News & Events for 2024
51st Anniversary Luncheon
We recently celebrated our 51st anniversary at our New Years Party & Installation at The Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA on January 20, 2024
Click on a photo for full Rafu Shimpo article.
Our Sponsor
Our 2024 Board Members and Trustees
Along with a great turnout of 190 quests, Memo Chavez, representing Langley Senior Center, presided over the installation of the incoming 2024 club officers. In addition, he presented eight members with certificates commemorating their 88th birthday.
Our members who reached 88 years young or "Beiju" received certificates. Here's to many more birthdays!!!
Janice Uba, MPJASC president, presented a certificate to the Volunteer of the Year, Susan Campbell, for her dedicated service to the club over the past year. Throughout the year, Susan provided the entertainment for our monthly meetings, organized the table decorations for the luncheon and headed a Chinese chicken salad fundraiser.
Janice Uba presenting certificate to our Volunteer of the Year, Susan Campbell.
Beverly Ito, President & CEO of Keiro chatting with our treasurer Paul Isozaki
Our guest speaker was Beverly Ito, the President and CEO of Keiro who said a few words on the new and ongoing programs that Keiro has to offer. MPJASC thanks Keiro for their continuing sponsorship of our new years/installation luncheons.
A highlight of the event was the entertainment provided by Bando Hidesomi’s Nihon buyo (Japanese classical dance) class. The first performer was the youngest, only 3 years old. She was so cute; hearts immediately melted. Odori performed in beautiful kimono was much appreciated by those in attendance.
Students of Bando Hidesomi (left) performed.
To Our Volunteers
A very special thank you to all of our volunteers who helped as Greeters, Ushers, Receptionists, Door Prize Registration, Display Table Helpers, Prize Spotters and Opportunity Drawing Ticket Sellers. You are ALL integral in helping us provide the best luncheon we can for our members. ARIGATO!!!
Donors
CRFT by Maki, LLC
Fukui Mortuary
The Hair Loft
Fugetsu-Do
Upper Crust Enterprises
Our Sponsor & Donors
We wish to express our sincerest gratitude to our sponsor, business and individual donors who made a donation to our Installation/New Year Luncheon and to our club's general funds. It's only with continued support and committed donors like you all that we can organize and run fun events such as our luncheon. Our club greatly benefits from these types of large-scale events as they serve to bring our members together to socialize with others, meet new friends and enjoy great entertainment. Please visit our donor sites and if possible, please patronize them. Again, ARIGATO! or thank you as your donations are greatly valued and appreciated!
Thank you to all who brought these great prizes and of course, thank you to all our great volunteers for help setting up the hall!
Our annual luncheon for the board members at NBC restaurant.
For our February 2024 general meeting our activity was the ever popular BINGO!
For our March 2024 general meeting we were entertained by ELVIS! (Gary Jung).
He entertained our membership by taking us back to the 50s and 60s
He sang songs made famous by Elvis, the Drifters, Johnnie Rivers, Dion and the Belmonts and Roy Orbison.
For our April 2024 general meeting we had a guest speaker. Elder care lawyer Judd Matsunaga gave us a very informative talk about living trusts and the recent changes in the law that may qualify you for Medi-Cal. Judd generously gave his time after the presentation to answer individual questions about estate planning and Medi-Cal.
He also offered free consultations to our members. Just mention "Monterey Park Japanese American Senior Citizens Club" to get your free consultation.
Judd using props to demonstrate the importance of a living trust.
Judd Matsunaga's Contact Information
Elder Law Services of California
1609 Cravens Avenue
Torrance, CA 90501
310-348-2995 Fax 310-328-1850
Judd also has an office in Pasadena. Call his office and they will direct you to the closest location to you.
For our May 2024 Mother's Day Obento general meeting we were entertained by a return engagement by ABAsonics. They played many classical 60's tunes along with some Japanese music also! Talented and fun group. Thank you!
ABAsonics
Thanks to all our volunteers!!
A Very Happy Birthday to Yoshi Komaki who is 103 years young and our oldest member.
For our June 2024 Father's Day Obento general meeting we were entertained by the Hikari Taiko group.
Your annual membership provides you with three obentos. One each for Mother's Day, Father's Day and Christmas.
Hikari Taiko Group
Our volunteers hard at it. As always, thank you!
We always seem to have a bigger turn out during obento months.....
For our July 2024 general meeting, our entertainment was the ukulele group, Hui Aloha Na Makana of Sage Granada Park UMC. The music performed for us was a variety of Hawaiian, American and even Japanese songs. They sang, had a hula dancer and the audience joined in the fun by singing and dancing.
FLAPJACK BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER deemed a great success!!
Our Ways and Means Chair Pat Gibo scheduled a Flapjack Breakfast Fundraiser at the Applebee's in Montebello on Saturday, July 27, 2024 By all accounts, it was deemed very successful!!!
Our motley crew!! How did we do?
Janice - Our fearless leader!!
Susan Maki (left) with our grand prize winner Claudia Summers.
We would also like to recognize Susan Maki for her past and ongoing support for our club. She donated the aprons we are wearing and the grand prize for our drawing. Arigato!!
As per our tradition, there is no general meeting in August. See you in September!
For our September 2024 general meeting we were entertained by an adorable group of hula dancers from the TW Studio in Playa Vista.
Hula Instructor Kimiko Plehn
