RECA Newsletter

President:
Nancy Wang
576-0533

Vice President:
Mary Lowe
528-8712 x132

Treasurer:
Hsiu-Chuan Armstrong

Recording
Secretary:
Judy Cheung
528-0912

Corresponding
Secretary:
Mark Heydon
575-9541

Newsletter,
Scholarship:
Mirin Lew
545-6173

Social Director:
Mary Lowe

Membership:
Judy Cheung

Ways and Means:
We need someone!
535-0985

Building Committee:
Joe Wang
576-0533

Youth Group:
Mark & Azy Heydon
575-9541

Board Members:
Kevin Ablett
Sandy Bartholome
Cheryl Brown
Shirley Brummell
Irene Fong
Jean Gee
Norman Lai
Winston Lee
Frances Lok

NEWSLETTER

February 2008

Contents
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
SCHOOL REPORT
CULTURAL DANCE CLASSES
TAI CHI AND ADULT LITERACY CLASSES
VISITING PRINCIPALS: HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
CLEAN-UP DAY
BUY YOUR TONER, HELP RECA
BRIDGES TO OUR COMMUNITY...
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
MICHELLE KONG VISITS FROM GUATEMALA
COMMENTS BY ALBERT H. YEE ...
WINTER SOCIAL
THANK YOU TO OUR 2008 SPONSORS
FREE CITIZENSHIP CLASS AND SERVICES
FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION
RECA WEDDING

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Nancy Wang

A new year has begun and already RECA is booked with many performances and activities. Our increase in popularity and influence continues to grow throughout Sonoma County. RECA is known as an organization that works towards the common good for all people by our Santa Rosa City Council, our Sonoma County Office of Education, our Santa Rosa Police Department, our Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, and many other areas of influence. This reputation has been earned by the hard work and volunteer services and donations of many members. All who are active, I want to thank you for your time, effort and support.

Those who are less active, I invite you to join our efforts. We need all of you to assist RECA to be a bridge for Asians, especially Chinese, into the greater Sonoma County Community, and to bring Chinese and Asian culture to the general public. Through interaction and communications, we can solve our mutual problems, and have a voice in how we live.

Please, volunteer your time and talents to RECA in this coming year so we can continue being a well known and well thought of organization.

During the past few months, RECA has put on a stupendous cultural performance for the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, had a New Years Eve Party, had many meetings planning our upcoming 2008 Chinese New Year's Celebration and Fundraiser in February, Board Meetings, networking meetings with community organizations, agencies, businesses and offices, and assisted our Youth Group to host a wonderfully successful getting-to-know-you pot luck social with youth, members, police and governmental officials.

For the upcoming year, we have an equally full plate with performances, events and networking with other community organizations to better our community. Please step forward in your area of interest and help us continue to grow, expand and be the highly considered and recognized organization that we have become.

SCHOOL REPORT
By Judy Hardin Cheung

Our RECA Language Classes continue to enroll new students. January 19th was the first day of our 2nd semester. Our sad news is that our Advanced Mandarin teacher, Lily Chang, has taken a leave of absence for this semester. Hsiu Chuan Armstrong will take over the Advanced Mandarin class, bringing with her the more advanced students from the Intermediate class. Cheryl Brown will be our new Intermediate teacher, instructing beginning teens and adults, and continuing children.

Kitty Freed, teacher for our youngest children, has gone to China for a visit. She will return in early April. Our happy news is that Beginning Mandarin teacher Cathy Ringstad is pregnant, with a delivery date for her baby boy in mid-April. The two beginning children's classes have been combined. Kitty will return two weeks before Cathy takes her pregnancy leave. Kitty's daughter, Sophia, continues to be a valuable teacher's aid in this combined class. Elaina, who taught pre-school many years ago, will take over teaching the pre-school classes which meet each third Saturday from 10:30-11:30.

CULTURAL DANCE CLASSES
By Judy Hardin Cheung

Each Saturday, after language classes, our Cultural Dance Classes prepare performers for our many public events. In the absence of our Cultural Dance instructor and choreographer, Mejii Chou, parents and older dancers have stepped in to help out. Under the guidance of Meiji's sister, Nancy Wang, Meesha Heydon, our star youth performer, has taken over the leadership of the teen dancers. She is assisted by teen, Jasmine Elliott. Judy Elliott has taken over instructing the youngest dancers with the assistance of Judy Cheung.

