April 2009

Chi Am Circle Club

Community Service in the Bay Area since 1965 P. O. Box 2756, Cupertino CA 95014 www.chiamcircle.org

***** IMPORTANT ***** IMPORTANT ***** IMPORTANT ***** Actions required if you want to continue to get hard copies of the newsletter via Post Office Last year the cost of mailing newsletters and additional other mailings to the membership via Post Office amounted to $700.00. This large amount of money should be contained and can be better spent on other Club areas." The membership voted at the Membership Tea on 2/22/09 to adopt a new policy wherein all members will be sent the monthly newsletters via email, and for those members requesting hard copies of the newsletter, a fee of $15.00 per year will be assessed. This is due to the fact that paper, printing, and postage have become such a major expense in the yearly budget, that upon review, it was highly recommended to incorporate a new procedure. For some time now, the email newsletters have been streamlined on the net so that members can all access the newsletters and read the colorful issues very easily. The membership is encouraged to practice conservation and green living in this regard. This new policy will begin in May 2009. For the remainder of the year, a fee of $7.50 will be required from all members who wish to receive hard copies of the newsletters via Post Office. The May issue and following issues for the remainder of the year will be mailed to all members who submit a $7.50 check made out to Chi Am Circle and mail their check no later than April 30, 2009 to Cleo Jong. All members who do not submit a check will receive their newsletter via email. It is important that those members who do not have email submit a check for $7.50. For questions, please call Cleo Jong or email her at Newsletter@chi-am.org.

New Chi Am Web Site

A new Chi Am web site is launch on March 27 with a new domain name.

http://www.ChiAmCircle.org The old URL, http://www.Chi-Am.org, is still active for a year or so. If you type in the old URL, it will bring you to the new site. Please use the new URL for all future correspondence and promotional materials. The URL is case insensitive and I use upper and lower case for easy reading only. I hope this new name is easier to remember and to promote. The club newsletter and details of events are available on the web site. They are not password protected for easy access but it means members who submit articles or flyer to be published in the newsletter or the web site should consider using the club email address assigned to each committee. For mailing address, may be the name of the member is sufficient because our contact information can be looked up in our club directory. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to send an email to info@ChiAmCircle.org.

Submitted by Jenny Leung

Chi Am Circle Club Page 2 Fashion Show Plans Going Great! Much excitement and response from the community has been overwhelming with support for our upcoming fashion show on October 3. Even though it is 6 months away, we have commitments from over 25 models, ages 4 - 84, so with each model pledging to be responsible for selling or buying one table, we are over half sold without the invitations even going out. Thanks to all of the 20 members who came to our second planning meeting in March, and for all of the 40 members on the various committees who are working hard to make this Chi Am Circle's biggest and best Fashion Show Luncheon of all its 44 years! Three very deserving ladies have been chosen to be honored that day under the heading of Women of Distinction. They are Community Volunteer Eva Jones, Lifetime TV CEO Andrea Wong (who was one of Chi Am's first scholarship recipients over 20 years ago), and Olympic Champion Kristi Yamaguchi. Entering our Presidents on Parade section will be four past presidents who continue to support Chi Am Circle's activities - Virginia Bakken, Pauline Fong, Carolyn Jow and Mabel Lai. They will be spotlighted, as has been done traditionally before, with the second and third generation members of their families. We have received generous offerings for raffle prizes and the three top prizes will be $1000 cash (donated by President Sylvia Eng), jeweled necklace (donated by Bonnie Kwong) and Gourmet Banquet (donated by Chef Larence Chu). Jennie Hong will be distributing raffle tickets to all members to sell, and if all of us sell the $100 worth of tickets sent to each of our 100 members, that's $10K in the bag before we even sell at the fashion show --- so be sure to sell, sell, sell your quota and even more to help the cause. Pearl Lee and her committee worked hard to set up Sponsorship categories to bring in special funding. Dr. Larry Tseu has kindly offered to be our Rainbow of Hope Title Sponsor, pledging a $10,000 donation. We need many more of you to follow his lead, and we welcome all sponsorship donations from $200 to $5000. Remember, the cause is to serve our community of children. General Chairs Pearl Lee, Muriel Kao and Gerrye Wong met with a group called Friends of Children with Special Needs which is serving autistic children and their families in many worthwhile ways. They have established sites throughout Alameda and Santa Clara County to provide classes to help educate the children as well as their parents to fit their particular needs. A Family Day is held weekly so that families can gather together to meet and support each other in class sessions and comraderie over lunch at which over 100 participate weekly. Adults with autism group meets daily at a DeAnza Blvd near Prospect Ave. site to teach them living skills, arts and crafts, and take them on a field trip each Friday. Over 600 families are

