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Tuesday, March 9

"CHINESE VANCOUVER THEN AND NOW: 1972-2010" - Vancouver Opera Speaks
by
Todd
on Tue 09 Mar 2010 01:58 AM PST
"CHINESE VANCOUVER THEN AND NOW: 1972-2010"
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
7-9 pm
Alice MacKay Room, Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
OPERA SPEAKS @ VPL -
Admission is free.
An eminent panel explores the history of Chinese in Vancouver, with emphasis on the Chinese communities' emergence and development since 1972, the year of Nixon's momentous trip to China. Discover how our city has been shaped and transformed by Chinese culture over the past 38 years. This will be a fascinating evening. Speakers include eminent architect Bing Thom, UBC historian Henry Yu, and filmmaker and writer Colleen Leung.
Presented in partnership with the Vancouver Public Library. Opera Speaks @ VPL is sponsored by Omni BC Diversity Television.
http://www.vancouveropera.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=255&Itemid=15
Monday, February 15

Chinese New Year welcomes Year of the Tiger in Vancouver Chinatown
by
Todd
on Mon 15 Feb 2010 10:01 PM PST
It looks like a Tiger of a year... with the Olympics in town, and lions running everywhere at Vancouver's Chinatown Chinese New Year Parade
 Lions were everywhere in Vancouver Chinatown, celebrating the Year of the Tiger.
 All the celebrities, politicians and VIP's walk at the beginning of the parade.
Next come the Chinese Canadian veterans of Pacific Unit 280 (minus my uncle Dan, who passed away less than a month ago). But the veterans all wore red Olympic mittens!

Here's a Chinese parade dragon. How to tell a dragon from a lion? You wear the lion costume over your body, while the dragon is always held up on poles!
 The Kitchen God always marches in the parade. The trick is to put honey on the Kitchen God's lips before he makes his report to heaven about your kitchen, so he can only say sweet things with honey on his lips.
 Here I am with my friend Georgia, who paddles with us on the Gung Haggis dragon boat team.
 The Carnival band all tried to dress up as Tigers....

City Councilor Kerry Jang hands out lucky red envelopes called "li-see" for good luck!
 Here I am dressed in my kilt and red Chinese dragon vest. I met this fellow in his black utility kilt outside the skytrain stop at The Bay. Kilters greet each other, and I invited him to join us for the next kilts night. Since it was Chinese New Year we took a picture of him waring my Chinese jacket. Very cool.
Saturday, February 13

Todd Wong appearance on CTV Canada AM for Sunday Feb 14th
by
Todd
on Sat 13 Feb 2010 03:04 PM PST
Todd will be on Canada AM
on CTV, Sunday morning
- must be there at 5am so Toronto people can see
a brief interview between 8 and 9am.. I will do the interview at Robson Square, which is part of the the BC Canada Pavillion.
Then will do an interview and
filming at Chinese New Year parade with ZDF tv from Germany. We will meet at 8:30am, as the parade starts at 9:30am in Vancouver Chinatown.
Now....Must get
ready to attend the Women's hockey Canada vs Slovakia today at 5pm
Monday, February 8

