April 16, 2002

Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival

Torrance Japanese Festival

LA Times & other news articles

MISSION STATEMENT:

Promote full utilization of the capabilities of the Enterprise's employees and champion the betterment of the company and community. Promote interest in Asian Pacific issues and culture and act as a bridge to all groups within our community.

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ed. by Douglas Ikemi

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The internet site is back at:

after some technical difficulties, and not all menu items are active yet. Our own domain name, apa-pro.org, stands for Asian Pacific American Professionals. www.apa-pro.org/ gives you a menu of AP organization websites.

Back issues of the newsletter for all of 2000 and 2001are available on the website if you want to look up some past event. (Well some of them, at the moment.)

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APPA Board Meeting Schedule for 2002:

Evening meetings will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2100 Mariposa Ave.(corner of Nash)310/726-0100. Noon time meetings will be on Raytheon premises

(In case you haven't figured it out, APPA is an umbrella organization to which AAPA-BSS belonged. APPA is still functioning.)

Schedule for 2002:

May 15 (W) at 6 pm

June 13 (Th) at 12 pm

July 10 (W) at 6 pm

Aug. 13 (Tu) at 12 pm

Sept. 11 (W) at 6 pm

Oct. 10 (Th) at 12 pm

Nov. 13 (W) at 6 pm

Detailed calendar is attached this week and is available on the internet at www.apa-pro.org in Acrobat and Excel formats. Events go into the calendar that I don't mention here. Please send in information on cultural events and news items. Thanks to those who have.

Long range calendar items:

LA Times Festival of Books, UCLA campus Saturday, April 27, 2002 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) & Sunday, April 28, 2002 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

April 27 33rd Annual Manzanar Pilgramage, noon, interfaith memorial service, ondo dancing, guided walking tours. Evening program at 6:30PM, Legion Hall, Independence. www.manzanarcommittee.org, 323-662-5102

Apr. 28. Springtime in the Japanese Garden -- Van Nuys (The Japanese Garden - 6100 Woodley Ave.) Origami and ikebana demonstrations, a water garden and bonsai display, and flower creations are featured at this festival. Information: (818) 756-8166

Apr. 28. Los Angeles Fiesta Broadway -- Los Angeles (Downtown, Broadway) The largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world will feature both renowned and local Latino entertainment. Information: (310)914-0015 www.aaeevents.com/New-Website/html-sales/fiestabroadwayhomepage.htm

8 June, 2002 - 5 January, 2003 Rediscovered Imperial Treasures: Masterpieces From The Nanjing Museum at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana, www.bowers.org

June 9, 2 p.m.
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
A native of Calcutta and long-time Bay Area resident, Divakaruni has for many years been involved in women’s’ issues, working with Afghani women refugees and in shelters for battered women. Moderator: Marisela Norte, poet and playwright Downtown LA Public Library, Mark Taper Auditorium * Richard J. Riordan Central Library, Reservations recommended, call (213) 228-7025, $8 – Single Program Tickets, www.lapl.org/events/wordofworld/index.html.

June 7,8,9 "Life of the Land" a Hawaii play by Edward Sakamoto at Japan America Theatre. For $20 group rate tickets, call Louise Sakamoto (310)327-3169

Aug 24-25, 2nd Annual US Sumo Open at UCLA, www.usasumo.com, 310-288-3641, afreund@ucla.edu

The Pacific Asia Museum (46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, 91101, 626-449-2742) Family Festival schedule for 2002, Saturdays, 1-4:

May 11 Different Drummers Festival, Memorial Park

June 15 Costumes of Pan Asia

July 20 Origami Festival

Aug. 17 Flavors of India

Sept. 21 Lacquer Ware of Myanmar

Oct. 19 Pakistan Festival

Nov. 16 Buddha: Faces of Enlightenment

Dec. 14 Pasko Sa Nayon

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April 19 The play "I Worry" by Sandra Tsing Loh begins at the Evidence Room, 2220 Bevery Blvd. LA, 8PM, $10, 213-628-2772

April 19-20 Conference on Japanese Literature at UCLA, www.isop.edu/japan

April 19th FREE screening (complete with FREE snacks) of the film, "my american vacation, University of Southern California (USC), Taper Hall 101, Los Angeles, CA 90089 @ 7:30pm SUMMARY: Grandmother Lee (Chin) is pushing 70, and her very different daughters--leavelheaded divorcee Ming-Yee (Miyori) and free-spirited writer Ming-Na (NIshimura)-- have decided to fly their mom in from Taiwan for a road trip to Colorado.

