June 24th 2018 O.A.
Video Game Trade Event, E3
World’s largest video game trade event, E3 was held for 3 days from June 12th to 14th at the LA Convention Center.
With more than 200 companies participating, this year’s event was filled with new titles and gaming platform announcements.
Sony showed trailers of their new “Spiderman” game where they collaborated with Marvel Entertainment as well as their latest PS4 title created by Hideo Kojima, the game creator of “Metal Gear Solid” series.
Nintendo had “Super Smash Bros. Unlimited” for their Nintendo Switch console, where varieties of game characters have a battle royal.
Other American companies also had new announcements for their popular series. Attendees enjoyed the event by engaging with VR games and watching game demos.
E3 originally started for the industry individuals only however, public attendees are also welcomed from last year.
Organizer, ESA aims to promote the new games through social media by having the fans actually experience it in person.
About 70 thousand people attended this 3 day event.
Jokun Recognition Community Luncheon
A Jokun Recognition Community luncheon was held on Sunday, June 10th at Montebello’s Quiet Cannon.
This luncheon is annually held by JCC and commemorates awarded individuals under the jurisdiction of Consulate General of Japan in LA.
Kitty Sankey was awarded with Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays on Autumn of 2017.
She is a third generation Japanese American born in Tokyo and contributed to human rights of Japanese American as she worked at the LA school district.
She then took office as the first female president of JCC on 2016.
Ernest Doizaki received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays this Spring.
He is a third generation Japanese American born in LA, and contributed to spreading Japanese food as the president of the American Fish Company.
He also found the JANM and worked as the president.
Thelma Press was awarded on autumn of 2017.
Ellis Krauss received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays on Spring 2018 but did not attend the ceremony.
Recipients were all awarded a plaque by President, Jeff Yamazaki of JCC.
Sakura Gardens’ Annual Residents Picnic
Saturday, June 9th was Sakura Gardens’ Annual Residents Picnic, a retirement home in Boyle Heights.
This picnic is annually held by staff and volunteers working hard together for the residents to have a fun lunch.
CEO of North Star Senior Living, Rick Jensen stated “I am very honored to join this lunch with all of you” at his greetings.
Former president of the volunteer group, Friends of Keiro, Betty Yumori stated “Thank you for all the hard works of the volunteers and staffs.”
Habit hamburgers and green beans tempura were served for lunch through Joseph and Yoshie Hirata and support from KEIRO.
About 120 residents enjoyed the event through entertainments like dance, karaoke and door prizes.
More than half of the current residents are Shin-Issei with Japanese as their primary language.
It’s been 2 years since the facility management changed to North Star Senior Living from Keiro.
Nebuta for Nisei Week
Preparation for the Japanese American summer festival, Nisei Week has begun.
Nanka Aomori Kenjin Kai in Little Tokyo started their practice of Ohayashi for the LA Nebuta Bayashi Hozonkai.
The Nebuta has been the main attraction for the Nisei Week Festival and liven up the event.
This year is the 12th year since the Nebuta joined the Nisei Week with the cooperation of Aomori since 2007.
The members are putting a lot of effort into their practice for the new Nebuta, “Kintoki” that they made this year.
The LA Nebuta Bayashi Hozonkai made their 2nd Nebuta “Kintoki” last October with the help of Nebuta-shi, Hiroh Takenami.
“Kintoki” debuted in the 2017 Hollywood Christmas Parade and gathered attention.
“Kintoki” will show with the first Nebuta, “Yoshitsune” at the Nisei Week Grand Parade in August.