On the Scene: Ending 2009 On a High Note January 2010
December 31, 2009
The ever active Chinatown OptiMs Club, a group of over 100 women members from the Greater Bay Area, annually presents the event of the season, its Holiday Ball, attended by a ballroom full of celebrants at San Francisco Chinatown’s popular Empress of China. Besides presenting its traditional philanthropic grants to over a dozen non profit organizations serving the Asian American community, this year the event was marked with a theme, Chapeaux de Joie. Over 100 patrons donned their hat creations to parade before Judges May Louie, Nellie Go and Dawn Ming. Although the crowd heralded all the creative marchers as winners, the judges awarded gift certificate prizes for those they chose as the most creative, the most vintage, the most decorative among other categories. I personally loved Ivy Tam’s Dim Sum Hat made from a bamboo dim sum container with a take out box and chopsticks on the side. Doris Grover and Esther Li choreographed a quartet of couples in a “Waltz Down Fashion Lane” featuring gowns from Doris’ Grand Couture Boutique in Walnut Creek. Her elegant dancers were George and Ivy, Adel and Karen, Bruce and Tere, Winston and Linda, and Arnold and Gloria. In honor of the incoming Holiday Ball 2009 Queen Emily Chin, her fellow Grant Avenue Follies Dancers performed followed by her Coronation by outgoing Queen Gloria Gee, dancng her farewell dance with Ed Chan. Queen Emily then took the floor with escort Mark Wong, her brother, to congratulatory applause from the audience. President Cynthia Yee coordinated the event, which included a silent auction and raffle drawing, all in the spirit of raising funds for next year’s fundraising grants. Good job by all the OptiMs members and their 200 guests. Supporters seen enjoying the ball were Howard and Pat Seto, Ed and Martha Wong, Toby and Yvonne Lee, Hampson and Evangeline Lum, Spencer and Phyllis Leong, Dr. Eddie Way, Art and Blossom Yim, Steve and Phyllis Gee.
Members working hard that evening were Emily Leong, Eileen Tong, Mary Jane Tom, Annette Leong and Bea Wong, just to name a few.
WEDDING BELLS A RINGING…..
San Francisco’s Jason Li whisked San Jose-born and bred Staci Fong to Honolulu where they exchanged vows at a quiet beachside wedding at the Kahala Hotel.
Staci’s mother Ruby Fong, escorted by grandson Andrew led the procession, followed by Jason’s parents Hong and Su Li. Brother Dr. Rick Fong escorted Staci down the sandy walkway along with his daughters Rachel and Rylie. Bay Area relatives flying to the wedding included Franklin and Pammy Wong, Thomas and Doris Wong, Frank and Jane Wong, Bill Wong, and Jason’s sisters Bonnie and Connie Li. A gala San Francisco reception hosted by the Li Family introduced the newlyweds at the Yank Sing Restaurant rotunda in Rincon Square to over 450 guests. Silicon Valley friends of the Fong family included Harry and Grace Wong, Dan and Shirley Mock, Bert and Valerie Jeung, Ronald and Aimee Leung, Benson and Helen Kwan, Andrew and Elizabeth Koo.
Stanford Memorial Church was the scene of the wedding ceremony joining Joselyn del Carmen and Chris Tanabe on December 19. The bride’s parents, Rolando and Josie del Carmen flew in from their home near Houston, Texas, as well as the groom’s Stanford friends from all over the world.
Joselyn was attended by Jennifer Giroux, Julie Tanabe and flower girls Lillian Tanabe, Josephine and Jillian Taylor. Chris’ brothers Brett, Scott and Craig together with brother -in-law Roy Taylor ushered the 300 guests into Stanford’s beautiful and popular church, where 3 other weddings took place that day. At the Faculty Club reception, Chris spoke emotionally that it was his mother, Joanne, who he credits for who he is, where he is at and what he is today. His very efficient mother had made all of the flower girls dresses and as he said, was always there to pitch to help when she was needed throughout his life. The newlyweds danced a very intricate Salsa rumba for their first dance, joined by parents Tom and Joanne Tanabe and Rolando and Josie del Carmen. Something borrowed to bring the bride good luck was the bridal veil created by Wanda Wong, a family friend, who also designed the large size faux wedding cake for the photo op while guests enjoyed the individual cakes and ice cream from the make-it-yourself ice cream bar. Joselyn is a practicing opthalmologist in Palo Alto and Chris works at Oracle in Silicon Valley.
