magazine November 2019 Volume 14 | Issue 11
Q&A with JOie ha
Denver AAPI Commissioner
VISIT COLORADO SPRINGS Gateway to Adventure
Dessert Peek
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NOVEMBER 2019 in this issue EVENTS
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Event calendar
SPOTLIGHT
11
Plan a trip to Colorado Springs, the city ranked the 1st Most Desirable Place to Live according to the U.S. News & World Report in 2018.
FEATURE
12
Congratulations to the newest alumni of the Mirai Generations Leadership Program
COVER STORY
14
A visit to Colorado Springs is a must! Enjoy the many natural and photographic attractions or the city’s delicious dining scene.
DESSERT PEEK
20
14
Grace Clark: Korean musician shares her bluegrass rhythms with Denver
Milkroll Creamery rolls into their second location delivering rolled ice cream to Aurora
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DAAPIC COLUMN
22
Q&A with Joie Ha, co-chair of the Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission
24
Did you know a Chinatown exists in the heart of Cuba’s capital, Havana? Learn about the history and how Chinese workers settled there
ON SCENE
26
Pikachu and Hello Kitty entice visitors to the Shofu-en Japanese Garden
Global Seed Savers provide a Kamayan feast for its annual fundraiser
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This fall was filled with Filipino community events Women’s Foundation of Colorado Annual Luncheon
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver hosted 108th National Day Celebration
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November 2019 | Table of Contents
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TRAVEL
TAIWAN UPDATE
30
Taiwan cannot be absent from the global fight against transnational crime
BOOK REVIEW
31
Laotian Pages by Alfred Raquez
ASIAN AVENUE MAGAZINE P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 E-mail: info@asianavemag.com www.asianavemag.com
Find us @AsianAveMag #AsianAveMag
Dear Asian Avenue readers, The year is winding down and we are gearing up to revive our “Best of” issue this December. This month, we will be polling our readers to determine your favorites of 2019. This year especially, we saw a boom in new Asian-related businesses and restaurants as well as Asian-American representation, and wanted to bring back this special issue. Please visit tinyurl.com/aam-bestof19 to take our survey! Colorado Springs is calling! In our cover story, writers Jessalyn Langevin and Mary Schultz both share their experiences spending a few days exploring the city. With many tourist attractions and activities, read about all the options you have when planning a trip to Colorado’s second largest city. Congrats to Mary Nguyen and our friends at Milkroll Creamery for opening their second location in Aurora (on the corner of Havana and Yale near H-Mart). This location will deliver the uniqueness of Thai-style rolled ice cream to the diverse families in this area. Try any of the ‘creations’ or build your own ice cream cup with toppings like Oreos, Pocky sticks and coconut jelly! We encourage all our readers to get involved and complete the Census 2020 information next spring. Attend one of the trainings hosted by the Asian Pacific Development Center this month to learn more about the importance of the Census, especially for our APIA families. Annie Guo VanDan, President Asian Avenue magazine | www.asianavemag.com Published by Asian Avenue Magazine, Inc. P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 | info@asianavemag.com
www.asianavemag.com
Publisher & Founder CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO
Editorial Director MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ
President ANNIE GUO VANDAN
Marketing Manager JOIE HA
Senior Designer C.G. YAO
Staff Writer PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG
Graphic Designer/Videographer LIJIN ZHAO
Staff Writer AMY NG
Web Designer JASON ZHANG
Intern CHANG LIU
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Colorado Springs provides a gateway to outdoor adventure with sites like Cave of the Winds, Royal Gorge and Garden of the Gods. Photo Credit: Visit Colorado Springs
Looking to promote your business? 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 303.937.6888 or e-mail us at marketing@asianavemag.com for our media kit and ad rates.
contributing writers Gil Asakawa, Jessalyn Herreria Langevin, Huang Ming-chao, Stacey Shigaya
contributing photographers Dan Langevin, Jessalyn Herreria Langevin, Visit Colorado Springs Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 19321449) 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.
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President’s Note | asian avenue magazine
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Event Calendar Taiko Chandler: From the Etching Press Show Thur. Nov. 7 | 7pm to 8:30pm 15th Street Gallery 1708 15th Street, Boulder taikochandler.com
Join artist Taiko Chandler for an opening reception for her show, From the Etching Press, at the 15th Street Gallery. This is a solo show that consists of about 30 beautifully-framed prints and three Tyvek installations. It is part retrospective and part contemporary work, personally selected by the gallery. Taiko’s work has been exhibited in Colorado and other states, as well as print fairs throughout the U.S. Ikebana International Annual Flower Show Fri. Nov. 8 and Sat. Nov. 9 Mitchell Hall Denver Botanic Gardens 1007 York St, Denver ikebanadenver.com
This year’s flower show features a theme of combining rocks with Ikebana to showcase the full texture, rich colors and various shapes of rocks, which are part of the natural beauty of Colorado. Ikebana experts will demonstrate ways to incorporate rocks with natural plants, flowers and leaves to express the beautiful colors of the foliage season.
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November 2019 | Event Calendar
Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Institute Census Training Sat. Nov. 9 | 9:30am to 3pm Knights of Columbus 13645 E. Bayaud Ave, Aurora apia.vote/NYMLI2019 Join Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and Asian Pacific Development Center for this Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Institute Training! The training will cover how the Census impacts AAPI communities, how to talk about its importance, and how to ensure a complete count. difference in 2020.
Slant’d Launch Party Thur. Nov. 14 | 6pm to 8pm Archipelago 2345 7th St, Denver Cost: $25 per ticket slantd.media/events Come eat light bites, drink, and get cozy with the Slant’d family as they celebrate Issue 03: TABOO. The event will take place in the magical attic space at Archipelago with Filipino American poet Meta Sarmiento opening up an evening of storytelling. If you have a story about taboo topics, Slant’d would love for you to share it during the story slam.
Building Community Resilience Free Workshop Thur. Nov. 14 | 6pm to 8pm Asian Pacific Development Center 1537 Alton St, Aurora Cost: Free and open to public womxnsmarchdenver.org
Presented by Womxn’s March Denver, the FREE workshop will facilitate a discussion of incidences that have divided our community, locally, nationally, and globally. Participants will engage in an interactive community art component that allows opportunity to share stories of adversity and healing. Bring items which represent and symbolize your own life experience of adversity. Tsukemono & Kimchee Workshop Sat. Nov. 16 10:30am to 1:30pm Simpson United Methodist Church 6001 Wolff St, Arvada Cost: $15 to receive 1 jar or materials jarcc-denver.org
Learn how to make tsukemono (Japanese pickled vegetables) and kimchee (fermented vegetables in Korean cuisine) in this workshop led by the Japanese American Resource Center of Colorado. A potluck luncheon will follow the workshop beginning at 12pm.
Ramen-O-Rama! Denver’s Ramen Festival Sat. Nov. 16 12:30pm to 7:30pm RiNo Fairgrounds 3715 Chestnut Place, Denver Cost: $55 general | $85 VIP Search for event on EventBrite Enjoy unlimited sampling of gourmet ramen from local chefs and restaurants, an all-inclusive open bar, live music, games, and more. Denver has a huge variety of amazing ramen restaurants and it’s about time to gather our favorites and have ourselves a little ramen festival to decide who will wear the ramen crown!
Send Me to the Clouds Chinese Film Screening Wed. Nov. 20 Alamo Drafthouse Sloans Lake 4255 W. Colfax Ave., Denver chengchengfilm.com/ send-me-to-the-clouds “One of the most original, moving, subtly funny, and disarmingly entertaining foreign language films of the year.” The Chinese film tackles social issues women have to face in their career, marriage and sexuality. The movie is 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Send community events to info@asianavemag.com.
