NEWS BRIEFS:

Ica, Peru

Council members Roberto Datorre and Bill Villar visited Ica in June to participate in the dedication of a new “Miami Beach” fire station. The naming of the fire station honors our City in gratitude for the generous donation of surplus fire vehicles to the City of Ica.

Cozumel, Mexico

Two Miami Beach 5th grade students and two chaperones travelled to Cozumel, Mexico on June 5-7, 2002 to participate in a 3-day youth conference on environmental issues. The cost of this project was underwritten by a $3,000 grant obtained by the Council from the State of Florida .

Ceský Krumlov, Czech Republic

Daniela Linden–Retkova, our Sister Cities International representative for Ceský, accompanied the Miami Children’s Choir during their July 2002 performance in Ceský. The cost of this project was partially underwritten by a $6,000 grant obtained by the Council from the State of Florida .

Fujisawa, Japan

The City of Fujisawa has renewed its contract with Christina Higgins for an additional year.  Ms. Higgins was selected by our Council to represent SCI in the English Teacher program. She teaches the English language in Fujisawa’s public school system.

Artworks from a Miami Beach student and a Fujisawa student have been submitted to SCI as part of a an International Young Artists Competition.

Nahariya, Israel

Last month, thirty teenage members of the Nahariya Dance Troupe visited Miami Beach. They met with Miami Beach elementary, middle school and high school students and performed on Lincoln Road and Espanola Way. The trip was partially underwritten by a $9,000 grant obtained by the Council from the State of Florida.

Sister Cities International Conference

In July, several members of the Council attended the Annual SSI conference in Toledo, Ohio.

Miami Beach Sister Cities Council

The Council is currently considering affiliation with Basil, Switzerland, Rivadavia, Argentina and several prominent cities in France.