PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 36 NO 30
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
FREE 35 YEARS YOUR VOICE
API candidates on the ballot
Compiled by Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
This year, election day for the primary election is on Aug. 1. Voters have until 8 p.m. that day to return their ballots or have them postmarked. A primary election is an election that narrows down the field of candidates before the general election in November. The following are candidates of Asian and/or Pacific Islander heritage in state races and also in King County races.
Manka Dhingra
Jinyoung Lee Englund
Vandana Slatter
Bea Querido-Rico
Preeti Shridhar
Hoang Tran
Satwinder Kaur
Elizabeth T. Peang
Uzma Butte
Imran Peerbhai
Benson D. Wong
Minal Kode Ghassemieh
Ryika Hooshangi
Rituja Indapure
Bob Hasegawa
Susan Chang
Linhui Hao
Betty Patu
Note: Northwest Asian Weekly does not endorse any candidate during the primary election.
STATE Legislative District 45, State Senator Manka Dhingra (Prefers Democratic Party) — A King County prosecutor since 2000, Dhingra supports women’s and immigrant’s rights through her work on the Seattle Police Department’s Muslim, Arab, and Sikh Advisory Council. see CANDIDATES on 12
World-class hotel funded in part by immigrants By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Wonder Woman and more in Trashion Fashion » 7
see HYATT on 15
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
A dream nearly two decades in the making is now a reality. July 10 was the grand opening of the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington hotel in Renton — the only waterfront hotel within 10 miles of SeaTac Airport, and the Hyatt Regency brand’s third Seattle-area hotel. Located on the Southport campus, the new 12-story, 347-room hotel, was built by SECO Development and financed with its own equity and money from mostly Chinese investors through the federal government’s EB-5 immigrant investor program. For this particular project, the EB-5 program granted permanent residency to immigrants and their Seahawk’s Doug Baldwin cuts the ribbon at the Hyatt grand opening with Min and Michael Christ, Renton Mayor Denis Law, and Hyatt’s Rusty Middleton, Peter Sears, and other dignitaries on July 10.
A play about resilience »8
Must-reads about uncovered truths »9
Amid new sex abuse findings, González calls on Murray to step down, Murray says no, Harrell cautions against judgement By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Mayor Ed Murray
■
On Sunday, July 16, the Seattle Times reported that the Oregon’s Department of Human Services (DHS) finally released unearthed old records — records previously thought to have been destroyed — in the name of public interest. The child welfare investigation records indicate that Oregon’s DHS found that Seattle Mayor Ed Murray had sexually abused a foster son,
Jeff Simpson, in 1984. At the time, Oregon state officials stated that Murray would never be a foster parent in the state again. Also at the time, the Multnomah County prosecutor declined to press charges, reportedly due to the fact that Simpson had a troubled personality that made the case difficult to try at the time, not because they found the allegations baseless. Four men have claimed that Murray sexually abused them as teenagers. Murray’s former foster son, Jeff Simpson, is one of
Murray’s accusers. Publicly, Murray has claimed that the abuse allegations are without merit and are politically motivated. Earlier this year, Murray declined to seek another term as Seattle mayor amid the controversy. Murray maintains that he is innocent of the allegations, as he was never indicted or convicted. After news of the DHS report broke, one see MURRAY on 13
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asianweekly northwest
2
35 YEARS
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS
Dragon Fest features cultural performances and food walk
Bon Odori festival attendees and performers, on July 16
also had food booths, as well as taiko and martial arts performances and demonstrations. ■
Winners of the ping pong tournament: first place: Ray To (center); second: Miguel Saldin (left); third: Jon Gould (right) Photo by George Liu/NWAW
On July 14, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., a ping pong tournament was hosted at Hing Hay Park in Seattle’s International District. It was an all-ages event and consisted of three tables. Future tournaments will also take place on Aug. 11 and Sept. 8. ■
Danny Woo Garden holds its 42nd annual pig roast
Photo by Howard Wu
Bon Odori festival ushers in summer On July 14 and 15, the Danny Woo Community Garden held its 42nd annual pig roast. The pig roast is the brainchild of the late Bob Santos, who came up with the idea of
TAP-Sea hosts wine tasting social
Dragon Fest attendees and performers, on July 15
On July 15 and 16, Seattle’s Chinatown/International District hosted Dragon Fest, an event that featured numerous cultural performances — including dragon and lion dances, Korean drumming, and martial arts demonstrations — as well as a food walk with more than 40 participating restaurants. Dragon Fest is the largest pan-Asian celebration in the Northwest. ■
The eponymous pig, of the Danny Woo annual pig roast, over a fire
Photo by John Liu/NWAW
constructing a roasting pit in the center of the garden in order to host an annual celebration for friends, family, and community members. The first roast took place July 1975. During the event, a pig was roasted for 12–15 hours over a fire, overseen by volunteers. A community celebration ensued, with food donated from local businesses and potluck dishes contributed by community members. The event was hosted by InterIM CDA, a nonprofit based in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District. ■
Photo by John Liu/NWAW
Photo by John Liu/NWAW
Ping pong tournament at Hing Hay
On July 15 and 16, Bon Odori took place at the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple. Bon Odori is a traditional Japanese summer festival in which ancestors are remembered and honored. Bon Odori is an official Seafair festival and featured traditional Japanese music, dress, and dancing. The event
TAP-Seattle members at their wine tasting event
On July 13, Taiwanese American Professionals–Seattle (TAP–Seattle) hosted a wine tasting social at the Fika House Kafe in Bellevue. In addition to wine, the networking event also featured food catered by 99 Park restaurant in Bellevue. TAP–Seattle is a nonprofit that enhances the Taiwanese American community by networking individuals interested in professional and career development, while emphasizing the preservation of Taiwanese American identity. ■
N O S TAT E I N C O M E TA X Jinyoung Englund opposes a new state income tax. She will build a compassionate government that also lives within its means, while prioritizing education.
PROTECT SENIOR CITIZENS Jinyoung Englund believes people who have worked hard and earned their safe and secure retirement should not have to face constantly increasing taxes.
