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King County makes extra shelter beds available during winter storm while non-essential offices are closed

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King County is making extra shelter beds available at the King County Administration Building through Wednesday night for people experiencing homelessness during the winter storm. The Jefferson Day Center at Fourth Avenue and Jefferson Street in downtown Seattle remains open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can call 2-1-1 to locate the nearest available shelter.

All King County Metro Transit buses are on snow routes, and many buses are running behind schedule. Metro proactively chained its fleet prior to the morning commute and has nearly all 1,500 of its coaches in service. Metro increased staff in anticipation of tough conditions and has been working behind the scenes to tow stuck coaches and address issues as they arise. Check MetroWinter.com for specific snow route information, especially as preparations are made for the afternoon commute.

All non-essential King County offices, meanwhile, are closed today.

Come Celebrate Walker Chapel A.M.E Church New Location

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Rev. Dr. Anna L. Clark-Jones

Walker Chapel A.M.E Church, Pastor, Officers and Members are devoted to spreading Jesus Christ’s liberating gospel, advancing social justice, and following the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We are a loving and welcoming church. Our Pastor, The Rev. Dr. Anna L. Clark-Jones is a visionary, innovator and a powerful woman of God.

 Come join us as we advance the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Church Office is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm
Sunday: 9-10:15am Church School 10:30am Worship Service
Wednesday: 11am-1pm Prayer Meeting and Bible Study Thursday: 6pm Bible Study Conference Call. We utilize Zoom Video Conferencing for our Thursday evening sessions. To access it please go to: https://zoom.us/j/629286776 Meeting ID: 629 286 776

2400 East Valley Road Renton, WA 98057
(425)226-2014  wcamechurch@yahoo.com

 

In Loving Memory of Frank Fields, Jr.

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Frank Fields Jr.

Frank Fields, Jr. of Seattle and Oklahoma City passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 28, 2019, at age 88, in his home in Renton, Washington.

Known for his friendly, open manner and giant smile, Frank was born in Osceola, Arkansas on February 4, 1930 as the only child to the union of Ophelia Willis and Frank Fields, Sr. He lived in Osceola with his aunt and uncle, whom he fondly called “Aunt Tinny” and “Uncle Britches” until he went to the Woodstock Training School in Memphis, Tennessee. As a high schooler, he came to Seattle to be with his mother and graduated from Garfield High School.

After high school, he joined the Merchant Marines and traveled the world for several years before returning to Seattle and taking a job as a meter reader for the Seattle Water Department in 1953. This proved to be an important job, as Frank created a career at the Water Department. He remained there, rising through various positions until he retired in 1983 as the Director for Customer Service.

While working at the Water Department, Frank discovered golf. He played golf with a passion until he was no longer able. He was active in the Fir State Golf Club, (the first African American golf

Frank was an active the Fir State Golf Club, (the first African American golf club in Seattle), the Eastside Golf Club and the Eastern Golf Club (OK).

club in Seattle), the Eastside Golf Club and the Eastern Golf Club (OK).

He married Joyce Dugat in 1951 and they had two children, Frank Michael, and Michelle Marie.

In 1973, Frank married Lilliantyne (Tyna) Hooks and became stepfather to her two children, Laneyse and Quinton Hooks. Frank and Tyna celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary in July 2018.

He was a member of First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Seattle and Avery AME in Oklahoma City. Frank will be remembered for his love of golf and playing chess with his friend Morris Byrd.

Surviving family include his spouse, Tyna; son, Frank Michael; daughter, Michelle; granddaughter, La’Shelle Chandler, her husband, Mike Chandler and grandson, Benjamin; stepchildren, Quinton and Laneyse Hooks and her husband Richard Marchi; cousin, Marion Winbush; nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, February 8 at 11:00 a.m. at First AME Church, 1522 14th Avenue, Seattle. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 6 at First AME from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Men’s Ministry, FAME South, 1522 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122.

 

 

Our heartfelt condolences to the family of  Frank Fields, Jr.
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Ezell’s 35th Anniversary Celebration “Legends and Legacies”

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Ezell’s Famous Chicken is celebrating 35 years in business on February 3rd. In it’s 35th-anniversary celebrations Ezell’s is recognizing and honoring pacific northwest legends and bridging the work of local nonprofits that are creating legacies all of February for
Black History Month.

