Year in Review - 2002 (Feature) No Exit: Another Act in American Immigration Policy, Post-Sept. 11 (in National News) Upcoming Welfare Cut to Hurt APA Families (in Bay Area News) Ultimate Diversions: 2002 Gamer's Gift Guide (11/29/02) (in Consumer) APA Community Should Tell Shaquille O’Neal to ‘Come down to Chinatown.’ (in Sports) Hot ‘n’ Sour: Primal Scream (in A&E) INS Roundups Put Nation’s Growing Ethnic Media in Bind (in Opinion)

New Faces in New Places

As the New Year is upon us, I wish I was like legendary columnist Herb Caen who remembered everyone, placing names in rhyme ... but alas, I am not. So to those I’ve written about and whom I’ve met “On the Scene,” thanks for making the past couple of decades a joy. It’s been great “getting to know you, getting to know all about you,” to quote The King and I.

LOOK OUT MICKEY: When one travels to Orlando, one thinks of Disney World and Epcot Center, but a little lost treasure is Splendid China — a unique, 75 acre cultural theme park that recreates the beauty, history and intriguing treasures of China.

I saw visitors enjoying a magnificent replica of the Leshan Buddha, which at 235 ft. is the world’s tallest Buddha statue, along with 60 other renowned Chinese sights such as the Great Wall, Yinxia (the oldest wooden pagoda in the world) and the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit, via a narrated courtesy shuttle or a leisurely walk.

Marketing Manager Jim Yu and PR Director Al Riley explained that the educational park was especially popular with senior citizen tour groups, as well as schoolchildren from all over the world, in spite of the stiff competition from Mickey Mouse. Visitors especially enjoy the Great Wall replica constructed with over 6 1/2 million tiny hand-laid bricks stretching more than a half a mile.

The highlight of the visit for me, however, was the outdoor theater shows featuring Chinese acrobats and dancers. These skilled young performers from China put on a fast paced show of music and phenomenal feats, beating out any Small World boat ride.

So when in Florida next, save an afternoon or evening for your family to visit Splendid China to learn more about our rich heritage. For more information visit www.floridasplendidchina.com.

BETTER THAN GOOFY: Without venturing to the Disney parks, Bay Area folks Dr. David and Jayne Yee, Dr. Clifford and Susan Chang, Dr. Roger and Sylvia Eng and I found no crowds and much more excitement at the St. Cloud Golf Club, especially when we met an eight foot alligator basking on the fairway fringe. Now I’ll wait to hear a bigger and better golf adventure story from you readers to top that fishy alligator yarn in 2003!

MORE CHINESE ACROBATS: Speaking of family outings, people of all ages will enjoy Circus Center’s Circumstance a production of the New Pickle Circus, featuring more Chinese acrobats, dancers and clowns. Choreographed by Circus Master Li Yu, the show is a lighthearted two hours of whimsy, talent and strength. The Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts will host the show Jan. 3 to 5. Call 650-903-6000 for information. The Rohnert Park Spreckels Center for the Performing Arts will have the show from Jan. 10 to 12. For information call 707-583-3400.

WAY RETRO: In celebration of 37 years of existence, Chi Am Circle, a Chinese American women’s club in Silicon Valley, went back in time with a retro-style luncheon where members were asked to bring pictures of “the way they were in the 1960s, and come dressed in their best 1960s outfit.” Winning Ming’s Restaurant certificates were bell-bottomed entrants Joanne Tanabe, Joyce Shen and Carol Fong. New Chi Am Circle board members installed that day were Bassie Lee, Mary Ann Wong, Joanne Tanabe, Christine Yip, Carol Fong, Linda Toda, Marian Wong, Alice Lee, Aurora Louie, Susan S. Lee, Joyce Shen, Lisa Young and Mabel Lai.

TURNING 40: The theme of the Chinese Historical Society of America’s (CHSA) 40th Anniversary celebration is “Looking Back, Moving Forward.” The luncheon will be held Sunday, Jan. 5 at the Empress of China in San Francisco's Chinatown at 12 p.m. A short multimedia retrospective of CHSA’s first 40 years and a historical video presentation of the YWCA will be shown, as well as the presentation of the 2003 Spirit Award. Luncheon patrons will also be allowed a sneak preview of the upcoming exhibition at the CHSA museum, entitled “Benjamin Chinn: At Home in San Francisco.”

As CHSA looks back, it can be proud of its prominence as the first national Chinese American Historical Society, and its wonderful one-year old museum in the former Julia Morgan YWCA building in Chinatown at 965 Clay Street. Come and celebrate their accomplishments and support this fine nonprofit organization preserving our cultural heritage. For more information call 415-391-1188.

CONGRATULATIONS: To Judson Chu of Santa Clara, whose 80th birthday will be celebrated by children Judy, Dean and Jeff with a celebration party this month. Kudos to artist Caroline Young whose long waited book The Art of Caroline Young, featuring over 60 of her renowned paintings, will be given away at Escolta Fine Arts of Hayward with purchases of her latest multi media print, Mother’s Love.

OUT OF THIS WORLD: Not quite, but almost. I’m moving “On the Scene” to the far reaches of Antarctica, via Orient Lines’ Marco Polo cruise ship to search for a world without cell phones, pollution and police sirens — with hopefully, only the congestion caused by penguins and glaciers. Want to join my group to see another part of our world from Jan. 28 to Feb. 8? For more information contact gerryewong@aol.com.