San Diego Alliance for Asian Pacific Islander Americans

Mission Statement

The mission of the San Diego Alliance for Asian Pacific Islander Americans ("the Alliance") is to build community through communication, collaboration & celebration of the cultural heritage and diversity of our Asian Pacific Islander American ("APIA") communities, and to advocate for APIA rights and empowerment through service, education and philanthropy.

REDISTRICTING CA

AAPIs! Apply for 2011 Citizens Redistricting Commission!

US Census 2010 will count how many people there are and where they live. In California, the population is then divided evenly into districts for the State Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization in a process called "redistricting." How district lines are drawn - whether they keep communities intact or split them so that their voices cannot be heard - then shapes the political landscape until the next Census in 2020.

Voter-approved Prop 11 provides for a 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw state district maps. It is imperative that Asian American Pacific Islanders become part of the redistricting process.

CA is 13.8% Asian American, 0.8% native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. To date, from an AAPI population that is 14.6% of CA's total, only 3.7% of applicants are AAPI. AAPIs! Step up and apply to be a Commissioner!

If you are civic-minded, community-oriented, mindful of CA's diversity, impartial and analytical, and work well with others, apply! Application deadline is February 12, 2010.

For applications, www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov
For more info, www.commoncause.org/redistrictingCA

CAPAFR, the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans for Fair Redistricting, is a statewide coalition working to strengthen the voice of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in CA in the 2011 redistricting process. Visit www.facebook.com/capafr2011, email redistricting@apalc.org

In San Diego, visit SCAPAL, the Soutwest Center for Asian Pacific American Law at www.scapal.org

CENSUS 2010. IT'S IN OUR HANDS. www.census.gov/2010census

UNITED STATES CENSUS 2010 CALIFORNIA COMPLETE COUNT

The United States Census is taken every 10 years. It counts the nation's population. On Census Day, April 1, 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau will mail a 10-question questionnaire to every resident in the nation - regardless of status - asking for simple information about each household. The questionnaire is simple and short, and will take just a few minutes to complete and return by mail. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

WHY CENSUS 2010 IS IMPORTANT FOR CALIFORNIA

Information gathered by the Census determines federal funding programs as well as congressional representation. It is possible that in 2010, California could lose congressional representation. An undercount could potentially cost the state $3 - $5 billion dollars in federal funding.

It is vitally important that all Californians, especially those in traditionally undercounted areas, are counted.

CENSUS 2010. BE CALIFORNIAN. BE COUNTED.

5th annual San Diego Dragon Boat Festival, Saturday, May 2, 2009

Photos RACE RESULTS SDDBF 2009

1st place T.Y. Lin International
2nd place The Researchers
3rd place QDragon

Festival Emcee LEE ANN KIM Festival Emcee Performing Arts PIDA KONGPHOUTHONE

Executive Director, SD Asian Film Festival Host, Lao Champa TV & LaoStar TV USA

RACING WITH THE DRAGONS 2009!
Corazon de Dragon Crime Fighters on the Water IRON Chi KAC-SD LG Dolphins LG Killer Whales LG Sharks Musing Dragons QDragon Quantum Tunnelers Paddle Draggin Pan Pac Enforcers Pfire-Breathers Pflying Pfish Samsung S.E.A. Turtles Seo Consulting Waves SingMa Dragons Team Lincoln "that's how we row" Team Survivor SD Team Taiko The Researchers The Scientists Trogdor T.Y. Lin International ViaShip-1

Festival Guest of Honor:
County Supervisor GREG COX

Ceremonies to bless the boats & dot the dragons' eyes
Venerable YI SHUN of HSI FANG TEMPLE

Festival Performing Artists:
HEALI`I'S POLYNESIAN REVUE
HMONG DANCER
HUANG QIN tai chi
LUCKY LION DANCERS
MOONLIGHT CHINESE DANCERS
NARUWAN TAIKO
PHO BANGERS breakdancers
SAN DIEGO TAIKO
SEE WORLD BAPTIST SAMULNORI TEAM

