|
November 10th, 2005
JAO Ricksha Newsletter Vol. 52, No. 03
|
Well I survived my first try and haven�t gotten any cancellation notices from anyone...yet. I�ll take that as a good sign. (Although a couple folks did �kindly� point out some of the errors I made)
Thanks for everyone�s help, with the Ricksha and the Halloween Event. Your support makes things a whole lot easier...please come see me for your �I�m Super Duper!� stickers.
Here�s round two...enjoy.
| | -Sky |
Casual Meeting
Date: Wed., Nov. 16, 2005
6:30 pm Happy 1/2 Hour
7:00 pm Dinner
Venue: Taix French Restaurant
1911 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
Program: Hangin� Out With Friends
�I won�t be able to make it out so I�ll make sure that our IPP buys the first round��
You heard it here first...that was a direct quote from President Jae Lee so COME ONE, COME ALL as the first drink is on the house...well�IPP Terry Hara�s house. I expect this to be one of the largest turnouts for any JAO event in the past 20 years!
No messin� around with programs and guest speakers this time, we�re just getting together for some good ol� fashion hanging out time. See you there!
Sheriff�s Round-Up
Wow, can you believe Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner? As everyone approaches this time of the year when we can spend time with our loved ones and reflect on the year past, I hope we can all try to make time to share with those less fortunate.
Let�s all remember that Thanksgiving and Christmas is also a time of great need within our community. The little difference we try to make can make an everlasting impression for a disadvantaged youth.
As the various committees are fervently planning for the upcoming Thanksgiving project and Christmas Party, please come out, lend a hand or two, and join in the fun.
Jae
JAO President
Last Meeting...
Man, for you guys (and gals) that couldn�t make it...you REALLY missed out (I don�t blame you though if it�s because you caught wind of who the surprise guest speaker was).
Youth Appreciation Day was upon us again and several exceptional students from the Optimist Youth Home were recognized. Some with parents and others, unfortunately, without, there is no doubt that these kids appreciated both the evening of recognition as well as the efforts being made at the youth home that have helped to transform them into young adults and leaders.
Representing the Optimist Youth Home, aside from our very own Leland Lau who sits on the Board, was Youth Home Recreations Director, Ken Garcia. He introduced many of the outstanding kids and helped explain to us some of what the kids at the Home have been through and how they are working to overcome those obstacles.
And as a surprise to most (including the speaker), there was a special presentation put on by yours truly, Sky Tetsuka. Yeah, I know, even I was wondering what the he & they were thinking having ME talk. But hey, don�t blame me...blame the selection panel!
I decided to speak about �Acting.� No, not like the kind that JT Tamaki does...but focusing on the difference between �acting� in terms of playing a role, and �acting� in terms of taking action. While holding titles and talking a good game can get you so far, it is in taking action (and some risks along the way) that you separate yourself as a true leader.
A thunderous applause roared as I concluded my presentation and I told my Mom to go home�
The evening was concluded however with each of the recognized individuals receiving awards and saying a few words. Sharing their thanks and amazement at how far they have come, I can only say that what they expressed was extremely heartfelt and probably made more than a few of our members misty eyed�(I saw you guys Jeff, Mike, and Kenji)
This was definitely one of those feel good meetings that leaves you umm...feeling good. See you soon, and if you�re interested in any more info about the Optimist Youth Home, contact Leland.
Announcements...
* The Halloween Event turned out well despite a few last minute changes and things to scramble around for. But in typical JAO fashion, everyone came together (a few especially) and gave tremendous support. On behalf of myself (Sky) and co-chair Dean Higuchi, we THANK YOU SO MUCH for both creating and having a great time with all of the kids! For those that missed it, check out the web-site for some pics. If you want, print out copies of your favorite JAO member in costume, it�ll make good ammo someday. Just leave the Potato alone...
* Up next was JAO�s annual Hacker�s Golf Tournament. Set up by members Gerald Wong, our resident golf pro, and Mike Gin aka Mr. SC, this year�s event was destined to be a classic. With longtime Hacker, Russ �Sally� Fujii back in action to challenge last year�s trophy winner JT �Drop �Em� Tamaki, the JAO crowd was stunned when newcomer Jeff �I�ll take an 8� Tani stole the hardware and immortalized himself on the Hacker Plaque...way to go Jeff! Other prizes and awards included Ms. O Jena Iwata taking home the women�s trophy and Curtis Moyer winning a $50 gift certificate to Oiwake�s on a closest to the hole pin. It was an emotional rollercoaster and everyone in attendance left with a story for the ages.
* Unfortunately, JT Tamaki has recently reported that Yuta Tabuse did not make the cut and was released by the Clippers. It looks like our efforts weren�t quite enough on JA Community night, but fortunately, JT has volunteered himself to Mr. Sterling to take Tabuse�s place. Let�s all wish him good luck�
* Don�t forget to check out Terry�s scrapbook. Past Ms. O. Kristi Higa put together quite a an archive of the precious moments of our last year. Take a look at some of the funny, and not so funny (depending on your perspective) comments that your fellow JAO members were so kind to leave behind.
* JAO�s annual Thanksgiving Event is coming up very soon, held on November 19th at LA Elementary School. Please see the attached flyer or contact event chairs Clyde Kaneko, Chris Takahashi, or Mike Kawada.
* Missed the Hacker Tournament? Still wanna play some golf? Well check out your friends at OCO on December 12 at the Mesa Verde Country Club for their annual tournament benefiting A3M. Please contact Glen Tanaka for more info.
Our Gang...
So I don�t know if you�ve heard yet, but JAO has a new website! Actually, if you haven�t heard, you probably live in a cave and don�t have internet access...so don�t worry about it, it�s not that cool anyways. If you do have access though, you gotta check it out! It is AWESOME! www.jaoptimist.org
If you�re thinking��Gee, I sure am hearin� a lot about this dang website,� that�s because ...YOU ARE! I cannot stress enough the value and importance of this new club resource.
In regards to the expense of this Ricksha alone, considering a mailing list of 175, if even half of the membership switched to e-versions of the newsletter, JAO would stand to save roughly $2000 per year in pure costs alone...not to mention hours and hours of labor.
Again, we know that some may still prefer to receive regular snail mailings and that is absolutely fine. In efforts to be more cost and time effective however, we are looking to keep this number as minimal as possible. To this end, if you would like to continue receiving the Ricksha in your regular home/business mailing, I ask that you notify me at any of my contact information below by the end of this year. Starting 2006, only those who have notified me will continue to receive these mailings. All others will be assumed to prefer notification via web or e-mail. Thanks for your understanding...
You know what I think about comments, but feel free to send �em anyways. : )
Just kidding�
|
| -your friend, Sky- |
DId you know?
Sean O'Neill has done some neat things with our JAO icon... keep an eye out.
Did you know the original Ricksha logo was created by Empire Printing icon and JAO founding member Tosh Nakajima? Just one more thing Uncle "Toe: will be so fondly remembered for...
The Ricksha is published twice a month for members and friends of the Japanese American Optimist Club. News and comments are welcome. Send publishable (good) info to Sky Tetsuka, Ricksha Editor, [email protected]
| -Mata Sugu Ne-
Last Month's Ricksha
|
|
