Southern California Gardeners’ Federation 70th anniversary

On Sunday, March 30, the 70th anniversary of the Southern California Gardeners’ Federation (SCGF) and its officer inauguration ceremony were held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo.

The SCGF, established in 1955, is a professional organization formed by gardeners. In addition to mutual support among its 160 current members, the federation also engages in community service activities.

The event began with an unveiling ceremony of a Memorial Plaque at the James Irvine Garden of the JACCC.

The plaque honors the gardeners who built the garden in 1979 and to those who have contributed to American society over the years.

Following the oath-taking ceremony for the new officers, SCGF President Brian Yamasaki celebrated the plaque’s completion and honored the pioneers’ efforts.

Next, leaders from Japanese American organizations gave congratulatory speeches, followed by a toast with all attendees.

After the lunch, Mr. Sunny Seki, author of Gardener’s Pioneer Story, gave a special lecture.

He went on to say,
”The gardening profession not only became a livelihood for people returning from the internment camps after the war, but also helped build an invisible yet invaluable asset for the Japanese American community: trust within American society.”

The event concluded with the presentation of the Special Awards.

Keiro Caregiver Conference

On Saturday, March 15th, Keiro held a Caregiver Conference at the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center.

Keiro is a nonprofit organization that provides welfare services for Japanese American older adults. The Caregiver Conference is an annual event organized by Keiro to share essential knowledge and caregiving skills with those who care for aging family members or friends, as well as with those receiving care.

This year’s conference featured a presentation by Roxy Kirakosyan, who oversees community education at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles.
She spoke about the basics of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, how caregivers can utilize available resources, and the importance of creating care plans.

In the panel discussion, which included a hospice worker and a legal expert, they covered how to approach conversations about wills and asset management with care recipients at the end of life and how to take the necessary steps in advance.

The event also included a resource fair with service providers and nonprofit organizations supporting caregivers. More than 100 participants attended, gathering information about services and plans, and seeking guidance for the future.

Keiro’s next Caregiver Conference is scheduled to be held in Gardena this October.

Pechanga Pro-Ama

On Tuesday, April 8, the Pechanga Pro-Am Tournament was held at Journey at Pechanga Golf Course in Temecula, featuring female professional golfers.

This annual event provides an opportunity for LPGA golfers to connect with members of the community, and this year marks the 12th time it has been held at Journey at Pechanga.

Journey at Pechanga is a championship golf course adjacent to Pechanga Resort Casino. Set amidst the rolling hills of Temecula Valley, it offers a challenging layout that takes full advantage of the area’s stunning natural landscape.

This year, 36 female professional golfers participated, enjoying their time on the course and engaging with guests and sponsors.