Asian Avenue magazine - October 2019 by Asian Avenue magazine

magazine October 2019 Volume 14 | Issue 10

Taste Test

Asian ingredients popping up in Colorado beers

Restaurant Peek

Ramen Star

Mellow Rooster

The perfect afternoon coffee

Great American Beer Festival ®

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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

OCTOBER 2019

in this issue EVENTS

9 10

Event calendar

Way of the Warrior highlights Japanese artists on Oct. 5

Filipino American organization presents their take on “Dancing with the Stars” on Oct. 19

CounterArt at RedLine is the first exhibit in the U.S. to focus on works of art created during the 2016 South Korean Candlelight Revolution

INSIDE STORY

Global Seed Savers’ annual Nourish event: Filipino Kamayan Brunch will support Filipino farmers, food and seed sovereignty

COVER STORY

Local breweries experiment with Asian ingredients as they concoct new beer favorites

We interviewed three Asian Americans active in Denver’s brewing scene. None are from Denver! But thankfully, they are here to help grow the beer culture.

Tips on how to maximize your time at the Great American Beer Festival® Asian Americans are jumping into Denver’s beers and brews scene

Annual Mayor’s Diversity Awards honors Minsun Ji, recognized by the Denver AAPI Commission

RESTAURANT PEEK

Ramen Star delivers on legit ramen, specially made by a noodle machine imported from Japan and with the touch of chef Takashi Tamai

HEALTH

22 24

3 Things To Do To Avoid Headaches Mellow Rooster herbal coffee is on a mission to replace decaf

ON SCENE

12 6

October 2019 | Table of Contents

DAAPIC COLUMN

Refugee Eats supports the refugee community with dinner prepared by Urban Burma

BOOK REVIEWS

28 29

The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim

ASIAN AVENUE MAGAZINE P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 E-mail: info@asianavemag.com www.asianavemag.com

The Legacy of Fighting Filipinos is shared in Denver Confucius Institute celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival

Find us @AsianAveMag #AsianAveMag

Dear Asian Avenue readers, October is chock-full of events! In celebration of Filipino American History Month, October will feature our Filipino community’s take on “Dancing with the Stars” as well as Global Seed Savers’ annual Nourish event supporting farmers in the Philippines. Other events this month highlight an art exhibit featuring South Korean artists and even sumo wrestling in Colorado. In addition to pumpkin patches and haunted houses, this is the month that celebrates beer. Beer in Colorado is especially popular with the growing craft beer culture; Denver is also known for some of the best breweries in the nation. The annual Great American Beer Festival® is here and will attract brewers from around the U.S, as well as more than 60,000 beer lovers to the Colorado Convention Center. So in this month’s cover story, we interviewed local Asian Americans in the beer scene. We also took a dive into the ingredients of local beers where we find brewers are adding Asian ingredients such as lychee, ginseng and chai. Mmm... A chai beer sounds refreshing right about now. In this issue, Dr. Lynn Tran McDonald also shares health advice on how to prevent headaches. Mainly, don’t wait until you get one to do something about it! Lastly, as a tie-in to both health and beverage, Mellow Rooster is growing in popularity as the best afternoon coffee alternative that still allows for a good night’s sleep. Check them out, they are based here in Denver! 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

on the cover

advertising

Breweries like Spice Trade Brewing Company in Arvada are experimenting with new ingredients, many of which have an Asian kick!

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 Lin Chia-lung, Daniel Langevin, Jessalyn Herreria Langevin, Frank Schultz, Haocheng Shi, Lynn Tran McDonald

contributing photographers Gil Asakawa, Jessalyn Herreria Langevin, David Noles, Gigi Salzmann, Chris Tran 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

B Y N T e 49) e 31) D E S E E M (Lodg (Lodg R e e C D O O R Polic Polic N f f F E E N rder o rder o O O W L A rnal rnal

te te Fra ty Fra a r n ro Au e Cou o h apa

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR AURORA Mike Coffman will tackle the tough challenges facing Aurora. Make public safety the top priority, reduce the crime rate, and protect our schools and our neighborhoods by giving law enforcement the resources and support they need. Address the backlog of repairs needed on our city streets and reduce traffic congestion by working with metro area mayors to identify and implement much-needed transportation solutions. Balance growth with more open space, trails, and parks for outdoor recreation.

Mike Coffman has the unique experience and determination to make a difference for Aurora: Attended Aurora Public Schools Aurora small business owner for 17 years Combined 21-year military career in the Army and the Marines Five overseas military deployments, including first Gulf War and Iraq War Represented Aurora in the State House, State Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives

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The Women’s Foundation of CO Annual Luncheon Fri. Oct. 11 | 11:30am to 1:30pm Colorado Convention Center 700 14th St, Denver Cost: $150 general $75 for young professionals wfco.org/connect/ annual-luncheon

Join WFCO and nearly 2,600 other champions for women’s advancement at the 2019 Annual Luncheon! In a new TED Talk-style format and joint interview, the luncheon will spotlight two dynamic women, Muslim-American journalist Noor Tagouri and actress Maysoon Zayid, whose poignant storytelling captivates, motivates, and connects diverse communities.

Kpop Skate Night with KonnectPop Thur. Oct. 17 | 6pm to 8pm CO Marketplace Skate City 15100 E. Girard Ave, Aurora Cost: $5 Entrance | $3 Skates Rental fb.com/konnectpop Join KonnectPop for their 4th Skate City Night with kpop, skating and friends! Come dressed in your favorite groups merchandise or dressed as your favorite music video outfit. This is an all ages event with a wide range of groups/songs played! Proceeds will go to the nonprofit organization Aurora Sister Cities International.

Spirited Away movie opens in select theaters in Denver Oct. 27, 28 and 30 Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation. Spirited Away has become a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.

Simpson United Methodist Church Annual Japanese Crafts Fair Sun. Oct. 20 | 11am to 3pm Simpson United Methodist Church 6001 Wolff St, Arvada Cost: Free and open to public fb.com/simpsonumcarvada

The 35th annual Simpson United Methodist Church Arts & Crafts Showcase features crafts and gifts such as handcrafted items, holiday gifts, jewelry, ceramics, and Japanese treats, created by members, families, and friends of the church and the Japanese community!

Event Calendar Sumo in Colorado Wed. Oct. 23 | 5pm to 9pm Exdo Event Center 1399 35th St, Denver Cost: $200 per ticket jascolorado.org Join premier Colorado and Japanese businesses along with regional leaders to welcome USA Sumo to Colorado for the first time. It will be an unparalleled evening of Japanese food, libations and sake in celebration of Japanese America Society of Colorado’s 30 years. The event also features nine matches of sumo exhibition and education on the cultural traditions of sumo. Attendees must be 21 or over.

