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News
SSCA
supports the Character Ed Program.
Led
by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce,
Character Education is a community-wide initiative working
to create a culture of character.
_____________________________________
The Springfield
Sister Cities Association will host a delegation of visitors from
its sister city of Tlaquepaque, Mexico, today, Wednesday, April
30 through Monday, May 5, 2008.
The delegation
will include more than 20 members from civic, governmental, and
other organizations who will meet with their counterparts in Springfield.
The newly-elected Mayor of Tlaquepaque, José Hernan Cortés
Berumen also will travel with the delegation.
Jeweler
Hector Selgado will participate in the First Friday Art Walk,
Friday, May 2, with silver jewelry on display at Springfield Pottery,
416 S. Campbell Ave. Selgado will take part in this year's 28th
annual Artsfest Fine Arts Festival on Historic Walnut Street on
both Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4.
Mariachi
group Sol de America also will make the trip from Tlaquepaque.
Their schedule includes performances in several Springfield Public
Schools. In addition, the following is a partial schedule of their
visit:
• 11:45 a.m., Thursday, May 1, Missouri
State University's Plaster Student Union;
• 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 2, Busch Municipal
Building lobby;
• Noon, Friday, May 2, Drury University
Commons
• 6 - 10 p.m., Friday, May 2, as part of
ArtsFiesta! Cinco de Mayo celebration in Founders Park, 330 E.
Water St.;
• 11 a.m., Saturday, May 3, Dance Stage
at Artsfest;
• Noon, Sunday, May 4, Dance Stage at Artsfest;
and
• 2:10 p.m., Sunday, May 4, Springfield
Cardinals game at Hammons Field
Tlaquepaque
is a city of more than 525,000 that is both traditional and cosmopolitan
and places its emphasis on art and culture. Known as the "Soul
of Mexico," the city borders Tonala to the south and Guadalajara
and Zapopan in the north. The city is located less than an hour
from the major metropolitan city of Guadalajara, Mexico, the country's
second-largest city. The climate is spring-like all year-round.
The relationship with Springfield was formed in June 2003.
___________________________________________
ArtsFiesta
May
2
6:00
- 10:00 p.m.
Founder's
Park
Downtown
Springfield
Adults
$3
Kids
10 and under FREE!
A
Cinco De Mayo celebration of Mexican art, culture and music with
an authentic mariachi band from Springfield's Sister city, Tlaquepaque,
Mexico .More
entertainers and sale of crafts
___________________________________________
2008
SSCA Board of Directors
Dianne
Elizabeth Osis, President
Mike
Williamson, Immediate Past President
John
Price , Vice President
Jane
Fast , Treasurer
Michael
Thomas , Secretary
Brad
Bodenhausen
Natalie
Cauldwell
Kay
Finnie
Carolyn
Gerdes
Araceli
Hanks
Robert
Jones
Dana
Logsdon
Juan
Meraz
Lisa
Rau
Dennis
Whaley
Designated
Representatives
Mary
Collette, Springfield City Council
Cindy
Jobe, Springfield-Greene County Parks Dept.
Mika
Logan , Springfield Regional Arts Council
Yuriko
Scott, Emeritus Board Member
New
SSCA Board Members for 2008
Kay
Finnie - Taught school in Kansas City, Nashville, and Charlotte.
She and her husband Tom have lived in Springfield since 1990.
Kay has been involved in a number of community organizations including
the United Way Campaign, FLIP, President of the Symphony/Guild;
Sister Cities, Reading is Fun, Symphony Board of Directors, Master
Gardeners, Great Books leader, and First and Calvary Pres. Church.
Kay has a degree in Education from Central Mo. State Univeristy
and a Masters in Reading from Queens University in Charlotte.
She enjoys visiting with their four grandchildren, tennis and
traveling including several trips to our Sister Cities in Japan
and Mexico.
Robert
Jones - Department Chairman and Professor of Psychology at Missouri
State University. Robert served on the Springfield City
Council from 2003 - 2007. He works as an industrial/organizational
psychologist dealing with management, group, and individual performance
and selection. He has a long standing interest in inter-cultural
relationships, going back to experiences as a member and later
an employee of the Chicago Children's Choir.
Dana
Logsdon - Coordinator of Public Information for Ozarks Technical
Community College since July of 2006. Prior to that position,
Dana lived in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, working for the
US Department of Defense. Dana is a graduate of Evangel
University.
