Asian Avenue magazine - December 2013 by Asian Avenue magazine

asian avenue magazine

December 2013 Volume 8 Issue 12

Connecting Cultures Linking Lives

and the votes are in.

phochinesesushikoreanbbqfusionsupermarketyoutubetvbusinessowner

typhoon haiyan Colorado organizations rally fundraising efforts toni yagami performs and teaches taiko from the heart restaurant peeks dancing crab [aurora] + pho saigon [westminster]

EAST MOON ASIAN BISTRO & SUSHI

8162 S. Holly St. Centennial, CO 80122 Tel: 303.779.9999 | www.eastmoon9.com HOURS: Mon - Sat 11AM - 9:30PM Sun: 12PM to 9:30PM

ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI Tuesdays Lunch $15.95 Dinner $26.95

SPECIALS FOR TWO - Monday to Thursday

$30 Sushi for two (Reg. $50) | $25 Chinese food for two (Reg. $40)

Colorado Heights University

Tell your family back home!

The perfect environment for U.S. study! Offering BA and MBA international business degrees and a bridge English program, Colorado Heights University specializes in providing individualized attention and care to each student. Multiculturalism is 100% with students and faculty originating from roughly sixty countries and speaking over forty languages. Help through the visa application process is provided.

3001 S. Federal Blvd., Denver, CO 80126 www.chu.edu admissions@chu.edu 303-937-4225

Commercial Business Banking

U.S. Bank Practice Finance provides the benefits of working with a strong and stable financial instituation.

Program Benefits: • Competitive pricing for purchases and refinances of practice financing • Making leverage recommendations

We offer financing for: • acquisitions • buy-ins • practice expansions • start-ups • equipment

for potential business growth • Understanding tax implications to assisting business client for future managerial decisions

Inquire Today!

Credit products are subject to normal credit approval and program guidelines. Some restrictions may apply. U.S. Bank and its representatives do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Each tax and financial situation is unique. You should consult with your tax, accounting, or legal advisor for a clear understanding of how various banking products could impact your specific business conditions. Deposit products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.

Dear Asian Avenue readers,

Are you ready to say good-bye to this year and ring in 2014? How fast time has flown by. Thank you for another amazing year! In 2013, we covered interesting topics including: Asian parenting, the Hmong people, refugees in Colorado, Japanese tea ceremonies and meanings behind tattoos. We never run out of articles or information to share due to the richness of culture here in our state. This year, we also hosted a multitude of events including our annual lunar new year banquet, joy of living dinners, Asian American Heroes awards ceremony, singles mingle mixer, and Halloween party! Our mission continues to be “connecting cultures, linking lives”.

We hope you spend time with friends and family during the holiday season; and we invite you to celebrate the new year with us at Jing Restaurant on December 31. Dress to impress in red and white at the “Red Carpet Affair” New Year’s Eve Party. Time to let go of what you can’t change, and make new resolutions for what you can!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Best of 2013 survey to identify the best restaurants and supermarket in metro Denver. This has become a ritual issue, now in its third year, and we enjoy hearing the input and recommendations of our readers. We hope you enjoy this cover story, as well as our special feature of this year’s Asian-American news in “a look at 2013”. We loved getting to know Toni Yagami and Kevie Kawasaki in our Spotlight and Rising Star previews this month. Both are of Japanese descent; and both are inspiring with their love for performing arts. Toni, who is a taiko performer and instructor, shares that her passion for taiko is far more than the movements of drumming; it is an expression that comes from the soul. Kevie, a student at the University of Colorado Denver, brings her Hawaiian roots to the Auraria Campus as she is actively involved in Hawaii Club of Auraria and teaches others how to hula dance.

Last month, Typhoon Haiyan left many parts of the Philippines in destruction and despair. Locally, our Filipino-American community is coming together to fundraise and provide relief to the typhoon’s victims. On December 15, the largest local fundraising event will take place at the Exdo Event Center. As you watch or read the news of the aftermath, you may think it is impossible to help people on the other side of the world. However, this event allows all of us to get involved locally. We invite you to attend the event or make a donation in support of those affected by the typhoon. ‘Tis the season to give! Happy Holidays,

Annie Guo, President Asian Avenue magazine

asian avenue magazine

staff & support

Publisher & Founder: Christina Yutai Guo President: Annie Guo Production Manager: Peter Bui Senior Designer: C.G. Yao Designer: Jonathan Nguyen Staff Writer: Patricia Kaowthumrong Staff Writer: Mary Jeneverre Schultz Staff Writer: Brenda Velasquez Photographer: Trang Luong Intern: Akemi Tsutsui

advisors group

Patty Coutts, Donna LaVigne, Nestor J. Mercado, Sum C. Nguyen, Alok Sarwal, Peter Warren, John Yee, Nai-Li Yee, George N. Yoshida

contributing writers

Asian Pacific Development Center, Colorado Heights University, Harry Budisidharta

contributing photographers

Kyle Adams, Gil Asakawa, Masaaki Kawafune, Kit Williams, Alan Yamamoto

on the cover

We polled our readers to find the best of 2013. Thank you to all those who voted in this year’s survey.

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. 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 and 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@asianavenuemagazine. com for our media kit and ad rates.

editorial 40

To submit story ideas, letters to the editor, or listings for the Events Calendar, e-mail to 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.

220

December 2013 | President’s Note

12 12

from across the nation

Aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan: Colorado organizations rally fundraising efforts for victims

On the Cover The votes are in. We present: The Best of 2013.

Restaurant Peeks 22 Warm up this winter with a hot bowl of noodle soup

Contents

December 2013

Features 16 A Look at 2013: The year’s Asian-American events

Upcoming Events

at Pho Saigon in Westminster

Aurora’s newest addition Dancing Crab specializes in cajun seafood and Korean bar food

Spotlight 8 Toni Yagami performs and instructs classes on

Rising Star 9 Hawaii native Kevie Kawasaki brings island

culture to Auraria Campus

Inside Stories 10 Colorado Heights and Metropolitan State

work together to increase the educational options for business students

420

Japanese taiko drumming in Denver

U.S. Bank’s Nghia Truong provides commercial business banking services

December 2013 | Table of Contents

On Scene Mile-high area events 24 Ai Kuwabara Trio performs Japanese jazz on their

American tour

Singles across Denver meet at Singles Mingle Mixer

Asian Chamber of Commerce celebrates the year

Asian Pacific Development Center provides community flu clinic

Mile High JACL organizes Amendment 66 forum

NAAAP Colorado hosts annual charity gala

26 National News Chinese Idiom

A Castle in the Air

喜相逢大酒樓

The Empress Seafood

Dim Sum Restaurant

Best Roast Duck In Town

Winner of many awards for best dim sum and Chinese Restaurant since 1993

Specializing styles in Dim Sum, Cantonese, & Szechuan Tel: 303.922.2822

W. Alameda Ave.

Open Hours

I-25

Federal Blvd

Sat - Sun Mon - Fri

10:30am - 9pm 11am - 9pm

2825 W. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80219

upcomingevents 7th Annual Colorado Budokan Holiday Boutique Saturday, Dec. 7, 4PM to 8PM Sunday, Dec. 8, 10AM to 6PM

