News

APIs Need to Take a Stronger Stance on Immigration Reform

When it comes to the issue of immigration, what quickly comes to American minds? Given that reporters repeatedly write about immigrants crossing the Mexican-U.S. border, the likely response: Hispanics. This focus, unfortunately, has devolved into deleterious scapegoating of immigrants from Central and South America. This is hardly a fair burden for Hispanics to carry, as immigration realities are much more diverse.

Reform will affect millions who emigrated from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, who come with a shared struggle, shared dreams and shared abilities to contribute to this country. Standing side by side, Hispanics are diverse minority groups who will be equally impacted by immigration reform, including Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs). As chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and as a Japanese-American born to migrant workers, I know firsthand the frustration felt by API immigrants. Our stake in the immigration debate is substantial, our concerns unique, the reasons many.

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Commerce

Wealth Building Attitudes, Values, and Habits

“To master the world, one must first master one’s self.” - Chinese Proverb

Success can be defined many ways. We can be successful at work, in school or with our relationships. We can measure success by how happy we are with ourselves, and whether we feel a sense of purpose in this world. We can evaluate success by how much money we make.

Today, let’s take a look at some characteristics of millionaires.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average U.S. household will earn close to $1.5 million during a 30-year work span in today’s dollars. The choices people make with this money go a long way in determining their ultimate financial success or failure.

Here are some of the key characteristics of millionaires in the United States, based on the Spectrem Group Survey and research conducted by Drs. Thomas Stanley and William Danko:

1. There were 6.7 million millionaires in the U.S. in 2008.

2. Approximately 65 percent of millionaires are working.

3. Thirty-six percent own a business.

4. Eighty-seven percent are married.

5. Average age is 55.

6. On average, they do not own the newest cars.

7. On average, they do not shop for name brand clothes.

8. On average, they invest 20 percent of their yearly income.

9. Eighty percent built their wealth in one generation.

So, if you would like to become more affluent, what can you do to develop greater financial mastery?

The following are 15 wealth building values, attitudes and habits:

1. Wealth creation begins with the right attitude regarding money and finances.

2. Abundance begins when you’re no longer living from paycheck to paycheck.

3. Abundance is having your assets and ideas making money for you.

4. Wealthy people make money while they sleep (investments, on-line business, people working for them, etc.)

5. With the exceptions of mortgage and student loans, avoid accumulating debt.

6. Pay off your credit card balance in full each month. Pay off any credit card debt ASAP. Credit card interest drains wealth.

7. Keep only one credit card for maintaining a good credit rating. Do away with the rest.

8. When receiving your paycheck, pay yourself first by setting 10-15% aside in a nest egg.

9. With your nest egg, make wise investment choices:

A. Maximize your 401K, especially if your employer matches your contribution. Not all 401Ks are created the same. Some are far better (or worse) than others. Thoroughly understand the nature and restrictions of the one you’re interested in before investing.

B. Make purchases which appreciate in value.

C. Limit purchases which depreciate in value (automobile, name brands, etc.)

D. Key to real estate: location, location, location.

E. Financial market: invest in index funds.

F. Financial market: manage your greed and fear.

G. Financial market: diversify; don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

10. Keep a liquid cash reserve of at least three months of living expenses. Add one month (minimum) for each year above age 20.

11. Limit frequent, discretionary expenses that add up quickly, such as gourmet coffee, eating out, cigarettes, alcohol, ATM fees, cell phone surcharge, multiple cable subscriptions, etc.

12. Learn from people who already enjoy long-term financial success. Ask about their financial values and strategies.

13. Find a partner in life with healthy, intelligent, and compatible financial values.

14. Make a financial plan with specific goals and targets in mind. Create a timeline to realize your plan, step by step.

15. Remember wealth alone does not lead to long term happiness – self acceptance, quality relationships and a meaningful life’s purpose do. However, wealth can provide the personal freedom to enjoy a higher quality of life. If you’re blessed with wealth and abundance, give something back in gratitude.

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Preston Ni is a professor of communication studies, Fortune 500 trainer, executive coach, and organizational change consultant. Write to Preston at commsuccess@nipreston.com, and access free resources at www.nipreston.com. © 2010 by Preston C. Ni. All rights reserved.

Lifestyle

Be My Valentine With Japanese Pop Art

San Francisco, CA – NEW PEOPLE partners again with BAZAAR BIZARRE SF to present the NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE Vol. 2, a brand new Japanese pop art extravaganza to celebrate the debut of the NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION at the SUPERFROG Gallery.

The NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE Vol. 2 kicks off on Saturday, February 13th with a Valentines-themed art emporium taking place from 12:00 noon to 8:00pm. The one-day-only event will feature eleven vendors stationed in kiosks throughout the building offering works from an eclectic mix of Asian and Western artists influenced by Japanese pop culture. The NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION opens the same day in the SUPERFROG Gallery and runs through Sunday, March 21st. Plan a fun and visually enticing trip to NEW PEOPLE and find the perfect gift for your significant other. The event is free to attend; additional information is available at http://www.superfroggallery.com.