HOMETOWN HEROES MAKE THE NEWS
In Boston earlier this year Massachusett’s Governor Deval Patrick named Geoffrey Why as the new Commissioner of the Department of Telecommunications and Cable. Geoff, a Californian growing up in Santa Clara before attending Boston College Law School, is the son of Dr. Bert and Barbara Why. Upon his selection, Governor Patrick announced, “Geoffrey has great experience in the telecommunications and cable industries, and understands the importance of consumer protection and advocacy.” Throughout his career, Why has been involved in important actions regarding industry practices and consumer protections, investigating and obtaining a settlement against three cell phone service providers, which included a $5 million payment where the companies allegedly engaged in deceptive advertising. Before joining the Department in 2007, Why served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Attorney General Office’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division. He is also active in the Asian-American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts and serves as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Asian-American Commission. Congratulations and well deserved honor. It is wonderful to see Asian Americans now achieving high posts in government, denied to so many in their parents’ and grandparents’ generations.
Southern California resident and well known Hollywood star of the silver screen, Nancy Kwan, was honored by the Women in Film and Television Association recently to receive their Lifetime Achievement Award. At the WIFTS Film Festival in December, Nancy’s life story, TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: KA SHEN’S JOURNEY was premiered at the Beverly Theatre before an audience of longtime fans. Traveling from Hawaii to herald the film’s opening was the Executive Producer Dr. Larry Tseu, Associate Producers Ronald and Sylvia Young, Mr. and Mrs. Al Mancini, and former Mrs. Hawaii Chinatown Maggie and Gerald Breeden. Representing the Chi Am Circle, to which Nancy has named as her favorite charity to receive her portion of the event’s profits, were Pearl Lee, Doris Grover, Esther Li and Gerrye Wong. Seen in the audience were filmmaker Arthur Dong, Martin Wong and the film’s director Brian Jamieson. The movie is a very moving story of Nancy growing up and being discovered by Hollywood producers in Hong Kong as a young school girl, and her quick rise to fame as the first Chinese American female actress to star in the American movie, World of Suzie Wong and Flower Drum Song. The film chronicles her acting career during the times when it was difficult for Asian actresses to find roles other than playing Asian stereotypes. The sadness of losing her only son is told honestly by Nancy herself in the film, which also features first hand accounts of Nancy’s life by her family and close friends. Hopefully the movie will be coming to your city so you may enjoy the film as much as I did.
2009 is coming to an end, and as we look forward, 2010 has to be a better year economically for the nation and world at large. Happy New Year to one and all from your On The Scene columnist who completes her more than 25 years visiting you through this column. At this age, I’ve lost count of the years, so need help if someone has a better memory than I do. In the meantime, thanks for the memories!
Chinese American Hero: Frank Wu
December 28, 2009
This is Week 38 of AsianWeek’s salute to Chinese American heroes, in strategic partnership with Chinese American Heroes, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to documenting the contributions of Chinese Americans to America and the world.
This week we are honoring and recognizing Mr. Frank Wu, Esq., who was just appointed by the Board of Directors of the University of California, Hastings College of Law, as their Chancellor and Dean. Frank Wu is a very special person who is taking over a college that has produced many of the most prestigious lawyers, judges, and politicians in the country. Not only has he been practicing law for many years but has also consistently reached for loftier goals by being an author, law professor, and dean before this latest achievement.
As an attorney with a heart, he has served the indigent and handicapped, defended civil rights and affirmative action, and eschewed the pursuit of a much more lucrative private practice in favor of the legal teaching profession. In 1982, he first became a politically active teenager in the “Justice for Vincent Chin” movement after a Chinese American man was murdered in Detroit by unemployed white autoworkers, a crime that galvanized Asian Americans across the entire country. In 1995, he became the first Asian American professor of law to teach at historically African American Howard University Law School in Washington DC. In 2003 he wrote the epic, “Yellow: Race in American Beyond Black and White,” which expanded American race issues beyond the tradition of only speaking about race relations between whites and African Americans in America. The next year he became the dean of Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Michigan, a position he held until 2008.
In the Bay Area, we are very lucky to have Frank Wu with us and look forward to his future accomplishments now that he is the Chancellor and Dean at UC Hastings Law School.
Read more a Frank Wu at the Chinese American Heroes website below.
For information about Chinese American heroes, please visit the Chinese American Heroes website at www.chineseamericanheroes.org.
Daily Dose & Announcements: 12/28/09
December 28, 2009
>>Ex-Va. Tech Student Pleads Guilty in Decapitation
>>The San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking
>>APALC Board Member Becomes First Chinese American Federal District Court Judge
>>SavantMD.com Brings the Family Doctor — and the Specialist — to San Franciscans
Tax Year 2010: Free Tax Filing Services For Low-Income Families Open Registration After December 28, 2009
December 28, 2009
San Francisco — Chinese Newcomers Service Center’s (CNSC), a local non-profit agency located in San Francisco Chinatown, will be providing free tax filing service to low-income families for the 37th year. The actual service will be on Saturdays, Jan. 23 to Apr. 3, 2010, from 9:00am to 2:30pm (excluding Feb. 13th for Lunar New Year’s Eve).