Aurora Asian Community Holiday Tea and Dinner Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6PM to 9PM

Colorado Budokan 3547 S. Monaco Pkwy. | Denver, CO 80237 Cost: Free to attend For more info, call 720-253-7473 or visit www.coloradobudokan.com. Enjoy Colorado Budokan’s annual holiday boutique with beautiful and original Asian-inspired embroidered clothing and home furnishings. Come and explore the selection of fine art, handcrafted cards and candles, all-natural bath and body products. The boutique will also feature artisan jewelry, handmade children’s items, hand crocheted winter items, artisan pottery, home baked goods, martial arts supplies, gift certificates and so much more! This is a great way to buy local and support small business this holiday season. A portion of all sales benefit the Colorado Budokan Athlete Scholarship.

To purchase tickets or for more info, www.sites.google.com/site/naffaa5.

The National Federation of the Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Region V is organizing this fundraising event for the victims of the Philippine typhoon. Donations will go directly to the victims through Philippine Disaster Relief Foundation or Salvation Army of the Philippines.

Jai Ho Indian Kitchen 3055 S. Parker Rd.| Aurora, CO 80014 Cost: $30 per person RSVP at 303-326-8695 or for more info, visit www.auroraasian.org. The Aurora Asia/Pacific Community Partnership is celebrating their annual dinner with a “Holiday and Tea” theme at Jai Ho Indian Kitchen. Bring a wrapped gift of tea and cookies for exchange (optional) and donate warm winter items such as socks, hat, gloves that will be given to Burmese/Bhutanese refugees. Entertainment will include belly dancing and a performance by Theatre Esprit Asia.

Nan Desu Kan New Year’s Eve Costume Ball

Saklolo! (Help!) Typhoon Haiyan Fundraiser

Ready to say good-bye to 2013 and welcome 2014 in style? Join Nan Desu Kan and count down to the Year of the Horse with costumes, dancing, music by DJ Bullock, food, cash bar, games, royalty, and friends! Play some traditional Japanese games and help raise money for charity! NDK NYE will be supporting a Colorado flood relief charity.

Sunday, Dec. 15, 4PM to 9PM

Exdo Event Center 1399 35th Street | Denver, CO 80205 Cost: $25 Adults | $10 Children under 14

Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7PM to 2AM

Renaissance Denver Hotel 3801 Quebec Street | Denver, CO 80207 Cost: $20 On-site Registration For more info, visit www.ndkdenver.org/nye.

2014 LUNAR NEW YEAR DINNER Friday, January 24, 2013 6:00pm Cash Bar / Networking 6:30pm Dinner King’s Land Chinese Seafood Restaurant 2200 West Alameda Ave. #44 Denver, CO 80223 10-course Chinese Dinner Dragon and Lion Dance Silent Auction, Raffle... and more! Ticket: $35 General | $25 Student/Senior For tickets: Call 303.937.6888, visit asianavenuemagazine.com/horse or send a check payable to Asian Avenue: Asian Avenue | PO Box 221748 | Denver, CO 80222

620

December 2013 | Upcoming Events

Shen Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are safe, effective and drug-free therapies that can help address a wide variety of common ailments and problems. ACUPUNCTURE TREATS:

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Yagami (second from right) drums while her husband Acker (right) performs on the oboe.

Toni Yagami

teaches how to drum to the beat of the soul

With her contagious smile, Toni Y. Yagami teaches taiko, Japanese drumming, in Denver. “For me, taiko is not only the actual sound of the drum, but of all things in nature uniting with the soul of the person playing and the person hearing the sound,” says Yagami, taiko instructor and performer. Taiko has been described as the ‘heartbeat’; and as the connection between humans and nature and the world beyond. “To some, it may just be the sound of a bachi (taiko drumstick) hitting the head of the taiko playing some rhythm; but if you really listen and ‘feel the sound’, you will know it is much more than that.” Growing up in Swink, Colo., Yagami and her sister Mitzi both graduated from Swink High School. Her father’s side of the family - the Yagami’s - moved to Swink before 1920. Her grandfather started on the west coast working for the railroad and ended in Swink where he settled with six children and started farming. Her father, Mitsuo farmed his whole life and drove the school bus for the Swink School District in the mid-1960’s. Her mother’s side of the family - the Murakami’s - were from Portland, Oreg. and also arrived there before the 1920’s. Yagami’s grandfather and grandmother ran a small neighborhood grocery store and raised seven children. During WWII, the family was uprooted and sent to the Minidoka Internment Camp in Idaho. Her mother, Yamako, married her dad in 1948 and moved to Swink, Colo. After graduating high school, Yagami went on to attend Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. She moved to Maywood, Neb. to teach public December 2013 | Spotlight

school instrumental music for two years, then moved to Denver. Her experience with taiko originated with learning koto, shamisen, and shakuhachi. “When I returned to Denver in 1976, I wanted to learn more about the music of my heritage,” she said. “When I saw Denver Taiko perform at Sakura Matsuri in 1977, I knew that taiko was what I really needed to play!” She joined Denver Taiko, and later moved to California to continue her taiko instruction with San Jose Taiko (SJT) in 1988. “I became part of SJT’s staff and performing group and was very excited to be able to be making a living doing this,” she said. “SJT became a professional touring group and we performed not only on California concert stages, but across the U.S. - including Carnegie Hall where we opened for a taiko group from Japan, ‘Ondekoza’.” In 1995, she returned to Denver to marry her husband Lance Acker, professional jazz musician and a friend since college. At the time, Acker was teaching private woodwind students and performing in various Denver traditional jazz groups, the Denver Centre Theatre pit orchestra, Silver Bullet Band, and many others. “Through the ‘Young Audience’ organization, I started doing solo school performances as ‘Taiko with Toni’,” said Yagami. After a couple of months, Acker started playing the Japanese takebue (bamboo flute) and the “ji” (bass rhythm) on taiko; and the two were able to do a larger variety of songs as a duo! Together, they performed for many schools and festivals throughout Colorado, as well as taught workshops in Colorado and at

Yagami (middle) performs Japanese taiko.

