VOL 35 NO 6 | FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

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

VOL 35 NO 6

FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

FREE

34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

R A N U L HAPPY YEAR! NEW

Astrological predictions in love and work » P.2 USPS issues Year of the Monkey stamps » P.4

Kung Fu Panda 3 directors dish on Jackie Chan and Angelina Jolie » P.8 Kings right to pull monkey shirts due to racial insensitivity? » P.11

■

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

Image by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW

ICHS urges APIs to join its Lunar New Year 5K » P.5

asianweekly northwest

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FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

■ ASTROLOGY Lucky in love? Work woes to come?

By Sun Lee Chang Northwest Asian Weekly

Are you tired of the status quo? If that is the case, then the impending year of the monkey, which by the lunar calendar will start on Feb. 8, won’t disappoint you. Each animal in the Chinese zodiac has five associated elements, including wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

This is the year of the fire monkey.

As the ninth out of 12 animals in the zodiac, the monkey is everchanging, always seeking the next highest branch or prize around the corner. With brains to match his or her ambition, there is nothing stopping the monkey except for his or her own fickle nature. Don’t expect just a small spark, but the drama and excitement that fire embodies.

Watch for the color red, as it is in line with the element of fire.

Shortly following the start of this year, there will be a major announcement. Whether it is about you or someone who is close to you, it could alter how the year will unfold. As you adjust to the new conditions, you must exercise self-discipline and patience, as well as fight against the inevitable wayward inclinations that strike your fancy. If you can harness the charm and intelligence of the monkey, then this could be a truly

Image by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW

Astrological predictions for the Year of the Fire Monkey

exceptional year.

Curious about what the year of the monkey holds for you? Keep reading for a sneak peek at the opportunities and pitfalls that await you this year, with special focus on the areas of work and love.

RATS There is some unfinished business that you have to attend to soon.

Travel could be required by midyear to resolve related issues.

WORK: You must decide where

you want to invest your time and attention. Simply going on autopilot is no longer an option.

LOVE: No matter how strong the initial connection, it won’t

maintain on its own. Keep the bonds fresh by checking in regularly. {see ASTROLOGY cont’d on page 12}

34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ community news

AAPI leaders meet with Gov. Inslee to discuss pressing issues On Jan. 26, a delegation of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders went to Olympia to meet with Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee and state legislators to raise awareness on the following issues: • Supporting the Clean Air Rule & organizing around climate justice (initiative 732) • Closing the K-12 opportunity and achievement gap (HB 1541) • Supporting the Asian Pacific Cultural Center capital project • Increasing funding for naturalization services • Extending dental coverage for elderly immigrants • Preserving non-Medicaid funding & investment in culturally competent health care (HB 1321) • Supporting culturally competent nursing homes for our elders (SB 6335, HB 2466, HB 2678, SB 6240, and SB 6203)

• Reducing the voter registration deadline to 11 days & supporting automatic voter registration (HB 1428/SB 5527 and HB 2682/SB 6379, respectively) • Reforming the system for legal financial obligations in our state (HB 1390) • Funding the Washington Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP) The delegation also talked with the governor about his support for Syrian refugees and immigrants.

AAPI members gather to give voice to topics that matter most to the community every January. This year, more than 200 members gathered at community meetings in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties to support the 2016 Asian Pacific American (APA) Legislative Day Agenda.

The delegation stated that people can support their 2016 agenda by calling and leaving messages for local legislators and the governor at 1-800-562-6000. 

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FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

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King County asks, bike eLockers needed in ID? King County Metro Transit wants to install eLockers at its International District/Chinatown Station’s street level central plaza. Currently, there are 10 eLocker locations in King County, each of which can park four bikes.

An increase in the number of eLockers will increase non-motorized access to the regional and local transit system. If new eLockers are installed in the International District (ID), eight benches will be removed from the area to accommodate the lockers

because of the limited space.

Metro Transit’s on-demand eLockers are public bike storage spaces that are available to anyone with a BikeLink stored-value card. They are rented at $0.05 per hour. The card is prepaid, and cyclists are charged only for the time they use the eLockers. 

For more information, visit metro. kingcounty.gov. To comment on whether lockers should be installed in the ID, e-mail paul.roybal@kingcounty.gov.

KING COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ADVERTISEMENT Proposals will be received for E00414E16, Engineering Services for West Point Secondary Mixed Liquor Channel and Blower Replacement; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on February 24, 2016. Late proposals will not be accepted.

Evaluate the current air requirements for the secondary mixed liquor channel physical and biological processes at West Point Secondary Treatment Plant, and suggest energy saving and process optimization technological alternatives. Provide engineering and design related

services for alternatives analysis, predesign, final design, and services during construction.

Estimated Total Price: $500,000 There is a 5% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) on this contract.

Questions: Ruth Williamson, 206-263-9333, ruth.williamson@ kingcounty.gov.

Complete Request for Proposal documents, including all project details are available on our web page at: https://procurement.kingcounty. gov/procurement_ovr/default.aspx

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FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

■ LUNAR NEW YEAR USPS celebrates Lunar New Year with special edition monkey stamp On Feb. 5, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued its Year of the Monkey stamp.

