PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 40 NO 52 DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
FREE 39 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Holiday eats
WHAT’S OPEN, CLOSED CID RESTAURANTS AND BEYOND Compiled by Rosita Chen, Haoyi Xu and Da Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Archive photos from Northwest Asian Weekly
TOP 10 LOCAL STORIES OF 2021
A+ Hong Kong Restaurant Open Christmas Day Closed New Year’s Day Bun & Oc Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (will stop serving customers at around 9:30 p.m. because the kitchen closes) Chengdu Memory Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Chengdu Taste Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Chu Minh Tofu Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dim Sum King Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Dong Thap Noodles
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Tommy Le’s family wins $5 million settlement
The King County Sheriff ’s Office (KCSO) agreed to pay $5 million for the June 14, 2017 shooting death of Tommy Le. The settlement was reached less than a month before the civil rights lawsuit was set to go to trial. Le’s family, who filed a lawsuit in 2018, was seeking $10 million in damages. Neighbors reportedly called 911 to report Le, 20, was pounding on doors and threatening them with a knife. When police officers arrived, after trying to use a taser on Le, Deputy Cesar Molina shot him three times. “Le refused commands to drop what they thought was a knife,” said sheriff ’s spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West in 2017. No knife was ever recovered, however, and a week later, KCSO revised the statement to indicate that Le had a ballpoint pen.
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Local Vietnamese Americans help Afghan refugees
The crisis in Afghanistan has reopened painful wounds for many of the country’s 2 million Vietnamese Americans. Thuy Do, a doctor in Seattle, remembers hearing how her parents sought to leave Saigon after Vietnam fell to communist rule in 1975. It took years for her family to finally get out of the country. Do and her husband, Jesse Robbins, reached out to assist Afghans fleeing their country this year. The couple has a vacant rental home and decided to offer it up to refugee
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resettlement groups, which furnished it for newly arriving Afghans in need of a place to stay.
8
John Huynh murder
John Huynh, 29, a health insurance salesman and Amway entrepreneur, was murdered on April 25. He was stabbed in the heart after stopping to talk to a fellow resident of his Bothell apartment building, who had flipped him off for unknown reasons. Huynh died at the scene. Ian Williams—who didn’t know Huynh and hadn’t had any previous disputes with him—was charged with second-degree murder. Huynh’s wife and two friends were among the people who witnessed the stabbing, which was partially captured by video surveillance cameras.
7
Stop AAPI hate rallies
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) activists organized several rallies against hate crimes in March, bringing hundreds of people out under the rain to demand public officials denounce racism and provide funding for community education. The turnout exceeded their expectations, with speeches from community leaders and bias crime victims. From March 19, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021, a total of 10,370 hate incidents against AAPI persons were reported to Stop AAPI Hate. Of the hate incidents reflected in this report, 4,599 occurred in 2020 (44.4%) and 5,771 occurred in 2021 (55.7%).
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Tana Lin named as federal judge & Mike Fong SBA
Closed Christmas Day Open New Year’s Day 10 a.m.8 p.m. Dough Zone
There were two significant appointments involving local leaders. On Oct. 21, the U.S. Senate confirmed civil rights attorney Tana Lin as a federal judge in Seattle. The former public defender is the first Asian American to serve as a federal judge in Washington state. And former senior deputy Seattle mayor Mike Fong was appointed as U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) director for Region 10, which includes district offices in Alaska, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
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Closed Christmas Day New Year’s Day (undecided)
Kshama Sawant survives recall vote
King County Elections officially certified the Dec. 7 recall election, showing Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant narrowly prevailing with 50.4% voting “no” on the recall question and 49.6% casting “yes” ballots. The recall question on the ballot had cited a minor campaign finance violation that Sawant acknowledged and for which she paid a fine and her alleged leadership of a protest march to the home of Mayor Jenny Durkan, even though Durkan’s address was protected by a state confidentiality law due to her prior work as a federal prosecutor. The recall question also cited her decision to let a crowd of protesters into City Hall while it was closed due to the pandemic. see TOP 10 on 4
Fort St. George Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Fortune Garden Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Fuji Sushi
Gourmet Noodle Bowl Open Christmas Day New Year’s Day (undecided) H Bistro Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Happy Lamb Hot Pot Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Harbor City Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Homestyle Dim Sum Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day See EATS on 8
412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
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asianweekly northwest
39 YEARS
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Santa in CID
ready for its grand opening on Jan. 1, 2022 in the University District. A soft opening is ongoing through Dec. 31. Located at 722 NE 45th Street, L&L said it seeks to become a vibrant gathering place for beer lovers and non-beer lovers alike.
Michelle Kwan to be ambassador to Belize
On Dec. 17, Santa Claus, aka Cordell Lui of Yuen Lui Photography, visited the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) Chinatown-International District (CID) food bank on King Street. During the annual Christmas Costco chicken giveaway, Santa gave toys to the seniors who showed him a photo of their child or grandchildren. Rick Rizzs’ “Toys for Kids” provided the kids with toys! Tai Tung and Harry Chan provided chicken congee to all the folks waiting in line, prior to the food bank opening. Then on Dec. 22, this volunteer group went to Senior Services delivering Costco roasted chickens to the Black community.
AAPIowned brewery opens
WInter Olympians
Mind,” was moderated by Apolo Ohno who said, “We are living in a time where we’re always reacting to things. We can have more mindfulness over our thoughts and actions. Sometimes we react in a way that doesn’t truly suit the outcome that we desire. We can [learn to] zoom out to gain a better perspective.”
