VOL 34 NO 52 | DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

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

COMMUNITY Funds for affordable housing in the ID » PAGE 5

VOL 34 NO 52 DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015 FREE 33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Which f licks did you miss in 2015?

From taxi drivers, assassins, anime, stunning documentaries, and revived classics… it was a great year for Asian American cinema. Check out our choices to see if there has been anything you might have skipped. It’s never too late to catch up!

{see TOP 10 MOVIES on page 7}

Surviving the aftermath Dealing with the wake of the Ride the Ducks disaster

Donnie Chin’s murder triggers new task force

Community members will work directly with City staff on public safety

Photo by George Liu/NWAW

Maiko Winkler-Chin

Sheila Burrus

I-Miun Liu

By Staff Northwest Asian Weekly

Phuong Dinh and father, Hiep Dinh

By Jocelyn Moore Northwest Asian Weekly Injured international students from the Ride the Ducks accident on the Aurora Bridge will be given private insurance plans if they lose student health coverage during prolonged medical leaves, state officials said last Friday.

Phuong Dinh, 18, is at the Seattle Keiro

Nursing Home. She suffered a broken leg and arm from the accident, was contacted by Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office last week and was informed that a private health-care plan may be available through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

North Seattle College also announced that {see DINH cont’d on page 11}

Mayor Ed Murray announced Dec. 15 the convening of a special task force for the Chinatown/International District (C/ ID) neighborhood. Following the murder of long-time community activist Donnie Chin this summer, Mayor Murray reached out to local leaders and called on them to work with City staff and the Seattle Police Department to help address public safety and livability in the C/ID. Tuesday marked the first meeting of the task force.

“The loss of Donnie Chin has left a void in the community. We must take steps to support the neighborhood and

Richard Mar

challenge the entrenched issues it has faced for decades,” said Mayor Murray.

“I look forward to the task force’s findings as they build on Donnie’s legacy and identify ways to improve economic development, the built environment, and public safety in one of our most diverse and historic neighborhoods.”

Community organizations, advocates, and businesses pointed to persistent language and cultural barriers as obstacles for the City to respond effectively to community needs. More than threefourths of C/ID residents are people of color and more than half speak a language other than English at home. Six {see CHIN cont’d on page 15}

AZ abortion law affects Asian Americans

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied an effort to revive a lawsuit challenging an Arizona state law banning abortions based on the race or sex of the child. The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum and the NAACP’s Maricopa County branch sought to oppose the law which is supposed to “protect unborn children from prenatal discrimination in the form of being subjected to

abortion based on the child’s sex or race.” The law is premised on the belief that African American and Asian Pacific Islander women are more likely to seek an abortion based on the known sex of the child.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the lawsuit on behalf of the civil rights groups. Arizona is the only state that bans race-based abortions, although other states bar abortions {see ABORTION LAW cont’d on page 12}

The Inside Story NAMES People in the news » PAGE 2

■

WORLD Alibaba buys South China Morning Post » PAGE 3

LAYUP DRILL Departures, resurgences, arrivals » PAGE 9

BLOG Gifts with gratitude » PAGE 10

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asianweekly northwest

2

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

■ names in the news Herron takes oath as Hospital Board Commissioner

deforestation, and erosion give way to fertility and renewal, allowing new crops to grow. In Slash and Burn, artists give birth to new creations by harnessing the same destructive power of flame and blade as creative acts. 

Bellevue International School student Song exhibits his art

Lena Hou and Japan Consul General Masahiro Omura

Emma Herron

Emma Herron took her oath as Hospital Board Commissioner for the Snoqualmie Hospital District 4, Position 3. The oath-taking was administered by Judge Peter Nault of the Eastside District Court in Issaquah on Tuesday, December 9. 

“Slash and Burn” exhibition features local artists The Kirkland Arts Center current exhibition, “Slash and Burn”, features Japanese artists Naoko Morisawa and June Sekiguchi among the eight local artNaoko Morisawa June Sekiguchi ists represented.

The exhibit started on Dec. 12 and runs through Jan. 30.

“Slash-and-burn” is an agricultural method that involves cutting and burning off all vegetation on a plot of land to regenerate the earth. The processes of devastation,

George Song

George Song, a junior at the Bellevue International School, has been intrigued by art since he was a child. Song held his first art exhibit at the Bellevue Downtown Library on Dec. 13. He plans to donate the art pieces or the proceeds of the sales to the organizations he would like to support.

Song says he loves art because it is the medium that allows him to most freely express his emotions, thoughts, and ideas. 

Japanese Consulate’s residence for the reception honoring Japanese Emperor Akihito’s birthday. Consul Omura was in attendance and congratulated Hou on a job well done.

Over 200 people attended the event. Lori Matsukawa and Ralph Munro were recognized for their contributions to the Japanese community. 

Shimomura leaves chief of staff post to resume artwork

Hou performs at reception for Emperor Akihito’s birthday Lena Hou has performed the National Anthem at numerous community events. This included last week’s invitation to the Lori Matsukawa

Joby Shimomura

Joby Shimomura, Gov. Jay Inslee’s current chief of staff, is stepping down to resume her work as a glass artist. Shimomura, who has served Inslee in multiple capacities since 1996, previously had a glass studio in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. She worked for Inslee as his congressional chief of staff for six years and managed several

of his campaigns.

Inslee is appointing David Postman as his chief of staff effective Dec. 14. Postman has served as Inslee’s executive director of communications since the start of the governor’s term in 2013. 

Ralph Munro

Women as Bridge Builders

Making a Difference

Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 ▪ China Harbor Restaurant ▪ 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

(It’s Thursday, not Friday!)

honorees

Camilla Mejia

Former Vice President of Multicultural Club, Jackson High School

Evelyn Yenson

Executive Retired

sponsors

Maha Jahshan

Policy & Program Specialist, Office of Immigrant & Refugees

Tonya Knox

Agency Field Recruiter, State Farm Insurance

Hilary Stern

Founding Executive Director, Casa Latina

Name: ___________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Telephone: ________________________________________________ Fax: _____________________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________ Organization: _____________________________________________ Title (if applicable): _________________________________________ Name of guests: ___________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

Christina Fong

Principal Lecturer, Management Dept., UW

Deborah Cano-Lee Co-founder & Board President, WA Indian Civil Rights Commission

Maria Durham Co-founder, Viva La Musica Club

Paula Houston Chief Executive Officer, Senior Services

 Mastercard

Mahnaz Eshetu Executive Director, Refugee Women’s Alliance

Exp. date: ____________ Signature: ___________________________

emcee

Wendy Zheng

Multicultural Engagement Director, Swedish Medical Center

Rita Zawaideh

Board of Directors, Salaam Cultural Museum

Anne Nguyen

Executive Director, Alexander Hamilton Scholars

Margo Myers

 Visa

Card no.: _________________________________________________

Principal Margo Myers Communications

WOMEN OF COLOR EMPOWERED CO-CHAIRS: Bonnie Miller & Rosario Carroll PLANNING COMMITTEE: Elizabeth Younger, Connie Sugahara, Diane Martin, Francine Griggs, Kathy Purcell, Leny Valerio-Buford, Assunta Ng, Shoko Toyama, Rosa Melendez, Lourdes Sampera Tsukada, Sonia Doughty, and Sylvia Cavazos LUNCHEON PRICING: Discounted price of $35 if purchased by Jan. 9. Full price of $45 after Jan. 9. Walk-ins $50. Student price of $25 with I.D. before January 9; $30 after Jan. 9; student walk-ins $35. No tickets will be mailed; confirmation is by e-mail only. $350 for a table. To sponsor the event including logo online and print and table is $1,000. Men are welcome! MAKE RESERVATIONS: To purchase tickets, call us at 206-223-0623, fax the above form to 206-223-0626, mail a check to Women of Color Empowered, P.O. Box 3468, Seattle, WA 98114, or email rsvp@nwasianweekly.com.

For more information, visit womenofcolorempowered.com.

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ world news

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

3

Samsung aid for sick workers comes with conditions, secrecy

By Youkyung Lee AP Technology Writer

Samsung protestors

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Samsung’s hopes of ending years of acrimony over whether its computer-chip factories caused cancer have hit a hitch: Some sickened workers and their families say they’ll never accept its highly conditional offer of financial assistance.

As recently as the middle of last year, it seemed the South Korean consumer-electronics giant was ready to come to terms with critics of its workplace safety. While still not conceding a link between the chemicals used in its semiconductor factories and cancer, it apologized and promised financial help for sick workers.

The statement was a welcome if incomplete victory for

Alibaba buys Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post

families and activists who have battled for years to hold the company to account. The shift came as Samsung Electronics prepared for leadership of the company to pass to Lee Jae-yong, the son of its ailing chairman. The plight of former workers was also attracting media scrutiny in Europe and in the U.S., both important markets for Samsung’s smartphones and other products.

Another sign of progress came in December 2014 when Samsung, workers and their families agreed that a threemember panel of experts would mediate.

But an ugly rift has now opened between Samsung and the main advocacy group for sick workers, Banolim.

At issue is Samsung’s rejection of the mediator’s

Prominent tycoon entangled in Chinese investigation

By Joe McDonald AP Business Writer

Guo Guangchang

By Kelvin Chan AP Business Writer HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has announced that it’s buying Hong Kong’s leading English-language newspaper, the South China Morning Post, as part of a plan to create a global platform for news about China.

Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd., founded by billionaire Jack Ma, said it signed a deal with publisher SCMP Group to buy the Post and the company’s other media assets, which include magazines, outdoor advertising and digital media.

