July 2006 Volume 11 Issue 3

JETAABC NEWSLETTER Volume 11 Number 3 — July 2006

In This Issue: Feeling Lonesome for Japan? ……….... 3 Amazing Alumni Bobby Taylor……….. 4 Choosing the Right Language School…. 6 Japanese Just Like Home…………….. 9 Korean Onsen in Coquitlam…………... 11

page 1

Call Out for an Assistant Newsletter Editor We are opening a position for anyone interested in learning various aspects of pu�ing together the JET newsle�er, from writing, to creating ideas, to using Adobe InDesign CS for layout. This is a great way to get involved and learn a few skills without shouldering all the responsibility! Contact Beckie at newsle�er@jetaabc.ca for more info.

JETAABC would like to welcome Chris Bailey, who has replaced Clarence Giesbrecht as the new treasurer. We will sorely miss Clarence’s numerous talents and high degree of professionalism, but we know Bailey will fit right in with his spirit, humour, and financial expertise. Give him a wave at the Tuesday night Ready,JET,Go! dragonboat practices!

Yokoso!

Upcoming Events August (TBA) JET Volunteer Appreciation Event Aug 5-6 Powell Street Festival Aug 19-21 Anime Convention and cultural festival Sept 16 JET-sponsored Japanese Cooking Class For more community events, check out www.jetaabc.ca!

Arigatou Gozaimashita!

Many thanks for the dedication of those who contributed their sweat and time, and a special thank you for the guidance of our previous editor, Greg! You’ve all been AMAZING to work with!

2006 JETAABC Board of Directors President Ala Ji president@jetaabc.ca Secretary Joseph Luk secretary@jetaabc.ca Treasurer Chris Bailey treasurer@jetaabc.ca Senior Advisor Angie Oshika senioradvisor@jetaabc.ca Membership Coordinator Erica Moizumi membership@jetaabc.ca Social and Cultural Coordinator Anita Lien social@jetaabc.ca Canada Conference Coordinator Greg Joughin canadaconference@jetaabc.ca External Liaison Coordinator Nina Inaoka Lee external@jetaabc.ca Volunteer Coordinator Jane Leung volunteer@jetaabc.ca Newsle�er Editor Beckie Wong newsle�er@jetaabc.ca

On the Cover: Medals ceremony in Torino this year. Bobby Taylor (le�) and Chris Williamson (right). Photographer credit is given to Benoit Pelosse/CPC (Canadian Paralympic Commi�ee).

page 2

Feeling Lonesome for Japan? The Internet Eases the Pain. Is There Anything it Can’t Do? By: Christine Rowlands (Editrix Emeritus and Chiba-shi ALT 99/00) Back in the day, if I wanted to get a li�le J-culture to tide me over when feeling homesick for Japan (especially Tokyo) I would have to head out to Fujiya Foods at Clark and Venables or Sophia Books downtown. Today, a hit of Japanese culture is as close as my desktop with blogs, Flickr photosharing and the rest of the interwonders. I can work myself into a nastukashii frenzy without leaving my fully-functioning modern apartment.

A blog that I visit occasionally that consistently delivers good reading is Tokyo Times (www.tokyotimes.org).

The author is Lee Chapman, a long-term resident of Tokyo, who posts news, photos and personal commentary on a wide range of topics. Tokyo Times has been nominated for several Bloggies for Best Asian Weblog, and features a list of links worth exploring.

Antipixel (antipixel.com/blog) is another well-regarded Japan blog. It has a bit more of an arty bent, and the latest posts feature some serenely beautiful black and white photographs.

Another Japan blog to check out is Metroblogging Tokyo (tokyo.metblogs.com). The Metroblogging Tokyo site is relatively new, but the bloggers involved seem to be a spicy bunch. If the urban nightlife was your thing, go here

to see what’s going on these days. Metroblogging Vancouver (vancouver.metblogs.com) is worth visiting for news of local Japanese events, since at least one blogger on that site is a JETAABC member.