Gung Haggis dragon boat team paddle on Sunday Feb 7th
by
Todd
on Mon 08 Feb 2010 08:53 PM PST
Gung Haggis dragon boat team paddles False Creek and takes in pre-Olympic sight-seeing.
We have a dragon boat team of keeners.... who wanted to paddle in February. It was our first paddling practice since early November, when we had a few practices after paddling in the Ft. Langley Cranberry Festival Canoe Regatta. Fifteen people jumped into the dragon boat for 11am practice on Sunday Feb 7th,
And... I think... I really needed to paddle to get myself warmed up for paddling in the dragon boat flotilla that will accompany the Olympic Torch Relay on Feb 12th, for when Gold medalist Olympian Hugh Fisher will pass off the Olympic Torch from a dragon boat to Olympian Kamini Jain in a voyageur canoe.
I only paddled for half the practice. if
that... I also coached some of the paddlers a bit for some 1-on-1 coaching for only half the
time. I steered for the remaining half, after switching with Stephen Wong, who started off steering for the team.
The team met at the parking lot for False
Creek Yacht Club for 11am, then had a quick warm-up, then headed to the
boat for 11:15am, headed over to Alder Bay to pick up Debbie, then back to
FC Yacht Club to pick up a paddler named Tony who arrived late after his morning meeting. Next we paddled towards and past the Burrard St. Bridge to show
paddlers where the lights are for the from the
nightly spectacular light show.
I pointed out where the boat launch for the Burrard Marina is, where dragon boat paddlers for the flotilla that will accompany the Olympic Torch Relay will organize.
Next we paddled Eastward to Granville Island to identify the Ferry dock at West Side of Granville Island,
where the torch will be handed to torchbearer Olympian Hugh Fisher. We looked over at the bright yellow building, formerly known as Bridges Restaurant, that is now being transformed into the Swiss Pavillion. At the North end of the Granville St. Bridge is a floating hotel lodge that has been towed down from Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) that is normally lodged at Langara Island.
We took a little stretch, then switched sides. I took a turn at steering, and let veteran paddlers Stephen Wong take his turn for paddling. Just East of Granville Island is the Spruce Harbour Marina, where nearby, is the area where Hugh will pass the torch to Kamini
Jain in the middle of False Creek. Hugh will be in the dragon boat, and pass the torch to Kamini in the voyageur canoe. There are great viewing areas from both the North and South sides of False Creek, so it is perfect for cameras and television crews to set up for a unique photo opportunity.
We spotted the big black
pontoon floats that are being used for security to block off the boat
traffic in the East Bay, that are positioned along Cambie St. Bridge. We paddled along beside it and waved to the officers in the Police Boat, guarding the perimeter, that includes the Olympic Village.
Next we paddled near the Yaletown ferry dock, where
Kamini will hand the torch to a runner, after she climbs out of the voyageur canoe. The torch will then proceed up the streets towards Georgia Street, where it will arrive at the First Nations Aboriginal Pavillion where there will be a blessing ceremony. This will be one of the final stops of the Olympic Torch before it travels to the Opening Ceremonies about 2 blocks down the street to BC Place Stadium, later in the evening.
It was a good paddle, and our paddlers were happy and pleased that I would be a part of the dragon boat flotilla accompanying the Olympic Torch Relay. But most of all, the paddlers were all happy to be paddling again, and in friendly company. Many times I heard somebody say, "I'm just here for the social aspects" as we paddled back to FC Yacht
Club.... by about 12:30pm.
The next plan was to have lunch. I promised that I would treat everybody to dim sum lunch, if they came paddling.
We were at Floata Restaurant for dim sum,
at 1pm, at least my car was. Other people got re-routed by traffic
diversions. By the time they arrived, there were lots of dim sum selections on the table. Haw-gow shrimp dumplings, Siu-mai pork dumplings, Lo-bak-goh pan-fried turnip cake. We also tried a special appetizer plate that included jelly fish, crispy pork skin and bbq pork. There was also shanghai style dumpling with shrimp meat and green vegetable, steamed pork bun, sliced-almond covered shrimp balls, fish cakes, and more! I also ordered house special chow mein with crispy noodles, and Geurng-chow-ngor-hah flat rice noodles with sliced beef.
This was Katie's first time having dim sum in Vancouver. She's originally from Ontario, and only been in Vancouver almost a year.... and somehow never found her way to dim sum yet.
Georgia pronounced that the meal was "heaven"
GREAT LUNCH!!! and we finished off with Chinese egg tarts for dessert.
Thursday, January 28

Lan Tung erhu virtuoso is bringing her trio Birds of Paradox to Gung Haggis Fat Choy
by
Todd
on Thu 28 Jan 2010 12:08 PM PST
Ron Samworth, Lan Tung and Nealamjit Dhillon make up the cultural fusion trio of Birds of Paradox . Lan Tung is a fantastic virtuoso erhu player who has recently toured across Europe and was just in Halifax with Symphony Nova Scotia for a January 7th concert of new music. + PICTURES + MORE more »
Wednesday, January 27

