AAJA’s anniversary cake photo by Lori Matsukawa

The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) held its lunar new year party and also celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Tea Palace Restaurant last Saturday. Read the full story

To the Editor:

Maybe one of these days, rather than celebrating “Asian Americanism,” we could maybe, just maybe, not need to point out achievement based on racism. Would you be offended if we had a Northwest White Weekly? Be honest and think about it. Read the full story

#1 — Locke prepares for new job and new challenges in Obama’s cabinet

#2 — Taxpayers to pay for judge’s mistake

#3 — SU law center named for civil rights leader

#4 — Not a communist: Vietnamese man wins defamation case

#5 — Dearborn project dead

#6 — P-I reporters: From deadlines to the bottom lines of survival

#7 — Diversity the reason for firing of Renton Technical College president?

#8 — Re-envisioning history: Chinese made their mark on Seattle at the turn of the century

#9 — Gates launches Center for Asian Art and Ideas

#10 — Korean Americans Strickland and Ryu vie for political seats

EDI board members with Mariners Manager Don Wakamatsu, from left: Mari Watanabe, Marci Nakano, Vanna Novak, Ted Yamamura, Wakamatsu, Charlene Grinolds, and Colleen Yamaguchi (Photo provided by EDI)

The Executive Development Institute (EDI), which partners with businesses in the Pacific Northwest to provide culturally-tailored leadership programs for Asian Pacific and Latino emerging leaders and managers, is currently actively recruiting emerging leaders at corporations and community organizations in the Puget Sound for its Leadership Discovery and Leadership Navigation Programs beginning in March. Read the full story

By Mark Niesse
The Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii is proposing a new free health plan that will cover critical chemotherapy and dialysis treatments for legal migrants from independent Pacific nations. Read the full story

Sunday, Dec. 27
• Blood donation at Puget Sound Blood Center
1021 112th Ave. N.E., Bellevue
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
130 Andover Park E., Tukwila
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
206-292-6589
michaely@psbc.org
psbc.org Read the full story

Part 3 of Northwest Asian Weekly’s exclusive with Tony Ng
{read part 1} | {read part 2} | {read part 4}

By Amy Phan
Northwest Asian Weekly

McNeil inmate Tony Ng, known for his involvement in the Wah Mee Massacre, meets with his advocates in February. From left: Sherry Danza, Ed Cook, Peter Wong — a registered counselor and chairman of Rainbow Missions — and Tony Ng. (Photo by Amy Phan/NWAW)

It was only under the scrutiny and structure of prison that Tony Ng developed a work ethic. “I never knew that I could just pick up a thick book and read it and learn so quickly,” he said. Read the full story

Thai Nguyen (Photo provided by BravoTV.com)

By Vivian Luu
Northwest Asian Weekly

If he had listened to his parents, fashion designer Thai Nguyen would have become an accountant.

Instead of crunching numbers, Nguyen spends his days creating couture at Thai Nguyen Couture in Orange County. From evening gowns and bridal gowns to ready-to-wear lines, he immerses himself in each step of the process.

Sketching new pieces, picking fabrics, fitting his models, and selling couture is nothing new to this up-and-coming designer.

What’s new is Nguyen’s role as a fashion expert in “Launch My Line,” a series that premiered on Bravo TV Dec. 2. Serving as an adviser to fashion critic Merle Ginsberg, the duo designed pieces of couture in hopes of winning a deal to launch Ginsberg’s clothing line.

Nguyen says he was very lucky to have been paired with Ginsberg because they have similar tastes in style.

“The first instance we met each other, we knew what we wanted to do,” he said. “What I want and what she wants is one idea. I finish her sentences. That’s how compatible we were.”

The show was as real as reality TV gets, Nguyen added. He loved every second of it — even the stressful parts. Read the full story

Wedding photo of Jerome Dumlao and his wife, Marie Linavat

By Jacklyn Tran
Northwest Asian Weekly

The early morning of Dec. 6 began as a celebratory outing that quickly took a tragic turn when an unimaginable event changed the lives of many, beyond the one that was lost. At approximately 2:20 a.m. at the intersection of Western Avenue and Bell Street in downtown Seattle, Jerome Dumlao was killed in a hit-and-run.

After leaving a Belltown establishment to head home, Dumlao, a Filipino American, was crossing the street along Western Avenue in a marked crosswalk. According to court documents, while his wife and friends were walking toward the mentioned intersection, a car driven by the accused suspect, Eric Murillo, was headed west on Bell Street toward Western Avenue. Read the full story

Martial-artist Allen Chinn (Photo by James Tabafunda/NWAW)

By James Tabafunda
Northwest Asian Weekly

When performing a side kick or a roundhouse kick, Allen Chinn can get his foot to reach five feet up from the ground.

In his early 20s, when the local martial arts community referred to him as a “black sheep martial artist” for developing his own unique style called yee jong kune do, he could reach higher than six feet from the ground.

Chinn, 53, grew up in Seattle’s Beacon Hill district. He is proud of his 45-year career as a leader in the city’s martial arts community.

Because his father, James, had trained in “choy li fut” kung fu under Grandmaster Cheong Mo and enjoyed target shooting, it wasn’t long before Chinn found himself enjoying the same interests as a child. Read the full story

Howard Koh (left), Christopher Bates (middle), and Teresita Batayola

By Irfan Shariff
Northwest Asian Weekly

National and local leaders on HIV/AIDS policy convened at the Asian Counseling and Referral Services (ACRS) last Wednesday, Dec. 9, to open discussion on a national HIV/AIDS strategy. Read the full story

By James Tabafunda
Northwest Asian Weekly

John Chen works on a computer at the Geotouring kiosk at Pacific Place Mall in downtown Seattle. (Photos by James Tabafunda/NWAW)

John Chen’s passions — technology, adventure, and human change — have combined in such a way to create a successful corporate team-building business. His current project enables individuals and groups to enjoy a special “high-tech treasure hunt” in downtown Seattle. Read the full story