14th Annual Refugee First Thanksgiving Thur. Nov. 21 | 5pm to 9pm Mango House 10180 E Colfax Ave, Aurora Cost: Free; Suggested donation of $15 Search for event on EventBrite
ECDC African Community Center (ACC) is hosting its 14th Annual Refugee First Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner. Join in welcoming Denver’s newest community members by sharing an evening of food, friendship, and dancing. Hosted at Mango House in Aurora, celebrate the diversity of our state by sharing both traditional Thanksgiving food and globally inspired dishes with new neighbors and friends! This dinner will be hosted on the Thursday prior to Thanksgiving this year. Space is limited so please sign up for one of the two dinner shifts: First Dinner Shift: 5-7 pm Second Dinner Shift: 7-9 pm Bring family, friends, and an item to help stock up the household needs pantry! Items include toiletries, cleaning products, kitchen goods, feminine hygiene products, and infant care (which are not provided by SNAP and can save the community members a large outof-pocket expense). ACC’s mission is to help refugees build safe, sustainable lives in Denver.
Census 2020 101 Workshop Thur. Nov. 21 12:30pm to 1:30pm Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC) 1537 Alton St, Aurora apdc.org
Kalani Pe’a Performance Sat. Nov. 23 | Doors open 7pm
As part of APDC’s health equity series, come learn about the Census 2020 and why its important for AANHPI communities. Bring a lunch and chat with other community members. Email questions to APDC’s Community Organizer naureensingh@apdc.org.
Swallow Hill Music - Daniels Hall, 71 East Yale Ave, Denver Cost: $25 in advance Search for event on EventBrite Two-Time Grammy® Award Winner and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Winner has released his album “No ‘Ane’i” (We Belong Here) in 2018. In metaphoric meaning, Pe’a is describing and defining his Hawaiian music compositions by explaining to the listeners
the values of maintaining Hawaiian identity, language and arts. Pe’a will take his audience on a journey through his life with Hawaiian original compositions and classics of his renditions purely in Hawaiian, contemporary and soul. Theatre Espirit Asia Cabaret Evening Sun. Nov. 24 | 4pm to 6pm The People’s Building 9995 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora Cost: $20 general teatheatre.org Join Theatre Esprit Asia for a pre-holiday cabaret. After a year-long hiatus, meet the new artists and learn about TEA’s new brand over a silent auction and cash bar.
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Event Calendar | asian avenue magazine
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The Confucius Institute at
Community College of Denver The Confucius Institute at Community College of Denver is a Chinese language and cultural learning center, established in 2007 with the support of the Chinese Language Council International (Hanban), to promote Chinese language training and intercultural understanding. Our programs and services include: n Noncredit Chinese language and cultural workshops n Private Chinese language tutoring n Chinese language proficiency testing n Scholarships to study in China n China summer camps n Seasonal Chinese cultural events n Seasonal professional development training for Colorado K-12 Mandarin teachers n An educational resource center For more information about the Confucius Institute, contact: Jane Lim Jane.Lim@ccd.edu n 303-352-6510 CCD.edu/ci
Spotlight
Korean musician shares her bluegrass rhythms with Denver
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FOLLOW GRACE CLARK Instagram: @Graceclark.music Facebook: @Gracie.clark.14
fter studying opera for most of her life, Grace Clark targeted bluegrass as music genre. Raised in Michigan, Clark ventured to Colorado at the age of 18 to attend The Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver (DU). “I can’t imagine my life without music because so much of my life is music,” she said during an interview at a coffee shop. “There’s a level of humility.” Growing up fast, at 16, Clark attended the prestigious arts boarding school, Interlochen Arts Academy. She was surrounded by amazingly talented peers, who were musicians, artists, writers and filmmakers. She enjoyed seeing the passion and collaboration among these young artists. “I was exposed to other musicians, people from all over,” Clark said. Grace Clark Band Clark’s band of five called Grace Clark Band is an ensemble that includes herself, a bass player, guitarists, a banjoist and fiddler. Because of the intimate community, she met her band members from jazz jams, friends of friends and from her university. With the band, Clark dived into the music business such as booking shows, posting on social media, and the money part of it all. “They don’t teach these behind-the-scenes in school,” Clark admitted. When she’s not performing, she’s a music teacher at The Language School. She’s also a theatre/vocal instructor at the Neighborhood Music Stapleton at Stanley Marketplace and theatre teacher at Boston K-8 School. Clark described The Language School as a “unique space to immerse a student in a beautiful way to art, music and language.” The World of Bluegrass In bluegrass, Clark admits the tunes are oriented to a Caucasian audience and songs are often about the history of the mountains. “It has a masculine energy and is heavily instrumental,” she said. “It’s also a small community and as a woman of color, it’s hard to sit in my own confidence.” But she didn’t want to be just one singer. “The word ‘diva’ gets a bad rap,” she said.
By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
Song Writing She writes a majority of her songs. Her songwriting comes from failed loves, mantras and lessons to herself. “It’s a scary process,” she said. “It’s a creative space that makes me vulnerable to everyone who hears the lyrics.” Her experiences trigger the song writing process. For example, she tells a story of a dear friend who died from drug overdose. Her music sounds like
soothing lullabies with a Colorado twist. You can find her music on her website graceclarkmusic.com, YouTube and Spotify. Her band performs in different venues throughout Denver and its surrounding suburbs. She has enjoyed living in Denver since graduating from DU in 2016. “It’s a great fit,” she said. Follow Mary Jeneverre Schultz on Instagram @Jeneverre. Grace Clark | asian avenue magazine
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Feature
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWEST ALUMNI OF THE MIRAI GENERATIONS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Adam Estacio, Emily Freeman, Allyson Goto, Alex Kimata, Jenn Kimura, Adam Lisbon, Alyssa Noguchi, Leilani Rose, Brent Sabati By Stacey Shigaya On a hot Sunday in July, nine young professionals gathered with the Japanese American (JA) community to celebrate their participation in the 2019 Mirai Generations Leadership Program (MGLP). This signature program presented by Sakura Foundation was implemented in 2017 and encourages participants to CONNECT, INSPIRE, and ACT within the JA community. Participants learn more about themselves and each other, grow their leadership skills, engage with community leaders and learn about the JA community. The participants also created lifelong friendships and made meaningful connections to enhance their personal and professional lives. The class of 2019 was comprised of the following enthusiastic, bright, energetic and motivated individuals: Adam Estacio, Emily Freeman, Allyson Goto, Alex Kimata, Jenn Kimura, Adam Lisbon, Alyssa Noguchi, Leilani Rose and Brent Sabati. The impact of the MGLP is best conveyed directly by its participants: [LEILANI ROSE] “As a recent Denver
Many thanks to Consul-General of Japan Midori Takeuchi (front center) for her continued support of the MGLP.
