Reminder...Final Budokan Meeting TOMORROW at JACCC

The CRA and LTSC are hosting one last workshop calling for YOU, the residents and stakeholders in Little Tokyo, to come out and voice your opinion about the Budokan design. The meeting is on Saturday, February 6, 9AM to 12PM at the 2nd floor of the JACCC.

The previous meetings had a great turnout and participation, and we need you to be there to make this final meeting just as fun and productive. On the agenda: the CRA has taken the surveys and suggestions from the previous meetings and will be unveiling the design concept that will be submitted for the Prop 84 grant application.

If you're on the fence, just realize that this is a great opportunity to make yourself heard and contribute to this community project...

Brainstorming...



...Designing...



...Voicing your opinions!

And as in previous meetings, there will be translators and free food! It's not just any Saturday that you get to participate in a project like this, so put on a raincoat and head on over to the JACCC tomorrow at 9AM!

Metro Regional Connector Update...

Metro continues to work on the environmental document that will analyze the four build options, but meanwhile here is an update on the "Fully Underground Alternative." I've posted about this option previously, but in this build, the construction would take place almost entirely underground--and hopefully avoid interference with LT traffic and business.

You can find the Metro blog post (complete with diagram) here. There is a link at the bottom of that post for comments, so if you have thoughts or concerns, definitely forward them to Metro.

And for those unaware, Metro and the Little Tokyo Working Group and Transit Issues Subcomittee have brought in a consultant to help Little Tokyo through the environmental process and to help better represent the community needs to Metro.

Thoughts or concerns about the Regional Connector "fully underground" alternative?

Hinamatsuri: Celebrating Japanese Girl's Day

The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center invites you to Hinamatsuri, the Japanese Girl's Day doll festival on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 1 - 3 PM.

The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) opens up the spring season of the On the Veranda Cultural Programs with "Hinamatsuri: Celebrating Japanese Girl's Day." Traditionally held on March 3, Hinamatsuri (doll festival) is an observance of rituals practiced by Japanese families in honor of young girls.

Hinamatsuri roots are placed back to the ancient custom called hina-nagashi, or "doll floating" where people would float dolls down the river to carry away the bad spirits.

Today, families display their heirloom dolls depicting the royal Heian court on a special red lacquered tiered platform, starting with the Emperor and Empress on the top tier shelf and going down to the various ladies in waiting, musicians, samurai on the following tiers. Little girls celebrate Hinamatsuri by having a party of delicious Japanese treats and drink, and "offering" it to the dolls.

The public is invited to join us for an afternoon of games, arts and crafts activities and special treats. Families enjoy the day with a stroll through the newly re-dedicated James Irvine Japanese Garden, a tea ceremony, Japanese music, and viewing of an elaborate display of traditional Hina Dolls.

Want to attend?

LOCATION:

James Irvine Japanese Garden at JACCC
244 S. San Pedro St., Level B, Los Angeles, CA 90012

ADMISSION:
Hina Doll Exhibit & Tea Ceremony: Free admission;
Donations Welcome
Tea & Hinamatsuri Treats Tasting Event at the Garden:
$20 General Admission, $15 JACCC Members
BOX OFFICE: For tickets visit www.jaccc.org or call (213) 680-3700
INFO: Visit www.jaccc.org, call (213) 628-2725 ext. 133, or by email Kelley@jaccc.org.

LTCC Community Meeting Update

Here are a few upcoming events that were discussed at this month's LTCC meeting:

Budokan

LTSC and the CRA are seeking Prop-84 funding from the State of California for the Budokan, a community recreational center. Community members are urged to take part in meetings to discuss what features they would like to see at the Budokan. Please attend and voice your opinions, concerns, and questions!

Thursday, Jan. 28 6-8pm @ JACCC (Garden Room) * Food will be catered by Don Tahara

Saturday, Feb. 6, 9am to Noon @ JACCC (Conference Rm A & B) * There will be breakfast and lunch served

Little Tokyo Korea Japan Festival

The Japan Foundation and the Korean Cultural Center, along with the Japan Korea Society, DCA, and KOFIC, are working with the JACCC to present the LT Korea-Japan Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2010 at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre and JACCC Plaza.

For $20 ($15 for JACCC members, seniors, students, and groups of 10 or more), enjoy a Korean-Japanese bento, outdoor performances, the documentary New Beginnings, and a double feature: the award-winning Yeong-hwa-neun yeong-hwa da (Rough Cut) and Sanjuro, a remake of Kurosawa's Tsubaki Sanjuro. The festival begins at 11am with Rough Cut, followed by New Beginnings at 1pm and Sanjuro at 3pm. Come to this event and be part of the cultural exchange!

DISKovery Center Benefit Concert featuring the Ark Sano Trio

6:30PM Saturday, January 30th at Saint Francis Xavier Chapel (formerly Maryknoll), located in Little Tokyo at 222 South Hewitt Street Los Angeles, CA 90012. Tickets are $25.00 for general admission and $50.00 for VIP admission (which includes exclusive seating, an autographed CD, and more). Complementary desert and drinks will be provided with admission.

