VOL 41 NO 49 | DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2022

By Nina Huang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Every year, there is no shortage of amazing feats accomplished by Asian Americans around the country. This year, there were many “firsts” around the country of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who were elected to public office.

1. Elected firsts around the country

Patricia Lee, a Las Vegas attorney, made history by becoming the first Asian American and first Black woman to serve in the Nevada Supreme Court.

Rob Bonta was elected California’s first Filipino American attorney general.

Aruna Miller became the nation’s first South Asian woman to be elected state lieutenant governor of Maryland.

Vietnamese American Helen Tran was elected San Bernardino’s first Asian American mayor.

Sheng Thao, an Oakland City Council member, made history as the first Hmong American woman to lead a major U.S. city and the city’s youngest mayor elected in 75 years.

Dan Wu was elected Lexington, Kentucky’s first Asian American vice mayor.

Shri Thanedar became the first Indian American representative for Michigan.

Aruna Miller became the first immigrant and Asian American elected to statewide office in Maryland.

Chinese American Victoria Gu and Japanese American Linda Ujifusa (D) became the first Asians elected to the state legislature in Rhode Island.

Salman Bhojani and Suleman Lalani, both Democrats, became the first Muslim lawmakers to be elected to the Texas House of Representatives.

Five Vietnamese Americans were elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. Newly elected

Will

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

The Instagram posts were clear. Someone was going to come after Tanya Woo.

“Guess who’s coming to see you,” said one. Another commented on her body.

After a string of such posts, most of which used derogatory, racist, and threatening language, Woo stopped posting. She had been using her account to share information about rallies and protests.

Now, she turned directly to government officials. She and other advocates went to King County Council meetings, Seattle City Council meetings, and met with representatives from Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office.

But, in the end, she was met with disappointment.

Woo has been volunteering for a night patrol in the Chinatown-International District (CID) for three years. She and others hand out sandwiches, hot chocolate, and clothing. On Black Friday, she bought hundreds of hats and socks to give to people living in encampments.

“We don’t want to be doing this anymore,” she said. “We’re just filling a gap.”

She wants the city and the county to provide more services for the thousands of unhoused people living in and roaming through the CID.

She also thinks the city should provide support for

Tanya Woo speaking at a King County Council meeting

Photo provided by Tanya Woo

ISRD announces results of annual election

The annual election for the International Special Review District (ISRD) Board was held by mail in early November.

Two positions were up for election and Michael Le won Position #3 for a Business owner, Property owner or Employee, while Nella Kwan won Position #5 for At-Large.

members and other volunteers to pick up, pack, and deliver 400 meals to seniors in the Chinatown-International District on Nov. 22, plus 540 meals on Nov. 27, including delivery to one community senior apartment housing on Beacon Hill.

Another 60 bags and 60 frozen chickens will be delivered to two buildings this week—bringing the total number of donated meals to 1,000.

The meals were donated by Aaron Hwang of Maverick Casino.

Scholarship for Women Program

is sponsoring the Scholarship for Women Program at the Meydenbauer Center this Saturday, Dec. 3.

The program gives young female participants the oppor tunity to compete for scholarship funds toward higher edu cation.

The winner will represent Seattle at the Miss Chinatown USA Pageant in San Francisco the following February. 

First Asian Santa to greet children at Mall of America

The Santas appearing at the Mall of America—the largest mall in the United States—will be more diverse than ever before this holiday season.

The cast of six St. Nicks at The Santa Experience will include an Asian Santa for the first time.

“To run across someone who speaks your language, there’s kind of a bond there. Not only is the language a bond but there is also some sort of psychological bond as well,” said Allan Siu, known as Santa Allan, whose parents were from Hong Kong.

Tom Giratikanon returns to New York Times

Tom Giratikanon is returning to The New York Times after almost three years at Vox Media, where he served as deputy publisher.

Both candidates are currently serving their first terms on the ISRD Board, and have been re-elected to serve a second term, beginning Dec. 1, 2022.

The ISRD Board is responsible for the designation and protection of more than 400 historic structures, sites, objects, and vessels, as well as eight historic districts located throughout the city.

Meals for seniors

Chong Wa President Mei-Jui Lin organized board

The former Northwest Asian Weekly intern will return as a senior editor for The Upshot—which is a New York Times website with analysis and data visualizations about politics, policy, and everyday life.

Previously, Giratikanon was a graphics editor at The New York Times, where he led and edited live election results, investigations, and breaking news.

The Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Seattle celebrates 1st Asian Mayor Bruce Harrell at Joyale Seafood Restaurant.

Michael Le

Tom Giratikanon

Nella Kwan (left) receiving an honor from King County

Volunteers organizing meals to donate to seniors

Photo from Mei-Jui Lin

There’s a lot more to skin health than meets the eye

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Usually, Shirley Chang is in complete control. The Amazon executive has steely black pupils that cut right to the soul. But when she talks about her son, who has eczema, they be come bewildered and sad.

So crucial is skin health to not just our physical, but our emotional wellbeing, that experts strongly cau tion us against neglecting it, as many people do.

For Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), the issues are complicated by a convergence of cultural and genetic factors that in some areas leave them even more vulnerable than their white counterparts.

In the case of skin diseases like eczema or cancer, AAPI kids and families confront unique challenges that in the end are quite surprising—but also can be equally debilitating or even deadly.

At the same time, dermatologists recommend special steps to care for skin of color.

Finally, Covid-19 complicates skin health, and experts

recommend special care to avoid damage from mask wearing and other possibly-related afflictions.

BROAD CONSEQUENCES

For people coming from an AAPI background, skin diseases can be particularly complicated.

With a cultural predisposition to emphasize strong academic performance or work achievement, they may neglect the devastating emotional consequences of having what appears to be a superficial illness.

Eczema is an example.

“Eczema can have a major impact on the lives of parents and caregivers in many different ways, affecting anything from sleep and mental health, to work productivity, for instance, if time needs to be taken off work for doctor appointments, skin infections, etc.,” said Jennifer Chen, a

clinical professor of Dermatology at Stanford University. “It can be very difficult for children with eczema, who aside from the itch and discomfort, often deal with social stigmatization, poor sleep quality, and increased rates of diagnoses such as ADHD and others.”

For her part, Chang (she asked for a pseudonym and for some details to be slightly changed for privacy and professional reasons) tells other parents how important it is to check on a child’s state of mind when he comes home from school rather than ask about his scores.

In her son’s case, his hands would grow scaly and bleed while at school.

“When the class had to hold hands, no one wanted to hold hands with him—they called him ‘grandpa hands,’” she said.

Her son would come home devastated and refuse to return to school.

Dr. Jennifer Chen

China virus protests hit Hong Kong after mainland rallies

By KANIS LEUNG and ZEN SOO ASSOCIATED PRESS

HONG KONG (AP) — Students in Hong Kong chanted “oppose dictatorship” in a protest against China’s COVID rules on Nov. 28 after demonstrators on the mainland issued an unprecedented call for President Xi Jinping to resign in the biggest show of opposition to the ruling Communist Party in decades.

Rallies against China’s unusually strict anti-virus measures spread to several cities over the weekend, and authorities eased some regulations, apparently as part of an attempt to quell that public anger. But the government showed no sign of backing down on its larger COVID strategy, and analysts expect authorities to quickly silence

the dissent.

With police out in force, there was no word of protests in Beijing or Shanghai. But about 50 students sang at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and some lit candles in a show of support for those in mainland cities who demonstrated against restrictions that have confined millions of people to their homes. Hiding their faces to avoid official retaliation, the students chanted, “No PCR tests but freedom,” and “oppose dictatorship, don’t be slaves.”

The gathering and a similar one elsewhere in Hong Kong were the biggest protests there in more than a year under rules imposed to crush a pro-democracy movement in the territory, which is Chinese but has a separate legal system from the mainland.

“I’ve wanted to speak up for a long time, but I did not get

the chance to,” said James Cai, a 29-year-old from Shanghai who attended a Hong Kong protest and held up a piece of white paper, a symbol of defiance against the ruling party’s pervasive censorship. ”“If people in the mainland can’t tolerate it anymore, then I cannot as well.”

It wasn’t clear how many people have been detained since the protests in China began on Nov. 25, sparked by anger over the deaths of 10 people in a fire. Some have questioned whether firefighters or victims trying to escape were blocked by locked doors or other anti-virus controls.