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November 2019 | Feature
Mirai Generations Leadership Program (MGLP) Class of 2019 L to R, Front: Alex Kimata, Emily Freeman, Jenn Kimura, Brent Sabati Back: Adam Lisbon, Adam Estacio, Leilani Rose, Alyssa Noguchi, Allyson Goto transplant, the Mirai Generations Leadership Program was invaluable for me to get to know the local J/JA community. I learned about Denver’s rich JA history, was personally introduced to many local JA organizations -- the backbone of our community -- and got to meet 1-on-1 with inspirational JA community leaders. In addition, I am deeply grateful for the lifelong friendships I developed with each of my fellow classmates. Their support and friendship have been invaluable and I now feel a deep connection to the JA community here in Denver.” [ADAM LISBON] “As the Japanese Studies librarian at CU Boulder, I wanted a deeper connection with the Japanese American Community. The MGLP gave me the space to form many new friendships
and a chance to explore how, through my work, I could help preserve the history of Japanese Americans in Colorado.” “Thanks to MGLP, my colleagues and I were able to secure a $24,000 grant by the CU Boulder Outreach Committee to start archiving Japanese and Japanese American contributions to the University of Colorado’s history. Without the bridges that I had built to Japanese American associations and individuals through MGLP, we would never have been able to start this project.” [EMILY FREEMAN] “Being a part of the MGLP Class of 2019 really helped me find a voice and my place in our local J/ JA community. Everyone I met through this program has offered me real support that would have taken me years to find otherwise. MGLP gave me the opportunity
INFORMATIONAL OPEN HOUSE FOR CLASS OF 2020 Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm Downtown Denver | Tamai Tower Penthouse at Sakura Square 1255 19th Street | Complimentary parking Hosted by Sakura Foundation for candidates, referring community members and anyone wishing to learn more about the MGLP. RSVP on EventBrite.com (search MGLP).
L to R: Adam Estacio, Alex Kimata, Allyson Goto, Leilani Rose, Brent Sabati and Adam Lisbon bond at the Genesee Challenge Course. to learn more about who I am as an emerging leader, and the space to consider my role in the community. The support from everyone in MGLP and the community partners allowed me and my fellow class members to embark on an ongoing project to help work towards making the Cherry Blossom Festival a sustainable event. Through the MGLP, I have found a way to contribute to the community and merge my passion for sustainability. The Denver J/JA community is truly amazing and supportive and MGLP has been one of the best programs I have be a part of!” [BRENT SABATI] “The Mirai Generations Leadership Program has deepened my perspective on what it means to be Japanese American by exposing me to new ideas, viewpoints, and experiences of our culture. This program breaks inter-generational boundaries and gives us expedited paths to becoming active participants and leaders not only in the JA & API communities, but also in our city and careers. Even though the program is over, my work in our community is just beginning. I’m excited to implement the lessons in leadership that I’ve learned and see what new opportunities await.”
The class of 2019 takes a break at the MGLP weekend retreat. Sakura Foundation will present a free Informational Open House on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the Tamai Tower Penthouse at Sakura Square, 1255 19th Street, in downtown Denver with complimentary parking. Potential candidates, referring community members and anyone wishing to learn more about the MGLP
are welcome and encouraged to attend. To RSVP, go to EventBrite.com and search MGLP. Applications for the MGLP Class of 2020 will be available in November 2019 at SakuraFoundation.org. Questions can be emailed to StaceyS@SakuraFoundation.org.
Mirai Generations Leadership Program | asian avenue magazine Advertorial | asian avenue magazine
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Cover Story
COLORADO SPRINGS: Gateway to Adventure By Jessalyn Herreria Langevin
Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Photo Credit: Visit Colorado Springs
Located an hour and a half south of Denver, Colorado Springs makes for an easy day trip. Most Denver residents are introduced to the Springs for a variety of reasons—be it work, school, or play. In order to take full advantage of all Colorado Springs has to offer, staying overnight is highly recommended especially when undertaking adrenaline-filled adventures. Travelers staying in Downtown Colorado Springs should take advantage of the proximity to great food by opting for a food tour with Rocky Mountain Food Tours. This company, which has been giving tours since 2010, has found some of the best restaurants in Downtown Colorado Springs. While going from restaurant to restaurant sightseers will learn about the history of Colorado Springs, its origins, and the
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November 2019 | Cover Story
people who continue to shape the city into what it is today. Rocky Mountain Food Tours offers three different tours. Each tour has a variety in both food and drink and the stops on the tours can be interchanged. From Jamaican Jerk Pork to Chicken Ramen there’s bound to be something you like. On top of the variety of food, the portions at each restaurant are generous. Tour-goers would do well to just have a light lunch and consider the tour as dinner for the night. Plan to leave with a full stomach and a list of suggestions on where to eat next. Tours can be booked at www. rockymountainfoodtours.com. For a nearby adventure, Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs offers fun for all ages and thrillseekers of different ranges. As one of only two cave tours in
Colorado, Cave of the Winds has three different tours of varying lengths. Those looking for a brief overview of caving can take the Discovery Tour which lasts 45 to 60 minutes and has lighted portions of the cave. The more daring can try the Caving 101 tour which consists of two hours of climbing and crawling through the undeveloped portion of the Manitou Grand Cavern. Afraid of going underground? Cave of the Winds has several above ground adventures including the Magic Lantern Virtual Reality Theatre that only makes you think your feet are off the ground and the scream-inducing Terror-dactyl that drops you down the 200-foot cliff of Williams Canyon. Another great attraction is the Wind Walker Challenge Course in which guests utilize a fullbody harness and overhead tracking
Irish Food at Jack Quinn’s on the Rocky Mountain Food Tour
William Canyon is just north of Manitou Springs by Cave of the Winds
system to keep them safe while they walk tight-ropes, balance on suspended beams, and scurry around the three stories of the course. Those brave enough can try running across the suspended log that overlooks the cliff edge without using their hands to grip the ropes. If you’re spending a whole day at Cave of the Winds, the Frontier Zip Lines and Via Ferrata Canyon Tour offer plenty more to do. Cave of the Winds is open year round weather permitting. For whichever activity, light jacket and comfortable, closed toe shoes are highly recommended. Tickets can be purchased at www.caveofthe winds.com. Looking for an even more thrilling adventure? The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is the place to go. In June of 2013, the Royal Gorge Park fell victim to a wildfire that scorched 90% of the park. Luckily, the bridge survived and the park has been re-built with even more to do. It’s newest attraction is the Via Ferrata Tours. Via Ferratas originated in the Swiss Alps as protected paths through the mountains that consisted of ladders and other protection aids. Their popularity in Europe grew during World War I when Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies utilized steel cables and iron rung hand and footholds to move soldiers through mountainous regions. The name, Via Ferrata means “Iron Way” in Italian. While Via Ferratas have been around in Europe, they have only recently come to the U.S. with only six in Colorado. The newest of the six opened this past summer at the Royal Gorge. Climbing the Via Ferrata offers some of the most unique views of
the Royal Gorge Bridge and is one of the requirements and are subject to weather most intense adrenaline rushes. conditions. In order to climb the Via Ferrata, guests As with most outdoor attractions in must book a tour with a guide who helps the area of Colorado Springs, the Royal equip guests with the appropriate har- Gorge Bridge and Park and the Via Ferraness, shoes, and bags and remains with ta operate year round, weather permitthe guests the entire three or five hour ting. Tickets and tours can be booked at tour. Guides then instruct guests on the www.royalgorgebridge.com. rules and how to appropriately use the Be it culinary or physical, Colorado Via Ferrata and take guests on one of Springs serves as a perfect starting point three starter routes to evaluate how each to any adventure. For more ideas of person will do going up the actual Via things to see and do, go to the Colorado Ferrata. Springs Visitor Center website at www. Guides are extremely encouraging and visitcos.com. ensure guests are safe and enjoying their experience. In the event of an emergenJessalyn Langevin and her husband, cy or a guest feeling unable to continue, Dan, have been day tripping to Colorado guides are trained in rescue techniques. Springs since they started dating. In OcGoing up the Via Ferrata is quite safe. tober 2019, they finally stayed the night The cable system and iron rungs are solid in the Springs and had one of the most and provide a sense of safety. However adrenaline-filled adventures ever. Follow the sheer vertical climb and raw expo- Jessalyn on Instagram @MemoryRevenge. sure at certain parts are enough to make anyone quiver. The sheer mental and physical willpower required to climb the Via Ferrata is not for the faint of heart. Those wishing to climb the Via Ferrata are encouraged to be in good physical shape. That being said, the experience is one of the most thrilling and exciting experiences. The stunning views and rush of climbing the Via Ferrata allows anyone who completes the experience to marvel at the impressive feat of nature and human capability. For those who would pass on the Via Ferrata but still want a thrill, the Royal Rush Skycoaster and Cloudscraper ZipLine allow thrillseekers to soar above Climbing a narrow walkway on the the Gorge. Both have height and weight Royal Gorge Via Ferrata
The Wind Walker Challenge course is a maze of steel beams and ropes
Colorado Springs | asian avenue magazine
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Weekend trip to
#1 MOST DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES by U.S. News
COLORADO SPRINGS Two days are not enough to cover the second largest city in Colorado and one of the first destination resorts in the U.S.
