VOL 35 NO 24 | JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016 by Northwest Asian Weekly

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

VOL 35 NO 24

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

A-pop! #Starringjohncho and more

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34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Vulnerable Chinatown buildings PART 1

The Asian movers and shakers in Tinseltown. » see 7

being gay in china Eyes roll during the Seattle mayor’s visit to China, and his discussion of his husband. » see 10

Community » 2 Calendar » 6 Sudoku » 6 Astrology » 15

Jenny Chen of Seattle was last seen in April in Oaxaca By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Photo by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW

Husband of missing woman optimistic West Kong Yick building

By Stacy Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly “In 1994, my dad got really sick,” said Bernie Kay. “We were going through a federal

raid. It caused a lot of the old guys — my dad included — to have heart attacks from stress. My dad asked me, ‘Can you come down here [to Chinatown]? Just fill in for me. Find out what’s going on.’ I was like, ‘What? I don’t

want to go down there!’ [At the time,] I had nothing to do with Chinatown — my mom kind of shielded us from it. But I came down.

Amazon removes doormats with images of Hindu gods

see CHINATOWN on 13

Seattle park renamed after Donnie Chin

By Staff Northwest Asian Weekly

Jenny Chen

“I firmly believe we’ll have some answers in the next 30 to 60 days.” Jonathan Reinhard of Wallingford said he is “hanging in there.” His wife, Jenny Chen, 26, was last seen leaving the city of Oaxaca, Mexico for Cancun on April 12. The couple was supposed to meet up in Cancun for a vacation and she never showed up. A Chinese citizen who moved to the United States in 2013, Chen began a backpacking trip in see CHEN on 13

■

Amazon.com removed the doormats carrying images of various Hindu deities from its website within 24 hours after Hindus protested last week. #BoycottAmazon soon started trending on social media with outraged people venting out on the company. Images of Hindu gods depicted on the doormats — Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Ganesha, Venkateswara, Saraswati, Murugan,

The Seattle City Council voted unanimously on June 6 to rename a park after Donnie Chin. The park, at 700 S. Lane St., will be renamed Donnie Chin International Children’s Park, in honor of the late community leader who was shot and killed last July. His murder remains unsolved. Chin was instrumental in the founding and building of the park in 1981. City policy requires that a person be deceased for at least three years before a park can be named in his or her honor, but the city made an exception in this case.

see AMAZON on 13

See related article on page 3. Screenshot from Twitter

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34 YEARS

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

■ briefly

■ names in the news Necklace for Rice

Food walk

Vital Tea Lounge opens

New food truck

Photo by Rebecca Ip/SCP

Photo from mimiglobegoods.com

Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman is helping to raise money for the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) “Walk for Rice” by selling necklaces. The money from “Necklace for Rice” would go toward providing an income and flexibility for unemployed refugee women, by enabling them to work from home. The MiMi Globe fabric necklaces reduce landfill waste by repurposing garments that are no longer in use. $5 will be donated for every necklace sold and those funds will be matched during CenturyLink’s Food Bank Match Days through June 17. The necklaces may be purchased at mimiglobegoods.com. Use offer code, “WalkforRice” to get a 15 percent discount. 

Community leaders, business owners, and politicians before the Vital Tea Lounge ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Vital Tea Lounge in the International District has opened its doors for business at 651 S Jackson St. It held a celebration on June 5 and shared tea and snacks with the community. The International Lion Dance team performed for attendees, including Sen. Bob Hasegawa and Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos. This is Vital Tea’s third location in Seattle. 

Dean Wong shares photos from his new book

Alex Kong (left)

Chef Alex Kong introduced his new food truck at the Carb Up! ACRS Community Lunch for Walk for Rice on June 4. The main focus of the new food truck, ‘Mangia Me’ is to deliver outstanding Italian food made fresh every day with love. Kong grew up around Italian food from working in his parents’ restaurant, Perche No Pasta & Vino, and he has mastered every aspect of the culinary industry, from being in the front of house to the back of the kitchen. 

Photojournalist Dean Wong shared photos from his new book, “Seeing the Light: Four Decades in Chinatown” (Chin Music Press), at a May 28 book reading at the Wing Luke Museum. Dean Wong “Seeing the Light: Four Decades in Chinatown” Juxtaposing photographs with short essays, the book documents the complex and evolving neighborhoods that are cultural, political, and historic sanctuaries for the Asian American community. The book centers on Seattle and includes images from San Francisco, New York and Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Photo provided by Dim Sum King

Customers waiting in line at Dim Sum King.

If you missed the first Chinatown Happy Hour Food Walk last month, you have another chance to experience it on June 16. To enjoy great food at low prices, start with Dim Sum King located at 617 South Jackson Street. At $4, you get a dim sum sample plate with five items, such as hum bow, sesame seed ball, meatball, and other combinations. Dim sum means “to your heart’s delight,” with bits of everything. In America, dim sum has been expanded to lunches and even dinners, even though it started as a Cantonese-style lunch. One of the most popular dim sum places in Chinatown/International District, Dim Sum King, offers over 40 items to choose from. A tip for hungry souls, get there early. There were lines in the last food walk at Dim Sum King. In less than three hours, it sold over 100 sample plates. After your meal, walk two blocks to Eastern Café at 510 Maynard Avenue South for their $2 beer. The Happy Hour Food Walk features 31 establishments including 26 restaurants. It starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. on June 16. The walk is a monthly event in the International District. 

Tasty Vietnamese Fusion Cuisine, Pho, and Burgers! Newly remodeled — Open since Feb. 12 Banh Mi Burgers with Special Sauces Delicious Appetizers

Smoked Salmon Rolls, Pork Belly Bao, Mango and Crispy Tofu Salad and more...

Pho-nomenal Phos Patio seating available

Open daily: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Happy Hour: 3–6 p.m. Mee Kong Bar 2525 4th Ave Seattle, WA 98121 206-257-1030 @meekongbar

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

Memories of Donnie Chin By Arnold Mukai SPECIAL TO THE NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Arnold Mukai

Donnie Chin

As we approach the anniversary of the death of community leader Donnie Chin, I wrote a tribute letter for my childhood friend, to share my memories of the guardian angel who protected the International District (ID). I know there are thousands of people who miss this man and his selfless mission to serve and protect the ID. I met Donnie Chin when we were kids at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School. Back then, Donnie was small and a target for bullies. He had an easy smile, and made friends easily. We were probably 10 or 11 years old when Donnie said to me, “I just opened my own candy store. Want to help me run it?” He explained to me that his mother ran a store in Chinatown, and she gave him a corner of the store to display and sell candy bars. I said, “Sure!” What 11-year-old would turn down an offer like that? We agreed to meet up after school, and begin my entrepreneurial career. When we got to the store, Donnie showed me his corner display and introduced me to his mother. She was kind and had the same smile as Donnie.

