My favorite subjects are always about the worthwhile non-profit organizations whose members doggedly and with determination serve the community, mostly as unsung heroes.
The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation is proud to announce that the barracks have been restored and will be open to the public after Feb. 15. Executive director Eddie Wong announced that the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund has awarded the group a challenge grant of $50,000 but admits that fulfilling this grant is daunting in these difficult economic times. Make your first 2009 charitable contribution to help preserve our forefathers’ heritage: info@aiisf.org, aiisf.org.
Congratulations to the leaders: Recently installed to lead the Chi Am Circle Women’s Club of Santa Clara County are Presidents Sylvia Eng and Julie Ho; VPs Beverly Harada, Helen Yamauchi and Zeny Seid; Treasurers Teddy Sue and E.J. Hong; Secretaries Marichu Scanlon and Jenny Leung; Program Co-Chairwomen Rose Tokugawa and Alice Wong; Hospitality Chairwomen Mabel Lai and Diana Chan; Historian Linda Toda and Auditor Janet Wan. The 100-member organization’s annual Potluck Taste N Tell Lunch is Jan. 24: chiamcircle.org.
Heading up the 70-member Foon Hay Seniors Golf Club will be President Chuck Leong, VP Chris Houlihan, Secretary Muriel Kao, Treasurer Joyce Tom, Tournament Chairmen Philip Chai, Tom Tanabe and John Ciaccio, Directors Pauline Fong and Ronnie Wong, Webmaster Clarence Bakken and Handicap Chairman Roger Eng. The club tourneys are the second Wednesday of each month: foonhay.org.
New in 2009 for the Association of Chinese Cooking Teachers are Co-Presidents Doris Lum and Margaret Ann Mar, VP/Historian Frank Jang, Secretary Jo Kandis, Treasurer Karen Mezzeta, Membership Chairman Don Lee, Newsletter Editor Raymond Tang and Doris Lum, Program Chairmen Cal Chun and Hank Quock and Webmaster Barbara Lum. A crab-feed meeting will be held Jan. 24 at Alameda’s popular Aroma Restaurant: associatioofchinesecookingteachers.blogspot.com.
Celebrations to Ox-Trot About
Noel Lee, founder and CEO of Monster Cable of Brisbane, who thought he was arriving at his company’s annual employee Christmas Party at the Millbrae Westin Hotel, was greeted with shouts of “Happy 60th Birthday, Boss!” by his 200 employees, family and friends. Snapshots of Noel in his childhood days decorated the table centerpieces and wife Lily organized a video presentation about his life.
Bouquets and lei to Margot Lam Padilla, who in the past four months got married and earned her Master of Education of Early Childhood Education from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. This busy San Francisco native, daughter of Don and Cheryle Lam, teaches at Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu.
Sophie Evangeline, daughter of the Jordon Lums, had a traditional Red Egg and Ginger Party at the Empress of China in San Francisco. Dedicated ballroom dancers and grandparents Hampson and Evangeline Lum, who hosted the party, led the dancing.
A Sad Note: We bid fond farewell to a dear friend, San Franciscan Daisy Chong, who volunteered for many years with Chinatown service organizations with an ever-ready smile and willingness to help where needed.
I wish my readers a most happy and healthy New Year. In this year of uncertain times, let us all think positive and be grateful for our blessings and the families and friends we must treasure with appreciation. Remember to plant a seed of friendship to reap a bouquet of happiness. Happy New Year!
Thank you for mentioning the Association of Chinese Cooking Teachers in your article! Our correct web address is http://associationofchinesecookingteachers.blogspot.com/. Please visit it for more information on our Annual All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feast, which will be hosted Jan. 24th at Aroma Restaurant in Alameda, and other upcoming ACCT events. Cheers and happy eating!