H1N1 News Briefing

SAN FRANCISCO, California–With both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenzas circulating this year, getting vaccinated is more critical than ever. New American Media hosted a briefing here last October 26 on the “Seriousness of Seasonal Influenza and the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus, sometimes called “swine flu,” with a panel of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Experts discussed who’s at risk for seasonal or H1N1 flu, or both, and how it might impact the Latino and African American communities.

SAALT on Health Care

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) held a nationwide information briefing on health care reform on October 26. Community members around the country took part in a webinar on health care reform, as well as what it could mean for the South Asian community. Speakers included: Alice Dong, Health Law Policy Staff Attorney at the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC); Sapna Pandya, Former Director of the South Asian Health Initiative (SAHI) at New York University, co-founder of Humsafar International and the Jeevan Circle; Lavanya Sithanandam, pediatrician, Takoma Park Pediatrics and SAALT Board member. Priya Murthy, SAALT Policy Director, acted as moderator.

Census 2010

UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland–Prince George’s County Executive Jack B. Johnson and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) launched County’s Census 2010 campaign. The event was held last October 19 at the Prince George’s Ballroom in Landover. County Executive Johnson has approved the formation of a Complete Count Committee (CCC) to ensure every county resident is counted in the 2010 Census.  

APIAHF’s Dr. Tran

SAN FRANCISCO, California–After seven years of dedicated service with the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Dr. Ho Luong Tran stepped down as its president and CEO last month. At the City Club here, everyone paid tribute to her as “an exemplary leader who has guided APIAHF with dignity, grace, and integrity.” Dr. Tran was recently featured in Asian Fortune’s series on Asian Americans who make a difference in the community and Mainstream America.

Immigration Briefing

NEW YORK–Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), Chief Deputy Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, joined New York and national immigrant advocates in a phone briefing October 23 to discuss prospects for comprehensive immigration reform in the 111th Congress. The briefing was hosted by the National Immigration Forum. With Crowley were Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC); Javier Valdes, deputy director of Make the Road New York (MRNY); and Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, and briefing moderator. A total of 111 congressional Democrats had sent a letter to President Obama reaffirming their “commitment to fix our broken immigration system” and expressing their “strong support for moving forward on fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform this year.” Rep. Joe Crowley led this initiative, with strong support from members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Environmental Series

MARYLAND–Peter Gourlay, president of the Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership, announced it would host its biggest event of the year, the “MD-EP Environmental Leadership Series Banquet,” in Annapolis on December 3. He said the evening gala will “recognize and celebrate the great research, science, technology and applications that we’ve featured this year from our outstanding Maryland-based host organizations.” 

Life Sciences Center

MONTGOMERY, Maryland –Lily Qi of the Montgomery County Executive's Office of Community Partnerships recently invited Asian American leaders to a meeting with Council President Phil Andrews last October 29. She said a group of Asian American leaders discussed with Andrews “their support for the Gaithersburg West Master Plan to build a Life Sciences Center to expand our tax base, and make our County more competitive both locally and globally.” The Office of Community Partnerships was started in 2007.

The China Exchange

WASHINGTON–The Chinatown Community Cultural Center is offering the China Exchange–a two-year course in Chinese language as well as culture and history. The course is open to 15 D.C. public and charter high school students currently enrolled in 10th grade. Program dates are December 5, 2009-Summer 2011. The China Exchange will meet once a week on Saturdays for three hours, with the occasional all-day event. The program includes field trips and community service. For more information about The China Exchange please visit our website at www.ccccdc.org 

Fundraiser for Foster Children

HAWAII–Back from his Japanese tour, Jake Shimabukuro joined other performers in Oahu last month in a fundraising event for the foster children of Hawaii. All proceeds go to benefit the Epic Foundation. Awhile back Jake released an all Beatles cover album, only in Japan. This album is filled with 13 of Jake’s favorite Beatles songs–all played on the ukulele, including two very special collaborations with Cyndi Lauper and Yo-Yo Ma.  

‘Imelda’ a Hit

NEW YORK–PanAsian Repertory’s production of “Imelda,” A New Musical, ended its run to rave reviews on October 18 at the Julia Miles Theater here. Directed by Tim Dang, the play is based on the book by Sachi Oyama, with music by Nathan Wang, lyrics by Aaron Coleman, and choreography by Reggie Lee and starring Jaygee Macapugay,Liz Casasola, Mel Sagrado Maghuyop and Brian Jose. “Imelda” is a portrait of Imelda Marcos, former first lady of the Philippines, “an ambitious woman who wanted to make her country an equal player on the world stage.”