Yearly Archives: 2006

Saltwater City Television: Highlights of Media Scrum on Head Tax issues with Minister Bev Oda


Saltwater City Television: Highlights of Media Scrum on Head Tax issues with Minister Bev Oda

This is great stuff if you have been following the Chinese Canadian Head Tax issue.  Sid Tan is producer of Saltwater City Television which follows issues of interest to multi-generation Chinese Canadian pioneer descendants (like myself). 

Gee… I can even be seen in this week's show, as I joined Sid and many others in the protest against the Liberal government's deal with the National Congress of Chinese Canadians, to sign an “Agreement-in-Principle” for No Apology, and No Compensation, and only $2.5 Million to set up community programs, in comparison to the more than $336 Million that was given to the Japanese Canadians in their 1988 Redress settelement, as they budgeted for $21,000 for each of 16,000 individuals..

Sunday April 2 @ 1:00pm
Monday April 3 @ 10:30pm
Thursday April 6 @ 2:30pm
Saturday April 8 @ 11:30am

ACCESS/ICTV community television on Shaw cable 4, the cable community channel
in Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley.

Heritage Minister Bev Oda and PM Parliamentary Secretary Jason Kenney:
Chinese Head-tax/Exclusion Redress Updates on Saltwater City Television   

Saltwater City Television (29:45)

1) Highlights of media scrum and comments from Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda and Jason Kenney, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, after community consultations on Chinese head-tac/exclusion redress in Toronto on March  24, 2006. Also includes Susan Eng of the Ontario Coalition of Head-tax Payers and Families and Joseph Wong of the Chinese Canadian National Council and longtime redress activists such as Yew Lee, William Dere and others.

Written, directed and produced by Karin Lee. (17:00)

2) Excepts of a presentation by Sid Chow Tan of the Chinese Canadian National Council with highlights of the ACCESS/BC Coalition of Head-tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants and their supporters leafleting and information line on November 26, 2006.

The “on the streets” action in the Saltwater City (Vancouver BC) protested the �no apology, no compensation� agreement-in-principle the federal Liberal government made with compliant groups. Thanks to Karin Lee, Donna Lee and Jane Kokan for video footage and Peter Regier and the audio-visual crew at WorkSafe, Workers� Compensation Board of BC.  (10:00)


Saltwater City Television is a regularly scheduled volunteer-produced community television produced by the not-for-profits ACCESS Association of Chinese Canadians for Equality and Solidarity Society and ICTV Independent Community Television Co-operative.


BBC Radio Scotland: Vancouver's Toddish McWong talks about Canada's Scottish-Chinese-Canadian Community: Gung Haggis Fat Choy!


BBC Radio Scotland: Vancouver's Toddish McWong talks about Canada's Scottish-Chinese-Canadian Community: Gung Haggis Fat Choy!


A special warm welcome to Scots finding our website after listening to
BBC Radio Scotland's arts and culture program The Radio Café.  

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about Canada’s
Scottish Chinese community
,” is how the Radio host described what was
coming up on the Monday April 3rd program, as
Radio Cafe this week is featuring aspects of the Scottish diaspora and its influences around the world, and will highlight Tartan Week in New York City where a huge parade will take over the street with men in kilts!

I, Todd Wong aka Toddish McWong, was featured today on BBC Radio Scotland this afternoon at approximately 2:53pm Greenich Time (5:53am Pacific).  But you can listen to the BBC Radio website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/noscript.shtml?/radio/aod/scotland_aod.shtml?scotland/radiocafe_mon”
Click on Play to hear the introducations, then click on the Fast Forward buttons to reach 38:00

Clips from a pre-recorded interview of me run from approximately 38:30 to 41:45 of the full 45 minute Radio Cafe broadcast.

“This is what you get when you cross Robbie Burns Day with Chinese New Year”, opens the host, as my voice comes in.

“Gung Haggis Fat Choy is the intersection of Robbie Burns Day and Chinese New Year Day. 

“The Scots came across the Atlantic and named the land Nova Scotia, the Chinese came across the Pacific and called it “Gum San” (Gold Mountain).

“With haggis – we mix in with haggis with Chinese food!
We invented Deep Fried Haggis Won Ton.

“This is what Canada is about.
Many white Canadians can wear Chinese outfits and say they are learning about Multiculturalism.

“My kilt is the maple leaf tartan, and it has all the colours of Canada in it.  The Greens, yellows and reds of the Maple Leaf.”

“I recently read a book about “How the Scots invented the Modern World” and I think that the Chinese invented the Ancient World.”


Here are  some links to help you navigate www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com


Origins of Gung Haggis Fat Choy story – It all started back in 1993, when I was a wee student studying at Simon Fraser University on the highlands of Burnaby Mountain.

