VOL 39 NO 4 | JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

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

VOL 39 NO 4 JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020 FREE 38 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■

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

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asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Photo by Assunta Ng

Rotary clubs host LNY program

bachelor’s degree in architecture from Syracuse University before moving to Washington and becoming a Bothell resident in 2001.

Duerr serves on the Bothell City Council and has been active on multiple boards, including the Bothell Landmark Preservation Board and the Northshore School Foundation. 

Momosan now open for lunch Jonny Kim

Rotarians of the University District club and the Seattle International District (ID) club hosted a Lunar New Year program on Jan. 16.

Thirty people attended the event held at Tai Tung restaurant.

The program included a tour of Louisa Hotel and a short talk by Monica Ly of the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area. Northwest Asian Weekly publisher Assunta Ng gave a brief history of the ID and of Lunar New Year. 

Davina Duerr sworn in

State Rep. Davina Duerr was one of five new lawmakers sworn in last week for the 2020 state legislative session.

A daughter of a Taiwanese immigrant, Duerr was appointed to the House of Representatives seat for the 1st District, which encompasses Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties. She is replacing Derek Stanford, State Rep. Davina Duerr whose House seat was vacated when he was appointed to a Senate seat this session.

Duerr grew up in New York, where she earned her

Photo by John Liu

Some members of the Rotary Clubs of the University District and Seattle International District. Ling Chinn (middle, standing) organized the program.

Chef Masaharu Morimoto (right) came to Seattle on Jan. 20 to kick off lunch service.

Located inside The Publix building at 504 5th Avenue South in Seattle’s International District, Momosan now offers lunch service from Monday through Saturday, from 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

The lunch menu will offer a variety of customizable lunch sets, featuring a choice of a small bowl of ramen paired with either a small rice bowl (don) or a sushi roll, served with a side of pickled cabbage. The lunch sets also offer an option to add kakuni bao, steamed gyoza, and spicy wonton. 

NASA’s first Korean American astronaut

Jonny Kim will be the first Korean American to join a NASA mission in space. Kim, 35, has also served as a U.S. Navy SEAL and is a Harvard-trained physician.

As a special operator with SEAL Team 3, Charlie Platoon, Kim served in a number of roles, including combat medic, sniper, and navigator. During more than 100 combat

missions, he earned a Silver Star and a Bronze Star with Valor.

Kim is the child of South Korean immigrants who arrived in Los Angeles in the early 1980s, where he was born. He told the Harvard Gazette that he joined the Navy to handle self-confidence issues.

“I needed to find myself and my identity… for me, getting out of my comfort zone, getting away from the people I grew up with, and finding adventure, that was my odyssey, and it was the best decision I ever made.” 

California’s first Asian American sheriff

Paul M. Miyamoto was officially sworn in Jan. 8 as the 37th sheriff of San Francisco, becoming the first Asian American elected to the office of sheriff in California.

In his inaugural address, Miyamoto shared his father’s family story of resilience after being forcibly relocated to an Paul M. Miyamoto internment camp during World War II. The Miyamotos lost everything but later “became the change they wanted to be,” he said.

His father, Phil, practiced law and later became an appellate judge for the state of California.

Miyamoto joined the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department over 23 years ago. He is only the second sheriff in the department’s 169-year history to rise from the ranks and be elected sheriff. 

January 15-28, 2020

Lunar New Year Sale Lunar New Year is January 25, 2020

Lucky Red Envelope Scratch Card Spend $30 or more during our Lunar New Year Sale and receive a lucky red envelope scratch off card in honor of Lunar New Year. Scratch to reveal your special prize!

While Supplies Last. Limit One Per Customer, Per Day.

YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

asianweekly northwest

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Photo by Mahlon Meyer

Photos courtesy of HKSA/UW

Future of Hong Kong protests uncertain: panel

Supporters were thrilled at the diversity of people attending the panel

Brian Leung answering a question

Audience members lining up to buy souvenirs and make donations after the event

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

But the rest of his story was contradictory. And he refused to give his name or any other details about himself.

Just such hazy, indistinct threats—such as potential undercover agents—have riddled the protest movement in Hong Kong, now into its seventh month.

And the presence of this uncertain individual at a University of Washington (UW) forum—whether harmful or not—seemed to characterize a sense of doom facing the movement as it seeks to define itself and move forward.

At the panel discussion, held on Jan. 18 in a packed auditorium of roughly 140 people, the speakers shared views on varying threats that faced the movement, with

UW Professor David Bachman offering a grim view of its challenges.

Still, after the event, some audience members said they were pleased with the diversity and size of the crowd. But others said they wished the panelists had engaged in a dialogue with each other.

One of the panelists, Kai Ping (Brian) Leung, a protester who had stormed the Legislative Council (LegCo) in Hong Kong and tore off his mask, said that fragmentation was one of the threats that could undermine the movement.

Leung, a doctoral student at the UW, said that a core

With a backpack and a matching sweat suit, the Chinese man in his late 20s or early 30s did not act like a student. Outside Kane Hall 110, where Hong Kong students and two professors had just given a talk on the future of the protest movement in Hong Kong, he flitted around, never stopping, until cornered by a stranger.

Uneasily, his eyes shifted this way and that. He spoke Mandarin, unlike the rest of the throngs of attendees. He said he had gone to Hong Kong several times, between June and August and then September and November, “to check on the future of the movement.”

see HONG KONG on 16

PRESENTS

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 11 am – 6 pm • Bellevue Square

Join The Bellevue Collection as we celebrate the Year of the Rat. Share in the cultural heritage of our community through numerous traditional and contemporary cultural demonstrations.

Martial Arts • Music • Dance • Visual Arts • Chinese Lion and Dragon Parade • Food sampling from Din Tai Fung and Baron’s Sino Fusion Kitchen & Bar (limited time) Chinese Calligraphy at Lincoln South Food Hall • Friday, January 31 • 11 am – 2 pm

bellevuecollection.com/lunarnewyear

LNY-2020_TBC_SeaChinesePost-NWAsianWkly_Ad_final.indd 1

For event details, scan this QR code.

EVENT SPONSORS:

EVENT PARTNERS:

COLUMBIA BANK EAST WEST BANK

Seattle Chinese Culture and Arts Association

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST BANK

The Overseas Community Affairs Council – Republicof China (Taiwan)

1/14/20 9:22 AM

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asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

■ NATIONAL NEWS ■ COMMUNITY NEWS USPS unveils stamp Bellevue Lunar New Year celebration celebrating the Year of the Rat The United States Postal Service (USPS) has unveiled its Year of the Rat forever commemorative stamp.

Luke T. Grossmann, senior vice president of finance and strategy for the USPS, shared the tale of how the rat became the first animal featured in the Lunar New Year rotation.

“A popular legend tells of the animals swimming across a river in a race to determine who would go first, with the rat crossing by riding on the back of the ox to jump ahead at the last minute to win that race,” Grossman said. “It is our sincere hope that the year of the rat brings everyone prosperity, peace, good luck, and much joy.”

This is the premier stamp in the Postal Service’s new series, which will feature all 12 animals associated with the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

The stamp features a mask reminiscent of those used in the dragon dance, a staple in Lunar New Year parades. Art director Antonio Alcala designed the stamp with original artwork by Camille Chew.

Utilizing blue as the predominant color—said to be one of the lucky colors for individuals born during the Year of the Rat—the rat mask in the stamp design incorporates elements with symbolic meaning. Several of the patterns were created with the style of Asian textiles in mind and the circle in the center of the rat’s head represents the new moon on which the Lunar New Year begins. A pop of the very lucky color red ties the design in with other common celebratory decorations. 

Wishing you prosperity in the year of the Rat. Let us earn your business.

International District 601 S Jackson 206-624-7581 Beacon Hill 2800 Beacon Avenue S 206-324-1884 Jackson Park 14360 15th Avenue NE 206-365-8200 University District 4221 Bridgeport Way W 253-564-7353

For additional locations, or to open a new account online, visit wafdbank.com.

The Bellevue Collection’s day-long Lunar New Year celebration will be held on Feb. 1.

