VOL 34 NO 01 | DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA

VOL 34 NO 1 DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015 FREE 33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

4 1 0 2 f o s e i r o t s 0 1 p o t The unity m m o C I P A e h t d e t c News that affe

By Ninette Cheng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

2014 was a year of change, controversy, and loss of long-time community fixtures. However, it was also a year of good news for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Here, we look back on our top 10 stories of the year, ranked in order of their effect: 1. $15 minimum wage

One of the biggest issues of the primary election this year was the debate of the $15/ hour minimum wage. Many small business owners, including many Asian businesses, were opposed to it as they could not afford to pay employees $15 while still running a profitable business. Many felt it would drive small businesses out of Seattle. On

■

primary night, the $15 minimum wage was passed in SeaTac. Later, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced a plan to raise the city’s minimum wage.

India, Nadella was previously with Microsoft for 22 years, most recently as executive vice president of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise Group.

2. Nadella named CEO of Microsoft

3. Mikado controversy

On Feb. 4, Microsoft named Satya Nadella as Microsoft’s new CEO, its first nonAmerican-born. A native of Hyderabad,

July 2014 marked the 60th anniversary of the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of The Mikado. In addition to the Society’s 10th production of the opera,

it insured protest and conversation about the use of Japanese stereotypes and caricatures. Even after the production wrapped up, the conversation and controversy has continued throughout the community.

4. Mary Yu appointed

{see TOP 10 cont’d on 15}

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DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

■ names in the news Cyrus Habib appointed to Whip by Democrats

sister. His mother had to stay behind. Khalil spends all of his afternoons and Saturdays at VFA's programs learning English, math, orchestra, woodshop, and participating in yearbook club.

Thanh-Thao has been with VFA since 2006 when she and her family were newly arrived Vietnamese immigrants to the US. She is in her senior year of college at the University of Washington and hopes to be a physical therapist. She was a VFA volunteer and tutor. ■

Bob Hasegawa appointed to 3 Senate committees

Photo from cyrushabib.com

Cheryl Lee and BuWon Yoon recognized

station in Federal Way by Moon Duk-ho, the Consul General of the Republic of Korea for Seattle. Yoon was awarded the National Medal of Honor by President Geun-hye for meritorious service as an educator and female community leader for the KoreanAmerican community in Seattle for the past 36 years. She was one of 25 people around the world who were recognized for the year 2014 by the Korean government with the same award on World Korean Day. ■

Sen.-elect Cyrus Habib

Senator-elect Cyrus Habib was named to the key leadership position of Whip by his fellow Senate Democrats this December.

The position, which is responsible for party discipline and strategy, is considered one of the top leadership positions in the Senate.

Habib was recently elected to the State Senate to replace Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom, after having already served in the State House of Representatives.

Earlier this year, the Washington Post named Habib to its list of “40 Rising Stars,” and Governing Magazine named him “one of 12 State Legislators to watch nationally.” ■

Vietnamese Friendship Association honors three students Ubah's family came here as refugees from Somalia, not knowing a single word of English.

She recently recalled how overwhelming it was when she first enUbah tered school here. She didn't even know how to read which bathroom to use and had to wait for someone to stop and help her. She is now a senior at Garfield High School and has volunteered in Khalil VFA's Service Corps program for two years.

The program teaches immigrant and refugee high school students how to become a tutor/mentor for their newcomer peers. Ubah's motivation: Thanh-Thao "I know what it feels like. I want to help other students like me."

Khalil is from the United Arab Emirates and came to the US in 2013 with his father and

Cheryl Lee, Moon Duk-ho, BuWon Yoon

On December 12, 2014, Cheryl Lee and BuWon Yoon were recognized for their services to the Korean American community by the S. Korea government in a ceremony at the Ko-Am TV

Sen. Bob Hasegawa

Sen. Bob Hasegawa, DBeacon Hill, has been appointed to three committees in the Washington state Senate.

Hasegawa is moving to the Commerce and Labor committee to serve as the ranking Democrat. He will also serve on the Rules committee and the Senate budgetary committee, Ways and Means.

Hasegawa previously served for two years as the ranking Democrat on the Governmental Operations committee. ■

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ Community News

DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

3

Local chefs compete in Washoku World Challenge trial at!

Let’s e pete! m o c s ’ Let

Itadakimasu is a celebrated Japanese term meaning “I humbly receive” or “Let’s eat!”

At the “Kitchen at Delicatus” in Pioneer Square on Dec. 11, a packed dining room full of guests, renowned judges, and media got a very unique eating experience sponsored by The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan.

Two Seattle bests in the world of Asian cuisine, Chef Aaron Pate of Shiro and Chef Shota Naka Jima of Kappo Kitchen battled for a place to compete at the Washoku World Challenge 2015 in Kyoto. The chef will be representing Seattle and the Pacific Northwest for its exceptional Asian cuisine.

Chef Aaron Pate was born in Hawaii and is the only American-born member of the Shiro’s Sushi family.

After 13 years at San Sei in Maui, he moved to Japan for three years and worked in Tokyo at Nishi-Azabu Gonpachi before moving to Seattle. While in Seattle, he has worked at Kisaku, Marinepolis Sushi Land, and Nishino before joining the Shiro’s team in May 2014.

Chef Shota Naka Jima is a native of Seattle

Photo by Suzi Pratt

By Lisa Marien Northwest Asian Weekly

Chef Shota Nakajima makes a 30-minute, daikon-festooned dish at Seattle’s inaugural “Itadakimasu” Day in Pioneer Square.

{see FOOD cont’d on 12}

■ World news China’s Xi cautions Macau against foreign forces BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday urged the semiautonomous former Portuguese colony of Macau to guard against interference by what he called hostile external forces, following the prolonged pro-democracy protests in nearby Hong Kong.

Beijing had accused foreign forces of fostering the pro-democracy Occupy Central movement in Hong Kong, where protesters demanded a right to nominate candidates for the territory’s next leader. The 79-day demonstration ended in mid-December with both Beijing and Hong Kong’s leaders refusing to bow to the protesters’ demands.

Xi was visiting Macau, a major gambling center, to mark the 15th anniversary of its return to Beijing and to host the swearing-in ceremony of Macau’s newest chief, Chui Sai On. Chui was the {see MACAU cont’d on 12}

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 Ring in the New Year with Muckleshoot Casino! Join us in Club Galaxy, where admission is always free with your Players Club card, for a Special Asian New Year’s Eve celebration featuring Tuan Anh, Trinh Lam, DJ Miss Jade and more at 8:30pm.

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DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

■ National News

Asian and Latino New York police officers slain while on duty, shot at point-blank range in car

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly Police officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were shot and killed by a gang member from Baltimore, Md. on Saturday afternoon on Dec. 20th, according to the New York Police Department.

Office Liu and his partner were sitting in their patrol car while on duty in Brooklyn, N.Y. when they were shot at point-blank range.

Officer Liu served with the New York City Police Department for 7 ½ years. Liu, 32, was recently married as he is survived by his wife of two months.

