JETAA DC Book Club to read “An Artist of the Floating World”
Books, Events, JETAA Chapters, Uncategorized 
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Via JETAA DC:
Hi Everyone,
JETAADC’s very own book club – with the working name of JBook – is up and running. This month we’ll be reading An Artist of the Floating
World Kazuo Ishiguro. We’ll meet on Monday, April 20 at 6:30pm at the Penn Teaism (in the downstairs area). New members are welcome! Just RSVP a little ahead of time so we know how many tables to push together.
Happy Reading,
-Dan
JETAA Chapter Beat 4.1.09
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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community…
- Happy Hour – Friday, April 3rd, 6:00 at Wann Izakaya. Start the weekend right with drinks, takoyaki and friends at PNW JETAA.
- April Monthly Meeting – Monday, April 6th, 6:00 at Panama Cafe. Come see the inner workings of PNW JETAA and find out about what’s going and what opportunities are out there for eager volunteers.
- Mini Hanami – Wednesday, April 1st, 5:30 at the tidal basin. Have a seat under the cherry blossoms and relax with friends at JETAADC.
- Quiz Night Write Up! – The quiz night, held jontly with UWA JAPSSOC, was bigger and better than 07/08, with just under 100 competitors in attendance over 12 teams. We look forward to an even larger turnout next year — JETAA Western Australia
- Annual General Meeting Write Up! – [AGM] was held to a subdued turnout but was a great chance to catch up and confirm the committee for next year, which will be: President Nick John, Vice President & Treasurer Adam Reynolds, Secretary Dave Millin, Social Rep Emma Wilson, Media Rep Karen le Blanc, Promos Rep Tegan Chubb, General Members Luke Eaton, Karen Carter, and Nat Garmony — JETAA Western Australia
- Sakura Sunday – April 5th, 11:00 to 4:00 at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. Join JETAANY as well as the Philadelphia and New Jersey Subchapters at the Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival. Live music, hanami, dance, and a plethora of other Japanese related events and activities.
- JETAA Job Fair – Saturday, April 4th, 12:00 to 5:00 at the Japan Information Center. Mark your calendars for this important chance to network with Chicago Japanese businesses.
- JETAA Meeting – Monday, April 13th, 6:00 at Hema’s Kitchen. Sit in and find out more about the Chicago JETAA community.
- James Kennedy “The Order of the Odd-Fish” Book Reading and Signings – James Kennedy will be promoting his book, “The Order of the Odd-Fish” at three upcoming events within the Chicago area. Saturday, April 22nd, 2:00 at Borders bookstore, Wednesday, April 22nd, 4:00 at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, and Tuesday, April 28th, 7:30 at the Hopleaf. Do not miss this chance to meet James and hear excerpts from his delightful book.
- O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, April 29th, 5:30 at the Holy Grail in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
- AJS Pitch and Putt Golf Day – Saturday, April 18th, 2:00 at Canberra International Golf Centre. Tee off with AJS and JETAA Canberra for a day of family fun.
- JETAANC Hanami – Sunday, April 5th, 11:00 to 3:00 at Golden Gate Park, Speedway Meadow. Join JETAANC under the cherry trees for some fun and sun.
- JETAANC Oakland A’s Game – Saturday, April 25th, 1:00 at McAfee Coliseum. JETAANC and the Japan Society are co-hosting a day at the ballpark. Oakland takes on Tampa Bay, so come out and root for the home team with friends and JETAA
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just email Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
Saw this on the JETAA Pacific Northwest yahoogroup list and thought it was worth sharing. I’m sure there are plenty of other JET alum actors/performers out there, so feel free to share any upcoming performances via e-mail to jetwit at jetwit dot com and perhaps we can do a periodic update of what various folks are up to.
Just wanted to pass this on from Nate Maddox (Kagawa-ken 2003-2005), and (disclaimer!) good friend of mine. I saw The Underpants on Sunday, and I’ll vouch for the hilarity. All the characters are absurd, and there are some killer lines.
