August 2010 NEWS
REPORT ON 5th ANNUAL NIKKEI CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
The summer kicked off with a fun-filled golf event, with great weather! More than 90 golfers came out to play at the Green Acres golf course in Richmond on June 27. Thanks to the enthusiastic group of golfers, and to the generous sponsors, donors and volunteers, thousands of dollars were raised! A special thank you to Ken Yada, tournament organizer – who, with his volunteers, coordinated the event and made sure that all had lots of fun.
Thank you to all of our community event supporters. We could not offer our wonderful programs for children, youth, adults and seniors without your generous support!
Hole Sponsors
Cypress Capital, Fujiya Japanese Foods, Seacor Holdings, Kenwest Enterprises, Tompkins, Wozny, Miller & Co.
Corporate Donors: Aki’s Japanese Restaurant, Aldeasa Vancouver, Davis LLP, Destination Gifts Inc. (Stuart Colquhoun), Flyer Hooks Co. Ltd., Glico, Green Acres Golf Course,Hastings Racetrack, Izumiya Japanese Marketplace, JTB International (Canada) Ltd., Kaede Seniors Society, Kami Insurance, Nikkei Place Foundation, Pacific Liaicon & Associates (Henry Wakabayashi), Riverside Golf Centre, Quilchena Golf & Country Club, Salmon Village, Seafood City Granville Island, Seto Japanese Restaurant, Shiro’s Japanese Restaurant, Shore Club (Brett Kawaguchi), Silver Sage Winery, Toyo Importing Co. Ltd., True World Foods Inc., Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver Canadians Baseball
Individual Donors: Bob Adachi, Robert Banno & Cathy Makihara, Josh Coward, Lyle Graham, Mickey & Betty Hayashi, Mitsuo & Emmie Hayashi, Art Iwata, Gordon Kadota, Koichi Kitagawa, Cassandra Kobayashi, Gordie Mayede, Kaoru Minato, Luke Nakashima, Alan Power, Glenn Tanaka, Henry Wakabayashi, Mickey Yada, Fred Yada, Ken Yada, Kenzo Yada, Steve Yamamoto
Here is the list of winners:
Low Net Ladies: Virginia Tanaka
Low Gross Ladies: Sachi Yamada
Low Net Mens: Muts Suda
Low Gross Mens: Fumitoshi Yuzawa
Low Net Calloway: Marilyn Coburn
July 2010 NEWS
REPORT ON 2010 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUAU
On June 13, Nikkei Place honoured and acknowledged its many dedicated volunteers. Craig Natsuhara (president of National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre) and Robert Nimi (president of Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society) gave words of thanks, while the Nikkei Place staff (and some generous volunteers) organized the event. On a beautiful, sunny afternoon, the volunteers enjoyed a delicious Hawaiian-themed picnic lunch, with a roasted pig, salad rolls, creations from the Hi Genki kitchen, tropical fruit sorbet and lots of other goodies!
An event like this couldn’t happen without its share of volunteers and donors who go out of their way. Thanks to Chef Yamamoto and Hi Genki Restaurant; Joyce Oikawa; Yoshi Hashimoto from the Auxiliary Committee; and all the staff and board members of the three Nikkei Place organizations who came out to assist.
Volunteers, we would not be celebrating a successful 10 years of NNMHC this year without YOU. Thank you for all you do.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please check out our website (www.nikkeiplace.org) for a full listing of our special events and programs!
Announcing NNMHC 10th Anniversary Celebrations!
- September 10: Kizuna Exhibit & Anniversary Opening Party (community celebration)
- September 11-November 27: Kizuna: Connecting through Generations, 10th Anniversary exhibit
- September 16: Nikkei Family Archives Workshop
- September 25: Reflect — 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner
- October 2: Open House & Farmer’s Market
- October 29: Leslie Uyeda’s Sakura Songs concert
- November 20-21: 10th annual Craft Fair
June 2010 NEWS
Congratulations to Mr. Robert K Nimi!
As announced in Japan on April 29, long time board member of NNMHC (retired as of April 2010) and President of Nikkei Seniors Healthcare and Housing Society, Robert Nimi has received the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government. The directors and staff at NNMHC wish to congratulate Robert and his wife Jane for this richly deserved honour. We are delighted that he is being recognized for the many years of dedication and commitment that he has given to the Nikkei community.
