VOL 36 NO 23 | JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

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FREE 35 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Asian American? The King County Sheriff’s Office wants to hire you to be a community guardian

Photo by James Tabadunda/NWAW.

California House race is a test of Latino, Korean influence

ISSUE

Det. Loi Dawkins (left) and King County Sheriff John Urquhart.

By James Tabafunda NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Robert Lee Ahn

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES (AP) — On the rowdy streets of the Koreatown district a few miles from downtown Los Angeles, it doesn’t take long to recognize the favorite candidate for an open U.S. House seat: Blue-and-gold campaign posters for Robert

Lee Ahn greet diners at bustling dumpling houses and noodle shops.

The candidacy of Ahn, the son of Korean immigrants, in the 34th Congressional District has become a celebrated cause in a neighborhood where Korean barbecue restaurants and see AHN on 12

A&E

ON THE SHELF

Sweeney Todd and an ensemble cast of diverse actors. » see 7

Books about growing pains. » see 8

WAYNE’S WORLDS

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Where’s the Chinese food?!! » see 9

A business dream team at a fraction of the price. » see 10

The 2014 protests in Ferguson, Mo. drew national attention to the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown Jr., an 18-year-old Black teenager. Strained community-police relations continue as diversity — ethnic, gender, religion, sexual orientation,

experience, background — in law enforcement agencies and other reforms still have a long way to go.

During the first quarter of 2017, 46 percent of all new deputy hires by the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) have been persons of color and/or female.

With about 170 languages now being spoken in the see SHERIFF’S OFFICE on 12

ArtsFund awards $60K in grants to foster a multicultural community

By Janice Nesamani NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Twelve organizations in the Seattle area will receive matching grants of $5,000 each. Several of the groups are Asian and help enrich the cultural fabric of the region.

In situations where words fall short, art has the ability to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and help people connect. Seattle has always been a gateway to the West, attracting people from different cultures and beliefs, which is why today, it is one of the most culturally diverse places in the country. And weaving people from different cultures together is the diverse art of the region. Since its inception in 1969, ArtsFund has been supporting arts organizations in the area, helping individuals connect, building community, and promoting understanding across cultures.

ArtsFund recently awarded $60,000 to 12 organizations in Seattle and the Eastside. They did this through the Multicultural Arts Project and have empowered 12 arts and cultural organizations with $5,000 matching grants. ArtsFund has left it up to the organizations to use the funds for what they see fit. Speaking about the project, President and CEO Mari Horita said, “During the application process, we received very inspiring and touching stories of what these organizations would do to reach their communities and further their art.”

Sarah Sidman, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Communication, explained that over 75 percent of the applications were from Asian groups who were building bridges not only within generations of their own communities, but with other see ARTSFUND on 3

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35 YEARS

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Cathay Post 186 holds annual Memorial Day service

the “undisputed unofficial Asian American photographer laureate” — has captured iconic images of Asian Pacific Americans in political movements and social contexts. ■

Photo by George Liu/NWAW

2017 InterIm CDA Gala

leges nationwide and internationally.

Yim is the executive director of the Washington Alliance for Better Schools, a consortium of school districts throughout King and Snohomish counties.

She is also a former board member of the International District Housing Alliance in Seattle.

Yim earned her bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Political Science at the University of Washington. ■

Lloyd Hara (far right) with U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and members of Cathay Post #186.

Cathay Post 186 of the American Legion held its annual Memorial Day service to honor the Asian Americans from Seattle who gave their lives during World War II. The event, in Hing Hay Park on May 29, included a performance by the Seattle Chinese Drill Team.

Speakers included U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Lloyd Hara. ■

Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW

Photojournalist Corky Lee’s exhibit

Corky Lee holding up a photo of garment union members rallying in support of Kaity Tong, the first Chinese American TV news anchor, when she lost her contract at ABC.

Corky Lee spoke about his work at the Seattle Public Library on May 28.

Nearly 100 people attended the event, which included a display of Lee’s work, “Chinese Americans: Inclusion/Exclusion.”

The event was organized

by Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) as part of the Asian American Heritage Month celebration.

For almost 40 years, Lee, a New York-based photographer — dubbed

Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW

Photo by Cristina Roark

Pride ASIA 2017

Rep. Sharon Santos (right) receiving the Bob Santos Leadership in Sustainability Award.

Three-hundred-and-thirty people attended the 2017 InterIm CDA Gala on May 20. The organization presented the Bob Santos Leadership in Sustainability Award to Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos for standing up for social justice.

The gala dinner was a Kamayan Feast by Madres Kitchen, served family style, including delicious Filipino dishes such as chicken adobo, sesame short ribs, tofu adobo, and lumpia.

InterIm serves all low-income, immigrant and refugee communities. ■

First Asian woman to lead ACCT

Emily Yim

Emily Yim will become the first Asian woman to lead the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) this September as its chair.

The ACCT has a membership of more than 6,000 trustees and over 1,000 community and technical col-

Opening ceremony at Pride ASIA gathering.

Members of the LGBTQ and Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community gathered in advance of Pride Month at Hing Hay Park on May 28, for music and speeches. Danyal Lotfi, external affairs liaison with the City of Seattle, gave the keynote speech — there were also appearances by Miss API International Tanya Rachinee and slam poet Nic Masangkay.

Pride ASIA’s mission is to celebrate, empower, and nurture the multicultural diversity of the LGBTQ communities through the API lens. ■

Send your exciting news to editor@nwasianweekly.c om.

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Remote Washington park features work by artist Maya Lin

By KERRI SANDAINE THE LEWISTON TRIBUNE

CLARKSTON, Wash. (AP) — One of the best-kept secrets in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley appears to be the work of a worldrenowned artist off the beaten path in Washington’s Asotin County.

The “listening circle” Maya Lin designed at Chief Timothy Park hasn’t drawn many visitors, but Confluence Project officials said signs should be installed this summer to help folks know where to find the stonerimmed amphitheater, near the top of the island.

“We recognize it’s an issue that people don’t know it’s there,” said Colin Fogarty, executive director of the Confluence Project, based in Vancouver, Washington.

“We’re working on signage and have the funding from the state. We definitely needs signs.”

With proper notifications, the roadside attraction could morph into a magnet for fans of Lin, who designed the Vietnam

Wall in Washington, D.C. However, the park manager hasn’t seen a big influx of art fans at the island, eight miles west of Clarkston, since it was installed in 2015.

Jerry Pinkerton estimates Lin’s work

attracted about 100 extra cars to Chief Timothy Park last year. Approximately 15,000 people passed through the gates, a record-setting season, but he said the see LIN on 15

YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

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BECU’s definition of Tacoma’s Vien Dong Restaurant reopens diversity At BECU, we recognize the value of demographic diversity in our employees and members. Diversity in background, perspective, and thought is critical to our success in delivering value and service to our members and the communities that we serve.

BECU uses the following Melanie Walsh definition of diversity: race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, mental or physical disability, sexual or gender orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected classification.

Our goal is to recruit, develop, and manage high caliber talent from diverse backgrounds. This includes partnering with organizations like WorkSource and the University of Washington’s Intellectual House for recruiting events and career fairs. We are committed to ensuring that our workforce and board reflect the communities that we serve, and to fostering an authentic and inclusive environment in which all employees can thrive. To that end, BECU exceeds the most recent census and 2016 industry benchmark for racial ethnic minorities and gender diversity.

For members, as part of BECU’s Fair and Responsible Lending Program, we engage

ARTSFUND from 1 communities and cultures in the region.

“Part of our goal is to enable these cultural organizations to leverage the funds to raise additional funds for themselves. Many of them didn’t even have an online presence for donations.”

It has been noticed within the funding community that smaller organizations have several barriers that impede their access to more traditional funding mechanisms.

Acknowledging that, Horita says she spoke to Jerry Lee and this is how the project came about. She added that the decision to fund a significant number of Asian groups was completely donor driven. Jerry Lee, former Governor Gary Locke, and ArtsFund Associates Board Chair Judy Yu were instrumental in raising funds for this pilot project.

Horita adds, “We meet with arts groups every year and understand what their needs and challenges are. Earned income only does so much. These matching grants are a great opportunity for these groups to continue and advance their work.”

The organizations range from the wellestablished Densho (Japanese for ‘to pass on to the next generation’) that remembers and retell the stories of the many Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II, to Pratidhwani, a small volunteer-run organization located on the Eastside.

Speaking about his organization and what they plan to do with the grant, Tom Ikeda of Densho says, “The funds from ArtsFund will help us reach new audiences unaware of what happened to the Japanese Americans during World War II. The personal stories of the incarcerated Japanese Americans are a powerful reminder of how fear and hate can divide our country. We use our online resource at densho.org of over 900 videorecorded interviews to show the personal impact of racism and bigotry and their relevance to today.”

