PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 33 NO 39 SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 FREE 32 YEARS YOUR VOICE 65.2% white 25.4% asian
29% white 21% asian 16% hispanic 26% black 8% multiracial
DELRIDGE
4% multiracial 1.7% black
57.6% white 28.7% asian 7.4 % hispanic
3.8% other races
REDMOND
2.2% black 4.2% other races
BELLEVUE
BEACON HILL RAINIER VALLEY 22% white 78% other races over 51% of other races is asian
26.9% white 34.1% asian 26% black 6.5% multiracial 6% other races
55.5% white 15.2% asian 11.3% black
6.6% multiracial 8.5% other races
KENT 57.5% white 14.2% asian 9.7% black 11.9% other race 6.6% multiracial
FEDERAL WAY
PICTORIAL A night in Chinatown » P. 9
SEATTLE diversity Cities and neighborhoods you should experience
By Daria Kroupoderova Northwest Asian Weekly
individuals and families. This richness of diversity is just one of the many things that set our community apart.
With minorities soon becoming the majority, diversity is a big topic. If you want to explore it around Seattle, there are tools to gauge diversity, including percentages of different races and a diversity index. What is a diversity index? It shows the probability that if two people are picked from the same area, they will be of different races. The higher the number, the more diverse the area is. Here are some recommendations that qualify as diverse places and that are just a stone’s throw away.
Delridge (Seattle neighborhood) Delridge, located in the West Seattle area, is considered the most diverse area in Seattle with an area close to High Point having 29 percent white, 26 percent black, 21 percent Asian, 16 percent Hispanic, and 8 percent of another race or multiracial, according to The Seattle Times. The diversity index is 77, the same as the number one diverse city in the country, Oakland. Delridge is home to South Seattle Community College, which has an arboretum and botanical garden open to the public and is free. The arboretum houses 40 different varieties of maple trees, 20 different types of ferns, and many other plants and trees. This neighborhood’s diversity goes beyond its people.
Bellevue Bellevue, located east of Seattle across Lake Washington, is more diverse than the city of Seattle as of 2013, according to The Seattle Times. Bellevue is 57.6 percent white, 28.7 percent Asian, 7.4 percent Hispanic, 2.2 percent black, and 4.2 percent of other races. One particular area of Bellevue, there is a diversity index of 74. “Bellevue’s growing diversity is attractive to many people from Asia and also around the world,” said Bellevue City Manager Brad Miyake. “With our strong job market – particularly in the tech industry, nationallyrecognized public schools, access to culture and the arts, and safe communities – Bellevue continues to be a draw to
Kent Kent, located south of Seattle, is 55.5 percent white, 15.2 percent Asian, 11.3 percent black, 8.5 percent other race, and 6.6 percent multiracial, according to U.S. Census data. Its diversity index is 70. In the past 10 years, Kent has seen an increase in the Asian population by 87 percent. Kent Meridian High School is the most racially diverse high {see SEATTLE cont’d on page 6}
Diversity at the top
Levine ultimately earned the “Dream Job”
Mary Yu
Aaron Levine
Photo by Sue Misao
Justice Mary Yu studied religion, then law
By Daria Kroupoderova Northwest Asian Weekly Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu is one of nine Asian Americans being honored at the Diversity at the Top event being held on Oct. 18 at China Harbor Restaurant.
The daughter of immigrants, Yu grew up in Chicago and attended St. Mary of Perpetual Help High School. She attended college at Dominican University for her undergraduate degree, received her master’s in religious studies at Mundelein {see YU cont’d on page 15}
By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly “I always was a huge sports fan,” recalls Aaron Levine of the reason for his career choice. Levine was once a contestant on an ESPN reality show “Dream Job.” The premise of
the show was for aspiring sportscasters to compete on the show with the winner getting a contract to be a sportscaster on ESPN. Even though he was the runner-up, you can argue that he still has his dream job. As sports director for Q13, Levine is the primary sports {see LEVINE cont’d on page 15}
The Inside Story COMMUNITY "Find it, fix it" tour in the ID » P. 4
■
WORLD Japanese legend Rikoran dies at 94 » P. 5
A&E Noh-inspired drama » P. 7
EDITORIAL Neighborhood love for "Stab and Grab" » P. 11
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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SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
Wise words on preserving diversity
“In King County our strength has always been derived from our rich diversity and our celebration and understanding of our collective experiences. I’m fortunate to be a part of a government who renamed itself after Martin Luther King, Jr., so that our region’s very identity and namesake are connected to America’s champion for civil rights.” Sung Yang Chief of Staff, King County Executive’s Office
“Educating everyone about the power of diversity to drive innovation and excellence is the key. Preserving diversity cannot be left solely to those of us who manage equity or social justice programs. It must be embraced and pursued by all levels of management, across all sectors of our community.” Sheila Edwards Lange Vice President for Minority Affairs Vice Provost for Diversity, UW
“In any environment, you always remember to look around, ask yourself, does the picture look like America? Are all the voices represented at the table?” Nate Miles Vice President, Government Relations Lilly
“Preserving diversity of businesses in SE Seattle is a key goal of our nonprofit fund. Small businesses as economic drivers are especially important in an ethnically diverse community to bring about economic equity, as well as providing needed goods and services. Supporting the business owners through our loan fund and technical assistance will help avoid displacement of its existing rich cultural base.” Wayne Lau Executive Director, Rainier Valley Community Development Fund
“Diversity brings strength to the organization. It is more than skin color and race. It is important to bring out different views balancing different ethnic groups’ skills and backgrounds. Diversity reflects the global nature of the world. Leadership plays a role in diversity. Make sure your senior management is on the same page in hiring and firing that they accept the value of inclusiveness. Senior managers need to make sure that small businesses, many minorities, get their fair share in opportunities.” Tay Yoshitani CEO, Port of Seattle
“Preserving diversity requires that institutions—at their core— model, foster and embrace the richness of different cultures. Seattle Colleges fosters diversity by sponsoring programs like the national Diaspora Tour and modeling with a workforce where 36 percent are minorities. This earns recognition—such as the Association of Community Colleges Trustees Equity award— which in turn gives us an opportunity to share best practices.” Jill Wakefield Chancellor, Seattle Colleges
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Diversity at the Top
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Andy Hwang Federal Way Police Chief
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Deputy Mayor of Seattle
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WA State Supreme Court Justice
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Vice Provost for Innovation, UW
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To reserve your space, fax a copy of this form to 206-223-0626 or send a check by October 12 to: Northwest Asian Weekly, Attn: Diversity at the Top, P.O. Box 3468, Seattle, WA 98114 Name: ___________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Telephone: ________________________________________________ Fax: _____________________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________
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“The diversity of our nation is our greatest strength. Preserving diversity is crucial to the future of our community. By honoring our past, providing equal opportunities and social justice for all, and by celebrating different cultures and backgrounds, we can ensure that our society builds an environment that accepts, welcomes, and preserves diverse backgrounds and opinions in our community.” Congressman Adam Smith 9th Congressional District
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
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asianweekly northwest
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SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
■ community news
“Find it, Fix it” attracts crowds and questions
Local media captures the issues addressed in priority areas in the International District
By Staff Northwest Asian Weekly Over a hundred people showed up for Mayor Ed Murray’s “Find it, Fix it” International District community walk last Thursday. There was a combination of residents, business owners, community leaders, and media. The orientation started at Hing Hay Park where both Mayor Murray and Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole addressed the public. Police Captain John Hayes organized
the crowd and led the group tour, which traveled to 5th Ave. and Jackson St., progressed up Jackson, a pit stop at the Asian Resource Center, and then returned to the park. There were assigned stops with appointed speakers to address specific issues. Topics addressed included the excessive graffiti, especially along Jackson; the fate of the Bush theater (it will be demolished for new construction), and combining Yesler Terrace with Little Saigon. There were also topics that weren’t on the agenda that many community members wanted addressed: drug-
{SEATTLE cont’d from page 1}
commuting to jobs at Microsoft.
school in Washington with 100 countries being represented at the school by the student body.
