Daily Dose: 9/16/08
September 16, 2008
» AsianWeek Market Report
» Natalie Coughlin Headlines the 11th Filipinas Magazine Achievement Awards
» $54 Million Dollar Lawsuit Against Korean Dry Cleaner Enters Second Round
» YouTube Co-Founder Steve Chen to Discuss YouTube Era Politics
» Bay Area Judges and Groups Ask Governor to Sign Legislation for Civil Court Interpreters
» San Francisco Japantown Foundation Grant Deadline on Sept. 30
» U.S. Portion of Avex’s Worldwide 20th Anniversary Holding a Talent Search
» Catch the Spirit at Oct. 4 Spirit of Japantown Festival
» Tiger Woods Won’t Be Attending Ryder Cup
» Wie Shoots for LPGA Tour Card Through Q-school
» CACF Welcomes South Asian Corporate Leader to Board of Directors
» Wells Fargo Promotes Maggie Mui to San Francisco Market Regional President
» China Finds More Brands of Tainted Baby Milk
» Thailand’s Political Chaos Keeps Tourists at Home
Compiled by Carlos Militante
| AsianWeek Market Report | ||||
| Asian Stock Indexes | ||||
| NIKKEI 225 | Tokyo | 11.609.72 | -605.04 | -4.95% |
| HANG SENG | Hong Kong | 18,300.61 | -1,052.29 | -5.44% |
| KRX | Busan | 2,894.15 | -172.91 | -5.64% |
| SSE IX | Shanghai | 6,873.61 | -61.46 | -0.89% |
| BSE | Bombay | 13,518,80 | -12.47 | -0.09% |
| HOSE | Ho Chi Minh | 455.95 | -20.81 | -4.36% |
| SET | Bangkok | 436.41 | -14.23 | -3.16% |
| Asian American Market Report | ||||
| Yahoo! | YHOO | 19.26 | 0.41 | (2.18%) |
| Citigroup | C | 15.75 | 0.51 | (3.35%) |
| Amkor Technology, Inc | AMKR | 6.67 | 0.15 | (2.30%) |
| Sybase | SY | 30.71 | 0.06 | (0.20%) |
| UnionBancal Corp | UB | 73.05 | 0.92 | (1.28%) |
| East West Bank corp,Inc | EWBC | 14.08 | 1.46 | (11.57%) |
NATION
Natalie Coughlin headlines the 11th Filipinas Magazine Achievement Awards
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Fresh from her spectacular triumph in the Beijing Olympics, Natalie Coughlin embraces her roots as she joins a distinguished group of awardees on October 2, in South San Francisco at the 2008 Filipinas Magazine Achievement Awards.
Now on its 11th year, the Filipinas Magazine Achievement Awards is considered one of the most prestigious and most coveted honors a Filipino in America can garner. In addition to Coughlin who is the awardee for the Sports & Entertainment category, the other awardees are: Major General (Ret.) Antonio Taguba for Public Affairs, internationally known woman leader Irene Natividad for Lifetime Achievement, NASA physicist Dr. Josefino Comiso for Science & Medicine, wealth management specialist Anthony David for Youth Leadership, Wells Fargo Executive Vice President Teddy de Rivera for Corporate Leadership, NaFFAA Executive Director Armando “Doy”
Heredia for Community Service, businessman Anthony Olaes for Entrepreneurship, CNN White House correspondent Elaine Quijano for Communications, and renowned graphic designer Lucille Tenazas for Arts and Culture.
$54 M Lawsuit Against Korean Dry Cleaner Enters Second Round
WASHINGTON — Roy Pearson, a former D.C. judge who sued a Korean dry cleaner for $54 million over a missing pair of pants and lost the legal battle, will have another day in court as an appellate court prepares to review the case, reports Korea Daily. The D.C. Court of Appeals will hear arguments on Oct. 22. Chung sold Custom Cleaners to pay for the legal expenses to defend the lawsuit and now operates only one small pick-up dry cleaning store called Happy Cleaners, reports Korea Daily. More than a year ago, a judge rejected Pearson’s lawsuit against Chung in which he claimed Custom Cleaners did not live up to its ‘Satisfaction Guaranteed’ slogan.
-Korea Daily
BAY/CALIFORNIA
Mayor Gavin Newsom and YouTube Co-Founder Steve Chen to discuss YouTube Era Politics
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Mayor Gavin Newsom to talk “Politics in the YouTubeEra” with YouTube co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Steve Chen at CitySpeaks on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. The conversation will take place in the Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Main Library. Doors open at 6pm and the program will begin at 6:30pm. Admission is free and open to the public.
