Continued on page 2.

Fifth Anniversary of the Japan Earthquake Tsunami By Nancy Oda

On February 27, we will gather at the Center to remember the March 11, 2011 disaster, at 11:30, the newly formed SFV Taiko will welcome us to the event. More than 15,983 people lost their lives as of October 9, 2015 on the day that the earth shook to a revised 9.0, and lives were changed forever. So, we invite you to the J.E.T. Fundraiser on Saturday, February 27. The current tally of orphans is 1,700 who

still appear traumatized by the experience and overwhelmed by the changes they have been through over the past four years. Sustained efforts to lend them a sympathetic ear, along with support from the community and society will be crucial in healing their emotional scars. As always; it will be a memorable and emotional day. For us, it is an opportunity to practice compassion. The Southern California Disaster Foundation's president, Bill Hopkins, and volunteer, Mikkie Lo, will bring more than 12 exhibits that will help you prepare for emergencies with lifesaving and safety techniques. They will be in the gym since we may have rain.

SFVJACC MISSION STATEMENT

To promote the Japanese culture

and preserve the Japanese

American experience through

education, events and

activities for our community.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY JAPANESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER

Issue 25

January/ February

2016 Website: www.sfvjacc.com

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY JAPANESE

AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER SAN FERNANDO VALLEY JAPANESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER

2

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Happy New Year! Despite the heavy rain we’re having, I hope everyone is having a prosperous and healthy new year. I would like to welcome our new Board members Lisa Sugino, Bing Lau and Jeremy Tsuneishi. These young Board members will bring new knowledge, fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the meeting table. I’m looking forward to working together with our current members in nurturing and developing them so that they will become future leaders of our community center. As for many of our committees (Finance, Endowment, Future Planning), the members are very well qualified and knowledgeable as they support the Board. I’m very thankful to all of them. At the New Year’s Luncheon we were privileged with the presence of Consul General Harry Horinouchi

and his wife Madame Sabine Horinouchi and our special guests. Thank you to Kimiaki Chiba for being a wonderful MC host. Thanks to all the entertainers - the SFV Taiko group who performed for the first time since the start of their group last year, our hula group, Hula Wahines, with their Hawaiian spirit and the Minyo group with their Shamisen singing and dancing Japanese folk songs. It was very entertaining this year! We would like to give special thanks to Akiko Manaka for her time and effort in organizing and planning this event and seeing it every step of the way. In addition, thank you to all the volunteers and helpers who came to lend a helping hand, Our hats go off to you! I attended the Meiji Senior Citizens Club’s 50th Anniversary Luncheon celebration and I was amazed to see close to 300 members attending the event. The Meiji Seniors Club provides so many programs and activities and they’re a very vital part of our Community Center. We thank them very much! As we look forward to another 50 years we wish and pray for their continued success, good health and long life. I still have a few more organization’s New Year’s party to attend! One huge change for this year will be NO SMOKING on the Community Center property. However, we have designated a small smoking area between the Judo and the Pioneer Building. We hope that everyone that comes to the Center will have fresh, healthy and clean air to enjoy the outdoor. We ask for your cooperation and your understanding. Also, in the future we are look-ing at “GOING GREEN” to have our cc newsletter online. Finally, the demolition of the house, resurfacing and re-striping the parking lots have been completed. When you visit the center you will notice the new look and be surprised! We were able to add about 30 parking spaces along the property wall. Also, we have changed all the lights in the Dr. Sanbo Sakaguchi Hall to LED to save on energy cost. More to come! Last year due to safety and maintenance issues we were able to make several improvements at the center. This year we will be focusing on water and utility reduction, solar energy and a few other projects with help of the Future Planning Committee. They will make suggestions and recommendations on future projects for the Community Center. The Future Planning Committee has a big job ahead of them. We will keep you informed as we move forward. So, let’s work together for the common goal to make this Community Center a great place to enjoy and remember. Last note! Please mark February 27, 2016, on your calendar for the 5th Anniversary of Japan’s Earthquake and Tsunami (JET) Awareness Faire. Please come join us as we remember the survivors and the victims we lost in the Tohoku Tsunami. Thank you.

Paul Jonokuchi

Continued from front page - JET Relief Fundraiser

A candle lighting memorial ceremony will start at 12:00 in Dr. Sanbo Sakaguchi Hall. Our special guest includes the Chiba Family relatives from Japan who are bringing a PowerPoint to give us an update on conditions in Japan. Assistant Fire LACFD Chief Michael Y. Takeshita will also be telling us ways to prepare. Compassion is the most important lesson that we can teach our children so many have been enlisted to participate. The poster was created by Kylie Okazaki, 10th grader, daughter of Danny and Yumi. She chose family and love as the central theme. Children from the Valley Japanese Community Center YK ballet class and SFV JACL Suzume no Gakkou campers will perform. In addition, Helena Jeen from Japanese Language School will sing "Hana ga Saku”, a song of hope. The J1 class will also entertain with “AIUEO”. For the finale, our Meiji Ondo will bring the spirit of Japan. Thank you to the SFV Minions for setting up the exhibit in the gym. The SFV Athletics are donating a homemade bake sale. The 8th grade SFV Hawks will be selling souvenir fleece blanket for $30 each with a $5 discount for seniors over 70 years old. EGAO and Chocolates 4 Japan will be selling crafts too. All proceeds will be wired to the selected orphanage. Bento lunches may be ordered for $10.00 each. Please order by calling Lois Okui, Administrative Coordinator at (818) 899-1989 before February 13 .

