January 2022
Volume 17 Issue 1
2022
The Year of the Tiger Happy Lunar New Year
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Annie Guo VanDan, President Asian Avenue magazine Connect with us! hello@asianavemag.com @asianavemag Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing you all a healthy and fruitful year as we welcome 2022—the Year of the Tiger!
The last days of 2021 ended with tragic loss in Colorado—with the Denver and Lakewood shooting, followed by the Marshall Fire in Boulder County. If you are wondering how you can support these families, GoFundMe pages and other relief funds have been set up for donations (Marshall Fire relief efforts on page 20). We are thinking about all of the families directly impacted. With heavy hearts, we pray for peace in 2022. The Lunar New Year will begin on February 1, 2022. The Year of the Water Tiger will bring strength and bravery. Tigers are quick to action so in 2022, be prepared to make decisions and be adaptable to change on a whim. The month of January will bring the Year of the Ox—my zodiac year—to a close. For me personally, it was a year that I lost four women who made tremendous impacts on my life. It was a tumultuous year of managing emotions with each loss, while juggling work and home life. I am looking forward to a fresh start in 2022. I know new year’s resolutions aren’t for everyone, but I do like to reset and reenvision at the start of each year. Keeping it simple in 2022, my goals are to drink more water and to get organized (physical space and mental health). See more ideas on page 11. Lastly, we hope to see you on Friday, January 28 at Empress Seafood Restaurant for Asian Avenue’s Lunar New Year Dinner (which was cancelled the past two years). Enjoy a Chinese banquet dinner, cultural lion dance and prizes! We continue to monitor COVID numbers and will do our best to make it a safe event (vaccinations required).
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January 2022 | President’s Note
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JAN 2022
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EVENTS: January event calendar
CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR: Check out Locally Hyped’s special lunar new year subscription box
Asian Avenue hosts annual lunar new year dinner on Jan. 28
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COVER STORY: New Year’s resolution ideas for 2022
Get all your questions answered about Chinese New Year
2022 Chinese zodia: what does the year of the tiger have in store?
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BOOK: The Brave That Crossed the Sea is the memoir of a Vietnamese couple that escaped to the US (and Denver) FEATURE: All of Us Research Program invites participants to join in health research for $25 COMMUNITY NEWS: Marshall Fire relief funds and ways to help ON SCENE: Aurora Asian Community Partnership honors its founders Asian Pacific Development Center delivers toys to refugee families
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January 2022 | Table of Contents
President ANNIE GUO VANDAN Editorial Director MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ Graphic Designer/Videographer LIJIN ZHAO Web Designer JASON ZHANG Marketing Manager JOIE HA Editor DAMIAN SIU Staff Writer PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG
on the cover Lunar New Year begins on February 1, 2022! The Year of the Tiger brings bravery and risk taking. We wish you all happiness and good health! 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.
Looking to promote your business? Asian Avenue magazine offers businesses a costeffective way to reach consumers in the Denver/Boulder metro areas and beyond. For more information, call 303.937.6888 or e-mail us at hello@asianavemag.com for our media kit and ad rates. Send story ideas to hello@ asianavemag.com. Asian Avenue magazine is in association with the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network.
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upcoming events Far East Center’s Lunar New Year Celebration January 24 to February 6
Cost: Free and open to the public Follow Far East Center and Truong An Gifts on Facebook for updates
Send community events to hello@asianavemag.com.
Asian Avenue Lunar New Year Dinner Friday, January 28, 6pm to 8pm
Empress Seafood Restaurant 2825 W Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO 80219 Cost: $50 per person More information and tickets at: asianavemag.com Celebrate the lunar new year with Asian Avenue on Friday, January 28 by enjoying a Chinese banquet dinner including peking duck, walnut shrimp, seafood soup and more, and cultural performances including a welcome lion dance by Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center, silent auction and prizes! E-mail hello@asianavemag.com with any questions.
Truong An Gifts and Far East Center invite you to their 28th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Stop by from January 24 to 31 to shop for all your Lunar New Year decorations at the Lunar New Years Street Market Fair, an outdoor shopping experience featuring special flowers, plants, fruits, decorations, red envelopes, and much more! On February 5 and 6, enjoy performances in front of Truong An Gifts all day (from 11am to 4pm) that will include dragon and lion dances and martial arts. Welcome the year of the tiger with the local Denver community!
