We have been experiencing glorious sunny autumn days in Vancouver this year. It has been ideal weather to enjoy the beauty of crimson and golden autumn leaves. Befitting the quietude of the season, October was a relatively quiet month for Nikkei activities. A fun event which did take place in October was the 12th Annual Premium Sake Tasting Night on Saturday, October 12th. It was held at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel and was presented by Tonari Gumi with the support of the GVJCCA. It is an event which I look forward to each year. I think it gets better each year. The event gives us a chance to taste a variety of great sake and to enjoy small Japanese dishes prepared by some of Vancouver’s best chefs. An additional welcome touch this year was musical entertainment played throughout the evening.
I am pleased to report that the GVJCCA is collaborating with Beth Carter of the Nikkei National Museum by offering archival materials for display in the Museum. Along with a mask by Haruko Okano, we have provided posters, booklets, pins, photographs, etc. for display in the Museum. We are working on furthering the close ties we have with the Museum. It is hoped that a long standing GVJCCA promise of a resource centre for Nikkei archival materials can be accommodated in the Museum.
The first GVJCCA activity in November is our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. It will be held at the Nikkei Centre between 6:00pm and 8:00pm on Friday, November 8th. We are grateful to all the volunteers who have contributed to the GVJCCA. Please come and join us at the Nikkei Centre on November 8th so that we can show our appreciation for your generous efforts and hard work on behalf of the GVJCCA, the Bulletin and the Vancouver Nikkei community.
November 11th is Remembrance Day. Each year the GVJCCA plays a role in remembrance ceremonies held at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park. I encourage members of the Nikkei community to attend the service to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for all. There is a chance to enjoy the fellowship of others at the conclusion of the service. Refreshments will be served at a reception at the Vancouver Rowing Club.
By the time this November issue of The Bulletin reaches its readers I expect that a popular October sporting event will have concluded. I am referring to the World Series. I have been cheering for the Boston Red Sox. There may not be any Nikkei playing for the Boston Red Sox, but there are two relief pitchers from Japan who play for them. They are the set-up pitcher Junichi Tazawa and the closer Koji Uehara. Uehara has had a spectacular playoff performance. He was named Most Valuable Player of the American League championship series. My favourite team in Japan, the Hiroshima Carp, has not fared quite as well as the Boston Red Sox. They did not make it to the Japan Series. There is always next year.
Gary Matson, President, GVJCCA
