GungHaggisFatChoy

LET'S ELECT VANCOUVER'S 1ST DRAGON BOAT MAYOR - RAYMOND LOUIE

Todd — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:30:03 -0700

LET'S ELECT VANCOUVER'S 1ST DRAGON BOAT MAYOR

Raymond Louie demonstrates his reach as a flag grabber for the 1st ever Taiwanese Dragon Boat demonstration race.- photo courtesy of Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Society.

Vision Vancouver Councillor Raymond Louie knows dragon boating. He knows it's important to Vancouver's cultural, recreational, economic and environmental communities.

Raymond paddled with the Vancouver Sun team during the 1990's. He also raced bicycles in the Tour de White Rock, and the Gastown Grand Prix.

In 2003, Raymond was Canada's first dragon boat flag catcher along with Olympic gold medalist Lori Fung, when they participated in the first demonstration race for the inaugural Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race.

Raymond also helped the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Society stickhandle through bureaucracy to ensure the boats arrived on time for the Labour Day 2003 Taiwanese Cultural Festival during a Vancouver Ports strike. These special "flag catching" dragon boats were donated to the City of Vancouver, by the Taiwanese Government and the people of Taiwan - which Raymond helped to facilitate.

"Motor-less Marina" are the words Raymond uses to describe the recreational benefits for False Creek's East Bay - East of the Cambie Street Bridge. He has also served as Co-Chair, Steering Committee for the redevelopment of Southeast False Creek.

Raymond is someone who can not only bring together voters from different political parties, but he also offers leadership that brings support from the multi-varied ethnic communities that define our city.

Raymond holds Tartan Day proclamation with Gung Haggis Fat Choy's dragon boat team's Michael Brophy and Todd Wong + bagpiper Joseph McDonald. As deputy mayor, Raymond read the Tartan Day that he helped move through Vancouver City Council. Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team then went out on the water for their April 6th "Tartan Day" dragon boat practice. photo Todd Wong collection.

Raymond offers a clear vision of a city where no one is left behind, and a civic administration that is not only experienced, but also offers an opportunity to unite neighbourhoods, ethnic communities, and supporters from various political backgrounds in building a progressive and sustainable city.

Raymond offers the experience and knowledge with the City of Vancouver that he has demonstrated with his two terms on City Council and as serving as a Director of Metro Vancouver(GVRD) and TransLink.

It is an amazing opportunity to have the very real possibility to elect the first dragon boat Mayor of Vancouver.

Please register with Vision Vancouver so you can vote for Raymond Louie:
http://raymondlouie.ca/get-involved/join-vision-vancouver/

The deadline for signing up new Vision Vancouver members is Thursday, May 15.

There are two ways you can help get people to join Vision Vancouver and vote for Raymond:

1. Volunteer to Pick Up Forms: Help pick up membership forms from other supporters in the evenings, Sunday thru Wednesday. Please call 604-724-4307 to volunteer a couple of hours this week.

2. Sign-up: Download a membership form by clicking here and return it to Raymond’s campaign office at 1327 Laburnum St. by May 14, 10 PM. Call 604-724-4307 for more info on dropping off your forms.

Join Councilor Raymond Louie for Mayor (facebook group)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10860325854&ref=ts

Join Dragon Boaters for Raymond Louie - Mayor! (facebook group)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13601990479&ref=ts

Jason Kenney announces $5 Million for Chinese-Canadian community-based commemorative and educational projects related to immigration restrictions (re: head tax and exclusion act)

Todd — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:50:43 -0700

Jason Kenney, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity was in BC, and came to a ceremony at the Shiang Garden Restaurant in Richmond, BC.

Jason Kenney affirmed the announcement below. In addition, he named Wesley Lowe, to head the advisory panel which will oversee the evaluation of projects and disbursement of funds.

While this announcement does not give recognition to the 99.3% of head tax certificates where the head tax payers or spouses are pre-deceased. It allows the community to move forward to create projects that are commemorative and educational, to help all Canadians understand the terrible systemic racism that Canada perpetuated against a single ethnic cultural group that spanned over 62 years, by means of the Chinese head tax (1885-1923), and the Exclusion Act (1923-1947).

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The Government of Canada Promotes Historical Recognition for Chinese-Canadian Community's Immigration Experiences

TORONTO, May 8, 2008 - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), today announced $5 million in grants and contributions funding will be made available to the Chinese-Canadian community for community-based commemorative and educational projects related to immigration restrictions.

"The Head Tax and other immigration restrictions, which affected Chinese-Canadians, are an unfortunate chapter in our history and deserve recognition," said Secretary of State Kenney.

This funding is being provided under the Community Historical Recognition Program, which was first announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in June 2006. The Program will fund community-based projects that will allow communities affected by Canadian wartime measures and immigration restrictions to have their experiences acknowledged in a way that is meaningful to them. Eligible projects could include monuments, commemorative plaques, educational material, and exhibits.

Other components of the Community Historical Recognition Program will be announced in the days to come, as well as details regarding the National Historical Recognition Program, which will fund federal initiatives that educate Canadians about the history of wartime measures and immigration restrictions and the contributions of affected communities to the building of Canada.

Chinese-Canadians received an official apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2006 for the Head Tax imposed on Chinese immigrants. The Government also announced that it would make ex-gratia symbolic payments of $20,000 to living Head Tax payers and to persons who had lived in a conjugal relationship with a now-deceased Head Tax payer. To date, more than $12 million in ex-gratia payments have already been made to this community.

Bill Reid Gallery opens in Vancouver, the great iconic Haida artist is

Todd — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:49:08 -0700

The Bill Reid Gallery opening is wonderful...

I love Bill Reid art. I could stare at the Raven and the First Men, at the Museum of Anthropology for hours. And the Killer Whale in front of the Aquarium... that is Bill Reid too.

In 1990, I visisted Haida Gwaii, ancestral home of the Haida nation. On my hand I wear a gold eagle wrap ring, carved by Garner Moody, who apprenticed with Bill Reid in Haida Gwaii.

On Saturday May 10th, I attended the packed opening at the Bill Reid Gallery on Hornby Street. I missed the opening ceremonies at 10am, but we saw the 2pm ceremonial dance by dancers and drummers from Haida Gwaii, presided by artist Jim Hart, who is also known by his hereditary name of Chief Edenshaw. Charles Edenshaw was the great Haida carver of silver, gold and argillite, and it was his work that first inspired Reid to carve.

