Winter 2010 - Preservation Action Council of San Jose

New Japanese American Museum Presents Local HistoryThe new Japanese American Museum has opened its doors at535 N. 5 th Street in San Jose. The museum’s mission is to preserveand share Japanese American art, history, and culture,with a focus on the Greater Bay Area. Although the building isnew, it contains much history of the local Japanese Americansfrom the late 19 th century through the 20 th century. The Museumwas made possible through monies received from theCalifornia Cultural and Historical Endowment, appropriationsfunding, community contributions, and numerous volunteersled by Jimi Yamaichi, the curator, general contractor and museumdirector.For more information call 408-294-3138 or go to jamsj.org.The museum is open Thursdays through Sundays from12-4 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors/ studentsand members are free. Exhibitions of local Japanese American history include a travelingexhibition, “Camp Days” 1942-1945” by artist Chizuko JudySugita de Queiroz (running until April 30 th , 2011), a farmingexhibit, Pioneers of San Jose Japantown, World War II AssemblyCenters and Internment Camps, Japanese service in militaryunits and the intelligence service, Post World War II Resettlement,the local Japanese American baseball team and muchmore.San Jose’s Japantown is one of only three surviving Japantownsin the United States and the only one in its original location.This museum is one of two in California, the second being inLos Angeles.Japanese American Museum at 535 N. 5th St.(Photo/text: G. Frank)End of Summer Sale Yields $3000 for PAC*SJ Education FundIt was an unusual weekend sale that started Friday morning,Sept. 24th. PAC*SJ members and neighbors had donated thetypical mundane or weird items that are found in anyPAC*SJ sale. What was unusual was that shoppers couldn'tpark. The City was conducting extensive street cleaning thatmorning so parking was prohibited on 13 th street. andparked cars could be towed. Our amazing volunteers begandirecting shoppers to safe parking zones and keeping alleyes peeled for tow trucks, meter maids and street sweepingvehicles. We endured the chaos until 1:00pm when the Citycrews removed the no parking signs.Many shoppers look for this sale because of its large assortmentof items. However, neighbors also like to see what isrecycled to another Naglee Park home. One family donated acustom made fir entertainment center purchased at the salethree years ago. It was re-sold to a woman who lives aroundthe block. Another donation was handed to Patt Curia whorecognized it as something PAC*SJ had given to History SanJose for its summer fund raiser. The donor didn't even knowit was originally from PAC*SJ.Our stellar list of volunteers includes: Ellen Garboske, LeslieMasunaga, Rene Coca, Lucille Boone, Sally Beste, Bob Johnson,Patti Phillips, Sandra Soellner, Judy Stabile, GayleFrank, John Frolli, Sheik Alli, Tom Aldridge, Natalie Alexander,Lynda Sereno, John Mitchell, Linda Faulkner, JimNorvell, Elizabeth Figueroa, Barbara Kempczinski, PattiCunningham and, of course, shoppers pitched in to helpmove things during the sale. Thanks, as always, to the Salasand Wangsness-Liesentfelt families for the use of their frontyards.Our next sale will be in Spring 2011 so please add “simplifyand clean up” to your New Year's resolutions. If you startsooner, and have some wonderful things to donate, contactPatt Curia (408) 294-3599 or pcuria@sbcglobal.net. We areinterested in gathering antiques, collectibles, local memorabiliaand useful items that PAC*SJ can sell at future events.Page 10Continuity, Winter, 2010 PAC*SJ PO Box 2287, San José CA 95109-2287www.preservation.org