Bonnie Carroll
By Bonnie Carroll
Former Mayor Ken Kida and his wife Satoko of Toba Japan were honored guests of Toba Sister City Organization to enjoy Haru no tsudoi (Springtime Celebration), which included a gathering of Toba Sister City members and guests, Mayor Randy Rowse, Mayor Ken Kida and Satoko Kida, former Mayor Helene Schneider, Takako Wakita, Toba Sister City Board Vice President, Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary, Councilman Oscar Gutiérrez, and city staff members who all participated in a ceremonial dedication of three donated Cherry Blossom Trees at Alice Keck Memorial Park, featuring a Japanese flute performance and followed by a special toast to all.
Mayor Randy Rowse and former Mayor of Toba Japan Ken Kida both shared the importance of the rich and long-running relationship City of Santa Barbara and Toba Japan Sister City Organization have enjoyed, and applauded all the members through the years who have supported its growth, as well as past Santa Barbara Mayors including Marty Blum and Hal Conklin who contributed so much to keep the ties strong and share this special understanding and friendship.
Mayor Rowse shared that since its inception in 1956, the Sister Cities Program, initiated by President Dwight Eisenhower, has promoted the friendship of people regardless of race, creed, or color and provides a humanitarian opportunity to be involved in the constructive process of building world peace. It reflects a belief in the power of personal connections and offers active participation in building a friendlier world.
The following evening past Mayor Ken Kida and wife Satoko were honored guests at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara for a special talk by Wally Kunimoto of the Santa Barbara Bonsai Association on how to create a Bonsai, and a special Japanese flute accompaniment during a delicious Sushi on Site buffet dinner that included exceptional sushi delicacies paired with Saki and tea.
Wally Kunimto on creating a Bonsai is from Santa Barbara Bonsai Association. (Photo by Bonnie Carroll)
It was a wonderful evening, and former Toba Mayor Kida joined the group toast and shared his happiness for the wonderful experience he has enjoyed during his Toba Japan political service, and stressed how very much he has enjoyed visiting Santa Barbara, as well as his gratitude for the wonderful people he has come to know as friends through his participation in the Toba Japan Sister City Organization over the years. Countless guests shared how much they had enjoyed traveling to Toba Japan as members of the organization.
Many thanks to the members of Toba Japan Sister City, and the City of Santa Barbara for making this Spring celebration (HARU NO TSUDOI) such a happy experience of Japanese tradition for everyone, especially our honored guests former Mayor Ken Kida and wife Satoko. For membership information on Santa Barbara Toba Japan Sister City Organization please visit: www.santabarbaraca.gov.