Taiko Chandler, On and On (T12020), 2020.
Installation view of Indelible Garden: Prints by Taiko Chandler.
Taiko Chandler, Frozen, 2017.
The Indelible Garden: Prints by Taiko Chandler Now through April 3, 2022 Denver Botanic Gardens | 1007 York St, Denver
botanicgardens.org/exhibits/indelible-garden-prints-taiko-chandler Memories of nature have left an indelible mark on Taiko Chandler’s identity, one which is reflected in her delicate, undulating abstractions. Chandler’s work is born of the natural world’s influence on memory and emotion. Her organic compositions are not literal representations of plants and rivers, but instead represent emotions interpreted through form and color, each Photos courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens
alluding to the powerful presence of nature in her life. From the lush forests and cascading streams of the artist’s native Nagano, Japan, to her father’s garden and her mother’s ikebana, this landscape of memory and feeling embodies the tangled, flowing beauty of nature. Based in Denver, she works primarily in printmaking and site-specific installa-
tion art. Her work has been exhibited in Colorado, Texas and New Mexico, as well as at numerous print fairs throughout the U.S. Her work is in private and public collections in the U.S. and Japan, including the Denver Art Museum, University of Colorado Denver Business School, Cleveland Clinic Art Program (Ohio), and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York).
Event Calendar | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Undergraduate students of AANHPI heritage are encouraged to apply for 8 to 10 weeks interning at a federal agency in Washington D.C. during the summer and/or placements in the U.S. Congress, nonprofits and think tanks. Applications must be submitted by Friday, January 14, 2022 at 5pm ET.
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Locally Hyped partners with local Colorado businesses to curate a one of a kind Lunar New Year subscription box! Born out of the pandemic as a way to support local & grow a movement. Your purchase helps ensure our community thrives.
Box valued at over $75! Pre-order your box now to ensure it ships out by January 15th! Head to locallyhyped.com for a sneak peak. *Orders placed before January 12th are guaranteed delivery in time for the Lunar New Year. Local pickup at Truong An Gifts at Far East Center
Asian Avenue’s 2022 Lunar New Year Celebration
Year of the Tiger Enjoy a Chinese new year dinner with a lion dance, cultural performances and prizes!
Friday, January 28, 2022 Empress Seafood 2825 W Alameda Ave, Denver
$50 per person Tickets available at:
asianavemag.com Email hello@asianavemag.com with questions. Proof of vaccination required to attend. Other safety guidelines will be provided prior to the event.
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ideas for New Year’s
ResolutionS
Have you thought about your New Year’s resolutions? After another difficult year, 2022 brings us an opportunity to make some changes. It takes 30 days to build a habit, but a week to tear it down. Exercising and dieting tend to be common resolutions that people end up ditching. It’s never too late to change things up and take one day at a time. Here are some ideas to consider for 2022: 1. Read more books by reading around the world. Each month, pick a different country and research the top authors of that country. Platforms such as GoodReads are the perfect way to keep track of books, authors, and genres you are reading. The online community of readers can provide recommendations too.
2. Reduce screen time by tracking the minutes. Set up a timer on your phone for 15 minutes or 30 minutes. In fact, Instagram tracks the length of time spent on scrolling your feeds and phones will also provide real-time reports. 3. Share your gratitude. It could be sending a quick text to someone who helped with your car or sending a note to the manager for excellent service received from
By Mary Jeneverre Schultz wait staff. Or, writing a personalized card to your friend or colleague of ten years plus for their friendship and loyalty. 4. Declutter one area at a time. With the popularity of Marie Kondo, removing clutter allows open spaces and brings in more abundance. Break down your spaces such as starting with one drawer in the kitchen or one category such as socks or hair pieces. It’s easier to organize a little at a time.
7. Meditate daily. Meditation is different for everyone. It could mean yoga for 20 minutes, saying a prayer, watching a religious program at a designated time daily. Other ideas might mean waking up a few minutes before sunrise to reflect on the joys of the day or taking a few minutes to soak in the sunset. Conduct an Internet search for daily meditations and you’ll find platforms such as Calm or Let’s Meditate.
