By Peggy Chapman I first read the Northwest Asian Weekly (NWAW) in the mid-1990’s, as a visitor to Seattle. I was in love with the International District (ID) — the food, the culture, Uwajimaya, and Viet-Wah. Being half Taiwanese and knowing little about my mother and heritage, visiting the ID was both exciting and comforting. […]
Applause for Maestro Cai
Celebrate Asia concert to include chorus, culture, and … cellphones
Mmm … mochi! — A Japanese new year’s treat, a harbinger of good blessings, a choking hazard?
By Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly If you frequent Asian markets during the year, especially around special holidays, you are probably familiar with the colorful and interesting variety of mochi, an elastic cake that is Japanese in name but multi-national in guise. In Japan, mochi plays a pivotal role in Shogatsy (new year) celebrations. For […]
2015 top stories — Seattle’s Chinatown loses its hero, receives a visit by Chinese President Xi, and hookah lounge controversy
Compiled by Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly 1. Donnie Chin murder devastates community Hundreds of people gathered at Hing Hay Park for a memorial July 26, to honor the memory of Donnie Chin, who was devoted to the International District (ID). Chin served as ad hoc security around the ID neighborhood since he was a […]
Facing deportation — Jennifer Choi’s hurdles
By Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly Sitting across the table from Jennifer (Jenny) Choi feels like sitting with a friend you should be sharing coffee with and discussing upcoming holiday plans—not discussing fears and intricacies of the possibility of deportation. Choi’s situation is complicated. She moved to the United States from South Korea when she […]
Panama Hotel seeks new owner — International District’s historical national treasure looking for a new future
By Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly The National Trust and the Panama Hotel’s current owner Jan Johnson are moving forward on an important step toward ensuring the hotel’s future. The hotel is a national landmark located in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District. The National Trust and Johnson released a Request for Proposals to find the next owner […]
VISIONARY: Dwayne Clark — Serving seniors
By Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly Dwayne Clark, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aegis Living, a leader in senior housing, credits his mother for his success and his devotion to helping seniors. Raised by his single mom, Clark states that “she was the driving force in my life. She made me believe you […]
From a boat to running a million-dollar business —Lam’s new owner’s journey
By Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly George Nguyen never imagined he would be running grocery stores and food distribution businesses along the west and north coast in the U.S. Nguyen left by boat from Vietnam, in 1979, the age of 19, with pretty much nothing, including his devoted wife, which he had been married to […]
Will Okamoto run again?
By Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly Councilmember John Okamoto invited the ethnic media for a question-and-answer session May 15. Okamoto was recently appointed as councilmember as a replacement for Sally Clark’s seat. The appointment is unusual because Okamoto will not be able to re-apply for re-election after his seven-month term. Q: What do you hope […]
A comfortable community for seniors
By Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly There is a valuable resource for seniors in the Asian American community that many might not be aware of. Club Bamboo, part of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS), offers meals, activities, medical referrals, and even haircuts. The Center’s intent is to provide services to low-income and limited […]