What’s Inside 2 Membership News Bunka-Sai Gift Booth Needs Donated Items 3 Annual Membership Drive 4 Kashiwa News Birthday Reunion! 5 Alumni Reunion Partnership Award Recipient: Linda Canada 7 Anime Drawing Contest! 8 Alumni Updates 9 English Teacher Report: Spring, Around the Corner 10 Teach English in Japan 11 Memories of Japan 12 TSCA Yard Sale INSERT > 45th Annual Bunka-Sai Flyer > Bunka-Sai Advertising Form ___________________ Since 1973, the cities of Torrance, California, and Kashiwa, Japan, have enjoyed a sister city partnership, with the goal of furthering international friendship across cultures. President’s Message By Hazel Taniguchi January was a very busy month! New ofϐicers and board members started their terms. Plans continued for the 45th anniversary celebration and Bunka‐Sai. The Alumni Reunion was a huge success with so many members attending, great potluck food, and 14 student applicants and families introduced. Thank you to all those on the committee and to everyone who participated. The 45th anniversary celebration was also a huge success, with much credit going to city staff and committee members. Renewing and making new friendships was simply wonderful. Thank you to all who planned the events and to all who participated as they could. The Torrance adult dele‐ gates will go to Kashiwa in October to celebrate the 45th anniversary there. Please look for photos and an article in the March issue of our newsletter regarding the celebration this month. Now, we need to concentrate on Bunka‐Sai. It’s early this year, so we need to make speciϐic plans right away. We still need help in the following areas: all booths, especially the BBQ, gift, dango, and cotton candy booths, setting up on Friday the 6th, and cleaning up on Sunday the 8th. No job is too small or insigniϐicant when the reason for doing Bunka‐Sai is to fund the “gem” of the Sister City Program—the Student Cultural Exchange Program. We need the help of past and present TSCA members. If you can volunteer for just two hours each day, that would be of tremendous help. To the public, we invite you to come and learn about the Japanese culture and support the student program. After Bunka‐Sai, the selected 2018 student delegates and their adult leader will be attending orientation sessions to prepare them for their trip to Kashiwa in July. In August, we will be hosting the Kashiwa students and adult leader. We will need host families then. If you are interested, please contact us. Most of the activities are planned by TSCA, with a free weekend for/with each host family. Hosting can be very rewarding. The Kashiwa students are eager to learn about the American culture. Did you know that we have a cherry blossom tree grove here in Torrance? The grove is located just outside the George Nakano Theatre, across from the Torrance Police Department. Five trees were planted during the 25th anniversary, and additional trees were planted each time we celebrated an anniversary. There are now nine trees. They usually bloom around May or June, depending on the weather. If you are interested in the Sister City Program, please feel free to attend our monthly meetings or contact us. More information is available on our website at torrancesistercity.org. Thank you! www.torrancesistercity.org February 2018 TSCA NEWS T O R R A N C E S I S T E R C I T Y A S S O C I A T I O N
Transcript
What’s Inside
2 Membership News
Bunka-Sai Gift Booth Needs Donated Items
3 Annual Membership Drive
4 Kashiwa News Birthday Reunion!
5 Alumni Reunion Partnership Award Recipient: Linda Canada
7 Anime Drawing Contest!
8 Alumni Updates
9 English Teacher Report: Spring, Around the Corner
10 Teach English in Japan
11 Memories of Japan
12 TSCA Yard Sale
INSERT > 45th Annual Bunka-Sai Flyer > Bunka-Sai Advertising Form
___________________
Since 1973, the cities of Torrance, California, and Kashiwa, Japan, have enjoyed a sister city partnership, with the goal of furthering international friendship across cultures.
Bunka-Sai Gift Booth Needs Donated Items Spring is in the air...almost! That means it’s time to clean out your drawers, closets, and garages for all those items you stashed away for the Bunka-Sai Gift Booth (April 7-8)! We are seeking new or like‐new donated items for our ever‐popular gi booth! Japanese items are especially appreciated. Kitchenware, decora ve items, toys, that item you got for Christmas or your birthday that’s just not you...donate them and we’ll turn them into money to help fund our Student Exchange Program!
