Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation met Oct. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the foundation:

Voting Members Present: Rick Wolfe, Carol Wolfe, Nancy Richman, Sandy Richman, Rene Nissim, Holly Kerr, Abby Block, Larry Block, Cheryl Levi, Rhoda Pierce, Matt Pestine, Marcia Rosenbaum, Phil Bettiker, Trudy Bettiker, Wendy Lipsman

Voting Members Absent: Joe Adler, Gail Guggenheim, Lori Wyatt, Carole Schmarak, Burt Schmarak, Dan Pierce, Jamie Pestine, Emma Kowalenko, Tony Bilotti

Student Liaison Absent: Roy Steinberg, Spencer Coplan Guest: Zdenka Samson

I. Call to Order

a. President Carol Wolfe called the meeting of the Highland Park, Illinois, Sister Cities Foundation to order on October 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Level Conference Room in City Hall.

II. Approval of Minutes:

a. On motion by Larry and seconded by Rhoda, the August minutes were approved.

III. Treasurer’s Report

a. The Treasurer’s Report will be provided at the November meeting.

IV. Guest

a. Carol introduced the Board to Zdenka Samson, a Highland Park resident originally from the Czech Republic. Zdenka approached Carol about the possibility of creating a program with the Czech Republic. Zdenka has an extensive background in international affairs and has strong ties to two cities in the Czech Republic. The Board discussed some possible connections. Larry informed the Board that the Midwest Young Artist Conservatory will be going to the Czech Republic this summer. Perhaps there is an opportunity there. Holly suggested connecting with a school chess club or other extra-curricular program. Holly also mentioned that the College of Lake County has a well-known gospel group. Carol and Zdenka had previously discussed the idea of connecting a classroom in the Czech Republic with a classroom in Highland Park as a part of our Virtual Classroom Project.

b. Rick commented that it would be important for Zdenka to attend our Board meetings to learn more about what we do and how we function.

c. After discussion of possible programs and exchanges, the Board asked Zdenka to reach out to the two cities she mentioned in the Czech Republic to see if there is an interest to partner with Highland Park on a program. Zdenka will explore options and report back to the Board.

d. At this time, the Board is not considering moving to create a Sister City relationship with a city in the Czech Republic. However, as a part of our mission to build bridges between cultures, we welcome the opportunity to explore possible programs with international cities.

V. Puerto Vallarta

* Report- Corazon-Spaghetti Dinner

a. Phil reported that this was the most successful Spaghetti dinner so far. The event raised approximately $15,000 all of which will go to build transitional housing at Corazon de Niña. The purpose of the transitional housing is to help young adults who live at Corazon de Niña transition to independent living.

*Report- Puerto Vallarta Tortilla Guild President Visit to Chicago

b. Rick reported that the President of the Puerto Vallarta Tortilla Guild and Puerto Vallarta Councilman Eduardo Martinez, who has been to Highland Park before, visited Chicago to tour a tortilla factory, visit food distribution warehouses, and learn about best environment practices in manufacturing tortillas. Carol expressed gratitude to Carmen and David Delgado, the Mexican Consul General, Daniel Delgado from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and to Rick for their help with this program. The visit was very successful.

This program aligned with Sister Cities International’s mission to create business relationships around the world. In fact, the theme of Sister Cities International’s Annual Conference this year was Sister Cities Means Business.

Wendy stated that our Foundation has always fostered business connections. She cited the Gourmet Galas which connected chefs and restaurant owners as one example.

*Report -Cultures United by Shared Values-update

c. Rick reported that a person highlighted in the Sister Cities book Cultures United by Shared Values, Rosario Ibarra, was awarded the highest award possible by the Mexican Senate. President Obrador presented the award. Rosario is a human rights activist. Her son is one of the Desaparecidos- hundreds of people taken by the government in the 1970’s and never seen again.