Expect a day filled with numerous traditional and contemporary cultural demonstrations, including martial arts, music, dance, visual arts, and food sampling. At Bellevue Square, Din Tai Fung and Barons Sino Kitchen and Bar will be handing out food samples until

they run out.

The festival is open to audiences of all ages and includes fun, complimentary activities for all to participate in.

This event is organized by the Bellevue Collection, Seattle Chinese Culture and Arts Association, and Overseas Community Affairs Council Republic of China (Taiwan). 

Chúc mừng năm mới từ Thị trưởng Jenny A. Durkan và Seattle Văn Phòng Nội Vụ Di Dân và Tị Nạn.

西雅圖市長Jenny A. Durkan和西雅圖移民 難民事務辦公室祝大家新年快樂。 제니 더칸 (Jenny A. Durkan) 시장과 시애틀 이민 및 난민 사무국 (Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs) 은 여러분 모두에게 새해 복 많이 받으시기를 기원합니다.

Happy Lunar New Year from Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs!

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs would like to remind you that...

Seattle welcomes and supports immigrants and refugees.

If you have a question about public charge, DACA, fee increases for naturalization, or other immigration-related issues, we recommend checking out: www.seattle. gov/OIRA. The cost to apply for citizenship could increase significantly. We recommend applying now.

wafdbank.com

Learn more about free help to apply for U.S. citizenship: www.seattle.gov/NCC.

Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

YOUR VOICE

■ AT THE MOVIES

By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

The historical epic “Quezon’s Game” opens with a 1944 newsreel unfolding in a small screening room.

The Allies, says the narrator, have pushed back against the Nazis in Europe, and liberated the horrifying death camps in the process. We’re still working through, says the narrator, the unspeakable, perhaps incomprehensible, nature of those extermination camps.

A man watches the screen, hunched over in a wheelchair. An elegant woman sits beside him.

“Could I have done more?” the man wonders aloud.

And the rest of Matthew Rosen’s film travels back in time, to answer this question.

The man in the wheelchair, we learn, is Manuel L. Quezon (played by Raymond Bagatsing), president of the Philippines. As we travel back to the late 1930s, we find him healthier, ambulatory, and feisty, with his

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

wife Aurora (Rachel Alejandro) often by his side. He meets, greets, shakes hands, makes plans, frets about the economy, about the war that many say is coming, and about his country being under the thumb of the United States—independence is on the horizon, but not due for another several years.

He also frets about the Nazis. Stories about Nazi Germany’s treatment of Jews under Hitler are even then, starting to filter out, making their way as far as Manila.

Philanthropy can sprout in the oddest of places. In this case, it begins as discussions over all-night poker games.

Cigar maker Alex Frieder (Billy Ray Gallion) has heard the stories about Germany, too. And he believes the Philippines can, and should, set up a program of asylum for the persecuted Jews.

Quezon quickly agrees. But the plan is audacious and rife with strife. The United States still controls Quezon’s land, meaning that it can interfere with, or outright block, any plan that Quezon makes. The president also faces pushback from his own people. Surely, say his political friends, the rest of the world will take in the Jews if they really need taking in. How is this our problem? Won’t opening our borders to people halfway around the world set a dangerous precedent?

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Also, although this will be painful for both Filipinos and Anglos to recall, prejudice and hatred aren’t limited to Nazi Germany. Anti-Semitism runs through both Philippine and U.S. culture. And Filipinos, even politicians, and dignitaries, had to use the “colored” bathrooms when they visited the U.S. president at the White House.

The film does quite well depicting the encroaching nature of intolerance. Such things don’t hit all at once, like a hammer coming down. But, one day, it’s everyone at the German embassy having to bark “Heil Hitler” and fly the Nazi flag. A short time later, Jews are being refused entry to the Germany embassy’s restaurant.

Trickle by trickle, the horror grows.

It’s also quite honest about how easy it’s always been to do nothing in the face of need. The political arguments against helping the Jews all made sense to a substantial portion of the people. We don’t want Jews. We don’t need Jews. Accepting Jews will put a strain on our economy and/or take jobs away from people already here. Are the Nazis really so bad? Why don’t we let someone else solve the problem? see QUEZON’S GAME on 16

Term

12 Months

24 Months

36 Months

APY*

1.51%

1.77%

2.02%

Goal Amount

Monthly Payment

Monthly Payment

Monthly Payment

$1,000.00

$82.67

$40.92

$26.94

$5,000.00

$413.31

$204.57

$134.65

$10,000.00

$826.61

$409.13

$269.30

$15,000.00

$1,239.90

$613.70

$403.95

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asianweekly northwest

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

■ LUNAR NEW YEAR

38 YEARS

While the sea of glowing red lanterns, drums, dragon dances, and red envelopes are some of the first images in people’s minds of Lunar New Year, a more understated and humble symbol of the Spring Festival are its celebrated and iconic flowers.

It seems like everywhere you go, you’ll find potted plants and blooming branches as festive decor at this time of year. Florists in larger cities have begun carrying specific flowers and potted plants wrapped in red and gold sleeves to symbolize virtues such as good luck, fortune, and prosperity.

The variety of flowers out there are outstanding, but there are a few traditional standouts to look out for and a few important things to know when you seek them out.

Chrysanthemum

Some flowers for the new year are specially treated and grown in very controlled environments to make sure they’re at their very best leading up to the festivities. Chrysanthemum or “mums” are a classic and very symbolic flower in China. Though it naturally flowers in autumn, a potted golden Chrysanthemum grown for Chinese New Year symbolizes wealth and abundance.

Peony

Often dubbed as the unofficial national flower of China, the peony is the most extravagant and prized flower of them all. There are two main types of peony, the tree peony and the herbaceous bush peony. Natural bloom time is in late spring and early summer, but a blooming tree peony plant commands a very high price during the Spring Festival.

These are popular plants to grow in the garden, but being tricked into blooming outside their regular schedule, these plants may take several years to recover and flower again.

Other flowers are sold as cut branches that have endured the winter’s cold outdoors and can actually be tricked into blooming by putting them in a vase indoors so they open see SPRING on 20

Photos by Han Bui

By Rizaniño “Riz” Reyes NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Dragon dances at Tet in Seattle 2020

YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

asianweekly northwest

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Washington man is 1st in U.S. to catch new virus from China

By CARLA K. JOHNSON and MIKE STOBBE ASSOCIATED PRESS SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. reported its first case on Jan. 21 of a new and potentially deadly virus circulating in China, saying a Washington state resident who returned last week from the outbreak’s epicenter was hospitalized near Seattle.

The man, identified as a Snohomish County resident is in his 30s, was in good condition and wasn’t considered a threat to medical staff or the public, health officials

said.

U.S. officials stressed that they believe the virus’ overall risk to the American public remained low.

“This is not a moment of high anxiety,” Gov. Jay Inslee said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they sent a team to Washington to try to track down people who might have come in contact with the man. The hospital also said it was contacting “the small number of staff and patients” who may have been with the man at a clinic.

The man is originally from central China, lives alone in the U.S. and made the trip solo, officials said. There were relatively few people who came in contact with him since he got back, health officials said.

The newly discovered virus has infected about 440 people, all of whom had been in China, and killed nine. The virus can cause coughing, fever, breathing difficulty, and pneumonia. The U.S. joins a growing list of places outside mainland China reporting cases, following Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. 

■ NATIONAL NEWS

‘Parasite’ win best ensemble at Screen Actors Guild Awards

By JAKE COYLE AP FILM WRITER “Parasite’’ has officially infected this year’s award season. Bong Joon Ho’s Korean film became the first foreign language film to take top honors from the Screen Actors Guild on Jan. 19, setting itself up as a legitimate

best-picture contender to the front-runner “1917’’ at next month’s Academy Awards.

The win, over the starry productions likes of “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood’’ and “The Irishman’’ was a surprise, but only to a degree. The audience at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, greeted the victory for “Parasite’’ with a standing ovation.

Because actors make up the largest percentage of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, their picks are closely watched as an Academy Awards harbinger.

But the last two years, the SAG ensemble winner has see PARASITE on 14

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asianweekly northwest

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

38 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR JAN 23

ICHS COMMUNITY KITCHEN C–ID Community Center, 719 8th Ave. S., Seattle 11 a.m.

