PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 40 NO 13 MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
FREE 39 YEARS YOUR VOICE
A tale of two rallies
Inslee, community leaders address hate against Asians
For two consecutive Saturdays, rallies against Asian attacks in Georgia were held in Seattle’s Chinatown, but the contrast was as dramatic as day and night. The March 13 rally was a “Who’s Who” in the crowd with former Gov. Gary Locke and King County Executive Dow Constantine. Some of
Photo by Assunta Ng
By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Photo by Assunta Ng
Kids protest over Asian killings in Georgia, in Seattle’s Chinatown
Gov. Jay Inslee
By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
A protest led by children at Hing Hay Park on March 20.
the organizers are elected officials, community leaders, who have deep records of activism and organizing protests. The
audience was mostly Asian Americans. But the one held a week later, March 20, was organized by
“I feel as if I was abused twice, first by the attacker, and second by the legal system,” said Noriko Nasu, a teacher at
Seneca Nguyen, a fifth grader.
see PRESS CONFERENCE on 6
see KIDS PROTEST on 3
Former ICHS Foundation Executive Director Ron Chew said of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine: “Having had the vaccine is reassuring. I feel safer. I'm in the older age group, so I want to stick around and see what my kids end up doing with their careers and see what the next generation will be doing.”
By Travis Quezon ICHS
By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Washington has expanded with the Federal Drug Administration approval of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine in February. Health care providers are letting the community know that by taking the first vaccine you can get, you are helping to stop the virus from circulating. You’ll also avoid the risk of finding yourself without protection if infection rates surge. As of March 9, over two million vaccine doses have been delivered in Washington state, exceeding the Department of Health (DOH)’s goal of 45,000 vaccinations a day.
During the past year, Angela Wong, 51, often drove 30 miles each way to drop off chao shao bao, shumai, face cream, candied ginger, and other things for her mother. Occasionally, she would see her through a window in the lobby of the nursing home, where she is locked down. But now that Kin On is opening up for family members, Wong knows this: she will have a chance to see her mother, Lee Shee Lo, 96, in person before she dies. “During the pandemic, I was so worried about my mother, any time I got a call from Kin On staff, given her age, I would worry and feel dread that it could happen any time and we’ve gone so far without seeing each other,” she said.
see ICHS on 13
Photo provided by Angela Wong.
Third vaccine adds more Families rejoice at end tools in fighting the of nursing home lockCOVID-19 pandemic downs
Angela Wong, 51, and her mother, Lee Shee Lo, 96.
Wong is not the only one to feel a sense see LOCK DOWN ENDS on 12
THE INSIDE STORY ON THE SHELF Family, it’s complicated 5 NAMES IN THE NEWS ICHS employee appreciation 2
■
HEALTH Homegrown spine surgeon returns to care for local AAPI population 7
PICTORIAL Rallies against anti-Asian violence 9
PUBLISHER’S BLOG The secret to losing weight during a pandemic 8
412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
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asianweekly northwest
39 YEARS
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Photo by George Liu
Bellevue rally against hate crimes calls for “immediate action”
Rally participants gathered in the rain in Bellevue on March 20.
Organizers said thousands rallied in Bellevue on March 20 against anti-Asian hate crimes. United Chinese Americans of Washington (UCAWA) organized the event, which was co-sponsored by the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Alumni Association of Seattle (HUSTAA), Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Ethnic Chamber of Commerce Coalition, Seattle Chinese American Alliance, Korean American Chamber of Commerce in Washington State, American Jewish Committee, Amazon Chinese American Association, Washington Association of Chinese American Physicians, Seattle Lang Group, and several other organizations. “We demand that the federal government, local law enforcement agencies, and community leaders take
immediate action to address the surge in anti-Asian crimes and ensure the safety of Asian Americans and businesses,” said Winston Lee, president of UCAWA. Still, a spokesperson for the organizers, Y.P. Chan, added that racism is tied to economic inequality. Chan first experienced discrimination from the more affluent people of Hong Kong when he arrived there decades ago as a poor immigrant from China. “But the question now is, what does the U.S. as a society need to do to address the issues of racism, economic and social equity for all races and genders? At the same time, what are Asians doing to protect our lives and rights when real structural change will be very slow or non-existing in the future?”
ICHS employee appreciation
On March 8, International Community Health Services (ICHS) held Employee Appreciation Luncheons across its clinics. Employees who were honored as part of the Asian Weekly’s Community Health Excellence Award were given their plaques. They also enjoyed food and drinks donated by Viet Wah.
Chinese American Legacy Artwork Project
Seattle artist Stewart Wong has been selected to design the 1886 Anti-Chinese Riot public artwork that will permanently recognize the expulsion of ChiStewart Wong nese from Seattle. Among Wong’s credits are collaborative installations of artwork in the Wing Luke Museum Community Hall with artist Ron Ho, and a New Mexico commission with artist Cheryll Leo-Gwin, commemorating the 1882 landmark Yee Shun case that allowed the right of Chinese to testify in U.S. courts. The new public artwork will be located on the eastside of Alaskan Way South, between South Washington and South Main Streets. The location of the artwork is symbolic of the anti-Chinese riot since it is in the vicinity of the dock where the Chinese were brought for boarding on the steamship out of Seattle. The project is being promoted by several community groups and administered by Wing Luke Museum.
Northwest Mountain MSDC recognizes excellence in 2020 performance
The Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC) has chosen Tim Otani, Director & External Affairs Manager at Union Tim Otani Bank, as the recipient of the Robert L. Ryan Award. This award is presented to individuals “who exemplify an unselfish commitment to Minority Business Enterprise Development.” It also presented Mike Nakamura Photography LLC as Class 1 Supplier of the Year. Northwest Mountain MSDC was founded in 1978 and its mission is to drive economic value by equalizing opportunities.
Winnie Lee (left) and Kia Truong. They both work at ICHS’s Bellevue Clinic.
From left: Kathy Bohn, Michelle Mallari, Kathy Lin, Wendy Yu, Ling Wong, and Phan Lac.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
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Call (206) 788-3700 www.ichs.com
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
YOUR VOICE
asianweekly northwest
■ COMMUNITY NEWS The time to Stop AAPI Hate is NOW Conrad Lee
Janice Zahn
Angela Kugler
Satwinder Kaur
Salim Nice
Benson Wong
Tanika Padhye
Kim-Khanh Van
Peter Kwon
Susan Chang
Doris Fujioka McConnell
Cynthia Johnson
As King County elected officials of Asian descent, we are outraged by the increase in hate incidents directed at members of our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in this country. A new report by Stop AAPI Hate documented nearly 3,800 hate incidents nationwide during the past 12 months. Closer to home, anti-Asian hate crime rose 33% from 2019 to 2020 in Seattle, and rose in the aggregate 149% during the same period in 16 of this country’s largest cities (which included Seattle). While the tragic murder of eight individuals, six of whom were of Asian descent, in Atlanta has yet to be ruled a hate crime, the murder
KIDS PROTEST from 1 There were no “movers and shakers” lining up as speakers. The crowd was much smaller. It didn’t even have a big banner or any setup. The lack of sophistication in organizing didn’t matter—it was enough to earn supportive honks of passing automobiles.
How it began
When 10-yearold Nguyen watched the news on March 16 about Asian Americans being killed in Georgia’s Asianowned spas, he told his mom, “I want to have a demonSeneca Nguyen stration.” His dad, Matt, recalled that he and his Black wife were surprised. The Nguyen family had never organized a protest in their life. The family attended the Women’s March in 2017, and three or four Black Lives Matter rallies in the past year, said Matt. Nguyen told the Northwest Asian Weekly that he wanted to have a demonstration because “Asian Americans were being murdered,” and that’s an injustice. He wanted to do something to bring awareness. Nguyen’s wish was unusual, not just because of his age. “Seneca is a shy kid,” said Matt. “But he is aware of what’s going on, aware of the injustices I’ve faced, growing up as Asian American...people spitting on me at a theme park.” He’s also aware of what his grandfather went through as a refugee from Vietnam, and “that things had happened to him.” And he was concerned for his grandfather after the Georgia incident. Most parents might have rejected Nguyen’s idea. Instead, Seneca’s mom, Tia, responded calmly, “Let‘s plan it.”
of these innocent lives has increased the fear and anxiety that many Asian Americans feel. Locally, the violent attack against an Asian woman in the Seattle Chinatown-International District last month is unacceptable and many in our Asian community are now afraid for their personal safety. All cities must work together to fight against racism, xenophobia, and bigotry in whatever form they take. We must be silent no more. We must speak up against misinformation, call out scapegoating, and condemn violence. Individually, we can do better. Collectively we will do better. Join us. Work with us. Unite together.
