Diablo JA Club News

July 2008  

Minutes of the J.A. Meeting

Meeting Date:   July 2, 2008

President Sharon Akiyama called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM.

Corrections/Additions to Previous Minutes

Jon Kubokawa spoke for Gakuen, not Jon Yokoyama.

Obon practice begins Monday July 14 at 7:30 pm

Treasurer’s Report:  David Ziesmer presented the treasurer’s report. 

 

 Acknowledgements/Announcements

1.      Donation from EBYAL for $400.00 to the bldg fund

2.      Donation from Ayers School for $300.00 for use of the facility to the bldg. fund

3.      Donation from Wells Fargo Bank for $500.00 for the scholarship fund

4.      Thank you note received from Lindsay Tamura for her scholarship

5.      Donation received in honor of Peter Hirano for $50.00 from Carol Woods to the bldg. fund

6.      3 other donations received in honor of Peter Hirano

7.      Announcement: Memorial Service for Peter Hirano will be at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Church in Walnut Creek on 7/19 at 2 p.m

Affiliated Clubs/Chairpersons Reports:

 

 

 

JARCC – Bob Okubo for Sam Sunada

·         They are still in the process of taking care of the bee problem.  The roof has been removed, the bee hive(s) removed, but the bees are not all gone yet.

Buddhist Fellowship - Sharon Akiyama

  • Obon Service is on Tues. 7/29 at 7:30 p.m.  The Reverend Kujo is the guest speaker.

Jr. YBA – Sam Sunada

  • No report. 

Nippongo Gakuen – Yale Kaufman (co-president)

  • Every teacher position has been filled.  Only a few openings left for students.                                                                                
  • Julie Kanazawa (Gakuen Vice-president) was also introduced.

Athletic Club – Dave Uemura

·         Signups for next year’s basketball season already happened.  If you are still interested, contact Dave directly.  The forms are NOT online.

Building Superintendent – Jon Yokoyama

·         Doors and light are still being left open/on.  The president of the JA club and the JARCC spoke of what next steps will be taken. (see Old Business)

Gardeners’ Club – No representative

Ikenobo Club – No representative

 

 

JASEB –Yukio Kitagawa

 

·         There is still looking for an executive director.

 

Judo Club - Leslie Hisaka

 

  • The last class before summer break will be on Thursday July 17th  Classes will resume on Thursday September 4th.  This is the day to sign-up for the new year.

 

Diablo Kendo Club – Mike Espinosa

 

  • US championships are taking place presently in Las Vegas.  Adrienne Aono is competing.  Good Luck.

 

Shinwakai – Yukio Kitagawa

 

  • Thank you to all that attended Family Talent Night.  There were 200 in attendance.  Entertainment was enjoyed by all.  Thank you to Ron Onizuka for being MC and Sharon Akiyama for doing the meet/greet.  Thank you to Yukio for organizing the 24th Annual Family Talent Nite.
  • The Pioneer Award went to both James Nakamura and Don Milberger
  • The 80 year old Honorees were as follows:  Sam Mori, Kazuko Doi, Alice Hamada, Hisako Mizutani, Yukio Nakatani, Tetsuko Norikane, Minoru Satake, Tom Tsuchitani, Hiro Mifune, and Lucci Maniscalco

 

   Diablo Taiko Club – Kathy Fujisaka

 

  • They performed at the Family Talent Night as a “warm-up” for summer festival.

 

 

 

Summer Festival – Ron Onizuka

 

  • Construction begins Monday 7/7 at 7 p.m. Construction is every Monday and Wed. night until the week before Obon when it is EVERY evening!
  • Dance practice begins Wed. 7/14.
  • Beef Skewering is the Wed. and Thurs. night before Summer Festival (Aug. 6th and 7th).  Please come out to help.

 

   Membership Chairperson – Sam Sunada

 

  • Reminder: Membership goes to Sam, not Mike Espinosa. Thank you.

 

  Old Business

 

·        The problem of the doors being left open is worse than ever before.  This problem is the worst it has ever been.  (Since the new keys were distributed in March there have been reminders at every J.A. Club meeting, and the problem continues to exist.).  Many ideas were discussed including putting up cameras, having the alarm system activated differently, limiting the number of keys issued per group and limiting use of the facility.  Should this problem continue, drastic measures will be taken; you will be held accountable for your group’s building usage.

  • REMEMBER:  All of the members holding keys are personally responsible for checking ALL doors at the JA Club when you are assigned use of the facility.

  New Business

 

·        At the September mtg., new membership packets will be handed out.

·        Please look for the posted Bon Odori practice schedule (it is posted on the website).  The times for the dancing at Festival are: Sat: 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 6:30 p.m

Adjourned: 8:10  Recorded by:  Leslie Hisaka
Approved by Sharon Akiyama