Linda Ibitz has taken over coordinating costumes, music and props and, with Judy Elliott and other parents, seeing that costumes are clean, in good repair, and arrive at performance areas and get put on the proper young dancers at the appropriate times.

Azy Heydon, Youth Group leader, has taken the lead with the lion dancers, our most lucrative performers. Especially during this time of year, businesses, schools, and sometimes private parties want our lion dancers. Azy calls and coordinates the lion dancers around their school schedules. Judy Cheung has been assisting with transporting lion dancers, lion heads and the percussion instruments for the lion drummers.

Helen Kopreva, Shirley Hsu, and other adults have started an adult Cultural Dance Program to add to our performances.

Of coarse, Nancy Wang still helps out in all areas, especially in coordinating dates with our community, but with the extra assistance, her burden is relieved. If you can help out in any phase of the cultural dance program, or other areas of RECA, please let us know. Come in some Saturday at 11:30-12:30 and see what you can do to be part of this program.

TAI CHI AND ADULT LITERACY CLASSES

On School Saturday's David Chung invites everyone who is not in language classes to join his Tai Chi class from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 in our Center's garage/studio. From 10:30-11:30, he teaches English Literacy in conjunction with the Program for Adult Literacy. Come and join one or both of these classes. No tuition is charged for either of these two classes.

VISITING PRINCIPALS: HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Just off the phone to Nancy as this was going to press: Montgomery High School is participating in a two week exchange program for school principals. Two principals from Shanghai will visit Santa Rosa in April. We need two host families to offer rooms for them to stay for two weeks in April. If you are interested and have appropriate accommodations, please call Montgomery High’s principal, Laurie Fong at 528-5500.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

High school seniors, don't forget to apply for the RECA scholarship program. Also, the Marin Asian Scholarship program is accepting applicants from Sonoma County, so apply if you are of Asian descent.

CLEAN-UP DAY

Our November Clean-up day was a grand success due to the youth and adults who joined us to be the many hands and minds needed to re-arrange our costumes, supplies, general stuff and throw-aways.

Thanks to Sidney Sullivan, who chose RECA for her community service organization for her high school community service credits, we had a wonderful time and a grand reunion with many of our "first group" of children from before Families With Children From Asia had chosen its name. When reading about our upcoming Clean-up day, Sidney called her friends who had been to Chinese School with her when she was much younger. They decided it would be a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon, so there they were, ready for work.

After a year of what seemed like continuous performances, we were a mess! With the help of members, parents and the teens, we pulled everything out and put it all back.

Cued up for assembly line efficiency, Judy Cheung or Nancy Wang found each item, one by one, and held it out with its destination: "Lion's Den," "Dragon's Lair," "Books and School supplies," "garbage can," etc. The item would mysteriously disappear from their hand and re-appear in the allotted space, thanks to the teens.

When we finished, RECA provided pizza for all. We had a fun time, got a lot of work done and enjoyed our reunion with the ones who had been "little kids," and who are now wonderful teens.

Thank you to all who helped in this big task that seemed over whelming, but, with so many willing hands, it became an easy afternoon full of fun. Thank you. Thank you.

Our work crew for Clean-up day.

A treasure from the past found during clean-up: Here are many of the youth pictured above at summer camp, possibly in the year 2000. It is wonderful to watch our kids grow from babies to tots to kids, to teens and finally, to be successful adults.

BUY YOUR TONER, HELP RECA

RECA member, Anita Kwan, has started her own business of selling refurbished toner cartridges. Her business has done well enough that she is now able to expand from her home office into our local, member owned by the Ma family, Asia Mart newly relocated on Guerneville Highway near Piner Road. If they do not have your toner in stock, they will order it for you, through Anita.

Anita has promised that for every RECA members purchase of toner at Asia Mart, she will give a percentage of the profit as a donation to RECA.

BRIDGES TO OUR COMMUNITY - RECA/Law Enforcement Pot Luck Social January 11,2008, 6:00 pm. Hosted by RECA Youth Group
By Judy Hardin Cheung (Photos by Hsiu Chuan Armstrong)

With today's difficult times we sometimes feel powerless and alienated from those who are paid to protect us. Posed with this problem, the RECA Youth Group agreed to host a getting-to-know-you pot luck social with members of all ages, friends and the police invited to try to increase cultural awareness for both sides. By the time the event occurred RECA was honored to host Santa Rosa Police Chief Ed Flint with officers Sensley and Yaguchi; Sonoma County District Attorney, Stephan Passalacqua with his assistant DA, Diana Gonzalez; Sonoma County Office of Education Superintendent Carl Wong (an RECA member); and Santa Rosa City Councilman, Lee Pierce.