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Event Calendar | asian avenue magazine

Denver Events

JA-NE CELEBRATES JAPANESE ARTS AND CULTURE WITH A POP UP EVENT Starting at 6:30pm on Saturday, Oct. 5, Japanese Arts Network (JA-NE) will launch The Way of the Warrior, a pop up event celebrating Japanese and Samurai culture, in Downtown Denver’s Sakura Square (on Larimer St. between 19th and 20th). As the first in a series of events activating Denver, JA-NE brings visibility to local Japanese and Japanese American (JaJA) artists and provides the community at large with an engaging and innovative experience. The Way of the Warrior is headlined by CRUSH walls street artist Casey Kawaguchi and Japanese/Panamanian-American hip hop artist ICHIBAN. MC 3Two + Akatsuki Breakdance Crew perform with Japanese taiko drumming and artist Mamiko Ikeda leads an Okinawan shamisen duo. The Artist Pop Up Shop features works by local illustrator Akemi Tsutsui-Kunitake, Country Samurai Coffee from Kona, Hawaii, and more. Admission is FREE and open to the public and reservations are highly encour-

aged. VIP Access is $60 and offers complimentary drink and food, access to a private lounge area and a gift bag. Reservations and VIP Access passes are available through Eventbrite at: bit.ly/ milehighsamurai. JA-NE’s pop up events are designed to “broaden the scope and capacity for a more inclusive community,” said JA-NE’s founding partner and creative producer Courtney Ozaki. Kawaguchi will activate Sakura Square with live street painting at The Way of the Warrior event. He will also offer a limited edition collaborative t-shirt designed for this event. A self-taught street artist, Kawaguchi’s work is influenced by Japanese themes. Described as an “amalgamation of classic ‘Boom Bap’ Hip Hop with a Japanese influence,” ICHIBAN’s will perform live at the event. ICHIBAN not only produces all his own music and writes his own lyrics, he also engineers each piece.

JA-NE Cultural Consultant Margaret Ozaki Graves (left) and Founding Partner Courtney Ozaki (right) Tsutsui-Kunitake is a fourth-generation Japanese American illustrator based in Denver. Her art explores whimsicality, adventure and magic with a Japanese aesthetic twist. Tsutsui-Kunitake is also a dedicated karate athlete, practicing and offering instruction in her family dojo. JA-NE is a national resource for artistic collaboration and connection, developing programs to support and strengthen the visibility of JaJA artists in America who create with cultural intention.

NaFFAA SUPPORTS UPLIFT INTERNATIONALE AT 2019 GALA By Jessalyn Herreria Langevin For more than 20 years, the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA) has promoted the welfare and wellbeing of four million Filipinos and Filipino-Americans. NaFFAA accomplishes this mission through empowerment and collaboration of its members and member organizations. Annually, NaFFAA Region 5 hosts an annual gala in which they fundraise for different causes. On Saturday, Oct. 19, from 6 pm to 11 pm, NaFFAA Region 5 will host their annual Filipiniana Gala “An Evening of Stars” at the Radisson Hotel in Aurora. This year’s gala will support Uplift Internationale and its medical mission to the Philippines to perform pro bono surgeries on underserved children with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate. Uplift Internationale was selected this year for its tremendous endeavor of

October 2019 | Denver Events

bringing life to children in need in the Philippines. The organization continually raises awareness via events, speaking engagements, and partnerships with other organizations. Previous galas have supported the following efforts: • The funding and building of Gawad Kalinga Colorado Village, a 35-house village in Cabagan, Isabela, Philippines that suffered from a landslide. • The shipment of two 40-foot containers of medical equipment and supplies donated by Project Cure after typhoon Frank devastated the province of Akla in the Philippines. • Mending Faces’ medical mission to the Philippines to perform surgical procedures for underserved children with cleft lips and cleft palates. This 2019 gala will showcase an ex-

citing, high energy event themed as a spin-off of Dancing with the Stars in which community leaders and business owners will perform traditional Filipino dances, hip-hop and ballroom dancing. The night includes entertainment, food, awards, and dancing. Tickets an be purchased online at naffaaregion5.org. Adults for $60, Children under 12 for $30. Can’t attend? Check out upliftinter nationale.org to donate your resources or find volunteer opportunities.

Denver Exhibit

On October 4, 2019, “CounterART: Aesthetics of South Korean Activism” will open at RedLine in Denver. The show is co-curated by Sammy Lee, founder of Collective SML | k: Contemporary Asian Art Residency Project in the Santa Fe Art District, and Yang Wang, Assistant Professor of Asian Art History at the University of Colorado Denver. In the wake of the 30th anniversary of Tiananmen Square and ongoing protests in Hong Kong, “CounterART: Aesthetics of South Korean Activism” will examine public protest in East Asia through the lens of art. It will be the first exhibit in the U.S. to focus on works of art created during the 2016 South Korean Candlelight Revolution, a distinctively peaceful anti-government protest that led to the dramatic impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, the first female head of state in East Asia. This exhibition will feature works of art created as mechanisms for socio-political change. It will showcase these works and create dialogue about the impact of art on political discourse in South Korea, East Asia, and globally.

CounterArt: Aesthetics of South Korean Activism

The exhibit features 30 works of art by 14 established and emerging artists, including Oksang Lim, a Seoul-based artist who was a key figure in the historic Minjung (“People’s”) Art Movement, a political and populist art movement in the 1980s. Through Lim’s art one sees the intersection of South Korean history, politics, and visual traditions that gave rise to the forms employed by the artist-protesters. With a growing Asian American population and host to one of the largest turnouts of the 2017 Women’s March, another protest with ricocheting political impact, Denver is the unexpected but appropriate site for this unique exhibition. The widespread protests and creative participation that took place in South Korea offer a case study for how art can shape political narratives and create avenues for public participation.

LIM Oksang, Tide of Candle II (2019), 990 x300 x4 (cm)

YANGACHI, A Night of Burning Bone and Skin (2015), video

RedLine is a non-profit art space in the historic Five Points neighborhood in central Denver. “In 2019, RedLine’s exhibitions have been exploring how political, social and cultural divisions find unity through the visions and ideas of artists. CounterART is an excellent expression of this theme and we are so excited to host the first exhibition in the U.S. that explores the aesthetics and ideologies that ignited the Candlelight Revolution and the revolutionary art that accompanied this powerful political uprising,” says Louise Martorano, Director of RedLine.

“CounterART: Aesthetics of South Korean Activism” will be on exhibit at RedLine from October 4 through November 10, 2019. Events at RedLine, 2350 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205 Opening Reception: CounterART - Friday, October 4, 6pm to 9pm Free public reception for the communities around RedLine and beyond to come and view the exhibition, CounterART, learn about the upcoming exhibition-related programs. Panel Discussion - Wednesday, October 9, 6pm to 8pm An artist panel discussion featuring academic speakers from the University of Colorado Denver and the Iliff School of Theology.