If you’re bored of looking at your own photo albums (that’s what we made with pictures back in 2000), Flickr offers you many, many fine images of Japan. Two good ways to experience new photographs of Japan: looking through the Metroblogging Tokyo photo pool (www.flickr. com/groups/mb_tokyo/) and browsing the Japan images by clusters (www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ japan/clusters/). For example, you could choose to browse the cluster “Tokyo, night, shinjuku” or “sakura, cherry, spring”. The clusters are based on the most popular tags at given time, so they are always changing. You can also search the photos for tags matching say, “Japan, vending machine” and see what kind of weirdness comes out.

Things have changed in Japan since I was there last – ATMs have gone 24 hours, vending machines accept payment by cell phone – but it’s mostly recognizable. Through the electronic words and images of Japanese and expatriates alike, we can all take a mini-trip back to the site of a great experience.

Bio: Christine is a writer and editor. She blogs at maikopunk.blogspot.com

A Message from Our New Canada Rep: JETAA Canada Update

By Joseph Luk Seven chapters make up the JET Alumni Association in Canada: Montréal, O�awa, Toronto, Manitoba/Saskatchewan, Northern Alberta (Edmonton), Southern Alberta (Calgary), and, of course, BC & Yukon. This year, JETAABC has been showing a lot of leadership at the national level. On June 23-25 we hosted the annual Canada National Conference, with two delegates from each Canadian chapter, and representatives from CLAIR and the Vancouver Consulate in a�endance. Also, the elected Canada Country Representative -- yours truly -- is from BC this year.

One of the biggest challenges at the national level is keeping seven farflung volunteer organizations in communication with each other. Therefore, this year, we’re starting a national wiki (an “open forum” type of website). All the latest info on what’s new with JETAA Canada can be found there: h�p://jetaabc.ca/JETAACanadaForum National- and international-level cooperation is yet another way you can get involved with your JET Alumni Association!

page 3

Amazing Alumni: Bobby Taylor Blind Skier Follows True Leader

By Fiona Gachallan (Sendai-Shi, Kagoshima-Ken, 2002-2003) You know you are AMAZING when you… i) competed and won a silver and bronze medal in the Paralympics, ii) hold the title “Fastest Blind Ski Team in the World” iii) went to university on a ski racing scholarship and of course, iv) participated in the JET Programme.

Ski racing for Canada was always a childhood dream for Bobby Taylor, a Vancouver native.

After years of dedication and perseverance, he proudly achieved a life-long goal at this year’s Paralympics in Torino, Italy. What he didn’t expect though, after all these years, was sharing the dream with another athlete in an event called “blind pairs alpine skiing”.

Bobby is a ski guide for Chris Williamson, an athlete who is completely blind in his right eye and has just 6% vision in the other. Flying down the mountain at up to speeds of 100 km/h, Bobby leads the way down the slope and is challenged to keep a distance that is close enough so that Chris can sense him, yet far ahead enough so they can maintain good speed. To communicate, Bobby relays information and instructions about the run using a twoway voice system built into their helmets. Thinking fast on his feet, he warns Chris about technical aspects such as when they are passing a gate or whether there are any unexpected obstacles.

In March of this year, Bobby and Chris represented Canada at the Paralympics in Torino bringing home one silver medal in the downhill and a bronze in the super G. Bobby and Chris hold the 2005-2006 World Cup titles for the slalom, giant slalom, super-G and overall world champions. In a skier’s dictionary, these four titles are known as Crystal Globes- an equivalent to the Oscar’s in movie land. Amazing indeed.

page 4

Their achievements on the mountain cannot go recognized without spotlighting Bobby and Chris’ strong relationship. Having the technical skills are necessary, but having a good rapport is key for success. And like in any good friendship, there is a firm element of trust involved. When you’re traveling at highway speeds, you’d want to be guided along the safest path possible.

