Asian Avenue magazine - July 2016

magazine

asian avenue Connecting Cultures Linking Lives

July 2016 Volume 11 Issue 7

Restaurant peek Menya Noodle Bar

WHAT IS HOME?

Reflections after the Kumamoto earthquakes

MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO celebrates 10 years of asian avenue magazine

DUNTON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE COMPANY DANCHEN ASTLE Senior Investment Broker Knowledge, Experience, Results Serving Denver since 2000

Direct: 720-382-7322 Cell: 303-332-5955 Email: Dastle@dunton-commercial.com Email AREAS OF EXPERTISE: • Acquisitions, Dispositions and Leasing • Commercial Real Estate Development Consulting • Land/Retail/Office/Mixed Use/ Industrial/Multi-Unit Housing • Business Opportunity Buy/Sell – Hotel, Oppo Restaurant & Hospitality • Speaks Chinese Mandarin & Cantonese Member of Denver Metro Commercial Association of Realtors (DMC AR), The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)

Call today for a free market analysis of your commercial property!

M

1

2

3

4

1. Denver, Capitol Hill Neighborhood,Turn Key Korean and Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar Business Opportunity; Under market long term lease in place.

2. Longmont, Convey Belt Style Sushi Bar and Restaurant Business Opportunity; Across from busy shopping center; Perfect for owner/operator.

3. Ft. Collins, Mediterranean Fast Casual Restaurant, in the heart of CSU; Can be turned into many other concepts.

4. Denver RiNo District, Ramen and Sake Bar for Sale, close to Taxi/Downtown/ Golden Triangle.

E T R O

D

E N V E R

FARMERS ’ M ARKET 9

Saturdays

SOUTHWEST PLAZA

Thursdays

Sundays

Saturdays

HIGHLANDS RANCH

Wednesdays

BROADRIDGE PLAZA

MAY 7 - OCTOBER 29 JUNE 16 - OCTOBER 13 MAY 8 - OCTOBER 30 AKEWOOD ITTLETON Southeast Parking Lot Broadway and Ridge Rd. Highlands Ranch Town Ctr. Wadsworth & Bowles JUNE 18 - OCTOBER 1 9288 Dorchester St. 6905 S. Broadway JUNE 15 - OCTOBER 12 8am-2pm or Sellout 10am-2pm or Sellout Aspen Grove Lifestyle Ctr. 10am-2pm or Sellout 9077 W Alameda Ave Alameda & Garrison 7301 S. Santa Fe Dr. (Mile Hi Church) 10am-2pm or Sellout 10am-2pm or Sellout

L

L

Check out our great recipes online!

For more information call the Metro Denver Farmers’ Market Hotline

303-887-FARM

www.denverfarmersmarket.com

asian avenue magazine

Happy 10 years!

This issue marks an exciting milestone for Asian Avenue. Check out the cover story to learn more about how the magazine began in July 2006. Thank you to the many staff members and contributors that have helped us get here today!

I truly believe this is a community magazine, driven and sustained by our own Denver community. The content each month is put together by accomplished writers and journalists, as well as many contributors who have never written before. They are just passionate community members highlighting stories they care about! Many high school students have been published for the first time in this magazine. Asian Avenue magazine has served as an outlet to share unique stories and perspectives about the Asian-American experience.

Take a look at the collage of past Asian Avenue covers - many of you have been featured over the years! 120 editions later, we have made a mark in Denver. We are the go-to resource for Asian events and organizations. We have connected organizations with people, people with organizations, and people with people! Connecting cultures and linking lives happens not only through these pages but at the community events we organize, including the lunar new year banquets, singles mingle mixers, Halloween and New Year’s Eve parties, joy of living dinners and more. While the Asian American Pacific Islander population is less than 4% in Colorado, we are underrepresented in many spaces. This magazine helps create more visibility for our community and raises awareness of the splendid diversity of Asian cultures. We are growing and there is still much to do!

We invite you to celebrate our 10th anniversary on Sunday, August 20 at our new office in Aurora. More information to come but please save the date for good food, fun entertainment and great company! We hope you have enjoyed the past decade as much as we have!

Annie Guo, President Asian Avenue magazine | www.asianavemag.com | aguo@asianavemag.com

asian avenue www.asianavemag.com SUBSCRIPTION

magazine

Get each issue sent to your home or business

MORE THAN 60% OFF EACH ISSUE! 1 YEAR 12 Issues for $25

Payment Enclosed

2 YEAR 24 Issues for $40

Bill Me

Name Address City/State/Zip Cell E-mail Comments Please send a check payable to Asian Avenue magazine.

Mail to P.O. Box 221748, Denver, CO 80222.

Visit www.asianavemag.com/subscribe to pay with Paypal or credit card.

P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222 Tel: 303.937.6888 Email: info@asianavemag.com Follow Us! @AsianAveMag

4

July 2016 | President’s Note

staff & support Publisher & Founder: Christina Yutai Guo President: Annie Guo Editorial and Marketing Manager: Sarah Shirazi Senior Designer: C.G. Yao Graphic Designer/Photographer: Anastasia Yagolnik Copy Editor: Jaime Marston Cook Staff Writer: Patricia Kaowthumrong Staff Writer: Mary Jeneverre Schultz Marketing Coordinator: Chun Guo Marketing Coordinator: Mai Choua Lee Photographer: Trang Luong

advisors group General Counsel: Michael C. Song Patty Coutts, Donna LaVigne, Nestor J. Mercado, Sum C. Nguyen, Alok Sarwal, Tom Shieh, John Yee, Nai-Li Yee, George N. Yoshida

contributing writers Ryan Abo, Shirley Chang, Masami Covey, Lisa La, Shelley Migaki, Danny Nguyen, O.D., Marge Taniwaki, Fion Wan

contributing photographers Ryan Abo, Chun Guo, Derek Okubo, Dennis Tran

on the cover This aerial photo was taken with a Phantom 3 drone with copies of Asian Avenue magazine laid out to read “10” for its tenth anniversary. Christina Yutai Guo and her daughter Annie Guo, the founders of Asian Avenue, celebrate this magnificent milestone.

Photo by: Danny VanDan Nguyen

subscriptions

To subscribe, e-mail info@asianavemag.com or visit asianavemag.com/subscribe. A oneyear subscription is $25 for 12 issues, a two-year subscription is 40 for 24 issues. Please make checks or money orders payable to Asian Avenue magazine.

For details about special corporate or group rates, please call during business hours: Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm. Shipping/handling included.

advertising Asian Avenue magazine offers businesses the most cost-effective way to reach consumers in the Denver/Boulder metro areas and beyond. For more information, call during business hours or e-mail us at marketing@asianavemag.com for our media kit and ad rates.

editorial To submit story ideas, letters to the editor or calendar events, e-mail info@asianavemag.com.

Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 1932-1449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine. Authors may have consulting or other business relationships with the companies they discuss.

Published by Asian Avenue Magazine, Inc. P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 | info@asianavemag.com

www.asianavemag.com Asian Avenue magazine is in association with the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network.

LINE ARRIVES JULY 25 westminster to downtown. by the numbers.

6

miles of commuter rail

79

miles per hour

1

new Park-n-Ride

parking spaces

2.60

local one-way cash fare

B

WESTMINSTER STATION

Get the details on the

350

line at rtd-denver.com

UNION STATION

CONTENTS

july2016

EVENTS

8 9

Event calendar Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloans Lake Park, July 30-31, is the largest dragon boat festival in the country!

14

RISING STAR

10

Jeffrey Chin receives early entry to Juilliard in New York City

BOOK REVIEW

12

Laugh from page to page with Radhika Sanghani’s Virgin

INSIDE STORY

13

Look good, feel good with your new hairdo from Hairdo Salon on South Federal Blvd.