Federal Way Federal Way, located south of Seattle, is 57.5 percent white, 14.2 percent Asian, 9.7 percent black, 11.9 percent of other race, and 6.6 percent multiracial according to U.S. Census data. Its diversity index is 68.7 percent. Federal Way has a Diversity Commission, which advises the City Council on policy matters, ensuring that ethnic and cultural differences are taken into account when decisions are made. According to the Diversity Commission’s website, “It is our aim to help Federal Way in becoming a community which is united amidst diversity, where each individual is respected,
Redmond Redmond, located east of Seattle, is 65.2 percent white, 25.4 percent Asian, 4 percent multiracial, 1.7 percent black, and 3.8 percent of another race according to U.S. Census data. Its diversity index is 55.2 percent. In the past 10 years, Redmond has seen an increase in the Asian population by 133 percent. Redmond also has the largest day-time population spike by 111 percent during peak work hours in the United States, probably due to many people
Mayor Ed Murray and Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole met with residents and community leaders
dealing, prostitution, issues of sanitation throughout the neighborhood (especially the alleyways), and general concerns about safety, particularly along the 5th Ave. corridor. Mayor Murray and O’Toole were busy fielding questions during the entire walk. Community members were offered an opportunity to fill out comment sheets about what needed to be fixed. The response appeared to be substantial. Staff can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
equally valued, equally needed, and equally cherished.” Rainier Valley Rainier Valley is located south of Central District in Seattle, is 26.9 percent white, 34.1 percent Asian, 26 percent black, 6.5 percent multiracial, and 6 percent of other race, according to U.S. Census data. There has been a longstanding rumor that Rainier Valley’s zip code 98118 is the most diverse in the nation. However, the rumor is not true and 98118 comes in at 64th place for diversity according to a previous article in NW Asian Weekly. There are about 17,000 zip codes in the United States, so 64 out of 17,000 isn’t all that bad. There are also more than 50 different
languages spoken in this neighborhood. Beacon Hill Beacon Hill, located in southeast Seattle, is 22 percent white and 78 percent other races according to Seattle Met Magazine. Over 51 percent of the other races is Asian. Beacon Hill was named by the American Planning Association (APA) as one of the best neighborhoods to live in 2012. According to the APA, “nearly three-fourths of residents are people of color, almost half are foreign born, and 60 percent speak a language other than English at home.” Daria Kroupoderova can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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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 $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
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
■ world news US man in North Japan’s World Korea given 6 years War II film idol of hard labor Rikoran dies at 94
5
By Mari Yamaguchi Associated Press
Matthew Miller at his sentencing
AP Wire Service PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea’s Supreme Court on Sunday sentenced a 24-year-old American man to six years of hard labor for entering the country illegally to commit espionage. At a trial that lasted about 90 minutes, the court said Matthew Miller, of Bakersfield, Calif., tore up his tourist visa at Pyongyang’s airport upon arrival on April 10 and admitted to having the “wild ambition” of experiencing
prison life, so he could secretly investigate North Korea’s human rights situation. Miller, who looked thin and pale at the trial and was dressed completely in black, is one of three Americans being held in North Korea. Showing no emotion throughout the proceedings, Miller waived the right to a lawyer and was handcuffed before being led from the courtroom after his sentencing. The {see MILLER cont’d on page 14}
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese film idol Yoshiko Yamaguchi, who was known as Rikoran and symbolized Japan’s wartime dreams of Asian conquest, has died at age 94. Known as Shirley Yamaguchi in the United States and one of the biggest Japanese film stars during and after World War II, Yamaguchi died of heart failure on Sept. 7, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK. Born to Japanese parents in northern China in 1920 and raised in Japan’s wartime puppet state Manchukuo, Yamaguchi was adopted by a Chinese friend of her father and was renamed “Xianglan,” or “Fragrant Orchid,” when she was 13. She debuted as Chinese singer Li Xianglan — Rikoran in Japanese — and starred in Chinese-language films made by the Japanese-run Manchurian Cinema Association, many of them propaganda movies. During its militaristic march across Asia in the first half of the 20th century, Japan operated coal mines and railroads and forced China’s last emperor, Pu Yi, to be head of a puppet government in Manchuria, which the Japanese called Manchukuo. Widely believed to be Chinese, Yamaguchi was a star in Asia, particularly in Japan.
Yoshiko Yamaguchi
“Yue Lai Xiang,” one of her best known songs, is still popular among Chinese singers. In the movie `’Song of the White Orchid,” she depicted a young Chinese woman who falls in love with a Japanese man after her family is killed by the Japanese. Chinese authorities arrested Yamaguchi after the war and accused her of being a Chinese traitor. But a friend produced family records proving her Japanese origin, saving her from execution. She apologized for her {see YAMAGUCHI cont’d on page 10}
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SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR THU 9/18 WHAT: AARP Seattle Life Reimagined Speaker Series: George Takei WHERE: Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave., Seattle WHEN: 5:30-9 p.m. PARKING: $5 INFO: aarp.org
RSVP: suzanne.pak@cmsclinic. org, 917-318-0790
SAT 9/20
FRI 9/19
WHAT: The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs’ public board meting WHERE: Yakima Valley Community Hall, 211 West 2nd St., Wapato WHEN: 10 a.m. INFO: seattle.naaap.org
WHAT: Ground-breaking Ceremony for Kin On Expansion Project – Phase I WHERE: Kin On Health Care Center, 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle WHEN: 10-11:30 a.m. RSVP: by September 15 at 206721-3630, or at hwong@kinon.org
WHAT: Danny Woo Community Garden Harvest Fest & Farm-toTable Dinner, proceeds to benefit the garden WHERE: 620 S. Main St., Seattle WHEN: 12-3 p.m. INFO: lchung@interimicda.org or 206.624.1802 x10
WHAT: Medicare Workshop WHERE: ACRS, 3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Seattle WHEN: 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
WHAT: Living Voices presents, “Within the Silence” featuring Ruth Yeo-Peterman WHERE: Bellevue Arts
Museum, 510 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue WHEN: 3:30 p.m. RSVP: khenry@bellevuewa.gov, 425-452-7886 INFO: www.livingvoices.org/ wts/wts.html WHAT: 4th Annual Nihonmachi Nite WHERE: South Main Street between 5th Ave. S. and 6th Ave. S. WHEN: 4-8 p.m. INFO: mary@cidbia.org or 206382-1197
THRU SUN 9/21 WHAT: Exhibit of Jade Buddha for Universal Peace WHERE: Duoc Su Temple, 6924 42nd Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 8 a.m.-10 p.m., daily COST: Free
SUN 9/21 WHAT: Shamisen, Koto & Kokyu Concert WHERE: Poncho Concert Hall, Cornish College of the Arts WHEN: 7-9 p.m. COST: $15-$25 INFO: Cornish.edu/presents
MON 9/22 WHAT: Nickelsville Community Forum WHERE: IDEA Space, 409 Maynard Ave., Seattle WHEN: 5 p.m.
