1. Highlights
2. Visual Arts
3. Performing Arts
4. Film/Media
5. Written Arts
6. Art News/ Opportunites

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Highlights

• Would you like to hear a classical Indian music concert in a perfect acoustic space?  Check out Pandit Vikash Maharaji who will play the sarod with his son on tabla in the lovely acoustic setting of the Chapel Performance Space located on the 4^th floor of the Good Shepherd Center. September 2 at 8 p.m. 4649 Sunnyside N. in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle.
• Interested in meeting other artists, curators, collectors and art professionals in a friendly, supportive environment and getting a peek at the latest shows at the “Wing” at the same time? Then mark your calendars for the 2^nd annual “Mix It Up Again: Asian Pacific American Artist Reception” set for September 10 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. There will be a program, snacks and images of work by local Asian Pacific American artists shown throughout the night. $7 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To find out more information or to become a member before this big event, call (206) 623-5124 or www.wingluke.org. Wing Luke Museum Of the Asian Pacific American Experience is located at 719 S. King St., in Seattle.
• Those girls are at it again! SIS Productions presents the 18th installment of “Sex in Seattle” entitled “An Everyday Kind of Love” set for September 10 – October 9. Come see what your favorite female characters are up to now in this quirky comedy about today’s Asian American women, their lives and loves. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. Hugo House on Capitol Hill, 1634 11^th Ave. Call (206) 323-9443 or e-mail: tickets@sis-productions.org. Go to www.sexinseattle.org for details.
• “Wheedle’s Groove”, the documentary film by Jennifer Maas about Seattle’s lost “soul music” scene of the late 60’s should be the Seattle “feel-good” film of the year. When it screened at SIFF, people were turned away and the audience was full of musicians from the era. Asian American connection here is guitarist Philip Woo, one of the few musicians to make it out of this local scene. Of course Kenny G. was the only one to really hit the big time. Again, expect some of the special guests at these screenings to be local Seattle musicians from “back in the day.” September 3 – 9 at Northwest Film Forum.  1515 12^th Avenue.  1 (800) 838-3006 or go to www.nwfilmforum.org for tickets and information.
• The work of Liang-Cheng Yen, Hiroshi Watanabe, Yeonnmi Kang, Ron Ho, Nadine Kariya, Emiko Oye and many others are included in a fun group show that celebrates the 70^th birthday of Facere Jewelry Art Gallery owner, Karen Lorene with each artist taking a year and designating a significant event of that year into a priceless one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. ”Celebrating 70” is on view through September 5. 1420 Fifth Ave. in the City Centre Building. (206) 624-6768 or www.facerejewelryart.com.
• Kaatsuhide Motoki’s “Battle League Horomo” is a fantasy/action-comedy/love story all rolled into one. A group of college students get mixed up in the world of Horumo – a fighting competition where contestants call upon ancient spirits to inhabit miniature statues to do battle from then in an arena. September 3 – 9. Grand Illusion Cinema.1403 N.E. 50^th St. in the University District. (206) 523-3935 or grandillusioncinema.org.
• The work of Saya Moriyasu, Yuki Nakamura, Arun Sharma, Brendan Tang, Patti Warashina and others is included in “BAM Biennial 2010: Clay Throwdown”. This is Bellevue Arts Museum’s new juried exhibition competition where artists are asked to make work expressly for the show. Continues on view through January 16. Noted ceramic artist and UW Art Professor Akio Takamori was one of the judges. Also on view is “The Art of Discovery – The Northwest Art Collection of the Junior League of Seattle” which features work by Norie Sato on view till September 19. 510 Bellevue Way N.E. (425) 519-0770
• Judy Yung and Erika Lee,, the authors of “Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America” (Oxford University Press) will give a slide/ talk about their book, one  of the first comprehensive looks at this West Coast immigration station (the equivalent to Ellis Island on the East Coast) and how it affected the lives of countless immigrants from China, Korea, Japan and other countries. September 2 at 7:30pm. Town Hall at 1119 Eighth . Downstairs, enter on Seneca St. (206) 652-4255 or visit www.townhallseattle.org
• Artwork created by staff, volunteers and clients of Asian Counseling and Referral Service will be featured during the Chinatown/ID Jamfest on Thursday, September 2 from 6 – 9 p.m. Art by Dean Wong Rebecca Ip, Jeff Wendland, Gary Tang, Cora Edmonds, Carina del Rosario, Eun-Young Won and others will be on display. The band Naugahyde will also perform.  Come to Canton Alley on King St. between 7^th Ave. & 8^th Avenues S. Sponsored by Chinatown’s oldest gift shop, Sun May Company. Go to www.scidpda.org for details.
