May JETAADC News

JETAADC ニュースwill start each month with a roundup of JETAADC Board updates, JET news at large, and events across the DC area and we’ll continue to post relevant information throughout the month. But a conversation goes both ways — please let us know what you’d like to see on our blog! Contact Kat at newsletter@jetaadc.org with any suggestions.

Keep in touch!

Kat Kovacs
Newsletter Chair, JETAA DC
Nara-ken (2007 – 2011)
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In this edition of JETAADC ニュース:

• Message from the President
• May JETAADC Events
• Save the Date: May 23 JET Talks Event
• Other Events
• JETAA Member Announcements
• Best of JET Around the Web

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 Message from the President

Last month, JETAADC elected a new board to continue with the same levels of commitment and ‘genki’ attitude as the previous board. As the president of JETAADC, I look forward to the new event ideas and programs that the new board has in mind. I am always looking to find ways to get recent returnees involved in the administration of our organization, and continuing to seek opportunities for veteran alum to assist in their return. I love working with JET alumni. We are independent, creative, and fearless in the face of new experiences.

Our first formal event is no exception; we are hosting a public showing of the film, Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story on Thursday, May 23. The evening will feature our first JET Talks event, a panel discussion with the film’s director (Regge Life) and Taylor’s parents (Andy and Jeanne Anderson). I can’t help share my pride in this wonderful step forward for JETAADC. Created and led by Shana Tischler, JET Talks is an exciting new initiative designed to get JETAADC more involved in the US-Japan community. The speaker series will invite individuals with non-traditional professional or personal relationships to Japan to speak at JETAADC-hosted events throughout the year. If you have suggestions for speakers, I encourage you to reach out to Shana and get involved.

In early April, our Social Chairs Joel Zara and Sara Haider organized a very successful event around one of my favorite pastimes, hanami. Finding the only cherry tree at the title basin that had reached peak bloom, we were the envy of the tourists and Washingtonians alike. Someone even brought natto! Afterwards, the group navigated the crowds to Waterfront where we saw a taiko performance and the National Fireworks/hanabi.

We have many plans and activities in store for our members this year – with our increased online presence, I hope it’s easier to communicate with us, sharing our activities and events with your friends either inside or outside your JET network.

Leigh Ann
President, JETAADC
Hyogo-ken (2006 – 2008)
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May JETAADC Events

Happy Hour/ Networking Event

Tuesday, May 7, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Chef Geoff’s Downtown
1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
Nearest Metro: Metro Center

Come out to our May Happy Hour at Chef Geoff’s Downtown and enjoy $5 Pints, $5-$8 Appetizers, and $6 Burgers.
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Save the Date: May JET Talks Event

Introducing the First JET Talks Event!

Inspired by TED Talks, JET Talks will bring together interesting and dynamic individuals who will challenge us and renew our collective interest in Japan. Join us as we kick off this exciting series this month…

May JET Talks — Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story Movie Screening

Followed by a Q&A with the film’s director, Regge Life, and Andy Anderson
The Evening of Thursday, May 23
Japan Information and Culture Center
1150 18th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036

More details to come! Contact Shana Tischler, JETAA DC Thought Leadership Chair, at jet.talks@jetaadc.org for more information or if you’d like to get involved.
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Other events you may be interested in…

Children’s Event: Boys Day Photo Shoot

Japan American Society — Washington, DC (JASW)
Friday, May 10

May 5th is Boys Day! Commemorate the occasion with a photo of your son in a kimono. (Kimono fits an average 5 year-old boy). For more information about this and all other JASW events, see http://www.jaswdc.org/.

Exhibit: Sylvan Sounds: Freer, Dewing, and Japan

Freer, gallery 9
May 18 – 28

See the very beginnings of the Smithsonian’s Freer|Sackler galleries in this exhibit juxtaposing the Japanese works that museum founder Charles Lang Freer acquired on his first tour of Asia in the 1890s with contemporaneous American landscapes.
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JETAADC Member News

Big promotion? New baby? Appearing on Jeopardy? Brag about Share your latest accomplishment with the JET community. Email newsletter@jetaadc.org with your news in 100 words or less to appear in the next installment of JETAADC ニュース.
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The Best of JET Around the Web

After years of uncertainty about the future of the JET Program, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party drafts a proposal to increase the number of JET Program teachers from about 4,000 to 10,000. Read more at The Japan Times.

Follow former JET, Heather Wilson Tomoyasu, as she navigates raising a “bi-lingual bi-racial bi-national baby in the Big Apple” at her new blog, US-Japan Fam. Discover other JET-related blogs and news at JETWit.com.