Asian Week

Nation

>> Gunman dies after Discovery Channel hostage crisis

Silver Spring, MD- Gunman James Lee was pronounced dead on Tuesday, September 1, after Lee had begun a four-hour hostage and firing spree in the lobby of Discovery Channel headquarters in Silver Springs, Maryland. Lee had at least one explosive device strapped to his body and took three people hostage at gunpoint. After much negotiation, police felt that the hostages were in danger and thus shot Lee, leading to his death.

For over a year, Lee had protested against the channel’s failure to adequately program shows that showed the threatening effect of overpopulation and animal extinction on the planet. In his public statement titled “The Discovery Channel MUST broadcast to the world their commitment to save the planet and to the following IMMEDIATELY” on his website http://savetheplanetprotest.com/ Lee demanded that “all programs on Discovery Health-TLC must stop encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants and the false heroics behind those actions.” Lee also cites the importance of saving the environment and the remaining species diversity of the planet, which includes “The Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Froggies, Turtles, Apes, Raccoons, Beetles, Ants, Sharks, Bears, and, of course, the Squirrels.”

Lee is believed to have been heavily influenced by the works of Daniel Quinn, author of several books on the environmental, human, and social issues. In Lee’s published document of demands, he cites a need for Discovery Channel to include Quinn’s “ ‘My Ishmael’ pages 207-212 where solutions to save the planet would be done in the same way as the Industrial Revolution was done, by people building on each other’s inventive ideas.”

Discovery Communications operates Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and Planet Green networks. The company has not yet made any public announcement concerning the incident.

BAY

>>Dolene Simmalavong to participate in 25th Annual Miss Asian America Pageant

On Saturday, August 7, Dolene Simmalavong of San Francisco will be participating in the 25th Annual Miss Asian America Pageant at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater. In April, Simmalavong was crowned Miss Lao International (MLIP) at the Hotel Whitcomb Ballroom in San Francisco.

Simmalavong, 19, who currently an apparel design and merchandising student at San Francisco State University, is the first ever Miss Lao International.

“I’m proud and honored and look forward to representing the International Lao New Year Festival (ILNYF) organization and Laotian American community,” said Simmalavong.

Joining Simmalavong in the court is 1st Princess Aleta Rattanasith, a Research Assistant at Oakland Unified School District, and 2nd Princess Busaba Sisounthone, a Shiseido at Macy’s Beauty Consultant.

>>CREAA Board Member Marilyn He passes away

Marilyn He

Marilyn Hua He, board member of the CREAA, has passed away. Marilyn, 41, was a Vice President, Platinum Club member, and Top 5% Producer for the Bank of America Mortgage.

Marilyn’s passion for real estate investment, the dynamic industry, and the daily opportunities to serve and work with diverse individuals was always present. Even as her illness spiraled downward, Marilyn pursued her passion and continued to organize many CREAA events. Over the years, Marilyn has held numerous officer positions, all of which has helped CREAA to host many successful events.

Marilyn is survived by husband Owen, daughter Clarina, and son Derek, parents Chi Hua and Hoa Truong, sisters Patricia (Hong), Marie (Brian), Adrian (Adam), brother Ted (Ken), and many loving friends and relatives.

On Saturday, Sept. 4, Marilyn will be laid to rest at Cypress Lawn. Funeral services will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Tiffany Chapel of Cypress Lawn Funeral Home, 1370 El Camino Real in Colma, Calif.

Donations in Marilyn’s memory can be made in a white envelope at the funeral or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.leukemia.org). When sending to the Society, please prove the address of Marilyn’s family (P.O. Box #1494, San Francisco, CA, 94114).

Contributions can be made to a college fund for Marilyn and Owen’s children at Bank of America (Derek account # 02798-72579 and Clarina account # 02794-72580).

For more details about Marilyn’s life and service, please go to www.cypresslawn.com.

Global

>>New China regulation requires ID to buy mobile phone numbers

Beijing- China is requiring those who want to purchase new cell phone numbers to register their personal identification information. By incorporation this requirement, China is joining many other countries to reduce the anonymous use of mobile technology.

The regulation was “the latest campaign by the government to curb the global scourge of spam, pornographic messages and fraud on cellular phones,” the China Daily newspaper reported. The rules of the regulation apply to everyone, from citizens to foreigners on short visits.

Similar regulations have been implemented in several Asian, European and Latin American countries in response to the aftermath of many phones which were used to detonate bombs and to organize terrorist attacks.

However, human rights advocates say China’s motives might lie deeper than protecting the internal safety of the country. Many critics of the regulation say that the regulation may be positioned to allow China to monitor its people, by tracking individuals and those who spontaneously join protests. Prior to the regulation, individuals could buy low-cost mobile phone SIM cards anonymously with cash at convenience stores and newspaper kiosks.

For more information, please visit http://hosted.ap.org.

Watching the evening news, I was astonished to see yet another Angry Asian Gun Man at work, so I followed my usual leads with Glenn Beck pointing to Michelle Malkin’s Hot Air which pointed to TMZ. It looks like one James Jay Lee who looks, is named, and writes wacked out manifestos like a Chinese American who dresses up in looking like a paramilitary UPS guy walked into the Discovery Channel offices with 2 backpacks and what looked like 2 pipe bombs. He  threatened 3 hostages and was promptly dispatched by police and is no longer a Living Person.

My usual analysis is that with the usual news emphasis on alleged Islamic terrorists being busted in the US, Canada and Amsterdam, you’ll never see an Asian guy threatening to kill or blow up somebody or someone in the name of God, but this guy comes awfully close.  Seems he’s a worshipper of the extreme environmentalist variety, against immigrants (which is odd coming from a member of an ethnic group that is mostly immigrant), against population and baby shows, and against wars and shows like “Future Weapons” and “Mail/Male Call” which are MY favorite shows.  This guy is definitely not your average Asian American studies program graduate. While the nice font and graphics might get the guy a nice webmaster job, his manifesto certainly wouldn’t get him into Stanford or Harvard if that was his admissions essay, that’s for sure. It’s certainly no worse than the weird stuff that creeped people out at Virginia Tech.

I’m sure we’ll be finding out more about this guy, and I’ll update. But being the guy who’s up on Asian statistics and stereotypes, I wonder if this guy had parents who thought he was a failure for not getting into University of Where-ever, for not marrying Miss Perfect Asian girlfriend, if he was ever spurned by Miss not-Asian, and if this guy was partially alienated for not fitting in with either as an honorary white guy, or not having any friends-that-looked-like-him.  The guy’s written English looks like that of a kid who was born, or nearly born in America, and certainly I don’t think any immigrant is going to produce anything like that in their English writing course final essay

One summer afternoon many years ago, I stole home and robbed my parents of their American Dream. I wasn’t going to be a doctor, after all. I was going to study creative writing.

When they heard the news, it was as if all the air had been sucked out of the living room. Mother covered her mouth and cried; Father cursed in French. Older brother shook his head and left the room.

I sat silent and defiant. I was only a small child when we fled Vietnam in 1975, but I remember how I trembled then as my small world collapsed around me. I trembled on this day, too, as I told my parents that I was following my passion.

At UC Berkeley, more than half of those in the Vietnamese Students Association, to which I belonged, majored in computer science and electrical engineering. These fields were highly competitive. A few told me they didn’t want to become engineers: some wanted to be artists, or architects, and had ample talent to do so, but their parents were against them. It was worse for those with family still living in impoverished Vietnam. One, in particular, was an “anchor kid” whose family sold everything to buy him perilous passage across the South China Sea on a boatful of refugees. He knew that others were literally dying for the opportunities he had before him, and failure was not an option.

Many of my friends were driven; theirs was an iron will to achieve academic success. On the wall of the dorm room of a Vietnamese friend was his painting of a mandarin dressed in silk brocade and wearing a hat. Flanked by soldiers carrying banners, the young mandarin rides in an ornate carriage while peasants look on and cheer. It was a visual sutra to help him focus on his studies.

And I, with a degree in biochemistry and on a path to attend medical school to the delight of my parents, was, in their eyes, throwing it all away – for what? I had, in secret, applied to and been accepted into the graduate program in creative writing at San Francisco State University. “Andrew, you are not going to medical school,” said Helen, my first writing teacher after reading one of my short stories. My response was entirely lacking in eloquence. “But … but … my mom is going to kill me.”

Filial piety was ingrained in me long before I stepped foot onto American shores. It is in essence the opposite of individualism. “Father’s benefaction is like Mount Everest, Mother’s love like the water from the purest source,” we sang in first grade. If American teenagers long to be free and to find themselves, Vietnamese are taught filial obligation, forever honoring and fulfilling a debt incurred in their name.

My mom didn’t kill me; she wept. It was my father who vented his fury. “I wanted to write, too, you know, when I was young. I studied French poetry and philosophy. But do you think I could feed our family on poems? Can you name one Vietnamese who’s making a living as an American writer? What makes you think you can do it?”

This was the late ‘80s, and the vast majority in our community were first-generation refugees, many of them boat people who had subsisted for years in refugee camps in Southeast Asia.

“I can’t name one,’ I said. “There may not be anyone right now. So, I’ll be the first.”

Father looked at me and with that look I knew he was not expecting an answer; it was not how I talked in the family, which was to say respectfully and with vague compliance. Perhaps for the first time, he was assessing me anew.

I matched his gaze, which both thrilled and terrified me. And crossing that invisible line, failure was no longer an option.

