Gov. Chris Gregoire pumps her fist as she takes the stage at a rally for supporters at the University of Washington Monday, Nov. 3. After four years of anticipation, months of negative ads and weeks of legal maneuvering, the rematch between Gregoire and Republican challenger Dino Rossi comes to a positive close this week for Gregoire. (Photo by Elaine Thompson for The Associated Press)
By Ryan Pangilinan
Northwest Asian Weekly
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, there was an overwhelming sense of joy, excitement and tension. The Westin in Downtown Seattle was packed with Democratic supporters of all sorts. Attempting to name every walk of life would require a great laundry list that could possibly include carnies.
Some people were glued to CNN’s election coverage in the hotel lobby bar but most had made their way to the fourth floor ballroom where thousands of Democrats converged, all anxiously waiting to hear the results from both the presidential and gubernatorial races.
The venue was a tapestry of signs and anticipation. Most people eagerly waited and when CNN called the election in favor of Barack Obama, people marched from the bar to the ballroom to deliver the news to those who couldn’t hear the coverage on the enormous screen. Read the full story
Councilwoman Madison Nguyen drew fire from San Jose citizens when she championed efforts to rename a business district “The Saigon Business District” from its current “Little Saigon” title. Many Vietnamese citizens were outraged and recall efforts are currently underway. Illustration by NWAW staff
By James Tabafunda
Northwest Asian Weekly
Just as voters choose which candidates they want to hold public office during the general election, they also want to hold current office holders accountable for their actions. One city councilwoman faces an upcoming recall election while two other office holders have faced one since August.
What’s in a name? San Jose citizens insist on moniker
Madison Nguyen is the first Vietnamese American elected to serve on the city council of the nation’s 10th largest city, San Jose, Calif. She faces a recall election for voting to rename a one-mile commercial strip east of downtown “Saigon Business District” instead of keeping the more popular name, “Little Saigon.” Read the full story
 Owner of Cassell Inc. Percell Johnson stands next to his business partner, owner of Goldhero Tony Yuen. Johnson thinks their American-Chinese partnership is a new ongoing trend for both countries. (Picture provided by Percell Johnson |
By Ninette Cheng
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
A war in the Persian Gulf led a surprised Percell Johnson to China. In 2003, Johnson, the owner of Cassell Inc., a manufacturer of custom flexible packaging products, took his business overseas by establishing a business relationship with Chinese businessman Tony Yuen.
Johnson’s Bellevue, Wash.-based business faced hard times when it was affected by the Gulf War in the 1990s. As oil prices began to escalate, Johnson’s oil-based plastic products began to increase in price. Read the full story
Fulbeck further complicates identity
 Kip Fulbeck’s book, “Part Asian, 100% Hapa” is published by Chronicle Books. |
By Amy Phan
Northwest Asian Weekly
Movement isn’t limited to the physical alone. It meanders and fluctuates through every other facet of life — like language, societal norms and identity, with answers and definitions changing as rapidly as the question or problem it sought out to satisfy.
Just ask 43-year-old Kip Fulbeck. Read the full story
 Faye Hong speaks at the unveiling of Chinatown/International District's new China gate to a crowd of supporters including Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. Hong is one of the people who spearheaded the Katrina fundraising. Very responsive to other courses, the generous Faye Hong can't help but always lend a hand. |
By Ryan Pangilinan
Northwest Asian Weekly
Helping to cultivate and build a community is no easy task. It takes individuals coming together with their ideals, and it can take a lot of time and effort.
Since immigrating to Seattle from Hong Kong in 1952, Faye Hong’s family has made an impact on the local Asian American community. Now at 67, Hong continues a longstanding commitment, not only to the Asian Americans, but to Seattle.
The Hong family began with a modest restaurant in the International District (then Chinatown) called Atlas, which was located in the same place where Ga Ga Loc now stands. In the early 1980s, Hong owned the House of Hong, one of Seattle’s most popular Chinese restaurants – a sentiment which is often repeated throughout the awards that currently adorn the business. Though Hong’s involvement with the House of Hong ended in 1993, he’s still proud of the indelible mark it has left.
“It’s one of the few destination restaurants in the whole city of Seattle,” said Hong. “People will come down here to patronize the House of Hong.”
His latest restaurant endeavor, Hong’s Garden in Renton, has fast become one of the more popular eateries in the south end, taking the same charming aesthetic that has made the House of Hong so popular.
Helping to popularize the concept of dim sum in the 1980s isn’t Hong’s only contribution. As a board member and a fundraiser chairman, Hong was also instrumental in the fundraising for the Chinatown Gate. Read the full story
Its namesake is. Likewise, Hong Kong Market (HKM) is a straightforward grocery store that opened Nov. 1 in Kent, attracting many Asian families in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Located at 320 East Meek Street, HKM has a live seafood department that appeals to both immigrants and Americans. Additionally, its produce, groceries and lotto section squeeze into a not-too-modest space of over 10,000 square feet. The market, formerly an auto shop, is inside an Asian strip mall with a hair salon and restaurant for its neighbors. Read the full story
Alan Wu (right) with his wife and son
No need to worry over what happened to the China Gate Restaurant. It was only closed for 10 days. It has since been reopened on Oct. 26, newly remodeled. It still serves dim sum and Chinese cuisine. Its lounge is currently in full operation.
Alan Wu, the new owner of the New China Gate Restaurant at 516 7th Ave. S, said he and his family have been thinking about this opportunity for more than half a year.
When asked why he named it New China Gate, retaining part of the old name, Wu said, The founder of the restaurant Alan Louie and his family were my good friends. In honor of the founder, Id like to keep part of the name. Read the full story
Ashley Lin (left) and Ling Lai (right)
Whoever said that the ID only serves Asian food?
Beard Papas brings an Asian twist to a Western dessert. Try one of their green tea cream puffs. Walk into the store in Uwajimayas food court and find all the chefs smartly dressed, preparing rich, fluffy and yummy cream puffs with machine-like efficiency.
Flavors include the conventional vanilla and chocolate puffs. Folks with a sweet tooth rejoice. Read the full story
