By Ninette Cheng Northwest Asian Weekly While visiting Cambodia in 2000, American arts patron Anne H. Bass witnessed a rising star. Then 15 years old, Sokvannara “Sy” Sar performed a dance at Cambodia’s famous Preah Kahn temple and caught Bass’ eye.

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By Jane Mee Wong Northwest Asian Weekly Swing-shift custodians at the University of Washington are coming together across ethnic lines and language barriers to keep their work shifts. The predominantly Asian, Latino, and East African workforce consists of 66 custodians who work from 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. On June 1, they will be reassigned [...]

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By Ryan Pangilinan Northwest Asian Weekly This past Saturday, May 23, the Seattle Japanese Community Queen held its 50th annual coronation ceremony at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall. Hosted by Jeopardy Clue Crew member Kelly Miyahara and longtime API community leader Terry Nakano, the two-and-a-half hour ceremony was filled with culture, [...]

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By Thi-Le Vo Northwest Asian Weekly Seattle Port Commissioner Lloyd Hara announced on May 25 that he will be running for King County assessor. According to his Web site, his decision was made a few weeks after the drunk-driving incident involving the current King County assessor, Scott Noble.

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By Staff Northwest Asian Weekly After a long and accomplished record of public service as a city councilmember and working with the Seattle School District, Cheryl Chow announced Wednesday, May 27, ahead of next week’s filing period for elective office, that she will not run for a second term on the school board.

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Journalist and educator Lawrence Pintak has been named the founding dean of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. He will begin his new position on Aug. 17.

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On April 22, Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) President and Executive Director Karen K. Narasaki became a member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the Federal Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age.

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YouthCare held its 24th annual luncheon on April 29 and raised more than $190,000 to provide services and support for homeless and underserved youth in Seattle.

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On April 17–19, the 34th Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival was held at the Seattle Center. Enjoyed by more than half a million people, the festival is the largest and oldest of its kind in the Northwest. At the festival, there were activities for children, lectures, art performances, martial arts, and more.

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Members of Lu Bond Construction, representatives from Seattle Parks and Recreation, and the people of the community stand in front of the newly reopened pagoda in Hing Hay Park. On April 24, Hing Hay Park pagoda reopened after closing for a renovation project that began in February. The renovation focused on the 34-year-old pagoda, which [...]

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By Laura Catoe the Associated Press GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) — A radio broadcast led two elementary school teachers on an adoption journey to China.

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On April 30, after months of activism and advocacy by OneAmerica and other immigrant right groups nationwide, the Department of Homeland Security decided to release sweeping new guidelines to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on workplace enforcement of immigration law.

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SEATTLE (AP) — Fundraising has begun for a memorial wall in Seattle to honor Japanese Americans who were interned or served in the military during World War II.

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By Michael R. Blood The Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — In an election that highlighted America’s fluid racial landscape, an Asian American candidate emerged as the leading contender to fill a U.S. House seat in an overwhelmingly Hispanic district.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Alec Baldwin apologized for making a joke about getting a Filipino mail-order bride that provoked a sharp response in the Philippines.

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Nambaryn Enkhbayar and Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj By Ganbat Namjilsangarav The Associated Press ULAN BATOR, Mongolia (AP) — Mongolia’s opposition Democrats claimed victory this past Monday, May 25, in presidential elections after pledging to crack down on graft and to better distribute the country’s mining wealth.

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