served through this volunteer group, and with budget cuts from state funding, they are especially in need of monetary support to continue their good work. So we chairs recommend that Chi Am Circle should work even harder to make this fashion show benefit a success so we will be able to fund a special project or program for this worthwhile cause. We are still in need of Chi Am Circle models to represent the club -- whether it is the member herself, her husband, children or grandchildren. Please call a fellow member and ask her if you may nominate her, since most of you members are too modest to nominate yourself. The model form is attached to this newsletter and on our web site for your use. Please help us with our model star search. The clothes designers will glamorize you so your husband won't even recognize the new you after we get you on stage. Clubs sending their representatives so far are Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), Asian Law Alliance (ALA), Opti-Ms Club, Contemporary Arts Theatre Scene (CATS), Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) and Chinese American Women's Club of Santa Clara County. Everyone is coming out to help Chi Am's worthwhile project which just goes to show how many supporters Chi Am has in the community. Any members who want to join our committees -- please call or email Pearl Lee (frank_pearl@sbcglobal.net) who is constantly in need of recruitments. We are all having a good time meeting and working with each other, so don't miss out on the sisterhood of friends who are benefiting from working together on this good cause. We need 20 Silent Auction items of minimum $50 value which is being collected by Vanita Yuen (vyuen@telis.org) so contact her if you have something you have solicited or wish to donate yourself. . Likewise, we are looking for 15 raffle prizes - so solicit your favorite restaurant, or business and if you can donate a prize, please contact Jennie Hong (jenniehong@excite.com) who will gratefully accept your help. Bassie Lee (kuen9999@hotmail.com) is ready and waiting to get the ads you've solicited for yourself or favorite business. Thanks to Roberta Murai, Ellen Lau and Wong Electric Inc., we have sold all the front and back hard cover ad space. But we have many pages inside to fill -- so Chi Am salesman, get to work. As you can see, everyone is working together - you are all wonderful! We are really rolling -- so hop on the bandwagon, Chi Am ladies. Start inviting or asking your friends to save the date - October 3rd - and be ready to put in your reservation for tickets beginning August 1. We expect a sell-out crowd of over 450 so don't get left out! Six months to go.......let's all put in our best efforts and Chi Am Circle ladies never fail! Gerrye Wong, Co Chair

Chi Am Circle Club Page 3 Upcoming Events! Financial Workshop Preserving Your Wealth in Turbulent Times Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2009 Time: 9:00-12:00 pm Place: The Training Room of Keller Williams 20230 Stevens Creek Blvd. #E (next to Wells Fargo Bank) Cupertino CA 95014 See attached flyer for details and reserve your seat. Chi Am Circle Scholarship Award Dinner Date: Friday, May 15, 2009 Time: 6:00 P.M. Place: China Stix Restaurant, 2110 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, Ca. 95050 (at Mervyn's Plaza) See attached flyer for details and sign up deadline is May 8. Angel Island Tour and Picnic Date: Saturday, July 25, 2009 Time: 9:30am Place: Meet at Pier 41 at the Embarcadero, SF See attached flyer for details and sign up deadline is May 30.

