San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
JAPANESE AMERICAN
COMMUNITY CENTER
San Fernando Valley Japanese
American Community Center
www.sfvjacc.com
Facebook: San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
JUNE KAGEYAMA—
2012 WOMAN OF THE
YEAR RECIPIENT
By Nancy Kyoko Oda
This year, the Woman of the Year, is
from Valley Japanese Community
Center located on Lankershim Blvd., in
Sun Valley. This is June Kageyama’s
story that demonstrates a life of service,
love, and now a legacy. Since her journey from Japan to the
United States, preserving the Japanese-American culture has
been a personal mission. She was born in Kochi, Japan on
September 20, 1941. Her family that includes two brothers
and three sisters came to America in 1962 and settled in
Santa Ana, California. June became an American Citizen in
1967. She moved to Los Angeles and was inspired to learn
English at Cambria Adult School to further her education. She
then went to ITT Technical Institute, majoring in business and
focusing on how to utilize the new IBM machines.
In 1969, she married Ken Kageyama (VJCC Magician) and
moved to Sun Valley in 1971. She worked at the Dalin Corp
for six years until her first child was born. Later, June worked
for the Los Angeles Unified School District Food Services
Division for several years, while raising her two daughters,
Jennie and Karen. In time, both attended UC Irvine. Jennie
continued on to the Southern California College of Optometry
and is currently practicing at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at
UCLA. She is married to Craig Kadonaga. Sister Karen was
involved in the visual effect industry working on many
animated films at the Disney Studios in Burbank before
becoming a super mom. She is married to Charles Muranaka.
June loves children and has always inspired the children in
her life to work hard and believe in their goals and dreams.
Her greatest joys are her 4 grandchildren Troy, Lindsay, Evan
and Ryan, and 14 nieces and nephews.
In 1976, June became involved with the Valley Japanese
Community Center when her daughter started going to
Japanese School. In 1985, the Kageyamas bought the Far
East Market that was located in front of the Valley Gakuen
and Community Center operating it for the next 18 years. The
friendly Mom and Pop store somehow became an information
center and gathering place for members of the community: A
place where the Gakuen, Judo, Kendo, Karate and other
organizations could depend on for Japanese groceries, a
magnetic place where children could go for advice and
encouragement and a place where the community could come
together and call home. In this sense, June has been “mother
of the community” for thirty six years.
Continued on page 8
Issue 3
May/June
2012
2012 SFV Queen Lauren Arii
By NJ Nakamura
We are all very excited
to have Lauren Arii, serve
as our 2012 Queen. She is
23 years old and will soon
be graduating from California
State University
Northridge with a Bachelors
degree in journalism with an
emphasis on broadcasting.
Her career goal is to
become a television news
reporter. As an intern at
KABC 7 News, Lauren is able to observe and
experience what it takes to report the latest events
and happenings. She also views the role of a reporter
as an opportunity to “speak for those who don’t have a
voice.” Using her broadcasting skills, Lauren created a
news package on the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
(JET) Relief event, held at the San Fernando Valley
Japanese American Community Center (SFVJACC)
on March 10.
Lauren has been involved with the SFVJACC since
she was a toddler. She attended the Community
Center’s pre-school classes, played basketball with
the Girl’s Athletic Program and attended the Wakaba
Japanese Language School. There were also odori,
Japanese classical dance lessons with Fujima
Seiyumi (Dianne Fukuwa).
Some of her hobbies are writing, scrap booking,
baking and hiking. She enjoys visiting museums,
Disneyland and she is fascinated with the shark’s pool
at the aquariums. Another favorite activity is
experimenting with different cosmetic products. Many
times, her family and friends have asked her to apply
their makeup for special occasions.
Lauren lives in Valencia with her parents, Kelvin
and Donna Arii and her brother, Garrett. Her
grandparents are Leo and Geneva Tanaka, long time
members of the Community Center.
Lauren will be formally introduced to the
Community Center after the Memorial Day Service on
Sunday, May 27. She will also be introduced at the
Family Day & Raffle Fundraiser BBQ on Saturday,
June 2. So, save these dates to meet and greet
Lauren.

A few of the key points are:
President's Message
Nancy Oda
The Tri Board Finance Committees of the CC, Nikkei Senior Gardens (NSG), and Nikkei
Village (NV) have been working together to update members about NSG’s financial picture. On
April 21, NSG hosted a Loaner Donor Meeting at the CC where approximately thirty five families
out of one hundred attended an informational meeting regarding the status of member loans as
well as to learn about the current condition of the project.
I apologized for the lack of communication and thanked the members for their patience..
Fortunately, NSG is almost at 100% occupancy and its revenues now exceed its expenses. This
difference will create surplus cash that NSG will use to help the Center pay its monthly mortgage
payment of $15,000 to the Mission Valley Bank loan by the beginning of 2013.
1. “May Sagara Rule” which places prospective new residents (if there is a vacancy) on the waiting list based on the
date they made their loan or donation to the project. This rule will enable our donors to be placed ahead of anyone
currently seeking residence or who is currently on the waiting list but who may not have made a loan or donation.
2. All lenders and donors received a key points letter in early May. It will also be posted on the CC website for your
information.
3. All lenders will be contacted to update them on the current financial status every six months.
4. Irene Sumida, President and CEO of NSG, is establishing a charitable foundation to help raise funds called the Oya
Koko Foundation: Friends of Nikkei Senior Gardens.
