Community News and Activities posts are intended to help keep our community informed on events in the Japanese American and Asian community.  BCO does not necessarily endorse, support, or fund these activities and organizations. Post are subject to the discretion of BCO.

1/15/2022 – J-Sei Crab Feed – To Go

Pre-order required. Pickup Sunday February 27th

Order Page

  • 31st Annual J-Sei Crab Feed to be held once again on a To-Go basis. Fresh Dungeness Crab Asian Salad, Garlic Noodles, Bread and Dessert Dinner Tickets: $50/person Pre-order early as a limited number of dinners will be sold. Pre-order online (Order Page).

J-Sei Senior Services and Cultural Programs (Link)

1/13/2022 – Covid-19 Information – Omicron & Testing
#TranslateCovid Mailing List | Jan. 13, 2022
FAQ: Omicron, testing, and vaccines

California is experiencing a record surge in COVID-19 cases, as well as remaining gaps in vaccination rates.

80.6% of the state’s population over the age of 5 is vaccinated with at least one dose. However, with the spread of Omicron, the state reached a record high of 23.1% positivity rate over a 7-day period, as of Jan. 12, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 dashboard. In comparison, California’s 7-day positivity rate was at 2.2% on Dec. 3 and 17.1% on Jan. 1 of last year, according to the CDPH.

COVID-19 disproportionately affects California’s low-income, Latino, Black and Pacific Islander communities, as well as essential workers, according to the CDPH. Moreover, a low proportion of children are fully vaccinated: only 18.5% of children ages 5-11 in the state as of Jan. 12. To find this data point, look for “Vaccination Status by Group,” go to “Select Category” and choose “Age.”

We hope the resources below are helpful to help address concerns, distrust, and misinformation that persist among our communities.

1. How can I stay safe from Omicron?

We have the tools to fight Omicron: vaccines, masks, and testing. Mask guidance from the CA Department of Public Health recommends using surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with a good fit. Their masking fact sheet is easily shareable with your community members. They also have a Q&A on face coverings.

The CDC recommends boosters for ages 12-17. Getting this population boosted will help limit the spread of Omicron. The Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) has updated talking points on boosters for 12-17 year olds.

For moderately or severely immunocompromised people, the CDC has age-specific recommendations for an additional primary dose and a booster dose. This includes updates about the third dose for ages 5+ and booster doses for ages 12-17. LA County breaks it down in a chart here.

To find vaccines near you: 1) go to vaccines.gov; 2) text your ZIP code to 438829; or 3) call 1-800-232-0233 for the national COVID-19 vaccination assistance hotline.

2. Where can I get tested for COVID-19? 

There are several ways to find testing sites. Free, confidential COVID-19 testing is available to every Californian. Find COVID-19 testing sites in your area:

California has also partnered with OptumServe to provide free, confidential testing statewide. Tests are available for everyone, including: underserved communities and individuals who are at high risk, uninsured, undocumented and homeless individuals. You do not need a driver’s license to get this test.

You must register first at lhi.care/covidtesting. Tests are by appointment only. Once registered, you may find appointments in your area through the website. You won’t need to register again once you’ve signed up. If you do not have internet access, call OptumServe at 1-888-634-1123.

3. What should I do if I test positive or I was exposed to COVID-19?

If you test positive, you will need to isolate yourself from others. If you were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you will need to quarantine. Please refer to the CADPH Guidance on quarantine and isolation. PHCC also explains what you should do in this FAQ.

4. What is the best time to test for COVID-19? 

UCLA Health shares the following information: “Omicron ‘appears to behave more like a cold virus in the vaccinated population,’ says Dr. Omai Garner, director of clinical microbiology for UCLA Health. The now-dominant omicron variant presents differently in vaccinated and boosted individuals than previous variants, Dr. Garner says, which affects the need for, and timing of, testing.”

Read more at UCLA Health to pick the best time to test, depending if you’re vaccinated and if it’s a PCR or antigen test. The story is also available in Chinese, Spanish, Farsi, Korean, and Japanese.
Find COVID-19 Testing Near You

5. How do I use a self-test kit?

This short video from the CDC explains the basics of how to purchase a self-test, collect a specimen, perform the test, and dispose of the test.
6. Is there a California COVID-19 hotline?

Yes, there is a COVID-19 information line. It’s a part of the state’s ongoing effort to provide reliable, trusted information and support. Translators are available to answer questions in: Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Japanese, Italian, French, and other languages. Call 833‑422‑4255 (833-4CA-4ALL).