Bobby and Chris stress that the guide role is half of a partnership. People often think that the guide role is secondary, when in reality they are a team like in any doubles event, such as paired ice skating. “We share the elation of winning and the agony of crashing the same,” states Bobby.

On his résumé as an individual alpine skier, Bobby raced for the Whistler Mountain Ski Club and then for the University of Alaska Anchorage, completing his Biology degree on a ski racing scholarship.

These opportunities contributed to his placement on the Canadian National Ski Team.

These outstanding achievements are the products of intensive physical and mental training.

Bobby emphasizes the importance of setting goals: “I think setting goals are important. It’s like going on vacation; you can go without a map, and there’s nothing wrong without having a map, but you get to where you are going faster when you have one, just like having goals.”

Traveling to Japan was another one of Bobby’s aspirations. His mother is Nikkei Japanese and he was exposed to the traditions and food while growing up. “I didn’t think I’d go through culture shock but it caught up with me,” commenting on his JET experience as an ALT in Bandai-machi, Fukushima-ken (19992002). Living in a foreign country has its highs and lows just

as in competitive sport. “Knowing that it will all work out in the end, and if it doesn’t work out, it’s not the end,” is what kept Bobby motivated when times were tough in Japan.

One thing that did keep Bobby going was his passion for Taiko. Bobby became quite involved and he traveled throughout Japan performing. He coached his junior high school taiko team to 3rd place in the prefecture and qualified for the junior national championships. Clearly, he’s an exemplary and gifted leader.

However, Bobby had an extremely difficult time adjusting back to Canadian life. “I was more Japanese than I was Canadian when I came back. My thinking patterns, the food I liked to eat. I forgot English!” Bobby’s advice to returning JET participants is to: “Be prepared for reverse culture shock as it will be far greater than you could ever expect.” To do this, he stresses to stay in touch with Japan, even if it means “renting Akira Kurosawa videos, eating Japanese food or joining JETAABC. It’s a great source of friendship and support.”

Any retired ALT’s out there thinking about a career in ski guiding? Well, here’s some good news. Bobby applies skills that he developed as an ALT onto the slopes as a ski guide. “I learned about performing under guidance and on how to teach. I learned about understanding, listening and effective communicating.

These things have helped me become a good guide.” So, if you’re skiing at the world class level, this could be your next job!

Bobby expects to be involved in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympics but he has yet to decide whether he’ll be competing or attending as a spectator.

So if you ever cross paths with Bobby for the first time, either on the slopes or on the streets of Vancouver, make sure you’ve got some time because he has quite an amazing jikko-shokai.

On facing page: World Cup Finals in Artesina Italy. In both of these races Bobby and Chris clinched the World Cup Overall Title for the season - fastest blind team on snow in the world.

Photographer is Paolo Cresta.

Above: Bobby (right) and Chris (left). Photographer is Megan Zimmerman.

Do You Know an Amazing Alum?

If you or someone you know has accomplished something great since returning from Japan, we would love to hear your story!

Whether of athlete, humanitarian, entrepreneur, or performer, we are interested in stories that amaze and inspire each of us to be proud of our individual talents. Contact our newsletter editor below and we’ll send the all-star treatment which includes a detailed interview and snapping a few glamour shots!

Beckie Wong newsle�er@jetaabc.ca (604) 729-1927

page 5

Choosing the Right Language School

By Helen Shelton

In the black and white top, Debra Casagrande teaches at Tamwood International College on Burrard

“In this global world the most important thing is speaking English,” says Hansol Kim, of Korea. “Speaking English is not just an option anymore, it’s an important part of our lives.” Hansol is just one of the 40,000 students of English choosing Vancouver as their learning destination.

With over 120 private language schools operating in this city, choosing a good school is not only a difficult decision for students but it’s also a tough task for language teachers – especially those of us that are either new to Vancouver or are returning from having taught abroad.

