Dear Fellow Members,

   I trust you and your families are keeping well. The month of March was a busy one with regard to the future of the Kobe Club.
   The Q&A session held on March 17th was well attended by members. A lively discussion took place, for over two hours, with questions and concerns expressed by various members in regards to the planned wedding project on the premises of the club. This session also served another very important objective, that is to have more members engaged in issues directly related to their club and its future. As some members expressed, we should have more of these sessions as they clearly drew a lot of attention and attendance. Representatives from The Board of Trustees are already in touch with the concerned parties to further investigate about the members various concerns and they are hoping to get back with answers within the coming few weeks. As soon as we are satisfied with the answers, we will be sharing them with you.

 
   Early this March, Kobe Club organized an event showcasing Shorinji Kempo- a martial art which focuses not only on the technology of self defense but also on  the overall development of the individual as a happy contributor for a peaceful society. The words 'Zen in Motion' captivated my interest and I was eager to know more about this rather peculiar kind of martial art and what it has to offer.
   The event started out with a viola performance. The beautiful music filled up the room gearing up everyone's anticipation for what lies ahead. We were then asked to engage in some exercises. Children as well as adults warmed up their bodies as we followed the moves of the instructor. It was rather simple and refreshing but all the while I was hoping that the instructor would suddenly break into a martial art move for the rest of us to enact. The children quite enjoyed this interactive part of the event. The Shorinji Kempo theme song was then played  and as I referred to the translated version in the English handout, I was able to grasp the basic ideology behind this fascinating art.

 
   From the freezing cold and the constantly dropping temperature outside, the aroma of the Raclette and the warmth of a small cozy room welcomed us in. And it once again exceeded our expectations.

Friday, February 15th
 
   It was with great excitement and anticipation that I headed for Kitano-cho to sample the Kobe Club’s latest offering in its long and rich cultural tradition - PUB NIGHT! With dusted-off darts in hand I entered the bar area where typical pub accoutrements had been cleverly set up to complement the usual décor. The bar was lined with beer glasses waiting to be charged with frothy helpings of Guinness and Pale Ale, and the strategically placed menus promised such fine pub fare as Fish and Chips (properly served in The Times), Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken Tikka, Spicy Spring Rolls, Samosa, Nachos and Cheese etc., all for the reasonable price of ¥500 a serving. Those of us who took on the challenge of sampling every item on the menu were richly rewarded by a mouthwatering adventure that once again underscored Chef Kamiki’s boundless talents.

Saturday, February 9th
 
   On February 9th, my husband and I joined Valentine's Day Dinner at Kitano Terrace.
   There were many lovers and couples gathered to enjoy warm atmosphere, live piano music and of course the wonderful dishes by our chef and his team.
   First, I was deeply impressed by the beautiful Valentine ornaments on the table made by Club office staff. The sticks with heart were very pretty and most of us were taken photos with them. Some guys even wore them on their jacket and they were cool!