Ezell’s Famous Chicken is a household name to metro Seattle and suburbs across the state. Ezell’s Famous chicken celebration of their 35th-anniversary gala on 2/23/2019 at the Space Needle will be a historic night in Seattle’s history books.
February 23rd will earmark more than a night to enjoy good company, food and the beautiful Chihuly Glass House and Space Needle. It is an evening to highlight Legends like Lenny Wilkens
– former Seattle SuperSonics player, coach and founder of Lenny Wilkens Foundation, Jordan Babaneaux- former Seahawks player, Jesse Winesberry former State Rep, Bob Donegan, CEO of Ivar’s and Nate Miles Eli Lilly who have long roots and legacies in Seattle while uplifting the future generation of small business owners and nonprofits that are grassroots.
Since February 3rd, 1984 Ezell’s has been a part of employing inner-city youth in the Central district and now throughout the Puget Sound Region. Lewis said he and Co-Founders still has relationships with many of the teens that worked for them in the early years and are mentors to some. They have been inspirational in some starting their own businesses.
Ezell’s is forming a foundation to highlight and support small business owners and nonprofits who have demonstrated a mission to prevent youth violence in inner urban cities. Ezell’s will highlight and support these organizations through introducing them to decision makers, and a network that is larger than their current network. Each awardee has demonstrated working with youth in youth prevention, mentoring, education and entrepreneurship.
The awardees are local young emerging leaders.: Kendrick Glover (GEMS) and Dominque Davis
(Community Passageway) are both receiving Mentoring Youth awards Crystal Townsend (Be Bold Be You) she will receive an unsung hero award for the expansion of her work with single moms and lastly, Jamie Elmore former employee of Ezell’s and now local nonprofit leader of (Alopecia Support Group)
Lewis Rudd, President of Ezell’s Famous Chicken said, “As a black owned and operated business
in Seattle for 35 years is indeed a legacy, we are proud of. The old saying it takes a village to raise children is the concept we live by at Ezell’s. It takes a community to raise a business and if it wasn’t for the community Ezell’s would not be a success”. He views the Awardees as being in the business of raising children and saving lives.

In the month of February Ezell’s is available for demonstrations with chicken, interviews about
the gala and legacy awards and we are inviting media to attend the gala or the VIP ceremony.

About Ezell’s Famous Chicken:
Ezell’s Famous Chicken was started over 30 years ago as a family-owned and operated business February 3rd, 1984.

The story began when the family moved from Texas to Seattle. Shortly thereafter they decided that they’d start a business making chicken like they used to back home in Texas. Lewis and the family saw their mission as simple: Provide FRESH and high-quality chicken and
GOOD homemade side dishes served with FAST and courteous service. In short, Ezell’s Famous Chicken had to be Fresh, Good and Fast!
The family opened the first store on February 3, 1984, in Seattle’s Central District at 501-23rd
Avenue, across from Garfield High School. Since then, they have built the family business into a
national franchise.
Since the very beginning, the founders of Ezell’s Famous Chicken knew they had a product that
the public would love. Their recipes called for using high-quality ingredients and preparing
everything fresh daily. All they had to do was get customers to “just try it once,” and they would
return for more.
Ezell’s Famous Chicken has become a household name in Seattle and developed a loyal
following throughout the Pacific Northwest. Today, there are several locations, a dedicated
catering division and two mobile food trucks to serve the growing customer base.

Aaron Pointer elected president of the Metro Parks Board of Commissioners

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Commissioner Tim Reid elevated to board clerk; both elected to serve in roles until 2020

Metro Parks Board of Commissioners chose Aaron Pointer to serve as president for the coming year. He succeeds Andrea Smith, who held the role in 2017 and 2018.

 

“Parks and recreation are a positive influence on this community,” Pointer said. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to lead the Park Board again. There are a lot of good things in store for the district in 2019, including park improvement projects and the growth of innovative programs that serve our community.”

 

Pointer, a retired parks supervisor and former professional baseball player and NFL referee, has served on the Park Board since 2001 and previously served as board president in 2012.