5. NSG is recognized for its high quality of care and well maintained facility.
If you were not able to attend the meeting, please contact me by email at nancyoda@juno.com or call me at
818 935- 2603. You are welcome to take a tour of NSG and find happy, healthy seniors thriving. The next NSG financial
informational meeting is planned for October. Thank you for your support as well as for your belief in a needed retirement
project for our senior citizens.
Sincerely yours,
Nancy Kyoko Oda
Thank you to Southern California Gas Company for
their generous donation of $750 to our Family Day Raffle Fundraiser.
2

Acknowledgements
March—April 2012
Donations:
Tom Honma and Family
In Memory of Mary Honma
Nancy/Kay Oda
For JET Relief Event (March 10, 2012)
Toshi Sugii
From Sale of Her Merchandise
Misako/Akemi Ann Takemoto
In Memory of Frank Takimoto
Greg Kimura
United Way Donation
Anonymous
Microwave for Conference Room
Akira Kimura
In Memory of Wife Michiko Kimura
SFVJA Fishing Club
New Year’s Donation
SFV Meiji Senior Citizens Club
Anonymous
IBM Charitable Contribution
Anonymous
From Sale of Handmade Scarf
Use of Facilities
Hitomi’s Cooking Class
Kupunas Ukulele Class
Line Dancing Class
Monday Nite Basketball
Kay/Nancy Oda
JH Rothenbach
Thursday Nite Basketball
Hethy Trujillo (Girl Scouts)
Nikkei Senior Gardens
Tuesday Nite Basketball
Tuesday Exercise Class
Wednesday Nite Basketball
Kenneth/Jill Nakata
Carmen Postrzech
SFV Holiness Church
SFV JACL
SF Angels Basketball Team
Country Western Music Group
Yasuyuki Takatsuka
Poker Club
Hula Wahines
Poker Club
Sunday Nite Basketball
Crescent Bay Sports League
Coffee Donation
Harmonica Class
Copier Donation
Miscellanous
Walter & Warren Fujimori ………Bunn Coffee Maker
In memory of Windee Fujimori
Amgen ……………………...Tables & office supplies
Miscellanous - Continued
Don Akamine ………………………2 lb. Decaf coffee
SFV JACL ………………………………3 lb. Coffee
Ping Pong Club ………………………Bag of Splenda
Bo Sakaguchi………………………….(2) 2 lb. Coffee
Curly & Flo Sato……………..(3) 12 oz. Decaf coffee
Smokey Sugii ……………………………..3 lb. Coffee
Yone Takimoto ………………………..(3) 3 lb. Coffee
Sylvia Yamashita …………………………3 lb. Coffee
DONATIONS TO HOT MEALS
FOR THE MONTHS OF MARCH—APRIL 2012
Harry Hironaka…………………..Girl Scout cookies for kitchen
volunteers
Fusako Kumamoto……………...Monetary Donation
Musashi Restaurant…………….200 lbs. rice, 10 gals. each of
shoyu & oil & 4 pkgs. of
chopsticks
Eiko Muto………………………... Monetary Donation
Gary Matsudaira………………... Monetary Donation
George & Emi Tomita………….. 5 large pkgs. of green tea
Dr. Bo Sakaguchi……………….. Box of Frango chocolate mints
& black sesame crackers for
kitchen volunteers
Japanese Language 1…………. Eggs, sugar & flour
Eiji & Marge Sato……………….. 3 pkgs. luncheon size plates &
2 pkgs. cold drink cups
Athletics………………………….. 1 box syrup & green tea
Yone Takimoto………………….. Takuwan & cucumber
tsukemono for Tuesday lunch
Walt Fujimori…………………….. Armenian donuts for kitchen
volunteers
Lucky Hemphill………………….. Plastic utensils
Harold & Ellen Kameya………... 20 lbs. rice
George Oda……………………... Birthday cake to celebrate his
sister Fusaye Ohara’s 95 th
birthday
Sylvia Yamashita……………….. 1 pkg. dinner size plates, 3
pkgs. napkins & l lb.box of
chocolates for kitchen
volunteers
3
Thank You for Your Generous Donation.
!

CC Spring Clean-up
Thank you to the following people who worked so hard to beautify our Center!!
Geoff & Sachi Arai
Bruce, Lori & Grant Arikawa
Kimi Chiba
Kevin & Shylo Choe
Laura Fujita
Toji Hashimoto
Nancy Gohata
Tad Imayama
Trimmed
all the tree
and cleaned
the grounds,
Painted the parking lot wall.
Kei Inoue
Corey Kado
Shige Kakinoki
Paris & Zack Kariya
Doreen Kawamoto
Bob Kobata
Bing & Tre Lau
Greg & Allen Lew
Cleaned
the drinking
fountains.
Marcus Mayeda
Yuga & Ruri Miyamoto
Chiz Morita
Derek & Blake Nishimoto
Nancy Oda
Keisuke Ogata
Arlene, Riley & Cooper Phipps
Kirk & Kaden Sasaki
Cleaned the hall tables.
4
Cleaned the
playground.
Great
Job!
Phil & Marion Shigekuni
Ken Shinbashi
Nuansri & Kaemin Tosasuk
Andrew Vasquez
Andrew Wei
Cody Wong
Grant & Linda Yamamoto
Eric & Kai Yoshizuru
Removed the stains on the chairs.
Cleaned the frig in the conference.
Other jobs done:
� Cleaned basketball backboards
� Painted “SFVJACC” & “Recycle”
on trash cans
� Cleaned patio area
� Repaired hole in restroom wall
� Tighten screws on the tables
� Lunch for the volunteers
And a huge “THANKS “ to Karl Nobuyuki for
coordinating and overseeing the clean-up.