Festival Visual Artists:
FUJIKO ISOMURA
CESAR MAGPURI

Festival Crafts:
IA VUE - Hmong embroidery: storytelling with needle and thread

Food:
FINEST CITY KETTLECORN [Encinitas, Leucadia, Mira Mesa & Scripps Ranch Farmers Markets]
LEMONGRASS Asian Barbeque [La Jolla & Ocean Beach & UCSD Farmers Markets, SDSU at 5157 College Ave, SD 92115]
TEIF'S PACIFIC ISLAND GRILL [3rd Ave Farmers Market in Asian Pacific Historic District]

Info:
CALIFORNIA CAPITAL & INVESTMENTS GROUP

Volunteers:
UCSD SURFDRAGONS, UCSD APSA, UCSD UTA, SHIRLEY ENG, JOHN ENG, DUKE TRAN, HOLLY TRAN, CHARLES TU

Production Coordinator:
CHRIS PAFFENDORF

The Alliance sincerely thanks QUALCOMM Incorporated for its generous contribution to the Alliance for the Festival.

The Alliance gratefully acknowledges the generous support to the Alliance for the Festival from the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors.

Festival Media Sponsors: Click on logo for more:

Race with the Dragons V!

(click for full size)

The SD Alliance for APIAs and the SD Dragon Boat Team are thrilled to announce SD Dragon Boat Festival 2009, to be held Saturday, May 2, at Playa Pacifica in Mission Bay Park. Recruit your team today! Deadline for registration is April 18. Information on registration and festival below:

Registration/Roster/Waiver Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Sponsor/ Advertiser/ Vendor Packet

Map 1 Map 2 Directions

Happy New Year!

Whether your New Year begins on January 1 with the solar calendar, January 26 with the lunar calendar, or some auspicious other date, Alliance wishes one and all a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

President Barack Obama also commemorates the new year:

"I send my warmest wishes to people across Asia, in America, and indeed around the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year and welcoming the Year of the Ox. As they gather with their families and celebrate over meals, they welcome new beginnings and honor the enduring wisdom of their ancestors.

"From the lion dances in San Francisco to festivals in Atlanta and parades in New York City and Washington, D.C., Americans of Asian descent carry on the vibrant traditions of their forefathers and enrich America's cultural diversity. I wish all those celebrating the New Year to be blessed with peace, prosperity, and good health."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_year_of_the_ox/

APIAs Vote: We Care & We Count!
Register to Vote!
The SD Alliance for APIAs and the Filipino American Caucus of San Diego County are conducting a Virtual Candidates' Forum:

Questionnaires on issues which concern our API community are being sent to candidates in San Diego County races. Replies from candidates are being posted as is, as the candidates have sent them. Opinions expressed in replies are solely the candidates' own.

Thank you to all candidates who took time from their busy schedules to reply to our questionnaires!

Candidates 2008: A Virtual Candidates' Forum

San Diego City Attorney: City Attorney Mike Aguirre
49th Congressional District: Lars Grossmith
50th Congressional District: Wayne Dunlap
52nd Congressional District: Michael Benoit
53rd Congressional District: Edward Teyssier
California State Senate, 39th District: State Senator Christine Kehoe
California State Assembly, 74th District: Brett Maxfield
San Diego City Council, District 1: Sherri Lightner
San Diego City Council, District 3: Stephen Whitburn
San Diego City Council, District 7: Marti Emerald, endorsements
National City City Council: Rosalie "Toledo" Zarate
Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees: Jean Roesch Chula Vista Elementary School Bd, Seat #2: Archie McAllister
Chula Vista Elementary School Bd, Seat #2: Norberto Salazar
Chula Vista Elementary School Bd, Seat #4: Russell Coronado
Sweetwater Union HS District Bd, Seat #2: Pearl Quinones endorsements

Register to vote!
Register to vote. Deadline for registration in California is October 20. Click on www.sdvote.com to
- register to vote
- find out what are your districts: Congressional district, CA state senate district, CA state assembly district, SD County district, or City Council district
- and other info for voters

San Diego Asian Film Festival campaigns to "Reel in the Vote" with SDAFF-commissioned films, student films in "Reel Voices", and voter registration all day every day during Festival run, October 9-16.

