3rd Annual Golden Harvest Parade & Festival Page 25
10th Anniversary Uplift Event Page 26
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We are past the halfway mark for 2024. The second year is usually a time where there are many activities and events happening.
As people start to gather together more inside as the summer ends, many organizations have events scheduled that will focus on bringing people together that are part of that specific community.
Chambers, Ethnic Organizations, and Business Entities have been planning for the special gatherings. It is also a special time this year specifically where people will also be gearing up for the election which will determine once again the direction of our country specifically for the next four years.
There are many reasons why people gather together. With the summer ending and the “family and friends” events finishing up, organizations and communities are getting ready for their themed events that will focus on bringing people together. In many cases they will be having a central theme that will help amplify the things that have been accomplished this year as well as raising funds for the things needing to be accomplished in 2025.
Having served in numerous capacities for a wide venue of organizations, I have a unique vantage point of understanding how different organizations function and how they contribute to the bigger picture as a whole of building out future while preserving the accomplishments of the past.
As you attend these events, I hope you consider why you are there, what you walk away with, and what value have you gained and equally important… how does it build you up personally as an individual.
My hope is that people will not just attend but are able to appreciate the focus, experience, and time that was put into the various activities so that it can help contribute positively towards the end goal of building our future generations.
Keeping in mind that no matter what you do, you can and will have some level of impact on the people around you.
Whether you are sitting back being entertained, educated, or enriched…the decisions you make today will absolutely play a role in the lives of the people you touch.
On October 26th, I am honored to once again do my part emceeing the parade portion of the Golden Harvest Parade and Festival that will take place around and on the Sacramento State Capitol steps. I still remember the first event in 2022 that has now flourished into an annual event that will help us all appreciate our culture as well as remind us as to the unity, peace, and harmony that we are trying to achieve worldwide.
As we all do our part, let’s all remember to take time to enjoy the people around you, be grateful, and cherish these times…as they are indeed special.
Living Today Events Calendar?
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Strength - To give a voice to the community for sharing and lauding accomplishments and concerns.
Unity - Unite readers about the issues facing Asian Pacific Americans. Promote and encourage readers to take an active role in raising awareness in the community and its contributions and concerns.
Involved - Ask readers to be involved in the community as an informed member.
While we most directly address the concerns of Asian Pacific Americans, our publication is not a racial or ethnic sorting. It is a gathering of all those who wish to gather.
https://issuu.com/apalivingtoday For more info: email us at jtc.publicist@gmail.com
From Left to Right at Sacramento Chinatown Square with Steve Hamamoto, Beverly Johnson, Dr. Norman Fong, Larry Avent, Michael Bernett, Jim T. Chong, Sue Young, Lysa Duronslet, Jennifer Caroll, and Paul Carroll.
Why Vote
Source Cited: APIAVote - Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote www.apiavote.org/how-to-vote/why-vote/
Voting gives you the power to create positive change for your community and determine a better quality of life for you and your family. Voting together with your neighbors, family, and friends ensures that your shared values and issues are prioritized, that you play a key role in choosing who represents us, and where government funding and resources will go. The more we vote, the more powerful our voices become, and the likelier the issues that are important to us will be heard.
Our community has, historically, been one of the communities with the lowest voter registration and voter turnout rates. In recent years, this has changed and we are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with at the ballot box. So join the rest of our community and exercise your important right to vote!
Top 5 Reasons to Vote
Elections Impact Your Everyday Life and Family
How much resources will your local schools get? Will city and county government repair the potholes on the road to your house? Will public transportation services be expanded? How much access to healthcare will you receive? How much job security and pay equity will you have? What are the policies around crime prevention and gun safety? What will immigration law look like? All these decisions are determined by the people voted into office at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Voting and encouraging others to vote means standing up for the issues you care about by electing the people who have your best interests at heart. Voting does not just help our communities in theory; it has tangible effects on whether or not our elected officials care about our needs. Voting gives a stake in your community.
Every Vote Counts
More and more, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are becoming the margin of victory in elections across the country – from Georgia to New Jersey to Virginia to Arizona to Texas. In local elections especially, victory for one candidate may be determined by just a few votes more than the other. Your decision to vote could sway an election from someone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart to someone who does. Don’t sit out your next election. Vote!
Decide Where Your Tax Dollars Go
Everyone pays taxes, so we should all have a say in where that money goes. By helping to elect city council members, county commissioners, governors, state
legislators, all the way to members of Congress and the President, your vote chooses how your tax dollars are allocated, who runs your communities, and what projects will get local, state and federal funding.
According to the most recent available data from the American Community Survey, almost 1/3rd of Asian Americans living in the United States are “Limited English Proficient,” meaning that they report speaking English “less than very well.” Your decision to vote could decide whether governments have the ability to provide critical information in-language to the people in our communities who need it the most.
Fight Against Racism and Discrimination
With the rise of anti-AANHPI hate and discriminatory policies affecting Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, now is more important than ever to have your voice and concerns heard by the people in power. Voting and encouraging others to vote is one of the most effective ways to make politicians listen to your concerns. According to the 2020 Asian American Voter Survey, at least 72% of Asian Americans believe there is discrimination against Asian people in our society today. Vote to ensure our communities feel safe in the places they live and work.
