Daily Dose: 08/12/08

» AsianWeek Market Report
» Asian Counseling and Referrel Service Prepares for Grand Opening
» Chinese Acupuncture Clinic Helps in Drug Addiction Treatment
» Steve Ngo: Candidate for SF Community College Board
» Magician Chin-Chin Strikes Gold at Magic Competition
» Filipino American Library Continues Outreach
» David Zhang Wins at AJGA Tournament
» Kim Named VP at Buckhead Community Bank
» Japan Hedge Fund Shop Hires Iizuka and Chong
» Former Taiwanese President Questioned Over Graft Scandal
» UK Police Searching for Killers of Chinese Nationals
Compiled by Leila Kang, Ivan Natividad and Michelle-Linh Thuy Nguyen

AsianWeek Market Report

NATION

Asian Counseling and Referrel Service Prepares for Grand Opening

SEATTLE - The Asian Counseling and Referral Service celebrated its grand opening in a new location on August 6.

After borrowing or leasing space since 1973, mostly in the International District, the agency finally has its own home in Rainier Valley “a dream 35 years in the making,” Executive Director Diane Narasaki told a crowd of several hundred people.

The $19.1 million headquarters measures 82,000 square feet, triple the space of the former site, and was financed by public and private funds.

Half the population of Rainier Valley is Asian Pacific American. The agency serves about 23,000 clients who speak 30 languages and dialects. About 40 percent of clients are of Vietnamese or Chinese descent, with Filipinos and Koreans combining for about 20 percent.

More space will allow the agency, 185 staff members and more than 500 volunteers, to increase clientele and services, which include food, mental health, naturalization, vocational and referral programs.

- Seattle Post-Intelligencer

BAY/CALIFORNIA

Chinese Acupuncture Clinic Helps in Drug Addiction Treatment

SAN FRANCISCO - In support of Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Month this September, the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Community Ear Acupuncture Clinic will provide effective acupuncture treatments free of charge for recovering addicts in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Acupuncture relieves suffering and supports addiction recovery by a technique involving the insertion of five needles into points on the surface of the ear.

The Community Ear Acupuncture Project, run by the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, started in 1989 as a donation-based community clinic with the mission to provide quality holistic healthcare.

The clinic runs two days a week. For more information on the treatment of substance addiction, contact American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at (415) 282 7600.

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Steve Ngo: Candidate for SF Community College Board

SAN FRANCISCO - On August 8, attorney Steve Ngo joined the race for San Francisco Community College Board. “I look forward to the opportunity to serve the city of San Francisco and to make the power of City College work for more people,” stated Ngo, a first-time candidate. If elected, he will be the first Vietnamese American elected official in San Francisco.

Ngo’s parents were Vietnamese refugees who used vocational training and a community college education to make a better life for their family. Ngo attributes his commitment to civil rights and education to his family’s refugee experience. He is the first in his family to graduate from college.

Ngo has received early endorsements from Mayor Gavin Newsom, District Attorney Kamala D. Harris and School Board Commissioner Norman Yee, amongst other elected officials.

The election will be held on November 4.

For more information about Steve Ngo, stevengo.com.

ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT

Magician Chin-Chin Strikes Gold at Magic Competition

MONTEREY, Calif. - Chin-Chin, San Francisco’s three-time Stage Magician of the Year, claimed the gold medal and $1000 cash prize at the 2008 Pacific Coast Association of Magicians Pro Challenge this past August 8 weekend in Monterey, Calif.

Six professional caliber performers were chosen to compete in the contest, which was judged by the attending audience.

Chin-Chin will make his debut performance at the California Magic Dinner Theater in Martinez, Calif. on Sept. 12-13. Guests will enjoy Chin-Chin’s international award-winning magic as well as a three-course dinner and cocktails. Dinner starts at 8 p.m.; the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

He will also be part of the main stage entertainment at this year’s Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival presented by the Chinatown Merchants Association on Sept. 6-7 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. This will be Chin-Chin’s third performance at the annual celebration.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the Martinez show, calmagic.com.

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Filipino American Library Continues Outreach

LOS ANGELES - The first and largest Filipino library in the country continues to share Filipino children’s books to families around Greater Los Angeles. Through its new Children’s Reading Program, the Filipino American Library will have events on Saturday, August 30 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Asian Pacific Resource Center-Montebello Regional Library, 1550 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello.