View a Bill Reid photo gallery

see the Vancouver Sun article:

Coast Salish chiefs celebrate Bill Reid gallery opening

VANCOUVER - When Bill Reid art was chosen to adorn the $20 bill, it was a sign that the Haida artist had become a Canadian icon. Now the organizers of the new Bill Reid gallery in downtown Vancouver are hoping it will capitalize on the growing interest in art of the Northwest Coast and catapult Reid to an international art superstar.

Artist Jim Hart prepares the raven to be placed atop the "tribute to Bill Reid" totem pole before the opening of the Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver.

Stuart Davis/Vancouver Sun

"I think we could say already that he as the status of a national icon," said George MacDonald, an anthropologist and expert on Haida art who was instrumental in bringing about the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.

"What we hope to do with this gallery is to make him an international icon. In doing that, we're promoting Northwest Coast culture and art as much as we're promoting Bill Reid as a practitioner of that style."

www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=b851e277-e4ae-4958-8e5d-8cabfd10f0b8&k=50227

Wallace Chung collection at UBC: A national treasure about immigration to BC

Todd — Fri, 09 May 2008 23:58:13 -0700

The Empress of Asian brought many Chinese to BC. Wallace Chung painstakingly rebuilt a model of it.

The Vancouver Sun featured a April 16th story about the Chung Collection $5 million, 25,000 items and UBC = a collection with special meaning by Kevin Griffin.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=40d15d80-bc3f-4d79-b040-285019e20c9c

This is significant because Dr. Wallace Chung has always held a life-long interest in the history of Chinese Canadians. He accumulated and donated his 25,000 item collection donation to the University of British Columbia. The feature piece is a beautiful large scale model ship, the Empress of Asia, which Dr. Chung spent many years reconstructing.

I have known Dr. Wallace Chung and his wife Dr. Madeline Chung for many many years. They have been friends of my parents. Dr. Madeline delivered me as a baby almost 48 years ago, this Sunday, May 11th. At the opening day of the 1986 Saltwater City display, she excitedly told people that I was One of my boys! Dr. Wallace was Chair of the Chinese Cultural Centre at the time.

A few years ago, I created programming for Asian Heritage Month at the Vancouver Public Library, and introduced Dr. Wallace as he gave a slide show on the history of Vancouver Chinatown.

They have both been great philanthropists to the City of Vancouver, giving generously not only to the U.B.C,, but also to the Maritime Museum and the Chinese Cultural Centre.

	NEXT »

Here’s an excerpt from Vancouver Sun April 16:

The collection includes documents, rare books, maps, posters, paintings, photographs, silver, glass, ceramic ware and other artifacts relating to the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Asian experience in North America, and B.C. history.

Wallace Chung said he hopes the collection helps educate young people about the country’s history.

“I hope it shows people what hardships Chinese people went through before they reached the stage they’re at today,” said Chung, a vascular surgeon and professor emeritus at UBC’s faculty of medicine.

“It really tells us what it means to be a Canadian. Even though we were badly treated initially, we now have landed in a very fortunate position. That story is told in all the artifacts and documents.”

As a child, Chung was obsessed with the Empress of Asia for two reasons: it was the ship that brought his mother to Canada from China, and a poster of the luxury ocean liner hung in his father’s tailor shop in Victoria.

[…]

Here’s a link to a sampling of photos from the collection, including one of Mr and Mrs Chung, and the Empress of Asia.

Asian Comedy Night returns - May 9 & 10 at the Roundhouse

Todd — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:09:45 -0700


9th Annual Asian Comedy Night: 
 
Etch-YOUR-Sketch 2! 
MAY 9 - Friday - 8pm
  
SKETCHOFF!#$%!! People's Choys Award
MAY 10 - Saturday - 8pm



Roundhouse Community Theatre
181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
www.roundhouse.ca

Asian Comedy Night is always funny.  Lots of stereotype bashing, lots of Asian-type jokes you 
can relate to, or grew up with.  

Host Tom Chin has also performed at the 2005 Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner event.

From the explorASIAN website:

Come CHEER the Etch-Your-Sketchers 2 on!
Wild, ZANY, Gut-aching, peeing in pants - FUNNY! Ask anyone from the 2007 competition.
Celebrity Judges award the coveted Vancouver Rice Bowl to one team only - Winner takes all!
The second night, teams are judged by the audience - measured by YOUR applause.
The highest decibel readings take 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.
We have 9 teams entered this year to battle it out for the coveted Vancouver Rice Bowl
and PEOPLE's CHOYS Award. 3 brand new teams with 6 returning teams promise an evening
of hilarity, camaraderie and just plain ol' fun and laughter!

Celebrity judges include: Ms. Lainey Lui, eTalk Entertainment Reporter and founder
of laineygossip.com; Ms. Lauren Toyota, Host and Segment Producer with MuchMusic's Going Coastal;
and Edmond Wong, local actor “The Professor” on CBC’s Dragon Boys.
This is an event - you don't want to miss!

Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at door - plus service charges.
Tickets at the Roundhouse Community Centre or by phone at 604.713.1800 or online at www.vact.ca
Group rates, please call 778.885.1973

Gung Haggis dragon boat team performing well in race pieces

Todd — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:31:47 -0700

Paddling on False Creek in the sunshine... with friends... on a dragon boat team. Very Vancouver!

I love the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragonboat team. I have managed and coached it since 2002, when the team morphed from the former Celebration team, which I had created in 1997.

This past Sunday, we did some full 500m race pieces. You could feel the power in the boat. Some of the rookies still need to develop their timing and many paddlers still need to develop their cardio. But the potential is there and we are very happy with our development this year.

Our core paddlers are so enthusiastic they wanted to start paddling in February. I told them they were crazy and should go skiing instead... but happily relented and joined them, when a Global television crew wanted to film us for their "Best of BC" news series representing cultural diversity.

The Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team is about opportunities.
It's about community building. It's about making cultural statements. It's about having fun and making friends.
And it's about dragon boat racing....

