Written by Manufou Liaiga-Anoa’i
On the repeal of disciplinary rule implemented by Alta Loma Middle School, South San Francisco
May 27, 2010

Dear Family & Friends:

I would like to say THANK YOU to each and everyone of you who came out tonight and supported our efforts to ADVOCATE for the REPEAL of the disciplinary rule implemented by Alta Loma Middle School and the South San Francisco Unified School District Cabinet and Board of Trustees.

THE VILLAGE HAS SPOKEN – POWER TO THE PEOPLE. Your voices of compassion have been heard, OUR STUDENTS will rightfully participate in next week’s PROMOTIONAL EXERCISES!

While we celebrate this small victory as a community, we must also remember that there is still much more work to be done. We have mobilized as a PEOPLE and the POWER of your PRESENCE and HEART resonated through the room tonight.

I write with tears of joy, grateful to those who partnered with us to ensure that we were SERVED & HEARD. Please continue to help others in need, don’t stand on the sidelines complaining, but jump in it, GET INVOLVED and be a part of the SOLUTION, NOT THE PROBLEM.

Thanks to the SSFUSD Board of Trustees and Cabinet members for restoring our faith in the PROCESS and ensuring that our voices have an outlet.

Congratulations to our students who will join their classmates next week. HATS OFF TO CLASS 2010!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU again to everyone who offered support via prayers, alofa (love), your presence, your letters – all of the support! Fa’amalo Atu and a SPECIAL THANK YOU to my community partners – MY OHANA:

Keith Kamisugi – Equal Justice Society
Keesa Ocampo – ABS-CBN & Bay Area Benefit Family
Tessie Guillermo – Zero Divide
Dallas Te’o – Samoan Solutions
Mona Uli-Lopez – Samoan Solutions
Lemasani & Keith Briggs – Mission District Re-Entry Center for Youth
Yvonne Casperson – West Bay Rams Football Association
Val LiHang Jacobo – Oceania
Pastor Eighi & Dorothy Hisatake – Lighthouse Church
Palega Sululagi – Samoan Community Development Center

WE ARE HERE TO STAY – Let’s continue to stay connected WITH EACH OTHER. Thank you again, God bless you ALL and keep doing the DO!

What is the fight for freedom and civil rights about but a sound revolution! In our current times when summer programs in the City of San Francisco have seen drastic cuts, we’re moving forward as a community to be sure that more children receive a creative and fun summer education.

It has been said that 70% of African-American kids in the San Francisco School District are under-performing. It’s time that we change that.

FREEDOM REVOLUTION!

Presented by Bay Area Benefit, Citizen Hope, and 600 LBS

“Soundtrack for a Revolution” Film Screening with SF Freedom Schools
Date: Thursday, June 24, 2010
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Third Baptist Church
Street: 1399 McAllister St.
City/Town: San Francisco, CA

A very special screening of “Soundtrack for a Revolution” with the kids of the San Francisco Freedom Schools!

Join 200 kids from the Ida B. Wells (Western Addition) and Willie Brown Jr. Academy (Bayview/Hunters Point) Freedom Schools at a fun and educational movie night!

WATCH THE TRAILER.

SPACE IS LIMITED! PLEASE EMAIL KEESA@OCAMPO.COM TO RSVP!

…including awesome performances to be announced! And Soundtrack for a Revolution Director Bill Guttentag! The film is brand new and yet to be widely released!

Do you like watching your movies with popcorn? Hummus and pita? Bring a bag of your favorite movie snack to share! Sharing is love.

Please consider bringing a blanket or something to sit on, and a $5 optional donation!

About the CDF Freedom Schools:
The CDF FREEDOM SCHOOLS model incorporates the totality of the Children’s Defense Fund’s mission by fostering environments that support children and young adults to excel and believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves and in their families, schools, communities, nation, and world.

The Ida B. Wells and Willie Brown Jr Academy offer summer courses in reading and creative writing for kids in K-12. Their program includes speakers, field trips, social action projects, outdoor activities and arts & crafts.

Read more about the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program here.

About the film:
SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music -the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality.

The film features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists, including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, and Ambassador Andrew Young.

The freedom songs evolved from slave chants, from the labor movement, and especially from the black church. The music enabled blacks to sing words they could not say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. The infectious energy of the songs swept people up and empowered them to fight for their rights.

SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION celebrates the vitality of this music. Directed by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman (Nanking), and executive produced by Danny Glover, SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION is a vibrant blend of heart-wrenching interviews, dramatic images, and thrilling contemporary performances — a film of significance, energy, and power.

