Articles

Help save little Natalie. We need Asian Americans!

jaymie — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:43:59 -0500

Natalie is 8yrs old and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. (AML) After 5 rounds of chemo, Natalie was in remission, but as of 1/19/10 her cancer is back. Her only chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant. Please register to donate. You could be the one to save her life. Go to www.dkmsamericas.org or www.hopefornatalie.com

The current odds for an ethnic minority patient, like Natalie to find a matching unrelated donor may be close to 1 in a million. This is the reason they are trying so hard to reach as many people in the Asian population as possible. The more Asians we get swabbed, the more likely Natalie will find her "Needle In A Hay-Stack" match. Please spread the word to get people interested in the fight to SAVE Natalie's life.

Hope For Natalie Nakatani from Patrick Biesemans on Vimeo.

For more information to help Natalie please visit here.

Michelle Kwan to be special correspondent for Good Morning America

jaymie — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:39:54 -0500

Michelle Kwan, the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, is joining ABC's "Good Morning America" as a special correspondent covering the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Kwan, who participated in two Winter Olympics and won two medals there, will provide commentary and analysis on figure skating, as well as coverage of other news stories at the games. Her first report for "Good Morning America" will air on Friday, February 12.

ABC's "Good Morning America," the Emmy Award-winning morning news program featuring Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Sam Champion and Juju Chang, airs live Monday through Friday from 7:00-9:00 a.m., ET on the ABC Television Network. Jim Murphy is the senior executive producer and Tom Cibrowski is the executive producer of ABC's "Good Morning America."

Lots of Asian America girls to watch in Vancouver. Besides Mirai and Julie Chu, we have Kristi Yamaguchi (who's already in Vancouver and covering the Olympics for NBC) and now, Michelle Kwan.

'Lost' actor joins 'Hawaii Five-O'

jaymie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:45:48 -0500

Great! Let's keep Asian actors employed!

Lost's" Daniel Dae Kim is staying in Hawaii with a lead role on CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" remake.

In CBS' updated take on the classic cop series, from CBS Studios, Kim will play Detective Chin Ho Kelly, a role played in the original series by Kam Fong.

The part of Detective Steve McGarrett has not yet been cast, though "Moonlight" star Alex O'Loughlin continues to be in talks for it.

The new "Hawaii Five-0" hails from hot feature writers and "Fringe" co-creators Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and "CSI: NY" executive producer/co-showrunner Peter Lenkov.

Kim, who played Jin Kwon on "Lost" for its six-season run, is the first actor from the show's core cast to book a new series project this pilot season as the ABC mystery drama heads to its May finale.

Getting key "Lost" players to do pilots this season is proving tricky as ABC's drama doesn't wrap its final season until April. In Kim's case, it helped that both "Lost" and "Hawaii Five-O" are filming in Hawaii.

Photo by PRPP_Pacific Rim Photo Press.

Congratulations to Ramey Ko, first Asian American judge of Austin, TX

jaymie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:32:40 -0500

Would it behoove you to think that at an Asian American could be a judge? haha!

History was made last week with the confirmation of Austin’s first Asian-American judge.

At a swearing in ceremony on Feb. 5 at City Hall, Ramey Ko was one of four new municipal court judges to be selected to serve. A total of 24 municipal judges were appointed or reappointed by the city.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez praised the qualifications of all the judges, but also highlighted the special significance of appointing Austin’s first Asian-American judge.

“It is my belief that our court system must reflect our community, and today we are taking another step in making sure our court system mirrors our community,” Martinez said.

Ko will serve in a part-time, four-year term position as a substitute municipal judge.

A municipal judge presides over a municipal court, which handles cases concerning Class C misdemeanor criminal charges, including traffic tickets and public intoxication. Municipal judges may issue search or arrest warrants and also may issue Emergency Protective Orders, which are orders for a person to keep away from someone.

Each of the four new judges were given the opportunity to select someone special to present their judicial robes to them. Ko acknowledged his parents Eric and Eileen Ko and had his mother present his robe.