The stamp art features two bright reddish-orange peonies against a purple background. Peonies symbolize wealth and honor in Chinese culture and often decorate the sides of the traditional drums played during the holiday festivities.

Art director and stamp designer Ethel Kessler incorporated elements from previous series of Lunar New Year stamps — Clarence Lee’s intricate papercut design of a monkey and the Chinese character for “monkey,” drawn in grass-style calligraphy by Lau Bun — to create continuity between the series.

The monkey is one of the 12 zodiac animal signs associated with the Chinese lunar calendar.

According to an old legend, the animals raced across a river to determine their order in the cycle. The rat crossed by riding on the back of the ox, jumping ahead at the last minute to win the race. Next came the ox, then the tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, and ram, followed by the monkey in ninth place.

New versus old Which version of the monkey stamp do you like better?

The 2004 or the 2016?

« 2016

People born in the year of a particular animal sign are said to share characteristics with that animal.

Individuals born during the Year of the Monkey are said to be clever, wise, and honest. With their keen intellect and sociability, they can easily adapt to new situations. 

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ANTIQUE SALE Snohomish Star Center Mall & Citywide, 500 Dealers, up to 40% Off, Fri-Sun Feb 5-7 (360) 568 2131 www.myantiquemall.com ANTIQUES Early Bird Automobile, Antique and Collectible Swap Meet. Puyallup Fairgrounds, February 13 & 14, Saturday, 8-5. Sunday, 9-3, admission $5.00. For information call 1 (253) 863-6211.

WA Chinese Lanuage and Arts Competition Registration Deadline: March 2, 2016 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m., March 20, 2016 Chief Sealth International High School Age Divisions:  Grades K-2  Grades 3-5  Grades 6-8  Grades 9-12

For more information, please visit www.culturalexploration.org

Competition Categories:  Group Poetry Recitation  Individual Poetry Recitation  Public Speaking  Story Telling  Drawing  Chinese Singing  Talent Show  Chinese Chess  China Knowledge Bowl  Chinese Language Arts

34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ LUNAR NEW YEAR

FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

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Visionary community health center ICHS hosts its first API fun run Dozens of long-distance fun runs and walks take place throughout the year in the Pacific Northwest, each focused on a different cause or theme, as well as set in different geographical locations. Ethnic diversity in participation has been limited until now, and Seattle-based International Community Health Services (ICHS) is leading the effort for change.

The ICHS Foundation is organizing its first Lunar New Year 5K on Feb. 7 at the Mercer Slough Nature Park in Bellevue.

The flat, 3.1-mile course for individual walkers and runners, families, and leashed pets is made up of the park’s soft-surface trails, shaded pathways, and wooden boardwalks. It is not baby stroller-friendly.

Participants will be timed and can enjoy a water station at the halfway point and food and beverages near the finish line.

Two years ago, there was “no Asianthemed race in the region … there’s a void there,” said Ron Chew, ICHS Foundation executive director. The organization began considering different locations for its first 5K, which will begin with a lion dance performance. Race photographer Sherwin Eng of Seattle will be donating his services.

“He went to school with [slain community activist] Donnie Chin and is doing this in honor of Donnie,” Chew said.

Photo by Michael Lahner Photography

By James Tabafunda Northwest Asian Weekly

ICHS Foundation Executive Director Ron Chew in the Run Scared 5K, Oct. 31, 2015 at Seward Park.

The ICHS Foundation, he says, selected “a contained area like the Mercer Slough Nature Park,” one “that we could work in, and so, this seemed to [be] better logistically.” The park is the largest — more than 320 acres — fresh-water wetland on Lake Washington and with a habitat for water lilies, as well as ducks and swallows in the summer.

“We also were hoping that this would provide some visibility for the [ICHS] Bellevue clinic (opened in 2014) to support

Lunar New Year Fashion Show Contest

Celebrate with Style Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 House of Hong Restaurant 409 8th Ave. S., Seattle 6–9 p.m. $55/ticket Model contestants and models from the community will be featured in the show: Jerry Lee  Charlene Lee Starla Sampaco  Althea Chow Kian Liddell  Sage Liddell Denise Quach  Ruby Luke Max Reikosley  Tracy Tram Nguyen Daniel Nguyen  Gabi Goyette Michael Clawson  Marielle Goyette Wanxia Ye  Lucy Meng Xiao Ming  Dawn Cheung  Thu Ngo Gwen Huynh  Ying Hui Chen Ying Kam Chan Eng  Andrea Louie  Jenny Yang Angela Ng  Joanne Chan  McKenna Coleman Taylor Coleman  Avi Spillers  Tran To Shut Ming Chen  Li Wen Chen SPONSORS:

ICHS and the work we do with the vulnerable populations we serve.”

Christine Loredo, ICHS Foundation development specialist, said, “The big thing was to expand our community outreach [with] community events outside of Seattle since we, ourselves, expanded our clinic reach outside of Seattle.”

The ICHS is a nonprofit community health center that provides affordable health services in about 50 different languages to over 21,000 patients at seven different locations, including Shoreline. Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services named it a National Quality Leader.

Since 1973, ICHS’s mission has been to provide “culturally and linguistically appropriate health services to improve the health of Asian Pacific Islanders and the broader community.”