My friend with the painting of a mandarin became an optometrist and gave up art. I remember the first time he showed me the picture of the mandarin, saying “Do trang nguyen ve lang” – Vietnamese for, ‘Mandarin returns home after passing the imperial examination.” But the image needed no explanation, to me or any student from Confucian Asia; it embodied the dream of glorious academic achievement and with it influence and wealth for the entire family. Villages and towns pooled resources and sent their best and brightest to compete at the imperial court, hoping that one of their own would make it to the center of power. Mandarins were selected and ranked according to their performance in the rigorous examinations, which took place every four years.

Vietnam was for a long time a tributary of China and it was governed by mandarins, a meritocracy open to even the lowest peasant if he had the determination and ability to prevail.

Of all the temples in Hanoi, the most beautiful is Van Mieu, the Temple of Literature, dedicated to all those laureates of Vietnam who became mandarins, their names etched on stone steles going back eight centuries.

It was Vietnam’s first university, the Imperial Academy. That it became a temple to the worship of education seems entirely appropriate.

Under French colonial rule, China’s imperial examinations were replaced by the baccalaureate. To have passed its requirements was something so rare that one’s name was forever connected to the title. My paternal grandmother’s closest friend was Ong Tu Tai Quoc – Mr. “Baccalaureate” Quoc.

My paternal grandfather’s baccalaureate took him to Bordeaux to study law and when he returned, he married the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the Mekong Delta. And for Vietnamese in America, education is everything. So, for someone lucky enough to escape the horrors of post-war Vietnam and be handed through the hard work of his parents the opportunity to become a doctor, to say “no, thank you” was akin to Confucian sin. By refusing to fulfill my expected role within the family, I was being dishonorable. “Selfish,” more than a few relatives called me.

But part of America’s seduction is that it invites betrayal of the parochial. The old culture demands the child to obey and honor the wishes of his parents. America tells him to think for himself and look out for number one. America spurs rebellion of the individual against the communal: follow your dream. It also demands it: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Many children of Asian immigrants learn early to negotiate between the “I” and the “We,” between seemingly opposed ideas and flagrant contradictions, in order to appease and survive in both cultures.

In Vietnam, as a child during the war, I read French comic books and martial arts epics translated from Chinese into Vietnamese, even my mother’s indulgent romance novels. In America, I read American novels and spent my spare time in public libraries, devoting the summers to devouring book after book. When not studying, I was reading. If I was encouraged to mourn the loss of my homeland, I was also glad that I became an American because here, and perhaps nowhere else, as mythologist Joseph Campbell urges, I could follow my passion, my bliss.

Some years passed…

Eavesdropping from upstairs during a visit home, I heard my mother greeting friends and learned of a new addition to our family. “These are Andrew Lam’s awards,” she said, motioning to a bookshelf displaying my trophies, diplomas, and writing awards. “Andrew Lam” was stressed with a tone of importance. “My son, the Berkeley radical,” my father would say by way of talking about me to his friends. “Parents give birth to children,” adds my mother, “God gives birth to their personalities.”

Later that day, I went out to my parent’s backyard for a swim. It was in mid-September when kids were going back to school and leaves had started to turn colors. Though it was sunny out, the water was very cold. I remember standing on tip-toe for a long time at the pool’s edge, fearing the inevitable plunge, yet longing for the seductive blue water. Then, I closed my eyes, took a breath, and leapt. It was cold. But as I adjusted to the temperature and swam, I couldn’t understand why I hesitated for so long.

Finding and following my passion and path in life is a bit like that. Scary. Delightful. A struggle — to be sure. But once I dove into the pool, I took to the water. And I kept on swimming.

NAM Senior Editor Andrew Lam is the author of “Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora” and “East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres,” due out this month.

NATION

>> Pallava Bagla wins American Geophysical Union Award for science journalism

India’s Pallava Bagla has recently won the American Geophysical Union (AGU) David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism for his articles on the impact of climate change on the Himalayan glaciers. The Perlman Award recognizes work published with deadline pressure one week or less.

“No Sign of Himalayan Melt Down, Indian Report Finds,” published in the journal “Science,” is the first of Bagla’s two articles, and explores dissent among glaciologists regarding the claim by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that Himalayan glaciers would disappear in the future.

“Himalayan Glacier Deadline ‘Wrong’”, published by BBC News, is the second of Bagla’s two articles, and reports on an apparent typographical error in the IPCC claim which appears to explain the panel’s controversial, 300-year acceleration of when Himalayan glaciers are expected to vanish.

Bagla is also an author, with his latest book titled “Destination Moon: India’s Quest for Moon, Mars and Beyond.” He also a freelancer for BBC and other media outlets.

For more information, please visit http://www.hindustantimes.com.

BAY

Hyphen magazine’s signature event, Mr. Hyphen, is under way and is now accepting applications for its search for Mr. Hyphen 2010. Mr. Hyphen celebrates Asian American men who are devoted to worthy community causes.

The competition searches Asian American male-identified leaders who give back to their communities. The winner of the competition will win the prize of one thousand dollars towards the nonprofit cause he represents, and will provide recognition for all male Asian American leaders in the community.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 17.

For more information, please visit www.hyphenmagazine.com/mrhyphen or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzXhHzqngrk.

ARTS

>>Andrew Lam’s “East Meets West” Now Available

Andrew Lam’s newest book “East Meets West” is now available to the public. The book is a compilation of essays which explores the bridges and crossroads where two hemispheres form into one “immigrant nation.”

Andrew Lam is co-founder and editor of New America Media, an association of over two thousand ethnic media outlets in America. In 2004, Lam was featured in “My Journey Home,” a documentary which a film crew followed Lam’s journey back to his homeland, Vietnam. Lam is author of “Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora,” which won a PEN American Beyond Margins award in 2006.

The public is invited to attend the following events:

East Meets West: Writing in Two Hemispheres

What: Andrew Lam in conversation with Richard Rodriguez about issues concerning globalization and cultural gaps

When: Thursday, Sept. 16, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post St., S.F.

R.S.V.P. at (415) 393-0100 or at rsvp@milibrary.org

For additional information, please visit www.milibrary.org

Reading of “East Meets West”

What: Andrew Lam reads from his new book “East Meets West”

When: Sunday, Oct. 3, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Where: Theater Company on 1695 18th Street (at Carolina St.)

Suggested Donation for reading: $5-10

For additional information, please visit www.dvanonline.org

Journey Through The Asian Kitchen: A Culinary Expedition of Vietnam

What: In addition to the Gala showcasing Vietnamese and Asian cuisine, Andrew Lam and Chef Khai Duong will discuss the influence of Vietnamese cuisine in the U.S.

When: Sunday, Sept.26, 5:00-9:00 p.m.

Where: California Culinary Academy, 350 Rhode Island @ 16th St., S.F.

For additional information, please call Lisa Wong (415) 665-1150 or Chau Lam (510) 883-9386.

>> Public Invited to Attend Panel Discussion on Filipino American Jazz

On Saturday, Sept. 4, the San Francisco Pinoy Jazz Festival will be hosting a panel discussion at the S.F. Main Public Library (100 Larkin St., S.F.). The event will take place at the Koret Auditorium from 2-4 p.m. The panel will discuss the roots of the Filipino American Jazz in S.F.

Panelists will include jazz vocalist Jo Canion of Stockton, Vince Gomez, jazz bassist, symphony conductor and music educator, and Fred Basconcillo, former event promoter, artist manager, and president of the Iron Workers Union. A multimedia presentation will follow the panel discussion.

The event is part of the Singgalot Exhibit on the Filipino American Experience, which is currently on a national tour from the Smithsonian Institute. To find out more about the Singgalot (The Ties That Bind) Exhibit, please visit http://www.sites.si.edu/exhibitions/exhibits/singgalot_filipinos_in_america/main.htm

COMMERCE

>> U.S. finds China unfairly helped by aluminum industry in 2009

Washington- The Obama administration recently determined that Beijing unfairly subsidized $514 million in aluminum products in 2009. The Commerce Department has been under much congressional pressure to take a tough stance on Chinese trade policies.

The Commerce Department stopped short of a making a stronger ruling on claims by U.S. leaders and manufacturers that Beijing exporters have a price advantage, due to undervalued Chinese currency. Thus, some Chinese aluminum importers must post cash deposits or bonds at a rate set by U.S. officials.

The decision comes at a time with the November congressional elections fast approaching, alongside a weak U.S. economy. The Obama administration is trying to address worries by lawmakers who say the United States is losing jobs to China. China’s currency policy keeps the yuan undervalued against the dollar, which makes Chinese products cheaper in the U.S. However, the administration is also trying to keep harmonious relations with China, crucial to dealing with global economic and environmental issues worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.ap.com

THE BEST OF THE BEST

Once in a while I come across people, organizations, and travel destinations that I think are exceptional. On the Scene will devote itself to these special people and places.

A HIDDEN TRAVEL GEM

Kim Lyall, center, welcomes us to Lethbridge, Canada

Seeking a place away from the humdrum of traffic and California’s summer crowds, I headed to a little-known area of Southern Alberta where I found the most interesting history and scenic beauty. Few people stop in Lethbridge on their way from Calgary to Glacier National Park except to see its highest and longest suspension bridge in Canada, but I did. Chinook County Tourist Association CEO Kimberly Lyall kept me busy showing me what her hometown had to offer.  For history buffs, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed in Buffalo Jump is one of the largest and most well- preserved buffalo jumps in the world. For 6,000 years the native people of the North American plains were able to kill bison by driving them over this precipice. It is amazing to realize that before firearms or horses were available—thanks to their understanding of topography and bison behavior—this method of hunting could kill up to 300 bison at a time.

