APANR May/June 2015

V O L U M E 1 3 . N O . 3 M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 5E D U C A T E • P A R T I C I P A T E • A D V O C A T E

A P A N E W S & R E V I E W

FREE

http://issuu.com/apanewsandreview209

I n T h i s I s s u e

8-9

East/West

APAPA 2014 Internship & Scholarship Gala

5

Blanche Ah Tye: peaking at age 95

CelebratingAsian-Paci� c American

Heritage Month

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Dr. Herbert Yee’s Angel Island Story

E D U C A T E • P A R T I C I P A T E • A D V O C A T EA P A N E W S & R E V I E W2

M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 1 3 . N O . 3

Asian Pacifi c American News & ReviewMission StatementThe Asian Pacifi c American News and Review is a bi-monthly newspaper dedicated to providing a single, comprehensive publication, both in print and online, that seeks to raise awareness of issues of interest to Asians and associated ethnic groups in Northern California.

ObjectivesEducate — inform readers about the issues facing Asian Pacifi c Americans. And also to give a voice to the community for sharing and lauding accomplishments and concerns.

Participate — promote and encourage readers to take an active role in raising awareness of the Asian Pacifi c American community and its contributions and concerns.

Advocate — Ask readers to be an advocate for the community as an informed, involved member.While we most directly address the concerns of Asian Pacifi c Americans, our publication is not a racial or ethnic sorting. It is a gathering of all those who wish to gather.

PublisherDennis Lee(209) [email protected]

EditorFay A. Olympia

Art DirectorRemi Estrella

Advertising/OutreachDennis Lee(209) [email protected]

Regional SalesGuia Rognerud(925) 236-0084

Edgar Calderon(916) 627-8701

Multicultural History EditorLucky Owyang [email protected]

Advocacy/OutreachCynthia Lau

Contributing WritersJodi KingMary Nicholson, PHC Jim ChongCami FerryScott TibbedeauxGrant DinMary Jo Gohlke

Collaborative PartnershipsJim Chong

Contributing PhotographersTim UlmerDanny LeeNelson CarreraDorcas YeeJack FunamuraTia GemmellJim BurtonByron Elmore

AdvisorsMay O. LeeJodi KingAlex EngLinda Ng

Fay A. Olympia

From the Publisher and Editor

5665 N. Pershing Ave.Suite C-2

Stockton, CA 95207

Phone: (209) 327-2407


Dennis Lee

� e opinions expressed by contributing writers are their own and do not re� ect the opinions of the newspaper’s owner, Editor, or sta� .

Next IssueJuly/August

2015Senior Living

Several years before she became the � rst Filipino American woman to become Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, I had the pleasure of interviewing then Judge Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye at her chambers in Sacramento.

Raised by immigrant farmworkers who worked the crops right here in the Central Valley, she emphasized even then that her achievements were possible because she stood on the shoulders of her forebears, and of those who blazed the trails she now walks.

To Asians and Paci� c Islanders, remembering and honoring the

ancestors who made the present possible is a value as deeply ingrained as the tattoos the ancient Austronesians (Malayo-Polynesians) originated.

In this issue of Asian Paci� c American News and Review, we honor once more the legacy of our ancestors and the profoundly beautiful cultures they created and nurtured through the millennia, along with the wisdom by which we’ve survived to the present day, allowing us to contribute in very noteworthy ways to the building of this nation.

Jodi King pays homage to the older generation by incorporating some of their well-loved pieces of furniture into her interior design.

Greg Farkas honors new author Blanche Ah Tye who continues to inspire the younger generation in her ninth decade of life.

Ken Gullette, though not of Asian descent, tells how kung fu, Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophy now de� ne and enrich his life.

For our main feature, author, health educator and medical administrator Teresa Chen gives us rare insight into a traditional Chinese Herb Shop that was literally transplanted from Stockton’s Chinatown and carefully preserved at the Haggin Museum, and re� ects on the resurgence of interest in Chinese herbal medicine.

Whatever your ethnicity, may this issue’s articles encourage you to value and continue to share with succeeding generations the indestructible wealth you inherited from your ancestors.

As the Honorable Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye once said, “I stand on the shoulders of my mother and grandmother… I am here for someone to stand on my shoulders.”


V O L U M E 1 3 . N O . 3 M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 5

It was a delightful plus to a great evening when I won an Asian-themed gi� basket ra� ed o� at the 15th Anniversary Dinner of the Central Valley Asian American Chamber of Commerce last March.

� e well-attended, high-energy event highlighted by speeches from prominent Asian American businessman CC Yin, and the evening’s honoree, Dr. Robert Humphreys, Sr., was a � tting way to celebrate the chamber’s 15 years of building relationships and establishing resource contacts up and down the Central Valley in support of local businesses and the community at large, spearheaded by CEO and founder, Dennis Lee, and supported by a diverse, and enthusiastic core of leaders and active members.

