American Friends of Blerancourt
Caretaker: Chris Treble
The American Friends of Blerancourt (AFB) are supporters of the Musee de Blerancourt (http://www.musee-cooperation-blerancourt.fr/)
founded by Ann Morgan and now part of the system. The Museum houses a unique collection covering the history of French-American
relations and is housed in a lovely setting among the battlefields of the First
World War north of Paris. TJEF supports AFB in three distinct ways:
First, we are organizing a series of events with a view to expanding Bay Area membership. These events which
we are calling "Fetes" will be in a variety of formats designed to provide both
an enjoyable time for the participants while fulfilling the goal of introducing
us to potential supporters.
Second, we intend to generate financial support for AFB and particularly for it's current initiative, the funding
of the multi media component of the new gallery currently under construction. The
multi media component is being developed by Alan Govenor (http://www.docarts.com. The cost of the gallery
itself is covered by the Reunion des Musees Nationaux.
Third, we are seeking creative
connections to assist AFB renew and grow.This part of the objective is presently
the least defined; it will require both careful investigation and thoughtful planning
in unexplored terrain.
Website: http://www.museefrancoamericain.fr
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Animated Speech
Caretaker: Diego Pettersson
Over 15 years ago, psychology
professor Dr. Dom Massaro and his research associate Dr. Michael Cohen were wondering...
How do people perceive and recognize speech by eye? How do listeners combine visual
perceptions of speakers with what they hear to infer meaning? In pursuit of answers,
this academic team spent over four years videotaping people as they talked. They
converted the videotape into digital images and reassembled those segments in a
computer program that converted typewritten words into a computer-generated talking
head, Baldi®, whose facial muscles, jaw, and tongue moved with unprecedented accuracy.
When Dr. Massaro received a grant from the National Science Foundation to apply pedagogy to his research he
chose to focus on deaf and hard-of-hearing children because they can't overhear
conversations, which places them at a disadvantage in language development. During
this phase of his research, he realized that Baldi® had the potential to also help
children with autism and other language challenges. That's how he came to give a
talk at a "Cure Autism Now" conference.
In the audience, Lisa Reed was extremely excited to hear about his work. As the mother of an autistic son,
she instantly understood the far-reaching implications and potential benefits that
autistic children could receive from interacting with Baldi. When Lisa told husband
Dan Feshbach about Baldi, he picked up the phone and called Dr. Massaro right away
and offered to partner with him. That's when Animated Speech Corporation was conceived.
Massaro was delighted because it gave him a chance to get Baldi out of the lab and onto the computers of those
who need him most. "Oddly enough," says Massaro, "there is money to support empirical
and theoretical research in academic settings. But there is rarely money to make
the outcome of the research available to people out in the world." That was the
primary motivation for starting Animated Speech Corporation. By commercializing
the techno
Website: http://www.animatedspeech.com
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Arts and Wellness Newsletter
Caretaker: Diego Pettersson
The senior population of the United States is growing rapidly and living longer than ever before. Increasingly, senior residences,
parks and recreation departments, and community colleges are offering arts classes
to tap into the health aspects of self-expression.
"The Arts & Wellness Newsletter" targets readers who deliver arts programs; teachers, administrators,
recreational professionals and others involved in the quality of life issues for
senior citizens. The goal of "The Arts & Wellness Newsletter" is to communicate
how these classes and programs are developed and how they can help existing and
new programs offered to the senior community. The newsletter will include information
and resources on classes dealing in the visual arts, writing, dance, music, drama
and will provide practical advice on how these classes can be replicated in different
environments. Topics featured will include the latest breakthroughs in related research
and fundraising advice.
Website: http://www.artsreach.com/
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California Pops (formerly
Peninsula Pops)
Caretaker: Pat Gregory
The orchestra includes more than 50 musicians, many from distinguished Conservatories including Oberlin, Julliard,
University of the Pacific and the Eastman School of Music. They are dedicated to
playing the best music of Stage and Screen: Broadway Musicals, Television, Movies,
Jazz, Rock, Light Classics, and Big Band.
