VOL 41 NO 38 | SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

see KUNG FU on 12

CISC celebrates 50 years communityof service

Still in the fight Kung

But this past July, Chon realized there wouldn’t be enough profit to offset the outstanding rent he owed this coming November.

“You won’t!” the man yelled. Ev eryone turned and saw a slight young man in a blazer, holding a sign, saying something to the man.

Master Jeffrey Chon with his club students.

A crowd gathered for the rally at Hing Hay Park on Sept. 8.

see RALLY

Rally: Politicians betrayed usover new shelter

By Vivian Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

JunHong’s

to the needs of multi-generational families in multiple languages, for the betterment of King County at large.“Iwas working in Seattle at the Pioneer Square Neighborhood Health Station…and I saw there were many new Chinese immigrants who did not know where to go for check-ups for their illnesses,” recalled John Loo, a CISC founder who now lives in Hong Kong. “And then, there were those who did not know English. They needed others

VOL 41 NO 38 SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 FREE 40 YEARS YOUR VOICE PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA ■ 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

ChonJeffreybyprovidedPhotoCISCfromPhoto

From a card table on the sidewalk to a nonprofit organization assisting 15,000 immigrants and their families every year, Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC) marks 50 years of service this year. While they have expanded over the decades in response to societal trends, CISC’s core mission of creating opportunities for immigrant community members to succeed has never altered. With passion and expertise, they continue to respond

“F— you!” let loose the man in a heavy, throaty yell, who turned and marched violently off.

The club’s staff leapt into action. Khyree Smith, a student-turned-facilitator, tried to introduce several new people to JunHong’s.

JunHong’s Kung Fu Club, a martial arts club founded by master Jeffrey Chon, has been saved from the chopping block.

Fu Club escapes potential closure THE INSIDE STORY COMMUNITY NEWS  3 Tough and good humored at the top HEALTH  5 Back-to-School checklists should include vaccinationsCOVID PICTORIAL  8 C-ID Night Market

Some of the organizers of the rally started to make their way over to him.

Open house at the Bush Hotel basement in the 1970s

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

When the pandemic hit, Chon fell behind on rent. Typically, the club’s summer camps generate a decent amount of revenue, which has sustained the business during the first two years of the pandemic.

Thus were the protesters, which in cluded some as old as 90, young chil dren barely out of kindergarten, resi dents, business owners, community on 16

A man in a dark leather jacket with a bald head and glasses stopped at the edge of Hing Hay Park and was sizing up the more than 100 people sitting in the square or holding signs to protest a new homeless shelter.

“You think if you get rid of them, that you’ll be safe?” he yelled in a loud, booming voice.

Protestors hold signs at the rally

TagawaM.EugenebyPhotos

see CISC on 15

By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

served as the court-appointed U.S. attorney since June af ter being nominated by President Joe Biden, Oregon Pub lic Broadcasting reported.

She most recently served as campaign director building the new Presidio Tunnel Tops Park as part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, a $98 million effort.“The new Waterfront Park is a tribute to the people, landscapes and traditions that define Seattle,” said Shigaki. “I am so honored to lead Friends of Waterfront Seattle and help reactivate our city’s shoreline, reenergize downtown Seattle and create a new dynamic, inclusive public place for people to come together and build new connections with each other and our natural environment. It will be a space centered in community, belonging, safety, and joy.”

Joy Shigaki

Wing Luke Museum, creating the first permanent home. 

Senate confirms Natalie Wight as the Oregon U.S. attorney

Howard Schultz will stay on as interim CEO throughout the transition. He will remain on Star bucks’ board.

1. He will officially begin his role in April and will then join the company’s board of directors, as well.

In the six months be fore Narasimhan officially takes over, he will spend time with Schultz, other company leaders, employees and customers and become acquainted with the reinvention plan recently laid out by Schultz, who has said the company needs an overhaul.

Her appointment goes into effect on Nov. 1. 

NAMES IN THE NEWS



Narasimhan was previously at Reckitt Benckiser and he held several positions at PepsiCo.

Wight graduated from Cleveland High School in Portland. She is the first Black person and the second Asian American person to serve as the district’s U.S. attorney.

Narasimhan is new Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan will become incoming CEO at Starbucks on Oct.

Narasimhan said in a statement that he is “humbled” to join“HeStarbucks.isastrategic and transformational leader with deep experience in building powerful consumer brands,” Schultz said. “He is the leader we were looking for.”

“I’ve partnered with OEO staff in the past and I’m excited to join this exceptional team and learn alongside them to better serve communities of color and improve education for our most vulnerable students,” said Okuno. She holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in public administration from Seattle University.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Natalie Wight as Oregon’s U.S. attorney on Sept. 8—formally making her the top federal law enforce ment official in the state.The longtime fed eral prosecutor has

SeattleWaterfrontofFriendsbyProvided

Natalie Wight

reamlak.TheOEO is crucial to reducing the opportunity gap by supporting fami lies, students, educators, and communities in under standing the public K-12 education system.

Erin Okuno

She previously served as Capital Campaign Manager of

Prior to this appointment, Okuno was the executive di rector of Southeast Seattle Education Coalition since 2014.

Joy Shigaki has been named the new president and CEO of Friends of Waterfront Seattle, the organization announced on Sept. 13

Okuno will replace acting director Yordanos Geb

Shigaki is Friends of Waterfront Seattle’s new CEO

Gov. Jay Inslee an nounced on Sept. 6 the ap pointment of Erin Okuno as director of the Office of Education Ombuds (OEO).



Wight was selected by the White House from three finalists.

Shigaki brings fresh momentum to Friends of Waterfront Seattle at an important time for the organization, with park construction well underway, the Campaign for Waterfront Park recently crossing the halfway point of $100 million, and Friends’ programming on Pier 62 hitting record numbers as tourists and locals return downtown.

Okuno named director of Office of Education Ombuds

■

Laxman Narasimhan

Wight graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2003. She worked as a lawyer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons before becoming a federal prosecutor in California.In2012, Wight became an assistant U.S. attorney in Oregon working on both civil and criminal prosecutions.

2 SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022asianweekly northwest 40 YEARS

As a fourth generation Seattleite, Shigaki was raised in and around Seattle’s parks.

Tough and good humored at the top

Jennifer Kim

see KIM on 12

One on one with SBA's Jennifer Kim

requested, positioned her down a walkway so that her full body appeared, in a skirt, and cajoled and coaxed her with phrases such as, “Come on, I’ve seen you smile better than that.”But Kim, in a follow-up email said these were “good observations,” but “they did not fall in that category” of the kind of behavior she was talking about.

Kim continued, “For a long time this was male dominated, not even talking about the Asian American aspect. In a senior position, you often have to stick up for yourself.”So,when asked how she dealt with patronizing behavior, she said she didn’t ignore it, but gave the person the benefit of the “Youdoubt.know, be creative. My general outlook is to assume the best intentions always for people, and I just focus on what it is that I am trying to do and what it is I am trying to advocate for—and what is the best way to go about that,” sheWhatsaid. happened next, however, seemed at the time to almost test her mode of handling such behavior.

A photographer, though hearing a headshot was

Kim started advocacy work in college at the University of Michigan, where she focused on American History and wrote a thesis about the power of protest music to raise social consciousness. Focusing on musicians such as Woody Guthrie, Charles Mingus, and Bob Dylan, she explored how their music helped integrate American society.

Near the end of the interview, someone interrupted what was clearly a media engagement and began talking with her about personal things. Next, when she was asked to pose for a headshot, a flurry of people intervened. One told her to push her hair behind her ears because she looked better that way.

is critical since the SBA distributed $390 billion worth of aid during the pandemic through the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan program to nearly four million small businesses.

In a recent interview with the Asian Weekly, she said perhaps one of the hardest parts about being in her position was that it was for the first time.

Nothing seems to bother Jennifer Kim.

She was in town for a South Korea export fair, during which the federal government is joining with the Port of Seattle and private industry to offer further resources for local companies interested in exporting to that country.