Protect Our Voting Rights
Many states are enacting increasingly strict voting laws that suppress our right to vote early, vote-by-mail, gain language assistance, and even register to vote. Your freedom to vote is a right that is being clawed back by these new restrictions and laws. At the same time, some redistricting commissions and state legislatures are working to divide up AAPI voter blocs into separate districts so that our voices will have less of an impact on elections. The only way to stop these moves from happening is by standing up against the people acting against our interests and voting them out of office!
Or, viewed another way, vote for those elected officials that stand up for the values you believe in, and there is no more basic value than the right of every eligible voter to be able to cast their ballot. Never doubt that your vote is powerful but it must be exercised to remain so. Your vote is your voice. More information here.
Making A Difference In Farming And Agriculture
By Courtney Ellington • War Memorial Commission Chair • AL Membership Chair of Northern California
Commander Post 333
Affairs Commissioner (415) 535-8593
New Two Farms is a service-disabled veteran-owned, woman-owned, and minority-owned, New Two Farms embodies a commitment to excellence and community empowerment. The company is owned by Courtney Ellington,who share a profound passion for agriculture and support for their fellow veterans.
New Two Farms focuses on cultivating high-quality, organic produce, including Thompson grapes, organic raisins, cold-pressed juices, and seasonal vegetables. We are committed to sustainable farming practices and providing fresh, healthy options for our community.
In addition to their agricultural endeavors, New Two Farms also offers a training program designed for beginning farmers. This initiative aims to equip aspiring farmers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the agricultural sector, fostering growth and innovation within our community.
With a strong belief in collaboration and support, New Two Farms looks forward to contributing positively to the agricultural landscape while empowering the community and promoting sustainable practices. Courtney is inspired to combine her military backgrounds with her passion for agriculture at New Two Farms due to shared values of resilience, teamwork, and service. Her experiences in the military taught her the importance of dedication and hard work, which seamlessly translated into their agricultural pursuits.
Courtney has a deep-rooted love for farming and the outdoors, recognizing agriculture as a way to give back to the community and support fellow soldiers. She wanted to create a business that not only provides high-quality organic produce but also empowers others, particularly aspiring farmers, through education and training programs. Her mission is to foster a supportive environment that benefits both the agricultural sector and the veteran community, showcasing how military experience can drive positive change in different fields.
For more information about this endeavor, visit www.newtwofarms.com
Courtney Ellington
Time Mastery: Manage Your Time or Time Will Manage You
By Jessie Bowen
Jessie Bowen
Have you ever heard the saying, “Where does time go?” Time is a mysterious concept that often leaves us wondering where it disappears to. The saying “Where does time go?” encapsulates this sense of bewilderment and curiosity that many of us experience.
Time seems to slip through our fingers, leaving us with a sense of urgency and a longing to make the most of every moment.
In today’s fast-paced world, time management is crucial for achieving success. It will control you if you don’t take control of your time. This article will provide you with effective strategies to manage your time more efficiently and increase your productivity.
1. Set Clear Goals: Start by setting clear and specific goals for yourself. This will help you prioritize your tasks and focus on what’s important.
2. Prioritize Tasks: Once you have your goals in place, prioritize your tasks based on their importance and urgency. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first to ensure you’re making progress towards your goals.
3. Create a Schedule: Develop a daily or weekly schedule to allocate time for different activities. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you have enough time for everything you need to do.
4. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Large tasks can be overwhelming and lead to procrastination. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps to make them less daunting and easier to tackle.
5. Avoid Multitasking: Contrary to popular belief, multitasking can actually decrease productivity. Instead, focus on one task at a time and give it your full attention. You’ll be able to complete tasks more efficiently and produce higherquality work.
6. Minimize Distractions: Identify and minimize distractions that can eat up your time. This may include turning off notifications on your phone, closing unnecessary tabs on your computer, or finding a quiet place to work.
7. Delegate and Outsource: Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others or outsource certain activities. This will free up your time to focus on more important tasks and reduce your workload.
8. Take Breaks: It’s important to take regular breaks to recharge and avoid burnout. Schedule short breaks throughout your day to relax and rejuvenate. You’ll come back to your tasks with renewed energy and focus.
9. Learn to Say No: Don’t overcommit yourself by saying yes to every request. Learn to say no when necessary and prioritize your own tasks and goals.
10. Reflect and Adjust: Regularly reflect on your time management strategies and make adjustments as needed. What works for one person may not work for another, so find what works best for you and adapt accordingly.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll be able to take control of your time and increase your productivity. Remember, managing your time is a skill that can be developed with practice. Start implementing these strategies today and watch your success soar!
Jessie Bowen is an International Bestselling Author with a portfolio of over 40 books covering topics such as martial arts, mental performance coaching, mindfulness meditation, and personal development training. He has previously served as a member of the Duke University physical education department and as a martial arts coach for the University of Chapel Hill North Carolina football program.
