Women perform traditional Japanese dance at Bon Odori (Photo by Vivian Miezianko/NWAW)

On July 21 and July 22, the Seattle Buddhist Temple hosted Bon Odori, a traditional summer festival held to honor and appreciate ancestors. The festival, which included traditional music and dancing in the street, was an official Seafair event. Many festival-goers dress in Japanese kimonos or yukatas. The festival also included taiko and martial arts performances, craft exhibits, demonstrations, and food. The National Bone Marrow Program’s “Be the Match” was also in attendance to collect cheek swabs from potential donors to keep in their database, primarily to find a compatible donor for Laurie Shimizu who suffers from Multiple Myeloma. (end)

Elaine Ko (Photo by Kristina Bowman)

Elaine Ko, a community building, civic activist, mentor, and leading communication executive, was included in the University of Washington (UW)’s Department of Communication Alumni Hall of Fame for 2012. Ko was a founding member of the International District Housing Alliance. She also served as an executive director for Interim CDA, promoting the welfare and revitalization of the Chinatown/International District. Ko earned her bachelor of arts degree from UW in 1975. She is included with other alumni Doug Ramsey, Katie King, Lorraine Howell, and Ann Darling. These alumni will be honored on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the University of Washington Club. (end)

(from left) Ben Bridge Co-Chairman Bob Bridge, Co-CEO and General Counsel Jon Bridge, University Village store manager Karen Lee, Co-Chairman Herb Bridge

Ben Bridge Jewelers, a store ran by five generations of the same family, celebrates its 100th anniversary at its newly remodeled  flagship store. The business celebrated their anniversary with champagne. Old friends and many elected officials were in attendance, along with Ben Bridge staff, including store manager Karen Lee, and Ed and Jon Bridge, the fourth generation of family leadership. Ben Bridge Jeweler first opened its doors in 1912 and now operates more than 70 retail stores in 11 states. (end)

Michael Wang

By Associated Press Staff

SEATTLE (AP) — A 28-year-old man charged in the 2011 hit-and-run death of a Seattle bicyclist has pleaded guilty.

Erlin Garcia-Reyes of suburban Normandy Park entered his plea Tuesday in King County Superior Court to a charge of felony hit-and-run in the death of Michael Wang. Read the full story

By Associated Press Staff

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — A group of five people have filed a federal lawsuit arguing they should be U.S. citizens by virtue of being born in American Samoa, the only U.S. territory that doesn’t grant that birthright. Read the full story

Danny Chen

By Allen Reed
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A sergeant accused of hazing a private because of his Chinese heritage will go on trial this week on charges the abuse led to the soldier’s suicide. Read the full story

By Niniek Karmini
The Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Muslims have begun fasting for the start of the Ramadan holy month in Indonesia, Malaysia, and elsewhere around Asia, but the somber occasion was marred in Buddhist-dominated Thailand by two bomb blasts that killed one person and injured seven. Read the full story

By Gene Johnson
The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — In her campaign for an open seat on the King County Superior Court, Seattle lawyer Elizabeth Berns has been endorsed by several judges — including two retired state Supreme Court justices. Read the full story

Phnom Penh Noodle House owner Sam Ung (center white) with his family including wife Karen (left from center) and daughters (from left) Darlene, Diane, and Dawn. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

Phnom Penh Noodle House celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 17. Owner Sam Ung was surprised by a party thrown by his three daughters, who invited all of Ung’s long-time customers to dine at the restaurant and share their memories of Sam and the restaurant. The original restaurant opened on 412 Maynard Avenue South, now the site of the current Northwest Asian Weekly building. An earthquake in the 1980s caused damage to the original building. Ung relocated the restaurant to its present location. While sharing memories of the restaurant, one customer commented that Phnom Penh Noodle House is the only Cambodian restaurant in the Seattle area. Read the full story

By Travis Quezon
Northwest Asian Weekly

A period of 41 years had passed before a U.S. District Court Judge in California overturned the conviction of Fred Korematsu, an Oakland shipyard foreman of Japanese ancestry who dared to challenge the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066. The 1942 order authorized the removal of more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent from their U.S. homes and into internment camps. A majority of those prisoners, like Korematsu, were American citizens. Read the full story

Ichiro Suzuki (Photo by Rdikeman/en.wikipedia.com)

By Staff
The Associated Press Staff

TOKYO (AP) — Japan reacted to the news that Ichiro Suzuki has been traded to the New York Yankees with surprise and anticipation that the move might lead to a World Series ring.

The Yankees acquired the star outfielder from Seattle in a trade for two young pitchers, bringing a close to Suzuki’s 11-year career with the Mariners. Read the full story

Yoshi Wong

By Tiffany Ran
Northwest Asian Weekly

At a somewhat hectic point in her life, Yoshie Wong decided to run for a Senate seat to represent the 28th district. Soon after, she took on a massive juggling act, balancing her life between her full-time job as a marriage and family therapist and managing a large campaign. Wong has been a marriage and family therapist for more than 20 years and believes that her ability to listen for a living can be applied to resolving problems in Olympia. She hopes to hear from her constituents, so she can ensure that all voices are heard. 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