“I supported him because that’s what our family does,” Tia said. ”We teach our kids their voices matter and to speak up for what’s right.” I have to confess as much as I am for fighting injustice, I would likely say “no” to my own children if they suggested a protest. But the Nguyens’ parenting philosophy would inspire other parents to think twice before dismissing their kids’ unconventional ideas. And the family started posting on Facebook, inviting friends to join, then later, parents and classmates of his school. The word got out. About 30 families signed up.
The demonstration
The crowd was made up of a diverse group of parents and kids. They understood the horror of the Georgia crimes, and their faces showed serious intent to do their part. None of the speakers was well-known and many were too nervous to stand before the crowd. The kids’ message was short and simple. Most spoke no more than a minute. “Everybody loves each other,” one boy said, as his voice trembled. “I don’t understand why people can’t love each other,” another student said. “Racism is wrong,” said yet another. Nguyen, who was petrified, was never able to give his speech, even though he had it written down on a piece of paper and practiced numerous times. His parents’ friend, Andrew Yoshiwara of Portland, finally read it on Seneca’s behalf. ”My name is Seneca and I’d just like to thank you for coming here today to support violence against Asian Americans. It makes me angry so I did something. I organized this demonstration because us kids have the power to stand up and fight back against Asian-hating crimes because we are kids versus racism!” For some, it was their first time speaking in public. These little people were no taller than four or five feet, and as young as 6 years old. But their one-line
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Bellevue City Councilmember Conrad Lee Bellevue City Councilmember Janice Zahn Kenmore City Councilmember Angela Kugler (appointed January 2021) Kent City Councilmember Satwinder Kaur Mercer Island City Councilmember Salim Nice Mercer Island Mayor Benson Wong Redmond City Councilmember Tanika Padhye Renton City Councilmember Kim-Khanh Van SeaTac Deputy Mayor Peter Kwon Shoreline City Councilmember Susan Chang Shoreline City Councilmember Doris Fujioka McConnell Tukwila City Councilmember Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson
or one-minute speech was no less powerful. What the protest had taught the kids and their parents were profound and far-reaching.
Impact on kids
We are proud of Seneca,” said Matt. “It’s okay to be scared, it’s okay to be nervous (at the event). But you should always keep your head up. He makes a difference in his friends. What they experienced from that day, they look up to him. A parent said Seneca is a good role model for his son.“ Matt said he and Tia wanted their children to ”continue to be aware of injustices. We want to raise kids that are kind...speak up and not silence when they see something wrong.“ What Seneca learns, Matt said, even a kid “can organize and bring people together. And kids can voice their opinions and views.” Seneca‘s siblings are proud of him, too. His 13-year-old brother Xaxier is the president of Black Student Union at his school. Matt said Seneca has probably been watching his brother. Besides Seneca getting a thumbs up from many that day, what made him most happy was, “Seeing all the kids from my school and other people I didn’t know supporting the rally,” he said. When asked if the family celebrated after the event, Matt said the whole incident in Georgia is “unfortunate with eight people being killed, and it’s tragic in the community.” It doesn‘t need any type of celebration, he added. Matt hopes that non-Asians should be aware of the tragedy and defend Asian Americans when situations arise. In this pandemic, parents and students have been moaning that they didn‘t learn as much as in a normal school year. Yet when Seneca and his classmates were participating in this rally, they were actually receiving an important real-life education, which wouldn’t be possible in a classroom.
The impact on participants
Not all attendees were from Nguyen’s circle. Jennifer Sun, who learned about the rally from her co-worker, brought her family along. Sun is a teacher at a Bellevue elementary school. “As teachers, we were inspired to find there was a kid-organized rally against racism. It felt great to see a big multiracial crowd out to support our AAPI community. Oppression of any one group impacts all of us and we need solidarity, whether it’s for BLM or #stopAAPIhate.” “It’s important in times like this to come out and show support,” said Gordon, Sun’s husband. “My friend and I were talking, and she shared that Chinatown is supposed to be a safe space, especially for our Asian elders. With this rise in hate crimes, it feels like that’s been taken away from us and from them. Rallying at Hing Hay felt like we were taking it back,” said Megan, Sun’s daughter. “It’s really great to see that so many people in the community are willing to stand up and fight against AAPI hate,” said Matthew, Sun’s son. “I was impressed that so many families turned out for [the] rally with support signs for Asian Americans,” said Gei Chan, a retiree. She was also “heartened to see … many families staying after to explore the neighborhood businesses.” Some restaurants reported good lunch businesses that day. The rally started around noon. But the lasting lesson these kids had learned, is they can be change agents, too. The seeds of change have been sown for years to come in just one March afternoon. See pictorial for more rally events on page 9. Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
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asianweekly northwest
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
39 YEARS
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
White people are ruining ‘bamboo ceiling’ for us! A-pop! Asian-y things in popular culture
By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
“BRZRKR,” is about an immortal human weapon deployed by the U.S. military— with a bleeding conscience. The 12-issue series is ultra-violent—and Netflix is going to bring that feast for our eyes to its streaming platform. Reeves will play the titular character (yay), and while I’m not sure when we can expect it, I know that what we can expect is some more dope John Wickesque shit—hopefully without a sad dog storyline though.
I know we’ve all had a really terrible week, and it feels a bit discordant to read frivolous pop culture news. But I hope this column gives you a break from the heaviness.
WHITE PEOPLE GET PISSED ABOUT TERM “BAMBOO CEILING,” WHICH SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THEY’D DO
TWO ‘STORE’ SHOWS I’M SAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO: “KIM’S CONVENIENCE” AND “SUPERSTORE” Leilua, Joseph Lee Anderson, Ana Tuisila, and a fave, Randall Park. Whenever I watch this show, I marvel at how Johnson is aging so gracefully and how he keeps so fit, and I sheepishly pick up so many new things about Samoan American culture and identity that I really should already know.
Asian reporter Rebecca Sun wrote a headline in the Hollywood Reporter that said “Diverse Oscars field sees Asian actors shatter the bamboo ceiling” and a whole lotta white people got really uppity about it because they didn’t realize that bamboo ceiling is legit a term coined by author (and Asian person) Jane Hyun, who used the term to describe how hard it is for Asian Americans to get into leadership positions in big companies. Instead, these woke white people who don’t know that much about Asian stuff and aren’t great at checking bylines were like, “Bamboo ceiling! Oh, because they are Asian? How dare you! Racist!” To her credit, Sun responded in a super chill and super classy way. She tweeted, “Hi! I wrote that headline (and the story). My editor, who is not Asian, was worried about it, but it’s a conscious choice I made to reference the phrase’s usage in the corporate world (the difficulty Asian executives have in breaking through to upper management).” Anyway, the Hollywood Reporter has since changed that headline to something white people won’t get mad about on behalf of people of color because we must always, always, always center white ignorance and white comfort and do workarounds for white #fakefacts.
OMG WATCH “YOUNG ROCK” RIGHT NOW Man, the most charismatic former pro-wrestler on Earth and my fave “Fast & Furious” franchise cast member, Dwayne Johnson, has a new sitcom out called “Young Rock.” It’s nostalgic—like “Wonder Years” or “Everybody Hates Chris”—but featuring Pacific Islanders like we’ve never seen before (which is easy because we don’t see enough Pacific Islanders on TV!). “Young Rock” stars Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, Uli Latukefu (in a starmaking performance, I hope!), Stacey
JON M. CHU BRINGING “WICKED” TO THE SILVER SCREEN
peddling really cool custom motorcycles, Keanu Reeves (who is of Chinese and Native Hawaiian descent) is apparently also a comic book writer. Dude, I love this guy’s depth. His series from Boom Studios,
In a landscape that doesn’t see an enormous amount of TV shows that prominently feature Asian cast members, it’s really bittersweet (and also very funny) that we have to say goodbye to two shows that are set in stores. “Kim’s Convenience” will say bye after its fifth season, which finishes airing on April 13. “Kim’s Convenience” see A-POP on 12
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You may know Jon M. Chu for “Crazy Rich Asians,” but I fondly know him for his work on two Justin Bieber biopics. And he is bringing his talent for putting music on the big screen toward adapting one of Broadway’s biggest musical hits, “Wicked.” For those of you who don’t know (how can you not know!), “Wicked” is a show based on “The Wizard of Oz” tales, but subverted, told from the point of view of the “wicked” witch (get it?). Its songs are some headbangers, it’s won about a gazillion awards, and I know Chu’s version is going to be luxurious and beautiful and colorful. Can’t wait!