GET FREE HELP APPLYING FOR U.S. CITIZENSHIP ACRS, 3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle 2 p.m. http://bit.ly/signmeupacrs-citizenshipclinic

24 TET CELEBRATION 2020 Vietnamese Student Association at UW Tacoma, 1900 Commerce St., Tacoma 6–10 p.m.

RAT FANCY: A LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY Dynasty Room, 714 S. King St., Seattle 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

LUNAR NEW YEAR RECEPTION HOSTED

BY REP. MY-LINH THAI AND SEN. JOE NGUYEN Senate Rules Room 12-1 p.m.

RSVP to alex.hamasaki@leg. wa.gov

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DOCUMENTARY, “CHILDREN OF THE CAMPS” NVC Memorial Hall, 1212 S. King St., Seattle 12–4 p.m.

MODEL MINORITY, AN ASIAN WOMXN COMEDY SHOW Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle 8–10 p.m. caracolcreative.com

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION & FAIR Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle 10 a.m.–5 p.m. wingluke.org POP PUNK DIM SUM House of Hong Restaurant, 409 8th Ave. S., Seattle 12 p.m.–2 p.m.

THE FUTURE ANCIENT LUNAR NEW YEAR’S PARTY Volunteer Park Conservatory, 1400 E. Galer St., Seattle 7-11:59 p.m.

CWU SAMMAMISH HOSTS A COMMUNITY LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION CWU-Sammamish 120 228th Ave NE, Sammamish 1–4 p.m.

29 FRIENDS OF LITTLE SAIGON’S ANNUAL TET CELEBRATION Zero Plus, 1000 S. Weller St., Seattle 4:30 p.m. flsseattle.org

FEB 1 THE DANNY WOO GARDEN’S COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY Danny Woo Community Garden 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

THE PEKING ACROBATS TOUR Meydenbauer Center Theatre, 11100 NE 6th St., Bellevue 3 p.m. for family matinee 8 p.m. for evening performance $29/ticket bit.ly/2QORxQN

CELEBRATION Stan Head Cultural Center, 13056 SE 76th St., Newcastle 1-3 p.m.

TAP-SEA: LUNAR NEW YEAR BANQUET New Star Seafood Restaurant, 516 S. Jackson St., Seattle 5:30-8:30 p.m.

THE CHINESE STUDENT ASSOCIATION AT THE UW PRESENTS 53RD ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR GALA UW, Kane Hall 5:30-9:30 p.m.

4 FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS Uwajimaya, 5th Ave., Seattle 9 a.m. ichs.com

5 IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE ADVOCACY DAY Washington State

Labor Council, 906 Columbia St. NW, Olympia 8 a.m.–3 p.m. shorturl.at/pyCG4

events LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

6 KIN ON’S LUNAR NEW YEAR MAHJONG NIGHT Kin On, 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle 6:30-9 p.m.

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8&9 ASIAN ART MUSEUM HOUSEWARMING: FREE REOPENING WEEKEND Seattle Asian Art Museum 9 a.m. seattleartmuseum.org

APCC’S 22ND ANNUAL NEW YEAR CELEBRATION FEATURING VIETNAM, COUNTRY AND CULTURE Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

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NWAW’S LUNAR NEW YEAR COSTUME CONTEST Northwest Asian Weekly’s front door, 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 11 a.m.

For details, please go to nwasianweekly.com/

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PACIFICA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA TRINITY Episcopal Church, 2301 Hoyt Ave., Everett 3 p.m.

SEATTLE NIGHT MARKET: LUNAR NEW YEAR Magnuson Park Hangar 30, 6310 NE 74th St., Seattle 12-10 p.m.

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION Bellevue Square, 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

NEWCASTLE CHINESE NEW YEAR

View the solution on page 14

Assunta Ng

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Han Bui Layout & Web Editor han@nwasianweekly.com

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

The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article.

Subscriptions cost $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.

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JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

YOUR VOICE

■ LUNAR NEW YEAR

asianweekly northwest

9

Astrological predictions for 2020 – Year of the Rat

By Sun Lee Chang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The Rat occupies a special place as the first animal in the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac.

In the Rat, ambition and desire are tempered by a recognition of the realities of any given situation. With planning and cunning, the Rat is able to prevail where others would not.

Of the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water associated with the Chinese zodiac, 2020 will be the Year of the Metal Rat. The Metal Rat will prove to be resilient

Rat

Waiting for a clear endgame before choosing sides? The scene will unfold very differently depending on what you pick.

Work: The ability to adjust quickly is one of your strengths. That includes embracing new technology if it helps your business.

Love: You place a high value on independence, but some level of collaboration is necessary for a successful partnership.

Ox

Guided by a gentle spirit, you are nonetheless ferocious in advocating for something you feel strongly about.

Work: If you are lucky enough to have a second bite at the apple, don’t make the same mistakes twice.

Love: There is no reason to debate every point you disagree with. Remember that it’s not always about proving who is right.

Tiger

Naturally resourceful, you can usually find what you are lacking. When you have plenty, set aside reserves for the future.

Work: In order to avoid overextending yourself, limit your promises to what you can reasonably deliver.

Love: For a genuine connection, you must be willing to invest the time to really get to know who you are with.

Rabbit

In order to reach your full potential, you need to feel secure in your position. Care should be taken to build a strong foundation.

Work: Your skills are

in the face of adversity. The Metal Rat prefers to be at the top and, when occupying that position, are surprisingly generous. That said, the Rat may forgive a slight, but never forgets.

The Rat strives for balance, but it can take time to achieve it. Just enough is often not enough for the Rat who wants more than what has been acquired. When important lessons are learned, however, the Rat truly takes it to heart.

There is no shortage of celebrities and artists born in past years of the Rat, which include Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth

obvious to all, but yourself. Don’t underestimate what you bring to the table.

Love: Do you feel you are contributing more than you are receiving? Before resentment sets in, open a dialogue.

Dragon

Changing old habits can be difficult, but with persistence, a new normal should begin to take shape.

Work: You have no shortage of ideas buzzing around in your head. Once you pick one, it’s full speed ahead.

Love: A fresh perspective could do a world of good for you. Carve out some time to re-energize and reconnect.

bar up.

Love: Are you finding that excitement can be overrated? Seek someone who has their feet firmly on the ground.

Your intentions are above reproach, but your methods could leave a bit to be desired. Seek input if others are involved.

Work: An effective leader models what they want to inspire. Be willing to share your weaknesses and strengths.

Love: Determined to make the most of what you have? Simply be in the moment with the one you love.

Horse

In your enthusiasm, practicalities could be overlooked.

Organization is key to maximizing your chances for success.

Work: About to reach the benchmarks that you set for yourself?

Set your sights higher, by moving the

a limb. Heed the advice and warnings offered to you.

Love: Even if you are pressured for more than you are willing to give, it is your prerogative to proceed at your own pace.

Goat

This is not the year to be fickle. Brushing indecision aside, pick the best available option and stick to it.

Work: Confident by nature, you aren’t afraid to go out on

2020

Snake

Paltrow, Jennifer Garner, Antonio Banderas, Bono, and Claude Monet. The creative side of the Rat is on full display under those born under this charming and dynamic zodiac animal.

Despite the uncertainty that characterized parts of the preceding year, those who commit to solid preparation and follow-through should find themselves doing quite well in the Year of the Rat. To help you chart your course in 2020, here is what lies ahead in the areas of work and love in the Year of the Metal Rat.

Monkey

You are adept at identifying opportunities to advance. If see ASTRO on 17

The Viet Wah Group wish you Happy New Year in the Year of the Rat. May you have good health, prosperity and fortune!

越華集團 VW Asian Food Co. 越華亞洲食品批發公司 Import & Export, Distributor, Wholesale

Tel: (206) 621-8999

Viet-Wah Supermarket

Viet-Wah Asian Food Market

越華綜合商場

越 華 超 級 市 場(連頓店)

Tel: (206) 329-1399

Tel: (425) 336-6888

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asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

■ LUNAR NEW YEAR

Photo by Sam Le

Photo by Han Bui

Living tales through food and culture

Main dining area situated to be close to the main stage during Tet in Seattle.

