Japanese Community Youth Council, represented by ExecutiveDirector Jon Osaki, received its award from Linda Ishii,Kimochi Home coordinator. Nihonmachi Little Friends,represented by Sutter Site Manager Mari Matsumoto, receivedits award from Kimochi Program Director Anna Sawamura

Higaki. Satsuki Kai, a Japanese-speakingwomen’s grouprepresented byits incomingpresident,Fumiko Takashi,received itsaward fromAkemiYoshimoto, abilingual socialworker atKimochi. TheGolden Gate

Nisei Memorial LadiesAuxiliary to Post 9879, VFW,represented by its president, Elaine Ikeda, received its awardfrom Shoji Horikoshi, chair ofKimochi’s Board of Directors.

Kimochi Inc., which is celebrating its 34th anniversary thisyear, recently presented Spirit Awards to local

organizations that have participated in its intergenerationalprograms for over 20 years.

Through these programs, which bring together people fromage 5 to 50 with Kimochi clients ranging in agefrom 55 to 100, younger people learn respect andappreciation for their elders. For example, children’s groups often visit Kimochi Home toentertain the residents.

Emceed by JudiNihei, former director of theJapantown Planning,Preservation andDevelopment TaskForce, the program was held at thePG&E Energy Centerin San Francisco.

Opening remarks were made byTravis Kiyota, manager ofgovernment relations and publicaffairs for PG&E, which provided refreshments inaddition to the venue.

1

WINTER 2005

Kimochi Presents Spirit Awardsto Community Organizations

Providing classes in the visual and performing/movement arts and presents lectures and seminars of interestto the senior community in San Francisco’s Japantown.

See page 6 for more information.

Kimochi Creative Wellness Program

continued on page 2

Reprinted from Hokubei Mainichi

2

(continued from front page)

The honorees also received commendations from the Mayor’sOffice, presented by Kimochi Executive Director Steve Nakajoin his capacity as a member of the Fire Commission; from theBoard of Supervisors, presented by Cheryl Brody, legislativeaide to Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, whose district includesJapantown; and from Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-SanFrancisco), presented by his field representative, Beverly Ng.

A donation to Kimochi was presented by Union Bank ofCalifornia’s new president and chief executive officer, TakashiMorimura. Horikoshi accepted the check.

Entertainment was provided by the Kimochi singing class,under the direction of Peko Yamaguchi, who providedaccompaniment on keyboard.

A raffle drawing was held for several prizes donated by localbusinesses and individuals. The grand prize, two round-triptickets to Japan, was presented by Michiko Kumataka, directorof passenger marketing for Japan Airlines. Coincidentally, thewinner was NLF’s Matsumoto.

After the formal program, attendees enjoyed sweets fromSugar Bowl Bakery.

It was a special birthday for Roy Abbey.

Abbey, a long-time volunteer at Kimochi’s Nutrition Program, had his100th birthday on April 11. In celebration of this momentousoccasion, Kimochi held a birthday party at the Nutrition Program forAbbey before serving lunch that day.

Steve Nakajo, the executive director of Kimochi, was the emcee of the short program. Nakajo said Abbey represented the “best of ourcommunity.” He said Abbey already received a proclamation from San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who represents District 5, which coversJapantown, was honored to meet Abbey and present him with aproclamation signed by all the members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” before he was helped by daughterAyako Yee to blow out the birthday candles on his two cakes.

Kimochi presented Abbey with a special yellow hat which said “Roy”on it. Abbey would wear this lucky hat when he goes with his familyto Reno on April 12.

Abbey is a former barber who owned Roy’s Barber Shop for 60 years,located for many years on Laguna Street. He also taught the Kimochiceramics class for more than 30 years.

But, Abbey is perhaps best known as being the greeter and the personwho helped seat you at the Kimochi Nutrition Program. His smile isinfectious and his positive attitude inspires others.

Abbey has two children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

This soft-spoken man had little to say but expressed his happiness inbeing able to share the special day with family members, friends andeveryone who attends the Kimochi lunch program.

In Memory of Roy Abbey

Photo by Barbara Hiura, Hokubei Mainichi.

Kimochi Presents Spirit Awards to Community Organizations

Longtime Nutrition Program volunteer

Roy Abbey peacefully passed away on

October 24, 2005 at the age of 100.

This is the Nichi Bei Times article

written by reporter Kathy Aoki on

the celebration of his centennial

birthday celebration at Kimochi's

Nutrition site.

(Pictured above from left to right:Sandy Mori, Anna Sawamura Higaki, Steve Ishii,Steve Nakajo, Ross Mirkarimi and Roy.

