GFLSCI NEWS
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International Monthly Newsletter
Renew or become a member of
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International, Your Passport to the World!
For more info, click HERE to visit our website
December 2008 Edition
Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!
Don't Miss the Annual General Meeting - January 12th, 2009
For more information, click here
Top Stories
GFLSCI Celebrates its First Sister City in Asia at the Annual Boat Parade Celebration
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International celebrated the twinning between The City of Fort Lauderdale and its first Asian Sister City, Kaohsiung County in Taiwan at the 2009 Annual Boat Parade Celebration. The event was held on Saturday, December 13th at Nuccia McCormick's Residence in Fort Lauderdale. The festivities included a special ceremony for the Taiwanese Delegation, viewing of the Seminole Hard-Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, dining and dancing under the stars along with lots of great entertainment.
The Traditional Lion Dance brings prosperity and good luck for the year to come.
The Delegation including the Governor of Kaohsiung County, the Honorable Chiu-Hsing Yang, traveled from Taiwan to be part of this celebration. The Governor was honored during a special ceremony and received the Key to the City from the City of Fort Lauderdale as well as a recognition plate from GFLSCI. Also present, was the Consul of Taiwan in Miami, Director General Mr. Miguel Tsao who was also recognized at the event.
From Left: Mr. Shih-Tza "Start" Wu -Chairman/President of King of Fans Inc, The Honorable Chiu-Hsing Yang -Governor of Kaohsiung County in Taiwan, Director General Miguel Tsao, Consul General of Taiwan in Miami and his wife Mrs. Tsao.
Ms. Nuccia McCormick, GFLSCI Chairman Emeritus, recognizing The Honorable Chiu-Hsing Yang, Governor of Kaohsiung County in Taiwan for the new twinning of City of Fort Lauderdale and Kaohsiung County.
Every year, Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International hosts The Annual Boat Parade Celebration to raise funds for The Thomas McCormick Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Program, organized by Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International, benefits honor students in Broward County who are in financial need. It provides students a unique opportunity to broaden their perception of the world while offering them an enriching experience that will mark them for the rest of their life. This year, The Thomas McCormick Fund and Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities in collaboration with the City of Rimini, Italy organized a wonderful summer student exchange program where two very fortunate students, Angelique Marcelli, 18, and Katrina Hruschka, 15, studied the Italian language, history and culture at the Tiberius International School for one month. Two students were also selected from Rimini, Italy for the Exchange Program in Fort Lauderdale. Claudia Sabattini, 17, and Gloria Ragni, 19. The Italian exchange students from Rimini, received English classes from The Fort Lauderdale's Language Academy.
We would like to thank all our members who attended this special event and helped us raise funds for the Scholarship Program. We look forward to offering the gift of culture and education to more students in 2009. GFLSCI would also like to thank Divine Wine for the wine and spirits and Tedesco's Restaurant for the delightful catering. Hope to see you all again next year at The Annual Boat Parade Celebration!
Introducing our New Sister City - Kaohsiung County, Taiwan!
For the first time in Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International's history, an Asian City twins with the City of Fort Lauderdale and now represents one of the 16th Sister Cities that our organization has established diplomatic relationships with since 1986.
The official proclamation was signed on December 15th, 2008 by the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, The Honorable Jim Naugle and The Governor of Kaohsiung County, The Honorable Chiu-Hsing Yang who traveled all the way from Taiwan to participate in this important ceremony.
Kaohsiung County is located in southwest Taiwan. Surrounded by the Central Mountains, the Jade Mountains, and the Ali Mountains in the northeast, the Jia-Nan Plain in the North, the Taiwan Strait in the West and Kao Ping River in the southeast, Kaohsiung County is home to a variety of beautiful landscapes, different natural ecologies and different tribal cultures, hence its nickname "the abundant county". The County has been developed from very early times, and has a lot of cultural and ancient monuments. Agriculture in the County has prospered throughout its long history, and until recently, industry and commerce as well as transportation has developed quite rapidly, making Kaohsiung County a miniature modern city.
The City of Fort Lauderdale and GFLSCI is looking forward to cultural and educational exchange in different fields such as sports and medicine with Kaohsiung County, Taiwan. Keep posted for the interesting activities and exciting events we will be hosting this upcoming year allowing you discover this beautiful region in Taiwan.
