PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Nancy Wang

"Time flies as an arrow," and soon it will be the end of 2001. September was a tragically difficult month. Everyone was deeply sad; however, we stand firmly united. On September 15th, we still had a very successful fund-raising dinner dance with the Pilipino American Association of Rohnert Park. Great thanks to Yu-Shi Wiebers who devoted so much of her time and effort to make this event successful. I would also like to thank the committee who was involved in planning the Autumn Moon Festival and making it happen.

Special thanks also go to Phi-Phi Dang, who made all of the costumes for the fashion show on November 10th, which was a fund-raiser for our building fund. Together with all the models, who were members of RECA and the Families with Children from Asia, we had a really delightful afternoon. I would also like to thank Chin-yi Shieh who played the "Ku-Chun" during the fashion show. Finally, Iˆd also like to thank our enthusiastic youth group who helped with both events.

I greatly appreciate everyone's support and effort toward making our association more successful. We can always use more help. If there is anyone who is interested in helping with grant-writing, or if you have some idea for fund-raising, please contact me at 707-576-0533. Thank you and best wishes to all.

SANTA'S COMING TO THE SR SENIOR CENTER DEC. 8!

Want to get in the Christmas mood?

Come to RECA's holiday social and potluck Saturday, December 8 at the Santa Center, 709 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa. The first 50 kids who show up at 6 p.m. get a free instant photo with Santa Claus. If you'd like to participate in a gift exchange, please bring a wrapped present valued at $10 or less. Label it "boy," "girl," or "adult male," or "adult female." We'll also have entertainment and raffle prizes, along with a guest speaker: Yancey Forest-Knowles, the principal of Bellevue Union School. Don't forget to bring a main dish entree to serve 8-10 persons. See you there -- the more the merrier!

RECA LANGUAGE STUDY GROUPS
By Judy Cheung

We are bursting at the seams so much that we have had to turn students away! The Cantonese and children's Mandarin classes were filled to capacity from the first day. Intermediate Mandarin students joined with beginning adults and formed a Teen and Adult Beginning Mandarin group. The Adult Intermediate and Advanced Mandarin class still has an opening or two, but you need to know at least the basics! The Cantonese class teacher, Azy Heydon, focuses on conversation and language improvement, while side groups study beginning and advanced skills with the help of parent and student assistants. At the end of most sessions, they practice calligraphy and traditional techniques of brush painting. This year, we have the pleasure of providing lessons from the art textbook written by our own RECA member, Lily Kwan.

The Children's Mandarin class consists of the kids who literally grew up in RECA. Children from Families with Children from Asia have been attending classes at RECA since they were 2 years old. Some were old enough to start regular classes last year, but didn't want to leave the group. This year, they still wanted to keep the group together, and after our Summer Language Camp and Culture Camp, we all decided it was a good idea. This group meets in the room behind the main room of our center. Squeezed into what seems to be much too small a space, over a dozen girls are joined by a few boys as they play, make craft items, sing and have games. When it's time for recess, or to go home, they burst out of their small room speaking in Chinese, "I am 6 years oldò. I want the yellow oneò. This is my nose, eye, mouthò."

Our newest teacher, Siu Jen Armstrong, assisted by her son and occasional student assistants, seems to have a magic touch with this boisterous, lively, fast-learning group of kids. Enough parents of the FCA kids wanted to keep up with their kids, so we created a special class for them, and other beginning students who didn't want to do 5-8 year old activities. This is a group of adult beginners who barely know colors and numbers, combined with teens who are beginners, or who know how to speak Mandarin but want to learn to read and write. Liling Davis, the teacher, follows the same basic curriculum as the Children's Beginning class, but supplements it with linguistics and answers to questions from students.

The Advanced Adult class goes from intermediate level through fluency at a junior high or high school level in Mandarin. All people with a yearning for knowledge know that knowing the basics is not the same as educated proficiency. This class offers both structured and unstructured lessons, uses a variety of books, discusses real-life situations, and offers opportunities to assist in other classes for part of the session for those who enjoy learning by teaching. Ages range from pre-teen to mid-seventies, with Lily Chang as the flexible teacher who assures everyone a curriculum suitable to their needs. This class still has an opening, if you are up to their ability level.

MID-AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL
By Sandy Bartholome and Judy Grindahl

Families with Children from Asia (FCA) celebrated the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at the RECA Center on September 29th. The event started with the sharing of traditions from China, Korea, and Vietnam. Children made lanterns, listened to a story, and played games. The fish and dragon piñatas were a big hit. Families enjoyed a delicious potluck dinner on the lawn. The evening concluded with a lively parade led by the RECA lion. Thank you RECA for the use of the facility.



