NCVA REPORTER - September 22, 2004

In this NCVA Reporter:

Events

• Voter Mobilization Volunteer Training – Oct 2, 2004

Funding Opportunities

• Awards Honor Efforts to Increase Minority Homeownership
• Community Support from ConAgra
• Grants for Community Service Projects on Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Jobs/Internships

• Curator of Vietnamese Collections
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Internship

Tips/Resources

• California Student Survey (CSS)
• National Household Survey on Drug Abuse
• Benefits and Costs of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs for Youth
• Understanding SAMHSA's Grant Application Process

News

• National Poll of Asian Pacific Islanders on the 2004 Election (New California Media)
• Jenny Yang Selected as 2004-2005 Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellow (Press Release)
• Getting a toehold – Cleaning nails opens doors for many Vietnamese (Sacramento Bee)
• APIASF Selects First President/Executive Director (Press Release)
• U.S. designates Vietnam country of concern for religious freedom (Deutsche Presse-Agentur)
• Vietnamese Americans Breaking into the Mainstream (Press Release)

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EVENTS

VOTER MOBILIZATION VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Washington, D.C. – Oct 2, 2004

This fall, thousands of volunteers will be working to turn out voters on Election Day. To support that effort the Center for Progressive Leadership will be hosting a series of half-day Voter Mobilization Volunteer Trainings. The Washington, DC training will take place on Saturday, October 2, from 1:00-6:00pm at The George Washington University . The cost is $10 ($5 for students). Through the interactive, highly focused training sessions with top progressive organizers, we'll be preparing activists to be effective in communicating with voters and ensuring they make their voices heard in this critical election. At the end of the training you'll have an opportunity to sign up as a volunteer on voter mobilization activities in your community or around the country! Topics include: mastering door-to-door, reaching out to communities that traditionally have low voter turn out, phone and electronic outreach and organizing, learning the legal details of voter registration and voter rights; the basics of campaign field tactics and strategy.

CPL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Training is open to everyone regardless of political affiliation or lack thereof.

Full details and registration online for the October 2 event at http://www.progressleaders.org/vmt04 or Email fieldtraining@progressleaders.org  The Center for Progressive Leadership is also sponsoring similar trainings in Pittsburgh (October 2), Philadelphia (October 3) and Arizona (October 10).

(http://www.progressleaders.org)

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

AWARDS HONOR EFFORTS TO INCREASE MINORITY HOMEOWNERSHIP
National Association of Realtors: HOPE Awards Program

The HOPE Awards Program (Home Ownership Participation for Everyone) recognizes organizations and individuals throughout the U.S. who are making outstanding contributions to increasing minority homeownership. The awards, supported by a partnership of real estate associations, raise public awareness about the need to place a higher priority on creating equality in homeownership. Up to seven awards will be made in the following categories: minority homeowner education, minority homeowner finance, real estate services for minorities, minority housing development, home ownership public policy, media coverage of minority homeownership, and leadership. The application deadline is December 1, 2004.

(http://www.hopeawards.org/)

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT FROM CONAGRA
ConAgra Foods Foundation

The mission of the ConAgra Foods Foundation is to improve the quality of life in communities where ConAgra employees work and live. The Foundation focuses its resources in the areas of arts and culture; civic and community betterment; education; health and human services; and hunger, nutrition and food safety. Nonprofit organizations in communities with company facilities throughout the United States are eligible to apply. Consult your local phone directory or contact your Chamber of Commerce to find out if ConAgra Foods operates in your community. The next application deadline is the last working day of October.

(http://www.conagrafoods.com/leadership/community_guidelines.jsp)

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GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Grants

The purpose of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day Initiative, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, is to mobilize more Americans to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday as a day of service in communities and to bring people together around the common focus of service to others. Grants will be awarded to selected applicants who will in turn subgrant to eligible local organizations or fund separate events to plan and carry out service activities. Organizations receiving funding must propose to sponsor a minimum of ten events. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state commissions on service, volunteer centers, institutions of higher education, national or regional education agencies, educational institutions, and faith-based institutions throughout the U.S. Applicants must be well-established organizations with a successful track record of conducting outreach and subgranting to local organizations in multiple states. The application deadline is October 12, 2004.