COVER STORY ASIAN AVENUE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS Take a walk down memory lane as we

share how this mother-daughter duo

began a decade ago

14

FEATURE

19

THE MARKET

20

10 Tips on How to Win a Real Estate Bid in This Market by Realtor Lisa La

CHEF’S MENU

22

How to make a vegetarian curry

RESTAURANT PEEK

23

10

What is home? A personal reflection after an earthquake hits your hometown

Menya Noodle Bar on downtown’s 16th Street offers authentic ramen tastes from Kyushu, Japan

25

Asian American heroes honored at annual awards ceremony

28

The 40th anniversary of the Amache pilgrimage

29

Memorial day reflection

The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Colorado sign mutual recognition of driver licenses

Allstate Migaki Insurance awards scholarships to Denver Public Schools’ students

Why is it important to get your child’s eyes checked early and regularly?

BETTER LIVING

What is change management? In his lifestyle column, Tom Shieh shares The Perfect Strategy for Keeping Pace with Rapid Change

Asian Avenue Magazine, Inc. P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 | Tel: 303.937.6888 E-mail: info@asianavemag.com | www.asianavemag.com July 2016 | Table of Contents

27

HEALTH

26

6

ON SCENE

23 Find us @AsianAveMag

#AsianAveMag

Colorado Alliance for Health Equity and Practice FREE and LOW-COST Health Care

Quality medical examinations for diagnosis and treatment.

Vaccinations, blood tests and annual exams.

Dental and behavioral health care.

Female provider for pap smear and birth control tests.

Interpretation support for all our immigrant communities.

Physical Exams For: • Department of transportation (TNC: UBER, LYFT, SMART) • Immigration and citizenship • Sports, school, work and camp

Visit our booth at the Dragon Boat Festival, July 30-31!

Women’s Wellness Services

We provide FREE breast and cervical cancer screenings to women who qualify: • Ages 40-64 • Lawfully present in the United States • Uninsured or Underinsured (cannot afford the deductible) • Some income guidelines

New location opening!

12201 E. Mississippi Ave #103, Aurora, CO 80012 Located in the Paciic Ocean Marketplace Shopping Center.

WALKIN PATIENTS WELCOME!

Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Saturday by appointment 5250 Leetsdale Drive | Between Forest & Holly | Suite 110 | Denver 80246

Tel: 303-954-0058 | www.cahep.org

For more information call 720-873-6243 or visit our website today at: www.ColoEggDonor.com William Schoolcraft, MD • Eric Surrey, MD • Debra Minjarez, MD Robert Gustofson, MD • Jennifer Brown, MD

events upcoming University of Denver (DU) Amache Project Open House Saturday, July 9, 8am to 5pm

Amache Museum County Rd 23 5/10, Granada, CO 81041

Denver International Festival

Asian Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament

Saturday, July 23, 10am to 8pm

Civic Center Park, Denver, CO 80202 Cost: Free and open to the public More information: www.InternationalFest.org.

Thursday, July 28, 7:30am to 3pm

Fossil Trace Golf Club 3050 Illinois St. Golden, CO 80401 Costs: Individual $200; Foursome $800; Lunch only $50 More information: www.acccolorado.org

You are invited to Amache! The University of Denver (DU) Amache project is focused on researching, interpreting, and preserving the tangible history of Amache, one of ten WWII-era Japanese American internment camps. This summer, the University will be leading a month of field research at Amache and the Amache Museum in Granada, Colorado.

Join the Asian Chamber of Commerce for a day of golf, sun, camaraderie and networking at this beautiful course. Proceeds from this tournament will benefit the Asian Chamber Scholarship Fund in partnership with CU Foundation! Our business community has come together to provide support to students who are our future business leaders.

The Mile High City is home to more than two million Denverites representing hundreds of countries and cultures from around the world. The Denver International Festival is a celebration of the best traditional food, music and art here in our own backyard. Come dance, eat, drink and play in the heart of Denver at Civic Center Park.

8am - 1pm: Come watch archaeologists as they uncover the history of Amache on-site. Take a tour, learn about site survey, and watch active excavations.

1pm - 5pm: Visit the Amache museum. See the new exhibits and collections, and try to identify objects in the field lab.

For more information about the DU Amache project and directions to the camp go to: http://portfolio.du.edu/amache

8801 N. Pecos St. Federal Heights, CO 80260 (303) 427-SURF (7873)

This free community event will feature 30+ restaurants and food trucks, vendors, beer garden, live music and dance performances, DJs and live interactive art. This family friendly festival will also feature cultural displays, games, health and wellness activities, and a kid’s village. The Denver International Festival will not only be the city’s largest celebration of global art, music and food but is also giving back to less fortunate communities.

Fossil Trace Golf Club is one of Denver Colorado’s premier public golf courses designed by renowned golf course architect Jim Engh. Located in Golden, CO – Fossil Trace Golf Club is nestled adjacent to the foothills of the Rocky Mountain Front Range and only 15-minutes from downtown Denver.

Check out our Online Ticket Specials! www.waterworldcolorado.com

TWO NEW ATTRACTIONS!

Cowabunga Beach will be the first ever boogie-boarding wave pool.

Turtle Bay is a mini wave pool for toddlers and preschoolers with gentle waves, a waterfall and turtle-themed spray features.

8

July 2016 | Upcoming Events

g

16th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival celebrates richness of Asian culture at Sloan’s Lake Park WHEN Saturday & Sunday, July 30-31, 2016 WHERE Sloan’s Lake Park, 25th Ave. & Sheridan Blvd, Denver HOW MUCH FREE admission!

PARKING Sports Authority Field with FREE shuttle buses to the festival!

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (CDBF) celebrates its 16th year of showcasing Asian and Asian American culture at Sloan’s Lake Park on July 30-31, 2016 with live performances, authentic Asian cuisine at two Taste of Asia Food Courts, a colorful Asian Marketplace and Wellness Village and of course the ancient, exciting sport of dragon boat racing.

CDBF is the largest dragon boat festival in the country and the premiere summertime family event in the Rocky Mountain region, attracting 125,000 guests in 2015. The second-largest dragon boat festival in the U.S. is in San Francisco, and last year it drew 60,000 visitors.

Festival-goers can enjoy 100 performances on five stages, including traditional and contemporary performances on the Lakehouse Main Stage, cultural exhibits and demonstrations in the AARP Gateway to Asia performance and Martial Arts stages. Plus, celebrate contemporary Asian American culture on the Coors Light Band Stage and the Cultural Unity hip hop showcase!

They will also find fun shopping and authentic dining in the Asian Marketplace and two Taste of Asia Food Courts, and activities for kids in Dragonland. And of course, there will be two days of action-packed dragon boat racing, featuring a fleet of six Hong Kong-style dragon boats and three Taiwan-style “flag-catching” boats.

For more info: www.cdbf.org

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has become the region’s fastest growing, family-friendly summer festival and is the largest dragon boat festival across the U.S. CDBF offers festival-goers the opportunity to explore AAPI culture through performances, educational programs, arts and crafts, shopping, dining and the exciting athletic competition of dragon boat racing.

Back by Popular Demand Featured on the Lakehouse Performing Arts Stage is the signature Opening Ceremony featuring the Awakening the Dragon ritual on Saturday 10am. On Sunday at 10am, the audience is invited to participate in Obon dori, traditional Japanese folk dances led by the Denver Buddhist Temple Minyo Kai – it’s like line dancing, but in a circle! On Sunday evening, there will be a drum finale “collaborAsian” between Indian dance

by Mudra Dance Studio and Japanese Taiko drumming by Denver Taiko. They will awe the audience with beautiful traditional clothing and music!

