VOL 40 NO 48 | NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

VOL 40 NO 48 NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

FREE 39 YEARS YOUR VOICE

DNA testing toolkit reunites first cousins

Photo provided by Annie Nguyen

By Nina Huang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Annie Nguyen (left) and Kalena Johnson

PUBLISHER’S BLOG The turkey that changed my life  10

Kalena Johnson received a 23andme kit back in 2019 as a Christmas gift, but she sat on it for a while because she thought the man who was her father at the time had passed away.

But when she was back at home in Seattle visiting family, her mom and older half-sister did an Ancestry. com kit. Her sister made her do it, too, and she waited about two months to get the results back. Through those results, she found out her true ethnicity. Her whole life, she thought she

was half Filipino, but the results showed that she was actually half-Vietnamese.

That was her first revelation.

She was super pumped about the results because she grew up in White Center, where there was a huge Vietnamese population.

“I was always kind of sad because I didn’t have a connection to the Filipino community, but at the same time, I didn’t know I was Vietnamese. I didn’t feel like I could truly be a part of those events and culture, but when I got my results, I was strangely ecstatic— see DNA on 12

A tale of two mayors

Newcastle City Council race headed for recount Irigon trails by 7 votes

By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY One of two tight races involving AAPI candidates is headed for a recount.

As of press time, only seven votes separates Newcastle City Council Position No. 6 candidates Frank Irigon from Paul Charbonneau—Charbonneau has the lead.

Frank Irigon King County Elections (KCE) Communications Officer Halei Watkins told the Northwest Asian Weekly, “As of right now, we have the Newcastle race as within mandatory hand recount range.”

The thresholds for what triggers a mandatory recount and what kind are: Machine: A difference of less than 2,000 votes AND also less than ½ of 1% of the total number of votes for both candidates. see NEWCASTLE on 11

Photo by Assunta Ng

Sawant recall election

Recall Sawant supporters held signs on Nov. 20 in Little Saigon, on the three corners of the intersection of South Jackson St., and Rainier Ave. S. From left: Roberta Wood and A. Amundson

Victoria Woodwards

Bruce Harrell

By Janice Nesamani NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

bringing businesses and jobs to Tacoma are high on her agenda.

“The blessing and challenge of being reelected is that you don’t stop, you just keep right on going,” Woodards said. Her second run comes at a crucial time for a city that is trying to balance affordable housing with a real

King County Elections (KCE) mailed ballots on Nov. 17 to over 76,000 registered voters in Seattle City Council District 3 for the Dec. 7 election to recall Kshama Sawant.

Only voters registered in Seattle City Council District 3 are eligible to vote.

see MAYORS on 11

see SAWANT on 13

RINGING IN A NEW TERM For Mayor of Tacoma Victoria Woodards, being elected to a second term is the opportunity to continue to do the work. And there is a lot of work as the city recovers from Covid—addressing affordability, homelessness, and

WE SUPPORT RECALL SAWANT The Seattle Times editorial board supports Sawant’s recall

WHY

May 7, 2021.

1. Used City Resources Illegally.

Sawant used city resources to support a ballot initiative and failed to comply with the public disclosure requirements related to such support. She admitted guilt to this charge on

2. Violated State Orders Protecting Public Safety.

Sawant disregarded a state order related to Covid-19 safety by admitting hundreds of people into city hall on June 9, 2020, when it was closed to the public.

3. Violated the Confidentiality Law. Led a protest march to Seattle Mayor Jenny Dukan’s private residence, the location of which Sawant knows is protected under State Confidentiality Laws.

The above three charges to recall Kshama Sawant were unanimously upheld by the Washington State Supreme Court in April this year. In doing so, the Supreme Court declared that

Sawant’s action rose to the level of malfeasance, misfeasance, or violation of her oath of office.

Furthermore, Sawant’s voting records shows her grossly ignoring the safety of all citizens living in the City of Seattle, especially those living in the ChinatownInternational District. We lost enormous business opportunities due to deteriorating public safety.

Non-stop crimes, such as endless break-ins, graffiti, and many other

property damage has made this part of town a miserable place to live. We shall remove Kshama Sawant and replace her with a person who can really represent our neighborhood.

Information sources: The Seattle Times and Recall Kshama Sawant website, sawantrecall.org

Paid by Citizens for Safe Neighborhood  1100 N 115th St., #105, Seattle, WA 98133

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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

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

39 YEARS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Dear fellow King County resident, I ask that you join me in giving thanks for all of our essential workers, who have continued to play a vital role in our COVID-19 recovery.

I also extend heartfelt gratitude to each and every King County resident who has done their part to keep our community moving forward. From all of us here at King County, I wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving and holiday season this year.

Dow Constantine King County Executive

YOUR VOICE

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Credit WA Secretary of State office

Steve Hobbs sworn in as WA secretary of state

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

care network of 11 service sites. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she guided ICHS through the establishment of drive-through testing sites, implementation of telehealth, and advocated for vaccine equity and vaccinating diverse communities through its clinics, schools, and public sites while addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Batayola said, “It is time to prepare to hand over the baton.”

“We are immensely proud and grateful to Teresita for her tireless work,” said ICHS Board President Gildas Cheung. 

LIHI gala & auction raises over $400k

Steve Hobbs sworn-in on Nov. 22

State Sen. Steve Hobbs was sworn in on Nov. 22 as Washington’s 16th secretary of state—the first Asian American and person of color to serve in this role.

He replaces Kim Wyman, who resigned mid-term to join the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Hobbs pledged to continue enhancing the integrity of Washington’s elections, including efforts to quickly respond to election-related mis- and disinformation.

He served in the U.S. Army for more than 32 years and is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Washington State National Guard. 

Teresita Batayola retiring

CEO Teresita Batayola

On Nov. 17, ICHS President and CEO Teresita Batayola announced her intention to retire in December 2022.

Batayola has served at ICHS since 2004 and oversaw its growth from two neighborhood clinics to a regional health

The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)’s 30th Anniversary Virtual Gala & Auction raised $402,000 for its Tiny House villages, urban rest stops, supportive services, and volunteer programs.

The online event ran from Nov. 1–15.

There were 55 gala Sharon Lee, LIHI Executive Director, with real estate broker James Tjoa, a sponsors, silent co-presenting Sponsor of LIHI’s 30th auction items, and Anniversary Gala & Auction. a “raise the paddle” event that brought in donations and sponsorships.

An online video featuring tiny house residents, LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee, King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, State Rep. Frank Chopp, and LIHI Boardmember Melinda Nichols was also shown. 

Nguyen recognized as one of nation’s best housekeepers

Yen Nguyen, a housekeeper at Motif Seattle, received

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a $500 cash prize earlier this month as part of the 2021 Cintas S.H.I.N.E. (Star Housekeepers In a New Era) Award.

Nguyen began at Motif Seattle as a Housekeeping Room Attendant, was promoted to Housekeeping Supervisor soon after, Yen Nguyen and is now Assistant Housekeeping Manager.

She was Colleague of the Year in 2019 and when the hotel reopened in 2021, Yen was instrumental in adhering to Hyatt’s Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment and Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation standards. 

Yamashita wins lifetime literary achievement award

Karen Tei Yamashita was awarded the 2021 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Foundation on Nov. 17.

Yamashita is the 34th recipient of the award since it was created in 1988. Past recipients include Joan Toni Morrison, Maxine Hong Karen Tei Yamashita Kingston, and Stephen King.

