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Scene May 2021 - 05.01.2021
PLUS: CUPERTINO IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE AAPI COMMUNITY | HONORING MOMS FOR MOTHER’S DAY | BE PREPARED FOR FIRE SEASON Celebrating Cupertino’s Roots May is Asian American Heritage Month MAY 2021 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO SCENE May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Some may ask, “Why May?” The answer is simple and straightforward, although the historical context is unflattering to our country: • May 7, 1843: The immigration of the first Japanese to the United States. • May 10, 1869: The anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. • May 6, 1882: On this day, President Chester A. Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 suspending Chinese immigration for 10 years and declaring Chinese immigrants ineligible for naturalization. The law was meant to curb the influx of Chinese immigrants to the United States, particularly California. • 1943: The law wasn’t repealed until 1943 (through the Magnuson Act) and, even though it allowed the naturalization of Chinese immigrants already in the United States, it only permitted 105 visas. The year 1943 was not that long ago. Modern history for our country. Here we are in 2021 and Asians are still experiencing discrimination, albeit in a different form, yet discrimination nonetheless. In some ways I think we’ve made progress, in other ways it’s clear to me that we have not. It seems surreal that I felt the need to hold a community forum last month on how to keep ourselves safe in this day and age. The contributions of Asian Americans to the United States’ economy--let alone the Bay Area’s economy, the fifth largest economy in…the…world--in all areas of business and industry is impressive and vital for the health and well-being of us all. Cupertino is predominantly Asian and to honor those in our community, we have dedicated this issue of the Scene to bring additional awareness to the richness of the Asian cultures interwoven in our community and to the many contributions of our residents. Take care and happy reading. Deborah Feng City Manager FEATURES 3 In Solidarity with the AAPI Community Cupertino City Council passed a resolution to stand in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander Community. 5 Poetry and Motherhood Read a poem from the Cupertino Poet Laureate, Jing Jing, honoring her own late mother this Mother’s Day. IN S I D E 8 Local Museum Love May 5 is Museum Lover’s Day! Show some love to our very own Cupertino Historical Society and Museum. 6 Celebrating Our Roots Thank you to the Cupertino Historical Society for sharing this story of one of Cupertino’s early immigrants, Cynthia Lee. 12 Directory and Contacts Keep this list of the most useful contacts for the City of Cupertino. 9 Love is a Four-Legged Word Find your next furry friend at the San Jose Animal Care Shelter, whom we’re highlighting this May for National Pet Month. Questions or comments about The Scene? Contact staff at scene@cupertino.org. HONOR AND AWARENESS CONTENTS 2 Cupertino Stands in Solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander Community On March 16, 2021 the Cupertino City Council unanimously approved a resolution to stand in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander community. See the resolution below: WHEREAS, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council and Chinese for Affirmative Action launched a hate incident-reporting internet website, titled “Stop Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate,” at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in March of 2020; and WHEREAS, the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center documented over 2,800 hate incidents against the Asian and Pacific Islander community in 2020; and WHEREAS, over 700 of these incidents occurred in the Bay Area of California; and WHEREAS, racism against the Asian and Pacific Islander community has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, as a community, we should all stand against racism, prejudice, and hate crimes against any member of our community, as this runs counter to our shared democratic values, and as such behavior against one diminishes all of us; and WHEREAS, on January 30, 2021, 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, a nearly-blind and gentle elderly Thai man, died from injuries resulting from an attack while he was walking in the City of San Francisco, in what is deemed as a hate crime; and WHEREAS, on January 31, 2021, three elderly Asian Americans were assaulted in the City of Oakland’s Chinatown District, including a 91-year-old Asian man who sustained serious injuries, such as lacerations, abrasions, and a contusion to the left thumb, in what is deemed a hate crime; and WHEREAS, about 31% of Asian Americans report having been subject to discrimination since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Pew Research Center report; and WHEREAS, Cupertino is blessed to be a multiracial community, and we decided long ago that mutual understanding and respect develops a much healthier, safer, and caring community; and WHEREAS, it is important to acknowledge that the Asian and Pacific Islander community is made up of people from various socioeconomic backgrounds, and many face significant financial struggles; and WHEREAS, in Santa Clara County, one of the first minority-majority counties in the nation, Asians have been the largest racial group since 2014, and currently, Asians make up nearly 38% of the county’s population; and WHEREAS, in the City of Cupertino, Asians make up 64% of the City’s population; and WHEREAS,, it is important for the community as a whole to stand in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander communities across the country. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby affirm its commitment to stand in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander community and resolves as follows: 1. The City of Cupertino denounces hate crimes, hateful rhetoric, and hateful acts; and does not tolerate discrimination, xenophobia, or harassment; and 2. The City of Cupertino will oppose any attempts to undermine the safety, security, and rights of members of our community and will work proactively to ensure the rights and privileges of everyone in the City—regardless of race; and 3. The City of Cupertino will promote safety, a sense of security, and equal protection of constitutional and human rights, leading by example through equitable treatment of all by City officials and departments; and 4. The City of Cupertino encourages the community to stand together in affirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of the Asian and Pacific Islander community in Cupertino, California, and our country. 3 The City of Cupertino is proud to celebrate its long-lasting Sister City relationships with three cities in Asia during May’s Asian American Heritage Month. These relationships are with: • Toyokawa, Japan, formalized in 1978, • Hsinchu, Taiwan, formalized in 2007, and • Bhubaneswar, India, formalized in 2012. A Sister City relationship is a long-term, formal agreement that may include cultural, educational, business, and technical exchanges. These relationships start with the mayor of Cupertino and their counterpart from the other city formalizing a Memorandum of Understanding. Thereafter, an association of volunteers nurtures the ongoing connections. These can include visits by delegations of civic and business leaders, student exchange programs, and cultural events. The City cherishes its Sister City relationships—including Copertino, Italy—which foster people-to-people international diplomacy, cooperation, and friendship. The City also has Friendship City relationships with five cities in China. They include: • Jilin, People’s Republic of China • Taichung, Taiwan • Tongxiang, People’s Republic of China • Xianning, People’s Republic of China • Yilan, Taiwan Though less formal, a Friendship City relationship is also an important way to foster international cooperation at a local level. These relationships expire after two years unless renewed. For more information, visit cupertino.org/sistercities. Vaccines More individuals are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine! Anyone age 16 and older is eligible to be vaccinated, though vaccine supply may still be limited. If you have been vaccinated, thank you! But remember to continue wearing a mask to protect those in your community. Every layer of protection counts. Check your vaccine eligibility at myturn.ca.gov. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit sccFreeVax.org. Variants and Testing Virus variants are likely causing surges in other parts of the country. All of these variants, or mutated strains, have been found in Santa Clara County. We can stop a surge from happening here if we continue staying safe while we work together to get more people vaccinated. Vaccinating quickly can help prevent viruses from multiplying and mutating. As vaccines get distributed, continue taking all the steps to stay safe: wear a mask, keep your distance, and get vaccinated when it’s your turn. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or not, it is important to get tested, even if you’re vaccinated. Getting tested helps monitor COVID-19 variants that are circulating in the community. Stay safe, and get tested. To find a testing site near you, visit sccfreetest.org. Across the Seas: Celebrating Long-Lasting Relationships Be In the Know on COVID-19 4 CUPER TINO POET LAUREATE Celebrate Creativity The Cupertino Poet Laureate is an honorary, volunteer position sponsored by the City of Cupertino and seated in the Cupertino Library. Sponsors and support network include the Cupertino Library Commission, Friends of the Cupertino Library, and the Cupertino Library Foundation. Jing Jing Yang is Cupertino’s sixth Poet Laureate. Jing Jing grew up with a love for poetry, listening to her father recite Chinese classic poetry from the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties. Since moving to Cupertino in 2011, Jing Jing has