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By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
Colorado Springs, founded as a resort town in 1871, offers spectacular attractions such as Pikes Peak, the highest-altitude zoo—Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Centers, and the majestic Garden of the Gods. “Colorado Springs and its surrounding areas offers 60 attractions year round,” said Chelsy Offutt, director of communications of Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Bureau estimates 5.2 million international, national and local visitors travel to the southern city each year. The 2017 U.S. Census counted more than 13,000 Asians and more than 3,000 Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders living in Colorado Springs.
During the summer, Garden of the Gods is packed with motorists, lining up to grab that Instagram photo or the upcoming Christmas family photo. Instead of driving, consider biking, bus shuttle (only offered during summer), segway or jeep tour.
pians, athletes in training and military personnel call it a beast. However, it’s a source of pride and exhaustion for them. Japanese-American, eight-time medalist in the Winter Olympics Apollo Ohno recorded climbing the incline between 17:45 and 17:52.
ADVENTURES OUT WEST advoutwest.com
GARDEN OF THE GODS gardenofgods.com Garden of the Gods is a national natural landmark, comprising 1,300 acres of sandstone formations, a visitor center and several hiking trails.
This tour company offers a variety of ways to experience the best of Colorado Springs. Each tour comes with an informative, but humorous tour guide, who knows the history and factoids of this city that can claim 300 sunny days a year. The three-hour jeep tour covered Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs (known as the Saratoga of the West), Pike Peaks, tunnels of Short Line Rail Road and the North Cheyenne Canyon. Visible from downtown Manitou Springs, the mountainside trail known among athletes as the Incline, is a mile long, roughly 1,600 meters. It rises more than 2,000 feet or 600 meters. Olym-
U.S. OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC TRAINING CENTERS teamusa.org/csotc With the Olympics scheduled in 2020 in Japan, interest is surging as more visitors and tourists sign up for tours at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Centers. Each year, an estimated 230,000 visitors take one of the four tours offered. Tour guides can’t promise that Olympic and aspiring stars might be visible during the tours, but sometimes a group gets lucky to see them! The facility, former home of ENT Air Force Base and the headquarters of the
November 2019 | Cover Story
Stairway to the eternal fire at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
North American Defense Center, covers 35 acres. During the tour, guides walk you through training centers, medical rehab areas, swimming pools, and boxing rings plus provide personal anecdotes of their Olympic experience. Since 1978, the facility provides housing, dining, recreational facilities and other services for up to 557 coaches and 140 athletes at one time. Diehard Olympic fans will geek out when they spot world champions and former Olympic athletes. In fact, world female boxing champion Amelia Moore was inside the training center, working on her leg exercises, during our tour. THE MINING EXCHANGE HOTEL wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-grand/ colorado-springs-colorado/the-mining-ex-
change-a-wyndham-grand-hotel/overview After a full day of excursions, check in to one of the many boutiques, hotel chains or charming lodges in this area. Located in the heart of downtown, the Mining Exchange is a boutique hotel that offers an unusual experience. Vaults are found throughout the hotel. You can even enjoy a massage inside a vault. Built in1900, the building was designed to house the “Colorado Springs Mining Exchange and promote regional mining companies and their stock.” The front desk offers a two-page infographic of the hotel’s history. Just ask the front desk clerk when you check into the hotel. If the hotel manager is available, he can offer a brief tour of the hotel, complete with mining history, factoids and a peek at some of the historical photos decorated throughout the main room.
One of the most unique features of the hotels rooms is dual showers from both sides. And the 12-foot ceilings and oversized windows scream luxury for anyone looking for elegance and sophistication. Although the hotel is part of the Wyndham consortium, the property is owned by a private family from New Orleans. Visitors can see the influences of Southern hospitality through the halls, decors on the main room and adjoining restaurant menu offerings. COLORADO SPRINGS RESTAURANTS Lucky Dumping - luckydumplingco.com The dining scene in Colorado Springs is ramping up as more chefs and world-renowned restaurants are moving into the area. Diners and foodies can definitely just eat around this town, starting with gourmet coffee in the morning, a quick lunch at a sandwich shop and ending with an upscale restaurant around town. If you’re a fan of Bravo’s series, Top Chef, you’ll know that Chef Brother Luck has opened his restaurant called Lucky Dumpling in the downtown area. His Asian American fusion concept has lured modern diners, who are looking for the new “it thing.” Luck said, “I would continue to educate myself on perfecting my recipes by traveling through Asia to better understand the history and techniques of traditional dumpling making.” Menu items are divided into dumplings, small bites, bowls, large plates and
Dumplings from Chef Brother Luck’s restaurant Lucky Dumplings
sweets. Memorable culinary delights include dumplings of Thai Peanut Chicken and Kimchi & Eggplants. The Egg Crepe, with ingredients of hoisin, bean sprouts, wonton and chile, is an unusual but satisfying platter. 503W - 503w.co With an open kitchen concept, the restaurant boasts being “locally-owned” and offering local ingredients. Located in the outskirts of downtown, the area shows car repair shops, an outdated motel from the 1970s and car accessories retailers. However, the grunge-like appearance of the neighborhood doesn’t stop diners and drinkers to check out this hipster restaurant offering an array of Mexican and Asian cuisines. Tacos and burgers are available for those who want to stay basic. Other Asian twists include Spicy Island Poke, Bangkok Belly, and Little Seoul Bowl, just to name a few favorites. With a fully stocked craft bar, mixologists can make almost anything, even a mocktail (a refreshing beverage with no alcohol). Just share your favorite flavors to the bartender and she’ll create something from scratch, complete with a purple hibiscus flower on top. Julie’s Kitchen - fb.com/Julies-KitchenColorado-Springs-1316043748422112 Located in a strip mall, this nondescript restaurant is frequented by huge Filipino, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander families from the suburbs of Colorado Springs. Filipino and Hawaiian cuisines are visible on the menu. Freshly cooked meals are visible on trays plus cook-to order menu items are available. The Filipino dishes are reminiscent of grandma’s cooking. Selection includes Lechon Kawali (deep fried pork belly), and Pinkabet (stew loaded with squash, green beans, okra, eggplant and small slivers of pork). Julie’s Kitchen is a 20-minute drive from downtown. Closed on Mondays, call or check their Facebook page for hours. Colorado Springs | asian avenue magazine
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Aspen trees at Pikes Peak during the fall season
Photo Credit: Visit Colorado Springs
FUTURE – 2020 WILL BE A BIG YEAR! Scheduled for a late 2020 launch date, the California-based burger chain, In-N-Out will open its first Colorado location. With a huge cult following, be prepared for long lines in the restaurant and drive-thru. Locations in Utah and Arizona still show long automobile lines years after their opening date. A 60,000-square foot museum will open its doors at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic facility. Each visit will be different to the museum complex. Featuring 20,000 square feet of interactive exhibit space, visitors will experience the excitement and energy of walking into the stadium of the Opening Ceremony. Pikes Peak is the second most visited mountain in the world, while Japan’s Mt. Fuji stands as number one. After the complete
construction of Pikes Peak Summit House, the ranking might overcome Mt. Fuji. Featuring an immersive visitor’s experience, the new Summit Complex will replace the existing Pikes Peak Summit House. The design will include multi-media exhibits, historical factoids and focusing on the scenery of America’s mountain. It’s difficult to cover all of Colorado Springs’ attractions during a weekend stay. It’s easier to take on one attraction at a time. For longtime Colorado residents, it might take a few years before one can say I’ve visited and experienced everything Colorado Springs has to offer. Consider spending a week to visit all the unique attractions of Colorado Springs. Plan your trip by visiting www.visitcos.com. Follow Mary Jeneverre Schultz on Twitter @Jeneverre.
