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VOL 33 NO 21
MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Photo by Dept. of Labor/Shawn T. Moore
U.S. inducts Chinese railroad workers into Labor Hall of Honor
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Christopher P. Lu, former Secretary of Commerce and Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, and U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez attended the induction ceremony.
This month marks the 145th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad. On May 9, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez formally inducted into the Labor Hall of Honor about 12,000 Chinese immigrant laborers who worked on the Central Pacific Railroad between 1865 and 1869. They are the first Asian Americans to receive such a tribute since the establishment of the Hall of Honor in 1988. Joining Perez in the ceremony at the César E.
SIFF Asian films at the festival » P.8
Diane Sugimura: 35 years of planning for Seattle By Irfan Shariff Northwest Asian Weekly One could consider Diane Sugimura as the woman behind Seattle’s skyline. She is the city’s director of planning and development and leads the 300-plus employees of the city’s department. Last year, she celebrated over 35 years of service to the city. “I tried to surprise her,” said Bonita Chinn, Sugimura’s administrative assistant. “I called the Mayor’s (McGinn) Office and asked if he could make a special appearance.” Chinn has worked with Sugimura for 10 years, but has known her for almost 30 years.
Diane Sugimura
Sugimura has been department director under three different {see SUGIMURA cont’d on page 15}
Grand opening of Astoria garden honors Chinese pioneers
Chávez Memorial Auditorium in Washington D.C. were U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Christopher P. Lu, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Portia Wu, Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Patricia A. Shiu, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, former Secretary of Commerce and Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, {see CHINESE WORKERS cont’d on page 15}
Photo by Greg Nokes
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
These 12 ‘Rising Stars’ shine
From left: Sahar Fathi, Rebecca Saldana, Courtney Gregoire, Mia Gregerson, Annya Pintak, Seiko Yamashita, Monisha Harrell, Andrea Cortes-Beltran, Mavis Orr, Sara E. Asatiani, Tera Beach, and Erica Buckley
By Nina Huang Northwest Asian Weekly Twelve “rising stars” were honored for their work
and contributions to the community on Friday, May 2. The young female professionals who are making {see WOC cont’d on page 11}
A worker installs a sign at the Garden of Surging Waves. Nearby is the Moon Gate, which contains a series of hand-hammered bronze panels depicting traditional Chinese landscape paintings of villagers nestled within mountains, streams, and clouds.
“For whatever reason, the true history of the many contributions from Chinese pioneers was not properly included in Astoria’s history,” said Astoria Mayor Willis
L. Van Dusen. That officially ends when the Garden of Surging {see ASTORIA cont’d on page 13}
The Inside Story NAMES People in the news » P. 2
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COMMUNITY New cherry trees at UW » P. 6
WORLD Environmental protests in Vietnam » P. 7
SPORTS The Layup Drill » P. 9
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India Ambassador visits Seattle
to remodel five schools and build a new middle school,” according to The Olympian. “All of those things added up to job security for Superintendent Raj Manhas.” The superintendent’s contract now runs through June 30, 2017. Manhas’ annual salary is $185,668, plus expenses.
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
Photo courtesy of Ravi Khanna
Tea with the First Gentleman
Dr. S. Jaishankar speaking to members of the Indo-American Friendship Forum near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Bellevue Library.
Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ambassador of India, attended a dinner at the Hyatt at Olive 8 in Seattle on May 6, hosted by the Indo-American Friendship Forum. During his visit, the ambassador visited Boeing, Amazon, Starbucks, and Microsoft, and met with Governor Inslee, other business and cultural groups, and visited the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Bellevue. The ambassador was accompanied by Consul General Mr. Parthasarthy, Deputy Consul General Dr. Srinivasa, First Secretary Mr. Yadav, Minister Commerce Ms. Sandhu, and Minister Political Mr. Dalela.
Manhas is distinguished leader Raj Manhas, superintendent of North Thurston Public Schools, was one of three honorees at the 2014 Distinguished Leader Awards hosted by Leadership Thurston County on Feb. 26. Recently, he his three-year contract extension was approved by the school board. Manhas was superintendent of Seattle Schools from 2003 to 2006. “Student test scores are Raj Manhas improving, graduation rates are strong, and voters in North Thurston Public Schools recently approved a 20-year, $175 million bond measure
Michael Shiosaki and the hostess bow during the tea ceremony.
potential for success in rigorous college studies.” Bencivengo’s interest is in the field of playwriting, and Martin-Chen listed her likely career field as international relations.
Sounder fans are good luck Photo provided by Sue Anderson
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS
“Women in the Suite” included Debbie Bird, Justice Bobbe Bridge, Senator Claudia Kauffman, Carolyn Kelly, Judge Anne Levinson, Tomoko Moriguchi Matsuno, Diane Narasaki, Assunta Ng, Mary Pugh, Dr. Constance Rice, Tracey Thompson, Dr. Jill Wakefield, Sue Anderson, and others.
Mayor Ed Murray and First Gentleman Michael Shiosaki were hosted by the Nikkei Community Network in a “Meet & Greet” tea ceremony on May 12 at the Nagomi Tea House in Seattle. Shiosaki is a Sansei born in Spokane.
Two earn National Merit awards Tara I. MartinChen, from Garfield High School, and Anthony L. Bencivengo, from Nathan Hale High School, have each been awarded Tara I. Martin-Chen Anthony Bencivengo $2,500 National Merit Scholarships. The two students join about 2,500 distinguished high school seniors who were chosen from more than 15,000 finalists nationwide. These scholarship winners, selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, distinguished themselves as having “the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and
Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW
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MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
From left: Lisa Quinn, Avery Quinn, Roger Levesque, Sue Anderson, and Jane Nishita.
On April 26, Sue Anderson of CenturyLink organized the first ever “All Women in the Suite” at a Seattle Sounders match. Former Sounder Roger Levesque stopped by the suite for a visit. Apparently, the women were good luck because the Sounders beat the Colorado Rapids 4–1.
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
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MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
■ briefly
Photo courtesy of E@E
Group brings water to Chinese, American remote Tibetan village museums swap shows
Education at Elevation will present “Make a Splash,” a fundraiser for underprivileged children living in the mountains of Tibet.
To spread awareness of the urgent need for running water on the Tibetan Plateau, Education at Elevation (E@E) will present a fundraiser for underprivileged children living in the mountains of Kham, Tibet (Sichuan, China) on May 17, at 7 p.m. at Om Culture, located at 2210 N. Pacific St. in Seattle. Called “Make a Splash: Bringing Running Water on the Tibetan Plateau,” the charity event will include a TibetanIndian feast and an auction featuring blown glass artwork, jewelry, and more. The evening will also feature live music by Tony Smiley, who will perform his unique blend of original soul-infused songs, contemporary rock, hip-hop, and creative cover mash-ups.
“This event is going to help to provide support, while also increasing awareness of the need for functioning water systems on the Tibetan Plateau,” said Wendy Wong, founder of Education at Elevation. Wong was recently honored as one of the 2014 Unsung Heroes of Compassion. “The water system will greatly improve the health of the students and those in the nomad community, many of whom suffer from respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses that could be prevented through easy access to water and good hand washing.” The remote community is a five-hour drive to the nearest medical clinic, when the mountain road is clear. Education at Elevation has spent several years collecting data regarding weather, temperature, and ice formation in the Kham, Tibet region, and has worked with water experts to ensure the project will successfully provide a sustainable water supply throughout the year.
A delegation of 80 Chinese museum leaders will meet with their American counterparts at the American Alliance of Museums’ Annual Meeting in Seattle from May 18 through May 21 to strike deals on specific exhibitions that can travel between the two countries. China|Connect, a program sponsored by AAM, is dedicated to traveling exhibitions to and from China and building global partnerships. Each year, leading Chinese museum professionals meet with American colleagues to exchange ideas on best practices in exhibition, education, and management. More than 20 Chinese museums of art, cultural heritage, and science will attend this year’s China|Connect program, representing Beijing, Shanghai, and
Tickets for the event are $45, available at brownpapertickets.com/event/625903.
