JASGA Events

Feb 16
Origami Party: 4pm - 8pm
4014 Avenue D, 78751
Children welcome (ages 6 and up)
RSVP to Carola Pfau (512-452-4454)

Mar 3
JASGA Ladies' Tea: 9:30am - 11:30am
Home of Mrs. Michelle Haney Brown (directions upon RSVP)
Theme: Women of Japan and the U.S.
Invitations extended to JASGA Members and those interested in joining JASGA.
RSVP to Kazuko White (512-864-0223) by Feb 23.
First 30 will be honored.

Japan-America Society Events Around the State

Feb 12
18th Annual Asian Festival: 10am - 5pm
The Institute of Texan Cultures, San Antonio
Celebrate the Year of the Rooster with the Asian community of San Antonio with martial arts demonstrations, dance presentations, and food.
Admission: $7 (adults) $4 (children 3-12).
http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu/public (210)-458-2300

Feb 17-20
Asian Film Festival
San Antonio Museum of Art
Two Japanese films, "Tokyo Godfathers" (Feb. 20 at 4pm) and "Sharaku" (Feb. 20 at 7pm) will be shown.
Admission: $10.00 (Free for museum members.)
http://www.jas-sa.org/events.htm (210)-978-8183. Seating is limited.

Feb 26
The Seventh Annual Seigo Arai Texas Regional Japan Bowl: 9am - 5pm
St.Thomas University, Houston
Take in the annual academic competition which tests high school students' knowledge of Japanese grammar, kanji, kotowaza, culture, geography, and Japanese current events.
Contact the Japan-America Society of Houston. (713)-963-0121.

Austin (Non-JASGA) Events

Feb 27
Concert, The Music of Takemitsu: 3pm
The First Baptist Church of Austin
901 Trinity Street Austin, Texas
Features Junko Kobayashi on piano. Pre-concert Presentation on Japanese Tea Ceremonies by Dr. Sheila Fling. Tickets are available at the door, or call (866) 468-7621. For more information, click here.

Japanese

グレイター・オースティン日米協会は、日本と中部テキサスとの間の文化交流の懸け橋となるべ く、教育・文化プログラムを通じ、協会会員を始め、オ−スティン市民一般のために日米の友 好的な関係を促進する目的を持つ非営利団体です。

English

The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin, Inc. (JASGA) is a nonprofit organization bridging the cultures of Japan and central Texas by promoting friendly US-Japan relations through educational and cultural programs for its members and the Greater Austin community.

Announcements

If you're interested in participating in either a Japanese conversation club or a Japanese literature reading group, please contact Education Committee Chair Cecil Lawson.

WANTED: Homestay hosts for 9 Japanese college students for February 26-27. Please contact JASGA Hospitality Committee (sgardner@usjapan.com or 512-327-6832) to volunteer as a host or for more information.

A new chapter of the Japan-America Society is being launched in Austin. The increasing number of Japanese restaurants in the Greater Austin area and the growing local popularity of made-in-Japan animated films, video games, and comics are just some of the signs which seem to indicate a genuine interest in Japanese culture. At the same time, more and more students and professionals from Japan are moving to Austin for extended periods of study and work. To these naturally inquisitive, like-minded groups of Japanese interested in the United States and Texans interested in Japan, the Board would like to say, "Welcome to the dynamic community that is the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA)."

There is genuine excitement and anticipation as we begin a year of cultural and educational programs. Through your involvement and participation, it is the Board's hope that many new international friendships will be made and many new insights gained as we celebrate our commonalities and explore our differences.

The Board of Directors, a group of incredible Committee Chairs and other dedicated volunteers have worked for many months to build an organization that provides worth and value to you, its members. JASGA membership is open to all interested in learning more about Japan, the United States, and the U.S.-Japan relationship. We hope that you will join us and become actively involved in building new bridges of understanding, friendship, and cooperation.

Together, we will shape this newly forming community of cultural exchange.

We hope you enjoy the premiere edition of the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin e-newsletter. Our first issue briefly introduces you to our group and alerts you to upcoming events.

If you're interested in joining JASGA, please visit our website to learn about the benefits of membership and download an application form. You may also call us at 512-312-2033.

The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin, Inc. hosted the 16th Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest Saturday, January 22nd, 2005, in cooperation with the Consulate-General of Japan, Houston, and the other Japan-America Societies of Texas. The President of JASGA, Mr. Stephen Portnoy and the Deputy Consul-General of Japan at Houston, Mr. Kunio Nakamura expressed a warm welcome to the participants at the opening ceremony. A total of forty-five contestants presented insightful and creative speeches. Listed below are the names of top three winners of each division. After the competition and awards ceremony, there was a dinner reception to congratulate the contestants, their families, and teachers. This speech contest was made possible with the support of The Center for East Asia Studies of UT Austin, Continental Airlines, Inc., The Japan Foundation, Momoko, Inc., and Seiko Instruments USA, Inc.

Eric Tschetter was selected as a Grand Champion and received a round-trip ticket to Japan from Continental Airlines.

Brian Goldman took 3rd place in Division 1.