PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 35 NO 38
SEPTEMBER 17 – 23, 2016
FREE
34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Photo from Summit Sierra High School website
Families of charter school students volunteer for lawsuit
The first Korean to fly in space calls Puyallup home Summit Sierra High School in the International District.
By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly Twelve families of students of Washington state charter schools have intervened in a lawsuit filed by several unions and organizations against the state of Washington. The parents are seeking to join the state in defending a charter public school law enacted this past year. “We have a significant problem with education in this state,” said Shirline Wilson. Her 12-year-old son, Myles, attends Rainier Prep, a charter school in Seattle. “That problem lies in an inequity in the public school system.” Wilson explained that Myles was “performing
Soyeon Yi
well-below grade level.” She indicated that they were not able to access special services. “We went to an independent school and paid out of pocket,” Wilson explained. “It was very unsuccessful.” Myles spent two years in public school and Wilson noted that her son was “woefully behind.” Turning to Rainier Prep, Wilson noted an improvement in her son’s learning and attributes it to the charter school. The plaintiffs in El Centro de la Raza v. State of Washington, filed earlier this summer, are seeking to overturn a law that would provide state funding to charter schools. The lawsuit seeks see SUMMIT on 13
Police: Elderly purse snatchings on the rise
Photo by Ruth Bayang/NWAW
By Stacy Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly Property theft and robbery in Seattle has recently experienced an uptick across the board — however, one concerning pattern that has emerged is that Asian women in their 60s and older are being targeted, specifically because they are a vulnerable population. “We have robbery victims see PURSE SNATCHING on 13
■
This is the voyage of Soyeon Yi. Her mission is to be the first South Korean in space, conduct experiments in microgravity, and boldly go where few have gone before. By Janice Nesamani NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The Seattle Museum of Flight provided the perfect backdrop to lift off into the world of Soyeon Yi. South Korea’s first astronaut, who happens to be a woman, has an energy about her that’s hard to contain. Perhaps, that’s what launched her from Gwangju, South Korea into outer space. Yi has now traded the fame she enjoyed in South Korea for a quiet life in Puyallup with her husband. “The place I grew up in is very similar to Puyallup. We lived between the farming province and a large metropolitan city. I am the first generation of my family to have studied past high school. My mother is from a farming family and attended primary school. Then, if a woman could read, write, and
run the washing machine without breaking anything, it was enough to be a housewife. My father went to high school, but couldn’t afford to go to college and had to take up a job to support the family. He worked as a banker. My parents could not teach me, but they definitely inspired me,” Yi said, giving us a glimpse of the childhood that inspired her to choose her career. The first engineer Yi encountered was her father. “He worked as a banker, but had the traits of an engineer. At home, he built our sewage system, the boiler and pipe system under our floor that kept us warm, and repaired our doorbell and my bicycle. During these tasks, I was his No. 1 assistant. It didn’t have to do with the fact that I was a girl or boy, it was because I was the only one to help him. I learnt the see YI on 12
exploding smartphones
serving seniors
POLITICAL ANIMALS
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 can go boom while charging » see 5
Jeffrey Hattori’s mission to help seniors live full lives » see 7
Make a run for U.S. president in the virtual world. » see 9
412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
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34 YEARS
SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
■ names in the news Filipino filmmaker dedicates win to the people of the Philippines
general election campaign, according to a list of debate moderators from the Commission on Presidential Debates. Quijano is the weekday anchor of CBS’ digital network, CBSN, and the anchor of the Sunday CBS Weekend News. “It’s an honor to be chosen to help bring the issues of this critical election to the public,” said Quijano.
(M. Angeles Salvador/ANSA via AP)
2016 Laureate Theresa Pan Hosley
Lav Diaz holds the Golden Lion award for his movie " Ang Babaeng Humayo " on Sept. 10.
Lav Diaz’s new film, “Ang Babaeng Humayo” (Woman Who Left) won the prestigious Golden Lion award in the Main Competition of the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 10. The film, with running time of almost four hours, tells the story of a schoolteacher’s thirst for revenge and her feelings of forgiveness after 30 years in jail for a crime she did not commit. Diaz said the film was a testimony to the struggles of the Philippines after centuries of colonial rule. “This is for my country, for the Filipino people, for our struggle, for the struggle of humanity. Thank you, thank you so much,” the 57-year-old director said as he accepted the award.
Photo: Heather Wines/CBS
First Asian American to moderate national debate in general election
Elaine Quijano
Elaine Quijano of CBS News has been named to moderate the Vice Presidential debate to be held on Oct. 4 in Farmville, Va. She is the first anchor of a digital network and also the first Filipino and Asian American to moderate a national debate in a
Theresa Pan Hosley
Theresa Pan Hosley will be honored at the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize (GTPP) annual Laureate Recognition Banquet on Sept. 22 at Pacific Lutheran University. Hosley, a Taiwan native, was nominated by the World Affairs Council (WAC) of Tacoma “for her initiative, persistence, and long-term leadership of Tacoma’s Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation.” She has been the owner of Associate Travel and Marco Polo Tours in the Chinatown-International District since 1999.
Outstanding individuals to be recognized by KAC-WA The Korean American Coalition of Washington (KACWA) will recognize individuals for outstanding community engagements at its Awards Gala on Sept. 16. KAC-WA will be presenting the Artistic Award to Sara
Sara Zin
Dr. Jeffrey Roh
Rick Kong
Zin, the Community Service Award to OneAmerica, the Business/Professional Award to Dr. Jeffrey Roh, and the Rocky Kim Pioneer Award to Rick Kong. Zin was born in Seoul, South Korea, raised in New York, and is a University of Washington (UW) graduate. Her book, “The Starving Artist Cookbook,” was released in May 2016. OneAmerica is Washington’s largest immigrant and refugee advocacy organization, founded after the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001. Roh is the president and executive board chair of ProOrtho, co-chairman of Swedish Hospital’s Integrated Spine Program, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Korean American Spine Society. Kong studied for his Musical Doctorate at the UW, founded Korean Arts Mission in 2001, and founded the Federal Way Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2006.
Obama reappoints Nguyen to labor relations council President Barack Obama on Sept. 7 reappointed H.T. Nguyen, who is executive director of the Federal Education Association (FEA) to the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations. Nguyen was first appointed to the council in 2010. The FEA is an affiliate of the National Education Association for teachers who work in schools operated by the Defense Department. Nguyen received a B.A., M.A., and J.D. from the Catholic University of America.