 

While serving in that role, he surprised and delighted the Japanese consulate general when Pointer addressed him in his native language while accepting a gift of flowering cherry blossom trees for Point Defiance Park. Pointer became fluent in the language while playing in Fukuoka, Japan, for the Nishitetsu Lions.

 

Also Monday, Commissioner Tim Reid was chosen as board clerk, the No. 2 position and a role Pointer most recently held in 2017 and 2018. Reid, who has served on the Park Board since 1995, has served as president and clerk before.

 

“We’re all looking forward to 2019,” Reid said. “There are so many good things happening in the district – and the Park Board is here to make sure the right things are done the right way, as far as the community is concerned.”

 

The Board of Park Commissioners sets policy for Metro Parks Tacoma. Commissioners serve staggered six-year terms and are elected by voters in Tacoma and parts of unincorporated Browns Point and Dash Point. The other commissioners are Erik Hanberg and Jessie K. Baines Jr.

 

Two-Thirds of Americans Report Hate Incidents Have Intensified Since 2016 Nearly 40 percent of incident perpetrators invoked Trump or alt-right

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More than two-thirds of Americans say that hate incidents have intensified during the past two years, according to a new report released today by the Communities Against Hate initiative (CAH). The report, Hate Magnified: Communities in Crisis, documents where hate incidents occur, which communities are most likely to experience hate incidents, and what form those incidents most often take. CAH officials said the report findings underscore the need for better data collection, comprehensive policy reform, and widespread support for combatting hate incidents.

Hate Magnified authors analyzed results from a Hate Incidence Poll conducted by Washington-based firm brilliant corners, in addition to nearly 4,000 incident reports submitted to the CAH online reporting database. The report also noted that 73 percent of Americans of Middle East or Arab descent experienced hate incidents, with 59 percent of Hispanic Americans and 47 percent of African Americans reporting the same experience. Notably, nearly 40 percent of those perpetrating hate incidents invoked the name of an alt-right hate group, President Trump, or Trump-related rhetoric, according to database submissions.

 

“The data are clear: Hate is pervasive in America,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference Education Fund. “While we have made tremendous progress as a nation toward celebrating our diverse communities, the collected data are alarming and underscore there is more to do. Our recommendations outlined in the report emphasize the need for better data, better policy, and better rhetoric to combat and defeat hate in this country.”

 

Other findings include:

  • 21.5 percent of hate incidents occurred on the street; 14.55 percent occurring at a business location; and 13 percent in private residences.
  • 84 percent of respondents felt hate incidents were prevalent today in our country.
  • 66 percent felt that incidents or expressions of hate are getting worse across our country.
  • 18 percent of respondents experienced episodes of depression following hate incidents, highlighting the mental wellness implications of a hate-filled climate.

 

A wave of hate broke over the United States following the 2016 elections, affecting people from all walks of life across the country. Civil rights organizations and partners founded the Communities Against Hate (CAH) initiative to document stories and respond to incidents of violence, threats, and property damage motivated by hate in the United States. The effort is led by The Leadership Conference Education Fund, in partnership with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and other civil rights organizations. The historic coalition provides a safe place for survivors and witnesses to share stories of hate incidents through an online database and telephone hotline.

 

Communities Against Hate released their report in the wake of a spate of hate crimes and incidents throughout the country. In October 2018, a white supremacist murdered two African Americans at a Kentucky Kroger supermarket after he unsuccessfully attempted to enter an African-American church. Soon thereafter, the tragic shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue represented the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in American history. The killer’s vicious attack left 11 dead, seven injured, and sent Pittsburgh and the nation reeling. Another egregious hate incident against a gay Black actor in Chicago just this week proves these are not isolated incidents but rather stark examples of a greater epidemic our country must address.

 

The nationwide Hate Incidence Poll conducted by brilliant corners surveyed 800 adults, with oversamples of 200 African Americans, 200 Hispanic Americans, and 200 Arab American/Middle Eastern Americans. The survey was conducted by phone and online, starting on September 30, 2018, and ending on October 16, 2018, and requested information regarding individuals’ experiences with hate incidents or expressions of hate over the last two years.

 

Report authors also provide concrete recommendations that leaders, organizations, and the general public should consider in their efforts to make all communities free of hate. The interactive report can be found at hatemagnified.org.

