Funds Go to Twenty Schools and  Twenty Community Groups

Asian Heritage Street Celebration 2009 Beneficiaries & “Make Some Money for Your School” Raffle Participants

SAN FRANCISCO (November 18, 2009) - The Asian Heritage Street Celebration -  will be honoring over 20 not-for-profit organizations for their work in the Asian Pacific American community, and over 20 local schools on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Cova Hotel, located at 655 Ellis Street.

The Asian Heritage Street Celebration is in its fifth year and is the largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the country. It annually returns proceeds to various diverse and underserved Asian communities including Vietnamese, Laotians, Cambodians, Samoans, and Filipinos. Since its inception, the AHSC has donated more than $100,000 to over 50 Bay Area community groups and charities, who are selected as beneficiaries for their role in assembling diverse elements within the Asian Pacific American community, and also neighborhood schools that participate in the Make Some Money for Your School Raffle Fundraiser.

The Celebration is committed to helping San Francisco public schools fundraise, and its raffle and prize-drawing program is a cross-generational community philanthropy project.  The AHSC takes all responsibility for gathering over three dozen prizes and grand prizes, and administrative processes. 100% of funds raised go back to participating schools, with AsianWeek Foundation covering all costs.

WHAT:       Asian Heritage Street Celebration Awards Reception

WHERE:    Cova Hotel, 655 Ellis St., San Francisco, CA

WHEN:     Wednesday, November 18, 2009
                      5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
                    
WHO:

2009 AHSC Beneficiaries
Association of Asian American Administrators
Asian American Donor Program
Asian American Recovery Services, Inc.
Asian Americans for Community Outreach
APA Family Support Services
Association of Chinese Cooking Teachers
Au Co Vietnamese Cultural Center
California Writers Club
Cherry Blossom Alumnae
Chinatown YMCA
Compassionate Chefs Café
Corporate Asian American Employee Network
Filipino American Arts Exposition
International Lao New Year Festival Committee
Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
Kearny Street Workshop
Kimochi, Inc.
Korean Center, Inc.
Nakayoshi Young Professionals
Nihonmachi Street Fair
Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition
Vietnamese Community Center of San Francisco

2009 Make Some Money for Your School Raffle Participants

Pre-K Schools
Argonne Alternative Elementary School
Jefferson Nursery School
Noriega Child Development Center

Elementary Schools
E.R. Taylor Elementary School
Gordon J. Lau Elementary School
Jose Ortega Elementary School
McKinley Elementary School
Sheridan Elementary School
Spring Valley Elementary School
Sunset Elementary School
Visitacion Valley Elementary School

Middle Schools
James Denman Middle School
Herbert Hoover Middle School
Marina Middle School
Visitacion Valley Middle School

High Schools
De Anza High School - Richmond, CA
Galileo High School
George Washington High School
George Washington Alumni Association
Lincoln High School
Mission High School
Newcomer High School
Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School
*All schools are based in San Francisco, unless otherwise noted.

To RSVP for this event, please reply to Angela Pang at apang@asianweek.com.

The AHSC School Raffle Program is a community based project to (1) provide a no-risk fundraiser opportunity for our public schools, (2) to enhance our children’s learning and extracurricular activities, and (3) familiarize students at an early age about the concepts of giving and raising funds for community purposes

Prizes are donated from area businesses and are critical to the success of the program. Raffle tickets are sold for $3 each, with money going directly back to each school in proportion to revenue generated.

Accounting is completed by Louie & Wong LLP

Schools interested in participating can contact Angela Pang (415) 321-5894 or apang@asianweek.com for details.

This Year’s 2009 AHSC “Make Some Money for Your School” Raffle Prizes and Winners:

*Winners, please bring in your ID and winning ticket to redeem your prize at the AsianWeek Foundation office located at 809 Sacramento St., San Francisco by July 30. The office is open from 9 to 5:30 Mondays to Fridays.

