Diablo JA Club News
November 2009
Minutes of the J.A. Meeting
Meeting Date:  November 4, 2009 President Sharon Akiyama called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM.	Corrections/Additions to Previous Minutes None
Treasurer’s Report:  David Ziesmer presented the October treasurer’s report.  Acknowledgements/Announcements 1. Thank you note received from Bob Tamori and the Ygnacio Valley High School Reunion Committee for the use of the facilities for their 40^th Class Reunion. A special recognition was given to Elena Nielsen, Andrew Nielsen, and Austen Kubokawa for helping with setting up. 2. $600 donation to the Building Fund from the Ygnacio Valley High School Reunion Committee for the 40^th Class Reunion. 3. $100 donation to the Building Fund from Muriel Wakayama for the use tables and chairs from the J.A. Hall. 4. $300 donation to the Building Fund from the Co-Ed Exercise Group for the use of the facilities for the Udon Feed fundraiser. 5. $250 donation to the Building Fund from Ruth and Mas Tsubota in memory of their daughter Marian.
Affiliated Clubs/Chairpersons Reports:
JARCC – Dave Uemura · The JARCC held elections. The new board members are as follows. Officers: President – David Uemura Vice President – Wayne Akiyama Recording Secretary – Ken Baba Corresponding Secretary – Joanne Kozuki Corporate Treasurer – Ray Tamura Dharma School Treasurer – Pat Baba Sunday School Superintendent – Sharon Akiyama Board of Directors: Ron Onizuka Judith Aono Marc Goto Bruce Tamura Bob Okubo Eric Tamichi. Buddhist Fellowship - Sharon Akiyama Dr. Taniguchi will speak on Saturday, November 7^th. The Jr. YBA will be conducting service on Sunday, November 15^th. There will be a guest pianist that day Rev. Kujo will speak on Sunday, November 22^nd. Rev. Himaka will speak on Sunday, November 29^th Rev. Masuda will speak on Saturday, December 5^th Mochitsuki will take place on Sunday, December 13^th. Look for flyers with order forms. Order Komochi for $3.50, An Mochi for $4.50, and Okasane for $5.00 per set Jr. YBA – Sharon Akiyama No report. Nippongo Gakuen – Jon Kubokawa Two of the Gakuen students placed at a Japanese language speech contest sponsored by the Japanese consulate on Sunday, November 1^st. Congratulations to Hanako Hsu (2^nd Place) and Masaki Carney (5^th Place). Thanks to the J.A. Club and to the JARCC for allowing the Gakuen to hold their e-waste fundraiser in the parking lot on October 3^rd. The event was a success yielding about 9,700 pounds of recyclable items for a total of $818 in profit. The Gakuen apologizes to any J.A. Club members who expected to see a Gakuen representative at the reception table. Unfortunately, this was not allowed by the e-waste company that coordinated the event. Athletic Club – Dave Uemura · Practices have begun. Games will begin in December and will run through March. Exact schedules are still being created by the league. Building Superintendent – Jon Yokoyama · The side door of the gym has been fixed. However, please do not prop the door open with wood in the door jam. This is weakening the hinges. Gardeners’ Club – Judith Aono No report. Ikenobo Club – Pat Baba No report. JASEB – Sharon Akiyama There will be a JASEB meeting on Saturday, November 7^th. Sharon Akiyama be in contact with JASEB to find out what is discussed. Judo Club - Conrad Hisaka Thank you to the J.A. Club for the nice display on the bulletin board congratulating our judo students for their accomplishments. It is tournament season and students are training hard and competing in various local tournaments. Diablo Kendo Club – Mike Espinosa No report.	