Alliance co-presents 2 SD Asian Film Festival films

Alliance co-presents 2 films at Asian Film Festival:

The Meaning of Tea, Monday, October 13, 5:30 pm
Romance & complexities of tea from Japan to India, Taiwan to Morocco

Dance of the Dragon, Monday, October 13, 7:15 pm
Tale of love, passion, & disciplines of ballroom dancing & martial arts

Race with the Dragons IV!

Alliance and SD Dragon Boat Team co-sponsor our 4th annual SD DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL, Saturday, May 3rd, 9am-5pm, at Playa Pacifica in Mission Bay Park. Join Alliance and SD Dragon Boat Team as dragon boats and festivities return to San Diego Bay!

On land, immerse yourself in Asia! Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander music, dance, foods, art & heritage crafts!

On water, race with the dragons! Same-day, on-site training by SD Dragon Boat Team. No boats, paddles or experience needed.

Form your teams now! Registration fees for 16-paddler boats are $500, or $640 with 16 Festival t-shirts. Student teams $320, IDs required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dragon Boat Festival Flyer

Sponsor/Advertiser/Vendor packet

Registration/Roster/Waiver Form
Maps and Directions

Festival sponsor 2008

Empowering San Diego's Asian Pacific Islander Communities
SD Alliance for Asian Pacific Islander Americans, UC San Diego's Department of Ethnic Studies, and UCSD APSA (Asian and Pacific Islander Student Alliance) co-sponsor

"To Serve, To Inspire: Meeting California's Asian Americans in Elected Office". Saturday, January 19th, 9:30 am registration, 10 am - 12 noon program, Pepper Canyon Hall 106 (map), UC San Diego (see directions below)

Moderator: Panelists:

Jessica Chang CA State Controller John Chiang
Channel 4 San Diego

CA State Senator Leland Yee CA Assemblymember Ted Lieu

Board member Arlie Ricasa Board member Mitz Lee
Sweetwater Union HS District San Diego Unified School District

Reception by Mark Sun's Del Mar Rendezvous
Sponsor: Asian Pacific Historic Collaborative
Media sponsor: ASIA Media

Saturday, January 19, 2008, 9:30am registration, 10am-12pm program,
Pepper Canyon Hall 106 (map), UC San Diego (next to Gilman Parking Structure, Russell Lane and Gilman Drive)

To Pepper Canyon Hall: from the north, head south on I-5, exit La Jolla Village Dr, turn right (west) onto La Jolla Village Dr, stay on right hand lane to Villa La Jolla Dr, turn right onto Villa La Jolla Dr, 2nd intersection on Villa La Jolla Dr is Gilman Dr, Gilman Parking Structure is at the T, straight ahead

To Pepper Canyon Hall: from the south, head north on I-5, exit La Jolla Village Dr, turn left (west) onto La Jolla Village Dr, stay on right hand lane to Villa La Jolla Dr, turn right onto Villa La Jolla Dr, 2nd intersection on Villa La Jolla Dr is Gilman Dr, Gilman Parking Structure is at the T, straight ahead

Parking: Park in Gilman Parking Structure; parking is free on weekends (except, of course, in handicapped spaces, etc.)