Todd's poem “Gung Haggis Fat Choy” – 

“The Chinese called this land Gum San (Gold Mountain),
 And the Scots gave it the name of Nova Scotia
Westerners became Easterners
The Far East becomes the Far West.”


Dinner menu for 2005 Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner
– 10 courses of food, mostly traditional Chinese , but served up with haggis won ton, and haggis lettuce wrap + spicy jelly fish, noodles, rice vermicelli, curried beef and potatoes, and crab.
 

article and photos from Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner
– pictures of real-life intercultural music, relationships and food.  Pictured above is our 2005 poster, my friends Lorrie and Tony Breen, myself with my girlfriend Deb Martin.


Recipes for Gung Haggis Won Ton, and Gung Haggis Spring Rolls and haggis-stuffed tofuHonestly!  So many people have said, “I didn't know haggis could taste so good!”


Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team
mixing Chinese dragon boats with wearing tartans!

Mortgage within sight for Kogawa House – Option to purchase: open letter from Anton Wagner

   
Mortgage within sight for Kogawa House
– Option to purchase:
open letter from Anton Wagner

Dear Friend of the Joy Kogawa House,

The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, which is spearheading the Fundraising drive to save the Joy Kogawa House, has an option to purchase Joy's Childhood home in Vancouver until the end of this month if it can raise sufficient funds for a mortgage on the House.

The 120-day demolition delay unanimously approved by Vancouver City Council in November has expired and there is now nothing to stop the demolition of Joy's childhood home if it is not purchased by the Land Conservancy.

Several hundred donors have already contributed over $215,000 to the Land Conservany of BC towards the purchase of the Joy Kogawa House. A mortgage for the House is in sight with your support.

If you have been moved by reading Joy's Obasan and agree that the “Obasan House” should be preserved as a centre for writers of conscience and as a living memorial to the forced evacuations and imprisonment of over 22,000 Japanese Canadians during World War II, I ask you to make a donation now to the
Land Conservancy via their website http://www.conservancy.bc.ca

Cheques in any amount made payable to “The Land Conservancy” can also be sent to The Land Conservancy, 5655 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5E 2T2. The Land Conservancy telephone number is 604-733 2313. Each contribution, no matter how small, will show the federal, provincial and civic governments that there is public support for the Joy Kogawa House rescue drive and that government levels should also contribute.

If you have already donated, please circulate this message among your friends and ask for their assistance. Additional information about the Joy Kogawa House rescue drive can be found on the website http://www.kogawahouse.com

Thank you very much for your support.

Anton Wagner
Secretary
Save Joy Kogawa House Committee
416-863 1209
fax: 416-863 9973

www.conservancy.bc.ca

www.kogawahouse.com

John Rutherford's Check Your Chart, for the Week of 3 April 2006


John Rutherford's

Check Your Chart, for the Week of 3 April 2006

First there was nothing, then more nothing, then the Eclipse hit.  I
only needed one newspaper last week, Thursday’s, to see the “what for” of
the important stuff.  And, it was.  The Solar Eclipse hit the
Point of Bad News, the Mercury (news, messages, communications) / Saturn
(serious, “heavy”) midpoint.  In the next few hours, Canada has its
first combat casualty in 32 years, BC Hydro announces it is running short
of power and will soon have to import, Hamas has a cabinet but gets its
aid cut from Canada, Saudi Arabia is also now making The Bomb thanks to
Pakistan, Russia is becoming a dictatorship says Gorbichev, the US will
test a 700 ton “bunker buster” that would send a mushroom cloud over Las
Vegas, the US right wing publishes plans to make Republicans the
perpetual dominant party, and Iran had earthquakes.  Then back to
nothing, the usual drivel of local madness and mayhem.

Kinda makes ya sit and ponder, don’t it, pardner?  When the Moon
passes exactly between the Earth and the Sun, the line of the Moon’s
shadow across the Earth forms a focus, often so much that it separates
those on either side.  The Eclipse path shows that for the next few
years, the sense of connection between Europe and the Middle East,
including Egypt, will be more disrupted.  The ongoing clash of an
organised set of democracies and fundamental Islam will be intensified
over the next three months, as the Sun squares gloomy Saturn (24 April),
opposes belligerent Jupiter (4 May), squares Neptune, “The Lost” (10 May,
when I plan to take a holiday), then a jangly Uranus (5 June).
               

So, what about all the disruptions in France over their labour law,
willy-nilly being able to fire those under 26 for no reason?  What
about uppity Hispanics, over half a million just in the streets of LA,
protesting the US immigration, cum alien labour, law?  Retreating
(retrograde) Jupiter square Neptune, Lord of the Disadvantaged. 
That’s had its effect for the last few weeks, as have the latest French
riots.  Ho hum, shoulda known.
 
