VOL 34 NO 34 | AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

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

VOL 34 NO 34

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

FREE

A-POP! Late summer sizzles » P. 9

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Photo by John Liu/NWAW

Hookah lounge advocates fight back

Viet Wah MLK location closes

MLK location

Protestors at City Council meeting

By Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly It was standing room only at Monday afternoon’s Seattle City Council meeting, moderated by Councilmember Tim Burgess. The majority present was there to protest Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s initiative to ban hookah lounges/bars throughout Seattle.

The chamber was filled with loyal customers,

lounge owners, community activists, and even health officials, many bearing signs that read “Stop Blaming Hookah Lounges” and there was applause of snapping of fingers to emphasize statements from speakers.

The backlash and community presence was in response to Mayor Murray’s statement last week that he would “clamp down on operations that foster an environment that threatens public safety in our {see HOOKAH LOUNGES cont’d on page 15}

U of Illinois: Officials broke email rules to hide content

Former University of Washington leader resigns current post

By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly At the end of the day on Sunday, Aug. 9, Viet Wah Superfoods was permanently closed for business at the location on 6040 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle.

Fifty people are out of work at the store of 24,000 sq. ft., specializing in Asian groceries.

High rent is an important factor,

according to Duc Tran, owner of Viet Wah. “I have been negotiating the lease with the landlord since last year, hoping that he will not increase 20 percent on the rent.” The store is the anchor business at Empire Way Plaza for 15 years.

“Grocery business is tough to do,” Tran said. “The profit margin {see VIET WAH cont’d on page 15}

Doctor, lawyer…but why not firefighter?

Firefighter opportunities available in Seattle

Preston Bhang, Seattle Fire Department archives

By Michael Tarm and Tammy Webber Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — The University of Illinois

announced Aug. 7 that several administrators — including Chancellor Phyllis Wise, who resigned

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly

the city of Seattle. He was the first Korean American firefighter

{see WISE cont’d on page 15}

Preston Bhang is a pioneer in

{see BHANG cont’d on page 12}

The Inside Story NAMES People in the news » P. 2

■

COMMUNITY Fong appointed » P. 3

WAYNE’S COLUMN Magical rice » P. 7

A&E Inside Out co-director » P. 10

412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

asianweekly northwest

2

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

■ names in the news Picnic in the park

funding, with most funding provided by donations from the community, solicited by the Mock Trial team members. 

First CDSMP class graduates

Photo by George Liu/NWAW

Feast Buffet opens to a big crowd

CDSMP graduates

Booth at the picnic

Buckley and Associates hosted a community picnic for children and neighbors with games and food at the International Children’s Park in the International District.

This is the first picnic hosted since Erica Buckley took over as CEO of Buckley and Associates. 

The Washington State Chinese Cancer Network Association (WSCCNA) has been collaborating with Kin On Community Care Network to offer the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) workshop for members and friends of WSCCNA. CDSMP is an evidence-based program developed

by Stanford University to help participants more effectively self-manage their various chronic health conditions so that they can live a desirable healthy and independent life.

The first CDSMP class graduated in July and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. WSCCNA will continue to collaborate with Kin On to provide the workshops. 

Sushi hand rolls

Photo by John Liu/NWAW

Mock trial day pronounced

Iwakuma pitches no-hitter

Jefferson Community Center Mock Trial participants at City Council meeting

The Seattle City Council announced that Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 would be officially proclaimed “Jefferson Community Center Mock Trial Day.” The mock trial team is comprised of a community of youth. There have been more than 150 youth members who have participated in the mock trials, the emphasis being the focus on critical reasoning. The program is self-

Storefront

Feast Buffet, located at 485 Renton Center Way in Renton, had its opening this past July. The restaurant can seat 500 people, with a separate banquet room and a karaoke room. The restaurant specializes in seafood, sushi, Mongolian barbecue, and hosts an East and West buffet.  Hisashi Iwakuma

In a rare feat, Hisashi Iwakuma pitched the the fifth no-hitter in Mariners franchise history on August 12 at Safeco Field. The Mariners defeated the Baltimore Orioles 3-0. Iwakuma walked three players, struck out seven, and threw a total of 116 pitches. Iwakuma joins Felix Hernandez, Randy Johnson, and Chris Bosio, as the only Mariners starters to throw a no-hitter. 

Women & MoneyMaking a Difference Friday, September 18, 2015 • 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m. • China Harbor Restaurant • 2040 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle Honorees

Sponsors

Emcee

Cindy Runger

Barbara Banon

Carmen Gayton

Kumi Baruffi

Debbie Killinger

Marinilka Kimbro

Mei Ling Woo

Patricia EdmondQuinn

Rakhi Y. Samant

Financial Advisor, VP Morgan Stanley

Assistant Professor of Accounting Seattle University

Realtor Seattle Colleges Trustee Chair

Agent State Farm

Executive Vice President Columbia Bank

Chief Financial Officer Therapeutic Health Services

Philanthropist

District Manager, VP Wells Fargo

Fawn Sharp

Lacie West

Rosario Carroll

Nobie Chan

Senior Vice President U.S. Trust

Area Development Director President Quinault Indian Tribe United Negro College Fund

Senior Vice President Plaza Bank

Debbie Killinger

Philanthropist Founder, Sound Savings & Loan Bank Name: ___________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________

WOC CO-CHAIRS: Charlene Grinolds and Francine Griggs

Chrissy Yamada

Chief Financial Officer Evergreen Health Services

Meredith Parker General Manager Makah Indian Tribe

PLANNING COMMITTEE: Elizabeth Younger, Connie Sugahara, Diane Martin, Kathy Purcell, Leny Valerio-Buford, Assunta Ng, Shoko Toyama, Rosa Melendez, Lourdes Sampera Tsukada, Sonia Doughty, Bonnie Miller, Sylvia Cavazos, Kiku Hayashi, and Winona Holins-Hauge LUNCHEON PRICING: Discounted price of $35 if purchased by September 14. Full price of $45 after September 14. Walk-ins $50. Student price of $25 with I.D. before September 14; $30 after September 14; student walk-ins $35. No tickets will be mailed; confirmation is by e-mail only. $350 for a table. To sponsor the event including logo online and print and table is $1,000. Men are welcome! MAKE RESERVATIONS: To purchase tickets, call us at 206-223-0623, fax the above form to 206-223-0626, mail a check to Women of Color Empowered, P.O. Box 3468, Seattle, WA 98114, or email rsvp@ nwasianweekly.com. For more information, visit womenofcolorempowered.com.

_________________________________________________________ Telephone: ________________________________________________ Fax: _____________________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________ Organization: _____________________________________________ Title (if applicable): _________________________________________ Name of guests: ___________________________________________ _________________________________________________________  Mastercard

 Visa

Card no.: _________________________________________________ Exp. date: ____________ Signature: ___________________________

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ community NEWS

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

3

Mitsubishi Mike Fong is Murray’s new chief of staff Aircraft to Highest-ranking Chinese American in mayoral staff partner with Seattle company

By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly

Hiromichi Morimoto

SEATTLE (AP) — Mitsubishi Aircraft is expanding its aviation footprint in Washington state.

The Japanese company announced this month that it has partnered with Seattle-based AeroTEC, to create an engineering hub in Seattle.

The hub will have 50 Japanese engineers working with 100 American counterparts, company officials said. ``Our aim is to make the best use of the resources and skill sets of the aircraft experience and professionals in Seattle,’’ said Hiromichi Morimoto, Mitsubishi Aircraft president.

The Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation is entering the commuter jet market, offering two models, the MRJ70 and MRJ90. The planes have 76 and 88 seats respectively. The company said it had 223 confirmed orders from six airlines.

The engineering hub in Seattle is just one of several spots where Mitsubishi is establishing its presence in the United States.

The company will have a testing facility in Moses Lake in central Washington as well. Those test flights are scheduled to happen in the second quarter of 2016. The company says the Moses Lake will have 200 workers total. Other testing flights will happen around the U.S. The expansion was marked by company officials and government heads in Seattle.

Gov. Jay Inslee said Mitsubishi’s move here shows that Washington is competitive in aerospace design and manufacturing. The Seattle area has been the Boeing Company’s manufacturing center and the state Legislature gave the company a $8.7 billion in tax breaks. ``Our cultures and economies have been intertwined for more than a century and now we’re excited to build on the legacy of the MRJ,’’ Inslee said.

Washington state companies are also supplying parts for manufacturing the MRJ planes. 

Northwest Asian Weekly is always looking for Asian American community news. If you are the host or an attendee of an API fundraiser, e-mail us a big photo, event highlights, and the amount of money raised. We are also looking for news about APIs in new jobs and APIs getting public recognition and awards.

Please send materials to info@ nwasianweekly.com with “names in the news” as the subject line.

Mike Fong has been appointed as Mayor Ed Murray’s Chief of Staff, who will plan and oversee the daily operations of the mayor’s office.

Fong is the first Asian American chief of staff in the City’s history.