5. Send a personal birthday, anniversary, or missing you card. 2022 gives us a chance to reconnect. Posting happy birthdays messages on Facebook has evolved into an impersonal reminder. Taking the time to send a card snail mail shows affection and effort; it also provides a human touch.
8. Track 10,000 steps a day. Setting a goal of daily steps is a good start to get moving. Offer to walk your neighbor’s dog if you don’t have one. Walk briskly around the neighborhood – it might be a great chance to meet your neighbors. MyFitnessPal is a popular app that tracks more than steps, but also serves as a food diary and space to store recipes.
6. Cook a new dish from around the world weekly. During the pandemic of 2020, more people started baking bread, learning new dishes, and taking the time to make healthy dishes from scratch. if you are back to work, starting once a week could help you manage your time initially. Virtual platforms like Zoom have enabled chefs like Ming Tsai to teach you how to cook from the comfort of your own kitchen.
9. Drink a minimum of eight glasses a day. A simple change to make in 2022 is to up your water intake. Foods and beverages, such as juices, can also help with hydration. Staying hydrated regulates your body temperature, prevents infections, delivers nutrients to cells, and improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood. Get a water bottle that helps you track how much you drink each day.
Mary Jeneverre Schultz uses New Year’s, Lent and first day of the month to reset her resolutions. Follow her @jeneverre. New Year 2022 | Asian Avenue Magazine
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QA &
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Every year, people around the wold celebrate Lunar New Year and prepare for new beginnings by gathering with their family and loved ones. In terms of Chinese New Year, there are many traditions that are passed down from generation to generation.
children. To scare the beast away, the people used firecrackers and put up red decorations to scare away the beast. Chinese new year is a time to celebrate the start of the lunar calendar and it sets a time for farmers and workers to rest from their year-long labor.
Q: What is Chinese New Year? A: Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of spring and start of the new year according to the lunar calendar.
Q: Why is Chinese New Year so important? A: In Chinese culture, it is one of the most important times in the year for family gatherings. Family members will travel long distances to make it home. It also is a time to ensure fortune and wealth in the upcoming year.
Q: How did Chinese New Year begin? A: The celebration originated from legends of an ancient battle against the Nian, a half-dragon monster. In this battle, the scary beast attacked people and ate
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about
January 2022 | Cover Story
Q: What Asian countries celebrate Lunar New Year? A: Asian countries that celebrate Lunar New Year include Indonesia, The Philippines, Viet-
nam, South Korea, Malaysia, North Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Brunei. Q: Where else is Chinese New Year celebrated? A: One out of every five people in the world have Chinese descent. Millions of overseas Chinese and those with Chinese heritage celebrate Chinese New Year, including large parades and events in San Francisco, London, and Sydney.
Sydney, Australia
Q: Why doesn’t Chinese New Year fall on January 1? A: The Chinese New Year is
never on the first day of January. Lunar New Year changes dates each year because it is determined by the lunar calendar, 21 – 51 days behind the corresponding Gregorian calendar date. Lunar New Year could fall between January 21 to February 20. Q: How is Chinese New Year celebrated? A: Through a ‘Reunion Dinner’ on the eve, extended family sit around a table for a meal that includes numerous lucky food such as fish and dumplings. Traditions include: cleaning houses, visiting family members, decorating, giving gifts and red envelopes, setting off firecrackers and offerings to ancestors.
Lasting for 16 days, celebrations will begin on the eve of the new year on January 31. Festivities will end February 15. Q: What do people wear on Chinese New Year? A: Red or brightly colored apparel are usually worn on New Year’s Day. Red, a power color, is good luck as it is believed to scare away bad fortune. Q: What is the Chinese zodiac and the animals associated? A: The Chinese zodiac includes 12 years represented by animal signs in the order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 2022 is the year of the Tiger. Q: What does the lion dance symbolize? A: It scares evil spirits away and brings good luck.
