JETAA Chapter Beat 3.26.12
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Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- Networking Event – Wednesday, March 28th, 6:00 at Kelly’s Irish Times. Get together with JETAA and friends in the DC area.
- 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.
- Eigo de Shaberanaito – Wednesday, April 4th, 6:00 at the International Nippon Australia New Zealand Club. This month’s event is a Japanese-themed English-only night of dinner and conversation.
- Okinawa Sanshin Workshop – Saturday, March 31st, 2:00. Enjoy a professional sanshin (3-stringed Okinawan instrument) performance, followed by a chance to play a sanshin yourself.
- Sakura Sunday – Sunday, April 15th, 10:30 to 4:00 at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. Enjoy a day of spring celebration under the cherry blossoms. Events include Taiko performances, Japanese culture demonstrations, workshops, fashion shows, and more.
- Hanami – Saturday, April 7th, 11:00 to 3:00 at Golden Gate Park. Celebrate the arrival of spring and warm weather beneath the cherry trees with JETAANC. Enjoy a potluck style picnic in the park, and don’t forget to bring something 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.
JETAA Singapore announces new board
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Via the JETAA Singapore website:
JETAA SG Election Committee 2012 is pleased to present to you JETAA SG 2012-2013 new board members who will officialy take over from the the current board with effect from 1 April 2012! Thank you to all the voters for your support!
JETAA USA Quarterly Reports
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Via JETAA USA Country Rep Jessyca Wilcox:
“For those of you who are interested in reading the Quarterly Reports that the Country Reps produce to update you on what’s been going on, you can do so on the jetaausa.com website. Go to, About JETAA >> Quarterly Reports. You can click on the report you are interested in reading. Country Rep Megan Miller has done a nice job summarizing all the JETAA activity at the national level! All three quarters from fiscal year 2011-12 are available and we will be sure to wrap up the year with a Quarter 4 Report as well!”
JETAA International videos
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Here are two videos recently released by JETAA International, and put together by JETAA-I Webmaster Bob Schnyder of JETAA Portland and JETAA-I Secretary Kay Dunkley of JETAA Jamaica.
“What is JETAA International?”
“Because of JET”
JETAA Chapter Beat 3.5.12
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- TAO: The Way of the Drum – Monday, March 12th, 7:00, at the Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony. The TAO Taiko, martial arts, dance, and theater ensemble is coming to Nashville. Check out this amazing acrobatic and rhythmic experience.
- Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival – JETAA Music City will be giving mini-lectures at the Consulate General of Japan booth at this years festival, and is seeking speakers and volunteers. More information can be found at the festival website.
- Freelancing Career Panel – Monday, March 5th, 6:30 to 8:30 at the Japan Local Government Center. Jetwit’s own Steven Horowitz will be hosting a panel discussion on making a living through freelance work in today’s tough economic climate. It’s a great opportunity for JET Alumni to get together, share ideas and stories.
- Meishi Exchange – Thursday, March 15th, 6:30 – 9:00 at Amber Restaurant. Get together with JETAANY for its annual networking event with JET alumni and friends from other organizations around New York. Part of the funds will go towards helping the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.
- JQ Magazine Seeking Writers for Spring 2012 – JETAANY’s magazine is seeking new writers among JET alumni from around the world to contribute. Story ideas and more information can be found here.
- Charity Screening of “Pray for Japan – Kokoro wa Hitotsu Ni” – Wednesday, March 14th, 7:00, at AMC Loews in Georgetown. A special screening of a documentary filmed by a DC local, in coordination of a national screening event in Tokyo, will be held to support the Japan Emergency NGO helping individuals who are still struggling to recover from the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami.
JETAA Auckland sends message of support to the town of Tomioka in Fukushima
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Thank you to JETAA Auckland Liaison Officer Jo McCarthy for sharing the following:
This video, made by JETAA Auckland, is a message of support for the town of Tomioka (in Fukushima Prefecture) with which Auckland has a friendship agreement.
JETAA Chapter Beat 2.27.12
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
New England JET alums help Japan Society of Boston welcome Bobby Valentine to Fenway Park
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New England JETAA’s Jason Currier (Fukui-ken, 2007-09) recently attended the Japan Society of Boston’s welcome reception for Bobby Valentine at Fenway Park and was kind enough to write a little something for JETwit about the experience:
A few things I learned about new Boston Red Sox (and former Lotte Marines) manager Bobby Valentine last week at a Japan Society of Boston reception welcoming him to Boston:
- He had a shrine built in his honor called Bobby Jinja.
- He prefers the Olympics over the World Baseball Classic as the international venue for baseball, but believes it should be played in a dome during the Winter Olympics, so it won’t conflict with the baseball season.
