More Than Just A Pretty (Asian American) Face
November 26, 2007
Many of us in Southern California grew up watching doll-faced Tritia Toyota anchoring the local news at KNBC and KCBS. She retired sans face-lift or botox in 2000. Her name came up again just before Thanksgiving in a story recalling the tragic life of L.A. newscaster John Schubeck, who drank himself to death 10 years ago.
By the time Schubeck’s life had begun circling the drain, fellow TV journalists, friends and family turned their backs on him. When the end finally came in 1997, Schubeck, who in his prime reportedly commanded seven-figure salaries from L.A.’s three network owned-and-operated TV stations, was living in his car in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley. ERS News (via LAVoice) remembered Schubeck here. (Editor’s note: ERS misspells Toyota’s first name as “Tricia.”)
Found Wandering the ‘Net
November 21, 2007
Yoko Dolls From São Paulo, Brasil’s Madame Trapo; BoingBoing Spotlights Beryl Tsang’s ‘TitBits’ Knitted Prosthetic Breasts
Surfin’ Flickr the other day, I stumbled upon Madame Trapo’s adorable Yoko dolls. Both Trapo (aka Glá Quicolli) and Yoko live in São Paulo, Brasil, with a gaggle of art dolls of various ethnicities that are for sale. BoingBoing truly is “a directory of wonderful things.” Canadian Beryl Tsang, a cancer survivor who lost her right breast to the disease, didn’t like any of the prosthetic breasts available. “They were too heavy, squishy or ugly.” So she knitted her own! Tsang, a mother of two who lives in Toronto, shows you how to make TitBits. She also accepts custom orders here.
Cheating, Bribery Scandal Hits UCLA Dental School, WaPo Features ‘Angry Asian Man’ Blog, Nisei Journalist Bill Hosokawa Passes
November 16, 2007
Students and faculty at UCLA’s prestigious school of dentistry are calling for the school’s Korean American dean to resign in the wake of allegations of preferential admissions for relatives of fat cat donors and a state licensing exam cheating scandal.
Oh, Sandra!
November 15, 2007
From Flip-flops to Falafel: Deja Vu 1942
November 15, 2007
“FBI Mined Store Records to Find Iranian Terrorists”
“Feds Hope to Follow Falafel Trail”
“LAPD to Build Data on Muslim Areas”
I chuckled when I first saw these headlines. Later, talk about the FBI’s Muslim mapping and weird preoccupation with fried chickpeas had me staring down into my coffee recalling the wartime tales my elders whispered to me of the dreaded knocks on the door following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and of menfolk being hustled off into the night by stern-faced FBI agents.
Veteran’s Day 2007
November 12, 2007
No matter how distant the battlefront, history teaches that, ultimately, war comes home. In the case of Los Angeles Times photographer/war correspondent Luis Sinco (above right) and former Marine Lance Corporal James Blake Miller of Jonancy, Kentucky, who together experienced 2004’s battle of Fallouja, a single photo—”Marlboro Marine“—by the Pilipino American shooter has connected the pair forever. Read Sinco’s stirring account of what has happened to Miller and himself after Fallouja and how it changed their views of duty, friendship and responsibility here and here. See LAT video. Hear an NPR interview with Sinco. Sinco’s bio.
Snapshots From Asian America XI
November 12, 2007
YAHOO! cofounder Jerry Yang was raked over the coals by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Nov. 6 for the Internet giant’s role in providing information that landed Chinese journalist Shi Tao in jail. Meanwhile, Columbia Univ. law professor Tim Wu has been busy trying to keep the Net free from corporate and government control and people are listening. Continuing with this decidedly geeky thread, MIT Media Lab designer/mathematician John Maeda’s Reebok “Timetitanium” kicks are set to drop Nov. 13. You need these sneaks, yo! Finally, the reality TV world is waiting with bated breath for news on the fate of Tila Tequila Nguyen’s bisexual MTV dating show A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila—will it be renewed for another season? Some hope not. Haters.
Young Lisa Wong Elected Fitchburg, Mass. Mayor; Asian Writers Join Hollywood Picket Lines
November 8, 2007
LISA LEDES—Lisa Wong, the 28-year-old daughter of Chinese immigrants, was elected mayor of Fitchburg, Massachusetts Tuesday with a mandate-setting 72 percent of the vote. Wong defeated City Councilor Thomas Donnelly, 5,728-2,263. Fitchburg, population 41,000, is 50 miles northwest of Boston. Race was a campaign issue in Fitchburg and surrounding communities.
Asian America’s Most Wanted, Hiroshima A-Bomber Tibbets Passes, Pinkberry Can’t Lose, Who’s Your Daddy?
November 5, 2007
STRIPPER/GRAFFITI TAGGER/MURDER SUSPECT Candy Ellen Srichandr was one of the featured fugitives on the Nov. 3 episode of Fox’s America’s Most Wanted. Ms. Srichandr’s been on the run since May 2006. “Come home, Candy!” BRIG. GEN. PAUL TIBBETS, who piloted the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, died Nov. 1 in Columbus, Ohio. He was 92 and proud of his deed till the end. He will be buried in an unmarked grave. PINKBERRY frozen yogurt empire founders Young Lee and Shelly Hwang have 27.5 million more reasons to be smiling. CHINESE AMERICAN father/daughter team “Ronald and Christina” stand seventh out of 11 teams after the first episode of CBS’ Amazing Race. This year’s $1 million race spans from Ireland to Croatia. Here’s a video interview.
Snapshots From Asian America X
November 1, 2007