• Boo Duck Lee (see related article this issue), a visiting artist from Korea who will be teaching at Tacoma Community College has a special show of paper art through September 5. The work of two visiting ceramic artists from Oregon, Barb Campbell and Javier Cervantes are on display through September 18. A “Kimono Textile Show” by artist Yuri Kinoshita opens September 10 from 6 – 8 p.m. and continues on view through September 26. KOBO Gallery at HIGO. 604 South Jackson. (206) 381-3000 or www.koboseattle.com.
• “Trace Series” is a solo show of new work by Etsuko Ichikawa who uses the fire  and smoke of molten glass as a paint brush. Opens September 2 and on view until the end of this year. At Tramel-Gagne in the Design Center located at 5701 – 6^th Avenue S. #105. (206) 762-1511 or visit www.tgshowroom.com. Etsuko also does “Firebird”, a live performance piece at the Museum of Glass (in the Hot Shop) in Tacoma on September 11 at 6:45 p.m. during their annual fundraising event with the collaboration of dancer Mizue Trinidad. This event is open to registered guests with the museum. Seating is limited. Call (253) 284-4715 or try rsvpmuseumofglass.org for details. Located at 1801 Dock St. in Tacoma.
• Festal 2010 presents the following cultural festivals at Seattle Center House and Mural Amphitheatre. Korean Cultural Celebration on September 11 from noon – 7 p.m. Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival on September 12 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.  Expect music, performance, food booths and kids activities. Log on to seattlecenter.com for details.
• The late actor Sessue Hayakawa was the first Asian American star of the screen in Hollywood’s silent era. Although his career in Tinsel town had its’ ups and downs throughout the years, it ended on a high note when he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in David Lean’s “The Bridge Over The River Kwai”. Now SIFF Cinema brings back that classic war film in a new digital 4k restoration. September 10 – 12. 321 Mercer St. in McCaw Hall at Seattle Center. (206) 633-7151 or boxoffice@siff.net.
• Cans of Spam, Cup Noodles, evaporated milk are just some of the images found in Lynne Yamamoto’s cast porcelain sculptures evoking memories of her upbringing and family history in Hawai’i. Remains on view through September 30. Greg Kucera Gallery at 212 Third Ave. S. (206) 624-0770 or www.gregkucera.com.
• La Connor Quilt & Textile Museum presents a pair of exhibits that focus on the Japanese quilt. “All That Blooms” looks at the use of blossoms, flowers and plants by quilt-makers. “Japanese Textiles” shows the variety of materials used in the quilt-making process from the perspective of the quilt-maker. Both shows on view through Sept. 26. 703 A. Second St. in La Connor, Wash. (360) 466-4288 or visit www.laconnorquilts.com.
• “Windfall” is a temporary installation by Seattle artists Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo of Lead Pencil Studio. A thousand wind chimes have been hung from newly planted trees on the walkway that leads to Seattle Rep and Intiman Theatre at Seattle Center. Stroll by and wait for the wind to conduct this leafy orchestra. Up till Sept. 17. Second Ave. N. at Mercer St., in Seattle.
• “The Wing” presents “JamFest!”, a summer festival of live music on  First Thursday Gallery Walk nights through September from 6 – 9 p.m. at four different venues in the ID. Go to www.wingluke.org for complete details.
• One of China’s most well known directors, Zhang Yimou (“House of Flying Daggers”, “Hero”) is back with “A Woman, A Gun And A Noodle Shop”, his clever adaptation of the Coen Brothers “Blood Simple.” Opens September 10 at the Harvard Exit. At Broadway & E. Roy. (206) 781-5755.
• Congratulations to writer/activist/performance artist Canyon Sam. Her book entitled “Sky Train: Tibetan Woman on the Edge” (UW Press) was turned down by editors and agents for over fifteen years. Now it has won the PEN American Center/Open Book Award for excellence by an author of color which has not received wide media attention. Only 3 authors were chosen from over 200 nominations.  She will receive the award on October 13 in New York City.
• After a long time in the studio, Saya Moriyasu bursts out with some new, fun work culled from her Pilchuk Glass Residency and experiments with two glazes. See shelves that shrink, dogs that grow and a fu dog diaspora all in her new show entitled “Charm” she’s sharing with fellow artist Maija Fiebig. It opens September 6 from 6 – 8 p.m. and remains on view through October 9.  G. Gibson Gallery at 300 S. Washington St. in Pioneer Square. (206) 587-4033 or go to www.ggibsongallery.com.
• See over 100 U.S. and international short films as well as three feature films at SIFF Cinema over Labor Day weekend September 3 – 6 as part of ONE Reel’s Film Festival at Bumbershoot. With lots of local/international Asian/Asian American talented directors represented. For details, go to www.bumbershoot.org for details.