According to the 5K’s website, “Every year, the ICHS provides nearly $1 million in charity care.”

“ICHS’s inaugural 5K is an exciting opportunity to raise crucial funds to provide affordable, high-quality care for

our patients,” said ICHS Foundation events specialist Chris Potter.

“We’re a health care provider, and becoming physically active and encouraging people to be physically active is a good thing,” Chew explained as another reason for the creation of the 5K, which has also been named a Spotlight Race on the Grand Prix Series of Silver Strider Magazine (for walkers and runners over age 50).

He said, “We’ll be giving out award ribbons, three deep in each of the age groups.”

The Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays for many in the API community, especially those of Vietnamese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese, Tibetan, and Mongolian descent.

The year of the monkey starts Feb. 8, the day after the 5K. Loredo pointed out, “Monkey-themed costumes, we could see a bunch of those.” The ICHS Foundation will give awards to those deemed best.

One challenge for the Lunar New Year 5K on Feb. 7 is that it’s on the same day as Super Bowl 50, between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.

“We decided to take a chance and basically market it as an event that you can do prior to the game, so with your exercise in, you can enjoy the rest of your Super Bowl Sunday celebration guilt-free,” Loredo said.

Advance registrations, so far, have been coming in, and the ICHS Foundation started planning its next 5K last month.

Loredo said, “At some point in the future, we would love to have a series of API-themed race events like this one.”

Potter added, “It is a perfect representation of ICHS today. We are an actionoriented group of staff, patients, and community members coming together to improve our health and having a lot of fun along the way.”  For more information about the ICHS Lunar New Year 5K, visit ichs.com/5k.

James Tabafunda can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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John Liu

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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.

For ticket info, contact rsvp@nwasianweekly.com or call 206-223-0623.

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

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FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

■ COMMUNITY calendar THU 2/4

SAT 2/6

WHAT: Story Time WHERE: The Wing, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

INFO: wingluke.org, 206623-5124

H WHAT: NWAW’s

WHAT: ArtXchange Gallery presents, “S’Agapo: Expressions of Love,” a group exhibition featuring a number of APIs WHERE: ArtXchange Gallery, 512 1st Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 5–8 p.m.

INFO: 206-839-0377, info@artxchange.org, artxchange.org

THU 2/4–2/25 WHAT: “A Boy Named Soo,” transgender Korean adoptee printmaker’s exhibition WHERE: Gallery4Culture, 101 Prefontaine Pl. S., Seattle WHEN: 6–8 p.m.

FRI 2/5

H WHAT: TSA Chinese New Year Banquet WHERE: Ocean Star, 605 7th Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 6–8:30 p.m.

COST: $20/person INFO: mkt.com/TSAUW/ tsa-chinese-new-yeardinner

WHAT: Luncheon, “Five Tax-Cutting Strategies for 2016” WHERE: Shanghai Shanghai Restaurant, 989 112th Ave. N.E. #205, Bellevue WHEN: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

COST: $20 INFO: conta. cc/1KFHBO4

Lunar New Year Fashion Show and Dinner, “Celebrate with Style” WHERE: House of Hong Restaurant, 409 8th Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 6–9 p.m.

COST: $55/person SPONSORSHIP: $500/ table, $600/table with your company logo INFO: bit.ly/1R3aOsY, 206-223-0623

H WHAT: Lion Dance

and Lunar New Year Fair WHERE: The Wing, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

INFO: wingluke.org, 206-623-5124 WHAT: Asia Pacific Cultural Center Presents Tea Experience: Taiwan WHERE: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma WHEN: 10 a.m.

COST: $10 INFO: asiapacificcultural center.org/teaexperience WHAT: Asia Pacific Cultural Center Presents Taste of Asia, cooking lesson: Taiwan WHERE: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma WHEN: 12 p.m.

COST: $25 INFO: asiapacificcultural center.org/tasteofasia

SUN 2/7

H WHAT: International

Community Health Services Lunar New Year 5K run/walk WHERE: Mercer Slough Nature Park, Bellevue

WHEN: 9:30 a.m.

COST: $25–$40 INFO: www.ichs.com/5K

H WHAT: Lion Dance

performances at Uwajimaya WHERE: Uwajimaya in Bellevue and Beaverton (Oregon) WHEN: Bellevue at 1:30 p.m., Beaverton 2:45 p.m.

INFO: uwajimaya.com

MON 2/8 WHAT: UW School of Drama celebrates and honors the Northwest Asian American Theatre WHERE: UW, Meany Studio Theatre WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

COST: free INFO: drama. washington.edu/ performances

WHERE: 1934 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue WHEN: 4–5 p.m.

COST: free INFO: 541-41-HEART, seattle.wa@ heartfullness.org,

H = Lunar New Year event

New Year in Seattle’s Chinatown International District WHERE: The Wing, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

INFO: wingluke.org, 206-623-5124

H WHAT: Lunar

In the year of the Monkey, we thank all our customers for their support and love. We wish you the best in 2016.

