September 1998 Volume 4 Issue 5

News Japan Exchange Teaching Alumni Association of British Columbia

Vol 4, No.5 September 1998

Congratulations, Jason & Emi! A report of their wedding

by Maki Ode

The summer of 1998 was a very memorable summer for

me.

spend several weekends driving all the way down there to arrange many things for the wedding .

of

At 11:00 a.m., the backyard of the cabin turned into a holy place when the minister, a friend of Cathy's, showed up. Then, Emi appeared in a

course, because of Jason & Emi's

simple, but, beautiful wedding dress,

Why?

Not because of the

unbelievable heat the Vancouverites

experienced

everyday.

It

is,

wedding. On behalf of the few friends who attended the wedding, I would like to share a story about their wedding with you (In fact, I have more interesting stories to talk about,

so if you are interested in them, ask me on a hike).

walking with her father. Her father,

rather

than

Emi, seemed

very

nervous; I saw him shaking a little bit while walking (I was worried if he would trip because of his

nervousness ...). The ceremony began. Led by the minister, Jason &

Their wedding ceremony was held

Emi made solemn vows to love and

on July 11th in a very peaceful resort area near Portland,Oregon, The series of events for the wedding

support each other, lit a candle and

started

with

the 'Welcome

BBQ'

where most of the guests met and got to know each other on the night before the ceremony. The atmosphere of this night was very casual and relaxed; many of us,

including Jason & Emi, were wearing jeans, and talked and laughed all the time. We enjoyed the great food prepared by Jason & Emi and Gene

& Cathy Comfort who were Emi's host-family when she did her first homestay a long time ago in Portland. There were Jason's family and relatives from New Jersey, Emi's parents from Japan, and their friends from various places. We spent a very enjoyable night together surrounded by the woods and mountains in Oregon.

The morning of the wedding day was

cloudy and chilly, so we were worried about the weather during the ceremony. The clouds, however, went away, and the sun showed up just before the ceremony started. It turned out to be a beautiful day after all. The ceremony was held in the small backyard of Gene & Cathy's

exchanged their rings, and then, they were finally married. An unexpected incident was that the minister, being deeply moved by the sentences Jason & Emi made by themselves, burst into tears while giving her service (this made me burst into tears, too). Each moment was very sacred. Tranquillity was wafting in this holy place. The only sounds were the voices of the minister, Jason & Emi's and the beautiful sound of the creek behind the cabin.

J

trying out many new things together,

including organizing monthly hikes.

As a friend of both, I have seen them

After the ceremony was a wedding

gradually

reception at the same cabin hosted

by Jason & Emi, and Gene and Cathy. Here, the atmosphere was, again, very casual, and everybody congratulated the couple. During the reception, Jason gave a 'Thank you' speech, starting with "Thank you everybody for coming today...", which reminded me of the speeches he always makes on the mornings of the JET/Mokuyoukai hike (I am sure that

become more confident in themselves and in their lives for

changing;

they

have

these two years, by respecting and supporting each other. I am sure that even if they face any difficulties in future, they will overcome them with this good teamwork. Their wedding was different from the fancy weddings which many of you JETs probably have attended or seen on

TV in Japan; their wedding was very

those who have gone hiking with us can understand what I am talking about...). Emi was still wearing her wedding dress, holding a pretty

simple, but absolutely memorable

bouquet. She was very beautiful in

for the last two years, and, I believe,

because Jason & Emi's hearts and

passions were there. It was exactly what Jason & Emi have been doing

that dress. She looked very very

they will be pursuing together in

cabin, which was in the woods at the

happy, and, of course, so did Jason.

future, too.

foot of Mt. Hood. The place was very tranquil. The only sound we could hear was from a creek running right

Reflecting on this wedding, I really

Lastly, I would like to give my sincere

think that Jason & Emi made their

congratulations to Jason & Emi once

behind the cabin. When I saw this

backyard, I understood why Jason & Emi wanted to have their wedding at this cabin even though it was far from Vancouver, and they had had to Page 2

they had not been dating yet. After that hike, they started deepening

again. I hope their teamwork will be strengthened by this marriage, and they will keep going ahead as a married couple and as 'greatest friends' as which they have seen

their relationship little by little by

each other up to today.

own

wedding

with

their

good

teamwork. When I first met them two

years ago on the Bowen Island hike,

JET Alumni Association of British Columbia

See Maki's story on page 2. We cer tainly thank Maki for this wonderful story.

mettle.

reception for Jason and Emi (See photo on cover, top right). With over

See the announcement in this news letter for more details,

Welcome home new Alumni.

able time. It's not often we get that

Some of our readers this

This month we welcome two new

issue will be fresh back

from Japan. This is really exciting for

faces to our Steering Committee.

