All posts by : Ted Fong

By Tim Corcoran, Board Member

Prompted by a pandemic, and fueled by a determination to maintain community connection, ACC is taking its programming online.

Before COVID-19, the idea of offering some of ACC’s popular classes, workshops and concerts was considered merely a supplement to existing in-person events; something perhaps aspirational but not necessarily critical. Now, with our community sheltering-in-place and physically distancing, the virtual venue may be the only option our community has to gather for sharing, learning, and connecting. 

ACC’s commitment to Lifelong Learning and Wellness doesn’t take a break while the world is in the throes of this terrible crisis. In short order, ACC has brought a selection of its traditional in-person programming to you online, by way of social media and virtual meeting platforms Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom. Dance and yoga classes offered by Joaquin Ngarangad and Jeanie Kim-Slesicki were the first to test the team’s skills at producing live learning content, followed soon by classes for caregivers with Kris Ritualo, Soojin Yoo and Kim Fujiwara, meditation sessions with Dennis Shimosaka, a Medicare tutorial provided by Carolynn Washington, and cooking demonstrations with ACC’s own CEO, Darrick Lam. Ted Fong, who has been very “instrumental” (pun intended) behind the scenes, stepped in front of the camera himself to host a music class, joined by the fabulous singer Maeley Tom, guitarist Matt Grasso, harpist Carol Ng, and jazz musician Carla Fontanilla.

As Henry Ford said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” We thank our class and workshop instructors for helping us continue to fulfill our commitment to providing an environment of lifelong learning and wellness, through these challenging times.

Of course, classes and workshops are not the only kinds of events ACC is known for. George Connor and Mary Nakamura gave us our first live web broadcast feature-length concert, and it was spectacular! Musical delights continued with those brought to us by Pair of Docs Dennis and Janet Fisher, and a truly joyful trio, Koichi and Ellie Mizushima and Alexi Ishida. Gary Yee’s Metta Mele rang in the month of December and we look forward to bringing much more as we head into the new year.

Whether enjoying a virtual concert, or attending a participatory class or workshop, ACC’s live programming serves a very important purpose beyond education and entertainment; we strive to fight isolation by bringing our community together, while safe at home.

To learn more about ACC’s online offerings, please visit our website at www.accsv.org/online, call us at (916) 393-9026, or email infossc@accsv.org. Your feedback regarding past content, and your ideas for future content are also greatly appreciated. If you are interested in becoming a part of ACC’s online programming, whether as a volunteer providing production support or as our next talented performer or instructor, please contact Susan Sarinas at ssarinas@accsv.org.

Starting next quarter, we are pleased to introduce a new Tai Chi instructor, Robert Nakashima, who will be teaching Tai Chi for Those with Limited Mobility. He has taught Tai Chi and internal martial arts in the Sacramento area for 25 years. Robert is a former gold medalist and Grand Champion in national and international competition, specializing in traditional form and weapons. He holds a third degree black belt in Uechi Ryu Karate and is the co-founder and chief instructor of WarriorHeart, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Tai Chi, Yoga and Qigong instruction to those with chronic illness. Also new to the schedule, is Your Life History — A Guide for Writing, taught by Lora Connolly, Board Member. This is a popular workshop that has been taught at Hart Senior Center.

To view ACC’s complete online class schedule visit accsv.org/online.

Highlights of ACC Classes, Workshops and Concerts

On November 17, 2020, ACC Senior Services began loaning laptop computers to 50 participants in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), ACC’s job training program for older adults. The refurbished laptops were purchased with a $16,400 grant from SMUD as part of its Shine Award Grant Program. 

The participants of ACC’s SCSEP program are low-income seniors who face multiple barriers to employment. Most come from underserved communities with few resources across Sacramento County. Many have raised children and grandchildren and now seek work to make ends meet. Some are veterans who are at risk of being homeless. Others were incarcerated and now want to be productive members of society. While most have worked their entire lives, they do not have the technology skills to compete in the tight COVID-era labor market.

“SCSEP is giving these seniors a human connection and the technical training to get employed during this challenging time,” says Jeri Shikuma, SCSEP Program Manager. “With SMUD’s support, ACC’s SCSEP program will help these older adults develop digital literacy skills, making them more employable.”

 The loaner laptops are refurbished models and come fully loaded with Microsoft Windows and Office applications.

“Getting one of these laptops will be a great help for me to navigate online with my distance training,” says LaTonya Anderson. “I’ve currently been using my phone to do distance learning and it’s challenging being that I am legally blind. Not only will the laptop help me with my distance learning, it will also help me greatly with job searches.”