CID condo wins award KODA—a 17-story, 201-unit condominium in Seattle’s
Image from NAIOP
Santa brings cheer to the CID
President Joe Biden has nominated former Olympic figure skating star Michelle Kwan to serve as U.S. ambassador to Belize, the White House announced on Dec. 15. Born to two Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong, the two-time Olympic medalist is also treasurer and a board member of Special Olympics International. Kwan, 41, joined Biden’s presidential campaign in Michelle Kwan 2019 as director of surrogates and worked in a similar capacity for former secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Kwan has also previously worked in public diplomacy roles at the State Department and served on President Barack Obama’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.
Winter Olympians talk resilience in panel
Ladd & Lass (L&L) Brewing, co-founded by Jessie Quan and husband Nick Ladd, is getting
Jessie Quan and Nick Ladd
After a challenging year of navigating the “double pandemic” of COVID-19 and the rise of anti-Asian hate, AARP brought together generations of Asian American Olympians who embody resilience and excellence. Kristi Yamaguchi and Alex and Maia Shibutani took part in a virtual panel on Dec. 16— celebrating the strength of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and shared how to be more resilient. The conversation, “Leading with a Champion
CID won the People’s Choice award from NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. The condo building was designed to engage with the neighborhood and usher a new era of modern contemporary living. The homes include floor-to-ceiling windows that accentuate unobstructed views, natural light, and a warm aesthetic. Ground floor retail spaces will bring internationally-renowned restaurants in 2022.
Chinatown is the best place to celebrate your holidays. Open on Christmas Bring your family and friends for yummy food. and New Year Day Hong Kong Bistro Jade Garden Restaurant
美味來香港茶餐廳
Tel: 206-682-1922
507 Maynard S., #511C, Seattle, WA 98104 Open daily: 10 am - 12 am hongkongbistroseattle.com
Purple Dot Cafe Merry Christmas
綠島餐廳
Tel: 206-622-0288
515 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104 Business Hours: Sun -Thu 9 am - 1 am Fri & Sat 9 am - 2 am
purpledotcafetg.com
Honey Court Seafood Restaurant
錦棠海鮮酒家 Tel: 206-292-8828
516 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104 Business Hours: Mon-Thu 9 am - 2 am Fri & Sat 9 am - 3:30 am, Sun 9 am - 1:30 am
honeycourtrestaurant.com
翠苑酒家
Tel: 206-622-8181
424 7th Ave S., Seattle, WA 98104 Open daily: 9 am - 7:30 pm jadegardensea.com
Harbor City Restaurant
生隆酒家
Tel: 206-621-2228
707 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104 Open daily: 8:30 am – 11:00 pm harborcityseattle.com
Ho Ho Seafood Restaurant
利口福海鮮飯店 Tel: 206-382-9671
653 S Weller St, Seattle, WA 98104
Business Hours: Mon 11 am - 2 am, Tue 5 pm - 2 am Wed 11 am - 2 am, Thu-Sun 11 am - 3 am
seattlehohoseafood.com
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
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Photos by Ashley Chen/NWAW
The effects of the pandemic on Chinatown restaurants
Restaurants that have adjusted to the pandemic, from left: Chun Chun Rice Dog, Fuji Bakery, Seattle Best Tea, and Purple Dot Cafe
By Ashley Chen and Da Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
customers to use, but over time, people started stealing the hand sanitizer bottle.
Sitting inside restaurants is such a relaxing time—from the moment a waiter asks how many people are in your party to walking your full stomach to the front to pay the check. As Covid-19 is slowing down, many restaurants have reopened to those with vaccination cards, but they’ve all incorporated small changes to keep everyone safe.
PURPLE DOT CAFE
HONEY COURT
CHUN CHUN RICE DOG
Sales in November at Honey Court Restaurant have been slow, but business since the height of the pandemic has slowly increased. Before vaccination cards were required, Honey Court put out a giant bottle of hand sanitizer for
One object that stood out at Purple Dot Cafe was a temperature-hand sanitizing fusion. This unique device accomplished two safety measures in one go. Other requirements include masks and proof of vaccination. Even with restrictions in place, Purple Dot Cafe is still operating at about 50% capacity.
Chinatown’s Rice Dogs are as popular as ever, with the waiting line extending far beyond the store. Since the area inside the building is so small, Chun Chun switched up their protocol: order
inside, wait outside. Inside the restaurant, the cashier and customer are separated by a plastic barrier, one more layer of protection beyond the face mask. In order to protect people, the cost has been shorter and less frequent interactions.
FUJI BAKERY The inside of Fuji Bakery is no longer what it was. What used to be a small corner cafe has turned into a small window on the side of King Street to take orders. Looking inside, there are stacks of baked goods where people used to sit, and many of the staff reminisced about how they loved serving customers inside.
CHENGDU MEMORY
restaurants have done—vaccine card checks, social distancing signs, and extra cleaning. Chengdu Memory took it one step further: using disposable plates and utensils.
SEATTLE BEST TEA Seattle Best Tea also took many similar measures to ensure the safety of its customers, such as moving the customer wait line outside, but they also reflected on how their business was impacted. In addition to having complete staff vaccinations and face masks at all times, Seattle Best Tea had to lay off workers. Ashley and Da can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
Most of us know the general things
Socialist Councilmember Sawant survives recall attempt SEATTLE (AP) — Voters in Seattle have retained socialist Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, the controversial lawmaker and long-time foe of hometown tech giant Amazon. Sawant had faced a recall effort. On Dec. 17, King County Elections officially certified the Dec. 7 recall election, showing Sawant narrowly prevailing with 50.4% voting “no” on the recall question and 49.6% casting “yes” ballots. Sawant, a 48-year-old economics professor, is the longest-tenured council member in Seattle. By surviving the recall, she gave a boost to the beleaguered left wing in liberal Seattle, which was bruised in last month’s general election when business-friendly candidates won the mayor’s office and a council seat.