Paul Jonokuchi presented Officer Munguia with a $500 donation for their Christmas Basket Program. They use the donations to fill baskets with food, clothes and

toys for needy families.

3

DONATIONS TO HOT MEALS

For the Months of November & December 2015

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

For the Months of November/December 2015

Use of Facilities

Tuna Canyon Detention Station Bruce and Annette Takashima Thursday Nite Basketball Yoga Class SFV JACL Monday Nite Basketball Ping Pong Club Wednesday Nite Basketball Hitomi's Cooking Class Meiji Ondo Group Jan & Co Bridge Club Ikenobo Ikebana Aloha Club Tuesday Exercise Class Ballroom Dance Class Senior Arts & Crafts Mandolin Class Friday Mah Jong Friday Exercise Class Harmonica Class

Miscellanous

Coffee donation Copier donation Ralph and Anna Ahn ...... Automatic bread maker Don Akamine ................................... 3 lbs. Coffee Shirley Docken .............. 2 (3 lb) Coffee, 1 (3.5 lb) Coffee Mate Patti Kimura .......... 5 Boxes (200 bags) green tea Yaeko Mochizuki......................... 2 (2 lbs.) Coffee Ping Pong Club .......... 1 (3 lb) and 1 (2 lb) Coffee Eiji Sato .......................... 3 Reams of Copy paper Curly & Flo Sato............................... 2 lbs. Coffee

Donations

Chuck Itagaki Matching Donation Janet Saisho In memory of husband Giro Saisho Toshi Sugii Donation from the sale of her donated items Albert and Mitzi Kushida Taro and Mary Ishimoto Greg Kimura United Way charitable contribution David and Candice Linder Satomi Nishimoto Jill Yamashiro Anonymous IBM charitable contribution

Meiji Senior Club

2016 Las Vegas Trips

February 8-10 May 9-11

August 8-10 November 7-9

Jill Clever ...................................... Fruit cocktail

Pat Donato .................................... Pumpkin pie for sister Sandy Nobuyuki's birthday

Nancy Fukumoto ........................... Osterizer

Fumi Miyata and John Chiang Kaneda ..... JACC Holiday cake

June Imamoto ............................... Persimmons

Roy Imazu ..................................... Kim Chee

Gary and Chisato Kanagi .............. Cake in memory of aunt Mildred Kado

Marilyn Kishi .................................. Cookies for the volunteers

Al and Mitzi Kushida ..................... Monetary donation

Geoege Matsumoto ...................... Persimmons

Chiz Morita .................................... Chopsticks (500)

Musashi Restaurant ...................... 150 lbs. rice, 5 gal. oil, 5 gal. mirin, 4 pkg. chopsticks

Yuriko Muso .................................. Apples and kiwi

Karl and Sandy Nobuyuki ............. Plastic forks and knives

Mr. and Mrs. Nomura .................... Senbei for the volunteers

Julie Otake .................................... Misc. cooking utensils/equipment

Kimiko Rasmussen ....................... Cooking equipment

Marge Sato ................................... 2 Sets of measuring cups

Robert and Setsuko Sato .............. Monetary donation

Yone Takimoto .............................. Fukujinzuke

Leo Tanaka ................................... Persimmons

Jean Yamada ................................ Persimmons

Sylvia Yamashita .......................... Bridge mix for the volunteers

Thank You To The Following For Donating To The SFVJACC New

Year’s Luncheon

Chatsworth West United Methodist Church

Kimiaki and Sayoko Chiba

FIA Insurance Services, Inc.

