Ridgewood June 17, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 9 Japanese Association hosts luncheon for school staff The Japanese Association of Ridgewood recently hosted a luncheon for the Ridgewood Board of Education staff and is now planning to help support the Heritage Festival, a cooperative autumn event between Ridgewood and Glen Rock’s multicultural communities. Organized almost 20 years ago, the Japanese Association of Ridgewood aims to reach out to the greater community through support for education and public safety. This year, the group donated $1,900 to the various public schools and $200 each to the Ridgewood Police Department and the Ridgewood Fire Department. “We want to help support the community that supports our children through a nese-based electronics firm. The association has about 100 member families and besides donation to education and public service, members as individuals provide expertise, costumes and funds for the annual Asian Festival at Ridgewood High School, and for international culture programs at the Hawes and Somerville Schools. J. KOSTER fine educational system,” said Mami Schinasi, the group’s event coordinator. Last year, Tomofumi Yamaguchi, a student from the Japanese community, was the math champion of Ridgewood High School. Richard Sayanagi, whose mother and sister were present at the luncheon, was also a highly ranked state-level mathematician, a skilled cellist with the Ridgewood High School string program, and a school athlete. The president of the association, Ken Araki, is chairman of Onkyo-USA, a Japa- ONLY $54.95! 6-3-09 Airbrook3x3(6-3-09) Allison - Rev: Janine 6-10-09 Ester/Janine Martys3x9(6-10-09)