VOL 37 NO 50 | DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2018

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VOL 37 NO 50 DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018 FREE 36 YEARS YOUR VOICE

ID/Chinatown Community Center here to stay, for now

By Nina Huang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Photo by Nina Huang

With recent news of the closure of the Belltown Community Center, could that put the International District/Chinatown Community Center at risk, too?

According to an October 2018 Seattle Times article, the International District/ Chinatown Community Center, located at 719 8th Avenue South, is among the least used community centers in Seattle.

Despite only having 78,474 visitors in 2017, city employees and frequent visitors believe that the community center is still a very important place for community members to gather and use.

Built in 2014, the International District/Chinatown Community Center is open every day, except Sundays, and currently offers 65 registerable or dropin programs each quarter.

Community benefits

Amy Xu lives in the same building

ID/Chinatown Community Center gym

ISRD looks to the future

above the center. She and her family have lived there for over 14 years. For the past five years, she has worked in the center as a recreation attendant.

She and her two sons, aged 10 and 15, are frequent visitors.

“The community center benefits my family a lot. Both sons are on piano scholarships and they come almost every day,” she said.

Her sons take piano and lion dance lessons, and they play basketball in the gym and table tennis in the main conference room. In the summertime, Xu’s sons often take advantage of the free lunch and Natural Club program, where teachers bring new activities for kids.

Xu mentioned that a huge challenge for the community center is when homeless guests use the restrooms for extended periods of time.

“For this area, there are so many see COMMUNITY CENTER on 12

Murder suspect extradited from Japan

Photo by George Liu

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Felicity Wang (far left) and ISRD Board Liaison Rebecca Frestedt (far right) help residents as they line up to vote.

By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The International Special Review District (ISRD) board added two new members via election last month. Andy Yip and Tim Lee were picked to serve on the seven-person board, which oversees development in the International District (ID). The changing landscape of the neighborhood forecasts new construction, which the Board assists in making recommendations to the city.

COMMUNITY NEWS  3

■

AT THE MOVIES  7

Lee is a real estate broker and property owner in the ID. He fills the position open to business and property owners of the district.

As part of the board, he wants to help maintain the culture and history of the neighborhood while inviting development to the district. Lee hopes to lend a business perspective to the ISRD board.

“I foresee that there are going to be new buildings, but I want see ISRD on 15

THE LAYUP DRILL  9

EDITORIAL  11

Seattle police detectives, in a joint effort with the Japanese National Police and the U.S. Marshal’s Office, took a 48-year-old woman into custody late last month and have extradited her Toshio Ota to face charges for a 2011 murder.

Seattle police believe Kyung Hee Dowdle killed Toshio Ota, 78.

Dowdle was charged with Ota’s death in 2016. His body was found in the Columbia River in 2013 by Grant County deputies.

Ota died of blunt force trauma to the head. Police believe the killing happened sometime in mid-March 2011.

Dowdle allegedly carried out the killing, according to the King County Prosecutor’s Office, because Ota did not include her in his will.

Ota was an investor in Izakaya, Dowdle’s Federal Way restaurant. 

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2

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Mari Horita joining NHL Seattle

ArtsFund President and CEO Mari Horita announced on Nov. 28 that she is leaving the organization after 20 years to join NHL Seattle.

She’s been CEO of the nonprofit organization for the last seven years.

In a letter to ArtsFund supporters, Horita wrote, “I would not have made this difficult decision but for the unique and exciting opportunity to join Mari Horita NHL Seattle and build its community engagement and philanthropic strategy as part of the foundation of the new organization.”

She will remain with ArtsFund through mid-January 2019.

Horita has an extensive background in civic and community involvement and has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including the Japanese American Chamber of Commerce, Japan America Society, the Asian Bar Association of Washington, Washington Appleseed, and Youthcare. 

Elisa Hahn leaves KING 5

Elisa Hahn

Elisa Hahn announced on Nov. 28 that it was her last day at KING 5. She accepted a position at Boeing.

“I have been craving a new adventure,” she wrote on Twitter. “I make this decision with a heavy heart, as I leave behind my dear friends, some of the best journalists in the business.”

Born in Korea, Hahn

grew up in Ohio and the San Francisco Bay Area.

She spent 22 years at KING and received an Emmy for breaking news for Seattle’s Greenwood explosion.

Hahn attended University of California, Davis for her undergraduate degree and San Francisco State University for her master’s degree in Broadcast Communication Arts. 

Wing Luke Museum got a visit from Asian American Santa

The Wing Luke Museum got a visit on Dec. 1 from Asian American Santa.

Families and kids got a chance to pose for photos with the Jolly Red Elf played by Kerry Taniguchi. A longtime volunteer at the Wing, Taniguchi first stepped into Santa’s boots Kerry Taniguchi (Santa) and Ngoc Dinh (elf) Photo by George Liu in 2016.

Santa was accompanied by a helper elf played by Ngoc Dinh. 

New director of UW Bothell education research institute

Carrie Tzou

Carrie Tzou, an associate professor at the University of Washington Bothell School of Educational Studies, is the new director of the university’s Goodlad Institute for Educational Renewal, which works to support teachers and help students become better citizens in a democracy.

Tzou takes over for

36 YEARS

Professor Tom Bellamy. Tzou will continue to grow partnerships that turn educational research into classroom innovations. The partnerships include collaborations with school districts statewide.

“My dream would be that the Goodlad Institute is involved in both research and partnership-building that results in transformational education for communities, where they get to design their own educational futures,” Tzou said. 

Helping Link/Một Dấu Nối 25th anniversary celebration

Minh-Duc Nguyen (left) and Lifetime Achievement Awardee David Okimoto

Over 200 people gathered at the Tukwila Community Center on Nov. 3 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Helping Link/Một Dấu Nối. $55,000 was raised at the event and organizers are still collecting donations and sponsorship through the end of the year.

Founder and Executive Director Minh-Duc Nguyen recognized many individuals and organizations for their contributions including David Okimoto who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Helping Link/Một Dấu Nối is a nonprofit that helps Vietnamese immigrants and Vietnamese Americans to develop the vital skills needed to thrive in their new country. 

Starting Jan. 1, 2019 A new way to take care of the people who take care of your business.

Phuong Tran, Lava Java

Employers of all sizes must start collecting premiums for Paid Family & Medical Leave on January 1. This statewide insurance program will give every eligible employee access to up to 12 weeks of paid leave starting in 2020. It’s easy to get started, and there are special grants available for small businesses.

Get your business ready at paidleave.wa.gov

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

3

Pathway Foundation builds tomorrow’s leaders

By Jessica Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Conrad Lee and Steve Chen talk with Edwin Ong and Sam Lai. Photo courtesy of the Pathway Foundation

influence in the land we live and call home.”

Lee does not hesitate to acknowledge that a primary goal of the organization is to foster participation in politics.

These are our nation’s future leaders. The sooner they

Motor vehicle collision

see PATHWAY FOUNDATION on 14

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Photo by George Liu

Conrad Lee had an idea: A nonprofit that would guide young Chinese Americans through the challenges of college and career preparation, via Mayoral Internships that would give them the opportunity to engage professionally with the community. Along the way, this nonprofit would teach the next generation the skills needed to achieve their goals, while helping them through the challenges of what it means to be American. Together, with co-founders Steve Chen and Yi Ping Chen, Lee turned this idea into reality in 2017 when the Pathway Foundation was born.

According to the foundation’s mission statement, the aim is “not only to advocate the need for engagement, but to actually give direction, provide the way, find the path, and give guidance in projects, opportunities, and activities that lead to hands-on training and experience according to one’s own interests, abilities, and aspirations.” The foundation seeks to break barriers to civic engagement for those who come from cultures or countries where involvement is discouraged, or who might be hesitant due to language barriers, so that participants can have a “greater impact and

can develop tools for success, the better. “Our mission,” says Lee, “is to increase their impact through community influence...and [ultimately] through influence in politics.”

At the foundation, interns develop and run their own projects and hold weekly discussions. They are expected to be self-starters — and they do not disappoint. Edwin Ong, current chair of the Mayoral Internship program, says running their own projects “let’s them take more ownership…and feel like they’re making an impact.”

From 10 interns at the start of the year, to now 30, students from grades 9 to 12 thrive under the foundation’s mentorship. There is no particular conclusion to internships.

“They can stay as long as they want,” Lee says. There is also no strict requirement to be Chinese American. Indian American and Muslim American students can also take part. Together, they learn about themselves, and each other.

They build relationships that help them navigate questions of race and identity, and learn academic and career skills that will help them succeed.

The benefits of interning are many. Intern Muhan Zhang says she benefits from public speaking, and emphasizes

At least two people were hurt when one car collided into another at the corner of Jackson and Maynard on Nov. 30.

It happened shortly after 7 p.m.

Seattle police responded to the

scene, as well as the Seattle Fire Department.

The passenger side of the blue car that was hit was so badly bent that the fire department had to help pull the occupant out.

As of now, there’s no word on the extent of the injuries. 

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4

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

36 YEARS

■ NATIONAL NEWS

World leaders praise former President George H.W. Bush

“He was in fact the first American President that I was privileged to meet. I recall

By MICHAEL GRACZYK ASSOCIATED PRESS

being deeply touched by your father’s concern for the Tibetan people and the situation

HOUSTON (AP) — George H.W. Bush, a patrician New Englander whose presidency soared with the coalition victory over Iraq in Kuwait, but then plummeted in the throes of a weak economy that led voters to turn him out of office after a single term, has died. He was 94.

The World War II hero, who also presided during the

in Tibet. It is truly admirable to have lived over 94 years. While nothing can replace the loss of a father, we can rejoice in the fact that his was a meaningful life, dedicated to public service. I commend your parents for encouraging their children, including you my dear friend, to devote yourselves to the service of others.’’

— Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama

see BUSH on 13

Car plows into pedestrians in Manhattan’s Chinatown NEW YORK (AP) — A 70-year-old driver trying to parallel park on a New York City street lost control of his minivan and struck several pedestrians standing next to a fruit stand, killing one person and injuring six others, police said. see CAR PLOWS on 14

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Shots fired at Seattle shelter

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY SEATTLE—Officers responded to a report of shots fired and a possible robbery attempt at a shelter in the 600 block of 12th Avenue South on the night of Dec. 1.

Callers stated that a man armed with a handgun entered a common area and attempted to rob the individuals sleeping inside. Reports from witnesses stated that the suspect may have assaulted one of the people sleeping inside, before another person intervened and chased the suspect away. During the confrontation, a handgun was

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discharged, but no one was struck.

Officers searched the building, but did not locate the suspect.

Officers had conflicting reports of what actually transpired, but did locate a shell casing. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

The department is now working with the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) to address safety issues. The DESC runs the Navigation Center in the Pearl Warren Building, located at 606 12th Avenue South in Seattle’s Little Saigon. 

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asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

■ WORLD NEWS

5

White House: Trump-Xi trade talks went ‘very well’

By PAUL WISEMAN, ZEKE MILLER and CATHERINE LUCEY ASSOCIATED PRESS

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Face-to-face for more than two hours, President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping engaged in dinner diplomacy on Dec. 1 aimed at resolving a trade dispute between the world’s two biggest economies that has rattled financial markets and threatens world economic growth.

The top White House economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, said the talks went “very well,’’ but so far, the White House has released no further details.

What they agreed on — or didn’t — will likely move markets up or down, determine whether the world economy gets some relief from destabilizing trade tensions and cast judgment on the wisdom of the American leader’s hard-nosed trade tactics.

Before the dinner of grilled sirloin, red onions, goat ricotta and dates, Trump told reporters that “we’ll be discussing trade and I think at some point we are going to end up doing something that is great for China and great for the United States.’’

Xi’s remarks also gave no indication of whether any breakthrough was imminent.

“Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interests of world peace and prosperity,’’ Xi said, adding that he looked forward to exchanging ideas and having an opportunity to “jointly map out the future for China-U.S. relations.’’

The Trump-Xi meeting was the marquee event of Trump’s whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the Group of 20

Summit after the president canceled a sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin over mounting tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Trump also canceled a Dec. 1 news conference, citing respect for the Bush family following the death of former President George H.W. Bush.

Trump said Bush’s death put a “damper’’ on what he described as a “very important meeting’’ with Xi. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijing’s push to challenge American technological dominance. Washington accuses China of deploying predatory tactics in its tech drive, including stealing trade secrets and forcing American firms to hand over technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market.

Trump has imposed import taxes on $250 billion in Chinese products. If he can’t get a deal with Xi, he’s poised to more than double most of those tariffs Jan. 1. And he’s threatened to expand tariffs to virtually everything China ships to the United States.

China, which has already slapped tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods, is likely to retaliate, ramping up a conflict that is already rattling financial markets and causing forecasters to downgrade the outlook for global economic growth.

U.S. officials insist that the American economy is more resilient to the tumult than China’s, but they remain anxious of the economic effects of a prolonged showdown — as Trump has made economic growth the benchmark by which he wants his administration judged.

A full-blown resolution was not expected to be reached in Buenos Aires; the issues that divide them are just too difficult.

What’s more likely, analysts say, was that they would reach a truce, buying time for more substantive talks. Whether such

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a cease-fire would be enough to get Trump to delay higher or expanded tariffs is unclear.

Growing concerns that the trade war will increasingly hurt corporate earnings and the U.S. economy are a key reason why U.S. stock prices have been sinking this fall.

Joining other forecasters, economists at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development last month downgraded their outlook for global economic growth next year to 3.5 percent from a previous 3.7 percent. In doing so, they cited the trade conflict as well as political uncertainty.

Trump met on Nov. 30 with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a rare trilateral meeting. The symbolism ahead of the Xi meeting was clear: the Trump administration has looked to find common cause with both nations in countering China’s regional hegemony.

Earlier that day, Trump signed a revamped three-way trade deal with Canada and Mexico, fulfilling a longstanding pledge, though the agreement could face headwinds in Congress. He also held a series of formal and informal meetings and will continue those sit-downs, including with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Last spring, it looked like Beijing and Washington might have found a peaceful resolution.

In May, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declared the trade war “on hold’’ after Beijing agreed to increase its purchases of U.S. soybeans and liquefied natural gas — a move that could have put a dent in China’s massive trade surplus with the United States.

But the cease-fire didn’t last. Facing criticism that he’d gone see TRUMP-XI on 13

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DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

36 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR DEC 6

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KIN ON’S HOLIDAY MAHJONG NIGHT Kin On, 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle 6:45-9 p.m.

MEET AND GREET/ FUNDRAISER IN SUPPORT OF THE WA SENATE’S NEWEST LEGISLATORS OF COLOR! China Harbor Restaurant, 2040 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle 6-8 p.m.

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“BURNING,” LATEST FILM DIRECT BY LEE CHANG-DONG Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., Seattle 7-10 p.m.

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THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY OF THE KOREAN COMMUNITY Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle 2:30-4:30 p.m.

“PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF DESIRE,” FILM DIRECTED BY HAO WU Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., Seattle 7:30-10:30 p.m.

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asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

■ AT THE MOVIES

7

South Korea’s “Burning” a slow burn for the senses

By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Chang-dong Lee’s “Burning,” adapted from a short story by Japan’s Haruki Murakami, opens in a low-key fashion and moves along slowly. It runs more than twoand-a-half hours, and devotees of action, explosions, car chases, and fights might well come away disappointed. Stick with the film, though, and you’ll discover an unsettling inquiry into the nature of life, the nature of being, and the nature of trust.

It begins simply enough when Jongsu (played by Ah-in Yoo) goes walking in Seoul one day and finds an old friend from his hometown, Haemi (Jong-seo Jun, making her film debut). They share memories of old times over food and drinks. They wander aimlessly through the downtown lights.

You get the strong sense that Jongsu wants something more than a friendship, but he’s awkward in a charming sort of way. He thinks that if he hangs around Haemi long enough, she’ll get the hint. But Haemi’s often lost in her own thoughts, her own philosophies.

She’s also getting ready to leave on a trip that she’s expecting to completely change her life. She leaves Jongsu to care for her cat — a feline which is not seen, and just might not actually exist. That’s Haemi’s sense of humor, and a touch of her philosophy. Maybe,

pretending something exists is more fun and interesting than the thing itself.

Jongsu waits for her to come back, his life pretty much on hold. She returns, but not alone. A flamboyant young Korean man called Ben (Steven Yeun) ran into her and glommed on to her while she was away. Ben’s got a fancy car, a fancy pad, a ready smile that smears into a superior smirk, and no forthright explanation for his wealth. “I play,” is all he’s willing to say, with one of those smirks.

Yeun came to fame through the American TV show “The Walking Dead,” which finds him fighting zombies across the map.

“Burning” marks his first starring role in a South Korean film, and he holds the screen

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whenever he crosses it. You can tell simply by the way Ben holds his head, that he thinks himself better than anyone else around.

Jongsu seems like a simple hick to him.

But, in a dynamic hardly limited to Koreans, the two men play at liking each other, pretend to tolerate each other. They act okay with each other’s company, but each one is thinking three’s a crowd. And of course, each one wants Haemi to himself.

Murakami’s original story, “Barn Burning,” appeared in “Playboy” magazine for the English-speaking market, then in the short-story collection “The Elephant Vanishes.” It’s several pages long, though a long way from novel length, and it emphasizes how mysterious each of the three protagonists

DEC. 5-18, 2018

seem to the other two. Motivations for the men seem obvious enough; they want the woman.

But none of the protagonists have names (Murakami isn’t big on naming characters, figuring that if he writes compellingly, you’ll follow along without needing them).

And at the end of several pages, the mystery remains. “Come December, the birds strafe overhead,” remarks the first-person narrator, the man who becomes Jongsu in the film.

“And I keep getting older.”

Director Lee, who co-wrote the movie script with Jung-mi Oh, has a more definitive answer in mind for the end of the movie story. All the unanswered questions fueling all the frustration, he seems to be saying, is eventually building up to something. A boiling point. Be forewarned, though. Even such a climax won’t answer all the questions, won’t clear the air entirely. No matter how you strike at it, sneer at it, or try to walk away from it, life remains a heavy haze.  “Burning” opens on Dec. 7 at the Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Avenue, Seattle. For prices, showtimes, and other information, visit nwfilmforum.org/films/burning-leechang-dong-steven-yeun.

Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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36 YEARS

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

Caring for our friends and neighbors PSE is pleased to congratulate all 2018’s Top Contributors.

Thank you for everyone’s generous support of the NW Asian Weekly Foundation’s scholarship fund.

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

■ SPORTS

9

The Layup Drill

By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Screencap from YouTube video

Welcome to another edition of The Layup Drill. In the end of the year edition, we look at college football’s standout players and an honor for Filipino Veterans at last month’s Seahawks game.

College football’s brightest stars

Taylor Rapp and JoJo McIntosh helped the Washington Huskies earn a bid to the 2019 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Both starting defensive backs for the Huskies are Asian American.

McIntosh is part Cambodian and Rapp is of Chinese heritage.

Taylor Rapp In an interview with the Pac-12 Networks earlier this year, the two talked about their Asian heritage and what it means to them. McIntosh said it was pretty cool to have family around growing up. His mother is from Cambodia. Rapp agreed.