Attendees welcome the lion dance team

By Sam Le NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

simple, but it takes a long time to make.

Nowadays, they are sold at stores and people buy them instead of making it,” said Huynh.

Both cakes are most commonly sold at Vietnamese stores during Tết, but can also be found at many community and religious gatherings and celebrations throughout the year. Annually, Tết in Seattle has shared the story of Tết to thousands during its annual celebration

All across the world, including in the Pacific Northwest, Vietnamese communities gather together to celebrate Tết, otherwise known as Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Through the bright red decorations, baskets full of fruits, and giving of lucky money, people wish each other prosperity and goodwill for the upcoming year.

“There are many reasons why Tết is so important to the Vietnamese people.

For some, it is a celebration of the new hope and freshness of spring. For others, it is the excitement of turning a year older with everyone else. But for all Vietnamese, it is about connecting and hanging out with friends and family and overindulging in the food and sweets,” shared Dr. Tam Dinh, Commissioner of the Washington State Commission on Asian American Affairs.

As one approaches the celebrations, the presence of traditional Tết dishes is widely observed, with the two most common, bánh tét and bánh chưng.

“We always have bánh tét and bánh chưng, every new year. My grandma used to make them every year, it takes time to make them,” shares Chau Huynh, a community member of the Vietnamese

Banh Tet and banh chung; both are traditionally wrapped in banana leaves.

community in Everett. Mrs. Huynh shared that her household stocks up annually on these traditional treats, as her children enjoy it so much.

According to Vietnamese folklore, bánh chưng has its origins when the sixth Hung King holds a cooking competition among his 20 sons, in order to pick an heir. Lang Lieu, the king’s 18th son, presented bánh chưng— amid the other more elaborate and exotic dishes. It humbly focuses on the simplicity of sticky rice stuffed with pork and buttery beans formed into the shape of a square.

Bánh tét follows suit, only differing in the shape of the dish, being round and stretched out. For what they lack in complexity of ingredients, they made up in meaning.

“Bánh tét and bánh chưng represent the sky and earth. The ingredients are

at the Seattle Center, where both bánh tét and bánh chưng are featured.

Also, at Tết in Seattle, local Vietnamese restaurants come out to sell their favorite Tết food. Julia Le, a TIS Planning Committee Member, shared, “One thing is that our culture always focuses on food and family. Food brings everyone to the table and give space for the family to see TET IN SEATTLE on 19

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

YOUR VOICE

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

asianweekly northwest

11

Famous people who exemplify their rat traits — and the ones who don’t!

Jennifer Grey (1960)

Prince Charles (1948)

By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The story goes that way back in the day, the Jade Emperor in China pitted a bunch of animals against one another by dangling the prize of primo rank on his secret service team. The quicker any got through the heavenly gate, the better their rank.

Well the rat was an early riser and was killing the race until he encountered a really brutal river. The only way for him to cross it was to rely on the kindness of the diligent ox. The ox let the rat chill on his ear as the ox crossed the river steadily.

And then once they hit the other side of the river, the rat jumped over the ox’s head, took first place like a total betrayer, and secured his supremacy on the Chinese zodiac for all time.

Dwayne Johnson (1972)

Besides being cunning and having an appetite for stabbing friends in the back to get ahead, the rat sign also symbolizes vitality, wealth, surplus, and fertility— because rats reproduce like whoa.

Here are some celebs that may or may not be rat-like! You decide!

Hailee Steinfeld (1996)

Known for: “True Grit,” “Pitch Perfect 2,” is also a pop singer!

Hailee Steinfeld has Filipina ancestry!

Her grandpa is half-Filipino.

Steinfeld is a fire rat (each zodiac is also aligned with an element, which yields to specific personality types). Fire rats are robust, love the great outdoors, and know how to dress themselves. Um, I read that Steinfeld was born in Los Angeles (it’s hot there!) and while her brother was on the

LeBron James (1984)

football team, she was a cheerleader. So she is athletic. She also professes to “love being outdoors.”

Other 1996 rats: Tom Holland (“SpiderMan: Homecoming”), Zendaya (actor, known for being Disney Channel star)

LeBron James (1984)

Known for: Being a magnificent champion! Also kinda known for being a traitor!

LeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, so I don’t think I have to say much to explain him to you. He currently plays for the Lakers, but once upon a time he was a mega rising star for the Cavaliers in his home state of Ohio, winning his first NBA MVP award in 2009 and leading Cleveland to its first NBA Finals in 2007. Once he was

Hailee Steinfeld (1996)

a free agent in 2010, he shocked fans to their core by announcing—via televised special—that he was joining the Miami Heat because he wanted to play with some winners. Just kidding, he didn’t actually explicitly say that, just strongly inferred it.

Cleveland fans definitely heard him loud and clear and started ripping up his tearsoaked jersey with their bare hands, teeth, and fire. You think I’m joking, but I read news stories about this. The saga of James continues after that, but that is really all you need to know to decide whether or not he’s especially rat-like.

Other 1984 rats: Katy Perry (pop singer), Khloe Kardashian (reality TV star, mogul), Prince Harry (of Wales) see CELEBRITIES on 17

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asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Miraculous timing

What could it possibly be, except God’s act, which gave us the opportunity to break news at the right time and the right place. This is dream of all media, to achieve the best timing—not prematurely—but enough to beat your competitors.

“A coincidence is a small miracle when God chooses to remain anonymous,” said Albert Einstein. It happened to us quite a few times in 2019.

Take the story of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad last year—-the contribution of nearly 20,000 immigrant workers, and 15,000 were Chinese.

I not only wanted that story, I wanted to be in Utah for the special occasion. But I couldn’t because my eye surgery was scheduled at that time.

As if God knew my wish, days before the celebration, I saw Kevin Lee at an event. He mentioned that he would

Photo by Assunta Ng

Let me begin with a thank-you to our readers, advertisers, my staff, and writers for making 2019 beyond wonders.

One lesson I learned over the years is don’t take anybody or anything for granted. What we normally counted on in the past could vanish overnight. We lost supporters whom we had built relationships for a while, due to retirement, death, or relocation. Maybe, that’s just life. Still, we are grateful for the miracles that keep us going.

Kevin Lee’s story on front page

attend the railway celebration. “Can you write a story for us?” In a heartbeat, he said yes.

Then, Al Young called. He said his ancestor was one of the railroad laborers over a century ago. What!? I couldn’t believe our fortune. And he just returned from Utah. His sister Connie was the keynote speaker, and Tai Tung Restaurant owner Harry Chan went, too. Another stroke of luck: right before we went to press, Jack Peng emailed me Labor Secretary Elaine Chao’s speech at the commemoration. Five individuals who care deeply about their community, contributed an important story to the Asian Weekly with 9 historical photos, including a photo of all the railroad workers’ descendants. I wouldn’t have known where to turn for help had these people not shared their experiences. We beat even some mainstream media. That was one of my favorite issues

Happy Lunar New Year, from my family to yours. May the Year of the Rat be a year of happiness, innovation, and prosperity for all.

— Congressman Adam Smith Democrat, 9th District

of the Asian Weekly—remarkable stories with both local and national angles.

Another story that was published with impeccable timing was one of my blogs. Had we published it early, it could have gotten me a lot of flak. When community leader Faye Hong’s name appeared on the ballot, I was tempted to write in the Asian Weekly that he broke his words and retirement to run for the International Special Review District (ISRD) board.

“That’s news,” my enthusiastic self instantly agreed.

“It’s news, but you shouldn’t write about it,” said my reasoning self.

“Why not?” my impulse self said. “It’s my column, I can write anything I want.”

Conscience said, “No, no, no. If you do, you would be accused of influencing the election.”

“Just wait until after the election,” my reasoning self said, casting the final verdict. Thank God, that week, I had another topic to write about. Had I not gotten one, I would have been forced to write about Hong. Sometimes, developing a relevant, timely, and interesting topic for the column is just as challenging as writing the piece.

And Hong won the election without needing my article. My blog was published after the election, not knowing that the election was being contested. The column turned out to be ironic, dramatic, and timely.

