|
| 12 July 2011 |
|
In celebration of the 22nd Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Asian Roundtable of Colorado held their annual community celebration on Saturday, May 14th at the Wells Fargo building downtown. Kim Nguyen of 7 News served as MC for the event, which showcased many of the Asian Pacific communities of Colorado. The program began with a traditional Lion Dance by the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center Lion Dance team. This was followed by Chinese folk songs by the Summit Choir, and folk dance from the PASCO dance repertoire and “Girls of the Sun, Boys of the Moon” Lao-Hmong dance team. Junior Taiko also gave a stirring drum performance. Victoria Zheng and Hitomi Okada were honored as winners of the High School essay contest. Congressman Mike Coffman, Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler as well as Judge Kerry Hada and Tom Migaki all offered congratulatory remarks, highlighting the significant contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to our city, state and nation. These yearly celebrations serve to educate the public about the Asian Pacific cultures, to build bonds of community among our communities and to highlight the many contributions of Asian Pacific Americans. |
|
|
The Filipino-American Community of Colorado (FACC) brought a taste of the Philippines to Edgewater on June 11. Over a thousand people enjoyed a sunny Saturday at the FACC Cultural Center, where the 16th edition of the Philippine Festival was held. Cultural performances came courtesy of the FACC’s own Performance Group, as well as local performers such as the Philippine-American Society of Colorado and Catur Eka Santi. In addition, various local bands supplied the soundtrack, performing Filipino hits in addition to modern standards. As entertainers provided the sights and sounds, festival goers perused the craft booths and shops, as well as noshed on Filipino favorites such as pansit, lumpia, and halo-halo. This year’s festival theme is “Celebrate Cebu”, spotlighting the culture of the central region of the Philippines. In keeping with the theme, the festival added some regional and ethnic touches; the FACC Performance Group added tribal dances such as the Subli, and a Sinulog-style processional and parade celebrating the feast of the Santo Nino wound through the festival area. |
|
|
The 65th annual Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation Community Memorial Day Service program was held at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver. It is dedicated to honor the memory of Japanese American Veterans from the Rocky Mountain region that honorably served in the United States Armed Forces and are now at rest. It is also a special tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives during War for our Country. In 2006, the Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation invited the Mile-Hi Chapter of the Japanese Americans Citizens League to manage the annual Community Memorial Day Service program. The Mile-Hi JACL recognized the importance of the program to the community and the fact that very few Japanese American WWII Veterans remained to carry on the tradition. In 2011, the Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation entrusted the Tri-States/Denver Buddhist Temple and Simpson United Methodist Church to organize and assume the responsibility for the annual Community Memorial Day Service program. In doing so, the Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation also recognizes the importance of local community organizations working together to build a sense of community. And, they envision that sense of community translating into creating youth development and community service programs. |
|
|
| 19 June 2011 |
|
Isle Casino Hotel HOURS It has never been done before. For the first time in Black Hawk, there is now authentic Asian cuisine, a fusion of Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai flavors. Orchid Garden at the Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk welcomed guests at its grand opening on May 1st. Owners John Tong and Stephanie Trieu have been in the restaurant business for decades, having operated Vietnamese eateries in Denver since 1985. When the couple initially considered opening an Asian restaurant at the Isle, the original concept was to sell pho, specifically Asian beef balls. But they knew that wouldn’t be enough. In fact, the restaurant plans to eventually add to its current selection, Korean items and sushi. Tong says that he is excited to bring something new to Black Hawk and to bring foods that cater to the Asian casino patrons. “Asians don’t have a place to go for food we really like,” he said. “Even buffets get old and don’t quite fit our tastes.” |
|
|
| 19 June 2011 |
|
19751 East Main Street HOURS Several years ago, Yume Tran did not cook. She did not own a restaurant and she certainly did not manage her own direct-sales business. But as she tells her two daughters, “Stick to your passion and it will all work out.” After working more than a decade in corporate America, she and her husband opened Indochine Cuisine in 2003, specializing in authentic Vietnamese and Thai dishes, in Parker. The restaurant name derived from researching flower names, incorporating the Indochina reference, and ultimately, adoring the Vietnamese-French romantic film “Indochine.” Tran came to the U.S. at the age of 14 as a refugee from Vietnam. In college, she loved Thai food and thus, originated the unique combination. She once taught cooking classes, but as of recent, focuses the majority of her time on Meals in a Minute (MiM), her direct sales company, scheduled to launch this September. MiM features the special sauces Tran created for her Indochine dishes bottled into purchasable, take-home jars. |
|
|
| 19 June 2011 |
|