September 29th will be a day many Samoans, Polynesians alike will never forget…it was a day that the shores came up onto the land that many of us call home…it took lives of loved ones and it left many displaced, traumatized and STILL recovering even after a YEAR LATER….

PLEASE JOIN US…as we share this moment together…

Feel free to contact Manufou Liaiga-Anoa’i at (415) 574-8423 for more information.

Manufou “Fou” Liaiga-Anoa’i
SF SAMOA (SF Friends of American Samoa & Samoa)
SPIA (Samoan Parents In Action)
www.MANUFOU.com

Join the Young Professionals Board of Glide at the first annual Glide Legacy Gala as we honor Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani.

Experience food and wine from the San Francisco Bay Area’s premiere restaurateurs and vintners and enjoy entertainment by Famed Jazz Guitarist Terence Brewer & DJ KingMost.

Black tie affair.

Come by. Glide unconditionally.

Host Committee:
Mike Kim, Alan Wells, Alexander Volberding, Christine Gage,` Christine Tayaba, Heather Pond, Keesa Ocampo, Matt Haney, Phillip Zackler

Sponsors ( Partial List )

2Nite Vodka – http://www.2nitevodka.com/
Bar Method – http://www.barmethod.com/
Anchor Brewing – http://www.anchorbrewing.com/
That Takes the Cake – http://that-takes-the-cake.com/
VuQo – http://www.vuqo.com/
CPK – http://www.cpk.com/
Aidells – http://www.aidells.com/
Mercury Lounge – http://mercurysf.com/
5A5 – http://www.5a5stk.com/
Jade Chocolates – http://www.jadechocolates.com/

Bay Area Benefit is proud to support the efforts of ALLICE to educate our community about domestic violence.

Dear Friends,

I have circled in with the offices of Cong. Jackie Speier, Assemblymember Jerry Hill and Senator Leland Yee who are at the site of the fire in San Bruno where around 58 homes were burned, 17 are critically injured and 4 have died.

There is currently NO need for donated goods and supplies (clothes, food and beddings) but after the initial assessment is made, I will send out an update.

In the meantime, here is how we can help the victims of the San Bruno fire:

1. DONATE BLOOD (Type O is urgently needed)

http://bloodcenters.ehclients.com/ or call 888.393.GIVE (4483)

2. DONATE MONEY

To donate to the Red Cross, go to here. Select “Your local Red Cross chapter” and enter Crestmoor Canyon San Bruno’s postal code, “94066.”

Red Cross can no longer accept other items. Kindly repost and let’s help San Bruno begin to heal and rebuild.

Board of Directors
Bay Area Benefit

Bay Area Benefit supports the San Francisco Unified Schood District & Citizen Hope Volunteer Opportunities:

1. Elementary School Read Alouds

First Read Aloud: Friday, September 24th, Junipero Serra Elementary School, 625 Holly Park Circle, San Francisco, 9am-10:30am

You’ll be matched up with an elementary school classroom, and you’ll read aloud to the students for roughly an hour. You’ll also have the option to be paired up with a classroom for the school year! We’ll be having read alouds at Junipero Serra the last Friday of each month! It’s cool if you’ve never done this before, it’s easy, and it’s tons of fun!!

If you you can make it on September 24th, or if you are interested in other opportunities for read alouds or volunteering, please let us know!

2. Career Speakers Program

SFUSD is developing a regular career speaker program at high schools across the city this year. If you sign up, you’ll likely be asked to talk to one class in October and one class in May, and there may potentially be other opportunities as well. Will be fun, and a great opportunity to share your career experiences with young people!

Email matthaneysf@gmail.com to sign up for either opportunity or for more info!

THE DRIVE HAS CONCLUDED. STAY TUNED FOR PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND THE PROJECT REPORT.

DONATE HERE.

Past Events:
December 2: Tools 4 Schools-San Francisco
My Boudoir
2285 Union Street
San Francisco, CA

December 8: Tools 4 Schools-Peninsula
Mink
6192 Mission Street
Daly City, CA

December 9: Tools 4 Schools-San Jose
Azucar
71 E. San Fernando Street
San Jose, CA

December 16: Tools 4 Schools-East Bay
Meridian
2050 University Ave.
Berkeley, CA

December 23: Tools 4 Schools-Holiday Love
Rosewood Bar
732 Broadway
(between Stockton St & Turk Murphy Ln)
San Francisco, CA 94133

Tools 4 Schools
A commitment to every child, every classroom, everyday.
Bay Area-wide drive (school supplies collection): November 18-December 10, 2010

DONATE HERE.
For an acknowledgment and tax deductible receipt, send your EVENTBRITE email to keesa@ocampo.com

Books for the Barrios, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, is the fiscal agent for Tools 4 Schools.