About my ra� e prize---it was a huge gi� basket donated by the Port of Stockton to help raise funds for the chamber’s community activities. Surrounded by teas, ginger candies, Edamame, Japanese crackers, and reusable green and orange chopsticks were a lovely cast iron teapot and a beautiful wok complete with a domed lid and bamboo cooking utensils.

When I moved to the US from the Philippines in 1999, the year before the chamber was formed, like most immigrants, I had to leave behind a house full of stu� , and my entire kitchen. Relatives and friends initially pitched in with the basics so that I could continue making the

rice-based meals my family and I are used to eating everyday. Later, I rebuilt my kitchen, buying utensils, cooking and baking equipment a few pieces at a time as my budget allowed.

But for some reason, I hadn’t bought a new kawali (pronounced kuh-WAH-lee)---what we Filipinos call the wok, one of my kitchen

standbys. I guess I never found one that came close to the sturdy, heavy duty one I had inherited from my late mother-in-law, Maria Goco Olympia, a home cook of legendary repute, just one of her many talents.

For the � rst time in 16 years I sautéed aromatics and tossed cubes of fried tofu in the deep bowl-shaped pan with a � ourish, not a single piece of food � ying out. I sighed and whispered to the wok: “I’ve missed you!” I’d forgotten how perfect it was for the kind of food I make everyday.

My beautiful new kawali reminded me that staying connected to my roots in Asia and the Paci� c, to the ancient cultures that contributed to who I am today, makes my American experience all the richer, and allows me to serve my community in ways unique to my background.

As we celebrate Asian Paci� c American Heritage Month in May, we remember that contrary to the oversimpli� ed historical accounts in school textbooks and pop culture, this nation was built by an extremely diverse population of immigrants, not just from Europe, but from all over the world, not the least from Asia and the Paci� c rim, especially here in the West Coast.

� e � rst time I saw a Paci� c-centered map changed my view of the world forever, making Asian and Paci� c Islander presence in North America a no-brainer.

As a predominantly visual learner, I swear by maps and am constantly referring to my phone’s map app. � e world maps I grew up with were all centered on the Atlantic Ocean, with the American and Asian continents on opposite sides of the world.

When I � rst saw a map centered on the Paci� c Ocean, in a Korean Airlines in-� ight magazine en route from Los Angeles to Seoul, � reworks went o� in my head. It suddenly made perfect sense how and why prehistoric peoples from Asia were able to make their way to the American continent by walking across ancient land bridges, and by sailing in long boats across the vast

Paci� c, navigating only by the stars, propelled eastward to America by the trade winds. In truth, Asians and Paci� c Islanders then and now, go east to get to America. In this case, we are the westerners.

It was easy to picture the Manila-Acapulco connection via the Spanish empire’s galleon trade from 1565-1815, resulting in the � rst written record of Luzones Indios (as Filipinos were then known) setting foot in California in 1587 with this ground-breaking map where, for once, Asia and America face each other on either side of the Paci� c.

On June 6th, I will be displaying a larger version of this map at the Haggin Museum during the Asian Paci� c American Heritage celebration the chamber and the museum are co-sponsoring.

Save the date ( June 6, 2015, 1:00 – 4:00 pm) and plan to come to the Haggin Museum wearing something rooted in your Asian Paci� c American heritage, whether it be a colorful malong, kapa, áo dài, baro’t saya, sari or salwar kameez, or simply a traditional Polynesian tatau (tattoo).

Ethnic Asian community organizations will be displaying the riches of their cultures at the Haggin that day. Enjoy dances, Taiko drums and other performances rooted in traditions from all over the Asia Paci� c region.

Bring the kids and give them the gi� of pride in their ancient roots as they navigate being Asian Paci� c American in the global village of the 21st century.

Fay A. Olympia

Of woks, maps and museums: celebratingAsian Paci� c American Heritage



Books and

libraries have

been essential

in my life.

STOCKTON-SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

MAXINE HONG KINGSTONAUTHOR

JOIN NOWFRIENDS

STOCKTON

PUBLIC LIBRARY

OF THE

PUBLICLIBRARY indian holi festival of

colors



Success comes to different people at different stages of life.

Some people have their peak productivity or successful years in high school. Maybe they become the high school football star or the homecoming queen. Others may fi nd their best years in college, receiving honors and scholarships. Many people fi nd that their peak productivity occurs during their career years.

Blanche Chin Ah Tye, however, is peaking at age 95! Over the span of her life she has been actively involved in many organizations. She continues to be the hostess for her church’s lunch on Sundays. On holidays and family gatherings, she cooks multi-course meals for the extended family. Recently she was named Chinese American Citizen of the Year 2015 by the Chinese Cultural Society of Stockton (CCSS). Oh……and she just fi nished writing a book!

Blanche’s book, Full of Gold, provides a heartfelt look at the culture and values of Chinese Americans. She reveals what it was like growing up in Salinas, California Chinatown and later provides an historical view of Chinese Americans living in post World War II America. Of course,

with her love of cooking, it also contains 15 of her favorite cooking recipes.