I was lucky: I arrived in Vancouver last May and found a summer contract teaching at a friend’s language school. I then landed a permanent position and, a year on, I’m still there. But what if you don’t have any contacts here? I asked students, teachers and Director of Studies (DoS’s) at Tamwood International College, BC College and Global Village: What should we look for when trying to find the right school?

Stability is top of the list for teachers and DoS’s. “This is a volatile industry,” warns Debra Casagrande (teacher).

Vancouver has encountered a surge in ESL schools during the last 10 years. This has created a harshly competitive market forcing a number of schools to close their doors, sometimes leaving staff, teachers and students stranded.

page 6

To lessen the chances of this happening to you, check out how long the school has been in business. “If the school’s been around for a long time, then that’s a good sign.” says Brian Robinson (DoS at Global Village). “…and it’s very seasonal,” adds Emma Hatfield (teacher).

The number of students studying in Vancouver explodes during the summer months and diminishes during winter, thus forcing schools to cut back on teaching staff. Securing a permanent position is ideal but these positions are sometimes only available a�er subbing at the school –so it’s good to get your foot in the door, like I did.

Take time to chat to the teachers, and find out how long they’ve have been working at the school. “If the teachers have been at the school for a long time, it speaks for the consistency of the school,” advises Kevin Reinitz (DoS at BC College).

Unanimously, at the top of the students’ must-have list is a varied mix of nationalities in the classroom. “I think having different nationalities is important because we can learn about and understand each other’s customs and cultures.” explains Yoshihiro Shigehara (student, Japan).

Teachers agree that a good mix of nationalities is vital in the classroom. A selection of students from different continents can not only help to balance out the grammarians from the conversationalists, it also gives us so much more material to work with in terms of cultural comparisons.

Students also appreciate the value of –if not necessarily always follow –the “speak English only” rule that most schools advocate. They realize that, although it’s easier to make friends with those who speak the same native language, talking with students from different countries will improve their English much faster.

“It’s also important to hear different English accents,” explains Julio Cesar Gonzalez Nava (student, Mexico).

“You learn to understand English being spoken by people from all over the world,” and with English being the most spoken second language, this is particularly crucial in the global business world.

ESL classrooms around Vancouver are dominated by the city’s increasing number of students from East Asia. You’ll find that some schools cap the amount of students from one nationality to ensure a more balanced mix. Inquire about the school’s nationality ratio and check to see if they have a year-round international marketing recruitment campaign that continually a�racts students from all over the world.

Class size is very important to students and teachers, and both agree that between eight to twelve students is the ideal number. “It’s more intimate; you can obviously give more a�ention to the students and it’s easier to pull them into the conversation,” says Jennifer Blank (teacher). “It also helps the shyer students speak out if you have a smaller class.”

The students agree that smaller groups are best as there’s more time to talk and they receive more individual a�ention from the teacher.

However, with the average maximum class sizes of 14-15 students, why is this so difficult to achieve? “It’s a financial thing,” explains Brian Robinson (DoS). “Small classes mean more teachers, and teachers are an expensive commodity.”

Is the size of school an important factor? Students prefer smaller schools, “… because everyone knows everyone,” explains Luiz Lessa (student, Brazil). “And it’s more comfortable.”

Teachers have mixed opinions depending on their own experiences: “I prefer to work in a larger school because I like it when there’s a lot going on,” says Lisa Topolniski (teacher). “When you’re surrounded by a hive of activity you feel very dynamic as a teacher. There are also more opportunities to build and develop your career within a larger school so that you don’t feel that your job is very linear and limited.”

Jennifer Blank (teacher) disagrees: “I prefer to work in a smaller school because working in a bigger school is more stressful. You don’t get to have as good as relationship with the students and there isn’t as much time to talk to them.” From my experience, I find that smaller schools have a family-like intimacy that’s harder to achieve in a larger school.

