Asian Avenue Magazine - July 2023

SUMMER TRAVELS

Tips to navigate a busy travel season ahead

Restaurant Peeks

Now Pho Sho Sushi

Supreme Court’s Ruling on

Action

If your home is enrolled in the Lead Reduction Program, be sure to use the water pitcher and lter provided for drinking, cooking and preparing infant formula. Boiling water does not remove lead, so lter rst.

ASIAN AVENUE - PRESIDENT’S NOTE

As we kick off July, the summer travel season has been off to a rough start with widespread flight delays and cancellations. Luckily, our Editorial Director Mary Schultz, is a travel guru and provides her tips in this issue’s cover story. She shares her recommendations from her recent trips to Lake Tahoe and Seattle, as well as travels abroad to Athens and Barcelona. Her travel tips will help our readers get through this summer, which anticipates a record number of travellers enjoying vacations again after the pandemic.

Asian Avenue magazine

Connect with us! hello@asianavemag.com @asianavemag

We look forward to celebrating with you at the largest pan-Asian event in the Rocky Mountain region — the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival on July 22-23 at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver!

Congratulations to our Denver Nuggets, this year’s NBA Champions! As we celebrate this unforgettable win, the first in franchise history, we also recognize the growing AAPI representation in the NBA. Our intern Albert ChangYoo pulled together profiles of the current AAPI players. And who knows, maybe one day, we’ll welcome one to the mile-high city!

Last month, the Supreme Court decided to strike down race-conscious admissions and end affirmative action policies. Justices ruled 6-2 against Harvard University, claiming the university was intentionally discriminating against Asian American applicants. While our communities are divided on this issue, it important to continue to hold colleges accountable for making sure their campuses are diverse and their admissions processes are fair. Join a community dialogue on August 3 (information below) to learn more about how this decision is harmful and where we go from here.

Saturday August 26, 2023 at 8 am

Great Lawn Park 101 Yosemite St. Denver, CO 80230

SPECIAL: Pre-Celebration of Moon Festival Picnic and Entertainment at Finish Line

Registration Fee:

• $35 Before August 26th

• $40 On Day of Run August 26th

 Free Panda Bear Wristband to first 200 registrants

 Free T-Shirt for all registered runners

 Free Pre-Celebrationof Moon Festival Picnic and Entertaintment provided at Finish Line

 Gold, Silver, Bronze Medals & Souveniers Awards to Adult Group (Men/Women), Children Group (12 & Under), and Senior Group (65 & Over)

REGISTER ONLINE AT:

https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Denver/PANDA

The Panda Run is hosted by OCA Colorado. OCA Colorado is part of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the US. For more information, please visit: http://www.ocacolorado.org

Annie Guo VanDan, President

Publisher & Founder

CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO

President

ANNIE GUO VANDAN

Editorial Director

MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ

Graphic Designer/Videographer LIJIN ZHAO

Web Designer JASON ZHANG

Staff Writer

JESSALYN LANGEVIN

Staff Writer

PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG

8 EVENT CALENDAR

9 UPCOMING EVENT: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival races on July 22 and 23

10 NATIONAL NEWS: Supreme Court rules against affirmative action

12 COVER STORY: Gearing up for a busy summer travel season

16 RESTAURANT PEEK: Sho Sushi offers all you can eat menu

17 RESTAURANT PEEK: Now Pho reopens with new innovations

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.

9

18 FEATURE: Asian American players shine in the NBA

20 ON SCENE: Colorado celebrates the designation of Lunar New Year an observed state holiday

21 ON SCENE: Nathan Yip Foundation celebrates Nathan’s birthday with annual sushi party

22 COMMUNITY INFO: How to reduce your ozone impact this summer

17

ASIAN AVENUE MAGAZINE P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222 Tel: 303.937.6888

E-mail: hello@asianavemag.com

www.asianavemag.com

Find us @AsianAveMag

ASIAN AVENUE TEAM

The lobby of the Seventy Barcelona Hotel in Barcelona, Spain is warm and inviting with walls of colorful books.

Photo Credit: © Ricardo Labougle

upcoming events

agriCULTURE: Art Inspired by the Land

Now thru October 1

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

1750 13th St, Boulder

Museum Admission Tickets: $2 bmoca.org/exhibitions/2023

BI-PASSING Theatre Show

July 14-16 |

Four Performances

People’s Building

9995 E Colfax Ave, Aurora

Tickets: $20-$30 insightcolab.org

Send

23rd Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Weekend of July 22-23

Sloan’s Lake Park

agriCULTURE: Art Inspired by the Land, showcases new work created by 18 local and national artists in collaboration with Boulder County farmers in an effort to draw out parallels between art and agriculture.

Kariton ng Gulay is a collaboration between farmer Mark DeRespinis, owner of Esoterra Culinary Garden, Filipino American artist Yumi Janairo Roth, and the artist’s mother, Shirley Janairo Roth.