“Without their support, I couldn’t have had this opportunity today,” Ko said. “They took the difficult risk of coming to this country and now I have the chance to give back to everything they have done and everything this country has given me.”

Ko is a local attorney, political activist and graduate of Yale University and the University of Chicago Law School. He cofounded the Capital Area Asian-American Democrats, founded Asian-Americans for Obama and is active among other state and national political organizations.

Ko received national attention when he testified against the so-called Voter ID bill (SB 362) at the Texas State Capitol last year. During his testimony, State Rep. Betty Brown (R-Terrell) suggested that Asian-Americans adopt names that are "easier for Americans to deal with" when they vote since Chinese is a "rather difficult language" to learn. Ko, who is an American citizen, was explaining the confusion that may arise when various spellings are used in translating foreign names into English and did not suggest that anyone would need to learn Chinese.

www.impactnews.com

More of the China takeover!!

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:52:45 -0500

The New York Times has an article on China's large ownership of American corporations. China's sovereign wealth fund quietly snapped up more than $9 billion worth of shares last year in some of the biggest American corporations, including Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and Citigroup.

Although most of the stakes were small, China Investment Corp., the government's $300 billion investment fund, now owns stock in some of the best-known American brands, including Apple, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Motorola and Visa.

The detailed list, which contained holdings totaling $9.6 billion as of Dec. 31, was disclosed Friday in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; it lists stakes only in companies traded in the United States.

What's important to note is:

"This is still a relatively small amount compared to the total size of the fund," said Chang Chun, a professor of finance at the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai.

Some U.S. politicians in both parties have been nervous about China's growing financial reach, and particularly wary that China might seek political influence in the West commensurate with its corporate stakes.

You think?

It's scary to think one day our currency could be the renminbi.

BUY American! Hire Americans!

Chinese New Year Banquet February 20 in Stamford, CT

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:47:46 -0500

The Chinese community in Fairfield County will welcome Lunar New Year 4708, the Year of the Tiger on Saturday February 20 at the Stamford Plaza Hotel and Conference Center from 6-11 pm. Entertainment for the evening will include a Kunqu classical Chinese Theatre performance, “A Stroll in the Garden” by Ms. Shirley Tou, and Ms. Anna Chen Wu.

Organization of Chinese Americans, Fairfield County chapter is sponsoring the evening. President Jason Liu of Greenwich explained, “Kunqu (pronounced kwin chu) is one of the oldest and most refined styles of traditional Chinese theatre performed today.” “It is a synthesis of drama, opera, ballet, poetry recital, and musical recital, which also draws on earlier forms of Chinese theatrical performances such as mime, farce, acrobatics, ballad recital, and medley, some of which go back to the third century B.C. or even earlier” adds Pauline Ning Brody of New Canaan who is VP of Public Relations. Mr. Yuqing Wang will perform “Dance of the Money God”. Ms. Shirley Tou is VP of Finance-Sales and Marketing at Pitney Bowes in Stamford and a resident of Norwalk. She has been a long-time student of various classical Chinese art forms.

Friends and neighbors will greet each other with Gung Shi Fa Chai, Happy New Year as they gather to celebrate the most important Chinese holiday. The children of the Chinese Language School of Fairfield County will kick off with a Dragon Dance. A traditional 10-course Chinese New Year banquet will be catered by Jasmine Restaurant of Westport. Raffles and dancing round out the evening of fun and fellowship.

The public is cordially invited to join in the celebrations. In February, adult tickets are $70 each; children 3-13 at $25 each and infants under 2 are free. Tickets can be purchased on-line at OCAFCChineseNewYear.eventbrite.com or sending a check with names, to OCA-FC,
PO Box 223,
New Canaan, CT, 06840
or call 203-972-3406.

Wonder Girls will meet with fans on current issues

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:47:48 -0500

According to JYP Entertainment, on February 8th, this afternoon, the 5 original members of the Wonder Girls, together with newly joined member Hye Rim will meet about 10 fans at the JYP Entertainment company building.