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in the following activities to ensure that we do not discriminate on a prohibited basis against members in the granting of credit and that we comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations regarding fair lending: • We review all of our advertising to ensure that no terms or language are used that would discourage any community from applying for membership or credit; We review all of our advertising to ensure that a variety of images are used to encourage all communities to apply for membership or credit; We conduct an annual statistical analysis of our loan pricing and underwriting to ensure that we do not unlawfully discriminate against individuals who are members of a protected class; We conduct an annual geographical analysis of our application and lending patterns, including comparisons to peer institutions to ensure that we are lending to all of our communities; and Our marketing is focused on a broad socioeconomic spectrum and is aimed at inclusivity. 

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has lifted Vien Dong Restaurant’s six-month closure order for repeated food safety violations. The restaurant reopened for business on May 26.

The owner of the restaurant in Tacoma’s

Lincoln District appealed the closure, which took effect May 3. He agreed to a strict improvement plan for better food safety, including completing and maintaining daily temperature logs for each refrigerator.

Vien Dong will remain on probation until it passes a series of inspections. The restaurant is subject to extended closures if it has specific food code violations. ■

— Melanie Walsh Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Ikeda explains that the funding will help Densho find and engage new supporters, which has become even more critical with funding cuts from the federal and national institutions.

Asia Pacific Cultural Center based in Tacoma is another organization that won the grant. “We work mainly across King and Pierce counties in schools, businesses, government offices, military departments, and the public to represent the culture of the 47 Asian and South Pacific Islands through history, food, language, artistry, dance, and music. The ArtsFund grant will make it possible for us to provide more art and cultural education to the community,” says Executive Director Lua Pritchard.

Horita explains that this is a great opportunity for smaller organizations to reach out to a new audience that may not be funders who they can cultivate a relationship with. “It’s not just the dollars, it’s what those dollars can do,” she said.

The grant recipients also become a part of the ArtsFund network of cultural partners and get access to free training, capacity building, leadership building, and networking events. They can then partner and resource share with larger or smaller organizations within the network.

The recipients of the 2017 Multicultural Arts grants are • Asia Pacific Cultural Center • American Asian Performing Arts Theatre • Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas • Chinese Arts and Music Association • Densho • Japan Arts Connection Lab • Pratidhwani • ReAct Theatre: Seattle’s Multiethnic Philanthropic Theatre • Red Eagle Soaring • Seattle Asian American Film Festival • Seattle Latino Film Festival • Tasveer ■ Janice can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

TOGETHER, WE ARE BETTER.

BECU. Fiercely proud of our diverse community.

800-233-2328 www.becu.org

KING COUNTY NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for E00495E17, Engineering Services for Pacific Right Bank Project; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on June 19, 2017.

Total Estimated Price: $2,000,000 There is a 20% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) firms on this contract.

King County, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all Proposers that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit proposals in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

All solicitation documents are published at: https:// procurement.kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/login. aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fprocurement_ovr%2fdefault.aspx Contact: Esther Decker, 206-263-9323, esther.decker@ kingcounty.gov

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JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

35 YEARS

■ WORLD NEWS

Melting pot Manchester stresses unity after concert attack

By MIKE CORDER ASSOCIATED PRESS

The “Curry Mile”

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — On the Manchester street they call the “Curry Mile,” there are no longer just Indian or Pakistani restaurants. A hungry diner can now choose Halal snacks from Beirut, kebabs from Afghanistan

or garishly colored sweets from India, among many others.

Traffic along the busy road is just as varied — hipsters on vintage race bikes zoom past a mother in full-face veil pushing a stroller. A block away, Paulette Greig, the daughter of a Jamaican Indian and a white English woman, drinks water in the Albert Inn, a traditional English pub.

The kaleidoscope of Mancunians — as the city’s residents are known — reflects the proudly multiethnic city’s long history of welcoming migrants and, on the whole, successfully integrating them.

“Obviously, you get the odd idiot, but you get them everywhere,” Greig said.

Manchester’s race relations have been in the spotlight since suicide bomber Salman Abedi, a British citizen of Libyan descent, killed 22 people and injured dozens more on May 22 outside an Ariana Grande concert. The attack has been claimed by Islamic State, drawing attention to the city’s Muslim population. Some 80,000 Muslims live in Manchester, according to data from the 2011 census, making up nearly 16 percent of the population at the time.

Alongside many churches and a handful of Sikh temples, there are dozens of mosques dotted around the sprawling

city. The large, modern Central Mosque is tucked into a leafy street in the Victoria Park neighborhood just a few blocks from the Curry Mile, and smaller establishments cater to national minorities who tend to be bonded by language.

Mohammed Fadl, a spokesman for Libyan expatriates in Manchester, said there are no exact figures but the community numbers in the tens of thousands and is the largest in the United Kingdom.

It remains unclear how exactly Abedi became radicalized.

Libyan anti-terror forces arrested his father in Tripoli on May 24, Special Deterrent force spokesman Ahmed bin Salem told the Associated Press. Two of Abedi’s brothers also have been arrested — one in England, the other in Libya.

In the aftermath of the deadly attack, community leaders have been keen to stress that attackers like Abedi are a tiny minority in the Muslim community, and to underscore the spirit of unity in this melting pot city.

“If you look at Curry Mile and people across the see CURRY MILE on 14

Nepal celebrates Taiwan court rules anniversary of Mount in favor of same sex Everest conquest marriage

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal’s mountaineering community celebrated the first conquest of Mount Everest 64 years ago on May 29, as well as this year’s climbing season, during which hundreds scaled the world’s highest peak.

Several mountaineers and others who

have contributed to the climbing industry were honored during a ceremony in Kathmandu marking the first successful Everest climb by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing see EVEREST on 13

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s Constitutional Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage on May 24, making the island the first place in Asia to recognize gay unions.

The court said the current civil code that does not permit same-sex marriages was a

violation of two articles of the constitution of the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name.

It said that authorities must either enact or amend relevant laws within two years, see SAME SEX on 13

South Indian court orders 4 week stay on cow slaughter rules NEW DELHI (AP) — A court in southern India on May 30 ordered a four-week stay on the federal government’s decision to ban the sale of cows and buffaloes for slaughter.

The Madras High Court gave the federal and state governments four weeks to reply to an appeal that an individual has the basic right to choose his food.

Last month, the government passed new rules that buyers and sellers at cattle markets or animal fairs will have to pledge in writing that the animals, which are considered holy by many Hindus, will not be slaughtered for food or

any other purpose.

Many state governments have criticized the ban as a blow to beef and leather exports that will leave hundreds of thousands jobless and deprive millions of Christians, Muslims and poor Hindus of a cheap source of protein.

The top elected officials of Kerala, Karnataka and West Bengal states have said they will not abide with the federal order and protest rallies have been held in these states. see SLAUGHTER RULES on 13

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

YOUR VOICE

■ NATIONAL NEWS

asianweekly northwest

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After mistake in 2012, Sato learns lesson to win Indy 500

By JENNA FRYER

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Takuma Sato had victory in sight once before at the Indianapolis 500. When he attempted a last-lap pass, Sato lost control of his car, crashed and Dario Franchitti went on to his third victory in “The Greatest Spectacle In Racing.”

In nearly the same position five years later, Sato leaned on lessons learned in that 2012 defeat and became the first Japanese driver to win the Indianapolis 500.

“I do feel after 2012 that I really needed to correct something I left over,” Sato said. “In 2012, going into Turn 1 with Dario was a big risk. But you always learn something from those situations, and this time we proved we had what it takes.”

In winning for just the second time in IndyCar, Sato had to hold off Helio Castroneves over the closing laps on May 28 to deny the veteran a record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 victory. The two swapped the lead, and Castroneves made one last attempt at a pass for the win that he couldn’t make stick.

“When Helio was coming with three laps to go, on a big

Takuma Sato

charge into Turn 1, we went side-by-side,” Sato said. “But this time I ended up still pointing in the right direction and still leading. It was job done, and the last two laps the car worked beautifully.”

The win was the second straight for Andretti Autosport in the Indy 500 and third in the last four years. An Andretti

driver has now won the 500 five times overall dating to 2005 with the late Dan Wheldon.

Last year, it was with rookie Alexander Rossi. This time it was with Sato, who joined the team this season and had largely been overlooked at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Andretti camp expanded to six cars for the 500 to add Fernando Alonso, a two-time F1 champion who brought massive European interest to the race.

Six cars never seemed to spread the team too thin, and the main issue facing Andretti Autosport was the reliability of its Honda engines. Alonso put on a thrilling show and even led 27 laps but he was sent to the paddock when his engine blew with 20 laps remaining.

Still, his race was spectacular and Alonso simply fell victim to his engine late in the race. The crowd gave the Spaniard a standing ovation as he climbed from his car.

“It’s a very nice surprise to come here with big names, big guys, the best in open-wheel racing and be competitive,” said Alonso, who didn’t rule out a return.