$500 Cash: Courtesy of the AsianWeek Foundation - Mui Le Vong, Washington High School, (100553))

$500 Cash to Winner’s SFUSD School of Choice: Courtesy of the AsianWeek Foundation - Capitulo, Visitacion Valley Middle School, (103678)

$100 Cash: Courtesy of Gus Murad of Medjool Restaurant - Gabrielle Molina, Spring Valley Elementary School, (102915)

Rock Band 2 Wireless Drum Set: Courtesy of AsianWeek Foundation- Bernadette Ho, Presidio Middle School, (104845)

Grant Plaza Hotel: Gift Certificate for One Night Stay courtesy of Grant Plaza Hotel - Will Garcia, McKinley Elementary School, (103904),

Hotel Kabuki: Gift Certificate for One Night Stay ($300) courtesy of Hotel Kabuki -  Qiuolu Li, Newcomer High School, (105193)

Beach Blanket Babylon: Two (2) tickets to Beach Blanket Babylon courtesy of Steve Silver’s Beach Blanket Babylon, Wei F. Lan, E.R. Taylor Elementary School, (106889)

California Academy of Science: Four (4) General Admission tickets courtesy of the California Academy of Science, Nhui Lac, (100542),

Bandai Gift Package: Bandai America Toys Gift Package ($100) courtesy of Bandai Toys America - S. Greirs, Sheridan Elementary School, (102547)

“View From the Bay” Taping and Tour: Live VIP Taping and Tour courtesy of “View From the Bay”, ABC 7, Wei Feng Xiao, Jefferson PreK, (101776)

“Bay Sunday” Taping and Tour: Live Taping of “Bay Sunday” with Sue Kwon and CBS studio tour courtesy of CBS 5, Miller, Denman Middle School, (108238)

Utopia Restaurant: One (1) Gift Certificate ($25) courtesy of Utopia Restaurant - Betty Sin, Galileo High School, (104570)

Anne Klein Silk Scarves: Six (6) silk scarves ($25 ea.) courtesy of Carolyn Gan - Lonnie K. Chin, Spring Valley Elementary (102099), Michelle Tsang, E.R. Taylor Elementary School, (106906), Elizabeth Delmos, Noriega CDC (108635), Reggie, Sheridan Elementary School, 109124, Linh Lu, Washington High School (100810), Uadsha Hewitt, Mission High School (101239)

Angel Island Tote and Books: Angel Island Immigration Station Tote Bag with Children’s Books courtesy of Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation - Jason Gi, Lincoln High School, (109283)

World Team USA: Five (5) World Team USA Muay Thai Kickboxing Private Lesson for 1 month courtesy of World Team USA - Jeanne Marie Hughes, Jose Ortega Elementary School, (102099), Sorina Kha, Noriega CDC (101502), Odette Catalaa, Sheridan Elementary (102581), Brandon Wong, Hoover Middle School, (100621), D. Washington, Jose Ortega Elementary School, (101914)
Pier 39 Family Fun Pack: Includes 4 Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruises, 4 Carousel Rides, 4 Player Games Arcade Tokens, 4 Single Turbo Rides, 2 Hour Validation ($178) courtesy of Pier 39 - Mike Cano, Jose Ortega Elementary School, (101911)

Asian Art Museum Tickets: Two (2) General Admission tickets courtesy of the Asian Art Museum - Long Tran, (101122)

John Handa Personal Financial Analysis: Five (5) Complete Personal Financial Analysis ($500ea.) courtesy of John Handa, World Financial Group - Deborah Fedorchuk, Mission High Schooll (101216), Tony Talaric, Sunset Elementary (103296), M. Dea, Gordon J. Lau Elementary School, (107504), Ahshlee Nguyen, Spring Valley Elementary (103296), Imari Cooly, Sheridan Elementary School, (101857)

Sunset Books: Set of seven (7) Sunset Books focusing on home, garden, and food : Simply Upholstery, Ideas for Great Tile, Landscaping with Stone, Kids’ Rooms, Cottage Style Decorating, The Sunset Grill, Pottery Barn: Living Rooms - Kevin Guan, Lincoln High School (109244)

Fumi Nihei: Set of four (4) Cookbooks focusing on APA Cuisine - Thai Food, Growing Up in a Korean Kitchen, New wave Luau, What the World Eats - David Gerbic, Visitacion Valley Middle School, (103603)

SFMOMA: Two (2) guest passes to The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ($12.50ea), Catherine Kelleher, Galileo High School, (104268)

Cioppino’s On the Wharf: Two (2) $50 Gift certificate in food and beverage to Cioppino’s On the Warf, Kiyomi Funaki, Washington High School, (100837)

Golden State Warriors: Basketball autographed by the Golden State Warriors team, Aimee Aldana, (105023)

iPod Touch: Courtesy of Brown & Toland Medical Group - Jan Joaquin, (108164)