(http://www.mlkday.org/)

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JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

The British Library is one of the world's finest and largest libraries. With a collection numbering over 150 million items that ranges from books, periodicals and manuscripts to stamps, photographs and music, we provide a resource that attracts some 12 million researchers every year.

CURATOR OF VIETNAMESE COLLECTIONS

(http://www.bl.uk/about/curvietcoll.html)

£18-22k pro rata
London
Part-time (50%)

A vacancy exists for a part-time Vietnamese Curator in the Southeast Asia Section of the British Library’s Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections. The Library’s collection of manuscripts and printed works from Vietnam is especially strong in printed books and periodicals from the Vietnam War period onwards.

You will be part of the Library’s close-knit team of Southeast Asian language specialists. The aim of the Southeast Asia Section is to develop, document and make available the national collection of works in Southeast Asian languages. Your principal duties will therefore include: managing and documenting the manuscript collections; establishing and monitoring an acquisitions programme; selecting current research-level publications; MARC-cataloguing of new acquisitions; identifying material for conservation and reprography; and providing information to users, both on-site and remote, about the collections and about the history, religion and culture of Vietnam more generally. You will be expected to undertake occasional enquiry desk duties in the Oriental and India Office Collections Reading Room. You will also be expected to represent the Library at external conferences and library groups.

You must have a degree or equivalent qualification/experience in Vietnamese and knowledge of Vietnamese literature, history, religion and culture to degree level. In addition, familiarity with MARC-cataloguing, a qualification in librarianship, and/or experience of working in a research library, will all be advantages.

For an application pack and further details on how to apply, please contact People Media Response on 020 7420 2080 or email bl@peoplemedia.co.uk quoting reference VM001704.

Further information is also available from www.bl.uk/about/vacancies.html

Closing date for applications: 1 October 2004.

The British Library is an Equal Opportunities employer. We recognise the benefit of employing a diverse workforce. All applicants are considered on the basis of their merits and suitability for the job and all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be invited for interview.

Dr Annabel Teh Gallop
Head, South & Southeast Asia section
The British Library
Asia, Pacific & Africa Collections
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB

Tel: (00 44 0)20-7412 7661
Fax: (00 44 0)20-7412 7641
e-mail: annabel.gallop@bl.uk
http://www.bl.uk/

(http://www.bl.uk/about/curvietcoll.html)

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NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

Internship Announcement

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) seeks interns for its Washington, DC office.

NAPABA is the only national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students.  With a national network of 48 affiliates, NAPABA advocates for the legal needs and interests of the APA community and represents over 40,000 attorneys nationwide.

This exciting opportunity to gain experience in NAPABA's national office requires motivated individuals who will work closely with the Policy Director and Administrative Assistant in NAPABA's daily operations.

Internship applicants must be detail-oriented, maintain a high standard of work in a fast-paced environment, be able to multi-task, and be eager to learn.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated commitment to APA community issues and civil rights.  In addition, the candidate should have a working knowledge of national APA organizations.  Prior internship experience in public service organizations or government a plus.

Responsibilities include general office functions, such as answering phones, handling mail, and providing administrative and research support for the Executive Director, Policy Director, and Administrative Assistant.  In addition, interns will:

* Update NAPABA membership and affiliates database;
* Assist with logistics for the NAPABA Annual Convention;
* Attend meetings and briefings with APA community organizations;
* Assist with policy projects as needed.

Please send cover letter and resume to:

Jiny Kim
Policy Director
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
910 17th Street, NW, Suite 315
Washington, DC 20006

You may also submit applications via e-mail: policy@napaba.org or fax: (202)775-9333.

If you have any questions, please call (202)775-9555.

(www.napaba.org)

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TIPS/RESOURCES

CALIFORNIA STUDENT SURVEY (CSS)

California Student Survey (CSS) is a mandated statewide project, conducted since 1985. Every 2 years, the CSS presents a snapshot of students' risky and health-related behaviors, including drug, alcohol and tobacco use; and resilience and perception of school violence.

