Bay Briefs
November 10, 2007
Judy Yung Book Reading
EVENT: Presented by the Chinese Historical Society of America and Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco
DESCRIPTION: Book reading and reception with Judy Yung, editor of The Adventures of Eddie Fung: Chinatown Kid, Texas Cowboy, Prisoner of War — featuring Eddie Fung, the only Chinese American soldier to be captured by the Japanese during WWII.
DETAILS: Free, Nov, 10, 1 – 4 p.m., Chinese Culture Center, 750 Kearny St., 3rd floor, San Francisco.
CONTACT: (415) 391-1188, chsa.org
LEAP Conference
EVENT: Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics Inc. presents the first San Francisco Bay Area Community Leadership Conference
DESCRIPTION: Emphasis on empowering communities through the development of leadership skills within the APA community.
DETAILS: $10-$50, Nov. 10, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., SFSU Downtown Campus, 835 Market St., San Francisco.
CONTACT: (213) 485-1422 x4101, fnayani@leap.org
API Wellness Center Gala
EVENT: Twentieth anniversary gala
DESCRIPTION: Dinner and entertainment to honor the groundbreaking work and lasting impact of women in the APA community. Presentation of “DIVA” award to California State Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma.
DETAILS: $200-$350, Nov. 13, 7 p.m., AsiaSF Restaurant, 201 Ninth St., San Francisco.
CONTACT: (415) 292-3420 x373, stephanie@apiwellness.org, asiasf.com
Jew Hit With New Charges in Federal Indictment
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal grand jury added new felony charges Tuesday to the legal burdens of suspended San Francisco Supervisor Ed Jew, issuing a five-count indictment that accuses him of trying to shake down Sunset District businesses for $84,000 in bribes.
The federal charges — two counts each of bribery and mail fraud and one count of extortion — are the most serious yet leveled at the first-term lawmaker, who also faces civil and criminal accusations from local authorities for allegedly lying about his residence.
The indictment replaces a single count of mail fraud issued by federal prosecutors on Sept. 21. Both sets of charges allege that Jew solicited bribes from the Quickly chain of tapioca drink shops, telling operators that they were in violation of a city permit ordinance and would have to pay him to help with the process.
— San Francisco Chronicle
Korean Fire Evacuees Turn To Churches
As the San Diego fires threatened thousands of homes and hundreds of thousands of lives, more than 2,000 Koreans living in the fire- affected areas fled to local Korean churches.
Instead of checking into the evacuation shelters operated by authorities, about 300 Koreans stayed at Calvary Korean Presbyterian Church in Linda Vista. Korean Hope Church of San Diego and Hanbit Church, both located near San Diego’s Koreatown, each provided shelter to about 100 people. Korean Catholic Community of San Diego also has accommodated approximately 150 people.
A meat company owned by a Korean brought Korean Catholic Community of San Diego enough of the Korean BBQ dish bulgogi to feed more than 100 people.
“It was difficult for my family because we had to leave in such a hurry. But we recuperated after eating the bulgogi and experiencing the church’s hospitality,” said Lucy Kim, 15.
— New America Media
Chu to Discuss Neighborhoods Commission
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Recently, Councilman Kansen Chu joined Deputy City Manager Mark Linder to discuss the process surrounding the formation of a citywide Neighborhoods Commission. Redevelopment Agency staff has begun the process of identifying and recruiting key neighborhood and community organizations.
The Neighborhoods Commission would provide a neighborhood voice to city leadership in prioritizing neighborhood spending, infrastructure and quality of life issues.
There will be three representatives from each of the 10 council districts, for a total of 30 members.
Membership on the commission will be determined by an application, screening and nomination process by the neighborhood caucus in each council district.
On Sept. 25, the mayor and City Council unanimously approved the creation of a two-year Neighborhoods Commission pilot project subject to approval of the commission work plan. The Neighborhoods Commission is expected to be appointed in 2008.
Citizenship Classes
Self-Help for the Elderly has been offering free citizenship classes for over 10 years. The new trimester began on November 1 and ends on February 29, 2008. Locations include Chinatown, Richmond and Visitacion Valley. These courses a re conducted in English and
Chinese. Course contents include basic English conversation, the 100 citizenship questions, questions on N-400, sentence writing and interview preparation. For more information, call Betty Lau at (415) 677-7591 or visit the Self-Help office on the 4th floor of 407 Sansome Street, San Francisco.
Hidden Depression Threatens Elderly Chinese
Past studies have found that only 1% of Chinese immigrants go to a mental health professional when they need help. This figure is even lower than that of the larger Asian community, who tend to keep depression to themselves.
Many people wait until their depression gets very serious before they see a doctor.
People in therapy say they sought help on the advice of social workers or because they ran into a situation beyond their control.
Many elderly Chinese immigrants refuse counseling. They deny being depressed, say they can take care of themselves, or predict that counseling will only make their situations worse.
Researchers believe the reason many Chinese elders refuse treatment is that they are afraid to “lose face.” Many may not even be aware that they have depression in the first place due to cultural barriers that keep them from understanding their condition.
— Sing Tao Daily
Korean American Crowned Ms. America 2007
COSTA MESA — Jane Park Smith of Valencia, CA, was crowned Ms. America 2007-08 recently at the Verdugo Hills Country Club in Glendale, CA.
With the title, crown and prizes, Park Smith also has the opportunity to represent the Ms. America Pageant at the Ms. World finals in summer of 2008.
Over 33 delegates applied for the competition, where it was narrowed down to 13 finalists.
Throughout the three-hour competition, the finalists competed in three categories: interview, eve ning gown and community service.
Park Smith is the fifth woman to win the title and the first Korean American to be crowned Ms. America.
An accomplished actress, model, journalist and entertainer, Ms. America 2007 has also earned two black belts in tae kwon do and mixed martial art noysing.
A former Miss Asian America (1994-95), Jane’s greatest desire is to serve and speak out for the voiceless and oppressed worldwide.
Asian Pacific American Legal Center Awards
LOS ANGELES — The Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California recently held its 24th anniversary dinner to honor the work of distinguished individuals, groups and corporations who have provided outstanding leadership and contributions to the Asian Pacific American community.
The 2007 honorees included: BP America Inc., a corporation that works for multiracial unity and improved educational outcomes for low- and moderate-income students of color; Yul Kwon, who has been active in advocating and creating awareness for more minority bone-marrow donors in the U.S.; and API Equality-L.A., a coalition of organizations and individuals who are committed to working in the Asian American community in Los Angeles for equal marriage rights and the fair treatment of LGBT families through community education and advocacy.
The legal center advocates for civil rights, provides legal services and education, and builds coalitions to positively impact Asian Pacific Americans and to create a more equitable society.
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