Yas and Nancy Gohata

Toji and Hitomi Hashimoto

Ken and June Kageyama

Harold and Ellen Kameya

George and Frances Murakami

Ken and Priscilla Mui

Harry Nakada

Fumio and Kazuko Nakama

Karl Nobuyuki

Kay and Nancy Oda

SFV Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

SFV Japanese Language Institute

Margaret Takimoto

Valley Japanese Community Center

Kenji and Kyoko Watanabe

Hiroshi Yamaguchi

4

2015 Income & Expenses For the Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2015

Statement of Expenses

Statement of Income

Nov 14 - Oct 15

Nikkei Senior Gardens $144,728

Donations 142,702

Bert Corona Charter School 102,000

Fund Raising 53,713

Dividends & Interest Income 46,051

Membership 37,115

Hot Meal Income 25,376

Use of Facilities 19,570

New Year’s Luncheon 3,190

Property Tax Reimbursements 916

CC News CC News Ad 378

Total Income $575,739

Nikkei Senior Gardens

Donations

Bert Corona Charter School

Fund Raising

Dividends & Interest Income

Memberships

Hot Meal Income

Use of Facilities

New Year’s Luncheon

Property Tax Reimbursements

CC News CC News Ads

Nov 14 - Oct 15

Maintenance & Supplies $52,022

Utilities 33,363

Insurance 28,641

Salaries 26,744

First Phase of Paving/House/Lot 23,000

Replace Back Parking Lot Gate 21,718

Donations/Orei 18,264

Demolition of House 18,124

Hot Meal Expenses 15,687

Fund Raisers 14,676

Binds for Pioneer Bldg & Kitchen 13,289

Back Parking Lot Lights 12,500

Website 9,282

Office Equipment & Supplies 7,603

Scholarships 5,000

Professional Fees 4,036

New Kitchen Doors 3,475

Newsletter 3,245

Property Taxes 3,050

Payroll Taxes 2,545

Telephone 2,431

Postage 2,114

Koden 600

Total Expenses $321,408

Maintenance & Supplies

Utilities

Insurance

Salaries

First Phase of Paving/House/Lot

Replace Back Parking Lot Gate

Donations

Demolition of House

Hot Meal Expenses

Fund Raisers

Blinds for Pioneer Bldg & Kitchen

Back Parking Lot Lights

Website

Office Equipment & Supplies

Scholarships

Professional Fees

New Kitchen Doors

Newsletter

Property Taxes

Payroll Taxes

Telephone

Postage

Koden

5

SFVJACC QUASI ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE - UPDATE By Kenji Watanabe The San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center established a Quasi Endowment Committee. The initial meeting was held on February 10, 2014. Unlike most Endowments where only the interests or profits from the investments can be used, the Quasi Endowment allows the funds to be accessed as needed for future projects. The Endowment Committee is comprised of three appointed members. They are Dick Kaku, Gene Matsushita and Kenji Watanabe (Chairman). Our financial advisor is Dave Nagano, Assistant Vice President of Investments with Wedbush/Morgan Securities Inc. The initial investment amount was $500,000, which was comprised of donations from Nikkei Village, Dr. Sanbo Sakaguchi and other CC savings.

The approximate investment distributions are:

10% Commodities i.e. gold, wheat, oil etc. 20% Long-term bonds 20% Real estate (REIT) 50% Index funds S&P 500 etc.

The overall long term investment goal is targeted for 7%.

The SFVJACC Board of Directors will approve or disapprove investment recommendations by the Endowment Committee. Regular attendees to the Endowment meetings are Nancy Oda, Denise Tanaka, Paul Jonokuchi, Dave Nagano and the Three Committee members. The Endowment meetings are scheduled for February and August of each year or special meetings may be called by the Chairman when necessary. The Committee is in the process of establishing a Legacy Society with an informative Brochure.

2016 Board & Cabinet (L-R): Liz Doomey, Denise Tanaka, Danny Okazaki, Akiko Manaka, Nancy Oda, Bing Lau, Lisa Sugino and CC President Paul Jonokuchi. Missing: Jeremy Tsuneishi

(L-R) Kenji Watanabe, Paul Jonokuchi and Consul Harry Horinouchi performed the Kagamiwari Ceremony (breaking of

the sake barrel).

6

Meiji Senior Citizens Club By Linda Yamada On January 16, 2016 Meiji club celebrated their 50th Anniversary New Year’s Luncheon with 260 members and friends in attendance. The program began with Kadou Gin (Ikebana and Shigin performed simultaneously). Congratulatory message was given by Consul Hayashi of Japanese Consulate’s Office and Paul Jonokuchi, President of SFVJACC. Awards were given to 19 members that were inducted into the 85 Year Old Club as well as John Ito who will reach his 100th birthday this year. Sumi Yamaguchi was honored for her service as recording secretary for Meiji Club for the past 15 years. Lunch was a delicious bento, sekihan, sashimi, sunomo and kohaku mochi. Entertainment was provided by our members and many raffle prizes were distributed. All in attendance received a red insulated bag with goodies. Thank you everyone who supported and helped with making this event a success. A special thanks to the parents and players of Wildcats, Gang Green, and Hawks who volunteered to help with set up and clean up. Everyone enjoyed the luncheon and went home smiling.

Thank For Your

Generous Donations.

Baba, George

Fujimoto, Kisui

Furuyama, Teruko

Gohata, Yas & Nancy

Goto, George & Grace

Hazard, Hisako

Hirasuna, Richard & Susan

Inaba, Ken & Shigeko

Kageyama, Ken & June

Kunimasa, Emiko

Kushida, Albert & Mitzi

Longworth, Wally & Joy

Matsuda , Ike & Yoshi

Matsumoto, Mary

Mitarai, Evelyn

Mochizuki, Yaeko

Monji, Yoshiko

Morita,Chizuko

Nakada, Harry

Nakama , Fumio & Kazuko

Oda, Kay & Nancy

Okamoto, Peggi

Pasadena Nikkei Seniors, Inc.

Sakaguchi, Dr. Bo & Iku

Sato, Eiji & Marge

Schuetze, Janet

Seinan Senior Citizens' Club, Inc.

