Peace Day Celebration

On Friday July 9, 2010, GSCC members enjoyed a Peace Day celebration at Taylor Park in Newport (please see
our earlier blog post to learn more about the history of this celebration).

The Reverend Daiun Iba (photo above) of Cincinnati Buddhist Vihara led the celebration with a chant and prayer
for peace, after which he taught us about the basics of Buddhism.

In the group photo above are (L to R) Karen and Justin Kluemper and their two sons, Shoko Konuma, Setsuko
LeCroix, Kaz Konuma, Rev. Iba, Mai Kinman, Betsy Sato, Helen Rindsberg and Kazuya Sato. Steve Rindsberg is
hiding on the other side of the camera.

Following the celebration, we reconvened at Aoi Japanese Restaurant at Newport on the Levee for a delicious
dinner and conversation.

Would you like to join us next time? Put the date on your calendar now: July 9, 2011. We'll have details on our
web site, http://www.cincinnati-gifu.org

See you there!

2012 World Choir Games

The 2012 World Choir Games will be held in Cincinnati from July 4 - 14, 2012.
Organizers are expecting 20,000 participants and as many as 200,000 visitors over the course of the event.
Learn more about the Games here: http://www.cincyusa.com/worldchoirgames/
If you'd like to participate by assisting visitors, providing hospitality or transportation, please
get in touch. Visit http://www.cincinnati-gifu.org/ and click the Get Involved link at the left of the page.
To get some idea of the sheer impact of the World Choir Games, you can read a economic study by the
Economics Center at University of Cincinnati:
http://www.economicscenter.org/pressroom/releases/economic-impact-2012-world-choir-games-announced

Cincinnati - Gifu Peace Day, July 9, 2010

The Sister Cities programs in America were founded with the goal of achieving international understanding and
peace through citizen diplomacy.

The city of Gifu, Japan has been a valued Sister City of Cincinnati, Ohio since May 11, 1988.
Cincinnati and Gifu have a rich history of cooperation, exchange, respect and friendship.

We commemorate those who fell in the bombing of Gifu City on July 9, 1945 by reaffirming our commitment to
world peace.

We recognize that peace is a difficult process, but the first step is to work together and build strong relationships.

We offer our Peace Ceremony as a sign of hope in the future and as a sign of our support of the efforts of all
those working towards world peace.

Gifu Sister City Committee, the City of Cincinnati and the City of Gifu welcome everyone in Greater Cincinnati and
surrounding areas to share your support by attending:

The Peace Ceremony will be on Friday, July 9, 4:30 PM

General James Taylor Park
307 Isabella Street
Newport, KY

The park is off 4th Street (Route 8) between Isabella and Central).
There is a shelter with picnic tables. We'll gather there.

Reverend Iba of the Cincinnati Buddhist Vihara will offer a chant for peace.

In case of bad weather, we'll announce alternate plans on our web site by noon on Friday (and by email if you're on
our mailing list).

Afterwards, join us at AOI Japanese Cuisine at Newport On The Levee (walking distance from World Peace Bell).
Enjoy fine food and friendship with us.

If you plan to attend, please let us know many will be joining us for dinner.
Email secretary@cincinnati-gifu.org

Sister Cities loses a friend

We're saddened to report that Mr. Rowe Hoffman, husband of Beth Tu Hoffman, has passed away. The
Hoffmans have been devoted and generous friends of the Sister Cities program for many years.

Our sympathy and condolences go out to Beth.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Cincinnati Zoo's CREW (Center for
Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife) program.

http://www.cincinnatizoo.org/earth/crew.html

Japanese High School Students: Weekend Homestay Hosting Opportunity

Japanese High School Students: Weekend Homestay Hosting Opportunity

As part of the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) at Ohio University, a three-week summer study program
for high school students, participants from Inagakuen High School in Saitama, Japan will be visiting Cincinnati for
a homestay weekend.

The Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council in Cincinnati is arranging homestays and needs your help.

The students are all either 16 or 17 years old, and there are 2 males and 25 females.  If you would like to welcome
1-3 of these students in your home for the weekend of July 30 - August 1, please contact:

Emily Wullenweber
513.621.5222
ewullenweber@cincyworldaffairs.org