Fresno State dedicates maple trees as Japanese disaster reminder

Hello all.
This is Tomoki.

Yesterday, Takahashi-sensei and I attended a ceremony to plant three maple trees near the Maple Mall on campus to remind the Japanese disasters.

I found the Fresno State News article about this ceremony, so for more details, please read it.

Fresno State dedicates maple trees as Japanese disaster reminder (Click here to read the article)

This will be my last blog. I hope JSA becomes more active and good student club next year!!

Thank you.

Japan Relief Fundraising Closing Ceremony

On May 13, we had the Japan Relief Fundraising Closing Ceremony at Fresno State Science II Room 109.
We invited Mr. Yoshiro Tasaka, an offiver of the General Consulate of Japan in San Francisco to the ceremony and hand our check to him (actual check will be passed later).

The ceremony was started by the opening statement by Takahashi-sensei, and Katsuyo-sensei was followed by doing a speech about recognition of fundraising activities of other organizations.
Then, Jared and I presented the fundraising activities and the account activities of JSA,
and we handed our check to Mr. Tasaka.
Unfortunately, we could not make our actual check by this day due to the bank, so it will be hand to the Consulate later soon.

Finally, the ceremony was closed by the closing statement by Takahashi-sensei.

By the way, the final amount of donation is...

$9188.10!!

I would like to thank all members and people who helped our fundraising events, supported us, and donated money for the relief.

This event was also on the Fresno State News...
http://www.fresnostatenews.com/2011/05/students-present-9188-in-donations-for-japan/

Students present $9,188 in donations for Japan

MAY 13, 2011 – 3:28 PM   shareshare

California State University, Fresno students, led by the Japanese Students Association (JSA), presented more than $9,100 to a representative of Japan’s Consulate General office in San Francisco for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Yoshiro Tasaka, consular community affairs adviser, was presented the check Friday, May 13, by JSA officers Tomoki Ueda and Jared Kneefel, representing their group, Students of Public Health Association and the University Student Union, who gathered donations.

JSA alone raised $9,004 through such efforts as fund drives, partnerships with on-campus events, yard sales and a yoga charity event. Their most recent effort was a partnership with 18 Japanese restaurants where funds were collected from customers and the general public.

At the Phillip Lorenz Memorial Keyboard Concert on campus featuring Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, more than $400 was raised through CD sales.

The other groups conducted a “Pass a Can for Japan” drive among public health students and placed collection stations in the Student Recreation Center.

Another drive on campus raised $4,750 sent to the relief effort earlier.

At the May 13 presentation, JSA officers recognized the Japanese minor program in the Department of Linguistics for its efforts. Those donations came mostly from students and their families, said Katusyo Howard, a counselor emeritus who coordinated the various campaigns with support from the Jan & Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning.

“I am very proud of the amazing efforts of our Japanese Student Association and other student clubs as well as all those whose generosity helped make this campaign a big success,” said Dr. Paul M. Oliaro, vice president for Student Affairs at Fresno State.

“The commitment of Fresno State students to the Japan relief effort is truly inspirational,” he added.

In April, deputy consul general Michio Harada visited Fresno State to view a samurai artifacts exhibit at the Henry Madden Library and applauded the students’ relief efforts.

(Copy by University Communications Christy Patron)

JSA Banquet

The last JSA official event in this semester, JSA banquet, was done at Sendai Sushi on May 12.
The lunch menu of the restaurant had "all you can eat," so we ordered as much as we wanted.

After we ate the lunch, a present was given from Takahashi-sensei to Katsuyo-sensei. Katsuyo-sensei or Dr. Katsuyo Howard had been the faculty advisor for JSA for a long time until last year and is retiring in this semester. I really appreciate her contribution to JSA.
After that, JSA board members of this semester got the certifications from Takahashi-sensei with her comments. I personally got 4th certification,

but I am wondering how many certifications Chris has.......

Anyway, at the last, new president, Robert had a short speech, and the banquet was done.

Good job all board members!!

I was really glad to work with all of you!!

Last JSA meeting

We had the last JSA meeting in Spring 2011 semester on May 6.
In this meeting, we had the election to decide new board members, and they were decided.
New board members are...

President: Robert Zeng
Vice President: Drew Henderson
Treature: Jared Kneefel
Secretary: Christopher Bolanos
Media: Steven Gerking
Activities: Alex Greiner, Antonio Corona, Andrew Bedford-Hart
Culture Night Coordinator: Taylor Smith

I thank new board members to be in charge of the jobs next semester. I hope they can be active and improve JSA more!!