Seattle police say a 62-year-old man suffered stab wounds on Thursday, May 8, during a 12:50 p.m. machete attack at Seventh Avenue S. and S. Main Street, an intersection on the north edge of the International District. Police said they failed to find anyone fitting bystanders’ description of the suspect. The attacker was said to have been carrying a machete with a silver blade and a decorative red handle. The police said the victim was uncooperative and provided no
For more information, EducationatElevation.org, Michele Thomson at educationatelevation.org.
visit www. or contact mthomson@
Vietnam War era honored The Nisei Veterans Committee Foundation will host a Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran program on Saturday, May 17, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at NVC Memorial Hall, located at 1212 South King Street in Seattle. All Vietnam War era veterans, family members, and friends are invited to attend. The program will recognize and honor
all those who served in the armed forces during the American war in Vietnam. Special guest speaker will be Vincent H. Okamoto, a decorated Vietnam veteran, judge, and author. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Keith Yamaguchi at 206-390-1253 or k.yama1948@gmail.com.
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other major cities across China. One of them, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, will be looking for American venues for a groundbreaking exhibition it has organized featuring 70 contemporary artists from all around the world. China|Connect will premiere the show at its Exhibition Marketplace in Seattle, a program it created to encourage museums to work together. “America is pivoting to Asia — economically, geopolitically, and culturally,” said AAM president Ford W. Bell. “Museums are likewise intent on forging stronger ties with our counterparts in Asia. This will be an essential vehicle in creating similar collaborations, which in turn will foster greater understanding across our two cultures.”
Machete attack in the ID information about the attack. The man suffered no life-threatening injuries, but had serious wounds to the shoulder and abdomen. According to a report by SPD officer Patrick Michaud, the victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center for further treatment. Witnesses described the suspect as a black male, 6’ to 6’2 tall, short hair, clean shaven, and wearing a long sleeve beige shirt and dark pants. Anyone with more information is asked to call 911.
Tomiko Santos to talk The first Nikkei woman elected to the Washington State legislature, Sharon Tomiko Santos, will be the featured speaker at the May 16 Omoide program conducted by the Sharon Tomiko Santos Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington. Santos was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998 from the 37th District. She grew up in Seattle and graduated from Franklin High School. Her parents were well known, and her father was pastor of the Blaine United Methodist Church.
Rep. Santos holds a bachelor of arts from The Evergreen State College, and a master of arts from Northeastern University. She is a recognized leader in education, and currently is heading a legislative review of the Japanese American experience and its impact on American civil liberties and how it is included in school text books. The public is invited to the program, which is part of a monthly series, at the center, 1414 S. Weller Street in Seattle, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The first hour is devoted to the writers’ workshop, designed to encourage people to write their family histories and record them for future generations. Rep. Santos’ presentation will begin at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call 206-568-7114.
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ world news
A South Korean man convicted in March of facilitating the illegal entry of South Korean nationals into the United States was deported May 12 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations. Sung Hoon Ha, 30, formerly of Tacoma, pleaded guilty in December 2013 to encouraging and inducing an alien to unlawfully enter the United States, following an investigation by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations. Ha was sentenced to 137 days’ time served and two years’ supervised release. He was placed into removal proceedings and held at the Northwest Detention Center until his deportation. According to court documents in March of last year, Homeland Security special agents tailed two illegal aliens to Sea-Tac Airport. Both had crossed into the United States illegally from Canada near Blaine. At the airport, agents watched as Ha met with the aliens and collected about $8,000 in smuggling fees. After Ha left the area, investigators detained and interviewed the smuggled illegal aliens, and one of them
Photo courtesy of ICE
South Korean man deported for human smuggling
Convicted human smuggler Sung Hoon Ha, 30, formerly of Tacoma, is seen here in a Homeland Security Investigations surveillance photo in the parking lot of the Tulalip Casino on the day of his arrest.
told the agents she was bound for Texas to work in the commercial sex trade. The investigation culminated with Ha’s August 2013 arrest in the parking lot of the Tulalip Casino in Marysville. He was there to collect his smuggling fee from a South Korean woman who he had helped smuggle into United States. The woman was taken to the casino after she illegally crossed the border near Blaine. In the parking lot, she met up with Ha and both were arrested. Investigators later learned the South Korean woman had been previously deported and had a history of sex-work related crimes.
MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
■ national news
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U.S. will allow some high-skilled immigrant spouses work in country By Alicia A. Caldwell WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration wants to allow some spouses of high-skilled immigrants to work in the United States, the departments of Homeland Security and Commerce announced last week. The rule change would affect spouses of as many as 100,000 holders of H-1B highskilled visas. “The proposals announced today will encourage highly skilled, specially trained individuals to remain in the United States and continue to support U.S. businesses and the growth of the U.S. economy,” said Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said the rule change would help the U.S. attract and keep “world-class talent” working in the United States.
The new rule is the latest in a series of administrative actions President Obama has announced as efforts to win broad immigration reform in Congress. Immigration advocates have been pushing Obama to make substantive changes to immigration laws, including halting all deportations until and unless Congress acts on a comprehensive immigration bill. The rule proposed on April 6 would not impact deportations, but could at least partially satisfy requests from the tech industry for the government to make it easier to attract and keep foreign workers trained in science, technology, engineering, and math. The H-1B visas for high-skilled workers are among the most sought-after by hightech firms. Earlier this year, the 85,000 H-1B visas available for 2015 were gobbled up in just a week. The same thing happened last year.
‘Troubling’ reports of schools make it tough to enroll immigrants By Kimberly Hefling Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) – Despite a 32-yearold court ruling, school districts continue to raise barriers to enrollment for children brought into the United States illegally, the Obama administration said last week, characterizing reports of hindrances as troubling. The Justice Department and Education Department issued new guidance reminding schools and districts that they have a legal obligation to enroll every student regardless of immigration status.
The guidance says schools should be flexible in deciding which documents they will accept to prove a student’s age or residency. The guidance also reminds them not to ask about a student’s immigration status or require documents, such as a driver’s license, if that would prevent a student from enrolling because of a parent’s immigration status. The Education Department said it had received 17 complaints involving 14 schools or districts for possible violations {see SCHOOLS cont’d on page 14}
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MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR THU 5/15 WHAT: CAPAA 40th anniversary with dinner, speakers, entertainment WHERE: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 17338 International Blvd., SeaTac WHEN: 5:30 p.m. RSVP by 5/2: 360-725-5667, amy. van@capaa.wa.gov
FRI 5/16 WHAT: Music 4 Life “Awareness Concert” with headliner David Choi WHERE: Kane Hall, 130 UW campus WHEN: 7–9:30 p.m. COST: $12–$30 INFO: 206-856-7289
FRI 5/16 & SAT 5/17 WHAT: Comedian Ed Hill performs with the North Northwest Comedy Jam WHERE: Eclectic Theater, 1214
10th Ave., Seattle WHEN: 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. COST: $10–$12 INFO: 206-679-3271
SAT 5/17 WHAT: Author Kazu Kibuishi reads from the Amulet Series WHERE: King County Library, Bellevue branch, 1111 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue WHEN: 2 p.m. COST: Free INFO: 206-634-3400, www. ubookstore.com WHAT: “Deco Day” explores Deco style in Japanese, European, and American forms, architecture, and anime WHERE: Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle WHEN: 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. COST: $13–$18 INFO: 206-654-3100
■ briefly
Sakura: Celebrating the gift of cherry trees at the University of Washington
A gift to the University of Washington (UW) from the people of Japan, 18 flowering cherry trees, will be dedicated in a ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, at 11 a.m., just south of the Drumheller Fountain on the lawn of Rainier Vista. UW President Michael K. Young, Japanese Consul General Masahiro Omura, and the Honorable Norman Mineta will be speaking in the dedication, emceed by Dr. Jeffrey Riedinger, the UW Vice Provost of Global Affairs. In Japan, cherry blossoms, or sakura, symbolize both the beauty and transience of life. At the University of Washington, flowering cherry trees have become a lasting symbol of the university and history of relations between the UW and Japan. The history of cherry trees at the UW campus reaches back to 1909 and the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, where Japan was one of only two countries (the other was Canada) to erect entire buildings. In 1912, the mayor of Tokyo donated 3,000 flowering cherry trees of the Yoshino variety to Washington, D.C. Two decades later, the UW bought 34 Yoshino cherry trees that were planted in the Washington Park Arboretum. Thirty-one of these trees were moved from the arboretum to the central campus of the UW in the 1960. The gift of cherry trees also symbolizes the 120-year history of Japanese and Japanese American students at the university, including eras of discrimination and exclusion. The public is invited to the dedication ceremony. In addition to the 18 trees planted on Rainier Vista in the central UW campus, 14 additional donated trees are being dedicated and planted on Azalea Way and in the courtyard of the Japanese Garden of the Arboretum. The gift comes to the UW Department of American Ethnic Studies and the university through the Japan Commerce Association of Washington, D.C. For information, call the UW Department of American Ethnic Studies at 206-543-5401.