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■ ON THE SHELF
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
asianweekly northwest
5
Family, it’s complicated Book recommendations
By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
A Phở Love Story
By Loan Le Simon & Schuster, 2021 Meet Bảo Nguyễn and Linh Mai, two Vietnamese American teens who go to the same high school and whose families both own phở restaurants. You’d think they would’ve bonded over these similarities and became friends. But for as long as either can remember, their families have been at odds, as their competing restaurants are just across the street from each other. Because of their feuding families, Bảo and Linh have avoided each other for most of their lives. But a chance encounter brings them together and before either knows what’s happening, they’ve become friends—and begin developing feelings for something more. As the two get to know each other better, they begin to suspect the animosity between their families is more than just friendly competition. What Bảo and Linh discover is a complicated history that goes back to before they were even born and seemingly insurmountable obstacles conspiring to keep them apart. In addition to a sweet “Romeo and Juliet-esque” love story about a pair of star-crossed lovers, Le does a great job of weaving Bảo and Linh’s budding relationship with the stories of their families—both back in Vietnam and once they arrive in the United States. The trauma the Nguyễns and Mais experienced during the Vietnam War didn’t disappear just because they came to a new country. It has a lingering effect and that is something a lot of people with immigrant backgrounds can relate to. Speaking of relating to, there were so many things Bảo and Linh experienced that took me back to my teen years. From discovering and embracing their passions
for writing and art, respectively, to figuring out how to be honest with their parents about certain aspects of their lives, I’ve definitely been there. Tweak just a few of the details, and that’s basically my adolescence on the page. And then, there’s the food. In addition to phở, Le describes a variety of Vietnamese dishes—some I knew and some I didn’t—that will have you craving so many things. I don’t recommend you read this book on an empty stomach.
My Brother’s Husband, Volumes 1 and 2 By Gengoroh Tagame Pantheon, 2020
As a stay-at-home suburban dad in Tokyo, Yaichi is the main caretaker of his daughter, Kana. His days are spent taking her to school, cooking her meals, and occasionally coordinating family time with his exwife and Kana’s mother, Natsuki, who he is still friends with. The small family’s life is suddenly turned upside down when a large Canadian named Mike Flanagan shows up on Yaichi’s doorstep, claiming to be the widower of Yaichi’s estranged twin Ryoji. Mike is on a quest to learn more about Ryoji’s past and Yaichi reluctantly takes him in and plays host. As Yaichi and Kana show Mike around Tokyo and Japan, Mike shares with them stories about his life with Ryoji, who had died just a month prior to Mike’s visit. Yaichi, who hadn’t seen his twin in about 10 years, learns a side of his brother he hadn’t known. “My Brother’s Husband” gives readers a glimpse into Japan’s largely still-closeted gay culture. While it’s understandable for school-aged Kana to learn about what it means to be gay, we see Yaichi also learn and come to terms with how his relationship with his brother changed
after Ryoji came out to him. Tagame delivers messages of love, acceptance, and family in a story that is accessible to readers of all ages. I particularly enjoyed his depiction of family and how it can come in all shapes and forms. With Yaichi as a single dad and Natsuki working full-time, the traditional gender roles are reversed, but it’s noted that this is becoming more common in Japan. So when Mike shows up, we see how Yaichi realizes that love also comes in all shapes and forms. As a manga, “My Brother’s Husband” is told largely through pictures. Tagame conveys the characters’ emotions in just a few panels and as someone who doesn’t regularly read this medium (it took a minute to get used to reading right to left), I came to appreciate the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
The Mountains Sing By Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai Algonquin Books, 2020
Every family has its fair share of grief and trauma, and the Trần family is no exception. From matriarch Trần Diệu Lan, born in 1920 and forced to flee the family farm with her six children during the Land Reform, to her granddaughter Hương, coming of age in Hà Nội amid a conflict that is tearing their country apart, Mai takes readers on a multigenerational journey with the family, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. Told from Hương’s and Diệu Lan’s alternating perspectives, “Mountains” is the story about a family torn apart by conflict—both within and from outside forces. We see the lengths members of the Trần family go through to find their way back to each other. And how even when they are back together, it can still be a struggle—especially in the aftermath of a war. While stories about the Vietnam War are not difficult see SHELF on 13
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Sealed bids will be received for KC000169, NE STILLWATER HILL RD/KELLY RD NE ROADWAY PRESERVATION; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, via the E-Procurement system, until 1:30pm on 4/15/2021. Late bids will not be accepted. The public bid opening will only be conducted on-line following the Bid Close Date and Time; see Invitation to Bid for details. There is a Mandatory Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal: 15%. King County, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on
the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex in consideration for an award. Brief Scope/Synopsis: This project provides for the improvement of NE Stillwater Hill Rd/Kelly Rd NE from SR 203 to NE Big Rock Rd in King County by clearing and grubbing, roadway excavation, erosion/water pollution control, grading, drainage, surfacing, paving with HMA, guardrail, pavement markings, temporary traffic control, and other work, all in accordance with the attached Plans, these Special Provisions, the Standard Specifications, the KCRDCS, and the APWA/WSDOT Standard Plans for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction. Estimated contract price: $3,057,467 Prospective bidders can view more details at: https://kingcounty. gov/procurement/solicitations Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://kingcounty.gov/procurement/supplierportal
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asianweekly northwest
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
39 YEARS
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR MAR 25-31 BLOOD DONATION Schedule a blood donation appointment on Red Cross Blood Donor app or visit RedCrossBlood. org, or call 1-800-733-2767 Find a location near you at RedCrossBlood.org
PRESS CONFERENCE from 1 Inglemoor High School, after being a victim of a hate crime. Nasu bravely told her story of being assaulted last month at a press conference in which community, local, and state officials including Gov. Jay Inslee addressed the spate of violence toward the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The press conference, held on March 22 at Renton City Hall, highlighted the cause of the increase in violence against Asians and sought out ways they could address the issue. On March 16, eight people were shot and killed in Atlanta, at three different spas. Six of the victims were Asian women. Although no official reason for the murders has been released, an eyewitness stated that the individual targeted Asians. “It’s totally unacceptable, it has to end, and I am calling on every Washingtonian to wrap our arms around this threatened community,” said Inslee. “It is a virus of hate and fear that too often is being fanned by some political figures for political purposes and this itself is a virus and we must defeat it.” Inslee, without directly mentioning former President Donald Trump, inferred that the prior administration blamed China for the COVID-19 pandemic. Inslee and other speakers also pointed out the “enablers,” that allowed Trump and other politicians that made similar racist mentions
26-28 ALL THINGS JAPANESE SALE JCCCW, 1414 S. Weller St., Seattle 10 a.m.-3 p.m. by appointment only Register at jcccw.org/all-things-japanese-sale
27
APR 2
HUGO LITERARY SERIES: DEATH WITH REBECCA MAKKAI, LAYLI LONG SOLDIER, AND LUCY TAN 6 p.m. hugohouse.org
6 THROUGH MAY 11 6 SESSIONS CLASS: OUT OF THE BLUE, A METEORITE: WRITING WITH SOUTH ASIAN BHAKTI POETRY WITH SHANKAR NARAYAN Register at http://bit.ly/3cFU0YA
STAND WITH THE AAPI COMMUNITY IN UNITY Seattle Center Fountain 11 a.m. Bring your signs!
of Asians causing the virus, are equally to blame for the spike in hate crimes. In addition to Inslee, state representatives Sharon Tomiko Santos and My-Linh Thai, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Washington State Commission on Asian and Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) Executive Director Toshiko Grace Hasegawa spoke at the press conference. “We, and when I say we, I really mostly mean white people—must embrace the humanity and the value of every person,” implored Constantine, “When hate and violence affects one of us, it affects all of us.” “As we collectively grieve as a community, united, we name out loud that discrimination, hate, and violence have been culturally, politically, and structurally supported throughout American history and continues today,” said Hasegawa. “The seeds of hate were intentionally sown and watered and we must weave them out.” State Rep. Thai spoke about ideas for change. “We must end violence against all communities of color by protecting the rights to housing, supporting lowincome families, and shut down the Northwest Detention Center.” She called on the legislature to break down systemic racism in Washington to build a stronger democracy. “We have not been silent,” pled Rep.