Daniel Lee Rest in Peace, 1920 - January 26, 2010
by
Todd
on Wed 27 Jan 2010 11:42 PM PST
Daniel Lee 1920 - January 26, 2010 Daniel Lee saluting at
the November 11, 2009 Remembrance Day ceremony in Vancouver Chinatown.
The Chinese Canadian veterans always attended the Victory Square
Cenotaph ceremonies, which Dan Lee also helped to organize, then they
would go to Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant to stay warm, before organizing the
Chinatown ceremonies at 12:30pm - photo Todd Wong
"To
be a good citizen you got to start at home. Otherwise, a nation is just
like a family.
Everybody got to be happy at home otherwise the nation
would be in trouble."
- Daniel Lee With sorrow... we share the news that Grand-Uncle Daniel Lee passed away this morning of January 26th, 2010. He had been in the Burnaby Hospital since Wednesday. His daughter Grace, she said it was quite sudden - his going into the hospital. I had been receiving reports from my mother Betty, as her mother Mabel (Dan's oldest sister at 99 years old) was visiting the hospital each day.Uncle Dan was born the 11th child of 14, the 5th son of seven to jeweler Ernest Lee, and Kate Chan Lee - the 2nd child, and 1st daughter of Rev. Chan Yu Tan. As a young child he spent some time living in Nanaimo with his grandparents Rev. and Mrs. Chan Yu Tan, after the early death of his father.
When Dan was 20 years old he tried to enlist in the Canadian Army, but was turned away because at that time they did not allow any Chinese Canadians. Instead, he went to aircraft mechanics school in Toronto and graduated two years later. By 1942, Chinese were allowed into the Army due to pressure from Great Britain. Dan Lee was one of the the first Chinese-Canadians accepted into the Canadian Air Force. Soon, he was joined in England, by his brothers Howard and Leonard, plus cousin Victor Wong, who were enroute to the Pacific Theatre to serve with the Army special forces.In the years after WW2, Dan Lee and his fellow Canadian born veterans would continue to face racial discrimination and prejudice. The were not allowed to join any of the existing Canadian Legions for veteran soldiers. They turned to the oldest veteran organization, the Army, Navy, Air Force Vets of Canada and were accepted to form their own unit - Pacific Unit 280. After
WW2, he and his fellow veterans and good friend Roy Mah, petitioned the
Canadian Government to gain voting rights for Chinese Canadians, and
also to repeal the Chinese Exclusion Act. This was accomplished in
1947.
 But the challenges weren't over yet. Every year Uncle Dan
would write a letter to Ottawa asking for an apology for the Chinese
head tax and exclusion act. The Chinese head tax redress movement took on a larger significance after MP Margaret Mitchell brought the issue up in Parliament in 1984, and also when Prime Minister Mulroney apologized to Japanese Canadians in 1988 for the the government's interning of them during WW2.In the 1980's, Dan Lee would continue to work head tax apology issue. With Douglas Jung, a former veteran, lawyer, Member of
Parliament, and the Chinese Benevolent Association, they proposed that a
national organization be formed to deal with the Head Tax issue. Dan Lee became one of the founders of the National
Congress of Chinese Canadians(NCCC) and a national conference was held. After many years, an apology was finally made in Canadian Parliament by Prime Minister Harper in 2006.
In 1998, the Chinese Canadian Military Museum was founded. Dan Lee's air force uniform was one of the first displays.
 Chinese Canadian Military Museum Dinner November 7, 2009
top row: Bryan Larrabee, grand-nephew Todd Wong, Padre Wesley Lowe
bottom row: niece Rhonda Larrabee, Daniel Lee, sister Mabel Mar In 1999, we held the first Rev. Chan Legacy Family Reunion. Uncle Dan was a consultant for the committee. At the reunion, it was Dan Lee who gave the Elder Address, as he talked about his grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan.
In 2002, the Rev. Chan Yu Tan family was featured in the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum exhibit "Three Canadian Chinese Pioneer Families" - pictures of Uncle Dan and the contributions of himself and his brothers and cousin were included.
In 2007, Dan Lee is one of the lead stories in the film documentary Heroes Remember, produced by the Chinese Canadian Military Museum.Dan Lee's dedication to community service is exemplary. In 2004, Dan Lee received the Award of Merit from Dominion Command. It is one of the highest honours a veteran can receive. Uncle Dan told me that to receive an Award of Merit, you must first receive the Medal for
Appreciation, which he received in 1987. In 1999 he next
received the Award for Service.
And through all these years, Uncle Dan would sell poppies in downtown Vancouver for Remembrance Day, and help organize the Poppy Drive every November. He was one of the best sellers. He was also one of the organizers of the Victory Square Cenotaph Remembrance Day ceremonies. In 2004, Remembrance Day ceremonies began at the Canadian Chinese Pioneer Monument in Chinatown. The veterans of Unit 280 would attend both Victory Square and Chinatown ceremonies, even if it was raining and cold.
The contributions that Dan Lee made, will last and be remembered, while he will be missed.
We offer support and love to Uncle Dan, his wife Irene, and their children Vincent and Grace.
Peace & Blessings to all, Todd Wong - Vancouver
As part of his commitment to community, Dan annually organized the poppy campaign in Vancouver. It's not surprising
he was a top-seller. For his community efforts Dan has received many
veteran honours, such as the Award of Appreciation, and Award for
Service - but none higher than the Award of Merit from Dominion Command
in 2004. It's a fitting tribute to the grandson who evidently learned
his values and strong faith in community from his Methodist Church
pioneer, Grandfather Chan Yu Tan.See VIDEO of Daniel Lee from the Chinese Canadian Military Museum
www.vac-acc.gc.ca Daniel
Lee, one of three brothers to join the war effort, worked as an
aircraft mechanic and went on to a career of dedicated community
service in Canada.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53803790@N00/sets/72157623292987932/

Google News Alert for "Gung Haggis Fat Choy"
by
Todd
on Wed 27 Jan 2010 12:44 PM PST
Every year I do media interviews. On Robbie Burns Day, I was woken up at 7am by a request from BBC Radio Scotland. Yesterday, I did an interview for French CBC television. Monday was Epoch Times. Last week the Georgia Straight did a food feature article. Somewhere in Scotland there is an interview in the Sunday Post. Even SFU, Seattle and North Shore News have stories about Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner this year. Check out the links: more »
Sunday, January 24