Communities Against Hate (CAH) is a national initiative led by The Leadership Conference Education Fund in partnership with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and a diverse coalition of national organizations and neighborhood groups, aiming to document stories and respond to incidents of violence, threats, and property damage motivated by hate in the United States. As a historic coalition of diverse national organizations and neighborhood groups, CAH provides a safe place for survivors and witnesses to share stories of hate incidents through our online database and telephone hotline. For more information, visit https://communitiesagainsthate.org/.

The Leadership Conference Education Fund builds public will for federal policies that promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. For more information on The Education Fund, visit http://leadershipconferenceedfund.org/.

 

 

What matters most to YOU?

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As your state representative, I strongly believe that I can’t represent you without finding out what matters most to YOU and your family!

Over the summer, when we weren’t in Olympia, I hosted two town halls, a dozen “Coffee with Kristine” meetings, and hundreds of meetings with neighbors from all across our South Sound. While I have introduced some important bills in direct response to feedback, I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the following bills I have introduced this session:

  • HB 1344 making childcare more accessible and affordable for working families,
  • HB 1629 making veterans access to property tax benefits better, or
  • HB 1518 ensuring that companies in our state are paying their fair share for employee healthcare,

I am most interested in continuing to check in with you on what matters most to you and your family.

Tell me what you think by filling out this short three minute survey.

The Washington State House of Representatives Housing, Community Development and Veterans Committee meets on January 23, 2019.

Fair Share Health Care introduced

I believe that health care is a human right, and corporations that just received massive federal tax cuts should not be putting the cost of their employees’ health care on the taxpayer’s dime, which is why last week I introduced Fair Share Health Care.

The legislation addresses employers with over 1,000 employees who do not currently supply health insurance coverage for workers, leaving them to utilize taxpayer subsidized healthcare through Medicaid.

In our health care system, large, profitable businesses should be supplying everyone with equitable coverage – whether they work in an office or warehouse. Families who work one or more full-time jobs should not have to worry about keeping their kids or themselves healthy.

Problem-solving over partisanship leads to consensus on deadly force initiative

It is easy to feel disillusioned by politicians who don’t seem to be able to work together to get things done for real people. It’s why it’s important to me to share an example of how government can work to solve problems for real people when we work together and focus on solutions rather than soundbites. Thanks to your support, we were able to respond to a complex challenge for communities and law enforcement alike.

When police shoot or kill someone, and the law doesn’t offer a clear path to justice for the victim, it does damage to the community, to the reputation of law enforcement, and to the notion of justice. For years, communities, especially communities of color, have been frustrated by the outcomes of interactions between police and members of the community. There have been too many instances where people in a mental health crisis end up injured or dead instead of receiving help.

Last fall voters approved Initiative 940 (I-940), which updates Washington’s statute on police use of deadly force. While I-940 was a great step forward in repairing the trust between the public and law enforcement, there are provisions that need to be more defined. Last session, community groups and representatives of law enforcement worked with lawmakers on language to clarify and strengthen the initiative.

Before the 2019 session began, that coalition of stakeholders called on the Legislature to move quickly and pass the clarifying and strengthening language agreed upon last year. That language is mirrored in House Bill 1064, which was introduced this session by my colleague, Rep. Roger Goodman. Together, I-940 and HB 1064 will improve public safety and interactions between police and the communities they serve by providing law enforcement with the tools to carry out their difficult jobs, while ensuring that victims of unnecessary violence can get justice.

I’m pleased to report that HB 1064 passed the House this week on a unanimous vote!

Black members form Black Caucus on MLK Day

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Black Caucus members, from left: Reps. Kristine Reeves, Debra Entenman, John Lovick and Eric Pettigrew. Not pictured: Rep. Melanie Morgan. Photo credit: LSS Photography

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the five black members of the House of Representatives established the Black Caucus, recognizing black leadership within the state legislature.

“Standing on the floor today, sharing my story I am reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.’  As a member of the Black Caucus my goal is to review, support and vote on legislation that is moral and just,” stated Rep. Debra Entenman (D-Kent).

“I’m here to stand up for all underrepresented communities, but as a black woman I can also ensure that black people’s concerns don’t get diluted or relegated to the bottom of the list in the legislature. Representation really does matter,” said Rep. Melanie Morgan, (D-Parkland).