Born in Spokane, Fong, 38, was Deputy Director of Mayor Ed Murray’s Office of Policy and Innovation, helping to advance Murray’s policy agenda, specifically in the Seattle Preschool Program Mike Fong and in the creation of the Seattle Parks District. Fong has also served as the Mayor’s primary liaison with members of the City Council.

“I will directly report to Mayor Murray and lead his Core Executive Team in advancing the Mayor’s efforts around a

safe, equitable, affordable and vibrant Seattle for all,” said Fong. About 60 to 70 staff members will report to Fong.

Currently, there are eight people reporting to Murray, including two Asian Americans: Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim and Viet Shelton, Communications Director.

Prior to joining the Mayor’s office in 2014, Fong worked for the Seattle City Council, including serving as lead policy staff to Councilmembers Heidi Wills and Tom Rasmussen, and as a policy analyst on the City Council’s Central Staff.

Fong speaks Cantonese. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1999 with a bachelor of arts in political science. He is a youth basketball coach with the Seattle Chinese Athletic Association and the Seattle Parks Department, where he coaches kids in the 5th-7th grade.

Fong’s salary was $140,000 prior to his promotion.

Murray’s former chief of staff Chris Gregorich will move into a new role as Special Adviser for Strategic Initiatives.  Assunta Ng can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly. com.

asianweekly northwest

4

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

■ WORLD NEWS Singapore turns 50, Jolie, Suu Kyi visit celebrates success Myanmar female amid challenges factory workers

By Annabelle Liang Associated Press

SINGAPORE (AP) — Singapore threw a big party Aug. 9 for its 50th anniversary of independence and unrivaled economic success in a region struggling with poverty and political instability, even as the citystate began feeling the pinch of a midlife crisis.

As fighter jets screamed through the sky and nationalist songs blared, leaders made speeches and people took advantage of free rides on trains and buses. While marveling at the island’s leap from a poor colonial port to a wealthy metropolis, Singaporeans are also grappling with a growing resentment over political restrictions, an influx of foreign labor and a rising cost of living.

“This is a milestone. Coming from an older generation that has seen Singapore through the early years of independence, I know it took hard work by our leaders to get here,” said William Nathan, 70.

The weekend of celebrations culminates with fireworks after a military parade on Sunday. The sense of unity and pride in Singapore’s achievements was reinforced with a tribute video dedicated to its founder and longest-serving leader, Lee Kuan Yew,

who died in March at age 91, after running a virtually one-party state.

To Lee and his cohort of leaders, setting Singapore on the path to economic success meant putting in place tough policies to try to harmonize a racial mix of majority Chinese and minority Malays and Indians.

Lee, who was prime minister for more than three decades, had no tolerance for political dissent. Opposition figures were either defeated in elections or taken to court on defamation charges until they were bankrupt. The country’s laws prohibit bankrupts from contesting elections.

His son, current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, is now steering Singapore with similar restrictions, and is facing a general election expected to be held Sept.

12. The ruling People’s Action Party, which holds 80 of 87 parliamentary seats, suffered its worst results in 2011 elections.

Most of the mainstream media are controlled by government-linked companies, and the few independent news websites that exist are wary of strict defamation laws that government leaders have often used to silence critics.

Reporters Without Borders’ 2015 World {see SINGAPORE cont’d on page 14}

■ briefly

Student quartet hits big league with Beatles tribute performance

Musicians from Skyline High School in Sammamish will be joining professional actors on stage. Chinese American student Jenny Yang will perform as the quartet’s first violinist for “In My Life - A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles” at the Kirkland Performance Center on October 20.

Skyline High seniors Yang, Lauren Christian, Imran McGrath and Elyse Kelsey will join the show’s band for the songs “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yesterday,” “A Day in the Life,” “Hello Goodbye,” and “Hey Jude.” In a special touch, “Yesterday” is played as a

scene in which the Paul McCartney character plays the song for the first time for Beatles producer George Martin, with the songwriter explaining that he envisioned a string-quartet accompaniment.

In addition to performing with the Skyline High Orchestra in past years, members of the quartet are members of prestigious youth orchestras including the Seattle Youth Symphony and the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. The quartet plays under the name “Theory of Everystring” at weddings and community events. 

Angelina Jolie visits factory workers

AP Wire Service YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Angelina Jolie has joined Myanmar’s opposition leader and democracy icon, Aung San Suu Kyi, in sitting down with female workers to learn more about their dire conditions.

Jolie, who is a special envoy for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, is on a four-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation.

During her meeting with the factory workers on the outskirts of an industrial zone in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, Jolie and Suu Kyi witnessed first-hand the conditions the women live in, mostly lowcost hostels. Jolie also toured inside the factory.

She traveled to Kachin state earlier this week, home to more than 10,000 displaced people since a cease-fire between Myanmar’s government and ethnic rebels

has broken down in 2011.

According to her trip details, it is unlikely that Jolie will be able to travel to western Rakhine State, where more than 100,000 Muslim minority Rohingya live in apartheid-like conditons in camps.

It is Jolie’s first visit to Myanmar, which only recently emerged from decades of military rule. More than a dozen ethnic minority groups, mostly in Myanmar’s border areas, have been fighting for greater autonomy since the country attained independence from Britain 67 years ago.

Recently, the world attention has turned to the plight of stateless Rohingya Muslims who have been trafficked from Myanmar and Bangladesh aboard overcrowded boats. Dozens of graves as well as pens likely used as cages for Rohingya have been found in abandoned jungle camps on both sides of the Thailand-Malaysian border. 

Assunta Ng

Account Executives

John Liu

rebecca@nwasianweekly.com

Peggy Chapman

kelly@nwasianweekly.com

Publisher assunta@nwasianweekly.com Associate Publisher john@nwasianweekly.com Editor editor@nwasianweekly.com

Han Bui

Layout Editor/Webmaster han@nwasianweekly.com

Rebecca Ip Kelly Liao John Liu

john@nwasianweekly.com

Stacy Nguyen Editorial Consultant

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 $30 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $25 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

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ world news

Retracing war past, ex-N. Korean POWs return to South Korea

By Hyung-Jin Kim Associated Press

YANGPYEONG, South Korea (AP) — Back in the country where they were detained as prisoners of war in the 1950s, two former North Korean soldiers now find little apparent objection or hostility, at least superficially — they were even welcomed by veterans who had fought for the South. But it’s also a trip that brings back bitter memories of war and puts them on the defensive again.

They are among the 76 North Korean POWs held in South Korea who opted to resettle abroad at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Labeled traitors, opportunists or fence-sitters amid fierce Cold War rivalry between the Koreas, they’ve died abroad one by one and now less than a dozen are still believed to be alive.

Kim Myeong Bok and Kang Hi-dong came back to South Korea on July 23 with a South Korean movie director who’s making a documentary on ex-POWs. The film, titled “Return Home,” is intended to trace back their turbulent lives, but the men may not be able to make one important stop. Pyongyang has not given them permission to enter North Korea.

Kim, who is 79 and lives in Brazil, is desperate to return because he thinks this is his last chance.

“I left my home when I was young and I don’t know whether my family is still alive or not. What I’ve been wishing is visiting my hometown before I die,” Kim told reporters in a tearful news conference in Seoul late last month. “My father and mother must have passed away ... I still want to see even their ashes.”

Kang, 86 and living in San Francisco, doesn’t want to go back to the North for a reason that he refused to specify.

A fragile armistice that ended the Korean War has yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, thus leaving the peninsula at a technical state of war and split along the world’s most heavily fortified border.

For Kim, the main character in the documentary, it’s his first visit to South Korea since he left in 1954, before resettling as a farmer in the remote Brazilian city of Cuiaba in the western state of Mato Grosso. Kang, a retired pastor, has previously visited South Korea a few times.

In South Korea, they are trying to reconstruct their fading memories about the war. They’ve visited the sites of their POW camps, which have changed to busy downtown streets or vacant lots; war museums; a charnel house where the ashes of a fellow ex-POW are stored; and a town where Kim became a prisoner of {see KOREA cont’d on page 13}

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

5

5 women accused of being witches beaten to death in India PATNA, India (AP) — Dozens of villagers in eastern India beat to death five women Saturday, accusing them of practicing witchcraft and blaming them for a series of misfortunes in the village, police said.

Residents of Kinjia village in Jharkhand state dragged the women out of their homes and beat them with sticks and iron rods, said Arun Kumar Singh, a deputy inspectorgeneral of police in Ranchi, Jharkhand’s capital.

The attackers blamed the women for several accidents and misfortunes suffered by villagers, including the death of an infant in Kinjia earlier in the week, Singh said.

Police have arrested around 50 people involved in the attack, Singh said. A large

number of police officers have been deployed in the village to prevent any outbreak of violence.

Jharkhand’s top elected official, Chief Minister Raghubar Das, condemned the incident. “In the age of knowledge, this incident is sorrowful. Society should ponder over it,” he said in a statement.

Superstitious beliefs persist in many parts of India and have been behind similar attacks on women in Jharkhand. From 2000 to 2012, around 2,100 people, mostly women, were killed in India on suspicion of practicing witchcraft, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.