“It was nice to see my grandparents around,” said Rapp of his two grandparents that came from China. Rapp’s mother is Chinese, and he said that his grandparents grew up in China under the Mao Tse Tung revolution and heard stories about how it was hard. “It makes me realize how good I have it here.”

Similarly, McIntosh noted how his mom grew up in the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s.

Rapp said that growing up, there was no one else to look up to in football that was Chinese or Asian American.

“Going to [football] camps, I didn’t look like the typical football player.”

Jojo McIntosh But, Rapp stated, “[W]e can do it. We can play sports at a high level.”

“They would discredit me,” McIntosh explained when

Filipino Vets

people realized that his mother was Asian. The perception that McIntosh could not play because he was Asian meant that he had to work that much harder to prove people wrong.

While both have experienced the struggles, they have also benefited from learning about their cultures, including the great food their families made.

Both Rapp and McIntosh are projected to play in the NFL after their college careers. They are not the only college players making names for themselves.

Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa is one of the front-runners to win the Heisman Trophy, the award given to the nation’s best college football player. He is the quarterback for the nation’s number one college team. The native of Hawaii made his splash onto the college football landscape in the National Championship game last season. Tagovailoa replaced the starting quarterback in the second half to bring Alabama back to a victory over Georgia in the title game.

This season, Tagovailoa has picked up where he left off, as he’s taken over the reigns as starting quarterback. Going into the Southeast Conference Championship game against Georgia, Tagovailoa had not thrown an interception all season, but had thrown 35 touchdowns. A staggering stat

for the sophomore quarterback. He’s also thrown for over 3,000 yards, completing an average of 70 percent of those passes with an average completion of over 11 yards. Tua has found himself sitting on the sidelines in the 4th quarter in most of his games because there is no need for him to play at that point. The Tide has rolled to an undefeated season and has blown out all of its opponents on its way to another chance to win the National Championship.

Certainly, with the remarkable passing statistics and Alabama’s undefeated season, Tagovailoa is certain to be one of the finalists for the award and perhaps the first Pacific Islander to win the award since the University of Oregon’s Marcus Mariota.

University of Oklahoma redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray has led the Sooners to an 11-1 record and a chance to play for the College Football Championships.

Not only is Murray a standout quarterback, he was drafted in the first round by Major League Baseball’s Oakland A’s this past year. A’s executive Billy Beane called Murray one of the most dynamic athletes the A’s have signed.

It’s rare that such a highly-drafted baseball pick decided see SPORTS on 11

asianweekly northwest

10

36 YEARS

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

Remembering Fortune Girl

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Our cousin “Fortune Girl” died tragically in Hong Kong at the age of 66. What’s ironic is, there was nothing fortunate in her life except that she did have quite a bit of money when she died.

Her death got me thinking. What if I were still in Hong Kong? That could be my life in agony!

A woman’s life is hard if you were the oldest child and Asian, poor, and uneducated.

What’s in a name?

“Fortune Girl” was my husband’s uncle’s daughter. I am not kidding about her name.

We called her by that nickname all her life.

Many struggling Chinese and Asian families are inclined to give their children names symbolizing luck and wealth, with the hope that blessings can meander their way, and escape poverty. If the kid was able to bring the family luck, she would be adored. And she did. She bought condos for her parents and younger brother.

By no means was Fortune Girl’s life a good one. Her parents expected her to shoulder all the responsibilities, especially financially. No one ever taught me those unwritten rules, but I knew that had I stayed in Hong Kong, where I was raised, I would be stuck with those same responsibilities, being the oldest girl.

My Chinese name means quietness. Many Chinese women share the same name. However, no Chinese families would ever name their son to be quiet. Telling a woman to shut up, connotes suppression. Literally, it limits the woman’s choices. She is supposed to accept whatever fate is bestowed upon her, who she should marry, and what job she should take.

In poor Asian families, it’s not uncommon for women to marry an older man for financial security. Among immigrant families, I have seen young daughters who sacrifice for their families by marrying much older men (some older than their own parents), so that their brothers can get green cards (permanent residency) to America.

Although many marriages appear OK on the surface, I wonder how many of the women were truly happy. None I have seen, and they didn’t have the courage to get out of misery.

At the age of 12, I was in charge of my youngest brother and grandmother during the summer, while my mother went to live with my stepfather working overseas. Boys never have to do anything at home. When it comes to the issue of who should go to college, girls were never considered. When you realize you don’t have a future, you lose the motivation to do well in school or try hard to get ahead. I was in that rut for a long time in high school until my senior year. Perhaps, I was one of the lucky few.

I had the courage to fight a long battle until my parents finally said yes to college. It wasn’t easy, though. In retrospect, I still don’t know how I pulled through.

The sins of men

Our cousin ended up being so poor because of her father’s gambling habit. From a stable living, the father managed to turn the family’s fortune upside down through gambling. Some Asian men love to womanize and gamble. I hate to admit — so did my grandfather, father, and stepfather. I didn’t know if it was greed or the thrills involved in gambling, which made them addicted. Overnight, the grandfather and father lost their home and their relatives’ fortune. I share this with no joy and pride, but shame. It caused the family lots of pain and hardship. It had ruined many family members’ lives. I can never understand why many family members tolerated the despicable behavior of these men.

What if you were single?

Upon graduating from high school, Fortune Girl instantly went to work for the Hong Kong government’s immigration department, where there was job security, good benefits, and good pay if you worked long enough. She worked there for over four decades. Her hard work paid off. She was promoted to be a customs and border supervisor. Mild in personality, her job never allowed her to show her soft side.

Never married, she cast her undivided attention on her family, especially in financial support, including her parents and four younger siblings. That’s no small feat, considering properties in Hong Kong cost six to eight times more than Seattle. She managed to buy properties for her family members with the money she saved. That means she sacrificed, constantly shortchanging herself.

To say Fortune Girl lived frugally is an

understatement. Actually, she was mean to herself. Her retirement benefits were worth over thousands of U.S. dollars per month. She had never spent a dime for fun or even on her own basic necessities, even though she could afford it. No washing or drying machine, not even a refrigerator.

No travel. No luxurious habits. Nothing.

Yep, she washed her clothes by hand. She took her clothes to her parents’ condo nearby and dried them there.

Quietly, she lived by herself and her only entertainment was watching television. Can you imagine all the sitting around in your own home and not getting out? It would drive me insane. She lived a life of despair and depression, although she didn’t express it.

