A
publication of the Tucson-Almaty Sister Cities Committee
February-March, 2007
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Kamilya Serikova, a student from Almaty, spent a year in Tucson attending Amphitheater High School in 1999-2000. She is now a studying in Prague, Czechoslovakia. "I remember a wonderful time spent in Tuscon and I think about it very often! I am so thankful to the time I've spent in US, because it taught me a lot, to be independent, more flexible, adoptive and the main thing is my English. ....I would like to thank you for all you have done for me, for all your help and support, it really helps me a lot in my life now! ...Kind regards, Kamilya."
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February Meeting in the Alamo Building at Tucson Medical Center....5:30 - 7:00 pm
Chair Barbara has a full agenda for tomorrow's meeting. We have many, many interesting and provocative items to discuss....things to plan for....meals to prepare and beds to make for a wide variety of events. We are getting a full year to prepare to bring the Isker Almaty Boys Choir to Tucson. Ideas for this exchange began in Almaty in 2003, when Maira Tungatarova and her daughter Auken had breakfast with the Gary's. Details will be forthcoming at the meeting. Hopefully, our Mariachi on the Silk Road bunch of 2003 will read this and get interested is supporting us when the choir comes on January 16th of 2008 for an eight day stay. Equally of hope is that the many supporters that embrace our committee's fruitful and colorful history can step up to the plate and feed us with ideas and support for this culturally and educationally rich project.Bolashak News
Some of the things that our Bolashak students enjoy about Tucson are the beautiful sunsets, the warm weather and the hospitality of our TASCC family. Of course, they could always use more of the latter. With 34 students to be aware of, our little committee is stretched to the limit when it comes to insuring that all our Kazakhstani students get to blossom socially and learn about the American way of life. Plans are afoot to host them at an authentic lamb barbeque in the near future. Many have expressed an interest in attending a Phoenix Suns basketball game. One of the Bolashakers, Nurlan Baimenshin who is a surgeon in Kazakhstan, had the opportunity of observing Tucson heart surgeon Jack Copeland in the operating room on more than one occasion. Another Bolashaker, Aisulu Nurgoza, is seeking arrangements for a recently graduated law student in Almaty to come to Tucson to study the court systems here and is in contact with someone at the University of Arizona College of Law. A trip to Los Angeles and San Diego was arranged for 10 of the Bolashakers over the holiday break. Although the idea of spending New Years eve at Disneyland was very attractive, it turns out that the crowds were soooo huge that very couldn't get very much done. All ten were guests at the Mengi Museum in San Diego, where the Kazakhstan National Exhibition, "Of Gold and Grass" is currently on display. Aigul Kazhenova, introduced to us in Almaty by Raduga Kultasova, is currently a Fullbright Scholar at Indiana University. She said that there are over 50 Bolashakers studying there. Tucson Bolashakers were surprised and amused to see Borat at the Tucson Family Arts Festival last month. His presence created a sensation AND large crowds at the committee exhibit, crafts table and food booth, which featured Shasklik. Two Kazakhstani students, Merey and Gizzat are the featured entertainment at our April 3rd birthday party.TASCC OLIO
Member Jean Pratt is at home recovering from knee replacement surgery. Our condolences to her on the loss of her father recently. Welcome to new member Dan Davidson, of the Teach For Friendship Foundation. Thanks to Michael Charton for arranging for two Bolashakers to attend a Tucson Toastmaster's meeting. A TASCC Toastmaster's Chapter in Almaty, maybe? Welcome back, Akmaral Mukhanova. Akmaral is back to stay, with her husband after a two year stint at the US Embassy in Almaty. Sally Gary is really happy that she just finished painting in the kitchen. Emeritus Jerry will be facilitating a discussion on Central Asia at the Jewish Community Center on March 7th. Chair Barbara is speaking on our sister city program at the state meeting of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International on the 21st of April. Adam and Amy Smith, who adopted Spencer in Almaty are now the parents of twins. Spencer needed company. CONGRATS! Thanks to Tatyana and Ellis for displaying and selling Tatyana's handcrafted items at the Tucson Family Arts Festival. Benizir worked hard in our food booth! THANKS! A trip to Almaty may be in the future for Jerry and Sally in late May or early June. Wanted...juiced up and excited person or persons to help us achieve our mission of "People-to-People Diplomacy through Education, Culture and Economic Development".
Lisa Dorr and Mark Taylor's beautiful children, Kira and Nicholas
Hello from Kazakhstan: