Charles Lam

The Northwest Asian Weekly welcomed a new editor Sunday, Sept. 9, as former editor Tiffany Ran left to pursue a career opportunity in the restaurant industry. Charles Lam, who was born in San Jose, Calif. to two Vietnam War refugees, will be taking over her duties. In addition to acting as editor for the paper, Lam will also take part in planning events, social media, and developing talent at the Weekly. He comes to the paper after time at a design and advertising agency in Orange County and freelancing for the OC Weekly, which is owned by the same parent company as the Seattle Weekly. He graduated from the University of California, Irvine in Orange County. He hopes to get in touch with the community as quickly as possible.

“I feel that the best way to get in touch with the community is also one of the most important aspects of journalism: footwork. The best way to get to know a community is to take an active part observing and participating in it,” he said.

Aiding in the editor transition will be the new editorial consultant, former editor Stacy Nguyen.

When asked about his vision for the Northwest Asian Weekly, he said, “Asian and Pacific Americans are only going to become more visible in the mainstream as time goes on, and it’s important for us to have a strong voice. I will work my hardest to ensure that this happens.” (end)

Charles Lam can be reached at charles@nwasianweekly.com.

Dr. Floyd Schmoe Museum of Houses for Hiroshima

Floyd Schmoe

A delegation chosen by the city of Hiroshima will be traveling to Japan on Oct. 31 for the dedication of the Dr. Floyd Schmoe Museum of Houses for Hiroshima. After the bombing of Hiroshima, Dr. Schmoe traveled to Japan in 1949 and 1954 to rebuild houses that were damaged. He was assisted by three other Americans, including Rev. Emery E. Andrews of the Seattle Japanese Baptist Church, and worked on money he personally raised. Rev. Andrews’ son, Rev. Brooks Andrews, will be part of the American delegation.

The museum is a preserved home built by Schmoe’s Houses for Hiroshima project, illustrating the efforts that went into the project and the types of houses that were built. The house was slated for demolition but was preserved by the World Friendship Center, who incorporated it into their existing activities. (end)

Aung San Suu Kyi

By Matthew Pennington
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, renowned for her peaceful struggle against military rule, began a marathon tour of the United States on Monday, Sept. 17, the latest milestone in her remarkable journey from political prisoner to globe-trotting stateswoman. Read the full story

By Malcolm Foster
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TOKYO, JAPAN (AP) — Chinese and Japanese government ships exchanged warnings Friday, Sept. 14, in waters near disputed islands in the East China Sea, while Tokyo called on Beijing to protect its citizens amid anti-Japan protests and reported assaults in China. Read the full story

By Joe McDonald
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIJING, CHINA (AP) — China filed a World Trade Organization case on Monday, Sept. 17, challenging U.S. anti-dumping measures on billions of dollars of kitchen appliances, paper, and other goods, adding to worsening trade strains as global demand weakens. Read the full story

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula

By Staff
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A filmmaker linked to an anti-Islamic movie inflaming protests across the Middle East said following an interview with law enforcement officials that he would not return to his home, possibly heading into hiding, authorities said. Read the full story

By Sonya Ross
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — As many as 700,000 minority voters under age 30 may not be able to cast a ballot in November because of photo ID laws in certain states, according to a new study. The lower turnout could affect several House races, as well as the tight presidential contest. Read the full story

By Staff
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thousands of illegal immigrants have inundated the nation’s second-largest school district with requests for copies of records that might qualify them for the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the district said Monday, Sept. 17. Read the full story

By Staff
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DELANO (AP) — Dozens of Filipino hospital workers in California will share a nearly $1 million settlement in a lawsuit claiming they were targeted by a rule requiring them to only speak English at work, federal officials said Monday, Sept. 17. Read the full story

All things Asian in popular culture

By Vivian Nguyen
Northwest Asian Weekly

It’s the ubiquitous question on everyone’s lips on the first day of school, “How did you spend your summer vacation?” Read the full story

By Andrew Hamlin
Northwest Asian Weekly

Johsel Namkung (Photo provided by Johsel Namkung)

Johsel Namkung, Korean by birth, is a singer and translator. He arrived in Seattle on Oct. 24, 1947, at age 28, with his Japanese wife. During World War II and the years following, he lived in Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, and various other parts of Japan trying to keep his family out of danger. He left his two daughters behind with other family in Seoul. Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

Ambassador Gary Locke’s car was surrounded Wednesday, Sept. 19, by Chinese protestors as he tried to entire the American compound. Luckily, he wasn’t injured. (Screen captured. Photo by Associated Press & KOMO Staff)

My heart sank when I saw the news that the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, had been killed in an attack on the Libyan U.S. consulate Tuesday, Sept. 11. I have to confess that I never cared to learn about ambassadors. Last year, Gary Locke and Sung Kim were appointed as ambassadors to China and S. Korea respectively and that changed my attitude. But it is pitiful that I, a newspaper publisher, can only name two U.S. Ambassadors out of the over 170 in the American government. Read the full story

This year’s Seattle Night Market and Autumn Moon Festival, held Saturday, Sept. 22, from 6–12 p.m., will be moved to Union Station Plaza from the traditional Hing Hay Park location. The fourth Night Market hosted by the Chinatown–International District Business Improvement Area, the event is one of many popular Asian night markets being held in the country. Read the full story

The Northwest Asian Weekly’s 30th anniversary gala will be an all-inclusive networking event with guests from all ethnicities and varied industries. All attendees will be involved in the festivities, whether by dragon dancing into the dining room, participating in the behind-the-scenes fashion contest, or just enjoying the activities. Read the full story

By Staff
Northwest Asian Weekly

The proclamation, originally the brain child of Council President Sally J. Clark (pictured rear with council member Nick Licata), quickly found many supporters. (Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW )

The Seattle City Council declared Monday, Sept. 17, “Cheryl Chow Day” as a special proclamation for the former council member. Read the full story

By Charles Lam
Northwest Asian Weekly

Janet Liang launched a nationwide movement, registering over 20,000 new bone marrow donors. (Photo by Fern Lee)

Janet Liang, the young woman whose battle with cancer went viral online earlier this year, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, at MD Read the full story