Juan
Meraz - Director of Diversity for the College of Business
Administration at Missouri State University. Juan graduated
from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management,
a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Master of Business Administration
and has been teaching full time at MSU since 1999. He serves
as the first Provost Fellow for Diversity at MSU and as faculty
advisor for LEAL - Leading in Education to Approach Latinos,
SIFE - Students In Free Enterprise and Omega Delta Phi - the new
Multicultural Fraternity. Juan is also the current President
of the Academy of International Business US Mid-West Chapter which
meets at the MBAA International Conference which convenes mid-March
in Chicago.
___________________________
Information
for Performing
at
the Isesaki 2009 Summer Festival
Thank
you for your interest in performing in Isesaki, Japan in August
of 2009. Although the selected group will perform at the Summer
Festival while in Isesaki, it is the interactions that the members
experience with the Japanese people that are vitally important.
The
selected group will be financially responsible for passports, airfare
to and from Narita International Airport, Tokyo, transporting any
needed equipment such as musical instruments, and gifts for the
Japanese hosts and mayor.
Isesaki City will provide all transportation while in Isesaki and
to and from Narita Airport, lodging with Japanese host families,
meals, and tours to points of interest. The Festival begins
with a parade in which your group would participate. You would be
expected to perform two to four times during the two-day Festival.
Your visit in Isesaki will be for approximately one week, dates
to be determined by the Isesaki group. It is important that
the group all arrive at the same time. However, if some members
wish to tour on their own after the week in Isesaki, they may make
arrangements on their own to do so.
If
your group is selected, you will be asked to perform at the annual
membership meeting of SSCA and at the Japanese Fall Festival the
years prior, during, and after your participation at the Isesaki
Summer Festival. We look forward to forging a relationship
with your group that will benefit both organizations. As representative
of this Sister Cities organization, it is expected that you will
support SSCA by becoming members.
Springfield
Sister Cities Association will provide assistance in planning, logistics,
etiquette, cultural information, and support in promoting fundraising
events. SSCA will also offer a donation to assist with expenses.
Springfield
is fortunate to have had an active relationship with Isesaki since
1986, and this relationship has brought tremendous cultural benefits
to our community. This is a great opportunity to experience
the wonder of another country while enriching both your lives and
theirs. If you have any questions, please contact the Sister
Cities office (864-1191) or email: sistercities@springfieldmo.gov
2008
Past Events
Cherry
Blossom Kite Festival
Saturday
, March 29, 2008
11:00
a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Mizumoto
Japanese Stroll Garden in
Nathanael
Greene Park
The
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial
Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., will open for the season by hosting the
5th annual Cherry Blossom Kite Festival.
There
will be kite-building kits available for sale at the event for $3.
Admission into the garden is free.
The
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Natnanael Greene/Close Memorial
Park is open 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursdays - Mondays.
_______________________________________
Past
Events in 2007
Special
Guests from Tlaquepaque
Paco
Padilla & Ensemble
Ceramicist,
musical composer, performer, vocalist, guitarist
April
16 - 23, 2007
| April 18 |
7:30 p.m. Concert; Plaster Student Union
Theatre-MSU; FREE |
| April 19 |
12:00 p.m. Performance for SE Rotary Club at St. John's Cancer
Center |
| |
1:30 p.m. Open Performance at Brentwood Library; FREE |
| |
7:30 p.m. Concert; Diversity Center, Drury University
Admission: Adults - $10, Drury Faculty & children under
12 - $5, Drury Students - no charge |
| April 20 |
9:00 p.m. Concert; ROCKIN' RIBS at Bass Pro; fee at gate |
| April 22 |
11:00 a.m. Brunch performance at Highland Springs Country
Club, $25 |
Cherry
Blossom Kite Festival
Saturday,
March 31, 2007
11:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Mizumoto
Japanese Stroll Garden in
Nathanael
Greene Park
The
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial
Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., will open for the season by hosting the
4th annual Cherry Blossom Kite Festival.
Springfield
Sister Cities Association and the Springfield-Greene County Park
Board are co-presenting this year's event. Attendees are invited
to bring a kite from home to fly, or to stroll the garden at their
leisure. There will be a limited number of kite-building kits
available for sale at the event for $3. Event cost is $3 for
adults, children under 12 years of age are free. Free admission
for members.
The
Springfield Regional Arts Council hosted a Kite Design Contest in
conjunction with the event. Also, the Springfield-Greene County
Park Board's SPARC (Schools, Parks Are Reaching Communities) and
CLICK (Community Learning In Centers for Kids) programs participated
in a student kite-making contest. Prizes for winners of many
different categories will be announced at noon during the festival.