California Writers Club Tote and Book: California Writers Club Tote Bag and Book (Kiyo’s Story: A Japanese American Family’s Quest for the American Dream, by Kiyo Sato) courtesy of California Writers Club, Sacramento Branch - Nakamura, Sunset Elementary (102604)

California Writers Club Tote and Book: California Writers Club Tote Bag and Book (Capital Crimes: 15 Tales by Sacramento Area Authors, edited by Kathleen L. Asay and Patricia E. Canterbury) courtesy of California Writers Club, Sacramento Branch - Patrick Willey, Lincoln High School, (108858)

California Writers Club Tote and Books: California Writers Club Tote Bag and Books (The Lostcreek Legacy and Wyla the Witch, by Evelyn Swift) courtesy of California Writers Club, Sacramento Branch - N. Scott, Sheridan Elementary School  (102499)

California Writers Club Tote and Books: California Writers Club Tote Bag and Books (The Year of the Rat and Journey from Shanghai, by Lucille Bellucci) courtesy of California Writers Club, Berkeley Branch - Kim Taylor, Sheridan Elementary School, (100898)

California Writers Club Tote and Books: California Writers Club Tote Bag and Books (Love Made of Heart by Teresa LeYung Ryan, Outside Child by Alice Wilson-Fried, and Heroes Arise by Laurel Anne Hill) courtesy of California Writers Club, San Francisco Peninsula Branch - Wendy Siu, Noriega PreK,  (101528)

California Writers Club Tote and Books: California Writers Club Tote Bag and Books (Vintage Voices: A Sonoma County Writers Club Harvest, Vintage Voices: A Toast to Life, and Vintage Voices: Four-Part Harmony, by CWC Redwood Branch) courtesy of California Writers Club, Redwood Branch, Kingston Li, Galileo High School,  (104410)

ANIME CONTEST

Anime fans showed off their hand made outfits at the annual Anime Cosplay Contest. Cosplayers donned costumes from popular anime shows like Naruto and Final Fantasy. Ten contestants participated in the event organized by Project 760 Productions, eigoMANGA,AnimeV. The contest was emceed by Maria Watanabe of Animemyu, pictured right with a contestant.

Additional prizes were donated by Japan Video & Media, Viz Pictures, Sony Pictures, Nightjar LLC, and Thomas’ Apartment. 

Photo by Quincy Stamper

The Asian Art Museum stage became a dance floor, as a crowd formed in front of the stage, bobbing their heads, swaying their hips and arms while jamming to the electric performance by Bay Area rapper Lyrics Born and wife Joyo Velarde.

“The crowd and event was fantastic!” exclaimed Lyrics Born, after his performance. “There aren’t many Asians in the arts so it is important for others to see arts like myself out there performing to change that.”

Watch his performance on YouTube: Lyrics Born Performs at AHSC

Thanks to ABC7’s Alan Wang for attending and covering the street fair! Watch the news clip online:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0hrdi1kIgI

Vietnamese community represented during Faces of Asia cultural procession. Photo by Tyler Nguyen.

Hundreds filled Turk St. bordering the ring set up for Muay Thai Kickboxing and mixed marital arts demonstrations all afternoon. Photo by Tyler Nguyen.

To view more photos from Tyler Nguyen, visit: http://imagetel-photography.smugmug.com/gallery/8257774_AXANH#540271550_HWwpk

Atttendees estimated at 100,000 over the course of the day, filled Larkin Street from McAllister to Ellils Streets. Photo by R. Gerry Pangilinan

Subaru's specially branded car for the Asian Heritage Street Celebration.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and ABC7 anchor Alan Wang spoke at the Asian Art Museum Stage about the importance of getting screened for hepatitis B. Asian Pacific Islanders have the highest rate of the disease compared to any ethnic group, and it is estimated that 1 in 10 people in the API community have an undiagnosed infection. Both Ma and Wang have chronic hepatitis B and were infected at birth. Wang wore a jade ribbon during his 5pm, 6pm and 11pm newscast that evening, showing his support of hepatitis B awareness and is one of the first Asian American newscasters nationwide to do so. http://www.sfhepbfree.org

Thanks to the Japantown Merchants Association for lending us thier photo displays. Photo by Hilton Woo.

More photos from Hilton Woo can be found at: http://5thannualasianheritagestreetfest.shutterfly.com/

For excellence in nutrition and fitness, forty-nine students received glass plaques designed by Dave San Pedro and created by Art Crystal, Ltd. The ceremony was part of the annual SFUSD Student Awards Program that the AHSC has hosted annually to recognize the accomplishments of students who are of Asian Pacific Islander heritage in categories not typically celebrated. Photo by Leanna Yip.