More Food Vendors Than Ever When CDBF began 16 years ago, there were only five vendors serving food for the opening year crowds. The festival has built a reputation for great food over the years since, with some of the best authentic Asian cuisine and of course, a huge variety of food from across Asia. CDBF had 17 food vendors in 2015; they’re expecting a 30% increase in food vendors this year, with 23 vendors providing everything from Japanese and Laotian to Filipino and Indian menus, in the TWO Taste of Asia food courts. Come hungry and go home full of Asian cultures!

Bands on the Run Four years ago, the festival introduced the Coors Light Band Stage in the Beer Garden to showcase Asian American bands. The Coors Light Band Stage and Beer Garden is a ‘day’ club where you can enjoy the best contemporary rock, blues, jazz, funk and folk music

by Asian American musicians. Enjoy a cold one with friends while listening to tunes and watching dragon boat races from a lakeside view. The Coors Light Band Stage has become a showcase for the area’s talented AAPI singersongwriters, such as Wendy Woo and Kenny Lee Young.

Special Event | asian avenue magazine

9

Jeffrey Chin receives early entry to Juilliard At the young age of 15, Denver’s Jeffrey Chin has been admitted to the Juilliard School of Music’s pre-college division starting this fall. Professor Hung-Kuan Chen will tutor Jeffrey on the piano. In February 2016, Jeffrey was invited to audition at Juilliard and travelled to New York City with his parents. His intensive audition included music theory and ear training placement tests, as well as a live audition before a panel of Juilliard faculty members.

Chin began learning piano at the age of eight with teacher Jasmine Steadman in Aurora. Steadman discovered Jeffrey’s unusual musical ability when she assigned him an advanced piano composition, Wedding Day by composer Edvard Grieg.

Jeffrey demonstrated perfect pitch and a deep musical understanding, prompting Steadman to help propel Jeffrey’s talent further. She referred him to Larry Graham, a Juilliard graduate and former piano professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

This collaborative team of two outstanding teachers encouraged Jeffrey to enter the Steinway Piano Concerto Competition at age 11. He not only won the Middle School Division competition, he was also invited to perform Mozart Concerto No. 20 in D minor, First Movement with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra the following season under the baton of director Scott O’Neil.

Most recently, Jeffrey Chin was among 15 international Junior Category contestants selected to compete at the 2016 Midwest International Piano Competition (MIPC). He advanced through the semi-final and final competitions to capture the third-place prize in the Junior Category. Chin was the only pianist from the United States among the 15 Junior Category contestants to be awarded a top prize at this year’s competition.

Eric Larsen, one of the three MIPC jurists, said to Jeffrey, “Your Chopin Barcarolle was gorgeous. No one your age plays that piece as beautifully as you did.” This past year, Chin also participated in the Music Teachers National Association piano competition (MTNA), which involved three tiers of competitions over the course of five months. Jeffrey was declared the Colorado State MTNA Winner in October 2015 and the West Central Division MTNA Winner in January 2016. He was one of seven national finalists in the MTNA Junior Performance competition in San Antonio, Texas in April 2016.

Over the past seven years, Chin has won 16 top awards in piano competitions and has performed with several orchestras including the Boulder Symphony Orchestra, the National Repertory Orchestra, the Colorado Chamber Orchestra, the University of Denver Lamont Symphony Orchestra and the Breckenridge Symphony Orchestra.

Jeffrey’s interests outside of piano include travelling, math, science, and learning foreign languages. He has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout middle school and high school. In New York, he will attend the International Connections Academy, an accredited online school that allows him a flexible schedule to balance his academic and piano studies while studying at Juilliard.

10

July 2016 | Rising Star

Jeffrey Chin wearing his now favorite t-shirt.

]

Chin at his pre-college audition at Juilliard in New York.

Over the past seven years, Chin has won 16 top awards in piano competitions and has performed with several orchestras including the Boulder Symphony Orchestra, the National Repertory Orchestra, the Colorado Chamber Orchestra, the University of Denver Lamont Symphony Orchestra and the Breckenridge Symphony Orchestra.

A memorable Happy Father’s Day gift for Jeffrey’s dad!

Larry Graham and Jasmine Steadman congratulate Jeffrey at 2016 Midwest International Piano Competition.

Website: www.youtube.com/user/deweylana2006

bookreview Reviewed by Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Book Title: Virgin Author: Radhika

Sanghani

Website: www.radhikasanghani.com Follow her on Twitter at @radhikasanghani Facebook at @radhikasanghaniauthor

With reluctance, I started to read this book. Why reluctance? The title is not appealing to me if it were just be about a girl wanting to lose her virginity.

However, after the first several pages, the humor just grabbed me and I couldn’t stop laughing even in quiet spaces like on the plane or airport lounges. It is totally a laugh-outloud book.

That’s what Sanghani hopes to achieve in her first book with an added twist. “Mainly, I want my readers to be laughing the whole way through. But, I’d also love if it helped people recognize the social pressures and expectations that exist out there - especially sexual ones - and realize that they don’t have to give in to them,” she said. “That ultimately all that matters is what you want and what’s right for you.”

The shock value was not intentional. Sanghani meant the stories to be more in the fashion of advice. “I’m just trying to show real life. There are so many books out there that have these unattainable perfect heroines, who have unawkward perfect sex, and I just wanted to show that that’s not real,” she said. “There’s also this side of things that exists, which is awkward and hilarious and honest.”

In her debut book, British journalist Radhika Sanghani shares insights that only a young adult in this day and age could reveal in shocking details. The book accounts for the first time dating, getting picked up at bars and waxing for the first time. It makes this 40-something reviewer giddishly

12

July 2016 | Book Review

nghani Sa

ISBN-13: 978-0606356770 ISBN-10: 0606356770

Radh ik a

happy not to be in her 20s and dating. Although, I have to admit, I wish I read this book when I was 18 years old. It would have saved me the constant worrying and wondering what to do next.

Sanghani shares ‘Real life’ gave her inspiration. “I knew a few girls who were virgins in their 20s and I saw how difficult they found it - they so often felt like they were the only ones in that position.” she says. “Also just being at an university, I was surrounded by this sexual pressure where every drinking game revolved around sex. I was so weirded out by it that I really wanted to explore it further.”

Even if you don’t find it humorous, at least read the book, with a list of tips from an older sister. “I think it would be good if they took some practical advice away - such as, check exactly what kind of bikini wax you’re getting when you ask for one with an unusual name,” Sanghani said.

To first-time fledging authors, Sanghani advises to take the plunge into the deep end. “I had no idea anyone would ever like Virgin let alone want to publish it, and turns out they do,” she said. “I’d love for new writers to do the same, but also to be brave and do something different even if you’ve never seen it before, and you’re not sure it will sell.”

Exchanging messages through Twitter and Facebook has allowed Sanghani a way to communicate with her reader base. “Social media means that I can chat to people reading my book all over the world – it’s amazing,” she said.

Look good, feel good with your new hairdo

By Fion Wan

Hairdo Salon

1042 S. Federal Blvd.

Denver, CO 80219 Tel: 720-519-1254

Photo Credit: Dennis Tran @thehighlyselective

W

hen it comes to opening a new hair salon, it isn’t easy starting a business and finding success early in its growth. Monica Nguyen has been able to achieve both within a year of opening her salon, Hairdo. Not only has her clientele base grown beyond what was initially expected, she has built a base of loyal young, hip Millennials who want trendy hair styles that exuberate their confidence.

After seeing my friend flaunt her new balayage hairstyle during lunch one day, I immediately called Monica for an appointment. I had wanted to try this new trend for some time, but was too nervous to make the leap. It has been historically difficult to lighten dark hair without a traumatic experience. After spending a lot of time on her Instagram page, I saved the pictures I liked of the looks I wanted. Needless to say, my hair came out better than I had expected.

