WASHINGTON–A casual remark, "There must be over a hundred people here," brought an enthusiastic response from Tony Cheng, one of Chinatown Community Cultural Center’s board directors. The Center hosted the successful August Moon Festival here on October 7.

"You think this is big? We’ll have a Center that will be four times bigger than this," he told Asian Fortune. When, in five years, two years’ time?, he was asked. "No, I hope very soon," he replied. "We’re now busy looking for donations." The new Center will be about 10,000 square feet.

The current Center, located on Suite 201 in the District’s 616 H Street NW, above the Gallery Place Metro Station, opened only last January 7.

Mr. Cheng is the owner of Tony Cheng’s Seafood Restaurant across the street, which provided the luncheon feast. He chatted with CCCC Co-founding Director and Vice Chairperson Dr. Toon Lee and other guests, cheerful even in the cold, windy weather as they trickled in. Aside from the two, the other board directors are Chi J. Chiang, Serina C. Moy and Duane Wang. Good food, good show, and good company. That sums up the event. "August Moon is a time to celebrate, with the full moon on August 15 in the lunar calendar," said May Chan, CCCC executive director. " It’s a wonderful tradition, and you can find a lot of information online."

The program included the presentation of the Beijing Washington Sister City Library Collection, donated by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council. Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong of the People’s Republic of China presided over the unveiling.

Stephanie Cheng emceed the program, which began with Dr. Lee’s welcome remarks and introduction of Deputy Mayor Edward D. Reiskin. Reiskin, interim city administrator and deputy mayor for public safety and justice, underscored the goal to "strengthen the relations between China and its people and the District." Reiskin noted, "This Center is a great manifestation of this relationship." He read the Mayor’s Proclamation of outgoing Mayor Anthony C. Williams before presenting it to CCCC. China Exchange Program Director Elizabeth Hardage then introduced the ambassador, who delivered a brief, gracious speech.

Jon B. Miller is Western Development Corporation’s executive vice president for leasing and operations. He cited his brother Herb Miller’s concept and Akridge Companies. In the program’s concluding remarks, he thanked organizers "for the opportunity" of helping the Center become a reality and serving its mission.

Guests enjoyed the performances, and themselves had fun singing the videoke selection later. Min Su played the pipa (string guitar), and Alice Fu performed Harmonious China. Other performers were Helen Kung, Liang Wu, Linda Cheng, Richard Dai, James Shuie and Liang Wu, Francis Yuan (a solo and a duet with Li Yang), and the Silver Star Chinese Dance Center, with Fang Ning as art director. Several people worked hard days before, during and after the event. Their work was amply rewarded because all were having such a good time that they did not want to leave. JLI