They just returned from their 5 day-4night promotion tour in China. They'll talk candidly about Sun Mi’s departure and their future plans. They also plan to express their gratitude and apologize to their fans who have been showing them love and support for the past 3 years.

On January 28th, fans requested answers from the band but JYP Entertainment refused...until now. The meeting will be done with fans and their representatives and will not be open to news media.

Discussions are in the process for Sun Mi to return from the States so that the girls can give fans an official greeting on February 10th, which is their 3rd year anniversary.

Meanwhile, Sun Mi will be leaving the group officially at the end of this month to pursue her college studies.

S:StarNews

Mark your calendars! Asian Pacific American Forum Scheduled

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:13:25 -0500

A broad alliance of Asian Pacific American (APA) grassroots organizations will host the sixth annual Asian Pacific American Policy and Resource Forum in Richmond on Feb. 11. Later during the same day, the alliance also will honor Virginia's new governor (Bob McDonnell) and attorney general (Ken Cuccinelli), as well as second-term lieutenant governor Bill Bolling.

The APA Policy Forum is the premier annual policy event that brings Asian Pacific American organizations to Richmond to meet with the commonwealth's elected legislative and executive officials.

"We are excited about this year's Policy Forum because 30 APA groups will convene a 'listening' session to shape policy strategies for the future of Asian Pacific Americans in Virginia" said Eric Liang Jensen, Chairman of the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans of Virginia (CAPAVA). "Not only will we hear from communities, and what barriers confront them, but we will be working to find a unified way to solve these problems."

"The Asian Pacific American population in Virginia has doubled since 1990" said Tinh Phan, Chairman of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce. "APA businesses produce nearly $8 billion of revenues, creating 70,000 jobs in the Commonwealth."

The policy forum will be held at the Bank of America Building, 1111 East Main Street in Richmond, on the 18th floor from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Asian Pacific American groups are invited to participate by bringing their communities views and issues to the "Policy Listening Session" that will be conducted in front of elected and appointed state officials. The evening "APA Inaugural Reception" will be held in the Crowne Plaza Ballroom, 555 East Canal Street in Richmond, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All APA communities are invited to attend the APA Inaugural reception.

For details about the APA Policy Forum and the APA Inaugural Reception, contact Malik Khan at ibnmajeed@hotmail.com or 216-7860.

If you're in Cali, come send Ice Skater Mirai Nagasu off to the Olympics!

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:42:55 -0500

Figure skater Mirai Nagasu of Arcadia, who was named to the Olympic team a few weeks ago, will be sent off to Vancouver in style.

Her home club, the Pasadena Figure Skating Club, will throw a party in her honor Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m., and it's open to the public. The bash will be held at the Arcadia Presbyterian Church, at 121 Alice Street, Arcadia.

Interview with Anil Rock

emmyp7 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:18:30 -0500

Anil Rock is humming to the melody of his new song, Because of Dreams, which tells a story about the life of a boy whose only escape from his discordant world was the fantasy of dreaming, softly as we waited for lunch in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland.

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Bellydance Party for Valentine's Day

jaymie — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:45:56 -0500
Hot Hot Hot!!! Bellydance Party was originated in TOKYO via four its favorite fabulous Dancers. This Valentine's Day it's bursting its bubble in NY hosted by Romanchica NY.

Hot Hot Hot!!!NY vol.1
Very Belly Viva Valentine's!!!

When: February 11th Thursday @ 9pm - 11pm
Where: DROM
85 Avenue A (b/w 5th & 6th), New York, NY - (212) 777-1157 for table reservation www.dromnyc.com
RSVP: hakan@dromnyc.com
Entrance：$18
Who: This valentine's affair is accompanied by four incredible internationally known dance artists. Dalia Carella world renown Middle Eastern dancer and global fusion artist. A Creator of Bellyqueen, Kaeshi Chai Just kicked off spectacular its "Bellydance Evolution" and NY based dancer versatile and dynamic, Darshan. Hosted By Lale Sayoko, international outstanding dance artist just topped off her UK tour with Mugenkyo. Together with open dance floor with hot saharan world mix by Dj Derajja.