“The last two weeks, I came here basically to prove see SATO on 13

Minidoka More US cities aim to make Chinese Internment travelers feel at home camp opens visitor center

By PHILIP MARCELO ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON (AP) — Hotels offer congee and other Chinese staples for room service.

Casinos train staff members on Chinese etiquette. Restaurants, tourist sights and shopping malls translate signs, menus and information booklets into Chinese.

The American hospitality industry is stepping up efforts to make Chinese visitors feel more welcome, since they are projected to soon surpass travelers from the United Kingdom and Japan as the single largest overseas demographic.

And it’s not just the typical tourist hubs of New York and Los Angeles, where such efforts have long been commonplace. Smaller

cities like Boston, Las Vegas, Seattle and Washington, D.C., are increasingly getting into the act, industry officials say.

“Americans traditionally lag behind what other international designations do for different cultures,” said Elliott Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC, the city’s convention and tourism organization, which last year launched “Welcome China,” a certification program for local businesses. “We just kind of assume that one size fits all. Quite frankly, that’s just not welcoming.”

Local tourism associations in those and other cities have recently launched campaigns aimed at getting their member hotels, restaurants and tourism companies see CHINESE TOURISTS on 12

www.buckleylaw.net d

EDEN, Idaho (AP) — Visitors to the Minidoka War Relocation Center in southern Idaho will get a closer sense of what life was like for thousands of Japanese Americans forced to live at the internment camp during World War II now that a new visitor center has opened at the site.

Hanako Wakatsuki, chief interpreter for the Minidoka National Historic Site, told The Times-News that the visitor center has onsite staff for the first time since the National Park Service began developing the location.

Now visitors can take guided tours or walk through the camp on their own.

The internment camp incarcerated 13,000 people of Japanese heritage between 1942 and 1945. Two-thirds of them were American citizens, and half of them were children.

All were living in Oregon, Washington state and Alaska when they were forced to live at the camp. 

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JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR JUNE

FREE TAICHI CLASS 917 Howell St., Seattle 8 a.m.

1

3&4

BRUCE LEE EXHIBIT PART 3 Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle 10 a.m.

Free admission

SEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL: PAGDIRIWANG PHILIPPINE FESTIVAL Seattle Center, Armory and Mural Amphitheatre Free admission festalpagdiriwang.com

PUBLIC HEARING: CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT REZONE Seattle City Council, 600 4th Ave. Floor 2, Seattle 5:30 p.m.

TASTE OF TAI CHI: CHARITY SEMINAR TO BENEFIT KIN ON Kin On Community Center, 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle 7:30 p.m.

206-556-2237, healthyliving@kinon.org

3 45TH ANNUAL FRIENDSHIP DINNER & AUCTION, “BRAVING THE NEW WAVE” Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, Seattle 5:30 p.m. $145/person cisc-seattle.org

SUMMER MAHOUTO MARKET Nagomi Tea House, 519 6th Ave. S. Ste. 200, Seattle 11 a.m.

6 SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL UW, Meany Hall Studio 267 5 p.m. confucius.washington.edu

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35 YEARS

AMC Pacific Place, June 9, 11 a.m. siff.net

8&9 DIRECTOR LIANG DONG AND PRODUCERS SCHEDULED TO ATTEND AT THE OPENING OF “THE DOOR” AMC Pacific Place June 8, 7 p.m.

June 9, 4 p.m. siff.net

9 & 10 DIRECTOR WANG XUEBO AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ZHAO YIHAN SCHEDULED TO ATTEND AMC Pacific Place 11, June 9, 1:30 p.m.

AMC Pacific Place 11, June 10, 7 p.m. siff.net

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COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS: SOUTHEAST ASIAN COMMUNITIES Seattle Central College, One World Restaurant, 1701 Broadway, Seattle 5:30 p.m.

THE HANDICRAFTS OF GUJARAT WITH MARILYN ROMATKA & COURTNEY NEVITT Phinney Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle 1 p.m. $15–$20 friendsofasianart.org

7&8

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8TH AYAME KAI GUILD ANNUAL STEAK DINNER Seattle Buddhist Temple, 1427 S. Main St., Seattle 5 p.m.

WRITER/PRODUCER/ACTOR QIN YI SCHEDULED TO ATTEND AT THE OPENING OF “THE BEAUTIFUL KOKONOR LAKE” SIFF Cinema Uptown, June 7, 6 p.m.

AMC Pacific Place, June 8, 4:30 p.m. siff.net

HING HAY COWORKS’ 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY Hing Hay Coworks, 409B Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 5 p.m.

SEATTLE’S PHILIPPINE SOIRÉE, A CULTURAL NIGHT PRESENTATION Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St., Seattle 5:30 p.m. fylpro.org

DIRECTOR YUANCHENG ZHU SCHEDULED TO ATTEND AT THE OPENING OF “THE SONG OF COTTON” SIFF Cinema Uptown, June 7, 8:30 p.m.

MABUHAY MAJESTY Seattle Center 3 p.m.

15 HOMESTEAD COMMUNITY LAND TRUST’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER PARTY, “BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR OUR NEXT 200

HOMES” Edgewater Hotel, The Olympic Ballroom, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle 6 p.m. homesteadclt.org

23 & 24 4TH LAO AMERICAN WRITERS SUMMIT Highline College, 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines 9 a.m.

JULY 7

LOCAL EVENT WITH AUTHOR LISA KO OF, “THE LEAVERS” Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 Tenth Ave., Seattle 7 p.m. michael@algonquin.com 212-614-5639

8 7TH ANNUAL SAMOA CULTURAL DAY Clover Park High Harry Lang Stadium 8 a.m.

253-383-3900 apcc96.org

8&9 JAPAN FAIR 2017 Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. 6th St., Bellevue 7/8, 11 a.m.

7/9, 10 a.m.

Free japanfairus.org

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■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Filipino American Ben Gonio cast as lead in ArtsWest’s “Sweeney Todd”

By Tiffany Ran NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY ArtsWest’s feature of its “Sweeney Todd” production will not just be the classic “Sweeney Todd” that everyone knows, says actor Ben Gonio, who is cast as the play’s lead. Gonio tries to avoid getting too political, but states that such exploration of power, control, class structure, and empathy (or lack thereof) will inevitably cause audiences to draw inferences to modern day issues.

“We’re conceptualizing the piece. We’re not just doing ‘Sweeney Todd.’ We’re adding some layers to it,” said Gonio, careful to disclose too much about the play before its June 1 debut. “Without spoon-feeding the audience, we’ll create theatrical moments that will give way to different interpretations based on a contemporary lens…

The audience will be seated and something happens that is not in the script. It will make them think,” he added.

Sweeney Todd, a villain and Victorian urban legend, was featured most notably in the Tony award winning musical of its namesake by Steven Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler.

The musical has since included many versions that bring up new characters and plot twists. More recently, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” a Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd, is a dark adaptation where a man is so changed by a false conviction and violent disbanding of his family that he returns to society with a new identity and name, set on avenging the destruction of his life and family.

While the classic play retains its appeal, the West Seattle-based ArtsWest production of “Sweeney Todd” aims to stand firmly as a contemporary adaptation that is provocative, yet applicable to our day and age. “‘Sweeney Todd’ is about class structure. On the surface, it’s a classic revenge tragedy — which makes it satisfying — but on a deeper level, it explores the weaponizing of

Ben Gonio

power and control and how that intersects with empathy.

That’s what makes it a piece for our present moment,” said ArtsWest Artistic Director and “Sweeney Todd” CoDirector Mathew Wright via a press release.

• Full-Time & Part-Time • Competitive Pay • Health Care Benefits

For one, ArtsWest’s casting of “Sweeney Todd” involves a diversity in casting that, as far as Gonio knows, is unprecedented. Gonio, a Filipino American, is cast as a lead, as well as actress Corinna Lapid Munter for Mrs. Lovett. Emilie Hanson is cast as Johanna Barker and Jimmie Herrod as the Beggar Woman. Co-directors Wright and Eric Ankrim have developed a vision for ArtsWest’s version of “Sweeney” that places race, oppression, and power in the forefront of the play’s narrative. There have already been conversations among cast members to introduce layers or original theatrical moments into their adaptation of “Sweeney” that would indirectly draw references to our modern day. ArtsWest production of “Sweeney” encourages cast members of color to bring one’s own experiences into an interpretation of the play. It is a bold, brave, yet understated notion, which cast members hope will eventually become more commonplace. “[It’s] refreshing to me because it’s not using conscious race casting as a tool to be cool, hip, relevant, and modern.

It is really about, let’s bring in people of color to these roles and just leave it at that because there is something that people of color will bring into these roles that we don’t have to draw out, explore, and be pedantic about. It’s just there,” said Gonio. “[The cast doesn’t] want to play it safe. They want to make bold choices and create conversation, but we’re not making too much of a point about race at the end of the day.

I think it’ll be an afterthought, but we’re not going to make an issue of it,” he adds.