Ohana is the word in Hawaiian culture for family. Popularized by the 2002
Disney animated film, “Lilo & Stitch,” ohana colloquially extends to include not only
our blood relatives, but also individuals in our lives who might as well be, such as
adoptive relatives and close friends. As many of you know, I was one of eight young
women coroneted into the 2011 Nisei Week Court last August. Since then, we have
spent countless hours together at community events and on goodwill trips to LA’s
Sister Cities. Allow me to repeat that: Sister Cities. This is just one small example of
how the sentiment of family is woven throughout the Nisei Week experience.
In the past few months, the 2011 Nisei Week Court has visited Honolulu, San
Francisco, and San Diego. I had been to SF and SD many times before, but it was
my first time in Honolulu. Everyone told me I would absolutely love it, and I
(predictably) did! In many ways, that trip was the peak of my time both as your
2011 SFV Queen Amber Piatt
SFVJACC Queen and as a 2011 Nisei Week Princess. We hiked the Diamond
Head Crater, visited Pearl Harbor, completed the Dole Plantation Maze, paddle
boarded at Waikiki Beach, and ate more shave ice than anyone could imagine; but more importantly, we grew with
each other as a group and as individuals. The incredibly hospitable women and men who hosted and chaperoned
us inspired, and continue to inspire, us to be a better people in order to better
serve the community at large.
As the sun sets on my year as your SFVJACC Queen, I feel like I have
such a deeper understanding of the meaning of ohana. I truly consider the
experiences I have gained and relationships I have fostered invaluable. Much
like the ocean, this year has been simply beautiful in its awe-inspiring power.
Its ebbs and flows were steady, yet somehow not monotonous, and I feel so
blessed and appreciative to have been given this opportunity. It is certainly
bittersweet to watch the tides turn as we crown our new SFVJACC Queen,
but I am absolutely certain that she will represent us well. It is with great joy
that I welcome Miss Lauren Arii into our SFV JACC and Nisei Week ohana. I
am so excited for the adventure you about to dive into and look forward to
supporting you in any way that I can. After all, “ohana means family, and fami-
ly means no one gets left behind!”
Mahalo, Amber Akemi Piatt
2012 Wanjettes Tournament
SF Swish
Lower Midget Champions
The San Fernando Swish team
(2nd Grade girls) won the Lower
Midget Division Championship at
the 2012 Wanjettes Tournament
weekend of April 14 & 15.
Jensen Emi was MVP for the
division and Lizzie Shimizu
received All Stars honors.
Congratulations, Swish!
Aloha From Amber….
5
Amber and 2012 SFV
Queen Lauren Arii
From L-R: Jensen Emi, Kammi Sasaki, Lizzie Shimizu, Milena Altschuler,
Paige Kamemoto, Erin O’Halloran, Lindsay Matsubayashi and Emi Xua

ASamurai’s (Kindergarten)
Blast (1 st Grade)
Lakers (1 st Grade)
Ninjas (2 nd Grade Boys)
Swish (2 nd Grade Girls)
Sharks (3 rd Grade Boys)
2012 Athletics Jamboree
By Darlene Yamauchi
The SFV Athletics celebrated its annual Jamboree on Saturday,
April 28, 2012. The girls and boys basketball teams from Kindergarten to 12 th grade
were there to eat, laugh, and rejoice while reminiscing about each other, their
basketball games, the friendships they made, and making plans for future seasons.
With 260 people in attendance, it was the largest Jamboree in recent history.
This year, the event was hosted by the 3 rd grade teams, Jaguars and Sharks.
Emcee Tina Deng enlisted the help of the players from the Jaguars and Sharks to
announce raffle winners throughout the event. The event focused on recognizing
the entire season of hard work by coaches and players, special team accomplishments,
and the perks of developed friendships and sportsmanship.
During the celebration, SFV Athletics presented three athletes with scholarships. Nicole Kaihara was awarded the
Hoshiko Hirano Scholarship, Ryan Yoshida was awarded the Wayne Yamamoto Scholarship, and Leilani Okihara was
awarded the Lauren Taguchi Memorial Youth Service Scholarship.
Jamie Hagiya was the honored guest and gave a moving speech to the players. She
told them to set goals, work hard to reach them, and when you do – be proud of what
you’ve accomplished…and then set even higher goals! She also encouraged them to
never give up, but to learn from each set back and find something to be thankful for. This
advice was heartfelt because she had just tried out for the Los Angeles Sparks only to find
she didn’t make the team because the roster was filled. She told us that she was thankful
for the opportunity and was proud of herself because she gave it her all! Even though she
didn’t make the Sparks, there will always be a spot for her on our Athletics team! On that
note, Jamie will be joining one of our teams -- the Blast --
because they won the two hour coaching session with her!
The evening ended with a wonderful video by Roy
Guest Speaker
Jamie Hagiya
Jaguars (3 rd Grade Girls)
Hawks (4 th Grade Boys)
Wildcats (4 th Grade Girls)
Wasabi (5 th /6 th Grade Boys)
Gang Green (6 th Grade Boys)
Lightning (6 th Grade Girls
6
Thunder (6 th Grade Girls)
Kumiho (7 th Grade Girls)
Tigers (8 th Grade Boys)
Angels (8 th Grade Girls)
Dragons (9 th Grade Boys)
Rockets (9 th Grade Boys
Tenshi (9 th /10 th Grade Girls)
Predators (11 th Grade Boys)
Sparks (11 th Grade Girls)
Magic (12 th Grade Boys)
Thanks to the following donors whose contributions helped make a successful 2012 Jamboree!