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Visual Arts

• Cora Edmonds, Photographer and founder of ArtXchange Gallery will have on display a veritable photographic quilt of images taken on her many travels around the world. Artist reception on September 2 from 5 – 8pm. On view through October 30. Also closing September 4 is a small show of  cut paper artworks, accordian books, cards  and prints by Mia Yoshihara-Bradshaw inspired by Edo period kimono patterns. 512 First Ave. S. (206) 839-0377 or www.artxchange.org
• The work of Ed Ou is included in a group show of contemporary photography entitled “PERSPECTIVES” opening Sept. 2 and on view through September 25. Foster/White Gallery. 220 Third Avenue S. (206) 622-2833 or go to www.fosterwhite.com
• “Wings”, a group show on the history of flight features the work of Paul Horiuchi, Wada Sanzo and many others. Open on First Thursday on September 2 and October 7 from 5 – 7pm. Show is up till October 9. Art Resource Galllery at 625 First Ave., # 200. (206) 838-2639 or www.SeattleArtResource.com
• Pojagi Now is a group show of Korean wrapping textiles from both American and Korean  artists. Picture stained glass transformed to cloth with unique patchwork design. When exposed to light, the colors dance. Through Sept. 19 in the Guest Gallery of Columbia City Gallery in the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle.  4864 Rainier Ave. S. (206) 760-9843 or www.columbiacitygallery.com
• “Revealing The Root: Moku hanga by Eva Pietzcker” is the latest show at Cullom Gallery. Through October 9. This German artist seeks “to reconnect to the root and reveal a vital energy” as embodied in “foundational elements of life, like stone, waves, or mountains.” 603 S. Main (206) 919-8278 or www.cullomgallery.com
• The work of stained glass artist Joby Shimomura is included in a group show entitled “Three Different Views of Nature” at Alchemy Gallery through September. Opening reception is September 2 from 6 – 9pm. 619 Western Avenue on the 2^nd floor. (206) 719-3769. Open First Thursdays from 6 – 9pm or by appointment.
• Z.Z. Wei’s paintings of Northwest landscapes and backroads are on view  Sept. 2 – Oct. 4 at Patricia Rovzar Gallery. 1225 Second Ave. (206) 223-0273. Opening reception September 2 from 6 – 8pm.
• The current trend towards abstraction is shown in contrast to the use of the figure in a group show of photography entitled “Contemporary Works from the Monsen Collection” on view through Nov.  28 in the North Galleries of the Henry Art Gallery. The work of Weng Fen is featured.  15^th Ave. NE & NE 41^st St. (206) 543-2280 or visit www.henryart.org
• “From Edo To Tacoma”””- Three Eras of Japanese Woodblock Prints: Edo, Meiji, and 20^th Century Works” opens September 4 and remains on view through February 13, 2011.Curator Zoe Donnell will talk about the show and there will be a Gallery Tour afterwards on September 8 starting at 10:30am.  “Arts Bento: A Taste of Japanese Culture” will give participants a chance to sample the variety of Japanese art forms in hand-on activities on September 12 from 1 – 5pm. Free Third Thursday takes place on September 16 from 5 – 8pm.Tacoma Art Museum is at 1701 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. (253) 272-4258 or tacomaartmuseum.org
• The work of Patsy Surh O’Connell and Cathy Woo is included in the group show entitled  “Annual Fall Exhibition” by Women Painters of Washington.  On view through October 29. 701 Fifth Avenue in Suite 310, (206) 624-0543 or womenpainters.com
• The work of early Seattle Camera Club member Frank Kunishige is included in the current exhibit entitled “The Arts and Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest” on view now through November 28. There will be “Coffee and Lecture with the Curators” on September 11  from 9:30 – 11:30am. “ With Our Hands – Folk Art Treasures”. Vietnamese paper folding is just one of the many folk arts gathered from across the state for this exhibit that attempts to answer the question, “What is folk art?”  On view through December with various folk art demonstrations and activities planned. Washington State History Museum. 1911 Pacific Ave
• “New/Old: Recent Acquisitions of Chinese Painting” is on view through October 31. Ping-Kwan Wong emigrated from Hong Kong to Seattle in 1996. He used the McCaw Foundation Library at Seattle Asian Art Museum for years to study calligraphy and classic poems. He created hundreds of bookmarks featuring famous Chinese poems and well-known sayings before passing away in February of 2010. A small show of his bookmarks will be on view through October 2010 in the library. Also “First Saturdays from 11am – 2pm feature programs that connect your family with the arts and cultures of Asia. Free and no registration is required. 1400 Prospect in Volunteer  Park. (206) 654-3100 or www.seattleartmuseum.org
• “Order and Border” is an onging exhibit on the third floor World Textiles Gallery at Seattle Art Museum downtown. The selection from SAM’s permanent collection puts stripes in the spotlight with Japanese bedcovers and undergarments, a meditation cloth from  Laos, an African teacher’s disguise and items from many other global cultures. Also worth noting, a series of tea ceremony demonsrations in the teahouse on the Third Floor.   Sept. 16 at 6:30pm and Sept. 19 at 2:30pm. Instructors are Bonnie Soshin Mitchell, Mitsuko Soki Gale and Naomi Somi Takemura. Free with museum admission but seating is limited so registration is suggested. Call (206) 654-3121 or visit seattleartmuseum.org to register.
• “A Refugee’s Journey of Survival And Hope” is the latest show to open at the “Wing”. See life through the eyes of a refugee through personal stories, photographs and multimedia. Show continues on view till Dec. 12, 2010. “Cultural Transcendence is a group show at Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience curated by Lele Barnett that “explores the importance of technology in our modern experience and technology’s influence on contemporary installation art.” Features the work of Robert Hodgin, Eunsu Kang, Heidi Kumao, Horatio Law and Brent Watanabe. Show continues  through Sept. 2010. “Paj Ntaub – Stories of Hmong in Washington State” remains on view through Oct. 17. 2010. www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
• Work by Ellen Ito, Lisa Kinoshita and Yuki Nakamura is included in the group show of  recipients and nominees for “The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation’s ‘Foundation of Art Award, 2008 – 2010’”. On view till  October 2 at the University of Puget Sound’s Kittredge Gallery. Opening reception on September 2 from 5 – 7pm. Located in Kittredge Hall on the UPS campus at . 15^th & N. Lawrence in Tacoma. (253) 879-3701 or go to www.pugetsound.edu/kittredge
• Artists such as Kamia Kakaria, Lisa Haswgawa, Romson Regarde Bustillo, Tina Koyama and Mark Takamichi Miller will all be teaching classes at Pratt Fine Arts Center this Fall. For details or to register, go to www.pratt.org or call (206) 328-2200. The arts facility is open to the public and has their Annual Open House on Sat., November 13 from 6 – 9pm. Mark your calendars.
• Chinese artist Long Gao shows his paintings, scrolls, prints and sculpture. Also his 2009 commission for the City of Woodenville is documented.  On view through Sept. 4.  Jeffrey Moose Gallery at 1333 – 5^th Ave. in Rainier Square. (206) 467-6951 or www.jeffreymoosegallery.com
• The mixed media/fiber paintings of Hye Young Kim and Jennifer Nerad are on view at Gallery at Towne Centre September 1 – October 9 with an opening reception for the artists on September 16 from 5 – 7pm.  17171 Bothell Way N.E. in Lake Forest Park. (206) 417-4645 or www.shorelinearts.net
• “Farming the Waters: Japanese American Oyster Growers in Willapa Harbor” is the title of a free lecture by the Center for Columbia River History’s 2009 James B. Castle Fellow, Katy Fry set for September 8 at 7pm. Looks at the contributions of Japanese and Japanese American workers before, during, and after WW II. The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum is located at 115 SE Lake St. in Llwaco, WA Got to CCRH.org for details.
• Iyoko Okano’s Japanese calligraphy is on view in the Edmonds Arts Festival Museum Sept. 10 – Oct. 30. Located at the Frances Anderson Center at 700 Main St, in Edmonds. (425) 771-1984 or www.eaffoundation.org
• “Dropping the Urn (Ceramic works, 5000 B.C.E.-2010 C.E.)” is the title of an exhibit by contemporary Chinese photographer/ceramic/installation artist Ai Weiwei now on view through October 30 at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland. Through October 30. (503) 223-2654 or www.museumofcontemporarycraft.org
• Fans of Japanese Pop culture, anime, and manga won’t want to miss “Aki Con 2010”. This festival includes 24 hour anime viewing, panels, workshops and more. Coming November 5 – 7 at the Bellevue Hilton Hotel. For details, go to www.akicon.org
• Local poster artist Emory Liu got a “Poster of the Week” mention in the August 26 issue of the Stranger. To see more work, go to www.holyblackgold.com