ZOTTO: Immersive Folktale

July 6-30

Sakura Square | 1905 Lawrence St. Denver Show Tickets: $75 zottofolk.com

BI-PASSING is a collection of short stories written by Edith and Winnifred Eaton, known as the first Asian American/Canadian women writers. Born to a Scottish father and a Chinese mother, Edith adopted a Chinese pen name Sui Sin Far (Narcissus) for her writing persona, as she focused on writing the Chinese experience in 19th century America. Winnifred adopted a Japanese pseudonym Onoto Watanna for her successful career as a romance writer.

25th Avenue and Sheridan Blvd., Denver Free and open to the public cdbf.org

Civics Training: What is Civic Engagement?

Saturday, July 15 | 12pm to 1:30pm

Asian Avenue | 14015 E Evans Ave, Aurora cacendenver.org/civics-training

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, a staple summer event in the Denver community, will be filled with dragon boat races, great food, an Asian marketplace, and endless entertainment. Dine and sample a variety of Asian cuisines at the Taste of Asia food courts. Cheer on the dragon boat racing teams along the water. With no on-site parking or shuttles, festival goers are encouraged to walk, bike, or use the RTD or ride shares.

An Evening with Chloe Gong: Immortal Longings

Tour

Tuesday, July 25 | 6:30pm to 7:30pm Smoky Hill Library

ZOTTO is an immersive and multi-sensory supernatural Japanese folktale and theatrical journey. Audiences explore three generations of Japanese American women and their relationship to Denver’s rich yet sordid history as they encounter yokai and obake (Japanese spirits and demons) and other unexpected characters, discover hidden secrets within forgotten spaces, and engage with interactive elements that ask them to consider relationships between intention and impact.

Join CACEN for a four session civics training from July to October for AANHPIs, the first which will take place on July 15. The goal of the training is to educate members of Colorado’s Asian community about the political process and encourage civic participation, including increased voter turnout. Participants, who must be AANHPI Colorado residents, will receive $500 for completion of the four sessions.

5430 S. Biscay Circle, Centennial Free event | Registation required arapahoelibraries.org

Join for an evening with Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Secret Shanghai novels, as well as the Flesh and False Gods trilogy. Born in Shanghai and now living in New York, Gong will discuss her latest release in a conversation facilitated by bestselling author Rebecca Yarros. A book signing will follow. Refreshments will be served.

COLORADO DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL continues to bring the largest AANHPI celebration in the Rocky Mountain Region to Sloan’s Lake Park

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, a staple summer event in the Denver community, will return to Sloan’s Lake Park on July 22 and 23, 2023. The park will be filled with dragon boat races, great food, an Asian marketplace, endless entertainment and thousands of members of the community gathering for this AANHPI (Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander) celebration.

“We are the LARGEST AANHPI celebration in the Rocky Mountain Region! We had an estimated 170K attendees last year” says Sara Moore, Executive Director of Colorado Dragon Boat.

With over 40 teams racing, 25+ food vendors, 60+ marketplace vendors, and plenty of performances — the festival is bound to have something for everyone. This fenced in event is free to attend, but donations are always welcome to support the operations and programming of the 501(c)3 nonprofit.

2023 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Opening Ceremony | Join on Saturday, July 22, at 9:45 am for the official opening of the Festival! The event opens with Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu parading its 75-foot long, colorful, traditional Chinese Dragon around the park, the Dragon’s presence symbolizing chasing away “negative energies” and sending good luck, good fortune and a safe day of racing.

After the welcoming addresses, a storyteller will present the history and culture behind Dragon Boat racing followed by a Buddhist Monk and congregation chanting, offering a formal blessing for the event.

Dragon Boat Racing! | Come watch as our teams participate in the fast-paced dragon boat racing competition with two full days of racing. The colorful Flag Catching- Taiwanese-style boats are back by popular demand. Each Boat will have 18 paddlers, one drummer and one flag catcher. Head to the finish line to witness

the exciting moment that the flag catcher has to lean out and grab the flag to help win the race!

The Hong Kong style division features a slimmer, sleeker boat that travels faster on the water. Each boat has 20 paddlers. These are the boats and style of competition you will see in international races and possibly soon, the Olympics! Come cheer on your favorite team!

Let’s talk FOOD! | Festivalgoers can satisfy their appetite with culinary delights from Asia and the Pacific at both Taste of Asia Food Courts. Food vendors will showcase an abundance of mouthwatering Asian cuisine from all over Asia and the Pacific!

Shop til you Drop! | Attendees can shop to their heart’s content at our Asian Marketplace full of unique, one-of-a-kind arts, crafts and vendors similar to those found in the open-air street markets all over Asia. New the past few years is the Asian Craft Tent! Also make sure to stop by the merchandise store to get all your festival swag and to support CDBF! Kanpai! Ganbei! Geonbae! Cheers! Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day by purchasing water, soda, and beer at our festival beverage centers! Each beverage center is run by local nonprofits who use the festival as a fundraiser! For

every dollar spent on a beverage, that will go directly back to the nonprofit and Colorado Dragon Boat.