Denver Exhibit | asian avenue magazine

Inside Story

Join Global Seed Savers for their 9th Annual Nourish Event By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

lobal Seed Savers will present its 9th annual Nourish event, a Filipino Kamayan Brunch, on Saturday, October 26 from 11am to 2pm at Posner Center for International Development. Guest speakers will include Rowen White of Sierra Seeds Cooperative and Indigenous Seed Keepers Network and Jeffrey Sotero the Municipal Agriculture Officer in Tubaly, Benguet, Philippines and a new GSS Philippines Board Member. With an expected attendance of more than 100 guests, this event will offer a festive luncheon, silent auction, and inspiring keynote speakers. The Kamayan feast will be catered by Orange Crunch Filipino Staples and Delights. “We are thrilled to have two dynamic guest speakers,” said Sherry Manning, Founder and Executive Director of Denver-based Global Seed Savers. “Jeffrey has been a champion of our work from the start helping us host trainings in Tublay for farmers, while Rowen is a Seed Keeper from the Mohawk community of Akwesasne and a passionate activist for seed sovereignty.” Award-winning poet and Filipino rapper Meta Sarmiento will emcee the event. 2019 will stand out from the rest because it is the first time brunch will be

October 2019 | Inside Story

Field Visit in the Philippines

served as Kamayan Style. In the Filipino language, Tagalog, it means to eat with your hands, allowing a dynamic and interactive food experience. “This year’s meal will help root guests in the cuisine and traditions of the Philippines,” Manning said. Attendees will learn about the critical importance of saving seeds and how the organization’s work in the Philippines is building resilient and sovereign food systems. The Philippines was recently listed as the most climate-vulnerable nation in the world and Southeast Asia’s largest producer of GMO crops with 70 percent of the country dedicated to agricultural land. Because of this, Global Seed Savers believes the work and models being developed in the Philippines are of the utmost importance. The ability to impact the agricultural system and relinquish smallholder farmers’ dependence on large bio-chemical agricultural companies and helping farmers to prevent further catastrophic damage from our changing climate is paramount. While the organization’s work is focused in the Philippines, the organization is part of a growing community and movement helping restore food and seed sovereignty. Discover and learn about Filipino food

and engage in a dynamic food experience via Kamayan. The event will also share why the Philippines matters on a world scale in terms of agriculture, climate change, the rise of nationalist government. As its annual fundraiser, Global Seed Savers hopes to raise $25,000. “Nourish is our most anticipated and most financially successful event each year, typically we raise $25,000,” Manning said. “The money raised during Nourish supports our year end and start of the next fiscal year operations.” Nourish provides a unique and special way for our Denver supporters to engage with the organization’s work, cuisine and culture of the Philippines. Manning anticipates Nourish will inspire new supporters to recognize the deep importance and value of the organization’s work and hope others will join its efforts to ensure food and seed sovereignty.

9th Annual Nourish Event Saturday, October 26 | 11am to 2pm Posner Center for International Development Single Ticket $75 | At Door $100 Youth/Students ages 10-20 $25 Children under 10 Free

Tickets at: globalseedsavers.org/events Follow Mary Jeneverre Schultz on Instagram @Jeneverre.

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Advertorial | asian avenue magazine

Cover Story

Brewers are mixing Far East ingredients in unusual

Beers

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz Kombucha, ginseng, and turmeric are becoming common ingredients in beers as brewers experiment with global mixing and creative beers. Maybe it’s to stand out. Or perhaps it’s because Asian Americans are one of the largest groups of consumers in the U.S, according to a recent study by Nielsen Group. But beer experts believe it’s a chance to find the “it” beer. “Brewers are looking for beers that may work and want to be the first to do it,” said Gary Valliere, radio host of American Craft Beer. Denver breweries experimenting with flavors from Asia include: • Great Divide Brewing (greatdivide. com) – Samurai • Left Hand Brewing (lefthandbrewing. com) – Chai Milk Stout Nitro

• Lone Tree Brewing Company (lonetreebrewingco.com) – Japanese Session IPA • Spice Trade Brewing (spicetradebrew ing.com) - Chai Milk Stout • Station 26 (station26brewing.com) – Juicy Banger Valliere admits he has tried the chai brews, adding he also heard of a brewery exploring curry as an ingredient.

Judges have enjoyed the flavors of the flagship Tangerine Cream beer since the brew has received gold medals at the 2017 Los Angeles International Beer Competition and 2016 Colorado State Fair.

FRUIT BEERS Beers containing fruits, especially from Asian countries, are making waves with female drinkers. For example, Station 26 offers Juicy Banger and Tangerine Cream. In Juicy Banger, flavors contact apricot, papaya, and honey; while Tangerine cream offers notes of tangerine and vanilla bean.

Find these in flavors in your beer! Lychee. Ginseng. Turmeric. Ginger. Rice. Chai. And even Sichuan Peppercorn. 14

October 2019 | Cover Story

”

Brewers are looking for beers that may work and want to be the first to do it. - Gary Valliere

HOW DOES IT TASTE? Denver-based Call to Arms Brewing previously created the brew, Tommy Lychee, as a sour ale fermented in Chardonnay barrels with lychee, according to the brewing company’s spokesperson Chea Franz. Lychee, a fruit from a tropical tree native to the Guangdon and Fujian provinces of southern China, has a beautifully lush, floral perfume flavor. It’s sweet but not too sweet, with an occasional hint of tartness. Brew drinkers compare the taste similar to peach or apricot. The Japanese Session IPA from Lone Tree Brewing Company features Sorachi Ace hops, developed in Japan, which contributes distinct aromas and flavors of lemon and dill along with Cashmere, Simcoe, Cascade, Centennial and Amarillo hops. The Great Divide Brewing, based in Denver, creates its Samurai as a Rice Ale. The addition of rice gives a slightly fruity, crisp, refreshing element to this hazy un-

filtered ale. Rice as an important staple for most of east and southeast Asia. Vanilla Chai’s flavors include ginger and cardamom, while Spicy Masala Chai, considered classic Chai, exudes flavors of anise, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. With strong flavors of aromatic spices, Chai Milk Stout Nitro from Left Hand Brewing of Longmont is another hearty super smooth chocolate brew with hints of bitterness at the end of the drink. NATURAL COLLABORATION For Spice Trade Brewing, the brewer’s partnership with the restaurant allows them to create a list of possibilities. “Our brewery is currently located inside of the Yak & Yeti Indian / Nepalese restaurant. These are the same chai tea spices that the restaurant uses and adds a refreshing mint like finish to the beer,” said co-owner and head brewer Jeff Tyler. Here’s a list from Spice Trade Brewing: • Chai Milk Stout (year round beer)- A milk stout brewed with Chai Tea spices. This is one of our flagship beers that we have been brewing for many years and

won a GABF metal for it in 2012. • Thai Tripel (winter seasonal, available now)- A belgian style Tripel inspired by Thai flavors. This beer is brewed with Kafier lime leaves, Lemongrass, Ginger & Coriander. • Tamarindus Indica (winter seasonal, available now) - Belgian Dubbel brewed with tamarind. A malt forward Belgian beer brewed with tamarind which adds a nice tart cherry and tobacco note. • Sichuan Saison (fall seasonal beer) - A Saison inspired by Chinese ingredients. Brewed with our house blend of Chinese 5 spice, Sichuan peppercorns & freshly zested orange peel. • Osaka Iced Tea (summer seasonal) This beer is brewed with Japanese sencha green tea, yuzu and red shiso. Popular among women, those on gluten-free diets and adventurous palates, these beers will pack a cacophony of flavors. Stop by any of these breweries for a small taster. Mary Jeneverre Schultz loves unique beers. Follow her on Twitter @Jeneverre.