The discussion between Mayor Gavin Newsom and YouTube’s Steve Chen will cover topics ranging from YouTube’s growing presence in the political process and how it is changing the nature of politics, to the impact of new media on politicians and how cities can best utilize the platform and technology.
CitySpeaks is produced in partnership with Friends of the San Francisco
Public Library and the San Francisco Public Library.
Bay Area Judges and Civil Rights Groups ask Governor to sign legislation for Civil Court Interpreters
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Governor Schwarzenegger has an opportunity to ensure that millions of Californians are treated fairly in our state’s judicial system by signing legislation that would create a pilot program to provide interpreters in civil courts, stated Bay Area judges and civil rights groups today.
First District Court of Appeal Justice James Lambden, San Francisco Superior Court Judges Lillian Sing and Julie Tang, and representatives of Chinese for Affirmative Action, Asian Law Caucus, and the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area gathered in support of AB 3050 at a press conference in Chinatown today.
Currently, although interpreters are provided in many criminal court proceedings, they are not provided in most civil court proceedings.
Asian and Pacific Americans (APA) represent 14% of the state’s population. More than one-third of APAs are limited-English proficient, including greater than one-half of Vietnamese, Hmong, Taiwanese, Cambodian, Laotian, and Korean communities having limited-English proficiency. In addition, greater than one-third of Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Korean, Hmong, Chinese, and Thai communities are linguistically isolated, defined as households where no member 14 years or older speaks English “very well.”
The Governor has yet to make a decision on the legislation.
San Francisco Japantown Foundation Grant Deadline on Sept. 30
SAN FRANCISCO — The application deadline for San Francisco Japantown Foundation 2008 grants is September 30, 2008, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
Grants will be up to $5,000 and provided to nonprofit groups with cultural, community and educational activities that the Foundation determines best promotes and supports San Francisco’s Japantown. Apply online at http://sfjapantownfoundation.org.
A PDF of the application form can also be downloaded from the site, completed and faxed or mailed to the address on the form. Applications submitted via fax or postal mail must be received, not postmarked, by 5 p.m. on Sept. 30.
Applications will be evaluated based on how well they meet our mission is to support cultural, community and educational activities for San Francisco Japantown. A subcommittee of the Foundation’s board will review 2008 requests in October and the board will approve grants in November. We will announce the 2008 recipients in early December 2008.
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
U.S. portion of avex’s worldwide 20th anniversary holding a talent search
NEW YORK, NY — Avex group, one of the world’s largest independent entertainment companies, has announced the launch of avex star search, the U.S. portion of the avex 20th anniversary avex world audition 2008. avex is seeking talented, U.S-based, male and female musical artists of all racial backgrounds, aged 13-24, interested in becoming a performer and recording artist in Asia.
Potential applicants must first sign up online at www.avexstarsearch.com using the audition application form. All accepted applicants will be notified via e-mail about audition requirements, locations, specific requirements and times. Not all applicants will be accepted.
Selected talent will be invited to sign a contract with avex group and embark on a career as a performer in Asia. All applicants must be able to temporarily or permanently relocate to Japan. As skill levels and age will vary among selected talent, contract terms will be set on a case-by-case basis.
Catch the Spirit at Oct. 4 Spirit of Japantown Festival
SAN JOSE, CA — Get spirited away on Saturday, October 4, 2008, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Spirit of Japantown Festival, centered on Fifth and Jackson Streets, San Jose. This 8-block street faire, featuring entertainment, artisans, vendors, and ethnic food drew 10,000 visitors last year.
New attractions this year include the sale of samurai swords, orchids at growers’ prices, Japanese Animation Cards, Costplay Cafe servers attired in Japanese Animation costumes, Spirit of Japantown Award, and much more! In efforts to model an eco-friendly environment, festival greening practices will be implemented, such as rewards for those traveling to the festival by bike, bus, or light rail.
Hawaii’s Daniel Ho, professional singer, promises to wow the entire family. And Grateful Crane Ensemble fans are in for a treat with the return of lead vocalist, Keiko and keyboard artist, Scott performing excerpts from their musical production, “Nihonmachi: The Place to Be.”
SPORTS
Tiger Woods won’t be attending Ryder Cup
LOUISVILLE, KY — The closest Tiger Woods will get to the Ryder Cup is in front of his television.
Despite speculation on various Web sites that Woods planned to show up at Valhalla Golf Club this week, he said Tuesday in a monthly newsletter he has no intention of coming.
