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September 14, 2006
JAO Ricksha Newsletter Vol. 53, No. 1
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General Meeting
Date: Wed., Oct 4th, 2006
6:30 pm Cocktails
7:00 pm Dinner
Venue: Taix Restaurant
1911 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Youth Appreciation
What better way to start off President Jeff Tani�s year than by focusing on what Optimism is all about - the youth. JAO�s first meeting will be the Youth Appreciation meeting. We�ll be recognizing the many youths who not only excel in their school work, but also give of themselves with community work and extracurricular activities. Rumor has it that there may be a guest speaker at the meeting, but we won�t know that until we show up. You should plan on being at the meeting because not only will you be able to meet all of the exceptional youths we will be honoring, but you can also show your support for President Jeff and new Miss Optimist, Nikki Kodama. See you all there!
Shogun's Words
Here we go JAO! Time to kick off a new JAO year and I hope that you all are ready for some action! If you weren�t at the installation dinner, you missed a great kickoff capped by my own favorite taiko group (of which I�m a performing member), Zendeko. But just like kickoff, I hope to continue this year with the same effort, enthusiasm, and zest for life that optimism can bring.
It�s going to be a great year, and I will make sure to that! We have some of our usual events planned, but there are also some great new ideas and projects the JAO Board and I are working on for you. And we�ll definitely keep you all in the loop and up to date on our happenings on the JAO website, www.jaoptimist.org and with the Ricksha newsletter. If you ever have any questions, I�m just a call [(805) 368-2925], E-mail [[email protected]], or instant message [AOL: taikoplr; Yahoo: jstani76] away. You should have no problem reaching me and letting me know what you think. I�s like to hear from you!
Lastly, if you haven�t come out recently to a JAO event or meeting, I encourage you to do so because you will definitely have a hearty handshake and smile waiting to welcome you back this new JAO year. And if you are a regular with attendance, you already know with me around, this year will be a lot of fun! Thanks JAOers and I hope to see you at the next JAO meeting or event!
Optimism rocks!
Jeff Tani
JAO President
Last Meeting
President Jae Lee�s last meeting for his year was an outstanding one. As is tradition, it wass the past Miss Optimist meeting and what a lineup we had! In addition to current Miss O Jena Iwata and incoming Miss O Nikki Kodama, Kim Hayashi, Kristi Higa, Cindy Iwami, Jamie Mizuhara, Deanna Nakamura, Diane Tanaka, and Jennifer Yoshida also attended the meeting. The familiar face that was missing from the crowd was Helen Ota. Helen, you�re excused since you were rehearsing. This was probably the most Miss O�s we�ve had at this meeting in a long time. The Bordeaux Room at Taix was packed and everyone had a great time. Since the usual pie throwing stopped a few years ago, Russ Fujii decided to harass President Jae and pelt him with marshmallows fired from a PVC blowpipe. Jae actually got away lightly because no one �dressed� his car as is the usual tradition. Following dinner, Jae had each of the past Miss O�s go up to the podium and tell everyone what has been going on in their lives. Each of the Miss O�s looked as lovely as ever and they were each presented with a bouquet of roses. See what you missed!!!
Announcements
JAO Installation
JAO�s 53rd Installation Dinner for President-Elect Jeff Tani and his Board on September 15, 2006 at LAPD�s academy near Dodger Stadium was a blast! Dinner was very good and with Keith Inatomi as the emcee, the crowd was kept on their toes. Two new members, Tim Saito and Tetsu Yamauchi, were inducted by JAO�s good friend, Phil Infelise. When talking to Tim Saito, he mentioned that his dad, Clark Saito, used to be a member of JAO a long time ago. What a small world! Being that Jeff is really into the Japanese culture, the theme was Japanese-cultured, and it was only apropos that while Sky Tetsuka and Kristi Higa were giving the presidential profile, Miss O�s Nikki Kodama and Jena Iwata dressed Jeff as a geisha. How cute he looked with his hairpiece, kimono, flower slippers, and makeup! You�re a good sport, Jeff. What a shock it must have been for your family to see you that way. They probably wondered what kind of organization you were involved in, huh? And Sky�s rendering of your profile... who knew Sky had hidden talent and masquerades as a rapper! After being embarrassed in front of family and friends, Jeff gave his acceptance speech, then Commander Terry Hara led Jeff to a surprise that was behind the sliding doors... none other than Jeff�s comrades from the reknown taiko group, Zendeko. Zendeko performed a few numbers and for their finale, Jeff also performed with them. What a treat for everyone! Thanks to the donation of door prizes by the members, almost everyone in attendance walked away with something. Commander Terry Hara and his committee did an excellent job putting the event together.
Next meeting...
On October 4th we will again host residents of the Optimist Youth Home and Optimist Group Homes as our honorees for our annual Youth Appreciation meeting. If you haven�t come to one of these, it is a great reminder as to what Optimism is all about. The guests will talk about their accomplishments and their hopes for the future. Considering where some of these kids have come from, it is great to know they haven�t given up on life or lost their ability to seek higher goals. We will probably get an update on the Youth Home as well.
Hackers Golf Tournament
So you think you�re a golfer? Do you really think you can beat Chairman Gerald Wong? Some have come close. Maybe if he ties his hands behind his back and hits with his feet, then you�ll have a chance! You can try your luck at JAO�s annual Hackers� Tournament at the Scholl Canyon Golf Course on October 8th. See the enclosed flyer for all the details. Even if you�re not a very good golfer, come on out... you�ll have fun! One thing for sure... Gerald does know all the rules of golf, so don�t second-guess him. Call Gerald Wong to reserve your spot at (714) 355-5888.
Halloween Party
The annual JAO Halloween Party will be on Saturday, October 28th at Maryknoll Church in Little Tokyo. The flyer with the details is enclosed. Chairman Sky Tetsuka will need everyone�s assistance. All of you have fair warning to start looking for your costumes now. Everyone is expected to be in costume that day. So Jeff, will you be wearing your geisha outfit? You have to make use of it anyway, right?
JAO Stateline Turnaround Bus Trip
JAO hasn�t gone to Las Vegas or Laughlin in a while, so this year, we�re having a stateline trip on November 4th. Keith Inatomi and Jerry Fukui are chairing the event and the cost is very reasonable - $30 per person. We will be chartering a bus that will take us from Little Tokyo to stateline. See the enclosed flyer and call Keith or Jerry ASAP to reserve a spot on the bus. There are only 50 seats, so act now!
Our Gang
On October 27th, the Los Angeles Clippers are having the 2nd Japanese American Community Night. The Clippers will be playing the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center and the game will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 and $13 each. Please try to attend this game so there can be a good JA representation in the crowd. Contact John �JT� Tamaki ASAP at (323) 394-5106 to order your tickets.
FYI - I�m Back!!! Remember the power of the pen!!!
The Ricksha is published twice a month for members and friends of the Japanese American Optimist Club of Los Angeles. News and comments are welcome, but you can keep your silly complaints to yourself. Send publishable material to Leiton Hashimoto, Ricksha Editor; [email protected]. Thank you. Mahalo & Aloha
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