Q: What are the forbidden activities on New Year’s Day? A: Showering, sweeping, haircuts, using scissors, knives, and other sharp things, arguing, swearing, saying unlucky words of death and sickness, breaking things, and throwing out garbage. One doesn’t want to wash away the good luck. Q: How long are Chinese New Year celebrations in 2022?
Q: Why are dumplings a Chinese New Year’s specialty? A: The dumplings are usually the shape of silver and gold coins. Chinese believe eating dumplings will bring more prosperity. Regionally, it is more common in northern China.
Q: Why is fish found during a Chinese New Year’s feast? A: Fish is considered lucky because the silver color brings good luck, wealth, and prosperity. Fish also hatch numerous eggs, which represents abundance. Q: What about noodles? A: Like on Filipino tables, noodle dishes such as Pancit, are eaten because they represent long life. Do not break or cut them while cooking. Chinese noodles also symbolize longevity. Q: What is the significance of red envelopes? A: Red symbolizes good luck. Giving and receiving red envelopes is like giving Christmas cards with money. Typically, red envelopes are given to children or passed between employer and workers and/or friends and colleagues. Q: What are the New Year greetings in Chinese? A: In Mandarin, Xin Nian Kuai Le means Happy New Year. A popular message is also to wish good wealth, which in Hong Kong and Cantonese-speaking regions, is said, Gong Hei Fat Choy. In Mandarin Chinese, it is Gong Xi Fa Cai. Compiled by Mary Jeneverre Schultz. Share your traditions and superstitions with us @asianavemag.
Chinese New Year | Asian Avenue Magazine
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2022 What’s in store in
YEAR TIGER OF THE
2022 is the Year of the Tiger, starting February 1, 2022 and ending February 21, 2023. As the King of the beasts, it’s only natural to think those born in this year will be strong, brave and a natural risktaker. This upcoming year brings positive changes. It may mean robust business or finances will flow into the household. It is also promising for new love and relationships.
Rat - 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 For Rats in 2022, the best months will be April and August. You will work hard to achieve success in their career. You will also learn how to rest and reset, probably seeking professional help in this area. Trust is difficult for Rats and there will be opportunities to grow in this area.
Ox - 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 Those born under the year of the Ox will be flexible throughout the year with changes. The Ox will have a great winter season, while May and September are luckiest months. 2022 in general will be a lucky year for you. Real estate will be a great investment vehicle. Career goals will be achieved with hard work.
Tiger - 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 The fall season will be the best time of the year for those born in the year of the Tiger. The best careers for those born under this sign include advertising, travel, acting, writing, art, music, and comedy. Lots of changes will make you adaptable to all circumstances. Watch your love life by trying not to be all or nothing. Compromise will be part of keeping your love alive and kicking.
Rabbit - 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 While March and July will be the luckiest months of the year, spring is the best season for those born under the Rabbit. Making money will be easy for you and peace will be part of your life. Patience is needed to get you through challenges this year. Romance may be memorable this year.
Dragon - 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 The best months for the Dragon include April, August, and December. Abundance is part of 2022. Be careful about arguments. Think of the consequences and end result before ending the fights. Stay healthy by keeping up with doctor check-ups.
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January 2022 | Cover Story
Snake - 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 The spring season will be the luckiest time of the year, marking May and September as the most abundant months. Stubbornness may be your downfall. Heed all advice before executing them. Take care of your relationships and stop taking the solo route.
Horse - 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 While the Horse will experience abundance in 2022, the summer months are the most fruitful. Income will be abundant in numerous opportunities. Stay active to keep healthy but watch out for extreme sports when in the driver’s seat or handling unknown sharp tools.
Goat - 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 The summer is the most abundant months for the Goat. You will be lucky this year. Love will be romantic in existing relationships or new romance will come along. Watch your financial pockets and keep saving and being smart with your money.
Monkey - 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 Luckiest months include April, August, December, marking summer as the best season. Prepare for the unexpected, especially in your career and work life. With great discipline and high optimism, positive vibes will follow. This will be a year to enjoy the fruits of your work.
Rooster - 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 Fall is the best season, with May and September as the luckiest months. Watch your punctuality in everything, from work to social engagements. Check in on your relationships with others. Don’t delay checkups as it pertains to health and wellness.