YOUR VOICE
SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
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SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
■ community news
34 YEARS
Tips and tricks for how to reduce food waste
By Nina Huang Northwest Asian Weekly
get,” Fincher explained. It’s also key to buy produce that is loose and not prepackaged. “A lot of the time, lettuce or other greens might come in three heads, but you may not need that much for the week. It makes a huge difference when you’re buying only what you need,” Hoffer said. Hoffer added that a lot of ingredients, such as spices or nuts, can be cheaper in the bulk aisles of major grocery stores, so you can just buy what you need. Hoffer also recommended shopping more at farmers markets, where the produce is fresher and can last a lot longer. “Buying from farmers markets might cost more, but if it’s going to last longer, it might end up saving you money because you’ll have it for weeks, instead of a few days,” he said. Many of the market vendors will accept EBT and food stamps, which may be a better option for low-income folks. “We are buying a lot of food that we don’t even eat. Making better choices can save quite a bit of money,” Hoffer said.
Ninety percent of people are throwing away food too soon, said Chris Hoffer, Environmental Programs Manager at Seattle Tilth. In addition, Seattle Public Utilities’ Waste Prevention and Recycling Program Manager Veronica Fincher said that 40 percent of the food in the United States is wasted. Yet, one in seven households in the country don’t have enough to eat. “All of the resources that go into the food are wasted as well. More than 5 percent of total energy and 25 percent of freshwater that is used to grow that food is wasted, while there are people dealing with drought issues around the country. If you took all of the food wasted across the world, that land used to grow the food would be the size of Canada,” Fincher said. Another astonishing statistic is that the average household of four in the United States throws away $1,500 worth of food each year. So what can we do to reduce food waste?
Storing food properly to reduce waste
Making a list and sticking to it
Hoffer and Fincher both recommended simple meal planning and making a grocery list. “With meal planning, you really have to figure out how to be true to yourself,” Fincher said. Some days people will want to eat out with friends and family and other days they’ll eat at home, so it’s figuring out what’s realistic. Planning meals around ingredients you already have can also help, Fincher said. “Shop your own cupboards first. Once you have a list, check off what you already have, or
make a note on what more you need to buy,” Hoffer said. Ideally, people should stick to their grocery list, so they won’t be tempted to make an impulse purchase of a bargain deal or something on sale. Another tip is to use a smaller shopping cart. “Trying out a hand cart can help control how much food you actually
Food storage is also another way to prevent food from going bad fast. Hoffer explained that there are actually differences between the refrigerator drawers labeled fruits and vegetables. “Typically the fruit setting opens up venting in that drawer, so the gases will be distributed throughout the fridge instead of the drawer,” he said. In the vegetable drawer, this closes off the venting, so the moisture is locked in for the vegetables to stay crisp. Being aware of what you’re putting in the drawers can help food last longer. see FOODWASTE on 12
SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
YOUR VOICE
asianweekly northwest
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■ world news ■ briefly Samsung tells First-ever Kai Market consumers to stop by Uwajimaya in South Lake Union using Galaxy Note 7 SEATTLE – Skanska USA Commercial Development announced on Aug. 30 it has signed a lease with the first Kai Market by Uwajimaya for 5,500 square feet inside the ground floor of 400 Fairview, its third development in the Seattle area. Kai Market, Uwajimaya’s newest market concept, will focus on fresh seafood and authentic Asian flavors. This boutique specialty food store will feature local and international products, as well as grab-and-go bites inspired by the sea. The store will boast a live tank teeming with crabs, lobsters, and oysters, in addition to a master fishmonger to assist with the
By KIM TONG-HYUNG and YOUKYUNG LEE Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Samsung Electronics urged consumers to stop using Galaxy Note 7 smartphones immediately and exchange them as soon as possible, as more reports of the phones catching fire emerged even after the company’s global recall. The call from the South Korean company, the world’s largest smartphone maker, comes after U.S. authorities urged consumers to switch the Galaxy Note 7 off and not to use or charge it during a flight. Several airlines around the world asked travelers not switch on the jumbo smartphone or put it in checked baggage, with some carriers banning the phone on flights. In a statement posted on its website on Sept. 10, Samsung asked users around the world to “immediately” return their existing Galaxy Note 7 and get a replacement. “We are asking users to power down their Galaxy Note 7s and
exchange them as soon as possible,” Koh Dong-jin, Samsung’s mobile president, said in the statement. “We are expediting replacement devices so that they can be provided through the exchange program as conveniently as possible.” Consumers can visit Samsung’s service centers to receive rental phones for temporary use. Samsung plans to provide Galaxy Note 7 devices with new batteries in South Korea starting
Sept. 19, but schedules for other countries vary. Earlier this month, Samsung announced an unprecedented recall of 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7s worldwide just two weeks after the phone was launched. That move came after Samsung’s investigation into reports of fires found that rechargeable lithium batteries manufactured by one of its suppliers were at fault. see SAMSUNG on 14
selection of the perfect fillet or sashimi cut. “Kai Market is about options. The lunch crowd can stop in for a hand-crafted bento box in the dining area, while the after-work crowd can take home fresh seafood and a carefully curated selection of quality Asian products for which Uwajimaya is known,” said Denise Moriguchi, president of Uwajimaya Inc. “We were excited to try something new and loved the idea of a store with a smaller, more intimate footprint in a growing, vibrant neighborhood like South Lake Union.” Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and is expected to be open to the public in early 2017.
asianweekly northwest
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SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
34 YEARS
■ COMMUNITY calendar SEPT.
the Fung Brothers Pop Up! 408 7th Ave. S., Seattle 12 p.m.
15
17
2016 Asian American Pacific Islander Summit: Celebrating Unity & Civic Engagement Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Moon Viewing Festival-Otsukimi Seattle Japanese Garden 6–10 p.m. seattlejapanesegarden.org
2016 EDI Inclusion Fusion The Foundry, 4130 1st Ave. S., Seattle 5–9 p.m. ediorg.org/our-events/inclusion-fusion Kin On Mahjong Night, cohosted by NAAAP-Seattle Kin On Community Health Care, 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle 7:15–9:15 p.m. kinon.ejoinme.org Happy Hour Food Walk in the ID Seattle’s Chinatown ID 4–7 p.m.