Without mentioning the protests, the criticism of Xi or the fire, some local authorities eased restrictions on Nov. 28.

The city government of Beijing announced it would no

China vows more ‘friendly consensus’ amid Vatican complaints

BEIJING (AP) — Beijing and the Vatican are once again tangling over the prickly issue of appointing Chinese bishops.

a 2018 interim accord, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the country is willing to expand the “friendly consensus” achieved with the Vatican over bishop nominations.

The Vatican issued an unusually harsh statement complaining that Beijing on Nov. 24 had installed Bishop John Peng Weizhao as an auxiliary bishop in the province of Jiangxi, which the Vatican doesn’t recognize as a diocese.

China and the Vatican haven’t had diplomatic relations since 1951, following the Communists’ rise to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. The Vatican has sought in recent years to open contacts and reduce frictions, particularly over the appointment of bishops.

At a daily briefing on Nov. 28, Zhao said he was unaware of the specific situation involving Bishop Peng, but said that relations between China and the Vatican had improved over recent years for the benefit and “harmonious development” of Chinese Catholicism.

“China is willing to continuously expand the friendly consensus with the Vatican side and jointly maintain the spirit of our interim agreement,” he told reporters.

In its statement, the Vatican said Peng’s installation ceremony took place after “long and heavy pressure from the local authorities.”

“In fact, this event did not take place in accordance with the spirit

of dialogue,” or what is called for by the 2018 accord, the Vatican statement said.

Since the break in ties, Catholics in China have been divided between those who belong to an official, state-sanctioned church and an underground church loyal to the pontiff. Estimates of the total number of Chinese Catholics run between 6 million and 12 million worshiping in both the recognized Patriotic Catholic Association and the underground church.

The Vatican efforts toward reconciliation led to its willingness to sign what it admits is a far-from-ideal accord in 2018, which regularized the status of several bishops and paved the way for future nominations. Full

details of the agreement never have been made public but Pope Francis has claimed he has final say in the process.

The agreement was seen as a step toward warmer ties that would help fill dozens of empty seats, but it was hotly criticized by many, including by Hong Kong’s influential bishop emeritus Cardinal Joseph Zen.

AsiaNews, which follows the Catholic Church closely in China, said Francis had ordained Peng clandestinely as bishop of Yujiang in 2014, four years before the 2018 accord, explaining the Holy See’s lament that he had been named by Beijing to another diocese that it doesn’t recognize.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian

SATURDAYS THROUGH JANUARY 2023

SEATTLE’S FORMER IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION SERVICES (INS) BUILDING TOURS

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets at wingluke.org/insbuildingtour Tours do not run on 11/19, 11/26, 12/24 1/21

NOW THROUGH 1/15/2023

EXHIBIT: SRIJON CHOWDHURY: SAME OLD SONG

Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., Seattle

Admission is free Wed-Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

NOW THROUGH 2/19/2023

EXHIBIT, “WE ARE CHANGING THE TIDE: COMMUNITY POWER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE”

The Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle Thu-Sun, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. wingluke.org/we-are-changing-the-tide

NOW THROUGH 9/18/2023

RESISTERS: A LEGACY OF MOVEMENT FROM THE JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION

The Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle Thu-Sun, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. wingluke.org

DEC 1

DANISHA JEFFERSON-ABYE WILL SPEAK ABOUT THE WORK OF THE TUBMAN CENTER, WHICH IS WORKING TO ADVANCE HEALTH JUSTICE, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CARE AND INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

Tubman Center for Health & Freedom 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3EOESY3 seattleidrotary.org

3

SANTA IS COMING TO THE C-ID! PHOTO WITH SANTA 12-3 p.m. Wing Luke Museum wingluke.org

GSCCC SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN 2022

Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE 6th Street, Bellevue 5-9 p.m. https://conta.cc/3V0Vx0m Tickets $38 - $170

3 & 4

INSCAPE ARTS OPEN STUDIO TOURS

Wing Luke Asian Museum 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets at wingluke.org/ insbuildingtour

6

BOOK TALK WITH CHRISTOPHER MARQUIS, “MAO AND MARKETS: THE COMMUNIST ROOTS OF CHINESE ENTERPRISE” Via Zoom 4-5 p.m.

RSVP at https://bit.ly/3i33gw7

KOREA, THE UNITED STATES, AND THE INDOPACIFIC FRAMEWORK FOR PROSPERITY: TRANSFORMING ECONOMIES AND MANAGING THE THREAT FROM CHINA Via Zoom 12-1 p.m. world-affairs.org

7

JENNY LIOU DISCUSSES “MUSCLE MEMORY”

Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., Seattle 7-8 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3hPXRZa

8

CELEBRATE SCIDPDA’S NEW CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Ocean Star, 605 7th Ave. S., Seattle 5:30-7 p.m. RSVP at https://bit.ly/3V1StR6

15

JOE HUNTER WILL DISCUSS HOW R.A.R.E. IS WORKING TO INCREASE RACIAL EQUITY

Restorative Justice Coalition 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. For zoom link contact rotaryofseattleid@gmail. com seattleidrotary.org

JAN 14 & 15

TET IN SEATTLEVIETNAMESE LUNAR NEW YEAR Seattle Center https://bit.ly/3XGrOLX

APR 14-16

SEATTLE CHERRY BLOSSOM & JAPANESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL Seattle Center https://bit.ly/3ioieNq

MAY 6

ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION Seattle Center https://bit.ly/3XI11P9

20

A GLIMPSE OF CHINA - SEATTLE CHINESE CULTURE & ARTS FESTIVAL Seattle Center https://bit.ly/3Fc1zWA

26-29

NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL Seattle Center https://bit.ly/3AUMtCc

JUN 3-4

PAGDIRIWANG PHILIPPINE FESTIVAL Seattle Center https://bit.ly/3u7wWLl

AssuntA ng Publisher assunta@nwasianweekly.com

John Liu Associate Publisher john@nwasianweekly.com

Ruth BAyAng Editor editor@nwasianweekly.com

hAn Bui Layout & Web Editor han@nwasianweekly.com

Account Executives

KeLLy LiAo kelly@nwasianweekly.com John Liu john@nwasianweekly.com geoRge hiRA ghira@nwasianweekly.com

The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.”

The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article. Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission.

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

By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

If I were the same age as “Slumberland’s” heroine, Nemo, perhaps around 12, this would have instantly become my new favorite fantasy movie. Netflix’s “Slumberland” has everything that a movie for youngsters on the cusp of adulthood should have—imagination, humor, enigmatic fantastical creatures, and dreams—everything we need to escape the hardships of real life.

“Slumberland” contains all the essential elements of a fairy tale— starting with the missing parent. Nemo, played charmingly by Marlow Barkley, lives an enclosed and joyous existence with her lighthouse caretaker father, Peter—a real life dream of sorts—until, inevitably, Peter, played by Kyle Chandler, as the quintessential, ruggedly handsome, mariner, is lost at sea while searching for an imperiled fishing boat. Before he goes, Peter tells Nemo—who wishes for nothing more than to stay on lighthouse island forever—that he will give her the key to the lighthouse when she can answer him correctly, “What is a lighthouse for?”

Nemo dreams of her father’s demise, and wakes to find it is true. This shows us the power of Nemo’s dreams, and also that her dreams will be messengers and gateways throughout the film where, according to the “rules” of Slumberland—or the dream world—you always get the dream you’re supposed to have. Presumably, dreams teach you some lessons or reveal some truth. Nemo, in danger of becoming a ward of the state, is shipped off to her uncle, her father’s brother, Phillip (Chris O’Dowd), who lives a similarly cut-off existence, but in the big city. Now that Peter has died, and in a most scary fashion, Nemo is pursued by nightmares and she wants desperately, of course, as any child would, to be reunited with her father and the life they had together.

