VOL 40 NO 29 | JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021 by Northwest Asian Weekly

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

VOL 40 NO 29 JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021 FREE 39 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Seattle set to release $30M into BIPOC communities By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY “It’s a really exciting time for our city,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan as she answered questions on July 6 about the City’s Equitable Communities Initiative (ECI) and the recent recommendations made by the ECI Task Force (ECITF). The City Council is set to vote on July 20 on approving those recommendations and $30 million in investments to improve disparate outcomes for Seattle’s Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. “When I came in as mayor, we saw a growing disparity between the new

innovation economy and the old service economy, and that was making it almost impossible for people to live in Seattle— it’s becoming expensive. We saw the impacts mostly in the communities of color.” Durkan said the pandemic highlighted the extent of those disparities. The ECITF was set up, she said, after “listening to people who said we want a voice at the table… People who have experience with and are tied to the BIPOC community and know the solutions the community needs, to build a more just and equitable community.” see BIPOC on 10

Credit: IDO

Photo by George Liu

Company aims to Remembering solve problem of Bill Lee vetting contractors

Bill Lee (left) and Marcus Clark at the 2019 Pig Roast. Tien Ha

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Rick Satori worked on a construction project a decade ago with a neighbor. Last year, he built a deck on his house. But when his roof needed repair, he asked for

bids from three contractors. In the end, there were so many issues involved— insulation, mold, wiring, and others—he gave up trying to evaluate the quality of the projected work. see HA on 11

By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY A beloved volunteer of the Danny Woo Community Garden, Bill Lee, will be remembered on Saturday, July 16 at noon—fittingly at the same garden where he spent so much time.

Lizzy Baskerville is the garden manager at Danny Woo. “[Bill] was the first person to show me the ins and outs of that garden, and he loved it with his whole heart. Even after he stopped working at see LEE on 9

THE INSIDE STORY

NAMES IN THE NEWS Volunteers restore CID mural 2

■

PUBLISHER’S BLOG Everything is expensive, even lemons!  5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT “Our Culture, Our Voice”: an exhibition to showcase art by local Asian American high school students 6

ON THE SHELF Life never turns out how you expect it 7

412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

asianweekly northwest

39 YEARS

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS

Chong Wa, One World Now!, and UPS volunteers paint a mural on July 11.

Volunteers with Chong Wa Benevolent Association, UPS, and One World Now! gathered on July 11 to help paint and restore a three-decade-old Chinatowncommunity mural and playground that has been vandalized and damaged. The mural and playground sit behind the Chong Wa School, behind the Wing Luke Museum, adjacent to Canton Alley. 

Edifecs CEO Sunny Singh passing torch after 25 years

Sunny Singh

Venkat Kavarthapu

Edifecs, Inc., a global health information technology

solutions company based in Bellevue, announced on July 8 that Sunny Singh will transition to the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Venkat Kavarthapu will become Chief Executive Officer. Singh, who founded Edifecs, called Kavarthapu “the perfect leader to take the helm at Edifecs...Venkat is both pragmatic and deeply passionate with an exacting standard of excellence, and an unparalleled understanding of the healthcare industry.” Kavarthapu has served in a number of senior leadership capacities at Edifecs over the past 12 years. He has been working closely with Singh for months to prepare for the transition. Edifecs’ mission is to improve healthcare outcomes, reduce costs, and accelerate innovation. 

Hsieh wins women’s doubles at Wimbledon

Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan won her third Wimbledon title in women’s doubles last weekend after partnering with Elise Mertens of Belgium to beat Russian duo Veronika Kudermetova and Elena Vesnina. Hsieh and Mertens saved two match points in the Su-Wei Hsieh (right) and Elise Mertens pose with their trophies after second set and won the women’s doubles final at the 3-6, 7-5, 9-7. They Wimbledon Tennis Championships in clinched a back-andLondon on July 10. forth third set when Hsieh hit a backhand winner to break Vesnina’s serve. Hsieh also won the French Open doubles in 2014. 

Nakano steps down from EDI

Marci Nakano announced on June 30 that it was her

last day as executive director of the Executive Development Institute (EDI). “It’s time for a new leader to take EDI into its next chapter,” she wrote on Facebook. “It’s been incredible to watch our growth over the years, adding new programs, expanding to Portland, transforming our fundraising Marci Nakano events, and engaging with our alumni base.” Nakano has served as executive director since 2015. She was previously a program participant, as well as the program and events manager. 

Writing on the Wall

Photo by George Liu

Chinatown mural painting

From left: Panelists Han Eckelberg, UW student and director, Writing on the Wall; Connie So, President, OCA Asian Pacific Advocates - Greater Seattle; Doan DIane Hoang Dy, Writing on the Wall narrator; and Keoke Silvano, Seattle activist.

OCA-Greater Seattle presented a free screening of “Writing on the Wall” on July 10. The film examines anti-Asian hate, Black Lives Matter, and the creation of Chinatown International District (CID) murals from the perspective of Doan Diane Dy Hoang, an AES graduate, CID resident, and the senior coordinator of Exhibits at the Wing Luke Museum. This screening included a panel discussion and lunch. 

Building stronger communities At JPMorgan Chase, we know how important your community is to you and your family. We are taking actions to increase equity, affordability and access to housing for communities of color by: • Creating new home purchase loans and helping people with their closing costs and down payments • Helping thousands of families achieve lower mortgage payments through refinancing loans • Financing affordable rental units through new loans, capital improvements and other efforts To learn more visit, jpmorganchase.com/pathforward

YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

asianweekly northwest

Primary Election ballots are in the mail You should soon receive ballots for the upcoming Primary Election. Ballots include a prepaid-postage return envelope, so you can return your ballot via U.S. mail. You do not have to pay for a stamp. Secretary of State Kim Wyman encourages voters to mail their completed ballots well before election day,

Aug. 3, to ensure their ballots are received on time. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Aug. 3. The voting period begins on July 16. If you prefer to place your ballot in an official drop box, do so by 8 p.m. on election day. Drop box locations may be found at VoteWA.gov.