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
3
Seattle Mayor Murray, Councilmember González announce selection process police accountability director On July 14, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember M. Lorena González (position 9, citywide) announced the selection process and search committee for the director of the Office of Police Accountability and the civilian inspector general, the first under newly-passed police ac- M. Lorena González countability legislation. The search committee and its two subcommittees have been formed with representatives from the Office of the Mayor, City Council, the Community Police Commission (CPC), and the Seattle Police Department (SPD), with multiple members serving on both committees. “Building trust with the community requires independent oversight of the police department and we are seeking
leaders who will help us continue our path toward becoming a model of 21st century policing,” said Murray. “Each step we take to implement these historic reforms gets us closer to that goal and helps fulfill our promise to make lasting, institutional change. Seattle has led the nation in building the model for constitutional policing, but we know we have work to do and bringing in leaders for these independent and civilian-led offices will be a major step.” “My vision for Seattle’s police accountability system — and for reforming SPD — has had at its center restoring trust between the police and communities most impacted by policing,” said González. “Establishing a new Office of Inspector General will require a trusted leader who understands the operational complexities of a major city police department and the need to ensure that Seattle’s system of police accountability is constantly reforming
Applicants sought for the Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities The Tacoma City Council is looking to fill three positions on the Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities. Youth between the ages of 16 and 18 are encouraged to apply. The Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities consists of 11 volunteers from Tacoma and Pierce County with a variety of experiences and expertise. The commission advises City Council in policymaking, and partners with the community to bring awareness of issues that affect individuals with disabilities. In addition, commission members participate on committees, help educate the
public about disability issues, and serve as a resource for City staff. The City encourages applicants of all races and ethnicities, to apply for a position. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by Friday, July 28. ■
even after the federal police monitor is long gone.” The search committee is composed of 10 members, with two subcommittees having seven each. The search committee will meet once as a whole to review requirements of the legislation, receive a briefing on human resources and legal issues, and develop recruitment strategies. Committee members are González, Enrique González, Isaac Ruiz, Lisa Daugaard, Bernard Melekian, Beth Takekawa, Monisha Harrell, Assistant Chief Lesley Cordner, Councilmember Tim Burgess, and Council President Bruce Harrell. The search will begin immediately and last several months. A public meeting will be held Aug. 2 (more information to be released by the City). ■ More information, including the public comment page, can be found at seattle.gov/civilian-oversight.
GOT A TIP? editor@nwasianweekly.com
To apply, visit cityoftacoma.org/cbcapplication or contact Sola Wingenbach at 253-591-5178, servetacoma@ cityoftacoma.org.
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asianweekly northwest
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JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for E00500E17, Brightwater Marine Outfall Inspection; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on July 26, 2017. Total Estimated Price: $410,000 There is a 5% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) firms on this contract. All solicitation documents are published at: https:// procurement.kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/login. aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fprocurement_ovr%2fdefault.aspx Contact: Alice Phoenix, 206-263-9311, alice.phoenix@ kingcounty.gov
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35 YEARS
YOUR VOICE
■ WORLD NEWS
asianweekly northwest
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
5
How Burberry used a popular Chinese app to boost sales By CAROLINE SPIEZIO ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON (AP) — In a bid to reinvigorate sales in the massive Chinese market, British luxury fashion brand Burberry this year used a strategy that has paid off handsomely: ramping up advertising on China’s popular WeChat social media app. Burberry saw a 4 percent rise in overall sales in the second quarter, more than expected, thanks largely to a resurgence in mainland China, where sales had slowed in recent years. Analysts note the company boosted spending on the WeChat app, which counts almost a billion users in China and serves as a multipurpose app combining social media and shopping services.
Japan TV sorry over Hitler T-shirt worn by talk show guest
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s public broadcaster NHK apologized over a cartoon with Adolf Hitler’s face that was printed on a T-shirt worn by a talk show guest. The black T-shirt worn by entrepreneur Takafumi Horie also carried a “No war” message on one side and a peace symbol on the cartoon Hitler’s chest. Horie was a guest on NHK’s “Afternoon Live” daily talk show on July 12. The T-shirt prompted complaints from viewers. During the program, the NHK announcer, who is also the show’s co-host, apologized. Responding to a tweet asking about the Hitler cartoon, Horie said it was meant to be an antiwar message. It’s not the first time Hitler and Nazi themes have raised controversy in Japan. Much of Asia is less sensitive about Hitler and the use of Nazi themes than the West. Last month, Japan’s central bank issued a rare apology following criticism over a board member’s remark that was interpreted as a praise for Hitler’s economic policy. Finance Minister Taro Aso in 2013 was forced to retract comments suggesting Japan should follow the Nazi example in how to change the country’s constitution. ■
The company said its advertising campaign on WeChat for the launch of a new bag — the DK88, which retails for almost $2,000 — saw its customer reach triple on the app. Sales growth in the country was in the mid-single digits, above the global growth rate. Ken Odeluga, an analyst for City Index, says that focusing so heavily on WeChat is a strategic move that competitors in luxury goods have yet to make. Some companies prefer to focus on physical stores to preserve the aura of luxury. Also, some online shopping sites have been accused of selling fakes. Burberry has prided itself on combining digital marketing with sales, such as by allowing shoppers see BURBERRY on 14
asianweekly northwest
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JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
35 YEARS
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR JULY 20
HAPPY HOUR FOOD WALK Seattle’s Chinatown-International District 4 p.m. CANTON ALLEY PARTY HOSTED BY IDEA SPACE AND SCIDPDA 599 Canton Alley S., Seattle 5:30 p.m. jamiel@scidpda.org
21 CHEF RIKA TEACHES A CLASS, WITH A BOOK SIGNING Hotel Andra, 2000 4th Ave., Seattle 12 p.m.
22 CHEF RIKA TO DEMONSTRATE CHIRASHI SUSHI AND DEEP-FRIED OYSTERS WITH PANKO The Bite of Seattle Cooks! stage, Seattle Center 5 p.m.