The newspaper said in a story on its website that the purchase price is not being disclosed.

The acquisition gives control of the Asian financial center’s most prominent Englishlanguage publication to a mainland Chinese company. As news emerged over the past few weeks that the two parties were in talks, there were fears that the newspaper’s

reporting would be softened under new owners.

In a statement, Alibaba Executive Vice Chairman Joe Tsai dismissed worries that the editorial independence would be compromised.

“In reporting the news, the SCMP will be objective, accurate and fair,” he said.

The Post has a wide international following for its China coverage, including reporting on the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown and extensive coverage of last year’s pro-democracy street protests in Hong Kong. The newspaper has won awards for its coverage of political scandals and human rights in China, topics that are offlimits to mainland media.

The Post and other news media in the former British colony have more freedom to report because the city has a miniconstitution that guarantees freedom of the press and other civil liberties not {see ALIBABA cont’d on page 14}

{see SAMSUNG cont’d on page 13}

BEIJING (AP) — One of China’s top entrepreneurs, the chairman of the Fosun conglomerate that owns Club Med and other businesses in Europe and the U.S., is assisting Chinese authorities with an investigation, his company said, a possible sign that an anticorruption campaign is widening beyond state companies.

Fosun International released a statement through Hong Kong’s stock exchange after Chinese business magazine Caixin reported company employees were unable to contact chairman Guo Guangchang. The statement said the company understands Guo is “currently assisting in certain investigations carried out by mainland judiciary authorities.”

China is in the midst of a 3-year-old antigraft crackdown led by President Xi Jinping that has snared dozens of executives at stateowned companies in oil and other industries.

A court cited Guo in August as being linked to a supermarket chain chairman who was jailed for corruption.

A series of figures in China’s securities industry have disappeared or been detained since August after authorities launched an investigation following a plunge in Chinese share prices in June.

Fosun, China’s biggest privately owned

conglomerate, and its pharmaceutical unit had suspended trading of their shares last Friday in Hong Kong.

Phone calls to Fosun’s media and investor relations departments weren’t answered.

Guo’s situation suggests authorities are extending scrutiny beyond state-owned enterprises, increasing uncertainty for investors, said Ronald Wan, CEO of investment banking at Partners Capital International in Hong Kong.

“A lot of companies will be on the investigation list and it will alert all the investors,” he said.

Wan said the government should clarify Guo’s status.

Fosun’s statement said Guo “may continue to take part in decision makings of the Company’s major matters via appropriate means.”

Guo, 48, is one of China’s biggest investors abroad. Fosun, which he co-founded in the 1990s, has businesses in real estate, steel, mining and retailing.

The Financial Times dubbed him “China’s Warren Buffett” for following the legendary American investor’s approach of using the cash flow from insurance operations to buy other businesses.

Fosun won a bidding war this year to take over Club Mediterranee, the French resort operator. Last year, it paid 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) for Portugal’s biggest insurance company, Caixa Seguros. In the United States, it owns Meadowbrook Insurance Group Inc., 20 percent of insurer Ironshore Inc. and the 60-story office tower at 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza in New York City.

Guo has a net worth of $7.8 billion, according to the Hurun Report, which follows China’s wealthy.

He denied earlier he was the target of a graft investigation.

A court in Shanghai said in August he had “inappropriate connections” with the chairman of a state-owned supermarket {see TYCOON cont’d on page 14}

asianweekly northwest

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DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

■ world NEWS

■ national NEWS

Bollywood star Salman Mourners pack Orange Khan acquitted in hit- County church to honor shooting victim and-run case

Salman Khan

court by family members and a bodyguard.

Khan has appeared in more than 90 Hindi-language films in his 27-year career, and is best known as a romantic action hero.

In recent years he turned to philanthropy, establishing a charitable trust called “Being Human” which works in education and health care for the poor. 

No consensus about legality of Trump’s idea of Muslim ban

By Mark Sherman Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — There’s no legal or historical precedent for closing U.S. borders to the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims, but neither is there any Supreme Court case that clearly prevents a president or Congress from doing so.

Legal experts are divided over how the high court would react to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s call for a temporary halt to Muslims entering the United States.

“The court has never been faced with a challenge against a whole religion. I think that would raise interesting and novel questions for the court,” said Stephen YaleLoehr, who teaches immigration law at Cornell University’s law school.

Any such blanket action based on a person’s religion would be unconstitutional if applied to U.S. citizens, scholars agree.

But courts have given Congress and the president wide discretion when it comes to immigration.

“I don’t actually think it would be unconstitutional. The president has a huge amount of discretion under the immigration statute,” said Eric Posner, a constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago.

The same protections given citizens do not apply to people who are neither American nor in the United States, Posner said.

Courts have upheld the denial of visas to enter the country to Marxists and people born to parents who were not married, among many categories. The Supreme Court has never struck down an immigration classification on the basis of race or any other reason, said Temple University immigration expert Peter Spiro.

Other scholars offer a different take.

They say the court would not grant the

president a blank check and would instead rely on constitutional provisions that protect religious freedom and prohibit discrimination to strike down a ban on Muslim visitors to the United States.

“Imagine that instead of banning Muslims, we banned blacks from any country,” said Vanderbilt University’s Suzanna Sherry, describing a hypothetical reaction to a period of intense racial unrest in the United States. “If you’re black, you can’t come into the country. ... I don’t think a court today would ever hold that constitutional,” Sherry said.

Sherry acknowledged that she cannot cite any case involving immigration to support her view, and that a Supreme Court decision to uphold bans on Chinese laborers in the late 1800s points in Trump’s favor.

“But developments in discrimination law and First Amendment law suggest that the court would not today uphold an exclusion on the basis of religion,” she said.

The Supreme Court also upheld the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Both the anti-Chinese laws and the internment camps now are widely seen as shameful episodes in U.S. history.

But no less an authority than Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has said it is naive to think the country would never again resort to such harsh measures, particularly during wartime.

“That’s what was going on — the panic about the war and the invasion of the Pacific and whatnot. That’s what happens,” Scalia said on a visit to Hawaii in 2014, describing the mood in America following Pearl Harbor that led to the internment camps. “It was wrong, but I would not be surprised to {see MUSLIM BAN cont’d on page 12}

AP

MUMBAI, India (AP) — An appeal court acquitted Bollywood star Salman Khan last Thursday in a drunken-driving, hitand-run case from more than a decade.

The Bombay High Court threw out an earlier conviction and five-year sentence given to the 49-year-old actor.

“The trial court’s verdict is quashed and set aside,” Justice A.R. Joshi said in reading the verdict to a crowded courtroom, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. “Salman is acquitted of all charges.”

The judges said in their ruling, which was read over several days, that prosecutors had failed to prove charges of culpable homicide, in which they accused Khan of driving while intoxicated in 2002 and running over five men who were sleeping on a sidewalk in Mumbai, Khan, one of Bollywood’s most popular stars, reportedly broke down in tears after the verdict was read. He was accompanied in

Mourners honoring Tin Nguyen

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of mourners packed a church near Orange County’s Little Saigon to remember Tin Nguyen, 10 days after she died during the San Bernardino massacre.

The 31-year-old was honored in a service conducted in Vietnamese last Saturday at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Santa Ana. Her fiance carried a portrait of Nguyen as members of the standing-room-only crowd reached out to touch it. The couple

had planned to marry in 2017.

Nguyen’s mother and grandmother, both weeping, followed the casket down the aisle to the altar.

A cousin took a moment in English to thank first responders, local politicians and Nguyen’s co-workers at the San Bernardino County health department, where Nguyen was an inspector.

A funeral was also planned last Saturday in Southern California for another victim, 60-year-old Isaac Amanios. 

10 immigration detainees from Bangladesh on hunger strike MIAMI (AP) — U.S. immigration authorities want to force 10 detainees on a hunger strike in Florida to submit to medical examinations.

According to a petition for an emergency court order filed last Friday in Miami federal court, all 10 detainees are men from Bangladesh.

The petition says the men have been on a hunger strike at the Krome Service Processing Center since Dec. 2, drinking only water, and refused to allow necessary

medical tests.

According to court documents, the detention center’s doctor says the men expressed discontent and dissatisfaction with the outcomes of their immigration cases.

The men, ranging in age from 19 to 43, have each lost up to 14 pounds.

According to the documents, all were arrested in Hidalgo, Texas, in 2014 and 2015 while attempting to enter the U.S. 

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

5

■ community NEWS Mayor Murray announces $45 million for affordable housing Includes $9,950,000 for International District/Chinatown

Mayor Ed Murray announced Dec. 9 the City of Seattle’s $45 million investment in affordable housing development through the Office of Housing’s Rental Housing Program. Once completed, 809 apartments will house low-income families, youths, seniors, and single adults, some of whom would otherwise be homeless.

The “announcement makes a major contribution to building 20,000 affordable homes over 10 years, my goal under our City’s housing affordability agenda,” stated Mayor Murray. “Our 30-year commitment to the Seattle Housing Levy helps keep Seattle affordable. This historic investment ensures that hundreds of people in our community – from working families to those who have experienced homelessness – will have the stability of an affordable home.”

The 2015 award is the largest ever annual investment in affordable housing by the City. Last year, the Office of Housing awarded $22 million. In his 2015 State of the City address, Murray pledged $35 million to support the recommendations of Seattle’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) advisory committee.