TUE 9/23 WHAT: Preparing for Work (ESL level 5/6 students) WHERE: Bellevue College Main Campus, Room 101, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue WHEN: 5:30 p.m.
INFO: bellevuecollege.edu/ prepforwork WHAT: Negotiation - “Getting to Yes” in Asia WHERE: John M. Davis Conference Center, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP (Law office), 1201 3rd Avenue, Suite 2200 (22nd floor), Seattle WHEN: 6:30-8 p.m. COST: $20 REGISTRATION: abf9-23-14. eventbrite.com
WED 9/24 WHAT: The 10th Annual All Chambers Business After Hours WHERE: The Foundry by Herban Feast, 4130 1st Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m. COST: $20, $30 after 9/22 REGISTER: 206-389-7215
Have an event to promote? Please send us the details at least 14 days in advance to info@nwasianweekly.com.
King County Invitation to Bid Project: Wastewater Structural Leak, Joint Sealant, and Grouting Repairs 2014 Work Order, C00848C13 Sealed Bid Time/Date: 1:30pm, September 25, 2014 Location Due: King County Procurement & Contract Services Section, Contracts Counter, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 Engineer’s Estimate: NTE $500,000 Scope of Work: The work under this Contract consists of structural leak, joint sealant, and grouting repairs within the Wastewater Treatment Division. The work will include repairs to wastewater tanks, equipment and piping supports, and other wastewater facilities constructed of concrete, masonry, and metal. The methods of repair may include chemical grout injection, joint sealant, and waterproofing membrane application. Work site: Various King County Wastewater Treatment Division facilities throughout King County, Washington. The work performed under this Contract shall not exceed $500,000.00 and the initial Contract Time shall not exceed 365 calendar days from the date of Contract execution by the County. The County does not guarantee any minimum amount of work or that the dollar amount of the Work Orders issued will total $500,000.00 during the duration of this Contract. At the County’s sole discretion, this Contract may be extended for one additional year or until the Not to Exceed Contract Price is reached, whichever occurs first. In no event shall the Contract Time be greater than two years from the date of Contract execution by the County. Contact Information: Kelly McKeever, Contract Specialist, 206-263-9389, TTY Relay: 711, Fax: 206-296-7675, or kelly.mckeever@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-Bid Conference: No pre-bid conference or site tour is scheduled. Apprenticeship Requirements: No minimum Apprentice Utilization Requirement. SCS Utilization Requirements: The Contractor shall ensure that at least five percent (5%) of the total price for all executed work orders shall be performed by King County Certified SCS Firms over the life of the Contract. Bid Bond: Not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Bid Price. Bid 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 Bid Time 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.
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
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■ arts & entertainment Noh-inspired drama comes to Seattle By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly Local composer Garett Fisher’s new project is a collaboration with the Takeda Noh Troupe, led by famous Noh theater actor Munenori Takeda. The “Tomoe + Yoshinaka” program, running Sept. 26th through Sept. 28th at Seattle’s ACT Theatre, will present Troupe’s version of the classic Noh opera “Tomoe,” plus Garrett’s modern-opera adaptation of the same story called “Yoshinaka.” Mr. Fisher took some questions over e-mail. NWAW: How did you first become interested in Japanese Noh drama and Japanese culture in general? How did your knowledge of Noh drama grow and change over time?
Munenori Takeda
Garrett Fisher: When I was at Oberlin, I worked in the conservatory’s music library. I catalogued all incoming CD’s and DVD’s and so I listened to a wide variety of recordings from different genres and traditions. While at Oberlin, I also spent a semester in London on a theatre program. Over the course of my time there, I studied various forms of theater in the college. It was then that I grew interested in many kinds of formalistic theater, including Chinese opera, Elizabethan drama, Ancient Greek tragedy, and Japanese Noh theatre. I thought that these forms’ structures--often based on simple, clear premises--created clear, grounded structures that supported my more fluid compositional style. When I moved to Seattle, I had the
opportunity to meet and work with performers interested in Asian music traditions. I got to know Taiko performers, as well as Noh performers. Noh dramas are often based on very simple plots. I’m drawn to how their simplicity gives way to a deep, rich undercurrent of meaning. The words can often mean multiple things at once, and sometimes the plot becomes secondary to the development of themes and metaphors. The concept of time in Noh drama is different than in Western drama --it’s more elastic. In Hollywood films, for example, there also seems to be a sense of urgency to the plot which I think reflects our modern world. In Noh, there is an appreciation of silence and stillness,
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with the understanding that these elements can be as equally powerful as bombastic Wagnerian chords. Small, subtle gestures and movements can mean large things. I think Noh theatre has broadened my understanding of what “dramatic” can mean. NWAW: What is the history and standard features of Noh? Garrett Fisher: Noh is the oldest classical dance-dramas in Japan. It was developed in the 14th century from religious sources and folk myths. It is a combination of drama, music, and dance. Noh is also one of the five major forms of traditional Japanese theater. After 1374, Noh was patronized
by the warrior class, whereas Kabuki (traditional theater) and Bunraku (classical puppetry) developed later for the common people. Noh is characterized by symbolic gestures and simple sets. There is no curtain between the stage and the audience, as in other traditional theater. The chief actor (shite) and his associates (shite-zure) wear various kinds of masks (Noh-men) to denote the characters they represent, such as an old man, a samurai, a young woman, a demon, an animal, or a supernatural being. Additionally, it is common for men to play the roles of female characters. As part of this evening, in the traditional Noh opera Tomoe (the first half of the evening, before my “Yoshinaka”), Mr. Takeda will perform the role of the woman warrior Tomoe. NWAW: What is the story around which you’ve constructed your new opera? Garrett Fisher: I first met Munenori a little over a year ago, while he was in Seattle performing. Because I don’t speak Japanese, our conversations have happened through translators. At one of our first meetings, we brainstormed on ways that we could bring Noh theatre to the United States. One idea was to present a doublebill, in which the first half was the traditional Noh opera and the second was a modern interpretation of the same story. Munenori suggested the Noh drama “Tomoe,” which is based on an epic love story that’s very popular in Japan. In the story, a woman {see NOH cont’d on page 14}
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SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
■ sports
The Layup Drill
Nishikori, Team Philippines and South Korean Little Leaguers By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly
full recovery after cooling off. It was a great individual achievement for Peng despite needing to retire. In addition to her budding play as a singles competitor, she is a top doubles player with her partner, Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan. The two are the number 1 doubles team in women’s tennis. This year, they won the title at the French Open and won the doubles title at Wimbledon in 2013. Peng has an interesting story. She started playing tennis at the age of 8, when she was introduced to the game by an uncle who is a famous tennis coach in China. At age 12, a medical exam revealed that she had to have heart surgery. Many thought that the operation would be the end of her playing career. However, her love for the game of tennis drew her back.