Pepper Canyon Hall, UC San Diego is next to Gilman Parking Structure, to the right as you exit parking
Pepper Canyon Hall is highlighted in yellow on map

FREE and open to the public

Alliance Matinee with Mo`olelo

Alliance Matinee with Mo`olelo! Sunday, Dec 2, 1 pm, at 10th Ave Theatre, 930 10th Ave (downtown between Broadway and E St)

Alliance & friends celebrated great theater at MO`OLELO PERFORMING ARTS' production of COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI (contemporary Asian American re-telling of Cyrano de Bergerac) by playwright Michael Golamco & director Kimber Lee

- 1 pm: VIP reception by Mark Sun's Del Mar Rendezvous and Emilie Yanagi's Infusions of Tea
- 2 pm: Performance of Cowboy Versus Samurai
- 4 pm: Post-show talk-back with Mo'olelo artistic director/producer Seema Sueko, playwright Michael Golamco, director/producer Kimber Lee, and actors Volt Francisco (Travis), Zandi De Jesus (Veronica), and Eric "Pogi" Sumangil (Chester).

Chula Vista & Community Development

Getting to Know our Neighborhoods: Alliance Presents Seminar on
"Community Development & Chula Vista's Urban Core Specific Plan”
Saturday, November 3, 10am-12pm
Civic Center Branch, Chula Vista Public Library, 365 F St, CV 91910

Speakers:
Cheryl Cox, Mayor of Chula Vista
Chris Lewis, Chair, Chula Vista Redevelopment Corp
Eric Crockett, Redevelopment Manager, CV Community Development
with Audrey Radi (SANDAG), Moderator

Guests:
Heon Young Ha, Korean Maquiladora Association
James Lee, Hanin News (Korean American Association Magazine)
KTSD (Korean Television San Diego)

3rd Annual Dragon Boat Festival, October 20, 2007

Newspaper (Epoch Times) Article
Paddling.smugmug.com Photos Festival 2007 Photos
Lion Dance video Practice run video Final race video

Welcome to our 3rd annual San Diego Dragon Boat Festival, co-sponsored by SD Alliance for APIAs and SD Dragon Boat Team!

Dragon boat racing in October? Traditionally celebrated on duanwujie, the 5th day of the 5th month in the lunar calendar, dragon boat racing has become an international sport with racing schedules that span the seasons. Our festival is held at the end of San Diego Dragon Boat Team’s racing season - an untraditional date, yet like races worldwide, still rooted in Chinese tradition.

So come on down to the San Diego Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, October 20, 9am to 5 pm, at Playa Pacifica (north of the Hilton) in Mission Bay Park, and
- experience the pageantry and ritual of the 2000-year-old traditions of dragon boat racing,
- celebrate the diversity and richness of the cultural heritage of San Diego's Asian Pacific Islander communities
- enjoy a day in San Diego’s great Mission Bay Park, where land meets water
- be part of a greater community – San Diego, still America’s finest city!

The festival is free and open to the public. Fees for 16-paddler dragon boat teams are $640 with 16 t-shirts ($40/person) and $500 without t-shirts. Fees for high school and college student teams (at least 9 full-time students) are $320 without t-shirts, $460 with 16 t-shirts; IDs required.

Frequently Asked Questions
Dragon Boat Festival Flyer
Sponsor/Donor/Vendor Opportunities
Registration/Roster/Waiver Form
Maps and Directions

The 3rd annual San Diego Dragon Boat Festival is funded in part by a grant to the Alliance from the County of San Diego Community Enhancement Program.

DBF07 SPONSORS

DBF07 SUPPORTERS
KidsLand
Duke Tran

DBF07 IN-KIND DONORS
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office San Francisco
99 Ranch Market

2nd Annual San Diego Dragon Boat Festival, October 21, 2006 (Read More ...)

