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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09242018 City Council Laydown - 50th Anniv Obihiro Adult Applications50th Anniversary Sister City Adult Applicants for Visit to Oblhlro, Hokkaido, Japan (for council consideration on September 24, 2018) TCTIVlTIES RE_EUN D T�' �C '.TRAVEL :1fAVE R1,1 WH far �'�CONF Cl$`�, 1, can talk to anyone and I am open-minded; I am open Introduce myself and meet new people; try new foods, learn new currency exchange; how getting around is I have been a host family for past 2 years (loved It); Only know what the girls from Jap an have e lai 'd,o :re o trying new things as well (food, etc.); more than trYI No Yes I am Yes Angela Schwertfege r donate my time to American Legion Auxiliary, greeting software and shared over the past 2 years; we used . that,enjoy and I fit In easily, I also love with data with dates cap able d different from Alaska and meeting people and being open-minded translate so we could play cards and games taking 1.01M 1 would be a good representative because I am a I have attended several Seward Obihim picril., I I do not know the Japanese language, but I feel I do peep personandilove interacting with others, I am I do not have any personal special interests pertaining to Japan; however, the fact thatwe as a city have thoroughly enjoyed our interactions and making our ndi have a fairly reasonable understanding culturally sensitive and I have experience ' No conflicts Yes I am Yes Cathy Byars maintained such a dose and enduring relationship with our Sister City fills me with a sense of pride Japanese counterparts feel welcome; SIFA has done a Japanese culture through reading an communicating with people who are not native with do, with dates capable marvelous job of keeping our city relationship alive opportunities English speakers In 2016,1 began studying Tai Chi for health, and in lkn w very little about the Japanese language, but I would represent our community as a positive voice 2018 became a certified teacher in Tai Chi; last feelo.mfortble learning a new language for travel; I for Seward, promoting our community efforts that summer I taught Tai Chi at AVTEC, and will continue —, raised by parents who hosted foreign students support families throughout the ages; my voice would I am very interested in the longevity of the Japanese people and how it relates to their culture; I have learned teaching this fall and winter;) work with a. "-' throughout my childhood and I still keep In touch with 2 Japanese and Chinese exchange students speak positive about our city government and how It throughout my years as a senior service provider that diet and appropriate exercise play an important factor dietician to mate enticing and healthy .Is for our through Facebook, I am familiar with the Japanese supports our residents, our values, and provides us No conflicts Yes I a. Yes Dana Paperman in staying health engaged, and improves one's outlook on life; I am intrigued by robotics and support my Y' tin senior citizens, learning more about better a g m culture and their advancements in robotic over the with a democratic system reflecting our American with dates capable children efforts in learning more about robotics in clubs and play time at home 's. v.,. habits; my community activities include volunteer 40 the rebuilding of our countries' . - I am sensitive to other beliefs, religions, and culture; Zturas, long term ombudsman, vice chair of Seward Nordic past years, positive and am intrigued on how other nations Ski CI ub, and same on Providence Seward Advisory relationships since WWII, and their cutting edge support their people and the challenges they face Board health care, exceptional education, and affordable, ca today healthy food fora nation of 127 million As a former council member, I am familiar with the Planning committee for 50th Anniversary; helped I on the culture, I traveled through all of 1elin importance of our relationship; as a chef in Alaska, I No conflicts Yes I a. Yes Erik Slater As a chef, food is 01; the culture equally organize/cook and source food for the banquet Jan/Feb 2018 for 2 weeks; I am familiar Hokkaido can represent on a culinary law[, which is important with dates capable with customs, traditions, and food to the Japanese, as well as a business owner I have participated in community theatre through the I Japanese for 3 years in college; I have been . studied I've lived in Seward for 11 years; I wasn't barn here, have degree In Theatre frorrinthe University of Hawaii; during my theatre studies, I learned Bunraku Port City Players; the last time the Seward Arts to Narita airport over 10 times; I look through my Narita but choose to be here year round; I own a house No conflicts Yes I a. Yes Hank West : it has bee my dream to see a performance; I would also love to bring It to Seward (Japanese Council went to Obm, I taught a workshop on workbooks every couple of months to stay sharp; I