Report on Celebrate Spring at Nikkei Place event
We were pleased with the great turn out to the first annual Celebrate Spring at Nikkei Place! event on April 24th. It was a fun afternoon for all ages with lots of arts and culture: a new art exhibition, music and dance performances, Japanese cultural presentations, crafts to make and buy, and delicious food. We would like to thank all the volunteers who helped make the event a huge success: Hiromi and Hannah Armour, Maki Ikeno, Elaine Homma, Isamu & Masako Hori, Miwako Kimoto, Sachiko Kobayashi, Dorris Tai, Asa Yamada, Winfrey Wong and members of the Urasenke Vancouver Tankoukai Association. We would also like to thank Murakami sensei and students from Gladstone Japanese Language School who wrote haiku for the event, Chibi Taiko who kick-started the event with vibrant energy, Nishikawa-ryu Dance Group who closed the event with graceful Japanese dance, the food and craft vendors, Izumiya for their special bentos, and Half & Half exhibition sponsors: BC Arts Council and Sonray Sales Ltd.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please check out our website (www.nikkeiplace.org) for a full listing of our special events and programs!
5th Annual Nikkei Classic Golf Tournament, Sunday, June 27 – TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Ken Yada, a long-time dedicated supporter of the Museum and Heritage Centre is hosting and organizing the ‘Nikkei Classic Golf Tournament’ at Green Acres Golf & Country Club in Richmond with the proceeds going to our organization. What an honor it is for the organization to have such support and we hope that you will take part in what can only be described as the most congenial and friendly golf competition. Please register by calling the NNMHC front desk at 604-777-7000 or Ken Yada at 604-876-1949.
NNMHC 10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER: With Keynote Speaker Dr. David Suzuki! – TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Help us celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre by attending our Gala Dinner, which will be held at the brand new Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, on Saturday, September 25, 2010! Not only will the venue be top notch, we guarantee that you’ll have a fabulous dinner and enjoy the exciting guest speakers lined up for our special event! We anticipate having over 200 silent auction items for you to bid on and a very special list of live auction items which includes some fantastic and unique gifts that have been generously donated by individuals and companies. Updated info to be added regularly to www.nikkeiplace.org.
You don’t want to miss this event! Tickets are $125.00 per person and a portion of each ticket will be tax deductible. For more information on corporate sponsorships, auction donations, or to purchase tickets, please contact Harumi Suzuki at (778) 835-1091 or by email at harumisuzuki@shaw.ca.
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May 2010 NEWS
Report on Otakara Hakkutsu market!
The annual flea market, held on March 20, was another success! We had less shoppers than in previous years, likely due to the nice weather outside and the Paralympics, but we raised more than $1,000 for the NNMHC. Staff would like to thank the following volunteers for helping at the event: Elaine Honma, Yumi & Kaku Matsuda, Sachiko Kobayashi, Megumi Kotori, Junko Yoshida, Michiyo Hugh, Teruyo Ishii. Also special thanks to our donors: Elaine Honma, Franck Baba, Hiroshi Makihara and the many others who dropped off items but didn’t leave their names.
Report on ART AUCTION Fundraiser
We are pleased to report that we raised almost $14,000 at our 2nd annual silent art auction on April 9! The approximately 125 people in attendance enjoyed a delicious, creative dinner (generously provided by Miku Restaurant, Pings Wings Wandering Wok, Hi Genki Restaurant, the Eatery), lovely desserts (provided by CAKE-YA), beverages provided by Miller Springs water, [yellow tail] wines, Select Wines Kirin beer, and Pilsner Urquell. Guests were treated to mini-performances by Nishihara & Kage Duo, YAYOI, and Leslie Uyeda & Heather Pawsey. More importantly, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves bidding on 91 auction items donated by very generous and talented artists, and arts organizations!
We cannot thank the participating artists enough for their support of our organization! Please see full artist list in the JCNM page following.
Many thanks to the volunteers who assisted us before and during the auction event: Jason de Couto, Mitsuo Hayashi, Naoto & Mimi Horita, CJ Lee, Nina Inaoka Lee, Kristen Lambertson, Angus MacLean, Yumi Matsuda, Judy Nakagawa, Miki Sato, Tetsuro Shigematsu, Tom & Avalon Tagami, Yoko Takei, Miho Yamamoto.