CNSC will accept appointments starting Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 on a first-come-first-serve basis. Tax filers just need to provide their name, address, and telephone number upon registration as well as all residing family members; no phone appointments permitted.
Due to the economic downfall in the U.S., there’s an increase of low-income and unemployed families. Therefore, CNSC decided to outreach our service to San Francisco Chinatown’s Wu Yee Children’s Services and Portola Neighborhood’s Bethel Grace Lutheran Ministries. Other than Saturdays, tax services will also be provided on Mondays and Fridays.
The center not only encourages electronic tax filing (e-filing), but also suggests client to use direct deposit for tax refunds. This will reduce the process time for both federal and state taxes, where clients may receive their tax refund checks in about two weeks. In addition, direct deposit applicants for the San Francisco Working Families Credit (WFC) can receive up to $125 if qualified. However, paper check applicants will have their WFC refunds reduced to only $50.
Those who want to participate in CNSC’s free service must meet the following criteria:
1) 2009 annual gross income for a single household must not exceed $30,000
2) Family annual gross income must not exceed $40,000, and earned interests must not exceed $300 3) Does not own any housing properties in the United States and overseas
4) No rental income, no investment in stocks, bonds, or any other investments.
Registration Locations: Chinese Newcomers Service Center: 777 Stockton St. #104, San Francisco, CA 94108 Wu Yee Children’s Services: 888 Clay St., Lower Level, San Francisco, CA 94108 Bethel Grace Lutheran Ministries: 465 Woolsey St., San Francisco CA 94134
Chinese Newcomers Service Center is also recruiting volunteers, bilingual in Chinese & English, to help file taxes during the filing season. For more information, please visit CNSC, or call (415) 421-2111 ext.688.
The Chinese Newcomers Service Center (CNSC), a local non-profit organization located in the San Francisco Chinatown, provides multilingual services that help Chinese immigrants adapt to life in the United States. CNSC serves as a bridge between the two cultures, enhancing the physical, mental, social and economic well- being of immigrants, thus facilitating their efforts to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the community.
UC Hastings Names Frank H. Wu New Chancellor and Dean
December 28, 2009
Bold Step Marks New Generation of Leadership at Top California Law School
San Francisco — The Board of Directors of UC Hastings College of the Law announced today its new Chancellor and Dean, Frank H. Wu, Professor of Law at Howard University and the former dean at Wayne State University Law School, where he was the nation’s youngest law school Dean. The selection of Wu, who is closely connected to high-level legal, business and political leadership in the Asian and Asian-American world, is viewed as a dramatic and bold step to bring an entirely new level of leadership to Hastings.
“Frank Wu is a brilliant, world-class scholar and national leader in higher education. He was selected because of his powerful strategic vision for raising our 131-year-old law school to a new level. He has the experience and commitment to develop unprecedented private support for the College,” said Bruce Simon, Chair of the Board of Directors of Hastings and co-chair of the Dean Selection Committee, along with Professor Richard Boswell. ”With today’s significant fiscal challenges, UC Hastings needs dynamic, top-flight leadership fully engaged in the legal and greater community at large.”
Chancellor and Dean-designate Wu, 42, was selected following an extensive and careful search among highly-qualified candidates. All of the final candidates visited the campus for two-day interviews with faculty, students, staff, and alumni. The Dean Search Committee, comprised of four board members and three faculty members, took into account opinions from a wide variety of sources. The Board was assisted in the search and selection process by the firm of Major, Lindsey & Africa.
Chancellor and Dean-designate Wu provided a compelling vision for UC Hastings, including a concrete three-point plan to build on the school’s historical strength in scholarship and education. Wu said: “This is an exciting and extraordinary opportunity to elevate UC Hastings even higher on the national scene, and I am deeply honored and privileged to bring my experience and skills to bear on this challenge.” Wu emphasized that higher education must prepare students for their careers by giving them the skills needed to succeed; that the lawyers and the leaders of today and the future must be ready to work within a global economy with a Pacific Rim emphasis; and students must be able to blend their technical abilities in analyzing doctrine with the strengths of other disciplines.
Wu called special attention to the need to increase private support to ensure talented students continue to have meaningful access to a quality legal education, and toward that end he intends to begin the first-ever capital campaign for UC Hastings. He is forming a transition team to advise him, ensuring all stakeholders are able to participate in implementing these ideas.
“There is no question Frank Wu’s positive fund-raising experience at Wayne State and throughout his entire academic and legal career was a critical factor in our decision,” Board Chair Simon emphasized. ”He has the skills, energy and vision to make it happen.” Acting Chancellor and Dean Leo Martinez added: ”A figure of his stature and national presence is a huge win for UC Hastings. This spells success on a new scale.”