Giving is easy. Share some things you have at home or work!

Our kids and schools need:
1. Paper (white copy paper, colored paper, binder paper, notebooks)
2. Pencils (#2, colored pencils)
3. Crayons and Markers
4. First Aid Kits (hand sanitizer, band-aids, ice packs)
5. Board Games and Flash Cards
6. Books (new or gently used)
7. Office Depot / Staples gift cards

We made it easy for you too! You can drop your donated items at any of our drop off sites listed below:

EAST BAY
Buttercream Bakery
Open M-Sa 9AM-5PM
Su 10AM-5PM
841 San Pablo Ave.
Albany, CA 94706

Office of County Supervisor John Gioia
11780 San Pablo Ave., Suite D
El Cerrito, CA 94530

West Contra Costa Unified School District
1108 Bissell Avenue
Richmond, CA 94801-3135

Richmond City Hall Lobby
450 Civic Center
Richmond, CA 94804

Richmond City Council Lobby
440 Civic Center
Richmond, CA 94804

Books for the Barrios Warehouse
Open M-F 9AM-5PM
2350 Whitman Road, Suite D
Concord, CA 94518

RE/MAX Accord Offices
Open M-F 9AM-5PM

Castro Valley
20980 Redwood Road, Suite 220
Castro Valley, CA 94546

Danville
313 Sycamore Valley Road West
Danville, CA 94526

Fremont
39644 Mission Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94539

Lafayette
3390 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
Lafayette, CA 94549

Livermore
1841 4th St # E
Livermore, CA 94550

Montclair
2070 Mountain Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94611

Pleasanton
5870 Stoneridge Mall Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588

San Ramon
350 Montgomery Street
San Ramon, CA 94583

Organizing for America Office
1714 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612

Uptown Body & Fender
401 26th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: Giovanna Tanzilla
510-251-8009

HJB HOSES AND FITTINGS, INC.
3660 Pacheco Blvd, Suite A
Martinez, CA 94553
*Romelyn Joson: (925) 229-HOSE
415-509-5109

PENINSULA
ABS-CBN Foundation
Open M-F 9AM-6PM
Issa Gelasio (650) 508.6118
150 Shoreline Dr.
Redwood City, CA 94065

Philgood Cuts
Open Tu-Sa 9AM-7PM
1027 South Airport Boulevard
South San Francisco, CA

Daly City / South San Francisco Pick Ups
Manufou Anoa’I 415.574.8423; sfliaiga@hotmail.com

Mink Bar
Open Wed-Sun 3PM-12MN
6192 Mission St.
Daly City, CA

SOLANO COUNTY
Jack & Linda’s Country Cafe
2390 North Texas Street,
Fairfield, CA 94533-2140

SAN FRANCISCO
Home of Fides Enriquez
To schedule a drop off ahead of time, send a note by email to fides@haranathemovie.com
131 Virginia Avenue (corner Lundys)
San Francisco, CA

My Boudoir
Open M-Sa 11AM-7PM
Closed on Tuesdays
2285 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

Philippine Consulate
For weekends, leave with lobby security and mention “Tools 4 Schools”
447 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA
Contact: Rose Narvaja (415) 433.6666

Office of Senator Leland Yee
Contact: Melissa Apuya
Hiram Johnson State Building
Open M-F 9AM-5PM
455 Golden Gate Avenue, Main Lobby
San Francisco, CA 94102

SAN JOSE
Café Pomegranate
Downtown San Jose, near San Jose State University & San Jose City Hall
221 E. San Fernando (Between Fourth & Sixth Streets)
San Jose, CA

Azucar Latin Bistro
71 E. San Fernando Street
San Jose, CA

Southside Community Center
5585 Cottle Road
San Jose, CA

The 18th floor Reception area @ San Jose City Hall
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113

$5, $10 goes a long way. Donate what you can here.

