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KIRA Update...what has KIRA been up to lately?

"To Taiwan and Back"From March 1st - March 4th, 14

members of KIRA visited Taiwan on the "Taiwan Tour: Experience the Food & Culture, History, and Nature." The tour was initiated and planned by Julie Liu (coordinator for int'l relations), who is originally from Tainan, Taiwan. Since the main purpose of the trip was for the coordinator to introduce her country and birthplace, the itinerary centered around Tainan city. Tainan is a place rich in history and local culture and was in fact the former capital of Taiwan. In addition to visiting several famous historial sites, the group also visited Tainan City Hall and the oldest high school in Taiwan, Chung Jung H.S. Another highlight of the trip was watching the sunrise from the top of Alishan Mountain, comparable to Mount Fuji of Japan. Towards the end of the trip, the group was even able to spend a little time in Julie's own home! It was a wonderful trip filled with lots of laughter and great memories. Many participants commented on the uniqueness of the trip because many of the experiences would not have been possible on a normal tour arranged by a travel agency. For those of you who enjoy traveling abroad, Taiwan is the place to go!

"Ransel (school backpacks) Donation"Kurary, a company that makes ransels (backpacks used

by all Japanese children) sponsors a donation campaign through which used ransels are sent to Afghanistan and Mongolia so that the under-privileged children can attend school with something to hold their books in. The ransel donation campaign is held yearly and even though this is the first year that KIRA has participated, it received a grand total of 130 ransels from citizens throughout the city. In addition, people also donated a large amount of unused stationary (pencils, crayons, erasers, and etc.) Thank you to everyone who donated and helped out with this campaign!

Everybody at Julie's home in TainanHeads Up! Events For the Coming Months

APRIL4/2 KIRA office moves to Planning and Finance Division, Planning and Adjustment Section.

MAY5/12 Creative English Series: Learn English through Disney Movies! At Furusato Theater, from 10:30am~12pm.5/13 KIRA Annual Assmebly Meeting & speeches by students of KIRA'S weekdly Japanese class5/19 Creative English Series: Learn English through Sports! At Amatsu E.S., from 10:30~12:00.

JUNE6/2 Preparation for Sea Festa. Volunteers are needed to help cut vegetables and meat! Please contact KIRA at 7093-5931 if you can help.6/3 SEA FESTA 2007! KIRA will be selling Taiwanese spring rolls again this year. Come by and help out if you can!6/10 Creative English Series: Learn English through Music! At Chuo Community Ctr. from 10:30~12:00.

JULY7/23~7/31 Manitowoc Students in Kamogawa on the Student Exchange Program. We are looking for host families so please call KIRA if you are interested!

6/17 Creative English Series: Learn English through Cooking! At Chuo Community Ctr. from 10:30~12:00.~~~~~~~~~~~

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What's Happening This Month...

The Kamogawa Communicator is published by the Kamogawa International Relations Association. Copies of the paper are available free of charge at Kamogawa City Hall, Amatsu Branch Office, JR Awa-Kamogawa Stn, Kamogawa Post Office, various local hotels, community centers, as well as town halls of Wada, Chikura, Shirahama, and Maruyama. Articles can be read off the Kamogawa City homepage. The editorial staff welcomes feedbacks and submissions.

Edited by: Julie LiuMayoral Public Office DivisionKamogawa City Hall, 3rd floor1450 Yokosuka, Kamogawa, Chiba 296-0001Tel: 04-7093-5931Fax: 04-7093-7851E-mail: shichokoshitsu@city.kamogawa.lg.jphttp://www.city.kamogawa.lg.jp/EN.index.html

** Apr. 1st (Sun)10:30-15:00. Sencha,Macha Tea Ceremony held by the members of the community center tea club. Seinen no Ie.

** Apr. 6th (Fri) 9:30 ~ . Junior High School Entrance Ceremony for all four J.H. in Kamogawa.

14:00~15:00. Cross Country Storytime Van with 550 children's books and storytelling time as well. Cultural Gymnasium.

** Apr. 7th (Sat) 10:00~15:00. Mineoka Sakura Festival. Enjoy hiking, craft-making, games, and more. Former Mizuta House. (note: this is the postponed date)

** Apr. 8th (Sun) 7:00~20:00. Prefectural Council Election Day. Voting can be done at the city hall and all elementary schools in the city.

** Apr. 9th (Mon) Entrance Ceremony for all elementary schools and kindergartens. 10:00. Entrance Ceremony for Bunri Kaisei High School (formerly known as Mirai High School).

** Apr. 11th (Wed) Rabies Shot for Dogs. Dog registration will also be available. Various locations in all wards of the city.

** Apr. 12th (Thu) 9:00~ . Nature Observation of seaside plants with guide from specialists. Shioiri Park.

** Apr. 14th (Sat)9:00~16:00. Tokyo Univ. Labratory Forest Open. For four days (14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd) the forest will be to the public for hiking.

** Apr. 15th (Sun)Kanto University Soccer Tournament. Kokusai Budo vs Keio at 12:00 and Senshu vs Takuchi at 14:10. City Sports Facilities.

** Apr. 21st (Sat) 14:00 ~ . Story Time. Two stories for toddlers and lower elementary children. City Library.

Waseda Students Walking Tour. 50 students from Waseda Univ. will be touring Kamogawa on foot.

* *Apr. 22nd (Sun) 8:00~12:00. Kissase Morning Market. The twice-a-month market to sell fresh local produce, sea foods, rice, flowers, and more. City Hall Parking Lot.

10:00~15:00. Librarian For A Day. 4th-6th graders can experience being a librarian for a day, helping with book returns/check-outs, preparing book coverings, and etc.

13:00 and 17:00. Himawari Kids & Fururu Original Musical "Great Friends." Admission Free. Civic Hall.

** Apr. 28th (Sat) 19:00~21:00. Oyama Fantasy. See 1000 bamboo torches light up Oyama Senmaida. Dance performances and a wedding ceremony also scheduled. The event will be held two nights in a row, 28th and 29th. Oyama Senmaida Terraced Paddies.