VOL 33 NO 12 | MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

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MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

“Let’s move!”

The

PING PONG

BASKETBALL

– Michelle Obama

tai chi

soccer

badminton

biking

YOGA

HEALTH issue

CHESS CLIMBING VOLLEYBALL

VOL 33 NO 12

DIVERSITY Students in the running for scholarships » P. 4

Watanabe, Jayapal throw Justice Sotomayor charms, hats into state senate race inspires at Town Hall Two Democratic Asian Americans have announced plans to run for the Washington State Senate seat in the 37th Legislative District in November. Each is looking to succeed Adam Kline, who will retire at the end of this year.

L

ouis Watanabe, who announced his candidacy Feb. 26, is a businessman and educator who is “hoping to make a change in the 37th.”

Watanabe’s number one priority is helping to put people back to work and getting our local economy back on track to create a

Pramila Jayapal

Louis Watanabe

bright future for the next generation.

As a businessman and educator, Watanabe is combining his decades of experience to run for Washington State Senate representing the 37th Legislative District to help his local community.

Watanabe grew up in Santa Monica, Calif.,

attended high school there, and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in math and applied science (physics).

Watanabe’s parents’ experience at the Man {see WATANABE & JAYAPAL cont’d on page 15}

Photo by Assunta Ng

By Nina Huang and Sue Misao Northwest Asian Weekly

Justice Sonya Sotomayor poses with 8-year-old Andrea Cruz Munoz after her Town Hall talk.

By Evangeline Cafe Northwest Asian Weekly On the evening of March 10, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor spoke to an eager crowd at Town Hall in Seattle. About 850 people packed the wooden pews in the

building’s Great Hall for the rare chance to hear a sitting justice engage in an intimate conversation with the public.

Justice Sotomayor was in town to discuss {see SOTOMAYOR cont’d on page 13}

The Inside Story ASIAN HEALTH Generally good, could be better » P. 5

■

TEETH The snack factor » P. 8

EXERCISE It doesn’t have to be grueling » P. 9

BREAKFAST A healthy rainbow of food » P. 10

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asianweekly northwest

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Audrey Chen, a 17-yearold senior at Interlake High School in Redmond, recently became a national finalist for the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Strings Competition.

To qualify for the competition in Chicago, Chen first competed at the state level and then in the Pacific Northwest division.

She competed with fellow cellists, as well as violinists and violists.

Last summer Chen was part of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. She was one of the 120 young musicians in the nation chosen to visit and train in Audrey Chen London, Russia, and cities on the East Coast. She is also a member of the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Interlake Chamber Orchestra. 

Photo courtesy of Christine Lee

Bill Russell turns 80

Bill Russell and friends celebrate his birthday.

A small dinner was held to celebrate Bill Russell’s 80th birthday party at Imperial Garden restaurant at Great Wall Mall. Everyone had Peking duck, one of Russell’s favorite

dishes. In 1973, he became coach and general manager of the Seattle Supersonics. After winning 36 games in his first season at the helm, he took the SuperSonics to the NBA playoffs in his second year and a 43-39 record. 

Nguyen moves to Seattle U Mai Nguyen, former director of finance and operations at Susan G. Komen Puget Sound, has taken a position as the director of finance in the athletic department of Seattle University. She has held leadership positions at the City of Seattle, Annie E. Casey Foundation, King County Housing Authority, Mai Nguyen Seattle Housing Authority, and the International District Housing Alliance. Mai holds a bachelor of arts degree and masters in public administration from the University of Washington. 

Seattle honored for diversity The National League of Cities (NLC) honored the city of Seattle for its program in enhancing and promoting cultural diversity during the annual Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. The city received the NBC-LEO City Cultural Diversity Award for its Public Outreach and Engagement Liaison program at a recent ceremony.

As part of Seattle Department of NeighborDON staff James Bush and Cherry Cayabyab with Diversity Award hoods (DON), the Public Outreach and Engagement Liaison program (POEL) increases access to information, resources, and civic processes with historically underrepresented communities. Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata attended the ceremony and accepted the award on

Photo courtesy of City of Seattle

Photo courtesy of George Cui

Audrey Chen

behalf of the city. 

Shin-Ping Tu joins the VCU Former Seattleite Shin-Ping Tu, MD, MPH, FACP, joined the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center in November of 2013 as the chair of the division of general internal medicine.

Tu is currently leading the flagship multi-site research Shin-Ping Tu project of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network, Additionally, she has served as a member of committees of the National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control, Society for General Internal Medicine, and Susan G. Komen Foundation. Also, she served as the principal or key investigator on three grants and co-investigator on several additional grants from the National Institutes of Health. 

NAAAP cleans up

Photo courtesy of Fei Chua

2

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

From left, Hang-Ping Chen, Russell Hu, Pam Chow, Denise Mak, David Eam, and Sherwin Tsao take a break from cleaning.

The National Association of Asian American ProfessionalsSeattle held its 2014 Adopt-A-Street cleanup event on March 2. NAAAP-Seattle has adopted two street segments in the International District: South Jackson St. and South King St. from 5th Ave, South to Rainier Ave. South. The program’s aim is to help create a clean and safe environment for neighborhoods and preserve Seattle's beauty for generations to come. 

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

Atsuko Okatsuka

Jenny Yang

By Signe Predmore Northwest Asian Weekly

Dis/orient/ed Comedy, a mostly all Asian American female comedy tour.

But you can expect a totally different atmosphere at a Dis/orient/ed Comedy show — one where the performers are relaxed, relatable, and of course, hilarious.

The group returns to the Seattle area on Sunday, March 16, for their second show in the region, at Parlor Live in Bellevue.

These women of comedy consistently sell out shows in the cities they visit,

Not all communities feel welcome in the world of stand-up comedy, a mainstream American performance art in which white men tend to make up the majority.

“A lot of times, as an Asian American, if you go to a stand-up comedy show, you are the target of ridicule. So why would you show up and pay money to have someone who’s more powerful than you, with a microphone on a raised stage, bully you?” asked Jenny Yang, co-founder of

{see DIS/ORIENT/ED cont’d on page 11}

Photo courtesy of Museum of History and Industry

■ arts & entertainment Asian comedians Exhibit follows might leave you a Asian pioneers in bit ‘dis/orient/ed’ the Northwest

3

Chinese American boys gather around a game of mah jong in 1938 at the Airport Way immigration station.

By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly One of the first things you notice inside the “Grit” exhibit at the Wing Luke Museum is a gas can. A very old, metal, crumpled gas can — the Chinese characters markings on it are just barely visible. It was pulled out of a forest, and it probably isn’t possible to say who left it there, or exactly when, or why.

But a Chinese American presence within a forest speaks to the widespread presence of Asian Americans across the Northwest.

“Grit,” devoted to “Asian Pacific Pioneers Across the Northwest,” uses the museum space, with a careful selection of artifacts, to tell the story of resilience, accommodation, and steadfastness in the face of racism, economic downturns, and other misfortunes.

Wing Luke’s Cassie Chinn is the executive deputy director for the museum, project lead for “Grit,” and a fourthgeneration Chinese American raised in Seattle.

“One of my earliest and most powerful experiences at The Wing was the opportunity to go on the 1994 Chinese Heritage Tour of the American West,” said Chinn. “We traveled by bus to heritage sites in Oregon and Idaho. It was powerful to walk the mining areas and enter the shops of these early pioneers, and tangibly experience just how deep our roots are and how significant our contributions [were] throughout the Pacific Northwest. We also journeyed with others ranging in age from college to seniors, and the experience across three generations is one I will never forget.” The experience gave Chin an early inspiration for “Grit.”

Aleta Eng, a partnership specialist from the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, is a third-generation Chinese American, also raised in Seattle. For years, her family owned a Chinatown/ID grocery store called Wa Sang. She consulted with the Wing Luke Museum on “Grit” and she’s also worked on the heritage tours mentioned by Ms. Chinn.

The oral histories gathered for the exhibit were useful, explains Eng, in filling in

gaps of knowledge. For example, she said, “During the heritage hike to Wellington (Iron Goat Trail in the Mt. BakerSnoqualmie National Forest), one of the participants, Toshiko Okamoto, shared that her grandfather and father were laborers on that Great Northern railroad, following the work as far as Montana. Her grandfather had gone to work for the railroad to send money back to his family in Japan. When her father turned 14, his father asked him to come to America and help. She remembers them telling her about the Wellington train disaster when she was growing up on Second Avenue and Yesler Way in Seattle.”

Chinn explains that through the exhibit, “Visitors follow the footsteps of an Asian Pacific American pioneer — entering the unknown, going through immigration, finding housing, getting work or starting a business on their own, forming a community, and then ultimately passing on — all the while also experiencing the stories, events, and people of the 16 featured sites spanning from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska.”

The exhibit includes artifacts from the pass, including a desk from a school, papers, posters, and of course, that gas can.

Music fills the air, including recordings of Charley Kahana, a half Hawaiian fiddler who lived and played in the San Juan Islands, British Columbia, and Washington state.

Asian Americans lived and worked all over the Pacific Northwest, creating a challenge for the “Grit” design team. “A huge challenge of this project,” remembers Chinn, “was merely selecting which sites to feature. This was also our biggest surprise.