In her acceptance speech, Yamashita said the award was especially significant to her community, given how the past year has been plagued by anti-Asian violence and hatred.

“Asian American literature is, at heart, a literature of politics and resistance,” Yamashita said.

Yamashita has written eight books, including a book of short stories about being Japanese American, “Sansei and Sensibility,” and “Through the Arc of the Rain Forest,” a novel about a Japanese expat living in Brazil amid an environmental crisis. 

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Dealing with angry customers Webinar offers de-escalation techniques to business owners

By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY It’s the new world we live in—where you must show proof of vaccination to go into bars, restaurants, clubs, and gyms in King County.

Due to the high number of unpleasant customer incidents at businesses seeking to follow vaccine and mask mandates, the Seattle Metro Chamber, in partnership with Reach King County and Business Health Trust, held an online seminar on De-Escalation Strategies on Nov. 17 as part of the #WeGotThisWA campaign.

Presenter Andy Prisco, National Anger Management Association fellow, founder of the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team program in Washington state, and author of the Crisis Intervention Certification Handbook, Best Practices for First Responders, provided attendees with a crash course on how to regain control of a situation that threatens to ruin everyone’s shopping or dining experience.

“In my lifetime…I can’t recall a period where human beings were so polarized,” Prisco said.

It doesn’t matter what side you fall on in the multiple COVID-19 debates, Prisco explained. What matters is your ability as a business owner—or within a personal

Andy Prisco, presenter

scope—to regulate yourself in an overheated situation and to thereby bring back order to something or someone veering to chaos.

Prisco gave attendees an overview of factors that come into play when a person encounters a triggering situation that could escalate into anger or fear. We humans default to either our older or newer brains; that is, our limbic “reptilian” brain or our more evolved brain. The primitive reptilian brain helped us survive in the early days of life-or-death, and still kicks in now for some when they walk into a restaurant and are told that a mandate requires they put a mask on, and they don’t want to. This type of interaction can be considered as a threat and cause

a customer or client to go into a state of what Prisco termed “discontrol.” At that point, it is the responsibility of the staff to bring back control and not succumb to a state of discontrol themselves.

Prisco explained the three conditions that often “precede assaultive behavior”— getting someone to do something that they don’t want to do, getting someone to stop doing something they want to do, and having to say “no.”

“Where one falls on the issue [at hand] is not the point…How passionate one feels about COVID safety measures—or opposed to COVID safety measures— is not the point…How do we engage these events in the messaging about COVID safety measures in a way that is meaningful, effective, and reduces risk to the person carrying that message?”

According to Prisco, we all have a “responsibility” to self-regulate. When people are in a state of rest, confidence, or control, they access the evolved brain.

It is an acquirable state from “growing awareness of how your body works,” and wellness practices during your dayto-day life that “enhance your ability to be completely regulated [so that] …when the crisis event comes, you are less prone to slide down the ladder into your own limbic brain state.” Under stress, our ability to think clearly is diminished.

This is why, as a staff member faced with a customer who is in disorder, it is necessary to act like a lighthouse and be, as Prisco described, “an aid to navigation.”

If both sides are fighting, then neither is a lighthouse. Prisco suggested that employees that have difficulty with this, and cause further disruption, should be addressed.

Other tips came in the form of statements such as “the problem isn’t the problem.” Employees, parents, and spouses often “fall into the trap of thinking that we must fix the problem that the person is complaining about in order for them to be okay.” According to Prisco, this amounts to enabling and doesn’t stop the problem from recurring.

Rather, we should attempt to get a person to a state of mind wherein they can fix the problem themselves—with our help.

“Our responsibility is to engage this person with as much influence [as we can] …to confer self-regulation in a way that reduces the likelihood of a future emergency.”

This is no less, said Prisco, than to “make the world a better place.” So how do we do it?

Whether it’s a customer who refuses to see WEBINAR on 14

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39 YEARS

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Celebrating 25 years Images provided by APCC

APCC to expand into a new building

Rendering of the new APCC building

By Nina Huang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY As the Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, they are also excited to unveil plans to remodel their current building, as well as expand to a new building to be completed in 2025.

APCC was established in 1996 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to bridge communities and generations through art, culture, education, and business.

Last year, the Tacoma-based center served more than 410,000 people throughout Washington through many cultural, art, youth, education, and outreach programs and services.

Faaluaina Pritchard, executive director of APCC, has been part of the organization for the past 25 years. She was one of the founding board members and in 2010, she jumped into operations and took on the role of executive director.

The project will include the rehabilitation of APCC’s current 10,500-square-foot building on South Tacoma Way and the construction of a new wing that will add 10,000 additional square footage.

Pritchard is most excited about how the community raised money for the new building that will be located at 4851 South Tacoma Way in Tacoma.

“It’s really exciting to see the

Rendering of the culinary kitchen in the new APCC building

community more and more excited about the development of the home,” she said.

Getting the community involved has certainly been a part of the design process as demonstrated by their vision for the soon-to-be expanded center.

The groundbreaking will begin in 2023 and construction is scheduled to be complete in 2025.

APCC raised over $550,000 at its auction on Nov. 6 to raise funds for the new building and to commemorate this huge milestone.

Included in the expanded facility will be a gallery space along with a cultural display space, a tea room, martial arts and dance studios, a performance auditorium with a full commercial kitchen, a small library, more classrooms, a gift shop, and an Asian Pacific garden.

Another exciting addition will be a culinary kitchen that will be utilized to teach Asian culinary skills to aspiring students, preparing them to enter the food industry workforce.

Pritchard said that they also hope to partner with Bates College and Clover Park Technical College for the culinary program.

They will also feature an Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) night market twice a month in the new space.

Through hosting the night markets, APCC hopes to generate community camaraderie and ensure the surrounding

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for KC000364 ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE MAY CREEK CEMETERY POND RESTORATION PROJECT; by King County Procurement and Payables Section until 12:00 PM on 12/20/2021.

Total Estimated Price for Phase 1: $500,000 Total Estimated Price for all Phases: $740,000 It is anticipated that this project will be funded in part by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Neither the State of Washington nor any of its departments or employees are, or shall be, a party to any contract or any subcontract resulting from this solicitation for proposals. Prospective proposers can view more details at: https://kingcounty.gov/procurement/solicitations Contact: Samol Hefley, shefley@kingcounty.gov, 206-477-6195

area has a wonderful place to gather and purchase AAPI items.

“To better meet the needs of the community, the entire space will be upgraded and pull in traditional features and colors from AAPI cultures,” said Pritchard.

For example, the garden will focus on the beautiful florals from the islands and gorgeous trees, fountains, and sculptures from Asia.

The architect for the new building will be SMR Architects based in Seattle and they will be selecting a contractor soon. Pritchard said

that they’re excited about SMR Architects because the majority of their employees are AAPI. “They’ll know exactly what we want and how we want to design it. We know they’ll do the best according to their skills and national backgrounds,” she added.

With the expansion, there will be more volunteer opportunities for the community to partake in.

Pritchard said that they already have see APCC on 14

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

YOUR VOICE

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■ WORLD NEWS Olympic officials: Chinese tennis star Peng says she is safe

By JOE McDONALD ASSOCIATED PRESS

Peng Shuai

BEIJING (AP) — Missing Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai told Olympic officials in a video call from Beijing that she was safe and well, the International Olympic Committee said on Nov. 21 after Peng reappeared in public at a youth tournament in Beijing, according to photos released by the organizer.