Annie Guo Asian Avenue magazine

national taiko conferences on the west coast. They also performed with “Taikoza” (based in NYC) on the east coast, Europe, and Russia. “There is something about the energy that comes from playing taiko that is very addictive; whether it is on stage or teaching a class or practicing with a group or on my own - there is just something about the taiko that can make you lose yourself in the playing, in the movement, in the sound.” Three years ago, Yagami began teaching an adult taiko class for friends “who just wanted to have fun and learn a bit about taiko”. Many of the class members now join her on stage for local festivals. Her one evening class has grown to three classes, and she is looking to starting another beginners class soon. “We just recently did a public workshop at Simpson United Methodist Church in Arvada, and hope to start an ongoing class there!” Yagami is a member of the Denver Musicians Association. She is a charter member of the newly formed national organization, Taiko Community Alliance. She has also participated in the bi-annual North American Taiko Conferences since 1997. Through KASA (KODO Arts Sphere America), she has helped organize a group tour to Japan (KasaMix) to study with members of Kodo (approximately every two years) - the participants come from the U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, Brazil, and Japan. When she is not teaching private saxophone, clarinet, flute and oboe lessons or teaching and performing taiko, she has some moments of downtime. And this is when she enjoys making custom bags for taiko and bachi (taiko sticks). Photo Credit: Alan Yamamoto

RISING STAR:

Kevie Kawasaki shares joy through the art of hula Kawasaki, who is from Hawaii, gets excited for the snow.

Brenda Velasquez Asian Avenue magazine

Mirroring Fundraising for the annual luau at Auraria

Dancing in the Hawaii Club of Auraria Luau

Kawasaki with her family at Disneyland

Mirroring the diversity in mainland U.S.A., Hawaii thrums with a rich mixture of customs. Amidst intermingling cultures however, these islands have managed to preserve one of their ancient Hawaiian traditions: the art of hula. A practitioner of the dance since age three, Kevie Kawasaki, a 20-year-old Hawaiian local studying biology at University of Colorado Denver relates the fulfillment of performing: “I love seeing the faces of people in the audience because I made them smile even for a moment and maybe even helped them forget their problems. When people come up and tell me they loved the performance, I’m glad I brought some joy to their life.” A product of her eclectic environment, Kawasaki harbors Japanese and Okinawan heritage, attending a Hawaiian language school as a child while picking up conversational Hawaiian pidgin. Kawasaki shares the experience of growing up in a popular tourist destination: “My most fond memories are camping and fishing - the simple stuff. I was raised a good distance from Waikiki so the tourist industry wasn’t something I was aware of until I was older.” “Family is very important; there’s a saying that in Hawaii there’s only three degrees of separation. People are also easygoing and our cuisine is influenced by many cultures, incorporating sushi, malasadas

(Portuguese), and manapua (Chinese).” Although Kawasaki’s family has resided in Hawaii for generations, they haven’t lost touch with their ancestry, enjoying Japanese and Okinawan cuisine, attending bon dances, participating in mochi pounding, and practicing judo. After entering the competitive traveling class in her halau (hula dance school), Kawasaki received the opportunity to perform in the Beijing Olympics; her team has also entertained Fergie Duchess of York, Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, Vice President Dick Cheney and President George Bush. To maintain her skills, Kawasaki joined the Hawaii Club of Auraria (HCA) as a freshman and became the luau coordinator in her sophomore year, choreographing the routines for the annual HCA Luau. Growing up in a tropical town, Kawasaki explains her move to snowy, mountainous Colorado: “I chose Denver to get away from the islands; many Hawaiians attend school in California, Oregon, Washington, so I wanted to start fresh and make the best of my experience, to be on my own.” Yet throughout her traveling, Kawasaki remains connected to her island home through its traditional arts, using hula as a vehicle for sharing her beloved Hawaiian culture, and putting a smile on peoples’ faces.

about kevie kawasaki

School: University of Colorado at Denver, Class of 2015 Hometown: Waipahu, Hawaii Involvements: Hawaii Club of Auraria, Denver Bound Scholar, University Honors and Leadership Program, Presidential Scholar Kevie in three words: hardworking, easygoing, thoughtful Hobbies/interests: violin, ukulele, exercising, judo, board games, the beach Dream job: Optometry private practice while serving the community Lives by: “no sked um, go get um” (pidgin, “don’t be scared, just do it”) Teaching a hula Rising Star | asian avenue magazine

Historic Colorado Heights University facility built over 100 years ago at the highest point of Denver.

Ann Murphy, Dean of the MSU Denver School of Business

CHU students take time to have fun at the main university entrance.

Gantulga Ganbaatar Class of 2013, CHU MBA graduate

Denver universities work together to increase the educational options for business students A recent collaboration now provides the opportunity for Colorado Heights University (CHU) students desiring to study Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Finance, Management or Marketing to transfer business core and general studies credits toward a Bachelor of Science degree at Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver). The agreement is reciprocal in that CHU readily accepts business credits from MSU Denver that apply to the CHU international business degree program.

Encourages greater diversity “This partnership focuses on removing perceived barriers to education, while encouraging greater diversity of ideas and backgrounds in our programs,” said Ann Murphy, dean of the MSU Denver School of Business. December 2013 | Inside Story

Gantulga Ganbaatar, 28, from Mongolia, a recent CHU graduate said, “My studies definitely broadened my horizon of knowledge about almost everything.” These two universities are very different. MSU Denver has more than 22,000 students and offers 55 majors. CHU, on the other hand, has around 400 students, most of them international and first-generation college students coming from roughly 50 different countries of origin (including many countries in Asia), speaking more than 40 languages. More personalized support for students This agreement is especially appealing to international students that may need additional English language instruction to compete at an American university. CHU offers a 12-month intensive English

course that prepares students to pass the TOEFL® exam upon completion. CHU’s small size and individualized approach can make a difference to those needing time to transition to a new culture, a university level environment and possibly a new language. Reduced tuition for international and nonresident students CHU’s flat rate tuition can provide a low cost option and starting point for students who wish to earn an MSU Denver business degree. By initially attending CHU, the high cost of nonresident status can be averted for almost four semesters before transferring to MSU Denver for the final degree-specific courses. This article was provided by CHU. For additional information, visit www.chu.edu or www.msudenver.edu.

U.S. Bank provides commercial business banking services Banker Nghia Truong values a strong client relationship based on customer service and trust.