The Taiwanese Delegation had a great time visiting the City of Fort Lauderdale, learning about our culture and experiencing the great attractions Florida has to offer. Some of the activities they participated in included a tour of the Everglades and a breathtaking sunset cruise aboard a chartered catamaran provided by the awesome staff of Tropical Sailing, whom we would especially like to thank for this memorable experience. Tropical Sailing is located at the Bahia Mar Marina in Fort Lauderdale and your can learn more about their cruises you can contact them at 954-579-8181.
Ms. Nuccia McCormick, GFLSCI, chairman emeritus with The Honorable Honorable Chiu-Hsing Yang -Governor of Kaohsiung County in Taiwan on the sunset catamaran cruise.
Ms. Marianne Winfield, GFLSCI VP of Economic Development with members of the Taiwan Delegation on the sunset catamaran cruise.
Italian Evening Movie Premiere at Cinema Paradiso
GFLSCI in collaboration with the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) organized an Italian Evening at Cinema Paradiso which featured the premiere of the Italian Movie 'Il Mercante di Stoffe' (The Cloth Merchant) directed by the award-winning director, Antonio Baiocco, who flew all the way from Rome to present his latest movie!
Italian Movie Director, Antonio Baiocco, presenting his latest feature The Cloth Merchant.
Antonio Baiocco debuted his first cinematographic feature in 1993 entitled Sulle Ali Della Follia, which won the hearts of the french audience by winning a prize at The Italian Film Festival of Bastia. Passage to Paradise (Passagio per il Paradiso) is his second work, which features an exceptional cast including Julie Harris and Tcheky Karyo. This film was an Italian-French-English co-production in which David Bowie participated and Pat Metheney composed the soundtrack. The film was awarded at the Montreal International Film Festival and was also presented at The International Film Festival in Fort Lauderdale.
To watch an interview with Antonio Baiocco from this event organized by YourEntertainmentTicket.com, please click here.
The Cloth Merchant is a romantic adventure which tells the story of Marco and Luisa, two young Italians, who arrive in an abandoned village in the south of Morocco to find a medallion that belonged to a young Arab woman in the 1930s. Through Marco and Luisa the story of a textile merchant Alessandro unfolds. During one of his trips to Morocco, Alessandro meets Najiba and falls in love; his attraction towards her and her beauty is overwhelming, and they embark on a secret and tormented love affair. Thanks to an ancient legend they become united for all eternity. The movie will be officially released in Italy in 2009 and plans to follow its release in America in the same year.
Enjoying the Italian Reception before the presentation of the movie!
The one-time presentation of The Cloth Merchant was preceded by an Italian reception. We would like to thank the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival for partnering with GFLSCI in this event and we would especially like to thank the following sponsors who provided the appetizing Italian specialties for this event:
- Cafe Vico, 1125 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
- Big Louie's Pizzeria, 753 S.E. 17th St. Cswy., Fort Lauderdale
- Bravo Italiano Ristorante, 1515 Se 17th St, #101, Fort Lauderdale
- Angelo's Pizza & Pasta, 1923 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale
- Giorgio's, 1499 SE 17TH St, Fort Lauderdale
- Vincezo's Pizzeria, 1552 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale
It�s That Time of the Year Again! Join Us at our Annual General Meeting!
It has already been 22 years since Greater Fort Lauderdale Sisters Cities International has dedicated itself to creating and strengthening partnerships between Fort Lauderdale and cities around the world in an effort to increase global cooperation on many levels and promote cultural understanding, humanitarian programs and stimulate economic development.
Join us on January 12, 2009 at 5:30pm as we celebrate another great year filled with constructive and rewarding activities, great events and cultural, humanitarian and educational programs that make a difference for our local community and for our sister cities� communities throughout the world.
This event is very important for us, as it is the time for our members to voice their decision as they participate in the annual elections to decide on next year�s leadership.
So whether you would like to renew your membership, become a new member, participate as a current member or find out about how to become a volunteer, come mingle and network with fellow members and international dignitaries at this annual gathering.
GFLSCI is currently seeking to fill some vacant positions on their board. Interested candidates, should email their bio to Marianne Winfield, Vice-President of Economic Development and Chair of the Nominating Committee at mariannewinfield@aol.com.
To find out more about this event scroll down to our Upcoming Events Section below.