As a theater and television actor, Gonio has encountered his fair share of typecasting, but states that recent controversies with whitewashing in films and the yellowface controversy in a local production of “The Mikado” have propelled theater and arts organizations to examine their

• Holiday Pay • Career Choice Tuition Assistance • Employee Discount

see GONIO on 15

asianweekly northwest

8

35 YEARS

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

■ ON THE SHELF

It’s not easy growing up

By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

The Metropolitans

By Carol Goodman Viking Books for Young Readers, 2017 Meet Kiku, Madge, Joe, and Walt, four 13-year-olds who find themselves at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City when Japan bombs Pearl Harbor and pulls the United States into World War II. As everyone tries to figure out what this means for the country, it quickly becomes clear that the teens will play a role. An eccentric museum curator is seeking four brave individuals — or knights — to track down the hidden pages of an ancient book of Arthurian legends, the Kelmsbury Manuscript. That manuscript holds the key to preventing another attack on American soil.

The four teens answer this call — despite being repeatedly told that they’re just kids — and soon find themselves developing extraordinary powers and experiencing the thoughts and feelings of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Morgan le Fay, and Lancelot.

In this story, Goodman combines history with fiction, myth, and folklore and brings together four very different people to work toward a common goal: Kiku, a Japanese American girl whose father has been taken away following the Pearl Harbor attacks; Madge, an Irish American girl who lives with her aunt after her mother dies and her

father has a breakdown; Joe, an American Indian who lives on the streets of New York after hitting his school principal; and Walt, a recent Jewish immigrant from Germany living with American relatives after his parents sent him stateside to be safe from the Nazi concentration camps.

As the team works together to try and stop another attack against the United States, Goodman shows that their differences are no reason for them to distrust each other.

If anything, it brings them closer as a team, as they also work to protect Kiku from the authorities and comfort Walt when they

learn the fate of Jews in Europe.

Although “Metropolitans” is a fantasy adventure story, Goodman lays it all down on a foundation of the very real themes of friendship, loyalty, and trust, as well as love, betrayal, and forgiveness.

Spirit’s Princess

By Esther Friesner Random House Books for Young Readers, 2012 As the only daughter of the leader of the Matsu clan, Himiko should not have any

care in the world. But instead of basking in the pampered princess life with only concerns of a future husband to worry about, Himiko wants to do something meaningful with her life and contribute to her clan.

Initially she wants to become a hunter, but that doesn’t work out and readers quickly learn that Himiko also has a secret. She can speak with the spirit world. One thing leads to another and Himiko soon finds herself training with the clan’s shaman in secret. see SHELF on 11

Accept the challenge! You can make a difference in your community!

The King County Sheriff’s Office protects a diverse community and is recruiting a diverse police force —especially female candidates.

Do you have a strong desire to give back to your community?

Do you have excellent communication and interpersonal skills?

Then a career with the King County Sheriff’s Office may be for you.

We provide excellent salary and benefit packages, including excellent family leave and retirement benefits, as well as career advancement opportunities. There are many unique assignments ranging from community-based patrol to specialized deputy positions. If you can make sound decisions under stress, and want to make a career of being involved in your community, then join the growing number of women in the King County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information and to apply, go to www.kingcountysheriffjobs.com.

Step up! It’s your career, your community.

Make a difference in King County today!

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

YOUR VOICE

■ WAYNE’S WORLDS

asianweekly northwest

9

There is such a thing as MSG withdrawal

By Wayne Chan NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY I’ve heard that someone going through the symptoms of withdrawal can be dramatic, but it’s only been recently that I’ve seen the effects in person. Just to be sure, I searched online to better understand some of these symptoms.

The typical ones I found were depression, insomnia, irritability, social isolation, and anxiety. Did these match up with what I saw?

Let’s see…check, check, check, and check.

Let me provide a little background. The person I observed going through withdrawal was my brother-in-law named Remington, who came here from Beijing to go through a training course. And the withdrawal he was suffering from wasn’t due to what people normally associate withdrawal from. No, it was from Chinese food.

You might say, “That’s ridiculous! How can anyone go through withdrawal just from not eating Chinese food?” Look, I agree with you. But, the fact of the matter is, I saw it with my own eyes.

The first couple of days after he arrived in town were easy. In fact, he didn’t even want Chinese food. After all, he lives in Beijing.

Why on earth after flying 14 hours to the United States would he want to get Chinese food right after he got here?

When we asked what kind of food he wanted to try while he was here, his eyes lit up and he said, “Mexican!” We proceeded to go to a place surrounded by mariachis, bowls overflowing with chips and salsa, and a seemingly endless supply of refried beans.

Now, before any of you start schooling me on the fact that this isn’t really authentic

“Mexican food,” in my defense, number one, I knew that’s what he was looking for, and number two, we can save that for a future column.

After polishing off a taco, burrito, and an enchilada, we got back home and Remington laid back on our couch with a rounded belly and an expression on his face as if he had just sat through a marathon viewing of the movie “Manchester by the Sea.” “That was a lot of food,” Remington mumbled. “I’m going to skip dinner.”

The next morning, I drove Remington to his hotel, where the training was being held.

He would be there for three days.

The hotel, which will remain nameless, is in an area that I’m pretty familiar with. It’s an area with lots of hotels and convention

halls, and it’s primarily geared toward people traveling on business. Since Remington didn’t have a car, his only dining options were the ones within walking distance.

Basically, what that meant was that no matter which restaurant he decided to go to, the only question the waitress or waiter would have to ask him was, “What else would you like on your hamburger?”

Three days later, I picked him up from the hotel to bring him back home, before he would head back to Beijing the next morning.

I could tell immediately as I pulled up to the lobby, something had changed. This was not the same guy.

This wasn’t the “happy go lucky guy who is up for anything” guy. He wasn’t even the “I’m engorged with food so just leave me

alone” guy. This was another guy altogether.

He stood there next to his suitcase right outside the lobby. His eyebrows were furrowed. His lips were pursed. His left foot was tapping the ground anxiously.

“How was the training?” I asked foolishly.

Remington replied, “It was awful!” seeming to get more irritated that I would even ask.

After a few more minutes of tense conversation, it became clear what was going on. In fact, the training went well. He learned a lot, and the certification would help him with his work back home. But the food…

Three days of hamburgers! I can’t take it anymore! Every place I went, all they had were hamburgers! The one meal that wasn’t a hamburger was lunch, when the hotel brought in food for us during the meeting, and that was a sandwich, which is basically just a cold hamburger! If I have another hamburger, so help me!

At this point, I decided that jokingly offering to take him to our neighborhood “The Hamburger Factory” probably wouldn’t go over well, and probably wouldn’t be good for his health…or mine, for that matter.

I headed straight for a restaurant near us called “The Tasty Noodle House.” It’s one of my favorite Chinese restaurants. I drove there as if I was rushing him to the emergency room.

We arrived at the restaurant and I saw there was an immediate problem — no parking.

I scanned the parking lot to make a beeline to anyone walking out that looked like they were about to leave. After a few minutes, a group came out in the nick of time. I was afraid Remington was about to get out of my see MSG on 13

trashion fashion

$250 and more in prizes Please fill out all the fields below: Name: ___________________________________

NWAW’s 2017 FASHION DESIGN CONTEST

THE OBJECTIVE: Design a wearable outfit or garment that incorporates recycled materials and/or NWAW/Seattle Chinese Post newspapers.

_________________________________________ Address: _________________________________ _________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________ _________________________________________ Brief description of your design: _______________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ ________________________________________ Designer: _________________________________ Model: ___________________________________

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— Up to to 3 photographs of your design — A brief description of your work Entries can be directed to RSVP@NWASIANWEEKLY.COM or mailed to: Northwest Asian Weekly Attn: Trashion Fashion 412 Maynard South Seattle, WA 98104 (Multiple entries and all ages welcomed!)

Finalists will be announced in the NWAW’s {JULY 9} issue. *Finalists must be available to showcase their designs on {JULY 15} at Chinatown/International District Dragon Fest to be eligible for prizes. Arrival/rehearsal at 11 a.m. Show at 1:30 p.m.

Rain or shine.

PRIZES: First Place: $250 + goodies + announcement in NWAW/SCP Second Place: $150 + goodies + announcement in NWAW/SCP Third Place: $100 + goodies + announcement in NWAW/SCP Honorable Mentions: Announcements in NWAW/SCP *If you need newsprint for your design, please come to the Asian Weekly’s office at 412 Maynard Avenue South to pick up back issues.

2015 1st place winner julie stone & Karissa Lew ► bit.ly/23vQmIK

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asianweekly northwest

10

35 YEARS

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

OPINION

Dream teams help small businesses to succeed

Photos by Assunta Ng/NWAW

Too good to be true, but it’s true!

Brian Myers with student team, holding Uli's Famous sausage at the UW.