Bring your items to our March 12 TSCA mee ng (see Calendar for details) or drop them off on the porch of Karen Wheeler, Gi Booth Chair (4034 Bluff St, Torrance, CA 90505). If you have any ques ons, please contact Karen at [email protected]
I wish to receive my TSCA News newsle er by U.S Mail
My membership is: NEW RENEWAL I do not want to be listed in the TSCA directory
Directory Update: New address New telephone number New e‐mail address
I am interested in par cipa ng in TSCA ac vi es ______________________________________
Enclosed is a donation to TSCA (in addition to my annual dues) in the amount: $______ Total enclosed: $_________
Make your check payable to TSCA and mail with this form to: Torrance Sister City Associa on c/o Cultural Services Division 3031 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503
TSCA mee ngs are held on the second Monday of each month at the Civic Center West Annex Commission Room, 7 pm. (Excep ons: No mee ngs in August or December 2018. The February and November mee ngs will be held on Tuesday, the 13th.)
ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND GET INVOLVED!
Membership Commi ee Chair: Reiko Higa (310) 619‐4361 or [email protected]
Individual $20 per year Family $40 per year Suppor ng $75+ per year Benefactor $125+ per year Corpora on $200+ per year Life member $2,000+ (one‐ me dona on)
Torrance Sister City Association
Paying your membership dues is faster and easier than ever with PayPal! www.torrancesistercity.org
Birthday Reunion! Earlier this month, 2017 Kashiwa student delegates Kana Horie (3rd from left) and Sayaka Tamura (3rd from right) revisited their many friends in Torrance to celebrate Sayaka’s 19th birthday!
What a fun reunion! The girls were able to stay with their previous host families (Dunlap/Ihde, Gan, and Makino families), and all eight of the 2017 Torrance student delegates met them for a delicious Korean BBQ dinner! There were a few tears upon saying goodbye, but we look forward to seeing them again!
2018 Adult Leader Ms. Atsuko Takahashi
2018 Torrance Committee Board Members (from left): Vice-chair Ms. Yoriko Ishida, Chair Mr. Masahiko Arai, Liaison Ms. Akiko Nobusawa, and Treasurer Ms. Chie Suzuki
Many KIRA members enjoyed a wonderful New Year Party at Palette Kashiwa headquarters
Fourteen aspiring Student Delegates for 2018 attended the Alumni Reunion. They introduced themselves and shared why they would like to be selected for “the trip of a lifetime.”
At the conclusion of the event, the attendees formed a circle to dance the Kashiwa Odori.
Torrance City Clerk Rebecca Poirier (at podium) installed new TSCA Officers (from right) President Hazel Taniguchi, Vice President Cindy Scotto, Secretary Wendy Ito, and Treasurer Ronald Reeve. Immediate Past President Werner Willoughby was also acknowledged for his service.
Alumni Reunion
Partnership Award Recipient 2018
Linda Canada Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego
Donna Dunlap, chair of TSCA’s Partnership Award Committee, presents Linda Canada, past president of the
Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego, with the 2018 TSCA Partnership Award for her dedicated support of the Torrance-Kashiwa student cultural exchange program.
6 TSCA News / February 2018
Bunka-SaiBunka-Sai45th
Annual
Japanese Cultural FestivalSaturday & SundayApril 7 and 8, 201811:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ken Miller Recreation Center3341 Torrance Boulevard (At Madrona Avenue)
Presented by
The Torrance Sister City AssociationTorranceSisterCity.org
Proceeds to benefit the student cultural exchange program
City of Torrance • Community Services Department • 310-618-2930
FREEAdmission&Parking
Enjoy children’s games and activities, tasty plate lunches,
baked goodies, craft items, and cultural performances
ADVERTISING FORM For TSCA’s Bunka-Sai 2018 Program Booklet
Supporting the Student Cultural Exchange program
When: Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8, 2018 Where: Ken Miller Recreation Center, the Toyota Meeting Hall, and the Torino Plaza Objectives: To help the community learn about the Japanese culture To raise funds for the Student Cultural Exchange Program The Student Cultural Exchange Program is..... a cultural exchange program that takes place each year in July and August. Since 1974, Torrance sends a maximum of eight students and an adult leader to Kashiwa, Japan, for three weeks in July. Kashiwa sends a similar group to Torrance in August. This program is often referred to as “the gem” of the Sister City Program. Please help us by placing an ad in our festival program booklet Your ad will promote your company/business and support the Student Cultural Exchange Program. Personal ads celebrating special occasions, etc., are also welcome. Your ad will appear in the program booklet that will distributed to an expected 2,000+ visitors over the weekend. Cost (no change in years): Full-page ad..........................................................$200 Half-page ad.........................................................$100 One-fourth page ad................................................$50 Business card size ad............................................$25 Specifics: Must be no larger than 8 1/2 “ x 11”. Must be camera ready. Deadline: March 1, 2018, in order to meet the printing deadline Checks payable to: Torrance Sister City Association or TSCA Questions? Please e-mail [email protected], or call Shirley Tanaka at (310) 293-8600. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Complete and return the section below* * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Company Name___________________________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________City_____________ State_____ ZIP Code___________ Contact Name________________________ Phone #_______________ E-Mail_________________________ Ad information: Size_________________ Cost_________ Use last year’s ad?_________________________ New?_______________ Camera-ready copy enclosed?______________________________ Specific instructions_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________ Mail this portion, your ad, and check to: Torrance Sister City Association 3031 Torrance Blvd., Attn: Cultural Services Division Torrance, CA 90503 Thank you for your support!