Blanche explains, “I wrote the book so that Chinese values and culture would not be forgotten by younger generations.”

Writing a book is a major feat for anyone. For ten years Blanche worked on the book, and then there were the back and forth exchanges with the editor.

Daughter, Lani Ah Tye, author of Bury My Bones in America, explains, “Reviewing the edits from the editor requires a lot of careful, focused attention to details. It is not an easy task. Mom received the edits and sat right down and reviewed them straightaway and continued throughout the day. Most people would not have that continued level of concentration. She’s amazing.”

In a room full of her children and grandchildren, Blanche remains one of the most alert in the room. Doreen Ah Tye, Blanche’s youngest daughter, says, “She’s a sharp cookie. You can’t sneak anything past her. She catches everything!”

Throughout her life, Blanche has been very modest, never seeking the limelight. She has been content to sit in the background and let others take the credit. In a very rare moment, however, her modesty is supplanted by her excitement with her book. After a day of reviewing the editing, some guests arrive. Greeting them she remarks, “I read a very interesting book today,” a happy, mischievous gleam in her eye.

So, Blanche is peaking at 95, but who knows? Maybe, this is just the beginning. Perhaps the best is yet to come!

Blanche Ah Tye: peaking at age 95Blanche has a website, fullofgold.com, designed by granddaughter Holly Hong, where you can access a video of Blanche cooking her special Full of Gold – Pau-Pau’s (Grandma’s) fried chicken, get updates and connect to amazon.com to order her book.

By Greg Farkas

At 95 years old, Blanche Chin Ah Tye was named CCSS Citizen of the Year

2015. Her husband, Edward Ah Tye, was Citizen of the Year in 1994, which makes them the � rst couple to earn this honor.

photo by Curtis Chong

Citizen of the Year of the Ram Blanche Ah Tye with daughter, Doreen Ah Tye

(pronounced “Ah Tie”)photo by Laura Sun

Happy 15th Anniversary CVACC

fromE U R O P E A N M O T O R S

B E R B E R I A N M O T O R S . C O M

S T O C K T O N , C A

2 0 1 5 M E R C E D E S - B E N Z C L A



Love for family is inherent in our Asian Heritage. I feel blessed to have a family that values each other and enjoys being

together, yet allows each of us to be individuals and to follow our own pathways. As is part of life, those of the Issei generation have all moved on to their next life, and the Nisei (Second generation Japanese in America) are slowly making their spiritual voyage home. � e Issei and Nisei have paved the way for generations to come and it is with gratitude that I dedicate this APANR article to them.

As our parents leave their homes, we may inherit their furnishings. I don’t believe there is any such thing as “outdated furniture”. Each piece brings with it memories, and mixing the old with the new is what makes life interesting. In this room, I mixed

the modern style sofa with the vintage chair and Asian lacquer antique co� ee tables. � e black accents in the art, lamp and rug tie the two together. When I meet with new clients, I want to know how they want the room to “feel” and I also pick up on the “vibes” of the people and transfer that vibe into their living space. � e most important aspect of good décor is that your living space feels good to you.

� ank you, Nisei’s, for all that you taught us – about the value of family, and learning how to � t a lot of people in one room, and for the furniture that you never discarded. � ey are now treasures of the heart. God bless you as He has blessed us through you, and we are eternally grateful.

Jodi King, OwnerARTISTIC INTERIORS BY JODI

916.837.4159see before and a� er pictures!

www.ArtisticInteriorsbyJodi.comHome is where the ART is!

Jodi King

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

Healthy Boundaries are thoughts, words and actions grounded in self-care practices. When we make self-care a priority, that is a mindset of, “I love myself enough to take care of myself � rst,” it’s easier to establish healthy boundaries.

Self-care is essential because when we’re feeling overwhelmed or over-extended, it helps minimize undue stress, potential burnout or illness.

Self-care prepares us to serve and support others, such as family, colleagues and clients from a wellspring of vitality and vigor.

Self-care positions us to recharge our batteries so that refreshed and renewed, we can fully share our gi� s.

Five Principles of Healthy Boundaries

1. Maintain alignment, balance and circulation in BodyMindSpirit through exercise, sound nutrition and proper rest.

2. Ensure that your external environment supports healthy boundaries by avoiding clutter and maintaining order and organization.

3. Take regular refresh breaks away from your computer to move your body, breathe fresh air outdoors and get a di� erent perspective. You’ll be more clear-headed and more productive when you take refresh breaks to renew yourself.

4. Learn when and how to say, “No”, “No thank you” or “No, not at this time” without guilt, shame or apology.

5. Know what you’re responsible for, what’s yours to do and stay in your lane. Avoid trying to do or control what is NOT your responsibility, job or task.

