12th Annual Camp Len Duong - 2009

REGISTER NOW!

Register is OPEN now with limited space. First come, first served basis. Please register today!
Click HERE to register.Check out our Scholarships as well!


Press Release
The Vietnamese Culture & Science Association cordially invites Vietnamese-American/Canadian youths 18 years or older to the Twelfth Annual Youth Leadership Development Camp, Len Duong 2009. Embark on this short, but unforgettable journey, during the Independence Day weekend (July 3 to July 6). If you are or aspire to be a community activist or leader Camp Len Duong is for you. Camp Len Duong has been the place to be for over 2,700 Vietnamese-American students and professionals during the past eleven years. Interested attendees are highly encouraged to register early. Space is limited and Camp Len Duong has consistently received more registrations than available space. Other reasons to attend Camp Len Duong:
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM BUILDING FUN and FRIENDSHIP CULTURE AWARENESS VOLUNTEERISM and SERVICE

Testimonials:"I have been trying to describe what the Len Duong experience was like and have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to describe it fully with words. It has been said that during the year if you have not laughed from the bottom of your belly or cried from you heart, then you have not lived that year. I think at Len Duong...many of us have more than enough to live for many years to come as our hearts and minds were opened and lifted." --- Luu Duc Cuong, Toronto, Canada

"Never have I found a weekend as fun, as stimulating, or as rewarding as the weekend I spent at Camp Len Duong...I had many doubts about coming...because my Vietnamese isn't fluent, my opinions are often considered radical by my more conservative Vietnamese friends...But when the time came to say goodbye to my fellow campers, I resisted the idea of leaving." --- Katherine Vu, Houston "...

The experience was truly inexplicable...I managed only to exclaim, "Awesome!" Awesome is an understatement...I had expected Len Duong...to be just another summer camp, where friends are made and games played in an effort to "de-stress" from the everyday hectic environment. But was I wrong! Len Duong...was a learning experience, beyond all my expectations..." --

Tom Nguyen, Houston "Len Duong camp...was the best present I have ever [gave] myself...there wasn't a dull moment..." (Lan Anh Le, Orlando, Florida)

"Len Duong truly is more than just any camp; it is one with a heart. What I discovered at Len Duong I cannot simply describe in words, for it is a feeling you have to experience to understand..." (Ann Vo, Toronto, Canada)

"I will always treasure 4 days at Camp Len Duong. It was probably one gift among the best gifts I received in my life. Camp Len Duong gave me the opportunity to become a much better leader, the opportunity to interact and observe other leaders." (Chu Ngoc Lan Anh, Ottawa, Canada)

"... At Len Duong Camp...I learned many things which benefited both my professional and my personal life. Not only did it allow me to have a chance to meet other Vietnamese youth with such energy and vibrancy, but it also inspired me to be a positive..." (Pham Oanh, Oklahoma)


"... I was overwhelmed by all the love that I was surrounded by...because in their eyes, I was a brother, a Vietnamese brother...it opened my heart and touched my soul. My Len Duong experience helped me find out who I am...I loved every moment of it. I cried on the plane ride back to New York." (Pham Minh Bao, New York)

JOIN US!!! CAMP LEN DUONG 2009 Youth Leadership Development Camp

Time and Date:

6:00 pm July 3, 2009 - 2:00 pm July 6, 2009

Location: Crieff Hills Conference Center - Puslinch, Ontario, Canada


For complete information about Camp Len Duong 2009, including pictures from previous years, special speakers, directions, fee schedule, and online registration, please visit VCSA's website at http://www.vcsa.org or http://www.lenduongcamp.info Online registration is available now at http://www.vcsa.org click on Len Duong camp.

Len Duong 2009 camp was sponsored byBank of America,CenterPoint Energy, Shell Oil Company,Texas Instruments,Thoi Bao Magazine,WinMagic, Saigon Houston Radio, Little Saigon Radio, Farmer Insurance, Chevron, TME, Ameresco Canada, Greatland Investment, Saigon Tex-News Len Duong 2009 is hosted by VCSA-Toronto chapter and with the following partnered organizations Vietnamese Association of Toronto, Canada (www.vat.org)

Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (www.leap.org)

Len Duong'09 VCSA SCHOLARSHIPS

Supported by Le Hoang Nguyen, Manh Xuan Thai, Dr. Rick Ngo, Dr. Hai Ho, Saigon Houston Radio 900AM and Greatland Investment Scholarship Foundation I.

