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

JETAA D.C.

• JBook Meeting – Monday, June 4th, 6:30 at the Japan America Society of Washington DC. Next month’s Japanese-themed book club selection is a collection of short stories entitled, Digital Geishas and Talking Frogs: The Best 21st Century Short Stories from Japan edited by Helen Mitsios.

JETAA Northern California

• Kabuki Club – Sunday, May 20th, 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. This month’s selection is the haunting Japanese folk story, The Black Mound (Kurozuka). View a live and unique dance, and watch video performances of a Medieval Noh and Modern Kabuki.

JETAA Minnesota

• Hanami – Sunday, May 20th, 3:00 to 7:00 in Lyndale Park. Spend a day under the cherry blossoms this May with a potluck style picnic in the park.
• Kanna Club – Tuesday, May 15th, 6:00 to 8:00 at Wakame Sushi. Kanna club is a social networking club sponsored by the Japan American Society of Minnesota. Join in for some food, fun, and socializing.
• Japanese Groceries Club – Sunday, May 27th, 11:00 at United Noodle. Get together for lunch and some food shopping with JETAA Minnesota folks to help recreate those delicious dishes from Japan in your own kitchen.

JETAA Florida

• Natsumatsuri – Saturday, June 9th, 9:00 to 12:00. Natsumatsuri is a community-based Japanese sumer festival akin to the typical small town festivals found throughout Japan. The festival features Japanese food, traditional festival games, culture, and art. Bring out your yukata or jinbei and celebrate the summer.

JETAA New York

• Japan Day Volunteers Needed – Volunteers are needed to help out with this year’s Japan Day in Central Park. JETAANY and the Japan Society are hosting the yo-yo Balloon Tent and need help in running the booth, greeting guests, explaining the rules of the Yo-yo Balloon game. Both morning and afternoon help is needed, so spare a day and join this fun-filled Japanese event.

JETAA Southern California

• Indoor Rock Climbing Social Event – Saturday, June 9th, 3:00 to 5:00 at Hangar 18. Scale the walls and share stories with friends and alumni at this exciting event. Introductory lessons, equipment and a two hour supervised climb is included.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

• Book Club – Saturday, May 19th, in the early afternoon. PNWJETAA is starting a new book club as a way to get alumni together and share stories and ideas over a bit of literature. The first section is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carre. Start reading now so you can contribute to the discussion.

JETAA Portland

• 10th Annual Iron Chef Competition – Saturday, May 12th. Get ready for a fun and unique cookoff that tests your skills in the kitchen. Prizes are awarded for the best side dishes, main dishes and desserts. This event is co-sponsored by both JETAA Portland and PNWJETAA, so it’s a great opportunity to meet your neighbor JET alumni.

JETAA New England

• Opening Reception for NEJETAA Photo Exhibit – Monday, May 21st, 6:00 to 8:00 at the Logan Airport Terminal E. Susan Gil has organized a beautiful collection of photographs of Japan taken by JET alumni, and there will be an opening celebration for JET alumni and friends. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Japan through the eyes of fellow JETs.

 

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

JETAA D.C.

• Networking Event – Wednesday, March 28th, 6:00 at Kelly’s Irish Times. Get together with JETAA and friends in the DC area.

JETAA Western Australia

• Annual General Meeting – Friday, March 30th, 5:30 at 43 Below. Talk about the future of JETAA, join the committee, and have fun with alumni.

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

Remember to check out a listing of JETAA Chapter Events related to the Anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami.

JETAA Philadelphia Subchapter (part of JETAANY)

• Tohoku Disaster One Year Anniversary and Film Screening – Sunday, March 11th, 2:00 to 4:30 at the Bellevue. The Japan American Society of Greater Philadelphia is screening NHK and MindTV’s short documentary “Radiation – Fighting the Invisible Enemy” as part of a fundraising and informational event. The program also includes a talk by the Honorary Consul of Japan in Philadelphia’s Dennis Morikawa, a bake sale, and reception.
• Cooking and Movie Afternoon – Sunday, March 11th, 12:00. The group in Philly is getting together to watch Japanese movies and socialize this Sunday. Bring your own dish and cook it up for a relaxing day of food, fun, and friends.

JETAA Southern California

• Nihongo Dake Cooking Lesson – Saturday, March 10th, in Torrance. Learn how to cook authentic Japanese cuisine and practice your Nihongo at the same time as this month’s event.
• Career Mixer – Thursday, March 22nd, 5:00 to 8:00 at Perch. Make connections, grow your network and get together with your friends in JETAASC.
• JETAASC Charity for the 2011 Earthquake - Saturday, March 31st. More details coming soon.

JETAA Canberra

• O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, March 7th, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
• Tohoku Earthquake Memorial Service – Sunday, March 11th, 4:00 at the Nara Peace Park. A memorial service will be held at Nara Peace Park to commemorate the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami and remember those who died as well as those who continue to be affected by the tragedy.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

• March Monthly Meeting – Wednesday, March 7th, 6:30 at the Panama Cafe. Meet the new board members and find out about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

 

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 segment is highlighting JETAA and other Japan-related events remembering the March 11, 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami in Tohoku.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

• 3/11 Great East Japan Earthquake Memorial at Seattle Center -  Sunday, March 11th, 10:00 to 3:00 at the Seattle Center. SeattleJapanRelief.org and the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle will hold a special community event on the one-year anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, with a focus on the themes of remembrance, preparedness, and rebuilding. More information can be found here and here.

JETAA D.C.

• A Shinto Response to the March 2011 Disasters in Japan - Wednesday, February 20th, 11:00 at the Berkley Center. A panel discussion will be held at Georgetown University to talk about Shinto in Japanese history and the Shinto response to the 2011 disasters, and will also include a Shinto ritual in remembrance of the victims of March 2011.

JETAA Sydney

• Tohoku: Rebuilding for a Better Tomorrow Photo Exhibit – Running March 8th through April 29th, the Consulate General of Japan in Sydney is holding a photo exhibit that highlights the strength of the people of Tohoku as they work to rebuild Japan. The exhibit will be held at Customs House, Circular Quay, weekdays from 10:00 to 7:00, weekends 11:00 to 4:00.
• Big Bento Lunch – To commemorate the disaster and raise much-needed funds for UNICEF’s ongoing recovery work in the affected regions of Tohoku, the Big Bento Lunch encourages people to get together for a Japanese-style lunch and collect donations. For more information about how you can get involved, visit the website.

JETAA Northern California

• Presentation: Eco-tourism and the Ancient Kumano Pilgrimage Routes – Thursday, March 15th, 5:30 at the Japan Information Center. Directors from the Kumano Kodo Ancient Road UNESCO World Cultural Heritage area are giving a talk about eco-tourism in an effort to promote tourism in Japan after the devastation of the Tohoku earthquake. Come out and learn more about this little known region and support Japan.

JETAA Portland

• Remembering Tohoku: Looking Toward a Brighter Future – Sunday, March 11th, 2:00 to 4:00 at the Portland Japanese Garden Pavilion and Grounds. Members and visitors to the Portland Japanese Garden will gather in the Pavilion on the first anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami to remember the victims of this terrible disaster. The event includes Koto music, a memorial book, and a community building project led by textile artist Hiroshi Sato.

JETAA Chicago

• Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Photography Exhibit: Chicago Sister Cities International is current developing an exhibit of photographs chronicling the devastation and recovery efforts from The Nikkei, the leading Japanese business newspaper. These photos will be on display March 12th through 16th at the Illinois Thompson Center and March 21st through 31st at Block 37.

 

 

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.