This year I wanted to create two dragon boat teams. We now have about 35 active paddlers, coming to practices on Sunday afternoon at 1:30pm and Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 6pm. Our system is flexible. Come at least once a week, twice is recommended. Pick a day, paddle, bring a friend and have some fun. Each practice is different with different combinations of paddlers. Everybody is getting to know each other, and we are encouraging more responsibilities and team leaders.

Last year we raced 7 dragon boat races + 2 canoe regattas. We will do similar this year, starting on May 17th at the Lotus Sports Club Bill Alley dragonboat regatta.

This year is special.
Two weeks ago we had two time Olympic kayak racer Kamini Jain come out and give us a paddle clinic. It really helped the team both improve their paddling, and as a bonding experience. They got to watch each other on the video, cheer for each other, and encourage each other... which is what we do on the boat all the time. Amazingly, Kamini really complimented many of our rookie paddlers. She was amazed that some of them had only been on a boat for 6 or 7 times.

This year's Gung Haggis team is going to be incredible.
Adding the CC Dragons paddlers gives us so much more experience in the boat.
I have been drumming during our race pieces "as coach" waiting for our "star drummer" to come out.

Imagine conducting a symphony... where everybody knows what to do, when to do it. All you have to do is wave your arms, and signal the transitions.

You don't do any counting... the team does it.... mentally... or only for key words.

You stand at the front, watch them, guide them, encourage them, coach them. giving out cue words.... like a race jockey on a thoroughbred horse.

Ashcroft Cache Creek Journal: Mayor of Lytton meets "Toddish McWong" at BC Community Achievement Awards

Todd — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:57:36 -0700

The Mayor of Lytton likes Gung Haggis Fat Choy!

Here's a picture of Peggy Chute of Lytton BC, with Lt. Gov. Stephen Point, and Premier Gordon Campbell, presenting me with the BC Community Achievement Award.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinners official and unofficial have taken place in Whistler BC, Ottawa ON, Seattle WA, Santa Barbara California and even tiny Wells BC. Maybe next year there will be a Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner in Lytton BC at the home of Lytton mayor Chris O'Connor.

It was wonderful to meet so many community minded people at the 2008 BC Community Achievement Awards. I met past Vancouver city councilors and award recipients May Brown and George Puil. The Mayor of Kamloops congratulated me.

The Lt. Gov. of BC, Hon. Stephen Point, said he really liked the idea of Gung Haggis Fat Choy and mixing up the cultures.

"You must know my cousin Rhonda Larrabee, Chief of the Qayqayt First Nations," I said.

"Oh yes," he replied as we spoke a bit about the cross-overs and similarities of Chinese and First Nations cultures.

He and his friend laughed when I told them that my friend Dr. Henry Wu's students produced a video called "Why Indians like Chinese food."

I must remember to invite the Lt. Gov. to the 2009 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year's Eve event.

It's aways nice to find a positive news story about oneself. My Google News Alert for: "todd wong"
found Our towns have broad shoulders from the Ashcroft Cache Creek Journal - Ashcroft, BC, Canada. Lytton mayor Chris O'Connor wrote a nice story about Peggy Chute of Lytton and Ben Roy of Cache Creek who also received BC Community Achievement Awards with me on April 23rd, at Government House in Victoria.

Mr. O'Connor, Mayor of Lytton, wrote:

I was very fortunate to be in attendance at Government House in Victoria for the presentation of the BC Community Achievement awards to Peggy Chute of Lytton and Ben Roy of Cache Creek.

Accompanied by Chief Byron Spinks of the Lytton First Nation, Mayor John Ranta of Cache Creek and hundreds of other proud British Columbians, we witnessed the very definition of what it means to be a citizen in our great Province.

The recipients came from communities large and small and Lieutenant Governor Steven Point and Premier Gordon Campbell offered the thanks of all of us to a dedicated group of BCer’s who have made large contributions to the lives of their communities. It was humbling, since all of the recipients represented the silent, hardworking volunteers who make our communities work.

Communities are made up of individuals - and these are the individuals upon whose shoulders we stand as your elected representatives. Without them there would be no community clubs, fire departments, hospices, festivals and every manner of activity which contributes to the vitality of our towns. These are the people who have successfully converted the “I” to “We” and in an ironic twist have elevated the “I” in all of us to be the very best we can be.

While this text may be full of clichés, the actions of these people is certainly not. Each of them has demonstrated the imagination, commitment and sheer willpower - their work is pure creativity of ideas and actions.

For the following, I have borrowed from the text accompanying the awards but I encourage you as the reader to go to the BC Community Achievement Award website to see the full contribution made by the 2008 recipients: www.bcachievement.com/community/2008/

Peggy Chute is described as a catalyst with a vision who makes things happen while transferring her skills and knowledge to a younger generation. Peggy’s accomplishments have permeated all aspects of life and activity in Lytton for the past 50 years. Whether it’s her commitment to education, health care, civic duty or neighborly kindness, Peggy’s nonjudgmental personal charity is the foundation for her larger community involvement. Peggy Chute, fondly known as “Mrs. Mayor”, is loved and revered in Lytton as its resident ambassador.

For the past 40 years, Ben Roy has quietly and effectively created positive change within the Cache Creek and Thompson Nicola Regional District. He has served as mayor, volunteer fire chief, chamber of commerce member and was instrumental in establishing a local radio station. While Mayor, Ben championed the landfill project as a way to provide jobs for Cache Creek. Ben Roy has also played a pivotal role in the revitalization of the Gold Country Communities Foundation, an organization founded to serve the economic needs of a number of adjoining rural communities.

"I think my favourite award winner was Todd Wong from North Vancouver who, amongst his many accomplishments, “created the annual celebration known as Gung Haggis Fat Choy which honours Chinese New Year and Robbie Burns Day”. It’s not everyday you see a person of Chinese descent accept an award in a full Scottish Regalia-including a kilt. John Ranta didn’t believe me that the street name for the festival is the “Hung Lo” festival. Well, I’ve never lied to him before."

Read my story of the BC Community Achievement Awards.
I am one of 45 recipients of the BC Community Achievement Award for 2008
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/4/24/3657210.html

MAY is Asian Heritage month: Canadian Immigrant magazine interviews Todd Wong

Todd — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:40:13 -0700

It's May... time for Asian Heritage Month again.

