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  Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

History of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is observed nationally to recognize the contributions that people of Asian and Pacific heritage made to American culture. President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution declaring May 4-10, 1979, as the first Asian Pacific Heritage Week. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed an extension changing Asian Pacific Heritage Week to a month-long observance. It is celebrated in May to acknowledge the first Japanese immigrants to the United States who arrived May 7, 1843.

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Events for May 2009


Events at the Asian Pacific Resource Center

Tuesday, May 12
6:30 p.m.

Book Club Discussion

The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston. Request a copy of the book at the information desk.

Montebello Library
1550 W. Beverly Blvd.
Montebello, CA 90640
(323) 722-6551
Sunday, May 16
2:00 p.m.

Dances from Thailand with Waewdao Sirisook

Waewdao Sirisook is a dancer and choreographer with an MFA from UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures. She is from the Lanna region of Northern Thailand.

Montebello Library
1550 W. Beverly Blvd.
Montebello, CA 90640
(323) 722-6551
More Library Events

Saturday, May 2
2:00 p.m.

Feng Shui: An introduction

Jenny Liu, fourth generation Feng Shui Master, provides an introduction to the ancient Chinese practice.  Bring your questions for a special Q&A following the presentation. For adults.

Newhall Library
22704 W. Ninth St.
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 259-0750
Wednesday, May 6
3:30 p.m.

Author Book Signing with Dale Ann Sato

Author Dale Ann Sato gives a presentation and signs her book, Japanese Americans of the South Bay.

Gardena Mayme Dear Library
1731 W. Gardena Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 323-6363
Saturday, May 9
2:00 p.m.

Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging

A discussion and demonstration of the Sogestu style of Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging).

La Cañada Flintridge Library
4545 North Oakwood Ave.
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 790-3330
Saturday, May 9
2:30 p.m.

Joy of Chinese Cooking

Theresa Lin Cheng, author of 16 cookbooks and winner of international cooking competitions, gives cooking tips, step-by-step demonstrations, and food tasting.

City Terrace Library
4025 E. City Terrace Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90063
(323) 261-0295
Monday, May 11
3:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Pacific Culture Day

Learn the dances and games from the Philippines, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

Littlerock Library
35119 80th Street East
Littlerock, CA 93543-9702
(661) 944-4138
Saturday, May 16
1:00 p.m.

Chinese Art

Watch Chinese art being created as two artists demonstrate step-by-step calligraphy, water color, and ink-pour. They will also show some of their earlier works.

La Cañada Flintridge Library
4545 North Oakwood Ave.
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 790-3330
Monday, May 18
4:00 p.m.

Newhall Book Club Reads Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

Note: Club meets at Egg Plantation, 24415 Walnut Street, Newhall.

Newhall Library
22704 W. Ninth St.
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 259-0750

Saturday, May 30
1:00 p.m.

The Joy of Chinese Cooking

Chinese cooking demonstration, and tasting, with master chef Theresa Cheng. Ms. Cheng gained fame through her role as the executive food designer of the movie Eat Drink Man Woman and was complimented as "The Julia Child of Taiwan" by the movie's director Ang Lee. She is the author of sixteen seminal cookbooks in Chinese and has been retained as a food consultant for dozens of gourmet Chinese restaurants around the world.

San Dimas Library
145 N. Walnut Ave.
San Dimas, CA 91773
(909) 599-6738
Saturday, May 30
2:00 p.m.

Feast from the East

The storytelling troupe "We Tell Stories" presents interactive story-based plays in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This performance is made possible in part by the Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment. Geared to young school-age children, preschoolers are also welcome.

Culver City Julian Dixon Library
4975 Overland Ave.
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 559-1676
Saturday, May 30
3:00 p.m.

Hula Kahiko Hawaiian Myth and Ancient Dance

Aloha Teens! Join "Dancing Tehani" and explore the culture, history, and legends behind Hula Kahiko, an ancient form of hula from Hawaii. You may even learn some steps!

Hacienda Heights Library
16010 La Monde St.
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
(626) 968-9356

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Frequently Asked Questions

Japanese Gardens in the County of Los Angeles Public Library
What can you tell me about the history of Japanese Americans in Gardena?
2008 U.S. Census Facts
Chinese New Year

Notable Asian Americans

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Reading Lists

Asian American and Asian Authors
Asian Pacific American Authors
Explore Food & Cooking
Feng Shui Resources
Films at the Asian Pacific Resource Center
Hawaii and Samoa Titles
Chanoyu: The Japanese Tea Ceremony

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Web Links

Visit the County Library's Asian Pacific Resource Center, located at the Montebello Library which was established in 1979 to serve the information needs of Asian Pacific people and to make information about these groups available to the larger community.

    Ethnic Newspapers
    The following are newspapers that you can read online:
    Museums

    Pacific Asia Museum
    The Pacific Asian Museum contains examples of art and artifacts from Asia and the Pacific Islands, spanning a period of five thousand years.

    Japanese American National Museum
    The Japanese American National Museum is the only museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans with Japanese ancestry.

    Chinese American Museum
    The mission of the Chinese American Museum is to preserve and share the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Chinese Americans.

    Korean American Museum
    The Korean American Museum is dedicated to increasing the understanding of the Korean American experience.

    Other Sites

Revised by Linda Fernandes
Asian Pacific Resource Center Librarian

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Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month | U.S. Census Facts
Chinese New Year | Notable Asian Americans

Revised 04/09


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