Author Archives: Todd

Gung Haggis Fat Choy paddlers enjoy the winter

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Gung Haggis Fat Choy paddlers enjoy the winter


Gung Haggis paddlers trade paddles for snowshoes, skis and snow boards – photo Todd Wong

We
have a great bunch of people on the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team.  Many people have really
built some good friendships.  Everything we continue to do, somehow seems
to revolve around or include eating.

In December we met 3 times.  On
Friday, December 15th, some of us met to see the new James Bond
movie.  Afterwards we then met up with more team members at the Bacchus Lounge
at the Wedgewood Hotel.  This is a fabulous piano bar, and we were
almost right next to the piano, which featured a very enjoyable pianist
who sounded like Harry Connick Jr.  When we first walked in, he
was singing “Fly Me to the Moon” – one of the special songs that I
share with my girlfriend. Perfect timing!

We had 12 people (enough to paddle a dragon boat)
crowded around a table in the dining room – right next to a couple
having a romantic dinner.  Not to worry – the couple was very
nice, and offered up their table to us.  And it turned out that
the fellow was a film maker who had been researching dragon
boats.  I quickly told him that our team had been featured on CBC
Newsworld last year, French public broadcasting program Thalassa the
year before, and CBC French Telvision this year!

The Bacchus
Lounge was a great place to celebrate some of our team members'
birthdays. Christine and Daming in December, and Wendy's upcoming
birthday on January 1st.  We ordered 2 appetizer platters and 2
pizzas.  All were very good! Yum Yum!


Wendy and Jen ham it up while Jonas helps Dan with his snowboard – photo Todd Wong

The next day, some of us tried out snowboarding for the first time on Grouse Mountain. 
Jonas had offered to teach beginners.  I was the only skier, but
was also able to help the neophyte boarders too.  During an eating
break, I tried out Jen's board and boots.  I fell lots, and it
took me 3 tries before I could get to the top of the Paradise beginner
hill rope tow.  It had been 12 1/2 years since my only other snow
board try.  Now I remember why I have stuck to skies.  It's
easier, and I can still do my old free-style tricks.

Some of our
team members went snow shoeing instead.  We decided this would be
a great way for people not interested in skiing or boarding to join us
for a winter activity day.  Saturday, January 6th is our planned
snow shoeing day.  While on Grouse we also went for a sleigh ride
– pulled by a snow tractor.  It's a fun way to see some of the
sights on Grouse Mountain, especially for tourists.


On the winter sleigh ride with Jen, Tzhe, Todd, Wendy and Jonas – photo – Todd

Winter Solstice, December 22nd


The
gazebo features panels telling the story of the Moon Goddess and her
Jade Rabbit, created by Jamie, the new Marketing coordinator for the
Gardens – photo Stephen Mirowski

We met at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden to take part in the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival  which is part of the city wide festivities organized by the Secret Lantern Society. 
It is very magical to see both the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park and Gardens lit
up by lanterns.  There is also live music played in the Park
gazebo, and the new Hall of One Hundred Rivers.


Leaves that fell
off the tree in Autumn were saved, made into lanterns, then placed back
on the original tree theat they first fell off of.  – photo
Stephen Mirowski.

A highlight for me was meeting the new marketing coordinator for
the Gardens, Jaime, who lived 10 years in Beijing and speaks fluent
Mandarin.  He even has Scottish heritage, and his wife is
Chinese.  Imagine that!  We had a great chat about Gung
Haggis Fat Choy, and look forward to finding a special role for him!



A paper lantern
crane is lit up, next to blue LED lights in the courtyard of the Hall
of One Hundred Rivers – photo Stephen Mirowski.

After
taking pictures, sipping tea, walking amongst the lanterns, we then
spent lots of time (and money) checking out the wonderful items in the
gift shop managed by my friend Alexis.  Alexis first came to the
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner back in 2002 and LOVED it!  It was
9:40pm and we headed up Pender St. in Chinatown, making our way to
Hon's Won Ton House.  More food!  Duck, Shanghai noodles,
Fried Rice, vegetables and pot stickers… yum, yum, yum.  It's
true, our dragon boat team identity and culture is rooted in
food.  I don't know of another dragon boat team with a food word
in it's name.

CBC Lotusland Saskachewan (CHOW) documentary about Janice Wong tonight

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CBC Lotusland Saskachewan (CHOW) documentary about Janice Wong – tonight December 22.

It was a tasty trip down memory lane for Janice Wong at her dad’s old restaurant.  
“Chow” Author Janice Wong is featured in the CBC documentary “Lotusland Saskatchewan.