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 18
November 2019 | Cover Story
TIPS & TRICKS BACK PAIN EXERCISES FOR STRETCHING Stretching is something that most people ignore when it comes to their daily routine. Whether you are working out or just getting ready to tackle the day’s tasks, stretching should be part of everyone’s regimen. The most notable benefit of stretching exercises is the reduction of back, muscle and joint pain, especially when paired with chiropractic adjustments. In this article, we showcase some exercises and tips on how to prepare and execute these exercises to improve your overall health!
1. Warm up your muscles by walking or perform gentle movements for 10 to 15 minutes. 2. Slowly increase your stretch as your muscle beings to relax. 3. Have patience, do not over extend a muscle or joint. Know your body limits and do not push yourself through pain. 4. Breathe! Take a deep breath before each stretch and exhale during the stretch. 5. As you become more flexible, increase the number of repetitions to avoid plateaus and keep your muscles and joints more nimble. 6. Take a hot shower, bath, sauna or steam room to relax and warm up your muscles prior to stretching and exercise. 7. Stop immediately if you experience any discomfort.
EXERCISES & PROPER POSITIONING The piriformis muscle runs through the buttock and can contribute to back and leg pain. To stretch this muscle, lie on the back and cross one leg over the other; gently pull the knee toward the chest until a stretch is felt in the buttock area. Hold for 30 seconds. Relax. Repeat 3 times. This stretch may be performed several times per day.
Lie on your back with your knees flexed and feet flat on the floor. Keep knees together. Tighten the muscles of the lower abdomen and buttocks; raise your hips from the floor and lower your back to the resting position. Repeat this exercise 20 times.
Lie on your stomach. Use your arms to push your upper body off the floor. Hold for 30 seconds. Let your back relax and sag. Repeat.
Kneel on the mat with weight on your hands and knees. Place palms directly under your shoulders and knees hip-width apart. Raise your right arm and extend it forward parallel to the floor. Keep your right palm parallel to the floor, then lift your left leg, and straighten it behind you. Hold the opposing limbs off the ground for 30 to 60 seconds without arching your back. Switch sides. Repeat 3 to 6 times.
Lie on your back with both legs straight. Bend one leg at the knee and extend one leg straight up in the air. Loop a towel over the arch of the lifted foot, and pull on the towel as you push against it with your foot; you should feel a stretch in the back of the thigh. Hold for 30 seconds. Relax. Repeat 3 times per leg.
Lie on your stomach. Tighten the muscles in one leg and raise it 1 to 2 inches from the floor. Do the same with the other leg. Repeat 20 times with each leg. This exercise may be performed several times per day.
Stop immediately if you experience any discomfort. For further FREE consultation, please call Aim High Chiropractic at 303-922-2977. Advertorial | asian avenue magazine
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Dessert Peek If you don’t have an Instagram account, now’s the time to set one up and follow @milkrollcreamery. Milkroll Creamery specializes in Thai-inspired rolled ice cream in Colorado. This ice cream shop is not only known for its mouth-watering ice cream cups, but also their colorful array of toppings that make each order extra Instagram-worthy. Milkroll Creamery opened its first storefront in 2017 in Denver and just recently opened its second location. According to owner Mary Nguyen, “I had no intentions of opening a rolled ice cream storefront in the first place, but I have to credit a family friend for giving me the idea.” Due to the changing seasons in Colorado, Nguyen did not think opening an ice cream shop would be ideal here. However, she received tremendous support from her
By Annie Guo VanDan
husband, parents, family and friends, and recently rolled out another store in Aurora. “Aurora is a city of diversity, just like Milkroll. We felt that it would be the best place to expand our brand without being limited to a specific demographic. We hope that Milkroll would be a good addition to Aurora’s food scene,” said Nguyen. According to Nguyen, “Many of our customers say that the process of rolling ice cream is satisfying to the eyes. Thai-style rolled ice cream starts out with a liquid ice cream mix that is poured on to a cold plate which freezes the ice cream mix when in contact.” At Milkroll Creamery, customers can choose between pre-made selections or customize their own rolled ice cream concotions. The house creations was inspired by other rolled ice cream companies as well as different cultures. The creative minds behind these creations—Nguyen and her sister—wanted to emphasize the diversity in
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November 2019 | Dessert Peek
Colorado. Other than the house creations, customers can create their own by choosing the ice cream’s flavor, followed by the ingredients to mix into the ice cream, and lastly the toppings and drizzles. The combinations are endless! “We have Vietnamese coffee flavored, pandan flavored, pina colada inspired ice cream, and of course Oreos! I would always recommend ordering a house creation your first time around, which are our original and must-try
LOCATIONS
3500 E. Colfax Ave, Unit B Denver, CO 80206 Tel: 720.381.6099 2712 S. Havana St, Suite A Aurora, CO 80014 Tel: 720.750.7973
CONNECT WITH MILKROLL!
fb.com/milkrollcreamery instagram.com/milkrollcreamery
combinations!” Although Nguyen is still a student at Metropolitan State University of Denver, she decided to take the semester off to focus on the new storefront, but hopes to get back to classes next semester. From this journey, she realizes that “owning a business is hard work, but worth it!” She has learned immensely about management and leadership skills, practicing patience, and the key to everything is time management. “I hope that Milkroll Creamery will keep rolling throughout the years and someday be a staple for ice cream lovers in Colorado,” Nguyen said. Milkroll Creamery | asian avenue magazine
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DAAPIC Column
QA &
Co-chair of Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission (DAAPIC)
JOIE HA Interview by Gil Asakawa 1. What’s your ethnic heritage? My mom was born and raised in Vietnam, but she is ethnically Chinese. My dad is from Taiwan, and is mostly ethnically Chinese but is part indigenous Taiwanese as well. 2. You’re one of the youngest commissioners. Do you feel a certain sense of responsibility because of your age? I feel that my age has uniquely positioned me to help bridge the intergenerational gap in our community. I can relate both to the younger generations, as well as the older generations who have made our lives possible.
