Korean

Mayor Ara Najarian left Sunday for a weeklong trip to Korea to enhance relations with one of Glendale's six sister cities. "We represent a large Korean population," said Zizette Mullins, community relations coordinator who oversees the Glendale sister cities program. "So it helps to get a better understanding for what is needed here in Glendale and also what their needs are there. " During his visit to Goseong, Najarian will meet with a variety of government officials and visit several other cities in the region.

Burbank officials have extended a deadline for applications from artists for a commission celebrating 50 years of being a "sister city" with Incheon, South Korea. Incheon Mayor Young-Gil Song proposed that the two cities exchange sculptures of art and cultural delegations to commemorate the anniversary. Burbank officials have been seeking credentialed artists in the greater Southern California region to create the city's art piece according to the theme "friendship. " City officials have not listed a budget for the project, but have said projects of a similar scale range from $40,000 to $60,000.

The La Crescenta Public Library has anywhere from 300 to 500 new Korean books, and there are still a large number of Korean movies to be unloaded. Victoria Guagliardo, the Community Library Manager for the La Crescenta branch, with the assistance of Korean translator, Hyugwon Kim, presented the new materials to many of the Korean La Crescenta residents last Saturday. The State Library of California's Korean Global Language Grant made it possible for the La Crescenta library to receive the shipment of books and movies.

Mark Keppel Elementary School students will soon be able to check out books written in Korean from the school library. The school is building and stocking a Korean-language reading room, the latest step in growing its dual-language Korean program. "It is very important to have resources, and for the parents to be able to read to their child," said Vickie Atikian Aviles, assistant director of intercultural education for Glendale Unified. The new reading room is being funded by $11,600 in donations from the Young Nak Outreach and Transformation Foundation and the Los Angeles Korean Consulate General, officials said.

Janine Marnien Drive down Foothill Boulevard, and the Korean presence in the community is apparent. Signs in the language line the boulevard, advertising their respective businesses. It's a presence the Foothill Design Committee has noticed, and hopes to tap into. The group has tackled the task of developing some sort of aesthetic pattern on Foothill Boulevard based on community input, including that of the Korean sector. "If Foothill is to improve for everyone, that means the Korean community as well," committee co-chairwoman Sharon Raghavachary said.

Crescenta Valley High School Korean Parents Club held their third annual luncheon on Dec. 12 at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station. “It was our way of thanking both the sheriff and fire departments for all they do,” said Vicky Song, president of CVHS Korean Parents Club. Parents served up barbecued ribs, rice, salad, fried wontons and Japchae (a noodle dish). Elementary and middle school parents joined the high school club in preparing and serving. Song estimated they served about 70 people throughout the day. “We appreciate what they do and this is our way of saying thank you,” Song said.

Students who finished a new, 10-week Korean conversation class at Mark Keppel Elementary on Thursday left the enrichment session with some practical knowledge of a new language and a hearty appetite for Korean food. The school, which began a Korean Dual Language Program with a group of kindergartners this fall, started a distinct, weekly Korean language class in late February to introduce students who aren?t in the dual-language program to Korean. Parents had asked for a way to offer their children some exposure to the language, so educators responded by creating the conversation class, which was open to Keppel students in every grade level, said Naehi Wong, who coordinates the dual language program.

In celebration of the Korean New Year, which was Jan. 29, the Korean PTA of Valley View Elementary School had a demonstration on Korean music and the art of taekwondo. The Korean New Year changes every year because it follows the Lunar calendar. Each year is named for one of 12 animals of the 12-year calendar cycle. This the Year of the Dog. Valley View students screamed with excitement last Friday as taekwondo students jumped high into the air and broke board after board with loud cracks.

Children from La Crescenta Presbyterian Church’s Center for Children ended their month of academic exploration into the Korean New Year by celebrating with food — lots of food. Parents Grace and Kevin Haah opened their home to the 4- and 5 year olds and their families for the celebration. The dining room table was filled with all types of dishes that are traditional for celebrating the Korean New Year, which was on Jan. 26. Mary Williams, from the children’s center, said that they used this time to celebrate the Korean culture.