Surprisingly, salary and benefits weren’t the primary factors to come to mind when asked what makes a good language school. With hourly rates ranging from $15 to $30 per hour, teaching English isn’t a financially rewarding career. Only a handful of schools compensate for non-contract time such as prep time and teachers’ meetings and training sessions.

All of these factors reflect on the schools environment and its general atmosphere, in essence, the soul of a good language school. “The school must be friendly,” insists student Luiz Lessa (student, Brazil). “We’re all kinda homesick, so it’s what we need.”

The way the DoS runs the school is also fundamental to its ambiance. “I look at the DoS and how personable he is with the students and teachers. If I can’t get along with the staff, then I don’t want to work there,” says Debra Casagrande (teacher). “I want going to work everyday to be a nice experience, not a hassle.”

Go visit the school and walk around.

“Pay a�ention to the mood of the school,” advises Brian Robinson (DoS).

“See how the students are interacting with each other at break-time. Watch if they’re lively or si�ing around staring at the walls. If they’re in li�le pockets of nationalities and not mixing, then that’s not a good sign. These things will tell you a lot about how a school’s run and what it’s going to be like to work there.”

It is, a�erall, a virtuous circle: if the students are happy, the teachers are happy. “And if the teaching staff is happy,” says Lisa Topolniski (teacher), “then that’s reflected in the teaching.”

JET’s check list (in no particular order): • Stability The longer the school has been in business the more stable it is likely to be.

• Environment Visit the school and soak up the ambiance –is this somewhere you’d like to work?

• Director of Studies interaction Observe how the DoS interacts with teachers and students.

• Permanent Contract Seasonal lay offs are inevitable so try and secure a permanent position.

page 7

• Salary and Benefits Find out the minimum and maximum hourly rates and ask if the school pays for any non-contact time for example prep time and teachers’ meetings.

• Peer Support See how the teachers interact with each other. Are they welcoming and helpful?

• Teacher turnover If the teachers have been at the school for a long time, this is a good sign.

• Nationality Mix A wide mix of nationalities in the classroom is crucial.

page 8

• Class Size 10-14 is the ideal number of students.

• School Size Decide if you’d prefer the intimacy and comfort of a smaller school or the busy and dynamic energy of a larger school.

JETAABC would like to thank the students, teachers and Directors of Studies at BCC Academy of English, Global Village English Centre and Tamwood International College.

Japanese Just Like Home

By Carolyn Ali (Takatori-cho, Nara-ken ‘96-’99)

Originally published in the Georgia Straight, March 23, 2006. Photographer credits to Geoff Peters at FoodVancouver.com.

Cheap sushi joints have wound their way around Vancouver with Starbucks-like tentacles. Wherever you are, you’re never far from a California-roll-and-tuna maki combo or a teriyaki/ tempura box.

That’s presumably good news for the thousands of Japanese exchange students residing in the city. Except these places are not where they go to satisfy their food cravings.

“We don’t eat sushi so o�en,” says Tomoko Yagi, a Kyoto native who has lived in Vancouver for 13 years.

As editor and publisher of Oops Japanese Magazine, which targets Japanese students living and working in Vancouver, she’s plugged in to the expat community’s hotspots.

According to her, izakaya are where it’s at.

In Japan, izakaya are tapas-style drinking establishments, o�en rustic with roughly hewn wooden tables and benches, low lighting, and cooks who welcome you with a loud chorus of irashaimases. Patrons can have a drink and a li�le nibble or a languorous feast of small dishes, and feel equally comfortable as part of a large, boisterous group or alone on a barstool sharing a drink with the bartender.

It’s these places that a�ract homesick Japanese in Vancouver, Yagi says. “They have a menu that they [students] eat at home. It’s mother-made food.” Popular comfort food includes karaage (fried chicken), tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlets), and gyudon (beef on rice). Ochazuke is winddown dish of rice drenched in green tea broth.