■ Overall ■ Cutest ■ Best represents Japanese Culture
Prizes awarded for each Category
RULES Entries must be drawn on 8½” x 11” paper
in Portrait (vertical) format. Entries may be in Color OR Black &White. One entry per person per category. On the BACK of the drawing, include the following:
Your Name, Age, School, and Cell Phone Number. Entries must include a Release Form and Waiver signed
by the artist and parent/guardian.
Entries must be submitted IN PERSON on Friday, APRIL 6, 2018, 4pm – 6:30pm Ken Miller Recreation Center (3341 Torrance Blvd)
Winners will be announced on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at 12:20 pm
Spring, Around the Corner OneofthewonderfulthingsI’vediscoveredaboutJapanesewinteriskairo—disposableJapaneseheatpacksandhandwarmers.Studentshavethemintheirpockets,andwhiletryingtoindthematthegrocerystore,Iaccidentallyboughtoneswithastickybacking.Perfectforadheringtotheinsidemysweatersandstayingwarm.
Top: Snowy sunset view from Ichikashi’s Foreign Language office. Bottom: One of my last days with my first-ever class at Ichikashi,
third-year students from Class 3B.
Teach English
in Kashiwa, Japan
The Torrance Sister City Association seeks qualified applicants for one high school English teacher in Kashiwa, Japan, the Sister City of Torrance. A minimum one-year contract runs from August 1, 2018, to July 31, 2019. The contract is renewable for a maximum three-year assignment.
Duties: Conduct and assist in a variety of English conversation classes; assist with coordinating campus visits by parents, administrators, and junior high students; and assist with extracurricular activities, which may include judging and assisting with speech contests, serving as adviser to the English Conversation Club and business trips, and coaching students for college interviews. Volunteer work with KIRA (Kashiwa International Relations Association) and other city groups may also be required.
Qualifications
Applicants must: Live or work in Torrance Be fluent in written and spoken English Hold a Bachelor’s degree plus a teaching credential
or have demonstrated teaching experience Possess a keen interest in the Japanese language
and culture Represent the Torrance Sister City Association and
foster the goals and objectives of the English Teacher Exchange Program.
Compensation
Annual salary of approximately 4,800,000 Japanese yen
One-way airfare from Los Angeles to Japan
National health insurance (deducted from monthly salary)
Subsidized housing and transportation allowance
Paid Japanese holidays and personal days
To Apply
Please send resume, cover letter, and two letters of recommendation by U.S. mail only.
Must be postmarked by April 12, 2018, and received by April 19, 2018.
Mail to: Lori Chong Eurich, Chair TSCA English Teacher Selection Committee c/o Community Services Dept. 3031 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503 Qualified applicants will be scheduled for panel interviews in May. For more information, call Lori Chong Eurich at (310) 373-6146.
Top photo: Here I am (at right), dancing in the 2017 Kashiwa Odori with the other TSCA and Kashiwa student delegates. Although we didn’t win the prize, we had an unforgettable experience!
TSCA News / February 2018 11
TORRANCE SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION 3031 Torrance Boulevard Torrance, CA 90503
Saturday, March 3, 2018 ● 7 am - 12 noon 21230 Anza Ave, Torrance, CA 90503 (near Torrance Blvd)
Do you brake for bargains? Enjoy flea market finds? Enjoy spending your money on a good cause?
If you answered Yes to any of these questions, you won’t want to miss this once-a-year blockbuster Yard Sale, which will feature a variety of interesting
and unique new and gently used items (such as books, toys, clothing, kitchenware, furniture and gadgets).
All proceeds (and we mean every single penny) will benefit this summer’s TSCA Student Exchange Program. This event is hosted by the TSCA Student Selection Committee
and the 2018 student exchange applicants and their parents.
Note: If you have any items to donate for this Yard Sale, please bring them by 7 am, already priced. Thank you!
