Nisei Veteran Takes Issue With DOR Speech

Dear Editor,

In the Feb. 28 issue of the Nichi Bei Times, there was an article with the heading “San Francisco Day of Remembrance Draws Large Numbers with Multi-faceted Program,” in which [keynote] speaker [Dale Minami] was quoted as “commending the patriotism of Lt. Ehren Watada,” who refused to be deployed to Iraq....

Congress: Get FISA Right This Time

Dear Editor,

Congress must oppose retroactive immunity for phone companies that participated in the Bush-Cheney Administration warrantless surveillance program...

photo by Kathy Aoki/Nichi Bei Times

By KATHY AOKI
Nichi Bei Times

For someone who was involved in a tough, competitive race for a seat on the Piedmont City Council, Margaret Fujioka remained calm.

courtesy of EDAW/SF Planning Department

By Akito Yoshikane
Nichi Bei Times

On March 6, the Japantown Better Neighborhood Plan held one of the last in a series of focus group meetings. The meeting centered on gathering input from the community on the possible redevelopment of most of the Japan Center buildings, specifically the Kintetsu and Miyako Malls, purchased by 3D Investments in 2006.

By GREG ROBINSON
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

One hero and friend of Japanese Americans, both individuals and the community generally, was Paul Robeson. Robeson was (after Joe Louis) the most popular and visible African American of the 1930s and 1940s. He was a celebrated stage actor and movie star, an internationally famous folk singer, a champion athlete, a lawyer and orator, civil rights activist, and linguist conversant in some two dozen languages.

During World War II, almost 13,000 people of Japanese ancestry, many of whom were American citizens, were forcibly removed from their homes and sent to a desolate concentration camp near Twin Falls, Idaho. To commemorate this event 66 years ago, former internees, their families, friends, and those interested in this historic event will make a pilgrimage from Seattle and Portland to the former Minidoka concentration camp from June 20-22, 2008.

photo by Sarah Huang/Art Institute of Chicago

On March 12, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco announced the appointment of Jay Jie Xu as the museum's new director. Xu (pronounced shu) will assume his position on June 15. He succeeds Emily J. Sano, who retired in January after 15 years of service to the museum.

By LISA MASAI
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

A true fashionista is always meticulously accessorized — from her effortlessly matched jewelry to her fabulously decorated home. Many desire to live this ideal of luxury and perfection but simply do not have the time or the budget to do so.

Yet on one day — your wedding day — you are allowed to splurge on those amazing earrings, decadent floral arrangements and all those fun extras in order to make your celebration an unforgettable one. It is the perfect opportunity to spoil yourself, your bridal party and your guests. The right accessories can truly highlight a bride's stunning beauty and also transform "the usual table setting" into a fun and fabulous one. Take some inspiration from the following items.

By AKIKO MINAGA
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

Drama can be so entertaining — after all, who hasn't watched reality TV and laughed at the insanity? But when it comes to real life, two families planning for marriage can create the most stressful, insane drama you can imagine.

As a Japanese American bride-to-be of a Korean American groom-to-be, the responses and reactions that I have received have ranged from the traditional, "Congratulations," to "Oh, that's kind of unusual." Well, no, actually — it's not! International, interracial and intercultural unions are becoming far more commonplace, especially here in California. But this doesn't change the unique challenges and potential drama-causing issues that can arise from joining two culturally different families together.

Although every case is different, here are some ideas to help make some of the most difficult, stressful decisions a little easier.

By STUART GAFFNEY
Special to the Nichi Bei Times

After 21 years together, my partner John and I hope that soon we will finally have the freedom to marry. We are one of the many couples asking the California Supreme Court to end the state's exclusion of thousands of same-sex couples from marriage. As we await the high court's decision after oral arguments on March 4, I find myself reflecting upon the experience of my parents, who also found themselves in the midst of an historic civil rights movement for the freedom to marry.

By STEPHANIE KIYOMI SATO
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

Before reaching the age of 30, my parents were able to purchase a home on their own and start their family. I grew up in a one-income household, as my mom stopped working when my younger sister was born so that she could concentrate on raising us.

By AKIKO MINAGA
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

Weddings already cost a small fortune, so the idea of sending every guest home with something personal, fun and cost efficient is a daunting task. After all, the last thing you want is to give away something useless. A general rule of thumb for favors is that they should be edible, entertaining or functional. Although it's wonderful to personalize favors, remember that these favors are going out to everyone, so try to select things that can be appreciated universally.

By AKIKO MINAGA
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

Dresses

With designer gowns costing literally thousands, who wants to spend that much on a gown worn for a single day?

By APRIL ELKJER
Nichi Bei Times

If you are looking for something a little different, why not consider alternative wedding sites?