To vote in the Primary Election, registrations must be received by July 26, either online or via U.S. mail. After July 26, people can register or update their registration in person at their county’s elections office during business hours and until 8 p.m. on Aug. 3. 

■ FINANCIAL Take control of your financial future Sponsored content from JPMorgan Chase & Co. A year into the pandemic, many people have experienced changes in how they manage their money. With different spending needs and, in some cases changes in income—balancing budgets, saving, and monitoring credit have become top of mind, as underscored by our recent Digital Banking Attitudes study. “No matter where you are financially, budgeting and saving are two key habits that can help all of us bounce back from life’s unexpected moments,” said International District Chase Branch Manager, Leslie Holland. “Another important habit is understanding how credit works and what goes into a score. That is why we are here to help everyone have open conversations International District Chase about what it means Branch Manager, Leslie Holland to become financially healthy and provide support, tools and advice to get there.” Chase has launched a new Financial Health website

ADVERTISE STATEWIDE with a $325 classified listing or $1,575 for a display ad. Call this newspaper or 360-344-2938 for details. DO YOU OWE OVER $10,000 to the IRS in back taxes? Our firm works to reduce the tax bill or zero it out completely FAST. Let us help! Call 888-994-1405. (Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PDT). DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details, 855-635-4229. GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-888-674-7053.

with information and tools designed to support with budgeting, saving, and tracking credit scores. To help consumers further manage changing financial needs, here are a few tips to staying financially healthy: Build a budget to meet your needs. Three in four people have concerns about creating a budget that’s flexible and realistic for how they live. It’s a good practice to update your budget frequently to gain a clear understanding of where and how you can give and take. There are digital tools that can help keep an eye on your expenses and income, and allow you to find gaps or ways to save. Use technology to help keep you on track. Over a third of your credit score is based on on-time payments. Financial technology can help you with managing your bills and how you get paid. Automate all you can, and set up transaction alerts for deposits and withdrawals. If you use the Chase Mobile app, we have videos that can help you set these up. Monitor and protect your credit. Nearly 75% of Americans are concerned about improving their credit score. Some actions can impact your credit more than others, and having a clear picture of your credit score is critical. Sign up to Credit Journey for free. This is important if you are considering applying for a loan or a credit card, or refinancing debt or your home loan. Set aside savings, when possible. Eighty-nine percent of Americans have concerns about preparing for unexpected expenses. Having money set aside in an emergency fund can help you find peace of mind. Also,

SAVE UP TO 80% ON YOUR MEDICATION. Eliquis, Xarelto, Viagra, Cialis & more. Licensed & certified. Lowest price guaranteed. Call 877446-0347 & get free shipping on your first order. (Open M-F)

by saving regularly, you’ll have the financial flexibility to help take on your goals in 2021 and beyond. Use an online calculator to see how your savings are tracking. Even setting aside a few dollars a week can help you prepare for the unexpected, and save for short- and longterm plans. Stay alert to scams. Scams continue to remain prevalent. To stay up to date, see the Federal Trade Commission’s advice. It is smart to triple-check any social message, email, or solicitation you get. Know that Chase won’t ask for confidential information— such as your name, password, PIN, or other account information—if we reach out to you. Look into payment programs if you need help. If you are worried about making payments, contact your home loan, car, or credit card company and ask if they have any payment relief programs. For example, Chase customers can find support at COVID-19 including options to defer payments or get relief on their credit card, or car or home loans. Financial health is a journey, and we can help you think about a plan for now and the future. Also, remember you can reach out to community organizations and city and state resources that can help connect you to aid if you need it.  For resources, tools and information on how to manage your budget, grow your savings and build your credit, visit chase.com/personal/financial-goals.

asianweekly northwest

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR JUL NOW THROUGH

WELCOME BACK WEEKS July 17 & 18, 1-7 p.m., Hing Hay Park July 24, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Pioneer Square July 25, 12-8 p.m., Westlake seattle.gov/COVIDrecovery

17 45TH DISTRICT COMMUNITY MEET & GREET WITH STATE SEN. MANKA DHINGRA Farrel-McWhirter Park,

19545 NE Redmond Rd., Redmond 3 p.m. RSVP at http://bit.ly/MeetSenDhingra More info, contact ashley.jackson@leg.wa.gov

18 CACA SEATTLE’S KIN ON WALK FOR WELLNESS, CHINATOWN WALK 10 a.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3i8YA4e

27 FILIPINO YOUTH GRIEF SUPPORT GATHERINGS ORGANIZED TO SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITY From ages 12-24 via Zoom 5-6:30 p.m.

39 YEARS

31 DRAGON FESTIVAL FOOD WALK Seattle’s C-ID 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

AUG 3

CID-NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Donnie Chin International Children’s Park 4-6 p.m. cidbia.org

10 FILIPINO YOUTH GRIEF SUPPORT GATHERINGS ORGANIZED TO SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITY From ages 12-24 via Zoom 5-6:30 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3efc65k

24 FILIPINO YOUTH GRIEF SUPPORT GATHERINGS ORGANIZED TO SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITY From ages 12-24 via Zoom 5-6:30 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3efc65k

■ NATIONAL NEWS Illinois law to require Asian American history in schools SKOKIE, Ill. (AP) — Illinois public school students will be taught Asian American history under a law signed on July 9 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The topics will include the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II; the military service of Asian Americans; Illinois and Midwest history of Asian Americans; and the role of Asian Americans in expanding civil rights.

“A lack of knowledge is the root cause of discrimination, and the best weapon against ignorance is education,” said state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, the sponsor of the bill. Pritzker signed the bill into law at Niles West High School in Skokie. “It’s a new standard that helps us understand one another, and ultimately to move ourselves closer to the nation of our ideals,” he said. 