She offered me some candy from China. Donnie told his Mother, “Arnold’s here to help me with the store.” Donnie’s mother explained the store was having a door prize drawing. I didn’t know what a door prize was, but Donnie insisted I should fill out an entry. “You might win candy,” he said. “Give me a pen, I’m in,” I said. After all, if the door prize was money, I would’ve bought candy. Donnie prepared for customers as I watched him work. He was getting organized, taking inventory, and just looked like he knew what he was doing. At 11 years old, I never thought of being organized or prepared unless I was reminded countless times by an adult. Donnie’s mother was teaching him to be organized and responsible, though we were both oblivious to the lessons at the time. The wholesaler who provided the candy arrived and Donnie had prepared a list of candy bars he wanted. When the delivery man came back from his truck, Mrs. Chin smiled at the delivery man, and he winked back, as Donnie signed his name for the delivery. He knew she was preparing her son, teaching life lessons as he sold candy bars. After the candyman was finished with his delivery, we were ready for business. We waited for customers to storm in. We waited and waited … then boredom became a factor. It was hard work to wait for customers, especially for me, since I had the attention span and patience of a bumble bee. I realize now that I was being taught patience. Eventually, I noticed 20 minutes had passed … that was the longest 20 minutes of my life! Coincidentally, that was the first 20 minutes that I ever worked. When you’re 11 years old, 20 minutes of waiting was equivalent to 6 months in jail. I tried to endure it the best I could, but made an excuse to leave after almost an hour. That was

the end of my career as co-owner of a candy store. The following week, after returning home from school, my mother told me someone called and said I won a door prize. I couldn’t wait to see Donnie to ask what I won. If I remember correctly, there were 10 door prize winners — I won door prize #10. Donnie informed me I had won some coasters and candy from China. I did not know what a coaster was — nor did I ever use one. Mrs. Chin was happy to see me when I arrived later that day to collect my prize. The next time I saw her, 35 years had passed. I was living in Reno, walking through the Peppermill Casino. Donnie was pushing the wheelchair she sat in. Donnie tried to refresh her memory and asked her if she remembered me. She shook her head ‘no’, but I told her I remembered her, and how kind she was to me when I was a kid. That was the last time I saw Mrs. Chin. Although those are precious memories, the moments in your life once shared with people fade away and become your thoughts, for you alone ... unless you make a conscious effort to write them down and share them. I’m doing that right now. As adults, I ran into Donnie several times, mostly in the International District. One time, as I prepared for a show at Hing Hay Park, I was standing on stage, reading introductions to myself. Donnie was patrolling the area. “Who the hell do you think you are”? Donnie snapped. When I looked to see who it was, his posture commanded attention and respect. We talked for a few minutes. His language was colorful and his patience was thin. see CHIN on 12

asianweekly northwest

Little houses, big celebration Photo provided by LIHI

YOUR VOICE

8' x 12' houses at Othello Village.

Othello Tiny House Village hosted a community celebration on June 5 to recognize the volunteers, community leaders, organizations, and businesses that have helped make Othello Village possible. The houses are each 8’ x 12’ and safe, sturdy structures. The village will soon add another eight houses for a total of 32 tiny houses. The village now hosts 51 people including 7 children, and eventually will host up to 80 residents total. Othello Village was developed as an innovative crisis response to homelessness by moving individuals and families into tiny houses and safe encampments. Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) Board President Melinda Nichols said, “The quick mobilization to build out Othello Village was amazing. This tiny house village will help transition even more people into stable housing while living in community with others.” The City of Seattle provides operating support. 

asianweekly northwest

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

34 YEARS

■ WORLD NEWS

Japan praises boy who survived alone, wonders about parents By YURI KAGEYAMA Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — The remarkable survival of a 7-year-old Japanese boy, abandoned in a forest by his parents who wanted to teach him a lesson, prompted nationwide joy and relief. But the Japanese also wondered whether the father and mother themselves might need a stern lesson in parenting. Yamato Tanooka (Tah-noh-oh-kah) survived alone for nearly a week by finding shelter in a military hut and drinking water from a nearby faucet until he was discovered by chance by a soldier on June 3. He looked a bit worn out but was “genki,”

Yamato Tanooka

the military said, using a Japanese word describing healthy children. A doctor who examined him said he was dehydrated but

China says Muslim practices to be protected during Ramadan By Gerry Shih Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — China’s government won’t interfere with fasting and other standard religious activities in the traditionally Muslim region of Xinjiang during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan which began on June 6, officials said. Restaurants will be allowed to keep their own hours and authorized activities in mosques and private homes will be legally protected, the officials said at a June 2 news conference on religious policy in Xinjiang, despite complaints from rights groups and others of past government interference during the religious holiday. see XINJIANG on 12

Ali’s death rekindles memories of epic ’Thrilla in Manila’ By Jim Gomez Associated Press MANILA, Philippines (AP) — From Manny Pacquiao to left-wing activists, Filipinos in this boxing-crazy nation grieved the death of Muhammad Ali, which brought back fond memories of the Muhammad Ali epic 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” fight between him and Joe Frazier. “We lost a giant,” Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing legend, said on his Facebook account, see ALI on 12

basically fine. But some have reacted with outrage, slamming what the parents did as inexcusable — punishing a child for misbehaving by leaving him in a forest reputedly occupied by bears on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido. The parents said they had returned after a few minutes, but couldn’t find him. The incident was seen as underlining how isolated the nuclear family has become in modern Japanese society, with parents not getting enough advice on parenting, and the traditionally present grandma and grandpa no longer part of everyday life. Mitsuko Tateishi, an educator who has

written a book urging mothers to take it easy, said some parents are succumbing to what she calls tremendous “good-mom pressures,” such as having their children excel and measuring up to other children. “A child is not a dog or a cat. You have to treat the child like a human individual,” she said, stressing that calm explanations of what is good versus bad is at the root of parenting, not punishing a child with abandonment. Tateishi also believes Japan remains behind the West in protecting children, and doubts any concrete action will be taken see TANOOKA on 12

YOUR VOICE

■ WORLD NEWS

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

Suspect in UCLA shooting remembered as a good student

asianweekly northwest

Thousands in Hong Kong mark Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

By Ashok Sharma and Manik Banerjee Associated Press KOLKATA, India (AP) — Residents of an east Indian industrial town were shocked to recognize the face of a man they remember as a diligent student as the person who allegedly shot a UCLA engineering professor before killing himself in California. But they said it’s been years since they’ve heard from Mainak Sarkar, who left Durgapur in the state of West Bengal for a life in the United States. Police say that before he killed UCLA professor William Klug on June 1, Sarkar had already killed a woman in Minnesota — his estranged wife, according to relatives, neighbors and public records. The 38-year-old Indian-American engineer had reportedly put both victims on a “kill list” police later found in his Minnesota apartment. A former classmate at Durgapur’s Bidhan Institute — where Sarkar studied for two years after high school before attending the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur — said he was “totally stupefied” by the news of the shooting. “Mainak was a very good student. In school, he looked so innocent and was well-behaved,” said Mridul, who like many people in India uses only one name.

