Photograph by Douglas Rider

Chinese Performing Artists of America perform during the 'Pageant of Drums' portion of the 10th Anniversary Arts Festival and Chinese New Year celebration Feb. 3 at the Flint center. This was the premiere of the 'Pageant of Drums,' choreographed by Yong Yao.

Chinese New Year lunch celebrates, honors AABC

By KEVIN FAYLE

Representatives from local businesses and political luminaries gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year and just enjoy a good meal at the Asian American Business Council's Lunar New Year Luncheon. The Feb. 2 event, hosted by the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce at Hong Fu Gourmet Chinese Restaurant, commemorated the Year of the Snake or Serpent.

The luncheon honored the efforts of the council in promoting Asian-American business interests. The $25 per person event gave attendees the opportunity to network and increase business contacts, as well as gain a quick lesson in the customs surrounding the Chinese New Year.

Chamber President Bill Sullivan opened the luncheon with brief remarks thanking those who organized the luncheon. He then introduced Cupertino Mayor Sandra James, who offered a proclamation recognizing the leadership of the Chamber in establishing the Asian American Business Council. The proclamation praised the Chamber for its awareness of the need for one community, regardless of race, in Cupertino, and established Feb. 2 as a date to celebrate the lunar new year.

Sullivan introduced several dignitaries in attendance, including State Sen. Byron Sher, County Supervisor Liz Kniss, a representative of state Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn, and the board of the Chamber.

Other notable attendees from the city included Councilman Michael Chang, City Manager David Knapp, Director of Public Works Ralph Qualls, Director of Administrative Services Carol Atwood, and Emergency Services Coordinator Marcia Garcia. Superintendent William Bragg and board member Barry Chang from the Cupertino Union School District were also present.

Lucia Wu, a year 2000 co-chair of the AABC along with Ben Shyy, read the organization's mission statement, which pledges to promote the interethnic business community of Cupertino by bringing Asian-American and American business groups together.

The council promotes American recognition of all Asian groups, and to have Asians recognize American styles and business practices. The AABC also promotes educating Asian groups about the legal system in the United States and to assist them in their business endeavors.

The pair introduced the co-chairs for 2001, Imam Bilal and Aileen Low. Bilal presented Shyy and Wu with a plaque honoring their year of service to the council, and also honored Don Allen of the Cupertino National Bank for his involvement with the organization.

Allen stressed the bank's commitment to expand coverage in the Asian market and community, even quipping that he has done everything short of asking Asian women he meets on the street to work for the bank.

Low explained the practice of lucky money, which usually involves parents and grandparents giving children money in red envelopes as a symbol of a prosperous new year. This time, however, the money came from East/West Bank and went to the attendees of the luncheon, along with jars of candy from United Commercial Bank.

Bilal and Low later awarded door prizes, including a Razor scooter, before ending the presentations.

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