Monday, June 29, 2009

1st ANNUAL CHINATOWN COMMUNITY GATHERING

This July 4th, there will be a free BBQ for the community held in Columbus Park. There will be a live DJ, good food and of course CICF ice cream!

This event will be put on by the Asian Masonic Association and the Asian Lion Dance League.

The GCCA Young Adult Team and CICF are also community sponsors of this event.

The rain date will be July 5th.

It will be lots of fun and I hope to see you there!

1st ANNUAL CHINATOWN COMMUNITY GATHERING
COLUMBUS PARK



HAPPY ENDING X 2

OK...so I actually went to Happy Ending twice this month. I usually don't have a life but every now and then I pretend to.

What's funny is that this time I found out to fit in with the theme, they have take home items. And yes...they are condoms.

Happy Ending was actually rated the best lounge by Citysearch. I saw their plaque hanging but I can't recall what year... Maybe it's because I had too many drinks...

And no the only happy ending I got, was a night with great friends. That's the happiest ending!

HAPPY ENDING LOUNGE
302 BROOME STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013

Saturday, June 27, 2009




NORMAN SIEGEL'S FUNDRAISER

Norman Siegel is running for Public Advocate. My friend Jan Lee is having a fundraiser for him along with Veronica Leung, (owner of Dim Sum GoGo). Jan Lee is part of the Civic Center Residents Coalition.

The event will take place on July 2nd 2009, at 6:PM. I actually don't know anything about Norman Siegel, so I will try to attend to learn more. I do know that Dim Sum GoGo has fab dimsum! I'm sold on that!


DIMSUM GOGO

5 East Broadway

New York, NY 10013

212) 732-0796

Friday, June 26, 2009




THE MOCA STAFF




CHARLES LAI



ME AND CYNTHIA IN FRONT OF THE LEGACY WALL


MOCA's SUMMER KICKOFF

Most of us know the Museum of the Chinese in the Americas (MOCA). Today they had their summer kickoff for their new location.

The museum however won't be fully opened to the public until September 22nd. From now, through the summer, it will be opened on select dates for certain programs like the Chinatown Film Festival.

The MOCA's original location on the corner of Bayard and Mulberry streets will be kept as an archive for researchers. I will be so sad to see them move to their new location though it is very beautiful. I like having them closer to CICF!

Architect Maya Lin designed the new space and it is breathtaking.

The museum is family friendly and great for those of all ages. Check it out.


MOCA
211-215 CENTRE STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013



SOLEFOOD NYC

For you sneaker affectionados, you are probably familiar with Solefood. They are actually located in TriBecca and sell all types of rare sneakers and also customize.

Sneaker culture as the owner Mike describes it, "is sharing and a culture exchange among the youth." Mike is a big guy with a big heart. He's not of Chinese descent but he believes in the NYC community. He's giving to the Chinatown community in many ways. Offering sneakers for for Chinatown based fundraisers and community kids.

Mike is also in the process of designing a CICF sneaker. Watch out for it!

Also check out his awesome sneakers at his shop.


SOLEFOOD NYC
38 Lispenard Street #1
New YORK, NY 10013

Monday, June 22, 2009

In this photo is a retirement cake for a teacher at PS 1. CICF is proud to be part of the big moments in the lives of our customers.

Friday, June 19, 2009


DOYERS VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

Doyers is a small street. It was one of the first original blocks that formed our Chinatown. It's on a winding road and isn't typically as busy as the other streets.

Lots of my friends have told me that Doyers Vietnamese Restaurant serves the best in Chinatown. The decor is like a flashback to the 80s which is cool. The food is very fresh and the prices are more than reasonable.

I had the lemon grass beef over rice for lunch. The bill, including tip came out to be 6 bucks. What a D E L I C I O U S bargain!

DOYERS VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
11 DOYERS STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013
JING FONG RESTAURANT

Yesterday I went to the CPLDC banquet at Jing Fong Restaurant. Jing Fong is a great restaurant for dim sum but is used often for big events. Weekends or big for weddings and family functions. On weekdays, banquets for not for profits and such are held here.

I was so happy yesterday that I won a digital camera from the raffle! Yeh! What a fabulous night!

JING FONG RESTAURANT
20 Elizabeth St, New York -
(212) 964-5256

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Christina is attending the reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in style!


