Diablo JA Club News
July 2009
Minutes of the J.A. Meeting
Meeting Date:  June 1, 2009 President Sharon Akiyama called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.	Corrections/Additions to Previous Minutes No corrections.
Treasurer’s Report:  David Ziesmer presented the June treasurer’s report.  Acknowledgements/Announcements 1. $500 donation to the scholarship fund from Wells Fargo that was reported at last month’s meeting has been received. 2. $500 donation to the scholarship fund from the Athletic Club. 3. $350 donation to the scholarship fund from Union Bank. 4. $400 donation to the building fund from the Concord Judo Club. 5. Thank you note received from Ruth Hirano in appreciation for the round-trip tickets to Japan from last year’s festival raffle. 6. Thank you note received from Travis Duhow in appreciation for the scholarship dinner. 7. Thank you note received from Kelsey Sakaida in appreciation for the scholarship award. 8. Thank you note received from Andie Onizuka in appreciation for the scholarship award. 9. Thank you note received from Ryan Gutierrez in appreciation for the scholarship award.
Affiliated Clubs/Chairpersons Reports:
JARCC – Sam Sunada · No report. Buddhist Fellowship - Sharon Akiyama All are welcome to attend the JARCC Obon Service which will be held Tuesday, July 28^th at 7:30 P.M. Reverend Bridge will be the guest speaker. Jr. YBA – Sharon Akiyama No report. Nippongo Gakuen – Rodger Johnson The first day of school will be Saturday, September 12, 2009. The Gakuen will provide Sam Sunada with a calendar of school days. Athletic Club – Dave Uemura · Sign ups for basketball in the fall are still welcome. Contact Dave Uemura to register. Dave can be reached at: 2603 Saratoga Avenue, Concord, CA 94519, 827-3049, or cuemura@pacbell.net. Building Superintendent – Jon Yokoyama · No report. Gardeners’ Club No report. Ikenobo Club – Pat Baba The Ikenobo Club is in need of donated teacups or small bowls. These items will be used for arrangements that will be sold at the festival. Please label items “for the Ikenobo Club” and leave them in the kitchen or under the stairs. JASEB –Yukio Kitagawa There will be an open house and reception at JASEB in Berkeley on Sunday, August 2^nd from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. The new executive director, Mark Murano, will be introduced and attendees may tour the office to see the recent renovations. There will also be opportunities to meet the other directors and staff members. Judo Club - Conrad Hisaka The Junior National Judo Championships will be held Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12 at the City College of San Francisco. The Judo Club will have one competitor on Saturday and three competitors on Sunday. All are welcome to watch. The Judo Club will continue practicing in July and will take a break in August. The first day back will be Thursday, September 3^rd. This is a good time for new beginner students to start Diablo Kendo Club – Mike Espinosa No report.	Shinwakai – Yukio Kitagawa Thank you to all for the support and participation in the 25^th Annual Family Talent Night that was held on Saturday, June 27^th. Seniors who celebrate their 80^th birthday this year were recognized. They are: Ann Nakatani and Joyce Onizuka. The Pioneer Award was granted to Dean Inokuchi. Dean had been an active member of the Diablo J.A. Club since joining in the 1970’s. He served as President of the J.A. Club, JARCC President, JARCC Treasurer, and as a JARCC board member. He was also chairperson of the tempura booth for the Annual Summer Festival for many, many years. And he attended Sunday services with the Concord Buddhist Fellowship and was part of the Howakai group.Dean was an inspiration to us all. Diablo Taiko Club – Kathy Fujisaka Thank you for the opportunity to perform at Family Talent Night. Apologies from Jiro Hess for the technical difficulties that evening. The club members are practicing for their performance at Summer Festival. Monday practices are being held from 5:30 – 6:30 P.M. so that club members may attend Obon practice as well. Summer Festival – Ron Onizuka Everyone should have received their raffle tickets. Festival posters and programs are available. Construction will begin on Monday, July 6 at 7:00 P.M. Membership Chairperson – Laura Takeuchi Membership received three new members from the Mens’ Basketball group this month. Old Business 1. The Scholarship Awards Ceremony took place on June 7^th at Zio Fraedo’s. 8^th Grade, High School, and College graduates were recognized. The scholarships for 2009 were awarded to the following recipients: § Kelsey Sakaida § Ryan Gutierrez § Jeana Shindo § Andrea Onizuka § Leon Toshihito Angevine § Satoshi Yuki § Denise Toyofuku § Ashley Hum The 25^th Annual Family Talent Night on Saturday, June 27^thwas well attended. Thanks to all who helped with set-up and clean-up as well as to those who performed New Business · In the future, if you have sound requirements for an act, please bring CDs with songs to David Ziesmer so that the sound system can be tested prior to event.
Adjourned: 7:58 Recorded by: Julie Kanazawa Approved by Sharon Akiyama, President