Police Chief Flint explained that police must be ready to defend their lives at all times. When approaching an unknown situation, they are afraid the situation might become violent. Don't act as if they must subdue you by "copping an attitude." Talk to them calmly and slowly. Officer Sensley explained how the police, in return, are expected to act with responsibility, account-ability and trust.

Each of our special guests spoke about how people can be part of their community by participating with police, and other agencies as they all try to enforce the laws created for our protection. Pres. Nancy Wang and other RECA members explained to our guests the cultural and language problems many people face. If a person does not understand a command, they will not obey it. Many people from China have been taught to fear all police and thus will not willingly cooperate.

Those who attended came away feeling like they knew the police and government officials much better than before. Many photos with friendly, smiling uniformed officers were taken to send to family and friends. If you have a problem that you can not deal with yourself, ask your RECA friends for help. We have a voice in our community and pathways open for success.

Santa Rosa Police Chief Ed Flint poses with Joe and Nancy Wang.

Mark and Azy Heydon, Assistant DA Diana Gonzalez and Officer Sensley enjoy their meal of traditional Chinese food.

Joe Wang, Cheryl Brown, Sandy Sullivan and Officer Yaguchi get to know each other.

Sonoma County Office of Education Superintendent, Carl Wong, discusses school administration. Police Chief Flint, Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua and Officer Yaguchi also spoke about what they do in their official possitions.

Teens, parents and other RECA members listened, then had time to ask question. It was easy to talk to our city officials because we had just eaten dinner with them.

City Council Member, Lee Pierce tells us about running the city government.

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

Everybody forgot to announce our New Year's Eve Party, but Mark Heydon with email along with others who phoned people to let them know, brought about 50 people together on New Year's Eve for fun and celebration with RECA friends.

Having our usual pot luck dinner, Some people stayed until past midnight. We met some new families who joined. We met old friends we hadn't seen for a while. We ate, sang, danced and generally had a wonderful time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

David Chung holds the phone while Pres. Nancy Wang greets us from Hawaii on the speaker phone and we all shout back,"Happy New Year!"

MICHELLE KONG VISITS FROM GUATEMALA

At our New Year's Eve Party, we were pleased to see Michelle Kong, winner of the RECA Scholarship about five years ago and sister of our active member, Anna Kong. Michelle interviewed for her scholarship saying she wanted to go into agricultural research and make a difference in the world by finding ways to increase food crop productivity. Now that she is out of college, she is doing just that. She is in the Peace Corp developing methods of growing new varieties of crops in areas not able to produce sufficient food. To assist with this research, she took cuttings of local apple trees back with her for graphs to see how well they will produce when combined with various root stocks in her assigned area.

Congratulations Michelle, we are proud of you.

COMMENTS BY ALBERT H. YEE
at the 60th Anniversary of SRHS's 1947 Graduation Class
By Dr. Albert Yee

This is a speech by Dr. Albert Yee, Missoula, Montana, RECA member, resident of Santa Rosa during the 1930's and '40's, and author of the autobiographical book currently available at book stores, Yee Hah! On August 25-26, 2007, he attended his Santa Rosa High School class reunion and gave this celebratory speech which he sent to share with us. Dr. Albert Yee grew up in Santa Rosa, is a Korean War Veteran and a retired psychology professor and academic dean, who taught at universities in the U.S. and East Asia. His email address is: alyee@montana.com

Classmates of the 1940s:

Tom Brokaw praised Americans born when we were as The Greatest Generation, and FDR said we had a "rendezvous with destiny." However, others who have been acclaimed so highly have said, "If we're the greatest and best, then things must be really bad." We Depression Babies came of age for the Korean War. Our also being called the Silent Generation, it follows then that Korea is termed "the forgotten war." The Depression's low birthrate explains why Santa Rosa only had one high school in 1947. But busy you produced offspring and now there are five high schools.

It's tough today for self-absorbed kids who face no draft, permissive parents, the SAT, high tuitions and admissions, obesity, anorexia, drugs, junk food, diverse sexes, email, and an array of cell phones and TV channels. War rationing and its lack today highlight our contrasting times. My Dad used to send me to Safeway to buy sugar for the restaurant, saying, "We have to get it before the hoarders."

