Typhoon Vera relief and the rewards of belonging in 1959

Vol. 49, No. 15, October 9, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

Relief for the victims of Typhoon Vera in Nagoya, Japan, filled the front page of this eight-page issue. A West Los Angeles JACL Auxiliary clothing drive, fund drives by Northern California groups, and the Japan America Society of Los Angeles, which canceled its golden jubilee banquet to raise money, all appeared. A front-page editorial by H. H. asked what is lost when cities outgrow their neighborhoods, and applied the question to Southern California’s Japanese community. Inside are columns by Bill Hosokawa on T. John Fujii, Hiro Mayeda on the EDC-MDC convention, and Mike Masaoka on JACL’s legislative record in the First Session of the 86th Congress.

Chapter news ran through pages four and five: a striped bass derby in Sonoma County, Issei honor programs in East Los Angeles and Contra Costa, and a Sacramento parents’ meeting on sex education. The Eastern District Council backed the campaign to repeal Washington’s Anti-Alien Land Law. Page seven reports Tommy Kono’s third world weightlifting title in Warsaw and recipes from Frank Kamimura.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • Rewards of Living in a Small Town, by H. H., page 1. The editorial contrasts the sense of belonging in small towns with the anonymity of big cities, citing Dr. Douglas Brown’s observation that true communities are vanishing. It applies the idea to Japanese American communities in Southern California, where new members find little social connection.
  • Silver Anniversary Celebrated for What You Really Are, by Stirling Sakamoto, page 2. Sacramento publicist Stirling Sakamoto celebrates the 25th wedding anniversary of his friends Coffee and Enny Oshima. He describes their family, careers, and community involvement.
  • Shot in the Arm, by Hiro Mayeda, page 2. Chicago JACLer Hiro Mayeda reflects on the EDC-MDC convention in New York and the keynote by Congressman Daniel Inouye. He urges continued JACL achievement and civic service to others.
  • From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa profiles T. John Fujii, a Nisei journalist who returned to the U.S. after 20 years abroad. Hosokawa reflects on Fujii’s wartime experiences and his observations about how Nisei have changed.
  • Pointing Southwestward, by Fred Takata, page 5. Regional director Fred Takata reports on Los Angeles World Series enthusiasm and the Friendship Day Camp benefit show. He also notes the regional office’s clothing drive and upcoming JACL activities.
  • Chicago Club Notes Sports Column, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Chicago columnist reflects on the White Sox pennant and the World Series against the Dodgers. The column also recounts the Chicago 1000 Club golf tournament held in late September.
  • Man the Kitchen, by Frank Kamimura, page 7. Caterer Frank Kamimura shares recipes for crispy wun ton and spare ribs with pickled cucumber. Instructions cover preparation and cooking methods.
  • Washington Newsletter: JACL and First Session, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka reviews JACL’s legislative successes in the First Session of the 86th Congress, including Hawaii statehood and immigration amendments. He also notes ongoing efforts on the return of sequestrated property.

