Chinese American Service Alliance, Los Angeles

Another summer begins and another year of Youth Olympics! This year we celebrated the 12th annual Youth Olympics with volunteers from APEX (Asian Professional Exchange) and SNAPY (Serve Network for Asian Pacific Youth). The kids this year had fabulous weather in Santa Monica while playing team-building games like volleyball, dodgeball, tug-of-war, and relay races.

Of course, during lunch time (catered by Panda Express), the volunteers and kids were treated to entertainment by local Asian performers. This year shows were put on by Rhythm & Groove (hip-hop dance group), Trin Monster (Asian hip-hop singer), and Q-York Senate (Asian rap group). Great day and great fun! Looking forward to next year!

This year's autumn festival called for CASA members to bring out their cultural side. Members helped out with the arts and crafts booth making origami and fish kites with the little tykes that stopped by. Other members helped out with vendors, among which included Origami magic, Palm Leaf Art, Cookie Lee jewelry, Kimekomi dolls, and Kawasaki Designs. Several dance troupes and Taiko drummers entertained attendees throughout the day. And of course, who could forget the performances by Art Nakane's one man band?

In addition to the festivities, the usual aquarium exhibits were open, most exciting being the "Shark Lagoon"where participants were allowed to touch real live sharks. Fish, food, and fun, who could ask for anything more?