Dog - 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 The fall season marks the most bountiful time for those born under the years of the Dog. The three best months are February, June, and October. Heed advice from your elders. Your loyalty will be rewarded. Good intentions will triple your outcomes. Try to stay out of the court system.
Pig - 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 Those under this sign will experience both fall and winter seasons. Economically, personal and career will be in abundance. Closing the doors on the past will be a plus. Take in some fresh air and don’t stay inside all the time. Compiled by Mary Jeneverre Schultz How did 2021 treat you? Do you believe in zodiacs and horoscopes? Asian Avenue wants to hear from you. Send us a tweet or message on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @asianavemag. Chinese Zodiac | Asian Avenue Magazine
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“April 30, 1975. It would be seared in every South Vietnamese citizen’s memory forever, mine included. That was the day North Vietnamese Communists ripped freedom from my family.” A story of enduring hope, resilience, and faith, The Brave Who Crossed the Sea is a moving true story of a couple, Anh and Hong, and their narrow escape from the oppressive and cruel North Vietnamese Communists and their Viet Cong forces in the 1970s. Told from two points of view, the story sweeps you through decades and cities, following Anh and Hong from their tumultuous childhoods, to the invasion of the Communists, to the fateful moment they finally saw a chance of freedom—if they could only cross the sea. 16
January 2022 | Book Preview
As we follow Anh and Hong through many twists and turns, we discover that they must decide whether to stay loyal-to-country in Vietnam and face unbearable conditions or risk everything they have—and leave everyone they have ever known—for a chance at freedom. The Brave Who Crossed the Sea will move you, inspire you, and hook you from the very beginning. A captivating, heartfelt account of pain, courage, and love that endures the tests of time, war, and poverty, this story will keep you reading from the first moment until the very last.
The Brave Who Crossed The Sea Author: Thao Nguyen Te Available on Amazon
Book proceeds will go to No Limits Charitable Foundation, which seeks to foster environments where resilience, drive, and discipline are rewarded so people like Anh and Hong can receive the support they may need to thrive. The foundation encourages advancement by providing educational funding for those seeking to improve their quality of life. Learn more at nolimits-foundation.com or e-mail thao.te@nolimits-foundation.com.
Q&A with Author Thao Nguyen Te Born and raised in Denver, Thao is the middle child and only daughter to Mary Hong Truong and David Anh Nguyen. She wrote this memoir as a gift to her parents.
Connect with Thao on Instagram: @thaojudyte
Can you share the process you took to write this book? I started gathering information by interviewing my parents and recording them on video. My goal was to have a low-pressure environment, where they could have a casual conversation with me and be comfortable with sharing. We would eventually have seven hours of footage, and I took some time to transcribe all the video interviews into written notes. I also took a year to learn more about the Vietnam War, including watching and reading Ken Burns’ The Vietnam War. I wanted to make sure I fully understood the historical context that the events would take place and that it was as factual/historically accurate as possible. With over 20 pages of transcribed notes, I then reorganized and created an outline that would ultimately become the framework of the book. I wanted to do justice to both of their stories, so I outlined the book chronologically, weaving back and forth between both of their story lines and significant events in their lives, until
their stories eventually converged upon meeting, their escape, and their united lives thereafter. With their 40 year anniversary (of arriving in the US and wedding) fast approaching, I had to switch into high gear to get the book across the finish line. I got in touch with a book coach and editor, who formalized the editing and publishing process. We went through three rounds of edits, worked with an artist to design a book cover and worked with a designer for the font and layout. We were then ready to submit to Amazon for publishing, just in time for my parents’ 40th anniversary party on January 15, 2022. What was most surprising to you about your parents’ journey? Learning their story and journey has provided a deeper understanding of how my parents approach life in general. Countless times they didn’t know where their next meal would come from and they were faced with moral dilemmas, forcing them to make tough decisions in the name of survival. I was shocked at the amount of roadblocks they encountered. All of which brings me back to the present. My parents have built a wonderful life for themselves, and they will likely never have to worry about their next meal again. Yet, if you ever find us at a restaurant and there are two dumplings left over, you better believe my mom would either pack them up or make room in her already stuffed stomach to finish them.