Sawant said, “It appears we have defeated the combined efforts of big business, the right wing, corporate media, the courts, and the political establishment who sought to remove our socialist council office by any means necessary.” Recall Sawant Campaign Manager Henry Bridger II said in a statement, “[Sawant’s] narrow escape sends a clear message: Seattle voters are yearning for constructive representation and will not tolerate slash-and-burn politicians who shirk accountability and divide the city. Sawant is supposed to represent all of us, not just those who agree with her, and we hope that this election leads her to see that.” Sawant has had an outsized influence on the tone and direction of Seattle politics since she launched her political
Lake View Cemetery Seattle’s Pioneer Cemetery Est. 1872 An Independent, Non-Profit Association
Featuring
Traditional Side-by-Side Monument Properties Councilmember Kshama Sawant
career under the banner of the Socialist Alternative party in 2012, when she ran unsuccessfully for state representative. see SAWANT on 4
206-322-1582
1554 15th Ave East
(North Capitol Hill)
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asianweekly northwest
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
39 YEARS
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR DEC JAN
16
31
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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
CLUB MEETING WITH RACHELL WONG, DISCUSS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HISTORICAL AND MODERN VIOLIN PERFORMANCE 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For Zoom meeting link, contact at rotaryofseattleid@ gmail.com
TOP 10 from 1
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Japanese woman attacked in CID
Noriko Nasu and her boyfriend, walking the streets of the ChinatownInternational District (CID), were attacked in February by a man swinging a rock in a sock. Sean Holdip was charged with two counts of second-degree felony assault. Nasu was knocked unconscious and suffered a fractured nose and several chipped teeth. Her boyfriend, Michael Poffenbarger, was struck in the head and needed eight stitches following the attack.
SAWANT from 3 Sawant was elected to the City Council the following year, and her threat to run a voter initiative drive for an immediate $15 minimum wage has been credited with pressuring business leaders and then-Mayor Ed Murray to reach a deal raising the wage to $15 over a few years. Seattle was the first major city in the U.S. to adopt such a measure. But critics have said she offers more
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“UNITED BY CHALLENGES,” U.S.JAPAN FRIENDSHIP COMING OF AGE CELEBRATION Bellevue College and Zoom 1-3 p.m. RSVP required seijinusa.org/seijinregistration seijinusa.org
Steve Hirjak demoted
The Seattle Police Department’s first AAPI assistant chief was demoted over an incident during Memorial Day weekend in 2020 that led to a riot. Capt. Steve Hirjak has since filed a $5.48 million discrimination and retaliation claim against the city, alleging interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz made him the scapegoat in the police clashes with racial justice demonstrators. Hirjak says in the claim that Diaz falsely blamed him for the improper actions of another commander.
MINH CARRICO WAS LOST AND NOW HAS BEEN FOUND, “CALL ME BUDDY” 2-3 p.m. Via Zoom Zoom Meeting ID: 716 4280 1111 Passcode: 23x40X minhcarrico.com NOW THROUGH JAN. 30, 2022
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
WILDLANTERNS Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle 4-8:30 p.m. Get tickets at zoo.org/wildlanterns
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Steve Hobbs named WA secretary of state
On Nov. 10, Gov. Jay Inslee named Steve Hobbs as Washington Secretary of State. Hobbs, of white and Japanese descent, is the first person of color to serve in this role. He grew up in Snohomish County and ran for Congress in 2012, and Lieutenant Governor in 2016. He has represented the 44th Legislative District in the state Senate since 2007. He currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Washington State National Guard.
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FEB 20
MINH CARRICO WAS LOST AND NOW HAS BEEN FOUND, “KINGS TO KING” 2-3 p.m. Via Zoom Zoom Meeting ID: 716 4280 1111 Passcode: 23x40X minhcarrico.com
Bruce Harrell wins Seattle mayoral race
Bruce Harrell defeated Seattle City Council President Lorena González to become Seattle’s first Asian mayor and second Black mayor. Harrell served for a few days as pro tem Mayor of Seattle in 2017 after former Mayor Ed Murray resigned amid sexual abuse allegations. First elected to the city council in 2007, then re-elected in 2011 and 2015, Harrell was the first council president of Asian descent since Liem Tuai in the 1970s.
Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.
rhetoric than substance and that her brash antics are incompatible with good governance. Sawant has been pushing for rent control, cutting police funding, and expanding taxes on high earners such as Amazon to pay for affordable housing, schools, and community services. The recall question on the ballot had cited a minor campaign finance violation that Sawant acknowledged and for which she paid a fine and her alleged
leadership of a protest march to the home of Mayor Jenny Durkan, even though Durkan’s address was protected by a state confidentiality law due to her prior work as a federal prosecutor. The recall question also cites her decision to let a crowd of protesters into City Hall while it was closed due to the pandemic. Sawant denied having led the march to Durkan’s house, though she did participate in it. And she has defended her decision to
let Black Lives Matter demonstrators inside City Hall following George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police. “Seattle is an amazing place and is full of potential,” Bridger said. “I ran [the recall] campaign because I love this city and believe we need to work together to create a better Seattle. I remain hopeful for our future, and I believe that better days are ahead.”