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Small businesses often face tough challenges and at times, they don’t know where to seek help. Or they are so bogged down with the daily operations, they rarely have the time to articulate what they need, such as growing their business or dealing with a crisis.

From left: Jae So, Palace Korean Bar owner, advisor Andreano Farinas, and a member of student consulting team.

What if someone assembles a dream team specifically to find solutions and strategies for your struggling or successful business, at a cost so low, you can’t afford not to use it?

The proven success of these consulting dream teams got a bow from underserved businesses recently at the University of Washington (UW).

Bryan Myers, sales manager of Uli’s Famous Sausage,

told the crowd at the UW Foster School of Business on May 15 that sales have almost doubled, and its net profit has doubled, since the company received help from the team in developing its marketing plan and branding strategies two years ago. see BLOG on 16

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

YOUR VOICE

■ EDITORIAL

asianweekly northwest

11

OPINION

Fall from grace

It was the photo that nearly broke the internet on Monday, May 29. And disappointed his fan base yet again.

Tiger Woods, once a legendary golfer and cleancut role model — looked sad, glassy eyed, unshaven, and wore a sullen expression in a police mugshot.

The photo emerged early Memorial Day following Woods’ 3 a.m. arrest in Jupiter, Fla., on suspicion of driving under the influence.

SHELF from 8 With so much working against her — from a father who only wants her to be a good daughter, to a society that values females so much less than males, to peers who only want to be her friend because of her status in the clan, Himiko eventually figures out who she is meant to be and what she is meant to do for her clan.

“Spirit’s Princess” combines fiction, fantasy, and folklore with history as Friesner imagines what teenaged life for Queen Himiko of ThirdCentury Japan, before the country united under one ruler, could have been like.

Himiko is a strong character who may not know exactly what she wants all the time, but she knows what she doesn’t want and has no problem rejecting those things just because they are expected of her.

In addition to Himiko, we catch a glimpse of a life of duty for all of her family, as they try to fulfill different roles for the good of the clan. From Himiko’s eldest brother who struggles with the idea of finding a wife when he has fallen in love with a young woman from a different clan, to her two stepmothers whose children suffer through life-threatening illnesses, Friesner shows the struggles of life during that time period.

Woods, who has been recovering from a back injury, has said that it was a mix of prescription medication he wasn’t used to. He denied that alcohol was involved.

Woods who changed the face of professional golf in 1997 by becoming the youngest winner of the Masters at age 21.

Woods who hasn’t won a major since the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif.

Injuries and the 2010 infidelity and sex addiction scandal have blighted the latter years of Woods’ career.

The champion and trailblazer fell, but many of his fans stuck with him and forgave him.

Woods remains one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Forbes estimated that Woods made $45.5 million in endorsements in 2016.

to explain what you mean.

While “American Born Chinese” may be targeted toward middle-level readers, Yang tells a universal story that anyone at

Money, fame … he appeared to have everything. And he threw it all away.

The comeback that golf fans have waited for from Woods isn’t in the cards.

Now, he is the butt of jokes, and a poor role model, especially for children of color (Woods is of mixed African American, Chinese, Native American, Thai, and Dutch ancestry) who looked up to him.

Golf has moved on without Tiger Woods, and the sad thing is that the next generation are more likely to remember the mugshot than anything else.

It’s been said that your reputation is everything.

A truer statement was never uttered. 

any age can enjoy, as there is always going to be a time when we question who we are and where we belong in this world. 

APPLICATION Name: ____________________ Address: ___________________ __________________________ City: _____________ Zip: _______ Phone: _____________________ Birthdate: _____ / _____ / _____ School: ____________________ E-mail: _____________________ Class (as of academic year 2017-2018).

Open to all students, but priority is given to juniors and seniors: ___ Sophomore ___ Senior ___ Junior ___ College Freshman Are you a Northwest Asian Weekly reader? ___ Yes ___ No

American Born Chinese

By Gene Luen Yang First Second, 2006

Jin Wang has just moved to a new school, only to learn that he is the only Chinese American student. The Monkey King is doing his best to prove his power and be accepted by the other gods. And Danny is an all-American boy whose life gets interrupted whenever his cousin ChinKee, a personification of the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, comes for his annual visit.

In “American Born Chinese,” Yang tells the stories of these three seemingly different characters, as they go about their lives and try to figure out who they are and where they belong in their respective worlds.

Yang combines modern life with folklore in a graphic novel that depicts what life can be like not just for Chinese Americans, but also many Asian Americans as they try to navigate growing up between two cultures. Whether it’s the assumption that anyone who is of Asian descent are automatically friends, to the difficulty others sometimes have in pronouncing their names, Yang shows Asian American readers that he understands and non-Asian readers some of the struggles people can go through just because they are a little different.

In addition to the story, Yang draws in readers through his artwork, which can tell the characters’ stories without any words. The saying is that a picture is worth a thousand words and that is true as Yang’s drawings are engaging and really show the characters’ ups and downs — sometimes through a single series of facial expressions. Sometimes, you don’t need words

Samantha can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

WHEN

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Mail this application and your essay to: Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 Application Deadline: June 15, 2017 Any application received after the above date will be considered on a space-available basis.

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asianweekly northwest

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JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

SHERIFF’S OFFICE from 1 county, recruits who speak a second language have become as valuable as those who have served in the military in a war zone.

This is one change Sheriff John Urquhart has successfully led.

“Why not give that person who has that extra skill a step up?” he asked. “Why don’t we look for that real value that can bring not only to the organization, but more importantly, to the community? And that’s why I did that, and if we get diverse people as well, well then, it’s a double win.”

“The number one criterion has to be the heart of a servant, to be able to want to go out into your community and make a difference. That’s what I’m looking for,” he said.

Sergeant Loi Dawkins has been recruiting deputies of color for the KCSO for the last year. Her mother is Asian, and her father is Black. She said, “The message with our recruiting team is that we are inviting people from all walks of life to apply for our department because we have a need for them.”

In addition to expanding recruitment and outreach, the KCSO’s proactive efforts to improve diversity include hiring minority officers from other jurisdictions.

“We’ve hired an Asian female from Los Angeles,” she said.

One barrier among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that is deterring them from becoming deputy sheriffs — a lack of trust in law enforcement underlying their belief they need not apply.

According to a 2016 report “Advancing Diversity in Law Enforcement,” from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, this barrier in recruitment exists along with other barriers, like the reputation or practices of a police AHN from 1 Korean-language signs testify to the neighborhood’s name and Asian-influenced history.

“As a Korean-American myself, it’s about representation,” says Jimmy Chai, who works in a commercial real estate office in the heart of Koreatown and has donated to Ahn’s campaign.

In a racially complex city, “you want someone who is from that area, who gets the nuance,” Chai said. “He understands the people in that neighborhood.”

Ahn is part of what is something of a political breakout for Koreans, who have not had one of their own in the U.S. House since the late 1990s.

Two years ago, David Ryu became the first Korean-American to hold a City Council seat in Los Angeles. Steven Choi, who was born in South Korea, was elected to the state Assembly in 2016. And in New York City, Ronnie Cho, the son of immigrants from South Korea, is running to be one of the first Korean-Americans to serve on the City Council.

David Min, a law professor from the University of California, Irvine, is seeking to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Mimi Walters in California’s Orange County. He said there is “a groundswell of political consciousness nationally among Korean-Americans.”

“We are at an age of assimilation when people are starting to feel comfortable enough to enter politics,” said Min, the son of Korean immigrants and a former aide to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

The special election June 6 in the heavily Democratic district will not change the balance of power in Congress: Ahn is in a runoff with another Democrat, state Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, to fill the seat vacated by now-state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, also a Democrat.

With the rivals occupying much of the same policy terrain on health care, immigration and resistance to President Donald Trump, the race could end up being a test of whether an inspired Asian community can elevate their local favorite in a district where half the registered voters are Latino.

Asians make up about 15 percent of the roughly 300,000 registered voters in the district, which was carried by Bernie Sanders in last year’s Democratic presidential primary.

A review of vote-by-mail ballots submitted so far shows Asian voters outpacing Hispanics, an encouraging sign for Ahn, according to nonpartisan research firm Political Data Inc. But the early spike in Asian turnout could be somewhat misleading: Gomez was the top vote-getter in the primary.

“We saw that in the (April) primary the Ko-

35 YEARS

agency and the lack of awareness of career opportunities within a police agency.

Dawkins’ job is to also increase the awareness of career opportunities at the KCSO, like working as a school resource officer or receiving full health-care coverage, a $62,710 starting salary, and a take-home car as a deputy sheriff.

“I was able to go back to school and get my master’s in public administration, and then I found more things that I could apply my education to, so there’s truly something for everyone on this department, as long as people take advantage of that,” she said.

Urquhart said, “There’s so many different things you can do throughout your career. Hopefully, this will be at least a 40-year career for people.”

Retention and promotion of Asian American and other minority deputies that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve are equally as important as recruitment.

