A Scholarship Opportunity for High School Seniors of Taiwanese Descent

The Chen-Pai Lee scholarship fund was established in 2002 to commemorate the memory of Mrs. Chen-Pai Lee (1919-1994), who paved a road of opportunity and success for her family and future generations through her life-long selfless dedication to them. This scholarship is open to current high school seniors (graduating in spring 2010) who are Taiwanese Americans residing in North America. To be eligible, you or at least one of your parents must be a Taiwanese descendant. In addition, you must enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two or four-year college or university by the fall of 2010. The 2010 Spring scholarship application deadline is January 31, 2010. For more information and to download an application, visit: http://www.chen-paileememorialscholarship.com

Jeremy Lin - Harvard Superstar... On the B-ball Court!

AP Photo/Fred Beckham We've been hearing much buzz in the past year about college basketball phenom, Jeremy Lin, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and now attends Harvard. With an average of over 18 points per game and a career high of 30, he's apparently grabbing the attention of many who follow the college basketball scene. Is there an NBA future in store for him? We hope so! Check out this nicely written article from the ESPN website which talks as much about Jeremy as well as his Taiwanese immigrant father who helped shaped his love for basketball: "Immigrant dream plays out through son"

Elisa Lin's Debut Album "我不是“ I Am Not

Taiwanese American acoustic rock singer-songwriter Elisa Lin's debut album "我不是" I Am Not comes out on 12/10/2009! She's based out of Taiwan, and occasionally LA. We'll be hearing more about her for sure! To order her debut CD (outside of Asia), click here: YESASIA Check out Elisa's sites and sounds: http://www.myspace.com/elisa010 http://www.youtube.com/user/elisa010music http://elisa010.pixnet.net/blog

A "Foreigner" Competes in Taiwanese Speech Contest

Many of us Taiwanese Americans have lost (or never learned) the Taiwanese language (Hoklo or Minnan dialect). We don't know who this gentleman is or how he did in the contest, but he sure does a great job displaying his command of Taiwanese as a second language! We're impressed! He's better than most of us! There is hope in preserving the Taiwanese language! If anyone finds out more about him, let us know! I'm sure many are curious about his story!

The Dawen “American Me” Tour

Dawen’s "American Me" Fall Tour continues with stops in Los Angeles, New York, and Hong Kong. If you're near the NYC area, be sure to catch Taiwanese American singer-songwriter Dawen when he tours the area with four performances! For more details, visit our East Coast page!

Applications Now Available for the 2010 Ambassador Program

The 2010 Ambassador Program will run from June 14 through 25 in Washington D.C. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn grassroots advocacy, political framing, and speak face to face with Congressional members. It's a popular program among college and graduate students, so be sure to apply early! For program details, visit: the Formosa Foundation website. Application deadline is March 15, 2010. Click and Download: Information Flyer Application Form for US applicants Application Form for Taiwan applicants The Formosa Foundation dedicates itself to the advancement of human rights, democracy, and the right to self-determination of Taiwan.

An Article to Consider: "Beijing's Strategies to Control Taiwan by 2012"

Here's an interesting article to consider from The Epoch Times about exiled Chinese law professor Yuan Hongbing's new book, Taiwan Disaster, which was released on Nov. 17 in Taipei. "The Chinese communist regime is determined to 'unify' with Taiwan by 2012..." Read more... [click here]

A New Internship Program For TaiwaneseAmerican.org!

Internship Program Team: Ho Chie, Grace, Liz TaiwaneseAmerican.org is proud to announce our brand spankin' new Internship Program for Spring Semester 2010! This will be the first trial run of what we hope will be a series of internships for spring, summer, and fall semesters! Our first collegiate level intern will be selected from the SF/Bay area, and if all goes well, our plan is to expand it nationwide starting in the summer. Excited? We are! Did we mention there's a small stipend that goes along with it? That's right! We're paying to support good ideas and commitment to the community! Read more! About the Internship Program: This program provides second generation Taiwanese Americans with the opportunity to work on a project of their own design that benefits the Taiwanese American community, as well as supports TaiwaneseAmerican.org (TA.org) and its mission. Responsibilities: 1. Execute and complete proposed project during internship period. 2. Assist with fundraising and marketing efforts (e.g., t-shirt design). 3. Contribute to website development through blogging, event postings, spotlights on TA community, etc. 4. Represent TA.org in the community at festivals, mixers, concerts, etc. 5. Attend weekly meetings with the program director/mentor for training, to review progress and to discuss other projects. Qualifications: 1. Be a student currently enrolled at an accredited college or university and living in the SF Bay Area. 2. Interest in promoting Taiwanese American culture & heritage and connecting Taiwanese American organizations around the nation. 3. Prior involvement in a Taiwanese or Taiwanese-American organization. 4. Ability to independently manage time such that the proposed project is completed by the end of the internship. To Apply: 1. Download the application info & instructions: [CLICK HERE] 2. Download and fill out the application form: [CLICK HERE] Email your application, essay, and any relevant documents (e.g., portfolio of past work) to grace@taiwaneseamerican.org by December 1, 2009.