View the solution on page 10
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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. 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
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
■ NATIONAL NEWS
AP Photo/Jessica Hill
New Miss America first Alaskan, Korean American title holder
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Kathy Flores, women’s rugby legend as player and coach, dies
Kathy Flores holding the 2007 U.S. Club National Championship trophy in November 2007 in Florida Miss Alaska Emma Broyles reacts as she is crowned by 2020 Miss America Camille Schrier on Dec. 16.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The newly crowned Miss America has made history, becoming both the first Korean American and the first Alaskan to hold the title in the competition’s 100-year history. “I never could have imagined in a million years that I would be Miss America, let alone that I
would be Miss Alaska,” a beaming Emma Broyles told The Associated Press on Dec. 17 in a Zoom call from Connecticut, where she won the competition about 12 hours earlier. In fact, she was sure they had it wrong. The final two contestants were Broyles and Lauren Bradford, Miss Alabama, and Broyles said
she was thinking Bradford was going to make an amazing Miss America. “And then they said Alaska, and I said, ‘No way. Are you sure? Do you want to check that card again?” she said before the emotion overtook her and she began crying tears of joy. see BROYLES on 10
By Thalia Beaty ASSOCIATED PRESS Kathy Flores, the legendary rugby player, coach and leader of the women’s sport in the U.S. who touched every generation of players and coaches for more than 40 years, has died. She was 66. Nearly 300 former teammates, fellow coaches, former players and friends gathered on Dec. 16 for a virtual remembrance of Kathleen “Kathy” Flores, organized by the
U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation. Flores died of cancer in October at home in Providence, Rhode Island, the foundation said. Thirty years ago, when the U.S. women’s national rugby team won the first women’s rugby World Cup against England, Flores was there. Later, she was the first woman— and first woman of color—to coach any national rugby team, leading the U.S. women’s team from 2003 see FLORES on 9
Tiago living cancer-free
Your donations give kids like Tiago the best outcomes possible. At Seattle Children’s, dedicated researchers are working relentlessly to improve treatments for over 200 conditions—and we need your help. Your tax-deductible gift goes even further until December 31. Give now at SeattleChildrens.org
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CHILD 16363 HCC_Tiago_NWAW_9.75x7.25_v2.indd 1
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asianweekly northwest
The Layup Drill Best of 2021
Graphic by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW
■ SPORTS
39 YEARS
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Welcome to the year-end edition of The Layup Drill. In this edition, we take a look at the top 10 Asian American athletes of 2021. This year, we saw somewhat of a return to normal as fans returned to sports venues. The Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed by a year, were held despite the lack of in-person spectators. Although there were objections to the event happening, organizers were able to pull it off with few interruptions. In February, the Beijing Olympics will take place and will need to deal with the same COVID-19 issues, as well as a variant that has spread across the globe. In addition, there are political implications involved as the United States intends to hold a diplomatic boycott of the games. There is also the issue of former women’s tennis player Peng
Shuai who disappeared and then re-emerged in what appears to be government control after she accused a former government official of sexual misconduct. The Seattle Mariners had a surprising season coming within a couple games of making the playoffs. The Mariners were helped by starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, who was selected to his first All-Star Game this summer. For most of the season, it was the Shohei Ohtani show. The Los Angeles Angels pitcher won American League MVP, posting astronomical numbers in hitting, as well as doing well as a pitcher. Ohtani is one of the few players to both pitch and hit in the majors. This year saw the likely end of Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career. His last fight ended in a loss to Yordenis Ugas. He is now running for president of the Philippines. Also, big news on the local scene is the emergence of the
National Hockey League’s 32nd franchise, the Seattle Kraken. The new team plays at Climate Pledge Arena (formerly KeyArena). Notably, the Kraken have made a dedicated effort to get the community involved in hockey by employing former professional hockey player and Bellevue native David Min to be a part of the Youth Development Team. Samantha Tan is a Canadian Asian driver-owner of Samantha Tan Racing who is making in-roads in the sport of endurance racing. The 24-year-old has been successful in the GT4 category of endurance racing. She started in regional racing in the U.S. when she was 16 years old. She is now racing BMWs. Tran has made her own team out of necessity as her old racing team folded. Her goal is to be the first Asian woman to win LeMans. Finally, this past December, the University of Notre Dame hired head coach Marcus Freeman after the former coach, Brian Kelly,
left for the job at Louisiana State. The 35-year-old Freeman served as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He previously played linebacker at Ohio State and then was drafted into the NFL by the Chicago Bears. He is the son of a Black Air Force veteran father and Korean immigrant mother. Freeman acknowledged his mother at an introductory press conference at Notre Dame. “I get my unselfishness and other centered focus from my mother,” he stated, with his parents sitting in the front row. 10. Justine Wong-Orantes The Torrance, California native helped Team USA win a gold medal in women’s volleyball. Wong-Orantes’ mother is of Filipino-Chinese descent. Despite being only 5’6”, she became known as one of the best female return specialists in volleyball. Wong-Orantes was not widely recruited to play college
volleyball due to her size and was offered to play at the University of Nebraska after she was seen playing at a tournament. Her play at Nebraska earned her a spot on the USA National Team. The 26-year-old plays professionally in Germany. 9. Nonito Donaire Although Manny Pacquiao is retired, the 39-year-old Donaire continues on. It appears Father Time has forgotten about Donaire as he won the WBC Bantamweight Title this past May. He also successfully defended the title this past December against fellow Filipino Reymart Gaballo. 8. William Wang The senior Bellevue High School running back led the Wolverines to a 3A state title, rushing for 243 yards and two touchdowns in the championship see LAYUP on 8
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