Last year I met Dadawa, the featured performer for the explorASIAN festival. My friend Andrew Kim performed in Dadawa's band, at the Chan Centre. photo Todd Wong collection.

This is when I scan the explorASIAN website, check my calendar for the annual Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre Sketch-Off event May 9 & 10.

Asia/Pacific Heritage Week was first proclaimed in May by U.S.President Carter in 1978, becoming Asian Heritage Month in 1992. The following year in 1993, Toronto started the first Asian Heritage Month celebrations in Canada. It took until 2001 before it was proclaimed as Asian Heritage Month in Canada, led by Senator Vivienne Poy.

I have spent many past Mays helping to organize events for Asian Heritage Month or attending events. It was back in 2002, that I helped set up Wayson Choy as the keynote speaker for the exploraAsian Awards Gala when I was on the inaugural One Book One Vancouver committee. I had also helped organize and plan the opening ceremonies held at Robson Square.

That was also the year that we created the Gung Haggis explorASIAN dragon boat team to help promote Asian Heritage Month. Six years later and the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team is taking up lots of my time as I am coaching 3 times a week. Used to be I coached 3 different teams, once each week, instead of 1 team 3X week. But we are making big performance improvements as we embrace our Asian heritage with Chinese, Japanese, Philipino and Hapa-Asian descendants.

This month's issue of Canadian Immigrant features a short interview with me about my views on Asian Heritage Month.

May 2008 is Asian Heritage Month

Join in celebrating Asian culture and heritage in Canada

By Noa Glouberman

Every May, communities across the country have observed Asian Heritage Month, acknowledging the long and rich history of Asian Canadians in Canada. This year in Vancouver, the annual event — titled explorASIAN — is marking its 12th anniversary, and invites Canadians of all backgrounds to join in the celebration.

Todd Wong, a past explorASIAN volunteer and former program co-ordinator, says the event isn’t simply about having Asian roots. “It’s about understanding the history of Asians in Canada, just as other ethnic groups, like the Scottish or French populations, may celebrate their heritage as part of overall Canadian culture,” he explains.

Wong, who’s involved in a variety of cultural organizations and events, and runs a website devoted to his “Asian Canadian adventures in inter-cultural Vancouver” (gunghaggisfatchoy.com), says the many Asian-infused programs, performances and events available to the public in May can help all Canadians gain a better appreciation for their own backgrounds.

“When you can look at and examine someone else’s culture and heritage, it gives you more insight into your own roots as well,” he says.

Asian Heritage Month is celebrated in cities across Canada, including Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary and Edmonton. In Vancouver and other Lower Mainland communities, explorASIAN offers an exciting schedule of events in May and June. Visit explorasian.org for full details.

explorAsian highlights

explorASIAN 2008 Opening Event

Infinite Echoes from Japan: New Directions in Traditional Japanese Music

May 1, 7:30 p.m., Frederic Wood Theatre, UBC
explorasian.org/festival2008_short.html

Asian Cinema Takes a Bow on Knowledge Network
The Slanted Screen, Lai Man Wai: The Father of Chinese Cinema, Cinema Asia
May 2, 9, 16, 10 p.m., on the Knowledge Network
knowledgenetwork.ca

SMC/explorASIAN First Annual Filmmakers Showcase
Canadian filmmakers celebrated during Asian Heritage Month
May 11, 18, 25, 9 p.m., on Shaw Multicultural Channel

vancouver.shawtv.com/smc/smc_filmmakers.htm

Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Spectacular Korea, Halmang, Myth of Jeju Island
May 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, various show times/locations
childrensfestival.ca

Tailor Made: Chinatown’s Last Tailors

(this film is special because it is about my friend Steven Wong's father)
A film about two aging brothers who can no longer run their father’s shop
May 13, 14, 16, 28, various screening times/locations
explorasian.org/festival2008_short.html

explorASIAN 2008 Closing Event
Dharmakasa Concert
May 31, 8 p.m., Joyce Walley Learning Centre, Vancouver Museum
explorasian.org/festival2008_short.html

For a listing of events in other parts of the country, visit Canadian Heritage’s official site at canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/multi/asian-asiatique/index_e.cfm.

Love your neighborhood: take in a Jane's Walk

Todd — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:04:22 -0700

Jane's Walks are happening all across Canada.

Jane's Walk. It's a wonderful concept about making cities more livable. Get out of the car, off the bus, and walk the walk. Learn to discover hidden and unknown secrets about the city and neighborhoods we live in.

I spent Saturday in the Riley Park neighborhood where a total of four Jane's Walks were being organized by Think City.

Ned Jacobs, Jane's son, has lived in Vancouver for many many years, and loves the Riley Park Neighborhood. At 12 noon, he met a group of walkers at the Little Mountain Neighborhood House on Main @ 24th Ave, to take them on a personal walk through the neighborhood he loves.

I couldn't go, because I was working at the Riley Park Branch Library. But on my lunch hour, I walked up the street and had lunch at Tonina's Deli. It's a wonderful little Italian deli that serves great pasta lunch specials.

Across the street is Windsor Meats, where I check out the weekly specials. The Grind Coffee is where I often grab a cup of joe, or over at the Saltspring Coffee Co. Last week I had lunch at Splitz, a new hamburger joint that was famous in Whistler, before the owners sold out, and decided to move to Main St. Further down the street is the Cafe Monmarte that hosts live music in the evenings. Main St. is well known for an abundance of antique stores, but there are also some really funky clothing stores, like the Barefoot Contessa, Legends and many more.

And then around 32nd Ave. and Manitoba St. is the Nat Bailey Stadium where my father used to paint all the building signs, and the ads on the outfield walls. We got to see lots of baseball games free, but I probably spent more time painting walls in the stadium then actually watching ball games.

Maybe next year, I can organize a Jane's Walk for Vancouver Chinatown, where my parent's grew up, and my great-grandparents had a house and once had a jewelry store on Main St. Strathcona is also very interesting, because my great-great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan used to minister at the Chinese United Church at Pender and Dunlevy Streets. I always take friends and relatives down to the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Gardens designed by my architect cousin Joe Wai, who also designed the Chinatown Millenium Gate, Chinese Cultural Centre Museum and Archives, the Chinatown Parkade and just last week received a special jury award from the Architects Institute of BC for his restoration of the Chinese Freemasons building.