The 30-minute call came amid growing global alarm over Peng after she accused a former leading Communist Party official of sexual assault. China’s ruling

Communist Party has tried to quell fears abroad while suppressing information in China about Peng.

The Nov. 21 call—with IOC president Thomas Bach, athletes commission chair Emma Terho and IOC member Li Lingwei, a former vice president of the Chinese Tennis Association—appears to be Peng’s first direct contact with sports officials outside China since she disappeared from public view on Nov. 2.

Peng “thanked the IOC for its concern about her well-being,” the Switzerlandbased Olympic body said in a statement.

“She explained that she is safe and well, living at her home in Beijing, but would like to have her privacy respected at this time. That is why she prefers to spend her time with friends and family right now,” the statement said.

Peng, who played for China at three Olympics from 2008 to 2016, made the sexual assault allegation on Chinese social media earlier this month against a former member of the Communist Party’s ruling Standing Committee, Zhang Gaoli.

That post was removed within minutes and the former top-ranked doubles player went missing from public view.

She did not respond publicly to calls for information to show she was safe.

Peng adds to a growing number of

Chinese business people, activists and ordinary people who have disappeared in recent years after criticizing party figures or in crackdowns on corruption or prodemocracy and labor rights campaigns.

Some reemerge weeks or months later without explanation, suggesting they are warned not to disclose they were detained or the reason.

Bach, the IOC president, has invited Peng to join him at a dinner when he arrives in Beijing in January “which she gladly accepted,” the IOC said. Terho and Li were also invited.

“I was relieved to see that Peng Shuai was doing fine, which was our main concern,” Terho said in the IOC statement. The hockey player from Finland represents athletes on the IOC executive board.

“She appeared to be relaxed,” Terho said. “I offered her our support and to stay in touch at any time of her convenience, which she obviously appreciated.”

The photos of Peng posted on Nov. 21 by the China Open on the Weibo social media service made no mention of her disappearance or her accusation. The former Wimbledon champion was shown standing beside a court, waving and signing oversize commemorative tennis balls for children.

Peng’s disappearance and official

silence in response to appeals for information prompted calls for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February, a prestige event for the Communist Party. The women’s professional tour threatened to pull events out of China unless the safety of the former No. 1 doubles player was assured.

The IOC had previously remained quiet about the status of Peng, helping to contribute to the IOC’s multimilliondollar revenue from broadcasting and sponsorships.

The Olympic body’s stated policy is “quiet diplomacy.” The IOC had said it would “continue our open dialogue on all levels with the Olympic movement in China.”

Discussion of Peng’s accusation has been deleted from websites in China.

A government spokesman on Nov. 19 denied knowing about the outcry. The ruling party’s internet filters also block most people in China from seeing other social media abroad and most global news outlets.

Comments on Chinese social media criticized the Women’s Tennis Association and others who spoke up about Peng. Comments in Chinese on see PENG on 13

Reports: Oscar-winning Japanese costume designer Wada dies

By YURI KAGEYAMA AP BUSINESS WRITER

Emi Wada

TOKYO (AP) — Emi Wada, the Japanese costume designer who won an Oscar for her work in Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran,” has died, Japanese media reports said on Nov. 21.

She was 84.

Wada died Nov. 13, the reports said, citing unidentified family sources and not giving the cause of death.

Wada was catapulted to stardom by the samurai costumes she created for the 1985 “Ran,” a striking portrayal of bloody intrigue and betrayal inspired by William Shakespeare’s “King Lear.”

When accepting the award from the Academy in 1986, Wada held the manshaped statue and said with a smile, “He doesn’t need my costuming.”

Wada also designed costumes for other reputed film directors including Nagisa Oshima and Zhang Yimou, as well as for the theater and opera.

Amon Miyamoto, a theater director who worked with Wada, expressed praise for her.

“I’ve never known anyone who pursued perfection and authenticity as much as you,” he said on his Facebook page.

“To have been able to create something with you is an honor I will never forget for the rest of my life,” he added.

Wada was born in the ancient capital of Kyoto, a city filled with bamboo, wooden structures and stone gardens that she said inspired her sense of beauty.

She made a point to emphasize the textures of the materials she used for her

Happy Thanksgiving!

costumes. She considered her aesthetic Japanese, and she supported efforts to preserve the traditional craftsmanship of Kyoto that was often behind her gorgeous costumes.

Her husband Ben Wada, a director whom she married when she was 20, helped her get her first costuming jobs. He died in 2011.

“Over the 60 years I’ve been doing

this work, I’ve never gotten tired of it. I see myself as really lucky,” Wada said in a 2017 video message for the Tokyo International Film Festival.

In 2020, she created the costumes for Ann Hui’s “Love After Love,” which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.

Funeral services were held with family and close friends, media reports said. 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Kawabe Memorial House The Kawabe Memorial House Board of Directors is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals to write a book about Kawabe Memorial House’s History.

Kawabe Memorial House’s RFP includes a description of the services to be provided by respondents; the minimum contents of the responses; and the factors to be used to evaluate the responses. For a copy, please visit our website at: www.Kawabehouse.org All responses to the RFP must be submitted by Friday, December 31, 2021 by 5:00pm.

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39 YEARS

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR NOV

NOW THROUGH JAN. 30, 2022

WILDLANTERNS Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle 4-8:30 p.m.

Get tickets at zoo.org/wildlanterns NOW THROUGH JAN 31, 2022

PAPER DIALOGUES: THE DRAGON AND OUR STORIES National Nordic Museum, 2655 NW Market St., Seattle For hours, please check online at nordicmuseum.org

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SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Seattle Asian Art Museum Advanced registration required volunteerparktrust. org/event/saam-freefridays/all

DEC

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link email club at rotaryofseattleid@ gmail.com

capaa.wa.gov For registration link, go to capaa.wa.gov/joinus-for-our-novemberboard-meeting

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SEATAC’S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL Seatac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave. S., SeaTac 5:45-8:30 p.m.

AAPI UNITY CELEBRATION FOR MAYOR-ELECT BRUCE HARRELL Joyale Seafood Restaurant, 900 S. Jackson, Seattle 5:30-8:30 p.m. $45 Register by Dec. 7, at https://bit.ly/30xLRTy

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ESTELA ORTEGA AT SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ROTARY

CAPAA’S 2021 PEOPLE OF COLOR LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

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RONNY CHIENG, STAND UP COMEDY 7:30 p.m.

The Neptune Theatre $28-$33.50 stgpresents.org

SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM FREE FIRST FRIDAY 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Seattle Asian Art Museum Free admission Advanced registration required volunteerparktrust. org/event/saam-freefridays/all

16 CLUB MEETING WITH WARREN ALLEN ON TOPIC “THE SENTENCING PROJECT” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link, contact at rotaryofseattleid@ gmail.com

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Ichiro Suzuki to be inducted into Mariners Hall of Fame

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners will induct Ichiro Suzuki into the team's Hall of Fame during the 2022 season, the club announced on Nov. 17.

Suzuki will be honored on Aug. 27 when Seattle faces Cleveland.

“Mariners fans were fortunate to have watched Ichiro Suzuki perform his magic at the plate and in the field for over a decade in a Mariners uniform,” Mariners Chairman John Stanton said in a statement.

Suzuki spent parts of 14 seasons with the Mariners

before retiring in March 2019 after Seattle opened the season with games in his home country of Japan. Suzuki was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, won two batting titles and was the 2001 Rookie of the Year and MVP in his debut season with the Mariners.