Jessie Bowen’s latest book, Time Mastery, is now available for digital download. To order your copy, please click the link: https://online.fliphtml5.com/zuwwi/mlfc/
Elite Publications
Dr. Jessie Bowen, Founder Elite Publications & AMAA
Are you ready to write your story? Contact us! For more information, visit www.ElitePublications.org or calI/text (919) 618-8075
Sept. 21, 2024 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Weber Point • Center Street & Miner Avenue, Stockton
TRAILBLAZERS
Once a war refugee, Soldier Danielle Ngo rises through Army’s ranks
By Joseph Lacdan, Army News Service • March 29, 2021
WASHINGTON – At Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport, 3-year-old Danielle Ngo sat in a terminal with her mother and infant sister. For hours they had waited for a plane that would take them out of Vietnam.
Then they felt a rumble.
The ceiling began to peel as the building shook. Debris fell onto terrified onlookers. North Vietnamese had sent rockets crashing onto the sprawling airport on April 29, 1975, a day before the fall of Saigon.
Earlier, Danielle’s mother, Ngo Thai-An, learned that the North Vietnamese forces had been closing onto the city. A relative who worked for the U.S. embassy had acquired tickets for them to travel to the U.S. The young mother knew she needed to take her children and leave immediately. The commercial plane never arrived.
“What came to my mind was just get the kids somewhere safe,” Thai-An said.
Moments after the rockets landed, Danielle, her 1-year old sister, Lan-Dinh, and their mother were rushed to the tarmac. In the distance, Thai-An heard more rockets falling onto the airport as they stood in line to board a military aircraft. “I didn’t look back,” she said.
Thai-An said they likely became one of the last Vietnamese refugees to escape the airport, which served as a military base for South Vietnamese and U.S. aircraft. They and other South Vietnamese climbed into the back of one of the final U.S. military planes to leave the battle-torn nation.
The Ngos family left the war behind them as the plane climbed over the South China Sea.
Danielle, now the executive officer to the U.S. Army inspector general in Washington, D.C., remembers little of that day when she and her family fled their homeland and the war that embroiled it. She only knows what happened from her mother’s stories.
The military plane eventually landed at a camp in the remote U.S. territory, Wake Island, about 2,300 miles west of Hawaii. They were officially refugees. There, they spent three months waiting for a country to accept them. Finally they learned that the U.S. would offer them sanctuary, her mother said.
With only a few bags of belongings, they boarded planes to camps in Hawaii and then Arkansas.
Throughout the trip, Danielle never let her sister out of her sight. At times, her mother had to carry the luggage that contained their change of clothes and diapers.
“She always [held] onto her sister’s hand,” Thai-An recalled. “She wouldn’t let go.”
They later spent several weeks in Dallas before an uncle agreed to sponsor them. All the while, her mother told her to hold onto her sister.
They finally moved into government housing in Melrose, a predominantly white suburb of Boston just north of the Mystic River.
When the Ngo family migrated to America, much of the U.S. still harbored anti-war sentiments and remained apprehensive toward accepting Vietnamese refugees.
During her early years, Danielle learned to take responsibility for her sister and to
Colonel Danielle Ngo, Executive Officer to the Inspector General
Thai-An as a young mother cradling baby Danielle in her arms after her birth in the South Vietnamese port town of Vung Tau.
TRAILBLAZERS
respect her mother’s wisdom. Through her mother’s strength, she said, she learned to become someone who could lead Soldiers.
DISTANT MEMORIES
A brown and red oil painting hangs above the fireplace of Col. Danielle Ngo’s Fairfax, Virginia, home. The painting shows Thai-An as a young mother cradling baby Danielle in her arms after her birth in the South Vietnamese port town of Vung Tau.
It has been more than 46 years since the Ngos left their lives in Saigon. She only can recall the memory of her grandfather placing a dollar bill in the pocket of her blue shirt, and the name he gave her, Nhu-Nguyen, which means “wish came true” in Vietnamese. She has forgotten how to read and speak Vietnamese.
She didn’t know much about her father, except that he served as an officer in the South Vietnamese Army and trained with U.S. Special Forces. Northern Vietnamese forces eventually took him prisoner after his family left for the U.S. To this day, the family does not know his whereabouts.
In America, they lived in subsidized housing for eight years. The family had little money for new clothes and toys. For years Danielle rode a small bicycle that didn’t have a seat cushion.
When Danielle reached the seventh grade, the family moved to the affluent southern Boston suburb of Hingham along the Massachusetts Bay. As a single mother, Thai-An often could not be home to take care of her children. She had married young at age 17 and gave birth to Danielle at 18. Thai-An, still in her early 20s, had aspirations to attend college and build a career and better life for her children.
Despite only a 15-month age gap between the Ngo sisters, responsibilities often fell to Danielle, who watched over Lan-Dinh. She held her younger sister’s hand once again when they walked to school or the local YMCA, where they took swimming and gymnastics lessons. She always made sure that Lan-Dinh had
something to eat when she became hungry.
In high school, Lan-Dinh played organized sports for the first time, competing in basketball and soccer before settling on joining the school’s dancing production. Danielle joined the choir and French clubs and even started her own volunteer group, where she served bread to Boston’s homeless and cared for the elderly.
“It was such an inspiration to watch her do that,” Lan-Dinh said. “I would say that was the first time she actually like led and organized something.