April 20 Thai New Year Festival at the Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, 626-449-2742, www.pacasiamuseum.org, 1-4PM

April 20 Origami class by Yumiko Duran and Akiko Kawashima at the Bruggemeyer Memorial Library Friends Room, 318 S. Ramona Ave. in Monterey Park, call 626-307-1358

April 20-21 Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival, Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave., 11AM-7PM Sat, 10AM-6PM Sun. 626-307-2533, www.mpkrecreation.com/specialevents/cherry.htm

April 20-21 Torrance Bunka Sai Sister City Association Japanese Festival, Ken Miller Rec Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd., Madrona & Torrance Blvd, 11AM-5PM call City of Torrance at 310-618-2930 or Diane Tanaka, 310-222-5709, dihata@yahoo.com

NCRR Educational Program: Peace in the Middle East? what are the prospects? Saturday, April 20, 2-4 p.m. (see below for more info)

April 21, Performance artists Lida Abdullah and Denise Uyehara, 8:30PM, Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica, $12, www.highwaysperformance.org, 310-453-1755, reservations 310-315-1459

April 21 Screening of "Hittobe" in Japanese with English subtitles at 12 and 3PM, $10, at the Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro, Little Tokyo, 213-680-3700.

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Last week I forgot to finish off what I was writing. Since I went to Mammoth the past weekend (and ended stranded in the desert Sunday night-but that's another story-I'll finish what I was writing.

I went to listen to Keiko Matsui at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center. The auditorium there is impressive, with a giant chandelier that retracts into the ceiling-a good thing if you're in the nose bleed seats as I was. The concert had some really dynamic and exciting numbers, which was a surprise if you've only heard her albums before. Keiko's husband came on stage in the second half and played some jazz and blues shakuhachi, which was a totally new experience for me. I'd heard taiko played in a rock band before, but not a blues shakuhachi. Definitely worth the money.

The weekend before I attended the Awaya-kai koto recital at El Camino College. This was an interesting recital which included real-time ikebana again, and erhu, Chinese harp, and western style flute performances, individually and as part of an ensemble. The koto performances included a number of Disney tunes as well as the more traditional ones. For $10, this was a real good deal. The only thing missing was the real time calligraphy performance I'd seen two years before. Be sure to catch this one when it comes back 2 years from now.

I also made it to the new Cherry Blossom Festival in Pasadena. They charge money for this one, but there were three venues of performances, and a room full of displays under the Pasadena convention center. I got to see a Pacific Islander dance group, and they were worth the price of admission. I also ate a sandwich filled with Japanese fried noodles, and that was not a good idea. This festival may have some promise if it's repeated next year. It's different enough so that it's really not competing with the Monterey Park one, which is this weekend. See you there.

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NCRR Educational Program: Peace in the Middle East? what are the prospects?

Saturday, April 20, 2-4 p.m.

Japanese American Cultural & Community Center

244 S. San Pedro St., Little Tokyo

For information, call NCRR at (213) 680-3484

Sponsored by Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR), www.ncrr-la.org

Since September 11, the Middle East has become a focal point of debate and concern for all Americans, with special impact felt by American Muslims and Arab Americans. Yet, many feel that the media has not been objective in its coverage of events in the region. There is a real need for questions, answers, dialogue and understanding.

Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR) 9/11 Committee presents an informal panel presentation and discussion on the Middle East crisis.

Speakers will include:

Dr. Mahmood Ibrahim - is chair of the History Dept. at Cal Poly Pomona. Formerly a professor at Bir Zeit University in the West Bank,

Dr. Ibrahim is the author of The Oral History of the Intifada: A Teachers' Guide to Oral History, and Merchant Capital and Islam. He is the author of many articles on the Middle East, from the rise of Islam to the present and is a frequent speaker at conferences and on public radio stations

Yossi Khen - born in Israel, he served in the Israeli army fighting in the War of Attrition in the Suez Canal and the occupied West Bank. Following his military service, he became an activist for human rights and peace. In 1973, he refused to serve in the occupied West Bank as a reserve soldier. He spent time in military jail, and never again saw the occupied territories as a soldier. In 1978 he moved to the U.S. and later became a founder of Men and Women in Black in Los Angeles, a Jewish peace organization based in Israel.

Don Bustany - hosts of KPFK's popular "Middle East in Focus" program, which is considered "essential listening for anyone who desires an in-depth appraisal of fast-breaking events in the region." Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he has a Master's Degree in communications and is a veteran production coordinator for television and radio shows, including the Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby shows.

For information, call NCRR at (213) 680-3484

Sponsored by Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR) www.ncrr-la.org

Supported in part by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities

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Citizenship Workshop Sponsored By OCA-GLA

"OCA-GLA will co-sponsor a Citizenship Application Workshop on Saturday, May 4, in Monterey Park. At the workshop, we will help Immigrants take the first step toward U.S. citizenship. It’s a wonderful, life-affirming, and -- dare I say -- faboo experience. And you are invited to take part.

The workshop will be held at Bruggemeyer Memorial Library, 318 S. Ramona Ave., Monterey Park, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 12:00 noon. Volunteers must show up at 9:00 a.m. to help set up and should expect to stay till 12:15 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Volunteers will work one-on-one with our "clients" to complete their citizenship applications. Much like our Habitat for Humanity Days, no prior experience is necessary. However, volunteers should attend a training on Tuesday, April 23, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the OCA-GLA office, 1145 Wilshire Blvd., downtown L.A.