Our Community Advisory Committee reviewed 60 sites, ultimately selecting 16.

The other sites are featured on a Picasa photo album and map in the exhibition.

“Surprisingly, we also found that we had significant materials in our own collection related to these sites. It was powerful to discover missing pieces to the stories of these sites. For example, the exhibition features the stories of the Nakamuras, first-generation Japanese Americans who {see GRIT cont’d on page 15}

asianweekly northwest

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MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

■ education

Diversity Makes a Difference —Part 2—

Compiled by Sue Misao Northwest Asian Weekly The Northwest Asian Weekly’s Diversity Makes a Difference scholarship program celebrates high school students from Western Washington — nominated by teachers, counselors, principals, and community members — who encourage and actively promote diversity.

From these nominations, a judging panel will choose five winners who will each receive $1,000 scholarships, and five additional finalists who will each receive $200 scholarships. The scholarships honor young people who take action to increase cross-cultural understanding and awareness in the community. These scholarships have been awarded every year since 1994.

The Diversity Makes a Difference awards dinner will be held on Friday, March 28, at the New Hong Kong Restaurant.

Abiel Zewolday

Alexis Cavagnaro

Alyssa Chow

Amanda Levenson

Angela Geyer

Asosa Sailiai

Ayesha Quadri

Courtney Gu

Erick Yanzon

Hayden Kim

Jessica Allen

Jia Tu

Kayla Wheeler

Leonel Reyes

Leta Ames

Llanteo Okamura

Monisha Gonzalez

Nicola LaGuardia

This is the second of a four-part series.

Abiel Zewolday Edmonds-Woodway High School “I want to create a world where cultures are embraced, a melting pot where everyone is welcome,” wrote Abiel Zewolday.

Abiel is a deacon at his church, mentors young teens, is actively involved in the Eritrean community, and is a marketing apprentice in the Bing division of Microsoft.

“Abiel most definitely possesses the qualities that will help him navigate college life effectively,” said his high school principal, Miriam Mickelson.

Alexis Cavagnaro Issaquah High School “Alexis is a high achiever with excellent grades and a wide range of extracurricular interests,” said her youth pastor, Nick Pringle.

Last year, Alexis attended a mission trip to Yakima as a leader, taking 80 middle school students to help serve the community.

“Diversity in race has given me an advantage to experience different interacting cultures,” wrote Alexis Cavagnaro. “Racism can begin to fade when we accept that we all come from different cultures and learn why people do things relative to the culture they own.”

Alyssa Chow Inglemoor High School “Diversity stems not only from outside variables in the surrounding environment, but also from your state of mind,” wrote Alyssa Chow. “The world is becoming a melting pot of peoples, each with different beliefs and values, each needing to be cherished and appreciated, even if not agreeable, simply for the fact that it is dissimilar.”

Alyssa is a natural leader, said her Spanish teacher, Kieran McCormick.

“Alyssa has the ability to lead naturally and keep her peers on task,” said McCormick.

“She will impact others because of her ability to see from their vantage point, no matter how much it may differ from her own.”

Amanda Levenson Issaquah High School “When I first reviewed Amanda Levenson’s application to be a member of ASB, I was overwhelmed with the number of commitments she had,” said Erin Connolly, ASB adviser and social studies teacher, “an academic schedule full of AP level classes, president of the National Honor Society, class

Oscar Mwaba

Rose Yasukochi

council member, a member of Key Club and Chemistry Club, a member of the both the varsity soccer team at the high school and a club team in the area, multiple community service groups, including the National Charity League, a variety of different jobs, including working as an intern at a local nonprofit organization.”

Amanda has also organized multiple service community projects, including food and toy drives.

“I acknowledge the value of bringing these perspectives to the leadership positions I hold because I strive to address the needs and understand the circumstances of everyone in the group,” wrote Amanda.

Angela Geyer Lynnwood High School “It’s important for everyone to be unique and leave their mark on this Earth to distinguish themselves from others,” says Angela Geyer.

Angela is the president of the RotaryInteract Club, a member of HI-Q, a member of DECA, and a cheerleader.

“Angela’s goal after Yale law school and politics, is to become our next African American woman president,” said her school adviser Don Ide. “She is more than just an outstanding student. She may be the perfect scholar.”

Asosa Sailiai Highline High School “My name is Asosa Joriah Sailiai, son of Asosa and Lorna, brother to Gail Fa’aseila Considine and Moeifaga Lorna Sailiai, grandson of Salei and Tifaga Sagiao and Moeifaga Sailiai.”

Thus begins the essay of this Highline High School sophomore — a young man who knows who he is.

Last summer, Asosa participated in a community-based program called Our Future Matters, a coalition of Pacific Islander students and adult mentors whose mission is to help Pacific Islander students and their elders and leaders create positive change and enhance success in education.

“I have seen AJ emerge as one of our student leaders and find his own voice as an advocate for diversity,” said his high school counseling intern Maile Kaneko.

“Diversity is important because you’re able to learn about people in so many ways,” wrote Asosa. “Whether it’s culturally, through food, sports, music, dance, spoken word, art, or belief, everyone can benefit from diversity.”

Ayesha Quadri Shorecrest High School Ayesha Quadri has been a math tutor and was chosen to be a “Link Leader” for her 2013-14 school year, guiding freshmen through their transition into high school.

“Her kind demeanor and patience were invaluable, as she was often tasked with helping struggling learners who were resistant to math,” said her teacher, Kimberly Olsen. “Through these interactions, Ayesha demonstrated her ability to connect with others, especially those with unique needs.”

“The meaning of diversity is different for each,” wrote Ayesha. “For me, it means respecting and understanding everyone’s differences.”

Courtney Gu Edmonds-Woodway High School In 2013, Courtney Gu became the first student representative on the City of Edmonds Arts Commission, where she has “the capacity to see the big picture, think strategically, and communicate effectively,” said Frances Chapin, City of Edmonds Arts & Culture Manager.

Courtney plays in her school’s orchestra, works with intellectually disabled students, and is the project manager of the Washington

Association for Chinese Education.

“In today’s increasingly global and diverse society,” wrote Courtney, “an understanding and acceptance of people from different backgrounds is vital.”

Erick Yanzon Mountlake Terrace High School “Erick’s extensive leadership involvement on and off campus demonstrates his strong commitment to diversity,” said Ashley Johnson, Mountlake Terrace High student support advocate. “As co-captain of the MTHS hip hop dance team, online editor for the Hawkeye newspaper, member of LINK Crew, Honor Society, and SPIRIT Council, Erick is a visible leader in his school.”

Erick moved to the United States from the Philippines in 2010. In only one semester, he was fluent enough to leave his English Language Learner classes and enrolled in AP and Honors classes.

“Diversity is about acceptance,” said Erick. “It’s embracing the differences between people, and being proud of who we are and where we came from.”

Hayden Kim Squalicum High School “Hayden does not content herself with the minimal science experiment or assignment, but instead probes the depth and the breadth of the assignment far beyond what she could be expected to do,” said her school counselor, Michelle Nilsen.

For four years, Hayden has been a member of the United Diversity Club, and for two years was president of the club.

“I am thrilled by the opportunity of being a bigger part of our society to contribute a puzzle piece of my viewpoint to accomplish the art of diversity together with our community for the better,” said Hayden.

Jessica Allen Squalicum High School “Jessica Allen sincerely represents the best of the best,” says Squalicum school counselor Michelle Nilsen. “This is an independent, {see DIVERSITY cont’d on page 12}

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

■ community news

5

Four deportation detainees remain on hunger strike

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) – A hunger strike at the Northwest Detention Center entered a fifth day on March 10, with four detainees still protesting their treatment and calling for an end to deportations. The strike began March 7 when about 750 detainees refused to eat.

“As of Tuesday evening [March 11], five detainees were under medical observation,” said ICE spokesman Andrew Munoz.

“Following the Wednesday [March 12] morning meal, one of the five detainees had eaten two meals and was returned to the general population. There are currently four detainees under medical observation.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said a lockdown

announced March 9 was lifted later that same day. They said that the measure affected areas holding violent offenders as a precaution amid the continuing strike.

Protesters also want better treatment at the facility, better food and lower prices for the food, as well as more pay for the work they do while incarcerated.

“ICE fully respects the rights of all people to express their opinion without interference,” said Munoz. “While we continue to work with Congress to enact commonsense immigration reform, ICE is focused on sensible, effective immigration enforcement that focuses on convicted criminals, immigration fugitives, and those apprehended at the border while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States.”

Currently, ICE houses 1,300 at the Tacoma

APIs are generally a healthy bunch

By Sue Misao Northwest Asian Weekly Basically, you’re as healthy as you can afford to be.

Like every subgroup, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have health concerns specific to them, often connected to immigrant or refugee status, income, access to health care, and, of course, genetics.

Some of the most noticeable health issues for the API community are hepatitis B and tuberculosis, said Sunshine Monastrial, senior planning and evaluation analyst for International Community Health Services (ICHS), mainly because it’s more of an issue in their home countries.

“One in 12 Asians are impacted by hepatitis B,” said Monastrial, “and two out of the three who have it are not aware they have it. Catching it early is important because it can lead to liver cancer.”