■ ON THE SHELF
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
Top reads of 2021 By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Another year has passed and while 2021 was definitely better than 2020, it was only slightly so. But we made it! And one more year in the rearview mirror means a lot more books taken off my to-read list (and possibly added to yours). If you’re having a hard time narrowing things down on what to read next, don’t worry. I’ve done the work for you. Here are my top 10 favorite reads from 2021. READ THIS BOOK—JUST NOT WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY A Phở Love Story By Loan Le Simon & Schuster, 2021 Bảo Nguyễn and Linh Mai are both Vietnamese American teens whose families own phở restaurants, but they’re not friends. Those restaurants are located across the street from each other and the families have been at odds with each other for as long as anyone can remember. A chance encounter brings Bảo and Linh together and before they know what’s happening, they’ve become friends—and soon, more. This is more than a sweet love story. It’s filled with family drama and a complicated shared history that goes even further back than Bảo and Linh realize—showing readers that trauma isn’t something you can leave behind in the old country. “Phở Love Story” is also all about food, and not just phở. Le includes descriptions of a number of Vietnamese dishes—some I knew, some I didn’t—and you’ll be craving all of them. So while I highly recommend this book, I don’t recommend reading it on an empty stomach. NOT THE SAME OLD STORY Fatal Fried Rice By Vivien Chien St. Martin’s Paperbacks, 2021 I love a good cozy mystery series, but it’s easy for stories to get repetitive. In “Fatal Fried Rice,” Chien does a great job of breathing new life into her Noodle House Mystery series. This is the series’ seventh story and protagonist Lana Lee has become pretty good at solving murders. This time around, things are a bit harder because Lana has no connection to the murder victim, Margo Han. It all starts when Lana, manager of her family’s Chinese restaurant, signs up for Chinese cooking classes (she may be a boss at running things, but her skills in the kitchen are lacking). After the first class, Margo ends up being killed and Lana is on the case. One of my favorite aspects of a series is seeing characters we love grow and devel-
can rom-coms her mother? She’s joined on her quest by actor Hank Chen, one of Grace’s recent co-stars. In addition to the aforementioned departures from the classic fairy tale, one thing I really loved about this story was just how angry and short-tempered our “princess” is. Racism and sexism has led to very narrow views of how society thinks Asian females should act, so to see Rika really get mad, stand up for herself and others, and have those feelings validated was a beautiful thing.
op. I was particularly happy to see my personal favorite character, one of Lana’s r id e - or- d ie best friends, Kimmy Tran, get more page time. Pairing Lana’s more REPRESENTATION cautious perIN A GENRE THAT’S sonality with BEEN LONG OVERK i m my’s DUE pu nch-f i r stask-questionslater approach was definitely funny, but The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea the contrast also shows readers that not all By Maggie Tokuda-Hall Asians—specifically Asian women—are Candlewick Press, 2020 the same. Mermaids, witches, and magic are pretty commonplace in fantasy stoA STORY THAT’S GROWN UP ries. What hasn’t always been in these WITH ITS READERS tales—but is fortunately changing—are Aru Shah and the City of Gold main characters who are not straight and/ or white. Enter Tokuda-Hall, with her By Roshani Chokshi swashbuckling adventure filled with diRick Riordan Presents, 2021 verse characters of different racial and Aru Shah and her fellow Potatoes ethnic backgrounds, with a range of sexare back and it appears Aru has ac- ual orientations and gender identities. In “Mermaid,” orphan-turned-pirate quired a new sister. Not a soul sisFlora/Florian meets highborn Lady Evter, an actual sister, who claims to be the Sleeper’s daughter, like Aru. But after being missing for several months, Aru has to figure out what’s really going on before war breaks out between the devas and asuras. In the penultimate installment of Chokshi’s Pandava series, the Potatoes’ quest to save the world from the Sleeper continues. But even though they’re still determined to fight, the teens are starting to really think about who they should be fighting for. I appreciated seeing this in Aru and her friends. Like all young people their age (14-15), they’re figuring out what’s truly important to them. I may be a couple decades older than the target audience for this series, but I still love it and especially love that Chokshi’s characters are growing up alongside her readers. They’re going through the same experiences their real-world counterparts are—from experiencing romantic feelings for others, to questioning the authority figures in their lives—grounding them in reality while they continue on their fantastical adventure. IF SHE’S WRITTEN SOMETHING, IT’LL BE ON THIS LIST From Little Tokyo, with Love By Sarah Kuhn Viking Books for Young Readers, 2021 Longtime readers of this column probably won’t be surprised to see Kuhn on this list. Let’s face it, if she’s written something, it’s likely going to end up on my top reads list. In this case, it’s her reimagined Cinderella story, featuring a biracial protagonist who doesn’t have evil relatives, doesn’t need saving, and doesn’t believe in happy endings for herself. High schooler Rika Rakuyama grew up as an orphan, raised by her aunts. But a chance encounter with actress Grace Kimura during the Nikkei Week Festival has the teen embarking on a quest to find the truth: Is the queen of Asian Ameri-
7
elyn Hasegawa while sailing the high seas. As the two become close and fall in love, the former begins to consider her past misdeeds—most of which she carried out to survive—especially with their ship’s captain and crew preparing to enslave their rich passengers. Soon the pair, who have lived by the rules and whims of others, have taken their fates in their own hands to carve a path for themselves. I grew up on fantasy stories, but as a young girl, I longed to see stories featuring kids who looked more like me. It shouldn’t be just the white kids who got to have these adventures. “Mermaid” is the kind of story my younger self would’ve devoured and I’m looking forward to coming back to this universe. A STORY THAT WILL MAKE YOU THINK Zara Hossain is Here By Sabina Khan Scholastic Fiction, 2021 Immigration has been a hot conversation topic in recent years and in “Zara Hossain,” it’s front and center. Our title see SHELF on 11
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asianweekly northwest
39 YEARS
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
■ RESTAURANTS EATS from 1
King’s Seafood Restaurant
Ocean Star
Tamarind Tree
Ho Ho Seafood
(no answer when we called)
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Lan Hue Sandwich and Bakery