“Probably most of the leadership [skills] she actually learned came from the military, because in an Asian household, children did not really demonstrate any leadership. They are very obedient.”
IN TRIBUTE
Although Danielle and Lan-Dinh cannot recall the fateful day in 1975, they listened to their mother’s words.
Her mother remembers seeing the uniforms of the U.S. Soldiers who welcomed them onto Wake Island. At each camp they traveled, they saw the Army fatigues. When LanDinh became sick as in infant, Army nurses treated her at the island’s military hospital and learned she had been allergic to milk.
Danielle valued her life in the United States, so much that she had decided she would join the U.S. Army at 17 to repay the debt she felt she owed.
“I wanted to give something back to America, which was my country now,” Danielle said. “[America] had saved me from the war.”
At first her mother resisted. She didn’t want to risk the possibility of her eldest daughter going to war after she had sacrificed so much to escape one in Vietnam. She wanted Danielle to find a way to attend college.
The Ngo family
Thai-An, Danielle, and sister Lan-Dinh
TRAILBLAZERS
Danielle, intent on enlisting, pledged that she would use the Montgomery G.I. Bill to get an education after active duty and eventually her mother agreed. With hopes of becoming a doctor, she had enlisted as an operating room technician in 1989.
She now wore the uniform of the Soldiers who gave her family safe passage. In 1991, Danielle decided to return to her homeland alone after joining the Army. Her plane landed at Tan Son Nhat, the same airport where she and her family escaped the Vietnam War years before.
She visited her place of birth in the Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. And finally she sat with her grandfather in the family’s dusty art studio in Saigon, which the North Vietnamese renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
Each day her grandfather would ride his bicycle to the studio where they would sit inside and communicate by writing questions and answers on notepads. Her grandfather, Ngo Ngoc Tung, had taught himself English, but felt more comfortable conversing that way.
There she learned about her grandfather’s life in Vietnam, how he built his house with his own hands without the aid tools. He told her about how he taught his children how to paint and create works of art. He showed her the beautiful pieces her family had created through the years.
About a year after her visit, her grandfather died.
Thai-An shifted from job to job, first earning an associate’s degree while working as a caretaker for the elderly. She eventually earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree before finally finding work as a librarian.
Her mother instructed her children to only speak English in the household, so that she could teach herself through them. “It was a very stressful and trying time for her,” Danielle said.
By witnessing her struggle, it left an impact on her daughters.
“My mother,” Danielle said. “is an incredible woman.”
FOLLOWING HER LEAD
Danielle enjoyed her time as an enlisted Soldier, but remembered the promise she had made to her mother. She left active duty briefly after two years to attend the University
of Massachusetts Boston in late 1991 on a scholarship to study finance. She worked at the Veterans Affairs office at her school and she later joined Boston University’s ROTC program in her second year, all while helping to care for her youngest sister, Stefanie, at home.
Lan-Dinh, inspired by Danielle’s commitment, attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
In 1994 Danielle graduated from UMass Boston and earned her commission as a combat engineer officer.
As a young captain, she saw wars on fronts vastly different from the one she escaped in her childhood. She traveled to Bosnia in 1998 as a company executive officer. Then, 18 months after America watched the twin towers fall, she deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Being the lone woman in units dominated by men had its challenges, but fueled her to train harder. As she climbed the officer ranks, she kept a stern level of professionalism, but with humility.
The sisters’ military careers crossed paths in 1998 when both received assignments at Fort Hood, Texas, in 1998. They lived together for three years until Lan-Dinh left active duty in 2001. During unit dinners Lan-Dinh saw the impact her sister had on her troops. Danielle would even invite Soldiers to her house for Thanksgiving dinner.
“I just [knew] they loved her,” Lan-Dinh said. “When they’re there with their families … You can see they have a huge amount of respect for her.”
Danielle listens to Soldiers’ concerns. She values the opinions of her non-commissioned officers, Lan-Dinh said.
Danielle had opted to become a female engineer, in part because she felt the career presented the toughest challenge for a female Soldier.
In 2001, prior to the events on 9/11, she became the first female company commander in a combat engineer battalion directly assigned to a combat brigade, which was 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade. In 2003, the brigade, originally designated to go into Iraq through Turkey, ended up following the 3rd Infantry Division into Iraq through Kuwait.
TRAILBLAZERS
She spent the first sixth months as the brigade’s logistics officer helping equip a combat brigade so it could convoy from Kuwait to Tikrit, Iraq. The length of the convoy spanned over 800 kilometers. Her unit often had to improvise as the U.S. military had not established any facilities yet and had to fight in austere conditions.
Males and females bunked together. They made makeshift showers and dug burn pits. During the days she endured sweltering heat while keeping a vigil for enemy fire. “It was almost impossible to sleep during the day,” Danielle said. “It got so hot.”
U.S. officials would later credit her unit, the 4th Infantry Division, with being among those who helped capture Saddam Hussein. Danielle would go on to deploy to Afghanistan to help plan the surge, command an engineering battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado, and work as a military assistant to the chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
She eventually became the commander of the 130th Engineer Brigade at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. There she provided combat and construction support across the Pacific, deploying Soldiers to 17 countries. For example, her team helped coordinate the civil service agreement between the U.S. and the government of Palau to bring teams of Army craftsman and laborers for crucial construction projects in the remote Pacific island nation.