Amp Radio (Kris Minami)
Cartoon Network (Karie Gima-Pham)
Chiba Japanese Restaurant
Doug & Leah Chong
Patricia Dung
El Monte Optometry
Jamie Hagiya
Nick Hua
Minami featuring all the teams and players. Each player also
received their own personal mister with the SFV Athletics
logo!
Special thanks go out to Tina Deng and Diane O’Halloran
who worked tirelessly planning the event. Aya and John Katzaroff and the Jaguars
coordinated the overabundant array of entrees and desserts that were enjoyed over tables
with basketball-themed decorations handmade by Kris Minami and Stacy Tanaka. The
Sharks helped to ensure the program ran smoothly. Heartfelt appreciation to Lois Okui and
Margaret Takimoto for making the beautifully designed programs; Margaret Takimoto,
Sandy Sato, Laura Fujita, commissioners, team reps, and numerous others for advice,
important information, responses to emails, and coordination assistance.
Congratulations to all the teams on a great season! Hope to see you next year!
Paul & Nobuko Jonokuchi
Doreen Kawamoto
Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Lacy
Loews Hotel Santa Monica
Madrid-Hiji Family
Nestlé USA
Karl Nobuyuki
Kay & Nancy Oda
Ralphs Corporation
Mabel Takimoto
Mr. & Mrs. Darryl Tanita
The Red Velvet Gourmet
Ultrazone Lasertag
Joyce Wakano Chinn
Mr. & Mrs. Russell Yamaga

Scholarship winner
Nicole with her
Jaguars team.
Athletics Scholarship Recipients
Scholarship recipients (from L - R): Nicole Kaihara,
Ryan Yoshida and Leilani Okihara.
Jamie with the Swish.
Everyone got water misters.
The Blast won a 2-hour
workout with Jamie.
Athletics established the Lauren Taguchi Memorial Youth
Service Scholarship in 2009 to honor her memory. As an active
member of the SFVJACC Athletics as well as many other
community organizations Lauren was an exemplary student
athlete, a role model, friend and teammate who demonstrated
sportsmanship on and off the court.
Leilani Okihara was selected as recipient of the Lauren Taguchi
Memorial Youth Service and is daughter of Jimmy and Lori
Okihara. Leilani was a member of the SF Rockers for 8 years. She
will graduate from Canyon High School with a 3.9 GPA. The
scholarship committee’s selection was based on her outstanding
achievement in academic excellence, her spirit of volunteerism and
citizenship, through community service. As an involved student,
Leilani was a member of the Key Club, CSF, National Honors
Society, volunteered for 3 years on the “Help the Children
Foundation” an organization that runs a food bank for families in need. She was the assistant coach for the JV girls’
basketball team, tutored Spanish at the local elementary school. Leilani stated, “I spent a lot of my free time at Help the
Children and have 100% benefited from these experiences. Seeing all the struggling families humbled me in a way that
you can’t be taught in class. Community service is something that I actually enjoy doing on my own rather than being
forced to because it’s the “clubs rules.” Leilani will be attending CSUN and will major in physical therapy.
The late Hoshiko Hirano was the first Girls Commissioner and was instrumental in starting the girls’ athletics program at
the Community Center in the 1960’s. Nikki Kaihara is the daughter of Wesley and Judy Kaihara was selected as the
recipient of Hoshiko Hirano Memorial Award. Nikki played with the SF Rockers since the 3
Contined on page 8.
7
rd grade will be graduating
Alemany HS with a 3.7 GPA. She was captain of the freshman basketball team, played JV and Varsity basketball. She is
actively involved in SF Athletics as the assistant coach for the Kinder Blast team 2010-2011 and currently the assistant
coach for the Jaguars, girls’ 3rd grade team. Nikki will be attending University of Hawaii, majoring in communication.

Valley Japanese CC
Ondo Practice
Fridays and Tuesdays
Starting June 1– June 19
7 PM—9 PM
Participants need to wear
comfortable clothes/shoes
and bring a Tenugui,
Kachi kachi and Uchiwa.
Athletics Scholarship Recipients
Continued from page 7.
8
June Kageyama
Continued from Front Page.
Like many businesses, community
membership has also been
decreasing. So, June passionately
supported the Valley Buddhist
Dharma School as President for over
ten years, always trying to recruit
new members to revive and
preserve the traditions. In 1979, she
helped to expand and build the new
classrooms for the Valley Japanese
Community Center. June is thrilled
that her oldest grandson, Troy just
started Valley Gakuen where she will
continue to instill our Japanese
values for the next generation. She is
grateful for the many wonderful
individuals working together to
strengthen the foundation that was
laid before them.
Throughout the years, her services
and membership have included
Valley Gakuen PTA President, Valley
Dharma School President, Valley
Japanese Community Center Chair-
Person of Social Affairs, Valley
Fujinkai, Nishi Hongwanji, Zenshuju,
San Fernando Valley Community
Center and Athletics and Kyodo
System Japanese Language School.
We proudly support this strong,
sensitive, and well respected lady
who is looking forward to celebrating
VJCC’s sixtieth anniversary.
Nikki stated “Being an assistant coach for the children has been an incredible
experience. I enjoy being able to influence the girls in a positive way both on
and off the court. I’m grateful for the SFVJACC Athletics program because it
helped instill qualities and values that I’m proud of and has allowed me to be an
active member in my Japanese American community.”