Headliners:
Dalia Carella (www.daliacarella.com)
Kaeshi Chai (www.bellyqueen.com)
Darshan (www.darshandances.com)
Lale Sayoko (www.lalesayoko.com)
Dj Derajja (www.derajja.com)
& more dancer: Long time Bellyqueen Kaesh's fellow colleague/instructor
- Trisha McBride (www.trishamcbridedance.com)

Host: Romanchica NY ( Lale & Ayano Ganaha)
More Info: www.lalesayoko.com/news

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Of course! AR Rahman participated in the remake of "We Are the World"

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:57:13 -0500
A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) is part of the remake of “We are the World” charity anthem recorded in Los Angeles (USA), which reportedly included over 75 world-class stars.

It was recorded in the same Henson Recording studio where the original was done about 25 years back. Besides Rahman, musical luminaries like Celine Dion, Kanye West, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Jonas Brothers, Pink, Barbra Streisand, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Jamie Foxx, Lil Wayne, Wyclef Jean, Josh Groban, Snoop Dogg, Carlos Santana, Gladys Knight, etc., sang to help earthquake affected Haiti. Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie oversaw the production.

It will make its world premiere during Vancouver Winter Olympics on February 12. Its accompanying video has been shot by Oscar winning Paul Haggis (Crash). Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson recorded the original, which featured 45 American music megastars and it reportedly raised over $30 million for African hunger relief. It was the first ever single to be certified multi-platinum.

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Why Shah Rukh Khan turned down Slumdog Millionaire

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:00:44 -0500

The actor was approached by Brit director Danny Boyle to reprise his role as host of India’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire on the big screen.

But Shahrukh refused and the role eventually went to fellow actor Anil Kapoor. According to Danny Boyle, Shahrukh's schedule was just too booked.

Appearing on popular BBC chatshow Friday Night with Jonathan Ross tonight, Shahrukh revealed: "I was very keen for that film to be made. I didn’t do it because the host was a bit of a cheat, and I thought people might think I’d do the same thing".

It's called acting. Isn't that why you win Academy Awards?

He might be kicking himself now, but Shahrukh is not bowing out yet. He's hoping his latest film, My Name is Khan, becomes bigger than Slumdog Millionaire..Heres to hoping!

Source: The Asian Today Online – Asian News

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Best Dance Crew on ABDC this season

jaymie — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:08:35 -0500
I don't want to speak too soon but I really think we have seen this season's winners in dance crew, Saltare. We'll see how their choreography holds up for the rest of the season.

Find Saltare (means jump in Latin) along the bottom. The members' coordination and timing is impeccable.

Another talented group and full of Asians is Static Noyze from Boston, MA. Despite Omarion's critique, they made the cut for America's Best Dance Crew Season East Coast Regionals! See more of Static Noyze below:

MTV - Music Videos - MTV Shows - Celebrity News
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Come see Ching Chong Chinaman

jaymie — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:43:00 -0500
New York City's Pan Asian Repertory Theatre continues its 33rd season with the premiere of Ching Chong Chinaman by Lauren Yee. Previews begin March 19 toward an opening night of March 24.

Ching Chong Chinaman will feature Fay Ann Lee ("Falling for Grace," Private Lives at Pan Asian Rep), James Chen (Postcards From Earth at The Guthrie), Jennifer Lim (Cinderella at Yale Rep), Angela Lin (Broadway's Coram Boy and Top Girls), Ron Nakahara (Song for a Nisei Fisherman at Pan Asian Rep) and Jon Norman Schneider (Durango at The Public Theater). May Adrales directs.

According to Pan Asian Rep notes, Ching Chong Chinaman "tells the story of the Wong family, who are as Chinese-American as apple pie. Once their teenage son imports 'Ching Chong,' a stranger from China, their lives will never be the same."

Pan Asian Rep artistic director Tisa Chang said in a statement, "Ching Chong Chinaman addresses the cultural chasm between the contemporary Asian American family and their culture of origin."