This
spring and summer, Janice Wong (my 2nd cousin-once removed) did some
filming with producer Costa Maragos for a documentary about her, and
her book CHOW. 

Janice will also be featured in the Generations documentary about the
Rev. Chan family descendants.  Costa also produced the Generations Saskatchewan documentary.

Janice wrote me:   



Lotusland Saskatchewan (Chow) documentary has been rescheduled to run tomorrow night (Friday, December 22) during the CBC National, 10-11 pm…but,
as it goes with short documentaries during the news broadcast, there is
still the chance that it could be preempted again.





If you'd like to catch up on the latest news about CHOW you can visit www.c-h-o-w.blogspot.com



To view the CBC web page that chronicles the documentary, visit www.cbc.ca/sask/features/lotusland


The Lotus Cafe  
The Wongs sold the Lotus Cafe in the 1970s.  Courtesy Janice Wong

Here is an excerpt and link to the CBC documentary:

It took just a few moments for the memories to come flooding back as
Janice Wong and her mother entered the kitchen of the old Lotus Cafe in
Prince Albert.

“Mom, look at the old dishes,” said a surprised-sounding Wong, who was in the central Saskatchewan city on a visit from Vancouver.

“The same dishes my mom purchased for the restaurant 50 years ago. So neat to see them again.”

“Those are the originals,” replied Janice's mom Mary, a touch of a smile playing on her lips.

So began their trip down memory lane.

The
Wongs, Janice’s dad and mom, Dennis and Mary, and her uncle Cecil,
opened the Lotus Cafe on Central Avenue in 1956 and operated it for
almost a quarter of a century.





The mini doc is available on the net until the next broadcast of The National.  

http://www.cbc.ca/video  pick the national.


Dec 22, Winter Solstice House Concerts near the Drive: featuring Orchid Ensemble + more!

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Dec 22, Winter Solstice House Concerts
near the Drive: featuring Orchid Ensemble + more!

Myriam Steinberg is the artistic director of the In the
House Festival. She sends me the following notice.  The
House concerts idea is great.  Many of the events are
intercultural, and I am delighted that they feature my storytelling
friends Pauline Wenn and Mary Gavan, as well as the Orchid Ensemble.

On Friday, Dec. 22nd, In the House is co-producing a
series of house concerts with the Secret Lantern Society in honor of solstice.
There is a Celtic folk music concert included in the line up of house concerts.
I was wondering if you would be able to send this event announcement to your
distribution list and/or
post in on your webiste. Below is the complete description of what is
happening. Thank you!

Winter
solstice is on Friday! There are still some seats left for the solstice house
concerts that are being put on by the In the House Festival and the Secret
Lantern Society. The concerts will happen in conjunction with the 13th Annual
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival which celebrates the coming of longer days.

Homes
in the East Side (all around
Commercial Dr. )
will open their doors as hosts to this wonderful event. Lanterns will be sold
at each house – after the concert participants form their own small
processions, creating a gentle constellation of lanterns throughout the
neighbourhood as they make their way to the free festivities at Britannia
Community Centre.

Feel
free to spread the word to all your friends, family and co-workers! This is a
wonderful community event.

Date:
Friday, December 22nd, 2006

Time:
Shows are at 6:00 pm and again at 7:15 pm. Illuminate the neighborhood with
your lantern and attend two concerts in two different houses. After the concert
join fellow participants in your own mini lantern procession down to the
Britannia Community Centre for free solstice activities.

Tickets:
You can see a single show or get a double pass. When purchasing tickets, please
ensure that you indicate whether you would like the 6 pm show, the 7:15 pm
show, or the pass.

Tickets
for single show: $10 / adult,  $8 /
kids 
Tickets
for two shows: $15 / adult,    $13 / kids

You
can reserve your seat by calling 604-874-9325 or emailing
info@inthehousefestival.com. Please indicate which show you want to see, at
what time, and how many tickets you need.

 

Tickets
are also available at:

On-line
at www.inthehousefestival.com
Highlife
Records
At
the door (may be limited space available)

Performers & Venues:

Orchid
Ensemble
1957 Venables 
The Orchid Ensemble blends ancient musical instruments and traditions
from China
and beyond, creating a beautiful new sound that is both creative and distinct.
The ensemble has embraced a variety of musical styles to its repertoire,
ranging from the traditional and contemporary music of
China , World Music, New Music to
Jazz and Creative Improvisation.