SD Asian Film Festival 2007

SD Asian Film Festival, October 11-18
Mission Valley UltraStar Cinema at Hazard Center, 7510 Hazard Center Dr. (Friars Rd. at 163)

Alliance co-presents Eric Byler's TRE, Saturday, October 13, 7:30pm, and Undoing with Sung Kang, Kelly Hu, Leonardo Nam, Russell Wong, Saturday, October 13, 8:30pm

"HATE CRIMES: 25 YEARS After VINCENT CHIN," Saturday, July 21, 2007, 9:30am-1:30pm

SD Alliance for APIAs presents symposium, "Hate Crimes: 25 Years After Vincent Chin," last of National Townhalls on Hate Crimes, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress' nationwide series of meetings on the 25th year after the killing of Vincent Chin. Flyer

9:30 am - 10:00 am Registration
10:00 am - 10:05 am Introduction, Linda Tu, Alliance president
10:05 am -11:30 am Free screening of "Who Killed Vincent Chin?" (Oscar-nominated documentary)
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Panel discussion
- Symposium moderator:
LEE ANN KIM, Channel 10 News anchor/reporter
- Panelists include:
ERIC BYLER, filmmaker & activist
DAVID KAWAMOTO, Japanese American Citizens League
WENDY PATRICK MAZZARELLA, Deputy District Attorney, San Diego County
CHRISTOPHER TENORIO, Ass't U.S. Attorney, Southern District of CA, Civil Rights Coordinator
LELAND YEE, CA State Senator,
Chair, Select Committee on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Reception

Date: Saturday, July 21, 2007, 9:30am-1:30pm
Place: University of California, San Diego, Jacobs School of Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) Bldg, Room 1202
Directions to CSE Bldg
Directions from the Parking Lots to CSE Bldg

SUPPORTERS: Erika Hiramatsu, Nine Dragons,
Asian Pacific Historic Collaborative
Media Sponsors: SD Asian Film Festival
Catering by: Lemongrass Asian Grill (by Phetsavanh Sengpaseuth)

CA SENATOR YEE's TOWN HALL MEETING, Friday, May 18, 2007
State Senator Leland Yee, chair of the Senate’s Select Committee on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, came to San Diego on Friday, May 18, and in 10 non-stop hours, held meetings with San Diego’s Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and other API organizations. He wrapped up the day with a town hall meeting in Taiwan Center where he answered questions ranging from global warming and the war in Iraq, to re-districting and how to get more Asian Americans elected to office.

The San Diego Alliance for Asian Pacific Islander Americans hosted Senator Yee’s lunchtime meeting with San Diego’s Asian Pacific Islanders. The reception was held in the Garden of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum in downtown’s Asian Pacific Historic District.

Alliance guests included representatives from: - the Alliance - Asian Business Ass'n - Asian Pacific Historic Collaborative - Hong Kong Ass'n of Southern California, SD chapter - Korean American Senior Ass'n - Lao Hmong Family Ass'n - Pacific Islander Festival Ass'n - Pan Pacific Law Enforcement Ass'n - San Diego Chinese Historical Society & Museum - San Diego Chinese Women’s Ass'n - San Diego’s Singapore and Malaysian communities - Southwest Center for Asian Pacific American Law - Taiwanese American Foundation - University of California, San Diego, faculty & students.

Guests were treated to banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) and papaya salad, Filipino desserts, watermelon and cherries, and jasmine tea.

Alliance President Linda Tu introduced all guests. Chinese Historical Museum Executive Director Alex Chuang extended a welcome to the Senator and guests. Asian Pacific Historic Collaborative Chair Arnold Marquez presented the history of the Asian Pacific Historic District, and the role of the Collaborative in developing the District.

The Senator spoke about the importance of the meetings in San Diego as the first in a series of meetings throughout the state to reach out to Asian Pacific Islander constituents and learn the issues and concerns on their minds.

After lunch, Senator Yee and guests were given a tour of the Museum in the Old Chinese Mission Building, and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Extension across the street.

Museum staff members and volunteers who helped the Alliance with the reception were Alex and Agnes Chuang, Alex Stewart, Jessica Matsumoto, Grace Smith and Mona Taghikhani.