These schools are benefiting from your generous contributions:
1. ACE Charter School (East San Jose)
2. Barack Obama Academy (Oakland)
3. El Dorado Elementary School (San Francisco)
4. Futures Elementary School (Oakland)
5. George Washington Carver (San Francisco)
6. Greenleaf Elementary School (Oakland)
7. Junipero Serra Elementary School (San Francisco)
8. Mampurog Elementary School (Barrio School in Camarines Norte, Philippines)
9. Martin Elementary School (South San Francisco)
10. Nystrom Elementary School (Richmond)
11. Ohlone Elementary School (Hercules)

Event Chair: Bay Area Benefit

Honorary Host Committee:
Sen. Leland Yee, Assm. Jerry Hill, Consul-General Marciano Paynor, Jr., Hon. Bevan Dufty, Superintendent Dr. Howard Cohen, Hon. Joaquin Rivera, Hon. David Canepa, Hon. Ash Kalra, Hon. David Lim, Hon. Liza Normandy, Hon. Maurice Goodman, Hon. Tony Thurmond, Hon. Judy Bush, Hon. Kim-Shree Maufas, Hon. Igor Tregub

Host Committee:
Aimee Allison, Melissa Apuya, Gene Benavides, Don Daves-Rougeaux, Jaman Douglas, Fides Enriquez, Brigette Hunley, Jerl Laws, Mitzi Manzano, Navi Ganancial, Dan & Nancy Harrington, Elizabeth Jacob, Sherwin & Romielyn Joson, Mary Nicely, Geraldine Nuval, Michael Orange, Cory Randolf, Patti Rocha-Fernandez, Angela Rodriguez, Denny Roja, Gayle & Ceara Threets, Christine Velasquez, Ryan Wong,

Partner Organizations:
ABS-CBN Foundation, Buttercream, Citizen Hope, Mink Bar, My Boudoir, Samoan Parents in Action, San Francisco Education Fund, Top Ten Social

Shared via: Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund (wordpress: Press This)

Dear Friends,

Our hearts and prayers go out to Japan and in particular the victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the Tohoku region of northern Japan on Friday, March 11, 2011.  We know from our experience and relief efforts with the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 1995, that there will be more bad news to come as the recovery and rescue efforts continue.

We all want to do something but at times can feel helpless watching the television and the internet trying to absorb all the devastation and destruction.

Already we have received hundreds of calls from ordinary people wanting to know how they could help.  Earlier today we established the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.

100% of the donations will go directly towards citizen relief efforts in the most affected areas.

At this time the JCCCNC is only accepting cash donations.  Please no relief goods or supplies.

In 1995, the JCCCNC raised over $600,000 towards citizen relief efforts for the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake that killed over 6,000 people and left over 300,000 people homeless.

The donations received helped organize volunteer efforts to get food and water directly to the victims, citizen search efforts, clothing for those that lost their homes, essential supplies for women, children and especially seniors and we helped to feed and rebuild orphanages in Kobe.

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) was established as a 501 c-3 non-profit organization in California in 1973.  The JCCCNC serves over 185,000 individuals a year and conducts numerous exchange programs between the United States and Japan.  In spring of 2009 the JCCCNC lead a tour to Sendai, Japan.

To donate please visit our website:  www.jcccnc.org or call
Phone: (415) 567-5505

Go to our Facebook Cause page: http://www.causes.com/causes/590211-northern-japan-earthquake-relief-fund?m=9e4cc0c7&recruiter_id=64959010

Donations can also be sent to JCCCNC 1840 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 all donations will be acknowledged.

We will be posting websites and other information about how to locate friends and family in the Tohoku Prefecture.

“The true test of a friendship is being there during the worst of times”

We know that you join us in sending our thoughts and prayers to our friends throughout Japan.

Sincerely,

Paul Osaki
Executive Director

Philanthropy everyday, all over the nation. Donate what you can.

Donate to JCCCNC’s Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund via http://kokuajapan.org/ and Minami Tamaki LLP, IOYS and other campaign partners will match 50% of your donation up to $10,000.

#22 Issue Release Party
March 16, 2011
6-9PM
Vessel San Francisco
85 Campton Place
San Francisco, CA

Donations will be made to the Japantown Community and Cultural Center of Northern California

Sponsored by Hyphen Magazine

Emergency Fundraiser for Japan
March 19, 2011
9PM-130AM
Press Club
20 Yerba Buena Lane
San Francisco, CA

Suggested donation: Minimum of $10

Donations are going to the Japanese Red Cross
Donate online: http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

Hosted by Drinks for A Cause

JAPAN Relief Fundraiser at Wokcano
March 20, 2011
6-9PM
Wokcano Santa Monica
1412 5th Street
Santa Monica, CA

$20 suggested donation at door.