Monica’s story of how she got into the hair salon industry might not be much different than others. With a leap of faith, she decided to take a class on hair and has never looked back. However, my beautiful new hair was not the only thing that impacted me. What really stuck with me is Monica’s philosophy of hair and much

confidence I felt walking out of her salon.

The inspiration and dedication to this industry stems from Monica’s desire to help others look and feel great about themselves. She strives to build up one’s confidence through their hairstyles because the mantra “look good, feel good,” holds a lot of truth to it. A person’s hairstyle is a great defining factor in their overall being. When you loves your hair and feel great about it, it reflects in your confidence, presence and overall morale.

Monica and her cousin, Tony Pham, took the time to work on every section of my hair and really understand the color and style I was trying to achieve. Meanwhile, they listened to my story and took the time to learn about me and build a friendship. I left the chair feeling empowered, cared for, and ready to take on my daily life with this newfound confidence.

After having such a great experience at Hairdo, I cannot imagine my life without Monica and her presence. I am thankful for a stylist who genuinely cares about me by making sure I have hair I love.

Not only does she understand and follow the latest trends, Monica Nguyen helps build confidence for a person to stand tall and proud.

Inside Story | asian avenue magazine

13

120 editions introducing

85 community leaders and rising stars 102 cultural tidbits 152 restaurants + 34 Asian recipes and topics such as adoptive families, Asian health and diet, religious centers, refugee resettlement, LGBT Asian Americans, voting and elections, the Denver market, and more!

14

July 2016 | Cover Story

theMother

Daughter

By Annie Guo President, Asian Avenue magazine

DUO

Reflecting on the past decade, much of the success and growth of Asian Avenue magazine can be attributed to one individual, Christina Yutai Guo. My mother. Not only was the creation of the magazine her brilliant idea, but when the going got tough, her toughness certainly got going.

Whenever my 20-something self grumbled about how time-consuming this magazine was, my mom would say, “We keep going.” Since July 2006, no matter the challenges, each issue would print as scheduled every month, like clockwork. Now that I am 30, I can say I spent the last decade doing something important and meaningful for the people of Colorado, and I have my mom to thank. She has taught me some of life’s most important lessons: commitment and perseverance.

As many magazines and newspaper publications have folded, Asian Avenue has found its place in Denver. It has become a community favorite, a resource for Asian-American news and culture, and a great way to pass the time while waiting to be seated for dim sum or sushi.

Join me in a walk down memory lane and learn more about how this family business all began. We’d also like to thank many of you who have helped us get this far. We hope you will join us on Sunday, August 20 at our 10th anniversary celebration.

Coming to America

My mom, Christina, was born in Taipei, Taiwan. She graduated from Taiwan’s Fu-Jen University with a major in Mass Communication. She began her career as a reporter for a magazine, similar to America’s TV Guide, and then went on to be the Executive Editor of a magazine for CATHY, a publication company. She also helped to edit Taiwan’s first edition of the encyclopedia. Thereafter, she worked at a recording studio, Kung Mei, in public relations, writing press releases and articles promoting singers to Taiwan’s media outlets.

Before moving to the States, she married my father, Chwen-Geng, and they had two daughters and a son. Our family emigrated to the United States in 1987 and chose

The first issue of Asian Avenue magazine started in July 2006.

Denver, Colorado as our home. At this time, my mom began serving Colorado’s Asian community.

She became a teacher for the Chinese Language School and was also a board member of Colorado Chinese Club and Chinese Youth Foundation.

Due to the language barrier, she thought she would no longer be able to pursue her journalistic career. With the help of my aunt who was already resettled in Denver, my mom took up a new career in retail, selling sunglasses.

How it all began

In 2004, I graduated from John F. Kennedy High School without a clue what I wanted to study in college. While in school, I wrote for the school newspaper as well as a local paper called 10 Year Anniversary| asian avenue magazine

15

My mom living in Taipei,Taiwan

A tribute to my mom just to embarrass her...

The Denver Herald Dispatch. My family encouraged me to pursue a career in journalism. My dad, like my mom, was also a former writer; he wrote screenplays for movies and had always wanted to publish a book. With their support, I moved to Columbia, Missouri to go to the “J-School.” For the next few years, my mom would talk about starting a magazine in Denver.

In the summer of 2006, we began bringing this idea into fruition. We hired a graphic designer and in the back of My mom, Christina Yutai Guo, came to the States in 1987. In this photo, I am holding her leg, my sister is holding her snacks and we are at the Taipei airport on our way to Denver.

my mom’s sunglass store, brainstormed magazine ideas until the cows came home. We considered a few titles including “Asian Flavors” and “Colorado Asian Times,” but ultimately my mom loved “Asian Avenue.”

Of course, she was unaware of the hit AsianAve.com website that was widely used by Asian Americans of my generation. AsianAve.com was a social networking site that launched in 1997, long before the days of Facebook and around the same time as MySpace. Many people still get excited when they see the Asian Avenue name of the magazine, wondering if there is a connection. There is not.

My mom just liked this title the best.

In July 2006, we printed our first issue and distributed it at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. The cover story featured the festival, which is the largest panAsian event in our state. The rest, as they say, is history.

The need in Colorado

More than a glossy, colorful, informational bulletin that people look for each month, Asian Avenue magazine is serving a need in Colorado. Less than 4% of the state’s population is Asian-American/ Pacific Islander. Our community is small and often not represented. Prior to the magazine, when we would contact the local media and news channels about our Asian events, we would not hear a response. Mainstream media were often disinterested in cultural news and events.

This was motivation for our community to create an outlet to share information.

16

July 2016 | Cover Story

We also needed to breakdown the stereotypes and misperceptions of Asians often portrayed on TV. The magazine was on a mission to make a difference. Our tagline became “Connecting Cultures, Linking Lives.” Our aim was to bring together people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to connect and learn from each other. Half of our readers are not of Asian descent; they are a diverse mix of Caucasian, African-American and Latino people interested in Asian traditions, heritage and food!

For many, if you do not have an Asian family member, friend, or coworker, it may be hard to try new Asian foods or understand aspects of Asian culture. The magazine became the “in” for many people who otherwise did not have an introduction into the Asian experience.

Hosting community events

Over the years, we’ve hosted events to allow us to meet our readers and connect with their lives. In 2009, we founded a 501(c)3 organization, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN), to promote Asian cultural education and awareness through activities. The board members were concerned that the younger Asian generations are losing their culture.

Therefore, we began organizing for the Miss Asian-American Colorado Leadership Program. In 2008, 28 Asian-American women, ages 18-25, participated in leadership workshops and community service activities. This program continued for much of the decade uniting

“

The magazine was on a mission to make a difference. Our tagline became “Connecting Cultures, Linking Lives.” Our aim was to bring together people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to connect and learn from each other. women of all Asian backgrounds to collaborate and grow together as leaders.

Other events we have organized include the annual Singles Mingle mixers and Lunar New Year banquets, as well as an acoustic concert featuring David Choi, and the Asian Film Series events.

For several years, we also hosted the Joy of Living dinners where we would take our readers to try different Asian restaurants bi-monthly. This was a fun way to introduce readers to new foods.

We also put together a number of Halloween, New Year’s Eve and Mardi Gras parties. Thank you to many of you who have joined us at these events!

10th anniversary celebration

We wouldn’t be here without you! You’re invited to celebrate 10 years! On Saturday, Aug. 20, from 2pm to 6pm, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Asian Avenue magazine at our new office. The address is 12201 E Mississippi Ave, #101, Aurora, Colorado 80012.

Please join Asian Avenue for cultural performances and music, to celebrate this journey with us, and of course, to enjoy some delicious Asian food! Free event with a suggested donation.