Politics beat festivals

You cannot prepare a sumptuous meal without ingredients, spices, and sources. We can’t publish print see BLOG on 18

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

YOUR VOICE

asianweekly northwest

■ COMMENTARY Beyond Roe v. Wade: Calling for reproductive justice

By Sung Yeon Choimorrow EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN WOMEN’S FORUM Jan. 22 marked 47 years since the U.S. Sung Yeon Choimorrow Supreme Court first decided on Roe v. Wade and legalized abortion across the country. In March, the Supreme Court will take up another case concerning abortion and newly appointed justices with alarming records on abortion call the future of reproductive rights in America into real question.

Without a doubt, women of color would have the most to lose without the legal protections afforded by Roe v.

Wade. But despite the legal right to have an abortion, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women, especially immigrants, have never had full exercise of it.

Despite Roe, already, young Asian American immigrant

women like Purvi Patel and Bei Bei Shuai have been criminalized for the outcomes of their pregnancies. If we fixate only on the legal right to have an abortion, we will lose sight of the larger picture.

A person’s decision about abortion has been spun as an issue of personal choice and individual rights, when it’s really more than that. Being able to get an abortion is about having agency over ourselves and our families and is inseparable from our lived experiences. AAPI women need more than the legal right to abortion. We need true access to the full range of reproductive health care, including affordable, culturally informed abortion care, to share in the fundamental freedom of selfdetermination.

Right now, many of us, especially those struggling to make ends meet and immigrant women, can’t actually get that care because of systemic reasons. Abortion is legal, but only if you can afford it. Immigrant women currently rely on a patchwork of health care due to the five-year bar on getting insured through Medicaid while undocumented people can’t get insurance at all. Even if you are qualified for and enrolled in Medicaid, federal law denies insurance coverage for abortion. The model minority myth, which positions Asians as passive and

13

asexual, dehumanizes us and affects the way we are able to access reproductive and sexual health care. It also veils the wide income disparities among AAPIs. While it is an indisputably landmark decision and a momentous victory for reproductive health and rights, Roe v. Wade was limited in its promise to AAPI women.

Continuing to be caught in the defensive fight to protect only the legality of abortion alone has not addressed the realities of what it is to be pregnant and AAPI. That fight isn’t enough to ensure we have justice. It isn’t enough to ensure that our families can thrive.

We have so much more work to do before every single pregnant person, regardless of their race, socioeconomic class, or immigration status, has full agency over our lives. To get us there, Congress must repeal the Hyde Amendment to lift bans on insurance coverage of abortion. We must pass the HEAL Act, which would ensure all immigrants can get health insurance without delay. We must stop racially profiling and criminalizing people for their pregnancy outcomes. Let’s expand our vision beyond the status quo and commit ourselves to a future where no one is left behind. 

■ WORLD NEWS

It’s a boy for 1st Japan Cabinet member on paternity leave

By MARI YAMAGUCHI ASSOCIATED PRESS TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s environment minister became father to a boy and is going ahead with his planned paternity leave —still a rarity in Japan where men are under pressure to put work before family.

Shinjiro Koizumi said his wife, former newscaster Christel Shinjiro Koizumi Takigawa, gave birth to their first child late on Jan. 16, just two days after he announced he was taking two weeks off over the next three months.

“It has already started,” he said, noting that he had left

his office early on Jan. 16 so he could be present during his wife’s delivery.

Koizumi is the first Cabinet minister to take paternity leave, hoping to get more working fathers to follow his example. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government has adopted a policy to free up time for mothers and get more of them back into Japan’s shrinking workforce in a fast-aging nation where the birthrate dwindles and the population declines.

Japan has relatively generous parental leave policies, allowing men and women partially paid leave of up to a year.

While recent surveys show a majority of eligible male employees hope to take paternity leave in the future, changes are coming slowly and few fathers of newborns take time off due to intense pressure to focus on work.

Only 6% of eligible working fathers took paternity leave

in 2018, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, far short of the government’s modest 13% target for 2020.

Koizumi’s announcement has received mixed reaction.

Some people said two weeks of paternity leave is marginal and that he may be only trying to get attention. Others welcomed his decision as the beginning of change.

He reassured that he will take time off flexibly so that his paternity leave won’t affect his department.

“I understand that opinions are still divided,” he said.

“I will set aside time (for my family) while making sure to prioritize my public duty and be fully prepared for any emergency.”

Koizumi, the son of maverick former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and a future leader hopeful, said he was “delighted and also relieved” that both his wife and the baby are in good health. 

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PARASITE from 7 not gone on to win best picture: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Pantherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; last year and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

in 2018. And this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front-runner, â&#x20AC;&#x153;1917,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; more acclaimed for its technical acumen, wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t nominated by the screen actors.

On Jan. 18, â&#x20AC;&#x153;1917â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; won top honors at the highly predictive Producers Guild Awards. In 21 of the last 30 years, the PGA winner has lined up with the eventual best picture winner.

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asianweekly northwest

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Model Minority: An Asian Womxn Comedy Show Stephanie Nam is not a full-time comedian. The 27-year-old queer Korean American runs her own calligraphy business under the name Caracol Creative, the former being the Spanish word for ‘snail’––apropos for the fluent Spanish speaker, as she describes herself as an introvert. But being on stage helps Nam to go beyond her comfort zone, not only because she has to face an audience, but also because being a comedian forces her to interact with other comics. Nam will be part of ‘Model Minority: An Asian Womxn Comedy Show,’ which she produced under Caracol Productions.

platform to kind of talk about issues and things, like political things, or their own identities and stuff that otherwise a lot of people don’t really listen––to have YouTube, to have a platform like that that they are drawn to in other ways.

I’m a really introverted person, and I also have social anxiety, so, for me, I don’t really talk about a lot of things, and I also have certain identities that are invisible to society. Like, I feel like I am always explaining myself as to why these things exist. For me, comedy is a way where I could do that in an independent way. It’s also a solitary way for me to go on stage, take a place, and have my voice heard.

Carolyn Bick, Northwest Asian Weekly: How did you get into comedy and performance?

STEPHANIE NAM: Last year I took an acting class, and that kind of put me into the comedy world, but I had been playing around with the idea for a while.

I guess I think the main thing is a few years ago, I started to watch more comedy on YouTube, and before that, I had never really watched comedy. I went to a couple shows, I watched some specials and things, but, I think, finding things on YouTube, there is a lot more diversity of perspective and people doing indie things or niche things, and I thought that was really cool to see––just how comedy is, I guess, easier than other performance places to have your voice heard, because it’s just you, and you write your own stuff, and you say it. So, yeah, I guess I wanted to try that.

CB: Did you have a background in any sort of performance, before that?

CB: How does your heritage and sexuality play into your art?

Stephanie Nam

SN: Not really professionally. I did music for a while, and I used to perform and compete for that, but I’d never done comedy, or anything like that, no.

CB: In terms of comedy itself, aside from the fact you can write your own stuff, — it’s your own voice, like you mentioned — what about comedy really drew you to it, and did you find that you’re actually good at it?

SN: I guess just, like, it’s this thing I’m having a way to think through certain identities, and existing in that way.

It’s, like, a naturally brave thing to do, like everything that I do, but, also––I guess it gives me a different perspective on certain things, or different stories to tell.

CB: Can you give me an example?

SN: I have some jokes about my experience about online dating as an asexual person––that experience, how people perceive me. Like, when I was at a job, how people see me as Asian, and the assumptions they make about me, and things like that.

SN: I guess I feel like a lot of comedians use it as a

no age limit!

see MODEL MINORITY on 19

Presented by

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2020 LUNAR NEW YEAR COSTUME CONTEST Contestants’ attire should be culturally relevant to the Lunar New Year Celebration

Please submit completed application through one of the following methods: Mail: Northwest Asian Weekly Lunar New Year Costume Contest 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 Name: ____________________________________________________

School Name: _________________________________Age: ________ Profession: ________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________________________

Please send your photo of entry by February 1, 2020 to rsvp@nwasianweekly.com.

Contestants must adhere to all rules and regulations. Contest officials will remove any contestant failing to cooperate with officials or failing to comply with the rules and regulations. If you have any questions, please contact Northwest Asian Weekly at 206.223.5559 or via email at rsvp@nwasianweekly.com.