KWAN TAI TEMPLE
By Nancy Wang

October 13, 2001, the lion team was invited to Mendocino County to celebrate the re-opening of the Temple of Kwan Tai, built by Chinese immigrants many years ago. It was a very interesting but tiring trip. We took off at 8’clock in the morning, and the round trip took almost four and half-hours to drive. The people there really appreciated having our lion team to share our culture with them. Thanks to Henry and Linda Tang, Sean Fong, Frank Yee, Joe and Nancy Wang, Wally, Bryce and Harrison. Special thanks to the RECA seniors who participated: Jan Lew, Shirley Brummell, Irene Fong and Toy Nitake.



KNEE PAIN & OSTEOARTHRITIS
By The Neck & Back Doctors
Phone: (707) 539-6600

While you are reading these lines, you might have knee pain right now.

Knee pain can be a result of many things such as knee sprain/strain, knee fracture, knee dislocation, osteoarthritis, etc. In this short article, we will discuss the relationship between knee pain and osteoarthritis.

First of all, what is osteoarthritis? It is a disease with unknown cause that is associated with the aging process. It may first appear without symptoms between 20 and 30 years of age and is present in almost everyone by the age of 70. Before the age of 55 it occurs equally in both sexes; however, after 55 the ratio is higher in women. Approximately 4% people are affected.

How does osteoarthritis affect our life? Well….osteoarthritis affects only the joint between bones. The cartilage of the affected joint is roughened and becomes worn down. As the disease progresses, so much of the cartilage is worn down that the bone ends start to rub against each other. Bony spurs may develop around the joint, causing pain and inflammation. The joints of the hands and fingers, hips, knees, big toe, cervical and lumbar spine are commonly affected.

Let’s find out how we can recognize it. Usually the symptoms for osteoarthritis include but are not limited to joint pain, a brief morning stiffness, gradual and subtle onset of deep aching joint pain, limited movement, grating of the joint with movement, and painful bony growths in the finger joints. The symptoms are often relieved by rest.

Now, we go to the last question: how can we treat osteoarthritis? Since it has an unknown cause and is associated with age, we don’t have a cure for this disease (unless you get three wishes from magic lamp!). However, we can slow down the wearing process in the joint and improve the movement.

There are many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in the market such as aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen, and Motrin, as well as cortisol injections, etc. which can improve your movement by reducing pain, but these drugs also have some side effects. However, there are alternative ways to help you move without pain such as chiropractic adjustment, exercise, and natural supplements. Chiropractic adjustment helps mobilize the joints to relieve the stiffness and bring nutrition to the joint. Exercise such as swimming and walking help keep the joint mobile and bring your health to an optimum level. The natural supplements help to restore the damaged joints and keep you out of pain without the side effects. Glucosamine sulfate-chondrotin complex is one of them.

In the next article, we will share some information about this supplement and how it can help you get your lifestyle back.



SCHARFFEN BERGER CHOCOLATE FACTORY
By Shirley Brummell

Lil Ingalls, member of the mahjong group, saw an article in the Press Democrat about the chocolate factory. On October 30, 2001, the RECA Mah Jong group went to tour the Scharffen Berger Factory in Berkeley to learn about the making of fine chocolate. Our tour started at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon and took about one hour, which worked out great for us. We decided to have an early lunch at the Berkeley Marina. We went to H Lordship Restaurant (recommendation from Jadyne, RECA member) overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Our hostess gave us a table with a wonderful view of the Bay.

Scharffen Berger gave us some history about cacao. It is the only chocolate company that starts with the raw beans from selected small plantations found near the equator. The beans are imported from Venezuela, Madagascar, Trinidad, Ghana and New Guinea. The beans are cleaned and sorted before going into the roasting machine. We saw the grinding machine that presses the cocoa into a liquid form. Next the cocoa butter, along with the sugar are added to the chocolate and this liquid is poured into molds to make chocolate bars. They make unsweetened (99% chocolate), bittersweet (70% chocolate), and semi-sweet (62% chocolate).

We all had a sample of the different kinds. They were completely different from store-bought chocolate. Every one of us enjoyed the day.

Tours are open to the public from Tuesday to Friday. They can be found on the Web at www.scharffen-berger.com, or call 1-800-930-4528 for more information.



MT. DIABLO
By Toy Nitake

We have often requested members to contribute to the RECA newsletter your travels and points of interest.

I recently went to Mt. Diablo for the first time even though I have driven nearby on Interstate 680 for years. It’s a wonderful place to visit, with many picnic sites, each with BBQ, restrooms, garbage, etc.

To get there, from Walnut Creek, take I-680 south and exit at Diablo Road, then follow signs to the winding roads up the mountain to the summit, elevation 3849-ft. There is a Visitor Center but it is closed on Mondays.

The day use fee is $2.00 per car. The Visitor Center, Museum & Store hours are Apr.-Oct. from 11 am to 5 pm. Call (925) 837-6119 to confirm.

When California was still part of Spanish Mexico, the Spaniards called the mountain Cerro Alto de los Bolbones. On their crude maps they placed a dot not far from its location and marked it Monte del Diablo.

Early American settlers and explorers thought this referred to the mountain and the name stuck.

