Asian Avenue magazine - April 2015

magazine

asian avenue Learn Chinese April 2015 Volume 10 Issue 4

Connecting Cultures Linking Lives

Students of all ages are learning Chinese in language immersion schools

Travel

Beautiful sites can be found in Laos, “the forgotten land� of southeast Asia

The Fortune Cookie The origin of your Chinese fortune is hardly Chinese!

Restaurant Peeks Katsu Ramen Ku Cha House of Tea

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Dear Asian Avenue readers, We are excited for our seventh annual year hosting the Asian American Heroes of Colorado Awards Ceremony. We are currently accepting nominations for 2015 awardees. This year’s winners will be featured in our May issue in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM). They will be honored on Saturday, May 30 at Empress Seafood Restaurant. We welcome you to join the festivities in celebrating Asian American volunteerism, leadership and heroism!

Also in celebration of APAHM, the Denver Public Schools Asian Education Advisory Council will be recognizing students and teachers on May 3 at their annual awards brunch. I am honored to be the keynote speaker for the brunch this year in celebration of AEAC’s 30th year. In 2004, I received the award as a high school senior. I look forward to sharing the stage with the feature leaders and rising stars of Denver.

Speaking of rising stars, this issue we feature talented young people who are bilingual! Language immersion schools throughout Colorado are offering students the opportunity to learn languages, other than English, at a young age. Many of these schools teach Mandarin Chinese. Research has shown that there are cognitive benefits to being bilingual such as having a longer attention span and mental flexibility. Not to mention, having a heightened appreciation of language. The future for these youngsters looks very bright as they become fluent speakers in multiple languages.

Lots to find in our food section this month! We feature the newly opened Katsu Ramen and Ku Cha House of Tea. Our food culture article explains the origins of the fortune cookie that you may be surprised are not Chinese. We provide chef’s recipes for delicious noodle dishes: fried soba and spicy peanut butter noodles. To wash down the noodles, you can also make yourself an iced Thai tea or mango lassi with these recipes.

Thank you to those who attended our “Uptown Funk Party” last month. As the weather warms up, we will be planning more community and social events. We look forward to meeting you! Please e-mail editor@asianavenuemagazine.com with your ideas or suggestions for articles and events... or if you just want to connect with us!

Annie Guo, President Asian Avenue magazine

asian avenue magazine

staff & support

Publisher & Founder: Christina Yutai Guo President: Annie Guo Editorial and Marketing Manager: Sarah Shirazi Marketing Coordinator: Chun Guo Senior Designer: C.G. Yao Designer: Jonathan Nguyen Staff Writer: Patricia Kaowthumrong Staff Writer: Mary Jeneverre Schultz Staff Writer: Brenda Velasquez Photographer: Trang Luong Photographer: Monica Lin Intern: Akemi Tsutsui

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

Diana Aqra, Jeanette Herreria, Mary Jeneverre Schultz, Amanda Ta, Stephanie Tanny, Bruce Yee

contributing photographers Daniel Huynh

on the cover

Language immersion schools provide children the opportunity to learn Chinese and other languages at a young age.

subscriptions

To subscribe, e-mail marketing@asianavenuemag azine.com. A one-year subscription is $25 for 12 issues, a two-year subscription is 40 for 24 issues.

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editorial

To submit story ideas, letters to the editor or event calendar listings, e-mail editor@asianavenuemagazine.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 | Fax: 303.750.8488 www.asianavenuemagazine.com Asian Avenue magazine is in association with the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network.

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Find Inside >> Table of Contents

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Event Calendar

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Book Review Ticket to Childhood

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Documentary Soul of A Banquet

FOOD

Mile High Society

Denver Museum Exhibit

Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids ON SCENE

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Restaurant Peek Katsu Ramen is the ramen place we’ve all been looking for Restaurant Peek Ku Cha House of Tea offers more than 150 varieties of tea

OCA celebrates Chinese New Year

Epic welcomes skiiers from China to Vail

National study on Asian women is released

Vietnamese students organize charity gala to promote clean water

Chef’s Recipes

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April 2015 | Table of Contents

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Cover Story Language immersion schools in Colorado allow children to become biliingual at a young age

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Food Culture The origin of the fortune cookie Fried Soba & Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles

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Iced Thai Tea & Mango Lassi

Inside Story Branson Online School gives students a flexible learning environment

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National News

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Financial Workshop Kits Money and Couples

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Health Acupuncture

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Travel Many beautiful sites can be found in Laos, “the forgotten land” in Southeast Asia

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events upcoming Global Crossroads: Engaging the Global Community

Province. A sensory meditation on cinematic time and space, People’s Park offers a fresh gaze at public interaction, leisure, and self-expression in China. A roundtable discussion with Daniel Boord (Critical Media Practices), Christian S. Hammons (Anthropology), and Timothy Oakes (Geography) will follow the screening.

Tuesday, April 7, 5 PM - 7 PM

Student Commons Building 1201 Larimer Street, Room 2500 Denver, CO 80204 Cost: Free, RSVP: international.ucdenver.edu

Hosted by the Office of International Affairs, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, panelists will include professionals from almost every continent and from a wide variety of industries. Join in the conversation as Colorado expands its role in job creation, innovation and research for today’s rapidly growing global market.

Kali Creates Fate

Saturday, April 11, Begins at 6 PM Cleo Parker Robinson Theater 119 Park Ave West, Denver, CO 80205 Cost: Tickets start at $21 For more info and to reserve tickets visit: www.KaliCreatesFate.info

will be a silent auction of Bhutanese artwork from the Choki Traditional Art School. All funds col-lected will support our ongoing cause of the Classroom Construction in Nalanda Monastery.

Screening of People’s Park

Tuesday, April 14, Begins at 7 PM

CU-Boulder Campus, ATLAS Institute, Room102 1125 18th Street #223, Boulder, CO 80309 Cost: Free People’s Park (Libbie D. Cohn and J.P. Sniadecki) is a 78-minute single shot documentary that immerses viewers in an unbroken journey through a famous urban park in Chengdu, Sichuan

Join us for Kali Creates Fate, for a journey of music and performing art that takes you to the di-vine story of sacrifice, fate and love. The performance features Denver’s top dance and perform-ing arts talent, Mila Popovich as Kali and Alfred Smith as Shiva and includes dynamic live mu-sic, costume and set design. Don’t miss this amazing art show to the benefit of Choki. There

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Friends of ENCA Farm Present A documentary film screening of AGBALBALITOK (The Gold Prospector) Filipino documentary about the impacts of the small scale mining industry in Benguet Province. Join us for the first US showing of this film and a live Q&A with filmmaker Ferdinand John L. Balanag via the Philippines. Proceeds will support Friends of ENCA Farm’s Organic Seed Bank Project in the Philippines.