Donations go to the 2011 Japan Relief Fund

Hosted by: Asian Professional Exchange (APEX, Tuan Do)

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors host a Fundraiser for Japan
March 23, 2011
530-8PM
111 Minna
San Francisco, CA

$20 suggested donation at the door

Donation will be made to 2 organizations:
JCCNC: Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund
for more information: www.jccnc.org
Japan Multicultural Relief Fund
for more information: http://www.jprn.org/relieffund.html

Hosted by: San Francisco Supervisors Eric Mar, Mark Farrell, David Chiu, Carmen Chu, Ross Mirkarimi, Jane Kim, Sean Elsbernd, Scott Wiener, David Campos, Malia Cohen, John Avalos

Japanese Earthquake Disaster Relief – Save the Children
March 26, 2011
6-10PM (21+)
The Park at Fourteenth
920 14th St. NW,
Washington, DC

Suggested Donation:
$15 minimum suggested donation at the door or ONLINE
$10 suggested donation for students
$50 HONOR ROLL!

Hosted by: Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership, NAAAP-DC, Kollaboration DC, Alpha Kappa, Delta Phi Alumnae Association, Asian Pacific American Bar Association-DC, Asian American Government Executives Network, Asian American Journalists Association, Chinatown Community Cultural Center, Class of Change, Department of Justice Pan Asia, Freeline Music Group, Filipino Young Professionals-DC, Generation Echo Entertainment, Japanese American Citizens League DC Young Professionals, Lamda Phi Epsilon DC Alumni Association, Pacific Culture International, Pop Show Japan/Katana, Regroup TV, Sejong Society, Sigma Psi Zeta Alumnae Association, South Asian Bar Association DC Chapter, Taiwanese American Professionals DC, The Washington Area Japanese Culture Meetup, Toramaru Entertainment, United Nations Association-YPIC, 20s & 30s Asian Going Out Group

32 Bay Area API organizations come together for Japan

Humanitarian Asians and Pacific Islanders (HAPI) Fundraising Hour for Japan
March 31, 2011
5-9PM
Recess
443 Broadway St.
San Francisco, CA

Suggested donation: $5-$20

Donations go to JCCCNC

Co-sponsoring Organizations: Bay Area Benefit, DAE Advertising, Taiwanese American Professionals, Asian Business League, Project by Project, American Legion Cathay Post #384, KollaborationSF, Corporate Asian American Employee Network (CAAEN), Richmond Area Multi-Services, SF Samoa, Samoan Parents in Action, Fa’atasi (Together as One), Together Samoa, OLO—One Love Oceania, UTOPIA, Oriented, Samoan Solutions, Pacific Health Club, Tongan Interfaith Council, Mission District Re-Entry Center, APOP Hawaiian Cultural Center, Books for the Barrios, Vive SF, Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus of Alameda County, Wokai, San Francisco Asian Peace Officers Association, Society of Asian Women Leaders, Korean American Professional Society, Center for Asian American Media, Filipino-American Law Enforcement Officers Association, Bay Area Asian Pacific American Legislative Staffers, and HYPHEN

Host Committee: Keesa Ocampo, Keith Kamisugi, Derek Choy, Eli Kuo, Yumi Chang, Christopher Do, and many more to be announced

Community Partners: The Tides Foundation

Kokua Japan Concert
(from SFGate.com)
April 2, 2011
Peace Plaza (Post St.)
Japantown, San Francisco

It’s official: The Hawaiian-themed free concert and fund-raiser for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims will take place Saturday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in San Francisco’s Japantown Peace Plaza. Called Kōkua Japan San Francisco (kōkua is Hawaiian for “help”), the event will solicit donations for the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Proceeds from raffle tickets and commemorative T-shirt sales will also go into the fund, created by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California.

Organized by concerned members of the Bay Area’s Hawaiian and Asian American community, the benefit will feature a first-rate lineup of musicians and dancers, including:

* Hawaiian music acts Steven Espaniola and friends, Faith Ako and friends, the ‘AHAmele ‘Ukulele Group, Ho’omana, Side Order Band (featuring Chris Kamaka and Asa Young) and JD Puli and friends;
* Hula from Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu of San Francisco, Ke ‘Olu Makani ‘O Mauna Loa with kumu Mealana Manuel of Volcano, Hawai’i, and Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea of Fremont, plus ‘ōte’a (Tahitian dance) from Merahi O Tehani of Union City;
* Diverse local bands such as Feelosophy (funk, soul), Project Gojira (fusion) and Native Elements (reggae) and Styme & the Pimp Jones Luv Orchestra (funk, rock, ska.)

NBC newsman and stand-up comic Mike Inouye will emcee the show, with breaks for raffles of donated merchandise. Kōkua Japan San Francisco’s organizers were arranging with the Hawai’i Lieutenant Governor’s office this week for Hawaiian Airlines to do a speedy airlift of 200 “Aloha” T-shirts from Hawai’i. Designed by the Grp Home collective to raise money for disaster relief following the March 11 9.0 earthquake, the fast-selling T-shirts have inspired a Hawai’i-wide initiative called Aloha for Japan. The T-shirts will cost $25, of which $15 will go to disaster relief (the rest covers materials, Hawai’i sales tax and event logistics.)

