Japanese American
Citizens League
San Mateo Chapter
San Mateo JACL
Events
JACL AARP Survey
August 1, 2020
New Taipei and the New Normal Webinar
June 15, 2020
Taiwan has received international praise for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ability to contain cases. New Taipei, Taiwan’s largest city with 4 million residents, is leading the way in the post-pandemic era by setting the global standards for the “new normal” as an inclusive and resilient city. This webinar will bring together policy makers, senior health officers, and strategic partners from the Bay Area and New Taipei to discuss strategies and practices in the reopening phase to allow for smooth and safe transitions.
Minidoka Swing Band Fundraiser
May 18, 2019
In the evening on Saturday, May 18, 2019 the JACL San Mateo Chapter will be holding a concert and dance by the Minidoka Swing Band from Portland, Oregon at the Beresford Recreation Center in San Mateo. The Minidoka Swing Band was formed as a tribute to the Japanese Americans interned during World War II and to highlight the music popular in the Internment Camps. This evening event will be a fundraiser for JACL educational activities. Please contact the San Mateo Japanese-American Community Center at sanmateojacc@gmail.com for more information or see flyer attached on last page of the newsletter.
Purchase tickets:
Learn to Draw Manga
March 30, 2019
Join us for a demo and art class with George Dumandan. He will demonstrate how to draw manga faces, facial expressions and action figures. Snacks will be provided.
Ages 10-18, Cost $10
Space is limited. RSVP to Lbissell4@gmail.com
Millbrae Japanese Culture Festival
October 7, 2018
Come join us in designing your very own "koi on a stick!" We are also taking sign ups for notifications for our future Kidz Klub events!
Learn to Make Gyoza (Japanese Dumplings)
September 23, 2017
Join San Mateo JACL for a
“Family Fun Cooking Class”
Saturday, September 23, 2017 / 2:00 to 4:00 pm
San Mateo Japanese American Community Center
415 S. Claremont Street, San Mateo
During this class Diana Okamoto will teach techniques and recipes so you can make the tastiest gyoza ever at your home!
For a $10.00 materials fee, per person, you get to: cut veggies, mix fillings, and prepare 12 yummy gyoza to take home! (parent supervision for children under 7 is required)
RSVP by September 13, 2017 to: dianaokamoto@gmail.com
Children's Day Activities
April 23, 2017
2:00-4:00 pm at Japanese Community Center
So. Claremont and 5th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401
$5/person for materials
Temari Sushi Making
Tanabata Storytelling (Kamishibai Cards)
Write a wish on paper
Make a reservation by April 14 to dianaokamoto@gmail.com
75th Anniversary of the Signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Roosevelt and a fundraiser to create a Memorial
February 18, 2017
Tanforan Assembly Center Memorial Committee Presents: 75th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Roosevelt and a fundraiser to create a Memorial to the 8,000 persons who were interned at Tanforan.
Saturday, February 18, 2017. San Mateo Marriott Hotel Cocktails at 5pm and dinner at 6pm
M.C. - T.V. Personality Mike Inouye
Price: $95 including admission to the San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City Peninsula at War!
San Mateo County’s World War II Legacy Exhibit
Tanforan Assembly Center Memorial Committee Go online to our website www.Tanforanmemorial.org to order. Entertainment: The Grateful Crane Ensemble Video: “Tanforan” by noted filmaker Dianne Fukami
2016 Millbrae Japanese Culture Festival
October 3, 2016
The San Mateo JACL displayed at the 11th Annual Millbrae Japanese Culture Festival on Sunday October 2, 2016, at Civic Center Plaza in Millbrae
2016 National JACL Convention
July 11-14, 2016
A note from San Mateo JACL president Steve Okamoto:
The 2016 convention was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 11th and had the Sayonara Banquest on the evening of the 14th. As we did last year we convened at the Monte Carlo Resort Hotel in sweltering Vegas where the average daytime temperature was well over 100 degrees.
Since this was a convention held on an even year elections were held to elect our new leaders for the next two years. Since President David Lin was concluding his second term we had elections for president, vice president of general operations, vice president for public affairs, secretary-treasurer and vice president of planning and development. I am happy to report that Gary Mayeda from the PSW District was elected president while Colleen Morimoto from MDC did not receive enough votes to be elected as Secretary-Treasurer. Matthew Farrells, former Secretary Treasurer was elected vice president of Planning and Development. Michelle Amano is the new vice president of general operations and Jeffrey Moy is the new vice president of Public Affairs. Since the treasurer was not elected then the new president will appoint someone to take that role.
