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Gold Mountain: Chinese California Stories
On January 26, 2020, the California Museum hosted the opening exhibit – Gold Mountain: Chinese California Stories. The VIP breakfast was sponsored and hosted by the following donors and community organizations: Dr. Herbert Yee and Yee family, Asian Pacific Islander Public Affairs Association and the US China Railroad Friendship Association. The guest speakers included: State Controller Betty T. Yee, Senator Richard Pan, Journalist Lisa Ling, CC Yin, and Amanda Blake. Lisa Ling about her experiences as a Journalist while Lawrence Tom spoke about his new book titled, The Last Chinatown. At 1 pm, the Lion Dancers showcase the opening of the Gold Mountain exhibit.
In addition, there was a special documentary shown by a former Set-Designer wo worked at Walt Disney studios. The documentary describes a miniature house designed against a San Francisco Chinatown environment. The creator passionately spoke of the fond memories going through each room showing the delicate colors and textures of hand-made furniture – from a kitchen scene to a living room filled with colorful furniture.
The exhibit showcases the Chinese contribution from the Gold Rush Days to the current period. The museum tastefully separated scenes through literature, photos, artifacts, and video-recordings: Gold Rush, Delta reclamation, Angel Island, Chinese medicine.
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Locke
Bus Trip to see The Joy Luck Club
Join Us on a Bus Trip
CACS Foundation is hosting a bus trip to the theatrical production of “the Joy Luck Club” by the Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra.
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2020
Place; Kohl’s corner parking lot, 1896 Arden Way, Sac. CA
Time: Departure promptly at 11:30am
Returns at 6:30-7pm depending on traffic
Price: $65pp (Includes sack lunch, snacks, ticket to play and bus trip)
RSVP by March 1 , 2020 Limited space 46
Contact: Karun Yee 916 591-8181 or [email protected]
Make Check payable to CACS Foundation
Send check with name and phone number to:
Karun Yee, P.O. Box 60267, Sacramento, CA 95860
‘Noon Year’s Eve’ Event at the Crocker Art Museum
By Brenda Fong
On December 31, 2019, the Crocker Museum hosted their high-energy “Noon Year’s Party” for families. The day was filled with live stage performances and musicians featuring the many diverse groups and faces that make-up Sacramento. In addition the Museum featured hands-on forms of arts and crafts located throughout the complex. The Museum featured a ball drop at 12-noon!
CACS Foundation staff (Douglas Hsia, Corliss Lee, Karun Yee, and I) hosted a table to share our Chinese culture through paper arts; Douglas gave demonstrations on an antique abacus that fascinated the visitors. We represented China in the “Global Village Room” along with 3 other cultural groups from the API community.
CACS Foundation’s 12th Annual “Operation Santa Claus”
By Karun Yee
The Foundation proudly presented our 12th annual “Operation Santa Claus” program under the leadership of Chair, Anne Luong. Working with the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center staffers, we procured applications from their after school program for deserving youngsters.
A big thank you to our faithful volunteer shoppers and our Board members for shopping and gift wrapping gifts; a big thank you to Dave Young for housing and organizing the many bags of gifts and driving them to the assigned school. Thanks to Ray Giles for offering his services as our photographer, and thank you to Service Center staff for providing snacks, beverages, and coordinating activities for the kids.
We provided a craft activity coordinated by Karun Yee, Merlayna Yee-Chin, June Fong and Brenda Fong. The highlight of the day was a visit from “Santa Claus” (aka Franc Martinez) –Santa was a great hit with the kids and their families!
We are grateful to the SCCSC staff, and our many CACS volunteer shoppers, and donors who made this year’s a success. We serviced approximately 100 families from 7 local area schools.
This annual event is a way of giving back to those less fortunate, and sharing with the community the holiday spirit!
2019 CACS Scholarship Application Videos
Three student scholarships will be awarded:
1st prize $1,000; 2nd prize $500; 3rd prize $500
to help fund post-secondary education.
Seniors at Kennedy High School were invited to submit a 1 minute video. The topic is – My viewpoint of diversity and inclusion in the community. The videos were judged on creativity and impact.
The scholarship winners will be recognized at CACS’ annual Gold Mountain Celebration Oct. 11, 2019.
