VENICE JAPANESE COMMUNITY CENTER, INC.

12448 Braddock Drive Los Angeles, California 90066April 2020 Volume 46 Number 4

What’s Happening at VJCC.comWith the temporary closure of the Venice Japanese

Community Center since March 14--until the time when it is determined safe for everybody to return--important information and notices pertaining to the VJCC can be found on our website, VJCC.com. Also on the website is the VJCC Community News. Clubs and classes submitting articles to monthlynews@vjcc.com keep all of us connected. Despite not physically meeting for the past three weeks or more, there is still plenty to share. In the April 2020 issue, Boy Scout Troop 764, Marina Bonsai Club, Senior Nutrition, and Venice Karate Club, so far, are keeping us updated with news from the past months AND on how they are continuing to connect within

their groups and with the larger community in safe and caring ways. Anyone reading the April 2020 newsletter on VJCC.com can help keep the community connected by sharing with a neighbor who might not be on the internet. There are approximately 650 paper newsletters that will not be produced, mailed or picked up at the VJCC this month. Check on a neighbor and inquire if they are missing the VJCC Community News. If so, print a copy off the website and drop it in their mailbox! I hope to see everyone soon…but, in the meantime, let’s stay in touch however we can.

by Gail Sharp

Keiro Caregiver Conference - Virtual Event Sunday, May 31, 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM

All other previously scheduled events have been cancelled until further notice.

Please check VJCC.com for the latest updates.

Save These Dates

Correction

Photos of the Sake Social in the March 2020 newsletter by Steve Fujimoto.

Board DecisionDue to unforeseen circumstances,

the Board decided on the extended closure of the VJCC (until further notice) and

cancellation of the Natsu Matsuri Summer Festival.

Message from the Board

VJCCVision Statement

“A center to preserve the heritage and perpetuate the Japanese-American cultural experience.”

DonationsThe VJCC gratefully acknowledges the following

donations of time, material, and money:

March 2020Barbara Isono . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monetary DonationJack Kurihara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000.00Emie Obata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00Dr. Ken Teshima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monetary Donation

Legacy Tree DonationsThe VJCC gratefully acknowledges donations and

pledges towards the Legacy Tree.

March 2020None to report.

How did the Venice Japanese Community Center facilities come to look like it does today? Where are the funds coming from to operate such a great organization? How does the center manage to continue to improve and maintain the existing facilities and programs? Membership dues are one of the sources. Another is the rent paid by the various groups that utilize the facilities. Fundraising such as the annual festival, the golf tournament and bingo nights are also major income producers. However, we rely on contributions from the membership and friends to really help us maintain and improve the facilities and programs that are sponsored by the VJCC. Without the contributions, we would not be able to continually keep the facilities in tip top condition and provide the services as the needs arise. We are fortunate to have so many volunteers who spend many, many hours providing their special skills, year in and year out. Without their services, our operating costs would increase enormously. Thank you very much for your generosity and volunteerism. Hopefully, all of this will continue so that we will have a viable and active organization to leave for future generations.

Hitoshi Shimizu

今あるVJCCは、どの様にして皆さんの知り親しんでいるVJCCとなったのでしょうか。このような素晴らしい施設を運営をするには、どこから基金が捻出されているのでしょうか。 センターが施設やプログラムをより良いものにしたり、維持していくために、どのように管理されているのでしょうか。 年会費は、その源の一つです。他には、施設を利用するグループが支払っているレントがあります。毎年の夏まつりや、ゴルフトーナメント、ビンゴナイトのようなファンドレージングも主な収入源です。 しかしながら、会員の方々が施設やプログラムを維持し、改良していってくださるよう貢献してくださる力が大変多くをしめております。その貢献無しでは、最高の状態で施設を維持し、必要なサービスを提供し続けることはできないことと思います。 私たちには幸い、1年を通して、特技を提供して多くの時間を過ごしてくださるボランティアの方がいらっしゃります。皆さんのそういったサービスがなければ、活動費が莫大に増加することになるでしょう。 他にも、やることがあるのにもかかわらず、VJCCでボラン ティア活動に時間やエネルギーを注いでくださり、大変感謝しております。 次世代の人たちに、活気ある組織を引き継いでいくために、今後ともどうぞご支援ご協力をよろしくお願いいたします。

シミズ　ヒトシ

Venice Japanese community center, inc.community neWs

Community Center News Staff MANAGING EDITOR Communications Committee DISTRIBUTION MANAGER AND TREASURER Jun Oyama JAPANESE TYPIST Yumi Suzuki CONTRIBUTING REPORTERS Gail Sharp Hitoshi Shimizu PRODUCTION STAFF Atsuro Miyoshi Kyoko Yamamura

VJCC Officers PRESIDENT Wes Shimoda EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Dave Hirota CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD John Ikegami TREASURER Sharon Aratani

Communications CommitteeJolyn Brookes • Kevin Kunisaki • Jack Kurihara

Tiffany Sato • Gail Sharp • Kelvin Uyeda Jennifer Yamamoto • Michiko Yamamoto

The Venice Japanese Community Center, Inc. Community News is published monthly by the Venice Japanese Community Center, Inc.

