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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 2016)
Community March 21, 2016 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 Vendors, choreographers, dancers invited to participate in summer cultural events in Beaverton EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS. In the 1920s, Leah Hing (second from right) started an all-Chinese women’s band in which she was a saxophone player. (Photo courtesy of Jackie Peterson-Loomis) A tale of two exhibits Continued from page 6 the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and was killed in an accident while piloting aircraft during the war. When Hing received her pilot’s license in 1934, she bought a Fleet training biplane and began performing in air shows. Yung said Hing experienced discrimination during World War II, when she was rejected by an aviation club because she was Chinese. She worked at the Portland Air Base as an instrument mechanic. In 1943, after congress repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act because China was now an ally, Hing became the first woman of color to work at the Aero Club, a downtown social club. She worked as a hat-check girl, switchboard operator, and photographer. Hing stayed there until she retired at age 70. Hing died of heart failure and cancer at the age of 94, surrounded at her home by relatives and friends who all remembered her as being funny, energetic, and gutsy. She had also told Yung she thought of herself as “sort of a rebel” who liked to do challenging things. Peterson-Loomis, also the founder of the Old Town History Project, was first intro- duced to the elder Chinese community and to Old and New Chinatown by Leah Hing. Later, Bruce Wong, along with his wife Gloria, Bertha Saiget, and Norman Locke, also served as her mentors. The OHS exhibit was produced in collaboration with them and other members of the Old Chinese community, whose history is now being collected and preserved by the Portland Chinatown History and Museum Foundation. Peterson-Loomis said she worked with veteran set designer Carey Wong on the “exciting and important project,” bringing together the history of one of Portland’s earliest and most influential ethnic groups. Both exhibits feature the history and profiles of people we hear little about. It’s personal stories like Hing’s that really connect me to the lessons that can be learned from history. For me, the exhibits have direct correlations to what is happening today regarding immigration policy and the rejection of refugees escaping war-torn countries. I especially hope families will visit OHS to take in the full impact of these important displays. The Oregon Historical Society Museum is located at 1200 S.W. Park Avenue in Portland. The museum is open daily — 10:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5:00pm on Sunday. Admission is free for Multnomah County residents. For more information, call (503) 222-1741 or visit <www.ohs.org>. The City of Beaverton is seeking applications from ethnic food, craft, and mer- chandise vendors repre- senting cultures around the world, as well as pro- posals from master-level choreographers and danc- ers to create and perform a dance, as part of two summer cultural events scheduled to be held in downtown Beaverton. Beaverton Night Market Ethnic food, craft, and merchandise vendors are sought for the second annual Beaverton Night Market. The night market began in 2015 as an inter- cultural, family-friendly space, reminiscent of night markets around the world. The event strives to offer a culturally diverse gather- ing space with traditional foods, colorful crafts, and lively performances repre- senting many cultures in Beaverton. Two markets are sched- uled for July 23 and August 13 from 6:00 to 10:00pm and will take place in an expanded layout at The Round, which is located at 12600 S.W. Crescent St., not far from the Beaverton COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. A vendor applies henna artwork to a participant at the 2015 Beaverton Night Market. The City of Beaverton is currently seeking ethnic food, craft, and merchandise vendors, as well as master-level choreographers and dancers for two of its summer cul- tural events. (Photo courtesy of the City of Beaverton) Central MAX stop. perform a dance as part of Vendors of all back- Ten Tiny Dances, which grounds and levels of ex- takes place Saturday, July perience are encouraged to 9 from 10:00am to 2:00pm apply, and there is no cost in downtown Beaverton. Ten Tiny Dances is a free for vendors to participate. Those who are interested public event that features should download an appli- dancers who represent contemporary, cation at <www.Beaverton modern, Oregon.gov/NightMarket>. and traditional ethnic The deadline to apply is dance forms. Now in its May 20, 2016 at 5:00pm. To eighth year, the event is learn more, contact Jodi at designed to engage audi- (503) 453-5133 or e-mail ences with unique perfor- <beavertonnightmarket@g mances and settings. Applications are due mail.com>. March 31, 2016 at 5:00pm. Ten Tiny Dances The arts program of Guidelines are available at Beaverton is also seeking <www.beavertonoregon.go proposals from master- v/TTD>. For more informa- level choreographers and tion, e-mail <kbuechner@ dancers to create and beavertonoregon.gov>. 2015 Most Honored Elder Award Recipient John Lim AR Photo/Eugene Wong John Lim was born in Yeo-ju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea on December 23, 1935. As a youth, Lim suffered from tuberculosis for five years, from which he nearly died. He married his wife, Grace, in 1963 and graduated from Seoul Theological College in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in religion. He and his family immigrated to the United States in June of 1966 without a penny to their name. John and Grace have two sons: Peter and Billy. John continued his theological studies at the Western Evangelical Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity in 1970, later becoming a chaplain for U.S. soldiers. To support his family while a student, he worked as a janitor, gardener, house painter, salesman, and in a nursing home. With his wife, Lim eventually owned some small retail stores and sold real estate. Through the years, they built their ARJ Company into an American success story. Lim was elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1992, served as Majority Leader in 1995, and was re-elected in 1996. He left the senate in 1999 due to term limits. In 2004, Lim was elected State Representative of District 50 and was re-elected in 2006. Now retired, Lim currently serves as an honorary chair for the Korean War Memorial Foundation and enjoys spending time with his grand- children, travelling, golfing, fishing, and writing his autobiography. The Asian Reporter Foundation is accepting nominations for its 2016 “Most Honored Elder” awards. Blue Tide Satellite & Internet (503) 877-5162 The recognition banquet will be held Thursday, April 21, 2016 at northeast Portland’s TAO Event Center. Nomination forms and guidelines for eligibility are available for download at <www.ARFoundation.net>. The nomination deadline is Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 5:00pm. The Asian Reporter Foundation’s 18th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet features: Most Honored Elder Awards Cultural entertainment Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards Ethnic dinner College Scholarship Awards Silent auction Service not available in all areas. Minimum 24 month commitment term. $9.99/month equipment lease fee plus monthly service fees and taxes apply. Non-standard installation may result in additional charges. Equipment must be returned upon cancellation of service to avoid unreturned equipment fees. Actual speeds will vary. 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