Santos. “But nobody is listening to us, and that has to change.” She called on the members of the community to take responsibility and report incidents of hate. On Feb. 25, Nasu was hit in the head by a sock filled with two rocks while exiting a vehicle in the International District (ID). She suffered a fractured face, four broken teeth, a concussion, and lacerations to her face. Nasu believes that she was the victim of a hate crime. Sean Holdip, 41, has not been charged with a hate crime as prosecutors indicated that he would receive a longer sentence if he was convicted of felony assault. A spokesperson for the King County Prosecutor’s Office noted in an email response for comment, “[W]e plan to prove that the injuries suffered by the victim were excessive in comparison to the level of bodily harm contemplated by the law. If we are successful in that, a judge would have the ability to increase the defendant’s sentence up to a maximum of 10 years.” Nasu is not alone with the fear of being out in public. Elders in the ID are concerned with being assaulted. There have been numerous stories around the country where elderly Asians are being pushed down or assaulted in broad daylight. Communities in other cities have banded together to escort elders while out. In Seattle, a community collective instituted a night watch to check on local businesses, help the homeless, and even
break up fights in the ID. Tanya Woo, one of the organizers, said, “We feel that all the issues that we are seeing could benefit with more social workers and a lot of the incidents are happening when we are deescalating fights or feeding the unhoused.” While some of the speakers mentioned the need for a greater police presence, laws to enhance hate crime punishment and community education, there was no bright line solution for the perceptions of using a race of people as scapegoats for the pandemic. Activist group Stop AAPI Hate logged 3,800 hate crimes since the coronavirus pandemic began. The Trump administration repeatedly used the term, “China virus,” and others used the term, “Kung Flu,” as a way to place blame on Asians to deflect responsibility for addressing the issue. Nasu’s attack has left a lasting scar with her. In addition to the physical effects she still suffers, she no longer feels safe in the ID, and since her name is now public, she is afraid of being attacked again. Nasu has received an outpouring of support from the public and some have shared similar instances of hate. Yet, this highlights Nasu’s fears. “I’m just horrified to know that so many of us have been experiencing this hate, and yet nothing is being done. The system is not made for us.” Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
YOUR VOICE
■ HEALTH
asianweekly northwest
7
Homegrown spine surgeon returns to care for local AAPI population By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY It’s been a tough road during COVID, with his operating room being converted into a COVID intensive care unit during his time at the heart of the pandemic in New York. But now, Dr. Philip Louie is back in his home state of Washington to offer spine care to the local community. The child of parents that immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong and Macau, Louie developed an interest in orthopaedics and spine surgery early. “I grew up with a family and a community that always emphasized helping those around us…As I grew older, medicine (and specifically, surgery) was exciting because it provided me with opportunities to use my hands to help those around me. I enjoyed fixing broken bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and all the amazing anatomy of the spine…Both my parents had chronic on-going back problems and have undergone successful spine surgery. My grandparents suffered from years of back pain due to arthritis and scoliosis, and I have had the absolute blessing of helping to care for them as well.” Louie grew up with lessons he received from his parents and grandparents, which he applies to his life.
Dr. Philip Louie
“Family and community were cornerstones to my family growing up. In fact, these were so important that many of the community members felt like family members!...In a world that is divided and full of tension right now, it is more important than ever to look through what divides us and remember that we can be (and are) one big family.” Another lesson he learned was to defy
“The Story of Seattle Chinatown International District Murals” youtube.com/watch?v=VE9BA7KkbKc produced by northwest asian weekly & seattle chinese post funded by
disparity. “We all struggle with something, and many of us struggle with many things. With everything going on in life, it is easy to let these struggles take a stronghold on us…As a spine surgeon, I often face people dealing with their own level of disparity, whether it be from pain, weakness, stress, or shear uncertainty. I feel blessed with the opportunity to face these areas of disparity with my patients, as a team, and provide them with a wide range of support from many caring healthcare team members.” Louie has seen these struggles at home, and nationally. He was part of the healthcare workers pulled into action due to the overwhelming number of COVID cases hitting New York last year. “Being in the world’s largest COVID epicenter was certainly interesting. It felt like one day, the city was alive and jumping, and the next day—the lights turned off…People were getting sick and dying left and right…As a spine surgeon, I was far out of my comfort zone. But I learned to understand that my role was to support my healthcare colleagues and society.” At home, Louie’s parents have been regular activists in the Asian American community. “My parents were trailblazers of sorts
in that they built a Chinese community center and Chinese academy in Tacoma, as well as started a church. My dad started his own medical practice. Every step of the way, we faced forms of open racism and attacks—watching my parents step up and fight it head on was something that was fairly unique. They are incredibly active.” Rather than bowing down to these challenges, Louie’s parents took it on as a positive opportunity. “They find a lot of joy in it. I think they love those types of obstacles...In that light, the increase in violent acts that continue to rattle our AAPI community highlight the tension that we currently face. This is devastating and saddening! But we must learn to stand up as a community to condemn these actions and educate our brothers and sisters.” Now back home and working with the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) Neuroscience Institute on 9th Avenue in Seattle and a just-opened VMFH spine clinic in Federal Way, Louie finally has the chance he’s been waiting for to make local patients a part of his extended family. “That means I will walk them through everything I know about their concern see DR. LOUIE on 14
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asianweekly northwest
39 YEARS
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
The secret to losing weight during a pandemic By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY “Mirror, mirror on the wall, am I getting fat?” Mirror replies, “Yes, dear. The pandemic is making you fat!” If you have gained 15 to 30 pounds, you are not the only one. If you want to lose it quickly, that’s the wrong approach because you are going to gain them back fast. Losing weight shouldn’t be a quick fix. During the coronavirus lockdown, many people complained that they have gained weight, not just a few pounds, but as much as 50 pounds. According to NBC News, pandemic stress has induced binge eating and laying in bed. The average weight gain is 29 pounds. American Psychological Association’s latest “Stress in America” report found more than two in five of surveyed adults (42%) gained more weight than they intended over the past 12 months. And one in 10 gained 50 pounds. You can blame it on the gyms and fitness centers being closed, and public places like museums and malls where we can normally walk for exercise being unavailable. Being isolated has affected your mental health, you need some way to let off stream, and your fridge is too readily available. Or you can attribute it to your small home and no room to place any workout equipment, limiting your exercise options. On the contrary, there are people who have lost weight successfully during the pandemic. The “losers” don’t just lose a few pounds. Some have lost big. These persons’ methods to lose from 6 to 30 pounds.
LOSING 21 POUNDS BY WALKING
Deborah Uno lost 21 pounds after walking for one and a half hours every morning since Jan. 1, 2020. That’s over 11,000 steps (about 4 miles) just in the morning in the Chinatown-International District, while some people are still in bed. By the end of the day, she has accumulated roughly 5.5 miles. Uno said people stopped thinking that she was pregnant due to a “beer belly,” though she never drank beer. “My belly was gone. I was very happy.” She was thrilled with her new look in recent photos. Uno now has to use a belt for her pants. Unfortunately, she has gained back a few pounds this year. However, she has still lost 9 pounds overall. That still calls for celebration. In this pandemic filled with disasters, anything you can do for self-care and helping others is positive. The lesson is, you lose several pounds in a short while, and you can gain them back fast. What has she done this year to ensure that it won’t happen again? Her awareness and her action. Uno is committed to her walking exercise in 2021, since it was so effective
last year. She attributed her weight gain to alcoholic drinks three times a week, and more buffets in the past. She sets the right goal. “I try not to let what’s going on change my life,” she said. She will stick to her daily walking routine, and would even walk extra if her friends want to walk with her in the afternoon. What motivates Uno to keep her regiment? “I am happy most of the time. And I feel relatively healthy. I haven’t been ill for 18 years. I want to keep up my health, live healthy until I go.” Your goal should be a lifelong commitment of maintaining health. If you understand the long-term goal, you not only win the war, losing weight will follow naturally.
dance by himself. When members of the dance community found out, they joined him. Brandon has shed 30 pounds by line dancing for an hour and a half, six days a week. His formula for weight loss is to reduce caloric intake and increase activity. The class is free. It meets every Saturday, 12–1:30 p.m.
LOSING 20 POUNDS BY EATING RIGHT Losing weight does not mean you should stop eating or have to starve, said my Chinese Post editor Rebecca Ip. She lost 20 pounds by cooking her “own quality meals” in the past year. “I never set a goal or any timeline, but keep watching the process,” said Ip. “Bear in mind to lose weight is to keep a healthy body, and shedding a few pounds is the side benefit.” Her advice is to “avoid consuming more
DANCING MELTS YOUR FAT AWAY
see BLOG on 15
Rebecca’s healthy dishes
Weekly Specials Prices Valid March 24-30, 2021 Every week, Cari Murotani enjoys line-dancing at Bellevue’s Tillicum Middle School’s covered playground. Besides losing weight, Murotani said dancing is “one of the best activities for low impact aerobic exercise.” It improves your cardiovascular system, balance and memory, and reduces joint stiffness and muscle pain. It makes people happy, which reduces stress and depression. It’s a needed recipe during this pandemic.
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MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
YOUR VOICE
■ PICTORIAL
asianweekly northwest
9
Rallies against anti-Asian violence
From left: Protest organizer Seneca Nguyen, 10, and his dad, Matt, at Hing Hay Park
Photos by Assunta Ng
From left: The Sun Family (Megan, Jennifer, Gordon, and Matthew)
Photos by Allen Cao
March 20: Children protested in Chinatown-International District
March 20: Asian Americans protested in Bellevue Park Photos provided by Tony Au
Rep. Sharon T. Santos, one of the speakers
Attendees brought flowers and candles to mourn the eight victims killed at Atlanta. Each plate represents a victim. Men and women rallied against racism and violence against women of color.