River Park Fundraising & Yard Sale

Hello JSA members.

This is Tomoki.

On April 30, we had a fundraising event at River Park.

We set up a table between Teazer's and Yoshino and collected donations.

I thought more people walked the pass way, but many people walked by the cinema or near Target, so we had to move around.

But I think we could successfully finish this event. We could get a few hundred dollars and hand out about four hundred flyers for the yard sale.

Thank you, Chris, Christina, Jared, Madoka, and Takahashi-sensei for helping this event.

On May 1, our last fundraising event, JSA yard sale, was done.

We started preparation at 6:30 a.m. and started the sale at 8 a.m. Since we handed out several hundred flyers, many people came to buy the items in the morning. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to set up fishing games and to cook onigiris until around 10 a.m., we could not get good sales from food and games. 

However, we could collect good items to sell, we sold more than $1,000!!

And our last event was successfully done.

I really appreciate members who helped this event, especially, Chris, Jared, Madoka, Kyle, and Takahashi-sensei. They came there in early morning and stayed until the end.

JSA Yard Sale Tomorrow!!

As you know, we have a big event, JSA Yard Sale, tomorrow!!
We are still looking for volunteers who can help to sell the items, to make onigiris and snow corns, and to supervise game spaces, so if you can help, please let us know or just come to the parking lot.
Or you can come to the event and have fun!!
We also have games like scooping bouncy balls.

JSA Yard Sale

Date: Sunday, May 1, 2011
Time: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (We need volunteers for preparation starting around 7 a.m.)
Location: Fresno State, Parking Loc C (Shaw & Maple)


So far, the pictures below are the examples of the items I have for tomorrow...

I hope I can see you tomorrow!!

JSA 11th Meetiing

Yesterday (4/29/2011), we had 11th meeting of this semester.
Sadly, we only have one more meeting this semester.

In this meeting, we had announcements, had nomination for the next year's officers, and watched the Death Note II.
In this weekend, we have River Park fundraising on Saturday and yard sale on Sunday. We still need more volunteers for both events, so if you have time and can help, please let Tomoki know ASAP.
Also, we are accepting to nominate someone for next year's officers by Sunday night, so please let one of our officers know if you have any persons you want to nominate. We will have election next Friday, so please come to the meeting because it will be a very important meeting.

Upcoming Events

JSA General Meeting

Date: Friday, April 29

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Location: Science II 109

We will talk about our events which will be held in the rest of this semester, and we will have nomination for next semester's officers. Also, we will watch a movie. So please come to know what will happen in last couple weeks, especially this weekend and to nominate future officers!!

River Park Fundraising

Date: Saturday, April 30

Time: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Location: River Park, near Yoshino (Japanese Restaurant)

We will collect donations, make origamis, and do calligraphy for people who donate. So if you are available and can help, please let us know.

Yard Sale

Date: Sunday, May 1

Time: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Location: Fresno State, Parking Loc C (Shaw Ave. & Maple Ave.)

As a last big event for fundraising, we will have a yard sale on campus. We will also have some event game booths, such as bouncy ball scooping game, water yo-yo fishing, balloon modeling. This event will be fun, so if you can help, please let us know, so just stop by and have fun!! Also, please inform this event to your friends and family.

JSA Banquet

Date: Thursday or Friday, May 12 or 13

Time: Lunch

Location: Sendai Sushi

JSA Charity Yoga on KMPH26 Great Day

Hello all.
This is Tomoki.

In this morning, we did yoga at Peace Garden on campus. It was broadcasted on KMPH Fox 26 Great Day (Local morning live show).
We gathered at Peace Garden at 4:30 a.m., but there was a car chase in Madera this morning, and they reported it, so our actual yoga event began around 6 a.m.
They broadcasted our yoga sessions, and we had interviews from the reporter, Mr. Clayton.

Due to this event, we could show what we are doing to the community. Also, we could advertise our yard sale on this Sunday, May 1.

Thank you all who joint this event!!

Upcoming Events

JSA General Meeting

Date: Friday, April 29

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Location: Science II 109

We will talk about our events which will be held in the rest of this semester, and we will have nomination for next semester's officers. Also, we will watch a movie. So please come to know what will happen in last couple weeks, especially this weekend and to nominate future officers!!