SFV Japanese Language Institute

SFV Landscape Gardners Association

SFVJACC Coordinating Council

SFV Japanese American Community Center

Shigekuni, Phil & Marion

Shinsato, Ray & Jean

Shishido, Anna

Sugahara, Kishi

Sugahara, Michiko

Sugii, Toshiye

Tanijiri,Katie

Toshima, Ron & Jeannie

Valley Japanese Community Center

Yamada, John & Kay

Yamada, Linda

Yamaguchi, Hiroshi & Yoshiko

Yamaoka, Ruby

Other Donations

Liz Doomey LADWP

Gene/ Genevieve Lew Judd Matsunaga

Kimiko Miseroy Nakano Nursery

Nikkei Senior Gardens Ritsuko Shinbashi

Craig Tanaka Umeya Rice Cake

Union Bank Michiko Tokunaga

Linda Yamada Koda Farms

7

Floor Covering For Gym By Tadao Okui

In September, Hoops for Friends, a non-profit organization, which holds a basketball tournament each year in Las Vegas had asked me if there was anything they could donate to the Center. With the monies they generate from this tournament, Hoops for Friends donates to local Japanese Communities. The electronic scoreboard in our gym was donated by them a few years ago and installed by some of our Athletics members. I asked some Community Center and Athletics members if there was something that is needed. About this time, we had been looking into purchasing a vinyl floor covering for those events (Obon, Pancake Breakfast) when we had to cover the gym floor. In the past, we would use a plastic tarp and tape down all the edges with blue painter’s tape which was quite a job. We found that the floor covering was going to be a major expense ($6,199.00) for the Community Center and we were thinking of holding off on the purchase and just use what we had been using in the past. After talking with Gerald Morita, founder of Hoops for Friends, and trying to think of things that the Community Center would need, I asked Gerald if he would be willing to help us with the cost of the floor covering for our gym. I was able to get a quote for a vinyl floor covering from Greatmats and forwarded it to Gerald. One morning I received a call from Angie, the Greatmats rep-resentative and she told me Gerald Morita was going to pay the full cost of the floor covering. I couldn’t believe it! What a generous thing for Hoops For Friends to do! When the shipment finally arrived, I didn’t realize how much of a challenge this was going to be. FedEx called and told me the driver couldn’t unload the shipment because it was too big for their lift gate. I had to organize a group to help unload the shipment. The shipment had to be dismantled and taken off the truck piece by piece since no forklift was available. With the help of Aaron Sanwo and Randy Furushiro from the Ping Pong group, Gary Nakada and John Doomey, we accomplished the task with no one getting hurt. Also, I didn’t realize the rack had to be assembled after unloading it from the truck. Finally, the SF Emerald’s fathers, Jeremy Tsuneishi, Chris Geromini, Chris Battle, John Badua, Luc Lac, Randy Burris, Keith Kowta and Anthony Nagasuka from Athletics did the daunting and difficult job of putting the rack together (the directions were limited). I want to thank Gerald Morita and Hoops for Friends for this major donation to our Community Center. Also, thank you to all who helped with unloading the rack and vinyl floor covering and to those of you who put the rack together.

The SF Emerald’s fathers did the challenging job of

assembling the massive rack. Thanks, looks great!

SFV JAPANESE LANGUAGE INSTITUTE

J-School started their new year with the

Japanese tradition of making mochi

(Mochitsuki). With the help of the

Sakamoto, Takeshita and Motoyama

families, the students pounded

sweet rice and rolled the

paste into mochi. What

a fun and delicious

experience for the

kids and parents!

MOCHI-TSUKI

8

A New Chapter By Harold Kameya

Way back in the 1950s, my parents mentioned the importance of education and the need to keep learning. Today, with technology changing so rapidly, the need to keep up with changes, news and events in our rapidly changing world is very obvious! Regarding the need to keep learn-ing, our community center has a lot of books in its library. Did you know that you are able to download e-books and audio books and music from your city library? If you bought kindle e-books from Amazon, did you know that you could loan many of them out also? You just need your friend’s email address, and Amazon will send it out to that person. Note that while you have loaned your ebook out, you will not be able to read it on your computer. However, in 2 weeks, presto, your book is automatically retrieved, and is back in your possession! For more information, go to: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200549320

Our JACL chapter has a new president: Phil Shigekuni! Please congratulate him and ask how you can join our chapter!

Aloha, Harold Kameya, past president

SAVE THE DATE!

FAMILY DAY PICNIC

Saturday - May 14, 2016

At Orcas Park

Come join the fun!

Useful Things To Know

When you’re looking for something in a room,

look in the opposite direction you’re used to

reading. You’re used to scanning left to right

quickly due to reading, so scanning in the

opposite direction forces you to slow down

and actually think/observe. A US dollar is 6 inches long, use it to

measure object quickly.

The amount of times you need to push down

per minute during CPR is the beat of “Stayin’

Alive”.

If you’re going to hide something, hide it

above eye-level. People never look up when

they’re searching for something hidden.

9

The girls will be selling cookies at the CC before the following events:

Saturday, February 6 Japanese Language School New Year’s Party

Saturday, February 20 Super Bingo Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Saturday, February 27

JET Relief Event

Please see the CC website for more information.