This year’s funding level is due to significant contributions from developers who have benefited from the recent

The 2015 Office of Housing Rental Housing Program funding awards allocated to the Chinatown/International District

building boom. Developers who participate in Incentive Zoning provide payments to the City’s affordable housing fund, which the Office of Housing uses to leverage other state and federal funding.

The Seattle Housing Levy remains the most consistent and important funding source for affordable housing in Seattle.

Starting in 1981, voters have approved one bond and four levies for a total of $388 million dollars. These funds have been instrumental in providing more than 12,000 income- and rent-restricted apartments in Seattle. The Seattle Housing Levy is up for renewal in 2016.

“This year’s funding awards show how

the City makes a sound investment of public funding, whether it comes from the voters or through development,” said Steve Walker, director of the Office of Housing.

“And by collaborating with other funders we are able to leverage $4.00 of state and federal funding for every dollar of Seattle’s public investment.”

The HALA committee recommended expanding programs, like the Seattle Housing Levy, that have a history of success and creating new resources and programs to increase affordable housing in the city. The City Council has already adopted the Mandatory Housing Affordability program framework that will require all new

commercial and multi-family residential development to support affordable housing through building affordable apartments or paying into an affordable housing fund.

Mayor Murray has also proposed expanding the Seattle Housing Levy when it is up for renewal in 2016.

“It was clear to the HALA committee from the start that the Seattle Housing Levy is a great tool for affordable housing,” stated David Wertheimer, co-chair of the HALA committee. “…We see how combining Levy dollars with those that come from the private development happening in our community can have huge dividends.” 

Property and business Seattle becomes owners encouraged to submit first U.S. city to storm damage reports let Uber drivers Online forms and hotline available to record losses unionize

Flooding, wind, and landslides from recent storms have impacted residents and businesses across King County. Those who suffered property damage or other losses in the storm may be eligible for assistance to get their property back in order. Eligibility is determined through a damage assessment process which takes into account the total reported losses within King County.

In order to compute the losses, individuals and businesses are encouraged to submit reports to King County Emergency Management. A web page, www. kingcounty.gov/damage, is now open to receive damage reports for individuals and businesses in King County.

In addition, a hotline number, 1-800-523-5044, will be available for individuals and businesses to record a damage report Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Dec. 14. Submitting a report does not guarantee reimbursement.

Damage reports are for uninsured losses. Before filing a damage report with King County, residents and business owners should contact their insurance provider about existing coverage and deductibles. They are also urged to document damage with photographs and keep records of all cleanup and repair costs.

Residents in unincorporated King County whose homes were damaged in the storms can obtain free building inspections from the King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER).

DPER has waived the associated fee to help residents speed up repair to their property. Priority service will be given for damaged structures requiring permits for repair work.

Inspectors will evaluate the integrity of structures,

assess if a structure is safe to occupy, and whether a permit is required for repair work. Inspection staff may also advise customers of the need to pursue a more detailed inspection from a licensed structural engineer to determine the full extent of the damage. While storm damage inspections are free, standard permit fees still apply.  To request a damage assessment inspection during business hours, call 206-296-6630. DPER’s customer service center operates 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

The center is closed on Wednesdays. For minor repairs, permits may be issued over the counter at the DPER offices at 35030 S.E. Douglas St., Suite 210, in Snoqualmie.

Residents in the process of removing yard waste and woody debris can visit www.kingcounty. gov/solidwaste to identify local trash haulers, or companies that recycle wood.

Supporters and drivers at council meeting

By Phuong Le Associated Press Seattle on Monday became the first city in the nation to allow drivers of ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to unionize over pay and working conditions.

Supporters erupted into cheers after the City Council voted 8-0 in favor of the legislation, which is seen as a test case for the changing 21st-century workforce.

The companies strongly oppose it, and several council members acknowledged there would be legal challenges ahead but said it was worth doing.

The measure requires companies that hire or contract with drivers of taxis, for-hire transportation companies and app-based ridehailing services to bargain with their drivers if a majority shows they want to be represented.

Drivers would be represented by nonprofit organizations certified by the city.

Seattle has been a national leader on workers’ rights, such as gradually raising the minimum wage to $15 and requiring most employers to provide paid sick {see UBER cont’d on page 12}

asianweekly northwest

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DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

■ briefly

A Bonsai Solstice

The Pacific Bonsai Museum will be hosting its second annual “A Bonsai Solstice” on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited to see the trees illuminated in the museum by candlelight. Visitors are invited to “BYOF”– bring your own flashlight! There will be hot chocolate available while taking in the beauty of bonsai, provided by the Federal Way Trader Joe’s. Crepes will be available from the Crisp Creperie food truck. 

Admission is free. The event is funded in part by the City of Federal Way Lodging Tax Fund.

Date: Dec. 20, 2015 Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Where: Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S. 336th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003 For more information: http:// pacificbonsaimuseum.org/events/abonsai-solstice.

■ COMMUNITY calendar SAT 12/19

WHAT: Free Speaking Engagement WHERE: Sammamish City Hall, Commons Hall WHEN: 2:30 p.m.

PRE-REGISTER: auspicioushomes.builders

SUN 12/20 WHAT: A Bonsai Solstice WHERE: Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S. 336th St., Federal Way WHEN: 4-7 p.m.

INFO: pacificbonsaimuseum.org

TUE 12/22 WHAT: Seahawks Doug Baldwin Autograph Session WHERE: Pho Shizzle, 1314 Union Ave. N.E. Ste. 8, Renton AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS: 5:30-7 p.m.

COST: A package of new socks (adult size) in exchange for an autograph! Socks will be donated to New Horizon Ministries.

LIMIT: 1 item per person, autographs guaranteed for the first 200 fans. No individual stage photo.

SUN 1/3 WHAT: Mochi Tsuki WHERE: IslandWood, 4450 Blakely Ave. N.E., Bainbridge Island

Kin On celebrates a community of dedicated volunteers

WHEN: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

INFO: 206-491-2336

MON 1/4 WHAT: King County Assessor-elect John Wilson and Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu WHERE: Kent Senior Center, 600 East Smith St., Kent WHEN: 1 p.m.

From left: Kin On CEO Sam Wan, Christine Lee, and Omar Lee

Kin On Health Care Center held its Annual Volunteers Appreciation Dinner at Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant on Dec. 8. Over 200 volunteers and guests came to celebrate an eventful year at Kin On. Special recognition was given to owners Christine and Omar Lee for sponsoring this event for eight consecutive years. For the past 15 years, the Lees have been dedicated Kin On supporters, serving in various capacities including serving on the board and advisory committees, sponsoring

resident luncheons and community dinners, and supporting Kin On’s Capital Campaign efforts.

The 2015 Bertha Tsuchiya Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to long-time supporters and dedicated volunteers Tony Au, Faye Hong and Sherwin Tsao.

The Kin On Sports Tournament Planning Committee was awarded the group volunteer award in recognition of their support in raising nearly $280K for Kin On over the last eight years. 

THU 1/7 WHAT: A conversation with UW President Ana Mari Cauce, “The value of alumni advocacy” WHERE: Husky Union Building WHEN: 7-8:30 p.m.

COST: Free RSVP: is required. washington.edu/ site/Calendar/712009040 WHAT: Anis Mojgani’s reading, “The Pocketknit” WHERE: Hugo House WHEN: 7 p.m.

MON 1/18 WHAT: 34th Annual Celebration “We Have The Power to Make Change” WHERE: Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave., Seattle WHEN: 9:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

INFO: www.MLKseattle.org

KING COUNTY INVITATION TO BID Project: South Base Main Switchgear and Transformer Replacement, C00965C15 Sealed Bid Time/Date Due: 1:30 p.m., January 5, 2016 Sealed Bid Location: King County Procurement & Contract Services Section, Contracts Counter, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 Engineer’s Estimate Range: $550,000 – 700,000 Scope of Work: The project includes but is not limited to: replacing and upgrading the main electrical power distribution equipment at King County Metro South Base Maintenance and Operations Building.

The work replaces the existing loop fed 4160V 480V unit substation containing 5kV duplex switches, 750/1000kVA transformer and the main 480V switchgear located in the building electrical room.

Outdoor pad mounted switches and a pad mounted liquid filled transformer replace the indoor switches and dry type transformer. The new 480V switchboard resides in the electric room in place of the existing switchboard.

Work site: 12100 East Marginal Way South, Tukwila, Washington 98168.

Contact Information: Mark Hoge, Contract Specialist, 206-263-9325, TTY Relay: 711, Fax: 206296-7675, or mark.hoge@kingcounty.gov. A bidder may be asked to put a question in writing. No verbal answers by any County personnel or its agents and consultants will be binding on the County.

Pre-Bid Conference: December 22, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at 12100 East Marginal Way South, Tukwila, Washington 98168. A site tour will be conducted immediately following the conference. Hardhats and safety boots are recommended for site tour.

Subcontracting Opportunities: Electrical system replacement, civil.

Bid Guaranty: Not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Bid Price.

Bid Documents: Electronic copies of the plans, specifications, reference documents, and any addenda for this solicitation are available on the King County Procurement website shown below. Printed

documents may also be ordered by contacting United Reprographics at 206-382-1177. Copies of documents are not available for purchase from King County, but are available for review 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., M thru F at the Contracts Counter: Chinook Bldg., 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA 98104.

To receive email notifications of addenda or other important information concerning this solicitation, you must register to be a planholder under the “Solicitations” tab at the following internet link: Website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/procurement/ solicitations This information is available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities upon advance request by calling 206-263-9400, TTY Relay: 711.