Big US Open for Asian Athletes
The U.S. Open had two major storylines for Asian tennis fans. First, Kei Nishikori made it to the U.S. Open men’s final. The 24-year-old Japanese tennis star made a remarkable run through the tournament. His play during the tournament in New York drew the popularity of Japanese fans that stayed up all night to watch him play and professed to name their first-born after the men’s tennis star. One of Nishikori’s coaches knows about being an underdog in a grand slam tennis tournament: Michael Chang. You may recall that the Chinese American won the French Open in 1989 when he was just 17 years old. Nishikori began playing tennis at the age of five. His mother is a piano teacher and his father is an engineer. Not knowing a word of English, Nishikori left Japan to train at a sports academy IMG in Bradenton, Fla. Japanese sponsors helped fund his move to Florida so that he could concentrate on being a better player. Nishikori is relatively small in stature, 5 feet 10 inches, in comparison to other tennis players comfortably over 6 feet, but he packs a lot of power. Nishikori has drawn some of the more memorable matches during the tournament. He defeated the number 1 seeded tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic. He also had to play over four hours to defeat the number 6 player in the world, Milos Raonic to get to the quarterfinals. The match ended at 2:26 am in the morning and he did not get to bed until 6 a.m. Fortunately, Nishikori did
Philippines display solid effort at Basketball World Championships
Kei Nishikori
not have to play that day. With both of his parents watching in person in the U.S. Open Final, Nishikori could not play the way he wanted against Marin Cilic. Perhaps it was a case of nerves or Cilic was just the better player that day. He lost in three straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. In defeat, Nishikori addressed his team and fans, “Sorry I couldn’t get a [first place] trophy today, but for sure next time,” said Nishikori. “It was a fun two weeks.” Based on his strong performance at the U.S. Open, Nishikri is now the 8th ranked men’s player in the world. It’s the highest he’s been ranked in his career. On the women’s side, China’s Peng Shuai
had the tournament of a lifetime. Peng made a surprising run to the women’s semifinals of the U.S. Open – the farthest she has ever gone in a grand slam Peng Shuai as a singles player. The 28-year-old was in a tight match with the 10th ranked women’s player in the world, Caroline Wozniaki, when she experienced leg cramps, which caused her to retire (forfeit) the match. Peng was carted off the tennis court in a wheelchair. The cause of the cramps was due to the extreme heat that they were playing in. She was able to make a
510 Maynard Ave. S Seattle, WA 98104 206-623-1776 EasternCafe
The Philippines’ men’s National Team gave a solid effort in this year’s Basketball World Championships. The tournament is a pre-cursor to the Summer Olympics two years from now in Brazil. While we may expect Team USA to win the tournament, the Philippines fell short of advancing. Yet, their play was noteworthy. OK, admittedly they were 1-4 and the team’s only victory was an overtime win against Senegal. Yet, the four losses were all very close and against formidable opponents, including Croatia, Argentina, Greece, and Puerto Rico. All of the countries have had past success in international basketball play. {see SPORTS cont’d on page 12}
Capitol Hill Oasis coming soon! Renton Oasis, 501 S. Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 (Inside Renton’s Uwajiamaya)
Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat & Sun 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Happy Hour Daily 4-7 p.m.
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Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Fri & Sat 11 a.m.-2 a.m. 519 6th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 447-8098 oasisteazone.com Open Daily Serving the community since 2001
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ PICTORIAL
SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
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A night in Chinatown Moon Festival Night Market
The historic Publix Hotel displays a light-shadow featuring the Night Market
An audience gathers to observe the main stage
Jenga challenge booth sponsored by Oasis
Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team
The Muckleshoot Casino passed out wood platters and soy sauce plates The crowd participates on the main stage
■ names in the news Fukushima students visit Seattle
media mingling and chatting for the first hour, then each candidate was allotted one minute for a brief speech stating their platform. The event was sponsored by Sound Publishing, Sun Ya Restaurant, ethnic media and many other ID businesses.
Poetry book about World War II released Myanmar leaders at UW
USAID. Representatives from the Myanmar group gave short presentations and answered questions about media access, the political situation, and other topics. Fukushima students on their way to Seattle
Candidates meet with ethnic media
The Japan-America Society of the State of Washington (JASSW) hosted eight students from Fukushima University to visit Seattle for a week on Sept. 8. The students got to Ride the Ducks, go to a Mariners game, visit the NVC Memorial Hall, Microsoft and the Boeing Factory.
University of Washington hosts Myanmar leaders The University of Washington’s (UW) Jackson School and the iSchool’s Technology and Social Change group hosted 25 Myanmar’s leaders from government, media, libraries, and ethnic communities over the summer. The leaders participated in workshops for five weeks about information strategies and held panel discussions open to the public. The leaders were partly sponsored by Microsoft/
Candidates meet and greet ethnic media
The 5th annual Ethnic Media Candidates Meet n Greet was on Sept. 11 at Sun Ya. Forty-one candidates were in attendance and 26 ethnic media organizations were there. The event started at 5 p.m. with candidates and ethnic
Lawrence Matsuda
University of Washington alumnus and poet Lawrence Matsuda recently released, “Glimpses of a Forever Foreigner,” in collaboration with artist Roger Shimomura. The book contains 38 poems about Minidoka, a Japanese concentration camp during World War II where Matsuda was born, after the war, friends and family, and the Fukushima disaster. There are four existing paintings and 18 original illustrations, including the cover by Shimomura. The book is available at Elliot Bay Books, Kobo, or online at Amazon.com.
Send your exciting news to editor@nwasianweekly.c om.
Photos by George Liu/NWAW
There were crowds, culture, and nightlife in Chinatown last Saturday. The annual International District/Chinatown Night Market was a hit if you gauge by the huge crowds. Streets were packed with crowds along 5th Avenue and Jackson (and beyond), parking was almost impossible to find, and lines at the impressive amount of food trucks were not short. Highlights included a breakdancing competition on the main stage, the food trucks selling a wide variety of cuisine (from Hawaiian plates to hot dogs) and there was plenty of people watching. Many of the local businesses were open, so if you didn’t want to weather the crowds, you could easily find an open restaurant (but even those were packed!). It was a lively evening of entertainment, food, and exploring Chinatown culture.
asianweekly northwest
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SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
OPINION
■ PUBLISHER'S BLOG What the International District needs
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
Eastern Café and…
I-Miun Liu
When one out of five small businesses fails in its first year nationwide, Chinatown’s Eastern Café is bucking statistics. It is only a year old, making money, and expanding. I-Miun Liu, owner of the Eastern and Oasis Tea Zone, a popular hangout for youth in the International District (ID), is probably one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the community. At 33, Liu is not only driven, but also ready with ideas on how to make the ID vibrant. He is developing two other cafés, one in Capitol Hill and another inside Renton’s Uwajimaya. His parents are from Taiwan, and he is a UW grad and a former banker. The success of Eastern doesn’t mean that everything was served on a silver platter. Fourteen years ago, he and his parents started Oasis, specializing in bubble tea. Only one customer showed up on the first day of business. Although Oasis took a few years to be profitable, it is one of the busiest among all Chinatown bubble tea outlets. Now, his parents have
Friends and neighbors socializing
left to start another cafe in the University District. Where is the hub in the ID and what would draw customers? According to Liu, the ID lacked a nice, casual place for people to sit down, meet, relax, have a snack or beer, or access Wi-Fi while having coffee. The idea for Eastern Café was then born. After running Oasis for years, he learned how to distinguish the café from its competitors, and he was ready to start his path of entrepreneurship. Impressive, since the storefront vacancy in the area is about 30-40 percent. How can the ID attract viable businesses? What should small business do to sustain themselves? Liu believes the ID is full of assets and potential—we are a unique neighborhood. People come here for cultural experiences. It’s a place for families. It consists of Japantown, Chinatown, and Little Saigon. He compares Lake Union (certainly growing) and the ID, but he believes that what the ID offers is that it is a place of history. “You can’t buy history. No one wants
to stay in Lake Union after work. No one wants to bring their family there on weekends.” “What the ID needs is diversity,” he added. “We can’t just have the same [restaurants] doing the same menu” to attract people to come here. “What we need is someone who cares about this community, who wants to invest in the neighborhood to be what it is” and “create something whether a product or place, which people enjoy.” That’s exactly what Liu does with Eastern. Liu transformed a former boring office clinic into a café of two floors filled with interesting artwork and decor. Each piece of the café’s furniture is meticulously selected. No one could recognize that the café was once a stale and confined office. Advice from Liu: Entrepreneurs should aim at selling something different and focus on what the ID currently doesn’t have. How about special retail stores specializing in Asian sauces or Asian-themeddesigned scarves? We should regard his insight.