Tanya Hill has volunteered to step

both the new Alumni as well as for

into Perren's shoes as our new

JETAABC. We hope that you will take a moment to let us know you have arrived. Since you are receiv ing this newsletter, this means the Japanese Consulate in Vancouver has been in touch. That's just the first step. The next step is to reach your Alumni Association. True, we are primarly based in Vancouver, but no matter where you live in BO (and

treasurer. Also joining us is Kevin O'Donnell. Kevin has just returned

much free food!

from Japan after completing the spe cial Japanese Teachers conference in Chiba sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education.

Perren Stern, our treasurer and in-

house lawyer, has made the decision to return to Japan. He's gone briefly

the Yukon) you are a member of the

to Toronto to take an RSA/TESL

JETAABC. And at no cost to youll What more could you want. Check

course, and then will head to Tokyo to be an English teacher. We had a

out this newsletter, our web site and

party for him on Saturday, August

even our events. Get involved.

29th at Boleyn's house. Good luck Perren!(Story in this issue)

This issue is full of news of weddings and new things for JETAABC. So much has happened over the last 2

Before I start I'd like to tell you about a telephone call I received in August.

Our president, Stacey Rolofs, has taken on a new beau, Darryl, and

A current JET who left from Vancou

from an extremely reliable source, they are going to get married next summer (they are on the front cover, bottom left). They have a new place to live and Stacey has moved from

umnist with all the announcements to

ver In the summer of 1997 called me

up. He just wanted to say thanks for all the hard work and information we

provided at the Pre-Departure Orien tation that year. He's going to stay in

Japan for the full 3 years but wants us to know that when he finishes and

returns to BC he's going to volunteer to help JETAABC. Yatta!

Now, let's head back to the early days of July. The 11th to be precise.

A small country cottage in the woods in Oregon. Jason and Emi had a nice wedding ceremony. While I didn't attend, the special guests that did go from Vancouver certainly gave us a wonderful report of the beauty of the bride, the beauty of the location and the beauty (?!) of the groom.

pled with the annual Welcome Back reception at the Consul General's home.

As always, I have to ask for your assistance in providing information to your newsletter. The next deadline for submissions is November 5th.

Submissions on any topic are welcome. If possible please submit them electronically (email or on floppy) and don't forget photos are encouraged. Contact information is on the last page of this issue.

head off to the life we left behind. It

be made this Issue.

start. I almost feel like the gossip col

Also coming up is the Re-entry Orientation/Career Day event. Cou

On July 18th was the Reception for the new JET's heading off to Japan.

101 new JET'S were preparing to was scorching hot and with us all dolled up in our suits and dresses we tended to gravitate to the bar and the shade as much as possible.

months I'm not even sure where to

This month we have our

of Jericho beach we had a BBQ

30 invitees there we had an enjoy

Come on out. Send in articles and

Upcoming events will also show our

annual fall party. This year It's being held on Saturday, September 26th.

Just one week later on the beaches

announcements. See you all soon.

photo on top left on front cover),

the Tourism School to work for

Glen & Leona Allen and Barb Onstad

enjoy the hospitality of the Consul Gen eral on July 18th, 1998 atthenewJET Send-Off Reception

JETRO in Canada Place. Congratu lations to Stacey for all these changes.

Our esteemed Secretary, Ellen Clague has also announced her upcoming wedding to Michael (see cover photo bottom right). They are getting married next May. Speaking of weddings!!! At the recent hike to Ml. Baker Liz Stephen and

This newsletter produced by: Web Words Ink Services 504-1010 Howe Street

Vancouver. 80 V6Z 1P5 Tel: 604-662-7579 Fax: 604-662-7591

Email: info@ww-ink.com Web Site: www-ww-ink.com

her new fiance YasushI announced

they will tie the knot next summer as well (that's Liz taking a cookie from Yasushi's mouth at a recent hike,

Web Design/Computer Trainlng/DTP

JET Alumni Association of British Columbia

Page 3

Adieu Perren On Saturday, August 29th the Alumni GOod Steering Committee members held a going-away party for Perren Stern.

