By Assunta Ng

The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association was recruited to join the Unity Convention after the National Association of Black Journalists left. The NLGJA should be invited to join regardless of UNITY’s turmoil. The timing seemed odd and the move seemed desperate. (end)

By Assunta Ng

What a pitiful sight when only five people sat in for a panel called “Inspiration by Innovation!” The place was set up for 200. Despite the lack of people, the three presenters gave one of the most enthusiastic and informative speeches and made the best out of a less than ideal situation. (end)

By Assunta Ng

Models for the Newspaper Fashion Contest Parade (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

It is to some participants who were in the Northwest Asian Weekly’s Newspaper Fashion Contest. A few were disappointed when we announced the results of the contest, with three winners picked by our parade’s sponsors, last Sunday at our award reception at the Bush Asia Center. Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

Recently, someone broke into a car that belonged to a delivery man who was dropping something off in the International District. The thief broke the car window, took the laptop sitting on the driver’s seat, and drove away. Read the full story

Ina Dash and Aolin Xu walks in the NWAW 30th anniversary parade wearing dresses made of NWAW newspaper (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

By Assunta Ng

Summer Youth Leadership Program students at the Chinatown Seafair Parade (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

Imagine the Northwest Asian Weekly’s newspaper fashion contest models soaked in rain during the Seafair Chinatown Parade, and the audience treating us like a laughing stock. It could have happened to us if it rained. Read the full story

Ron Chow (front center) and deputy counsel Song Ruan (left from center) with other Chinese officials (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

By Assunta Ng

It’s unusual for five Chinese officials to visit Seattle all on one day. In the past, it has usually been only two or three attendees for one community event. Read the full story

Jay Inslee with SYLP students

By Assunta Ng

Which gubernatorial candidates joined in the parade? It was hard to tell in the beginning, since both of their colors are blue. Both groups had blue t-shirts and banners. Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

Election year is great for the Chinatown parade, at least financially, because each candidate is required to pay $500 for entry. Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

This year, no Taiwanese officials showed up at the parade, even though they were invited. It seems that Andy Chin, the new director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, is taking a different approach from his predecessor, Daniel Liao. Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

Rhythms of India performs under the Chinatown/ID gate (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

What saved the Chinatown/International District summer festival? Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

Aris Myint San Aung at the fourth of July naturalization ceremony (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

A secret guest was present at the Fourth of July naturalization ceremony at the Seattle Center, where hundreds of immigrants were sworn-in as new citizens. This guest was more prominent than anyone in the audience, including a U.S. Senator, the Secretary of State, the Mayor, and many other elected officials. This visitor, who left immediately after the ceremony, was never introduced. Only a handful of people were aware of his presence.

After all, who would have thought that the guy wrapped with a U.S. flag on his head was Alexander Aris Myint San Aung, the eldest son of Burmese National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi? Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

Attendees of the ceremony, Hoang Yen Thi Dang (right) and Vy Dang Gochanouk (left) (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

I have attended the Fourth of July naturalization ceremony every year for the past 22 years. Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

Jill Biden speaking on the SSCC panel
(Photo provided  by Evelyn Yenson)

On July 9, three White House officials visited Seattle. As a member of the media, I was invited to all three meet-and-greet events. Vice President Joe Biden was in town to campaign for U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell at the Seattle Westin Hotel. Although I admire Biden, I hesitated to go to his event because I didn’t want to waste two hours just going through security.

Biden’s wife Jill was also in town. She was on the South Seattle Community College panel, held right before a reception for Kiran Ahuja, executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders at the Wing. Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

From left: Steve Gonzalez, Jim McDermott, Joan Yoshitomi, and Bob Santos (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

Congressman Jim McDermott expanded the 7th Congressional district  to include cities like Normandy Park, Burien, Edmonds, and more. Read the full story

It’s exhausting to organize a gubernatorial debate between Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and Democratic Congressman Jay Inslee. Why? Read the full story

Sen. Steve Hobbs

When Sen. Hobbs first announced his candidacy for the Congress, the Asian community gave him a cold shoulder. One reason is that there were as many as seven candidates fighting for the seat initially. Read the full story