Community

by J.K. YAMAMOTO
Hokubei Mainichi

Kansai Bistro, one of San Francisco’s newest Japanese restaurants, offers its customers a first-class dining experience and also lends a helping hand to local non-profit organizations.

Located at 4112 Geary Blvd. in the Richmond District, formerly the site of Sushi Rock, the restaurant was established by Bob Kiyota with business partners Adrienna Robson and Raymond Medeiros. It opened in April.

The closing luncheon of the 2008 Nikkei Community Internship (NCI) was held Aug. 15 at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) in San Francisco.

The eight-week summer program, now in its seventh year, is sponsored by the California Japanese American Community Leadership Council (CJACLC).

FRESNO — The Fresno Betsuin Japanese Language and Cultural School is open for enrollment for the 2008-09 year.

Children 5 and older as well as adults will learn basic conversation, vocabulary and culture. Students also learn to read and write hiragana and katakana.

The cultural component includes music, crafts, storytelling, calligraphy, dancing, and related guest speakers and field trips.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The U.S. Army Human Resources Command reminds World War II infantrymen who served in ground combat against an armed enemy between Dec. 7, 1941 and Sept. 2, 1945 that they are eligible to apply for a Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

Approval is virtually certain for recipients of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB) or Combat Medic’s Badge (CMB). The Army regulations which govern this award may be found in AR 600-8-22, Military Awards.

Former Northern California Cherry Blossom Court members and their families got together at Lake Elizabeth Park in Fremont on Aug. 3 for an afternoon of fun in the sun with a barbecue lunch and picnic games for their children.

This was the first time ever that former court members gathered together for the purpose of a reunion. Twelve former court members gathered, some of whom had not seen each other in over 15 years. It was a special event, as it included three decades of court members:

1987 First Princess Yuki Hata-Kita

1992 Cherry Blossom Queen Gail Tanaka

The San Francisco Japantown Foundation is accepting applications for its 2008 grants.
Grants of up to $5,000 are provided to non-profit groups involved in cultural, community and educational activities.

Apply online at www.sfjapantownfoundation.org. A PDF of the application form can also be downloaded from the site.

The application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 5 p.m. Applications will be evaluated based on how well the organization’s activities promote and support San Francisco’s Japantown.

The 39th Japan Studies Scholarship award ceremony was held on Aug. 22 at the Japan Information Center of the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco.

The scholarship was given to two high school students ($500 each) and two college students ($1,500 each) who are studying Japanese language and culture:

Ellen Huang, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Angela Nguyen, Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga

Amitha K. Ganti, College Preparatory School, Oakland

Mika Ciotola, San Mateo Nippon Gakuen

The Japantown Task Force board meeting scheduled for Monday, Aug. 25, has been canceled.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 22, in the Better Neighborhood Planning Room, located on the second floor of the Miyako Mall in San Francisco’s Japan Center (enter from Peace Plaza on Post and Buchanan).

For more information, call (415) 346-1239 or visit www.jtowntaskforce.org.

Buddhist Church of San Francisco reported that its 70th annual Ginza Bazaar, held July 19-20, was a success.

President Sandy Yamakishi expressed her appreciation for all who helped during the bazaar weekend. She also thanked individuals and companies who generously donated to the event.
The winners of this year's raffle are as follows. (Some individuals did not give their first names.)

Eiko Aoki, John Bansavich, J. Brooks, Darius Chan, Sumiko Fong, Karen Graham, Hideo Hashimoto, Setsuko Ichimoto, the Ikeda family, Robert Inouye;

Last March, the Kimochi Home/Eagle Scout Bench Project was initiated by Michael Quan, a Troop 29 Eagle Scout from San Francisco Buddhist Church.

He was assisted by other members of Troop 29.

Quan raised funds to cover the cost of the materials for three wooden benches and placed brass placards on the benches in memory of Jean Haruko Tsuchiya, a long-time supporter of Kimochi.