The first Asian American woman to lead the national network of 10 regional and 68 district offices of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) doesn’t think the

Still, Kim’s openness to questions of all kinds—during the brief interview, she responded to queries that were personal, including about her family, her college thesis, the book, “1984,” Asian American identity, and other more professional ones—makes her personable, disarming, and resilient.Herjob

3SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022YOUR VOICE asianweekly northwest ■ COMMUNITY NEWS

“Oftentimes, you’re the first person that looked like me to do something,” said Kim, whose official title is associate administrator for the Office of Field Operations. “And I think that brings with it some responsibility, but also you have to figure some things out on your own. And you don’t necessarily have a mentor that’s been there before.”

As an example, she said the photographer said those kinds of things to everyone.

many interruptions and attentions she faces have anything to do with her identity.

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

including Japan’s past colonialization of the Korean Peninsula.

Referring to China’s military threats, Tsai said the delegation’s visit “conveys rock solid support for Taiwan from the U.S. Congress.”“Taiwan will not bow to pressure or coercion,” Tsai said. “We will defend our democratic institutions and way of life.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited in early August. China in response has stepped up its military harassment of Taiwan, sending warships, warplanes and drones toward the island daily.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Ma laysia’s foreign minister brought 24 Malaysians back from Cambodia who were rescued from human traffickers on Sept. 9, out of a total of 148 citizens he said have been reported missing in the country. Saifuddin Abdullah said 65 of the 148 missing Malaysians were rescued and brought home earlier, and 29 others are still at immigration centers in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville and will be sent home when their paperwork and investigations

An official who gave only his surname, Fu, at the publicity department of the Hailin Forestry Administration Co. confirmed the balloon incident and described Hu as being in his 40s. He said Hu was recovering in a hospital but declined to give further details.

The other person jumped to the ground, and a search was launched for the escaped balloon and Hu.

“What is most important is that they are coming back to Malaysia today safe and sound. We do not want to go into the details,” Saifuddin said. “There is no guarantee we can stop it (job scams) but we will try our level best.”

The Malaysians, mostly young people, were lured by fake offers of high-paid work in Cambodia and ended up in the hands of human traffickers and were trapped there, heSaifuddinsaid. didn’t provide details on how the 24 people who returned were tricked into going to Cambodia or how long they were trapped. The victims, who appeared at a news conference with Saifuddin, were mostly masked and didn’t speak to reporters.Saifuddin said such job scams are not unique to Cambodia and have been reported

see JAPAN on 14

Another amiddelegationcongressionalUSinTaiwantensions

The U.N. special rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia, Vitit Muntarbhorn,

are completed. Another 30 remain missing, officials said..

LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi said in the survey, 179 of the 379 party parliamentarians reported links to the church and related organizations. The relationships ranged from attending church events to accepting donations and receiving election support. However, Motegi denied there were any ties between the conservative governing party as an organization and the church.

Half of Japan governing lawmakers tied to Unification Church

Saifuddin Abdullah

Ninety-sixdenies.of the LDP lawmakers reported attending events organized by the church or its affiliates, while 20 said they had made speeches. Nearly 50 said they paid money at events, while 29 accepted donations. Abe’s younger brother, former Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and

Last month, Taiwan’s government also said 333 of its citizens were stuck in Cambodia after being lured by crime groups promising high wages for tech jobs. Cambodia’s government said it would launch a nationwide check of all foreigners,

(AP) — Japan’s governing party said on Sept. 8 that an inter nal survey found that nearly half of its national law makers had ties to the thateningChurch,Unificationinawidcontroversyemergedafter

the assassination of former Prime Minis ter Shinzo Abe.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Another U.S. congressional delegation is visiting Taiwan as tensions with China remain high over its claims to the self-governed island.

see TAIWAN on 13

Led by Florida Democrat Stephanie Murphy, the delegation met on Sept. 8 with

ground about 200 miles to the northeast in Fangzheng region, close to the border withHuRussia.wasin good health, apart from a pain in his lower back, possibly from standing the entire time he was in the air, CCTV said.

“I take the results of the party survey seriously,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters. “In the future, the party will sever ties to organizations with known social problems and make it a party policy, so we won’t invite suspicion from the public.”

Cambodian deputy National Police chief Gen. Chhay Sinarith has said authorities in recent years have uncovered numerous illegal online schemes luring workers, and have arrested hundreds of people from mainland China and Taiwan for involvement. Scammers, mainly from China, have used Cambodia as a base for extorting money, Chhay Sinarith said.

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese state media say a man has been found safe after he spent two days aloft in a hydrogen balloon, traveling about 200 miles, after it became untethered and flew away while he was using it to harvest pine nuts from a tree.

24 more Malaysians rescued from Cambodia human traffickers

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Pine nuts are found inside pine cones and are a frequent ingredient in dishes served in the northeast, formerly known as Manchuria. 

see HUMAN TRAFFICKING on 14

State broadcaster CCTV said rescuers were able to contact the man by cellphone the following morning and instructed him to slowly deflate the balloon to land safely. It took another day before he reached the

By MARI YAMAGUCHI ASSOCIATED PRESSTOKYO

4 SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 40 YEARSasianweekly northwest ■ WORLD NEWS

The Unification Church has been accused of inappropriate recruitment and business tactics and of pressuring adherents to make large donations, which the church

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, whose administration China has relentlessly sought to deprive of diplomatic recognition and participation in international organizations.

Chinese man trapped aloft in balloonhydrogenfor2days

Abe was shot to death during a campaign speech in the western city of Nara in July. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, reportedly told police he killed Abe because of his apparent link to the Unification Church. A letter and social media postings attributed to him said large donations by his mother to the church bankrupted his family and ruined hisThatlife. led to revelations of widespread ties between the governing Liberal Democratic Party and the South Koreabased church, which experts say urges Japanese followers to make large donations to make amends for their ancestral sins,

especially those residing or working at hotels, rented properties or casinos, to search for victims of human traffickers.

in other places, including South Africa. About 500 Malaysian companies operate in Cambodia, and 5,000 Malaysians work or do business safely there, he said.

The man, identified only by his surname, Hu, and a partner were collecting pine nuts on Sept. 4 in a forest park in Heilongjiang province in northeastern China when they lost control and the balloon sailed off.

A steady stream of U.S. visitors has come to meet with Taiwanese officials since U.S.

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“Getting children vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 is an important step in protecting their health and safety in and outside of school while also providing safe measures to other loved ones, especially for Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) families living in multigenerational homes,” said Jeffrey Caballero, MPH, executive director of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO).

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Qualified Health Centers and communitybased organizations, CHW is an initiative aimed at expanding COVID-19 vaccine outreach and driving education initiatives that serve vulnerable AANHPI communities, providing services from health education to interpretation and referrals.“Forfamilies looking to provide vaccines and boosters to their children as they get back to school, but face barriers when it comes to language, or access to proper resources and information, it’s important that we do our best to serve those in the community,” said Caballero.

For more information and to find a vaccine, visit vaccines.gov.

Back-to-School checklists should include COVID vaccinations

• Protect their child. Getting vacci nated can help prevent serious illness and keep children learning in-person for the entire school year. COVID vaccines were developed with safety as a top priority, and side effects are generally mild, if they oc cur at all.

• Help avoid interruptions to in-person learning. Asymptomatic, vaccinated close contacts may not need to quarantine at home following an exposure to someone with COVID. Getting vaccinated helps students and staff remain safely in school.

• Help prevent extracurriculars, sports, and other activities from getting canceled. Activities like sports, band, and chorus can be safer and more likely to con tinue uninterrupted if all participants are up to date with COVID vaccines.

• Allow children to keep doing the things they love. Getting vaccinated can keep children from missing out on the fun of childhood—like sleepovers, birthday parties, sporting events and more.

The new school year is here. In addition to buying pencils and notebooks and putting school clothes in order, getting kids vaccinated against COVID-19 is an essential step for getting back into the classroom. All children 6 months and older are eligible for COVID vaccines, and children ages 5 and older who have already been vaccinated are eligible for a booster for continued protection.

As of Aug. 25, CDC data showed that roughly 30% of children ages 5 through 11 are fully vaccinated, and among them only 4% have received their first booster dose.

To increase vaccine and booster uptake across the country, the We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign continues to engage community-based organizations as partners.