Chancellor and Dean-designate Wu’s biographical background is extensive and distinguished. He is currently a member of the law faculty at Howard University, among the nation’s leading historically black colleges and universities. He also has taught as a full-time Visiting Professor at the law schools of Peking University, University of Maryland, George Washington University, and University of Michigan, in addition to having taught undergraduates at Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, and Deep Springs College.
Wu is nationally known for his leadership in higher education and human rights. He returned to his hometown of Detroit to be Dean at Wayne State. His extensive service also includes his role as a Trustee of Gallaudet University, the only institution of higher education in the world serving people who are deaf and hard of hearing, and Vice-Chairman of their Board since 2006. Last week, Wu was appointed to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), a high-level advisory body on accreditation. In 2009, he was appointed to the Congressionally-mandated Military Leadership Diversity Commission, and he joined the Board of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund in 2004. Chancellor and Dean-designate Wu was appointed by Mayor Anthony Williams as Chair of the D.C. Human Rights Commission for 2001-02, and by the D.C. Court of Appeals to its Board on Professional Responsibility, which adjudicates attorney discipline matters. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and he has been recognized for his work with the 2008 Chang-Lin Tien Education Leadership Award from the Asian Pacific Fund, named for the late Chancellor of University of California at Berkeley and selected from a national pool of nominees, and the 2007 Trailblazer Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Chancellor and Dean-Designate Wu is the author of Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White, which was immediately reprinted in its hardcover edition, and co-author of Race, Rights and Reparation: Law and the Japanese American Internment, which received major grants from the federal and California Civil Liberties Public Education Funds. Prior to his academic career, Chancellor and Dean-Designate Wu held a clerkship with the late U.S. District Judge Frank J. Battisti in Cleveland, and he then practiced law with the firm of Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco, devoting a quarter of his time to pro bono representation. He received a B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan. He has completed the Management Development Program of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is married to Carol L. Izumi, a distinguished legal scholar and law professor.
Chancellor and Dean-designate Wu will assume his new position on July 1, 2010, and will have a salary of $350,000. He has already announced his intention to demonstrate his commitment to UC Hastings by donating $25,000 of his salary every year to the College for scholarships and academic support. He hopes that his example will encourage greater philanthropy among Hastings’ alumni community.
Since the departure of former Chancellor and Dean Nell Newton in the summer 2009, UC Hastings Professor Leo Martinez has served as Acting Chancellor and Dean. ”During the interim period, Leo Martinez has been providing Hastings with inspired leadership - applying his trademark cool, level-headed and thoughtful judgment, but also jumping with enthusiasm to grapple with every imaginable challenge in running UC Hastings. We are hugely fortunate in having Professor Martinez at the helm at this critical time,” said Don Bradley, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.
Hastings College of the Law was founded in 1878 as the first law department of the University of California, and today is one of the top-rated law schools in the United States. Its alumni span the globe and are among the most respected lawyers, judges and business leaders today.
Telltale Signs: SC Asked to Extend Voter Registration to Overseas Pinoys
December 28, 2009
Rodel E. Rodis
Responding to a plea to extend the time to register to vote in the May 2010 elections, the Philippine Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision on December 8, 2009 extending the voter registration period to January 9, 2010. Because the decision only covers voters in the Philippines, a petition to the Court to extend its ruling to cover overseas Filipinos will be filed this week.
Filipinos in the Philippines had until October 31, 2009 to register to vote in the May 8, 2010 elections while those outside the country were given only until August 31, 2009 to do so. The period of voter registration for the former lasted eleven (11) months starting on December 1, 2008 while those for the latter lasted only seven (7) months starting on February 1, 2009.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Palatino v. Comelec directed the Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) “to proceed with dispatch in reopening the registration of voters and hold the same until January 9, 2010.”
Citing Section 8 of the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996, the Court held that Congress determined that the period of 120 days before a regular election was enough time for Comelec to make all the necessary preparations with respect to the coming elections. According to petitioner Raymond Palatino, Comelec had “usurped the power of Congress to legislate” by deciding that it needed 69 days more than what Congress had determined.
The Supreme Court decision did not cover all voters because the Palatino petition only involved the registration of Philippine voters which is covered by one Republic Act, RA 8189 (The Voter Registration Act of 1996) while that of Filipinos abroad is governed by another, RA 9189 (The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003).
Why did the Comelec set different expiration dates for the registration of voters in the Philippines and those abroad?
According to the Comelec, they were complying with Section 6 of RA 9189 which provides “that all applications for the May, 2004 elections shall be filed with the Commission not later than two hundred eighty (280) calendar days before the day of elections.” August 31, 2009 is exactly 280 calendar days before the May 2010 elections.