River Park Fundraising

Date: Saturday, April 30

Time: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Location: River Park, near Yoshino (Japanese Restaurant)

We will collect donations, make origamis, and do calligraphy for people who donate. So if you are available and can help, please let us know.

Yard Sale

Date: Sunday, May 1

Time: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Location: Fresno State, Parking Loc C (Shaw Ave. & Maple Ave.)

As a last big event for fundraising, we will have a yard sale on campus. We will also have some event game booths, such as bouncy ball scooping game, water yo-yo fishing, balloon modeling. This event will be fun, so if you can help, please let us know, so just stop by and have fun!! Also, please inform this event to your friends and family.

If you have something you can donate for this event, please bring the items to our meeting on Friday.

Vintage days from April 15 to 17 2011

Good Job everyone who helped JSA booth!!
I appreciate your effort!
We sold shrimp ball, rice ball and green tea :)
Unfortunately, our booth located at kids area not at food booth.
People were hard to find our booth.

We made $911.50!!
It is not bad.
Only if we could located at food area! ugh:(
Anyway, some of sales is going to donate to japan earthquake relief efforts.

See you soon! :D

The movie night

HI this is Madoka again:) how are you doing?
We watched DEATH NOTE on Friday, April 8th.
The movie was pretty good! I like the movie. It is third time to watch it to me :)

These are upcoming events in JSA!!
Vintage days- On April 15th to 17th from 10am to 5pm. (our booth setting is going to start from 8am)
Yoga-Wednesday on April 27th at peace garden. (In front of library) TV is coming!
River Park donation event-April 30th. time:TBA

Nobuyuki Tsujii concert

Hi, this is Madoka!
Our school has piano concert by Nobuyuki Tsujii on April 6th from 8 pm.
We did a great activity in the concert event! :)
We got around $600 to Japan earthquake relief efforts!!
Also, our 100 T shirts were sold out!!
The total amount is $5600.51!!

Charity Yoga: Day 2

Hi everyone! this is Madoka.
I joined yoga today.
We had about 10 people and collected $55 from them. YAY!!
I almost fell down on the floor, but it was really good exercise to release daily stress.
I appreciate people who concerned Japan earthquake damages.
JSA keep up supporting Japan with many kinds of people who are different religion and races.
We can do it!!

Fresno State Softball Game Fundraising

This was the fourth event on this Friday.
We got an opportunity to collect donations at the softball stadium in a Fresno State softball game against Hawai'i State.
It was on ESPN and one of good games in this season, so many people visited to the game.
In addition, we could have our table by the entrance, so we could ask many people to donate.

Especially, I remember a lady I asked to donate.
She said she wanted to donate for earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan but had no idea where she should have donated to. Then she put $50 into my donation box.
I think I wrote this in a past post, but I really feel how people concern about Japan.
Also, I feel responsibility to succeed our events in this semester and to send the money to Japan.

As I wrote in the last post, on Monday, we will count the amount of donation we got on Friday.

Thank Hiromi-san, Akira, and Asumi for helping this event.


Tomoki

Maple Mall Fundraising: Day 2

The second day of our fundraising event at the Maple Mall has done yesterday.
I did not know the area is called "Maple Mall," but it is the area located at south to the Satellite Student Union.

Anyway, although it was a really hot day, many volunteers helped this event.
Thank you for helping JSA.
Unfortunately, I could only stay at the table for 2 hours, but I heard we could get a good amount of donations, especially around noon.

The amount of donations we collected will be counted on Monday because four events happened on this Friday.
Once we finish counting, I will post how much donations we got in each event.

Curry and game night

Hi! everyone! This is Madoka Yano.
We had a curry and game night!! It was great.
I had heard scream several times lol.
I think over 40 people came tonight.
Shoko, Yuki and I made curry.
We did good.
I hope no one get stomach ache!

Yoga Fundraising: Day 1

Hi, this is Yuki! We had first yoga fundraising today from 5:00 at IT 290.
Unfortunately, we could not get so much people.
But It was really relaxing, and everyone had fun time!

We have second yoga fundraising from 1:00 at Lab School 134.
Hope there are more people that will come on sunday! If you are interested in, please come and join us!

JSA Intersection Fundraising: Day 1

Before I am going to write about our fundraising activity, JSA has a good news!!!