WHAT: Family Fun Day WHERE: Wing Luke, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 1-3 p.m. COST: Free WHAT: Book Reading, “Maliha Masood reads from her book Dizzy in Karachi” WHERE: Wing Luke, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 4 p.m. COST: Free WHAT: Seattle Center Festál – A Glimpse of China: Chinese Culture & Arts Festival WHERE: Seattle Center Armory WHEN: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., COST: Free INFO: chinaartandculture.org or 206-684-7200
SUN 5/18 WHAT: Seattle Symphony to Give Free Community Concerts WHERE: Seattle Center’s Fisher
Pavilion WHEN: 2 p.m. INFO: www.seattlesymphony. org/soundbridge/browse
Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way N.E. WHEN: 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. COST: Free INFO: 206-322-8337
THU 5/22
WHAT: Screening and discussion with filmmaker of “Stateless” documentary on stateless Vietnamese who lived in the Philippines and came to the United States after 2005 WHERE: UW Ethnic Cultural Center Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., Seattle WHEN: 7 p.m. COST: Free INFO: 206-543-4635
WHAT: Celebration of “2014 Odegaard Award Denny Hurtado” WHERE: UW Seattle Campus, Husky Union Building (HUB) Ballroom WHEN: reception at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., celebration at 6:30 p.m. INFO: www.omadevents.uw.edu/ celebration, 206-221-0680, rchristi@uw.edu
FRI 5/23 WHAT: Music, meditation, spiritual discourse and personal blessings with AMMA Amritanandamayi, humanitarian and spiritual leader WHERE: Hyatt Regency
FRI 5/23 THRU MON 5/26 WHAT: 43rd Annual Northwest Folklife Festival WHERE: Seattle Center INFO: nwfolklife.org/festival
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
■ WORLD NEWS
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Vietnam allows anti-China protest over oil rig in Paracel Islands
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) – Vietnam allowed several hundred demonstrators to stage a noisy rally outside the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi on May 11 against Beijing’s deployment of an oil rig in the contested South China Sea that has triggered a tense standoff and raised fears of confrontation. The country’s authoritarian leaders keep a very tight grip on public gatherings for fear they could attract anti-government protesters. This time, they appeared to give in to public anger that also provided them with the opportunity to register their own indignation at Beijing. Other protests, including one drawing more than 1,000 people in Ho Chi Minh City, took place in other locations around the country. For the first time, they were reported on enthusiastically by the state media. The government has in the past forcibly broken up anti-China protests and arrested their leaders, many of whom are also campaigning for greater political freedoms and human rights. “We are infuriated by the Chinese actions,” said Nguyen Xuan Hien, a lawyer who printed his own placard reading “Get Real. Imperialism is so 19th century.” “We have come so that the Chinese people can understand our anger,” he said. Vietnam’s government immediately protested the deployment of the oil rig
Photo by Huu Cong
By Chris Brummitt Associated Press
on May 1, and dispatched a flotilla that was unable to break through a circle of more than 50 Chinese vessels protecting the facility. The Vietnamese coast guard released video of Chinese vessels ramming and firing water cannons at Vietnamese ships. The latest confrontation in the disputed Paracel Islands, which China occupied from U.S.-backed South Vietnam in 1974, has raised fears that tensions could escalate. Vietnam says the islands fall within its continental shelf and a 200-nautical-mile
exclusive economic zone. China claims sovereignty over the area and most of the South China Sea — a position that has brought Beijing into confrontation with other claimants, including the Philippines and Malaysia. The protest Sunday was the largest since 2011, when a Chinese vessel cut seismic survey cables leading to a Vietnamese oil exploration ship. Vietnam sanctioned protests for a few weeks, but then broke them up after they became a forum of antigovernment sentiment.
In the past, journalists covering protests had been harassed and sometimes beaten and protesters bundled into vans. It was a different scene Sunday in a park across the road from the Chinese mission, where speakers atop police vans were broadcasting accusations that China’s actions violated the country’s sovereignty, state television was on hand to record the event, and men were handing out banners saying “We entirely trust the party, the government, and the people’s army.” While some demonstrators were clearly linked to the state, many others were ordinary Vietnamese outraged by China’s actions. Some activists chose to stay away because of the state’s involvement or implicit sanction of the event, according to online postings by dissident groups, but others showed up. The United States has criticized China’s oil rig deployment as provocative and unhelpful. Foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations who gathered Saturday in Myanmar ahead of Sunday’s summit issued a statement expressing concern and urging restraint by all parties. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying responded by saying that the issue should not concern ASEAN and that Beijing was opposed to “one or two countries’ attempts to use the South Sea issue to harm the overall friendship and cooperation between China and ASEAN,” according to state-run Xinhua News Agency.
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■ on the shelf
■ at the movies
SIFF’s opening delights New collection of images always brings fascinating Asian films to our town, many of them not available for viewing elsewhere. Here are three of my preview picks for the second day of the festival.
Photo by Po-lin Chi/Taiwan Aerial Imaging, Inc.
By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly The Seattle International Film Festival, running from May 15 through June 8,
depicts WWII Japanese internment camp Minidoka
During the Japanese internment at Minidoka, photographs of the barbed wire surrounding the camp were forbidden.
Siff-beyond-beauty caption: “Beyond Beauty” shows aerial views of Taiwan.
“Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above” is one of several striking films from Taiwan at this year’s festival. Playing May 21 and May 23, it is produced by the prominent Taiwanese film director Hsiao-Hsien Hou, whose well-known titles include “Flight of the Red Balloon,” “Three Times,” and “A City of Sadness.” But the film was not directed by Hou. Instead, the longtime aerial photographer Po-Lin Chi settles into the director’s chair.
Narrated by Nien-Jen Wu, another prominent Taiwanese filmmaker, “Beyond Beauty” explores a God’s-eye view of the nation, from its crowded cities (Taipei’s urban population is more than 8 million), to coastlines, fields, and rivers. From above, connections that might not make sense from the ground-level, come together in fascinating, sometimes startling ways. {see SIFF cont’d on page 15}
By Signe Predmore Northwest Asian Weekly When President Bill Clinton designated the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho as a National Park in 2001, Teresa Tamura realized that although she grew up not three hours away from the site, she knew little about it. Tamura, a Sansei (third generation Japanese American) and photojournalist from Nampa, Idaho, is too young to have witnessed the period of West Coast Japanese
incarceration during World War II firsthand. And she never heard it discussed by elders in her own family, who were not interned themselves. A college professor at Idaho State had once urged her to visit Minidoka, where many Japanese and Japanese Americans from the Pacific Northwest were held. However, at the time, the suggestion made her “feel uncomfortable and selfconscious.” Tamura did finally make the journey to {see SHELF cont’d on page 12}
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ sports
MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
9
The Layup Drill Disney movie tells true story of Indian baseball players and more
“Million Dollar Arm”
Ji-Man Choi
By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly
the chance at a major league contract in America. As you may know, Disney recently released the movie “Million Dollar Arm,” which is based on the story of Dinesh Patel and Rinku Singh. Patel and Singh were picked to come to America and compete for a chance to play baseball. Even though Patel and Singh did not have any baseball experience, each had an athletic background hurling objects. Patel was an accomplished javelin thrower and Singh was a cricket player, as well as a javelin thrower.
