The former major of Rosemead, CA, John Tran, 36, pled guilty to accepting more that $10,000 in bribes from a real estate developer. His guilty plead helped Tran avoid federal charges of extortion and obstruction of justice. Tran faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines when sentenced. As a member of Rosemead's city council in 2005 and mayor from 2007 to 2009, … [Read more...] about Shamed: John Tran, Former Mayor, Pleads Guilty to Bribery
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Video Mondays: Children of the Tsunami
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the triple catastrophes that struck Japan on March 11, 2011. While we often read about how quickly Japan has been able to clear out the debris, how some of the destroyed roads have already been repaved, and how some ports are even opening up for businesses again, the reality is that thousands of people are still missing or … [Read more...] about Video Mondays: Children of the Tsunami
Mr. Cao goes to Washington: Story of the First Vietnamese Congressman
Every community has a first: Kennedy is the first Catholic President, Ed Lee is the first Chinese Mayor in San Francisco, and Joseph Cao is the first Vietnamese congressman. These firsts signify social shifts of minorities into mainstream society. If there was ever a minority, Joseph Cao is it. Mr. Cao is a Catholic Vietnamese American that ran for Congress in New Orleans on … [Read more...] about Mr. Cao goes to Washington: Story of the First Vietnamese Congressman
Video Mondays: Tyga Raps
Did you know…? …that American rapper Tyga is part Vietnamese? Born Michael Nguyen Stevenson in Compton, CA, Tyga is of Vietnamese and Jamaican descent. His mother nicknamed him “Tiger” because she thought he looked like golfer Tiger Woods. He changed the spelling to “add a little swagger” and made it an acronym for “Thank You God Always.” A chance meeting with Gym Class … [Read more...] about Video Mondays: Tyga Raps
Hip Hop: A New Trend in Elderly Exercise
Just when I thought I’d seen it all, I came across this video on CNN.com of Vietnam Television’s report on a (fairly new) exercise class taking place in Hanoi. Imagine this: a group of health-conscious locals working out together outdoors, being lead by a single instructor. No, they’re not practicing tai chi or aerobics. What makes this visual unique is that 1) this group … [Read more...] about Hip Hop: A New Trend in Elderly Exercise