Kinjia is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Ranchi. 

Maya Malleis

Business Manager / Shiseido Northgate / 206.364.8800 Your multilingual and skin care professional.

I would be honored to help you with Shiseido or any product at Nordstrom. Please call me to schedule a complimentary facial.

asianweekly northwest

6

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

■ COMMUNITY calendar T ­ HRU 8/14

SUN 8/16

THU 8/27

WHAT: Washington Overseas Chinese Artists Association WHERE: The Gallery at TCC WHEN: Mon-Thu, 12-5 p.m.

COST: Free INFO: 253-460-4306

WHAT: O! Hello Othello WHERE: Martin Luther King Jr. Way S. WHEN: 6 p.m.

WHAT: 10th Anniversary of our school in Beacon Hill WHERE: 3327 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 5 p.m.

SAT 8/15 WHAT: Celebration of Donnie Chin’s life WHERE: Chong Wa Benevolent Association Playfield, 8th Ave. S. & South Weller St., Seattle WHEN: 2 p.m.

WHAT: Rock & Soul for the Cure WHERE: Benaroya Hall, S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

COST: $25-$35 INFO: seattlesymphony. org/benaroya

SAT 8/15 & SUN 8/16 WHAT: Polynesian Festival WHERE: Uwajimaya in Renton & Beaverton WHEN: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

INFO: uwajimaya.com

WHAT: Seattle Japanese Garden invites wandering and wondering WHERE: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E., Seattle WHEN: 2-5 p.m.

INFO: seattlejapanesegarden.org

SAT 8/22 WHAT: 8th Annual Cambodian Cultural Celebration WHERE: Saltwater State Park, 25205 8th Place S., Des Moines WHEN: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

INFO: www.parks.wa.gov WHAT: All Things Japanese Sale WHERE: JCCCW, 1414 S. Weller St., Seattle WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

SAT 8/22 & SUN 8/23 WHAT: 20th Annual Tibet Fest Celebrates Tradition and Modernity WHERE: Seattle Center WHEN: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

INFO: seattlecenter.com, 206-684-7200

SAT 8/29 WHAT: A speed dating program celebration, “Chinese Valentine’s Day” WHERE: Beacon Hill Library, 2821 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 3-5 p.m.

INFO: spl.org

THRU THU 9/13 WHAT: Pop Art that Packs a Punch: Artist Roger Shimomura Sheds Light on Stereotypes WHERE: Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma WHEN: Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

COST: $12-$35 INFO: 253-272-4258, tacomaartmuseum.org

EVERY TUE WHAT: Asian Counseling and Referral Services Employment Program Orientation WHERE: ACRS, 3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

■ briefly S., Seattle WHEN: 3–4:30 p.m.

INFO: 206-695-7527, employmentprogram@ acrs.org, acrs.org/services/ employmentandtraining

EVERY WED WHAT: Seattle University School of Law Citizenship Project WHERE: Yesler Community Center Computer Lab, 917 E. Yesler Way, Seattle WHEN: 5–6:30 p.m.

COST: Free INFO: 206-386-1245

EVERY THU WHAT: The Rotary Club of Seattle International District meets WHERE: Ocean Star Restaurant, 605 7th Ave S, Seattle WHEN: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

WHAT: Japanese Conversation Club WHERE: JCCCW, 1414 S. Weller St., Seattle INFO: 206-568-7114, admin@jcccw.org ___________________ Have an event to promote? Please send us the details to info@ nwasianweekly.com.

Inslee leads trade mission to Korea and Japan

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Aug.7 that he’s leaving at the end of the month for a 9-day trade mission to Korea and Japan.

Inslee will be joined by directors of the state agriculture and commerce departments, as well as 60 leaders from the business, education, economic development and local government communities.

The delegation will focus on trade and investment in the agriculture, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.

Inslee said the state’s trade and cultural ties with Japan and Korea run deep.

“As their economies thrive, consumers and businesses in Korea and Japan open up new demand and markets for the quality products from Washington,” the governor said in a statement.

Washington exported $7.4 billion in goods last year to Japan, making Japan the state’s third largest export market. South Korea is the sixth largest export market, at $2.8 billion.

Inslee will leave on Aug. 28, heading first to Seoul, where he will meet with government officials and business leaders, and address a technology conference.

He will then travel to Kobe, Japan. In addition to meetings with leaders, Inslee will visit the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution to learn how Washington state can better be prepared for a major earthquake.

The delegation will head to Nagoya, Japan, on Sept.

2, where they will visit to the Mitsubishi Regional Jet assembly line.

The final stop will be Tokyo, where Inslee has scheduled business and government meetings before concluding the trip Sept. 5 with a Washington food and wine products fair at a Costco store in Makuhari, Tokyo. 

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ wayne’s worlds

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

7

A 23-year-old journey for magical rice

By Wayne Chan Northwest Asian Weekly

We just came back from a three-week vacation in Italy! You know what I was looking forward to the most?

Chinese food.

Ok, settle down. Don’t let your calzone collapse—we had pizza and pasta up the wazoo.

The last time I was in Italy was 1991. My wife Maya and I were recently married, and we decided to head off for Italy for our honeymoon.

Now here’s the thing about what it’s like for me when I travel somewhere – I’m pretty flexible when it comes to food. I’ll happily eat and enjoy the local cuisine no matter where I am. As they say, “When in Rome…”, and since we were actually in Rome, I was happy to chow down on pizza, pasta, cheese, cured meats, whatever – with one caveat.

I have an inner voice, and this voice stays with me, provides guidance, feedback, and critique, especially at mealtime. He provides a running commentary during and after each meal. It goes something like this: 1st meal of pizza or pasta – This is a fantastic meal, nearly as good as Chinese food!

2nd meal of pizza or pasta – Chinese food would be better, but this is a great meal!

3rd meal of pizza or pasta – Look, I’m

A sample of the “magical” fried rice served in Italy

reasonable, this is do-able, but let’s go for Chinese next time.

4th meal of pizza or pasta – I thought I’d

■ food Guam Food Tours: Open for business

Tinaktak stew

Kelaguen

By Jojo Santo Tomas Pacific Daily News

So I gave her what I had and thought nothing of it. January comes along and now she wants to tell me about her business. Right up my alley, she says.

In late April, a month after I relocated back to Guam, she sent another message — let’s meet soon — and then in late May, we finally talked.

She told me all about the GFT, how she and her partner Conrad Berg were inspired after a food tour in Vietnam. Food tours are extremely popular throughout Asia, busing foodies from place to place to show off cuisine and culture.

They splashed social media when their website launched July 6, and on July 15 — after countless hours of calorie-laden research, dry runs and dress rehearsals —

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — After her seemingly innocuous questions eight months ago, I knew that Leslie Travis was up to something.

I never realized she was letting me peep on the genesis of the Guam Food Tours.

It was on my birthday last year, November 28, while I was still living in Hong Kong. My inbox flashed: Leslie: “Jojo! Happy birthday guy! I was wondering if I could pick your brain about something. I’m looking for the best Chamorro food on Guam that is licensed.

The best kelaguen or empanada, etc.”

I replied: “So subjective!”

Leslie: “I know, but I trust your judgment ... I want the real deal.”

{see GUAM FOOD cont’d on page 13}

made myself clear. When are we getting Chinese?

5th meal of pizza or pasta – So that’s how

you’re going to play this? I hope you’re a fan of indigestion!

6th meal of pizza or pasta – Four letters!

G-O-U-T! Understand me now?

So, listening to my inner voice, at some point during the trip, we found a Chinese restaurant. And since there was no internet (hence, no Yelp), we went to the first Chinese restaurant we passed by. This one was in the center or Rome, which meant it would be expensive.

I don’t remember everything we ordered, but I do remember the fried rice. It cost the equivalent of $25 U.S. One bowl of fried rice cost $25…in 1991. If I recall, in 1991 $25 could buy you a used Honda Accord. In 1991, for $25, Tony Bennett would serenade you while you were dining under candlelight.

Of course, I’m exaggerating. But for $25, that better be the best fried rice on earth.

Here’s the thing – it was the best fried rice on earth. It was amazing. What was even more amazing – every time we went to another Chinese restaurant in Italy, the fried rice was incredible. I’d never had anything like it here at home or in Asia for that matter.

It was something about the rice. Each kernel of rice was round and luminescent – almost like a pearl. Each bite of rice was chewy, unlike rice I’d ever had. It was absolutely delicious. I just couldn’t get {see WAYNE cont’d on page 15}

asianweekly northwest

8

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

■ on the shelf

Assassins, voices in your head, imperfection…

By Samantha Pak Northwest Asian Weekly

Sci-fi selections for late-summer reading

The Lives of Tao

By Wesley Chu Angry Robot, 2013

When Roen Tan finds himself being mugged after a late night at work, he goes into a panic, not knowing what to do.

But then, a voice inside his head instructs him how to handle the mugger. Worried he might be going crazy, but not having any other ideas on how to fight his attacker, he listens to the voice. And comes out alive.