Welcome to another edition of The Layup Drill. This month, we take a look at baseball, the disappearance of Anthony Kim, and the return of Doug Baldwin. Million Dollar Arm features Indian pitchers’ underdog story In 2008, we wrote about two Indian pitchers who participated in an Indian reality show with the winner getting
Anthony Kim
Doug Baldwin
Despite beating out 37,000 competitors on the Indian reality show, the chances to make it to the majors were slim. However, with the help from the agent who pitched the reality series, they signed on with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. In 2009, Singh became the first Indian pitcher to appear in a professional baseball game in the United States. He also became the first Indian-born pitcher to win a game. While he achieved moderate success, Singh was let go by the Pirates. Singh has managed to hold onto his dream of making it to the majors and was invited back to the Pirates to try out for the team again. Patel actually made a brief appearance in the majors registering one win in 2009.
But, after an unsuccessful 2010 season, he was let go by the club. Patel returned to India where he coaches baseball. Although I have yet to see the movie, I could see this story make for a great evening of entertainment. It was the classic rags to (possible) riches story of an underdog winning, despite lofty odds. Both Patel and Singh came from poverty stricken homes and the chance to win a “million dollar” contract seemed like the only way out for the two. Both were brave enough to leave their country to come to America with such uncertainty. It will be interesting to see how much the movie alters reality. {see SPORTS cont’d on page 13}
Thank you for your support! Rising Stars: Young Female Professionals Making a Difference | Friday, May 2 at C hina Harbor Restaurant
Event sponsors, from left: Colleen Fukui (Nordstrom), Ellen Ferguson (The Wing), Ron Elzig and Alex Burlingame (Morgan Stanley), Stephanie Pure (Northeastern University Seattle), Ralph Graves (Port of Seattle), James Buckley (Buckley & Associates), and Luis Navarro (Port of Seattle)
SPONSORS
Debra Lee and Nicole Kelso (Panda Express)
PLANNING Bonnie Miller, Charlene Grinolds, COMMITTEE Chayuda Overby, Connie Sugahara,
Diane Martin, Francine Griggs, Kathy Purcell, Leny Valerio-Buford, Winona Hollins-Hauge, Alia Marsha, and Assunta Ng CO-CHAIRS Carol Cheung, Elizabeth Younger, and Kiku Hayashi
Thanks to Bonnie Miller for designing the plaques! UPCOMING EVENTS Sept. 19 — “Amazing Women Mentors” Please send your nominations to assunta@nwasianweekly.com 2015 “Champions of Change” — feature individual women or organizations doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of communities Please send your nominations to assunta@nwasianweekly.com January 2015 Luncheon — Women & Money May 2015 Luncheon — Rising Stars September 2015 Luncheon — Broadcasters
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MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
OPINION
David and Goliath showed up at the Seattle City Council’s hearing on the mayoral $15 minimum wage proposal on May 13. Who’s David? Who’s Goliath? You would probably think that should be pretty obvious. But wait. Wait till you heard more from both sides before you deliver the verdict. Who are the victims of the $15 wage proposal if it goes through? Who’s the real loser? At first glance, supporters of the $15 wage, wearing red T-shirts and holding signs, were spotted at different parts of the Rainier Beach High School’s auditorium. They lined up with speakers, from young students to workers, who shared their plight in dealing with challenges, including housing, health care, and zero luxuries. Weren’t they the Davids, the little guys, living with minimum wage? They blamed big businesses and corporations for all their poverty woes. They complained that Mayor Ed Murray’s proposal failed the working class by giving a long phase-in to get to the $15 wage. They did not mention their skill levels or need for education and training to improve their lives. The unions orchestrated many of the people who testified, providing them with free T-shirts, printed signs, and flyers to make their point. For some, the union
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
■ publisher’s blog David vs. Goliath in the battle of $15 wage
Audience members, both for and against $15, came prepared with signs.
also provided transportation. With money and resources, the unions are not only politically savvy, they had impressive organizing machines with manpower to staff their booths outside the hall and distribute materials to support the issue. Most important, they have their champion, Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant, who makes a political statement before the hearings on many occasions, unlike the other council members.
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.
The word “business” is a dirty word among these little guys. So, when small businesses, many of them ethnic and immigrant business owners, got up to speak, the workers found out that they are not all from the big companies such as McDonald’s or Starbucks. Bob Donegan, president of Ivar’s Inc., said his company could afford the wage increase, but he hates to see what the $15 will do to the community, including ethnic businesses. Many small business owners work long hours — six or seven days a week — just like those in the audience. They don’t
■ arts & entertainment
Creativity inspired by nature and Japanese heritage By Nina Huang Northwest Asian Weekly From a distance, Naoko Morisawa’s artwork looks like a painting, but look closer, and you will notice that they are wood mosaics. Her art is made from hundreds of thousands of small slices of natural and oil-dyed woodchips on a palette. Her art style is transformed from a traditional Japanese art form. Morisawa decided she wanted to become an artist when she was just 18 years old. She likes to incorporate the patterns in the wood and enhance them with oil stains. Morisawa uses wood mosaics to convey the life and energy of her art. “The variety of wood grain is very beautiful and the pattern is never the same,” said Morisawa. “The combinations of natural and oil-stained grains create interesting shadows and impressions. I can talk about life and the energetic atoms inside the shoes, waves, or waterfalls with my tiny wood slices.” Bright, fun, and unusual subjects attract and inspire her to work in new directions. Recurring themes in her work include architecture, fashion, people, trees, mysterious creatures, illusions, waves, and waterfalls.
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{see MORISAWA cont’d on page 14}
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With a Bachelor of Arts in design from Tama Art University in Tokyo, Morisawa taught art at Yokohama and Tokyo community cultural center, before moving to the United States in 2005. She also completed the Artist Trust EDGE professional program in Seattle in 2012.