Today she ranks as the highest active-duty woman of Vietnamese descent in the Army and the second highest only to Maj. Gen. Viet Xuan Luong. She has three children who she has raised with the values she learned from her mother and her late grandfather.
“As a role model to others … she is most proud of her roles as a wife, mother, daughter and friend to those around her,” wrote Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, the Army’s inspector general. “It shows in her actions every day.”
Excellence runs in the family. After Lan-Dinh graduated from West Point and served seven years of active duty, she spent 18 years with Bank of America where she retired as a vice president. Now she teaches English in Thailand as the center director at the Bangkok location of Point Avenue, a company founded by West Point graduates.
Danielle’s uncle, Ngo Vinh Long, who sponsored the family so they could find refuge in Massachusetts, became the first student to attend Harvard University directly from Vietnam. He taught himself English before traveling to the U.S. by memorizing British novels.
Danielle hopes to inspire other Asian Americans to join the armed forces by her example. The colonel said Asian families prioritize education, which may contribute to underrepresentation in the U.S. military.
“The path for many Asians is to go to college, get an education, make something more of yourself than what your parents are,” Danielle said. “It’s pretty strong in Asian culture. And then on top of that, if you look around the military, you don’t see much of yourself.
“So the conversation is, we should have more African-American generals in the military, so other African Americans have someone to look up to and strive to become. But they’re missing the Asian and Hispanic communities. Somehow, we’ve got to convince the Asian community that it’s worthwhile to join the military.”
The colonel said she wants to encourage other Asian Americans to join the Army, the same way the efforts of U.S. Soldiers motivated her to serve decades ago.
SWEET & Savory
What Is TAIYAKI?
By Taylor Markarian & Alice Hama
Source Cited: Tippsy • February 14, 2024 • July 18, 2024
Taiyaki is one of Japan’s most emblematic desserts. It even makes an appearance in the extremely popular “My Hero Academia” anime, when aging superhero Gran Torino says he will train aspiring hero Izuku Midoriya if he brings him taiyaki — a perfectly reasonable demand, I say. I also love taiyaki; it’s one of my favorite foods. My monthly trip to my local Mitsuwa Marketplace would not be complete without this warm, freshly baked pastry. Why? Two reasons: First, I’m more of a savory person than a sweets person, and taiyaki’s red bean paste interior offers the perfect hint of sweetness. Second, its whimsical fish shape is just irresistible!
Because it’s not overly sweet, this Japanese dessert would pair well with a sweet, creamy nigori sake like Kurosawa “Nigori” or Homare “Lychee” Nigori. Be sure to try it and let us know what you think!
But there is more than one way to eat taiyaki. Let’s take a look at this Japanese street food and how it’s made.
What is taiyaki? The Japanese fish-shaped waffle
Taiyaki is a fish-shaped griddle cake traditionally filled with red bean paste called anko. It is a common street food in Japan, often enjoyed at festivals. Made in a similar fashion as waffles, the dough is golden brown, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The red bean paste can be smooth or it can be chunky. Some modern shops also sell taiyaki with alternative fillings, such as custard or hazelnut chocolate spread. Other purveyors, including Taiyaki NYC and SomiSomi, have gotten even more creative by filling the fish’s “mouth” with soft serve ice cream. Flavors for the ice cream can be traditional Japanese flavors, such as matcha and black sesame, or more commonplace flavors like vanilla and chocolate. You can even go the extra mile and get toppings on your taiyaki ice cream!
The word taiyaki (pronounced “Thai-yah-kee”) is composed of two parts: “tai” (sea bream) and “yaki” (grilled). So let’s get to the most obvious question: Why is taiyaki shaped like a fish? Aside from being a clever way to draw customers, the bream shape is symbolic of good fortune. While the idea of a griddle cake stuffed with red bean paste dates back to the round imagawaki cake of the Edo period (1603-1868), the fish-shaped taiyaki finds its origins during the Meiji period (1868-1912).
But reverence for the actual fish dates back over a thousand years. The EngiShiki, a set of ancient Japanese governmental regulations, states that sea bream and carp were given to shrines as offerings to the gods. People in what is today called Japan were eating sea bream well before that; bones from these fish have been found among ruins dating back 10,000 years. The red sea bream especially, which reaches a length of about 1 meter, was considered a prize fish only eaten for special occasions or at the imperial palace.
What is taiyaki made of?
As mentioned earlier, taiyaki batter is made much the same way as waffle batter. It can be as simple as flour, baking soda and water, but it can also include baking powder, eggs, sugar and milk. The kind of flour used can vary from rice flour to all-purpose flour to cake flour. (Using rice flour will give a more mochilike consistency.)
The traditional sweet red bean paste filling is also very simple: just red beans (azuki) and sugar. Despite this, it can take hours to cook the azuki beans correctly, so if you’re not a patient person, you’re better off purchasing pre-made red bean paste online or at a grocery store.
What does taiyaki taste like?