Nationally, Asians make up about half the hepatitis cases, she added.

Asians make up more than half the total TB cases that were noted in 2012 in King County, Monastrial said, second only to African Americans. “TB disproportionately impacts those who were foreign born,” she said.

Diabetes is a third big issue, which Monastrial said most people find surprising.

“Diabetes is usually associated with being overweight or obese, and most people don’t think Asians as overweight or obese,” she said. Filipinos, Pacific Islanders, and native Hawaiians are more likely to be at higher risk than their Asian counterparts.

Aggregated data on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders tends to mask certain disparities among these groups, according to Marguerite Ro, chief in the office of the director at King County Health Department, specifically among Southeast Asians and Pacific Islanders, making them a “minority within an already invisible minority.”

You are what you eat

“Food is definitely a huge issue. When

you compare Chinese in China vs. Chinese Americans, that’s where it’s most telling how food impacts our health,” said Monastrial. “The obesity and overweight rates are drastically different.”

A few generations down, she said, Asians feasting on a mostly American diet — compared to what people eat in Japan or China — increases their risk of diabetes.

Access to healthy food is imperative, said Monastrial. “There are several ‘food deserts’ in south King County, where there might not be a market or grocery store where you can purchase healthier foods, such as a banana or apple or vegetables, at a decent price,” she said, adding that it’s not limited to the API community, but impacts anyone who is low income.

facility, including Wah Mee Massacre parolee Tony Ng, who is slated for deportation to Hong Kong by the first week of June or earlier.

It was unknown if he was participating in the hunger strike.

“Even though detainees have refused to eat scheduled meals, they have had access to food throughout the protest period through the detention center commissary, which makes ready-to-eat meals and snack food available for purchase by detainees,” ICE stated.

Detainees are permitted to keep their commissary purchases in their personal storage area, said Munoz. It was not known for certain if protesters in the general population were abstaining from all food or just scheduled meals.

Munoz said ICE officials had been communicating with the detainees since the

strike began.

"Several issues that have been brought to the management's attention are being addressed, including adding more items to the commissary list and exploring ways to reduce prices."

ICE officials said when considering items for the commissary, they have to determine the detainees’ well being and security of the center and the staff.

“Items that are generally prohibited are those that could be used as weapons or easily made into contraband items such as alcohol.”

According to an ICE statement, “There have been no punitive actions taken against the individuals who are participating in the protest.”  Sue Misao contributed to this article.

Senior community plans to study Asian culture

By Marino Saito Northwest Asian Weekly Staying engaged physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually is good for one’s health at any age. This is especially important after retirement.

Elders in the south Seattle retirement community at The Lakeshore are staying engaged by learnimg about Asian arts and culture over the course of this year.

Their studies began in February, during the Chinese Lunar New Year. The residents are involved in art, culture, and a variety of ongoing learning programs throughout the year at Lakeshore — it is one reason why many choose to live there. {see RETIREMENT cont’d on page 14}

Photo courtesy of The Lakeshore

By Associated Press

Asian art adorns the walls of The Lakeshore.

Longevity

Cancer is the leading cause of death in King County’s API community, said Monastrial. Heart disease is second and strokes are third. Still, APIs have a longer life expectancy than the general population, she said, but Samoans and Native Hawaiians, both male and female, have the highest death rates among Asians.

Breaking it down to subgroups, Monastrial said Vietnamese American women have a higher cervical cancer rate than any ethnic group in the United States. The cause is unknown, she said, speculating genetics and the environment are key factors.

“We focus a lot of our mammogram and screening outreach to the Asian Indian, Pacific Islander, and Vietnamese communities because we have seen higher incidents of breast and/or cervical cancer in those groups,” she said. “In the Korean community as well, where the screening rates are lower.”

Monastrial ventured that among the reasons for lower screening in certain ethnic populations are the fear of results, the cost, and cultural issues that keep {see API HEALTH cont’d on page 11}

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asianweekly northwest

6

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR FRI 3/14 WHAT: Double bill performance of Noh play Tomoe and Garrett Fisher’s opera Kakitsubata WHERE: ACT Theater, 700 Union St., Seattle WHEN: 7 p.m.

COST: $10 INFO: 206-292-7676

SAT 3/15 WHAT: “The Lover, the Sufi and the Friend: Modes of Longing in Medieval Persian Poetry” lecture

by Richard Davis WHERE: Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle WHEN: 9:30–11 a.m.

COST: $5–$10 INFO: 206-654-3100

SUN 3/16 WHAT: Reading and book

signing of “Into the Storm: Journeys with Alzheimer’s” WHERE: Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 Tenth Ave., Seattle WHEN: 3 p.m.

INFO: collintong.com WHAT: Comedy by Dis/orient/ ed WHERE: The Parlor Live, 700 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $15–$25 INFO: 425-289-7000 or disorientedcomedy.weebly.com

THU 3/20 WHAT: Vietnames Friendship Association benefit dinner WHERE: University of Washington HUB Ballroom WHEN: 7 p.m. (Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m.)

COST: $100 (VIP tickets $150) INFO: 206-760-1573

■ briefly

Asian Americans nominated for key White House admin positions

Nani A. Coloretti

Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu

President Obama announced on March 6 that he will nominate Nani A. Coloretti to be the Deputy Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Coloretti is currently the Assistant Secretary for Management at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, a position she has held since November 2012. From 2009 to 2012, she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget. Prior to joining the administration, Ms. Coloretti worked in the San Francisco mayor’s office from 2005 until 2009, most recently serving as budget director.

She was a budget analyst for the Department of Public Safety in the state of Hawaii from 1991 to 1992.

Moritsugu is currently the Deputy Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs at the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, a position she has held since 2012. Prior to that, Ms. Moritsugu was the Deputy Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii from 2010 to 2012. She is a member of the board of Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors. 

Have an event to promote?

P lease send us the details at least 14 days in advance to info@nwasianweekly.c om.

FRI 3/21 WHAT: Celebrate Asia!

WHERE: Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

INFO: 206-215-4747, seattlesymphony.org

SAT 3/22 WHAT: King County Library System “Literary Lions Gala” with keynote by author Amy Tan WHERE: Hyatt Regency, 900 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue WHEN: 6–9 p.m.

COST: $200 INFO: www.kcls.org/ literarylions WHAT: 5K Superhero Run WHERE: White Center Heights Park, Seattle WHEN: 9–11 a.m.

COST: $25–$35 (free for ages 10 and under) to benefit White

Center CDA, the YES Foundation of White Center, and White Center Food Bank INFO: www.facebook.com/ WhiteCenter5kWalkRun WHAT: “Cursing at the Screen Yet Can’t Look Away: Watching Korean TV Drama” lecture by Bonnie Tilland WHERE: Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle WHEN: 9:30–11 a.m.

COST: $5–$10 INFO: 206-654-3100

TUE 3/25 WHAT: Asia Business Dinner Round Table WHERE: Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant, 18230 E. Valley Hwy. Ste. 116, Kent WHEN: 5:45–8 p.m.

INFO: 425-656-0999, tiangreatwallmall@gmail.com

WED 3/26 WHAT: Authors Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd read from “A Sliver Of Light: Three Americans Imprisoned in Iran” WHERE: Town Hall downstairs, 1119 8th Ave., Seattle (enter on Seneca) WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

COST: $5 INFO: 1-888-377-4510, www. townhallseattle.org

FRI 3/28 WHAT: NWAW & NWAWF’s Diversity Makes a Difference WHERE: New Hong Kong Restaurant, 900 S. Jackson St., Seattle WHEN: 6–9 p.m.

COST: $25/students & family, $45/regular INFO: diversity. nwasianweeklyfoundation.org

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ HEALTH

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

7

New ICHS clinic opening in Bellevue in this spring

A new clinic will be coming to Bellevue in April, giving people another option for high quality and affordable health care.

Located on the northeast corner of 140th Street and 10th Avenue, the new International Community Health Services (ICHS) facility will have 10 medical exam rooms and eight dental chairs. There will be 55 parking spaces for patients. This will be ICHS’ fifth clinic, which is projected to serve 10,000 patients each year. This new clinic marks ICHS’ first foray into offering services on the Eastside and reflects the emergence of ICHS as a regional health care provider, not simply a Seattle-based organization.

“We have a population in Bellevue that is underserved and has problems accessing quality healthcare,” said Gildas Cheung, president of the ICHS board. “It will be a proud day for us when we open our doors in a few months, and people can come in to receive culturally and linguistically appropriate health services.”

The location in Bellevue was selected based on community needs assessments and feasibility studies conducted in 2006 and 2007.

“There’s a perception that everyone has money and is doing well in Bellevue,” says Teresita Batayola, CEO of ICHS. “Not true. If you take a look at the actual

Photo courtesy of ICHS

By Ron Chew CONTRIBUTOR TO Northwest Asian Weekly

Fin To and family

demographics, you’ll find that a huge percentage of the residents are immigrants, Asian Pacific Islanders, low-income, and people of color. Our clinic has the expertise to serve those populations.”

Alaric Bien, senior planner for the City of Redmond, agrees, “On the Eastside, the population has been changing for quite some time. One-third of the population is foreign-born. People don’t realize that there’s a huge need for the kind of culturally and linguistically appropriate services that ICHS is so experienced at providing.”

