Richmond Chinese Network President John Kang is working to unite the Chinese community in the city.

Richmond Chinese Network President John Kang is leading efforts to bring together the growing population of Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Americans.

By Corey Byers

Growing up Chinese in Richmond wasn’t easy for John Kang, he was ashamed of it. As one of a handful of Asian students in the schools he attended, he was often influenced by American stereotypes of what a Chinese person should be.
But Kang, 37, doesn’t want his children to grow up with that same sense of the Chinese culture. Kahn, whose parents are originally from China, practices acupuncture and herbal medicine here on Old Richmond Avenue.
For the past two years Kahn has served as the president of the Richmond Chinese Network in an effort to further networking and cultural opportunities for Chinese-Americans. Known as the Organization for Chinese Americans since 1978, Kahn’s goal is to make it feel more inclusive.

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A Growing Community
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the Chinese population in the city jumped 30 percent from 2000 to 2007.
Kahn doubts the accuracy of U.S. Census numbers and believes the actual population of Chinese in the city is quite higher than the 3,221 that were reported between 2005 and 2007. Due to factors such as a fluid population and neglect by illegal immigrants to fill out census paperwork, he believes the true head-count is somewhere closer to 10,000.
Why are Chinese immigrants choosing to come to Richmond?
Kahn said it’s mainly for employment and education. The city has a few companies, as well as the state government, that often hire Chinese citizens to come work in Virginia’s capital.
“Richmond is often a first stop for people who have large employers,” Kahn said. He added that ethnic Chinese individuals may find a job elsewhere and move, or settle down to start a family—either way, he wants to bring together as many people as possible from the city’s Chinese community.
Kahn said the organization wants to help people find opportunities in Richmond as well as help people grow their businesses. Group members come from approximately 100 households, though several thousand people are contacted for various events through e-mails and associations with other Chinese organizations. The group has a page on the online social networking site Facebook.
“Richmond has its good parts as to why people come,” Kahn said. “Part of the reason for the organization is to get people to stay.”

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Listen to a podcast of Richmond Chinese Network board member Sophia Hsu as she describes the organization.

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Informal Networking
Chinese who are new to Richmond don’t always join a formal group such as the Richmond Chinese Network to reach out to others in the community.
Jamie Wong recently earned a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He to the U.S. from northeast China two years ago to attend school and ended up landing a job in Richmond. He said many students from China will come to the U.S. for graduate school and “work very hard.”
While Wong said Richmond lacks entertainment opportunities, his networking has been informal with others in the Chinese community. He gets together with friends for karaoke, games of Mah Jong and potluck dinners with traditional Chinese cuisine.
However, other than those infrequent meetings, his schedule is packed.
Wong said there’s pressure on foreign nationals to keep a job here. He was able to find his job out of graduate school through informal networking and his company has business ties with contacts in China.
Of foreign nationals he said, “If they lose their job, they lose everything.”
For now, Wong is working two jobs, one part-time and one full-time. He plans on staying here for five years to get work experience and earn money and doesn’t rule out staying in the city if he ends up having a family.
“Chinese Americans don’t settle very long in one place unless they have a family.”

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Building Families
Richmond resident Eric Lin, a second generation Chinese-American, represents the Chinese community for the Asian American Society of Central Virginia. Lin said the organization plans on hosting an education forum for Asian families and local school officials so the two groups can exchange information about the educational process in the U.S.
Lin, who is also affiliated with the Richmond Chinese Network, said that in China there is a very strong emphasis on education.
“That’s the way people think,” Lin said. “Education is the better way to go to achieve a better life.”
Lin noted that the school systems in America are different from those in China and parents may not feel as though schools are preparing their children as much as they should. Bringing families together with school officials is a way to educate immigrant parents.

Personally, Lin said that as a parent he wants his children well educated and will do what it takes to make that happen.

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TT Lounge on West Cary Street in Richmond serves Boba tea.

Watch an audio slideshow on a popular drink in Richmond that’s native to China.

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Keeping Culture Alive
Another member of the Richmond Chinese Network, Sophia Hsu, said she and her husband, who is Jewish, plan on educating their children in both Chinese and Jewish customs such as learning the languages.
Hsu said the network brings together the older and younger generations for various cultural events such as celebrating the Chinese New Year. She said the network also serves as a way to help people adjust to life in Richmond and offers social opportunities for families and young professionals.
Kahn said he and his wife, who is Japanese, want their two daughters to learn both languages and watch culture-based television shows like Nickelodeon’s Ni Hao, Kai-Lan.
Kahn’s efforts with the network, and within his own family, are all aimed at bringing together cultures without stereotypes or shame.
“I want my kids to transition between groups seamlessly.”

Multi-genre author Pamela Kinney at the 2009 Hanover Book Festival.

Even with more people reading online and the development of Amazon.com’s Kindle, local authors don’t see an end to printed books in the near future.

By Corey Byers

As technological innovations like Amazon.com’s Kindle have emerged for people to read electronically, Virginia’s reading and writing professionals acknowledge an impact to traditional reading but don’t see an end to the printed page.
On Saturday, 40 authors, librarians, publishing agents and publishers gathered at the Hanover Book Festival, an event sponsored by the Hanover chapter of the Virginia Writers Club. Virginia authors showcased various genres of books.

