Walk for Rice – Saturday, June 18th, 8:00 at Seattle’s Seward Park. Walk for rice is a charity 2.5 mile walk/run to raise money and awareness about hunger in King County. Join the PNW JET Program Alumni team and do your part.

JETAA Portland

• Tabemashou Dinner – Tuesday, June 14th, 6:00 at UCHU Sushi & Fried Chicken. Tabemashou group is a group that explores, critiques and enjoys Japanese dining in Portland.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.

Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

This week’s Chapter Beat is looking at charity and fund-raising events for the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami.

JETAA Minnesota

• Classical Music Fundraiser Concert – May 22nd, 4:00 at Bethel University. JapanRelief Fundraisers will be holding a free classical concert presented by 50 members of the Minnesota Orchestra and their music director Osmo Vanska. Admission is free but donations will be accepted.

JETAA Northern California

• Discussion Forum – Sunday, May 15th, 3:00. Come discuss the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan and what further efforts can be done to help out those in need. Share your thoughts, feelings and concerns at this month’s discussion forum.
• Hiroshima Concert at Yoshi’s Fundraiser Event – Sunday, May 29th, 7:00 at Yoshi’s Oakland. The Oakland Fukuoka Sister City Association and Hiroshima are holding a fundraiser concert for northern Japan. Show up early at 6:00 for a chance to meet the band.

JETAA Southern California

• Tohoku Quake Relief Charity Picnic – Saturday, May 14th, 11:00 to 3:00 at Wilson Park. Pack your picnic basket and get outside for this fun event in the park, and make a donation to help the survivors of the March Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.
• Sock for Japan – JETAASC is helping Mr. Jason Kelly’s campaign for clean, new socks for refugee centers in the Tohoku area. Check out the website for more information, and bring new socks to all JETAASC May events as they will be collecting them.

JETAA Canberra

• Tsukimi (Full-moon viewing) Fundraiser – Tuesday, May 17h, 6:30 to 9:00. Come celebrate the full moon with tsukimidango and help donate to the survivors of the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami.
• Tongue & Groove Event – Wednesday, May 11th, 6:30. Check out some live music by Chasing Stages, with raffles and auctions throughout the night, all proceeds going to the Australian Red Cross Japan & Pacific Disaster Appeal 2011.

JETAA Portland

• Wine for Japan – Friday, May 13th, 5:00 to 8:00 at the Hotel Monaco. Eight outstanding wine makers will be on hand pouring their wines, featuring music by John Wayland Harr. Sales of the wines as well as proceeds earned from a silent auction will go to MercyCorps to help survivors of Japan’s recent Earthquake.

Know of other fundraisers or charity events in your area? Contact Jetwit.com and let them know how people are helping out in your JETAA Chapter.

Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA New York

• Nihongo Dake Dinner – Tuesday, April 26th, 7:00 at Mama Mexico on 49th St. Brush up on your Japanese with friends and alumni this month in NY.
• Japan-a-Mania – Saturday, April 30th, 12:30 to 4:30 at Big Brothers Big Sisters on 30th St. Partner with fellow JET alumns, Big Brothers Big Sisters and NY de Volunteer  in teaching NYC kids about Japanese culture.

JETAA Northern California

• East Bay Networking & Nomikai Happy Hour - Thursday, April 21st, 6:00 at Bijou Restaurant and Bar in Hayward. This month’s event begins at the Hayward City Hall to celebrate Shannon Honda as he is installed as Secretary of the Funabashi-Hayward Sister City Association, followed by drinks at the Bijou.

JETAA Texoma

• Disaster Relief Benefit Recap – April 2nd: We had over 50 people attend – which was a great turnout considering the short notice and competing weekend events. In the end, we received over $1,900 in donations! All of which will go to the Japanese Red Cross. We would like to thank all JETAA members, family and friends, for coming out to support this cause. –JETAA Texoma

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.

After the devastation in Japan last week, JETAA chapters around the world have stepped up with a variety of efforts to aid those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Check out what your chapter is doing and lend your support to a place you once called home.

JETAA USA

• JETAA USA Relief Fund – The “JETAA USA Japan Earthquake Relief Fund” is the official relief fund of the all-volunteer Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Alumni Association of America (JETAA USA). JET alumni have experience living and working in communities across Japan, so the disaster has struck very close to home. All 19 JET alumni chapters across the U.S. are currently working together to raise funds to aid in the disaster relief and recovery efforts. JETAANY, the New York chapter of JETAA USA, is hosting the fund. JETAANY is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and PayPal has graciously offered to waive all transaction fees from March 11 to April 10. The proceeds will go to supporting earthquake relief and recovery efforts in Japan and fees related to administering the fund.

JETAA D.C.