Publication date: July 2002

Email CVPC@SafeState.org

(http://www.safestate.org/index.cfm?navID=254)

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NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON DRUG ABUSE

SAMHSA's National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) is the primary source of information on the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use and abuse in the general U.S. civilian non institutionalized population, age 12 and older.

Publication date: August 2002

Name National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
Phone (800) 729-6686

(http://www.samhsa.gov/oas/p0000016.htm)

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BENEFITS AND COSTS OF PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH

Does prevention pay? Can an ounce of prevention avoid (at least) an ounce of cure? More specifically for public policy purposes, is there credible scientific evidence that for each dollar a legislature spends on "research-based" prevention or early intervention programs for youth, more than a dollar's worth of benefits will be generated? If so, what are the policy options that offer taxpayers the best return on their dollar? These are among the ambitious questions the 2003 Washington State Legislature assigned the Washington State Institute for Public Policy. The findings are described in this report.

(http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/04-07-3901.pdf)

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UNDERSTANDING SAMHSA’S GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

Each year, SAMHSA announces numerous funding opportunities through which States, tribes, community- and faith-based organizations, and others can apply for grants. To provide an overview of the current grants application procedures and critical requirements, and direct you to the current information on its discretionary grants, SAMHSA has produced a short Webcast. Below is a link to the final script of this Webcast.

(http://grantstraining.samhsa.gov/SAMHSA_Grants_Webcast_Script.pdf)

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NEWS

September 14, 2004

NATIONAL POLL OF ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS ON THE 2004 ELECTION

Conducted by Bendixen & Associates and The Tarrance Group
NCM Poll,

+ See PDF for Summary Report (http://www.ncmonline.com/media/pdf/polls/apia_summary.pdf)
+ See PDF for Presentation (http://www.ncmonline.com/media/pdf/polls/apia_presentation.pdf)

Methodology

The results and findings in this report are based on a poll of 1,004 Asian and Pacific Islander (APIA) registered voters likely to participate in the November 2nd presidential election. The sample was designed to be representative of the approximately 2.9 million APIA “likely voters” in the United States. Bilingual operators conducted the interviews in nine languages – Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Japanese, Hindi, Hmong and English.

Fifty-nine percent of the respondents chose to be interviewed in a language other than English. All of the interviews were conducted between August 19th and August 29th of 2004. The margin of error for the full sample of 1,004 interviews is three percentage points. The polling project was organized and coordinated by Bendixen & Associates of Coral Gables, Florida and The Tarrance Group of Alexandria, Virginia.

Major Findings

1. Senator John Kerry and President George W. Bush are in a close race among APIA voters with two months to go before Election Day. The Democratic nominee leads by 43 percent to 36 percent over the Republican nominee with a substantial 20 percent still undecided. The President seems to have cut in half the lead that Democrats enjoyed among these voters in the 2000 presidential election when Vice President Al Gore defeated George W. Bush by 55 percent to 41 percent (the remaining 4 percent were split between Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan).

** Kerry has a strong lead among Chinese, Asian Indian and Hmong voters.

** Bush has a strong lead among Vietnamese and Filipino voters.

** Japanese, Korean and Pacific Islander voters split their votes equally between Kerry and Bush.

** Kerry does best among younger APIA voters (18-39) and those that have a college degree while Bush does best among older APIA voters (60+) and those with a high school degree. First-time APIA voters (31% of the APIA electorate) support Kerry over Bush by 16 percentage points.

** Kerry’s lead over Bush among APIA voters in the 18 “battleground states” is the same as his lead among all APIA voters – 7 percentage points. The “battleground states” with the greatest number of APIA “likely voters” are Washington, Florida, Michigan, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

** President Bush’s approval rating – 49 percent – seems to be contributing to his strong showing among voters that clearly favored the Democratic nominee in the 2000 election. Many political analysts believe that the approval rating of an incumbent president is a strong “predictor” of his reelection vote.

** President Bush and Senator Kerry have similar personal image numbers among APIA voters. Fifty percent have a positive image of the Republican nominee while 40 percent have a negative opinion of him. The Democratic nominee has a positive to negative ratio of 53 percent to 26 percent.

** A large majority of APIA voters (62%) think that the 2004 presidential election may very well be the most important election of their lifetime.