Suzuki also played for the New York Yankees and Miami.

Suzuki is currently an instructor for the Mariners working with the major league and Triple-A teams. He'll be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025. 

Ichiro Suzuki View the solution on page 14

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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.

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YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Mums

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

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the growing word chrysanthemums

When people think of chrysanthemums, more commonly referred to as “mums,” they think of the colorful bunches of daisies seen in just about every floral department in a grocery store. But it is in autumn when these brilliant blooms naturally flower and many Asian cultures admire and hold the late season flower in very high regard as a symbol of longevity and joy.

In late October, a beautiful exhibition took place in Capitol Hill’s Volunteer Park Conservatory to celebrate this beloved flower and, sadly, not many people even knew about it. There’s an art to growing chrysanthemum and some fear that there just isn’t as much interest as most growers are getting older.

In September, the conservatory re-opened its doors to the public. For many months, visitors seeking socially distanced interactions outdoors would visit the park, but only got to peek into the 100+ year old Victorian glasshouse, hoping for a glimpse of the tropical treasures it held. What was also missing were their special events. Shortly after re-opening, they began to welcome local plant groups for plant sales and exhibitions. These normally draw busy crowds, but this time around, numbers were limited, vaccination cards were checked, and social distancing was maintained. However, the Evergreen Chrysanthemum Association decided to offer a show of their member’s

Photo by Rizaniño “Riz” Reyes

By Rizaniño “Riz” Reyes NORTHWEST AISAN WEEKLY

Gigantic flowers on display in late October at Volunteer Park Conservatory.

see MUMS on 14

WHAT WE KNOW:

The FDA has authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11.

WHAT IT MEANS: The vaccine is ready to help protect kids from COVID-19.

It will help protect kids from the more dangerous COVID-19 variants.

WHAT TO DO: Go to vaccinateWA.org/kids to learn more or schedule their appointment.

It’s been through thousands of clinical tests with kids ages 5 to 11, showing the vaccine is safe.

It’s 1/3 the dose of the adult version, but still as effective.

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39 YEARS

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

■ AT THE MOVIES Netf lix’s live action Cowboy Bebop: travesty or triumph?

By Kai Curry and Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Netflix’s live action “Cowboy Bebop” released to streaming on Nov. 19. Based on the original anime, the show follows a crew of space age bounty hunters— “cowboys”—as they cruise the dilapidated universe in their dilapidated spaceship— “Bebop”—accompanied by a loveable Corgi and eventually, a wacked out hacker named Ed. They are always low on cash (“woos”), always accompanied by jazzy music, and kind of suck at their jobs. But they are endearing in their quirkiness and vulnerability and pretty good at fighting.

Stacy Nguyen and Kai Curry took a look.

Photo courtesy of Netflix

How ‘bout that John Cho?

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Vicious (Alex Hassel, left) and Spike (John Cho, right) square off in the famous church window scene in “Cowboy Bebop.”

John Cho as the big haired, blue suited Spike Seigel

Kai: I thought John Cho did a great job as the loved/hated Spike Spiegel/ Fearless. It was appealing to me to watch Cho traverse through his career from eating White Castle burgers to obsessing over noodles, Spike’s favorite food. Cho’s acting trajectory has been steady and reliable and yet he hasn’t received as much acclaim or coverage as some others. So, it was extremely satisfying to me to see him get a role that I consider a show horse.

Bravo.

Stacy: Obviously he’s still an angel sent down to Earth from heaven.

It was really, really nice to see him play Spike, a character that is a whole entire vibe. He’s fun, flashy, stylish, sensualsexual, and has great hair, which is really the kind of role I’ve been waiting for John Cho. I’ve been following his career since his “Better Luck Tomorrow” days, and a lot of the time, he doesn’t seem to get to play leading characters that have a lot of quirks.

But in “Cowboy Bebop,” he has more personality, and so it’s fun to watch him in it.

What was your background or interest in Cowboy Bebop prior to the live-action version?

Stacy: Honestly, my only familiarity with “Cowboy Bebop” was that my brother used to watch it all the time, and I would walk into the living room as my brother was watching it. From that, I gathered that

the music is super jazzy and dope, it was very swaggy and campy, and also noirieish and masculine. And that really wasn’t my bag.

So I don’t know too much about the original anime, but I can see that the Netflix remake has made considerable efforts to pay homage to it. The remake is really fun to listen to, for instance. At the same time, I remember that, in the snippets that I did see of the original series, it was lighter and more comedic and hammy.

The live-action adaptation feels heavier and darker, which I prefer in a general sense—but I’m sure hardcore “Bebop” fans are like, ‘WTF!’ about it.

Kai: I was a fan of the anime. However, if I am honest, I always wanted to watch the original more than I actually watched it. Like many, the real appeal to me was the art. The music didn’t catch me so much until this time when the opening credits with the remixed version of “Tank” became one of my favorite parts of the show. When I did watch the anime, I found it slow—and yet, I also found there was always a payoff if you stuck it out. I got a lot out of the philosophical bent of episodes such as when Dr. Londes, AI guru, encourages followers to “let go”— which this new version does a great job with. I had the same impression with the pace of the live action—slow at times— and the same verdict—except maybe due to the live actors, the payoff is bigger.

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What did you think about the show?

Kai: I enjoyed it. I learned much more about layered plot and characters than I did before. I understood everyone’s motivations more. I felt connected to the plight of Spike, to whom Vicious, a raging narcissist, does much disservice; Jet, whose anguish over his lost family is palpable; Faye, who wants to find her

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NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

YOUR VOICE

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39 YEARS

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

The turkey that changed my life Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Tracy Luu

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Most Asian immigrants call Thanksgiving the Turkey Festival, and they would tell you they hate turkey.

I was one of them while raising my American-born children.

When my kids were little, they would implore me to cook turkey on Thanksgiving or at least do so once a year. I would give excuses after excuses—too much work—too much time to cook (especially a big turkey).

That darn bird doesn’t taste good. Like many Chinese immigrants, chicken is always my preferred meat for festivals and any kind of celebration. It is a lot of work to make turkeys taste delicious, and it takes hours to bake in an oven because it requires slow heat and its size is gigantic. The bird itself has a rough texture. If overcooked, the meat feels like leather.

I recall cooking turkeys no more than five or six times during the last five decades. Only a couple times was I really happy with the outcome. The reason is, I didn’t have enough experience to do a good job. The taste was great on the meat and skin, including the stuffing

made of sticky rice with Chinese sausages and all kinds of goodies. But the skin was not crispy enough and the meat was dry, a little overcooked.

Chinese cooking requires the bird to be cooked just right. It should never be overcooked. And I tended to overcook turkeys because the size was too big

to judge. Now, you have all kinds of tools, such as a thermometer to place on see BLOG on 12

AAPI Unity Celebration for Mayor-Elect Bruce Harrell All are invited to celebrate Seattle Mayor-Elect Bruce Harrell, our first Asian American and second Black mayor!