Nghia Truong, Business Banking Officer 8401 E. Belleview Avenue | Denver, CO 80237 Office: 303-713-6499 | Cell: 720-305-8338 E-mail: nghia.truong1@usbank.com “My relationship with Nghia Truong has given me detailed insights to investing in another business. My money and time is very important to me. Nghia Troung truly understands this and put my tensions at ease by carefully walking me through step by step. I am now getting ready to invest into multiple businesses with less frustration and stress that haunted me before. I really appreciated all the attention and care shown to me by Nghia. I’m glad to have a partner in business in U.S. Bank that really knows what they are doing.” – Nam Kim

“I worked with Nghia at U.S. Bank for a commercial loan refinance. He very easily won my trust at the beginning of the process and he kept my trust throughout the process. He was extremely professional and fun to work with. He did what he said he would do and I always felt he had my best interest in mind. I would highly recommend him to anybody and I am looking forward to next opportunity to work with him.” – Jeet Poonia

If you are looking to open your own practice or refinance on a commercial property, visit Nghia Truong at U.S. Bank to get all the information and services you need. Truong has been in banking for ten years. “I have grown from being a personal banker, to a licensed registered representative, to now a commercial and business banking officer,” he said. He currently works with U.S. Bank’s commercial business banking clients in refinancing/purchasing real estate, equipment financing, and SBA loans. Truong also works with the Strategic Alliance Group that provides financing for dentists, doctors, veterinarians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists. He says that Colorado is a smaller market compared to other markets, in the sense that banks know their competitors. “We know what values everyone in our marketplace brings,” he said. “Reputation is noted and valued, rather than only pricing and product.” “Because Colorado is a smaller market, we depend on customer service, reputation, and trust. It is important to know where you can get exceptional customer service, where you can find trust in your services, and where you can work with a reputable banker.” What makes Truong standout is his communication and empathetic approach to business banking. He believes that “trust is

built over time, but customer service sets the stage.” Not only is it important to have a strong business relationship between the client and banker, Truong focuses on connecting people for potential growth opportunities. For example, he often makes connections between clients looking to purchase a business with ones who have businesses for sale. “If a client was interested in purchasing a business and real estate and used a loan broker, he would typically be charged a 1% fee. If that client had a strong banking relationship, he could just bypass the loan broker and save on that 1%.” This is what Truong does for his clients. He is also able to see trends in financials, make recommendations on potential growth factors. “Businesses are constantly looking for growth,” he said. “I am able to analyze accounting forms in order to make recommendations in expense control, leverage cash flow management, and depreciation tax benefits.” The benefits of the U.S. Bank practice finance program include: • Competitive pricing for purchases and refinances of practice financing; • Making leverage recommendations for potential business growth; and • Understanding tax implications to assisting business client for future managerial decisions.

Credit products are subject to normal credit approval and program guidelines. Some restrictions may apply. U.S. Bank and its representatives do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Each tax and financial situation is unique.You should consult with your tax, accounting, or legal advisor for a clear understanding of how various banking products could impact your specific business conditions. Deposit products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.

Inside Story | asian avenue magazine

Best of 2013

We polled our readers and the votes are in for the best of 2013. Cheers to the new year!

Written by Peter Bui

Best Chinese

Star Kitchen

2917 West Mississippi Avenue | Denver, CO 80219 Tel: 303-936-0089 | www.starkitchendenver.com In Denver, when dim sum is mentioned, more often than not so is Star Kitchen Seafood Restaurant. Many patrons come for the dim sum but that’s not the only thing Star Kitchen is known for. They offer many amazing seafood dishes and a menu full of delicious family style cuisine. It’s easy to see why tables and seats have become a high commodity on Sunday mornings, when lines are out the door and wait times are up to an hour. For those late night eaters, this Best of 2013 Chinese restaurant also stays open until midnight.

Best Sushi Go Fish

1 Broadway B108 | Denver, CO 80203 Tel: 303-733-8881 | www.gofishdenver.com Sometimes it’s not only about the quality of food - which is of course very important - but it is about creating an entertaining atmosphere, and Go Fish is one of the best at providing both. The South Broadway sushi restaurant has a fantastic and affordable happy hour that offers great drink and food specials. Go Fish also has an attached lounge with a full service bar where you can find patrons participating in the restaurant’s famous sake bomb trains. Go Fish is also the perfect date spot; it’s elegant lighting and modern decor has made it this year’s Best Sushi restaurant.

December 2013 | Cover Story

Best Asian Fusion Zengo

1610 Little Raven Street | Denver, CO 80202 Tel: 720-904-0965 www.richardsandoval.com/zengodenver Fusion is taken to the next level with Zengo and its LatinAsian fusion cuisine. The marrying of Latin and Asian techniques works well with street food and Zengo is proving that same goes for fine dining. The restaurant has a great selection of spirits and cocktails especially those of the tequila variety. Zengo also offers a great bottomless brunch on weekends. World-reknowned chef and owner Richard Sandavol has several accolades for his success in the restaurant industry and Zengo is just one of his many accomplishments.

Seoul Korean BBQ

2080 South Havana Street | Aurora, CO 80014 Tel: 303-632-7576 www.seoulkoreanbbq.com

Best Korean BBQ PHO DUY

945 South Federal Blvd. | Denver, CO 80219 Tel: 303-937-1609

The smokeless barbecue champ is back for its second year as Denver’s best Korean restaurant. Seoul Korean BBQ has become a household name because of its quality of food and restaurant appeal. During peak dining hours the restaurant is jammed packed with patrons, and if you don’t have a reservation you could be in for a long wait. The Aurora restaurant focuses on the dining experience where patrons can be hands on with the food making it fun for family gettogethers and group outings. With its great tasting dishes and high-quality cuts, it’s no wonder why Seoul Korean BBQ is the best around.

Best Pho

Not sure if it’s the altitude or the stiff competition, but many consider Denver to have some of the best pho restaurants in the country. And once again Pho Duy defends its title by being voted the best pho spot in town. The ultra-appealing Vietnamese dish has become largely popular among the masses and is drawing new fans with every bowl. Pho Duy keeps its crown, as our readers note that the restaurant consistently provides patrons with generous portions of noodles and meat. If you haven’t checked out Pho Duy yet, you’re missing out. Best of 2013 | asian avenue magazine

Best Asian Supermarket

H-Mart

2751 S. Parker Road | Aurora, CO 80014 Tel: 303-745-4592 | www.hmart.com

There’s just no other place like H-Mart. This international super market carries a wide variety of groceries fulfilling the needs of most Asian ethnicities. They always carry fresh produce, seafood and meats and import thousands of products for their customers. Inside the New Jersey based and Korean owned market is a bakery, several small restaurants and shops that carry merchandise. H-Mart does an excellent job of offering people with familiar products from back home and providing something new for the adventurous.

Best Asian-American Business Owner Linna Tanny Rose of Sharon Assisted Living

www.roseofsharonassistedliving.com 14

December 2013 | Cover Story

Linna Tanny established the Rose of Sharon Assisted Living in 2003 with her husband, Hanny. The assisted living center is dedicated to providing loving care in a nurturing environment that embraces choice, independence and the opportunity for seniors to live enriching lives with dignity, respect, and privacy according to their individual needs. In 1988, Tanny traveled to America from Indonesia to visit her parents who were living in Denver. “I really liked the way of life and freedom that the people of the United States enjoyed,” she said. “My husband and I decided to immigrate with our daughter to the U.S. We are now blessed to be U.S. citizens with two wonderful daughters.” She started her corporate career doing clerical work at American Express, which was later acquired by First Data Corp (FDC). She continued to work her way up to positions of greater responsibility with the company. “I participated in extensive education and training on the job and was eventually promoted to a senior manager position.” In 2003, she left her position at FDC in pursuit of a new opportunity to help others. She opened the first Rose of Sharon Assisted Living home in the Denver metro area. Since then, she has opened seven more homes. “I believe that the key to our success is a passion for this work, a well-trained staff of caregivers who we treat like family, and the operation of our homes as deficiency free to the highest Colorado Health Department standards,” said Tanny. She loves serving elderly people and seeing them happy. “I want to make the last chapter of their lives comfortable while giving a sense of relief for the family, knowing their loved ones are taken care of,” she said. Tanny shares that the quote she lives by is to “live your purpose and continue to help and service humanity.”

