I wish every daughter adored and admired her father as much as Minnesota author Kao Kalia Yang. Her new book, “The Song Poet: A Memoir of My Father,” is, in brief, one of the most moving, disturbing and, ultimately, hopeful books I’ve ever read. As with previous generations of immigrants, there is so much to learn from and honor about what Hmong in general, and this family in particular, have experienced and bring to Minnesota.
This is Yang’s second book. Her first book, “The Latehomecomer,” was about her grandmother. It won both statewide and national recognition.broadstreet.zone(48036);
“Song Poet” begins with people at a Hmong New Year celebration in St. Paul asking her father, Bee Yang, to share one of his song poems. These are something like a Hmong version of blues music and poetry.
Kao Kalia Yang had not realized how eloquent her father was. People asked him to make a recording, which

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Skating in Scandia

The City of Scandia’s winter recreation skating programs begin in January.
The six-week Learn to Skate program is structured to teach recreational skating to children of different abilities and is taught by a trained coach. The program, for beginners, is directed at children who have little or infrequent skating experience. More advanced skaters would work on a variety of skating skills.broadstreet.zone(48036);
This year, Scandia will continue to offer the six-week pleasure skating program. A volunteer adult will be available to provide supervision and guidance while the participants enjoy practicing their skills.
Pre-registration is required and classes will fill up quickly. Registration forms and detailed information about the programs can be found at www.ci.scandia.mn.us. For more information, call the Scandia city office at 651.433.2274.

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