The first dream Nemo has in her new awkward residence, with her new awkward guardian, takes her back home. But all is not what it was. The nightmare is there, and so is “Flip,” a personage Nemo thought existed only in her father’s imagination as part of their nightly bedtime stories, but now is larger than life in front of her— searching for a map of Slumberland that can lead the dreamer not only through other people’s dreams but ultimately to the Sea of Nightmares (sounds fun, right?), where you can

find a pearl that will grant your biggest wish. Nemo would wish to be with her father. Flip, played exuberantly by Jason Momoa, in horns, clawed feet, and a crushed velvet trench coat,

“SLUMBERLAND”

As much about the waking as the dream world

wants to remember who he/it is. Herein lies the danger of dreams, or escapism, or locking yourself away from the world in some way— it might turn into forever—which is what

you think you want but not really. Usually, it’s a response to some disappointment, some

Seasons’ Canon”

By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

“I started dancing hip hop and gymnastics at a studio a block away from my family’s Chinese restaurant in the Bronx, New York,” Christopher D’Ariano, dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB), told the Weekly. “I love to create dance and film, along with anything else that has to do with design. With every process of being both a creator and someone that is created on, I’m finding a clearer perspective on what my voice is as an artist.” A dancer and choreographer, D’Ariano was promoted to soloist during PNB’s most recent production, “The Seasons’ Canon.”

According to the biography on PNB’s website, D’Ariano has had leading roles in George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker”; Alejandro Cerrudo’s “One Thousand Pieces”; Alexei Ratmansky’s “Wartime Elegy” and Kent Stowell’s “Carmina Burana,” both recently performed at PNB; and Twyla Tharp’s “Brief Fling”—to name a few in a long list. He has choreographed for PNB and their school and appeared as a guest at Fire Island Dance Festival, which he described as one of the most impactful moments in his career thus far.

“I don’t think my career had a real direction before then. Performing for an audience that was predominately queer and raising money for a cause like the AIDS epidemic gave me focus onto what really matters to me in this life: community. I started to reflect on who I was…My lineage is much deeper than I could process at that time and I’m continually in a place where I’m still unpacking what it means to be a queer Asian artist in America.”

D’Ariano is of Chinese and Italian descent. His work alludes to people in his life, such as “my Goong Goong and memories of dreams I had as a child in his restaurant,” and to others who came before. “I want to honor those who’ve paved the way [and] be someone that can continue down that road for people like me.”

When asked what it is like as a dancer of color, D’Ariano was realistic and positive. He acknowledged “there are social and racial hierarchies” in the professional dance industry, and “unfair advantages.” However, he also believes “there is a community out there for every person.” In D’Ariano’s view, it’s possible to “focus too much on the trauma, because we are all trying to unpack it,” which is understandable and necessary, yet “we have to keep the dialogue about relatability and familiarity alive…We must use each other to uplift, relate, and create proactive conversations to change what the culture is for us and our future generations.”

D’Ariano did not really focus on ballet until fourth grade. Prior to that, he competed in hip hop, jazz,

D’ARIANO on 13

Pacquiao lends name to movie addressing hate crimes

By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Manny Pacquiao is releasing a movie addressing the issue of Asian hate crimes, in theaters in the United States, premiering on Dec. 2. ‘Almighty Zeus’ features the story of a Filipino American street fighter attempting to do the unthinkable by dethroning a boxing champ. The story

addresses Asian hate crimes, a phenomenon that has been on the rise in recent years.

Since the pandemic, Asian hate crimes have exponentially risen due in part to former President Trump’s accusations that China is to blame for the virus. The unhinged and unsubstantiated claims that China caused a worldwide pandemic

Secure your family’s future— become a homeowner

Owning a home is a great way to protect your family’s financial future. Union Bank® can help you find the mortgage that is right for you:

• Discover down payment options as low as 3%

• Receive down payment assistance grants from $9,000 to $12,000 with no payback of grant required1

• Take advantage of fast prequalifications2

• Enjoy competitive interest rates Call 877-498-3513 today to start building your legacy.

Loans subject to credit and collateral approval. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Terms and conditions subject to change.

1 Assistance provided is considered taxable income and will be subject to issuance of 1099-MISC to borrower. The borrower should consult their tax professional for any tax implications.

2 Not a commitment to lend. Prequalification is based on information provided by the consumer. Additional information must be submitted for review and approval.

Union Bank NMLS ID #539249

©2022 MUFG Union Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Union Bank is a registered trademark and brand name of MUFG Union Bank, N.A unionbank.com

Silva

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

What is the opposite of depression? Happiness, money, love? Apparently, it’s none of these.

While many of you are planning to celebrate this upcoming holiday, there are those who are facing their toughest life challenges. So this blog is dedicated to the struggling folks.

“The opposite of depression is not happiness, it is emotional resilience,” wrote Peter Kramer, a psychiatrist and author. Kramer’s wisdom lies in the fact that we have to look within ourselves. Only you can find the solution yourself if you want to. Only you can heal yourself if you so desire.

Resilience has to do with finding joy in the midst of darkness. Telling yourself no matter how bad it is, you have the ability to cope with it. You can adapt. Adaptability is the key for survival. I didn’t think I could survive the pandemic, but I did. My family did. And many of my friends did. Our newspapers did, too. There were more miracles during the pandemic than I have ever witnessed in my life.

What I learned is, it isn’t a secret to find joy. It’s not complicated. All I have to do is recognize the pith of life through beauty, goodness, nature, inspirations, and miracles in my daily life not through big accomplishments, but tiny incidents, moments, people, and

things…which sounds minor to others, but significant for me to share these examples. And when it comes as a surprise, it‘s even more joyable. I do hunt for “those suckers” though, and write them down diligently for my own sake.

That’s what I do every day. It takes experience to recognize when these tiny moments and events unexpectedly dance before your eyes. They thrill me like a child getting her first lollipop. Sometimes, before you know it, they are gone.

INSPIRATION FROM GIVING BACK

As hundreds of people were queuing up next to a row of homeless camps in Chinatown-International District (CID)

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

the day before Thanksgiving, curiosity pushed me to walk up to see what’s going on my way to the library.

A woman shouted at me, “Get in line.” Suddenly, I remembered. People were waiting for Costco chicken. It’s Jerry Lee’s idea to donate hundreds of chickens to the ACRS food bank for seniors for their Thanksgiving dinner, which we have published before. Chicken is a universal food for Asian celebrations.

Eight years ago, Lee and his friends donated money and labor as well. They bought chickens, delivered and served those chickens, and brought other Asian goodies to the food bank in person. The number of friends who joined in the

cause has almost doubled, as well as the donations. And the donations which Lee collected grew as much as $10,000. His actions have inspired others to do good deeds. And it has spread like wildfire. Now, the program has been expanded to include SouthEast Seattle Senior Center on Holly Street for Thanksgiving as well as Christmas.

Because of the pandemic, Lee and his tribe didn’t volunteer to hand out the goodies. But something new was added this year—each received a red envelope with a quarter inside, to symbolize good luck. Everyone who received a red envelope appreciated the gesture. There were toys for kids, too. It was so well planned and thought out.

“We love the smiles on the many faces and this has become such a heartfelt tradition,” said Lee.

“If you want to help yourself, help others,” said psychiatrist and physician Dr. Daniel Amen. Studies have found both givers and recipients increase their happiness afterwards. Random acts of kindness can lift our brains. It makes us focus on others rather than ourselves.

Jerry, thank you for your inspiration to give back.

CAPTURE BEAUTY ON YOUR CAMERA

“Believe none of what you hear and believe half of what you see,” Benjamin see BLOG on 16

Japanese music stars form band ‘to make the world rock’

By YURI KAGEYAMA ASSOCIATED PRESS

TOKYO (AP) — Four of Japan’s biggest rock stars formed a new band, The Last Rockstars, in a race against time to preserve the spirit of rock music.

“We’ve come together to start this challenge for the world out of Japan,’’ Yoshiki of X Japan told reporters earlier this month.

Dressed in black, Yoshiki, Miyavi, Sugizo and Hyde announced their new group onstage in Tokyo, saying the idea developed naturally.

Sugizo, guitarist for rock band Luna Sea who also plays with X Japan, said he feels the defiant spirit of rock music needs to continue, noting that the members are getting older. Aside from Miyavi, who is 41, the others are all in their 50s.

Guitarist Miyavi appeared as an actor in Angelina Jolie’s 2014 biographical war film, “Unbroken.”

“This may be our last chance at this challenge,” Sugizo said. “We want to put what’s left of our lives on the line to make the world rock with our music.”

They are collaborating on writing songs while continuing work with their own bands, they said. Concerts are scheduled for Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles early next year. The musicians have worked together on various projects over the years, but this is the first time the four have committed to one group.

“Finally, this day has come,” said Hyde, the lead vocalist of rock band L’Arc-en-Ciel. “I’m so excited.”

Yoshiki, who sings and plays the drums and piano, is the new group’s leader. He and X Japan, which dates

back to the 1980s, still command a large and loyal following, and the musicians with whom he is joining forces are also popular.