Support Girl Scout Troop 1466!

Cookies are

$5/box.

June 13-17

Grade 2-5

Early bird registration by

April 30, 2016

Suzume no Gakkou

Summer Camp

DR. SANBO SAKAGUCHI

AND

LILLY SAKAGUCHI

THIBIODEAUX

SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications available on

the SFVJACC website

Due on April 1, 2016

CLASS

OF 2016

10

Riding Bikes

By Old Wakaba, Bud Sagara

A major milestone for a kid is learning to ride a bicycle. Riding a bike was not only fun, but it also bestows a sense of freedom and independence. Granted, we all had to ask our parents permission to go to a specific destination; but once we were out there in the neighborhood, anything along the way was an adventure waiting to happen. Bikes in my day had big fat tires and did not have gears. The faster one pedaled, the faster one would

go. Climbing hills meant having to stand up on the pedals and pump harder. The color of my bike was a combination of faded red and rust to go along with a red and white checkered seat. My Dad took me downtown many years ago to purchase it at a police auction for unclaimed property. Some kids had fancier bikes painted in neon colors, with red reflectors, and handgrips with plastic streamers; but my bike was more of a well-worn, trusted companion akin to a cowboy and his horse. We would set baseball cards that we had doubles of using clothespins into the wheel spoke to make that characteristic flapping sound. Accidents did happen. Kids on bikes would some-times crash to the pavement, but splashes of red-orange Mercurochrome or sprays of Bac-tine would make a kid as good as new. Dents on bikes were fixed with a hammer and we repaired our own flat tires with a kit that came in a can. We would find the leak by putting the inner tube in a bucket of water and check for bubbles. The can’s lid was used to roughen the inner tube’s surface at the point of the leak, glue was dabbed on the spot, and then a rubber patch was pressed onto the glue. Each school morning, a group of us would ride our bikes to school. The older kids could ride without touching the handle-bars. The rest of us had to hold our notebook and lunch pail with one arm and use the other to steer. My lunch pail had Roy Rogers and Trigger printed on it. The girls had it easy because they had baskets on their bikes to carry their stuff. No self-righteous boy would be caught dead riding a bike with a basket on it. Our elementary school had a large section of bike racks where we could lock up our bikes for the day. My bike lock key was on a thick piece of string that was tied to a belt loop and then put in my pocket so it would not be lost. It seemed like everyday some kid would lose his bike lock key and would have to sit forlornly waiting for a parent to pick him up after the office called home. Once a year, there was a big event at school when bicycle licenses were issued. Parents had to fill out forms the night before, and then a man would put a sticker on the bike, usually on the support bar just below the bike’s seat. A typical weekend bike trip would be to Fernangeles Park in Sun Valley to play over-the-line, basketball or just goof around with friends. The pool at the park was only about three feet at the deep end so it was attractive to families with small kids. We would not swim there because we heard that little kids peed in the pool. This adventure usually ended in a trip to Steele’s Market on Laurel Canyon, just half a block from the park. This was a favorite destination for neighborhood kids. Even though it was a small mom and pop store, it had an enticing selection of cheap candy and the patience to allow kids to slowly make their choices for their pennies. We bought types of candy that are not usually seen today, like Red Hots, candy buttons, Chiclets, Pixy Stix, Flying Saucers, Chum gum, candy cigarettes, hot cinnamon toothpicks, and Jujubes. We would buy wax lips or

moustaches so that we would look goofy while riding to Yummy’s, a hamburger joint, across Laurel Canyon to peer at the small alligator in the parking lot pond. It was routine to ride to the Yamamoto’s or the Ito’s house to go swimming, but the long trip to Hansen Dam on a bike was a major undertaking. We would pack lunches and have WWII surplus water canteens strapped to our belts. Back in the 1950’s and 1960’s, there were two lakes behind the dam. The main one was for power boats, sail boats, and water skiers. The overgrown back lake was used for fishing. My Uncle Hank would take me fishing there some-times and we would be lucky if one of us landed a small bluegill. There was also an area we called the “swamp” at one end of the back lake that was a great destination for kids. It was a

muddy marshland, where kids could hunt for crawdads, look for buried treasure, and hope to not find anything dead because the smell in the swamp seemed to indicate otherwise. Along Foothill Boulevard, one could still see vegetable and flower farms that were worked by Japanese American families. These families were part of the pioneers who built the Community Center. It is hard to imagine today that there were once so many thriving farms in the San Fernando Valley just a few generations ago. Getting on a bike is a passport to being a kid again. You can hear the wind and feel the road. The thrill of coasting downhill at full speed rivals anything at Disneyland today. None of the concerns of the world like work, money, or diets seem to matter. Why do we forget such joy when we grow up? The allure of the world pulls us away from the life we were meant to lead. In Ephesians 4:1-2, the Apostle Paul tells us how we should live our lives: “As a prisoner for the Lord, I, then, urge you to live a life of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” We will never be perfect in this life, but we can go into the world in Jesus Christ with a changed heart to heal rather than to hurt, to encourage rather than to destroy, and with hope rather than despair.