Parents should know getting their children vaccinated will:

By the We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign

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5SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022YOUR VOICE asianweekly northwest ■ HEALTH

• Protect the whole family, including vulnerable members of the household. Getting vaccinated protects children, rela tives, and other care providers in the house hold, as well as other friends and loved

AAPCHO provides education to members and partners through their Community Health Worker (CHW) Workforce Collaborative. Led by Federally

As children get back to the classroom, they may be exposed to COVID more often. Parents can consider providing their child a comfortable, well-fitting mask to wear for additional protection. Parents should also keep kids home and get them tested if they have symptoms of COVID or have been exposed to someone who tested positive.Vaccines are available at no cost to everyone aged 6 months or older living in the United States, no matter their immigration or health insurance status. 

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that move hearts around the world,” Yoon said in a message to Lee he shared on Facebook.

South Korean celebration of ‘Squid Game’ Emmy wins subdued

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon wrote on Facebook that he was proud that South Korean artists are producing work that is “enthusiastically celebrated and emphasized by the whole world.”

celebrating their accomplishments in a show that resonated with viewers around the world.

— South Koreans shared congratulations on social media for the multiple wins by “Squid Game” at the Emmy Awards, but the overall reaction was subdued as the country grows accustomed to its increasingly prominent role in global entertainment.

Ordinary citizens also wrote congratulatory messages on social media. But some messages were critical of the drama, and the level of elation was much lower than when Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” became the first nonEnglish-language film to win best picture at the Academy Awards in 2020 and won three other Oscars.

President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Lee and Hwang, saying the entire nation was

see SQUID GAME on 14

“(We) hope that (you) will continue to be active with your work and appear in good works

7SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 asianweekly northwest YOUR VOICE ■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

From K-pop sensations BTS and BLACKPINK to the movie “Parasite” that won four Oscars, South Korean pop culture is now a global phenomenon. While it was big news that “Squid Game” became the first South Korean drama to win an Emmy, many South Koreans weren’t as surprised by such triumphs as in theSouthpast. Korean social media were flooded with messages after the star of the Netflix drama, Lee Jung-jae, won the award for best male actor in a drama series, and its creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, the award for best drama director on Sept. 12. Both were the first Asians to win in those categories.

Lee Jung-jae, winner of the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Squid Game," left, and Hwang Donghyuk, winner of the Emmy for outstanding directing for a drama series for "Squid Game," pose in the press room at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

By KIM TONG-HYUNG- and HYUNG-JIN KIM

The president at the time, Moon Jae-in, and his advisers began a regular meeting by clapping to celebrate the Oscars, and South Korean media extensively played up the Severalnews.hours after the Emmy wins by “Squid Game,” the news was still on the front pages of the internet editions of major South Korean media outlets, but not at

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)

with live entertainment, music, dance, food, and more.

CIDBIA held Seattle’s original popular Night Market on Saturday, September 10th Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

  Dancing was a popular program for young girls at Hing Hay Park  Fun toys for kids and adults A man performed tricks   The entrance was decorated with a festive arch of balloons

and most

C-ID night market

■ PICTORIAL

8 SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022asianweekly northwest 40 YEARS  Samar Cosmetics and perfume vendors. (Partners Na-Moya Lawrence and Debbin Lin)  Seafood takeout food from Crawfish King  Exquisite Knots showcases its crafts with knotting plants

to celebrate the

Photos by Assunta Ng

By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

The “Talk It Up!” talents were selected based on having a mix of people who have truly inspirational stories or work to share. They include TV and film star Amy Hill. Also Raymond Sismaet, who had a near-death experience with COVID back in March 2020, before many people in this country even knew much about the virus will demonstrate his virtuoso ukulele talent.Justin Huertas writes and performs music—he’s fresh off his first musical, “Lizard Boy.” The Model Minority Moms have great tips for mothers trying to juggle

9SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 asianweekly northwest YOUR VOICE ■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The lineup

“Talk It Up! Inspiring Asian Americans,” a live talk show, running September 23-24 at the Theatre Off Jackson, features, amongst other attractions, dramatic performers, musicians, comedy, dance troupes, and an Elvis impersonator. But the festive surface does conceal some more seriousKathyissues.Hsieh, who organized the event through SIS productions, said the show came about largely because “so much of the news media coverage throughout the pandemic created a surge of anti-Asian hate and prejudice. Sometimes the most powerful way to combat hate and prejudice is for people to see who they perceive as ‘the other’ as human beings. Stories and art are the expression of who we are as human beings, so what better way to share our humanity as Asian Americans, than to share about who we are through the arts.”

see A&E on 13

“The prizes we have are like what people might find in the talkshow format,” elaborated Hsieh. “We have gift certificates or merchandise from different Asian American businesses, plus other gifts like food or chocolate.

Hsieh, a Seattle-based actor, writer, and director, had the original idea for the show, and reached out to the artists. The talk-show format means that some of the acts will chat with the audience, some will perform, and some will play games with audience members for prizes.

“So we do encourage people to think of this event like a talk show, but Asian American style, as opposed to a game show which feels like a more competitive format. One game will be Breaking the Asian Model Minority Myth, where we’ll invite several people from the audience to share a story of how they do not fit the model minority myth and just for participating they’ll get a prize. We’ll be doing some Asian American trivia.”

“Talk It Up!” talks and performs Asian positivity

Almond vs. peanut butter

the scent of sesame oil. It is refreshing! Just put two drops in your palm, and smell. Since it smells so nourishing, I decided to rub it on my hands and face. Sesame oil is better than my hand lotion and it’s so much cheaper. It absorbs quickly. I use it as a massage oil on my face, and it smooths out gently. What a discovery! I now massage my face once a week with this plantbased oil, instead of a commercial cream full of chemicals.

Dr. Steve Gundry, author of Longevity Paradox, said peanuts consist of lectins, which is a form of toxins. If you want to eat peanuts, use a pressure cooker to kill the lectins, Gundry said.

butter, instead of peanut butter, to satisfy my palate.

Olive oil

my friend treated us and his family to dinner at a waterfront restaurant. A bread basket and a plate of thick, triangular butter were placed next to one another on our table. I thought, “WOW, Butter,” and my mouth was salivating.

But the better way is to eat more avocados. We are lucky that we love avocados and can never get tired of them. We mix avocados with salads three times a week. This oil is great for hair and eyes, in addition to its anti-inflamma tory properties. It’s also high in potassium. We use avocado oil to cook our eggs in the morning, and also meat and vegetables.

Coconut oil

When my mother had Alzhei mer’s, friends recommended that I feed her with two spoonfuls of coconut oil with breakfast. By the time I got the advice, it was a little too late. If it is good for Alz heimer‘s patients, it would also

into my mouth once a while. Since the pandemic, I have reexamined every single one of my habits.

apply to dementia patients. The fat from coconut oil can reverse memory loss, according to the National Library of Medicine, among Alzheimer’s patients.

The benefits of extra virgin olive oil are numerous. It has anti-inflammatory properties, it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and lowers diabetes risk. It could be a longevity factor for many Europeans who are superagers in their 90s and overTo100.consume more olive oil, I prepare my vegetables by boiling them first with bone broth and then pouring extra virgin on top after it’s cooked.

When we were little, my mother used peanut oil. She didn’t know any better. Nor did I. Following my mother, I used peanut oil to cook 40 years ago. However, study after study found that peanut oil is not as healthy as my current choices. A few months ago, I even dumped my remaining peanut butter into the garbage can.

In my home, I have two kinds of olive oil. One is light olive oil for cooking as extra virgin is not suitable for high-heat cooking. However, extra virgin is delicious for bread, eggs, and bananas. Someone said if you put extra virgin on sweet potatoes, they taste like French fries. Yet, it will be much healthier.

Thereblog.are many choices for you to replace butter with healthy oils at home. What are mine? We eat healthy fats to maintain a healthy brain, as 60% of our brain is made up of fat. This is a record-breaking year for us to buy six kinds of fat for cooking, devouring, and cosmetics use. Cosmetics, you ask? I will explain later.

What is a good substitute for peanut butter? My friend suggested almond butter. It is rich in protein, fiber, and other sources of nutrients. It aids in the digestive process, and contains antioxidants, and healthy cholesterol. You don’t need to worry about weight gain with this fat as it is connected with greater satiety and thus, reduces our urge for excessive eating. However, for those who need to put on weight, you can count on almond butter. It helped my friend’s husband gain back his weight after a stroke. Almond fat is just amazing.

