Little known, the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center sits on a large piece of property in northwest Tucson, on the north side of River Road, between Oracle and La Canada.

Even being ethnically Asian I did not really know about this gem in Tucson until just recently. Built about five years ago and without government funding, this now-volunteer run organization is serving the Chinese and greater community. And it is landscaped with desert trees and rock ground cover to enhance the desert atmosphere of Pima County.

Classes in Chinese language, dance, and tai chi are offered, as well as numerous activities such as ping pong, internet access, exercises classes, mah jong tile playing, etc. to members and guests.
There’s also a lending library in the conference room of mostly Chinese history books, but others on Asian Pacific American culture as well.

If you were to drop by on a Thursday morning (like today) you will find the Senior program members (age 55 and above, some even in their 90s), enjoying their time together in a congenial setting. This is the most multi-ethnic event I’ve witnessed in Tucson in a long time. It costs only $60 a year for the Senior program which includes some of these activities aforementioned, plus optional field trips for the members (all races welcome, not only Chinese Americans).

Many times at events in Tucson I am the only Asian person in the room, but certainly not at this facility.

Rental of the facilities (large multi-purpose room & smaller meeting rooms) is available. I’ve seen wedding receptions held there, meetings by the Dept. of Transportation, even Indian dance classes. The sense of community is very strong at this cultural center, as witnessed by the dedicated volunteers, members, and love & care given to the facility.

For more information on the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, please call 292-6900, go to their website at www.tucsonchinese.org, or drop by at 1288 W. River Road. And check out the large & colorful Chinese lion displayed in the foyer.

Last year I saw a “Renaissance”  movie about the Dalai Lama and the interviewer asked him what people can do to promote world peace and nonviolence. He reflected a moment and said “Have more festivals.”

I was shocked at the response and so was my friend viewing the movie as well. Of course we assumed he would say “practice nonviolent behavior, join a peace group and demonstrate, write to the world leaders”, etc. But no, he said he thought people needed to spend more joyful time together at festivals, parties, fiestas, etc.

Spreading this sense of community and togetherness on a local scale is somehow about world peace. Because if you are enjoying each other’s company at an event, then you likely won’t be fighting and causing trouble and pain. I guess that’s what his Holiness meant.

This is why I want to focus on community events in Tucson, on people and organizations that are bringing people together in cooperation and fun, not in conflict.

I spent years practicing law where all I saw was conflict: warring litigants, frustrated judges, angry enforcement people, separated families. I still see that now somewhat as a Hearing Officer in Small Claims Court (the people’s court).

But building and maintaining community is the focus of my blogsite, and what I hope to focus on for this new online version of the Tucson Citizen.

Refugees from Burundi, Chad, Sudan, Somalia and other countries crowded the Pima County Board of Supervisors room on Tuesday, to witness the County’s “World Refugee Day” proclamation. Colorfully dressed men, women and children from mostly African countries, who sought safety in America and particularly Pima County were present. These new immigrants face a new language, a new culture, and a new life.

The proclamation read by Chairman Richard Elias, spoke of the necessity of these refugees to flee their countries, to escape persecution and terror, and with courage and perseverance to start a new existence here. The Chairman asked Pima County residents to “welcome and embrace” these individuals, and to offer them assistance and to celebrate their diversity.

Particularly moving were two videos done by refugee children.  A young girl from Iraq compared Tucson to Baghdad, and expressed her loneliness in this new country until she met another Iraqi girl at Doolen Middle School and became friends.  A young man from Zimbabwe talked about how his country back home had changed and how he was trying to assimilate to this new culture.

Their spokesman, after receiving the proclamation, spoke eloquently of their desire to “contribute now and in the future”, poignantly reminding all listening that they were not illegal residents. He expressed their desires to just want to live peacefully in their new home and become part of our community in Tucson.

All are invited to a free celebration of World Refugee Day at El Presidio Park on Saturday June 20, from 5 to 9. p.m. Please welcome our new residents.