Walk into Eastern Café and you will find Liu’s customers are mostly people who work, live, and love the ID. “This is the best gathering and meeting place,” said Paul Mar, who works in the ID. He quickly sat down like he was coming home after work, chatting with 10 of his friends about the highlights of their day. “You are more likely to bump into neighbors here,” said Ching Chen, Mar’s colleague. “It has good coffee,” said Jamie Lee. The group of friends would rather support a local, familyowned cafe than Starbucks. Then I saw someone who works upstairs in our building, who bought a big bag of coffee beans. She said the special coffee is only available at Eastern and not grocery stores. Who was serving the customers? Liu himself. He made coffee and sandwiches, served beer, while running around and greeting customers at the same time. Liu said Eastern couldn’t be what it is today without the support
of the community. His businesses are a collaboration of ideas from neighbors—the gist of Eastern Café’s success—the strengths of the ID, where Asian Americans, American-born and immigrants, work together, making the community a better place. And Liu gives back. Oasis was a sponsor for the ID Night Market’s game booths last week. The proceeds went to the Chinatown/ International District Business Improvement Association.
Want to get the inside scoop on the latest happenings of Seattle’s Asian American community? Follow Publisher Assunta Ng’s blog at nwasianweekly.com under the Opinion section.
{YAMAGUCHI cont’d from page 5} duplicity and was allowed to leave China. After the war, Yamaguchi appeared in two Hollywood films and on Broadway during the 1950s. At home, she starred in Akira Kurosawa’s film “Scandal,” Seijun Suzuki’s “Escape at Dawn,” and other movies. She then largely withdrew from the silver screen, but the story of her dramatic life was made into dramas and musicals that are performed even today. Her 1987 autobiography “Half My Life as Rikoran” was a best-seller. After her first marriage to Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi ended in the mid-1950s, Yamaguchi married Hiroshi Ohtaka, who was Japan’s ambassador to Burma, now Myanmar, and occasionally appeared on television. In 1974, she was elected to parliament’s Upper House as a member of the governing Liberal Democratic Party and served until 1992. She was among the contributors to a private atonement fund for Asian “comfort women” used as prostitutes for Japan’s wartime military.
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
OPINION
■ editorial
Neighborhood love for a local institution The little market that could
A post on social media website nextdoor.com instigated a lot of virtual hugs for the Saveway Mart. The Saveway has been a local icon in downtown Pioneer Square for over 50 years. There is no question that it has an interesting reputation. Located in what is probably considered a “Seattle-sketchy,” area, it has numerous monikers: “Murder Mart,” “Death Mart,” “Stab and Grab,” etc. (You get the idea.) The location is notorious for drug-dealing, hyperactive sports fans, homelessness, and late-night club-goers. The initial post which incited response was written by John Butler: “This family as you can imagine has put up with untold amount of outside forces that might have caused most to give up. Instead what I have found is an unbending commitment to the neighborhood, they offer many of the marginalized population jobs, the customers on SNAP credit when they are at the end of a month, and what has amazed me the most is their offer of respect to every customer, many that you and I may find hard to extend.” There were thumbs-up appreciation and “thank yous” everywhere (except for one poster who complained about the clientele: “I can’t go in there without being bugged by some scalllywags lurking outside the door.” The Saveway: It can be defined as a deli, convenience store, the place you buy eggs or beer. You can buy the New York Times and condoms, potato salad, and toilet paper. It is located in the heart of Occidental Park and it has been there for over 50 years, the last 15 years managed by the Hurs. Louis Hur and Jae Hur moved from Seoul, Korea on advice from Louis’s sister. The reason for moving? Simply, “We wanted a better life,” says Louis. They originally opened a store in South Park, by Boeing Field, but then took the opportunity to lease the current location in Pioneer Square, in a corner of a neighborhood which most businesses would hesitate to occupy. When most would flee, they held steady. In fact, their lessor told them he was surprised they would last for
SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
■ COMMENTARY
Seattle market rebounds, foreclosure remains in the API community By Diana Chen Northwest Asian Weekly
Jae, Larry, and Louis Hur (with Yorkie "Papas") Diana Chen
more than two years. So they have remained, amid the craziness that is Pioneer Square and downtown Seattle. The store is manned by the Hurs and their children, Jean, Patty, and Patty. They have also offered job opportunities to the community (Manuel is allowed to bring his cute Chihuahua to work. John always greets customers and canines.) According to Hur, the homeless population is not a hassle. In fact, they tend to be the most gracious and considerate customers. Shoplifting has not been an issue as much as many would think. (But they do post pictures of shoplifters, so make sure to smile, because you will be on camera.) And what will happen to the little market with the fancy new development in downtown? It looks good. There will probably be more yay, yay, yays for Saveway. Weyerhauser will be opening their new corporate office right on the next block, introducing over 800 new employees into the neighborhood. Hopefully we will keep paying respect to those businesses that have decided to stick around and support our neighborhoods all these years. According to the response on social media, there is nothing to worry about.
Seattle home prices have rebounded dramatically in the past 18 months, with more than a 9.5 percent increase in median home sales prices from 2012 to 2013, nearly bringing median prices to pre-recession heights seen in 2007. Zillow reports that 92.5 percent of Seattle-metro area homes are in positive equity positions, putting the Seattlemetro area among the top five areas in the nation. This should be good news, but what about those who have not benefitted from the upward market? What about those who did not receive help during the foreclosure crisis, or those who did, but lost their homes anyway? Who are the homeowners who were left behind and are still facing foreclosure? What, if any, work is being done to assist homeowners in a post-crisis market?