THROUGH AUGUST 26 – EVERY SATURDAY
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23 WANDERING & WONDERING 2017, A PERFORMANCE Kubota Garden, 9817 55th Ave. S., Seattle 12 p.m. davidthornbrugh@hotmail.com 206-729-2054
28
29
FENG HSIANG DANCE TROUP OF TAIWAN PERFORMANCE Seattle Center Armory 12:30 p.m. seattlecenter.com
3RD ANNUAL GLOBAL ISLAMOPHOBIA AWARENESS DAY Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., Seattle 3 p.m.
27
28–30
3RD ANNUAL DONNIE CHIN BBQ HOSTED BY API FOOD FIGHT CLUB Donnie Chin International Children’s Park, 700 S. Lane St., Seattle 6 p.m.
BAM ARTSFAIR 2017 Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue 9:30 a.m.
SEATTLE SAILOR MOON DAY 2017 The Vera Project, Warren and Republican, Seattle 12 p.m. tickettailor.com
2017 CHINATOWN SEAFAIR PARADE S. King & 8th Ave. to 5th Ave. passing under the Chinatown Gate and back up from S. Weller to 8th Ave. 7 p.m.
ALASKA AIRLINES SEAFAIR TORCHLIGHT PARADE Seafair Festival, 2200 6th Ave. Ste. 400, Seattle 12 p.m. seafair.com
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for E00471E17, Planning and Design Services for Rapidride Expansion; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on July 26, 2017. Total Estimated Price for Phase 1: $1,200,000Total Estimated Price for all Phases: $2,800,000 This contract is funded by the Federal Transit Administration. There is a 15% minimum
requirement for Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises Certified Federal Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms on this contract. King County, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its programs and activities. 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.
View the solution on page 14
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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
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
■ PICTORIAL
7
trashion fashion
NWAW’s 2017 FASHION DESIGN CONTEST
► https://youtu.be/u3bPeaCyf7s
1st prize winner, design by Rebecca Bartenetti and worn by Felicia Bartenetti
Gei Chan, chair of the show
3rd prize winner Gei Chan, modeled by Kian Liddell
2nd prize winner Avi Spillers
From left: Judges Karen Tsuo, 2nd prize winner, 3rd prize winner, 1st prize winner, James Doane, and Shaunta Hyde of Alaska Airlines.
Honorable mention McKenna Coleman Honorable mention Xinyi Wu
Honorable mention Eva Greer Honorable mention William Overbeck
Honorable mention Jacob Long
Taylor Coleman Emcee Thu Ngo
Emcee Gary Tang
Designed by Gei Chan, modeled by Sage Liddell
Diana Lee
Sherilyn Tam
Design by Jacky Liu
Jacky Liu
Judges begin judging inside the NWAW office.
Jennifer Xu Junelyn Tam
Beija Flor in Kimono made from rice sacks, Gary Tang’s design
Winlyn Tam
Tracey Wong in Thu Ngo’s design
Katherine Kang
Evergreen Chinese Church won the Publisher Award for most entrants.
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Tracy Nguyen in a ball gown made of 333 ft of fabric strips, Gary Tang’s design
Althea Chow in Gei Chan’s design
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YOUTUBE VIDEOS BY MATT CHAN PHOTOS BY GEORGE LIU/NWAW SYLP models Brian Li (top) and Jenni Nguyen (right) Student designers: Jenni Nguyen, Leon Hu, Zosia Ishida, Manhong Gan, Ashley Pham, and Brian Li
Summer Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) model YK Zhou Student designers: Sophia Mar, Matthew Lui, Harold Chen, Brianna Wei, Kellie Dao, Isabelle Kim, YK Zhou
asianweekly northwest
8
35 YEARS
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
■ AT THE MOVIES
‘Hoodoo Love,’a play about resilience By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
“I was a musical theater baby,” remembers theater director Malika Oyetimein, about growing up in Philadelphia. “I still love musicals.” But she says, “I found that in high school, I was cast in racially typical roles like ‘the maid,’ and I didn’t want to do that anymore. So I got involved with Philadelphia Young Playwrights. That’s where it began.” Oyetimein’s latest work as a director, “Hoodoo Love,” written by Katori Hall, comes to Seattle courtesy of the Sound Theater Company in collaboration with the Hansberry Project. It’s a Great Depression story, with a four-strong, all-Black cast, detailing a young runaway on her way to Memphis, a footloose bluesman she meets along the way, a whorehouse madam with a plan of her own, and the runaway’s brother, a Christian missionary eager to head off his wandering sister. “Hoodoo” refers generally to folk magic among Black Americans, often, though not always, in the American South, and derived from spiritual traditions that the enslaved brought with them from their native West Africa. As the play goes along the young runaway, Toulou, works hoodoo to win the love of the bluesman, Ace of Spades. But Toulou’s runs afoul of her brother, Jib, a staunch Christian who rejects hoodoo as heathen practice. Director Oyetimein served as Artistic Director of Philadelphia’s Ademide Theatre Ensemble before moving here to study at the University of Washington. She’s logged time with Seattle Repertory Theatre, and she continues to teach acting at the UW. “From a young age,” reflected the director, “I was into speaking out, I was into the voiceless heard. I was always about changing hearts, affecting people with my work. As far as influences, my father helped me develop my practical focus, and my mother finally convinced me to jump into theater full-time.” She also credits professor Valerie CurtisNewton at the University of Washington for “[helping] me really grow and solidify as a director. She gave me the perspective of learning and exploring with the cast during the development of a production.” Jose Abaoag, publicist for Sound Theatre Company on “Hoodoo Love” and himself a local actor, mused on aspects of the play transcending Black American stories and concerns. Abaoag, a Filipino who’s worked for Sound Theatre about a year, opined, “I think that, although this is a African American story, that the themes like finding one’s voice and learning from an elder, will appeal to all people and particularly an Asian/Pacific Islander audience. Let me put it this way: Toulou is on her own and is having trouble finding her way and with love of a man. So she seeks the guidance of an elder,
and she aims to direct as many stories as possible, with strong Black female characters. “It’s 2017,” she elaborated, “and America is abuzz with a new word : resilience. This play is about the tenacity and perseverance of Black women. This play is about survival. Everywhere you look, you see the word resilience. “It’s an even more important — no not important — relevant concept today. People, white people in particular, are starting to come to the concept.” ■
who asks her to trust her, [and] employs the old ways to help her. That sounds pretty close to a lot of our stories.” Oyetimein directed “Hoodoo Love” back
“Hoodoo Love” runs through July 30 at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison Street. For prices, showtimes, and other information, visit soundtheatrecompany.org/2017in Philadelphia, but she’s proud to return season/hoodoo-love. to it with her new skills, and a new vision for a new audience. She calls it a rare ex- Andrew Hamlin can be reached at ample of a play focused on a Black woman, info@nwasianweekly.com.