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Performing Arts

• Popular singer/songwriter Vienna Teng plays Bumbershoot with her trio on September 5.  Seattle Center. Go to Bumbershoot.org for details.
• The legendary all-women punk pop group from Japan, Shonen Knife play the Tractor Tavern on September 8 on behalf of their new album, “Free Time”. 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W. (206) 789-3599.
• Invocative Productions present “KALI DESCEND!” with vocalist Sumitra Guna and Peijman on tabla/drum on September 7. Doors open at 7pm. NEUMO’S. (206) 709-9467 or neumos.com
• “An Evening With Asia” is the title of a program set for the Moore Theatre on September 8 at 7:30pm. 1932 Second Ave. (877) 784-4849 or www.stgpresents.org
• “Sounds of Aloha” is a concert that presents Grammy-award-winning slack key guitarist Keoki Kahumoku paired with Ukelele master Herb Ohta Jr. and slack-key master Patrick Landeza in an evening of hula, storytelling and island beats. Washington Center for the Performing Arts512 Washington St. S.E. in Olympia. (360) 753-8586 or info@washingtoncenter.org
• Japanese Canadian singer/songwriter Justin Nozuka  brings his band to Chop Suey  on September 13 as part of his “Wind Land And Sea Tour”. 1325 East Madison St. 1-800-745-3000.
• Aki Matsuri is a Japanese Fall Festival set for September 11 & 12 at Bellevue College. With food, Japanese crafts and cultural activities for adults and kids alike. 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E. (425) 861-7865 or go to wwwenma.org
• Japanese Tea Ceremony Master Kannoh presents a mobile tea house where he offers a casual tea ceremony every Saturday at Seattle Uwajimaya at 600 – 5^th Ave. S. and every Sunday at KOBO Capitol Hill at 814 E.Roy. From 1 – 3pm at both sites. For more details, go to www.kannoh.com
• Brittni Paiva, one of the preeminent female ukulele players in Hawai’I has released a new CD, “Four Strings: The Fire Within” featuring originals and covers of well-known compositions. For details, go to www.brittnipaiva.com