Yagi says Japanese students flock to Guu, an izakaya with branches on Robson, Thurlow, and in Gastown. The restaurant serves traditional fare like yaki onigiri (grilled rice balls), horenso (cooked spinach salad), hiyayako (rolled tofu), and grilled fish. Guu offers a lamb version of hamburg steak served with grated daikon and citrus ponzu—a beloved Japanese take on Salisbury steak.

Yagi also names Zakkushi (823 Denman) as a Japanese student favourite. It specializes in grilled food on skewers such as yakitori and tsukune (ground chicken balls).

A group of Japanese students at Western Town College, a language school on Pender, also single out these two restaurants. When the Straight asks where they eat Japanese food in Vancouver, they’re eager to sing Guu’s praises. It’s “real Japanese food”, they respond; the cooks are Japanese; the food is like home, and so is the atmosphere. “We can hear jazz music. It’s usual at Japanese bars nowadays,” says student Rieno Yamazaki. They also note the beautiful food presentation on pre�y, authentic dishes.

That’s important, they agree, and criticize large portions without aesthetic appeal.

The students also agree that the price is right at Guu—on average about $18 each, including one drink. However, instructor David Gross deems Guu a tad rich for a teacher’s salary. The small dishes can quickly add up to much more. He and budget-conscious students also deem Zakkushi expensive, although good and authentic, at upwards of $30 per person.

In general, the students rate Japanese food in Vancouver as very good, especially compared to Toronto, where some had previously lived. “Toronto’s Japanese food is terrible,” says Shizuka Saito. “I was very [pleasantly] surprised here.”

However, the authenticity of the sushi joints is another matter. Many complain that there is no variety – just salmon and tuna, over and over. They take issue with big, roughly constructed rolls with too much rice, or rice that’s hard and chewy. Sometimes, they say, the fish is not so fresh.

Many of the rolls don’t exist in Japan--California rolls, for example. However, different is not necessarily bad. “I was surprised about roll of salmon skin, but I love it!” says Misae Ogishima, on the popular B.C. roll.

So how can Vancouverites tell if a Japanese restaurant is authentic? One piece of advice from the group: assess the quality of the place by its miso soup. If the broth has depth, and a seafood taste that comes from a kelp-andbonito base, you know it’s made from scratch, as opposed to a pale, lifeless packaged soup. Instructor Gross, who has lived in Japan, says he looks for shizo on the menu, as not many places use this unique Japanese herb. Ume, Japanese pickled plum, is always a good sign. Guu uses it throughout their menu; for example, as part of a sauce for a chopped tuna salad.

page 9

If you find yourself at Guu without a reservation, you’re in for a long wait for a table. Graze at the bar instead, and ask a Japanese student for ordering tips. It’s amazing what you can learn from visitors about fantastic food in your own town.

(also in Richmond at 120-8360 Granville Avenue) 604-669-0067 Sushi and general Japanese food. The Vancouver Mokuyokai ordered their bentos for their ohanami festival from here. Mid-priced.

Authentic Eats

Hachibei

When researching this article, I asked anyone who had spent a substantial amount of time in Japan for recommendations on good Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. Guu was mentioned over and over, not only by ESL students but by ex-JETS, consulate staff, and Japanese professionals working in Vancouver.

Here are other places recommended by one person or many as “real” Japanese food. Thanks to everyone who contributed for their opinions.

Have fun judging the places for yourself!

Zakkushi Japanese Restaurant

778 West 16th Avenue (at Heather) 604-879-3357 Mom-and-pop joint that serves good home cooking. Grilled fish recommended.

Modern Club Japanese Restaurant

3446 Dunbar St. (a couple blocks south of 16th Avenue) 604-739-0170 Run by a middle-aged Japanese woman with purple hair. Staff speak Japanese. Good okonomiyaki, for about $13 each. Grillside seating, but you can’t cook them yourself. Lots of authentic izakaya-type offerings. Moderately priced.