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April 2015 | Event Calendar

The Posner Center for International Development 2nd Floor Classroom 1031 33rd Street Denver, CO 80205 Cost: $14 adults, $7 students with valid ID

Monday, April 20, Reception at 5:30 PM

and

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Wednesday, April 15, Begins at 6:30 PM

Choices Matter: Community Conversation with John Amaechi

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From the Shadows of Wartime: AGBALBALITOK (The Gold Prospector) documentary

1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80204 Cost: Free For more info contact: Jillian_Low@facing.org Join John Amaechi OBE, human rights advocate, psychologist, New York Times best-selling author, and former NBA player in a conversation about fostering a more compassionate and inclusive society. In his 2007 New York Times best-selling book Man in the Middle, Amaechi chronicled his life and work, providing distinct lessons to anyone ever told that they were not capable of doing great things. Amaechi will discuss how each of us faces daily choices that shape the future for ourselves and our community.

Asian Food Bazaar

Saturday, May 2, 11 AM - 3 PM Simpson United Methodist Church 6001 Wolff St, Arvada, CO 80003 Cost: $10

Spend your Saturday sampling sushi, manju, chow mein and beef teriyaki at the 65th annual Asian Food Bazaar. $10 entry includes a delicious lunch plate.

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Contact Great Wall Chinese Academy at 720-583-4922 or info@greatwallchineseacademy.org. For more information, visit www.greatwallchineseacademy.org.

Book Review Life is Fun

Reading Ticket to Childhood could renew your outlook on life.

Feeling bored? Feeling boring? It’s probably because you are. At least that’s the message of Nguyen Nhat Anh, Vietnamese author of Ticket to Childhood.

Published for English-speaking audiences for the first time in 2014, this book has captured at least 350,000 Vietnamese readers since it first released in 2009.

In this tiny little collection of adventures, Anh takes us on a journey with him into his bitter-sweet memories of being an unruly child. Represented by the main character Mui, he learns way too early, at the age of eight, that his precious childhood is being taken over by the dull and uninspiring actions of adults.

For the adult questioning whether his life is no longer fun, it’s a pleasure to listen to Mui who has plenty of through-provoking findings to elucidate the lackluster life of adults:

Title: Ticket to Childhood Author: Nguyen Nhat Anh Publication Date: 11/26/2014 Hardcover Price: $22 ISBN: 9781468310320

“The objects in an adult’s world are defined by their function. Consult a dictionary if you want to know the meaning of adult life. Clothes cover our nakedness; chairs are things to sit on; you eat at a table, and you sleep in a bed. Teeth chew things, and we taste with our tongue.”

His obsessive thoughts of how ugly adulthood looks to him turn him into the ultimate idealist of youth. With his closest allies, he leads a major multi-pronged campaign to turn on every single rule he can find on its head. In school, he refuses to learn the alphabet to make his teachers think he decides no utensil (bowl, cup or spoon) shall be used in the expected functions, and he even stirs up his entire neighborhood by starting a stray dog camp. He puts all of his energy into these acts in the hopes to reroute the course of what looks like leads to his absolute demise. And all of these things, of course, have spun adults’ realities into a frenzy.

Not written without a dose of reality, Anh gives readers the answer to why he is writing all his adult-maddening youth adventures. Like most conventional cultures, he knows that the Vietnamese culture of hard work, order and discipline can sometimes get in the way of simple happiness. American readers can surely agree that at times, we need to get some fun in our lives.

So, stay fun. Your first step is reading, Ticket to Childhood.

Reviewed by Diana Aqra

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April 2015 | Book Review

Nguyen Nhat Anh is an acclaimed writer who has published many stories and novels for adults and children, though Ticket to Childhood is his first book to appear in English. He has won many prizes, including the Southeast Asian Writers Award. He lives in Ho Chi Minh City.

Documentary film A history of authentic Chinese food in America Soul Of A Banquet features Cecilia Chang, a culinary icon who introduced America to authentic Chinese food In the documentary Soul of A Banquet, Director Wayne Wang (Joy Luck Club) takes us into the world of Cecilia Chiang, the woman who introduced America to authentic Chinese food. Cecilia Chiang is 95 years old and is a chef, restaurateur and culinary legend who revolutionized the way Americans eat Chinese food.

Born near Shanghai and raised near Beijing, Chiang opened her internationally renowned restaurant The Mandarin in 1961 in San Francisco and went on to change the course of cuisine in America, introducing a full-flavored Northern Chinese menu that initially included more than 200 dishes, then novelties such as hotand-sour soup, pot stickers, Peking duck, sizzling rice soup, and delicate

shredded abalone with bean sprouts.

Soul of A Banquet is equal parts a delectable showcase of gastronomy and a touching portrait of Chiang’s journey from a childhood in Beijing before the Cultural Revolution to accidental restaurateur on the west coast of the United States. Soul of A Banquet features interviews with Alice Waters, Ruth Reichl, and Cecilia Chiang herself.

This film is a must see for foodies, especially those who love authentic Chinese food.

The documentary had initial screenings in the the fall and is being shown at a variety of film festivals this year. The film can also be purchased online for $12.99 at www. soulofabanquetfilm.com.

Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids Denver Museum of Nature and Science’s “Mythic Creatures” exhibit explores stories of these wondrous creatures and uncover the truths behind the myths.

The “Mythic Creatures” exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science explores the stories of wondrous creatures of air, land, and water, like dragons, unicorns and mermaids and uncovers the truths behind the myths. You will encounter large models of mythic and real creatures, see real artifacts and fossils, and will have have the opportunity to create your own creature.

Highlights include a ten-foot-tall model of a kraken with its head and tentacles rising from the floor, a model of a giant squid tentacle; Mermaid inspirations, such as classic depictions of beautiful women envisioned by European sailors and spirits and goddesses from various cultures; Model of a 17-foot-long dragon, with a wingspan of nearly 20 feet. The exhibit also includes a giant green screen that attendees can take a photo with a powerful dragon or a mystical unicorn.

Visit www.dmns.org/mythic-creatures for more information. The exhibit runs March 20- September 7, and is free with admission to museum.

Museum of Nature and Science Mile High Society | asian avenue magazine

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OCA Colorado celebrates Chinese New Year Ginger and scallion lobster was one of the dishes served as part of the 10-course feast at the OCA Chinese New Year Celebration on Feb. 28.

During the program’s activities, staff members shared the mission of the organization to remind attendees it is one of the oldest nonprofit groups in the United States. Founded in 1973, OCA aims to embrace the hopes and aspirations of nearly 13 million Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.

Throughout the dinner, raffles occupied everyone’s attention to check

By Jeannette Herreria

numbers for donations and prizes from local restaurants, artwork and decorative Chinese items. Entertainment included the dragon dance welcoming the year of the sheep. With mesmerizing drums, the dragon walked throughout the restaurant to thrill everyone. Other highlights included four dragons in synchronization eating the lettuce hung from the restaurant’s ceiling.

Taiko drum entertainment was provided by the local dance troupe, ukulele, violinist and individuals singing popular Chinese songs.