Welcome to our 2010 Board of Directors
At our Annual General Meeting on April 24, 2010, a slate of 24 directors was elected, as follows: Justin Ault, Yoko Banks, Robert Banno, Ruth Coles, Stan Fukawa, Akiko Gomyo, Gordon Goto, Masa Haraguchi, Mitsuo Hayashi, Naoto Horita, Gordon Kadota, Paul Kariya, Cathy Makihara, David Masuhara, Derral Moriyama, Craig Natsuhara, Dan Nomura, Carrie Okano, Dennis Shikaze, Henry Shimizu, Avalon Tagami, Fred Yada, Sam Yamamoto, Leslie Wada. We welcome new directors Akiko Gomyo, Masa Haraguchi, Cathy Makihara and Leslie Wada.
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Report from the NNMHC Auxiliary Committee: MOCHITSUKI DAY AT NIKKEI PLACE
The Organizing members of the NNM&HC Auxiliary Committee would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to all the volunteer helpers (below) whose tireless efforts and hard work made Mochitsuki Day 2009 such an enjoyable success. Hopefully, we are all helping to keep alive one of those traditional Nikkei activities by presenting Mochitsuki Day each year. Thanks to Mits Hayashi and Stan & Mas Fukawa for looking after the mochitsuki demonstrations. Thank you also to the all the people who came out to support and enjoy the day, and participate in mochitsuki. We regret that, due to the large numbers of people, we were not able to provide everyone with fresh mochi and we apologize. Hopefully, next year we will have more for everyone. A big thank-you to Nikkei Place staff who assisted us in organizing and setting up the events of the day.
Volunteers: Kay Akada, Fumi Aura, Ed Arinobu, Yoshi Aura, Jane Ayukawa, Karol Dubitz, John Dubitz, Megan Duncan, Stan Fukawa, Masako Fukawa, Frank Hamanishi, Pat Hamanishi, Yoshi Hashimoto, Nobbie Hatanaka, Mits Hayashi, Kazuyo Hirai, Minnie Hattori, Wayne Hirayama, Elaine Homma, Fumi Horii, Kaz Ishii, Mari Ishii, May Ishikawa, Akiko Ito, Kumi Iwanaka, Don Iwanaka, Carole Iwanaka, Joyce Kamikura, Roger Kamikura, Frank Kamiya, Naomi Kamiya, George Kimura, Sato Kobayashi, Kaz Koyanagi, Reiko Kurushima, Mary Matsuba, Yumi Matsuda, Dave Minamata, Kiyomi Minamata, Elmer Morishita, Janet Nasu, Roberta Nasu, Tony Nasu, Lisa Nasu, Evy Negoro, Mich Obara, Takako Ochi, Sachi Okamura, Ruby Okano, Joyce Oikawa, Susie Oyama, Vickie Parnell, Kim Sakakibara, Mike Sokugawa, Reiko Tagami, Avalon Tagami, Tom Tagami, Leslie Wada, Winfrey Wong, Roy Yabuki, Bob Yamaoka, Bev Yamaura, Dave Yamaura, Kaori Yano, Keiko Yano, Mas Yano, Moe Yesaki, George Yoshihara, Lillian Yoshihara, Dennis Yoshioka
Donations and services in kind: Killarney Market, Yamato Trading Co. Ltd., Eileen Walsh, Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Assoc., Sonray Sales.
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Nikkei Place Foundation welcomes new Executive Director
Nikkei Place Foundation (NPF) has recently hired an Executive Director, Josh Coward, to raise funds supporting programs, activities and operations of the National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre (NNHMC) and Nikkei Seniors Healthcare and Housing Society (NSHCHS). Together, these organizations form ‘Nikkei Place’.
“The need to provide our parents and grandparents with resources that help them maintain their quality of life has never been greater. NPF not only helps provide these, but also helps share their legacy with future generations,” says Nikkei Place Foundation President, Robert Banno.
“Building a future honouring our unique past and inspiring future leaders is critical to building our community. NPF will help achieve this goal through the growing of its endowment fund,” says Craig Natsuhara, NNMHC President.
The Nikkei Place Foundation is a charitable foundation with an endowment fund for Nikkei Place. Donations made to the fund are invested in an interest-bearing account. Interest generated is allotted for programs, activities and operations of Nikkei Place. If you would like more information or would like to make a gift, please contact Josh Coward at 604.777.7000 (ext. 115). NPF would like to thank all donors for their generous support and we look forward to meeting with you in the new year.