Sarah Yang
Christina Chen
Rom David Arca
Peter Saephan
Kasia Leanne Her
Michelle Yang
Kaylyn Yu
Casandra Lee
Emily Kui
Evelyn Wu
Oziel Carrillo-Rendon
Jessica Thao
Awaiting permission to publish video
Billie Dee Scott
Maia Campos
Awaiting permission to publish video
Logan Bermudez
Anna Lau
Malia Duran
Arianna Rodriquez
Awaiting permission to publish video
Jasmin Andrade
2nd CACS Foundation Chinese Fashion Show
By Karun Yee
Remember you’re never fully dressed without a smile! We all know what you wear gives the first impression. One look can say a thousand words. Clothing can get you a job, or get you thrown out, depending on the circumstance. That is why a person’s appearance and what they are wearing is so important through the ages.
Our fashion show exhibited antique highly embroidered handmade clothing that was a very precious commodity in those old days. Your station in life could be seen at a glance from the scullery maid to the emperor. This private collection of antique clothing came from Sandra Yee, Karun Yee and the Folsom History Museum.
The symbols on the clothing also held great significance to the wearer. Embroidered butterflies meant happiness. Chest badges with birds for civil service ranks and beasts for military officers were shown. Discussion on interesting historical traditions was presented in a slide show developed by me.
CACS Foundation and the Folsom Historical Society presented our 2nd Chinese Fashion Show luncheon on July 21, 2019. The event was a sold out! The main purpose was to help raise funds and regional recognition of the many contributions of the Folsom Chinese. At one time there were over 2,500 Chinese living in Folsom until the 1908 fire destroyed Chinatown. Before and after the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, the Chinese were able to earn a living in the area working the levees, agricultural work, fishing and mining activities, and businessmen and women. Because of the immense interest in the 150th Anniversary Transcontinental Rail Road Celebration, it appropriate to bring focus to the Chinese in the area. The Folsom History Museum opened their Chinese Museum exhibit in June.
Our event was an opportunity to network with old and new friends from different backgrounds and organizations. It was designed to be fun, educational, entertaining, and of course, enjoying great Chinese food all for a worthy cause.
All this could not happen with out a tremendous amount of work from both organizations. I want to personally thank: Jeff Ferreira, Ann Rhea, and staff; Karla, Kaitlyn, Kathleen, Jennifer, Roberta and Barbara. Also, Franc, Doug, David, Merlayna, Corliss, Betty, John, Greg, Kathy L. Ann D., Elizabeth N. Our lovely models; Brenda Fong, Joyce Eng, Aubrie Fong, Brigid Velayas, Olivia Stayi, Farra Bracht, Nancy Yee, Joanna Littau, Hannelore Whetstone, and Cathy Wei. It was a labor of love!
CACS Foundation Family Day at the Crocker Art Museum
By Karun Yee
CACS Foundation was invited to have a Calligraphy Booth at this free family multicultural day on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at the Crocker Art Museum. Board Directors Doug Hsai, Cathy Wei, Brenda Fong and Karun Yee participated and dressed in traditional Chinese outfits.
We also had the honor of modeling our Chinese outfits for the famous Locke artist, Ning Hou who painted us on a 4′ x 4′ canvas as shown on the photos below. Douglas was left doing the calligraphy and holding down the booth by himself, while the 3 of us spent 3-1/2 hours as models for this oil painting by Ning Hou. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the painting and our Calligraphy booth!
This opportunity gave CACS Foundation a chance to interact with the art and multicultural community in a different way. Bringing focus on Chinese culture and talent is one of our mission statements we have accomplished.
Author Lecture with Kim Luke
On June 1, local author Kim Luke, who made Sacramento home after escaping Revoluntionary China, discussed her book, The Lu Family Saga, an autobiography of a young girl whose great-grandfather, Lu Haodong, plotted alongside Dr. Sun Yat-sen to overturn the feeble Qing Dynasty, the last of the Chinese Dynasties. Generations later, the girl was born into a world still in turmoil. She and her family struggled, suffered, and survived.
This author lecture, held at the Jan Ying Museum, 13947 Main Street, Locke, was jointly sponsored by The CACS Foundation and the Locke Foundation.
Photos of the author lecture can be viewed here.