He will be spending some time in

fesiaiicl'^'> ' .

Toronto before he goes back to

Japan to teach corporate English. \ l-'l

S'

3

<Ot

by Bo ley n Relova

l>: :

50%

Perren has been in the Steering

Committee for almost two years. His

greatest accomplishment in our orga nization was writing our consitution

and by-laws, which has led to our

Nanajm<»^

newest distinction as the a fully regis

tered Society in BC, the "JET Alumni Association of BC". With this new

distinction we are a registered orga

nization enabling us to be more inde

pendent of the Japanese Consulate.

We will miss our in-house legal consultant. Perren plans on coming back to Canada some day to pursue

Viotcifrra

his legal practice.

You can continue to reach him at

Island Alumni Rejoice

sukiyaki22@hotmail.com.

We are having a hiking event

The Vancouver Mokuyokai

Society

$25

in our neck of the woods.

Sunday, October 25th a group of mainlanders will hcome over

Islyear only

to Victoria to bask in the beauty of

the island, namely the Goldmine Trail at Mt. Finlayson. Please check out page 6 of this newsletter under the Hiking News for details. For those on the Island planning to participate please call Glen Allen at 250-3811067 or by emai l at cantec@ jdmicro.com. We will need a couple of cars to meet them at Swartz iDay

that morning. The organizers of our monthly hikes are quite excited about the chance to see a part of BC they usually can't see. Let's make this a truly Island event.

This Month's

Stone Bridge Press Tracey Nishimura Glen Allen

activities.

Contributors: Jason Hicks Maki Ode Paul Donovan

Boleyn Relova Kenneth Januszewski

Ellen Clague

Bi-Monthly Island Pub Nite Saturday, October 3rd

Thanks to all contributors

8:00pm - ??

Next Issue Deadline:

Christie's Carriage House Pub

Thursday, Nov. 5th 1998

1739 Fort Street, Victoria

Please submit materials by email or on disk (TEXT format please) if

Information: Glen Allen 250-381-1067

Alumni & Friends Welcome

Page 4

Join the Mokuyokai Society for the first time and you get 50% off. This is a special offer for all JET Alumni. Now is your chance to join an extremely interesting group, with many fun and exciting events and

at all possible. Photos and graph ics are welcome and encouraged.

Contact Information on last page.

JET Alumni Association of British Columbia

1 Monthly Hiking Group m Monthly Brown Bag Lunch Business Seminar

® Monthly Donwakal ® Other Events too

Vancouver Mokuyokai Society P.O. Box 48901

Vancouver, BC V7X 1A8

Alumni Night in September POTLUCK AND ALL New & Old Alumni & Friends Our ever popular annual Fall gathering over food. Each year this event has been different. Whether it's in a restaurant or on a boat or whereever, we

always know how to talk (something that the JET Program Ingrained into our

beings!!!}. This year we would like to extend a great big welcome to new and old alumni. Even if you've been back from Japan for years, this is your chance to come out. The cost is low and the fun is priceless, The details are below.

What to Bring:

A Dish of Food/Dessert/Snack/Nourishment and Beverage(s) of choice.

Cost:

One Gold Coloured Loonie (or any of it's silver coloured relatives).

Note -- if you should happen to arrive at the party with empty

Mr. Shimokoji (Consul General of

Japan) and Mr. Ida (Vice Consul of Japan - JET Program)

hands then the cost goes up to Five Loonies. Please don't forget to bring some food and beverages.

Date & Time: Saturday, September 26th - 6pm - 10:30pm Location:

2nd Floor Party Room 1010 Howe Street (Paul's Donovan's Apartment Building) (ring suite 504 or ask the security guard for admission)

RSVP's are requested (although not a requirement) to Liz Stephen (h) 738-3360(w)684-5868 X 230.

Re-Entry Orientation & Career Day Saturday, November 7th is our annual Re-Entry Orientation and Career Day. The festivities begin at 9am with a special guest speaker (yet to be announced).

This speaker's topic will be relevant to the concept of Re-Entry into Canadian Culture. While this is primarily focused on the newly returned Alumni, all Alumni are welcome to attend and participate. Speakers in the past have helped us understand the strange emotions we are feeling as we attempt to return to a culture that we know, but feel like outsiders in.

STONE

25% OFF Books

BRIDGE

Stone Bridge Press is offering a special discount to all JETAABC members of 25%.

