Community / A.C.E. September 15, 2014 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 Mooncakes and music featured at Woodstock Library festival By Kate Hubbard The Asian Reporter he Woodstock Library recently welcomed visitors to its annual Mid-Autumn Festival, a celebra- tion traditionally held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar year. Also called the Moon Festival, it is a joyful way to celebrate the end of the harvest with family, friends, and the larger com- munity. Dating back more than 3,000 years, the Moon Festival is one of the most impor- tant celebrations of the year in Chinese culture. It is often also celebrated in neighboring countries such as Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and South Korea. At the start of the gathering, Amber Houston, a bilingual Chinese/English librarian, told attendees about the history of the festival and its importance to Chinese culture. She talked about the hidden messages in mooncakes, which have historical significance in relation to the coordination of a rebellion against Mongolian invaders. She also shared how every year, the festival is a time when families reunite, share mooncakes, and catch up with each other. Guests were entertained with a story read in Chinese as well as a singalong of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in English and Chinese. Teen musicians then played folk songs on traditional instruments, followed by young students of the nearby Chinese immersion school who gave an adorable martial-arts presentation. While songs such as “Jasmine Flower” and “Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon” were played, assistants circulated around the room with delectable trays of mooncakes for everyone to share. Houston pointed out that the sweet coconut mooncakes served were not the traditional kind. Although different parts of the country create their own varieties, a traditional mooncake often features a filling made with lotus seed paste and duck egg yolks. Younger generations are intro- ducing new flavors all the time, she said, only limited by taste and imagination. Mooncakes typically consist of dough wrapped around a filling that is baked in the shape of a full moon, which is T Without Warning comic book provides earthquake education to teenagers A new comic book aimed at teaching earthquake preparedness to teenagers was released last month, just in time for National Preparedness Month, which is highlighted during September. The comic book — Without Warning — is the result of a collaborative effort between the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Dark Horse Comics, and the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW). A 12-page, full-color comic book, Without Warning addresses what can happen in the aftermath of a major earthquake and tsunami through a story about a girl who lives on the Oregon coast and is trying to reunite with her family after a major Cascadia earthquake. Oregon is located near the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 600-mile earthquake fault stretching from offshore Northern California to Southern British Columbia. Experts predict a large 9.0 or higher earthquake could strike Oregon in the near future. “We know the risk is there,” said OEM’s Althea Rizzo, a coordinator for the Geologic Hazards Program, explaining that spreading the preparedness message is even “that much more important” given the likelihood of an earthquake in the area. OEM welcomed the partnership with Dark Horse Comics to help spread the word. “Most public education publications are not interesting to kids,” said Rizzo. “This comic book allows us to reach a new audience not often targeted in pre- paredness materials.” Without Warning can be downloaded for free on mobile devices at . Print copies can be requested by calling (503) 378-2911, ext. 22237. MOONCAKES & MUSIC. Recent visitors to the Woodstock Library enjoyed the annual Mid-Autumn Festi- val, a celebration traditionally held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar year. Also called the Moon Festival, the gathering featured a martial-arts presentation by young students (top photo), folk songs played on traditional instruments (bottom photo), information about the history of the festival, mooncakes, and more. (AR Photos/Kate Hubbard) imprinted from special baking tins. They are more than just a pastry; they are a cultural symbol representing the reunion of family. As such, the gifting and sharing of them is an integral part of the celebra- tion. To complement the event, Woodstock Library staff coordinated a display of books about the festival, some with delicious recipes for different types of mooncakes. Tables were also set up with paper lanterns for children to decorate and take home. Although it was an informal event, the crowd took up a large part of the library. Filled with curious visitors as well as proud parents, the festival made for a fun and informative introduction to this wonderful holiday. To learn about other cultural events held at Multnomah County libraries, visit . Read The Asian Reporter – exactly as it’s printed here – online! SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR CITY OF BEAVERTON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Are you interested in ; Volunteering your time and experience to your community? ; Providing input and making decisions on critical issues affecting our city? ; Providing advice and feedback to the city on services, programs, and policies? APPLY TOD AY for a position on one of the City of Beaverton’s Boards and Commissions Š Š Š Š Š Š Š Š Beaverton Arts Commission Beaverton Committee for Community Involvement Bicycle Advisory Committee Board of Construction Appeals Budget Committee Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Committee Diversity Advisory Board Human Rights Advisory Commission Š Š Š Š Š Š Š Š Library Advisory Board Planning Commission Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Sister Cities Advisory Board Social Services Funding Committee Traffic Commission Urban Renewal Advisory Committee Visioning Advisory Committee For more information or to apply: Apply online at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/Boards. For more information, contact Miles Glowacki at 503-526-3706 or mglowacki@BeavertonOregon.gov. Deadline to submit applications is Oct. 3, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. Terms begin Jan. 1, 2015. Most boards and commissions require no more than a few hours each month. Description of duties and meeting times are online:www.BeavertonOregon.gov/Boards.