First in a series
(See Saturday afternoon schedule below)
[img]1661|exact|Mike Cohen, Mr. Culver City, in his Japanese Phase||no_popup[/img]
On Saturday, Culver City’s Sister City Committee officially turns 50 years old with an all-day celebration – starting at 10 o’clock at City Hall with the unveiling of a plaque, resuming at 1 at the Vets Auditorium with a varied afternoon program, and concluding with fireworks, an all-star dinner at the Courtyard by Marriott.
Fifty years covers the lifespan of many Culver City residents, and yet:
Beyond a glimmer of recognition, what do you know about Sister City –besides Culver City having four sisters, Kaizuka, Japan, Uruapan, Mexico, Lethbridge, Canada and Iksan, South Korea?
What is it? Why join?
Barbara Honig, President of the Culver City committee and very longtime member, addressed the question of the best reason to become associated with Sister City members.
“”The best reason,” she says, “is that Sister City represents citizen diplomacy aiming toward a world of peace and friendship.
“If that is what you believe in, you need to be part of our Sister City Committee. We encourage that kind of respect for one another through exchanges. For the last few years, our focus has been on student exchanges.”
Except for natural maturing and expansion, has Sister City changed organically since the early 1960s?
“Our Sister City Committee was started by the City Council, and we remain very close to them, going to them for approval of the things that we do.
“The organic change is that we are much more community-based now than we were in the beginning. Fifty years ago, the city government really ran the organization. Now it’s people who are running Sister City, with the support of the city. That is not just true here, but elsewhere in the United States, and internationally, too.”
Among guests at Saturday morning’s plaque dedication:
- Culver City Mayor Andy Weissman and the City Council.
- His Worship, Mayor Rajko Dodic, Lethbridge, Canada.
- Nadia Scipio del Campo, Consul for Foreign Policy and Diplomacy from the Canadian Consul General’s Office.
- Rocio Ortiz Corza – Director of International Affairs Office, Uruapan, Mexico.
- Alfredo (Freddy) Ramirez Lopez – Head of Liaison and Agreements, Uruapan.
- Maria Teresa Garcia Tinoco – Director of Media, Uruapan.
- María de los Angeles Galindo Ayala – Regidora de Asuntos Migratorios Y Transparencia.
- Harold Perverseff , President, Lethbridge Twinning Society.
- Michael Bennett, Director for Culver City, Lethbridge Twinning Society.
- Terri DeMerchant, Lethbridge Twinning Society.
- Dick Reimer, Lethbridge Twinning Society.
- Sister City International Delegates
- Culver City Sister City Committee Delegates
See culvercitysistercitycommittee.org
A summary of Saturday afternoon’s schedule, 1 to 3 o’clock, for Sister City’s Around the World program at the Vets Auditorium.
“Pick up your Passport at the Information Table and take them to each of our rooms, get them stamped and return them back to the Information Table for a chance to win prizes. Winner does not need to be present.
“Each room – Iksan Room, Lethbridge (Garden) Room, Kaizuka Room and Uruapan Room – will have displays from their respective countries, food taste offerings, crafts and cultural programming including storytime/crafts by members of the Culver City Friends of the Library.
“Lethbridge, Canada – The Legend of the Loon, by Kathy-jo Wargin, and The Loon's Necklace, retold by William Toye. The craft will be a loon collage.
“Uruapan, Mexico – Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin, by Duncan Tonatiuh. The craft will be paper plate maracas.
“Kaizuka, Japan – Peach Boy and other tales. The craft will be origami.
“Iksan, Korea – New Clothes for New Year's Day, by Hyun-Joo Bae. The craft will be a paper fan.
“Live Entertainment throughout the afternoon in the Rotunda Room, including students from many of our elementary schools will begin with Taiko Drummers from El Marino Language School opening up the afternoon at 1 o’clock in front of the Veterans Building. Enjoy the music of Canada performed by Ronnie Jayne and dances from Mexico performed by Grupo FolkloricoTzintzuni.
“Silent Auction in the Rotunda Room including specific country-themed baskets with items from Culver City and each of our sister cities as well as specialty items – SONY Tablet, a one-night stay at the Culver Hotel in a Junior Suite, parking and breakfast included, and more. Auction will continue at the evening’s dinner (at the Courtyard by Marriott). Those only attending the afternoon program will be able to indicate a maximum bid that will be offered by proxy. Winner need not be present.
“Welcome. Bienvenidos. Youkoso. Hwangyong-hamnida. Welcome.”