Goal: To promote participation of Vietnamese-American/Canadian students in volunteerism in the Vietnamese community in the local city, VCSA will award eight (8) $500.00 scholarships to outstanding young community activists who want to attend camp Len Duong 2009 and need financial help.II. Requirements:1. Applicants can be college students or senior in high school whose GPA is 3.00 or above on the 4-point scale. 2. Applicant must be active in a Vietnamese community organization or Vietnamese Student Association3. Submit an application (download form HERE). 4. Submit an essay about the topic "What Vietnam means to you? Why are you active with the Vietnamese community and what is your plan to contribute to Vietnam in the future?"5. Submit a personal resume showing leadership ability and current active involvement with the community. 6. Scholarship fund will be awarded to the applicant at camp Len Duong 2009.

Please submit the essay, personal resume, Len Duong camp expectation statement to camp@vcsa.org or vcsa@vcsa.org or send the hard copies to VCSA Len Duong scholarship - 4615 Belle Park Dr. Houston, TX 77072 Attn.

LD scholarship committeeNO LATER THAN May 4th, 2009For more information please contactVietnamese Culture & Science Association(281) 933-8118vcsa@vcsa.org or camp@vcsa.org

Missing Child Notification

Missing Child: Anh Tran AKA Tram-Anh, Annie
Date Missing: 03/31/2009
Missing From: San Jose, CA
DOB: 06/15/1991Age at
Disappearance: 17 years oldSex:
FemaleRace:
VietnameseHeight: 5'1"
Weight: 130 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Circumstances: Anh was last seen at her home in San Jose, California on March 31, 2009. She may be in the company of an adult male. Anh has not been seen or heard from since her disappearance.

If you have information concerning this case, please contact:The San Jose Police Department (408) 277-4141

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Anh Tran
Polly Klaas Foundation - List of Missing Children & flyer: Anh Tran

Her loving family is praying for her safe return. Thank you.

Mining Exploration in Vietnam: China's New Strategy of Expansionism

New America Media, Commentary, Thi Lam, Posted: Apr 10, 2009



Not content with leaving its imprint in the Parcel Islands, Vietnam's northern provinces and the Spratly Islands, China is now resorting to mineral exploration in the country itself as a new strategy in its relentless expansionism.

In November 2007, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung reportedly approved China's large-scale project to mine aluminum ore, or bauxite, in the Central Highlands in exchange for financial aid. The decision of the communist party triggered a torrent of criticisms and objections from scientists, intellectuals, military and religious leaders. The project's opponents voiced deep concerns about the disastrous effects of the mining on the environment, the uprooting of local ethnic Montagnards and, more importantly, the de facto Chinese occupation of the strategic Central Highlands.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, North Vietnam's famed war hero, asked that the aluminum ore mining plan be postponed until international scientists had a chance to study its impacts on the environment.

Venerable Thich Quang Do, head of the banned United Buddhist Church of Vietnam, called for a month of “peaceful demonstration at home” to protest against the Chinese bauxite exploration plan. In a statement, he said the project “will destroy the forests of the Central Highlands, pollute the basalt-rich red soils, increase the risk of prolonged periods of drought or flooding, and seriously contaminate water supplies, thus directly threatening the economic development of the southern region of Central Vietnam.”

Despite the outcry, mining operations by China's Chalco Group began in 2008. According to the Mineral Information Institute, bauxite is first processed aluminum oxide, which is then refined into aluminum by energy-intensive electrolysis. Vietnam's aluminum ore reserve - an estimated 7.5 billion tons -- is potentially worth $700 billion (USD).

According to Nguyen Thuy Trang, a United Nations official in charge of a program to protect the environment in Africa, bauxite conversion into aluminum oxide generates two toxic chemicals known as “red dust” and “red mud.” Red dust inflames the lungs and can cause cancer of the respiratory system. Red mud, an iron-rich residue, can cause harm to the reproductive system and birth defects. It is estimated that the production of one ton of aluminum requires four tons of bauxite and releases three tons of carcinogenic red mud. In the long run, toxic chemicals would foul waterways in the Central Highlands and damage the flatland ecology of the Mekong Delta.

Moreover, the destruction of forests and cropland to make room for the mining operations and the establishment of camps and villages for the Chinese workers would displace indigenous tribes, leading to the irreparable loss of their culture and way of life. The presence of Chinese workers and soldiers in the strategic Central Highlands constitutes a serious threat to Vietnam's national security, critics say. “We know that China has established a strong naval base in Hai Nam,” wrote Gen. Nguyen Tan Vinh, former Vietnam ambassador to Beijing, in a letter to members of the Vietnamese politburo. “Now, we let China exploit bauxite in the Central Highlands, and there will be from 7,000 to 10,000 Chinese workers or soldiers who will be stationed and work there; a Chinese town, a military base will take shape in our crucial strategic area. In the north of our country there is a strong naval base, in our west there is a fully equipped army base, thus what will happen to the independence, sovereignty for which we have traded millions of lives and a lot of bones and blood?” Vietnamese military leaders have every reason to be concerned. The Central Highlands is geographically important. It is a natural gateway that would allow Chinese forces, using a large pincher movement, to cut the country in half or to threaten the southern part of the country. In 1975, former President Nguyen Van Thieu's unfortunate decision to abandon Pleiku and Kontum in the Central Highlands allowed North Vietnamese generals to execute deep envelopments in the South, resulting in the quick collapse of ARVN forces.