16 Women of Color Empowered’s Legacy Celebration: The Final Chapter China Harbor Restaurant 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Online tickets at tinyurl.com/jpntkvo 206-223-0623, rsvp@nwasianweekly. com
16–18 Swirle Rolled Ice Cream and
Bartell Drugs’ grand opening in the ID Corner of 4th & Jackson, Seattle 8 a.m.–12 p.m. The first 200 people will receive a limited-edition Bartell Drugs tumbler with a gift card up to $500. bartelldrugs.com Opening night performance, “A Tale for the Time Being,” by Ruth Ozeki Center Theatre at the Armory, 305 Harrison St., Seattle 7:30 p.m. RSVP by September 13, Subject: RSVP valb@book-it.org Aritsugu and Chef Shiro Kashiba, “Reflections on Japanese Cooking” 12:30 p.m. Kinokuniya, 525 S. Weller St., Seattle 206-587-2477 Asian Senior Concerns Foundation 2016 East Side Baha’I Center, 16007 N.E. 8th St., Bellevue 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Honor Nisei veterans,
celebrate U.S.-Japan alliance NVC Memorial Hall, Seattle 10 a.m.–2 p.m. nvcfoundation.org
18 TAP-SEA Presents: Mid-Autumn Festival Potluck Marselle Condos, 699 John St., Seattle 6–9 p.m. tap-seattle.org
19 17th Sister City Jazz Day with Masae Nagashima Kobe’s 2016 Vocal Queen Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle $10/students and seniors $15/adults seattlekobe.org
20 Coworking Celebration, fun picnic lunch Seattle Center RSVP at 3forfree.eventbrite.com 206-962-4032
21 Fundraising for your business: Do’s and Don’ts of Pitching to Your Investor Workshop with Aaron Rose of ROI3, Inc. Hing Hay Coworks, 409B Maynard Ave. S., Seattle
1:30–3 p.m. 3forfree.eventbrite.com
22 Legal Consultations with Jeff Liang Hing Hay Coworks, 409B Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 3–5 p.m. 3forfree.eventbrite.com 7th Annual Ethnic Media Candidates Meet and Greet Nagomi Tea House, 519 6th Ave., Suite 200, Seattle 5–7 p.m. 206-334-5200 juliephamnvn@gmail.com Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Annual Laureate Recognition Banquet honoring Theresa Pan Hosley Pacific Lutheran University, 12180 Park Ave. S., Tacoma 5:30 p.m. $40–$350
23 Celebration and remembrance in honor of Robert “Uncle Bob” Santos WaMu Theater, CenturyLink Field 3–6 p.m. ReWA’s 2016 Annual Gala The Westin Seattle, 1900 5th Ave., Seattle 5:30–9:30 p.m. rewa.salsalabs.org
KING COUNTY NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for E00446E16, 2016 PARKS MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING WORK ORDER; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on October 10, 2016.
Estimated Total Price: $2,000,000 There is a 12% 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: Tina Davis, 206-263-2939, tina.davis@ kingcounty.gov or Paul Russell, 206-263-9317, paul. russell@kingcounty.gov
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
YOUR VOICE
■ visionary
SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
asianweekly northwest
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Photo by Richard Kent, Yuen Lui.
Thinking big
for Asian senior care
Jeffrey Hattori shares a laugh with Yone Terada, a former Keiro receptionist for 25 years and now a current resident.
By Arlene Kiyomi Dennistoun NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY “Think big,” exclaimed Jeffrey Hattori. It’s a statement that partly defines the man who speaks of honor in caring for seniors as CEO of Keiro Northwest, formerly Nikkei Concerns. The latest, greatest programs and projects at Keiro peppers the conversation with Hattori, but he attributes successes to others, never to himself. Humility also defines the man. Keiro Northwest’s success in helping the Asian elderly community is unsurpassed in the state. “Keiro” means respect for our elders in Japanese, and Hattori believes
the recent name change reflects the changes in healthcare and community needs. Keiro has provided senior care services to the Japanese American and Asian community for 40 years in Seattle, with Hattori at the helm for the past six years. Today, Hattori is always on the lookout for the hottest technology to support elders remaining in their homes, with connections to culturally sensitive, quality care. If he had one wish, Hattori eagerly said, “One button. I’d want to push one button and get all the information I need to care for the people we serve.” Hattori envisions transformation for the growing community of seniors who want to remain at home, but who have transportation, meal, social, and medical needs.
Changes also include services at Keiro’s nursing home, which now emphasizes rehabilitation to get seniors back home as quickly as possible, along with appropriate home services and a continuum of care. Hattori unceasingly pursues ways to use technology to make that happen. Last year, AARP and Keiro collaborated in a healthcare program using computers and Skype to monitor care for seniors at home. There are different languages built into Skype or tablets that are helpful, said Hattori, and he loves trying new ways to reduce seniors’ isolation and neglect. And he quickly added, “The phone still has a lot of currency see HATTORI on 12
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asianweekly northwest
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34 YEARS
SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
■ technology Indie game developer explores the tough choices behind politics Courtesy screenshot of “Political Animals” from Ryan Sumo.
By Tim Gruver NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
A map of ‘Spring Island’ as seen in ‘Political Animals,’ a level loosely based on Japan.
This November, voters across the country will be casting their ballot for the next U.S. president, though few will ever experience life on the campaign trail. Thanks to one team of indie game developers, gamers can run for office themselves in the world of “Political Animals,” a game that dares to ask whether great leaders can always be good political leaders. Developed by Philippines-based PC game studio, Squeaky Wheel, and published by Positech Games, “Political Animals” is an election simulation game that explores the challenges of the electoral process. In it, players control a variety of cartoon animals, from elephants to eagles, running for public office as a part of the barnyard that Squeaky Wheel art director Ryan Sumo imagines politics to often be. “Politics is kinda crazy, and we wanted players to experience that in a game,” said Sumo. “We want players to find out how incorruptible they really are.” Politics has been one of Sumo’s passions for much of his adult life. As a fan of such politically charged shows like “VEEP” and “Parks & Recreation,” Sumo wanted to make a game that reflected the serious and silly sides of the political process. The artist behind such critically-acclaimed games like “Prison Architect” and “Spacechem,” Sumo has spent the past 10 years making smartphone titles for Nokia and Android. While multiplayer online battle arena games (MOBAS) like “DOTA” or “League of Legends” dominate the Philippine game industry, Sumo and his team wanted to make a game that resonated with voters during the presidential election year. Candidates are fully customizable with good and bad traits to choose from. While one candidate may be great at campaigning, he or she might also be a poor fundraiser. “Political Animals” is designed for players to complete within one to two hours, and come back again for a different experience. “The older we get, the less time we have to play games,” Sumo said. “We wanted to make something you could just pick up and put down and scratch that itch to play something.” The game will feature eight maps at launch with each of them loosely based on real countries, including Japan, Germany, Canada, the United States, and the UK. From map to map, players will follow the same goals of campaigning, raising money, and engaging with the press to boost their polls. While “Political Animals” is not based on the politics of his native country, Sumo wanted the game to be a welcoming way to introduce gamers to the problems of politics at large. “Philippine politics is more like a carnival atmosphere, a little wild,” Sumo said. “Candidates are expected to sing and dance, entertain voters, but we wanted to make it more personal.” As a game that Sumo described as “The Sims” meets George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” players are frequently made to face the kinds of serious choices that politicians often make. For example, players may be approached by a constituent with a loved one in the hospital who desperately needs help to pay their medical bills. Players then have to decide whether to help them and receive positive publicity and spend money their campaign may not have. In another instance, a reporter could be publishing false stories about the player’s candidate. You could simply ignore them, or you could make them “disappear” forever and risk having to cover up a scandal. Running for office can be very different from holding it, however, and Sumo hopes “Political Animals” teaches people about the way politics can ultimately change society. “It’s super different to be in power than trying to gain power,” Sumo said. “I want people to question themselves, and at the end of the day to realize, I’m not such a good person after all.” Squeaky Wheel is planning on launching “Political Animals” this October on Steam for PC. Tim can be reached at info@northwestasianweekly.com.
SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
YOUR VOICE
■ arts & entertainment
asianweekly northwest
9
Korean American actor stars in new TV series
By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY When asked about growing up Korean in New Jersey, actor Aaron Yoo, an upcoming star of the “StartUp” TV show playing now on the online Crackle network, waxed philosophical and comparative. “My hometown, East Brunswick,” Yoo recalled, “wasn’t your typical Jersey experience, unless you count the mindboggling amount of hours spent bored, driving around, looking for trouble to get into. As for being Korean, I had two different lives — one at home and church where I was the pastor’s son, and the other with my friends where I did some dumb things, but maybe not any more than a lot of guys my age.
“I did wind up in the hospital. I did run into the cops a few times. I did sneak up to New York City, but I made it home before school the next day. But I was a nerdy kid, too. I played Dungeons & Dragons and collected comic books and read ‘Lord of the Rings,’ the whole trilogy, every year.” The stimulated imagination set him on the road to acting. “When I was a kid, I lived half in my imagination,” he recalled, “but I didn’t really think or dream of becoming an actor. I loved stories — movies, books, plays — so in college, I majored in Theatre Arts with a plan to study directing. But in my directing classes, my friend kept casting me in his scenes. As I did more scenes, I really fell hard for acting and the next thing I knew, I was in New York taking a Shakespeare intensive [class].” Yoo is fully bilingual in English and Korean, and he credits this ability for the way he approaches certain situations. “I think,” he considered, “being bilingual gives you a deeper appreciation of language, and how words affect culture and personality. Certain words are more prioritized in some languages than others. Yoo recently played a Korean, quant [financial analyst] in the film ‘Money Monster,’ and had to translate the entire part from an English script, which he did with his mother’s help. “Her Korean is more sophisticated than mine, but of course meaning and nuance of performance isn’t a skill most people develop. So she and I pitch each other ideas, then debate the subtleties of what the line really means in
English and what the Korean translation wants to be.” He also speaks some Korean in a film he recently wrapped, ‘Why We’re Killing Gunther,’ a comedy in which he plays a Korean assassin. Yoo’s acting roles include parts in “Disturbia,” “Money Monster,” the 2009 relaunch of “Friday the 13th,” and TV shows, including “The Tomorrow People.” But he refers to “StartUp” as “an actor’s dream,” an almost theater rehearsal-like atmosphere where you could try anything in a scene and Ben Ketai, the director, would film it. “It really encouraged all of us to take risks,” said Yoo. “A lot of times, acting on screen is about doing the safe version, because you have a limited amount of time and money and you’d rather do the thing you know will be good, rather than the thing that could be brilliant, or could be bad.” Yoo’s character is Alex Bell, an internet billionaire, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. “He’s a big fish with A LOT of money, that the StartUp gang — Izzy, Nick, and Ronald (Otmara Marrero, Adam Brody, and Edi Gathegi) — pursue in order to dig themselves out of a huge mess they’ve made of their company, GenCoin. Alex makes them an offer they can’t refuse. And like this ‘Godfather’ reference, it’s an offer that comes with a lot more than they bargained for. It’s like no other part I’ve played before.” When asked about wanting to do films in Korea and favorite Korean films, the actor singled out “this quiet Kim Ki-Duk film, ‘3-Iron.’” And ‘Bittersweet Life’ is the kind of gangster movie he’d like to do one day. “Another one I dig is ‘Memory of a Murder.’ “I’ve had a couple of different movies in South Korea not work out for one reason or another, but I do think I’ll work there one day. I love the see YOO on 14
asianweekly northwest
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34 YEARS
SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
OPINION
Rosa Leung
sings like an American Idol star How often do you see Chinese immigrants avoid singing America’s national anthem? Let’s face it. An immigrant is more inclined to sing their motherland’s national song than that of their adopted country. As an immigrant, I have to admit, our national anthem is not easy to master. I know how to sing the national anthem, but I won’t do it before an audience. When Rosa Leung, an immigrant, told me she loved to sing at our events, I challenged her. “Can you sing the national anthem at the Northwest Asian Weekly’s Top Contributors dinner?” I can’t think of any other song relevant for our event except “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “Yes,” Leung said instantly, even though it would be her first time. It meant she had to learn the song and perform it professionally. During her performance, Leung nailed the song so beautifully, especially the high-note emphasis on the word “free” from “land of the free” — she brought down the house. However, not many in the community realized how talented Leung was until Sept. 10, when she gave a concert at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Bellevue. It was a blast! Who would have thought someone from Hong Kong, originally, would major in Spanish? And yes, Leung studied at St. Louis University in Madrid, Spain for six months in Spanish arts and literature. From Spanish songs (Besame Mucho) to English songs
(Carpenters’ Top of the World), from Cantonese opera to the late Teresa Teng’s song in Mandarin, Leung did it flawlessly, hitting eight or nine songs continuously without breaks. Her energy and vitality is like a fresh daisy with the morning dew! Only the daisy can produce music like a lark. In 1982, Leung won a televised singing contest, similar to American Idol. But she didn’t want to be a professional singer. She just enjoys singing and sharing her passion and joy with friends. And if her passion can do some good, she is more than happy to do it. The Sept. 10 concert helped to raise funds for community organizations. Dennis Lam, an attorney, sang solo and performed a duet with Leung. During the duet, Leung lifted her partner up and helped Lam sound much more alive. What a gift for an attorney with the ability not just to sing, but perform. Leung’s vocal range and booming voice were impressive. She kept going even after performing 20 songs. She said she was so happy and excited that she could perform 10 more. Some Chinese community events are noisy with people talking among themselves. But when Leung sang, the room was silent.
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
see BLOG on 15
Legacy Celebration the
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Final Chapter
Mary Yu Washington State Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Madrid
former assistant UW law dean
Hon. Claudia Kauffman
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Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange President, Seattle Central College
LORI MATSUKAWA
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SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
YOUR VOICE
asianweekly northwest
11
OPINION
■ editorial
Forgotten Chinatown
“It seems like the city [of Seattle] only comes to Chinatown when they need to use us and pit us against other disenfranchised communities.” That was the testimony of Sonny Nguyen from API Food Fight Club at a Sept. 6 Seattle City Council meeting to consider a homeless ordinance that could drastically change how the city handles homeless encampments. It certainly feels that way. Even after a large contingent of representatives from the International District (ID) packed City Council chambers and gave testimony after testimony, our pleas fell on deaf ears. Sponsored by council members Rob Johnson, Lisa Herbold, and Kshama Sawant, the council voted in favor of taking in the proposed “30-day” legislation and running it through its committees. The proposal would require the city to wait 30 days before doing a sweep. Currently, the city provides a 72-hour notice to people in the encampments before removing them. During public comments, Sue-May Eng, instructor of the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team, said, “We have firsthand knowledge of how fast encampments can grow and the amount of … hazardous waste, such as garbage, urine, feces, used condoms, and used hypodermic needles, that can accumulate in 30 days.” The ordinance was created by private-interest groups, including the ACLU and Columbia Legal Services. It’s easy to write an ordinance from an ivory tower, away from
■ commentary
We challenge the folks at the ACLU and Columbia Legal Services to live within sight of a homeless encampment for 30 days.