For some, this may feel or sound harsh. However, when we take care of ourselves � rst and model healthy boundaries, we’re better aligned, balanced, and focused, enabling us to serve and share our gi� s from a spirit of optimal health and well-being.

Learn more tips, tools, strategies and processes to maintain or enhance your health and well-being from Releasing Stress, Creating Serenity: A BodyMindSpirit Self-Care Primer for Busy Women by Harriet Tubman Wright, at: http://www.thewrightresort.com/releasing-stress-creating-serenity-book.

Healthy Boundaries, Healthy BalanceBy Harriet Tubman Wright, MS, MA



Hand in Hand

Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration Saturday, June 6, 2015

The Haggin Museum

1:00—4:00

FREE

1201 N. Pershing Ave Stockton, CA 95203 www.hagginmuseum.org

Heritage tables

Craft activities

Cultural performances

Special Honoree

Cambodian Temple

New Year’s Festival



East/West

By Teresa M. Chen, Paci� c Complementary Medicine Center

A Chinese Herb Shop in a Museum

� e Haggin Museum of Stockton, California preserves many artifacts from the era of the Gold Rush and railroad building that re� ect the life of pioneer families and laborers.

Among the permanent exhibitions is a Chinese herb shop that embodies a medical tradition brought over here by those who crossed the Paci� c in clippers in search of gold and a livelihood.

� e Haggin Museum is very fortunate to have been gi� ed the entire contents of the Lung Lee Herb Shop that was located at 215 S. Hunter Street when the

building was scheduled for demolition in 1969 to make way for the Cross-town Freeway.

With the help of Paul K. Yee, descendent of Yee Wah Hing, one of the earliest Chinese herb doctors in Fiddletown and later in Sacramento, and of Steve Stocking, a biology teacher, the Haggin Museum

catalogued most of the contents of the shop and arranged a superb display.

Similar herb shops can still be found today in Chinatowns across the U.S. Why, then, should this Stockton herb shop be embalmed in a museum? � e answer can only be found by reading between the lines of history books.

It has been written: “Herb shops came to an abrupt end when the U.S. placed an

embargo on products from the People’s Republic of China.” (Choy: p. 135)

If this was the case, why was Lung Lee still operating into the late 1960s? Indeed the trade embargo dealt a blow to imports from China. Yet some Chinese herb doctors persisted in their line of business, getting their supplies indirectly from Hong Kong, Singapore, or even from Europe.

In Stockton, the Crosstown Freeway dealt a second blow to herb shops. City fathers had no qualms about driving the proposed freeway through the heart of Chinatown, displacing businesses and residences.

In the wake of McCarthyism and witch-hunts, Stockton Chinese did not challenge the decision while some property owners were even delighted with the generous compensation.

Many might think Lung Lee Herb Shop would have met its demise were it not donated to a museum. And that being relegated to a fate shared by dinosaurs and mummies was a small price to pay for its continued, though static existence.

Meanwhile, everyone worked in earnest to preserve this relic of Chinese Americana and to make the Chinese herb shop into the gem it has become in the Pioneer section of the Haggin Museum.

At the time, no one could have foretold the changes that would happen in the next decade, with President Richard Nixon’s visit to China in 1972 and the normalization of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China in 1979.

As a result of historical twists and turns, Chinese medicine has come into its own in the U.S. Consequently, the herb shop in the museum basement suddenly got its life back. Yet, like a tree planted there, it seemed somewhat of a mis� t.

Yet, I am glad that we have the Chinese herb shop in a museum.

� e interior of an herb shop o� en looks mysterious and even ominous to westerners with all the closed

drawers on the cabinets. In the Haggin Museum, however, the exhibit o� ers an educational opportunity. Museum visitors feel safe looking through the windows and, with the help of docents and write-ups like this, get introduced to the world of Chinese herbal medicine.

� e Interior of the Herb Shop Wall-to-wall and � oor-to-ceiling

cabinets with labeled drawers dominate the interior of the store.

A long counter stands in front, separating the customer and the store clerk. Prominent on the counter top are the herb cutter, mortar and pestle for reducing bigger pieces of herbs into a manageable size or into a powder. � is has to be done in front of the customer to ensure that expensive herbs like ginseng are not replaced by substitutes of poorer quality.

Inside the Chinese Herb Shop at the Haggin Museum



With a small steelyard scale, the store clerk measures out the herbs called for by the herb doctor’s prescription. With an abacus, each measured item is entered and the cost tallied. Ink and writing brush are used to enter the sale into a ledger, and paper and string are used to package the herbs. Money changes hands.

Some items normally belonging in the back room or preparation area, such as baskets and sieves, are arranged on top of the shelves for display purposes only. � e foot-operated herb cutter also normally belongs in the back room.

To one side of the store, on the shelves are bottles of powder and tincture as well as boxed patent medicine.

� en, there is the window display. Twelve items are exhibited in two groups inside of two window openings. � ese are especially designed for the museum exhibit. Normally, all herbs are tucked away in their designated drawers.