With so much change, youths are not like we were. Teaching thousands over 40 years, patience wore thin my last few years. Though many didn't study and did poorly, they demanded "As," unlike those in our day who studied and were glad and perhaps pleaded to get a passing grade in hard subjects. Girls wooed me after class, "I'll do anything for an "A." I would laugh it off. When they kept insisting, I said, "If you will do anything for an "A," then why not study hard." Never tempted, I viewed them as children and kept my office door open. Mr. Rankin would be pleased that I found fulfillment in research and published hundreds of works.

During the Vietnam War, most college students changed - their nature and outlook unlike ours and those I taught earlier and later in Asia. What's worst is that many professors have given up as grade inflation shows. My favorite teaching was with sixth-graders. Those kids and the pre-seventies' students possessed qualities of respect, innocence, and openness that most of us had and perhaps continue in Santa Rosa. Our having far fewer material advantages than youth today had its merits. It's clear that teachers enjoyed having us. Yet, Miss Cochrane disliked my singing, but she didn't know that the guys around me made a habit of stinking up the air. One junior high teacher who taught cooking was very strict. She scolded me for fingering a cracker with Scotch rare-bit. Inspecting the girls, she would shout, "Your hair is a mess!" and more.

No, we weren't angels. I recall how we used to sneak beer, speed across RR crossings to see who landed the farthest, and after the war drive to The City and streak up and down Nob Hill's heights dodging cable cars. What a contrast in Korea where roads were nil; we drove on stream beds like Santa Rosa Creek and did so very slowly. We drank beer instead of suspect water. Once as we ran up a hill, an officer shouted: "Let's go! Go like you're running your HS track"! That yell provoked visions of SRHS's track field, my running the half mile, Mel Schefer throwing the discus, and Coaches Fortier and Gromer helping one and all.

During one of our courthouse pep rallies, several truckloads of German POWs passed by as we railed against the enemy. Maybe they thought we were drumming up the war effort. Anita Tomasi tells me that SHRS' chief rival is now Montgomery. For us, Chickaluma had that honor. Recall how the big chicken on 101 was blown over each year and how we teenagers paraded around Petaluma after a victory. In 1947 we beat them in football with Coach Underhill and stars Wilbur Reine, Steve Mayer, and Dick Read. And in basketball, the Panthers feasted twice on fried chicken with also classmates Dale Edwards, Steve Mayer, Ray Peterson, and Tom Wilson in play. June Fox, Beverly Rocco, Anne Said, and Tommy Ward led our cheers for the orange and black! When I was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a familiar song roared through the huge football stadium, the words, "Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa" flashed back for "On Wisconsin."

Ah, memories of SRHS - frosh, Block S initiations, sweater days, scrap drives, Mr. Elmore's ROYGBIV mnemonic and his forming my love for science, Miss Patchett's math wizardry and cheerfulness, the gym's polluted footbath, gut-busting marathons around JC, Corrick Brown at the piano, productions of Messrs. Guymon and Walter and how they walked, Maurice Wood in HMS Pinaforte singing, "I polished up the handle so carefully that now I am the admiral of the king's naivee." Mr. Aiken's silent laugh, an assembly with Mary Main garbed in colorful excess with a towering hat, like Chigita Banana, our graduation with the playing of Pomp and Circumstance, and being kicked out of the Rio Nido dancehall for being underage. What choice memories do you have?

Along with so many other '47 graduation celebrants around this great nation, our sense of being began to form where and with whom we grew up. During those early, anxious years of WW II with blackouts and double daylight saving time, we sang patriotic songs in the junior high gym with high steel girders that Mr. Peters said was earthquake-proof - "Anchors Aweigh," "Off we go into the wild blue yonder," and "Oh, say, can you see." Broadway gave us high schoolers wonderful songs, such as "Oh, what a beautiful morning, and "Some enchanted evening." In 1944, Doris Day sang: "Gonna take a Sentimental Journey, Gonna set my heart at ease. Gonna make a Sentimental Journey, to renew old memories." Thanks to those who arranged this beautiful, enchanting rendezvous and sentimental journey.

WINTER SOCIAL
Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, 6:00 pm

About 130 people attended our Winter Social for this family evening of conversation, eating and entertainment. Santa Claus was a big hit, as usual, with everyone from babies through grandparents enjoying a hug and a picture sitting on Santa’s lap. Some international guests from Sonoma State University were able to meet Santa for the first time. Meeting new and old friends is always a special Winter Holiday treat. Tasting our delicious dishes is one of the exciting activities popular at RECA large meetings. As usual, our cultural entertainment was great.