Yes, there are underpants in this play. No, they are not Nate’s. (And no, you probably don’t want to bring kids under 14.) But I highly recommend it, especially if you’d like to see Nate prance about in a ridiculous hat and cape.
Please go enjoy The Underpants!
-Sandra
———– (more info below) Read More
NY-based JET alum Carol Elk was in D.C. on Tuesday to see the cherry blossoms and was kind enough to share some of her hanami photos.
Job: Internet Marketing Coordinator at Outdoor Research – Seattle, WA
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Via the Pacific Northwest JETAA yahoo group:
Hello,
We have a new opening in marketing for an Internet Marketing Coordinator. This is a full-time exempt position with full benefits. This person will assist in the creation, production, implementation, and analysis of web marketing initiatives. A complete job description may be found on the OR website.
Please send resume and cover letter to jobs at outdoorresearch dot com
Thank you!
Suzanne Ekler, PHR
HR Administrator
Outdoor Research
News: 84-year old Japanese woman foils 22-year-old burglar in Fukuoka
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Thanks to Kirsten Phillips (Niigata-ken, 2005-08) for sharing proof of what JET alums already know: obaasans are not to be F*&%$ed with:
Program Coordinator – Consulate General of Japan in Miami
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Via the JETAA Northern California jobs yahoogroup:
Program Coordinator
Description:
The Japan Information and Culture Department of the Consulate General of Japan in Miami has an opening for a program coordinator. This is a full-time contract position. The ideal candidate will be fast-paced, results oriented, creative and flexible. Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills in team planning, public speaking and presenting are required.
Job: Customer Service Representative – Chicago
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Via JETAA Chicago:
Customer Service Representative
Job Description –
The customer service representative acts to bridge communication between customers, outside representatives and sales managers. He or she will process orders and provide support to customers and distributors regarding order status, pricing and delivery. The customer service representative works closely with the purchasing department and the warehouse to ensure prompt and efficient shipments, guaranteeing customer satisfaction.
Job: Sake Sales Rep at Winebow – Manhattan, NY
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Via Monster.com. See the original listing here:
About the Job
Winebow Inc., a prestigious importer and distributor of wine and spirit products from around the world, has an exciting new position in our organization. Winebow is currently seeking a Sales Rep to sell our Sake portfolio in Manhattan.
In case you missed it (or enjoyed it so much you want to relive it), below is a highlights clip from the JET Alumni Author Showcase along with clips of each of the three author readings, all of which took place March 22 in NYC. (Bonus tip: Try to picture each author teaching an English class in a Japanese high school as you watch them do their readings.)
Highlight Clips
James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish
Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.
Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of Zorgamazoo
Review: JET Alumni Author Showcase
Article/Journalism, Books, Events, JETAA Chapters, Reviews, Roland Kelts, Uncategorized, Writers Comments Off on Review: JET Alumni Author Showcase
JETAANY Hosts First Author Showcase
By Gina Anderson (Nara-ken, 2003-05), former JETAA DC newsletter chair and Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02), editor of JQ (JETAA NY) Quarterly Magazine
New York City’s Holiday Inn hosted a summit for published JETs as JETAANY launched its debut JET Alumni Author Showcase on March 22. The panelists included pro writers Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), Robert Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04) and James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06). (Click here and here for photos and here for video clips.)
Drawing over 60 JET alums, friends and family, the event kicked off with some words from Akira Sugiyama, director of the Japan Information Center of the Consulate General of Japan in New York. Moderator and playwright Randall David Cook (Fukui-ken, 1991-93), creator of the critically acclaimed Off Broadway plays Sake with the Haiku Geisha and Fate’s Imagination, asked each author to share a favorite selection of their works with the crowd.