Friday, December 10, 2021, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Joyale Seafood Restaurant, 900 So. Jackson, Seattle, WA 98104 Tickets: $45 per person REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aapi-unity-celebration-formayor-elect-bruce-harrell-tickets-212057789557 must register no later than Dec. 7th

Tickets SOLD OUT

Parking in garage is limited; public transportation or carpooling strongly suggested / Festive or ethnic attire / COVID-19 Protocols: Vaccination cards or negative COVID test within 72 hours, fully masked during event

Organizing Committee: Tomio Moriguchi, David Della, James Wong, Elaine Ikoma Ko, Misa Murohashi, Cindy Li, Tony Au Sponsors: Uwajimaya, Vibrant Cities, Puget Sound Energy, Amazon, Chase Bank, Lilly & Company, NW Asian Weekly Foundation, North American Post, Le Brothers, DA LI Development USA, Viet Wah, HomeStreet Bank Labor donated

Questions? Email: cli@vibrantcities.com

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

YOUR VOICE MAYORS from 1 estate boom while Manuel Ellis’ policerelated killing looms large in public memory.

Recently elected Mayor of Seattle, Bruce Harrell may have until January to take office, but he has already put together his transition team and administration from the ground up and is ready to hit the ground running.

“From Day One, we are going to show a new urgency that addresses issues in our city with action and compassion— changing the narrative in Seattle and delivering needed progress on homelessness, public safety, and economic revitalization,” Harrell said.

BUILDING EQUITABLE CITIES

Tacoma

Racial equity was at the heart of Woodards’ campaign. Tacoma passed a resolution with a commitment to become an anti-racist city.

“It means looking at all the systemic barriers that keep people from achieving their destiny. Too often, the conversation is around law enforcement and the criminal justice system, but they are on the back end of what happens,” Woodards said.

She believes if the city can go upstream to keep people from getting into the criminal justice system, everyone can thrive.

“I believe in equity, not equality and will continue to support our office of equity to ensure everyone gets what they need to achieve their destiny.”

She alludes to a study the city is conducting on home ownership.

“That will tell us what we already know: the BIPOC community is underrepresented in home ownership,” Woodards said. “This study will highlight these disparities so we can focus on them and move forward.”

Woodards points to Tacoma’s equity index that will allow her administration to overlay varied data points and information to enable the best decisions of where they can spend the limited resources they have.

The city’s Office of Equity and Human Rights will begin outward facing projects that help Tacoma.

“We also have our Heal the Heart coordinating team working on equity,” she said.

NEWCASTLE from 1 Hand: A difference of less than 150 votes AND also less than ¼ of 1% of the total number of votes for both candidates.

In this case, it will be a hand recount which “will take several days,” according to Watkins.

In another tight race, KCE said it will certify Hoang Tran as the winner in the Federal Way City Council Position No. 4 race.

“Often, we see that percentage piece of the requirement knock races out of recount range— as is the case for...Tran/Daniel Miller,” Watking said. “That race currently sits at a difference of 0.52%, putting it just over the threshold.”  Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.

Seattle

As someone with mixed-race heritage, Harrell understands representation matters.

“That’s why we’ve put together the most racially and ideologically diverse transition team in Seattle’s history, making sure every voice is heard and every community has a seat at the table,” Harrell said. “That will be a priority throughout my administration, celebrating what makes us different while uniting around shared values and mutual progress.”

Harrell’s work on the city council with programs like the Race and Social Justice Initiative, Great Student Initiative, and Seattle Promise has always had an equity lens as did his campaign proposals.

“I’ve led with an equity lens that puts opportunity and inclusion first. Expanding access to jobs, housing, education, healthcare, childcare, and healthy food are all key items of my agenda. I also believe Seattle must prioritize mentorship and lifelong learning, ensuring people have the tools and resources to succeed and thrive throughout life.”

“Growing up the biracial son of two working class city employees, overcoming hardships and challenges, and then making history by being elected mayor—shows it is possible in Seattle for anyone to achieve their full potential,” Harrell said. Now, he wants to bring leadership to ensure all people, no matter their background, age, race, gender identity, sexuality, religion, or any other factor, can do the same, so that Seattle is a place with plenty of opportunities, where every person is encouraged, supported, and able to thrive.

KEY PRIORITIES

Tacoma

The BIPOC community has amped their voice of protest over the past year, and for Woodards, those voices are imperative.

“I want those people who were out on the streets to know they should continue to raise their voices and continue to hold people accountable.

Woodard would also like residents to know that the city has a lot of boards, commissions, and ways for people to engage in system change.

“My job is to open the door to make sure there are places for people to be engaged, but it is the community’s job to be ready to step up.

With a variety of challenges on her plate, Woodards’ mantra to get her through is, “I hold sacred the 217,000 people who call Tacoma home.” One of her guiding principles is to hear from and engage with as many people as possible.

“I lead with compassion and believe in partnership. We are going to have issues.

Nobody expected the pandemic. It is not necessarily what you know about an issue but how you are going to lead it. It’s the principles and values you bring to the work.”

Seattle

In an earlier interview, Harrell explained that in the first six months, his administration would build 1,000 housing units and within the first year, 2,000 units to move people off sidewalks out of playgrounds and parks and into transitional housing. In addition to advancing these new homelessness strategies, he will now focus on reimagining Seattle’s approach to public safety, and putting into motion initiatives around jobs, open government, and health care for all.

“I will begin as mayor with a defined and positive vision for my administration and our city’s future,” Harrell said. “Just as important as the solutions we put forward to the challenges facing Seattle is how we reach those solutions, approach problems, collaborate, set expectations, and analyze and review progress.”

Harrell’s priority as mayor is to set a new standard for accountability, transparency, unity, and problem-solving, and putting that approach to work taking on the crises facing Seattle.

GIVING THANKS This holiday season, Woodards feels grateful for the opportunity to serve Tacoma for four more years.

“I’m grateful and excited for those who voted for me and those who didn’t vote for me. I have been re-elected to serve as mayor and ensure people come together to make Tacoma the city of destiny for all of us,” Woodards said.

Harrell is thankful for his family and is excited to spend time with them over the holidays.

“Their devoted support made this victory possible, and it’s only with their love and ongoing support that I can be successful as mayor.”

He is also grateful to the people of

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11

Seattle, who voted to embrace his vision for a city that is welcoming to all, and responds to challenges with urgency and action and Seattle’s AAPI community who chose to uplift and celebrate diversity, culture, and heritage in the face of bigotry and hate.

“We can bring that same resilience and positivity to City Hall.”

WORKING TOGETHER Having worked with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell on state legislation previously, Woodards said, “I look forward to putting our heads together and being leaders locally, regionally, and nationally for the Pacific Northwest.”

Since both Seattle and Tacoma have huge issues around homelessness, transformation, and policing, Woodards believes she can work together with Harrell to get support from the state and federal governments.

“The idea that we are competing for companies to locate to Seattle or Tacoma is not true. We are looking for companies to locate to our region,” she said.

“Bruce and I have made a commitment to each other. We are going to work together because as the two largest cities on the I-5 corridor, we can leverage each other and have an opportunity to work with other cities in the state.”

SIGNING OFF

Tacoma

“People always ask me what makes Tacoma so great, and I tell them we have a beautiful downtown, waterfronts, the mountains, wonderful neighborhoods, and business. But what really makes Tacoma great is its people and the diversity that is reflected in our city,” Woodards said.

“I just want to make sure that everyone who calls Tacoma home really has that opportunity to be their best selves.”

Seattle

“I’m so excited to get to work, but I cannot do it alone,” Harrell said. He added that to make needed progress and deliver a better future, he counts on community members to stay active and engaged.

“Together, we can and will restore our city and move Seattle forward.”  Janice can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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asianweekly northwest

DNA from 1 because I was with my people the whole time!” Johnson shared.

Her sister also encouraged her to try the 23andme kit, and those results took only a few weeks to return. She found out that she had first cousins living in the greater Seattle area.