Best in a TV Series steven yeun

Walking Dead - AMC Who better to watch your back during the zombie apocalypse than Steven Yuen? Yuen better known as Glenn Rhee, his character on the hit TV show The Walking Dead, has become an icon in zombie fandom. The South Korean-born American is now on his third season of The Walking Dead and has made appearances on several other shows. Each new episode has Yuen’s fans watching anxiously to see if he is next on the zombie hit list, but with his popularity, its very unlikely he will depart any time soon. Or will he?

Best YouTube Channel WONG FU PRODUcTIoNS

Philip Wang, Wesley Chan, Ted Fu The Three Amigos of the American filmmaking group, Wong Fu Productions is composed of Wesley Chan, Ted Fu, and Philip Wang. Since their first major short film, Yellow Fever, in January of 2006 they have produced a whirlwind of productions and gained global popularity. The group has produced full length films and hundreds of shorts and music videos for artists like David Choi. Their videos range from romance to comedic mockumentaries, which have accumulated over 1.9 million subscribers and over 283 million views. They also organize events and concerts and tour the country speaking to students.

Best YouTube Musician David Choi

Singer, Guitarist One of the first to bust out from YouTube super stardom is David Choi. As he continues to grow so does his fan bases. On YouTube, Choi has over 973,000 subscribers and more than 89 million total video views. He has hosted several tours across North America and the world. Choi’s songs and tracks have been heard on TV networks such as MTV, NBC, and VH1, as well as in commercials internationally. The California native’s most recent album, Forever and Ever, released in October 2011.

Best of 2013 | asian avenue magazine

December 2013 | Feature

A Look at 2013 | asian avenue magazine

3 1 0 2 . 8 0 . 11

Typhoon Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan hits the southern areas of the Philippines three times the force of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans eight years ago.

The images of the aftermath take an emotional toll on those living in the United States. Instead of just sitting around and watching the news, local Filipino organizations are gathering resources and networks in raising relief funds to survivors of this traumatic typhoon.

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Local Colorado organizations rally fundraising efforts for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan By Mary Jeneverre Schultz | Asian Avenue magazine Photos by Kyle Adams | Humanitarian International Service Group of Palmer Lake, Colorado

December 2013 | Feature

“The whole Filipino American (FilAm) community in Colorado was stunned at the destruction it left behind especially to FilAms who have relatives living in those areas,” said Giselle Rushford, Region V Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations. “Many of us spent days and nights watching the news and contacting families - mine included.” Local organizations Several fundraising events occurred within November to assist with financial aid to national organizations such as the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and World Vision, just to name a few. Last November 9, the Filipino-American Community of Colorado (FACC) organized a dinner fundraiser, serving spaghetti with meatballs, salad, garlic toast and drinks. Each dinner cost $5. The organization raised more than $1,400. A week later, the Philippines American Society of Colorado (PASCO) organized its fundraiser at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Aurora, showcasing traditional folk dances from the Philippines. On the same night, November 17, down in Colorado Springs the Filipino communities also organized a benefit dinner at Holy Apostles Catholic Church to raise money for the victims of the typhoon. Local restaurant Sunburst Grill donated food to fill up 200 meal boxes for take-out last November 26. First-come, first-served, regular diners and faithful patrons purchased these meals at $15. The funds were directed to the typhoon victims. Since the typhoon hit on November 8, food cart owner and chef Kathy Gietl of A Taste of the Philippines has been donating $1 from each sold entrée. All the donated funds will go to the American Red Cross. Her cart, located downtwon on the 16th Street Mall and Stout Avenue, sells Filipino dishes such as Chicken Adobo and Pancit (noodle dish).

Gietl’s father was in the Philippines traveling for business but assured her via Facebook he was okay, while her uncle lost his home in Leyte. Since the tragedy, faithful and devoted cart foodies inquire about the state of the Philippines. “I told (diners) that typhoons were a regular occurrence in the Philippines, but typhoon Haiyan has been the most powerful. It hit mostly the southern islands mainly, in Leyte and Cebu,” Gietl said. Local Filipino organizations have banded together to continue fundraising efforts through an event called Saklolo, which will take place on December 15. “Saklolo is the collaboration of all the Filipino organizations here in Colorado spearheaded by the National Federation of Filipino American Association (NaFFAA),” said Aurelia Jareno Grinstead, one of the event organizers. “Saklolo” means “plea for help” in Tagalog, the native language of the Philippines, and is also a grassroots initiative and sustained campaign that was started in 2008 by the NaFFAA. Those interested in attending this event can purchase tickets at $25 per person while child’s tickets are sold at $10 for those under 14 years old. Grinstead hopes the event will sell between 600 to 1,000 tickets.

The fundraising event “Saklolo” means “plea for help” in Tagalog,

the native language of the Philippines

Manila Although Manila, the capital of the Philippines, was not heavily affected, Denver residents Paolo Dizon and Robert Justus said their families experienced what was equivalent to a category 2 storm. The city also has turned into a refugee camp for some of the people of Tacloban. Aftermath According to the International Labour Organisation, around five million workers — equivalent to the population of Norway — had

Typhoon Haiyan | asian avenue magazine

their livelihoods temporarily or permanently destroyed. The typhoon also compromised about 80% of the coconut trees - a major source of livelihood for the locals. Poultry and Fishing Industry In north Cebu, the future of crucial local industries hang in the balance – it is the “egg capital” of the region and a popular destination for holidaymakers. Financial damage to the poultry industry is estimated to be more than US $4 million and the chicken business owners are the ones taking the brunt of the losses. Obvious from images, boats were capsized, fishing nets were destroyed and the industry has halted in production. Tourism & Hospitality Santa Fe is a popular location for tourists; they are drawn to the area’s pristine beaches and reefs. After Haiyan hit the area, the tourism industry is at risk. For the country to recover, the visitors will need to return with confidence in touring the countryside. Agriculture The typhoon has wiped out around a third of the country’s rice growing areas. According to Oxfam, unless rice farmers in the devastated areas receive assistance, millions of Filipino people will be without food in the coming months. Harvests in the five regions worst hit by the disaster have been completely destroyed, which could mean not only that Filipinos will be without their staple daily food, but also will lead to a huge loss of income and increased debt for the farmers in the region. The typhoon happened just at a time when farmers were involved

