Just one month before its Eighth Anniversary in July, The ELM reaches a milestone on June 10: the publication of the 100th issue. Overall, 376 articles, 318 letters to the editors, and 75 other matters have appeared on these pages since the inception in July 2002. A total of 85 individuals have contributed 376 featured articles, including poems and book reviews. These authors range from 7 to the 80s in age; 51 are male, and 34, female; 56 are retired, and 29, active; 77 are ethnic Chinese, and 8, non-Chinese.
Editor Paul H. Tai says, The ELM stands for E-Letters in the hope of becoming an E-Magazine. It serves as a medium of communication (1) among Chinese-Americans who have retired or are about to and (2) between these Chinese-Americans and any other interested parties. It was created following an experimental period from July 4, 2002 to September 12, 2002, in which six biweekly issues were emailed to some 170 readers. Beginning with Issue No. 7 on October 1, 2002 it was changed to a monthly release.
The ELM has three purposes: 1. Sharing life experiences, ideas, information, and, above all, fun among friends, including those who are not ethnically Chinese. 2. Preserving the above for the future. 3. Communication with our younger generations (our sons and daughters as well as theirs).
Dr. Tai, also known as Hung-chao Tai; is Professor of International Political Economy, Emeritus, University of Detroit. He served as Editor, American Journal of Chinese Studies, 1996-98; and published books on international political economy, land reform, Confucianism and economic development, US-China-Taiwan relations, and Chinese history, and articles in professional journals; living in Carlsbad (in San Diego area), California, USA