Asian Film Festival By Ginger Lai More than 40 ChiAm members, family and friends attended the recent Asian Film Festival at Camera 12 Cinema in San Jose. There were enthusiastic comments about “Whatever It Takes” a world premier film documenting the challenges of a Chinese American high school principal as he guides, mentors and pushes his students to make better lives for themselves. Following the movie, the group dined at E&O Trading Co., an Asian bistro a short distance from the theater. Everyone gave the fusion menu – from appetizers (roti, salad, corn fritters and sate) to dessert (banana roll) - a “thumbs up.” Kudos to all the committee members who worked so diligently on the event: Beverly Harada, Jennie Hong, Brenda Wong. Chair, Ginger Lai

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2009 Sponsorship Committee Update WOW – our generous members have contributed a whopping $27,000+ to date!

Thank-you, thank-you! We are thrilled that so many of you have opened up your hearts and checkbooks these past several months to help us raise such an impressive amount. Due to the current economic downturn, our committee had initially approached our task with some trepidation. In retrospect, however, we should have known that our members would not let us down! We are prouder still that there are so many first time donors this year; participants in this worthwhile cause have increased by 50% (42 donors in 2009 versus 27 in 2008). Here’s the YTD list of our 2009 PROUD SPONSORS OF CHI AM: Platinum: Chi Am Circle, Kathy Kwan, Antonia & Norman Tu Gold: Anita Chan, Chinatown Opti-Ms. Club, Mae Ding, Wendy & Ken Eng, Pearl & Frank Lee, Susan & Jeff

Lee, Zeny & Vincent Seid Jade: Ching-li Chang, CHCP, Mae & Gilbert Fong, E.J. Hong,

Cleo & Peter Jong, Violet & Gene Lee, Dr. Michael Seid

Silver: Bev Harada, Julie Ho, iRestaurant, Dr. Gary Seid Friends: Diana Chan, Elizabeth (Pinky) Chan, Lily Chinn, Sylvia Eng,

Pamela Jong, Beatrice Garbern, Carolyn Jow, Ellen Lau, Bassie Lee, Lisa Liu, Beatriz Mar, Miriam Ngai, Frances Quon, Rosebud Quong, Mabel Seid, Teddy Sue, Rose Tokugawa, Eileen Tong, Ruth Wong, Sharon Wong, Helen Yamauchi

Continue on page 4

Chi Am Circle Club Page 4Sponsorship Update continues It’s not too late to contribute towards this admirable cause; we accept donations year round. The number of applications to our Scholarship Program has skyrocketed this year, so any amount will be appreciated. Checks can be sent to “Chi Am Sponsorship,” P.O. Box 2756, Cupertino, CA 95014, or directly to Teddy Sue (Treasurer). Please feel free to contact any one of our committee members with any questions. Our deepest appreciation to all our sponsors and we look forward to seeing everyone at the Scholarship Dinner on Friday, May 15, 2009! Sponsorship Committee Co-chairs: Zeny Seid & Helen Yamauchi Members: Cleo Jong, Lisa Liu, Marichu Scanlon, Teddy Sue~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scholarship Selection Committee Update Chair: Rose Tokugawa Advisor: Susan Lee Committee: Paulette Curby, Sylvia Eng, Carol Fong, Charlen Fong, Mae Fong, Coleen Gee, Bev Harada, Julie Ho, Cleo Jong, Pearl Lee, Alice Lee, Aimee Leung, Dolly Leung, Aurora Louie, Teddy Sue, Chris Tom, Antonia Tu, Helen Yamauchi "Talented and fearless" -- that describes Rose Tokugawa. "Seasoned and savvy" -- that describes Susan Lee. When Rose and Susan are paired together to lead the Scholarship Selection Committee, there are two words that describe them -- "Phenomenal and Phenomenal !!" These two gals have inspired the Committee to screen over 100 applications to find the most suitable students to award scholarships through Chi Am's flagship Scholarship Program. As noted in the March newsletter, Chi Am now provides scholarship opportunities for children and grandchildren of Chi Am members -- an extended perk for all Chi Am members this year. If you have a child or grandchild applying for a scholarship this year, please immediately inform Rose Tokugawa at rosesyl@ymail.com or phone her, if you have not already done so -- we do not want to miss anyone. The Scholarship Selection Committee has been creative in dealing with new developments and trends this year. Many Donors have merged their donations with other Donors in order to affect larger $2,000 scholarships. In addition, the Selection Committee will seek to match applicants to Donor specifications and work diligently in this capacity. We are pleased to announce that Chi Am is awarding a total of $30,000 in scholarships to 20 deserving students this year. This is a new record !! The Sponsorship Committee, under the outstanding leadership of Zeny Seid and Helen Yamauchi, has completely surprised itself with the terrific response from private donors as well as Chi Am members, resulting in record-breaking funds that surpassed last year's results. This is totally fantastic !! Much excitement is in the air as we approach May 15th Scholarship Dinner. We invite everyone to come and enjoy the festivities and honor these wonderful students and see what the young generation is up to. The essay topic this year is "If I had a $1,000,000, How Would I Improve My Community." Refer to the Scholarship flyer and send in your reservations now -- join the rush to attend the Scholarship Dinner -- don't miss this unique event !! We look forward to seeing everyone there.