Mainak Sarkar

“We were not in touch after he left for the United States.” A former teacher at the school also remembered Sarkar as a solid student. “His behavior was good and normal,” Gautam Biswas said. “This shooting is a shock to us. I can’t imagine that Mainak is involved in such a shocking incident.” Sarkar grew up in Durgapur, where his father worked as a clerk in a cement manufacturing company named the Associated Cement Companies Babcok. As a boy, he attended St. Michael’s School until his see UCLA on 14

Tiananmen

By Kelvin Chan Associated Press HONG KONG (AP) — Tens of thousands of people poured into Hong Kong’s Victoria Park on June 4 to remember the victims of the Chinese military’s bloody June 4, 1989, crackdown on student-led pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Participants laid a wreath and held a moment of silence at the anniversary vigil — the only large-scale public commemoration of Beijing’s brutal crackdown held on

Chinese soil. In Beijing, authorities tightened security around Tiananmen Square, highlighting the enduring sensitivity over the events among the Communist Party leadership. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of people were killed as tanks and troops converged on Beijing on the night of June 3-4, 1989. The topic remains taboo in China and any form of commemoration, whether public or private, is banned. see TIANANMEN on 11

asianweekly northwest

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

34 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY calendar JUNE

IDEA SPACE’S Jackson Street Connections Project Pop-Up Event 7th Ave. Auto, 701 S. Jackson St., Seattle 4–7 p.m. Free idea-space.info

Herb Tsuchiya’s Walk For Rice, “KARAOKE BLAST COMPETITION” Bush Garden Restaurant, 614 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 7–9 p.m. $10 minimum contribution per person walkforrice.org

2016 Seafair Summer Kickoff presented by Starbucks Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Free facebook.com/ events/122936928050117

ACRS Walk for Rice Seward Park 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Free acrs.walkforrice.org

Thank You Donnie Chin: Community BBQ Canton Alley, Seattle 6–9 p.m. Free facebook.com/ events/720087398132406

Guided Tour: Pacific Bonsai Museum Oriental Garden Center, 30650 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way 10 a.m. $15 253-839-1639

Japan Fair 2016 Meeting Consulate-General of Japan, 601 Union St. Ste. 500, Seattle 1:30 p.m. RSVP to alexis.latshaw@se.mofa.go.jp

Rice Bowl benefiting ACRS Food Bank Garage, 1130 Broadway Ave., Seattle 4–8 p.m. $25 minimum suggested contribution community.chpw.org Graphic Masters: Opening Night Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave., Seattle 5–9 p.m. Free visitsam.org/graphicmasters

10 Tap-SEA Presents, “Make BahTsangs (Zongzi) to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival Via6 Apartments, 2121 6th Ave., Seattle 6–9 p.m. $10 tap-seattle.org

IHOP for Rice 1433 NW Sammamish Rd., Issaquah 6–10 p.m. 50% of your bill will be donated to Walk for Rice acrs.org

Community meeting on public safety about the Donnie Chin murder investigation and future plans for the IDEC Nagomi Teahouse, 519 6th Ave. S. #200, Seattle 5:30–7:30 p.m.

26 THE SEATTLE NISEI VETERANS COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL CHOW MEIN DINNER NVC Memorial Hall, 1212 S. King St., Seattle 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $15/ticket 206-322-1122

27 The Metropolitan King County Council invites you to celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave., Seattle Reception at 12:30 p.m.,12th floor Proclamation at 1:30 p.m.,10th floor RSVP to shweta.jayawardhan@ kingcounty.gov

KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C00923C14, Green River Road Slide Repair; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 10:30 AM on June 21, 2016. Late bids will not be accepted. Scope: Slide repair of Green River Road approximately 350 feet south of 94th Place South in King County by clearing and grubbing, roadway excavation, grading, surfacing, paving with HMA, striping, constructing beam guardrail, constructing a geosynthetic retaining wall, and other work, all in accordance with

the attached Plans, Special Provisions, and the 2016 APWA/WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction. Title VI Compliance: King County in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that

in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex in consideration for an award. Engineer’s Estimate Range: $240,000 - $295,000. Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://procurement. kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/default.aspx

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The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.” The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article. Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission. 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

YOUR VOICE

■ a&e

asianweekly northwest

! p o A-p rials ribulations riumphs

of Asians in Hollywood John Cho on “Avengers” poster

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly From director announcements on major projects to Twitter campaigns against whitewashing, May was a busy month for pop culture. Read on to find out the latest on movie controversies and news in Hollywood.

Movie posters combat whitewashing on social media There’s been a lot of coverage lately on the growing controversy of whitewashed roles in film and television. The recent casting of Scarlett Johansson in the Japanese manga adaptation of “Ghost in the Shell” has launched some particularly thoughtful think pieces on the issue.

Media publications haven’t been the only ones to weigh in. The hashtag #StarringJohnCho went viral on Twitter, where Korean American actor John Cho was reimagined as the lead of box office films. As the hashtag’s official Twitter bio puts it, “#STARRINGJOHNCHO is a social movement that shows you what it would look like if today’s Hollywood blockbusters cast an Asian American actor as their leading man.” Audiences know Cho from his early days in the “Harold and Kumar” franchise. Though he has taken on lead roles in now defunct television shows, as well as the “Star Trek” franchise, he hasn’t received the same leading man attention as his white counterparts with similar resumes. “As I was Photoshopping John Cho’s face on top of Tom Cruise’s in the ‘Mission Impossible’ poster, my friends and

I started chuckling a little bit, like, ‘How crazy would that be?’” said William Yu, the creator behind the hashtag, in an article with The New York Times. “Then I caught myself. Why should it be crazy?” Some of Yu’s Photoshopped creations see Cho’s face on popular movie posters, including “The Martian,” “500 Days of Summer,” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Another similar campaign quickly followed with #StarringConstanceWu, which saw actor Constance Wu also Photoshopped into popular films like “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2,” “Chicago,” and “Easy A.” Wu stars on the sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat.” see A-POP on 15

■ siff reviews

“Tsukiji Wonderland” Rated by Tiffany Ran Northwest Asian Weekly The Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo is a tourist attraction for those who come far and wide to see the origins of the world’s sushi from its beginnings. “Tsukiji Wonderland” see TSUKIJI WONDERLAND on 14

“The Bacchus Lady” Rated by Tiffany Ran Northwest Asian Weekly “Bacchus” follows protagonist sassy Soyoung through her chaotic, take-no-prisoners life as a prostitute in Korea, at the ripe age of 65, that is. So-young and other senior prostitutes fall into a category of “Bacchus grannies” or bagkaseu halmeoni, a term that connotes cheap sex. Following a Bacchus Lady through the film will be a rollercoaster of emotions, from humor to sorrow and violence, as the film pans out to show a large generation of Korean elderly who are left with few financial options and community support at a late stage in life. The fast

building, frenetic plot takes place in beautiful, polished, and well maintained public parks in the cusp of colorful, crisp autumn; a disconnection that is palpable throughout the film. Characters in the film, from the buoyant prostitutes to their depressed clients, paint a poignant and very human look at the difficult predicament for real life Bacchus ladies who continue to ply their trade in the face of few options. 

617 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104 206-682-2823 ▪ dimsumkingseattle.com Open everyday 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Our last happy-hour food walk was a great success. We want to thank all the customers who came from far and near. Many tried dim sum for the first time and loved it. We enjoyed serving you and hope you visit us again, outside of the food walk. We are open 7 days a week and have a selection of over 40 items.

asianweekly northwest

34 YEARS

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

The successful joint celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Chinese Wushu & Taichi Academy, and the closing ceremony of the Light of Taichi 2016 summer camp, was held at the University of Washington’s Kane Hall on June 1, 2016. We are grateful for your presence, including Wushu and taichi masters and students from different parts

of the world, government officials and community leaders, for attending our event. We thank you for your event sponsorship, flowers, and congratulatory advertisement in our program booklet and community news papers, and good wishes. Your support made our celebration special and memorable.

