JSCA Board elections underway
As a JSCA member, you will soon receive a voting ballot in the mail to elect your new Board members. Thank you for taking a minute to complete and return your ballot. If you have a family membership, each member of your family may vote, and you are permitted to make a copy of the ballot for your family members to complete.
We have a strong group of candidates, and we appreciate your participation in selecting your Board members.
Ballots may be returned
by August 1st via fax to (904) 630-2910; or by email to walthour@coj.net; or by regular mail to Ginny Walthour, 117 W. Duval St, #240, Jacksonville, FL 32202. |
Council VP Joost named JSCA liaison for 2010
Jacksonville City Council Vice President Stephen Joost (above) will continue to serve as the Council liaison to JSCA for the 2010/2011 Council Year.
Congratuations, and thank you Vice President Joost, for your long-standing support of JSCA and our long-term goals to create and grow positive global relationships with our Sister and Friendship cities around the world. |
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Two JSCA cities change name
The community of Port Elizabeth (South Africa) has changed its name to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
Also, the city of Masan (Korea) recently merged with Changwon and Jinhae to create Changwon City.
JSCA will now recognize and refer to Port Elizabeth and Masan by their new names: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Changwon City. |
JSCA member volunteers to take photographs
Please note that a JSCA member has volunteered to take photos at no charge at any JSCA event, so we can post the photos to the website. If you're doing an event which lends itself to taking photos, please contact Walter Lara at phone 904-553-3683 or at email wlara@intraneting.com. Please give Walter as much notice as possible.
Walter works for Intraneting.com, which is the company which hosts the JSCA website. |
Puerto Rico requires new birth certificates
The San Juan Committee would like to advise the following: beginning October 1, Puerto Ricans born on the island will need to apply for new birth certificates.
Puerto Rico will invalidate all birth certificates issued before October 1 (Law 191 of 2009). Accordingly, the Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office will begin issuing new birth certificates which incorporate technology to reduce the chances of identity theft and immigration fraud.
Puerto Rican-born residents living in the states will be able to request and receive their new birth certificates through a simple process by mail. The fee is $5, but will be waived for people over 60 and veterans
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Nelson Mandela Bay Committee planning 10th anniversary twinning celebration
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the twinning between Jacksonville and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (formerly Port Elizabeth), JSCA will prepare and enjoy a host of celebrations this year.
On February 10, the celebration was kicked-off with a reception with the Soweto Gospel Choir sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. Upcoming festivities include a three-day African business and cultural summit from September 17-19, highlighted by the following:
- Business Summit (September 17) -- This event is focused on fostering business and trade relationships between Jacksonville and Nelson Mandela Bay -- and also helping to increase awareness of JSCA. The Business Summit will be held on Friday, September 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the new UNF Student Union building. Cost is $60 per person ($15 per student).
- African-American Heritage Tour (September 18) -- Local tour guides specializing in African-American history will lead a bus tour of the Ritz Theatre and Lavilla Museum, the Durkeeville Museum, and Ft. Mose in St. Augustine. This event will be held on Saturday, September 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cost is $35 per person. Lunch will be provided.
- Africa Night Gala (September 19) -- Annually, the Africa Night Gala is the premier event for the Nelson Mandela Bay Committee. The event this year is scheduled for September 19 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (location TBD). Live entertainment will be provided by Fuzzy Band of Nigeria and DJ Spotless Doctor, and guests will enjoy delicacies of African cuisine. Cost is $40 per person.
- Worship by the Sea (September 20) -- A praise and worship service will be held at American Beach Oceanside. Attendees from various faiths and organizations, as well as friends and family, will be asked to join hands and hearts to send vibrations of love, peace and harmony toward Mother Africa. The event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on September 20.
Corporate sponsorships are available for these business and cultural summit activities. For more information, please contact Brenda Frinks at (904) 924-7444 or email brenda@frinkscorp.com. |
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Jacksonville students enjoy trip to Argentina
by Alice Hill  Fourteen Fletcher Senior High students plus two chaperones (Lisa Centola and me) recently spent 18 days in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, as part of a student exchange with our Sister City.