• Town Hall Meeting and Fundraising Event – Wednesday, March 23rd, 6-8 at L’Enfant Cafe and Bar. This event will serve not only as a fundraiser to generate income for the JETAAUSA Earthquake Fund, but also as a platform to gather the JET community and to discuss ideas about how we can develop consistent, high-quality events throughout the year to maintain awareness about the situation in Japan.

JETAA Northern California

• Japan Relief Donation Night – Monday, March 21st, 6-9, at PiQ Italian Bakery and Cafe. PiQ is collaborating with the Red Cross @ CAL, represented also will be Red Cross USA, and the JETAANC, representing JETAA USA. All individual donations and all sales for the night will be pooled together into the PiQ Japan Relief Donation Fund. Half of that will go to the Res Cross who will distribute it to the Japan Red Cross. The other half will go to the JETAA USA Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.
• Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund – Sponsored by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, this relief fund goes directly towards citizen relief efforts in most affected areas.
• Chibi Chan Preschool Auction – Chibi Chan Preschool, a program of the non-profit organization Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC) in SF Japantown, is holding their annual auction fundraiser. This year they will donate 10% of the proceeds to the Japan earthquake relief efforts.
• Earthquake Relief Fundraiser – Wednesday, March 23rd, 6-8 at O! Izakaya. JETAANC will be hosting a community fundraising event in the upstairs mezzanine of O! Izakaya, located in the Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco’s Japantown. Donations will go to the JETAA USA Japan Earthquake Relief Fund and 100% of of the proceeds will be used to support earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

JETAA UK

• Give a Day for Japan – JETAA UK is asking all former JET Programme participants to support relief efforts in Japan by giving a day’s pay to the Japan Society Fund. The Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund link will channel all donations received to the ongoing work of voluntary and community organizations(NPOs) working in the most affected prefectures. Donations can be made via the Japan society website or by phone.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

• Seattle Japan Relief – SeattleJapanRelief is a collaboration of Japanese American and Japan related cultural, educational, and civic organizations standing together to promote relief and recovery following the devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. We are committed to mobilizing funds quickly in support of immediate relief efforts. We are also steadfast in our resolve to remain involved with long-term recovery efforts.

JETAA New York

• Xaverian High School Concert for Japan (alma mater of Inuyama City Councilman and JET alum Anthony Bianchi (Aichi)) - Thursday, March 31st, 7:00 at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn. In an effort to help friends in need, Mr. Joseph Loposky, Director of Music at Xaverian, has announced a benefit concert that will take place at the school.  Admission will be $10 per person.  In addition, a clothing drive has been organized in cooperation with Catholic Relief Services.  If you’d like to participate, you can drop off any garments you’ll be donating at the performance.  Coinciding with our event, will be another in Japan, organized by Anthony Bianchi ’76, Inuyama City Council Member.
• Run for Japan – Sunday, March 20th, 8:30, 10, and 11:30 at Central Park at the 72nd and 5th Ave Entrance. Dosokai, a group of NY runners from Hokkaido, will run for victims of the unprecedented disaster that happened last week in Northeast Japan. It won’t be a competition, but will be a peaceful group run.

JETAA Minnesota

• Fundraiser Event – Tentatively scheduled for April 15th or 16th, Minnesota JET will be putting together a benefit event for disaster relief in Japan. Funds will go to the USA national JET Alumni Association to be donated to a TBD cause in Japan. More details to be announced.

JETAA Great Lakes

• Tsunami Fundraising Brainstorming Event – Saturday, March 19th, 4-7 at Yotsuba Restaurant.

JETAA New Orleans

• NOLA Japan Quake Fund – Having survived Hurricane Katrina, the people of our community share a special bond with the people in Japan whose lives will be forever changed by this disaster. The NOLA Japan Quake Fund Coalition’s hope is that we can assist the Japanese in their time of need, just as they did for us following Katrina.

 

 

Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

• General Meeting – Wednesday, March 2nd, 6:30 to 8:00 at the Hyogo Business & Cultural Center. Discuss upcoming events, issues and the future of PNWJETAA.
• Happy Hour – Friday, March 4th, 6:00 at Wann Izakaya. Kick back and relax after a long week with friends and alumni this Friday.

JETAA Florida

• Tampa Subchapter Tsudoi – Friday, March 4th, 7:00 at Panera Bread in the Brandon Mall. The Tampa Subchapter will be hosting their monthly Tsudoi, an informal time for anyone interested in Japanese and Japanese culture.
• Tampa Happami Write-up: Thanks to everyone who came out to Happami. The location was perfect and the weather was great. We had 13 people attending, and three dogs. The Japanese language puzzle race came off well and I think everyone enjoyed it…though it was perhaps more challenging than they had anticipated;) Congratulations to the winner’s of the bonus prize…a ceramic sake serving set shaped like a Tanuki! Karaoke brought more friends out for a greta evening. Thanks again to everyone who came and hope more of you will join us next year. –Tampa Kumi

JETAA Canberra

• O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, March 2nd, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
• Pitch n Putt Day – Saturday, March 5th, 4:00 at the Canberra International Golf Centre. Spend the day outside and come hit some balls with friends and alumni.