But the very next line of that sentence in Section 6 stated: “For succeeding elections, the Commission shall provide for the period within which applications to register must be filed.” The reference to the 280 calendar days only applied to the May 2004 elections and not to “succeeding elections”. The Comelec was not barred by RA 9189 from setting a different deadline.
In fact, Comelec had the power to allow for a shorter preparation period as the 120 day timeline mandated by Congress only applied to RA 8189, voters in the Philippines. More Comelec resources are required to register voters in the Philippines while minimal Comelec resources are needed to register overseas voters as that function has been handled by Philippine consular officials.
A local consul disclosed that the Comelec’s role in registering overseas voters was simply to provide the consulates with voters’ registration machines, which are all still in the consulates and have not been shipped back to the Comelec. It will not take much to get the machines back into operation, the consul said.
The Comelec had set a goal of registering one million new overseas voters but fell far short of it, as only 225,000 new voters registered.
The Comelec’s failure to meet its stated goal may be due in part to the limited registration period. Instead of beginning registration on December 1, 2008 as it did with Philippine voters, it delayed overseas registration to February 11, 2009.
The Comelec also did not allocate funds and resources to publicize the registration of overseas voters (like placing ads in Balitang America), leaving that responsibility entirely to local consuls to do what they could with their own limited resources.
A review of Comelec press releases showed one that related to overseas voters: on July 13, 2009, the Comelec declared its intention to “tap the Iglesia ni Cristo, the Jesus is Lord Church and the overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) group Migrante International to help them in its campaign to increase the turn-out of overseas absentee voter (OAV) registrants.” That was it.
Why did the Comelec wait so long to do so little?
One clue to the answer is the identity of the “Comelec Commissioner-in-Charge for Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV)”. It is none other than Nicodemo Ferrer, the same Comelec commissioner who rejected the lesbian gay party-list group, Ang Ladlad, from party-list accreditation on “moral grounds” even quoting from an internet Christian website that described homosexuality as “unseemly” or “transgressive” to support his position.
When challenged about his religious views, Ferrer moved away from his “moral grounds” rationale to his unsupported claim that there there were already too many gays in Congress so there was no need to accredit a gay party-list group.
Nicodemo Ferrer is also the same Comelec commissioner who issued rulings to unseat three incumbent provincial governors - all members of the Liberal Party - Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza - in favor of administration party challengers.
When the registration period for overseas Filipinos ended on August 31, Sen. Noynoy Aquino had not yet announced his candidacy as the Liberal Party presidential standard-bearer and many overseas Filipinos did not yet have a presidential candidate to support.
This week, lawyers for the newly-formed US Pinoys for Noynoy-Mar (noymar2010.com) will file a petition with the Comelec to extend the Palatino ruling to overseas Filipinos. Given Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer’s track record, he will likely reject the petition, which will then be appealed to the Supreme Court.
This would not be the first time US Pinoys would go to the Supreme Court. In 2004, the Comelec issued a ruling that dual citizens were not eligible to vote in Philippine elections because they did not satisfy the residency requirement. Loida Nicolas Lewis, Greg Macanbenta, Alex Esclamado and other Filipino American leaders filed a petition with the Philippine Supreme Court to nullify the Comelec ruling.
On August 4, 2006, in the case Nicolas-Lewis v. Comelec, the Supreme Court overturned the Comelec and allowed dual citizens the right to vote in Philippine elections stating that the essence of the dual citizenship law is to “enfranchise as much as possible all overseas Filipinos.”
In filing the petition with the Supreme Court to extend its Palatino ruling to overseas Filipinos, the Court will be reminded of its decision in Nicolas-Lewis v. Comelec and in the principle that the right of suffrage which is a fundamental right in a democracy must be treated as a higher right than the power of the Comelec to regulate the conduct of elections.
(Please send comments to Rodel50@aol.com <mailto:Rodel50@aol.com> or mail them to the Law Offices of Rodel Rodis at 2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 or call (415) 334-7800. For past columns, log on to Rodel50.blogspot.com).
Basketball Phenom Jeremy Lin Returns to Bay Area Jan. 4
December 21, 2009
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is first appeared on GoldenStateofMind.com. To read the rest of the piece in its entirety, visit: http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/12/15/1201646/bow-to-the-jeremy-lin-movement-b-o.
There is nothing wrong with rooting for someone of your own ethnicity, especially when there aren’t many of them playing in the top league of the game you love, and when we live in arguably the most diverse region on the planet here in the Bay Area.
However, up until this point there really has not been a plethora of highlights with the appropriate context to base these movements on. YouTube had highlights of Yi Jianlian playing in China and ESPN had video of his pre-draft workout, albeit with no one else but a trainer on the floor. That’s a lot more than we had for Singh, Ming Ming, and Sun combined!