Tracie Keesee, co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity and retired captain of the Denver Police Department, spoke about the Ferguson protests in a 2014 “PBS NewsHour” broadcast. She says what was seen in Ferguson from the beginning were policy decisions, such as the decision to bring out heavy armor.

“Those are policy decisions that if you don’t have diversity in the ranks of command staff that can give some insight to decisions being made, often times, this is the result.”

In an online KCSO video, Dawkins said, “I could be the officer that I would want somebody to be to me and rather than complaining about officers, I decided that I would be the change that I wanted to see.”

Her sentiment echoes a quote often associated with Indian

rean vote came in very heavy in the initial returns,” said Paul Mitchell of Political Data, which provides detailed voting information for candidates to help them identify potential supporters. “You have to acknowledge that this is a Latino district.”

The district that runs through downtown Los Angeles was crafted to favor Hispanic candidates, and Becerra held the seat for over two decades before stepping aside when he was appointed attorney general.

Republicans account for less than 10 percent of voters, a key reason why two Democrats emerged from an April primary that sent the top two vote-getters to the general election, regardless of party. Gomez got 25 percent of the votes and Ahn 22 percent among a field of 23 candidates.

At a forum last week, Gomez emphasized his legislative experience and widespread support within party leadership, while Ahn described himself as a fresh voice untainted by corporate money at a time when voters are weary of establishment politics.

Gomez, 42, the son of Mexican immigrants, comes with advantages: His turf in the state Assembly overlaps with the congressional district, and he’s lined up endorsements from virtually all of the state’s Democratic heavyweights, including Gov. Jerry Brown, Becarra and the state Democratic Party.

He’s picked up support from a Bernie Sanders-inspired political group, Our Revolution, and his backing from nurses and other unions could prove decisive given the influence of organized labor in California elections.

Ahn, a 41-year-old lawyer and former Los Angeles city planning commissioner, has depicted Gomez as a foot soldier for corporate interests that have donated to his campaign, including pharmaceutical companies.

In many ways, the 34th District is a microcosm of Los Angeles.

Less than one-third of the voters are white. It ranges from gritty neighborhoods east of downtown, where building walls are splashed with graffiti, to hipster hangouts like Little Tokyo, a haven for foodies. There are pockets of Chinese, Vietnamese and Filipinos.

For Ahn to pull an upset, he’ll need a strong turnout from Korean voters while picking off enough support from other racial and ethnic groups to overtake the better-known Gomez.

As is typical in diverse Los Angeles, campaigns must be multilingual to reach voters through the media or the mail, or better, in person.

“This is really boots-on-the-ground,” says Ahn consultant Darby Levin. “How many people can you get to and knock on their doors?” ■

political leader Mahatma Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Dawkins gives an analogy during her public speaking appearances.

“I played sports in high school, and I tell people, ‘You know, we’ve all been to some sporting event or another,” she said.

“Especially with the youth, I use that and tell them, ‘You have an opportunity to get into the game versus standing in the crowds, throwing popcorn. That’s not going to change the plays that the players make.’”

For minority adolescents 14 to 20 interested in getting into the game, there is the King County Sheriff Explorer Program.

It offers them the opportunity to see first-hand what real police work is about and go on ride-alongs with officers.

“It’s a great way for them to develop leadership skills early on because I think that through the Explorer Program, I have seen kids with a better sense of confidence,” she said.

Urquhart wants the KCSO to understand its diverse community.

“We have to listen to the community. We have to absorb the values that they want us to have,” he said. “We shouldn’t bring our values to the job.” ■ For more information about the next Deputy Information Session on June 17 at 9:00 a.m., email Sergeant Loi Dawkins at kcsorec@kingcounty.gov.

James Tabafunda can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

CHINESE TOURISTS from 5 to better incorporate Chinese language and customs into their offerings.

They’re also embarking on tourismfocused sales missions to China and opening satellite offices in Chinese cities to strengthen ties and sell their city to trendsetters.

Some companies have already embraced the message.

The Sheraton Boston in the Back Bay neighborhood started offering in 2013 simple creature comforts many Chinese travelers expect, including slippers, robes, instant noodles, an electric kettle and green tea, and have since taken other steps to cater to Chinese guests, said Angela Vento, the hotel’s general manager.

The Four Seasons in D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood makes similar gestures, as well as offering Chineselanguage television and newspapers.

It’s also working on offering more traditional Chinese dishes on its room service and restaurant menus, said Liliana Baldassari, a hotel spokeswoman.

In Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment last year started offering guests at some of its affiliated resorts the option to book and pay for hotel rooms using WeChat, China’s most popular social media app.

“It’s made a really strong statement to the Chinese that these people really welcome us and understand us,” said Bruce Bommarito, the company’s vice president for international marketing, noting the Roman-themed casino has rolled out other China-focused initiatives in recent years, including training programs for staff on basic cultural etiquette for serving Chinese guests.

Those and other small touches are a step in the right direction, but more companies need to make an effort to recognize the growing importance of the Chinese market, said Justin Minggan Wei, a 27-year-old from Beijing who came to Boston in 2008 for college, an experience that inspired him to launch a consulting company helping local restaurants and businesses better serve Chinese customers.

Zeng Wen, a 24-year-old who works part-time as a tour guide for Chinesespeakers in Chicago, said she has noticed recent efforts to reach out to Chinese tourists, like the Hilton hotel chain’s “Hilton Huanying” program,

which derives its name from the Chinese words for “welcome.”

But Zhe Zhang, a 36-year-old from Guangzhou who visited Los Angeles this year, said he didn’t see any obvious outreach to Chinese visitors, outside of Chinese-run establishments. The most intimidating part, he said, was ordering food with his basic grasp of English.

“If possible, restaurants could provide a simple Chinese menu or pictured menu,” Zhang suggested.

Cities can’t afford to be caught flatfooted as China’s growing middle class — almost nonexistent two decades ago — flexes its spending power, industry experts say.

Chinese visitors already spend more in the U.S. than other international visitors, at roughly $7,200 per person, according to the U.S. Travel Association, an industry trade group. Travelers from the country are expected to more than double from about 2.6 million visitors in 2015 to nearly 6 million by 2021, the association said.

More direct flights from China to a wider range of U.S. cities in recent years is partly fueling the boom.

Creation of a 10-year visa between the U.S. and China in 2014 has also made it easier for Chinese to travel more frequently to the U.S. That has allowed them to venture beyond mustsee destinations like New York and Los Angeles to smaller and mid-size destinations and even the national parks, said Scott Johnson, a New York consultant working with Boston and other cities to grow their international presence.

The growing ranks of affluent Chinese are also staying longer and visiting more locations in the U.S. as they plan for their children’s college education or seek real estate and other investment opportunities.

U.S. tourism officials are working to assure partners in China that they remain welcoming even as the administration of Republican President Donald Trump tightens international travel policies and promises fundamental changes in the U.S.-China trade relationship, said Tom Norwalk, CEO of Visit Seattle, the city’s tourism organization.

“Security and travel don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” he said. “We’d hate to see us roll back the clock.

We’ve been pretty loud and clear about that.” ■

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

YOUR VOICE

■ ASTROLOGY

asianweekly northwest

13

Predictions and advice for the week of June 3–June 9, 2017

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat — You would prefer to go your own way instead of following along. While the potential for rewards are there, so is the risk.

Dragon — You simply are not interested in swapping out one issue for another. Exercising patience now should allow for a better result later on.

Monkey — A strong anchor will help you stay in one place, but it could keep you from going where you want to go as well.

Ox — A rather unexpected turn of events could leave you wondering if there are more opportunities elsewhere.

Snake — Are you stumped for ideas at the moment? Try doing something else for a while and then coming back with fresh eyes.

Rooster — As much as you want to simplify your approach, there are instances where some tailoring is called for.

Tiger — Resist the temptation to skip some intermediate steps. Doing so could dramatically alter the outcome.

Horse — Much to your chagrin, an earlier guess is a bit off the mark. Do your best to make the necessary adjustments in a timely fashion.

Dog — Judging by the response so far, there is definitely reason for you to be optimistic about where your current project is headed.

Rabbit — Until your position is relatively secure, there is little point in planning out things that are too far down the line.

Goat — Have you left off something that should have been included? Remedy the situation as soon as you become aware of what is happening.

Pig — A favor should not be taken lightly. The momentary benefits of a requested grant should not outweigh the potential cost later on.

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, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 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.

SATO from 5 myself, to challenge myself,” Alonso added. “I know that I can be as quick as anyone in an F1 car. I didn’t know if I can be as quick as anyone in an Indy car.”

The Honda teams had a clear horsepower advantage over Chevrolet, but things were dicey in Indy for more than a week and certainly on race day: Before Alonso’s failure, 2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay lost his engine and so did Charlie Kimball. Hunter-Reay led 28 laps and was a strong contender late.

Still, Honda had the winning engine at the end and six of the top 10.

