December 2006 Alien Times Online
The December 2006 edition of Alien Times is now online.
Alien Times is an English newsletter that has been published in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan since 1987. It has been online at http://www.alientimes.org since 2002. All of our writers and staff are volunteers.
Print This Post
For the Typhoon Ondoy/Ketsana Victims in the Philippines
Dear friends, colleagues and co-residents, Pardon for the cross-posting but I felt it necessary to extend this minute effort of reaching to your compassion and benevolence for the victims of Typhoon "Ondoy", code name Ketsana, which struck the capital of the Philippines, Metro Manila and its immediate tributary areas. On September 26, the calamity seem to have raided the city in great surprise, amidst weather agencies warning about its coming. Typhoon Ondoy claimed quiet a number of lives already and left those who survived the onslaught, stranded, homeless and no food and drinks. As of press time, the death toll hits 246.
For those who want to give money/goods donations, you may course it though the Filipino Association of Scholars in Tsukuba (FAST). They are collecting money and goods for donation, which will be forward to the RED CROSS.
PLEASE CONTACT:
Vallerie Ann Innis Samson
X-ray Laboratory
National Institute of Materials Science
1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0047, Japan
Other related blog posts on the web :
- How to help Typhoon Ondoy victims
- Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) disaster relief efforts in San Francisco, CA
- Donating to Manila from abroad
- Ondoy Victims - Send Online and In-Kind Donations
- Some Photos taken during the height of the Typhoon
And if you visit YouTube, you would find lots of videos there to see how Typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila.
Thanks and be safe to all.
======
dimaks blogs at skamid.com
Print This Post
Hello Kitty-shaped vending machine in Moriya
Did you know there's a Hello Kitty-shaped vending machine in Moriya City? It's the first of its kind in Japan, and it officially debuted in Moriya on April 1.
This Hello Kitty vending machine is located in the Moriya Service Area on Joban Express Way. I know this is the service area we, Tsukuba area residents, tend to skip since it's the first service area from Tsukuba, but I think this vending machine is a good reason to stop there! I know some of you, TsukuBlog readers would LOVE to take pictures of this vending machine to be added to the list of "weird things I saw in Japan"(I would!) ;-> Please note that Hello Kitty-shaped vending machine is only at the service area on the up lane(上り) side.
If you don't have a plan of going there anytime soon, I'll tell you a secret: you can actually see the backside of this vending machine from the Tsukuba Express train(yes, I've seen it, and it was easy to spot the famous kitten)!
Visit NEXCO East Japan's Press Release to see what this vending machine looks like.
Print This Post
Kasama Pottery Fair
It's a bit early to announce this, but I'm doing it anyway since I've come across a timely article on Mainichi Daily News.
From April 15 article:
Pottery-clad audio products hit the right notes
KASAMA, Ibaraki -- An electronics manufacturer in Ibaraki Prefecture has begun receiving orders for audio products set in local Kasama-style pottery.
The speakers are shaped like a pot and their sound is clearer than that of normal wood speakers.
The amplifier is priced at more than 800,000 yen and each speaker at more than 30,000 yen.
An official from the manufacturer in Omitama said that the firm planned to market cheaper and smaller pottery-covered audio products. (Mainichi)
If this article got you interested in the Kasama Yaki(pottery), then 陶炎祭(ひまつり or Himatsuri), the largest pottery fair in the entire Kanto Region, will be waiting for you!
From Himatsuri Website:
‘Himatsuri’ in Kasama is the biggest event during the Golden Week with 219 potters and ceramic artists participating. Himatsuri can offer much more than other ‘Pottery Fairs’.
Potters have their individual stalls fashioned with their unique works and wares, and visitors can enjoy shopping for special finds. Visitors may also enjoy hands-on experience while interacting with artists.In addition to Show-and-Sale of Kasama ware, there will be an auction of clay masks by ceramic artists and an exhibit of clay masks made by over 1000 local school children. There will also be brass band performances by elementary and middle school children.
On May 3rd visitors may enjoy ‘Evening Market’ until 7 p.m. and the main attraction of Himatsuri, ‘Evening Fest Live’ with their favorite potters while enjoying delicious food.
Please also visit the Himatsuri Blog if you want to view the flyers. You can view a larger image of "green" flyer just by clicking on that thumbnail, but for the ones in the middle and right, you'll need to click "ココ" located in the upper left.
Various events will go on during Himatsuri, like hands-on activities for kids and adults, pottery auctions, and live music performances by local brass bands and a professional band. So there are excuses to drag your friends or family members who aren't into pottery with you...!
I have to warn you though. Since this pottery fair is extremely popular and famous, be prepared for traffic congestion (the parking lots can turn into battle grounds)! Kasama City's been trying to come up with ways to ease the traffic/parking issues, but it hasn't found a best solution yet. It's urging people to use public transportations. There are free buses leaving from JR Tomobe and JR Kasama Stations, but only once an hour at the most.
Print This Post
Long Living Tsukubans
In Japan, there is a special celebration for people who turn 88 years old. It is called "beiju" （米寿） and it is made up of the characters for "rice" (米) and "long life" (寿). The word is said to come from the fact that the character for rice can be broken down into three parts that spell out 88: 八十八 (eight, ten, eight).
In Tsukuba 361 people turned 88 this year (121 men and 240 women). Also, 14 people turned 100 (1 man, 13 women). There are 15 people who are over 100 years old living in Tsukuba (2 men, 13 women).
Print This Post