823 Denman Street 604-685-1136 Robata and kushi-style food. Many say it’s expensive.

Takarabune

Gyoza King

1508 Robson Street 604-669-8278 Gyoza and much more. Lots of izakaya items. Eat at the bar or on tatami.

Samurai Japanese Restaurant

1108 Davie St. 604-408-0943 Mixed reviews on the quality of the sushi. Cheap.

Kintaro Ramen Noodle

Kitanoya Guu with Otokomae. #105-375 Water Street in Gastown. Tel 604-685-8682. Monday to Sunday, 5 p.m. to midnight. Other Guu locations are at 838 Thurlow and 1698 Robson.

788 Denman St. 604-682-7568 Some love the ramen and swear it’s authentic. Others say the noodles don’t have quite the right texture, and the broth could be be�er.

Shiru-Bay

1193 Hamilton (in Yaletown) 604-408-9315 Recommended by staff at Oops! Japanese Magazine.

Octopus Garden

1995 Cornwall St near Kits Beach 604-734-8971 Upscale sushi.

Sakae Japanese Restaurant 745 Thurlow Street

page 10

6459 Victoria Drive (just north of 49th Avenue in mini-mall before Value Village) 604-321-0036 Japanese run and staffed. Always busy, but can usually get a seat at the sushi bar without a reservation. Very well-priced, and a neighbourhood favourite.

Sushi is slightly more expensive than regular joints, but much be�er quality. Try the ume-shizo roll, or great B.C. rolls for about $4. Yakisoba can be great or greasy. Nabe-yaki udon recommended; comes in an iron bowl, and cheap at about $7. Nice grilled fish boxes a deal for about $10.

Hi Genki

In Nikkei centre, 100-6680 Southoaks Crescent (corner of Kingsway and Sperling in Burnaby. Ten minutes’ walk from Edmunds Skytrain. See nikkeiplace.org/ for map.)

604-777-7000 Cheap to mid-priced. Dinners come with several traditional side dishes and nice presentation. Recommended by many as a hidden gem.

Hapa Izakaya

1479 Robson St. (North side, ge�ing close to Denman) 604-689-4272 Hip and stylin’ atmosphere. Good Friday night kind of place.

Korean Onsen in Coquitlam Beckie Wong (Misumi-machi, Kumamoto-ken 2002-2003) Heard of JJ Spa? It’s the one Canadian destination that a�racts busloads of Korean-Americans in the dead of winter! It’s not anywhere near as breathtaking as the outdoor paradises you would find in Japan, but it is definitely an onsen. Opened since August of last year, JJ Spa is located at 3000 Christmas Way, a few blocks south of Coquitlam Centre and Pinetree Village, in the same building as Just Ladies Fitness. The entrance is around back, beside a large parking lot.

Admission is $15 plus tax, which comes to $16.05. You get two towels, a locker with key, the club T-shirt and a pair of shorts (for the dry saunas and steam rooms). It’s a sweet deal for men because their hot tub is the size of a swimming pool, but as for the women’s side…well, don’t go in a large group. The procedure is pre�y typical: shower first, then soak. The amenities are sparkling clean. What’s new for me are the steam rooms. There is the Charcoal Room (which has reduced heat AND a TV), the Red Mud a.k.a.

Yellow Earth Room, and the Sea Salt Room (mats cover-

ing a room of salt to soak up our impurities – which may or may not be effective, depending on how much fun you had as a JET). The Sea Salt room reminded me of the sand baths in Kagoshima, only you’re not buried alive. And the interesting part is that the Charcoal and Red Mud rooms are co-ed, ergo the shirts and shorts.

Outside of lounging in the pool or sweating it out in the rooms, we can also wander throughout the club, maybe play a game of Chinese Chess, Go, watch TV, or surf the Internet. They have one computer, a couple game boards, and an enormous TV, all included in the admission price. There are massage chairs should you happen to have a few bucks, and a Korean masseuse who specializes in body scrubs. A list of their services are included on this page. Last but not least is their cantina, which offers a small selection of Korean snacks and drinks, as well as a few ‘western’ items like perogies and chimichangas!? There is no time limit, stay as long as they’re open, from 9 am to 2 am, seven days a week.