This popular music is scored for unique instrumentation not typically found in symphony orchestras. Don't be
surprised if you see flugelhorn, saxophones, harmonicas, congas, and other odd percussion
instruments including whips and doorbells… even the occasional vacuum cleaner or
industrial floor polisher.
Maestro Kim Venaas is responsible
for guiding the PPO in fulfilling its mission through musical research, creative
programming, selecting soloists and rehearsal preparations for each show. Mr. Venaas
is an experienced conductor, composer and arranger with a big band, commercial and
symphonic background. Maestro Venaas graduated with honors from
San Francisco State University with a degree in conducting and musical performance. To note a few, Mr. Venaas has
worked with Ernst Bacon, Carmen Dragon, Denis de Coteau and conducted at venues
ranging from Davies Symphony Hall to the Monterey Jazz Festival.
During the 2005/2006 season
Pops played five programs totaling seven performances. Please visit their website
for program and schedule information, as well as ticket sales.
TJEF’s Objective is to help
guide Pops’ growth toward its vision of a nationally-recognized professional-caliber
musical ensemble, playing a full season in several venues around the Bay Area. Pops
vision includes the creation of a local public concert facility and the accumulation
and maintenance of a world-class library of the unique (and endangered) musical
arrangements from Radio, Broadway and Hollywood.
TJEF’s current activities
with Pops include selection and recruitment of Board members and guidance and introductions
in fund development.
Website: http://www.peninsulapops.org/
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College is Real
Caretaker: Brad Blake
One of our newest Objectives, College Is Real endeavors to make higher
education a realistic goal for some underprivileged students at a primarily Latino
high school in Richmond California. Inspired by the good sportsmanship of
Richmond High School soccer players, some Danville-Alamo, California parents wish to provide the guidance and motivation necessary to help these students
reach college. Using a rewards-based approach, the program keeps kids actively involved
in strengthening their futures.
Participation and exposure
are the two primary methods in use on this project. By monitoring and encouraging
class attendance, assignment completion, and involvement in SAT and PSAT preparatory
courses and college seminars, the mentors and other leaders will ensure that participants
are preparing competitive college applications. Trips to local colleges and visits
from college representatives will give a face to the goal at hand. Strengthening
attitudes will require getting parents informed and excited about the process, so
potluck dinners and collaboration with local churches are planned.
The program rewards incremental
achievement with modest prizes like bowling parties. The older students who have
proven their commitment and desire will be awarded a highly anticipated trip to Washington D.C.
for a soccer game against a local team there. Drawing on the existing positive influences
of athletic participation, College Is Real will lead a promising group of kids to
greater opportunities.
Website: http:// www.collegeisreal.org
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Cornell 18th Century Organ (Charlottenburg)
Caretaker: Kenneth Kaufman
University has recently taken advantage of an unusual opportunity to commission a magnificent
new organ for Anabel Taylor Chapel. In a collaborative project with the University
of Gothenburg (Sweden), Cornell scholars, musicians, and visual artists will work
with local organ builders and craftsmen in central New York State and with craftsmen
and researchers at the Gothenburg Organ Art Center (GOart) under the leadership
of Munetaka Yokota, to create an organ that will not just be a fine vehicle for
teaching, performance and scholarship, but also a sumptuous work of art. The Anabel
Taylor Chapel organ will reconstruct the tonal design of the important instrument
at the Charlottenburg-Schlosskapelle in Berlin
by Arp Schnitger, one of the greatest of all organ builders. That organ was destroyed
in the Second World War, and its sound will not once again be with us.
Discovery II
Caretaker: Stan Fischman
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European University at St. Petersburg
Caretaker: Stefan Kirsten
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Fidelitas
Caretaker: Niels Kröner
Fidelitas is an Objective
that came to TJEF through Hilmar Kopper. The Objective is to help the Princes of
Baden to find a suitable use for parts of their castle, Salem. This needs to be complementary to the well-known
Salem boarding school, which already occupies parts of the grounds. The enchanting former
monastery has already served as venue for several TJEF Board sessions and has won
over hearts and minds.
