GFLSCI NEWS
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International Monthly Newsletter
For more info visit our website at www.gflsci.org
April 2008 Edition
Top Stories
GFLSCI 2008 Newsletter
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International is now sending out a monthly e-newsletter for 2008. Included will be information and news of upcoming events, review of past events, country chair's updates, news about our programs including education, economic development, agriculture and so much more. If you would like someone to be added to our e-newsletter mailing list please forward them to info@gflsci.org with full contact information. Also visit our website to learn more about our organization.
GFLSCI hosts special board meeting at River House Restaurant
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International hosted a very special board meeting at the River House Restaurant in downtown Fort Lauderdale. This event consisted of not only a regular board meeting but also a reception with a chance to meet new members of our board. King Claude-Philippe of the Royal House of Tanna was also a guest at our reception and him and his accompanied guest Princess Sylvaine of Isangel were graciously accepted amongst all. Special thanks to the River House Restaurant for providing a lovely venue to accomodate such an event.
GFLSCI hosts Sponsor Appreciation Party
In response to the 2007 Annual Sister Cities Conference, Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International hosted the Sponsor Appreciation Party on March 19, 2008 at the newly renovated America's Backyard to thank the sponsors of last year's conference. Special thanks to Betsy Cameron and Michelle Marchetti of America's Backyard in assisting us in hosting this event. Many of last year's conference sponsors were recognized such as Citrix Systems Inc., Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Fort Lauderdale, Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Broward Center for the Performing Arts and many more
GFLSCI Visits Washington DC
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International's Country Chair for Mar del Plata, Argentina and Florida State Coordinator Cris Boehler attended the SCI National Annual Leadership Meeting in Washington, DC which was held from March 27-March 30, 2008. She was there representing Florida.
Australia Business Mission "Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show"
Contributed by GFLSCI Gold Coast, Australia chair Nabeel Youakim
The City of Fort Lauderdale along with Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International is leading a "Marine Industry & Cultural Mission" to Gold Coast, Australia. The mission will consist of a delegation of Florida Marine businesses and governmental leaders on a 4-day mission to Gold Coast, Australia. The objective of this mission is to strengthen the commercial relations between South Florida and the largest marine economy in Australia. Fort Lauderdale’s and other Florida business will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with Australian corporations in Sanctuary Cove.
Now is the ideal time to export US marine products into Australia. The Australian dollar has strengthen giving US businesses investing in Australia a big advantage. Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is located in the center of the largest leisure and light commercial boating industry in the southern hemisphere. Added to this, the developing super yacht industry and Sanctuary Cove Boat provides the ideal location for exhibitors to showcase their products and services and for potential exhibitors to assess the market potential and competition. In 2007 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show attracted a record 456 exhibitors from a variety of industry segments including sailing yachts, powerboats, boating equipment, services and marine technology.
Each year the Boat Show continues to attract international dealers, visitors and industry led delegations. In 2007 international attendance increased by 360% with visitors from various countries including Europe, North America, the Pacific, Asia and Africa.
Strong exhibitor presence coupled with more than 53,600 visitors led to record sales at the 2007 Show and more than A$260 million of exhibitor sales was achieved with approximately 30% of this being gained by international firms.
For more information please visit http://www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au
GFLSCI Events.
Global Groove: Green Around the Globe
April 5, 2008
Would you like to experience a culturally rich, fun day of activity? The Florida Turkish American Association along with the City of Hollywood is hosting the Global Groove: Green Around the Globe event on April 5, 2008 at Arts Park at Young Circle on Hollywood Blvd. and US 1 from 4PM-10PM. This free event will display some folk Turkish dancing, a Turkish classical music chorus, and Turkish food provided by A La Turca Restaurant. Also, stop by the FTAA booth to see a mini sample of a Mugla house!
