In Long Beach, Long Debate Over Freeway Expansion

A community center in Long Beach was filled with maps showing how proposed freeway projects might impact residents.

Opponents say an expanded freeway will damage the air quality for poorer residents who live alongside the freeway.

01 September 2012

Brian Calvert, VOA Khmer

“Our Cambodian community is interested in this 710 freeway expansion but they didn't know about this public hearing, and there're lots of Cambodians who live along this 710 freeway.”

LONG BEACH - In Southern California, a protracted debate is taking place over the expansion of a major freeway that carries goods from the port of Long Beach into the rest of the state.

Opponents say an expanded freeway will damage the air quality for poorer residents who live alongside the freeway, including the Cambodian-American community there. State officials say an expansion is necessary to update the old freeway and improve the flow of goods.

In August, a public hearing was held on the issue. A community center in Long Beach was filled with maps showing how proposed freeway projects might impact residents. A massive environmental impact study was on display in a back room. Hundreds of people were given a demonstration on a handful of versions of the expansion.

Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach

Sep 02, 2012
Mercury News (San Jose, California, USA)

Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012.

The Blessing Dance, dancers release flower petals bringing good luck, during act two of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

Duet between Hanuman, the Monkey King, performed by Mr. Saranorrin Pheng, and the Golden Mermaid, performed by Ms. Charya Burt during act five of the" Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

The Blessing Dance, dancers release flower petals bringing good luck, during act two of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

The Monkeys and Mermaids Dance, scene from act four of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

The Monkeys and Mermaids Dance, scene from act four of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

Prayer Dance-Robam Buong Suong, dancers on stage during act two of the performance of " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

The Flowers Dance- Robam Bopha Lokey, young dancers perform on stage during act seven of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

Bowling Green's GADS mentioned at RNC

Eak Taing, 56, originally from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, moved to Bowling Green in 1981. Taing works at the Great American Donut Shop, or GADS as it is frequently called, which is owned by the Taing family. The shop has been a Bowling Green staple for 23 years. (AUSTIN ANTHONY/Herald)

Thursday, August 30, 2012
Allison I. Goodan
College Height Heralds (Western Kentucky U., USA)

A Bowling Green business and favorite snack spot among WKU students received national attention Wednesday night.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., mentioned Bowling Green’s Great American Donut Shop in a televised speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

Paul, an ophthalmologist based in Bowling Green before his election to the Senate in 2010, said he and his family have frequented GADS.

"The Taings work long hours. Mrs. Taing told us that the family works through the night to make donuts," Paul said. "The Taing children have become valedictorians and National Merit Scholars.

"The Taings from Cambodia are an American success story, so Mr. President don’t you go telling the Taings: 'You didn’t build that.'"

Khmerican partners with the oldest Khmer student organizati​on in the United States

Established in 1959, the Cambodian Student Society (CSS) at Cal State Long Beach is America's oldest Khmer student organization. On Sun, Aug 19th, Khmerican formally went into partnership with CSS, setting a strong foundation for Khmerican's long-term goal of connecting with student communities and educational institutions.

Learn more about CSS at http://cambodianstudentsociety.com.
Learn more about Khmerican at http://khmerican.com

Please help buy Khmer rice in the US

Khmer Rice have arrived at US Market, and I appeal to all Khmer to buy and eat Khmer Rice while it is taste better and cheaper than others. Trust your ancestors who built Khmer Empire on the foundation of rice fields.

Anonymous

Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting ... to Stop Jewelry Store Robbery

An alleged robbery suspect is taken into custody and transported to a hospital after he allegedly attempted to rob the VI Mean Chey Jewelry store at 1248 E. Anaheim Street in Long Beach. (Stephen Carr / Staff Photographer)

Tue., Jul. 17 2012
By Matt Coker
OC Weekly (Orange County, California)
Long Beach

Their hands were fast as lightning . . .

They would be the three martial artists who helped an agitated owner of a jewelry store foil an attempted armed robbery in Long Beach's Cambodia Town.

Thanks to the Good Samaritaninjas, one of three baddies is in custody.

Just before noon Monday, three men came into Vi Mean Chey Jewelry, 200 E. Willard St., near the 1200 block of Anaheim Street, saying they wanted to buy gold chains. But one man pulled out a gun and hopped over the counter.

Owner Chhom Choy, who is a grandfather, began fighting off the intruder and a shot was fired in the scuffle. The gunman then tried to run out of the back of the shop, but there was no exit.