been a part of the City’s poetry community and has enjoyed the programs of previous poet laureates as a creative outlet. Jing Jing aims to help Cupertino become a place where the West meets the East, the past meets the future, and its poetic voice be heard around the globe. For more information, visit cupertino.org/poetlaureate In Memory of My Mother Li Hua (1937-2020) & For People Who Lost Their Loved Ones During the Pandemic every perfume bottle I own traces a note of Jasmine the widely cultivated vines interlaced-shrubs in greens the little white blossoms in drift softly above the dark brown mud in medium-sized porcelain clay basins many in a row lined up tidily on the cement balcony divine and elegant Mom planted all of them summer in the city of Changsha XingCheng primed its Plum Rainy Season like most of East Asia all day drizzling night muggy catching us in sweat she didn’t like air-conditioning her door often left open the silky whispering fragrance quietly mingles into her room the scent of Motherhood was what I remembered to survive my yesterdays & stride into tomorrow Mom My Hidden Force My Backbone © Jing Jing Yang 03/15/2021 ~ 03/31/2021 Jasmine By Cupertino Poet Laureate Jing Jing Yang Cupertino Poet Laureate Program 5 Celebrating Our Roots Cynthia Lee: Early Chinese Immigrant and Restauranteur May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. This month we’re acknowledging the AAPI individuals who are community leaders, small business owners, and influencers who helped shape Cupertino into what it is today. In the late 20th century, Cupertino and the surrounding areas experienced a surge in population growth due to the immigration of people from Asian countries. Immigration laws at the time were in the favor of families looking to move to the Silicon Valley. People immigrated here for a variety of reasons—whether they were aspiring for career prospects, or striving for a quality education for their children, everyone who immigrated here had a common goal: to find opportunities to work hard for a better life for themselves and their families. One of these early immigrants was Cynthia Lee, born in Macau, China. She moved to the United States in 1949 to become a student, attending Skidmore College and Columbia Teacher’s College, where she received her master’s degree. She moved to Cupertino in 1967 and noted that there were no more than 10 Chinese families living in Cupertino at that time. In a conversation with the Cupertino Historical Society and Museum’s Gail Hugger, Cynthia recalled that at the time, her husband had been an engineer for many years. He wanted to change careers, and the decision was made to open a restaurant. In Cynthia’s words, “When I first opened, we were really welcomed. People say I was really courageous—I think I was very naïve. I single-handedly opened a Chinese restaurant and I had never worked in a Chinese restaurant before! I didn’t 280 85 Stevens Creek Blvd Merritt Dr Rainbow Dr De A n z a B l v d Fo o t h i l l B l v d St e l l i n g R d Bl a n e y A v e N P o r t a l A v e Mi l l e r A v e Bu b b R d Wo l f e R d Ta n t a u A v e Greenleaf Dr Stevens Creek Blvd Merritt DrGreenleaf Dr Rainbow Dr De A n z a B l v d Fo o t h i l l B l v d St e l l i n g R d Bl a n e y A v e N P o r t a l A v e Mi l l e r A v e Bu b b R d Wo l f e R d Ta n t a u A v e Greenleaf Dr McClellan RdMcClellan Rd 6 China House Restaurant Interior, Courtesy of Cynthia Lee even know what chop suey was because that is an American dish! But once we opened, right away it was a rage. At that time there were only three or five other Chinese restaurants in the area.” Cynthia’s father named the new restaurant in Cupertino “China House” because he had a restaurant in Tokyo with the same name. Cynthia recalled, “At that time, all I could consider was that I put myself in the position of one of my customers. If they come to my restaurant, what will make them happy? So, I thought, I will decommercialize the whole restaurant— make them feel like they are a guest of my family. I think we had the best decorations because we placed a lot of nice Chinese artifacts in the restaurant in order to educate customers and let them know that this was a Chinese restaurant. When we opened the first day, my husband still worked down in Burbank with Lockheed. I opened the restaurant, the man from National Cash Register Company came to teach me how to operate the cash register.” He said, “Mrs. Lee, how come you don’t have any cash in the register?” She continued, “I just figured that I’d get the money from customers. I didn’t even realize that I’d have to make change. None of my friends had opened a restaurant—they were all engineers. So in the early morning I had to run to the bank and get change. About a month later I got a big write-up in the San Jose Mercury News raving about the restaurant. I didn’t even realize what a write-up was! So when the Sunday paper came out, people were lined up all over and I didn’t even know why!” About opening the restaurant in Cupertino, Cynthia said, “Our restaurant was really welcomed in Cupertino, and