Beers with Asian Ingredients | asian avenue magazine

For beer aficionados, there’s no bigger event all year. The annual Great American Beer Festival® (GABF®) returns to Denver’s Colorado Convention Center October 3-5. Produced by the Brewers Association, the Great American Beer Festival® was founded in 1982, and has been growing and evolving along with the American craft brewing industry ever since. GABF® was voted the No.1 beer festival in the country by 10Best and is listed as one of the top 1,000 places in the U.S. to visit before you die. A highlight of the festival is that many of the beers are served by their brewers, giving attendees a chance to meet some of the U.S.’s biggest beer heroes. The festival also features two competitions: the general competition, in which a professional judging panel evaluates all entries during five three-hour sessions over the three-day period and the other a Pro-Am Competition, in which commercial craft brewers submit beers created from award-winning homebrew recipes.

More Tips

By Frank J. Schultz

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, especially out-of-town guests. 2. Eat a full meal before entering the Colorado Convention Center. 3. If you are planning to wear a pretzel necklace, buy pretzels one week before GABF. Local grocery stores have reported nothing on the shelves the week of GABF. 4. Bring an empty canvas or foldable bag to carry all the swag, including stickers, beer jewelry, free snacks, bottle caps, etc. Big bags are not allowed with strict security. 5. Pick your favorite brewers. There is no way anyone can sample 4,000 brews from 800 breweries. 6. Visit a region you may never get to visit. For example, breweries from Alaska and Maine travel to this annual festival.

October 2019 | Cover Story

Heading to GABF the second By Daniel Langevin time around I like to drink beer, but I wouldn’t consider myself a beer snob. I am one step above Coors Light, meaning I can appreciate a good beer, but I’m not picky. In a pinch, I’ll throw back a Busch Light or Stella Artois, not by choice, but by family circumstance. The first time I went to the GABF®, I had a great time. My father-in-law described it as “a kid in a candy store.” I thought one small ounce here, one small ounce there, it’s going to take a while to get a buzz and it will be a challenge to get drunk. Game on. Looking back, I realize that getting drunk is a foregone conclusion for 90 percent of the people who walk through the door. How you do your drinking, not what you are drinking, is what separates a seasoned veteran from a newbie.

Observations by a GABF veteran

1. Identify your favorite types of brews. Some beer purists and GABF veterans are only Stout or IPA drinkers and that’s fine. Brew enthusiasts review the list and identify who has what and stick to only those brewers and only those types of beers. I recommend following their lead. 2. Make a plan of action with the program. Get a program and identify your top 15 brewers and beers to sample. 3. Ignore distractions. If going with a buddy, ignore their suggestions of “you gotta try this” for as long as possible and don’t get distracted by the mascots, swag, pretty ladies, etc. Don’t worry, the friends and brewers won’t hate you for saying no to their beer. During the first hour, I said no to 90 percent of the brewers and only tasted dark brews. 4. Pretzel and water. Aside from that, good luck and enjoy. Just do your future drunk self a favor and make yourself a snack necklace. Innovative pretzel necklaces will include: sausage, beef jerky, cheese sticks, and pills for a potential migraine. Also, don’t forget an identification bracelet in case you lose your friends.

greatamericanbeerfestival.com

Asian Americans Stepping into

COLORADO’S BEER SCENE

FAVORITE BEER: Comrade Brewing Superpower IPA. When you bring the beer up to your nose, it’s got a big tropical hop aroma. Pineapple, mango and a hint of pine. The hops come through in a big way in the flavor and malt sweetness is balanced by a light smooth bitterness.

DAVID LIN

Founder, Comrade Brewing Company

REACTION WHEN PEOPLE DRINK THIS BEER: We hear from the drinkers it’s the best IPA in Colorado or their favorite IPA. Even those who say they don’t like IPA, Superpower is great. WHY SET UP COMRADE BREWING IN DENVER? Over the years, working for a couple of breweries in Colorado, I’ve built a lot of relationships and connections. Denver has great water quality and Colorado has a more relaxed brewery regulations for opening a taproom. WHAT MAKES COMRADE STAND OUT: Our commitment to quality and consistency. Winning 3 medals at the Great American Beer Festival® and a gold award at World Beer Cup® in just over 4 years, shows that we can make great beer across numerous styles. We’re also one of the only breweries in Denver that use exclusively US-made brewery tanks and vessels.

Great American Beer Festival® 2018 Bronze Medal Winner 2014 & 2015 Silver Medal Winner Comrade Brewing Company 7667 E Iliff Ave, Denver, CO 80231

Tel: 720-748-0700 | comradebrewing.com

TRISTAN CHAN Founder of Porch Drinking.com and Marketing Manager of Ratio Beerworks

National Blog | porchdrinking.com

FAVORITE BEER: It varies depending on the season, but right now I love Live Oak Brewing’s Gold, a German-style Pilsner out of Austin, TX. WHY SET UP PORCHDRINKING.COM IN DENVER? We launched PorchDrinking.com in 2012. I had moved to Colorado to serve with AmeriCorps working for the Boys and Girls Clubs in Fort Collins. We’re paid less than minimum wage to better understand the circumstances of the communities we’re serving, so all I could afford to do was visit breweries like New Belgium and Odell that offered free tasters. It was there that I learned how collaborative and communal this craft beer industry is, and I wanted to give back in the only way I knew how, through storytelling. PERSPECTIVE: I think my perspective as an Asian-American in the beer industry has influenced my approach toward beer coverage. Because there aren’t a ton of Asians in the beer industry, I’ve placed greater importance on giving a voice to those that are underrepresented in beer whether it be women, people of color, LGBTQ, etc. Craft beer was founded on the pillars of inclusiveness and community, so it makes sense for us to strive to make this a more welcoming industry for all. More About Beer | asian avenue magazine

was booming. I also am an avid snowboarder, angler, hiker, kayaker, and camper - so it was a no brainer to call Denver my new home.