Nota Bene:  Check Your Chart focuses only on the influence of
Planetary Aspects.  It does not look at Lunar Aspects to those
Planets.  That’s for fine tuning.  That’s for the daily
horrible-scopes. 
That’s for a proper reading pinning down which Planet is above your
Horizon, doing it to you, and which ones are below, giving you the power
to do it back.
And, then the Moon will show what you can do about it.  Get your
Horoscope read, with your Progressions (what has been imprinted)
and Transits (what’s going on now).  Contact me at
johnrutherford@shaw.ca or
(604) 521-3235.
 
This Week:  The Sun wants a holiday, a way to get away from
it all, and will seek any way to escape by Saturday late, no matter what
he says.  That’s the point.  Ruses are on the rise.  Some
will say anything, use any bluff and bluster, that stalls and
avoids.
So, do all the homework, grab all the notes and records, before Thursday
night when the door shuts and the unclaimed leftovers get shredded. 
Giddy carelessness Tuesday gives the opening, your best window of
opportunity.
 
Monday – Wednesday, 3-5 April.  (Moon in Cancer.  Sun
aspects Mars / Saturn, then Jupiter – Neptune / Uranus.  14-16 Card,
29 Fix, 0-1 Mut)
It starts as a grind, having to tough it as best you can, and can
then come right off the rails without enough help.  Consider it the
playoffs, the best and brightest each going for broke, giving it their
best shot.  Then you have to call in the second string, the
reserves, as all stars lose their way, big engines run out of steam.
 
Tuesday, 4 April.  (Mercury trine Jupiter.  17 degrees of
All Signs)
Along with the Solar energy of Jupiter / Uranus (see above), today
could be the madness of loose lips blabbing the farm away.  A moment
of mental ease can be careless.  Too much enthusiasm tells
all.  Better for travel, great for sight seeing, and let others do
the driving.
 
Thursday, 6 April.  (Moon in Leo.  Mercury aspects
stationary Saturn.  19 Mut, 4 Fix)
Saturn is making a serious point.  Mercury better listen, even
if it is to just slow down and contemplate, but make no decision unless
you are willing to live with this a very long time.  Turnover, even
when due, will be fraught with difficulties.  An investment you
can’t sell later?
 
Saturday, 8 April.  (Moon slow in late Leo.  Sun aspects
Mercury / Jupiter, sextile Neptune.  19 Card, 4 Mut)
Here’s your cue to get away, even if by smoke and mirrors.  A
lively dance, stepping so carefully.  One slip will be long
remembered if you try pushing your luck into the witching hour. 
Tag, do you want to be it?

If you want the “horrible-scopes”, go somewhere else. 
If you want the meaning behind them, stay on. 
 
Is your Number up?
  Check Your Four Personal Points for
every day, see below.  If the numbers match, this day is for
you.
 
Each forecast shows: the Moon Sign, the Planetary Aspect, and Numbers
of degrees in Signs for the Planetary Aspect.
The Moon Sign is the Sign the Moon is in for that day. 
The Moon Sign gives advantage to the Sign it is in, puts extra
pressure on the opposite Sign, and tends to cross up or neutralise the
Signs at right angles.  For example, with Fixed Signs, if the Moon
is in Taurus, Taurus has the advantage, Scorpio gets challenged, and Leo
and Aquarius get shifted or crossed up.

The Planetary Aspect is where action is released.  It's the
Excuse.  Unlike daily Horoscopes that suggest each day has the same
level of influence, this is the core of changes in the daily
energies.
The Sign Numbers are the degrees in the Signs of the Zodiac being
emphasised.  If the degree for any day is close to any degree of
Your Four Personal Points (see below), within a degree or so, THIS
IS YOUR DAY.  Pay extra ATTENTION.

You may have several days in the week activated for you, or you may have
none.  As a degree hits one of Your Four Personal Points, the
forecast tells about the important things in your life.  The daily
forecasts tell you when.  The overall story comes through over
time.  Sooner or later, the degrees of the Forecast catch up to
you.

Your Four Personal Points are, in order of importance:
The Ascendant, the Mid-heaven, the Moon, and the
Sun.
These are the most important Points of your Horoscope, calculated
from your birth date, your birth-place, and the time of day you drew your
first breath.  The first two Personal Points, the Ascendant
and Mid-heaven, are the points that fix the
Earth in space for your birth time at your specific birth
place.  We live on the Earth, not the Sun or the Moon.  The
Ascendant, also called Your Rising Sign, is more important
than your Sun Sign.
 