{see BLOG cont’d on page 14}
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make big money. Some are still in debt. All they want is to provide for themselves and their families. That’s their definition of the American Dream. Many barely survive. None of these businesses were organized like the union folks. Many came late because they own restaurants and can’t afford to skip work during the dinner shift. These small business owners didn’t have T-shirts. They couldn’t afford to hire political consultants. None carried any printed literature to present their case. Some couldn’t speak English. They needed translators. This was the first time I saw them speak in public. I could tell they were nervous, but they had no choice. The $15 wage is going to break them. Their wish is to see their businesses survive so their families don’t need to suffer, that’s all. They are not against workers. What’s worse for these small businesses is they’ve got no weapon at the City. Obviously, they have no one to speak for them at the City Council. Some council members are simply tired of this issue and want to move on to take care of other city issues just as significant, according to an insider. At the beginning, some workers booed when immigrant business owners spoke. Towards the middle of the meeting, there was less disruption from the other side. Perhaps, the little guys finally got a glimpse of another bunch of little guys that look good on the surface, but struggle every day just
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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
11
OPINION
■ editorial
It’s been a long road for those who worked hard to help unite these states Chinese workers helped make the United States a lot more “united” by building the first transcontinental railroad, linking the east and west coasts and bringing people and prosperity across the land. This week, the U.S. Dept. of Labor ceremoniously inducted Chinese railroad workers of 1865–1869 into the Labor Hall of Honor. In so doing, said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Christopher P. Lu, they were beginning “to right an old wrong.” The Dept. of Labor statement said, “It is fitting that these brave workers who helped bridge and build our country together while advocating for safe working conditions and fairer wages will be the first Asian Americans inducted into the Labor Hall of Honor. Those are, after all, the values of this department.” It is ironic that the completion of the railroad by those industrious, over-worked, under-paid Chinese workers eventually led to the harshest discrimination against them — the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The law barred Chinese immigration and prohibited Chinese from becoming citizens in order to “preserve the ideal of American homogeneity.” When the railroad allowed masses of early white settlers to populate the west, those settlers feared the cheap labor that Chinese workers provided to the wealthy landowners. “These were immigrants who came to this country {WOC cont’d from page 1} a difference were recognized in the 18th annual Women of Color Empowered luncheon. The event, at China Harbor Restaurant, was emceed by Marci Nakano, program and events manager for the Executive Development Institute, Sara Asatiani Sara Asatiani, vice president of wealth management at Morgan Stanley and cofounder of W@MS, Women at Morgan Stanley, reads all the time. She said the book “Mighty Be Our Powers” by Leymah Gbowee inspired her to start doing something with more of an impact on others. “I started to dream big,” Asatiani said. Asatiani said the greatest key to her success was that she managed her fears, and asked the audience, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” Rebecca Saldaña Rebecca Saldaña leads Puget Sound Sage’s Community Benefits and Development program focused on equitable, transitoriented development. Saldaña hoped to make a difference in the city by seeing transformations from the bottom up. She graciously thanked her parents who took a huge risk by leaving Mexico for a fresh start. She hopes to be a part of a movement of change and leadership that will provide inspiration for the next generation. Sahar Fathi Sahar Fathi, who is fluent in Farsi and French, is a policy analyst for the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. Fathi has worked on immigrant and refugee issues for 10 years. “I don’t understand the word ‘no,’ and my dad taught me that,” she joked. Persistent and determined, Fathi attributed her success to the empowerment of people in the community. Seiko Yamashita Seiko Yamashita was a very curious
Chinese workers on the Transcontinental Railroad
seeking a better life, and they had the chance to work on something really extraordinary,” Lu told one reporter. “And then you had a nation that not only did not appreciate their efforts, but then led to exclusion after that.” The Chinese were labeled “perpetual foreigners” whose willingness to work for low wages was seen as preventing white men from getting work. The law wasn’t repealed until Washington State Rep.
child. She grew up wanting to know how things worked and how people lived their lives. Because of her curiosity about life and people, Yamashita read a lot of biographies, and knew she was a lifelong learner. As an adult mental program clinical supervisor at Therapeutic Health Services, Yamashita says it’s never easy for her to explain to other people why she does what she does, especially to her parents. But in her day-to-day job, she said, she “gets to be a witness of life changes” and that inspires her to help others. Tera Beach Tera Beach is the deputy district director for Congressman Jim McDermott and has been working with McDermott since 1998. In her 16 years on McDermott’s staff, Beach has served as an essential connector for Seattle’s arts community with Congress. She is also dedicated to the project to restore honor to the African American veterans of Fort Lawton, who were unjustly court-martialed in 1944. Beach credited McDermott as her mentor, and also Constance W. Rice as a pivotal figure in her life. The most important piece of advice she received was, “Don’t pretend to be anyone that you’re not.” Mavis Orr Mavis Orr is a firm believer in “following your heart.” She has lived in Hong Kong, Cyprus, and Germany, and has traveled to more than 20 countries. Her motto is, “When there’s a challenge, take it on.” Having risen through the ranks from general manager to regional director of operations at Panda Express, Orr wears her Panda Express shirt with pride when she goes out in the community. Giving back to the community means a lot to her and she inspires her fellow associates to do the same every day. Annya Pintak Annya Pintak says she feels honored to be able to serve the community. She learns every day from the people she works with, and attributes her success to collaboration
Warren G. Magnuson proposed the Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act of 1943, also known as the Magnuson Act. Even that had to be repealed in 1965, because while it allowed Chinese immigration (of only 105 people per year), it did not allow Chinese ownership of property. “Between 1882 and 1965, Chinese history is very sad,” said John S.W. Park, professor of Asian American Studies at the University of California. “It’s the story of a very marginalized ethnic group. Lots of men die by themselves, separated from families for decades. It’s the history of an immigrant group who was so important to a state’s economy, and was rejected on a national level.” In light of the Dept. of Labor’s recognition, it is also ironic that labor unions supported the Chinese Exclusion Act, believing that industrialists were using Chinese workers as a way to keep wages low. In fact, the Industrial Workers of the World were the only labor group to oppose the Chinese Exclusion Act. These days, Asians of all nationalities can come to America, and most of the news revolves around their academic successes, corporate achievements, and appointments to high office. As the oppressions of the past fade from memory, it’s satisfying that API Heritage Month brings these occasional recognitions — such as the Dept. of Labor’s Hall of Honor — into the light.
and partnerships in her life. In September 2012, Pintak joined Global to Local to develop and implement the Connection Desk, a volunteer program that connects HealthPoint patients and South King County community members to social resources that will support their overall health and wellbeing. She now serves as the program manager for the Connection Desk and also the Affordable Care Act In-Person Assister Program for Global to Local. Erica Buckley Erica Buckley is an associate attorney at Buckley & Associates in the International District. She has successfully resolved over 250 cases and collected millions of dollars for her clients. Her father, James Buckley, is one of her greatest influences, as well as her boss. He taught her, “The truth is a fine horse to ride,” which reminds her, she said, to always live life with integrity and “to not do what you don’t want to see on the front page of the paper.” She has donated many hours of her time to the Junior League of Seattle and the Treehouse Young Professionals board. Courtney Gregoire Courtney Gregoire is deeply rooted in family. Her mother, former Governor Christine Gregoire, and her father, Mike, have been great mentors to her. After she started her career, Gregoire said she started to embrace risk a lot more because she was living in different cities and having global experiences. She found ways to give back and echoed Pintak’s sentiments on the value of collaboration and partnerships. “Collaborate or perish,” she said. Andrea Ximena Cortés-Beltrán Andrea Ximena Cortés-Beltrán lives by the saying, “One who perseveres, succeeds.” Her family has been her foundation, she said, and her family values have shaped and taught her to be humble. One of Cortés-Beltrán’s proudest accomplishments was a conference that she planned last October for Latina women in the Puget Sound. She also has planned
and executed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities for high school students. Monisha Harrell “Every day I strive to get to know people better and to get to know their needs,” Monisha Harrell said. Harrell didn’t just have one mentor, she said, she had a village. Over the years, she has worked in marketing communications, community outreach, and served as a board fellow for Lifelong AIDS Alliance. She currently serves on the board for the Institute for a Democratic Future, the 21st Legislative District Democrats, and as board chair for Equal Rights Washington. Mia Gregerson Mia Gregerson said that the journey is knowing what is true and authentic, and finding the seeds of information, truth, and opportunities to achieve the right personal balance. Gregerson is a first-term member of the state House of Representatives from the 33rd Legislative District. She is vice chair of the House Committee on Local Government and also serves on the Community Development, Housing, and Tribal Affairs Committee and the Higher Education Committee. “I promise to pay it forward,” she stated. Nakano wrapped up the event by saying that these rising stars have only just begun as the 12 inspirational women will continue to accomplish more in the next few years. Women of Color Empowered is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 by the Northwest Asian Weekly. The organization consists of professional women who want to enhance the quality of life for women of all races and backgrounds by supporting one another through programs and events that foster self-improvement and networking skills. The program provides opportunities to build cross-cultural and multi-generational relationships, and promotes community service.