and I would love to continue to build the bridge from with dates capable puppetry); Japanese language and culture, and would love to do study Japanese history and theatre In myspare time Seward to Japan It again I participated in a few events this Augustwhen their . Myyouth and enthusiasm am positive strengths that Since I was young, I have always been fascinated by Japanese culture; their artwork, cinema, and deep a delegation was visiting; I have been a staff member I have read much fiction and non-fiction books on would continue o build the great relationship t No conflicts Yes I Yes Jeremy Horn history are so unique and compelling for S MAF which is umbrellaad under the Seward Arts their history, culture and artwork between the two cities with dates barn cap le Council I am a regular volunteer with Sources of5trangth, an upstream suicide prevention program, both at the . I'm far more familiar with Korean culture, from having Id be honored to represent the City of Seward to our Sister City ofObihho; while an undergraduate at I would middle and high schools; this involvement y:P" graduate school with many Korea I am passionate about representing Seward and making connections with people wherever I travel; I the University of Montana, one of my housemates was from Japan; she introduced me to Japanese culture m e familiar With the concerns and a=:f u.; I volunteer regularly with Seward Arts Council events, :,tuarided dents; while these are not the same cult re, they am comfortable staying In the homes of new people; I No conflicts Yes I am Yes Kelley Wiley Lane and food; I have been curious about visiting since then; I am happy that Seward has a Sister City and would Commerce . do share similarities, such as the focus an communal delight in seeing how other people and cultures live with dates capable love to help nurture this relationship through visiting and meeting residents of Obiliho Chamber of events, and other as they arise, I was briefly involved in n _. values s opposed to Individualism; I do not know me t heir lives opportunities P Japanese language welcoming the Japanese students in 2017 when they visited Seward 501h AnniversarySister City Adult Applicants for Visit to Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan (for council consideration on September 24, 2018) My mother always had a love for Japan, Asian art and furniture. She had the only house in our tiny, California peninsula community surrounded by the ocean & bay with black living room walls In the 5O's highlighting her Asian art and furniture. All my friends thought our living room was very strange. I was delighted when we moved to Seward in 1990 & discovered SIF A & the long-standing Obihirc-Seward, sister -city relationship & exchange. Our young family hosted young boys during the Wings of the World Exchange & participated in Many directly related are mentioned above. many of the events & activities. All four of our children, the first I believe in 1996, the last probably In 20G4, Currently, I'm your elected school hoard member. I'm participated in the program all benefiting greatly from their exchanges & the off -years hosting more Obihiro a charter (1990) & continuous member of Seward PTA Off the tap of my head: arigato (thanks), sayonara students & participating in events & activities. I was the SIF A membership chair for a number of years. We serving on the executive board. I'm co -president of (goodbye). I do have dictionaries, Japanese in Ten also once hosted students from Korea when the city & high school principal Malcolm Fleming were involved Sea View Community Services Governing Board. I'm a Minutes is Day & Google Translate. Whatever I in a short-lived exchange. Hosting enriched our whole family. I would love to see any of the students we member of the Seward Prevention Coalition & learned about the culture Is from movies, books, the hosted & their families, especially the young man who's family ran a dairy farm. He was the only student we Resurrection Bay lions. I'm a past: Girl Scout Leader, news &, most importantly, what 1 remember from the While someone else might he the hest Seward hosted who did not live In urban part of Obihiro. I would also love to see the Seward mural at the Obihiro Seward Little League president, Catechism teacher, students we hosted &the experiences of our kids. I representative, (believe (would be a very good No conflicts Yes I am yes Lynn Hohl Zoo. With the help of the city, the Seward Mural Society accomplished an amazing feat creating and gibing a Anchorage Montessori School board member, Denali would like to relearn the Japanese card game we representative, I'm very familiar with Seward, our with dates capable beautiful piece of Seward an to the people of Obihiro & teaching their artists how to create community Montessori founder, etc In addition to Obihiro played so I may bring hack the special deck & teach schools & our sister -city relationship with Obihiro. murals, thus their gift to us at