President’s Address for Newsletter, March 2016

It has been a whirlwind of Norfolk Sister City Association (NSCA) events since January 2016, the

month I began as President. Although I am still catching my breath, I am excited about the

transformations of NSCA as we move toward an increasingly more visible and active organization.

This is also a special year for the Norfolk Sister City Association as we celebrate our 40th

anniversary. Founded in 1976, NSCA has worked to advance understanding, friendship, and

cooperation about the people of Norfolk and its international sister cities that include Cagayan de

Oro, Halifax, Kaliningrad, Kitakyushu, Kochi, Ningbo, Norfolk County, Tema, Toulon, and

Wilhelmshaven.

For the past 40 years, NSCA has built a foundation of global friendship and trust, providing

Norfolk and the Greater Hampton Roads opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity, educate our

youth about global citizenship through its Young Global Citizen program, and facilitate economic

and humanitarian opportunities between Norfolk and its ten sister cities around the world.

I hope that each of you will take the time to participate in our third annual PassPORT to Norfolk’s

Sister City Association celebration on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the Sheraton Hotel from 6:00 –

8:00 p.m. During that celebration, we invite you to explore Norfolk’s global sisters through

internationally inspired cuisine by celebrity chefs and entertainment from right here in Hampton

Roads.

In October 2, 2016, we will host our Annual International Luncheon, moving it from the early part

of each year to the fall. We are excited about this year’s luncheon and hope that you will make

plans to attend.

In addition to these two upcoming events, we will continue our other activities, including our

successful Experience of Ghana that was held on March 12, the April 10 Young Artists and Young

Authors (YAYA) reception at the Chrysler Museum, the May arrival of a teacher delegation from

Cagayan d’Oro, and Soiree en Blanc on August 11. These are just a few events that you can expect

to hear about in the months to come.

I would also like to welcome our new Executive Director, Jennifer Priest. While she has been

working with us since July, she formally began in January and has worked diligently to ensure that

we continue to expand our programming and outreach and become an indispensable part of the

Greater Norfolk community. Jennifer is a past Board member and has been involved with Norfolk

Sister City Association since 2002.

Thank you for your support, and I look forward to seeing each of you at our upcoming programs.

Cassandra Newby-Alexander

Annual International Luncheon & Auction, January 10, 2016

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon 109 Norfolk Sister City Association members and friends

gathered at Norfolk Yacht and Country Club to celebrate 40 years of "advancing understanding,

friendship and cooperation among the people of Norfolk, Virginia and its international sister

cities.”

This year's keynote address was delivered by The Honorable Tommy Smigiel. Tommy spoke to

the audience from his perspective as a professional educator. He stressed the importance of

providing students the ability to think globally. As the first principal of the Academy for

Discovery at Lakewood, the goal is for this new school to become a feeder for the IB program at

Granby High School.

Granby High School Jr. Omar Lankford Bishop shared memories and experiences from his 2015

Toulon, France exchange

This year’s Citizen Diplomacy Award was presented to Bob Batcher, Director of

Communications, City of Norfolk.

Our Global Diplomacy Award went to Acoustical Sheetmetal, Inc. Dieter Steinhoff, Owner and

Petra Snowden, Ph.D. accepted on behalf of the company.

Gloria Hagans, Chair of the Education Committee accepted the NSCA Program of the Year for

the accomplishments of our Young Global Citizens Program.

This year’s silent auction, whose proceeds benefit our youth programs, reached an all-time high

by grossing $4,115. We extend a heartfelt thanks to our Silent Auction Patrons. Please take a

moment to review this list and keep them in mind for your future shopping and dining needs.

Baker’s Crust Norfolk Admirals

Bed Bath & Beyond Norfolk Fair trade

Cash & Weisberg Norfolk Tides

Changes Omar’s Carriage House

Chrysler Museum of Art Onelife Fitness, Ghent

Cinema Café Prince Books

Commodore Theatre Public House

Decorum Roger Brown’s Restaurant & Sports Bar

Details on Granby Serenity Spa

Doubletree Hilton Sarah Peoples-Perry

Elite European Day Spa Sheraton Waterside

Foto by Eva Smartmouth Brewing

Freemason Abbey Restaurant Southern Morsels

Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast Spertner Jewelers

Gloria Hagans Subway Wards Corner

Hi Ho Silver Texas de Brazil

Hurrah Players The Mariner’s Museum

Kate Marley Town Point Club

Jungle Golf TR Dance

Lili’s in Ghent Virginia Arts Festival

Little Theatre of Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Ctr

Mary Barnett Gifts Virginia Air & Space Center

Moe’s Southwest Grill Visit Norfolk

NARO Expanded Cinema Wintergreen Resort

Nawab YNot Pizza

Noodles & Company

We thank this year’s table sponsors:

Last of all, we must say thank you to our January 2016 Annual International Luncheon

Committee! Gloria Hagans, Committee Chair; Charlene Christopher; Linda McCluney; Brenda

Andrews; Sarah Peoples-Perry and Marshall McCorkle

Community Corner

We are thrilled to announce the following benefit for all NSCA current members! By using the

password FESTIVAL you will receive a 15% discount on tickets.

http://vafest.org/ - log on now to get your tickets. This is their best season ever. Tickets are

selling quickly so don’t wait!

This is a must see show! Norfolk Sister City Association is proud to be billed as a Community

Partner. Please look for logo as you tour this fabulous exhibit! http://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/

For those of you interested in classical Indian Culture, please consider joining

Sangeet Sargam

(Indian Cultural Arts Society of Hampton Roads)

Promoting Indian Classical Music Since 1995

Visit our web site: sangeetsargam.org

Please Mark Your Calendar for 2016:

Saturday Apr 2 - Light Music - Movie Music

Saturday Apr 16 - Social 2016 Meeting, Local Talent Program & Dinner

Saturday May 7 - Semi-classical and Bhajan (Tentative)

Saturday May 21 - Violin - Carnatic Music Concert

Aug - Semi-Classical - Thumri, Bhajan (Tentative)

Oct - Classical Vocal Music (Tentative)

Nov - Ghazal

MEMBERSHIP 2016 (Jan - Dec)

Join SANGEET SARGAM & support CLASSICAL & LIGHT CLASSICAL MUSIC &

DANCE CONCERTS from INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

2016 Sangeet Sargam Membership:

$140 - Family Two Passes for All Concerts

$85 - Single One Pass for All Concerts

Free - Students

Please send Membership check payable to

Sangeet Sargam to:

Bidhu Mohanty Ph.D.

President, Sangeet Sargam

3117 Barberry La

Virginia Beach, VA 23453

(757) 633-9074 (c) / (757) 427-0196 (h) / (757) 823-8005 (w)

Norfolk Sister City Association will host a booth at this year's Norfolk NATOFest at Town Point

Park on Saturday, April 23, 11:30 am - 3:30 pm. If you are interested in volunteering at our

booth, please call the office, 757-627-0530

Experience of Ghana, March 12, 2016

The Tema Sister City Committee, under the leadership of Charlene Christopher planned and

executed a successful event at the Murray Center. The catering staff of Taste n'See prepared a meal

of traditional cuisine from Ghana. Atumpan provided the entertainment and Dr. Camellia Okpodu

presented a fashion show.

Atumpan displaying traditional drumming

Members of the Tema Committee

Thursday, April 7, 6-8pm at the Sheraton Waterside – don’t wait – buy your tickets now!

http://www.norfolksistercities.org/events/3rd-annual-passport-to-norfolks-sister-cities/

Please join the Norfolk Sister City Association at a

reception for the local youth who have submitted

Artwork

for the

Young Artists Young Authors Showcase.

Sunday, April 10th 2:00 pm -4:00pm at

Chrysler Museum of Art

Awards will be presented for those entries advancing

to Sister Cities International competition.

Event is free and open to the public.

Please register norfolksistercities.org

Showcase entries will displayed March 30th –April 23th

For more information, please contact Norfolk Sister Cities: 757.627.0530 or

staff@norfolksistercities.org

The Cagayan de Oro Sister City Committee welcomes a delegation of ten teachers who will

be in town from May 13-28, 2016. If you are interested in hosting please call the office.

Welcome to our new and returning members!

Acoustical Sheet Metal, Inc. Ardell McCoy

Steen Baerentz Cheryl McGarrigle

Elizabeth Bani John McKendree

Jennifer Carson Dr. Juan Montero

Michael Coleman, CV International Petula Moy

Bauer Compressors, Inc. Don Naden

Guia Caliwagon Grace Parkinson, Virginia Children’s Chorus

Breck Daughtrey Brian Payne

Lawrence & Nora Dorsey Charles Robison

Brenda Duda Dr. Kipp Rogers, Norfolk Public Schools

Marie Fowlie Gerry Roth & Clark Maltby

Eric Guran Petra Snowden

Greta Gustavsin & Gary Naigle Barbara Spigel

Dr. Gloria Hagans Dr Ed & Janis Weisberg

Connie Johnson Peter Williams

Dr. Ed & Linda Lilly Joyce Wood

Lamont Maddox Xiushi Young

Marshall McCorkle