We rock lovers toured Writing-On-Stone Park where National Parks Guide Bonnie showed the largest collection of petroglyphs and pictographs in North America dating back over 5,000 years. At Fort MacLeod we visited the replica of the first outpost of the Northwest Mounted Police in Western Canada where I got to help groom the horses performing in their live musical ride of uniformed riders. Program Director Jeremy Mason showed us the historic Empress Theatre where the story of Charles Dickens’ son, Frank of the Mounted, was presented in a one-man show.

Butte Golf Pro Shop

Larry, Loretta, and husband Calvin Louie found golfing among the beauty of Canada’s scenery very inspiring. Land-O-Lakes Pro Jim Moulton showed them his well-manicured course in nearby Coaldale. Butte Golf Club Pro Dean Sklarenko showed me his well-stocked golf shop of women’s clothes, which isn’t always the case in most courses. As Director Michael Fleischhauer was proud to tell us, Paradise Canyon Golf Resort is nestled among the mountains, making it a very beautiful setting for golfers who travel here from all over the country,

The old town of Lethbridge once had a thriving Chinatown and today is still home to a thousand ethnic Chinese, according to Bow Tin owner Al Leong.  Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden ED Lindy Rollingson led us on tour of her serene and peaceful place right in the center of the city, boasting an authentic teahouse and landscape designed by noted artists from Japan. We were enthralled with the history of the area told to us by Emil Gundlock who chronicled all he knew about this interesting area he grew up in.

Traveling an hour southward we came close to the Montana border where we discovered Canada’s Shangri-la: Waterton Lakes National Park, the world’s first International Peace Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Trail of the Great Bear

Beth Towe, right, and Waterton Lakes natives

President Beth Russell-Towe is a native who fell in love with the area some fifteen years ago and never left. Her company spearheads the Wildlife Festival, which draws visitors to see the animals of the park, and the Wildflowers Festival featuring many species of rare flowers. Beth took us to beautiful Cameron Lake with boat rentals enjoyed by families of all ages, and drove us on Red Rock Parkway, which truly illustrated where the strikingly colored red and green rock mountains meet the prairie. We even saw two bears lolling around the Waterton Lakes Golf Course before retiring to the comfortable Bayshore Inn where General Director Shameer Suleman brought to the town the largest gift shop, a Lakeside Chop House & Fireside Lounge and Serenity Spa for his daily visiting bus tourists.  If you need to step back from the busyness of your life and stop and smell the flowers, this is the place to come to during the summer.

FOR YOUR READING SHELF

Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America by Erika Lee and Judy Yung gives the first comprehensive history of the Angel Island Immigration Station.  Yung and Lee used new immigration research which included oral histories, immigration records and newly discovered inscriptions on the Angel Island barrack walls to tell the (until now) untold story of the lives of people who passed through the Station from 1910-1940. Not only does the reader learn about the stories of Chinese “paper sons” but also discovers the plights of the Japanese picture brides, Korean students, South Asian political activists, Russian and Jewish refugees, and many others from around the world who spent lonely hours under interrogation and isolation before being allowed to enter US soil. This book is the official publication commemorating the Immigration Station’s 100th anniversary. A portion of book sales goes to the AIISF. For more information please visit www.aiisf.org

Published by the Chinese American Council of Sacramento, Canton Footprints by Philip Choy tells the history of Sacramento’s Chinese legacy. Choy tells of the 1849 Gold Rush when Sacramento was the destination for many Chinese gold seekers, the origin of the Transcontinental Railroad, and a center for California agriculture.  I found the over forty oral histories of Chinese families in Sacramento fascinating as they are definitely testaments to how the Chinese went from unwelcome immigrants to valued citizens in the subsequent century after their arrival. Kudos to Douglas, Karun Yee and their fellow members of the Chinese American Council of Sacramento who sponsored the publication of the book. Their goal was to see that a book about their community was written,

EARNING MY RESPECT

When I discovered Judge Richard Ullmer had been endorsed by all nine Asian American Judges, the Chinese American Democratic Club and the

Chinese Judges Support Judge Ulmer

Chinese American Citizens Alliance San Francisco Chapter and the Sing Tao Daily, I wanted to find out why. I shot at him many questions which he answered with no reservations or hesitation.

When I asked him how he had won over eleven Asian American groups, he replied, “I have always worked among Asians since my early ESL tutoring of Hmong immigrants when I was an eager long haired student in Omaha, Nebraska. My fellow judges have seen me for my many years as a lawyer before their courts and my one year in the Judge’s robes so I am happy they liked my record enough to endorse me for my reelection to the San Francisco Superior Court Judgeship.”

“I am active with the Zion Lutheran Church where over half of our parishioners are Asian American,” he continued, “ And I helped mediate the dividing of the diverse church groups to two segments there – the Zion Lutheran Church and the Canaan Lutheran Church.”

When I asked his thoughts about how he would serve Asian American interests if he won his reelection bid, he answered, “I believe judges should make an effort to be out in the community more, and I would like to see the instigation of quarterly community meetings where people would have the opportunity to ask questions about court procedure. So many of our recent immigrants came from countries where the court systems were quite different from ours, so I would like to see such meetings being held so the immigrants wouldn’t be so fearful of the court system.”

Judge Richard Ulmer won my respect when he told me of the proudest moment of his law career: “In 1999 I led a team of fifty lawyers and paralegals at Latham & Watkins to investigate conditions in the California Youth Authority. Conducting over 100 interviews, we uncovered horrendous conditions of youth beatings, youth placements with sexual predators who were raped and assaulted, and youths placed in isolation cells and sometimes kennel-type cages. We sued in federal and Superior Courts and after years of litigation, the state agreed to a consent degree to end these abuses.”

For his thousands of hours on this case, Ulmer was given the California Lawyer Attorney of the Year award for 2006.  Judge Richard Ulmer comes up for re-election to maintain his seat on the San Francisco Superior Court, and like so many of his Chinese American associates who have worked with him, I feel he is the right man for the job.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Maria Chen sends us a notice that the Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce-Northern California will be presenting its 2010 Double Ten Golf Tournament on October 2 at Summit Pointe Golf Club in Milpitas. With a dinner and golf entry fee of $100, it sounds like a great deal for a day of fun and fellowship for all who come to support the TACC-NC.  Chief Coordinator Michael Lin, VP Oscar Wu, Cliff Chen and Frank Lee together with Advisors Victor Huang, Bert Chang and Jesse Tseng welcome all.  Contact Gloria Wang 408 420 7131 for entry information.

During the 2nd Annual San Francisco Autumn Moon Film Festival, spend a lunch hour of magic and movie watching at the Four Seas Restaurant on September 19th.  The event will feature the magic of Chin-Chin and a screening of the movie The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam—a film about a man who was once Orson Welle’s mentor in magic. For reservations please call  (415) 793-1183.

The Dedication and Blessing of the Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence K.W. (BoHing Chan) Tseu Center for Nursing Education at Chaminade University of Honolulu will be held September 16th in the Henry Hall Courtyard of the University.  Dr. Tseu, having risen from humble beginnings in Honolulu, attended St. Louis School, BYU in Utah and Northwestern University Dental School in Illinois.  His wife, the late BoHing Chan, was a graduate of the University of Paris and received hr M.A. from the University of Oxford in England.  In partnership, they became a major philanthropic force in the Hawaiian Islands. Dr. Tseu remains active supporting many well-deserving non-profit causes in Hawaii and around the world.  His generosity to worthy projects knows no bounds. This new Center for Nursing Education is the recipient of the Tseus’ philanthropic spirit.

Nation

»Akshaya Patra Foundation USA announces formation of Advisory Board

The Akshaya Patra Foundation USA recently announced the formation of an Advisory Board to oversee the organization reach its goal of feeding freshly prepared nutritious meals to five million schoolchildren by 2020.
Deepak Chopra, founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing; Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys Technologies; Nitin Nohria, Dean of Harvard Business School; and Fareed Zakaria, host of CNN’s GPS are the first four to join the advisory board.

The Foundation has expanded in the last ten years from 1,500 children in five schools to 1.2 million children daily in over 700 schools from 19 kitchens across eight states. Their mission is to provide incentive for children to stay in school and to focus on learning through providing healthy lunches to schools.

For more information please visit www.foodforeducation.org.

Bay

»CHSA to host annual gala

San Francisco – The Chinese Historical Society of America is hosting their annual gala on September 11 at 6 pm at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco.

The gala will honor the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF) and the Angel Island Immigration Station Historical Advisory Committee (AIISHAC). It will feature the paintings of Jake Lee, a special exhibit entitled Detained at Liberty’s Door, a dance preview of Passages by Lenora Lee, and the music of Jon Jang and Francis Wong/
There will be a silent auction and raffle with prizes such as a vacation in Oahu, exclusive membership to the San Francisco Tennis Club, and bottles of Chateu Mouton Rothschild and other high-end wine.

The Four Seasons Hotel is located at 757 Market Street (near Stevenson Street) in San Francisco. Tickets are $225 for the general public and $200 for CHSA members. To RSVP, please contact Lisa Wong at (415) 665-1150 or email lisa@wongway.net.

Arts

»SFPGC holds semifinals of Kulinarya competition

San Francisco – The Office of the San Francisco Philippine Consulate General (SFPGC) recently held the semifinals round for its Kulinarya competition.