the FACTS

>> Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Yolanda, hit the Philippines specifically Tacloban (southern part of the islands) with the force three times greater than Hurricane Katrina of New Orleans. >> Type of storm: Category 5 superstorm with winds exceeding 160 mph >> When: November 8, 2013 – Friday >> Where: Tacloban, Samar, Leyte – Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council: >> Death toll: 5,235 | Missing: 1,613 | Injured: 23,501 >> Displacement: 4 million people including 1 million children >> Number of affected: 13 million people >> Nearly 650,000 houses are reported as damaged. Of those, 325,000 destroyed. >> In Tacloban alone, some 56,000 are without proper sanitation for water and waste. Tacloban was home to 220,000 people. >> Dozens of governments have pledged nearly $200 million in cash and in-kind donations. A number have sent military assets bearing basic necessities and medical aid. Nearly 13 billion pesos ($298 million) in cash and relief goods have so far been pledged by countries and donor groups to an overwhelmed government that was criticized for its slow response in the first few days after disaster struck. >> The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have committed a total of more than $1 billion in grants and emergency loans to support reconstruction and relief efforts. >> The United States is providing about $37 million in humanitarian aid to the storm’s victims.

December 2013 | Feature

in the main season paddy crop harvest, which represents more than 50 percent of their annual production. Continued Support You will see many other appeals for relief funds for this disaster and you may well have your preferred charities to support. Asian Avenue Magazine encourages you to continue that support for trusted relief efforts. “I do not have any immediate relatives that have been hit, but when you see people suffer like they are you don’t need to have a relationship with them your heart just bleed for them like a sister or a brother,” Grinstead said. “And when your family is hurt you will do everything to help them and that is what we are doing right now, such as pooling all the efforts across Colorado to bring aid to our suffering Kababayans (fellow Filipinos).” Take Action • Attend a fundraiser. Collaboration of several Filipino organizations are banding together for relief fundraiser on December 15 at the Exdo Event Center at 1399 35th Street, Denver from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., selling tickets at $25. For more information or to volunteer at this event, contact Aurelia Jareno Grinstead at 720-979-3049. • Donate to a local organization in the Philippines. The Sisters of Mercy in Mindanao, south of the area most impacted, have reported that they are safe but friends and family members have been badly affected, particularly the Sisters of Mercy community in Tacloban. Financial support may be sent to Sisters of Mercy at https://45751.thankyou4caring.org.

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“When you see people suffer like they

are you don’t need to have a relationship

with them your heart just bleed for them like a sister or a brother.”

• Make a supply donation to Project C.U.R.E. in Centennial, Colo. The supplies will be sent to the hardest hit areas of the Philippines. Items needed include: hand santizers, bandages, diapers, baby formula, toothpastes, crutches, splints, etc. Visit www.projectcure.org for more information. • Look for a friend or family member in the Philippines. Google has launched a person finder for the storm, where you can try and find someone’s whereabouts or enter information about a person. Visit www.google.org/personfinder/2013-yolanda. • Ask your Filipino friends about their family in the Philippines. Sometimes, sharing stories of loved ones back in the Philippines helps those living here in the United States cope with the devastations visible in photographs viewed throughout the world. Mary Jeneverre Schultz encountered rainstorms and landslides in a visit to Tacloban, Cebu and Camiguin Island back in 2003. Tweet Mary @Jeneverre for current updates on ongoing relief efforts and the aftermath of the Typhoon Haiyan.

Typhoon Haiyan | asian avenue magazine

Peter Bui Asian Avenue magazine

12033 N. Pecos St. | Westminster, CO 80234 Tel: 303.252.9000 |Open 10AM to 9PM Daily

Combination Rice Noodle Bowl

With the winter season upon us, a steaming bowl of pho always makes for a great meal. There’s no question to why you’ll find pho restaurants packed with people during those especially cold days, and Pho Saigon is up to the task. Owner and manager Tuan Vo had always wanted to open his own restaurant but didn’t have the opportunity, until he recently secured the right resources and location. Since Pho Saigon’s grand opening six months ago, they’ve seen many patrons experiencing Vietnamese cuisine for the first time. Vo notes that an important part of operating a restaurant is not only the food, but the customer service which his staff takes seriously. They educate new diners on how to eat the Vietnamese dishes and what sauces are on the table. One example is that they teach the customers to use the lettuce to make a wrap out of the egg rolls, veggies and rice noodles. Then there’s the amazing and pungent nuoc mam or fish sauce. Now, to most pal-

ates, this flavor profile and smell might be overwhelming but it is great in enhancing flavors once you know how to use it. Pho Saigon’s nuoc mam marries perfectly with their bun dac biet (combination rice bowl) which is vermicelli rice noodles topped with grilled pork, beef, chicken, shrimp, egg rolls and fresh vegetables. The same could be said about the com dac biet or combination rice plate. If you’re not sure what pho is, you can read the origins of this popular dish on all of Pho Saigon’s menus. All of the recipes come from Vo’s family. The pho recipe itself goes back to his aunt’s pho restaurant in Vietnam. The restaurant previously in the space was also a pho establishment, but with a poor reputation. Vo has worked hard to let people know that this isn’t the same mediocre restaurant. He believes anyone can run a pho restaurant but not everyone can run it right, in which he holds Pho Saigon to the highest standards of quality and service.

Combination Rice Plate

menu.

Pho - Rice Noodle Soup Choice of: Chicken, Meatball, Rare Steak, Tripe, Well-done Flank, Tendon, Well-done Brisket, Shrimp, Seafood Small $6.35 | Medium $7.35 | Large $8.35 Appetizers Spring Rolls with Shrimp & Pork (2) $3.95

December 2013 | Restaurant Peek

Vietnamese Egg Rolls with Vegetables and Vermicelli Noodles $5.95 Vietnamese Chicken Salad $7.95

Rice Noodle Bowl Grilled Chicken $7.95 Grilled Shrimp in Lemongrass $8.95 Stir-Fried Egg Noodle with Seafood $10.95 Combination Pho Bowl

SEAFOOD AND SPORTS BAR

Dancing Crab Peter Bui Asian Avenue magazine

10293 E. Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80247 Tel: 303.745.5115 OPEN HOURS Mon - Thur: 4pm - 12am | Fri: 4pm - 2am Sat: 12pm - 2am | Sun: 12pm - 12am

