Showing posts with label 2008 Long Beach New Year parade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 Long Beach New Year parade. Show all posts
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Monday, April 07, 2008
Davik rides high in parade
04/06/2008By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (California, USA)
LONG BEACH - Wearing a polka-dot dress and a parka, Davik Teng climbed into the back of a Mercedes-Benz convertible and was introduced to yet another American experience - a parade.
Davik, a 9-year-old Cambodian girl brought from a remote village in her homeland to the United States for life-changing heart surgery, was recognized at the fourth annual Cambodian New Year Parade on Sunday along Anaheim Street.
Quickly learning about the intricacies of the "parade wave" and later happily swinging a Cambodian flag, Davik was accompanied by her mom, Sin Chhon, and Chantha Bob and Peter Chhun, the two men responsible for arranging Davik's trip.
Two weeks ago, Davik underwent open-heart surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to close a hole in her heart, called a ventricular septal defect. The hospital donated its facilities and a world-class cardiac team led by surgeon Vaughn Starnes.
Aside from occasional headaches, Davik has showed remarkable progress in her recovery.
Originally, Chhun, president of the Long Beach-based nonprofit Hearts Without Boundaries, which is sponsoring Davik's trip, had hoped the girl could be home in Cambodia in time for the New Year.
However, Davik's heart operation was postponed because of unexpected dental problems requiring oral surgery.
Because Davik couldn't yet return home, Chhun asked to include her in one of Long Beach's most visible Cambodian New Year celebrations. Parade organizers agreed and provided the ride.
In addition to her coterie of supporters, Davik was also accompanied by a half-dozen volunteers who carried poster-sized pictures of the Cambodian girl.
Chhun said Davik and her mom were mystified by the American concept of a parade.
Chhun said when he asked how she would celebrate the holiday at home, Davik said, "We go to the temple and pray, that's it."
Davik was a minor celebrity along the route, although there were just as many shout-outs from paradegoers for Bob, a waiter at Sophy's Restaurant, a popular Cambodian eatery, and Chhun.
At the midway stop of the parade, an announcer said of Chhun's group, "They save lives. You should support them. Just go to the Web site, or stop at Sophy's and see Bob - simple."
At one point along the route, local resident Sambath Prop and his friends yelled out to Davik and shook homemade placards with the number 10 on them, signaling perfection.
Prop said he and his friends knew about Davik from newspaper accounts and because they are friends of Bob.
After the parade ended, Davik was standing at the edge of MacArthur Park, when she heard the strains of a familiar Cambodian New Year's song being played as dancers performed a traditional dance.
Davik excitedly pointed at the stage and tugged at the sleeve of Keo Tim, who has been hosting Davik and her mother in her Long Beach home.
Together the trio made their way toward the stage. With the peculiar parade over, Davik was now heading toward something she understood and recognized.
greg.mellen@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1291
Davik, a 9-year-old Cambodian girl brought from a remote village in her homeland to the United States for life-changing heart surgery, was recognized at the fourth annual Cambodian New Year Parade on Sunday along Anaheim Street.
Quickly learning about the intricacies of the "parade wave" and later happily swinging a Cambodian flag, Davik was accompanied by her mom, Sin Chhon, and Chantha Bob and Peter Chhun, the two men responsible for arranging Davik's trip.
Two weeks ago, Davik underwent open-heart surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to close a hole in her heart, called a ventricular septal defect. The hospital donated its facilities and a world-class cardiac team led by surgeon Vaughn Starnes.
Aside from occasional headaches, Davik has showed remarkable progress in her recovery.
Originally, Chhun, president of the Long Beach-based nonprofit Hearts Without Boundaries, which is sponsoring Davik's trip, had hoped the girl could be home in Cambodia in time for the New Year.
However, Davik's heart operation was postponed because of unexpected dental problems requiring oral surgery.
Because Davik couldn't yet return home, Chhun asked to include her in one of Long Beach's most visible Cambodian New Year celebrations. Parade organizers agreed and provided the ride.
In addition to her coterie of supporters, Davik was also accompanied by a half-dozen volunteers who carried poster-sized pictures of the Cambodian girl.
Chhun said Davik and her mom were mystified by the American concept of a parade.
Chhun said when he asked how she would celebrate the holiday at home, Davik said, "We go to the temple and pray, that's it."
Davik was a minor celebrity along the route, although there were just as many shout-outs from paradegoers for Bob, a waiter at Sophy's Restaurant, a popular Cambodian eatery, and Chhun.
At the midway stop of the parade, an announcer said of Chhun's group, "They save lives. You should support them. Just go to the Web site, or stop at Sophy's and see Bob - simple."
