Tonari Gumi Newsletter September 2025
- administration6102
- Aug 29
- 8 min read
Table of Contents
Powell Street Festival 2025 Thank You to Our Volunteers!
On August 2 and 3, Tonari Gumi once again joined the Powell Street Festival at Oppenheimer Park. Our Food Booth offered inari sushi, hiyashi chūka (cold noodles), and mochi manju, which were all very popular among visitors. We also tried new food items this year, such as onigirazu (rice sandwiches), Japanese-style savory chicken buns, and donuts that looked just like takoyaki. Although these new items were time-consuming to prepare, our kitchen team managed them wonderfully — and they were a big success!
At the Kimono Booth, many guests enjoyed browsing through a wide variety of used kimonos, rummage items, and beautiful crafts made by our talented Craft Team, including YCC and Friday Craft.
This year was not as hot compared to last summer, but we are still deeply grateful to all of our dedicated volunteers who worked hard to prepare food, run the booths, and welcome festival visitors. We would also like to thank everyone who donated items and supported TG at this year’s festival. Your generosity and teamwork made it possible for Tonari Gumi to be part of this lively community event once again.
A Message from the Craft Club
It is with great pleasure that we would like to inform you of the very, very successful sales of our crafts, rummage, and kimonos at the Powell Street Festival. The goal of the craft club is to try to keep our expenses down and recycle as much as we can. We are so very, very grateful to everyone that has donated beautiful fabrics, washi, chio-gami, jewellery, threads, and everything else that helps with our craft projects. We thank you whole-heartedly!!
We did especially well with our jewellery table this year too so please keep that in mind for us also. We have a wonderful clientele coming to our booths every year as we see the same happy faces!! With gratitude!
Family Fun Event: “Making Sushi Together”
On Tuesday, August 19, Tonari Gumi hosted the Family Fun Event “Making Sushi Together.” Eight mothers and 14 children joined the program, supported by 5 volunteers and 2 staff members, enjoying a lively and heartwarming afternoon together.
Children, alongside their parents, had the chance to use kitchen knives safely while preparing hand-rolled sushi, inari sushi, and miso soup. For many, it was their very first cooking experience, and the smiles throughout the room showed how much fun everyone was having.
Participants shared comments such as, “It was wonderful to enjoy this together as a family” and “My child was so happy to eat the sushi they made themselves.” At the end, families received small gifts such as onigiri molds and rice paddles, generously donated for the event.
As the very first session, this event was a great success. Participants have already requested a second gathering, and our staff and volunteers are excited to bring more family-friendly events to the community in the future.
Tonari Gumi’s Charity Golf Classic Thank you for your support and Assistance
Thanks to the wonderful support and assistance provided by our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and participants, this year’s Charity Golf Classic on August 10, 2025, was a tremendous success. We wish to especially express our appreciation to our principal donor, Mr. and Mrs. Shinozaki. Thanks to their generosity, together with all of the assistance provided by our other sponsors, donors, volunteers, and participants, this year’s total net proceeds reached nearly $130,000. This is an all-time high for this event.
These funds will enable Tonari Gumi to expand and strengthen its services and activities to assist seniors and those in need throughout the Greater Vancouver Area.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Golf Tournament Winning Teams:
1st Place: Team Ronin Property Management
2nd Place: Team Soil’D Dreams
3rd Place: Team The Jets
Community Services Resource Information
October 1st National Seniors Day
Did you know that October 1st is Canada’s National Seniors Day? This day recognizes and celebrates the valuable contributions of seniors to our society, honoring the role they play in shaping our country and enriching communities.
You can learn more from Government of Canada website website provides many helpful resources for Seniors
Upcoming Events for Seniors
• September 9-13, 2025
55+ BC Games, Nanaimo 2025: registration for this event is closed however inspirational to stay active and stay young! Link
• October 1, 2025
Aging Well Expo – Vernon Centre Link
• October 3-5, 2025
Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations BC - COSCO’s 75th Anniversary: Human Rights and Ageing: Strategies for an Equitable Future Link
Summer Cooling Station at Tonari Gumi
As the summer heat continues into September, Tonari Gumi welcomes you to cool off and relax at our 2nd floor Roger Watanaka Library, and 3rd floor Community Services Hub & Lounge. For information on other cooling centers within the City of Vancouver, please click here.
Tonari Gumi Life Seminars – September
We are pleased to share the upcoming Tonari Gumi Life Seminars starting this September.
📌 September 9 (In-person Seminar) in Japanese with English support “Be Prepared in an Emergency: Creating Your Greensleeves Medical Information List”
This session will help you prepare the Greensleeves emergency medical list – a vital document to record your health conditions, medications, and treatment instructions. In the event of an emergency, this list enables first responders to access accurate information quickly, saving valuable time and ensuring proper care.In both Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions, paramedics are trained to check for the “Greensleeves” – a green folder or magnetized container kept on the fridge with your medical information. This system not only supports individuals who may be unconscious or unable to communicate in English, but also provides peace of mind for families. Each family member, including children, can prepare their own list for added safety.The seminar will be led by Mr. Wataru Hyodo, a BC Paramedic who helped develop the Emergency List to accompany Greensleeves, and participants will create their own lists to take home. 👉 For seminar details and registration, please click here.