Newly elected Reps. Morgan and Entenman will join Reps. Kristine Reeves, (D-Federal Way), Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle) and John Lovick (D-Mill Creek).

“Two years ago I was the first black woman elected to the State House in 18 years – almost two decades. This year I am thrilled to say that we have tripled the number of black women serving in the House,” Reeves said. “This is the most black women we have ever had in the House, and I am so honored to serve with them.” Just last week Reeves was named deputy majority whip, now one of two black members in House Leadership.

Throughout Washington’s history, only 19 black members – including the most recent cohort of legislators – have served in the House. Only four black members have served in the Senate.

“I’m proud to have a House of Representatives that looks like Washington state, one with a record number of women and a record number of people of color,” said Lovick. “We all share the same dream of equality and opportunity not for some, but for all the people of this great state.”

Lovick is the longest serving member of the Black Caucus serving from 1999 – 2007, and re-elected in 2016. He is the current Speaker Pro Tempore.

“Since joining the legislature, I have advocated for reforms to our criminal justice system, more support for struggling families, and better educational opportunities for students,” Pettigrew stated. “When these systems are broken, black people and black communities disproportionately feel the impacts. I am excited to work with the growing number of black legislators to remain centered on ensuring that legislative fixes are actually serving our communities.”

Pettigrew has served as the House Democratic Caucus Chair since 2010 – the third highest ranking position in the House.

Transportation Equity Workgroup: Call for nominations!

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Applications now open for our new Transportation Equity Workgroup!

A key part of our work at SDOT is to make sure people have access to affordable transportation options.  In Seattle, transportation is the second highest household cost after housing, and we know communities at risk of displacement bear the brunt of transportation inequities. That’s why, in alignment with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative goals, we established our Transportation Equity Program in 2017 and are focused on leading with a racial equity framework.

Defining transportation equity…with you! 

Well, we can’t (and shouldn’t) do it alone. We need to develop a shared definition, created hand-in-hand with the communities impacted most by transportation disparities. To do that, we’re establishing the City’s first Transportation Equity Workgroup (drumroll for our latest acronym…TEW), and applications are now open!

We’re seeking workgroup members to provide input on a set of recommendations to be considered in the development of a Transportation Equity Agenda, a framework for transportation equity goals and priorities.

Through the formation of the workgroup, we’re looking to bring together a diverse group of individuals affiliated with community-based organizations, coalitions or networks from Seattle’s racial and ethnic communities. The workgroup will foster community among participants through facilitated engagement and workgroup members will collaborate for one-year to provide community-guided suggestions to inform SDOT’s Transportation Equity Agenda.

Who should apply?

We’re looking for applicants with personal or professional expertise, and are affiliated with Seattle-King County located community-based organizations, coalitions, and networks from/or serving the following communities:

  • People of color
  • People with low-income
  • Immigrant and refugee populations
  • Native populations
  • People living with disabilities
  • People experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity
  • LGBTQ+ people
  • Individuals who identify as girls and women
  • Youth
  • Older adults
  • Individuals who were formerly incarcerated
  • High-risk displacement neighborhoods
  • Racial justice, environmental justice, and/or transportation justice-based organizations
  • Underrepresented and under-resourced human service providers and community-based organizations

We’re also looking for applicants with personal or professional experience with transportation programs, including knowledge of challenges and successes of transportation access in the community. In addition, applicants should understand the impacts of institutionalized racism and race-based disparities on communities of color and have an interest in working to eliminate these disparities. If you have additional questions about the application process, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.

 

How to apply + where to learn more.

If you’re interested in applying or looking for more info, head to our Transportation Equity Workgroup page. You can apply now through February 22, 5:30 PM. Application materials to submit include a nomination form from your affiliated community-based organization or agency, and the nominee’s responses to six application questions. If you have any other questions, connect with the program lead Annya Pintak at transportationequity@seattle.gov or (206) 684-5142.

 

Join us in person on Jan 31.

