Articles

[Anonymous]

Nguyen, Daisy. "Feng Shui with Your Burgers." Daily Breeze [Torrance] 25 Feb. 2008: A6.

This article is about a McDonald’s fast food restaurant in Hacienda Heights. The newly remodeled McDonald’s hired interior designers to use practices of feng shui to redesign and decorate the interior space. Designers removed the plastic chairs and brought in leather seats, bamboo plants, and water trickling down glass pains. Some diners interviewed liked the Asian influences because the population of the area is gaining a higher density of Asian people. Others who did not recognize the feng shui elements thought it was because there is a Buddhist temple nearby. Overall, customers like the relaxing and clean environment inside the McDonald’s. The remodel strategy is effective because food sales are up and the standard McDonald’s menu offerings have not changed.

[Anonymous]

"Baseball Making Strides in Beijing." Daily Breeze [Torrance] 17 Mar. 2008: B10.

This article is about American Major League Baseball (MLB) playing an exhibition baseball game in Beijing, China. The Los Angeles Dodgers played against the San Diego Padres. The two West Coast MLB teams traveled to Beijing to play a series of three games in a newly built stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The article describes some of the players’ experiences tasting the local cuisine. Some players tried new foods and told of their experiences eating snake, sea horses, and other local foods. The atmosphere was very similar to an American Baseball Stadium. There were some cultural differences, such as the crowd unknowingly stayed seated during the 7th inning stretch while “Take me out to the ballgame” played. It is unfortunate that the stadium is temporary and will be torn down after the Beijing Olympics with plans of a shopping mall and housing development to replace the structure.

[Anonymous]

Wilson, Stephen. "Olympics Boss: Games in 'Crisis.'" Daily Breeze [Torrance] 11 Apr. 2008: A9.

This article is about the comments from the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge. He commented on the protests and unrest that has accompanied the Olympic torch as it traveled through the countries on its way to Beijing. People from around the world are protesting the Olympic torch because of the host's countries government policies and human rights violations. Rogge wanted to assure the athletes that the IOC would protect their rights of free speech at the Olympic Games. This is not the first Olympic Games that have had international protests or unrest, but the Games have not had this much turmoil since the early 1980's. The IOC had contemplated cutting down on the number of countries the torch would visit. It was decided, in disregard to the protests so far, that the original route would be kept. However, local authorities would remain in control of the security as they best deemed.

[Anonymous]

Wade, Stephen. "Beijing Not All Fun and Games." Daily Breeze [Torrance] 30 Apr. 2008: B6.

This article is about the Beijing Olympics trying to overcome the chaotic political climate that have enveloped the atmosphere of the Olympics. Although the Chinese government has spent billions of dollars on building new sports venues, improving infrastructure, and developing their cities, the Chinese government is combating a major international political relations and public opinion problem. The international community views the Communist Chinese government negatively because of their freedom restricting policies and human rights violations. The Chinese people and government are fighting a propaganda war against the Western World and the Western Media. The Chinese government has spent unprecedented amounts of money preparing for the World stage to demonstrate the Communist countries political and economic power. The government is shutting down its industrial industries and halting construction to combat the air pollution problem that is a major concern of the athletes since the announcement of the Olympics in Beijing.

[Anonymous]

Jones, T. Foster. "Costco Grows in Asia." The Costco Connection 23.3 (Mar. 2008): 59.

Each month Costco members receive a monthly magazine titled, The Costco Connection. This publication not only includes the newest items available either online or in the warehouse, but also news from the warehouse. The March 2008 issue contains a brief article about Costco’s expansion in Asia. Costco opened its fifth, sixth, and seventh warehouses in Taichung, Taiwan; Ilsan, South Korea; and Sapporo, Japan, on November 7, 2007, and January 24, and 25, 2008. A ceremony and ritual occurred at the grand opening of each new warehouse. Approximately 25,000 prospective members crowded into the five-story Ilsan store, as well as the Taichung and Sapporo stores.

[Anonymous]

Hanson, Kristopher. "Exports Booming." Daily Breeze [Torrance] 27 Jan. 2008: B12+.

This article is about the strength of the American exports due to the weaker U.S. dollar. Products made in the United States are bought overseas because the value of the U.S. dollar has declined in recent years on the global marker. This translates into more sales of products for American companies because their products do not cost as much in overseas markets. The lowered value U.S. dollar helped many companies make profits and keep employees working. Southern California is the nation’s largest manufacturing base and international gateway for the California multibillion-dollar agriculture industry. Agricultural exports continue to rise dramatically year after year. Textile exports have also risen as more designer clothes are exported to European markets. More fashion trendy Europeans purchase the less expensive American exports which increase American companies profits.

Top export markets for U.S. goods (through October 2007)
Canada: $206.6 billion
Mexico: $114.2 billion
China: $52.5 billion
Japan: $52.2 billion

[Anonymous]

Crutsinger, Martin. "Trade Deficit Drops." Daily Breeze [Torrance] 15 Feb. 2008: B2.