Chomping down on a fresh, warm taiyaki is one of the most comforting sensations. It’s a thick, pillowy pastry with an earthy, nutty-tasting center that is just sweet enough to be considered a dessert. (Of course, if you replace the red bean filling with chocolate or cream, or top it with ice cream, it may be a bit
SWEET & Savory
sweeter.) Taiyaki is a wonderful treat for those of us who desire something sweet, but don’t necessarily want a mouth full of sugar.
Frequently asked questions about taiyaki
Taiyaki is a relatively simple Japanese dessert that can be made in many different ways. If you have certain dietary restrictions, you may still be wondering if you can safely indulge in this scrumptious fish-shaped pastry. And if you’re yearning for some taiyaki right about now, you’re probably also wondering where to buy it.
Is taiyaki gluten free?
Most taiyaki recipes are not gluten free because of the wheat flour used in the dough. But as we mentioned earlier, there are different kinds of flour that can be used in taiyaki recipes. Some recipes call for a combination of wheat flour and rice flour to achieve a desired chewiness in the texture of the taiyaki dough. If you abide by a gluten-free diet, you can try a recipe that only uses rice flour. Just be aware that you may have to alter the ratios of the other ingredients as well to make it work.
Is taiyaki vegan?
Not all taiyaki is vegan because eggs and milk may be used in the batter, as well as in non-red bean fillings like custard. But while you can’t always be sure if the taiyaki you get from a street vendor is vegan friendly, you can certainly make your own! While many taiyaki recipes call for eggs, you can omit them, and in place of regular milk you can use soy milk, as in this recipe from Okonomi Kitchen. In fact, the shop Taiyaki Sharaku in Tokyo only uses flour and baking soda for their taiyaki dough! Just remember that omitting or substituting an ingredient in a recipe may change your ratios.
Where to buy taiyaki
If you are lucky enough to travel to Japan, it won’t be too difficult to find some freshly baked taiyaki. Like funnel cake in the U.S., taiyaki are particularly ubiquitous at Japanese festivals. If you live somewhere other than Japan, you can buy taiyaki at specialty Japanese markets and bakeries. Taiyaki NYC, for instance, has multiple locations in New York and Massachusetts. As a resident of New Jersey, my go-to is Oishinbo at Mitsuwa Marketplace.
Fortunately, even if you can’t find a taiyaki shop near you, most of the ingredients can be found at regular supermarkets. The only supplies you may need to special order are red bean paste and a taiyaki maker, both of which can easily be found on Amazon or other online kitchen supply stores.
Taiyaki is a must-eat Japanese dessert
This charming, fish-shaped street food is enjoyable on all levels, from appearance to taste. It has been delighting people in Japan for centuries, and in today’s world, taiyaki is more accessible than ever. With its simple, everyday ingredients and the ease of online ordering, there’s no reason you should miss out on making this marvelous treat at home! Make a fun night out of it with some delicious sake, and take a bite out of pure joy.
Need help finding the right sake? Read our “Best Bottles and Brands for Beginners” guide, or take our fun taste quiz for personal sake recommendations from a sommelier. And if you’re looking for authentic Japanese snacks and appetizers that pair well with alcohol, visit Tippsy Marketplace.
Sources:
“How Taiyaki, One Of Tokyo’s Favorite Street Foods, Is Made — The Experts.” Eater. Jan. 9, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWQfosSXp4&ab_channel=Eater Hirasawa Chen, N. “Taiyaki (Video).” Just One Cookbook. September 7, 2023. https://www.justonecookbook.com/taiyaki/
Owens, A. “How to Make Taiyaki at Home, According to Two Japanese Dessert Experts.” Food Network. May 21, 2021.https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/foodnetwork-essentials/how-to-make-taiyaki-at-home
Taiyaki NYC https://taiyakinyc.com/culture
Dr. Yoshida Munehiro. “Sea Bream—A Special Fish for the Japanese People.” Highlighting Japan, Vol.180. May 2023.
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of seeing my mentor and teacher, Thomas Nardinelli or as we called him in high school, “Nard”. Thomas was a huge motivator and mentor in my life and if it weren’t for him, I don’t think I would be a graphic designer today. So, for me to see him and his work at the Twisted Track Gallery in Sacramento, brought a sense of appreciation for everything he has done for me and my career.
I read an article featured in the Inside Sacramento Publication written by Jessica Laskey. I thought she wrote it perfectly. I reached out to her and asked if we could share her article with everyone, and thankfully she did! And here is her article....
Big Picture Oil Painter Plays With Reality On A Large Scale
By Jessica Laskey
At first glance, the 5½ foot tall painting of a frog poking its head out of the water looks like a photograph. You can almost hear the gentle “bloop” of the delicate ripples, shimmering reflections and tiny bubbles created by the frog’s movement.
But look closer and realize it’s not a photo. It’s something more. It’s an oil painting done with such fine layers, richness of color and skilled brushwork you can’t help but say, “Wow.”
That reaction is courtesy of Thomas Nardinelli, prolific painter and retired arts educator who specializes in capturing the natural world—flora, fauna and faces—in vibrant color.
The Sacramento native started “doodling” in grammar school, an interest he passed on to his son Daniel, a graphic designer and Inside Sacramento’s chief operating officer. The elder Nardinelli’s parents were both artistic. Dad owned a hardware store in Fair Oaks and did metal crafts. Mom won an art contest as a kid.