As the officers were in their pa-

Wenjian Liu (left) and Rafael Ramos

trol car in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, Is-

■ World news China indicts Jackie Chan’s son on drug charge

maaiyl Brinsley walked up to the passenger-side window and shot

several rounds into the patrol car hitting the officers. Brinsley, 28, indicated on social media platform Instagram that he was going to kill police officers. Earlier in the day, Brinsley had shot his former girlfriend in Baltimore before traveling to Brooklyn to follow through with his threat. Baltimore County Police Department officials had discovered the Instagram posts and sent a warning via fax to the New York Police Department. But receipt of the fax was received just minutes before the officers were shot.

After shooting the two officers, Brinsley ran from the scene and committed suicide by shooting himself in the head at a nearby

subway platform.

“Officer Liu and Officer Ramos never had the chance to draw their weapons. They may actually have never seen their assailant, their murderer,” said New York Police Department Commissioner William Bratton at a Saturday evening news conference after the slayings. The New York City mayor stated, “It’s clear that this was an assassination –that these officers were shot, execution style.”

The officers were assigned to the area to patrol a housing project in the neighborhood where there had been reports of violence, {see OFFICERS cont’d on 12}

KING COUNTY INVITATION TO BID Project: SE Covington Sawyer Road / 181st Ave SE at SE Covington Sawyer Road, C00906C14.

Sealed Bid Time/Date Due: 1:30 p.m., January 8, 2015.

Sealed Bid Location Due: King County Procurement & Contract Services Section, Contracts Counter, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

Engineer’s Estimate: $750,000 - $880,000.

Scope of Work: This project provides for the improvement of Southeast Covington Sawyer Road from approximately 179th Place Southeast to 181st Avenue Southeast in King County by clearing and grubbing, drainage, surfacing with crushed surfacing base course, pulverizing asphalt, planning asphalt, paving with HMA, constructing cement concrete curb, pavement marking, installing guardrails, project temporary traffic control, seeding, erosion/water pollution control, and other work, all in accordance with the attached Plans, these Special Provisions, and the 2014 APWA/WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction.

Xinhua

Contact Information: Mark Hoge, Contract Specialist, 206-263-9325, TTY Relay: 711, Fax: 206-296-7675, or mark.hoge@kingcounty.gov. A bidder may be asked to put a question in writing. No verbal answers by any County personnel or its agents and consultants will be binding on the County. All inquiries must be received by the County a minimum of four business days prior to the bid opening date.

Pre-Bid Conference: There is no pre-bid conference or site tour scheduled. The site is open to the public.

Jaycee Chan

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese prosecutors on Monday indicted the son of Hong Kong action film star Jackie Chan on the charge of sheltering others to use drugs, more than four months after he was detained.

If convicted, singer-actor Jaycee Chan could be jailed for up to three years.

Chan, 32, was among a string of celebrities detained over the summer for vices such as drug use and hiring prostitutes, as Beijing vowed to clean up social morals.

Chan’s case has been particularly embarrassing for his more famous father, who was named by Beijing as an anti-drug ambassador in 2009.

Beijing police detained the younger Chan at his Beijing apartment in August along with Taiwanese movie star Ko Kai. Police said Chan and Ko both tested positive for marijuana and admitted using the drug, and that 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of it were taken from Chan’s home.

Ko, whose real name is Ko Chen-tung, {see CHAN cont’d on 12}

SCS Utilization Requirements. 7% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS).

Bid Guaranty: Not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Proposal Price.

Bid Documents: Electronic copies of the plans, specifications, reference documents, and any addenda for this solicitation are available on the King County Procurement website shown below. Printed documents may also be ordered by contacting United Reprographics at 206-382-1177. Copies of documents are not available for purchase from King County, but are available for review M – F, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Contracts Counter: Chinook Bldg., 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

To receive email notifications of addenda or other important information concerning this solicitation, you must register to be a planholder under the “Solicitations” tab at the following internet link: Website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/procurement/solicitations This information is available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities upon advance request by calling 206-263-9400, TTY Relay: 711.

Notes: Bids received after Sealed Bid Time will not be considered. Bidders accept all risks of late delivery, regardless of fault. King County is not responsible for any costs incurred in response to this Invitation to Bid.

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

■ World news

5

Filipino family wants US Marine in local jail during trial

By Oliver Teves Associated Press MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A U.S. Marine charged with killing a transgender Filipino woman he picked up in a bar was brought back Friday to the city where the attack occurred two months ago,

and lawyers of the victim say they will seek his detention in a local jail during his murder trial.

Relatives of Jennifer Laude saw the suspect, Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton, for the first time since the killing as he was being photographed and fingerprinted by officers of the Regional Trial

Court in Olongapo City, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Manila.

The U.S. Embassy has already rejected a request by the Philippine government to take custody of Pemberton, citing a provision in the Visiting Forces Agreement between the countries that gives

Americans custodial rights over a U.S. service member facing charges while judicial proceedings are ongoing.

American Ambassador Philip Goldberg said the U.S. government was “sensitive” to Filipino sentiments on the killing and agreed to have Pemberton de-

tained inside a Philippine military camp in Manila, but under U.S. guard.

Pemberton was brought from the camp to Olongapo early Friday under heavy guard, including U.S. armed service personnel as {see JAIL cont’d on 13}

Court sides with plaintiff against psych clinic in Chinese gay conversion case

Obama says North Korea hacked Sony, vows response

AP Wire Service

By Eric Tucker and Ted Bridis Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese psychological clinic was ordered Friday to pay compensation to a gay man who sued it for administering electric shocks intended to make him heterosexual, in what is believed to be China’s first case involving so-called conversion therapy.

Lawyer Li Duilong said the Haidian District People’s Court in Beijing ordered the clinic to pay 3,500 yuan ($560) to compensate Yang Teng for costs incurred in the therapy.

Li said the court also ruled that there was no need to administer shocks because homosexuality did not require treatment. A suit

against search engine giant Baidu for advertising the Xinyu Piaoxiang clinic in the western city of Chongqing was dismissed.

Calls to the court rang unanswered, and a person at the clinic hung up when the case was mentioned.

Reached by phone, Yang said he was “very satisfied with the results, which I didn’t expect.

The court sided with me, and it has supported that homosexuality is not a mental disease that requires treatment.’’

Yang said the therapy included hypnosis and electric shocks that harmed him both physically and emotionally.

He said he voluntarily underwent the therapy in February fol-

lowing pressure from his parents to marry and have a child.

Yang said the verdict will help gay rights advocates to urge clinics to stop offering such treatments and persuade parents not to pressure their gay children to undergo therapy.

“Someone needs to step up because we must stop such severe transgressions,’’ he said.

The suit alleged that the clinic had claimed the electric shock treatment was not dangerous.

It asked for compensation of more than 14,000 yuan ($2,300) to cover the cost of the therapy, travel and lost earnings, as well as damages for psychological and {see COURT cont’d on 12}

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama declared Friday that Sony “made a mistake” in shelving a satirical film about a plot to assassinate North Korea’s leader, and he pledged the United States would respond “in a place and manner and time that we choose” to the hacking attack on Sony that led to the withdrawal.

The FBI blamed the hack on the communist government.

Speaking of executives at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Obama said at a year-end news conference, “I wish they had spoken to me first. ... We cannot have a society in which some dictator

someplace can start imposing censorship.”