Menu revealed for 2010 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner to welcome Year of the Tiger
by
Todd
on Sun 24 Jan 2010 10:43 PM PST
There are some changes for the dinner menu for the Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner. We try to vary the dinner items from year to year, add some new surprises, take out items we are bored with. This is a draft menu - subject to change.
See if you can spot the new additions - not repeated from last year.
1. Floata Appetizer Platter
a. Haggis Pork dumpling (Shiu Mai)
b. turnip cake (Lo-bak-goh)
c. Honey BBQ Pork
d. Jelly Fish
2. Deep fried haggis won ton + PICTURES + MORE more »
Monday, December 21

Winter Solstice in Vancouver - Devon is fire-tossing at the Roundhouse
by
Todd
on Mon 21 Dec 2009 03:21 PM PST
I usually help organize a team social for attending the Winter Solstice events at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens - but this year I must attend AGM and Christmas Party at Joy Kogawa House.
Check out my past stories about attending Winter Solstice events here:
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog?cmd=search&keywords=winter+solstice
Check out the official Winter Solstice events here:
http://www.secretlantern.org/
My friend Devon Cooke is performing "Fire tossing" at the Round House Community Centre. Devon loves being involved in many cultural activities and also paddles on the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team. more »
Wednesday, November 11

Chinese Canadian veterans lead Remembrance Day ceremony in Vancouver Chinatown
by
Todd
on Wed 11 Nov 2009 11:58 PM PST
Uncle Daniel Lee is colour guard for Pacific Unit 280 at the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Chinese Canadian Pioneer Monument in Vancouver Chinatown more »

Remembrance Day ceremonies in Vancouver Chinatown and Victory Square
by
Todd
on Wed 11 Nov 2009 10:25 AM PST
Last year, Lt. Gov. Steven Point attended the Chinatown ceremonies following the Victory Square ceremonies. http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/11/12/3973947.html
This article has a picture of last year's event + lists 2009 events in Vancouver. more »
Thursday, August 27

2 more concerts of Enchanted evenings at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Gardens - featuring Silk Road and Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble
by
Todd
on Thu 27 Aug 2009 12:35 PM PDT
The final 3 Enchanted Evenings concerts at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Gardens all feature musicians that have performed at past Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinners.
Silk Road duo Qiu Xia and Andrew performed last year with African dancer Jackie Esombe and percussionist Pepe Danza - photo T. Wong Last week celtic ensemble Blackthorn performed August 21. This Friday Aug. 28, Erhu specialist Ji-Rong Huang artistic director of Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble takes stage. On Sept 4, Silk Road Music performs as a quartet, led by Qiu Xia He and Andre Thibault. Qiu Xia and Andre have performed many times at Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinners since 2004. Silk Road Music Ensemble was featured in the 2004 CBC television performance special "Gung Haggis Fat Choy". Blackthorn and Ji-Rong both came to the 2008 Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner. Blackthorn has an incredible repertoire of Celtic songs that they kept pulling out of their hats. Ji-Rong and I performed 2 songs on accordion and erhu - Galloping Horse and Hungarian Dance No. 5 - which he also plays solo.
Summer Concert Series Doors open at 7:00pm, and all shows begin at 7:30pm
Tickets $18 for non-members,
$15 for Garden Society Members

VANCOUVER CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE- August 28
A rich showcase of traditional Chinese instruments

SILK ROAD- September 4
World Music with a Chinese flair
Tickets and info, contact 604.662.3207 ext. 208 or
email assistant@vancouverchinesegarden.com
reservations are recommended
Thursday, August 20

Celtic band Blackthorn playing Enchanted Evenings concert in Vancouver's Chinese Classical Garden
by
Todd
on Thu 20 Aug 2009 05:32 PM PDT
This will be tres cool! My favorite Celtic band in my favorite Classical Chinese garden!Back in 2003, we filmed the CBC television performance special "Gung Haggis Fat Choy" in the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Gardens. It was the very first music video ever filmed at the garden, and it featured The Paper Boys with a Chinese flautist Jing Min Pan. Blackthorn is a wonder celtic music ensemble led by Michael Viens on guitar, Michelle Carlisle on flute, Rosy Carver on fiddle and Tim Reading on bass and bodran. Blackthorn was featured at the 2008 Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner, and brought a real lively presence to the dinner event. I spoke with Michelle in the first week of August, and she says that Blackthorn is really looking forward to performing at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens. She was even more interested, when I told her that the gardens was designed by my architect cousin Joe Wai. The Enchanted Gardens Music series often features different multicultural music ensembles. It was initially started by my friends Qiu Xia He and Andre Thibault of Silk Road Music. They always create something different for their annual concert.  | Enchanted Evening Concert Series | Friday, Aug 21 Doors: 7pm, Show: 7:30pm We recommend pre-purchasing your tickets as these popular concerts are often sell-outs! Also available at the door.
| | Musical Expressions Summer Concert Series | Saturday, Aug 22 6:30pm, Britannia Heritage Shipyard, 5180 Westwater, Steveston BC
Musical Expressions presents
this 2009 Concert Season at Britannia features the artistry of
prominent local groups in a magnificent setting. Imagine a Fraser River
sunset as a backdrop to a concert!
Tickets: $20 including appetizers, on sale at the venue, or by calling 604-718-8050. |
Saturday, July 25