The
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial
Park is open 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursdays - Mondays, from April
1 - Oct. 31. Park admission is $3 for adults; children
are free. The Garden will host the Japanese Fallfest later
this year on Friday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 9.
Note:
Because of ice damage done to the Garden during Springfield's recent
ice storm, the garden may look a little different.
ArtsFiesta
May
4
6:00
- 10:00 p.m.
Founder's
Park
The
Mariachis from Tlaquepaque perform.
Come enjoy an evening of music, food, fun and dancing.
More entertainers and sale of crafts.
_______________________
ArtsFest
May
5 - 6
ArtsFest
on Walnut Street - Rodo Padilla,
internationally recognized ceramicist from Tlaquepaque
will exhibit and sell his ceramics.
_______________________
May
7
Hasta
La Vista Party
for
Tlaquepaque visitors - open to members -
details
to be announced.
_______________________
Soccer
Exchange With Tlaquepaque
June
28 - July 5
June
28 - July 5 a team of outstanding young Tlaquepaque area athletes
will represent their community in the Second Annual Springfield-Tlaquepaque
Sister Cities Cup. In 2006 Springfield won the trophy.
Cheer the team on and keep the trophy here!
Sister
Cities is committed to building cultural bridges, promoting peace
through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation - one individual,
one community at a time. This mission is being accomplished
through programs of cultural exchanges. Thanks to the support
from our members and sponsors, Springfield Sister Cities has established
a successful soccer exchange program.
_______________________
August
3 - 9
Student
Study Tour from Isesaki, Japan
_______________________
August
5
"Latino
Day" at the Ozarks Empire Fair
_______________________
August
11 - 12
Hawthorne
Trio Performed at Isesaki Summer Festival
_______________________
11th
Annual Japanese Fall Festival
September
7 - 9
The
Springfield Sister Cities Association and the Springfield-Greene County
Park Board proudly present the 11th Annual Japanese Fall Festival,
September 7, 8 and 9 at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, in Nathanael
Greene Park, 2400 South Scenic.
Join
Springfield students, City Council members and our Isesaki guests
in the Friday evening opening parade, participate in traditional Japanese
Tea Ceremonies and many other demonstrations of traditional Japanese
culture offered by our guests from our sister city, Isesaki, Japan.
The
name of the group performing this year from Japan is SHIN-YO-KAI (Noh
performers). A performing art with minimal plot, Noh is Japan's
oldest form of musical theater. It has flourished since the
14th century. The story is spoken in a chanted recitation known
as UTAI, and the roles are divided into the principal role of SHITE
("bystander" or deuteragonist). The SHITE wears lacquer-coated
masks made of wood and colorful brocade costumes. There are
also roles without mask but even then the face is remarkably like
a mask, making no attempt at expression. Because movements are
restrained and the actors put no sentiment in their voices, Noh expresses
the darker aspects of humanity; on the other hand, the mysterious
gestures and monotonic music yield a deep beauty known as YUGEN (the
subtle and profound).
Check
out main stage with performances by the area entertainers who will
represent Springfield at Isesaki's summer festival in 2007 and 2008.
Unwind
at the end of the day by strolling through the beautiful candlelit
garden. Hundreds of candles, torches and lanterns will light
the paths and lakes of this authentic Japanese garden. Don't
miss the opportunity to view the garden after dark!
Festival
Hours:
Friday,
Sept. 7: 5 to 10 p.m.
Opening
Ceremony and Parade 6 p.m.
Saturday,
Sept. 8: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday,
Sept. 9: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost:
$5.00
- Adults
$2.00
- Children 12 and Under
Free
- Toddlers
McDonald's
Pre-sale Adult Ticket price - $3
$1
of each pre-sale ticket will go to
Ronald McDonald House
Pre-sale
dates: August 29 - September 6
Miscellaneous
Information:
The festival will run rain or shine. It is not possible
to
reschedule this event. The performers from Isesaki are in
Springfield this weekend.
For
more information contact the Springfield Sister Cities office at:
Phone:
417-864-1191
email:
sistercity@ci.springfield.mo.us
or
contact
Kristin
McDaniel
Phone:
417- 890-5218
email:
kristin@kristinmcdaniel.com
To
read about last year's fall festival, download the Fall SSCA newsletter
September 19 - 25, 2007
Citizen Ambassadors
Trip to Tlaquepaque
The
best opportunity to learn about your sister city in Mexico.
Join
us - reserve now - limited to 20 people -
watch
SSCA newsletter for details.
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