Thank you

Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei Shimu Lu Li Li Seattle Hop Sing Tong Seattle Soo Yuen Tong China Queen of Taichi Master Jiamin Gao Guangzhou Benevolent Asscoiation Ambassador Luo Linquan, Consul General of Seattle Kung Fu Club Master John Leong & Simo the People’s Republic of China Seattle Shaolin Kung Fu Academy Masater Lei Zhou United States Senator Patty Murray Master Chen Bin State of Washington Governor Jay Inslee Master HaiJun Wang State of Washington Lt. Governor Brad Owen Master Xiao Ming Xu State of Washington Senator Bob Hasegawa Master Byron Hartmen Master Viola Brumbaugh State of Washington State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos Master Ning Wang King County Executive Dow Constantine Dr. Jack Yan City of Seattle Mayor Edward B. Murray The Washington State Chinese Art & Confucius Institute of the State of Washington Culture Committee Ruoxi Zhang, Yang Zhan Tao Zhou Jun, Aihua Liao Acupuncture & Oriental Medical Center PS Xue Zhong Wang University of Washington Staff & Teacher New York Life Insurance Company Steve Wang Chen Village Taichi Training Center, China JL Scott Real Estate Millie Su WPI Real Estate Shiao Yen Wu Seattle Lung Kong Tin Yee Association Alan Yan & Teresa So Dr. Vincent Chiu Hui-ling Yu Seattle Chinese Post/Northwest Asian Weekly Toshiko Hasegawa Seattle Gee How Oak Tin Association Carol Warren, Blake Emery Qian Kun Institute and U.S Wushu Center Master Shao Wen Yu Peter Wu, Michael Ganyo Chinese Arts & Music Association Warren Chang & Buyun Zhao Yu Xi Hong Titan Electric, Inc Larry Fung Ding Ying Jian Zhang Rong Sen China Harbor Restaurant Loyu Sun & Hsiao Lin Sun Grace Zhang SECO Development Inc. Seattle Family Regional Center Rebecca Ip Reliance Mortgage Inc Hank Lo & Teresa Fang Tony Au Don Mar (Names are not listed in any special order. We apologize in advance for any inadvertent omissions.)

Chinese Wushu & Taichi Academy & Master Yijiao Hong 中國武術太極學院 • 709 ½ S. King Street, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-749-9513 yijiao@chinesewushutaichi.com • www.chinesewushutaichi.com

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

YOUR VOICE

■ PICTORIAL anniversary

The Chinese Wushu and Taichi Academy co-hosted Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei’s lecture on June 1 at the University of Washington, through a partnership with the Chen Zhenglei Tai Chi Training Center. Chen’s disciples and students performed, along with the China Queen of Taichi — Master Gao Jiamin.

asianweekly northwest

Celebration of the Chinese Wushu & Taichi Academy Photos by George Liu/NWAW

Standing ovation for Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei.

Taichi Reeling performed by diverse professionals.

Wushu Long Fist, performed by 8-11 year old students of the Chinese Wushu & Taichi Academy.

Masters Xiao Ming Xu and Byron Hartman perform Chen Taichi Push Hands. Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei solo performance.

Wushu Double Broadsword, performed by Ava Yu and Altti Koskinen of the Chinese Wushu & Taichi Academy and U.S. Wushu Center.

Master Gao Jiamin, “Queen of Taichi,” performs Yang Style Taichi Chuan.

Master YiJiao Hong performing Chen Taichi Sword.

Buyun Chang playing the guzheng for Master Hong’s performance. Alexander Yu performs Wushu Long Fist and 3 Section Staff.

asianweekly northwest

34 YEARS

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

OPINION

Free association Murray’s China trip stirs up controversy Mayor Ed Murray and his husband Michael Shiosaki got married immediately after the same-sex marriage law was legalized in Washington state in 2012. The couple has been together for over two decades. What works in our state doesn’t work well in other parts of the world. Homosexuality is taboo in China, even though it was legalized in 1997. It was only in 2001 that homosexuality was removed from the official list of mental illnesses in China. While in China, Murray made references to his husband, and some Chinese in the audience rolled their eyes. Murray said he should have brought his husband along for the trip. Shiosaki told the Northwest Asian Weekly he stayed behind in Seattle to care for his sick mother. And that it would have been an eyeful for the Chinese had he accompanied Murray. Some believed that what Murray shared was not appropriate.

Last week, a male Chinese immigrant came to our office and asked me, “Do you agree with homosexuality?” “I am not myself, but I wouldn’t want to impose my belief on others,” I replied. “I respect people’s differences.” He looked at me with disbelief and anger, and stormed out of our office. 

On June 1, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen was half an hour late for the 20th anniversary event of Chinese Wushu & Taichi Academy at the University of Washington’s Kane Hall. Why? He got stuck in traffic on I-5, while driving from Olympia. I was the masters of ceremonies and asked if Owen would like to teach himself tai chi after he retires this year from state government. Owen has announced he won’t run for his sixth term. Can you teach yourself tai chi? It’s not recommended. I joked with Owen because he had taught himself how to sing in Mandarin just like a professional. More than 10 kung fu and tai chi masters performed that evening. Owen said he probably would take some classes, rather than teach himself, to relieve stress while dealing with traffic. If Owen decides to learn tai chi, many would volunteer to teach him for free. 

Photo by George Liu/NWAW

The gifts of life

On April 23, I was fascinated by one phenomenon at the Jade Guild’s 50th anniversary celebration at the China Harbor Restaurant. There were quite a few ladies in their 80s and 90s. Longevity is a gift, but to be

Who’s No. 1 and last in internet speed?

Mayor Ed Murray and husband Michael Shiosaki

Lt. Gov. Owen learns tai chi?

Lt. Gov. Owen singing a Chinese song, and playing the saxophone.

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

able to achieve the status of “great grandma” is a tremendous blessing. I found not just one, but nine of great grandmothers out of 90-plus guests. How wonderful! 

Assunta Ng can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

China Daily, a state-owned newspaper in China, said China ranks 91st in internet speed. I am not surprised. The surprise is the No. 1 country with the fastest speed. It is South Korea, according to The New York Times. I thought South Korea was superior in having a female presi-

dent, producing soap operas, Samsung electronics, plastic surgery, diverse cosmetics, and of course, Gangnam-style dancing. But not internet speed! South Korea, which ranks 109th in size, edged out Sweden, Norway, and even Japan in internet speed. How amazing! 

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

YOUR VOICE

asianweekly northwest

OPINION

■ editorial

Beyond fighting fists Muhammad Ali, one of the world’s greatest boxers and one of the 20th century’s biggest personalities, died on June 3 in Phoenix, after being hospitalized for respiratory problems. He was 74. “I may be 7’2”, but I never felt taller than when standing in [Ali’s] shadow,” said NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in a Facebook post. Abdul-Jabbar considered Ali his “friend and mentor.” Ali was also the one who paved the way for Lew Alcindor to convert to Islam and change his name to Kareem AbdulJabbar in 1971. The world reaction to the death of the icon that is Ali triggers the memory of another great man who died more than 40 years ago — Bruce Lee. Both Lee and Ali were legends in their own right. Both were outstanding fighters. An internet search of “Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee” turned up countless posts, speculating who would win in a fight. The two never formally met, but obviously knew of each other and had mutual respect. Lee was in total awe of Ali’s in-ring exploits. Lee was known to often watch video footage of Ali’s matches, and he studied his footwork and jabs. Lee admitted later that some of the footwork in Jeet Kune Do was based on the champ’s moves. According to the martial arts website, martialartsactionmovies.com, Lee had once hoped to face Ali in a bout. Lee thought of him as a superior fighter with his speed and

