http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/articles/2010/02/06/news/doc4b6e2cd954cb7709353220.txt
Link to a Hanford Sentinel article.

This article appeared on the front page of the "Valley Voice Weekly", Volume XXIX No. 35, July 2, 2009.

Famed Imperial DynastyCould Be Reopening
By Miles Shuper
Hanford - The Imperial Dynasty, one of California's few five-star restaurants whose chef prepared escargot for world leaders and offered some of the best wines from a 70,000-bottle wine cellar, could be reopened in the next few months.
The Dynasty's escargot was known worldwide, attracting gourmets from not only the East Coast but other countries. The Hanford restaurant closed in 2006.
Although chef Richard Wing is retired, family members reportedly are working to put the Hanford restaurant back in business. Aerianna Wing has applied for a liquor license with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. She was unavailable for comment. Her mother, Richard Wing's sister-in-law, would only say any discussion of the reopening would be premature.
Hanford building officials said there have been no fillings for building permits. The landmark restaurant, established more than 125 years ago in Hanford's historically rich Chinatown, has been a Mecca for gourmets from all over as well as one of the Valley's most noted dining establishments with a world class wine cellar.
The Dynasty has been a family operation. It was founded in 1883 when Richard Wing's grandfather opened up a noodle house in the city's Chinatown. Richard began working in the kitchen at age six, peeling vegetables and shelling shrimp. He joined the Army during World War II and in 1945, caught the attention of Gen. George C. Marshall who took him to China as his personal chef.
The assignment included being a food tester for Marshall who was allergic to shellfish and strawberries. Wing tasted foods in kitchens in Asia and Europe, learning from top chefs in those areas. During his time with Marshall, Wing also cooked for Presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower.
Wing returned to Hanford in 1958, transforming his grandfather's one-time noodle house into a five-star restaurant.
He described his menu as more French cooking than Chinese, with a bit of German, Russian, Italian and Swiss flavors tossed in.
The fame spread and gourmets and others often made reservations weeks ahead. Walt Disney often flew into the Valley and it was reported that a group of wealthy New York businessmen came to Hanford once a month just for the famed escargot.President Ronald Reagan had the Wing family escargot served at his inauguration.
The above story is the property of The Valley Voice Newspaper and may not be reprinted without explicit permission in writing from the publisher.

Moon Festival
By Shawbong Fok
sfok@HanfordSentinel.com

The 29th-Annual Moon Festival in Hanford's China Alley kicked off with lion dancing and the pound of taiko drums beating on Saturday afternoon. Dozens of guests arrived at China Alley, once the epicenter of California's third largest Chinese community in the first-half of the 20th century, to celebrate the autumn harvest, otherwise known as the moon festival. Traditionally, families gave food, gifts and mooncakes to each other. But the festival brings this celebration to the public in the hopes that it could help spur donations to remodel several old buildings in the alley.

"We also want to give the community a chance to share the moon festival," said Camille Wing, a trustee of the Hanford Taoist Temple Preservation Society, which presented the festival.

Lion dancers from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo came to ward off evil spirits and sprinkle good luck throughout the alley as they bent, leaped and kicked their way into the lion dance.

"It's a blessing," said Alan Swe, captain of the lion dance team. "It's an ancient Chinese art form that uses martial arts."

Taiko drums were played by the Fresno Gumyo Taiko. In the old days, taiko drums were used to notify islanders in Japan when enemies were coming. Drummers would bang on hollow wooden logs to sound off enemy encroachment. Taiko drums have also historically been used for music during festivals, according to Sophia Nagao, a member of the Taiko group from Fresno. The pounding sounds reverberated throughout the alley to the attention of dozens of guests.




Engineering students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo performed the Lion Dance during the Moon Festival on Saturday afternoon. Gary Feinstein photos/The Sentinel



Many came to see the festival to learn about Chinese culture, now a small presence in Kings County.

"We come every year," said Patricia Lambert, 27, a college student from Avenal. "What you usually get is European culture. It's rare to see something outside Europe."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2423.

Hanford Taoist Temple Preservation Society Presents
The 29th Annual
MOON FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 4, 2008
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free Admission

• Cal Poly's Chinese Lion Dancers
• Fresno Gumyo Taiko
• Food and Crafts Booths
• Tea and Cookies in the Garden
• Hanford Bonsai Society Display
• Tours of the Taoist Temple and Museum

China Alley, Hanford
(located 1/2 block north of East 7th Street between Green and White Streets)
Entertainment at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
For more information:
582-4508
Thank you to our sponsors:
MACKEY AND MACKEY
GWF POWER SYSTEMS
KINGS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
GRISWOLD LASALLE COBB DOWD & GIN L.L.P. ATTORNEYS

AUTHOR TO VISIT HANFORD
You are invited to meet...
Nancy Tan,
Certified Yoga Instructor & psychotherapist
When:
Saturday, August 2, 2008
1:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Where:
Taoist Temple Gift Shop & Museum
No. 12 China Alley, Hanford
(1/2 blk north of East 7th Street between Green and White Streets)

• Books available for purchase


• Book signing by the author


• CD Yoga Nidra available for purchase

QUIET MIND, HEALTHY BODY: THE ART OF LOW-STRESS LIVING offers simple but effective remedies for stress relief and strategies for stress prevention. With a holistic approach, the book addresses stress in the physical, mental, emotional and relational realms. The author presents complex concepts in simple language and a compassionate voice. The reader will come away with a good understanding of the dynamics of stress, effective tools for stress relief, a blue print for stress prevention, and a positive and hopeful outlook.

The Taoist Temple Gift Shop & Museum will be open from Noon-6 p.m., Saturday, August 2nd.

Tours are available.

Questions??? Please call 582-4508

Portions of the book sales will be donated to the Taoist Temple Museum.

The 29th Annual Moon Festival will be held on October 4, 2008 in China Alley.