On June 19, an InterDepartmental Team (IDT) of the Seattle City Council issued a report answering some of these questions. The City Council directed the IDT to explore principal reduction and other foreclosure prevention programs that can help low-income homeowners whose home value is significantly underwater and may be at risk of foreclosure. The report revealed – not surprisingly – that the recession and mortgage industry implosion had a disparate impact in zip codes with higher numbers of low-income and minority-owned households. The report identified five Seattle zip codes that experienced the highest rate of foreclosure activities between 2011 and 2014. These zip codes include 98118 (Southeast Seattle, Genesee to Rainier Beach), 98106 (West Seattle, Delridge), 98108 (South Park, Beacon Hill), 98126 (West Seattle, Highpoint), and 98144 (Beacon Hill, Central District). Nearly 50 percent of the underwater and seriously delinquent homes in recent years have been located in these five zip codes, most of which have higher numbers of low-income households and homeowners who are persons of color, compared to owner-households in Seattle as a whole. Notably, the 98108 zip code shows a higher population {see CHEN cont’d on page 13}
King County Invitation to Bid Project: King County Mechanical Construction Work Order, C00934C14 Sealed Bid Time/Date: 1:00 p.m., September 23, 2014 Location Due: King County Procurement & Contract Services Section, Contracts Counter, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 Engineer’s Estimate: $500,000 Scope of Work: Scope includes furnishing all labor, tools, equipment, materials, incidentals, superintendents, subcontractor coordination and overhead to perform mechanical repairs, replacements, minor modifications, upgrades, tenant and safety improvements in King County buildings, listed in §011000. The work includes HVAC repairs and modifications, plumbing, equipment installation, fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler, and related trade work including subcontractors, in secured jail facilities, office buildings, courthouses, public health clinics, King County Sheriff precincts, emergency management facilities and other county owned facilities as required. Secure facilities will require comprehensive background checks for all personnel accessing the facility. Work sites: Various buildings throughout King County, Washington. This Contract will be managed and utilized through FMD’s web based Project Management Application, Unifier. Each user has a unique username and
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password that will be used for approval and considered a signature. Access and training in Unifier will be provided by the County free of charge. The work performed under this Contract shall not exceed $500,000.00 and the initial Contract Time shall not exceed 365 calendar days from the date of Contract execution by the County. The County does not guarantee any minimum amount of work or that the dollar amount of the Work Orders issued will total $500,000.00 during the duration of this Contract. At the County’s sole discretion, this Contract may be extended for one additional year or until the Not to Exceed Contract Price is reached, whichever occurs first. In no event shall the Contract Time be greater than two years from the date of Contract execution by the County. Contact Information: Ruth Williamson, Contract Specialist, 206-263-9333, TTY Relay: 711, Fax: 206296-7675, or ruth.williamson@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-Bid Conference: A pre-bid conference is not scheduled. Subcontracting Opportunities: Electrical; Painting; Drywall; Fire Alarm Systems. Apprenticeship Requirements: No minimum Apprentice Utilization Requirement. SCS Utilization Requirements: The Contractor
shall ensure that at least 10% of the total price for all executed work orders shall be performed by King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) firms over the life of the Contract. Bid Bond: Not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Bid Price. Bid 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 Bid Time 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.
asianweekly northwest
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SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
{SPORTS cont’d from page 8} The team was led by former NBA star Andray Blatche. Most recently, Blatche played with the Brooklyn Nets. He was granted Filipino citizenship, so he could play in the FIBA World Cup. In granting Blatche citizenship, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara stated Filipinos are a “sports-loving nation with a distinct affection for basketball.” The rules according to the International Basketball Federation, or FIBA, states that each team may have one naturalized player in the tournament. It is rumored that the Philippines paid Blatche close to $1 million for his play. It was the first time that the Philippines competed in the World Cup of basketball in 35 years. The acquisition of Blatche was a good choice. He averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds per game for the Philippines. After the tournament ended for the Philippines, Blatche indicated that he would not be able to play with the team in South Korea for the Asian Games. This may not be a problem as Blatche’s former teammate and current Portland Trailblazer, Robin Lopez, has notified them of his availability to play for Team Philippines. Outside of Manny Pacquiao fights, one might conclude that the Philippines’ national sport is basketball. Even though the national team fell short in the international tournament, there appears to be hope for the future.
Filipino American ball player is one of the newest Lakers
Many people in the Seattle area may believe that their adopted NBA team is the Los Angeles Clippers due to the recent change in ownership as former Microsoft head Steve
{NOH cont’d from page 7} warrior is not allowed to die with her lord, Yoshinaka, in battle. I thought the themes of sexuality and gender equality were quite contemporary and, on an abstract level, ones that we struggle with today. In the original story, the ghost of Tomoe tells of how she is still tormented by the past. The opera ends that way. I wanted to create an opera that complementedTomoe and served as some kind of response, one in which the story is somehow resolved. The theme of unrequited love also brought to mind Western stories, such as “Romeo and Juliet” and “Tristan and Isolde.” I’ve had fun finding ways to reference them in my own opera. NWAW: How does your approach compare and contrast with older, more conventional approaches? Garrett Fisher: Noh theatre is a codified and matured art form, centuries
Ballmer purchased the Clippers for an astronomical $2 billion (yes, with a b). The Clippers also have Seattle area native Jamal Crawford, who has grown his annual summer league tournament here in Seattle into a must-see, with such NBA stars as Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, former UW basketball player Terrence Ross, and teammate Chris Paul playing in the league. Of course, the Clippers are one of the younger and exciting teams in the NBA. But how about the Lakers? We’ve written about Jeremy Lin. He’ll be under the microscope in Los Angeles as either a starting point guard or the backup to the aging Steve Nash. One other person to be on the lookout for is Jordan Clarkson. Get to know his name. He was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers out of the University of Missouri this past June. He may see some significant playing time for the Lakers this season as the team rebuilds. Clarkson’s mother is Filipino. At 6’5”, Clarkson should be one of the bigger guards on the Lakers squad and will be the understudy to both Nash and Lin. If you follow NBA basketball, look for Jordan Clarkson this season.
Cung Le contributes to Vietnamese orphanage
Cung Le, 42-year-old mixed martial artist (MMA), was in the main event at an Ultimate Fighting Championship event this past August in Macau, China. Le, who has had an esteemed kickboxing and MMA career, donated a portion of the proceeds from his fight earnings to an orphanage in Vietnam. Le, who is Vietnamese, wanted to make a difference and decided that the donation of money and supplies would be a good way of giving back. Le lived in two refugee camps when he was young.
old. It requires of its performers a lifetime of training. My piece is not a Noh opera, but instead aims to be Nohinspired. I use Western instruments and Western-trained singers, and an original libretto that’s mainly in English. As with other operas I’ve written, I try to incorporate more abstract elements of Noh theater and Asian sensibilities in a way that bridges the East and West. NWAW: What were your goals, and do you believe you realized them? In creating Garrett Fisher: “Yoshinaka,” I’ve hoped to create a piece that is inspired by the beauty of Noh in a way that Western audiences, who have little experience with Noh, can appreciate. I guess we’ll have to wait for the production to see if I’ve realized it. Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
TAITUNG
Unfortunately for Le, he was decimated in his fight with Michael Bisping, suffering cuts around both eyes making it difficult to see. The fight was eventually stopped due to his injuries. Although Le’s fight did not turn out the way he wanted, his gesture of giving back will be remembered by those he helped.