This year, I have intentionally eliminated butter from our kitchen as it is really unhealthy to eat daily. It has too many calories. And if you consume it regularly, it will line your arterial wall and increase your risk of heartButter,disease.anatural fat from milk, is better than the hydro-generated vegetable oils such as corn and granola oil, meaning transformed and processed to become solid at room temperature, as I wrote in a 2020

What kind of fats are good for you?

A few months ago, I accidentally bought a bottle of sesame oil. It’s cheap compared to olive oil. Some studies found it can burn fat. It is full of antioxidants and high in omega fats. That’s not the reason I bought it. When I haven’t eaten something in a while, I start to crave it. Only this time, I have discovered how much I love

There’s something magical about fresh bread with butter. It was irresistible. I hadn’t eaten butter for a few months, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it, so much so that I put a piece of thick butter on the dough without spreading it.

Avocados

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN

Recently, I dip my seafood in sesame oil. My boiled prawns taste yummy, eliminating the need to add soy.

Assunta can be reached assunta@nwasianweekly.com.at

I picked up “peanut” controversies and studied them. Peanuts are not actually nuts, they are legumes. Their shells easily absorb pesticides, according to Dr. Eric Berg on Youtube. A fungal toxin can grow easily on peanuts, he said. The problem is, how do we know if the peanuts we eat from the jar are free of toxins?

hair greasy. My husband eats coconut oil every morning with his breakfast. He can afford all the calories, as he needs to put onSoweight.pick the kind of fats which can complement your diet and strengthen your health. What oils agree with your taste buds? Which oils fit your budget? You are the boss. Research the different kinds of oil. It’s always fun to experiment on food, especially when you can discover your favorite food. 

We also cook with avocado oil.

10 SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022asianweekly northwest 40 YEARS

Although we have no peanut butter allergies, many people do, especially kids. I reexamine my habit of scooping peanut butter

It’s not that I am unaware of the benefits of almond butter. A decade ago, I did try it. But the taste was so weird, I was never able to finish my jar. Lately, I decided to give it another try. Surprise! Its taste has improved, and now, both my husband and I love it. So I restarted my “scooping” habit with almond

Sesame seed oil

I don’t use coconut oil as I didn’t like the fact that it had increased my bad cholesterol after a year. Coconut oil can also improve hair shine and skin. But I don’t like it on my skin as it tends to make it oily and my

WEEKLYLastSunday,

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

By MARI YAMAGUCHI ASSOCIATED PRESS

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki

In October 2021, Russia’s Health Ministry allowed early trials of a nasal form of Sput nik V among 500 volunteers, but the status of those trials and the availability of the vac cine remains Vaccinationunclear.ratesin India have dipped in the past months with detected cases plateau ing. Around 940 million people, or 67% of the population, have received the first two shots, but only 15% of them have received a third booster shot.

NEW DELHI (AP) — India and China have cleared a new approach in COVID-19 vaccination—two needle-free options, one a squirt in the nose and the other inhaled through the Regulatorsmouth.inIndia authorized Bharat Bio tech’s nasal version on Sept. 6 as an option for people who haven’t yet been vaccinated.

see OKINAWA on 13

TOKYO (AP) — Okinawa’s incumbent governor who opposes an ongoing U.S. Marine base relocation forced by Japan’s central government and calls for a further reduction of American troops on the southern island secured his reelection on Sept. 11 despite concerns of escalating tensions between China and nearbyOkinawaTaiwan.Gov. Denny Tamaki

Resentment and frustration run deep in Okinawa because of the heavy U.S. presence and Tokyo’s lack of efforts to

Okinawans call it a new construction rather than a relocation and want the Futenma base closed and removed from the island.“My commitment to resolve the U.S. military base problem for the future of Okinawa has never been shaken,” Tamaki said. He said he will continue his endeavor to convey Okinawan’s will to the central government.

By ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL ASSOCIATED PRESS

India’s nasal vaccine was developed by scientists at Washington University in St. Louis and later licensed to Indian vaccine maker Bharat Biotech. The company con ducted two trials, giving two doses of the vaccine to 3,100 previously unvaccinated volunteers and as a booster to around 875 volunteers who had received two shots of other COVID-19 vaccines.

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“What is being celebrated here?” Gealogo asked. “This is like spitting on history and the memory of the people who had been victimized’’ by the dictatorship.

The elder Marcos, his family and cronies were driven to U.S. exile after he was ousted by a 1986 “People Power’’ uprising.Hedied in Hawaii in 1989 without admitting any wrongdoing amid allegations of plunder and human rights atrocities. A Hawaii court later found him liable for massive human rights violations and awarded $2 billion from his estate to compensate more than 9,000 Filipinos who filed a lawsuit against him for torture, incarceration, extrajudicial killings and disappearances.

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COVID-19 vaccines today are shots, and they’ve saved millions of lives and contin ue to offer strong protection against severe illness and death, even as more contagious variants of the coronavirus circulate.

There was no immediate comment from Marcos Jr. but his key officials have cited his May 9 electoral victory as a reflection of the Filipino people’s trust and confidence in him despite the allegations against his father and his family, which Marcos Jr. had called “lies.’’

India and China clear needle-free COVID-19 vaccines

Marcos Jr.’s predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, had also authorized the late president’s birthday to be observed as a holiday in Ilocos Norte. But rights activists have been especially alarmed by moves of the new president they suspect are meant to whitewash the image of his father and the Marcos family.

It also may be easier to administer a squirt in the nose than a shot, especially in low-in come countries, said Dr. Michael Diamond of Washington University in St. Louis, who helped create the vaccine licensed to Bharat.

Satur Ocampo, who was arrested as a suspected communist insurgent in the 1970s and tortured under the Marcos dictatorship, criticized in an online news conference Marcos Jr.’s move to glorify his father “when the victims of the dictatorship have not even attained justice despite our campaign, plundered wealth has not been returned and there isn’t even a hint of apology up to now.’’

During the campaign, Tamaki also vowed to do more to improve Okinawa’s economy. Tourism on the semi-tropical island known for its corals, marine life and unique culture was badly hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Human rights activists in the Philippines rejected President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move on Sept. 10 to proclaim the birthday of his late father, an ousted dictator, a special holiday in their northern home province.

Marcos Jr., who took office in June after a landslide election victory, authorized the declaration of the non-working public holiday in Ilocos Norte province on Setp. 12 for celebrations marking the 105th birth anniversary of his namesake father. The dictator was ousted in an armybacked pro-democracy revolt in 1986.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the province of Ilocos Norte be given the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” said the presidential proclamation, which was signed by Marcos Jr.’s executive secretary and posted on Facebook.

Bharat also is seeking clearance for the nasal spray to be used as a booster for the two-thirds of people in India who’ve already beenBharat’svaccinated.nasal spray uses a harmless chimpanzee cold virus to deliver a copy of the coronavirus spike protein to the lining of the nose, training the body to react if it en counters the real virus.

Ashley St. John, who is an immunologist at the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singa pore, said scientists are pursuing nasal and inhaled COVID-19 vaccine options because the immune system has specialized tools to protect different sites in our body in slightly different ways.

But shot-free versions are being explored as a strategy to improve protection against infection, with particular interest in nasal vaccines designed to fend off the virus right where it enters the body. Nearly a dozen possible candidates are in various stages of testing globally, and CanSino’s is one of two inhaled vaccine candidates being developed, according to the World Health Organization.

and his supporters declared his victory and celebrated with the chants of “banzai” soon after the exit poll results showed he beat two contenders—Atsushi Sakima, backed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s governing bloc and supports its base relocation plan, and another opposition-backed candidate MikioTamaki,Shimoji.who is backed by opposition parties, won 339,767 votes, or about 51% of the effective votes, over Sakima’s 274,844 votes and Shimoji’s 53,677, according to the final results released by the Okinawa prefecture.

Okinawa reelects governor opposing heavy US troop presence

Filipino historian Francis Gealogo said Marcos Jr.’s holiday declaration was in stark contrast to steps taken by other countries to use historical sites associated with dictators as a warning against tyrannical rule. He cited a stone marker outside Adolf Hitler’s birthplace in Austria that promotes democracy, condemns fascism and pays homage to the massive number of his victims.