ALWAYS WEARING PEONY RED

OMG I love Peony Red clothing! I had a lot of events this week! I wore outfits designed by Yanna for four days in a row! I love this new dress I got! It's a silk, summer like Qi Pa (Chinese Dress) in pink! Love sporting clothing designed by Chinatown designers all over the city!


PEONY RED
217 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013


Christina's dress is from Peony Red!


SUPPORTING SMILE TRAIN

Yesterday, the Asia Society held an event for Smile Train. Smile Train is an organization that started in China to help children fix severe clefts. They are now a worldwide organization

After watching the documentary Smile Pinki, there was a reception with food and drinks.

Chef One Dumplings donated lots of yummy eats. Their dumplings are D E L I C I O U S! These dumpling even come in whole wheat! Yummy and nutritious! I've also heard that their company has been very generous donating to other community events. I love socially conscious products! I'll have to look for them the next time I go to the market.

And of course, no night would be complete without CICF ice cream!

To make a donation to Smile Train, visit www.smiletrain.org

Monday, June 15, 2009

HAPPY ENDING LOUNGE

I ended my Saturday night at Happy Ending lounge for Margaret's Bday. It used to be an old school massage parlor and that's how it got its name. (Yes, I've heard the punchline already. The answer is no I didn't get that type of happy ending.)

The place is pretty cool. They play good music and the scene is posh. Another plus is that they are accomodating when taking reservations. I'm going to another birthday there this weekend. Check it out.

HAPPY ENDING
302 BROOME STREET
NEW YORK, NY

Sunday, June 14, 2009

YELLO


Cake from CICF



HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIGUEL


BIRTHDAY AT YELLO

It was our buddy Miguel's bday and we ate in midtown. I will not disclose the restaurant name but their dessert was uninspired.

Since the crew was basically a bunch of Chinatown natives. They said we should go back to Chinatown where the desserts are good. Uh duh...Chinatown Ice Cream Factory?

We also were someone stunned with how much we paid for dinner. We were all homesick for Chinatown and went downtown to Yello.

I love Yello! Karaoke, drinks, yummy food and good friends. Who needs that fancy midtown bill? We can always party in Chinatown!

Yello
32 Mulberry Street
New York, NY 10013
www.yellobarnyc.com
RELAY FOR LIFE PERFORMANCES

Here are some pictures from the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. It was held in Columbus Park on 6/13/09.

FAN DANCE
(Oh, so beautiful!)




DANCING TO THE BEAT OF THE DRUM
(Love it!)



MAGNETIC NORTH
(Christina's Favorite Band!)




TAIYO NA AND CYNTHIA LIN
(They're amazing too!)

FIVE POINTS OPEN MIC

On Friday nights I usually have work. Yes, I know I need to get a life...

So I've been dying to go to the Five Points. This past Friday, I finally had the chance.

I was really impressed with what Telly (the head honcho) has done with the venue.

The Five Points open mic used to be called Teabag back in the day. On Friday nights the Silk Road Mocha Cafe comes A L I V E with performances...

The back area of the cafe turns into into the stage area.

Acts include musicians, comedians, poets, and more. Musicians like Kevin So, Cynthia Lin, and Taiyo have also passed through here. They are among some of my favorites!

I'lll be back again!

Admission is $5 plus a 2 drink minimum. New performers are welcomed!

FIVE POINTS OPEN MIC@
Silk Road Mocha
30 Mott Street

Saturday, June 13, 2009

MARGARET CHIN RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL

In this picture, the association next to Mei Lai Wah is collecting signatures for Margaret Chin.

Friday, June 12, 2009

REDESIGNING OUR AWNING AND BANNER

Clarinda is from an organization called Culture Push. Culture Push has been working with the kids over at CPC on Division Street. The kids have been redesigning the signs of the local store owners. They are in hopes that their new trendy look will help to bring in more business.

The picture above is our sign in one of our last stages before it goes up. The border has ice cream cones, cupcakes, and ice cream cakes. It also has an edgier font and a younger look.

We are very excited to have our new sign and banner designed by the kids in the neighborhood. A party is on it's way for everyone to celebrate! Hip hip hoorah!