Feel the Asian Beat | Get your toes tapping and your body dancing at the three Performance Stages which will feature traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian-American instrumental, vocal, choral and dance performances by wellknown local artists. Performances included: Japanese Taiko drumming by Denver Taiko, Halau Kalama, and Indian-fusion dancers, Mudra Dance. This is an interactive dance you do not want to miss!

RepresentASIAN through Art | The festival is all about representASIAN, celebrating the amazing contributions and accomplishments of the AANHPI communities right here in Colorado. Back by popular demand are the live art demos that showcase local AANHPI artists in the community. This year, artists include Casey Kawaguchi, Ratha Sok, Grace Gee, Bakemono 0504, and more!

Education and Empowerment | The past few years have been difficult for the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander community due to the increase of hate and racism plaguing our nation. We believe that the best way to fight back against injustices is education and empowerment! Visit the section in the marketplace that will host local AANHPI nonprofits and organizations to learn about how you can help and become an ally!

FESTIVAL FACTS

2023 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Year of the Water Rabbit / Cat

Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 23rd, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sloan’s Lake Park (West Side) –25th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard

Free Admission | No on-site parking

More info at: cdbf.org

Volunteer opportunities are available!

By Albert Chang-Yoo

On June 29, the United States Supreme Court decided on one of the most important education cases of the past two decades. The Supreme Court case in question is a combination of two separate cases: Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. (SFAI) v. President and Fellows of Harvard and SFAI v. University of North Carolina.--both concern race-conscious college and university admission policies. The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority (63) ruled against higher education affirmative action policies, which brings along serious ramifications.

Reflecting an ideologically-torn nation, Chief Justice John Roberts explained the majority’s decision: “A benefit provided to some applicants but not to others necessarily advantages the former at the expense of the latter.” Meanwhile, Judge Sonia Sotomayor described the ruling in her dissent as “a superficial rule of colorblindness” in an “endemically segregated society where race has always mattered and continues to matter.”

The plaintiff of the case, Students for Fair Admissions (SFAI), is an organization headed by staunch conservative activist Edward Blum. According to SFAI, Harvard discriminates against Asian American students, consistently scoring them lower in the “personality” metric. Harvard University is one of the most prestigious schools in the world, and its admissions processes have come under intense scrutiny.

The idea that elite schools such as Harvard discriminate against Asians in favor of other minorities was the topic on Fox & Friends last month. Alex Shieh, an incoming student at Brown University, appeared on the popular show to argue that the “deck is stacked against kids who look like me.” Shieh stated that he believed students shouldn’t be “judged on their race” and that it “would be much better if we just looked at peo -

ple’s achievements and stuff that they can actually control.”

Emma Lu is a rising sophomore at Harvard. She’s a part of the Asian American Women’s Association and Labor Action Movement on campus. She disagrees with the notion that affirmative action is anti-Asian, “it’s something that for me personally feels like is painting AAPI communities as a monolith…I think that sort of messaging is meant to break down solidarity, both within the Asian community and between other communities of color.” For her, affirmative action means, “being able to consider your own stories, your own histories and perspectives, your own identity. To take that away– it feels damaging to me, as an Asian person, by not being able to speak about experiences that have been so formative to me, in terms of my race or ethnicity.”

The fact of the matter is that affirmative action means that colleges include race and ethnic background as a part of a multitude of factors in

In the recent affirmative action decision, Asian Americans are in the spotlight again

“It would be much better if we just looked at people’s achievements and stuff that they can actually control.”

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The issue brings up the notion of how we describe “Asianness,” and where Asian-Americans sit amongst America’s racial divide.

admissions. Most colleges operate using a “holistic review”, or basing acceptance on how a combination of factors interact: academic performance, legacy status, extracurriculars, etc. Additional-

that Asian Americans are highly represented in higher education, with growth at major universities within the past decade. 6.7% of all college students are Asian (including 18.3% at Harvard), while Asian Americans make up 6.1% of the U.S. population. However, noticeable discrepancies exist mainly in other communities of color (i.e. Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Indigenous). By comparison, 8.1% of Harvard’s undergraduate population is Black even though African-Americans make up 13.6% of the population.

Islander, were underrepresented in the UC system. In addition, only onefifth of Laotian, Hmong, and Cambodian-Americans over the age of 24 holds a bachelor’s degree.

As for her experience at Harvard, the target of the SCOTUS decision, Lu says this: “Everyone who has gotten into Harvard that I have met personally, deserves to be there, truly, and it’s not a matter of ‘someone didn’t get in because someone else stole their seat’ or something like that.”

ly, 54% of Asian Americans who have heard of the policy support affirmative action. The heart of the matter ultimately comes down to wording – only 21% of Asian Americans believed that race and ethnicity should be the deciding factor in the admission process.