2. The APIA electorate point-of-view on the major issues of the day is made clear by the study. A small majority of APIA “likely voters” thinks that it was “wrong” to go to war with Iraq. Chinese, Asian Indian and Korean voters are the strongest opponents of military action in the Middle East while a majority of Vietnamese and Filipino voters think that it was “right” to go to war with Iraq.

** “Jobs and the economy” was chosen by 47 percent of APIA voters as the most important issue for the next President to deal with while 22 percent told our interviewers that the Iraq war or terrorism was the number one issue. The importance of the jobs issue is underlined by the finding that only 27 percent of the APIA electorate rates the economic condition of the United States as “excellent” or “good.”

** Vietnamese, Korean and Filipino voters believe that the “outsourcing” of jobs to foreign nations should be penalized through tax policy while Asian Indians and Japanese voters feel that the “outsourcing” of jobs overseas will help the U. S. economy by creating stronger markets for U. S. goods. Chinese voters are equally divided on this issue, one of the most controversial of the 2004 presidential campaign.

** Same-sex or gay marriage is supported by a small percentage (21%) of the APIA electorate but there is an important “generational gap” on this issue – older APIA voters (60+) oppose gay marriage by the overwhelming margin of 83 percent to 9 percent. Younger APIA voters (18-39) also oppose it but by a much smaller margin (12%).

** APIA voters support legalizing undocumented immigrants who live, work and pay taxes in the United States but by a much smaller percentage than their Hispanic counterparts. Only 51 percent of APIA voters support legalizing the undocumented while a January 2004 New California Media poll indicated that 85 percent of Hispanic voters favor the policy.

** APIA voters may be more “assimilated” than other voting groups dominated by immigrants. Only 23 percent of APIA voters report having experienced discrimination because of their racial or ethnic background and a majority oppose giving non-citizen immigrants living in the United States the right to vote in important local elections.


3. The APIA electorate may be developing into a key “swing” constituency in American politics. Forty-four percent of these voters were not able to pick between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party when asked which party regards the opinions of their national or ethnic group in a more important way. The Democrats had a small advantage over the Republicans – 34 percent to 22 percent – among those APIA voters willing to choose between the two major political parties.

** The numbers are similar when APIA voters are asked which party they feel closer to - only 29 percent see themselves as Democrats while 25 percent say they are closer to the Republican Party.

** The percentage of APIA voters that remain undecided is a substantial 20 points. Most national polls show the undecided to be in the low single digits. The APIA electorate may have one of the highest concentration of undecided voters in the nation.

** The Democratic Party may have greater growth potential among APIA voters. Sixty-three percent of these voters have a positive opinion of the Democratic Party while only 48 percent have a positive opinion of the Republican Party.


4. There is an important difference of opinion among APIA voters about the importance of voting ballots being printed in languages other than English. Among those interviewed in English, only 27 percent said it was “very important” to have “foreign-language” ballots while among those interviewed in another language, 52 percent said “very important.”

+ See PDF for Summary Report (http://www.ncmonline.com/media/pdf/polls/apia_summary.pdf)
+ See PDF for Presentation (http://www.ncmonline.com/media/pdf/polls/apia_presentation.pdf)

About New California Media
New California Media is a nationwide association of over 700 print, broadcast, and online ethnic media organizations founded in 1996 by the non-profit Pacific News Service. NCM’s goal is to build a more inclusive public forum by raising the visibility of ethnic media and their audiences. NCM polling is supported by grants from the Ford Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, the Overbrook Foundation, and the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Foundation, among others. Multilingual polling partners include the USC Annenberg’s Institute for Justice and Journalism and the Chinese American Voter Education Committee. For more information, visit www.ncmonline.com

(http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=318ff90e5420209eaa2f8aa20e65d592)

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September 20, 2004

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2004
CONTACT: Daphne Kwok 202-296-9200

JENNY YANG SELECTED AS 2004-2005 ANHEUSER-BUSCH/FRANK HORTON FELLOW

Washington, D.C. -- The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) announces Jenny Yang as the 2004-2005 Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellow to be placed in the office of Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) , Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).