Bien, who has been living on the Eastside for almost 20 years, said that even though there are many highly-educated Asian professionals living in Bellevue, Redmond,

Kirkland, Issaquah, and Sammamish, there are also many low-income apartment dwellers — immigrant seniors, and those working in restaurants, cafeterias, and hotels — who don’t match the stereotypic profile of the well-to-do Eastsider.

Batayola said that the expansion of ICHS into Bellevue reflects a larger core belief that the organization should be in neighborhoods where its patients reside.

“By serving our community, we don’t wait for people to come to us. We go where they are.”

One ICHS patient, Fin To, an immigrant from Vietnam, has been looking forward to the opening of the Bellevue clinic with great anticipation for some time. When she was living on Beacon Hill, the travel time to the International District clinic was modest. After she and her husband moved to Bellevue, the commute has become much more challenging. “Every time I go to Chinatown, I have to allow 45 minutes or sometimes an hour before my appointment {see ICHS cont’d on page 15}

Located on the northeast corner of 140th Street and 10th Avenue, the new International Community Health Services (ICHS) facility will have 10 medical exam rooms and eight dental chairs.

asianweekly northwest

8

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

■ HEALTH

‘Heart week’ wants to help save your life

By the Washington Dental Service Foundation

The Bellevue Fire Department, in conjunction with Overlake Hospital Medical Center, will present a series of free, town hall-style meetings focusing on the steps community members can take in the face of a heart attack.

“Surviving a heart attack, what happens next” is the theme of this year’s Heart Week, March 17–23. Organizers want people to follow the suggestions of their doctors, including lowering cholesterol, watching diet and blood pressure, exercising daily, and quitting smoking.

Leading physicians from Overlake Hospital and members of the Bellevue Fire Department Medic One staff will provide information and answer questions at the following meetings: • Tuesday, March 18, noon to 1 p.m., at City Hall in the Council Chambers, 450 110th Ave. N.E.; • Wednesday, March 19, 6-7 p.m., at Overlake Hospital PACCAR Education Center, 1035 116th Ave. N.E.; • Thursday, March 20, 6-7 p.m., City Hall in the Council Chambers; • Friday, March 21, 11 a.m. to noon, Bellevue Square Mall, Bellevue Way and N.E. 6th Street; • Saturday, March 22, 2-3 p.m., Crossroads Bellevue Shopping Center, 15600 N.E. 8th St. The goal of Heart Week is to help people recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and encourage them to call 911 quickly if they suspect a heart attack and provide a better understanding of what happens next. 

Here is one good reason to keep your hand out of the bag of chips — this one may surprise you. Frequent snacking doesn’t just affect your waistline, it can also cause major problems for your teeth, harming both your smile and your overall health.

Snacking or drinking sweet (including sweetened tea or coffee) or acidic beverages (including diet soda and sports drinks) frequently throughout the day can lead to painful cavities. Here is another twist. It is not just sugary foods that cause cavities. Even snacks that we think of as healthy, such as bagels, juice, granola bars, and raisins, contribute to decay if they are consumed too often throughout the day.

Most of us don’t realize that teeth need time to rest between exposures to foods and drinks. Just like your muscles need time to rest and recover after exercising, teeth need time to recover and rebuild in between drinking and eating.

Grazing and drinking beverages (other than water) throughout the day keeps food and drinks on your teeth for extended periods of time. Eating starchy foods and drinking sugary or acidic beverages feed the germs that cause tooth decay. These germs

Photo courtesy of Washington Dental Service Foundation

Save your smile with healthier snacking

make acids that attack tooth enamel for 20 minutes each time you eat or drink. Once tooth enamel has eroded, it’s gone, leaving teeth vulnerable to cavities that can be both painful and costly.

Over your lifetime, you can save about $2,000 for every cavity prevented. When you consider that most adults have about 32 teeth, preventing tooth decay can add up to real savings.

Here are some tips to reduce the amount of time food has on teeth: • If you have a snack, eat it all at

once instead of nibbling over time.

• Limit sugary and acidic drinks and starchy foods between meals.

• Choose healthy snacks such as cheese, fruits, and vegetables.

• Drink water, especially fluoridated water, between meals to rinse the food and sugar off your teeth.

• Brush teeth twice a day and floss daily. Flossing cleans about 40 percent of your tooth surfaces.

To learn more about healthy snacking and other ways to prevent {see ORAL cont’d on page 12}

For more information, call Lt. Richard Burke at 425-4526995.

Friday, March 28, 2014 • 6-9 p.m. • New Hong Kong Restaurant • 900 S. Jackson St., Seattle • 206-223-7999 diversity.nwasianweeklyfoundation.org • rsvp@nwasianweekly.com • $25 for students & family • $45 regular ticket price

Abiel Zewolday

Barbara Biney

Erick Yanzon

Julie Nguyen

Nicolas Garcia

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Director of Multicultural Services Seattle Central Community College

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ HEALTH

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

9

Ditch the gym and explore activities with Asian history

By Alia Marsha Northwest Asian Weekly The gym is attractive due to its convenience. It can also, however, feel a little bit too regimented. Sometimes, engaging in competitive or outdoor sports helps you see physical activities as more enjoyable and enduring.

The next time you attempt to drag yourself to the gym, consider mixing it up with other, more exciting sports, many of which have roots in Asia.

Muay Thai Muay Thai, or Thai kickboxing, has become a popular sport within the last few years. It is slightly different from North American kickboxing, which is a “fourpoint” fighting system. This means that participants can only work with their fists and feet. As an “eight-point” fighting system on the other hand, Muay Thai allows them to use their fists, feet, elbows, and knees. Commonly practiced as a form of self-defense and a fast weight-loss strategy, this combat sport has a lot of physical and psychological benefits. The strenuous techniques will wear you out, but your stamina, agility,

and self-confidence will improve tremendously.

Tai Chi Rigorous exercises are not for everyone. For those looking for a more calming workout, the Chinese martial art Tai Chi might be perfect. It is gentle and low-impact, but it has also

proven to prevent and even treat age-related illness. Studies show that individuals with varying levels of Parkinson’s disease show improved balance, walking ability, and overall health after engaging in a number of Tai Chi sessions. It is suitable for all age groups at any fitness level. Often called “meditation in motion,” Tai

Chi reduces stress and anxiety, while introducing serenity and inner peace. In addition, it can be applied as self-defense techniques.

With spring just around the corner, try Tai Chi routines outdoors.

Badminton Badminton was originated from British India in the 1800s, and it is

currently the most popular sport in a number of other Asian countries.

It has been said to be the second most popular sport in the world, just behind soccer. Over the last decade, China, Indonesia, and Korea have continued to dominate {see SPORTS cont’d on page 14}

asianweekly northwest

10

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

OPINION

■ publisher’s blog

My ‘rainbow breakfast’ for health and taste If you saw me eating breakfast, you would say, “That’s fancy!”

Is it? How about, “That’s great for your skin, blood, and organs!”

Some depict my breakfast as “colorful,” while others see it as a beautiful plate, mixed with natural foods. Dr. Oz calls it foods of the rainbow, which fights off cancer. I don’t exactly follow Dr. Oz’s food recommendations. I create my own meals with foods I enjoy.

My “rainbow breakfast” not only looks enticing, but it is delicious, healthy, and easy to make. Plus, it gives me all the nutrients I need to start my day. It fills me with the right portions of good carbohydrates, a little fat, and lots of protein.

My doctor just gave me a great health report in January. I am a living example of good health. From blood pressure to cholesterol level, Vitamin A to D, blood sugar to iron levels, weight to height (no shrinkage in my body, even though I have osteoporosis), everything is normal in my body.

I eat my “rainbow breakfast” more than 320 days a year, unless I’m traveling.

Some people skip breakfast due to lack of time or because they are on a diet. Health experts have warned often that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

To stay healthy, I never skip a meal. In fact, I eat four meals a day and on a regular schedule. You have to be in tune with your

Colorful, delicious, and healthy...

...with a touch of cinnamon

own body to find out what works best for your well being.

What comprises my “rainbow breakfast?”

I prepare my breakfast with a bowl of warm milk. Dr. Oz says reduced fat milk is better than skim milk. We need some kind of fat for a balanced diet, don’t we?

Then I cut slices of papaya into the milk, and mix it with three pieces of purple yam and sweet potato, which has antioxidants and is good for your digestive system.

One study even said sweet potatoes are one of the top foods to prevent cancer.

Sometimes I eat the skin. Why not? It contains important nutrients and provides my body with fiber.

I usually steam two small purple yams and one big sweet potato together in a rice cooker on Sunday. Then freeze them

afterwards. I like to steam them because it retains much of the root vegetables’ natural flavor.

Papaya is one of the best sources of vitamin C. Imported from Hawaii and Mexico, you can buy papayas locally. Once in a while, I can buy papayas from Thailand in Asian grocery stores. I can make one mediumsized papaya last for three to four days.

Breakfast for me is an hour-long love affair. That’s why I hate morning meetings.

After I have devoured my papayas and yams, I read my newspapers for about 30 minutes before I have a fried egg, a small

bowl of hot oats, and soy milk, or a piece of wheat or multi-grain toast. Then I have my small plate of grapes to munch on.

