News
Animal Shelter Receives Club Support
Members showed their generosity during the Club's December charity drive for Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK), an animal shelter and rescue organization in Tokyo and Osaka.
Donations included dog and cat food, toys, litter mats and pet carriers.
The campaign kicked off at the Library's Christmas Story Time on December 1 and ran until the end of the month.
A nonprofit, ARK has rehomed thousands of cats and dogs since its founding in 1990.
Photo (l–r): Club senior librarian Drew Damron, Women's Group President Heidi Regent and ARK's Machiko Nakano
Members Show Seasonal Goodwill
Ninety children will be unwrapping wish-list gifts this Christmas thanks to the generosity of Members during the Women's Group's Salvation Army Angel Campaign.
The campaign, which ran for five weeks from November 6, saw Members buy requested items for children abandoned or separated from their families and living in Tokyo-area Salvation Army homes.
Colonel Cheryl Maynor says the "extremely important" campaign was the first of its kind for the Salvation Army in Japan.
"It is the impact of the gift of kindness that is the greatest gift," she says. "Each child will open a present, a personalized gift with their name on it. They will know someone thought of them, they will know someone knows their name. This is a lasting gift, to be remembered."
Photo (l–r): Salvation Army colonels Kenneth and Cheryl Maynor, Women's Group director of charities Tomomi Fujita and Isako Sekiguchi
Club Opens Condolence Book
The Club has opened a book of condolence for former US President George HW Bush (pictured), who passed away on November 30.
The former vice president under Ronald Reagan served as the 41st president of the United States from 1989 to 1993.
Members are invited to sign the book, which is placed in the Formal Lobby (1F), through December 9.
The Stars and Stripes at the entrance to the Club will fly at half-staff until December 30.
New Board Unveiled
Eight Members were voted onto the Board of Governors in the Club's annual election.
The results of the ballot were announced at the Club's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 20.
At the first Board meeting following the AGM, Michael Alfant was selected as representative governor. It is his third consecutive one-year term in the role.
In other Board positions, Jesse Green and Anthony Moore were named first and second vice president, respectively, with Betsy Rogers named secretary and Michael Benner continuing in his role as treasurer.
Elected Governors
American Citizens
Michael Benner
Trista Bridges Bivens
Jesse Green
James Mori
Christina Siegel
Japanese Citizens
Tetsutaro Muraki
Other Nationalities
Anthony Moore
Women's Group Representative
Heidi Regent
Restaurant Wine Lists Garner Awards
CHOP Steakhouse's wine list has received international recognition for a fourth consecutive year.
The World of Fine Wine, a London-based magazine, awarded the Club restaurant three stars in the world’s best medium-size wine list category.
Meanwhile, American Bar & Grill picked up two stars in the short wine list category. In particular, the restaurant was recognized for its Enomatic by-the-glass offerings.
“It is extremely rewarding to see the efforts of our wine team continue to be recognized by this prestigious publication and its panel of industry experts,” says Sera Goto, the Club’s wine program director.
Now in their fifth year, the awards are regarded as the sommelier’s version of Michelin stars.
To celebrate these achievements, from November 12 to 16, diners at CHOP and American Bar & Grill can receive a complimentary glass of bubbly* when they mention this news to their server.
(*Limited to one glass per diner for the duration of the offer.)