Meet the Board!
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International will feature one or two board members every month so that you can learn more about who we are and what we have in store for you.
Dan Warren � Chair for The Environmental Committee
Dan has been an active member of GFLSCI for four years. In the past three years, Dan served with the Haiti Committee. During that time, this dynamic committee sponsored the Symphony of the Americas Haiti Tour, assisted the flood victims at Gonaives, established the Labadee Tree Nursery and Training Center, began the annual tool distribution program , and promoted environmental education in schools throughout Haiti.
The combined efforts of Dan through the Haiti Committee and One Village Planet has resulted in the planting and distribution of over one million trees in Haiti and the training of numerous students and adults in grassroots environmental activities.
For the last three years Dan has also been working in Agogo, Ghana with the Agogo Committee . Dan has directed a tree nursery project in Agogo that has grown and distributed over two million tree seedlings to date. In collaboration with Chief Nana Sarpong, One Village Planet, GFLSCI and the Ghana Committee, Dan has continued the nursery project, assisted the Honey Project, aided the Agogo IT center and helped advance the cultural and business connections between Fort Lauderdale and Agogo Ghana.
Dan serves also on the Board of Directors of Broward County Audubon Society and assists in local environmental initiatives. Dan is a local contractor who dedicates considerable personal resources to his volunteering efforts. He believes in the power that every person can make a difference. Dan is the proud father of five extraordinary children: Shilyh, Danielle, Stefanie, Thomas and Sara. Dan believes that his greatest contribution to the planet will be through the good works of his children. GFLSCI is extremely fortunate and proud to have Dan Warren as part of our team. Thanks Dan for your great dedication and your involvement in saving our planet!
GFLSCI Country Chairs News
Fort Lauderdale � Town of Quepos, Costa Rica
Committee Report for November 2008
Contributed by Felipe Correa, Country Chair for Quepos, Costa Rica
My name is Felipe Correa and I am the GFLSCI Country Chair for Quepos in Costa Rica. Every so often, I receive news from our Sister City Quepos and it is my pleasure to report to you the latest information pertaining to the programs involving GFLSCI . Communicating with our SCI friends in Quepos, I can affirm that they are truly "taking the bull by the horns"! The Quepos Delegation are putting into action solid steps to implement the ideas and projects conceived during their previous visits to Fort Lauderdale, more specifically, regarding the institution of a mounted police force.
Quepos happens to be the most visited city in Costa Rica and the high number of visitors adds a significant load of work to their Police Department. Through our work, dedication, and continued support, they have developed a sound, effective plan of action needed to provide a higher level of service to their community. I will make sure to keep you updated of their progress and continued needs.
I would also like to acknowledge Devin Avery, President of GFLSCI, for his help in our Quepos mission. Devin arranged his vacation time with his daughter to include a visit to Quepos. He was able to see first-hand the progression of the projects set forth by the SCI Quepos leadership and the Municipal Government. Devin was warmly welcomed and toured around the city. He was briefed about the status and progress of the Quepos' ocean rescue training program, structural improvements to their police headquarters, initiation of a mounted police force and other ongoing projects in the city. I am very pleased that Devin was able to witness the growing results of GFLSCI's support to our Sister City, Quepos. He was able to show them that they have total support, as well as accountability for GFLSCI's continued efforts. I sincerely thank Devin for helping me follow up with this important project, and to help reaffirm our relationship with SCI Quepos! It certainly appears that the work put into assisting Quepos has sprouted deep roots!
GFLSCI Upcoming Events
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International 2009 Annual Meeting
When : January 12th, 2009 at 5:30pm
Where : Cinema Paradiso, 503 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Cost : Members: Complimentary
Non-Members: $15
($15 discount on an annual membership with paid admission)
Join us at our Annual General Meeting as we celebrate another great year filled with constructive and rewarding activities, great events and cultural, humanitarian and educational programs that make a difference for our local community and for our Sister Cities� communities throughout the world. This is also your chance, as a member, to voice your decision during our annual elections. So whether you would like to renew your membership, become a new member, participate as a current member or find out more on how to become a volunteer, come mingle and network with fellow members and international dignitaries at this annual gathering.
If you are a GFLSCI member and would like to RSVP for this event, please click here
If you are not currently a member of GFLSCI and would like to attend this event, please click here
|