But it was thanks to his brother that Thomas pursued art as a career. “I had started off as a business major (at Sacramento State), but I liked doing art and going to museums,” Nardinelli says. “My older brother was in the military but was also a graphic designer. When he came back and reenrolled at Sac State, he said, ‘Why don’t you major in art?’ So, between 1970 and 1973, I took nothing but art classes. It was like going to art school.”
After studying with the likes of Joseph Raffael, Joan Brown, William Allan, Carlos Villa and Eduardo Carillo as an undergrad, Nardinelli pursued a master’s degree. He planned to teach college. But the job market was disheartening.
“A lot of other people were trying to get jobs and not having much success,” he says. “I went to the library and found the addresses of all the colleges in the U.S. and I applied to
Artist Thomas Nardinelli
Photo by Aniko Kiezel
Thomas Nardinelli speaking at The Twisted Track Gallery
Photo by Layne Imada
every one on the West Coast. And this was the old days. You had to type out each envelope on a typewriter. I got a lot of rejection and even more no responses.”
Nardinelli found it hard to break into the local gallery scene, so he focused his efforts where they were needed: in junior high and high school classrooms. He retired in 2010 after 28 years at Lodi High School as an art instructor and visual arts chair for Lodi Unified School District.
“It was very gratifying, encouraging my students and watching them feel good about what they were doing,” Nardinelli says. “Lots of them hadn’t received any positive reinforcement about their art and didn’t realize their talent.”
Retirement allowed Nardinelli to return to making art full time. This time with a different perspective.
“I got so bummed out early on because it was hard to find someplace that wanted to show large work,” he says. (He makes his own canvases that are mostly 4 feet or larger.) “I paint now for self-gratification. I’m not obligated to anyone else. I paint for myself. It’s hard to push yourself to do that, but I get up and do it every day.”
Over the decades, Nardinelli honed his process and style influenced by college instructor Joseph Raffael. Raffael encouraged him to work from photographs, and work in thin layers of oil paint that almost resemble watercolor.
Nardinelli still works from his own photographs but plays with the color palette and the subject matter to make a work that’s his own.
“When I’m doing a painting, it’s like doing a puzzle,” he says. “When (photos) get enlarged, you can see that all the little details are actually weird shapes that get put together as you paint. It’s a microcosm, all these little things put together. Those shapes allow me to explore while I’m painting. I let the painting take me where I want to go.”
For information, find Thomas Nardinelli on Facebook or email tnardinelli@hotmail.com.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
Cover:
Born in East Sacramento, Thomas Nardinelli developed an appreciation for nature’s bounty early in life. He later translated his passion into paintings where he utilizes vibrant colors and abstract forms to portray the intricate shapes and layers in flowers. He earned an MFA at Sac State in 1973. Shown: “Dahlias,” oil on canvas, 4 feet by 5 feet. The original is available for sale. Visit tomnardinelli.com.
“Blooming Brilliance” featuring the art of Thomas Nardinelli is on display July 5–28 at Twisted Track Gallery at 1730 12th St.
Cover Artist Thomas Nardinelli - INSIDE EAST SAC JULY 2024
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For more information contact carrie@herlifemagazine or anna@herlifemagazine.com
Family Day at the Park
Saturday, September 21, 2024
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Weber Point • Center Street & Miner Avenue, Stockton
Media Contact: Anna Sass • SASS! Public Relations, Inc. (209) 957-7277 • anna_sass@sasspr.com
[STOCKTON] The Record’s 27th Annual Family Day at the Park will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Weber Point in Stockton. The event is free to the public. The Record’s signature event, Family Day at the Park provides a full day of fun and educational activities for the entire community.
Nearly 100 businesses and community organizations will provide interactive projects for children and families, including arts and crafts, games, storytelling and recreational activities. Entertainers include mascots, street performers, Sparkles the Clown and Ravioli the Magician.
In addition to all this awesome entertainment, the Cesar Chavez Music Department will perform all day on the Main Stage.
Don’t miss the mascot parade at 10:15 a.m. to kick off the day’s activities! All attendees are invited to join in the fun by marching along in the parade. In addition, children’s authors and illustrators will preside in King Author’s Court throughout the day – reading stories, teaching, signing books and answering questions.
Weber Point is located at Center Street & Miner Avenue in Downtown Stockton.
For further information visit the website at familydayatthepark.com or contact event producer Anna Sass at SASS! Public Relations at (209) 957-7277 or anna_sass@sasspr.com.
NEWS & EVENTS
Jim and Angela Brusa honored with Goodwill Helping Hands Award
Media contact: Denise Ost, President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley, Inc. (209) 466-2311 x 1012 • deniseo@goodwill-sjv.org
AUGUST 1, 2024 - Jim and Angela Brusa will be honored with the 2024 Goodwill Helping Hands Award at a special Evening of Good Will event on Thursday, October 24 at the Stockton Golf and Country Club.
The 2024 Blue-Ribbon Planning Committee is being co-chaired by Becky Carlson, Deanna Eberhardt and George Gibson, and is comprised of Goodwill Board Members, community leaders and colleagues who know them best.