Obama said he imagined situations in which dictators “start seeing a documentary that they don’t like or news reports that they don’t like.”

Sony said it had had no choice but to cancel distribution of the movie since theaters were refusing to show it. North Korea denied anew that it had hacked the studio. “There is not any connection,” U.N. diplomat Kim Song told The Associated Press. Song criticized the film, but disputed his government hacked Sony and orchestrated the movie’s shutdown. “It defamed the image of {See NK cont’d on 13}

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DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR FRI 12/26 & SAT 12/27 WHAT: Screenings of animated and liveaction short films for children WHERE: The Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium WHEN: 1-2 p.m.

INFO: 206-386-4675

WED 12/31 WHAT: New Year’s Eve: Special Asian Night WHERE: Muckleshoot Casino, 2402 Auburn Way S., Auburn WHEN: 8:30 p.m.

INFO: muckleshootcasino.com

2ND & 4TH TUES OF MONTH WHAT: International District Special Review Board meeting WHERE: Bush Asia Center, 409 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 4:30 p.m.

INFO: 206-684-0226 www.seattle.gov/ neighborhoods/preservation/historic_ districts.htm

EVERY TUE WHAT: Asian Counseling and Referral Services Employment Program Orientation WHERE: ACRS, 3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle WHEN: 3–4:30 p.m.

INFO: 206-695-7527, employmentprogram@acrs.org, acrs.org/ services/employmentandtraining

EVERY WED WHAT: Seattle University School of Law Citizenship Project WHERE: Yesler Community Center Computer Lab, 917 E. Yesler Way, Seattle WHEN: 5–6:30 p.m.

COST: Free INFO: 206-386-1245

EVERY TUE, WED & THU WHAT: After School tutoring for Vietnamese students 6-14, conversational ESL classes, and computer classes.

WHERE: Helping Link, 1032 S. Jackson St. #C, Seattle WHEN: 3-6 p.m.

INFO: 206-568-5160, helpinglinkadmin@ gmail.com

EVERY THU WHAT: The Rotary Club of Seattle International District meets WHERE: New Hong Kong Restaurant, 900 S. Jackson St., Seattle WHEN: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

WHAT: Japanese Conversation Club WHERE: JCCCW, 1414 S. Weller St., Seattle INFO: 206-568-7114, admin@jcccw.org

Sponge to host Chinese New Year celebration Franklin HS Lion Dance Team to perform Sponge invites families to an early celebration of the Chinese New Year on Sunday, February 1, 2015, 10:00 AM – noon at its center in Mt. Baker (3107 S. Day St., Seattle).

To commemorate the Year of the Goat, Sponge will offer an electrifying Chinese dance performance and a variety of activities to celebrate the day.

The Franklin High School Lion Dance Team will present a lion dance, a centuries-old performance art that is rich in Chinese history. This spectacular dance mimics a lion’s movements and features music, acrobatics, tricks, and majestic, vibrant costumes. Often performed at Chinese New Year events and festivals, the lion dance is said to bring luck and good fortune to those who see it, as lions are viewed as lucky animals in Chinese culture.

The festivities will continue with goat themed crafts for children, delicious New Year snacks, and a special story about the origins of Chinese New Year. Rounding out the day will be free Mandarin mini language classes led by Sponge’s nativespeaking teachers.

Sponge is a leader in children’s language education, offering classes in Spanish, Mandarin, French, Japanese, and Hindi in its own centers and in before and after-school programs throughout the greater Seattle area. Focused on children from birth through elementary school, native-speaking instructors teach language and culture through activities, stories, music, art and movement. ■ For more information, visit www. spongeschool.com or call 206-227-7138.

Have an event to promote?

Please send us the details at least 14 days in advance to info@nwasianweekly.com.

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ Arts and Entertainment

DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

Young Lee

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly

Counting down the TOP 10 2014 API cheers and jeers How is 2014 coming to an end already? It seems like I had started reporting on 2013 pop culture news just a few short months ago. Now, it’s time to reflect on all the media triumphs and drama from the past year.

Ready?

10. Pinkberry CEO gets jail time Young Lee, co-founder of the popular frozen yogurt chain Pinkberry, was sentenced to seven years for hitting a homeless man with a tire iron. Lee, who helped establish the frozen yogurt brand in 2005, resorted to violence after feeling disrespected by a homeless man, who had flashed a sexually explicit tattoo at Lee and his fiancée. Still, being flashed at is no excuse for violence.

Lee will have plenty of time to rethink the incident in jail, though.

9. Bruno Mars owning 2014 Unlike the Pinkberry CEO, R&B and pop star Bruno Mars has had an outstanding year with several accomplishments under his belt. Mars was among business magazine Forbes 2014 “30 under 30” honorees, which recognizes successful figures from different industries. Mars also performed at Super Bowl XLVIII earlier this year — a Super Bowl that is very dear to Seattleites’ hearts — where he was the first artist in 10 years to headline the halftime show while under the age of 30. Lastly, Mars’s most recent album “Unorthodox Jukebox” won a 2014 Grammy for “Best Pop Vocal Album.” In short, Mars killed it this year.

Bruno Mars

8. Zelda Williams and online bullying

5. Banh Shop: Fast food, Communist-style

After the death of beloved comedian Robin Williams, his daughter of Filipina descent, Zelda Williams, received an outpouring of support from fans around the world. She also saw a backlash from the public. Internet trolls sent altered, gruesome photos of her father over social media while blaming her for his death. The cyber bullying led to Zelda abandoning her Twitter account for a while. Though Zelda has since returned to using social media regularly, the incident painted a larger picture of the rise of cyber bullying with Zelda as its poster child.

Yum Brands, the parent company of fast food joints Taco Bell and KFC, introduced a new restaurant concept: Banh Shop — a fast food eatery for Vietnamese street food, such as banh mi. The company opened its first Banh Shop restaurant in Dallas earlier

7. Passing of Sumi Sevilla Haru Longtime leader of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Sumi Sevilla Haru passed away a few months ago. Haru, who served as interim president of the Screen Actors Guild in 1995, was celebrated among Asian Americans in the entertainment industry as being the first and only woman of color to serve as the organization’s president.

She served as a national board member for SAG, as well as the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), working hard to advance Asian Americans in film and television.

6. Miss America (almost) attends a high school prom Patrick Farves, an 18-year-old senior at Central York High School in York, Pa., asked Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri to prom in the middle of a school assembly.

Davuluri, who was on a national tour to meet with high schools, was doing a Q&A session with the student body. Although Farves had been warned by school administrators to not go through with the stunt, he still made a big show of popping the prom question to Davuluri at the school assembly. The result? Farves received a suspension from school administrators for three days. Though Davuluri declined the prom invitation due to travel obligations, Favres still has something memorable to take from all of this — an awesome story to share as he starts college.

7

this year, using a red five-point star that served as the Asian fast food brand’s logo.

The logo bore similarities to the same red stars associated with communism, upsetting twhe local Vietnamese community who petitioned executives to change the logo.

Last word on this story saw Yum Brand {see APOP cont’d on 16}

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DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

■ Arts and Entertainment

Funny in translation Japanese comedian tackles U.S. audiences

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly It’s not often that a comedian brings drawings of a Japanese toilet seat on stage. But Kaori Takamura has a fearless brand of comedy.