• Books • Trinkets • and more

Then starting at 1pm is Career Day. This highly successful event is welcomed each year. Whether you already have a job or are still going to school or just thinking about a career change, this day will offer you some guidance. A spe cial guest speaker will talk to us about the job of finding a job. Following this we will break into small groups and meet with representatives from various indus tries (employment agencies, import/export/trade, tourism, small business, education, and more). We hope to also have some professionals give us some advice on preparing a good resume and how to handle an interview. This is def initely a day for all alumni to attend.

all about Japan.

Date & Time:

member of JETAABC.

Check out their web site for more items and information.

If you don't have access to the Internet, write to Stone Bridge Press directly for their cata logue and be sure to mark on your order form that you are a

Saturday, November 7th - 9am - Noon, 1:00pm - 4:00pm Location:

YMCA English Language Institute, Alberni & Bute (2nd Floor) Tel: 899-4161 (Ellen Clague)

Cost: $5 participation fee Information: Boleyn Relova 522-8761

Stone Bridge Press P.O. Box 8208

Berkley, CA 94707 USA 1-800-947-7271

www.stonebridge.com JET Alumni Association of British Columbia

Page 5

'his has been a glorious summer for hiking, and the Hiking Group has done its best to take advantage of it!

'July 19th. 14 people trekked out along High\way 99 to Brandywine Falls, to do an easy 4-hour loop out there. The weather was simply gorgeous, and the scenery very rewarding. I'm not sure which part of the hike I liked better; the thundering Falls at the beginning, eating iunch literally at the edge of the confluence of two swift glacier-rivers, or digging into the delicious watermelon at the end! While we certainly didn't set any endurance records this day. we did

manage to relax, enjoy the scenery and the company, and really make a fine

Hiking Group Participation Policy Group Maximum - 20 No more than 2 guests per

member(maximum of 5 guests) $2 will be charged as a participation fee for each event

Also we are making a S1 voluntary contribution to the Trans Canada Trail.

outing of it.

The hike to Mount Baker, on August 23rd, was rather a different story. We left Vancouver in bright summer sunshine, only to find Mount Baker enshrouded in cold cloud and occasional mist. Our handy-dandy guide-map had boldly proclaimed this hike's elevation gain to be a scant 100 feet (yes feet, not

meters!), but neglected to inform us of the rather large ridge that we first had to go up, over, and then down ... Nevertheless, 1 am pleased to report that everyone made it alive and well, although some more quickly than others.

Fortunately, even under cloud-cover the scenery was superb, and at times spectacular. We even saw a few snow-patches, and I'm sure a snowball or two

were tossed by the end of the day! The scenery and trails were excellent, and I will definitely be going back sometime ... but this time. I'll bring my fleece and expect to do more climbing!

Not to end on a sad note, but Emi and 1 would like to make it official: we will be

resigning from our positions of Hiking Group Co-Captains by the end of this year. We have truly enjoyed leading the group, literally over mountains and

through rivers! But we've been doing it for more than two years now,and we think it's time for someone else to take the reins for awhile. So if you're interested in helping out with the hikes, please let us know! We hope to be able to put together a small committee to run the group in the future.

Upcoming Hikes For Autumn 1998 Sunday, Sept 20: Levette Lake Loop (past Squamish) HitseJBatmg; Easy - Moderate (distance 11km, elevation gain 300m, estimated time required 5 hours) Hike Description: A wonderful hike, offering a great combination of sweep ing views changing scenery, and patches of old-growth forest! All of this

for relatively little effort - what more could we ask for??

S_athermg_Ilrrie: 8:00am downtown Cost: SB ($5 gas-money, $2 partici pation fee, $1 contribution to TransCanada Trails) RSVP: To Jason & Emi at 876-4339

Sjjnday. October 25th: Gold stream Park (Vancouver Island) Hike Rating: Easy Hike Description: Join us for the

Hiking Group's first-ever excursion to Vancouver Island, as we go to the Goldmin Trail and witness one of

the region's most famous salmonruns! Due to the ferry-rides, this will be a long day, but the hike itself will be fairly easy, and the company will be great as always! I'm told the scenery there is also very nice!

