I read [Mark Lee’s] Nov. 21 column on George W. Bush and Ehren Watada (“Bush and Watada: two intertwining stories”). I whole-heartedly agree with [Lee’s] column comments, and I find this amazing, as I know nothing about [him]. I am grateful for the published statement that … the courage of one’s convictions can make a difference.
Commentary: 1999-2009: A retrospective on closing the achievement gap
Like the two previous task forces formed in 1986 and 1992, the charge was to have a group of leaders in education and human services to make recommendations to the school district to close the achievement gap — in eight years.
Nov. 27: Kuan and Yan act as PNB guest conductors
Carolyn Kuan, former associate conductor of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and Judith Yan, music director/principal conductor of Opera on the Avalon in Canada, were two of four guest conductors for the performances of the Stowell/Sendak version of “The Nutcracker” by the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB).
Dec. 15: Sakakihara and Tang complete fellowships
Scott Sakakihara is the 2009 Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Masaoka Fellow and a Harvard Law School graduate.
Shirley Tang is the 2009 JACL Inouye Fellow and a University of California, Davis graduate.
Dec. 5: Winnie Lim receives 2009 president’s Award
Winfred “Winnie” Lim was awarded the 2009 President’s Award by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Pacific Northwest Section Awards Committee. The award was based on his contributions to the sport of tennis. The award was presented to him during the annual USTA Pacific Northwest Awards and Hall of Fame luncheon at the Bellevue Club in Bellevue.
Dec. 12: LIHI opens building named after Jim McDermott
The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) opened a 75-unit building called McDermott Place. The building is located in Seattle’s Lake City neighborhood and is dedicated to Congressman Jim McDermott. It will provide permanent supportive housing for 75 homeless men and women, with half of the units reserved for homeless veterans.
Dec. 10: Japanese Mandarin and Pear Expo a success
Seattle welcomed Japanese fruit growers as they reintroduced the traditional Japanese Aoshima mandarin orange and the Japanese Tottori 20th Century pear at the Japanese Mandarin and Pear Expo, held at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center.