📌 September 23 (Online Seminar) in Japanese only “S.U.C.C.E.S.S.: Services and Support for Newcomers to Canada”
Ms. Naho Ogata from S.U.C.C.E.S.S., the organization provides Japanese-language support for new immigrants, will introduce the organization’s services, and explain how to access them. This will be valuable information for anyone who has recently immigrated to Canada. A Q&A session will follow. 👉 For seminar details and registration, please click here.
📌 Health Talk Seminar Series (3 sessions starting September 9) in Japanese only Presented by Dr. Yoshiki Sato and RN Naomi Hirata, Certified Diabetes Nurse Specialist, from Sato Clinic (Osaka, Japan).
“Your Feet Are Your Best Partners: Foot Care to keep your Happy Feet”
“What is Diabetes? Know the Basics and Early Detection!”
“Towards a Vibrant Life: Preventing Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Lipid Disorders”
Learn directly from practicing medical professionals in Japan about prevention, care, and healthy living. 👉 For seminar details and registration, please click here.
For other seminar information are available from here.
Program Schedule for September to December 2025
Thank you very much for your continued warm support. We are pleased to announce the program schedule for September to December 2025.
***** Please note there might be schedule changes or cancellations in November and December due to renovation. We will notify you once the schedule is confirmed.*****
Registration Methods:
· Online: Please use this link to register.
· By Phone: Register by calling Tonari Gumi.
For more program details and the latest schedule, please contact Tonari Gumi staff, Betty or Rie via email or phone; EMAIL: office@tonarigumi.ca / PHONE: 604-687-2172 (Ext. 101)
Scheduled Programs: Please refer to the following information and
【MONDAY】
• Phone Local News
• Phone Meditation
• Sing along with Piano
• Tonari Gumi Genki Program at Steveston CC
【TUESDAY】
• Ping Pong Club
• English Conversation & Lesson (alternating weeks)
• In person & Zoom Midori-no-Kai (Sharing gardening information):
• Genki-gumi "Minna no Tsudoi" in Surrey
• Tonari Gumi Genki Program in Coquitlam – October to December
【WEDNESDAY】
• Zoom Japanese
• Mahjong Club
• Genki-Gumi: Max 10 participants<Priority given to first time attendees.>
• Yoga<Max 10 participants>
(Priority given to those not registered for other exercise classes.)
【THURSDAY】
• iPad Private Session
<2 shifts> A Session: 10:30am-11:15pm, B Session: 11:30am-12:15pm <Priority for first-time attendees.> (Starts September 18) Registration is for one session per week
• iPad Group Class<Intermediate>: Max 6 participants. <Priority for first-time attendees> (Starts September 18)
• Hula Dance
• Zumba Gold <2 shifts> Class A: 11:45am-12:30pm
Class B: 12:45pm-1:30pm Max 8 participants for each class
• Genki Lounge at Nikkei Home (Please register through Nikkei)
【FRIDAY】
• Tonari Gumi Genki Program in Coquitlam
【Others】
• Life Seminar: Scheduled for September 9, 23, October 28 & November 25
(Details of the seminar and registration will be informed separately later.)
• Social Club: Fun events! Third or fourth Saturday of every month
11am-2pm
• TG Family Drop-In: Come play and meet other families with young children; Mondays 10am-12pm, starting September 15
• Tonari Gumi Cafe: Enjoy tea or lunch together every Friday 10am-1pm
Japanese Movie Day: Monthly on a Tuesday
🚌 TG Social Club Bus Tour 🚌 Mission Farm Experience
Our next outing will be to the beautiful Mission Farm! Enjoy nature, share a delicious lunch, and spend a relaxing day with friends.
🗓 Tour Details
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Destination: Mission, BC
Departure Points:
🚍 Tonari Gumi (101-42 West 8th Ave., Vancouver) – 9:00 AM
🚉 Burnaby (SkyTrain station, TBA) – 9:30 AM
Return: Around 4:00 PM (to Tonari Gumi)
Transportation: Mini-bus + TG Van
Fee: $25 (TG members only; includes bus fare, lunch, and driver’s tip)
Note:☔ Rain or shine – please dress appropriately. Since we’ll be on a farm, be prepared to get a little dirty.
📝 How to Register
1. 👉 Online Registration: Click here to register
2. 📧 Email: programs@tonarigumi.ca, or call the TG office at 604-687-2172 ext. 106. If I am unable to answer, please leave a message.
⚠️ Seats are limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
✨ We look forward to enjoying a fun and memorable day with you!
🍁 Call for Donations 🍁 November Bazaar
We are now accepting the following items for our November Bazaar:
- Kimono & yukata
- Kimono accessories (obi, obijime, obiage, etc.)
- Geta & zori
- Japanese-style dishware (decorative/artisan pieces only)
※ Kimono and yukata may be repurposed by our Craft Team depending on condition.
⚠️ Please note: We can only accept the above items.
📍 Drop-off: Mon–Fri, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Before bringing items, please contact us:
📞 604-687-2172 | ✉️ programs@tonarigumi.ca
Thank you for your support!
Happy 105th Birthday!
On Wednesday August 27, long-time Tonari Gumi member Mrs. Yoshiko Mukuyama celebrated her 105th birthday with her family and some volunteers from Tonari Gumi. The cake was made by Emmy Mukurube.
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