Gathering Time: 7:30am YWCA Parking Lot <lc>sjtL$27 ($7 gas & parking, $17 Ferry. $2 fee, $1 contribution to

Jason & Emi at Brandywine Falls - celebrating Trans-Canada Trails) 1 week of marriage RSVP: To Jason & Emi at 876-4339 Page 6 JET Alumni Association of British Columbia

Sunday. November 15: Alice Lake Provincial Park (Squamish area) Hike_Rating:_Fairiy Easy (12km, mini mal elevation gain, 4 hours) Hike Description: As we all know, the weather in November often is not the

best, so it's important to take that into consideration when choosing a hike.

Fortunately, the Alice Lake loop is enjoyable regardless of the weather.

Featuring lots of pleasant forests (which also protect us in case of rain!) and 4 pretty little lakes, Alice Lake PP is a great early-winter option for get ting out of the house and out of town for a few hours.

Gathering Time: 8:30am

Cost;_$8 ($5 gas-money, $2 participa tion fee, $1 contribution to Trans-

Canada Trails) RSVP: To Jason & Emi at 876-4339 after November 1st.

December: No Hike in December

due to the busy-ness of the Christmas season! If, however, someone else

would like to organize a hike, please get In touch and we'll be happy to sup port you!

DREAMS COME ButTRUE FOR 1200 AT THE RAGE simple but effective, and the sound finally everyone was in. The

by Jason Hicks

Not many people outside the

was

clear

and

full.

My

only

lights darkened, and the band came on stage. The crowd began cheering, the volume swelling with each new person who stepped into the lights, until it reached a roaring

their newer music, and none of their

just don't get much bigger than that.

crescendo for lead singer Miwa Yoshida. Screams of "Miwa-chan"

relatively short, about 80 minutes including the encore. I think that if

This is a band so big in Japan that

rang through the air from hundreds

the

Japanese community knew it, but August 7th was a big night

on the Vancouver live-music scene.

Dreams Come True was in town. You

people actually flew across the Pacific just to see this concert. Fans camped out overnight to be first in line for the August 6th autograph session at the Virgin

Megastore.

Good thing they did, too, because the actual event was overwhelmed, and

complaint was that they played only classic

old

tunes

that

I

am

especially fond of. The concert was

crowd

had

their way, the

of admirers, broken only by cries

concert would have gone all night!

from King Masa's fans (he being the deadpan bass-player).

But then it was over. The lights

For those of you who have never seen Miwa-chan before, let me just

the crowd began to filter out in an

stay that she's a bit of an odd character. She tends to sport funky

went bright, the DJ came on, and orderly manner. Our Dream evening had come to an end.

hairstyles and wacky clothes, and

"sign".

We left the nightclub and went around back to gel the car. Beside

she flashes an acre of teeth when

the rear entrance to the club waited

The Dreams Come True concert was

she smiles, which is often.

held at the Rage which, although large by Vancouver nightclub standards, could barely hold the 1200-odd people who packed in for

But to give her credit, she

the show. Those 1200 people got to

amphetamines. Even her speech had a rushed and >• breathy quality that suggested airhead on a

not nearly every fan got their coveted

experience one of Japanese pop's most enduring legends in a small, intimate venue, practically a personal concert by today's standards. And the price per ticket? A mere 10 bucks.

Unbelievable. Truly a dream come true for a fan like me.

To

warned the

concert promoters what they had coming to town. When they first got the gig, they groaned and worried if anyone would show up. Bewildered by the size of the crowd, they asked my wife, "Do you know Dreams Come True? Are they big in Japan?"

When I got to The Rage at 7:00 (show-time was billed for 7:30) there was a lineup a mile long. The scary thing is, that's not much of an exaggeration. The lineup literally all

around

the

Plaza

of

crowd

Japanese,

was

almost

punctuated

occasional

■§

had to wonder if she was on

high.

Miwa-chan is a marvellous entertainer. She knows how

by

had

the

whole

her superb strong singing voice, a talent that is so rare in Japanese

pop. She can, and did, sing deep, high, soft, strong ~ often changing in a split-second.

Miwa doll. Silently, I wished them good luck.