South Korea wins Little League World Series
The boy’s baseball team from South Korea won the 2014 Little League World Series held in Williamsport, Pa. this past August. The team beat the team from Illinois, the American champion of the tournament. The day before they beat Illinois, South Korea defeated the reigning Little League world champions from Japan. The Japanese team ended up in third place in the tournament after winning the consolation game. It was the first time that South Korea returned to the tournament in 29 years, and the players and their fans enjoyed every minute of their return. The supporters of South Korea wore ceremonial topcoats and waved ornate fans to cheer on the boy’s team. The fans danced to music playing in between innings. The players, still kids, danced before the games. This year’s Little League event was highlighted by 13-yearold girl pitcher Mo’ne Davis of Chicago. She became a national sensation and a media darling before her team eventually fell. Davis’ stardom underscored the increase fame and pressure of this event. Despite the added scrutiny of this event, which is covered by ESPN and treats the kids like big-league players, most of the kids were still able to just have fun like the team from South Korea. Jason Cruz can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
NOTICE OF ELECTION International Special Review District Board In accordance with SMC 23.66, as amended Nomination Deadline: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 Mailing address: Department of Neighborhoods ATTN: ISRD Coordinator PO Box 94649 Seattle, WA 98124-4649 Street address: Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1700 (17th fl) Nomination forms may be submitted via U.S. Postal Service or hand-delivered no later than the close of business day (5:00 p.m.) on Tuesday, October 21st. Nominees and nominators shall sign the nomination form to provide proof of consent.An original signature from the nominee is required; therefore, nomination forms will not be accepted via email or fax. Open Positions:
#3 Business Owner, Property Owner, or Employee #5At-Large
Eligible persons shall be nominated to one position only. Nominees shall be eligible for the selected position in accordance with criteria of the International Special Review District enabling ordinance, SMC 23.66, as amended. Election Date: Polling Place: Time:
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 Bush Asia Hotel, IDEA Space meeting room (409 Maynard Avenue South, basement level) 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Voter eligibility is limited to those 18 years or older. There shall be one vote per voter. Voters must meet at least one of these four categories of eligibility: Property Owner, Employee, Business Person, or Resident (as defined by election procedures for the International Special Review District Board authorized by the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods.) There shall be no voting by proxy or absentee ballot. For more information, contact the International Special Review District Board Coordinator at (206) 684-0226 or visit http://seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/id.htm. NOTE: VOTER REGISTRATION PROCEDURE Voter registration is required. A registration list of eligible voters is kept permanently on file in the Department of Neighborhoods and in the Chinatown/International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) office, located at 409 Maynard Ave. S., basement level.It is not necessary for an eligible voter to register every year unless his or her voting category or address changes. Eligible voters may register by filling out aregistration form and submitting it to the Department of Neighborhoods at any time of the year except forthirty (30) daysprior to the election. Registration forms are available in the Department or in the CIDBIA. On election day, voters will be asked to show one form ofthe followingvalid photographicidentification: driver’s license,photographicidentification card, passport,or permanent resident card,and sign a register. The International Special Review District Board Election Procedures (Amended October 25, 2012) are available upon request.
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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ astrology
SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
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For the week of September 20–September 26, 2014 By Sun Lee Chang
Rat — You are eager to please your audience. There is nothing special that you need to do, just simply be yourself.
Dragon — All the research you have done is about to pay off in a big way. Being informed can only help you from here on out.
Monkey — Address any weaknesses that you see now. You may forget to do so in the rush to complete your project later.
Ox — Do you tend to over think things sometimes? While preparation can be helpful, it is not always warranted or necessary.
Snake — Your tastes could differ drastically from someone else’s. Remember that it is merely a matter of preference, as opposed to which is the right or wrong choice.
Rooster — Someone from your past could show up unexpectedly. It is up to you to determine how much you want them to be a part of your present.
Tiger — Although you have expended much effort, that alone is not reason enough to keep going. Make sure the end goal is still something you want. Rabbit — A whim has you desiring to go on an adventure of sorts. If you are not usually spontaneous, then give it a try.
Dog — Applying too much pressure is not particularly helpful. A better approach would be to provide support and encouragement instead.
Horse — Even though you are naturally attracted to being in the spotlight, it will be in your best interest to fly under the radar for the next few days.
Pig — Are you about to call it quits? Before you give up entirely, take a good look at the entire scene around you.
Goat — A pressing concern should be addressed very soon. Ignoring it will only compound the issue, so act quickly.
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 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.
{CHEN cont’d from page 11} of Asians than any other race. It also shows the most even spread between incomes among the five zip codes. The 98118 zip code, which is home to the second-largest population of Asians among the five zip codes, experienced the largest number of Notices of Trustee’s Sale issued each year since 2008. This issue hits home for me because I grew up in the Seattle Chinese community. I personally experienced the way in which communities of color have disproportionate access to legal services due to language barriers, not knowing who to call, not knowing what resources are trustworthy, and not having the ability to pay for services. These issues inspired me to go to law school to decrease these barriers for my community. After completing my first year of law school, I was drawn to Seattle University School of Law’s Foreclosure Mediation and Outreach Project internship, which I saw as an opportunity to reach out to distressed homeowners who are particularly vulnerable and disproportionately affected by these barriers. Through the project, I was placed in the Foreclosure Prevention Unit (FPU) at Northwest Justice Project’s Seattle office, located just a few blocks west of Chinatown. The FPU was one of several projects funded by the Attorney General’s National Mortgage Settlement, designed to provide free legal representation to low-to-
moderate-income homeowners at risk of or in foreclosure. The FPU represents homeowners in foreclosure mediations under the Foreclosure Fairness Act, a law that passed in 2011. Foreclosure mediation is a process where a neutral third party (a mediator) helps a homeowner and their lender reach a fair, voluntary, and negotiated agreement to avoid foreclosure, such as a loan modification that changes the terms of the mortgage and makes payments more affordable for the homeowner. The FPU also helps people with other legal barriers to foreclosure, such as probate, family law issues, property tax issues, and obtaining a rescue loan. I was excited to use my language skills to help homeowners from my community, but I immediately noticed that the majority of homeowners I was helping were overwhelmingly white. Over the last 12 months, approximately 6.5 percent of callers to the FPU identified themselves as Asian or Pacific Islander. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 8.6 percent of Washington residents are API, so calls to the FPU are disproportionately low. Of the Seattle callers who identified as API, one-third of them were non-English speakers, and half of them were located in the above-identified zip codes. This concerns me because people of color are more susceptible to being victims of fraud, sub-prime lending, and financial instability. In the API community, language barriers and cultural differences can create significant vulnerability for homeowners seeking a loan or a workout option in a foreclosure situation.
What can be done about this? One option that the IDT proposed is a “Seattle Homeowner Stabilization Program,” in which the city would allocate $150,000 to an intensive program providing information, education, and referral services to connect homeowners at risk of foreclosure with free housing counseling and legal services, among other resources. The proposed program would specifically target areas that include higher percentages of low-income households with homeowners who are persons of color and areas that have been more heavily impacted by foreclosures. While the city waits on funding, you can: Contact your Seattle City Council members to voice your concerns and get your questions answered. Get help today! Anyone can call 1-877-894-HOME (4663) to access FREE housing counseling and get foreclosure assistance. There are free interpreters available. Low-to-moderate-income homeowners may also be eligible for help from the statewide civil legal aid toll-free hotline. Call 1-800-606-4819. The legal services are FREE and there are free interpreters available. Diana Chen is a second-year law student at Seattle University School of Law. She currently serves as Miss Chinese Seattle First Princess, co-president of the Asian Pacific Islander Law Student Association, and staff writer for the Seattle Journal for Social Justice. She is passionate about social justice and loves to dance.