Johnson was shocked to find close relatives pop up from the results. When she did the Ancestry DNA kit, the closest non-European match was a fourth cousin.

FIRST COUSINS Annie Nguyen bought 23andme when it was on sale during Black Friday in 2019. Her sisters had done it before, and her main goal was to run a health test to find out what illnesses she would be genetically predisposed to. She was also curious to learn more about her family history.

It took a few weeks to get her results back and was pleasantly surprised by how they knew she was related to her sister based on DNA testing, despite her not submitting any personal information to them.

Some time had passed and then a few months ago, Johnson reached out to Nguyen on the

23andme app. In her message, Johnson noted that it was out of the blue and strange, but according to their DNA results, they are first cousins, and she wanted to learn more about her paternal side.

That initiated the unexpected, yet exciting family reunion.

Johnson told Nguyen that she was trying to find out more about her biological father, and was excited to find Nguyen in the process. Johnson was hoping Nguyen could fill in the blanks about the paternal side of the family.

Through the initial exchange between the two, Johnson shared that her mom had a casual fling with a Vietnamese man back in the 1980s, but that her mom’s memory isn’t great due to a health condition.

FAMILY REUNION AFTER THREE DECADES Johnson lives in Tucson, Arizona now after moving from Seattle, but she and Nguyen learned that they would soon have an opportunity to meet in person.

Nguyen and her girlfriends had planned a trip to visit Sedona and they would be in Phoenix for a short time before making the drive. The cousins decided to meet up in person.

BLOG from 10 the turkey to cook it perfectly.

But the turkey I remember the most was not the one I cooked. It wasn’t the one that I enjoyed, even though it was cooked perfectly with the juices intact inside and the meat texture was okay. The stuffings were typical American stuffing, a mixture of bread crumbs, onion, celery, herbs, and lots of butter.

It was my first turkey in America. My host family invited me to their Thanksgiving dinner. They picked me up the day before so I could stay to spend the weekend with them. I didn’t know what Thanksgiving was about. Everyone at the party assumed I knew about Thanksgiving, an American tradition that goes as far back as the 16th century.

My host mother had spent the whole day preparing the day before and on Thanksgiving morning. The menu also featured three pies—apple, minced, and pumpkin. Everything was done in an COWBOY BEBOP from 8 real family, yet can’t help kind of liking the fake mom who betrayed her.

Perhaps because we have real actors this time, there is not the distance that I felt in the anime version, where it’s easier not to take the characters seriously.

Now, I agree that most of them are jerks—and love them all the same. There are complaints the actors aren’t young enough, and it’s true the overall feel is “older.” That’s okay with me. I’m older, too, and I will definitely be going on a ride with these cowboys for Season 2.

Stacy: Honestly, I’m pretty sure masculinenoire-meets-space-

39 YEARS

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021 “It was so strange how things unfolded so quickly, I was very excited but pretty nervous. I didn’t want to come off as weird or put too much pressure on the situation. At the same time, I just wanted to know her,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that she’s the only Asian person on her maternal side and she’s been unique in that sense. She’s never seen anyone that’s looked like her and was excited to meet Annie.

“This crazy moment has finally happened, and for it to have happened with so much serendipity was strange and awesome,” Johnson said.

Their meetup was short and sweet, but “a four-hour round trip drive is nothing compared to waiting 30 years to find somebody who shares your blood,” Johnson said.

Johnson’s mom and sister texted her every day, asking for new updates, and Johnson found it funny that she was getting excitement and pressure from her maternal side—they seemed more excited than she was in some ways.

“I’m still absorbing the fact that I found my cousin, and I still can’t really believe it,” Johnson said.

Nguyen had the same reaction.

orderly fashion without chaos. It was a 25-pound turkey and she had put the bird in the oven that was over 100º before she went to bed. Before noon the next day, the bird was done. Right before an early dinner (around 4 p.m.), we were ready for the feast.

What I observed was, the turkey always looked spectacular from the outside, but once I opened my mouth for the first bite, it was usually a great disappointment. My host father had neatly carved the white meat from the turkey, and arranged them on a beautiful plate. Where was all the dark meat? Where’s the delicious drumstick or the wings? I hope they didn’t throw them away. I don’t eat white meat and never had when my family raised me in Hong Kong.

We used all the chicken white meat to make soup.

“Do I eat it or not?” I asked myself.

Sure, I did. I didn’t want to hurt my host family’s feelings. I ended up eating very little turkey. What about the stuffing or gravy? Thanks, but no thanks. But I ate a huge piece of apple pie topped with ice

cowboys is still not my bag. I had a bit of a hard time settling into the show. I think because this genre is so stylized—like, it looks really cool and is visually fun to watch— but I think the trade-off there is that the characters don’t feel totally real and human. They’re saying weird things like: “Sounds like blackmail. / Damn right it is, because Jet, you are Black and you are male.”

It’s like, kill me, I can’t see anymore because my eyes rolled out of my head so hard.

I liked the chemistry of the main cast members a lot though—over the course of the show, I believed in their friendship. And the set design and world-

building is textured and fun to look at. It doesn’t look all sleek and utopic like how a lot of sci-fi can look. It looks all grungy and like everyone needs a shower—and that’s how I like to imagine it being in our near future.

What would you have liked to see?

How does it compare to the anime?

Kai: The internet is afire with terrible reviews.

This is much ado about nothing. This “Cowboy Bebop” is as competent as 100 other sci-fi shows.

People say the only way it resembles the original is “aesthetics,” which is blatantly incorrect. While there are changes to some characters (Ana works in

“It was really cool to find a first cousin. This hasn’t happened in real life before, but the fact that it happened to me was really cool.”

Another crazy coincidence is the cousins almost share the same birthday, though a year apart.

Kalena’s birthday is Nov. 18 and Annie’s is Nov. 19.

Determined to solve the mystery together, Nguyen and Johnson have one major clue. Johnson’s mom said the Vietnamese man she was seeing had an older son who still lived in Vietnam. Nguyen asked her mom about it and while her mom has several brothers, there was only one with an older son in Vietnam.

Nguyen is looking through photos at her parents’ house to see if they would reveal more information, and Johnson is checking with her mom to see if she kept photos from that time, too.

“I think it’s really cool to discover a new family member, and on top of all that, we click so well too, I can definitely see us meeting again and making plans in the future,” Nguyen said.

While everything happened so quickly and Johnson’s initial goal was to find her dad, she said that finding Nguyen was a huge deal for her.

“To get to know her as an

cream to quench my hunger. That’s why when my children asked me to cook turkey at first, I wasn’t that enthusiastic.

Over the years, I couldn’t help but blame myself. Why didn’t I ask for the dark meat of the turkey from my host family? Why didn’t I tell the truth? As a 19-year-old at the time, I wasn’t that assertive. I only knew it’s best not to upset anybody, especially my American host family. I appreciated their good intentions.

I never found out what they did with the dark meat or the bones of the turkey.

I should have asked. If they wanted to give them to their dog or throw it away, I should savor some of those. Those would be delicious for lunch or dinner in my dormitory the following week. But I was too timid to ask for what I wanted. The challenge is how to get what you want without offending anyone, or making the other party feel slighted. In hindsight, I should have just turned it into an interesting cultural exchange at the dinner table.

“Just wondering, mom (she made me call a club instead of a store), there is much lifted from the anime, such as the church showdown when Vicious (played by Alex Hassell) suggests “fallen angels turn into devils.” I checked the anime and I’m not seeing the problem.