This article is about the trade deficit between the United States and China. There is a trade deficit because the United States imports more Chinese goods and products than it exports to China. One reason for this is the less expensive cost for products made in China and shipped to the United States. However, the article expands on the decline of the trade deficit in the year 2007. The trade deficit gap between the two countries has increases in favor of China over the past five consecutive years. One explanation of consumers buying less Chinese goods and products is because of the large number of high profile products recalled for consumer health and safety reasons. Products ranging from children’s toys, toothpaste, pet food, and medication made in China all were unfit for American consumers. Another reason for the drop in the deficit is the decline of the U.S. dollar. This devalues American goods and products and makes them cheaper in overseas markets.

[Anonymous]

Simons, Craig. "Making Dough in China." Daily Breeze [Torrance] 17 Feb. 2008: F1.

This article is about an American business owner in China. Olav Bauer is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of 24, he owns 6 restaurants in China. While in high school studying abroad in Beijing, China, he could not find an American style pizzeria. He decided to capitalize on the void in the marketplace. He is a very successful business owner who fills his pizzerias nightly with Chinese customers, as well as foreigners living in China. He decided upon opening his businesses in China because the startup costs were much less than in the United States. As a foreigner in China, he faces many problems. There are many government restrictions and the laws are not very clear like in America. He had to bring on a Chinese partner to help him navigate through the rules and regulations of the government. Many foreign investors face the same challenges as Bauer. Despite the challenges, he plans to open more restaurants in China and capitalize on the marketplace.

[Anonymous]

Carpenter, Dave Earl. "LAUSD Teacher Chosen as Olympic Torchbearer." California Educator 12.7 (Apr. 2008): 28+.

This is an interview with Eric Burke, by the California Educator magazine. Burke is a teacher at Luther Burbank Middle School in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He was interviewed because he was an Olympic torchbearer in San Francisco for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was chosen to be a torchbearer because his wife, Stefani, entered him into a contest. The contest sponsored by NBC and Coca-Cola wanted to find "ambassadors of active living" who help inspire others to be physically active. Throughout his career as a teacher, Burke worked with inner city students and lead programs that helped students achieve physical accomplishments. At his current location, he helps middle school students train and run in the Los Angeles Marathon. Burke conveyed his enthusiasm for his participation as a torchbearer. He recalled the protestors and how water balloons were thrown in his direction while he was running with the Olympic torch. The protests did not dampen his spirits because he feels people have the right to protest with free speech.

[Anonymous]

This is an Asia newspaper from PV library. There is an article the title Impressions of Burgeoning China by Whitney Skaia. Mr. Skaia went with the Asia Desk at San Diego World Trade Center’s trade mission to China. He was amazed by the architect and enjoyed shopping in Shanghai. In his article he mentioned about Mr. Liu Jin Ping of the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board. Mr. Liu told them the new directions for the Chinese economic are the expenditures on imports and an expansion into investments abroad. This is free newspaper, so if you want to let students learn some business in Asia you can get from the library. The newspaper includes many articles like the community, Art, entertainment, and etc.

[Anonymous]

I found this funny little excerpt in the New York Times Upfront magazine that shows a young Japanese woman's invention. I've attached the excerpt. She created a skirt that transforms into a blanket sort of thing that looks like a vending machine. It's meant for hiding, if a woman is alone and being pursued. The picture is really interesting. It might be a good discussion topic in class when discussing inventions. It might be interesting to ask students to come up with a creative solution to a common question.

[Anonymous]

In one New York Times Upfront magazine introductory section excerpt, the magazine focuses on a trend in Japan in which mostly women have written novels as a series of text messages. The article features one author whose popular text novel was later published in print. The merging of technology that students use so often and literature seems like an interesting discussion topic. Students might be asked to consider the difficulty involved in such a task or whether they would read that kind of novel. I've attached the excerpt article, if anyone wants to use it.

[Anonymous]

I read the Los Angeles Times article titled, "China battles deadly EV-71 Virus" in the World section on 5/8. I had heard of the virus breaking out and wondered if it might affect the Olympics. They mention that a few kindergardens were shut down as a precaution in Beijing. The virus mostly spreads among very young children (below 5) and is a strain of the hand, foot, and mouth virus. I know of outbreaks of this virus in southern California. I wonder if this is simply a very harsh strain or if treatment is different because I do not know of deaths occurring among the people I knew to have the virus here. The article states that the virus was so deadly because of late reporting and treating.

Here's the web address of the article: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-china8-2008may08,0,1518960.story

[Anonymous]

An article from a recent Los Angeles Times called "Photo stirs anger, proves illusory" is very interesting. Basically, a photo was being used as proof that Chinese police dressed as monks and staged Tibet riots was actually a photo from the movie shoot for the film, "The Touch." It's interesting how the photo was spread like a rumor, carrying the wrong information along with it. I wonder if the correction will be spread as quickly. The article goes through the spreading and correcting of the misconception.

[Anonymous]

At Time.com, two interesting articles on North Korea: North Korea Turns Over Nuclear Documents and The Great North Korean Famine. North Korea had a horrendous few years of starving its own people in the 1990's. Apparently, they're posed to do it again. In trade for pounds of grain, the US has asked for any nuclear documents. Today, they have turned them over. The fear was that Kim Jong Il would allow his people to die in order to keep his nuclear documents under lock an key. Thankfully, he has chosen the alternative, though there is speculation that not all of the documents are there.

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