3

Kimochi, Inc. Budget for 2005 - 2006

Grants/Foundations$96,900 (4.72%)

Interest Income $300 (0.01%)

Contracts $789,987 (38.48%)

Fees for Service $490,530 (23.89%)

Program Donations$352,137 (17.15%)

Fundraising Events/Contributions

$214,908 (10.47%)

General Donations$108,213 (5.27%)

Sources of Funds Expenses

TOTAL: $2,052,975 TOTAL: $2,052,975

SF Network of Support for Community Living

Are you looking to find a caregiver for yourself, a closefriend, relative or client? Want to know who offers

meal programs in the city of SF? Looking for affordable orfree legal services? Want to find thenearest senior center? Well, look nofurther. The Network of Support forCommunity Living(www.networkofsupport.org) provides acomprehensive Service Directory of theapproximately 800 service providers inSan Francisco County, putting people intouch with the services that most suittheir needs.

To empower people with disabilities,seniors and their caregivers, theNetwork of Support for Community Living helps individualssearch for service providers, find assistive devices,understand current policy initiatives, directly contact theirelected officials, and manage their affairs, interactions, andimportant records. Combining relevant and in depthinformation with an easy to navigate format, the Network of

Support enables users to find what they’re looking for in amatter of minutes. The site provides libraries that containvital information about health related disorders, pending

legislation and advocacy efforts, as wellas daily news articles from around theworld. The goal is to help SanFranciscans age and live with dignity.

The site is fully ADA-compliant andBobby-approved. Users can accessNetwork of Support for CommunityLiving in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin,Korean, Japanese, and Russian byclicking on one of the links located atthe bottom of the home page.

For additional information about theNetwork of Support, or to arrange a live presentation toyour group of 15 or more, please visit the website atwww.networkofsupport.org or contact Jennifer Coffey at theDepartment of Aging and Adult Services at (415) 355-6787,or via e-mail at daas@sfgov.org.

4

2005 Kimochi Golf TournamentCo-chairs for the Kimochi Golf Tournament, Jerry Kika and Lowell Kimura with the help of Donna Kimura, had asuccessful tournament with 139 golfers, making a net profit $16,354, which was donated to Kimochi for servicesincluding Transportation, Nutrition, Recreation, Educational Lectures, RespiteCare, Social Day Care, Residential Care, In Home Support and Social Services.

Once again, the tournament, held on Friday, September 16, 2005, was at theRichmond Country Club. Kimochi is extremely grateful to the loyal golfers whoreturn year after year to play in this tournament, the many volunteers who helpplan and organize the tournament, those volunteers who help out on the day of the tournament, those donors who donate raffle prizes, and those donors who sponsor holes.

Kimochi Programs and Services

5

Kimochi Staff Directory

Kimochi Administration1715 Buchanan, San Francisco, CA 94115Tel:(415) 931-2294 • Fax: (415) 931-2299

Steve Nakajo, Executive DirectorSteve Ishii, Operations DirectorAnna Sawamura Higaki, Program DirectorSandy Mori, Development DirectorRod Valdepenas, ControllerMa Li Shen, BookkeeperEmily Hsieh, Administrative AssistantHiroka Akiyama, ReceptionistRiyo Kunisawa, Receptionist

Kimochi Senior Center1840 Sutter Street #101, San Francisco, CA 94115Tel: (415) 931-2287 • Fax: (415) 931-2299

Natalia Covacha, NutritionistRich Tokeshi, Transportation CoordinatorAkitoshi Takazawa, Head CookAkio Kudo, Assistant CookJunko Sakita, Assistant CookGrace Yip, Assistant CookPamela Hong, Administrative AssitantSamuel Salazar, DriverDave Sugaya, Home Delivery DriverJustin Ng, Nutrition AssistantYan Bin Jiang, DishwasherRolando Samson, Dishwasher

Social Services1715 Buchanan Street, San Francisco, CA 94115Tel: (415) 931-2275 • Fax: (415) 931-2299

Sango Harumi, Social Services CoordinatorAkemi Yoshimoto, Social WorkerEric Sung Mo Chung, District Wide Social Worker

Kimochi Home1531 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109Tel: (415) 922-9972 • Fax: (415) 922-6821

Linda Ishii, Kimochi Home CoordinatorGrace Fujimoto, Assistant Residential CoordinatorAtsuko Hasegawa, Program AssistantDorcas Hautea, Program AssistantTomoko Nakai, Program AssistantYukie Takano, Program AssistantPei Fen Tsai, Program AssistantMercedes Hernandez, Program AssistantTeruko Turner, Program AssistantMichiko Turks, Program AssistantTsoodol Altantuya, Program AssistantJesus De La Cruz, Janitor

Kimochi Lounge1581 Webster Street #202, San Francisco, CA 94115Tel: (415) 563-5626 • Fax: (415) 931-2299

Al Gordon, SCSEP Staff

A Message From Executive Director Steve Nakajo

It's that time of the year to wish

you greetings, good wishes and

appreciation to all of you who have

supported and generously given

to Kimochi.