About a week later, the voice returns and Roen learns he has not gone crazy. He is now sharing his body with Tao, a member of an ancient alien race called Prophus. Not only that, Roen quickly learns that the peaceloving but under-represented Prophus have been at a centuries-long civil war with the Genjix, the better-represented and savage members of the same alien race that split off from the group that landed on Earth during the time of dinosaurs. Both groups want to find a way to get off Earth and back to their home — they just have different ideas of how to achieve this goal.

Suddenly thrown into a war with no choice but to fight, Roen, an out-of-shape IT worker who hates his day job, must train to be ready for anything.

While this is a story about a war that could lead to the end of the human race, “Tao” is also the story of an unlikely hero who never wanted the job in the first place. Roen is the ultimate underdog and you can’t help but cheer him on as he takes on each daunting task presented to him.

In addition to being action packed, “Tao” is also funny. As Roen and Tao bond over the course of their unplanned union, the two become almost like brothers — teasing and sarcastic remarks included. But underneath all of the barbs and bickering the unlikely pair look out for each other, fully committing to the mission to save the planet from the Genjix.

Expatriate

By Peter R. Stone Amazon Digital Services, Inc., 2014 In this final installment of Stone’s “Forager” trilogy, we catch up with Ethan Jones and the rest of his gang right where the last book left off — with them fleeing Newhome after they have been accused of being terrorists.

Now on the run, the group must find a safe place to stay as they plan their next move.

And that next move entails figuring out how to save their post-apocalyptic Australian hometown, where they all grew up except for Ethan’s Japanese wife Nanako, as Hamamachi Rangers and their Skel allies continue to target the town and capture people to be the latters’ slaves.

The group realizes the only way to prove the Rangers’ nefarious deeds is to expose them with photographic proof. This means voluntarily visiting the heart of Skel territory — something none of them wants to do.

If that weren’t enough, throw in a stubborn gung-ho assassin and a botched raid. There’s also information from the aforementioned assassin that could change the course of Ethan and Nanako’s marriage as well as some of the group members’ wavering support of the mission as they grow weary from

constantly risking their lives. And to top it all off, Ethan’s memory is coming back to him one seizure at a time and we slowly get more clues about who shot him all those years ago.

In this third book in his trilogy, Stone’s characters are fully formed and multifaceted. They each have their strengths and weaknesses and are far from perfect. And with the group in the most intense fight for their lives to date, their flaws and weaknesses come to the forefront, but Stone’s writing has them all balancing each other out as they learn they are stronger as a group than alone.

Imperfect

By Tina Chan Amazon Digital Services, Inc., 2013 In a world where humans are genetically engineered to be Perfects — from eliminating allergies and illness, to determining physical appearance, to enhancing their coordination and grace — Kristi is an anomaly. As the only Accident (a person born without any genetic enhancements) in her community, she is seen as inferior in every way.

Needless to say, life is less than great for her.

Then her adoptive parents are arrested, her brother is thrown in jail and Kristi is thrown into the thick of things as she teams up with a strange girl she meets by chance and they work to rescue Kristi’s brother and try to figure out what her parents had been up to before they were arrested.

Elsewhere in this world, there’s Troop — the top dog at his school. Boys want to be him and girls want to be with him. But Troop isn’t all that he seems and beneath all of the perfection, he hides a secret that he guards with his life.

Eventually Kristi and Troop cross paths and they are thrown into a dangerous mission involving being on the run, secret societies, government secrets and a leopard named Ghost.

In “Imperfect,” Chan gives us a glimpse of a future in which the need for perfection goes too far. With everyone’s qualities and characteristics predetermined before they are even born, there is not much room for individuality and any difference among people.

This story is filled with intense action

scenes as Kristi, Troop and the others they befriend work to expose government secrets.

But “Imperfect” is also for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. Chan will have readers questioning whether being part of the “in” crowd is really worth sacrificing what

makes you… you. And while this book is geared toward teens, that is a lesson readers of all ages should remember.  Samantha Pak can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

■ arts & entertainment

Sizzling!

Emmy nominations, scoop on new castings, and Aziz Ansari’s new role

9

A-pop!

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly We may be halfway through the summer, but things are still sizzling, especially for our friends in Hollywood! Read on to find out the latest and greatest news for Asians and Asian Americans in the media.

Emmy nomination showdown for two Fil-Ams

The Emmy nominations are out and two Filipino Americans are nominated in the same category of Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

Actor and singer Darren Criss, who starred on the dramedy musical television series “Glee,” has been nominated for penning the original song “This Time” for the show.

Meanwhile, songwriter Robert Lopez, along with his partner and wife Kristen AndersonLopez have been nominated for the song “Kiss An Old Man,” which can be heard on the FX comedy “The Comedians”. The songwriting duo famously won several industry awards last year, including an Academy Award for writing the wildly popular song “Let It Go” from the Disney animated movie “Frozen.”

The Emmys will air on Sept. 20.

Latest television and movie castings

French actress Elodie Yung has been cast

Elodie Yung

Justin Kim

Aziz Ansari

as Elektra in the upcoming second season of the superhero television series “Daredevil.”

Yung is of French and Cambodian descent.

“Daredevil” is an original Netflix series based on the popular Marvel Comics superhero of the same name. The character of Elektra is a fan-favorite romantic interest for Daredevil, and her debut is already highly

anticipated. Season two of “Daredevil” will premiere on Netflix in 2016.

American model stands at 6’2”, and has an impressive modeling portfolio that includes fitness modeling to swimwear. Kim will be the first Asian male model on the show, which sees models compete and prove they can make it as a supermodel.

This season’s “America’s Next Top Model” features 20-year-old Justin Kim, and media outlets have already described him as one of the hottest contestants to watch out for this season. Hailing from Virginia, the Korean

{see A-POP cont’d on page 13}

Jose Llana pulls on the royal cloak in ‘The King and I’

By Mark Kennedy AP Drama Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Llana got his first professional acting gig by trying on his dream role: professional actor.

The talented singer and performer was 19 when he skipped class to attend an Equity audition for the 1996 Broadway revival of “The King and I,” despite not owning a union card.

Llana waited until a fellow actor didn’t show up for his time slot.

“I looked around and no one was there. So I raised my hand,” he says.

“I had a lot of bravado.”

Llana sang and acted so well that the casting director promised him a callback on the spot. But he used the missing actor’s resume to take notes on.

“I’m like, `Excuse me. Um, that’s not me. I’m a freshman in college.

Please don’t arrest me. I’m just here for the experience,”’ Llana recalls.

“I’m sorry if I wasted your time.”’

Thankfully for everyone, Llana hadn’t at all. He went on to win the part of Lun Tha, an envoy from the Prince of Burma, and go on to star on Broadway in other shows

including “Rent,” “Flower Drum Song” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Llana has lately come back to “The King and I” almost 20 years later, but this time he’s won the prize role of the monarch of Siam, taking over from Tony Award-nominated Ken Watanabe.

“This show has always been really special to me. I always knew the king was somewhere in my

future. Somewhere. I didn’t know if it was going to be this production or somewhere down the road,” says Llana in his dressing room at Lincoln Center.

“It’s been offered to me in some regional productions and I purposely said, `I don’t want to do it until it’s on Broadway in a production that I want to be in.’ So this is really special.”

The 51-cast-member revival

won the Tony for best revival and co-stars Kelli O’Hara as the Englishwoman who travels to Siam to teach the children of the king. Its score by Rodgers and Hammerstein includes “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Getting to Know You” and “Shall We Dance.”

Llana, 39, has stepped into a role made famous by Yul Brynner, who was king for more than 4,600 performances. But the younger

actor has made the king his own, even purposely standing slightly differently than Brynner’s famous akimbo stance.

“There’s a responsibility to play him with respect and the gravitas that he deserves,” Llana says of playing the king. “I can happily say that there’s not much of Yul’s shadow. I didn’t feel it.”

Jon Viktor Corpuz, who plays Prince Chulalongkorn, the king’s first-born son, calls Llana a gracious co-star who, offstage, is like a big brother. Corpuz remembers seeing Llana play a cool cat in “Wonderland” in Florida in 2012, one of only a very few FilipinoAmericans working onstage.

“It’s really cool to be getting to work with him,” said Corpuz.

“He’s an American musical theater actor so he brings that familiarity to the part of the king. He’s a little bit more humorous and youthful, which is great. It’s interesting to see the role played so differently and still work.”

Llana was born in the Philippines to parents who were activists {see THE KING AND I cont’d on page 15}

asianweekly northwest

10

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

■ arts & entertainment

‘Inside Out’ co-director thrilled to bring film to Filipinos

By Teresa Cerojano Associated Press MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Filipino-American co-director of the boxoffice hit “Inside Out” says it’s a dream come true for him to be sharing with Filipinos the animated film he helped create.

“It’s kind of a surreal experience because I just watched movies here growing up,” said Ronnie del Carmen, a former advertising art director who migrated to the U.S. in 1989 at age 29. He said he loved movies but never expected to be doing films.

