The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin invites all members and their families to a JASGA Bo-Nen-Kai or year-end party at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Sushi Sake Restaurant in North Austin.

Literally translated, bo-nen-kai means "forget-the-year gathering" and is a traditional occasion to party with friends before the end of the year. All JASGA members are invited to mix and mingle at this event. COST: $25 must be paid in cash at the registration table. Sushi-Sake does not accept credit cards for group events.

The restaurant is at 9503 Research Blvd. and the phone number is (512) 527-0888. RSVP by Monday, Dec. 4, to .

As 2006 draws to a close, plans are already underway for 2007. JASGA members and their families are invited to start the year off at a Family New Year Gathering from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at Zilker Botanical Garden.

A new monthly program beginning in January is "Exploring Japanese Culture," and will be on the third Tuesday each month at the Yarborough Branch Library. (Read more about the series below.) And the 2007 Satsuki Matsuri (JASGA May Festival) is scheduled for the first Sunday in May, (May 6) so please mark it on your calendar.

These events and more will be featured in future JASGA newsletters and posted on the JASGA website. In addition, the JASGA website is being expanded to help JASGA better bridge the cultures of Japan and Central Texas by featuring local arts organizations, clubs and businesses connected with Japan.

Finally, the JASGA board of directors would like for JASGA members to know that your interest, your suggestions and your involvement are always welcome. The Board has set a goal for 2007 to ensure that JASGA member's expectations are known and met. All members of JASGA are invited to attend JASGA board meetings, and your feedback and/or input is always welcome. The JASGA website has a contact form under CONTACT US by which any member can send suggestions and/or feedback to the JASGA board. The board welcomes your interest, and anyone wanting to become more involved is most welcome.

At the most recent JASGA board meeting, we welcomed Morgan McCollough, our webmaster, to the board along with Jayne Willingham, Leya (Hiroe) Sugiyama and Nicholas Cotton. Without dedicated volunteers like these new board members, JASGA could not exist.

JASGA is happy to announce a new monthly event, "Exploring Japanese Culture." The series kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 16, and continues on the third Tuesday each month at the Yarborough Branch of the Austin Public Library.

The series will explore a variety of topics pertaining to Japanese culture, including bonsai, haiku, Japanese gardening, aikido, ikebana, tea ceremony, bamboo, acupuncture, Japanese textile arts, architecture, netsuke, and many other topics. The events committee will send a schedule for the program to members in mid-December.

To recommend a topic or submit a proposal for the series, please contact . The Yarborough Library is located at 2200 Hancock (just west of Burnet Road), (512) 454-7208 (see http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ for a map.)