President's Message:

Thanks to those of you who took time out of your busy schedule and joined us at our February events.  We had another successful month with lots of events that kept us busy!

As a picture is worth a thousand words, we've uploaded pictures from our recent events for you to see.  Click on the "View Photos" under each entry on the left and check them out!

This month and the next, we will continue with events to help people to develop professionally, to network, make new friends, bring the community together, and promote and preserve our identity.

Just wanted to remind everyone about the last event in February, which is our Speed Networking Fundraiser. Here are some pictures from TAP's Speed Networking Dinner last year, which was at Blue Dahlia:

RSVP here:

http://tapspeednetworking09.eventbrite.com/

Seats are filling up fast, so secure your seat by pre-paying online.

Send me an email at Ed.Chen@tacl.org to be added to our evite list!  Again – don't forget to join us on Facebook.com and/or LinkedIn.com.

See below for all of our upcoming events and opportunities.

Thank you,

Ed Chen
TAP President

Upcoming Events:

TAP Speed Networking Fundraiser + Dinner
Date: Saturday, February 28, 4:30pm - 8:30pm 
Location: Dullahan's
72 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA
RSVP

Come join your fellow TAP members and friends for an entertaining and structured opportunity to broaden your network base. We are hosting TAP's NETWORKING event on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Dullahan's in Old Town Pasadena! Proceeds will go to the benefit of Youth Leadership Programs.

The event will be structured with an organized rotation where participants engage in 3 minute multiple mini-meetings. However, instead of 1-on-1 conversations, participants will have up to 20 "2-on-2" conversations with other young professionals. Make sure you bring your business cards!

TAP has prepared seed topics and questions in advance to help both spur conversations, and help attendees get to know each other better.

Stay afterward to join us for dinner! Dinner has limited seating,

RSVP for dinner (separate Evite for accurate head count) at this link:

http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/HJUVAZSNZPWMKZZMSNRO/speednetworkingdinner

RSVP for speed networking only at this link:

http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/QQUGMUBERASIOYKZMNBW/speednetworking

Space is limited. Please RSVP to ensure a spot. Prepay for the event at:

http://tapspeednetworking09.eventbrite.com/

Schedule:
4:00 - 4:30PM: Check-In and General Mixing
4:30 - 6:00PM: Speed Networking and Mixing
6:00PM: Dinner (optional)

Cost:
Members: $15
Non-members: $20

Partial proceeds will benefit the Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association (ITASA - http://itasa.org) West Coast Conference at USC!

If you have any questions, contact Pai Hung, Social Projects Chair, or Yvonne Hsu, Vice President.

Please invite your friends!

TAP Professional Series: 2009 Tax Seminar
Date: Sunday, March 1, 2:00PM
Location: Taiwan Center
3001 Walnut Grove Ave.
Rosemead, CA
RSVP

TAP's "Professionals Series" continues this year with our 2009 Tax Seminar presented by Dennis Jao, CPA.

This is an excellent opportunity to cover any last minute tax questions before filing for 2008, including rules and laws which you should be aware and take advantage of, to maximize your deductions, minimize your tax burden, and increase your tax refund. He will also highlight new tax law changes, cover tax audits and how to avoid them, and share interesting tax situations.

Dennis Jao is a certified public accountant with a Masters in Business Administration. He has a BS in Accounting from Cal Poly Pomona, and an MBA from UC Irvine. He has an extensive background in corporate finance, consulting, and holds his own solo CPA practice, specializing in incorporations/LLC formations, accounting, payroll, and tax preparation. He is also a Realtor for Equitable Realty & Mortgage.

Refreshments will be provided.

After the seminar, join us for some afternoon tea/boba, location TBA.

Cost: FREE for members
$5 non-members

Any questions? Contact Professional Programs Chair Kenneth Chiu.

Other Upcoming Events:

TUF Salon - Becoming American - The Taiwanese Experience
Date/Time: March 28th, 2009 1 to 5 pm 
Location: South Bay Cornerstone (TPCSB)
2077 Lomita St.
Lomita, CA

"What does it mean to become American? What is lost or gained, both personally and culturally, when one sheds part of one's heritage to make way for a new identity?"

Following our successful TUF Salon series events: "Publishers & Writers Dialogue" and "Visual Arts & Film", we are pleased to invite you to our 3rd TUF Salon series event: "Becoming American".  The event showcases a panel of one 1st generation and four 2nd generation Taiwanese Americans who will share their professional and personal experiences through wide-ranging chosen career paths and discuss their insights on the above question.  We also have a very special guest speaker, Mr. Gil Tam, who will be speaking on "Asian Americans in Corporate America."  This exciting event will also feature live music, a social mixer and light refreshments.