Funds raised will be collected by the nonprofit Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (which takes place the following two weekends in Japantown), which will turn the check over to the earthquake fund managed by Union Bank and JCCCNC, which promises 100 percent of proceeds will go to direct relief. Other contributors to the Kōkua Japan San Francisco event include Osaki Creative Group, which designed an equally cool logo (see below); Sandy Lee of the city’s Parks and Rec department, which manages the Peace Plaza; Aloha Warehouse, Colortone Digital, Sound Innovations, Susie Kagami and the Hawai’i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California. (Note: I also provided the organizers some public relations advice, but I would have promoted this event here anyway, given the close — and overlapping — ties of the Bay Area’s communities with roots in Hawai’i and/or Japan.)

And it’s not the only Hawaiian-themed fund-raiser: This Saturday (March 26) you can also help raise money for the JCCCNC’s Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund by attending one of three special screenings of “Hula Girls,” an award-winning 2006 film based on the true story of a Japanese town that created a Hawaiian-themed resort after its coal mining industry shut down in the 1960s.

Japan’s nominee for the 2007 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, the poignant comedy is subtitled and features original music by Jake Shimabukuro (who plays the Palace of Fine Arts Saturday–more about that tomorrow.) And making it more poignant: It’s set in Fukushima prefecture, site of the Dai-ichi nuclear power plant severely damaged in the March 11 earthquake/tsunami.

The movie screens at 2, 4:30 and 7 p.m. at VIZ Cinema, 1746 Post St. (between Octavia and Webster in Japantown.) Click here to buy tickets, starting at $10 (since it’s a donation, you can pay more; 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the earthquake relief fund.)

Bakesale for Japan
April 2, 2011
10AM-2PM

Donations go to: Peace Winds Japan

Participating establishments:
Oakland–Pizzaiolo (5008 Telegraph Ave.)
Berkeley–Gioia Pizzeria (1586 Hopkins St.)
San Francisco (Mission)–Bi-Rite Market (3639 18th St.)
San Francisco (Fillmore)–SPQR (1911 Fillmore St.)
San Jose–Roy’s Station (197 Jackson St.)
Marin–coming soon
Peninsula–coming soon
Napa/Sonoma–want to host? email me at bakesaleforjapan@gmail.com
Santa Cruz–Lulu’s at the Octagon (Museum of Art and History–118 Cooper St.; email SantaCruzBakesale@gmail.com)
Los Angeles–coming soon (email LosAngelesBakesale@gmail.com)
Portland, OR–coming soon (email (pdxbakesale@gmail.com)
Boston, MA–coming soon (email BosBakesale@gmail.com)
Philadelphia, PA–South Street Philly Bagel (613 S. 3rd St.)
Seattle, WA–CakeSpy Shop (415 E. Pine St.)
NYC–coming soon (email NYCBakesale@gmail.com)
Austin, TX–http://austinbakes.wordpress.com/
Salt Lake City, UT–coming soon
Maui, HI–coming soon

Tools 4 Schools Newsletter: Newsletter T4S

You need to give love before you can receive it.

Last year, hundreds of Bay Area philanthropists came together around a cause called Tools 4 Schools. The project yielded close to $10,000 in funds that went towards much needed classroom supplies that have diminished from our schools due to tremendous budget cuts in California. The needs were not as grandiose as you would think. Most teachers asked for basics – paper, crayons and pencils – because these were what their kids had none of.

You know that California faces serious problems when our education system cannot afford to provide children with these basic supplies. Forget science and mathematics when a child has nothing to write with. And this should never be our baseline.

Tools 4 Schools rallied hundreds of generous hearts and here is all the good news, delivered.

Tools 4 Schools Newsletter: Newsletter T4S

COMMUNITY ALOHA KEEPS PACIFIC ISLANDER KIDS OFF THE STREETS AND CLOSER TO THEIR CULTURE
Bay Area’s “Camp Unity” thrives on volunteerism and generosity, offering a nationally-coveted program

Visitacion Valley, CA (July 8, 2011) – Where the government falls short, the community is committed to provide. With zero public funding, the Bay Area Pacific Islander community pushed forward to see a dream program through to fruition. “Camp Unity” was launched this summer break, serving 168 Pacific Islander youth, offering what is now a nationally-coveted program.