Aluminum is used in building construction, packaging and car manufacturing - industries hard hit in the current economic slump. According to news reports, China's Chalco Group, which is mining bauxite in Vietnam, reported heavy losses in 2008. The company said the losses were due to earthquakes and snowstorms in China, the global economic crisis, and a drop in prices for metallic products in the global market. The company said it expects more losses in 2009. Beijing does not appear to be dissuaded by financial setbacks in its mineral exploration, however, as bauxite mining may be, after all, simply a cover for a larger sinister scheme.


Born in the Mekong Delta in 1932 to a wealthy land-owning family, Thi Quang Lam spent 25 years in the army and rose to the rank of lieutenant general by the time the Vietnam war ended. In Vietnam, he obtained a French baccalaureate in French philosophy and later, in the United States, an MBA. During his military service, he was awarded the Vietnamese National Order, The U.S. Legion of Merit and the Korean Order of Chung Mu. He is the author of The Twenty-Five Year Century: A South Vietnamese General Remembers the Indochina War to the Fall of Saigon.

VIA PROGRAM DIRECTOR

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: STANFORD PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

Stanford Programs is a division of VIA (formerly Volunteers in Asia), an independent, non-profit, educational exchange organization that provides US-Asia public service and educational exchange opportunities.

For 45 years, VIA has sent young American volunteers to work within Asian institutions. VIA's Stanford Programs evolved from VIA's growing connection with Asian institutions and for over 30 years has served as the mirror image of the volunteer program by providing in-depth, personal, and provocative cross-cultural experiences for Asians.

The Stanford Programs division develops and coordinates short-term, focused, cross-cultural study programs for students of Asia's top universities. These programs focus on specific themes such as health care, poverty & homelessness or volunteerism and also expose students to the diversity of the American society. In 2008, over 200 students from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China participated in five short-term programs. VIA's summer programs are multi-national while spring programs are currently focused on students from Japan.

VIA has offices at Stanford University and in San Francisco and the Stanford Programs Director will split time between these offices.Major Responsibilities of the Program Director• Design, plan and lead 2 programs (American Language & Culture Program and Exploring Health Care Program) per year• Create and manage program budgets • Act as liaison with various Stanford University departments and offices• Arrange transportation, lodging, meals, and other logistics for programs• Develop marketing campaign for programs, including production of brochures, flyers, and advertisements• Recruit, manage, and train Stanford student program coordinators in cross-cultural, leadership, and organizational skills• Travel to Asia to recruit participants and meet with partner institutions• Initiate and develop programs with Asian institutions, Asian university faculty, and participants• Participate in VIA-wide meetings, strategic planning, and trainingsQualifications• Commitment to cross-cultural education and public service; teaching experience highly regarded• Sensitivity to Asian culture and communication style; language ability a plus• Experience in Asia, especially Taiwan, Japan, Korea, or China• Demonstrated leadership ability, attention to detail, experience with budgets, strong organizational skills, dedication and ability to work evenings/weekends during programs• Program expertise highly regarded, i.e., knowledge and interest in issues surrounding health care, volunteerism; service-learning; curriculum development• Native speaker level English skills, including effective written and verbal communication skills• Desire and ability to work in a small, consensus-based organization• Familiarity with the San Francisco Bay Area preferred• Knowledge of computers (Microsoft Office, Joomla, Salesforce, and graphic design)• Willingness to obtain Class B Commercial Driver's license (for 15-passenger vans)•

Willingness to make a three to four-year commitment to working at VIA Salary/Benefits• Starting salary of $37,983 with annual increases based on length of service and cost of living adjustments• Full health, dental and vision insurance for employee and spouse/domestic partner and dependents • Disability insurance for the employee only• A 403(b) plan•

Full-time, exempt position with approximately 5 weeks of paid vacation, plus 2 weeks of office closure• Limited access to Stanford University libraries, athletic facilities, and other facilitiesTo ApplyPlease send the following:• Resume and cover letter• Three references (please state nature of your relationship and attach complete contact information)•

Program Proposal:You are interested in developing a new multi-national program focusing on health care issues. Write a two-page brief to be submitted as a "letter of inquiry" to a foundation. In your proposal, explain the goals and objectives, target population, the structure of program, study themes and activities to be implemented. You may include any other information you consider important.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2009