Come True uses a lot of English in their music; in fact, their latest CD was recorded entirely in English. I

sounds. Well, despite her audience

surprisingly, we ran into quite a few

being 99% Japanese, she spoke

friends there. Also not surprisingly, it

almost entirely in English, and did it

took until nearly 9:00 to check the ID and bags of all those people. I even got to help a bit, checking Japanese

pretty well. Perhaps she will inspire more Japanese youth to dare to speak our terrible tongue!

benefit alter all!

a small gaggle of fans, hoping for one last glance of their idols. One was wearing a "Miwa-chan" outfit, and carrying a large home-made

And she proved that she actually can speak English. Like many Japanese pop groups. Dreams

the

driver's licences for the perplexed doorman. Turns out that knowing the conversion to Showa years had some

Dreams Come True

Million Kisses -1991 Albu m

place bouncing along with her. She made full use of

Not

entirely

Caucasian.

time she

always wondered if Miwa could speak the language, or if she was just good at mimicing English

Nations and nearly out to the road.

The

m

bouncing all over the stage. I

to work a crowd, and in no

be fair, nobody

snaked

was full of energy, literally

The concert Itself was a lot of fun.

The musicians were all excellent,

Miwa had enough energy for all 1200 of us, the light-show was JET Alumni Association of British Columbia

Page 7

mifmmmmmmmKmmmm

Beyond Sushi

by Kenneth Januszewski

If you are like me you went to Japan on the JET Program. What

closed

any

cultural gap you had worried about.

you "knew" about Japan when you boarded the plane for Tokyo were

All in all, you left Japan with fond memories of the people and the

primarily the truths (and the myths)

places. And you were relieved that, relinquishing your "mini

instilled In us all by the media.

Later

we

learned

ambassador" status, you no longer had to nightly

how

uninformed we were about

pry the smile off your

Japan. Part of the reason for the

lack

face. Having learned the truth, you probably

of accurate

Information about Japan is that

most

consider

Western

that

journalists seem to never leave Tokyo. Worse, sometimes they simply do not understand what they

unfortunate

what

we

government,

"know"

the

American paper which talked about the Japanese love of nature. As proof the article explained that the Japanese

call Mount Fuji, Fuji-san to personify mountain. Most

readers probably never suspected the journalist was clueless about the trash annually littered on the mountain by Japanese who are just now learning the "pack in pack out" theory. Nor did the readers appreciate the reporter's lack of knowledge of kanji basics. If the author had asked anyone familiar

with kanji, he would have known the kanjI for yama, when added after the name of a specific mountain, is

pronounced san without regard for any special Japanese love of mountains.

If you are like me, you wish such

We

are

JETAA

involved because

the JET Program allows

Japanese even in remote corners of the country to be "up close and personal" with a galjin. This person to person contact, we hope, will eventually pay understanding

off in better between our

Japanese a

Together y

If you are like me, since you came home, along with working for a living,

you volunteer your time. I do work for the Himeji Committee (Phoenix sister city), the annual Matsuri, interviewing prospective JET

participants, acclimating the annual visiting Japanese judge In Phoenix and other ways I cannot recall now as I sit at my computer. We have also tried to tell our friends about the

made you want to scream. The

Japanese people went through and

Japanese who said outrageous things usually ended by saying, "You

live through today to give their country the highest standard of living in Asia, there would be less bashing and more understanding. Ultimately

cannot understand because you are

not Japanese." To make matters worse, by the time you walked into

If

we

all

knew

what

the

that the Japanese are more like us

sure you were cut out for teaching teenagers. After a short time,

than most of us realize.

inquisitiveness and their desire to

al l

Semester

starts

Wednesday, October 14th :00 - 9:00 pm at the MCA English Language nstitute on Alberni and ute.

The cost is only $144.00 or 10 weeks.

Classes are

eld every Wednesday except for Thursday, November 12th, due to ollday)

To Register please contact

Ellen Clague at the YMCA at 899-4161.

Minimum class size - 4

people.

We will offer beginners, ntermediate and advanced classes.

we would all know what we learned,

school the first day you were not so

natural

X

countries.

told.

If you are like me, you made friends

Page 8

^

we

came to understand that

had conversations with others that

no desire to bash the Japanese, just to get the facts straight.

students

Study

in

with many fine people. But you also

errors could be corrected. You have

the

55;

two

real Japan. I took the additional step of writing a book, Beyond Sushi, A Year in Japan (actually I spent three years there but it did not have the same ring). The book is my way of trying to tell the story we all want

however,

Let's

worst representatives of the Japanese people.

I remember an article in an

respect the

it

about Japan Is primarily its big companies and

are talking about.

and

0

know more about the world beyond their islands shores

Excerpts of Beyond Sushi can be read atwww.beyondsushi.com

JET Alumni Association of British Columbia

Alumni and the general pub ic are welcome to register and attend.