With the help of a number
of people from the Treillage (Philip Kietzmann, Achim Stoehr, Peter Neubert, Julia
Hofmann but most importantly Juergen Doering), we have crystallized renewable energy
as a new theme for Salem. As a start, Juergen Doering is in advanced negotiations with the House of Baden
to implement a biomass energy plant, drawing on the vast agricultural areas of the
Baden family. Once this is up and running, it will be one of the biggest and most advanced
in Europe. This may help to attract further activities such as summer schools or conferences.
Any additional ideas are
more than welcome - so please don't hesitate to contact Niels Kroner as caretaker!
Website:
http://www.salem.de
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Ignite
Caretaker: Juergen Doering
At Stanford and elsewhere,
researchers, inventors, designers, business developers are paying attention to those
who do not have access to light in their dwellings after dark. Competitive solutions
abound. TJEF is helping to develop a vision and a venue whereby fundamentally sound
engineering and sustainablpower can be produce at commercial levels cheap enough
to service the populations who most need this life enhancing product. Business plans,
production, and distribution all must take into account the utility to the many,
not the few. In November, 2008, thecelebrated Louise Nicholson will take members
of the Foundation's Treillage on a tour of part of
India which can showcase how these business plans can bring about the production and distribution
of affordable lamps to these populations worldwide. Watch for emerging details of
this huge Objective as TJEF sets its aims at value which its Treillage can deliver.
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Intellect
Caretaker: Kenneth Kaufman
The Intellect encourages
conversations with decorum surrounding controversial and distruptive thought. To
promote this Objective, The Foundation arranges venues for salons, seminars, and
sometimes lectures. As an example, together with Stanford's History Department and
The Stanford German Student Association, Brigitte Seebacher will discuss her recent
book filled with anecdotes describing the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt (she is
his widow).
Upcoming: Jonathan Roberts
(Dancing with the Stars) programing Hadassah's fundraiser for their pediatric hospital
in Israel on October 20th at the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco. Heather Mills was Jonathan's last partner on Dancing with the Stars - a very appropriate
experience for this venue. Most recently, President and Mrs. Bush saw his performance
at Ford's Theatre in State of Washington. What attracts TJEF to Jonathan - high ethical urges combined with stunning talent.
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Mandalay
Caretaker: Martin Everts
Phaung Daw Oo High School in Mandalay Myanmar
offers education to students who, for various reasons do not attend standard government
schools. A present, 5898 children from poor families, orphans and ethnc and religious
minorities are enrolled. 108 teachers at Phaung Daw Oo High School offer schooling
to children who are denied access to the most basic education.
TJEF assists the school
by providing support from volunteer students and teachers from the European community.
The volunteer effort is focused on providing additional teaching personnel for the
classroom including advanced training and skills to the teachers themselves. TJEF
Volunteers strive to sustain and help improve the educational effort at
Phaung Daw High School and are committed to a stay of ten weeks, the maximum allowed by visa restrictions.
Website: http://www.freewebs.com/pdom/
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Mentor
Caretaker: Stan Fischman
The TJEF Treillage mentors through coaching and guidance. Personal
chemistry, ethical considerations and geography are factors, which TJEF's Committee
on Objectives Under Consideration heeds before entering into a mentor-mentoring
relationship. Learning is always a two-way street. Mentors provide resources, knowledge
and advice to individuals and groups. Attaining specific goals and visions are the
shared reward in a mentor-mentoring relationship. TJEF's Ken Kaufman honors one
of his mentors in the following
Ode to a fallen mentor -
Long before the old word
“mentor” again became fashionable, I well learned the best of definitions from several
women and men who helped shape my life. Erwin was chief among them. What the concept
came to mean so vividly to me, was a safe haven, where one could live without fear.
Authority, while ever present, was overridden by a mutual respect, which the mentor
duly earned.
- A good mentor listens honestly.
-
A good mentor uses judgment
with the utmost care.
-
A good mentor is a master
with the chemistry of friendship.