More information will be printed in the August issue and posted on our Facebook page: facebook.com/AsianAveMag.

Looking ahead

The next few years is all about growth.

We hope to expand our staff, advisor group and readership. Please reach out to us if you are interested! We also plan to further develop our online presence.

We are always open to your comments and suggestions. Please contact me directly at aguo@asianavemag.com.

Thank you for all the support over the years! We hope you keep reading! Keep helping to bridge our diverse communities. Keep the dream of a first generation immigrant alive. Keep her daughter busily working. And if you can keep doing all of that, then... “We keep going.”

a walk down memory lane

Asian Avenue magazine’s (AAm) first office in the Far East Center (2006).

The original AAm staff in 2006.

AAm’s Miss Asian American Colorado Leadership Program launched in 2008.

AAm hosts an annual Lunar New Year dinner to celebrate with food, lion dance and arts (2010).

Guests at AAm’s Halloween party at 1515 Lounge in 2012.

AAm receives the Community Award from Asian Education Advisory Council in 2015.

10 Year Anniversary| asian avenue magazine

17

thank you! thank you!

There are truly too many people to thank, especially if you are reading this - we want to thank you too! But here are those who have contributed to the magazine in various ways over the years.

Editorial Directors + Managers

These individuals truly shaped Asian Avenue into what it is today.

Gil Asakawa Jan Bryant Angel Chi Keith Lin Joe Nguyen Sarah Shirazi Erin Yoshimura

Staff

Derek Brou Eve Chan Yu-Shan Chen Joy Chiu Jaime Marston Cook Michael Gorniak Naomi Huang Shih Hao Kuo Mai Choua Lee Xiaopeng (Penny) Li Anh Thu Nguyen Alex Mai Phi Mary Jeneverre Schultz Eddy Tang Anastasia Yagolnik

Photographers

Mitchell Dao Ashton Do David Guo + Hieu Nguyen Tommy Han Daniel Huynh Brandon Iwamoto Young B. Kim Trang Luong Jon Nguyen Dao Than Kit Williams

Interns

Monica Lin Allison Riley Akemi Tsutsui

Community Supporters

Advisors

Patty Coutts Donna Lavigne Nestor and Elnora Mercado Sum Nguyen Alok Sarwal Tom Shieh Michael Song John and Nai-Li Yee George Yoshida

George Yoshida (left) and Sum Nguyen (right) are advisors to Asian Avenue magazine.

18

July 2016 | Cover Story

Jan Bryant, former Operations Manager, at Asian Avenue’s 2009 Lunar New Year Dinner.

David Guo and Hieu Nguyen have taken many of the magazine’s cover photos.

Writers

Diana Aqra Harry Budisidharta Wayne Chan Mark Chung Joie Ha Jack Hadley Yunita Hoo Jinny Kim Rick Kim Katleen Mara Luistro Jessica Moy Kiet Nguyen Nicole Nguyen Brenda Pearson Perry Santanachote Harrison Tu Brenda Velasquez Douglas Wagner Pakou Xiong Peggy Yujiri

Frankie Anderson Soyon Bueno Fran Campbell Maria Cheng Angela Cho Ivy Hontz Jimmy La Clarence Low Tom and Shelley Migaki Mary Monzon Aurora Ogg Hing Ryder Pam Sweetser Lily Shen Barbara and Chung Tung John Wright Linda and Jimmy Yip

Sarah Shirazi, Editorial and Marketing Manager, (right) with Annie, President of AAm (left) at the 2015 Asian Avenue Halloween party.

What is Home?

The recent Kumamoto earthquake is both personal and poetic The Kumamoto earthquakes in Japan were a series of earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.0 mainshock which struck on April 16, 2016.The earthquakes killed at least 49 people and injured about 3,000 others in total. More than 44,000 people have been evacuated from their homes due to the disaster.

By Masami Covey

Frozen white plum blossoms in the spring snowstorm.

Do they ever wonder if they can survive it?

Or is it just me, worrying from the window inside?

I watched helplessly as my home shook and rumbled, as the earth trembled. The ground slid sideways, lifted upwards, and violently dropped, over and over again relentlessly, as the people of my hometown experienced over 600 aftershocks.

The northern part of the island moved east, and the southern half moved west, slicing the unsuspecting city of Kumamoto, Japan right down the middle.

What is home?

Since I first left my home at age 15, I have never stopped calling Kumamoto my home. It is where I took my first step. It is where I learned to ride a bike. It is where I had my first kiss. And it is the only home I know.

I know all the shortcuts and back streets like the back of my own hand. Kumamoto, “the capital of water and green,” offered me a place of refuge and endless playgrounds. It taught me poetry through mountains, trees, and rivers. Kumamoto was also a tough place to grow up as a half-Japanese and half-American kid. It could have torn me in two if I hadn’t fought against the racism I faced all day, every day.

I have lived in many places over the years. I’ve traveled

around the globe and landed in many places that I grew fond of, but Kumamoto has remained my home. But what is home?

I am forced to ask this question as familiar buildings, houses, temples, shrines, the old castle, and even the mountains crumble to the ground. Like a beautiful sand mandala, the place I call home, my singular place of familiarity, has been dismantled in the blink of an eye—without warning, without ceremony, without permission, without preparation.

We want to think of home as a dependable place: a safe haven, a shelter from storms and disasters. What are you to do when your own home crumbles from the ground up, when bombs and bullets decimate it, or when it is itself a place where violence is concealed behind closed doors?

What is home?

Is there a place that cannot be broken? Is there a place where the earth won’t someday split and shudder the ground with violence? Is there a place where tender spring leaves protected by blossoms can be guaranteed to welcome the summer breeze? Is there a place that can

remain forever still?

I finally reached my mom and my brother by Skype. “We are fine. But the real work begins now,” she said with characteristic Japanese stoicism.

My 81-year-old mother waved cheerfully with confidence through the screen. A woman from small-town Japan who lived through WWII, my mother watched her city burn to the ground, lost loved ones, marched in the American Civil Rights movement, and lived in constant fear during my father’s Fulbright work in Eastern Europe in 1960s.

She was always the kind of mother that told me to get back up when I fell and to wipe my own tears. Not much shook her and certainly nothing truly broke her, even though many events could have. She is like a spring releasing groundwater from the earth—she never quits.

My mother always said that it is worth living one day longer, just to be in awe of experiencing life on this earth. And it has been quite the experience for her.

Charles Dickens said, “Home is a name, a word. It is a strong one; stronger than any magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered

Masami Covey is from Kumamoto, Japan, and is a friend of the Takayama-Denver Sister Cities Committee.

to, in the strongest conjuration.”

Home is perhaps where you can tap into that unyielding grit with grace. That place within where you trust that you can get through whatever this is in the moment and get back up, wipe your own tears.

Home is stronger than anything, and it becomes our source of courage in times of despair. As the destruction in Kumamoto reminded me, that place exists not in some magical location in the world, but inside us. It is a place that can and will withstand powerful forces like earthquakes, even when hundreds of aftershocks strike, over and over again. It is the place in us that stands strong, no matter what happens.

“Don’t worry, it will be alright,” Mom waved goodbye as she clicked off of the screen.

I walked outside with a broomstick to shake some heavy snow off of the delicate plum tree. As I approached the frozen blossoms, they dosed me with their sweet smell. I smiled, wiping my tears.

The tender spring leaves protected by these blossoms will most certainly sway in the summer breeze.

Feature | asian avenue magazine

19

10

Tips on How to Win a Real Estate Bid in This Market

With hundreds of people moving to Colorado each day, we are experiencing historically-low inventory levels of homes on the market. The lack of homes and rising prices mean that buyers should make sure to search for a new home with an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and a ton of patience.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 20

Make sure your real estate offer is concise and free from errors. The less that the buyer asks for such as closing costs, additional provisions etc., the more appealing the offer will look.