Winners of “Epic Brings Kids to Ski the World” competition in China celebrate Chinese New Year at Vail Mountain During Feb. 19-26, 2015, six winners from “Epic Brings Kids to Ski the World” competition spent their Chinese New Year holiday in Vail. The group stayed at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and attended the world renowned Vail Ski and Snowboard School to further hone their skills.

This winter Vail Resorts launched “Epic Brings Kids to Ski the World” program across China, offering youth skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to win an Epic Pass. The Epic pass offers access to 22 iconic mountains across four countries.

Children ages 8-15 had the opportunity to compete at one of five local mountains in Chi-

na to win an Epic Pass and a week-long trip to train at Vail, Colorado. Winners of “Epic Brings Kids to Ski the World” were selected via ski and snowboard racing events hosted at Wanlong; Jundushan; Silk Road; Guaipo Scenic; Yabuli Ski Resorts; and Qiaobo Indoor Ski Dome during December and January.

Four winners were selected by race results, and an additional two winners were selected via voting on the Vail Resorts page hosted on China’s primary social media channel, Weibo.

Skiers took the Eagle Bond gondola and a snow cab to eat dinner and celebrate the Chinese New Year Colorado style, on top of Vail mountain, at the Game Creek Restaurant.

Storytelling event hosted by NAPAWF*Colorado

By Stephanie Tanny

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April 2015 | On Scene

On March 8, NAPAWF*Colorado (National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum of Colorado) held a community immigration and storytelling forum to discuss President Obama’s recent executive action on immigration, gather immigrant stories from the community, and release findings of NAPAWF’s recent report, Turning the Page on U.S. Immigration Policy: Immigration and Asian Women and Families.

Often times, Asian women and families are left out of the immigration discussion, especially in areas where our numbers are few, which also means it becomes harder for us to access

resources when they do become available. 15 community leaders and members met to learn about the real impacts of current policy to Asian immigrants, and many stories were shared and told on how each person or person’s family came to the U.S. This is the first storytelling event of several that NAPAWF*Colorado plans to conduct throughout the year to gather stories on Asian American and Pacific Islander lives. These stories will be showcased later on to increase our visibility and to gain understanding and acceptance.

Find the report at: www.napawf.org.

CU Denver Vietnamese Student Association hosts second annual

By Amanda Ta | Photos by Daniel Huynh “Just Keep Swimming” charity gala

University of Colorado Denver Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) proudly presented their “Just Keep Swimming” themed 2nd Annual Collective Philanthropy Project (CPP) Charity Gala on Friday, March 6th to benefit FoodAid.Compassion, a non-profit organization that seeks to enhance the quality of life of the people in Vietnam by providing clean water filtration systems to the communities of Vietnam. VSA is part of a larger organization called SWUVSA (South-West Union of Vietnamese Student Associations) consisting of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico and

both are united under an umbrella organization called UNAVSA (Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations).

A beneficiary is chosen each year for the CPP so the Vietnamese-student and community organizations could collaborate in working towards a charitable cause.

The gala was a cultural night consisting of a 4-course catered meal by Viet’s Restaurant, dessert by New Saigon Bakery, silent art auction with pieces done by CU artists Anthony Le and Khoa Sinclair, and performances by local talent such as Academy of Raw and all the way

from Seattle, Vietnamese-American singer Vi Khanh.

As a single student organization and with the help from our generous community members, CU Denver VSA raised $3,362 to be donated to FoodAid.Compassion! This is double the amount donated by CU Denver and over half of what the SWUVSA region collectively raised last year.

CU Denver VSA expresses their deepest thanks for the sponsors, community supporters, and VSA members that made this event a success.

Visit Colorado Alliance for Health Equity and Practice for free and low-cost health care, women’s wellness services or stop by a health fair in April!

Women’s Wellness Services

Spring Health Fairs

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

CAHEP in partnership with the Disciple Mission Church of Denver Saturday, April 11, 2015, 9 AM - 11 AM 8390 E. Hampden Ave. Denver, CO 80231

To see if you qualify email jennifer.gross@cahep.org or call 303-954-0058.

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Quality medical examinations for diagnosis and treatment.

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Female provider for pap smear and birth control tests.

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CAHEP is participating in the following 9Health Fairs on the following dates: Saturday, April 18, 2015, 7 AM - 12 PM Aurora Central High School 11700 E. 11th Ave. Aurora, CO 80010 Saturday, April 18, 2015, 7 AM - 12 PM Denver Chinese Evangelical Free Church 275 S. Hazel Ct. Denver, CO 80219 Saturday, April 25, 2015, 7 AM-12 PM Colorado Muslim Society 2071 S. Parker Rd. Denver, CO 80231 CAHEP supports health Screenings along with Marketplace based Insurance and Medicaid enrollment services at these events.

For more information on the 9Health Fairs, visit: www.9healthfair.org.

CALL OR STOP BY TODAY! 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

Visit www.cahep.org or call 303-954-0058.

Take care of your health!

Mile-High Happenings | asian avenue magazine

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Language Immersion: the Bilingual Super-Highway Colorado’s language immersion programs help put k-8 students on the fast track to becoming bilingual and culturally aware

By Sarah Shirazi | Asian Avenue magazine

I

t’s a little ironic that I have found myself sitting in a classroom of first graders, the back of which has been decorated in pink flower lanterns, red paper dragons, and bookshelves stocked with Mandarin Chinese books in a variety of subject areas. The teacher stands at the front of the room and writes characters on the white board that I don’t understand.

Loudly, she recites words and sentences and the students repeat after her in what

I’m told is almost a perfect pronunciation of Mandarin Chinese. After a while, the teacher stops and asks students to write as she walks around the classroom calling on them individually.

The irony of this scene is that we’re in Denver at the International School of Denver - not in China - and majority of the students are Caucasian – not Asian.

So there I was I sitting at the back of the classroom in complete awe. I had been

A hallway at International School of Denver displays Chinese New Year decorations.

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April 2015 | Cover Story

there for almost an hour and not a word of English had been spoken. For a moment I dozed off and remembered when I was in elementary school throwing huge fits almost every time my parents took me to language class after school. I also remember that my fits evolved into complaining and eventually the complaining ceased when I forgot why I was complaining and started learning.

By middle school most American stu-

Students prepare to present their science fair projects in the library at Colorado International School.

dents are introduced to a foreign language.

This involves studying a foreign language one period a few times a week, but when foreign language is no longer a requirement, most students forget everything.

At this point “[it] is far too late” explains Bénédicte Brouder, assistant head of school at the International School of Denver. An avid proponent of bilingual education, Brouder has dedicated her life to working for language immersion programs.

“Language immersion programs are more than learning a language; it’s about teaching the core subjects like math, language arts, science. It helps them establish a connection to the language and makes students reinforce the subject matter by being able to learn it in two or more languages,” says Brouder.

It’s a concept that foreign language experts stand by. According to Asia Society, the leading educational organization, “English-proficient immersion students are capable of achieving as well as, and in some cases better than, non-immersion peers on standardized measures of reading and math.”