Volunteers who are bilingual Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, or Korean may find their skills useful.

If you would like to get involved with this project, or if you have any questions, please call me (Mark) at 213/977-7500, ext. 247, or e-mail me at Only a limited number of members will be able to participate in this workshop.

Thank you."

Mark Yoshida, Communications Director

Organization Of Chinese Americans - Greater Los Angeles Chapter

1145 Wilshire Blvd., 1st Floor, Los Angeles, Ca 90017

Tel: (213)250-9888, E: Myoshida@Apalc.Org

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State Hate Crime Hotline, 866-460-HELP, toll free

Connects caller to Fair Employment and Housing counselors who can refer to other services and local district attornerys

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LA Times:

April 14 Village Is China's Fledgling 'Davos'
Forum: Asia's version of the global economic conference, convened by Beijing, points to regime's growing clout in region.
By CHING-CHING NI, Times Staff Writer
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-041402boao.story

April 13 COSTA MESA, NEWPORT BEACH
Film Review
A yellow light for 'The Cabbie'
By Paul Clinton
http://www.latimes.com/tcn/pilot/ent/la-dp0030269apr13.story

April 12 Many Languages, a Common Passion
An unusual collaboration at UC Irvine aims to elevate the art of literary translation.
By REED JOHNSON, TIMES STAFF WRITER
http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-000026014apr12.story

April 15 IN THE KNOW/A LOOK AT THE WEEK AHEAD
'Enigma' Extols War's Ring of Decoders
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/printedition/calendar/la-000026804apr15.story

April 15 COLUMN ONE
China's Mother Tongue Is Dying
Generations of women passed down a unique form of writing that was kept away from men. Now a 95-year-old may be the last alive who grew up using nushu.
By HENRY CHU, TIMES STAFF WRITER
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-000026947apr15.story

April 15 Company Plans Noodles for Outer Space
By JOJI SAKURAI, Associated Press Writer
http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-japan-space-noodles0415apr15.story

April 14 L.A. THEN AND NOW
Elite Female Navigators Quietly Made WAVES
By CECILIA RASMUSSEN, TIMES STAFF WRITER
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-000026530apr14.story

April 14 What She Saw at the Revolution
WILD GINGER A Novel By Anchee Min Houghton Mifflin: 224 pp., $23
By MELVIN JULES BUKIET
http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/books/la-000026644apr14.story

April 14 OBITUARIES
Yuji Hyakutake, 51; Amateur Discovered Giant Comet
By MYRNA OLIVER, TIMES STAFF WRITER
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-000026536apr14.story

April 13 IRS Has Paid Millions in Illegal Slavery Credits
Taxes: The agency says the bogus filings have soared and it mistakenly accepted some claims.
By KATHY KRISTOF, TIMES STAFF WRITER
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-000026431apr13.story

April 13 GLENDALE
Students to study Japanese internment camps
Glendale Unified will send freshman to Japanese-American National Museum to learn California history firsthand.
By Gary Moskowitz
http://www.latimes.com/tcn/glendale/news/la-gn0023833apr13.story

April 13 BURBANK
Students' lives changed by travel
One visit to Japan wasn't enough for teens, who find music is common language with overseas friends.
By Laura Sturza

April 13 IN BRIEF / ENTERTAINMENT
Disney Gains Rights to Japanese Movie
Reuters [This one is pretty funny since Disney had the US distribution rights for many of Miyazaki's films and actually helped finance this film. When Princess Mononke turned out not to be a children's film, Disney dropped all of the Miyazaki films.]
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-000026019apr12.story

April 11 COMMENTARY
Suicide Bombers May Be Shocking, but Dying for the Cause Is Not New
By JAMES P. PINKERTON
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-000025760apr11.story

April 11 U.N. Ratifies War Crimes Tribunal
By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/la-041102court_wr.story

April 10 DVD REVIEW
Anime Series Draws on a World of Alienation
Strong characters and unusual heroes add dimension and humanity to the controversial 'Shinseiki Evangelion.'
By CHARLES SOLOMON, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES [I watch anime, but the conclusion of this series is just too weird and sick for me.]
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/printedition/calendar/la-000025433apr10.story

April 16 NEWPORT BEACH
Crash boats finally make their splash
Newport Beach documentary about the World War II Air Force vessels will screen Wednesday at the Film Festival.
By June Casagrande
http://www.latimes.com/tcn/pilot/news/la-dp0030360apr16.story

April 16 COSTA MESA, NEWPORT BEACH
FILM REVIEW
Looking into divisive rifts
By Jennifer K Mahal
http://www.latimes.com/tcn/pilot/ent/la-dp0030350apr16.story

April 13 3 O.C. Veterans Who Helped Open Death Camps Recall Pain
By TINA BORGATTA, TIMES STAFF WRITER
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-000026292apr13.story