Work with an agent who has time for you. Homes are selling within days, even hours. You have got to move fast and so does your agent!

Get pre-approved and work with a reputable mortgage lender. It is imperative to attach a lender letter to the offer.

A buyer may consider writing a personal letter, and include a picture, to let the seller know that their property is going to be in good hands after the sale.

Give the seller a reasonable response time.

Pushing someone to make a decision too quickly could make a seller feel rushed and therefore reluctant. Make sure your agent is following all of the necessary directions from the listing broker.

By Lisa La, Broker Associate RE/MAX Professionals

8 9 10

Know the maximum amount of your loan for which you have qualified. For example, if it is $150,000, you may want to start your home search in the $130,000 - $140,000 range to allow for bidding over asking price, if necessary.

Consider contingencies. Examples may include: appraisal contingencies, escalation clauses or post closing occupancy agreements that allow the seller free rent for a period of time.

Do your research prior to submitting an offer.

Know how much the seller bought the house for and have your agent send you “comps” on what the home is actually worth. An unrealistic offering price may not always be the most appealing due to issues with appraisals.

While buyers should never compromise their rights, Colorado is a tough real estate market right now.

There are things that cannot be changed such as the location or layout of the home. However, there are things that can be fixed or replaced such as carpet, painting, appliances, etc. when someone turns a house into a home.

Happy house hunting!

Lisa La, ePro

Have your lender call the listing agent after the offer is sent. Anyone can write a “pre-approval” letter and say you are qualified, but it helps to go that extra mile and ensure that your financing is secure.

Agree to do the inspection as soon as possible after going under contract.

July 2016 | The Market

Lisa La and her family

Realtor 390 Union Blvd. Suite #100 Lakewood, CO 80228 Direct: 303-985-4555 Cell: 303-669-5255 Email: lisa.la@remax.net Website: www.lisa-la.com

Golden Shanghai Asian Restaurant

● The Best Chinese Restaurant by 710 AM Restaurant Show ● The Best Chinese Restaurant by the 1430 KEZW Restaurant Show ● Voted 2007 Top 100 Chinese Restaurant in the US

1412 S. Parker Rd. A-134 Denver, CO 80231 (303) 743-7666 (303)743-9079 (303)743-8210

T

his summer recipe takes advantage of a vegetable mélange, though bamboo shoots and bok choy remain dominant in the dish. And while there are many ingredients in this recipe, the cooking time is relatively short (less than 30 minutes to prepare). The massaman curry paste used for the sauce points toward a Muslim origin, or even Goan-style dishes, while coconut milk and peanut adds a distinct Thai twist.

Vegetarian Peanut Curry

Ingredients

(serves 4)

• 2 tsp canola oil

• 1 carrot, sliced • 1 large tomato, sliced • 6 mushrooms, sliced • ½ zucchini, sliced • ½ cup sliced cauliflower • ½ cup sliced asparagus • ½ cup snow peas • ½ cup water chestnuts • ½ cup baby corn • ½ cup bamboo shoots • ½ cup parsley • 2 cups sliced bok choy

For Sauce

• 1/3 cup peanut butter • 1 ½ cup coconut milk

• 1 Tbsp curry powder • 1 Tbsp massaman curry paste • 1 tsp salt • 2 Tbsp sugar

22

July 2016 | Chef’s Menu

Method #1 Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat.

#2 Add vegetables and cook for 6 minutes. Mix the ingredients of the sauce in a medium-mixing bowl.

Pour sauce into pan over the vegetables, and stir to combine.

#3 Turn up the heat, and bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens, about 6 minutes.

Serve over steamed rice.

Menya Noodle Bar

By Annie Guo

951 16th St. #104, Denver, CO 80202 | 303-607-8888 5910 S. University Blvd. #B-1 Greenwood Village, CO 80102 | 303-798-1111

Summer Menu: Kale Noodles

You may have seen downtown Denver’s newest noodle house while riding the 16th Street Mall shuttle. Hop off at Curtis Street to check out Menya Noodle Bar and enjoy the izakaya, traditional Japanese small plates, and exceptional ramen bowls. Menya’s contemporary, Japanese-influenced decor includes a large symbol of Menya, which means “noodle bar” in Japanese, painted on the wall. Having opened its doors in March 2016, Menya Noodle Bar has quickly become a favorite spot for downtown professionals and passersby alike.

“We already have repeat customers coming in to try all the different items on the menu,” says manager Johnny Pham. “Some who have visited Japan or regularly do business there have said we are the closest thing to Tokyo.”

That must be because of head chef Yamaguchi San*. With more than 19 years of Japanese culinary experience, he is meticulous about finding the perfect balance of the various tastes of bones in order to master the broth.

“American pork is not as strong so we have to balance the flavors of the pork leg with chicken and pork broth,” says Yamaguchi San. “Then the broth is slow cooked for two days.”

This process of making the broth comes from his hometown, Kyushu, in southwest Japan. He says, “It is important to keep the tradition of my hometown. It is a very delicate balance to also know when to add the ramen so it does not overcook.”

Finding that perfect balance consistently with each bowl is especially complex during Menya’s lunchtime rush.

www.menyacolorado.com

Gesso Ika

“Sometimes we will have 20 orders at once, and Yamaguchi San is experienced in keeping the flow of the kitchen moving,” says Pham. “When people hold up the bowl and slurp the broth, that is the greatest compliment to the chef.”

During our visit, we started with the Gesso Ika, deep fried squid legs, as an appetizer. These are especially delicious when served hot with a splash of lemon. The Chasu rice bowl with roasted and sliced pork belly is a fantastic lunch option at only $6.50. In fact, all of the menu items are under $11 and do not increase at dinnertime. While some restaurants have a lunch and dinner menu, Menya’s dishes are available all day at the same affordable price.

Now, on to the ramen. In September 2015, Menya won the “People’s Choice Award” at the Denver Ramen Challenge. The Tan Tan Men made of spicy pork, bean sprouts and kikurage, or wood ear mushroom, is the most popular ramen bowl on the menu.

Menya is unique in that all of its ramen dishes can be made with rice noodles, or pho, which is highly popular for those looking for gluten-free options.

The Yasai Men is the vegetarian option with fresh vegetables in a seaweed kombu broth. If you enjoy your ramen with a kick, try the Spicy Miso Men or use the homemade kaishi, Japanese hot sauce. In the hot months to come, Menya will have a summer menu with cold, healthy dishes such as kale noodles with sesame sauce and cold tofu with a light onion sauce.

The concept of a sit-down, but fast service noodle bar is popular in Los

Tan Tan Men

Angeles and Las Vegas. While visiting these cities, restaurateur J.W. Lee, and owner of Wasabi Sushi, became interested in this new and simple concept; he reached out to partners Yamaguchi San and Mune San and remodeled the 16th Street space in less than three months.

Lee says, “People like the uniqueness and Japanese style of our restaurant, especially because most restaurants on 16th Street are franchises.”

In addition to its downtown location, Menya Sushi Bar has a second location in Greenwood Village. While the two locations have slightly different menus, both offer a marvelous taste of Japan. *San means “Mr.” in Japanese.

Menya’s partners Mune San, J.W. Lee and Yamaguchi San (left to right)

Johnny Pham, Menya Noodle Bar manager Restaurant Peek | asian avenue magazine

23

Do you see yourself in a new home?

...as in completely NEW! The first step to buying a new construction build is to find a great agent!

CONTACT SOUPANY TODAY!

A common misconception when purchasing new construction is that you don’t need an agent.