You can buy red or green seedless grapes all year long. Let me warn you, don’t eat too many grapes all at once — it can give you stomach gas.

These days, we are lucky to be able to buy grapes and papayas all year round.

Fruits that used to be seasonal are mostly available in supermarkets. Aren’t we lucky?

The last item on my breakfast menu will be milk tea. I brew a small amount of fresh tea leaves. Then I put a small amount of milk in my teacup (never use half and half), and a small spoonful of honey. I don’t use sugar at all. Some complain honey has too much fructose. But it is an antioxidant and has some good minerals.

What will a small dab of honey do to my body if I walk an hour every day? After all, a balanced diet is what I am aiming for.

Then I add one-eighth spoon of cinnamon to my tea. Ah, the smell of cinnamon will wake me up. Dr. Daniel Amen, author of brain books, said cinnamon is good for the brain. If it helps my memory, I am all for that! 

Want to get the inside scoop on the latest happenings of Seattle’s Asian American community? Follow Publisher Assunta Ng’s blog at nwasianweekly.com under the Opinion section.

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MARINO SAITO Thank you for all you’ve done for us!

— Northwest Asian Weekly NWAW’s winter intern

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

{DIS/ORIENT/ED cont’d from page 3} delighting audiences — many who are new to stand-up — with their humor and providing a feeling of community.

The group got started in 2012 through Yang’s relentless pursuit of other Asian American female comics to befriend. Yang, based in Los Angeles, discovered Seattle comic Yola Lu on the Internet, and the two got to know each other via Skype chat.

“During that first conversation, I said, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if someday there were enough of us to do a whole stand up comedy tour?’” recounted Yang.

A few weeks later, Lu contacted Yang and said she was ready to get started on the project. They brought on comic Atsuko Okatsuka as co-producer and the three began planning.

After successful kick-off shows in Seattle and Los Angeles, Dis/orient/ed Comedy has produced about a show per month in different locations around the country.

For the performers in the lineup, doing comedy, as part of an explicitly Asian American female group, changes the way they relate to the audience.

Seattle comic Mona Concepcion said that performing in a regular mainstream comedy show can make her feel like an exotic novelty, and like she needs to provide some introduction about her background.

In contrast, she said, “There’s not that much explanation that needs to be done with this audience. They can relate

to things a lot more quickly.”

This rapport makes a huge difference in an art form like comedy where, as Yang explained, “Seconds are essential.”

The group makes a point of featuring local comedians wherever they visit. Concepcion, who bills herself as the only female Chamorro comic on the planet (she hasn’t come across another yet), will headline the upcoming Seattle show.

Shannon Koyano, a half Japanese comic who Concepcion describes as having a “really great, raw edge to her,” will be the other hometown comedian in the lineup.

For this show, Yang also decided to bring up two Portland comics, Bri Pruett and Katie Nguyen, to change up the roster from Dis/orient/ed’s first Seattle performance.

Pruett is a quarter Korean, who Yang calls “a very sassy, snappy persona.” She has been featured in the Willamette Weekly as one of the Portland area’s top five comedians.

Nguyen, who has a Vietnamese background, is another comic that Yang discovered through the Internet. She was involved in a project called Spicy News, in which she delivered the day’s headlines on camera after eating an entire habañero pepper. This gag highlights one of her strengths as a performer – “she’ll work the discomfort and the awkwardness,” Yang said.

Yang and Okatsuka, the show’s co-producers, will host the Seattle performance and round out the lineup.

{API HEALTH cont’d from page 5} people from being proactive about getting tested. Services are still somewhat lacking for older people, said Ro, adding that a shortage of providers and language barriers reduce the capacity to ensure that long-term care needs are met.

Domestic violence

As many as 61 percent of Asian women report experiencing physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime, according to the Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence.

Although the numbers vary among different studies, Monastrial believes domestic abuse is not adequately assessed or addressed in the API community, partly because of the cultural stigma associated with mental health and behavioral health issues.

Human trafficking also affects the API community disproportionately. “Almost half the human trafficking victims in the U.S. are from Asia or the Pacific Islands,” said Monastrial. Recent news of human trafficking has been gaining traction in the Pacific Northwest, which is considered a hub for immigrants and refugees — a vulnerable population group. In January, King County launched an awareness campaign, with signs on Metro buses in eight languages, including Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Human trafficking is defined as compelling a person into any form of labor against their will in any industry, including sex work, agriculture, construction, domestic service (housekeeper, nanny), restaurants, salons, massage parlors, and small businesses.

Half the victims are children.

Health insurance, yes

The biggest issue right now is making sure people are covered, said Ro. “Pacific Islanders have a really high rate of being uninsured,” she said. “People are really struggling, in part because the Washington Healthplanfinder system was not created to recognize the complexities of non-native residents.” Some of these include issues with name spellings on various forms and Green Card numbers. “They are working it through,” she said, although concern is high that the Pacific Islander communities are not getting the information they need.

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, has open enrollment through the end of March. ICHS is one of 23 organizations in King County with “inperson assistors” trained to help people get enrolled. ICHS has already enrolled about

4,500 people.

“The rollout was initially a little bumpy,” said Monastrial, adding that Washington state’s enrollment has been one of the more successful ones, as an early adopter with resources in place.

“Obamacare is not in the news much recently because it’s succeeding,” she said. “It’s harder to find people who are not satisfied with the options they have.”

The Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) in the International District also offers assistance in several languages in signing up for health insurance.

Still, nearly 33,000 Asian Americans

11

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

The women cover a variety of topics, although like most comics, they draw heavily on their personal experiences.

Concepcion talks a lot about her family life — having an older white husband, being a mother to two mixed-ethnic sons, and having her mom come visit from abroad for six months at a time.

Koyano does bits about how her Japanese father tries to prove he’s American by visiting Disneyland, and about her experiences re-entering the dating scene after divorce.

A common theme for several of them is the experience of navigating different cultures.

Yang promises to offer a high-quality, well-produced show, where you can “really feel the love.” She says it’s a good time for all, whether you are Asian American or not. Concepcion suggests the show as a great date activity because “you don’t have to talk to each other!”

After Seattle, Dis/orient/ed Comedy has shows in the works in Oakland and New York. But if you get hooked, you can catch them again when they return to the Northwest for a Portland show in September.  Dis/orient/ed Comedy performs live at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 16, at the Parlor Live in Bellevue. Tickets and more information available at http://disorientedcomedy. weebly.com.

Signe Predmore can nwasianweekly.com.

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and over 2,400 Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islanders in King County remain uninsured, according to the King County Health Department.

The county is hosting enrollment events through the end of March in 25 locations throughout Seattle and in 15 additional King County cities. See them here: www. kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ personal/coverage/calendar.aspx.

understand and in a culturally appropriate way, based on where they’re coming from.

We don’t ask about immigration status.”

They also offer sliding scale discounts to those who can afford to pay some.

Money for that comes from the City of Seattle’s fund for uncompensated care, along with some federal grant money to help with overall operations.

Health insurance, no

Poor health among different ethnic groups is often a result of language barriers, low income, and reduced access — factors that co-exist within cultural norms. Each of these can contribute to a cycle of worsening health. Many people end up waiting until symptoms are at their worst before consulting a doctor for things that could have been prevented through regular access to health care. Cultural barriers, including the stigma associated with poor physical and mental health, and a lack of resources also play a part. Besides genetics, health outcome is directly related to the quality of health care one receives, said Monastrial, “and everything you do outside of a doctor’s office — where you live, where you work, and where you play.” 

Not everyone in the API community is eligible for government health insurance.

“One misperception that people do have is that with health care reform, no one is going to be uninsured,” said Monastrial.

“And that is a huge myth because there’s still eligibility requirements around immigration, and also there’s the people who are undocumented that would have no options to sign up for health insurance through any federally subsidized or paidfor programs.” At ICHS, she said, there will still be a sizable population that will be uninsured. But they can still see a doctor.

“We, as a federally qualified health center, can’t refuse anyone. We accept everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, and we’re required to provide them services in a language that they can

Barriers to health care

Sue Misao can be reached at editor@ nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

12

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

{DIVERSITY cont’d from page 4} strong willed young woman — complex, intellectually quirky, exceptional character strengths, and tremendous leader—one who cuts her own path, regardless of the peer pressure of the day.”

Jessica is exceptionally strong in math and science, but also pursues interests in humanitarian efforts, mentoring, antibullying, and working with teens.

“Imagine a rainbow without different colors, or an entire ocean filled with only salmon,” Jessica wrote. “If we were to only see one color for eternity, we would not understand the beauty created by the variety of life’s shades.”

Jia (Demi) Tu Sehome High School “When I first met Ms. Tu, she was a recent immigrant from China and a student enrolled in my 9th grade English class,” said Sehome English teacher James Gaines. “Though she was still struggling to integrate into a new society and to learn the many vagaries of the English language, Demi proved to be a steady, reliable presence in a class of squirrely freshmen.”

Jia has participated in competitive swimming, and has excelled in both academics and athletics. As an immigrant, she invited her new friends to experience her Chinese culture.

“Diversity is not what separates us,” she wrote, “it is what brings the world together.”