Finally, we could make the first shot to sell our earthquake-tsunami relief t-shirts!!
Thank Rafael and Gabriel for making t-shirts.
We will continue to sell the t-shirts in our activities.
The price is $10 each, and all profits will be sent for the relief.


In this week, JSA moved our tables to the open area at west side of the Peter's Business Building for our fundraising activity.
Unfortunately, we could reserve the area only on Monday and Friday, and the first day was done.

It was sunny, but strong winds blew, so it was little bit cold.
However, many members helped, we could finished the first day with a success.

On this day, the amount of donations we got is....

$607.66!!


So the total is..


$3,428.11!!


Good job all and thank you for your help.
We still have this event on this Friday, so let's aim $4,000 by Friday!!

By the way in this week, we have some event coming up, so please check upcoming events below. We will also have a game night instead of our general meeting on Friday but will meet at our meeting room at 5 p.m. as usual, so please check our facebook page for more detail. Or if you have any question, please ask one of JSA officers.

Upcoming Events

• Intersection Fundraising
• Date and Time: March 28 (Mon) & April 1 (Fri), 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Fresno State, Near the Peter's building (the cross of walkways between the bookstore and the Peter's building and between the Satellite Student Union and the Joyal building)
• We will sell T-shirts for donations!!!!
• If you can help, please let Tomoki know or send an email to jsafresno@gmail.com ASAP.
• JSA Game Night (JSA Activity)
• Date and Time: April 1 (Fri), 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Location: Parkwood Apartment Recreation Room
• Entry fee: $5 ($2 for members)
• We are planing to serve curry and rice
• We will join inside of Science II 109 at 5:00 p.m. and moved to the place
• Charity Yoga
• Fee: $5 (100% of this fee will be donation for the relief)
• Please brig a yoga mat (or a large towel), a bottle of water, and a towel
• Day 1
• Date and Time: April 1 (Fri), 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Fresno State, IT 290
• Day 2
• Date and Time: April 3 (Sun), 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Location: Fresno State, Lab School 134
• Nobuyuki Tsujiki Concert
• Date and Time: April 6 (Wed)
• Location: The concert hall in the music building
• Tickets are available at the ticket counter inside of the Music building
• JSA will have a fundraising event with this concert

JSA 8th Meeting (3/25/2011)

Hello, all.
This is Tomoki again.

Today, we had JSA 8th meeting at our favorite room, Science II 109.
First of all, we learned how to make ribbons we give to people who donate.
The ribbon is made of a red and white ribbon and a red glass stone.
This is the color of Japanese flag and represents our activity, so we should not just make the ribbons but should make with pray for Japan.

After that, we practiced how to make steamed rice and takoyakis for the Vintage Days.

This is the recipe for takoyaki...

• Ingredients (4 serving)
• Flour 300g
• Iced water 1L
• Egg 3
• Salt 3g
• Hondashi (instant bouillon) 1tsp
• Soy source 2tsp
• Shrimp 1 for each takoyaki
• Direction
• Mix eggs, salt, hondashi, and soy source
• Pour iced water
• Pour flour several times and mix them each time
• Apply vegetable oil on the takoyaki grill
• Pour dough you made into the plate
• Put a shrimp into each takoyaki
• Flip takoyaki when they are hard enough
• serve each dishes

I was surprised that everyone who helped was good at making takoyakis!!

I hope everyone enjoyed making and eating takoyaki with shrimp!!

We have new upcoming events!! So please check below....

Upcoming Events

• Intersection Fundraising
• Date and Time: March 28 (Mon) & April 1 (Fri), 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Fresno State, Near the Peter's building (the cross of walkways between the bookstore and the Peter's building and between the Satellite Student Union and the Joyal building)
• We will sell T-shirts for donations!!!!
• If you can help, please let Tomoki know or send an email to jsafresno@gmail.com ASAP.
• JSA Game Night
• Date and Time: April 1 (Fri), 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Location: Parkwood Apartment Recreation Room
• We will join inside of Science II 109 at 5:00 p.m. and moved to the place
• Charity Yoga
• Day 1
• Date and Time: April 1 (Fri), 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Fresno State, IT 290
• Day 2
• Date and Time: April 3 (Sun), 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Location: Fresno State, Lab School 134
• Nobuyuki Tsujiki Concert
• Date and Time: April 6 (Wed)
• Location: The concert hall in the music building
• Tickets are available at the ticket counter inside of the Music building
• JSA will have a fundraising event with this concert