Chinese Culture Group of Greater Grand Rapids

I don’t know about all of you, but sometimes I have a hard time remembering names. This can be a little embarrassing when it comes to remembering those in the group that you feel you really should know the names of by now! So, to this end, we will be putting together a photo directory (my wife Melissa is putting it together–here is a sample).

Nothing too fancy (the final directory will be in PDF format which members can print out on their home printers if they like), just something to help us all. If you have a family picture and would like to be included in the directory, please send me…

1. Your family photo

2. The names of everyone in your family picture

3. Let me know if you would like your email address(es) included with your photo (and what they are)

Send them to mark@markandmelissa.com by the last day of March.

Thanks,

Mark

P.S. A couple of you have already sent pictures (you saw this post on the Yahoo site). If you want to send an updated photo that’s fine. If not, we will plan to use what you have already sent.

Congratulations to Sarah Weber, who has been elected (by the board) to be our new treasurer.  I would like to personally thank Mike Pikaart for all his efforts and care in fulfilling this position for the past several years.

During July 2009, there will be 4 board openings for the following positions:

- Chairperson (Currently held by Dan Richter)

- Vice Chairperson (Currently held by Mark Elenbaas)

- Member At Large (Currently held by Lori Visser)

- Member At Large (Currently held by Kevin Weber)

The main responsibility of the board is to organize/plan events, distribute information, and maintain the mission of the group in accordance with FCC guidelines as follows: To support families who’ve adopted in China through post-adoption and Chinese culture programs; To encourage adoption from China and support waiting families; To advocate for and support children remaining in orphanages in China.

Please volunteer for the board, which is a 2-year commitment.  If you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact us:  http://ccgggr.org/content/contact-us/

If there are no volunteers, individual members/regular attendees will be asked to step-up in order to maintain this group.

Thank you - Dan Richter

On Saturday May 16, 2009 come celebrate one of China’s most famous inventions - The Kite.  Approximately 2,800 years ago, the first kite was flown in Weifang, China (Shandong Province) by 5th century philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban.  Over time, kites have been used for sport, military operations, scientific testing, and leisure.   Weifang continues to recognize this invention by hosting an annual International Kite Festival.

For more information about the kite and it’s relevance to Chinese Culture, please see:  http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/kites.htm.  In addition, there are several children’s books about Chinese kites that would be an excellent way to educate our kids about this topic before our celebration:

Kite Flying by Grace Lin (http://www.gracelin.com/content.php?page=book_kite)

Moonbeams, Dumplings, & Dragonboats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes (http://www.childbook.com/Moonbeams-Dumplings-Dragon-Boats-A-Treasury-o-p/e0261.htm)

In honor of the kite, Art and Lori Visser will be hosting a kite flying celebration at their home.  The celebration will take place on Saturday May 16, 2009 from noon - ???.  For directions to the Visser’s Home (located between Cedar Springs and Rockford, MI) please send them a private email at: one1horseranch@att.net.  A tentative agenda for the celebration is as follows:

12:00 - 1:15 PM Lunch (Each family will be responsible for bringing their own place settings and drinks.  Punch and condiments will be available, if desired.  Additionally, each family is asked to bring a dish to pass.  There will be a grill and/or fire available for cooking meat, which families need to supply for their own use).

1:15 PM - ???  Kite flying.  The Vissers have several acres with few trees.  Each family will be responsible for bringing their own kites.

To sign-up for this event, please click on the following link:

http://ccgggr.org/content/signup/kite-flying-and-potluck/

Hope to see you there - Dan Richter

Join Adoption Associates, Inc. for a fundraiser on March 19 at the Culver’s Restaurant in Jenison, Michigan.

West Michigan area families are encouraged to join Adoption Associates, Inc. on March 19, 2009 from 4-9pm at Culver’s restaurant in Jenison, Michigan. Culver’s restaurant of Jenison will give a generous donation to Adoption Associates, Inc. of 10% of the sales made during that time. Adoption Associates, Inc. staff will be present at the restaurant throughout the evening.

Please consider attending and helping us spread the word by inviting your friends, families, and neighbors to join us! Culver’s restaurant is located near the corner of Chicago Drive and Cottonwood in Jenison, near Meijer.

Mike Carroll
Chief Development Officer
Adoption Associates

www.adoptionassociates.net
mcarroll@adoptionassociates.net

1-800-677-2367

On Tuesday March 10, 2009 (from 6:30 - 8:00 PM), we will be having a get together at Bounce Party, which is located at:

4740 Talon Ct SE # 2
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(616) 656-3220

The cost of this event is $8.00 per child for 90 minutes of unlimited bouncing.  For more information, please click on the following link: http://www.bounceparty.net/public.html

Please note that there are some changes to our bowling date.  We will now be meeting at the Corner Bar in Rockford at 12:30 PM and will be bowling at Rockford Lanes from 2 PM - ???

Hope to see you there - Dan Richter

Happy New Year everyone!