Clockwise from upper le� corner: Turtle Shell (underside), Lu� a Fruit, in cross-sections, Amur Cork Tree Bark, Atractylodis Rhizome, Notoginseng

Root, Tiger Bone, Center: Lichee Seeds

Clockwise from upper le� corner: Castor Beans, Lotus Seed Pods. Grasshopper Egg Case on Mulberry Trees, Elephant Skin,

Aconite Tuber, sliced

� ese items are on display because they are better preserved than whole herbs and leaves.

Last but not least is the polished gourd hanging on the side wall. � e gourd is the symbol of traditional Chinese medicine, comparable to the snake on a sta� for western medicine.

Absent from the scene is the herb doctor, a learned person trained to discern symptoms by observing, listening, taking the patient’s pulses, and writing out a prescription to be � lled by the clerk. � is is � ne because the herb doctor’s station is o� en set to the side or the back to provide some privacy.

Back on the front counter are found written prescriptions and established herbal formulas by which the clerk can � ll the herb packages.

� is completes the inventory of what meets the eye in the Chinese herb shop at the Haggin. What follows is a brief introduction to Chinese herbal medicine.

Practice of Chinese Herbal Medicine in California Pioneer Days

I was saying earlier that a Chinese herb

shop does not really belong to a museum because it is part of a living and on-going tradition. However, it is very appropriate for an herb shop to be included among the many useful artifacts in the Pioneer Room that expands into the basement area of the Haggin Museum.

Not only did Chinese laborers depend on herbal medicine, Caucasian gold miners in Fiddletown also sought help from Dr. Yee Fung Cheung for their colds, asthma, stomachache, and diarrhea, among other ailments. It was well documented by a play written by Charlie Chan of the Chinese Historical Society, and in a valuable manuscript by Barbara Wagner, a docent of the Haggin Museum, written with the help of Dr. Paul K. Yee, grandson of Dr. Tom Yee Wah Hing who was Dr. Yee Fung Cheung’s nephew. Incidentally, the Fiddletown herb shop and its building is now preserved as a museum.

Immediately a� er the Gold Rush Days came the railroad building era. Following the Chinese laborer population, Dr. Yee Fung Cheung set up another herb shop in Sacramento and, later, another one in Nevada City when the crew moved up the Sierra-Nevada.

Again, Caucasian railroad workers also patronized his Chinese medical practice (from personal communication with Mrs. Janet Ferrari Eddy whose grandfather, a foreman with RR, got help from a Chinese herb doctor instead of taking a buggy to San Luis Obispo to visit a western doctor when he was sick.)

It so happened that the wife of Leland Stanford, then governor of California, got an asthma attack one day. As she got no relief from wheezing and profuse perspiration, their Chinese houseboy ran to fetch Dr. Yee Fung Cheung and found him in Wah Hing, a general store in Sacramento. Dr. Yee, having listened to the houseboy’s description of Mrs. Stanford’s symptoms, quickly produced a prescription of Chinese herbs. � e herbal decoction saved Mrs. Stanford; and Dr. Yee had become known as Dr. Wah Hing from that day on. When he sponsored his nephew from China to help him in his clinics, his nephew was o� cially named Dr. Wah Hing.

When I was given permission to examine the small folded pieces of paper on the counter of Dr. Gin’s herb shop located at the Haggin Museum wearing rubber gloves, I was pleased to � nd two formulas for treating asthma, one speci� cally for patients with heavy sweating. � at was probably the same formula used for Mrs. Stanford. Time-tested formulas used in early California more than 150 years ago are very much the main staple of traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

� e herbs are arranged in the cabinet drawers by their categories and their most likely combinations according to the established formulas. Herb placement in the cabinet, like Chinese calligraphy, follows a top-to-bottom sequence, column by column.

In the old days, herb shop clerks and apprentices knew the order of herb arrangement by heart; no labeling of the drawers was necessary. Fortunately for us, Dr. Gin labeled all the drawers in Chinese (abbreviation of herb names) following twentieth century practice.

Next time you visit the Haggin Museum, bring along this article. I hope it can o� er you some new insight into Chinese herbal medicine.

� e Haggin Museum is located on the grounds of Victory Park on North Pershing Avenue between Argonne and Picardy Drives in Stockton CA, a stone’s throw from I-5. For visitor information, go to www.hagginmuseum.org.



As an American growing up in the South in the Fi� ies and Sixties, Asian heritage was mysterious and foreign. I did not meet many Asians in the South, leaving me to piece together inaccurate representations through World War II movies and comedies, where Asians were portrayed as vicious warriors or small, subservient dry cleaners and railroad workers who talked funny. If we did an impression of an Asian, we would squint our eyes and say, “Ahh so!” or “I want some � ied lice.”