SOPHEAK SAO Taproom Manager at Diebolt Brewing

FAVORITE BEER: Diebolt’s Colorado Greenback IPA. It is usually what I am sipping on in the tasting room and is also what I consider my “fishing beer”. It is hoptastic and super crushable! Light, clean, and refreshing. It has great citrusy, floral, and piney hop character that is balanced with a delicate malt body and a dry, bitter, grapefruit finish. HOW DOES THIS BEER MAKE YOU FEEL: Even though I now call Denver home and this is a Denver beer, this beer makes me feel homesick towards the Bay Area where I was born and raised. The Bay Area is where I first got into drinking IPAs and when I first started working in the beer industry. I may be a little biased, but the West Coast really set the standard

for IPAs in the craft beer boom with an abundance of hop varieties that prospers in that type of climate. The hop varieties used in the Colorado Greenback brings me back to the sitting on a hot sunny beach in Northern California, wearing flip flops, and sipping on a refreshing IPA. WHY SAN JOSE TO DENVER: After college, I went back home to San Jose to pursue music. I was playing music and subbing in local orchestras, all the while trying to make some money with private lessons. So naturally, I ended up with a job at a craft beer bar and absolutely fell in love with the beer industry. I got into homebrewing and wanted to further my career. I love San Jose, but was ready for a change and Denver’s craft beer industry

WHAT MAKES DIEBOLT STAND OUT: What I usually hear from first timers at the brewery is “Wow, you guys have a huge variety of beers!”. Diebolt Brewery turned me from a “mostly IPA drinker” to loving all kinds of different styles. Jack and Dan Diebolt have family ancestry from Alsace Lorraine, so there is always an amazing selection of French Farmhouse Saisons and Biere de Gardes on tap. In addition to the variety of French farmhouses, IPAs, lagers, sours, and barrel aged beers on tap, Jack Diebolt has consistently pushed the envelope with experimenting with both new and old world styles. My favorite part about my job is introducing people to new and eclectic beer styles that they have never heard of. PERSPECTIVE: I am really proud that Diebolt has done such an amazing job to support the Asian and Asian American community. I am Cambodian American and every April, Diebolt releases a beer called Cambodge Soir for Cambodian New Year. It uses exotic ingredients like galangal, lime, and Jackfruit, that is commonly found in Cambodian Cuisine. We partner with nonprofits like Children’s Future International and Spirit of Cambodia as well as local Cambodian businesses like Koi and Ninja, Yeak inc, and Khmer Ninjas to throw Denver’s Cambodian New Years Party. A few years ago, I started a music program in Cambodia through Children’s Future International’s school in rural Battambang, Cambodia. Through Diebolt Brewing’s generosity and fundraisers, we raised enough money for instruments and music books for the music program. I am forever grateful for Diebolt’s continuous support for the Asian community.

Diebolt Brewing | 3855 Mariposa St. Denver, CO 80211 Tel: 720-643-5940 | dieboltbrewing.com 18

October 2019 | Cover Story

DAAPIC Column

Denver Mayor Michael B Hancock (left) and Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa (right), chair of the Asian American Pacific Islander Commision with AAPI recipient of the Mayor’s Diversity & Inclusion Awards, Minsun Ji (middle).

Annual Mayor’s Diversity Awards Did you know that Denver has an Agency on Human Rights and Community Partnerships? The agency manages commissions including the African American Commission, American Indian Commission, Commission for People with Disabilities, Commission on Aging, Immigrant & Refugee Commission, Latino Commission, LGBTQ Commission, Strategic Partnerships Commission and the Women’s Commission in addition to Asian American Pacific Islander Commission (DAAPIC). And every year, the city honors citizens and organizations through each commission, by giving out The Mayor’s Diversity Awards. On Sept. 26, DAAPIC named Minsum Ji this year’s Asian American Diversity Award recipient. Minsun Ji was born in South Korea where her passion for labor activism began. In high school, she helped teachers organize Korea’s first teachers’ unions. In 1995, Ji moved to the US to pursue a master’s degree in art history but changed her major once she realized she really missed being a part of labor movements and systemic change, so she changed her major. While she was a graduate student, she lost her student visa status and she became an undocumented immigrant. Her years of being undocumented left an indelible impact on her life where she experienced first-hand living in the shadows and fear of being deported and how some employers took advantage of her undocumented immigration status.

Eventually, in 2000, Ji graduated from the University of Denver with a master’s degree in International Political Economy. Not long after, she began working with day laborers at the Service Employee International Union (SEIU) where she educated workers about their rights, to go after unscrupulous employers with collective workers’ actions, and to develop worker leadership. Her personal experience as an undocumented immigrant only propelled her to fight harder for the disenfranchised. Following this work, Ji founded Denver’s very first day laborer organization, El Centro Humanitario para los Trabajadores (Humanitarian Center for Workers). Fluent in Spanish, she was able to educate, advocate for and empower day laborers to understand their rights. Ji’s passion and fiery spirit for social justice is demon-

PAST DAAPIC DIVERSITY AWARD WINNERS 2018: Lutheran Family Services 2017: Justin Valas 2016: Asian Avenue Magazine 2015: Peggy Lore 2014: Koa Nguyen 2013: Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families 2012: Harry Budisidharta 2011: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival strated in how she was able to grow the El Centero Humanitario para los Traba-

Photo credit: Gil Asakawa

jadores and build community among the workers. For ten years, Ji served as Executive Director organizing immigrant laborers and domestic workers. Ji also received her Ph.D. from the Josef Korbel Graduate School of International Studies at DU. Currently, she is the Director of the Center for New Directions in Politics and Public Policy at the University of Colorado at Denver, a weekend and online Master’s program for working professionals. In this role, Ji is developing curriculum to create effective leaders and agents of social change in neighborhoods, governmental jurisdictions, labor unions and community-based organizations. Ji’s focus has also been on developing diverse education certificate programs for rank and file union members and community leaders and on diversifying faculty members and students of the program. Ji is a changemaker and has been a strong and resilient force in the Denver community for nearly two decades. Through her advocacy, she has shone a much-needed spotlight on one of Denver’s most overlooked communities – day laborers. In her spare time, she fundraises and elevates awareness about the undocumented immigrant population. She understands that real change happens from the ground up by creating community leaders through New Directions. Ji’s passion, drive, and commitment to real systemic change made her a no-brainer for this distinguished award. DAAPIC Column | asian avenue magazine

Restaurant Peek

Ramen Star By Annie Guo VanDan Photos by Jason Zhang

THE SPICY MISO

October 2019 | Restaurant Peek

Location 4044 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211

Tel 303.455.3787

Web www.ramenstar.net

Open Hours Monday - Saturday 12pm to 2:30pm | 5pm to 9:30pm Sunday 12pm to 2:30pm | 5pm to 8:30pm Closed on Tuesday