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PRIZES  First ($75), Second ($50), Third ($25)  10 honorable mentions, each winner get a stuffed mouse  Costume Parade Schedule: • 11 AM — Registration • 12:30 PM — Line up • 1 PM — Parade begins • 1:30 PM — Parade winners announced • Start from Northwest Asian Weekly’s front door, march to main stage • Contestants must be present at the announcement of finalists (1:30 PM).

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Rules/Guidelines: • Adults & children are welcome to participate • Parents are welcome to accompany their children during the Parade • All contestants will be given a contestant number for order of Parade lineup • Contestants must be present to win

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16

asianweekly northwest

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

38 YEARS

QUEZON’S GAME from 5 All compelling arguments. Compelling, that is, that bad people outnumber the good in this world, and always have.

But Quezon sees the danger, and sees the right thing to do. He’s hampered by the Americans, by his own party, and sometimes, by the people closest to him. But he remains determined to do the right thing and find a way through.

Could he, indeed, have done more?

That specific question remains up in the air (although the film answers it in a form). The last thing you see on screen, though, is the testimony from Jews—real people, not actors—who came over when they were children.

(They’ll be getting their own documentary TV special, “The Last Manilaners.”)

They’re matter-of-factly grateful for their lives, and their families’ lives. Quezon surely did enough for them

HONG KONG from 3 strength of the protest movement, which has mustered millions at times, has been its non-hierarchical character.

He called this its “flatness.”

He said that after storming LegCo, he and other leaders were not prepared with a statement, but found one online written by a supporter.

“Everyone can share his or her strengths, even if they don’t go to the front line,” he said.

But he cautioned that earlier movements had split between those advocating more peaceful means and those advocating violence.

Anna Yeung-Cheung, a professor of Biology at Manhattanville College and the founder of New Yorkers Supporting Hong Kong (NY4HK), an advocacy group, was cautionary, but for different reasons.

She said that her work began after the Tiananmen Square incident. She cautioned that after the 1989 student-led protest in Beijing was crushed by the Chinese government, there were roughly 7,000 students and Chinese groups formed overseas to carry on the work of the movement.

Almost all of them disbanded.

She said groups supporting the Hong Kong protesters would need to ask themselves where would they get financial support, and how would they maintain enrollment?

Bachman seemed even more uncertain about the future of the movement.

He said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had recently suffered a series of defeats, including an overwhelming electoral show of support for the protests in Hong Kong, the election of a president in Taiwan that generally opposes closer ties with China, and the recent trade war with the White House.

He characterized Xi Jinping as “hard” and said he would choose political stability over any economic considerations.

and theirs.  “Quezon’s Game” opens on Jan. 31 at theaters in Seattle and Olympia. Check local listings for venues, prices, and showtimes.

Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

He also said neither the United States nor Europe seemed ready to offer any support.

Responding to a question at the end of the presentation, about what a democratic Hong Kong might look like, Bachmann ruled out the territory achieving any kind of independence.

“You would have to have the government of the PRC change,” he said.

“But if we imagined a different Chinese regime,” he added, “it would be a nationalistic regime, it wouldn’t want to see China divided up.”

Clovis Wong, a grassroots organizer, sought to define the movement as part of a growing global movement against authoritarianism. He drew a connection with such movements as Black Lives Matter. He said Hong Kong protesters had provided inspiration for protesters in other countries, such as Chile. Wong is a member of the Pacific Rim Solidarity Network (Parisol) and is pursuing a master’s in teaching at the UW. But Wong said for the movement to continue, it must ally with workers’ and labor movements in mainland China.

He did not say how this might happen.

Bachman later said that most protest movements in democratic societies around the world are about economic inequality.

While Hong Kong protesters have complained of lack of affordable housing and jobs, these are not part of their five demands, which are political.

“In most democratic political systems, the issue is inequality, but that is not the driving force in Hong Kong,” said Bachman.

The groups that organized the panel, Hong Kong Democracy and Human Rights Association of UW and Seattle Hong Kong Students Association, in announcing the panel said they had brought together “varied perspectives” to “explore possible paths forward.”

But it was not clear what framework the organizers were using to analyze the movement, or even pose questions.

After the panelists had spoken, a moderator asked, “What are the structural contradictions” that keep the protest movement going?

Several panelists talked about a Hong Kong identity.

Wong wondered if the Hong Kong identity could be extended so that mainland Chinese could feel a part of it.

“Hong Kong has always been the city of refugees, of diaspora, of people settling down trying to make a living,” he said.

But during a question and answer session, a student, who said he was from Shenzhen, across the border from Hong Kong, said that he had witnessed “many years of conflicts” between Hong Kong and mainland people.

“They call us locusts,” he said.

In responding to his question, Leung said the Chinese government had arbitrarily set immigration and educational policies, which increased “anxiety” among Hong Kong people.

“I can’t apologize for everyone,” he said.

Still, several audience members came away buoyed.

They said it was a step forward that a mainland student was willing to share his views.

And they were pleased with the size and diversity of the gathering.

“A few months ago at another forum, there were only people from Hong Kong, but today, we saw a lot of diversity,” said Darren Hon, 36, a software engineer.

Sallie Lau, a UW master’s student whose family is from Hong Kong, said she wished the speakers had engaged in dialogue.

But she was not concerned about the sense of uncertainty lying over the future of the movement.

“The burning question is how to sustain the movement,” she said. “But to be honest, no one knows how to sustain it, this is the first time we’ve been going through a movement quite like this, and it’s ok to say we don’t know.”  Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01416C20, 2020 Roof Repair Work Orders; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on 2/11/20. Late bids will not be accepted.

Scope of Work: The work of this contract is for roof repairs primarily at King County wastewater treatment facilities. Work may occur at other King County facilities on an as-needed basis. Roof repair work may include, but is not limited to coating, caulking, cleaning, skylight replacement, flashing, 3-coursing, seam or tear repair, on single ply, hot mopped, torch down, cold applied, 3-tab, green roof, shake, metal and modified bitumen. Depending on the scope of work issued, associated subcontractors and simultaneous crews may be required. The work will be performed in a series of Work Order packages.

Not-to-exceed contract price: $600,000 Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://procurement.kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/default.aspx

t!

and

nd

e

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

YOUR VOICE

Dog

ASTRO from 9 you are ready to act on it, there is much to be gained.

Work: Don’t let criticism bring you down. Instead, use it as a basis to improve your already stellar game.

Love: Your directness might not be so well received. Use tact and sensitivity to deliver your message.

Rooster

As a general rule, you disdain too many restrictions.

You prefer a free and open environment to excel.

Work: You have a flair that is all your own. Your unique touch sets your work apart from your peers.

Love: Healthy competition can be beneficial, but be careful lest you get too much of a good thing.

A recent wake up call is inspiring you to make significant changes, which should pay off in

a big way.

Work: There is no substitute for regular practice. To get ahead, you must pay your dues upfront.

Love: Tired of the same old excuses?

Put your foot down and stand by what you have laid out previously.

Pig

Compared to what has preceded it, this should be a relatively stable year with few surprises.

Work: Experience has taught you to look for a pattern, as it will help you to anticipate your competitor’s next move.

Love: There are no guarantees in the arena of love. Don’t expect to get back exactly what you put in. 

What’s your animal sign?

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

CELEBRITIES from 11

Dwayne Johnson (1972)

Known for: Being perfect, also an actor and former pro wrestler.

Dwayne Johnson is gracing his visage on nearly every action movie series out there—except for the ones set in space, which needs to be rectified ASAP—which makes him a bonafide blockbuster star, one whose popularity is so uncontested that you kind of forget he’s not white. But he is one of us! He is half Samoan (mother’s side) and half Black (father). He is extremely athletic, having played college football as well as a short stint in the Canadian Football League before he was a professional wrestler. Thereafter, he expanded his career into film. If movies were babies, you might say that the Rock is fertile.

Very fertile, indeed.