IMS. I would love to learn more about the Obihiro city government &their exchanges, our Four kids also did year -long my grandchildren & anyothers who might be school system. I would delight in visiting Kushiro & learning how their schools& government might differ exchanges: Matt with ASAA to the Netherlands, interested. I love American Japanese food &the items from Obihiro's. I'd he especially interested in Kushiro's commercial port & marine environment I would love Christie with Rotary to New Zealand, Shannon with shared by the students who stayed with us. to he able to add a few extra days to try to find an old friend from grade school who's lived in Japan for Rotary to Germany & Corbin independent to many, many years. It's impossible to list all 1 would love to do, & there surely will be insufficient time to do Germany. Shannon also spent a summer college even what I've noted. Be assured I would be pleased with whatever opportunities present themselves while I semester In Germany. focus on and fully enjoy representing the city & participating in required & optional events/activities. There will he no regrets except that my mother passed away a number of years ago so I won't have the delight of finding her a particular treasure. I always found it interesting that she, as the only member of her family not born in the Swiss Alps, loved Asian art & furniture. Most events and exchange students - fishing trips, pot I know how to communicate and make them enjoy No conflicts Yes I am Have worked with these groups for 10 years: exchange students for 10 years, VIP groups for the past 5 years luck award ceremony, wildlife center tours, Alyeska language is very little, but culture I do understand everything we do; I have promoted Seward as a great with dates capable Yes Michael Meeks or more tram and lunch city I think I would be a great Seward representative Some of my special interests that relate to Japan are the country's cultural focus on both the health of body because I like to practice one of my favorite things and of mind. I own a company teaching yoga classes outdoors mostly in remote areas and in the mountains about Seward, which is being kind and caring part of surrounding Seward, focusing on mind -body awareness and appreciation of the outdoors. Japan's dedication our community. I think that I show kindness and to mindfulness, not just in meditation privately but utilizing meditative practices in their daily life and respect to everyone I encounter (though there are focusing on the immediate moment is something that fascinates me. I think that some of the Japanese Though I love participating in Seward's community nights bartending at Toms where that patience Is practices of mind and body awareness is something that could greatly benefit the American lifestyle and I events this would be the first time 1 have ever I do not know the Japanese language and only know a tested) which is one of my favorite parts of Seward. No conflicts Yes I am Yes Rachel Gordon would love to he immersed in the culture in Obihiro to learn more about [hose practices and to possibly in or anything few things about the culture but would be VERY We care deeply about each other and are an with dates capable utilize them in my outdoor yoga business and personal life. I'm also interested in the food culture in Japan as participated an exchange program excited to learn) Incredibly tight community showing love in all the I have worked in restaurants for years but know very little about Japanese food and nutrition. I know that the quite like this. small favors and helping hands we give each other. If Japanese are considered some of the healthiest people in the world with much longer lifespans than the were to go to Obihiro I would be respectful, kind, and average American and 1 would love to learn more about Japanese food and nutrition in regards to eating and appreciative of everything from my host family. Also, living a healthier life. And finally, I think visiting Japan would he AMAZING in order to experience a culture so because I am a small business owner I would be a different from Seward's and to get to stay with locals to understand a deeper what living in Obihim is like. great representative of all the small businesses that Seward is comprised of. I am currently a commissioner on Planning and Zoning. I also spent 9 years on the Historic Well, I think Itwould be quite bold of me to think of Preservation Commission which I Chaired for three myself as the best representative of Seward. years. I have been a Chamber member for 17 year, However, as a team member I believe I have some did 1 or 2 terms on that board plus 4 or5 years on the I only know a few words of the language. As for the good qualities to offer. Along with my business and Bath my wife and I enjoy the experience of visiting and living in different cultures. Japan with its long history Mt Marathon Race committee. I have also operated a Japanese culture, my undergraduate studies was