Giving Campaign or Matching Gifts

Does your work place or company do employee giving campaigns or matching gifts to non-profit organizations? Consider naming our Community Center as a recipient. Thank you to our members that have been doing this for years. Your donations do help!

11

SFVJACC Athletics

Pancake Breakfast!

Saturday, March 19, 2016 7:30 – 11:00 am

Donation $4.00 per person

12953 Branford Street Pacoima, CA 91331

Pancakes, Sausages, OJ, Coffee! Raffle Prizes!

Please Support the CC Athletics Programs and our Boys and Girls Athletes!

Go to www.sfvjacc.com to download all applications.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016.

Winners will be notified and awards will be presented at the SF Athletics Jamboree on April 23, 2016.

HOSHIKO HIRANO AWARD - This award honors the memory of Hoshi Hirano, the woman who started and developed the Girls Athletics program at our Community Center. The purpose of the award is to a recognize senior girl who has contributed to the Girls Athletics program by her participation, performance and/or service to the program. Any or all awards and performances in athletics/scholastic activities accomplished in high school will be considered. This award is open to all senior girls graduating from high school this year. The candidate must have participated or is currently participating in the Community Center Girls Athletics program.

WAYNE YAMAMOTO MEMORIAL AWARD - The purpose of this award is to recognize a senior boy who has contributed to the SF Boys Athletics program by his participation, performance and/or service to the program. Any or all awards and performances in athletics/scholastic activities

accomplished in high school will be considered. This award is open to all senior boys graduating from high school this year. The candidate must have participated or is currently participating in the Community Center Boys Athletics program.

LAUREN TAGUCHI MEMORIAL YOUTH SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP - This scholarship is given to honor Lauren Taguchi’s memory as an active member of the SFVJACC Athletics as well as many other community organizations. As a student athlete, Lauren was a role model, friend and teammate who demonstrated sportsmanship on and off the court. A $500.00 award will be given to the graduating high school senior who best demonstrates the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship, through community service. Applicants should be responsible students, active in school and their community, as well as have participated in SFVJACC Athletics for at least 5 years. The student selected will receive the award to be applied towards his or her college education.

Scholarship Applications Available For High School Seniors

12

Friday, September 2nd thru Monday, September 5th Only $135 (12-Adult), $110 (5-11), $15 (

13

Want to reserve

the Community Cen-

ter for an event?

Call Tadao Okui

at 818-892-1487

or email:

tadokui@aol.com

Want to submit an

article for the CC

Newsletter?

Email:

loisokui@aol.com

CC Deadline:

2nd Friday of

every odd month.

COORDINATIING COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONS—MEETINGS-CONTACT PERSONS

Coordinationg Council………………….. 1st Wed., 7:00 PM………….Nancy Oda. ................ 818 786-0914 Community Center………………………. 3rd Wed., 7:00 PM…...…..Paul Jonokuchi ............ 818 894-5327 Athletics………………………………………. 3rd Tues., 7:30 PM…….Margaret Takimoto .... ……818 701-7628 CC News……………………………….......... Lois Okui………...818 892-1487………. . Email: loisokui@aol.com Chatsworth West United Methodist Church ...................................................................................... ……………………………………………………. 2nd Sun., 1:00 PM……….Doreen Kawamoto ... ……818 764-8850 Crossway Church…………………….. .... 2nd Sun., 12:30 PM…………Jennifer Trax .............. 818 896-1676 Nikkei Senior Gardens………………….. 2nd Thurs., 7:00 PM………….Tadao Okui .............. 818 515-8287 SFV Bonsai Club…………………………… 4th Sun., 8 AM-12 PM…….…Walter Zipusch ........ 818 993-4478 SFV Hongwanji Buddhist Temple….. 2nd Mon., 7:30 PM……..….Terry Ishigo ................ 818 899-4030 SFV JACL .......................................... 2nd Wed., 7:00 PM………Doreen Kawamoto .. ……818 764-8850 SFV Japanese Language Institute .... 2nd Sat., 9:30 AM-12:30 PM…Stephen Nakata ... 818 896-8612 SFV Judo Club ................................. 4th Wed., 7:03 PM…….…...Kenji Couey ............... 818 381-7232 SFV Landscape Gardeners .............. Sat. of every other month………Nob Tamai.......... 818 347-3912 SFV Meiji Senior Citizens………………. 1st Fri., 12:30 PM……….…..Liz Doomey ................ 818 892-7381 Senior Hot Meals ............................ Tues. & Fri. (no meal on 5th Tues. & 5th Fri.) ..... 818 899-1989 Sho Chiku Bai Porter Ranch Bonsai Club…....1st Sun., 9 AM-12 PM; 2nd Mon., 5-7 PM………………... ........................................................ ......................................... Yoko Zipusch…………….818 746-6677 Sunrise Foursquare Church………………………………………….Reverend Paul Iwata ............ 818 782-8738 ........................................................ Valley Japanese Community Center ………………………….....….Neil Hashiba .................... 818 732-5837