Children will be introduced to some of the works of acclaimed author and illustrator, Jose Aruego. They will listen to stories and participate in an art and learning project.

Mr. Aruego was honored by the government of the Philippines with the Outstanding Filipino Abroad in the Arts Award. Admission is free and donations are accepted. Snacks and drinks will be provided. This event is co-sponsored by the County of Los Angeles Public Library.

The library will also have another reading on September 6.

To RSVP, filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net or (213) 382 0488.

SPORTS

David Zhang Wins at AJGA tournament

DANBURY, Conn. - David Zhang, 18, of South Glastonbury, Conn., shot a 1-under-par 71 and played steady golf despite a one-hour rain delay en route to his first American Junior Golf Association victory at the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network - Blumberg Group Junior Classic.

Zhang, who entered the final round with a four-stroke lead, had three birdies on the day, two immediately following a one-hour rain delay on Nos. 7 and 9. He finished the tournament at 5-under-par 211 and credited his mental game to his success.

“I don’t hit the ball as far as some of the other guys out here,” said Zhang, who will be heading to William & Mary in the fall. “I made a lot of pars today and just focused on playing my own game.”

- worldgolf.com

COMMERCE

Kim Named VP at Buckhead Community Bank

ATLANTA - Madeline Rowan, SBA division manager and senior vice president of The Buckhead Community Bank, announced Monday that Jason Kim has been named vice president of the SBA Lending Division.

“Jason’s commercial lending experience is a real advantage in helping small businesses reach their financial goals,” Rowan said. “He knows how critical small business is to our economic recovery and strength, and he is committed to helping his clients succeed.”

A native of Seoul, Korea, Kim attended the University of Washington where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in economics and finance. Prior to joining the Buckhead Community Bank, Kim was a lender at Lehman Brothers, SBF.

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Japan Hedge Fund Shop Hires Iizuka and Chong

Japanese hedge fund shop Rogers Investments Advisors and its U.S. affiliate are growing in expectation of a big upsurge in assets under management.

Tokyo-based Rogers has hired Yoshiaki Iizuka as managing director and head of Japanese research, while Eric Chong joins New York-based Wolver Hill Advisors as a risk manager, Bloomberg News reports. The two new hires bring the total number of full-time employees at Rogers to five.

Iizuka joined the firm on Aug. 1 from Traders Investment Management Co., now called JPS Asset Management. He has also served as CEO of American Express Financial Advisors Japan. Chong came on board in July after stints as a risk manager at Société Générale Asset Management and as a vice president a fund of hedge funds shop K2 Advisors.

- finalternative.com

GLOBAL

Former Taiwanese President Questioned Over Graft Scandal

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan’s ex-president Chen Shui-bian on Aug. 12 denied any wrongdoing as prosecutors questioned him as a defendant over his alleged role in a high-profile embezzlement case.

The former president is accused of being involved in the equivalent of a US$483,000 embezzlement case involving his wife, Wu Shu-chen, who has already been charged.

Wu was indicted in November 2006 and questioned by a court over allegations she used receipts provided by others to make spending claims of up to 14.8 million Taiwan dollars from 2000 to 2006. Prosecutors then said they had enough evidence to charge Chen with the same crime but would wait until he left office because of his presidential immunity.

But earlier this year, the Supreme Prosecutors Office rejected his claim on the grounds that the information had already been published by the local news media when his wife was indicted.

— Monstersandcritics.com

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UK Police Searching for Killers of Chinese Nationals

NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom - British Police released on August 11 the names of the two Newcastle University graduates who were murdered in their apartment after putting up a fight against unknown intruders.

A motive has yet to be established for the murders of Xi Zhou and her boyfriend Zhen Xing Yang, both 25 and Chinese nationals, who were praised by academic staff as friendly and very hard working.

Detectives said Yang had been bludgeoned to death, while Zhou had been hit about the head and suffocated. The couple also had injuries showing they had defended themselves, and their attacker would have been covered in blood.

They had valid visas, which were due to run out later this year.

Police appealed to the city’s Chinese community to come forward if anyone had any idea about reasons for the attack.

The Chinese student community in England’s northeast is 10,000 strong.

— The Guardian