A professor at three different universities including Tokyo University, a writer and editor for two magazines and a columnist for the Yomiuri Shimbun, Kelts spoke about Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., his non-fiction book about the eponymous subject. He began by Read More
5 Easy Tips to Making Better Pasta
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Devon Brown (Tokyo-to, 2002-04) is a freelance writer with a focus on food. You can read more of her writing at TravelingTastebuds.blogspot.com.
Everyone knows how to boil pasta, right? -Think about the last soggy rigatoni salad you ate before you answer that question. The good news, is that making perfect pasta is easy is if you know the rules.
To find out what those rules are, click here.
The below info came via an e-mail about an event organized by CareerCross, an online job-search site for people trying to find bilingual work in Japan or with Japan-affiliated companies. Seems like something that might be of interest to JET alums.
CareerCross is holding a special seminar designed to give job seekers an added advantage when interviewing at a foreign company in Japan.
As Japan and the world sinks deeper into recession and corporations aggressively cut jobs, one cannot afford to be less than 100% prepared for the opportunity to interview for a job. Competition for jobs is difficult and will only get more difficult as companies can choose from a larger pool of qualified candidates.
CareerCross has brought in Japan’s leading interview skills trainer to teach you how to “Get Your Job Now!” From your cover letter and resume to the interview, learn exactly what works and doesn’t when interviewing at a foreign company in Japan. You will be able to answer the difficult questions with confidence, as you will be prepared and coached by the very best.
Join us for one afternoon designed to prepare you for success.
— Get Your Job Now! Space is limited, and the registration deadline is April 8th, 2009, so sign up now!
JetWit BlogBeat by Crystal Wong
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JetWit Blog Beat by Crystal Wong (Iwate-ken, 2002-04) is a recurring item featuring posts from the blogs of various JET alumni. Crystal is a formerEnglish-language writer for Kyodo News. She now works as a media planner in Chelsea and sorely misses all her favorite midtown ramen joints.
This week was a busy one, with two JET alum blogs being added to the blogroll:
Welcome Chen Reichert, a Philly based JET alum and creator of Boto, a Japanese robot tourist inspired by her time in Japan. You can find out more about Chen, her designs and Boto’s adventures at her blog. 
Also be sure to check out the site of MEF alum Bruce Rutledge, the owner of Chin Music Press, a Seattle based independent publisher. His latest post mentions Clay Shirky’s recent piece on the future of journalism.
Devon Brown (Tokyo-to, 2002-2004) shares her tips on making better pasta.
Well-known blogger and Twitter guru Guy Kawasaki recently tweeted about Roland Kelts‘ (Osaka-shi, 1998-1999) interview with Japanese novelist Haruki Marukami. Read the interview here.
Also, last but not least, be sure to check out JET alum Lars Martinson‘s Tonoharu, listed on a host of year end top ten lists!
Job: Corporate Development Associate at Japan Society (New York)
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Via Japan Society (NY):
Reporting to the Corporate Membership Manager, the Corporate Development Associate works with the Development team on corporate fundraising operations, including corporate membership, corporate sponsorship, and special events.
Responsibilities include: fielding corporate membership inquiries; assisting the Manager with mailing lists and acknowledgment letters, renewals and solicitation letters, and follow-up with lapsed members; fulfilling corporate member benefit obligations and requests, including complimentary catalogs, gallery passes, and Executive Courtesy Cards; conducting prospect research on corporations (for membership and sponsorship); helping with marketing materials in Quark and Power Point; liaising with program directors on sponsorship solicitation letters, benefits, and gift agreements; compiling and sending informational packets; assisting in tracking and updating sponsorship proposals in Raiser’s Edge; fulfilling corporate sponsor stewardship obligations, including sending exhibition catalogs and complimentary tickets; ensuring that corporate sponsors are recognized in the appropriate manner in credit lines; creating sponsorship reports; entering gifts Raiser’s Edge; drafting acknowledgment letters for cash and in-kind donations; tracking in-kind gifts; assisting in special events and working with the Special Events team; and other tasks as assigned. Read More