The park was founded on June 19, 1921. From the Visitor Center, you will see a fabulous view of the Bay Area. There is a telescope mounted there for public use with a fee of 25 cents, but it’s better to bring your own binoculars.



ANIMAL ARK
By Toy Nitake

Here's an interesting place to see if you’re spending a day or two at Reno.

It’s cheaper than the casinos, educational and great for children. Animal Ark Nature Center and Sanctuary houses many potentially dangerous animal species which, though caged, still have their wild predatory natures. You will see some of the many wild animals that Animal Ark has housed over the years. This facility gives shelter to non-releasable wildlife that requires permanent care in captivity. The animals' backgrounds vary. Some were captive wild pets, others were orphaned and some are permanently disabled. Animal Ark is located north of Reno. Take Hwy. 395 North to Red Rock Road, travel for 11.5 miles and turn right on Deerlodge Road. Hours are 10:00 am to 4:30 pm daily from April 1 to October 31. Admission is $6 adult, children $4, seniors 65 and older $5, two years old and under are free. Highway 395 is a good road but Deerlodge Road is gravel. For more information, see Animal Ark’s Web page at www.animalark.org.



SAVING A RURAL CHINATOWN
By Michelle Locke, Associated Press
From Times-Herald, June 10, 2001

Chinese Americans built Locke and the miles of levees surrounding it that turned the marshy Sacramento Delta into rich farmland. But anti-Asian laws stopped them from owning the land beneath their feet. Until now.

Soon, descendants of the founders of Locke will have a chance to buy the land their families settled under a county plan that aims to breathe new life into a fading town.

"I waited a long time for this," says 78-year-old Connie King, one of about a dozen Chinese Americans left in Locke. Locke, the nation’s only town built by and for Chinese Americans, goes back to 1915 when an earlier Chinese-American settlement in nearby Walnut Grove burned down and leaders of the displaced community got permission from local landowner George Locke to lease 10 acres in his pear orchards. Back then, the land had to be leased because of exclusionary laws prohibiting Asians from owning land in California. Those laws were repealed in the 1950s, but the land was never subdivided and residents, who couldn’t get bank loans since they didn’t hold title to the land, continued to lease.

In 1977, a group of investors from Hong Kong, the Locke Development Group, bought the town with big plans to create a cultural center. But the plans fell through because, in a twist of circumstance, the investors owned the land but not the buildings, some of which had passed through several hands by then.

Over the years, most of the original inhabitants moved out and the town gently deteriorated, its clapboard buildings blistered by the Delta sun, its creaky sewer system verging ever closer to collapse. Then, about two years ago, county planners and community leaders began negotiating to save Locke and the shabby but singular charms that made it a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

Last month, the push for restoration was approved by Sacramento County supervisors who voted unanimously to spend $250,000 to buy the land under Locke, clearing the way for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which is overseeing the project, to apply for federal money to fix the sewer. The authority eventually plans to subdivide and sell the parcels at no profit.

"It’s so unique, this town," says Christina Fa, vice president of the Chinese American Council of Sacramento. "I’m glad to see that we are beginning to lay the groundwork so that Locke...doesn’t disappear into history." Locke now has about 80 residents and is home to a cluster of galleries, gift shops and restaurants. Although details are still being worked out, the plan is to offer building owners, several of whom are Chinese American, the opportunity to buy the land under their property, says William Boyer, spokesperson for the redevelopment agency. "We don’t know if everyone will want to buy the land. The feedback that we’ve gotten is that there is a very strong and active interest," he says.

Some can hardly wait. "I’d like to see more businesses come in. I’d like to see the street fixed and the sidewalk fixed," says King. When King moved to Locke as a young wife about 50 years ago, it thrummed with the bustle of 500 people: children dashing to Chinese school after a day at the regular, segregated, state school, bachelors rooming in the cramped boarding houses, men chancing their luck in a lottery. "When we heard firecrackers, we knew someone had won."

At night, families would sit on shaded balconies overlooking Locke’s main, and only, street, catching a cool breeze blowing in from San Francisco, 60 miles to the east. King and her late husband, Tom, tried to move away from Locke in 1949, bidding on a ranch in nearby Walnut Grove, only to be told, "I’m sorry. We can’t sell you the land. You’re Chinese," she said.

"We were both citizens and (Tom) enlisted in the service a day after Pearl Harbor and he served 4 _ years in the service and they won’t sell it to us because we were Chinese," she says, her voice quivering with indignation. "You know, we were devastated. To save the money to buy a place to live in and we can’t buy it."

Instead, the Kings made a home out of what had been a three-car garage in Locke, turning it into a modest but comfortable cottage. They raised children and built a life. After the laws were changed, Connie King and her brother were able to buy the land under their old family home in Isleton, another Delta town. But not owning the land beneath her own home always rankled. As old-timers grew old and frail, they would sometimes ask King to promise them something: "Make sure you live long enough to see it happen." "Now," says King, "I see it happen."

For more information about Locke, visit the Web page at www.locketown.com.