Tony Au, Gov. Inslee and Renton City Council member Ruth Perez.
March 22: Gov. Jay Inslee’s press conference denouncing Asian hate at Renton City Hall
Photos by George Liu
March 22: API Chaya demonstration
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asianweekly northwest
39 YEARS
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
■ COMMENTARY
How do we stand up to hate?
By remaining united By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY COVID was bad enough. Then there was the rise in crime, the rise in homelessness and joblessness, the rise in racism. From the start, I was afraid to step out of my house Kai Curry lest I be spit on by someone as some kind of a sick joke to spread the pandemic—I heard that people were licking doorknobs—or after the Lady Gaga incident, lest someone steal my dog! Just when our nation seemed to get a second chance—Biden isn’t perfect and out of so many eligible, and more diverse candidates, he was not my first choice, but he is better than the guy with the orange hair—then, suddenly the anti-Asian hate and racism seems to have launched into the stratosphere. Throughout this entire pandemic—of racism, of disease and crime, of fear—has been this entity of “the media”—not the Weekly, because I don’t think we cater to this—but so many outlets have stepped up their efforts to create in all of us a continuing sense of unease and insecurity. Do we pay attention to the news? Do we not? On the one hand, we are told by healthcare professionals to limit our exposure to the media because it is exactly that—frightening. On the other hand, we are sure that we need to stay informed—in order to be aware that we might need to protect ourselves. I don’t want to go walking blithely into anything. But sometimes I wonder
if it wouldn’t be nicer if I was walking blithely along, not knowing about all the hate out there. And, how many of these crimes—be it kicking an elderly person or stealing a catalytic converter—can be accredited to copycats? Thanks, sensationalist news outlets. Person A didn’t know catalytic converters had valuable materials inside but now he does, and that line of cars sure looks tempting. Person B didn’t think about taking out her hate on people who are different than she is, but now that she sees so many people doing it, maybe she feels empowered to do so, too. There was the obnoxious behavior from the Uber passengers. And now, the tragedy at the spas in Atlanta. There are incidents in our own city. And it continues in spite of people of all colors speaking up. And in spite of fairly swift repercussions, in some cases, though not so much in others, we thought this would be over. The man, our former president, still not gone enough, who seemed to be spurring everyone on is out of the Oval Office—so what is happening? It’s happening to Asians, Asian Americans, and it’s happening to the people that care about them and that stand by them. The other day, I was walking with my significant other, who is Chinese, just a few paces from our residence. We had found a nice loop where we could get some exercise, but I still only ever take it if he is with me. This time, though, as we are coming down the hill, we see a man standing by his vehicle in his driveway. I can’t help immediately, taking note that this man is middle-aged, white, and overweight. I noticed this maybe more than I would have because he is staring aggressively at us. THE ENTIRE TIME.
I used to work in retail. It works really well—in retail— to confront someone right away, such as if you think they might be planning to steal something. So, I took the preemptive move of saying “Hello” to this person. No answer. He kept staring. “How are you?” I asked. More staring. We were passing him now, and so I waved and said, “Have a nice day!” No answer. Still staring. I can tell you, I was checking behind our backs for the rest of that walk. I was sure he was going to come driving up on us any second. I attributed it to race. I couldn’t attribute it to anything else. Why do we have to live with this? So, I asked myself, why are anti-Asian hate crimes spiking right now, just when we thought they should be tapering off? What kind of person attacks an old person? I asked myself this, in particular, as the elderly seem to have been a large majority of the targets up until Atlanta. I’ll tell you. A weak person. A person who is freaking out because Trump lost. An angry person that feels backed into a corner. Yes, an animal backed into a corner is dangerous. But weak. And the sickness has to come out before it can be cured. Think about this. How did Trump lose? Trump lost because good people, people who believe in racial equality, in kindness to others, stood together and voted so that someone else would take his place. Here’s the big takeaway, no matter how scary this all is. And I know it’s not a comfort a lot of the time. But the fact is that we are not alone. We can stand together, we can see CURRY on 14
■ WORLD NEWS
‘Minari’ actor is Tokyo Olympics hit nonchalant about new by another scandal over sexist comment fame outside S. Korea BY STEPHEN WADE AND YURI KAGEYAMA ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tokyo Olympics creative director Hiroshi Sasaki
TOKYO (AP) — Tokyo Olympics creative director Hiroshi Sasaki is resigning after making demeaning comments about a well-known female celebrity. It is yet another setback for the postponed games and another involving
comments about women. The Olympics are to open in just over four months, dogged by the pandemic, record costs, and numerous scandals. In February, the president of the organizing committee Yoshiro Mori was forced to resign after making sexist comments, saying women talk too much in meetings. Two years ago, the head of the Japanese Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda was also forced to step down in a bribery scandal connected to votebuying involving International Olympic Committee members. Sasaki was in charge of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics, which are to begin on July 23. Last year, he told planning staff members that well-known entertainer Naomi Watanabe could perform in the ceremony as an “Olympig.’’ Watanabe is a heavy-set woman and very famous in Japan, and “Olympig’’ was a play on the word “Olympic.’’ Sasaki released a statement early on March 17 saying he was stepping down. He said he had also called Seiko Hashimoto, the president of the see SASAKI on 14
By JUWON PARK ASSOCIATED PRESS SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — When Youn Yuh-jung was asked how she felt about being called the “Meryl Streep of South Korea“ in a recent interview, she said she’s flattered by the comparison. But she had her own introduction. “I am just a Korean actress in Korea,’’ 73-year-old actor said. “My name is Yuhjung Youn. So I like to be myself.’’ Youn needs no introduction in South Korea, with a film career spanning over five decades. But she’s just being discovered by audiences outside the country through “Minari,’’ a semi-autobiographical film based on the childhood of Korean American director Lee Isaac Chung about a family moving to rural Arkansas to start a small farm. Youn plays Soonja, who moves from Korea to join her daughter and step-son and develops a tender yet comical relationship with her grandson David (Alan Kim), the only member in the family born in the United States. The film wowed at Sundance and has been a top contender during Hollywood’s awards season, winning best foreign language film at the Golden Globes and
scooping up six nominations at the British Film Academy Awards. When Oscar nominees were announced earlier this month, Youn was included in the supporting actress category. She’s said she hasn’t given much thought about scoring an award, saying it “would be something I can’t and won’t imagine, so I don’t know... For me, an award means getting next work.’’ Born in 1947, she shot to fame in South Korea with her 1971 debut “Fire Woman.“ While at the peak of her career, she married popular singer Cho Young-nam, who convinced her to move to the U.S. together so he could perform at pastor Billy Graham’s church. Youn said she was offered a role in a Christian film and stayed with a director in Florida for eight months to try to learn English. It didn’t work out. “The project disappeared because I couldn’t speak English,’’ she said, laughing. Youn lived in the U.S. for nearly a decade, not performing, before returning to South Korea, where she split from Cho and returned to acting. She said the U.S. was considered see MINARI on 14
YOUR VOICE
■ COMMENTARY
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
asianweekly northwest
11
Birds tell us to act now on climate change By Art Wang FOR NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY I finally visited China in 2019, traveling with my two adult children to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, and Hong Kong. While it seemed we ate our way through China, Art Wang my son Alex and I also would spend mornings looking at wild birds in the parks. I’ve been a birder since I was 12, even serving six years on the National Audubon Society board of directors. Alex is now a biologist in Hilo, working for the state of Hawaii supporting the recovery of endangered bird species. Birding—looking at, identifying, and sometimes photographing wild species—is not commonplace in China and we would get some strange looks and questions. Our guides were not accustomed to tourists wanting to see birds and didn’t really understand the differences between seeing wild birds and domestic ones—one guide tried to help by taking us to a vendor with a trained pet magpie. In the United States though, birding is as popular as it’s ever been. With COVID forcing people to stay home, more and more people came to appreciate the birds they saw when they ventured outdoors. In places like the
Chinatown-International District, as traffic diminished and air got cleaner, people would comment about hearing birds for the first time in a long while. But last year, historic racism and birding came crashing together on the national stage because of an incident between a Black birder and a white woman who called the police on him in New York’s Central Park. Later in the year, during Black Birders Week, BIPOC birders, who have for so long felt marginalized and excluded, gained new acknowledgment and recognition. But even as more bird lovers of all races gained recognition and more people in our communities became aware of the comfort to be found in birdsong, the situation for birds has never been more dire. In North America, we have lost three billion birds in the last 50 years. National Audubon studies have pointed to climate change as one of the biggest threats to birds over the next 50 years. People see the effects of climate change in smoke from forest fires and extreme weather events. Birds see it in the loss of habitat, and the timing and availability of food for migration and feeding young. Birds are telling us that we have to act now on climate change. Like us, their survival depends on it. Fortunately the Washington State Legislature is poised to act on several major bills to address climate change. Two key bills promise to drive a transition to a more just and sustainable world. We can follow the lead of Oregon, California, and British Columbia in adopting
a Clean Fuel Standard that is effective and equitable. The Clean Fuels bill (HB 1091) addresses the problem that transportation is the single largest source (40+%) of greenhouse gas emissions in our state, emissions which fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable members of our community. That’s why I support the Clean Fuels Now effort to pass this bill. In addition to implementing a Clean Fuel Standard, the legislature should pass the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act (SB 5141), sponsored by state Sen. Rebecca Saldana. The HEAL Act would implement the recommendations of the environmental justice task force. It would define environmental justice in state law, requiring agencies to incorporate these principles into their decision-making and their engagement with the public around environmental issues. HEAL would include voices of communities that often bear the brunt of environmental burdens but who have historically been excluded on environmental issues. Action to address climate change has to take place at all levels—international and national, as well as state and local. If we’re going to save the birds and people we love, Washington needs to act now to address climate change. Art Wang was State Representative from the 27th District in Tacoma. He was first elected in 1980 and was one of the pioneer API elected legislators.