12448 Braddock Drive • Los Angeles, CA 90066 • Phone (310) 822-8885

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MARINA BONSAI CLUB

April 2020

An Unusual Spring

By

Lloyd Garver

Often at this time of year, we in the Marina Bonsai Club are concerned about possible diseases that

our plants might get. Obviously, this year when it comes to worries about sickness, it's more personal. I

hope everyone has been following the restrictions and suggestions of the medical experts. As of this

writing, the VJCC is closed, but I'm sure that it will be stronger than ever when it opens.

Speaking of a strong VJCC, our senseis Frank Goya and Shig Miya were interviewed a while back for

a video that is now available. You can see the video by going to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XROyIWT4Z-0

(If you don't have a computer or don't know how to use one, after things return to normal just stop the

kid who lives down the street the next time he walks past your house. He's the one who's always got

those little, white earphones. He can show you how to see it).

Among many other things in the video,

Frank and Shig talked about their long-

time relationship with the Community

Center. Frank pointed out that

immediately after World War II, many

members of the Japanese American

community (especially those who had

been at the internment camps) had no

place to go. So, they came to the VJCC

where they ate and slept until they got

back on their feet. Because of this, Frank

referred to the VJCC as a "holy place" for Japanese Americans. Shig talked about the Community

Center providing a place for them to work on their bonsais and to teach the art to newcomers. Both

men talked about how important it was to them to have a club open to all people, not only Japanese

Americans.

The idea that our club is a warm and friendly place for anyone who wants to visit or join the club is

their vision come true. There are men and women, young and old, and people of all backgrounds.

Everybody is made to feel welcome the first time they walk through the door of Classroom 5.

Perhaps one positive thing about the suggested restrictions regarding the coronavirus is that

because we are now spending so much time at home, we have had plenty of time to work with our

plants. We have been repotting, fertilizing, and starting to shape them for the year. Because we all will

have had more time than usual to work on our bonsais, our show at this year's VJCC summer festival

should be better than ever. [editor note: unfortunately, by time of publishing, VJCC Summer Festival

was cancelled.]

Stay safe and healthy, and we will all see each other soon.

VENICE KARATE CLUB

April 2020

Congratulations to all that participated and placed in the Sun Valley Annual Memorial Youth Karate

Tournament held on February 22, 2020. Here are the results for our club:

Luku Goldner received 3rd place in kumite.

Aki Goldner received 2nd place in both kumite and kata.

Luke Shimahara received 1st place for kata and kumite and, unfortunately had no other

competitors in his age and rank category. However, there was a special award for best technique

in the tournament which he was awarded by vote of the judges. This was one of the top awards

in the tournament and was due to his outstanding kata performance.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and “Stay at Home” orders, our Karate Club has elected to sample

“virtual training” via the internet. Hopefully, it will be successful in keeping our members active and in

shape. We should also keep in mind the five rules of karate training: seek perfection of character, be

faithful, endeavor to excel, respect others, and refrain from violent behavior. These rules not only apply

to karate, but life in general. Please do your best to take care of yourselves and others through this

difficult time.

☆ベニス空手クラブ☆

コロナウイルスの拡大防止のため、外出を控えている時期です。空手クラブの練習も、

今月はお休みで、VJCCの春の一斉清掃、ビンゴナイトも中止となりました。コロナウイ

ルス予防のため、手洗いやうがいをして終息につとめましょう。

★サンバレー道場のメモリアル空手トーナメント★

2月22日土曜日午後3時半から、サンバレー道場でユースの空手トーナメントが開催され

ました。結果をお知らせいたします。

ゴールドナー ルーク君 組み手 3位

ゴールドナー アキさん 型と組み手 2位

シマハラ ルーク君 型と組み手 1位

残念ながら、彼と同じ年齢で同じランクのカテゴリーの人が誰もいなかったのですが、

彼の型は大変すばらしかったので、審判の投票で、この大会で一番良かった人に贈られ

る特別賞に表彰されました。

コロナウイルスの世界的大流行で、外出禁止措置によって、インターネットを通しての

バーチャルトレーニングを実施することにしました。きっとこのトレーニングがメンバ

ーの皆さんを活発で健康な身体に保ってくれるものと思います。空手の道場訓を心にと

めてください。人格完成に努ること。誠の道を守ること。努力の精神を養うこと。礼儀

を重んずること。血気の勇を戒むること。大変な時期ではありますが、皆さん、お身体

ご自愛ください。

02/2019

Local Advertisers

09/2019

Local Advertisers

(including Boat, Motorcycle or RV) Get a tax deduction AND VJCC receives 50% of sales proceeds