Cinema Paradiso hosts Brazilian Film Festival
April 12, 2008
Come join Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International for a special event at the Cinema Paradiso. The "Fome de Filme"-A Retrospective of Brazilian Cinema festival features iconic and historic films from the culturally rich country of Brazil. The Cinema Paradiso is located on 503 SE 6 Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, one block east of Broward County Courthouse on south bank of New River. The reception will begin at 7:30 PM followed by a film at 9:00 PM on April 12, 2008. We will be hosting a raffle to aid the GFLSCI Scholarship Fund. GFLSCI's event will include a night reception with drinks and appetizers available on the new Cinema Paradiso outdoor deck area.
Doing Business with Ghana
April 16, 2008
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International, Broward County’s Office of Economic Development, the City of Fort Lauderdale, The Broward Alliance and Enterprise Florida are pleased to present an informational seminar on Doing Business in Ghana and West Africa on Wednesday, April 16 from 9:30am to 12:30pm. The event will be held at the African American Research Library located at 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311.
The seminar will focus on the current economic opportunities and trends in Ghana and other West African countries such as Nigeria. You will hear from economic experts who are working on increasing economic ties between Florida and Ghana as well as South Florida companies who are currently doing business in Ghana. Seminar attendees will participate in question and answer sessions with government and business leaders who have experienced first hand all that Ghana and West Africa have to offer. Seminar admission is $20 and includes breakfast. For more information on the event and to RSVP please visit Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International website at www.gflsci.org or call 954-357-6109
Board Retreat
April 19, 2008
To all GFLSCI board members: There will be a board retreat on April 19, 2008 at 9:00 AM. Further information will follow soon.
GFLSCI Meet the Board/Membership Drive
April 28, 2008
GFLSCI on behalf of our Treasurer Steven Naimoli and Community Partnerships chair Kim Naimoli is hosting a "Meet the Board/Membership Drive" event at Cafe PISA April 28, 2008 on 1 West Broward Blvd.Fort Lauderdale, FL. Come join us and invite everyone to meet our board and learn more about our organization. This event is open to all who is interested in attending. $20 for members. Includes 1 free drink and appetizers.Hope to see you there!
Jewish Federation of Broward County celebrates Israel60
May 4, 2008
The Jewish Federation of Broward County is celebrating the 60th anniversary of modern day Israel by hosting a fun filled festival on May 4 from 11 AM to 6PM at the University Center at Nova Southeastern University. This free admission festival will include:
• Main stage entertainment throughout the day
• Musical group Habanot Nechama direct from Israel
• Israeli dancers and singers
• Israeli-style marketplace with over100 vendors
• Israeli art and artists
• Israeli food booths-all Kosher
• Children’s Pavilion including an archaeological
dig, rides, petting zoo, and so much more!
For more information visit www.JewishBroward.org/Israel60
Dreaming of Beijing International Business Reception
May 9, 2008
The International Swimming Hall of Fame, in partnership with VisionBROWARD, Broward County's Office of Economic Development and InvestUSA, is pleased to present the Dreaming of Beijing International Business Reception on May 9, 2008 from 5:30pm - 9:00pm. The reception will be a unique opportunity to meet international aquatic leaders and Olympic athletes from over 25 countries as well as high level international and local government and business leaders in South Florida.
Attendees will be witness to a diving competition of Olympic champions participating in the 2008 FINA/USA Diving Grand Prix. The audience will also be entertained by professional clown divers performing incredible and hilarious feats. The reception will be held at the International Swimming Hall of Fame located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 and will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Admission price is $40 for International Swimming Hall of Fame Members and $65 for non-members which will include a one year membership to the International Swimming Hall of Fame as well as a copy of the new book Swimmer: Courage and Triumph by Larry Thompson. Please visit www.sfideasexchange.com to RSVP.
GFLSCI Diplomat's Gala
September 26, 2008
We are now starting plans for the 2008 GFLSCI Diplomat's Gala on September 27, 2008. If anyone would like to volunteer to help make this event a success please contact us at info@gflsci.org. Thank you!