Chef Sam, of Foo's Ho Ho, passes on the the Great Kitchen in the Heavens.
by
Todd
on Sat 25 Jul 2009 04:55 PM PDT
 Chef Sam, of Foo's Ho Ho, passes on the the Great Kitchen in the Heavens. Here is the Obituary: SAM James "Sam"
Born on April 8, 1942
in Sun Wui, China. He peacefully passed away on July 19, 2009 after a
short battle with cancer. Predeceased by his first wife, Shirley, James
will always be alive in the happy memories of his family: wife, Joanne,
children, Joseph (Yasuko), Helen (Rod), and Lily and grandson, Ryan,
and extended family: Bruce, Phong, Yvonne, Tony, Jimmy, Liz, Rita,
Belinda and Brandon. Having immigrated to Canada in his teens, he
worked diligently in many kitchens including: WK Gardens, Marco Polo
and Best Wun Tun House and he also established his own restaurants
including Foo's Ho Ho. Throughout the years, he has served many
faithful friends and customers. We thank you so much for your patronage
and loyalty! We know he will miss you all dearly as it was his life's
passion to serve great original home-style Chinese food! The family
would like to extend sincere thanks to the staff and especially Sarah
at the Palliative Care Unit at VGH. A memorial service will be held on
Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 10:00 am at the First Memorial Funeral
Chapel, 602 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC. Reception to follow. A viewing
will also take place on Friday, July 31, 2009 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
See my article
Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant to close in Vancouver Chinatown: It's the end of an era for Cantonese restaurants
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253641.html
Sunday, July 12

Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant to close in Vancouver Chinatown: It's the end of an era for Cantonese restaurants
by
Todd
on Sun 12 Jul 2009 11:21 PM PDT