Some of those scars never fully heal. Coming from a state of true hunger and survival, those qualities are still a part of them. It is difficult to fully understand what it’s like to be in that state of mind, but hopefully this book and other similar ones out there provide a glimpse of that understanding. What message do you hope readers take away from the book? In the back of my mind, I always wanted to document my parents’ story, so my kids and future grandkids would know where they came from, their family’s history, and the sacrifices that were made to provide the life we have. Furthermore, I knew that first generation Vietnamese Americans had similar immigration stories. Yet, their stories were not widely known by other Americans. Sources say, close to 1,000,000 Vietnamese attempted to escape Vietnam by boat after the Fall of Saigon, of which close to 25% of them would be lost at sea and never found again. My parents’ story is one of hope, resilience, and faith. It’s an account of pain, courage and love that endured the tests of time, war, and poverty. While we can’t control the cards we are dealt, we can control how we play those cards. Their story helps provide understanding and awareness, especially given similar situations occurring around the world. If I can be part of the catalyst that helps build awareness, encourage grit, or motivate others to document their family story, I will consider the book a success.
Mary Hong Truong and David Anh Nguyen will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and 40 years in the U.S. this January. The Brave Who Crossed The Sea | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Become Our Partner What is the All of Us Research Program? The All of Us Research Program is a large research program from the National Institutes of Health. The goal is to help researchers understand more about why people get sick or stay healthy. We hope that more than one million people will join the All of Us Research Program. People who join will share information about their health, habits, and what it’s like where they live. By looking for patterns in this information, researchers may learn more about what affects people’s health. The All of Us Research Program will last for 10 years or more. This will allow researchers to study health over time. If you decide to join the All of Us Research Program, you will be contributing to an effort to improve the health of generations to come. You also may learn about your own health. What is precision medicine? Precision medicine is health care that is based on you as an individual. It takes into account factors like where you live, what you do, and your family health history. Precision medicine’s goal is to be able to tell people the best ways to stay healthy.
Learn more and enroll at: JoinAllofUs.org AllofUsARC@asianhealth.org Colorado Alliance for Health Equity and Practice is the regional partner. Learn more at cahep.org or e-mail admin@cahep.org. 18
January 2022 | Feature
Asian Media Association Art Contest Calling all young people to join an art contest!
This art contest is held with the aim of allowing children, pre-teens, and youth the opportunity to reflect on “What does healthy mean to you and your family?”. The goals of the art contest are to promote health as everyone’s responsibility, to promote understanding that we each see health differently, and to explore how health includes, but is not limited to, physical and mental health. Submission can be in any medium (e.g. photo, painting, video, story, etc.) for children, pre-teens, and youth. Art will be judged by a team of experts based on transparent and fair criteria. Gold, silver, bronze, and honorable mention will be given out for each age group which includes children ages 5-8, pre-teens ages 9-12, and teens ages 13-18 (1st Place Gold: $300; 2nd Place Silver: $200; 3rd Place Bronze: $100). Submit and send questions to: suegie.park@cahep.org.
Contest Schedule December 19, 2021 to February 11, 2022 Registration Open
February 11, 2022 Contest Entry Deadline February 25, 2022 Finalists Selected March 2022 Prizes Sent to Winners
All of Us Research Program | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Marshall Fire - How To Help REDCROSS to 90999, call 1-800-HELP-NOW or go to redcross.org/ local/colorado/ways-to-donate.html. Airbnb Donations | The Boulder Office of Emergency Management is asking owners of vacation rentals who are interested in providing shelter to displaced families to go online to be vetted through Airbnb. | bouldercounty.wufoo.com/forms/ donations Boulder Fire Relief through JEWISHcolorado | jewishcolo rado.org/donate On January 1, 2022, the remains of the homes destroyed by the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colo. were covered in snow.