View the solution on page 10

Assunta Ng

Account Executives

John Liu

rebecca@nwasianweekly.com

Ruth Bayang

kelly@nwasianweekly.com

Publisher assunta@nwasianweekly.com Associate Publisher john@nwasianweekly.com Editor editor@nwasianweekly.com

Han Bui Layout & Web Editor han@nwasianweekly.com

Rebecca Ip Kelly Liao John Liu

john@nwasianweekly.com

George Hira

ghira@nwasianweekly.com

The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.” The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article. Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission. 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

YOUR VOICE

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

asianweekly northwest

Everything is expensive, even lemons!

Smoked pork hocks with garden grown vegetables and steamed fish bones

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

as prices rise. All you need is better planning. To avoid spending money on gas, work remotely. It’s now possible because of the pandemic. Arrange carpooling with your friends and colleagues. If you don’t drive, you save not only gas money, but parking fees. Finding parking is stressful and timeconsuming. Public transportation is an option. These days, I avoid using Uber or Lyft. That’s also expensive. If I need to go downtown from Chinatown, I walk. I get exercise while saving money. If you walk together with a friend, it’s even more fun.

Recently, I asked a supermarket cashier if she had made a mistake on a lemon I bought. “No, it’s 59 cents,” she said. A few months ago, I bought three small lemons for $1. Now, one small lemon costs 59 cents. That’s a 78% increase! I don’t usually look at the cash register when items are scanned or entered. At that time, however, I just happened to see it. Last year, regular gasoline was $2+, now it’s $3+. Holy cow, what’s happening? My relative said, “Since the Democrats are in power, everything is expensive.” You can tell my relative is Republican. When anything goes wrong in this country, she blames the Democrats. The truth is, it has nothing to do with Democrats or Republicans. So does it have to do with the pandemic? Is it because of stimulus checks and people getting money? Is it because the economy is recovering? Is it because of inflation? The pandemic has a lot to do with it. During Covid, many of the supply chains have been disrupted. For instance, farmers lost revenue because they were unable to transport their products or they didn’t have enough workers during harvest season. Lumber prices have soared because many people staying at home have plenty of time to embark on do-it-yourself projects. The demand for housing also sparked the need for lumber. The good news is, lumber prices have recently stabilized. The shortage of labor has also enhanced wages in many sectors of the economy. The majority of grocery stores have increased pay as their employees are essential frontline workers. Hence, food prices have jumped much higher. In the post-pandemic era, the demand for all kinds of goods is natural. When demand is low, prices go down to encourage consumption and sales. Now, business owners have to raise prices to make up for the losses they suffered during the pandemic.

Saving gas money

There are ways to save money, even

Saving food costs

Photo by Assunta Ng

Tuna fish with celery on Hawaiian rolls

Photo by Assunta Ng

Tips to save money

Broken scallops stir-fried with red peppers and mushroom

Broken scallops stir-fried with sweet potatoes

from Lam’s Seafood. A can of corned beef is $6+ from Australia, but ones from the U.S. cost much less. So read the labels.

Grow your own food

My office cleaning lady grows vegetables at the Danny Woo Garden, as well as a community garden in another part of Chinatown-International District see BLOG on 12

Welcome Back Weeks It’s not my style to go out and get coffee or drink sodas. Mostly, I drink hot water, even in restaurants. I’d rather save the money to give as tips for the wait staff. If you want to buy healthy and economical drinks, I recommend coconut water, not coconut juice, which is not as healthy. The other choice is sugarless soy milk. One bottle of coconut water or soy milk contains many cups. Before Covid, I never looked at the price tag when I shopped at supermarkets. Now, I do so I can do a better job in writing this blog. Since I am a foodie, I enjoy learning more about food costs to help my readers. Eating well doesn’t mean you have to buy expensive stuff. You save a lot more money if you buy seasonal vegetables and fruits. It tastes better and it matters more if you are a good cook.

Eat out or not

With the statewide reopening, many restaurants are packed with diners. But if you have a tight budget, it’s better to cook at home. That’s just simple math. You save more money by eating at home. But if you have the means, eat out more and treat your family and friends. The restaurants need your support, now more than ever. When you shop, buy local. It saves you money in the long run, and it supports the local economy. Imported food is usually more expensive but with exceptions. A Hawaii papaya costs $5 to $9, but papaya from Thailand, which is three times bigger, costs much less. You can get one

July 12 – 26 | #welcomebackseattle We’re able to fully reopen and finally be together again as a community. That’s why the City of Seattle and Downtown Seattle Association welcome you back downtown to enjoy our beautiful Seattle summers!

Welcome back to: the

Sat, July 17 & Sun, July 18 Hing Hay Park

Sat, July 24 Occidental Square

• Martial arts and cultural performances • Live music and performances from Hollis, Chong the Nomad, Evan Flory Barnes, Bleachbear, Daniel Pak, Massive Monkees, Chrysalis Circus, Totem Star, and more!

Sun, July 25 Westlake Park & Pacific Place

Scan this QR code or visit seattle.gov/COVIDrecovery for more information on all the events.

asianweekly northwest

39 YEARS

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“Our Culture, Our Voice”

An exhibition to showcase art by local Asian American high school students By Nina Huang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY When Grace Park was 10 years old, she realized that art can bridge distances between different races. Park was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States in the fifth grade. She wasn’t fluent in English and felt like she didn’t belong at her new school. “I remember when people would go to the playground and play and have fun, but I didn’t speak this foreign language, so I just stayed inside and drew and doodled,” she said. However, one day, another classmate who was Caucasian joined her when she was drawing a birdhouse. “All of a sudden, a simple birdhouse became a super complex, intricate, and fun bird hotel. Even though my English was broken, we barely talked when we were drawing, but I felt this sense of unity and that’s when I realized that art can unite everybody from any culture, any part of the world, even if you can’t communicate,” she explained. Since then, Park was really inspired to focus her art on bridging the gap between different races because she realized that art can be a universal language. Art has always been one of Park’s passions since she was a toddler. She

never took it seriously, but it’s something she’s always enjoyed doing and sharing with others. Park attributes her Korean culture and experience growing up there to her artwork. “Even though it’s my seventh year living here, the Korean culture is still deeply ingrained and it really determines how I think, speak, and act, to this day. I think having that longer experience living in Korea really helped me contribute more rich details and perspective into my artworks regarding Korean culture,” she said. Now, as a rising senior at Bellevue High School, Park is inviting others to elevate their art together and share with a broader audience. She’s curating a three-week art exhibition called “Our Culture, Our Voice” at the Factoria Mall in Bellevue that will run from Aug. 2–20. “After witnessing numerous incidents of violence and discrimination against Asian Americans this year, I was inspired to initiate this project through which local Asian American high school students like me can project and honor our racial identity and culture through our own artistic expressions.” She hopes that other Asian American students can share their unique experiences with the local community. In addition, Park hopes that the exhibition will be

Weekly Specials Prices Valid July 14-20 2021

Sun Noodle

Hiyashi Chuka

Fresh!