Teresita B. Paynor, wife of Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. led the panel of judges composed of Lenni Di Carlo, owner of Philippine Sea Salts; Ging Reyes, ABS-CBN News Bureau Chief of The Filipino Channel—North America; Executive Chef Kelly Degala of Va de Vi in Walnut Creek; Executive Chef Thomas Weibull of Swell; Jun Belen of Food Blogger and Photographer; and Cindy Mendoza, President of the Asian Culinary Board.

The judges tasted the entries of six contestants each from the amateur and professional divisions. The contestants were asked to prepare a Filipino dish from a predetermined list of dishes set by the judges.

Nathan Camba, Clemente Escopete, and Aileen Suzara were the winners of the amateur division, and Edgar Grajo, Kristela Mendoza, and Cocoy Ventura were the winners of the professional division.

For more information please visit www.philippinessanfrancisco.org.

Commerce

»AAAIM to host finance conference

San Francisco – The Association of Asian American Investment Managers (AAAIM), a forum for Asian American investment managers to meet and conduct business, recently announced the opening for official registration for its event Building Bridges: Capital Access, Asia, Government Policy. The conference will be held at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco on October 14-15.

The program will feature a who’s-who list of Asian financial figures such as ohn Chiang, California State Controller, Lynda Choi, University of California, Office of the Treasurer of the Regents, Ta-lin Hsu of H&Q Asia Pacific, Ginger Lew of the National Economic Council, John Liu, New York City Comptroller and representatives from the Chinese Consulate and Singapore government. Linda Tsao Yang will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. The last day of the conference will also feature a high-profile speaker from the United States Treasury to be announced during the conference.

Advance online registration is now open. Tickets are $780 for AAAIM members and $1080 for non-members until September 14. For more information, please visit www.aaaim.org.

Global

»Taiwanese artists’ environmental exhibit featured in Japantown

San Francisco – New People in San Francisco and the Superfrog Gallery present Nonlife Zoo, an art exhibition presenting an imaginary vision of planet Earth, created by two Taiwanese artists who go by the names of Owen and Cloud, collectively known as Biaugust. Nonlife Zoo will feature mediums such as paintings and other sculptures. The exhibit hopes to raise awareness of animal preservation in hopes of improving social responsibility to the environment.

Nonlife Zoo will run until September 10 at the Superfrog Gallery, located on the third floor of New People at 1746 Post Street (at Webster Street) in Japantown in San Francisco. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network.

For more information please visit www.superfrogglallery.com.

Bay

»AsianWeek president appointed to State Board of Education

San Francisco – San Francisco resident James Fang has been appointed to the State Board of Education. He has served as president of AsianWeek since 1995. He is currently a member of the SF Bay Area rapid Transit Board of Directors and chairman of the San Francisco-Shanghai Sister City Committee. Preciously, Fang was president of the San Francisco Examiner from 2000 to 2004 and the Director for Commerce and Trade for the City and County of San Francisco from 1992 to 1995.

»Nichi Bei Foundation Day with the A’s ticket sales extended

Oakland – Ticket sales for the Nichi Bei Foundation Day with the A’s have been extended until August 31.

A free tailgate will be provided for people who purchase through Nichi Bei Weekly, which includes free hot dogs, chips, soda, and beer. There will be a raffle at noon for a game bat used by Kurt Suzuki, baseballs autographed by Kurt Suzuki,  and autographed Masanori Murakami bobblehead figures.

The game will take place on Labor Day, September 6, when the Oakland Athletics host the Seattle Mariners. First pitch is at 1:05 pm, Nichi Bei Weekly will be celebrating its first anniversary as the first nonprofit ethnic newspaper of its kind in the country. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.nichibeyweekly.org.

Arts

»AAWAA and Driftwood Salon present AA women’s art exhibit

San Francisco – The Asian American Women Artists Association (AAWAA) and Driftwood Salon present A Place of Her Own, an arts exhibition showcasing eleven Asian American artists in both visual and literary arts.

The exhibit runs from September 3 to October 2, on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1 to 6 pm. The opening reception will take place on September 3.

The Driftwood Salon is located at 39 Isis Street (near 12th Street) in San Francisco.

Commerce

»Professor to hold seminar on effective communications

Burlingame – Professor Preston Ni is presenting a seminar on effective communications on September 25 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Burlingame. Professor Ni has been a coach of professional communications, cross-cultural understanding, and interpersonal effectiveness for over ten years. At the seminar he will be covering effective verbal communication, tone and voice projection, winning first impressions, body language, conflict management, managing your boss, and leadership success tips.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel of Burlingame is located at 1177 Airport Boulevard in Burlingame. Continental breakfast will be provided. Registration is at 8:30 am. The seminar will take place from 9 am to noon. Cost is $40 per person. For more information or to register please call Arlene Lum at (925) 901-4116 or email her at arlene.lum@att.com. Deadline to register is September 17.

Sarah Liu is a relative newcomer to the pageant scene. Before competing in the 2010 Miss Asian America Pageant, the Fremont native had competed in only one other professional pageant—the 2010 Miss San Francisco Pageant in March—where she did not take home the crown.

Five months later, Liu, 19, now holds what many other pageant queen hopefuls work their whole lives for—a tiara and a pageant title. Sarah Liu was crowned Miss Asian America 2010-11 at the 25th annual pageant held in The City on August 7. She beat out nearly thirty other women from ages 17-27 and says that it could not have been possible without the help of her family and friends along the way.

“My mom really helped me throughout the whole process,” recalls Liu, “When I was iffy about evening gowns, she helped me choose some. My parents also  drove me to events in San Francisco even though we’re almost an hour away.”

Despite the pressure of competition that always seems to enrapture pageant queens on stage (see films Miss Congeniality, Little Miss Sunshine, and just about any other pageant film you can think of), Liu formed close bonds with many of her fellow competitors and many have even sent her Facebook friend requests.

“Meeting out of town girls was so cool,” Liu says. “It was the coolest experience ever. We did a good job bonding and got along really well.”

In addition to pageant work, Liu works with the Jade Ribbon Campaign, an initiative launched by the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University to help fight Hepatitis B. Her involvement with the Campaign started a few years ago when she discovered that a very close friend was born with the illness. After a few days of research, she came to find that many Asians like her friend suffer from Hepatitis B, which affects 1 in 10 Asian and Pacific Islanders. Liu took the stage at Miss Asian America advocating for Hepatitis B research during her introduction speech, and hopes to continue her charitable work with Jade Ribbon off the stage as well.

This fall, Liu will enter her sophomore year at the University of California, Berkeley to continue working on her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. The Mission San Jose High School graduate hopes to pursue a career in Finance Marketing to foster her love of working with people. She completed an internship with Merrill Lynch during the summer and found her business talents lay with the customer service-heavy field of consulting.

When she’s not strutting her stuff on the stage, Liu professes that she’s just the normal college student, with friends that have supported her continuously throughout. At Berkeley she’s involved in an on-campus jazz dance group, a hobby she’s been pursuing since she was a child. In her spare time plays the piano, an instrument that she’s been mastering since the age of five.

Liu hopes her take on pageant life will help future pageant queens in their pursuit for their own crowns, and offers a few inspiring words of her own to the next generation of Miss Asian Americas.

“If I can tell aspiring pageant queens one thing, it’s to have fun. You won’t have as much of it when you’re just in it to win it,” said Liu. “Do it to meet people and new friends.”

But Liu takes the most inspiration from her mother and grandparents, who gave her some indelible words that she still lives by today.

“My mom and my grandma always told me that if you set your heart on it, you can get it,” says Liu. “Work hard and you’ll reach your goals.”

The 2010 Miss Asian America Pageant took place on August 7 at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts. For more information or to view results, please visit www.missasianamerica.com.

SAN FRANCISCO – Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg who discovered the Hepatitis B Virus and developed the Hepatitis Vaccine will be honored by the Chinese Hospital and San Francisco’s Hepatitis B community. The honor will take place at the Hep B Free Coast to Coast dinner on September 16 at the Regency Grand Ballroom. For ticket or sponsorship information, please go to http://sfhepbfree.org/gala/.

San Francisco’s Hep B Free has created an innovative ecosystem which includes over 50 private and public organizations whose goal is to turn San Francisco into the first hepatitis B city nationwide. Their successful public health model has inspired a national Hep B Free movement from coast to coast.

The 37th Annual Award will be bestowed by the Chinese Hospital in recognition of Dr. Blumberg’s contribution to improving the health of Asians. The night’s event is presented by SF Hep B Free and Chinese Hospital, and produced by the AsianWeek Foundation. Past notable awardees include Dr. Samuel So, Director, Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, Dr. David Ho, Director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center and Dr. James Y. Suen, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Arkansas & President Bill Clinton’s personal physician.

“As one of the first institutions in the U.S, to provide community screenings for Hepatitis B, honoring Dr. Blumberg is particularly meaningful for us,” said Dr. Joseph Woo, Chief of Staff, Chinese Hospital. “Without Dr. Blumberg’s extraordinary discovery, we would not have been able to help our community and save lives.”

Blumberg received the 1976 Nobel Prize in medicine for his discovery of the Hepatitis B Virus, and in the development of the first vaccine to fight Hepatitis B. His research has had a major impact on worldwide public health. Blumberg is a professor of medicine and anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania and Distinguished Scientist at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. More recently, he has been involved in research at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he is director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute, which studies the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe.

“The means are available to prevent and treat Hepatitis B Virus infection,” said Blumberg. “These good outcomes can only be fully achieved if the public, and particularly populations with a high rate of infection, including those of Asian origin, are educated about the virus and take part in the program of vaccination, detection, and treatment. The Chinese Hospital, Hep B Free Campaign in San Francisco, along with others such as those of the Hepatitis B Foundation in Pennsylvania and other Hep B free initiatives across the nation are making the public aware of the problem and leading the efforts to solve it.”