What surprised us was her awful health habits. Her favorite snacks were ice cream and chips, especially potato chips. Deep-

fried food was her favorite.

And she never exercised. There was no incentive — no friends or loved ones to motivate her to take care of herself.

She had no purpose in life after her siblings had grown. One by one, her beloved siblings and niece and nephew abandoned her. Clearly, she was being used. Retirement was tough if you have no social life or hobbies.

We visited Hong Kong once a year for the past 10 or 12 years, and met up for dim sum. Each time I saw her, her health got progressively worse. About five years ago, a stroke almost killed her. Afterwards, she lost her balance and her ability to walk steadily. Then another stroke hit her in the past few months. She ended up in a coma, moaning and groaning in immense pain. see FORTUNE GIRL on next page

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

■ EDITORIAL

11

Opportunity brewing

Remember when Starbucks closed up to 8,000 stores for a day in May this year to give employees a racial-bias education course?

This was after an incident in April where two Black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks while they were waiting for a business meeting — and not ordering anything.

Starbucks has since changed its guest policy, allowing people to sit without buying anything.

Maybe it’s time for a refresher for Starbucks employees.

On Nov. 26, Johncarl Festejo, a retired Filipino American U.S. Air Force veteran, entered the Vacaville, Calif. store.

When the barista asked for the man’s name for his order, he gave it as John.

But in the busy coffee shop, the name Chang was then called out multiple times.

Johncarl Festejo

“A few minutes later, I was just waiting in that area, and next thing I know, I hear, ‘Is there a Chang here? Is there a Chang? We got a hot cocoa,’” he told KCRA-TV. The name had seemingly been changed by a staffer.

Festejo’s name on the Starbucks app was listed as Johncarl, he said.

SPORTS from 9 to play college football. But the Texas native has excelled in both, and the Oakland A’s have given Murray the blessing to play. Murray has 37 passing touchdowns, in addition to 11 rushing touchdowns, which shows his athletic prowess as a dual threat in passing and running the ball.

Even with such a great season playing for Oklahoma, Murray has indicated that he will play baseball for the A’s after this season, although he might be having second thoughts after such a great season. There have been other athletes that have chosen football over baseball. For instance, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was drafted to play baseball, but decided to forego that dream to play in the NFL. Murray was the 9th player selected overall in the first round of the MLB draft, whereas Wilson was chosen (actually twice in different years) in later rounds.

FORTUNE GIRL from previous page During one visit, my sister-in-law in Hong Kong quietly whispered to her, “Fortune Girl, it’s time to go. You have nothing to worry about. You can let go, go peacefully.”

Ten minutes later, she took her last breath.

Fortune Girl’s service was on Dec. 3. We didn’t attend.

“She had no friends at the funeral, right?”

I asked my sister-in-law.

“How did you know?” she probed.

Everything I predicted was correct.

Fortune Girl didn’t have any friends.

Friendship takes time to develop, and sometimes, generosity and selflessness. Not a single friend attended her funeral, even though she met and worked with many, many colleagues at the immigration department.

Only 11 people attended her service, and the majority were her immediate family members. Her family checked her cell phone and found only family members’ numbers listed. And yes, she left over $2 million (USD). Do you think she deserves credit for leaving so much money behind?

Perhaps, that money will spoil her siblings or create bitter rivalries among them.

How to escape fate

It was admirable of Fortune Girl to work so hard to help her family. Beyond that, please don’t imitate her. Without purpose, she led an unhappy, boring, and empty life.

In her home, there were no books, newspapers, or magazines. Books nourish our soul, give us hope, wisdom, insights, and inspiration for learning and to live a happy life. I venture into the International District Library every week. Libraries should be our good friends. Newspapers challenge my brain and give me current

“I said, ‘Ma’am, is this my order? Because my name is not Chang.’ She responded that it could have been my name on the app,” Festejo continued. “So, I double checked my Starbucks app. It says my name. I just asked, ‘Is this some kind of joke? For real? Like, come on now.’”

When he asked why his name was changed to Chang, Festejo said the barista slightly snickered.

When Festejo complained to the corporate office, Starbucks responded with the typical corporate line, “At Starbucks, we take great pride in providing a warm and welcoming environment for everyone who enters our stores and expect our partners to uphold our values and follow through on our commitment. We have a zero-tolerance stance on discrimination of any kind, and the experience in question was not reflective of

Murray’s grandmother is South Korean and he has written about his multicultural heritage. He’s indicated that he would like to take his mom back to South Korea to visit someday.

Murray and Tagovailoa were two of the three college players selected to attend the Heisman Trophy ceremonies in New York on Dec. 8.

Seattle Seahawks honored Filipino American veterans

The Seattle Seahawks honored Filipino American veterans at the Thursday Night Football game in November against the Green Bay Packers. The on-field honor was made as part of the Seahawks’ Salute to Service Halftime Show. The Seahawks honored five Filipino veterans during halftime. In 2017, they were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. It is the highest civilian award in the United States. Many Filipino veterans and/or their families traveled to Washington, D.C. to

and relevant information. Every day, they inspire me and provide tips to have a better life. Research has shown that if you know how to change your brain (way of thinking), you can change your life. So keep reading.

What Fortune Girl lacked were networks of friends and social connections. Her inability to develop self-awareness and

our mission and values.”

Starbucks representatives said the employee in question has since been removed from the schedule pending the outcome of an investigation.

“We have reached out to the customer and shared our deep regret for their experience, are conducting an investigation into the matter, and will take appropriate actions,” Starbucks said.

Starbucks has a great reputation for socially responsible corporate policies. For example, Starbucks is a champion of gay rights, and it has offered part-time workers health insurance and other benefits since 1990.

Starbucks should seize this opportunity to continue its long tenure at the vanguard of promoting progressive values. 

attend a formal ceremony. There were other ceremonies held locally in the state of Washington.

A prepared video tribute was played in which Thelma Sevilla, the deputy director of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, gave some historical facts and background on the Filipino veterans. Vitaliano Batenes, Jesse R. Castro, Gregorio Garcia, George Shinze, and Scotty Gallerosa were on the field to receive the honor. Each man waved to the many Seahawks and Packers fans in attendance.

The Seahawks have made a point of ensuring that they honor veterans. Last year, members of the Seahawks staff visited the Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Hall in the International District as part of their “Salute to Service.”  Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

seek improvement prohibited her from creating a more meaningful life. Family members said she was an introvert. Even introverts can have a glowing personality, with curiosity and warmth, and friends, too. You just have to seek them out. There are other introverts in the world waiting for you to connect.