Contact Sharon at

Treasurer@VJCC.com for details and additional information.

Support the VJCC

What about a 100 or so? What can you tell us about this picture? Who are these people? What were they doing? When was it taken? What significance to our Community Center does the photo represent? Is this you? Is this your mother/father, aunt/uncle, sister/brother, or neighbor/friend?

We’re back, and it’s Talk Story time!

Thank you, Mr. VJCC Udon, for this great photograph. It was saved for the right moment, and this is it.

Protecting our community’s health takes priority in 2020. But, we have great memories of past festivals to get us through. And, like Talk Story, we’ll be back in full force when the time is just right!

Caregiver Conference

Keynote Panel:Difficult ConversationsModerator: Kanako Fukuyama, MSW, Iyashi CarePanelists: Lynn Miyamoto, Naoko Okada, and Andrew Takahashi

Workshop Topic:Danshari: Downsizing and DeclutteringSpeaker: Marty Stevens-Heebner, CEO & FounderClear Home Solutions

REGISTRATION ENDS WEDNESDAY, MAY 27REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE EVENT:

Visit www.keiro.org/caregiver-conferenceor please contact programs@keiro.org.

Sunday, May 31, 20202:00 - 4:15 p.m.

Co-hosted by the 2020 Caregiver Conference Planning Committee.

Keiro’s annual caregiver conferences provide family caregivers with resources andeducation to confidently provide care for their loved ones.

Keiro is announcing the 2020 Caregiver Conference will now be transitioning from an

in-person event, to a virtual event.

Hair Stylist, Kevin Lai

from DK Beauty Salon

has moved to a new location at: 12615 Venice Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90066

Please call 626-272-8994 for an appointment

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BOY SCOUT TROOP 764

April 2020

Mark Morimoto, Recipient of the Asian American

Spirit of Scouting Service Award

On February 18, the BSA Council awarded our own troop’s Scoutmaster

Mark Morimoto with the Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award to

honor his steadfast devotion in bringing scouting opportunities to Asian

American youth. Just two months earlier in December at an awards potluck

ceremony by the BSA Crescent Bay District, Mr. Morimoto was recognized

with an Award for Excellence in Service to honor volunteers at the district

and the unit level for all the service they provided for scouting.

Sawtelle Japantown Birthday Bash Celebration

On February 22, the troop volunteered at

the Sawtelle Japantown Birthday Bash

Celebration which was an event to celebrate

the spirit, culture, community and legacy of

the Sawtelle Japantown. The scouts

participated in a neighborhood business flash

cleanup, helped with the festivities setup,

and performed the flag ceremony. Some of

the scouts even joined in on the Ondo

dancing.

Snow Sports Day

On February 29, the troop held its annual Snow Sports Day.

The successful event was held at the Snow Valley ski resort near

Big Bear. Although the weather was somewhat warm, all the skiers

and snowboarders had a wonderful time and some of the scouts

took their first steps toward completing the Snow Sports merit

badge.

BOY SCOUT TROOP 764

April 2020

COVID-19 Impact on Troop

Although the VJCC has taken mandated precautions by temporarily closing their facilities to

members due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the troop has been using ingenuity and modern technology

to maintain their scouting livelihood.

The troop has been searching for safe ways to continue its scouting practices. Scouts have been

urged to continue improving their scout skills on their own, especially knots & lashings, orienteering

and first aid. In an effort to encourage the scouts to continue ranking up, the troop leaders have

offered scouts the use of online video conferencing for their scoutmaster conferences and Boards of

Review.

On March 17, the Scorpion Patrol, led by patrol leader Tyler Chang, held an online meeting using

Zoom video conferencing. During the meeting, he explained to the scouts in his patrol how the app

works, activity ideas, and plans for their upcoming patrol hike under the COVID-19 influence. Tyler

commented that holding an online meeting was easy and that he would recommend this solution to

the other patrols. Although Zoom has meeting time limits on its free basic plan, there is still plenty of

time for the patrol to complete future topic ideas such as orienteering, knot competitions, lashings for

flagpole raising, first aid trivia, and knife safety. Thank you Tyler, for your fine example of

demonstrating the Scout Motto “Be Prepared” and one of the points of the Scout Law, to be

“Brave”!

