WHERE: Hawthorne Lucky Lab (915 SE Hawthorne Blvd)

NIJIKAI: 10:00  pm – ?? at Hollywood Bowl (4030 NE Halsey St)

We’ve been having record numbers these days, so come on down and make some new friends–in Japanese. Whether you are pera pera or your Nihongo knowledge is sukoshi dake, all are welcome.

Get more details here.

Related posts:

1. J-Kaiwa September 2009
2. J-Kaiwa May 2010
3. J-Kaiwa July 2010

Festival, food, karaoke… sanjikai anyone?

Hey returning JETs! JETAA Portland would like to welcome you back Japan-style–with a festival, dinner, and a karaoke nijikai!

Come party with us at Festival Japan 2010, held at the Uwajimaya Japanese grocery store in Beaverton. There will be lots of performances, demonstrations and festival food, and you can also stock up on natto and umeboshi. We won’t ask any questions.

We’ll head to dinner (RSVP req’d) and then karaoke, both of which are sponsored by JETAA Portland. You’ll get to know a whole bunch of JETs from recent years and ones who have been in Portland for a while. It’s a great networking opportunity, and a fun intro to JETAA Portland.

What if you don’t want to be “involved”? That’s fine! JETAA Portland has a handful of officers and committee chairs who take care of the logistics, and a few hundred members who come to whatever social events they like through the year. Whether you think you want to run the show next year, or you just want an invite to the Bonnenkai, you’re welcome!

JETAA New Alumni Welcome Party (RSVP only required for dinner)
When: Saturday, September 25th. Join us at any point in the function that works for you:

Festival Japan
Meet at 4 p.m. at Uwajimaya Plaza, 10500 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. Look for us and the JETAA sign in the beer garden area. More info on the festival at the bottom of the email.

Dinner 5:30 p.m.
Koreana Restaurant (9955 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, #140, Beaverton, OR)
Cost: $10 recent returnees, first-time JETAA participants; and all other members. We’ll also put up for the first round of drinks, but bring some extra cash if you’d like to drink more.
(Please RSVP for dinner by September 24th)

Nijikai downstairs at Family Karaoke Studio (9955 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy Ste. #135, Beaverton, OR)
Cost: Free!

Who: New alums, old alums, and in-between alums.

Why: Because we all know how much of a “shock” it can be to come back to the US after a year or years abroad in Japan and this is a great chance to have fun with old and new friends Nihon-style.

We look forward to meeting you there!

Related posts:

1. New Alumni Welcome Party at Festival Japan
2. Japan Festival, Wilsonville
3. Obon Festival & JETAA Nijikai

Many of you have perhaps heard that the JET Program has recently come under scrutiny and the future of the program is being evaluated by the government as to whether or not to continue funding. Read media coverage here.

At the National Conference, it was decided that all JETAA chapters throughout the World would create videos showing each chapter performing rajio taiso in an effort to show the JET Program & Alumni reach of Japanese culture. Therefore, our chapter is going to create a video at the Portland Japanese Garden next Wednesday, September 8th @ 10am. We hope you can join us, because we currently have a few people committed, but it would look much better to have a strong showing.

We will have ”jozu no hitos” leading us so don’t worry if you’ve forgotten or never learned it; we just need as many participants as we can. If you can break away from your busy schedule, please do your best to help us support the JET Program.

Please contact President Kim Miyake for questions or more information. Also, please contact us and let us know any ideas you may have to present JETAA as a program worthy of continued funding.

Related posts:

1. Volunteer Event at Portland Japanese Gardens
2. Japanese Consulate of Portland Volunteer Opportunites
3. Obon at the Portland Japanese Garden – Volunteers Needed

Where: Mio Sushi in Sellwood (corner of SE Tacoma & SE 17th Ave, Portland)

Happy hour is from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.  We will be there until after 7:30pm.  Come join us anytime.

Contact VP to RSVP

Related posts:

1. Tabemashou! August 2010
2. Tabemashou! September 2009
3. Tabemashou! November 2009

You can check availability of the Book Club titles by visiting the following websites:

• Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com
• Powell’s Books: http://www.powells.com/
• Multnomah County Library: http://www.multcolib.org/
• Clackamas County Library: http://www.co.clackamas.or.us/lib/
• Washington County Library: http://www.wccls.org/

Visit the Book Club page for more details.

Related posts:

1. Book Club September 2009
2. Book Club June 2010
3. Book Club July 2010

JETAA’s 6th Annual golf outing at McMenamins Edgefield is coming soon! It has always been a lot of fun for everyone, even those who don’t usually golf. Again this year JETAA members and friends will compete for the coveted SUGOI“green jacket” (see story below). The date is set for Sunday, August 22nd at 10:30am. This is a joint event with J-Kaiwa and everyone is welcome, so RSVP early since we have only 20 spots. Even if golf is not your game, everyone is meeting for lunch afterwards so join us for the fun at McMenamins Edefield!