Ironically, it was the entertainment media that also began awakening me to a di� erent side of Asian heritage. At age 18, the Kung Fu TV show resonated with me, especially the Taoist and Zen Buddhist

philosophy that guided the morality of the stories. In my Southern Baptist culture, I had never been told you could look at the world in such a wonderful, peaceful way.

� en Bruce Lee hit American movie theaters in 1973. I began studying kung fu. From that moment, Asian heritage began to have a huge impact on my life.

My � rst kung fu teacher was Sin Kwang � e, from Indonesia. He was a very nice young martial artist who became a legend in Lexington, Kentucky. As the decades passed, I have trained with many wonderful Asian people, including members of the Chen family, the creators of Tai Chi from Chenjiagou, Henan Province. My wife and I hosted

Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing in our home for a week in 2006. He spoke no English and we spoke no Chinese, but we got along well and practiced Tai Chi every day.

When I teach kung fu, I maintain my American culture. I count in English, not Chinese as some instructors try to do. I do not bow to the training � oor as some Asian teachers demand. But my life is much better because of the Taoist philosophy of � nding my center, connecting with all things and all people, and riding the ups and downs of life, always able to return to a balanced state eventually, including a� er the death of a daughter in 1980.

For many Americans, Asian heritage is still mysterious. I am now 62, and my knowledge of the Asian cultures and heritage is still growing. Like kung fu, it is a lifelong endeavor, and very valuable to any American who makes the e� ort to learn.

About � e Author: Ken Gullette is an award-winning journalist, martial arts instructor, and media relations professional. He has kung-fu students worldwide who he teaches through DVDs, ebooks, and his online school at www.internal� ghtingarts.com. Ken lives in Moline, Illinois. Presented by WokStar Productions.

American heritage through the lens of a martial artistBy Ken Gullette

Sacramento retired dentist and businessman Dr. Herbert Yee immigrated through Angel Island in 1931 at the age of six-and-a-half. He was born in Sing Tong Village, Kee Sui District, Toishan, Guangdong Province, in China in 1924 and in his ninety years, has had an amazing professional career.

Herbert’s father, Henry, had earlier traveled to the U.S. where he received a civil engineering degree from the University of Michigan, then returned to China to become the railroad building chief. Henry returned to China in 1929 to become an herbalist and chiropractor. Later, he sent son Paul, age 15, back to China to fetch Henry’s wife and sons Herbert and Calvin; daughters May and Song followed later.

� e journey took three weeks, with a brief stop in Honolulu. Dr. Yee remembers being seasick and wondering, “When is everything going to stop twirling around?” Upon arrival in San Francisco, he could see his father on the dock, but was unable to talk to him because he, his mother and brother were sent to Angel Island. Herbert stayed with his mother and one-year old Calvin in the women’s section because they were so young.

Herbert remembers staying on the top level of a triple-decker bunk bed and that one of the interpreters gave him a penny, telling him it was a gold coin. He remembers being happy there, as a young boy – no one gave him any problems, though cultural di� erences a� ected his mother. In China, people did not disrobe for physical medical examinations, but she objected having to do so during her exam on the island.

Dr. Yee was asked basic

questions during his interrogations – his name, date of birth, if the woman in the room was his mother, if he’d attended school, his father’s name, where he lived. A week a� er arrival, the family was released, and their father met the family on the docks in San Francisco. Herbert and his family took a train to Sacramento and settled in their new home with their father. Along with Paul, Herbert, and Calvin, Song and May, who all arrived from China, children Franklin and Carol were born in Sacramento. Unfortunately, daughter Phyllis died of spinal meningitis at age three.

In the years that followed, Herbert attended schools in Sacramento and graduated from Sacramento High

School. He went to Stanford University and then to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, then part of Stanford and now part of the University of the Paci� c. Herbert met his wife Inez at Stanford, and they were married in 1945.

Dr. Herbert Yee’s Angel Island Story� ey had four sons, four daughters-in-law, and now have nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Along with his dental practice, Dr. Yee went into real estate development and also served as a director on a number of banks. His leadership roles include being president of the California State Board of Dental Examiners, Grand President of the Yee Family Association, President of the Sun Yat-Sen Association, President of the Alumni Association of the University of the Paci� c School of Dentistry, and many other volunteer positions. His philanthropy has included contributing to and raising funds for schools in his home village, hospitals and senior centers in Sacramento, the Sacramento Zoo, University of the Paci� c, and many other organizations.

Special thanks to Dr. Yee’s daughter-in-law Karun Yee for her article on Dr. Yee for Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation’s Immigrant Voices website. To read her article and a video interview with Dr. Yee, and 175 other stories about Paci� c Coast immigrants, visit www.aiisf.org/immigrant-voices.



Keys to success and prosperity: respect and gratitudeBy Jim T. Chong

Jim T. Chong

As we grow up and grow older, we defi nitely get wiser...individually and as a nati on. The foundati on of anything you build is so important whether it be for a business, a community, or the life we live. It is important to remember that we have risen to be a great nati on “Under God”. Because “God” is referenced in our pledge of allegiance and of course on our dollar bill, it can be argued that our focus on God has been the fabric that has helped us be united in thought and objecti ves in building our nati on.