Language immersion programs started becoming popular in the United States in the 1980s. The first modern language immersion programs were started in Canada in the 1960s, where students were immersed in French and English. Language immersion classes can now be found throughout the United States, in urban and suburban areas, in dual-immersion and single language immersion, and in an array of languages; the most popular being Spanish, French and Mandarin Chinese.

A more recent push for increasing language immersion programs started in 2006 when the federal government realized that there are not enough Americans who can speak languages like Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu. Under former President Bush’s administration, the STARTALK program was started to provide more resources to students and teachers towards increasing language proficiency in these lesser known languages.

While initiatives like STARTALK are needed to support the goal of increasing language proficiency in lesser-known languages nationwide, it all seems to start with parents. After all, I doubt Saison, an adorable first grader studying Mandarin at Colorado International School knows much about the impact his bilingual education will have on his life at this point.

International School of Denver preschool students practice writing numbers in Mandarin.

His parents, on the other hand, understand that by enrolling Saison in a language immersion program, he is becoming better prepared to compete for 21st century jobs.

“My dad wants someone in the family to be fluent in Mandarin so we can visit China as a family one day,” said a fifth grader at International. “I decided that I would do it. Studying Mandarin is cool, I love it!”

More than 60 schools in Colorado are offering Mandarin classes to help students get a foundation in international business.

With a growing number of families adopting Chinese children, parents want to help their children learn their native language.

It also helps to speak Mandarin when

competing for positions with international businesses.

Nationally, there are 190 language immersion schools that teach Mandarin Chinese, eight of which are in Colorado, including International School of Denver, Colorado International school, (both private schools), Denver Language School, a one-of-a-kind charter school of the Denver Public School system, and Global Academy, a charter school collaborative with five locations across Colorado.

Studies show that the younger you start, the better. Young language learners can acquire native-like fluency compared to adult learners.

Fifth graders at International School of Denver take a break in between classes and chat about what they love most about learning Mandarin.

Language Immersion Schools | asian avenue magazine

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The Center for Applied Linguistics 2011 report on Immersion Programs by Language 6% Other languages 5% German 6% Hawaiian 13% Mandarin

45% Spanish

22% French

Mandarin teachers at International School of Denver developed “P.A.N.D.A.” to establish classroom rules and expectations. P stands for positive; A stands for achievement; N stands for nice; D stands for discipline; and A stands for academic.

Language Immersion Schools Colorado International School 4100 E. Iliff Avenue Denver, CO 80222 Tel: (303) 282-6666 Website: www.coloradointernationalschool.com Language Programs: English, French, German, Mandarin, Spanish, and Farsi

Denver Language School 451 Newport St. Denver, CO 80220 Tel: (303) 557-0852 Website: www.denverlanguageschool.org Language Programs: English, Mandarin and Spanish

Research also shows that there are cognitive benefits of being bilingual including mental flexibility, longer attention span, increased sensitivity to others, heightened awareness, and receptivity and appreciation of language. Students are also introduced to different cultures which helps them be more open and emphatic to people of all cultures.

By the time children are done with preschool, most can carry on daily conversation in Mandarin and have an average daily vocabulary of 100. By fifth grade, students can speak and understand up to 2,000-2,500 characters says Yun Doyle,

a fifth grade teacher at the International School of Denver.

Just five years ago Doyle was not aware that language immersion programs for Mandarin Chinese existed in Colorado.

Before she joined as the Mandarin Program Coordinator she worked for various after school language programs. She found that it was very challenging for students to retain the language skills they learned over the course of the year.

“Kids learn and then forget. But in language immersion school they are not only able to learn language but also the culture, so the process can be very personal and ef-

Global Village Charter Collaborative Academies 555 W. 112th Avenue Northglenn, CO 80234 Tel: (303) 446-7100 Website: www.gvaschools.org Language Programs: English, Spanish, Mandarin, French, Russian and German

International School of Denver 206 Red Cross Way Denver, CO 80230 Tel: (303) 340-3647 Website: www.dmischool.com Language Programs: English, Mandarin, Spanish and French

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April 2015 | Cover Story

Students listen to feedback provided by volunteer judges at Colorado International School’s science fair.

Preschool students at International School of Denver learn how to make a traditional Chinese cake that is eaten during the Chinese New Year.

fective for students to become bilingual.”

Cross cultural exploration is also an important component of language immersion programs. “This is important so students in different language programs can learn some vocabulary and culture from other programs,” says Doyle.

For example, each year the Mandarin program will put on a Chinese New Year celebration/performance and the French program will preform Les Miserables and the Spanish program will put on a Latin inspired music and dance program. “The kids love it because they can engage with other students in different language tracks and get a taste of a variety of cultures,” explains Doyle.

For Marzia Mauffrey, a math teacher at Colorado International School, the choice to send her children to a language immersion school was simple. Mauffrey has taught math for the past eleven years in three different countries. She is also Italian and her husband is French, so the pair could not be better positioned to support their children to succeed in a language immersion program.

For most students, their parents and families often do not speak a second language. It’s typical for a student to come home everyday to speak English with their friends and families and return to school the next day where they are once again immersed in a second language.

“It can be challenging for parents to support their children with homework,” lamented one parent. “But the school is

very supportive and has helped come up with ways to better support students and parents.” For example, one school started an after school study program that helps students with their homework assignments, so they aren’t completing homework at home on their own, and rather can focus on spending time with family or extracurricular activities.

Fifth and eighth graders at Colorado International School spend a year on a personal research project where they can explore and present a topic of their choice.

Asha, an eighth grader studying Mandarin and French at Colorado International

School, and a self-proclaimed ‘heath nut’ is researching the effects that exercise has on the brain. Ambitious, Ahsa already knows that she wants to be a surgeon when she grows up. Another eight grader, Arlette, who is studying Spanish and Mandrin, said she wants to be a travel attendant so she can travel the world.

Beyond eighth grade there are no language immersion programs in Colorado for high school students but they can earn A.P. credit in a foreign language and continue their studies, though not in an immersion format. Cities like Portland and New York have immersion programs for high school students and hopefully Colorado can find ways to offer language immersion programs for high school students in the future.

Language immersion programs are the superhighway to becoming bilingual or multilingual. It prepares students to succeed academically, and will help open doors to professional and travel opportunities. Its benefits and advantages are many, and above all, the cultural exchanges gained throughout a lifetime are simply, priceless.

Students at Colorado International school present their science fair project in Mandarin.

Language Immersion Schools | asian avenue magazine

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By Sarah Shirazi | Asian Avenue magazine

W

hen word hit the street that Katsu Ramen was opening in late February, ramen lovers from near and far lined up outside the small restaurant located in a strip mall off of Havana. The restaurant was packed solid for a few weeks, dishing out bowl after bowl of delicious ramen. Things calmed down a little bit after the initial opening rush, and thankfully for me it did, because I was dying to try Katsu Ramen.

Inside the restaurant is a small but comfortable dining area, the perimeter is lined with wooden tables and booths, with a large community table in the middle. A television mounted on a wall displays quirky Japanese programs on mute (which is still fun to watch even if you can’t totally understand what is going on). Japanese calligraphy is displayed on the walls throughout the restaurant and some other fun Japanese style nicknacks are displayed throughout the restaurant.