Tamaki’s victory could deepen tensions between Okinawa and the central government.

The advantages that vaccines sprayed through the mouth have will depend on the size of individual droplets in the spray, Bal added. Large droplets would train defenses in the mouth and parts of the throat, while smaller droplets are expected to travel deep er and reach the lungs.

CanSino’s inhaled booster uses a similar harmless human cold virus—it’s the compa ny’s one-dose injected vaccine turned into an aerosolized form. The inhaled vaccine was largely tested as a booster for people who had received another Chinese compa ny's COVID-19 shots.

“We will not allow them to get away with this,’’ he said.

Rights activists announced during the news conference a series of protests on Sept. 21 to mark the 50th anniversary of Marcos’s martial law declaration.

CanSino Biologics announced on Sept. 4 that Chinese regulators have approved an inhaled version of the company's injected COVID-19 vaccine to be used as a booster dose. The company pointed to preliminary results of studies suggesting the inhaled version revved up immune protection after one puff. It's not clear if that translated to improved effectiveness, or how soon the in haled booster will be available.

“The advantage with nasal vaccines is that it may get rid of the virus before it has a chance to establish itself in the lungs and replicate,” said Dr. Vineeta Bal, an immu nologist and professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education Research in Pune city.

The plan to move the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a crowded neighborhood to a less populated area on the island has already been delayed for years.

Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, a former Commission on Human Rights official, said Marcos Jr.’s holiday proclamation was “another step to revise history.’’

Her late father, an opposition politician, was imprisoned after Marcos placed the Philippines under martial law in 1972.

Critics say a well-funded social media campaign to burnish the image of the Marcoses has helped the family’s stunning political comeback.

Activists blast holiday birthdayPhilippinefordictator’s

“This step will further strengthen our col lective fight against the pandemic,” Indian health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Twitter.It’snot clear how well the nasal version works. Bharat didn’t immediately release re sults of its studies or say how soon the new option will roll out.

11SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022YOUR VOICE asianweekly northwest ■ WORLD NEWS

don’t see yourself represented in an institution, you think it’s not for you. You think either they can’t do anything for you, or your voices don’t matter to it.”

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Kim was not averse to spending time talking about how the Asian American movement was born, both in academic protests, and on the fields of labor in California and other places, and how it became intertwined with the civil rights movement and Black power—a topic fairly widely known in this community.

As the first Asian American woman in her position, she also feels it is essential to set an imprimatur on public service for new immigrants.

“The community really came in clutch, and I’m so thankful and appreciative of that,” said Chon.

“Seeing people in elected office that look like you, the message is, you can do that, too,” she said. “When you

“There was a lot of organizing around affirmative action policies,” she said. “And working with other groups.”

“Fighting taught me to stand on my own,” said Chon. “I learned that I could do hard things and be trusted to do hard things.”

people not only flourish with their personal development, but also their skills, abilities, and even winning

“I wanted to do anything to help keep the business afloat,” said Smith. “It became a question of, ‘How many people can I get through the door as soon as possible?’”

With the financial burden lifted, Chon’s excited for what’s to Thecome.club sent seven students to try out for the USA National team. Each student made the team, and they’ll head to the Worlds competition next year. He’s also looking forward to updating the school’s facilities including new mats and a punching bag.

“Maybe you’re not a political person, maybe you’re not paying attention to the news, but you like a certain kind of music, and maybe you don’t even know what the musician looks like, but you hear it, and you kind of figure out like, oh, this is a musician of a different race, and that opens your eyes to something, or it means you go to a concert with people that don’t look like you.”

Although DeFuria and Chon both shared the campaign online, Chon didn’t expect much response. But his community came through quickly. Within days, they met their first campaign goal.Moved and encouraged by the response, DeFuria set a second goal of an additional $3,000 to go towards their September rent and to support the club’s staff. Again, donations flowed in, and they quickly met their extra goal. As of this writing, their campaign currently has $14,340—more than $3,000 over their original totalThegoal.campaign brought an outpouring of love and support from his community both near andSomefar. of the donors were

During her college years, Kim was president of the Asian American association and led many student initiatives for issues such as environmental justice, affordable higher education, and voter registration.

“This whole experience has been really validating to me — that everyone believes in and supports this place and what we do.”

“Regarding the topic of Asian American history,” she wrote. “Not sure if you have a particular beat at the Northwest Asian Weekly, but I would recommend that someone in your line of work do some reading up on Asian American history. Helen Zia, Ronald Takaki, and Erika Lee all have good books.” 

“This was decades ago, and he had to not only practice psychiatry but advocate for it,” she said.

KIM from 3

I don’t focus on finances.

Asking for community help

Mahlon can be contacted at info@nwasianweekly.com.

She also referred to a history of Black musicians traveling in the South and refusing to perform at concerts that were not integrated.

But then, the reporter stumbled for a few moments, trying to frame a question, and finally gave up, saying, “It’s the last question, would you think of any question you’d like to answer?”

After college, she continued to organize and advocate, eventually helping to oversee the field organizing programs for the campaigns of U.S. Senator Cory Booker and President Joe Biden.

Nor is it important to neglect the power that cohesion brings.“Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups (THE fastest group in the last decade), and we would not have the political power we have today without coming together,” she wrote.

Chon, a South Seattle native, got into a lot of trouble growing up. But he credits martial arts with saving and shaping who he was as a young man.

A second chance

In response, Kim sounded almost like a cajoling sister (she has a younger and an older brother).

But the origins of her advocacy go back further.



“You’re the reporter, you think of a question,” she said goodFinally,naturedly.shesuggested sending a follow-up email.

Named after his Chinese name, JunHong, Chon opened his namesake business in 2009. Originally situated in Beacon Hill, JunHong’s currently calls Seward Park its home. The club offers many martial arts disciplines including Chinese kickboxing, tai chi, and wushu, and currently serves around 40 kids and 20 teens and adults across their programs.

However,tournaments.”despitetheir best efforts, it became clear that the club wouldn’t make it by November. Chon knew he might be close to throwing in the towel.

Among others, she mentioned a Japanese American civil rights activist, Yuri Kochiyama, a follower of Malcolm X, who was beside him when he was assassinated.

FU from 1

“I feel a lot of confidence,” said Chon about the positive response from his donation campaign.

KUNG

The club’s affordability is a huge appeal to new students. Keeping classes accessible, said Chon, is central to his club’s mission. JunHong’s school programs are about a third of the cost—$100 a month—of other similar programming in the area. Just as important is creating a haven where students from all backgrounds and sexualities can be themselves and feel

For more information, visit junhongkungfu.com.

When asked if she would take one more question when the time was almost up, she graciously agreed.

“So there’s a whole intersection of music and particularly the civil rights movement,” she said.

Kim herself plays a number of instruments, including the violin and the guitar.

At the same time, it is important not to let the monolithic bloc definition of being an Asian American obscure the singularities of one’s own culture.

12 SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 40 YEARSasianweekly northwest

“You should have seen how many packets of materials I collated,” she said.

empowered to learn and grow in his“Ispace.geta lot of negative feedback from other teachers and masters for how I run my business,” said Chon.“But

previous students who trained under Chon, but who have since moved away yet continue to promote his school. Other donors included people on the USA team—of which Chon serves as coach—who donated and also shared the campaign online. Rounding out the donations were Chon’s local community, comprised of club families and neighborhood allies.

Master Jeffrey Chon, left, with students

“Maybe you’re not a political person, maybe you’re not paying attention to the news, but you like a certain kind of music, and maybe you don’t even know what the musician looks like, but you hear it, and you kind of figure out like, oh, this is a musician of a different race, and that opens your eyes to something, or it means you go to a concert with people that don’t look like you,” she said.

– Jennifer Kim

Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

The club

ChonJeffreybyprovidedPhoto

“Being an Asian American is a powerful thing, but the important thing to realize is that Asian Americans are diverse in and of themselves, we are not a monolith. There may be some commonalities in the way we experience America and the way people perceive us. However, there is a lot of cultural diversity within the community,” she said.

Even though the interview was barely 30 minutes, and more than half of it took place in a crowded lobby with throngs of people talking and cavorting nearby, her leadership style seemed at times to show through.

When asked, in the email, further questions about Asian American identity, she answered them, and then seemed to fall into mentoring mode again.