Japanese media responded with enthusiasm to the announcement, calling it a “dream team,” while some questioned the band’s name and why there was no bassist.

Hyde has sold out the Tokyo Dome stadium 16 times, has more than 60 top-10 singles on the Japanese Oricon Music Charts and sold more than 40 million albums. And Sugizo’s creative reach expands beyond bands into a broad range of fields including movie scores, acting and contemporary dance.

Known as the :samurai guitarist,: Miyavi is famous for his “slap style” of guitar playing that doesn’t use a pick. He has toured the world six times, is in demand as a fashion model and has created TV commercial music for Uniqlo, Nissan and other brands.

X Japan has sold over 30 million albums and singles, and Yoshiki has performed at Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall, and composed a song for Japan’s emperor.

Yoshiki said he has experienced coming close to death many times, and felt time was running out for new opportunities. His former bandmate Hide died of suicide in 1998, as did his father when Yoshiki was a child.

“It’s as if this is the last moment,” he said of the kind of energy he and others were putting into the new band. 

Seniors waited outside the ACRS food bank on the eve of Thanksgiving.

Handing out red envelopes at the ACRS food bank

China sentences Chinese-Canadian star Kris Wu to 13 years

BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese court sentenced ChineseCanadian pop star Kris Wu on Nov. 25 to 13 years in prison on charges including rape.

It said a combined 13-year sentence was agreed on and Wu would be immediately deported after serving his time.

“According to the facts, the nature, circumstances and harmful consequences of the crime, the court made the above judgment,” the court said in an online statement.

online that he “repeatedly lured young women” to have sex, according to a police statement at that time.

That year, a teenager accused him of having sex with her while she was drunk. Wu, known in Chinese as Wu Yifan, denied the accusation.

Kris Wu

Beijing’s Chaoyang District Court said Wu was given 11 years and 6 months for a 2020 rape, and 1 year and 10 months for the “crime of assembling a crowd to engage in sexual promiscuity” in a 2018 event in which he and others allegedly assaulted two women they had gotten drunk.

The court said the three victims in the rape case had also been drunk and were unable to consent.

A Canadian diplomat was in court to hear the sentencing, it said.

Wu was also slapped with a fine of 600 million yuan ($83.7 million) for evading taxes by massively underreporting his earnings from performances, advertisements and other sources of income.

The June trial of the 32-year-old former member of the South Korean group EXO was closed to the public to protect the victims’ privacy.

Wu has been detained since August 2021 while police conducted an investigation in response to comments

The teenager then said seven other women contacted her to say Wu seduced them with promises of jobs and other opportunities. She said some were under 18.

Rape is punishable by three to 10 years in prison, although exceptional cases can result in harsher sentences up to death. The second charge Wu faced is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Wu grew up in Guangzhou in China and in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Japan births at new low as population shrinks and ages

By MARI YAMAGUCHI ASSOCIATED PRESS

TOKYO (AP) — The number of babies born in Japan this year is below last year’s record low in what the top government spokesman described as a “critical situation.”

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno promised comprehensive measures to encourage more marriages and births.

The total of 599,636 Japanese born in January-September was

4.9% below last year’s figure, suggesting the number of births in all of 2022 might fall below last year’s record low of 811,000 babies, he said.

Japan is the world’s third biggest economy but living costs are high and wage increases have been slow. The conservative government has lagged on making society more inclusive for children, women and minorities.

So far, the government’s efforts to encourage people to have more babies have had limited impact despite payments of subsidies for pregnancy, childbirth and child care.

“The pace is even slower than last year ... I understand that it is a critical situation,” Matsuno said.

Many younger Japanese have balked at marrying or having families, discouraged by bleak job prospects, onerous commutes and corporate cultures incompatible

with having both parents work.

The number of births has been falling since 1973, when it peaked at about 2.1 million. It’s projected to fall to 740,000 in 2040.

Japan’s population of more than 125 million has been declining for 14 years and is projected to fall to 86.7 million by 2060. A shrinking and aging population has huge implications for the economy and for national security as the country fortifies its military to counter China’s increasingly assertive territorial ambitions.

A government-commissioned panel submitted a report to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last week citing the low birth rate and falling population as factors that might erode Japan’s national strength. 

VATICAN from 5

It was the first time the Vatican had explicitly accused Beijing of violating the 2018 accord and came just a month after the agreement was renewed for another two years.

The Holy See said it hoped that “similar episodes will not be repeated.”

Under nationalist leader Xi Jinping, the officially atheist Communist

Party has pressured all religions to “sinosize,” meaning they must closely adhere to its rulings on all matters and reject foreign involvement.

Strict anti-COVID-19 social distancing and quarantine rules have also seen religious services disrupted for the better part of four years since the virus was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno

BUDGET from 1

businesses and residents of the CID who have been harmed by years of having more than a dozen homeless shelters in the area.

At a King County Council Budget and Fiscal Management Committee meeting on Nov. 8, Gary Lee, a member of another block watch and the CID Public Safety Council, handed out a map that showed there are 18 shelters within a one-mile radius of the CID, forming a virtual ring around the community. These shelters provide 1,773 beds.

Compared to the number of residents in the CID—there are 4,227—that means if you count only those who occupy beds, there is one unhoused person in the neighborhood for every two housed residents. That does not include the many hundreds on the streets or in encampments (most other neighborhoods around the county have no shelters).

NO ONE KNOWS

Woo is not alone in facing danger.

The Instagram posts also targeted the community. They told residents to go back to China. Or they threatened to attack the community.

“Don’t worry, I’m going to give you people something to rally about soon enough,” said one.

Earlier articles in this newspaper have chronicled the daily violence faced by residents and businesses of the CID, not to mention the armed robberies, burglaries, and vandalism that have become routine and have created a mass exodus of businesses and restaurants.

They have also chronicled the widespread unease in the community with various iterations of Sound Transit’s plans to close down large parts of the neighborhood for up to a decade and flood it with construction and truck traffic.

But what also alarms advocates is that people outside the CID appear to be largely unaware of the violence that has become the norm inside their community.

“I ask people in Newcastle, and they say they haven’t heard anything about it,” said Lee.

WHO WILL HELP THE COMMUNITY?

In the end, community advocates including Woo asked the city for a small portion (5%) of its budget for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). They also asked the county for an investment for the same purposes—to help the community cope with the onslaught of violence, help care for the unhoused, and provide security for businesses and residents.

In a series of emails, testimony, and meetings throughout October and November, they asked the county for $20 million and the city for $5 million for behavioral health services for the unhoused, for housing, and for public safety measures.

Evelyn Chow, staff member for Seattle City Councilmember Tammy Morales, on Oct. 18, said they were too late—the city had already decided on its budget.

But Woo shared an email written by community advocate Betty Lau sent earlier.

Morales responded to a question about the interchange in an email.

“The timeline for the budget process is determined by the budget chair, Councilmember [Teresa] Mosqueda, and our central staff. October 18th was the internal deadline to submit amendments for consideration to the mayor’s proposed budget, though our office works with community members year-round to prepare for budget asks,” said Morales in an email. “We missed Betty’s email because it ended up in our external inbox but look forward to continuing to work together this next year and beyond.”

PLEADING OUT OF TIME

There were missteps along the way. At the King County Council budget meeting on Nov. 8, Councilmember Joe McDermott told Lau and others that public comments were allowed only on items on the agenda. Their request for funding was not.

“I’m willing to be lenient in public testimony if people are willing to be concise,” he said.

“Thank you, Councilmember McDermott, for this graciousness you’re showing us,” said Lau. “We did not understand what today’s topics are.”

In an emailed response to questions from this newspaper about an email he sent Woo and others about the final budget, McDermott said, ”Since you’ve seen an email I sent to some CID community members…, you know I deeply appreciate CID residents raising their voices and understand the deep historical trauma this community has experienced long before living through the deeply challenging previous few years. All the while, the CID remains a vibrant and resilient community.”

COUNTY-WIDE INITIATIVES

Now that the budgets have been passed, Woo and others are waiting for Morales, McDermott, and Harrell’s office to explain how certain items might apply to the CID.

“I’m disappointed,” said Woo.

McDermott, in the email to her and others, said he had added a $200,000 fund to support a community work group. He also said the CID would be able to apply for funding from a county-wide program, the Equitable Development Initiative, which had been allotted $35 million.