From the moment you step into Ra- miso, vegetable, miso vegetable, and men Star, you feel the uniqueness of the signature Ramen Star umami broth. the restaurant and notice the excep- Without giving away his secret recipe, tional detail in every corner. Not the Ramen Star broth is extra special only is each dining table cus- because it is made from a combinatom made by Takayuki Kida tion of pork, chicken, fish, and vegetaof Mercury Studio, each bles, unlike most ramen broth which is ceramic bowl by Boul- made of pork (most commonly known der artist Kazu Oba as tonkotsu broth). Not to mention, it is unlike any other. takes 15 hours to make! As the seasons This is a reflection change, the restaurant will adapt and of how owner and expand on the menu. chef Takashi Ta“We don’t use any chemical seasonmai treats each ings, preservatives, or MSG for our customer’s expe- home made soup. We source locally rience. He custom- our healthy, organic, and natural ingreizes every dish and dients. We offer world class ramen and delivers on out- a new ramen culture. Our ultimate goal standing care and is to share our passion for ramen with attention to detail. you,” says Tamai. Since Tamai has Tamai moved to Denver in 1999 to been at study business at CU-Denthe restauver. His love of cooking rant every day brought him back to Tosince its opening kyo for training on how on April 12, he has to perfect his ramen bowl. literally had his hands After a year in Tokyo, he on every ramen bowl that returned to Denver to find has left the kitchen. The the ideal location to open. noodles, made daily from Located in Sunnyside, scratch with a machine Ramen Star is quickly beimported from Japan, are coming a local favorite for thrown into a rich, silky - Takashi Tamai the neighborhood. broth. Ramen Star currentAfter the restaurant ly offers five styles of ramen: miso, spicy closes each night, the staff comes to-

“We don’t use any chemical seasonings, preservatives, or MSG for our home made soup.”

From left: Michael Lehl, Takashi Tamai and Isaac Hartman

great options that come with a potagether for a family dinner to reflect to pierogi; and of course, on what went well and the signature ramen star what could be done bowl is highly recombetter. General manmended. ager Michael Lehl says, During our visit, we “I’ve worked for many also enjoyed the poke people in the restaurant noodle under the cold industry and there is no noodle dishes, which one like Takashi. His love included poke tuna, of noodles is authentic.” Takashi Tamai seaweed and Before jumping into pickled your ramen, enjoy one vegetables. And of their most popular appetizers: finished the gyoza, kara-age (fried chicken), meal with takoyaki (diced octopus), or pork mochi ice buns. The restaurant also carries a cream. unique selection of sake, wine and beer, including the Drunken Whale Sake, a tokubetsu junmai from Kochi, Japan, the island city where Tamai is from. Their Japanese beers include the Yuzu Lager and Kawaba Beer, a craft beer from Gunma, Japan. If you enjoy spicy dishes, go for the spicy miso ramen, which comes with pork chashu, seasoned ground beef, menma, green onion, beansprouts, corn, dried seaweed nori, and house-made hot paste. For vegetarians, the shoyu ramen and vegetable miso ramen are both

“We offer world class ramen and a new ramen culture. ”

THE RAMEN STAR

Ramen Star | asian avenue magazine

Health

By Dr. Lynn Tran McDonald

Things To Do to Avoid Headaches

Headaches have always been a part of my life. I remember when I was young, my mother suffered from terrible headaches and no one could explain why she would get them. My parents would try anything to get rid of them from various herbal remedies to an ancient scraping technique, Guasha, which focused on scraping tight muscles to help them relax and increase blood flow. Sometimes, my mother would avoid foods that were too “cooling” for her body or avoid activities that brought too much “wind” into her body. My parents didn’t have a specific explanation as to how these activities would be helpful, but these practices were so culturally entrenched that they innately recognized—when there’s headache, something must be done to relieve it. In one study, researchers report that the prevalence and burden of self-reported migraines and severe headaches in the US adult population is high, affecting roughly one in six Americans and one in five women over a three-month period. This makes headaches one of the most common reasons for visits to the emergency department. For women between the ages of 15-55 years old, headaches are the third leading cause of emergency department visits. This means that annually, large amounts of dollars are spent annually for lost productivity and treatments that offer only temporary relief. Here is the problem: people tend to wait until the headache occurs before doing something different to relieve the pain. There is little awareness about what you can do in between these painful headache episodes. Hence, I would like to share with you three simple activities that you can start incorporating everyday to decrease those frequencies of headaches.

Be mindful about how you start your day.

What is the first thing you do to start your day? Do you roll out of bed, and within seconds, your phone is in your hands and you are already perusing social media app or checking e-mail? Or do you take the time to journal, read, and exercise? In 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management, Kevin Kruse

October 2019 | Health

talks about how successful people set daily priorities and they have a consistent morning ritual. If the first thing you do is check your e-mail from your boss or clients, consider how this may mean you value someone else’s agenda before your own. Suddenly, you mentally pile on the unnecessary stress that you will carry the rest of the day. Because I value family and health, what I love to do in the morning is make breakfast with my son and husband. We have a busy day ahead of us, but for the hour that we have together in the morning, we cook a wholesome breakfast together. Your ritual does not have to be long and permanent, but keep in mind that the first things you do in the morning reflects the priorities of your life.

Incorporate mindful breathing throughout your day.

When was the last time you paused to check your breathing? Oftentimes, when people initially come to my office, they complain of tense shoulders and neck pain due to muscle spasms—all potentially contributing to headaches. What most people don’t realize is they are walking around sucking their bellies in, keeping their shoulders shrugged up, and sometimes holding their breaths. Pile on the emotional stressors of every day, and your body will subconsciously hold a defensive posture. By incorporating a mindful breathing practice every day, you can start to consciously relax your body, retrain your posture, and even calm your racing mind. Start with these simple instructions: Find a comfortable place to lay on your back or sit. Close your eyes. Consciously feel your head align over your heart space, and align over your belly and your hips. Relax your arms and legs. Soften your belly and breathe deeply into the space to engage your diaphragmic muscle. Inhale for three counts, pause, and exhale for three counts, and pause. Try to keep your chest leveled, as you focus on expanding through the lower torso. Gradually work your way up to eight counts.

Increase your neural-spinal resilience and adaptability.

Any health practitioner will tell you that headaches can be caused by different issues, such as dehydration or a person’s diet. The most common triggers are chocolate, cow’s milk cheese and red wine. These headaches can be more frustrating to those that suffer from them because their cause is more difficult to pin down. From my clinical experience, the most common cause of headaches ignored by 99% of doctors is the structural component. Your head or skull is composed of many different bones that fit together like a complex jigsaw puzzle. When you are a baby, these bones have a lot more movement and as you grow they begin to suture together forming the skull. Your skull weighs about 15 pounds and it sits on top of your spine which is a stack of bones commonly known as the backbone. Your skull and spine are very important because they protect the most important organs in your body—your brain and spinal cord—which make up your nerve system. Thankfully these thick bones can sustain slips, falls, and bumps as we go through are daily lives. However, these micro and macro traumas can cause these bones to lose their normal movement. As such, the bones pull on muscles with different force resulting in improper alignment.