The winner of the Wayne Yamamoto Memorial Scholarship is Ryan Yoshida,
the son of Rick & Julie Yoshida. Ryan has been a member of the SFVJACC
Athletics for 12 years, playing basketball beginning as a 5 year old sure shot
through his current 12 th grade team, the Magic. He was a 4 year member of the
Granada Hills Charter High School Academic Honors Program with a 3.6 GPA,
and also received the Frosh/Soph and JV MVP basketball award. Ryan was
also a member of the Varsity basketball team. Ryan states “The SFVJACC
Athletics program has shaped my life throughout elementary school to middle
school and high school. It has taught me about life, about trying new things, and
about meeting new people. I am truly honored to have been a part of this
program and will never forget the memories and ideas that I have experienced
or the people that I have met.” Ryan will be attending UC Riverside as an
undeclared major.

Are You
Interested In
Saving Money?
Try
Couponing!
Felipe Fuentes
(Yes, the
Assemblyman),
Wants To Show
You How &
Give Some
Tips.
Saturday,
June 23, 2012
1:30 PM
Here At The CC.
Full Circle
By Nancy Kyoko Oda
It is ironic and fitting that Dr. Mary Oda’s scholarship winner from 1990
returned to the SFVJACC as a physician to speak to Bert Corona Charter
Middle School students and their parents in April. As a youth, Dr. Castellanos
attended Sylmar High School and was awarded the Eugene Oda Scholarship
for her excellent achievement and promise. She is currently practicing family
medicine at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Panorama City. Her specialty is the
total health care of the individual and the family. Dr. Castellanos shared her
gratitude to Dr. Oda by writing, "Thank you, Dr. Oda, for the help you gave to
me so many years ago. I am forever grateful and will continue to live in your
example of giving back to the community and being a role model to all the
young people who aspire a higher level of education. Thank you!" Dr. Mary
Oda awarded top scholarships to Mexican Americans as well as Japanese American students which reflects her goal of
helping people whether it was through her practice, where she delivered 3,000 babies in the San Fernando area that
were mostly Latino, or community activism. Likewise, Dr. Oda credits scholarships from the Women’s Medical College of
Pennsylvania after World War II that enabled her to complete her own education. The Eugene Oda Scholarship is given
in the name of her son who was a nineteen year old pre Med student who perished in a car accident. Dr. Castellanos
represents the quality and character of the Eugene Oda Scholarship Awards.
9
L-R: President Nancy Oda, Dr. Maria
Castellanos & Principal Ruben Duenas

Manzanar Reunion
For valley people who were interned in Manzanar, this notice is to inform you
of the Manzanar reunion to be held in Las Vegas in August, 2012. (Details
below).
In April 1942, nearly all the flower growers and farmers were forced to leave
their homes, businesses and farms and were sent to the Manzanar Relocation
Center in Inyo County.
They assembled in the city of Burbank to take the long bus ride to
Manzanar. The route took them through the valley, through Lancaster and
beyond on Highway 395. It was a tough trip for all since there were no
freeways, no toilets on the bus, and very crowded in the bus with babies, children, and the elderly. Partway through
the trip, there was a restroom break in the desert. The women and girls went to one side of the road and the men and
boys went to the other side to find any bush that provided some privacy. There were a number of buses with lots of
people, so you can imagine the throngs that had “to go”.
At last the trip ended toward the evening when they reached Manzanar and the valley people were scattered
mostly in blocks 13 through 17. Those less fortunate valley families were scattered in other than those blocks.
Now you can relive the moment and reunite with fellow inmates at the reunion by signing up and seeing your
friends and classmates.The valley people will be picked up at the community center, there will be a pit stop at
Barstow, and there is a restroom on the bus. You do not have to go in the bushes.
To be clear, this reunion is for anyone interested in the history of the experiences of those who went to Manzanar.
We hope the children and grandchildren will accompany their aging and infirm parents or relatives and accompany
them to the event in case they need help in getting around.
If you know of anyone who is not on the mailing list, share this newsletter with them and let them know they are
welcome to attend.
The program includes a mixer, a slot tournament, and a banquet with a short program. The Manzanar Historic site
rangers will be on hand to provide information and brochures. And just think you just may hit the “big one” while
attending.
Details:
Date: August 20, 21, and 22 (Monday,Tuesday, and Wednesday) 2012.
Place: California Hotel, Las Vegas
Costs: (Package costs will be sent with application form). Includes different packages from bus only, to a full
package including meal coupons, room and bus ride. (Ask for application form if you are not on the mailing list).
Pickup Point: San Fernando Valley JACC
Information: Dorothy Oda 805-529-1067 oda.dorothy@gmail.com
Katarou Histories is a 10 week interactive program for high school students
and adults to collaboratively foster an understanding of identity,
community and the importance of
preserving oral histories in the San
Fernando Vall ey’s Japanese
American community. Through a
series of interactive workshops and
discussions, participants will learn the
significance of telling their own stories
and preserving their oral histories
through creative outlets.
Starts Thursday, June 14, 2012 � 6-9:30 PM
10
For more information:
visit: www.jaclpsw.org
Call: 213-626-4471
email: programs@jaclpsw.org

Rising Stars Reflection
By Hawk Kuwata
The Rising Stars Youth
Leadership Program was a very
unique experience. The program
helped me and two dozen high
school students learn skills that
will help us in the future. (These
lessons were taught by
professionals in their fields.) The
workshops that were taught were
team work, assertiveness,
speaking to persuade, financial
fitness, cultural values, and networking.