In 40 years, this was the largest group of students from Jacksonville participating in this on-going exchange. With suitcases overflowing with gifts and winter clothes, we arrived in Bahia after some 30 hours of travel. We were welcomed with open arms by the host families and students, plus members of the Sister City Committee in Bahia. Many students met their new families for the first time, but it was "hello again" for several students who were staying with the families of Argentine students they had hosted in Jacksonville in February.
The Fletcher students attended school daily with their host brother or sister and were delighted to make new friends, be the center of attention, and practice their Spanish. Lisa and I also visited several primary through high schools, and we were always warmly received. We were both fascinated with the vocational schools we visited, with a total "hands on" curriculum.
We visited the port where we took a boat ride, went horseback riding in the Sierra Mountains, were interviewed on local TV, watched a lot of "futbol" and cheered loudly for the U.S. and Argentina in the World Cup, visited an outstanding interactive museum, and thoroughly enjoyed Argentine "dulce de leche, alfajores, and empanadas".
It was delightful to connect with many old friends from Sister Cities and to attend a Committee meeting in Maria Salaberry's home. All too soon it was time for a "good-bye" party and to leave for Buenos Aires for a two day visit before returning to Jacksonville on July 3rd. It was an unforgettable experience and many of the students hope to return whenever possible. They each feel they are now a permanent part of a family in Argentina. |
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 Murmansk-Jacksonville celebrating 35th twinning anniversary in 2010
The year 2010 (July 15 to be exact) marks the 35th anniversary of the twinning of Jacksonville and Murmansk - JSCA's second oldest sister city.
To commemorate the occasion, members of the Murmansk Committee, JSCA Board members and all JSCA friends are invited to witness a proclamation ceremony with Mayor John Peyton at a ceremony at City Hall on August 10 at 10:00 a.m. Congratulations and thank you to the Murmansk Committee, led by Muriel Whelchel, on your hard work to maintain and grow our relationship with Murmansk.
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Free peace concert set for September 11 
As a JSCA member, you are invited to enjoy a free concert on Saturday, September 11 at St. Johns Cathedral (226 East Church St.) in downtown Jacksonville. The concert will run from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. and feature children and adult choirs from throughout the city, including the UNF Chamber Singers and Jacksonville Children's Chorus.
Internationally, this event is supported by Sister Cities International and the September Concert Foundation. Locally, JSCA and UNF are coordinating the concert. The event is part of a series of musical concerts planned worldwide on September 11 every year to advance a more peaceful and harmonious Earth.
Please mark you calendar and plan to attend this uplifting concert on September 11. See you there! |
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Yingkou students visiting Jacksonville
On August 4, 2010 we will welcome our first student exchange with our sister city Yingkou. Six Chinese students and the Vice Headmaster of their school (No. 1 Yingkou Senior High School) will be provided with home stays by Duval County Public School students who are currently studying Chinese.
This year is particularly significant as it is the 20th year anniversary of the twinning of our two cities. We hope this will be the beginning of an annual student exchange. |
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Nantes to receive Jacksonville delegation
 In April, the city of Nantes sent 10 people, including Vice Mayor of Tourism Rachel Bocher (pictured), to Jacksonville to celebrate the 10th anniversary twinning of our two cities. In July, two esteemed members of the Jacksonville business community will make a return visit to Nantes on behalf of JSCA.
Mike Breen from the Cornerstone division of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Rosa Beckett from the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, have plans to travel to France in July -- and both graciously accepted JSCA's request to make a special visit to Nantes to represent our city and organization. A special thank you is extended to Mike and Rosa for modifying their trips to include this visit to Nantes to meet with city and business officials there. |
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Ideas for the newsletter?
If you have any comments about the newsletter or would like to see a photo or story in a future edition, please contact Robert Peek at Robert.peek@jaxport.com or phone (904) 357-3047.
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