The creative team includes scenic designer Gian Marco Lo Forte, costume designer Kate Mincer, lighting designer Ji-Youn Chang and sound designer Robert Murphy.

Performances will continue through April 11 at the West End Theatre, 263 West 86th Street (in The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew). Tickets are $45 with discounts available for seniors, students and groups. For more information call OvationTix at (212) 352-3101 or visit www.PanAsianRep.org.

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All according to Tiger's plan

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:57:49 -0500
Now that he paid off the wife and she's decided to stay with him, he can now try and get his life back to where it was...and get his sponsors back. Tiger Woods is leaving the Mississippi clinic where he’s been receiving treatment for sex addiction for the past month, RadarOnline is reporting.

The press did a good job of crucifying him. Is it really our business what he does?

Tiger has reportedly completed the Gentle Path program at Pine Grove Center and will soon return home to his wife Elin and their two children in suburban Orlando.

What was that? Like a week?

“He should be out by the weekend,” a source told Radar. “They are giving their marriage another try.”

Word is Tiger will end his break hiatus from the sport that made him a star by participating in the Accenture Match Play Championship later this month.

Wasn't Accenture one of the first major endorsers to sever ties with him once this scandal broke?

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Steve Aoki in da haus! new single

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:30:16 -0500
Artist, producer and celebrity DJ Steve Aoki celebrated the launch of his new single, I’m In The House, at Blush Boutique Nightclub on Tuesday night at Wynn Las Vegas.

The brand new video from Ministry of Sound, this is Steve Aoki featuring Zuper Blahq. And you know who Zuper Blahq is? Well it's will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. The single is set to be released March 7, 2010.

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Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol take Manhattan

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:31:37 -0500

On February 1, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol became the first Indian actors to ring the opening bell of New York City's NASDAQ stock exchange, the world's largest stock market. The stars of director Karan Johar's upcoming feature film MY NAME IS KHAN were surrounded by hundreds of fans in Times Square sharing the historic occasion.

Look at that frenzy!

MY NAME IS KHAN opens in theaters on Friday, February 12. Watch the trailer and new videos at: www.mynameiskhanthefilm.com

Photo credit: © 2010, The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

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Nooo! Wonder Girls cancels its US tour!

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:57:28 -0500
The Wonder Girls have canceled their headlining, tour of the United States, which was supposed to start at the end of February.

It seems all of these decisions were made after one of their members, the 18-year-old Sun Mi, called it quits last month to return to school. JYP Entertainment’s Park Jin-young, first canceled the U.S. tour and postponed their U.S. debut album release for April.

“The upcoming tour wasn’t going as planned and postponing their U.S. album release was an inevitable situation,” said a spokesman from JYP Entertainment.

Park’s decisions for the temporary break are seen as a way to give the 18-year-old Hye Rim, Sun Mi’s replacement, time to ease in to performing with the group. According to Park, they plan to resume their original plans after she’s completely adjusted.

joongangdaily

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CUNY Thomas Tam Scholarship

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:04:18 -0500
The Thomas Tam Scholarship is funded by an endowment established by the City University of New York in recognition of Dr. Thomas Tam's contributions as a former member of the CUNY Board of Trustees, Executive Director of the Asian American / Asian Research Institute, and leadership in the Asian American community. The Scholarship awards annually $1,000 to an individual qualified undergraduate student currently enrolled at any of the twenty-one colleges within CUNY, Asian or non-Asian, who has demonstrated creativity in the communication of the concerns of the Asian American community in areas such as Health, Education and Culture.

The 2010 CUNY Thomas Tam recipient will be honored at AAARI’s 9th Annual Banquet during the Fall semester.

Application Guidelines
The display of this communication can be in the form of written reports, film, video, new media techniques, and the development of performances or materials in the Arts and Sciences.

The following are the issues to be addressed in your application for the Tam Scholarship. Please be sure to cover all of the points in your application.