The Fellowship was established in honor of former Congressman Frank Horton (R-NY). In 1992, Congressman Horton played a leading role in the passage of H.R. 5572, permanently designating May as "Asian Pacific American Heritage Month." The Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to an outstanding individual who has a commitment to the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and who plans to pursue a public policy career.

"As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I look forward to Jenny Yang's contributions to our ongoing work promoting and advocating for the issues of importance to our community," commented Representative Mike Honda, CAPAC Chair. "Jenny's broad experience working with the Hmong American community will be especially helpful in CAPAC's efforts to reach out to our many diverse APIA constituencies."

"I feel privileged and honored to have the opportunity to work with passionate leaders and advocates to address the needs and continuing accomplishments of the APIA community at large," said Jenny Yang.

In May of 2004, Ms. Yang graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota with a B.A. in Political Science after having contributed greatly to the campus community. In the Office of Multicultural Programs at Gustavus Adolphus College, she provided administrative support and management for various diversity programs and organizations. There, as Mentors Program Coordinator, Ms. Yang initiated and managed a mentoring program for first year minority students to be paired with upper class students. As a member of the President of the college's Diversity Task Force, she spread awareness of the issue of diversity on campus throughout the community. Ms. Yang further executed diversity initiatives as the Office's Diversity Leadership Committee Chair, and provided services to 30 St. Paul Harding High School upperclassmen about higher education opportunities as Project Access Coordinator of the Hmong American Partnership. She also promoted diversity as Co-Chair in the planning of the Building Bridges Diversity Conference, a two-day event for 500 attendees. Gustavus Adolphus College selected Ms. Yang to be on the faculty committee to review proposed courses, and serve as one of 16 Peer Educators to promote healthy lifestyle choices through campus workshops.

In the political realm, Ms. Yang gained much political experience as an intern for Minnesota House Representative Cy Thao, for whom she researched information regarding refugee programs in Minnesota, prepared a fact sheet regarding a proposed legislation, and organized a community meeting for 100 constituents. As an intern for the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, she organized the Asian Pacific Islander American Youth Forum. Ms. Yang also interned at the Southeast Asian Resource Action Center in Washington , D.C. , where she investigated and publicized welfare reform, higher education and immigration, provided assistance to Mutual Assistance Associations, and represented Southeast Asian American interests in multicultural institutional and governmental settings.

Of the many things she would like to accomplish as an APAICS Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellow, "one of them is to increase and create awareness of the many disparities and misconceptions, such as health, education, economic development, and immigration that still exist in the APIA community," explained Ms. Yang. "I want to continue to be an advocate for the APIA community through political participation at both the local and national level."

For more information about the Anheuser-Busch Fellows and Scholars, please visit www.asianbud.com.

The Asian Pacific American <http://www.apaics.org>  Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is dedicated to increasing the participation of individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office.  More information is available at www.apaics.org.

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September 21, 2004

GETTING A TOEHOLD
Cleaning nails opens doors for many Vietnamese

By Thuy-Doan Le and Garance BurkeBee
Staff Writers

The glass door at Anna Nails bears an American flag. It swings open to a sparkling clean salon lined with low counters filled with racks of polish, manicuring stations and, any place the eye lingers, more American flags.

Inside this small shop, where Vietnamese flows like a song, owner Anna Tran spends 60 hours a week scrubbing feet, buffing calluses and polishing acrylic nails - living her version of the American Dream with each manicure or pedicure.

Count her business in Sacramento's South Land Park as one of thousands of small outposts where Vietnamese immigrants have capitalized on a specialty, challenging full-service salons in the nation's $6.53 billion nail care industry.

In California, Vietnamese American entrepreneurs own up to 80 percent of the nail shops, according to the trade magazine Nails. Although embarking in the field with limited English skills, they have embraced hard work and long hours to give customers a cut-rate option for pampering hands and feet.

"I came here with empty hands, and I built the shop with the support of my husband," said Tran.

She doesn't expect any of her five children to take over the shop, a rung on the economic ladder that she would prefer they skip.

"We tell our children that we left home for their future, so they have to be educated," she said. "I used my own hands and strength to do this."

