Post on 19-Mar-2018
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