TIANANMEN from 5 Organizers in Hong Kong said 125,000 people attended this year’s vigil to mark the 27th anniversary of the crackdown, but the crowd appeared to be smaller. Police gave an estimate of 21,800. The annual vigil, organized by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, demands that Beijing overturn its verdict that the Tiananmen protests were a counterrevolutionary riot. It also calls for one-party dictatorship in China to be replaced by democracy. Hong Kong student groups that had been longstanding supporters of the vigil dropped out this year, and instead held discussion forums on the city’s future. The move by the student groups underscores the widening rift that emerged between younger and older generations of pro-democracy activists over the idea of Hong Kong’s identity following 2014 protests over the Chinese government’s decision to restrict elections in the semiautonomous city. It follows the decision in April by student leaders to quit the Hong Kong Alliance because they believe one of its main aims, fighting for democracy in mainland China, is no longer realistic. They also think the vigil’s formulaic format fails to appeal to the younger generation. Lily Wong, a 21-year-old legal assistant, attended the vigil with her friend Cecilia Ng, 19, a recent high school graduate. They didn’t disagree with some of the criticisms leveled by the student groups, such as the vigil’s repetitive format and

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Muhammad Ali

Bruce Lee

technicality. Conversely, Ali was a fan of the Asian boxing style, traveling often to Hawaii and the Philippines early in his career in order to hone his craft. It is interesting to speculate who would have emerged the victor: the one who noticed “the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending in the wind” or the one who floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. Beyond the martial arts aspects, these two great individuals would have enjoyed each other’s minds and philosophy. They were beyond questions like who would win in a fight. They are both iconic figures that cared deeply for their people. And they were both known for more than what they could do with their fists. Ali was a civil rights champion. As Abdul-Jabbar wrote,

that it was dominated by Hong Kong’s main pro-democracy group, but said it remained important. “This is not a perfect event, but there are some meaningful things for us,” Wong said. “It is very important for Hong Kong.” In Beijing, police checked IDs and searched the bags of anyone seeking to enter the environs of Tiananmen Square, where thousands of students, workers and ordinary citizens gathered in 1989 to demand political reforms. Journalists from The Associated Press were stopped, filmed and ultimately forced to leave the area, ostensibly for lacking proper permission. In Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, Wu’er Kaixi, one of the student leaders of the 1989 Tiananmen protests, was among about 200

“At a time when Blacks who spoke up about injustice were labeled uppity and often arrested under one pretext or another, Muhammad willingly sacrificed the best years of his career to stand tall and fight for what he believed was right.” Lee may not have been a civil rights figure. But he paved the way for other Asian men in Hollywood. Various doors were closed to Asians in Hollywood before Lee achieved fame. Before Lee debuted in 1966 as the faithful sidekick Kato in the TV series “The Green Hornet” and later reached legendary superstardom in kung fu classics like “Fists of Fury” and “Enter the Dragon,” Asian men were largely portrayed as docile servants, unskilled laborers, or evil geniuses. Lee made Asian men lethal, graceful, and cool, even sexy. It’s also interesting to note that both Lee and Ali influenced and had a great impact on Abdul-Jabbar, who was one of the first, and certainly among the most famous, of Lee’s Los Angeles students. So enamored was Lee by the man then known as Lew Alcindor, that he cast him as the villain in the 1971 movie “The Game of Death.” Lee, an Asian; Ali, a Black man. Two giants who left a legacy that goes far beyond fighting fists. Perhaps the rest of us can learn a lesson or two from these icons. We are not Asian, nor Black, nor white, or any other label. Simply humans. Lee said it best, “Under the sky, under the heavens, there is but one family.” 

people who gathered at Liberty Square for a memorial event. “The spirit of June 4 is an act of courageous humans pursuing the universal value of freedom,” Wu’er said. “This spirit will not be crushed under machine guns and tanks. It will not die because of (the Chinese government’s) suppression.” Ahead of the anniversary in China, family members of those killed in the crackdown were placed under additional restrictions. At least half a dozen people were reportedly detained in recent days for attempting to commemorate the events. The U.S. State Department called for a “full public accounting of those killed, detained, or missing and for an end to censorship of discussions about

the events of June 4, 1989, as well as an end to harassment and detention of those who wish to peacefully commemorate the anniversary.” When asked about the anniversary, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China had “long ago reached a clear conclusion about the political turmoil at the end of 1980s and other related issues.” China’s explosive economic growth in the years that followed “proves that the path of socialism with Chinese characters we chose to follow ... is in line with the fundamental interests of the Chinese people, and it represents a wish shared by them all,” Hua told reporters at a daily news briefing. 

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JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

34 YEARS

XINJIANG from 4

ALI from 4

Xinjiang is home to China’s Muslim Uighur minority group that is culturally, religiously and linguistically distinct from the Chinese majority. It has seen waves of violence against civilians in recent years which authorities have blamed on radicals seeking independence from Beijing. China maintains tight restrictions over Islamic observances in the area, in part to maintain government control and stem the influence of radical Islam. However, human rights groups and Uighurs in exile say restrictions on dress, prayer and fasting during Ramadan have exacerbated ethnic tensions, while government efforts to assimilate Uighurs have stoked resentment. President Xi Jinping recently stated that members of the ruling Communist Party should be “unyielding Marxist atheists,’’ and the state imposes strict rules on participation in religious by students, teachers, public servants and others. Chinese officials routinely dismiss criticism of religious policies, and Tuergan Pida, director of Xinjiang’s ethnic affairs committee, said at the news conference that religious freedoms are at an “unprecedented’’ high. The regional government helped arrange emergency prayer sites following an earthquake during Ramadan last year, while Communist Party officials ate with religious leaders to mark the end of the holy month, Pida said. Chinese claims of unprecedented religious freedom in Xinjiang are “deeply ironic and troubling’’ given recent events, said James Leibold, a scholar of China’s ethnic policy at Australia’s La Trobe University. Leibold cited the recent sacking of Wang Zhengwei, the Muslim chairman of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, amid speculation that top Chinese leaders opposed the building of mosques under his watch. “This illustrates the deep divisions at the top reaches of the party over the value and place of religious and ethnic diversity within Chinese society,’’ Leibold said by telephone. 

offering prayers to Ali’s family. “Boxing benefitted from Muhammad Ali’s talents but not nearly as much as mankind benefitted from his humanity.” Sports commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz, who was assigned by then-dictator Ferdinand Marcos to act as Philippine government liaison to Ali for the bout, said, “We lost a hero, a peacemaker and a truly charismatic human being.” The Oct. 1, 1975, heavyweight championship, one of the greatest boxing matches in history, was won by Ali on a technical knockout at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum in suburban Quezon city and was watched by a worldwide audience. After the bout, the ecstatic owner of the arena told Ali that he would build a shopping mall and name it after him. The popular Ali Mall stands to this day. The bout got its name from Ali’s widely publicized boast that the 15-rounder would be a “killa and a thrilla and a chilla, when I get that gorilla in Manila.” “It put the Philippines on the map,” Nathanielsz told The Associated Press. Marcos reportedly wanted to hold the bout in the Manila metropolis to deflect international and domestic attention from the political restiveness and growing Muslim and communist insurgencies after placing the entire Philippines under martial rule three years earlier. Accompanying Ali from Hawaii on board a Philippine Airlines plane, Nathanielsz said the American boxer was welcomed by tens of thousands of Filipino fans “like the pope” from the airport to the Manila Hilton. Ali decided right away to conduct a workout at a nearby cultural center complex by Manila Bay so Filipinos can see more of him, Nathanielsz said. Marcos’s image did not bother Ali, who personally liked the Philippine leader and embraced him when they met in Manila,

CHIN from 3 His aura told me that this neighborhood belonged to him. His presence gave me a sense of calm. I felt he was there to serve and protect. The elderly leaned on him for his assistance and strength. Accident victims received first aid from him — it was not uncommon for him to arrive before the medics. The crime rate decreased when Donnie was present. No longer a target for bullies, Donnie had transformed into a real life superhero for the residents of the ID! After chatting with Donnie, and saying our goodbyes, I watched him as he walked away. His head turned from right to left and back again. He was scanning the streets, anticipating where he would be needed next. His mission that day, like any other day, was to make sure all was good in his neighborhood. He looked prepared and responsible for any emergency that might occur … Mrs. Chin had taught him well. 