Doing nails is hard work. Staying in the same position for hours can lead to repetitive strain injuries, and workers can be exposed to disease and, if regulations aren't followed, dangerous chemicals.

Still, for customers seeking affordable pampering, roughly $25 for a manicure-pedicure combination fills the bill.

Nationwide, the average price for a manicure is $15.42 and the average price for a pedicure $29.83, said Hannah Lee, executive editor of Nails magazine. She considers a discount nail shop to be any place that offers services for less than half the price of the industry average.

"Especially in California, it seems like there's a nail salon on every corner," Lee said. "Some salons feel they have to keep prices low to compete, but others think, 'I offer what I need to offer and charge what I want.' "

She said she's heard of businesses eliminating nail services because they can't compete with discount salons. Lee said, however, that they don't have to compete at the lower level.

"They need to find a niche," she said. "There will always be someone paying a little more for a little more service."

Americans spent $6.53 billion for nail salon services in 2002, up 67 percent from 10 years ago, according to Torrance-based Nails magazine.

The number of licensed manicurists has surged 65 percent to 84,008 since 1991, said the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Many of these immigrants sought jobs in nail care to get a better life for themselves and their families.

Tran's eyes well up with tears as she describes life in Vietnam. She said she and her husband were living in Nha Trang when the country fell to the communists in 1975. Soon afterward, the new government sent her husband, a lieutenant in the South Vietnamese Navy, to a rural prison camp for "re-education," Tran said.

The years apart were painful, personally and economically. Tran said she sold fabric in Saigon, a city that was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, to make enough money to visit her husband. People often stole from her, she said.

When her husband was released, the family fled Vietnam by boat, eventually arriving in the United States in 1984.

Like many Vietnamese immigrants, Tran never imagined she could make money from nail care.

"In Vietnam, people keep their real nails and just clean them," she said. "Here, we do fake nails."

Tran, whose husband works for the state of California, started out doing manicures at a friend's shop. She opened her own business six years ago, making enough for material comforts and to help send her five children to college.

Immigrants have long turned to becoming merchants or small-business owners because they were excluded from mainstream jobs, said Bill Hing, author of "Defining America Through Immigration Policy."

"They were discriminated against, and that's why they started looking for another way to make a living," said Hing, who teaches law and Asian American studies at the University of California, Davis. "They ended up becoming entrepreneurs."

Most recently, Russian immigrants have found success in child care, construction and janitorial work, Koreans in the dry-cleaning business, and Cambodians in doughnut shops, said Christine Nguyen, a deputy administrator at Asian Resources. The nonprofit group, which has three offices in Sacramento County, helps low-income families find jobs.

Small businesses are a perfect fit for immigrants with little access to capital, said Dennis Tootelian, a professor of marketing and director of the Center of Small Business at California State University, Sacramento.

"They don't have a lending history, so they tend to go into areas that are more labor intensive, and they are more willing to work hard," he said. "Most immigrants are not afraid of long and odd hours of work."

Because prices are so low at most of these types of salons, long hours and quick customer turnaround are imperative. Kathleen Mikulin, co-owner of Studio 28 hair salon in Sacramento, gets her nails done weekly at a nearby Vietnamese-owned shop.

She doesn't see a huge market in Sacramento for customers willing to spend a lot of money on a total spa manicure. Many full-service salons are changing their marketing to stress that they are one-stop shops for busy women on the go, offering aroma therapy, massages and high-end products.

In the capital region, the influx of Vietnamese immigrants coupled with the surge in population has generated enough demand for nail skills that John Thai Tran, no relation to Anna Tran, has opened two beauty schools in the city.

"I thought about my people and how they wanted to learn how to do nails and hair, and how we didn't have any place to learn because they didn't speak English," he said.

In 1990, he opened My Le beauty school on Stockton Boulevard, and this year started City Beauty College on Florin Road. At both places, courses are taught in Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese and Spanish. For $1,500, students enroll in a three-month course, take a state exam and emerge as licensed manicurists.

The national average weekly income for a nail technician is $496.77, while manicurists on the West Coast can make an average $628.15 a week.

"I tell my students it's a good future for them," he said. "American people like to do their nails, they like to dress up and look beautiful. That's why if they go to beauty school, they can go anywhere."