We want to thank Joe Wang for having a special relationship with Santa, ensuring that Santa comes to visit each year.

We also want to thank all the parents of dancers who have been taking over all of the details of preparing the performances, especially Judy Elliott and Linda Ibitz. They spend many hours helping with rehearsals, being sure our young dancers arrive on time to dance, seeing that the costumes are in the right places, clean and neat and ready for the right dancers, and taking care of all of the other things that such performances need. We never have a picture of them because they are always behind the scenes, usually where cameras are not allowed. But without them, we could not enjoy our cultural dance performances.

MCed by Mary Lowe, with words from Nancy Wang, our program moved smoothly throughout the evening.

Getting together with RECA friends is the best way to spend a Holiday evening.

RECA Winter Social is a time for family portraits with Santa--and it doesn't cost anything.

In a new act, Sandy Sullivan danced to a classical poem sung by David Chung, accompanied by Helen Kopreva.

Wanda Wang from Rohnert Park gave an amazing solo on the guzhang. Don't miss her performance with her guzhang ensamble at our Chinese New Years Celebration on February 23 at the Vets Memorial Building.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2008 SPONSORS

RECA wants to thank our 2008 Sponsors for their kind donation that keep RECA able to continue performing for the community and being a public resource for people, businesses, schools and agencies who need our assistance. Please give them your business whenever possible. Thank you.

Northwest Insurance Company
Redwood Credit Union
River Rock Casino
Sonoma County Office of Education
Walmart

FREE CITIZENSHIP CLASS AND SERVICES

Catholic Charities is offering a free citizenship class beginning February 7 – May 22. The 16-week course meets once a week on Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Catholic Charities' offices at 987 Airway Court in Santa Rosa. The class is designed for people who have applied or are planning to apply to become U.S. citizens. Class content will include lessons on U.S. history & civics, practice for the interview with the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), and helping students improve their English. To reserve a class space, call Catholic Charities Immigration Services at (707) 578-6000.

Catholic Charities is also offering free citizenship services in the new year to the first 200 applicants. The agency was re-awarded by the state to provide assistance to individuals applying for citizenship. Applicants will still need to pay the $675 fee to "Department of Homeland Security" (or $460 for minor children under 18 who apply). Call 578-6000 to schedule an appointment to receive the necessary paperwork.

Volunteers are also needed. If you would like to tutor a student outside of class or help fill out citizenship applications at the office, call Mary Lowe at 528-8712 x132.

Catholic Charities is also offering free citizenship services in the new year to the first 200 applicants. The agency was re-awarded by the state to provide assistance to individuals applying for citizenship. Applicants will still need to pay the $675 fee to "Department of Homeland Security" (or $460 for minor children under 18 who apply). Call 578-6000 to schedule an appointment to receive the necessary paperwork.

Volunteers are also needed. If you would like to tutor a student outside of class or help fill out citizenship applications at the office, call Mary Lowe at 528-8712 x132.

FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION

For families with low incomes in our Chinese community here in Santa Rosa. To schedule your appointment call 571-8131. Bryce, Tin Tran, and Azy are the trained VITA/IRS certified volunteers for Jewish Family and Children's Services for the tax season.

For more info. Ask Azy: 575-9541.

RECA WEDDING

New RECA members, Mike Kneis and Ping, came to Nancy asking for her help and advice. They wanted to get married. Nancy Wang, Cheryl Brown and Judy Cheung met with them, gave advice and planning together, we had a beautiful wedding with about 50 guests here, in our Center. His family came and her family was RECA. David Chung performed the ceremony after receiving training and a legal permit. Nancy Wang was the matron of honor. Joe Wang gave her away. Judy Cheung was the official photographer. When the RECA chorus sang a song about being family, everybody cried. The ceremony honored both Chinese and American customs for the marriage ceremony.

Congratulations and best wishes
to Mike and Ping
from your RECA family

This beautiful wedding with lanterns, flowers, fruit on the altar between phoenix and dragon candles took place in our newly renovated garage/dance studio. After the ceremony, we all sat down to a catered lunch in the main part of our Center.

Redwood Empire Chinese Association
P.O. Box 7854
Santa Rosa, CA 95407