In his email, he emphasized other disadvantaged areas, such as White Center and Skyway, would be served by the program.

“These are wonderful communities that have, for decades and decades, been deeply unfunded and subject to the injustices of systemic racism that we must undo,” he said.

White Center is 41.9% white, 21% Asian, and 11.8% Black, the three largest racial groups. Skyway is 32.3% white, 27.91% Asian, and 22.6% Black, the three largest racial groups.

PUBLIC HEALTH VS. PUBLIC SAFETY?

In response to questions about public safety, Morales said she has “worked to address the root causes of poverty, mental illness, and crime.”

Part of her response addressed Seattle, as a whole.

“Our city is experiencing increased crime and community safety issues—as is every major city across the country. That’s why my focus this budget cycle has been on real solutions that can prevent problems and work toward systemic changes that can build up community-based public safety responses in this city,” she wrote.

As for the CID, she said that each year, she had “secured funding to provide public health services such as street sinks and trash pickup at encampments, strengthen commercial and residential tenant protections, and improve our streets and sidewalks to ensure safety for all who use them.”

Woo and others wanted clarification from Morales about two “street outreach workers” apparently included in the budget.

Morales provided a link to a website maintained by REACH, which said it provides social workers who guide people living on the street to appropriate services. There were 14 job postings on the website, the earliest from August of last year, for positions ranging from “Recovery Program Case Manager” to “Street Outreach System Coordinator.”

Evergreen Treatment Services, which supports REACH, did not immediately respond to a request for clarification.

NO SECURITY GUARDS OR INSURANCE—FOR NOW

Several of the chief requests of the activists were not addressed. Businesses and residents had been hoping for security guards, for instance, as other parts of the city have adopted.

Morales said the council had fully funded hiring and recruitment for the Seattle Police Department (SPD).

“Their budget from the general fund, in total, is approximately $400 million, which is more per capita than 88% of city departments,” she said.

Requests for the city to provide insurance for businesses trapped in multi-year leases, but with no private insurance company willing to cover them, were also not addressed.

Morales said in her email, “I love this idea and want to see it implemented. I intend to start off 2023 by seeing how we can make this work for small businesses in the CID and across the south end that have been negatively impacted by private insurance companies. We have to work with our City Law Department, Central Staff Policy Analysts, as well as community members and small businesses to make sure that the program we put together is effective in meeting their needs, so this takes time to build up properly.”

SURPRISES

Other items surprised community advocates, such as a “community investment fund” and “traffic calming measures.” Woo said she hoped Morales would clarify how those would help public safety in the CID.

Morales responded to the Northwest Asian Weekly that such a fund offers “a path to collective and communal ownership of real estate.” She said one of the organizations involved is Friends of Little Saigon.

Traffic calming measures cover Morales’ entire District 2, which she said sees over 50% of pedestrian and traffic fatalities in the whole city. District 2 includes Beacon Hill,

Brighton, the CID (both 2 & 7), Columbia City, Dunlap, Genesee, Georgetown, Hillman City, Industrial District, Lakewood/Seward Park, Little Saigon (both 2 & 3), Lockmore, Mount Baker (both 2 & 3), New Holly, North Beacon Hill (both 2 & 3), Othello, Rainier Beach, Rainier Valley, Rainier View, Rainier Vista, SoDo, and South Beacon Hill.

YOUTH ART CENTER

Woo and others expressed confusion that Morales said she had supported $1 million for the development of King Street Station, which is on the outskirts of the CID, while implying patrons would spillover into the CID.

“We don’t understand how funding something outside the CID applies to the CID’s public safety,” said Woo.

In an email, Morales responded, “The funding for Station Space will support the development of an arts incubator for many BIPOC youth-serving organizations, such as Totem Star, Red Eagle Soaring, and the Rhapsody Project. This will bring more artists and young people into the neighborhood and support existing artists, while also hopefully supporting local businesses.”

NEXT MEETINGS?

None of the officials gave a clear timeframe for when they would meet with Woo and others to explain how their budget items could apply to the CID.

“I remain in contact and conversation with community leaders in the CID and am committed to doing what I can at the county to support and encourage the relevant jurisdictions and organizations to convene and work together towards what might be called a community safety plan,” said McDermott.

Said Morales, “Our office has already been meeting with many CID community members and intends to continue doing so.”

ONGOING DANGER

Behind all this is the specter of the fatal shooting of Donnie Chin, the director of the International District Emergency Center, on July 23, 2015. Brien Chow, chair of the Outreach Committee of the Chong Wa Benevolent Association, recently bemoaned the loss of the community’s guardian angel. Woo and other members of the block patrols say they are careful to steer clear of conflict, although they cannot deny there is risk.

Data from the SPD shows there have been seven homicides in the CID in 2022. There are nearly nightly shootings. And anti-Asian hate crimes continue to surge in Seattle and around the country. As of September, the latest data available, there had been 643 hate or bias crimes in Seattle. In other major cities, there was a comparable increase. In San Francisco, last year, anti-AAPI hate crimes rose by 567%.

ADDRESSING HATE CRIMES

Harrell’s proposed budget cut services for anti-Asian hate crimes, but the mayor said an increase in funding for the SPD was what the AAPI community wanted.

“Mayor Harrell’s priorities in the proposed budget are directly informed by the feedback we’ve received from community members in the CID,” said Jamie Housen, director of communications for the mayor’s office. “These priorities include public safety, hiring officers to swiftly respond to and investigate crimes, and funding community-based solutions; sustainable homelessness action, helping move people indoors while keeping sidewalks, parks, and public spaces open and accessible to all; and essential city services, like supporting small businesses and cleaning up trash.”

Housen mentioned the Unified Care Team that connects unhoused people with services.

“That work—including regular meetings and engagement—will continue as Mayor Harrell is strongly committed to a thriving Chinatown-International District.”

Morales said she successfully brought forth amendments “that fully restored Anti-Asian hate funding ($166,000, for a total of $333,000) as well as funding for a gap in homelessness services for the KCRHA ($600,000).”

In the end, Woo and others say that the solutions offered mostly leave them out in the cold.

“We asked for public safety, but are we getting it? I am not sure,” said Woo. “McDermott and Morales said some great things, but I am disappointed because a lot of the things community members have asked for didn’t make it. What they proposed does not seem community-based, it’s top down.”

Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Predictions and advice for the week of December 3–9, 2022

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat—Tackling a large issue can be made easier by breaking it down into manageable parts.

Ox—If you are trying to solve a mystery, your best bet is to favor the simplest of many potential answers.

Tiger—Someone who has carefully observed an issue that is important to you has valuable insights to share.

Rabbit—Through hard work and determination, you have put yourself in a prime position for a promising opportunity.

WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN?

Dragon—While uncertainty might be a bit uncomfortable, it could lead to an exciting new adventure.

Snake—Much to your relief, you are gaining traction in an area where you had been struggling to make progress.

Horse—Once you realize what is going on, there is no going backward. Thankfully, the path forward will be further illuminated.

Goat—You have multiple advantages, but don’t underestimate what your opponent brings to the table.

Monkey—A widening gulf should be bridged as soon as possible—before it becomes too difficult to span the distance.

Rooster—Have you been swayed by a recent sales pitch? Before you buy, seek out a less biased review.

Dog—To a trained eye, certain flaws are readily apparent. However, perfection isn’t necessarily required for your purposes.

Pig—Just in case things don’t quite go as planned, it would be a good idea to have a backup ready.

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

*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.

D’ARIANO from 8

tap, and lyrical dance. Attending Ballet Tech in Manhattan at a young age exposed him to “the theatrics of ballet and I soon became captivated by the many facets this art form had.” Eventually, D’Ariano’s path led him to PNB, which he compliments for its diversity of works showcased.

“It’s rare that an American ballet company does such a range of extreme ballet and contemporary works. Peter Boal has created an environment that allows innovation to thrive and continually pushes us dancers to keep exploring new facets of our own artistic identity.”

It’s true that with PNB, you get both classical and modern dance in one venue and in one company, whereas in many big cities, the two are separated. PNB’s most recent production, “The Seasons’ Canon,” which ran from Nov. 4-21, is an example. Comprised of three pieces, “The Seasons’ Canon” started with “Catching Feelings,” based on “Works for Strings” by J.S. Bach,

and choreographed by Dwight Rhoden; then “Duo Concertant,” with music by Igor Stravinsky and choreographed by George Balanchine; and finally “The Seasons’ Canon,” Antonio Vivaldi’s famous “The Four Seasons” recomposed by Max Richter and choreographed by Crystal Pite.