To partially satisfy their own craving for authentic ramen and share their passion, the owners knew that they needed an authentic ramen chef to make it all happen. Thankfully Mr. Shinsuka Hirao, a close relative agreed to move all the way from Osaka Japan to Aurora Colorado to fill the lead position in the kitchen as ramen chef. Shinsuka spends up to 16 hours a day developing the delicious pork broth used as a base for most ramen bowls.

The most popular ramen bowl at Katsu is shoyou ramen, flavored with soy sauce, and packed with endless ramen noodles, bok choy, green onions, a hard boiled egg, a fish ball, and generous cuts of pork belly. I usually don’t like to eat pork, but this pork belly was so tender, so perfect, it literally melted in my mouth.

If you like your food on the spicier side, try the spicy chicken ramen with a spicy chicken broth base, and the standard ramen bowl ingredients. For those who prefer a more simple broth and flavor profile, try the tonkotsu ramen with pork broth, pork belly, a lighter color ramen than the shoyou ramen with pickled ginger on top. There’s a side of chili paste to dip into as desired.

The broth is less complex than the shoyou, miso or spicy ramen but by no means one-note.

For a light appetizer to accompany your ramen, try the pork gyoza with house made spicy yuzu sauce. The gyoza dumplings are perfectly wrapped with a delicious and balanced mixture of pork and veggies inside.

There’s also a list of rice bowls served with miso soup, including pork fired rice, beef curry, Japanese style teriyaki chicken and vegetable bowl, and a few other selections. Your little ones can order off of the kid’s menu which are smaller portions of main entrees.

Katsu Ramen stole our hearts and for many reasons, from its charming staff and its comfortable atmosphere to its delicious varieties of ramen. Our final say: hurry up and get to Katsu Ramen while you can still get a table!

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April 2015 | Restaurant Peek

www.ramendenver.com

1930 S Havana St #4, Aurora, CO 80014

303-751-2222 HOURS Mon-Sat Lunch: 11:00 - 2:30pm Dinner: 4:30 - 9:00pm Closed Sunday

menu highlights Pork Gyoza $5.50

Japanese style dumpling served with house sauce

Tuna Tataki Salad $12.95 Pepper seared tuna

Hiyayakko $2.75

Chilled soft tofu salad

Shoyu Ramen $9.25

Chicken, pork and soy broth

Miso Ramen $9.50 Spicy Chicken Ramen $9.50 Tan Tan Ramen

Beef Bowl (Gyudon) $8.95 Katsu Curry $9.50

Curry with fried pork cutlets

Japanese Style Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetable Bowl $8.50 Restaurant Peek | asian avenue magazine

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By Sarah Shirazi | Asian Avenue magazine

1141 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302 Tel: 303.443.3612 Hours: Sun: 11 am to 8 pm Mon to Sat: 10 am to 9 pm

KU CHA House of Tea

www.kuchatea.com

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alking into Ku Cha House of Tea, you immediately feel transported to a tranquil place, but just outside is Boulder’s bustling Pearl Street Mall. The large tea shop is stocked with a selection of over 150 teas imported from all over the world, but mostly China. Ku Cha also has a wide selection of tea paraphernalia including tea cabinets, tea cups, thermos’, tea pots, and “gongfu” tea sets.

Passionate tea connoisseurs, Qin Liu and his wife, opened Ku Cha House of Tea in 2006. They named the store “Ku Cha” because it means “bitter tea” in Mandarin Chinese, their native language. “High quality tea always has a little bitterness” says Lui. “Just like in life, you have to go through a little bitterness to get to sweetness.”

In the back of the store, through an intricately carved wooden arch is a more private area available for tea service.

A variety of wooden tables are arranged, from a large wooden table with benches to smaller private tables concealed behind a display of beautiful plants. For a more traditional experience there is a row of floor seats and tables that sit barely above the ground. Chinese calligraphy adorns the walls and you feel like you’re sitting in a tea house like you would find in China.

The menu is extensive and offers varieties of oolong, black, green and herbal tea, including a list of iced and chai teas and specialty teas. Ku Cha also offers snacks like the Chinese tea cake

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April 2015 | Restaurant Peek

with a variety of filings, we recommend the sesame filling, its sweet but not too sweet.

Tea is served either gongfu style or in small and large pots. Gongfu is a kind of brewing method that is considered a special cultural and community building activity. Gongfu consists of a bamboo tray, which is used as base to brew the tea, it comes complete with a built in “drain” with a compartment underneath that can be removed to dispose of the water.

To serve the tea, dry leaves are handled with bamboo utensils and placed in a small, unglazed clay pot. Hot water is then poured on top of the tea leaves to rinse the leaves and let the tea breath before steeping. Once again, hot water is poured over the clay pot and transferred into a glass vessel which cools the temperature. The tea is served in small, round, decorated tea cups. This process is repeated 8-10 times until the tea has lost its flavor. We recommend trying the gongfu option of “tie guan yin,” a green oolong tea that has a delightful orchid aroma, a rich buttery flavor, and a clear, full- bodied mouth-feel. Its a “well balanced and refreshing tea that you can drink all day long,” explains Lui. The “yunnan gold” is a black tea that we would also recommend trying, with nice a floral quality and notes of sweetness like honey.

Our final say: the section of tea is impressive and affordable, service is personable, and the experience is spiritual, what else could a tea lover ask for?

Menu Highlights Oriental Beauty $4.95; Large Pot $6.95; Gong Fu $8.95

This famous oolong from Taiwan has been given many different names over the years, such as “Bai Hao Oolong,” and “Bragger’s Oolong,” but has a flavor that cannot be mistaken. Insects are allowed to bible on the leaves while they are growing, which results in a sweet toffee flavor not found anywhere else.

Dan Cong- Honey Orchid $4.95; Large Pot $6.95; Gong Fu $8.95

This Dan Cong, or ‘single grove,’ tea comes from Guandong province, China. Dan Cong teas are harvested from single tea groves in Phoenix Mountain area, resulting in many similar teas with slight, but noticeable differences in fragrance and flavor. This one is said to have the flavor of a honey orchid.

Wu Yi Yan Cha-Da Hong Pao $12.95

This rare Da Hong Pao comes from Zhen Yan, the innermost growing area within the Wu Yi Mountains, where the trees grow on the weathered rock- soil making it the idea growing condi-tion for Yan Cha. As the steeping progress the lingering floral fragrance of the tea opens up, revealing the signature mineral- driven, ‘rocky’ taste for which Yu Cha are prized. The thick, syrupy texture of this tea is especially pleasing, and is best appreciated by sipping slowly.

The Unfortunate Truth The fortune cookie is an icon in Chinese restaurants, but its origins are hardly Chinese.

by Bruce Yee It’s a common sight at the end of a meal in a Chinese restaurant.