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{MILLER cont’d from page 5} court, comprising a chief judge flanked by two “people’s assessors,” ruled it would not hear any appeals to its decision. Earlier, it had been believed that Miller had sought asylum when he entered North Korea. During the trial, however, the prosecution argued that was a ruse and that Miller also falsely claimed to have secret information about the U.S. military in South Korea on his iPad and iPod. Miller was charged under Article 64 of the North Korean criminal code, which is for espionage and can carry a sentence of five to 10 years, though harsher punishments can be given for more serious cases. The Associated Press was allowed to attend the trial. A trial is expected soon for one of the other Americans being held, Jeffrey Fowle, who entered the North as a tourist and was arrested in May for leaving a Bible at a sailor’s club in the city of Chongjin. The third American, Korean American missionary Kenneth Bae, is serving out a 15-year sentence for alleged “hostile acts.” All three have appealed to the U.S. government to send a senior statesman to Pyongyang to intervene on their behalf. During a brief interview with The Associated Press in Pyongyang last week, Miller said he had written a letter to
President Barack Obama but had not received a reply. Following Sunday’s court verdict, the U.S. State Department urged North Korea to release Miller, as well as Bae and Fowle. “Now that Mr. Miller has gone through a legal process, we urge the DPRK to grant him amnesty and immediate release,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement, using North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Fowle, a 56-year-old equipment operator for the city of Moraine, Ohio, said his wife, a hairstylist from Russia, made a written appeal on his behalf to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said the Russian government responded that it was watching the situation. The United States has repeatedly offered to send its envoy for North Korean human rights issues, Robert King, to Pyongyang to seek the freedom of the detainees, but without success. Former President Bill Clinton came in 2009 to free a couple of jailed journalists. Jimmy Carter made the trip in 2010 to secure the release of Aijalon Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labor for illegally crossing into the country to do missionary work. In 2011, the State Department’s envoy for North Korean human rights managed to successfully intervene in the case of
Korean American businessman Eddie Yong Su Jun. The United States has no diplomatic relations with North Korea and strongly warns American citizens against traveling to the country. Uri Tours, a New Jersey-based travel agency specializing in North Korea tourism that handled the arrangements for Miller, said in an e-mail Sunday that it was working to have Miller returned to his parents in the United States. “Although we ask a series of tailored questions on our application form designed to get to know a traveler and his/ her interests, it’s not always possible for us to foresee how a tourist may behave during a DPRK tour,” the travel agency said in a statement on Friday. “Unfortunately, there was nothing specific in Mr. Miller’s tour application that would have helped us anticipate this unfortunate outcome.” The agency said that as a result of the incident, it now routinely requests a secondary contact and reserves the right to contact those references to confirm facts about a potential tourist. It has also added advice warning tourists not to rip up any officially issued documents and “to refrain from any type of proselytizing.” Associated Press National Security writer Lara Jakes contributed to this report from Paris.
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{YU cont’d from page 1}
{LEVINE cont’d from page 1}
College of Loyola University, and received her law degree from the University of Notre Dame. “I decided to pursue a law degree while I was working for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1988 because I came to a fuller understanding of how social justice and social change might be achieved, and I was persuaded that the better path was the law,” Yu said. Yu has been a judge for 14 years and was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the Washington Supreme Court on May 1, 2014. She became the first Asian American, Latina American, and LGBTQ member of the court. Previously, she was deputy chief of staff for King County prosecuting attorney Norm Maleng and later a judge on the King County Superior Court up until her appointment by Inslee. “I would encourage Asian American youth to consider the law,” Yu said. “Law school teaches one to think analytically and even if you never end up practicing law, the training and the skill set you end up with is invaluable for any other career you might pursue.” Yu has received numerous awards, including the 2013 Municipal League Foundation “Public Official of the Year” award and the 2014 “Judge of the Year” award from the Washington Association for Justice. When Yu isn’t working, she likes to read, bike, and run.
anchor for evening broadcasts and heads up Seattle Seahawks sports programming on the network. Levine’s mother, who is Filipino, nurtured his interest in sports at an early age growing up in Calabassas, Calif., a city north of Los Angeles. Levine grew up rooting for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers. He scored an internship, at age 16, at the Fox Sports News affiliate in Los Angeles working for its highlights department. He also worked as a stringer for the Los Angeles Daily News, attending local high school games and writing brief summaries. He continued his pursuit of his dream while attending Stanford University. A golfer, Levine attempted to walk on to the Stanford golf team. Although that did not work out, it left him the opportunity to write for the Stanford Daily. Levine earned a degree in History, as Stanford did not have a broadcast journalism program. In order to learn more about broadcast journalism, he took a class between his sophomore and junior year at NYU over the summer. In 2004, there came the chance of a lifetime—a casting call for a reality show on ESPN which would give the winner a chance to be an ESPN sports anchor. “Of course I had to enter,” recalls Levine. Over 10,000 people attended talent searches nationwide and Levine was one of 12 selected to compete. “Ignorance was bliss,” Levine said of his experience. “I wasn’t trained to be on camera. I hadn’t had a lot of experience at all… Had I realized the magnitude of what I was doing, I probably would have stumbled.” Levine came up just short of winning, as he was runner-up to winner Mike Hall.
Daria Kroupoderova can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
Even with the loss, Levine saw a silver lining. “Best thing that ever happened to me is that I didn’t win the show… I wasn’t ready.” Levine believed that he needed more seasoning as a broadcast journalist. “He (Hall) won a job on ESPN, and I won a free ticket to Bakersfield, California,” Levine joked. In hindsight, Levine saw the job in Bakersfield as an opportunity in disguise. He was able to report on all facets of sports for the region. He recalls being a “one-man band” driving around Bakersfield in a “clunky old sports van that I thought was going to break down.” He covered a variety of sports, including high school sports, minor league hockey, and baseball. It was an opportunity to be a “jack of all trades.” “I always knew that Aaron would do well regardless of the job,” stated Chris Boicelli, assistant news director at KBAK in Bakersfield, where Levine worked. “He has an unwavering love of sports and it comes through in his telling of the story. He’s always been courageous enough to try something new. I can only imagine how far he will go under his terms.” Boicelli was Levine’s executive producer when the two worked together. KBAK news anchor Kurt Rivera said, “That’s the sign of someone who is a true professional, knowing there is always something to learn from, never settling for what he already knows. I miss him here.” After two years in Bakersfield, Levine received a job offer with a Fox affiliate in Portland, Ore., but he had an opportunity for a lunch meeting with a news director in Seattle before moving. He took a detour to Seattle “to plant a seed for the future” prior to starting his job in Portland. Levine had sought an opportunity with KCPQ 13, but was informed
Diversity at the Top is an event honoring Asian Americans who have broken the glass ceiling by achievements in their careers. The event is presented by Northwest Asian Weekly and Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation. Tickets costs $75 before Oct. 13 and $85 after. Walk-in tickets are $90. Students do receive a discount with student ID. To purchase tickets, call 206-223-0623 or e-mail rsvp@nwasianweekly.com.
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that no spot existed. But the lunch meeting persuaded management. “I’ll never forget that before I hopped onto the plane,I got a call from the news director saying, ‘We don’t want you to go to Portland, we want you to come work for us in Seattle.’” Levine took the offer in January 2007. “I consider myself extremely lucky for getting the job here.” Levine has been with the channel ever since. He was promoted to sports director for KCPQ-13 in January 2009. His responsibilities now include anchoring the nightly sportscast, including Sunday night’s QitUp Sports, Seahawks Gameday, Seahawks Saturday Night, and his weekly Sunday night editorials. As his position has expanded, he has been able to work in some entertainment to his sportscasts, including having his mom as a guest to pick NFL football games. Levine’s idea for including his mom on the show was due to David Letterman. On Letterman’s Late Night show, he brought in his mother in on various skits. “One of the biggest reasons I’m a big sports fan is because of my mom,” said Levine of his mom who scours the web for sports news. “The best thing about my parents is that I can call them on a Sunday and read them my commentary.” As far as advice for the young aspiring sports broadcasters, Levine advises internships. In the event that this cannot happen, he indicated that just talking in front of a mirror or turning down the volume of a sports game and giving your own version of the play-by-play helps with practice. And here are some fun facts: Favorite event he has covered: Seahawks winning the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl parade Favorite interview: Richard Sherman Favorite local golf course: Gold Mountain Golf Course in Bremerton Jason Cruz can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.
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SEPTEMBER 20 – SEPTEMBER 26, 2014