In past arti cles, I have discussed the importance of having a plan and strategy in anything that we choose to build. One of the most important elements to consider is the foundati on. Looking back, we have built our belief systems and have given credit to God for the successes we have as a nati on. Ironically, today we consider whether we should allow burning the fl ag in our own country, removing the phrase “In God We Trust” off the dollar bill, and even in some states not allowing prayer in schools. If we are to build anything that will stand the test of ti me, we need to consider where success leads us...is it to respect the wisdom of the past that has brought us this far, or to questi on it and wonder why it took so long to get here today.

There are some important elements to consider whether it be in looking at the fabric of what we believe, the infrastructure of a business, or even about the consti tuti on of our country. All of these

seem somewhat diff erent, yet the concept is actually the same in that how we perceive the past can directly eff ect how we will pursue the future. Will our growth and future be with grati tude or pessimism, with a mindset of abundance vs. scarcity, or with confi dence vs. fear?

As we focus on our heritage and foundati ons this month, let’s consider how we will build the future. An educati on and understanding of history almost always leads to some pivotal decisions moving forward. There are truly great lessons learned that when appreciated can help us thrive. As it has been said, our atti tude can really determine our alti tude. Learning how to appreciate the people or situati ons that we can learn from can help us make some great decisions. No matt er what we are building, some great words to consider as we move forward are RESPECT and GRATITUDE. Respect for self and for others gives us confi dence and a fi rm foundati on, while grati tude gives us momentum.

“Grati tude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beatti e

About The Author: Jim T. Chong is an S4L Executive Speaker/Trainer/Writer/Published Author and specializes Navigator for LTC/Senior Benefi ts, Financial, Retirement, Life and Business Strategies, a published author & Executive Speakeer/Trainer, and is on the Executive Team/Board of various Foundations and Organizations. He is also the founder of the upcoming “WokStar Production”.Soluti ons4Life (S4L) Resource includes…

WEALTHCARE: Jim T. Chong – Money Confi dence Mastery / LTC Navigator / Financial Soluti ons Professional & Host of “Cha-Ching with Chong: The Quest 4 The Cash Cow” / co-host of “Connecti ons: Relati onship Dynamics” calls and internet radio shows, S4L Executi ve Speaker/Speaker Trainer, & Writer. Contact: 209.534.8000

WEALTHCARE: Jo Anna Wright – Real Estate Investment Mentor/Instructor, S4L Speaker. Contact: 209.346.1014

HEALTH CARE: Mary Nicholson – Health Coach, S4L Executi ve Speaker / Writer, Founder Of Healings In Moti on (http://www.healingsinmotion.org) Contact: 916.213.9407

HEALTH CARE: Cami Ferry – Healthy Lifestyles Advocate, S4L Speaker / Writer, Principal of In Moti on Theatre, Founder Of Cami’s Cardio: Advocati ng A Healthy Lifestyle. Contact: 916.663.9953

SELF CARE: Katherine Gerardi – Transformati onal Coach & host of the “Power Half Hour” calls and internet radio show, S4L Executi ve Speaker/Speaker Trainer. Contact: 207.319.8210

BUSINESS CARE: Jane Taff – Business Planning, Relati onship Coach, co-host of the “Connecti ons: Relati onship Dynamics” calls and internet show, S4L Executi ve Speaker/Speaker Trainer. Contact: 916.517.0342

BRANDING CARE: Deidre Trudeau – Branding & Design Arti st at Ezeeye IMAGING & host of “The She-Fluence Factor” calls & internet radio show. Contact: 916.803.2787

VETERAN CARE: Chris Lambert – Resource for recovering Veterans, Speaker Contact: 209.985.7075

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ABLE’s instructional model combines the best practices of direct instruction with the full depth and breadth of the ABLE’s instructional model combines the best practices of direct instruction with the full depth and breadth of the



Berkeley-based non-pro� t, Rising Sun Energy Center, provides youth and adults with meaningful training and employment opportunities in the energy e� ciency sector, while delivering no-cost energy and water conservation services to thousands of households each year, with a focus on under-served populations.

Since 1994, Rising Sun has evolved from a modest renewable energy education center into a leading green workforce development and retro� t services organization.

Rising Sun’s internationally recognized programs o� er valuable and relevant skills training, while simultaneously contributing to climate action solutions.

� e goal of Rising Sun’s primary youth program, California Youth Energy Services (CYES), is to provide opportunities for youth to increase their professional capacity, self-e� cacy, and environmental literacy through direct employment, while simultaneously o� ering direct resource conservation services and education to community members.

To do this, CYES employs local young adults ages 15-22 as Energy Specialists, and trains them to deliver energy e� ciency and water conservation assessments,

installations, and education in local homes.