Simply, and generally only, forecasts that affect your:
Ascendant     relate to matters in your
environment.  Use it to see what's in your “face”.
Mid-heaven  relate to matters in your personal
life.    Use it to see what's in your mind.
Moon          
relate to matters in your emotional life.   Use it to see
what's in your heart.
Sun
            
relate to matters in your physical
life.        Use it to see what's in
your core.

The Signs of the Zodiac are:
Card:
Cardinal Signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)
Fix: Fixed Signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius)
Mut: Mutable Signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces)

Heaven, Help Us!  The forecast is the mood of the
moment
. For example, if it rains, we all get wet, no matter
what “Sign” we are.
If you like this forecast, let others know.  SEND IT TO THEM. 
If you have comments or questions, LET ME KNOW.  Check Your Four
Personal Points
each week if any of them is targeted, and… 
PAY ATTENTION!

Your Horoscope is the picture of the Heavens the moment you were
born.  Using the latest advances in Astronomy and Astrology, you can
get a Horoscope reading with accurate, up-to-date detail.  Contact
me at johnrutherford@shaw.ca or call 604-521-3235.

John Rutherford, Western Canadas most successful Horoscope Reader,
since 1971.

1st Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team practice + Dragon Zone public paddling

1st Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team practice + Dragon Zone public paddling



Nice calm peaceful water for paddling on False Creek's East Bay, greeted us with spots of sunshine on April 2 – photo Dave Samis

The sun came out and stayed for the afternoon, a wonderful start to the 1st Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team practice for the 2006 season. 

We started by assisting the Dragon Zone public paddling program, as we did last week
There were about 14 people who showed up for public paddling with such a good turnout,
surprising Nicole who coordinated on the Dragon Zone end for the Alcan
Dragon Boat Festival

A cameraman named Justin, showed up from
City TV, filming us taking people out on the water for their very first
(and sometimes second) experience at dragon boating.  Justin
filmed us doing warm-ups, giving paddle instruction, loading into the
boat, and paddling.  This is a great way for Vancouverites to get
to experience the Vancouver tradition of dragon boating.  I shared
with everybody that when my girlfriend Deb, first joined the dragon
boat team, she would say: “It's a Vancouver experience that everybody
should try!”  And now she is starting her 4th year of dragon
boating with the Gung Haggis Fat Choy team.  She can paddle, she
can drum and she can steer (during practice), and last year she was so
happy when she experienced her first winning race in a semi-final at Harrison Lake, and also her first dragon boat medal at last year's Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragonboat Race.

Wow! 
We're on tv already, and it's only our first practice!  Usually we
don't get on camera until ADBF time, when we were filmed for CBC NewsWorld last year, and French public television Thalassa in 2004.

Fourteen people also came out from the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat
team, supplemented by friends Gerry and Jo Black, from the Eh
Team.  Dave Samis steered one boat with Gung Haggis drummer Deb
Martin, leading the team, while I coached form the 2nd boat with steers
Sean Mulgrew, Dragon Zone employee.

After a quick introduction and short warm-up, we divided into two
groups – matching first-timers with experienced paddlers.  We
emphasized safety as we loaded onto the boats.  Gung Haggis
paddlers were lead strokes for each boat.  Both teams moved very
well for being half-filled with first time paddlers.  Our lead
strokes in both bats set a good pace that was easy for people to
follow.  Soon, I quickened the rate, which resulted in inevitable
paddle clashing accompanied by lots of laughter.

After short exercises emphasizing timing drills and paddle technique,
we took a short rest, and I told people about the Alcan Dragon Boat
Festival, and how the race course was set up.  We turned around
and did two very short mini-races, then took people back to the
dock.  Both boats well during the mini-races and people had good
fun.  I hope these public paddling sessions will encourage more
people to take up the recreational sport of dragon boat paddling.

Following the public paddling session, Gung Haggis paddlers stayed in
the boat and we went out for another 30 minutes to finish off our
practice with an emphasis on paddling technique and cardio
workout.  Everybody felt good about the session, and were glad to
shake off the winter rust.  We hadn't been a dragon boat paddling
together since Labour Day weekend for the Vancouver International
Taiwanese Dragon Boat race, when we won bronze medals in Division D.

Our first race will be May 20th, at the Barnet Marine Park for the Bill
Alley Memorial Dragon Boat Race
, hosted by the Lotus Sports Club.

If people would like to try out public paddling at Dragon Zone – check out the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival website and click on events – public paddling and register by e-mail.