The old banner will be taken down and washed and saved and eventually auctioned.
PJ KIM'S VOLUNTEER RALLY

My friend PJ is running for city council and part of that district is Chinatown. He needs 900 signatures of registered democrats that live in District 1 to get on the ballot.

Tomorrow, after a light breakfast at Lin Sing Association, volunteers will be trained to go out into the community and get signatures.

If you can't make it tomorrow, there are other days available. Visit the website below:

Let's wish PJ Kim the best of luck!

For more information, visit www.pjkim.com

Saturday, June 13 10am-12pm
@ Lin Sing Association, 2nd floor.
49 Mott Street
New York, NY 10013

Thursday, June 11, 2009

RELAY FOR LIFE

This Saturday at 1pm, the Lower East Side Relay for Life will be held at Columbus Park.  Relay for Life is part of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Relays are held to raise cancer awareness in the community and raise funds to support valuable services and programs at ACS. Also, Relays serve to celebrate cancer survivorship, to honor the memories of those who have passed on and to remind us to continue the fight against cancer. 

Come to Columbus Park, and root for your friends and favorite teams.  The afternoon will also have live performances by Cynthia Lin and Magnetic North.

To participate in Relay or to make a donation to a friend or a team; visit


RELAY FOR LIFE
Starts at 1pm in Columbus Park

MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL

During our Mid Autumn Festival, we would love to be able to close some of our streets for the weekend.  

The celebration is important culturally for the people in our community.  We are also in hope that it will bring other New Yorkers to the area to celebrate and bring business to us.  

Despite the inexpensive pricing in
Chinatown for their food and goods, we have been hit particularly hard in these economic times.  The recent rainy weather has also been terrible for business.  

Having festivals like the Mid Autumn Festival, would help to revitalize our community.  Help us to petition to the NYC Permits Dept and make this a reality.

Please support us and sign our petition:

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

ATLANTIC CITY

So I just came back from Atlantic City (AC).  I feel exhausted from the car ride even though I didn't drive.  I must say that I am still a fan of taking the Chinatown bus.  

In terms of driving, Jersey somehow does not make any sense.  And when you get lost, you have to pay more in tolls and gas.  It cost us a small fortune getting there because my GPS was possessed by the devil.  I almost had a fight with my Garmin.  It was insistent that the Tropicana was to the right, but my eyes just saw a body of water....  I have a poor sense of direction but that definitely was not correct.

I also like the Chinatown buses that run to AC because they give you vouchers.  For $40 they give you $40 of match coupons, and a meal!  Can you believe that?  And that includes the RT ticket from Chinatown NYC to AC.  Is that not a bargain?  

You can buy tickets along the area of Bowery and Division Streets.  You'll see lots of buses to AC idle and you can ask around.  Chances are someone will approach you before you feel lost.  Drop offs are mostly to the Hilton or to the Borgota


PINK HOUSE

Pink House is a new trendy boutique on Walker street.  The hip little store has such a variety of goodies.  My friend Mabel fell in love with this pink bag.  She didn't buy it but I have a feeling that she'll go back to make her purchase.

A pair of purple shoes caught my eye, but alas...I have a shopping problem.  I will probably also go back to buy them. 

Everything in the store is very unique and moderately priced.  Mabel says that the dress that sits in their window that costs $70 at Pink House would definitely demand at least triple in the East Village.  

Accessories here are also a must.  The Swarovski studded dice earrings were super cute!

PINK HOUSE
129 WALKER STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013
THE ANSWER TO THE "SHOE MAN"

I've been getting a lot of emails about the "Shoe Man" of Columbus Park.  I had blogged earlier how the man who has been repairing shoes for 26 years has moved.  I was wondering why and now there is an answer....

The Police have been chasing him away because he doesn't have a license.  Although the license only costs $100, the number of them is capped per year.  

Like a fugitive, our Shoe Man has to be on the run from the Police.  I think it's ridiculous.

The Shoe Man doesn't hurt anyone and he hardly makes anything.  He is a staple in our community.  I want to ask if there are more important things to take care of in our community than chasing away an old man? 

Below is a link to the NY Daily News article, if you'd like to read more.

NO BEEF

A handful of my friends don't eat beef.  Some are vegetarians, vegans, pescartarians, or whatever.  All I know is that I am a carnivore and I like eating beef.  Unfortunately, because I love my friends; I have reverted to eating meals without meat.

