JSCA Newsletter: July/August Updated

July - August 2011

JSCA Newsletter

Jacksonville Sister Cities Association

We are excited about hosting our second happy hour event at BlackFinn American Grille on Thursday, July 21, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to relax after a long day and fellowship with other JSCA members to

enjoy drinks (at your own expense) and free appetizers.

If you did not receive an invitation via email and wish to attend, please contact Crystal Burney at crystal.burney@gmail.com to RSVP.

For more information about BlackFinn American Grille visit

http://blackfinnamericangrille.com.

We hope to see you at the Finn!

Exciting Travel Highlights from

San Juan

Ellia Pico, San Juan Committee VP, spent more than a week in San Juan, Puerto Rico where she was personally invited by San Juan Mayor, Jorge Santini-Padilla (pictured with Ellia below) to a fundraising event held in the San Juan Hotel & Casino.

During her visit, Mayor Santini-Padilla invited Ellia to his 2011-2012 Budget Message where she was introduced to the audience as Mayor Peyton's representative and Chair of the San Juan Committee.

Ellia also met with Mr. Fermin Segarra, Director of the Youth Symphony Orchestra and winners of the gold medal in a New York City competition held in April 2011. Plans are currently underway to bring the youth orchestra to the Times-Union Center in spring 2012 to perform with students from Douglas Anderson.

ElliaSanJuanVisit2

Stay Connected with Jacksonville Sister Cities

Join our online community and "Like" us on Facebook. All JSCA Facebook fans can post links, photos and Sister Cities news directly onto our Facebook page. Once you "Like" us, invite your friends too!

Note: You must have a Facebook account to access our page.

Nantes Students Visit Jacksonville

Dr. Joanne Davis orchestrated a student exchange with Talensac Science Academy from Nantes in April. The group was led by Mariette Cassouret, President of Sister Cities in Nantes and her colleague.

Ten French students accompanied their teachers on this trip. During their visit, the students attended classes at Mandarin High School, enjoyed home stays with students from the same high school and visited local attractions.

Nelson Mandela Bay Committee Presents...

AFRICA NIGHT GALA

Saturday, July 16 at 6:00 p.m.

University of North Florida ~ Student Center Ballroom

Proceeds from this event help support the Nelson Mandela Bay Committee's efforts to purchase a medical van and sanitation for public schools in South Africa as well as collaborative educational and cultural exchanges between both cities.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.africanightgala.eventbrite.com.

JSCA Joins Inaugural Flight to San Juan

JSCA President, Robert Peek and San Juan Committee VP, Ellia Pico were among other dignitaries who were a part of JetBlue's May 19 inaugural flight from Jacksonville to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

JetBlue, Jacksonville Aviation Authority and the San Juan Tourism Department held a party at the Conrad/Condado Hotel & Casino for everyone who flew on this flight.

JSCA World Cup 2011

July 23-24 & July 30-31, 2011

The Bolles School | Hodges Field

The JSCA Inaugural World Cup 2011, a two-weekend event beginning July 23, 2011, will be filled with "EVERYTHING SOCCER" for all ages with an international flair. The tournament will conclude July 31 with a championship game and a cultural festival with representation of all eight Sister Cities.

The tournament will feature soccer matches between our eight Sister Cities, all for a claim at the JSCA World Cup title plus 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals. We are inviting local players and teams to represent the eight Sister Cities.

JSCA World Cup Details:

WHAT: JSCA Inaugural World Cup 2011

WHEN: July 23-24 and July 30-31

WHERE: The Bolles School,Hodges Field (7400 San Jose Blvd.)

WHY: To stregthen the bonds between Jacksonville and citizens of the participating countries.

HOW: To register, contact Alex Chirkovich at (904) 759-1814 or (904) 955-7649. Must be 18 years or older to register.

COST: $75 for Beaches Adult Soccer League (BASL), $100 for all non-BASL; Uniforms are included in the registration fee.

If you would like to volunteer or assist with this event, please contact Nancy Alvarez at (904) 624-1810 or at alzhdz@gmail.com.

Volunteer Opportunity

Jacksonville Sister Cities has been asked to help plan specific areas of the 56th Annual Sister Cities International Conference. The conference will be held in Jacksonville July 11-15, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown.

We are currently looking for volunteers to offer additional help to carry out many of the responsibilities.

Areas where help is needed:

Receptions: Venue research and selection

Food and beverage service and staff

Entertainment

Decorations

Reception transportation

Tote Bags: Selection, design and purchase

Tote bag contents

Volunteers: Solicitation and coordination

Volunteer recognition (i.e. shirts, name tags)

Optional Tours: Selection, creation, pricing, marketing and management

Sponsor Relations and Development

Transporation for VIPs (to/from JIA)

The SCI Conference is a wonderful opportunity not only for our organization but for the community as a whole.

If you would like to volunteer in one or more areas, please contact Committee Chairman, Doug Coleman at colemanjacksonville@gmail.com.

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 Crystal Burney at crystal.burney@gmail.com.