The 2008 VJCC Summer Festival |
By Gail Sharp
“To preserve, share and promote the Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage, and provide for the needs and interests of the Japanese American community through education and instruction.”
The VJCC Summer Festival is our Open House and it is happening this year on the weekend of June 21-22. For more than 45 years, the VJCC has been inviting family, friends and community to come to see what we’ve been up to; what we have learned through our many classes and clubs.
The Festival is not only about fantastically delicious food. Although, with everything from tacos, sweet corn on the cob and snow cones to udon, teriyaki chicken and imagawayaki, there is something to satisfy every palate. We have lots of smiling faces on the winners of goldfish, stuffed animals and whoopee cushions. But, the Festival is more than fun games for all skill levels. |
 Bonsai and shodo on display |
 Ikebana |
 Shodo |
During the 51 weeks of the year that the VJCC is not setting up for the Summer Festival, there are more than 30 classes, clubs and groups meeting to share knowledge about activities that interest them. For the duration of the Festival, the works from classes offering instruction in the art of watercolor and in the traditional Japanese arts of bonsai (miniaturization of trees in containers), ikebana (flower arranging), shodo (calligraphy) and sumi-e (wash painting) can be viewed at the exhibits in the classrooms located on the southern perimeter of the Center. Instructors and students are available to answer questions about their art in a peaceful and beautiful setting that is a perfect respite from the excitement outside.
Line Dance
For a more dynamic display of what goes on at the VJCC every week, you can watch the demonstrations in the gym. The ikebana and shodo classes; the dance groups – Hawaiian hula, Japanese odori and Western line dance; the martial arts clubs – aikido, judo, karate and kendo; and the musical arts group – taiko (drum) give demonstrations or perform on the gym stage from 2:00PM until 6:00PM on Saturday and until 5:30PM on Sunday. Also taking place on the gym stage on Saturday is the presentation of the VJCC Scholarship Awards to graduating high school seniors and the introduction of the Nisei Week Queen candidates, including Miss Western LA who is sponsored by the VJCC and the West LA JACL and Auxiliary.
Karate
Taiko
 VJCC Scholarship Awards |
 Miss Western L.A. |
Culture-sharing moves outside the gym after the demonstrations are over. During the month of June (starting on the 5th and ending on the 19th), everyone is invited to come to the VJCC ondo (Japanese folk dance) practices on Thursday and Saturday from 7:00PM until 8:30PM. But, you don’t have to make it to all of the practices to join in. In fact, you are welcome to join in if you didn’t make it to any practices and you have two left feet. That is the fun of dancing and watching ondo.
 Children doning their best at ondo |
 Ondo is fun for everyone |
This year, following the ondo dancing on Saturday, the VJCC is particularly lucky to see and hear the return of some home grown talent during a special 7:00PM musical performance back on the gym stage. Lynn Nakagiri and Friends are returning after a much too long absence! On Sunday, we will be sampling a new musical treat – the Kashu JAZ. The Kashu JAZ will be on the gym stage at 6:30PM, performing in Japanese in a variety of musical genres.
Festival hours are Saturday, June 21, 12:00PM to 10:00PM and Sunday, June 22, 11:00AM to 9:00PM. There is parking available at Marina del Rey Middle School, Venice Buddhist Temple and Venice-Santa Monica Free Methodist Church.
| Senior Moments - ABC's of Long Term Care Facilities Part 3 of 3 (Source: United States Department of Health and Human Services) |
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By Aileen Hongo
As we conclude our study of long term care terminology this month, I have included some policy terms that apply to many long term care facilities. It would be advantageous to familiarize yourselves with these policies to make the best decisions for you and your loved ones.
Managed Care
Method of organizing and financing health care services which emphasizes cost-effectiveness and coordination of care. Managed care organizations (including HMOs, PPOs, and PSOs) receive a fixed amount of money per client/member per month (called a capitation), no matter how much care a member needs during that month.
Medicare (Title XVIII)
Federal health insurance program for persons age 65 and over (and certain disabled persons under age 65). Consists of 2 parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (optional medical insurance which covers physicians' services and outpatient care in part and which requires beneficiaries to pay a monthly premium).
Medicare HMOs
Under Medicare HMOs (health maintenance organizations), members pay their regular monthly premiums to Medicare, and Medicare pays the HMO a fixed sum of money each month to provide Medicare benefits (e.g., hospitalization, doctor's visits, and more). Medicare HMOs may provide extra benefits over and above regular Medicare benefits (such as prescription drug coverage, eyeglasses, and more). Members do not pay Medicare deductibles and co-payments; however, the HMO may require them to pay an additional monthly premium and co-payments for some services. If members use providers outside the HMO's network, they pay the entire bill themselves unless the plan has a point of service option.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
Managed care organization that operates in a similar manner to an HMO or Medicare HMO except that this type of plan has a larger provider network and does not require members to receive approval from their primary care physician before seeing a specialist. It is also possible to use doctors outside the network, although there may be a higher co-payment.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Facility that is certified by Medicare to provide 24-hour nursing care and rehabilitation services in addition to other medical services.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
A system of federally provided payments to eligible workers (and, in some cases, their families) when they are unable to continue working because of a disability. Benefits begin with the sixth full month of disability and continue until the individual is capable of substantial gainful activity.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A program of support for low-income aged, blind and disabled persons, established by Title XVI of the Social Security Act. SSI replaced state welfare programs for the aged, blind and disabled in 1972. States may supplement this basic benefit amount.
We’ve really covered just the tip of the iceberg in terminology of long term care. There is a wealth of information on the Area Agency on Aging website at http://www.calregistry.com/resources/aaa.htm. As always, please feel free to email me with comments or questions at webmaster@vjcc.com.
The information provided on this column is intended to provide helpful health and wellness information to the general public. The information is not rendered as a medical, health, psychological or other professional diagnosis, treatment or cure and should not be used in place of a call or visit to a medical professional, who should be consulted before adopting any suggestions in this column or drawing inferences from it.
Seminar Provides Valuable Information
Death is a Sure Thing: Are You Prepared?
Building a Document Box for Survivors
Sponsored by the Venice Japanese Community Center Committee on Caregiving, the “Death is a Sure Thing: Are You Prepared?” seminar was held on Saturday, April 12 at the VJCC. With a standing room only attendance of 124, the special guest speaker for the seminar was Iku Kiriyama of the Japanese American Historical Society of Southern California. Mrs. Kiriyama presented information on building a document box of vital files for the benefit of survivors. She shared her experiences of the difficulties she encountered after her husband, George, passed away. She provided tips and suggestions that could help surviving family members at a difficult time.
Mrs. Kiriyama’s box was organized into the following general categories:
The VJCC Committee on Caregiving expresses its appreciation to Mrs. Kiriyama for taking her own difficult personal experiences dealing with the paperwork when a spouse dies and using them to create an education program to help give attendees foresight from her hindsight. The Committee on Caregiving also thanks the many volunteers who helped to make this seminar possible through their assistance in setting up and tearing down the room, and providing refreshments, notepads and pens, etc.
Committee on Caregiving members: Tosh Aiboshi, Dianne Kujubu Belli, Isaac Hirano, Eric Inouye, Sharon Kumagai Volunteers for the Seminar: Arlene Hirano, Dave Hirota, John Ikegami, Lily Ikegami, Elizabeth Inouye, Alan Matsuzaki, Jane Matsuzaki, Jun Oyama, Kay Shiroma, Louie Shiroma, Roseann Yoshida |