It's actually not as bad as I thought it would be.  There is a lot more variety in Chinatown than one would think.  Today, I had fried fish balls and peppers stuffed with fishcakes.  D*E*L*I*C*O*U*S!  These yummy lil appetizers can be found at Happy Time Cafe, which is located a few doors down from my shop.

I'm learning to expand my palette by hanging out with my picky eaters.  It's sometimes good not to have beef.  =)

Monday, June 08, 2009

(In this picture: The Red Egg; and the Pisco Sour)

Sunday, June 07, 2009

GREEN TEA CAFE

Green Tea Cafe is one of my favorite bubble tea houses. I am a fan of rosewood furniture. The lighting is also very calming.

I am trying not to be a creature of habit. Usually I'll get the almond milk tea or the strawberry green tea. Today, I got the mint milk green tea. Yummy! Bubbles and all!

They also serve food and appetizers here. I like the toast with condensed milk. Everything is yummy and very affordable.

BTW if you wonder why their ice cream and shakes taste so familiar, it's because they get their ice cream from us. =) Rocking!

GREEN TEA CAFE
45 Mott St # A New York, NY 10013
(212) 693-2888

Antique firetruck in the Sunday Parade in Chinatown 6/6/09

Friday, June 05, 2009

CHINATOWN TOWNHALL ON THE WEB

Announcing that Monday's Townhall Meeting is on the web.  If you missed it, find out what is being done for the future of Chinatown by clicking on the below link. 

Thank you Anthony and AAARI!

Here's the link:

 www.aaari.info/09-06-01CWG.htm

Thursday, June 04, 2009

CICF is part of APICHA's Silent Auction!




(In this picture: Yeou Cheng Ma, Suki Ports (one of the founders of APICHA, and me.)



APICHA GALA

So I was part of The Asian Pacific Islanders Coalition against HIV and AIDS (APICHA)'s benefit committee until I got silently ousted. Totally my fault; missing too many meetings and spread too thin. I do however LOVE APICHA. They do such amazing things in the APA and the Chinatown community.

Galas are usually not my scene unless I really support a cause. Galas mean that I have to put on a dress and pretend to be a girl. I am also socially awkard and tend to go dateless, but hey...

The gala was beautiful...
I heard the most beautiful music ever...
Yeou-Cheng Ma played the violin as people entered. I later found out she was the sister of Yo-Yo Ma which made perfect sense.

More importantly than the gala itself, I wanted to blog about why APICHA is important.

APICHA's mission is to combat the stigma attached to AIDS and HIV within the APA community. In the APA community, the disease is rarely spoken about and many suffer alone in shame away from family and friends.

I know a lot of APAs since I'm in Chinatown all the time. It's hard to believe that none of them have HIV or AIDS. HIV and AIDS doesn't discrimate against Asians. It is a reality that people I know and care for are suffering in silence.

This is why APICHA is so crucial to our community. It's terrible enough to endure the physical pains of the disease. One should not have to needless emotional isolation.

APICHA is located in the TriBecCa/Chinatown area.

To find out more about APICHA for donations or volunteer opportunities,

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

MAUNG GEMS

Sometimes I like buying things for myself. Sometimes I like buying things for friends. In short, I love shopping.

I love these bracelets made of jade. I got a bracelet with jade flowers for $15 bucks. The band is made from a strong brown string that is hand knotted. The jade is beautiful and imported from Myanmar. I got a matching one for my sister as well.

It amazes me how many wonderful things you can buy in Chinatown for bargain prices. Recession shopping anyone?

Maung Gems-Located in the NY Jewlery Mall
118 Baxter Street (Btw Canal and Hester)
646-246-8717

Monday, June 01, 2009

CELL PHONE CASES ON CANAL

I am a Crackberry. I am sadly an owner of a Blackberry. I bought my case on Canal Street from a local street vendor.

I paid $5 bucks. Is that not a bargain? Most of my friends who have bought the same case from the cell phone stores often pay anywhere from $15-$20. What a difference!

It's such a steal that I was tempted to buy other color cases to match different outfits. Yes, I have a shopping problem...

They also sell cases for other phones, IPods, and other accessories. Just stroll down Canal Street, anywhere from Mott to Broadway and you should see these guys around.