Sockeye Salmon Fillet

Includes Vinegar Soy Sauce with Apple & Honey Dressing. 2 pk

Now at it’s Peak! Great on the BBQ

13.99 lb

3.99

California Roll

Thin Sliced Pork Leg

6.49

3.99 lb

6 pc

Fresh! New Crop

Nasubi

Great for Hot Pot

Japanese Eggplant

2.99 lb

Pulmuone

Fresh Korean Cold Noodles

Assorted Variety. 2 pk

4.99

Calbee

House Foods

Shrimp Chips

Karashi Mustard

1.19

1.89

Assorted Flavors. 3.3-4 oz

1.5 oz

To see all of our weekly specials, visit uwajimaya.com s es aetat ltet l •e b•e l l b e veul el e •v ur ee n t•o n r e• n bt eoanv e •r t obn e a v e r t o n

•

jim m u wu aw j iam a ya ay a . c. coom

Deluxe Wardrobe art by Grace Park

an open and comfortable platform for her and her fellow Asian American students to express their culture and narrative, and honor their racial and cultural identities that are often underrepresented in mainstream American society. Park is looking to collect 20 to 30 artworks from local high school students who live in the greater Seattle area and reside within reasonable distance from the Factoria Mall. As the name of this art show suggests, she’s looking to share the perspectives and experiences of Asian American high school students through their own artistic expressions. Artwork submissions can take the form of any medium, from pencil, charcoal, acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils, to mixed media. Artworks cannot exceed 26 inches x 26 inches in dimension. Other than this requirement, any forms of artworks are welcome, as long as it relates to your experience with or perspective of Asian culture. You can address the Asian or Asian American culture as a whole, a specific Asian country, or any other combination. “In the greater Seattle area, there

aren’t very many opportunities for us to do that, especially with the recent hate crimes. I feel like us Asian Americans don’t feel as safe in public to share our stories, so I’m hoping this will provide a safe space for high school students to do that through their art.”  Interested in submitting your artwork to the exhibition? Submit it by July 21 at https://forms.gle/uQb5N8oeqxos6BfN9. Nina can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

YOUR VOICE

■ ON THE SHELF

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

asianweekly northwest

Life never turns out how you expect it BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Dial A for Aunties By Jesse Q. Sutanto Berkley, 2021

When Meddelin Chan goes on a blind date, she doesn’t have many expectations. After all, the date was set up by her meddlesome mother. But one thing she definitely didn’t expect was that she’d accidentally kill the guy. Instead of calling the police, she turns to said meddlesome mother, who then calls Meddy’s three even more meddlesome aunties to help them get rid of the body. Throw in a supposed family curse, a billionaire wedding where the five of them are working, the reappearance of Meddy’s great college love—the one she let get away—and what follows is nothing short of a comedy of errors, in which everything that could go wrong, does. Think “Crazy Rich Asians” meets “Weekend at Bernie’s.” The first thing about “Dial A” is that you need to lean into the chaos and crazy. Meddy’s Chinese-Indonesian family is the furthest thing from logical when it comes to dealing with the dead guy (a simple call to the police could have solved so much) and once we as readers accept that, we can really enjoy this story in all of its ridiculous glory—and I mean that in the best way. The competitiveness among the aunties when it comes to who has the best methods of disposing of the dead body is hilarious and peak Asian aunty behavior. One thing Sutanto really nails here is the family dynamics among Meddy, her mother, and her aunts. I really loved how they bickered and constantly got on each others’ nerves the way only family could. But they always show up for each other—even if that means assisting in covering up a potential crime. Just because these women are the very definition of ride or die, doesn’t mean they’ll always get along. But then again, what family does?

comes back into her life, connected to a business rival nonetheless, those feelings begin to resurface. And even though Samson persuades her to give him a second chance, Rhi is wary. “Right Swipe” is a story about second chances and learning to trust again. In addition to Rhi dealing with her stances on romance, her past experiences have also informed her career path. Rai does a great job of highlighting the struggles Rhi experiences as a woman of color in the app industry without being too heavy handed or coming off as see SHELF on 10

The Right Swipe By Alisha Rai Avon, 2019

Rhiannon Hunter may be behind a revolutionary dating app, but the only thing she swipes right on in real life is her career. After being burned (at the expense of said career), for her, romance doesn’t go beyond the occasional hookup. When she hooks up with former football star Samson Lima, Rhi starts rethinking her rules. But then he disappears and she’s more convinced that her rules are a good idea. As Rhi carries on with her life, she buries the hurt from Samson’s ghosting. But when he unexpectedly

We’re here when you need us When uncertainty clouds your way, you can count on Banner Bank. Our superheroes have helped people dream big and reach their goals for more than 130 years. So call us when you need a Puget Sound-area banking hero. We’re here to help. Learn more at bannerbank.com, or call us at: (800) 272-9933

asianweekly northwest

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

39 YEARS

■ SPORTS

SNL’s Bowen Yang Mariners reinstate becomes first Chinese Kikuchi in time for American nominated All-Star Game for acting Emmy Bowen Yang makes history as the first Chinese American man and first “Saturday Night Live” featured player to be nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. This year’s nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards were announced on July 13 during a live event streamed on the Television Academy’s website. If he wins, Yang would become the third person of Asian descent to win an Emmy following Archie Panjabi’s win in 2010, and Riz Ahmed as the first Asian man to win in 2017. 