No fee unless you receive compensation

Fortune Girl, may you find real fortune in heaven! May you find true friends in the next world! May you not be the oldest child in your next life!  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

• • • • • • •

We specialize: Auto accidents Pedestrians injuries Slippery falls Dog-bite injuries Personal injuries and death Motorcycle and bicycle injuries Airplane clash

We speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Toishaqnese, Korean and English

Holly Li Community Representative holly@hlg.lawyer Cell: (206) 369-8373 Chinese Language Direct Line: (206) 457-4202 Fax: (206) 457-4203

Seattle Office 505 5th Ave. S, Suite 330 Seattle WA 98104 Tel: (206) 625-9104 Fax: (206) 457-4203 Tacoma Office 1535 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, WA 98402 Tel: (253) 627-8142 Fax: (253) 627-1835

asianweekly northwest

12

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

36 YEARS

COMMUNITY CENTER from 1 people who use the facilities and they love it.

People always come in smiling, which also makes me smile. I love my job because we have a lot of customers and they let me feel like the work is smooth,” she said.

Samuel Assefa, Director of Office of Planning and Community Development for the City of Seattle, wrote in an email that he’s not aware of or envision any scenario in which the ID/Chinatown Community Center could be at risk of closing.

He wrote that there is a fundamental difference between the Belltown and ID community centers.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) owns the ID Community Center as a condominium, while it leases the space at the Belltown Community Center. That lease is coming to an end and SPR has decided not to renew it. The funding source for both centers came from a ballot measure a few years ago. That ballot measure designated the ID Community Center to be part of SCIDpda’s Village Square 2 development.

The center was originally intended to be a collection of multi-purpose rooms similar to Belltown’s, but the Chinatown/International District community wanted it to be a full purpose center and raised the additional funds to include amenities such as the gymnasium on the second floor, he said.

Changes in programming

Up until 2017, the community center was a limited use site open for 32 hours a week. After the Seattle City Council passed a vote to give additional 23 public hours, the center’s programs have been busting at the seams, Brenna Clausen, recreation center coordinator, said.

Clausen, who oversees the daily operations, explained that the community center is very unique and operates differently than other centers due to the majority of programs being drop-ins. Clientele committing to 8-week courses is difficult, but allowing them to drop in provides more flexible opportunities to recreate a lot more, she said.

Clausen understands why people may be concerned about the center being at risk for closing, but she doesn’t believe it’s an issue with regards to budget as it has been communicated from the superintendent.

She explained that the Belltown Community Center didn’t have a gym and robust programming, but the ID/Chinatown Community Center has a lot of programming and gym and room rentals that bring in revenue.

“We started seeing a new wave of customers coming in. Volleyball has attracted a larger crowd from Capitol Hill that never came before. Eliminating the drop-in fees has provided a lot more access for people,” Clausen said.

A lot of seniors and youth of Asian descent frequent the community center.

For a nominal drop-in fee, folks can play table tennis also. Clausen said that the center’s table tennis equipment is very high quality and attracts several nationally-ranked players.

The center also offers many drop-in programs, including badminton, pickleball, yoga, and line dancing. The gym is available to teens several times a week. The center also partners with several agencies to offer special programs and events, including a monthly community kitchen where community members get together once a month to cook and eat a meal together.

Other activities that the center offers includes ballet, gymnastics, Chinese dance, kung fu, tai chi, and senior games.

“For a site that doesn’t operate large programs like childcare, we have a good amount of visitors coming through the doors,” she said of the center’s unique services.

Benefits to the community

Clausen said that piano lessons are the most popular program for the center and there are currently about 50 kids on the waitlist, with about 70 students taking classes now.

These scholarships allow people to attend programs, such as piano and art lessons. Both programs have waitlists.

“Parents really value fine arts, which is part of

Photos by Nina Huang

ID/Chinatown Community Center is here to stay

ID/Chinatown Community Center exercise room

the reason that it’s a big deal for us. Parents will do whatever it takes to allow their children to take these classes,” she explained.

Clausen said that the center’s biggest challenge is securing scholarship funding for programs. They’re operating on different funding sources for scholarships right now and when city budget comes out, they’re never sure how much is allocated for scholarships. As the center expands programs, it’s important that the programs are still affordable.

The first place public schools make cuts in their funding is the arts, so the fact that students can come to a community center and have access and opportunities to take these

ID/Chinatown Community Center reception area

art classes is a huge deal, Clausen said.

The need to bolster community center programming

Community member Jessica Chow believes the center is at risk for closing or being repurposed.

“It sounds like Parks and Rec folks are bolstering activities to keep it open and to garner more attention,” she said.

Karen Sakata is of a similar mindset due to a lot of new construction in the area that takes away the spirit and essence of the neighborhood.

“A lot of resources and things are being moved or closed and the new tall buildings

being built takes the sunlight away from the neighborhood. It won’t feel as much as a community,” Sakata said.

“The center feels at risk especially in this neighborhood, but any space that has ever been designated for community is always worth fighting for,” Chow said.

Chow hopes to see Seattle’s Parks and Recreation department bolster its programming and activate the space to bring more attention to the center.  Nina can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER WEATHER? KEEP THIS CHECKLIST AS A RESOURCE.

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

■ ASTROLOGY

13

Predictions and advice for the week of December 8–14, 2018

By Sun Lee Chang Rat — A slim margin of error means that you should try to get it done right the first time. Once completed, the pressure should be significantly reduced.

Dragon — Turn a potential problem into an opportunity to show those around you how well you can handle things, even the toughest of situations with ease.

Ox — Although not wholly unexpected, you are still surprised by the news you heard this week.

Take the time you need to process it, as there is no hurry to act on it.

Snake — Thinking about moving in for a closer look at the action? While your view is likely a bit skewed, it might be worth it to be at a safe distance.

Monkey — Does it seem as though you are in a holding pattern this week? Don’t get too comfortable as there will be movement shortly.

Rooster — You should soon be able to combine two interests that had been separate until now.

Doing so could yield a surprising discovery.

Dog — Often cast in a supporting role, you have suddenly been thrust into the spotlight. There is no doubt that you will do well in its warm glow.

Horse — As the pace quickens, are you struggling to keep up with the demand? Some streamlining is in order so as to increase your efficiency.

Tiger — You want to be involved in the process, but sometimes, it is better to let those who are doing the work complete it.

Pig — While you have some idea of what is to come, you do not know enough now to plot your course. Be patient until you receive a solid commitment.