The waiter tops off a pot of tea, brings the check, and sets down— what else?—fortune cookies. The familiar crackling signals a promise of the future, a small bit of wisdom, and sometimes a proverb that doesn’t make much sense. Plan for many pleasures ahead. Something you lost will soon turn up. As the purse is emptied the house is filled. The opening of fortune cookies is often a ritual, a time when groups can laugh at each other’s luck or sympathize with the irony of fortunes (i.e. getting “You are very wealthy” when in fact you are exactly the opposite).

Fortune cookies have become an iconic part of the Chinese restaurant experience, but the origins of these prophecy-wielding biscuits are dubious. One legend links the modern for-tune cookie back to the 13th to 14th centuries when the Mongols occupied China. Knowing that the Mongols disliked the taste of

the lotus paste, Chu Yuan Chang, China’s famous revolutionary patriot, distributed secret messages in moon cakes traditionally made with this lotus filling. The secret finally culminated in the overthrow of the Mongols and the creation of the Ming Dynasty.

Sources say that the Chinese who came to America during the Gold Rush and the great railroad construction adopted a similar method of secret communication. Because the in-gredients used for moon cakes weren’t available, the Chinese began to make fortune cookies as substitutes.

Other possible origins seem more plausible. Some say artist Makoto Hagiwara, who de-signed the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, invented the cook-ies as a way to show gratitude to his friends. Others credit David Jung from the Hong Kong Noodle Company in Los Angeles (supposedly he invented them as something to lift the spirits of the homeless, though sources now believe it was more likely a marketing ploy to increase business).

Whatever its origins, it’s clear that the fortune cookie is hardly an integral part of Chinese culture. Rather, it’s an American invention that over time has gained popularity among restaurant-goers. Much like horoscopes, the fortune cookie possesses an aspect of mystery and fun, continuing to bring good news and advice to those who seek it.

Key Moments in Fortune Cookie History

1914 Makoto Hagiwara invents the fortune cookie as a

token of gratitude to his friends who stood by him when he was fired.

1918 Chinese immigrant David Jung of the Hong Kong

Noodle Company uses fortune cookies to inspire the homeless near his shop. Each verse is supposedly written by a Presbyterian minister.

1964 Edward Louie starts the Lotus Fortune Cookie

Company after inventing a “fortune cookie folding machine.”

The invention allows modern companies to make 60 million fortune cookies a month.

Food Culture | asian avenue magazine

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Make it at ho Fried Soba S

oba is a thin Japanese noodle made of buckwheat flour. In the winter months soba noodles are served hot usually as noodle soups, and during the summer it is often served drained and chilled with dipping sauce.

Still it’s not uncommon to use left over soba to create a delicious stir-fry.

Ingredients (serves 4) • 14 ounces soba noodles • 2 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil • 1 tsp grated ginger • 1 piece kombu, sliced • 1/2 cup shredded carrots • 5 shiitake mushrooms,

stems removed, then caps sliced • 1/2 cup cooked bok choy • 1 Tbsp soy sauce • Pepper to taste

Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles

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eanut sauce was initially created by the Indonesians as a sauce for satay, but it quickly became a popular glaze for grilled meats and noodles for many Vietnamese and Thai dishes. It’s also used as a salad dressing and dipping. Try this version of spicy peanut sauce with noodles, a perfect side dish for a potluck or barbecue.

Ingredients (serves 4) • 1 package of noodles (spaghetti, udon, or Chinese noodles) • 1 cup peanut butter • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar • 1/4 cup soy sauce • 1 Tbsp hot sauce • 1 Tbsp lime juice • 2 cloves of garlic, sliced black and white sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

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April 2015 | Chef’s Recipes

Method 1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add noodles and cook until soft.

2. Drain water and rinse noodles with cold water. Set aside.

3. Add apple cider vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce and hot sauce in a blender. Slowly add peanut butter until the sauce thickens.

4. In a medium serving bowl mix noodles with sauce.

Sprinkle sesame seeds before serving.

Method 1. Cook soba noodles according to the package instructions.

2. Warm the oil in a wok or frying pan over medium heat.

3. Place ginger, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms in the pan, and stir-fry well.

4. Add greens, soba, soy sauce and pepper to taste.

ome - recipes Mango Lassi L

assi is a traditional drink from South Asia, made by blending yogurt and water. Sweet lassi, flavored with anything from sugar or honey to mango and/or rosewater, lemon, and strawberries is a more recent invention that is in high demand at Indian restaurants across the country. Try this version of mango lassi that will help you By cool downShirazi and enjoy a spring Sarah sunset in Colorado.

Asian Avenue magazine Ingredients (serves 4)

Method 1. In a blender, add yogurt, lemon juice, mango pulp, water, and sugar or honey.

Blend for 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Add the ice and blend until frothy.

3. To serve, fill a tall glass with the lassi mixture and garish with mint or fruit (optional).

• 2 1/2 cups plain yogurt • 1 tsp lemon juice • 1 cup fresh mango pulp • 1/2 cup cold water • 8 Tbsp honey or sugar • 20 standard-size ice cubes

Iced Thai Tea

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his native-grown red-leafed tea, spiced with star anise seed is one of the first things people fall in love with at Thai restaurants. Its usually brewed strong then blended with a rich swirl of evaporated or condensed milk. Most well-stocked Asian grocery stores have Thai tea or Thai tea powder, although orange pekoe tea or Lipton will also suffice.

Ingredients (serves 6) • 6 cups water • 1 cup Thai tea (use Thai tea mix or any other good quality orange pekoe tea, available at most Asian grocery stores or online) • 1 cup sugar • 1 can evaporated milk

Method 1. Bring water to boil in a large saucepan.

2. Add the tea and remove the pan from heat.

3. Stir to submerge all the tea leaves or tea powder in the water. Steep for about 5 minutes.

4. Pour the brew through a coffee filter or a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher.

5. Add the sugar to the hot tea and stir to dissolve. Set aside, and let the mixture cool to room temperature.

6. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

7. To serve, fill a tall glass with crushed ice.

Add enough of the tea to fill the glasses within 1 inch from the top. Float 3 to 4 tablespoons of evaporated milk over the ice in each glass. Mix evaporated milk before drinking.

Chef’s Recipes | asian avenue magazine

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Rethinking traditional learning Online schools like Branson School Online are growing in popularity, giving students a flexible learning environment.

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April 2015 | Inside Story

Branson School Online, www.bransonschoolonline.com, is one of Colorado’s first online schools. It is a free Colorado public school delivered via the internet since 2001. Branson is one of 13 multi district, K-12 online schools offered in Colorado.

Students, Kindergarten through 12th grade, are loaned computers for school use along with teacher designed curriculum aligned to Colorado state standards with caring teachers, and challenging learning opportunities.

Families enjoy the flexibility of being able to develop a daily schedule that fits their needs. “Students love that they can do their schooling and enjoy other interests such as dance, rodeo, traveling sports teams, 4-H, or art,” says Judith Stokes, Assistant Superintendent for Branson District RE-82.