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November 2019 | DAAPIC Column
3. You’ve been involved in the community for years. Can you share your journey as an AAPI activist? I started my journey as a junior in high school when I founded the first and only Asian American club at my school, Smoky Hill High School in Aurora. We started by hosting a hip-hop competition, since that’s what a lot of the Asian kids were interested in at the time. By the second year we held it, we sold out the auditorium which had a capacity of around 700 seats, and flew out a famous Korean b-boy, Taiyo, to judge. From them on, I found my niche in hosting events and programming for the APIA community. Some
highlights of my journey include winning the 2013 Asian American Heroes of Colorado Award, chartering the first and only Asian-interest sorority in Denver, and acting as the Program Director for the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network. Most recently, I am serving as the co-chair of the Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission and have officially started working with the 2020 Census on APIA outreach. 4. How do you feel about the state of AAPIs today? I think one of the largest challenges that we face today is how monolith-
ASIAN AMERICAN NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS AT RISK OF BEING UNDERCOUNTED IN 2020 CENSUS
A MESSAGE FROM JOIE ABOUT CENSUS 2020 The Census is an official population count of everyone in the U.S. that is conducted every ten years. It allocates $675 billion of federal funding per year to our communities for resources like roads and public schools, and programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and low-income housing. It also translates to political power as census data is used for reapportionment and redistricting. Unfortunately, Asian Pacific Islander Americans are the LEAST likely ethnic group to fill out the census. This is incredibly detrimental to our communities as we will not get the resources we deserve unless we’re counted! In early March 2020, you will receive an invitation in the mail to respond to the 2020 Census. If you would like to learn more or partner with us to make sure our community gets counted, please e-mail me at joie.ha@2020census.gov. ic the APIA umbrella makes us seem. There are 48 Asian countries and 12 Pacific Island countries (these numbers vary by source), and this does not even include all the different ethnicities that may exist in one country! There is not one single APIA experience, yet statistics often lump us in together. Monolithically, it seems like APIAs are quite successful with one of the highest college degree attainment rates. However, there are several groups under the APIA umbrella that suffer from incredibly low high-school graduation rates. Because the average is boosted up by those do well, those that need a bit more help are often forgotten. 5. How do you feel about the state of AAPIs in Denver? I love my APIA community in Den-
ver. However, I do wish we were a bit more active and involved! There are existing organizations doing great work, but we still have a ways to go. 6. What are your goals for DAAPIC? DAAPIC serves as an advisory body to the Denver Mayor regarding all issues relating to the APIA community. My experience is with community events, so I am excited to dive in and learn how we can affect change through policy and government. I would love DAAPIC to become a staple organization in the community, and successfully push legislation and measures that improve APIA livelihoods. 7. What’s your favorite food? Your favorite restaurant(s)? All Asian food, but sushi in particular. I studied abroad in Japan and got to eat at Jiro’s Sushi, which was heavenly!
8. You’re well-traveled and have lived overseas. How do you think Americans benefit when they travel abroad, especially if they go to Asia? I would like to preface this by underlining that traveling is a privilege. it takes money and time that not everyone may have. However, if possible, I think it would be incredibly beneficial for Americans to travel outside of our country. We tend to live in a bubble, and exploring new countries allows us the ability to see how other people may live and thrive differently than we do. It opens your mind and affords you a new perspective that you might not have had before. The Commission’s objective is to act as catalyst, educator, collective voice, and to create awareness and visibility of the AAPI community in Denver. See DAAPIC’s website at: bit. ly/2JNH85v Joie Ha | asian avenue magazine
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Travel
CHINATOWN IN CUBA
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The recognizable, distinctive red arch of Chinatown stands prominently in downtown Havana, Cuba. For the locals, it’s just part of the cityscapes. But for the tourists, there is a sense of bewilderment. Why? How? “It’s Chinatown with no Chinese,” said tour guide and historian Amel Orlando of Eyewitness Cuba Tours. Chinatown, or better known as “Barrio Chino de La Habana” stands in Cuba as one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in Latin America. The Chinese arrived in Cuba as a labor source to harvest sugar cane. As suicides escalated among them, Chinese government officials began to investigate the causes.
the people were facing Opium Wars, political unrest, ethnic dissension and an increase in population. The first recorded ship arrived in Cuba on June 3, 1873 with 200 Chinese laborers, who signed up for eight-year contracts. However, the conditions were horrific in both living and working conditions. In fact, it was so awful that Chinese laborers felt suicide was the easier path. Imperial Chinese government assigned investigators to Cuba to check out the allegations of abuse and contract breaches. After these dire findings, Chinese labor trade was prohibited and the last ship of Chinese laborers ended a year later, in 1874.
[HISTORY] Chinese immigrants entered Cuba during the 1850s as field workers in the sugar cane fields during a time when Cuba was the world’s largest exporter. The downturn of African slaves and declining slaves from the US forced plantation owners to consider other options. While in China,
[EL BARRIO CHINO] Many Chinese immigrants stayed and intermarried with the locals. Cuban-Chinese were estimated to be more than 40,000 in Cuba, establishing a community better known as “El Barrio Chino” or as we know it, Chinatown. With 44 square blocks, it was considered one of the
November 2019 | Travel
largest Chinatowns in Latin America. As more laborers left plantation fields, Cuban-Chinese established retail shops, restaurants, laundries and worked in factories. [MIGRATION PATTERNS] Around 1900, Cuba experienced another wave of Chinese migrants from California to Miami. Intermarriages helped Chinese migrants assimilate into the Cuban culture.
[1959 CUBAN REVOLUTION] During this period, most CubanChinese left the country because their grocery stores and markets were taken for government usage. Most of them escaped to Florida, while others sought help from other Spanish countries such as Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. [INFLUENCES] The integration of Cuban-Chinese with intermarriages between Spaniards, Africans and mixed-race women, the melting pot was visible in their cuisine. Common
Written Mary Jeneverre Schultz - @Jeneverre
Chinese immigrants entered Cuba during the 1850s as field workers in the sugar cane fields during a time when Cuba was the world’s largest exporter. dishes in Cuban-Chinese households include: • Grilled pork chops in Chinese black bean sauce • Roast pork using Chinese five spices • Chinese-Cuban spare ribs • Arroz frito or fried rice • Chinese rice porridge with soup cooked with meat and vegetables • Yucca and plantains • Black beans • Red snapper, either fried or steamed, with ginger, scallion, cilantro and lemon • Chinese cabbage, turnip and bean sprouts
[COLORADO CONNECTION] A Catholic parish in Parker, Colo., Ave Maria, raised funds for a visiting seminarian, who wants to fund the second Catholic parish in Cuba. Planting the idea of building a church began in 1992. Little by little, the building is looking more like a church. Ernesto Alonso, a seminarian from New York, visited the Parker-based church this year to plea to the congregation in funding the construction of this church in Cuba. He credits and shares the success of this campaign to his colleague, Yunior Gonzalez, who served as the seminarian of Ave Maria in Parker.
[TODAY] While tour guide Orlando jokes about no Chinese people living in Chinatown, community organizations and social clubs do exist in Cuba. In fact, Casino Chung Wah, founded in 1893, assists the Chinese people in Cuba with education and cultural programs. The Chinese-language weekly, Kwong Wah Po, was resurrected in 2017 after being shut down for five years. The monthly newspaper began in 1944 and served as a way to communicate to the Chinese population in the Caribbean island. Printing 600 copies, the newspaper is printed as a tabloid format of four pages, three in Mandarin and one in Spanish. The elderly Cuban-Chinese are dwindling in numbers with an estimated count of only 400. Down to less than two blocks, many of them live near Chino Barrio, while working in nearby Chinese restaurants. Economic development groups are working to revitalize the area into a tourist destination.
[RESTRICTED TRAVEL] In May, more than 140,000 U.S. citizens had visited Cuba in 2019 aboard cruises. Last June, the current administration
banned cruise ship operators from the U.S. to Cuba and removed “people-topeople” educational travel, making it more difficult to travel to this Caribbean island. Frequent Cuban travelers believe travel within the country is still feasible but blacklisted, government-owned hotels and businesses will make it difficult to plan for travel, making regulations confusing and vague. Vacation planning will need to be precise and exact with an expectation of an audit when returning home to the U.S. Even with all the travel restrictions, if you are interested in visiting Cuba, work closely with a travel agency. It’s a travel experience of a lifetime. Mary Jeneverre Schultz traveled to Cuba with husband, Frank, in June 2018. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @Jeneverre.
