President George W. Bush meets with the staff of the Treasury Department during a photo op with federal agency employees. He's shown shaking the hand of Ador Carreon.

Former US Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and Mrs. Deni Mineta unveiled his portrait Nov. 14 in the transportation department?s new building. From left: Former Transportation Secretaries Slater, James Burnley, William Coleman and current Secretary Mary Peters. Mineta is at the podium From left: Mrs. Mineta, portrait artist Simi Knox, APAICS Senior Advisor Ruby G. Moy and Norman Y. Mineta

Among those who celebrated FtH?s 16th Handog Anniversary were, from left: Dr. Willie Buhain, Chairman of the Board Lottie Buhain, Ambassador to the US Willie C. Gaa, Mrs. Linda Gaa, Executive Director Tessie Calderon, Cecille Nolasco, Handog 2008 Chair Mila Nazal, Larry Pacis, and Consul General Ding Nolasco. Not in photo is Gloria Caoile. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Juliana Jung and Dimitar Petrov dance at an area fund raising event. The couple was at the Pro-Am Champions in Ballroom Dancing Contest. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

A US-China Forum celebrated last month 30 years of Sino-US normalization of relations, China’s economic reform and return of Higher Education entry exams. The event featured speeches by officials and local dignitaries, as well as seminars.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration honored the late Dr. Bell M. Shimada, a Japanese American fishery scientist and World War II veteran, by naming a fisheries survey vessel after him. The 208-foot Bell M. Shimada will initially be on the West Coast to conduct surveys of fisheries in the western coastal region of North America from Alaska to Arizona.

The Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee held a Dim Sum Brunch in honor of founding member and "patriarch" of Baltimore's Chinese community, who passed away last February. Funds raised will support student, cultural and business exchanges between Baltimore, Maryland and Xiamen, China.

Asian American Music Society president Mira Yang announced the winners of the Piano, String, Woodwind, and Voice contest. 1st place division winners were: James Moon, 2nd chair principal of the American Youth Philharmonic; Brian Joonwoo Hong, 15, who began violin lessons at age 4; and Jessica Han, two-time champion of the Maryland State Music Teacher's Assn. Piano Solo Festival. Winners recently held a concert at the Kennedy Center?s Millennium Stage.

Dubbed the "Three Tenors" by the media, Senator-elect Mark Warner, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Sen. Jim Webb watch election returns at the Virginia Democratic Party?s celebration. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Asian Fortune's Jennie Ilustre interviews former Democratic National Chair, Terry McAuliff immediately after Barack Obama was proclaimed as the President -elect of the United States. Photo by Bing Cardenas Branigin

On a personal visit in the US, Kuniko Tanioka, member of the House of Councilors in the Democratic Party of Japan, wears an Obama T-shirt. She joined the crowd of thousands at the Virginia Democratic Party's event at the Hilton Mclean hotel in Tysons Corner. Photo: Jennie L. Ilustre

Asian Americans out to get the vote during the 2008 presidential elections. Photo by Bing Cardenas Branigin

Vietnamese Americans cast their votes for Sen. John McCain (R, AZ) at the Willston Community Center in Falls Church, VA. Photos by Jackie Bong-Wright

Vietnamese Americans volunteers campaign for McCain outside polling place at Willston Community Center. Photos by Jackie Bong-Wright

Vietnamese volunteer Minh Ngoc and American friends campaign for Sen. Barack Obama (D, IL) at Willston Community Center

The sixth annual Zee Heritage India Festival - Diwali Extravaganza, was held Nov. 22-23 at the Dulles Expo and Conference Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Events included shopping, free sampling of Relite H2o Tulsi Water, special raffle prizes by DISH Network, ATW Travel airline ticket raffle, food by Minerva Cuisine, Dance Masti Dance Competition, special decorations by Shagun weddings, entertainment numbers, spiritual talks by CIRD, live band music, and kids' activities provided by Vibha. Photos by Jay Chen/Asian Fortune

Former Ambassador Sichan Siv, author of “Golden Bones, An Extraordinary Journey from Hell” in Cambodia to a new Life in America, at the Heritage Foundation book launching. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Manila Mail, the most popular Filipino American newspaper in the area , celebrated its 18th year anniversary at a dinner hosted by Oscar and Evelyn Bonoan of Fairfax, Virginia. Front: Elvie Melegrito, Evelyn Bonoan, Becky Pagsibigan, Jocelyn Porteria, Lito Katigbak, and Norma Azarcon. Back: Oscar Bonoan, Jon Melegrito, Rodney Jaleco, Greg Makabenta, Bert Alfaro, Atty. Warie Azarcon, Dino De La Rosa, Jojo De La Rosa, Bing Branigin, Mimi Katigbak, and Pat Pagsibigan.

They may just be cardboard figures, but Asian Fortune reader Ging Macabenta is thrilled to have a souvenir photo just the same. Photo by Renee Kram