Kaori, as she is known on stage, has been entertaining comedy crowds for five years and is making inroads into the United States.

Takamura was a recent participant at the 35th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition in November. Described as the “Cool Japan” comedian, Kaori prides herself as the only Japanese female and bilingual stand-up comedian in Japan. She can perform on stage in either Japanese or English.

Her biggest break in the United States came this year when she performed in Washington D.C. at one of the biggest Japanese festivals in the United States, “Sakura Matsuri.”

Kaori first found comedy while performing in a comedy trio five

“I was born to be a comedian. The stage is an invaluable place where I can connect people with happy feelings.”

— Kaori Takamura

Kaori Takamura

years ago. She was fond of Japanese comedian Noritake Kinashi since childhood and decided to give it a try. As for American inspirations, she is fond of Sammy Davis, Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, and Will Smith.

“To be honest, I was terrible in the trio,” admitted Kaori. She was offered to open for the trio on her own prior to their performance. “I was extremely nervous, but made it,” recounted Kaori of her first solo performance. “The

owner of the club liked me and the leader (of the trio) told me that I had an aura of a comedian.” Kaori decided to start her solo career then and there.

Kaori’s comedy is based on “Cool Japan,” hence the nickname. Most of what she talks about on stage relates to trendy Japanese culture and lifestyle.

Aside from the quirkiness of Japanese toilets, she also pokes fun at anime and Japanese television.

While she talks about “Cool Japan” on stage, her parents were not so thrilled with her career choice. “My parents hate com-

edy. It’s true,” she added, “I went to nice schools in Japan and my parents still don’t admit that I do comedy.” However, her friends are big fans. “My friends have known that I admired Noritake Kinashi since a very long time, so they cwheered me on so much and like my comedy.”

Despite her parents’ objections, Kaori likes her job. “I was born to be a comedian.” Kaori stated that she has struggled being a comedian, but remains positive about what she does. “The stage is an {see COMEDY cont’d on 12}

Women in Male-Dominated Careers Making a Difference

Friday, February 6, 2015 • 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m. • China Harbor Restaurant • 2040 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

Ringing in the new year ...

... with much gratitude

“I have a lot to be thankful. Over the years, we have hired many people at our restaurants, who need jobs to survive. Recently, one former employee came to dine at our restaurant to thank me. He worked for me 18 years ago. Now, he’s the medical director in a California university.

He came to us at a critical time, no money and with a pregnant wife. It’s gratifying to help so many people who needed help and now they are successful. I am so happy to see them and they still remember us.

— Hsiao Ling Wang, Owner of China Harbor Restaurant

“I have the rare privilege of gaining wisdom from people who have lived 100 years or more.

I am grateful for the profound lessons they teach me: To enjoy the present. We are so busy working to live—that we forget to live. So I pause, breathe, and savor moments of joy.”

“‘If you like your work, you’ll like your life.’ How fortunate I am to love my work.

said, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over.

Be happy because it happened,’ a wise quote from Dr. Seuss.

“I find pursuit of justice truly meaningful. And, it gives me the opportunity to make my living helping people.”

“I have carried that card in my wallet ever since. It was a small act of kindness that meant so much to me at a dark time. It not only reminds me of this stranger’s kindness, but it perfectly sums up the relationship I had with my wife. I miss her every day, but I am also incredibly grateful for the 46 wonderful years that we shared together.”

— Charles Herrmann, Herrmann Scholbe

“When my friend (a jogger) died recently, it was a wake-up call for me. Stress causes people illness. If you don’t have good health, you have no money, no life and no family. My biggest gratitude this year is I got my health back. We took our health for granted. The market clashed in 2008, and I lost a lot of money. The past few years, I focused on making money.

“So this year we have been eating well and working out; we focus on our health. And everything falls in the right place. I am grateful I have my health back.”

— Thach Nguyen, Thach Real Estate Group

— Dwayne Clark, CEO, Aegis Living Assisted living and memory care “I have had a brain tumor for the past three years. It hasn’t grown, spread or bled. I don’t feel anything either. I am grateful every day that I can see my family grow, how things are in the world. I never take things for granted. Nothing is promised.”

“After family, I’m grateful for my profession. As a child, my grandfather told me:

— Nate Miles, Vice President of Government Relations, Lilly

This piece was sponsored by members of our community

“Each time I visit my parents in Hong Kong which I most recently did this November, I am just grateful that they are still alive and well. Not many people at my age can say that. In fact, most of my friends have lost at least one parent. There’s nothing that makes me feel more grateful than seeing both my parents at this point in my life.”

— Dennis Lam, Law office of Dennis Lam

“2014 has been a challenging year. From a Financial Service Professional to a Partner of a major financial services firm, I have gone through many transitions. I am grateful for my family and colleagues for believing in me, providing their patience and support despite my learning stage. I have learned a lot, gained confidence and set great goals.

“My experiences, successes and lessons from failures have shaped me to be a strong leader. I thank the people around me for their wisdom and understanding. Today, I am especially proud that I can be a leader and role model for the younger generation. As a team, we achieve more than we expect. I am very cheerful to having my partners.”

— Eric Mok, LUTCF

“Last month, I led a Washington state delegation of 30+ members to Swatow, China, my native land.

“Lt Gov. Brad Owen and Miss Washington were with us. Our goal was cultural exchange and trying to promote our state. I was so proud of our delegation and satisfied with the whole trip.

“But my biggest reward is my family. I am grateful that my children are the best, the grandkids are so lovable, and my wife supports and helps me in everything and every day.”

— Tan Tho Tien, President of Teochew Association of Washington; Owner, House of Hong Restaurant

— Ken Colling, President Emeritus, Goodwill

“I am grateful this year because I got married last month. It’s something I have been waiting for a long time, and then finally happened. It’s nice to know that I found my love. It gives me the foundation I want, to build the rest of my life. And I am happy that I just got a new nephew. My family grows by birth and marriage.”

— Erica Buckley, Buckley & Associates

“Last spring, I went to the DMV to get my license renewed. As I entered the DMV, a woman behind a wall and a small window asked ‘How are you?’

“I said, ‘Not so good. My wife has cancer and has gone in to hospice. But I am here to renew my license.’

“I took the forms she gave me and sat in a long line of chairs to wait my turn. After a few minutes, the woman from the window walked over to me. She quietly handed me something and then walked away. She gave me a small little card. It

“Give thanks to what you have, give to those who have not. No matter what your beliefs, it is essential to be appreciative of where we are today.”

— Rosa Leung, dedicated to charity with her passion in singing

9

asianweekly northwest

10

DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

■ At the Movies

Lilting, inversions, and stray dogs Top 10 Asian movie selections of 2014

By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly I saw this year in Asian film as anime-heavy, but with a number of laudable live-action pictures in the bargain. Here are my picks for the Top 10 Asian Pacific American films for this year.