GRAND OPENING
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. Contact Information:
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asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
■ ON THE SHELF Books on deeper truths that you should read
9
NWAW’s July book recs
By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
“Starry River of the Sky”
By Grace Lin Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012 The moon has gone missing, but the only person in the remote Village of Clear Sky who has seemed to notice is its newest resident, a young boy named Rendi. A runaway who now finds himself working as a chore boy at the village inn, Rendi initially scorns the duties he has been tasked with and carries them out reluctantly. He also finds the goings-on at the inn peculiar — from the innkeeper Master Chao’s ongoing feud with Widow Yan to Mr. Shan often mistaking his pet toad for a rabbit. There’s also Master Chao’s son, who has left the village for parts unknown. Then one day, a mysterious woman arrives at the inn with a gift for storytelling. As she shares her stories with Rendi and everyone else at the inn, people and things in the village begin to change. Rendi begins to realize that maybe his own story holds the solution to the village’s problems.
“Starry River” is a companion novel to Grace Lin’s “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” and brings readers back into a world of fantasy and Chinese folklore. Despite the whimsical nature of the story — in which moons can go missing and there is more to animals than meets the eye — this is a tale with themes based in
reality. Whether it’s a young boy wanting nothing more than to be with his family to a father seemingly knowing what’s best for his children, these are issues readers will be able to relate to. The growth Rendi experiences throughout the story teaches readers the importance of looking outside of ourselves to re-
alize that there is a whole world out there. And what we may perceive as a big problem initially may not seem as dire in the whole scheme of things. In addition to the fantastical story, “Starry River” also features full-color see SHELF on 13
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asianweekly northwest
10
35 YEARS
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
OPINION
2017 is a year of awakening for Asian Americans This has never happened before — that the mainstream would dub two Asian American women top contenders in the same race! It shows the Asian community does have quality candidates in both political parties. This race is important because this race will determine the control of the senate. Both parties are fighting hard for their
By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
candidate. If either Korean American Englund or Indian American Dhingra wins, she will be the first Asian American elected official for the 45th District. Last year, Sen. Andy Hill of the 45th District died of lung cancer, and Dino Rossi see BLOG on 13
WEEKLY SPECIALS July 19-25, 2017
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Six months ago, I said, “Seattle’s 2017 election sucks!” How wrong I was! What seemed to be a dull and highly predictable election has now transformed to be a colorful and uncertain one, not only for the city, but also other parts of King County. The number of Asian candidates running for high-profile offices is unbelievable. Asian Americans are shooting for the moon this year. This is the year of Asian American women and breaking glass ceilings. This is the year of Asian American voters making an impact. Out of 21 candidates fighting for the Seattle mayoral spot, some front-runners have the same amount of advantages and baggage. The race is wide open. Don’t believe the polls that tell you the election is pretty much locked up. It isn’t until you mark on that ballot. YOU voters get to decide. You control the outcome. The other exciting races are for Port of Seattle commissioners. A young Filipina is challenging an established Port of Seattle commissioner, and an Indian American woman is running against some big names for an open seat. Another position up for grabs is the 45th District senate race. Two Asian American women are neck-to-neck, and one will be the first Asian American senator for the 45th District. Then, on the city council level, three Chinese Americans are running for Mercer Island City Council and three for the Bellevue City Council. It’s exciting to see Asian Americans declare, “I am running.” These voices represent a new trend. Many realize that if they would like to have a say or change things they don’t like, they have to run for office. Getting a seat at the table means you can tip the power balance between the most visible and the least visible, the majority and minority, progressives and conservatives, the silent and the outspoken. To all you Asian Americans who are running, you deserve a bow from us. You have the courage and conviction to put yourself out there to fight for your beliefs and for the community. You are not afraid of challenges lying ahead. Not everyone is going to win. That’s okay. Failure is a stepping-stone for you to win next year. What you learn is valuable — the nuts and bolts in running a campaign — laying the foundation for future races. The key is to get your name out, meet the movers and doers in the community, and develop a network of supporters from hereon. In politics, you win some and you lose some. It’s about how well you learn to rebound from adversities.
standing among the 10 candidates who showed at the API candidate forum on June 20, you would’ve noticed the missing demographic. It would be a shame to have the largest minority population in Seattle, as well as in King County, not be visibly represented in the mayoral race. About 200 young and old Asian Americans attended the event. I suspect that the strong turnout was due to Hasegawa. Whether you agree or disagree with his platform — him being on the far left — his participation in the mayoral race shows that Asian Americans can be serious contenders for big offices. A few mainstream media polls show Hasegawa in second or third. The other reason for the strong turnout was, people were curious about other candidates, such as Cary Moon, Jenny Durkan, Jessyn Farrell, and Nikkita Oliver. You read so much about them in the news, but what do the real person really look like? Where do they stand on tough issues?
Asian American women
KING TV calls Jinyoung Englund, a Republican, and Manka Dhingra, a Democrat, top contenders for the 45th senate seat.
