Many highlights despite pandemic in 2021
By David Owens
As we head into the home stretch of this pandemic year I wanted to share some of the good news from this year and look forward to the time we can resume delegations.
Happily in June we had our first sister city meeting in person again and hoped all would get back to normal. Unfortunately, the delta variant changed that and we are back to zoom meetings for a bit longer in 2021.
Our 2021 virtual summit sponsored by Open World (COIL) with Rubtsovsk and Grants Pass city staff, including new mayor Sara Bristol, on February 19 was an inspiring moment for our on-going cooperation with Rubtsovsk to advance projects and friendships. Rustam Koralasbayev, our moderator for the summit just sent (finally!) a raw recording of that meeting and I was able to process it for our youtube channel. It is the original version with everyone speaking in their preferred language. I recommend it for the positive attitudes, ideas and setting the tone for the future. We hope to see these delegates in person next year! https://youtu.be/4rc51FUs4Os
Another highlight was a special edit of The Jeffersonian just for us, highlighting the Grants Pass-Rubtsovsk 30-year friendship. Nancy Hitchcock, Mark Kellenback and Olga Rusina made very informative interviews. Only on our youtube channel. https://youtu.be/McxhfxedHsQ
And let’s not forget our 30th-anniversary celebration September 2020 with Rubtsovsk and our mayor Roy Lindsay. Russian music with Steve Berman made it especially festive. https://youtu.be/sl6wBDW8ceA
Feel free to like and subscribe to the Grants Pass Sister City channel. Note the new logo on top of the page designed by students in the RVCC design program in Grants Pass. Another success during the pandemic time. They designed a new website as well that we can update through WordPress. Our old website is also live until we can transition everything to the new site.
Grants Pass Sister City YouTube channel
On a more personal note, I just got back from three months in Russia. Our embassy is still not processing visas for Russians except for immigration to come to America. Also, we just announced we will not accept the Sputnik V vaccinations, in use in Russia, for American requirements. Hopefully this will all improve next year.
Russia is processing visas for Americans to visit, PCR test required. And our vaccinations do not count in Russia. That said, my time in Moscow and St. Petersburg were only lightly affected by the pandemic. With fewer tourists and no large foreign tour groups, access to museum and touristic locations was actually better. While in Moscow I did share some thoughts on Russia and America based on my contact over the years. I would welcome your comments and questions. https://youtu.be/4yoHnVjqGCk
Many highlights despite pandemic in 2021 Read More »
