Xinran, author of Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother

On Interviewing Chinese Birth Mothers and Reaching Out to Adoptees and Families Worldwide

Date and Time: May 29, 2013, 12 noon to 1:30 pm
Location: Whittall Pavilion, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress

This program will benefit the Asian Adoptee Archive of the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection at the Library of Congress.

For details, write regr@loc.gov or wmal@loc or call (202) 707-0979.
Request ADA accommodations 5 business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.

Reviews of Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother

This is an extraordinary book told with generosity and warmth by a brilliant storyteller.
—Financial Times

A mesmerizing storyteller.
—Amy Tan

A must-read for . . . anyone who has an interest in what women’s lives are like in the economic powerhouse China has become.
—Lisa See

Click here or below for a printable flyer.

Do you enjoy meeting new people? Organizing events and activities? Do you have a project in mind that would benefit the Korean adoption community, but aren’t quite sure how to make it happen?

If so, the Korean Focus Board of Directors would love for you to join us! We are a group of Korean adoptees, adoptive parents and members of the Korean American community who come together to plan and conduct Korean cultural events, adoption-related programs and advocacy initiatives in the DC Metro area.

Here’s what we ask:

• Be an adopted Korean, the adoptive parent or close family member of a Korean child or a Korean American who supports the DC Metro Korean adoption community
• Commit to participating in Board meetings during the year (generally one face-to-face and several conference calls)
• Plan or assist with conducting one program, event or action

New members of the Board are always welcome – contact us if you would like more information. Our next Board meeting is planned for April 20th in DC – join us!

A new petition to change laws to grant automatic and retroactive citizenship to all intercountry adoptees has been started by Mike Frailey, who was adopted from Vietnam through Operation Babylift. Please show your support for this effort by signing the petition and sharing it with family, friends and organizations.

Here’s the link: http://signon.org/sign/citizenship-for-all-adoptees/

Visit Korean Focus’s Citizenship page for additional resources and actions.

Press release from the Korean Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

DC Public Schools Celebrate Korean Food Day with Bibimbap on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012

(Washington, D.C.– December 2, 2012): The Korean Cultural Center at the Embassy of the Republicof Korea is pleased to announce its partnership with DC Public Schools to celebrate Korean Food Day in all 119 public schools in the District of Columbia, Kindergarten through 8th grade, on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. The highlight of the day will be bibimbap –Korea’s signature healthy dish of mixed rice, vegetables, and meat, representing harmony and balance – offered during lunch to some 45,000 students across WashingtonDC.

Special Korean style meals will be served to students throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, and supper, offering many children an opportunity to enjoy a first taste ofKorea. This is part of the DCPS initiative to offer students a basic knowledge and exposure to a variety of global cuisines and cultural traditions.

In addition to tasting Korean food, a special program will also be presented at Takoma Education Campus, the Korean embassy’s designated partner school for the 2012-2013 DCPS Embassy Adoption Program, giving students an added understanding of Korean culture. Activities include a kimchi-making workshop, competitions using Korean chopsticks, and experiencing a traditional Korean table setting.

The menus were developed through input and guidance from an esteemed advisory panel that includes celebrated chef Akira Back of Yellowtail in Las Vegas, popular Korean food advocate Emily Kim of Maangchi.com, nutritionist Maggie Moon with California-based Pistachio Health, and culinary educators and chefs Youngsun Lee and Shin Kim from New York.

Care was taken in presenting a balanced and healthful menu that appeals to children while introducing some iconic Korean ingredients and dishes, such as cucumber kimchi and bibimbap – all prepared by some 120 kitchens involved, using mainly local available ingredients in creative, Korean-inspired ways. This event was made possible through generous donation from C.J. Foods and the support from the Korean Food Foundation.

Press interested in covering Korean Food Day at Takoma Education Campus should register with theKorean Cultural Center via the contact below:

Contact:
Adam Wojciechowicz
awoj@koreaembassy.org
(202) 587-6168
2370 Massachusetts Avenue. NW
Washington DC 20008

The Korean Cultural Center Washington DC at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea is dedicated to strengthening Korea-US ties through a variety of programs, including exhibitions, presentations, educational outreach, institutional partnerships, and support for local event in the Capital area. The KCC is located at 2370 Massachusetts Ave. NW, DC 20008 and is open to the public Mon-Fri, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:30 – 5:30 pm. to learn more, visit the KCC’s website at www.KoreaCultureDC.org.

Back by popular demand!

Insadong West Korean Craft Sale
Brought to you by Korean Focus and Gingko Leaf Arts

Date & Time: Saturday, December 1st, 11 AM – 3 PM
Location: St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, Lower Level, 10701 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD

Come and enjoy …

• Huge Korean craft sale: hanboks, bojagi, jewelry, toys, games, furniture, decorative items and more
• The jewelry of Rae Anne Johnson: One of a kind jewelry that makes a statement. From Rae Anne’s website:Rae Anne draws inspiration from the exquisite materials she sources from around the globe. Her treasured memories of traveling to far away places are translated in her designs. Most recently, Rae Anne returned to her birth country of South Korea to search for her birth family. Although she did not find her family, she found peace, fulfillment and understanding. With a fresh perpective, Rae Anne hopes her clients experience the heartfelt expression she puts into every piece.Visit Rae Anne’s Facebook shop for a taste of her work.
• Bojagi wrapping workshops for kids and adults Workshops offered twice at approximately noon and 1:30
• Stories, games and crafts for the kids
• Refreshments, conversation and fun!

Email us for additional information. Click here or below for a printable flyer.

Can’t tell 된장 from 고추장? Confused about 김치?
Scared to make your favorite dishes at home?

Join us for Coffee, Conversation and a Korean Cook’s Tour
and you’ll be cooking in no time!

If you have ever wanted to cook a Korean dish but were unsure about an ingredient or technique, this program is for you! Learn about Korean cuisine, bring home recipes and shop for what you need to prepare delicious Korean meals. Attend the coffee, tour or both. RSVP early for the tour, as space is limited!

Date & Time: Sunday October 21, 2012
11 AM – 12:30 at Shilla Bakery in Rockville
12:30 PM – Head to H-Mart in Silver Spring, MD for the tour
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – H-Mart tour led by Ken Hahn and the H-Mart staff

Locations:   Shilla Bakery, 2089 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD
H-Mart, 12015 Georgia Ave., Wheaton, MD

RSVP: All are welcome for coffee, but space for the tour is limited to 10 people. RSVP as soon as possible by sending the number and names of attendees to us at our contact page.

Click here or below for a printable flyer.

Heads up! The last Korean Focus coffee of 2012, which currently scheduled for Saturday October 20 in Ellicott City, *may* morph to a coffee and Korean market tour on Sunday October 21 in Rockville. Details will be posted here, in the eBulletin and on the KF website as soon as they’re confirmed. Hope you can join us!

Stay tuned here on the Korean Focus blog or in any of our other media for details:

• KF on Facebook
• KF on Twitter
• KF eBulletin