Josh Coward comes to NPF with fundraising experience including National Nikkei Heritage Centre Society (1996-2000), Variety – The Children’s Charity, Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University, Canadian Cancer Society, BC Cancer Foundation and St. James Community Services Society.
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Ways to Support National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre this Holiday season!
TREE OF PROSPERITY
The colourful Tree of Prosperity, located in the Heritage Centre foyer, is a major annual fundraiser for the Museum & Heritage Centre and once again we are asking for your help to make the tree grow! We want our programs to join the ranks of leading Canadian and international cultural organizations, and to engage more Canadian families through fun, growth and education. For our 2010 plans to be successful, more leaves are needed. Please help us to see our tree grow, leaf by leaf, and keep Nikkei heritage alive! Please call the Centre at 604.777.7000 to make your donation or for more information.
NIKKEI PLACE FOUNDATION: A gift in perpetuity
The Nikkei Place Foundation is a charitable foundation with an endowment fund for Nikkei Place. Donations go to an endowment which is invested in an interest-bearing account, and the interest generated on such gifts is allotted for programs of the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre and Nikkei Seniors Healthcare and Housing Society. Each year the Foundation has made a development grant to NNMHC from the interest earned on the Foundation’s cash assets. To make a gift, or for more information, please contact us at 604.777.7000 ext. 104.
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS:
• Buy a membership for yourself or for a family member or loved one!
• Come to Shiwasu, the Museum shop show and sale, and cross off everyone from your holiday shopping list! Also on feature are gorgeous framed photographs of Wild Birds by Roy Hamaguchi, displayed on our hallway walls and for sale at great prices!
• Buy a Leaf on the Tree of Prosperity and dedicate it to a loved one.
Report on Events
The 9th Annual Craft & Bake Fair on November 21st was another successful and enjoyable day for the thousands of shoppers who visited that day. As usual we had long line ups in the morning and the Centre was bustling with crowds until the end of the event. We would like to thank the 70 vendors who presented their one of a kind crafts, baking and others, event coordinator Nichola Ogiwara, and a huge thanks to the volunteers who helped with registration and the raffle: Elaine Homma, Michiyo Hugh, Criss Zhang.
Be sure to come out to the Centre this month for our two community events sponsored by the NNMHC Auxiliary, including Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 5 at 9:30am and Mochitsuki on Tuesday, December 29, 12:30-3:30pm.
Come check out the Christmas Tree Extravaganza in the Ellipse Lobby in the Heritage Centre for a gorgeous winter wonderland of beautifully decorated trees sponsored by your favourite local businesses and individuals! This event is free to the public and runs during normal Heritage Centre operating hours between November 21-December 23.
Congratulations to Cathy Makihara, Naomi Yamamoto and Roy Miki!
On November 10, the Vancouver chapter of National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) celebrated Asian Canadians who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in their communities. Nikkei Place’s very own Cathy Makihara was nominated in the Community Service category, writer Roy Miki was nominated in the Arts and Media category; and MLA Naomi Yamamoto was honoured in the Business category. Several members of the NNMHC board attended this exciting event.
A Year of Transition: Committee Reports
Human Resources Committee (Gordon Kadota, Chair)
NMMHC was thrilled to introduce to the team in 2009, new Museum Director-Curator, Beth Carter; Collections Manager, Alexis Jensen; and Education Coordinator, Dana Bjarnason; and on the Centre side, new Office Assistant Aya Iwatsuki, and new book-keeper Ella Law. It’s a large adjustment to have so many new staff at one time, but each team member contributes much experience, skill and a great personality. It is an exciting time to be looking forward to new projects and accomplishments!
Fundraising Committee (Derral Moriyama, Chair)
Despite the funding challenges that all charitable organizations faced in 2009, we are pleased to announce that we raised approximately $23,000 at our annual Gala dinner on October 23, thanks to the hard work of our staff and directors! NNMHC is also entering into a new arrangement with the Nikkei Place Foundation (NPF), whereby the new Executive Director of NPF will focus on fundraising for all three organizations in Nikkei Place. Plans in 2010 include several new projects celebrating the Museum & Heritage Centre’s 10th anniversary and a very special commemorative Gala dinner on September 24. The Committee will continue to focus on fundraising efforts and bringing awareness of what NNMHC contributes to the greater community. We are grateful to our new and continuing supporters who have shown their generosity and demonstrated their commitment to our programs and services.
