Last month, the Beijing Youth Arts Ensemble toured the U.S. and performed at the Northern Virginia Community College Concert Hall of Alexandria Campus, Virginia and Thomas S. Wootton High School in Maryland. The event was sponsored by Consolidated Society of Chinese University Alumni Associations.

The National Agricultural Library (NAL) heard Dr. Jeffrey Chen, Executive Director of Friends of the China Garden, speak last June 19 on the status of the Classical Chinese Garden, jointly sponsored by the governments of China and the United States. Verna Shen of the Cataloging Branch introduced Dr. Chen. NAL Associate Director Gary McCone gave the welcome remarks. In his closing remarks, Dr. Thomas Elias, Director of the National Arboretum, said it has so far received $321,176 in private donations, which is not sufficient to complete the project. For donations, which are tax-deductible, please contact: Director Elias, 3501 New York Avenue N.E., Washington, DC 20002. Or call (202) 245-4539.

The Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association held its 19th Annual Awards Picnic at Lake Needwood in Rockville, Maryland, on June 10. Citing the value of education in promoting success and advancement, it awarded over 130 students, grades K-12, for their academic achievements, community service involvement, and leadership qualities. MVMA also recognized six teachers for their major role on the lives of their students. MVMA also gave away two $1,000 college scholarships.

Megan Cortez, third from left, was crowned Miss Teenage Philippines 2007 and also Miss Charity at the coronation and ball held at the J.W. Marriott in D.C. From left: Melissa Akalin, finalist, also Miss Popularity and Hope; Kelly Colburn, 1st runner-up and Miss Congeniality; Megan; Christina Nicholson, finalist and Markita Gray, finalist and Miss Faith. The judges were Dr. Pedro Jose, Mrs. Janie Layao Villarin, Dr. Marilou Tablang-Jimenez, Major General Antonio Taguba and Dr. Sonia Soriano. Pageant Director Trinidad P. Padama said event proceeds went to the Scholarship and Medical Mission to the Philippines.

. Past Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department Commander Lester Hansen administered the oath on Ador Carreon, the new VFW Commander in D.C. The gavel was transferred to him by Dept. Cmdr. Richard Stuart. The Dept. Cmdr's Pin was pinned by Jr. Past Dep. Cmdr. Troy Gatling, and the Cmdr's Cap was presented by daughter Mylene C. Clemente.

The Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) and the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) held two joint Memorial Day weekend programs. On May 27, JAVA joined JACL in its 59th Annual Memorial Day service at the Arlington National Cemetery. Main speakers were Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Peterson, USA, Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff of U.S. Army Forces Command, and Joseph Ichiuji, a 522nd Field Artillery Battalion veteran. Dr. Craig Uchida, JACL president, D.C. Chapter, and JAVA President Bob Nakamoto also spoke. The late Key Kobayashi, a Military Intelligence Service veteran, started the Memorial Day Program. His sons, including Turner Kobayashi, now oversee the program.

Jasmine Art Studio was started with a few talented ladies three years ago in Virginia. Together they have been learning and practicing on a regular basis and have participated in many cultural and community events in Washington D.C. area. On June 16, they held their 2007 recital at the Johnson Center of George Mason University, sponsored by GMU Office of Diversity Program and Services and New World Bilingual Institute.

"The Philippines at the Turn of the Century: The Emergence of a Nation," was a photo exhibit at the Charles Sumner School and Museum in Washington, DC. At the opening June 4 were, from left: Malcolm Peck, president, Philippine Arts and Letters and Media (PALM); Mitzi Pickard, vice-president; Jane Vergel, treasurer; Arabella Harmon Horwitz, secretary; Linda Yangas, Aida Peck, Malcolm Churchill, founding member; Jeane Olson, donor of the historic photos; Nilo Santiago, Sonny Izon, and Mel Odilao.

On June 16 and 17, Washington Stage Play Ensemble performed a new comedy, “It Costs Too Much Trouble to Change a Wife,” written by Yue Shen. The performances took place at the Quince Orchard High School Auditorium, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

At the Bishop O’Connell High School last June 16, the first Youth Festival–organized by the Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia led by Ed Tiong, and under the sponsorship of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities–drew over 200 for an all-day contests in basketball, soccer, track & field, badminton, Philippine games, arnis/kali, folk dance, sungka and hip-hop. Ed thanked the community organizations, the Stakeholders’ Circle, and Golden Dragon/North Star Catering. He said the Youth Festival was due to the vision of Gerry Llames.

The Chinese Biopharmaceutical Association (CBA) 12th Annual Conference, “Biopharmaceutical Development: From Discovery to Commercialization,” was held at the University of Maryland Shady Grove campus on June 2 and 3. Majority of CBA members are Chinese scientists, researchers, and professors working for government agencies, universities, research institutes, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

On June 8, 250 guests and members attended the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Greater Washington (TCCGW) annual meeting at Marriott Hotel in Gaithersburg, Maryland to recognize the supportive consultancy members, board members, and reelect its leadership team members.

The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) is a non-profit organization that gives scholarships to Asian American college students and place them in public service internships to prepare them to become tomorrow’s leaders. Under the 2007 summer internship program, 30 interns from 20 universities around the U.S. will go to the White House, Department of Labor, Department of Treasure, and Department of Commerce for an eight-week internship program.

Kent Wong, Director of the Center for Labor Research and Education at UCLA, was the guest speaker at the Asian American Labor Alliance (APALA) program, "Asian American Workers and the New Immigration Movement held at the AFL-CIO building in Washington, D.C. Also in photo is APALA Executive Director Gloria T. Caoile. Wong addressed the role of Asian American workers in the new immigration rights movement. He also presented his new book, "Sweatshops Slaves: Asian American workers in the Garment Industry. Wong was the founding president of APALA, the first national organization of Asian union members and workers. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Maryland State Delegate Susan Lee (D) and Korean and Vietnamese American representatives joined forces with Latinos for a Fair Immigration Reform Bill at a recent rally on Capitol Hill.

On June 14, representatives from the Maryland Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs met with representatives from the Frederick area Asian American communities to learn of challenges they face and to brainstorm solutions. The meeting was hosted by Elizabeth Chung, Director of LIFE & Discovery, Inc. and a member of the Frederick County Human Relations Commission.

The world leaders of the Brahman Community met for a 3 day convention at Crowne Plaza Hotel in suburb of Washington, DC on May 25-27. It was a grand success with more than 450 international delegates attending the convention with a substantial number coming from India and Europe. It was not restricted to Brahmans by cast, but open to all like minded people. Photo shows youth participation at the convention.