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners reinstated left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the injured list on July 12, making him eligible to participate in the All-Star Game. Kikuchi was selected to the American League All-Star team for the first time in his career and is Seattle’s lone representative. The Mariners placed Kikuchi on the injured list on July 11 but did not disclose an injury and manager Scott Servais said he could not comment but wasn’t concerned about Kikuchi’s status. Seattle used the open roster spot to promote top catching prospect Cal Raleigh, who made his major league debut on July 11 against the Los Angeles Angels. The Mariners optioned infielder Donovan Walton to Triple-A Tacoma and designated for assignment reliever Will Vest in order to reinstate Kikuchi. Kikuchi has been one of the top lefthanders in baseball this season, his third since signing with the Mariners

Yusei Kikuchi

and moving to the major leagues from Japan. He's 6-4 with a 3.48 ERA and 98 strikeouts. 

Osaka returns to spotlight on red carpet at The ESPYS By BETH HARRIS AP SPORTS WRITER Naomi Osaka returned to the spotlight for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open in May and skipping Wimbledon, posing on the red carpet at The ESPYS on July 10. The world’s highest-paid female athlete faced a slew of photographers in New York, with one being heard urging her, “Nice smile” as cameras clicked furiously. Osaka offered a faint closed-mouth smile in response. Osaka won trophies as the best athlete in women’s sports and best women’s tennis player at the annual show honoring the year’s top athletes and sports moments. It was moved from Los Angeles to New York for an out-

door, socially distanced show this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Osaka, who has won four Grand Slam titles, pulled out of the French Open before the second round, saying she has “huge waves of anxiety” before speaking to the media and that she has “suffered long bouts of depression.” She also sat out Wimbledon. She’ll return for the Tokyo Olympics, representing her native Japan. She high-fived boyfriend-rapper Cordae from YBN Collective before taking the stage. “I just really want to not say a long speech because I’m a bit nervous,” Osaka said. “This year has been a really, it hasn’t even finished, but it’s been really tough for a lot of us. For me, I just want to say I really love you guys.” 

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

YOUR VOICE

■ EDITORIAL

asianweekly northwest

Fight voter suppression

Are you aware of the hit American democracy has taken? On July 1, the Supreme Court ruled in “Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee” that two racially discriminatory Arizona voting laws do not violate the Voting Rights Act or the Constitution, overturning a Ninth Circuit ruling. Arizona has been ground zero for former President Donald Trump’s claims that the election was stolen. One of the state’s laws banned the collection of absentee ballots by anyone other than a relative or caregiver, and the other threw out any ballots cast in the wrong precinct. The Supreme Court ruling narrows the only remaining section of the Voting Rights Act, section 2, which allows for legal challenges to voting changes that put minority voters at a disadvantage. Sean Morales-Doyle, acting director of the Voting Rights and Elections Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, said, “The justices stopped short of

eviscerating the Voting Rights Act, but nevertheless did significant damage to this vital civil rights law and to the freedom to vote.” “Efforts to suppress the minority vote continue,” wrote Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan in a scathing dissent. Varun Nikore, the executive director of AAPI Victory Alliance—which works to empower Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders—said, “AAPI communities are experiencing the brunt of voting attacks by right-wing actors who are blatantly trying to curb voting rights in order to win an election.” AAPIs are the fastest growing voting bloc in the country—with a 46% increase in raw vote numbers from 2016 to 2020 and an even higher increase in key swing states such as Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Texas. Nikore said, “This decision made by the Supreme Court will further discriminate against our communities and push the nearly 10 million unregistered AAPI voters

LEE from 1 the garden, he continued to come back to help me fix leaky pipes or carry chicken feed up the hill.” Most people we interviewed about Lee’s passing called attention to his love of the InterIm’s annual Pig Roast at the garden. “[The late] Bob Santos told me to be in charge of the pig roast,” Lee once told Northwest Asian Weekly publisher Assunta Ng. Lee had been volunteering for it for close to two decades. “He would take care of setting up the roasting pit, and would set himself up to turn the spit for hours and hours… this is like from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m,” said Baskerville. “He was so dedicated to that spit. He just kept drinking energy drinks and coffee all night long to cook that pig. One of the best memories I have of him is us being completely delirious during the wee hours of the Pig Roast because we hadn’t slept at all.” Lee was also a member of the International District Emergency Center (IDEC) and volunteered at community events when it did not conflict with his work schedule. Richard “Dicky” Mar, who once served as IDEC’s board chair, said Lee lowered the flag at Hing Hay Park to half staff following the murder of Donnie Chin, and he continued to do so every year on the anniversary of Chin’s death. Chin founded IDEC. Mar said that Lee was most recently employed with the Seattle Parks Department as a park concierge. Mar called Lee “a tremendous asset to IDEC operations” because of his

back in the shadows.” The House of Representatives passed a bill that would have set federal standards and overridden voter suppression provisions across the country, but in the Senate, opponents blocked consideration of the bill. Forty-eight states have introduced 389 bills designed to restrict voting, and at least 28 have passed into law with many more in progress. If that doesn’t scare you, it should. The only option we have left to protect the freedom to vote in this country is for Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the For the People Act to enact national standards to prevent future attacks on our freedoms. Nikore said, “AAPIs are often the forgotten group in our political landscape. That must change immediately and it starts with a new voting rights act to protect our AAPI voters… This is our time. Congress must pass a new Voting Rights Act. It’s the filibuster or democracy. There is no in-between.” 