He joined Pixar in 2000, and before that worked as story board artist for “Batman: The Animated Series” and for DreamWorks as a story supervisor.

“It’s an amazing experience because I’m not just coming home, there’s a movie I helped make that’s opening here,” he said.

“It’s a dream come true.”

He and director Peter Docter spoke to journalists Friday in Manila, the last leg of

their Asian tour to promote “Inside Out.” The movie that opens in the Philippines on Aug. 19 has earned $630 million at the box office so far.

The two directors, who also collaborated on “Up” with Del Carmen as story supervisor, said they drew from some of their childhood experiences as well as their children’s for the movie they also co-wrote.

Docter said it was a challenge to create characters to illustrate the emotions and gaggle of voices in the mind of 11-year-old Riley, who moves with her family from the Minnesota of her childhood to a run-down town house in San Francisco.

Sadness begins creeping in Riley’s core memories, where bubbly Joy earlier reigned supreme. Anger, Fear and Disgust complete the five emotions in the “headquarters” of her mind.

Docter said they had to consult psychologists and had to pare to five what some experts claim to be as many as 27 emotions. They also had to find the right look for each emotion to remind filmgoers

that the characters are the personification of feelings and are not little people.

“I think it’s simultaneously the most sort of realistic film we’ve ever done and completely fantasy at the same time,” Docter said. They used San Francisco and Minnesota as settings aside from Riley’s mind.

He said it was a real challenge “because

we decided to set it not in the brain but in the mind, so it’s not blood vessels ... its consciousness, personality, so we talk about these very abstract things.” They also used moving as a metaphor for growing up, he added.

Del Carmen said in the end it’s a movie about family, not just Riley and her emotions. 

All sale lasts from Friday 8/14 to Thursday 8/20 1221 S. King St., Seattle ∙ 206-720-0969 Monday—Sunday: 8:30 a.m.—8 p.m. www.lamsseafood.com

FEATURE ITEMS Fresh Mangosteen $7.99 lb

PRODUCE

Ronnie del Carmen

$

5.99 lb

Fresh Mexican Rambutan (while supplies last) $1.99 lb $

Thai Banana $

1.69 lb

0.99 lb Golden Jumbo Quail 26oz 6Ct $9.99 ea $

Submit to the Back-to-School issue

You can email submissions to info@nwasianweekly. com. (Word documents preferred.) Paper submissions can be sent to Northwest Asian Weekly, 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104.

Start writing!

$

0.99 lb

$

0.99 ea

$

Fz Swai Fillet 9-11 $3.99 lb

SEAFOOD

We will select from the best submissions for the issue.

Grab your computer (or pen and paper) and send in your submissions no later than Aug. 21. Please indicate which school you attend, what you are studying, and a brief bio about yourself.

0.89 lb

Sea Apple Squid Ring 2lbs $5.99 ea

$

White Shrimp 40/50 HeadOn White Shrimp 110/130 Headless $13.99/4lbs box $19.99/4lbs box $

17.99 4lbs box

$

$125.99/cs 10 boxes $

$

$

6.69 lb

$

$

3.29 lb

Fresh Saba Mackeral $2.99 lb $

2.49 lb

Beef Ribeye Steak $6.99 lb

Lucky Crown Cooked Salted Duck Egg 13.75oz

Fz Cuttle Fish 1/2M $3.99 lb

114.99 cs 10bx

Pork Arm Picnic Boneless $2.29 lb $

2.09 lb

2.49 lb

Chicken Wing Southern Fry $2.79 lb $

4.99 ea

2.99 lb

11.99 4lbs box

Fresh Butter Fish $2.99 lb

MEAT

The Northwest Asian Weekly is accepting submissions for its annual Back-to–School issue. Students of all ages are encouraged to submit an article or essay relating to subjects of diversity, whether it is a news article, profile, or commentary.

$

Fresh Garlic $1.29 ea

Yu Choy $1.29 lb

Bitter Melon $1.49 lb

8.99 ea

2.59 lb

2.29 ea

Offer only good while supplies last.

We reserve the right to correct all printed errors.

Chicken Drumstick Southern Fry $1.19 lb $ lb

0.99

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

OPINION

■ editorial

Is it possible to love and hate?

The strange case of Jennifer Pan

It is most likely unfathomable to absorb the idea of attempting to kill your parents. However Jennifer Pan, 28, from Toronto acted on the idea. She was tried on attempted murder in collaboration with her then-boyfriend, Daniel Wong, to hire men to kill her parents, Hann and Bich, both from Vietnam. She was sentenced to life with no parole for 25 years in the case of the murder of her mother and the attempted murder of her father.

The facts about the case are revealed in detail in the recent Toronto Life article by a former classmate, Karen Ho. It reads as if a novel or

■ commentary

a movie release. If you are not familiar with the story, you are encouraged to read the article, which triggered the recent attention.

According to the article, Pan believed her parents to be too demanding: “Hann was the classic tiger dad, and Bich his reluctant accomplice. They picked Jennifer up from school at the end of the day, monitored her extracurricular activities and forbade her from attending dances, which Hann considered unproductive.”

According to the article, the demands led to her cutting herself, and also forging her grades,

transcripts, and acceptance letters from colleges, presumed to be due to the need of acceptance from her parents.

There were various reactions from the Asian Weekly staff, ranging from she was “clearly mentally disturbed,” to “she was insane to hire hitmen to kill her parents, but her parents were insane too.”

And then there is the idea of recognizing the mental and psychological symptoms that parenting may have gone too far. Where do you draw the line? Are both parties to blame?

And finally, is there allowance for sympathy? 

Jennifer Pan

RE: Seeking resolution for a sad chapter in Seattle’s history

By Trish Hackett Nicola For Northwest Asian Weekly Seattle National Archives volunteers started a blog on the Chinese Exclusion Act case files housed at the facility in Seattle, WA. The blog is located at http:// chineseexclusionfiles.com/.

The purpose is to showcase the variety of information found in the Chinese Exclusion Act case files and to give guidance on how to locate information in the files. The focus is the files at the National ArchivesSeattle from Record Group 85 pertaining to Seattle, Port Townsend, WA and Portland, OR. Although these files are located in Seattle, the subject of the file may have lived anywhere in the United States—Seattle, San Francisco, Buffalo or Pine Bluff, AK. Volunteers have been working on indexing these files for many years. It is a long, slow process. Recently, to speed things up, instead of indexing a wide variety of data fields, we decided just to record the box and file number and name of the subject of the file. We have finished about 850 boxes of Seattle files (about 30 files in each box) and we have about 475 boxes to go. You do the math. After we have entered the minimal information, we will go back and add the other data fields.

This basic information will make it easier for people to find the file they are searching for. We now have a team of five volunteers working on the indexing.

The website contains a short history of the Act, National Archives contact information to get assistance in finding a case file, and links to resources. Blog entries are made once or twice a week and contain examples of information that may be found in the case files.

Here’s a list of items on the blog so far: a 1904 San Francisco marriage license, witness affidavits with photos, information a Seattle Chinese interpreter, application for laborer’s return certificate, preinvestigation form with photo, list of the applicant’s family members in the United States and their file numbers, a Chinese woman attending nursing school in Illinois, the file of the father of one of our volunteers,

Chinese Exclusion Act case files

certificate of residence, passport, 1918 draft registration card, family group photos, Chinese business cards, a 1904 San Francisco birth certificate, list of Caucasian witnesses, and certificate of identity. Many of these files contain photos; some over a period of years.

The Chinese Exclusion Act was in effect from 1882 until 1943. Thousands and thousands of records were created during this time. It is unfortunate how these files came about but the information found in the files is priceless.

If you think someone in your family or a friend may have a case file, start the search for their case file.  Trish Hackett Nicola is a National ArchivesSeattle Volunteer and Blog Editor http:// chineseexclusionfiles.com.

11

asianweekly northwest

12

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

{BHANG cont’d from page 1} for the Seattle Fire Department. Bhang retired two years ago but still promotes the job he served for over 4 decades and encourages Asian Pacific Islanders to take advantage of the current application period to become a Seattle Firefighter.

Bhang grew up in South Central Los Angeles and served as a firefighter in Gardena, CA.. “I chose to be a firefighter because it was a way to give back to the community,” Bhang said. “I could never sit behind a desk or make ‘widgets.’”

“Every day is different. It’s hand’s on,” explained Bhang of the reason he enjoyed being a firefighter. Although the public recognizes firefighters as putting out fires, Bhang indicated that 85 percent of the time the calls fire fighters receive are related to emergency medical relief, only 15 percent are related to fires.

“Seattle is easily a top three fire department in the country,” said Bhang.

He bases his opinion on a variety of factors including equipment and material that the Seattle Fire Department utilizes. “The Seattle resuscitation rate is double than that across the country.” He also stated that the department has great inclusiveness and leadership.

“It’s an interesting hiring period,” Bhang added, “There are a lot of retirements happening now and projected over the next couple years.” Bhang cited the fact that the union leader for the fire department indicates that 200 people could retire in the next five years. Thus, a lot of jobs could be opening up in the near future.