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2009 Chi Am Board Meeting Tuesday, April 21, 6:30pm

Sylvia Eng’s house Bring a light snack for sharing

Drinks will be provided

Please send your articles for the

May newsletter to Marichu (Newsletter@chi-am.org) no later than

May 1

Chi Am Circle Club Page 5

New CHI AM Account with Hawwan Print Shop We have a new account with Hawwan Print Shop, 1011 South DeAnza Blvd., Cupertino,CA., giving us special discount prices for Çhi Am jobs that are printed there. Anyone wishing to print a Chi Åm job there must contact Cleo Jong (650-966-1838 or pjoonj@aol.com) inadvance, to be added to list of authorized members that can print and have the bill sent to Çhi Am. We encourage members to patronize the shop to get the best price. If your name is not on the authorized list, you must pay cash and get reimbursement by submitting reimbursement form to Treasurer, Teddy Sue. Hawwan Print Shop is open Mon through Sat'd 9-7 daily, closed Sundays....(409)257-7251. The shop is located on DeAnza, adjacent to Burger King and Home Depot. Upon arrival you must identify yourself as a Chi Åm member. Submitted by Cleo Jong, Newsletter Committee~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forgot to send in your 2009 membership renewal? 2009 membership fee is $35. Please mail it to Teddy Sue. See her contact information in the Chi Am Directory. Or mail it to P.O. Box 2756, Cupertino, CA 95014 Thank you!!

Chi Am Circle presents

3/30/09 You are cordially invited to a FREE CHI-AM workshop about PRESERVING YOUR WEALTH IN TURBULENT TIMES You will learn how

- to navigate through the financial turmoil and preserve your retirement assets

- to invest in commercial real properties leased and backed

by major corporations with a minimum return of 7% even during recession

- to preserve your wealth without burdening your heirs

Time: Saturday, April 25th, 2009, 9:00-12:00 pm Place: The Training Room of Keller Williams 20230 Stevens Creek Blvd. #E (next to Wells Fargo Bank) Cupertino CA 95014 (for further information, refer to the Chi-Am web site, http://www.chiamcircle.org) BREAKFAST & BEVERAGES will be provided Spouses and friends of Chi Am members are welcome. Due to limited space, please RSVP by April 20th to info@sierrapfa.com or call (510) 438-6878 for your reservation Hope to see you there. Ellen, E.J., Janet, Julie & Zeny

Chi Am Circle Scholarship DinnerPlease join us

Guest Speaker: The Honorable Assemblyman Paul Fong,

District 22nd California State Assembly

Members, family, and friends are welcome!