Japanese Media

Powell Street Festival'88

The Powell Street Festival Is a

by Tracey NIshimura essential to the running of the festival

There are two new Japanese lan guage newspapers/magazines that have started up in the last

grass roots Japanese Canadi

every year, from fundraising to set up

an community celebration

to the stage crew to clean up.

few months.

And don't forget the sumo. One of

The first is Oops!. This is published twice per month and is in newspaper format. It's a free newspaper and is slowly finding its ways into the local area Japanese businesses. TThe writers are principally Japanese but I have noticed a couple of nonJapanese names in the listings

which began in 1977, the centennial of Japanese Canadian immigration.

The festival has become Vancouver's

oldest community festival and 1998

the largest events (no pun intended) of this year's festival was the sumo tournament. Unlike Sumo Canada

marked the 22nd annual celebration.

Basho, anyone, even women can

On a shockingly tiny budget, the

join in and compete for the title of

Powell Street Festival has more than

festival yokozuna. This year's wom

survived, it has prevailed due to the contribution of thousands of volun

teer hours every year. The commu

nity spirit that rallies around the festi val every year to make it possible has made it a favorite among festi

en's tournament was cancelled

because of lack of enrollment, next year gurls... I have higher

The festival is held every year in

The target market for this newspaper appears to be the young international student living in Vancouver. This Is an ambitious project as this market is extremely mobile and hard to reach.

Oppenhelmer Park, 400 block Powell

They often talk about places outside

expectations. Don't worry, I don't think they expect us to wear those "fundoshi."

vals for many.

By the end of 1998, Vancouver will have experienced two other Japan

sometimes.

Street. The area is more known

of Vancouver too for travel. Places

festivals and the much celebrated

today for the addicts and the home of

Sumo Canada Basho but, no other

Vancouver's most desparate popula tion but, It was once the home to the

like Salt Spring Island as well as res taurant and amusement places

Japanese celebration In Vancouver is as comprehensive as the Powell Street Festival.

reviews.

Japanese Canadian community.

I do have only one technical comment

While most of the families and busi

though, the typists need to learn how

The varied menus of two rows of

nesses have left, there are still some

food booths offering homemade,

structures that remain, The Powell

to spell. One ad in the classifieds that was written in English had 7 typing or

authentic Japanese Canadian food, including chanko nabe and spam sushi, are always the festival's most

Street Walking tour offered by the

spelling mistakes In It. As I don't read

Japanese Canadian National Muse

Japanese well enough to say If there are similar mistakes in the Japanese, but I certainty hope they will do a much better job of spell checking.

um and Archives Society told surpris

notorious draw. However, there Is so

ing stories and history revealed by

much more to see and do. In 1998

the surrounding buildings.

there was a community tent with over

The two day celebration Is held every

eight community groups showcasing their roles in the community and 20 craft booth vendors. The shelter of

the Buddhist Church offers displays of bonsai, ikebana, haiku, gardening

and history and culture. Every year the children's tent and children's

activities brings more to the festival for the llttlier members of the family.

Of course, there are two outdoor

stages offering non-stop entertain ment from tea ceremony, traditional

dancing, school kids, to hardcore

year on the B.C. Day long weekend (the first weekend In August.) The food Is always cheap and the entrance fee is FREE! If you are interested in getting involved, call

met the advertising director, Jeff

Cowling, at a Mokuyokai meeting recently. They are focusing a lot on the International residents too. They

starts at the end of the last one.

feature areas of 80 in each Issue.

Preparations begin in March and by July, well, it's getting a bit late if you

Places like the Okanagan and such.

They welcome contributions from

want to take on a major role. The fes tival is always looking for key volun teers and becareful, festival fever is

anyone, In English or Japanese. If

infectious.

written in English they will translate it for the paper.

The July issue, which I am referring to as t write, has a calender of events for the area, maps of the downtown area.

Also interviews with Japanese people

the park. Another unique feature of this long running festival is that none of the performers are paid and there

in town. mtmnnnÂŤ

In the latest issue you can look for an

The Powell Street Festival is also the best event to see all the most cele

exclusive interview with Dreams

Come True. Jeff was able to get close to the group during their recent con cert and got some unique perspectives, things the other Japa nese media didn't get.

brated Vancouver taiko groups. The

story of taiko and the festival are Intertwined. In particular, two groups, Katarl Taiko and SawagI Taiko not

only bring the crowds of taiko fans but, are key volunteers that are

Japanese. It is produced monthly. I

early. Powell Street Festival planning

rock music in Japanese that blew out

is still a demand for stage time.