Brainchild of Hon. Manufou Anoa’i, San Mateo County Commissioner on the Status of Women, the program serves Pacific Islander youth from Bayview, Hunter’s Point, Potrero Hill, Alice Griffith, Sunnydale, Daly City, South San Francisco, Pacifica, San Bruno and San Mateo. Through staunch commitment and firing up a spirit of everyday volunteerism, community leaders and parents took the business of saving lives, quite literally, into their own hands. The program keeps youth off the streets of what has been known as some of the most dangerous urban neighborhoods. Financial hardship in the community has also diminished the number of quality options for many low income families.

“Camp Unity was a direct response to restoring Polynesian culture in our inner city Pacific Islander youth who, for many different reasons, have lost their connection with their ethnic identity. Realizing that there was dire need and not enough resources in our low income families, I went into emergency mode,” shares Hon. Manufou Anoai. “Camp Unity is our community response. We have literally survived these past few weeks on the kindness of the community.”

Led by Anoa’i’s SF Samoa-Pacific Islander Community Partnership’s with board president, Lauaki Jackie Selinger, strategic alliances were made with fellow Pacific Islander/Polynesian agencies such as the Fa’atasi and Mission District Re-Entry Center for Youth, along with student facilitators-turned-mentors from the City College of San Francisco, San Francisco State University and the University of Hawai’i – Hilo.

Many Pacific Islander youth continue to be disconnected from their ethnic identities. Through Camp Unity’s program, they are reacquainted with their culture through Samoan language immersion programs, courses on the Fa’asamoa way (the Samoan way, traditions and history), pacific geography, and Samoan, Tonga, Maori and Hawai’ian performing arts geared towards youth empowerment.

“My kids don’t even want to come home from Camp Unity. They are doing something right because the children get up early and say – ‘Mom, we’re ready to go to Camp Unity,” shares Bridget Badosow, parent of a Camp Unity participant. “My family loves you all.”

“’A’oa’o ia le tama e tusa ma ona ala, a o’o ina matua e le toe te’a ese ai’ is a Samoan biblical verse that means, ‘train a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it,’” quoted Anoa’i. “We are bringing these kids to the core of who they truly are in hope that they awaken their WARRIOR spirits to embrace the MANA (wisdom) that many of them come from.”

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About Camp Unity:
Camp Unity was formed in April 2011 by Hon. Manufou Liaiga-Anoa’i as a community response to a Pacific Islander youth-specific need for low income communities in San Francisco and San Mateo counties. The summer program is culturally-sensitive and awareness-enhancing that provides a restoration of identity consciousness. The program is not publicly funded and successfully launched in its first year, supported by volunteers and private donations. The curriculum, owned by and trademarked to Anoa’i, has now become a nationally-coveted program. Visit http://2011campunity.wordpress.com for more detail.

ALLICE flier

7th Free from Violence
a free educational presentation and resource fair to promote health and safety

Monday, October 3, 2011
530-730PM
Cafe Doelger
101 Lake Merced Blvd.
Daly City, CA 94015

Speakers:
Hon. Rosa Moran
Steve Kaplan
Maina Tuimavave

Listen to a special testimony by a survivor of domestic violence.

API CIRCLE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
December 1, 2011
6:30-9PM

Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 Ninth St (2/F)
Oakland, CA

As a follow-up to our very successful APA Heritage Month Closing Night Celebration back in May, we are now planning an end of the year celebration and we hope you will join us!

We’re still finalizing the details right now but you can expect the same features …

- GREAT… people
- TERRIFIC co-hosts and co-sponsoring organizations
- AWESOME entertainment – Corey Lico Wolffs, Trish Maxelle, Joanna Agustin, and Letalia Falevai!
- highlighting & supporting community non-profits and their work
- food & drinks – pancit from Isla, Heavenly Ice Cream, desserts from Sugar Bowl Bakery, and more! =)
- raffle drawings

Oh, and we almost forgot to mention that there is no cover charge!

A big thank you to our top co-sponsor, Oakland Asian Cultural Center! Thanks also to the Lunar Giving Circle, Gilead Sciences, Claudine Cheng, Wa Sung Community Service Club, the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Sugar Bowl Bakery, New Delhi Restaurant for their generous support!

All are welcome so please help us spread the love by inviting your friends to attend too! Guests need not be over 21.

RSVP: http://apicircle-endoftheyear.eventbrite.com/

We want this to be inter-generational, multi-ethnic, and just a whole lot of fun!

Hope to see you on the 1st!