To purchase tickets in person please come by the DISKovery Center in Little Tokyo
353 E. 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

To purchase tickets over the phone with a credit card please call 213-473-3027

Tickets may also be purchased at the event.

For more information please call 213.621.4158

There are many events forthcoming in March, so stay connected and check your RSS feeds! And as a reminder, if you have events, announcements, or if you wish to become a frequent contributor, please contact mniiya@ltsc.org.

Little Tokyo Historical Society: Last Call for Images!

This is the last call for historic images for possible inclusion in the book, Los Angeles's Little Tokyo.

We are looking to scan original photographs that show how people have worked, lived, and played in Little Tokyo throughout its history.

If you would like your photos scanned, please contact Stephanie Van at (213) 473-1665 or svan@ltsc.org to make an appointment on Saturday, February 6^th, between 9am and 12pm, at the Little Tokyo Service Center, located at 231 E 3rd St, Suite G106, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

Park and Rec Center Design Workshops

The CRA and several agencies are hosting a series of workshops and discussion meetings to solicit input on a Little Tokyo recreation center (Budokan of Los Angeles) and park proposal for Proposition 84 funding. The discussions offer an opportunity for community residents and other stakeholders to participate in the planning and design of these important Little Tokyo developments.

1. January 20th, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
CRA/LA Community Advisory Committee
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
5th Floor Cultural Room
244 South San Pedro Street, LA CA 90012

2. January 21st, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Casa Heiwa Residents Meeting
LTSC Conference Room
231 East 3rd Street, LA CA 90013

3. January 26th noon
Little Tokyo Community Council meeting @ JANM
369 E. 1st Street, LA CA 90012

4. January 28th, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Community-wide Workshop
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
Garden Meeting Room
244 South San Pedro Street, LA CA 90012

5. February 6th, 9:00 to Noon
Community-wide Final Workshop
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
Conference Room A & B (2nd Floor)
244 South San Pedro Street, LA CA 90012Casa Heiwa

New Parking Meters Today, January 12, 2010

Today, the Department of Transportation unveiled new parking meters in Little Tokyo. These new meters feature LCD screens, accept both coins and credit cards, and will display the new parking hours. In most areas, parking times will be from 8am to 8pm (excluding Sunday). The maximum parking time will increase from 1 hour to 2 hours.

These changes affect the following streets:

• 1st Street from Los Angeles St to Central Ave
• 2nd Street from Los Angeles St to Alameda St
• San Pedro St from 1st St to 3rd St
• Central Ave from 1st St to 3rd St
• Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Street South of 1st St

Newly Released Consultant RFQ

Call for Consultant Applicants

The Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC) is an organization of key stakeholders committed to ensuring that Little Tokyo remains a center for Japanese American history and culture and a vital part of downtown Los Angeles. The LTCC is seeking a consultant to assist the Little Tokyo community as it formulates comments for inclusion in the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project Draft EIS/R being prepared by Metro. This consultant will be paid up to $30,000 by Metro and selected by the LTCC to assist the community with the development of proposed mitigation measures for each of the build alternatives under consideration for the regional connector. The consultant will be employed for up to six months with work to commence in February 2010 and most of the work completed during the first three months of the contract.

Individuals and organizations interested in being considered for this consultant position should submit a letter of interest and statement of qualifications by no later than Wednesday, January 20, 2010. These materials should be submitted via email or mail to:

Chris Aihara, Co-Chair
LTCC Transit Committee
c/o Japanese American Cultural and Community Center
244 So. San Pedro St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
aihara@jaccc.org

For further information, please email Chris Aihara at Aihara@jaccc.org.
For further information regarding the Regional Connector Transit Corridor please visit the Metro website at: www.metro.net/regionalconnector/

Little Tokyo Community Council (www.ltcc.janet.org)
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Wanted: Transit Consultant.

At the Little Tokyo Working Group meeting Thursday night, Metro distributed a draft proposal that more fully describes their commitment to pay for a consultant that would assist the Little Tokyo community with the Draft EIS/EIR for the Regional Connector project. Metro will pay up to $30K for a consultant to be selected by the Little Tokyo Community Council that will assist the community with the development of proposed mitigation measures for each build alternative under consideration for the Regional Connector. Interested parties should contact LTCC.

Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo 2010: A Japanese New Year Celebration

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California (JCCSC) and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation present the 2010 Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo.

Friday, Janaury 1, 2010, from 11AM to 4PM, visit Little Tokyo for a day-long celebration of the new year including Taiko drumming, Japanese folk performances, kite making, mochi giveaways, a swordsmanship show, and much more! The opening ceremony will be at Weller Court, with additional performances and demonstrations at Japanese Village Plaza.

Click on the flyer for details about parking and event locations.