TUE 2/9

WHAT: Heartfulness Meditation’s free meditation event

WHAT: CulturalFest International Expo WHERE: UW, Husky Union Building WHEN: 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

COST: free INFO: fiuts.org/ culturalfest-expo

516 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 ▪ 206-292-8828 Mon–Tue: 9–2:30 a.m. ▪ Wed–Thu: 9-3 a.m.

Fri–Sat: 9–3:30 a.m. ▪ Sun: 9 p.m.–1:30 a.m.

Language and Cultural Center’s 5th annual Lunar New Year celebration and blessing WHERE: Cultural Center, 5024 Langley Rd., Langley WHEN: 4–6 p.m.

FRI 2/12 & SAT 2/13

SAT 2/13

Honey Court Seafood Restaurant

H WHAT: Northwest

WHAT: Asia business forum, “2016 Economic Outlook for Asia’s Big 3 — China, Japan & India” WHERE: Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. N.E., Bellevue WHEN: 5:30 p.m.

COST: $15–$20 REGISTRATION: abf-12016.eventrite.com

FRI 2/12 & SAT 2/20

le vailab a m u Dim s r- round! yea ea r New Y y k c Lu s a re dishe le! b availa

34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Northwest Asian Weekly / Seattle Chinese Post presents

Chinatown-International District Lunar New Year Celebration Kids’ Parade Contest ▪ Saturday, February 13, 2016

DIAMOND SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

COMMUNITY SPONSORS

JIM DOANE GOLD SPONSOR

Children’s Parade Competition Schedule: • Noon—1:15 PM — Registration (each contestant gets a number) • 1 PM — Line up (outside NW Weekly’s office, 412 Maynard Ave. S., Chinatown/International District) • 1:15 PM — Judging begins • 1:30 PM — Parade begins • 2:10 PM — Parade winners announced • Contestants must be present at the announcement of results.

• Finalists will be lined up in numerical order.

• All contestants will receive a fortune cookie.

Registration/Sign-Up: • You may pre-register for the contest by filling out this application and sending it in or sign-up on the day of the contest. If register before February 11, contestants will get a prize after the event. Registration table will be located in front of Seattle Chinese Post/Northwest Asian Weekly – 412 Maynard Ave. S. • Contestants must sign-in at the registration table 15 minutes prior to parade.

Rules/Guidelines: • Kids ages 14 and under can participate in the contest • Parents are welcome to accompany their children during the Parade • Kids will be given a contestant number for the order of Parade lineup • Kids attire should be culturally relevant to the Lunar New Year Celebration Judging: • All contestants will be judged by the provided judging criteria.

• Prizes will be awarded to First ($100), Second ($50), and Third ($25) Place Winners, plus many other prizes.

• All decisions made by competition judges are final.

• Winners and finalists’ photos will be in NW Asian Weekly/Seattle Chinese Post print and online on Feb. 18.

WHAT: Kids’ Parade Contest WHERE: 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle EVENT DATE: Saturday, February 13 DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Noon on February 13

Please submit completed application through one of the following methods: Mail: Northwest Asian Weekly Children’s Parade Contest 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 Name: ________________________________________________________________ School Name:____________________________________________ Age:___________ Phone: ________________________________________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________________________

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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asianweekly northwest

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FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

“Kung Fu Panda 3” movie still courtesy of DreamWorks Animation

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Kung Fu Panda 3 directors talk Jackie Chan films and Angelina Jolie’s children

By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly “Kung Fu Panda 3,” from DreamWorks, marks the third installment of the adventures of Po, an amiable and witty animated panda bear who, somewhat against his own nature, becomes a martial-arts expert and helps to defend his Chinese village from evil. The film’s two directors, Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni, sat down in Seattle to take some questions.

Yuh Nelson, a Korean American who was born in

South Korea and moved to Southern California as a child, started out as a storyboarder for DreamWorks. She worked her way up to the position of head of story on the first “Kung Fu Panda.” She then directed “Kung Fu Panda 2,” which became the highest-grossing film solely directed by a female director. (Disney’s “Frozen,” co-directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, eventually outgrossed it.)

Artistic collaboration For “Kung Fu Panda 3,” Yuh Nelson was paired with co-

director Alessandro Carloni. He is originally from Italy and had worked on the franchise as a story artist and animation supervisor, but had never directed before. Yuh Nelson explained that they never had a tough time collaborating.

“We’ve been working together from the beginning,” she explained. “We created Po together, with the crew and the writers, the story artists. We were all part of the same group.

So we have very much a shorthand on how things work. It’s one of the reasons I asked for Ali to come on to this movie as a {see PANDA cont’d on page 11}

34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

9

Differences create great harmony

Photos by George Liu/NWAW

Celebrate Asia concert combines music of different cultures to bridge worlds together

From left: Composer Xiaogang Ye, pianist Charlie Albright, and conductor Jindong Cai

Motevaseli is also a conductor and bassoonist.

A santoor is a trapezoidal string instrument consisting of generally walnut and about 70 to more than 100 metal strings in sets of three to five. Its metallic sounds are created by hitting the sets of strings with two wooden sticks.

Combining two seemingly unrelated musical instruments, a santoor, which has a long history in Persian music, and an accordion, which is mostly used in European music, resulted in a really mysterious and exotic sounding piece.