There are a number of ways to show support and provide outreach safely to those affected by the destructive Marshall Fire. The fire torched nearly 1,000 homes in the southeastern part of Boulder County on December 30, including in Louisville and Superior. Boulder County Wildfire Fund by The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County | commfound.org American Red Cross | To donate to the fire relief efforts, text
Sister Carmen Community Center | sistercarmen.org Salvation Army | To donate to the Marshall Fire relief efforts visit salarmy.us/firerelief2022 or text FIRERELIEF to 51555. To mail a check, please send to: The Salvation Army Intermountain Division, PO Box 2369, Denver, CO 80201-2369. Colorado Responds | Sign up to learn how best to help individuals impacted by the Boulder County Fire. | colorado responds.org Colorado Fraternal Order of Police – Colorado Police Officers Foundation | The Colorado Fraternal Order of Police’s Colorado Police Officers Foundation will help the families of Boulder County police officers who lost their homes to the fire. | colorado fop.org Human Society of Boulder Valley | Emergency Safety Net Fund | boulderhumane.org Hundreds of GoFundMe fundraising pages have been set up for the familes in which donations go directly to them. See the list at: tinyurl.com/marshall-fire-relief.
Above: The Qiu family lost their home of 20 years and their home daycare to the Marshall Fire. gofundme.com/f/gvf2y-please-help-rebuild-our-home
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January 2022 | Community News
Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership Honors Its Founders Paul and Kate Tauer
Friends of the Partnership attend the holiday gathering on December 2
Former City of Aurora Mayor Paul Tauer and his wife Kate Tauer are honored at the event
Peter Lee, Co-Chair of the Partnership welcomes guests and reflects on the past year
On December 2, the Aurora Asian/ Pacific Community Partnership celebrated the year with friends at ChowSun Restaurant. Co-Chairs Andrea Amonick, Peter Lee and Chance Horiuchi presented Partnership founders Paul and Kate Tauer with an award for over thirty years of friendship and participation in the Aurora and greater metropolitan Asian Pacific American communities. Guests thanked the Tauers for creating a lifetime of friendships by establishing the Partnership three decades ago. Paul Tauer served as the Mayor of Aurora from 1987-2003. The Partnership was founded in 1989,
as a cultural education cause, led by then Mayor Paul Tauer. The initial direction of the group was to help City leaders learn more about their Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) constituents, as well as clear language/culture barriers in order to connect with leaders and resources within the residential, organizational and business communities. Enjoying Filipino dishes and desserts from ChowSun and exchanging gifts, the Partnership guests gathered for the holiday celebration after a year of mostly virtual events. The Partnership engaged in several projects in 2021 including: COVID-19 vaccine equity clinics, resilience building
and leadership empowerment workshops, and support for Asian-owned restaurants. For over 30 years, the Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership—affectionately known as The Partnership by members and the community—has been a bridge for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the city of Aurora. The group helps to cover the gap between community and resources, and also connects groups and individuals to one another through cultural education, celebrations, support, important discussions and, of course, food. Learn more about the Partnership at: auroraasian.org.
Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership Holiday Friends Gathering at ChowSun Restaurant On Scene | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Asian Pacific Development Center spreads holiday cheer to immigrant and refugee families
The 2021 toy drive at Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC) was collected more than 300 toys! On Friday, December 10, families went to APDC to enjoy a socially-distant family time with games, crafts, and a visit from Santa. The gifts were donated to students
in APDC’s adult education program and their families. The program provides classes such as: English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, Career Exploration, Culinary Pathways, Citizenship and Computer classes.
Special thanks to Willow Elementary School, Lady Justice Brewing, and Ruby’s Market for helping collect toys. Thank you to the many individual donors that helped put smiles on the families’ faces. Learn more about the classes at: apdc. org/adult-education.
Statewide Coalition for Asians Thriving meets to plan for the new year On December 11, members from Colorado’s Asian organizations and community leaders gathered for an end-of-the-year meeting at Asian Pacific Development Center. The formation of a statewide Asian coalition is in process with an evolving name
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January 2022 | On Scene
related to “Asians Thriving.” Participants at the event discussed the current needs of the Asian community and how best to structure the coalition. It was evident that the leaders felt a need to work more collaboratively and not in such silos.
The purpose of the statewide coalition is to be able to respond to urgent matters related to the Asian community and to move the needle on larger issues such as mental health, multicultural education and history taught in schools, and supporting Asians running for office.
