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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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2008 Library Events
Saturday, May 3
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Joy of Chinese Cooking

Renowned Chef Theresa Cheng will provide a step by step cooking demonstration that promises to be entertaining, informative and fun.

El Monte Library
3224 N. Tyler Ave.
El Monte, CA 91731
(626) 444-9506

Saturday, May 3
2:00 p.m.

Origami with Juliet Lee

Origami artist Juliet Lee will teach you the secret of successful origami using fun and exciting projects. Materials provided. Teens ages 11-18

Hacienda Heights Library
16010 La Monde St.
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
(626) 968-9356
Saturday, May 3
2:00 p.m.

Taiko Drum Performance

The Taiko Center of Los Angeles will be performing using the Japanese Taiko drum.

Rosemead Library
8800 Valley Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 573-5220
Tuesday, May 6
3:30 p.m.

Shibori Art Program

Join artist Margo Gravelle and create your own Shibori banner.  Space is limited; please register early. For 6-8th graders.

Newhall Library
22704 W. Ninth St.
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 259-0750
Tuesday, May 6
4:00 p.m.

Henna Tattooing

Learn about East Indian cultural heritage through the sharing of cultural goods and mehndi, or henna tattooing. For tweens (those not-quite-teens)!

La Puente Library
15920 E. Central Ave.
La Puente, CA 91744
(626) 968-4613
Wednesday, May 7
3:30 p.m.

Origami for Teens

Create special origami gifts.

Rosemead Library
8800 Valley Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 573-5220
Wednesday, May 7
4:00 p.m.
Sayaw: Filipino Folk Dance

Jennifer "Tehani" Sarreal will perform Filipino folk dances and explain the folklore, geography and culture of the Philippines.

Norwalk Library
12350 Imperial Hwy.
Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 868-0775
Saturday, May 10
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Tales of Asia & the Pacific

Celebrate Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month with storyteller Barbara Wong as she regales us with "Tales from Asia and the Pacific!"

Walnut Library
21155 La Puente Rd.
Walnut, CA 91789
(909) 595-0757

Saturday, May 10
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Joy of Chinese Cooking

Theresa Cheng, author and food consultant, will give step-by-step instruction and cooking tips. Food will be available for tasting

Carson Library
151 E. Carson St.
Carson, CA 90745
(310) 830-0901
Saturday, May 10
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Art of Indian Cooking

Archana Sunil will demonstrate the art of Indian cooking. The audience will sample various dishes and take home copies of the recipes. Hosted by the Asian Pacific Resource Center.

Montebello Library
1550 W. Beverly Blvd.
Montebello, CA 90640
(323) 722-6551
Saturday, May 10
3:00 p.m.

Feng Shui for Modern Living

Join internationally-renowned expert Angi Ma Wong for a presentation about the fascinating world of Feng Shui!

City Terrace Library
4025 E. City Terrace Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90063
(323) 261-0295
Tuesday, May 13
6:30 - 7:45 p.m.

Book Discussion: Southland by Nina Revoyr

Request a copy of the book from the Information Desk. Hosted by the Asian Pacific Resource Center

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

Wednesday, May 14
2:00 p.m.

Joy of Chinese Cooking

Theresa Cheng will provide cooking tips, step-by-step demonstrations and food tasting. She is the author of 16 cookbooks and winner of international cooking competitions.

Westlake Village Library
31220 Oak Crest Dr.
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(818) 865-9230
Friday, May 16
3:30 p.m.

Dancing Tehani

Traditional Filipino and Asian-Pacific dance performance. Ages 11-14.

Rowland Heights Library
1850 Nogales Street
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 912-5348
Saturday, May 17
1:30 p.m.

Joy of Chinese Cooking

Watch and learn as Theresa Cheng creates several tasty dishes. She is the author of 16 widely-read cookbooks, a restaurant consultant and demonstrates Chinese cooking at venues around the globe.

West Covina Library
1601 W. Covina Pkwy.
West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 962-3541
Wednesday, May 21
6:00 p.m.

Songs & Stories of China & Hawaii

Aaron Loo's performance combines song, stories, video, a drawing contest and diverse instruments. Fun for the entire family!! A free event.

Baldwin Park Library
4181 Baldwin Park Blvd.
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
(626) 962-6947
Saturday, May 24
2:00 p.m.

A Good Indian Wife with Author Anne Cherian

Culver City Library
4975 Overland Ave.
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 559-1676
Saturday, May 24
2:00 p.m.

Japanese Flower Arrangement

Mari Prasad will offer tips on what to look for when buying flowers and help participants make their own Ikebana arrangements. Please bring a vase and 3-5 flowers to create an arrangement.

Duarte Library
1301 Buena Vista St.
Duarte, CA 91010
(626) 358-1865

Saturday, May 31
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Korean Dance Performance

Performed by the Kim Eung Hwa Dance Academy. Hosted by the Asian Pacific Resource Center.

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

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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 | 2008 U.S. Census Facts
Chinese New Year | Notable Asian Americans

Revised 05/08


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