Letter from the Vice President
Dear Members,
The past months have been a busy and successful period for the Sister Committee. In the fall a delegation of visiting educators was hosted by the Committee, which also took care of arrangements for educational contacts as well as cultural events. The Medical Project continues to thrive. The
Russian Folk orchestra had a marvelous event at the Colburn School.The full orchestra was complemented by players from Russia as well as many parts of the United States. The Committee hosted many members.
The highlight as will be clear from this newsletter was the Ball on February 1, 2003. Over 300 people attended and enjoyed a wonderful evening of international friendship with Russian dignitaries and friends. The silent auction owed its success to the many gracious donors and bidders. The program reflected the talents of Russian artists as well as local talent. Everyone enjoyed the remarkable talents of the students from the Colburn School. Special kudos belong to Natasha Edwards who worked so hard to make the auction successful. The evening was a great success due to the efforts of all the volunteers who helped in all the ways that make an event memorable.
The Sister City Committee thanks all who attended. We want to hear from you during the year work with you, as you wish and of course, celebrate the 2004 Russian Ball with you.
My thanks on behalf of the President, Nataly Scherbakova and the Board.
Ellin Lieberman, M.D.
Vice President
HEADLINE:
300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF ST. PETERSBURG ,RUSSIA
CELEBRATED BY THE LOS ANGELES-ST. PETERSBURG SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
On February 1, 2003 the Los Angeles St.Petersburg Sister Committee
( LASPCC) celebrated with its annual Russian Ball . A private club was transformed into a Magical Winter Fantasy.
This year s gala event raised more than $30,000 for childrens hospitals and orphanages in St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg holds a special place in the hearts of many Los Angelenos. We were delighted to honor St. Petersburg on its 300th Anniversary by raising much needed funds for worthy children's charities in the city, and by creating a magical evening of one of the worlds most exquisite and culturally rich destinations, said Nataly Scherbakova, President, LASPCC.
Special recognition awards were presented for the first time
to 5 honorees. The Board for her distinguished service to the organization honored Jeri Ferris; Mayor Hahns Chief of Protocol, Naomi Rodriguez presented the award. Los Angeles County.
Supervisor Zev Yaraslovsky was honored for his years of humanitarian work on behalf of Russian citizens; City Councilman, Tom LaBonge, presented his award. Richard Colburn, distinguished philanthropist and founder of the School that bears his name received his award from the
Executive Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Deborah Borda. Dr. Vladimir Zelman, M.D. , Co-Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Keck and USC School of Medicine was honored for his many years of medical care to Russians on both sides of the ocean. Dr. Ronald Kaufman, Associate Dean for Administration presented the award.
The last honoree was selected by the Medical Committee for his vision in conceiving of a Russian-Western collaboration to assist in improving the education of postgraduate physicians in St. Petersburg. Dr. Alexander Ariev was given his award by Dr. Ellin Lieberman,Chairman of the Medical Committee. He will be staying for 2 months and studying with Professor Arthur Cohen of Cedars Sinai Health Sciences Center.
Highlights of the evening included a musical performance by students of the Colburn School of Music, ballet by ballerina Erin Nicole Brita, and singing by the Russian singer, Anatoly Berkovich.
Other esteemed guests in attendance included Consul General of Russia Victor Luzin, KNX and KTLAs Frank Mottek; L.A. Lakers Stanislav Medvedenko and actor Ed ORoss from HBOs hit series Feet Under.
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Special thanks to the Sponsors of the 2003 Russian Winter Ball
Lufthansa German Airlines
Tiffany and Company
Jewel of Russia Vodka
Grand Hotel Europe
Heliotronics, Inc.
DAquino Imports
The Law Offices of Reins Evans and Sestanovic
And our gratitude to Claude Brickell for organization of the Ball and also for his special artistic contributions
Medical Committee
I. Fellowship Program for the Medical Academy for Postgraduate Studies
( MAPS) in St. Petersburg Russia. Major goal of the Project was to create a Western-style Nephrology Fellowship; this goal was accomplished during 2002. The next step in partnership with Russian colleagues is to assist in its implementation.
II. Physician Exchange
Two Russian Junior Faculties trained in the West, for 4-month periods. They studied with members of the Senior Team at Yale and the University of Toronto, Canada. Continuity will be maintained upon their return to Russia. A third faculty member is expected in 2003 to study renal Pathology at Cedars for 4 months. A special Los Angeles- St. Petersburg Sister City Medical Committee Fellowship has been awarded to Dr. Alexander Ariev.
III. Web site
A) RAMPartners.org ( Russian American Medical Partners)
This site is under active development; it now includes articles in Russian and English; the recent addition of a comprehensive English-Russian medical dictionary and important medical guidelines.
IV. Ongoing Activities
A) Identifying and translating essential/critical medical guidelines and summarizing key articles for the web site and distribution throughout Russia Via CD-ROMs
B) Increasing Western assistance via web site, e mail linkages and focused interactive workshops etc
C) Encouraging donations of drugs, equipment, subscriptions etc
D) Identifying Russian medical leaders who can implement
New curricula along with new teaching methods
Work on disease registries and updating materials for their community or regions
F) To work toward collaborative clinical and research protocols
The next meeting is on April 10th we welcome guests and new members
Contact Ellin Lieberman, M.D. e-mail: elieb@earthlink.net
Special Event
75th Birthday Celebration of Professor Vitaly Margolis to be held on April
16,2003 at 8 pm. at Schoenberg Hall, UCLA.
Professor Margulis was Professor in Leningrad Conservatory and now is Professor of Music at UCLA School of Music. He is a recognized talented pianist.
Tickets are $10. Contact Olga Vlasova at 310-710-7845 or email at olgavlassova@yahoo.com
Calendar of upcoming events
March 22, 2003: La Camerata - an evening of Russian Chamber Music
7:30 p.m. Zipper Concert Hall, Colburn School of Music
200 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
For ticket information: www.vrmusiccenter.com
Telephone and reservations: (310) 571-9109
April 16, 2003: 75th Birthday Celebration of Professor Vitaly Margulis
8pm Schoenberg Hall UCLA
For tickets contact Olga Vlassova at (310) 710 7845
Email: olgavlassova@yahoo.com
July 27- October 13, 2003: Old Masters, Impressionists, and Moderns:
French masterworks from the Pushkin Museum, Moscow- at the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (323) 857 - 6000
This is a specially ticketed exhibition and tickets go on sale June 27, 2003.
May 16 May 18, 2003 Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg
Orange County Performing Art Center, 600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa
(24-hour performance line: 714 556-ARTS)
September 10, 2003: General Membership Meeting