In “Catching Feelings,” Bach’s music was classically familiar while the dancers’ movements were current and edgy. The piece elaborated upon the cycle of romance, from flirtation to intimacy and serious commitment and potential conflict.

Costumes are always a delight at PNB and in “Catching Feelings,” the “hot pants” and cut off shirts allowed for a sexy view, yes, but also a view to the complex movements of each dancer’s body.

“Each ballet in this program reveals a different voice,” D’Ariano explained. “There is definitely something for everyone within this show.” D’Ariano himself has a soft spot for “Duo Concertant,” which he got to know at the School of American Ballet. This November, D’Ariano

performed the duet with his friend, Clara Ruf Maldonado, who he has known “since our teenage years in New York.” The piece began with D’Ariano and Maldonado standing on stage next to the musicians before developing into a romantic duet set to Stravinsky’s modernistic music.

“It was incredibly full circle for us to not only dance this together onstage, but to also get coached by Kay several years after we had graduated under her direction,” said D’Ariano, who enjoyed working with PNB’s artistic director, Peter Boal, on the piece. “He allowed both of us to grow within the process and wanted to see our own voices come through…It was a huge dream of mine that became real and a moment I will never forget with Clara on that stage.”

Speaking of the third part of the program, D’Ariano commented, “Doing a work like ‘The Seasons’ Canon’ is so impactful as a company because we can feel how quickly and deeply it affects audiences,” and for certain, the dancers’ undulating

movements against a dark background shot with light that separated and joined together just like they did—like a cellular organism—created an intensely visceral experience.

D’Ariano, who accepted his promotion to soloist in a gorgeous yellow Chinese tunic, would tell any aspiring dancer, “If you feel something when you move your body, then you should explore more of that. There are no boundaries to what you can learn if you have the passion and curiosity to explore it.” And he would tell anyone, including people of color, “We have to let conversations create action and be brave enough to let our own personal backgrounds, stories, and experiences shine through…Seattle is such a rich city to discover local artists, enjoy nature, and connect with my own introverted self…I feel fortunate to be here at this stage of my growing.” 

Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

PACQUIAO from 8

brought about violence to many innocent Asians in the United States due to the belief that they were the cause of the pandemic.

The film is written, directed, and starring Chris Soriano. The story follows a middleweight boxing champion whose mom dies of COVID-19. Distraught and angry, he develops a hate toward Asians. The boxer finds a Filipino American down on his luck, a boxer named Zeus. A video of him defending an elderly Asian man and beating up two men attempting to accost him during the pandemic goes viral. Zeus is discovered by the champ and challenges him to a fight for his title. The champ’s goal is to punish the young and inxperienced Filipino American.

In order to prepare for the fight, Zeus finds a Black boxing coach, Coach Green, who takes him through the tough and gritty streets of the Los Angeles fight scene to make him a better boxer.

The events take place at a time during the COVID-19 mask mandate so some of the scenes are done with masks as part of

the plot.

Soriano felt compelled to write this screenplay based on the rise of Asian hate.

“I saw a lot of hate crimes happening here in America and I said I got to do something about this. I came up with the idea to make a movie,” Soriano added, “It was challenging to write a script, direct it, and put it all together and hope that it would make a difference.” He said that he reached out to Pacquiao and their beliefs aligned, according to Soriano. The overall goal of the movie is to create peace.

He completed the filming in just 90 days. “We wrote it, we shot it, and we hope that it will raise awareness of hate crimes.” He recalled staying up all night and ‘redbulling’ coffee to complete the project so quickly. “You will find a way to make it happen even if there [appears] to be no way.”

Soriano has a boxing background and knew that he could portray the role. Of course, Soriano came up with the boxing choreography. He found his co-star, Coach Green, played by Miguel Matos, online

and they were an instant match. The role of the Asian American boxer and Black coach coming together was what Soriano envisioned as the two races coming together for a common goal.

In an interview promoting the film, Pacquiao talked about the project and why he felt the need to be a part of it.

“It’s an honor to be executive producer for this movie to inspire people,” said the former boxing champion and current Filipino lawmaker. “I hope that this will encourage and inspire people not only in America but all over the world.”

Despite Pacquiao’s boxing background, he believes that people should come together.

“We should spread love instead of fighting one another.” 

“Almighty Zeus” opens in theaters Dec. 2 at the Regal Meridian in downtown Seattle.

Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

DONE RITE

ADVERTISE STATEWIDE with a $325 classified listing or $1600 for a display ad. Call this newspaper or 360-344-2938 for details.

ATTENTION: OXYGEN USERS. Gain freedom with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator! No more heavy tanks & refills! Guaranteed lowest prices. Call the Oxygen Concentrator store: 844-495-7230.

DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details, 855-635-4229.

ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-888-360-1582.

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 money down + low monthly payment options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-888-674-7053.

SLUMBERLAND from 7

sadness, and what you really wanted was connection. The theme rings especially true after the pandemic lockdown. Phillip works from home—in fact, I think this is the first time in a movie I’ve heard someone say, “I work from home”—and while that seems just…the new normal…we come to find out he has something he’s running from.

Phillip does not remember his dreams, and this is important in the movie. This could be important to you, too, if you are one of those people. You might start to ask yourself, why don’t I? It is equally important as having too many weird dreams, or escaping too much into dreams. I was really pleased with O’Dowd, who is rated one of the top actors in Ireland. He has been showing up in Hollywood, and Broadway, since about 2010, and is consistently invested and believable in every role. Barkley as Nemo is darling and

PROTEST from 5

longer set up gates to block access to apartment compounds where infections are found.

“Passages must remain clear for medical transportation, emergency escapes and rescues,” said a city official in charge of epidemic control, Wang Daguang, according to the official China News Service.

Guangzhou, a manufacturing and trade center that is the biggest hotspot in China’s latest wave of infections, announced some residents will no longer be required to undergo mass testing.

Urumqi, where the deadly fire occurred, and another city in the Xinjiang region in the northwest announced markets and other businesses in areas deemed at low risk of infection would reopen this week and public bus service would resume.

“Zero COVID,” which aims to isolate every infected person, has helped to keep China’s case numbers lower than those of the United States and other major countries. But tolerance for the measures has flagged as people in some areas have been confined at home for up to four months and say they lack reliable access to food and medical supplies.

In Hong Kong, protesters at Chinese University put up posters that said,

fierce and not the least bit annoying—I mean that seriously. I normally find most child roles very grating but she shone in this one. Her tears make you want to cry and her smile makes you want to laugh. She is effervescent. Also, she has the most adorable stuffed pig (named “Pig”) that you will ever see in any toy store.

Momoa is spectacular as the “manchild” Flip. He’s part satyr, part squirrel, all goofball—but he can turn suddenly threatening and bare his vampire teeth. He’s also all Momoa. Even though we haven’t seen him in this type of role, quite, he basically dresses like he does in real life (he showed up to the LA premiere in silk pajamas and leopard print slippers which was awesome) and it wasn’t that jarring to see him with ram horns. Flip represents, as he himself knows, the “troubling mix of a father figure and raw, masculine power” a girl turning into a woman might dream of, and the complex

feelings that come with it. She’s missing her father, but she also will have to grow up, like it or not (and she definitely does not, although she has all the spunk she needs). But Flip also represents that child within, that wish for escape, and adventure. That part of us that as adults we might push away, and even forget, as Phillip has done. No, we shouldn’t disappear into a dream world forever, but we shouldn’t entirely lose that child within, either.

We willingly join Nemo and Flip on their riotous ride, cavorting about Slumberland, running from the Slumberland police—who aren’t keen on people interrupting other people’s dreams —and trying to find the pearl and end Nemo’s nightmare. The dream world is completely captivating. The artwork is gorgeous and you immediately can’t wait to see what’s through each new “door” and what each new dream is composed of. Some dreams are comedic. Some are scary.

Some are repressed wish fulfillment. All what people really dream of. If you’re from Canada, apparently, you dream of flying on a goose (lol).

“Slumberland” is full of wonder that will appeal to adults and children. All of the dream categories are there—dreams about losing teeth, dreams about endless staircases. It perfectly captures the adrenaline and bizarro world of dreams where often we gasp both in horror and delight—that sparkly city is beautiful but also creepy how it breaks apart like glass. Even if a dream is scary or uncomfortable, you still want to go into it with Nemo and Flip.