Other 1972 rats: Eminem (rapper, “8 Mile”), Shaquille O’Neal (former pro basketball player, “Space Jam,” “Kazaam”), Cameron Diaz (actor, “Charlie’s Angels”), Sofia Vergara (actor, “Modern Family”), Idris Elba (actor, “The Wire,” also DJ)

Jennifer Grey (1960)

Known for: “Dirty Dancing,” getting a nose job.

Jennifer Grey was huge in the 1980s!

She was in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Red Dawn,” and the biggest hit of the time, “Dirty Dancing.” Then in the early 1990s, she underwent rhinoplasty, which changed her distinctive facial characteristic—her nose—and her career took a massive dive. The parts offered to her shrunk because fans could not recognize her anymore.

That’s a shame because metal rats like Grey are known for being very

asianweekly northwest

17

determined in their careers. They always aim to achieve success and happiness through their profession.

Other 1960 rats: RuPaul (drag performer, TV host), Bono (U2), Kathy Griffin (comedian), Hugh Grant (“Notting Hill,” “About a Boy”), Julianne Moore (Oscar-winning actor), Antonio Banderas (“The Mask of Zorro”)

Prince Charles (1948)

Known for: Being a prince his entire life.

I know there’s loads of stuff going on with the royal family right now, but let’s go way, way back to the 1970s, when Prince Charles held the biggest torch for Camilla Parker Bowles. However, since she wasn’t considered wifey material, they couldn’t marry. Prince Charles went on to date Princess Diana’s older sister, and when that didn’t work out, he dated Princess Diana, married her, and then reportedly wept on their wedding day.

Their marriage seemed pretty miserable, with the both of them carrying on affairs —Charles with Parker Bowles—until eventually, they couldn’t take it anymore and divorced. Now Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall, are husband and wife!

Earth rats are known for being the most level-headed and prudent of all rats, leaving nothing to chance or risk.

What do you think? Is Prince Charles a good earth rat?

Other 1948 rats: Samuel L. Jackson (“Avengers” series, “Pulp Fiction”), Olivia Newton-John (“Grease”), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Kathy Bates (“Misery”), Billy Crystal (“When Harry Met Sally”)  Stacy can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.

Happy Year of the Happy Year of the Rat!Rat!

To Seattle Chinese Post readers and To NW Asian Weekly readers and Our Our Community Partners Community Partners the the FromFrom

Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

asianweekly

38 YEARS

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

BLOG from 12 and online if we don’t have content to work with. From initiatives to the increasing number of Asian Americans running for office and against each other, from north to south of the Greater Seattle area, possibilities descended on us. The Asian candidates’ qualifications are impressive, some are lawyers, doctors, and even have doctoral degrees. We now have a whole new generation of rainmakers.

that we can satisfy our readers with fresh perspectives.

Proud to say, our writers received 11 journalism awards in 2019 from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. What a privilege to work with our writers who have been creating “miracles” for us week after week for the sake of community journalism—low pay for substantial contribution. Thank you for making a difference in the Asian Weekly and to our community.

And being the publisher, I get the blame, as well as credit. Even with blame and, sometimes, yelling, I consider my work a privilege. Thank you to those who take the time to write for us and read our content.

One new act

NWAW’S endorsement piece in 2019

Knowing how many Asians were running was difficult to estimate at the beginning. Readers kept on emailing us that we were wrong on our number of Asian candidates. We missed them on our list because a few had non-Asian last names. We used to endorse qualified Asian and non-Asian candidates. When there were as many as 40, we decided not to do it as we didn’t have time to talk to them all. Then, some readers called to our attention, “Where’s your endorsement? I can’t find it.”

My editor said, “I don’t believe it.” That call made us realize that we never know who is reading the Asian Weekly. Never underestimate the impact a community media makes. So, we ended up putting a short endorsement list online at the last minute.

The 2020 presidential election began early with Democratic candidate Andrew Yang visiting Seattle twice in 2019. Yang graced our front page every week in December and most November issues, and as many as 22 stories in 2019. No other local Asian candidate or issue has contributed as many articles as Yang in a year.

We love to do stories that other media ignores.

Traditionally, festivals drive our business and stories, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother’s and Father’s Day, and Lunar New Year.

Now, politics defeat festivals. Between the primary and general election, it gave us as many as six promising issues, with several advertisements and compelling stories. It’s not easy to keep up with all the political news for a small publication like us. It’s ‘thumbs up’ for us. The more we cover politics, the more we can engage the Asian community, especially immigrants. What a change from when we first started 38 years ago

No slow month

Even December, our slowest month in news and business, turned out magnificent —stories about the contested ISRD board election gave us several hot stories. And the year ended with surprises: AARP bought four full-page advertisements in one issue, and Marilyn Strickland, former Tacoma mayor and Seattle Chamber’s CEO, announced her run for Congress.

The last four months of 2019 were astonishing. From ground zero, without any stories for the front page and page 2 on Monday, our engine started moving — things trickled in in the last 30 hours right before we went to press on Wednesday.

Suddenly, the front page came alive, flooded with four or five stories that we even had to take out some stories, and the same number of half and full-page ads arrived unexpectedly to complete the issue. We just couldn’t believe how everything clicked together the last minute like a fairy’s magic wand creating Cinderella’s gown and carriage, except everything would vanish by midnight.

But for us, every Asian Weekly issue will be displayed and saved on the internet forever—-the power of the internet.

Musketeers make miracles

The Asian Weekly folks are modern musketeers, not with swords, but with words. We fight for the best content, devote ourselves to the art of storytelling, so

Han puts ribbons on the trophies

With the current economic hardship, it’s challenging for me to volunteer for programs like our free summer youth leadership program, Women of Color Empowered lunch, and Rainbow Bookfest.

I never expected to start anything new in 2019. Inspired

by Tien Ha’s question, “How do Asian entrepreneurs deal with failure?” I saw an opportunity. Instead of writing a story, we hosted our first “Entrepreneurs of the Year” lunch and panel to educate the business community. The response was immense. And kudos to our team who organized the whole event so well.

From re-decorating the trophy to designing honorees’ name tags, writing and editing a special issue to printing the program, my awesome team just kept the ball rolling to the finish line. It’s a miracle we could pull it off in three months.

My failure

What is my failure? Not any missed issues for the past 38 years, nor failing to pay our employees. Some media cut, reduce staff salaries and even miss paying their people. We have never done that. You might not consider those items as miracles, but they are to small businesses who work hard to fulfill their obligations to employees.

Even in the last two weeks of snow, our issues were published, both in print and online. What appears normal to you, is not normal for us. When most of our people work at home, it becomes a burden to us inside the office due to lack of face-to-face interaction. Things we can achieve in two seconds, takes five minutes and longer.

But I am grateful that we have the option to make things work. In the past, my husband and son had to drive our employees to work during snow days. And my family and I had to distribute the papers in the snow ourselves in the International District.

This time, the challenge is, the future. Friends wonder about my succession plan for fear that I might retire. It’s my failure as I have none. But do I need one?

Statistics have shown that print media have no tomorrow. Bill Gates said in 1994 to a national editors’ convention in Seattle that we would be out of business, 12 or 15 years from now. That’s why I said, every week is a miracle.

With the convenience of internet, I can work all over the world. I travel several weeks a year. Bless my staff, they let me do so. As long as I have a flexible schedule, I will continue to serve the community. Many retirees don’t find a purpose after retirement. I am lucky that I know what my passion is. Volunteer for the Asian Weekly.

Personal miracles

Experiencing adventures while I work, is all I ask.

How can I make use of my connections to experience adventures? Travel is the answer.

In 2019, I traveled to South America for the first time. In addition, my husband and I traveled to Canada including Prince Edward Island, Rhode Island, and Maine. We saw the magnificent Iguazu Falls from both the Argentina and Brazil side.

When I was in New York, former Seattle Times

Photos by George Liu

18

northwest

Iguazu Falls from the Brazil side

Sharon Chan (left) and Laura Chang, former Seattleites who now work for the New York Times

Nuh Line Niou. Behind her is Fraunces Tavern, a landmark museum and restaurant in New York City, which served as a headquarters for George Washington, and a venue for peace negotiations with the British.

executive Sharon Chan, who now works for the New York Times, invited me to tour the New York Times (NYT) headquarters, and I sat in their staff news meeting. New York Assemblywomen Nuh Line Niou, a former Seattleite, also escorted me around in her district, including the World Trade Center, Chinatown, and Wall Street. Would I get those special treatment if I were just an ordinary person? It’s a miracle I could sit at the NYT meeting, seeing how journalists at that level function. Those are rewards for being a journalist—going to exciting places and meeting dynamic people.