“There are a lot of API candidates from out of state, such as California and Hawaii,” said Bhang of the candidates that take advantage of the open hiring period.

Even with the influx of out-of-state candidates, the fire department is behind in community representation from Asian Pacific Islanders.

“API young people are always underrepresented for various reasons,” explained Bhang of the disparity in applications from Asian Pacific Islanders.

“My generation of API kids were all headed to dentistry school, medical

school, or law school. White collar type of jobs.” Bhang indicated that he once wanted to go into medicine but decided against it.

Prior to being a firefighter, Bhang went to art school as he had three uncles in graphic design. However, he did not find it satisfying.

He explained the importance of the need for API representation in the fire department. “When we walk through someone’s door to help out, it benefits the patient and the patient’s family to see someone like them,” Bhang said. He was the first Korean American firefighter in Seattle when he joined in 1982. He recalls when the fire department would conduct fire safety checks for businesses and that oftentimes he would walk into a Korean business and greet them in Korean. “It was a real sign of respect,” said Bhang, as he found it a way to connect to the business owner that they were there to keep the business safe. “It was always good to have somebody come in that looks like them.”

The application process includes an online application and a civil service exam which includes one written and two oral board exams. According to Dori Towler of the Seattle Fire Department, it anticipates on hiring 120 firefighters from a list of the top 25 percent of those taking the civil service exam.

The uniformed workforce includes 7 percent Asian/Asian Pacific Island employees which is 68 of the 966 Seattle Fire Department work force. “Other than women, this is our most underrepresented demographic,” wrote Towler in an email.

In its last application period, the Seattle Fire Department received 6.3 percent, or 371 of 5,839 Asian/Asian Pacific Island applicants. So far, Towler indicates a slight uptick in Asian/Asian Pacific Island candidates for the upcoming application period.  For more information on the application process, visit http://www.seattle.gov/ firejobs.

Jason Cruz can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

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

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

King County Invitation to Bid Project: TAYLOR MOUNTAIN FOREST PARKING LOT EXPANSION, C00997C15 Sealed Proposal Time/Date Due: August 25, 2015, 1:30 p.m.

Sealed Proposal Location: King County Procurement and Payables Section, Contracts Counter, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 Engineer’s Estimate: $350,000 to $430,000 Scope of Work: The project includes clearing and grubbing, grading and excavation, site balancing and backfill, drainage, infiltration pond, surfacing materials, paving with HMA, striping and signage, precast vault restroom, chain link fence and gate, wood fence, bollards, wheel stops, temporary traffic control, seeding, erosion/water pollution control, and other work. Work site is located at approximately 276th Ave SE and SE 188th Street, near the town of Hobart in King County.

Contact Information: Mary Lee, Contract Specialist, 206-263-9381, TTY Relay: 711, Fax: 206-296-7675, or mary.lee@kingcounty.gov. A bidder may be asked

to put a question in writing. No verbal answers by any County personnel or its agents and consultants will be binding on the County.

Pre-Proposal Conference: None scheduled. The site is open to the public and all perspective bidders are encouraged to visit the site prior to submitting a proposal.

Subcontracting Opportunities: Asphalt and hauling, temporary traffic control, seeding, strawmulch, and fence installation.

Apprenticeship Requirements: No minimum requirements.

SCS Utilization Requirements. 6% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) Utilization Requirement.

Proposal Bond: Not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Proposal Price.

Proposal Documents Electronic copies of the plans, specifications, reference documents, and any addenda for this solicitation are available on the King County Procurement website shown below. Printed

documents may also be ordered by contacting United Reprographics at 206-382-1177. Copies of documents are not available for purchase from King County, but are available for review 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., M thru F at the Contracts Counter: Chinook Bldg., 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA 98104.

To receive email notifications of addenda or other important information concerning this solicitation, you must register to be a planholder under the “Solicitations” tab at the following internet link: Website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/procurement/ solicitations This information is available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities upon advance request by calling 206-263-9400, TTY Relay: 711.

Notes: Bids received after Sealed Proposal Time/ Date Due will not be considered. Bidders accept all risks of late delivery, regardless of fault. King County is not responsible for any costs incurred in response to this Invitation to Bid.

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

13

For the week of August 15–August 21, 2015

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat — What you do this morning could set the tone for the rest of your day. If possible, begin on a positive note.

Dragon — Looking to bring two people together?

Highlight a shared interest to get the ball rolling and the rest should follow naturally.

Monkey — It is not enough merely to show up. To be counted, you should try to get involved or participate in some meaningful way.

Ox — It can be difficult to juggle all the roles that you play. Take a break once in a while and get back in touch with something that you consider fun.

Snake — There is no one-size-fits-all solution that will magically solve your current dilemma; however, a little brainstorming should generate some promising ideas.

Rooster — Are you holding back a little, but unsure why? Getting over your fear won’t be easy, but it will be well worth the effort.

Tiger — While pride has its place, it can be a hindrance as well. Don’t let it stop you from reaching out to someone close to you.

Horse — Has a friend been asking you for one too many favors? It might be time to assess whether this relationship is working out for you.

Rabbit — No matter which way you look at it, the writing is on the wall. Take measures now to help yourself.

Goat — You have been carrying a heavy load on your shoulders this week. Thankfully, relief is in sight and your burden should be a thing of the past soon.

Dog — You place a high value on self reliance and it can be hard for you to accept help. Just as you take care of others, allow the same to be done for you as well.

Pig — Someone is trying to get your attention, but you may be too busy to notice. Stop and look up from what you are doing once in a while.

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 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.

{KOREA cont’d from page 5} war. They’ve also met people who share their pain, including the widow of another prisoner and a POW-turned-Buddhist monk who had chosen to stay on in the South after the war.

At a Seoul war museum, Kim watched vividly re-enacted Korean War scenes in an audiovisual room, and walked out of the place in tears. He took traditional anxiolytic pills when he visited a southern island where he was imprisoned and said his “heart was aching” during a visit to a POW museum there, according to Cho Kyeong-duk, the movie director traveling with Kim and Kang.

They also visited Yangpyeong, a small farming town near Seoul, where Kim surrendered to South Korea’s army only weeks after he was conscripted into the North’s Korean People’s Army in 1950.

There, Kim found everything has totally changed.

“I cannot find a place where I became a POW. I only remember it was a mountain valley,” he said.

In Yangpyeong, he and Kang met several octogenarian South Korean veterans, including one who was still limping slightly due to gunshot wounds from the war. The veterans initially refused to meet with their former enemies, but changed their minds following Cho’s repeated requests.

Kim and Kang waited in the corridor of a veterans’ hall for about 15 minutes while Cho first talked to the South Koreans.

The director described the meeting that followed as unexpectedly amicable. The former North Koreans said they had suffered religious oppression in their homeland and that they were forced into the army against their will. The South Korean veterans tried to help Kim find a place where he surrendered, though at the end he couldn’t remember it.

They later ate together cold noodles at a restaurant and visited a local war museum before exchanging warm farewell handshakes.

“I had earlier wondered how I could embrace you as the (North) Korean People’s Army was my enemy. But on second thought, I realized I don’t have to think about something like this now because ... (we) are the same nation,” said Lee Kyu-hwan, an 83-year-old South Korean veteran.

“It was like meeting (old) friends ... I don’t have any particular feeling that they were the enemies at all,” Kim said after parting with the South Koreans.

Despite the ostensibly nice atmosphere, Cho believed he had felt there was still some emotional baggage between aging former rivals. Cho said he spent several days persuading the South Korean veterans into meeting with Kim and Kang and that the ex-POWs had also worried much about meeting with them.

Most of the ex-North Korean POWs who left the peninsula resettled in Brazil, Argentina and India, though some 10 of them voluntarily returned to either North or South Korea. Kang, who first resettled in Brazil, later moved to the United States.

Their ranks include a medical professor, a quarry owner and pastors, but others struggled to make a living. Some suffered from mental illness.

Many chose not to stay in the South because they worried about living with the label of ex-communist soldiers in a place where they had no relatives and friends.

And they feared punishment in the North for being captured in the South.

Kang worries about safety of any living relatives left behind in the North. In a May interview with The Associated Press, he asked to be identified only by his initials, but later agreed to have his full name published.

Kang’s Brazilian wife of 62 years knows how much her husband missed his family during his early days in Brazil, where she met him.

“He always told me about the war, about his family and how he missed his family.

He lost everything during the war. Each day I felt ... close to him,” said Maria Valerio Kang, 79, who traveled to South Korea with her husband. “I decided myself I want to give (him) ... a peaceful place to live and I have to give him all my love then he ... could be happy forever.”

Kim wishes to go to the North with Cho via an inter-Korean border route this month. He wants to return to his hometown in the northwestern city of Ryongchon to visit the grave of his parents and the site of his church.

But his chances appear dim. Cho said he’s separately contacted North and South Korean diplomats in Brazil, but both sides asked to come to their countries only. He said he’ll keep trying to help Kim reach North Korea even if he fails to do so this time.