■ NATIONAL NEWS
Asian woman fights off attacker on San Francisco street The Associated Press
Xiao Zhen Zie
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A 76-yearold woman from China who fought back against a man who punched her on a downtown San Francisco street corner said the unprovoked attack left her scared and traumatized. Her alleged assailant was arrested on March 18. Xiao Zhen Zie told KPIX-TV in a tearful interview she was waiting to cross a downtown street when a 39-yearold man punched her without warning and for no reason, one of several recent attacks on elderly Asian Americans in the Bay Area. Speaking in her native Taishanese dialect that was translated by her daughter, Zie said she instinctively responded by hitting the man repeatedly with a wooden stick. A KPIX-TV employee videotaped the aftermath of the attack after he stumbled upon the scene during his morning run. Zie is seen wailing on the video as she puts an ice pack on her bruised eye and the video shows the assailant placed
on a stretcher, blood dripping from his mouth. “Very traumatized, very scared and this eye is still bleeding,’’ the woman’s daughter, Dong-Mei Li, told the station as she described her mother’s injuries. “The right eye still cannot see anything.“ A GoFundMe page, intially set up by Zie’s family for her medical expenses, therapy treatment, and bills, has received more than $940,000 in donations, as of press time. Zie grandson, John Chen, said his grandmother wants all the funds generated to go back to the Asian American community to combat racism. Police said the suspect, Steven Jenkins, assaulted an 83-year-old man from Vietnam in the same area shortly before he attacked Zie. A security guard chased Jenkins after he assaulted the man and as he was fleeing, he punched Zie, Officer Adam Lobsinger said in a statement. The security guard detained Jenkins until officers arrived. The elderly man, Ngoc Pham, fell and sustained cuts and bruises on his head and fractures to his nose and possibly his neck, said Ben Mok, a manager with the Community Youth Center of San Francisco, which has set up an online fundraiser to support Pham’s recovery. Mok said doctors were evaluating the severity of Pham’s neck injury. After being treated at the hospital for an unrelated medical condition, Jenkins was taken to jail and booked for investigation of assault and elder abuse, Lobsinger said.
Investigators are trying to determine if racial bias was a factor in the assaults. It was not immediately clear if Jenkins had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf. Police have increased patrols in the city’s Asian neighborhoods, following the deadly shootings in Georgia that left six Asian women and two others dead amid
the recent surge of violence in the San Francisco Bay Area. The attacks have raised new fears for members of the Asian American community, who have increasingly been targets of harassment and violence since the coronavirus started spreading in the U.S. last year.
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MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
39 YEARS
of relief. As of March 22, Washington state ended its lock down of nursing homes and long-term care communities, and family members of residents are expected to return to visiting in person. It will bring an end to a year of brutal separation for many families. But it will also test the resolve and countermeasures of nursing home staff and management as the coronavirus still bears a potent and potentially devastating threat. Many retirement centers have found ways to keep families in touch. And while these solutions have allowed for some communication, in some cases, they have also highlighted the lack of real intimacy. At Aegis Gardens, an Asian-themed assisted living and memory care community in Newcastle, management devised an “outdoor living room” on the back patio. Residents sat behind glass barriers while family members visited. In one case, an old woman just emerging from memory care slowly recognized her son as he put his hand up against the glass. “I can’t believe you’ve come,” she said before breaking down into tears. Nancy Lee, the director of life enrichment, said the event was “life changing for the community.” But, she added, staff had to watch carefully to make sure no one went around the barriers to try to hug each other. Bob and Diane Cihak, 80 and 78, also at Aegis Gardens, have remained in contact with their six kids and 17 grandchildren through Zoom calls. “I just want to touch my grandchildren again,” said Diane. Still, the reopening will not be easy. The impact of COVID on congregate care has been staggering. Estimates range that more than one third to over 40% of all COVID deaths in the United States took place in nursing homes or assisted living communities. Now, guidelines for reopening have not yet been clarified by the government, said Boliver Choi, nursing home administrator at Kin On. And an outbreak at a nursing home in Kentucky, which just reopened, has made him very cautious. “Because the law is from Medicare and Medicaid, we have to open,” he said.
A-POP from 4 is about a Korean Canadian family living in Toronto, who run a convenience store. The show stars Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Jean Yoon, Andrea Bang, Simu Liu, Andrew Phung, and Nicole Power. “Superstore” ends tonight! (If you are reading this on Thursday, that is!). After six seasons, the NBC sitcom is closing its doors. The show is about a rag-tag multicultural group of employees who work at a soulless big box store that is a lot like Walmart. Its API cast members include Nico Santos, Nichole Sakura, Kaliko Kauahi, and Jon Miyahara.
KEN JEONG DONATES $50,000 TO FAMILIES OF ATLANTA-AREA SHOOTING VICTIMS Ken Jeong donated $10,000 each to the GoFundMe campaigns for the families of Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Xiaojie Tan, and Yong Yue. He also shared the campaigns on his social media and a video of himself and other Asian American actors calling for an end to anti-Asian
Photo provided by Bob and Diane Cihak.
LOCK DOWN ENDS from 1
Bob and Diane Cihak surrounded by family members in the Zen Garden at Aegis Gardens.
“But there is no directive about how many people we have to admit at one time. So we’re going to start slowly.” Choi plans to admit one to two people per day in the first week and closely monitor. Nikkei Manor, an assisted living community where many Japanese Americans live, has decided not to open yet. Despite a vaccination rate of 100% and no COVID cases over the past year, according to Bryce Seidl, the interim executive director of Keiro Northwest/ Nikkei Manor, his staff is waiting for more clarity about the rules. Kris Engskov, president of Aegis Living, said in an email, “We are finalizing our protocol and best practices so we can begin coordinating visits as soon as possible. While we are eager to bring residents and families together right away, we also must be certain we are doing this in the safest way possible for all.” Some residents, while enjoying the activities of their community and expressing gratitude for staff, look forward to resuming outside activities. One 86-year-old resident of Nikkei Manor, who asked not to use her name,
hate. He has also addressed the rise in antiAsian hate crimes on a recent appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
was incarcerated at the age of 8 in a concentration camp with her family during World War II. Her sister died there. And her mother died several years after they were released. Now, she looks forward to playing cards again with her friends, one of whom she’s known since third grade. The six women used to gather once a week for an entire day to play Shanghai, a form of Rummy, at one of their houses. “One of my friend’s sons used to brag that if his mother won a single dollar, she would brag about it all week,” she said.
“Enough is enough,” said Jeong on the show. “We’re just fed up.”
Wong, on the other hand, who drops dim sum and home cooked food off for her mother, does not have time to wait. In some sense, she never has. Her father, born in 1902, was 20 years older than her mother after an arranged marriage in China. Then, after the family immigrated to Seattle, he went to Cuba to work. But he was trapped there by the communist revolution, and returned 20 years later. She was born a year or so later. So when he died, at the age of 85, she was still in high school. “I felt I never quite fit in,” she said. “My peers always thought my parents were my grandparents.” Caring for her parents, along with two sisters who are 20 years older, has been something of a lifelong task. In years past, she paid her sisters’ bills and translated for her parents who spoke little English. On the last day she saw her mother in person, she took the day off to go with her to a doctor’s appointment. Afterwards, she bought her a latte and oatmeal raisin cookies. But as in some traditional Chinese families, love and affection were not often expressed through words. “We don’t say I love you to each other, but she knows by my actions I love her, she knows I take care of business for our family,” she said. “But if I knew it was coming to the end, and I were by her side, it might come out my mouth. I might say I love you, don’t worry about me.” Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
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Predictions and advice for the week of March 27–April 2, 2021 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — If there is a deadline looming, it would be highly advisable to take note and prepare to meet it.