Open Christmas Day 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Open New Year’s Day 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Honey Court
One Pot Restaurant
Taqueria El Ranchero
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 pm-8:30pm
Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Hong Kong Bistro
Open Christmas Day 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Open New Year’s Day 8 a.m.-7 p.m. (Might close earlier if there is not enough bread to make banh mi)
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Loving Hut
Phnom Penh Noodle House
Thanh Vi
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
(unknown)
Hong Kong Dim Sum
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Pho Bac Sup shop
Tsukushinbo
Closed Christmas Day Open New Year’s Day 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Purple Dot Cafe Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Samurai Noodle
663 Bistro
Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Hue Ky Mi Gia Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 10 a.m.-5 p.m., to go only Huong Binh Restaurant Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (might stay open later) Itsumono Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day J Sushi Closed Christmas Day Open New Year’s Day Jade Garden Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Joyale Seafood Restaurant
Maneki Restaurant Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Matsu Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Mi La Cay Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mike’s Noodle House Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Momosan Seattle Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Musashi’s International District
Vietnam House Restaurant
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Sichuanese Cuisine Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Lam’s Seafood Market
Sizzling Pot King
Uwajimaya
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Sushi Ave
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
T & T Seafood Restaurant
Kau Kau Restaurant
New Star Seafood Restaurant
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Tai Tung
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game. Not only does he score on the field, but he’s also a star in the classroom posting a 4.0 GPA, a 1560 on his SAT, and a perfect score on his ACT. In addition, he plays the viola, an instrument he’s played since the 5th grade. 7. Younghoe Koo The Atlanta Falcons kicker has found a home. Last season, Koo made his first Pro Bowl. As a result, he signed a contract extension with the Falcons. 5 & 6. Jalen Green/Jordan Clarkson Green made history this past summer being the NBA’s highest-drafted Asian American player in the league, as well as being the third athlete of Filipino descent to make it to the NBA. The 19-year-old Green, whose mother is Filipino, was picked by the Houston Rockets in the first round. Clarkson, who plays for the Utah Jazz, had a breakthrough season in 2021 and was chosen as the NBA’s 6th man of the year, an honor given to the best reserve coming off the bench. Green and Clarkson played against one another this season in Houston and the Rockets held a Filipino Heritage Night, as it was the first time two Filipino Americans were in the same game at the same time. 4. Kyler Murray The Arizona Cardinals quarterback has led the team to first place in the NFC West thus far. 3. Naomi Osaka Osaka took a stand this past year by taking time off to focus on her mental health. Despite criticism for withdrawing from the French Open and pulling out of Wimbledon, the highest-paid female athlete in the world
returned to light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony in Tokyo. Osaka seemed ready to return for Team Japan, but she suffered an upset loss in the opening rounds of the Olympic tennis tournament. While she has not had the best of years on the court, she has been an example of someone embracing the need to focus on mental health, which has given others pause to reflect on their own challenges. 2. Collin Morikawa The 24-year-old had a big year, nearly missing being the top-ranked golfer in the world. Still, at number 2, Morikawa won the Open Championship (British Open) and came in 4th at the U.S. Open. He also tied for third place in the Olympics (but missed a bronze medal after a 7-man playoff ). Morkikawa was part of the U.S. team that won the 2021 Ryder Club. Things are looking up for Morikawa as he heads into 2022. 1. Sunisa Lee A surprise at the top as Lee took the gold medal in the all-around final at the Tokyo Olympics. The Hmong American became the first Asian American to win Olympic gold in the all-around women’s gymnastics competition. She also brought home the silver medal as part of Team USA and a bronze in the uneven bars. As a result of her success, she made an appearance on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars as a contestant. Her home state of Minnesota declared July 30, 2021 as “Sunisa Lee Day.” She was also included on the Time 100, the periodical’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Lee attends Clemson University where she is on the women’s gymnastics team. Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Viet-Wah Supermarket
Closed Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
LAYUP from 6
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Open Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Rosita, Haoyi, and Da can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
Weekly Specials Prices Valid December 22-31, 2021
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asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
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Predictions and advice for the week of December 25–31, 2021 By Sun Lee Chang Rat—You might not know what is around the corner, but you can prepare yourself by getting things in order now.
Dragon—Even though your directness could be uncomfortable to some, they cannot dispute the veracity of what you are saying.
Monkey—As much as you want to slow things down, that won’t happen unless you actually limit what you do.
Ox—If you want to minimize interference, it is advisable to be discreet about what you are working on.
Snake—Are you drifting too far off course? The sooner you make a correction, the better your trajectory.
Rooster—Comfort doesn’t have to conflict with style. Just prioritize the function first and then the look or form.
Tiger—As hard as it is to adjust to change, it can also be invigorating if you seek it out yourself.
Horse—When introducing a new person into your inner circle, take things slow. Don’t expect too much too soon.
Dog—Save money by doing simple projects yourself, but consider calling a professional if it is beyond your expertise.
Rabbit—Although it is time consuming, your diligence will be rewarded in the best outcome possible.
Goat—Tackling a difficult task is easier said than done. Come up with a game plan before you start.
Pig—Whether you have a friend come by or watch a movie, this is a good week to stay close to home.
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.
