New Curitiba City Chair: Alan Vinson
A special "welcome" is issued to Alan Vinson, who the JSCA Board approved in October as the new vice president of the Curitiba (Brazil) committee.
Alan has a bachelor's degree in Advertising with a minor in Political Science from the University of Florida. He is a business development expert with over 20 years of diverse experience.
Alan is currently engaged in International business with a focus on Brazil through a company he founded in July 2010: Brazil Business Solutions. He also is the founder of J.T. Vinson Co., one of the state's recognized leaders in the men's custom clothing business.
Alan is fluent in English and Portuguese, and he looks forward to planning business, cultural and educational programming for the Committee.
To reach Alan, email
alanv@jtvinson.com.
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Local delegation heads to South Africa
Safe travels to the JSCA outbound delegation members heading to Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa: Board Treasurer Steve Manis; Board Secretary Tina Daniels; Nelson Mandela Bay Vice President Ron Johnson; and JSCA member Brenda Frinks.
The group is visiting in November to lay the ground work for administering the poverty elimination grant awarded this year to JSCA. |
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New nonstop air service: Jacksonville and San Juan
Beginning in May 2011, JetBlue Airways will begin nonstop flights between Jacksonville and San Juan, Puerto Rico -- the first direct air service between Jacksonville and one of our Sister Cities.
The airline plans to operate one departure and arrival each day between Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan.
To search for departure times and rates, visit www.jetblue.com. |
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Nantes Committee enjoys soiree
On October 22, the Nantes Committee's joined the Alliance Francaise to sponsor a fantastic "Soirée Artistique et Musicale" at the Haskell Building in Riverside. More than 100 people enjoyed elegant hors-d'oeuvres, fine wine, great music and fabulous art -- including terrific creations by JSCA Board Member Anthony Whiting, and members Doug Coleman and Dr. Leo Davis.
The event included greetings by JSCA Nantes co-vice presidents Francis Boyer and Dr. Joanne Davis (pictured above) and music and songs by Dr. Cara Tasher and her UNF students. The culmination of the event was the visit by Monsieur Le Consul General of France Gael de Maisonneuve, who named Monsieur Francois Kloc (pictured above, far right) Honorary Consul of France for Jacksonville. |
San Juan Committee celebrates first year
JSCA San Juan Committee Vice President Ellia Pico (left) is joined by guest Rick Mullaney, JSCA member Lane Mathis and JSCA Treasurer Steve Manis at the event.
More than 100 people joined the San Juan Committee at the University Club in early October to celebrate the one-year anniversary of twinning with Jacksonville.
The evening included live Latin jazz, heavy hors-d'ouevres and great networking with many Jacksonville residents with social or business ties to Puerto Rico. One of the highlights of the evening came courtesy of JetBlue, which gave away four free round-trip tickets on the airline, which will begin nonstop air service between Jacksonville and San Juan in May 2011.
As a surprise for the guests, the Bahia Blanca Committee arranged for the six members of the First Tango Ballet -- visiting in town -- to perform at the San Juan event. The dancers were fantastic, and it was great synergy between the two JSCA Committees. Special thanks to the Bahia Blanca Committee for making the arrangement.
Congratulations to San Juan San Juan Committee Chair Ellia Pico and her team for planning the wonderful event. The San Juan Committee is now planning a series of exciting events and exchanges. For more information, call Ellia at (904) 327-3313. |
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Dozens attend JSCA's annual meeting
Nearly 50 JSCA members attended the organization's annual membership meeting held on November 7 at the Peninsula Condos in downtown Jacksonville. The meeting is held every year and available free to all JSCA members.
Many current and former JSCA Board members were in attendance (including former JSCA Board member Diane Trifiletti and current JSCA Board member Anthony Whiting, pictured right).
Representatives from each of JSCA's eight city committees gave a brief overview of recent programming, as well as plans for the near horizon. Among the highlights: - The Nelson Mandela Bay Committee is administering a $115,000 poverty alleviation grant in South Africa. - The San Juan Committee is in the early planning stages to bring members of the San Juan Symphony Orchestra to Jacksonville and potentially have a return trip of JSO members travel to San Juan. - The Nantes Committee is planning a student exchange to bring young people from the Talensac Science Academy to Jacksonville in March, with a return visit of Jacksonville students to Nantes in April.
- JSCA is planning an outbound business delegation to Changwon City (South Korea) in October 2011.
- The Murmansk Committee is planning its annual "Return of the Sun" event in January.
- The China Committee will continue to bring government and business leaders to Jacksonville -- and coordinate any return visits -- to help build relationships between our communities.
- The Bahia Blanca Committee, fresh from arranging the Tango Dancers visit to Jacksonville, continues to plan student and other exchange programs.
- JSCA will plan a series of "Doing Business with Jacksonville Sister Cities" seminars beginning in 2011 to link Jacksonville businesses with those in our Sister Cities.
JSCA has many fine programs planned for 2011 and beyond. To learn how you can participate, contact any JSCA Board member. |
Tango dancers delight Jacksonville
Six members of the First Tango Ballet of Bahia Blanca, accompanied by a bandonionist ,
performed throughout Jacksonville in a wide variety of venues from September 27th to October 6th. The dancers have performed in Jacksonville almost annually since 1995, when lead dancers Sergio and Adriana Katz first came to Jacksonville.
Special thanks to the Bahia Blanca Committee for making arrangements for this troupe to visit Jacksonville.
During the San Juan twinning anniversary celebration, one of the dancers dragged Ginny Walthour (right) onto the floor for a quick number... and Ginny was a good sport! |
Nelson Mandela Bay Celebrates "10th"
JSCA celebrated the 10th anniversary of the twinning between Jacksonville and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (formerly Port Elizabeth) in September through a series of events planned by the NMDB Committee, including an African business and cultural summit featuring open remarks by Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton (right, with Vimalakshi Archer and Brenda Frinks).
The celebration also included the annual Africa Night celebration and a special Worship by the Sea service. More than 200 people enjoyed the series of events to help commemorate this important and growing relationship.
A special thanks and congratulation to the NMDB Committee, led by VP Ron Johnson (above left), for planning and executing these excellent events. |
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Four JSCA members embrace key roles
 Cara Tasher recently restated her interest in continuing to be JSCA's cultural liaison, highlighted by her outstanding work (once again) coordinating the September 11 Peace Concert and arranging musical performances at other JSCA events. We'll continue to turn to Cara for support to bring out the best in our cultural outreach.
Mike  Breen, one of our newest Board members (and Director of the International Department at the Cornerstone Regional Partnership,) will be JSCA's business liaison. Beginning in 2011, Mike will help to coordinate a series of "Doing Business with Jacksonville Sister Cities" seminars to engage the local business community and find linkages between companies in Jacksonville and those in our sister cities.
 Luz Font, currently co-vice president of the Bahia Blanca Committee, will become JSCA's new membership chair beginning in December. Luz, a Spanish professor at Florida State College, will work with city vice presidents to help current JSCA members plug into programming; and she'll help to recruit new members to the organization.
Crystal Burney, public relations liaision for the City Rescue M ission, has graciously volunteered to assist with JSCA's outreach efforts. Crystal has a BA in public relations from the University of South Florida. She will begin by helping to redesign the JSCA website; create a "social media" presence online (e.g. Facebook, YouTube); and help to tell our story to the community.
A special thanks goes out to Cara, Mike, Luz and Crystal for taking on these important roles.
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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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