SPECIAL CLASSES

Arts & Crafts…………………………….. Monday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Sally Hamamoto 818 361-2902 Ballroom Dance………………………... Tuesday 7:00-8:30 PM Barbara Okita 818 784-5128 Bowling*, Matador Bowl…….. Thursday 9:30 AM George Seko 818 998-0682 Bridge*…………………………………….. Mon 12:00-3:00 PM Sam Toji 661 255-2824 Country Western Music*……………1st /3rd Tuesday 10:30-11:30 AM Janet Schuetze 818 767-1819 Exercise Class……………………………. Tuesday 9:00-10:00 AM Ralph Ahn 818 897-1322 Exercise Class……………………………. Friday 10:00-11:00 AM Phil Shigekuni 818 893-1581 Guitar Class………………………………. Tuesday 10:15-11:30 AM Greg Librando 818 896-6503 Hanafuda*………………………………… Friday 1:00-3:00 PM Yone Takimoto 818 765-6735 Harmonica Class*……………………… Friday 11:00-11:30 AM Call CC office 818 899-1989 Hawaiian Hula (Hula Wahines)…..Friday 12:30-1:30 PM Suzan Akamine 818 367-1723 Hawaiian Hula (Ages 3-adults) .... Saturday 10:00 AM-1:00 PM Mikilani Young 818 692-4189 Hitomi’s Cooking Class ………………4th Tuesday 7:00-9:00 PM NJ Nakamura 818 893-6503 Ikenobo Ikebana .......................... 2nd/4th Wednesday 10:00-2:00 PM Ritsuko Shinbashi 818 892-0470 Japanese Calligraphy………………... 1st/3rd Thursday 9:30-11:00 AM Yuriko Muso 818 726-8935 Japanese Classical Dance………….. Friday 3:00-6:30 PM Diane Fukuwa 310 217-0443 Karaoke*………………………………….. 1st/3rd Thursday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Walter Fujimori 818 352-1075 Kokusei Shigin Class………………….. Thursday (Off premises) 2:00-4:00 PM Paul Jonokuchi 818 894-5327 Line Dancing*…………………………… Thursday 8:45-10:00 AM Mark Nakamura 818 363-3038 Mandolin………………………………….. Friday 9:30-11:00 AM Call CC office 818 899-1989 Tuesday Mah-Jong* .................... Tuesday 1:00-3:00 PM Asako Giegoldt 805 433-3763 Friday Mah-Jong* ........................ Friday 1:00-3:00 PM Yoko A. Kawamura 818 765-3513 Ondo Dancing* ………………………… 2nd/4th Friday 7:00-9:00 PM Masako Rodriquez 818 899-8777 Ping Pong Club…………………………..Thurs/2nd, 3rd, 4th Tuesday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM Aaron Sanwo 661 755-0584 Qi Gong ....................................... Thursday (J-School) 7:00-8:30 PM Mamie Kosaka 661.645.4515 SFV Judo Club…………………………… Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri 7:00-9:00 PM Kenji Couey 818 381-7232 Tai Chi Class*……………………………. Monday 9:00-10:00 AM Florence Takaaze 310 202-6693 Taiko ............................................ Thursday 7-8:30 PM Sunday 10 AM-2 PM Reid Taguchi 818 571-1797 Ukulele Class ............................... Friday (Gym) 9:30-11:30 AM Greg Librando 818 896-6503 Yoga Class…………………………………. Wednesday 10-11 AM, 11:15-12:15 PM Call CC Office 818 899-1989 Zumba………………………………………. Monday 7:30-8:30 PM Margaret Takimoto 818 701-7628

SUPPORT GROUPS & SERVICES

Alzheimer’s Support Group………. 1st Saturday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Facilitator: Isabelle Miyata Blood Pressure Screening*……….. 3rd Friday 9:00-11:00 AM Nikkei Pioneer Conference Room Podiatrist*………………………………… 2nd Saturday 11:30—2:00 PM Nikkei Pioneer Conference Room

*Meiji Senior Citizens’ Activity or Service For more information, call the CC at (818) 899-1989.

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Chatsworth West United Methodist Church

(Formerly West Valley UMC merged with Chatsworth UMC)

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

10824 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Chatsworth, CA 91311

818 341 1270

E-mail: chatsworthumc@juno.com FAX: 818 341 1271 Pastor: Ruy Mizuki Lay Leader: Jim Melichar

Worship Service 10AM Sunday School 10AM Social Hour following service Nursery care provided Bible Study Thurs @ 10AM & 7:15PM Tuesdays @ 1PM Choir practice 1st and 3rd Wednesday @ 3:00PM Musical Director: Steve Foreman Japanese Class – 2nd & 4th Sunday @ 9AM Instructor: Junko Wayama Shotokan Karate of America Fri. @ 6:30 PM Rm.1 Instructor: April Warynick

www.ska.org 1 213 437 0988 Electrobattles Dance for children Fri. evening, Rm. 5 Instructor: Sharon James Chi Fung Mind & Body Fitness Tuesday @ 9AM Rm.2 Instructor: Leo Fong

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HONGWANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE

9610 Haddon Avenue Pacoima, CA 91331

(2 blocks east of Laurel Canyon Blvd. between Branford and Osborne St.)