the problem you are trying to solve. Some may accuse the ID of being NIMBYs (Not In My Backyard). We understand and appreciate that the homeless are humans, that they have rights, and that they are in need of compassion. We have rights, too … to live and work in a safe and clean environment. We challenge the folks at the ACLU and Columbia Legal Services to live within sight of a homeless encampment for 30 days. To step outside for a daily walk and see a pile of trash on the street grow bigger every day. To witness the elderly, perhaps your own parent, getting harassed repeatedly by panhandlers. To see young children walking around hypodermic needles carelessly thrown about. To hear from customers who won’t patronize your business anymore because of the filth and safety concerns. To struggle even more to meet payroll for your small business because money is now tighter than ever.
To watch the blood, sweat, and tears, possibly life savings you’ve poured into your business, go for naught. Yes, it’s easy to write laws from the comfort and safety of your ivory tower, where the problem you are trying to solve isn’t staring you in the face every day and does not have a direct impact on your business, your safety, your life. Tim Burgess, the only dissenting vote, said, “This [ordinance] would give a new right to camp on public property, makes encampment removal nearly impossible.” An Aug. 31 memo to the city council from various city departments, including Seattle Police, the Human Services Department, and the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, also pleaded with the council not to pass the ACLU backed ordinance. It said the legislation “would authorize camping throughout the City of Seattle” and would “allow tents to stay on school property, interfere with transit, and encourage conditions that foster criminal activity.” How many more voices need to join ours before our concerns are addressed? Does somebody have to be assaulted or killed in a headline-making fashion on the streets of the ID, for us to get noticed? At the moment, it certainly feels like Chinatown is being used. And forgotten.
Economic prosperity is impossible without Korea-China security cooperation
By Robert H. Kim Professor Emeritus, Western Washington University
Despite international sanctions and warnings, North Korea conducted its fifth round of nuclear tests on Sept. 9, threatening the security of not only the Korean Peninsula, but also the world. The international community surmises
that North Korean leader Kim Jung-eun continues to conduct nuclear tests despite international sanctions because its socalled “nuclear capability” will eventually lead to a favorable outcome. The reason for this is the conviction that “China will never abandon North Korea, no matter what bad actions it takes.” Although China knows that the deployment of the U.S. built missile-
defense system known as Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is paramount to the security of South Korea against North Korean nuclear and ballistic missiles threats, it has in fact taken to criticizing the South Korean government and turning a blind eye to the North Korean nuclear threat. Over the past several years, South Korea and China have had mutually beneficial and
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amicable economic relations. It is desirable that China take the opportunity of North Korea’s fifth nuclear test to establish a new policy. By showing understanding for the deployment of THAAD and firmly opposing North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile development program, China can open doors to a new era of peace and economic prosperity in Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula. Some might be concerned that North Korea’s nuclear tests will negatively impact South Korea’s economy. However, Boeing, Microsoft, and other Seattle-based global corporations are not worried about any immediate consequences, but rather future issues. In reality, “predictive modeling” concluded that the effects of North Korea’s nuclear tests on South Korea’s stock market and economy were limited. On Sept. 9, the South Korean stock market closed with the won/dollar exchange rate increasing by 5.8 won to 1,098.4 won and the Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropping 1.25 percent to 2,037.87. Economists assessed that the rise of U.S. interest rates and North Korea’s nuclear test were limited factors. In addition, Fitch and Moody’s recently praised South Korea’s strong and stable economic development, as well as its sound foreign policy and finances. If China joins forces with such strong economies, such as South Korea and the United States, unparalleled economic prosperity can be achieved in Northeast Asia. We have high hopes that North Korea’s fifth nuclear test will result in opposition, thereby leading to a new era of high security cooperation between South Korea and China.
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SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
HATTORI from 7 with the elderly community.” Hattori knows and understands his community. Whatever the technology, Hattori wants the senior community to engage in life. Hattori won’t take credit for the success of programs and services, such as the Meals-to-Go catering service Keiro recently began. Pointedly asking Hattori whether it was his idea to cater and deliver Asian “comfort food” proved futile. Hattori steered clear of Keiro’s accomplishments and successes and focused instead on how the community has supported and built the network of care in the Asian senior community. He enthusiastically recalled how someone suggested providing Asian food, and how Keiro began its catering program. “I get this question all the time — this food came from the Keiro nursing home?” People love it, said Hattori. “It’s an honor to be in a position to be able to support the elders whose shoulders we stand on,” said Hattori. There are about 300 to 400 active volunteers, and Hattori attributes the high number to Keiro’s connection to the lives in the community, so that people feel a sense of ownership. Hattori’s life with Keiro started when he was a 13-yearold volunteer. His mother was a resident for three months before she died. The emotional and empathetic ties to Keiro were unmistakable beneath Hattori’s words. “I did the dirtiest work cleaning toilets and painting and thought, ‘What have I done?’” laughed Hattori at the memory of the original Keiro nursing home. He became a
FOODWASTE from 4 “Always use clear storage containers, so you can see inside. Sometimes, things get buried in the back, but if you place them in a particular spot every time, then you will remember,” he said. Another tip is to dedicate a shelf in the fridge for food that should be eaten right away or soon. “When people look for food in the fridge, you’ll know where to check for a snack or for a meal,” he said. Storing herbs in a jar with a little bit of water can help them last weeks longer. People might buy cilantro that comes in a produce bag. Leaving the clintro in the bag will cause it to get slimy and gross. The trick is to cut off the rubber bands or ties and put the cilantro in a jar of water, so the roots soak up water. If possible, loosely cover the jar with saran wrap or a lid. Doing so will makes herbs last two to three weeks and will stay fresh. One exception is basil, you can store it on the counter in a jar of water. Onions and potatoes should be kept out of the fridge. It’s also important to keep them separate because the onions will cause the potato to sprout faster. When buying a big container of berries, hold off on washing them right away because as soon as you wash them, the wetness will cause molding. Take out a few each day to snack on and leave the rest unwashed. Putting fruits like oranges, apples, and bananas together in a fruit bowl will make everything go bad faster, Fincher said. Freezing what you can’t use immediately, like rice or bread, can also help reduce waste. Leftover bread can easily be frozen, cut into slices to pop in the toaster.