All six of the workshops
From L to R: Kohei Itokazu, Cody “Hawk” Kuwata, Matthew
Remnick, Brandon Isa, Dustin Niizawa, Evan Niizawa and Kevin Sato.
were very fun, interesting and taught me a lot. As the final test of our newly learned skills, the students planned and organized
the Annual Rising Stars Miniature Golf Tournament to raise money for next year’s program.
The sessions taught the students important life skills in a fun interactive environment. The assertiveness and speaking
to persuade workshop helped to develop my confidence when giving presentations at school or boy scouts. It also
helped me be more effective in persuading my parents to go out or do something fun. The cultural values workshop gave
me a better understanding on what it truly means to be Japanese American and have a greater respect and appreciation
of my Japanese heritage. The networking workshop gave the students the opportunity to talk to Japanese Americans in
high ranking position in the community. We were given the task of engaging in a friendly conversation to learn more
about their job and just have fun talking to new people. I was surprised to discover so many Japanese Americans who
had important positions and belong to my very own community center like Mr. Glenn Miyagishima, Battalion Nine Chief.
Organizing the Annual Golf Tournament was a lot of work! We were divided into three groups; logistics, sponsors
and raffle and lastly publicity. I was in the publicity group. My group was in charge of advertising the golf tournament.
Everyone in the group wrote an article and received advice by a Rising Star mentor on how to improve the article. The
group voted on which article they liked the best and it was placed into the Rafu Shimpo. My article, unfortunately, was not
chosen. But the experience taught me the different ways to write an article and how much detail and thought that has to
be put into everything that is written. My group also made flyers, a YouTube video and updated a website with the golf
tournament information. Even though I was not in the other groups, I realized there is a lot of time and work that goes into
organizing an event.
From the Rising Stars program, I have learned valuable skills, met amazing people and done things that most kids
my age would not have done otherwise. The program taught me important skills that I will use the rest of my life. The
people that I have met through the program will always be remembered as very good friends and advisors. It was an
amazing journey starting off as a group of 25 teenagers who most have never met before. After 5 months of classes and
working together we have formed a bond of friendship that will always be remembered. The program offers a unique and
one of a kind experience.
2012 Rising Stars Class
11

Merry Men
By Old Wakaba, Bud Sagara
At the end of last year, a friend of mine from childhood, Howard Yamamoto, called to invite
my wife and me to mochitsuki at his house. He mentioned that among his guests he invited
were Chris Ito, Tim Ito, Don Iwanaga, and Harry Nakashima, guys that I grew up with in Sun
Valley. It would have been nice to reconnect with old friends, but we had already committed that date to watching one of
our granddaughters in the Kid Venture Christmas program at the Holiness Church. Howard’s invitation however, did
cause me to recall the people and places in my past.
English novelist George Elliot said, “Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having
neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words.” Does that describe how you are with your friends? For me, when I
reconnect with friends, the years seem to melt away and the conversations have an ease about them. These guys know
the real me, unvarnished and without the trappings or the political correctness that society dictates. Old friends can be
counted upon to give me a swift kick in the pants should I become self-indulgent. They know all my embarrassing stories
and the predicaments that make us all human.
In junior and senior high school we formed a circle of friends from neighborhood guys. We called ourselves the Merry
Men, as in the Tale of Robin Hood. The Merry Men would hang out at Howard’s house in an old building in his backyard
called “the pool room.” The pool room housed an ancient pool table that found constant use among the Merry Men. The
room was musty and stark inside, with a cement floor and no ventilation except for the exterior door. One could always go
to the pool room to find conversation or a game of Eight Ball or poker in progress. There used to be a pin-up calendar
hanging on the wall until Howard’s grandma came in and tore it all to shreds. The Merry Men would take challenges from
other groups or car clubs to games of tackle football or other sports, and then retreat to the pool room to nurse wounds
and do a group play by play analysis of the just concluded game. Lots of male bonding took place in the pool room. Although
there were hours of idle conversation and laughs, there were also times when very personal goals or aspirations
would be launched or fresh failures consoled.
A day in the life of the Merry Men contained sights and places that have for the most part vanished from the Valley.
The places to have a bite to eat after the Friday night football game were Mike’s Pizza on Van Nuys Boulevard or further
south at Bob’s Big Boy. There was always a double bill showing at the Lankershim or El Portal theaters or at the Laurel
Drive In. One could purchase fresh milk at the Roger Jessup Dairy across from the CC or go shopping for groceries at
Sun Val Market or at the Piggly Wiggly. Great places for lunch were the Sirloin Burger, Long Green Cafe, or Hody’s.
Serious shoppers could go to Fedco, White Front or to the new Valley Plaza mall. Men got their haircuts and the latest CC
news at the Pacoima Barbershop on San Fernando Road. One could get their car painted for $29.95 at Earl Schieb which
included plenty of overspray on the chrome and windows. Do any of you remember the Old Trapper’s Lodge?
Where did the time go? A friend of mine related a story about her late 95 year old grandmother, who while on her
deathbed reflected on life. She simply said, “It went by so fast.” When I was a kid, the weeks and months seemed to take
forever, especially when looking forward to summer vacation. As an adult, time feels like it is stuck in the fast forward
mode. Scientists theorize that because the brain records everything that is new in great detail, the experiences of youth
contain countless things to be categorized and stored for future reference. As adults, we settle into many routines, like
common tasks at work or in the home, so that there are less new events to record.
Although the brain reasons that time neither speeds up nor slows down, the heart senses that the clock is running
faster as we near the end of days. My big brother Harvey passed away suddenly a few days before Christmas. Someone
who was a constant in my life is now gone forever. Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska wrote this reflection about the loss of
a loved one, “Nothing seems different here, but nothing is the same. Nothing has been moved, but there’s more space.”