Recently, the World Health Organization passed a resolution to mark World Hepatitis Day on July 28, Blumberg’s birthday.

About Hepatitis B (source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
There are more than 43,000 new Hepatitis B cases in United States each year, with the greatest incidence among adults between ages 19–49 years old. Hepatitis B is one of the leading health disparities between Asians and non-Hispanic whites.Among the Asian population the predominant mode of transmission is from infected mother to child during the birthing process. Hepatitis B can also be spread through unprotected sex and shared needles. There is a safe and effective vaccine to protect against infection from Hepatitis B.

All born in the United States are citizens

Yes, I was an anchor baby in 1958 when my parents came from China as immigrant students. They weren’t citizens, but when I was born, I was automatically a citizen. They could then claim to be related to a US citizen to get their citizenship. Now I’m not that dead set against disallowing birth citizenship when neither parent is in this country legally. But here is an interesting piece on George Mason University’s History News Network which seems to walk a fine balance between left and right. The interesting point is that it was the case of a Chinese that enshrined this right in the first place, and it was objections to Asians that sparked earlier attempts to restrict or get rid of birthright citizenship. I got this tip from the Adam Holland blog Chinese were also the ones that established a right to a language appropriate education after their teenagers were being stuck in 1st grade if they could not speak english.

Repealing Birthright Citizenship Wasn’t a Good Idea Back in the Forties Either by Greg Robinson

Read it about it here: http://www.hnn.us/articles/130165.html and here is a short snippet:

“Our nation’s history demonstrates that birthright citizenship is a precious resource for nonwhite Americans, especially those of Asian ancestry, to protect against racial prejudice. Until the Second World War most Asian immigrants were excluded from entering the United States. Those who did come (of whom many would today be deemed “illegal immigrants”) were barred by federal law from naturalization. Under pressure from white nativists, Western states (including Arizona) enacted discriminatory laws against “aliens ineligible to citizenship” to eliminate their economic competition and stigmatize them as undesirable. However, in 1898 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Wong Kim Ark, a young Chinese American, and thereby enshrined the principle of automatic birthright citizenship for all native-born persons. American-born citizens of Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian groups, unlike their parents, were able to hold property and vote, and so were less vulnerable to official bias. In response, frustrated West Coast whites repeatedly attacked the principle of birthright citizenship for children of “ineligible” aliens.”

DREAM Act immigration activists

Frank Yang and Joseph Kim are two among millions of hard-working students in the United States who are all equally deserving of receiving higher education. However, because Yang and Kim are undocumented students in the U.S., they do not qualify for state or federal grants, and are unable to afford college. The passage of the DREAM Act in the upcoming November midterm elections could change this and offer them, along with approximately one million other Asian and Pacific Islander students, a chance to obtain a college degree.

By definition, an undocumented person is a non-citizen who entered the U.S. without legal documentation or who overstayed their visa. In response to the limitations that undocumented individuals face, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is a pending bipartisan legislation that would provide undocumented students with a path to legalization.

The DREAM Act (first introduced in 2001) would allow students to serve two years in the military or obtain a two-year college degree, to then qualify to apply for permanent residency. To be eligible, the immigrant must enter the country before the age of 16, live five consecutive years in the U.S., earn a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a clear record void of criminal activity. Thus, if the legislation were to be enacted into law, approximately 2.5 million undocumented youth under the age of 18 who live in the U.S. would be affected.

It is popular conception that these affected individuals primarily consist of those who are of Latino or Hispanic descent. However, there are over 1.5 million undocumented APIs living in the U.S. Part of the reason for this lack of awareness is due to the cultural stigma that surrounds the issue of undocumented individuals.

“I became very detached from my community,” said Kim. “Out here, if people speak out, it’s shunned upon. I kept my own undocumented status a secret in shame.”

Although Kim excelled in his academics, the rejection Kim received from his own community made it difficult to find jobs, which added to his fear of deportation. To survive, Kim had to work “under the table jobs,” since many employers discriminate against his undocumented status. However, unlike Kim, Yang had a different experience with his community.

“I felt welcomed by my classmates,” said Yang, describing his experience in early education. “As a kid, I was undocumented, but I felt no pressure. I did everything normally.” However, as Yang approached the end of high school and decided that he wanted to go to college, he realized that his undocumented status would have a more serious, lasting effect than he had ever anticipated.

“I was not eligible for financial aid,” said Yang. Therefore, Yang paid his way through college by earning scholarships and taking out many student loans. The 21-year-old U.C. Berkeley graduate now faces a new state of uncertainty.

“I feel like I’m in limbo. I’ve been accepted into many graduate programs,” said Yang. “But I’m again not eligible for financial aid.” Yang’s lack of financial resources to pay for graduate school has led him to search for jobs and internships in the mean time.

Kim and Yang, alongside the many other undocumented students in the U.S. are standing united as one to fight for their rights. They voice their stand for all immigrant youth as a part Asian Students Promoting Immigrant Rights Through Education (ASPIRE), alongside many other immigration activists.

Despite the emergence of undocumented students willing to share their stories, there is much criticism surrounding the DREAM Act and immigration reform.

Republicans believe that tougher border control is necessary before legislation for citizenship of immigrants can be enforced. Many conservatives say that to condone such an amnesty would further encourage other immigrants to break laws and find loopholes to gain U.S. citizenship. In March, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) called the DREAM Act a “nightmare for the American people,” furthering that such legislation would open citizenship to millions for the families of the DREAM Act beneficiaries to gain citizenship.

“It’s highly doubtful for any immigration reform to pass this year,” said Senior Law Attorney Sin Yen Ling. Ling further explained how the upcoming Nov. 2 Elections would cause many politicians to remain uninvolved in such legislation. Therefore, many are looking to the DREAM Act for hope.

Although the passage of the DREAM Act was a progressive step towards immigration reform, there is still a requirement of 60 votes to invoke the legislation. The bill is currently part of a larger comprehensive immigration reform package in which supporters hope will pass before the November midterm elections.

For more information, please visit http://www.asianlawcaucus.org.

By Connie Zheng

Harvard

On August 29, 1879, Ko Kun Hua appeared on the grounds of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts with his wife, five children, and two servants. Hired from China to teach Mandarin courses at Harvard, Ko would be the first Chinese faculty member at any college in the United States. At that time, uncertainty about his position reigned. An unidentified faculty member said, “Who is going to learn Chinese, and how it is to be got into our College, are questions that have not even been considered.” These dismal views seemed to be borne out when Ko had only one student in his first year. At the time of his death by pneumonia two years later, that number had grown to five or six pupils, but his time at Harvard was considered to be a satisfactory success. One student had acquired the ability to easily converse in Mandarin and was ready to establish a business in China. Ko began a legacy of interest in China and Asian studies at Harvard. The books he brought to the United States were the first books in Chinese or of any other Asian language at Harvard. They were also the beginnings of the million-volume East-Asian collection at Harvard-Yenching Library, the largest collection of any academic library outside Asia.

More than a century later today, the number of Chinese Americans in U.S. academia has swelled, with scholars making significant contributions in many fields ranging from science, law, history, and the arts.

Numerous Chinese American scholars have won the Nobel Prize for physics and chemistry, making invaluable contributions to the world and scientific community through their research. Laureates include Tsung Dao Lee, Chen Ning Yang, Samuel C.C. Ting, Steven Chu, Daniel C. Tsui, Roger Y. Tsien, and Charles K. Kao. In 1957, Tsung Dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang, the first laureates of Chinese origin, together won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work in disproving the principle of the conservation of parity. In 1976, Samuel C.C. Ting won the award in physics with Burton Richter for their discovery of the subatomic J/ψ particle. In 1997, Steven Chu, who later became the Secretary of Energy for the Obama presidential administration, won the award in physics for his research in the cooling and trapping of atoms with laser light. In 1998, Daniel C. Tsui won the award in physics for his contribution to the discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect. In 2008, Roger Y. Tsien won the award in chemistry with two other chemists for their discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein. In 2009, Charles K. Kao won the Nobel Prize in Physics.  Kao is sometimes referred to as the “Godfather of Broadband” because the fiberoptic technology that he helped develop, for which he won the Nobel Prize, forms the backbone of Internet telecommunications.

Another notable scholar is Min Chueh Chang, the co-inventor of the first birth control pill in the 1950s. In 1990, Chang-Lin Tien was announced as chancellor of UC Berkeley by the University of California Board of Regents, establishing a milestone by becoming the first Chinese and Asian American head of a UC campus and a major research university in the United States. Tien became UC Berkeley’s seventh chancellor during a time when charges of racism and anti-Asian bias in Berkeley’s admissions policies were being leveled. Also in 1990, Wallace D. Loh became the dean of the University of Washington’s School of Law in Seattle, the first Chinese and Asian American law school dean in the United States. Loh came into office during a time of national sit-ins and picketing against the dearth of minorities and women on law school faculties. In 2004, Frank H. Wu became the ninth dean of Wayne State University Law School in Detroit.  In 2010, he became Chancellor of UC Hastings College of Law in San Francisco.  In 2007, Jim Chen joined the University of Louisville as dean of the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. A prolific and influential scholar, Chen clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court of the United States. He became one of only a handful of Asian American law school deans in the nation.