Office Phone:

818 896-1676 (English)

(818) 899-4115 (Japanese)

Please refer to our website for more information: www.crosswaysfv.org

English Department

Pastor Roland Hazama Pastor Raynold Nakamura

Sunday Schedule

9:009:45 AM Sunday School for ages junior high through adult

10 - 11:15 AM Worship Service

(childcare for infants - Pre-K)

Kid Venture Children’s Ministries (K - 5th grade)

11:15 - 11:45 AM Coffee Fellowship

Youth Fellowship Friday, 7:30 PM

Meetings at the church for Jr. High and Sr. High

Mid-Week Home Groups We believe that fellowship, friend-ship, and spiritual growth happens best in our small groups that meet during the week. We have a number of groups meeting in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. Come, visit, and get to know our church. For more information, please call us or check our website.

Japanese Department

Pastor In Hyun

Please refer to our website for more information:

www.sfjp.weebly.com

Sunday Schedule

10:00 AM Worship Service

Lunch and Fellowship after worship service on the

1st Sundays

Wednesdays, 10 am Prayer @ Pastor’s house

(Formerly SFV Holiness Church)

9450 Remick Ave., Pacoima 818 899-4030 www.sfvhbt.org

Rev. Patricia Usuki Temple President: Terry Ishigo

BUDDHIST TEMPLE CALENDAR

February 6 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Electronic recycling 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Udon fundraiser 7 10:00 am Shotsuki monthly memorial service; annual general meeting 14 10:00 am Shakyamuni Buddha’s me morial service 18 10:30 am Service at Nikkei Senior Gardens 21 10:00 am Regular service 28 10:00 am Regular service

March 6 10:00 am Temple clean-up 12 10:00 am BWA service/meeting 13 10:00 am Shotsuki monthly memorial service 17 10:30 am Service at Nikkei Senior Gardens 19 1:00 - 4:00 pm Spring Equinox seminar 20 10:00 am Spring Equinox service 26 9:30 am Dharma discussion 5:00 pm Chili-Bingo fundraiser – everyone welcome

April 2 9:30 am Dharma discussion 3 10:00 am Combined Shotsuki monthly memorial and birth of Shakyamuni Buddha service 9 9:30 am Dharma discussion 10 10:00 am Regular service 17 10:00 am Regular service 21 10:30 am Service at Nikkei Senior

Gardens

Service at Nikkei Senior Garden on the third Thursday of each

month at 10:30 am

mailto:chatsworthumc@juno.comhttp://www.ska.org/http://www.sfvhc.orghttp://www.sfjp.weebly.com/http://www.sfvhbt.org

15

5852 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Valley Village, CA 91607

English: Pastor Paul Iwata

Email: pmiwata1@hotmail.com haruko,iwata@gmail.com

Website: www.sunrisejapanesechurch.org

Japanese: Pastor Haruko Iwata

Phone: (818) 782-8738 (818) 642-2332

Sunday Morning Service - 10:30 a.m. (Prayer for Healing on 5th Sundays)

Sunday Evening Service - 6 p.m.

Thursday Evening Bible Study - 7 p.m.

Late Night Counseling and Prayer on the Last Friday of the Month

From 8 p.m. to 12 midnight

Location: The Prayer Chapel’ 14705 Wyandotte St.

Van Nuys, CA 91405 (mailing address)

Torrance Home Meeting – 7 p.m. On the 2nd Wednesday of the month

SUNRISE FOURSQUARE CHURCH

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE CC

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP

If you have a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s disease, come join us — A non-judgmental, confidential place to share ideas, frustrations, concerns and joy.

Meetings: First Saturday of the month Time: 10 am — 12 noon

For more info, call the Center. (818) 899-1989

February 6, 2016 SFV Japanese Language Institute New Year’s Party

February 7, 2016 SFV Judo Club Super Bowl Party Fundraiser

February 27, 2016 JET Relief 5th Anniversary Fundraiser & Disaster Awareness Fair

March 19, 2016 SF Athletics Pancake Breakfast

April 3, 2016 SFV JACL - Play “Garage Door Opener”

April 23, 2016 SF Athletics Jamboree

May 14, 2016 CC Family Day Picnic @ Orcas Park

mailto:pmiwata1@hotmail.com

16

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY JAPANESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER NEWS

12953 Branford Street, Pacoima 91331 818 899-1989 Fax 818 899-0659

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID Van Nuys, California

Permit No. 21

San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center

2016 MEMBERSHIP FORM (Membership period: January 1 to December 31, 2016)

1. Complete the information below. 2. Tear off the membership card for your records. 3. Make check payable to “SFVJACC”. 4. Send your check and this form to: SFVJACC – Membership (Please Pint) Name _______________________________________________________________________ Phone ________________________________

(Last Name) (First Name)

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________________________________________________ State __________Zip Code _____________________

Email Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Emergency Contact ____________________________________________________________ Phone _________________________________

* For information, please call SFVJACC at (818) 899-1989. Thank you for supporting our Community Center. FAX is (818) 899-0659.

□ Family Membership - $55.00 □ Single Membership - $35.00