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Film/Media

• Quentin Lee’s new film, “The People I’ve Slept With” stars Karin Anna Cheung. This ribald romantic comedy about a promiscuous woman was written by Koji Steven Sakai. Opens in selected theatres across the country soon.
• POV, the award-winning documentary film series that runs on PBS channels across the country offers tow films of interest to our viewers. On August 21, they present “Wo Ai Ni (I Love YOU) Mommy”, an intimate account of how a Jewish family on Long Island adopt an 8-year old girl from Guangzhou Province, China. A Co-production of American Documentary/POV and Diverse Voices Project presented in Association with the Center for Asian American Media. Directed by Stephanie Wong-Breal. On September 14, a Korean American adoptee tries to untangle the identity switch that sent her to the U.S. in “In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee”. Directed by Deann Borshay Liem. Check local listings for exact date and showtimes. Locally on Channel 9, KCTS. For details, go to www.pbs.org/pov/pressroom or http://kcts9.org.
• A new 35mm print of  the late Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” will be shown for one week starting September 3 at the Varisity. The epic film is a meditation on Shakespeare’s King Lear and features a marvelous perforamce by Tatsuya Nakadai as the aspiring ruler. 4329 University Way N.E. (206) 781-5755.
• “Enemies of The People” is a documentary film by Thet Sambath and Rob Lemkin that attempts for the first time to expose the truth about the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rogue. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Sundance 2010. Opens in Los Angeles on August 6 with plans underway to screen it nationally. For details, go to http://enemies of thepeople/movie.com
• “Tales From Earthsea” is a new film from Japan’s Studio Ghibli as directed by Goro Miyazaki (son of Hayao Miyazaki) loosely based on the series by Ursula K. LeGuin. This adventure follows the journey of a character as he attempts to find the cause for an imbalance in the land of Earthsea. Set for release by Walt Disney Studios/Studio Ghibli on August 13 nation-wide .Check your local listings.
• “Mao’s Last Dancer”, a movie based on a true story about a Chinese dancer who sought asylum in America which played at SIFF 2010 is now playing at 7 Gables Theatre in the “U” district.
• POV’s “The Betrayal”  a documentary film by Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath about how a Laotian family was forced to leave their homeland due to a secret war waged there by the U.S. won a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Non-fiction filmmaking.
• Call for entries for the Couch Festival Films 2010. Films must be under 6 minutes and will be screened in people’s houses. For details go to http://www.couchfestfilms.com The Festival happens on Nov. 7, 2010.
• Seung-heon Sog and Nanako Matshushima are set to star in an Asian remake of the Hollywood smash film, “Ghost”.

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Written Arts

• “A Cold Wind from Idaho”  (Black Lawrence Press) is local writer Lawrence Matsuda’s debut collection of poetry that details his experience at Minidoka internment camp, the facility that most Japanese Americans from this area were sent for lock-up during WW II. Noted poet/writer Tess Gallagher says of this book, “I receive Matsuda’s narratives about the Camps with the shame and empathy of a fellow citizen who knows we must never let this happen again—which is the central message of this many layered document written by a modern samurai of the pen.” For ordering information, go to www.blacklawrence.com. Matsuda reads at the “Dedication of the NVC Foundation Japanese American Memorial Wall at 2pm on September 5. 1212 S. King St. Free but advance tickets required. Call (206) 390-1253 or email kyamguchi48@yahoo.com

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Art News/ Opportunites

• The idea for a collective art gallery in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District neighborhood is in the planning stages. Plans call for a gallery space that will showcase visual art by new & emerging artists of  color. If you want more information or want to attend a meeting, email Carina at cadelrosario@gmail.com or log on to www.flickr.com/photos/cadelrosario
• Berliner Liste takes place from 10/7-10. You can apply as a gallery, an artist or as a project. Over 100 international galleries and artists will exhibit. No deadline but visit www.berliner-liste.org/app07 for details.
• The Greater YMCA International offers two life-enriching journeys to Asia. More field trip and live-in experience than tourist focused, the Japan Global Food Trip will feature a group of international travelers interested in learning about food production in Japan with seminars, hand-on experience with farmers and talks. September 30 – October 14. The Thailand Trip is for young adults who wish to get to know another country, its people and culture on a day-to-day basis. Takes place next March with an orientation and introductionary meeting for interested parties set for this fall. For more information on the Japan trip, call (206) 382-4362. For the Thailand trip, go to (206) 749-7554.

During the service-learning and conservation education trip, we were able to have showers that kept us clean for a while. The only way for us to earn the showers was to simply work really hard.

Showers can get you clean , happy and relaxed for the rest of the day. Some of the trail works we did were repairing trails or making new trails . We hiked to get to places like the Heybrook Fire Lookout tower. My head would fill with sweat and my hair looked like I just took a shower but it was just sweat from hard work. It frustrated me most of the times but after a quick shower, I felt happier and less frustrated.

When it comes to showering, there were many advantages and disadvantages. One advantage was that it kept me clean from the dirt and kept me smelling good. But, there were disadvantages when it comes to showering such as you won’t get clean enough or miss a spot. There was also no privacy for boys. In the boy’s shower, we had no walls, blinds, or curtains to give us privacy when we were showering in a high school building.

During showers, there are things that you should use in order to keep yourself clean. All I had during the trip was a body wash and a little bottle of shampoo. The body wash I brought was non-scented so I didn’t attract any mosquitos. It is important to not bring products that smell like fruits because they would attract mosquitos. For camping, you should bring regular shampoo and regular body wash

Showering was the main thing I looked for during the camping trip. It made me feel more relaxed after all the construction of trails.. It motivated me when I was working because I was working real hard for something I needed.

On Tuesday, August 3rd, the Wilderness Inner-City Leadership Development (WILD) youth program hiked up the Heybrook Lookout trail, located just east of the town of Index in Snohomish County, and saw a presentation by the U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters about fighting wildfires. They drove in their big white wildland fire engine, parked it against the green forest backdrop, and we all sat around it. They told us what they did, showed us the tools they used, and even demonstrated the fire torch and water hose. We toured around the engine, and five of us youth got to climb inside. In the fire engine, Ted Hargraves, the Engine Supervisor Captain, showed us all the cool gadgets inside.