The statewide call center is open 7 days a week:

  • Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Pacific Time

  • Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time
You are receiving TranslateCovid.org updates because the UCLA Asian American Studies Center identified you as a valued community member who may benefit from our reliable and translated COVID-19 information. We hope that you continue to stay on this mailing list to receive new in-language fact sheets and resources for the communities you serve.
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The AASC at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles basin, So. Channel Islands) and pay our respects to the honuukvetam (ancestors), ‘ahiihirom (elders), and ‘eyoohiinkem (relatives/relations) past, present, and emerging.

Copyright © 2022 UCLA Asian American Studies Center, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because the Center periodically sends special announcements to those in media, public service, or community-serving organizations for whom they may be of interest. This does not include you in the Center’s main listserve, which sends out regular news and announcements throughout the year. If you would like to be added to our main listserve, please send your request to events@aasc.ucla.edu. We do not sell, rent, loan, trade, or lease the e-mail addresses on our lists to anyone. You may opt out at any time.

Our mailing address is:

UCLA Asian American Studies Center

3230 Campbell Hall
405 Hilgard Ave, Box 951546

Los Angeles, CA 90095

Link to Flyer/Word Doc

1/10/2022 – Covid-19 Testing @ Asian Heath Services

  Flyer

Please contact AHS for an appointment to get tested. (510) 735-3222

2/5//2022 – Buddhist Temple of Alameda Steak Fundraiser

Flyer

11/5/2021 – Two Events! – Oakland Fukuoka Sister City Assoc Fundraiser

PDF Flyer

Chipotle restaurant fundraiser – Wednesday, November 17 – 
3271 Lakeshore Ave. Oakland from 4-8pm    Code:4G4MFZZ
(present flyer below or use this code for online orders so OFSCA gets credit).
We welcome Chef Lala Harrison from Juslaeats and Roux 40 and Josh Hammerling from Hammerling Wines for our third virtual chef/winemaker webinar fundraiser for the Oakland Fukuoka Sister City‘s 60th anniversary! Both chef and winemaker come from impressive backgrounds that is detailed in the link.

DATE: Wednesday December 8 from 4:00-5:00 via Zoom

Chef Lala Harrison will be showcasing the following Gluten free menu:

Blackened chicken, Charred Scallion Chili Oil, Garlic Collard Greens, Citrus Candied Yams. The meal kit is for two people.

Winemaker Josh Hammerling will be speaking about his Sunflower Sutra (sparkling) and Cabernet Pfeffer (red).

Deadline to reserve is Wednesday December 1, 2022

Purchase tickets via the following link. (Ticket prices from $100-$155 for two) OFSCA East Bay Culinary Adventure: Chef Lala Harrison & Hammerling Wines (More Information)

10/26/2021 – We Shall Be Free, We Shall Find Peace

We Shall Be Free, We Shall Find Peace
Wir werden frei, wir finden Ruh

An exhibit of art by incarcerated persons at San Quentin State Prison.

Located in the main lobby of the War Memorial Opera House, this exhibit invites our audience to connect with the silent voices and expressions of an unseen and forgotten community, and to highlight the importance of providing arts education to the most marginalized and ignored citizens in our society. To learn more about the artists and to read their statements, click the image of each artwork.

This exhibit is presented in partnership with the William James Association, a Bay Area non-profit organization whose mission is to promote work service in the arts, environment, education, and community development.

Join us at the Commonwealth Club of California on October 25 for a discussion with the William James Association, and a few of their formerly incarcerated artists.

William James Statement

10/11/2021 – JESEI Event – Chiura Obata: Art and Life Inspired by Nature By Kimi Hill

9/26/2021 48-Star American Flag Signing Project

Saturday October 23, 2021 – 10am-2pm @ Buddhist Temple of Alameda

PDF Flyer

  • Event honoring all Japanese American WWII Incarceration Camp Internees (PDF Flyer)

9/26/2021 – Discover Nikkei – Website

What is Nikkei?

What does Nikkei mean? We’re not talking about the Japanese stock exchange. We are talking about Nikkei people – Japanese emigrants and their descendants who have created communities throughout the world.

  • Discover Nikkei is an international network that celebrates cultural diversity and explores both global and local identities. The project connects generations and communities by sharing stories and perspectives of the Nikkei, people of Japanese descent who have migrated and settled throughout the world. (Website Link)

 

  • List of Japanese American (JA) history and museum sites (Link)

9/21/2021 – Umenoki Gardens Senior Home

PDF

  • SACBC’s’ Umenoki Gardens Senior Home is now ready to accept new residents. It is a lovely place and you can participate in SACBC events and their services. It is the only senior home on BCA church property and effectively run by a BCA church (More Information)

Asian Health “Virtual” Gala – Saturday September 18th – 5:30pm
Free Online Event – Registration Required

2021 Virtual Gala Registration

Please join us at AHS’ 47 Annual Gala on September 18, 2021

Our virtual event will include exciting live & silent auctions. All registered guests will receive a link to this year’s event and silent auction the week of September 13th!