Community comes first—kids growing first, and safety first. This is a safe space to occupy,

Chon’s partner, Nicole DeFuria, launched a GoFundMe campaign on Aug. 24 to spread the word and ask for donations. A donation goal of $8,000 was set to address the back rent that Chon owed.

Her father, who was a psychiatrist, also provided role modeling of advocacy.

and I always put that first before makingSmithmoney.”hasalso seen how this mindset has positively impacted students.“What really made students soar and excel was when we invested in the community,” said Smith.“That’s when we really saw

But he wouldn’t go down without a fight.

And her early experiences, when she attended her mother’s Korean language, culture, and history school for eight years, in addition to mainstream schooling, shaped her.Her mother, who had immigrated from Korea in the 1970s to go to graduate school, became a professor of education at a number of schools in the Midwest. As Kim was growing up, she was pressed into service to help at the school her mother founded on the side.

Tony Colinares will strut and swivel through his Elvis tribute. Maritess Zurbano combines stage magic with hypnotism. Dare To Dance, a local organization, celebrates a wide diversity of people who want to dance. They also helped reach out to other dance ensembles, bringing in Eurasia Ensemble and the MMDC Dance Company.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China “strongly rejects and deplores” the congressional visit, saying it violates the U.S. commitment to the “oneChina policy” that forbids formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.“Wewill continue to take strong measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Mao said at a daily briefing.

by holding extended military exercises that included firing missiles over the island and sending ships across the midline of the Taiwan Strait, which was long a buffer between the two sides. Some of the missiles landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

By Sun Lee Chang

In Beijing on Sept. 7, Mao said China’s opposition to defense cooperation between Washington and Taipei is “consistent and clear.”

Rabbit—Increase your chances of success by being proactive rather than waiting for something good to happen to you.

Taiwan will not back down.”

Predictions and advice for the week of September 17–September 23, 2022

“Japan should ... not provide the Taiwan independence force any platforms for political manipulation,” Mao said. Throughout his political career, Abe was a strong supporter of Taiwan, a Japanese colony for 50 years until the end of World War II which maintains close political, economic and social ties with Japan.

As for the venue, Hsieh explained, “The Theatre Off Jackson is a lovely theater space right in the heart of Seattle’s

Many in Okinawa are worried about the growing deployment of Japanese missile defenses and amphibious capabilities on outer islands that are close to geopolitical hot spots like Taiwan, the self-ruled island that China claims as its own and has threatened to use force to annex it if necessary. Okinawan people fear that they will be the first to be embroiled in a conflict over Taiwan.

Murphy, who was born in Ho Chi Minh City to Vietnamese parents, is among lawmakers who introduced a bill that would allow the U.S. to lend weapons to support Taiwan, similar to a bill that was passed to lend weapons to Ukraine. Last week, the Biden administration approved a $1 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

Murphy also said deepening economic relations with Taiwan was “one of the most important things Congress can do right now,” particularly by pushing for a “high-quality free trade agreement” between the sides. Negotiations are underway between the Biden and Tsai administrations on a trade pact.

Comedian Cindy Su starred recently in “Kiki Funny Mama's Night Out,” backed by SIS Productions.

Chinatown/International District. SIS Productions has often done projects to attract people to the CID, so that when they attend our event they might support some of the local businesses, and just be reminded that the neighborhood is here.”

capability and budget over the next five to 10 years, citing growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia.

Dragon—To your credit, you have made the first step. However, it is crucial that you complete the necessary follow Snake—Somethingup.that has long been dormant has awoken within you. Use this newfound insight to your Horse—Thebenefit.tide is finally turning your way and, assuming you are ready, should take you in the desired direction.

Under the U.S. system of separation of powers, the executive branch of government has no legal right to prevent members of Congress from visiting Taiwan. China has repeatedly refused to recognize that principle.



Monkey—It’s taken a lot for you to reach this point. The only place to go is onward and upward from here.

Pelosi was the highest-level member of the U.S. government to visit Taiwan in 25 years. China responded

Rooster—Are you unsure of two very different paths to follow? Favor the one that is most likely to benefit Dog—Whileyou. excitement has its place, you would far prefer the solace of what you are familiar with.

Ox—If you are trying to make significant progress, then assertiveness should push things along quicker.

RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 OX 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 TIGER 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 RABBIT 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 DRAGON 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 SNAKE 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 HORSE 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 GOAT 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 MONKEY 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 ROOSTER 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 DOG 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 PIG 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

13SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022YOUR VOICE asianweekly northwest

■ ASTROLOGY

Ab’s Tokyo residence following his assassination in July.

Rat—Before you dive into a new project, take the time to ensure you have what you need to finish it.

OKINAWA from 11

A&E from 9

Mao also cautioned Japan not to allow a Taiwanese government official to attend an official funeral for exPrime Minister Shinzo Abe. China strongly protested after Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te paid his respects at

“We will resolutely respond to acts that undermine China’s sovereignty and security and interfere in our internal affairs,” Mao told reporters at a daily briefing, without giving details.

“Talk It Up! Inspiring Asian Americans,” runs September 23-24 at the Theater Off Jackson. For showtimes, ticket prices, and other information, talk-it-up-inspiring-asian-americans.celebr8women.wordpress.com/events-2/visit

Pig—Avoid making a rash move in the heat of the moment. Wait until things settle a bit before proceeding.

Goat—Something you meant to go back to is beckoning you now. There’s no time like the present to resolve loose ends.

Following Pelosi’s trip, a U.S. senator and another congressional delegation visited Taiwan, as well as officials from Japan and Palau. Governors from Arizona and Indiana made visits with a focus on semiconductors, an industry which Taiwanese companies dominate. 

WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN?

see TAIWAN from 4

The other American lawmakers visiting are Hawaii Democrat Kaiali’i Kahele and Republicans Scott Franklin of Florida, Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Andy Barr of Kentucky, Darrell Issa of California, Claudia Tenney of New York, and Kat Cammack of Florida.

Andrew can be reached info@nwasianweekly.com.at

The Futenma base relocation plan was developed after the 1995 rape of a Okinawan schoolgirl, in which three U.S. servicemen were convicted. The case reignited local opposition to the U.S. bases. The relocation has been delayed for years due to Okinawa’s resistance as well as environmental and structural issues in the Henoko area, where the new base in supposed to be set up.

career, family and the weight of the Model Minority Myth. Dr. Anu Taranath offers life tips for anyone traveling to other countries. Writer/ performer/activist Susan Lieu, is best known for her theatrical solo show “140 Lbs: How Beauty Killed My Mother.”

negotiate with Washington over how to balance the burden of hosting U.S. troops between mainland Japan and the southern islandOkinawa,group. where one of the bloodiest battles in World War II was fought, was under American occupation until it returned to Japan’s control in 1972. Today, a majority of the 50,000 U.S. troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact and 70% of U.S. military facilities are still in Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6% of JapaneseBecauseland.of the U.S. bases, Okinawa struggled with noise, pollution, accidents and crime related to American troops, TamakiJapan’ssaid.government has in recent years shifted the nation’s defense posture to southwestern Japan, Okinawa and its remote islands and is pushing to significantly bolster Japan’s military

*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.

Asked about future installments of the show, Hsieh mused that if the pandemic taught us anything, it should be to “live in the moment because anything can change.” But she won’t rule out future installments of the “Talk It Up” in-themoment blend. 

Murphy replied that Congress “should advocate for greater Taiwanese participation in international organizations.”“Taiwanhas shown itself to be a responsible member of the international community, especially in public health issues, and it deserves to participate in international fora when appropriate,” she said.

Tiger—You must decide between two conflicting priorities. It is advisable to choose the route of least regret.

China sees high-level foreign visits to the island as interference in its affairs and de facto recognition of Taiwanese sovereignty. China’s recent military drills were seen by some as a rehearsal of future military action against the island, which U.S. military leaders say could come within the next few years.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING from 4 said after a visit to Phnom Penh last month that people from various Asian countries have been lured into taking jobs in Cambodia but found themselves trapped in virtual slavery and often forced to participate in scams targeting people over the internet.

the top, which was dominated by domestic politics.