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Vote for candidates who have a proven record of standing up for our Asian & Pacific Islander communities! Manka Dhingra for State Senator, 45th legislative district
Bob Hasegawa for Seattle Mayor
Teresa Mosqueda for Seattle City Council, Position 8
Seattle mayoral race
Of the 21 mayoral candidates, there is one Asian candidate running. Sen. Bob Hasegawa is the lone Asian candidate. If we didn’t have even one Asian American
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asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
11
OPINION
■ EDITORIAL
Why YOU need to fill out that ballot and send it in by Aug. 1 Twelve-year-old Katherine Kang is a middle schooler who is not yet old enough to vote, but she is still devoting time to go through her mom Julie’s voters pamphlet. Katherine is getting a jumpstart on some good habits — she says she can’t wait until she’s 18. “If you don’t go out and vote, you can’t complain about the outcome,” Katherine told Northwest Asian Weekly, when asked why she thinks voting is important. This year, registered voters have until 8 p.m. on Aug. 1 to send back ballots (or have them postmarked) in order for the ballot to be counted in the primary election. We highly encourage all of our readers to cast their vote, especially our young readers, our readers of color, and our Asian American and Pacific Islander American readers. Voter turnout for these groups have historically been low compared to the general population, and it is ever-important to change this data. Obstacles in voting exist for us. A fact to note is that
■ LETTERS
With Navigation Center, City of Seattle not doing enough to engage community To the Editor, The City has finally opened its Navigation Center in the Little Saigon area of the International District (ID) — on its own terms and without having sought sincere input and engagement with the community [in regards to] where it will be situated. This experiment in unsheltered services will affect all of us, but especially those who live, work in, and visit Little Saigon. We know that the residents will be allowed to use drugs and alcohol while there. We do not know what kind of oversight there will be or what rules and limits there will be on drug and alcohol use. Lack of a plan could quickly doom the Navigation Center and its residents. And who wants a homeless shelter in their community/neighborhood, where people are feeding their addiction without treatment or supervision? Even with a management/supervision plan, we must challenge the wisdom of allowing substance use here. This is meant to be transitional housing, not a safe injection/use facility. The City must make sure that people with opioid addictions are definitively not allowed to stay here. The Navigation Center is not meant to be a treatment facility for opioid or other substances. Opiate addicts without treatment could pose a significant problem to business, tourism, and residents in the ID. We must demand that the City provide public quarterly progress reports on the Navigation Center. It is funded with public money, so accountability is justified as is transparency. One of the reasons for the Navigation Center was to connect people with housing. Councilmember Sally Bagshaw told the see COMMENTARY on 15
according to the U.S. Census, low-income citizens (family incomes of $20,000 or less) are far less likely to vote — only 47 percent of this group compared to 80 percent of those with annual earnings of $100,000 or more. The barrier commonly cited for this disparity is actually centered around practicality. Blacks and Latinos, for instance, are three times more likely than whites to not receive an absentee ballot. Asian Americans have the highest income average and the highest educational attainment on average — factors that traditionally produce high voter turnout. However, Asian Americans have the lowest voter participation rate of any demographic group, according to Pew Research. How can this be? Well, according to Census data, about 33 percent of Asian Americans speak limited English, which is a barrier for prospective voters. Immigrants made up 74 percent of Asian Americans. While the Voting Rights Act requires
that ballots get translated for populations of 5 percent of 10,000 limited-English speakers who share the same native language, in August 2016, only 22 counties/cities in the United States actually met that requirement for Asian languages. A lot of the time, Asian Americans who are registered voters are unaware that they have a right to access these in-language materials. Now that you know, please ask for in-language materials, for yourself or for a family member or friend. And then be sure to mark Aug. 1 on the calendar to ensure your ballot gets counted. Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the United States, yet we are still often overlooked by elected officials and leaders. We need to change this impression of us. And we won’t lie — it won’t be an easy endeavor. It will take an ongoing, collective effort. But it is worth it. ■
Terminology matters, we need to eliminate use of word ‘foreign’ when referring to non-English languages To the editor: “Tagalog is WA’s most commonly spoken foreign language after Spanish,” [an article that appeared in the July 15 issue of Northwest Asian Weekly,] is well-developed and written. My educator hat is reeling, however, with the combination of “foreign” and “language” in the headline and throughout the article. At least 30 years ago, there were significant differences among language teachers about languages other than English taught in schools. They settled on “world languages” because the language other than English that is worthy of teaching in schools is usually a language that is used by people living in more than one political jurisdiction: French in Quebec, German in Wisconsin, Spanish throughout the Southwest, indigenous peoples. Although [some of these] may not be the languages of the government in power,
powerful governments often declare or impose a state language. I am surprised that Tagalog is the second language behind Spanish in Washington now (and that’s important information), but I wish you’d referred to it as a world language. Clearly, Tagalog is spoken in this country among several generations, some of whom are Americans by birth. That wasn’t an option for me when I was growing up post-World War II. English only at home. [The fact] that an individual speaks a language other than English these days in the United States helps them to be a citizen of the world. Thanks for ‘listening.’ I just think it would be a stronger article if, every time you used [the word] “foreign,” you’d used [the word] “world” instead! — Kathy Purcell, Seattle
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asianweekly northwest
12
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
CANDIDATES from 1 She co-founded API Chaya, an organization that works to end domestic violence in the South Asian community. Jinyoung Lee Englund (Prefers Republican Party) — Englund is both the daughter of immigrants and a second-generation military spouse and entrepreneur. She has 10 years technology and public policy experience solving problems: securing funding for an NGO providing clean water in Africa; serving constituents in Congress; educating the public, government and law enforcement on Bitcoin and Blockchain; and Product Manager and Advisor on Technology and Innovation for U.S. Marine Corps.
Legislative District 48, Representative Position 1 Vandana Slatter (Prefers Democrat Party) — Slatter is a former Bellevue City Councilmember, community leader, public school parent, and biotech and healthcare professional. On the Advisory Boards of local nonprofits, Global Social Business Partners (GSBP) and Farmer Frog, she helped establish a Lake Hills Greenbelt urban farm with a social business focus where healthy organic produce can be provided to lowincome households at an affordable cost. In 2017, she was appointed as the State House Representative for the 48th Legislative District.
