Two San Francisco historians were honored At the 2005 Chinese American Studies Conference of A Changing Chinese America, sponsored by the Chinese Historical Society of America with the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University. Pioneers in promoting the learning of Chinese American history, Him Mark Lai and Phil Choy were heralded not only for their upcoming 80th birthdays, but for their early recognition and continued dedication in furthering the studies of Chinese in America. San Francisco State University President Robert Corrigan presented the pair with Medals of Honor, the highest honor that a university president can confer upon an individual.
To continue the honors, the pair’s home organization, the Chinese Historical Society of America, is establishing and giving Phil Choy and Him Mark Lai Board Emeritus status, the first persons to be granted this status. Let’s give them a hip hip hooray for long overdue honors to two fine San Francisco Chinatown citizens.
MORE KUDOS
Welcome back to the Bay Area to Daphne Kwok, who will now be the executive director of the Asian Island Immigration Station Foundation. Along with a lifelong commitment to the Asian Pacific American community through her past ED position with Organization of Chinese Americans, Daphne brings over 20 years of experience-building and leading national organizations, while developing national coalitions and networks.
Another welcome to Roy’s of San Francisco’s new chef Ty Mahler, who brings his expertise from Tampa, and told us he is excited to bring out new dishes with all of the fresh produce available in California. Seen enjoying his new innovative dishes recently were Wok Wiz Shirley Fong-Torres, Ronald Mar, Sing Tao Chinese Radio Host Cindy Yip and Madelene Schwabacher.
Elizabeth K. Lee, former Sunnyvale hometown prodigy, will be inducted as Judge of the Superior Court in San Mateo County this month. Lee is the daughter of Dorothea and the late Tuck Hop Lee.
Inveterate letters to the editor writer George Koo shared his knowledge of China affairs over KQED 88.5 FM last week by giving a commentary on U.S.-China relations, which was syndicated over national public radio.
GRAND TIME IN GRAND OLE OPRYLAND
I’m not a regular toe-tapping Country Western music fan, but sitting amidst the excited 800-member audience watching the taping of the 2-hour radio show of the Grand Ole Opry, my hands and feet began clapping and tapping to the lively beat. We met very Southern charmers Country Western Award winner Buddy Jewell and Porter Wagonner backstage. A week in Nashville where many restaurants have live country music during dinner, gets you into the spirit of music.
It’s a beautiful, clean city with something for everyone surrounded by the friendliest of people welcoming visiting tourists. We devoured the great cooking at The Pancake Pantry and the Sunset Grill. Seeing historic Ryman Theatre where music all began in Nashville and taking a nighttime Haunted Nashville walking tour around downtown near the Capitol gave a sense of the rich history of the city. And, of course, you can’t leave Nashville without looking for spectacular fall colors, the opulent greenery under the magnificent Opryland Hotel dome and enjoying such spectacular golf courses as the Vanderbilt Legends, Springhouse Links and Hermitage Golf Club. Where in California can you golf 18 holes without even seeing a glimpse of a house, and surrounded by beautiful, undulating fairways and forested hillsides?
BAY AREA HOPPING WITH ENTERTAINMENT TOO
As the holidays approach, the best shows come to town. The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean at the Post Street Theatre will bring in holiday fare to their already sell-out shows. For fans of Billy Crystal, 700 Sundays opens on November 29 at the Golden Gate. Popular Cirque Du Soleil returned San Francisco Nov. 11, under the Grand Chapiteau at SBC Park with a new touring show Corteo. For a nostalgic night out, try Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the S.F. Orpheum, a remake of Bing Crosby’s famous 1954 movie.