Number of attendees: Amount enclosed:

Early postmarked by 5/4/09 $22/person

Regular deadline 5/8/09 $24/person

Mail form with check to:(Check payable to Chi Am Circle) Violet Lee1158 Tangerine WaySunnyvale, CA 94087408-732-3510

Date: Friday, May 15, 2009Time: 6:00 P.M.Place: China Stix Restaurant2110 El Camino Real,Santa Clara, Ca. 95050(at Mervyn's Plaza)

Menu:minced fish w/lettuce cup

steamed chicken wrapped w/lotus leafhouse special beef short ribs

seafood combo w/snap peas; deep fried crab clawsHunan style family tofu

Chinese squash w/double fungushoney pecan prawns; steamed rice

mango flan dessert

Name(s) of attendees:

Please complete the section below:

Added tidbit: You will not be pestered to buy raffle tickets at the dinner; instead, the great dinnerprice Ruby Chang, Chi Am member and co-owner of China Stix, gave us will be increased by $2 tohelp defray the cost of the scholarship student’s dinner. Thank you also to the Scholarship DinnerCommittee, who also contributed. Hope to see you all on May 15, 2009.

Scholarships given by Chi Am Circle and private donors

Addtional names on the back when needed

Dinner Committee Co-Chairs: Lily Chinn, Violet Lee, Buddie Quong

Members: Ching-Li Chang, Emily Cheng, Monica Eng,Wendy Eng, Charlen Fong, Polly Fong, Daphne Jew,

Susan S. Lee, Beatrice Mar, Janet Okada, Frances Quon,Lillian Wong, Marian Wong, Melissa Yau, Maxine Yee

Selection Committee Chair: Rose TokugawaAdvisor: Susan LeeMembers: Paulette Curby, Sylvia Eng, Charlen Fong,Mae Fong, Coleen Gee, Beverly Harada, Julie Ho, Cleo Jong,Alice Lee, Pearl Lee, Aimee Leung, Dolly Leung, Aurora Louie,Teddy Sue, Chris Tom, Antonia Tu, Helen Yamauchi

NOMINATION FOR CHI AM CIRCLE FASHION SHOW MODEL Our 2009 Chi Am Circle Fashion Show will be a wonderful fundraising event and we need models from our membership and the community to represent us on stage. We need men, women and children of all ages and sizes. Please nominate a fellow member, yourself, members of your family, your friend or neighbor. Please ask them if they are interested before nominating. WE WELCOME ALL YOUR SUGGESTIONS. Production Committee will make Model assignments and hope to enlist 30 models for a great community show! Please help us by suggesting people you think will be an asset to the show and will support Chi Am Circle’s fundraising event. We ask of our models to agree to the following: 1 – must attend at least 1 training/rehearsal with our show producer/choreographer. 2 – are requested to support the fundraising by selling or buying 1 table (10 tickets) 3 – must go to one fitting with designer as arranged by committee. 4 – are asked to be careful of clothes assigned to be worn on stage. 5 – are expected to have a great time meeting new friends and helping a good cause. NAME_________________________________________________DATE________ ADDRESS, CITY STATE,ZIP___________________________________________ EMAIL____________________________________PHONE___________________ AGE (IF UNDER 15)________OCCUPATION______________________________ PLEASE CHECK: YOUNG ADULT_____BABY BOOMER______SENIOR____ DRESS SIZE_________SHIRT/PANTS SIZE___________SHOE SIZE__________ MEMBER’S NAME___________________________________________________ EMAIL_________________________PHONE______________________________ I THINKTHS PERSON WILL BE A GOOD MODEL IN THE CHI AM SHOW BECAUSE __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Mail or Email this completed form to: Gerrye Wong gerryewong@comcast.net; 1368 Bluebird Ct., Sunnyvale, CA 94087 or Pauline Fong pncfong@comcast.net; 12663 Arroyo de Arguello Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070

Events for the Day 9:40: Board ferry 10:30: Arrive at Angel Island and take a leisurely walk or optional shuttle ($5/rt) to the Immigration Station and picnic area. 11 AM to 3:00 PM – Picnic and tours 3 tour times: 11 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM. Tour Length: approx. 1 hour 20 minutes Each tour is limited to 30 people. While you wait for your tour, you are free to picnic or explore the area around the immigration station. 3:30 PM – Board ferry back to SF Fares for Roundtrip Ferry + Tour: Adults: $21; Seniors(>65): $19 Children (5 to 12 yrs): $12.50 PAID reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. SORRY NO REFUNDS. No exceptions will be made.

