From left: Dan Sordetto, Russell Kato, Taylan Yuasa, and Harrison Chinn with Scoutmaster Nelson Harano (Photo provided by Mark Yuasa)

Russell Kato, Taylan Yuasa, Dan Sordetto, and Harrison Chinn, of Boy Scout Troop 252, were recognized at a special Eagle Scout Court of Honor The four scouts became the most recent additions to the troop’s roster of 95 Eagle Scouts since 1952.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program. ♦

Banchong Douangphrachanh

Fashion from Douangphrachanh’s Regatta line

Seattle-based fashion designer Banchong Douangphrachanh was one of three Americans chosen to participate in the Indian International Fashion Week, held in New Delhi. Douangphrachanh, whose work has been featured in pop star Lady Gaga’s “Pokerface” music video, took 20 models with her.

Other Americans who participated in the fashion week included Andres Aquino, based in New York, and Sushma Patel, based in Atlanta. ♦

Members of the Bataan-Corregidor Survivors’ Association and their families with Bruce Harrell and his wife, Joann (center) (Photo provided by the City of Seattle)

The annual event commemorating the valor and courage of Filipino American soldiers in Bataan and Corregidor during World War II was held at the Filipino Community Center in Seattle. Read the full story

North Tower Haggett Relay for Life team (Photo provided by Joanne Li)

The North Tower Haggett Relay for Life team, comprising about 19 students, has raised $345 through a cake walk, University of Washington student donations, and other individual donations. Read the full story

By Hope Yen
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, American women have passed men in gaining advanced college degrees, as well as bachelor’s degrees, part of a trend that is helping to redefine who goes off to work and who stays home with the kids. Read the full story

By Christopher Bodeen
The Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — China will never allow the United States to dictate political reforms and any American pressure over human rights will torpedo talks on such issues, a Communist Party-run newspaper said last Thursday. Read the full story

By Grant Peck
The Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Laos held legislative elections Saturday that are expected to sweep in a younger generation of lawmakers, but preserve the political status quo, since virtually all candidates owe allegiance to the all-powerful communist party that has ruled for 36 years. Read the full story

Compiled by Tessa Sari
Northwest Asian Weekly

Who said women can’t be powerful and beautiful at the same time? Read the full story

Invest in Yourself is the theme of WIN!, a day-long leadership conference to be held on June 4 at the Microsoft Conference Center. WIN! stands for Women in NAAAP (The National Association of Asian American Professionals) and is a development program designed to help Asian American women gain leadership skills and to advance in their careers. Read the full story

Macy’s Community Shopping Day is an all-day shopping event dedicated to raising funds for local nonprofit organizations. This year, Macy’s will host its Community Shopping Day event on Saturday, May 14. Read the full story

By Frank Irigon
For Northwest Asian Weekly

At the 40th anniversary event, from left: Bruce Harrell, Alan Sugiyama, Mike Tagawa, Ruthann Kurose, YK Kuniyuki, Keith Yamaguchi, Sue Tomita, Frank Irigon, Paul Killpatrick, and Annie Galarosa (kneeling) (Photo by Eugene Tagawa)

On Feb. 9 and March 2, 1971, the Oriental Student Union, led by co-chairs Alan Sugiyama and Mike Tagawa, led demonstrations at Seattle Central Community College, closing the district’s administration building to protest the lack of Asian American administrators at the multiethnic college. Read the full story

The other day, my friend was steaming over his supposed rotten life. The first place prize in his blame game went to President Obama.

“President Obama got us into this mess,” my friend said. “I used to have four employees for my business, and now, I have zero employees. My wife and I have to do everything. Some of our friends used to make big bucks. Now, their wealth has declined, from being upper class to middle class. The ones who make all the money are the crooks (Wall Street bankers), and they all got away with it.” Read the full story

I like to treat some of my friends to dim sum, stir-fried crab, steak, grilled lamb, prawns with angel hair pasta …

But recently, what I didn’t expect was that one of my friends would respond with, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Instead, he said, “How about a salad?” And not just any salad. “Put Caesar dressing and grilled chicken on top,” he told the waitress. “Give me a seafood soup, too.”

Even a simple salad is not the cheapest item on the menu, nor is it the most expensive. Though my friend is conscious about fat and calories, he still wants his salad to be tasty.

“So is that what you usually eat at home?” I asked my friend. Read the full story

What I’ve learned is that it’s okay to offer friends light foods. You won’t be viewed as being rude.

Don’t serve fancy meats, greasy grilled steaks, roasts, heavy pies, and really sweet desserts. In avoiding these foods, you are actually being thoughtful. Why do you want to add additional cholesterol and calories to your friends’ bodies?

Also, don’t serve hard liquor. You don’t want your friends to get into a drunk-driving situation! Read the full story

A decade ago, if anyone told me to take the bus, I would have given that person a dirty look. I relished my nice little car.

Today, I encourage my friends to take the ‘damn bus.’ It’s better for you, the city, and the environment.

I moved to the city in 2002 and found that I had gained, in every sense of the word.

It’s not that I knew the gas prices would skyrocket to more than $4 a gallon, the economy would sink, and the traffic would be terrible. Read the full story

To all the Moms —

You are appreciated each and every day! Happy Mother’s Day!

Read the full story