I made a lot of friends there. They were really nice to me and treated me like family. And we always treated our guests like a guest of the family. It was like having a party every night in my house!” Cynthia’s story is just one of the many innovative, hard- working, and dedicated Asian American immigrants that have overcome countless obstacles to take on new challenges and build better lives for themselves and their families, all while giving back to the greater community. For the month of May and the rest of the year, let’s celebrate our AAPI community that has become an integral part of the Cupertino identity. Cynthia’s story is from the book Toward the Golden Mountain, published in conjunction with the exhibit of the same name held at the Cupertino Historical Museum in 1997. Toward the Golden Mountain chronicles some of the history of Chinese Immigrants in Santa Clara Valley. Thank you to the Cupertino Historical Society and Museum for this article. I single-handedly opened a Chinese restaurant and I had never worked in a Chinese restaurant before! I didn’t even know what chop suey was because that is an American dish! 7 The Cupertino Historical Museum is owned and operated by the Cupertino Historical Society, a private, nonprofit educational organization, established in 1966. Like most of the nation’s older historical societies, they have always been a private organization and derive virtually all their support from membership, donations, grants, and endowment. The Cupertino Historical Society and Museum (CHSM) is the City’s oldest and only cultural organization whose purpose is to preserve and present Cupertino’s unique history. They have been bringing stories of Cupertino’s past to the community, our schools, and other organizations for over 54 years. Their hope is to share the richness of our diverse cultures while serving as the City’s repository of culture and history. The Historical Museum was opened in 1990 as an integral feature of the Quinlan Community Center. The Museum’s collection spans over 100 years of Cupertino’s history and contains more than 5,000 items including manuscripts, graphics, photographs, books, artifacts, and other historically relevant objects accessible at our museum or on loan at other organizations. History in Cupertino is being made every day and is constantly evolving. The Cupertino Historical Society will continue their mission by collecting, preserving, and presenting the artifacts, ephemera, and oral histories that represent the past and present of Cupertino. Would You Like to Serve on the City of Cupertino Teen Commission? Local Museum Love: The Cupertino Historical Museum Cupertino teens are encouraged to apply for six vacancies on the Teen Commission. Applications may be submitted online using the Online Teen Commission Application via cupertino. org/vacancies. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 7. The City Council will conduct interviews beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25 (as needed). For more details, please see the website or email the City Clerk’s office at cityclerk@cupertino.org. 8 May is National Pet Month. To celebrate, the City is highlighting its partnership with the San Jose Animal Care Center. The Animal Care Center offers animal control service to Cupertino residents. But it also provides pet licensing, lost and found pets, and pets to adopt. Maybe you’ll find your next four- legged best friend there? The Animal Care Center’s mission is “to provide a welcoming and humane place for animals and those who care for them; to protect, educate and serve the public; to develop programs that improve the lives of people and animals; and to create opportunities for our community and supporters to help us succeed.” It does this by providing four units: Field Operations, Medical Operations, Shelter Operations and Administration. Although each unit is responsible for different aspects of ACS, they are dependent upon each other and work together cohesively to best benefit both the animals and the community. For more information, and to view adoptable pets, visit sanjoseanimals.com. Love is A Four-Legged Word Highlighting the San Jose Animal Care Center READY, SET, GO: Preparing for the 2021 Fire Season The 2020 Fire Season was “unprecedent” which seems to be a perennial description of fire season in California. Throughout the State, wildfires claimed the lives of 28 civilians and three firefighters, destroyed 9,248 structures, and consumed 4.2 million acres. In August, the SCU and LNU Lightning Complexes were burning in or near Santa Clara County at the same time. Both fires expanded to the 3rd and 4th largest fires in California history. Response personnel from all professional public safety disciplines were engaged in an incredible organizational effort required to mitigate these fires. Some of the communities impacted by the fires had been affected multiple times in the last twenty years. It is never too early to be prepared for wildfire. With the dry winter season, we can expect a similar fire season to last year. Act now to mitigate