While the service, called a Green House Call, is available to any member of the community who pays a PG&E bill, CYES speci� cally targets low-moderate income households, renters, seniors, and non-native English speakers.

At each Green House Call, a team of Energy Specialists checks the home for e� ciency, installs energy and water-saving equipment, and provides personalized recommendations for further savings.

Energy Specialists may install

equipment like energy-e� cient lighting, high-e� ciency aerators for bath and kitchen sinks, showerheads, clotheslines, power strips, and more – all at no cost to the resident. � e installation of these energy- and water-saving devices can help lower clients’ monthly utility and water bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save water in a time of drought.

CYES has a � � een-year track record of employing local youth in a green job and directly saving energy and water. In 2014 alone, CYES served 4,729 homes – exceeding

California Youth Energy Services makes Green House Calls in the Central Valley this summer

By Trisha Fong

its goal by almost 700 homes. � is equated to savings of 910,010 kWh, 12,832 therms, 695.5 metric tons of CO2, and 3,135 gallons of water per minute of usage.

In addition, CYES employed 143 local youth across � ve counties, providing job training, employment, and professional development.

� is summer, through a partnership with Great Valley Center and the Paci� c Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), CYES expanded to the Central Valley – now serving homeowners and renters in Stockton, Lathrop/French Camp, Tracy, and Manteca. Rising Sun will employ thirty-two young adults from San Joaquin County to provide residents with Green House Calls.

� ese energy e� ciency and water conservation upgrades will be available June 30th through August 6th to all residents who pay a PG&E bill.

You can sign up for this service, o� ered at no cost, on www.risingsunenergy.org, or by directly contacting Trisha Fong, Regional Outreach Manager, at [email protected] or (510) 883-4015. Sign up today to start conserving energy and water in your home – at no cost to you.

Rising Sun Energy Center Regional Manager for Youth Programs, Darren Kumar, at far le� , and author Trisha Fong, Regional Outreach Manager, at far right, with last

year’s California Youth Energy Services sta�

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KVIE Public Television Program HighlightsJoin KVIE Public Television for

programs in May celebrating Asian and Paci� c Islander history, culture, health, and more in celebration of Asian-American and Paci� c Islander Heritage Month. Visit kvie.org/apaheritagemonth for more information.

KVIE’s ViewFinder Series Celebrates APA Heritage Month

KVIE’s local series, ViewFinder, which airs Wednesdays at 7 PM, will highlight APA stories all month. Discover the story of Japanese Americans who served during WWII, even as their families were moved into internment camps (5/6).

Examine Filipino farmworkers’ link to the United Farm Workers Union (5/13). Listen to one Filipino

immigrant’s story of hardships and success (5/20). Join a Sacramento man’s personal odyssey to explore his ancestral Chinese roots (5/27).

View all of our ViewFinder programs and learn more about the series at www.kvie.org/view� nder.

Documentaries Revealing APA Culture

Discover the stories of the children who were interned at the WWII Japanese internment camp in Heart Mountain,

Wyoming. Now in their 80s, these former prisoners share their memories and photographs in Heart Mountain: An All American Town (5/4 11 p.m.).

Meet Ed Hagedorn: a powerful gangster-turned environmental warrior. As mayor of Puerto Princesa, he had vowed to change his life as well as the city, and has followed up on his word, in Papa Boss (5/10 11 p.m.).

Follow the stories of Vietnamese refugees who have been living in a legal limbo in the Philippines while awaiting an opportunity for resettlement in the US in Stateless (5/11 11 p.m.).

Examine the human cost of military con� ict through personal accounts of the Korean War in Memory of Forgotten War (5/15 10:30 p.m.).

An infantry regiment in the Army during WWII made up of Americans of Japanese ancestry is pro� led in Four-Four-Two, F Company at War (5/15 11:30 p.m.).

Meet Cecilia Chiang, the woman who introduced America to authentic Chinese food through her San Francisco restaurant that opened in 1961 in Soul of a Banquet (5/17 3 p.m.).

Explore the Cambodia genocide of the 1970s and its lasting impact through the eyes of a former Khmer Rogue child soldier in Lost Child: Sayon’s Journey (5/26 11 p.m.).

Meet a musician seeking out a forgotten tradition of Filipino serenading and farm workers who instigated the Delano Grape Strike of 1965 in Filipino American Lives (5/25, 26 3 p.m.).

Examine how traditional Japanese cultural arts were maintained at a time when the War Relocation Authority emphasized assimilation and Americanization in Hidden Legacy:

Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the WWII Internment Camps (5/27 11 p.m.).

Huell Howser’s Hmong Feature� ere are roughly 250,000 Hmong

people living in the United States. � e Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia. Many ended up in the fertile areas in and around Fresno County, where their love of farming and vast knowledge has served them well. Join Huell as he visits two farms—one a small family farm, the other the largest Hmong farm in the nation—that are growing interesting and unusual produce in California (5/21 8 p.m.).

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APANR May/June 2015