We also invite applicants to attend an upcoming event to learn more:

What:  Transportation Equity Workgroup learning session

When:  Thursday, January 31, 1 – 3 PM

Where:  Rainier Beach Library (9125 Rainier Ave S)

Transportation Equity Program staff will be on hand to answer questions about the application and workgroup process. We’re looking forward to getting this workgroup started and kicking off 2019 with a commitment to community engagement!

 

Uncontained Randomness – Little Saigon Looks to the Future

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Although historic preservation is often perceived as merely a matter of protecting buildings, it is also about honoring Seattle’s history, its myriad cultures, and the people whose lives are entwined with historic districts and buildings. It is no secret that Seattle’s rapid growth and redevelopment has put pressure on communities across the city. This three-part series examines how community members are working within the International Special Review District (ISRD), one of the City’s eight historic districts, to preserve the buildings and the stories that infuse them.

 

At the intersection where Boren Avenue meets Jackson Street and emerges as Rainier Avenue sits a sight familiar to many Seattleites – a bright red, boat-shaped building with the words PHỞ BẮC blazoned  across it and the yellow and red flag of South Vietnam at its prow. According to local lore, it was here that Seattle’s love affair with phở began. When its doors first opened in 1982, Phở Bắc was known as Cat’s Submarines – named for Theresa Cat Vu who, along with her husband, Augustine Pham, owned the sandwich shop. It wasn’t long after opening, however, that the family-owned restaurant shifted its focus from sandwiches to bowls of aromatic, savory soup. The iconic red boat and Phở Bắc quickly became a mainstay in Little Saigon and is now operated by Yenvy Pham along with her brother Khoa and sister Quynh. With the recent expansion of the International Special Review District (ISRD) to include all of Little Saigon (previously, the boundary ended at 12th Avenue South), Pham is excited about what the future holds for the neighborhood.

Yenvy Pham

Yenvy Pham

“There are so many opportunities!” said Pham. “This is a hot hub! We have huge stakeholders in the neighborhood who are Vietnamese. They have huge plans to redevelop and do some crazy stuff. I have a lot of hopes for the area!” Owing to shifting land use priorities for the area over the years, Little Saigon is a mixture of commercial, industrial, and warehouse spaces with some housing thrown in for good measure. Pham values this variety: “It’s a wholesale, kind of industrial zone. [There’s a] kind of commingling that is interesting and people have ideas of what they want to see in the neighborhood.” For Pham, this commingling isn’t simply about the differences in zoning. It also offers a possible roadmap for what the future development in the neighborhood might look like. “I’m really excited about the [Little Saigon] park and the pass-through between Jackson and King. Lam’s Seafood just bought an acre of land between King and Weller,” she said. “Once they redevelop, the passthrough could continue on to Weller. Hopefully, my organization, Friends of Little Saigon can start collaborating with Lam’s Seafood or Goodwill to have our cultural spots – our night markets.”

“It’s the next generation wanting to keep the nostalgic upbringing that we had here. Twenty years ago, it was very poppin’, very lively, a totally different feel than it is now. How do we adapt to the times—how do we modernize—but also keep the heritage alive?”

The expansion of the ISRD and rapid development around Seattle has prompted community members of Little Saigon to consider important questions about how to plan for the future while being mindful of the past. “It’s the next generation wanting to keep the nostalgic upbringing that we had here,” observed Pham. “Twenty years ago, it was very poppin’, very lively, a totally different feel than it is now. How do we adapt to the times—how do we modernize—but also keep the heritage alive?”

Concern for the character of the neighborhood and the communities that make use of the services that are provided there is one area where Pham sees the ISRD making a big impact in Little Saigon. “[The ISRD] will help by getting developers and property owners to be more conscientious of what they can – and want – to do for this area and asking how it benefits the cultural heritage of not just the Vietnamese community, but all the ethnic communities that have gone through here,” Pham stated. “We’ll guide [developers] to have a certain vision but have the flexibility to be kind of chaotic about it. There’s no preference for a certain structure, it’s more like having the passion and heart to make this area very characteristic.”

With plans for new housing, commercial spaces, and other development already being discussed, Pham speaks with confidence about the future of Little Saigon. “I think [Little Saigon] will always be what it always is – a really random array of random stuff and it shouldn’t be contained,” she said. “[People] just have to learn how to cope with us.”

Diners at Pho Bac Sup Shop

Diners at Phở Bắc