Dr. Betty Lee Sung was the first to inspire serious study of Chinese Americans with her publication of the book, Mountain of Gold, in 1967. This pioneering chronicle of the history of the Chinese in America later led to an invitation to initiate Asian American Studies at the City College of New York in 1970. Her courses were the first of their kind in the Eastern United States. She later wrote the 1976 award winning book, Chinese American Manpower and Employment. Scholars Him Mark Lai, known also as the “Dean of Chinese American History,” and Philip Choy were the first to begin teaching college courses in Chinese American history in September 1969 at San Francisco State College (now San Francisco State University). These college courses came during the civil rights movement and during a time of great changes in the Chinese American community as the immigrant population swelled after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 ended national origin quotas that had kept Chinese out.

Ming Cho Lee, theatrical set designer and professor, has been extolled as “perhaps the most respected and revered of living American set designers” by the influential Playbill Magazine. Known for minimalism, daring textures, and the use of non-traditional materials, Lee’s work has been featured in theatrical, opera and ballet productions throughout the world. In 1983, he won the Tony Award for his famous set design of the “K2” production. In 2002, Lee was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence by President George W. Bush.

Despite such successful figures in Chinese American academia, their numbers still remain relatively low, especially in senior leadership positions. There are numerous reasons for the low representation:

• Discrimination and racism: Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, anti-Chinese sentiment was manifested in the notion of the “yellow peril,” the suspicion and fear of Chinese that led to outright lynching and the Chinese Exclusion Acts, Joseph McCarthy’s crusade against the Red Chinese in the 1950s, and the Wen Ho Lee case in the 1990s. Chinese in America were viewed as racial inferiors bent on domination of whites, spies, communists, people not to be trusted, and disloyal. Such biases and national security concerns have held back their entry into sensitive areas of academia in the United States with untold consequences to American national power.

• Stereotypes: Chinese Americans are seen as model minorities who do not need help like affirmative action. They are also seen as compliant and willing to do any job given to them no matter how badly paid or demeaning. Due to their perceived passivity they are not considered leadership material and are frequently passed over for higher positions in leadership.

• Lack of role models: In general, Chinese American faculty tends to gravitate toward engineering and sciences and less toward the humanities, meaning that students have fewer role models to look up to other professions outside of the engineering and science fields.

• Legal barriers: Some attribute the problem to be linked to the passage of Proposition 209 and laws in other states inspired by it. The 1996 California ballot measure amended the state constitution to prohibit public institutions from considering race, sex, or ethnicity in hiring. Universities like UC Berkeley saw a steep drop in minority hiring following passage both because of the new law as well as far fewer minorities wanting to work for the system. Proposition 209 inspired similar laws in other states, such as the Civil Rights Initiative in Michigan in 2006 and Initiative 200 in Washington in 1998.

Chinese Americans have always faced and conquered many challenges in making a career in academia and must continue to confront and conquer many challenges in the future.

For more information about Chinese American heroes, please visit the Chinese American Heroes website at www.chineseamericanheroes.org

Former Giants pitcher #37 Masanori Murakami was on hand at the Giants game Tuesday August 24th for Giants Japanese Heritage Day.  At age 20 he pitched for the SF Giants in 1964-65.  He then returned to Japan to play for many more years

Murakami was the first Japanese player in Major League Baseball  Jerseys with Murakami #37 were handed out to certain fans.

Nation

>>Asian American family claims Powerball jackpot

An 11-member Asian American family has claimed the $85.7 million Powerball jackpot through Baton Rouge, LA attorney George Bayhi. The members of the family partnership include local business owners, professionals, and college students. The winning ticket was purchased on July 31 in Baton Rouge.

The family partnership has decided to pursue the one-time lump sum payment of $45,770,486 million, which amounts to about $32,039,340 after federal and state taxes.

The family has been living in Baton Rouge for about 20 years, and are all U.S. citizens, stated the family’s attorney, George Bayhi.

For more information, please visit http://www.klfy.com.

Bay/CA

>> Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye confirmed by state commission

California chief justice nominee Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye has won unanimous confirmation by a state commission. The three-member Commission on Judicial Appointments listened to roughly two hours of testimony before agreeing to approve of Cantil-Sakauye’s nomination.

The testimonies comprised of a total of 12 witnesses, including a representative of a bar evaluations committee who spoke in favor of her, and a community activist who spoke out against her.

If approved by voters on the November ballot, Cantil-Sakauye will become the court’s first Filipina and second female chief justice. Cantil-Sakauye’s selection will also give the California Supreme Court its first female majority.

For more information, please visit www.latimes.com

Arts/Entertainment

>>Chinatown Culture Fair to hit streets of Sacramento

On September 19, Culture Fair at the Historic Chinatown Mall will be celebrating Sacramento’s rich Chinese heritage, culture and arts. The public is invited to join in the line-up of endless entertainment, food, renowned authors, filmmakers, historians, and over 16 Northern California organizations in the Asian Pacific Islander, Russian, and East Indian community.

Some of the exhibits will include the Chinese American Council of Sacramento’s (CACS) Canton Footprints Hall of Fame Exhibit and Lawrence and Brian Tom’s Images of America: Sacramento’s Chinatown Exhibit. Other cultural entertainment will include martial arts, cultural performances, and a wide variety of Children’s cultural activities.

The purpose of the 2010 Chinatown Culture Fair is to honor some of the most renowned pioneers in today’s Chinese-American history. the 2010 Chinatown Mall Culture Fair will present “Women Hold Up Half the Sky” to honor the first female president of a Consolidated Chinese Benevolent Society (Chung Wah) in all of the United States- Jane Tam. Other well-accomplished females of Chinese American history will also be awarded.

What: Chinatown Mall Culture Fair

Where: Historic Chinatown Mall, Sacramento CA 95814 (Between 3rd & 5th Streets and I-J Streets)

When: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit http://www.yeefow.com/culturefair

>>SMTOWN LIVE ’10 WORLD TOUR to feature top-notch KPop stars

Famous Korean Pop Stars will be performing live at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sept. 4th for their SMTOWN Live ’10 World Tour. Los Angeles will be second major city that the tour will visit, which will be followed by performances in Tokyo, Shanghai, and many other major Asian cities. The tour is created by the talent of entertainment companies AEG Live, SM entertainment, and Powerhouse.

The tour is filled with line up of top-performing Korean stars, including Boa, Kangta, U Know, Max, Super Junior, Girls’ generation, SHINee, f(x), Zhang Li Yin, Trax, and other SM Entertainment artists. The L.A. concert is expected to sell out to thousands of fans who have been anxiously waiting to see these stars live, since all of the artists are expected to attend.

The SMTOWN Live ’10 World Tour will be hosting an official after party at the Conga Room located on 800 west Olympic Boulevard, L.A. from 10:30 p.m.- 2:00 a.m. General and V.I.P ticketswill be on sale to the public with prices starting at $55.

To purchase tickets, please visit Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, the Staples Center Box Office, or call Powerhouse at (323)692-0303. Fore more information, please visit www.powerhouselive.net.

COMMERCE

>>Chinese American Tycoon Chen Songxiong donates half of his fortune to charity

Chinese American tycoon Chen Songxiong (Patrick Soon-Shiong) and his wife Michele Chanad has donated roughly half of his fortune to charity. Chen’s decision was in response to Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ and investor Warren Buffet’s request for billionaires around the world to donate half of their fortunes to charity.

The biopharmacy industry tycoon’s early days began with his birth in South Africa’s Johannesburg in 1952. He thus grew up during South Africa’s apartheid era. He earned his medical degree from Witwatersrand University, and eventually came to Los Angeles in 1980 to teach. In 1990, Chen set up a diabetes pharmaceutical company and the American Pharmaceutical Partners, an American drug partnership.

Chen ranks 154th on Forbes Magazine’s list of richest people, with about five billion U.S. dollars in property.

For more information, please visit http://english.peopledaily.com.

GLOBAL

>>N. Korea releases American captive

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has secured the return of American Aijalon Gomes after requesting amnesty. Gomes has been jailed since January for an illegal entry into North Korea from China. In April, North Korean authorities sentenced him to eight years of labor and fined him more than $600,000. Gomes is the fourth American arrested in North Korea for illegal entry.

Carter had spent three days of negotiation in North Korea, including an appeal for Gomes’ release and “open-hearted” discussions about the country’s nuclear program. Korean Central News Agency said that Carter held cordial talk’s with Kim Yong Nam, North Korea’s No. 2. However, there was no official report that that Carter spoke with dictator Kim Jong Il.

Carter and Gomes are expected to arrive in Boston this afternoon.

For more information, please visit http://www.mercurynews.com

Nation

>>First ever Asian “Feastival” to take place in Queens

Queens, NY – The first annual Asian Feastival showcasing the best of Asian cuisine will take place on September 6 from noon to 5 pm. All proceeds will benefit the Food Bank for New York City and City Harvest.

Festivities include tastings from twenty of the borough’s finest Asian restaurants, beer, sake, wine, and Asian beverage tastings, cookbook signings, and cooking demonstrations throughout the day.

The festival will take place at the Sheraton LaGuardia East at 135-20 39th Avenue in Flushing. For more information please visit www.asianfeastival.com.

Bay

>>OCA to celebrate Asian American Athletes at gala

Oakland – The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) is proud to announce its new sponsor—McDonald’s, for its 23rd annual fundraising gala.

This year’s event, Celebrating Asian American Athletes, will take place on September 4. Invited athletes include Amy Chow, Kevin Tan, Peanut Louie, Max Zhang, and Golden State Warrior rookie Jeremy Lin. OCA will also present Rick Quan’s project to celebrate Asian-American athletes.