Source: Burch, R., Rizzoli, P., Loder, E. (2018). The Prevalence and Impact of Migraine and Severe Headache in the United States: Figures and Trends from Government Health Studies.

Over time this creates more stress and strain on the nerves that exit the spine which in turn causes pain. Bones of the skull can jam together in a very unpleasant experience and before long that migraine you have experienced in the past is rearing its ugly head again. 21st century gentle and specific chiropractic techniques like what I practice, focus on restoring optimal alignment of the skull and spine allowing muscles to relax and the pain to resolve on its own without harmful drugs and side effects. With that said, if you want long-term results, please reach out to me, your local neurologically-based chiropractor to learn more about how you can optimize your health! Dr. Lynn Tran McDonald is a neurologically based chiropractor, yoga and meditation teacher, and educator at Metro State University. She loves working with postpartum mothers, pediatric, and people who struggle with sleep problems and chronic stress. She runs a private practice in Wheat Ridge called Wild & Precious Optimal Living offering chiropractic services and community classes.

If you suffer from headaches and have explored other solutions then you owe it to yourself to schedule a complimentary consult with Dr. Lynn.

How to Prevent Headaches | asian avenue magazine

Health

Mellow Rooster offers herbal coffee By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Need a caffeine-free afternoon pick-me-up? Local entrepreneur Mike Choyama may have found a solution to kick the addictive habit of craving caffeine. “My goal isn’t to replace coffee but rather provide a better option than decaf coffee - I want to challenge the category,“ Choyama said. “It’s my mission.” As such, Choyama created Mellow Rooster, a company that produces and sells herbal coffee. Fortunately, recent statistics by QYResearch Inc. back up his lofty goal. Regions of Canada, U.S. and South America are witnessing an increasing demand for organic coffee due to the improved standard of living and the rising number of middle-class families. The research indicates customers find organic coffee more affordable due to higher income levels and an increasingly more health conscious population. Before entering the organic coffee industry, Choyama owned a pain management and mobility clinic, working with executives and athletes. He observed his patients were at their best when they “optimized sleep.” With his degrees in Biomedical Science and Biophysics, he also confirmed methods such as acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga, chiropractic visits, nutrition and diet were essential elements to recovery.

October 2019 | Health

“We need all those things,” he said. “When we simply focus our mission around sleep, that’s when we see massive results.” As his goal to help people live better lives, he studied the science of sleep. He understood caffeine interrupted the brain’s ability for deep sleep. Personally, he attempted to cut out caffeine early in the day, which led to more energy and better moods. “Coffee is a beautiful, sacred product, naturally found on earth, and decaffeination is just offensive,” he said. “It’s one of the most popular drinks in the world and the second most traded commodity being exported from developing countries.” Mellow Rooster is a caffeine free drink that provides energy and a way to curb afternoon cravings with a healthy kick. It can be enjoyed by anyone, anytime. He hopes consumers will switch from decaf to herbal coffee and

“

predicts this trend will take five to ten years. “I dream of a world where health food restaurants, coffee shops, and businesses have embraced coffee alternatives, and people are sleeping better,” Choyama said. Choyama, 34, is a native of Brazil and fourth-generation Japanese. A small bag costs $14, providing about 20 servings. Choyama indicated one teaspoon, costing 70 cents, is all that is required for a cup of this delicious beverage. Local stores and paleo-focused restaurants are offering Mellow Roosters, including: Just BE Kitchen, MoonDance Botanicals, Nooch Vegan Market, Thump Coffee, and Woodhouse Day Spa. Mellow Rooster was recently recognized as a top 10 emerging brand by New Hope Network. To learn more or try the products, visit MellowRooster.com.

We love coffee. That’s why we made a coffee for people who can’t drink coffee. We also love and value sleep. So, we made sure it’s 100% naturally caffeine-free.

Follow Mary Jeneverre Schultz on Instagram @Jeneverre.

On Scene Social justice documentary, Legacy of the Fighting Filipinos, premiered at Sie Film Center last Sept. 16. This seminal film restores the little-known history of the U.S. and Philippines during War World II where the forces of the Philippines were conscripted into the U.S. Armed Forces. The film highlights how the Filipinos served and died, seven times the rate of their American counterparts. After fighting alongside the US Armed Forces, events change in 1946. It marked the time Filipino soldiers were declared inactive and promises of pay and citizenship were rescinded. Today, these soldiers still seek restitution and citizenship. Fiscally sponsored by Denver Film, and co-hosted by APABA of Colorado and Dragon 5280, Director T.S. Botkin screened a 25-minute sample of content, after which Major General Antonio Taguba (Ret.) and Attorney Seth Watkins provided keynotes for an audience heavily populated by lawyers interested in the ongoing legal battle. Botkin states that the project is about 50 percent “in-the-can” and she still needs to interview legislators in the House and Senate, as well as get interviews with veterans, who remain in the Philippines. She promises more community events like this one as the film gains momentum and moves toward completion in late spring 2020. For updates, go to www.LFFFilm.com to subscribe and follow on social media @LFFFilm.

Legacy of the Fighting Filipinos By Amanda Upson

Q&A session with Director T.S. Botkin, Seth Watkins, and Major General Antonio Taguba. Photo by: Gigi Salzmann

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 Mile High Happenings | asian avenue magazine

On Scene

Confucius Institute at Community College of Denver celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival

By Haocheng Shi On Thursday, Sept. 12, the Confucius Institute at Community College of Denver welcomed students, families, and community members to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Visitors from local and overseas communities joined the campus in observing the annual harvest festival to mark a time in Chinese culture to enjoy the fruits of hard work and reunite as a community. The festival is also a time to celebrate a bridge of understanding amongst cultures. The celebration opened with a welcome speech by Jane Lim, Director of Confucius Institute at Community College of Denver followed by a speech from Dr. Everette Freeman, President of Community College of Denver (CCD). Dr. Freeman remarked on the history of the Confucius Institute, its impact and bright future at the college. Dr. Freeman said, “the Confucius Institute offers our teachers and students alike opportunities to learn about the colorful culture and language of China.” Through programs like summer camps, visiting groups, and various Chinese language scholarship programs, the Confucius Institute creates a cross-cultural platform for students and community members to learn about Chinese history, culture and language. Following President Freeman’s remarks, students from the University of Colorado Denver and the Chinese Corner of Confucius Institute, recited the traditional Chinese poem, Silent Night Thought. The recitation of the poem shared visions of a flower sea under the moonlight and the Chinese students spoke about how

the poem aroused feelings of homesickness. The enthusiastic and cheerful rhythm of The Little Apple sung by Chinese students from the University of Colorado Denver, provoked audience participation. Afterwards, Abby Sencio, a Chinese language student at Metropolitan State University of Denver, played a short excerpt from the famous music piece, Butterfly Lovers (Liang Zhu). Jiang Fan, Chinese teacher from the Confucius Institute Headquarters, hosted games for attendees to play related to Chinese language and culture. As the atmosphere filled with laughter, Liu Xin, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at CCD, gave a traditional Chinese handwriting demonstration. “Producing Flower Blooming Moon Full” and “The Whole World Enjoy This Moment” – sentences that offer good wishes in Chinese culture – Xin presented her work as gifts for the winners of the games. Jasmine Linkenheil, a Chinese language student from CCD, presented a Chinese-folk solo dance with the beautiful background music, Jasmine Flower. A Chinese ballad, Maybe Tomorrow, was sung by Shi Haocheng, a graduate international student from University of Colorado Denver, won a round of applause. After the performances, Liu Xin, on behalf of all the staff and student volunteers of the Confucius Institute, thanked all the guests for attending and for their continued support of the Confucius Institute as it continues to bridge Chinese and American cultures. To view event photos, visit fb.com/CCDConfuciusInstitute.