Similar to a Jane Jacobs-assisted protest against the proposed Spadina Expressway in Toronto, there was a neighborhood protest that rose up to stop a proposed freeway through Strathcona and Chinatown. Mary Lee Chan was one of the leaders of this protest, assisted by her university daughter Shirley Chan who also became a champion for community activism. A young lawyer named Mike Harcourt also offered his services.
http://www.thinkcity.ca/current/janeswalk

Ned Jacob's Big Questions for Little Mountain (Riley Park) Tour Code: F-NJ2

Nat Bailey Stadium (Riley Park) Tour Code: A-NBS

Ingrid Steenhuisen's Little Mountain Housing (Riley Park) Tour Code: A-LMH

Good Asian Drivers Tour comes to Vancouver and Richmond

Todd — Sun, 04 May 2008 12:47:29 -0700

There are good Asian drivers and bad Asian drivers.... just like good and bad non-Asian drivers.

Vancouver is known for its large Asian population, and Richmond even has more Asians, and lots of "Rice Rocket" drag racing.

But what happens when you mix social commentary with busting stereotypes of Asian drivers?

Melissa Li and Kit Yan's "The Good Asian Drivers Tour" is one of the featured performances for the 2008 explorASIAN festival, celebrating Asian Heritage Month in Metro Vancouver.

The following is from the explorASIAN website:

CANADIAN PREMIERE

"If you’re gay, bisexual, transgendered, Asian, queer, an artist, a poet, a performer, or if you’re just a supporting ally, then come out and enjoy our show!" - Melissa & Kit

Melissa Li is a singer-songwriter who has been performing in the Boston area in the United States for over 8 years. She and her tour partner, nationally recognized transgendered slam poet Kit Yan, are going on a cross-country road tour this spring and summer, lovingly dubbed "The Good Asian Drivers Tour".

Together, this radical duo will traverse the United States and cut across four different time zones, at least 30 states and over 20 major cities, including two cities in Canada.

They deliver honest and personal stories through their music and poetry about being queer Asian-Americans, while proving to the nation that they are indeed good, if not excellent, drivers. They’re so cute you might just want to adopt them.

The social impact will be tremendous, especially in areas of the United States where the voices of these under-represented groups are not often heard. In addition, the tour strives to inspire youth and provoke dialogue on gay rights, transgendered issues, feminism, and the marginalization of minorities.

Richmond and Vancouver are the only two Canadian stops on their North American tour. Don't miss this show!

Q&A after the show.

http://www.goodasiandrivers.com/

Vancouver Courier: Burning Passion story features Winter Solstice creator Naomi Singer

Todd — Sun, 04 May 2008 12:35:57 -0700

Naomi Singer is either one of Vancouver's most community minded creative artists... or one of Vancouver's most creative community artists...

I had the pleasure of meeting her last week at Government House in Victoria, as we were both awarded the BC Community Achievement Awards.

Naomi Singer wore one of her "trademark hat" when she accepted her BC Community Achievement Award from Premier Gordon Campbell and Lt. Gov. Stephen Point.

Naomi Singer was honoured because:

"For more than two decades, Naomi Singer has contributed her knowledge, skills and enthusiasm towards the enrichment and cultivation of community-based celebrations and public events. The most significant of these is the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival which is now in its fourteenth year and which attracts 12,000 community participants in five different Vancouver neighbourhoods. The creative talents of hundreds of multi cultural performers, artists and musicians, are all coordinated by Naomi. Her gifts and abilities reach people from all walks of life in spaces between buildings, streets and in other urban environments."

Check out the Secret Lantern Society website http://www.secretlantern.org/

Check out my past stories about attending Winter Solstice events http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog?cmd=search&keywords=winter+solstice

Check out this Vancouver Courier story that features her:

Burning passion

http://www.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=12110595-224b-42ac-83be-21ba9b2494a0&k=18144

Inspired by their experience at the annual Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert, hundreds of Vancouverites have brought its vision to the Lower Mainland

Michael Mccarthy, Vancouver Courier

Published: Friday, May 02, 2008

Fourteen years ago, Vancouver artist Naomi Singer travelled to Black Rock Playa in Nevada to attend one of the first Burning Man public art festivals. She saw thousands of people gathered in the heat of the desert sun to build a wild and diverse community, create art, perform, and celebrate, all culminating in the burning of a giant wooden structure, shaped like a standing human, which gives the festival its name. Singer was transformed. She met Burning Man founder and organizer Larry Harvey, watched what was going on at the festival, and decided "to bring something like that home to Vancouver."

She went on to create some of the key public art events now held in the city. This month, Singer received recognition for her work from the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, established by the provincial government to celebrate excellence in the arts, humanities and community service.

As artistic director of the Secret Lantern Society, which organizes the annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival, Singer personifies what she prefers to call "community engaged art," wherein members of the public get involved to make crazy stuff that brings out the best in participants.

Singer, notable for the giant purple Alice in Wonderland-like hat she wears, credits Burning Man for advancing her artistic vision. She's just one of many Vancouver artists who say the same thing.

Korea report from Barb Waldern: May Day and Korean Western weddings

Todd — Fri, 02 May 2008 22:36:37 -0700

My friend Barbara Waldern is in Korea, teaching English. Each month she sends a letter back to friends - which I publish on www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com

Dear friends,

May Day greetings. May 1st is a bigger event here than in Canada. Fireworks were displayed at the city stadium. Public and other workers had actions.

May 1st is close to a national holiday called Children's Day when children receive gifts and get a week of sports and other activities instead of classes in public school. That's May 5th, otherwise known as Cinco de Mayo.

Well, another month has passed, the 10th. I feel more at home and I'm getting to be as busy as I usually was in Canada.

May 1 ushered in summery weather. Yesterday, the air temperature was 24 to 30 degrees Celsius in different regions. Nah, nah.

I feel more integrated, especially because I have regular friends and activities and can communicate better. March-April is a period when many foreign teachers come and go because March is the start of the school year and, therefore, some foreign teachers I was hanging out with have left. But others remain. I can manage primitive conversations in Hangul (Korean)--with plenty of one to three-word utterances. But then, you can drop the subject most of the time, there are no prepositions, and there are very few pronouns. I'm creating a binder full of short dialogues. I really need to work on vocabulary. So I've been making flashcards using cut-out pictures from flyers. I've just labelled many household items.