Kayla Wheeler Mountlake Terrace High School Kayla Wheeler is a leader and role model, says her math teacher, Nancy Paine. “Her ability to grasp new concepts and integrate them into her other classes is in the top 5 percent of the students I’ve had over the last 13 years,” said Paine.

Kayla is active on the school robotics team and the rocketry club. She helps the middle school theater class and is a national competitor on the U.S. Paralympics team.

“She is very creative and curious,” said Paine.

Kayla has a disability, which doesn’t deter her from much. “I don’t let people tell me what I, or other people, can do,” she wrote.

“For example, I’m missing three limbs, but that doesn’t mean I can’t swim.”

Kayla hopes to become a disability rights lawyer, she said, “so I can help change the way others look at people’s difference.”

Strong in math, science, and technology, Paine “highly recommended” Kayla to any university, saying she has both the skills and integrity to succeed.

“Kayla is a truly remarkable individual in so many ways,” her teacher said.

Leonel Reyes Sehome High School Having a diverse society and world helps expand our thinking and knowledge, says Leonel Reyes, a senior at Sehome High School. “Diversity also provides our culture and society with unique and inspirational ideas and perspectives,” he added.

Leonel participates in a community service project called Club de Lectura, in {ORAL cont’d from page 8} cavities, check out a new website called TheMightyMouth.org. The website is part of a campaign by Washington Dental Service Foundation, physicians, fitness experts, dentists, and others to raise awareness about the importance of good oral health and its connection to overall health.

Preventing cavities through smart snacking, brushing, flossing, and regular checkups pays off. Protecting your oral health and your smile will keep you looking younger longer and save you money. It is a proven way to stay healthy and it is right under your nose. 

which he reads to and mentors elementary school children in their native language of Spanish. This in turn helps the younger students become better readers in English.

“Leonel was my most committed tutor, with perfect attendance, and truly a passion for working with these young Hispanic students,” said his teacher Lindsay MacDonald.” He clearly understood that he was making a huge difference in the lives of these children, and brought a joy and focus to his work.”

Leonel is also learning French, has a 3.5 GPA, and is enrolling in AP classes.

He is currently a Running Start student at Bellingham Technical College, where he is working on his prerequisites for entering the surgical tech program.

Leta Ames Sehome High School Leta Ames participates in the Club de Lectura program, helping elementary students by reading to them and helping them with their literacy skills in English and Spanish. She is the “backbone” of the Unified Athletic Teams — uniting special education students with mainstream students.

“She embodies the type of student that I try to foster as a teacher,” said her teacher Lindsay MacDonald. “I can count on her to be a leader for her classmates with an admirable integrity to do her best in all she does.”

Leta discovered the value of diversity through a friend she met in the tutoring program.

“She helped me with my Spanish and I helped her with Biology,” Leta wrote.

“I came to find that despite coming from very different cultural backgrounds, we had a lot in common. We came from very different families and cultures, but we wanted the same things. That is what diversity brings: new perspectives along with common interests.”

Llanteo Okamura Roosevelt High School “Diversity is the key to global consciousness,” writes Llanteo Okamura.

“With the collaboration between people from different cultures and backgrounds, brilliant solutions to complex problems are possible.”

Eugene Edwards, Globalmix Design life coach and personal trainer, calls Llanteo “exceptional.”

“Llanteo has demonstrated outstanding motivation and capacity for learning,” said Edwards. “He is always pleasant and

open to taking initiatives, doing his best with every challenge.”

Monisha Gonzalez Sehome High School “If I were to single out an individual who has totally proven that she is resilient, indomitable, bright, and incapable of being distracted from her goals, it would be Monisha,” says her high school counselor Jeff Smith. “With a vengeance, she has pursued information about colleges, different majors that might be a good fit for her, and how to make sure that she is knowledgeable about financing college.”

Monisha has immersed herself in the world of diversity that differs from most young people — she volunteered at Grancell Village Jewish Nursing Home.

With her peers, she helped form an “Adopt a Grandparent” program.

“I realized many elderly are overlooked,” said Monisha. “All they desire is company, someone to hear their voices. The elderly hold so much history, lessons, and essential life – and their stories and experiences enrich us. Anyone of any culture and age is part of the fabric of life.”

Monisha challenges herself with rigorous courses, plays tennis, and plays in the orchestra. She loves science, and wants to pursue a career in medicine.

Nicola LaGuardia Roosevelt High School Nicola LaGuardia found one particular aspect of diversity almost accidentally — she joined the Unity Club, out of curiosity.

The program unites disabled students with mainstream students in the pursuit of organized sports.

“Until this point, I was unaware that some students did not have the opportunity that I had taken for granted,” she said.

Nicola has been on the Debate team for four years and is its current president.

She has served on the ASR (Associated Students of Roosevelt) for two years, and has been on the Key Club for four years.

She was on the winning Roosevelt Dance team for two years. She’s been the Unity Club president for two years.

Nicola has goals of attending a fouryear college and majoring in chemical engineering. Her goal is to become an engineer.

“In my estimation, her academic abilities and her outstanding personal qualities will make her a valuable member of the university community,” said her high school counselor, Dr. Littlebrave Beaston.

Oscar Mwaba Chief Sealth “Oscar is a natural leader,” said Chief Sealth counselor Jol Raymond. “In the fall of each year, students are surveyed asking three questions: Who do you respect? Who do you admire? Who would you follow if they were leading? Oscar has consistently been listed by his peers in the top five students of our school,” said Raymond.

Oscar was voted president of his freshman and sophomore classes, was selected for the student mentorship program, is a member of the Key Club, and was chosen to be in the school’s academy of finance program. Last year, he was one of five students selected as Student of the Year.

“From what I have learned through my cross-cultural experiences of being both Zambian and American, along with my passion, drive, and compassion, I will strive to enhance the community and college I will be a part of and contribute to building a more diverse, humane, just, and sustainable world,” wrote Oscar.

Rose Yasukochi Holy Names Academy “Being biracial is an interesting experience, mostly because you’re stuck in a constant limbo between two very opposite worlds,” wrote Holy Names Academy senior Rose Yasukochi.

Growing up in a multicultural household, her parents told her she could choose her religion. Her parents were involved with both Buddhism and Judaism. She chose Buddhism and has become involved with the Seattle Buddhist Temple in leadership roles and has gone through training to become a youth minister’s assistant. She also volunteers at Keiro Nursing Home.

“My Buddhist-Jewish background has also helped me achieve a very unique perspective during religion class at my Catholic high school,” said Rose. “I often find myself comparing and contrasting the three religions in my head, which adds a whole new way of learning about them, whether at temple, at home, or at school.”

“During the course of her high school years, Rosie has proven to be an excellent leader, an outstanding student, a dedicated athlete, and a creative artist/musician,” said her college counselor, Alice Tanaka.

“To be diverse requires a certain level of dedication and a hunger to learn,” Rose said, “something I have felt many times.”  Sue Misao can be reached at editor@ nwasianweekly.com.

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

13

For the week of March 15–March 21, 2014

By Sun Lee Chang Rat — If you foresee a conflict, it might make sense to think twice before you decide to engage in the activity in question.

Ox — There are many clues that keep surfacing. The trick will be for you to figure out how it all fits together.

Tiger — Sometimes it takes being away from the people you are fond of to recognize how truly valuable they are to you.

Rabbit — There are some conversations that should be done in person, not over the phone or in an e-mail or over text.

Dragon — If an occasional indulgence becomes a regular habit, it may quickly lose its initial appeal. This is proof that you really can get too much of a good thing.

Snake — Are you worried that you have become too predictable? There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you favor and sticking to those preferences.

Horse — Is extra time a rarity these days? One solution is to schedule in free time in an appointment block to be honored like all your other meetings.

Goat — An attractive option will open up for you shortly, although you might not be convinced immediately that it is the way you should go.

Monkey — You are not quite sold on an idea that was presented to you recently. Your skepticism should not overshadow the potential for growth that it represents.

Rooster — Have you been out of the loop for so long that you don’t know how to get back in? You dropped out for a reason, which may still exist.

Dog — Stuck in a rut that you are not quite sure how to get out of? Make the right move, not just a change for change’s sake.

Pig — Your partner may be more inclined to meet you halfway if you do likewise as a show of good faith.

What’s your animal sign?

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

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

{SOTOMAYOR cont’d from page 1} her memoir, “My Beloved World,” in which she details her journey from housing projects in the Bronx to the nation’s highest court.

Greeted by a standing ovation, she stepped onstage, captivating the crowd by her largerthan-life presence, but quickly made them feel at home with her kindred spirit and candid humor.

The event was moderated by author Eric Liu, who posed questions from both himself and the audience. In her answers, Justice Sotomayor touched on several overarching themes that resonated throughout the night.

In her memoir, Justice Sotomayor opens up about her childhood — her admiration for her grandmother, or abuelita, the frequent fighting between her mother, a nurse, and her alcoholic father, and the fear that set in when she was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes at the age of 7.

Hardships at home prompted the young Sotomayor to learn how to take care of herself, from cleaning the house every day to learning to administer her own insulin shot. She said she felt the need to share her upbringing with others because it defines who she is today.