fire risk and prepare for the next wildfire event. By preparing for wildfire, you are also preparing your family for all hazards including earthquake as well. To help reduce wildfire risk and better prepare your family and your home, remember - Ready, Set, Go. Get your home READY by creating a defensible space to buffer it from flammable vegetation such as grass, trees, and shrubs. Defensible space helps to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and increases the chance of your home surviving a wildfire. SET your family up to be prepared for wildfires and other disasters by creating an action plan that will help you survive and communicate if you must evacuate your home. Be ready to GO. Take the evacuation steps necessary to give your household the best chance of surviving a wildfire. Stay informed and leave early to avoid being caught in fire, smoke, or road congestion. More information on Ready, Set, Go at sccfd.org/rsg Learn how to reduce wildfire risk and better prepare your home, your family, and your neighborhood with a Wildfire Preparedness Webinar: Ready, Set, Go. Register at sccfd.eventbrite.com. The City of Cupertino and the County of Santa Clara will be proactive during wildfire events by sending critical alerts and warnings to the community via AlertSCC. Sign up for AlertSCC at alertscc.org 9 The Summer Recreation Schedule is Here Register today at cupertino.org/recreation 10 Cupertino Swim Lessons Summer Camp See the Summer Recreation Schedule for lesson information. cupertino.org/recreation June 7 to August 13 Start planning your child’s summer today! cupertino.org/camps 11 The Cupertino Scene is printed on post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy ink. The newsletter is produced by a certified Bay Area Green Business and is recyclable. For information on becoming a certified Green Business, visit cupertino.org/GreenBiz. PRSRT-STD U.S. Postage PAID Cupertino, CA Permit No. 239 CUPERTINO SCENE Cupertino City Hall 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 *******ECRWSSEDDM******* POSTAL CUSTOMER City of Cupertino Department Phone / Email Building Department ...................................(408) 777-3228 Building@Cupertino.org Business License ...........................................(408) 777-3221 BL@Cupertino.org City Clerk ......................................................(408) 777-3223 CityClerk@Cupertino.org City Manager ..............................................(408) 777-3212 Manager@Cupertino.org Code Enforcement .....................................(408) 777-3182 Code@Cupertino.org Planning Department .................................(408) 777-3308 Planning@Cupertino.org Recreation ...................................................(408) 777-3120 Recreation@Cupertino.org Senior Center ...............................................(408) 777-3150 SeniorCntr@Cupertino.org Sports Center ...............................................(408) 777-3160 Recreation@Cupertino.org Street Light Maint. .......................................(408) 777-3342 StreetDivision@Cupertino.org Street Sweeping ..........................................(408) 777-3269 Public_Works@Cupertino.org Tree Maint. ...................................................(408) 777-3410 Public_Works@Cupertino.org Other Agencies Organization Phone Number Animal Control ........................................................(408) 794-7297 AT&T .........................................................................(800) 331-0500 California Water Service .........................................(650) 917-0152 Chamber of Commerce ........................................(408) 252-7054 Comcast ..................................................................(800) 945-2288 Cupertino Library .....................................................(408) 540-3947 Cupertino Sanitary District: ....................................(408) 253-7071 Cupertino Union School District .............................(408) 252-3000 Fremont Union High School District .......................(408) 522-2200 Hazardous Waste Drop-off .....................................(408) 299-7300 PG&E .........................................................................(800) 743-5000 Project Sentinel (Landlord/Tenant Issues) .............(408) 720-9888 Recology (Garbage & Recycling) ........................(408) 725-4020 San Jose Water Company .....................................(408) 279-7900 Santa Clara Registrar of Voters ..............................(408) 299-6863 VTA (Transportation Authority) ...............................(408) 321-2300 Vector Control, Santa Clara County ....................(408) 918-4770 First Responders Emergency Calls ...................................911 or (408) 299-3233 (Police, Fire, Medical) Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office ..............(408) 299-2311 (Non-Emergency) Santa Clara County Fire Department ...........(408) 378-4010 (Non-Emergency) Need to report an issue or have a City-related question? Visit: cupertino.org/cupertino311 or call (408) 777-3200. City Directory