More photos from Leanna Yip can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eye_soar/sets/72157618382333396/

This year's fair featured the most arts and crafts vendor ever! Including sushi, dim sum, donut and manju clocks by http://www.sushiclock.com/. Photo by Scott Kong.

Animemyu, a non-profit that serves to inspire people to learn about Japanese culture and language through Japanese animation musicals, is best known for its Sailor Moon Musical that has been performed for the past three years at the city’s Cherry Blossom Festival. animemyu@gmail.com. Photo by Scott Kong

More photos from Scott Kong:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/letphotospeak/sets/72157618453195768/show/

Approximately 20 food booths lined Larkin Street. Photo by David Tsai.

More photos from David Tsai: http://picasaweb.google.com/davidtsai2009/AsianHeritageStreetCelebration200902?feat=email#

Photos from Frank Jang: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?localeid=en_US&c=13qgn8xn.51nu1p8f&y=ob6cez&x=0

SAN FRANCISCO (May 19, 2009) - Approximately 100,000 people of all ages and races overflowed Larkin Street from McAllister to Ellis Streets to enjoy the sunshine and celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in San Francisco on May 16.

The fifth annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration — the largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the nation — featured a muay Thai kickboxing ring, delicious pan Asian cuisine, J-cars, tons of arts and crafts booths, Asian American musical artists, martial arts, a cultural procession, carnival rides and games, and more.

Presented by California Pacific Medical Center and Subaru, the 5th Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration took place in San Francisco’s Civic Center in front of the Asian Art Museum, leading up to the Little Saigon District.

The city’s three Asian American Supervisors Carmen Chu, Eric Mar, and President of the Board of Supervisors David Chiu, kicked off the street fair with warm wishes and greetings for fairgoers at the Asian Art Museum stage. Chiu told the crowd it was fitting that the nation’s largest Asian street celebration took place in the city because San Francisco is “the heart of our country’s Asian American community.”

Proud San Francisco Unified School District Awards parents surrounded the Little Saigon Stage, in the early afternoon with camcorders and digital cameras to snap footage of their children during the fair’s annual SFUSD Student Awards Ceremony. For excellence in nutrition and fitness, forty-nine students received glass plaques designed by Dave San Pedro and created by Art Crystal, Ltd. The ceremony was part of the annual SFUSD Student Awards Program that the AHSC has hosted annually to recognize the accomplishments of students who are of Asian Pacific Islander heritage in categories not typically celebrated. Superintendent Carlos Garcia, Director of School Health Programs Department Meyla Ruwin, along with principals Liana Szeto of Alice Fong Yu Elementary and Ron Pang of Lincoln High School, all were on hand to show their support for the awards program.

Hundreds filled Turk St. bordering the ring set up for Muay Thai Kickboxing and mixed marital arts demonstrations all afternoon, sipping on Sapporo beer and some even standing on tiptoe for a glimpse of the action packed exhibition hosted by San Francisco’s World Team USA. The exhibit has easily become an audience favorite of the AHSC since 2007.

A trademark of the AHSC is the showcase of approximately 50 cars, organized by J’s Gatherings. Many stopped to check out the sports cars ranging from the Amuse Skyline R35 GT-R to the Mach III G35.

At the end of the day, approximately 160 people took advantage of the free hepatitis B screenings presented by California Pacific Medical Center and the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and ABC7 anchor Alan Wang spoke at the Asian Art Museum Stage about the importance of getting screened for hepatitis B. Asian Pacific Islanders have the highest rate of the disease compared to any ethnic group, and it is estimated that 1 in 10 people in the API community have an undiagnosed infection.  Both Ma and Wang have chronic hepatitis B and were infected at birth. Wang wore a jade ribbon during his 5pm, 6pm and 11pm newscast that evening, showing his support of hepatitis B awareness and is one of the first Asian American newscasters nationwide to do so.

“In the Bay Area we are so fortunate to have such a rich diversity of Asian cultures and the street celebration gives us the chance to enjoy them all,” said Paula Lykins, Community Relations Manager for California Pacific Medical Center.

In the late afternoon, the Asian Art Museum stage became a dance floor, as a crowd formed in front of the stage, bobbing their heads, swaying their hips and arms while jamming to the electric performance by Bay Area rapper Lyrics Born and wife Joyo Velarde.