asianweekly northwest
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MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
{SHELF cont’d from page 8} the site after the National Park designation, and it quickly captured her attention. “What happened to the people who lived there? Could photographs prevent something like this from happening again?” she wondered. Tamura began an 11-year project that culminated in the publication of her photography book, “Minidoka: An American Concentration Camp,” last year. A combination of archival photos and Tamura’s own recent shots, the book is a detailed and well-researched historical document that transcends its accessible coffee-table format. “Minidoka” contains absorbing images of the campsite, as well as artifacts associated with it, but portraits are really at its heart. They were also the solution to the problem of how to depict a time and place that existed over 50 years ago. “It wasn’t the kind of project where you jot ideas of what you can photograph,” Tamura said. “When I finally did go to the site, I was so disappointed because there really wasn’t much there.” It was the people who had been interned at Minidoka that provided a living link to the history of the place. Throughout the book, Tamura juxtaposes an image from a moment in life at the camp — births, deaths, marriage, funerals, education, people at rest, and children at play — with a portrait she took of the same individuals after 2001. She often gives a brief written summary of their lives after the camp. For the present-day photos, Tamura said, “I started asking people to think about Minidoka [while I took] the portraits, and in the beginning I didn’t, and I can really see the
difference in expressions of people.” This simple presentation is surprisingly powerful. It is hard not to be impressed by all those who went on to live lives of quiet dignity and productive citizenship, despite years of discrimination and incarceration by the government of their adopted country. Some of the archival photographs Tamura includes are well-known images from the time, such as that of Fumiko Hayashida and her 1-year-old daughter being forcefully removed from Bainbridge Island. Many others were originally uncaptioned, or in some cases, people had been identified by the wrong names, so Tamura faced the challenge of trying to figure out who they were. This work was time-consuming, but makes her book an invaluable contribution to the historical record. For instance, one photo shows three young boys eating hot dogs in the Minidoka mess hall. Tamura had seen the image reproduced in many books without the subjects ever identified. After a long search involving a combination of informants, correspondence, and a chance reading of an obituary, she finally learned their names were Taro Ogawa and the Hirai brothers, Tom and Gordon. The number of images from the time of internment is limited. Japanese in America were outlawed from keeping cameras during the war, though some did make their way into the camps at different times. The non-Japanese professional photographers who were given permission to take pictures of the camps, including Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams, were forbidden from showing barbed wire, watchtowers, or armed guards, as Tamura writes. She chose the cover image
for the book, a close-up of a single barb of wire, in direct response. “It seemed important to have a picture of barbed wire, so I photographed it against a regular dirt background, and it was too similar in tone,” said Teresa. “I needed a photograph where there was some contrast, so I waited until there was snow on the ground, and it still wasn’t right,” she said. “And then the National Park Service started putting up signage that talked about the soothing water in the canal, and how the people who were there really gravitated towards the canal because it represented freedom and it could move through the area. That really resonated with me, and I thought, it has to be the combination of the barbed wire and the freedom of the canal.” “Minidoka” has been warmly received by the public. “I’ve been really surprised and grateful at the interest from not only the Japanese American community, but also the community at large,” said Tamura. In sharing the work, she’s heard new stories from white citizens who lived in the area at the time and have come forward with their own memories of the camp from an outside perspective. Now that the book is finished, Tamura is considering a career change. Her research on Minidoka exposed her to the variety of ways that former camp residents have dealt psychologically with the experience. She applied and was accepted into a training program for art therapists, and is currently debating whether to enroll. But whether she begins this new path or not, Tamura says she will continue to pursue her lifelong passion for photography. “My love for photography is something I don’t want to lose,” she said.
King County Invitation to Bid Project: Miscellaneous Pipe Repair Construction Work Order 2014-2015, C00898C14 Sealed Bid Time/Date: 1:30 p.m., May 22, 2014 Location Due: King County Procurement & Contract Services Section, Contracts Counter, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 Engineer’s Estimate: NTE $1,000,000 Scope of Work: The work to be performed under this Contract will be issued by work order and includes but is not limited to: Exploratory excavation necessary to locate damaged portion of pipe. Minor piping systems modification. Repair or replacement of a variety of piping systems and materials. Repair or replacement of large diameter pipe in excess of 48” within 24 hours notification. Restoration and repair of disturbed mechanical and electrical assemblies. Back filling and grading as necessary to restore disturbed area to grade. Restoration of landscaping. Repair of miscellaneous concrete or asphalt areas associated with the pipe repair. Legally disposing of all debris. Restoration of above and below ground facilities altered by the contractor to a condition equal to or better than the condition existing prior to the start of the work. The work under this Contract may require working on live sewers at up to 30 feet or more underground, above ground, and in the Puget Sound receiving waters. No additional labor, equipment, etc. costs will be paid to the Contractor for working with live sewers.
Work sites: King County Wastewater Treatment Division facilities in and adjacent to King County Washington. The work performed under this Contract shall not exceed $1,000,000.00 and the initial Contract Time shall not exceed 365 calendar days from the date of Contract execution by the County. The County does not guarantee any minimum amount of work or that the dollar amount of the Work Orders issued will total $1,000,000.00 during the duration of this Contract. At the County’s sole discretion, this Contract may be extended for one additional year or until the Not to Exceed Contract Price is reached, whichever occurs first. In no event shall the Contract Time be greater than two years from the date of Contract execution by the County. Contact Information: Ruth Williamson, Contract Specialist, 206-263-9333, TTY Relay: 711, Fax: 206-2967675, or ruth.williamson@kingcounty.gov. A bidder may be asked to put a question in writing. No verbal answers by any County personnel or its agents and consultants will be binding on the County. Subcontracting Opportunities: Traffic control; backfilling, regrading, and landscaping associated with site restoration; irrigation system repair; miscellaneous concrete or asphalt repair. Apprenticeship Requirements: No minimum Apprentice Utilization Requirement. SCS Utilization Requirements. The Contractor shall
TAITUNG
ensure that at least 10% of the total price for all executed work orders shall be performed by King County Certified SCS Firms over the life of the Contract. Bid Bond: Not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Bid Price. Bid Documents Electronic copies of the plans, specifications, reference documents, and any addenda for this solicitation are available on the King County Procurement website shown below. Printed documents may also be ordered by contacting United Reprographics at 206-382-1177. Copies of documents are not available for purchase from King County, but are available for review 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. M thru F. at the Contracts Counter: Chinook Bldg, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA 98104. To receive email notifications of addenda or other important information concerning this solicitation, you must register to be a planholder under the “Solicitations” tab at the following internet link: www.kingcounty.gov/procurement/solicitations This information is available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities upon advance request by calling 206-263-9400, TTY Relay: 711. Notes: Bids received after Sealed Bid Time will not be considered. Bidders accept all risks of late delivery, regardless of fault. King County is not responsible for any costs incurred in response to this Invitation to Bid.
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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ astrology
MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
13
For the week of May 17–May 23, 2014 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — A cloud is lurking on the horizon, threatening to disrupt your plans. Keep an eye on it, but don’t let it control your day.
Dragon — Don’t let one hiccup derail your progress. Bounce back to the general direction of where you want to go.
Monkey — You have been looking forward to spending some quality time with your partner. It doesn’t matter where you go, just who you go with.
Ox — Is it possible that you heard something out of context? Fill in the blanks before you jump to conclusions.
Snake — Something said in jest could be taken the wrong way. What you perceive as funny might not be seen as such by others.
Rooster — Don’t let the possibility of changing weather dampen your spirits. Bring along the right gear, so you are ready for what comes your way.
Tiger — An unexpected message brightens up your afternoon. Pass on the good cheer by dialing up someone who might appreciate a call.
Horse — Special moments are made more so when shared with a loved one. Whether you decide to bring along a friend or relative, you will be glad you did.
Dog — Why not take the time to celebrate your latest accomplishment? Take the well-deserved accolades and let it motivate you even further.
Rabbit — A promising path could be obscured from view by an annoying distraction. Find what you seek by remaining focused.
Goat — At this juncture, you need to decide how much is too much. Drawing the line can be tough, but it must be done.
Pig — You have many friends who are in faraway places. Consider taking an excursion to see some of them in the near future.
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.