An analysis by College Rover showed

Models run by both Harvard and SFAI projected that an incoming class without the consideration of race would see a 7% drop in Black and 4% drop in Hispanic students, respectively. This is run against the backdrop of disparities in representation across all Ivy League schools.

It’s also important to note the ethnic diversity within the term “Asian American” itself. A 2022 government study in California (which has already banned affirmative action) found that Filipinos, Thai, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific

We are deeply disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision as it disregards our nation’s true lived experience – one where segregation and racism continue to deeply impact upon communities of color to this day. The fact is, as Justice Sotomayor stated in her dissent, “race has always mattered and continues to matter.” We hope that, in the coming days as we live with this decision, that our communities nevertheless remain committed to fighting for the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and beyond.

Join Affirming Affirmative Action: A Community Dialogue on the Supreme Court Decision on August 3 to participate in a virtual discussion. Register at: tinyurl.com/CO-AA-Dialogue.

Alex Shieh, a student at Brown, went on Fox News to criticize affirmative action policies. (Photo Credit: Fox News)

“Everyone who has gotten into Harvard that I have met personally, deserves to be there.”

Emma Lu has been advocating for affirmative action at Harvard.

Lu and other members of Harvard’s Asian American Women’s Association at a pro-affirmative action rally outside the Supreme Court earlier this year.

Photo Credit: Emma Lu

“I think that sort of messaging is meant to break down solidarity, both within the Asian community and between other communities of color.”

Gearing up for a busy travel season Tips on where to visit in the US and in Europe this summer

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Delayed and rescheduled trips are on the uptick. Employees, who have banked their personal days off and vacation hours during lockdown, are itching to get out of the office.

Travel, both national and international, has exploded for the summer months with beach destinations up 37 percent, according to MasterCard Research.

Other indicators, such as search engines, are showing flight searches to Asia and Europe have increased by 25 percent, according to Expedia’s Summer Travel Forecast.

Travel Trends

Technology is playing a key role in travel. Travelers are using their cell phones as minicomputers in last-minute planning to access storyboards and scripts for self-guided tours.

Savvy travelers are using their cell phones to rebook canceled flights and reschedule hotel stays.

Other travelers are staying connected with families and friends during their trips through their social media feeds such as Facebook and Instagram.

Instead of using a list of recommended restaurants from guidebooks or friends, travelers who trust Yelp, Google, and/or TripAdvisor, are looking at the high ratings for restaurants, while exploring local neighborhoods.

Here are my recommendations from some destinations I’ve visited in the past six months of 2023:

United states

Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada (VisitLakeTahoe.com)

Hard to leave the mountains of Colorado? Consider visiting the mountain town of Lake Tahoe located on the border of northern California and Nevada. Straddling between two states, this mountain resort offers a wide range of Asian cuisines.

While known for its winter sports, Lake Tahoe stays busy throughout its summer peak season. Pizza and ice cream are of course, popular summer choices, but there are also Asian restaurants to try for your visit no matter the season:

Lotus Pho (LotusPho.com)

The owner of Lotus Pho had frequently traveled to Lake Tahoe with his family and realized the mountain town did not offer Vietnamese cuisine. With a background in hospitality and the support of his family, he created a casual restaurant offering the food from his country.

to set up a restaurant near Lake Tahoe for adventurous palates and aficionados of Indian cuisine.

Samurai Restaurant (SushiTahoe.com)

Even before the doors open at Samarai Restaurant, a line of customers begins forming to grab a table at this popular Japanese restaurant. Ask any local for their recommendation and they will send you to this Lake Tahoe favorite.

Toast Asian Fusion (Toast.llc)

The husband-and-wife team created a restaurant offering southeast cuisines from India initially in the Bay area. The family enterprise expanded its location

Thai On Ski Run (ThaiOnSkiRun.com)

A growing and thriving community of Thai people reside and work in this mountain town in casinos and hospitality industries. It’s natural of course to find restaurants that reflect the local community. Many of the dishes come directly from the owner’s family recipe book and they take pride in using premium ingredients including fresh Thai chilies.

Photo Credit: Jeannette Herreria

Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum (LakeTahoeMuseum.org)

Need a little rest from the heat? It’s a quick 30-minute stop to check out this museum filled with historical insights of Chinese laborers during the 1800s. In fact, the museum showcases artifacts found at the time of railroad building and mining. Run by volunteers, the museum also offers mini pamphlets about the Chinese laborers.

Seattle, Washington

This northwest city stands as a popular destination for Asian Americans. The cuisine features a global diversity. It is a quick two-hour plane ride from Denver International Airport and most airlines fly to Seattle at least once daily.

learn more about Seattle and its history. The tour guide on the boat shares stories, quirky news, and tidbits of Seattle. Indoor and outdoor seating is provided and there are views from every location on the boat.