Friends, Todd Wong and Jim Wong Chu, standing outside Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant after eating there for the last time.
Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant to close in Vancouver Chinatown: It's the end of an era for Cantonese restaurants(please note that due to popular demand - Foo's Ho Ho did re-open. Open Wednesday to Sunday, Closed Monday and Tuesday - 102 East Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3 - (604) 609-2889 - editor Todd Wong January 2010)
On Friday, I received notice that Foo's Ho Ho restaurant was going to close on Saturday July 11th.
On July 9th Friday, several friends sent out emails to me about Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant, including Wesley Lowe, Larry Wong, Bob Sung and Jim Wong Chu. Larry wrote:
"Sam, the cook and proprietor of Foo’s Ho Ho has liver cancer and is
currently in VGH pallative care. At most he has 2 months left to live.
His partner, Joanne has been keeping the landmark restaurant open and
continuing cooking the delicious dishes you’ve enjoyed and remembered
throughout the years.
Going back and forth between the hospital and the restaurant has
taken a toil on her and she has reluctantly decided to close Foo’s Ho
Ho indefinitely after this coming Saturday. The famous neon sign will
dim one last time. So it’s last call for those who wish to have one
more lunch or dinner for old times sake and it’s also a way to support
Joanne and Sam financially. An opportunity to re-live a part of
old-time Chinatown, round up some friends and book your table.
604.609.2889"
The first Chinese pioneers to Canada were Cantonese speakers, and they brought Cantonese styled Chinese food with them. As the pioneers spread across North America, so did Chinese restaurants.
During the 1960's and 1970's, my father would often stop at the Ho Ho Restaurant in Vancouver Chinatown and bring back chow mein or deep-fried won ton, as a late night snack. I can remember many friday nights, when we would meet our family friends at the Ho Ho restaurant, then either go swimming at Father & Son nights at the YMCA, or shopping at Army & Navy and Woodwards along Hastings St.
During the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's, Chinatown's neon was the place to be, and the place to eat!
Larry also is a local Chinatown historian and he wrote: "Foo’s Ho Ho is the last of the “village-style” Cantonese restaurants
from the late 1940s. establishments in Vancouver’s Chinatown that does
the original home-style cooking. Many of the older generation remembers
it well. Sam who first gain his cooking chops at the WK Restaurant and
later at the Famous Marco Polo and others before he resurrected the Ho
Ho which had been left vacant for a number of years and renamed it
Foo’s Ho Ho." In recent years, I have attended many dinners at Foo's Ho Ho with the Chinese Canadian Miltary Museum, Pacific Unit 280, and also with Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC, as well as with our Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team after Tuesday night practices.
My friend David Wong wrote on his blog: At one time, the Ho Ho graced one of the city’s most familiar neon
landmarks - a stylized bowl of rice with steam rising up 3 1/2 stories.
Within this neon rise, alternated the Chinese characters for “Ho
Ho”…and her English words – both in flashing neon glory.
The restaurant once hosted many of Chinatown establishment’s major
events – weddings, Clan society dinners, cultural and festival dinners,
etc. The enterprise occupied the lower two floors of an old 8 storey
brick building that contained a once thriving rooming house / hotel,
the “Sun Ah”.
At one time, another old favourite restaurant existed a block away. Foo’s restaurant. When old Foo’s restaurant closed shop, the Ho
Ho became “Foo’s Ho Ho” From serving tourists to locals, there are regular groups of
customers who return to enjoy the authentic ciusine that faithfully
maintained Chinatown’s history. Each year, the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia hosts its Annual General Meeting dinner at Foo’s Ho Ho in honour of the tradition and history that it represents. What did we eat for our "Last Night at Foo's Ho Ho"?
Sticky Rice w/chicken - one of my Favorites!
Ox Tail with Black Bean sauce
Curried potato with beef slices - Another Favorite!
Egg Foo Yung - Sam's signature dish.
Who was eating at Foo's Ho Ho on the last night?
 Peter Wong, Kwoi Gee, Annie, and Opal. Peter is the brother of Steven Wong, one of our paddlers on the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team. Steven tells us that their family often goes to Foo's Ho Ho restaurant. Their father Bill Wong runs Modernize Tailors, another landmark institution in Vancouver Chinatown.
 Our table with (standing) Jim Wong Chu, Marlene, Bev and Ken (visiting from the next table), sitting: Todd, Deb, Dan, Sandy, Al and Stuart Mackinnon. Deb, Dan, Stuart and myself have shared many dinners at Foo's Ho Ho, following dragon boat practices. Jim and Bev are Chinatown institutions themselves, having grown up in the area, then working hard as board members to develop Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society into a major Vancouver festival.
 My mom's cousin Gary Lee, a friend, Tina, Gary's wife Josie, Bev and Ken. Gary filmed his interview for the CBC documentary Generations: The Chan Legacy, upstairs at the Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant. Gary's a real Chinatown veteran. His father Gordie Lee helpd develop Lee's Taxi - Vancouver's first Chinese-Canadian owned taxi service. Gary also used to sing in local night clubs - he was called "the Chinese Sinatra."
 Ron, George, Sid, Fanna, Elwin and Mary, were all active compatriots during the Chinese Head Tax Redress campaign of 05-06. We are all pioneer Chinese head tax descendents. Sid has carried the torch for many years, and promises to keep carrying it until all the head tax certificates are recognized - not just the less than 1% of surviving head tax payers and spouses.
 Bob Lee and Family had the largest gathering at Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant. Bob was the first Chinese-Canadian chancellor of UBC, and his daughter Carole recently organized the Chinatown and Beyond conference.
 At the end of the meal, Todd and Jim went to say thank you to the chef, Joanne. By the end of the evening, there was a rumour going around that Joanne was so touched by the turnout for "Last Night at Foo's Ho Ho" that she might keep the restaurant going... or re-open in a month...
In any case, we wish the best for Sam and Joanne. They've earned a place in Vancouver's culinary and cultural history.
 Behind the cashier desk at Foo's Ho Ho, is this picture taken last November following the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Canadian Chinese Pioneer Monument in Keefer Square. The Hon. Lt. Gov. Steven Point spontaneously decided to attend the ceremonies and gave a very heartfelt speech. The veterans of Pacific Unit 280 always go to Foo's Ho Ho for lunch afterwards. After the lunch, Lt. Gov. Steven Point asked to meet the cook, and honoured Joanne with a "Thank You Song" which he and his wife Gwen sang in their First Nations Sto:lo language. Itw as a wonderful and proud moment for all who attended.
Wednesday, July 1