The Branson model offers flexibility for students to compete in events that require training and traveling throughout the school year like marshal arts, skiing, tennis, football, or other extracurricular activities.

Iman Dwebi, attended Branson School Online from 4th to 12th grade.

She graduated as one of three class of 2014 valedictorians. Branson appealed to Dwebi who practiced martial arts, and her parents who wanted to give her a better quality education than what was offered at the public schools in their neighborhood.

“Online schooling focuses on the ability of the student to find the most sensible structure for which to gain the most from their education.

This requires a student to learn and employ time management skills to formulate a schedule that works for them within the parameters of their assignment deadlines, as well as utilizing effective communication with their teachers in the absence of face-to-face contact. These are essential skills that have proven invaluable to me in primary, secondary, and higher education alike,” says Dwebi.

Attending online school also gave Dwebi the opportunity to take classes at a community college. When she entered her first year of college, she already had earned her Associate’ degree and is now pursuing a Bachelors degree in chemistry with minor in physics and mathematics at the University of Colorado Denver.

Assistant Superintendent Judith Stokes is reconnecting with students like Dwebi. An avid proponent of student learning, Stokes is interested in reaffirming the success of online students. For Stokes, “Success is not just how good your grades are, it is also how you contribute to society.”

Find out how you and your student can make a positive difference in their education. Learn more about Branson School Online at www.bransonschoolonline.com or call 1-888-863-7850.

Korean American Takes Helm of Natural Resources Defense Council

The prominent national environmental group the Natural Resources Defense Council recently named Rhea Suh its new president. Suh grew up in Boulder, Colorado where there were few Asians and recalls the difficulty her family had integrating into society.

“We faced a lot of prejudice no doubt about

it,” she said. “We were the first non-white family to move into our neighborhood.

When I was about five or six our house was vandalized, racial slurs were not uncommon to hear on the playground.”

Suh, however, gained an appreciation for the environment being so close to the Rocky Mountains. She studied environmental science at Columbia University and most recently served five years as Assistant Secretary of the Interior.

Filipino American, co-founder of Snapchat, is named second youngest billionaire in the world Forbes named Snapchat co- founder Bobby Murphy the second youngest billionaire in the world.

The 26-year old is said to be worth $1.5 billion. Murphy grew up in Berkeley, California and his mother immigrated from the Philippines.

The company was valued in its latest in-

vestment round at $10 billion. It was Murphy who developed the photo messaging app which makes photos disappear almost as soon as they are seen. Murphy is considered the brains of Snapchat while fellow co-founder Evan Spiegel is considered its face.

“I’d describe him almost like a monk,” said a Snapchat employee. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him upset.”

Filipino American teen Nathan Hermida joins Team Adam on “The Voice” Nathan is a first-generation Filipino American who grew up singing during his family’s karaoke nights.

Nathan’s parents have their hearts set on him going to school for biology.

Nathan hopes that with success on The Voice, he will be able to show his parents that the safest option isn’t always the right one.

After 125 years, living Yalies help first Chinese American lawyer win admission to the bar

Hong Yen Chang, Yale Class of 1883, accomplished a great deal before his death in 1926. Now he has one more achievement to his name: posthumous admission to the California bar.

Chang, the first Chinese lawyer in the United States, won the right to practice law in New York despite laws discriminating against Chinese immigrants. But when he moved to California, the state’s Supreme Court denied his request for a law license.

This month—spurred in part by Yale Law School alumni—that very same court unanimously reversed itself. In “a candid reckoning with a sordid chapter of our state and national history,” the court declared: “It is past time to acknowledge that the discriminatory exclusion of Hong Yen Chang from the State Bar of California was a grievous wrong.”

“Even if we cannot undo history, we can acknowledge it and, in so doing, accord a full measure of recognition to Chang’s pathbreaking efforts to become the first lawyer of Chinese descent in the United States,” wrote the court, whose seven justices include three Yale Law School graduates.

Los Angeles Lakers’ Jordan Clarkson in, Jeremy Lin could be free agent next season The 22-year-old Filipino-American NBA basketball player Jordan Clarkson has been a surprise for the Los Angeles Lakers. Drafted from the second round of 2014 NBA draft, Clarkson has managed to steal the starting five from Jeremy Lin, who is probably not returning for Los Angeles Lakers in the the next season.

On the other hand, Jeremy Lin and Coach Byron Scott have not been in good terms as the most recent game against the Denver Nuggets. Scott said that Jeremy Lin often turns the ball over during huge plays and that is the reason why he has been benched out.

National News | asian avenue magazine

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FINANCIAL WORKSHOP KITS

MONEY & COUPLES D o As i ans, Asi an Amer ic ans and/ or Pa cif ic Isl and ers c ouple s manage t heir mone y dif ferent ly f rom t heir Ame r ic an counter p ar ts?

BY MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ

Saving plays an important role Many success stories surround Asian immigrants around patience and savings evolving into important elements in achieving the “American dream.” For example, recent newspaper reports Chinese households reporting a savings rate of 30 percent.

Filipino, Chinese, Korean and Japanese households, family ranks high in their values. In addition, working hard goes hand in hand with great success.

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Obviously, with great success, economic opportunities embraces those seeking it.

Aiming high evolves into “keeping up with the Jonese” for Asian American couples.

“Money is a difficult topic for us,” said Chinese-American Clarence Low, owner of Archipelago Web, Inc. and president of the Asian Chamber of Commerce in Denver.

According to a 2014 Pew Research, Asian Americans are the highest income, best educated and fastest growing racial group in the U.S, with Asians now making up the largest share of recent immigrants.

Here are some common traits on how Asians regard money: Frugality is key In Chinese and Filipino families, socking money away is not uncommon. While the topic of money is a hard discussion, it is treated as a precious resource. It is also a sore subject among married couples, especially when one is a spender and the other is a saver.

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April 2015 | Financial Education

Asian Americans are the highest income, best educated and fastest growing racial group in the U.S. 2014 Pew Research

Bargains are the way to go for most Asian households Grocery coupons and rebates are part of weekly household chores, especially in Korean families. A Korean couple knows shopping on Wednesday for grocery is the best savings day of the week. As for Filipino households, the matriarch of the family enjoys haggling for a better price even when the sticker clearly states a designated tag.

While 3rd and 4th generations of Asian immigrants assimilate into the U.S., values of how money is treated in their households will follow them in their professional and personal lives. Here are some ways couples can begin planning on saving strategically with their finances: Know the household cash flow At least once a month, the family should discuss the regular bills, unusual peaks in

spending and solutions on savings more. This reduces the chances of financial infidelity.

Even if the monthly discussion becomes difficult, as a family unit, it is essential to share the budgeting goals.

Set short-term, medium-term and longterm goals as a couple/family Short-term goals could include upgrading the family computer. Medium-term goals for a couple might be a weekend getaway.