{ASTORIA cont’d from page 1} Waves holds its grand opening at the corner of Duane and 11th streets in downtown Astoria, Ore., on May 17. “This wonderful park will forever tell the important stories, benefits, and projects provided by the Chinese community,” according to the Astoria Chinese Heritage website dedicated to the park. “The Garden of Surging Waves is the legacy gift to the City of Astoria from our Bicentennial in 2011.” Ground was broken at the park site in April 2012, and construction began in the spring of 2013. The park was opened to the public in February of this year. The park was financed by a combination of public and private funds, including grants and individual contributions. Private gifts have been received from donors as far away as China, Germany, Serbia, and other foreign countries, though the majority of contributions have come from U.S. donors. The park also received many hours contributed in-kind by businesses, volunteers, and other supporters. The Chinese played a significant role in the history of Astoria, working in the canneries, building the city’s sewer system, constructing railroads that would connect Astoria to Portland, and building the jetties at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River, according to Astoria Chinese Heritage. The Chinese written characters for the words “surging wave” are also used to express hardship and struggle — experiences shared by many of America’s early immigrant groups.
景墓園
View Cemetery
雅圖 首 創 墓園☆
年起服務西北岸社區 非營利獨立協會
統式紀念碑
地下室 •骨灰靈位 、紀念碑 •土葬福地
6-322-1582
h Ave East (North Capitol Hill)
The Garden of Surging Waves seeks to honor the experience of the early Chinese immigrants and to celebrate their collective accomplishments and contributions to the Lower Columbia River Basin. Suenn Ho, an urban designer from Portland, led the design team for the garden, and has been involved with the project since 2006. “The stories must be told and passed on in order to make connections for generations to come,” said Ho. “The Astoria mayor always likes to remind us that these are not Chinese stories, these are U.S. stories, these are our stories.” Ho noted that few people outside Astoria know about the contributions the early Chinese immigrants had on the building and economic development of Astoria. “ Although the garden is completed, she said, “many more untold stories in this region are yet to be respectfully brought out and recognized.” According to Greg Nokes, author and former Oregonian reporter, about 2,000 Chinese once worked in Astoria, most in the salmon and tuna canneries that once were the foundation of Astoria’s economy. “The Garden of Surging Waves is a major new addition to the effort to resurrect the history of the Chinese who lived and worked in the Pacific Northwest,” said Nokes.
Lake View Cemetery Seattle’s Pioneer Cemetery Est. 1872 An Independent, NonProfit Association
Featuring
Traditional SidebySide Monument Properties
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{SPORTS cont’d from page 9} Mariner minor leaguer suspended Ji-Man Choi, a South Korean baseball player for the Seattle Mariners’ minor league club, the Tacoma Rainiers, was suspended for 50 games without pay after testing positive for a performance enhancing substance. The Mariners’ minor league first baseman seemed to be a shoe-in to make it to the big leagues this year or the next. However, with the ban of almost half the season, it’s unlikely he will get a chance in the majors and with the Mariners. Choi has offered up an apology, although he does not know what he may have used that was supposedly illegal. Regardless, he did not appeal the decision and will serve the suspension. This is a rough punishment for a budding player. Return of ’Kuma On the positive side for the Mariners, Hisashi Iwakuma returned to the team after an injury forced him to miss the first month of the season. Iwakuma did not lose anything despite the injury, as he has won his first two games since being back and has helped the team get back over the .500 mark in wins. Whatever happened to Anthony Kim? In the same article we outlined Patel and Singh, we wrote about U.S. golfer Anthony Kim. Kim burst upon the golf scene during the U.S. Ryder Cup in 2008, when he led cheers for the U.S. team in its annual matchup with the European team. He then won several tournaments and briefly took the place of Tiger Woods
(who was away from the game due to knee surgery) as the best Asian golfer on the tour. Fast forward to today. Kim has not played golf since 2012. It’s not because he lost his zest for the game, but due to injuries. He had to withdraw from his last tournament due to tendinitis in his left arm. Kim then tore his Achilles six weeks later. No word on when or if Kim will be back on the golf scene any time soon. The huge time off seems to be a concern since there have not been any other reported injuries since 2008. We always write about the success of Asian golfers and this appears to be a case where Kim may never get back to the level of success he had in 2008. It’s sad to see, considering that Tiger Woods is out indefinitely and Kim could have been the next great Asian American golfer. Welcome back, Doug Baldwin The Seattle Seahawks re-signed wide receiver Doug Baldwin and he will remain with the team for next year. Baldwin, who is part Filipino, had the option to seek out another team to play for in free agency and the Seahawks could have been forced to decide whether to match another team’s offer. Fortunately for the Seahawks, they did not have to make that choice. Even though the Seahawks drafted two wide receivers in the NFL Draft, we can expect number 89 (Baldwin’s number) on the field for the defending World Champions this fall. Jason Cruz can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.
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asianweekly northwest
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MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
{BLOG cont’d from page 10}
Seattle City Council members listen to the people.
like them. Thank you, Seattle City Council, for bringing the two sides together so they could confront each other face to face, and gain a new level of appreciation each other’s stories. Readers, you decide. Who’s David? Who’s Goliath? Don’t give up yet Minority businesses are concerned about the mayor’s proposal on the $15 minimum wage. Let the mayor and council members know they need to hold hearings for the proposal. We need more time to study the proposal. Seattle Council members, don’t just shut us out. Hear us out before you vote on it. {MORISAWA cont’d from page 10} This year, Morisawa’s work has been selected into Dublin Biennial International 2014, as one of 50 international artists. She won the London Creative Award Competition in 2013, and was published in Hidden Treasure Art Magazine of London this year. Not only does Morisawa draw inspiration from her heritage, but she also is inspired by international artists, such as Leonard Fujita, Yoshioka Takujin, and Issey Miyake. Locally, she admires Julie Paschkis and Juan Alonso-Rodriguez. When asked about her favorite artwork,
Morisawa replied, “I always love my latest work the best. I also like the work that gives me some of the studying process of new approach and design. Doing the same thing is boring for me, and I don’t think it’s creative. But some people always do the same thing, but that’s their own style.” Wood is Morisawa’s favorite medium to use and it’s an important component in her art. “The life of a tree and the energy in each grain of wood is why I use wood,” she said. She is currently using some acrylic, Japanese paper, and sumi ink in her new artwork, but also wants to explore other mediums that she hasn’t used before. In the
{SCHOOLS cont’d from page 5} since 2011. The only cases still open are in Louisiana, New Mexico, and South Carolina. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said that in some instances, school leaders have inappropriately required information, such as a child’s visa status or date of entry into the United States. Justice Department officials said they also have taken action, sometimes collaboratively with the Education Department and sometimes working separately. The Justice Department has entered into
end, she wants to maintain her Japanese heritage into her final pieces. Morisawa also enjoys finding new ways to approach art styles. For example, one of her favorites includes “Transmigration World XIII,” in which she created the piece through a trial and error approach in about 10 days. She had to try seven times in order to complete the piece after it constantly collapsed and broke down, but ultimately found a new style of mosaic through the project. Typically, her larger pieces that are 24”x18” or 30”x24” in size take more than a month to complete. “True success always needs patience. I
settlement agreements with school districts in states such as Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. And it said that after it contacted officials in Alabama, the state education department sent guidance to districts spelling out that they may not bar or discourage students from enrollment because they lack a Social Security number or birth certificate or because their parents don’t have an Alabama driver’s license. In a settlement with the district in Palm Beach County, Florida, the district agreed to provide translation help during enrollment and to permit homeless students who lack documentation to enroll.
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In Henry County, Georgia, as part of a separate settlement, the district agreed to ensure that a parent’s decision to withhold a child’s Social Security number will not keep the child from enrolling. J.D. Hardin, a spokesman for Henry County schools, said students never were barred from classes in the district, located about 20 minutes south of metro Atlanta. District officials believed they could start to withdraw a child under Georgia’s enrollment rules if a parent didn’t provide a Social Security number or fill out a waiver within 30 days after the student began classes, he said. Since the settlement, students stay in class, Hardin said. Matt Cardoza, a spokesman for Georgia’s Education Department, said the state worked with federal officials, while updating enrollment requirements in 2011. Cardoza said state education staff will follow up on any complaints they receive about enrollment problems. Officials from the U.S. Education and Justice departments said they have found that states and districts are willing to work with the federal government on the issue. “It’s a tribute to educators around the country that they recognize how important it is for kids to be able to attend school and are willing to take the steps necessary to ensure they aren’t even inadvertently chilling students’ willingness or families’ willingness to attend them,” said Jocelyn Samuels, acting assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Justice Department. Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters his department “will do everything it can to make sure schools meet this obligation.” Children brought into the United States illegally are guaranteed the right to a K-12 education under the 1982 Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe.
