A DAY IN INFAMY! On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the U. S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii territory, killing more than 2,300 Americans, and the start of World War II. December 7 also the date of this writer’s birthday! My parents were gathered around me in good cheer when the shocking news came across the radio.
During the late 1890’s, Japanese immigrants moved in San Francisco Western Addition district, and established shops along Fillmore, and on Post Street. African-American families moved in as well. World War II changed the face of the Fillmore with the sudden removal of the Japanese and Japanese American population to relocation camps. This resulted in Blacks taking over their businesses, thus a thriving Black district of Black-run nightclubs, shops, and restaurants lined the streets of Fillmore and Post.
Then came gentrification of the area in the mid-60s, called Black Removal! By the late 60s, all was gone with the exception of the legendary Jack’s Tavern, moved from Sutter street to several locations on Fillmore, finally on the corner of Fillmore and Geary – the last club of the era closed in May 1988 due to taxes!
Ironically, the Japanese reclaimed their area – Japantown; in 2007 the emergence of Yoshi’s Japanese Restaurant and Nightclub on Fillmore Street, and the coming together of two cultures – Kaz Kajimura, founder /owner, and Yoshie Akiba, Founder/owner, and Michael Johnson, an African American developer who built the Fillmore Heritage Center where Yoshi’s is located, and a partner!
The corner of Fillmore and Eddy, once the dismal site of weeds, then a garden toiled by neighbors, Kaz acknowledged the land became a field of dreams built on a weeded lot!
Attended Yoshi’s Grand Opening Night, VIP Invitation-only red carpet affair, touched by the Japanese ceremonial ritual in cleansing, purification and blessing the club, to see Johnson participate in the ceremony! A coming together of two cultures! Kaz taught the guests in Japanese – “Shuppatsu Shinko” – meaning to “move forward together!” And asked that we repeat the words!
Among the who’s who seen were: Mayor Gavin Newsom, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi whose district is in the center of history, and on his watch!; Community activist Rev. Arnold Townsend gave the spirited Invocation; State Assemblyman Mark Leno; Delighted to share a table with Steve and Kathryn Matsuura; Hiro Sone and wife Lissa Doumani, owners AME Restaurant located within the Regency Hotel (SOMA); Constance Lemen-Kosia, Senior Vip/manager California Bank and Trust (one of the sponsors of the evening);…
Members of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency – Fred Blackwell, Executive Director and Board members – Francee Covington, President…London Breed, Godfather LeRoy King handsome in Tux; Mr. SFJazz – Randall Kline and lovely wife; Brenda Wright, of Wells Fargo, with constant companion Steve Bowdry; Harrison Chastang, News Director, KPOO radio station; comedian/actor/community activist Donald Lacy and sidekick William Hammond; Thelma Bridges, Fanatics Club owner – Derf Butler and the Mrs. – both dressed to the NINES;…
Bill and Belva Davis-Moore; debonair Larry Martin, President San Francisco Park and Recreation; businessman Jim Jefferson, one of the original Fillmore Jazz task force members. He published a beautiful coffee table book that laid out the Renaissance plan that featured a Mall, Black restaurants – never to be!; Timothy Simon, Commissioner, PUC Board, and his lady Kimberly Brandon, Commissioner San Francisco Port Commission; Thomas Reynolds, Publisher New Fillmore Newspaper, and President Upper Fillmore Merchants Association; Rev. Amos Brown, President San Francisco NAACP, joined by First Lady Jane Brown;…
The Hat Lady, Mrs. Ruth Dewson – her distinguished hats for men were on display in the Heritage Center’s Lush Gallery, accompanied by Denise Bradley, former executive director Museum of the Diaspora; Susan Muscarella, Founder/Executive Director The Jazz School in Berkeley – celebrating its 10th Anniversary; Fillmore club owners Aganofer Shifferaw and Netsanet Alemayehu lovely in the beautiful ball gown fit for royalty; Superior Court Judge John and Ina Dearman; Rev. Henry Davis and Mrs. Davis; Jazz enthusiast Billie Miller.
Missing was Shilrey Wysinger! Received an e-mail from the Former Project Manager for the Western Addition, retired several years ago, that she did not receive an invite to the pre-opening event, but received the general public’s invitation for December 3, “which I thought was insulting and to which I will not appear!”
Her anger was directed at developer Michael Johnson. “After putting up with all the political and community pressure on Parcel 732A and the many years working for the agency in the Fillmore and nurturing projects and developers along, this is the thanks one gets! I say … God don’t like ugly!” I HEARD THAT! Called Michael, said it was an unfortunate oversight, and Wysinger would, in essence, receive Carte Blanche on the next event!
The exciting week long Yoshi’s Celebration concluded last Saturday afternoon with a Community Day Open House that featured live music, food, and tour! Collaborated with owners of 1300 on Fillmore chef David Lawrence and Monetta White, and Peter Fitzimmons, Executive Director Lush Gallery.
In my estimation the most significant part of the week saw community folks able to glimpse and admire the jewel in the community that for years a depressed corner, now a reality!
The afternoon emceed by radio station KCSM Jazz host Keith Hines, featured the sounds of Linda Tillery and The Cultural Heritage choir, and Bobbie “Spider” Webb and The Smooth Blues Band. Webb performed at many Fillmore clubs when a younger man; he lived to see the “Rebirth of the Cool” of which he hopes to be a part of.
Born in Tyler, Texas, the saxophonist, DJ on KPOO playing the Blues every Tuesday morning, grew up on Sutter and Baker, above Divisadero. Webb sold Sun Reporter Newspapers as a kid, and would stop in Wesley Johnson’s “Texas Playhouse” where he would sell out with the help of Johnson who would perch the cute kid on the bar, and suggest the customers buy his papers! Webb becomes the first of the musicians who played da ‘mo to perform on Yoshi’s stage, rockin’ the house with soulful Blues and a lil’ Jazz!
HEY, IT’S NICE TO BE NICE AND TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE…LOOK FOR ME…I’LL BE THERE…
E-mail Rochelle at iheard@earthlink.net