Space Needle (spaceneedle.com)

This iconic landmark isn’t to be miss. However, instead of standing in long lines, timed entrance is provided to avoid large crowds. It’s easier to schedule a timed entrance because tourists aren’t wasting time in long lines. Located in a park, there are many places to grab a snack or check out a local attraction such as the glass gardens of Chihuly.

able through the restaurant’s website. However, if you want a chance to dine omakase style, lining up is required but not guaranteed for those coveted seats. Fridays and Saturdays are busy times. Lining up can begin as early as 4 pm for a 6 pm dining timeframe.

World-renowned Master Chef Shiro Kashiba created a dining experience called Chef Counter Omakase Experience for diners in two-hour increments. Chef Kashiba stands as the father of sushi dining in Seattle and has taught sushi chefs for many generations.

Wing Luke Museum (wingluke.org)

Seattle CityPASS® (citypass.com/seattle)

Need to figure out how to see the city’s top attraction? Check out Seattle CityPASS®. It stands as one of the most convenient and affordable ways to see all the major attractions of a metropolitan city.

Argosy Cruise Harbor Tour (argosycruises.com)

Curious about the waterfront? This one-hour tour offers a quick way to

Chihuly Garden and Glass (chihulygardenandglass.com)

This museum is fantastic. The vibrant colors, the contorted twists, and the delicacy of glass thrill visitors from all over the world. While there are big crowds viewing the exhibit, there are quick videos for those wanting to learn about the artist and thought process in creating these beautiful glass art.

Located in the international district of Seattle, this museum honors the achievements and sharing the histories of Asian Americans.

With grass-root beginnings, the museum is like a history book for those learning about the struggles of immigrations, displacements, and assimilating into a “majority” culture. All Asian communities are represented in this museum through ongoing displays or permanent exhibits.

It also honors martial arts master Bruce Lee. It is fascinating to learn how Hollywood mistreated Bruce Lee through his early years as a child actor and his path into stardom.

Sushi Kashiba (sushikashiba.com)

Are you into Japanese cuisine? Only diehards of sushi should check this restaurant. Regular dining is avail-

Photo Courtesy of Space Needle

Chihuly Garden — Ikebana and Float Boat installation. Photo Credit: Dale Chihuly

Argosy Harbor Cruise

Photo Courtesy of Argosy Cruises

Arch to Seattle’s International District

EUROPE

Athens, Greece

The Asian population of Greece includes immigrants from Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Syrians. These immigrants frequent a “Greek” Chinatown, located near the Industrial Park of Athens for their produce, meat, and products from their Asian country.

Culinary Backstreets

(culinarybackstreets.com/category/ cities-category/athens)

In six hours, this tour company offered numerous stops through the oldest part of Athens, the Plaka, with tips on eating Greek food and enjoying the locals’ favorites. For those on a Mediterranean diet, this tour offers a variety of options, including chocolates and sweet figs from the local Greek farms and gardens.

Tour guide Carolina Dorita is an author, chef, and television personality on Greek cuisine. Her cookbook, Salt of the

Earth: Secrets and Stories from a Greek Kitchen, offers insights and historical origins of Greek culinary delights.

Barcelona, Spain

barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en

Barcelona is the fourth top visited European city, according to Europe’s Best Cities Report 2023.

“I have a lot of memories as a kid and I know the city enough to get in trouble,” said Alicia Roig Bourdon, who grew up in Spain, 1.5 hours away from the capital. “Everything major we had to travel to the big city.”

Seventy Barcelona

seventybarcelona.com/en

Modern, contemporary, and hip, this six-story, 152-room hotel sits in the middle of a neighborhood that is walking distance to the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. The hotel is located within the districts of Gràcia, L’Eixample, and Passeig de Gràcia – a mixture of Old Barce -

Seventy Barcelona

lona and futuristic Spain. Surrounded by art galleries, upscale boutiques and high-end restaurants, the hotel shows a constant influx of international visitors.

The lobby welcomes guests from all over the world. Bibliophiles and book lovers will enjoy the beautiful setting of floor to ceiling books in this area. A curved glass staircase with wooden steps leads up to meeting rooms and more books.

For those needing some summer sun, the hotel offers a rooftop pool complete with a full bar. Snacks are provided and every spot on the roof flaunts a fantastic view of Barcelona.

Photo Credit: © Ricardo Labougle

Seventy Barcelona

TIPS FOR A BUSY TRAVEL SEASON THIS SUMMER

1. Be flexible – Summer travels are getting canceled with overbooked airlines or shortage of staffing. It’s easier to travel during shoulder season — the months before and after peak season.

Each room offers a view of the local neighborhood with the luxuries of air conditioning, high-end amenities, and comfortable bed. Other amenities include meals such as an abundant breakfast buffet to include all kinds of Spanish delicacies. The hotel restaurant offers dining within ‘The Patio,’ surrounded by olives, with a Mediterranean gastronomic offering. It’s like an oasis in the middle of Barcelona. The plants exude aromatic scents while the chirping birds makes one forget the hotel is in the middle of the city.