Asian Grandparents Volunteering at Preschools
December 18, 2009
By Vivian Po, New America Media
SAN FRANCISCO - At Lotus Preschool located in San Jose’s Japantown, one of the senior volunteers, Kay Park, is teaching Japanese songs to the children.
Park is 75 years old. She began volunteering at Lotus Preschool about three years ago, when her granddaughter, Cassidy Yoneda, first attended preschool there. Like many other Asian grandparents, Park has shared the responsibility of caring for Cassidy since she was born, while both of Cassidy’s parents worked full time.
However, Park wanted to be more than just a babysitter.
As they become increasingly aware of the importance of preschool, many Asian grandparents are trying to participate more in their grandchildren’s early education.
Spotlight: Andrei Soen of Crab Landing
December 17, 2009
Crab Landing, the new seafood hot spot dreamt up by owner Andrei Soen and his team, happens to open at a very fitting time: crab season.
Aptly located in the picturesque coastal town of Half Moon Bay, the restaurant features a diverse fusion menu of all things delectable and fresh from the sea.
Featuring a sparkling Raw Bar complete with oysters on the half shell and chilled bites like Hamachi Carpaccio with a lime-mint vinaigrette, and a poke-inspired Wakame Salmon Tini with spicy diced salmon and cucumber over Japanese seaweed salad, Crab Landing has a menu full of delights for the ultimate seafood lover.
The mouthwatering menu includes weekend brunch, lunch, starters, dinner, desserts and a full cocktail and wine bar. Patrons will relish in the range of classics and new twists, finding anything from steamed Manila clams and Ahi Tuna Poke to a Prawn Mango Salad with sweet chili garlic dressing and Cracked Crab.
Here, Andrei Soen talks a little about his Asian heritage and the influence his background has had on his work and in the creation of Crab Landing.
New People Complements the Holidays with Fun Japanese Pop Inspired Gift Ideas
December 17, 2009
NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, offers shoppers something unique with an inspired collection of products and accessories for home, office and wardrobe that are available now from the new web store at www.NewPeopleStore.com.
A variety of fun and inventive pop culture-inspired products from Japan are featured - just in time for the holidays - on the web site and also inside NEW PEOPLE The Store, a retail space located on the mezzanine level of the 20,000 square foot entertainment complex in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Japantown at 1746 Post Street.
These items are ideal gifts from friends, loved ones, as well as the boss and professional colleagues — and available exclusively in the U.S. via NEW PEOPLE.
For your Girlfriend
Graphic Design Headphones by ZUMREED · $59.95
These smart, slim and stylish headphones will keep you on the beat with large-aperture 40mm drivers designed with neodymium magnet systems for super high quality sound and emblazoned with stylish, colorful graphics.
For your Boyfriend
VINYL KILLER Mini Clubman Model Portable Turntable by RAZYWORKS · $139.95
No one will ever be without the right sounds with a stylish portable record player modeled after the Mini Clubman. Forget about traditional bulky turntables. This is the smallest self-running record player in the world! Instead of spinning a record, the MINI CLUBMAN coasts over the surface of the vinyl, gliding the needle over and into the grooves, playing music from its own built-in speaker. Made in Japan and licensed globally by BMW AG from Germany. 33RPM only. Available in Laser Blue, Dark Silver, Pepper White, and Chili Red.
For your Husband
Boxed Set of Neckties by GIRAFFE · $149.00
GIRAFFE, a specialized brand led by creative director, Masamichi Toyama, is one of the hottest fashion labels in Tokyo. GIRAFFE neckties are categorized into four different stages based on one’s body temperature and feeling so one can select ties based on how they feel that day. Ties are available in several colors and varieties and designed for men or women.
For your Grandpa
Fitted Baseball Caps by ZILLON · $44.95
New from famed French designer David Guarino’s brand - ZILLON - are these colorful baseball caps that blend traditional with the modern by using stylish Japanese kimono patterns.
For your Grandma
TAKEO Paper Products & DRESSCO Notebooks and Envelopes
Notebook, Large - $20.95
Notebook, Small - $19.95
Envelopes, Long - $7.95
Envelopes, Petite - $6.95
Since its founding nearly 100 years ago, TAKEO has manufactured some of the highest quality paper products in the world. DRESSCO similarly manufactures high quality notebooks with unique cover designs that provide an attractive complement to whatever the writer chooses to upon its pages. Items available in several colors - gold, green, brown, fuchsia, celadon, mint and light blue.
For your Wife
Jewelry & Accessories by Q-POT
Burger Ring · $240.00
Q-POT is a jewelry brand led by designer Tadaaki Wakamatsu and these accessories are a sensation among young girls in Japan today. Modeled after sweet confections and other delicious foods, Q-POT offers a new array of fun and witty jewelry that look good enough to eat!