• That friendly and helpful salesperson works for and represents the builder’s interest and the builder’s interest only. Shouldn’t you have independent representation?

• An agent can give you objective professional advice and insight during all phases of the process, such as contract, construction, walkthrough, and closing.

• An agent is your exclusive advocate and will help you understand your contract and obligations including when to schedule construction inspections.

• While the sale representative will always give the appearance that sales prices are non-negotiable, and experienced agent can use recent and historical sales data to aid in the negotiation. Data that is not always readily available during new construction.

• An agent has knowledge of and can leverage contracts, real estate law and the real estate community when things go awry with the builder. AND THEY CAN AND OFTEN DO. • A buyer’s agent costs you nothing as the builder has allocated a sales commission to be paid to a buyer’s agent as most consumers are represented for the above reasons.

When a buyer does not use a buyer’s agent, the builder either pays their sales representative a higher commission or pockets the savings.

SOUPANY SAIGNAPHONE Real Estate Agent 720-771-2121 Soupany@comcast.net

When Johnny got elbowed in his right eye during soccer practice, he realized he could not see anything in his left eye either. He told his mom and she took him to the optometrist.

After the exam, the doctor fortunately said that Johnny’s right eye would heal just fine, but his left eye was diagnosed with amblyopia and would never see clearly, even with glasses or surgery.

Why? Why should you have your child’s eyes checked early in life?

If you are waiting for your child to tell you when they are experiencing problems with their eyes or vision, then you could be waiting awhile.

Since children do not have anything to compare blurred vision or irregularities to, they may not complain.

Colorado law actually mandates multiple vision screenings in school, starting in kindergarten. Technology has made it easy for school nurses to perform these vision screenings quickly - but that is a lot of students and a lot of eyes to check. Furthermore, screenings do not check for any eye health-related issues, even at the pediatrician’s office.

It is recommended for parents to have their child’s first eye exam at three or four years old.

TIME FOR AN EYE EXAM

By Dr. Danny Nguyen, O.D.

Amblyopia, sometimes called “lazy eye”, is a common condition affecting 1 out of every 40 children.

What is amblyopia?

How do you treat amblyopia?

Starting from birth, our brain begins developing vision and completes the process around eight years old.

“Amblyopia” is the term used when the brain has fully developed its understanding of vision, the eyes are relatively healthy, but the patient is still unable to see 20/20 even with glasses.

This means throughout the child’s life, the brain was never stimulated with clear vision and may lead to a “lazy eye.” This can be caused by a large, uncorrected prescription in one eye (anisometropic), both eyes (isometropic), an eye turn which prompts the brain to “turn off” that eye (strabismic), or something that physically blocks the line of vision, such as a droopy eyelid or a cataract (deprivation). In addition to decreased vision, poor or nonexistent depth perception may occur.

An optometrist will perform a comprehensive dilated eye exam, specifically checking for a glasses prescription and also looking for an eye turn like a lazy eye or crossed-eye.

If amblyopia is diagnosed under eight years old, there is a good chance that the brain can be stimulated with clear vision, thereby preventing the neurological condition.

Glasses should be prescribed if necessary. Eye patches, dilating eye drops, and vision therapy may also benefit in improving vision. An eye doctor may follow up multiple times in a year to monitor closely.

It is important to get children’s eyes checked early so that kids like Johnny can play soccer without worrying about injuring his good eye or having poor depth perception.

Danny Nguyen, O.D. is an optometrist at Abba Eyecare. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California, San Diego, and graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, IL with honors in 2013.

Health | asian avenue magazine

25

The Perfect Strategy for Keeping Pace with Rapid Change By Tom Shieh

A

s once stated by the philosopher Heraclitus over 2500 years ago, “The only thing which is constant is change,” and this still rings true today.

Today’s organizations operate in a rapidly changing environment. Critical factors such as customer needs, technology, legislation, and competitor strategies are in a constant state of flux.

Any organization determined to remain competitive, successful and relevant needs to continuously adapt to these changes. Adapting to external pressures requires management to implement change internally. This may involve revising organizational processes, work schedules, technologies, business operations and team composition.

Creating opportunities for internal organizational change is not always easy.

By nature, human beings tend to resist change. This natural resistance means that new systems should be introduced carefully. Otherwise, even the best-intentioned shift or improvement can be met with resistance, reluctance or downright defiance.

The perfect way to implement new or different programs or updates in a business is through a process called “change management,” a systematic process used to implement changes within an organization. Its ultimate goal is to create a smooth transition from the current state to the new and improved state of operations.

26

July 2016 | Better Living

There are a number of steps through which a change management plan can be executed. However, to ensure maximum success, the following must be included within any execution:

1. Outline the expected benefits

A change should never be implemented for its own sake. It must be aimed at bringing about certain benefits within an organization. As such, before attempting to implement a change, it is important to outline the benefits. At a minimum the expected benefits should justify the costs.

2. Identify the stakeholders

Any change implemented ends up affecting different categories of people. These are the stakeholders. Such stakeholders include both the change implementers, as well as those affected (directly and indirectly) by the change. It is important to identify all the stakeholders, as well as how each will be affected by the change.

second is helping them to understand what role they will play in implementing the change.

4. Introduce the changes gradually

The best way to implement changes is to do so gradually. Begin with small changes, and gradually escalate. Make sure people have fully adjusted to one change before introducing another. This strategy ensures a smooth transition.

When all is said and done, change is inevitable in today’s world. The four steps outlined above can help any organization that desires to stay relevant by embracing change management.

Ultimately, these steps can empower an organization to easily adapt to today’s rapidly changing world.

3. Engage the stakeholders

After identifying the stakeholders, the next step is to engage them. This is critical for buy-in. Most changes flop because the necessary stakeholders have refused to embrace them.

Engagement of stakeholders can take two forms. The first is explaining to them the projected benefits of the change. The

Connect with Tom:

linkedin.com/in/tomshieh, facebook.com/tomshieh

Photos by Chun Guo

Asian American Heroes Awards Ceremony honors community leaders Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN) recognized the 2016 Asian American Heroes of Colorado on June 11 at Empress Seafood Restaurant in Denver. The event was sponsored by Allstate Migaki Insurance, FirstBank, Nelnet, and Asian Pacific Development Center, with donations from Lily Shen and Pat Cortez. Each awardee received a $100 check from Allstate Migaki Insurance.

Elected officials congratulated and awarded the recipients including: U.S. Representative Mike Coffman, State Representative Kathleen Conti, State Senator Jack Tate, Di-

rector General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Jerry S. Chang, Mayor of Englewood Joe Jefferson and Mayor of Centennial Cathy Noon.

The Young Hero Award was presented to Bryan Yee, a leader with National Association of Asian American Professionals Colorado and Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers.

Sarah Shirazi accepted the award for Ramina Kashani, founder of Colorado Children’s Noruz Foundation and Soyon Bueno for Eun Moredock, chair of Korean American Community Foundation of Colorado, both who were

unable to attend the event.

Executive Director of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations Giselle Rushford was introduced by her daughters.

Following, Pam Sweetser, founder of Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families, was introduced by her friend Patty Quinn, who shared about Pam’s devotion and unwavering commitment to the annual camps for the past 25 years.

Lastly, Harry Budisidharta introduced and thanked Lily Shen, Vice Chair of the Asian Pacific Development Center Board, for her contributions to improve the health of the Asian commmunity.

Mile-High Events | asian avenue magazine

27

The 40th anniversary of the amache pilgrimage

O

n Saturday, May 21, more than 100 people gathered in far southeastern Colorado to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first formal pilgrimage to the World War II Amache concentration camp site. In 1976, a radical group of Japanese-American youth known as the Asian-American Community Action Research Program (CARP) organized the first pilgrimage to Amache.

