While his third grade promotion policy is stirring controversy, Chancellor Klein’s plan to restructure middle schools has gotten little notice. Within five years, two-thirds of the city’s 228 middle schools will be closed. more>

The taste and the comfort that a Chinese herbal drink brought to his throat were enough to lure U.S. publishing scion Robert McGraw away from the family business to set up Longjiang River Health Products in China. He aims to introduce the magic LHK, as well as other Chinese herbs, to the world. more>

By scheduling mid-year exams on Lunar New Year’s Day, some New York public high schools have incensed the Chinese community. On Jan. 13, under pressure from the community, Joel Klein, chancellor of the NYC Department of Education (DOE), sent letters to school principals asking them to rearrange exam dates. more>

On Dec. 13, a female Fujian immigrant hung herself in front of her ex-husband’s apartment. The incident has drawn much sympathy in the Chinese community. The community worries this tragedy may be part of a larger problem: the family structure of Fujian immigrants and the potential trouble it brings. more>

Community organizations and influential figures are using all avenues to persuade voters to vote for—or against—the mayor’s charter revision to eliminate party primaries. Both sides cite political benefits to immigrants as the basis of their opposing points of view. more>

Guiyu Feng, 76, and Yuexin Huang, 80, were dancing on the grass in the Flushing Meadow Park. Their audience were immigrants of different races. At the other end of the grass Oliver and Oscar Ni, three-year-old twins, were sitting in a stroller with a slogan board larger than their bodies. It said: “Justice for all.” more>

More than 300,000 New Yorkers are out of work, and half of the job loss is due to the effects of September 11th. In Chinatown, 60 percent of garment workers are unemployed. Liberty Jobs program would help, though its fate hangs in the balance. more>

Each worker attending the week-long strike, which started on May 6, has a tragic story. Though they were injured in different ways, all were abandoned by the New York State injured worker’s compensation policy. more>

Since he opened his office, Dr. Zhang has done about 30 workshops at Flushing Library to raise awareness about mental health and the need for psychological counseling among Chinese people. The workshops were very popular, but they didn’t transfer into turnout in his office. Are cultural stigmas to blame? more>

Chinatown is worried about the fate of Seward Park High School’s bilingual program, the largest in the city. The city is replacing the large high school with two smaller ones and promises to keep a bilingual program in one. But with the trend away from bilingual education, Chinatown’s residents are not reassured. more>

Brooklyn authorities charged a Lafayette High School student with a hate crime. He allegedly assaulted a fellow student while cursing Chinese people. The incident is one of several similar attacks at Lafayette recently. more>

Teddy Lai, the Executive Director of the Greater Blouse, Skirt & Undergarment Association, will lead a delegation of Manhattan’s Chinatown garment industry executives to try to convince China’s wholesalers to promote clothes labeled “made in Chinatown” in the big market in China. The delegation will visit Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou this month. more>

As redistricting only occurs every 10 years, Chinatown’s residents want to ensure that new lines are drawn in their best interests. In District 1, with wealthy areas like Soho, many feel that their issues are ignored and would be better served in a new district that included the growing Hispanic population on the Lower East Side. Others feel that Chinatown’s lines should stay put. more>

“In New York, the Republican Party is the minority party. However, its policies match the visions of many Chinese Americans,” said Republican Hsieh Mei-Lin. Others disagree, saying that although Pataki has a good record of achievement, the governor’s failure to address workers’ problems after September 11th exposes his weakness. more>

Asian organizations accused San Diego-based costume maker Disguise, Inc., of discrimination because of their Kung Fu-style mask, which the company put on the market this September in time for Halloween. After protests, Disguise apologized and recalled the masks. more>

Amy Tan’s appearance at FAO Schwartz to sign her children’s book “Sagwa,” crated some controversy and reflection within the Chinese-American community here. Tan, who speaks only a little Chinese, claims that she does not mean to be a representative of the culture, only of her own experiences. more>

“Discount” and “sale” signs are everywhere in the windows of the hundreds of jewelry stores along crowded Canal Street. As one of the major traditional businesses in Chinatown, the jewelry stores are still struggling even one year after September 11th. more>

“It is crazy!” said Enrique Calzada when he learned of a Health Department inspectors’ comment in The New Yorker magazine while eating in Chinatown. The comment offended Chinatown’s regulars, irked restaurant owners, and provoked a response from Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields. The Health Department has since apologized. more>

Read through any Chinatown tour guide and you will always find the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory on Bayard Street gets high marks. Founded 25 years ago by five second-generation Chinese brothers, CICF has attracted a large group of loyal customers, both Chinese and Western, with its special flavors. more>

Most members of the Bao An Group had to live from subway station performances when they first came to the United States—and some continue to do so, even now. So, the road to Carnegie Hall was not an easy one. more>

The Choice is Yours: At the McDonald’s on Canal Street, you can use the bathroom only if you buy a $1 certificate or unless you’ve already spent at least that on food or drink. more>