PORT OF SEATTLE Commissioner Position 1 Bea Querido-Rico — Querido-Rico’s approach to problem solving comes from more than 12 years working in aerospace and transportation. She started in started out in Network & Space at The Boeing Company and adopted by the 787. She is a nonprofit senior leader, currently serving as a Board Member for the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO)
Commissioner Position 4 Preeti Shridhar — Shridhar grew up in India, the only daughter of a business executive and a college professor. She came to the United States in 1986. In 1993, she helped the City of Seattle introduce water conservation and recycling programs. In the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Environment, she also helped to launch Seattle’s Climate Protection Initiative, that led to the national U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. She currently works for the City of Renton.
CITY City of Federal Way, council position 4 Hoang Tran — At the age of 18, Tran fled from Vietnam, and immigrated to the United States in 1980. Tran worked multiple jobs to support himself through college, earning a college degree and becoming a U.S. citizen in 1985. Tran currently serves as an administrator in the state’s Department of Social and Health Services. In 2009, Tran was awarded the Governor’s award for Leadership in Management for his leadership and his commitment to excellence as a public servant. Tran graduated from the University
of Washington with a B.A. in Psychology. He’s a Juris Doctor student of Northwestern California University School of Law.
City of Kent, council position 2 Satwinder Kaur — A former City of Kent employee, Kaur worked as an executive assistant with the City Council in 2012 and 2013. Kaur graduated from Kentridge High School in 2004, earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Washington University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. Elizabeth T. Peang — Peang is the parent of three school-aged children in Kent and is a social worker by vocation and a community outreach advocate. Peang graduated from California State University Stanislaus with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Public Administration.
City of Kirkland, council position 7 Uzma Butte — Butte is an educator, small business owner, and the founder of a Montessori School. Her affiliations include Kirkland Downtown Rotary Club, Eastshore Unitarian Universalists, ACLU People Power, and Indivisible. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Imran Peerbhai — His family immigrated to the United States in the 1970s. He has worked at Microsoft, and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and earned a certificate in Econometrics. He’s also a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon Honor Society. Currently, Peerbhai runs a small artificial intelligence company, where they have built a voice assistant for elder care.
City of Mercer Island, council position 6 Benson D. Wong — Wong was elected onto the Mercer Island City Council in November 2013. He was born and raised in Seattle. Benson has an undergraduate degree from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a senior partner at the Seattle law firm of Keller Rohrback L.L.P. Benson has served on the boards of the Mercer Island Schools Foundation and Mercer Island Community Fund.
City of Sammamish, council position 3 Minal Kode Ghassemieh — Ghassemieh is an immigration attorney and board chair at API Chaya. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington School of Business and her Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University. She has practiced immigration law for 8 years focusing her practice on employment and familybased immigration. Ghassemieh is also a pro-bono attorney for Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, where she assists refugees and other individuals in need of immigration assistance.
City of Sammamish, council position 5 Ryika Hooshangi — For over 10 years, Hooshangi worked as an attorney at the
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35 YEARS U.S. Department of State, counseling U.S. embassies on international agreements, immigration law, and policy, with expertise in diplomatic policy, trade, and business immigration issues. Since moving back to Sammamish, she has been on the Board of Directors of the Borgen Project, a Seattlebased nonprofit working on ending global poverty, and currently serves as the chairman of the board.
State University in Pullman. Chang currently serves on the City of Shoreline Planning Commission. She has a B.S. in Civil Engineering, an M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, all from UC Berkeley.
Rituja Indapure — Initially trained as a lawyer, Indapure currently works at Costco as a senior analyst. She has worked as a software engineer with local high tech companies, lived in Washington state for almost 20 years, and has been a Klahanie resident for the past 15 years. With Amrita Seattle (Teen Feed program), she volunteers to support homeless youth and with the nonprofit Tasveer, she works to promote arts and culture throughout King County — particularly in underrepresented and diverse communities.
director position 4
City of Seattle, mayor Bob Hasegawa — Hasegawa, 64, is a third generation Seattleite and lifelong resident of the Beacon Hill neighborhood. He represents the 11th Legislative District as a sitting Washington State Senator and he was the first ever Asian American Secretary–Treasurer of Teamsters Local 174, the largest trucking industry workers’ union in the Pacific Northwest. As mayor, Hasegawa said he will bring his lifelong track record of accountability, transparency, and sense of equity.
City of Shoreline, council position 5 Susan Chang — Chang is a licensed civil engineer and was previously an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Washington
SCHOOL Mercer Island School District 400, Linhui Hao — Hao has a doctorate in molecular biology and virology from Ohio State University and has worked at University of Wisconsin, Madison as a research scientist. Since moving to Seattle area last year, she has been an independent consultant. Hao spends a large portion of her time volunteering in school classrooms, libraries, and engaging in Chinese community activities and with the Mercer Island School Foundation. She is currently serving as board member and secretary of Mercer Island Chinese Association.
Seattle School District 1, director district 7 Betty Patu — Patu retired after 32 years of successfully directing educational programs recognized to increase graduation rates, college-bound students and reduced gang violence. She was responsible for having the highest number of South Pacific Islander students graduate from public school in any one year. Patu has served as Seattle School Board Director of district 7 for two terms. If there are any API candidates we have missed, please let us know at editor@ nwasianweekly.com.
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
■ ASTROLOGY
13
Predictions and advice for the week of July 22–July 28, 2017 By Sun Lee Chang
Rat — Do you have unfinished business that is lingering in the background? Bringing it to the forefront will set the tone for the future.
Dragon — An intriguing opportunity has caught your attention this week; however, it is definitely not without its risks.
Monkey — A trial run can show you where improvements need to be made. That way you will be spot on when it counts.
Ox — Are your reservations holding you back from delving deeper? Your misgivings could be keeping you from an enriching experience.
Snake — Your talents have taken you quite a bit further than you expected. Don’t let yourself become a limiting factor.
Rooster — Clearing out the unnecessary sounds easier than it actually is, as you may have an attachment to that which you no longer require.
Tiger — Tread lightly if you are not sure of your footing. Until you know more, there is reason to be cautious.
Horse — Knowing what is possible is simply not enough for you. To be truly satisfied, you must try to achieve it as well.