Canada Day rally for Chinese Head Tax families: 10:30am Chinatown Monument
by
Todd
on Wed 01 Jul 2009 07:51 AM PDT
Canada Day rally for Chinese Head Tax families: 10:30am Chinatown MonumentThis will be the 4th annual Chinatown Redress Rally, since Prime Minister Harper apologized for the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act - but limited redress packages to only surviving head tax payers and their spouses. This action effectively limited full redress to less than 1% of head tax paying families, as almost all head tax payers had already died. Many head tax payers passed on their certificates to their children, because they believed the government would make a fair and equal redress someday, and because they believed that Canada was a fair and equal country. Chinese Canadians have lobbied against head tax since it was legislated in 1885. After WW2, Chinese Canadian WW2 veterans successfully lobbied for the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1947. In 1988, a Japanese Canadian Redress package was finally achieved after 4 years of negotiations. The Chinese Head Tax Redress package was never openly negotiated with community groups. Media Advisory – June 30, 2009
Head Tax Families Celebrate Canada Day With Hot Dogs: Rally at Monument to Chinese Railway Workers and War Veteran
Vancouver, BC – Members of Head Tax Families Society of Canada (HTFSC) and its supporters will celebrate Canada Day with hot dogs in Chinatown. The Fourth Annual Chinatown Redress Rally maybe remembered as the one when the hotdogs appeared and the start of a tradition. Head tax families are proud Canadians exercising their rights of public assembly and speech. They will call on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to start good-faith negotiations with representatives of head tax families for an inclusive just and honourable redress
Time: 10:30am members call time – program to begin shortly after Date: Wednesday July 1, 2009 – Canada Day Place: Memorial to Chinese Railway Workers and War Veterans Keefer and Columbia (NE corner), Vancouver
The Conservative government's June 22, 2006 Parliamentary apology and unilaterally imposed redress package excluded most head tax families seeking direct meaningful symbolic redress. Less than 900 families were eligible for the ex gratia payments to surviving head tax payers and spouses of deceased head tax payers. Some 3,000 families have registered with HTFSC and inclusive redress-seeking groups across Canada calling for justice and honour for affected elderly sons and daughters whose parents are deceased. Over 82,000 Chinese immigrants paid the head tax from 1885 to 1923, when exclusion legislation was enacted. Repealed in 1947, the Chinese exclusion laws impoverished and separated many head tax families for decades.
Members and supporters of Head Tax Families Society of Canada are today's Canadians on a twenty-six year struggle for an inclusive just and honourable redress for affected head tax families.
Go to www.headtaxfamilies.ca for more information.
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Contact: Sid Tan – 604-783-1853
Tuesday, June 16

Gung Haggis Fat Choy team prepares for last practice before the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festiival June 20/21
by
Todd
on Tue 16 Jun 2009 03:07 PM PDT
It's the last practice before the race: Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team Gung Haggis team line up at the Dragon Zone regatta on June 6th - photo Todd Wong The Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival is the largest in North America. Dragon boat racing began in Vancouver BC, when the Hong Kong pavillion at Expo 86 donated 4 teak boats to the City of Vancouver. I started attending the festivals for the great entertainment and shows. It wasn't until 1993 that I first joined a team and started paddling.
The Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team has been racing at Alcan Dragon Boat Festival since 2002. Prior to that I coached and paddled on many different teams at the novice, recreation and competitive levels. The Gung Haggis team emphasizes fun, fitness and multiculturalism. That's why we wear our kilts while paddling a Chinese dragon boat tradition.
We have been asked to participate in two film documentaries. One is a feature film titled "In the Same Boat", directed by Alfonso Chin and produced by Jacqueline Liu for Rosetta Entertainment. Alfonso used to paddle for the CC Riders team, and our paddler/drummer Keng Graal used to be one of his teachers.
Katie, rookie Gung Haggis paddler is interviewed for "In the Same Boat" dragon boat documentary film - photo T.Wong
The second film is a multi-part series called "Chinatown Canada" produced by Kerri Beattie of Image Pacific. They will be interviewing me about Vancouver Chinatown, and filming our Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team in action, as one of the cultural off shoots of Chinatown.
We are having our final pre-race practice tonight 5:45 to 7:30pm at
Dragon Zone (50 paces south of Science World - at the Green Trailer
Building).
We will be working out our final race strategies, and finalizing seating arrangements. Some of the paddlers have been away, but have returned just in time. We have four brand new paddlers who raced their first races ever in May and June. We have two more brand new paddlers who have yet to experience a full race with 7 or more boats.
Our core veterans have been with the team for 4 years or more. We have added some paddlers who have experience with other teams. This could be the best Gung Haggis team ever. But our roles at drummer and steers are not settled yet, and we might be rotating people.
Tonight after a debriefing... we are having a team social at "The Clubhouse
Restaurant" on West 2nd - across from City TV, and on the same block as
Bazzaar Novelty.
There is a dvd machine in the upstairs party room.
I will be showing documentary footage of the team from
France 3 "Thalassa" 2005
CBC Generations: The Chan Legacy 2006
ZDF "From Toronto to Vancouver by Train" 2007 but not from the 2008 Global News "Best of BC"
Thursday, June 11