The Pew Research Center found in 2017 that 73 percent of low-income seniors in the U.S. don’t have home broadband. Many go to senior centers and libraries to get Internet access. The pandemic has shut down that access. 

“We’re proud to partner with local nonprofits on projects that will immediately address COVID-19 impacts in underserved communities,” said SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau.  “I’m looking forward to round two so we can help even more people during this unprecedented time.  By supporting our community with job training, academic support and community services, we will make a lasting impact in our neighborhoods.” 

The Shine Award Grant Program is part of SMUD’s Sustainable Communities Initiative that uses innovative programs and local partnerships to help bring environmental equity and economic vitality to neighborhoods in the Sacramento area. ACC is grateful for SMUD’s partnership in helping seniors in our community find employment. For more information, visit https://www.smud.org/en/Corporate/Landing/Sustainable-Communities/Shine-awards.

By Linda Revilla 

For the regional fundraiser event Big Day of Giving, ACC usually has a party/open house featuring ACC bands, food, arts demonstrations and exhibits, and last year, a craft and vendor fair. 

Because of the pandemic, we made the choice to do it all online. Our informal motto was “go big!” We broadcast an epic five-hour live telethon on Facebook that brought $150,000 in donations. This is more than double the amount raised last year. 

Three masked MCs, Mike Marando, Linda Revilla, and Scott Okamoto, interviewed local dignitaries such as Council Member Rick Jennings, My Sister’s House ED Nilda Valmores, APAPA’s Yen Marshall and CC Yin, and more. In-house live guitar music by ACC Memory Care  Nurse Manager Michael Deneau added to the excitement on the set and provided quite the ear worm with his rendition of “Times Like These.” 

Musical guest acts were Skyped in live. Shirley Stassi transfixed the audience with a beautiful hula. Ukulele was well-represented by Judge William Shubb; Dennis & Janet Fisher; and Dani Joy. ACC guitar duos Asian Pair (George Connor & Mary Nakamura) and Gary Yee and Jane Nakagawa also performed. Koichi Mizushima with daughter Ellie, and singer Alexi Ishida were other highlights, bringing youthful energy to the show. ACC volunteer instructor Joaquin Ngarangad led a trio in dancing/exercising to a disco number- all the while wearing masks.  ACC Culinary Services Manager James Hutchins flambéed a steak as part of his demo that had one viewer comment, “it was torture to watch because we couldn’t taste that steak!” 

There was a mix of entertainment and information on ACC programs and services. The telethon was to raise funds to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on ACC’s operations. Our efforts to keep everyone safe and adhere to the shelter-in-place orders means pausing programs such as the Lifelong Learning & Wellness classes, limiting transportation by ACC Rides to critical rides, halting move-ins at Greenhaven Terrace and Maple Tree Village, and taking extra sanitizing precautions and increased use of personal protective equipment at all sites, especially the Care Center. All of this has impacted ACC economically.  Facebook showed 2,100 cumulative “views” of the telethon on the day it was broadcast, May 7, 2020. Since then, the recording on Facebook has gone viral, with 5,000 more views! No doubt, the appearance by Broadway stars Welly Yang and Dina Morishita, who shared two beautiful songs, and special guests Lisa and Laura Ling with their father Doug Ling are reasons why the broadcast has had repeated views. Ted Fong, ACC consultant, was the “man behind the curtain,” aided by volunteers Garret Ashizawa and Nina Fong, and staff Perfecto Bravo and Michael Yang. The success of the telethon has ACC planning future live online events. ACC TV anyone?

By Wayne Kurahara

Whenever ACC has an event or activity, we rely on families and friends to help.  This includes local restaurants and businesses.  They are some of our most generous benefactors.  They donate their time, manpower, equipment, goods, and services.  Without them, our fundraising as well as many of our events and activities would not be nearly as successful.  We are extremely fortunate to have them.  In this regard, they are part of the ACC Family, too.

These local restaurants and businesses are like individual families that first need to take care of their own family members.  Even though they may seem highly successful, the profit margins are much smaller than what you would think.  Some operate with less than a ten percent profit margin.  So that means that if they must close for a couple of months (or lose 10-15% of their business) during the COVID-19 pandemic, it puts the restaurant or business in jeopardy.  

Although, we do not know of the financial situation of individual restaurants and businesses, we should support those in our community as they do for us.  Here is a partial list of restaurants and businesses that are part of the ACC Family.  Even though some are not conducting their “Business as Usual” schedule or operation, many are open for limited hours and/or limited/reduced services.   Nonetheless, ACC urges you to continue to support them just as you do for your own family.

Even if you can’t order their food or flowers right away, “like” and “share” their social media posts or post positive reviews and photos.

