Planning for 1960 and the Holiday Issue: JACL chapter news, 1959

Vol. 49, No. 19, November 6, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

Two projects shaped the editor’s column in this eight-page issue: the JACL 1960-70 Planning Commission and the Pacific Citizen’s Holiday Issue, with H.H. warning that time was short for chapter input before the Sacramento convention. Tulare County JACL marked its 25th anniversary, with National JACL Director Masao Satow explaining why Nisei who resisted evacuation were not disloyal. Chicago JACL looked back on 15 years, and San Francisco won the chapter membership contest. Bill Hosokawa and Elmer Ogawa wrote about mushroom hunting in the Northwest.

Elsewhere are Shiro Kashiwa’s confirmation as Hawaii Attorney General, Fred Takata’s column on the Southwest district meeting, and Father Leopold Tibesar’s plan for a church in Kyoto honoring priests who served Japanese Americans in the camps. Cincinnati and Detroit chapters planned showings of Go for Broke, and Lt. Col. Thomas Kobayashi, a former 442nd RCT member, headed to a NATO post in Turkey.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Two Projects on Hand, and Time Is Short, by H.H., page 1. The editor urges readers to support JACL’s 1960-70 Planning Commission and the Pacific Citizen’s Holiday Issue. He notes that time is short for chapter input before the Sacramento convention and the December issue deadline.
• Remembrance: Memories of Mushroom Gathering, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Columnist Bill Hosokawa recalls childhood mushroom-hunting trips with his parents in the Cascade mountains of the Northwest. He reflects on the character revealed in how people gather mushrooms and on the pleasure of the hunt.
• Pointing Southwestward: PSWDC Meeting and Orange County 25th Anniversary, by Fred Takata, page 5. Fred Takata reports on the upcoming PSWDC quarterly meeting in Santa Monica and recaps the Orange County JACL 25th anniversary celebration. He also covers the ELA chapter dinner dance and the upcoming 1000 Club Luau.
• Matsutake Mushroom Derby in the Northwest, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Elmer Ogawa describes the annual matsutake mushroom derby in western Washington and the popularity of mushroom hunting among families. He notes the secrecy surrounding favorite hunting spots and the derby’s prize structure.
• From the Frying Pan: Mushroom Memories and Family Bonds, by Bill Hosokawa, page 7. Bill Hosokawa concludes his reflections on mushroom gathering, recalling family meals and the mixed feelings of youth. He describes the simple pleasures of sharing rare food.