Notes: Bids received after Sealed Bid Time will not be considered. Bidders accept all risks of late delivery, regardless of fault. King County is not responsible for any costs incurred in response to this Invitation to Bid.

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ top 10

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

7

Top 10 films of 2015 Films worth seeing again

By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly Troubling. Challenging. Problematic. Call 2015 what you want, it had plenty of reasons to stay in bed with the covers pulled over your eyes. Here are 10 visions worth getting out of the house for (although, in fairness, you can ingest most of them through your television).

Ayako Fujitani, directed by Dave Boyle.

A Japanese writer runs from her country and her fame, seeking solace in San Francisco, but she cannot escape trouble.

An immaculately-filmed, eerie take on film noir.

8. “Snow On The Blades,” directed by Setsuro Wakamatsu, starring Kiichi Naka.

10. “Cambodian Son,” directed by Masahiro Sugano, starring Kosal Khiev.

One young man’s passion, his losses, his controversies, and his struggle to channel titanic rage into the catharsis, and the education, of his art.

9. “Man From Reno,” directed by Dave Boyle, starring

Samurai movies can feature buckets of blood and stacks of hacked limbs; but the real challenge lies in bringing in elegance and subtlety. The swordsman in “Snow On The Blades” is charged with exacting revenge. Then the world changes. Should he still exact revenge? Is he still entitled to it?

The story’s answers will leave you engaged with the world, not checked out from it.

7. “Selma,” directed by Ava DuVernay, starring David

Oyelowo.

No, not about Asians. But by extension, about any nonwhite population in America, the grim reality of racism, and the necessary inspirational figures who inspire the nation to move forward. (Whether we’re moving backward these days is another subject.)

6. “Satellite Girl And Milk Cow,” directed by Chang Hyung-yun.

It occurs to me that I’ve rated this completely nonsensical Korean anime above several more serious-minded films. I have one serious weakness for silliness, though, and this film delivers—the ancient wizard reincarnated as a roll of toilet paper is only one of many giggly gambits. We can always use laughter, especially this year.

5. “Hal: The Movie,” directed by Ryōtarō Makihara.

{see TOP TEN MOVIES cont’d on page 15}

asianweekly northwest

8

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

■ food

The power of tea

By Ivy Ashe Hawaii Tribune-Herald HILO, Hawaii (AP) — On the second-story porch of his Papaikou home, Mike Longo poured steaming tea from a small glass pitcher into a set of cylindrical porcelain cups painted pale yellow.

“You don’t want to waste a good oolong,” Longo said, passing the cups — called aroma cups — around the table. Each was capped with what looked like a miniature bowl flared like a bell: a tasting cup. All at the table held their aroma-and-tasting-cup combination between their thumb and middle finger, and flipped it upside down with a wrist flick.

It was the third time the oolong had been poured out, and after everyone carefully separated their two cups so the liquid spilled into the tasting portion, Rob Nunally took note of the scents lingering in the aroma cup. It was stronger than the previous two pours, he said. Cinnamon tones, with a little peppermint. A Christmas tea.

People lifted their tasting cups, and sipped the perfectly-brewed oolong, which tasted not like spice but flowers.

Tea, the second most popular beverage in the world after water, is a showcase for the possibility contained in the shiny, serrated leaves of Camellia sinensis, part of the evergreen tree family. White tea, black tea, green tea, oolong tea: it all comes from the same source.

This is one of the first things Longo and

Nunally point out to guests who visit their 1.5 acre certified organic tea farm, Onomea Tea Company, and one that they say consistently blows visitors away.

“When people say tea, at least in the U.S., they have kind of a generic understanding of it ... something that’s brewed with hot water,” Nunally said. “But really, tea should be just from Camellia sinensis, not herbal (plants) like chamomile, mint.”

And even after 12 years of farming, of experimenting with Camellia sinensis seedlings and cuttings from around the world, trying to find the plants that will yield

a smooth drink both flavorful and aromatic, Longo and Nunally themselves are still impressed by the power of the tea plant.

They began growing in 2003, four years after buying a stunning expanse of former sugarcane land above Onomea Bay. The original property deed hangs in their living room, beneath a framed black-and-white photo of the old sugar flume passing high over the land.

At first, the plan was to grow daylilies, building on Longo’s success as a daylily hybridizer on the mainland. They brought 800 different varieties to Hawaii on returning

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Indians love a festive celebration. In fact, my family loved them so much that not only would we celebrate Diwali and Holi, we’d also throw ourselves into Easter and Christmas. I even remember my mum getting excited about Chinese New Year.

Christmas often was bigger for us than Diwali because both sides of the family had a couple weeks off to relax, meet up and celebrate. We embraced it fully, from searching out the biggest turkey in town to acquiring a 10-foot Nordic Christmas tree that would barely fit into our living room.

In the background, our Elvis Christmas vinyl record would be brought out and lovingly spun on repeat.

The Christmas meal was almost entirely free of Indian food, with the exception of a little cumin on the roast potatoes. Boxing Day — the day after Christmas — was always a different story. This was the day to rush back to the comforting smells and tastes of our spice tin. And after much experimentation, this leftover turkey and Brussels sprout Boxing Day curry has become a Sodha family classic.

Like all good Boxing Day dishes, it’s sympathetic to the Christmas chef. It

{see TEA cont’d on page 12}

All sale lasts from Friday 12/18 to Thursday 12/24

PRODUCE

By Meera Sodha Associated Press

to the Big Island.

The elevation did not agree with the flowers.

“99 percent of them didn’t bloom, or bloomed very sporadically,” Longo said.

But they wanted to grow something. The land was zoned for agriculture, and, being along the Hamakua coast, had an established heritage the men wanted to promote. Longo, whose father was a nursery man, had a background in organic gardening. Nearly all of the pieces were there.

Neither knew anything about tea — Nunally used to work in technology sales and Longo is a semi-retired chiropractor — other than that they liked to drink it. But one day while drinking Earl Grey, Nunally became curious about what tea plants actually looked like. A Google search turned up Camellia sinensis, and the intriguing fact that it was a subtropical plant.

The same week, Longo and Nunally heard that United States Department of Agriculture scientist Francis Zee, who was leading an effort to diversify Hawaii’s agricultural economy, would be giving cuttings and seeds to anyone who wanted to try growing tea.

“So, OK, this is a sign,” Longo said. “And we discovered they grew very well here.”

Attempts were made to develop Hawaii tea beginning in the late 1800s, but those focused on creating a commodity market that ultimately could not compete against the

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ sports

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

9

The Layup Drill Departures, resurgences, and beginnings

Nori Aoki

Hishasi Iwakuma

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly

going into a year where he was a free agent and had the opportunity to field offers from other teams. You may recall that Iwakuma pitched a no-hitter this past season and despite fighting injuries, had a good year with the club. Many believed that Iwakuma would return this year with the Mariners but the Dodgers came to Iwakuma with a better offer. Many Mariners fans will miss Iwakuma. He was a solid pitcher behind Felix Hernandez in the pitching rotation.

Although Iwakuma is leaving, we can say hello to Norichika Aoki. The 34-yearold outfielder was signed as a free agent from the San Francisco Giants.

Aoki was signed as new Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto hopes to have an outfield that is more athletic and gets onbase. Aoki spent four years in the major leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, and San Francisco Giants after coming from Japan.

Welcome to another edition of The Layup Drill. In the year-ending column, we say goodbye to ’Kuma, hello to Nori, MMA news, and Doug Baldwin is on fire!

’Kuma out, Nori in for Mariners

The Seattle Mariners have undergone a huge amount of changes with a new manager and general manager. Also, a lot of changes were made to the Mariners roster as the team suffered through another disappointing season. This meant that the Mariners said goodbye to pitcher Hishasi Iwakuma and hello to outfielder Nori Aoki.

Iwakuma was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this month. He will earn $45 million over three years, which one would suspect is a raise from what the Mariners were offering him. Iwakuma was

800 S. Weller St. ▪ Seattle, WA 98104 tsuechong.com | 206-623-0801 Mon-Fri: 9:30 a.m – 5:30 p.m. ▪ Sat: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Yang Jian Bing

Benson Henderson

MMA fighter passes away trying to make weight

Yang Jian Bing, 21, passed away attempting to “cut” weight for an upcoming event at an event in the Philippines. The Chinese fighter was going to be on a fight card on Dec. 11 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. Bing was rushed to the hospital due to dehydration and possible heat stroke. He passed away of cardiopulmonary failure.

“Cutting” weight is a term used by many in combat sports. The athlete loses weight in order to make a designated weight class.

They are weighed the day before the fight and then allowed to “re-hydrate” and gain back the weight that they lost prior to the actual fight. The problem is that many fighters lose as much as 20 pounds in a short period of time to make the necessary weight limit. As one might conclude, this could lead to potential health issues such

as in this unfortunate instance. Although officials have yet to conclude that Yang’s death was a direct result of cutting weight, it would not be surprising. Unfortunately, dropping weight before a fight is normal and many risk severe health issues, and even death.

Benson Henderson fights in South Korea

Federal Way’s Benson Henderson had a unique opportunity to participate in an Ultimate Fighting Championships card in Seoul, South Korea, in November. The Decatur High School graduate and former UFC lightweight champion defeated Jorge Masvidal in the main event of the card.

The Korean fans were in full force for Henderson. The event drew over 12,000 fans to the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in {see SPORTS cont’d on page 11}

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asianweekly northwest

10

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

■ publisher’s blog

OPINION

Create magic Gifts from your heart

classmates that I made a special trip just to be with her.

