Park Renovations Target APA Neighborhoods
September 30, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO — More than one-third of a proposed $185 million bond would renovate neighborhood parks in largely Asian Pacific American residential areas if the Board of Supervisors agrees next Tuesday to submit it to voters in February. Read more
Yeh Campaigns for Palo Alto City Council
September 30, 2007
PALO ALTO — Yiaway Yeh kicked off his campaign for Palo Alto City Council on Sept. 16. Yeh, 29, is one of 11 candidates running for four open seats in the Nov. 8 election. He is currently a budget and and government analyst for several jurisdictions, including San Francisco and Santa Clara Counties, at San Francisco’s Harvey M. Rose Associates. Read more
Banning China: How American-Style Capitalism Led to Toxic Products
September 29, 2007
BEIJING — Five months after the deaths of 14 animals in the United States were linked to China-exported pet food ingredients, Zhang Shuhong — the owner of Lida Toy Company in Foshan, China — hung himself in his own factory’s storage room.
This incident occurred two weeks after Mattel recalled 967,000 toys made by Lida.
Poking Holes Through The ‘Bamboo Ceiling’
September 29, 2007
No, the “bamboo ceiling” is not just another way to green your home. It’s a term from Jane Hyun’s 2005 book, Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians, a guide for Asian Americans who want to move higher up the (white American) corporate ladder.
Hyun, an executive coach and diversity strategist, argues that there is a simple reason why Asian Americans make up a depressing 0.29 percent of corporate officers and 1 percent of board seats in Fortune 500 companies: culture.
Nation Briefs
September 28, 2007
Senate to Rescue Hmong From Terrorist Label
WASHINGTON — Hmong who fought for the United States in the Vietnam War are now finding they are defined as terrorists under a Homeland Security measure, the Real ID Act of 2004.
The Act broadened the definition of terrorist to inadvertently include Hmong, some of whom had taken up arms against the Communist Lao government, making them “terrorists.” Read more
Bay Briefs
September 28, 2007
EBALDC Anniversary Celebration
EVENT: East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation 32nd anniversary celebration Read more
Arts Briefs
September 28, 2007
APAture Comedy Night
EVENT: Part of the 9th annual APAture Festival Read more
Global Briefs
September 28, 2007
Miscarriage Prompts Japan Pledge
TOKYO — Japan’s health minister has pledged to address the shortage of doctors in the country after a woman in labor was turned away by eight hospitals. Read more
Daechelle No ‘Brat’ About Success: Young Filipina singer makes ‘fearless’ contribution
September 28, 2007
Like many girls her age, Daechelle Hernandez grew up with the Bratz: she collected the multiracial, multiethnic line of fashion dolls geared toward “’tweens,” or kids ages 8 to preteen. Now Hernandez’s song “Fearless” is featured in the live-action Bratz film, which was released in August.
Recorded two years ago under Daechelle’s first name only, “Fearless” won an international songwriting contest sponsored by Billboard magazine before besting thousands of other entries to appear in Bratz. The 12-year-old singer hopes others relate to the song’s inspirational lyrics about following one’s dreams as much as she does.
Oakland Tenants Win Settlement
September 28, 2007
OAKLAND — A four-and-a-half year battle over affordable housing in Chinatown ended last Tuesday after the city council voted to approve a legal settlement involving a developer, housing advocates and tenants who had received eviction notices. Read more
Asian American Magicians Have the Magic Touch
September 27, 2007
It was a night of illusion and mysticism, with psychological games, ventriloquists, acrobats and audience participation. Asian American magicians Andrew Ngo and Carlos da Silva II, along with members of multiethnic magic group Prophecies of the Element, took the top three spots at San Francisco’s 10th annual Stage Magic Competition on Sept. 21.
Ngo, the youngest performer there at age 18, won not only the title of 2007’s “Best Stage Magician of San Francisco,” but also the People’s Choice Award, voted on by the 500 members of the audience. For the past four years, no one has won both simultaneously. Read more
Mayor Boots Jew, Names Replacement
September 27, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Gavin Newsom suspended Sup. Ed Jew on Tuesday on the grounds of official misconduct and named 29-year-old Deputy Budget Director Carmen Chu as Jew’s interim replacement.
According to Newsom, Jew was charged for misconduct as a result of allegedly lying about residing in District 4 in the Sunset. Newsom also noted that last week’s federal accusations, which stated that Jew sought money in exchange for influencing city permits, helped bring things to a decision-making point. Jew is now pending permanent removal from his position by the Ethics Commission and Board of Supervisors.
