A large wooden cask, with kanji characters written in heavy black ink brush strokes, sat alone in the middle of the stage — but not for very long. "On the count of three," said the announcer, "these men will break the top of the cask, symbolizing happiness and good luck. Ready? Ichi ... ni ... san!"  Right on cue Jimmy Yee, County Supervisor, Ryan Garner, Community Outreach Coordinator at the Office of Mayor Kevin Johnson, and Dr. Gary Raff, UC Davis Medical Center Pediatrics, shattered the top of the casket with their wooden mallets.  Several watchers exclaimed "Kanpai!" officially kicking off the Fifth Annual Northern California Premium Sake Fest on Wednesday.  Harley and Judy Inaba c

"Kanpai!" You may hear a few attendees joyously exclaim this Japanese phrase, equivalent to the English "Cheers!" at the fifth annual Northern California Premium Sake Fest. The event kicks off Wednesday at The Sheraton Grand. North American Food Distributions — importer and wholesale distributor for Asian food retailers — hand-selected over 100 of the finest sake, shochu and Japanese beers to be presented and tasted for this event. "Shochu is a distilled spirit," said Judy Inaba, event manager for North American Food Distributions Inc. "It is an old-style beverage, very popular in Japan." The drink can be mixed with different juices, much like vodka, for a desired taste, Inaba said. Ea