“I’m really happy for Honda. They worked really hard to

get us here,” team owner Michael Andretti said. “I know how big this news is going to be when they wake up in Japan. It’s going to be huge. I’m really happy for them, that we were able to give them a win with our Japanese driver here.”

In a Chevrolet for Team Penske, Castroneves briefly took the lead but couldn’t hold it as Sato grabbed it back.

Castroneves was disappointed to fall short of the four-time winners club — particularly since it was his third runnerup finish.

“Being second again sucks, being so close to getting my fourth,” Castroneves said. “I’m really trying. I’m not giving up this dream and I know it’s going to happen.”

Ed Jones finished a career-best third and was followed

MSG from 9

SAME SEX from 4

car and pull one of the other cars out on his own.

We sat down to order, and to give you an idea as to how much he ordered, I was seriously considering whether we would qualify for a 15 percent banquet discount after he was done. The only thing left was waiting for the food to be served.

What is taking so long?!? It doesn’t take this long in Beijing! What, do I have to go back there and cook it myself?

What is going on?!?

This was after two minutes of waiting.

When the food arrived, there was a frantic look of desperation and anticipation on his face. He practically didn’t even need to use chopsticks. The food looked like it floated off the table and sailed into his mouth as if there was some “vacuum effect” coming from his stomach.

With each mouthful of dumpling or noodle, he closed his eyes and his head tilted back, as if gripped in some kind of rapturous ecstasy. His skin tone literally darkened three shades, from a pasty white to a more normal human hue.

You could almost see the MSG coursing through his veins, bringing him back to life from three days of deprivation.

After we finished and got back into the car to head home — without any leftovers, by the way — he tilted the car seat back and leaned back with his belly, engorged again and said, “I’m so full.

I’m going to skip dinner.”

Just in case, I’m going to keep a cup of noodles in the car when I take him to the airport in the morning. ■

failing which same-sex couples could have their marriages recognized by submitting a document.

Legislation enforcing the court’s ruling is already working its way through the legislature, where both the ruling and major opposition parties support legalization of same-sex marriage. Surveys show a majority of the public is also in favor, as is President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s first female leader.

Gays and lesbians in Taiwan have formed an effective lobby in recent years, with an annual Gay Pride march drawing tens of thousands. While some conservative religious and social groups have mobilized against same-sex marriage, their influence is much less potent than in the United States and many other parts of the world.

“The need, capability, willingness and longing, in both physical and psychological senses, for creating such permanent unions of intimate and exclusive nature are equally essential to homosexuals and heterosexuals, given the importance of the freedom of marriage

Wayne can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

by Max Chilton and Tony Kanaan, the highest finishers for Chip Ganassi Racing.

A joyful Sato dumped a bottle of 2 percent milk over his head, received a kiss from the Indy 500 Princess and raised his finger in the air. Andretti ran down pit lane to reach Sato’s crew, then rushed to hug his driver. Even Franchitti made his way to victory lane to congratulate Sato, who was eager to see the impact of his win at home in Japan.

“This is going to be mega big,” he predicted. “A lot of the Japanese fans are following the IndyCar Series and many, many flew over for the Indianapolis 500. We showed the great result today and I am very proud of it.” ■

to the sound development of personality and safeguarding of human dignity,” the court said in its ruling.

Two of the court’s 15 justices filed dissenting opinions and one recused himself in the case.

Despite the spread of same-sex marriage in a few regions since 2001, gay and lesbian couples had been allowed to marry in only 22 of the world’s nearly 200 countries. In Asia, Taiwan is the first government to legalize such unions, while South Africa is the only country in Africa to allow them. More than 70 countries continue to criminalize homosexual activity.

Globally, the pace of civil rights victories has slowed against the background of a steady stream of reports of anti-gay violence and persecution.

Recent weeks have witnessed large-scale detentions of gay men in Nigeria and Bangladesh, and accounts of roundups and torture of scores of gays in Chechnya. In Indonesia, a major police raid on a gay sauna was followed two days later by the public caning of two gay men. 

SLAUGHTER RULES from 4

EVEREST from 4

Several states in India’s remote northeast, where beef is eaten widely, have also said that they will allow the slaughter of bovine animals for food and other uses.

Over the past three days, young people in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have held “beef fests’’ where they cooked beef and served it to the public to mark their opposition to the new rules.

In New Delhi, supporters of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party on May 30 protested the killing of cows in Kerala and other parts of the country. 

Norgay, in 1953.

Eight Nepali Sherpa guides who initially dug the route this year and fixed climbing ropes to the 8,850-meter summit were also honored for their work.

Soon after they opened the route on May 14, hundreds of climbers were able to reach the summit. Bad weather on the mountain had forced a delay in opening the route.

Japanese climber Ken Noguchi, who made financial contributions to Nepal’s mountaineering community after a 2015 earthquake, and Lakpa Sherpa, the female climber with the highest number of Everest summits, were also awarded.

Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association said the ceremony also celebrated a successful spring climbing season.

The industry suffered back-to-back tragedies in 2014 and 2015, when deadly avalanches forced the mountain’s early closure. Last year was also considered successful with hundreds reaching the top, but five climbers died.

Six climbers died this season, and the bodies of all except for American doctor Roland Yearwood had been recovered by May 28.

Three Sherpa guides who attempted to retrieve Yearwood’s body said the location was too dangerous to reach, according to Murari Sharma of the Everest Parivar Expedition agency.

On May 28, rescuers brought down the bodies of an Indian climber who died this year and two Indians who died last year. ■

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.com.

asianweekly northwest

14

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

CURRY MILE from 4 community generally, people are understanding each other’s cultures,” said Irfan Chishti, Imam of the Central Mosque.

On May 24, girls in school uniforms stood near women in Islamic headscarves at a multi-faith vigil next to a statue of 19th-century Manchester industrialist and lawmaker Richard Cobden. A sea of flowers, candles, football scarves and balloons surrounded the statue.

One pink, heart-shaped balloon was emblazoned with the message “RIP Angels” on one side and “”Manchester together” on the other.

Many tributes included pictures of bees — the community-minded insect has been a symbol of Manchester for years, dating back to when its booming textile mills helped power the industrial revolution.

A rabbi, Islamic leaders and Christians addressed the short meeting, vowing not to let hate drive a wedge between the PROMOTE YOUR REGIONAL EVENT for only pennies. Reach 2.7 million readers in newspapers statewide for $275 classified or $1,350 display ad.

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35 YEARS

city’s diverse religious groups.

So far, they seem to be succeeding; the city appears to have avoided a concerted anti-Islam backlash in the aftermath of the attack.

Law enforcement authorities also are playing a role. A police car briefly drove into the deserted car park of the Central Mosque and asked staff if they had experienced any trouble since the concert blast. They said they had not.

Manchester, a city 160 miles northwest of London, now has a population of some 530,000. It has long been a magnet for migrants and others seeking work.

After its economic boom in the 19th century, Manchester gradually lost its sheen, becoming a gritty post-industrial city in the late 20th century.

It was then that it became a creative hub and a launching pad for influential bands ranging from The Smiths to Britpop powerhouse Oasis. In the late 1980s and early `90s, the city was dubbed Madchester because of its hedonistic nightlife and bands.

All the while, migrants were arriving, weaving their cultures into the city’s tapestry. In the past, they came from Britain’s former colonies like India, Pakistan and the West Indies. More recently, they have come from the Middle East, but also from Russia and Poland.

One recent arrival is Aatef Otman, a 46-year-old Syrian refugee who works in the Sweet and Salt Middle Eastern Goods store, which sells everything from snacks like seeds, nuts and dates to water pipes.

Otman, who fled his home in the town of Daraa, arrived in Manchester 18 months ago after initially being settled in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

“I find Manchester more comfortable,” he said. “The community helped me more than Glasgow.”

Echoing comments made by Muslim leaders in recent days, Otman said he was horrified by the attack in his adopted homeland.

“It is just crazy,” he said. “Not crazy

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— more than that. Unhuman. That is what I believe in my heart.”

The one glaring source of division in this city is soccer. Fans are either supporters of Manchester United or its cross-town rival Manchester City.

Even those lines blurred on May 24 as fans of both teams watched United beat Amsterdam club Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League cup competition final in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

Fans spilled onto the streets of downtown Manchester after the match, kicking a ball around as heavily armed police looked on.

“We needed it,” said 22-year-old Connor Ward.

“It was that boost that everyone needed.” ■

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asianweekly northwest

15

“I hope to be around to also celebrate your 50th anniversary because your creation, the Northwest Asian Weekly, gives me such a well grounded, in depth view of how numerous policies and people are affecting the wellbeing in our local community of color. Deep respect for our cultural heritages, for women, for the elderly, and support and promotion of the talents of our youth is carefully woven throughout each edition and through the programs you present.”