6. “A Letter to Momo,” directed by Hiroyuki Okiura, starring Karen Miyama, Yuka, and Toshiyuki Nishida

Yoshiura, starring Yukiyo Fujii, Nobuhiko Okamoto, and Shinya Fukumatsu Writer/director Yoshiura kept our heads spinning in this anime, where some people live right-side up and others upside-down. Of course, the upside-down people are right-sideup to the upside-downers, and vice versa. In all the merry confusion, he threw in a love story and some sober-er musings on totalitarianism and censorship.

9. “The Rocket,” directed

by Kim Mordaunt, starring Sitthiphon Disamoe, Loungnam Kaosainam, and Suthep Po-ngam

10. “Patema Inverted,” directed by Yasuhiro

nothing to play with, but love playing with whatever they find.

8. and 7. “Ghost in the Shell: Arise” — ”Ghost Bankrolled from Australia, but Pain” and “Ghost set in the mountains of Laos, this drama centers on small-town life Whispers,” directed by and affection, and the exhilarat- Kazuchika Kise, starring ing but dangerous consequences Maaya Sakamoto, of ambition. I most enjoyed the Kenichirou Matsuda, and small children, who have almost Mayumi Asano

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Two new OVA (Original Video Animations) released to the United States this year and two more on the way. The names change, and so do the focus on tech vs. character, but the problems of being cybernetic in the near future remain. People sometimes don’t own the rights to their own bodies. Injustice can sometimes fall to the tap of the hacker’s keys— but what replaces it?

A young girl moves to the country, where some playful, pranking, and occasionally flatulent otherworldly spirits await her. The film {see FILMS cont’d on 15}

■ Community News Mayor: Seattle needs more tent cities SEATTLE (AP) — Mayor Ed Murray says there’s been a recent spike in the number of illegal homeless encampments in Seattle, and he’s wants additional “tent cities” approved to help address the issue.

The Seattle Times reported that the mayor will send proposed legislation to the City Council next month “to make a limited number of unused, vacant lots on private and public land” available for encampments. The areas included are not in residential neighborhoods or parks.

A task force Murray convened in October recommended that Seattle make it easier for tent cities to operate with oversight and legal services.

“In recent months, more illegal encampments have popped up on our streets and sidewalks than ever before and the need for alternative spaces has grown immensely,” the mayor wrote in a letter to the task force last week.

Encampments have stirred controversy around Seattle, with politicians and advocates disagreeing about whether they save people from the streets or siphon resources away from safer, cleaner, more permanent options.

A handful of authorized encampments and many more unauthorized ones already exist in Seattle. Religious institutions

“In recent months, more illegal encampments have popped up on our streets and sidewalks than ever before and the need for alternative spaces has grown immensely.”

— Ed Murray Seattle Mayor are allowed to host tent cities with few restrictions, but encampments are allowed elsewhere only under temporary-use permits. The city funds 1,724 shelter beds in Seattle. An annual count of homeless residents in January found 3,123 people living on the streets of the city and King County.

Murray did not say how many lots should be opened, and his press secretary, Jason Kelly, declined to give a number. The task force called for seven. {see MAYOR cont’d on 14}

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ Letters to The Editor

Mark Wahlberg

I read the article “Mark Wahlberg seeks pardon for 1988 assaults” with a sense of great disappointment. Here is a man who committed bodily injury in the course of a common theft, and he wants to be pardoned because he is a better man and has raised (but not donated despite his wealth) millions for charity. I see no mention of contrition for the grievous injury that he caused, which

11

OPINION

RE: Mark Wahlberg seeks pardon for 1988 assaults Dear NW Asian Weekly:

DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

permanently destroyed part of his victim’s eyesight.* I also see no mention of any attempt

by Mr. Wahlberg to financially compensate his victim for pain and suffering and perhaps loss of employment. Even without the racism, the injury alone would be grounds to refuse a pardon.

Stand with Main St. makes insensitive graphic against Asians (again!)

— Florence Sheehan *Ed’s note: unverified statement

Screencap from Stand with Main Street’s Facebook page

■ Community news

Photography scholarships available to students The Professional Photographers of Washington is accepting applications for the 2015 Student Photographer of the Year Award, which is open to all high school seniors in Washington State, graduating in the year 2015. One student will receive the $2000 scholarship grant, which will be

used to further the applicant’s study in the photographic arts.

A panel of professional photographers who are members of the Professional Photographers of Washington will select the finalists. The Student Photographer of the Year will be chosen based upon photographic and scholastic

studies, and the student’s wish to continue their studies in the photographic arts.

The application postmarked deadline is February 14, 2015.

Applications, information, and past student finalists are also available online at http://www. ppw.org. ■

Northwest Asian Weekly is always looking for Asian American community news. If you are the host or an attendee of an API fundraiser, e-mail us a big photo, event highlights, and the amount of money raised. We are also looking for news about APIs in new jobs and APIs getting public recognition and awards.

Please send materials to info@nwasianweekly.com with “names in the news” as the subject line.

TAITUNG

Dear NW Asian Weekly: I wanted to direct you to an insensitive graphic used on the “Stand With Main St.” Facebook page. It’s an internet tax lobbying group funded by Wal-mart that often takes things too far in terms of anti-Chinese rhetoric and I don’t think it’s right.

I understand this group may go ‘rogue’ a bit because I’m

sure Wal-mart could not in good conscience disparage the hardworking Chinese people.

I have interest in the topics Stand With Main St. discusses, but I am regularly put off by the vitriol they have for Chinese people and business.

— David P. Jensen

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asianweekly northwest

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DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

{CHAN cont’d from 4}

{OFFICERS cont’d from 4}

was released after a 14-day administrative detention for the drug use, but Chan — who has remained in detention since August — is faced with the more serious criminal charge.

State broadcaster CCTV in August aired video of the police raid on Chan’s apartment, in which Chan was shown identifying marijuana.

Ko testified on camera that he had used drugs at Chan’s home.

Chan has never publicly contested the charge, and his father has openly apologized over his detention.

“Regarding this issue with my son Jaycee, I feel very angry and very shocked,” Jackie Chan wrote on his microblog in August. “As a public figure, I’m very ashamed. As a father, I’m heartbroken.”

Prosecutors from Beijing’s Dongcheng District announced the indictment in a one-line statement that did not mention when a trial would be held.

In June, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that illegal drugs should be wiped out and that offenders should be severely punished. The crackdown snared more than 7,800 people in Beijing alone, according to police, and celebrities were targeted because of their influence over the public.

Jaycee Chan has appeared in several films and has released three albums. ■

according to police officials.

Charlie Hu, the manager of a liquor store near the shooting saw the two officers slouched over in the front seat. Hu indicated that it appeared both had been shot in the head.

The shooting comes at a time

{COURT cont’d from 5} physical harm. The court did not award damages.

Homosexuality is finding increasing acceptance in China, although many gay men still face strong family pressure to wed and carry on the family line.

China declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 2001, although no laws outlaw discrimination against sexual minorities and same-sex partnerships are not recognized. ■

{COMEDY cont’d from 9} invaluable place where I can connect people with happy feelings.”

Kaori has aspirations of moving to the United States to extend

{FOOD cont’d from 3} and grew up in a Japanese household. Influenced by his mother’s love of cooking and her use of Pacific Northwest ingredients, he was inspired to cook in Seattle and was intrigued by restaurant life. He moved to Japan at 18 to learn about his culture and heritage and also trained under a Michelin star chef in Osaka.