The surge in students persuaded Nhon Dang to stay on as an instructor at Tran's City Beauty College, rather than retire. The 61-year-old Dang never saw himself as a cosmetologist, let alone an instructor. In Saigon, he was a rare-antiquities dealer.

He finds artistry in the trade and tells his students to focus on technique and not money; otherwise the nails will not be beautiful, meaning the customer won't return.

Dang also warns them to steer clear of toxic chemicals, which some shop owners still use despite regulations banning them. Some customers have criticized nail salons for less-than-sanitary conditions. There have been 317 complaints this year for the state's 3,000 shops.

"My biggest joy is to see them succeed. I don't want any gifts," Dang said. "The best gift they can give me is that they have a job to do nails."

Chau Hoang, 19, who came to the United States in November, is one of a few male students at City Beauty College. He said his family encouraged him to do nails to save up money for college. He wasn't comfortable with the idea, but his parents told him to look at the bigger picture.

"It was kind of strange, but I have to endure it," he said. "If I had a chance and I spoke English, I would do office work, but this is the easiest way to find work when you first come (to the United States)."

Another student, Tham Pham, 23, has been in the United States for a few months. She's heard in Vietnam about how Vietnamese immigrants quickly found work in the U.S. nail business.

In Vietnam, Pham had been preparing to go to college and she knew if she came to the United States, she would end up doing manicures. But without English skills, it would be difficult for her to find another job that would get her out of the house, she said.

"When you first come here, you don't choose your job," she said. "It chooses you."

About the Writer
The Bee's Thuy-Doan Le can be reached at (916) 321-1040 or tdle@sacbee.com.

(http://www.sacbee.com/content/business/story/10717869p-11636291c.html)


[NOTE: Get A Guide to Protect the Health of Nail Salon Workers and their Working Environment

English version: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/pubs/salon/NailBookEnglish.pdf

Vietnamese version: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/pubs/salon/NailBookletVN.pdf]

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September 15, 2004

For Immediate Release For further information, contact:
www.apiasf.org Bill Imada, (213) 622-6513, ext. 288

APIASF SELECTS FIRST PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
San Francisco Bay Area Native Selected for Top Post

Washington - The Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) Board of Directors announced the selection of Timothy Leong of Orinda, Calif., to serve as its first President/Executive Director. Leong, 50, has a long and distinguished career working in the corporate and public sectors, and is active in the Asian-Pacific American community.

"APIASF is most pleased to have Mr. Leong join us at the helm of the organization," said Robert Underwood, APIASF Interim Chairman. "Under his expert leadership, APIASF will be able to devote its full attention to building the infrastructure of the scholarship fund. Mr. Leong brings to APIASF many years of experience in corporate, community and media relations. Additionally, he is passionate about providing opportunities for students of Asian and Pacific Islander American descent who otherwise may not have the means to attend college."

APIASF conducted a national search for a full-time president/executive director. The executive search attracted candidates from every region of the country, said Wai-Ling Eng, APIASF Board Member and national scholarship chairperson for the Asian McDonald's Owners/Operators Association.

"We received a number of résumés from talented individuals," said Eng. After reviewing and interviewing several candidates, our task force agreed that Mr. Leong was the most qualified candidate for this position. We were extremely pleased that so many people wanted to serve in this position."

Leong has been employed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in San Francisco since 1989 and most recently served in corporate community relations/external relations. While at PG&E, Leong coordinated and participated in the company's employee association scholarship drive. He also served as PG&E's spokesperson with broadcast and print media. Prior to his tenure at PG&E, Leong was in the broadcast field and served as a public affairs producer/reporter at KCRA-TV in Sacramento and at KRON-TV in San Francisco.

Leong will start as APIASF President/Executive Director effective Sept. 20, 2004.

(www.apiasf.org)

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September 16, 2004

U.S. DESIGNATES VIETNAM COUNTRY OF CONCERN FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Hanoi - The United States Thursday released a critical report on religious freedom in Vietnam and announced that it has designated the one-party state a country of particular concern.

It is the first time that Vietnam has been added to the U.S. list of countries of particular concern, a move welcomed by religious rights groups.