Community

  • West L.A. Aux’y Seeks Clothing for Typhoon Vera Victims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. West Los Angeles JACL Auxiliary announced a community clothing drive for victims of Typhoon Vera in Nagoya, Japan. Donations will be collected at the vacated Baer’s Dept. Store and shipped with donated transportation.
  • No. Calif. Groups Push Campaign for Typhoon Relief Funds, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several Northern California organizations, including the Nichibei Kai, Buddhist Churches of America, and the Northern California Japanese Chamber of Commerce, launched fund drives for Typhoon Vera victims. The Nichi Bei Times and Seventh-Day Adventist relief efforts are also described.
  • Japan America Society Raises Funds for Typhoon Vera Victims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japan America Society of Los Angeles canceled its golden jubilee banquet to raise relief funds for Nagoya typhoon victims. Donations are routed through the American National Red Cross for tax deductibility.
  • Chicago JACL Joins Fete for Japan Envoy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chicago’s Japanese community, including JACL, hosted a dinner welcoming Consul General Takeo Ozawa and his family. Several local organizations co-sponsored the event.
  • First Masaoka Scholarship Winner Receives Added $100, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Thomas Tadano of Glendale, Ariz., the 1959 Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka scholarship winner, will receive $300 after Dr. James Mimura added $100. Mimura has pledged to make the extra donation an annual gift.
  • Berkeley Nisei on City Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hachiro Yuasa, an East Bay Nisei architect, was nominated to the nine-member Berkeley City Recreation Commission. He previously served on a citizens committee on capital improvements.
  • 1959 Nisei Week Nets $900 Profit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank Hirohata, 1959 Nisei Week chairman, reported a profit of $993.49 for the festival. The 1960 celebration was set for Aug. 13-21.
  • Estimate 7,500 Japanese Residents in San Francisco; ‘Too Low’ Says Nichibei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A San Francisco Department of Public Health bulletin estimated 7,500 residents of Japanese ancestry, which the Nichibei Times considers too low. The estimate was part of a population report covering various racial groups.
  • College Profs and Students Experiment with Nihongo Class, by P.C. Staff, page 2. College professors and students in Mountain View began conversational Japanese and character-building story classes for children at Miramonte School. Classes are free and held on Sundays and Thursdays.
  • Issei Produce Worker of 49 Years Retires, Still Wants to Work Part-Time, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Namiichi Senzaki became the first Japanese American to retire under the Southern California Retail Clerks Union pension plan after 49 years at Grand Central Market. He plans to seek part-time work.
  • Club Notes: It’s Later Than You Think, by Bill Matsumoto, page 4. JACL 1000 Club chairman Bill Matsumoto urges members to renew before the December 1 deadline for the Pacific Citizen honor roll. He also reports on the EDC-MDC convention and encourages reaching the 2,000-member goal.
  • Washington Alien Land Law Repeal Campaign Gets Eastern District Support, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Eastern District Council of JACL voted to send $200 to support the Seattle and Puyallup Valley chapters’ campaign to repeal Washington’s Anti-Alien Land Law. Each chapter will be assessed $50.
  • Sonoma County JACL Striped Bass Derby, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Over 140 fishermen took part in the Sonoma County JACL striped bass derby at Nelson’s Fishing Resort on the Napa River. Proceeds will support the chapter’s Pioneer Memorial scholarship fund.
  • Busy October Slate Offered East L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 4. East Los Angeles JACL plans its teriyaki booth at International Day, a general meeting with juvenile delinquency speaker Noel McQuown, and a Halloween dinner-dance. The chapter is also preparing its Pioneer Night.
  • East L.A. JACLers Plan Issei Program, by P.C. Staff, page 4. East Los Angeles JACL will honor Issei with a special entertainment program on Nov. 14 at Tenrikyo Hall. The annual event has become a community tradition since 1955.
  • Contra Costa JACL to Honor Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Contra Costa JACL plans an event honoring the county’s Issei, featuring a Japanese film and short subjects. The chapter also plans youth activities including a Halloween party and Christmas event.
  • Two Weigh-In Stations Announced for Derby, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Contra Costa JACL’s annual fishing derby will be held Sunday, Nov. 22, with two weigh-in stations announced. The derby committee includes Steve Niino, Sam Sakai, and Joan Uyeda.
  • Cheer Drive for 300 Needy Persons Begins Monday, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Los Angeles JACL Coordinating Council announced its Christmas Cheer campaign to assist about 300 needy persons of Japanese ancestry. The goal is $2,500, with names gathered from welfare agencies and churches.
  • Edna Township JACL Barbecue Tomorrow Night, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Eden Township JACL will hold its annual fall barbecue at Hayward Memorial Park. Attendees bring their own eating utensils and a game period will follow.
  • Sequoia JACL Bridge Club Open Pairs Winners Named, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Sei Hanashiro and Ken Takahashi won the first Sequoia JACL Bridge Club open pairs championship. Other top finishers were also listed.
  • Sacramento JACL Scholarship Committee Recommendations, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A committee recommended changes to the Sacramento JACL scholarship program, including a five-man selection committee and retroactive awards to previous winners. The chapter will nominate a winner for the National JACL scholarship.
  • Sex Education Topic of Sacramento JACL Meeting for Parents, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Sacramento JACL will host Dr. Howard C. Busch of Reno to speak on sex education in the family at a parents’ meeting on Oct. 19. Invitations were sent to churches and service organizations.
  • San Jose JACL Rated Blue Cross Preferred, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Jose JACL chapter group health plan was elevated to a preferred risk group by Blue Cross, allowing additional benefits. New applicants will be accepted at a membership meeting.
  • Thanksgiving Fete Scheduled Nov. 1, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Monterey Peninsula JACL will hold its Thanksgiving potluck family affair on Sunday, Nov. 1. The chapter recently completed an active summer social calendar including a Big Sur barbecue and garden tour.
  • 1000ers Luau, by P.C. Staff, page 5. East Los Angeles 1000 Club members will hold their annual luau on Nov. 21 at Kono-Hawaii in Santa Ana. Tickets are $5 per person.

Military & Veterans

  • JACLers Take Active Roles in Nisei Legion, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Several JACL members were installed as officers of Chicago Nisei Post 1183 of the American Legion. Hiro Mayeda, Bill Onoda, and others took on leadership posts.

National

  • Oregon Atty. Gen. Appointed Member of U.S. KEEP Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Oregon Attorney General Robert Y. Thornton accepted appointment to the American Committee for KEEP, a Japanese agricultural education project. He described KEEP as a successful effort to improve international goodwill.
  • Southern California Growing in Public Interest Human Relations, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations reports that its community committees have grown from six to 21 since five years ago. Rep. Chester Bowles is scheduled to speak at its annual breakfast.

Sports

  • Tommy Kono Wins Weightlifting Crown at Warsaw, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tommy Kono of Honolulu won his third world middleweight weightlifting championship in Warsaw with a total of 425 kilograms. He defeated runner-up Tedor Bogdanowski of Russia.

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