Preferring Print
In the battle of virtual books versus traditional print books, Christian author Elizabeth Nicholas has clearly chosen sides.
“They definitely should not stop publishing books…who the heck wants to go at two in the morning, like I usually do, and pick up Kindle?” Nicholas said. “You want to lie in bed, look under covers and enjoy yourself and two or three years down the road come back and reread it.”
Nicholas enjoys the permanence of the printed book and finds regular books easier on her eyes.
“I’m sorry but I don’t want to lie in bed with my computer.”

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Listen to a podcast from Hanover Writers Club Treasurer Joanne Liggan and college professor June Forte as they talk about why Kindle is important to both authors and readers alike.

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The Modern Library
Pamunkey Regional Library Branch Manager Jamie Stoops said changes in technology have lead to different needs for modern library space. Stoops manages the Mechanicsville Branch which recently opened a 16,000 square foot facility.
The library is more than three times the size of the original building and was the result of public demand for new technology.
Stoops said technology is “definitely changing the face of libraries.” While the facility used to have eight computers, the expanded building holds 30.
“We offer a whole bunch of new services,” Stoops said. “I think the library is more of a community center rather as opposed to a place that houses books.”

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Author Naana Kyereboah showcases her children's book.

Watch an audio slideshow presentation of the 2009 the Hanover Book Festival. The Hanover Book Festival began in 2006 by the Hanover Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club to help promote reading. Since then the event has grown and now features various authors and genres from all over Virginia.

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Here To Stay
With the economy in turmoil, a couple of authors said people still want printed books.
Non-fiction author Fredric Almond Sr. published his first book earlier this year and believes that despite technology, the number of printed books will keep going up.
“With the economy people can’t go on trips like they used to so they’ve got to read…reading is in,” Almond said.
Multi-genre author Pamela Kinney said books from smaller publishers are coming into their own, especially when hard cover books can be expense; she doesn’t see electronic reading as a threat to books.
Kinney uses a Sony E-Book and reads on her laptop.
“I just want to read.”
Civil War era author Emerson Williams predicts books may go all electronic, but not for at least another 10 years.
“I think it’s more down the road you’ll see a change as far as hard copies,” Williams said. “People will use the Internet more rather than buy the actual hard copy of the book.”

By Corey Byers

With the state’s strawberry season stretching into this month, visitors packed Saturday’s Strawberry Faire in Ashland looking to taste homemade shortcakes and enjoy local entertainment.

Despite rough economic conditions country-wide, the community-based event drew thousands to the Randolph-Macon College campus, where organizers and vendors said business was thriving.

BUSTLING SCENE

Mary Claire Coster, president of Ashland Strawberry Faire Inc., estimated that the event brought more than 30,000 people—the biggest turnout since it started nearly 30 years ago.

There’s no admission charge and guests listened to musical acts for free. Coster said that kind of affordability is a draw for residents during this kind of economy.

More than 280 vendor tents featuring, food, crafts, jewelry, clothing, community organizations and children’s activities lined the campus’ streets.

“Even if people don’t buy anything it’s an entertaining day,” Coster said.

Economics aside, Coster said strawberry shortcake has always been the staple favorite of the day throughout her 26 years with the fair committee.

“As long as it has strawberry in it, I think everyone is happy,” she said.

STRONG SALES

As for strawberries sales, those weren’t sour.

“The best way to eat it is fresh cut with Cool Whip on strawberry shortcake,” said Jodi Roberts, a retail manager with Ashland Berry Farm.

Stalls for the Beaverdam-based business had lines for strawberries by the pint, shortcakes and berry-laden cheesecake. Some people use strawberries in recipes, some can them for later consumption and others just eat them plain.

Roberts said sales were great.

Straying away from shortcakes, vendor Kim Cortez showcased homemade jams and jellies, including a sweet strawberry champagne jam.

As the owner of Fresh Batch Jams, a family business out of Chesapeake, Cortez said the venture is a way for her family to slow down and reconnect during the economic downturn. In addition, she said her products use as many locally-grown ingredients as possible.

Her plan seems to be working since she already has intentions to expand.

Cortez’s sister-in-law, Anne Cortez, plans on expanding the company by creating cupcakes compliment to the original product, such as a vanilla-almond-biscotti-flavored cupcake stuffed with strawberry jam. Saturday’s event was her first time showcasing her spin on the traditional dessert.

“Filled cupcakes are kind of something new and different that’s just starting to catch on,” Anne Cortez said.
At the end of a line of food vendors, Keith Wood kept an eye on his smoothie sales at Maui Wowi. The beverage business is based out of Short Pump and is part of a national franchise.

Wood, the franchise owner, said the most popular smoothie flavor for the day was strawberry-banana—appropriate for the venue. He described business as “ok,” saying the size of the event and number of other vendors could have affected sales.

As the sun started breaking through the clouds, Wood said the sunny weather could drive business for the ice-cold drinks. He added that smoothie and coffee sales during the past three years have been churning out a 40 percent profit.

CLOSE TO HOME

Ashland resident Sue Watson, accompanied by her children and grandchildren, said she bought so many strawberries that her family had to store them in the car before returning to the festivities.

Watson’s daughter Jane Forbes Fields, of Ashland, said she enjoyed community organizations and local businesses represented at the fair.

“But mostly we like it because it’s fun,” Fields said. “The fun and the food.”