In doing research for my wedding, I came across some interesting locations, but ended up choosing a Victorian bed and breakfast in Sonoma County called Madrona Manor, built in 1881. This charming location included a garden ceremony, reception and lodging all in the same venue. Why not plan a wedding in a place that says something about your interests or personality? In addition to churches and hotels, try expanding your list to include museums, gardens or aquariums. Get creative! Here are a few suggestions to start you off on your wedding planning journey.

By APRIL ELKJER
Nichi Bei Times

Weddings are large events in our lives but they unfortunately can also create large amounts of waste. How can you have a fabulous wedding and minimize your ecological impact at the same time?

Just apply the basic principles of reduce, reuse and recycle to your big day or any event.

By LISA MASAI
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

Although many still yearn for high thread count linens, powerful Cuisinart mixers and fine china, there are a growing number of couples with alternative wishes in their wedding registries. Some registries are quite imaginative, such as those that have guests contribute toward the down payment of a couple's home. By far the most common of these "alternative registries," however, are honeymoon registries.

Couples register for experiences on their honeymoon much as they would at a department store. Guests can then purchase from the variety of spa treatments, excursions, flights and accommodations that the couple has listed on their registry.

By LISA MASAI
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

In most cases, when a woman becomes engaged the first thing she will do — after the celebratory glass of champagne and the ritual phoning of those nearest and dearest — is prance over to the nearest magazine rack and begin scouring bridal magazines for wedding gowns. After all, she will be the centerpiece of the wedding and there is no other option than to be the most beautiful and memorable bride that anyone has ever seen.

With this perspective in mind, it should be of little surprise to hear that brides travel from as far as Washington D.C., San Francisco and Hong Kong in order to be fitted for their custom wedding gowns at Anne Namba's boutique in Honolulu.

By KRISTEN SATO
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

The dress. The veil. The waterproof mascara. Sounds easy enough, but many brides-to-be may not be as prepared for the Big Day as they think they are.

By KATHY AOKI
Nichi Bei Times

When it comes to purchasing a traditional Japanese wedding envelope to enclose money in for a gift to a wedding, Shiz Mihara helps many customers who patronize her store, Paper Tree.

"It's important to enclose clean or new bills in the envelope," she said.

By APRIL ELKJER
Nichi Bei Times

It was just after New Year’s, when life is quieter and colder in the Japanese Alps of Karuizawa than it is during the bustling summertime. I was keeping up with Father Carlos as we picked our way over the icy parking lot, past some tourists staring at the postcards and then at Father Carlos in his Franciscan habit as we stepped into St. Paul’s Catholic Church, established in 1935.

Here, the Colombian father who came to Japan on a mission in 1959 showed me the altar in this resort town in Nagano Prefecture where he has performed approximately 40,450 weddings in his lifetime.

By BRIAN TATSUMOTO
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

Since this is the Wedding Special Edition for the Nichi Bei Times, I seriously thought of what the Gochiso Gourmet could contribute to this commemorative issue. It was over 13 years ago that yours truly got hitched and, especially from the perspective of a guy (who is simply looking for another reason to throw a party), what could possibly be of use for those ready to tie the knot? Then again, I do have many words of wisdom (or just random ramblings) about the subject. So here goes...

By KATHY AOKI
Nichi Bei Times

Kevin Ly knows the secrets of creating a beautiful wedding cake.

"It's important to know the basics including mixing methods," said Ly. "Building the cake is critical. It's not only about how it looks and tastes, but you want to make sure it doesn't fall down."

Compiled by Kathy Aoki
Nichi Bei Times

A beautiful setting for a ceremony is in a Japanese garden.

Listed below is a brief update on the Japanese gardens featured in last year's Wedding Issue.

Kyodo file photo

By KERWIN BERK
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

Before there was Ichiro, before there was Godzilla, before there was Dice-K... there was Hideo Nomo.

He exploded onto the major league landscape in 1995, well, like a tornado, baffling hitters with his delivery and leaving them flailing at his forkball. He was a sight to behold on the mound back then, his back arching at an unnatural angle, his arms extending skyward like a man reaching for the stars. Then, the slow turn as he dropped his hands behind his body to shield the ball, all the while balancing precariously on one leg for what seemed an eternity. Then the explosion, as he uncoiled, unleashing a fastball or forkball directly overhand to a clueless batter.

courtesy of the Kaeru Kid

By THE KAERU KID
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

Mrs. KK told me she has always wanted to visit Antarctica, and recent movies about penguins only whetted her desire. I, on the other hand, have never wanted to visit Antarctica because I get seasick so easily. Stories about Amundsen, Scott, Shackleton and other Antarctic explorers — and their incredible hardships — did not sound fun.

Being a good husband, I finally relented, but only if Mrs. KK agreed to some compromises. Initially she said yes, but then was unhappy when she learned I would only go on a large ship with our cabin as close to the center of the boat as possible, because that location would be least affected by the ship motion. Mrs. KK had wanted to go on a smaller ship, since that meant more possible landings and more time on land. Being in the middle of the boat also meant no window and she was not pleased with that. An added benefit for me was the cabin was among the least costly.