4. Buy a goat (really!)

Rosario Carroll likes to donate money to Heifer International in her classmates’ name.

For $120, it can change a family’s life in Africa. The gift will be used to buy a goat so the family can get food, and also sell the milk if they have extra. Offering a gift in a friend’s name is a win-win situation. www.heifer.org

Photo by Rick Takagi

5. Return the blessings to strangers

Jerry Lee and friends donate chicken and goodies to the ACRS food bank every Thanksgiving and Christmas.

By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly I discontinued the tradition of sending out Christmas cards long before e-cards became popular. Why I stopped was because I found it pointless to send a card with someone’s name and my signature; and partly, I was lazy.

I reciprocated by sending out a card to someone who just scribbled their name on a card like a movie star, while I had to spend an endless amount of energy trying to figure out who the heck sent it. If you don’t want to do it, you might as well forget it—don’t bother sending out those cards. You are still my friend if I don’t get one from you.

Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

With Mother Teresa’s wisdom, I do give a few gifts with a great deal of love and thoughtfulness during the year, and not just the end of the year. Most of us have misunderstood that gifts have to cost a lot of money to make the receiver happy. In fact, some materialistic folks think if the gift is free, it probably is no good at all. Well, there are gifts you can give, which are not flickering diamond rings or a brand new car, and yet it means a lot to both the giver and the recipient. Call them magical gifts or gifts from the heart. Those gifts sometimes create wonders beyond imagination.

Last year, in Contilia Retirement Home in Essen, Germany, someone came up with a brilliant idea of exciting its residents and bringing them joy. They created a calendar by having its seniors dressing up as stars in memorable movie scenes such as James Bond, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and John Travolta. In the process of making the calendar, it produced a tremendous amount of fun, comfort, and warmth for the organizers, models, and their families. About 5,000 were printed for families and friends of the retirement home.

Here is my list of 10 magical gifts which you can easily duplicate every year.

1. Forgiveness

It’s human nature to hold old grudges.

Forgiveness shows a gender difference between woman and man. Men can forget, but not forgive; whereas women can forgive, but never forget. Pals, we have work to do!

Although it is hard to do, forgiveness is one of the most generous gifts you can offer to your enemies or your loved ones. Forgiveness cannot be granted half-heartedly, it has to be complete before you can free yourself of hate, revenge, and negative energy consuming you without peace.

After you forgive, find a way to make up.

2. Making up with a meaningful gesture

“You need to lose some weight” was the first thing I said to my friend whom I hadn’t seen for years. She just recovered from a heart attack.

“You are mean!” she fired back. She knew I was right, but resisted my advice. So the fight began. I didn’t know exactly how we made up. But we did.

Weeks later, she mailed me a knitted scarf from San Francisco. I complained again, “It’s the wrong color. I asked for blue color.”

I knew she did it intentionally. Literally, I started the fight again like two mischievous kids wrestling to beat the heck out of each other.

Then, magic kicked in as soon as I put the scarf on my neck. I felt her love—each stitch I saw reminded me how she did them with pride and joy for our friendship. It’s still my favorite scarf, I told her.

3. Show kindness and support

My former classmate, living in Australia, decided to celebrate her battle and recovery from cancer by taking a long trip to see her friends in Canada. My husband and I would drive up to Richmond, B.C., just for dinner to see her. We were there at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and left at 8 p.m. the same night so I could work the next day, Wednesday (our print day).

No words could possibly describe our joy when we hugged each other since we parted 40-plus years ago. She was so excited and touched that she shared the story to our

Know the source of your blessings when giving your donations. Bonnie Miller’s son once had a cleft lip and she didn’t even know it at the time. The baby’s lip was healed inside the womb – a once in a million case, according to her doctor. She donates every year to organizations which provide free surgery to kids with cleft lips.

8. Pay for groceries for the needy

Quite a few times, I take friends to go grocery shopping at Uwajimaya in December so they can have a fridge full of goodies during festivals to feed their families.

9. Offer heartfelt services

Cook a meal for an elderly or sick one. Clean someone’s house that is in need of a makeover.

Cut someone’s hair if they are not able to go to a salon. Or offer to treat for lunch!

10. Show seniors they are significant

6. Write for gratitude

Write a song, poem or thank-you letter to a teacher, mentor and friend, telling the person how much s/he helped you in the past.

7. Buy food and volunteer in a food bank

Collect and volunteer to give out toys at churches and other non-profit organizations.

Imitating Marilyn Monroe for the Contilia Retirement Home calendar

Organize Christmas carols at senior centers, nursing homes, and hospitals. Spend time talking, listening, sharing stories, and sharing food. 

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

11

OPINION

■ editorial

Pushing the limit

The circus which has been the GOP candidate debates has brought up repeated, highlighted, and disturbing suggestions regarding issues involving immigration.

The most disturbing, head-shaking, and eyebrow-raising is a somewhat showman-like proposal to segregate and/or to refuse admission to allow Muslims to immigrate into the United States.

Unbelievable.

The backlash about this not-so-modest proposal has been evident through many media outlets.

The iconic journalist Tom Brokaw, 75, who is now a special correspondent for NBC News, stated, “Donald Trump’s promise to ban all Muslims from coming to America is more – much more – than a shouted campaign provocation.” In an editorial segment of NBC Nightly News, Brokaw stated, “In my lifetime alone, we have been witness to the consequences of paranoia overriding reason.... Trump’s statement, even in

GOP debate, Dec. 15

a season of extremes, is a dangerous proposal that overrides history, the law and the foundation of America itself.”

Brokaw warned that repeating those mistakes by demonizing all Muslims for the crimes of the self-described Islamic State would also have negative consequences.

“Yes, the jihadists are radical Muslims, but they are a minority in a world with a billion and a half Muslims,” Brokaw added. “Even so, defeating ISIS will be long, hard and expensive – perhaps even more so now because ISIS is likely to use Donald Trump’s statements as a recruiting tool.”

The Northwest Asian Weekly would like to question and contribute to the backlash, even if our voice might be smaller than Brokaw’s.

Why are we shaking our heads?

We can answer with other questions: How can we possibly refuse a whole group based on their religion?

And then: Are you Jewish?

Are you Japanese?

Are you Muslim?

It would be a shame if you were scared to say “yes.” 

■ COMMENTary

Passage of the No Child Left Behind rewrite

By Sharon Tomiko Santos For Northwest Asian Weekly

I’m extremely pleased that Congress has finally approved a rewrite of the badly broken No Child Left Behind law.

While the federal government certainly Sharon Tomiko Santos has a role to play in K-12 education, the newly-adopted Every Student Succeeds Act recognizes that education policy should be largely driven at the state and local levels.

States need flexibility in order to adopt policies that work best in our unique communities. The previous policy not only lacked flexibility, but it relied too heavily on punitive mea-

{DINH cont’d from page 1} the school will cover the monthly premiums and deductibles of private insurance for Dinh and other injured students from the accident by using emergency funds gifted from the state.

Like the other victims in long-term-care facilities, Dinh will lose her student insurance in January due to not being able to enroll in school. The option of private insurance will ease the financial burden of the victims and their families.

However, in order for Dinh to be eligible for private insurance, the U.S. State Department has to change her current student visa to a non-student visa.

Meanwhile, the owner of the Seattle Ducks firm, Brian Tracey, expressed sorrow last week in a public statement and said that his company is unable to financially assist victims yet due to its insurer’s claim process.

Five international students from North Seattle College were killed when their charter bus was struck in September by the Seattle Ride the Ducks tour vehicle.

“There are still wounds in our heart,” North Seattle College President Warren Brown said at a news conference after the crash. “For someone to come from another country, to learn here, to be excited about an opportunity … and to have this tragedy occur, is painful.”

The students who died were identified as Privando Eduardus Putradanto, 18, of Indonesia; Mami Sato, 36, of Japan; Claudia Derschmidt, 49, of Austria; Runjie Song, 17, of China; and Haram Kim, 20, of South Korea.

Students were on a tour of city landmarks, such as Pike Place Market, before classes were set to begin for the school year.

The Ducks vehicle was ferrying tourists across a crowded Seattle bridge when it suddenly swerved into the students’ oncoming charter bus. The crash also injured dozens of other people.

sures as a means to improve student performance. As we all observed over the last decade, No Child Left Behind is a poorly considered federal policy that focuses on student failure and school punishment. This is no way to run a public education system. Gone are the days when the federal government can use the threat of funding cuts to coerce states into adopting policies that don’t best meet the needs of students.

The bipartisan ESSA will give states and local school districts the flexibility they need to create accountability systems that work best to meet the needs in their communities and provide opportunities to learn for all students. It also ends the over-reliance on high-stakes testing. Students will spend more time in classrooms learning and less time taking tests.

I’m also pleased that the ESSA will use innovative grant programs to help improve low-performing schools. Federal

The accident has shaken the diverse school of about 14,000 students, Brown said.

Since the accident, Dinh has had four surgeries. She has injuries on her left foot, hand, and eye. Aside from a broken leg in pain, she cannot close her left eye when she sleeps. Her left hand still doesn’t function well.

Asked if she has any regrets about coming to the U.S., Dinh said no. “I feel lucky to be in America.” Dinh believes in fate. “This accident was going to happen no matter where I was. I am lucky because of the good (medical) care in America.”

“I have been in a nursing home for almost three months and will be here for much longer according to the doctors.

I feel okay now, try not to be sad or lonely. I am getting more used to the pain and am thankful to be alive. But I am worried about the future. I am (still) positive (despite the accident), so I can see the light (out of what happened).

