<-Return to Photos Index

2008 Chinese New Years Dinner

      It was nice to see new and familiar faces as the OCA San Mateo Chapter rang in the Lunar New Year of the Mouse. We dined at the Grand Palace Restaurant in South San Francisco, 6:00pm, February 22nd, 2008. The food was delicious and the entrees consisted of: Sautéed Prawns, Stir-fried steak with mixed Mushrooms, Black Mushrooms over tender greens, House special roasted Chicken, Steamed Flounder, Combination appetizer platter, Crab and Fish Maw soup, Fried Calamari, Braised noodles with Mushrooms, and dessert. The restaurant manager Tony Yu, catered to our every need. There was plenty of variety and no one went home hungry. 

      Our local Dignitaries included: Ira Ruskin (Assemblyman from the 21st District), Jerry Hill (Supervisor San Mateo County), Gina Pappan (Mayor of Millbrae), Mary Griffin (former San Mateo County Board of Supervisors), Christine Padilla (Representative for Congressman Tom Lantos), and Edwin Chan (Representative for Supervisor Mark Church).

      We had a special treat as Gerrye Wong and Carol Fong, of the Chinese Historical & Cultural Project Santa Clara County. The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) is based in Santa Clara County, California. Founded in 1987, as a non-profit organization to promote and preserve Chinese American and Chinese history and culture through community outreach activities.

      Ms. Wong enthusiastically presented and shared her book, “Chinese in San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley.” and then we viewed a DVD. Chinese immigrants were seeking opportunity, but they encountered unforeseen struggles. During 1866 to 1931, there were five Chinatowns in San Jose, each one destroyed by fires or unfair laws. Early Chinese in the region persevered at building railroads and levees and labored as laundrymen, cooks, grocers, field hands, factory workers, and servants.  

      Gerrye was available for anyone who wanted to purchase a copy of the book after dinner.