- He wants Japanese-style baseball fight songs to catch on in Boston. Read More
JETAA Chapter Beat 2.6.12
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Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Kaiwa – Thursday, February 9th and 23rd, 5:30 at 43 Below. Join in and practice your Japanese skills with friends and alumni.
- 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.
- Tabemashou – Thursday, February 9th, 7:00 at Wafu. Tabemashou is a group that gathers to explore, critique, and enjoy Japanese dining in Portland. Check it out if you are looking for the next best place to sate your appetite.
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.
Thanks to Rocky Mountain JETAA for hosting a wonderful and extremely productive Regional Tech Conference.
Honto ni otsukare sama deshita.
Greetings from the JETAA Regional Tech Conference in Colorado
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Just a quick post to say hi from the JETAA Regional Tech Conference being hosted by Rocky Mountain JETAA in Estes Park, Colorado.
-Steven
JETAA Chapter Beat 1.24.12
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Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- 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.
- San Diego Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 28th, 7:00 at Azuki Sushi. The San Diego subchapter is celebrating the Year of the Dragon over sushi, so come out if you haven’t been to an event in a while.
- JCAW Japanese New Year Festival – Sunday, January 29th, 11:00 to 3:00 at the Washington Plaza Hotel. The Japan Commerce Association of Washington is hosting its annual new year’s matsuri. JETAA members will be volunteering and squaring off in a Karaoke Sing-off, so come out and see what the festival is all about.
- Dinner & a Movie Night – Friday, January 27th, 7:30 at Genki Sushi. Norwegian Wood, based on Haruki Murakami’s book, is playing at the Seattle International Film Festival at the Uptown. Join PNWJETAA folks for a little sushi dinner followed by a 9:15 showing of the movie.
- Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association New Year Party – Saturday, January 28th, 4:00. Get together with the SKSCA group and celebrate the year of the dragon. The shinnenkai will be potluck style, so be sure to bring a dish, dessert, or drink for everyone to share.
- Shinnenkai – Saturday, February 4th, 6:00 at the Nagomi Tea House. Eat, drink, and celebrate the arrival of 2012 with your friends.
- Beach BBQ – Sunday, January 29th, 1:00 at Shelley Beach in Manly. Get outside for some sun and good eats, including yakisoba and suikawari.
- Annual General Meeting – Friday, February 3rd 7:30 at the Nippon Club. Come and be a part of the future of JETAA Sydney.
- Tampa Shinnenkai – Sunday, January 29th, 5:30. The group in Tampa is holding its annual new year’s party with sushi from Yoko’s Restaurant and homemade Curry Rice. Come out and ring in the new year with alumni and friends.
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.
New JETAA Minnesota Facebook page
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New JETAA Minnesota Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JETAAMN
And accompanying message from JETAA MN’s Liz Brailford:
Hi all!
Some exciting news is going on for JETAA Minnesota early this 2012 – we’ve got a new Facebook page! The link for it is: https://www.facebook.com/JETAAMN ……COME JOIN US!
We will be closing our previous JETAAMN Facebook group page in a few weeks, so be sure to join the new page to get all the latest and greatest news, job listings, event links, and all other things JETAAMN.
Also, please look out for the JETAAMN February 1 Newsletter…..we’ve had some reorganization and are pumped up and meeting 2012 with a POW! All the exciting details to come soon……
See you on the new Facebook page!
Warm regards,
Liz Brailsford
JETAA British Columbia Newsletter – January issue
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Thanks to JETAA BC Newsletter Editor Thomas Law for sharing the latest issue of the JETAA BC Newsletter. If you haven’t seen their newsletter, they do a really nice one so take a look.
- PDF: http://www.jetaabc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NewsletterV16N3.pdf
- Online viewer version on Issuu.com at http://issuu.com/jetaabc/docs/newsletterv16n3
New Facebook group: Queens JET Alums
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JETAANY Secretary Pam Kavalam just set up an informal “Queens JET Alums” Facebook group for anyone living in the Borough of Queens, with a connection to Queens or perhaps even just aspiring to live there. With a gazillion cultures and ethnic groups in Queens (along with gazillion types of great food), it’s fair to say that Queens is indeed the new Brooklyn. (FYI, here’s the informal Brooklyn JET Alums Facebook group.) And with a large population of young Japanese ex-pats and more and more JET alums, there are even parts of Queens (e.g., Astoria) that are starting to look like Harajuku!
Ok, JETAANYers, whose going to get the Bronx and Staten Island JET alum Facebook groups going? Oh, and Manhattan. (Does anyone still live there anymore?)