An amazing harmony The unexpected combination of an accordion and a santoor was heard in Alireza Motevaseli’s “Fantasia for Santoor and Accordion.”

The pairing was a momentous occasion, as Iranian music had never been performed in Celebrate Asia’s history.

{see CELEBRATE ASIA cont’d on page 13}

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SEAFOOD

Often, vastly different types of things cannot unite or be in harmony when combined. Music is no exception.

However, when it works, the effect can be awe-inspiring.

I got to see some cool combinations of different sounds across the world coming together during Celebrate Asia, an annual Asian concert held at the Benaroya Hall last Sunday, Jan. 31.

The concert was conceived because some of Seattle’s classical music-loving Asian and Pacific Islander Ameri-

cans (APIAs) felt there was a market and a desire to see non-Western music performed by the Seattle Symphony.

Celebrate Asia is 8­years old.

MEAT

By Emiri Aoki Northwest Asian Weekly

Celebrate Asia performers stand to receive their applause.

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asianweekly northwest

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FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

■ travel

7 tips for surviving Ho Chi Minh City when you’re not Vietnamese 1. Start your research at the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs and Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

There is plenty of general information about any country you plan on visiting, including info on visas, safety, local laws, health, and transportation.

I advise that you start scheduling your appointments for preventative vaccines and medications at the same time you

are planning your visa. Your body needs time to build up immunity so it’s a good idea to get this done well before your trip.

2. Get an unlocked GSM cellphone.

Smartphones are preferred, but a ‘dumbphone’ will work just fine. Take precautions if you have an expensive phone because thieves are notorious for pickpocketing or just riding by and snatching your phone as you snap a picture. Sim cards are extremely cheap.

Mine was $10 and had over 100 minutes.

Even if you have no one to call, it’s great to have one for emergencies. Enter important phone numbers into the contact list like that of a close friend, family member, local police, local fire department, and facilities for medical emergencies.

The calculator function on your phone also becomes extremely useful when the locals don’t understand “How much?” or “Price?” Punch it in your calculator and you’ll get a nod or shake of the head. Then they will punch in their own number to counteroffer.

3. Remember those crazy stories you heard about motorcycles in Vietnam? They are all true.

Photo by John Liu/NWAW

I recently took a long overdue vacation to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and it was a really exciting experience, one that I gleaned many lessons from.

Here are my 7 tips for surviving Vietnam when you’re not Vietnamese!

(The exchange rate on my trip was ₫22,500 Viet Nam dong [VND] per $1 U.S. dollar [USD]. All prices will be in

USD for the remainder of this piece.)

I took this picture from the safety of a car.

As a pedestrian, don’t expect any vehicle to yield. They will only yield as a last resort.

Vehicles will drive around you. Walk at a normal pace and trust the driver to see you.

Pedestrian traffic lights do not blink when they’re about to change to a ‘don’t walk’ signal, so give yourself plenty of time to cross.

Otherwise, you might get caught in the middle of the road looking like a deer in the headlights as cars and motorbikes come speeding at you.

If you’re staying in a nice hotel, you can ask the doorman to help you out. I did see this once.

Go single file and leave space between each other.

4. It’s important to know legit taxis. There are two major taxi companies in Ho Chi Minh City, Vinasun and Mai Linh. Take extreme caution when getting in other taxis with other names.

Photo by Mikii Liu

By John Liu Northwest Asian Weekly

Mikii snapped a picture of the taxi number while we were disputing the outrageous taxi fare. The taxi driver waived the remaining fare when Mikii agreed to ‘delete’ the picture.

My friends and I encountered one incident when we got into a taxi at the Ben Thanh market. We didn’t suspect anything until the cab fare jumped an exorbitant amount of $9 when the actual fee should have been $5. After getting back and Googling this, it looks like the scam has been around since 2010.

Have pics of legit taxis with you. Scammers like to use names that are close to Vinasun and Mai Linh. Make sure the taxi color is correct. Snap a photo of the number plate on top of the taxi.

Vinasun and Mai Linh taxis are equipped with a real-time GPS map so you can check to see if the driver is intentionally taking a longer route. Threaten to call the police. Scammers will usually drive off first.

In general though, the police in Vietnam are {see TRAVEL cont’d on page 13}

34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

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OPINION

■ editorial

On Monday, Feb. 1, the Sacramento Kings beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 111–104.

According to various news outlets (and Twitter), a bit of drama also went on right before the game.

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins — who sat out of Monday’s game due to a sprained ankle — arrived at the Sleep Train Arena and found Year of the Monkey t-shirts draped over the backs of seats for fans. The t-shirts, meant to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year, depicted a purple monkey (Kings’ color) over a black field.

Cousins asked for the shirts to be pulled, as he found it racially insensitive that shirts depicting monkeys were being given out at the beginning of what is also Black History Month.

“We all need a lesson in sensitivity,” Kings President Chris Granger said, according to the Sacramento Bee. “In an effort to celebrate Chinese New Year, we had some concerns about the t-shirt giveaway, so we pulled them all before the doors opened. Certainly we don’t want to offend anybody, and we acted as soon as we heard the concern.”

{PANDA cont’d from page 8} director, because we have such a shorthand on the characters.”

