Compiled by Abby Sun
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

During a time of economic downturn and uncertainty, leaders are needed in all sectors of society to foster innovation and progress. Three times a year, the Women of Color luncheon recognizes female pioneers in certain fields, and these women share personal stories and lessons gleaned from their respective fields. Read the full story

(back row, left to right) Sylvie Hana Shiosaki, Yuna Marie Nishimoto; (front row, left to right) Taryn Lee Imanishi, Heidi Sachi Iha, Nicole Ruriko Lee

The 2012 participants of the Japanese Queen Scholarship Organization of Washington were presented at the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival. This is the organization’s 53rd year of Read the full story

Sam Ung

Sam Ung, author of “I Survived the Killing Fields,” marked the one-year anniversary of his book’s publication on Tuesday, April 17, with a book reading at his restaurant, Phnom Phenh Noodle House. Read the full story

Representatives from the six organizations to receive the grant. (Photo by ACRS)

At last year’s community meeting for the Youth and Families Initiative, local organizations called for more culturally relevant job readiness training for refugees and immigrant youth. Last week, after a competitive application process, six out of 17 community agencies were selected to receive grants for a new program to train immigrant and refugee youth in preparation for the workplace. Read the full story

Uwajimaya Bellevue location

Uwajimaya Bellevue celebrated the one-year anniversary of its new Bellevue location with performances and food tastings. Customers were treated to performances from the Kaze Daiko Taiko Read the full story

Customers line up outside of Sam Wo to bid farewell to the 100-year-old restaurant

By Lisa Leff
The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A San Francisco Chinese restaurant once known for having “the world’s rudest waiter” may not be closing for good after all.

The owners of Sam Wo restaurant were scheduled to plea their case to the city’s Public Health Department at a hearing on Tuesday, April 24.

Owner David Ho’s daughter, Julie, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the restaurant will be closed over the weekend, but nothing is definite beyond that.

“This restaurant is my life,” she told the newspaper.

Health officials had demanded changes after finding violations including rodent activity, but the restaurant’s owners had said the 100-year-old, hole-in-the-wall eatery in Chinatown was just too old. Read the full story

By Jim Gomez
The Associated Press

Philippine naval soldiers on board a Chinese fishing vessel before the standoff over the Scarborough Shoal escalated

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines warned Monday that China’s sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea may eventually threaten freedom of navigation in the busy region and called on Western and Asian countries to take a stand against any such potential threat. Read the full story

By Malcolm Foster
The Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — A teenager who lost his home in Japan’s devastating tsunami now knows that one prized possession survived: a football that drifted all the way to Alaska. Read the full story

A monthly column about all things Asian in popular culture

By Vivian Nguyen
Northwest Asian Weekly

A media convergence for local Asian American

In local and television news, Seattle web entrepreneur Ben Huh will be getting his own reality television Read the full story

Nine Lives in the 1970s.

Popular 1970s band Nine Lives will perform again on stage for the Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration at Seattle Center. Nine Lives was a Seattle dance band that played from 1970 to 1972, influenced by the sounds of Chicago, Buddy Miles, Tower of Power, Sly and the Family Stone, and Cold Blood. Unlike other bands at the time, Nine Lives started as a big band and remained big, because band members loved the bold and full sound that came with a large band. Fans can look forward to classic songs from the 1970s. After the band members parted ways in 1972, they went off to finish college, develop their respective careers, and start their own families. Their first reunion performance was in 2008, with two more following in 2009. Read the full story

For the second year in a row, the Road Map Project is encouraging eligible eighth grade students to sign up for the College Bound Scholarship Program, which will cover the cost of tuition at a Washington public college or university. The project is aimed at improving education outcomes in South Seattle and South King County. Students eligible for the scholarship are those from low-income backgrounds. In order to receive the scholarship, these students must graduate high school with a 2.0 GPA or higher, demonstrate good citizenship, and seek admission to a Washington state college or university. Read the full story

The Thai Association of Washington has launched the Baan Yen School, offering informal, education classes for the community. Classes ranging from Restaurant 101 to flower arranging and Thai culture are Read the full story

Howard Eng King

By Staff
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Howard Eng King, a TV antenna specialist, passed away on April 2, 2012, in Beijing, China. He was on the last stop of his trip through China. King spent the last 20 years of his life dancing and traveling, but he is known for his work with TV antennas, including the design and testing of the Empire State Building’s multiple TV antenna system. King was exceptionally active, playing tennis and running in many marathons. During his 20-year running career, he won many awards and ran 55,000 miles. Read the full story

By Andrew Hamlin
Northwest Asian Weekly

Hong Kong director Ann Hui built her reputation on impeccably constructed and realistic portraits of people trying to get through everyday problems. Her heroes and heroines often find themselves struggling to adapt to new situations and break out of old routines. Her latest film, “A Simple Life,” starring Hong Kong legends Andy Lau and Deanie Ip, aptly continues that tradition. Read the full story

By Jason Cruz
Northwest Asian Weekly

Jason Puracal imprisoned in Nicaragua (Photo by Release Jason Puracal/FreeJasonP.com)

“It’s hell on earth.” Read the full story

By James Tabafunda
Northwest Asian Weekly

Above image: Policy and Advocacy Director Ada Williams Prince (left) and English Innovations student Aoxiang Liao (Photo by James Tabafunda/NWAW)

Aoxiang Liao delivered a five-minute speech, demonstrating her newly acquired ability to speak Read the full story