Why did I choose to work for

Kimochi? My desire and passion still

comes from being able to support

cultural, language based programs

and services that serve the seniors in our community. The

definition of the Japanese American community is changing

and growing and expanding beyond all of our expectations.

The future is now for a lot of us aging "Baby Boomer"

Sanseis. Kimochi is actively participating in a Sansei "needs

assessment," working with a whole network of Japanese

American senior agencies and facilities throughout the

State of California, in order to be ready with services and

programs for us graying "Baby Boomers.” It is called the

Providing Information To Help Our Nikkei Seniors

(PITHONS) Project and involves research, assessment and

identification of state-wide resources for a reference guide

of Japanese American senior centers and facilities in

Sacramento, San Francisco, the East Bay, San Jose, Fresno,

Los Angeles and San Diego.

I was energized this year by the participation of young

people who are volunteering at the Kimochi Nutrition

Program, at Kimochi Home, and various Kimochi

fundraisers. The energy of the Yonsei and other young

folks who participated and performed at Sansei Live! 2005

was especially gratifying. It was a great evening to witness

our children who are now young adults wanting to

contribute to Kimochi and give back to our community.

A lot of change and adjustments, but one thing remains the

same - the importance of providing the best quality services

to our elders - that is Kimochi's mission, that is my mission.

– Steve NakajoExecutive Director, Kimochi, Inc.

Kimochi is always in need of volunteers and sponsors forthese fundraising events. Please consider helping Kimochiwith these events. Please call Sandy Mori at (415)674-0219to find out how you can help.

6

Kimochi, Inc. is pleased to announce a new programlocated in San Francisco’s Japantown. Called the

Kimochi Creative Wellness Program, it provides classes inthe visual and performing/movement arts and presentslectures and seminars of interest to the senior community.From the beginning,Kimochi, Inc. hasprovided arts activitiesfor seniors with thebelief that creativeexpression benefitsphysical and mentalwell-being and canenhance and support ahealthy andindependent lifestyle.Through the CreativeWellness Program,Kimochi continues itsmission to support the quality oflife of this growing population ofactive, independent seniors. Thisprogram has received $16,000 infunding from the San FranciscoArts Commission in support of its efforts in the area ofmultidisciplinary arts andcommunity outreach. Artdemonstrations and exhibits ofindividual artwork from theprogram will be presented atdifferent public venues in 2006.

Kimochi Creative Wellness Program

Class participants vary from active seniors to the frailKimochi Home residential-care and day-care clients withprojects that encourage and improve hand-eye coordination,provide fun and mental stimulation, and enhance self-esteem through artistic discovery. In anticipation of anexpanding senior population, this program is committed to providing the type of support that is so valuable in ourlater years, serving seniors in the Japanese American andJapanese-speaking communities, as well as any interestedseniors in San Francisco.

The Kimochi, Inc. staff involved in this program are AnnaSawamura, Program Director, and art instructors AngieChan, Yoshiko Fujimoto, Akie Karahashi, Dyanna Louie,Etsuko Sakimura, Atsuko Sells, Takeko Seto, and Peko

Yamaguchi, with programcoordinator Kathryn Ferrier.Classes include ceramics,Japanese traditional dance,calligraphy, crafts, Qi Gong, hula dance, arts &crafts, and singing, and arefree of charge. The artists hadtheir debut exhibit at the2005 Sansei Live!, which washeld on Friday, October 21,2005, from 6:30 pm, at thePresidio Officers' Club.

For more information, contact:

Kathryn Ferrier, Kimochi, Inc.1715 Buchanan Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 Tel: (415) 931-2294 • Fax: (415) 931-2299 or Email: kimochikai@kimochi-inc.org

In August, 2005, Kimochi, Inc. Board Chairman ShojiHorikoshi and Executive Director Steve Nakajo

announced the generous contribution of $25,000 toKimochi, Inc. from the late Carolyn Lee Mitsuda, whodied on July 19, 2005 at the age of 61 from a prolongedillness. This large gift was presented to Mr. Nakajo theday prior to her death. Her desire was to make an impacton the organization by decreasing any organizationaldebts and for the organization's capacity to be here for the future.