Your co-hosts,

Angela Pang – Aoi Yamaguchi – Bob Hamaguchi – Carol Gillespie – Chris Chang – Christopher Do – Claire Chang – Cliff Yee – Colbert Tse – Doreen Lew – Eric Lau – Gaynorann Siataga – Isaac Lee – Jason Kwan – Jeanne Lam – Jennie Ong – Jennifer Chu – Jenny Lau – Jenny Yu – Jonathan Leong – JR Calanoc – Kavoos Bassiri – Kazumi Kusano – Keesa Ocampo – Manufou ‘Fou’ Liaiga-Anoai – Melanie Lew – Melissa Apuya – Mike Lok – Mona Shah – Nadia Hussain – Neo Veavea – Nwe Oo – Paul Yep – Roger Wong – Ron Lee – Rose Chung – Sandra Siharath – Sirch Chanthyasack – Stephanie Balon Wong – Steven Lee – Taiko Fujimura – Tamiko Wong

Community supporters,

American Legion Cathay Post #384 – Asian American Donor Program (AADP) – Asian American Women Artists Association (AAWAA) – Asian Americans for Community Outreach (AACO) – Asian Business Connectors – Asian Business League – San Francisco (ABL-SF) – Asian Pacific American Heritage Foundation – Asian Peace Officers Association (APOA) – Bay Area Benefit – Books for the Barrios – Corporate Asian American Employee Network (CAAEN) – Cherry Blossom Alumnae – Chinatown Youth Center Initiative | The Spot – Community Health for Asian Americans (CHAA) – Friends of the Asian Library (FAL) – Genki for Japan – Girls/Boys Against Gang Violence/ All Islanders Gathering As One (A.I.G.A. 1) – JAB – Kollaboration San Francisco – Laotian American National Alliance, Inc. (LANA) – Lunar Giving Circle – National Association of Asian American Professionals – San Francisco (NAAAP-SF) – Nakayoshi Young Professionals (NYP) – Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC) – Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce – OCA-East Bay – OCA-San Francisco – Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition (PAAWBAC) – Pacific Islander Community Partnership-SF Samoa – Pacific Islanders at Cal – Potstickers – RAMA – RAMS, Inc. – Rise Japan – SEACHAMPA (South East Asian Cultural Heritage & Musical Performing Arts) – SF Asian Professionals Meetup Group – Shelter Network – TaiwaneseAmerican.org – Taiwanese American Citizens League (TACL) – Taiwanese American Professionals (TAP) – UTOPIA San Francisco (United Territories Of Pacific Islanders Alliances’) – Wa Sung Community Service Club – Weaving Through Change – Young Filipino Professionals Association (YPFA)

Business Supporters,

ActiVentures – Blue Salud Special Events – Gilead Sciences, Inc. – Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services – New Delhi Restaurant – Tri-Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau

Vendors / Tablers,

ActiVentures – Asian Business Connectors – Blue Salud Special Events – Books for the Barrios – Chinatown Youth Center Initiative | The Spot – Community Health for Asian Americans (CHAA) – Edward Yung – Genki For Japan – Gilead Sciences, Inc. – Girls/Boys Against Gang Violence/ All Islanders Gathering As One (A.I.G.A. 1) – Jen Waldhaus – Kimlynh Chun (Artist) – National Association of Asian American Professionals – San Francisco (NAAAP-SF) – Rise Japan – Polynesian Gift Hut – SEACHAMPA (South East Asian Cultural Heritage & Musical Performing Arts) – Taiko Fujimura – Taiko Mai Roskothen (Jewelry) – Taiwanese American Professionals (TAP) – Tracey Quezada Video Productions – Wa Sung Community Service Club – Weaving Through Change

P.S. This location is close to BART, paid parking for $2/hour is available downstairs, and there should also be some street parking available but carpooling is suggested (greener and it’s more fun, right?). http://www.oacc.cc/visit/directions.html

P.P.S. Since so many people asked last time:

Ethnic or cocktail (which means more fun than business attire) suggested – but business or business casual are fine too.

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The API Circle is an alliance of San Francisco Bay Area Asian & Pacific Islander American leaders and organizations with the mission to create meaningful relationships and collaborative efforts that are cross-generational, ideologically neutral and diversely representative.

Our first project was the Asian Pacific American Closing Night Celebration which was held at Carnelian by the Bay in San Francisco on Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 in conjunction with over 30 community partner sponsors, generous food donors, and over 50 co-hosts, supporters, and volunteers.

We’re just getting started so please let us know if you can help in either of the following ways:

Volunteer:

http://tinyurl.com/apavolunteer

Donate via the Eventbrite invitation or the following:

http://tinyurl.com/apadonation

Thanks so much for your support!

Talofa, Aloha, Malo e Lelei, Bula Friends!

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