1. Please describe your project in detail, be sure to tell us about the issue of concern to the Asian American community that the project is designed to address.
2. Please explain how your project demonstrates creativity in communicating the concerns of Asian Americans.
3. What are the objectives or goals of the project, i.e. what do you want to accomplish, or what impact or effect will it have? How will you know that it has been successful?
4. How was the project implemented, or if in progress or a future project, please describe how it will be implemented?
5. Is the project completed, is it in progress or is it a future project?

Download application

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Aishwarya is highest paid Bollywood actress

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:36:28 -0500
Aishwarya Rai has become the highest paid actress in Bollywood. Aishwarya Rai the green-eyed beauty has received an offer of Rs 10 crores($2Mil+)!

The offer has come from producer Bobby Pushkarna of the critically acclaimed film `Page 3`. Bobby is desperate to sign only Ash and has been pursuing her for three months. The movie is said to be on the lines of Jagmohan Mundra’s ‘Provoked’, which has Aishwarya in the main lead.

Aishwarya Rai has left the current reigning actresses’ quite far behind, with this latest deal. Sources reveal that B-town’s high-princess Kareena Kapoor charges around Rs 7 crores and glam-doll Priyanka Chopra claims Rs 5 crores per film.

Aish is highest paid

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Casting in NYC - Asians Wanted!

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:31:42 -0500
CASTING in NYC (ASAP!): Week of Feb 8th, SHOOT: Week of March 1st PAY: $1,000 for the shoot $2,000 for usage for three years, unlimited global media (excluding Broadcast) Looking for:

ALL ROLES MUST HAVE DIABETES. The ethnic background is just the look they are going for so you do not have to be from that specific country.

ROLE #1
Male 25-30 yr. with Diabetes
Middle European look (German,Nordic,UK)
Blond or light brown hair

ROLE #2 Female 30-40 yr. with Diabetes
Middle European look (French looking)
light brown/dark brown hair
(please note if you have children age 10-12 yrs)

ROLE #3
Female 55-65 yr. with Diabetes
Middle European look (German,Nordic,UK)

ROLE #4
Male, 15 - 17 yr. with Diabetes
Middle European look
medium hair color, medium skin tone

ROLE #6
Male with big hands, 55-65 yr. with Diabetes
Mediterranean look (Spain, Italy, Turkey)
Gray hair (or no hair)

ROLE #7
Female, 30-35 yr. with Diabetes
Mediterranean look (Spain, Italy, Turkey)
Dark hair (please note if you have children age 1-3 yrs)

ROLE #9
Female, 45 - 55 yr. with Diabetes
Mainland Chinese look
(please note if you have children age 4-6 yrs)

ROLE #10
Male, 50-65 yr. with Diabetes
Mainland Chinese look
(please note if you have children age 4-6 yrs)

ROLE #12
Female, 40 - 60 yr., Indian look (from India) with Diabetes and with Native Dress

ROLE #13
Male, 50-65 yr. Indian look (from India) with Diabetes

ROLE #14
Female, 25 - 35 yr. Southern Latin American look (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay) with Diabetes

ROLE #15
Male, 45 - 55 yr. North. Latin American look (Mexico, Columbia) with Diabetes

If you know anyone, please have them contact opportunities@asiancemagazine.com

1) submit a photo of yourself 2) let us know which role you think you are appropriate for and let us know what your specific ethnic background is. 3) Let us know, what type of Diabetes you have & what you use to manage your Diabetes?

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No different than the other women

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:19:07 -0500
Radaronline.com is reporting that Elin Woods has decided to dump her divorce attorney as she is willing to work on the marriage for the children.

Who knows the truth? Who cares?

He's not even around anyway.

Tiger has all his women coming and going. Looks like he's doing a good job of juggling them all.

So sad when women are only interested in you for your money. So obvious!

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Hugh Jackman joins Li Bingbing and Jeon Ji-Hyun in Wayne Wang film

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:21:59 -0500
Stage and screen star Hugh Jackman has joined the cast of Wayne Wang's new movie Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film, based on the novel of the same name by Lisa See, is currently filming in China.

