JCCSC 60th Year Anniversary
-Honoring Nikkei Businesses-

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce Southern California (JCCSC) held its 60th year anniversary on October 17, 2009, at the Kyoto Grand in Little Tokyo. JCCSC provides opportunities and services for business development while promoting the welfare of the local Japanese American community. JCCCS honored the Japanese and Japanese American Commercial establishments with histories of 60 years or more in business and will present them with “JCCSC Commercial Awards.” President Toshio Handa says that the 60th year anniversary is a very important anniversary in Japan, and hopes to continue thriving for the next 60 years to come.

Thrill the World South Bay
-Zombies with an Environmental Cause-

Thousands around the globe simultaneously danced to Michael Jackson’s hit song “Thriller” on October 24, 2009. This is part of “Thrill the World,” a worldwide attempt ot break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Simultaneous Dance with Michael Jackson’ “Thriller.” A group calling themselves “Plastic Trash Zombies,” joined the event for the first time this year. Their clothes are trashy—literally! This South Bay group, led by Akiko Jones, made their costumes out of recyclable plastic trash. Jones took her group to beach clean ups such as Coastal Cleanup Day in September, so that the children can look for costume pieces as well as learn the negative effects of coastal trash. Although they couldn’t find trash for their costumes, the children realized the importance of keeping beaches clean. On the day of the event, Jones invited Heal the Bay and other South Bay environmental groups to appeal to the general public about the hazards of coastal trash. As the music started, 130 zombies began to dance to “Thriller,” as they became part of a new world record of 22,923 people in 32 countires.