Hsu-Nami Interview on Found Musik

Found Musik 4: The Hsu-Nami from Don Fisco on Vimeo. Check out this nice interview from Found Musik with Jack Hsu and his band members! It's great to see erhu rock band Hsu-Nami doing so well these days. They've always got big shows lined up and they're gaining much attention! Check them out live, if you ever have the chance! Visit their websites at: http://www.hsu-nami.com http://www.myspace.com/hsunami Revisit the TaiwaneseAmerican.org Spotlight on Hsu-Nami from January 2008: http://spotlight.taiwaneseamerican.org/2008/01/hsu-nami-erhu-rock.html

Way Basics - an Eco-friendly Taiwanese American Company

Check out Way Basics, a new company founded by Taiwanese American Jimmy Chiang, which makes eco-friendly storage units and furniture... out of recycled paper! And then, believe it or not, their furniture requires no tools to assemble! Think Ikea, but even easier, lighter and just as strong! They're in the running for Inc. Magazine's Newpreneur of the Year, and are currently in the semi-finalist round. All of their products are made in Taiwan! We checked out the competition, and Way Basics is certainly among the top three best ideas (in our opinion). Watch the videos for yourself and decide! Then, if you agree, vote for Jimmy Chiang, founder of Way Basics. Supporters can vote once daily until November 6th. VOTE HERE -> http://www.inc.com/newpreneur/vote.html EXPLORE WAY BASICS -> http://www.waybasics.com/shop/design_gallery.php

Dzian! (贊! = "super-cool!" in Taiwanese)

please say their name with your thumbs up! Dzian! - "Moon Over Ruined Castle" 荒城の月 from Wendy Hsu on Vimeo. Check out this new band with an interesting sound - Dzian! (贊!, "super-cool!" in Taiwanese). They're a Charlottesville-based band inspired by Nakashi, a Taiwanese burlesque style circa 1960s-80s that morphs into a semi-participatory format over time. They play 1960s surf and garage rock songs from various parts of the world including Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, Sweden, US... They recently played a benefit show in Charlottesville to raise money for the children and families affected by Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan. Check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89rlwaQHWDc Of note, Wendy Hsu, one of the band members, runs YellowBuzz.org, an Asian American music blog that explores and documents music and culture between Asia and America. Visit their sites: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dzian/168876187210 Myspace: http://myspace.com/dzianband

Writer/Photographer Wayne Yang Interviews Photographer Nana Chen

Taiwanese American writer/photographer Wayne Yang interviews a series of professional photographers on the topic of how "personal voice has become important for the media artist who wants to stand out, convey a message —maybe even still make a living." In his online book, Through the Looking Glass, he talks to various photographers including another Taiwanese American, Nana Chen, who is a freelance photographer whose work has appeared in magazines including Travel+Leisure, Elle Decor, AsiaSpa, Real Travel UK, and Business Traveller. She has made several guest appearances with her photography featured on the Travel Channel and has published three books on Bangkok and Vietnam. In addition to her book and magazine work she shoots for fashion and other commercial clients. Nana splits her time between Bangkok and Saigon. Read the interview here: http://book.lookingglassinterviews.com Visit Wayne Yang's website: http://www.wayneyang.com

NYC Elects First Taiwanese American to Office

New York City has elected Democrat John Liu as its first Asian American to position of Comptroller. Liu's family emigrated from Taiwan. He won with 76 percent of the vote and 100 percent of precincts reporting. Read article: [Click here]

Tsunah Foundation Taiwan Tour - Registration Deadline

The Tsunah Foundation has launched its Tenth International Youth Culture Camp in Taiwan program. This is a great opportunity for young International Taiwanese who are at least 18 years old, and were born and/or grew up outside of Taiwan to get to know more about Taiwan. * The cost is $50 per person excluding the airplane ticket cost. * The total tour lasts five days, four nights (12/27/09-12/31/09). * There is a scholarship program for the participants. Previous participants have included college students, graduate students, and young professionals, ranging in age from 18 to 40. This year, the group will visit the beautiful I-lan County scenic sites and stay in the Tsunah Center and its dormitory facility for the first four days. Then, the group will tour along the island’s most beautiful east coast to Taroko Gorge National Park on the last day. Please visit the Tsunah web site, www.taiwancenter.com/tsunah for more information and updates. The deadline for enrollment is October 31, 2009. However, it is strongly recommended that interested people register as soon as possible due to limited availability (maximum 35 participants). Airfare is also increasingly difficult to find after September due to the peak traveling season in December. Please contact Justina Wu of the Tsunah Foundation is you have any questions.

