In a bit of fashion news, First Lady Michelle Obama is featured on the cover of the March edition of Vogue. According to the BBC, Michelle is the second First Lady to be featured on the cover (which is usually reserved for models) since Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1998. The dress that Michelle is wearing was designed once again by Jason Wu, who also designed the memorable white gown that she wore during the inauguration balls.

Also enjoy this brief slideshow of the president and the First Lady at Vogue’s web site.

Elena Ong, the National Coordinator of “The Gift of Hope,” brings us this message, urging everyone to conduct a bone marrow donation drive at your next APA community event. If you register your “1,000 Cranes for Hope” drive at www.usaservice.org by March 1, 2009, your group might even get a chance to get a phone call from Yul Kwon, Cook Islands Survivor. Please read on for more details.

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On Monday, January 19, in Washington, DC, APIA Vote hosted gathering of over 300 AAPIs from around the country to discuss the 2008 election, the new Administration, and the AAPI community’s agenda and issues moving forward. If you were unable to make “Moving the Dream Forward: An APIAVote Briefing on the 2008 Election, Transition, & Policy, you can read a summary of the event from APIA Vote below the fold.

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THE GIFT OF HOPE: 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee’s National Day of Service

January 19, 2009 was the Presidential Inaugural Committee’s National Day of Service, and on this day, Americans, throughout America, and Americans who came to Washington D.C. for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, heeded President Barack Obama’s call for national public service.

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The sea of humanity stretched before me and behind me was spectacular. Inspiring. Unbelievable. Despite the hours of waiting in below freezing temperatures, waking up before dawn, walking miles to score a spot where all the action was but a speck on the horizon, I feel like I was part of something greater than myself. I was part of history. The moment will live on forever in my memory. I feel lucky, proud and amazed that I can say “I was there”. It was so worth the time, money and energy to get there. Elizabeth Alexander’s Inaugural Poem, “Praise Song for the Day”, captures the essence of this movement so well. It’s what really brought me to tears on that incredible day. I am certainly feeling the promise and potential of today’s sharp sparkle and winter air. Read the poem now, if you didn’t catch it on Tuesday. Yes we did.

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Title: Be the Change Indus Inaugural Party

Pranna, 79 Madison Ave.
On the corner of 28th St.
NYC

Doors open at 7
Complimentary Hors-D’oeuvres
Live Music - DJ, Percussions & Drums
No cover with RSVP

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SAALT and Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Volunteer with SAALT and Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (January 19)

As part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, come out and help educate the South Asian community in Washington, DC about important issues such as domestic violence. Volunteers will reach out and visit local South Asian businesses to inform them about domestic violence and available resources such as DVRP.

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MLK Service Day with GO/LA

Please join GO/LA and bring your friends to these MLK Service Day Projects in your corner of Los Angeles. Sign up now - space is limited! Projects below can be completed from home, work, over the weekend and on MLK Day! Be the change.

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On behalf of YLFO, I’d like to invite the members of Asian Americans for Obama to join us this Sunday night for our Late Night Inaugural Party.

Here are the details:

10 pm - 1 am
Sunday, January 18th
Old Ebbitt Grill (and attached office building atrium)
Open Bar, Hors D’Oeuvres
Featuring performances by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Jackie Greene
Tickets: $100

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Warm Your Hearts at the Pearl Presidential Gala

Mandarin Oriental Hotel - 1330 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024

AAPI community members attending the Pearl Presidential Gala are encouraged to donate 400 warm-up kits (hat, gloves, and socks), toiletry kits (toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant) and snack packs to the homeless in Washington, D.C. Organizers are also asking the Gala attendees to donate $3 per kit at the Gala with the goal of collecting enough funds to distribute 1000 kits total. “Warm Your Hearts” distribution to the homeless will be done around Valentine’s Day. For more info, visit www.pearlgala.com