Expiration dates don’t mean much
Hoffer said that the United States Department of
weekend custodian when he turned 14, and washed dishes and did all sorts of work. Hattori understood and had a good command of the Japanese language and got to talk to residents. It was a pivotal time in Hattori’s life — he was hooked after getting to know the residents. “Life creates different paths,” said Hattori, responding to why he left in 1999 and returned to Keiro 10 years later. Leaving Keiro allowed Hattori to gain experiences that prepared him for the CEO position later. One of Hattori’s greatest experiences came from his work as a Public Affairs Liaison at Eli Lilly, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Hattori credits Nate Miles, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Lilly, for the vision and strategies needed to achieve milestones. “Miles,” Hattori praised, “is the person who told me to think big. He opened my eyes to having a vision.” Working with Miles helped Hattori understand public policy and process. Hattori saw “both sides of the aisle,” became “more whole,” and improved his “peripheral vision.” While at Lilly, Hattori advocated for the company’s agenda and learned how to integrate and align it with community issues, advancing corporate and community plans. “Everything has helped me — all the experiences I’ve had and people like ‘Uncle Bob’ (Santos) have contributed to where I am today.” After graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, Hattori’s first job was working for “Uncle Bob,” and helping to complete a needs assessment survey for Asian elders. Santos was executive director of the Chinatown
Agriculture does not review or approve these dates except for instant formula. Manufacturers determine the dates as the “use by” date for best quality to inform stores to sell it by that date, but products stay good for several weeks. People also don’t realize that the expiration labels are tacked on by manufacturers. Because of this, 90 percent of people are throwing away food too soon, Fincher said. Two websites can help you determine how long your food can last: eatbydate.com and stilltasty.com. People should still be careful with meat and to use it within two days of buying it, Hoffer advised.
Larger impacts on society
Both Fincher and Hoffer agree that there are environmental, social, and financial impacts of wasting food. “Food waste is rotting in landfills, emitting greenhouse gas emissions and methane gas.” Hoffer said if all the land used to grow the food being wasted were a country, it would be the third largest in terms of greenhouse gas contributions, behind the United States and China. Fincher said that surveys done by the City of Seattle showed that the senior and immigrant population don’t waste a lot of food. “We’re looking to these populations for resources and skills to share with the younger generations in order to reduce food waste,” she said. “All of the food wasted impacts people. It increases food costs using resources that are getting tossed, using scarce water resources. We have to think beyond ourselves because there are cities and populations that are suffering because of that,” she said. Nina can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
34 YEARS International District Preservation and Development Authority at the time. Hattori saw firsthand how elderly Asians in the Chinatown-International District lived, and it profoundly affected his perspective and fueled his understanding of the enormous housing needs. Hattori was born and raised in the Southeast RainierBeacon Hill area and lived in Japan for a year. Hattori’s parents were “kibei,” meaning they were born in America, but raised and educated in Japan. Hattori’s father returned to America at age 17 in 1947. His mom was born in Juneau, Alaska and stayed in Japan until she was 48 years old, returning to America in 1958. Hattori is a father of six, ages 26, 22, 14, 10, and twin girls aged 4. Hattori is deeply rooted in the Asian community and senior health care, and he’s nowhere close to being finished or satisfied with the status quo. “Transportation is a must” for seniors, Hattori pointed out. We shouldn’t be surprised if someday Keiro begins its own version of Uber, or Keiro drone delivery services, or apps for senior housing needs. Hattori is a visionary and remains restless in his pursuit for quality senior care. Jeff Hattori will be an honoree at the Northwest Asian Weekly’s Technology and Innovation Awards. The event is Oct. 7 at China Harbor Restaurant from 6–9 p.m. Buy tickets at visionary.bpt.me. Arlene can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
YI from 1 names of tools because he would ask me to bring him his screwdriver or pliers. I learnt terminology and basic mechanics from my father,” she explained.
An epiphany
Yi’s idea of being involved in the mechanical field was born when she realized as a 7-year-old that not everyone’s father could do the things her father could. “When a friend of mine moved out of her house for three days so a technician could fix their boiler, I asked my mum why her father couldn’t fix it. My mother told me that not everyone could do what my father does. That’s when I realized my father was incredible and this was something I could do. So, I started to try and fix things myself and my father would guide me. It was fun,” she said. Yi recounts playing with Lego blocks as a child. Her blocks came with no instructions — allowing her the freedom to imagine and construct whatever structures she could dream up. This childhood, she believes, laid the foundation for her career as an engineer and scientist. “It’s funny. My mother once apologized to me for making me do extra work compared to other kids and not helping me focus on my studies. I don’t think she had anything to be sorry about. I feel grateful that my parents gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion. Unlike my father, I could follow my heart and take up the career that I loved,” Yi said.
Have an attitude of gratitude
Yi feels that gratitude is a great starting point for someone to change their lives. “Try and find something you are grateful for. Make it a habit. When you take a ferry from Seattle, be grateful — it leads you to your next step, curiosity. Wonder how it works. It could lead you to want to build or design a ferry yourself. Be grateful for the captain of the ferry, wonder what it takes to do his job. Ask questions about everything and try to find the answers, but the start is being grateful.”
Picking a major
This curiosity is what pushed Soyeon to apply and get selected for the gifted program in Gwangju Science High School. From there, she made it to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), where she was one of four women in the mechanical engineering course. Yi said, “It was not trendy for women to pursue an engineering program. A lot of seniors said this was not something a woman could do, but I wanted to prove them wrong. I was very careful while considering my major. Even though my mother urged me to pick something female-friendly, I picked mechanical engineering because I love creating dynamic things. It was difficult,
Soyeon Yi gives the thumbs up before boarding a Soyuz rocket in 2008.
but I had a goal and passion. It’s like setting your sights on Mt. Everest after Mt. Rainier. That’s my motivation!” Yi also chose the course because of her need to be active. “I was not sure if I could sit at a desk solving an equation all day. In engineering, you plan and then go to the lab, run around, and make things happen. Her ‘active lifestyle’ presented a little problem for Yi. Singing in a rock band, in a choir, at weddings, and even taking up a part-time job as a stylist was not looked upon as something good. Her stress buster was going for midnight runs after finishing lab work. She’d go to her dorm, change, and run around campus to clear her mind! “In Asian countries, if you do something other than your major, everyone thinks you are distracted. I was supposed to be focused on my major and PhD. One shouldn’t even date. So I would do these activities on the sly. I found it presented a welcome break and helped me space out a little. I don’t think my adviser liked me doing these things, he wanted me to focus on my doctorate,” she said. Next week, the reality-TV like path to space. Janice can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
YOUR VOICE PURSE SNATCHING from 1
jewelry that appears broken.
of all ages, genders,” said Mark Solomon, crime prevention coordinator based out of South Police Department (SPD)’s south precinct. “The ones that are very concerning to us are the ones who are elderly Asian women, who are injured in the process.” Women have had their gold chains snatched from around their necks. Solomon said that victims sometimes get pushed or shoved in the midst of robberies — resulting in injury. He said not too long ago, a woman dislocated her hip after falling down after a robbery. Solomon described an incident in which a female business owner in her 60s was just about finished closing up her shop in the International District with her car nearby when a thief snatched her purse out of the front seat of her car. The thief then jumped into a waiting vehicle, speeding off right after the theft. The victim’s purse had held the day’s proceeds. “Obviously, this person knew her routine,” said Solomon. “He knew that at the end of the day, there would be thousands of dollars of cash and credit card receipts in her purse.” Solomon said that the suspects are usually young males, ranging from teens into their 30s. Solomon stresses that the suspect descriptions vary greatly. He also said a correlation should not be drawn between the robberies SPD has been seeing and the homeless population. “Often, the victimization involving the homeless are often done by other homeless,” said Solomon. “You can’t say that these transients over here are responsible for this stuff over here.”
