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Community Corner

VIDEO: Los Gatos Joins Global 'FlashBow' Tribute to Japanese

Group gathers in Vasona Park Saturday afternoon to show support to earthquake/tsunami victims.

Despite an earlier downpour, people carrying red-and-white-striped umbrellas and decked out in red slickers, scarves and down parkas arrived at  Saturday afternoon to participate in a "FlashBow" ceremony. Its purpose was to honor the Japanese victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The tribute, organized primarily through social networking, was a variation of the Flash Mob YouTube sensation, in which dancers or singers suddenly begin performing in public to everyone’s surprise. The FlashBow incorporated one of Japan’s deepest expressions of respect, the bow. In a further show of solidarity, participants were encouraged to dress in red-and-white clothing, the colors of the Japanese flag.

The group lined up at 2:46 p.m., the same time the violent 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck, and faced west toward Japan. After a moment of silence, participants simultaneously bowed, then stood for another minute of silence.

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According to Los Gatos event organizer Tori O’Halloran of Almaden Valley, the event was created by her fellow graduate Paul O’Sullivan, who lives in Chula Vista. “We’ve been sending prayers and money and should continue to do so, but today we’re giving our hearts to our brothers and sisters in Japan,” said O’Halloran.

In addition to Los Gatos, similar events took place in San Diego, Houston, Texas and Tijuana, Baja California, with individuals and groups from as far away as South Africa and Egypt participating. The goal was to photograph and video the ceremonial bow and share it with the Japanese using social media and through the Japanese news media.

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"There are so many of us who admire how the Japanese are facing this crisis with profound dignity, generosity, patience and grace," said O'Sullivan, one of the San Diego event organizers. "This is our opportunity to do something symbolic that we hope will lift the spirits of the Japanese."

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