“I think whether this elderly man can visit his hometown can be a barometer to see whether South and North Korean authorities have resolve to improve their ties,” Cho said. 

{A-POP cont’d from page 9}

Aziz Ansari takes lead role in new show

Indian American actor and comedian Aziz Ansari will star, write, and direct his own new show “Master of None.” The partly autobiographical 10-episode show will focus on a 30-year-old actor in New York played by Ansari, and will explore diverse subjects ranging from career and dating to the immigrant experience and race.

Sitcom lovers know Ansari best from his supporting role on the critically-acclaimed comedy “Parks and Recreation.” Ansari recently spoke at the Television Critics’ Association (TCA) summer press tour about his expanding responsibilities for the new show, noting that “Master of None” has been the most challenging, creatively fulfilling and personal project he has done to date.

Alan Yang, who previously wrote and produced “Parks and Recreation” and now serves as a co-show-runner for “Master of None,” later spoke to news entertainment website TheWrap about the show: {GUAM FOOD cont’d from page 7} Guam Food Tours opened for business with its Fiesta Plate Tour.

The 3-and-a-half-hour, five-course tour takes you and your palate around central Guam to try some of the best local dishes around. During the ride in the white Ford passenger van, a guide touches on Guam’s history and how it molded our cuisine.

Travis, Berg and Regis Reyes took their love of food and travel, and claimed their niche in Guam’s booming food scene.

I took the tour July 25, two days before GFT took its first Japanese group. I was delighted.

The spicy kelaguen proved an excellent starter but perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to pair it with the rich, sleep-inducing tinaktak stew. We ate in a breezeless, open-air room that sat above a Tamuning cliff.

Then we went to the Chamorro Village for kaddonpika (spicy chicken stew) and doused our blazing tongues with frantic swigs of sweet calamansi lemonade.

We visited a couple of historic sites and ate our last courses there: piping-hot tamales gisu at the Asan Overlook, followed by a decadent latiya at the Plaza deEspaña.

It was the first time meeting operations manager Regis Reyes, who immediately jumped on my good side by professing his love for Boy, Go Eat. Reyes is hilarious in small groups and can be the tour guide if

“I don’t feel pressure, but I do feel very proud to have the privilege and opportunity to tell these stories,” said Yang when asked if he felt pressure to write about the Asian American experience. “It’s something that’s very meaningful to Aziz and me. … We actually have an episode about what it’s like to be Indian or Asian on TV, and one of the messages of the episode is that these things take time. And the only way to do it is to make the best TV show you can, and hopefully help and inspire other Asian people to do similar things. Being Asian American in comedy is not a well-trod path so far, but I feel very lucky to be able to do it.”

“Master of None”, which debuts on Netflix on Nov. 6, will be one of the few shows showcasing an Asian lead, along with ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” and Hulu’s “The Mindy Project”. NBC’s new sitcom “Dr. Ken,” which stars Korean American comedian Ken Jeong, will also debut this fall.  Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com. he has to — but he prefers to make the tour perfect from behind the curtain.

I’ve known Conrad Berg for years, first as a Team Guam hoopster with possibly the best free-throw percentage, and later as the banker who could decipher my credit card statement. Berg is a numbers whiz and of all possible human traits, “raucous” and “talkative” would be used least.

That leaves Travis, whose low, silky monotone belies her knowledge and passion for food. She appreciates the luxury meals of caviar, truffle and lobster, but equally indulges in street food. And, she’ll never deny a penchant for what she calls “dirty” food: ramen, Vienna sausage, Spam, sardines and the like. She is the face of the operation and as the weekend tour guide, has proven herself adept and capable — just as she has done in practicing law, coaching mock trial, baking cookies, and — unfortunately — playing fantasy football. Soon, she’ll be a certified tour guide, too.

Tours run eight times a week: twice each on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Prices range from $75 for general adult, $60 for military, $50 for residents and $40 for children.

Soon, they’ll add a chef’s tour, which visits restaurants and will (yay!) include alcohol.

It’s about darn time somebody grabbed this opportunity.

Now, who’s going to open the cooking school? 

asianweekly northwest

14

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

{SINGAPORE cont’d from page 4} Press Freedom Index ranked Singapore 153rd of 180 countries, below Gambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The government’s recent moves to take a teenage blogger to court and require popular news sites to obtain licenses were met with outrage from the online community. But there were no street protests — demonstrations in Singapore can be held only in a designated area, the 0.97-hectare (2.4acre) Hong Lim Park. All other gatherings require a police permit.

“Robbing Singaporeans of freedom is like killing part of the nation’s soul at any time. Is there a price on stealing

a soul?” said senior research associate Bridget Welsh of National Taiwan University’s Center for East Asia Democratic Studies.

“Singaporeans would have made more progress if there had been more freedom, more ideas, more voices to address the country’s challenges,” she said.

When the population boomed to over 2 million in the 1970s from 1.89 million at independence, Lee vigorously campaigned for women to stop at two children - fearing it would impede economic growth. He also carved a place for a second language in the English-medium education system to make Singaporeans more marketable.

But as Singaporeans grew more educated and wealthy, wages rose, and the ruling party looked to the rest of

Southeast Asia for blue-collared manpower to keep the wheels turning.

Today, Singapore is among the five most expensive cities in the world.

An unpopular government policy paper in 2013 predicted that foreigners will make up nearly half of the population of 6.5-6.9 million by 2030 to offset low birth rates and support an aging population. It triggered a rare protest of more than 2,000 against foreign labor.

“We want the government to know that we are not happy, and you can’t push everything down our throats. Peaceful protests are a legal platform for Singaporeans to voice out,” said organizer Gilbert Goh, who has since held several smaller rallies. 

Service Directory The American Legion Cathay Post 186

Law Office of Kim-Khanh T. Van, PLLC Immigration, Personal Injury, Family, Contracts, Business, & Criminal/Traffic Laws

Serving the community since 1946

607 SW Grady Way, Suite #260, Renton, WA 98057

cathaypost@hotmail.com

Cell: 206-304-0642  Office: 425-793-4357

FREE CONSULTATION! FREE PASSPORT PHOTOS!

SUCCESS SECRETS REVEALED! Selecting ONLY a few pre-qualified people to receive SPECIALIZED success training. For a FREE CD, and to find out if you have what it takes, please call 206-349-2808. English speaking is a must.

PS-ask about a FREE CRUISE.

English, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin and other Asian Languages

206-625-9104 www.herrmannscholbe.com » Personal Injury» Airline Disasters» Bicycle Accidents

» Wrongful Death» Dog Bites » Pedestrian Accidents

Mandarin, Cantonese & Korean Interpreter available

HONG LAW FIRM, PLLC 206-856-8291  honglegal@gmail.com

Bankruptcy Chapter 7  Personal Injury Landlord-Tenant  Simple Wills

Frank S. Hong, Attorney at Law avvo.com

NEED CASH NOW? LET US HELP! My family has private money to lend with your RE as collateral.

Credit/Income, No Problem!

Matt: 425-221-8660

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

{WISE cont’d from page 1} earlier this week — violated school policy by using private emails to hide sometimes sharply worded, disparaging correspondence from public view.

Hundreds of pages of emails released simultaneously include discussions about controlling the damage from a high-profile controversy spurred by the chancellor’s revocation of a job offer to a professor who sent anti-Israel Twitter messages.

Emails on three topics — professor Steven Salaita and his tweets, the hiring of 1970s-era radical James Kilgore and the opening of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine — should have been turned over in response to a Freedom of Information request, the university said in its statement.

Wise, whose salary was nearly $550,000 this year, appeared to understand her emails could land her in trouble.

In an email dated Sept. 18, 2014, she wrote to one employee that she was purposely not communicating on the university’s email system because of a litigation matter — one that was not related to the professor, Kilgore or the medical school.

“We are doing virtually nothing over our Illinois email addresses,” Wise wrote. “I am even being careful with this email address and deleting after sending.” {HOOKAH LOUNGES cont’d from page 1} neighborhoods.”

The City can revoke the license of any business that is conducting unlawful operations, including violating the ban on smoking in places of employment. The new ordinance would go into effect on Aug. 16.

The resolution was triggered in response to the recent homicide of Donnie Chin, a prominent community leader in Seattle’s Asian American community. Chin was shot in the vicinity of Kings Hookah Lounge, a popular hookah bar located on the 800 block of S. Lane Street in the International District.

However, many of the speakers at the City Council meeting believed that the hookah lounges were being unfairly targeted. One speaker announced it was “racism at its best.”

“What we have in this situation is what I would describe as a criminalization of black business,” attorney James Bible said “…they followed every single rule that they needed to follow to open the business.”

Here is a synopsis, quotes, bullet points, and breakdown from the overwhelming line of commentary from the public speakers: — There are no current statistics from the Police Chief about the correlation of hookah bars and violence.

— Hookah bars offer a safe alternative to other bars. “We drive home completely sober,” explained one patron.