One new step for the movie was the coproduction between DreamWorks and its sister company, Oriental DreamWorks.

Among other benefits, a version in Mandarin Chinese was produced simultaneously with the English version. “It’s fully animated with Mandarin voice acting and lip-sync,” said Yuh Nelson, “so it looks seamless in Mandarin. There are no subtitles.”

Cultural contributions Jackie Chan, who lends his voice as the character Monkey, is the only voice actor who could and does perform in both Mandarin and English versions.

The animators studied the look and ambiance of China to create the backgrounds and villages shown in the film. “What’s eye-opening,” admitted Carloni, “is that it’s not about shapes and colors as much as it is about atmosphere.

A lot of the movie is about how moss grows on things and [how] mist fills every object. How the buildings are almost grown from nature.”

When asked about other influences for Po’s story, Carloni invoked “the comedy of kung fu.”

Yuh Nelson said they watched all of Jackie Chan’s films. “He does great found-object fight scenes, where it’s not all punching and kicking. He does a lot of great physical comedy choreography.”

Although inspired by Jackie Chan films, they didn’t pattern Monkey after Jackie’s real-life moves. “We can’t actually do much of that,” said Yuh Nelson, “because a lot of the characters are not humanoid-shaped.

A monkey is humanoid, but he doesn’t move like a person. He’s got a tail, and he’s fighting with his tail.”

Of the returning cast from the first two films, the directors singled out the performance of James Hong, an 86-yearold Chinese American who has appeared in hundreds of films and TV episodes.

Photo from basketball analyst and former player Marques Johnson/Twitter

Kings rightly pull Lunar New Year monkey shirts deemed racially insensitive

The Sacramento Kings pulled these promotional Year of the Monkey shirts over concerns of racial insensitivity.

Associating Black people with monkeys or apes is a racist practice that is as old as the concept of race itself, beginning with the first contact between Europeans and Africans. It’s a term — like any pejorative — that aims to maim and dehumanize the people that it’s referring to, articulating that they are lesser, animal-like, and savage.

These associations have real-world effects. A study done by University of

Hong appeared in the first two films as the goose, Mr. Ping, Po’s stepfather. However, his role was expanded in this third film, especially after Po’s biological father, Li Shan (Bryan Cranston), shows up — the only other Panda Po has ever seen.

“It’s a touchy subject when you bring in the biological father,” Carloni mused. “[But] I felt we were really sensitive about it. Letting Mr. Ping be the bigger man, saying, ‘He needs both his Dads now.’”

A family affair Another surprise is the contribution

by Angelina Jolie’s children. Jolie voiced

California Los Angeles Psychologist Phillip Atiba Goff (when he was an assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University) involved showing students videos of a white man and a Black man being beaten by police officers. Goff found that when students were primed with ape words before watching the videos, white respondents generally viewed the beating of the white man as unjustified and generally

Master Tigress in all three installments, and for Kung Fu Panda 3, her kids Pax Thien (adopted from Vietnam), Zahara (adopted from Ethiopia), Shiloh, and Knox all chimed in with a few words and giggles for minor characters. Yuh Nelson recalled, “She was pregnant with her twins during the first movie and the fact that they’re now old enough to be characters became such an adorable thing. We have a lot of characters and so she brought [her children]. She was sitting on the floor with them. She was tickling them to make them laugh. They were very shy.” “[One of] the reasons why actors say yes to a project like this,” added Carlino, “is so

viewed the beating of the Black man as more justified.

“When I first analyzed the data, I spent two days under the covers,” Goff told Pacific Standard magazine in 2008. “I was sick and depressed. When I left my apartment, I felt everyone looking at me would see a monkey.”

We realize that the timing of giving away monkey shirts to celebrate Lunar New Year at a basketball game, one in which the majority of players are Black, during Black History Month is a case of unfortunate timing. We suspect even Cousins would admit that he doesn’t think the action was malicious or intentionally racist, based on how his comments thus far have sounded.

However, people of color are well-aware that often, the acts that reinforce stereotypes and inequitable institutions are often small and subtle — sometimes unintentionally harmful. That is why it is important to listen and respect other people’s perceptions and feelings. If the shoe were on the other foot and APIs called for the removal of a shirt that we found offensive, we would hope that other people of color would support us. 

they can share it with their children. Jack [Black] brought his son in, to do one line.

Dustin Hoffman brought in his grandson.”

As for the inevitable question as to whether a “Kung Fu Panda 4” is in the works, Yuh Nelson chuckled. “We focus on making each movie a satisfying experience by itself. But we overbuild, so of course there are more stories to tell.”  “Kung Fu Panda 3” is currently in theaters. Check local listings for theaters, prices, and showtimes.

Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

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FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

{ASTROLOGY cont’d from page 2}

OXEN The reins have loosened enough to allow you to move freely. With the lessening of restrictions, you are at liberty to make a more fitting choice.

Work: You have finished one chapter and are ready for another. The new story that’s about to be written sounds oddly familiar, but with a twist.

Love: A supportive environment lends itself well to personal development. Be there for your partner in the same way that your partner is helping you.

TIGERS

Does it seem like you are playing the same game, just with a different opponent?