For most, long-term goals could be college education for the children or starting a business. The Chinese, one of the first immigrants, started laundry enterprises. Koreans in California own a majority of liquor stores in the Los Angeles area while Vietnamese are penetrating the beauty industry with nail salons throughout the U.S. Build credit Maintaining credit is essential in obtaining loans for homes, automobiles and small businesses. Purchasing a home is part of the “American dream.” Most people cannot afford to buy a house with cash. Paying on time and staying on top of bills are essential methods in building good credit.

To learn more about financial education, visit these sites: •

www.nefe.org

•

www.smartaboutmoney.org

•

www.financialworkshopkits.org

The information is believed to be current as of the creation of this article, but, over time, legislative and regulatory changes, as well as new developments, may date this information.This article is meant to provide general financial information; it is not meant to substitute for, or to supersede, professional or legal advice. ©2015 National Endowment for Financial Education. All rights reserved.

The West looks to the East for Alternative Medicine Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago as part of the traditional Chinese medicine practice. It’s one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world, gaining much popularity in the United States.

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n the past thirty years acupuncture has attracted the attention of more and more Americans seeking alternative health care. A recent National Health Interview survey found that approximately 8.2 million Americans have used acupuncture in the previous year; an impressive number considering only an estimated 2.1 million American’s adults had used acupuncture the year before.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) held the Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture in 1997 and announced that the modality was being “widely” practiced for the relief and prevention of pain and other health conditions.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body that connect with 12 main and 8 secondary pathways, called meridians. These meridians conduct energy, or qi, (pronounced chee), between the surface of the body and internal organs.

Qi regulates spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance. The opposing forces of yin and yang influence qi, working in harmony with the natural flow of qi to help the body achieve and maintain health. Acupuncture is believed to balance yin and yang, keep the normal flow of energy unblocked, and restore health to the body and mind.

Traditional Chinese medicine practices include herbs, diet, massage, and meditative physical exercises. They are all intended to improve the flow of qi.

Acupuncture is commonly used in conjunction with herbal medicine, which utilizes naturally derived plants and some animal products to treat imbalances. Once a patient has been diagnosed with an alignment, an acupuncturist will usually prescribe a series of herbs to enhance the treatment.

Health: Acupuncture | asian avenue magazine

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Rediscovering Laos Laos, often described as the “forgotten land,” and Southeast Asia’s last “lost world,” lies landlocked between two great, influential civilizations, India and China.

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Fast Facts Full Name: Lao People’s Democratic Republic Capital City:Vientiane Population: 6,350,000 Religion: 60% Buddhist, 40% animist and spirit cults Currency: Kip (KN)

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April 2015 | Travel

he people of Laos (Lao), their culture, and their land remain unfamiliar to the outside world. But this exquisite country covering 91,430 square miles is isolated from foreign change and development, offering travelers an incomparable glimpse of traditional Southeast Asian life. From the lowlands of the Mekong River to the rugged highlands of the Annamese Cordillera, Laos is the jewel of Southeast Asia.

One of the 12 great rivers of the world and the longest waterway in Southeast Asia, the Mekong River, defines most of Laos’ western border. It flows 2,800 miles through six countries; its journey through Laos is the longest of all the Mekong countries. The river is a vital transportation route, though rapids make it difficult in some areas. It is also an essential source for fish.

During the rainy season, the Mekong River carries immense quantities of fertile silt, beneficial to the region’s agricultural

wealth. Luckily there is never a disastrous crop failure in the country, as the flood plain can supply the entire country’s rice needs.

Northwest of Laos and leveling out the southeast portion of the country, is Annamese Cordillera, or Annam Highlands, a spur of the Himalayas that runs from Tibet to Vietnam. It is Indochina’s main north-south divide, which runs almost the entire length of Laos. The rugged northern mountains and hills rise from 5,000 to almost 10,000 feet, forming a series of sharp, steep, parallel folds and ridges where rivers run through deep gorges. The Annamese Cordillera has always been a barrier for communication and movement, as well as invasion.

Another feature of Laos is the Nam Ngum Dam. The magnificent man-made structure opened in 1971 with the help of funds and expertise supplied by the United Nations and the United States. The dam is the first project of its kind to have been built on the Mekong located north of

Vientiane; the dam controls the flooding of the Mekong. Its power plant generates electricity for domestic use, with Thailand purchasing approximately 90% of the power generated at Nam Ngum. Pictures of the dam are featured in many postcards and tourists brochures.

The lake is dotted with dozens of small islands. Valuable trees that were overlooked before the valley was flooded are now logged by frogmen using underwater chain saws. This amazing feature is not just a must see for its unique structure but also for the beauty that surrounds it.

If planning a trip to Laos, it is best to visit between November and February when it rains less and the weather is not too hot. Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November. January is the coolest month, and April the hottest. May and July may also be a pleasant time to visit if heading up into the mountains.

Laos also has many small annual festivals that occur almost every month.

The most important festivals are the New Year (Pi Mai), the Rocket Festival (Boun Bang Fay), the Water Festival (Boun Lay Heua Pay) and the That Luang Festival (Boun That Luang). In October, the Lao celebrate the end of the Buddhist Lent, throwing lively parties and boat races on the Mekong River.

The official language of Laos is Lao, which is used in all government communications and is taught in schools.

Other languages that are often spoken include Thai and Hmong. There are thirty other languages that have been documented, but have no written form.

Nam Ngum Dam

Luang Festival (Boun That Luang)

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The most common verbal greeting is Sabaidii, which translates to “may you have a happy health.”

Learning English has become popular in urban areas.

The most common verbal greeting is Sabaidii, which translates to “may you have a happy health.” The receiver returns the same phrase. The formal Lao gesture is the nob, meaning “salute,” which involves placing one’s hands together in a prayer position at the chest level but not touching the body. The higher your hand is in respect to your body, the greater the sign of respect, although they should never be held above the level of one’s nose. A slight bow takes place when greeting a person of higher status or an elder; this could also be an expression of thanks or regret.

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The nob was discouraged in favor of a handshake after 1975 because it emphasized status differences. However, people continued to use it with the elderly and Buddhist priests, and it has regained some popularity as a sign of basic respect.

For a casual greeting, the Lao may shake hands with members of the same sex or touch one another on the arm, never the shoulder. Greetings used are Pai Sai Maa? (where are you coming from) or Kim Khow Leo bor? (have you eaten?). If the reply is Bor (not yet), it is of courtesy and tradition that the greeter feed the person.

Peers address each other by first names. When applicable, people often use professional or official titles. When a person has no specific title, a greeter may address him or her as lung (uncle), naa (aunt), aii (elder brother) or Nang (Ms.).

When parting, one uses the same gestures as upon greeting; to use a different gesture would be an insult. It is also imperative to leave with a nob and not a handshake.

The Lao are a kind, open and friendly people. The culture is devoted to their sense of courtesy and respect and believes that life should be enjoyed at the moment; problems are not taken so seriously as to disrupt this enjoyment.

To be surrounded by its people’s attitude of humility, modesty and patience, makes Laos a memorable place to visit.

Rediscovering Laos | asian avenue magazine

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