Join us August 22nd.  RSVP to  sports@jetaaportland.com

JETAA Portland’s Annual Masters Golf Tournament
When: Sunday, August 22nd at 10:30am
Where: At McMenamins Edgefield’s Pub Course in Troutdale (www.mcmenamins.com)
Cost: $5  for 12-holes.  JETAA Portland is covering the rest of the fees (lunch afterwards is betsu-bestu).

RSVP to  sports@jetaaportland.com

Bring: Your golf clubs or $4. You really only need a wedge and a putter. If you don’t have clubs, the course can rent them to you for $4 (set of two clubs-wedge and putter). Plan on losing & finding a few golf balls in the tall grass.

What if I am not so good at golf?
The Masters Golf Tournament is a “best ball tournament” played in teams of 4, so this is for golfers of all levels. We need experienced players and rookies! All 4 players tee off, and then you go hit from the best spot. So it is a team concept.  There are several convenient stops along the way where you can get a cider, beer, or other wonderful McMenamins beverage. Even if you hate golf, you can join the “peanut gallery” and have lunch afterwards.

To The Winner…
Everyone will be competing for the coveted “SUGOI Green Jacket” that has mysteriously made its way to Portland. This is now a Masters tradition. Read the history of the SUGOI Green Jacket below.

Join Us for Lunch
After golf, we will all meet for lunch & kampai at the Powerstation Pub at approximately 12:00pm. The official Green Jacket ceremony will take place at 1pm. If you are joining only lunch, and are trying to find us on the expansive Edgefield property, you can call JETAA Sports Chair Britt Sexton at 503.750.9245.

Reserve Your Spot
Spaces are limited to the first 20 people. RSVP to reserve your spot or if you have any questions: sports@jetaaportland.com

Below is the history of how the SUGOI Green Jacket Came to JETAA Portland:

It is with great honor that JETAA Portland chapter has acquired the prestigious traveling green jacket to be bestowed up the winner on our annual JETAA Masters Golf Tournament at McMenemins Edgefield. The following profiles the extensive travels of this garment from inception to it’s current destination at the humidity-controlled chamber in JETAA Portland’s Britt Sexton’s water-heater closet.

In 1962 the Sugiyama United Golf Invitational (S.U.G.O.I.) commissioned the production of “the Green Jacket for the winner of their new annual golf tournament. The adventure begins. The work was performed by the friend of the daughter of the most exclusive tailor shop in Saitama, well-known for their work on the mawashii of Sumo wresters.

The jacket was cut from the finest green-and-white checkered polyester available at the time, and hand-stitched to the size of the likely winners. Inspector #5 closely checked the garment for flaws, but accidentally dropped cigarette ash on the right sleeve, burning into the polyester. The sleeve was replaced, and the garment delivered by Kuro Neko to the SUGOI in time for the tournament.

1962: Mr. Takeo Yamauchi wins the inaugural tournament. Mr. Yamauchi, a retired salaryman and longtime club member, was well-known for his excessive drinking, which often led to him forgetting his own name. This led to embarrassing moments introducing himself as Mr. Uchiyama.

1965: Mr. Akio Takeda wins the jacket, and proudly wears it everyday to his favorite coffee shop. The coffee stain on the left sleeve is from his reign.

1982: The first foreigner wins the Jacket. Walter J. Smokenkleen wins the coveted prize after 13 years as club member.
Smokenkleen, a writer of English for all of the big stationary and t-shirt companies, was widely regarded for his work on such phrases as “We play yacht in the wide nature.” (shopping bags), and “Let there be estimated percentages for everyone!”” (stationary).WJ was also a controversial figure. The appearance of T-Shirts with “Donald Duck can perhaps be described as a parody of a human being” led to rioting on Japanese college campuses and forced the Prime Minister to cancel a state visit.

As Walter accepted the green jacket, he announced his retirement and impending move back to the US. When asked for the reason of the sudden announcement, he responded, “For beautiful human life.”
Due to the extremely-high land prices, the Sugiyama golf club announces it is selling out to a larger developer, ending the annual tournament. Walter would get to keep the jacket.

2004: Clarence Smokenkleen, grandson of the master, now living in Troutdale, OR donates the jacket to JETAA for a tax-nondeductible donation of $2.49.

2005: 10 groups competed furiously for the championship, finally won by John Thomas, Britt Sexton, & Mark Jones.

2006: Tournament took hiatus due to course scheduling issues.

2007: Tournament Won by the team of Stephanie Coombs, Mark Wadniziak and Jarod Bishop.

2008: Tournament won by the team of Britt Sexton and his ringer teammates (hand-selected from around the world) to reclaim the coveted SUGOI Green Jacket. The SUGOI Green Jacket has now come full circle and rests comfortably back in its cozy spot in Britt Sexton’s water-heater closet.