The light will guide me to have a better future.”

Dinh’s father is Vietnamese Chinese. He is staying with Dinh. Her mother just went back to Vietnam to take care of Dinh’s 3-year-old sibling. The oldest in the family, Dinh has a younger brother and sister.

Dinh’s attorney, Andrew Ackley, said Dinh’s medical cost is in the six figures. As of now, he and Dinh have not decided on the amount of compensation they should request from Ride the Ducks. “It will depend on the next six months,” he said, depending on Dinh’s recovery.  Dinh has a fundraising site where people can donate to help pay for her ongoing medical care: https://www. youcaring.com/phuong-dinh-486488.

Assunta Ng contributed to this report.

Jocelyn Moore can nwasianweekly.com.

be

reached

at

info@

policymakers tried the stick approach for over a decade and that didn’t work. I’m optimistic that offering a few carrots will give us better results.

The new federal policy is much more in line with how we approach K-12 education policy in this Washington: student-centered and success focused. The new approach will ultimately lead to better educational outcomes for students.

I’d like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to our senior senator from Washington state, Sen. Patty Murray, who took on this monumental effort. I don’t believe this bill ends up on the president’s desk without her leadership and dedication to solving this problem.  Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle) is chair of the Washington State House Education Committee.

{SPORTS cont’d from page 9} Seoul. The venue hosted the gymnastic competitions for the 1988 Summer Olympics.

It was a special moment for Henderson, as his mother is Korean and he is very close to his mother. Henderson has several tattoos in Korean as a sign of pride in his heritage.

It was the last UFC fight under Henderson’s contract and he is a “free agent” able to sign with other leagues if he so chooses. At the age of 32, Henderson still has several good years in front of him. We will see if he stays with the UFC or goes with another organization.

There are rumors that a league in Asia may be interested in Henderson, which would make sense since he has a lot of Asian fans and could draw many due to his popularity.

Doug Baldwin dazzling as Seahawks surge

Doug Baldwin has led the revitalized Seattle Seahawks offense as the team and offense have shaken off a slow start to win 6 out of 7 games for an 8-5 record. Based on the way they are playing, the Seahawks

should make the playoffs and once again have a shot to play in the Super Bowl. A part of the resurgence for the team is the passing attack led by quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver Doug Baldwin.

Baldwin, who is part Filipino, is having a career year with 11 touchdowns this season. In comparison, he had just three touchdowns last year and five scores the year before that. In just the last three games, Baldwin had eight touchdowns which equals the amount he scored in the past two seasons. He is becoming the “go to” receiver for Wilson with multiple catches over the middle of the field and reliable hands on 3rd down.

For a team that found it hard to score at the beginning of the season, the Seahawks are beginning to click during December. Let’s hope we can see the Hawks make another long run into January and into February with a third straight Super Bowl appearance. If the Hawks continue to play well, expect Baldwin to play a huge part of the success.  Jason Cruz can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

12

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

{RECIPE cont’d from page 8}

{MUSLIM BAN cont’d from page 4}

CURRY WITH LEFTOVER TURKEY AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS Fresh Brussels sprouts add a lovely crunch, greenery and freshness to this dish, but you also can use your cooked leftover sprouts. Just chop them into quarters so they don’t turn into mush.

Start to finish: 35 minutes Servings: 4 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil 6 whole cloves 1 large white onion, sliced into rings 4 cloves garlic, minced 1-inch chunk fresh ginger, grated 14 1/2-ounce can chopped tomatoes 1/2 teaspoon garam masala 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 2 cups roughly chopped leftover roasted turkey 1 cup fresh Brussels sprouts, finely shredded Kosher salt Cooked rice, to serve Plain Greek yogurt, to serve In a large skillet over medium, heat the oil until hot. Add the cloves and onion, then cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions have turned golden brown and are caramelized. Don’t be afraid to give them some time, their sweetness will pay back in this dish.

Add the garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring often, for a couple of minutes, then mix in the chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup of water. Cover the skillet and leave to cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it has become a rich, thick sauce. Stir in the garam masala, cinnamon, black pepper and chili powder. Add the turkey pieces and the shredded Brussels sprouts, then stir. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. The sprouts should still be fresh and green, but slightly wilted.

If the mixture is too dry, stir in another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water. Season with salt. Serve hot with rice and a little yogurt on the side.  Nutrition information per serving: 350 calories; 130 calories from fat (37 percent of total calories); 15 g fat (2.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 35 mg cholesterol; 860 mg sodium; 37 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 7 g sugar; 19 g protein.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Meera Sodha is an Indian foods expert and author of ``Made in India: Recipes from an Indian family kitchen.’’ She lives in London, blogs at www.meerasodha.com and tweets at (at)meerasodha {ABORTION LAW cont’d from page 1} because of sex.

The law is based in part on studies submitted by lawmakers making the claim that China and India are “pervasive” in female infanticide. When seeking to pass this law, Arizona legislators argued the fact “that people from those countries [China and India] and from those cultures are moving and immigrating in some reasonable numbers to the United States and to Arizona.” Lawmakers also cited the migration patterns of Asian American women to Arizona to determine the necessity of such a law. The Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act of 2011 makes it a class 3 felony for any person who “performs an abortion knowing that the abortion is

see it happen again, in time of war. It’s no justification, but it is the reality.”

Predictions about how the court might rule do not matter as much as public reaction at the moment. While 58 percent of Americans oppose a temporary ban on Muslim visitors in a CBS News poll, Trump’s proposal finds much more favorable reaction from Republicans. Fifty-four percent of Republicans support the ban, the poll found.

Trump has remained at the head of the Republican field for months, and his tough words about Muslims may be tapping into fears among Republican voters about immigrants from the Middle East. His proposal to keep Muslims from entering the United States followed the Dec. 2 shootings in San Bernardino, Calif., that left 14 people dead and 21 wounded.

Tashfeen Malik, a Muslim from Pakistan who with her husband was killed by police in a gun battle after the rampage, entered the country on a fiancee visa that is issued abroad to {UBER cont’d from page 5} leave.

“My intent is to make sure that the people, the drivers, the workers in our community continue to have access to good wage jobs,” Councilmember Mike O’Brien said.

He added that innovation can continue to happen, but it shouldn’t be done at the expense of workers.

Many drivers in Seattle are immigrants who depend on fulltime work, but some make less than minimum wage and lack basic worker rights, such as sick leave and protection from retaliation, he said.

The National Labor Relations Act does not extend collective bargaining rights to independent contractors.

San Francisco-based Uber and others say federal labor law prevents cities from regulating collective bargaining, and the ordinance would violate federal antitrust laws. Opponents also argue it would be costly for the city to implement; it would violate drivers’ privacy since their information would be given to the organization; and it would stifle the growth of the ondemand economy.

In a response to a request for comment on the legislation, Uber said in a statement Monday it is “creating new opportunities for many people to earn a better living on their own time and their own terms.”

San Francisco-based Lyft urged the mayor and council to reconsider the measure and listen to those who seek the flexible economic opportunity the company offers.

“Unfortunately, the ordinance passed today threatens the privacy of drivers, imposes substantial costs on passengers and the city, and conflicts with long-standing federal law,” Lyft’s statement said.

Charlotte Garden, an assistant law professor at Seattle University, said it’s a “virtual certainty” that the ordinance will be challenged in court if it’s enacted.

“I anticipate that other cities will consider similar measures, but they may wait to see whether the ordinance survives review

sought based on the sex or race of the child or the race of a parent of that child, uses force or the threat of force to intentionally injure or intimidate any person for the purpose of coercing a sex-selection or race-selection abortion, solicit or accepts monies to finance a sex-selection or race-selection abortion.”

“This law is based on ugly racial stereotypes about black and Asian women,” states Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, an attorney for the ACLU. Kolbi-Molinas claims that the entire purpose of the law is to have doctors racially profile their patients based on the state lawmakers’ beliefs. “Arizona’s law is racist and paternalistic. It’s a ruse that presents a false choice between gender equality and the right to abortion,” said Miriam Yeung, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum.

{TEA cont’d from page 8} global tea powerhouses of China, Japan and India.

“Not until the interest in specialty tea came about did it make sense to be able to produce tea in Hawaii,” Nunally said. “You really have to specialize. Hawaii should have a reputation of high-quality clean agricultural products.”

With help from Zee and Kang Fang, a Taiwanese tea man who visited the farm several times and helped Longo and Nunally get the right processing equipment, Onomea Tea Company was on its way.

Fang’s visits, as well as a trip made to Taiwan in 2009, were

people who plan to marry American citizens, authorities have said. Last year, Malik married the other suspect in the shooting, U.S. citizen Syed Rizwan Farook.

Trump said he would prevent Muslims from entering the United States “until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.”

Trump’s proposal turns traditional ideas about the United States as a beacon for political and religious refugees upside down, said Mary Meg McCarthy, executive director of the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago.

“In all honesty, I never in my whole entire life thought that we’d be fighting for the human and due process rights of refugees,” McCarthy said.

Efforts to halt the flow of refugees risk disturbing the balance between “our commitment to fairness and refugee protection with our national security interests,” she said.  Associated Press writer Kathleen Hennessey contributed to this report. by a federal court,” she said.

Mayor Ed Murray told the council in a letter Monday he supports the right of workers to unionize but has concerns about the bill. Murray worried about the unknown costs of administering the measure.

Murray said after the vote that he wouldn’t sign the legislation but under the City Charter it will still become law.