FLORES from 5 to 2010. Flores, of Hawaiian and Filipino descent, started as a player at Florida State University in 1978, and gained an outsized reputation playing the No. 8 position, former teammate Jen Crawford said. Crawford recalled a match when she “came off the field thinking, who the heck was that No. 8? She must have been 6’2”, 220 pounds!” Flores, in fact, was 5“5’ and likely 150 pounds, her former teammates say. Crawford described the force that Flores brought to the pitch. “She didn’t have to say anything necessarily,” Crawford said. “It was her energy, that fiery look in her eye, her sheer determination and will that inspired you to play not only with her, but for her.” In 1994, Flores eventually followed Crawford, who she was dating at the time, to join the Berkeley All Blues, a team in the Bay Area that’s part of the national semi-professional league. Flores was not only in the starting lineup but captained and coached the team—all as a rookie—former All Blues player Becky Worley recalled. As a player-coach and then as coach, Flores and the All Blues competed in every championship between 1994 and 2007, winning 11 of them, according to USA Rugby. At the time, Worley said there was essentially no professional coaching for women’s rugby. “It was as grassroots as it could get,” she told The Associated Press. “Getting a field was one of the hardest things, and we would oftentimes just have to squat or go to a park, and the team would walk through the playing surface before the game to pick up the dog poop ... and I can remember many practices that were on a field that had quite an uphill.” Flores coached many teams at all levels from college to semi-
professional—including the gay men’s team, the San Francisco Fog—to the U.S. national team. Her visibility in the sport was a beacon to other players of color, former All Blues player Deb Watford said. “Rugby is an incredibly empowering sport, it really does require you to have confidence in yourself,” Watford said, “But not only that, you have to trust your teammates to cover for you, to help you ... so that you all can advance. She wanted to give that power to others, particularly to those who were underrepresented.” In 2013, Flores joined Brown University as the coach for a new women’s varsity rugby team. Thanks to a donation around the time of her death, the university has endowed a coaching chair in Flores’ name, to honor her “contributions as a pioneering coach and educator,“ according to the school athletic department’s website. A lover of dancing, wine, hugs and dogs,
Flores was a private person in many ways, with the seriousness of her illness taking many by surprise. The current players at Brown remembered “Coach Kathy” as supporting them on and off the pitch in video messages played at the remembrance. Despite rugby’s storied history in other places, from Wales to Fiji to New Zealand, it is a relatively new sport in the U.S., Worley said, calling Flores “the elder statesman” of the game whose contributions are only recently being recognized. Flores was twice inducted into the U.S. Rugby hall of fame: once with the 1991 World Cup team and for the second time, in 2016, as an individual. According to her friends, Flores was paid a small salary for coaching the U.S. women’s national team, but throughout much of her career, she worked as a massage therapist to earn an income in addition to her many commitments as a coach and an advocate for women’s rugby.
A spokesperson for USA Rugby said it did not have salary information from Flores’ time as a coach. Born in Philadelphia in 1955, Flores attended high school in New Jersey and earned a bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University. She started a master’s in Exercise Physiology at Florida State University, where she began playing rugby, according to an obituary. In 2007 when Flores led the All Blues to the national championship, Worley related how Flores arrived late to the team’s hotel. In front of everyone, Flores “put her finger in the air—‘We’re number one’—and walked straight into the pool fully clothed.” “I’m going to hold that image of her triumphantly walking into the pool, surrounded by teammates, going way too soon, but as always, leading the way,” Worley said.
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asianweekly northwest
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
39 YEARS
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Operations Supervisor 2 Oversee assigned area(s) of transit ops ensuring efficient, safe, courteous and reliable service. Req: HS/GED, 3 yrs transit ops exp. incl. 1 yr lead/supv. exp., 2 yrs driving a vehicle with Class B CDL w/Airbrake removed & Passenger Endorsement or 2 yrs Behind-theWheel CDL Instruction. Ability to obtain a PSNS security pass, valid WA CDL w/Airbrake removed & Passenger Endorsements or greater, and an excellent driving record. Sal: $5,964.42 - $8,025.33. Job details, appl. incl. benefits info: http://kitsaptransit.appone.com/. Deadline: 4:00 PM, 12/31/21. KITSAP TRANSIT IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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BROYLES from 5 “I could not believe it,” Broyles said. “I am so, so grateful to everybody back at home who’s been supporting me for so long, and I’m so glad that I’m able to bring home the title of Miss America to the state of Alaska for the first time in history.” The very first Miss America program began in 1921 as a beauty pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, Broyles is only the 94th Miss America. The pageant, which has evolved away from the emphasis on looks to focusing on leadership, talent and communication skills, was not held last year because of the pandemic and it wasn’t held for several years in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Broyles, 20, said her grandparents immigrated from Korea to Anchorage
about 50 years ago, before her mother was born. “Although my mom is full Korean, she was born and raised right in Anchorage, Alaska,” Broyles said. The Miss America Organization “believes Emma is the first Korean American to win the crown,” spokesperson Matt Ciesluk said in a text message to the AP. Her mother is a special education teacher at Service High School in Anchorage, the same school Broyles attended. Broyles has chosen the Special Olympics for her social impact initiative. Besides her mother’s position, her older brother, Brendan, has Down syndrome and competes in athletic events with Special Olympics Alaska. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact that Special Olympics has on the families of
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people with intellectual disabilities. And I know how important Special Olympics is to our community here in Anchorage and here in Alaska, as well as the communities all over the country and all over the world,” she said. Broyles said she looks forward to working with the Special Olympics to promote inclusion, compassion and openmindedness through sports. “Getting to have this platform to speak about why inclusion is important during a time like this when our country is so divided, and to speak about why it’s important to be compassionate, why it’s important to be empathetic, why it’s important to keep an open mind and to be willing to listen to those who aren’t like you or maybe have different opinions than you, I think that this is a time where we need that more than ever,” she said. Along with her title, Broyles earned just
over $100,000 in college scholarships, which she calls a “life changing amount of money.” She’s currently a junior at Arizona State University studying biomedical sciences and voice performance and said the scholarship money will allow her to attend medical school. But for the next year, she will travel about 20,000 miles every month serving as a role model and advocate for young women, the Miss America Organization said in a statement. Broyles’ future plans include becoming a dermatologist and returning to Alaska to practice her profession. “There’s just something special about Anchorage, which is why I know that I want to spend the rest of my life in Anchorage, even despite this little hiatus I’m taking,” she said.