For your Boss
Graf Zeppelin Metal Model by AEROBASE · $124.95
This photo-etched stainless steel metal model kit is a highly detailed replica of the famed Graf Zeppelin. No need to solder and easy to assemble. Includes cast metal parts and a base for the completed airship.
For your Kids
Duller Colored Pencils by IDEA INTERNATIONAL · $54.95
Set of 36 colors
For the budding or established artist is an immaculately-presented set of 36 colored pencils from IDEA INTERNATIONAL’s newest stationery imprint, Duller.
NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: www.NewPeopleWorld.com
On the Scene: Holiday Happenings in December
December 17, 2009
The Bay Area is a wonderful place to be during the holidays as there are so many places to go, theatre to see, decorations to ogle at, and shopping centers to peruse. How could we ask for anything more?
Down in San Jose, the new Retro Dome, which formerly was the site of Century movie theatres, has been reopened for both live theatre and movie viewing. For December, the Retro Dome, located in the Westgate Center at Prospect Road and Saratoga Avenues in West San Jose area, is shaking things up with Santa’s Fantastic Musical Experience, SANTASTIC! This is an all singing, all dancing holiday package wrapped up with the most beloved scenes and melodies – from Rudolph and Frosty to mean old Mr. Grinch – all of which are guaranteed to delight even your biggest Scrooge of your family.
With lively audience participation, sing-along and plenty of holiday cheer packed into this celebration of all things Santa – the best part is when he actually makes it snow!
For tickets visit www.theretrodome.com or call (408) 404-7711.
Additional info about the Retro Dom is that people can rent this newly renovated site for corporate events, film series or theatrical productions, weddings, reunions, and birthdays with two room offerings – The Blue Room for Live Professional Musical Theatre, Live Music or Comedy and the Red Rioom for film and retro movies. Interested, contact: ontactus@guggyent.com.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has a great offering, letting the viewer see how Christmas was in 1864 with a great Abraham Lincoln look alike in A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS. There are 19th Century folk songs, hymns and spirituals among beloved Christmas carols and this play was called “the best play of the year” when it premiered last year in New Haven. Directed by well known and respected director Robert Kelley, this is a heartwarming story for a quiet night out during this busy season. Since founding TheatreWorks in 1970, Kelley has directed over 150 productions for the company to the enjoyment of his faithful followers. Plays until December 27 – www.theatreworks.org; (650) 463-1960.
You can hear raucous laughter coming out of the San Francisco Curran Theatre if you pass by its Geary Street location as audiences are truly enjoying SHN’s new production, “39Steps”, the spoof on the old Alfred Hitchcock movie. One play goer next to me said he had rented the old movie the night before – and this spoof keeps pretty much to the plot of spies and intrigue, but oh so much more entertaining and funny. The four actors’ timing, much like British stage humor, and costume changes makes for a great evening of humorous theatre. Run to go see this one after a day of downtown shopping and you will feel rejuvenated and leave with a smile on your face.
Downtown San Jose is bustling with activity with its outdoor displays of Christmas in the Park right across from the Fairmont Hotel. San Jose Rep brings in the old favorite, A CHRISTMAS STORY, based on another old movie where you experience Christmas as a time of great expectations, especially through the eyes of a child who wants the Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. The scene where the curious child accepts the dare of putting his tongue on an icy light pole always is funny one, and as Publicist Michelle Hou reminds us, who can resist this old favorite story. www.SJRep.com or (408) 367-7255 for this show which closes December 20.
Congratulations to the new officers of Chi Am Circle who were installed at a gala luncheon at Vicki Ching’s Ming’s of Palo Alto. Over 80 members applauded new officers as they performed their traditional candlelight ceremony: President Sylvia Eng, Vic Presidents Beverly Harada and Paulette Curby, Treasurers E. J. Hong and Fanniter Mui, Secretary Marichu Scanlon, Program Co Chairs Mabel Lai and Helen Yamauchi, Hospitality Diana Chan, Historian Linda Toda, Auditor Teddy Sue and Webmaster Jenny Leung. At this luncheon chaired by Sharon Wong an Miriam Ngai, following her acceptance speech, continuing president Sylvia Eng made a surprise announcement. Imagine my astonished face when she awarded the Chi Am Circle’s first Lifetime Woman of Achievement Award to one of the club’s original founders of 1965, a former president and the club’s noted “general” who helped lead the recent Rainbow of Hope Fashion Show with her “forceful demeanor” - yes, you guessed it – your veteran columnist, ME. The best reward, I told them, was being in a room with friends gained through the Chi Am Circle of Comraderie, and even better is being honored by your own peers. Volunteerism has always been my by-word and it was a very nice gesture of Chi Am Circle’s Board who secretly voted to present this surprise award to me. I thank them and my fellow Chi Am Circle sisters for this meaningful recognition.
Happy Chi Am Circle members Barbara Why, Pearl Lee and Mabel Lai attend club event.