Goat — It has been quite busy lately for you and your partner. Carve out some time away from the hustle and bustle.

Rabbit — Are you trying to juggle two competing obligations? At the end of the day, you will have to acknowledge that one takes priority over the other.

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

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

BUSH from 4 collapse of the Soviet Union and the final months of the Cold War, died on the night of Nov. 30 at his Houston home, said family spokesman Jim McGrath.

He became the patriarch of one of the nation’s most prominent political families. In addition to George W. becoming president, another son, Jeb, was elected Florida governor in 1998 and made an unsuccessful run for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016.

Reaction from world leaders

“He was in fact the first American President that I was privileged to meet. I recall being deeply touched by your

father’s concern for the Tibetan people and the situation in Tibet. It is truly admirable to have lived over 94 years. While nothing can replace the loss of a father, we can rejoice in the fact that his was a meaningful life, dedicated to public service. I commend your parents for encouraging their children, including you my dear friend, to devote yourselves to the service of others.’’

— Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama “Former President George H. W. Bush was passionate about strong relations between India and USA. His presence will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.’’

— Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via Twitter

TRUMP-XI from 5

KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Proposals will be received for P00241P18, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR LOWER RUSSELL LEVEE SETBACK PROJECT; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on DECEMBER 14, 2018.

Total Estimated Price: $2,750,000 There is a 15% requirement for King County Certified Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) firms on this contract.

All solicitation documents are published at: https://procurement.kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/ login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f procurement_ovr%2fdefault. aspx Contact: Regina Sparano, rsparano@kingcounty.gov, 206-477-4807

soft on China, Trump backed away from Mnuchin’s deal and decided to proceed with tariffs.

Now a lasting peace is likely to require the Chinese to scale back their ambitions to become a technological power. Or at least curb the strong-arm tactics.

Kudlow said earlier that

“President George H.W. Bush accomplished historic, great achievements by contributing to peace and stability of the international community.’’

— Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe “He will be long remembered in the hearts of our people for his dedication to world peace and safety while leading the efforts that brought an end to the Cold War and reconciliation between the East and West, and also for his strong efforts to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and develop the alliance between South Korea and the United States.’’

— South Korean President Moon Jae-in, via Twitter

the administration has been “extremely disappointed’’ by China’s engagement in trade talks but that the meeting between Trump and Xi could be a gamechanger. Kudlow added that if the U.S. doesn’t get “satisfactory’’ responses to its trade positions, more tariffs will be imposed. He said Trump is “not going away.’’ 

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14

EMPLOYMENT

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Northwest Asian Weekly is accepting applications for freelance writers. Government, courts, crime, business, education, health, and social justice issues affecting the Asian-Pacific Islander (API) community. Flexible hours. Journalism degree preferred but not required.

Send resume and writing samples to: Ruth Bayang editor@nwasianweekly.com.

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL

EMPLOYMENT

Closes: January 1, 2019 at 11:59 pm Salary Range: $155,783 - $209,511 (DOQ)

EMPLOYMENT

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PSRC is seeking an Assistant Planner for the Data Department.

Please see our job announcement at www.psrc.org. PSRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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The Metropolitan King County Council is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic attorney with a passion for Public Policy, Leadership and Professionalism to join our team. The Chief Legal Counsel serves as a legal advisor to Associate Graphic Designer the Council and staff on a variety of matters dealing with public policy, legislation, and Council actions. The ideal candidate will be adept at municipal law, and the powers and duties of public officials and agencies.

PSRC is seeking an Associate Graphic Designer for the ComThe Chief Legal Counsel is a senior level professional position and supervises the work of the Senior Deputy munications Department. Please Service Directory Legal Counsel. This position operates with considerable latitude in providing legal advice and proposed solu- see our job announcement at Just $10 a week! tions for consideration by decision makers to support the Council in fulfilling its mission. www.psrc.org. PSRC is an Equal Call 206-223-0623 Opportunity Employer.

The most competitive candidates will have an in-depth knowledge of County government and the theories and practices of civil and administrative law as they relate to local government. This is an exciting opportunity to Northwest Asian Weekly $40 for one year. join the King County Council staff and help provide excellent regional services to county residents. The position requires effective collaboration with Councilmembers, staff, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney the County Name____________________________ Address __________________________ Executive and departments, other units of governments, and members of the public.

City _____________________________ HOW TO APPLY: State____Zip Code _________________ To apply and view a complete job announcement and apply, go to www.kingcounty.gov/jobs Phone ___________________________ Mail to: NW Asian Weekly 412 Maynard Ave. S. A King County application is required to be considered for this opportunity. Interested applicants must comSeattle, WA 98104 plete the supplemental questions and submit a resume and letter of interest with your application.

PATHWAY FOUNDATION from 3 that the foundation provides more handson civic engagement opportunities than school. Kristin Yao says her biggest takeaway is time management skills.

Intern Lara Yao echoes this, while also saying she is learning about leadership, how to delegate, and how to be a role model.

Others praise the forum the foundation provides to relate to others and break down stereotypes. Liana Wu says that, originally, she “felt like a banana” (yellow on the outside and white on the inside). Through the foundation, she has discovered that others feel as she does, and that together, they can solve problems “in the larger world.” Melissa Lin agrees the foundation is a “great place to connect with others” in the service of a shared mission to improve the community.

Ong’s current project (called the American Creed project) is meant to “foster civic engagement, bring discussion to minority communities so that people can learn more, and develop their views on the American Creed and

learn more about issues relevant to the Asian and Muslim community — it’s participatory…There are always ways to contribute to society. Giving back is one big aspect.” The American Creed “is what makes Americans, Americans,” says Ong. “Liberty, equality, justice — everyone believes in them.”

Lee, who is a former mayor of Bellevue and current member of the Bellevue City Council, mirrored these sentiments at a recent foundation meeting held at Bellevue City Hall.

“We are all Americans. What does that mean? We have basic expectations and common identities…Respect. Honesty.

Helping each other. Like yourself. And respect yourself, and then you can be free to like and respect others.”

During the meeting, interns, with Lee, Chen, and other supporting members of the community, including parents, discussed the topic of identity. Chen, who says he was inspired to assist the foundation by his daughter, quoted from A Chinaman’s Chance, by Eric Liu, a book he recommends for insight into what it means to be Chinese American.

Chen wishes to help kids with the

see CAR PLOWS from 4 “The car just suddenly appeared and banged into the wall backward. I was just so shocked,’’ said witness Jin Lin, 32, who saw several pedestrians trapped between the vehicle and the wall.