The wildland fire engine has everything a car has and more. Not only can it drive you around, but it can use its big water hose, with a water reservoir connected, to put out fires. It also has tools, such as the axe or “Pulaskipulaski”, that are also used to create fire lines that eventually stop the fire. The fire engine is equipped to fight fires, but your car isn‘t.

The fire engine’s ability to keep you connected is astounding. You’ll never lose connection with the little cell phone signal-booster stand, WIFI, or walkie-talkies. You can plug in your laptop (the fire engine has electrical outlets) and use the WIFI connection or get information through your cell phone, which will hardly be denied signal. If all-else fails (which is unlikely), you’ll still have your handy-dandy walkie-talkie. With a fire engine, you‘ll never lose communication.

Fire engines are entertaining. Firefighters are often sent out on two-week-long assignments to fight fires. Not that they have to sleep in the fire engine, but they’ll always stay comfy for the time that they occupy it with the high, cushioned seats of the engine. Firefighters won’t go bored with all the buttons and switches they can push, which operate the lights and sirens, which are just as entertaining. And, of course, the radio. You can’t go wrong with tunes. The fire engine not only has stuff to do, it has food to eat. The engine is stocked with high-calorie MREs — Meal, Ready-to-Eat — the same kind of packaged food soldiers eat. Clearly, life with a fire engine is more comfy than life in any ordinary car.

The fire engine is pretty awesome with its gadgets and comfort. But remember, fire engines are here to fight fires. The hose, the tools; it’s all to stop fires. Communication is needed to get information from the station or contact someone in case of an emergency. The lights and sirens are standard, to see and to alert. Having MREs is essential in case firefighters can’t get food. There’s good reason for everything that a fire engine has. Now, don’t you wish you had one? But unless you‘re a firefighter, you can‘t. So for now, just imagine that your vehicle … is a fire engine.

The first day we arrived at the camping area was eased with some excitements. The camp took place in the Beckler River Campground in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, located northeast of Seattle. The environment was not humid or hot at all — it was extremely fresh and cool. At the time when I dropped my jacket next to my sleeping bag, I felt what I cannot normally feel at home — I am in the wild. “Why don’t we take a shower in the river?” I said. “Hell no!” The others exclaimed. “The water is freezing!”

I slowly walked out of the van. From what I remembered, I had a massive amount of mosquito bites behind my neck and next to my arms, but soon I will wash them all out with an unfamiliar shower head. “Is this school haunted?” Duong, my showering partner asked apprehensively. “No,” I replied. I rather think this is my birth place.

We started our first real hiking on the second day. I was asked to bring my water bottle and I do thank the person who forced me to do so. After we hiked for one mile, I see that I am already above the clouds, but still, the nameless bugs bothered me. They reminded me that I am not high enough to avoid all of them. In some ways, the bugs were my most diligent friends throughout the whole camping trip. At the end of the second day, I was told that I may have an early shower in a school near this area.

Although I only have minutes of showing time, I was not in a hurry at all. Even seconds of a wash were satisfying to me — and dandy as a feast. The minutes I spent in the shower room felt like days. I did not realize that a daily life shower can be this joyful and precious. I understood a new thing — it is never the same to be outdoors compared with home.

The third day I was assigned with a duty of moving a rock which weights about seven hundred pounds. My duty was simple: move the rock out of the hiking trail. After three hours, we successfully moved the rock and completely drained out our stamina. We will soon need another shower.

When I look back into this camping trip, the flies and mosquitoes fly out from my memory and the selfless shower head appears in my dream once again. Long live the shower!

The U.S. Forest Service and the Wing Luke Museum sponsored a seven-day Chinese Heritage Tour which explored the Asian American contributions in establishing the American West. It was a mind-changing process for many of the tour participants. Each one of us had a personal story and/or a reason why we are interested in Asian American history. For me, the reason could be that this is where my family and I came from. Or it could be what I did — being a part of the youth intern project and trying to find out more about Asian American history in a way we are interested in and write about it. I, as one of the five Heritage Tour interns, tried to discover the personal stories we could share and the changing ideas about Asian American history. From the limited knowledge of the Chinese gold miners I had before the tour I experienced the changing ideas of how it connects or affects us today.

“I didn’t want to learn about the Asian American’s history when I was a youth,” said Ruby Luke, tour participant and sister of Wing Luke, for whom the museum is named after. She stood at the rock wall built by mostly 13 year-old Chinese gold miners. “But now, I want to learn about what I never knew, and more about family history.”

I’m a Toishanese teenager, so when I saw Tony, an American-brn Chinese tour participant, with a shirt that said: “Toishanese Man”(台山佬)”, it caught my attention. I interviewed him to find out the story behind the shirt.

“I heard a song named “Cantonese Boy” which they mentioned ‘You’re not my Toishanese boy,’” said Tony. ” I thought, I am not a boy anymore, so I changed the word ‘boy’ into ‘man’ and designed this ‘Toishanese Man’ (台山佬) shirt.”

