>>Bay/Cal
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma Selected as Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Assembly
AACI receives $3 million grant to tackle problem gambling
First Laotian National Conference to be held
>>Arts
Korean Am play “Macho Bravado Debuts
Bay/Cal
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma Selected as Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Assembly
Sacramento- Speaker of the Assembly John A. Pérez today appointed Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, to the leadership position of Speaker pro Tempore. Assemblywoman Ma has worked hard for her constituents and for the entire State, having focused her legislative agenda on issues that will have a positive affect on all Californians.
After receiving word that she would be taking on this important leadership role, Assemblywoman Ma
stated, “I commend the Speaker for his leadership, goals and vision for the Assembly, and for giving me the
opportunity to play an important role on his leadership team. I look forward to working with all members of
the Assembly and Speaker Pérez in ensuring that our floor sessions are run fairly and efficiently.”
As Speaker pro Tempore, Assemblywoman Ma will preside over Assembly Floor Sessions and policy
deliberations. As presiding officer, Assemblywoman Ma will guide Members through the daily business of
the house, respond to parliamentary inquiries, issue rulings on points of order when necessary, and be
responsible for guiding legislative priorities for the Caucus.
AACI receives $3 million grant to tackle problem gambling
San Jose, CA – Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) has received a $3 million grant from Bay 101 and Garden City Casino to fund a three-year program that will research the extent of problem gambling in the San Jose area and expand services to problem gamblers and their families.
The first-of-its-kind partnership will also involve Asian American Recovery Services, Breathe California of
the Bay Area, and the UCLA Gambling Studies Program.
The San Jose Problem Gambling Project will increase the number of certified problem gambling counselors in the region, increase the awareness of problem gambling, and provide treatment and other support services. Services will be available in multiple languages.
For more information on the San Jose Problem Gambling Project, please call AACI at (408) 975-2730.
First Laotian National Conference to be held
San Francisco- On April 8th-9th, 2010, the first Laotion National Conference will be held in the theme “Yesterday, Today, and Building a Better Tomorrow!” The two day conference will start at 9:00 A.M. and end by 6:00 P.M.
This is the first national conference for our community, focusing on community organizing as well as a
review of upcoming immigration laws.
A field of panelists will be present sharing information on Laotion community issues. Due to limited space, registration is required. Registration fees are $100 for conference participants and $50
The reception will also honor the communities unsung heroes in ” Laotian Veterans of the Secret War in
Laos”. Over 60% of the people from the country of Laos came to the United States as refugees from a
military family.
The conference and the special event will be held at the centrally located Hotel Whitcomb. For more
information please visit: www.LANA-USA.org
Arts
Korean Am play “Macho Bravado Debuts
San Francisco- The “Thick House” will be debuting the play “Macho Bravado”, a story of Evan Cho, a Korean American soldier who has just returned from fighting in the Middle East to find a greater battle at home over his love, his identity, and his masculinity. Although Evan couldn’t bring himself to tell his wife Lindsey that he had become sterile during the war, she greets him with wonderful news: she’s pregnant.
Confronted with questions of infidelity and self-doubt, both Evan and Lindsey struggle to maintain the macho bravado that defined their relationship before the war. This is a story that goes beyond the post-traumatic stress that a soldier and his wife experience, and ventures deep into their journey to forgive themselves and to forgive each other.
Film is Directed by Alan S. Quismorio and stars Rob Dario, Mayra Gaeta, Michael Uy Kelly, Brian O’Connor, and Janice Wright.
Written by Alex Park, a proud member of AATC’s NewWorks Incubator program. AATC world-premiered Alex’s first Incubator play, Rental Car, in 2004. Alex received his MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University.
Opening Night will be held on April 3, 2010 at 8 PM. To purchase tickets please go to: http://machobravado.eventbee.com
And again, gambling takes the scene. I was quite shocked that they will spend up to $3 million just to research problem gambling. While I do enjoy gambling as a game, I guess a lot of people tend to misuse the game and it somehow turns into an addiction which is not a good thing. I guess this is all our country can do. They should research problem gambling behavior and put an end on it. However, I wish that their efforts will not be futile.