Communications Committee (Robert Banno & Mitsuo Hayashi, co-Chairs)
The Communications Committee has become more active in 2009, working to improve the nikkeiplace.org website, developing new frameworks for printed publications and materials, and planning for a re-branding session in 2010. If you haven’t already visited our new website, complete with event and program calendars, please do so: www.nikkeiplace.org. We’d love to hear your feedback!
FARMERS MARKET REPORT
We had another busy and successful Farmers Market on October 3, 2009! Thank you to the NNMHC Auxiliary for all their hard work!
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The NNM&HC Auxiliary gratefully thanks the following volunteers and donors who helped to make the 2009 Farmers Market a successful event.
Volunteers: Kay Akada, Fumi Aura, Yosh Aura, Jane Ayukawa, John Dubitz, Karol Dubitz, Frank Hamanishi, Pat Hamanishi, Yoshi Hashimoto, Nobbie Hatanaka, Minnie Hattori, Kazuyo Hirai, Wayne Hirayama, Fumi Horii, Elaine Homma, Sam Hori, Mas Hori, Carole Iwanaka, Ed Iwanaka, Kumi Iwanaka, Don Iwanaka, Kaz Ishii, Mari Ishii, Akiko Ito, Frank Kamiya, Naomi Kamiya, Jimmie Kim, George Kimura, Mas Kitagawa, Kaz Koyanagi, Terry Koyanagi, Joan Kraayvanger, Reiko Kurushima, Craig Maruyama, Yoko Matsuno, Tom Matsuno, Mary Matsuba, Keiko Mayede, Dave Minamata, Kiyomi Minamata, Elmer Morishita, Janet Nasu, Roberta Nasu, Lisa Nasu, Sachi Okamura, Mich Obara, Ruby Okano, Susie Oyama, Satch Ryujin, Kazuko Rezansof, Kim Sakakibara, Masumi Sakamoto, Mike Sokugawa, Avalon Tagami, Tom Tagami , Yumi Tajitsu, Rosemarie Takeuchi, Leslie Wada, Eileen Walsh, Roy Yabuki, Bev Yamaura, Dave Yamaura, Keiko Yano, Kaori Yano, Mas Yano
Donations in Kind: Pat Brady, Karol Dubitz, Fujiya, Yoshi Hashimoto, Yae Hayashi, Anita Hui, Don Iwanaka, Frank Kamiya, George Kimura, Mr. Matsuda, May Mukaida, Mr. K. Nakamoto, Oscar’s Orchard, Mario Porreca, Mr. Kozo Shimooka, Rosemarie Takeuchi, Judy To, Yamato Trading
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BC Gaming News
Along with many, many other arts and cultural organizations in British Columbia, National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre received notice on August 28 that we had been denied BC Gaming funding for 2009. This is terrible news for us, as we have counted on this BC Gaming support as part of our operations budget for many years. Because of the recent decline in corporate and government financial support due to the global economic crisis, we rely more and more on our individual donors.
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$15,000 Grant for the Learning Centre from UPS Foundation
Carl Yokota is a dedicated Nikkei Place volunteer who really delivers! Employed by UPS, a worldwide delivery company, Carl initiated a grant application that has secured a $15,000 UPS Foundation grant for the NNMHC in support of the Learning Centre, one of our important education programs. A huge thank you to the UPS Foundation! And a huge thank you to Carl Yokota! Carl’s support and encouragement throughout the grant application process was much appreciated. Thank you, Carl, for always thinking of us and making a huge difference in our organization!
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REPORT ON IMPERIAL VISIT
As reported upon in our August Nikkei Place Update, Nikkei Place had the great honour of hosting a visit by Their Majesties, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on July 13. The event attracted a large crowd in the Nikkei Garden welcoming the Imperial Couple as they entered the Museum & Heritage Centre. Many people have enjoyed the two sets of photo displays, which were up until the end of August: Her Majesty, The Empress and the Children, and Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress and their Travel.