The simple but solemn Chinese cemetery ceremony we did in memory of the Chinese gold mining pioneers drew everyone’s heart. It was not only meaningful to the tour group in a way of honoring Chinese pioneers but also meaningful to the local place and the Asian American history by showing our values.

We influenced local people by telling them what and why we did the Chinese ceremony. A grandmother who passed by looked toward the wooden information board and explained the Baker City Chinese history to her grandchildren during the ceremony.

I couldn’t use words to describe how glad I am for going on this tour. I learned more than what the speakers taught and what those artifacts showed me. I learned from rich stories shared by the people I went on the tour with and the people I met locally. If you care about Asian American history, you can also be the pioneer to discover it!

After the third day of hard, muscle-building work, we all decided as a group to do yoga next to the river. Led by me and Michelle Woo, who was one of the staff at WILD, all the girls participated excitedly during yoga on the river. We started out with a simple standing pose called “Mountain”, where we stood straight with both feet together with our hands clasp in front of our chest. Although a very simple pose, it helped us breathe more constantly and forget all the things we did that day. It also helped us relax as well as calm our minds and body down. Then we moved on to a series of standing poses starting from the “Triangle” pose, where we stood with both feet about three ft. apart and our hands wide away from each other. From that, we bent our upper body, one hand touching the leg and the other up in the air, as if forming a triangle shape. After that, we did the “Warrior” pose where from triangle, spreading our feet even further apart, bending one knee while both arms open wide in a horizontal position. These movements helped us release tensions from our muscle while stretching our hips, hamstrings, spine, inner thighs, chest, and shoulders. Because we were standing on sands and rocks, we decided to mainly do the standing poses. However, we finished off doing a prayer pose where we laid our chest on our knees kneeled on the ground with arms reaching front as far as we could. With our closed eyes, we were able to just relax and enjoy the sounds of the river.

Everyone loved the little yoga session. Because of all the smashing rocks and miles and miles of hiking up steep trails, we weren’t able to look at the beautiful forest and take pleasure in the nature like we would have wanted. Since it helped clear people’s mind, they all wanted to do yoga everytime we get back from work. In the end, we not only enjoyed the view but also helped greatly to restore our appreciation of the forest. Most importantly, we all had fun and learned so many things about the environment. With yoga on the river, we all felt refreshed and ready to do as much work as we did that day.

Well, listen up, because I am here to help you out!

What do you need the most?! Food! Bring snack items or sandwiches. These

should be easy to grab and eat while you walk. On average, you burn 150-200 calories per mile of hiking. Bring replenishing snacks like fruit, nuts and energy bars, too.

What you should wear: you will need to bring warm gear. If you are likely to hike high in the mountains you need a full winter set of clothes in your back pack while hiking. If you stay in the valleys, waterproof gear and layers will be enough. I remember when I went

hiking, I was wearing jeans and a tank and was pretty warm during the summer.

Your shoes should be comfortable. If your shoes aren’t or don’t fit well, you may get blisters and it’ll hurt. Remember to wear thick long socks to avoid blisters.

It’s also important to never hike alone. A friend will be able to go and get help if something should happen to you. Plus it’s much more enjoyable to hike with someone. When I went hiking, I went with a group of people, and it was fun and an easy hike. If you have a dog you should bring it with you, too.

What you should have in your backpack if you’re hiking for a day: a

compass or map, water and snacks, a small first-aid kit, a garbage bag, any needed medications, and a camera. A good general rule of thumb is to: “Take nothing but pictures, and leave nothing but footprints.” In addition, bring a pair sunglasses, a hat and sunblock in warmer weather. You don’t really need bug spray because the higher you go, the less bugs. A mobile phone is always a good idea in case of emergencies. Because there no drinking water and bathroom, bring a hand sanitizer and toilet paper. If you have to use the bathroom while outdoors, please don’t “go” by the water, as it could contaminate the water system.

Hopefully I helped you in preparing for a hike. Have a great day hiking! Be safe and always remember, “take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints.”

I joined a cool camping trip with the Wildnerness Inner-City Leadership Development (WILD) program this summer. The most unforgettable moment for me was when we all hiked to a high steep ridgeline, to the top of a forest fire lookout tower, and painted the wall on the top.

At first, when we arrived to Heybrook Lookout Trail, northeast of Seattle, we all stood on the bottom of the trail, and the U.S. Forest Service project leader told us we were going to hike up to the top of the ridgeline, which is an elevation of about 1,700 feet. I felt nervous, when I heard that. We still needed to hike about 1 hour more.. I felt like when a mouse sees a cat. My body stared shaking. But I still needed to do it. I told myself, this is something I need to do and I need to do it beautifully. I don’t have any other choice; just do it. Then, I started to hike, I saw the trail was so thin and steep,. Also the trail was rugged and rough, just like my life now, traversing a rough and difficult road, full of challenges. I need to be the best and surmount it. I hiked and hiked. When I was tired, I took a rest, drank some water, and continued to go. Finally, I hiked to the top of mountain. I was so happy. When I looked down the mountain, I felt full of success. And the scenery was very, very beautiful like a holy and beautiful paradise on the earth, The top of the mountain always is the best scenery in the world. But, you need to surmount the entire hard problem by hiking up to the mountain.