This brought many first generation Japanese back to the prison site for the first

Reconstructed barracks

By Marge Taniwaki Photos by Derek Okubo time. Amache held nearly 8,000 prisoners of Japanese ancestry during the nearly four-year duration of its existence, twothirds of whom were US citizens.

Among the most recent additions to the ongoing restoration and preservation of the Amache site is a reconstructed barracks built on a foundation of bricks just like the original structures. Volunteers laid the brick foundation near the reconstructed guard tower and restored water tank, making for a short walk between these structures for visitors.

New signage throughout the camp clearly marks areas of interest to visitors who can also use podcasts to learn more about Amache as they tour the mile square area.

A highlight of this year’s pilgrimage was the return of Marion Konishi Takehara, valedictorian of the Amache High School Class of 1943. Accompanied by her children and their spouses, Marion read

her commencement speech at the potluck luncheon held in the nearby town of Granada. Her voice was clear and strong even though Marion is in her 90s.

A number of visitors shared dinner on Saturday evening in the nearby town of Lamar, CO. An open-mic during the dinner allowed for survivors to further share their stories and remembrances from World War II. On Sunday, visitors spent time at the Amache Museum in the town of Granada and toured the Amache site in depth.

Everyone is welcome to the 2017 pilgrimage to Amache that will be held on Saturday, May 21. The pilgrimage traditionally takes place on the Saturday before Memorial Day weekend.

Families and individuals can also visit the Amache site throughout the year for selfguided driving tours aided by podcasts easy to download from the Amache website at www.amache.org.

Lunchtime during this year’s Amache pilgrimage on May 21

Marion Konishi Takehara, valedictorian from the Amache High School Class of 1943

MEMORIAL DAY REFLECTION

Article and photo by: Ryan Abo

O

n Memorial Day, as we gather in cemeteries and war memorials across our country to collectively honor the men and women who have served our county and paid the ultimate price, it occurs to me that one day of remembrance is not enough. We should remember these fallen soldiers every day. We should think of them in those quiet moments of our lives when we are shrouded in despair or darkness, when we feel anger or frustration, or when we lack courage or conviction. These brave warriors can serve as a beacon of light, like a star that suddenly emerges from a clouded night sky. Their service reminds us that our simple problems are often like mere specks of dust in the light of these soldiers’ heroic deeds. Whenever I think of the sacrifices made by Nisei during the World War II, I am humbled and filled with so much gratitude it lifts my heart.

28

July 2016 | On Scene

Nisei Japanese-American Memorial at Fairmount Cemetery

When I remember my grandfather, when I see his cabinet of medals including his shining Congressional Gold Medal, my eyes fill with tears and I know that the sacrifices and the hardships the Nisei endured were not in vain. Not only did they serve our country with unfailing courage, they also put forth a model of life for future generations to follow. In times of hardship, instead of wavering in our own uncertainty, we must “go-for-broke” and persevere no matter the circumstances.

C

olorado drivers can now convert their licenses for use in Taiwan without any tests. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver (TECO-Denver)and the Colorado Department of Revenue signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the mutual recognition and exchange of driver licenses on June 22, 2016.

Director General Jerry Chang of TECO-Denver and Executive Director Barbara Brohl of Colorado Department of Revenue attended the signing ceremony

Director General Jerry Chang of TECO-Denver and Executive Director Barbara Brohl of Colorado Department of Revenue signed the MOU on behalf of both governments.

I

n demonstration of the Allstate Insurance Company’s tagline, “You’re in Good Hands,” agent Shelley Migaki recently awarded two scholarships of $500 each to two Denver Public School high school students from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College. Anna Harder from East High School received the Academic Award and Hale Xiaoxing Mackenzie from DCIS-Baker School received the Leadership Award.

In Anna’s essay, she writes, “I am the oldest of four children, all adopted from China, but not biologically related. I was adopted from Hunan, China when I was 10 months old. I recently returned to China to volunteer in an orphanage, a trip that

Allstate Leadership Award Winner, Hale Xiaoxing MacKenzie

and signed the MOU on behalf of both governments. The MOU has been under negotiation between Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications and Colorado’s Division of Motor Vehicles for almost two years and both sides finally reached an agreement.

From now on, any Colorado resident can apply for a Class B driver license in Taiwan.

All applicants must submit his/her U.S. passport, a valid Colorado driver’s license, Taiwan’s Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) with a validity period, and Motor Vehicle Record certified by the Colorado Department of Revenue.

Applications can be processed at any Motor Vehicles Office in Taiwan.

Colorado is the 19th state to sign such an agreement with Taiwan, and the first state in the U.S. Midwest. The MOU is mutually beneficial for Taiwanese and Coloradoan businessmen, scholars, and students to settle down and live.

For more information, visit the website of Taiwan’s Directorate General of Highways, MOTC at www.thb.gov.tw/sites/en. Under the “Organization Duty” section, click on “Motor Vehicle Inspection and Administration” or email: dghmail@thb.gov.tw.

You can also contact TECO-Denver at 720-587-2949.

inspired the change in my identity.”

“At school, I am the president of East High School’s biology club and an officer for my school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. I am an active member of the Key Club and Asian Club at East High School, and I also enjoy ceramics. Outside of school, I sing in my church’s choir and I am part of my church’s youth group, with whom I have traveled across North America to volunteer on projects for communities in need.”

The winners received the awards at the annual Asian Education Advisory Council (AEAC) Awards Breakfast in May, 2016. The AEAC was established on January 31, 1985 by the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. The Council seeks to improve educational opportunities and to provide quality education for all students, particularly students of Asian-American/Pacific Island (AA/PI) heritage.

“I am privileged to have the opportunity to be able to give back to our community and to help open doors for two local students,” said Shelley Migaki. “The intent of the scholarships is to help deserving students further their education beyond high school.”

the republic of china (Taiwan) and colorado sign mutual recognition of driver licenses

Denver’s Taiwanese community leaders attended the event in support of the memorandum of understanding.

Contact Information: Shirley Chang Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver Tel: 720-587-2949 #108 Email: cschang03@mofa.gov.tw

extending a helping hand Allstate Agent Shelley Migaki establishes two $500 scholarships for Denver Public Schools’ students

From left to right: Priscilla Rahn, Chair of AEAC with Anna Harder, Allstate Academic Award Winner, Mrs Harder and Shelley Migaki of Migaki Insurance Agency.

For more information, contact Shelley Migaki of Allstate Migaki Insurance Agency at 303-421-9702.

Mile-High Events | asian avenue magazine

29

YOUR SOURCE FOR SUSHI-GRADE FISH FOR OVER SINCE 1944

PACIFIC MERCANTILE COMPANY

65 YEARS

Fine Asian Foods & Gifts

www.pacificeastwest.com

Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00AM - 6:00PM, Sunday 9:00AM - 2:00PM 1925 Lawrence Street, Denver, CO 80202 | Phone:303-295-0293 | FAX:303-295-2753

Miracle Touch 30 min Foot Massage $20 30 min Back Massage $20 60 min Foot & Back Massage $30 60 min Combo Massage $35

Our massages soothe aches and relax your body. Restore balance and rejuvenate your energy at an affordable price!

Massage & Reflexology

Open 9am to 9pm

HYL Health-Youth-Life Foot and Body Massage

720.929.2222 www.HYL-MASSAGE.com

3945-B East 120th Ave. • Thornton, CO 80233 • Mission Trace Shopping Center

Tel: 303-359-2622

12203 E. Mississippi Ave. #137 Aurora, CO 80012

$ 5.00 Off

for Deep Tissue Massage with this coupon Expires: 7/31/2016

Open 7 days a week • Appointments/Walk-Ins Welcome