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November 28th, 2006
JAO Ricksha Newsletter Vol. 53, No. 4
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Date: Wed., Dec. 6, 2006
Time: 6:30 p.m. Cocktails,
7:00 p.m. Dinner
Venue: Taix French Restaurant
1911 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA.
Program: X-mas Gift Exchange
Thanksgiving has passed and everyone�s tummies are full from all the turkey. The next major holiday is Christmas and JAO members celebrate this joyful season in their usual fashion - with a gift exchange meeting. At our next meeting, we will be doing just that - exchanging gifts. The limit is $10 and if you know JAO, you know the gifts do NOT have to be clean! In fact, it is more entertaining if the gifts are selectfully tasteless. Yes, the gifts can be clean, but dirty, naughty, funny, etc. will definitely bring some �deer in the headlights� looks on some of our members� faces. The main thing is that you just don�t want to be one of those �deer�! President Jeff looks forward to seeing all of you at the last meeting of 2006.
Shogun�s Words
Mele Kalikimaka JAOers! At out last meeting, I thought our speaker, LAPD Lt. Brian Johnson brought such an eye-opening presentation to the dangers we face as a society of such information accessibility. Understanding this, I know it becomes our responsibility to be on guard for those who would attempt to change our way of life through mass disruption. I�d like to thank Terry Hara for organizing our guest speaker. And on a personal note, I�d specially like to thank the JAO members who donated to our canned food drive at the meeting. Our donation was met with great appreciation from the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank!
Well, it�s official. We now have a first great grandchild Optimist Club. And they have been blessed the official JAO way. The JAO members who joined me definitely showed the Young Adult Optimist Club (YAO) that JAO still has some tricks up our sleeves. I hope you will join me in wishing them the best on their first year and supporting President Michelle Ito and the YAO.
It was a beautiful sunny day for the Founders� Day tribute and recognizing our members who have passed on this year, Hank Deguchi and Tosh Nakajima. I believe with a very warm hear we welcomed the families of Hank and Tosh and gave them proper recognition for their efforts and contributions to JAO. I�d also like to give a special thanks to Terry Hara for his work organizing Founders� Day.
As I look back on the past couple of months, I am reminded of your contributions to this club and to the youth we benefit that can never be measured. But to me, one of your most important contributions you can give that keeps giving is finding new membership to join JAO. District Membership Chair Terry McWeeney and JAO Membership VP Kristi Higa are my allies in finding good potential membership this year, but I know I need much more than just their help. Terry�s district theme for membership recruitment this year is �Someone Asked You�. I ask that JAO members remember this also because someone believed I you and asked you to be an Optimist. In return, I hope that you will take time this year and ask someone you know to join JAO.
On my second to last note, if you have a chance, please welcome our newest JAO members, James Ng (Sponsor Jeff Tani) and Justo Sham (Sponsor Sky Tetsuka). Both bring a wealth of new energy and ideas to help us out this JAO year! Lastly, our next meeting we have is the infamous Gift Exchange! So don�t forget to bring a $10 gag gift and hand out with us. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!
Optimism rocks!
Jeff
Last Meeting
Our last meeting was a very interesting and informative one. Chairman Terry Hara arranged to have Lieutenant Brian Johnson from LAPD�s Defensive Tactics Section come and speak to the members about the threat of terrorists here in L.A. Lieutenant Johnson�s presentation was very eye-opening and made all of us aware of how easy it is for terrorists to plot an attack. The scenario of disrupting service at LAX was very real and it made all of us think. The presentation even left Marty Ono at a loss of words and he couldn�t even ask any questions. Lieutenant Johnson�s point was that we have to go on with our lives and not live in fear; however, we also have to be vigilant; be aware of our surroundings and those around us. Pay attention to things our of the ordinary and if the situation could possibly be harmful, do not hesitate to contact the authorities. At the end of the meeting, we also learned that a member of Lieutenant Johnson�s family was affiliated with JAO in the past. His sister, Mary Johnson, was a past Miss O. What a small world!
Announcements
YAO Installation.
As President Jeff mentioned, JAO is now officially the great grandfather of the Young Adult Optimist Club (YAO) which just held their first installation dinner on Friday, November 17, 2006 at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. President Jeff, along with Jerry Fukui, Terry Hara, Leiton Hashimoto, Mike Hirahara, Keith Inatomi, and Sky Tetsuka had the honor of sitting on the front table with new YAO president Michelle Ito, president-elect Nicole, and PSED Governor Linda Molthen. Approximately 100 people witnessed as 39 members are sworn in as charter members of YAO. JAO initiated YAO by being the first to �borrow� their charter banner. Looks like President Michelle and some of her board members will have to show up to a JAO meeting to retrieve their property. Congratulations YAO!
Memorial Grove/Founders� Day.
The weather on Saturday, November 18th was beautiful. It was sunny and perfect for JAO�s annual Memorial Grove/Founders� Day. Several founders, members, and family members of Henry Deguchi and Tosh Nakajima, gathered at LTSC�s Casa Heiwa in Little Tokyo to pay their respects to Hank and Tosh who passed away within the last year. Rinban Norio Ito of Higashi Hongwanji Church presided over the ceremony. Following the memorial service, everyone then made their way over to Reikai�s Kitchen in Little Tokyo Towers for the Founders� Day Luncheon. Roy Hoshizaki, Kiyo Maruyama, Archie Miyatake, Howard Ogawa, and Jim Uyeda were the founders who were present to enjoy the yummy bento box along with everyone else. Thanks to Chairman Terry Hara for organizing both events.
Christmas Party.
The JAO Christmas Party is only 3 weeks away and by now, you should have penned in Saturday, December 16, 2006 on your calendars. The location will again be at Maryknoll Church and Chairmen John �JT� Tamaki and Mike Hirahara are hoping all of you will be attending. Members are being asked to be there by 10 a.m. to setup and the event will be from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch will be a potluck, so you need to contact Leiton Hashimoto at (310) 324-2934 ASAP and let him know what you will be bringing - appetizer, salad, main dish, or dessert. The gift wrapping will be on Tuesday, December 12th at Oiwake Restaurant beginning at 6:30 p.m. Please plan on attending and also bring scissors and scotch tape. If you have any old wrapping paper you can donate, please contact JT or Mike by December 8th.
PSED 2nd Quarterly.
The PSED 2nd Quarterly will be held at the Fiesta Hotel and Casino in Henderson, NV. On February 9-10, 2007. The room rates are $49 for 2/8, $59 for 2/9-10, plus $4.95 room tax per night. If you would like to join President Jeff at the Quarterly, please contact President Jeff ASAP as there are only 50 rooms reserved at these rates.
Our Gang
If any of you have any address changes, please contact me with your current information at the E-mail address listed below.
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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