2021 Virtual Gala

8/14/2021 – Intersections of identity: Asian-American and Young Adult

Presented Saturday August 21, 2021 @ 11am (pdt)

Link

JSIO Discussion Series on Clubhouse
The JSIO is kicking off a discussion series on Clubhouse, with a 3 part series on intersections of identity. The first session is on the topic of intersections of identity: Buddhist, Asian-American, and Young Adult, and will take place next Saturday, August 21 at 11am Pacific. We hope you can join us and hear the diverse perspectives of these four speakers! You’ll need to download the Clubhouse app to listen in; the flyer has a link for more information or click on this link: (LINK)

6/28/2021 – Obon Dancers Needed for Stanford Film About Umenoki Senior Home – Ei Ja Nai Ka Performed by PJ and Roy Hirabayashi of San Jose Taiko – Thurs July 8th – 5-8 PM.

PDF

(From Naoko Fujii @ Umenoki Senior Care Home / SACBC)

Dear Friends,

We are looking for volunteers to join a fun group to dance “Ei Ja Nai Ka” for the closing scene of a documentary about the Umenoki Senior Home.  PJ and Roy Hirabayashi and Irene Matsumoto, formerly of San Jose Taiko, will be performing.

PJ’s Ei Ja Nai Ka is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.  It is especially symbolic for this film which focuses on unique aspects of Japanese American culturally-adapted senior care. The goal of the scene is to show how our ancestors are celebrated at Obon with taiko music elucidating happy memories for seniors and everyone as they dance…  More Information (PDF)

6/27/2021 – J-Sei Summer Classes

6/4/2021 – Bay Area “Go for Broke” Forever Stamp Tribute – Virtual Broadcast
presented by NJAHS – National Japanese American Historical Society

  • Friday June 4, 2021 6pm

6/2/2021 – JESEI Caregivers Needed

Flyer

J-Sei operates a Japanese-speaking assisted living option located in Hayward, CA…

4/26/2021 – Alameda Chicken Bento Sale – Pre-order Required

4/19/2021 – Interfaith dialogue on public safety in Oakland Chinatown and West Oakland

On Monday, one of our faith partners, the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, is co-hosting a faith dialogue with the Faith Alliance for a Moral Economy. In light of the recent anti-Asian violence, we wanted to create a space to hear from faith leaders serving in Oakland Chinatown and West Oakland – both communities impacted by violence and economic hardship.
This will also be an opportunity to hear from Oakland City Councilmembers Nikki Bas (Council President, D2) and Carol Fife (D3) about their vision for public safety, a just recovery, and for the faith community to ask them questions.
When: Monday, April 19, 5-6:30pm.
The recent wave of anti AAPI violence and the ongoing impacts of policing and the COVID pandemic on Oakland communities give us reason to consider what it would look like to refund local communities, restore dignity, and reimagine public safety. Many communities and congregants are struggling to pay their rent; fear eviction and are living in distress. The most vulnerable of Oakland residents — low-wage workers, undocumented, immigrants, refugees, Latinx and Black community members — are disproportionately suffering from COVID and the economic impacts of the pandemic.
We want Oakland to be a safe and welcoming place for all its residents where there are enough resources to support everyone to thrive, so that our communities are living in solidarity and not pitted against each other.
Join us for a timely conversation about how the Oakland city budget can support this vision, strengthen families and communities, and address root causes. We will hear from pastors of impacted Oakland communities and progressive council members, Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas (D2) and Carroll Fife (D3) as they talk about reimagining community safety and a just recovery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gala King || she/her/hers
Regional Organizer, Northern California
Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity
310 8th St. Suite 310
Oakland, CA  94607
510.759.4196
gking@im4humanintegrity.org
www.im4humanintegrity.org

3/20/2021 – Racism Against Asians

Below, you’ll find information and resources to help you understand the Atlanta shootings and other recent acts of violence against Asian-Americans, and the practice self-care. We hope these resources are helpful when having conversations with your family and friends.

Source: Charles Armstrong School, March 19, 2021

3/8/2021 – Seen and Unseen – Queering JA History Before 1945

Seen and Unseen: Queering Japanese American History Before 1945 is the first-ever exhibit focused on Nikkei (Japanese Americans) who were involved in intimate same-sex relationships or defied gender roles in the early 20th century. LINK

2/28/2021 – Regina Boone – Journalist Unravels Mysteries of her Japanese grandfather

YouTube Video

Regina Boone was featured at the 2021 BCA National Council Meeting Closing Program (Event Link).