SHARE YOUR MEMORIES To share your memories of Donnie Chin, email editor@ nwasianweekly.com.

TANOOKA from 4 against the parents. “The father is probably really sorry for what he did, but he is so misguided,” she said. Appearing outside the hospital where the boy was flown by helicopter, the father, Takayuki Tanooka, apologized, bowing deeply, thanked everyone for the rescue, and vowed to do a better job as a dad. “We have raised him with love all along,” Tanooka said, fighting tears. “I really didn’t think it would come to that. We went too far.” Abandonment and child abuse are far more common in Japan than the stereotype of the doting parent and stay-at-home mom would suggest. Corporal punishment in the name of discipline is common, including beatings and getting thrown out of homes in the cold. There have been reports recently of children who were starved. Even more alarming, local school and community officials have not adequately responded to warning signs, such as a child’s bruises or extreme hunger. In one case, parents in their 20s kept their 3-year-old chained to a collar around his neck. The father was arrested. A report by Japanese police found that child abuse is on the rise, with annually reported cases doubling to nearly 74,000 over the last decade, resulting in nearly 700 prosecutions, triple the number a decade ago, and more than 2,000 children getting placed in protective custody a year. Yamato’s parents are not officially under any police investigation for their actions. Yamato’s ordeal, pieced together from information from military and police teams reported by local media, was admirable for his resourcefulness and resilience. After apparently walking for several miles, the boy found

Nathanielsz said, adding that the president was also a boxer in his younger years. During his meeting with Ali, Nathanielsz quoted Marcos as saying, “I want the world to see that we have peace and order, people are happy, the economy is doing well and the country is moving forward.” In an awkward moment during his Manila visit, Ali introduced his girlfriend to Marcos as his wife. The dictator, who was with his wife, Imelda, told Ali that he had a beautiful wife. “Ali, looking at Imelda, said, `Mr. President, you haven’t done too badly yourself,”’ Nathanielsz said. The scene, which was covered by the press, was shown in the U.S. and caught on TV by Ali’s wife, who hurriedly flew to the Philippines to confront the boxer, according to Nathanielsz. Nathanielsz likened Ali to Pacquiao, saying both were icons who were close to and inspired common folk. Roel Velasco, who won a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, thanked Ali for helping inspire him to become a boxer, saying, “It’s sad to see one of the world’s greatest boxers go.” Velasco, who now coaches Filipino boxers, including a handful who are flying to the Olympics in Brazil later this year, recalled how the Ali-Frazier Manila bout riveted his central Philippine province. Ali instantly “became one of my idols,” said the 46-year-old Velasco. Left-wing activists also mourned Ali’s death, praising him for his refusal to join the U.S. war in Vietnam. “What made him great was not just his achievements in sports, but also his staunch defense of his principles,” said Renato Reyes, of the left-wing Bayan Muna group. “He refused to fight other oppressed people and called to task the U.S. government for failing to stop oppression and racism at home.” “This was truly a heroic and courageous act at the time,” Reyes said. 

an empty hut in an unoccupied military drill area and entered a door that had been left open. The Quonset hut-style building had no heat or electricity and no food, but Yamato huddled between mattresses on the floor and drank water from the solitary faucet outside the hut for several days. Temperatures drop in the forested area in northern Japan to below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night, and there was rain during the week, fueling fears the boy, wearing only a T-shirt when he went missing, might die from exposure. The soldier who found him had not been part of the search effort, but when he asked if the boy was Yamato Tanooka, the boy nodded and said, “Yup.” The soldier gave him rice balls, which he ate ravenously. When the solider suggested they should go home together, the boy nodded again and said, “Yup.” Although going without water is dangerous even for a few days, people can survive considerably longer without food. But experts stress a water-only diet for so long must have been painful. Daijiro Hashimoto, a former governor appearing on a talk show on TV Asahi, wondered how the boy had endured the loneliness, especially at night, and suggested that perhaps he had imagined he was on some adventure and was hiding in a secret camp. “He had to keep a very positive attitude,” Hashimoto said, reflecting widespread sentiment here. “He is fantastic. He didn’t know how long it might take, and when he would ever be saved.” Japanese media reports focused more on how lucky and smart the boy had been, and less on criticizing the parents. Yamato’s father said he was sorry. “I told him I was so sorry for causing him such pain,” he told reporters. 

KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01059C16, Clough Creek Sediment Facility; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on June 21, 2016. Late bids will not be accepted. This project provides for construction of a sediment facility to enhance Clough Creek in the vicinity of 415th Way SE and SE 142nd St in King County by removing an existing residential building and associated appurtenances, excavation, grading, construction of a reinforced concrete weir, reinforced concrete pond inlet apron, gravity block wall, rock wall, interlocking block mat, cement concrete culvert installation, surfacing, paving with HMA, erosion control features, Contractor-provided surveying, and other work, and other work, all in accordance with the attached Plans, these Special Provisions, and the 2016 APWA/WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction. Estimated contract price: $770,000 - $895,000\ There is a 15% minimum Apprentice Utilization Requirement on this contract. There is a 10% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) on this contract. Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://procurement.kingcounty.gov/ procurement_ovr/default.aspx

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

YOUR VOICE CHINATOWN from 1 It was the first time I ever talked to the old guys, about this building. I remember thinking, this is kind of cool.” “My dad died in 1995,” said Kay, who has a mechanical engineering degree. “I was voted onto the board that year.”

Beginnings

To those who are unfamiliar, the uninhabited top floors of the West Kong Yick building is a labyrinth-like maze in the dark. These floors used to house transient workers — Chinese men who worked on railroads, were regrading Seattle, or were heading up to work in Alaska’s canneries — gambling dens, and a brothel. In 1910, the Jackson regrade was completed, a project that forced Seattle’s Chinese population to move from its original South Washington Street location in Pioneer Square to where it sits today, centered on King Street in the International District. Chinese immigrants opened new businesses and Seattle’s Chinatown grew. In the same year, more than 170 Chinese investors pooled their money together and established the Kong Yick Investment Company. The company built the West and East Kong Yick buildings — the East building is currently well known for being the site of The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. These buildings are the first Chinese-built buildings on King Street. The West building currently houses popular businesses on the bottom floor. Residents live on one of the upper floors, but two of the four floors are vacant and need to be rehabilitated and brought up to code before they can be inhabited again. Kay’s family descends from one of the original 1910 shareholders of the Kong Yick Investment Company. For years now, he and others, including his family members, have been gradually bringing their building back to life. But doing so has a unique set of challenges.