Raised by two hardworking families of proud Italian & Greek Mediterranean heritages, Jim and Angela (Parises) Brusa’s strong roots in our community started young. Watching the unwavering faith, optimism, and community involvement of their parents, they inherited old-fashioned values. Jim and Angela married in 1983, making them a great team and power couple in the community. Carrying their united family legacies of importance of family, deep faith, and giving back to the community, the couple has made lasting contributions throughout our community. The theme for the evening is Faith, Family and Community.
Jim’s career path has taken him from working in the insurance and financial services business with his father, to construction, land development and sales, to St. Mary’s High School, where, in 1995, he became Director of Institutional Advancement and Facilities, followed by 22 years as Athletic Director and the frosh-soph football coach, to becoming President in 2017. Through Jim’s leadership, SMHS has raised the bar in all areas, including academics, Catholic Identity, facilities, theater arts, athletics, and FFA. His vision for SMHS is far-reaching.
Angela began her career with the Bank of Stockton in 1981 working parttime while attending University of the Pacific’s School of Business and Public
ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, INC.
Administration (now the Eberhardt School of Business) where it was a graduation requirement that students pursue school projects for a bona fide business. A surprise introduction to the Bank of Stockton’s president resulted in an internship in the Marketing Department. Upon graduation, she was officially hired, and the rest is history. She has worked under three generations of Bank of Stockton Presidents and is best known as the heart behind the Bank of Stockton’s community relations, philanthropic endeavors, and its brand.
The Goodwill Foundation Board of Directors selected Jim and Angela “because of their broad-based commitment and dedication to the betterment of San Joaquin County, and their support and involvement of non-profit organizations especially dedicated to children and families,” said Denise Ost, President of Goodwill Foundation, Inc. and Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley, Inc.
The Goodwill Foundation was started in 2005 for the purpose of providing a financial legacy, primarily through Evening of Good Will, to support the mission of Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley, Inc. Past Helping Hands Award honorees include Dean and Kathy Lagorio Janssen, Gene and Dianne Gini, Michael Duffy, William Trezza, Douglass Wilhoit, Peter Jaffe, Ron and Dea Berberian, Dino and Joan Cortopassi, Bob Kavanaugh and others who have and continually lend their helping hands throughout our community.
Proceeds from Evening of Good Will help support the long-term sustainability of Goodwill’s mission to provide individuals with employment barriers the opportunity to become self-sufficient, contributing members of our communities. For sponsorship and ticket information, contact Carrie Sass at (209) 612-5478.
Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley, Inc. is a not-for-profit agency that provides employment and training opportunities to assist people with employment barriers to become self-sufficient, working members of our community. Serving Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne Counties.
The 28th Annual Ironstone Concours d’Elegance will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 9:00am to 4:00pm at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, California. Ironstone Concours d’Elegance – the annual antique and classic car show – will take place at the beautiful grounds of Ironstone Vineyards in the gold country of the Sierra Nevada. Concours d’Elegance features over 300 antique and classic cars, as well as vintage trailers and motorcycles. Plein Air Painters scattered throughout the beautiful grounds of Ironstone will capture, on canvas, the ambiance and landscape, as well as the classic cars on display.
More than 3,000 visitors enjoy the beauty of the automobiles in the ambiance of the stunning landscape of Ironstone Vineyards, located at 1894 Six Mile Road in Murphys, California. General admission tickets are $25 per person. Children under 14 are admitted free.
In addition to the car show, attendees are invited to purchase tickets to the Patron’s Tent, a private viewing area that is open throughout the day to Concours Sponsors and paid guests. Admission to the Patron’s Tent is $125 per person. Lunch is included and will be served at 11:00am.
Other activities throughout the weekend include the Vintage Backroads Tour on Friday morning, and the Cars and Stars dinner Friday night.
The Ironstone Vintage Backroads Tour will lead a caravan of vintage vehicles through Calaveras County to New Melones Lake on Friday, September 27,
Friday, September 27th and Saturday, September 28th, 2024
Ironstone Vineyards
1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys, California
Media Contact: Anna Sass • SASS! Public Relations, Inc. (209) 957-7277
where attendees will enjoy lunch on a boat. The tour begins at 10:00am and lunch begins at 12:15pm. Tickets are $125 for a vehicle with two guests. Space is limited.
The Cars and Stars dinner will be held Friday evening, September 27, and includes wine tasting from local wineries, a delicious buffet, and a lively auction. Guests will also get to enjoy a sneak peek at some of the early arrival vehicles. Reservations are required.
Twenty-eight years ago, John and Gail Kautz created Concours d’Elegance. As farmers and vintners, they envisioned an event that would benefit young people involved in agriculture, notably 4-H Clubs, Future Farmers of America, and the California State Fair Scholarship Fund. This year they celebrate the 28th Annual Ironstone Concours d’Elegance. From that initial idea, the Ironstone Concours d’Elegance Foundation has raised more than $1 million since its inception. In 2013, through the proceeds of Concours d’Elegance, a $130,000 pledge was completed to assist in the development of the Future Farmers of America State Headquarters Building in Galt, California.
For event information visit ironstoneconcours.com or call (209) 269-6950.
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