KAPS News, Sept 16th

Welcome to the September 16th, 2009 edition of the KAPS Newsletter.

In this issue:
*BAKAs Wine Tasting Event: This Friday!
*Recap: Labor Day BBQ
*Volunteer with KAPS for Chusok at the Korean Center
*Koreatown Northgate Culture Festival

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BAKAS WINE TASTING EVENT: THIS FRIDAY

Ready for the biggest and best Korean American event of the year? Well you don't have to wait long, because the 6th Annual BAKAs Wine Tasting Event is Friday!

BAKAs 2009 is hosted by KAPS in conjunction with Korean American Bar Association (KABA), Korea Information Technology Network (KIN), Korean American Chambers of Commerce of the North Pacific Coast and Silicon Valley (KACC-NPC and KACC-SV) and Korean American Society of Entrepreneurs (KASE) and is FREE for all current paid KAPS members.

When: Friday, September 18th at 6:30 pm
Where: Golden Gate Room, Fort Mason, San Francisco
Dress: Business Casual
Admission: $10 for Public, FREE for KAPS Members (includes wine and light refreshments)

Not a member yet? Register at http://www.kaps.org/membership09
Unsure of your membership status? Contact KAPS President Jean Park at jean@kaps.org.

This is a great event to try some great wine, network with other Korean American professionals and learn about various professional and civic Korean American and Asian American organizations. And for the first time, you can purchase wines on-site to share with your family and friends.

You can RSVP now via Facebook by visiting http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111943482685
To view pictures from last year's BAKAs wine tasting, please visit http://www.kaps.org/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=2032

Also, your BAKAs hosts need assistance with picking up food, setting up tables, registering guests, clean-up, etc. Please contact KAPS Vice President, Andrew Ko at andrew@kaps.org if you or someone you know can help volunteer. It's a great way to be a part of a great night!

This is going to be the best BAKAs event yet, so make sure you attend! And make sure you sign up for KAPS membership so you can attend for FREE!

RECAP: LABOR DAY BBQ

I hope everyone enjoyed the Labor Day BBQ. We had a great turnout with lots of new people as well as familiar faces showing up and enjoying themselves. As your friendly neighborhood Social Chair, I have heard your feedback and I will work my hardest to make sure the next BBQ exceeds expectations and surprises everyone in the future! Special thanks to everyone for being patient regarding some of the food.

Thanks,
Jinuk Shin
KAPS Social Chair

To view pictures from the event, please click here.

VOLUNTEER WITH KAPS FOR CHUSOK AT THE KOREAN CENTER

KAPS is excited to assist the Korean Center, Inc. (www.koreannet.org) with this year's Chusok Open House Night on Friday, September 25, 2009 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. The Korean Center (1362 Post St, corner of Gough) currently is the only comprehensive social service agency in San Francisco dedicated to serving the Korean American community.

Please join KAPS as we give back to Koreans and Korean Americans in our community by assisting the Korean Center. We will be needing several volunteers to help staff various activity rooms for families with children, including:

Yut-nori competition
Korean calligraphy
Artisanale kimchi sampling
Jaegi tournament
Korean bingo night
Karaoke room
Korean calligraphy
Homemade songpyun (rice cakes)

As an added bonus, there will be TONS of traditional Korean feast-style food in the patio area. You should wear your KAPS t-shirt or dress in your best hanbok for the costume contest.

This event promises to be a fun celebration and a great way to provide service to your community. Please contact KAPS Community Service Chair, Christine Shin at christine@kaps.org to RSVP or with any questions. See you there!

Click here to view the flyer!

KOREATOWN NORTHGATE CULTURE FESTIVAL

On Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11:30 AM-6:30 PM, the first annual KoreaTown-Northgate Festival will showcase the diverse cultures and business opportunities in Oakland's Koreatown-Northgate District. A multicultural BBQ contest will also be part of the fun!

CultureFest will be held on Telegraph Ave between 24th & 27th Streets in Oakland as it aims to create an awareness of the KoreaTown-Northgate District as a Bay Area destination in Oakland, CA and promote commerce in the area.

Special features include:
- Food Court and BBQ Contest with Celebrity Judges and Audience Participation
- Artists' Alley
- Children's Area
- Health Haven
- Going Green Corridor
- Beverage Garden
- 2 Stages of Entertainment (Main Stage and Community Stage)
- Vendor/Sponsor Spaces and Booths

For more information, please visit www.koreatownnorthgate.org.

INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED IN KAPS?

KAPS is always on the lookout for people interested in getting the most out of their KAPS experience. We are looking for volunteers to plan social events, coordinate community service events, serve as guest speakers, monitor the website, and improve the overall KAPS member experience. We are also looking for contributors to our newsletters and website, in the form of job postings, professional advice, and relevant news.

If you are interested in becoming an officer, contributing to newsletters, or assisting with an event, please contact andrew@kaps.org.

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The Korean American Professional Society (KAPS) is a nonprofit organization that is devoted to the professional and social development of Korean Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We provide a forum for networking, community service, and political involvement.

To learn more about KAPS, our members, and our events, or to join the KAPS community, please visit our website at www.kaps.org