You are in a position to rewrite the rules this time.

Work: You are no stranger when it comes to pushing the limits. However, there is no turning back after a certain point.

Love: A random interaction can leave a lasting impression. Additionally, a small detail may have a significant meaning that can easily be overlooked.

RABBITS

The “real deal” isn’t quite what you imagined it would be. You should adjust your expectations.

Corrections: In last week’s issue of Northwest Asian Weekly (Jan. 30–Feb. 5), the following errors were made: In “King County Council declares

Work: Forces beyond your control are in motion, but you can decide how you want to respond to what is happening.

Love: While the familiar feels comfortable, is that what you are really after? Perhaps you need to shake things up a little bit.

DRAGONS Unlike your rash counterparts, you would do well to consider all the angles before opting to pursue the most logical option.

Work: If you don’t want to end up in the same place you started, you must strike out on your own.

Love: Practicality has its place, but there is another side to consider in the arena of romance. A dash of spontaneity would be welcomed here.

SNAKES

Not all scenarios are created equal. There are definite rewards and drawbacks to each, so play your cards carefully.

Work: A meddlesome counterpart could cause issues down the road. Only share as much detail as is necessary with this person.

Love: When you are in the mood to criticize, try saying something complimentary instead. You might be surprised at the results.

January Human Trafficking Awareness Month,” we wrongly stated that Susan Remerata Blackwell and her friends Phoebe Dizon and Veronica Laureta where all mailorder brides from the Philippines.

We are deeply sorry for mislabel-

HORSES Greater overall satisfaction could be yours if you can incorporate the many areas of interests that you have developed.

Work: Think beyond what is perceived as normal in your field. Groundbreaking work is hard, but invigorating at the same time.

Love: Being appreciated for who you are is important to you, so practice what you preach this year to attract the ideal match.

MONKEYS

It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old. Your impetuous nature will get you in hot water unless you think before you act.

Work: Have you noticed a recurring theme that seems to keep popping up?

Look closely for a message that could have lasting ramifications.

Love: Stop storing up for a day that may or may not happen. Express how you are feeling sooner rather than later.

ROOSTERS

When you clear out room to make space for something else, the difference may have you going back to the way things were before.

Work: Whatever was brewing at the end of this past year is now at a boiling

ing these women with a derogatory term.

On our Names in the News page, an incompletely photo of Phillip Yin was printed. We apologize for this error.

point. Expect things to start moving very quickly now.

Love: To be truly fulfilled, you must discover the difference between what you desire and what you need.

DOGS After being in the forefront for quite some time, you are now seeking a measure of anonymity. However, the lure of the spotlight won’t long be forgotten.

Work: A friendly warning should be taken with a grain of salt. Watch for a hidden agenda from the source.

Love: Have you been debating whether to share what you have been holding back?

Be prepared for an unusual reaction.

PIGS

Strange rumblings are coming from an unlikely source. Upon further investigation, a very simple explanation will be found.

Work: Acquiring skills is a worthy goal, but it is worth the effort to also apply what you have learned regularly so that your level of proficiency remains high.

Love: Although a separation of roles can make division of labor more efficient, there are instances where crossover is necessary.  Sun Lee Chang can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

got a tip? editor@nwasianweekly.com

34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Music Association Evergreen Choir made the stage brighter and more colorful because they wore traditional clothes from their respective countries.

Chinese soprano Yayu Khoe performed “In Fields of Hope,” and Korean soprano Yujin Kim performed “New Arising,” in their respective languages. The two different countries’ music were well combined.

{CELEBRATE ASIA cont’d from page 9}

New phase of the music history

Another Asia­

Photo by Brandon Patoc

Another combination of contrasts — nature and technology — was heard in “Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds.” Contemporary Chinese composer Tan Dun found an innovative way to have the audience participate in his music.

The piece included mobile phones as one of its musical elements, which I thought was really amusing. During the intermission, the audience was asked to download a file of bird call sounds, played by six traditional Chinese instruments.

In the middle of the performance, conductor Jindong Cai turned around and faced us, which was a sign for us to play the bird calls on our smartphones. And not only us, but some of the musicians on the stage pulled their cell phones from their pockets to play the electronic singing birds.

If someone had entered the hall and had seen what was going on at that exact moment, that person would have thought that the musicians were taking a break!

After a while, all I could hear

13

The ensemble members of Seattle Chinese Chorus and the Korean Music Association Evergreen Choir

were birds singing all around the concert hall. Some of the audience couldn’t help but look around or giggle, and I could understand their feelings. It was, honestly, the most awkward moment during the two-hour concert.

This actually brought some confusion to the audience, which led some to replay the bird calls

{TRAVEL cont’d from page 10} slow so don’t count on them if you really need their help.

5. Watch your step! When entering buildings, make sure to step over a lip in doorways. The lip is used to keep water out.

I tripped three times in the same spot when leaving my hotel. It’s especially annoying since you’ll most likely be in flip-flops.

Bathtubs are also one foot higher than the bathroom floor. I highly advise you to sit on the bathtub rim first. Then, slowly step over with both feet and get ready to stick your landing. The floor is slippery from your shower because water is typical drained from the bathroom floor in Vietnamese hotels.