Nine dynamic artists featured in one room. The NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION in the SUPERFROG Gallery brings together a vivid mix of pop art visionaries. Enjoy new works from edgy Japanese film director Katsuhito Ishii, Sidney Pink, one of Japan’s most inspirational gaijin (foreign) artists, as well as inspired pieces from Junko Mizuno, Kim Songhe, Mikito Ozeki and Yoshitaka Amano. A special opening party will be held on Saturday, February 13th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. To attend, please sign up for an e-mail newsletter at www.newpeopleworld.com.

Visitors are also invited to explore the TOKYO CREATORS GARDEN, a serene and sunny new boutique on NEW PEOPLE’s 2nd floor that is inspired by the work of artists and craftsmen from Japan. Visitors may browse the many pieces on display or just relax in the colorful environment.

Artists Featured In The NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION Include:

Katsuhito Ishii
Known for his creative vision as a director of feature films, television commercials, and animation, Katsuhito Ishii is here to reveal an imaginative art project that has been secretly developing for the last few years. Ishii formed an art team called “49S” with several designers and sculptors he admired. For a year-and-a-half, Ishii worked away from his film director realm and opened his first art exhibition in France in 2009. For the NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION at the SUPERFROG Gallery, Ishii has selected a special series called FACES, which are illustrations that symbolize “the revival of pop culture.”

Sidney Pink
Sidney Pink is an American artist that creates small pencil and watercolor drawings. Pink also lived and worked in Japan for four years where he found tremendous inspiration for his art. Pink has exhibited in New York, Baltimore, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berlin, and Tokyo and was nominated for a Jury Prize at Takashi Murakami’s art festival, “GEISAI Museum 2.” Japanzine magazine described Pink as, “one of Japan’s most inspirational gaijin [foreign] artists.”

Junko Mizuno, http://www.MIZUNO-JUNKO.com/
Junko Mizuno currently resides in San Francisco and enjoys a huge following in the U.S. and is acclaimed for her provocative and strong feminine imagery. She has published numerous manga comics and brings to this exhibition her 3D wall pieces, another expression of her original style.

Kim Songhe, http://www.kimsonghe.com/
Kim Songhe, a Korean national born in Tokyo, is known for sculptures made of natural materials and reusable wastes. Currently, she designs shop window displays as well as creating original made-to-order chandeliers. She says that she creates to bring new life to objects that are almost dying.

Mikito Ozeki, http://www.mikito.jp/
Mikito Ozeki describes his work as ‘an ambiguous something with no answer’. The BODY series is commonly depicted as “figures like robots”. By presenting the ambiguous ‘something’ with the distinct clear lines and forms of a paper cutout, Ozeki simulates the wavering of human values.

NORITAKE, http://www.noritake.org
Noritake uses simple lines and numerous motifs that have nothing in common. He picks out and draws a portion of an image he finds in his own photos, old magazines, and picture books, as well as adding in new elements. Viewers may make their own discovery while glancing at his images.

YOSHITAKA AMANO
Best known for his character designs for Final Fantasy, Yoshitaka Amano brings his newest works to SUPERFROG. His breathtaking and vibrant pieces are boldly coated with auto paint and metallic glitter, an ode to his childhood love for American comics and automobiles.

KAZMO aka Tomomi Kazumoto, http://www.kazmo100.com/
Kazmo, screen printer extraordinaire, entertains your eyes with kitschy playfulness and dark nostalgia. She reminds us of our childhood when the world was a blank coloring book ready to be doodled on. Part of the NEW PEOPLE ART Detour, Kazmo is back with a new line of expressive prints.

Yuichi Yokoyama, http://www.newpeopleworld.com/goods/#yokoyama
Yuichi Yokoyama delivers his art in the form of comic illustrations often consisting of nameless characters in transit or in action. With a global following that grew from his manga publications, this is a rare chance to encounter his work on display here in the U.S.

About Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco
Bazaar Bizarre began in 2001 in Boston as an offbeat entertainment extravaganza to showcase the DIY movement and handmade goods. Bazaar Bizarre has spread across the nation to places such as Los Angeles, Cleveland, Maker Faire Bay Area and Austin. Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco is a handmade market, indie entertainment extravaganza and D.I.Y. festival all under one roof. We have quality handmade arts and crafts for sale, DIY workshops and entertainment. More information at: http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/sanfrancisco

About NEW PEOPLE
NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: http://www.NewPeopleWorld.com.

Sports

Basketball Phenom Jeremy Lin Returns to Bay Area Jan. 4

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is first appeared on GoldenStateofMind.com. To read the rest of the piece in its entirety, visit: http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/12/15/1201646/bow-to-the-jeremy-lin-movement-b-o.

There is nothing wrong with rooting for someone of your own ethnicity, especially when there aren’t many of them playing in the top league of the game you love, and when we live in arguably the most diverse region on the planet here in the Bay Area.

However, up until this point there really has not been a plethora of highlights with the appropriate context to base these movements on. YouTube had highlights of Yi Jianlian playing in China and ESPN had video of his pre-draft workout, albeit with no one else but a trainer on the floor. That’s a lot more than we had for Singh, Ming Ming, and Sun combined!

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