I went to a Korean wedding. They called it a Western wedding, but not. Sure they wore Western apparel, mostly, except for the gloves, which few weddings in our part of the world boast. The parents participate in the ceremony, for one thing. The mothers walk up the aisle and light candles then sit facing each other before the bride and groom make an entrance. There is no best man or bride's maid. The official is a layman, in this case a school teacher. Clergyman or state officials do not have to be present. The bride and groom hold hands but they don't kiss. Actually, it's hard to determine when exactly marriage occurs during the ceremony, even if you know Korean. The official just talks about each person of the pair, expresses honour for the parents, discusses the sanctity of marriage and family, wishes the couple well and announces them married. Then there is a song. But no festivity. There is a meal but no music and dancing. Lots of photography, and all members of both families pose together for pictures before the couple poses with friends. After the photo session, the couple meet in private with the parents wearing traditional costumes. At that point, expressions of honour are made and sometimes the parents present money to the couple. So, I think this kind of wedding is very different from a "Western" wedding.

April does bring in festivities, all the same. The cherry blossom festivals initiate a series of festivals that continue until November. There are different festivals going on around the country this weekend, for example (bamboo, paper, film...). I never made it to the Cherry Blossom Festival here, which is famous nationally. The main display of trees is at a naval academy, the Kor-US base being in the town where the festival occurs, and I haven't been keen on going to the military base. But I toured other places full of cherry trees.

April brings showers. On April 9, a majority conservative government was elected, backing up a very right wing, pro US president. The government is madly wrecking relations with North Korea and deregulating and privatizing everything it can. After being elected on a platform of rectifying the economy, particular in view of climbing unemployment and temporary work, the government just announced it will sack 10,000 public workers.

However, the Free Trade Agreement with the US is not confirmed by the US Congress and may not be. There are issues about trade in beef, tariffs and other things. The negotiations for a Canada-Korea FTA are very shaky and it will take a lot of luck to keep them going forward.

So we'll see how teaching in Korea will develop. The gov. also wants to overhaul English language education nationally. But it's the Korean teachers of English who might lose job security. They're already getting worried, and so are the private institutes. My institute took some measures to increase the practice of English and it only strengthens my employment, as long as the kids continue to like me. A Korean co-worker, however, is taking time off to go away and get more English language "immersion" (in the Philippines). Some Korean teachers I know are trying to get more certification and seeking more time with foreigners for practice of English.

I have a lunch date so I will sign off for now. I'm very hungry.

Take care all,

Barbara

Korea report from Barb Waldern: March 30 and Forsythia

Todd — Fri, 02 May 2008 22:25:40 -0700

Just after I wrote you last, spring growth began. Fruit tree blossoms, magnolia trees (no doubt imported by Portuguese centuries ago, like a lot of things here), camellia bushes, and forsythia are out. Also, the national what's-its-name pink flower on the mountain bushes are out in full force. Rain, business and my cold kept me from collecting the photos of flowers I had wanted to get for this message. Instead, here is tribute to the forsythia below. The picture won't copy.

Korea report from Barb Waldern: March 15 - of national holiday for a martyr and folk festivals

Todd — Fri, 02 May 2008 22:20:00 -0700

I have been busier with the return to the regular class schedule and some new activities. For one thing, I am shedding winter fat by regular daily visits to a gym near my neighbourhood. For another, I am continuing the Korean studies. I think I might actually have accomplished what could pass for a real conversation in Korean the other day. My tutors say I'm progressing a lot, but it still seems so awkward and inadequate. February 21st was a day of solstice events. Each "dong" (city sector) held a little festival with a huge bonfire to burn winter debris and accompanying music and feasts. March 1st is a national holiday. It fell on a Saturday this year. The day is set aside to commemorate a martyr who led the resistance against the Japanese occupiers. Yu Kwan Seun was a young female university student who roused her compatriots into action and was imprisoned and tortured to death for it. A memorial monument was constructed in Pagoda Park in Jongno-dong in Seoul. Every year, there is a marathon race in Seoul on March 1st.

Todd Wong supports Raymond Louie's campaign to be Vancouver Mayor

Todd — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:13:00 -0700

Vancouver city councilor Raymond Louie asked me to support his bid to be Vancouver Mayor. Raymond would be a great mayor... I immediately said "Absolutely!"

Raymond stands in front of Historic Joy Kogawa House on April 25th, 2008. This was his first visit to the house, after supporting motions on city council to help save the house from demolition, and plant a cherry tree graft at Vancouver City Hall in 2005. Raymond holds some of Joy Kogawa's books to share with his wife and children - photo Todd Wong

Raymond Louie could be Vancouver's first Chinese-Canadian mayor. He is a multi-generational Vancouverite from the East Side. He is a second term Vancouver city councilor.

Raymond Louie has been getting some very significant endorsers including:

George Chow, Vision Vancouver Councillor
Joy MacPhail, former Deputy Premier and Leader of the Opposition
Doug McArthur, former Deputy Minister to the Premier
Wayson Choy, author of “The Jade Peony”
Richard Tetrault, artist
Darlene Marzari, former Vancouver City Councillor and B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs
Eddie Chan, Chairman Zhongshan Allied Association
David Black, Canadian Office and Professional Employees Local 378 Vice-President
Margaret Birrell, Community Activist
and now..... me!

My statement of endorsement is now featured on Raymond Louie's website:

"Raymond Louie actually lives the culturally diverse Gung Haggis Fat Choy lifestyle that is my creative world. His own family straddles many cultures and many generations, and he actively demonstrates that he understands the many facets that can make our city shine like a diamond. I have seen how Raymond makes things happen as a city councilor, bringing together different groups and perspectives such as arts, economics, heritage and cultures. As a mayor that empowers others to be their best, Raymond will be dynamic and our jewel of a city should shine even brighter."
Todd Wong, arts advocate and creator of Gung Haggis Fat Choy

To support Raymond as the Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate, you have to
1) Join Vision as a member - click here!
2) Vote at the Vision Vancouver meeting on June 15th, Croatian Community Centre.