Kishida wants to hold a state fu neral on Sept. 27 at the Budokan martial arts arena with about 6,000 invited guests. The only other state funeral for a former prime minister in recent decades was for Shigeru Yoshida in 1967. It was criticized as having been decided undemocratically and an inappropriate use of taxpayers’ money.Critics say Kishida’s decision to hold a state funeral for Abe is an attempt to please lawmakers belonging to Abe’s former fac tion within the governing party to maintain party unity and but

”(Lee)was.”made an award speech in English but at the end he spoke in Korean and highlighted his fans and people in South Korea, so I was really touched by that,” said Jeong Ye-won, a 22-year-old university student.

14 SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 40 YEARSasianweekly northwest DONE RITE CARPET CLEANING 206-487-8236 Thank you for recycling newspaper!this

Vitit said human trafficking victims exist in a “living hell,” subject to torture and risking death if they try to escape from detention in their closely guarded workplaces. He said Cambodia needs to implement stronger countermeasures and receive deeper international cooperation and support. 

Squid Game is a brutal survival drama about desperate adults competing in deadly children’s games for a chance to escape debt. In the drama, Lee stars as the show’s protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, a laid-off autoworker coping with a messy divorce and struggling with constant business failures and gambling problems.

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“People are getting used to (major awards),” film critic Kim See-moo said. “Bong Joon-ho took home four Oscars for ‘Parasite,’ another one of our actors won an Oscar for ‘Minari’ and then Park Chan-wook won best director at Cannes (for ‘Decision to Leave’). South Koreans no longer think there are any entry barriers for these awards, and they think anyone has a shot at winning if they put in the hard work.”

The Unification Church was founded in South Korea in 1954 and came to Japan a decade lat er. It has built close ties with LDP lawmakers over shared interests in conservative causes, including opposing Communism. Abe’’s grandfather, former Prime Minis

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

“As a Korean, I’m very proud of (the drama),” Choi Hyun Sik, a 32-year-old office worker, told The Associated Press. “I once again came to realize how popular ‘Squid Game’

CLASSIFIEDS

former Economy and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda were among 17 who accepted church followers as election campaign volunteers.Abe,aconservative national ist who was one of Japan’s most influential politicians, recorded a video message last year for the Universal Peace Federation, a church-affiliated group, in which he praised federation co-found er Hak Ja Han Moon, who also heads the Unification Church, for her efforts in promoting tradition

tress Kishida’s own grip on pow er. He has said Abe deserves a state funeral as the longest-serv ing post-World War II leader and for his diplomatic and economic achievements.Kishida’sgovernment initially put the funeral cost at 250 mil lion yen ($1.7 million) but recent ly said it will require at least 1.4 billion yen ($9.7 million) more for security, transportation and hos pitality for foreign dignitaries and other guests. Some say the cost could further increase. 

JAPAN from 4

Kim noted that South Koreans are less familiar with the Emmys than the Oscars, partly because Korean dramas previously didn’t have a large presence in the United“SouthStates.Korean TV dramas have been huge in Asia for years, especially in markets where people share similar emotional sentiments with South Koreans,” Kim said.

The scam networks, which often have links to transnational organized crime, are set up in countries with weak law enforcement, attracting educated young workers with promises of high earnings. The workers are then subject to isolation and the threat of violence unless they succeed in cheating victims reached by phone into transferring payments into overseas bank accounts.

“‘Squid Game’ became a broader global hit because it tackled the intense global issue that is inequality, but also took a refreshing approach by telling that story through a brutal and deadly competition of children’s games.”

al family Oppositionvalues.lawmakers crit icized the survey for having excluded Abe because he is de ceased. The survey also did not include LDP lawmakers in local assemblies, where church follow ers are also active in influencing policies, critics say.

ter Nobusuke Kishi, helped found the church’s political unit in To kyo in Kishida,1968.despite a Cabinet shuf fle in August in which he purged seven ministers with acknowl edged church links, including Kishi, ended up with more in his newSupportCabinet.for Kishida’s govern ment has tumbled in recent media surveys, apparently because of party members’ church links and plans for a rare state funeral for Abe.A family funeral for Abe was held in July at a Tokyo temple, but

SQUID GAME from 7

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15SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 asianweekly northwest YOUR VOICE

to help them to read letters and fill in forms in order to apply for welfare. Some did not even know they could have welfare. Therefore, we printed flyers announcing 人 人服務社, and started in a small capacity, with only volunteers.”

feel that connection, they are part of the community they serve,” said Hsu.

Early volunteers from University of Washington in 1970s

“I like to know that I’m helping other people,” said Itti, whose presence is ubiquitous around King County, as CISC has grown from helping individuals to helping the entire community, with efforts to increase voting and census participation, or stop anti-Asian hate. Itti cited “trailblazers” who inspired him, such as Ruth Wu and Uncle Bob.

Mary Hsu

CISC Executive Director Michael Itti in CISC’s classroom in 2018

“Seniors, when they can’t speak the language…feel isolated and lonely and they love getting together and hanging out and talking to other people,” said CISC’s Program and Clinical Director Hueiling Chan.Chan and Hsu are “lifers” (Chan has been at CISC for 33 years), yet this type of professional is hard to come by. CISC expects that one of its biggest issues for the next 50 years will be recruitment and retention. The niche they seek—someone with rigorous credentials who is bicultural and bilingual—is a challenge, as is cost of living.“Our goal is to provide living wages for all of our team members who are providing such vital services,” Itti said. “They are so passionate about serving our community, but we want to make sure that they are able to thrive themselves…the heart and soul of our agency are the people that are serving theThecommunity.”Northwest Asian Weekly asked Itti, Hsu, and Chan what impresses them most at “WhatCISC.

CISC from 1

“For CISC to serve the communities for 50 years is beyond my wildest expectations,” said Liana Fong, one of those first volunteers in 1972, who saluted the “deep dedication and vision” it has taken “to grow CISC to reach this significant milestone.” As Fong, who now lives in New York shared, a group of high school and college students recognized a need for an organization “rooted in the community.”“Atthestart, I would counsel old uncles and aunties, and could understand 台山話, or even speak it a little,” Loo remembered.

well.”During the course of discussion of 50 years of community endeavor, stories come up. It could be a story about CISC’s cultivation of self-advocacy in the Asian community where people are not used to speaking up, or weren’t able to, as they often come from countries where civic engagement is banned.

“I was so proud when we were able to have a group of parents invited to the Seattle Public School Board retreat to share their experience,” Chan shared. “These were parents who, a few years ago, refused to go to parent-teacher conferences,” and yet with CISC’s support, now “they were brave enough to say ‘Okay, I’m going to testify.’”Itmight be a young girl, now in college, who returns to CISC to give back, continuing the legacy of the first volunteers.

It’s hearing the rumble of kids’ feet as they arrive for CISC’s after-school activities.

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“I’ve been really influenced by our community leaders…and I want to try to do my best to support the community as

Hueiling Chan

Kai can be reached info@nwasianweekly.com.at

“Over time, I was glad to be able to walk the streets in Chinatown, to greet everybody, and know their names.” He added, “It is a great joy to see that CISC can grow so big…the 50th anniversary is certainly a moment to be cherished, a triumph.”

Mary Hsu, president of CISC’s Board of Directors for the past 22 years, described the “serve the people” mentality of the 1960s and 1970s. “When John Loo initiated among our student group the idea of forming a service organization in Seattle Chinatown, some of us immediately responded with enthusiasm and active involvement,” saidd Fong. At first, CISC’s focus was senior citizens. As their caseload grew, CISC adopted the holistic approach they use “Whentoday.agrandparent comes in and says, ‘I need access to Medicare. Help me understand my options so I can make an informed decision,’ we’ll have a conversation with them and then we’ll also ask questions to understand their family and their experiences,” explained Michael Itti, CISC’s executive director. “They might say…‘My grandchild is about to enter preschool,’ and we’ll say, ‘We have a preschool program at Yesler Community Center.”CISC’s “no wrong door policy” has led them to be a trusted organization in King County. “Anybody that comes through our doors, we try to help them out,” said Itti. “If we know of a partner organization, we’ll make a referral…We don’t want to turn anybody away and say sorry, you came to the wrong place.”