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Associated Press writer Kathleen Foody in Atlanta contributed to this report.
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hope that people can experience freedom and creativity from my art,” she added. Morisawa’s work is currently on display at Northwind Art Center in Port Townsend, Kate Arkarni Gallery, Columbia Winery in Woodinville, The Lake Shore in South Seattle, and the Wing Luke Museum. The Wing Luke Museum’s gift store also has prints and handmade wooden pendants available for purchase. “I create art that is natural, playful, and lifts people’s spirits. But I also want my artwork to be about myself, like a diary. Each piece is created with the care one would use when writing a letter to a loved one or friend,” she said.
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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE {SIFF cont’d from page 8}
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MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014
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{CHINESE WORKERS cont’d from page 1}
Photo courtesy of SIFF
Photo by Dept. of Labor/Shawn T. Moore
Recommended for anyone who wants a
The ceremony to induct Chinese railroad workers into the U.S. Dept. of Labor Hall of Honor was held May 9 in Washington D.C. Hidetaka Yoshioka and Takako Matsu in “The Little House.”
Now in his early 80s, Yamada has left samurai films behind and taken yet another approach. “The Little House,” playing May 21, June 1, and June 8, takes its story from a novel by Kyoko Nakajima (no relation to the adult video actress of the same name). It does include, however, the frequent Yamada device of someone looking back in old age, to younger days. In this case, the memories revolve around a comfortably upper-middleclass family in Japan just before World War II, and the two new faces who arrive to disrupt their comfortable way of life — one a servant, the other a student. The arrival of the war and the Japanese role in it, is of course disruptive in and of itself, as Yamada documented in an earlier drama, “Kabei: Our Mother,” which also played at SIFF. “The Little House” should be an impressive addition to a long and honorable resume.
Photo courtesy of SIFF
Japanese director Yoji Yamada kept himself busy for decades, doing most of the writing and directing for the Japanese “Tora-san” series, which follows a bumbling bumpkin through misadventures all over Japan, and occasionally, outside of it. Uneducated and frequently coarse, Torasan, played by Atsumi Kiyoshi, sold cheap trinkets, but his real genius lay in making hilarious messes of every social situation he blundered into. The series includes an astonishing 48 films, released between 1969 and 1995. Yoji Yamada directed all but two of the films, and wrote, or co-wrote, all the screenplays. After Kiyoshi’s death in 1996, the series finally came to an end. Yamada abruptly changed gears with a loosely-linked trilogy of elegant, restrained samurai films, including “The Twilight Samurai,” “The Hidden Blade,” and “Love and Honor.”
“The Search for General Tso” follows the history of the famous dish.
Ian Cheney’s “The Search for General Tso,” playing May 16, May 17, and May 18, is a documentary film with its own colorful approach to history. Cheney starts with “General Tso’s Chicken,” a spicy deep-fried chicken dish available in many Chinese restaurants throughout North America. He then takes the viewer back through time, all the way to Tsung-T’ang Tso, the legendary general in the late Qing Dynasty of China. The true story of the chicken lies not in the story of the general, however, but in the North American story of how Chinese chefs
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arrived in North America, the challenges they faced, and the changes they made to adapt and prosper. Cheney might start with a simple food item many take for granted, but he uncovers a fascinating cultural epic as he goes along. The Seattle International Film Festival runs from May 15 through June 8 in Seattle. For more details, show times, and venues, visit http://www.siff.net/festival-2014. Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.
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and Director of the National Domestic Worker Alliance Ai-jen Poo. “It was backbreaking, dangerous work,” wrote Secretary Perez on the Dept. of Labor blog. “Many of these workers died from the harsh winters and brutal conditions. They laid tracks on terrain that rose 7,000 feet in less than 100 miles, chipped away at the granite and planted explosives that were used to blast tunnels through the treacherous Sierra Nevada Mountains.” Enduring prejudice, low wages, and social isolation, Perez said, “The Chinese railroad workers courageously took a stand to organize for fairer wages and safer working conditions. In addition to connecting the nation and building its infrastructure, they also advanced American ideals of equal opportunity and the dignity of work for everyone, immigrant and American-born alike.”
“I am proud to see the Chinese railroad workers recognized for the contributions they made to our country,” said California U.S. Rep Judy Chu. “In the face of dangerous labor conditions and discriminatory treatment, these immigrant laborers gave their blood, sweat, and tears to connect our country from coast-tocoast. They created the backbone of our nation’s infrastructure and paved the way for America’s prosperity.” “Being part of this induction ceremony was a tremendous honor,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng of New York. “These workers played an integral role in the growth of our nation and they’re a key part of American history. Despite the dangerous and challenging working conditions they were forced to endure, these individuals worked tirelessly to help build our country.”
{SUGIMURA cont’d from page 1}
Sugimura was born in Portland, Ore., to second-generation Japanese Americans, or Nisei. The family moved to the Seattle area when she was 8 years old, just outside Normandy Park. “Normandy Park was an exclusive community in the mid-1950s, so we lived literally on the other side of the line,” she said. Her parents, who both grew up in Oregon, met at college and were married during their internment under Executive Order 9066. Her sister, Sharon Maeda, is the executive director at 21 Progress. Sugimura has witnessed Seattle grow in exciting ways from a “quieter town,” she said. “There are greats place to live…and be entertained.” “The challenge with this change,” she said, “is growing inequity, which is something that I am working on.” She also notices less tolerance for change, people complaining about “those” people moving into their neighborhood or the birthplace of construction workers, for example. “Comments I’ve heard in the past year are sad,” she said. But Sugimura is an inspiration and a role model to many. Nathan Torgelson, of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, says Sugimura has one of the hardest jobs in the city. He said he learns by watching her interaction with people and how she treats everyone fairly, regardless of status. “She does it with patience, integrity, and grace. Diane is always willing to listen to every side before making a decision,” he said. “There’s a reason why three consecutive mayors have wanted her to be the department’s director.” In January, Sugimura outlined details of her goal for Seattle in the next 20 years. “My dream is that we are a city where the color of your skin, country of origin, zip code are not determinants of how you live, learn, succeed, and how others see you.”
mayors, but has been at the city through six different mayors. “The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) covers the fullrange of planning and development from comprehensive and area-specific planning, to policy and code development, to implement the plans,” she said. “The department has, at one time, touched all of the buildings one sees in the city.” Sugimura has led this department since 2002. DPD’s vision is to build a dynamic and sustainable Seattle. It is responsible for project and plan reviews, land use permits, building inspections, city-code enforcement, and the implementation of the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance that will help educate property owners and tenants about their responsibilities. Over the years, Sugimura and DPD have been involved in encouraging the revitalization of neighborhood areas, including the Chinatown-International District. In the aftermath of the Louisa Hotel fire last December, DPD and other city departments helped facilitate permit approval to get the building stabilized. Working with the Seattle Department of Transportation, DPD is also involved in streetscape improvement projects. DPD has partnered with the diverse community in the Rainier Beach neighborhood to further equitable development of the area, helping it with its goals to keep businesses and residents from displacement as the area grows. One of the department’s largest efforts and campaigns is planning for the city’s future. “We must plan for 120,000 new people and 115,000 new jobs,” said Sugimura. The Seattle 2035 campaign, led by DPD, will help “accommodate growth and help ensure a great city where people want to and can afford to live, work, shop, and play… no matter their lifestyle, culture, income or interests,” said Sugimura.
Irfan Shariff can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.
asianweekly northwest
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MAY 17 – MAY 23, 2014