My opinion often veers off the mainstream but rarely this far, which makes me think there is an agenda here, possibly against Netflix, and “Cowboy” is the unfortunate victim—a crying shame because they worked so hard to get it right.

Stacy: If “Cowboy Bebop” gets a second season, I would love for them to figure out their dialogue issue and make it less cringe.

But also—and this is

individual and not just on my way to another goal. It’s a standalone event just meeting her and anything beyond that is, just discovering my ethnicity alone was also a huge deal. But meeting Annie and having her be super cool and sharing things in common, has been so much more than I ever expected. I haven’t prepared emotionally for any of it, and it’s just been crazy in a good way,” Johnson said.

Johnson and Nguyen are both excited to have a new cousin, especially since they share common interests.

“There seems to be weird little coincidences that have lined up.

Typically throughout my life, when things seem to line up that way, it’s like it’s divine and meant to happen. I feel like I’m on the right path when things fall into place so easily. I’m excited to hang out with her more and get to know her more. When I go home to visit, this could just open this whole new part of my life, and find out more about who I am in a way… it’s very exciting,” she added.  Nina can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

her mom), what are you going to do with the dark meat?”

If she said, “Give it to the dog later,” I could have said, “Oh, can I have some? I love dark meat, too.”

If she said, “I will use it for a salad tomorrow,” I could have said, “Can I have some now? I prefer dark meat to white meat.”

And she might say, “Why didn’t you say so in the first place?” That would have been the perfect scenario. Sometimes, it’s not that hard to turn things around. All we have to do is to open our mouths and be frank.

Mostly, we didn’t and just let things slide.

Speaking up at the right moment, at the right place, and to the right person, requires intuition, courage, and practice. If we don’t do that, we shortchange ourselves by not getting what we want, and simultaneously, building up misunderstandings and ill will.

Sad!  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

probably sacrilegious— but as a non-fan of anime, I would like for the makers of live-action adaptation to move further away from the source material and just go all out and make it differently on their own. I think trying to stay too faithful to the anime made parts of this

show feel artificial and not as authentic-feeling as it could’ve been.  Kai and Stacy can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

YOUR VOICE

■ ASTROLOGY

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Predictions and advice for the week of November 27–December 3, 2021

By Sun Lee Chang Rat—A side interest could be quite profitable, but it will require a significant amount of time and energy.

Dragon—Just because you can handle multiple roles, doesn’t mean you should. It is important to share the responsibilities with your partner.

Monkey—If you are running into issues with your search, it might be helpful to seek assistance from a knowledgeable source.

Ox—Knowing how to do something is not the same as actually doing it. You must follow through for it to count.

Snake—Before you get too far along, check whether you are on the right path or if adjustments are needed.

Rooster—You will definitely get points for showing up, but doing a little extra can earn you even more rewards.

Tiger—Are you uneasy about an upcoming meeting? Have an agenda ready to help you stay on track.

Horse—Try to let go of what you think should be happening and experience the moment for what it is.

Dog—When you know it will be a long day, build in breaks and stop for meals to get you through.

Rabbit —Tempering expectations is one thing, but if you know it’s a nonstarter, it’s best to be upfront about it.

Goat—Remember that new isn’t always better.

Sometimes the tried-and-true works just as well, if not better.

Pig—Even though you usually think things through carefully, it can be refreshing to be spontaneous once in a while.

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.

PENG from 5 Twitter poked fun at the awkward release of photos and video of Peng by employees of state media last weekend while the government stayed silent.

“When will the WTA get out of China?” said a comment on the Sina Weibo social media service, signed “Sleep Time.”

Peng’s appearance was mentioned in the final sentence of a report about the tournament on the website of the Englishlanguage Global Times, a newspaper published by the ruling party and aimed at foreign readers, but not immediately reported by other media within China.

The Global Times editor, Hu Xijin, posted on Nov. 20 on Twitter, which can’t be seen by most internet users in China, that Peng “stayed in her own home freely“ and would “show up in public” soon.

The Global Times is known for its nationalistic tone. Hu uses his Twitter account to criticize foreign governments

SAWANT from 1 The allegations levied by recall proponents, and Sawant’s response to them, will be on the ballot itself and voters will mark RECALL YES or RECALL NO. On Nov. 23, leaders from the Asian, Black and Jewish communities released a statement in support of the Recall Sawant campaign.

“We want to make something emphatically clear: Councilmember Kshama Sawant does not speak for us, nor our communities.”

The statement continued, “District 3 voters ought to be aware of Sawant’s long history of attacking our communities and hi-jacking our efforts.

“Sawant regularly trades in rhetoric that gives rise to antisemitism, resulting in violence and hatred directed at the Jewish community. She has also stoked chaos in the Black community and sought to hijack the efforts of Black Lives Matter organizers to promote her own political agenda.

“The Seattle Asian community

and point out social and economic problems abroad.

A comment on Twitter signed bobzhang999 said, “Hu Dog, with so many photos, why don’t you let Peng Shuai talk?”

Another, signed Magician, said, “Let Peng Shuai’s parents hold a news conference.”

Tennis stars and the WTA have been unusually vocal in demanding information about Peng. Other companies and sports groups are reluctant to confront Beijing for fear of losing access to the Chinese market or other retaliation.

The ruling party has given no indication whether it is investigating Peng’s accusation against Gao, 75, who left the Communist Party’s ruling Standing Committee in 2018 and has largely disappeared from public life.

Even if Peng’s accusation is deemed valid, people in China often are jailed or face other penalties for embarrassing the party by publicizing complaints about abuses

has repeatedly attempted to bring concerns to Councilmember Sawant regarding the loss of vibrancy in the International District resulting from the city’s lax attitude toward crime in the district… Sawant refuses to advocate for the Asian community because she falsely equates crime with poverty and exploits our problems for political gain.

Sawant appropriates the cultural identity of the Asian community for political gain and gamesmanship— but turns her back on the community’s needs.”

If you have not yet received your ballot, call KCE at 206-296-VOTE (8683).

The deadline to register to vote online is Nov. 29. Voters can register and vote through 8 p.m. on Election Day at any of KCE’s Vote Center locations.

Ballots must be postmarked by Dec. 7, or returned to one of the 16 drop boxes locations open for this election.

Drop boxes are open 24-hours, seven days a week until 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day. 

instead of going through the secretive, often unresponsive official system.

The status of star athletes such as Peng is especially sensitive. State media celebrate their victories as proof the party is making China strong. But the party is vigilant about making sure they cannot use their prominence and public appeal to erode its image.

Steve Simon, the WTA’s chairman and CEO, expressed concern for Peng’s safety after Hu, the newspaper editor, posted two videos on Nov. 20 that appeared to show her in a restaurant.

“While it is positive to see her, it remains unclear if she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own, without coercion or external interference.

This video alone is insufficient,” Simon said. ”Our relationship with China is at a crossroads.”

The IOC said it would “continue our open dialogue on all levels with the Olympic movement in China.”

Asked three weeks ago about human rights in China, senior IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch said “we are not discussing with the Chinese government anything” about that subject.

The IOC has previously said its partner in organizing the Winter Games is the local organizing committee, not the Chinese state. That committee is controlled by the Communist Party.

Emma Terho, the newly elected head of the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission that is charged with representing the interests of Olympic athletes, said in a statement “we support the quiet diplomacy” approach favored by the IOC. Two weeks ago, the foreign arm of state TV issued a statement in English attributed to Peng that retracted her accusation against Zhang. The WTA’s Simon questioned its legitimacy while others said it only increased their concern about her safety. 