in civic activities, I have a good understanding of and unique culture has been on our list of places to visit for many years. Immersing ourselves in a culture, is small business in Seward for the past 16 years . International Managementwith special interest in the Seward's current and past history. These thinks lend No Yeslam the type for travel we enjoy most. The opportunity of living with a family and getting to know the people is Communities do not just happen. It takes a lot of Film countries. At that time Japan and China Pacific R themselves to the ability to exchange ideas with wth dates i with capable Yes Tam Swann veryexciting. Student exchange programs like we have with our Sister City is of the utmost of importance from dedicated community minded people to workmake were the dominant countries. This is still true today. people that I will come in contact with. Being part of when it wines to developing our youth Into future leaders. Being part of this years exchange would he a make a community. I believe in our community and Japan has a unique culture. One I would very much an exchange program means participating. I speak tremendous honor, have always participated. I also believe business enjoy learning more about well in both Individual and small group settings. Also, owners have a greater responsibility to contribute to with my years on the hospitality Industry I have the communirythat provides the opportunity to be in learned to communicate well even when there are business. I believe these ideal directly relate to language barriers. 1 also just like people participation with our Sister City. 50th AnniversarySister City Adult Applicants for Visit to Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan (for council consideration on September 24, 2018) I am currently a commissioner an Planning and Zoning. I also spent 9 years on the Historic Well, 1 think it would be quite bold of me to think of Preservation Commission which I Chaired for three myself as the best representative of Seward. years. I have been a Chamber member for 17 year, However, as a team member I believe I have some didlor2 termsonthatboard plus4or5years on the l only knowa fewwords ofthe language. As forthe good qualities to offer. Along with my business and Both my wife and lenjoythe experience of visiting and living in differentcultures.lapan with its long history ex Mt Marathon Race committee. I have also operated a Japanese culture, my undergraduate studies was in civic activities, I have a good understanding of ours our list of places to visit far many years. Immersing ourselves to a culture, is ha: beenImmersing and unique culture has been cutopeople small business in Seward for the past 16 years. International Management with special interest in the Seward's current and past history. These thinks tend No conflicts Yeslam the type (.,travel njoy most. The opportuniry.Hiving with a family and to now the is Communities do not just happen. It takes a lot of Pacific Rim countries. At that time Japan and China themselves to the ability to exchange ideas with the with dates capable Yes Lod Swann very exciting. Student exchange programs like we have with our Sister City is of the utmost of importance work from dedicated community minded people to were the dominant countries. This is still true today. people that I will come in contact with. Being part of when it comes to developing our youth into future leaders. Being part of this years exchange would be a y an make a community.I believe in our community d Japan has a unique culture . One I would very much q exchange program means participating. I speak g P Pa P g� P tremendous honor, have always participated. i also believe business enjoy learning more about. well in both Individual and small group settings. Also, owners have a greater responsibility to contribute to with myyears on the hospitality industry I have the community that provides the opportunity to be in learned to communicate well even when there are business. I believe these ideal directly relate to language barriers. I also just like people participation with our Sister City. I am currently president of the Seward Arts Council and was privileged to host several Obihiro citizens on 1 do not speak or know Japanese; I did spend a couple I love Seward and would be proud to represent.., 11 veto travel and experience other cultures; in February, I took my first, but certainly not last, trip to Asia; I their recent visit it was a delightful experience and l days earlier this year in Tokyo visiting a good friend, lovely town in another country. It would be nice to No conflicts Yes lam Yes Vanessa Verhey Vaveled around for a month would love to get to know Obihiro better; I enjoy and feel like I got to experience some of life there, but reciprocate the kindness and warmth I received as a with dates capable volunteering and playing sports In this great city of I'm sure It was the tip of the Iceberg host to the citizen guests. Seward