At one point along the route, local resident Sambath Prop and his friends yelled out to Davik and shook homemade placards with the number 10 on them, signaling perfection.
Prop said he and his friends knew about Davik from newspaper accounts and because they are friends of Bob.
After the parade ended, Davik was standing at the edge of MacArthur Park, when she heard the strains of a familiar Cambodian New Year's song being played as dancers performed a traditional dance.
Davik excitedly pointed at the stage and tugged at the sleeve of Keo Tim, who has been hosting Davik and her mother in her Long Beach home.
Together the trio made their way toward the stage. With the peculiar parade over, Davik was now heading toward something she understood and recognized.
greg.mellen@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1291
A Banner Day for Cambodians
Sihaneat Chea, attired as a Cambodian warrior, carries a Prasat Preach Vihear in honor of King Suryavarman, who reunited Cambodia in 1113. (Diandra Jay / Staff Photographer)04/06/2008
By Kelly Puente, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (California, USA)
LONG BEACH - Long Beach resident Phan Phin hasn't been back to Cambodia since his entire family was wiped out by the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s.
For Phin, 62, the Cambodian New Year Parade is a small taste of home.
"I love to see the culture," he said. "It helps me remember."
The fourth annual parade kicked off on Sunday with a colorful sea of floats, community groups and dance troupes in traditional costume.
Under sunny skies and warm weather, thousands of spectators lined the sidewalks of Anaheim Street between Junipero and Warren avenues, cheering "Happy New Year" and waving Cambodian and U.S. flags.
A handful of Buddhist monks began the festivities with a ceremonial prayer meant to bless the New Year, the Year of the Rat.
Organizer Danny Vong said this year's parade, with more than 80 entrants, was the city's biggest and best yet. The theme, "Cambodia Town For Diversity," is a celebration of the city's official designation of part of Anaheim Street between Junipero Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard as Cambodia Town in July.
Grand marshals included Long Beach Vice Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal, 6th District Councilman Dee Andrews and activists Charles Song, Sweety Chap and Michael Sar.
Sar, a 26-year-old Cal State Long Beach student, was chosen to represent a generation of young people working to preserve their culture.
Born and raised in Long Beach, Sar has served as president and vice president of Cal State Long Beach's Cambodian Student Society, served on the 2006 parade committee and also worked to establish Cambodia Town.
"(The parade) is a positive event where Cambodians can celebrate their culture and also celebrate being American," he said.
Sophy Juli Nuth, 22, who trains in Khmer classical dance, is also trying to honor the past and embrace the future.
In an elaborate gold costume, Nuth performed a traditional blessing dance with the Khmer Arts Cultural Center.
"Cambodia was always big on the arts, but when the Khmer Rouge took over, it pretty much wiped it away," she said.
Long Beach resident Tim Keo, who fled Cambodia in 1979, remembers that time. Keo, now 62, says she attends the parade each year for the music and dance.
"It makes me so happy to see the young people dancing," she said.
Organizers said new this year was participation by representatives from the Cambodian government, including the county's ministries of tourism and culture and fine arts, and Council of Ministries.
Controversy emerged last week when an invitation was extended to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An. The invitation caused an emotional response from community members opposed to the Hun Sen government, which has been linked to human-rights abuses.
Organizers were later told that the Cambodian official would not participate.
Despite the earlier controversy, Sunday's event was smooth and peaceful as the parade moved along Anaheim and spilled into MacArthur Park for a celebration with music, food and information booths.
Many employees and business owners along Anaheim stepped outside to watch.
"Of course we support them," said Mia Hutchins, an employee at Long Beach Transit. "It's our family. It's our neighborhood. This is Long Beach right here."
Cambodian New Year is typically a three-day celebration that falls in mid-April.
The Long Beach festivities continue on Saturday with the annual Cambodian New Year Celebration at El Dorado Regional Park.
The all-day event features religious ceremonies, New Year games, cultural performances and music. Admission is $20 per vehicle parking at El Dorado if purchased in advance. For information, call 562-833-6128 or go online to the Cambodian Coordinating Council at www.cam-cc.org.
kelly.puente@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1305
For Phin, 62, the Cambodian New Year Parade is a small taste of home.
"I love to see the culture," he said. "It helps me remember."
The fourth annual parade kicked off on Sunday with a colorful sea of floats, community groups and dance troupes in traditional costume.
Under sunny skies and warm weather, thousands of spectators lined the sidewalks of Anaheim Street between Junipero and Warren avenues, cheering "Happy New Year" and waving Cambodian and U.S. flags.
A handful of Buddhist monks began the festivities with a ceremonial prayer meant to bless the New Year, the Year of the Rat.
