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December 9th, 2005
JAO Ricksha Newsletter Vol. 52, No. 05
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Let me start by apologizing for leaving you all without a submission from your favorite columnist last edition. As I proved that sometimes, life really does just happen, I was not able to release the last issue of the Ricksha. Knowing how distraught most of you must have been, I will try my best to make sure you won�t be left without again...
I missed you all too and worked extra hard to give you all a really really really really really good Ricksha, so enjoy...or else.
| | -Sky |
General Meeting
Date: Wednesday Dec. 21st, 2005
6:30 pm Happy 1/2 Hour
7:00 pm Dinner
Venue: Taix French Restaurant
1911 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
Program: Gag Gift Exchange
Ho Ho Ho...Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukah, and every other occasion to eat a lot and give presents and cards with cheesy sentimental lines to everyone. While some argue that the greatest look in the world is that of a child�s excitement as he opens the gift he�d been waiting for...I�d say the look on your fellow JAO members� faces at the annual gift exchange comes a close second. Exemplifying our true feelings of mutual respect for each other, come join us as this is definitely a meeting to be at!
Anyone that�s ever been at one of these in the past knows that there is ALWAYS something to see that hearing about just won�t do. So don�t miss out�
Sheriff�s Round-Up
Wow, can you believe 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 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 Christmas Party, please come out, lend a hand or two, and join in the fun.
Happy Holidays.
Jae
JAO President
Last (Couple of) Meeting(s)
Not that anyone would remember well enough to argue what I make up about what happened two meetings ago, I�ll try to be as truthful as possible since �tis the season�
Those that weren�t there missed out on a chance of a lifetime...you could actually order WHATEVER you want at Taix. It was finally time to see who REALLY enjoys the soup! And apparently, Archie Miyatake seemed to have his eye on whatever Miss O Jena Iwata had ordered. Keep an eye on those left-overs!
As promised, IPP Terry Hara bought everyone their first round as JAO members got to hang out and share stories of philanthropy and community service with each other. And if you believe that, come see me because I have a beautiful piece of overseas desert property I could sell you ...
The next meeting brought us back together (and brought the soup back too) as we gathered to hear from one of our own, Dr. Nolan Maehara, planning to show us and tell us all about his precious baby...the Honolulu Optimist Club!
Unfortunately, even doctors succumb to the risks of our technical age and his dvd chose not to work. I�m sure it�s pretty much like last year�s though, so maybe we can just watch that again and pretend we never saw it before�just kidding Nolan!
Hopefully he�ll be able to get a different copy and come back to show us all again sometime!
Filling in, I had my own chance to thank the club for supporting me in my fundraising efforts at my recent baseball event hosted by the Long Beach Armada and Japan Samurai Bears.
Having honored various community leaders including IPP Commander Terry Hara, money was raised for organizations such as Keiro Senior Health Care, the Little Tokyo Service Center, as well as JAO.
With the extra time that we had, I presented the club with materials about the event including a photo slide show, and gave them a check representing the funds raised for the club. Don�t spend it all in one place�
They�re starting to change up the menu a bit over at Taix�, so come on out and see what�s new that�s cookin�...
Announcements...
* On Nov. 17th, many of us went out to Roy�s in downtown LA to celebrate Past MS O Kristi Higa one more time for doing such a wonderful job. While several people attended including Pres. Jae Lee with his wife Hae-Won, IPP Comm. Terry Hara, Keith Inatomi, Marty Ono, Nolan Maehara, Leiton Hashimoto, JT Tamaki, Kenji Ogawa, Jerry Fukui, Jeff Tani, and myself, Sky Tetsuka, I don�t think that anyone could say enough how amazing Kristi was throughout her year and how much her efforts contributed to a great year! Thanks again Kristi...
* Not long after, on Nov. 19th, came the annual JAO Thanksgiving Day at Los Angeles Elementary School. Chairing the event were JAO members Michael Kawada, Chris Takahashi, and Clyde Kaneko. With a lot of help from member Kitty Sankei and many of the other teachers from Los Angeles Elementary School including principal Bruce Clark, the event turned out a lot of hungry kids. Aside from the food, the kids enjoyed the activity that was set up which included creating a journal to write and draw in that showed what each one was thankful for. There was also a surprise performance by current MS O Jena Iwata and her friends, singing and teaching the kids an original song. Other than that, the rest of the kids seemed content dog piling and throwing dodge balls at me.
* The night of Nov. 30 brought Singapore Slings, Mai Tai�s, and a few other old school tropical drinks along with some appetizers over at Chop Suey in Little Tokyo. Gathering for Mike Gin�s USC/UCLA mixer, members Keith Inatomi, JT Tamaki, Gerald Wong, IPP Terry Hara, Past Ms. O Kristi Higa and others chopped it up about who they think is LA�s real team and what they think was going to happen in the upcoming game. The smart ones revered the mighty Trojan offense and never doubted their ability to run through a weak Bruin D. Bruin fans on the other hand, well, let�s just say were a little bit disappointed�(Fight On!)
* Coming up on December 17th. at Maryknoll Church is JAO�s annual Christmas Party! Chaired by Jeff Tani, Mike Hirahara, and Leiton Hashimoto, this event promises to be an incredible time with over 150 kids showing up to see the JAO Santa, played by Sean O�Neill. Members are asked to come out by 10am to help set up and ensure that the kids have a great time...not only could we really use all of your help, but it�s sure to be an event you wouldn�t want to miss! What better way to celebrate the holidays than with your friends and kids of the community...
Our Gang...
Times they are a changin��
Not only has this been evidenced by the Clippers and Warriors most recent swing of luck over the Lakers and the rest of the NBA, as well as the Colts and Bengals being mentioned as the elite teams of the NFL, but JAO too has grown and changed in many ways.
With active membership being the lifeblood of any service organization, JAO has started to bring in many new and young faces. This is a great thing for the organization and will help the club build into the future. At the same time, it serves as a great opportunity for us younger guys to learn from some great pioneers.
Honoring tradition seems to be one the most valued qualities that we as a community stand for. To do so takes two roles however, one to carry it on, and one to teach it.
Many great new ideas are being born and things changing, but have faith that none of it is without direction. Having many new ambitious faces is making things exciting again in JAO, but don�t forget that we always need the input and help of those that have been there before...
We look forward to seeing you at meetings and events or just reading your comments from our website www.jaoptimist.org
Careful about drinking too much egg nog...Happy Holidays
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| -your friend, Sky- |
The website continues to get better and better...if you haven�t been there TODAY, you haven�t seen the latest things it covers.
Be sure to submit a request to Ricksha editor Sky Tetsuka if you wish to continue receiving hard copy newsletters. Any not received by January will begin receiving by electronic mail.
Thank you...
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-
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