On February 15th, the long-awaited re-opening of the historic U.S. Immigration Station at Angel Island was celebrated. Join Chi Am for a special arrangement of tours and a picnic to share with your family and friends on July 25th. The careful restoration of the immigration station gives visitors a glimpse into the arrival and processing experience of immigrants who passed through from 1910 to 1940. We have planned three tour times and reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. No exceptions will be made as reservations must be made in advance with the park staff. Join us for a journey of our heritage and past.

Saturday, July 25, 2009 Time: 9:30 AM Place: Meet at Pier 41 at the Embarcadero, SF Directions From South Bay: Take Hwy 101 North to Hwy 80 East. Exit at 4th St. Stay left onto Bryant Street (get in right lane). Stay on Bryant St. to The Embarcadero. Turn left onto The Embarcadero (get into right lane). Straight to Pier 39 / 41 (~2 1/2 mi). Parking: Academy of Art garage next to Pier 39 is a flat fee of $10/day.

AngelIslandImmigrationStationTourandPicnicfor

ChiAmMembers,FriendsandFamily

Reservation deadline: May 30, 2009. Limited spaces available - first come, first served. NAME: Phone: Email: (Please provide email so we may confirm your reservation and communicate any last minute information like parking.) Guest names: Use reverse side if you need more space. Roundtrip Ferry and Tour Fares Sub Optional Shuttle Sub Totals adults x $21 = seniors x $19 = children (5–12 yrs) x $12.50 =

person x $5 (same for all ages; shuttle goes from dock to immigration station)

Subtotal Subtotal

Make checks payable to: Chi Am Circle. Send checks to: Swan Hsieh (please check directory for Swan’s address) Questions: Contact Susan Lee or Lisa Liu (Angelisland@ChiAmCircle.org) v. 040209 Flyerversion:031709

AACI’s Asian Women’s Home Wish List

Note: Items of greatest need are indicated with **

Happy Year of the Ox! 牛年行大運 ! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! Phone Cards: $5 minimum please Gas Cards: $10 minimum please Gift Cards: From Target, Safeway or Lucky, Walgreens or Longs Drugs, Payless Shoes, Barnes & Noble or Borders, Old Navy, and AMC Movies.

Bedrooms: • New blankets and pillows • New bath and hand towels • Twin and queen comforters

Kitchen:

• New pot and pan set with handles • Family-sized dining set, including plates, bowls, and silverware (2) • Set of cutting knives • Plastic storage container sets

Living Room:

• DVD/VCR player ** • Family-friendly DVDs ** • TV 26” and above (flat screen preferred) ** • New custom couch covers

Women:

• Large duffel bags, made of sturdy waterproof material ** • Upright rolling travel bags ** • New socks and used/new shoes & slippers

Infants/Children:

• New diapers (all sizes) and wipes ** • Clothes and shoes for ages 5-11 • Car seats (for children over 2 years old) (2) • Highchairs (2)

Client Support: • Combination lock with dial for private storage lockers (5) • Computers and flat screen monitors (less than 3 years old)

If you would like to donate, contact us at (408) 975-2730 x226 or email dvdevelopment@aaci.org. Please note that all donations must be in good or excellent condition and are tax-deductible. Monetary donations, used to support services for domestic violence victims, are also welcome.

Thinking of selling your car? Visit www.donateforcharity.com to donate the proceeds to AACI/Asian Women’s Home.

Have a lot of old cell phones lying around? We collect inactive cell phones through the national Call to Protect program.