CHEN from 1 Mexico in early March. Her husband describes her as a curious, passionate woman, who loves to experience new things. “I’m trying to balance this whole situation with paying my bills and keep my job and stop from going crazy,” said Reinhard. Almost two months since anyone last saw Chen, Reinhard said, “We are close to getting some answers.” With the help of money raised from a GoFundMe campaign (gofundme.com/ helpfindjenny), Reinhard has hired a private investigator in Mexico, who has turned up a solid lead in the search for Chen. The investigator tracked Chen’s April 11 route from Oaxaca City, to Juchitan, approximately 6 hours away. He located the family she stayed with that night. That investigator discovered that the next day, on April 12, Chen tried to catch a ride from Juchitan toward Cancun from passing vehicles on highway 185. About 2 p.m. that same afternoon, eyewitnesses saw the driver of a Corona beer truck stop on the side of the highway, wave Chen over, and offer her a ride. Chen left with that driver and has not been seen since. Attempts to obtain information about the truck and the driver have hit a brick wall, until last week. “They’re finally allowing us access,” said Reinhard of Grupo Modelo, Corona’s parent company. “We had to get the police, Corona, my investigator, and myself all together on one phone call, and Corona is finally saying, ‘OK, let’s work with you.’” In the last few weeks, Reinhard had

Earthquake proofing and historic districts

In early April of this year, building owners, such as the Kong Yick Investment Company, were notified by mail that their buildings are on a list of confirmed Unreinforced Masonry (URM) buildings. A URM is typically built prior to 1940 — in the case of the Kong Yick buildings, they were built at the turn of the century. These buildings lack the steel reinforcement and structural connections needed to stand up to seismic motion. Currently, there are no regulations that require buildings to be retrofitted so that residents can safely exit the buildings after a quake — but this is legislation the City of Seattle is considering. “We’re trying to understand the pros and cons of making [some form of retrofitting] mandatory,” said Bryan Stevens, spokesperson for the City of Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections. “We’re exploring the financial costs. We’re trying to be vigilant as we develop the policies. The last thing we want is to make it so onerous that people will demolish instead of upgrad. That’s not what we want to see here.” However, like Pioneer Square and Ballard, Seattle’s Chinatown is a National Register Historic District. “We have one of the highest concentrations of URM buildings,” said Cara Bertron, Real Estate Lab Coordinator at IDEA Space, a program of the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation & Development Authority (SCIDpda). “And the tricky thing is that because the Chinatown– International District (CID) is a historic district, west of the freeway, property owners have much more limited options as to how to respond [to mandated retrofitting]. In Capitol Hill or Queen Anne or other areas that are not historic districts, property owners can choose to retrofit, tear down their building and rebuild, or sell it. Demolition is sometimes the easier option, and you can have a [newer] bigger building [that yields higher income]. “But here in the CID, property owners

asked friends and supporters to continue putting pressure on Grupo Modelo through a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter. Reinhard said it’s encouraging, but the jury’s still out. “I’m hopeful and the communication with Corona is a lot more positive. I have hope that they will partner with me in this situation.” Reinhard believes the answer he is seeking will come from that truck driver.

As long as it takes

“I love my wife and I’ll keep this up for as long as I possibly can to get her back,” said Reinhard. He has been to Mexico three times in the past two months and is planning another trip there soon. Reinhard said this whole situation has not only been an emotional and mental strain, but a financial one as well. “Traveling, paying for private investigators — all that stuff adds up really fast.” “Every little bit helps,” said Reinhard of his GoFundMe page. He said there was a flood of contributions in the beginning, but it has slowed in recent weeks. He said anything he earns, above and beyond paying bills, goes toward the search effort for his wife. Reinhard said his employer has been “fantastic,” supportive and cooperative. Chen is a permanent resident of the United States and was on the path to citizenship. Because she’s not a citizen yet, her husband said it has been difficult getting help from the U.S. State Department. And he feels the Chinese authorities have not done much either. “It’s so confusing and it’s

[only] have the option to rehab or sell. They can’t demolish.” However, retrofitting is expensive. And selling these Chinatown URMs, changing their ownership from Chinese American families (or shareholders) who have kept these buildings since the turn of the century, signifies a loss.

The Nisqually earthquake

On Feb. 28, 2001, at 10:54 in the morning, an intraslab earthquake with the moment magnitude of 6.8 and a depth of 35 miles hit southern Puget Sound, northeast of Olympia. Other earthquakes in the same region occurred in 1949 (magnitude 6.7, depth 31 miles) and 1965 (magnitude 6.7, depth 37 miles). About 400 people were injured in the Nisqually quake, and the total damage incurred was $1 billion–$4 billion. “With the Nisqually, two-thirds of the buildings that were later deemed unsafe and unfit to inhabit were URMs,” said Stevens. “And the Nisqually was a moderate earthquake.” “[People like to] focus on the large [scary] earthquake that hasn’t happened in hundreds of years. What we’re talking about is how we can prepare for the more recent earthquakes we’ve had, the more moderate ones that happen every 20 years or so.”

Affordable housing

Currently, the City of Seattle confirms that there are 1,164 URM buildings in the entire city. Approximately 120 URM buildings are located in Pioneer Square and the CID, more than 10 percent of all URMs in Seattle, according to the soon-to-be released “URM-RRIO Pilot Project Report,” by SCIDpda. This also equates to about 4,000 affordable housing residential units and small businesses between both neighborhoods. And, as Seattle continues to climb its tech boom, as it experiences an influx of new, more affluent residents to its city center downtown — the displacement of lowincome households (renters primarily) in Pioneer Square and Chinatown is a real,

such a mess,” said Reinhard. “We need to establish protocols and we have to pressure the government to do more because they are not, and this happens more often than people think.”

A romance borne of KFC

Reinhard said he and his wife have been together for eight years. They met while he lived in China and he attended an event called “English Corner” by a lake, which was a gathering place for Chinese who want to practice their English. He said he was surrounded by a group of Chinese and he heard a small voice asking if he liked Kentucky Fried Chicken. Reinhard said he gave out his phone number to several people that day and he got a call shortly after from Chen who said, “Hi, I’m Jenny. Would you like to go out on a date with me?” The rest, as they say, is history. The couple married in 2012. Chen moved to the United States in 2013. When asked if he thinks his wife is in trouble, Reinhard answered “yes.” He has expressed concerns previously that Chen may have been sold into human trafficking. But he remains optimistic. “I firmly believe that we are getting close to some answers.” “With the coordinated efforts [of] Corona, the media, getting the police to do something, and my private investigator, I’m confident that we’re going to have answers soon.”  Ruth Bayang can be reached at editor@ nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

high risk. “If [mandatory retrofit legislation] affects the CID disproportionately — I think it becomes an equity issue,” said Bertron. According to the SCIDpda report, people of color comprise 82.5 percent of the CID, compared to only 30.5 percent citywide. Also, 21.4 percent of CID residents are over the age of 65, compared to 10.7 percent citywide. The median household income in the CID is $13,389 a year (the poverty rate is 34 percent), compared to $63,470 citywide. “I think that people here are more at-risk than people in newer neighborhoods, or people in buildings where property owners have more capital,” said Bertron. “This is important to keep in mind. I also think that the culture of these historic buildings — this has been the CID — home to API people for more than a hundred years — [is important]. [These URMs] provide a sense of place for community and culture — but they also need to be retrofitted.” Bertron pointed out that sometimes, to cover some retrofitting costs, some property owners will increase rent for residents. “Newer buildings — more rent,” Bertron said, purposely illustrating the concept broadly and simplistically. “When something looks brand new, you are paying for that.” She said this isn’t a viable option for many Chinatown property owners. “Am I supposed to make the rent go up?” Kay said. “And force all these poor people out? A lot of people ask me this — ‘Why don’t you make the rent double what it currently is?’ I ask, ‘Do you want me to make this guy homeless? Put him on the street?’ They say, ‘Well, no.’ I say, ‘Well, what do you want me to do?’ I’m going to feel bad because I know these guys.”  Read part two of this story in next week’s issue of Northwest Asian Weekly. More information about URMs can be found at the City of Seattle’s website, short link: goo. gl/LfnRcN. Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@ nwasianweekly.com.