*Report-La Desembocada Art Program for Children

d. Carol reported that the La Desembocada Art Program for Children that we have supported continues to thrive. The Puerto Vallarta Sister Cities Committee purchased 4 tables and 12 chairs for the program with money donated by Carmen and David Delgado last month. The PV Sister Cities Committee will be showing a movie to the children who have never seen a film or been to a movie theater.

e. *UPCOMING PROGRAMS

I. -Sister Cities Holistic Medicine Program-Highland Park Chiropractor Kinal Patel of Highland Park Physical Medicine will be going to Puerto Vallarta to teach doctors and veterinarians about holistic medicine. She will also work at the Puerto Vallarta Animal Shelter.

January 30-Presentation to Doctors

January 31-Presentation to Veterinarians/Work at Shelter

II. -In conjunction with Dr. Patal’s visit, the Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation has partnered with the Anti Cruelty Society of Chicago to create a photo exhibit: Success Stories in Animal Rescue-details to follow.

III. -Yoga program-January 30-Feb. 5

Deb LaMantia, teacher and owner at the Pilates Center of the North Shore, will be going to Puerto Vallarta for the third year to teach yoga. She will teach every morning at the DIF, a municipal facility that provides services for families and assists with education, health, and training programs. She will teach every evening in the square at La Desembocada.

iv. -Student Jazz Festival-February 14, 15

Mary Jo reports that Dan Gregerman’s vocal jazz group from Niles North High School and Caleb Chapman’s groups from Utah have once again registered. There is another group from the USA considering it. Francisco Torres, the wonderful trombonist and composer has been booked as a soloist. Mary Jo plans to be in PV Feb. 11-26.

v. -Corazon de Niña Gala-February 14

Phil and Trudy reported that the Corazon Gala will be on February 14, as it is every year. Phil suggested that it would be appreciated if HPSCF Board members who are in PV at this time plan to attend the Gala on the 14th and the Jazz Festival on the 15th. See Trudy and Phil to purchase tickets and for seating arrangements.

VI. Modena

a. Gianni’s organization, ACTEA, will be hosting its second edition of the International Opera Competition which will be held in Modena from December 8-11, 2019. The finals will be held at the Pavarotti Municipal Theatre. The HPSCF, the Modenese Society and the Bocce Club are listed as sponsors on posters and promotional material.

b. Lori and Josephine report that the Foundation will plan an event in March at the Bocce Club to celebrate Italian food and culture. Details to follow.

VII. Yerucham

No Report

VIII. Visakhapatnam No Report

IX. VIRTUAL CLASSROOM PROJECT

a. Puerto Vallarta-Lori is working on creating virtual classrooms in Literature, Science and Math at the junior high level.

b. Puerto Vallarta-Jeffrey Handley, World Language Chair at HPHS, is working to create a Virtual Classroom with Campoverde.

c. Modena-Maria Barbanente and Emma are working on the Virtual Classroom with Modena and HPHS.

d. Visakhaptnam- Carol and Satish met with a math teacher and the chair of the math department at HPHS to discuss the possibility of creating a Virtual Classroom. Satish is looking to find an appropriate partner in India. Holly suggested that perhaps the College of Lake County would be a good connection for a Viritual Classroom with Visakhaptnam.

X. Judi Baldwin

a. The Board expresses its profound sorrow on the death of Judi Baldwin, a member of the HPSCF Board of Directors.

b. A memorial will take place this Saturday, November 2nd at noon. Trudy will provide details.

c. At the Board’s request, Carol will explore a way in which the Board can honor John, who died four years ago, and Judi Baldwin. John and Judi had a home in PV for many years so it would be appropriate to create a lasting memorial for them in a city they loved.

XI. Holiday Party

a. Matt and Jamie Pestine have generously offered their home for our annual holiday party. Details to follow.

XII. Meeting Adjourned

On motion by Phil and seconded by Matt, the meeting adjourned at 8:10.

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