Who will win it this year? Join us August 22nd.  RSVP to  sports@jetaaportland.com

Related posts:

1. JETAA Masters Golf 2009
2. Shokoukai Softball Tournament
3. Iron Chef 2010

Wednesday, August 11, 7:30-9:30pm

O-Bon is the name of the Buddhist memorial festival that dates back more than a thousand years. Over a three-day period in mid-August in Japan, families gather to pray for the spirits of their ancestors. The Garden celebrates this festival with obon dancing and later Reverend Kodachi chants prayers on the Moon Bridge, as members light the tōrō nagashi lanterns and think of their loved ones as they watch the lanterns drift across the Upper Pond.

This is a members only event at night; a rare opportunity to see the gardens at night, with candlelight.

Related posts:

1. Sip Sake and Watch the Autumn Moon Rise over Portland
2. Portland Japanese Garden Special Event for JETAA Members
3. PSSCA Volunteers Needed

Where: Kale (1628 SW Jefferson, Portland)

Contact VP to RSVP

Related posts:

1. Tabemashou! August 2010
2. Tabemashou September 2010
3. Tabemashou! May 2010

Note date change!

Date:  Wednesday, July 21
Location:  Jade Teahouse & Patisserie (7912 SE 13th, Portland, OR 97203)
Time:  1:00pm
Title:  Tokyo Vice

You can check availability of the Book Club titles by visiting the following websites:

• Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com
• Powell’s Books: http://www.powells.com/
• Multnomah County Library: http://www.multcolib.org/
• Clackamas County Library: http://www.co.clackamas.or.us/lib/

Visit the Book Club page for more details.

Related posts:

1. Book Club June 2010
2. Book Club September 2010
3. Book Club August 2010

Where: Stephanie and Scott Smith’s house

RSVP: Stephanie (location sent at time of RSVP)

Please bring a side dish, dessert or snack.  JETAA will provide the main dishes for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

Parents, family and friends of JETs are welcome.

Below is a recap of last year:

When:  Saturday, July 18th, 12pm-8pm (yep, it lasted that long)
Where:  Colonel Summers Park (near SE 17th Ave. & Taylor St.)

July 18th was a hot and sunny summer day, perfect for a Sayonara Barbecue in the shade at Colonel Summers Park in southeast Portland.  Over twenty new JETs, family members, and JET alumni spent time eating, chatting, and playing games.

“It was wonderful to spend time with the new JETs and their families, and see how excited and prepared they are for heading off to Japan,” said JETAA social chair Darren Heiber.

Without a doubt, “prepared” has been repeated often when describing the 2009 JETs from Portland.  “Through this whole process, I’ve really been surprised how many new JETs have been to Japan before or have studied Japanese.  Every time I try to tell them something, it seems like someone says, ‘Yes, I know,’” said Matt Turner of the Consulate-General of Portland.

Prepared or not, the more information JET participants get about their placements, the more questions they inevitably have.  Much of the conversation Saturday centered on comparing placement details and asking about cars, clothes, and schools.  The particulars of owning full-sized as opposed to mini cars can be confusing, and some of the new JETs appreciated hearing alums’ experiences with them.

Even when the new participants are prepared, sometimes their parents are still anxious about their leaving the country; creating a forum where any concerned or interested parents can get more information is one of the biggest aims of the sayonara barbecue.  This year, though, the parents that came were just as ready as their kids.

“I’m very excited about it,” said Devra Augusson, mother of Revan.  The Augussons have been connected to Japan in many ways for generations and Revan has always identified with it in some way, she said.  “When he was a junior in college he was finally able to take Japanese.  Going to Japan has been his only plan for more than a year.”

Participant Cassie Lealamanua’s mother Norene echoed similar thoughts.  With various links to Japan, from Norene’s hospitality-based Japanese language classes in the 1980s to Cassie’s ambassador trip and study abroad in Japan, their family feels a sort of relationship to Japan.  “I have no qualms at all,” Norene said of Cassie’s JET trip.  “And anyway, it’s not like 20 years ago,” referring to Skype and other communication technology commonly used today.

Although Japan novices seem to be in the minority this year, they actually make up about half of the departing JETs.  Kelsey Hermann had just been upgraded from alternate status the week before the barbecue, which meant that she was not able to attend JETAA’s predeparture orientation in June and had lots of things to ask at the barbecue.  “While the free food was a great incentive, the approachable alumni were what I needed to settle most of my unresolved questions about Japan and the JET,” she said.

“I really enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and this allowed me to meet people who have experienced and will experience a similar path for at least a year.  Getting to know a group of people who have chosen the same path was empowering and inspiring.”

The JETAA crew is glad to provide a forum that people find useful, but then it’s hard to go wrong with a summer barbecue.  And if we don’t see you new JETs before you leave … Sayonara!

Related posts:

1. Sayonara BBQ 2009 (write-up)
2. New Alumni Welcome Party at Festival Japan
3. 2009 Calendar of Events