Inside the VJCC

By Jack Kurihara

This year’s Venice Japanese Community Center Planning Retreat was held on Saturday, November 8. 15 Board representatives and other VJCC members met at the Community Center to discuss the status of the 2008 planning objectives, and to develop and prioritize 2009 planning objectives.

During the course of this calendar year, several objectives were achieved, including:

• Capital Expansion Project: Obtaining a parking zoning variance from the City of Los Angeles Zoning Administration was among one of more important milestones required to proceed with the proposed multi-purpose room and classroom expansion. The VJCC was successful in receiving approval of this variance in May.
   
• Seminars: The VJCC Committee on Caregiving planned and organized two presentations on topics of interest by Community Center members, especially seniors. These presentations on a) organizing documents in preparation for death and b) a primer on back pain were well-attended by Community Center members and friends.
   
• Organization/Structure: To reduce the complexity of the organizational relationship between the VJCC and the various sponsored clubs and organizations, the Board was successful in 1) the development of a simplified club/organization tier structure and 2) and the creation of a special use rental schedule based on this organizational tier structure.  VJCC member safety continues to be a high priority. As such, the Board moved forward with the creation and adoption of an adult leader background check consent form as an enhancement to the VJCC’s child protection policies.  With respect to safety while members participate in functions at the Community Center, the VJCC has developed a VJCC emergency evacuation plan.
   
• Cabinet Position Succession Planning:  In order to clarify the scope of responsibilities for each cabinet officer position, and to assist in the recruitment of potential cabinet officers, specific job descriptions for each cabinet position were developed and endorsed by the Board.
   
• Venice-Culver JACL-sponsored Summer Intern: The Community Center, under the sponsorship of the Venice-Culver JACL, solicited and recruited a 2008 summer intern. This intern’s role was to continue the work of our previous year’s intern of interviewing older VJCC members and collecting other information to preserve the rich history of the VJCC.

Despite these preceding accomplishments, some of this calendar year’s planning objectives were not achieved and remain outstanding objectives for next year.  These include:

1. Capital Expansion Fundraising Campaign:  A fundraising campaign for the capital expansion project remains a high, if not the highest, Board priority in 2009 as the VJCC has approximately 18 to 30 months to begin construction of the building project.
    
2. Facilities:  Recognizing the importance of the gymnasium for many VJCC clubs and organizations, certain improvements and evaluations are targeted in 2009.  A lighting contractor has been identified to replace the existing mercury vapor lamps with more energy-efficient fluorescent lights. In addition, the stage lights and broken scoreboard lights will be replaced and repaired.  Fiber optic lighting will be installed to enhance the illumination of the Legacy Tree.  Finally, a structural assessment will be undertaken to determine the feasibility of replacing the east-side wall basketball backboards, as well as whether an indoor water fountain can be installed.
    
3. Newsletter and Communication:  The Community Center is fortunate to have a group of outstanding and dedicated newsletter and communication volunteers.  These individuals will focus their efforts in attracting newsletter participation among young adults; enhancing information of interest to our members on the VJCC website; and developing marketing materials that support the capital expansion fundraising campaign.
    
4. VJCC Homecoming Event:  The Venice-Culver JACL and VJCC will continue planning for a co-sponsored homecoming event, targeting former VJCC members who have left the area.  Originally scheduled to take place in October 2009, this event will be postponed until 2010 to allow the VJCC to focus on the capital expansion fundraising campaign.
    
5. Video Upgrades:  The VJCC plans to acquire a higher-intensity projector and invest in a new screen to replace the worn, portable one which has been used for many VJCC events. Both of these investments should enhance members’ experience at the VJCC’s annual operations fundraising events (bingo, golf tournament) as well as other VJCC-sponsored programs.

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Senior Moments - Alzheimer’s Disease (Part 2)

(Source: Alzheimer’s Association/Alzheimer’s Caregiver Resource)

By Aileen Hongo

Here is a review of the first five of the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease that we covered a couple of months ago:

Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Memory   Difficulty performing   Problems with language   Disorientation of time and place   Poor or decreased judgment

The next five warning signs are:

6. Problems with abstract thinking – individuals may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks.  For example, one may forget what numbers are and how they are used.  What’s normal?  Occasionally finding it a challenge to balance a checkbook.
    
7. Misplacing things – putting things away in unusual places can be a sign.  For example putting an iron away in the refrigerator or milk in the hallway closet.  What’s normal?  Misplacing keys or wallet.
    
8. Changes in mood or behavior – individuals may have rapid and dramatic mood swings for no apparent reason.  This can alarm friends or family members, especially in public.  What’s normal?  Occasionally feeling down or moody.
    
9. Changes in personality – individuals can become extremely confused or disoriented.  Some become suspicious or very defensive.  What’s normal?  Changing gradually with age.
    
10. Loss of initiative – individuals may become extremely passive.  Some may sit in front of the television or just lie around for hours and not want to talk.  What’s normal?  Occasionally feeling tired of social obligations and wanting to get away.

Remember that these are only signs and there is a difference between Alzheimer’s Disease and normal age-related memory changes.  It is best to check with your physician to diagnose the symptoms and receive treatment options. 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.

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