The event will also include a silent auction and a chance to bid on a dance with Olympic gold medalist figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.

For more information please visit www.ocaeastbay.org or call (415) 392-9688.

Arts

>>Four artists take residence in de Young Museum

San Francisco – Four Asian American artists—Ala Ebtekar, Julie Chang, Pireeni Sundaralingam, and Erika Chong Shuch will work with Kearny Street Workshop in the de Young artist studio to develop their new projects.

You can visit and observe the four at work during the de Young Artist Studio hours: Wednesdays through Sundays from 1-5 pm and Fridays from 1-8:45 pm. Events include a 3 pm lecture by Sundaralingam on September 18, a closing reception on September 24 at 6 pm, and film presentations by Shuch at 6 pm. Admission to the de Young’s Kimball Education gallery is free of charge. For more information please visit www.deyoung.famsf.org.

>>Great Leap to screen green-friendly music video

Los Angeles – Multicultural arts organization Great Leap recently announced the premier of their music video “B.Y.O. CHOPSTIX,” a production highlighting the environmental impact of wooden chopsticks.

The project came about when Great Leap founder Noboku Miyamoto learned that over 100 billion pairs of chopsticks were thrown away each year, crowding landfills across the world. She responded by bringing her own pair of chopsticks everywhere she went.

The video has already been released at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n65SuQKverM. A live screening of the video will take place on September 11, 7 pm at the Baldwin Overlook State Park located at 6300 Hetzler Road in Los Angeles. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.greatleap.org or call (213) 250-8000.

They hope to join the ranks of those like them – Russell Peters, Dat Phan, and Margaret Cho, who have already made it big. And, like the talented comedians that have came before them, they hope to pass on a bit of knowledge about the Asian American experience along the way. Meet stand-up comics Bradley Lum and Mark Zhang, whose hilarious commentary on their ex-girlfriends, being Asian, and growing up skinny, headline this year’s CockyAsians Comedy Tour. The show is making a stop in San Francisco on August 31 at the Punch Line Comedy Club. Doors open at 7 pm, with the show beginning at 8 pm.

The YouTube generation might already be familiar with Bradley Lum, although they may not know it. Lum is the creator and voice behind comedic Asian rapper Tai Mai Shu, whose album How to Make a Million Dollars developed an underground cult following among Asian American youth upon its release in 2004. Lum’s character has collaborated with rappers such as San Quinn and G Boogie, and has recorded everything from prank calls to freestyling about McDonald’s. In April, he made his television debut as a guest comic on Entertain Me!, a variety TV show on KHON-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii.  His talents don’t stop there: Lum, a former restaurateur, continues to market his own Hawaiian-branded ketchup and sauces. Named Ono Grindz, his company is the chief sponsor of the CockyAsians tour.

Today, Lum is developing an increasingly successful comedy career, and has been touring for over four years. He covers everything from Asian hygiene to his days as a skinny teenager trying to impress the ladies. His character Tai Mai Shu is never far behind though, as he still incorporates a hip-hop flair onstage in the form of beatboxing and impressions.

“I talk about life experiences, awkward situations, and Asian stereotypes like cleanliness and bargain shopping,” says Lum. As for Tai Mai Shu? “I want to bring that character back in my routine,” he says. And his unique sounds to his routine certainly seek to do the trick.

It was a year ago when Lum met his co-headliner for this tour, in the form of a fellow finalist at the San Francisco Walk the Plank Comedy Competition. The two immediately hit it off and decided to tour together. Now a very close confidant, his former competition goes by the name of Mark Zhang, aka “Zhangster.” Taking pride in “fighting ignorance with ignorance,” Zhang’s comedy covers many social issues and adds an unpredictable comedic twist. A San Francisco resident, his accolades include reaching the finals of both the 2009 San Francisco Walk the Plank Comedy Competition and the 2010 Bay Area Killer Laughs Comedy Competition.

After leaving an eight-year relationship in anguish, Zhang has managed to turn heartbreak into the catalyst for a blossoming comedy career, incorporating routines on his ex-girlfriend, his elementary school days, and his views on Asian culture. Although it might look to be all fun and games to his audience, the Zhangster hopes people will gain something more than just laughs.

“We take pride in our jokes,” says Zhang, “Although it might not seem like it, we take comedy seriously. I feel that comedy is a form of education, and we can teach Asian culture through comedy.”

“I’ve done shows with white audiences in the Midwest where people would come up to me after and say ‘We didn’t know Asians were like that,’” Zhang continued. “This show is another way of putting Asian comedians out there and showing people something different about us.”

Cheer on these two cocky Asians alongside guest comedians Gabriella Francis, Vince Royale, Herb Diggs, and Jimmy Ouyang on August 31 at the Punch Line Comedy Club located at 444 Battery Street between Washington and Clay Streets. For more information visit www.punchlinecomedyclub.com.

Bay

»Daly City to host 16th Annual Fil-Am Friendship Festival

Daly City – Daly City will hold its 16th Annual Filipino-American Friendship Festival from September 18 to 19 at the Serramonte Shopping Center Mall.

The Festival will showcase Filipino food booths as well as booths on health and health care. Shoppers will be able to purchase a variety of Filipino arts and crafts. Live entertainment in the form of Filipino singers from the Bay Area and traditional Filipino dances will be provided.

The longest running admission free Fil-Am event in the Bay Area will also host the Best in Show Dog Contest where dog owners can submit their four-legged friends for competition.

The Festival will run from 10 am to 5 pm on both days and is free to the public. For more information please visit http://dalycityfilamfestival.com.

»Federal government files lawsuit on behalf of Filipino nurses

Delano, CA – The Federal government filed a lawsuit this week accusing Delano Regional Medical Center of discriminatory practices against Filipino nurses. According to the lawsuit, the hospital prohibited several Filipino nurses from speaking their native Tagalog, even though it allowed the use of other non-English languages.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s suit was filed on behalf of more than 30 Filipino employees, who claimed that the staffers were harassed because of their ethnicity.

The medical center’s chief nursing officer, Sherri Johnson, said that she had not witnessed any discriminatory practices.

“If we have a Filipino patient who speaks Tagalog, and the nurse speaks that language, of course we would encourage that communication,” said Johnson.

The hospital currently has a policy requiring staffers to speak only English in patient care areas unless the patient is fluent in another language.

The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction against any future discriminatory acts, a revision of the Center’s policies, and compensation for the workers.

Arts

»CAAM introduces new SFIAAF Director

San Francisco – The Center of Asian American Media recently introduced its new Festival and Exhibitions Director for the SF International Asian American Festival (SFIAAF), Masashi Niwano. Niwano previously worked for CAAM as an archival intern in 2002. Later, he became a Festival volunteer and then joined the Theater operations staff.

From 2006-10, he was the Executive Director of the Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAF). For the past three years he has been listed in Austin’s ‘Fortunate 500” for raising awareness of Asian American issues in Austin. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2003 with bachelor’s degree in film production.

The 29th Annual SFIAAF will take place March 10-20, 2011. For more information please visit www.asianamericanmedia.org.

Commerce

»Second Annual Asian MBA Leadership Conference coming to New York

New York – The Second Annual Asian MBA Leadership Conference & Career Expo is taking place from August 26-28. The event kicks off on the 26th with a VIP Reception at Thompson Reuters that will announce the launch of the non-profit organization The National Association of MBAs, followed by a reception at the Asia Society. The Conference will take place on the 27th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, where Asian American executives from companies such as Dell and GE will deliver keynote addresses. The night is set to end with the Gala Awards Dinner. On the 28th, the Career Expo will be held with over 100 representatives from companies across the nation.

For the full Conference schedule or to purchase tickets, please visit www.asianamericanmba.org.

Hidden amongst “The City of Trees” lies a restaurant that brings the native foods of Burma thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean to the downtown bustling Burlingame. The hidden gem, Mingalaba Restaurant, offers a fusion of high-quality Burmese and Chinese cuisine to its customers, with a twist of contemporary design and vision. This vision, formed by owner Sandra Tung, was inspired by the idea to bring authentic Burmese-style cooking to the Peninsula.

Since my taste has been accustomed to Burmese-style cooking, as I was borne into a family of Burmese immigrants, I decided to try the foods of Mingalaba. Unfortunately, I had picked one of the busiest days of the week for my new venture – Friday. I definitely paid the price and had to wait over 45 minutes to be seated. After much fascination with the majestic Burmese tapestry of sequenced angels and elephants, the tiny gold-plated harp ornaments that hang from the ceiling’s beams, and the giant mirror that spans almost the entire eating area, I am finally seated and begin one of the most exhilarating culinary adventures of my life.

As my name was called to be seated, I was greeted by the owner, herself, who was one of the most warm, hospitable, and cheery people I have met. After being seated, I was handed a menu that was far from simple – it contained over 100 dishes with colorful images paired with mouth-watering descriptions.

Lap Pat Dok (Tea Leaf Salad)

I began my meal with my favorite Burmese appetizer, Lap Pat Dok, or Tea Leaf Salad ($8.95). The waiter, in a modern Burmese-style shirt of woven turquoise silk and diamond designs, introduced all of the ingredients that lay neatly divided, before he mixed them into a salad of cabbage, dried shrimp, fried garlic, sesame seeds, peanuts, split yellow peas, cherry tomatoes, and the signature ingredient – imported tea leaves from Burma. The chilled salad burst with flavor upon my first bite. The cabbage was so finely chopped that it added the right amount of crunch and didn’t leave any hint of bitterness, while the dried shrimp added just enough salt to the dish. The chefs definitely mastered the art of frying the garlic, as each slice was thin, yet fresh and crispy to add to the crunch and plethora of flavors that filled my mouth.