What constitutes as bar food these days? Bar food used to consist of chicken wings, cheesy nachos, chips and dip, and some potato skins, but that has all changed with restaurants like Dancing Crab. Aside from the pool table and the flat screen TVs - 17 to be exact, Dancing Crab is not your typical sports bar. What sets it apart is the food. On one side of the menu, there are seafood items, similar to what you can find at a seafood boil type of eatery. On the other side, the menu serves bar food of the Korean variety. The seafood seasoning and flavoring is admittedly different from other cajun restaurants. Dancing Crab uses Korean spices to add a flare to the flavors that go with ‘your catch’, which is your choice of crawfish, crab, shrimp, lobster, etc. You can even get a sample selection of seafood in the combination deals like the Combination A which includes shrimp, crawfish, blue crab,

dungeness crab, clams, potatoes, corn, and sausage. Customers can then choose different seasonings and levels of heat. If you’re interested in Korean bar food, Dancing Crab has a selection of excellent dishes. The deep fried seaweed noodle wrap is served along side ricecakes in a spicy sauce and egg white sausage. The fried chicken and chicken wings are always amazing and go great with beer. The Asian fusion eatery offers 12 beers on tap and specialty cocktails like soju yogurt and soju pomegranate. During Broncos games, they discount selected drafts at $.99 each. TVs are mounted throughout the restaurant, and they all have their own box and controls so patrons can catch whichever sports event they prefer. The décor has a futuristic, nautical theme and the restaurant can fit up to 200 patrons. Dancing Crab is a great place to catch the game or an excellent spot to meet friends for some drinks and appetizing food.

menu.

What’s Your Catch? Oysters (6) $8.99 King Crab Legs $29.99/lb. Lobster $24.99 each | Tail $12.99 each Market Price Items Crawfish, Shrimp, Clam, Scallop, Blue Crab, Dungeness Crab What’s Your Flavor? Dancing Cajun Original, Cajun Garlic Lemon Pepper, Garlic Butter How Spicy Can You Go? Firecracker, Grenade, A-Bomb Chicken Wings $12.99 Buffalo Garlic, Sweet & Spicy, Teriyaki Restaurant Peek | asian avenue magazine

Japanese jazz trio makes their American debut

Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Photos by Gil Asakawa

With limited advertising but to a packed audience of 400, Ai Kuwabara Trio performed to students, music lovers and aspiring musicians at the Kenneth King Academic & Performing Arts Center, Concert Hall at the Metropolitan State University of Denver on November 18. As its third stop on a four-city tour throughout the United States, the Ai Kuwabara Trio performed music categorized as urban contemporary jazz with a strong, experimental feel and flavor of funk. Sponsored by the Japan Foundation, the

Asian Avenue magazine

group performed in San Francisco and Los Angeles with the final stop in Anchorage, Alaska. “The Consulate hopes that our Cultural Affairs department can continue being a conduit to the local community by help diversifying and enriching the art and culture scene in Colorado,” Yayoi Shaw of Cultural Affairs of the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver. The jazz trio hand carried 200 CDs to be sold at all their performance venues, however, selling out in California, the musician trio instructed audience members to purchase their music through iTunes.

Asian Chamber of Commerce Gala

The Asian Chamber of Commerce (ACC) celebrated its annual dinner and gala on Fri. November 15. With the support of community partners and organizations, as well an individuals, nearly 250 guests enjoyed an 8-course dinner and bid in a silent auction at Kings Land Seafood Restaurant. ACC raised $2000 in its silent auction that will be donated to the Filipino American Community of Colorado to support the relief efforts helping the Philippines rebuild after the devastating typhoon. Silent auction items included United AirDecember 2013 | On Scene

lines tickets, an autographed Denver Nuggets jersey and restaurant gift certificates. Board Chair Clarence Low recapped highlights of the year’s successes, while guests enjoyed Coors drinks, donated by MillerCoors! The mission of ACC is to support and promote Asian-owned businesses, as well as providing information, resources, training, exposure, networking opportunities, monthly events and two major annual events. For more information about ACC, visit www.asianchambercommerce.org. Photos by Kit Williams

If you missed their performance, search the band’s name ‘Ai Kuwabara Trio’ on YouTube.com for video clips. Another resource is their website: www.aikuwabaratrio.com. Arturo Gómez, Music Director and Host of Lunchtime at the Oasis on Denver’s radio station, KUVO, attributed the high attendance to good weather and active promotion from the local jazz station. For information on future events, contact the Cultural Affairs of the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver at cgid-pr@de.mofa.go.jp or visit www.denver.us.emb-japan.go.jp.

Singles Mingle Mixer at Go Fish

Single men and women mingled and engaged in icebreaker activities, as they went “fishing” for someone special at Go Fish Sushi and Lounge on Sat. November 23. The fourth annual singles mingle mixer, hosted by Asian Avenue magazine, brought together more than 40 people looking for love, or at the very least, new friendships. The event corresponds with the November issue of the magazine that features AsianAmerican singles in Denver. For information on future events, visit www.asianavenuemagazine.com.

Mile High JACL hosts forum on Amendment 66

Harry Budisidharta Mile High JACL

On Wed. October 30, Mile High JACL organized a non-partisan forum regarding Amendment 66. The forum was co-sponsored by Asian Pacific Development Center and Asian Chamber of Commerce. Amendment 66 asked for a $950 million tax increase to implement school reform and change the way Colorado distributes money to all of its school districts. The new law would have also changed the way the state calculates student enrollment and channel more money toward early childhood education, at-risk students, Englishlanguage learners, and charter schools. Opponents of the amendment argued that

the tax increase would be detrimental to the local economy and that there is no guarantee that the additional money would actually improve student performance. Senator Michael Johnston, the drafter of Amendment 66, attended the forum and spoke in support of the amendment. Helen Raleigh, a local financial analyst, spoke against the Amendment. The forum was moderated by Harry Budisidharta, president of Mile High JACL, and Gil Asakawa, board member of Mile High JACL. It was attended by approximately 20 people representing leaders of various AAPI communities in Colorado. Ultimately, Amendment 66 was defeated at the poll with 65 percent of votes being against the amendment.

APDC provides flu shot clinic

Asian-American profesionals host charity gala benefiting APDC The third annual National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) charity gala raised money to benefit the Asian Pacific Development Center’s Youth Leadership Academy. On Wed. November 20, guests enjoyed a banquet dinner and fashion show by the women of the Miss Asian American Colorado Leadership Program and students from APDC’s youth program. Xiao Liang shared the keynote speech, and NAAAP Colorado leaders gave a presentation. Photos by Masaaki Kawafune