If you would like to join the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team, e-mail me at gunghaggs at yahoo dot come, or phone me at 604-240-7090

Hapa Izakaya restaurant: A upscale Canadian fusion version of Japanese bistro dining

Hapa Izakaya restaurant: A upscale Canadian fusion version of Japanese bistro dining


Hapa Izakaya, 1479 Robson Street at Nicola, 604 689-4272

There is a new kind of dining experience happening in
Vancouver….  upscale Japanese bistro dining.  While
Japanese bistros have been around for awhile, making homestyle Japanese
cooking available for the rising  numbers of Japanese English
language students – the upscale trend started a number of years ago
with  restaurants such as Raku, which was later renamed Guu.

I was first introduced to sushi on Vancouver's Robson Street in the
early 1980's – many years before it was trendy.  Today, you can
walk down Robson Street and see many of the young Japanese students
hanging out with their friends while studying in Vancouver, one of the
most popular global cities for learning English.

Vancouver's multicultural environment, and large Asian population,
makes it a natural desired destination for Asian students from around
the world.  And now many former students are returning to
Vancouver to live and work.  Many are involved in computers,
programming and are part of a new rising affluent demographic.

Vancouver also boasts a happening film industry.  Famous actors
are often seen in many of the restaurants along Robson Street like Cin
Cin.  Now… they can also be seen at Hapa Izakaya too!

Hapa Izakaya at 1479 Robson Street,
is a beautiful smooth lounge-type restaurant in minimalist black. 
You step in, and you know that movement flows like water.  Music
dances trance-like through the speakers.  The chefs stand behind
the counters and shout out greetings, like many other Japanese
restaurants – but something's different here.  It's the food.

The food mixes traditional Japanese homestyle dishes with inventive
cultural fusion – just like it's owner Justin Ault.  Ault is “hapa“-
the Hawaiian word for “half” which has also come to mean half
white/half Asian.  Read about Jason Ault in a 2003 Vancouver
Magazine article Diner: Beyond Sushi.

Last Wednesday night, we went to Hapa Izakaya with the Save Kogawa House
committee, as one of our members is Ellen Crowe-Swords whose nephew is
Justin Ault, the owner of Hapa Izakaya.  Justin grew up on
Vancouver Island, the descendant of Japanese Canadians who had been
interened at Slocan, during World War 2.  Justin was born in Port
Alberni, and spent some time in Tokyo where he met his wife, who is
also hapa.

Ellen ordered food for our table, and explained about the dishes. 
All were very delicious.  But I can't remember everything we
ate…  The first thing I tasted was the very delicious Japanese
pumpkin puree with a whipped cream, spread on melba toast.  Next,
I ate the spinach salad – very fresh and tasty, served with something
on the side – wish I could remember.

Tuna belly chopped with spring onions, mixed with slices of red and
yellow peppers, and spread over garlic toast.  ummmm…. I love
good tuna!  There was a tempura prawn dish…. bacon wrapped
asparagus.

I love rice… There was a crispy rice hot pot with pork, tomato sauce
and kimchi, served in a Korean hot stone bowl.  Be careful not to
touch the bowl.  It reminded me of my own mother's “Spanish Rice”
dish that her father used to make for her.  I offered my
girlfriend some of the crispy rice, from the sides of the bowl.

This was a great dining experience – perfect for hanging with friends.  The Kogawa House committee is now planning a fundraiser event at the restaurant to help raise funds to save Kogawa House.  Look for a our event before the end of April.

My friend Roland Tanglao wrote a 2003 mini-review of his visit to Hapa Izakaya for his website Van Eats, and even posted pictures of the food.  Roland wrote

“Hapa Izakaya is beautiful. Black and sleek with tables where you sit
Japanese style with your shoes off, bar seating for those who are
fascinated by the chaos of activity in a restaurant kitchen and regular
tables.


“The food at Hapa is polished, down home Japanese cooking plus
more grownup touches like martinis and cool cocktails like Cassis with
Grapefruit (my personal favourite $4.50). And sake served in tall
bamboo tumblers is also a popular choice.

“Go with a group that doesn't mind sharing and go crazy. In the
unlikely event you pick something that you ALL don't like, it won't
matter since most everything is under $10. We paid about $60 after tax
but before tip for a filling dinner for three people consisting of
three drinks and five or six sharing plates on each of our two visits.
I bet you'll like almost everything you try! Highly Recommended!”

Another friend Tim Pawsey wrote his review for the Vancouver Courier 'Hapa'-ning Tokyo-style tapas

“Can a menu be euphemistic? Sure.
Tucked into the bar at this newly opened Robson dining lounge, the
Hired Belly pondered the possibilities of Saba “lightly seared at your
table.” Saba-or rather “aburi shime saba,” as it is here-is lightly
pickled mackerel. It has a bright silver skin and looks very tempting
to a fish lover-assuming you know what to do with it…


“Billed as “Tokyo-style tapas,” Hapa takes Robson's blossoming crop of good casual Asian eateries to the next level….