Standing Up for Community: Readings and presentations by Shirley Chan, Hayne Wai and Larry Wong for Eastside Stories
by
Todd
on Thu 11 Jun 2009 11:30 PM PDT
Eastside Stories is an offshoot of the Heart of the City Festival, 3 community leaders will speak at Carnegie Centre June 21st at 3pm. Shirley Chan, Hayne Wai and Larry Wong
Event 3. Standing up for Community with Shirley Chan, Hayne Wai and Larry Wong, Sun June 21, 3pm Carnegie 3rd floor (see below and http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com/news/eastside-stories/
Shirley, Hayne and Larry are contributors to the book EATING STORIES: A Chinese Canadian and Aboriginal Potluck
All three helped to fight against the freeway proposal that would have knocked a swath through Chinatown in the 1960's.
Shirley and her mother helped lead the protests against freeway development in Vancouver Chintown in the 1960's, and were the topic of the documentary film Mary Lee Chan takes on City Hall. Mother Tongue | chinese community http://www.mothertongue.ca/community.php?id=1093574665
Hayne
has been involved with many anti-racism programs, and has served on the boards of Chinese Cultural Centre and Dr. Sun Yat Sen
Gardens, and Saltwater City Vancouver Centennial Exhibition. He founding member of Chinese
Canadian Historical Society of BC. Hayne is also my cousin, role model, and one of
my inspirations in creating Gung Haggis Fat ChoyLarry
Wong is curator of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, at the Chinese
Cultural Centre Museum and Archives. He is also childhood friend of
Wayson Choy, and founding member of Chinese Canadian Historical Society
of BC.
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2010 GUNG HAGGIS FAT CHOY Dinner
January 31, 2010
Contact Firehall Arts Centre:
phone 604.689.0926
2010 prices SINGLE TICKET
$60 + $5 service charge = $65
Student price is $50 + $4.50 = $54.50 (must show student high school or university ID)
Children's price is $40 + $4.00 = $44 (ages 13 and under).
Reservations for tables of 10
$600 + lower service charge
WHAT: GUNG HAGGIS FAT CHOY: Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner - 12th Annversary Dinner, celebrating 251st Anniversary of Robert Burns' birth + incoming Chinese New Year of the Tiger.
WHEN:
6PM January 31 2010, SUNDAY
doors open 5pm, Dinner 6pm
WHERE: Floata Chinese Restaurant,
#400-180 Keefer St.
Media Inquiries
Call Gung Haggis Productions / Todd Wong
direct: 778-846-7090
email: gunghaggis at yahoo dot ca
CULTURE:
Our Performers
create something special for us every year with traditional and contemporary performances featuring everything in-between and beyond!
FOOD: A quirky fusion/mix/buffet of
Scottish Canadian and Chinese Canadian culture 10 course Chinese banguet dinner
2004 - The debut of Gung Haggis Won-Ton
2005 - Haggis lettuce wrap!
2007 - Haggis dim sum appetizer buffet
2008 - Scotch tastings! + debut of Gung Haggis parade dragon!
2009 - debut of Gung Haggis Fat Choy Pipes & Drums band + auction of 37 year old special edition Famous Grouse whisky + scotch tastings of Famous Grouse, The Macallan and Highland Park.
Watch for more surprises in 2010!
Description of 2009 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner
co-hosted with CBC News anchor Gloria Macarenko and Media colunist Catherine Barr
featuring performers: bagpiper Joe McDonald and Mad Celts, Silk Road Music's Qiu Xia He and Andre Thibault, Opera Soprano Heather Pawsey and DJ Timothy Wisdom, BC Book Prize winner Vancouver poet Rita Wong + poet traslator Tommy Tao, Playwright Adrienne Wong and a scene from "Mixie and The Half-Breeds"
Description of 2008 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner
co-hosted with Media colunist Catherine Barr
featuring performers: , celtic band Blackthorn, bagpiper Joe McDonald and Brave Waves, Ji-Rong Huang on erhu, Film maker Ann-Marie Fleming, Vancouver poet laureate George McWhirter, Playwright Grace Chin and a scene from "The Quickie"
Description of 2007 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner
co-hosted with CBC Radio's Priya Ramu,
featuring performers:
Silk Road Music,
Heather Pawsey,
Brave Waves,
Leora Cashe,
No Luck Club,
Dr. Ian Mason (Burns Club of Vancouver)
Lensey Namioka - Author "Half and Half"
Margaret Gallagher,
"Twisting Fortunes" (sneak preview of play)
Description of 2006 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner
with co-host with CityTV's Prem Gill
featuring performers:
Rick Scott & Harry Wong, The Shirleys, Joe McDonald & Brave Waves, Sean Gunn, author Joy Kogawa,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragon Boat team
for lots of summer fun, fitness and friendship. We are a social team full of cultural vigor, that likes to eat.
We have been featured on television, local, national and international. We have a unique and internationally famous fundraiser dinner event.
We practice starting March
Sunday 1:30 pm -3:30 pm
Tuesday 6pm-7:45pm
We meet at Dragon Zone clubhouse - just south of Science World in Creekside Park above the Aquabus and dragon boat docks.
Our coach Todd Wong has 15+ years of experience including novice, recreational and competitive levels, and both community and corporate teams.
Our 2008 season took us to races in Burnaby, Vancouver, Vernon, Vancouver Taiwanese race, UBC, Ft. Langley.
It was our strongest team ever and we are proud of our race performances.
For more information:
Click on
Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragon Boat team information
phone: 778-846-7090
e-mail: gunghaggis at yahoo dot ca
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