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internationaldistrict.org

Many exciting things are happening in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District neighborhood. There’s a fresh wind of developments and bustling energy around the area that’s dynamically revitalizing the district. Yesterday, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s front cover story featured the article, “Old Chinatown attracts new money: Developer, museum step in to renovate four historic buildings.” Link:http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/221639_chinatown26.html

There are heaps of activities to do in the International District (or “The I.D.” as what the community in the neighborhood fondly calls the area). Some suggestions are the following: [universally, we all love food, right?] eat an assortment of delectable dimsum (food-wise dimsum means “snack”— though the word literally means “touch the heart”) at countless appetizing Chinese restaurants or dine at numerous delicious Vietnamese, Thai, Cambodian, Korean, Filipino, and Japanese restaurants in the District; get your boba tea-on at oodles of bubble tea joints in every block; sip some soothing afternoon tea at the beautifully-restored peaceful surroundings of the Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee House; shop and support the cozy mom & pop grocery markets or frequent Uwajimaya— an Asian megastore of culinary goodness with an extensive international food court; walk down to the connecting blocks heading to Little Saigon (around 12th and Jackson)— there are tons of small markets and great restaurants in the area; take a morning or afternoon stroll around Hing Hay Park or the International District Children’s Park; play some hoops or volleyball, or take a relaxing yoga class at the International District/Chinatown Community Center— a City of Seattle Parks & Recreation Center; have fun and sing karaoke belting it out at the Bush Garden’s karaoke bar; stop by various dedicated and hard-working community organizations and social service nonprofits serving the Asian Pacific Americans in our city/state; and be sure to take a tour and view the compelling special and permanent exhibitions at the Wing Luke Asian Museum— the only pan-Asian Pacific American museum in the country dedicated to engaging the public in exploring issues related to the culture, art and history of Asian Pacific Americans; and also visit the Carlos Bulosan Memorial Exhibit at the Eastern Hotel— a memorial dedicated to the labor movements and the Filipino American history in the Northwest.

Seattle’s historic Chinatown/International District is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, rich with history and culture. For many years, the Chinatown/International District has served as the cultural hub for Asian Pacific Americans in the region. [Map and directions]

I proudly work in the International District and the neighborhood is a great place to be. The progressive close-knit and warm neighborly environs of the District is a wonderful community to be a part of.

For more on dining, shopping, and community services at the International District, visit http://internationaldistrict.org/community.asp. For further information about the history and cultural diversity of the International District, visit http://internationaldistrict.org/.

Visit the International District often and welcome to the neigborhood!