Raymond has recently made some wonderful statements on:

Affordable Housing,
Community Safety,
Sustainable Transportation.

He has also currently "advocating for the creation of a non-profit foundation that will establish a long-term funding source for the chronically underfunded Childcare Endowment Reserve."

I have personally known Raymond since the fall of 2002, when he ran for city council. Initially, I met his wife Tonya first, because she was on the board of Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, where I had volunteered for, and then was hired as a program coordinator. I finally met Raymond at the Chinese Cultural Centre when Mike Harcourt endorsed COPE mayoral candidate Larry Campbell.

After that our paths just seemed to keep crossing, as Raymond was invited to present the Queen's Jubilee Medals to VAHMS board members Jim Wong-Chu and Kuldip Gill. As well, Raymond attended the opening of the "Three Pioneer Canadian Chinese Families" at the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum and Archives. My great-great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan's family was featured, and I was one of the featured stories as a descendant. Raymond attended because he was distantly related to H.Y. Louie, whose family was also featured along with the family of Lee-Bick.

I have seen Raymond at many events throughout Vancouver over the past 6 years. He is an effective city councilor and is active in the community.

To see him in action at City Council check out this video:

YouTube - EgoDensity Round 1
Raymond Louie criticizes Mayor Sam Sullivan's Eco-Density program

Here are some of the highlights when Raymond and I have shared together:

Raymond climbed on top of the Taiwanese Dragon Boat head... and reaches out to simulate grabbing a flag before crossing the finish line. I taught him how to climb onto the dragon head - neglecting to tell him it had never been done in Canada before. Raymond lost the demonstration race to Olympic medalist Lori Fung. - photo courtesy of Taiwanese Cultural Festival.

August to September 2003, Raymond Louie was instrumental in helping to launch the inaugural Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race. Raymond helped stickhandle through bureaucratic channels during a Vancouver Port strike, and participated as the flag grabber vs '84 Olympic gold medalist Lori Fung in a demonstration race.

November 3rd, 2005, Raymond supported the Save Kogawa House campaign at Vancouver City Hall, when we appealed to City Council for help. City council used an unprecedented motion to delay a demolition permit application by 3 months, to give us time to fundraise and purchase the house. Raymond also said that this project was so important he asked all the city councilors to make a donation that day.

January 2006, Raymond brings his family with wife and 3 kids to Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner. The featured performers are Rick Scott & Harry Wong, and the No Shit Shirleys.

July 2007, Raymond Louie calls for mediation to end the Vancouver civic workers' strike. Mayor Sam Sullivan and the NPA decline mediation and let the "unnecessary strike" drag on for 3 months, before a mediator is finally called in on Thanksgiving weekend to settle a contract very similar to what other municipalities already settled for 3 months earlier. Following a July 29th rally at Vancouver City Hall, Raymond Louie comes out to talk with members of Vancouver's civic unions. I introduce him to my fellow workers of CUPE 391, Vancouver Library Workers - photo Todd Wong.

January 25th, 2008. Raymond Louie appears on Rock 101's Bro Jake show with "Toddish McWong" to help promote the Gung Haggis Fat Choy event.

January 27th, 2008. Raymond Louie wears a kilt to Gung Haggis Fat Choy. photo Gung Haggis collection. A highlight of the evening is Raymond on stage with a group of men wearing kilts as a "Toast to the Lassies" chorus with co-host Catherine Barr - photo VFK.

March 13th, 2008, Vancouver Sun reports Raymond Louie's declaration to run for Vancouver mayor. Raymond invites me to be one of his supporters in this photo taken at the Chinese Cultural Centre courtyard. I am standing on the far left with many key supporters of the Chinatown business and community organizers. Dr. Kerry Jang is 5th from right - Kerry will run as a candidate for councilor with Vision Vancouver. photo Bill Keay Vancouver Sun.

April 6th, 2008. Tartan Day is officially proclaimed in Vancouver. Raymond seconded the motion in City Council, moved by Heather Deal, which passed on April 1st. As deputy mayor, Raymond reads the proclamation prior to a Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team practice. In this photo l-r: Chinese-Scottish-Canadian Michael Brophy holds the Scottish flag, Todd Wong, Raymond Louie holds proclamation, bagpiper Joe McDonald- photo Todd Wong/Georgia Thorburn

Raymond Louie speaks at the CUPE 391 Vancouver Library Workers annual general meeting. He encouraged everybody to get involved in their union in order to help make positive changes. He was very nicely received by the CUPE 391 audience. In this picture, Raymond stands in front of another Vision mayoral candidate Gregor Robertson MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, while CUPE 391 president Alexandra Youngberg moderates - photo Todd Wong

What's happen' with Stanley Park's Hollow Tree?

Todd — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:42:48 -0700

Stanley Park's "Hollow Tree" is a world famous icon. For as long as Vancouverites have had cameras they have been taking pictures of the Hollow Tree.

Here's a picture of my great-grandparents Ernest Lee and Kate (Chan) Lee circa 1907. Accompanying them in the photo is Kate's mother Mrs. Chan Yu Tan and Kate's youngest sister Millicent. Kate's father Rev. Chan Yu Tan was well known in the community and ministered for the Chinese United Church in Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo and New Westminster, where he and his wife retired.

One hundred years later, the Hollow Tree had become a Hollow stump, and damaged in the violent wind-storms of December 15, 2006. Because of further damage and leaning, and safety concerns, the Vancouver Parks Board voted to cut down the tree. But as of May 1st, the tree is still standing.

Here's the latest on Stanley Park's world famous Hollow Tree

On April 18th, students from Lord Roberts Elementary School visited the tree and sang a special song to the tune of O Canada, led by French teacher Duane Lawrence, author of Sammy Squirrel and Rodney Raccoon, a children's book set in Stanley Park:

"Oh Stanley Park, Our home and favourite land,

Big Douglas firs, Where owls hoot, oh so grand,

With cedar trees and surrounding seas, You can walk there all you like.

There's a little lake, Where the beavers make, The best dams in the world.

Oh, Stanley Park, The animals live free,

Oh, Stanley Park was made for you and me,

Oh, Stanley Park was made for you - and - me."