“Even in a town known for its reasonable
eating, it's pretty hard to find such quality and inventiveness for
this kind of cost. My four small plates came to just over $20 before
GST (no drinks). And if this is the new look of “lower” Robson, there's
increasingly plenty to like, as the street shows signs of regaining its
once celebrated multiplicity.”

Check out these other reviews from web

www.arthurhungry.com

www.frommers.com

www.dinehere.ca

1st official dragon boat practice for Gung Haggis Fat Choy this Sunday 1pm


1st official dragon boat practice
for Gung Haggis Fat Choy this Sunday 1pm



Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat practice

Sunday 1pm – 3pm
Dragon Zone @ Creekside Park
just south of Science World
– look for Green building above the Aqua Bus dock

Remember to set your clocks FORWARD for Daylight Saving time

This is the first Gung Haggis Fat Choy “official practice”
Bring your friends to try out the Gung Haggis dragon boat team.

We will also assist with Dragon Zone “public paddling”
So we will each have to sign ADBF
volunteer waivers

$2 for public paddling
30 minutes to 45 minutes on the water.

Then we continue with Gung Haggis dragon boat practice.
Or we run the two events together…

2005 fees for Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team
$160 for new members
$150 for returning members
includes boat rental, ADBF registration (June 16/17), coaching + team shirt
(other races extra)

Cheers, Todd
604-240-7090

National Association of Japanese Canadians calls for community support for Kogawa House


National Association of Japanese Canadians calls for community support for Kogawa House

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

CALL FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR KOGAWA HOUSE

Winnipeg, MB  March  27, 2006: 

Joy Kogawa in one of her visits to Vancouver, recently `found’ her childhood home, which out of memory had been recorded in some detail in her books.  She had forgotten the address, but discovered it to be at 1450 West 64th Avenue, in the Marpole district of Vancouver.  Not only the house, but the cherry tree which she used to climb and hug as a child was still there, symbolically surviving the harsh wear and tear of life and times.  

This is the place Joy Kogawa had spent the first six years of her life when, in 1942, she, together with her family, and all Japanese Canadians in the West Coast of British Columbia, were relocated to internment sites in the interior of British Columbia. Like other homes owned by Japanese Canadians, the Government of Canada confiscated it and auctioned it off in their absence.  This is the place she returned to in her imagination and memories to write the book, Obasan, to record the events.
 
Today the Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC), in response to Joy’s plea to save the house, is spearheading a campaign to raise funds to buy it and to convert the heritage property into a writers-in-residence retreat.  There have been various public awareness and fundraising events held to date, and a sum close to $200,000 has been raised.  The total purchase price is $700,000.

Canada’s leading writers’ organizations are appealing to the federal government for an emergency grant of $350,000 (matching funds) to save the historic Joy Kogawa House in Vancouver.  Letters of support have been received from MPs from both the Liberal party and the NDP.  Ujjahl Dosanjh, PC, QC, MP, Vancouver South, has written to the Hon. Bev Oda, PC, MP, Department of Canadian Heritage, to support this request.

There is now great urgency to the fundraising and to achieving its goal. We believe the NAJC membership and Japanese Canadian communities, in particular, should be made aware of this important project so that they may have the opportunity to join with others to bring this project to a successful conclusion.  

Japanese Canadian community members have been very proud of the author, Joy Kogawa, and benefited largely from the book, Obasan, which poignantly relates `our’ story, studied by students internationally.  We are now celebrating with her the release by Penguin of her new book, Emily Kato, a re-writing of Itsuka.  Joy decided that Itsuka was not quite good enough, to be placed alongside Obasan, and chose to re-write it.  The Joy Kogawa House will be a place where such writings and re-writings by young and renowned writers may occur, and may be celebrated.   

We urge you to send in your donation, large or small.  Donations may be made online on the TLC's website http://www.conservancy.bc.ca/content.asp?sectionid=179
or by sending a cheque, payable to “The Land Conservancy”,
to The Land Conservancy, 5655 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5E 2T2
or by telephoning 604-733 2313.  Charitable receipts will be issued.

Thank you for your support.  .For further information, you may contact any of the following list of supporters.  

