Fil-Am Wins No. 1 Jazz Contest

The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition is the world’s most prestigious jazz competition. It has launched the careers of a number of major jazz greats including Joshua Redman, Jane Monheit, and Joey DeFrancesco. This year, a Filipino American, Jon Irabagon, won the competition and with it a $20,000 scholarship and a recording contract with Concord Music Group. The label plans to release Jon's album in mid-2009.

Jon Irabagon grew up in Chicago and began playing the saxophone at age eight. He received his master's degree at the Manhattan School of Music. Since moving to New York, he has performed with Billy Joel, Wynton Marsalis, Lou Reed and Debbie Gibson. On competition night, this list expanded to include Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, George Duke, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cassandra Wilson, Terence Blanchard, The Edge and Bono of U2, and the legendary B.B. King.

New Course on India

A new course, "India: Culture, Traditions, and Gandhi," has been developed for the members of the Osher Life-long Learning Institute (OLLI) of American University at the Gandhi Memorial Center from March to May 2009. This course will introduce participants to the arts and philosophy of India through lectures and demonstrations. For more information, contact Gandhi Memorial Center at (301) 320-6871. Or email info@gandhimemorialcenter.org

Anne Chan’s Art at Hamiltonian Gallery

Catch Anne Chan’s art at the Hamiltonian Gallery’s exhibition, along with the works by Jonathan B. French and Michael Dax Iacovone. The exhibit continues till Dec. 6. Located at 1353 U Street NW, Washington DC, with Tel. (202) 332-1116, its hours are Tuesday to Saturday, from noon till 6 p.m. and by appointment. Ms. Chan is an artist from Baltimore, Maryland, where she received her MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Anne’s series of photographs and installations are a social commentary on cubicle-farm life. The phrase “chained to a desk” comes to mind. View images of her work at www.hamiltonianartists.org/chan_anne.html

Thai Princess Donates Painting for Fundraiser

Princess Vudhijaya (Tanying Nang) graciously donated one of her paintings to be auctioned off for a recent fundraising event. The Women’s Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) of the Kennedy Center organized the event. ”Beyond Dragons: An East-West Fusion of Interior Design” showcased Asian-inspired interior design by some of Washington’s top young designers.

Christmas Shopping at the Corcoran

Off the Walls, the Corcoran College of Art + Design’s annual art sale, features fine arts, jewelry, and ceramics made by Corcoran students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The event will be held in the District’s Corcoran Gallery of Art. All sales directly benefit the artists and the Corcoran’s Student Activities Programming Board. For more information, please call (202) 639-1801. Sale dates: Dec. 11 at 5–9 p.m., Dec. 12 and 13 at 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Minority Media Fellowships

The Newspaper Association of America is offering two minority fellowships to the Maynard Institute's Media Academy for managers. The fellowship covers program tuition, housing, meals and includes a travel stipend. The Maynard Media Academy is an immersion management training program with a track record of helping new media managers achieve success. The program is run in partnership with the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University. Program dates are Jan. 11-15, 2009 and March 22-26, 2009. Participants must attend both sessions. Deadline for the application is on Dec. 1. Those interested can download the application forms at: www.naa.org/Resources/Articles/Diversity-NAAMinorityFellowships/Diversity-NAAMinorityFellowships.aspx

Preserving Heritage Languages

The Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, led by Chair Jane Nishida met last month. David Lee, Senior Executive Director at the Governor's Office on Asian Pacific American Affairs, said the commission discussed the policy regarding requests for co-sponsorship; preservation of Heritage Languages Task Force and committee reports. Guest Speakers were: Brad Peganoff of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute; Bob Spector, Executive Director of Mobile Medical Care, Inc.; Julie Bawa, Program Manager of Asian American Health Initiative.

OCAW Maryland: Walk for a Cause

The Organization of Chinese American Women of Maryland joined thousands who took part in the 21st Annual Help the Homeless Walkathon last Nov. 22 on the National Mall. Fannie Mae contributed $50 for each employee and employee guest that participated in the Walkathon. For more than 20 years, the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Program has enticed caring individuals to work toward preventing and ending homelessness in the region. This year, it is estimated that there are nearly 12,000 people in the Greater Metro D.C. Area who are homeless.

Absentee Voters Registration

Consul General Domingo Nolasco, head of the consular office at the Philippine embassy, said his office is now accepting applications for registration of overseas absentee voters, starting this month until August 31, 2009. Applicants must be citizens of the Philippines; not otherwise disqualified by law; at least 18 years of age on May 10, 2010 or the day of the election; and who want to vote for president, vice president, senators and Party List representatives in the May 10, 2010 Philippine national elections. Because some of them may have moved or changed address, “even those who registered for the 2004 presidential elections and the recent senatorial elections must re-register.”

Emergency Plan, Kit

The Prince George’s County Health Department, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program has urged residents to develop an emergency plan. Families should have a disaster plan, including an evacuation and communications plan, and a disaster supply kit. This kit should include: Water; food, at least a three-day supply per person or pet; items for infants; items for seniors, disabled persons or anyone with serious allergies, including special foods, prescription and non-prescription medications. Kitchen accessories, such as a manual can opener and utility knife; battery-powered radio or TV and extra batteries; several flashlights; a first aid kit; change of clothing and footwear; blankets or a sleeping bag; hygiene items. Other essential items include paper, pencil and a whistle. For more information, call the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, (301) 883-3413. Or visit the website at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/plan/