I wanted to remind you that on Friday January 30, 2009 (from 6-9PM) we will be having our annual Chinese New Year party at Ming Ten Restaurant (616-365-3989), which is located at:

The party will feature an all-you-can-eat buffet as well as good company and entertainment.  We are asking for a $3.00 donation per family to cover the costs of entertainment and gifts for the kids. 

Hope to see you there,

Mark

With the arrival of the new year, the CCGGGR board has planned several events for the next few months. On Friday January 30, 2009 (from 6-9PM) we will be having our annual Chinese New Year party at Ming Ten Restaurant (616-365-3989), which is located at:

The party will feature an all-you-can-eat buffet as well as good company and entertainment.  We are asking for a $3.00 donation per family to cover the costs of entertainment and gifts for the kids.  For more information about Ming Ten including reviews, please click on the following link:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ming-ten-grand-rapids

On Saturday February 21, 2009 (from 10 AM - Noon) we will be bowling at Rockford Lanes, which is located at:

117 E Bridge St
Rockford, MI 49341
(616) 866-0200

Bumpers and ramps will be available for beginners. For more information about Rockford Lanes including costs, etc. please click on the following link: http://www.therockfordnetwork.com/rockford-mi-473-Rockford-Lanes.htm

Following bowling, there will be lunch at the Corner Bar (located approximately one block from the bowling alley).  The Corner Bar is a family friendly restaurant offering a variety of food, as well as their locally renowned hotdogs.  For more information about The Corner Bar, please click on the following link: http://www.rockfordcornerbar.com/

On Tuesday March 10, 2009 (from 6:30 - 8:00 PM), we will be having a get together at Bounce Party, which is located at:

4740 Talon Ct SE # 2
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(616) 656-3220

The cost of this event is $8.00 per child for 90 minutes of unlimited bouncing.  For more information, please click on the following link: http://www.bounceparty.net/public.html

There are several other non-CCGGGR events coming to the area.  On Saturday January 24, 2009, the Chinese Association of West Michigan (CAWM) will be holding their annual Chinese New Year Gala.  For more information, please see their website: http://www.wmchineseassociation.org/en/calendar.html

On Tuesday February 3, 2009, the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center will be hosting the Golden Dragon Acrobats (http://www.goldendragonacrobats.com/), an acrobatic troupe from Hebei, China.

For more information about this event, please see the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center’s website: http://www.fhfineartscenter.com/home.html

If there are any questions about upcoming events or announcements you would like posted on this website, please contact one of the board members.  In addition, with the new year here, we are asking for your consideration regarding several matters:

1) During July 2009, terms end for the current board members.  We are looking for new faces to carry on the spirit of this group.  Please consider this opportunity.

2) We are always open to feedback and suggestions for upcoming gatherings.  Please direct any suggestions, etc to one of the board members via email.

Here’s to a safe and wonderful 2009!! - Dan Richter, board chairperson

Our annual Holiday Party will be held on Saturday December 6, 2008 at Golden Gate Restaurant (616-534-7087), which is located at 4023 S. Division Avenue in Wyoming.  The party will take place from noon to 2 PM and will feature live entertainment from the Chinese Village Dancers, as well as arts & crafts including ornament making and cookie decorating.  There will also be an all-you-can-eat buffet including the following:

Appetizers: Egg rolls, potstickers, crab cheese

Soup: Egg Drop

Main Entrees: Vegetable Lo Mein, Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Hunan Pork, Stir Fried Green Beans, Sesame Chicken, Almond Boneless Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Shrimp With Brocoli, Cashew Chicken

Desserts: Cake, Pudding, Jello

Drinks: Coffee, Tea, Soda

Prices for the buffet are as follows:

• Ages 4 & under: Free
• Ages 4-10: $6.99 per person
• Ages 10 & up: $12.99 per person

Please note that 6% sales tax and %15 gratuity are not included in these costs.

Crafts will start at noon and The Chinese Village dancers will be start at 12:30 PM.  Our meal will be directly after this.

Also, if anyone has a Santa Suit or is willing to play Santa for the party, please contact one of the board members.

Hope to see you there - Dan Richter

On Saturday November 8, 2008 (From 10:30 AM - 2 PM), we have an event planned for Craig’s Cruisers in Grand Rapids: http://www.craigscruisers.com/ 

For $11.99 kids get to choose from 2 activities that includes laser tag, bumper cars, co-carts, frog hopper, and ropes course. The $11.99 cost includes an all-you-can eat buffet. Additional activities can be added for $4.00 more.

Adult chaperons do not have to pay for activities and can pay a separate cost for the buffet if they just want to eat. Children 36 inches and smaller eat free at the buffet however there really are no activities for kids under 36 inches other than video games. 

If you are interested in attending this outing, please click on the following link so that we can get a tentative “head count.” http://ccgggr.org/content/signup/craigs-cruisers-nov-8-2008-event-signup/