Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005

Used books needed for student fundraiser: The Kobe Student Youth Center, a foundation based in Nada Ward, is seeking used books to be sold at its book market to raise funds for non-Japanese Asian students in Hyogo Prefecture.

Books will be accepted from Tuesday to March 31. The most sought-after donations are dictionaries, as well as picture books, comic books and non-Japanese books. Magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias and computer manuals are not needed.

The books can be brought to the center or sent by mail. The center's postal address is 3-1-1 Yamada-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe-shi, 657-0064. Postage must be paid by the sender.

The book market will be held March 15 to May 15 at the center's facility.

For more information, call the center at (078) 851-2760, fax (078) 821-5878 or e-mail info@ksyc.jp

Osaka YMCA holding plum-blossom hike: The Osaka YWCA's Bridges Program is planning a hike for English-speaking foreigners to meet the harbinger of spring on March 8.

Participants will go to Banpaku Park in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, to view about 650 "ume" (plum) trees of 70 varieties which are expected to be in bloom. Visitors can also have lunch under the fragrant blossoms.

Participants will meet the coordinator at 10:30 a.m. at the West gate of the park.

The fee is 250 yen. Reservations must be made by Tuesday.

For reservations, call the coordinator, Kuniko Kanzaki, at (090) 9253-7150 or e-mail usagi9999@yahoo.co.jp

Ikebana demonstration to feature camellia: The Kyoto chapter of Ikebana International is hosting a flower arrangement demonstration at 1 p.m. March 15 at Brighton Hotel Kyoto in Kamigyo Ward.

The demonstration using camellia will be given by Fusanosuke Sakata, an ikebana master who is also known as a grower of the flower. Camellia is popular as "chabana" or tea flowers, which are used in flower arrangements for tea ceremonies.

The fee to attend is 1,500 yen for members and 2,500 yen for nonmembers, including tea and cake.

Non-Japanese students can attend the demonstration, without tea and cake, at no charge.

Reservations must be made by March 15.

For reservations and more information, call or fax the organizer at (075) 723-5255.

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