NHK Documentary

NHK video on Regina Boone discovery of her Japanese Grandfather’s story (Video posted by NHK till March 31, 2021)

2/24/2021 – Oakland Great Plates Delivered – Senior Meal Assistance Program

Oakland Great Plates Delivered is a temporary food program that delivers fresh locally prepared meals to Oakland residents who are at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 exposure. Eligible participants can receive 3 deliveries per week containing four to six meals per delivery for a total of 14 meals per week. The program is free and available for qualified participants through March 8th, 2021.

Oakland Great Plates Delivered

2/28/2021 – Regina Boone – Journalist Unravels Mysteries of her Japanese grandfather

YouTube Video

Regina Boone was featured at the 2021 BCA National Council Meeting Closing Program (Event Link).

NHK Documentary

NHK video on Regina Boone discovery of her Japanese Grandfather’s story (Video posted by NHK till March 31, 2021)

2/12/2021 – Films of Remembrance Film Festival

Link

Link

2/5/2021 Reparations As A Spiritual Practice – Feb 12, 2021 – 12-1pm

Flyer Link

1/29/2021 – 42nd Anniversary of DOR – Friday Feb 19th, 5-7:30pm

DOR -Day of Remembrance

1/24/2021 – Eastwind Books of Berkeley

Your local source for books. Eastwind Books of Berkeley supports the local community. They will special order books upon request. (Source: Jun Hamamoto)

1/24/2021 Dharma Family Service Announcements and Discussion

January 28, 2021 – Be the Refuge — Book Launch: A Conversation with Chenxing Han

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Link: https://www.shin-ibs.edu/event/refuge2021

Letter asking for your help: Link: Hope4Paul

Movie: Only the Brave – 442nd Story, 2006, Directed by Lane Nishikawa: Link Wikipedia

11/25/2020 – Fukuoka Sister City Fundraiser Event
2020 Holiday Wreath Sale Fundraiser

Click Here for Flyer

9/15/2020 – Book: Setsuko’s Secret – Heart Mountain and the Legacy of Japanese American Internment

Book Trailer Video

Author Shirley Ann Higuchi, JD, chair of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, uncovers her family’s past and embarks on a transformational journey as she learns about the Japanese American incarceration during World War II and what happened to her family and those of other former incarcerees.

www.SetsukosSecret.com

Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation
1539 Road 19
Powell, WY  82435-8723

8/14/2020 – Covid-19 Testing @ Asian Heath Services

  Flyer

Please contact AHS for an appointment to get tested. (510) 735-3222

8/12/2020 – NextGen JCA Peace Day: 75 years after the Bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki

NextGen JCA Peace Day: 75 years after the Bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki

Join us as we commemorate this Peace Day

6/29/2020 – Berkeley Buddhist Temples Virtual Obon Event

Our virtual obon will have obon dancing led by Hanayagi Sensei and stories shared by our Sangha members. The event will be on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 4:00 pm.

We will be dancing:

Obon no Uta (bring your uchiwa aka Japanese flat fan!)
Hanabi Ondo
Shiawase Samba
Tanko Bushi

We will be sharing youtube practice videos so you can prep beforehand. Be sure to check our Facebook and temple websites for resources closer to July 11th.

Feel free to share this RSVP link widely: https://bit.ly/BerkeleyObon2020

If you have any questions, contact us at berkeley_virtual_obon_2020@outlook.com

6/26/2020 – Tadaima ! – A Community Virtual Pilgrimage

Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages.  In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, each of the annual pilgrimages to sites of wartime Japanese American incarceration have been canceled. These pilgrimages provide important educational and community-building opportunities for descendants of the camps, the Japanese American community as a whole, and the wider public.  WEBSITE LINK

5/13/2020 – East Bay Food Bank Support

Click Here for Flyer

Join the Buddhist Church of Oakland and help support the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Every $1 you donate helps provide $7 worth of food.  Please goto http://VFD-ACCFB.ORG , Select our group (Buddhist Ch Oakland), and then “Shop”.

Thank you for your Dana

3/17/2020 – Update Tsuru for Solidarity Pilgrimage

Message Link

3/17/2020 – Notice to Stay Home – from Six Bay Area Counties

Community News and Activities posts are intended to help keep our community informed on events in the Japanese American and Asian community.  BCO does not necessarily endorse, support, or fund these activities and organizations. Post are subject to the discretion of BCO.

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