October 2007 Newsletter

As the beautiful summer in Washington, D.C. comes to yet yanother close, there's many things to look forward to in the coming months - for example...numerous, fun-filled NAAAP-DC events! As we continue to grow and become the preminent APA professional organization in the DC area, we count on you, our membership base, to support our organization and attend the many events that we put on each month. Come support NAAAP-DC today! Spread the word.

We recently created a 'group' within the social networking website, Facebook. Check us out at http://gwu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7123582675. Make sure you sign into Facebook first.

Now, what would October be, without a few upcoming NAAAP-DC events?

Screening of "DARK MATTER"
October 4, 2007, Thurs 7 p.m. @ Landmark E St. Cinema

NAAAP-DC is the supporting community sponsor of the Oct. 4 screening at Landmark E St. Cinema of: DARK MATTER, directed by Chen Shi-Zheng. In his bold, chilling feature film debut, Chinese opera director Chen Shi-zheng examines the bitter politics of academia and the clashing of disparate cultures.

Liu Ye (CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER) plays Liu Xing, a modest but brilliant graduate student from Beijing who comes to an American university to study the origins of the universe under famed cosmologist Jacob Reiser (Aidan Quinn). Recognizing the student's enormous talent, Reiser turns Liu Xing into his protege, bringing him to prestigious academic conferences and inviting him to department gatherings outside the classroom. As a foreigner in a new environment, Liu Xing is acclimated into American culture by the kind and well-meaning Joanna Silver, a wealthy university patron played by Meryl Streep, and an American waitress at a nearby cafe, with whom he strikes up a casual flirtation. During his tireless research on dark matter, the unseen substance that shapes the universe, Liu Xing stumbles across findings that threaten Reiser's established model. Against his professor's stern warnings, and blinded by his own ambitions, he publishes his sweeping dissertation, only to have it ultimately rejected. With a jobless, bleak future ahead of him, on top of the impending shame of his family back in China, he resorts to one final, cataclysmic act.

Based loosely on true events that occurred at the University of Iowa in 1991, DARK MATTER won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize for best film relating to science or technology at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

For more info and to purchase tickets: http://www.apafilm.org/2007/program_details.php?id=18

ALSO THERE ARE CLOSING WEEKEND PARTIES AT CAFE JAPONE, INDEBLEU and ULTRABAR - CHECK THEM OUT AT http://www.apafilm.org/2007/events.php

Final Tennis Outing of the Season with Lessons
October 7, 2007 Sun 2 p.m. - Oakton High School

Come on out and meet other avid tennis players for some fun rallying, friendly competition, socializing and tennis lessons provided by Jacky Cheong. Jacky is a USPTA Coach with over 12 years playing experience and a USTA ranked tournament player in the Mid-Atlantic. He has been teaching beginners and experienced players alike for over 9 seasons.

Please contact Jacky at datennis@gmail.com to schedule private/group lessons. Mention NAAAP.org in the email and you will receive 10% off his normal rate.

Jacky can also help you pick out the right racket. Demo rackets available on the day of this event for you to test out. Participating students will also receive bargain discounts on tennis apparel, shoes and equipment. Please bring a can of unopened tennis balls, plenty of water, sunscreen and of course your tennis racket. : )

Please look for Dave Tam when you arrive. Dave can be identified by his black Wilson tennis bag. Once you RSVP, Dave will e-mail you his cell phone number to reach him that day to locate him and the group on the courts. When you RSVP, please state in the comment field whether you would be interested in lessons that day.

To RSVP go to: http://www.naaapdc.org/Events.do?id=5263

NAAAP TIME OUT THURSDAYS Weekly Discussion Happy Hour
Oct. 11, 2007 Thurs 6PM-9PM at Karma DC

Tired of the same meat-market happy hours and mixers? Been to one happy hour and see all the same people? Not sure what to talk about? Then take a TIME OUT and come to our weekly NAAAP-DC Happy Hour at Karma DC, located right off the metro (either Farragut West or Foggy Bottom) at KARMA 1919 Pennsylvania Ave. NW for speak-easy conversations, rightly priced drinks, and interesting company.

This will be a weekly event and who knows who you will meet. Bring anyone and everyone for a much more cozy and audible exchange of words, drinks and food. Each week we will theme the discussion around something. For our first one it will be about Asians in the Media - TV, Film, News. Perhaps some of you attended the 8th Annual DC APA Film Festival?

Ghosts of Georgetown Walking Tour
Oct. 12, 2007 Fri 8 p.m.

Among the historic streets, manicured gardens, and Victorian row houses of DC's finest neighborhood, lies deep, dark secrets about a forgotten past. Come along to hear about the ghosts and spirits that still haunt our fine little city . . . if you dare. The tour will be provided by Mobile Tours (www.mobiletours.org) and will last 1 hour and 15 minutes.

We can hangout in Georgetown for drinks/dessert/coffee after the walk to take in the nightlife there . . . that is if we haven't been scared away! =)

Please RSVP by Oct. 11, so that Dave can e-mail you his cell phone number so that you may contact him on the night of the event if you have trouble locating him and the group.

To RSVP go to: http://www.naaapdc.org/Events.do?id=5264