Family, Fun, and Fiesta! ~ Ma & Tia Visit ~ Chinese Cultural Center!

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Taken June 19, 2007

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Family, Fun, and Fiesta! ~ Ma & Tia Visit ~ Chinese Cultural Center! 

In 2007, my mother and Tia Rosa came to visit when we were living in Phoenix. South Phoenix area to be more precise. During their stay we played Wii, went out to eat, grilled, went shopping, visited cultural centers and historic areas.

The photos on this collage shows us visiting the Phoenix Chinese Cultural Center. From this set is where the background photo for the series, "Memories of Yore: Photos from My Mother's Camera" came  from.

Memories of Yore: Photos from My Mother's Camera https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL16w-SVd2cc0xOxbPzerQu26-ZU6eE3bN&si=2lkwrCcvN2JRFfck

If you watch that series you'll see similar  images during this time from my mother's perspective. Additionally, the Visiting the Chinese Cultural Center https://youtu.be/wyswUbwVu1k?si=MmNanzAwbNtGeh4Q came from those.

The center was always a enjoyable the various times we visited, whether shopping at the various stores and grocery store, eating at various of the restaurants, or just strolling through the peaceful garden and koi pond.

It no longer appears to exist, however there is more info on https://www.phoenixchineseculturalcenter.com/

Just in case their site is to cease to exist at some point, here's the current info from the site: "Phoenix Chinese Cultural Center's roof was made by the "XiangShang Bang" craft masters, whom inherited the same technique and materials that were use in the Forbidden City, designed and built by their ancestors. President Trump visited China in November of 2017 and admired the Forbidden City's 600 years old roof. 668 North LLC called the 20 years old roof in Chinese Cultural Center as aging roof, and fought in the court to replace all of the roof with residential adobe tile for this commercial building. Their action shows either an ignorance or hostile attitude towards Chinese heritage and culture.

About the Phoenix Chinese Cultural Center and Our Mission

The Phoenix Chinese Cultural Center, also known as the COFCO center, was built by the first owner with help from community volunteers and donations from local Chinese immigrants with support from the City of Phoenix government. Special materials and supplies were brought from China, and skilled workers from China spent years making this one of the most beautiful Chinese Cultural Centers in North America. The names of donors are engraved in the Wall of Honor, and it has become a Phoenix landmark, and part of Arizona's history.

668 North LLC, a subsidiary of Scottsdale-based True North Companies, bought 95% of the condo units in June 2017. Szechwan Palace Restaurant owns another 5% of the units since December 1998. While totally ignoring the property rights of other owner, 668 North LLC is planning to remove all features connected with Chinese culture and history from the exterior of the buildings in the common area to create standard "modern" office buildings.  While they have recognized the historical importance of the Center and has offered the garden artifacts that will be removed, we want to save the Chinese Cultural Center as a whole. It would be impossible to fully disassemble and restore the center's heritage at another location."

 

Camera: Sony DSC-W100

Audio: "Percussions Rhythm" from the Buddha Bar IV, and slowed down by almost half for the feeling I was looking for.