Events & Happenings
January
Celebrate a New Year for the Japanese Sister City Commission, the 4th Saturday in
the month of January. The event starts at 2 pm and lasts two hours in the Truman
Memorial Building, Independence. Previous escorts, students, parents of students,
hosts, commission members and adults that went on trips with the commission are
invited to attend; as well as those that are interesting in getting involved in
the up-and-coming year. Commission members bring an array of food to munch on while
photographs from all are set out for all to view. Mike Winburn will present a yearly
slide show to reflect on the past, while the JSCC can brainstorm for the future.
Historically, Higashimurayama and Independence formed sisterhood January 25, 1978.
March
Applications for the Yearly Escort and Students are being accepted through the spring
and selection process takes place in June. This allows the escort and students one
complete year to learn about Japanese culture, obtain funds, and bond as a delegation
for the city. Also at this time we begin to take applications for Host Families
who would like to have a Japanese Ambassador in their home for two weeks at the
end of July and beginning of August. All applications are located on the Exchange Program page.
May
Spring Festival: Cherry Blossom Festival Sermon Center Independence: Share in the
entertainment, exhibits, sales and services offered from the Japanese Sister City
Commission. Purpose of Spring Festival: Used as an educational tool and fund raiser
for the Student Exchange Program, Sunday, May 6, 2012. View the Cherry Blossom page for details.
June & July
The Student Delegation is selected for the following summer, while current Student
Delegation is preparing departure in July of present year. The only year that a
Student Delegation does not form is on the Anniversary Years. The next Anniversary
will be the 35th in 2013. The Japanese Students and their Escort will fly back with
the American Delegation in July.
July & August
Join in on activities with the Students who will have city tours, pot-luck parties,
swimming, boating, baseball game, Worlds of Fun, biking, bowling and many more activities
in order to experience American culture, home-life and Independence Past and Present.
September
Fall Festival:
Japan Festival at The Carlsen Center
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd.
Overland Park, KS
September
Sister School Clubs now forming in Glendale and Pioneer Ridge. Anime clubs also
forming at this time in various schools and Mid-Continent Library on 35th Street.
October
Participate in a Japanese Garden Clean-up Day and learn a little about the art of
Japanese gardening on 3rd Saturday of the month at the Independence City Hall, Japanese
Garden located on Lexington.
Get Involved: Commission Meetings are open to the public
Contact a Japanese Sister City Commission member via phone or email. See the Officers & Members page for contact information.
Meetings are held at City Hall on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM, unless
otherwise noted.