The Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center celebrated its 10th anniversary. Held at the Redmond Senior Center, local martial arts schools like Warrior Martial Arts and the Wushu Academy presented intricate performances. The Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center has 28 centers in 12 countries. The first center was founded in 1995. ♦
July 30: Happy birthday to Jerry Lee
Jerry Lee, a philanthropist and the chairman of Mulvanny G2 Architecture, celebrated his birthday with 60 good friends at South China Restaurant in Bellevue. Meant to be a surprise party planned by Lee’s wife Charlene, Lee showed up 20 minutes earlier than expected.
Aug. 9: Chi Life opens in Redmond
Chi Life (CL) Studio & Martial Arts Equipments Shop celebrated its grand opening in Redmond. Located inside a brand new building developed by his father, CL is Robin Leong’s fifth school. It is located at 2222 152nd Ave. N.E. in Redmond. His other schools are located in Singapore, Beijing, and Shanghai. Leong said the school will offer yoga classes for kids, hire Shaolin monks, and hire Chinese experts in kung fu to teach his students.♦
Cultural clash
“Can you speak the language?”
“Is your dad white?”
“You don’t eat that, do you?”
Seattle judge accused of sexual harassment gets censured
Seattle Municipal Court Judge Ron Mamiya won’t be suspended or removed from office due to a sexual harassment suit from a former female court employee (unnamed due to the state’s public disclosure act). Mamiya was censured last Friday, Aug. 7, by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Sparkly vampires where?
“Thirst” is a new film directed by controversial South Korean director Chan-wook Park. The film begins with a fat man wheezing in his hospital bed. Between wheezes, he explains how he once held the world’s greatest sponge cake. He longed for nothing more than a private place to devour this cake. However, he came across two hungry sisters and gave the cake to them instead.
Couple’s wedding bathed with elements of American and Chinese tradition
A traditional Chinese wedding ceremony with lavish costumes and authentic props imported from China (including a flower sedan chair) was held at the Seattle Westin Hotel on Aug. 8. The bride, Kris Qi Yue Ruan, and groom, Robin Leong, were wed before 400 guests. They had met in Singapore.
August book recs: cultural tales for kids
“Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story”
Written by Paula Woo, illustrated by Lin Wang
Lee & Low Books, June 2009
Being Asian American in the early days of show business was not easy.
First Japanese American federal judge passes away
LOS ANGELES (AP) — U.S. District Judge Robert M. Takasugi, who was sent to an internment camp with his family during World War II and overcame discrimination to become the first Japanese American appointed to the federal bench, has died at the age of 78.
Philippines leader panned for lavish New York meal
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s aides struggled to explain a reported $20,000 dinner bill racked up by her and her entourage in New York while the Philippines was mourning the passing of former leader Corazon Aquino.