Before the opening ceremony, all of the guests and judges were treated to a buffet by Sushi Kappo. Some of the dishes included Nasu Wibitashi, a vegan eggplant dish; Wagyu Yamatoni, a beef dish with Maitake mushrooms; Natamane Kurumi, a green bean dish with mushrooms and walnut miso; and Gindara Miso Yuan Yaki, a black cod with sweet miso sauce. There were also generous samples of sake.

The judges included Taichi Kita-

{MACAU cont’d from 3} only nominee for the position and was elected by a 400-person panel believed to be pro-Beijing.

Both Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions where Beijing allows greater autonomy under a “one country, two systems” arrangement. However, Beijing does not want to the more liberal regions to become hotbeds

when police-public relations are strained due to the recent grand jury acquittals of the police officers involved in the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. and Eric Garner in Staten Island.

Brinsley had an extensive criminal record including robbery and carrying a concealed weapon. He may be associated with a notori-

ous Baltimore gang although the investigation continues.

Candles and flowers were set out in front of the Liu home in Brooklyn. Local business owners that knew of the couple stated that they were both very happy and “clearly in love.” In addition to his wife, Liu was the only child of his parents who grieved with

Liu’s wife. Officer Liu’s parents are from China.

Officer Ramos, 40, was a twoyear veteran of the New York Police Department. He leaves behind two sons and a wife. ■

her comedy career. She travels several times a year and books shows through her agent. Like most comedians, she also goes on auditions, participates in comedy competitions, and participates in festivals.

As for U.S. hecklers, Kaori jokes that she doesn’t understand English, so she asks them to write down what they are shouting on her memo pad.

In addition to her comedy, she also is an emcee at expos and par-

ties. She is on a television show on Malaysian and Japanese TV, entitled “Welcome to the Rail World.” ■

mura, owner/chef of Sushi Kappo; Tamura Holly Smith, owner/chef of Cafe Jaunita and a James Beard Award recipient; Nancy Leson, restaurant critic and food columnist for The Seattle Times; Allecia Vermillion, food and drink editor of Seattle Met magazine; and Kenji Toda, Editor-In-Chief of Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. and a procurement adviser for the TV world famous cooking show “Iron Chef.”

A large oak barrel of Takara sake was brought near the judges’ table and cracked open with two hammers and a toast among guests, judges, and chefs began the event. The theme of the competition was to create a Japanese dish using local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients that would pair well with Takara sake.

Takara sake is the number-one selling sake in the Northwest and one of the many sponsors of the

event.

Each chef would be allowed 30 minutes to make their creations and three minutes to present to the judges. A total of five points could be earned. Each point would be based on taste of the meal, how it pairs with sake, presentation, understanding of Japanese culture, and originality.

Chef Aaron Pate was the first to present his dish.

Utilizing all 30 minutes, Pate created a bowl of tonyu shabu shabu (a soymilk hot pot) and crab claws, marinated black cod, grated radish, and a raw oyster resting above a bowl of rice.

Chef Shota created a dish inspired by a Japanese snowfall.

The elements of the dish consisted of bamboo leaf, resembling paper snowflakes--pieces of thinly sliced daikon radish, lotus root, and other vegetables. Accompanying the “snowflakes” were

grilled chunks of marinated black cod and uni.

It was a difficult decision for the judges to select between the chefs with different Asian styles.

After comments and deliberation, clearly, the judges had much respect and enjoyed both preparation and pairing. They chose Chef Shota to represent the Northwest with his snowfall-inspired dish.

After the results were presented, a few lucky members of the audience had the opportunity to taste the chefs’ creations. One of those few was Jen Nakayama, owner of Maneki, the oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle and a well-known and loved food destination.

The festive night eventually ended around 8 p.m. and all wished best of luck to Chef Shota Naka Jima in Kyoto at the end of January in the 2015 Washoku World Challenge. ■

of democracy movements that may threaten the ruling Communist Party’s grip on power.

In a message apparently aimed at Hong Kong, Xi said Macau has properly obeyed the “one country, two systems” policy and the Basic Law governing the special administrative region.

Beijing has repeatedly denounced Hong Kong’s pro-democracy demonstration as illegal

assemblies that had not only disrupted the territory’s social order but also flaunted Beijing’s authority.

Xi said Macau should combine Beijing’s authority with its own autonomy to ensure it walks on the “right path.”

“Otherwise, it will be the left foot wearing a right-foot shoe, and the mistake will breed wrongs,” Xi said.

Since Xi took power about two years ago, Beijing has ratcheted up rhetoric against foreign interference, even though China is becoming more intertwined with the world than ever.

Observers say Beijing is vilifying foreign powers and fostering anti-American sentiments to divert public anger at domestic issues and deflect criticism at the ruling Communist Party. ■

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

13

For the week of December 27, 2014–January 2, 2015

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat — Pushing too hard can be a turnoff. Say your peace and then step back a bit, to give your words a chance to sink in.

Dragon — Even though it is probably easier to stick to what you know already, there is a lot to be said for the excitement of trying something new.

Monkey — Is someone asking a favor of you at an inopportune time? Consider what is prompting them to reach out to you.

Ox — Don’t let old issues hinder what you do next.

Do yourself a favor and start with a clean slate by letting bygones be bygones.

Snake — As you wind down on one project, another one seems to be ramping up. This is reason enough to get the first assignment done on time.

Rooster — Have you recently been moved by a touching gesture? Pass along that same feeling by performing a kind act yourself.

Tiger — While you want to include as many people as possible, there is a point where you will have to draw a line.

Horse — Remember that what flows has the possibility of coming back in. Put good things out there just to be safe.

Dog — Once you have seen what is possible, it is not really realistic to turn back. Let your inspiration guide you for now.

Rabbit — It is never too late to begin anew. However, it might just take you a little bit longer to get going this time around.

Goat — Whether you are a short-timer or in it for the long haul, don’t lend your name to something that does not meet your approval.

Pig — Are there a handful of people that you have been meaning to catch up with? Take the initiative to set up a meeting.

What’s your animal sign?

Rat 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Ox 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Rabbit 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Goat 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

{NK cont’d from 5} our country. It made a mockery of our sovereignty. We reject it. But there is no relation” to the hacking.

The U.S. decision to openly blame North Korea — which involved agreement by the State Department and intelligence agencies — escalated a global game of brinkmanship. It happened after the disclosure of confidential Sony e-mails and business files and threats of terror attacks against U.S. movie theaters until Sony agreed to cancel the Christmas Day release of its comedy, “The Interview.”

Obama spoke not long after the FBI provided the most detailed accounting to date of the digital break-in. The president’s pointed criticism of Sony shifted focus to whether the studio would modify its decision, as some leading celebrities — including actors George Clooney and Sean Penn — have recommended.

“Sony is a corporation. It suffered significant damage. There were threats against its employees. I am sympathetic to the concerns that they faced,” Obama said. “Having said all that, yes, I think they made a mistake.”

Sony Pictures Chief Executive Michael Lynton said it was the president who was mistaken, noting that Sony canceled the release only after all major theater chains decided not to show the movie. But the Homeland Security Department concluded those threats were not credible, and the top multiplex chains in North America dropped “The Interview” only after Sony informed them it would not protest if the theaters pulled the film.

