Stop Global Warming

These children are dancing with such energy for the “Stop Global Warming” event, which was held at the Polaris Institute Japanese Language School to get people thinking about environmental issues. Students spent 3 months training to sing and dance for the day’s events.

Also on display were exhibits on environmental issues. An earth poster made out of old paper cut outs and a setup explaining the benefits of solar power were just a couple of the projects on display to appeal those who visited.

This event was organized by the non-profit organization “Forever Green”, which also donated 11 copies of their book entitled “Let’s learn about global warming”.

At the end of the event, biodegradable balloons carrying plant seeds were flown with the hopes that the balloons would land in soil allowing the seeds to be released and grow.

The Japan-US Cultural Center Fundraiser

On June 18, many gathered for the Japan-US Cultural Center Fundraiser held at the JACCC in Little Tokyo. The JACCC, which supports Japanese and Japanese-American culture, is celebrating its 31st year this year.

One of its facilities, the George & Sakaye Aratani Japanese America Theatre has been closed since last February for renovations. To date, the JACCC has solicited about $3 million for the cost of the renovations.

The Aratani Japanese America Theatre is scheduled to re-open in 2012.

Nuclear Bomb Survivor Screening

For two days on June 18th and 19th, a health screening was held for nuclear bomb survivors. This screening is done once every two years for the roughly 1,000 survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks now living in North America. This year, 11 doctors were dispatched from Hiroshima Prefecture and conducted a comprehensive check including blood tests and electrocardiogram. Particularly important in such medical exams is the counseling of patients who still have some built up anxiety. This year, a number of patients were fearful of the health of the survivors near the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident location. After the Eastern Japan Earthquake the Hiroshima Prefectural Medical Association headed over to treat those in the disaster area. This time, the Association of American Atomic Bomb Survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki donated $4,260 to the medical association.

East Earthquake Charity Concert

On June 19th, about 280 volunteer musicians held a Japan earthquake relief charity concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The organizer of the concert was its conductor Ramel Guido. Touring with the orchestra, Guido has been to Japan many times and has many friends there. The concert hall fell silent as raw footage taken the day of the earthquake was screened, followed immediately by a memorial playing of “Adagio for Strings” for the victims. The end of the concert brought forth a standing ovation. The funds raised at the concert and will be sent to Japan through the US-Japan Earthquake Relief Fund Council.