Interviews to be arranged in mid to late April, 2009. Expected Start Date: mid to late May, 2009For more information or to submit an application, please contact:Kazutoh Ishida, Senior Stanford Programs Director,VIA, P.O. Box 20266, Stanford, CA 94309Tel 650-723-3229Fax 650-725-1805Email kazutoh@viaprograms.orgWeb http://www.viaprograms.org--


Lillian Forsyth

Vietnam Program Director
VIA-Volunteers in Asia
965 Mission Street, Ste 751
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: 415-904-8033
Fax: 415-618-0509

SCAM ARTIST AND LOAN MODIFICATION

SCAM ARTISTS USING FORGED LETTERHEAD TO CON CALIFORNIANS

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. is warning consumers that scam artists are using the forged letterhead of major lenders to con worried Californians into paying thousands of dollars for non-existent loan modification services."Californians should be deeply skeptical of anyone who demands money up front and makes extravagant promises that they can save their home," Brown said.

Steps consumers can take to protect themselves from loan modification fraud are available at http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1697&.

Complaints may be filed with the Attorney General's Office at:

Office of the Attorney General - Public Inquiry Unit, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244,

or online at http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general.php.

Stock Market Bottom Out and Opportunity Abound

Last week, LSI sat down with some of the small to medium size VC firms in the Bay Area to measure the investment beat. These are the firms that managed to raise funds before the market crash last fall so they are still looking for opportunities since everything is on the cheap. With deflated valuation and and a very dead equity market , the firms are looking very very hard to find value. If LSI is holding to the kind of money that they have, LSI would invest in stock market for there are many solid and yet undervalued companies in the market.

Being a professional in the industry and had experienced the ups and downs of the market before returning to a private life, LSI thinks that these are the best of times as well as the worst of times. And the shrewd investors like Warren Buffet will make his billions more by the time the market crisis is over.

As a disclosure so to not violate any SEC regulations (and as if people care), LSI is no longer a stock broker or financial analyst. Nevertheless, LSI's relative is a head of a boutique hedge fund with real returns. Last year, he managed to neither gain nor loss any money. And that is how a real hedge fund should be if they practice the fundamental of managing risk. Of course, if one is Bernie Madoff then in this market, he still would make at least 10% for his investors who are at the top of the Ponzi pyramid.

With the Viet politics both in Southern and Northern California taking a break until the fall, LSI will try to entertain the readers with LSI's own stock portfolio. Unlike Warren Buffet, LSI does not believe in holding a position for 10 years or more. So here are the 18 stocks LSI bought within the last 3 months, most with exceptional dividends (some from 7% to 8%):

Energy and Commodity Porfolio

1. Apache (bought at $60). Currently at $60.94
2. Helix (bought at $4.25). Currently at $4.46
3. Monsanto (bought at $80). Currently at $79.11
4. Mosaic (bought at $35). Currently at 42.08
5. Conoco Phillips ($36). Currently at $36.41
6. Anadarko (bought at $34). Currently at $36.38


Biotech & Pharma

1. Life Technology (bought at $28). Currently at 29.38
2. Sigma Aldrich (bought at $40). Currently at $34.60
3. Glaxo Wellcome (bought $35). Currently at $29.12
4. Astra Zeneca (bought $37). Currently at $33
5. Pfizer (bought $15). Currently at $14.54
6. Elan (bought $7). Currently at $5.35
7. United Healthcare (bought at $20). Currently at 21.36

Infrastructure

1. Fluor (bought at $39). Currently at $39.85
2. KBR (bought at $14). Currently at $14.23
3. GE (bought at $7). Currently at $9.62
4. OFC (bought at $25). Currently at $23.70
5. VNQ (bought at $23). Currently at $25.81


LSI cannot predict the short term future but these are stocks that LSI would go to bed safely know that they would not go away at least in 2009. One cannot go wrong in healthcare no matter. Also with a bulk of the stimulus package going to infrastructure, these are profitable companies that will further benefit despite economic hardship. The goal is to make 30% return by year end

Joseph Cao: " I think race might be the issue.."

In facing a recall attempt by the African American community in his New Orleans district, Congressman Joseph Cao stated in the an interview with the local ABC affiliate that race may play the role in the recent recall attempt. A Republican freshman congressman in a district where 65% are African Americans and 85% are Democrats, Joseph Cao is facing a recall effort initiated by two African American ministers for failing to vote for the stimulus package.

The recall effort is deemed to be unconstitutional by the state attorney general and now is being challenged in federal court.

Cao is facing a tough race in 2010 and the odds are against him to win his seat.