On March 24, Jack Conroy became the first Troop 764 Scout to hold and successfully pass his Life

Board of Review using online video conferencing and was able to officially achieve the Life Scout rank.

Adult troop members GinaMarie Walker, Eric Gadal, Chris Quirarte, Baron Brady along with

Scoutmasters Mark Morimoto and Bill Conroy were able to view and hold the live Board of Review via

Zoom video conferencing. It was a great way to have a live visual question and answer review session

and allow Jack to continue his rank advancement towards his goal of being an “Eagle Scout”.

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SENIOR NUTRITION

April 2020 by Jae Toyota

CARING FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE...

VJCC may have closed on March 14, but the Senior Nutrition Program is still going strong!

With the closure of the facility, Senior Nutrition has

transformed into a "Grab-and-Go" lunch program,

operating Monday through Friday from 10:45 to

11:30, and providing home delivery for our

homebound seniors. With the help of our

community, the VJCC website and Facebook page,

we were able to get the word out.

Each lunch also included fliers with valuable

COVID-19 information, as well as chair yoga

exercises, and weekly word search puzzles to keep

seniors engaged at home. Then, in order to comply

with “Safer at Home” state policy, our nutrition

program increased the number of meals delivered to

seniors who were self-isolating at home. The Grab-

and-Go pickup was also modified to limit contact

and reinforce social distancing. We asked our

seniors who were picking up to provide their own

box or reusable grocery bag which they would place

in either their backseat or trunk. Additionally, any donation was to be attached to the bag or

placed in the box. A designated volunteer would

only collect donations, while another gloved

volunteer would place the meals in the bags or

boxes provided by the driver.

It was amazing to see everyone in the community

stepping up during this time of crisis. A heartfelt

thank you to our very own VJCC community,

particularly Yoga, Karate Club, Boy Scout parents,

and Keiro, the Rafu Shimpo, our partners —

including Culver/Del Rey Meals-on-Wheels, WLCAC

Meals-on-Wheels, West Pacific Villages,

Westchester Rotary Club — and of course all the

volunteers who give their love and time to caring for

out most vulnerable.

Because of the fluid situation of the COVID-19

pandemic, adaptions in communication and service

are ever changing. so please stay tuned!

SENIOR NUTRITION

April 2020

Continued from previous page…

In the meantime, stay healthy, meditate (Headspace, or on your own), exercise — there is

plenty of free content online, or just walk — and stay connected with each other (Zoom,

Facetime, etc.)

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Now at our New Location:

5555 Inglewood Blvd., Suite 103

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(1 block north of Jefferson Blvd.)

Serving our community since 1978

(310) 306-7500

(310) 306-7520 fax

Email: melshimizu@hotmail.com

Office open year round

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OFFICE: 310-914-9147 CELL: 310-988-5874

VJCC Golf Tournament Platinum Sponsors

03/2017

04/2018

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VENICE JAPANESE COMMUNITY CENTER

2020 ONGOING PROGRAMS & CLASSES

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

▼

12:30 Taiko

3:30 Yoga Intro/Basics

6:00 Volleyball

Adult 8:00 Basketball

Adult

9:00 Pickleball

10:00 Tai Chi (60+) 11:00 Sr. Nutrition

▼

1:00 Craft Workshop 4:00 Basketball VYC

4:30 Hula (5-12 yrs)

6:30 Aikido 7:00 Del Rey H/O

(1st Mon)

7:00 Karate

10:00 Line Dance (High Beginner-

Easy Intermediate)

11:00 Sr. Nutrition

▼

12:00 Chair Aerobics 4:00 Basketball VYC

7:00 Taiko

7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00 Judo

9:00 Pickleball

10:00 Shigin-Kinyukai 10:00 Chair Yoga (60+)

11:00 Sr. Nutrition

▼ 12:00 Gentle Yoga

4:00 Basketball VYC

6:30 Ikebana 7:30 JACL (1st Wed)

7:00 Kendo

11:00 Sr. Nutrition

▼

12:30 Ballroom

Dance 12:45 Ukulele

(Inter. I & II)

4:00 BBall VYC 6:30 Bunka Shodo

6:30 Aikido

7:00 Karate

9:30 Sumi-e

9:30 Line Dance (Beginner-

High Beginner)