Travel nourishes me with fresh perspectives and yields rejuvenation. I get excited even packing for each trip. It helps me to grow and for the Asian Weekly to evolve.

So I am not even concerned how long we will be here. I won’t want to waste my time tackling questions without answers.

Adversity is part of our journey.

So I tell myself, “Relax. It doesn’t Havanna Gaminito, with a statue Pope Francis on the balcony, in Argentina matter what happens… it’s not going to affect my spirit and happiness.”

My newfound freedom inspires me to enjoy even the tough rides. Just know that every issue is a gift. Every week, we aim to deliver our best work.

To all those who are struggling in whatever you do, “Hang in with a smile…” I am.  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

YOUR VOICE

asianweekly northwest

19

come together. Bánh tét and banh chưng were shared and featured during this year’s eating competition.

We also have many vendors share a variety of food.”

Phở Bắc Súp Shop and Buns and Baos were two of the vendors featured this year. Phở Bắc Súp Shop offered everyone’s favorite pho and Buns and Bao offered a fusion twist cuisine for the audiences in attendance. With the wide variety of cuisines, Tết in Seattle provides a space where all families and communities can share a meal and learn about the Vietnamese culture.

“Love is often shown through food in the Vietnamese culture. Therefore an abundance of food is placed as an offering at the altars of beloved ancestors and generously offered to visiting relatives and friends come bearing gifts and paying their respects.

Tết is a time of hope, joy, and love. A happy time that Vietnamese hope will carry throughout the year,” shared Dr. Dinh, on the emphasis of food during Tét.

Tết holds significant value within Vietnamese communities. As celebrations happen world-wide, the tale of bánh tét and bánh chưng continue to live on as families come together.  Sam Le can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Photos by Han Bui

TET IN SEATTLE from 10

Phở Bắc Súp Shop booth

Buns and Bao’s shrimp tempura bao and fries topped with melted cheese and bacon bits

Hundreds of attendees gather around for the lion dance and firecracker show

A traditional Vietnamese Tết meal

A costume representing God of Wealth

specify that they are South Asian.

I think especially, like, just, like, the grey area. People define the continent, but does that include Middle Eastern people, or is that separate? Obviously biracial people, adoptees. That’s what I am thinking of?

MODEL MINORITY from 15

CB: How does that play into your specific brand of comedy? How does that make you unique? What kind of experience and voices can you bring to the stage that other comedians can’t?

CB: What are some of the model minority myths and stereotypes you and your fellow comedians are going to tackle?

SN: I guess from the place of how I have experiences that other people wouldn’t have if they don’t have these identities, and sharing that, and also, I think, asexuality is something very invisible, and a lot of people don’t understand or they have a lot of assumptions about it. I think, also, being Asian American, there is a lot of stereotypes and assumptions that are especially strong––even I’ll see a lot of Asian, like, playing to the stereotypes, also. So, like, just sharing my own experience, and not really falling into what people’s assumptions are is important to, like, show, like a breadth of experience within those identities.

CB: So, tell me about the upcoming show. How did you and your fellow comedians come up with it, in the first place?

SN: It’s just me producing the show. I started producing shows last summer, and I produced about one every month.

I’ve had different themes of shows. So, I have a show that’s for queer and trans people of color, and I have a show showcasing women. I also co-produce an open mic that’s geared towards women.

I initially started these productions, because I want to help give more to showcase people who are underrepresented, and have found in other shows it’s a lot of the same people who are running them and who––I feel like it’s a lot of the same people, a lot of men, white men, kind of, like, the environment is very bro-y and misogynistic and a lot of things, and I wanted to create a different kind of space, and I found that if you do a show that really targets a specific people, that really showcases that, the audience is different as well.

So, at the women’s show we tell more jokes that are feminist, and people respond a lot more to that than, like, just at a dinner show. So, a lot of shows like that already exist here in Seattle. There’s not one that is really specific to Asian Americans or Asians, and I do have certain jokes about being Asian. And a lot of times, when people do the jokes, if you’re not that familiar, you won’t understand it as well, or people are like, “Why are they always talking about their race? It’s not important.”

I wanted to have a show that creates an audience and environment that you could relate to and, like, celebrate

being Asian, and all the different cultures that’s involved.

There’s a very diverse group of comedians within that identity.

There are some types of really Asian-specific shows or events, and a lot of times that focuses on East Asians, and a lot of people assume that, in general, when people say, ‘Asian.’ So, that was the first thing I thought of, the people who are, like, across different cultures in Asia. And I made it specifically for women and nonbinary people, because you know almost all the comedians and a lot of the Asian men, some of their jokes are very misogynistic and stereotyping, and there is a lot of that in a lot of Asian cultures. It is very patriarchal, and there are different stereotypes that they [women] should be very obedient, or very quiet, and I have kind of wrestled with that a lot. So, like, their voices are silenced more.

CB: So, what places are they [the comedians] from?

SN: So, places like South Asia, the Philippines–– they are often seen as completely separate. You have to

SN: I guess some of the immediate things I was thinking of is, specifically, to women, like following along, fitting in, being quiet. I think just even going on the stage, that counteracts that. When I tell people I do comedy, everyone was always really surprised, because they say, “Oh, you’re so quiet. How can you do that?

What do you even have to say?” So, yeah, things like that. But not really asking people to specifically talk about things like stereotypes in their jokes. I’ve heard all these people’s jokes and I think that they are just performing around themselves, and being who they are.

I don’t think a lot of them really fit into what you think of, I guess, or, like, what you see represented in movies, as, like, an Asian person. So, yeah, I think they are just being themselves and talking about their experiences, and that kind of counteracts the stereotypes. And, obviously, having a wide range of people, in general, you get stereotypes that are obviously very narrow, so people do fit into some stereotypes, but there are more who don’t, so showing that there is more than just one group.

CB: How does it make you feel, when someone asks you point-blank, “Well, what do you even have to say? How can you go on stage?” Or, “I can’t imagine you going up on stage?”

SN: I guess it makes me feel like I am doing what I am supposed to do, then. Like, I should be out there, and, you know, counteracting that.  Model Minority: An Asian Womxn Comedy Show will take place at Columbia City Theatre on Jan. 30. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.

Carolyn can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

20

asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

JANUARY 25 – JANUARY 31, 2020

Photos by Han Bui

SPRING from 6

Apricot blossoms

and flower. Plum or apricot blossoms and wintersweet are highly revered for their sweet and powerful scent, but are found in just a handful of gardens in the Pacific Northwest. Plum blossoms signal spring’s early arrival and represent romance, prosperity, and growth. Quite rare, wintersweet is reminiscent of the common garden shrub Forsythia in appearance until the popcorn kernellike buds open and emit a most delicious scent. In China, you can basically follow your nose to the sweet scent of these leafless branches sold by the bundle. If you’re lucky to find them, give them a fresh cut at the bottom and place it in regular warm tap water when you bring them home.

The orchid is another poetic symbol of nobility,

Forsythia

Wild Cymbidium orchid

integrity, and even wealth and fertility. As the second most popular houseplant, a potted orchid is always a grand and honorable gesture when presented during Spring Festival. The most traditional is the wild Cymbidium orchid that flowers in very early spring in the mountains of China and has been revered by scholars and poets for centuries.

The most unusual of the flowers of the Chinese New Year grows and flowers from a bulb grown in water.

Like the common “Paperwhite” grown in the west, the Chinese Sacred Lily is actually a distant relative of

the daffodil and can be found growing and blooming in shallow bowls of water. It has a rich, sometimes overpowering perfume.

There’s much to celebrate and admire about the symbolic flowers of the Lunar New Year. While their blooms may only last for a few fleeting days, their beauty resonates beyond the festivities and can even grace your gardens if you look for them.  Riz can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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