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. So is that all there is to life? It seems rather bleak, but do
not lose heart. Look not to things of this world, but rather to things unseen such as love, faith, and hope. For things that
are seen are transient, while things that are unseen are eternal.
Monday, July 30 - Thursday, August 2, 2012
SFV Japanese American Community Center
12
Former South High,
USC Star & Current Pro Player
Applications
will be out soon.
For more information,
call Lois 818 899-1989.
Or email at
loisokui@aol.com

COORDINATING COOUNCIL ORGANIZATIONS/MEETINGS/CONTACT PERSONS
Coordinating Council.…………………….. 1st Wed., 7:00 PM.……...Paul Jonokuchi………..818 894-5327
Community Center…………………………. 1st/3rd Wed., 7:00 PM.……...Nancy Oda………. 818 899-1989
Athletics.………………………………………...3rd Tues., 7:30 PM.…...Margaret Takimoto…. 818 701-7628
Bonsai Club……………………………………..4th Sun., 8 AM-12 PM.……...Ken Inaba…………..818 349-6555
Chatsworth West United Methodist Church.……………………………………………………….………………………..
………………………………………………………. 2nd Sun., 1:00 PM……Doreen Kawamoto……...818 764-8850
Credit Union.…………………………………. 2nd Tues., 7:00 PM.……..Mayko Martinez……..818 362-0680
Fishing Club.………………………………….. 3rd Mon., 8:00 PM..……...Lance Updyke………..805 660-6262
Golf Club……………………………………….. 1st Tues., 7 PM……….…Mas Yamashita…………. 818 368-5315
JACL.………………………………………………. 2nd Wed., 7:00 PM....…Doreen Kawamoto….. 818 764-8850
Japanese Language Institute.…………. Sat., 9:30 AM-12:30 PM.….. Kimiaki Chiba……. 818 590-3362
Judo Club.………………………………………. 4th Wed., 7:03 PM.………....Patrick Kelly………..818 808-5514
Landscape Gardeners.……………………. 1st Mon., 7:30 PM.…………….Nob Tamai……….. 818 347-3912
Nikkei Senior Gardens.…………………... 1st Tues., 7:00 PM…..…...Toji Hashimoto……... 818 897-4216
Nikkei Village.………………………………... 4th Mon., 7:30 PM (at CC)……....Stan Date…... 818 701-6607
Porter Ranch Bonsai Club………………..1st Sun., 9 AM-12 PM…….Walter Zipusch……..818
SFV Holiness Church.……………………... 2nd Sun., 12:30 PM.…….…….Diane Date………. 818 701-6607
SFV Hongwanji Buddhist Temple……. 2nd Mon., 7:30 PM.………Rod Kuratomi
SFV Meiji Senior Citizens.……………….. 1st Fri., 12:30 PM.……..…..Ken Kumagai………...818 363-6468
Sunrise Foursquare Church ……………..…………….…….….…..Reverend Paul Iwata………. 818 782-8738
Valley Japanese Community Center.. 2nd Fri., 7:30 PM...…....Christine Inouye………. 818 825-9583
Neil Hashiba…………...213 792-2507
VFW 4140.……………………………………...1st Fri., 10:00 AM.…….....Frank Tanaka………….818 361-8951
SPECIAL CLASSES
Arts & Crafts. ................................... Monday 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Sally Hamamoto 818 361-2902
Bowling*, Mission Hills Bowl ........... Thursday 9:30 AM George Seko 818 998-0682
Bridge* ............................................ Mon/Wed 12:00-4:00 PM Ray Shinsato 818 767-5550
Japanese Calligraphy ....................... 1st/3rd Thursday 9:30-11:00 AM Yuriko Muso 818 726-8935
Country Western Music* ................ 1st /3rd Tuesday 10:30-11:30 AM Janet Schuetze 818 767-1819
Hitomi’s Cooking Class ………………….4th Tuesday 7:00 PM NJ Nakamura 818 893-6503
Craft Workshop ............................... 2nd Sat, even months 10:00 AM-12 PM SFVJACC@hotmail.com 818 899-1989
Exercise Class................................... Friday 10:00-11:00 AM Reverend Leo Fong 818 618-4368
Exercise Class................................... Tuesday 9:00-10:00 AM Ralph Ahn 818 897-1322
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 ................................. Friday 12:30 PM Carmen Postrzech 818 367-8045
Hawaiian Ukulele Class .................... Friday (Gym) 10:00-11:30 AM Greg Librando 818 896-6503
Hawaiian Ukulele Class .................... Friday (Hall) 10:00-11:00 AM Bea Rosete 818 340-2571
Ikenobo Ikebana Class ..................... 2nd Thurs 10:00-1:00 PM Ritsuko Shinbashi 818 892-0470
Japanese Classical Dance................. Friday 1:00-6:55 PM Diane Fukuwa 310 217-0443
Karaoke* ......................................... 1st/3rd Thurs 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Walter Fujimori 818 352-1075
Line Dancing* .................................. Thursday 8:30-10:00 AM Mark Nakamura 818 363-3038
Mandolin……………………………………….Friday 9:30-11:00 AM Call CC office 818 899-1989
Mah-Jong* ....................................... Tuesday 1:00-3:00 PM Yoko Kawamura 818 765-3513
Ondo Dancing* ……………………………..2nd/4th Friday 7:00-9:00 PM Masako Rodriguez 818 899-8777
Ping Pong Club ................................. Thursday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM Burt Tokuhara 818 469-8934
SFV Judo .......................................... Mon/Wed/Fri 7:00-8:30 PM Mike Murakami 818 648-6044
Tai Chi Class* ................................... Monday 9:00-10:00 AM Florence Takaaze 310 202-6693
JACL Beginners Ballroom Dance ...... Tuesday 7:00-8:30 PM Nancy Gohata 818 899-4232
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 PM Facilitator: Isabelle Miyata
Blood Pressure Screening* .............. 3rd Friday 9:00-11:00 AM Nikkei Pioneer Conference Room
Podiatrist* ....................................... 2nd Saturday 12:30 PM-? Nikkei Pioneer Conference Room
*Meiji Senior Citizens’ Activity or Service For more information, call the Center at (818) 899-1989.