SCREEN MEDIA FILMS PICKS UP “FORMOSA BETRAYED”

For Immediate Release: HOLLYWOOD, CA – October 28, 2009 – Screen Media Films has acquired worldwide rights in all media to Formosa Betrayed, which made its international debut at the Montreal World Film Festival. Formosa Betrayed, a political thriller set in the 1980s, is the initial project for Formosa Films, a newly formed production and finance company created by Will Tiao. Adam Kane (TV credits include Heroes, Pushing Daisies, Mercy) directs his feature debut. Story is inspired by actual events. An FBI Agent investigates the murder of an Asian professor at a small college. Agent follows the fleeing killers to Taiwan, where he finds himself on a collision course with the FBI, the State Department, the Chinese Mafia, and the Government of the Republic of China. James Van Der Beek stars as the FBI Agent and Wendy Crewson plays a US diplomat in Taiwan. John Heard, Tzi Ma, Will Tiao, Leslie Hope, and Kenneth Tsang round out supporting cast. Tiao, a former international economist with the Clinton and Bush Administrations, raised the funds for the $8 million project from private equity based on concept, and has nearly 300 investors in the project. Investment bank Berthel Fisher Financial Services provided completion funds. Formosa Betrayed recently screened for Members of Congress in Washington DC, which was highly attended due to heightened interest in US-Taiwan-China relations. Film also recently won Best Picture and Best Actor for Van Der Beek at the San Diego Film Festival, and Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. Formosa Betrayed is to be released in theaters in February 2010 in 15-20 North American cities. Screen Media will rep worldwide rights and begin selling territories at the European Film Market in February 2010. Deal was brokered by the Paradigm Motion Picture Finance Group, Kevin Mills of Kaye & Mills LLP, and Screen Media’s President Robert Baruc and VP of International Michael Dwyer. Contact: Formosa Films Evita Huang info@formosathemovie.com 1680 Vine St., Suite 906 Hollywood, CA 90028 (323) 465-8885

The Formosa Furies

By George T. Wu This engaging chapter book ushers in themes of staying hopeful, fighting for ones’ beliefs, and appreciating other cultures. The Battle To Free The Skies There is a mystical world where cloth-like objects such as kites, flags, hot air balloons, hang-gliders come to life and live harmoniously with humans. However, evil weather gods have taken over the earth's weather system, creating deadly storms throughout the world, leaving death and destruction in their path. Three young kites called the Formosa Furies face tragedy and are chased by the evil weather gods who are trying to destroy them. They learn about the world and themselves while finding their way back home. Will the Formosa Furies have the strength to battle the evil gods? Can they bring inspiration to the rest of the world? Join the Furies’ journey of amazing adventures and personal growth. About The Author George is a serial entrepreneur and consultant with a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and an M.B.A. from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. He lives in Irvine, CA with his wife and two children. Visit the website or purchase: http://www.brioprint.com/bookstore/formosafuries/

Support HCR 200! It's Easy!

Take 30 seconds to send this automated message to your U.S. representative supporting House Resolution 200, which "calls on President Obama to urge China to renounce the use of force against Taiwan." There are over 1500 Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait. Click here to send a message: http://capwiz.com/fapa/issues/alert/?alertid=14209466&PROCESS=Take+Action Join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=157846633291

Jenton Lee Live and Streaming!

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2009 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm (PST) Location: Paddy's Coffee, 3900 Smith Street, Union City, CA Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=78211999986 Live webcast page: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jenton Taiwanese American singer-songwriter Jenton Lee, known for his entertaining parodies and original songs will be performing a two hour set. For those of you outside of the SF/Bay area, he'll be broadcasting it live through his UStream Channel! He's promised to perform a lot of his new material and mashups in addition to the YouTube favorites (like the 'If I Were a Boy' Parody with over 190,000 hits). He'll also be joined by special guest Taiwanese American musician Stephanie Lai on the cello!

Rose Liu Wins 2nd Place in One Million Star

Congratulations to Taiwanese American Rose Liu, who has won 2nd place in Taiwan's version of American Idol, One Million Star! Here are a couple of her performances (in Mandarin): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMsGh02hOCY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYsiCXDmURU

The Smooth Sounds of Singer-songwriter Dawen!

TaiwaneseAmerican.org is proud to be a friend and supporter of Dawen! He's a soul/R&B singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. His music fuses the grooves of funk, soul, and r&b mixed with heartfelt and socio-conscious lyrics that appeals to both the emotions and intellect. As a singer-songwriter, Dawen hopes his music will further the dialogue on racism and social injustice in American society. Did you catch us a couple months ago when we sponsored his CD release party in LA? If not, check out the YouTube video above or samples of his music from his new website: http://www.dawen.us