It happened shortly before 7 p.m. on Nov. 26 in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Police said four people were hospitalized. Two were in critical condition and the other two were in serious condition.

challenges of being from two worlds and with how American society works, “so they can have better opportunities.”

Another intern mentor, Sam Lai, who returned to Seattle last year after graduating from the University of Chicago, says that he supports the foundation because, “I want to be the person I needed when I was younger.

I want to talk through [with them] the issues I struggled with and didn’t have anyone to talk to about, plus help them with the problems of high school.”

In addition to rousing speeches, advice, and encouragement from the adults in the room, students spoke about what it meant to them to be Chinese American (or Indian American or Muslim American).

Shared experiences were examined.

Participants revealed their struggles with the “model minority” stereotype — wanting to do their best, not necessarily be the best, in whatever area interests them, not just those associated with their ethnicity, such as math for Chinese Americans or technology for Indian Americans.

Another subtopic within the umbrella of identity was internalized racism.

Interns gave examples of things about themselves they did not like, due to societal pressures, while others expressed that they had a positive relationship with their cultural traits. Throughout, the confusion of dealing with two identities at once — be it the combination of American and Chinese or another combination — was like an open wound that, through talk, was slowly being healed.

The answer? Be an individual. Be American. Be a new category altogether. Honor all the parts of you.

“We have a lot to be thankful for,” said Lee. “Everything we do [at the foundation] is to help each of you be equipped to…accomplish what you want…American doesn’t mean you are from one country or another, one ethnicity or another...we are a country of immigrants with the same values: freedom, liberty, and justice for all.”  Jessica Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

According to police, as the driver approached a parking spot the vehicle accelerated, striking several people on the sidewalk.

Video shows a dark-colored minivan speeding down a street in reverse.

A man who runs a parking lot across the street tells the New York Post “it sounded like a big boom.’’ He said he saw people under the vehicle and “a lot of blood.’’

The unidentified driver, who remained at the scene, was arrested on charges of failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care. 

SERVICE DIRECTORY CONTACT JOHN TO PLACE AN AD ON CLASSIFIED PAGE 206-223-5559 JOHN@NWASIANWEEKLY.COM

36 YEARS

The American Legion Cathay Post 186

Serving the community since 1946

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YOUR VOICE ISRD from 1 to make sure that they are community sensitive,” said Lee of the possibility of new construction. He indicated that the buildings with the core of the ID should be preserved, while areas on the perimeter of the neighborhood could be redeveloped so long as they are within the rules and regulations.

Yip is in real estate development and fills the at-large member position for the ISRD board.

“The current board makeup has a lot of younger folks and I like the energy,” said Yip. “I believe I have a cultural connection with the community. In many roles, I engage with seniors in the district and listen to their concerns and what they want done. It’s a different perspective.”

He hopes that there is more of a balance between market rate and affordable housing. Yip has been active in the ID community for 14 years. He’s served on many boards and associations, including the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong Business Association, and the National Association of Asian American Professionals.

The ISRD is established “to promote, preserve, and perpetuate the cultural, economic, historical, and otherwise beneficial qualities of the area, particularly the features derived from its Asian heritage” through several goals and objectives. This includes providing a stable residential neighborhood with a mixture of housing types, which includes affordable and market rate housing.

The ISRD board also is enlisted to encourage the “rehabilitation of existing structures” and “exercise a reasonable degree of control over site development.” The board follows and applies these guidelines in considering how new development can be compatible with the historic character of the district.

As with other areas of the city which has cranes and construction, the ID is experiencing its own changes.

In 2017, the Seattle City Council passed rezones to Chinatown-International District, which provided extra height for buildings in the neighborhood in exchange for either using floor space for affordable housing or paying into an affordable housing fund in-lieu of providing that space. The “up zones” would lure developers seeking to build in the neighborhood — one of the last fertile areas of the city that is close to the downtown core, yet still reasonably priced. The balance between embracing the

asianweekly northwest

DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

ISRD Board Liaison Rebecca Frestedt (left) and Anna Tang (volunteer) Photo by George Liu

changing landscape of the city with the anticipated streams of commerce coming to the ID is balanced with the need to preserve its cultural center and the affordability relied upon by many of its longtime, aging residents. The tug and pull of affordable housing versus market rate housing is another concern. The ISRD board is a check against development.

According to ISRD Board Liaison Rebecca Frestedt, there were 10 letters of interest for the two openings that were recently filled. Due to the development within the community, the profile of the neighborhood has been elevated. With the expansion of the ID to include Little Saigon, there was more outreach to notify people about the expansion and to notify them about the election.

Tiernan Martin just finished his term as board chair in November. He serves as a data analyst and urban planner for the nonprofit organization, Futurewise. He has lived in the ID since he moved to Seattle from Alaska in 2009.

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Martin chose the neighborhood because of its density richness in culture, and all its amenities. Martin’s interest in the neighborhood preceded his current career in urban planning.

“I was curious about the position and role of the board,” said Martin when first approached about the opportunity.

“The experience of publicly deliberating [during a board meeting] is challenging, but important,” explained Martin of the significance of the public evaluation of projects at bimonthly meetings. He indicated that members of the board have to insulate themselves from outside conversation about pending applications before the board. He also stated that board members do not talk about pending applications prior to the public meeting, as it is against the rules.

The influx of applications and projects has been daunting.

It is still a volunteer board that dedicates its time for the betterment of the neighborhood. Martin explained that the ISRD board has implemented an Architectural Review Committee comprised of three members of the board, including the chair with an architecture background — they facilitate the process of reviewing more technical issues coming before the board. The ISRD board hears small changes made by applicants, which may go unnoticed.

However, there has been an uptick in larger projects on the horizon, which leads to the belief that more development is imminent.

A portion of what the board does is help applicants explain their new projects and changes as it applies to the goals and objectives of the ID’s Design Guidelines, as well as the Seattle Municipal Code. The ISRD board will have public discussion at a hearing regarding a project and will evaluate whether a pending application meets the guidelines. The ISRD board will then make a recommendation, which will be ratified by the city.

The Seattle City Council also has extended the boundaries of the ID and has designated funding in revisiting the design guidelines for the neighborhood. The rewriting process is still ongoing, but the hope is that the revised guidelines will provide a lot more clarity in light of the recent zoning changes, and give the ISRD board more guidance in managing new construction and preserving the cultural significance of the community.  Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

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DECEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 14, 2018

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