After I hiked up to the top of the ridgeline, I saw a tall wood fire lookout tower, sitting at 67 feet high. The job of today was to climb up to the top of tower and work up there. When I stood at the bottom of the tower, I didn’t feel as scared as climbing up the high tower. When I climbed, I felt scared. The wood tower was very old and looks like emptiness. My legs started shaking, and I felt the tower moving, too. At this time, I told myself, don’t be scared, nothing is difficult, if you put your heart in it I told myself, I can’t give up halfway. I believed I can do it. I was almost to the top, quickly climbing to the top. Finally, I successfully climbed up to the tower. When I looked down the tower, I saw the trees were so small. When I looked up, I felt almost up to the sky, like I can touch the clouds. I felt I was in heaven. Then, I had other challenge; I needed to paint the wall of the lookout. I felt so uncomfortable because I was afraid of the height of the tower. But, at the end, my unceasing effort defeated the problem.

I had an uncomfortable day on this part of the camping trip. But I had a great chance to learn how to surmount the hard things of myself. I understood the philosophy from John F. Kennedy: “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation.” I understand that nothing is difficult if you put your heart in it. If you surmount the entire problem, you will see great scenery on the top of the mountain . Chinese people have a saying: “sweet are the uses of adversity.”

I often hear people complain that they do not know what to bring for a camping trip or wondering if they are over-packing. First, you need to make a checklist of what to bring, because it will help you organize and make your trip less stressful. Do not pack at the last minute, because the majority of time, you will forget something. This happened so many of my friends and me. Secondly, you should start thinking about your personal supplies and needs, since you will be out of your comfort zone and away from home. Thirdly, if you are going on a trip by yourself then you should prepare or decide what kind of food that you will need to bring. I recommend buying food that is weight concentrated and easy to cook once you are in the outdoors. Fourth, you can start shopping for essential camping materials including bug spray (to keep away the bugs) , baby wipes (for cleaning yourself), a whistle (for emergency calls for help), a flashlight (to use at night time), a compass (in case you get lost), toilet paper (a must ; just make sure to dispose them the proper way), a backpack (to carry your things while you hike), a sleeping bag and tent, sunscreen (say ‘no’ to sunburn), and a digital camera (to capture fun moments and the beauty of nature). More information about the “Ten Essentials” can be found at: HYPERLINK “http://www.fs.fed.us” http://www.fs.fed.us. All of these materials can be found at Target (my favorite) or Wal-mart or any local drugstore. My tip when it comes to shopping is to buy products that are two in one. For example, a product with bug spray and sunscreen will save you money and time to apply. Lastly, I know that this is hard to do, but try to limit bringing electronic devices like your cell phone or electronic games. Most people these days cannot live without their cell phones, but without all of that, I guarantee that you will have more time enjoying nature and be able to relax with whoever you going on a trip without the distractions.

These steps seem small but they are very important. They offer a whole lot of benefit for your trip. I learned this lesson after my very first camping trip. Some may say that preparing can be boring but I say getting ready for the trip is just so exciting. So know what to bring and be ready to create unforgettable memories for your trip.

The U.S. Forest Service and the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian American Experience sponsored the Chinese Heritage Tour from July 20 – 26. For me, it was a vast scope of experiences. From the people to the locations, the tour as a whole was very interesting in the historical aspect. However, there are some ways that the experience could have been enhanced. To enhance the tour is to optimize the time used and spent everywhere.

Places like the Ah Hee Diggings were excellent uses of time.We had an ample amount of time to look around. I explored and looked at the long stacks of rocks as well as the surrounding area. I stepped over the mounds of rocks and saw the scraps of metal left over. Other places like the Kam Wah Chung and The Wing Luke Museum were both interesting in its explanation of the site and the history behind it. This was one of the best trips I personally have went on. I felt like there should be more of these places in the tour as opposed to other places.

The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center was far from a useful site for the purposes of the trip. Not only did we take an hour and one-half exploring the site, but the only things pertaining to our tour were two small artifacts with barely any documentation. Like me, other participants were also saddened by the lack of material. Because of this, a local community member, Bettie Luke, wrote a letter to the Center addressing this issue, in which I and everyone else signed in agreement to.

Speaking of things not pertaining to our tour, there was The Dredge. The Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area was where we saw a behemoth of a gold mining device. Personally I thought the Dredge was interesting and all, but it didn’t have a point connecting to Chinese heritage. I learned that the Dredge was used in large areas in which Chinese people could not claim. However the Dredge did create tailings — piles of gravel left behind by other people’s quest for gold — and offered an opportunity for Chinese miners to follow. The Chinese made their living off these tailings. Sadly, the management there specifically said that Chinese miners were not there. The time was not wasted but not as efficiently spent on these sites, which took time away from others.

The Building at the Pon Yam House was one of the better sites on this tour. Uncovering the mysteries behind certain items found were just some of the things that made me wish we were there longer. They even set up fruit and drinks for us but we left too quickly. Because of sites that we spent too much precious time on we lost time to stay at the Pon Yam and the surrounding buildings. Although running late is something no one can account for.

Tours are better when time between each location is optimized to enhance the experience. But this was probably one of the closest to perfection as organizing can go. During this tour the amount of time at each location was used well more than otherwise. I hope that during the next tour, the participants will spend more time at places of importance while still spending some at other places.