“Ultimately, I had to rely on me to survive, but I couldn’t do it alone,” she said. Justice Sotomayor, who is the child of Puerto Rican

immigrants, emphasized that she would not be where she is today without the support of her extended family network. “Nobody has to do it alone … if you forget how much you need others to be successful, then you’re going to limit your success,” she said.

Although Justice Sotomayor has achieved what many would consider the pinnacle of any legal career — attaining a seat on the highest court in the land — she refuses to let her success stop her from seeking help when she needs it.

“Mentors are terribly important in life,” she said. Even as a Supreme Court Justice, she still looks to other people for help. She closely watches her fellow justices carry about their duties, she said, such as how they structure their legal opinions, in order to keep improving her own work.

“I have spent my life never being afraid of saying “I don’t know,” said Justice Sotomayor.

“There is no shame in not knowing. There should be shame in not asking,” she said.

Justice Sotomayor added that success is not the absence of failure; rather, it is the constant pursuit of the truth.

“Failure is such a wonderful teacher … not just about others, but about ourselves.”

Justice Sotomayor admitted that she is a very competitive person, but only against herself.

“When you’re trying to meet someone else’s expectations, someone else’s goals, that is when it’s disruptive,” she said.

Justice Sotomayor said that the lessons in her book go beyond issues of gender, race, and class, and that people from around the world could relate to her life story.

“It is not gender, it is not race, it is not ethnicity… it is about … the human condition.

How do you improve yourself when you do not have a game plan in hand? You don’t escape your background. You have to embrace it,” she said. “My story is your story.”

Justice Sotomayor said that each person should ask, “What issue in this world bothers me?” and “What is it I’m doing to better my world?” She believes that if everybody did this and acted on it, we would create a “tsunami of change.”

When asked whether women in our society can “have it all” in regards to achieving both a fulfilling family life and a successful career, Justice Sotomayor said that she believes the conversation is wrong and that our nation should reframe the question. She said that the better inquiry is, “Can I do what is meaningful for me in a way that really balances my different desires?”

She said that stay-at-home mothers and fathers should not feel guilty about their decision to care for their children at home.

Similarly, parents who work outside of the home should not feel guilty about their decisions.

Justice Sotomayor said that she wants men and women to have the freedom to choose what is right for themselves and their families, “and not worry about people judging them.”

When asked what should be done to encourage more minorities to serve as judges, Justice Sotomayor said that higher pay offers one solution.

“Pay more money,” she said. “You have to make wanting to do this more attractive,” she said.

Justice Sotomayor said that courts are paying so poorly that many minorities cannot afford to accept a judicial position while supporting a family.

The night ended with a charming question by an 8-year-old girl who asked Justice Sotomayor what she would wish for if she could “wave a magic wand.”

“If I could wave a magic wand, I would wish every child could have the same quality of education,” said Justice Sotomayor.

“I think learning, being curious about the world, is the most important thing in life,” she said.  Evangeline Cafe can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

KING COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ADVERTISEMENT King County is requesting Proposals from qualified firms interested in providing design services for the replacement of the Lower Russell Road levee and revetment with a new flood protection system along the right (east) bank of the Green River between river mile 17.85 (S 212th St) and river mile 19.25 (Veterans Drive [formerly S 231st St]/228th St) in the City of Kent.

The Request for Proposals, all addenda and current document holder’s list are available on the internet at http://www.kingcounty.gov/procurement.

The County will not mail, ship or fax RFPs and addenda.

Interested firms must register with the County at time of download and ensure that a valid contact email address is given. Notification of addenda will be sent to the registered email address. Failure to register will result in the Proposer not being notified of any addenda, which may result in rejection of the proposal.

The estimated price of Phase I of this contract is $700,000 or $750,000. The total estimated price of all phases is $900,000 or $1,000,000. The period of performance for Phase I is estimated to be eleven (11) months. The period of performance

for Phase 2 is June 2015 to April 2016. The period of performance for Phase 3 is May 2016 to construction contract closure in 2017.

Contract Title: Design Services for the Lower Russell Road Levee Setback Project Number: E00325E14 Proposals due: April 10, 2014 Time: 5:00 p.m.

Pre-proposal Meeting: March 26, 2014 Time: 11:00 a.m.

Location: King Street Center, 201 South Jackson, 6th Floor Conference Rooms Chinook (603) and King (604), Seattle, WA SUMMARY OF WORK: The Consultant will provide preliminary design, final design and services during construction for the Project. The primary project goal is to replace the existing flood containment system of the levee and revetments with a new flood protection system designed to current engineering standards and improve riparian and aquatic habitat.

SUBCONSULTANT OPPORTUNITIES: Provided for informational purposes only, following are subconsulting opportunities that may be available on this Contract: geotechnical engineering,

hydraulic engineering, civil engineering, ecology, surveying, structural engineering and transportation engineering SCS UTILIZATION REQUIREMENTS: The Consultant shall ensure that at least 15% of the Contract Price for all Work, as amended, shall be performed by King County Certified SCS Firms over the life of the Contract. Evaluation points for meeting and/or exceeding the SCS utilization requirements will be provided to each proposer responding to this requirement. King County will not evaluate the proposal and will not execute a contract with a Proposer who does not commit to meet at least the SCS utilization requirement as stated above.

QUESTIONS: Questions concerning this solicitation should be directed to Ken Curl, Contract Specialist at 206-263-9322, TTY Relay: 711. The Proposer may be requested to submit the question in writing. No verbal answers by County personnel will be binding on the County.

This information is available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities upon advance request by calling 206-263-9400, TTY Relay: 711.

asianweekly northwest

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MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

Upcoming event — Rising Stars: Young Female Professionals Making a Difference Visit for more info: womenofcolorempowered.c om {RETIREMENT cont’d from page 5} This year, the residents wanted to change things up by focusing for 12 months on a single topic. They chose Asia and Asian culture for a variety of reasons, said Lakeshore public relations manager Nicole Francois, including interest in their diverse neighborhood and a growing Asian American population. About 27 percent of Lakeshore residents are Asian American.

“They want to expand their knowledge of Asian traditions, cultures, and cuisine — the food part has been especially popular so far,” said Francois.

The residents are interested in revisiting different periods in history, ranging from more than 1,000 years ago to recent events. They are learning about political structures in Asian countries, especially China because it is such a big and controversial trading partner of the United States.

This year, all three of the community’s professionally curated art exhibits (which are open to all and free to attend) are Asia-focused. The first is literati (sumi-e | shui mo hua), centered on the traditional Japanese and Chinese ink painting technique. Literati painting is associated with the highest levels of art education.

The second will be a cut wood exhibit focusing on Southeast Asian art from Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The third exhibit will celebrate the Asian American experience with well-known local artists. In addition, Lakeshore elders will partake in a Chanoyu

ceremony, Ikebana lessons, history presentations, Sanshin and Koto concerts.

“Delving into a whole year of Asian-themed art presents rich rewards for the residents of The Lakeshore, our neighbors, and the people who work here,” said June Sekiguchi, Era Living art curator.

“The art we are showcasing this year tells stories of the Asian experience in China, Japan, and Korea, as well as in Southeast Asia. Our final exhibit focuses on the Asian American experience in the Pacific Northwest.

There is much to discover through these works of art.”

In addition, the Lakeshore dining staff at has been preparing recipes from Asian regions, often working with local chefs. They hosted a traditional Chinese buffet for Lunar New Year. The staff has also planned several outings, such as shopping at Uwajimaya and visiting the Wing Luke and Seattle Asian Art museums.

“We want to immerse ourselves in the wisdom and the beauty of Asian cultures,” said Susanne Rossi, Lakeshore executive director. “The purpose of this study is to widen our perspective, share experiences that result in deeper and lasting relationships, and enjoy our neighbors even more because we have gained knowledge of some of the many cultures that surround our home.”  Marino Saito can nwasianweekly.com.

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{SPORTS cont’d from page 9} badminton world championships, most recently in the 2012 London Olympics. Like other aerobic sports, badminton has numerous benefits to the body and mind. It increases longevity, lowers cholesterol level, reduces the risk of heart disease, and prevents osteoporosis and breast cancer, among others.

Ping Pong Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is another popular sport.

Like badminton, table tennis was developed by British colonizers in India, who brought the sport back home. A seemingly simple exercise of hitting a lightweight ball back and forth on a 9-foot table, table tennis can be a very intense. It’s a fast-paced sport that trains one’s reflexes and eye-hand coordination. The minimal risk of injury from playing table tennis is a bonus.

Sepak Takraw Sepak takraw is a sport unique to Malaysia and Thailand.

“Sepak” is a Malay word for kick and “takraw” means a rattan ball in Thai. Conveniently, “sepak takraw” means to kick a ball. It’s also known as kick volleyball. When it was first invented, it was not a competitive sport. Rather, it was meant for the display of one’s lower-body strength and skills. Now, it is one of the most popular sports in Southeast Asia. Several Southeast Asian countries are currently lobbying for sepak takraw — which has been labeled as “a flying spin-kick version of volleyball” — to be added to the Olympics.