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received by the King County Procurement Services Section through the County’s E-Procurement system for the following listed bids.

Instructions on how to submit a bid electronically, view any current bid opportunities, express interest, communicate with the Buyer via Message app and/or successfully submit a bid through the E-Procurement system prior, and more are provided on the County’s website: https://kingcounty. gov/procurement/registration King County encourages minority business enterprise participation.

King County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

KC000373 OPENS: 12/07/2021 ITB - Temporary scaffolding Services Pre-Bid Meeting: Nov. 23, 2021 @ 1:00 P.M. PT Microsoft Teams Meeting To attend, call 425-653-6586 Phone Conference ID: 949 538 481# KC000417 OPENS: 12/8/2021 Youth and Amateur Sports Promotion Services

14

asianweekly northwest

39 YEARS

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

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WEBINAR from 3 show proof of vaccination, or a teenager that refuses to do his or her homework, someone in full possession of his or her mental faculties, or someone mentally unstable or impaired by drugs or alcohol, the methods are largely the same.

First, stop saying, “I need you to X.” Break the habit of using words such as “unfortunately” or “but.” This type of language is an “electric current” to the limbic system that alerts the recipient of a blocked expectation, and inevitably causes the situation to escalate rather than de-escalate.

Instead, start by identifying “the desired behavior… and how it serves” the person. If you must deny someone’s goal, validate and reframe so that he or she feels heard.

finest blooms. Typically a juried competition with the best blooms winning awards and trophies, this year’s show was small, yet still extraordinary in many ways and the only awards given were voted by the public as “People’s Choice.”

In attendance was a horticultural phenom who has made the Pacific Northwest her home and chrysanthemum is just one of her specialties. Yoko Arakawa has always had a special touch when it came to growing plants. Trained in the science of her work, both here and in her native Japan, the artistic component of it set her apart as she spearheaded the production of plants from the famed Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, about an hour northwest of Philadelphia.

She was known for leading the incredible “One Thousand Bloom” chrysanthemum display, known in Japan as Ozukuri. It involves meticulously training a single plant and through painstaking pruning, wiring, and careful cultivation, it will produce a giant dome of perfectly placed flowers to open all at the same time.

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MUMS from 7

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“I see that you are not wearing a mask.” Refer to any policy in effect, without preface. “The policy is that customers wear a mask.” Then, give the person options.

“If you put on your mask, you’ll be able to come inside.” If the person continues to resist, reiterate and state the consequences.

“You are making it clear that you are not going to come inside unless you violate the mandate. If you violate this mandate…you will be asked to leave or reported to an authority.” If any alternative exists that still keeps to the mandate, such as a take-out order, that can be offered.

In all cases, Prisco urged that we remain humble and compassionate, as often individuals who demonstrate anger, aggression, and violence are acting out from trauma. This can be difficult when someone is behaving disrespectfully, calling us names, et cetera. Prisco reminded us that the goal is to gain cooperation, control,

Walking through the humble exhibit with Arakawa, local horticulturists wonder if she can achieve such a feat in Seattle. Not having the space and resources of the well-endowed estate where she worked for 25 years, she reminisces about the process, different varieties she grew, where they were from, and how they were produced for the grand autumn exhibit.

Seeing chrysanthemum blooms was like visiting old friends.

Arakawa’s infectious enthusiasm and vast knowledge is something David Helgeson, senior gardener for Volunteer Park Conservatory, picked up on right away when they first met a few months ago.

“We would be so honored to have Yoko work with us to create such a masterpiece…maybe we’ll aim for a 500 mum bloom to start,” he laughs.

But to have such expertise in an art form that’s so rare and beloved by many is in danger of being lost.

Both Helgeson and Arakawa, along with members of the Evergreen Chrysanthemum Association, commiserate about the lack of youth and diversity in growing specialty plants as the average age of their group is 60 and above.

APCC from 4 successful AAPI business men and women ready to volunteer to train students on how to become an entrepreneur. The program will be open to high school and college students interested in starting their own businesses.

and power back over the situation—not to take it personally.

“I don’t need someone to respect me. I have selfrespect. When someone tells me to go ‘F’ myself, when someone makes fun of me, those are horrible things, but it’s going to be a lot more difficult…to change every interaction that causes me to feel that way than dealing with what I can manage and control in me, rendering those forces innocuous.”  Prisco is available for training engagements and can be reached at priscoandy@gmail.com, his LinkedIn account, or via Instagram at andyprisco.ccis.

Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

“It seems like they just don’t have the time,” one exhibitor said. “They may have interest in the flowers, but it’s just too time consuming for most people to grow and show chrysanthemums. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t learn a little along the way and enjoy them. You don’t have to be retired like me to grow mums.”

“The problem is young people do not have the space to grow many plants, especially in the city,” Arakawa said. “You can always grow chrysanthemums in pots, but maybe some will be interested in training a chrysanthemum into a bonsai.

It’s actually very easy in a sunny apartment terrace or small garden,” she emphatically stated.

Thanks to the highly skilled gardeners at Volunteer Park Conservatory and the Evergreen Chrysanthemum Association, beautiful mums are regularly a part of the indoor displays every year before the holiday exhibits are brought out.

They have the classic “garden mums” flanked by exhibitions varieties in various classes—incurves, spiders, decoratives, anemones, pompons, quills, and dramatic cascades all carefully grown in their production

These new programs, along with the expansion, will allow APCC to continue to serve the growing needs of the greater Tacoma community.  Nina can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

facilities and even Arakawa graciously applauded their efforts.

“They have many special varieties that are very hard to find that were imported from England years ago, but we can no longer get certain varieties due to a white rust disease,” she said.

It will take continuing to educate the public through shows like this to help preserve the art of growing plants.  Volunteer Park Conservatory is now open to the public from Tuesdays through Sundays between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for teens 13-17 years, and children 12 and under are free.

For more information about the Evergreen Chrysanthemum Society, visit ecamumclub.org.

Rizaniño can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

YOUR VOICE

■ PICTORIAL

asianweekly northwest

15

WILDLANTERNS PRESENTED BY BECU, AT WOODLAND PARK ZOO TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

Wildlanterns Now through Jan. 30, 2022 Woodland Park Zoo 4-8:30 p.m.

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asianweekly

39 YEARS

NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

bəqəlšuł We are Muckleshoot Descendants of the Duwamish people

Muckleshoot Jingle Dress dancer Madrienne White at the 2021 Muckleshoot Powwow. Photo by Joshua Trujillo.

16

northwest

We Are Muckleshoot Our name and our tribe represents our ancestors, the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup peoples who moved from Puget Sound – including what is now the Seattle waterfront – to our reservation on the Muckleshoot prairie.

For more than 164 years, we have fought to preserve and uphold our treaty rights, our sovereignty, and our heritage.

Today, the spirits of our ancestors live on in our traditions, our arts, and our community. They define where we came from, who we are, and where we are going.

November is

NATIVE AMERICAN

HERITAGE MONTH Join us in celebrating native heritage and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s contributions to this region’s history, economy, and culture.

Our survival and continued growth hinges on teaching our children history, culture, and leadership skills so they may carry our mantle for generations to come.

Our identity, our legacy, and our treaty rights are unique to our name and Tribe, and ours alone.

bəqəlšuł LEARN ABOUT THE FIRST PEOPLE OF SEATTLE

WeAreMuckleshoot.org