Jalama Book Coming Soon

Hi Everybody:

I'm back. After barricading myself in front of my keyboard for months, I have emerged with a new book. It's called Seasons of Jalama. It brings outrageous tales of Jalama Beach, an isolated patch of sand pinched between Vandenberg Air Force Base and the massive Jalama/Cojo Ranch. Outrageous tales, ninety-five pages of color photographs, and the story of the GREAT JALAMA-BURGER!

I hope in the next few days to have a plan whereby you can purchase this full-color, fantastic, never-before- chronicled account of Jalama right here via Pay Pal. Today is Income Tax Day. Let's see how long this takes me.

Please check back. Thanks, John

Holiday Greetings

Hi Everybody:

Thank you for all the wonderful comments over the holidays. They truly touched me. Katie Inouye Kayser wrote "Thank you for making 2011 happy for the Lompoc Japanese community. You gave us back our dignity."

You give me too much credit, Katie. Your dignity abounds.

Other especially touching cards came from May Musenga, Jean and George Murakami, Frank and Judy Nakatani, Tsuya and Ted Miyagishima, and Terry Kuzuhara. Thank you all, it was a remarkable year.

John McReynolds 

Nikkei West Covers Vanished

Here's a media account of our wonderful book-signing in San Jose.

In Nikkei West writer John Sammon does a masterful job of covering all the details of the gathering and includes a delightful picture of the Suzuki sisters, from left to right Tsuyako, Yayoi and Midori.

Thanks, John, thanks Nikkei West, thanks Aki Iwata for calling my attention to the story, and thanks everybody for a memorable 2011.

Here's the link.
http://www.nikkeiwest.com/index.php/the-news/archived-article-list/198-author-recounts-vanished-nisei-of-

Lompoc Grant Opportunity

Thirteen months after publication, Vanished is still a topic of conversation in Lompoc.

The Lompoc public library was just awarded a grant from the California Council for the Humanities to present a "Community Read" event centered on Farewell to Manzanar during 2012. Library Director Molly Gerald wrote yesterday "I would like to talk with you about the possibility of programming that would also include Vanished. Today I spoke with the Manzanar author, Jeanne Houston."

Vanished on the same stage with Farewell to Manzanar?  Wow.

We will definitely keep readers here in the loop. Thanks Molly, thanks everybody for your support.

And Another Outlet

We are happy to announce that Eastwind Books of Berkeley will soon be carrying Vanished.

Eastwind is located at 2066 University in Berkeley. Check out their website at www.asiabookcenter.com

According to Bea Dong of Eastwind-- "We had a book event for Making Home From War and one of the contributing authors Michi Tashiro recommended we carry Vanished. Thank you for writing this book. We are very pleased to have this opportunity to retail your book."

Thank you Bea, and thank you Michi.

Vanished now has sixteen outlets including four in Northern Calfornia, in Berkeley, Sacramento, San Mateo and San Jose.

Yet Another Signing

You thought maybe after one entire year, the Vanished caravan might end? Well, slowing down it is, but not ending.

For those of you on the Central Coast, you are invited to The Bookstore in Lompoc on Thursday, November 17 from 6:00 to 9 p.m. where John McReynolds and two other local authors will be signing and talking.

Come on by to 1137 North H Street, Suite Q, in Lompoc. We look forward to seeing you.

Another Great Story from San Jose

                                   Jane Iwata, Midori Suzuki Satow, Aki Iwata, Michi Nakai, and
                                             Nancy Satow Ito get together in San Jose. 

Just as at all the Vanished book presentations, the book became secondary to the reunions at the San Jose Museum last month. In this case people who met long after 1942 came back together.

Witness this note from Aki Iwata--

Everyone had a good time at your presentation in the JAMsj.

It's hard to get people to say anything in public like during your discussion, but they sure gave me an earful afterwards.

Thank you again for the contribution your book has made to the history of our country.

Here is a photo of 91-year-old Midori Satow, the prominent focal point on the cover of your book.

Her daughter Nancy is on the far right of this photo

On my left is Michi Nakai.  Turns out that Nancy was Michi's bridesmaid.  They haven't seen each other in years.

Michi (& Roy) we've known for many years. They live in Nipomo. Their daughter Kim is married to Allen Hayashi who farms in Arroyo Grande.  Believe the Hayashis date back to Tsunejiro Hayashi that is mentioned in your book on page 97.