Reporting crime
Prevention
Solomon stated that within the International District, Beacon Hill, Rainier Valley, and other areas with high concentrations of immigrants, older Asian women have been targeted due to the high likelihood that they wear gold jewelry, carry purses, or carry large amounts of cash. Linh Thai, SPD’s Asian community liaison, pointed to cultural norms that create these tendencies. Gold is not only prized as a precious metal, but also as a color and symbol of power in China, Thailand, India, Vietnam, and numerous other countries in Asia. Compared to those who were born or who grew up in the West, first generation Asian Americans tend to wear more gold. “[Additionally,] many business owners in the southeast area of Seattle don’t take credit cards,” said Thai. “They want [customers to pay in] cash only. That can be a dangerous policy. When I advise Asians not to carry cash, they say to me, ‘Uncle, I have to carry cash, or I can’t pay for anything.’” Thai and Solomon suggest that people wear their jewelry underneath their clothes so that it’s not visible. “At the same time, try to minimize the amount of valuables you have,” said Solomon. “Carry a minimal amount of cash. Take what you need for that day. That means planning out your day.” Solomon also urges citizens to keep their keys and their identification separate. That way, if a wallet or purse does get stolen, the thief cannot easily burglarize the victim’s house or property, also. Beyond putting purses on the floor instead of in passenger seats, Solomon also suggests putting valuables in the trunk before reaching a final destination. “You do it before so you’re not showing people that you’re putting your valuables in the trunk, where your car is going to be parked for a while.” Crime prevention also extends beyond the initial theft. Solomon and Thai caution people against buying merchandise that looks like it could have been stolen — for example,
SUMMIT from 1 to do away with the initiative, as it is viewed as unconstitutional. “We see the lawsuit as a cynical threat,” stated Tom Franta, CEO of the Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters). WA Charters is a statewide nonprofit organization committed to empowering parents and students by supporting the startup of high-quality public charter schools, according to its website. According to court rules, a party may intervene in an existing lawsuit if they believe that they have an interest in the lawsuit in which the result may impact them. Here, the families would be affected if funding would be taken away from charter schools, including Summit Sierra High School in the International District. Franta notes that two-thirds of charter schools serve students of color and twothirds of kids qualify for free or reduced priced meals. According to Franta, charter schools make a concerted effort to meet
Often, immigrant victims of theft or robbery either don’t report the crime at all or they wait too long before calling SPD. Many take hours, not making a 911 call until they get home and have someone who can translate into English for them. “We want them to call us as soon as possible,” said Solomon. “As soon as they are in a place of safety. … If English is not their first language, we do have language lines. All they need to do is say what language they need and we can set up a three-way call.” Solomon states that beyond language gaps, the reasons why crime is underreported in Asian immigrant populations (and immigrant populations in general) include the desire to save face. Being the victim of a crime creates feelings of shame and embarrassment sometimes — fear of retaliation, distrust of police due to experiences with corrupt government in other countries they have lived in, and legal status. “Sometimes people are undocumented,” said Solomon. “And it’s illegal for us to ask about it.” Solomon said that SPD officers cannot inquire about legal status — so any victim of a crime can and should report it. Solomon and Thai said that SPD officers sometimes come across people who were witnesses to a crime, but do not want to get involved. “We really need for people to step up, to be willing to be witnesses,” said Solomon. “Because when we think about a 67-year-old Chinese woman, a 62-year-old Vietnamese woman, a 65-year-old Asian Pacific Islander woman — these are someone’s mother or grandma. Be willing to speak up so we can prevent this from happening.” Solomon said that for various reasons, people don’t want to share their names and information — but they do want to help. He said that people can request that their name is not disclosed. What is most important is that SPD has a way of contacting witnesses. Solomon also said that a witness can choose the kind of contact he or she has with SPD. For instance, if he or she does not want in-person contact, he or she may request phone contact only. With crimes, in order for a prosecution to go through, there has to be a victim. Often within Asian immigrant populations, victims of crime and witnesses are unwilling to go to court and testify. “I try to advocate [going to court],” said Thai. “And [the victim will] say, ‘No, forget about it. Don’t mention it again. I feel shamed enough about it. I don’t want to go to court.’ And then the case gets dismissed. So if you don’t go to testify, it gets dismissed.” “Technically, the way the court sees it, we don’t have a victim,” said Solomon. “Therefore, there’s no way to go forward.” “Sometimes, Asians don’t want to disturb the police,” said Thai. “They say, ‘If [the police] come, and they can’t find the suspect, I will be blamed for calling and wasting their time.’ And I say, ‘No, no, we get paid to serve you. We are happy to show up. Please call.’” “[Distrust of police is] one of the things where, as long as I’ve been doing this — and I’ve been doing this for 26 years — that’s one of the hardest things for us to overcome. Convincing people that it is okay for them to call the police,” said Solomon. “You are not going to get in trouble. We’re not going to charge you. You can trust us.”
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Robbery and theft prevention Based on materials provided by Seattle Police Department Take an active role in reducing your chances of becoming a victim of robbery or theft. Be aware — Keep your head up and scan your surroundings. Make eye contact with people. This sends a message that you know they are there and that you can also identify them if necessary. — Walk confidently. Project an assertive, business-like image. — Avoid listening to music through earphones when out on the street. It prevents you from paying full attention. — If you are being followed or you see a person or group that makes you feel uncomfortable, cross the street, walk in another direction, go into a business, or ask other pedestrians if you may walk a short distance with them. Protect your property — Carry your valuables safely. Don’t display items when walking to and from your destination. — When using public transportation, keep your purse, shopping bag, backpack, or packages in your lap, on your arm, or between your feet — not by themselves on an empty seat. — Put your phone away. Use it only if you really need to. After you’re done, put it away again. — If you wear necklaces, wear them underneath your clothing rather than prominently displayed. If you are confronted — If someone demands your property and displays or implies in any way that they have a weapon, don’t resist. Your physical property isn’t worth getting injured or killed over. — Do not pursue the thief. Put distance between yourself and the thief. Call 911 and report the crime as soon as possible. Language lines for interpretation are available.
Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.
the needs of those particular communities. “Hallmarks of what marks a charter school is additional flexibility,” Franta said. Jalen Johnson, who attends Summit Sierra, agreed. “The fostering community of Summit really embodies who and what I want to be as a person. Summit as a whole is a loving, caring and creative community. I love going to school every day!” In 2015, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled that a voter-approved initiative which funded charter schools violated the Washington constitution and was struck down. The main argument, made by those opposing the initiative, was that charter schools are run by an appointed board or nonprofit organization, and thus are not subject to local voter control. It also diverts moneys to charter schools. Another initiative which seeks to fund charter schools passed this year. Rich Wood, a spokesperson for the Washington Education Association (WEA), one of the groups bringing the lawsuit in El Centro de la Raza, believes that the new law diverts
public funding from public schools to private schools. “We have an obligation to all of our state’s children,” Wood said. Wood believes that the intervention of families of the charter school students will delay the eventual result. “We think it is important that this issue is decided as quickly as possible.” WEA represents 90,000 public school teachers and support staff across the state. WEA’s decision to file this lawsuit was to ensure that all children have the opportunity to have a public education guaranteed by the state constitution. They want to ensure that Washington is not violating its state constitution. The complaint asks the court issue an injunction, to prohibit the state from diverting funds to pay for charter schools. On the other end of the spectrum, families believe their children are receiving educational help that they could not in public schools. “Summit [Sierra] prepares [me] for college, puts me on my own path to
success, whatever that may be,” said Johnson. “I believe I am receiving a much better education than the one I would have received had I gone to a public school.” Wilson who has two older children, noted that the idea that her youngest could graduate from high school not ready for college concerned her. She has been an active advocate for her son and volunteered to be a named individual in the lawsuit to intervene. “Part of advocacy is to care about more than a family situation,” explained Wilson. “I believe that sometimes we get in these policy discussions and don’t realize that they are real life and real children at stake.” In addition to Wilson and Johnson, Gahyun “Sunny” Lee is a named intervenor on behalf of her son, Wonoh, and daughter, Yulan, who attend Tacoma’s Destiny Middle School. Jason can be reached nwasianweekly.com.
at
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asianweekly northwest
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SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
SAMSUNG from 5 The U.S. was among the first countries to take a step following the recall. On Sept. 9, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urged owners of the phone to turn them off and leave them off. It also said it was working with Samsung and hoped to have an official recall “as soon as possible.” The recall by the safety commission will allow the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to ban passengers from carrying the phones on planes. The FAA already warned airline passengers on Sept. 9 not to turn on or charge the Galaxy Note 7 during flights and not to put the smartphone in their checked bags. Scandinavian Airlines said Sept. 10 that it has prohibited passengers from
34 YEARS
using the Galaxy Note 7 on its flights because of concerns about fires. Singapore Airlines has also banned the use or charging of the device during flights. Samsung said it had confirmed 35 cases of the Galaxy Note 7 catching fire as of Sept. 1, most of them occurring while the battery was being charged. There are at least two more cases that Samsung said it is aware of — one at a hotel in Perth, Australia, and another in St. Petersburg, Florida, where a family reported that a Galaxy Note 7 left charging in their Jeep had caught fire, destroying the vehicle. Samsung released the Galaxy Note 7 on Aug. 19. The Galaxy Note series is one of the most expensive lineups made by Samsung.
YOO from 9 visual style of South Korean auteurs. There are images in these movies that stay with me.” As for future projects, Yoo mentioned a film he’s really, really excited about, ‘Why We’re Killing Gunther.’ He said there are other things, but they’re not set in stone yet and he’s superstitious about not talking about jobs until contracts are signed and he’s flying to location. So stay tuned.
Solution
Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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HONG LAW FIRM, PLLC 206-856-8291 honglegal@gmail.com
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SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
YOUR VOICE
■ astrology
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15
Predictions and advice for the week of September 17–23 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — Relying on word of mouth is a poor substitute for doing your own homework. A quick look should yield helpful information. Ox — Are you taking yourself too seriously this week? Whatever you are doing, there is room to relax a little. Tiger — Put aside your usual worries and focus on being in the moment. There is much to be gained by simply appreciating what is before you. Rabbit — A slim margin of victory has you feeling somewhat vulnerable. There is time to improve your game before the next contest.
Monkey — You are not a big fan of those who take advantage of your good nature. It is up to you to keep it from becoming a repeat performance.
Dragon — Those who stand in your way won’t stand a chance as you confidently push forward. Others will join you as they see the strength in your position.
Rooster — From what you have seen so far, there is reason to come back. You might be surprised at how often you return.
Snake — You have made a promise and that means sticking to the spirit of the deal as well. There is nothing to be gained from cutting corners.
Dog — What fits perfectly for now may not always be the case. It makes sense to allow for some flexibility in the future.
Horse — Don’t be shy about speaking up where it is necessary. Your point is a valuable one and deserves to be heard.
Pig — When the pieces fit, there won’t be much room for doubt. The challenge comes in waiting for that right match.
Goat — If you ask someone for more than they are willing to give, there could be residual awkwardness whether or not they agree.
What’s your animal sign? Rat 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Ox 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Rabbit 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Goat 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.
“CISC would like to express its deep appreciation for Rosa Leung and guests for giving generously of their talents … to benefit Kin On and CISC,” said Dorothy Wong, CISC executive director. “The evening was a lovely event. Attractive venue, delicious food, and as always, a pleasure to hear Rosa’s beautiful voice.” When asked if Leung felt fatigued the next day, she said, “Not at all.” This was my first time attending
Leung’s concert, and I thought it would be amateurish, like karaoke. I was completely wrong. It was her second concert and the whole program was professionally done and well organized. One suggestion, Leung should make her concert an annual event, instead of every other year. Encore! Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
Photos by George Liu/NWAW
BLOG from 10
Rosa Leung accepting audience applause.
Sam Wan, the Kin On Health Care CEO, said, “Rosa is so gifted in singing … she was able to sing so many different styles of songs and maintaining the same professional quality. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening.” Her costumes were gorgeously designed. When Leung was on stage, I thought of Adele, singing so effortlessly, comfortable in her own skin, a strong stage presence with a powerful voice. The two-hour concert, without an intermission, was such a nostalgic treat that took me back to the time I lived in Hong Kong decades ago. I was surprised that I still remembered some of the words to the songs, and followed along as Leung sang. The concert delighted many. One fan told Leung that she was touched, and would call the performance “unforgettable.” Leung said her three-month preparation for the concert was worth it, with good feedback from so many fans, including people she had not met before. About 260 of her friends and many fans bought tickets for the show, raising over $6,000 for Kin On Health Care and the Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC).
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GROCERY
MT Fz Corn w/ Color 2 FOR
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MT Pandan Leaves Juice
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MT Pennywort Drink
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SEPTEMBER 17 – 23
34 YEARS