If you are looking for more relaxation, the hotel offers a full spa, complete with a sauna and steam rooms. In addition, an underground pool is offered for those who want to prepare for a fullbody massage, facial treatment, or other pampering treatments.

Picasso Museum (museupicassobcn.cat)

Located in the Gothic quarters, this museum is a popular attraction for art lovers and those who enjoy the artwork of Pablo Picasso. The museum presents earlier works of Picasso, highlighting traveling exhibits and other shows.

Güell Palace (inici.palauguell.cat)

To see the genius of architect Antonio Gaudi, this palace is a look behind the thinking and creativity. Ingenious interior design and creative furniture are viewed throughout the museum. This palace was donated to the city of Barcelona in hopes that visitors can enjoy and learn about the creativity of Gaudi.

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (sagradafamilia.org/en)

Catholics and faith tourists will scream Alleluia to see this unfinished Catholic church renowned throughout the world. Even for non-Catholics, the church is just breathtaking. More than 250,000 visitors purchase tickets to walk inside its majestic walls. The vibrant colors from the stained glass throughout the church is always changing and in motion --- a strategic design by Gaudi. Estimated to finish in ten years, this church has seen the work of more than ten different architects. Gaudi was the second architect.

2. Carry snacks – When traveling as a couple or with family, there is always one or two “hangry” person(s) in the group. Bring snacks for in between meals. If Yelp, Google, or TripAdvisor doesn’t show high ratings of 4 and up, move on to the next available high rating. That means moving to the next location on the map and it could be two blocks or two miles to reach the destination.

3. Dress appropriately - Summer heat might mean short skirts and strapless shirts. However, churches, cathedrals and religious centers require covering shoulders and wearing longer skirts to show respect. Bring a light scarf to cover the shoulders so you won’t be refused entrance to any sacred sites.

4. Ask about house specials – Intent on eating local? Ask for the house specials in meals and drinks. Especially in Europe, the house wine costs less than bottled water, between the price points of $2 to $5.

5. Find a tour guide – If you didn’t research before your trip or make an itinerary, enlist in a tour guide. At the end of the tour, the guide can give you a list of recommended restaurants and other attractions based on your interests.

6. Inquire about “free” upgrades – It doesn’t hurt to ask for these unanticipated perks. Hotel staff may be accommodating and most employees will go out of their way to appease a traveler exploring a city for the first time.

7. Be adventurous – Get out of your comfort zone. Vacations are meant for relaxation so be open to going with the flow.

Photo Credit: © Ricardo Labougle

The tako ponzu is seared octopus, scallion, and spicy ponzu sauce.

On the appetizer menu, the yellowtail sashimi plate is light in calories.

These appetizer bites are fried, breaded balls filled with diced octopus and drizzled in sauce.

This plate of nigiri features squid, shrimp, and yellowtail. Nigiri is served on a ball of rice.

Sho Sushi & Izakaya, at 6583 S. Parker Road, offers all-you-can-eat sushi, sashimi and Japanese dishes. It sits on the northwest corner of Parker and Arapahoe Roads, one of the busiest intersections in Centennial.

With 30 years of restaurant experience, Chef Sam Ahn opened Sho Sushi three years ago. Last December, the restaurant began its allyou-can-eat menu. Lunch starts at $25, while dinner costs $35. For $40, diners can select the premium menu, which includes Ika Geso (Squid Tentacles), fresh oyster, oyster tempura, and miso black cod. Sushi lovers will enjoy the wide variety of high-quality seafood items. Reservations are not required but weekends are busy. Visit the restaurant’s website at shosushico.com to check out their menu or follow them on Instagram @sho.sushi.izakaya.

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Topped with jalapeno and ponzu sauce, this dish displays thinly, sliced yellowtail.

To complement the sushi, go for a hot bowl of udon noodles served with shrimp tempura.

The Flaming Roll features yellowtail, avocado, seaweed, and vinegared rice.

Hamachi Kama is the collar of the yellowtail and the fattiest part of the fish.

TAKO PONZU YELLOWTAIL SASHIMI NIGIRI PLATTER TAKO YAKI

WASABI SEARED TUNA UDON NOODLES HAMACHI KAMA FLAMING ROLL

CHEF SAM AHN

Late-night restaurants are hard to find, especially when you’re craving a hot bowl of noodles after a concert or nightclub. But Now Pho, located at 1195 S. Federal Blvd. in Denver, is open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

While pho bowls might be the best selection during the winter months, Now Pho offers refreshing summer items including spring rolls, grilled meat & vegetarian sandwiches, short ribs, and bubble teas—serving authentic, healthy, and delicious Vietnamese dishes.

Co-owner Toan Duc Le, who is also a Denver-based real estate investor and entrepreneur, discovered an opportunity to take over and manage the Vietnamese restaurant back in September 2017.

During the weekdays, Now Pho opens at 11 a.m. for diners, who are typically the older members of the local Vietnamese community. “Vietnamese people love soup as their breakfast,” Le shared.

