Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley recently hosted a recent June reception for the Maryland Delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention to be held in Denver. Shown in photo: Kun Sin, Delegate Susan Lee, Governor O’Malley, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Maryland Democratic Chairman Mike Cryor, Minh Le, Maryland Democratic Vice Chairman and Coalition of Pacific American Democrats of Maryland Co-Chair Dr. Ngoc Chu, and Chung Pak.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met with presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC. on June 28. Arroyo, who was in town for an official visit at the White House, also had a phone conversation with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

The Korean American Coalition-D.C. Chapter recently held a successful voter registration drive in partnership with the American Jewish Committee, and the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations. “National KA Vote Drive 2008” aims to empower the by Korean American community by registering Korean American voters until September 30, before the November 4 general election.

District students view one of the ship models from the Quanzhou Maritime Museum. The replica is part of the June-September exhibit on China's Forgotten Fleet Voyages of Zheng at the National Geographic museum. Admiral Zheng made seven epic voyages spanning three decades. Photo: Jennie L. Ilustre

Michelle Garcia, third grader at Lake Ridge Elementary School in Woodbridge, Virginia, won First Place for Grade 1-3 level. Prince William County organized the contest to promote energy conservation. Michelle won some art materials and a $50 Mastercard Gift Card. She is saving the card to buy school supplies for the coming school year.

Asian Americans who teamed up with Hispanic neighbors in a yard sale in Arlington, Virginia are all smiles after making brisk business on a summer day. Photo: Jennie L. Ilustre

The Bicol National Association of America celebrated its 25th anniversary in Washington, D.C. From left: Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte; Ludy Cabanas, president of the Bicol Association of Metropolitan Eashington,D.C.; Msgr. Jeremias Rebanal, Spiritual Adviser, and CamarinesVice Gov. Salvio Fortuna. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Shown after the fourth of July parade in Cheseapeake, Virginia are (from left): Desiree Giselle Jimenez, Miss Pre-Teen Virginia Beach 2008; Christina Marie Edwards, Miss Philippines, Virginia, 2008; Jackie Paige Estaris, Miss Teen Philippines Virginia, 2007-2008; an Jorene De La Cruz, Miss Teen Luzon, Virginia 2007-2008. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

For the first time, this competition drew over 70 tennis players from all ages, and from many Asian minority groups: Chinese, Indian, Korean and Filipino Americans. Former gymnastics star Li Ning, now a successful sportswear entrepreneur, provided the event T-shirts. AAA Open organizer Coach Chang Hong Ni was a pro tour tennis player in 1970s.

Members of the Haymarket, Virginia soccer team accept their awards in the Girls Under 14 Category at the recent McDonald?s McSoccerfest 2008 championship games. Pictured above are: Coach Mir Rezadoost, Morgan Aldessi, Haley Burleson, Roya Rezadoost, Allie Rash, Brila McPhearson, Tyana Potter. This year?s event attracted 495 teams and more than 15,000 people. Now in its 15th season, this is part of McDonald’s overall Balanced, Active Lifestyles program. McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Greater Washington, D.C., and Baltimore produced the event with several co-sponsors.

Young dancers of Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe receive awards from Gordon S. Heddell, Inspector General of the Department of Defense, (back center) for their outstanding performance and support provided to the Office of Inspector General “Diversity Day Celebration” on July 16. Back, from left: Kira Omans, Jennifer Chen, Chin-Siu Lee Choi, Heddell, Jamie Yang, Jacqueline Chen, Stella Choi. Front, from left: Kristen Omans, Dora Li, Taylor Smith, Zoe Tan.

Organization of Chinese Americans Greater Washington D.C. Chapter held its annual family & friends’ picnic at Bohrer Park, Gathersburg, Maryland on June 21.OCA celebrates its 35th anniversary in D.C. on July 31-August 3, drawing over 1,500 attendees from across the nation.

Participants shown, from left: Ding Cabrera, Aida Peck, Denia Calaro, Jesse Gatchalian, Miss Teenage Philippines-USA Hannah Johnson, Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa, Madam Erlinda Gaa, Actor Bernardo Bernardo, Juliet Barredo, Ednora Franco, Remy Cabrera, Marlene Manawis, Zeny Frasier, Jojo Franco and Estrella Sayson Monzon. Photo courtesy of Manny Lopez, Jr.

Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA) recently held its Annual Health Fair at the Our Lady of Vietnam Church, Silver Spring, MD. It was presented in conjunction with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Use & Prevention Cessation Program, and sponsored by Adventist Health Care and State Farm Insurance. Shady Grove Adventist Health Care and Asian American Health Initiative provided screenings on oral cancer, glucose, bone density screening, Body Mass Index (BMI), and also carbon monoxide testing.

In a recent awards ceremony, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department recently recognized the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education (SALDEF) for their work in training the entire D.C. police force in Arab, Muslim and Sikh American religious and cultural practices. The goal was to dispel stereotypes in a 30-week program led by SALDEF National Director Rajbir Singh Datta and ADC Legal Director Nawar Shora.

The D.C. Language Access Coalition and the Latino Federation of Greater Washington recently held a successful community event to promote public awareness that limited English proficient (LEP) or non-English proficient (NEP) individuals have equal access to essential government benefits and services. In photo: (1) Elliot Lee of the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs and (2) Jennifer Deng-Pickett, Director of the D.C. Language Access Coalition. Other participants were the Vietnamese American Community Service Center and the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center.

Top Asian Pacific American leaders recently held a Maryland Democratic Unity Rally. Maryland Delegate Susan Lee, Paul Tiao and Minh Le lead the Maryland Asian Pacific Americans for Obama. Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler and Congressman Elijah Cummings are Co-Chairs of the Maryland for Obama campaign. All are helping the National Asian Pacific Americans for Obama in a $1 million fundraiser. Coalition of Asian Pacific American of Democrats of Maryland Vice Chairman Martin Ma and CAPAD-MD Chairman and Maryland Democratic Party Vice Chair Dr. Ngoc Chu also stressed APA united front for an Obama victory.

Zumba instructor Tanya Nuchols of Virginia recently appeared on Fox-TV with other instructors at Washington Sports Clubs in Silver Spring. Tanya (www.zumbadistrict.com) teaches Zumba in Arlington/Silver Spring, and will be featured on Channel 9 news on August 14. Zumba is a Latin dance that combines Latin and international styles into a fun cardio workout.