NAAAP Colorado Leadership Team

Miss Asian American Colorado Women

APDC Youth Leadership Academy Students

On November 6, the Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC) collaborated with the Visiting Nurse Association of Colorado (VNA) to hold a flu shot clinic free to the public. The crowd filed in promptly with their families, representing diverse populations from the refugee and immigrant communities as well as the general public. For two hours, the nurses administered over 100 shots, providing essential services to members of the surrounding refugee communities before the flu season reaches full swing. The orderly atmosphere of the flu shot clinic – the second hosted by APDC – was a far cry from the enthusiastically structured chaos of the wildly successful first clinic on October 17. People came in to APDC headquarters from all over Aurora and East Denver, lining up alongside countrymen

from native lands, before being given the shots. During that first clinic, 240 people were administered flu shots, 70 of them children. The severe transportation limitations of the refugee community necessitated using APDC headquarters as a location for the flu shots, while the large community spaces gave the nurses plenty of room to direct and take care of the crowds without bottlenecking. Nevertheless, APDC still sent out another cadre of clinicians, interpreters and nurses to the elderly Chinese communities of downtown Denver, giving out 33 more shots to those who could not make it in person. Localized community navigators within APDC worked closely with the nurses from the get-go to facilitate the process in a culturally appropriate manner: from planning

the events, translating all flyers, performing the outreach within the communities, to the one-on-one care as patients received their flu shots. APDC is especially dedicated to the follow-up care provided to the patients afterward, including explaining why they need the flu shot and what symptoms to watch out for. This is important to relieve any trepidation towards the shots as well as explain the benefits and necessities of booster shots for the children. Follow up booster shots are planned for Thur. December 12 from 4 to 5 p.m. at APDC headquarters. APDC headquarters are on 1537 Alton St, Aurora CO 80010. For more information on APDC and ever-growing services to the community, visit www.apdc.org. Article provided by APDC

Mile-High Area Events | asian avenue magazine

Colorado residents collecting for the Phillippines

Cynthia Kadohata Wins National Book Award

ilipino Americans make up the second largest population of Asian immigrants in the U.S. with a population of about four million. A historic disaster has inspired a coast-to-coast response. In Colorado, which ranks #18 in Filipino population nationwide, fundraising efforts are being spearheaded by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). “The Filipino people are very resilient and very resourceful. As for our part, from the people around here in southern Colorado, we continue to respond with generosity in

Obama nominates Indian-American Vivek Murthy for Surgeon General

resident Barack Obama has nominated Indian-American Vivek Murthy for the post of Surgeon General. Dr Murthy received a BA from Harvard University, an MBA from Yale School of Management, and an MD from Yale School of Medicine. If confirmed, Murthy would not only be the first-ever Indian-American to occupy this post but also the youngest ever Surgeon General of the country.

Boston Sees First Asian-American Elected as City Councilor At-Large

itizens of Boston elected Chinese American Michelle Wu as one of the four city councilors at-large on November 5, 2013. Wu, a 28-year-old lawyer whose parents are immigrants from Taiwan, is the city’s first Asian-American city councilor at-large. She said that she wants to lift the barriers between families and city government. December 2013 | National News

prayer, in thoughts of healing and comfort, and in assistance, to the best of our abilities,” said Dennis Apuan, local event organizer and member of national task forces at NaFFAA. A first generation immigrant, Apuan said his relatives in the Philippines are okay, but he knows of others in the Colorado Springs area who are still waiting to hear about family in their homeland. The NaFFAA has set up a disaster relief fund and will work with the Philippine National Red Cross to bring aid directly to the people of the Philippines.

Mee Moua named among Washingtonian’s ‘most powerful women’

ee Moua, executive director and president for Asian Americans Advancing Justice, was chosen as one of Washingtonian Magazine’s “Most Powerful Women.” The list, recognizes the most influential women in the government, public and private sectors. Since assuming her role at Advancing Justice in 2012, Moua has ensured that Asian Americans continue to have a seat at the table in Washington, particularly in the current debate around immigration reform.

Socialist Kshama Sawant Elected to City Council

n Seattle, voters have elected a socialist to the city council for the first time in modern history. Kshama Sawant, a 41-year-old college economics professor who participated in the Occupy Wall Street protests, defied the city’s political establishment and defeated prominent 16year incumbent Richard Conlin, taking 50.3 percent of the vote to Conlin’s 49.4 percent.

ynthia Kadohata, who won the prestigious National Book Award in the category of young people’s literature for her novel The Thing About Luck. The annual awards, presented by the National Book Foundation, honor American authors for works published in the past year in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and young people’s literature. The Thing About Luck is the story of 12-year-old Summer Miyamoto, who must make her own luck to save her intergenerational Japanese American family.

Only Old White People Think Immigrants Threaten ‘American Values’ ost Americans do not view immigrants as a threat either to America’s economy or its culture. The new College Board/National Journal Next America Poll has found little concern about economic competition from immigrants: 63 percent of those polled said “immigrants coming to this country today … mostly take jobs Americans don’t want,” while only 19 percent said they “mostly take jobs away from American citizens.” Nearly as broad an overall consensus emerged when the survey asked adults whether they believed “the growing number of newcomers from other countries are a threat to traditional American customs and values.” In all, 56 percent of those surveyed disagreed with that sentiment, while just 41 percent agreed. Yet the question of immigrants’ cultural impact—in contrast with their economic effect—continues to divide Americans across racial, educational, generational, and partisan lines. In the new survey, whites, particularly the older and blue-collar whites expressed much more discomfort than other groups did about the cultural impact of immigrants. The College Board/National Journal Next America Poll, conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, surveyed 1,272 adults ages 18 and older from Oct. 14-24, in English and Spanish, through landlines and cell phones.

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Hope can set your mind for tomorrow; action must be carried out today.

3547 S. Monaco Pkwy. Denver, CO 80237 Dedicated to the Principles of Traditional Japanese Martial Arts One week of FREE karate classes for new students Classes for ages 3 and up Classes available Mon - Sat and private lessons Tel: 720.253.7473 | www.coloradobudokan.com

Air

A Castle in the

Said of illusions or visionary prospects

THERE was a stupid rich man who went to visit a friend one day. He admired the friend’s three-story building which was spacious and bright. Back at home, he found a mason and asked if he could build such a house. “It’s me who built that house,” replied the mason. “Now I’ll have you build for me another one which is exactly like that,” the rich man said. The builder dug the foundation and then began to lay bricks. Seeing what he was doing, the rich man asked, “What kind of house are you building for me?” “A three-story one,” answered the mason. “But I want only the third story without the first and second,” the rich man said. “How can I put up the third story without first building the lower two?” retorted the craftsman. No matter how the mason argued and explained, the rich man insisted on having him build only the top story.

- Sutra of One Hundred Parables

空中樓閣

Calligraphy by Harrison X. Tu, Confucius Classroom in Denver

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 20 28

December 2013 | Chinese Idiom

All-You-Can-Eat

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Please have offer validated at the players club or cashier services. Must be 21 and have a players card to redeem. 401 Main Street • Black Hawk, CO 80422 1-800-THE-ISLE (843-4753) • www.theisleblackhawk.com © 2013 Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Must be 21 and have a IsleOne ® card. Not valid with any other offer. Copies of offer will not be accepted. Offer is not valid for 50% off of one buffet. Valid only at Isle Black Hawk. Gratuity is not included. Limit of one coupon per person, per day. Management reserves all rights. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-522-4700.

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