Dragon — Once a clue is revealed, others will follow. Uncovering the truth could lead to a surprising development.
Monkey — By avoiding external conflict, you could be causing inner turmoil. Depending on the issue, say what needs to be said.
Ox — Are you confusing intent with results? Although you mean well, that does not mean the outcome will match.
Snake — The potential rewards are quite tantalizing, but resist jumping in until you have a better sense of what awaits you.
Rooster — Chiming in too late won’t sway anyone. Instead, make it a priority to respond in a timely and thoughtful manner.
Tiger — Despite your preference for how you want certain things arranged, listen to suggestions from those in the know.
Horse — You work hard to set up opportunities for yourself. Luckily, the tide is also turning in your favor.
Dog — You have been able to make inroads where few expected you to. From your perspective, you are just getting started.
Rabbit — When you are dealing with a limited resource, be deliberate about using it for something you care about.
Goat — A small victory is encouraging, but don’t let that distract you from the bigger game that has yet to be decided.
Pig — Slowing the pace will help you to see and appreciate what you once did not even notice in your haste.
WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN? RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 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, 2016 ROOSTER 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 DOG 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 PIG 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
*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.
ICHS from 1 Having a third vaccine adds more tools to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, according to International Community Health Services (ICHS) Medical Director Lakshmi Deepa Yerram, MD. Of the 44,000 patients who joined the J&J vaccine trials, none of them were hospitalized from COVID-19. “The J&J vaccine’s ability in preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death is comparable to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines,” Yerram said. “Please get the vaccine as soon as possible, and any brand that is available to you.” All three vaccines currently available— by J&J, Pfizer, and Moderna—have 100% prevention of hospitalization and death. There are also other differences. The J&J vaccine requires just one shot, while the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two. The storage and handling requirements of the J&J vaccine are also much easier for distribution by doctors’ offices and smaller settings because it can be stored in a regular refrigerator for up to three months. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have special handling requirements and must be kept frozen. “The J&J vaccine provides the means to protect those folks who move around a lot or are pressed for time to be still able to get vaccinated against the virus,” Yerram said. ICHS School Services Administrator Janni Sun has been partnering with community organizations to help administer COVID-19 vaccines at smaller popup events to reach populations who may be facing barriers to getting vaccinated. She described how many
SHELF from 5 to find, Mai’s story is somewhat unique— at least in the United States—in that she gives readers the perspective of Vietnamese people, showing us the human cost of war. We also get to see the story about a family who never left and are working alongside their neighbors to rebuild their country. I read a lot of
elders in the Chinatown-International District community face language and technology barriers or have difficulty registering for appointments online. Sun pointed out that some people have said they prefer the one-dose J&J vaccine because it can save time and reduce possible side effects. “It makes things so different for our communities, especially people who are working, who have barriers, who have logistics to deal with,” said Sun. “A onedose vaccine can make a big difference.” However, the addition of the J&J vaccine has also raised questions from some community members due to the numbers reported in the clinical trials based on efficacy and effectiveness. In comparing the numbers, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines appear to offer better protection against COVID-19 when just looking at the data collected during U.S. clinical trials. The J&J vaccine reached a 72% efficacy rate in disease prevention compared to the roughly 95% efficacy rate of the other two. Paul Nguyen, ICHS Shoreline Clinic pharmacist supervisor, has been administering COVID-19 vaccines since January and spoke to patients who refused the J&J vaccine this month. “One of the things that has come up is patients’ hesitancy when it comes to efficacy rate compared to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines,” Nguyen said. For some vaccine patients, these numbers infer that the J&J vaccine is inferior. Many had questions for Nguyen. Some patients cancelled their appointments. However, those numbers do not tell the whole story, Nguyen said. All the vaccines were tested differently and
used different goal posts to determine effectiveness, making comparisons nearly impossible, he explained. The vaccines were also tested at different times in the pandemic. Pfizer and Moderna clinical trials happened in the summer and fall of 2020, before variants of COVID-19 emerged. The J&J vaccine was tested after the variants started to emerge. “It’s kind of comparing apples to oranges,” Nguyen said. He reminds patients that all three vaccines are 100% effective in the way that matters most— preventing death, serious illness, and hospitalization. Health experts are concerned over the spread of new variants of COVID-19, being more infectious and potentially leading to another surge in cases. Getting any of the three vaccines now helps to fight the pandemic. “We are in a race against time together,” Yerram said. “The longer we allow the virus to circulate, the more opportunity it has to mutate, and that’s why it’s important to give immunity to as many people as possible, as early as possible. Please get the vaccine as soon as possible, and any brand that is available to you.”
books about people starting over in a new country (see this entire column), so it was a nice change to read a story about people starting over in a place they’d been their whole lives but is also starting over in a way. Mai also introduced me to Vietnamese history beyond the war—my knowledge of which was already extremely limited—specifically the Land Reform
as the Communist government rose in the north. She also shows that erasure in history happens everywhere, as one of the characters note that it would be difficult to find information on the movement because the powers that be don’t want to highlight mistakes in the country’s history.
To find out if you currently qualify to receive the vaccine, use the DOH PhaseFinder. It is available in multiple languages at doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/ COVID19. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and how to make an appointment, please visit ichs.com.
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39 YEARS
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Building engineer 2 & 3
KCHA will accept Bids from Urban Renaissance Group is a Seattle-based commercial real estate company committed to diversity and INVITATIoN FoR BID Qualified General Contractors inclusion in our workforce. We are looking for a Building Engineer 2 or 3 to provide building maintenance for the Kirkland place – enveof all mechanical and electrical areas of our Class A buildings. Basic plumbing such as installation, adjust- mechanical and electrical Work at Villa Capri Apartments lope project located in Kirkland, ment and repair of plumbing equipment as well as HVAC building maintenance is required. Mentoring and supervision of team members is a strong need as well. Contact Jackie Johnson at jackiej@urbanrnegroup. King County Housing Authority (KCHA)’s Weatherization Depart- WA. See website for details at ment is soliciting bids from qualified firms to provide and install www.kcha.org/business/construccom for further information. mechanical and electrical upgrades at Villa Capri Apartments, tion/open/ located at 28625 25TH Place South, Federal Way, a property with Senior Building engineer 86 units. Sealed bids are due at 2:00 pm, April 16, 2021. A pre-bid Urban Renaissance Group is a Seattle-based commercial real estate company committed to diversity and meeting will be held at Villa Capri Apartments, located at 28625 inclusion in our workforce. We are looking for a Senior Building Engineer to provide minimal supervision 25TH Place South, Federal Way, on April 2, 2021 at 10:00am. Find NWAW on of team and supporting the maintenance and housekeeping of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing and Attendance at the Pre-Bid meeting is strongly encouraged of all social media on work areas of our Class A buildings. The SE will also support the implementation and documentation of all potential bidders. Failure to attend the pre-bid meeting will not Facebook, Twitter required safety programs as well as engineering standards. Contact Jackie Johnson at jackiej@urbanrne- relieve the firm of any responsibility for information provided during the pre-bid meeting. Bid documents may be downloaded from group.com for further information. Instagram! the KCHA website, (https://www.kcha.org/business/weatherization/ open). To request documents contact Carly Dykes at carlyd@kcha. maintenance Technician org. Any questions or requests for further information or clarification Urban Renaissance Group is a Seattle-based commercial real estate company committed to diversity must be directed to John Ricci, Multifamily Weatherization Project and inclusion in our workforce. We are looking for a Maintenance Technician to provide maintenance and Manager, at (206) 574-1134 or johnr@kcha.org. upkeep of our Class A buildings. This will also entail coordinating the procurement of and maintaining Subscribe to the employmeNT inventories of necessary parts, supplies, and equipment from approved vendors. Contact Jackie Johnson Northwest Asian Weekly $40 at jackiej@urbanrnegroup.com for further information.