Joe Chou, President, Asian Business Ass'n, chaired planning for the town hall meeting. In Sacramento, Joanna Gin was liaison for Senator Yee. Planning committee members included reps from AsiaMedia, Japan Society of SD & Tijuana, Japanese American Citizens League, Korean Chamber of Commerce, Lao Hmong Family Ass'n, Mabuhay Alliance, SD Alliance for APIAs, Taiwanese American Foundation of SD, Taiwanese American Community Center.

2nd annual PAN-ASIAN MULTI-CULTURAL NIGHT, Friday, May 18, 8-9:30 pm
Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Korean American Senior Ass'n, sponsor, with community organizations

Headlining for Alliance: PHO BANGERS!

Pho Bangers breakdancers are Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Laotian and Cambodian American. Since late 2005, they have won over 30 breakdance events across the US and Canada. In 2007 alone, the group has won events in San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, Seattle and San Diego. In June, Pho Bangers will represent the younger generation of hip hop in competition in Mexico City.

Pho Bangers also teach dance classes at the Joan Kroc Salvation Army Center and in an after-school dance program for lower-income students.

POSTPONED!! Lunch in the Neighborhood: Dim Sum with Carol Lam
........................................
Former U.S. Attorney CAROL LAM looks back on: “Federal Law Enforcement in the Southern District of California”

PLEASE NOTE! Due to unforeseeable circumstances, we will not be holding our lunch with Carol Lam on Friday, March 23. Our apologies to everyone who RSVP'd. All checks will be returned. We appreciate your support, and deeply regret any inconvenience which this change in scheduling may have caused.

Alliance Events 2006

REACHING OUT to the ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY
“MEET THE CANDIDATES” COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Sunday, October 29, 2006, 10 am – 12 noon
Asia Media, 5857B Mission Gorge Rd (off I-8), SD 92120

2nd Annual San Diego Dragon Boat Festival
October 21, 2006 (Read More ...)
“LUNCH in the NEIGHBORHOOD”
Dim Sum with MAYOR JERRY SANDERS
at Jasmine on Convoy
"The Kroll Report and City Remediation Plan"
Friday, September 15, 2006

"Pan-Asian Multi-Cultural Night"
co-sponsored with Taiwanese American Foundation, Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, Asia Media, Korean Chamber of Commerce, Japan Society of San Diego & Tijuana, & Mabuhay Alliance at Taiwan Center on Convoy Ct, Saturday, May 20, 2006

Headlining for Alliance:
Breakdancing with PHO BANGERS, rap with BEATGROUNDZ

"A Rightful Place: Empowering Asian Pacific Islanders in San Diego"

- BENNETT PEJI (Master Planner, Filipino Village in National City),
Keynote Speaker, "Branding Cultural Districts"

- Meeting with San Diego District 2 City Councilmember KEVIN FAULCONER,

- Walk in the Asian Pacific Historic District with 53rd District Congresswoman SUSAN DAVIS

Co-sponsored with Asian Pacific Historic Collaborative and SD Chinese Historical Society & Museum, at the Museum, 404 3rd Ave and 328 J St downtown, Saturday, May 13, 2006

"LUNCH in the NEIGHBORHOOD"
SD County Supervisor RON ROBERTS
on "SD County and its Board of Supervisors"
Home-style cooking at the Imperial Mandarin
Friday, May 12, 2006

"LUNCH in the NEIGHBORHOOD"
Getting to know San Diego's KOREAN COMMUNITY

- RICHARD MOON, Editor of The Korea Times Los Angeles
- JAMES ROH, Publisher of Hanin News, Magazine of the Korean-American Association of San Diego

Korean buffet at Arirang House on Convoy, Friday, April 21, 2006

"COMMUNITY BREAKFAST" at O'Hungry's in Old Town
San Diego District 3 City Councilmember TONI ATKINS
Wednesday, February 15, 2006