Congratulations to Phanith who will represent Cambodia in the upcoming Queen of the Universe Pageant in January 2013!!!

Phanith Rama Sovann to represent Cambodia in Queen of the Universe Pageant in Jan 2013

Photo: Sotheara Chhay

BREAKING NEWS

The Khmerican is excited to announce a partnership with Phanith Rama Sovann who will represent Cambodia in the upcoming Queen of the Universe Pageant in January 2013. Stay tuned for the launch of her official pageant website and future news related to one of Khmer America's Must Watch List recipients.

Lil Lazy: from breakdanci​ng to building communitie​s

Ly's collection of event posters and photos showcasing the many travels over the years. © Bunthay Cheam

Originally published at
http://khmerican.com/2012/07/09/lil-lazy-from-breakdancing-to-building-communities/

SEATTLE, WA -- From its inception in the 1970s to its worldwide appeal in the present, breakdancing or “b-boying” has transcended boundaries: politics and geography, ethnicity, language, and even seeming to defy the laws of space and gravity. Seattle is home to the Massive Monkees, a world-famous breakdancing collective of over a dozen and half members, including Samnith Ly, also known as Lil Lazy.

Khmerican: What got you interested in b-boying and when did you start?

Lil Lazy: I think I was in the fourth grade, about eight or nine years old. At school, a friend named Jeff introduced me to breakdancing. I didn’t have much to do since all of my childhood friends were living in Seattle and we didn’t have video games, so I started breaking at home. I got ahold of the movie “Beat Street” and watched it over and over and tried to copy the moves. I would collect cardboard boxes and tape them together and practiced in our basement.

Khmerican: When did things start to pick up with regard to b-boying?

Lil Lazy: I was going to Meany Middle School and there was an after-school program where I met other breakdancers. One of the spots I used to practice at was the Union Gospel Mission. At the UGM, there was a counselor, Tim Scott, who created a breakdancing crew called Showcase. I started dancing with them, and I was battled in. Showcase was my first b-boy crew. That is where it all started and where everything popped off.

Dinner will honor former Cambodian kickboxing champion Oumry Ban

Oumry Ban, a former Cambodian national kickboxing champion who three times escaped death in his homeland before coming to the U.S. as a refugee, will be celebrated for 25 years as a Khmer kickboxing instructor in Long Beach where he has operated the same small storefront gym. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

7/7/12 - Sparring with Alphonso Collins, Oumry Ban, left, is a former Cambodian national kickboxing champion who three times escaped death in his homeland before coming to the U.S. as a refugee. He will be celebrated for 25 years as a Khmer kickboxing instructor in Long Beach where he has operated the same small storefront gym. A fighting legend in his homeland, Ban now passes on his skills and techniques to fighters of all ages interested in the ancient fighting art. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

7/7/12 - Sparring with Alphonso Collins, Oumry Ban, left, is a former Cambodian national kickboxing champion. A fighting legend in his homeland, Ban now passes on his skills and techniques to fighters of all ages interested in the ancient fighting art. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

07/07/2012By Greg Mellen Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - The smallest man in the room has the biggest heart.

Oumry Ban guides students through a series of punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes in his tiny martial arts studio on Anaheim Street as he has for 25 years.

A former kickboxing champion in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, Ban is generously listed as 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds, but appears somewhere between that and his fighting weight of 110 pounds.

However, the 68-year-old's small frame and gentle disposition belie the fighter's heart that helped him survive the Cambodian genocide and a scary unprovoked attack here in the United States.

It is also the same spirit that has kept Ban going for 25 years at the same location at 223 W. Anaheim St.

Fulbright Scholar Shares US Experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9px0joRGqoY

Andrew Hem: Paint like there's no tomorrow

http://youtu.be/pmTj4bO_x9c

29 June 2012
By Will Koenig/Khmerican
An original production by Khmerican

Artist Andrew Hem discusses how visiting his Cambodian homeland and traveling the world has inspired his art. A former graffiti artist, he has backpacked across Asia, South America and Europe. See his work at www.AndrewHem.com

His book, "Dreams Towards Reality," will be published by Zero Plus Publishing in August. Check it out at http://amzn.to/DreamsTowardsReality

Interview on former Khmer Veterans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO5Y0U_SkWA

Yani Rose Keo: Losses and Gains in a Houston Grand Opera Story

Yani Rose Keo and her husband on their wedding day (Photo courtesy Yani Rose Keo)

Yani Rose Keo and Mihoko Kinoshita Phorn Srey Pov who sings the role based on her (Photo courtesy HGO)

Fri., Jun. 15 2012
By Margaret Downing
Houston Press (Texas, USA)

Twelve years ago, the Houston Press wrote a cover story on Yani Rose Keo, a fabled refugee in Houston who'd gone on to work with the Alliance Center and help the constant stream of refugees coming to Houston.