The second new magazine is Vancou ver Tonight. It again is published In

'Bwnouiumw

JET Alumni Association of British Columbia

Page 9

P^sf this emtemder mp mmp&mr fridge t& heip remember eur

steering Committee Members President

- Stacey Rolofs (h) 437-5859 Past President - Jason Hicks

Events Calender

Secretary - Ellen Clague Treasurer

I "Everyom is weicome to stSBnd sU@v@^ afJETMABC and/or Moksjyokai

{ - Tanya Hill

I Events & Activities

I

mgasdlms of mombemhip§Mm,except whem indicated,"

\

All Dates and Events subject to change without notice. Please

I

contact the organizer of each event to confirm your attendance.

i

|S<8§sifi«m6s®ir

ISt©

- Monthly Hike. Levette Lake Loop. Meet-

liny Place: Parking Lot behind YWCA on Burrard Street.Time: S:00am. Contact Uason 876-4339(See Page 6) ii, 1§i©

- Alumni Fall Gathering - To meet newly

ireturned alumni. Location: 2nd Floor Party Room, 1010 Howe Street (corner of [Nelson)- Paul's Home). !

|®et®g9®ir 1, HiSi (T^aairs^a^)- Steering Committee Meeting. Contact Sta|cey 437-5859 for location. All Alumni Are Welcome To Attend.

2, IfiS

- Mokuyokal Moon Viewing Party & Harbour

iCruise. $25 per person. BYOk Snacks provided. Contact Liz Stephen at 738|3360. |®©ti:®Os@[r

I - Boieyn Reiova 522-8761 I Membership

I - Liz Stephen Newsletter

- Paul Donovan (w)662-7579

j Members-at-Large

I - Kevin O'Donneil i Vancouver Island Rep.

I -Glen Allen (h)250-381-1067 I Consulate Representative I -Mr. T. Ida

HSii (Md)!n)®sd]a^$ - First class for Japanese lessons.

i$144.00 per person. YMCA ELI at Alberni & Bute. Contact Ellen Clague at the

|YMCA at 899-4161.

'SiD©

~ Monthly Hike. Mt Finlayson and Gold-

jstream Park, Victoria. Meeting Place: Parking Lot behind YWCA on Burrard iStreet. Time: 7:30am. Contact Jason at 876-4339 or Glen at 250-381-1067.

j(See Page 6)

PostaE MaBBimg Address:

i,

- Steering Committee Meeting. Contact

jStacey 437-5859 for location. All Alumni Are Welcome To Attend. '^9S®((IFir8sOs^5 - Welcome Back Reception for new alumni,

pate and Location to be annourced. 3y Invitation only. Hosted by the [Consulate.

JETAABC Bentall Centre PO Box 48121

Vancouver, BC V7X1N8

B^®v®oiiiB9®ir

Hifi

- JETAABC Re-Entry Orientation &

Career Day. YMCA English Language institute, Alberni and Bute. 9am - 4 pm.

Contact Boleyn at 522-8761. Volunteers needed.(See Page 5) is ,IS®® - Monthly Hike. Lake Provincial Park.

[Meeting Place: Parking Lot behind YWCA on Burrard Street. Time: 8:30am.

jContact Jason 876-4339(See Page 6) t

iP@@®mis®ir 3, iSS®

- Steering Committee Meeting. Contact

|Stacey437-5859 for location. All Alumni Are Welcome To Attend.

IJaireiisaD^ 7, iSSS ([TBaafiirsdaSfJ - Steering Committee Meeting. Contact Stacey 437-5859 for location. All Alumni Are Welcome To Attend.

BI^BMaBigssfry, itS9 - Annual General Meeting (AGM)and Shinnenkai. Con-

jtact Stacey 437-5859. Ail Alumni are Encouraged to Attend.

4, iSSS

- Steering Committee Meeting. Contact Sta-

jcey 437-5859 for location. All Alumni Are Welcome To Attend.

Page 10

JET Alumni Association of British Columbia

Web Site Address:

www.ww-ink.com/jetaabc Emaol Address:

jetaabc@get-info.net Editor's Td: 604-662-7579

Editor's Fax: 604-662-7591 Editor's EmmaiB:

pauld@ww-ink.com November 5th, 1998