Shinwakai – Pat Baba Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held on Saturday, November 21^st at 1:00 P.M. Shinwakai members are all invited to attend and enjoy. Diablo Taiko Club – Arlene Nielson The Beginner Workshop that was to be held on November 7^th has been postponed until January. The Taiko Club has switched its Friday classes to Mondays. Summer Festival – Ron Onizuka No report. Membership Chairperson – Laura Takeuchi Many renewals have been received. The deadline for membership renewals was October 31^st. Some members have mentioned that they are not receiving newsletters. Group leaders are asked to please provide updated rosters with current email addresses. These addresses will be forwarded to the Newsletter coordinator. Old Business · The Diablo Co-Ed Exercise Class Fundraiser “Udon Feed” was a huge success and it seems everyone had an enjoyable time. Special thanks to: the JARCC for the use of the kitchen, gym facility and the generous donation of supplies; Eric Tamichi, Dave and Curtis Uemura, Glenn Fujie for the preparation of the noodles and dashi; Sharon Akiyama for her expertise and assistance; Bruce Shimada for helping getting the necessary supplies; Jon Yokoyama and his group for setting up the tables and chairs; the Buddhist Sunday School members; JR YBA members; Bob Okubo; Danny Uemura; and Susan Nishizaka of the Taiko group. The Exercise Class appreciated all the help and support given to us to make this a very successful fundraiser. · The JA Club Holiday Party preparations are underway. Thank you to the JARCC for donating the 25^th Anniversary jars. Thank you to Jon Yokoyama for being available to help with the sound system if needed. The Holiday Party Committee requests that basketball practices be canceled on Saturday, December 5^th so that they can set up after Gakuen. The theme for the party is “The World at Peace.” With the help of Contra Costa Blue Star Moms, we will be collecting donations for care packages that will be sent to our troops and service dogs. Collection bins will be placed at the JA Hall a couple of weeks before the Holiday Party. · Items needed for our troops include: yo-yo’s, tennis balls, hacky sacks, paddle balls, Frisbees, playing cards, word-game books, Sudoku, crosswords, mechanical pencils with erasers, 80% cotton (or more) crew socks, cider mix, cocoa mix, oatmeal packets, drink singles (Crystal Light, etc.), tuna/chicken salad kits, gum, mints, small beef jerky, small licorice, individually wrapped hard candy, pop tarts, corn nuts, popcorn, granola bars, trail mix, nuts, small packs of snack crackers, knitted caps, and baby wipes. · Items needed for our service dogs include: towels, dog treats, Kong balls, sturdy tug toys, rawhide chews, rubber balls, collapsible canvas bowls, stainless steel food and water dishes, and grooming brushes. · Money for postage is also needed as it will cost $11.95 per box to send these items to our troops. All donations are tax deductible. Checks can be made to Contra Costa Blue Star Moms P.O. Box 6379, Concord, CA 94524. · If anyone knows of any JA Club members who are serving in the military, please let Arlene Nielsen know so that special care packages can be sent to them. You may phone her at home (925) 673-9777 or email her at nielsenjanc@aol.com. 1. Changes and additions to the proposed 2010 JA Club Board are shown below (*). The slate will be voted on at the December meeting. o President: Joyce Shindo o Vice President: Laura Takeuchi* o Secretary: Julie Kanazawa o Treasurer: David Ziesmer o Historian: Ruth Hirano o Landscape Supervisor: John Nishizawa o Building Supervisor: Jon Yokoyama o Scholarship Coordinator: Karen Sakata o Membership Coordinator: Sheryl Nakamura* o Festival Chairperson: Ron Onizuka o Newsletter: Jerry Honda New Business · The Kendo Club and the Co-Ed Exercise Group are working together to plan the Installation Dinner that will be held on Monday, January 18^th at Suwa Restaurant. The Social Hour will begin at 6:00 P.M. and Dinner is scheduled to begin at 7:00 P.M. A budget of $1,400 was approved for the event which includes door prizes, copying costs, and half of the cost of dinners for J.A. Club members.
Adjourned: 8:10 Recorded by: Julie Kanazawa. Approved by Sharon Akiyama, President