— Vivian Lee “Congratulations to Assunta Ng and the Northwest Asian Weekly team on your 35th Anniversary. It’s an incredible accomplishment to deliver the news that can only be read here. It’s been an honor to read about my friends, as they succeed in their professional careers … you make community. Here’s to another lucky and prosperous 35 years.”

— John Chen, CEO, Geoteaming

The only weekly English-edition newspaper serving the Asian community in the state of Washington for 35 years.

Send in your thoughts to editor@nwasianweekly.com.

Join us for our 35th Anniversary Celebration dinner on Oct. 21 at China Harbor restaurant. For tickets, please go to http://35nwawf.bpt.me, or email rsvp@nwasianweekly.com, or call 206223-0623. To sponsor the event, contact Assunta Ng at assunta@nwasianweekly.com. For more info, visit nwasianweekly.com/35years.

GONIO from 7 responsibility in casting. In the past, theater and arts groups are apt to produce plays featuring previously successful commercial artists, making breaking into roles for new or underrated actors of color even more difficult. While Gonio still gets the occasional call for race specific roles, he also mentions receiving a recent audition opportunity for a different role typically cast as Caucasian. This change is encouraging for Gonio, who also played a typically Caucasian role as George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a role which led him to be considered for the lead in “Sweeney Todd.”

Even in his busy life as a father, husband,

LIN from 2 majority were focused on camping, boating and family picnics.

Fogarty said the amount of interest was one of the unknowns when the project was launched.

“A lot of people are drawn to Chief Timothy for a lot of different reasons,” Fogarty said. “No one has ever built a project like this there before, so we didn’t have a template on how many people it would attract.”

As the park prepares to officially open May 1, the green grass around the stone seating area looks peaceful and inviting.

Spring may be the best time for art enthusiasts to check it out, according to the park manager.

When July and August roll around, Pinkerton said the listening circle is hot and dry and may not be worth the third of a mile hike from the parking lot.

“It’s useless,” Pinkerton said. “You can’t go out there in July and do anything. The park is nice, but as far as the circle, I don’t know what you’d drive out here to look at, frankly. There’s not much to it.”

People who have visited the Vietnam Wall and expect a similar emotional experience may be disappointed, but Confluence Project officials believe Lin’s concept is special for this region. Lin wanted to keep the setting as natural as possible and focus on traditions grounded in American Indian cultures.

Her six Confluence Project installations follow the path of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the Columbia River Basin, from Washington to Oregon.

After years of work to get funding for the project, the listening circle was completed in 2015. Its dedication at Chief Timothy drew a full slate of dignitaries, such as Nez Perce tribal elders, elected officials and the

adjunct professor, and creative consultant for startups, Gonio felt drawn to roles that allow him to raise broader issues and push the envelope in minority casting.

“In both our personal lives, we’ve always felt this sense when it comes to performance opportunities that we have to work a little

well-known designer and architect.

The cost for the Chief Timothy circle came to about $1.5 million and was mostly funded by the state, Fogarty said. Asotin County kicked in $5,000.

“To me, that was a big statement of support for the project,” Fogarty said.

After visiting Clarkston several years ago, Lin reportedly chose the Chief Timothy site rather than the actual confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers because it was less commercialized.

The remote site was criticized by several people at public meetings because of access issues.

Pinkerton said the park’s $5 day-use fee has proven to be problematic for people who specifically want to see her work.

Some park visitors have balked loudly at paying to see public art.

Fogarty said several of the Confluence Project sites have a fee structure and unfortunately, there’s not much that can done about it.

“We want people to have as much access as possible, but we can’t really change the fees charged at state and privately run parks,” he said.

He and other project supporters are hoping the new signage and an advertising campaign in travel magazines will spark more visits and get the Chief Timothy installation on the map, so to speak.

Several special events also are in the works, including a classical music concert and story gathering session in the fall, featuring native elders and a panel discussion.

In most places, the gatherings are held in theaters or museums, but Chief Timothy has a unique setting that is conducive to an outdoor event, he said.

“I think it will be a really fascinating, meaningful experience,” Fogarty said. 

harder to be seen, that we have to work a little harder on the material because there’s always this certain element of the underdog and this feeling that we’re just not good enough… That narrative may have been our prose and we can’t ignore that. We can be aware of it, but I don’t think we should

lead with that narrative… Who we are is the very thing this production is looking for. We should be aware of that narrative, but don’t let it be a crutch. If we’re cast traditionally or non-traditionally, that narrative needs to not be strong. We need to be comfortable in our own skin,” he said.

ArtsWest production of “Sweeney Todd” will play from June 1 to July 1. Tickets range from $19 to $39 and can be purchased online, by phone, or at the box office.  For more information about “Sweeney Todd” or to purchase tickets, visit artswest.com.

Tiffany can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

16

35 YEARS

JUNE 3 – JUNE 9, 2017

BLOG from 10

Just what team was Myers referring to?

The Consulting & Business Development Center (CBDC), part of Foster School, has organized several of those teams annually to help many ethnic- and women-owned businesses and nonprofit organizations to satisfy their needs.

This is the second time Uli’s has signed up for the program to help the company expand.

Hiring a consultant could cost as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars. The CBDC charges only $500 for almost 400 hours of work.

The “dream” team

CBDC realizes that it takes a village of talents, experts, and relentless hard workers with as many as 12 to 15 members to focus on one business — studying it and its competition, knowing its strengths and weaknesses, using critical techniques through research and data, and then designing solutions and strategies to solve its problems.

Each team consists of three to five professional advisers mentoring a group of business school students under the supervision of a faculty member. It is an actual course held every winter quarter for students to serve as real consultants in the real world.

The advisers were made up of Foster’s alumni who are now successful entrepreneurs and professionals, and Rotary club members who are business and community leaders.

The results

From left: Instructor Liz Tinkham with our TAs ( Teresa Ling and Gina Xiao), and Donna Moodie from Marjorie Restaurant. Teaching assistants also took the class prior to becoming TA.

one of the students’ mentors for more than a decade.

A few times, the students surprised me when they didn’t agree with the client. It takes a lot of guts to tell the client that he or she is wrong.

One such client wanted to expand to another location, while losing a great deal of money in his current site. The assumption was that the new location would be able to earn enough money to cover the loss of his first shop. Armed

with several figures and data, they convinced the organization that their first step was to clean up its finances by cutting the waste to improve its bottom line and efficiencies, before any expansion plans.

And the students showed how the clients could achieve those goals. I couldn’t agree more with the students. And they did it with much diplomacy and tact, I was so proud of them during their final presentation.

It is common for the student team to put

in as much as 400 hours from doing the research (including talking to competitors in similar businesses) to brainstorming ideas and analysis to writing papers in order to give the business practical plans and solutions for implementation. I have seen students redesigning business websites, product labels, packaging to make it look sharp, restaurant menus, and re-thinking pricing strategies. One company asked the students to give them tips on retaining employees due to high turnover. The team came up with an effective plan, including fun games during employee outings with gifts to reward them.

Founded in 1995, CBDC is led by Director Michael Verchot and Associate Director Wilfredo T. Tutol. The CBDC serves as a connector for small businesses, students and alumni, faculty members, communities, and Rotary clubs in Washington state. It also has other programs, such as connecting small businesses to loans and other resources. This unique partnership is a model for many other colleges in other parts of the country. ■ For more information, email Michael Verchot at mverchot@uw.edu.

Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

Several ethnic and women business owners and leaders who participated in the program raved about how the team has impacted their business.

David Jones of Gorilla Graphics said the students pointed him in the right direction, helped with his website and finances, and challenged him to do a better job.

Donna Moodie of Marjorie Restaurant said the students gave her recommendations on how to target millennials.

Students showed Jamie Fender and Jen Norton of Sister’s Baking Company new ways to find customers.

Karen Johnston of The Lighthouse for the Blind said the students provided strategies for her organization to get to the next level.

Odette D’Aniello of Celebrity Gourmet Ventures said she learned how to rebrand her company and products. She was impressed the students interviewed 200 people to identity where the company should go.

And Jae So of Palace Korean BBQ said the students showed him how to sustain and grow his business and brand through social media.

What students got out of the experience

The students received credits toward graduation. But their reward was far more substantial.

Some students got hired to do freelance work.

Others got job offers from the advisers.

It is an “invaluable experience,” said Anna Sabarots, a senior, who took the class.

Unlike her other courses focusing on theories, she said this is “a real-life opportunity, meeting clients in different environments. The students get to see the planning and execution of a project.”

What’s important is the students “learn how to ask why, and how to identify problems and come up with solutions,” she said. And there are “different ways to finding solutions and experiencing growth for small businesses.”

In the process, the students witnessed the growth of a business, in addition to getting academic credit, as part of the course requirement for Management 449. This course is popular at the Foster School.

Students who exhibit strong leadership or go the extra mile for a client might even receive CBDC cash scholarships. Sabarots is one of the scholarship recipients.

The surprising recommendation

Whatever a business needs, students work hard to achieve their client’s goal. I have been

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