- A good mentor does not require
hearing hints, as she or he wants them told, rather in naked language.
- A good mentor is a patient teacher, and learns when to employ instruction.
-
A good mentor is clever,and understands how temporary disappointment can be.
- A good mentor is seldom bored by the pupil.
- And most important, a good mentor is also in a constant state of learning and often form the pupil.
Erwin was a model mentor to me. To the very end, he listened as I learned…agreeing at times with my thoughts
and behavior, or critiquing my assumptions. I always felt important to him. I always
felt I could translate what was to me a very complicated world, and that he truly
understood and enjoyed hearing its parameters. Never did I feel my world baffled
him. We were always equals. Even when I was sixteen.
What so commanded my respect for Erwin was his proper sense of good and evil.
He understands what we are going through and has solid recommendations.
He is the ultimate sounding board of reason and empathy.
Mercator
Caretaker: Robert Freelen
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MyLife Medical Partners
Caretaker: Kenneth Kaufman
Russell Stewart, now in his third year at The University of Chicago's Medical School, after finishing a stint with the Seattle Seahawks. Russell brought his mentor, Dr. Pat Basu to TJEF and with the help of Dr. Alan Fine in Seattle. , we are working to help build out this patient-monitoring program.
Website:
http://www.extendmd.com
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NOLA/NOCP in New Orleans
Caretaker: Ryan Perry
The John Ernest Foundation
is identifying ways to assist the New Orleans College Prep (NOCP), a tuition-free,
open enrollment, public school expected to open in August 2007. The school is located
in Central City, a New Orleans
neighborhood in need of a high-performing public school option. 100% college readiness
for each student is one of its major goals. NOCP will open to an entering class
of 125 sixth graders, and is expected to grow one grade per year until fully serving
grades 6-12. The school is designed to maximize the potential of every student to
excel academically, succeed in college and become future leaders of the city and
the nation.
NOCP seeks to serve many
students who have been deprived of the educational and socioeconomic opportunities.
Some of the graduates will be the first in their families to attend college.
Teacher recruitment is underway and negotiations are pending for permanent location.
Website: http://
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Project Restoration
Caretaker: Ryan Perry
Website: http://
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ReadWriteNow!
Caretaker: Diego Pettersson
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San Francisco Choral Arts
Caretaker: John Zorn
Since 1985 San Francisco
Choral Artists has thrilled Bay Area audiences with its perfectly balanced blend
of voices, innovative programming, and elegant presentation of both choral classics
and vibrant new music by contemporary composers.
In this 22nd Season, our
twelfth under the artistic direction of Magen Solomon, we continue to celebrate
our choral past while enriching our choral future. We expand our outreach to young
musicians through a second collaboration with
San Francisco's School for the Arts (SOTA), the third season of SFCA’s New Voices competition
to encourage young composers under the age of 30, and a new collaboration with City
College of San Francisco.
The Composer in Residence
program, more world premiere performances, the Composers Invitational, and the New
Voices competition continue to foster new choral music--and introduce audiences
to the joy of fine choral music, including the works of our many Bay Area luminaries.
Website:
www.sfca.org
Images:
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Special Olympics Shanghai 2007
Caretaker: Jessie Chen
It is expected that 10,000
participants will represent 200 countries for 14 days during these games. This is
by far the largest effort Special Olympics has undertaken, and is supported by the
President of China, who named the venue to be among the top three events in China
during the next five years. Jessie Chen, member of the TJEF Americas Board of Governors,
has been named to the Mayor of Shanghai's Games Executive Committee staff, as Director
of Development. Readily, she draws on the TJEF Treillage for direct and indirect
support. Ken Kaufman initially chaired the International Advisory Board. This undertaking
has mountains of technical and cultural learning slopes, sometimes quite steep.
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Stanford German Student Association
Caretaker: Kenneth Kaufman
The Stanford German Students
Association uses the Foundation's Treillage for strategic programming, fireplace
chats and lecture series, small donor probabilities, and external community relations.