"The designation of Vietnam as a country of particular concern is an important step forward for religious freedom in Vietnam, and it is good news for all the victims of persecution," said Vo Van Ai, Director of the International Buddhist Information Bureau. The bureau is the information arm of the United Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV), a group banned in Vietnam.

At least 45 people are currently detained or in prison for religious reasons and 11 more are held under de facto house arrest, according to the U.S. International Freedom Report.

Vietnam recognizes and supervises a number of religious groups including Buddhists, Catholics, some Protestants, Moslems, and the Cao Dai and Hoa Hoa Buddhist sects.

However, members of unrecognized groups continued to face difficulties, the report said.

The government continued to restrict significantly the organized activities of religious groups that it regarded to be at variance with state laws and policies or a challenge to the Communist Party's authority, according to the 32 page report.

Vietnam routinely insists that no one is imprisoned for their religious beliefs. However, Article 258 of the country's penal code proscribes jail terms of up to three years for abusing the rights to freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of belief, religion, assembly, association and other democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the state.

The other states named as countries of particular concern are Saudi Arabia, Burma, China, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Eritrea.

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September 22, 2004

VIETNAMESE AMERICANS BREAKING INTO THE MAINSTREAM

The first ever TV show for the younger Vietnamese-American generation is set to make an explosive launch in Southern California on Saturday Oct. 02, 2004 at 6pm on Saigon TV, KXLA-44.

VAX - (Vietnamese American Xposure) - is a fast-paced and stylish English speaking magazine TV show featuring youth lifestyles, talent showcase, celebrities and cultural diversity. This young, fresh, and innovative production will promote and “xpose” the vital role that Vietnamese-Americans play within the American mainstream as well as enhance the overall perception of the Vietnamese-American ethnicity.

The Fall Season will feature 12 original 30-minute episodes that will run weekly on Saturdays on Saigon TV, KXLA-44 beginning Oct. 02, 2004 through December 2004. VAX targets the highly-sought after demographic of 18-35 year old English-speaking Asian Americans: an educated, loyal and dynamic audience of savvy fashion-forward individuals with robust disposable income with an eagerness to try and buy new things.

VAX is hosted by Joey Nguyen and Kathy Nguyen, two energetic and talented stars who have appeared in commercials and film features in both the Vietnamese and mainstream entertainment industry.

The behind-the-scenes creative team of VAX draws upon some of the most seasoned professionals in the industry, including Executive Producer Binh Le, Founder and President of VABC; Associate Executive Producer Sa Dao, who founded and led the O.C indie music industry through Smash Entertainment; and Producer Dean Hata, CEO of DrOc2pus Productions.

VAX is produced by VABC (Vietnamese American Broadcasting Communications), a multimedia and television production company and will be broadcasted on KXLA-44 via Saigon TV, a premiere programmer of news and entertainment for the Vietnamese community.  As longtime stalwarts of the Vietnamese-language television industry, both VABC and Saigon TV are targeting a new and emerging audience that has, until now, been largely ignored.

VAX will kick off their Premiere episode by hosting 2 exciting events. On Wednesday, September 29th  at Club Bleu, VAX will launch “Karaoke Nite 2 – The Duets.”  The karaoke contest will feature cash prizes and a live performance from the first season winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Dat Phan. Then on Friday, Oct. 1, VAX will hold their Premiere Party at the trendy Shark Club in Costa Mesa, CA.  The VIP reception will begin at 7pm with a dance/club party following at 9pm. Tickets for both events are limited and can be ordered online.  For more information, please visit www.vaxtvshow.com.

Karaoke Nite II – Dat Phan
Where: Club Bleu, 14160 Beach Blvd, Westminster, CA  92683
When: September 29th, 2004
How Much: $7 Presale - $10 At the Door

VAX Premiere Party
Where: Shark Club, 841 Baker St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
When: October 1st, 2004

Contact: Marketing, VAXTVSHOW
marketing@vaxtvshow.com

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About NCVA
Founded in 1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community advocacy organization working to advance the cause of Vietnamese Americans in a plural but united America – e pluribus unum – by participating actively and fully as civic minded citizens engaged in the areas of education, culture and civil liberties.