We could not have planned such a successful event without the help of our very dedicated volunteers and staff:
Robert Yamaoka, Kazumi Higashi, Cameron Reid, Erika Sommerville, Hisako Izumi, Alison Scott, Takao Izumi, Mimi Horita, Nami Tokuyama, Elaine Homma, Kay Akada, Linda Reid, Miki Takinami, Junko Tomita, Mariko Hisanaga, Harumi Suzuki, Yaeko Suzuki, Mieko Miki, Nobby Hatanaka, Mio Yamada, Seiko Suehiro, Fumi Aura, Yosh Aura, Minnie Hattori, Fumiko Horii, Satoko Kobayashi, Kay Koyanagi, Setsuko Masunaka, Mary Matsuba, Roberta Nasu, Mich Obara, Ruby Okano, Kazuko Rezansoff, Kim Sakakibara, Tom Tagami, Leslie Wada, Ariko Banks, Aki Mimoto, Tara Pagnottaro, Satomi Nakamura, Miyuki Azuma, Harue Udagawa, Yumiko Inoue, Yoko Watase, Mary Ohara, Yumiko Kondo, Yuko Liew, Beth Carter, Alexis Jensen, Yujin Fukao, Bosco Ho, Charlyn Cruz, Laura Hough, Sean Riley, Simon Ng, Jacky Wei-ting Chen, Hidetoshi Kurashige, Aya Iwatsuki.
A special thanks to the members of the Preparation Committee who worked for months to organize the event: Mits Hayashi (Chair), Avalon Tagami, Gordon Kadota, Robert Nimi, Naoto Horita, Sam Yamamoto, Yoko Banks, Yoko Murakami, Nichola Ogiwara, Reiko Miki, Shinobu Mekada, Yoshi Hashimoto, Ruth Coles, Miko Hoffman, Suni Arinobu, Cathy Makihara, Robert Banno, Craig Natsuhara.
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REPORT ON POWELL STREET FESTIVAL
NNM&HC had a great time at PSF this year! The temporary venue was a beautiful park in a convenient location, but we are looking forward to returning to Powell Street in historic Japantown next year!
We participated in many ways, including the Nikkei Place Tent, at which we handed out information and our program guides, sold many books from the Museum shop; the Museum display at Britannia Community Centre; the Asahi tribute baseball game; and Powell Street walking tours. All were a success! We received many comments from community members about the importance of what we are doing here at Nikkei Place. Many thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who helped us out with all of our activities at PSF.
In other PSF-related news, the New-to-You group, a group of crafty seniors, had a very successful and enjoyable experience at the Festival. Many people visited their booth and they had a lot of fun selling their re-worked vintage jewelry. Apparently some people came to the Festival just to go shopping at their booth! Proceeds of the sales went to St. Augustines Church, Powell Street Festival, Tonari Gumi and NNM&HC. Thank you to everyone for their kind support and donations!
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SPECIAL THANKS TO THE VOLUNTEER AUXILIARY
In past years, the NNMHC Volunteer Auxiliary have been donors and faithful volunteers, and they have shown their continuing support with a donation to be put towards the repair of the Museum & Heritage Centre’s cooling and heating systems, which have been struggling since the extreme winter we experienced in December 2008. This donation will benefit all of NNMHC, including staff, volunteers, visitors and guests. The Volunteer Auxiliary has spent countless hours in the kitchen baking manju, and organizing bazaars and events to raise funds, which they passed on to the Centre. Most recently, the Auxiliary organized the Spring Food and Plant Bazaar on May 23, which was another popular and successful event!
From all the directors, staff, participants, volunteers and the community, arigato gozaimasu for giving us the fruit of your hard labor!
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WELCOME TO THE 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
At our 2009 Annual General Meeting on May 24, the slate of 24 directors was elected, as follows: Justin Ault, Yoko Banks, Robert Banno, Ruth Coles, Reverend Orai Fujikawa, Stan Fukawa, Gordon Goto, Mitsuo Hayashi, Naoto Horita, Gordon Kadota, Paul Kariya, David Masuhara, Derral Moriyama, Clarke Nakamoto, Craig Natsuhara, Robert Nimi, Dan Nomura, Carrie Okano, Dennis Shikaze, Henry Shimizu, Avalon Tagami, Sian Tasaka, Fred Yada, Sam Yamamoto. We welcome new directors Justin Ault, Gordon Goto and Carrie Okano.
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NEW!! Asahi: Canadian Baseball Legends
This is the story of the Vancouver Asahi baseball team whose home ground was Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver from 1914 to 1941. The online exhibit is presented in four chapters: Building the Club, Triumph, Pride of the Community and the Asahi Legacy which can each be explored in depth with many images, sound bites, and film. A timeline of events in team history and the history of Canada’s Nikkei community, as well as teachers