Entitled "Cambodian Queen" and written by Melissa Hung, it also told the story of how Keo and her husband had arrived in Houston after escaping from Cambodia as the Khmer Rouge were taking over in 1975.

What followed, of course, was far different and now her experience has been wrapped into an operetta commissioned by Houston Grand Opera's HGOCo as part of its Song of Houston, East + West series entitled New Arrivals written by Catherine Filloux and composer John Glover.

In 'Viette,' the Messy Story of an American Family

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2digCOEai5U

Among the many entries at this year's Asian Pacific Film Festival is a full-length feature that examines life for one Vietnamese American family. But "Viette" is not your typical movie about Vietnam. VOA Khmer's Brian Calvert reports.

Sam Meas is running for State Senate in Massachusetts

"I'm running..."

Dear Friend,

Last week I submitted my nominations papers to the Secretary of State. We collected over 580 certified signatures and I am officially on the ballot!

I am humbled and honored to be a candidate for State Senate in the First Essex District. I have worked hard my entire life to provide for my beautiful family and create a setting where my kids can grow up to be anything that they want.

America is the land of opportunity and I have lived it first hand. Now I desire to give back to this country that has given me so much. I want to ensure that the same dream that was offered to me as a young Cambodian immigrant is offered to all Americans.

Massachusetts has been heading down a difficult path in recent years. Businesses are leaving, jobless numbers are still high and our government on Beacon Hill seems to be out of touch on every issue.

I hope to change all of that and provide a fresh voice of change and responsible governing to the State House.

Please join me in my campaign. Visit my campaign web site to learn more about the campaign and sign up to volunteer!

With your help, we can bring responsble and responsive leadership to Beacon HIll.

Sincerely,

Sam

To learn more about Sam Meas or to donate/join his team, click here

.

In Lowell, Hopes ‘Cambodia Town’ Will Boost Business

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFAVD8mAbaI

Tuesday, 01 May 2012
Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer | Massachusetts, Lowell

“People of the Khmer community that we have in Lowell have contributed quite a bit over the last several decades.”

The city of Lowell, Mass., officially coronated Cambodia Town earlier this month. City officials hope the designation, which marks a section of the city where many Cambodian businesses are, will bring an improvement to people’s lives.

For residents like Chhun Vanndeth, a 23-year-old fishmonger at the city’s Ocean Garden Market, an improved economy would be welcome. He, like others here, says he thinks the designation could make a difference.

Khmer Town was inaugurated during the Cambodian New Year, and Chhun Vanndeth was busy preparing fish that would be cooked at the pagoda. He works at the market four days a week. When he can, he helps people move houses. He said he is saving for college.

Long Beach Celebrated New Year With Pride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vnbat-OCNQ

Robbers hit [Cambodian] Jewelry Store Owners twice

April 23, 2012
By April Thompson
WREG (Memphis, Tennessee, USA)

(Memphis) Inside Handiwork Jewelry, police talked to store workers about the heist at the store Friday evening.

Three armed robbers made their way inside, tied up two women and made off with a lot of jewelry.

“You never know what happens in these situations. Pray it doesn’t happen to you. I hate it happened to our neighbors,” says Victor Ghosheh, who owns a business next door to the jewelry store.

One of those tied up was the store owner, who co-owns the business with her husband.

Photograph​er Pete Pin: ‘The Cambodian Diaspora’ [PODCAST]

Originally published at http://khmr.cn/pete-pin-podcast [VIDEO]

Pete Pin, a photographer whose work has been featured in the New York Times and Time magazine, talks about charting the trauma of the Cambodian diaspora, bridging the gaps between generations, and understanding what it means to be Khmerican.

See his photos at http://ti.me/PetePin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiB36WUz7HA

 Khmerican needs

your support

http://khmr.cn/our-campaign-2

Last day of Khmer New Year celebration in Wat Puthikaram in Silverspring, Maryland, USA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkAUuMYzkSg