The National Association of Asian American Professionals will be staging the 24th Annual NAAAP Convention & Diversity Career Fair, presented by Macy’s, August 12 -15, 2010 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. The convention: “Gateway to Leadership” will feature keynote speaker Leon Panetta, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and numerous other business, civic and community leaders. In addition, there will be a 2 day FREE Career Fair (Friday, Aug. 13, 9am-5pm and Saturday, Aug 14, 9am-4pm) featuring recruiters from national and local Bay Area companies.

For more info and pre-registration, goto:

http://www.naaapconvention.org/2010/Home.aspx

Founder of Kids vs Global Warming

The Bay Area Schools Environmental Conference put on by the City of San Jose Environmental Services Department last May was nothing but inspirational. Concerned students were thirsting for new information and ways to slow global warming and rethink how we can be better guardians of our planet… for it is the youth that will be the custodians of the future.

The City of San Jose has committed to promoting awareness and activism for improving our environment. It is one of the leaders in the nation with mayor Chuck Reed’s “Green Vision” program. The Bay Area Schools Environmental Conference brought hundreds of students together to discuss their concerns and learn from the dozens of nonprofits committed to building a sustainable future.

But what was most inspirational was the keynote speaker. 15 year-old Alec Loorz, the founder of Kids vs Global Warming http://kids-vs-global-warming.com rallied the audience, young and old to come together and actively participate in the improvement of our environment from a global perspective to a personal view. “We can do things right now” he proclaimed as he advised us on things we can do on a daily basis such as reducing the use of water while showering or brushing our teeth. On a global scale he is organizing a “Million Kid March” http://kids-vs-global-warming.com/iMatter_March.html, mobilizing the youth around the world to take a stand and let our governments and corporations know that we need to make changes NOW!

If nothing else, Alec and the many committed youth at the conference gives us hope that there will be a brighter tomorrow. It is but a work in progress.

It’s not something we think about everyday. Or any day… if at all. Yet it is something that affects all of us now and into the future. The San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant (SJ/SC WPCP) is one of the most advanced and largest water treatment plants in the country, serving approaching two million people in our community. Looking towards the future, we are challenged to effectively treat and manage our waste water and maintain the delicate eco-system of the South Bay.

In addition, with natural resources depleting, how do we adequately supply water for our growing population? The SJ/SC WPCP Master Plan is being developed to guide the upgrade and renovation of the plant and the development of the surrounding 2,600 acres on which it is situated. Introducing the latest technology to treat and recycle the water more effectively is at the core of the master plan’s mission. Being able to generate energy from the bio-mass waste is an added benefit. Yet the opportunities are much more. A thoughful plan of natural habitat areas, water recreation, trails, commercial, educational and industrial uses can create a thriving, sustainable destination. 

The City of San Jose Environmental Services department is inviting the public to participate and voice their opinions as to the future of this important region in the south San Francisco Bay. Community workshops are being held in a variety of locations this month. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our community.

Saturday, May 1 – 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Milpitas City Hall – 455 East Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas

Tuesday, May 4 – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Santa Clara Library – 2635 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara

Saturday, May 8 – 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Roosevelt Community Center – 901 East Santa Clara St., San Jose

Wednesday, May 12 – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Alviso Library – 5050 North 1st St., San Jose

Wednesday, May 19 – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Cupertino Community Hall – 10350 Torre Ave., Cupertino

http://www.rebuildtheplant.org

Uba Owl with Gloria Steinem

The Beijing China government hosted the Beijing Art Biennale  – a major exhibition held in conjunction with the Beijing Olympics in 2008 – a phenomenally successful and historic experience. Artists from around the world were invited to exhibit and 14 artists from the United States were selected. Uba Owl, a local Berkeley, California artist was honored as one of the 14 artists. Uba was interviewed for this article by Steve Yamaguma, president of Design2Market, a Silicon Valley-based design firm and  former board member of the Arts Council Silicon Valley.

It was such an honor to be selected for this prestigious exhibition, how were you contacted and how did you feel?

It is an open competition.  I felt very, very exited about being chosen to show my painting, especially when I learned that I was the only California artist to go, and one of 11 USA artists .

Which piece was exhibited, and what was the significance of the piece?

The title of the painting is “Slippers”.  It shows women swimming, only heads visible.  But there is more to the painting – it is a metaphor about life.

Do you know any of the other artists that were selected and was there a theme that connected all of the art?

I did not know any other artist.  There was a sculptor selected from California, but she decided not to do it (she said she sold the piece).

The theme was Oympics.

What was the response of the Chinese people to your artwork?

I wish I knew!

Did you get a chance to visit the exhibition?

I was selected as a speaker for the conference that accompanied the show.

Unfortunately, I was notified too late and the ticket cost was too expensive because of Olympics.

Is your artwork still in the gallery?

The painting is back in my studio.

You coined the term “Alterrealism”, can you explain?

I have been asked many times to describe what I paint.  I tried to place my art in any existing movement, but could not.  At that point, I decided to come up with the new term.  My husband was the one that created it. 

What other art pieces are you working on today?

I finished working on the Barack Obama family series.  It came about when the group “EngageHer” asked me to paint her portrait for the New York Conference

Where they were hoping for her to be a key speaker.  While looking at her photographs, I was impressed by the open loving emotion in her family, and went on to paint 7 paintings altogether.

How did you get the name “Uba Owl”?

They are  two nicknames from my childhood.  My husband suggested using them, and I liked it.

What is the future like for “Uba Owl”?

I am very excited about it, the future is a mystery, like my art.

Any exhibits coming up in the near future?

Coming up a show in Philadelphia, PII Gallery, opening April 2^nd.

Thank you again and all the best to you, Uba Owl.

I recently met an incredible artist who contemplates this paradox in her works, Uba Owl http://www.ubaowl.com/
 What is the conscious and the unconscious? The tangible vs the untangible? The outer reality, the inner reality, and how both are real, both are connected. There is a fine line between life which springs forth from organic matter and “no life” of inorganic matter. What is thought? Emotions? Feelings? vs the rude awakening of slap in the face? The touch of a textured surface. And while many philosophers and artists explore the subtleties of the connections, science has yet to quantify what these are.

None the less, a new movement, Alterrealism, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alterrealism/216933505403?ref=sgm
 attempts to explore those connections through an artistic lens. How your feels shape your physical being. How the outside world changes your innermost thoughts. And how together, reality is formulated. 

It may be wishful thinking, but hopes, wishes and positive thoughts could only help when one reality is about a down economy and doom and gloom. – Keep that thought.