Our panelists for this event include:

- Mr. Jay Chen - B.A. from Harvard University, Social Studies and Certificate in Latin American Studies; Harvard-Yenching Fellow at Peking University Mr. Chen serves on the Hacienda La Puente school board and Democratic State Central Committee, and was a delegate for Obama to the 2008 Democratic National Convention: www.electjaychen.com

- Ms. Sibyl Chen - B.A. from UC Berkeley, Political Science and English, Oxford University year abroad, M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, specializing in American Foreign Policy Ms. Chen is the author of "Our Treasury, The Shaping of First-Generation Taiwanese Americans" and also wrote and directed the short film "Harvest" in 2008. She works with the Film Finance Group at Creative Artists Agency, one of the top talent agencies in Hollywood.

- Mr. Charles Hsieh -  Airborne School Fort Benning US Army, Combat life Saver Fort Sam Huston US Army, Le Cordon Blue Culinary School Pasadena, UC Davis Design Mr. Hsieh is founder and operator for Pulley's Food cart, supervisor and chef for Cafe Nine , and founder and instructor for Comandante school surfing

- Dr. Chiu-Sen Wang - B.S. in Chemical Engineering from National Taiwan University & PhD from Caltech Dr. Wang taught at Syracuse University from 1969 - 1982, founded the monthly Taiwanese New Society in 1985, and returned to Taiwan in 1991 to teach at National Taiwan University. He is currently emeritus professor of National Taiwan University and chairman of Fengtay Cultural and Educational Foundation. www.mc.ntu.edu.tw/ntuph/faculty/emeritus.htm

- Ms. Erica Tsai Wheeler - B.A. from University of Pennsylvania, Double Major in Economics and International Relations, Minor in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Ms. Tsai Wheeler was formerly a Vice President in Ares Management's private equity group.  She has also worked in private equity and investment banking at the Blackstone Group and Castle Harlan in NYC.

- Special Guest Speaker, Mr. Gil Tam - B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Cal State Long Beach and California Professional Engineering License Mr. Tam is a retired executive from SoCal Edison and is currently a Principal Consultant for Electric Power Group in Pasadena.  He is a volunteer mentor and Director for the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA), a non-profit mentoring organization that strives to inspire, develop and promote Asian Americans to maximize and achieve their career and leadership potential in corporate America.  Mr. Tam has been providing career mentoring and coaching to young Asian American professionals as well as high school and college students for over ten years.

Date / Time: March 28th, 2009, 1 to 5 pm

Produced by ABT&T productions, a TUF ad hoc committee. TUF Salon is sponsored by www.tufusa.org, aiming at networking Taiwanese Americans as well as friends of Taiwan in the Los Angeles vicinity through Arts & Culture.

Questions?  E-mail TAP Community Development Chair Tracy Huang.

Indulge your senses in a unique experience featuring some of the most exclusive spas and beauty salons in Los Angeles, sample delicious sweets and eats, sip drinks, enjoy time with your girlfriends and much more -- all in one swanky spot!

BEAUTY & RELAXATION: Enjoy mini services -- massages, manicures, facials, lash extensions, hair styling and cuts -- from the best spas and beauty salons in Los Angeles.

FABULOUS FINDS BOUTIQUE BAZAAR:  Discover new beauty products and browse jewelry, handbags and clothing from local designers.
SOCIALIZING: Lounge with your friends in private cabanas or meet and mingle with other dynamic women.  

INSPIRATION: Attend the Fabulous Female Awards, a ceremony that recognizes exceptional women who exemplify excellence, inspire others and are passionately committed to making a difference within the businesses and communities they serve.
SWAG BAG:  Make off like a celebrity!  Pick up a bag filled with goodies from OPI, Murad, Foot Petals, Philosophy and many others. 

DELECTABLE FOOD & DRINK: Sip free flowing drinks, taste culinary spa bites and sample delicious desserts. 

WORTHY CAUSE:  Ten percent of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Step Up Women's Network, a national network of women dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls.

Tickets are selling quickly! Buy Tickets now at www.PamperMeFabulous.com.

TAP members receive a 10% discount!!! For the 10% discount:  enter "TAP"  at checkout.

Choose a session ...

Need a boost to your morning? Buy ticket for the morning session 9 a.m.– 1 p.m.
(Fabulous Female Awards will be held at noon during morning session only)

Does a nice wind-down sound better? Buy ticket for the afternoon session 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

See you there!