Take a stroll on East Pike Street in Capitol Hill and one might walk right on by the Rock Paper Scissors store with its nondescript facade. The face of this business may be understated (with only a logo indicating its existence), but the heart and vision that lie within the storeowners radiate more than any neon sign.
INSIGHTFUL | Bharti Kirchner
She started off as an engineer but later realized her true passion was in writing. She is now considered a pioneer in her field but more importantly, Bharti Kirchner is a believer in pursuing dreams.
IMAGINATIVE | Philip Lee
Philip Lee is no stranger to the publishing business. Beginning in 1977, for seven years, throughout high school and college, he worked in a number of bookstores. Another seven was spent in marketing in the magazine publishing business at Conde Nast Publications in New York. He has worked for Glamour, Mademoiselle, Vanity Fair and GQ magazines. However, despite greatly enjoying the business, Lee wanted to work somewhere that reflected his culture.
INDISPENSABLE | Gary Luke
Meander through the aisles of your corner bookstore, and you’re bound to come across some intriguing titles. “The Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest,” “The Cancer Lifeline Cookbook,” or how about “Sleeping Bag Yoga”? These books share a common thread beyond just challenging convention. What may not be so apparent is that the person putting out these covers is Asian American.
SHARP | Mayumi Tsutakawa
Seattle has no shortage of people who are well known within the arts community. The International District in particular has a number of outstanding leaders in the Asian American community. But both these communities owe a debt of gratitude to Mayumi Tsutakawa.
Uwajimaya celebrates 80 years!
“You do it every day because it’s the right thing to do.”
Mayumi Tsutakawa: Pioneer in Publishing
Mayumi Tsutakawa has racked up a large number of achievements during a career spanning several different fields. Straight out of grad school, she became the first Asian American female reporter at a daily newspaper in the Seattle area. She later wrote and edited several anthologies, including the first anthology of Asian American women’s writings.
Gary Luke: Pioneer in Publishing
As the publisher of Sasquatch Books, Gary Luke feels a sense of honor and responsibility to make his company an outlet for diverse perspectives.
Award for fashion designer
Seattle hosted the Imagine! Design Expo at the International Academy of Design & Technology campus in Tukwila, Sept. 8. Designer Luly Yang was recognized for her contributions. Yang is widely known for her exquisite couture and bridal collections, as well as her downtown studio boutique located at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.
A Japanese astronaut
Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, accompanied by his wife Satomi, visited Seattle to participate in the annual Planetary Congress that took place Sept. 15-19.