NCWNP District Awards Banquet & Celebration
April 23, 2016
The JACL Northern California Western Nevada Pacific (NCWNP) District Awards Banquet and Celebration was held on Saturday, April 23, at the Doubletree Hotel in Pleasanton.
San Mateo JACL's own Misa Sakaguchi received the Daruma Award as the chapter's unsung hero. Congratulations Misa!
Cherry Blossom Senior Honoree Ceremony
April 17, 2016
As part of the 2016 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, San Mateo JACL's Misa Sakaguchi was honored during the 29th Annual Senior Appreciation Brunch, held on Sunday, April 17, at Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco. Congratulations, Misa!
San Mateo JACL Youth Activity - Gyotaku and Kamishibai
March 19, 2016
Children of all ages enjoyed a special youth activity at the San Mateo Japanese American Community Center on Saturday, March 19th. Attendees learned about and practiced gyotaku, the traditional Japanese method of fish printing, and were treated a performance of kamishibai, a traditional Japanese storytelling method, by Mary Jo. Additional photos here.
Kimochi Silver Bells Arts and Craft Faire
December 12, 2015
For the second year, San Mateo JACL sold Kumiki puzzles at the Kimochi Silver Bells Arts & Craft and Food Faire, held at Saint Mary's Cathedral Event Center in San Francisco.
San Mateo JACL board members Diana Okomoto and Mary Jo Kubota-Arcarese sold gift-wrapped puzzles and small puzzles transformed into holiday ornaments at this fabulous and fun event. All proceeds generated from the puzzle sales were donated to Kimochi San Mateo.
Tanforan Memorial Ceremony
October 31, 2015
The fundraising campaign for the Tanforan Memorial to be installed at San Bruno BART station kicked off with a reception on October 31st.
Millbrae Japanese Culture Festival
October 4, 2015
San Mateo JACL was at the Millbrae Japanese Culture Festival on Sunday, October 4, with information about SMJACL, activities for the kids, and kumiki puzzle sales!
San Mateo JACL Contribution to SMJACC
August 15, 2015
During San Mateo Japanese American Community Center's annual potluck on August 15, San Mateo JACL President Steve Okamoto presented Wes Taoka with SMJACL's annual donation to SMJACC.
San Mateo JACL 80th Anniversary Celebration!!!
May 30, 2015
"Honoring the Past - Building the Future" was the theme of San Mateo JACL's 80th Anniversary Celebration, held on May 30, 2015. Wendy Hanamura, Director of Partnerships at the Internet Archive, served as emcee and keynote speaker for the event, which also honored Dr. Satoshi Hane, Chairman of the San Mateo Japanese-American Community Center, and John Tateishi, former JACL National Director, for their contributions and leadership to the Japanese American community. The 2015 San Mateo JACL scholarship winners, Kelly Toma and Ashley Yakushi, were also honored at the event.
6th Annual College of San Mateo Asian Pacific American Film Festival
May 1-2, 2015
The San Mateo JACL sponsored the 6th Annual College of San Mateo Asian Pacific American Film Festival, held on the campus of CSM. The festival included films by Steven Okazaki ("White Light, Black Rain"), Hoku Uchiyama with Antara Bhadwaj ("Upaj; Improvise"), and Duane Kubo ("Cruisin' J-Town").
Kimochi Silver Bells Arts & Crafts Faire
December 13, 2014
San Mateo JACL sold Kumiki puzzles at the Kimochi Silver Bells Arts and Craft Faire held at the Saint Mary’s Cathedral Event Center in San Francisco on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Diana and Steve Okamoto and Mary Jo Kubota-Arcarese gift wrapped and sold puzzles at this fabulous and fun event. Many SMJACL board members, friends and family attended to shop for the holidays and support Kimochi. The puzzles were a very popular gift item so our chapter will present Kimochi with a substantial check reflecting our total sales for the day!
October 5, 2014
San Mateo JACL was well-represented at the 9th Annual Millbrae Japanese Culture Festival, as members staffed an informational booth where kids could paint paper koi fish, as well as a booth where kumiki puzzles could be purchased.
San Mateo JACL at Clean Sweep Flea Market in San Bruno
September 7, 2014
San Mateo JACL continued fundraising efforts at the Clean Sweep Flea Market in San Bruno.
Kimochi Fundraising Dinner
September 6, 2014
The College of San Mateo played host to a fundraising dinner to benefit Kimochi, an organization dedicated to serving the needs of seniors in the San Francisco Bay Area.
OCA Picnic
August 23, 2014
Members of San Mateo JACL and the Peninsula Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) joined together for a picnic at San Mateo's Central Park. A great time was had by all.