• A Sushi Experience at Oto’s Market Place
• A Taste Above Restaurant
• Balshor Florist
• Binchoyaki Izakaya
• Bouquet Florist & Gifts
• Cacio Restaurant
• Caffe Latte Restaurant
• Device Brewing Company
• Fishology Poke Bar
• Frank’s Quality Meats
• Heringer Family Estates
• Kiyo’s Floral Design
• Leatherby’s Family Creamery of Elk Grove
• L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Lake Crest Village
• Le Croissant Factory
• Lemon Grass Restaurant
• Marie Callender’s Restaurant
• Mikuni’s Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
• New China Restaurant
• Nugget Markets
• Oak Park Market
• Origami Asian Grill
• Osaka Ya
• Oto’s Market Place
• Pho Bac Restaurant
• Royal Florist
• Shari’s Restaurant
• The Izakaya 
• Vic’s Ice Cream
• Wilson Family Winery
• Zen Toro Restaurant
• Zocalo Restaurant

By Ted Fong

Maeley Tom’s new book “I’m Not Who You Think I Am” is aptly titled. Residents at ACC Care Center know Maeley as a skilled vocalist whose performances have brought them immense joy over the years. Yet behind her smooth, jazzy voice is her other voice that, for  decades, transformed California politics. Those who know her as a politico will find her personal story and innermost thoughts fascinating.

Maeley Tom is a trailblazer who spent her career bringing Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) into the political process. Getting them elected. Getting them appointed. And she did so while serving at the highest levels of State government, working on presidential campaigns, and more. 

Maeley was the Chief Administrative Officer of the California State Assembly and Chief of Staff to the President of the State Senate, David Roberti. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed her to serve on the Women’s Business Ownership Commission. She was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee during Bill Clinton’s presidency at the invitation of DNC Chairman Ron Brown. In every decade since the 70s, Maeley shattered a new glass ceiling, bringing others with her. 

Her new book reveals how she brought together people with power, money, and influence. Often, she was doing the influencing.

Maeley explains how her upbringing, like her political career, was anything but traditional. Her parents were famous Chinese opera stars who were not able to raise her. They sent her to live with a French Basque woman in the Richmond District. At age 16, Maeley was self sufficient and financially independent.

After graduating from San Francisco State University with a degree in Social Welfare, Maeley recalls, “I looked forward to a profession where I would be able to help people in need, as I had been helped during my times of need.” If she only knew what lay ahead.

A master storyteller, Maeley describes her political journey from the very beginning, spanning from Sacramento to Washington, D.C. As a woman and ethnic minority, she plowed through many challenges that faced her. Fortunately, she was good at reading people, understanding their doubts and prejudices, and connecting with them in a positive way. Maeley learned very quickly how politics worked as her star rose.

As a high governmental appointee, Maeley was in a unique position to build an APIA political movement. Elected officials and grassroots organizations alike followed her drumbeat. In her book, page after page, name after name, Maeley recounts the details. She also expresses her gratitude to just about every collaborator she could remember. 

One person she brings up repeatedly is Georgette Imura, who she says, “shared my passion and vision of change.” Maeley and Georgette stepped up to be the “face that took the risks” to promote the APIA political agenda. In a first, they formed the Asian Pacific Legislative Staff Caucus at the state Capitol. Current ACC Board member Joyce Iseri was in this group.

Throughout her book, Maeley describes situations where people misjudged her or were downright prejudiced. Her story about interviewing for a top job with State Assembly Rules Committee Chairman Lou Papan is a good example. It fit a certain pattern. Once people found out who she really was (hence the title of the book), whom she was connected with, and what her capabilities were, they changed their views about her. Many became allies. 

Maeley details the Clinton fundraising scandal and how much she suffered at the hands of congressional investigators and the press looking for high-value targets with Asian ties. It was the low point in her career. But key people stood up for her. Close friends mended her spirits and got her past this crisis.

Maeley says her husband Ron Tom was “the source of stability in the family,” especially during this difficult time and others, like her mother’s passing and her bout with cancer. Ron and Maeley have been married for 50 years and have a daughter, Stephanie.

Maeley participated in this year’s Big Day of Giving at ACC. When asked what her most satisfying achievement was, she said it was mentoring others, so they have the same opportunities that she had. It is no accident that the word “mentor” appears 22 times in her book. As the only child of absentee parents, Maeley writes, “I totally relied on mentors and role models to help me navigate my own life.”

While Maeley is still involved in various public causes, she continues to use the musical gifts she inherited from her parents to enrich the lives of seniors at ACC. One time, after receiving a lengthy introduction at an ACC performance, she told the audience, “These titles mean very little to me, because I am here to sing for you. It’s just me, you, and the music.” In that moment, nothing else mattered to her.