Just inside the Chinatown arch, this statue is a reminder of the Chinese past in Cuba. Chinatown in Cuba | asian avenue magazine
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On Scene
Pikachu and Hello Kitty entice visitors to the Shofu-en Japanese Garden
This fall, Japanese pop culture icons, Pikachu and Hello Kitty graced the Denver Botanic Gardens in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Shofu-en Japanese Garden. The two characters walked around the garden posing for pictures with guests. Both Hello Kitty and Pikachu are well-known characters. Hello Kitty, created in 1974, rose to international fame in the late 1990s. She appears on school supplies, fashion accessories, as well as TV series and theme parks. Pikachu has been around since 1996 as the adorable, electric mouse Pokemon. Most recently, Pikachu was featured as a character voiced by Ryan Reynolds in the 2019 film Pokemon Detective Pikachu.
By Jessalyn Herreria Langevin
The Shofu-en Japanese Garden celebrated its 40th anniversary on June 23, 2019. Its name translates to ‘Garden of Pine and Wind’ and features 130 pines transplanted from the Colorado foothills. The garden utilizes plants and materials from Colorado to display a traditional Japanese aesthetic. The 40th anniversary celebration continued through the fall with events such as Japanese tea ceremonies, forest bathing guided walks, and Taiko drum performances. Guests interested in the history of the Shofu-en Japanese Garden can view the ‘Then and Now’ photos on display throughout the Garden through Dec. 31. Learn more at www.botanicgardens.org.
Global Seed Savers provide a Kamayan feast for its annual fundraiser
By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
More than 100 attendees supported the Global Seed Savers 9th Annual Nourish Event last Oct. 26 at Posner Center for International Development. Catered by Orange Crunch, the lunch was presented in Kamayan style. Typical Filipino food included lumpia (egg roll), beef sticks, pancit noodles, grilled fish and an assortment of fruit and vegetables from dragon fruits to cucumbers. Diners ate with their hands, allowing a dynamic and interactive food experience. “It’s a way to honor our farmers,” said Sherry Manning, Founder and Executive Director of Denver-based Global Seed Savers. “It has blossomed into a nationwide movement.” Manning is referring to the critical importance of saving seeds and how the organization’s work in the Philippines is building resilient and sovereign food systems. Keynote speakers included Rowen White of Sierra Seeds Cooperative and Indigenous Seed Keepers Network and Jeffrey Sotero, who is the Municipal Agriculture Officer in Tubaly, Benguet, Philippines and a new GSS Philippines Board Member. “Our lands are getting smaller. Our seeds are reducing in quantities,” Sotero said. “No farmer, no food.” Global Seed Savers has opened and established two seed libraries in Benguet and Cebu, which house more than 60 varieties of locally produced seeds. Learn more at www.globalseedsavers.org.
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November 2019 | On Scene
This fall was filled with Filipino community events By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
MENDING FACES
organized its annual fundraising event on Sept. 21 at The Club at Rolling Hills in Golden. The theme of the event was “Give the Gift of a Smile: Restoring Hope 2019.” Mending Faces provides solutions to children in desperate need of cleft lip and cleft palate surgery in the Philippines and beyond. At the event, board members announced that they would take their first medical mission to San Salvador, El Salvador in October. Learn more at www.mendingfaces.org.
UPLIFT INTERNATIONALE
hosted its 21st Annual Gala on Oct. 12 in Lakewood. The annual fundraiser featured live Filipino entertainment and an auction. The organization conducts Operation Taghoy (Filipino word meaning “whistle”), which is an annual mission to the Philippines to provide reparative surgical care to poor, rural children born with facial deformities. Learn more at www. upliftinternationale.org.
NaFFAA REGION V
celebrated Filipino History Month with its Filipiniana Gala called An Evening of Stars on Oct. 19 in Aurora. Community and business leaders performed Filipino cultural, hip-hop, salsa, ballroom and more to benefit Uplift Internationale. The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Region V, which includes Colorado, promotes empowerment and collaboration among member organizations on its socio-cultural and ethical values. Learn more at www.naffaaregion5.org. Photos by Jessalyn Langevin
Mile High Happenings | asian avenue magazine
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On Scene
Women’s Foundation of Colorado Annual Luncheon Many stories, two voices, one vision.
Actress Maysoon Zayid (middle) and journalist Noor Tagouri (right) are interviewed at the WFCO Luncheon.
Save the date for next year’s luncheon on Oct. 9, 2020! Interested in getting involved with the Women’s Foundation of Colorado? Participate in Lobby Day at the Capitol on March 5, 2020. Registration will be available in early January. The purpose of Lobby Day is to help women become active advocates for gender equity and lobby their legislators with confidence. Visit the website at www.wfco.org.
Nearly 2,300 attendees showed up at the annual Women’s Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) Luncheon last Oct. 11 at the Colorado Convention Center. With 200 sponsors, the luncheon raised awareness of the foundation’s programs such as the Power of Extended Philanthropy membership, Empowerment Council, and communities of giving, which sustain the organization’s work to create systemic change. In a TED Talk-style format and joint interview, Muslim-American journalist Noor Tagouri and actress Maysoon Zayid, were the keynote speakers of the event. Both speakers won the hearts of the audience as they shared their stories of empowerment. Here’s a short Q&A from both Zayid and Tagouri: MAYSOON ZAYID - I’m obsessed with yoga. I watch 100 hours of television. I also tap dance. My mom and dad are my heroes. What motivates you? Injustice and frustration: I live a life that combats these concerns. It takes a lot of work. NOOR TAGOURI - I love to plan special parts of trips since I travel so much. Most of that involves food! In my leisure, I spend time with my family, take baths, watch documentaries, and sleep. My parents are my heroes. What motivates you? Being the person I wish I had when I was younger.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver hosted 108th National Day Celebration The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver held a reception in celebration of the 108th founding anniversary of the Republic and China (Taiwan) on Oct. 7 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The annual event was hosted by Director General Jerry Chang and Mrs. Chang. Members from Colorado Consular Corps, Colorado state senators and representatives, as well as local Taiwanese community leaders attended the grand celebration. Director General Chang remarked that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, which built a solid foundation for the U.S.-Taiwan bilateral relationship. President Tsai Ing-wen led a large delegation to make a historic and successful transit to Colorado in July, which was the first time a Taiwan president came to the Midwest of the United States. Director General Chang added that the Taiwan government organized an agricultural trade goodwill mission in September Director General Jerry to visit Washington D.C. and 11 Chang and Mrs. Chang cut states. The delegation signed cake with dignitaries and letters of intent with these community leaders.
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November 2019 | On Scene
states to purchase high-quality agricultural products from the U.S., demonstrating how Taiwan values bilateral relationships. In addition, U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) recorded a video to offer his congratulations on this auspicious occasion. The Office also received proclamations or letters from state and city dignitaries to congratulate Taiwan on its National Day. In the end of the program, Director General Chang and Mrs. Chang cut the birthday cake together with Colorado dignitaries and Taiwanese community leaders to wish the country happy birthday!
Director General Chang makes remarks at the National Day Celebration.
