SONOMA, CA
This year marks the 4th year of the Sister City relationship between the City of Sonoma and Penglai, China. Penglai is a port city, located on the Northeastern coast of Shandong Province on the Bohai Sea. It is one of China’s major wine growing regions.
In keeping with the custom of reciprocating visits between city delegations, six members of the Sonoma-Penglai Sister City Committee will be traveling to Penglai, China this month, accompanying City Council Member Gary Edwards and his wife Ruth. The delegation aims to discuss three key topics with their counterparts in Penglai: 1) student exchanges, 2) the “Sonoma-Penglai” VIP Visitor Program”, and 3) the Sonoma Chinese Heritage Project. The delegation will arrive on September 12 and return on September 21.
Student Exchanges. This visit comes right after the Sonoma-Penglai committee received international recognition by Sister Cities International for the creation of the Pen Pal program. Earlier in 2013, committee member Lynne Joiner suggested implementing an old-fashioned letter and gift exchange program between grade school students in Sonoma and Penglai; she also carried the first packet of material to Penglai as well. On the 2015 trip, the delegates will once again stop by Yisan Elementary School with a packet of letters and other items made by the 4th grade students at El Verano Elementary School in Sonoma.
The Pen Pal Program began in December 2013 with Lynne Joiner (far right) traveled to Yisan Experimental Elementary School where she brought letters from Sonoma students and received letters and gifts from Penglai students.
The VIP Program. Still in its conceptual stage, the delegation will discuss the benefits and logistical challenges of creating a special tourism program for Sonoma and Penglai residents traveling between the two cities. Discussions will focus on how to encourage local businesses in each city to support the VIP program as well as developing a marketing strategy.
The Sonoma Chinese Heritage Project. In an effort to honor and commemorate the amazing contributions made by Chinese immigrants to the Sonoma Valley in the 1800’s, the Sonoma-Penglai committee has proposed the creation of a Chinese Ting (resting place) to be located in Sonoma’s Depot Park. The delegation will bring draft plans of the Ting and will discuss ideas, materials and potential support the Chinese can provide.
The full delegation includes the Honorable Gary and Ruth Edwards, Sonoma-Penglai Sister City Committee members Wayne and Cecelia Schake, Dr. Keyvan Tabari, Mrs. Patricia Carter, Sonoma Sister City Association Vice President, Hans Steuck, and Sonoma Sister City Association Chief of Protocol, Sherri Ferris.
The Sonoma-Penglai Sister City Committee operates under the auspices of the Sonoma Sister Cities Association (SSCA), a registered nonprofit organization (SSCA federal tax identification #68-0108056). If you’re interested in learning more about SSCA, please contact Farrel Beddome, President, SSCA Board of Directors and long time supporter at 916-715-4557.