The
energetic yet endearing performance style of the ensemble consistently
intrigues and delights its audiences, consistently receiving standing ovations.
Acclaimed as 'One of the brightest blossoms on the world music scene' (Georgia
Straight), the Orchid Ensemble has been tirelessly developing an innovative
musical genre based on the cultural exchange between Western and Asian
musicians. 

Mariachi
Romantico
1190 Semlin Dr.
El Mariachi Romántico was founded to maintain and promote the
beauty of Mexico
through traditional and uplifting music. El Mariachi Romántico International is
a multicultural band which delivers the passion, love and respect we feel for
Mexico .

Nihavend
1929 Napier St.

 This trio composed of François Houle on clarinet, Gordon Grdina on oud,
Neelanjit Dhillon on tabla, will be playing music based on Persian, Turkish,
and middle-east themes.

Oak
Bones
2063 Grant St.
Diana Halter on harp, bodhran, and vocals and Steve Quattrocchi on
mandolin. This duo performs traditional and contemporary Celtic music.

The
Adama Trio
1510 Salsbury Dr.
The music of The Adama Trio
explores the boundaries of classical, contemporary jazz and world music.
Adama creates exciting and original material, rich with Middle-Eastern and
Flamenco sounds, unusual melodies and complex rhythms.

Mary
Gavan & Pauline Wenn
1676 Grant
St

Mary Gavan's
grandparents in both Scotland and Ireland taught her the old legends
and the long ballads as they regarded storytelling as
a way of life rather than a festival event. She also learnt much from
my parents
who were skilled raconteurs. At first, she told the old stories,
especially those
of working with animals. On coming to Canada , she began to expand on
the
stories to explain Celtic ways and to include my own experiences. Now,
she writes her own stories combining the wisdom of the past legends
with the understanding
of my present experiences.

Pauline
Wenn grew up in a typical Scottish working-class home, with typical
Scottish storytelling, Pauline was never bored. Having left that home at the
age of 18, she made a  new life in
Canada .
She brings to her stories rich experiences and memories from both sides of the
Atlantic .

For
more information, please go to www.inthehousefestival.com
For full Winter Solstice Lantern Festival information: www.secretlantern.org

Phone:
604-874-9325
Email:
info@inthehousefestival.com

 
Myriam Steinberg
Artistic Director

www.inthehousefestival.com
info@inthehousefestival.com

Seating Plan for 2007 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner

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Seating Plan for 2007 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner

Here is the: Seating Plan for 2007 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner
click on the attachment.

We are setting up 40 tables for 400 people.

As of  January 22nd…
You can purchase the Premium tables for $85 a ticket – includes 2 bottles of wine at each table.
Regular seats are $75 a ticket.

If you purchase and entire table of 10 seats, we will have a special
gift for you.  I am currently working on a bottle of wine, theatre
passes, or special surprise.

Check out a list of confirmed performers here:

Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner event.

2007 GUNG HAGGIS FAT CHOY update: tickets on sale Friday, Dec 15???

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2007 GUNG HAGGIS FAT CHOY update: 
tickets on sale

Monday, Dec 18th.

for the January 28th, 2007 dinner


Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner is a fundraising event.
Funds will be shared with the Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragon Boat team, Joy Kogawa House, Ricepaper Magazine for subscriptions.

Tickets are available for sale on Dec. 18th.
Thank you for being patient.

Tickets will again be made available through Firehall Arts Centre.
Call 689-0926 to order by credit card,
Tickets can be mailed.
or purchase and pick up in person.

Advanced price now until January 15th is:
$60 + service charge for regular seating
$70 + service charge for premium seating (closer seating + 2 bottles wine at the table)

After January 15th, prices will go up to $70 for regular seats and $80 for Premium seats.

If you book a table of 10 – then you will recieve a special gift.  We are working on the details now.  But it will be GOOD!

But please do not call Firehall Arts Centre on weekends, as the office is closed.
In the mean time, check out the Firehall's hit play “Urine Town” which is now doing an extended run until Dec. 17th.

We are putting together a great show for Gung Haggis Fat Choy with
wonderful artists and lots of surprises, as always.  Afterall…
it will be the 10th annual dinner.

Lots of great ideas are happening… as well as solutions to the logistics.

Expect haggis dim sum appetizers to greet guests after they arrive at 5:30pm, prior to the show start at 6:30pm.
 
Not just the usual haggis won ton, there will be haggis spring rolls, plus some surprises. 
Afterall, “dim sum” can be literally translated as “pieces of the heart” (in an emotional way!)