Hopeless Teeth Saveable with Revolutionary Laser Gum Therapy FDA-Approved Technology helps reverse bone loss and eliminate gum disease
Many people who have been told that they should have all of their teeth pulled have been given a second chance with LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure). The number one reason adults lose teeth is gum disease (also known as periodontitis and pyorrhea). Gum disease actually causes the bone surrounding the teeth to be eaten away, which leads the teeth to become loose. Other symptoms of gum disease are bleeding gums and bad breath. In the past, the only solutions to solve the problems associated with gum disease were either painful cut & stitch gum surgery or extraction of the diseased teeth. Dr. Charles S. Barotz of Barotz
Dental states, “Those are 20th century procedures! Here in the 21st century, LANAP laser therapy has changed the playing field.” Dr. Barotz went on to say, “It’s amazing how the laser actually helps to regenerate lost bone and all with a fraction of the pain involved with conventional cut & stitch surgery. It’s also at a fraction of the cost of implant tooth replacement!” Dr. Barotz continued to say “This is a current trend in dentistry for implant clinics to lead a patient to believe that the only option is to have their teeth removed and replaced with implants. I see many patients who have been told by these clinics to have their teeth removed when the teeth could, and in my opinion, should have been saved. I consider it a tragedy that so many people receive this bad advice.” One of Dr. Barotz’s patients, Amy, was told by no less than five doctors there was no way to save her teeth, which were loose and infected with periodontitis. In her words, “Being told that your teeth all need to come out was absolutely devastating.” Dr. Barotz explained: “the good news is that shortly before she was scheduled to have her teeth removed, she came in for another opinion and learned about LANAP. Happily, we were able to save all of her teeth. That was over two years ago and her teeth have firmed up and miraculously the bone has grown back around the teeth that were loose. Again, the laser actually helps much of the lost bone grow back.” Amy reflected on the path she went down to save her teeth, “I was told multiple times that all of my teeth needed to be removed, but I currently have all of my
Do I Have Gum Disease? • Loose, Mobile Teeth • Bleeding Gums • Bad Breath teeth intact. They showed me a light at the end of the tunnel.” When asked what an individual with gum disease should do before “going under the knife,” or having teeth removed, Dr. Barotz strongly advises patients wanting to save their teeth to seek out a second (or third) opinion. “We will gladly give second opinions at no charge if you have been told to have your teeth pulled and you want to save them. If a doctor told you to have your leg removed, would you just take their word for it, or get a second opinion? It is one of my great joys to help people like Amy save their teeth. Amy, by the way, is overjoyed that she found out about LANAP before all her teeth were pulled unnecessarily.” In the end, if an individual wants to save their teeth or avoid painful gum surgery and could benefit from this miraculous, state-of-the-art technology, Dr. Barotz encourages you to call his office at 720-9034370 to set your free second opinion evaluation to find out if LANAP is right for you. Dr. Barotz was the first clinician in Denver in the state of Colorado to be fully certified in the LANAP Laser Gum Therapy Protocol. You can read more about Dr. Barotz, his practice and the revolutionary LANAP therapy at www.DenverDentist.com. Advertorial | asian avenue magazine
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Taiwan Update
Taiwan cannot be absent from the global fight against transnational crime A Safer World - Taiwan can help Taiwan serves as key geopolitical hub in East and Southeast Asia. The World Drug Report 2018 published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) pointed out that North America, East Asia and Southeast Asia are key regions in the production and consumption of amphetamine. Furthermore, the UNODC report entitled Transnational Organized Crime in Southeast Asia: Evolution, Growth and Impact published in July 2019, stated that large-scale criminal groups and financiers from Macau, Hong Kong, China and Thailand, in cooperation with criminal networks and chemists from Taiwan, have made Southeast Asia a major center for the production and transportation of methamphetamine and other types of drugs. There is also evidence showing that acetic anhydride exported from Taiwan has made its way to Afghanistan, where it is used for the production of heroin. This underlines the growing influence of Taiwanese drug cartels in Southeast Asia. Taiwan constitutes a gap in the international network of intelligence sharing. As a result of coordination among criminal groups from different countries, drug trafficking is increasingly controlled at the international level, not the national level. Trafficking operations are highly organized and extend across regions. This makes it very difficult for sovereign nations to fully clamp down within their territory on all aspects of these criminal networks, such as production, transportation, sale, and money flow. The challenges for Taiwan are even more daunting. Because of political factors, Taiwan cannot take part in relevant meetings held by the UNODC and INTERPOL, and does not have access to critical intelligence shared instantly via the I-24/7 global police communications system and stolen and lost travel documents database. This might create a serious gap in global efforts to fight drug-related crime, ensure public security, and combat terrorism. Taiwan spares no effort in fighting cross-border crime. Taiwan’s police authorities have spared no effort in fighting international crime, successfully uncovering numerous instances of international criminal activity. In 2018, for example, Taiwan’s police cooperated with their counterparts in Thailand in a large-scale operation targeting cross-border economic crime, recovering assets worth 120
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November 2019 | Taiwan Update
million Thai baht. In the same year, a joint operation was held with Philippine authorities to apprehend a local councilor from the Philippines who was suspected of drug trafficking and had fled to Taiwan. Meanwhile, following the hacking of the Swift system of Taiwan’s Far Eastern International Bank in October 2017, Taiwan’s police seized 60 million US dollars in stolen assets. And a Romanian syndicate that used fake bank cards to withdraw money was broken up in 2016. Although Taiwan seeks to acquire updated criminal information through bilateral channels, countries are reluctant to cooperate owing to political considerations. In 2017, Taiwan’s police agency made 130 requests to other countries seeking information or assistance in investigations, but received responses in only 46 cases. This demonstrates that only by participating in INTERPOL will Taiwan be able to surmount political interference and acquire timely and complete criminal information, safeguard border security, enforce law and order, and engage in closer cooperation with police agencies worldwide to combat cross-border crime. Taiwan is willing and able to make even greater contributions to the international community. International cooperation must be initiated to identify sources of criminal activity, block money laundering channels and seize illicit gains, with the ultimate aim of thoroughly exterminating international drug and fraud syndicates. Maintaining global security and social justice must take precedence over regional, ethnic and political differences. I therefore ask for your support of Taiwan’s participation in the annual INTERPOL General Assembly as an Observer, as well as meetings, mechanisms and training activities organized by INTERPOL and the UNODC. By voicing your endorsement of Taiwan in international forums, you can play a critical role in advancing Taiwan’s objective of taking part in international organizations in a pragmatic and meaningful manner.
By Huang Ming-chao Commissioner, Criminal Investigation Bureau, Ministry of the Interior Republic of China (Taiwan)
LAOTIAN PAGES Author: Alfred Raquez Editors: William L. Gibson and Paul Bruthiaux 752 pages, 310 illustrations & 13 maps
Paperback available for $38.22 Available from NIAS Press Worldwide | www.niaspress.dk/books/laotian-pages In 1900, Laos was a frontier land caught in a power struggle between Eastern kingdoms and Western colonial powers, a fertile place teetering between an ancient pastoral existence and the modern machine age. Alfred Raquez’s Laotian Pages vividly describes his exploration of the diverse kingdoms of Laos at the turn of the last century with the same Parisian verve and ironic turn of mind that he brought to his first travel book, In the Land of Pagodas. Raquez’s keen eye and sensitivity to the exotic in both nature and human culture, combined with a mastery of the genre and his hallmark conversational style, transport the reader to the largely unex-
plored frontier of fin-de-siècle Indochina. Long known only to specialists on the history and ethnography of the region, this new work presents a scholarly translation into English together with Raquez’s original photographs that will finally allow a wide audience to experience the joys and hardships of travel in a land that is both timeless and forever changing. In addition, a wide-ranging introduction and extensive footnotes provide historical context and ‘then-and-now’ perspectives on the cultures and landscape that have undergone massive change in the past century. In the Land of Pagodas, a scholarly translation by William L. Gibson and Paul
Explores the rugged terrain of far-flung Laos with an insightful, humorous yet mysterious master of travel writing Bruthiaux of Alfred Raquez’s book of travels through China in 1899, was published in 2017 by NIAS Press. Laotian Pages is the first scholarly translation of Alfred Raquez’s classic travel account of fin de siècle Indochina. The book includes extensive notes and an introduction give historical context and modern realities for the places covered.
LISA NGUYEN
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