JETAA Chicago

• General Meeting – Wednesday, March 9th, 6:30 in Chicago. Come discuss the future of JETAA Chicago and more.
• Yakiniku & Karaoke – Saturday, March 12th at San Soo Gab San. Enjoy a weekend of Korean BBQ followed by Karaoke at Lincoln Karaoke.

JETAA D.C.

• Happy Hour Networking Event – Wednesday March 2nd, 6:00 at Hard Times Cafe. Chat, relax and catch up with friends old and new at this month’s Networking and Happy Hour event. This will be the last networking event of the year, so don’t miss it.

JETAA Southern California

• Santa Barbara Event – Saturday, March 5th, 11:00 to 1:00 at the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market. Shop local this weekend at the farmer’s market, followed up by lunch at Sojourner Cafe.
• Nihongo Dake Hike – Sunday, March 13th, 8:30 A.M. at Chantry Flats, Sierra Madre. JETAASC is having its first ever Japanese only hike, so get out the trekking boots, dust off the Japanese skills and get out on the trail.

JETAA New York

• Annual Meishi Exchange – Thursday, March 3rd, 6:30 at Amber Restaurant. Join JETAANY for its largest social networking event of the year, and get to know other alumni and organizations in the area.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.

Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Northern California

• East Bay Nomikai Happy Hour - Thursday, February 17th, 6:00 at Thalassa in Berkeley. Catch up with friends and alumni at this month’s happy hour event.
• Japanese Home Cookery: What We Really Eat – Sunday, March 12th, 10:00 to 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. The OACC Is presenting their final Asian culinary workshop of 2010/11, looking at the Japanese winter dish Umani and as well as some other various side dishes.

JETAA Canberra

• Shinnenkai – Wednesday, February 16th, 6:00 at Shogun. Ring in the new year a little late with the folks at JETAA Canberra. Nijikai to follow at a location yet to be determined.

JETAA Minnesota

• Sushi Making at Fuji-ya – Sunday, February 27th, 4:00 at Fuji Ya. Make your own sushi or just come to eat and hang out with friends and alumni.

JETAA Southern California

• Nihongo Dake Dinner – Saturday, February 19th, 6:00 in Encino. Dust off the Japanese skills for a night of food and nihongo with JETAASC.
• Career Networking Mixer -Thursday, February 24th, 6:00 in Santa Monica. Make connections and friends at this month’s upcoming career mixer.

JETAA New York

• JETAANY Quarterly Meeting – Wednesday, February 16th, 7:00 in midtown. Learn more about your local chapter, get involved and add your voice to the future of JETAA.
• Koto Workshop – Saturday, February 19th, 1:00 to 2:00. Learn about the Koto, a traditional Japanese 13-stringed instrument, at this fascinating workshop.

JETAA New England

• Nihongo Dake Dinner – Saturday, February 19th, 12:00 at Hei La Moon in Chinatown. Dust off the old Japanese over some delicious dim sum this weekend.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.

Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Canberra

• O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, February 2nd, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.

JETAA Florida

• Tampa Subchapter Tsudoi – Friday, February 4th, 7:00 at Panera Bread in the Brandon Mall. The Tampa Subchapter will be hosting their monthly Tsudoi, an informal time for anyone interested in Japanese and Japanese culture.

JETAA Sydney

• Annual General Meeting – Friday, February 4th, 6:00 at the Japanese Consulate. Connect with friends, meet people in the Japanese community and discuss the future of JETAA Sydney in this year’s meeting. Dinner and drinks to follow at the Nippon Club.

JETAA D.C.

• Happy Hour Networking Event – Tuesday, February 1st, 6:00 at Cafe Asia. Chat, relax and catch up with friends old and new at this month’s Networking and Happy Hour event.

JETAA Portland

• J-Kaiwa – Friday, February 4th, 7:00 at Hawthorne Lucky Lab. Practice your Japanese or just get together with friends for a drink at Lucky Lab.

JETAA British Columbia

• Shakuhachi Workshop – Saturday, February 5th, 1:00 to 3:00 at the Roundhouse Community Centre. JETAABC presents a workshop by the renowned Shakuhachi(Japanese bamboo flute) artist and musician, Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos. Learn how to play from the master and enjoy a day of Japanese culture.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.

Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA New England

• Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 29th, 6:00 at Shabu-Zen. Celebrate 2011 with some shabu-shabu, good friends, and a raffle.

JETAA Great Lakes

• Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 29th, 5:00 at Yotsuba Japanese Restaurant in Ann Arbor. Celebrate the new year in style with friends and alumni. Upcoming elections, subchapter issues and other event ideas will also be discussed, so do not miss it.

JETAA Sydney

• Yakiniku BBQ at the Beach – Sunday, January 30th, 11:00 to 2:00 at Shelly Beach in Manly. Spend the day outside with fellow alumni and friends for a BBQ. Suikawari, sun and fun to be had by all.

JETAA New Orleans

• Karaoke Shinnenkai – Saturday, February 12th, 7:00 at Little Tokyo Small Plates and Noodle Bar. Sing, eat, drink and ring in 2011 with the group in New Orleans.

JETAA Minnesota

• Bowling Night – Saturday, January 29th, 8:00 at Memory Lanes. Roll some rocks and catch up with old friends at this fun event.

JETAA Chicago

• Happy Hour – Friday, January 28th, 6:00 at Chizakaya. Kick off the weekend with friends and alumni this Friday.
• Urasenke Tatezome Tea Ceremony – Sunday, January 30th, 12:00 at the Japan Information Center, Consulate General of Japan. The JIC is celebrating 2011 with a traditional tea ceremony.

JETAA New York

• Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 29th, 7:00 at Restaurant Riki on 45th St. Join JETAANY for their new year’s celebration. It will be izakaya style food and nomihodai(all you can drink), so don’t miss it.

JETAA Northern California

• Kabuki Club – Sunday, January 23rd, 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. This month’s selection will be the classic “Sukeroku: The Flower of Edo.” A casual Shinnenkai will follow the viewing at a nearby restaurant.

JETAA British Columbia

• Annual General Meeting and Shinnenkai – Friday, January 28th, 6:00 to 9:00 at the YWCA Hotel Downtown. Elect new directors and lend your voice to the future of JETAABC, then catch up with friends and alumni at the 2011 Shinnenkai after the meeting.
• Shakuhachi Workshop – Saturday, February 5th, 1:00 to 3:00 at the Roundhouse Community Centre. JETAABC presents a workshop by the renowned Shakuhachi(Japanese bamboo flute) artist and musician, Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos. Learn how to play from the master and enjoy a day of Japanese culture.

JETAA D.C.

• JBook Meeting – Monday, January 24th, 6:30 in the Adams Morgan/U Street Area. Jbook is back for the new year, with this month’s selection being “The Housekeeper and the Professor,” by Yoko Ogawa. The discussion will be followed by a screening of the film, so don’t miss it.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.

Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA New England

• General Meeting – Thursday, January 13th, 6:00 at Reline in Harvard Square. Welcome the new president and discuss the future of NEJETAA.
• Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 22nd. More details to follow.

JETAA UK

• London Pub Night – Thursday, January 13th, 6:30 at Life. Practice your Japanese, see old friends and have some authentic Japanese cuisine at this month’s Pub Night in London.
• JETAA Creative Entrepreneurs Salon – Friday, January 14th, 8:00 at Brick Lane. Check out this networking event for freelancers, business owners and entrepreneurs. Share your experiences and make new friends in the new year.

JETAA British Columbia

• Pub Night – Friday, January 21st, 7:00 at Kingston Taphouse and Grille. Join JETAABC for the first pub night of 2011 with friends and alumni.

JETAA Northern California

• Kabuki Club – Sunday, January 23rd, 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. This month’s selection will be the classic “Sukeroku: The Flower of Edo.” A casual Shinnenkai will follow the viewing at a nearby restaurant.

JETAA Florida

• Tampa Subchapter Shinnenkai – January 23rd, 5:30 to 7:30 on West Sitios Street in Tampa. Celebrate the new year with friends, family and alumni.

JETAA Chicago

• General Meeting – Monday, January 10th, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Chicago. Lend your voice to the future of JETAA Chicago at the first Executive Board meeting of the new year.
• Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 15th at the JIC. Celebrate 2011 Japanese style, with food, friends, games and more. More details to follow.

JETAA D.C.

• JBook Meeting – Monday, January 24th, 6:30 in the Adams Morgan/U Street Area. Jbook is back for the new year, with this month’s selection being “The Housekeeper and the Professor,” by Yoko Ogawa. The discussion will be followed by a screening of the film, so don’t miss it.

JETAA Southern California

• JETAASC Retreat 2011 – Saturday, January 22nd, 9:00 to 3:00 in West Covina. Spend the day getting to know your fellow JET alumni, or catch up with old friends at this year’s retreat. Discuss the future of JETAASC and don’t forget to bring your favorite dish for everyone to share.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.