Organizer Danny Vong said this year's parade, with more than 80 entrants, was the city's biggest and best yet. The theme, "Cambodia Town For Diversity," is a celebration of the city's official designation of part of Anaheim Street between Junipero Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard as Cambodia Town in July.
Grand marshals included Long Beach Vice Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal, 6th District Councilman Dee Andrews and activists Charles Song, Sweety Chap and Michael Sar.
Sar, a 26-year-old Cal State Long Beach student, was chosen to represent a generation of young people working to preserve their culture.
Born and raised in Long Beach, Sar has served as president and vice president of Cal State Long Beach's Cambodian Student Society, served on the 2006 parade committee and also worked to establish Cambodia Town.
"(The parade) is a positive event where Cambodians can celebrate their culture and also celebrate being American," he said.
Sophy Juli Nuth, 22, who trains in Khmer classical dance, is also trying to honor the past and embrace the future.
In an elaborate gold costume, Nuth performed a traditional blessing dance with the Khmer Arts Cultural Center.
"Cambodia was always big on the arts, but when the Khmer Rouge took over, it pretty much wiped it away," she said.
Long Beach resident Tim Keo, who fled Cambodia in 1979, remembers that time. Keo, now 62, says she attends the parade each year for the music and dance.
"It makes me so happy to see the young people dancing," she said.
Organizers said new this year was participation by representatives from the Cambodian government, including the county's ministries of tourism and culture and fine arts, and Council of Ministries.
Controversy emerged last week when an invitation was extended to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An. The invitation caused an emotional response from community members opposed to the Hun Sen government, which has been linked to human-rights abuses.
Organizers were later told that the Cambodian official would not participate.
Despite the earlier controversy, Sunday's event was smooth and peaceful as the parade moved along Anaheim and spilled into MacArthur Park for a celebration with music, food and information booths.
Many employees and business owners along Anaheim stepped outside to watch.
"Of course we support them," said Mia Hutchins, an employee at Long Beach Transit. "It's our family. It's our neighborhood. This is Long Beach right here."
Cambodian New Year is typically a three-day celebration that falls in mid-April.
The Long Beach festivities continue on Saturday with the annual Cambodian New Year Celebration at El Dorado Regional Park.
The all-day event features religious ceremonies, New Year games, cultural performances and music. Admission is $20 per vehicle parking at El Dorado if purchased in advance. For information, call 562-833-6128 or go online to the Cambodian Coordinating Council at www.cam-cc.org.
kelly.puente@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1305
Monday, March 24, 2008
Cam-CC, LB Parade organizer, now blames 2 of its member organizations for inviting Sok An ... Does Cam-CC know what it is doing at all?
Those who invited Sok An, from left to right: Peter Long, Gary Ung, Richer San, Sok An, Edward Tan and Evan Braude (Photo: Sok An's office)Message from Peter Long of Cam-CC
To Whom It May Concern:
Cambodian Coordinating Council (Cam-CC) is the organization that heads two main cultural events in celebration of Cambodian New Year - the parade and El Dorado Park festivities. We are planning our festivities to relay a positive theme that aligns with our current theme, “Cambodia Town for Diversity,” and we are saddened that there has been controversy within the community surrounding the New Year’s celebration events.
There has been confusion of an invitation that was made to the Office of Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, Royal Government of Cambodia. Cam-CC is made-up of 21 member organizations. Two of our member organizations invited the Deputy Minister Sok An to participate in the Cambodian New Year Parade this year. Cam-CC has been informed that the Deputy Prime Minister Sok An will not attend the Cambodian New Year Parade.
We hope this settles any misunderstanding. The Cambodian New Year Parade and El Dorado Park festivities are intended to be enjoyed by participants, spectators, and the community. We hope you will join us this year. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Peter Long, President
peterlongbeach@aol.com
Cambodian Coordinating Council (Cam-CC) is the organization that heads two main cultural events in celebration of Cambodian New Year - the parade and El Dorado Park festivities. We are planning our festivities to relay a positive theme that aligns with our current theme, “Cambodia Town for Diversity,” and we are saddened that there has been controversy within the community surrounding the New Year’s celebration events.
There has been confusion of an invitation that was made to the Office of Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, Royal Government of Cambodia. Cam-CC is made-up of 21 member organizations. Two of our member organizations invited the Deputy Minister Sok An to participate in the Cambodian New Year Parade this year. Cam-CC has been informed that the Deputy Prime Minister Sok An will not attend the Cambodian New Year Parade.
We hope this settles any misunderstanding. The Cambodian New Year Parade and El Dorado Park festivities are intended to be enjoyed by participants, spectators, and the community. We hope you will join us this year. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Peter Long, President
peterlongbeach@aol.com
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