Asia is guzzling up the beer, showing dramatic increases of consumption. Beer drinking, usually associated with European countries of Germany and Ireland, is rising since 2000. Analysts predict that the earnings of Asia’s beer market will reach more than $144 billion in 2012. So what beers are Asian countries drinking? In the Philippines, San Miguel beers are poured at every major sporting event and national holiday, then consumed while eating balut, an uncooked duck embroyo. While Japanese brands include Asahi and Kirin beers to complement its sushi and sashimi cuisines. Most beer drinkers name Tsingtao as the beer of choice from China. Last year, Vietnam reported beer consumption of 2.38 billion liters, an increase of 19.8 percent from 2009, according to figures from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The increase is credited to the purchasing power of middle class, the move from hard liquor and the consolidation of major breweries around the world. Let’s look at the top 10 beers in Asia: Philippines: Ask any Filipino for their beer of choice from the islands and they will definitely request a San Miguel Beer. This beer tastes clean and smooth, light on flavor but very easy to drink. Applejack in Wheat Ridge sells 6 pack of San Miguel for $8.99, while Zengo Restaurant, a fusion between Asian and Latin cuisines, offers this beer as part of its beverage offerings. Japan: Most Japanese restaurants in Colorado will offer Sapparo and Kirin as part of its beverage menu. The fullness in the mouth is one of Sapporo’s more redeeming qualities in addition to the fruitiness of the malts. The light lager is similar to Coors, making a drinkable beer. Colorado restaurants serving Sapparo include Zengo Restaurant on 1610 Little Raven Street; Swing Thai on 1612 Wazee Street; Indochine Cuisine on 19751 East Main Street in Parker, Colorado, Halu Sushi and Asian Grill, 17525 S. Golden Road in Golden, Parallel Seventeen on 1600 East 17th Avenue and Street Kitchen Asian Bistro at 10111 Inverness Main Street in Englewood and the Kokoro restaurant chain in Denver and Arvada. |
|
|
| 19 June 2011 |
|
American families adopting children from Asia Eight-year-old Anya Donicht is focused on a computer game as her parents Kay and John sit on a couch in their Denver home. Anya’s art work is scattered around the room and household, while a colorful kimono hangs over their mantle where a framed photo of the day the couple first met Anya sits. “She always makes fun of us,” Kay Donicht said. “She says, ‘I can’t believe you graduated from college and don’t speak a word of Mandarin.’” The Donichts adopted Anya from an orphanage in China when she was 11 months old. The couple went through an 18-month process to adopt Anya when they lived in Chicago in February 2004. Kay also has a 26-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son from a previous marriage. Kay pulls out photos of the smiling “blended” family. Now Anya attends Denver Montclair International School where she is immersed in a bilingual education and is learning Mandarin Chinese. She loves games, art and is currently learning how to play chess. John Donicht calls his daughter “a little mathematician.” In addition to Anya’s artwork, the Donicht home is furnished with décor from all over to the world to make sure Anya is comfortable with her heritage. “She identifies more as Chinese than American,” said Kay Donicht. “She thinks it’s very special that she’s Chinese, and we don’t do anything to enforce that.” The family’s effort to connect their daughter to her heritage is not uncommon with modern families with adopted children from Asia. Rather than delaying telling a child the story of his or her adoption, families are choosing to share the stories as soon as can. Families are also choosing to immerse their adopted children in the traditions of their birthplaces. Consequently, this cultural embracement has brought endless positive outcomes for families. |
|
|
| 19 June 2011 |
|
Sundays: Play four hours and receivea free dinner buffet Fridays Saturdays Place your bets. The Isle Casino Black Hawk poker room is now open and there are more ways to win beyond the standard poker rules. How about the highest hand of the hour wins $100? …or losing a hand with pocket aces will get you $50? Other unique promotions at the Isle include a free hotel overnight stay for playing six hours at the table or a $29 room rate after playing for two hours. The minimum to play is $40 and all games are table stakes. Poker room manager Matthew Dodd affirms the Isle poker room is the nicest in Black Hawk. This may be because the 11-table room accommodates food and drinks with its built-in bar, allowing players to eat and drink right at the table. A bowl of pho can even be ordered from next door’s Orchid Garden restaurant and eaten on a rolling table while you play. Restrooms are also conveniently located within the poker room. During the short time the poker room has been open, the casino is already experiencing regulars. Dodd says that every day new players join, who often eventually become regulars. With its many amenities and promotions, it is the ideal hang out spot to eat, socialize and play before heading up to a discounted or complimentary hotel room. All you have to do is play! |
|
|
| 19 June 2011 |
|
Improve health, maintain balance, increase flexibility, and strengthen bones while calming your spirit. For the past 25 years, the Colorado Branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA has helped thousands of people improve all aspects of their health. While located in central Denver, the Colorado Branch has provided Taoist Tai Chi®† training to people of all fitness levels as well as those with physical or emotional challenges. “We have provided training and a safe haven for those people interested in improving their health.” said Sean Mcguire, Treasurer of the Colorado Branch. “We hold more than a dozen classes each week.” Located at 1124 Santa Fe Drive in the Santa Fe Arts District, the Colorado Branch continues to improve the health of community as well as people. “In 1993 when our branch moved into the Golden Triangle area,” explains Gary Ehrhardt, the most senior Colorado member, “we were an early element, pioneers really, in the transformation of our community. Once again—we’re playing a role in the health of our new neighborhood.” Revitalization—of people and of community—is a Taoist precept and an integral part of the organization’s aims and objectives. “Not only do we guide people toward a sense of health and well being, but by doing so, we also help the neighborhood.” said Theresa Roll, Director, USA Board and 25-year member. |
|
|
| 19 June 2011 |
More Articles...
|
How did you get into comedy? What was your first stand-up performance like? Do you still use any of the jokes from that performance? |