Uber has about 400,000 drivers nationwide with about 10,000 in Seattle. Its rival, Lyft, also has thousands of drivers in Seattle but declined to give a specific number.

Legal experts have been mixed on how the bill would be challenged in court, including whether the ordinance violates antitrust laws because it would allow drivers to get together and set rates.

Uber is facing a class-action lawsuit in federal court in California over worker classification. The plaintiffs named in the suit say they are Uber employees, not independent contractors, and have been shortchanged on expenses and tips.

Uber and Lyft say drivers have flexibility in deciding when they work and how many hours, and many chose to drive to supplement their income. But drivers don’t have a say in rate changes, can be deactivated at will, and don’t have access to worker protections such as sick leave and minimum wage laws, Dawn Gearhart, a representative with Teamsters Local 117, said.

Under the proposed ordinance, the city will give certified nonprofit organizations a list of eligible drivers at each company, and the groups must show that a majority of drivers of each company want representation. The organizations would then bargain on behalf of those drivers.

“This is amazing,” said Saad Melouchi, 30, who drives for Uber. “I’m so happy for myself and for other drivers.” Some for-hire drivers who spoke at the public hearing urged the council to hold off on the legislation, saying they didn’t have a voice in the process. The Teamsters Union Local 117 also celebrated the vote, while the National Right To Work Legal Foundation criticized it as a violation of drivers’ rights. 

The ACLU brief opposing the law states that no legislator discussed the abortion rates of women of other races, or practices in other countries other than China and India. The law “was motivated entirely by the legislators’ negative racial stereotypes about the reasons Black and API women may decide to end a pregnancy.”

More court documents point to the racial undertones and motivation for the law. The Act’s primary sponsor, Representative Steve Montenegro, explained that the ban was necessary “because minority babies are several times more likely to be aborted than white babies,” and that “some abortions are performed because a mother does not want a ... minority baby.” In addition, the ACLU argued that neither the law, its sponsors nor supporters identified a single example of a

instrumental in solidifying the tea routine, from picking to processing to packaging.

The middle step is crucial. It’s there that Camellia sinensis becomes green, black, or oolong depending on whether it’s cooked, left to wither longer, or tossed so that the leaves bruise. Nunally and Longo prepare almost all of their tea orthodox style, meaning the whole, unbroken leaves are used.

“We could do it, but (Fang) helped us fine-tune our process,” Longo said. Still, the first two years came with a steep learning curve because of the variability inherent to tea plants.

“Tea grows differently in every terroir,” Nunally said.

Like wine, tea is heavily influenced by regional

race- or sex-selection abortion in Arizona.

The appeals court upheld a lower court ruling stating that the civil rights group lacked required standing to file a lawsuit, as neither the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum or the NAACP could show any individual member was harmed by the law. According to Yeung, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum “remain deeply insulted by the law that triggered our lawsuit.”

In addition to the ACLU, NAACP and the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, numerous civil rights groups, social scientists and constitutional scholars have opposed Arizona’s law.  Jason Cruz can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

characteristics. Part of Hawaii’s terroir comes from the volcanoes — tea loves to grow in acidic soils.

“There’s a similarity in many of the teas grown here,” Longo said. “The black teas have a certain similarity no matter where they’re grown, Volcano or here. There is a Hawaii note and that’s what we’re trying to establish with all the tea growers here.”

In November, during the first-ever Teas of the United States tasting competition, the Onomea-grown entries picked up awards in six of the nine categories they entered, including a first-place green tea.

“I enjoy this method,” Longo said. “It’s more of an art.” 

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

13

For the week of December 19–December 25, 2015

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat — Don’t allow a few loose ends to become a major distraction. To the extent possible, tie those up first before you settle in.

Dragon — Although you want to do something nice, there is a limit to what you feel comfortable with.

Consider a joint gesture with one or more friends.

Monkey — When you are not quite sure what to do, it can be easy to fall into old patterns. Make a conscious choice to do better this time.

Ox — You are hopeful that everything will fall into place eventually; however, you may need to nudge certain pieces into alignment.

Snake — The odds are definitely stacked in your favor today. Enjoy it while it lasts for the winds of fortune can be fickle this time of year.

Rooster — There is a reason for your hesitation, which cannot be ignored. You may be headed for a detour just around the bend.

Tiger — Rather than continually looking to acquire additional tools, it might be to your benefit to learn to use the tools you have more effectively.

Horse — If you come up with a good idea, then by all means jot it down. Seeing it on paper could inspire other promising leads.

Dog — Have you lined up more activities than you can handle comfortably? It would make sense to weed out some less important ones.

Rabbit — While some things are worth fighting for, others are best left alone. Try not to let your rhetoric get ahead of you or push you into an untenable position.

Goat — Do your intentions line up with your actions lately? If not, it should be easy enough to get back on track as long as you are honest with yourself.

Pig — As you are in the building phase, don’t expect the process to look pretty in the interim. The end result will speak for itself.

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 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 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.

{SAMSUNG cont’d from page 3} recommendations that an independent organization be established to oversee compensation and monitor safety and preventive measures at its factories.

“If there are no preventive measures, workers will continue to get rare diseases.

And every time there is a sick worker, Samsung will just compensate,’’ said Hwang Sang-gi, a founding member of Banolim.

He is among the people who say they won’t apply for Samsung’s financial aid, seeing it as a distraction from the more important issue of prevention.

Hwang lost his 22-year-old daughter Yumi to leukemia in 2007 after she worked dipping silicon wafers in chemicals at Samsung’s Giheung factory, south of Seoul. Her death galvanized concern about conditions at Samsung factories and South Korea’s semiconductor industry in general. Hwang’s struggle to find out why his daughter died was the basis of a popular movie released last year.

More than 200 people who worked at Samsung’s semiconductor and LCD factories and suffered chronic illnesses have contacted or sought help from Banolim. Of them, 72 have died. Many had cancers such as leukemia and were aged in their 20s or 30s. The oldest cases date to the 1980s but most are from the 1990s and 2000s.

South Korea has long praised the economic benefits of the semiconductor industry, which helped the country become among the richest in Asia. But it only recently began discussing the human and economic costs of workers who became ill after or while laboring on chip manufacturing lines, which use hundreds of chemicals that have not always been disclosed or monitored. Only in 2012 did Samsung begin monitoring the level of benzene in the air at its factories. The carcinogen could be released as a byproduct from other substances.

A one-year evaluation of six South Korean semiconductor companies including Samsung, released in 2008, reported a statistically significant increase in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma among female workers. The study by the government-run Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute said there was no statistically meaningful increase in leukemia. Samsung said the results didn’t stem from its workplaces but no factory specific data has been released. The institute began a 10year study in 2008.

Samsung rejected the mediator’s

proposals because establishing a public entity takes time, which only “prolongs the pain,’’ said Baik Sooha, a vice president at Samsung. “One of the important ways to see the resolution of this problem is to see how many people have agreed to settle,’’ he said.

Samsung says it will cover medical fees and some income for workers with any of 26 diseases. So far, 120 people have applied for compensation. Only a few are known to be from the 200-plus cases tracked by Banolim.

Among those applying, 59 received an undisclosed amount of money and agreed not to pursue legal action against Samsung.

Another nine will soon settle as well. The remaining 52 either did not meet Samsung’s criteria for settlement or are still undergoing the settlement process. Samsung would not specify how many were rejected.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s second-largest semiconductor company, SK Hynix, has opened its oldest chip factories, chemical use and employee health data to external investigators. Last month, it accepted their recommendations to provide financial help to all sickened employees, including those suffering from miscarriage and infertility, two categories that Samsung doesn’t consider for financial assistance.

U.N. human rights rapporteur Baskut

Tuncak said in October he has “grave concern’’ about Samsung’s compensation plan, which has become cloaked in secrecy.

It appeared that victims’ need for health care and other expenses was being used to “circumvent the prospects of increased scrutiny into whether businesses are taking steps to prevent reoccurrence’’ of health risks, he said.

Banolim has faced an onslaught of criticism in South Korea’s media that began not long after Samsung indicated it was unhappy with the mediator’s proposals.

Some news articles portrayed the advocacy group as a threat to the country’s semiconductor business at a time when Chinese firms are catching up to South Korean companies. Others said the campaigners wanted the oversight body established so they could get jobs.

Samsung said it has never encouraged any South Korean media to publish stories attacking the advocacy group. The conglomerate is the country’s biggest advertiser.

“When I look at what media say, a lot of times I get so angry,’’ said Son Sung-bae, 26, whose father died in 2012. He was diagnosed with leukemia working at a contractor that maintained equipment at Samsung’s semiconductor lines. Samsung’s financial

assistance is available to contractors and their families but Son won’t apply for it.

“There are a lot of families who think the way Samsung compensates is entirely wrong,’’ he said.

But their options are limited.

Over the years, the government agency that oversees insurance for occupational diseases compensated only three semiconductor cases.

The agency requires that a clear link to the work environment be demonstrated, which was nearly impossible for Samsung workers, partly because the company did not disclose all the chemicals it used.

Another four cases succeeded in overturning the government agency’s rejection at courts, including Hwang. Until mid-2014, workers had to fight not only the government agency that was a defendant in lawsuits but also Samsung’s lawyers who aided the agency.

Campaigners believe an external organization with powers to halt work at Samsung factories, where there are no labor unions to speak up for workers, is the best way to minimize health risks in the semiconductor industry.

But the latest developments, they say, are shutting the door to accountability.

“It looks like things are back to square one,’’ said Son. 

