March 5: LA

March 6: La Mirada

March 8: New York

So how much did Aretha Franklin’s inauguration hat cost?  It set her back $500 at Mr Song Millinery.  We wrote about this the day after the inauguration and it seems like Mr. Song has been getting consistent press about the hat.  Apparently he’s been flooeded with calls for the hat.  Read>

Saturday, the Korean American Association of Clarksville invites locals to get to know one of Clarksville’s thriving cultures while celebrating the Korean New Year.  The celebration, which begins 6 p.m. in Morgan University Center at Austin Peay State University, features dignitaries, dancing, demonstrations, giveaways and lots of food.

Beginning at 6 p.m., Korean American Association President Gon Kevin Huh will welcome guests and introduce dignitaries including County Mayor Carolyn Bowers, City Mayor Johnny Piper, county commissioners, City Council members and other elected officials as well as visiting officers from other Korean American associations.

At 7 p.m., dinner will begin, including dishes such as beef bulgogi, spiced pork bulgogi, veggie bulgogi, chicken wings, oriental noodles, fried rice and a variety of Korean side dishes.  Read>

The festivities, which will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday with a parade starting at Union St. and 37th Ave., will continue through February with a series of Asian cultural events.

Highlights include an afternoon of free Korean activities, including a singing competition at the Dae Dong Manor on Northern Blvd., presented by the Korean-American Association of Central Queens.

“It’s going to be traditional games, contests, raffles,” said former association President Sean Shin. “It’s going to be fun.”

Games include yut, where players toss wooden sticks to move pieces on a board, and jegichagi, similar to Hacky Sack.  Read>

With spring training right around the corner, who’s going to be in a major league uniform on opening day?

• Chan Ho Park – The 15-year veteran Park signed a $5 million deal with the defending World Series champion in December and is in contention for a fifth spot on the rotation.
• Choo Shin-Soo – The Indians’ Web site mentioned Choo as a candidate for their cleanup man along with All-Star power hitters Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner.  ESPN also reported Tuesday that the 26-year-old left-swinger is one of the most dangerous hitters in the big leagues against right-handed pitchers, putting him in the same class as Mark Teixeira of the New York Yankees, Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres and Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins.
• Byung Hyun Kim – Kim is looking to the second WBC as the stage that will lead to a U.S. Major League return.

The program started when a Korean pastor came to Wisconsin and set up a program between a few churches. Deb Nugent, of Cumberland, got involved and has gone to Korea the last six summers to teach English there and has helped organize the program in Wisconsin.  Read>

Christopher (Kang Jin-young) – special assistant to the president for legislative affairs

Eugene Kang – special assistant to the president.

Betsy Kim – works for the State Department

Anna Kim – will be White House liaison officer to the Defense Department

Eddie Murphy came to Queens and found his new life in the movie “Coming to America.”  For Joon, she came to the Bronx and found sex, drugs and alcohol.  Such is the tragic story of Nami Mun’s “Miles from Nowhere,” an immigrant dream shattered by the realities of American society.  Nami Mun’s book is not about the American dream but rather a nightmare for those who are unfortunate and short on their means.  It is a truly gripping book and written by an up and coming talent.   Read>

Art exhibition by New York artist, Jung Hyang Kim in Westport, CT at the Amy Simon Gallery: Inaugurating Dreams

January 10, 2009 — February 14, 2009

Amy Simon Fine Art, 275 Post Road East, Playhouse Square. (203) 226-8232

People see things in black and white  and that’s rather unfortunate.  However, Young Jean Lee is neither black nor white, but a Korean American who’s probably the most talked about playwright in New York city because of her latest production, “The Shipment”.  You ask why?  One would say she’s got real coconuts to daringly write about African-American stereotypes, but based on the reviews of critics and the positive reactions from the audience, the play’s a masterful success.

The New York Times wrote a very nice piece about “The Shipment” and perhaps her work is not only heightened because we’re living in an Obama world but maybe because it’s a damn good play.  Read>