On April 18th, the Georgia Straight wrote a blog story: The Hollow Tree and the 2010 Olympics highlighting how the Hollow Tree plays a prominent role in the Origin story of the 2010 Olympic Mascots. The artwork and mascots were designed by Vancouver's Vicki Wong and her creative partner Michael Murphy of Meomi Designs. I first met Vicki at a fall 2006 event for new Children's books, where she introduced her book The Octonauts and the Only Lonely Sea Monster. I bought it immediately.

See the video: Meet the Vancouver 2010 Mascots
http://www.vancouver2010.com/mascot/en/meet.php

Concerned citizens discuss the Hollow Tree's future yesterday.

As of May 1st, the Hollow Tree still 'standing'. The Vancouver Province wrote a story about "Supporters hoping to save Stanley Park's famous Hollow Tree from the chainsaw claimed victory yesterday after Vancouver parks staff agreed to continue meeting to discuss its fate."

Rita Wong and Gary Geddes big winners at BC Book Prizes Gala

Todd — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:41:00 -0700

Rita Wong and Gary Geddes big winners at BC Book Prizes Gala

April 26, 2008, Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver

Children's author finalist Meg Tilly and Poetry Prize winner Rita Wong shared a story about reading one of Rita's poems together during the BC Book Prize tour in the Kootenays - photo Todd Wong

The winners of seven BC Book Prizes, as well as the recipient of the fifth annual Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence, were feted before an audience of authors, publishers, media and friends.

Todd Wong and Leanne Riding, co-presidents of Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop attended the ceremonies. ACWW secretary Ann-Marie Metten is also on the board of the BC Book Prizes.

Todd Wong with Gary Geddes, winner of the Lt. Gov. Lifetime Achievement Award. Only just a few days earlier at Government House in Victoria, Gary and Todd had celebrated Todd becoming a recipient of the BC Community Achievement Award. - photo Leanne Riding

ACWW/Ricepaper gang Marisa Alps, Megan Lau, Rita Wong, Walter Lew, Todd Wong, Leanne Riding.

Todd and Leanne celebrated with friends and winners, Gary Geddes, recipient of the 5th annual Lt. Gov. Lifetime Achievement Award.

Meg Tilly, finalist for children's literature
George McWhirter, finalist for poetry
Shaena Lambert, finalist for fiction
Patricial Roy, finalist for non-fiction

Brian Lam, publisher of Arsenal Pulp Press
Howard White, publisher of Harbour Publishing
Marisa Alps, editor Harbour Publishing

For a full list of winners see: http://www.bcbookprizes.ca/winners

Todd Wong - where's your kilt? Todd poses with kilt wearers Bill Horne, a book layout specialist from Wells BC, and Pipe Major John Mager.

"Where's your kilt" asked the Lt.Gov. Stephen Point to me at the BC Book Awards. Sometimes people just don't recognize me if I am not wearing a kilt. Funnily, It had taken Lt. Gov. Stephen Point a moment to recognize me after presenting me with the certificate for the BC Community Achievement Award a few days before on Wednesday in Government House.

see more pictures from Todd's Flickr site:

BC Book Prizes Gala

Kamini Jain gives paddle clinic to Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team

Todd — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:02:56 -0700

Olympic paddler Kamini Jain gives paddle clinic to Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team

Kamini Jain came out to give a paddle clinic. She is coach of the False Creek Mixed and FC Mens teams - that brought home medals from the World Championships last September in Sydney Australia. Kamini is also a two-time Olympic paddler at the Sydney and Athens summer Olympic games. And she is v-e-r-y "Gung Haggis" with both South Asian and Italian ancestry.

Kamini watched the team paddle out for their warm up from the coach boat, while Todd got used to steering the boat with a little out board and very sensitive throttle grip.

Then Kamini climbed into boat and gave a drill:
stretching forward with your hand along the gunnel of the boat until your arm was parallel with the water. That's how far your reach should be she said.
A 2nd drill: paddling only with the bottom hand... and reaching as far as the first drill

She went down the boat making adjustments for each paddler.
She gave demonstrations for the reach and how to grip the paddle (no champagne glass two finger grips)

Kamini makes Stephen M utilize all his potential r-e-a-c-h!

Kamini did some paddle correction with each paddler
most notable:

more stretch
more forward lean
working the hinge at the waist
bottom hand placement

Good s-t-r-e-t-c-h Jane!

some of the corrections she made on the video were:

more reach
bottom arm extended straight out (more reach)
top hand staying high (not dropping out of the boat)
exit - not flaring out
recovery - not pulling the paddle into your body
move head forward when you pull
don't lean too far out
get paddle deep in the water for the catch
don't exit too late
don't sit back too far at the end of your stroke
use hips more

There were lots of compliments:

good reach
good top hands
good blending
good rotation
good hips
deep paddles
rookies are looking real good

Attending the practice today were, in order of appearance on the video:

LEFT SIDE of the Boat

1) Gayle
2) Hillary
3) Keng
4) Alyssa
5) Joy
6) Ernest
7) Steve Behn
8) Joe
9) Raphael
10) Don
11) Christina

RIGHT Side of the boat

1) Tzhe
2) Jane
3) Cindy
4) Colleen
5) Leanne
6) Stephen Mirowski
7) Steven ("Yoga") Wong
8) Devin
9) Sean John
10) Paulette
11) Pam

+
Michael
Gerard
Marion

Following both Tuesday and Wednesday practices. We will take the dvd to "The Clubhouse" japanese restaurant - where we can watch the dvd, on a large screen, while we enjoy cabohydrate replenishment.

Tuesday roster will be limited to 22 paddlers, as last week we had the max, and not enough on Wednesday to go out. Very sad and unfair to the paddlers who came out on Wed.

please hit reply to myself and Stephen Mirowski, so we can have a roster count confirmed for each day.

If you can only attend on Tuesday (some paddlers have classes on Wed) they will be priority for Tuesday. If you can attend either - please come on Wednesday.

If there are 14 or 16 paddlers on each evening, it makes it easier for me to do more one-to-one work with individual paddlers. If there is a full boat, I am less likely to do individual paddler corrections. hint... more personal coaching on Wednesday!!!

see all the pictures:

Gung Haggis dragon boat paddle clinic...

Cheers, Todd