Ong Noh Kaw Soi (Coconut Chicken Soup)

Since I gave the Lap Pat Dok five stars, the next dish would certainly have to match my expectations. I ordered another Burmese special, Ong Noh Kaw Soi ($8.95), or coconut soup. This time, Tung, who was in constant interaction with her customers, carefully distributed the soup and noodles into tiny bowls. The smell of fresh coconut and an exotic mix of spices permeated the air, while the linguine-like noodles, chicken, red onions, and hard-boiled eggs waited patiently at the bottom of the bowl. The steaming creamy soup ran down my throat smoothly, warming the insides of my body. While the soup initially tastes salty, it leaves your palette with a sweet and savory aftertaste. The pieces of chicken, noodles, eggs, and onions collectively are the perfect addition to the native soup. The dish is bursting with such immense flavor that I believe even a tiny bowl would be enough to suffice as a filling, tasty day’s meal.

My pursuit of trying Burma’s specialty dishes didn’t stop there. I had to try a rice dish because I would feel void of the great staple that feeds virtually every Asian country. Thus, I tried the country’s rendition of fried rice – Burmese Style Yellow Beans Fried Rice ($8.25). The dish was steaming from all ends of the plate, and was embellished with an egg omelet that lay in the center of the dish, topped by golden-fried onions. It was the fluffiest rice I have ever tasted, not too oily, with the perfect hint of saltiness, and dry (the dry texture of the rice is a traditional characteristic of the dish). The yellow beans, which were mixed in with the rice, were boiled thoroughly to leave a great added texture to every bite.

Burmese-Style Vegetable Curry Deluxe

I decided to end the evening on a bit of a healthier note, and selected the Burmese-Style Vegetable Curry Deluxe ($9.75)-  the country’s rendition of chunky vegetable soup. The base of the curry is comprised of a thick sauce and was made of boiled lentil beans, eggplant, opo squash, okra, potatoes, and cilantro. The bold, daring, yet pleasing-to-the-palette taste of the soup was a secret blend of marsala, tumeric, chili, and other ingredients typical of Burmese cuisine. Although I will probably never know the exact proportion of the ingredients, I am sure about one thing- this dish, filled with a spicy, flavor-filled taste was the ultimate way to end my meal.

After ordering four dishes, I definitely had plenty of leftovers, and so my waiter  swiftly cleared my plates and packed my leftovers. When I think of my culinary experience at Mingalaba, I am reminded of the every aspect of the Burmese culture – the rich history, the preservation of its traditions, and the kindness and hospitality of the Burmese people. Mingalaba has definitely brought a piece of Burma for all to share.

Mingalaba Restaurant

Price Range: $6.25- $13.95 (per dish)

1213 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame, 94010

(650) 343-3228

http://www.mingalabarestaurant.com

Nation

»Baltimore County Police Department welcomes first female Asian American officer

Baltimore, MD – Korean American Rosa Park recently became Baltimore County Police Department’s first female Asian American police officer.

Park, 27, graduated from the Baltimore County Police Academy in June and started training four days later. She became interested in becoming an officer when she witnessed her parents’ corner store being robbed as a teenager, and the subsequent lack of assistance by authorities in pursuing the perpetrator.

“I see the rift between Asians and police officers … and I’ve seen how they interacted with my parents and it’s not very nice,” Park said. “I just know there’s a lot of mistrust between Asians and police officers, and I just want to break that barrier and be there for the community.”

Bay

»Filipino advocacy group to hold summit

San Francisco – The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) along with its member organizations in Northern California—San Francisco State University’s League of Filipino Students (LFS), Filipino Community Support (FOCUS) of Silicon Valley, Filipino Community Center (FCC), Liwanag Kultural Center (LKC), and the San Francisco Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (SF CHRP)—are hosting the NAFCON Northern California Regional Summit on August 28 at the Local 2 Hiring Hall in San Francisco. The day-long event will bring together various Filipino advocacy groups to network with each other and engage in dialogue about issues impacting the Filipino Community.

The summit will also feature a book release and signing of Ating Kalagayan (“Our Situation’), the most comprehensive demographic data of Filipino Americans by author Peter Chua.

Arts

»Lao documentary wins Primetime Emmy

Filmmakers Thavisouk Phrasavath, Steven Sebring, and Ellen Kuras have recently won the Primetime Emmy Award for their film The Betrayal – Nerakhoon, in the category for Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking.

Filmed over 23 years, Betrayal documents a Lao refugee living in New York, and his difficulty in assimilating into American life. Once New York, he encounters many other perils such as gang warfare.

The film was shown at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and premiered on PBS’s documentary series POV in June 2009.
The rest of the Primetime Emmy Awards will be given out at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, airing August 29 at 8 pm/7 Central on NBC. The awards will take place at the Nokia Theatre in Hollywood with Jimmy Fallon as host.

Global

»India sends first representative to Miss Fitness competition

Reno, NV – Guinness World Record holder Dinaz Vervatwala recently became the first Indian to represent the country at Miss Fitness World and Miss Fitness Universe, which took place on August 21-22 in Reno, Nevada.

Vervatwala founded Dinaz’s Fitness Studio Pvt. Ltd. in 1993 as a means of promoting aerobic fitness in South India. The Studio now has four centers spread across the country and has helped thousands of clients to stay fit and healthy. She has regularly appeared in Indian media promoting a healthy lifestyle. Her credentials include certifications from ACE (American Council of Exercise), AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) and NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine).

This year, Miss Fitness Universe hosted over 25 competitors from over 30 countries. The contestants were judged on muscle tone, strength, endurance, public speaking skills, overall grooming and cosmetic appeal.
For more information on Miss Fitness Universe and results, please visit www.fitnessuniverse.com.

»Beijing traffic jam stretches into ninth day

Beijing – A 100 km traffic jam in the PRC capital of Beijing has now stretched into its ninth day.

The jam started on August 14 when the Beijing-Tibet expressway received a spike in traffic due to an influx of cargo-bearing heavy trucks traversing to the city. This was compounded with road maintenance work that started five days earlier.

Locals have attempted to capitalize on stranded drivers by selling them food and water at exorbitant prices.
This highlights an already growing traffic problem in Beijing as similar incidents were reported during June and July. The congestion on the expressway is expected to last until mid-September when road work is scheduled to be completed.

Bay

>>KCTV  offers 24-hour news coverage for Chinese and Taiwanese speakers

Sunnyvale, CA- Sunnyvale-based KCTV Channel 1.9 now offers 24- hour local news coverage to Chinese speakers throughout the Bay Area. KCTV is Northern California’s first 24-hour Chinese language television station.

KCTV Channel 1.9 originally launched in early July. The channel now broadcasts programs produced in China and Taiwan, and plugs local news stories into the nightly news programs. Beginning in September, KCTV will air a weekly news magazine. In early 2011, the channel will begin producing its own local news broadcast.

“People here are responding very positively,” said Andrew Kan, president of KCTV, in MercuryNews.com. “There is a big market for Chinese and Taiwanese programming in the Bay Area, and we try to bring that to people.”

For more information, please visit http://www.mercurynews.com.

>>LIVERight Zumbathon hits Stanford this Fall

This fall, LIVERight will be featuring the hottest new dance fitness craze Zumba Fitness®. The Zumbathon will take place on Saturday, November 13, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Arrillaga Center for Sports & Recreation in Stanford. The public is encouraged to come to this event, which requires no previous experience and only an appetite for fun.

The family-friendly event will be taught by enthusiastic Zumba Instructors, and will also feature prizes and games in addition to the two hours of Zumba Fitness®. All donations will benefit the Jade Ribbon Campaign and the fight against liver cancer.

LIVERight Zumbathon Details:

What: LIVERight Zumbathon at Stanford

When: Saturday, November 13, 1:00-3:00 p.m. (Registration begins at 11:00 a.m.)

Where: Arrillaga Center for Sports & Recreation (341 Galvez Street, Stanford, CA 94305)

For more information, please visit the Asian Liver Center’s website at http://liver.stanford.edu/Outreach/liveright.html.

Arts

>>Crowds ecstatic over live performance of “Say Ahh- Asian American Remix”

Seattle, WA- This past weekend, crowds went crazy for Asian American and Asian Canadian artists JRA, D-Pryde, Lil Crazed, J. Reyez, and Traphik as they performed live their Youtube-hit collaboration of Trey Songz ft. Fabulous popular song, “Say Ahh” at REIGN in Seattle, Washington.

Earlier this year, the Asian American and Asian Canadian artists released a collaboration remix of Trey Songz ft. Fabulous’ hit song “Say Ahh.” The artists quickly followed their release with a music video for the song, “Say Ahh- Asian American Remix.” Both the track and music video has accumulated over two million views on Youtube.

For more information, visit http://www.channelapa.com.

Global

>>NLD officially declares boycott of Burma Elections

On Thursday, leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Burma’s main opposing party, have decided to officially boycott the scheduled Nov. 7 election, according to Ohn Kyaing, a party spokesperson, in The Irrawaddy.

The decision was made at a NLD meeting, in which NLD leaders including Tin Oo, Vice Chairman, Win Tin, Nyunt Wai, Than Htun, and Hla Pe, accordinging to Ohn Kyaing.

In The Irrawaddy, Ohn Kyaing explained that the NLD made its decision because the Election Commission’s election law did not guarantee democracy and human rights in Burma.

For more information, please visit http://www.irrawaddy.org.