Save Joy Kogawa House Committee
www.kogawahouse.com  
Anton Wagner, Secretary; (416) 863-1209; fax: 416-863-9973
201 Sherbourne St., Suite 2306, Toronto, ON M5A 3X2
Ann-Marie Metten, 604-263-6586
Todd Wong, 604-987-7124

The Land Conservancy of BC
http://www.conservancy.bc.ca
Bill Turner, Executive Director; 250-479 8053; fax: 250-744 2251
Heather Skydt (604) 733-2313; fax: 604-299 5054
5655 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5E 2T2

National Association of Japanese Canadians
www.najc.ca
Claudia Earl, National Administrator

The Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival
www.writersfest.bc.ca
Hal Wake, Artistic Director

The Writers Union of Canada
www.writersunion.ca
Brian Brett, Chair
Deborah Windsor, Executive Director

The Federation of BC Writers
www.bcwriters.com
Brian Busby, President
Fernanda Viveiros, Executive Director

The Playwrights Guild of Canada
www.playwrightsguild.com/pgc
Amela Simic, Executive Director

The League of Canadian Poets
www.poets.ca
Mary Ellen Csamer, President; maryellen.
Joanna Poblocka, Executive Director;

PEN Canada
www.pencanada.ca
Constance Rooke, President
Isobel Harry, Executive Director

The Writers’ Trust of Canada
www.writerstrust.com
Don Oravec, Executive Director

The Canadian Authors Association
www.canauthors.org
Joan Eyolfson Cadham, National President
www.canauthorsvancouver.org
Bernice Lever, BC Regional Vice-President

The Professional Writers Association of Canada
www.pwac.ca
Gordon Graham, President

The Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture
www.allianceforarts.com
Heather Redfern, Executive Director

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers
www.canscaip.org
Gillian Chan, President
Lena Coakley, CANSCAIP National Office

Asian Canadian Writers Workshop
www.asiancanadianwritersworkshop.com
Don Montgomery, President
Jim Wong-Chu, Executive Director

Ujjal Dosanjh asks Heritage Minister Bev Oda to support saving Joy Kogawa House


Ujjal Dosanjh asks Heritage Minister Bev Oda to support saving Joy Kogawa House

Ujjal Dosanjh is the Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, the federal riding containing the historic neighborhood of Marpole, home to the childhood home of Joy KogawaKogawa House at 1450 West 64th Avenue, was the first on its block in 1915.  It saw many owners before Joy's family moved into it in 1936.  They were forcibly removed due to the internment of Japanese Canadians in 1942, even though they were “naturalized citizens” and both Joy and her brother Tim were born in Canada. 

Who knew then, that the 6 year old little girl named Joy Nozomi Nakayama, on June 6th in Vancouver,  would become a future member of the Order of Canada in 1986?

Who knew then, that Joy Kogawa would write the 1981 novel Obasan, which would become the 11th most important book in Canada according to Quill & Quire (2nd live living author after Alice Munro), and be listed by the Literary Review of Canada as one of the 100 most important Canadian books ever written?
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2005/12/20/1461779.html

The Save Kogawa House committee initially met with Ujjal Dosanjh on December 19th, 2005, during the federal election campaign. He pledged support at that time, but was unable to commit to specifics because of the election call, and uncertainty whether the Liberals would be returned to power, or if he would again be a cabinet minister.

Below is the article by Robyn Stubbs in 24 HOURS

followed by the press release by Ujjal Dosanjh containing

By ROBYN STUBBS, 24 HOURS

Vancouver South MP Ujjal Dosanjh is breathing new life into efforts to save a heritage home in his riding.

The Kogawa House in Marpole is the childhood home of Canadian
author Joy Kogawa, who penned the award-winning novel Obasan
chronicling her experience as a Japanese-Canadian in Vancouver during
the Second World War.

In a letter to federal Heritage Minister Beverly Oda, Dosanjh
asked the ministry work with the Land Conservancy and the Save the
Kogawa House Committee to preserve the historic house.

The house is scheduled for demolition unless the TLC and SJKC
can come up with $1.25 million to purchase the house, restore it and
use it to host a permanent writers-in-residence program.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For Immediate Release

March 28, 2006

UJJAL DOSANJH CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO SAVE JOY KOGAWA HOUSE

OTTAWA – The
Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South,
today called on federal Heritage Minister Beverly Oda to work with the
Land Conservancy of B.C. and the Save Joy Kogawa House Committee to
preserve Joy Kogawa House.

“Joy Kogawa House is
a historical landmark, and its existence reminds us not to forget a
past wrong,” Dosanjh said.  “I urge Minister Oda to meet with both the
Land Conservancy of B.C. and the Save Joy Kogawa House Committee, and
to work toward a viable solution to preserve this reminder of a
shameful episode in Canadian history. I am advised that as of yet,
Minister Oda has not met with either organization, despite their
requests.”