Belly Dancing Dancing is a fun way to exercise for those who are discouraged by competitive sports. Belly dancing has a long history in the Middle East, where it is not only regarded as a social dance, but also an art. The hip lifts and drops, shimmies, and hip twists have more benefits than one could have thought. It does wonders for one’s posture by toning the lower back and hip muscles. In the long term, belly dancing even helps strengthen the muscles used during childbirth.  Alia Marsha can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Have a story idea that you think would fit perfectly in Northwest Asian Weekly? We want to know about it.

Send it to us at info@nwasianweekly.c om.

For more information about Watanabe, visit www. louiswatanabe.com.

P

ramila Jayapal announced her candidacy on March 10. Founder and executive director for more than a decade at the immigrant rights group OneAmerica, Jayapal currently works on the national stage with the Center for Community Change on issues of race and economic opportunity, while also leading a national campaign on women and immigration. She has been deeply involved in local issues of police reform and economic justice issues.

Jayapal is currently serving as a co-chair of the committee to select a new Seattle police chief and a part of the mayor’s committee on income inequality. She is also a longtime neighborhood activist.

After nearly two decades of involvement in local issues, Jayapal said she decided to run for the seat after watching many national issues become more and more localized.

{ICHS cont’d from page 7}

{GRIT cont’d from page 3}

time,” she said.

To’s three children, Amos, 18, Ethan, 16, and Ivan, 10, have been ICHS patients since they were born. “I’ve been going to ICHS for 19 years,” she said. “The service is nice and I like the doctor. It helps the Asian community. There are lots of Asians in Bellevue, but they can’t make it over because of the distance and because they work. It will be great to have ICHS in Bellevue.”

ICHS is also building a clinic in Shoreline’s Aurora corridor, slated to open in August.

During the economic downturn in recent years, ICHS found itself struggling to cope with the ongoing health care needs of an expanding patient base at the same time that the state was cutting back its funding support. “We faced a rough lean patch for a few years,” said Batayola. “With a little bit of breathing room, we’re now starting to look a little further into the future at how we might appropriately respond to health care needs in low-income and immigrant communities outside Seattle in light of what’s happening more broadly under the Affordable Care Act.” ICHS, first established by Asian American graduate students as a free community clinic to serve Filipino and Chinese elderly immigrants in the International District, is the largest health care provider for Asian Pacific Americans in Washington state. ICHS serves over 20,000 individuals annually, the majority of whom speak limited English. It currently operates health centers in the International District, Holly Park, and Seattle World School. ICHS also runs a weekly primary care clinic at Asian Counseling and Referral Service.

The Sheng-Yen Lu Foundation awarded ICHS with a $100,000 grant to help pay for construction of the Bellevue clinic. In addition, ICHS received a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant from the City of Bellevue. “This is a significant commitment, demonstrating strong community support for this project,” said Batayola. “We are grateful to have the support of our partners who share our vision of making health care accessible to everyone who needs it.” 

returned to Seattle, after being incarcerated in Minidoka, and purchased the Astor Hotel and Nippon Kan. They were important stewards for this community touchstone, before it was purchased by and rehabilitated

by Edward Burke.

“The exhibition also gives name to other Asian Pacific Americans which history has overlooked — from Japanese American crews working the Great Northern Railroad in the North Cascades, who were killed in the famous Wellington avalanche, to Chinese American cooks at the Port Gamble lumber mill.” 

Ron Chew is Foundation Director at ICHS.

“So much is happening at the local and state level,” she said, “such as the Dream Act, voting rights, civil liberties, income inequality, and housing.”

Jayapal welcomes the candidacy of Louis Watanabe, whom she said she really likes and respects.

“We will be a better democracy, we will have better policies, and we will have a more equitable and just society if more people are engaged,” she said. “The 37th District is an amazing place to do that work.”

Jayapal enters the race with a diverse array of early endorsers, including Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, former County Executive Ron Sims, County Council member Larry Gossett, and City Council members Sally Clark, Mike O’Brien, Tim Burgess, and Tom Rasmussen.

“I am excited to seek solutions on the many challenges facing our communities, our city, and our state in a new role as State Senator,” said Jayapal, who is making her first run at elected office. “Families and working people across this district are struggling. I want to bring their voices and priorities to the State Senate, and build a district and a movement that includes every single family in this district working together for real solutions that create a beloved community.”

Born in India, Jayapal is the author of the book “Pilgrimage to India: A Woman Revisits Her Homeland” and many articles in varied publications, including The Nation, Politico, Reuters.com, The Seattle Times, and Crosscut. She has worked for over 20 years in international and domestic social justice, including for the Seattlebased international health organization, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH).

Jayapal also worked in the private sector, on Wall Street, and in the medical equipment industry before deciding to work in the nonprofit world. She earned an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University, and a BA from Georgetown University.

The 37th District comprises Rainier Valley, Rainier Beach, Columbia City, North Beacon Hill, Mt. Baker, Leschi, Madrona, Skyway, and part of Beacon Hill and Renton.

It had been a general assumption by some that one of the district’s representatives, Sharon Tomiko Santos or Eric Pettigrew, might run for the vacant senate seat, but as of March 11 neither had joined the race.  For more information about Jayapal, see www.

ElectPramila.com.

Nina Huang can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

Sue Misao can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly. com.

Photo Credit: The Oregonian

zanar and Tule Lake internment camps has deeply influenced him.

“They lived behind barbed wire… from that experience, they wanted a better life for their children. Hard work and good education would open doors to good opportunities,” Watanabe explained.

Watanabe explained his parents’ situation with the Japanese proverb, “Fall seven times and stand up eight.”

“I am a person who is committed to finding a better way to break social economic barriers,” he continued.

Watanabe was also inspired by Congressman John Lewis, who worked in civil rights along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Watanabe’s first mentor was his mother. “She learned to play the guitar, so we could do sing-alongs,” Watanabe said.

His mother also taught Watanabe how to cook, which came in handy when he was often the first one home to prepare dinner for his parents, brother, and sister.

Watanabe founded Dynamical Systems Research, Microsoft’s first acquisition. But after 18 years in the engineering and software industry, he decided it was time for a change.

He got his first exposure to the educational system as a community volunteer, helping his friend Leslie Leung critique student projects. After that, Leung asked him if he wanted to teach. Watanabe started teaching in April of 2002, and he quickly learned that teaching was not easy.

“It’s like the first of anything,” he said. “The first year was the hardest I’ve ever had. I had a certain idea of what it was to be a teacher. To teach is to learn twice.

“Once I got the notion that it was about the students — it changes the mindset about how you deliver the material,” he said.

During his first year, Watanabe didn’t always have the answers to his students’ questions, but he got better at it, and got a sense of what students really need.

For example, lectures used to work well for Watanabe in college, but when he gave a few talks on financial statements and his students still didn’t understand, Watanabe knew he had to change something. He eventually turned the material into a worksheet as a homework assignment, and then the students worked through it and discussed as a group to understand it better.

He taught business and statistics to a wide range of students for nine years at Bellevue College. He also served as business counselor at the Bellevue Entrepreneur Center helping small businesses get off the ground.

Aside from his work, Watanabe said that people would be surprised to learn that he and his wife used to teach foxtrot swing, and that he is a big fan of deep-sea fishing

and the game of chess.

In addition to his teaching experiences, Watanabe has been very involved in the community. Watanabe dedicated his time and leadership to the Bellevue College Foundation, National Education Association, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, the UW Consulting and Business Development Center, the National Association of Asian American Professionals, and the Japanese American Citizens League.

Watanabe wants to help people realize their dreams in the three issues of his platform, which is public education, social economic justice, and small businesses.

“I am passionate about people reaching their full potential,” he said, adding that the best way to ensure that is with a “great education to realize that potential and be prepared for the 21st century. It’s all an educational process.

“I’m an organizer, negotiator, and a mediator. As a founder of a company, I know what it takes to start a business and I want to bring my experience to work for things that matter to people,” he added.

Watanabe believes there is great potential in the community, and he wants to help attract the right kinds of companies to the area because it’s important to have the ideal opportunities right in the neighborhood.

“There is a big opportunity to take what’s already been invested in the neighborhood to do the things necessary to make it the real benefit of the 37th Legislative District,” he said.

Watanabe said he welcomes Jayapal’s entrance into the race. “The 37th Legislative District is a diverse district,” he said, “so having substantive talks about many issues is a great thing.

Lung On in frontier town John Day, Oregon, where he opened the mercantile store Kam Wah Chung in partnership with Ing Hay. On would eventually start the first car dealership east of the Oregon Cascades.

The “Grit” exhibit runs through Oct. 19 at the Wing Luke Museum of The Asian Pacific American Experience, located at 719 South King St. in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District. For prices and hours of operation, call 206-623-5124 or visit www.wingluke. org.

Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

Thank you for recycling this newspaper!

15

Fiddler Charley Kahana in 1930.

Kahana, a member of the Lummi Tribal Nation, won several local fiddling contests.

Yuriko Kitamoto (left) and Elaulio Aquino (right). Aquino and his cousin Felix Narte looked after the Kitamoto property and home while the Kitamotos were incarcerated during World War II.

Photo courtesy Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial

{WATANABE & JAYAPAL cont’d from page 1}

MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014

Photo courtesy Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Yuriko

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

asianweekly northwest

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MARCH 15 – MARCH 21, 2014