AMAZON from 1 Durga-Hanuman, and Padmanabha — are highly revered in Hinduism. President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed, said they are not for absorbing “water and dirt from shoes” or for sweeping on for cleaning or for drying wet feet and grabbing “dirt, dust, and grime.” Zed thanked Amazon for taking action and for understanding the concerns of the Hindu community. But he said an official apology from President Jeff Bezos was still due, as it was the company’s third incident in recent years trivializing Hindu deities. In 2014, after protests spearheaded by Zed, Amazon removed women’s leggings, carrying images of various Hindu deities from its website. Zed suggested that Amazon and other corporations send their senior executives to religious and cultural sensitivity training.  Staff can be reached at info@nwasian weekly.com.

GOT CALENDAR EVENT? Submit your event details to our editor desk at editor@nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

TSUKIJI WONDERLAND from 7 brings viewers to this world, not just to the front lines of each market stall, but through the lens of wholesalers called nakaoroshi, experts in fish who run the family business with

34 YEARS

origins dating back to the 16th century. Farmers markets and even fish markets are rising in prominence, but none other could be considered quite like Tsukiji as a true wonderland. While many television shows and movies have gone inside Tsukiji, this documentary examines with a closer look the

UCLA from 5 early teens. “Sarkar’s face looked familiar when I saw his picture in the media,” said Sumita Mukherjee, who was secretary to the principal at St. Michael’s when Sarkar attended. “I spoke to some teachers of that time. They said he was good in studies and cracked the top-ranking Indian Institute of Technology test. They also say he was well behaved, but a little introverted.” Sarkar did not show up at the school’s last reunion in 2014, Mukherjee said. “As far as I know, he didn’t maintain contact with his schoolmates on social media,” she said. Sarkar earned a degree in aerospace engineering in 2000 from the IIT at Kharagpur and moved to the United States. A neighbor who lived three houses from his family’s home in Durgapur, 110 miles north of Kolkata, said his parents didn’t

role this market plays in the global fish culinary culture and captures life as it now is at Tsukiji, before the market is set to relocate to its new location in Toyosu later this year.  Tiffany Ran can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

hear from him after that. According to his LinkedIn page, he later obtained a master’s degree at Stanford University. “He did not keep in touch with his parents after moving to the United States, and they used to be very upset about it,” said Purnima Maity. She said Sarkar’s father and mother both died several years ago, and his sister married and moved to Kolkata. Maity did not know if the two siblings had been in touch. At the IIT in Kharagpur on June 3, the dean of the aerospace engineering department said the news of an alumnus being linked to such a crime was “very shocking.” But neither he nor other professors remembered much about Sarkar. “As teachers, we remember outstanding students or those who come back to us seeking recommendations for postgraduate studies. It appears he was neither,” one of his former teachers, M.K. Laha, told the Times of India. 

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JUNE 11 – JUNE 17, 2016

YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

asianweekly northwest

Predictions and advice for the week of June 11–June 17 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — Although recognition of your work comes a little late, it is secondary to the intrinsic satisfaction you get from doing it.

Dragon — There will be plenty of distractions in the coming week, though one in particular could cause some issues.

Monkey — Checking in is not the same as asking for permission. It merely lets others know where you currently stand.

Ox — You want to start off on equal footing, but that simply isn’t possible. Hit the ground running to pass the competition.

Snake — A part of you resents being told what to do. However, that is not a good excuse for ignoring sound advice that is given to you.

Rooster — On the cusp of taking a developing relationship to a deeper level? It will likely coincide with the amount of attention you devote to it.

Tiger — Whether you sprint to the finish or barely make it, the important part is that you take part in the race.

Horse — Searching for an easier way to achieve the same result? Look no further than your own experience, as the answer is within you.

Dog — Good news in one area is offset by worry from another. Still, you should come out ahead of the game.

Rabbit — It is time you reciprocated on a courtesy that was extended to you long ago. Don’t let it go too long without doing something in return.

Goat — For those who are accustomed to your easygoing manner, it will come as a bit of surprise that you can get riled up on certain matters.

Pig — Contribute to your own success by going boldly toward that which you feel is in your best interest for the 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, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 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.

A-POP from 7 Since its inception, the #StarringJohnCho and #StarringConstanceWu campaigns have received an outpouring of momentum from activists and fans, tweeting their own takes on recasting blockbuster films. Though a hashtag crusade alone cannot resolve whitewashing, at the very least, it breeds visibility and awareness.

Directorial announcements in Hollywood

Readers who grew up in the 90s will be delighted to hear that the iconic live-action/animated film “Space Jam” has a sequel in the works, aptly titled “Space Jam 2.” Variety announced that director Justin Lin, who is best known for directing several installments in the “Fast and the Furious” franchise, as well as the upcoming film “Star Trek Beyond,” will serve as co-writer on the project. Lin is also

expected to direct and produce the movie via his production company Perfect Storm Entertainment, so it seems likely that Lin will be heavily involved with creative development. LeBron James, pro basketball player of the Cleveland Cavaliers, will star in the movie. In the original film, Michael Jordan teamed up with Looney Tunes cartoon characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and more, to protect the universe from invading aliens. So there’s a strong assumption that Bugs Bunny and other cartoon favorites will also make a cameo. Director Jon M. Chu is in talks to direct the upcoming film adaptation of “Crazy Rich Asians.” Written by Kevin Kwan, “Crazy Rich Asians” exploded on the literary scene in 2013, and is a character-driven story about family and culture, focused on a group of wealthy Chinese families prepping for a large wedding in Singapore. Gossip, backstabbing, and scheming ensue. Kwan is slated to be

the executive producer of the adaptation. In the past, Chu has directed several big name projects, including the music documentary “Believe” on pop star Justin Bieber to the action flick “G.I. Joe Retaliation.” Taking on “Crazy Rich Asians” would be an interesting departure from Chu’s past work. But if anyone has the directorial range, it’s Chu. “Crazy Rich Asians” will feature a predominantly Asian and Asian American cast, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Though it seems obvious to cast Asian actors in Asian or Asian American roles, one cannot help but wonder if this announcement was in direct response to ongoing controversies over whitewashed roles in Hollywood. Only time will tell if “Crazy Rich Asians” will live up to its word.  Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

Trashion fashion

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Fashion Design Contest

$250 and more in prizes THE OBJECTIVE: Design a wearable outfit or garment that incorporates recycled materials and/or NWAW/ Seattle Chinese Post newspapers.

Entries due {July 8} Trashion Show {July 16} TO ENTER, SEND: — Your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. — Up to to 3 photographs of your design — A brief description of your work

Northwest Asian Weekly Attn: Trash to Treasure 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 16} at Chinatown/ International District Dragon Fest to be eligible for prizes. PRIZES:

Entries can be directed to rsvp@ nwasianweekly.com or mailed to:

FIRST PLACE: $250 + goodies + certificate +

TITLE SPONSOR

announcement in NWAW/SCP SECOND PLACE: $150 + goodies + certificate + announcement in NWAW/SCP THIRD PLACE: $100 + goodies + certificate + announcement in NWAW/SCP HONORABLE MENTIONS Certificate + 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.

Please fill out all the fields below: Name: ___________________________________ _________________________________________ Address: _________________________________ _________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________