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asianweekly northwest

14

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

{TYCOON cont’d from page 3} chain, Wang Zongnan, who was sentenced to 18 years, according to Caixin. The court ruled he misused 195 million yuan ($31 million) of Shanghai Lianhua Supermarket Holdings Co.’s money to help two other companies invest in real estate.

The court said Wang misused his position “to seek benefits for Fosun Group,” according to Caixin. In exchange, the court said, Guo sold two villas to Wang’s parents at low prices.

Fosun denied any impropriety and said the villas were sold at market prices.

In China’s state-dominated economy, many entrepreneurs make deals with officials or state industry managers to gain government licenses, contracts or financing, said Zhang Tianyu, a specialist in corporate governance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

“This is how some entrepreneurs get into trouble once they have an anti-corruption campaign,” said Zhang.

Zhang said that in a series of deals in Shanghai, Fosun has bought stakes of less than 50 percent in state-owned

Want to become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter?

Visit www.nwasianweekly.com. {ALIBABA cont’d from page 3} seen on the mainland. However, there’s widespread concern that press freedom is shrinking as Beijing, which took control of Hong Kong in 1997, tightens its grip on the city.

The 112-year-old Post was once reputed to be the world’s most profitable newspaper on a per-reader basis, although its fortunes have suffered in line with the wider decline in the traditional newsprint industry as readers shift to online news sites.

Its influence has also been overtaken by Chinese dailies since Beijing took control of the city from Britain in 1997, although it still retains an important position among the city’s English-speaking elite.

“Why is Alibaba buying into traditional media, considered by some a sunset industry? The simple answer is that we don’t see it that way,” Tsai said as he outlined a lofty vision of marrying Alibaba’s experience in technology with the Post’s journalism track record to create a Chinafocused media giant with an international audience.

As part of its goal to broaden its readership, the company plans to stop charging for access to the Post’s website, SCMP.com, Tsai said.

“Our vision is to expand the SCMP’s readership globally through digital distribution and easier access to content,” he said.

The newspaper’s magazine division has a license to publish the local Chinese-language editions of Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar. It also has a stake

companies but gained management control. He said that unusually favorable arrangement reduced the amount of capital Fosun had to tie up in the company while making it a partner of state managers.

“What we guess is that someone should be helping him to make these transactions,” said Zhang. “Without more evidence, we don’t know who this is. A politician, or maybe a group of people.”

On Monday, China’s biggest brokerage, state-owned Citic Securities Co., said it could not contact the two managers in charge of its China and international investment banking business.

In September, the police ministry announced Citic’s general manager, Cheng Boming, and other executives were suspected of insider trading and leaking sensitive information.

Last month, Citic and two other brokerages, Guosen Securities Ltd. and Haitong Securities Ltd., said separately they were under investigation.

A star Chinese fund manager, Xu Xiang, was detained Nov. 2 on suspicion of insider trading, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. 

in the Bangkok Post newspaper. It took its first step into e-commerce in October by buying a majority stake in fashion site MyDress.com.

The newspaper’s current owner, Malaysian sugar tycoon Robert Kuok, bought it through his Kerry Group from media mogul Rupert Murdoch in 1993.

SCMP Group’s net profit has declined for the past four years, falling last year to 137 million Hong Kong dollars ($17.7 million) on HK$1.2 billion in revenue, according to its latest annual report. Its stock has been suspended from trading on Hong Kong’s stock market since February 2013, when the number of shares freely traded by the public fell below the exchange’s minimum requirement. 

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

15

{TOP TEN MOVIES cont’d from page 7}

eh? Numbers are foolproof. Not exactly….

{CHIN cont’d from page 1}

Another anime, Japanese this time—a robot story full of love, pain, anguish, loss, cuteness and a sinister edge which gleams ever-brighter over ticking minutes.

2. “The Assassin,” directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, starring Shu Qi.

out of ten residents are of Asian descent.

“The Chinatown-International District is one of the most unique neighborhoods in Seattle. We remain a cultural center for many Asian-Pacific Islander communities,” said task force co-chair Maiko Winkler-Chin. “We look forward to working with the City and local advocates to identify systemic changes and new ways to improve the livability and vitality of a place many of us consider home.”

Murray has asked the task force to develop strategies to improve neighborhood policing and economic development.

The task force will also identify baseline crime, social, health and housing data that can support the City’s responsiveness and policy planning, and help track progress. The task force will report its findings to the Mayor in the spring of 2016.  Serving on the C/ID Task Force are the following business and community leaders: • Maiko Winkler-Chin, (Co-Chair), Executive Director, Seattle Chinatown-ID Preservation & Development Authority • Tam Nguyen, (Co-Chair), Owner, Tamarind Tree, Board President, Friends of Little Saigon • Sharyne Shiu-Thornton, Board Member, Seattle Indian Health Board • David Leong, Board President, Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce • Richard Mar, Board President, International District Emergency Center • Minh-Duc Nguyen, Executive Director, Helping Link • Sue May Ho, Board President, Chong Wa Benevolent Association • Sheila Burrus, Community member, Filipino Am community • I-Miun Liu, Business Owner, Oasis Tea Zone, Eastern Café, Board Member CIDBIA • Sokha Danh, Economic Development Specialist, SCIDpda • Abdi Mohamed, Organizer, Working Washington • Zamzam Mohamed, CEO, Voices of Tomorrow • Larry Larson, Manager, American Hotel • Greg Garcia, Community Impact Manager, United Way • Paul Murakami, Property Owner, Nisei Vets • Ron Chew, Executive Director, ICHS Foundation • Sonny Nguyen, Engagement Coordinator, WA Bus • Karen Yoshitomi, Japanese Cultural Center • Alan Lai, Chinese Information & Service Center

4. “The Apu Trilogy,” directed by Satyajit Ray.

Restored prints of three Indian classics—actually, world cinema classics. Satyajit Ray started out shooting whenever he could, with whatever money he could scrounge, and by the end he turned one man’s growing pains and painful losses into a human-level epic.

I may not understand this martial arts epic, but I could devote several years getting to the bottom of its intricacies.

Death in life and life in death, yes, of course, but Hou makes the whole conundrum iridescent and lyrical.

1. “Jafar Panahi’s Taxi,” aka “Taxi,” directed by Jafar Panahi.

3. “Psycho-Pass,” directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani and Katsuyuki Motohiro.

A Japanese television anime, not a film, but still one of the most intriguing, and disturbing things I saw all year. In the not-too-distant future, Japan is separated from the rest of the world, and the government believes it can sort out morality, and criminal intent, all through digital. A foolproof system,

The genius ordered by his Iranian government not to make films continues to flout that verdict. This time he’s driving a taxi around Tehran. I am not sure what’s real and what’s not. But I’m sure he’s risking life and limb for what he believes in. His statement to the world about the film, worth repeating: “Nothing can prevent me from making films since when being pushed to the ultimate corners I connect with my inner-self and, in such private spaces, despite all limitations, the necessity to create becomes even more of an urge.  Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

Northwest Asian Weekly / Seattle Chinese Post presents

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

Prime Sponsor:

Silver Sponsors:

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

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.

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.

asianweekly northwest

16

DECEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 25, 2015

Celebrate with Style!

“Year of the Monkey 2016” Fun Fashion Contest

Create/assemble an original look or design a wearable costume for Lunar New Year!

ALL AGES WELCOME. Be part of the Lunar New Year Fashion Contest. Design a wearable garment, accessory, or put together an outfit to create a look with a Year of the Monkey Lunar New Year theme.

Model your own entry or supply your own model(s) for both the fashion show & parade.

The Fashion Show-Off & Contest:  WIN $250 & Prizes for Most Original “Year of the Monkey” ensemble  Lunar New Year Dinner Fashion Show-Off (Feb. 6, House of Hong Restaurant, 6 p.m.

Contestants have to arrive at 4 p.m. Tickets: $50 each for dinner & show.

The Parade:  All entries are invited to model at the Kids’ Parade Contest event on February 13, at 1 p.m. (Contestants have to arrive at noon.)  Photo deadline for all entries is February 1.  You are welcome to submit more than one entry.

To enter:  Please submit a photograph for each entry

to rsvp@nwasianweekly.com by Feb.1.  Your entry must include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail. You can also mail photographs to: Northwest Asian Weekly, 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104.  Photos will be the property of Northwest Asian Weekly and will not be returned.  If you don’t have a camera, please call us at (206) 223-0623 to arrange for us to take a photo of your costume.

Announcement of fashion show finalists will appear in Asian Weekly’s Feb. 4 issue.

Fashion show will be held Feb. 6, House of Hong Restaurant, 6 p.m. Finalists & models arrive at 4 p.m. to change and line up.

All fashion show contestants will also be invited to the Northwest Asian Weekly’s Lunar New Year Parade on February 13 at the Chinatown/International District Dragon Fest at 1 p.m. Please wear your design or find a model to wear your design, and arrive at Asian Weekly’s office, 412 Maynard Ave. S., to check in, from noon to 1 p.m. Models will line up at 1:15 p.m. and parade to the stage at Hing Hay Park. (one block away).

福

WHAT: “Monkey Lunar New Year theme” Contest WHERE: House of Hong Restaurant, 409 8th Ave. S., Seattle EVENT DATE: Saturday, February 6 DEADLINE TO SUBMIT PHOTOS: February 1, rsvp@nwasianweekly.com

Mail to: Northwest Asian Weekly 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 ATTN: LNY Fashion Contest Name:________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Phone:________________________________________________________ Email:________________________________________________________