A Generous Gift to Kimochi, Inc.

She was very appreciative of the Kimochi servicesprovided to her husband Tosh's family. Additionally, she wanted to serve as a model for philanthropy in the community.

In Mr. Nakajo's Words of Remembrance at Carolyn'sfuneral service, he stated:

"It's important to focus on the character of Carolyn. She wanted to be a role model – to be positive – to tell her friends a message – to make an impact – to make a difference."

7

Transportation Safety Award

The Kimochi, Inc. Transportation Program has beenawarded the 2005 Excellence in Safety Award by the

Non-Profits United Vehicle Insurance Pool. The award,which includes a monetary award of $1,500, marks the third time Kimochi's drivers have been recognized fortheir outstanding service. Non-Profits United is a self-insurance group for nonprofit organizations, whosemission is to provide quality and cost-effective pooledrisk coverage.

Our current driversare Richard Tokeshi,Director ofTransportation, andSamuel Salazar.

Shoppers were able to escape theholiday madness by shopping at

Silver Bells Arts & Crafts Faire onSunday, December 4th, at the RadissonMiyako Hotel in San Francisco'sJapantown. This free one-day eventfeatured handcrafted items made by

more than 40 talented Asian and Pacific Islander artisans,including plenty of unique, one-of-a-kind items and anassortment of jewelry and Asian-influenced fashion appareland accessories.

Participating vendors included Kimochi Arts & Crafts,Kimochi Ceramics, Aloha Current, Arlene Hoshi, Asian GiftDesigns, Asian Pair, Chizu's Creations, Collette Kondo,Creative Accents, Creative Alternatives, Da Kine HawaiianStuff, Dardie Ishida, EH Mead Instrument, Ellen Nakai &Friends, Four Yams, Gilda & Co., Golden Gate Art Club,Goo Enterprise, Island Cloud, Island Creations, J. Sugihara,JCCCNC, Kawaii Kreations, KDFerrier, Kiyome Matsukawa,Komachi, Lanna’s Crafts, Laura Takeuchi, Gale Uchiyama &Lynn Nihei, Leslie Designs, Made In Hawaii, Patricia K.

Jeong, Quilt Styles of Hawaii, Rosehip, Sansei Fashions LLC,Sew Asian, Shimada Styles, Shiro Designs, Teri Kadani, TobiCreations, Waka Ozawa and You Shan Tang.

There were three raffle drawings throughout the day. Peoplewere able to purchase raffle tickets or shop to earn free raffletickets by spending $25 or more. Prizes were donated byparticipating vendorsand the RadissonMiyako Hotel.

This year, childrenhad a chance to take apicture with Santa anddecorate gingerbreadcookies, speciallymade by Japantown’sYasukochi’s SweetStop Bakery.

Silver Bells was awonderful way to get into the holiday spirit and supportKimochi, Inc., too!

Silver Bells Arts & Crafts Faire

Kimochi Fundraising Activities2005 Sansei Live!

Volunteers stuffingenvelopes

Wellness display at Sansei Live!

Volunteers at Sansei Live!

Kimochi Home brochurenow available in Japanese

Kimochi social worker, Akemi Yoshimoto, helped to create and translate the Kimochi Home brochure into

Japanese, with a specific emphasis on Japanese culturalactivities and photographs to reach out to the Japanese-speaking community. The Japanese brochure was made possible by the Pacific Asian American Women Bay AreaCoalition (PAAWBAC) through its 2005 Catalyst FundMentoring Program. Printing of the brochure was funded by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. NDD Creative provided the design and production.

8

1715 Buchanan Street • San Francisco, CA 94115

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

P A I DSAN FRANCISCO, CA

PERMIT NO. 2764

Mailing List

If you would like to be on our mailing list, please contact Emily Hsieh at (415) 931-2294.

www.kimochi-inc.org

Visit our website at for more informationabout our various programs and services.

Japanese Translation

This newsletter is available in Japanese. Please call (415) 931-2294.

Shoji Horikoshi, ChairpersonRoy H. Ikeda, Vice Chairperson

Shinobu HorikiriRichard J. Moore, M.D.Benh NakajoThomas T. Ogawa, D.D.S.

Kimochi, Inc. Board of Directors 2005

Silvie ThangJohn Umekubo, M.D.Michael Yamaguchi

Mark Moriguchi, TreasurerMary Ishisaki, Secretary

Design and Produced by Naganuma Design & Direction. www.nddcreative.com

Hisao Inouye, Honorary Board Member