GFLSCI Country Chairs News
Fort Lauderdale - Cap Haitien Sister Cities Program
Committee Report for February – March, 2008
Contributed by Dr. Lissa Jean-Pierre, Cap Haitien, Haiti Chairperson
The Haiti committee takes a further step towards environmental restoration.
While we know that there is no silver bullet, we have embarked on an alternative fuel project which will combat destructive deforestation by providing a substitute to traditional charcoal used for cooking.
Anthracite from Venezuela
Anthracite is a hard, brittle, and black lustrous coal, often referred to as hard coal. With the generous assistance our sister city Margarita Island, Venezuela and its chair person Auguste Pujols, we have initiated the first step of this program. Mined Anthracite, available in great quantity in Venezuela, will be donated to our project in Haiti.
Our program, a village based education initiative, was started by Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities Haiti Chair Lissa Jean-Pierre, Humanitarian Chair Tony Marcelli and Environmental Danny Warren with the assistance of the entire Haiti committee. It is designed to take the pressure off a challenged eco system. Indeed, 80% of all energy consumed in Haiti is charcoal made from trees in the local environment.
Acul du Nord, a village 5 miles from our Sister City Cap Haitien, has been chosen to be the site of this pilot project since this is one of the areas where the Non Profit Foundation One Village Planet (Danny Warren) and our Cap Haitien committee members have been very active.
We will provide Anthracite to the local residents at a cost which is much lower than the cost of wood charcoal currently available in this area. The low price will discourage reselling and avoid speculation as much as possible. Our Haiti committee will monitor the distribution and consumption of the anthracite.
This project is designed to be the first step in a long journey.
Our goal is to give the watershed a much needed rest. We are well aware that this is a problem that needs a generational solution, just as it took a generation in the neighboring country of the Dominican Republic to change the population’s use of charcoal to propane.
Environmental education will be a major part in this project. By providing a substitute form of energy we plan to provide relief to the overstressed ecosystem in that area.
We thank all the board members for their support and encouragement.
Fort Lauderdale- GFLSCI Ghana Program
Contributed by Dan Warren , Environment chair.
Update of Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities initiated environmental activities in our sister city of Agogo Ghana. Last year we initiated a tree nursery and fish pond. We produced one million four hundred thousand seedlings that were planted or distributed in the Agogo region. We also constructed the first aquaculture site in the region. This fish pond was excavated by human labor, primarily women. The income generated by this project paid school fees helped and support over sixty families in Agogo.
Our environmental goals on this trip were to increase tree production, construct an additional fish pond and begin the process of water management in and around the project sites. As of this date the following work has been done.
1. Sixty six local residents were employeed during the construction of the projects second fish pond. Over one thousand five hundred cubic meters of earth were moved by hand . The majority of the workers were the same women that excavated the first pond last year. Income earned again paid school fees and helped support families in Agogo. Aquaculture experts from the National University visited the site and estimated that this fish pond should generate over one metric ton of tilapia every six months.
2. The tree nursery has been relocated and expanded. Additional seed beds were constructed. Germination beds were planted. We expect to produce two million seedlings this year.
3. Water Control Project
This year we have begun the first step in water management. This region has a dry and a wet season. During the wet season there is a excess of water , during the dry season the river dries causing crops and people to suffer. We consulted water management experts from the university to locate an appropriate site to begin this project. This year we have constructed the first concrete dam in the area. Our goal is to retain more water in the river bed near our projects. Many catchments of this type are needed in the area.
It is our goal that this project will grow into a sustainable, expandable and replicable model for many others to follow.
Thanks go to Nana Akuko Sarpong ,Chief of Agogo , The Citrix Corp, Jo Moskowitz, One Village Planet, Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities Ghana Committee, Arlon Kennedy Chair and Gino Jaimison co chair, and all the supporters of this effort.
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