CISC responds to community needs as it

I get is inspiration from the staff. We have such dedicated and loyal staff who really care…You run into a lot of agencies where people are just bureaucrats and here, the staff goes out of their way because they

happens. During the pandemic, seniors experienced debilitating solitude due to lockdowns. On the eastside, CISC formed a program for Russian, and now Ukrainian, seniors to gather. In partnership with the City of Bellevue and Amazon, they were able to expand to two days per week and offer iPads to participants.

CISCfromPhoto

“It’s really rewarding because they have become the best champions of all the services,” said Chan. For Itti, it’s the pleasure of walking the hallways and seeing staff and community members interacting.

“We’re so grateful for the community who have been with us for decades,” Itti said. “Thinking about the impact we’ve made over the last couple of years with the pandemic, even vital services, we’re grateful to have this agency here. If you look at any decade, there’s always been ways that we’ve responded to community needs…It’s incredible to see the journey that we’ve been on.”

For Chan, it’s “the difference we can make, the impact on people’s lives. It could be very small, or it could be some thing really huge.”

For information on CISC’s 50th anniversary gala, go cisc-seattle.ejoinme.org/50thGala.to

The crowd dissipated. The final marchers straggled away behind their signs. And the street was empty.

This resident gave her name as Li, said she was 80, and originally from Guangdong. She spent 20 years washing dishes at a restaurant in the neighborhood before retiring on a little over $800 a month. With gray hair tied back

in a ponytail, she talked of having a gold chain, a personal investment, ripped right off the“Whyneck.doesn’t the government find a farm somewhere where they can send these people to do healthy labor while they rehabilitate, maybe that would be better for them,” she speculated.Whenasked why the government should support her, through Social Security, and not support the homeless, Li responded, “We follow the law. I don’t destroy things or threaten people’s safety. We don’t cause damage or do drugs.”

Everett were planning to move down to the area once the new shelter opens. She said she learned about the gangs from the police after her son had some of his belongings stolen by them. “Don’t even go near them,” the police toldSheher.was walking, along with Li, and several other older women in the rear of a crowd that massed at the front and scattered out in twos and threes down the street as organizer Tanya Woo, at the end of the rally, led the marchers to view the site of the future

Asked what would happen if she had to move from the low-income housing where she lives, Li said she would not be able to plan for it.

Various community members show their opposition to the proposed shelter

The director of the King County Department of Community and Human Services, Leo Flor, has said that the drastic state of homelessness in the county, with 6,000 people sleeping in the open every night, requires bold action. Flor has also said the agency has set up shelters around the region.“We know there’s a need,” said Nora Chan, founder of Seniors in Action Foundation, another speaker. “We are not against homelessness, but crime is on the rise and it neverCommunitystops.” activists say the CID is already home to five shelters (at the rally, Chan said there were 10 in the larger vicinity). And they say the CID is already suffering from centuries of marginalization, including the worst air in the city, from relentless transportation projects, such as I-5, that cuts through the district.

Mahlon can be contacted info@nwasianweekly.com.at

“It feels like we don’t have tomorrow,” she said.A 90-year-old community member, speaking at the rally, said there are thousands of seniors like herself living in the community. There are other reasons why community members are fearful. Rumors reflect even worseEstherscenarios.Chan, a real estate agent who joined the rally, said that violent gangs from

In the rear of the crowd, standing on the steps of Hing Hay Park, Sharon Yu, 51, was listening. After a few moments, she told the Asian Weekly, “Yesterday, a man spit in the face of my daughter.”

“The mega helter never had a public hearing!” said Mei-Jui Lin, president of the Chong Wa Benevolent Association, another speaker. “When I worked for the King County Council, there always had to be a public hearing for any development.”

Organizers also said that officials might hire a contractor without a competitive bidding process. It was not immediately clear if this would decrease quality, safety, oversight, and ramp up the speed of opening.

RALLY from 1

here forever,” said Lin.

As the homeless man departed, and this reporter was putting away his notebook, he looked up to see two large men looming towards him. One of them, though not the same bald man who had yelled at the rally earlier, in appearance was similar. He had a shaven or bald head, was wearing some kind of leather jacket, and was scowling as if he wanted to kill someone.

“He spit at her right here,” she said, pointing to the corner of her eye. The man also yelled something that was garbled, but Yu, who came running out from behind the door with her son, couldn’t make it out. Now pointing to another Chinese woman in her 30s, Yu added, “She was also spat upon in herSheface.”added, urgently, “You must write this down to let the government know that we are hurting.”Therally was organized by multiple community groups and was held on Sept. 8 from 5-6:30 pm. It was intended to oppose the opening of a new, expanded homeless shelter at 1000-1050 Sixth Avenue South, 831 Seattle Boulevard, and 831 Airport Way South, the site of the current Salvation Army shelter, with adjoining land providing housing and a site for RVs. Community groups are outraged that the shelter was announced without community input.

Lee, a volunteer with the Seattle Chinatown Block Watch, held a sign with a picture of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who represents District 8, with McDermott’s face in the middle of a red circle with a diagonal red line running throughOthersit.held signs that said, “It’s racist,” referring to the decision to place the new, expanded shelter in the CID without community input.

Another CID resident, also sitting in the back of the crowd, nodded her head and said, “This is how we think.”

Four hours before the rally started, organizers met with local officials. According to the organizers, the officials said they had, in fact, reached out to 12 people in the CID prior to deciding on the shelter.

“It’s going to stretch from that side of the fence, covering all these blocks, to there,” said another organizer, pointing out a large swathe of land as large as a train station.

boiled at the front like a mass of clouds as it came up to the fencing and closed-off street where an encampment lies.

leaders, and nearly every demographic from the Chinatown-International District (CID), reminded that it was not simply another new homeless shelter they were opposing in their neighborhood.Itwas,rather, an overarching atmosphere of hate and racism that has fueled nearly constant violence against them.

Anger at elected officials was also shown in Garysigns.

Then something frightening happened.

This reporter stayed and struck up a conversation with a pleasant and friendly homeless man.

That was not the problem.

Over a little more than a century, the community has been forced to move to new locations three times.

Her daughter, who is 7, was standing in the doorway of their building waiting for a friend to take the family to a park.

More recently, during the height of the pandemic, when police were fighting with protesters, looters and rioters seemed to be funneled into the CID and damaged building fronts and attacked residents.

Gei Chan, another organizer, brought up the rear, making sure Li and another older woman, with a walker, could safely cross Dearborn Street to get a sight of the territory.

TagawaM.EugenebyPhoto

This reporter left quickly.

At the rally, speakers referred to the callousness of local officials in choosing to dump more unhoused people in the neighborhood, which is already home to multiple shelters, and, as a result, a draw for those that prey on the homeless. Crime and violence in the last few years has skyrocketed.“Howdare you schedule a homeless shelter in our neighborhood!” shouted Bettie Luke, sister of former Washington state assistant attorney general Wing Luke. “There are empty lots and empty buildings in white neighborhoods—and the fact that you do not schedule there, is absolutely flat out racist!”

For older residents, it feels like the end.



“First, Chinatown was on the waterfront, then Pioneer Square, and now we have landed here. This is our home. It’s going to be

16 SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 23, 2022asianweekly northwest 40 YEARS

“It’s not that we’re anti-homeless,” said Matt Chan, a community advocate and one of the speakers. “It’s about government malfeasance.”Whilespeakers hurled imprecations at the government for leading them on then abandoning them, longtime residents of the neighborhood told of casual and near-daily acts of violence they and their children encounter.Fromthe front of the crowd, holding a microphone, Chan said, “Politicians show up for photo ops, but then when we really need them, they’re nowhere to be seen.”

From the front, Luke continued, “To you, government officials, I say, you use one disenfranchised group and hurt the other in the aftermath! I want you to schedule this in your own Membersbackyard!”ofthetwo community night patrols, which have been walking the streets after dark for years, and handing out food and water in the encampments, say it is the drug dealers, gangs, and other criminals that take advantage of the unhoused that are the primary threat and will be drawn in greater numbers by the new shelter, which will bring the number of beds there to 500.

shelter.Thecrowd

“Now they’re going to dump another shelter in the CID,” said Faye Hong, a community leader, in an interview. “It’s ridiculous.”

“They are not only a danger to us, but will be a danger to themselves,” said Luke, speaking through a microphone at the rally.