“Slumberland” has what every good fantasy story has. It makes you think about real life. 

Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

“Do Not Fear. Do Not Forget. Do Not Forgive,” and sang “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from the musical Les Miserables. Most hid their faces behind blank white sheets of paper.

“I want to show my support,” said a 24-year-old mainland student who would identify herself only as G for fear of retaliation. “I care about things that I couldn’t get to know in the past.”

University security guards videotaped the event but there was no sign of police.

At an event in Central, a business district, about four dozen protesters held up blank sheets of paper and flowers in what they said was mourning for people killed in the fire in Urumqi in China’s northwest and others who have died as a result of “zero COVID” policies.

Police cordoned off an area around protesters who stood in small, separate groups to avoid violating pandemic rules that bar gatherings of more than 12 people. Police took identity details of participants but there were no arrests.

Hong Kong has tightened security controls and rolled back Western-style civil liberties since China launched a campaign in 2019 to crush a prodemocracy movement. The territory has its own anti-virus strategy that is separate from the mainland.

On the mainland, the ruling party promised in October to reduce disruption

by changing quarantine and other rules. But a spike in infections has prompted cities to tighten controls.

The ruling party newspaper People’s Daily called for its anti-virus strategy to be carried out effectively, indicating Xi’s government has no plans to change course.

“Facts have fully proved that each version of the prevention and control plan has withstood the test of practice,” a People’s Daily commentator wrote.

Protests have also occurred in Guangzhou near Hong Kong, Chengdu and Chongqing in the southwest and Nanjing in the east, according to witnesses and videos on social media.

Most protesters have complained about excessive restrictions, but some turned their anger at Xi, China’s most powerful leader since at least the 1980s. In a video that was verified by The Associated Press, a crowd in Shanghai chanted, “Xi Jinping! Step down! CCP! Step down!”

The British Broadcasting Corp. said one of its reporters was beaten, kicked, handcuffed and detained for several hours by Shanghai police but later released.

The BBC criticized what it said was Chinese authorities’ explanation that its reporter was detained to prevent him from contracting the coronavirus

from the crowd. “We do not consider this a credible explanation,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

A Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Zhao Lijian, said the BBC reporter failed to identify himself and “didn’t voluntarily present” his press credential.

“Foreign journalists need to consciously follow Chinese laws and regulations,” Zhao said.

Swiss broadcaster RTS said its correspondent and a cameraman were detained while doing a live broadcast but released a few minutes later. A journalist for The Associated Press was detained but later released. 

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

“Without a sound emotional basis, no child can achieve anything,” she said.

She and her husband tried various measures, such as buying him gloves to wear. But the gloves after a while increased the infection by not letting in enough air.

Finally, they found other ways, such as encouraging him to join small, close-knit groups, such as his school’s band class.

Chang also gave lectures to his class about eczema, in conjunction with the school nurse.

To their dismay, they found that eczema and asthma often go together, as they did in her son’s case.

“This is quite common. Fortunately, we are finding that some of our medications can simultaneously treat both,” said Chen.

Chang and her husband had to apply their professional skills to their marriage to avoid blaming each other when their son had flare ups that left him hospitalized for long stretches.

“First, we would work together as a team to solve the immediate problem, then after he was better, we would trace back and find the cause,” she said.

In one case, it was an allergy to a particular product.

“They don’t all have the same level of quality control,” she said.

She and her husband never use the word, “You,” in talking about how their son got sick.

“That word is defensive,” she said.

Her husband was also empathetic for what she described as her sense of guilt.

While she was pregnant with her son, she was moving from the East Coast, starting a new job, building a new house, and her in-laws were sick.

“I tried to do too much,” she said.

As a result, she told herself, she had a difficult birth and had hemorrhaging.

When her son was finally born, his skin color was very dark.

“The doctor said he drank a lot of blood and had jaundice,” she said.

That led her to believe his eczema was her fault.

But her husband assured her that, as a child, he had had both eczema and asthma, and they both were genetic.

“As a mother, you always feel it’s your fault, but I was blessed by his reassurance,” she said.

Research bears out her husband’s claims.

“We know that eczema can deeply impact the lives of caregivers as well as patients. We are still learning what types of factors predispose to eczema. Family history of atopy does seem to increase the risk for eczema,” said Chen.

DANGEROUS PRODUCTS

People of AAPI backgrounds may also be susceptible to ineffective treatments.

Chang and her husband, first-generation immigrants from Taiwan, tried Chinese medicine for their son’s malady. They first tried a Chinese medicine doctor in California. But when they returned home to Seattle, Chang’s husband decided against it.

“He said, ‘We don’t know what the ingredients are, and unless we clearly know what he’s going to be putting in his body, he’s not taking it,’” said Chang.

Given the current trend to add botanicals—“plants”—to health care products, this can create another, unforeseen problem, said Chen.

In eczema products, for instance, plants added to the mixture can trigger secondary skin allergies—as can fragrance.

The problem is that the Food and Drug Administration does not hold products that are marketed for beautification to the same standard as those that are sold strictly as medical treatments.

This gives huge leeway to marketers, and terms such as “hypoallergenic” or “for sensitive skin” are not actually regulated and do not necessarily mean much.

“The most important thing is to work with a boardcertified dermatologist in selecting a product,” said Chen.

Even products labeled specifically to treat eczema may have these pitfalls.

MYTH VS. REALITY

Skin cancer is another area where fact may not correspond to belief, particularly for people of AAPI ancestry.

There is a myth that white people are more prone to skin cancer, said Chen. But in fact AAPI people are also vulnerable. They are more likely to develop skin cancer on their hands and feet, said Chen, even while still being susceptible on their face and other parts of their bodies.

At the same time, AAPI people are more prone to hyperpigmentation—dark spots on their skin—which in some traditional cultures that value fairer skin can be frowned upon.

Chen recommends that people of AAPI ancestry use tinted sunscreen, which contains iron and is able to block out visible light along with UV rays—all of these types of light cause the spots.

commonly face.

While there are many phenomena that occurred during the pandemic that involve skin, such as “Covid toes” or other rashes, it is not definitively known if these are Covid-19 related.

“Covid toes,” for instance, when your toes turn purple, could be an epiphenomenon, meaning it’s not directly related to the pathogen, but is a side effect of so many people suddenly working from home and sitting for long periods. The research is ongoing.

But mask-wearing is known to cause irritation and sometimes acne, particularly for people who wear them for long periods. In skin of color, these skin issues can again result in hyperpigmentation.

Chen’s work includes evaluating the most effective way to mitigate the effects.

First, everyone should apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer (one that doesn’t clog pores), making sure to do so far enough in advance that it has time to dry before fitting on a mask.

“If having irritation behind the ears, choose a mask with straps that loop behind the head rather than behind the ears. Devices also exist that pin the ear loops of masks behind the head. Wear a tinted sunscreen on areas of the face not covered by the mask,” said Chen.

Finally, medications may sometimes be required. If not improving with the above, follow up with a board-certified dermatologist, said Chen.

GENERAL SKIN CARE

On a long visit to Taiwan, a Chinese medicine doctor prescribed snake soup.

Their son ate the soup while there, then for six months after returning.

“We didn’t notice any difference,” said Chang.

“Eczema can be a very challenging diagnosis,” said Chen, in response to questions about Chang’s case. “It is not uncommon for patients to seek alternative medicine avenues, but these can also be challenging since they often lack data on safety or efficacy.”

For everyone, Chen recommends examining your own skin once a month for any changes or growth in moles or pigmentation.

There are, unfortunately, no guidelines about how often to see a dermatologist. It is better to be examined by a dermatologist than a general practitioner, but many insurance companies require one to see the general practitioner first before being referred.

“One of our biggest challenges is that people seem to think dermatologists are just for beautifying the skin cosmetically. We certainly do that, but in fact we treat everything that has to do with the skin,” said Chen.

COVID-19 AND SKIN

Beyond this, Chen’s recommendations are the same that we often hear:

—use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen —reapply every 2-3 hours —use other mitigating techniques, such as wearing hats or rash guards and seeking out the shade —make sure eczema products are fragrance free, and if possible, plant free

Recent bad press about chemical sunscreens— claiming they harm coral or some chemicals are absorbed into the body— have turned some people off to their use, she said.