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. RFP KC000395
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YOUR VOICE
DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
SHELF from 7 character is a 17-year-old girl in Texas. In addition to living the typical teenage life, she and her Pakistani immigrant family are awaiting their green card approval. This is easier said than done, especially when Zara and her family are on the receiving end of racist and Islamophobic attacks that end in a violent crime, putting everything in jeopardy. As Zara and her family navigate their options to stay in the country, we get a glimpse into how complicated the United States’ immigration system is. Even for those who do it “right,” it’s a long and tedious process and their status can change with the slightest misstep. The Hossain family’s story is an eye opener for anyone who has taken their U.S. citizenship for granted. I also appreciated how close Zara and her parents are. There’s not the usual combative relationship we often see in stories featuring children of immigrants or young people who are also immigrants. Zara’s parents are understanding and accepting, especially when it comes to her bisexuality. This representation shows not all immigrant parents are the same. A CRAZY, CHAOTIC STORY THAT WILL CRACK YOU UP
a blind date, she doesn’t have many expectations. But something she definitely doesn’t expect is to accidentally kill the guy. And when that happens, Meddy doesn’t call the police. She turns to said meddlesome mother, who recruits Meddy’s three even more meddlesome aunties to help them get rid of the body. All of this happens just as the five of them are working a billionaire wedding. Throw in a supposed family curse and Meddy’s great college love, and what you get is a comedy of errors. The thing about “Dial A” is that you’ve got to throw out logic (because Meddy’s Indonesian-Chinese family is anything but logical) and lean into the chaos and crazy. Once you do that, you’ll really be able to enjoy the story in all of its ridiculous glory. From Meddy’s aunties competing over the best dead-body-disposing method, to their constant bickering, this is a story filled with laughs. Sutanto really nails the family dynamics, showing readers that just because these women are the definition of ride or die, it doesn’t mean they’re going to get along all the time.
er than they think. It’s not going to be easy. Sure, he’s funny and gorgeous (his words), and on his way to becoming a great chef. But academics is not his strong suit. But if he wants to show his longtime crush—and her family—that he’s the ideal arranged marriage prospect, he’s got to step up. “Pretty Face” is about defying expectations. Danyal is the furthest thing away from your stereotypical model minority. He’s happy coasting and being just mediocre enough to get by. The story also defies expectations in that Danyal doesn’t object to the idea of an arranged marriage. The Pakistani American teen doesn’t reject this aspect of his culture. He accepts it and tries to figure out how to make it work. I appreciated this acceptance, showing readers that different customs and practices are no better or worse than the “norm.” They’re just different.
A STORY ABOUT BEING OK WITH BEING DIFFERENT
When it comes to the AAPI characters in the stories I read for this column, I can often relate to them in a broader sense. Rarely have I felt like what I’ve read were experiences pulled straight from my life. “Afterparties” was one of the first times I truly felt this, specifically as a Cambodian American. This collection of short stories
More Than Just a Pretty Face By Syed M. Masood Little, Brown Books, 2020
Dial A for Aunties By Jesse Q. Sutanto Berkley, 2021 When Meddelin Chan’s meddlesome mother sets her up on
When Danyal Jilani is selected for his school’s Renaissance Man competition, it’s his chance to prove to everyone he’s smart-
THE STORY THAT MADE ME FEEL SEEN Afterparties By Anthony Veasna So Ecco, 2021
takes place within the Khmer community in an unnamed California city. So gives readers an intimate glimpse into a group we’ve rarely seen on the page: Cambodian Americans, specifically those whose lives go beyond the Khmer Rouge. So shows there’s more to the community than surviving a genocide. His characters are messy and flawed and one thing I especially appreciated was how none of them never wanted to be anything but Khmer. It’s all in the details and Khmer readers will definitely recognize things that are very specific to our community. Whether it’s insisting Chinese is different from Chinese Cambodian (because it is), Hennessy being the liquor of choice or enjoying beef sticks at every Cambodian gathering, I have never felt so seen in literature and know I won’t be the only one. A LOVE STORY BEYOND ROMANCE Donut Fall in Love By Jackie Lau Berkley, 2021 Things are not great for actor Ryan Kwok. His new romantic comedy is getting mixed reviews. His family is still grieving the death of his mother and Ryan doesn’t know how to help anyone. Then he meets Lindsay McLeod, by knocking over two dozen specialty donuts at her bakery. Needless to say, she’s not happy, but there’s a definite attraction between them.
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So when Ryan signs up to do a celebrity baking show, he asks Lindsay to help him and she reluctantly agrees. “Donut” is more than a romcom. Sure, it’s fun to watch Ryan and Lindsay experience the ups and downs of a new relationship. But we also see them connect on a deeper level as they bond over their grief of losing a parent (Lindsay lost her father seven years earlier, but the pain is still there). Lau also does a great job of rounding out the rest of their lives. Fom Ryan trying to fill the void his mother left in the family, to Lindsay trying to make new connections—and not just romantically—in her life (something she hasn’t done since her father’s death), I appreciated these sides of the characters because they remind the reader how complicated life is and that romantic love isn’t the only kind of love. Samantha can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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DECEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 31, 2021
39 YEARS