11:00 Sr. Nutrition

▼

4:00 Basketball VYC 7:00 Japanese as

Second Language

7:00 Judo 7:30 Kendo

7:15 Aikido

8:30 Japanese Language

(Children’s)

9:30 Japanese Dance

9:30 BBall VYC

▼

1:00 Koto

2:00 Shodo (Children’s)

2:00 Iaido

Same as

Week 1

Same as Week 1

10:00 Watercolor

▼

Same as Week 1

Same as Week 1

▼

7:30 VYC Mtg (2nd Wed)

Same as Week 1

Same as Week 1

▼

7:00 Bonsai (2nd Fri)

Same as Week 1

3:00 Iaido

▼

Same as Week 1

Same as Week 1 Same as Week 1

▼

7:00 Boy Scout Parents 7:00 Photo Club

(3rd Tues)

Same as Week 1

▼

7:00 CBO (3rd Wed) 7:30 VJCC Exec Council

Same as Week 1

Same as Week 1

▼

7:00 Karaoke (3rd Fri)

Same as Week 1

Same as

Week 1

Same as Week 1

10:00 Watercolor

Same as Week 1

▼

11:30 Podiatrist

(last Tues only) 7:00 Bonsai (4th Tues)

Same as Week 1

▼

7:00 RAP (4th Wed)

Same as Week 1

Same as Week 1

Same as Week 1

3:00 Iaido

▼

Revised 2/26/20

2020 REPRESENTATIVES Arts & Crafts Martial Arts Craft Workshop ............................................. Masako Ido Aikido ....................................................................... Tom Scheir Photo Club ........................................................ June Inai Iaido .......................................................................... Harry Mott Watercolor .................................................... Ko Yoshida Judo ................................................................ Trace Nishiyama Boy Scouts Karate ..................................................................... Ron Sugano Scoutmaster ............................................. Mark Morimoto Kendo .......................................................................... Kenji Arai Parents’ Club ........................................... Ted Nishimura Music Exercise Karaoke.....................................................................William Ota Chair Aerobics..........................................Hitoshi Shimizu Koto ........................................................................... Eiko Idota Yoga...........................................................Leslie Masuda Shigin (Kinyu Kai) ........................................... Kyoko Yamamura Dance Taiko (Koshin) ..................................................... Lori Miyakawa Ballroom Dance .......................................... Gayle Hirami Ukulele ................................................................... Kay Kawano Hula ..................................................... Wen-Chia Parker Podiatrist (Dr. Kenneth Teshima) ...................................................... Japanese Odori ...................................... Dianne Fukuwa RAP ...................................................................... Carolyn Komoto

Line Dance (Tuesday) .................................. Noel Castle Seniors Line Dance (Friday)…………………………………......Chris DeToskey Nutrition.......................................................... .......... Jae Toyota JACL (Venice/WLA) ........................................... John Saito Pioneer Project..........................................................Eric Inouye Japanese Culture Sports Bonsai ................................... Shig Miya, Shinya Miyakoshi Basketball (Adult) …………………………………………………………………….David Ifuku Ikebana ...................................................... Satsuki Palter Basketball (VYC) ..................................................... Kazie Kame Calligraphy (Japanese Brush Writing) Pickleball (Adult) ........................ Mil Kurashige/Ken Rosengrant Shodo ............................................... Fusako Ogasawara Volleyball (Adult) ............................................ Stephen Fujimoto Sumi-e ..................................................... June Lee-Chin Venice Youth Council (Mtg) .......................................... Harry Sagara Japanese Language Gakuen (Youth) .................................... Toyoko Fujimoto ................................................................................................... Adults (as a 2nd language) ......................... David Nishina

Revised 2/26/20 FOR CLASS INFO, CALL VJCC OFFICE (310) 822-8885 OR EMAIL OFFICE@VJCC.COM MESSAGES WILL BE RELAYED TO APPROPRIATE PARTIES

SAVE THESE DATES

Keiro Caregiver Conference – Virtual Event

Sunday, May 31, 2:00 PM – 4:45 PM

Due to compliance with social distancing

during the COVID-19 pandemic, all other

previously scheduled events have been

cancelled until further notice.

Take care and continue to shelter in place

until it is safe for all of us the share and

enjoy time together.

Please continue to check VJCC.com for the

latest updates for the Center.

IN THIS ISSUE

What’s Happening at VJCC.com

Board Decision

Message from the Board

Club News:

Bonsai Club

Boy Scout Troop 764

Karate Club

Senior Nutrition

日本語日本語日本語日本語:

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