— The hookah bar has been established {VIET WAH cont’d from page 1} is thin. Labor cost goes up.” The $15 minimum wage law was passed last year with a phase-in for $11 this April.

He said he tried to sell it to keep the store going. But three potential buyers backed out due to the expensive rent and triple net.

“If the landlord appreciates Viet Wah’s presence for 15 years, I would try to continue the business,” said Tran. “But he doesn’t really care.

“I am relieved now that I don’t have to endure any heartache. I can retire.”

Tran had also suffered from head injuries after a fall two years ago at his restaurant in Renton.

On Viet Wah Facebook page, “It has been a privilege serving this community for the past 15 years. Thank you for making Viet Wah Superfoods part of your life, whether you shopped here a few times a week or a few times a year. We hope you

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015

University spokesman Tom Hardy would not say if Wise was asked to step down before she resigned Thursday. Wise hasn’t explained why she was resigning, citing only “external issues” on Thursday.

Hardy also said any question of discipline for remaining employees who failed to disclose personal emails “would have to be determined by the president of the Board of Trustees.” There is no immediate plan to hold a special meeting to discuss the emails, he added Friday.

The university became aware of the alleged email violations in late April, then promptly launched an official ethics inquiry, its Friday statement says. University President Timothy Killeen added that the university “takes its commitment to FOIA compliance and integrity seriously.”

Both Wise’s office and the university spokesman said she was traveling and unavailable for comment. She did not immediately respond to a message left at a residential phone in Champaign. Her resignation is effective Aug. 12.

Some emails bemoan university operations as a whole.

In one, dated July 31 of last year, Wise wrote to Ilesanmi Adesida, the university’s provost, commiserating about complaints over the poor quality of a promotional video being used during a search for a new university president. Wise writes: “I think I still believe that a failed search is the best thing that could happen. Before signing

off, she adds: “This place is so messed up.”

Adesida writes back later, saying, “I agree, this place is messed up. In my opinion, the University does not need for a President. ... Well, we better get ready for the rain to fall. More controversy coming on.”

Wise’s decision to rescind a job offered to Salaita led to him filing a still-pending lawsuit against her and the school. It also prompted bad publicity in the academic world, where some questioned whether his right to free speech had been violated.

Salaita had written a series of tweets in 2014 complaining about Israeli military action in Gaza.

Some university donors complained to Wise that the messages were anti-Semitic.

In others emails released Friday, administrators lamented that the school did not have better procedures in place to prevent hiring scandals.

“We have run into a buzz saw again!” Adesida wrote on July 24, 2014. “One thing that we would like to do is to figure out how we prevent this sort of highly charged and negative blow back like we have had on Kilgore and now Salaita in the future. ... This is potentially a slippery territory!”

Messages left for Salaita’s lawyers weren’t returned Friday.

Kilgore served time for his role in a 1975 bank robbery committed by members of the radical Symbionese Liberation Army. He was eventually rehired in December months after the university told him it would no longer hire him. 

culturally. It is part of community.

— There are issues of rushed judgment.

“Demonization” announced one speaker.

— Alcohol is more responsible for violence, not smoking at a hookah bar.

— Hookah bars do not cause violence, people cause violence; there should be a second tier of discovering how there is access to firearms when accessing information — “You will find a racially diverse group of all interacting with one another, exposing each other to different cultures and perspectives.”

— “For much of East African and Mid Eastern Communities, hookah lounges serve as a place to talk about politics, society, sports and share laughter with one another.”

— There has been “blatant racism suffered since Aug. 3.”

— A hookah bar’s fair comparison is a coffee shop. “My safe place.”

— Youth violence has been there before there were hookah bars.

— Hookah bars are being held to improbable standards, “way outside the law.”

— The issue is the “definition of prejudice.”

The repeated point emphasized was that hookah bars are unfairly being blamed.

The opposite argument is that Chin’s death was in proximity to a smoking lounge. Frank Irigon, International District activist, stated, “Closing down the hookah bar is not about race but about being a responsible business owner … taking responsibility for the bad behavior of his patrons outside his business … And I can assure you that closing down the hookah bar is not a clashing

of cultures, but about the criminal behaviors of some of the business’s clientele. We can’t support a business that is not a good neighbor.”

Within the ID neighborhood there were several incidents of concern around a hookah lounge. During the past two years, there were numerous cases reported around hookah lounges, including two homicides and multiple reports of disturbances and fights. According to the City of Seattle statement, there has been an excess of 100 incidents reported, including six shots fired.

“Far too many smoking lounges attract and sustain illegal, violent activity that has no place in our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Murray last week. “These establishments are unlawful businesses that continue to thumb their noses at the law.”

The City is filing criminal charges against the owners of King’s Hookah Lounge for failure to pay business taxes. If convicted, the penalties range up to a $5,000 fine and/or 364 days in jail.

King’s has hired an attorney to defend against closing of the business.

The Mayor and City Attorney will also work with the City Council to draft a future City ordinance that will explicitly prohibit any business that sells tobacco for use on their business premises.

Councilmember Nick Licata is requesting the Mayor to consider doing a 60-day monitoring of hookah bars rather than proceed with the proposed ordinance. 

will continue to support Viet Wah at our other two locations.

There was social media outcry about the closing, with over 80 Facebook shares and comments that ranged from simple “NO!!!” to concern about how it will affect the community in the South End. Tran, a Vietnamese-Chinese, came to America as a boat refugee. He first started a small grocery store on 668 S. Jackson in 1980. Later, he expanded to Asian Plaza on 10th Ave. S. and S. Jackson; and another store in Renton.

The landlord Paul Liao also owns Pacific Rim Mall, Jackson Square, and other properties in the Chinatown/International District. The Asian Weekly attempted to call the landlord’s manager for comment, but there was no response.  Assunta Ng can be reached at assunta@ nwasianweekly.com.

Peggy Chapman can be reached at editor@ nwasianweekly.com.

{THE KING AND I cont’d from page 9} opposed to Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the country from 1965 to 1986 before being driven into exile during a popular revolt.

He and his family fled to America when he was three. He attended the Manhattan School of Music, and he has toured the country in “Martin Guerre,” played “The Ballad of Little Jo” at Steppenwolf, and was on TV in “Sex and the City.”

A few years ago he reached out to his parents to let them know he’d landed a plumb role in David Byrne’s immersive musical “Here Lies Love” about Imelda Marcos.

“The phone call I had to make to my parents was, `Yeah, I’m working on a new theater piece with David Byrne!’ They’re like, `What’s it about?’ I say, `It’s about the Marcoses.’

They’re like, `Uh, OK?’ `And I’m playing Marcos.’ They’re like, `Noooo!”’ says Llana, laughing. “It was pretty intense.”

They came around, watching the show a dozen times and cheering their son. “At the end of the day, we were just proud that the story was being told — the good and the bad of it,” says Llana. “There are so many people in this country who don’t know anything about Filipino culture and history except the shoes.” 

15

{WAYNE cont’d from page 7} enough of it.

In fact, after the third or fourth Chinese restaurant in Italy, I would ask the waitress to ask their kitchen where they bought their rice. One way or another, I was going to bring some of this rice home. She looked at me as if I had asked the oddest question – and I guess I was.

Besides, it wouldn’t have happened. After I mentioned to my beautiful, talented, and newly wedded wife that I would love nothing more than to bring a few bags of this wondrous rice back home with us, I believe her response was, “Forget it. We are not lugging around bags of rice throughout Italy. It’s probably just Arborio rice anyways.”

Ahh, wedded bliss.

For the next 23 years, every time we’ve gone out for Chinese and ordered fried rice, I’ve reminisced about that rice in Italy and how our rice pales in comparison. Perfectly round, luminescent, chewy goodness – it wasn’t Arborio rice! I know my rice and that wasn’t Arborio!

Fast forward 23 years and Maya and I, along with our three kids, are in Rome. I’ve regaled our children the tales of the magical rice I had long ago, and of the dastardly woman who deprived me of bringing some of it home decades ago. They were with me – now that we were back in Rome, nothing would stop us on this sacred search of glorious gluttony goodness.

We would be eating Chinese food in Rome.

Our first stop was a Chinese restaurant near the center of Rome. With inflation being what it is, I figured a bowl of fried rice at today’s prices would require me to first call our credit card company to raise my credit limit. To my surprise, the price was reasonable.

The waitress walked toward us with our order. This was the moment I had been waiting for for 23 years. As the waitress carefully lowered the steaming bowl of fried rice on the table, our three kids and I sat around the table constantly dabbing drool from the corners of our mouths while Maya looked on in disgust from our collective gluttony.

The upshot? It was the same rice that we have back home.

The same for the next Chinese restaurant we went to, and the one after that. The dream was over. The kids and I huddled together and mourned over what was not to be. Tears were shed.

OK, maybe tears weren’t shed. But now that we’re back home, I’m going to a Whole Foods market and I’m going to start testing out some of their gourmet rice.

Maybe it was Arborio.  Wayne Chan can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

asianweekly northwest

16

AUGUST 15 – AUGUST 21, 2015