“The president, the press, and the public {JAIL cont’d from 5} signed to secure him.

He was whisked through a backdoor into the courtroom, evading dozens of journalists and cameramen waiting for him. After the booking procedures, he was driven back to Manila.

Laude family lawyer Virgie Suarez said she expects the judge to soon rule on where he should be detained. “He (Pemberton) was not on official duty and he committed the crime in Olongapo, so he should be detained here in Olongapo,” she told reporters.

Laude’s sister, Marilou, said she had “mixed emotions — scared ... and trembling with anger” when she first saw Pemberton during the booking proceedings.

She said Pemberton was smiling before he saw her. “He quickly looked away from me and never smiled again,” she said.

“I wanted to come close to him to ask

are mistaken as to what actually happened,” Lynton told CNN. “We do not own movie theaters. We cannot determine whether or not a movie will be played in movie theaters.”

Lynton did not indicate whether Sony planned to release the movie on DVD or through video-on-demand services, which are not controlled by theaters, but the company suggested that was an option in a statement late Friday.

“The only decision that we have made with respect to release of the film was not to release it on Christmas Day in theaters, after the theater owners declined to show it,” the company said. “After that decision, we immediately began actively surveying alternatives to enable us to release the movie on a different platform.”

As for the case against North Korea, the United States detected communications between computer Internet addresses known to be operated by North Korea and hacking tools left behind at the crime scene, which the FBI said contained subtle clues linking them to that country’s government.

The United States said in a statement, “North Korea’s actions were intended to inflict significant harm on a U.S. business and suppress the right of American citizens to express themselves.” The statement included a general promise to impose “costs and consequences” on any person, group, or government using cyberattacks to threaten the United States or its interests.

Obama wasn’t any more specific.

“They caused a lot of damage, and we will respond,” he said. “We will respond proportionally, and we’ll respond in a place and time and manner that we choose. It’s him why he killed my sibling, to smash his head on the wall, but there were too many [guards] around him,” she said.

Philippine government prosecutors on Monday charged Pemberton with murder, saying he killed Laude, who was formerly known as Jeffrey, after he found out she was a transgender woman. Laude had apparently been strangled and drowned in a toilet bowl in a motel where the pair had checked in after meeting in a disco bar on Oct. 11, according to prosecutors.

Olongapo City Prosecutor Emilie Fe de los Santos said Pemberton’s lawyers filed a motion to suspend the judicial proceedings while awaiting a Department of Justice ruling on their petition to review the murder charge.

Pemberton’s lawyers could not be reached for comment. Pemberton was in the Philippines to take part in combat exercises involving thousands of American and Filipino troops. ■

not something that I will announce here today at a press conference.”

In a taunting new e-mail, the hackers told Sony that executives were “very wise” to cancel the movie’s release and warned the studio never to release the film “in any form.”

In Hollywood, Clooney said the entertainment industry should push for immediate release of “The Interview” online. In an interview with the trade site Deadline, he urged Sony to “do whatever you can to get this movie out. Not because everybody has to see the movie, but because I’m not going to be told we can’t see the movie. That’s the most important part.”

Penn said, “By caving to the outside threat, we make our nightmares real. The decision to pull ‘The Interview’ is historic.

It’s a case of putting short-term interests ahead of the long term.”

The evidence implicating North Korea was previously described as largely circumstantial, including unspecified clues in the hacking tools left behind and the involvement of at least one computer in Bolivia traced to earlier attacks blamed on North Korea. Now, the FBI said, those clues included similarities to other tools developed by North Korea in specific lines of computer code, encryption algorithms, and data deletion methods. More significantly, the FBI discovered that computer Internet addresses known to be operated by North Korea were communicating directly with other computers used to deploy and control the hacking tools and collect the stolen Sony files.

The FBI noted in its statement that it worked closely on the investigation with

“other U.S. government departments and agencies.” Those included the National Security Agency, a person familiar with the case said, speaking only on condition of anonymity because some information NSA was providing in the case was highly classified.

An internal FBI investigative document obtained by The Associated Press identified the computers in the Sony hacking as operating in New York, Thailand, Poland, Italy, Bolivia, Singapore, and Cyprus. At least three were still functioning Friday, responding online to Internet test signals transmitted by the AP. The hackers previously published some of the stolen materials with a message that included five addresses using an anonymous e-mail service in France.

U.S. options for acting against North Korea are limited. The United States already has severe trade sanctions in place, and there is no appetite for military action.

Even if investigators could identify and prosecute the individual hackers believed responsible, there’s no guarantee that any located are overseas would ever see a U.S. courtroom. Hacking back at North Korean targets by U.S. government experts could encourage further attacks against American targets.

“I think the administration is going to look for other ways that we can press financial pain on the leadership of the regime and its cronies,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, DCalif., a member of the House intelligence committee whose congressional district includes major movie studios. ■ Associated Press Writers Jake Coyle in New York and Cara Anna at the United Nations contributed to this report.

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DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

EMPLOYMENT

Senior Early Education Specialist

$32.33 – 37.66/hour Plus Excellent Benefits The Department of Education and Early Learning is looking for applicants with the skills to provide expert guidance, coaching and training to teachers in the Seattle Preschool Program. For more information and to apply, visit www.seattle.gov/jobs by 1/13/15.

The City of Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity in the workforce.

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EMPLOYMENT

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The King County Flood Control District, Washington, is requesting proposals to contract with a facilitator to work with relevant parties to develop an alignment and conceptual design solution for the Lower Russell Road Levee project.

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All proposals should be sent to: Mark Hoppen, Executive Director Advertize in our Service King County Flood Control District Directory below King County Courthouse 516 Third Avenue, 12th Floor, W1201 Just $10 a week!

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{MAYOR cont’d from 10} Last year, a bill sponsored

by Councilman Nick Licata would have allowed tent cities for up to a year on nonreligious properties in industrial and commercial zones.

The council voted against it.

Murray said his proposed legislation will build off Licata’s. It calls for organizations operating the encampments to collect data about their clients; city money should only go to organizations that comply, he said.

The mayor also said he would push for 150 additional shelter beds by early 2015, including at least 15

reserved for youth.

Murray balked at the task force’s proposal that some community centers be used to provide shelter, saying the centers must continue to focus on services for seniors and children, such as the city’s new preschool program.

The council last month set aside $200,000 in the city’s 2015 budget to help carry out the task force’s recommendations and $100,000 to support encampments.

Murray wrote that he has a separate advisory group working on long-term solutions to the city’s affordablehousing crisis. ■

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE {FILMS cont’d from 10} is not directed by Miyazaki, but it incorporates a lot of his trademark playfulness and warmth.

5. “Hal: The Movie,” directed by Ryōtarō Makihara, starring Yoshimasa Hosoya, Yōko Hikas, and Mamoru Miyano

Miori Takimoto, and Hidetoshi Nishijima This one did come from the anime master Miyazaki, about the young Japanese man who invented the Zero fighter plane. The film is about war and its consequences, and the hard choices that dreamers have to make when the real world comes knocking.

DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

{TOP 10 cont’d from 1}

4. “Lilting,” directed by Hong Khaou, starring Ben Wishaw, Cheng Pei-pei, and Andrew Leung

8. Tony Ng deported

On May 1, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed King County Superior Court Judge Mary Yu to the Washington State Supreme Court. Not only is Yu the first Asian American justice, but she is the first openly gay justice.

5. Kenneth Bae free

2. “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” by Isao Takahata, starring Aki Asakura, Kengo Kora, and Takeo Chii

An android arrives in a young woman’s life, to replace the boyfriend she lost in an accident.

Charming, certainly, but as the action moves along, we discover that we were taking certain things for granted. The film is much darker than the press would lead you to believe.

15

Tony Ng, convicted accomplice in the 1983 Wah Mee Massacre, was released from prison and deported to Hong Kong.

Ng is a participant of the worst mass murder in Seattle history and has been imprisoned for 28 years.

Lynnwood resident Kenneth Bae arrived home after two years of imprisonment in North Korea. A Korean American Christian missionary, Bae was sentenced to 15 years for anti-government activities. Bae thanked the U.S. government for securing his release and spent his first night with his family over pizza.

9. Ocean City closes

6. Pramila Jayapal elected Miyazaki’s cohort Takahata hadn’t been heard from in some time before this one. This is the story of a young girl who becomes a young woman, determined to do life her way. Vividly animated and strong on character, comedy, and cross-generational misunderstandings—all derived from a fairy tale.

1. “Stray Dogs,” directed

by Tsai Ming-liang, starring Lee Kang-sheng, Lu Yi-Ching, and Chen Shiang-chyi

After 31 years in the International District, Ocean City Restaurant closed its doors on Nov. 30. Owners Christine and Tim Lee said they have not been able to make money from the restaurant for the last five years. The Lees leased more than three quarters of the restaurant space to Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot.

10. Louisa Building API candidate Pramila Jayapal proved to be a big winner on primary night on Aug. 5. Jayapal won a seat in the state senate for Seattle’s 37th District.

She is the founder of OneAmerica, Washington state’s largest immigrant and refugee advocacy organization. She is a national advocate for immigrant, civil, and human rights.

7. Nickelsville moves to the ID

A Chinese lady loses her son, and her son’s lover tries to get closer to her. But the dead young man never told his mother he was gay. Impeccably acted and written, Cheng Pei-pei is so note-perfect as the older lady, you’d never guess she used to swing a sword on screen.

3. “The Wind Rises,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, starring Hideaki Anno,

I saved the most challenging for the last and best. Tsai’s films, always slow-moving (very slowmoving), unfold with visual majesty. There’s a mystic appreciation for living in the moment, no matter what the moment brings. It also takes a close look at the fragility of human beings in the shadows of the cities they made. He climaxes “Stray Dogs” with what felt like 10 minutes of an unbroken closeup. You have to throw out most of what you know about movies to get down to that bracingly human level. ■ Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@nwasiawnweekly.com.

Last Christmas Eve, the Hudson Building, sometimes called the Louisa Building, suffered a fire later classified as “undetermined.” Owned by the Woo family, the Hudson Building housed Mon Hei Bakery, Palace Décor & Gifts, Sea Garden Seafood Restaurant, Seattle Gospel Center Bookroom, Palace Decor & Gifts, Liem’s Pet Shop, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Yuan Sheng Hang herbal shop, and the Pacific International Co. Even though the fire occurred in 2013, it continues to impact the ID. ■ *All images in this piece are used with permission or are property of Northwest Asian Weekly Ninette Cheng can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

The International District received some new neighbors, the Nickelsville homeless camp. Made up of 40 men and women, young and old, students, veterans, employed and unemployed, the camp found a temporary home on Dearborn Street where they sought refuge while looking for a more permanent home. The residents are happy with their new home and invite others to visit.

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DECEMBER 27, 2014 – JANUARY 2, 2015

Randall Park

Arthur chu

Kim Yu-Na “Fresh off The Boat” cast

{APOP cont’d from 7} rescinding the logo in order to remain culturally sensitive, while working on a new logo with the local Vietnamese community.

For what it’s worth, Yelp reviews for Banh Shop seem favorable.

Perhaps the scandal helped sales?

4. Kim Yu-na and her gold medal snub We all got a taste of sports drama when the 2014 Winter Olympics dominated primetime television in February. South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na, the women’s figure skating gold medalist from the 2010 Games, returned to Sochi, Russia to defend her title against old rivals and newcomers. Though she was the favorite to win gold, Kim suffered an upset to Russian upstart skater Adelina Sotnikova. With revelations that the judging panel

may have had conflicts of interest leading to Sotnikova’s ensured win, there was never any hard evidence of a set-up — it was all speculation. Though she claims retirement, I’m still hoping to see Kim at the 2018 Games.

3. Arthur Chu, the king of Jeopardy and controversy Arthur Chu is no stranger to “Jeopardy!” fanatics. Supporters and detractors alike watched Chu win 11-straight weeks of “Jeopardy!” over a two-month period — he took home $297,200 in winnings. Chu’s winning streak was a controversial one, however, as he employed aggressive strategy to beat out his opponents that came off abrasive to critics. Still, no one can deny Chu’s genius. Since his stint on the show, Chu went on to leverage his newfound celebrity to advocate for issues he believes in,

such as speaking critically against the Isla Vista shootings and commenting on nerd subcultures. If you haven’t read some of his blog posts, you should check them out.

It’s fantastic food for thought.

2. Eddie Huang’s “Fresh Off the Boat” The ABC sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat,” based on celebrity chef Eddie Huang’s autobiography of the same name, was picked up for a 2015 mid-season premiere. This will be the first show in 20 years to star an all-Asian cast since the 1990s. The show promises cultural, comedic, and hip hop antics from a Taiwanese and Chinese American family. However, there has been significant debate over the show’s chosen name — with detractors noting the derogatory implications — but Huang is quick to defend it. For him, it’s a way to express reverence and con-

nection to his ancestral roots, as well as highlighting terminology specific to minorities.

1. North Korea effectively puts the brakes on “The Interview”

This week, the comedy film “The Interview” has dominated headlines with its controversial relationship with North Korea. The movie stars comedians James Franco and Seth Rogen as media journalists who land an exclusive interview with a fictionalized version of Kim Jong-un, only to be enlisted by the CIA to carry out an assassination plot on the North Korean dictator.

Korean American actor Randall Park plays Kim in the film.

However, North Korea was not pleased with the film’s potential release, and issued a press release threatening to take “decisive and merciless countermeasures” if the film is released. Their agitation escaladed to new heights when it

was revealed that the country was behind the recent online hacks to Sony Entertainment — distributor of “The Interview” — which included the potential mass leak of the company’s sensitive documents, as well as threats to employees.

In the interest of moviegoers’ safety, major theater chains opted against screening “The Interview,” while Sony dropped film distribution. Later, President Obama publically chided Sony Entertainment for pulling the film, claiming the decision was a “mistake,” as it could eventually lead to self-censorship in the U.S. media.

President Obama also said that the United States would respond to North Korea’s actions.

This story is still developing.

Stay tuned for a follow-up in next month’s column. Happy New Year! ■ Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.