All in all, a trip worth taking at least once. As they are basically the ONLY onsen in North America, they do max out their capacity in the winter. If this interests you but you have no one to go with, just email our social coordinator, because JJ Spa is a likely candidate for a future JET event!

page 11

POWELL STREET FESTIVAL

C E L E B R A T I N G 30 Y E A R S SATURDAY, AUGUST 5TH & SUNDAY, AUGUST 6TH, 2006, 11:30AM – 7:00PM

OPPENHEIMER PARK, 400 POWELL STREET & FIREHALL ARTS CENTRE, 280 E. CORDOVA STREET ALL PARK AND FIREHALL EVENTS ARE FREE! Celebrating its 30th anniversary year, the Powell Street Festival is the largest Japanese Canadian festival and the longest running community celebration in Vancouver! Come enjoy traditional and contemporary Japanese Canadian performances, including taiko drumming, sumo wrestling, martial arts demos, folk and modern dance, alternative pop/rock/urban music, visual arts, film/video, as well as a fantastic array of Japanese food, crafts & displays. Festival programme guides available in July around town (or check out www.powellstreetfestival.com for full schedule info & updates).

FESTIVAL WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Taiko extravaganza featuring several local taiko groups and Mu Daiko from Minneapolis � Contemporary dance by Linda Turnbull (Edmonton), Miki Nishida (Montreal) and Kokoro Dance � a reading of Obon: the Festival of the Dead, by Terry Watada (Toronto) � Musical guests Alcvin Ramos, Kamea Lessoway and more � Traditional Japanese tea service � Historical Walking Tours of the Powell Street area � Yugo: a hiphop fusion project featuring DJs, MCs, graffiti art & more � Literary Series featuring Kyo Maclear (Toronto), Hiromi Goto & Roy Miki � Empire’s Feast: a screening of videos shorts from Vancouver and New York � Nish Rawks, rapper from Toronto � historical book launch by the Vancouver Japanese Language School

OTHER FESTIVAL EVENTS

30TH ANNIVERSARY GALA Thursday, July 20th, Performance Works (Granville Island) This fundraiser for the festival features a tofu-themed dinner (by Hapa Izakaya and more), silent art auction (featuring works by Paul Wong, Isamu Noguchi and more), performances, launch of a Japanese food cookbook, and more!

SPATIAL POETICS July 8th, 8pm, Video In, 1965 Main Street Fifth annual evening of collaborative and experimental performance and video by Asian Canadian artists, featuring premieres of new work by Paul Wong, Aretha Aoki and Tricia Collins and Trolley Bus. LOST AND FOUND exhibit July/August, Access Artist Run Centre, 206 Carrall Street A collaborative project that endeavors to unearth and give contemporary expression to many of the histories and stories of the Downtown Eastside that have been, in current perceptions of the area, largely overlooked. Featuring artists Judy Chartrand, Wayde Compton and Haruko Okano.

PSF BASEBALL GAME August 7th, Oppenheimer Park In honour of the legendary Asahi Baseball team, there will be a community baseball game in the park!

KAZUKO HOHKI in MY HUSBAND IS A SPACEMAN August 10 th, Stanley Theatre (tbc) Cult fave from festivals past, Hohki returns with a delightful one-woman show about cross-cultural relationships.

MEDIA CONTACT: MIKO @ DIANE KADOTA ARTS MANAGEMENT, 604.683.8240 OR EMAIL MIKO@DKAM.CA The Powell Street Festival Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Department of Canadian Heritage, Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council, Spirit of BC Arts Fund and Direct Access to Charitable Gaming, the City of Vancouver through the Office of Cultural Affairs, Vancity, Strathcona Business Improvement Area, Sunrise Soya Foods, Japan Airlines, OK Gift Shop, Bulletin, Video In and Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall.

page 12