Joy Kogawa House,
located on West 64th Avenue in Mr. Dosanjh's riding of Vancouver South,
is the home from which renowned Canadian author Joy Kogawa and her
family were removed as part of the internment of Japanese-Canadians
during the Second World War. The house is featured in Ms. Kogawa's
award-winning novel, Obasan.

Time runs out for Joy
Kogawa House on April 30, 2006.  Heritage Canada denied an emergency
funding request by the organizations involved for $350 000, a portion
of the amount required to purchase the house (thus preventing its
demolition) and maintain it in the future.   

Mr. Dosanjh has
written to Minister Oda regarding this issue and today raised it with
the federal B.C. Liberal Caucus; its members fully support the call to
save Joy Kogawa House.

“My colleagues and I
feel that Kogawa House is an important part of British Columbia's
history,” said Mr. Dosanjh.  “Moreover, the innovative
writers-in-residence program proposed by the Land Conservancy would
have significant cultural value.”

For more information:

Office of the Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh

(613) 868-3846

Join a dragon boat team that specializes in multicultural and community activities: Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team


  
Join a dragon boat team that specializes in multicultural and community activities:
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team


Hope you can join us for a wonderful
season of dragon boat paddling. 
2005 was an incredible year for the
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team, and the 2006 season is twice as much fun!

In 2005, we were featured on CBC
NewsWorld, we won the David Lam Multicultural Award at Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, we
raced in the medal finals at ADBF and at Harrison Lake, then we finally  won our medals at Vancouver Taiwanese d-boat
races.

Check
out our 2006 activities so far with reports on:

– Cherry Blossom public paddling event,
– Community public paddling on Sundays at Dragon Zone ,
– dragon boat float in the St. Patrick's Day parade
– Lotus Sports Club's “Bill Alley Memorial Dragon Boat regatta”
– False Creek Women's Regatta
– Alcan Dragon Boat Festival report
– Kent Washington “Cornucopia Days” dragon boat race
– Vernon Dragon Boat Race


 
www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/GungHaggisdragonboatteaminformation


1)  March 26th – taking beginners out for public paddling at Dragon Zone.
2) “Gung Haggis” lion headed drummer at St. Patrick's Day parade.
3)  The Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat float crosses Davie St. in St. Patrick's Day parade.
4)  Da Ming and Aefa take turns drumming during St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team practices 


Sundays 1pm – 3pm  (Recreation team)
Tuesdays at 6:00 sharp to 7:15 pm (Recreation team)
Wednesday at 7:00pm  (Beginner's + technique practice)


All practices are from Dragon Zone, at Creekside Park
Southeast corner of False Creek
look for Green trailer building
South of Science World – just above aqua bus ferries.

Parking – park on the street. Try Quebec or 2nd Ave.
pay parking available at Science World – no parking on city lot anymore.

Price for Spring paddling is $160 each, and will cover boat rental, coaching, and registration in Alcan Dragon Boat Festival races June 17 & 18.  Other races cost additional.

Price for Summer paddling is $100 each, and
will cover boat rental, coaching, plus registration for one summer
race.  Additional summer races are aproximately $30 each.



Other possible races are:
May 20       Lotus Sports Club “Bill Alley Memorial Dragon Boat Regatta” (Burnaby)
July 15th   
Kent-Seattle
Dragon Boat Races
(Lake Meridien, Kent WA),
July 22/23 GreaterVernon Dragon Boat Festival (Kalamalka Lake, Vernon BC)
July 22       Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Festival (Harrison Lake, BC)
Sept 2/3    Vancouver
International Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race
(Vancouver)

other races may be considered, depending on interest



1)  Paddling at Alcan Dragon Boat Festival
2)  Winning medals at the Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race
3)  Group shoulder massage at Sea Vancouver regatta
4)  Naoko is our flag grabber  on top a Taiwanese dragon boat


Will we have 1 or 2 teams?
One
team is now confirmed for the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival – but if
enough new people come on board, we can expand to two teams –
Recreation and Beginner.


We
have a lot of people returning.  There are some former paddlers
who have also expressed interest in re-joining, and we have lots of
interest from wanna-be paddlers.


Please
invite friends to come out to try dragon boating over the next two
weeks.  We may run our practices in coordination with the Dragon Zone
public paddling, as we have done so far in April.


contact me by e-mail:    gunghaggis at yahoo dot ca
or
cell
phone:                  778-846-7090


Cheers, Todd

Pictures from 2005
1) Drummer Todd with Flag Grabber Ed on The Eh? Team at Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race
2) Todd with Dave Samis, at Sea Vancouver Festival for dragon head carving tent
3) Todd with then Vancouver City Councillor Ellen Woodsworth and friend