Dog — Adding another layer is less effective than just starting anew. While harder in the beginning, the results will speak for itself.
Rabbit — Upon further consideration, you are having second thoughts about a recent decision. There is still time to change your mind.
Goat — Have you been straining to see something that has been in the distance? A closer view yields a surprising discovery.
Pig — As with any test of judgment, a measured response is far preferable to one that is done in the heat of the moment.
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.
SHELF from 9
show the value in people who are different from us.
BLOG from 10
illustrations by Lin that will transport readers into her world.
“The Boat Rocker”
was appointed to fill the remainder of Hill’s term. Rossi is not running for the seat. With a total population of 136,000, the district includes Woodinville, Redmond, Sammamish, Duvall, Kirkland, and part of Redmond. This area is one of the fastest growing in the Puget Sound region.
“Farthest Field: An Indian Story of the Second World War” By Raghu Karnad W.W. Norton & Company, 2015
When thinking of World War II and those involved, the main players usually mentioned are various European countries, including Germany and Great Britain, Japan, and the United States. Rarely do people mention India. But India was involved. The colonial forces in India fought for the British Empire at the same time their fellow countrymen fought to be freed from the Crown’s rule. “Farthest Field” tells the story of four young Indian men and their time before and during the Second World War. The story focuses primarily on Bobby Mugaseth, Karnad’s great uncle, who follows his brothers-in-law into the Indian military. Karnad’s family’s story in the war begins with the photographs of three young men in his grandmother’s home. They had been there as long as he could remember. It took Karnad decades to realize that he actually looked a bit like one of the men in the photos: Bobby. Like many people would be, Karnad was surprised to learn that the three men — alongside other Indian soldiers — had fought in the war. While “Farthest Field” is a war story and the characters are part of a much bigger battle than the ones they personally fought, it is also a story of family, love, and loyalty. With all that has been written about World War II, I was very surprised to learn that India was even involved. It was never something I learned in school or had read about prior to this book. As Karnad shares his family’s story, he also shows the importance and need for diverse stories in which points of views are highlighted. By reading stories about people from all backgrounds and walks of life, readers who share the same identities with the people in these stories will feel represented. It also gives readers a fuller picture of where we all fit in the world and
MURRAY from 1 Seattle councilmember, Lorena González, has called on Murray to step down as mayor. In a public statement, González stated, “While the caseworker’s report is not proof of criminal guilt, the gravity of the materials in the finding and the continued attention to these issues will receive, raise questions about the ability of the mayor, his office, his department heads, and senior management to remain focused on the critical issues facing our city. As a result, I am asking the mayor to consider stepping down as mayor and to work collaboratively with a subcommittee of the city council to craft an executive leadership transition strategy.” Other councilmembers have been more reticent in their approach to this. Council President Bruce Harrell said that he is not calling for Murray’s resignation, as Murray is doing his job. As reported by Crosscut, at a July 17 briefing, Harrell said, “I’m not asking him to step down. I don’t have to
By Ha Jin Pantheon Books, 2016
It’s New York, in 2005, and Feng Danlin, a Chinese expat, is working at a small news agency that produces a website that is read by Chinese people worldwide. Over the years, his pieces uncovering corruption and hypocrisy have attracted readers, as well as Communist officials. Then his editor assigns him a story that may be too good to be true: investigating his ex-wife, Yan Haili, and her claims that her debut novel is destined to be the next big thing — from gaining the approval of then President George W. Bush, to her receiving a $1.3 million movie deal. Danlin, who is familiar with his ex’s writing as well as her ambitions, knows better and eagerly jumps at the assignment. Turns out, it was too good to be true, and Danlin soon finds himself on the receiving end of a seemingly never-ending harassment from people in power. We see how much Haili wants to make it as she has gotten into bed with the Chinese government. While some of the situations may come off as over the top and ridiculous, they are also entertaining and a part of you will wonder if they’re so out there that they must be true. “Boat Rocker” is a fast-paced story whose plot begins moving at page one. While Jin describes some of the mechanics of how the Chinese government works, he doesn’t go into deep detail to slow down the plot. Readers will keep turning the page to see what other obstacles will be thrown into Danlin’s path and how he will manage to overcome them. This is also a story about freedom — namely, free speech. The Chinese government officials’ efforts to censor and silence Danlin will have readers wondering how much it will take and how far they can be pushed before they give up their right to speak freely. ■ Samantha Pak can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.
justify that for anyone. I make my decisions on what’s in the best interest of the city right now. The question is, is he doing his job? I haven’t heard any of you say he’s not doing his job every single day. That governs whether he should step down or not. Now, if I see some indication he’s abdicated his responsibility and the people of Seattle are suffering because of that, then we’ll have a conversation. I’m not afraid to ask anyone to step down.” On July 17, Murray released a statement also. He stated, “I know that today a member of the council has issued a statement calling on me to resign, and warning of action against me if I do not. I continue to believe such a course of action would not be in the city’s best interest. That is why I am not going to resign, and intend to complete the few remaining months of my term as mayor.” Murray also stated, “Seattle needs steady, focused leadership over the next several months. We have a lot of work to do. Establishing an effective transition between administrations takes months of careful planning and preparation – work that I and my team have already
The Port of Seattle race
Two Asian Americans are running for the Port of Seattle Commission’s seat, Bea Querido-Rico, an engineer for the Port of Seattle, for position 1, and Preeti Shridhar, an administrator for the City of Renton, for position 4. Querido-Rico, of Filipino descent, is running against two well-known candidates. One of them is Commissioner John Creighton — her boss — sort of. Shridhar, of Indian descent, is in a crowded race against seven other candidates. One of Shridhar’s opponents has name familiarity, former Seattle City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck. As first-time candidates, it will be a tough race for both. However, surprises do occur in elections.