Recent lecturers actualized
with Foundation resources include: Professor Edward Krubasik, Member of the Managing
Board, Siemens, Proessor Brigitte Seebacher Brandt, University of Bonn, and widow of the late German Chancellor, Willy Brandt
Website: http://german.stanford.edu/SGSA/
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The Organ and the Church
Caretaker: Vance George
In the past 15 years the
New York Times and other prominent publications have acknowledged a shortage of
organists for churches throughout the urban and rural centers of the
United States. Unfortunately, many schools and colleges have reduced their programs in music
education and in organ. However, there is still a need for competent church musicians
to fill these vacancies. Training often takes many years of technical development
and consistent practice. Thankfully, there is a resurgence of interest in the pipe
organ today in response to some of the fine new organs built by renowned builders
in the United States and worldwide.
TJEF believes that one of
the ways to address this shortage is to help create and support organ programs at
small colleges and universities in order to produce regional organists. These institutions
often have superb instruments whose potential instructional use has not been fully
realized. The creation of organ programs at just such colleges will enhance both
their reputation and enrollment. For this purpose, Vance George and Carole Terry-major
names in the field of music and organ, have agreed to assist in these pilot organ
programs. We are looking for colleges with good instruments, community support,
and a knowledgeable and forward-looking academic vision. We, as well as the college
communities, are poised and ready to address these issues and help to graduate superb
musicians.
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United Planet
Caretaker: Kenneth Kaufman
United Planet (UP) is a
leading international, educational, humanitarian, and peace-building, non-profit
organization with members and volunteers in over 150 countries devoted to fostering
cross-cultural understanding and friendship and supporting communities in need in
order to bring the world together in a community beyond borders. United Planet utilizes
a diverse and creative range of local, online, and international programs to achieve
this essential mission.
The underlying principle
of UP's programs is based on the concept of Relational Diplomacy, in which we recognize
that the relationship between two people of diverse backgrounds is the vital thread
ñ the basic building blocks for bringing the world together in a community beyond
borders.
United Planet’s innovative
programs are designed to expose our common human bonds and foster respect and appreciation
for our cultural, racial, and religious diversity, while improving and enriching
lives worldwide. All people of the world are invited to join United Planet's membership
in a community beyond borders.
TJEF supports United Planet
by assisting in the development of the United Planet Board of Directors and Board
of Advisors through suggesting new board policies, setting board member definitions,
and introducing potential board members. Once the board leadership is fully engaged
according to these objectives, we intend to generate financial support for United
Planet in order to further build core capacity and expand its key programs.
Website: http://Website: www.unitedplanet.org
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Westfield Concert Scholar
Caretaker: Carole Terry
Goals of the Scholar Program:
To give young musicians specializing in historically oriented keyboard perfomance
an opportunity to play a series of concerts arranged at various venues throughout
the United States, including colleges, universities, churches, and recital halls. The program has
a clear set process for selecting the concert scholar.
Westfield members nominate either an undergraduate or graduate student to a current board
member of Westfiled. Board members will then nominate candidates at the spring board
meeting and the board will select the Westfield Concert Scholar for the next year.
The scholar will be chosen from among the following keyboard specialties: organ,
harpsichord, fortepiano, and clavichord. The John Ernest Foudntation assists the
Westfield Concert Scholar by sponsoring the travel. This year's selected scholar
is Emanuele Battisti, who currently holds the Marcella K. Brownson Fellowship for
Organ Study at the University of Illinois. His interests are concentrated in Early Baroque, Contemporary music, performance,
composition and music research.
Website: http://www.westfield.org
Images:
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Women of Courage
Caretaker: Diego Pettersson
Photographs by Mark Tuschman.
endorsed and supported by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Amnesty International,
Engender Health, Marie Stopes International, and The Global Fund for Women. Mark
Tuschman, a California photographer and social activist, endeavors to produce a document which will showcase,
with compelling photographs and stories, women who protect lives and improve their
societies by providing reproductive health care in their own communities.
Website: http://www.womenofcourageproject.org
Images:
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