Again… expect to see highlights from the CBC television performance special – Gung Haggis Fat Choy!

Confirmed performers include Brave Waves, Heather Pawsey, Leore Cashe, Lensey Namioka, and more surprises!

CBC Radio's Priya Ramu, host of “On the Coast” – will co-host the event with me.

These past few weeks I have been very busy researching and trying to find
and identify pictures of my ancestor Rev. Chan Yu Tan for a CBC Generations
documentary that will be aired on CBC Television in February.  So
that's my excuse for not writing on the blog this weekend.

Cheque presentation in Toronto for surviving head tax payers.

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Cheque presentation in Toronto for surviving head tax payer

The first stage for the Chinese head tax redress, of ex-gratia payments for surviving head tax payers, continued with a cheque presentation in Toronto today.

The next stage will include payments to surviving spouses of pre-deceased head tax payers.  This will include several of my maternal grandmother's sisters who live in the Toronto area.  Even though my grandmother and her 13 siblings were born in Canada, my grandmother and her sisters married men who paid the head tax and came to Canada, prior to the Chinese “Exclusion Act” of 1923.

Payments to surviving head tax payers and spouses will amount to 0.6 % of a total 81,000 head tax certificates, as many payers and spouses have long since passed away.  The government says they will not give ex-gratia payments to the estates of the head tax familes, but the Chinese Canadian National Council is asking for all head tax certificates to be treated equally.

In my own family, both of my father's parents died during the 1960's.  His father arrived in Canada at age 16, around 1882.  My father's mother arrived in Canada around 1910 at age 16, after the Chinese head tax had been raised to $500 in 1903.

Victor Wong, executive director of the Chinese Canadian National Council writes the following:

A huge turnout today at the cheque presentation.

Minister Oda presented cheques to 4 individuals who made it in person Bing Yen Tom, Betty Fong (Lee Toy Kew), Frank (Poy Fong) Lim and Gook Fung Tom (see govt news release).

Colleen, Joseph and I represented CCNC, Karen and Kristyn were there from CCNCTO, George, Susan, Har Ying, Doug, Binh and Rebecca from Ontario Coalition and many of our volunteers. We invited Jack and Maria from CCCO (CBC-Canada). I think there were 17 people present from our end and there were a handful of representatives of the Congress as well.

Some media questions (actually most) were on the issue of descendants redress. The Minister reiterated the Govt position and seemed quite firm that the door was closed.

CCNC and redress groups will continue to press the federal Government to redress all head tax families. The June 22nd redress announcement covers just over 10% of the head tax families registered with us and represents only 0.6% of all of the individuals who paid the Chinese Head Tax or Newfoundland Head Tax.

CCNC continues to work with other redress groups including the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Payers and Families (Ontario Coalition) and Head Tax Families Society of Canada (formerly the B.C. Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants) in the campaign to redress the Chinese Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act.

-30-

 


Toronto-area Chinese head tax payers receive ex-gratia payments today

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News Release Banner

Canada's New Government Provides ex gratia
Payments to Greater-Toronto-Area Chinese Head Tax Payers

TORONTO, December 15, 2006 – The Honourable Beverley J. Oda,
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, today presented redress
payments to four Toronto-area residents who paid the Chinese Head Tax. Bing
Yen Tom, Betty Fong (Lee Toy Kew), Frank (Poy Fong)
Lim and Gook Fung Tom each received a cheque for
$20,000.

“I am proud that Canada 's
New Government is continuing to fulfill its commitment to Chinese Head Tax
payers by providing these symbolic payments,” said Minister Oda.
“With the delivery of ex-gratia payments to living Head Tax payers,
we are taking one more step toward recognizing past experiences and hardships
and to contributing to healing in the Chinese Canadian community.”

On October 20, 2006, Minister Oda participated in a ceremony in
Vancouver to present
the first ex-gratia
payments. These payments follow from the official apology to Chinese
Canadians for imposition of the Head Tax, made by Prime Minister Stephen
Harper on June 22, 2006, on behalf of the Government of Canada.

On December 1, Canada 's
New Government announced that individuals who were in a conjugal relationship
with a Head-Tax payer who is now deceased may apply for ex-gratia
symbolic payments of $20,000.

The Head Tax was imposed on Chinese immigrants entering
Canada from
1885 to 1923. A similar tax existed in the Dominion of Newfoundland between
1906 and 1949, before the province entered Confederation.

Information
:


Chisholm Pothier
Director of Communication
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788

Donald Boulanger
A/ Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101