6. Bring ear plugs and sleeping medication if you’re a light sleeper. Don’t expect much sleep in three-star hotels. My stay was in the Universe Central Hotel Saigon.

There were plenty of loud people, construc-

during the rest of the piece, annoying their neighbors.

However, the performance kept entertaining, even after the bird calls. Singers used hand claps and breathing sounds, and they punched the air at the end of the piece to augment their performance.

The creative idea of engaging the audience in the performance

tion, water running through pipes, and crowing roosters.

Roosters were doodling around throughout the day during part of my stay, but weirdly, the next day, they were gone. Not sure if they were eaten or not.

For light sleepers, I advise a four- to five-star hotel, as we had much better sleep results there.

7. Be safe with money and valuable possessions. Make sure you keep big bills somewhere safe and keep little bills in a place with convenient access. Keep your bills organized. You’ll be dealing with $1000 bills, $10,000 bills, and $100,000 bills. Try to remember color and prepare.

This way, you’re not fumbling with bills and being eyed by all the locals. That’s likely to get your money snatched.  John Liu is co-publisher of the Northwest Asian Weekly. He can be reached at john@nwasianweekly.com.

by using smartphones was a good thought and attempt though.

Connecting two countries The rest of the concert united the sounds of China and Korea.

Ensemble members from Seattle Chinese Chorus and the Korean

Even after the concert, Celebrate Asia continued on. After an encore and standing ovation, I heard familiar sounds from the outside of the concert hall as I walked toward the exit.

Outside of the hall were seven Japanese people performing the taiko, which utilizes traditional Japanese drums. As more people walked out from the hall and gathered in front of the performers, one of them started playing the fue, the Japanese flute.

The harmony of the strong beats of the taiko and the soft, flowing flute sounds showed us another aspect of Asian music that was not heard during the concert.  Emiri Aoki can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

In memory of Kan You 1935–2016 Kan You, 80, passed away January 31, 2016 at his home in Shoreline, Washington after a brief illness. Dozens of friends and family, extended family members and Buddhist monks were able to visit with him to share their love and respect a few hours before his peaceful passing. A deeply charitable man, Kan loved to read and share stories of another era in Cambodia — something he was uniquely qualified to do.

But he was so humble that an unsuspecting person might not have imagined the remarkable and generous life he led.

Born 12 April 1935 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, he and his wife, Kimberly Meng Ly, built a meaningful life there and began to raise two children, Nina Kanikar and Kossenara.

But within five years, the young family was forced to flee their homeland. Kan was able to shepherd his family to the United States where they eventually settled in Seattle and established a new life for themselves.

Kan had been educated in Paris and Phnom Penh in public administration, and served as the Chef du Bureau d’Ordre in the Cabinet of the Royal Government of Cambodia under Prince Norodom Sihanouk from 1965 until 1970. He was Governor of Mondulkiri and Deputy Governor of Pailin between 1970 to 1975, until Cambodia finally fell into strife under the rapidly developing American Vietnam War. In 1975, Kan and his family were forced to flee as refugees, escaping the day before Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge, eventually finding security and a new life in the United States. Settling in Seattle, Kan found he could continue to provide support to a newly growing Cambodian and Southeast Asian community. So, at the age of 40, he went back to school in an entirely different field and received a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington. Working for Asian Counseling and Referral Services (ACRS) on South Jackson Street from 1979 to 1991, Kan

helped thousands of Southeast Asian refugees. In 1979, he cofounded the Cambodian Studies Center, which was the first Cambodian community group to receive National Endowment for the Arts funding for community programs for culture and arts.

In 1991, when the war was over, Kan co-led a team of counselors from ACRS back to Cambodia where they established a community center for social work training in Kampong Spue Province: the Khmer Buddhist Society, now called Social Services of Cambodia (SSC). SSC has trained thousands of much-needed social workers at their two training centers and the Ministry of Social Work.

Thanks to his expertise in governance and civil society, Kan became a Commissioner of the National Election Committee of Cambodia from 1998 - 2003, ushering in two national elections in the newly formed post-war Royal Government of Cambodia.

Upon retirement, Kan with his wife Kim continued to do good deeds and traveled throughout Asia, as well as back and forth between their home cities, Seattle and Phnom Penh. A gentleman in every sense of the word, Kan was devoted to helping others and was a beloved and well respected member of the Cambodian community here and abroad.

Throughout a life tinged with more hardships than most, Kan is remembered for his perpetual warmth, humility and good humor.

He will forever be missed by those he leaves behind including his wife of 48 years, Kimberly Meng Ly, his children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, family members and many other friends in Seattle and around the world.

Funeral service on Saturday, February 6, 9 am - 12 pm at Evergreen Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle. 100 Day Ceremonies will be held in Shoreline and in Phnom Penh.

Family contact: ninayou@gmail.com.

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FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Northwest Asian Weekly is always looking for Asian American community news. If you are the host or an attendee of an API fundraiser, e-mail us a big photo, event highlights, and the amount of money raised. We are also looking for news about APIs in new jobs and APIs getting public recognition and awards.

Please send materials to editor@nwasianweekly.com with “names in the news” as the subject line.

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34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016

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FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12, 2016