Monthly Update - July 2009

Hey everyone, it's time for July's Nakayoshi monthly update! The month's already halfway through, but we still have a ton of stuff coming up! Check out the book signing for the new Secret Identities graphic novel we're co-sponsoring over at Giant Robot this week, and join us next weekend as we volunteer at the Mountain View Obon Festival! We'll also be hitting up the CA Academy of Sciences NightLife event at the end of the month, and be sure to join us at the beginning of August to help battle cancer at the Relay for Life in Daly City! We're also taking signups for our Tahoe camping trip in late August, so be sure to check it out! We look forward to seeing new and old faces at our upcoming events, so be sure to let us know if you're coming!

Have any comments or questions? Want to RSVP or sign up for an event? Feel free to leave any comments on our blog, Facebook group page, or e-mail us at nakayoshi.ncwnp@gmail.com.

In this update:
7/16/09 - Secret Identities Book Signing at Giant Robot SF
7/19/09 - Volunteering at Mountain View Obon Festival
7/30/09 - NightLife @ CA Academy of Sciences
8/1/09 - Relay for Life in Daly City

Save These Dates - August Events
8/9/09 - Nakayoshi Sushi-making Class
8/22/09 - Tahoe Camping Trip
8/30/09 - Quarterly Planning Meeting

Thursday, July 16: Secret Identities Book Signing @ Giant Robot SF

Nakayoshi and Hyphen Magazine are excited to co-sponsor the San Francisco book release party and signing for Secret Identities, a graphic novel anthology that explores Asian American culture, identity and history through a set of original superhero comics. Come out to meet Jeff Yang and other contributors to the book and purchase a signed copy of this book!

More information on the Secret Identities and other book tour dates can be found at: www.secretidentities.org
Information on Giant Robot Magazine/Store can be found at: www.giantrobot.com

What: Book signing of Secret Identities, Asian American superhero graphic novel anthology
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2009
Location: Giant Robot - 618 Shrader Street (at Haight), San Francisco, CA 94117
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
RSVP on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=229339505650


Sunday, July 19: Volunteer at Mountain View Obon Festival

Nakayoshi is heading down to Mountain View on Sunday, July 19th to help out for a couple hours at the Mountain View Obon! We're only needed from 4-6pm, so come out early and stay late to hang out with Nakayoshi and enjoy the rest of the festival!

For those of you unfamiliar with obons, an obon is an annual Buddhist holiday to honor one's departed ancestors. Many Japanese Buddhist temples hold a festival in conjunction with this holiday, which are often one of the biggest local community events of the year. Mountain View Buddhist Temple holds one of the largest obons in the Bay Area, which will include lots of great food, game and drink booths, as well as an optional Buddhist religious service and will culminate in a traditional obon dance (bon-dori) open to anyone to participate in. Obons are also a fun opportunity to come out dressed in more traditional Japanese dress, so come out sporting your yukata or hapi-coats if you have them!

We are actually volunteering on the second day of the festival (Sunday, July 19th). Here's the full festival schedule:

Sat, 7/18/09: 4-10pm
Sun, 7/19/09: 12-8:30pm

More information at: http://mvbuddhisttemple.org

What: Volunteer @ Mountain View Obon Festival
Date: Sunday, July 19, 2009
Location: Mountain View Buddhist Temple, 575 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043
Time: Obon runs Noon-8:30 pm, Volunteer Shift from 4:00-6:00 pm
RSVP on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=92166119077

Thursday, July 30: NightLife @ CA Academy of Sciences

Traverse the universe in the planetarium, get crunk on the dance floor and go deep sea diving sans wetsuit! Nothing beats a night at the museum!

Join Nakayoshi on Thursday evening, July 30th at NightLife @ the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. More information on the museum's NightLife events can be found at: https://www.calacademy.org/events/nightlife/

We know it's a Thursday, but come out anyway! Plus, it's only $10! RSVP here and buy your NightLife tickets online NOW (they sell out quick) at https://www.calacademy.org/event_tickets/

For more information and Nakayoshi meeting location, email us @ nakayoshi.ncwnp@gmail.com

What: NightLife @ CA Academy of Sciences
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2009
Location: 55 Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Price: $10, buy tickets online at https://www.calacademy.org/event_tickets/
RSVP on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111673984616


Saturday, August 1: Relay for Life in Daly City

The American Cancer Society says that one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life unites communities across the country each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much.

Team up with Nakayoshi and Friends at the 2009 Daly City Relay For Life. This year is special as it is the 25th Anniversary of the Relay For Life program. Come join us and help combat cancer!

Location: Westmoor High School, Daly City
Date: Begins Saturday 8/1/09 at 10am, Ends Sunday 8/2/09 at 10am (yes - 24 hours!)

You do not have to be present the entire event. Stop by anytime!

To register, follow these steps:
-Go to: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=17878
-Click on "Sign Up"
-Join Existing Team
-Search for team "Walk Band" and Join.
-For donation goal put $0 (we are fundraising outside of the website)

Please send an email to Atsushi at nakayoshi.ncwnp@gmail.com once you have registered so we can keep track of Nakayoshi participants.

One of the goals of this event is to raise funds for cancer research. We are asking each member to fundraise/donate $40 for the cause. This is only a suggested amount and is by no means a requirement to participate in this event. Please have all funds available on the day of the event.