employment with the Parks Department for events that occurred in Hing Hay Park. He lost both positions during the Covid shutdowns, according to Mar. “My office is right off of Hing Hay Park, and before the pandemic, we used to see Bill almost every day,” said Jamie Lee, director of community initiatives at SCIDpda. “He was one of those people you could always count on—we will miss him immensely.” InterIm’s Deputy Director Tom Im said, “Bill Lee worked dedicatedly to make our piece of the City a better place.” This was a thought echoed by state Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos. “Bill was a kind and generous man who was devoted to the well-being of the Chinatown International District and to the people who live, work, and sustain our community. He was always around to lend a helping hand and keep a watchful eye out at every community event. I am grateful to have known him and to call him a friend.” Baskerville shared more of her favorite memories. “We were moving buckets of compost tea around in the garden and we smelled like rotting garbage for the rest of the day. Another is when we buried his favorite chicken, Diva, under an Asian Pear tree and shared that moment together. He was a lover of animals and was a very sensitive person.”  Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Sealed bids will be received for KC000290, North Flare Station Electrical MCC Upgrade; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, via the E-Procurement system, until 1:30:59 PM on 8/5/21. Late bids will not be accepted. The public bid opening will only be conducted on-line following the Bid Close Date and Time; see Section 00 10 00 for details. There is a 15% minimum Apprentice Utilization Requirement on this contract. There is a 15% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) on this contract. Synopsis: Work includes construction of a new MCC building which requires preparation

of a building pad and adjustment to nearby portion of the access road and vehicle parking pad. The new MCC building shall be provided with mechanical ventilation system. Estimated contract price: $3,600,000 Pre-Bid: 7/21/21, 10:00AM Mandatory Site Tours(s): 7/22/21, 2:00PM & 7/23/21, 9:00AM 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

TAITUNG R E S TA U R A N T

Established in 1935

• Catering • Cocktails • Valet parking • Banquet facilities Hours Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m. - 1:30 a.m.

655 S. King St. Seattle 206-622-7714 or 622-7372

Lake View Cemetery Seattle’s Pioneer Cemetery Est. 1872 An Independent, Non-Profit Association

Featuring

Traditional Side-by-Side Monument Properties

206-322-1582

1554 15th Ave East

(North Capitol Hill)

asianweekly northwest

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

39 YEARS

CLASSIFIEDS employmeNT

peony modern Kitchen Chef Looking for an experienced wok chef to work at Peony Modern Kitchen, an upscale Chinese fusion restaurant. Must have at least 3 years experience cooking at a Chinese restaurant as a wok chef.Must have open availability working 50-60 hours per week. Pay is $4,500-$5,000 per month depending on experience. Please contact Chef Yang at 206-8194838 and leave a message and he will contact you.

employmeNT

Mana Sushi located in Port Orchard is now hiring Sushi Chef! We are located 25 minutes east from Tacoma. We can provide housing and meals. Please contact us. manasushi@hotmail.com or text us 253-886-3206 Japanese restaurant in Everett hiring Sushi chef and Server. Please call 404-376-5407.

WoK CHeF - English ok. KITCHeN mANAGeR - good English for upscale restaurant. - Great work ethic! -Team work. Good Pay. -Both jobs with good benefits. Call 206-502-9942

Name_____________________________ Address ___________________________ City _______________________State____ Zip Code ___________________________ Phone _____________________________ Mail to: NW Asian Weekly 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 or call 206-223-0623

CARPET CLEANING

206-487-8236

SHELF from 7 preachy—which would have been easy to do. And then there’s Samson, who has his own issues to work through regarding how his football career ended. As a longtime romance lover, I loved that while he was an athlete (retired), Rai didn’t automatically make him into your typical suave, ladies’ man who kills it in the dating department (as they often end up in this genre). Samson has his bumbling moments, which just make him that much more endearing. I also appreciated how diverse all of the characters—not just the protagonists— are in the story. In addition to Rhi, who is Black, and Samson, who is Samoan, Rai (who is South Asian American) includes their friends and family members who

The recommendations created by the 26-member ECITF focused on four areas or “pillars”— business, which will receive $7.5 million; education, $6.2 million; housing, $8.8 million; and health, $6.2 million. Durkan said during the pandemic, small businesses were among the first hit—mostly owned by people of color, and owners in the ChinatownInternational District were no exception. “In order for a small business to survive, they’ve got to have access to credit,” she said. ECITF member Rizwan Rizwi said small business owners will have access to loans—ranging from $7,500 up to $100,000, and that money is expected to be in the hands of the community by the end of this year, pending approval by the City Council. The ECITF also said businesses will have access to one-on-one counseling to help them to improve

Subscribe to the Northwest Asian Weekly $40

DONE RITE

Find NWAW on social media on Facebook, Twitter

BIPOC from 1

employmeNT

CHINESE INFORMATION AND SERVICE CENTER is seeking CASe mANAGeRS (multi. positions avail.) in Seattle, WA to dev. svc plan, case mgmt. & ref. svcs. Min. Req.: Bachelors in SW, Soc., Psych., or rel. & 24 mos. SW, CNSLR or rel. exp. Resumes to Kevin Chan, 611 S. Lane St., Seattle, WA 98104. Ref. Job. # 21-11.

are from all different backgrounds, which is how the world really is and how more stories should be.

Things We Lost to the Water By Eric Nguyen Knopf, 2021

When Huong arrives in New Orleans with her two young sons, she’s jobless, homeless, and worried about her husband Cong back in Vietnam. So as she settles in their new home, she sends him letters and tape recordings about the life she’s building for their children—expecting Cong to find a way to cross water so they can all be reunited as a family. But eventually, Huong realizes Cong is not coming. As she comes to accept this, her sons try to carve their own paths, haunted by a man and country they never

their financial health and credit worthiness. Rizwi, who is the executive director of Muslim Housing Services, also addressed the housing pillar of ECITF’s recommendations. “We want a system that’s fair for everyone.” One approach, he said, is a lease to purchase program. “Having an apartment and renting works for a while, but when rents become too unaffordable, people still have to leave… A lot of equity is made from the equity market, stock market, and real estate. If you can never purchase anything or have ownership, getting equity and share from real estate is and having a place which you can pass onto the next generation is something that cannot be achieved.” Rizwi added that addressing the systemic conditions that hinder the accumulation of wealth, particularly through real estate and land holdings, will affect not just this generation but future generations.