13
Want to reserve
the Community
Center 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.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
HONGWANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE
9450 Remick Ave. Pacoima
818 899-4030 www.sfvhbt.org
Rev. Patricia Usuki:
Temple President: Rod Kuratomi
Dharma School - Sunday 11:00 am
Buddhist Temple Calendar
June
3 Shotsuki: Monthly Memorial Service
10:00 am
10 Regular Service 10:00 am
17 Fathers’s Day & Graduation Service
10:00 am
24 Regular Service 10:00 am
Obon dance practice June 19, 21, 26,28
only (6:30 - 8:30 pm)
July
1 No service (Obon Festival, June 30-July
1)
8 Obon Hatsubon and July/Aug. Shotsuki:
combined ancestors’ past year & monthly
memorial service 10:00 am
15 Summer Service 10:00 am
22 Summer Service 10:00 am
29 Summer Service 10:00 am
August
5 Summer Service 10:00 am
12 Summer Service 10:00 am
19 Summer Service 10:00 am
28 TBA
September
2 No Service
9 Shotsuki: Monthly Memorial Service &
Darma School start 10:00 am
16 Shuki Higan-e: Faall Equinox Service
10:00 am
23 Regular Service 10:00 am
30 Regular Service 10:00 am
San Fernando Valley
Holiness Church
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.sfvhc.org
English Department
Pastor Roland Hazama
Pastor Raynold Nakamura
Sunday Schedule
9:30 AM
Kid Venture Children’s Ministries
(infant -6 th grade)
Sunday School for ages
junior high through adult
10:30 AM
Coffee Fellowship
11:00 AM
Worship Service
(childcare for infants-Pre-K)
Youth Fellowship
Friday, 7:30 PM
Meetings at the church
for Jr. High and Sr. High
Mid-Week Home Groups
We believe that fellowship, friendship,
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
Sunday Schedule
11:00 AM
Worship Service
Lunch and Fellowship
After worship service on the
1st and 3rd Sundays
Wednesday, 10:00 AM
Prayer Meeting @ church
Please ask about
other weekday meetings.
14
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 1 st and 3 rd Wednesday @
3:00PM
Musical Director: Steve Foreman
Japanese Class – 2 nd & 4 th 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

“Connected to God-Connected
to One Another”
Pastors:
Rev. Paul Iwata
Rev. Haruko “Spring” Iwata
Meeting Address:
5853 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91607
Mailing Address:
14705 Wyandotte St.
Van Nuys, CA 91405
SUNRISE
FOURSQUARE
CHURCH
Sunday
10:30 AM ………… Worship Services
English: Rev. Paul Iwata
Japanese: Rev. Spring Iwata
12 noon ………………..Potluck Lunch
Thursday
7:00 PM…………Prayer Meeting and
Bible Study
Friday
6:00 PM…….Prayer Meeting at Court
Yard Assisted Care Living Center
7:30 PM………..Youth & Young Adult
Meeting at Church
Home Meetings
Yukio Masai’s …….. 2 nd Wednesday
7:00 PM in Gardena
310-329-1586
Pastoral counseling is available for
individuals, couples, and families.
Pastor Spring’s artwork is displayed in
the 2010 Springwater Calendar with
scripture for every month in English
and Japanese. Call for orders at a
donation of $10 per calendar.
Phone: 818-782-8738
818-642-2332
Email: pmiwata1@hotmail.com
Website:
www.sunrisejapanesechurch.org
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE CC
June 14, 2012
Project: Oshberu (SFV JACL) -
10 Week program for high
school students and adults
June 16, 2012
SFV Japanese Language
Institute Speech Contest
June 23, 2012
Craft Workshop
June 23, 2012
Couponing Class with Felipe
Fuentes
15
June 30 & July 1, 2012
SFV Hongwanji Buddhist
Temple Obon
August 11, 2012
Craft Workshop
September 15, 2012
Keiro Diabetes Nutrition
Seminar
October 13, 2012
CC Dance
October 27, 2012
CC Fall Clean-up

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY JAPANESE
AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER NEWS
12953 Branford Street, Pacoima 91331
818 899-1989 Fax 818 899-0659
San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
2012 MEMBERSHIP FORM
(Membership period: January 1 to December 31, 2012)
1. Complete the information below.
2. Tear off the membership card for your records.
□ Family Membership - $55.00
3. Make check payable to “SFVJACC”.
4. Send your check and this form to: SFVJACC – Membership □ Single Membership - $35.00
12953 Branford Street
Pacoima, CA 91331
(Please Pint)
Name Phone
(Last Name) (First Name)
Address
City State Zip Code
Email Address
* For information, please call SFVJACC at (818) 899-1989. Thank you for supporting our Community Center.
FAX is (818) 899-0659.
16
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Van Nuys, California
Permit No. 21