Community

• Japan Farm Laborers Show Appreciation for Oxnard Kindness, by P.C. Staff, page 1. 107 farm laborers from Japan presented two cherry trees to the Oxnard City Council before returning home after their three-year contract. Spokesman Isao Yasuda thanked the community for its kind treatment.
• Florence Kuriyama Survives Race for Tournament of Roses Queen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Florence Kuriyama, a Pasadena City College student, advanced through four rounds of the Tournament of Roses queen selection. Eiko Hasumi, daughter of the Consul General, was eliminated in the fourth round.
• Tulare County JACL Celebrates 25th Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Tulare County JACL marked its 25th anniversary in Dinuba with National JACL Director Masao Satow as main speaker. Satow explained why Nisei who resisted evacuation were not disloyal and noted the honor given to charter member Edward Nagata.
• Tulare County JACL Holds 1960 Elections, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tulare County JACL elected Bob Ishida as president for the 1960 term, with a full slate of officers. The chapter will take part in a mass swearing-in at the CCDC convention in December.
• Cincinnati JACL to Show Go for Broke Nov. 14, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Cincinnati JACL will screen the film Go for Broke on November 14 at Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church. Childcare and refreshments will be provided at the family-oriented evening.
• Nisei Reappointed to Seattle Theatrical Board, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eddie K. Shimomura was reappointed to a three-year term on Seattle’s Board of Theatre Supervisors. Appointments are subject to City Council approval.
• Fresno Nisei Elected to International Institute Board, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mrs. Michio Toshiyuki and Seiichi Mikami were elected to the Fresno International Institute board. Sam P. Pudlin succeeded Mikami as board president.
• Nisei Heading Quick-Draw Club Seeks Permit for Firing Range, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George Narasaki of the Sundowners Quick Draw Club asked El Cerrito for permission to use a building as a practice range for blank-cartridge shooting. The City Council deferred the decision to the police chief amid concerns about noise and safety.
• Nisei Teaching Buddhism at College of the Pacific, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rev. LaVerne S. Sasaki, resident minister of the Stockton Buddhist Church, was appointed instructor of Oriental philosophies at College of the Pacific. He is the second Nisei on the COP faculty.
• Mountain-Plains JACL Recognitions Banquet Honors Outstanding Nisei, by Tak Terasaki, page 4. The Mountain-Plains District Council will honor several Japanese Americans at a recognitions banquet in Denver during its convention. Honorees include K. Patrick Okura, who will keynote the event, along with other community leaders.
• CCDC Convention Committee Named; Dec. 6 Meeting in Fresno, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Committee members were named for the Central California District Council convention in Fresno on December 6, including chairmen for registration, banquet, tickets, and a golf tournament. Chapters were asked to submit officer lists and registrations.
• Sonoma County JACL Plans Year-End Events, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sonoma County JACL planned its remaining year-end events, including a striped bass derby and an annual installation dinner. The chapter also presented a check to Elmer Coca Hospital administrator Earl Sloan.
• Parlier Auxiliary Learns Kuri-Manju Preparation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Parlier JACL Auxiliary held a meeting where members demonstrated preparation of kuri-manju, a Japanese chestnut confection. Officers for the coming term were nominated.
• Sr. Tri-Villes to Hold Thanksgiving Eve Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sr. Tri-Villes, a Sequoia JACL girls club, will hold a dance on Thanksgiving eve at Palo Alto Buddhist Hall. The event kicks off their annual semi-formal Christmas Eve dance.
• Arizona JACLer Hosts State Fair Health Booth, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Cherry Tsutsumida, Arizona JACL president, served as a health education consultant at the state fair’s Health Department booth. The fair ran through November 11.
• Watsonville JACL Elects 1960 Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Tom Tao was elected 1960 president of the Watsonville JACL. The cabinet will be installed at an annual dinner-dance on November 28 at Aptos Beach Inn.
• Movie Night Titles Announced for San Fernando Valley JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Fernando Valley JACL will host a Japanese movie night benefit on November 14 featuring the film Challenge along with two Japanese features. Admission is by donation at the door.
• Eden Township Chapter Barbecue Outing Draws 100, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Over 100 people attended the Eden Township JACL barbecue outing, with numerous volunteers recognized for their work. The chapter newsletter credited a long list of helpers.
• Detroit JACL Election Meeting Set for Dec. 5, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Detroit JACL will hold its annual election meeting on December 5 with a Go for Broke screening. The chapter will also assist at the International Institute’s Old World Mart.
• San Mateo JACL Meets with Chinese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Mateo JACL held a joint meeting with the San Mateo Peninsula Association of Chinese Americans at Rickshaw restaurant. Cooking demonstrations of Chinese and Japanese dishes were featured.
• Florin JACL Bass Derby Set for Nov. 15, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Florin JACL annual bass derby will be held November 15 with weighing at the Florin Methodist Hall. Door prizes will be given for the first time.
• East LA JACL Issei Recognition Program Features Nobu McCarthy, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The East Los Angeles JACL will host its fifth annual Issei Recognition Program on November 14 at Tenrikyo Hall. Movie star Nobu McCarthy and naniwabushi artist Kaneji Oka will appear.
• Eden Township Jr. JACL Calls General Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Eden Township Jr. JACL called a general meeting and planned a dance on November 14. Committee assignments were announced for the event.
• Two-Chapter Joint Pioneers Speak at Chicago JACL 15th Anniversary, by Jean Kimura, page 6. The Chicago JACL celebrates its 15th anniversary with a dinner-dance at Edgewater Beach Hotel and reviews its accomplishments since founding in 1945. The column recounts milestones including the Credit Union, National Convention, and Go for Broke premiere.
• San Francisco Wins Chapter Membership Contest Over Chicago, by Jean Kimura, page 6. San Francisco JACL won the membership contest against Chicago and Southwest Los Angeles, earning the ICBM trophy for 1959. Chicago membership chairman Joe Sagami challenged rival chapters in a drive that exceeded 1,000 members.
• Nisei Cops Seattle Salmon Derby Title, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tom Okazaki, a Seattle mail carrier, won $500 and the Seattle Times Cup by landing a 10.44-pound blackmouth salmon. About 110 contestants entered at Elliott Bay and 250 at Ballard.
• Mountain-Plains JACL Bowling Tournament Nov. 27-28, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The seventh annual Mountain-Plains JACL Bowling Tournament will be held at Dahlia Lanes in Denver on November 28 and 29. It serves as a warm-up for the National JACL Bowling Tournament.
• Carolyn Okada Joins Flower Drum Song Cast, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Seattle dancer Carolyn Okada joined the Broadway cast of Flower Drum Song starring Miyoshi Umeki and Pat Suzuki. She is the daughter of past national JACL president Hito Okada.
• San Diego Club Converted into Sukiyaki House, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Obayashi family converted the Top’s night club in San Diego into the Miyako Sukiyaki and Drive In. The restaurant overcame fire and health code issues to serve over 250 diners.
• Gardena Buddhist Church and Language School Plan New Building, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Gardena Buddhist Church and Japanese Language School combined to build a $250,000 edifice by September 1964. The growing Japanese American population in Gardena Valley prompted the project.
• Bay Area Community Honors Rep. Daniel Inouye, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Bay Area Issei and Nisei groups planned a testimonial for Rep. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii at Nikko Sukiyaki. Inouye was also a featured speaker at a Democratic fundraiser in San Francisco.
• Dayton JACL Contributes to Alien Land Law Fight, by Kay Kushino, page 8. The Dayton JACL, the smallest chapter in the Midwest District Council, donated $55 to the national effort against Washington’s Alien Land Statutes. The contribution was praised as a significant show of commitment.

National

• Nisei Postmistress of Utah Addresses Postmasters Convention in Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Masaji Imai of Spring Canyon, Utah was chosen to address the National Association of Postmasters convention in Washington, D.C. on behalf of fourth-class post offices. She was the only Nisei honored in this way.
• Shiro Kashiwa Named Hawaii Attorney General, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney Shiro Kashiwa was confirmed by the Hawaii State Senate as the state’s first Attorney General. He had previously served briefly as Territorial Attorney General in 1957.
• Horiuchi Conferred Top Masonic Degree, by P.C. Staff, page 8. George S. Horiuchi, first Grand Master of Masons in Japan, received the honorary 33rd Degree in Washington, D.C. He was the first Japanese to receive this honor, and visited Southern California.
• D.C. JACL Honors Issei at All-Nihongo Recognition Program, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Washington D.C. JACL chapter honored Issei at a banquet presented entirely in Japanese. Speakers, letters from national leaders, and folk dancing made up the program.
• Senator Hiram Fong Urges Overseas Chinese to Assimilate, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sen. Hiram Fong, the first U.S. senator of Chinese origin, urged overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia to assimilate into their adopted countries. He cited the loyalty of Hawaii’s Japanese Americans during World War II as an example.
• Filipino-First Laws Disturb Senator Fong, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sen. Hiram Fong told students in the Philippines he was disturbed by laws discriminating against persons in the country. He contrasted this with racial protections in the United States.

JACL

• National JACL Bowling Tournament Set for March 1-5, 1960, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 14th annual National JACL Bowling Tournament will be held in Denver at Dahlia Lanes, expecting over 700 bowlers. Entry fees and special events were announced along with tournament committee updates.
• Long Time JACLers Wanted for Holiday Issue, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pacific Citizen is soliciting stories and photographs of long-time JACL members for the 1959 Holiday Issue. Chapters are asked to suggest personalities to be featured.

Incarceration & Redress

• Father Tibesar Plans Church in Kyoto to Honor Nisei Aid, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Father Leopold Tibesar, a Maryknoll priest, is planning a church in Kyoto, Japan, as thanks for American priests who served Japanese Americans in relocation camps during WWII. Artist George Nakashima volunteered to design it along the theme of Katsura Rikyu palace.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Army Officer Assigned to Turkey Post, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Lt. Col. Thomas Kobayashi of Los Angeles, a former 442nd RCT member, visited Seattle en route to a NATO headquarters assignment in Turkey. He is serving with the adjutant general’s office.
• Hanford Nisei VFW Post Celebrates 10th Year, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Nisei Liberty VFW Post 5869 in Hanford celebrated its 10th anniversary with Pasadena city prosecutor Byron Gentry as speaker. The post’s proudest project was a war memorial at Roeding Park in Fresno.

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