really knew, but have cast long shadows over their lives. Tuan finds camaraderie and a connection to his roots by joining a local Vietnamese gang, and Binh (who goes by Ben) embraces his adopted country and sexuality. As for Huong, she eventually moves on and gets involved with a Vietnamese car salesman, also new in town. “Things We Lost” is a story about the search for identity—as individuals as well as a family—in the wake of loss and tragedy. In their search and as the three protagonists encounter different people throughout their lives, Nguyen highlights how the immigrant experience can differ for people from the same community, even when they have similar backgrounds. Experiences can even differ for members of the same family—and those experiences can tear a family apart

In regard to education, ECITF wants to address the lack of culturally competent academic support, provide training, education opportunities, and pathways leading to a living wage employment, among other things. Among the health pillar recommendations—address the systemic conditions creating food “deserts” and lack of healthy food options, the lack of representation in the healthcare profession, and creating culturally relevant and responsive health care programs. “These pillars don’t stand alone,”

or bring them closer together (or both). As evidenced by this column, I’ve read a lot about families with first-generation immigrant parents and second-generation children born in the United States. But I don’t come across many stories featuring the “1.5 generation,” those who immigrated when they were children— who mainly grew up in the United States but may have some memories of their home countries. Despite having grown up with relatives and friends of this in-between generation, I haven’t really stopped to think about what their formative years were really like and how different they may have been from mine, despite having known them my entire life.  Samantha can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

said Sharon Nyree Williams, ECITF member and executive director for the Central District Forum. She added, “Why can’t an artist, as a gig worker, own a house and run their business as an entrepreneur? Why can’t we give small business owners the ability to give health care and benefits to their employees? How do we make us as a whole better and bring all of those pillars together?” Williams stressed that these pillars are simply a starting point. “We’re hoping to add pillars throughout the years and bringing on

more task force members to continue to shape a Seattle that we can be proud of.” She said ECITF wants to ensure that any programs that come out of the recommendations must be sustainable, not just a one-off. Durkan said reversing generations of underfunding and discrimination “won’t happen overnight.” “The four pillars reflect what is a safe, healthy, and resilient community… in building long-term generational changes.”  Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 4.

YOUR VOICE

■ ASTROLOGY

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

asianweekly northwest

Predictions and advice for the week of July 17 – July 23, 2021 By Sun Lee Chang Rat—Even though getting started might be a challenge, it should be smooth sailing once you are on the move.

Dragon—When something doesn’t feel right, you must trust what your gut tells you.

Monkey—Taking a risk can be exciting, especially if you’re used to playing it safe. Just don’t get too carried away.

Ox—You want to do it all, but there comes a point where it makes sense to bring in additional help.

Snake—You are not obligated to answer every question. Sometimes it is nobody else’s business.

Rooster—Your wits and hard work have taken you far. Let that give you the confidence to accept the next challenge.

Tiger—Is the pace faster than you anticipated? In order to keep up, you will have to put in a solid effort.

Horse—Have you stumbled onto something that really resonates with you? At least initially, follow with caution.

Dog—Want to do more than just go along for the ride? Start by picking the right partner for the journey.

Rabbit —As open as you are with others, it is important to carve out a little space for yourself.

Goat—Although the progress seems painfully slow at this stage, the trade off in terms of quality is well worth it.

Pig—Things can get blown out of proportion pretty quickly, so try to stay calm and avoid escalating the situation.

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, 2021 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.

HA from 1 “We got one quote that was neatly bound, with photographs and even my name on it, but we did not go with that person, it was so complicated—we went with the cheapest bid,” said Satori, who asked to use a pseudonym to protect his privacy. Such dilemmas are so widespread that a former construction and real estate entrepreneur has just dissolved all his businesses, sold all his properties, and started a company to help individuals like Satori. The company, IDO, is designed to pair homeowners with superior contractors— those that are carefully vetted by the founder, Tien Ha, and his team. “Most homeowners are very wary of hiring contractors,” said Ha in a recent interview. “And most contractors expect to be distrusted.” Instead, for a subscription, Ha and his experts come out to your home, evaluate any future problems, then handle all contact with contractors. Depending on the price of the subscription, a homeowner receives a given number of service tickets. One ticket might include a roof repair, depending on the complexity of the job. “All the details are spelled out beforehand,” said Ha. Another area where IDO can help is with home improvement, or what Ha calls “capital projects.” Take for instance the case of Satori, who also recently had his kitchen remodeled—with a different contractor. “He was great all around, but he would talk forever, he was just really friendly,” said Satori. “The thing that I would get nervous about is that a contractor charges billable hours, so if you have a contractor that is being really friendly and chatty and telling stories, are you getting charged for the conversation? It was awkward.” If Satori had been a member of IDO, Ha would have handled any such sensitive issues. Satori might not have had to deal with the contractor at all. Most contractors out there are bad, according to Ha. “That’s why we have a lengthy onboarding process.” Another tiresome detail that would be eliminated is what Ha describes as homeowners sometimes feeling the need to impress a contractor with knowledge in order to not be taken advantage of. Satori, who lives in a house built in 1910, at one point needed to have his furnace repaired. “I did a lot of research before the repairman came so I would at least know the right vocabulary to use,” he said. “I wasn’t necessarily trying to impress the contractor, but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t being ripped off. With contractors, it’s a matter of trust. You are entrusting an expert to do something that you know very little about and you are forced to trust them and then give them money.” In the end, his entire furnace needed to be replaced. But Ha’s main goal is to give homeowners more time to spend with their families.

“The family dinner is extinct in America,” he said. IDO’s soft launch was last week, meaning Ha is still tinkering with the final details (he took notes after the Northwest Asian Weekly interview). For instance, down the line, he might offer the option of synching a homeowner’s schedule with IDO so he can assure that work is done when nobody is at home. He calls it serving as a “house concierge.” This might also involve providing copies of your house keys to IDO. “You already do this for your car when you bring it in for repairs,” he said. “We are doing service for you as a person, we customize our service to serve your needs as a human being.”