“The crowd and event was fantastic!” exclaimed Lyrics Born, after his performance. “There aren’t many Asians in the arts so it is important for others to see arts like myself out there performing to change that.”

“The fair had great music, great food, and was great fun!” said fairgoer Christina Nelson of Daly City. “The only regret I have is not bringing my little brother for the children’s area.”

The AHSC, organized by the AsianWeek Foundation, is the only outdoor event in the Bay Area to rotate its location each year in order to showcase that APIs reside in all San Francisco neighborhoods. The first Celebration highlighted the Japanese community in Japantown, the second showcased the Chinese on Irving Street in the Sunset District, the third paid homage to the large Filipino community in the South of Market area, last year the fair returned to Japantown and this year the fair celebrated the large Vietnamese community in the city’s Little Saigon neighborhood.

“I am very excited and proud that the Vietnamese community that the AsianWeek Foundation chose to host their event in Little Saigon This year. Everyone knows that there is a Chinatown and Japantown, but not many know about Little Saigon for the Vietnamese community,” said Hang Le To, Program Director/The Founder of Au Co Cultural & Leadership Youth Team for the Au Co Vietnamese Cultural Center. “This fair was a great chance to raise awareness for our neighborhood and to build a partnership with other Asian groups such as the Laotians, Koreans, Chinese, Filipinos, and Japanese communities.”

This year’s sponsors include California Pacific Medical Center, Subaru, Brown and Toland Physicians, Comcast, Kaiser Permanente, Visa, AT&T, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Golden Gate Disposal, San Francisco Chronicle, CBS 5/CW Bay Area, AsianWeek, Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, BART, and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

It would be hard to imagine a California without the wonderful influence of our Asian Pacific Islander residents, whose customs have become an indelible part of our cultural fabric.  The people of the Asia-Pacific region have not only played an integral role in the history of our state, but they also continue to strengthen California as outstanding leaders in every industry and field.

One example of this important and growing influence is that right now there are more Asian Pacific Islanders serving in our state government than ever before.  These representatives – along with those working in appointed positions in academia, our justice system and on a wide variety of boards and commissions – reflect our diversity and bolster our state.

This May, as we pause to think about the Asian Pacific Islander experience in California, I extend our state’s gratitude to all who share this great heritage.  Your accomplishments and triumphs, as well as your struggles and sacrifices, have shaped our state forever, and it is an honor to recognize this special month with you.

I hope all Californians will gain a greater appreciation for the Asian Pacific Islander cultures and the fantastic diversity that makes our state the greatest in the nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim May 2009, as “Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 15th day of May 2009.

• • • • • ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

• • • • Governor of California

• • • • ATTEST:

• • • • DEBRA BOWEN

• • • • Secretary of State

-largest APA Heritage Month celebration nationwide-

SAN FRANCISCO (May 16, 2009) - The largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the nation is back and bigger than ever, featuring more Asian American artists, more DJs, more martial arts, J-cars, a karaoke contest, anime, and FREE hepatitis B. New features this year include an Asian Heritage Street Celebration (AHSC) Best Dance Crew Contest, and family-friendly carnival rides and games for children.

The 5th annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration will be held Saturday, May 16, 2009, in San Francisco’s Civic Center in front of the Asian Art Museum, leading up to the Little Saigon District. The fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is presented by California Pacific Medical Center and Subaru.

The goal of the AHSC is to promote and foster pan-Asian Pacific American identity by bringing together communities and encouraging dialogue and sharing of diversity. In the five years since its inception, the AHSC has quickly become the United States’ largest assemblage of APAs — drawing over 80,000 people annually to the annual weekend event.

The AHSC is also the only outdoor event in the Bay Area to rotate its location each year to best showcase both the diversity of San Francisco’s neighborhoods and its API residents and businesses. Starting in Japantown, the AHSC moved to the Sunset District’s Chinese community, paid homage to the large Filipino community in the South of Market area in its third year, and returned to Japantown in 2008. This year, the AHSC celebrates San Francisco’s Little Saigon and the Vietnamese community.

“We are very excited to see the Asian Heritage Street Celebration to come to the Little Saigon Cultural & Commercial District, ” says Philip Nguyen of the Southeast Asian Community Center. ” We welcome this fair heartily, which will help promote not only Little Saigon, but also the whole Southeast Asian community of the Tenderloin, and of the city of San Francisco.”