Catch if you can the thunder of RIVERDANCE when it invades San Jose December 29-Jan 3 with its wonderful Irish music, song and dance tapping its way in thrilling your senses after the holiday hullabaloo.
I saw it first in the late 1990s when Riverdance vfist came to North America…and since then it has been seen live by more than 21 million people in 21 countries. I think it was a great ambassador for Ireland and has brought the face of Irish dance to the public eye. It will play its 8 fairewell performances at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts - www.sjtix.com.
Young Impressions of the Old City, a Symphonic Suite by compower Gordon Lee for Erhu, Pipa & Sheng will bring its World Premiere to San Jose’s California Theatre January 9 and 10 accompanied by the Symphony Silicon Valley, On the Sheng will be Wanpeng Guo, Pipa - Shenshen Zhang, Erhu - Su-Chen Liu. For more information contact (408) 286 2600 x 23.
Looking Ahead……
Self Help for the Elderly invited everyone to celebrate the Year of the Tiger with a South Bay Dinner Dance Fundraiser January 10, 2010 at the Dynasty Seafood Restaurant in Cupertino. You can dine and dance with your friends to open the new year for only $50 with a live Gus Olmedo Band – and help a good cause at the same time. Let’s have some new years fun and support the new Self Help San Jose assisted living facility on 1050 St. Elizabeth Dr in San Jose’s Willow Glen area. Email: beverlyk@selfhelpelderly.org or call (408) 961- 7073.
Here’s some pictures of past events of 2009 as we round the corner to a new year.
Happy New Year!
2010 Open Enrollment for Medicare Prescription Drug and Health Plan Coverage Kicks Off
December 17, 2009
WASHINGTON (U.S. ASIAN WIRE) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of the annual Open Enrollment period to make sure they have the best coverage available to meet their healthcare needs in 2010.
The Open Enrollment period began on November 15 and runs through December 31. It’s the one time every year when all people with Medicare can review and, if necessary, change their current health care coverage.
“Medicare beneficiaries will continue to have a wide range of health and drug plan options in 2010, including Original Medicare,” said Jonathan Blum, director of the Center for Medicare Management and the acting director of the Center for Drug and Health Plan Choice. “Open Enrollment is the time for those with Medicare to double-check that they have the best coverage for their individual needs. They may find that they like what they have, or may find a coverage option that better fits their needs.”
Since November 15, beneficiaries can go to www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to make changes in their Medicare prescription drug and health coverage. People in Original Medicare without prescription drug coverage can enroll in a drug plan or health plan that offers drug coverage during Open Enrollment.
Just as always, it is important for people with Medicare to review their coverage during Open Enrollment. Since coverage varies by plan, CMS recommends that those with Medicare use Open Enrollment to think about how their health may have changed, and what their needs will be for the coming year.
Resources for Medicare Beneficiaries
There are a number of easy ways that beneficiaries can get information and assistance about what plan is best for their needs. These include:
· Calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY#: 1-877-486-2048) or visiting www.medicare.gov to review plans to see how the costs and coverage compares for different coverage options available in their area. Medicare customer service representatives are available 24-hours a day/7 days a week with multiple language options and resources for people with disabilities.
· Reviewing CMS’ Medicare and You handbook. The handbook was mailed to all Medicare beneficiaries in October and provides a listing of available prescription drug and health coverage plans in their areas. All people with Medicare should also have received information from their current health and prescriptions drug plans. This handbook is also conveniently available online at www.medicare.gov
· Meeting one-on-one with a trained Medicare specialist. To find a Medicare specialist in their area, seniors should call 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE) or visit www.medicare.gov.
· Medicare beneficiaries who cannot meet the costs of prescription drugs may be eligible for extra help. Medicare has a program in which those who are eligible for extra help pay no more than $2.50 for each generic drug and no more than $6.30 for each name brand drug. The program can also help pay for premiums and other out-of-pocket costs. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov to find out more about getting extra help.
At www.medicare.gov, beneficiaries and those assisting them can access interactive tools that will help them learn more about all of the prescription drug plans and health plans – including Original Medicare – that serve their area. In addition to providing overviews of coverage and premium costs, there is also information about the quality and performance ratings of participating plans.
Protecting Against Fraud and Identity Theft
CMS also offers tips to help beneficiaries protect themselves against fraud and identity theft during the Open Enrollment period. Medicare recommends that people treat their Medicare number as they do their social security number and credit card information. Beneficiaries should not give personal information to anyone who comes to their home uninvited or makes an unsolicited phone call selling Medicare-related products or services. Beneficiaries who believe they are a victim of fraud or identity theft should contact 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)/ (TDY#:1-800-377-4950) to report the incident. More information is available at www.stopmedicarefraud.gov