“I plan to watch the Ryder Cup this week, but I will not attend,” Woods said. “U.S. captain Paul Azinger has my cell phone number and he or any U.S. player can call me any time. If I can offer any assistance, I’m happy to help.”
Woods has a 10-13-2 record in his five Ryder Cup appearances. He had season-ending knee surgery two weeks after winning the U.S. Open for this 14th major. Woods’ absence means the United States does not have a current major champion on its team for the first time since the Ryder Cup began in 1927.
-AP
Wie shoots for LPGA Tour card through Q-school
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA — Michelle Wie’s untraditional path to a professional golf career will take a decidedly traditional turn Tuesday when she tees off in a sectional qualifying tournament, the first step toward earning her LPGA Tour card.
Wie will play the first stage at Mission Hills, site of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, where she first rose to fame at age 13 by playing in the final group of the LPGA’s first major.
The 18-year-old Stanford student is among 164 players in the 72-hole tournament who are competing for about 30 berths into the final qualifying tournament in December.
Golfers will play both the Dinah Shore Course and Palmer Course the first two days before the cut. The final two rounds Thursday and Friday will be played at the Shore Course.
Wie was unable to earn her card this season through sponsor exemptions, not having made enough money to finish the equivalent of 80th on the LPGA Tour money.
-AP
COMMERCE
CACF Welcomes South Asian Corporate Leader to Board of Directors
NEW YORK, NY - The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) proudly announces the addition of Aarti Jain, Vice President of McLagan Partners, to our Board of Directors.
Delighted to join the board, Ms. Jain said, “CACF’s recent accomplishments are a testament to the strength of its policy advocacy and coalition building abilities. I look forward to being part of its effort to develop and launch innovative campaigns within the local Asian Pacific American community.”
Since January 2007, Ms. Jain has served as Vice President of McLagan Partner’s StarVista Consulting division. During her career, Ms. Jain has consulted at a number of firms, including BearingPoint and The Capital Markets Company, advising clients in the financial services industry. She has also held positions at McGraw-Hill and Morgan Stanley. Ms. Jain is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and holds a Masters in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Wells Fargo Promotes Maggie Mui to San Francisco Market Regional President
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Wells Fargo today announced Senior Vice President Maggie Mui, a 19-year company veteran, has been promoted to San Francisco Market Regional President. In her new role, Mui will have responsibilities for $3.8 billion in assets, 400 team members, and 19 Wells Fargo stores located in the heart of the San Francisco financial district and surrounding neighborhoods. Mui continues to lead small business strategy and implementation for the San Francisco Bay Area region.
“Mui is an exceptional performer and we’re pleased she will be leading our team in San Francisco,” said Stevens. “She brings a fantastic track record of leading high performing teams and delivering world-class service.”
Mui is an active member in the community, serving on the board of directors at San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, Self-Help for the Elderly and the Asian Business League of San Francisco. In addition, she serves on the Advisory Board of the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
GLOBAL
China finds more brands of tainted baby milk
BEIJING —Chinese officials have found 22 companies produced baby milk tainted with a toxic chemical, state media said Tuesday, in a dramatic escalation of a scandal that has left two infants dead.
Milk powder contaminated with a chemical used to make plastics has sickened more than 1,200 infants in a health scare that erupted last week and prompted a nationwide investigation into the extent of the problem.
The State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said tests on products from all 109-baby milk companies in China showed varying traces of melamine in 69 batches from 22 companies, Xinhua news agency said.
The scandal is the latest to rock China’s food industry, which has been tarnished by a series of health scares over dangerous products, including those to export markets, in recent years.
—AFP
Thailand’s political chaos keeps tourists at home
BANGKOK, Thailand — Tourism has been hit hard by Thailand’s political crisis, which has seen the prime minister removed from office, a state of emergency imposed and lifted, key airports shut down by demonstrators and tenacious anti-government protesters occupying the grounds of the prime minister’s office for three weeks.
Many fear a prolonged crisis could further weaken the tourism sector, which brought in roughly $16 billion in revenue last year, about 6.5 percent of Thailand’s gross domestic product.
Governments overseas have issued warnings about traveling to Thailand. Hotel occupancy has fallen by 40 percent, according to the Thai Hotels Association. International arrivals are down 30 percent from this time last year, said the Association of Thai Travel Agents.
Thai Airways is flying with 20 percent fewer passengers than the same period last year, company officials said. The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, the city’s most famous hotel, has vacancy rates around 50 percent, the manager told reporters.
A weak global economy was already expected to take a chunk out of tourism. The political chaos, which has left one dead and dozens injured, has only made things worse.
—AP
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