Sunshine Garden Seniors in the Lead

Many Chinese seniors around the Puget Sound subscribe to the CISC Elderly Newsletter or read it online. Through this monthly publication, they learn about many community events they would not otherwise know about.

Though some are able to participate with family members or friends, many do not have transportation and cannot go on their own. Thank goodness for Sunshine Garden! CISC staff lead the way and make sure everyone has a good time. Anyone can join the group for a small fee (usually $2) and learn more about their community with friends new and old.

Here they are at recent visits to the Maritime Festival on the Seattle Waterfront, and the 60th Anniversary of the Armed Forces Festival in Bremerton.

Caregiving at Life's End

CISC recently completed a monthlong series of workshops on caring for loved ones at the end of life. This was done in conjunction with Providence Hospice of Seattle.

Despite the taboo of discussing death and dying in our culture, participants received valuable information and resources in their native dialects on this difficult topic.

Having this information better prepares us all for the challenge of dealing with the death of our loved ones.

Tandoori Chicken

On Friday, CISC volunteer Christine Ho came to Sunshine Garden to demonstrate traditional Indian cuisine – tandoori chicken, rice, and raita. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Christine shares her special talents every month Sunshine Garden seniors.

Now you too can join in on the fun! Christine will be donating a cooking class to CISC’s Friendship Dinner & Auction at the Grand Hyatt on June 7. Your chance to learn from one of the best!

Chinese Paper Cutting

The Bellevue Arts Museum will be hosting Beijing University’s Yao Bingyue on Tuesday, May 27 for a hands-on demonstration of traditional Chinese paper cutting. A researcher in early childhood development, this event is geared for children as well as adults. For more information, contact the museum at 425-890-3184.

Examples of this unique and wonderful craft (also known as 窗花or window flowers) will also be available at CISC’s Friendship Dinner & Auction on June 7 at the Grand Hyatt Seattle.

Northwest Chinese School

Northwest Chinese School 西北中文學校 will be holding a fundraising event this Saturday to benefit victims of this week’s earthquake in China.

NWCS Kirkland campus (at Lake Washington Technical College, 11605 132nd Ave NE) will hold seminars on Health Life, Luxury Life and Model Mother’s Life Story from 10:00 to 2:00 as part of the fund raising activities. Seminar speakers have also pledged to make donations.

Donations can be made in person during the fundraising event,

or by sending a check to Northwest Chinese School, Attn: Sichuan Province Relief Fund, 515 116th Ave NE, Ste 228, Bellevue, WA 98004,

or by wire transfer through Cathay Bank, Payee: NWCS (Sichuan Province Relief Fund), Acct #: 83001530.

For details and more information, please contact Northwest Chinese School directly: http://www.nwchinese.org/

China Earthquake

As more and more news comes out of China, the death toll rises. For those survivors in the area, there is urgent need for basic necessities such as food, water and shelter.

CISC has received a number of inquiries from people who want to help. Here are 3 ways:

• Through World Vision. You can donate online at http://www.worldvision.org/ Right at the top of their home page there’s a box that says “Massive Earthquake Rocks China”. Click on the Donate to Help Survivors link.
  
  
• Through the Chinese Red Cross Society. From their website http://202.108.59.10/english/index.htmit appears that you can’t donate online, but you can send a check to:
  
  China CITIC Bank, Beijing
  Jiuxianqiao Sub-Branch
  C&W Tower. No.14
  Jiuxianqiao Street
  Chaoyang District
  Beijing, China 100016
  
  Account NO.:7112111482600000209
  Swift Code：CIBKCNBJ100
  
  They request your address and phone number too.
  


• Through the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. Checks, cash or wire transfers are accepted at Cathay Bank and will be deposited into a special account #01-130-005. Cathay Bank has 3 branches in the Seattle area: Chinatown/ID, Kent, and Bellevue. For contact information, go to http://www.cathaybank.com/ and click on locations at the top.

Thank you for your caring and concern. With your help, we hope to minimize the pain and suffering as much as possible.

BCC Comes to CISC

Today a group of students from Bellevue Community College’s program in Digital Video Production came to CISC to begin filming a documentary on the history of the organization.
Jason Lau, initiator of this project, felt strongly that he wanted to tell the story of CISC, the people behind it, and the impact it has had on the community these last 36 years.

Today’s filming included King Lee, Lily Woo, and Daphne Tang, long time supporters for over 30 years. Other interviews will feature key staff and a special appearance by Ron Chew, former Executive Director of the Wing Luke Asian Museum, speaking on the history of Chinese in Seattle.

We can’t to see the completed product. We plan to post it on the CISC website later this summer!

Pratt Fine Arts Center

Pratt Fine Arts Center's Youth Art Works program will exhibit drawings, painting, and glass art by students from Washington Middle School and Chinese Information and Service Center at the Seattle Public Library's Douglass-Truth Branch from May 5 to May 29.

This one example is from Connie, a participant in CISC's after school youth program. Come and see all the art at 2300 E Yesler Way (@ 23rd)!

May is API Heritage Month

Once again, CISC is a proud sponsor of the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition's Asian Pacific Heritage Month Celebration which was held at Seattle Center yesterday. As chair of the APDC, CISC Executive Director welcomed the crowd and kicked off the event.

Highlighting the great diversity within the API community, this event, now in its sixth year, featured back to back performances from community groups such as the Northern Laotian Community Association, Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team, Apna Bangre Crew, and many, many more!

The API themed art contest for middle and high school students received over 60 entries this year and top entries were on display for the public to enjoy.

One of the highlights of the day was a performance by the grÖÖvaholix, an all female, Asian American dance troupe out of LA. For their latest videos, go to YouTube and search on keyword: groovaholix