Vote, vote, vote
The Asian community has a big role to play in this election. The Asian vote does count in close elections, in the city and county. The Asian vote will make an impact, especially in the mayoral race. So vote to make history in the election. You get to choose who will be the top two going into the general election, for our next mayor. One thing you can say about this election is that it’s absolutely not boring — and your participation will only make it more interesting. Assunta Ng can be reached at assunta@ nwasianweekly.com.
begun. We do not need the sort of abrupt and destabilizing transition that a resignation would create, likely bringing the City’s business to a grinding halt. Council action against me would similarly prevent the City’s business from continuing, only so I can again show these allegations from 30 years remain false.” The city charter allowed the city council to remove a mayor for neglect of duty or “an offense involving moral turpitude.” According to the charter, if two-thirds of City council members vote to impeach a mayor at a hearing, “the office shall become vacant.” At which point, the council president would step into the role of mayor. As it is an election year, if he does not resign or is not impeached, Murray’s term will end January 2018. González is asking that the council convene no later than July 24 on this issue. ■ Staff can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
asianweekly northwest
14
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
BURBERRY from 5 to immediately buy online what they see on the catwalk during a fashion show. The company said that the WeChat advertising was only part of its overall sales strategy, which included new physical stores. “The company says they are seeing ‘top customers returning’ to their stores,” said Steve Clayton, fund manager at HL Select UK Growth Shares. “In other words, the Chinese are spending
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35 YEARS
again.” Investors welcomed the results, sending Burberry’s share price up 2 percent to 16.11 pounds. In Europe, Britain led the trend of steady sales growth while demand in the Americas declined, partially due to the brand’s reduction of discounted products — an attempt to boost the image of Burberry as a luxury good. “Burberry is attempting to recapture the magical quality which luxury purveyors strive for — which is brand value,” said Odeluga. ■
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YOUR VOICE
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
15
“Thirty-five years is half of a lifetime for many. The Seattle Chinese Post and Northwest Asian Weekly are still going strong and are vibrant. It is a great achievement that deserves celebrating. Happy 35th anniversary!” — Fred Yee, community volunteer “The Northwest Asian Weekly is a leading voice for justice and equality not only in the minority communities, but throughout Washington state and our nation.” — Nate Miles, Vice President of Government Relations, Lilly
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 206-223-0623. To sponsor the event, contact Assunta Ng at assunta@nwasianweekly.com. For more info, visit nwasianweekly.com/35years.
families who invested $550,000. When SECO first bought the site that became the Southport campus in 1999, a power plant originally stood in its place overlooking Lake Washington, a symbol of Renton’s blue collar roots. Min Christ, an immigrant from China whose husband Michael founded SECO, hopes the new hotel will bolster Renton’s image. Renton Mayor Denis Law called the Christs “visionaries.” “They changed the landscape of this town,” said Law. “They bought the property 17 years ago from Puget Sound Energy, when there was no Seahawks [training facility] or The Landing. And they waited for the right time to build …We (the city of Renton) are the benefactors.” Local residents are also benefactors. This new hotel created 175 jobs for local employees. Among the hotel’s highlights is an Asianinspired Northwest fine dining restaurant called Water’s Table. It has 236 seats and a terrace with outdoor dining overlooking the lake. Water’s Table offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, and weekend brunch, open 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. daily. Water’s Table is led by Executive Chef Vincent Savignano, a 20-year culinary veteran. Other features include a 24-hour StayFit gym, a dedicated yoga room, an indoor saline pool, and an on-site, full-service spa with three serene treatment rooms. Michael Christ said, “We kept on pushing and pushing [to the highest quality].” He said the hotel has achieved it. Christ was excited to tell the Northwest Asian Weekly
COMMENTARY from 11 community that she did not know if housing would be available. We have to question the wisdom of creating yet another shelter that will turn into a revolving door for homeless people if once the 60-day limit is reached, they are not placed into housing. Is this good for the residents? Is this good for our community? Is the ID supposed to de facto absorb people who are evicted after 60 days and where would that be? The standards and operations of each Navigation Center — more are planned for other parts of the city — must be identical. As an immigrant community that is nonwhite, we should be wary of different
Photos by George Liu/NWAW
HYATT from 1
The front entrance of the new Hyatt Regency Hotel in Renton.
that the whole hotel was fully booked for a convention on July 17. The hotel’s niche is convention business. The hotel offers 347 state-of-the-art guestrooms and 60,000-square-feet of indoor and outdoor event space, all designed with feng shui principles. The 12-story building is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Washington, among a lush natural setting with panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline. Peter Sears, Hyatt Regency’s Executive Vice President and Group President–Americas came all the way from Chicago for the grand opening. He said, “We are very proud of our latest addition to the family. This is a world-class hotel.” Sears called the hotel “a reinvestment in the community.” There are more than 175 Hyatt Regency locations in over 30 countries around the world. ■ Staff can be reached nwasianweekly.com.
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standards in different parts of the city. The City should convene an oversight committee or board that includes people from the ID and Little Saigon. We have an interest in the management and effects of the Navigation Center on our businesses, cultural tourism and monument sites, our homes and people — the immigrants and elders who live here. The City must ensure that the Navigation Center, with its current flaws, does not become a disaster for the community that it is situated in or for the residents whom it is intended to serve. We must demand that! — Patty Fong
The restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency.
The interior back of the Hyatt Regency featuring a view of Lake Washington.
asianweekly northwest
16
35 YEARS
JULY 22 – JULY 28, 2017
Shared Joy is Double Joy Introducing Aegis Living’s newest senior housing community for Asian seniors in Newcastle, Washington. Opening Fall 2017. Every day is a celebration of Chinese culture in harmony with our peaceful surroundings, only 20 minutes from downtown Seattle. Our commitment is to create a unique community with amenities and authentic cuisine that will bring joy and support to our residents during their golden years.
• Fluent Chinese care staff • Full-time nursing • Authentic Mandarin and Cantonese cuisine • Peking duck oven & noodle bar • Cultural center for local community events • Traditional tea rooms • Mahjong parlor • Saltwater therapy pool • Private family dining room • Massage & acupuncture spa • Meditation rooms • Hair salon & barbershop • Luxury private apartments
Family owned since 1997. Learn more about Aegis Gardens today.
425-786-0143 www.aegisgardenswa.com
An Assisted Living Community.