Snow Flower revolves around the lifelong friendship of two women and their imprisonment by rigid cultural norms. The cast will also feature Chinese actress Li Bingbing (above) and South Korean actress Jeon Ji-Hyun.

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Wonder Girls release Chinese version of song “Nobody”

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:15:39 -0500
WG’s Mandopop version of their previous hit “Nobody” was previewed on Chinese language airwaves recently. The song, which became a hit in South Korea back in 2008, and which also topped the insignificant Billboard’s Hot Singles chart despite no one ever hearing it on American radio in 2009, will re-package their song for yet another global audience in 2010.

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Lakshmi Menon for J. Crew

jaymie — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:03:18 -0500
Are you getting excited for NYC Fashion Week? I saw one of my favorite models, Lakshmi Menon, in the pages of the J.Crew catalog this week. See our interview when we met Lakshmi backstage last year.
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Congratulations to Rashmi Jasrasaria winner of the 2nd Annual ASPIRE Outstanding Woman of the Year Award

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:08:45 -0500
Asian Sisters Participating In Reaching Excellence (ASPIRE™) is proud to announce Rashmi Jasrasaria as the grand prize winner of the 2nd Annual ASPIRE Outstanding Woman of the Year Award. ASPIRE's Outstanding Woman of the Year award celebrates female high school or college students of Asian American decent that are proven leaders with the initiative and determination that make changes in their community. Jasrasaria was formally awarded at the 2009 ASPIRE Asian American Women in Leadership (AAWIL) Conference on October 3, 2009 at Boston University. This year's keynote speakers included Carmen Van Kerckhove, Co-Founder and President, New Demographic and Rosie Abriam, President and CEO, The Center for Asian Pacific Amer ican Women.

Jasrasaria is a volunteer with Support for International Change (SIC), a non-governmental organization in Tanzania that raises awareness about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention in rural areas. Since 2007, Jasrasaria has dedicated her time to teaching SIC’s HIV curriculum in village primary schools as well as leading teaching sessions for the village locals, athletes, and religious communities. Originally from Boxborough, Massachusetts, Jasrasaria is currently a senior at Harvard University, where she also acts as the SIC on-campus coordinator through recruiting, interviewing, and training SIC volunteers. “Receiving this award motivates me to continue along an independent path in global health, community development, and social justice work,” says Jasrasaria. “I am grateful to ASPIRE and SIC for supporting and encouraging me in my endeavors.” Honoring Jasrasaria, Vienne Cheung, Interim Executive Director, ASPIRE, had the following to add: “As an organization that focuses on career and leadership development, one of the fundamental things ASPIRE encourages girls to do is build confidence and to be comfortable with whom they are. Rashmi's courageous and altruistic act in tackling and bringing awareness to this global issue aligns with ASPIRE's vision. Her passion for the cause will inspire girls to gain new experiences and make the world a better place.”

As the Grand Prize Winner, Jasrasaria attended the AAWIL Conference where she was honored with an award, the opportunity to spend a day with an Asian American female mentor of her choice from ASPIRE's network, and a featured profile on ASPIRE’s website and other media.

Finalists of the 2nd Annual ASPIRE Outstanding Women of the Year Award included:

First Runner Up: Lori Phanachone, Storm Lake, IA , Asian Pacific American Community Activism

Second Runner Up: Huong Nguyen, New Orleans, LA , Asian American Youth Activism

Honorable Mention: Sarasi Jayaratne, Potomac Falls, VA, English Literacy in Sri Lanka

Honorable Mention: Oyland Dong, Cambridge, MA, HIV/AIDS activism in Panama

About AAWIL: The AAWIL Conference aims to set forth strategic dialogue on the importance of leadership for Asian American girls and women. Specifically, the conference is designed to explore various aspects of leadership (particularly as it relates to Asian American women), evaluate the effectiveness of different leadership skills and styles, energize and equip attendees to seek out future leadership opportunities, and create cross-generational networks among attendees that will extend discussions and relationships beyond the scope of the conference. The conference raises awareness about ASPIRE's mission and its value to Asian American girls and women.