Links:
General info on Relay For Life - http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/whatisrelay
Daly City - Relay For Life - http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=17878

What: Relay for Life with Nakayoshi and Friends
Date: Saturday-Sunday, August 1-2, 2009
Location: Westmoor High School, 131 Westmoor Ave, Daly City, CA 94015-3893
Time: 10:00am to 10:00am (24 hours!)
Suggested Donation: $40
Register Online at: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=17878
RSVP on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127269340790

Friday, August 21 - Sunday, August 23: Lake Tahoe Camping Trip

*NOTE* You must send an email to Atsushi at nakayoshi.ncwnp@gmail.com to confirm registration for this trip

Come join Nakayoshi for our 1st summer camping trip! We'll be heading up to South Lake Tahoe for a relaxing weekend away from home in the Sierras. The camping trip will also include river rafting and an outing to South Tahoe casinos. Spots are limited based on our campsite reservations, so sign up ASAP to guarantee your spot on the trip!

Cost - Only $55!

This includes: Car pool transportation (Drivers will be reimbursed), Campsite Permits, 3 Meals (Saturday - Breakfast, Dinner; Sunday - Breakfast), River Rafting/Floating

Please let us if you can drive (including how many people you can fit) or if you need a ride up to Tahoe. We will do our best to arrange rides for everyone.

You will need your own camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, pillows, etc.). If you do not have something, let us know and we will help you find some you can borrow or rent.

Rough Itinerary (we will send more details soon) *subject to change

Friday
Evening - Depart for campsite (if you choose to go earlier, the campsite check-in time is 2pm on Friday)

Saturday
8:00am - Breakfast
10:00am - Rafting/Floating
1:00pm - Lunch - Free time (visit Lake)
6:00pm - Dinner at campsite
7:00pm - Campfire, casinos, GHOST STORIES!

Sunday
8:00am - Yoga session
9:00am - Breakfast
10:00am - Pack Up and Depart

Space is limited! Register by Friday, August 14th. If you have any questions or want to register, please email Atsushi at nakayoshi.ncwnp@gmail.com

*NOTE* You must send an email to this address to confirm registration.

For More Information:
Fallen Leaf Campgrounds - http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/recreation/camping/flcamp.shtml
Truckee River Rafting -
http://www.truckeeriverraft.com/truckee-lake-tahoe-raft-trips

What: Nakayoshi Tahoe Camping Trip
Date: Friday, August 21, 2009 - Sunday, August 23, 2009
Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Time: Leave Friday at 7pm, return Sunday at Noon
To Register, You Must E-mail Atsushi at: nakayoshi.ncwnp@gmail.com
RSVP on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116797296833

That's all for now. Be sure to RSVP for any events you're coming to, and as always, feel free to bring your friends with you!

All Nakayoshi events are free and open to anyone unless otherwise noted. Feel free to forward this message along to your friends or anyone interested. Not on the Nakayoshi e-mail list? Click here to subscribe. Have questions? Want to sign up or RSVP for an event? E-mail Nakayoshi at nakayoshi.ncwnp@gmail.com. For additional information and updates, be sure to check the Nakayoshi blog and website and http://www.nakayoshi.org, or find our group page on Facebook! Nakayoshi is a program sponsored by the Northern California Western Nevada Pacific District of the Japanese American Citizens League.

Update on San Francisco Planning Commission acknowledges the DRAFT Japantown Better Neighborhood Plan

The Draft Japantown Better Neighborhood Plan was acknoweldged by the Planning Commission on June 25, 2009, as a "a significant milestone marking years of broad community planning efforts, and represents many of the community’s goals for the area at this point in time."

The Commission approved a resolution that requires more work to be done with the community to refine the draft plan, including the following:

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission acknowledges public comment that has been received regarding concerns over different aspects of the Draft Plan—including but not limited to cultural preservation, the provision of mixed‐income housing, the retention of existing merchants, structural analysis on Japan Center garage, mitigation of neighborhood impacts during potential construction, proposed tower heights, and the need to provide more direction for the implementing organization, and directs the Department to continue to work with the community on these issues prior to initiating environmental review; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission requests the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors to consider funding for further modification and study of the Draft Plan in a community process, including environmental review, when considering the city’s budget; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission directs Planning Department Staff to undertake environmental review of the Draft Plan and further modify it as soon as funding becomes available; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution is not a plan approval but represents the Commission’s acknowledgement of work performed to create the Draft Plan.

FURTHER RESOLVED that this acknowledgement of the draft plan does not endorse any parcel‐specific rezoning or parcel‐specific height limit.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Department work with Office of Economic and Workforce Development to develop a strategy to retain existing businesses.

FINALLY RESOLVED, that prior to any Commission hearings or action on what will be the Draft Plan for CEQA evaluation, the Commission recognizes that changes to the present Draft Plan will take place and that any revisions will be incorporated to the Draft Plan and will be subject to CEQA review. This Resolution does not commit the Commission to the Draft Plan or any specific project. Consistent with CEQA, the Commission may decide to approve or disapprove the Draft Plan after completion of environmental review of the Draft Plan, and based upon independent review, consideration of any environmental effects caused, and community involvement throughout the environmental review process.

Further, during the anticipated CEQA review of the Draft Plan, the Commission expects that appropriate alternatives to the Draft Plan will be developed and explored and that the Draft Plan may evolve accordingly, and that no final Plan will be adopted until the environmental review process is completed and hearings conducted on the proposed Ordinances to implement the final Japantown Plan."

Please stay tuned for next steps by checking the Plan's website: http://japantown.sfplanning.org/

Read more about the Planning Commission's decision and necessary next steps by opening the attached resolution.

On behalf of Nakayoshi - thank you for your interest in this issue and if you took the time to write a letter or tell a friend, you've helped create an opportunity for the community and for our generation to have a voice in the issue of how San Francisco's Japantown will grow and evolve over the coming years.