“However, this is controversial and requires further study. In the meantime, patients who are uncomfortable with this can stick with mineral (nonchemical) sunscreens that have an active ingredient of zinc or titanium dioxide. There is a strong body of research showing that sun protection decreases the risk of skin cancer, hyperpigmentation, or signs of skin aging, and it behooves everyone to exercise sun protection,” said Chen.

Skin cancers are some of the most common types of skin cancer and may be preventable with good habits.

Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Covid-19 created a new set of challenges for skin health, ones which, again, persons of AAPI ancestry might

BLOG from 10

Franklin said. This is particularly true when it comes to weather forecasts. In stead of a rainy forecast last week spoiling our daytime activities, showers mostly occurred at night while we were asleep. Yet, a few late mornings, the sun lit up and the sky was clear. I was in awe of a sunny Thanksgiving and the spectacular sunset.

Watching the sunset is one of my favor ite pastimes. It touches my heart. I prefer the sunset more than sunrise. Sunset col ors are more vibrant and diverse, while sunrise is merely brightness, which some times blinds my eyes. But I like watching the sunrise, too, if I were in the right place at the right time. Nature is your best ally when it comes to healing. The Thanksgiv ing sunset lasted less than 10 minutes. I was blessed to catch it on time and cap tured it in my camera. Whenever you feel joy with someone, a scene or object, take a picture. It reminds you of happy times. It also highlights your blessings. Also, write down your blissful moments. You

build up your own happiness by discover ing your own well for happiness. So keep a journal of your feelings, thoughts, and events every day. Studies have found that journaling enhances your mental health and also improves your memory.

Another healing method for depression and insomnia is to get enough sunlight. Seattle is not the best place for sunlight. If you expose yourself to sunlight or stay outdoors during the day for at least half an hour, it may be able to make a slight difference in your sleep.

THANKSGIVING

Most businesses were closed on Thurs day. For stores that were open, business was usually slow.

Fortunately, Lam’s Seafood was open so we could buy things that we had for gotten to buy before Thanksgiving. To my surprise, Lam’s was packed. The energy inside was amazing. I loved the scene of the shoppers who hauled so much stuff in their carts. Then I looked up and saw the beautiful Lunar New Year merchandise. It may be too early for Lunar New Year, but the Year of the Rabbit will be on Jan.

TOP 10 from 1

Dr. Hai Pham, Dr. Thuy Tran, Hoa Nguyen, Daniel Nguyen, and incumbent lawmaker Khanh Pham are all set to take their seats in the Oregon House on Jan. 9, 2023.

In Illinois, the number of Asian Americans in the Illinois General Assembly has increased almost tenfold since 2016 and also has a historically diverse representation: Sharon Chung will be the first Korean American, Hoan Huynh the first Vietnamese American. They will have three South Asians: incumbent Sen. Villivallam, Kevin Olickal, and Nabeela Syed. Abdelnasser Rashid will be the first Palestinian American, and he, along with Syed, will be the first Muslim members.

Kenneth Mejia was elected Los Angeles’ first Filipino elected official and the first Asian American to assume citywide office as the city controller.

Taiwanese American Chen Suen became Arcadia’s first Asian American fire chief.

2. First Asian prime minister

Rishi Sunak became the first British Asian and Hindu to hold the office of prime minister of Great Britain earlier this year after he was elected unopposed on Oct. 24 and appointed by King Charles III the following day.

3. First Asian American featured on U.S. currency

Actress Anna May Wong became the first Asian American to appear on U.S. currency, about a century after landing her first leading role. Wong’s trademark blunt bangs and pencil-thin eyebrows were

featured on the back of new quarters in October. Her design was included as part of the American Women Quarters Program, which highlights pioneering women in their respective fields. Wong was featured alongside Maya Angelou, Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, and Nina Otero-Warren.

22. So it might be sound to warn shoppers. These decorations welcome fortune and happiness for you and your family and are relevant for both Lunar and Western New Year.

At the end of the day, my heart was full of gratitude for the good weather, the beau tiful sunset before our sumptuous Thanks giving feast prepared by my daughter-inlaw. What else could I ask for!

BREAK TRADITION

Black Friday was a success. Should I get credit for shopping that day? In my five decades living in the United States, I never shopped on Black Friday. This year, I decided to break the tradition to support downtown Seattle businesses. Novelty can bring us joy. And I got deals like 50% off for my cosmetics. We also went to Uniqlo, a new casual wear shop downtown, where Macy’s used to be. Uni (short term) is a Japanese company, which I had bought merchandise from before.

Lots of young people came and explored.

My husband bought a hoodie. I definitely would go back to shop in the future. We also visited Bellevue Square to see its holiday decorations. It lifted up my heart to see festive Christmas decorations. It’s magical. I love all the creativity. It’s also a chance for me to wish strangers and workers at the information booth a Merry Christmas.

FACING HARDSHIPS

If you’ve read this far, you might think everything has been smooth in my life. On the contrary. A family member’s health challenge has impacted me. But looking for joy in all areas of life such as watching Team USA’s win against Iran, and Japan’s victory against Germany during the World Cup, was inspirational, exhilarating, and fun. And I am grateful for those hopeful and stellar moments that lower my stress when I need it most. 

Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

Piʻikea Kekīhenelehuawewe hiikekauʻōnohi Lopes, Miss Aloha Hula 2022 and a University of Hawai’i graduate student, is the first Native Hawaiian to be featured in advertising for Nike’s N7 col lection, which helps and celebrates Indige nous communities through athletic apparel that honors Indigenous cultures and tradi tions.

5. ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ is everything

The sci-fi comedy about a Chinese immigrant and laundromat owner, featuring Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, became A24’s highest-grossing title since it was met with critical acclaim in its March release. With awards season around the corner, the film has already received eight nominations for the Film Independent Spirit Awards with nods for best feature, best director, best lead actor for Michelle Yeoh, supporting actors Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis, and breakthrough for Stephanie Hsu.

6. Musical achievements

This year’s Grammy Awards featured

several Asian American winners including Filipino American Olivia Rodrigo, R&B duo Silk Sonic comprised of Filipino American Bruno Mars and Korean American Anderson .Paak, Filipino/ African American Gabriella Wilson (better known as H.E.R.), and Pakistani American Arooj Aftab.

K-pop made history at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards with wins by BLACKPINK, BTS, SEVENTEEN, and Lisa.

7. Literary achievements

Hoa Nguyen’s “A Thousand Times You Lose Your Treasure” was named one of the National Book Awards 2021 finalists.

Sabaa Tahir’s “All My Rage” won the Young People’s Literature category of the 2022 National Book Awards.

Jamil Jan Kochai’s “The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories” was named one of the finalists of the Fiction category of the 2022 National Book Awards.

Jenny Xie’s “The Rupture Tense” was named one of the finalists of the Poetry cat egory of the 2022 National Book Awards.

Yoko Tawada’s “Scattered All Over the Earth” (translated by Margaret Mitsutani) was named one of the finalists of the Trans lated Literate category of the 2022 National Book Awards.

Lisa Yee’s “Maizy Chen’s Last Chance” was named one of the finalists of the Young People’s Literature category of the 2022 National Book Awards.

8. James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award Chinese American TV chef personality

Martin Yan received this year’s James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award for his 43 years in the industry.

Yan had his own cooking show, “Yan Can Cook,” and under PBS, he filmed over 2,000 TV episodes and published nearly 30 cookbooks. He is also the second Asian American to win the award, after Chinese American restaurateur and chef Cecilia Chiang, who won in 2013.

9. ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’

Leanne Fan, an eighth grader from San Diego, California, won this year’s 3M Young Scientist Challenge grand prize for inventing “Finsen Headphones,” a smart device that detects and treats mid-ear infections in children. She developed the low-cost wearable device by using machine learning technology and blue light therapy.

Fan also won a $25,000 cash prize, which she plans to use to start processing the patent for her invention.

10. First-ever spell-off

In a historic competition this year, Harini Logan won the first-ever spell-off at the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee. This was Logan’s fourth bee, but first-ever spell-off. The San Antonio, Texas native won a trophy and a check for $50,000.

Logan spelled 21 out of 26 words correctly, while her competitor got 15 out of 19 words right. 

Nina can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

A beautiful sunset on Thanksgiving day

Lunar New Year decorations at Lam’s Seafood

Thanksgiving feast prepared by Tracy Luu

4. First Native Hawaiian to be featured in Nike’s N7 collection