Happy Spring, everyone. As mentioned in the previous issue, this is our special 15th Asian Cultural Fair Issue. This year’s Fair will be dedicated to our elder historian, Wellington Lee, who recently passed away. 2024 also marks the Centennial Anniversary of the Buddhist Temple of Salinas. They will have a full schedule of events throughout the year! Go to the BTS website (btsalinas.org/) for their schedule of events. Our partners include:
VOLUNTEERS
Thanks to the many people who responded to our volunteer call-out from Athena Ereno, our Assistant Program Manager! We now have a full contingent of help and appreciate all your responses.
VENDOR TABLES
We are still accepting registrations for arts and crafts or nonprofit/educational tables, which will be located on California St. in front of the Buddhist Temple of Salinas. To register for an arts and crafts vendor table, go to the Asian Cultural Fair page on our website (salinasace.org), scroll down, and pay your fee to register. If you are representing a nonprofit/educational organization, Contact Cathy Chavez-Miller at meankitty132@gmail.com or Athena Michelle Ereno at athenaereno@gmail.com to register for FREE. Once the lineup is solidified, we will contact vendors on the list.
ASIAN CULTURAL FAIR SCHEDULE
Come down to California St. during the Asian Cultural Fair and check out the Chinatown Classic Car Show, organized by ACES board member Henry T. Gong!
Visit the Nihonmachi in Chinatown exhibit at the ACES gallery/office (corner of Lake and Soledad Sts., 1st floor). There will also be sections on Chinese and Filipino American history in Chinatown, and a tribute board for Wellington Lee (R.I.P.). Stop by for a chat with members of our archive committee!
The Chinese Association of Salinas will feature performances by the Meng Hua Performing Arts Group (MHPAG), and the Monterey Bay Chinese Association (MBCA) Dance Group. Stop by the Confucius Church, corner of Tom O. Wong Way and Lake St., to see the performances, and also for their produce sale and potstickers.
The Buddhist Temple of Salinas events will take place in the gym and classrooms next to the Buddhist Temple (14 California St., Salinas), where they will feature an Asian Artifact Sale, Ramen sale, bonsai exhibit, tea ceremony, and more!
The Filipino Community of Salinas will be presenting performances by their youth group and the Filipino Women’s Club Dance Group, and they will be offering Filipino meals for sale, as well at 250 Calle Cebu, Salinas.
OTHER EVENTS AND NEWS
ACE now has an archival website! (https://acesalinaschinatown.omeka.net/)
Portions of ACES’ archive are now available for public viewing at our new archival site. Currently you can view selections from the Wellington Lee, Mae Sakasegawa, and Al Baguio collections on the site. If you would like to donate or share your images or items specifically related to the history of Salinas Chinatown, please contact us at acesalinas2014@gmail.com or fill out the Contact form on the archival site. Let's talk!
Dr. Scott Mitchell will lecture on “Buddhism in America” on April 20. This is just one of the many events to be held at the Buddhist Temple during 2024 as part of its year-long Centennial, culminating in a celebration in October. For more info, go to the BTS website (btsalinas.org/).
JOIN ACE!