“We are also slammed on the weekends,” said Le, adding that the restaurant produces more than 200 bubble tea drinks each day. Flavors include mango, strawberry, coconut, coffee, and pina colada, just to name a few.

.

Grand Re-Opening in June 2023

Last month, Now Pho showcased a grand re-opening with a celebratory lion dance on June 17. That evening, customers were lined out the door after attending the Illenium: Trilogy concert at Empower Field.

During the restaurant’s four-month closure, Le spent

$20,000 to modernize the technology, which now allows customers to place orders from a kiosk or directly from their phones. They also revamped the interior with fresh paint and an open seating layout. The menu was also reduced to focus on the restaurant’s most popular items.

Unique Menu Favorites

Mi Quang / Shrimp and Pork Flat Noodle Soup This traditional, complex soup come with flat yellow noodles, pork rib, shrimp and steamed egg in a thick, rich and flavorful pork bone and seafood broth. Topped with fresh scallion, fried shallot, peanuts, herbs, a piece of rice cracker and juice of lime.

Bot Chien / Sizzling Rice Cake Egg Omelet — Pan-fried rice cake with egg, topped off with shredded preserved radish, and green onions, accompanied with pickled papaya, carrot, daikon, yu choy and house special dipping sauce.

Hue Beef Noodle Soup with Oxtail — With oversized, fat noodles plus generous servings of beef shank, the broth is created with simmering beef bones, lem ongrass, and hot chili oil.

Banh Mi Sandwiches

Served with homemade but ter, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapenos and carrots, diners can select from protein choices such as eggs & spam, grilled pork / beef / chicken / shrimp, or tofu.

Le personally enjoys the pork chop rice plate from his restaurant’s menu.

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

OXTAIL PHO

IN A WILD NBA SEASON, AAPI REPRESENTATION STOOD OUT

By Albert Chang-Yoo

The 2022-23 NBA season was full of twists-and-turns, ultimately resulting in the first-ever championship for Colorado’s own Denver Nuggets.

In such a boisterous season, it’s easy to overlook the fact that this year, there were more Asian American and Pacific Islander players than ever before. Here are profiles for some of them:

Yuta Watanabe

Current Team: Brooklyn Nets

Background: Japanese

Born: Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

Avid hoopers have likely heard of Yuta “the Shoota” Watanabe, who led the league in 3-point field goal percentage during the early stages of the season. Even in the midst of playing on a drama-filled Brooklyn team, with superstars such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Watanabe became a steady rotational player for the Nets.

With reliable on-ball defense and quick catch-and-shoot 3’s, Watanabe has become a fan-favorite. Watanabe is a 6 ‘10 forward who first came into the league in 2018, but was stuck playing in the NBA’s G-League until the Toronto Raptors offered him a contract.

Rui Hachimura

Current Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Background: Japanese

Born: Toyama, Japan

On January 23, 2023, Rui Hachimura was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Los Angeles Lakers, the 2nd-largest market in the NBA. On a heavily-scrutizined team starring Lebron James, Hachimura was a part of a re-worked Lakers team that went from the 10th seed to the Western Conference Finals. He blossomed during the playoffs, scoring 29 points during a crucial Game 1 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Hachimura was the 9th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, the only Japanese-born player to be picked in the first round. In the past four seasons, he has proven to be an exceptional athlete, with high-flying dunks and efficient mid-range game.

Jordan Clarkson

Current Team: Utah Jazz

Background: Filipino-American

Born: Tampa, Florida

After losing their best players, Donavan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, during the offseason many questioned how the Utah Jazz would survive. It turned out that a key piece was Jordan Clarkson, who averaged a career high in points (20.8) and assists (4.4) per game this season. Clarkson came to Utah as a bench player and won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2021. Additionally, Clarkson (who is half Filipino) is expected to play on the Phillipines National Team during this year’s FIBA World Cup.

Jaylin Williams

Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Background: Vietnamese-American

Born: Fort Smith, Arkansas

As the 34th pick of the 2022 Draft, Jaylin Williams became the first person of Vietnamese descent to play in the NBA. Williams’ mother and grandmother arrived in the United States in 1975, escaping the Vietnam War. Despite being a rookie, Williams (AKA JWill) became starting center on a young but talented Oklaham City Thunder team, bringing in needed defensive grit. Although OKC missed the playoffs, they exceeded expectations and appear to be moving in a winning trajectory. There’s no doubt NBA fans will likely see more of JWill in the future.

Colorado celebrates the designation of Lunar New Year an observed state holiday

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

More than 400 community members celebrated the historic passing of HB23-1271, designating Lunar New Year as an Observed State Holiday in Colorado at History Colorado on June 20.

“Our Lunar New Year Allies Advisory Group and Colorado made history! We have solidified one of the most significant holidays for our Asian community by ensuring its permanence for our state and our community,” said Vương-Sandoval, Chair, Lunar New Year Allies Advisory Group.