A luxury model

IDO is aimed at luxury homes, for now. But Ha also believes millennials who are first-time home buyers or are in the IT industry will benefit from IDO. Ha has experienced widely differing lives that make him sensitive to the needs of both sides of his business model. As a teenager in Vietnam, his family was so wealthy that he had servants who sat beside him and fed him, a custom for the extremely affluent. “Until I was 15, I did not even have to pick up the food that went into my mouth,” he said. But after his family gave everything up to immigrate to the United States, he lived in a basement with them in Kenmore, and worked in manual labor and construction with his father. “After moving to the U.S., everything crashed around me,” he said. “I had to learn quickly to pitch in to clean toilets and do vacuuming.” Eventually, he got his break when he spotted a faulty window on a construction site and mentioned it to the foreman. Decades later, he was the owner of a prosperous construction firm, HACT Construction, and an investor in real estate around the region. Now he is coming full circle. He said he chose to start IDO because he believes in providing service to others. He would rather do that than simply live off his investments, he said. The name of the company symbolizes commitment to his customers. “IDO stands for two things. It means ‘I do,’ as in a wedding, but in this case, you are marrying us rather than the contractor,” he said. “And like a marriage, it takes time to build up that trust.” Besides trust, commitment, and loyalty, are the values that infuse a marriage as well as a successful business, said Ha. IDO also stands for “I do, so you don’t have to,” he added. “The service is for anyone that doesn’t have the time, doesn’t know about the construction industry, or doesn’t want to deal with a contractor,” he said. “We do it for you.” Likewise, Ha said many contractors don’t want to deal with homeowners.

“Many homeowners challenge and question them,” he said. “Even the best of them get in the habit of putting up a shield.” All of this can lead to delays, extra hassle, and—with bad contractors—poor service. Finally, IDO acts as a record keeper of any repairs or upgrades done to the home. “When you sell your house, you can reference our record keeper,” said Ha. IDO’s team consists of 30 people, some of whom are devoted exclusively to data management. Until the end of the year, when the service officially launches, Ha is offering a number of “freebies,” including free onboarding, which normally costs $450. Customers sign up for one year and pay monthly. The minimum is $9 and does not include work orders, which are paid for separately depending on the scope. Subscriptions of $99, $149, or $199 include work orders. For instance, the $199 charge includes 10 work orders. “One work order covers everything,” said Ha. “IDO gets all the contractors, and we manage the project.” After his first day, Ha already had several customers. For Satori’s part, he ended up hiring different contractors for different parts of his roof repair. Work is still underway. “The process is time consuming, and if you don’t know anything about it, it is overwhelming. If you can go to one source, I definitely see a benefit for some people,” he said.  To learn more about IDO, go to idohomeownerrep.com. Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Our local businesses would really appreciate you sharing what your shopping plans are over the next year. Please take a few minutes to start and complete the online shopping survey at

www.pulsepoll.com Everyone completing the survey will be entered into a contest to Win

$5,000 as our way of saying

THANK YOU!

asianweekly northwest

39 YEARS

JULY 17 – JULY 23, 2021

BLOG from 5 (CID). She often gives her crops to us and her friends. That’s why she has friends all over the community. We pay her for the food she gives and cooks for us, too. Imagine her joy when she gathers all the fresh produce of the East and West from her own tiny garden, not to mention the money she can save from buying vegetables. Doctors have suggested gardening as an effective way to battle depression. The benefits are abundant—getting outdoors, enjoying the sunshine, breathing fresh air, and making new friends.

are high in omega-3 fats, phosphorus, and calcium. And they are the cheapest at Asian supermarkets. It’s misleading that they are labeled as bones, as these bones carry fish meat as well. You can also use them to make broth. We steam them and turn them into one of the dishes.

Make your own drinks

The bone broths we use at home, I usually rinse out with water to clean out the last drops for my soup.

Housing

What do we eat at home?

Tuna fish with celery and Miracle Whip sandwiches are nutritious, delicious, and quick to make. Hawaiian rolls are my first choice, which costs about $3+ for 12. Our tuna fish lunch for two with five Hawaiian rolls costs only $5. Creativity plays an important role in your food choices and presentation to enhance your appetite. One day, my husband asked if I wanted to eat corned beef sandwiches or frozen wonton noodles, which we bought.

“Why not corned beef wonton noodles?” I said. It was our original idea, and it tasted fabulous and was inexpensive. It’s a good thing I love bones. Fish bones

Smoked pork hocks are another inexpensive yet delicious food. We bought two recently, which cost only $2. I love them as it also has meat in it. Scallops are a good dinner item. You would say scallops are expensive, which can cost over $25 a pound. Not if you buy the broken scallops (not in one piece) at Uwajimaya. I prefer broken scallops as it saves cutting time. For $10, it is enough for my husband and me to separate them into three meals. The first one, we stir-fried with mushrooms; the second dish, we stir-fried with red peppers; and the third meal with sweet potatoes. Because the scallops are salty (from the sea water), we made broth from it after cooking them.

Maximize your use in daily products

If your make-up or toothpaste comes from a plastic tube, you can cut it open and use every drop. Whatever remains, it can last more than a week for me.

Paying rent is expensive, unless you are living in low-income housing. But I heard some low-income housing is just as expensive. For instance, a small room of 200 square feet in the CID can cost as much as $800. It’s best to own your own home. My mom relied on rent money to make ends meet by being a landlord in Hong Kong. She rented out three to four bedrooms in our apartment. It’s a good way to cut down on your living expenses, or help to pay your mortgage if you own your home. Or you can rent a house together with friends to share maintenance costs of the house. That saves money, too.

For those who enjoy drinking expensive bubble teas, and coffees and lattes, are you aware that if you cut down, you can save a lot of money in a year? You can learn how to make those teas and even smoothies yourself. Bubble tea ingredients are available in Asian grocery stores, such as Viet Wah Market. You can make your own and bring them along to hang out with friends in parks. It doesn’t cost you a lot. It’s a lot of fun to make your own drinks. There’s a lot you can do to save money. You just have to think harder and pay attention. Share tips with friends and vice versa, you never know what you will discover. It’s a great way to connect with people.  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.