Lan Le, of the Vietnamese Community Center of San Francisco, says he hopes the fair will raise awareness of the Vietnamese community and help kick-start the area’s many Vietnamese businesses to become a “must see” in The City.

San Francisco’s Little Saigon is composed of two blocks on Larkin Street between Eddy and O’Farrell Streets, and was made official four years ago. Approximately 2,000 of the city’s 13,000 Vietnamese Americans live in the Little Saigon district of the greater Tenderloin district, with many arriving following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Vietnamese Americans have since made themselves at home, and operate at least 250 businesses in the area.

To pay homage to the Vietnamese community, the San Francisco Little Saigon Gate— two eight-ton granite and marble pillars — a symbol of peace, happiness and safety for the Vietnamese that have settled here, were erected last July. They now stand at the intersection of Larkin and Eddy streets.

“It is a testament to the vision and dedication of the Vietnamese community in San Francisco that our Little Saigon is the setting of this year’s Asian Heritage Street Celebration, ” said Steve Ngo, the city’s first Vietnamese American elected official and San Francisco City College Board Member. ” What a wonderful occasion!”

The AHSC returns all proceeds to various Asian communities, including newer and underserved communities as Cambodians and Samoans, as well as more established populations. The AHSC has donated more than $50,000 to over 40 Bay Area community groups and charities, who are selected for their role in assembling diverse elements within the Asian Pacific American community. Fundraising for San Francisco public schools is another mission of the Celebration, which has created a raffle program with the goal of teaching children about community philanthropy at an early age. The AHSC provides prizes and administrative support for students and school groups to sell raffle tickets, and all proceeds are returned to participating schools.

###

About the Asian Heritage Street Celebration
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration is organized by the AsianWeek Foundation in cooperation with over 150 organizations in the local and Asian American community. It is the largest outdoor gathering of Asians in America and features arts and crafts vendors, two stages for live performances, carnival rides, import car show, kickboxing ring, Asian food vendors and more. This year’s sponsors include California Pacific Medical Center, Subaru, Brown and Toland Medical Group, Comcast, Kaiser Permanente, Visa, AT&T, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Golden Gate Disposal, San Francisco Chronicle, CBS 5/CW Bay Area, AsianWeek, Northern California Carpenters Union, BART, and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
The AsianWeek Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 committed to developing Asian American community. All proceeds from the Celebration are donated to local and national charities.

-Ceremony to take Place at 1pm on Ellis St. Stage at May 16 event-

SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 2009 – Fifty students will be awarded for excellence in nutrition and fitness at the 5th Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration on Saturday, May 16, 2009. An awards ceremony will take place at 1 PM on the Ellis Street Stage on Larkin and Ellis Streets with an opening performance by the fourth- and fifth grade students of Argonne Elementary School, and former interim superintendent Gwen Chan and Kimochi, Inc. executive director Steve Nakajo will co-present the awards to students representing over 12 San Francisco Unified School Districts.

Argonne Elementary School’s young performers have spent the past five months in intense choreography training for this presentation, and will regale the audience with hip hop dance and drumming presentations.

The AHSC has hosted the annual SFUSD Student Awards Program since 2005, and recognizes excellence in students of Asian Pacific Islander heritage in categories including community service, athletics, visual and performing arts, and green science. Each year, the AHSC invites all San Francisco K-12 schools to nominate at least two students for the award program. This year’s participating schools include: Alice Fong Yu Alternative School, Balboa High School, E.R. Taylor Elementary School, Independence High School, Jefferson Elementary School, Jose Ortega Elementary School, Lawton Alternative School, Log Cabin High School, Sheridan Elementary School, Spring Valley Elementary School, Sunset Elementary, and Washington High School.

###

About the Asian Heritage Street Celebration
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration is organized by the AsianWeek Foundation in cooperation with over 150 organizations in the local and Asian American community. It is the largest outdoor
gathering of Asians in America and features arts and crafts vendors, two stages for live performances, carnival rides, import car shows, a kickboxing ring, Asian food vendors and more. This year’s sponsors include California Pacific Medical Center, Subaru, Brown and Toland Medical Group, Comcast, Kaiser Permanente, Visa, AT&T, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Golden Gate Disposal, San Francisco Chronicle, CBS 5/CW Bay Area, AsianWeek, Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, BART, and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. The AsianWeek Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 committed to developing Asian American community. All proceeds from the Celebration are donated to local and national charities.
www.asianfairsf.com