“As a Việtnamese, a refugee, and a social justice advocate, this landmark law is incredibly meaningful. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of solidarity and support for our work and the continuing and enduring impact of this law for countless future generations.”

Moving forward, Lunar New Year will be celebrated every first Friday in February.

“It is up to the community and for everyone that lives in Colorado to take the opportunity on that day top acknowledge and appreciate the significance of the AAPI community,” said Fran Campbell, president of the Asian Chamber of Commerce in Colorado.

Campbell acknowledges thanks and gratitude to the bill sponsors in the state legislature:

• Colorado House Representative Matt Soper

• Colorado House Representative Serena Gonzalez Gutierrez

• Colorado Senator (Senadora) Julie Gonzalez

In addition, Campbell credited those who testified before the House Committee on behalf of HB 23-1271:

• Nga Vương-Sandoval, Chair of Lunar New Year Allies Advisory (LUNA) Group

• Father Joseph Dang, LUNA Advisory Group member

• Jeremy Shaver, Representative of Anti-Defamation League Rocky Mountain Region and Hate Free Colorado

• John Lee, Colorado Attorney General’s office

• Dan Sweetser, Deputy Executive Director of Colorado and

Denver

Bar Associations

• Neal Walia, Asian Pacific Development Center

• Ni Nguyen, local business owner

Campbell’s testimony included her position as president of the chamber, her active membership as part of the Filipino-American Community of Colorado and working closely with AAPI small business owners.

Virtual testimonies were provided by Mimi Luong, co-owner of Truong An Gifts and Far East Center; small business owner Tran Nguyen-Wills and president of the National Association of Asian American Professionals Janie Sayavong.

This celebration comes at a time when the AAPI community has mourned tragedies of hatred, xenophobia, and violence in recent years. The recognition of Lunar New Year comes with the hope to promote more cultural diversity and understanding across the state.

Photos by: Together Creative Media

Photo by: Jessica Moy

LUNA Advisory Council

Nathan Yip Foundation celebrates Nathan’s birthday with annual sushi party

In celebration of Nathan’s birthday month, each year, the Nathan Yip Foundation hosts a sushi party during the month of June to fundraise for rural Colorado education.

The Nathan Yip Foundation (NYF) was founded in 2002 by Jimmy and Linda Yip, after they lost their only child, Nathan, in an car accident when Nathan was 19 years old.

The fundraising event held on June 24 at the Dome at AMG in Greenwood Village featured sushi prepared on-site by chef Miki Hashimoto, owner of TOKIO Restaurant in downtown Denver. In addition to sushi, a hosted bar with wine, beer, and sake and a

wide array of Asian cuisine and desserts were offered including Jimmy’s famous rum cake.

NYF Executive Director Jill Henwood thanked guests for attending and shared a video featuring the foundation’s work. On each table was a QR code to a map showcasing all the grant recipients across Colorado that have been awarded by NYF since 2017. Seven years ago, the organization shifted its focus from building schools abroad to helping schools and teachers in “our backyard” of rural Colorado.

Learn more at nathanyipfoundation.org.

Jimmy and Linda Yip thank the board members and volunteers.

Chef Miki Hashimoto, owner of TOKIO, made fresh sushi orders.

How to reduce your ozone impact this summer

While we cannot see or smell it, ground-level ozone is the Front Range’s most pressing air quality problem. It even accumulates the most on hot and sunny blue-sky days, when the Colorado air appears clear. How? Emissions from gas-powered vehicles, lawn equipment, and oil and gas production combine with the sunshine and heat to form this invisible pollutant. High up in the atmosphere, ozone serves an important purpose: it protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. But ground-level, it irritates our throats and lungs, increases our susceptibility to respiratory infections, and exacerbates ailments such as asthma.

Both colorless and odorless, ozone is different than wildfire smoke (sometimes mentioned as PM2.5) or the infamous “brown cloud” from decades past. Yet we have the power each day to reduce ground-level ozone in the Front Range. Here’s how you can help:

First, sign up for ozone alerts from the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). Visit SimpleStepsBetterAir.org/signup-foralerts to sign up for emails and/or text “BetterAirCO” to 21000 to receive air quality alerts on your phone. When a high ozone day is anticipated the next day or happening now, the RAQC will send you a text or email to let you know.

Second , take some Simple Steps for Better Air .

Skip two car trips per week by carpooling, combining errands, and walking, taking a scooter, bike, bus, or the light rail to get where you need to go. Ride RTD for free in July and August 2023 , as part of their Zero Fare for Better Air program to reduce ground-level ozone in the summer months. Work from home at least one day a week and eliminate your commute altogether!

More simple steps:

• Fuel up your car after 5 p.m., and don’t idle in the driveway or parking lot—instead, turn the car off & on again.

• Consider a low- or zero-emissions vehicle, like an electric vehicle (EV), when it’s time to purchase a new vehicle.

• Switch to electric lawn equipment, or mow after 5 p.m. when possible, to keep emissions from building up in the heat of the day.

Visit