About ASPIRE: Founded in 2001, ASPIRE was established to empower Asian American high school and college girls with career development and leadership skills through shared experiences and mentoring. ASPIRE aims to mentor and serve Boston-area young Asian women who seek to better navigate the lifetime of opportunities and career choices ahead, make the most of their academic and extracurricular college experiences, and learn from their Asian American sisters' accomplishments and insights. For more information, go to www.girlsaspire.org

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AR Rahman out of Oscar race

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:35:50 -0500
Ohhh AR Rahman failed to make it into the top 5 for Music (Original Song). Rahman was long-listed in the category for his score ‘Na na’ in his Hollywood debut venture “Couple’s Retreat”.’Na na’ lost the race to ‘Almost there’ (“The Princess and the Frog” by Randy Newman); ‘Down in New Orleans’ (“The Princess and the Frog” by Newman); ‘Loin de Paname’ (“Paris 36″ by Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas); ‘Take it all’ (“Nine” by Maury Yeston) and ‘The weary kind’ (“Crazy Heart” by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett).The disappointment comes a day after Rahman’s golden run yesterday at the 52nd Grammy Awards, where he bagged two gramophones for his music in the Danny Boyle film “Slumdog Millionaire”.

’Na na’, marks the debut of Rahman’s eight-year- old son A R Ameen and also features Rahman, Blaaze, Chaix, Clinton and Dominic. It is penned by Rahman, Blaaze and Vivian Chaix.

Marathi movie “Harishchandrachi Factory”, India’s official entry at the Oscars, had already been voted out of the race last month in the Foreign Language Film category.The ‘Mozart of Madras’ created history last year when he won two Oscars for his composition in “Slumdog Millionaire”, a first for an Indian.

Listen to the song that was nixed below. Love it!

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The one to watch, Yu-Na Kim, is a Michelle Kwan fan

jaymie — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:09:14 -0500
The Ice Skater to beat at this year's Olympics is South Korea's Yu-Na Kim. Personally, I'd like to see Mirai Nagasu perform the biggest upset on the ice but still looking forward to South Korea's, Japan's and USA's performances on the rink.

Kim's stock has shot through the roof in Korea, where her face is to be found in fashion and celebrity magazines as well as sponsoring a range of blue chip product lines. This is also fuelled by a perfectly symmetrical face, flashing smile and immediately obvious beauty and grace. Kim Yu-Na has alot riding on her shoulders.

Funnily enough Kim says her own hero is American Michelle Kwan, a five-time world champion who never won an Olympic gold, rather than Japan's Shizuka Arakawa, who became the first Asian figure skating gold medalist at Turin.

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Shah Rukh Khan in New York City

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:21:55 -0500
Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol Devgan started the day off ringing the opening bell at the NASDAQ in NYC. Then they headed to Fox Studios for a press conference.

They're here promoting their film, My Name is Khan, in which Khan and Devgan act in the most challenging roles of their careers. Khan plays Rizvan Khan, an honorable Muslim man from India, living with Asperger's Syndrome, who falls unconditionally for the beautiful Mandira (Kajol), a Hindu single mother living out her version of the global dream of success. Yet, when an unspeakable act of cowardice tears their family apart, Khan selflessly embarks on a powerful journey through a contemporary America that is as complex as the terrain of the human heart. He innocently becomes that most unlikely act of defiance, one of peace and compassion. He provides a sobering reality that touches the lives of every person he crosses. In the name of the woman he loves, a curious stranger will introduce himself to the world simply by saying, "My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist."

A year after “Slumdog Millionaire” raked in eight Oscars, Khan admitted he’d love to top its success. “Nobody knows where a film is going to go when you finish it,” he said. “I think this will … touch a lot more people in the Eastern and Western world than any film has done before. I would love it to be a bigger hit than ‘Slumdog.’”

Khan was detained at Newark Airport when his name came up on a watch list. In India, the news made the front page of many papers and prompted fans to burn American flags in some cities. Khan mentioned that he is always held up in American airports as are his children but he doesn't mind. He said as long as he is in America, he is willing to play by the rules.

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