WoK CHeF
property manager Urban Renaissance Group is a Seattle-based commercial real estate company committed to diversity and inclusion in our workforce. The Property Manager is responsible for the day to day operations of an assigned portfolio of properties, including tenant and client relations, asset integrity, financial performance, capital projects, and administration of lease documents. In addition, preparing monthly and quarterly financial reports, including executive summary, variance comments, AR narrative, and reforecasting as well as preparing and presenting annual operating budgets will be part of responsibilities. Commercial Real Estate experience is required for this role. Contact Jackie Johnson at jackiej@urbanrnegroup.com for further information. property Accountant Urban Renaissance Group is a Seattle-based commercial real estate company committed to diversity and inclusion in our workforce. The Property Accountant is responsible to assist the Accounting, Property Management and Construction Teams in the day to day accounting of an assigned portfolio of properties, as well as preparation and submittal of state & local excise and business taxes. In addition, responsibilities will include general ledger review; monthly journal entries; accruals for expense and capital items; managing lease administration processes and posting entries for deferred rent. Commercial Real Estate experience is required for this role. Contact Jackie Johnson at jackiej@urbanrnegroup.com for further information.
DR. LOUIE from 7 and let them know what I’m thinking and why I’m thinking that…I ask myself, what would I recommend if you were my family member?” Louie has seen a trend, only exacerbated by the insecurities of the pandemic, in getting patients, especially older patients, to come in to see him. This trend is even more evident, he finds, in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) patients. “Patients tell me of how they simply lived with the pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness for years because they didn’t know who to turn to with questions, had never been informed as to what common symptoms to keep an eye out for, didn’t have the available resources
SASAKI from 10 organizing committee, and tendered his resignation. “For Ms. Naomi Watanabe, my idea and comments are a big insult. And it is unforgivable,“ Sasaki said. “I offer my deepest regrets and apologize from the
Need wok chef for upscale restaurant. Little English is fine. Good work ethnic. Team work. Good Pay. Full healthcare, vacation and bonus. Call 206-227-8000. Arts program Director 4Culture is recruiting a collaborative, adaptive arts leader with a passion for serving the community through the arts and expanding arts access and racial equity to the people and communities who have historically faced barriers to arts opportunities in King County. Apply by 3/29 at 4culture.org/arts-program-director
to seek medical attention, don’t understand why the spine, the spinal cord, and these nerves going down to the arms and legs are so important long-term to preserve, and countless other stories!” AAPI patients in particular have a desire to seek AAPI caregivers—and to be able to bring family with them to appointments for support, something that has been difficult during COVID due to safety precautions. “Western Washington boasts a large and diverse AAPI community, however, they represent an incredibly low percentage of the patients that we treat in a large multidisciplinary spine program. I’ve experienced their trepidation and uncertainty in seeking care for their debilitating spine-related problems.” According to Louie, if caught early enough, many
depth of my heart to her, and those who may have been offended by this.’’ “It is truly regrettable, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart,” he added. Sasaki formerly worked for the giant Japanese advertising company Dentsu Inc., which has been a key supporter of these Olympics. It is the official marketing
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spine problems don’t require surgery, but this is contrary to what a lot of people believe. “That’s where a lot of people get scared. They don’t know where to start. [At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health], we have several AAPI spine surgeons…and non-surgeons who are spine specialists. They are trained to help you with your spine problems and they’re not surgeons—they want to talk you out of surgery.” Louie laughs when he acknowledges that, if a patient goes to one of his colleagues initially, “They may never even need to see me if they’re treated earlier.” In a follow-up article with the Weekly, Dr. Louie will discuss spine issues specific to AAPIs. Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
partner and has helped to raise a record of $3.5 billion in local sponsorship, almost three times as much as any previous Olympics. Organizers and the IOC insist the Olympics will go forward during the pandemic with 11,000 Olympic and 4,400 Paralympic athletes entering Japan.
CURRY from 10
MINARI from 10
be strong, and these people committing these hate crimes know that now. So please, don’t avoid what’s happening—but protect yourself. Don’t avoid people that are different from you because a lot of them think that anti-Asian hate is horrible, too. Remind yourself that you have allies. We can win this fight for equality, recognition, and justice. Maybe we are closer to winning than ever before. It’s not us—it’s people fueled by hate that are, actually, in danger of being made irrelevant.
a “dream land’’ by Asian American immigrants in the 1970s and ’80s, when “Minari’’ is set. But she said it’s difficult for her to “fully understand’’ and identify with their struggles including dealing with identity crises and anti-Asian racism. “Second-generation Asian Americans think they are Americans but in the eyes of Americans, they don’t look American,’’ Youn said. “There must be a dilemma like that.’’ Youn said she was impressed by the “realistic and genuine’’ script from Chung, who gave her the freedom to tweak her character and dialogue, including an impromptu scene where Soonja steals a $100 donation made by her daughter from a church’s honorarium plate. Youn said when she suggested the scene, Chung was slightly hesitant because he’s a “very devout Christian,’’ but ended up filming it: “I really appreciated Isaac for accepting all of my suggestions.’’
Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
Official costs for Tokyo are $15.4 billion but several government audits show the real cost might be twice that much. A University of Oxford study says Tokyo is the most expensive Olympics on record.
SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
YOUR VOICE BLOG from 8
MARCH 27 – APRIL 2, 2021 take some discipline to stick with the schedule. You need to eat even if you are not hungry.” Kang said, “Reduced carbs is another difficult part as I love noodles. I will need to substitute it with zucchini noodles and can only eat a small amount of brown rice. Lean and green is the theme. I will need to stick with it so I can maintain the weight.” Aside from having the right attitude for health, eating right, and exercising to lose weight, here are more pointers.
SITTING IS YOUR ENEMY Rebecca Ip cooks special healthy dishes
than one staple/starchy food per one meal (or per day), including rice, noodles, bread, potatoes, or dumpling. To balance her diet, she said “less meat, more veggies, and more variety of food” is the best. You can please your “palate by exploring different cultural healthy cuisines such as Greek, Japanese, and Korean recipes, and the use of Indian spices.” I enjoy every meal happily but healthily.
LOSING 6 POUNDS IN 30 DAYS
Cindy Kang reached her goal of losing weight by eating more vegetables and fruit. “The key is to eat small amounts every two to three hours,” she said. “I set my calendar with a schedule and my phone notifies me when I need to eat. It does
A few months ago, I wrote about a neurologist’s advice about sitting. He said sitting for four hours in the afternoon would wipe out all the gains you received from your morning workout. Uno said sitting for too long is like smoking a pack of cigarettes. Wow! So being a couch potato might lead to serious illness such as cancer. If you work on a computer for too long, it is harmful to your vision, spine, neck, posture, and overall health. What’s the solution? I type on my computer for hours. My method is to break up the sitting. I get up every half hour to do several chores, such as laundry, making my bed, calling a friend, walking around my home, folding clothes, cleaning up, snacking, stretching, kicking, and even combing my hair.
DESIGN YOUR WORKOUT PLAN
Make a daily workout plan. Just exercising in the morning is insufficient.
You should move all day. Ip practices tai chi and meditation. Those exercises play a vital part in our physical and mental well-being. For the past 25 years, I have never experienced a weight issue because of my fitness routine. In the morning, I dance for about 22 minutes to five different types of music or songs, followed by a five-minute jog from the front to the back of my home. I end with 10 minutes of yoga and meditation from YouTube. In the afternoon, I walk to shop for my groceries. Shopping online is not my style, as it eliminates my chances of exercise. Encountering familiar faces on the street brightens my day. Getting seasonal fresh produce and meat every day are a bonus.
THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
Exercising doesn’t just help you lose weight. There is a correlation between exercising and being happy. Endorphins, “feel-good” chemicals, are released during exercising, according to health journals. Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are hormones that enhance your mood. That’s why when I skip exercising, my body feels stress and my mind is not as sharp. Exercise releases stress and improves memory, according to studies. Uno said another major change after her daily walking last year is that she now sleeps a lot more. For the past 36 years, she slept an average of five hours a day and thought that’s all she needed. According to research, sleeping less than six hours a day harms our brain, resulting in aging
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and memory loss, and lowers immunity. Since she retired and began walking, Uno sleeps eight hours a day and her friends couldn’t believe it. Frequent exercise has probably reengineered her body back to health, and sleep replenishes her body with vitality. Better sleep and exercise also reduce pain. People in their old age often suffer all kinds of pain. I am fortunate that my workout routine has eliminated my leg pain. When we get old, we are bombarded with all kinds of medicine for heart, cholesterol, or blood pressure. I take my bone medicine for osteoporosis. However, two years ago, a miracle happened. The technician for my bone density exam was shocked. “Have you been doing a lot of exercise?” “Some,” I replied. The truth is I workout all day long. Hopefully, I don’t even need my bone medicine by the end of this year.
START SMALL
For people who never walk, Uno suggested that even walking around your block is a good start. “You just have to start, baby steps.” Don’t just look at the number of pounds you lose. Shoot for your overall health improvement for your fitness goal, such as sleeping better, feeling more joyful, and feeling calm. So keep walking. Keep eating veggies and less meat. In six months, you will see your real gain and not just the number on the scale. Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
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39 YEARS
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