Denver’s Mid-Autumn Festival packs the Far East Center WalkDenver in partnership with the Far East Center hosted Denver’s Mid-Autumn Festival on Friday, Sept. 13. The night market showcased vendors serving street food from around the world with local favorites like bubble tea, mochi and che. Highlights included the pho-eating competition, lion and dragon dance performance by Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center, a kids fashion show and a decorative mural on South Federal Boulevard by artist Chad Bolsinger.

Photo Credit: Chris Tran October 2019 | On Scene

Refugee Eats at URBAN BURMA By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

More than 25 curious diners showed up at the monthly Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Eats last Sept. 25. Located in the Mango House, at 10180 East Colfax Avenue in Aurora, Urban Burma created a three-course Burmese cuisine. The meal started with Burmese samosas and green tea salads as appetizers. For entrees, diners enjoyed curry and noodle dishes, and the dinner ended with hot Burmese tea or coffee. As part of the experience, Giselle Cummings of Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC), shared information about the Aurora-based organization that has assisted refugees and immigrants in settling in Colorado through mental health, education and advocacy services. “In the last 40 years, more than half of the refugees and immigrants came from Asia,” Cummings shared with the group. “Last year, most of the immigrants were Burmese and Bhutanese.” Urban Burma owner Siri Tan, resident of Denver for five years, witnessed the popularity of Burmese food in San Francisco and couldn’t believe Americans would wait in long lines for the food of his country. This observation motivated him to bring his cuisine and culture to Denver. “We need more variety in Denver,” said Tan, who started the eatery back in April 2019.

The monthly APIA Eats event, organized by Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network with the support of Asian Avenue Magazine, brings together Denverites to try different Asian cuisines and learn more about Asian eateries in town. At each event, topics affecting the APIA community are discussed, such as Census 2020 and climate change.

The next event in this series is about tea culture and the art of the tea ceremony, scheduled at Tea Street in Denver on Tuesday, October 22 from 7pm to 8pm. Visit fb.com/AsianAveMag for more information. On Sept. 21, Tea Street held the first Subtle Asian Traits meet-up event in Denver, in which bubble tea drinking challenges and other games were played. Mile High Happenings | asian avenue magazine

Book Review

THE TENTH MUSE Author: Catherine Chung Publisher: Ecco Hardcover Pages: 304 | Price: $26.99 Website: catherinechung.com

Photo Credit: David Noles

Connect with Catherine on Twitter: @chung_catherine

In The Tenth Muse, a saga about a trailblazing mathematician and her extraordinary family story with roots in World War II, Catherine Chung – who has a degree in mathematics from the University of Chicago and spent time at Einstein’s famed Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton – brings to life the language and passion of mathematics and shines a light on the fascinating but too often overlooked real life historical contributions of women in science. An exploration of race, gender, history, and science, this is the story of an exceptional woman named Katherine who grows up with a Chinese mother and an American father who served in World War II. Neither will talk about the past, and when her mother abandons them, Katherine is devastated. As she matures into a mathematician of rare talent, she continues to struggle with the most human of problems—who is she? What is the cost of love, and what is the cost of ambition? These questions grow ever more entangled as Katherine becomes involved with a brilliant and charismatic professor.

When she embarks on a quest to conquer the Riemann hypothesis— the greatest unsolved mathematical problem of her time—she turns to a theorem with a puzzling history that may hold both the lock and key to her identity, and to mysteries long buried during World War II. Forced to confront some of the most consequential events of the 20th century and rethink everything she knows of herself, she finds kinship in the stories of the women who came before her, and discovers how seemingly distant and unrelated stories, lives, and ideas are inextricably linked to her own. Aflame with the language of mathematics and told with unflinching grace and compassion, The Tenth Muse is a gorgeous, sweeping tale about legacy, identity, and the beautiful ways the mind can make us free.

AUTHOR CATHERINE CHUNG What inspired you to write the book? Catherine Chung: With The Tenth Muse the seed was an article that came out in the Smithsonian Magazine about the five most influential women mathematicians of history. I was a math major in college and had never heard of them, so I was fascinated about their lives and the extraordinary ways they overcame

Catherine Chung was a visiting author as part of the Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver last July 26. Learn more at: lighthousewriters.org/users/catherine-chung.

October 2019 | Book Review

societal, familial, and institutional discouragement to accomplish dazzling things. As the child of immigrants, I’ve always had a sense of the history I didn’t know, but felt, and I’ve also always had a sense of having more than one history. This is something I was interested in exploring in both The Tenth Muse, but also Forgotten Country, my first novel. I was also interested in exploring how the stories we’re told growing up shape the way we look at the world, for both good and ill. Math is a subject that can feel daunting or inaccessible, but you manage to make it feel thrilling in your writing. How did you translate these complex concepts for ordinary readers? CC: What I tried to communicate was how thrilling and beautiful math is. I wasn’t trying to translate complex ideas so much as aiming to provide something like the Cliffs notes of the Cliffs notes of the idea, or really, to present just the barest outline of some beautiful and stirring mathematical ideas so that the reader might catch a glimpse of the grace in the overall shape. If I’d tried to communicate more than that, I would have had to explain more and more. Compiled by Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Book Review

NATALIE TAN’S BOOK OF LUCK AND FORTUNE Author: Roselle Lim Pages: 320 | Price: $16.00 Publisher: Berkley Trade Paperback Website: rosellelim.com Connect with Roselle on Twitter & Instagram: @rosellewriter Debut author Roselle Lim knows how to serve up a delicious read. Inspired by memories of being sous chef to her father in her childhood home, as well as the culinary richness of her Filipino-Chinese heritage, Lim developed a passion for food at an early age. Preferring to taste beautiful dishes over cooking them, she never viewed herself as quite the kitchen wiz that her father was --- but that didn’t stop her from inheriting his foodie nature. Filled with recipes, magic and luck, the book is hard to put down. Channeling her deep love for all gastronomic delights into prose, Lim found the perfect outlet. She is descriptive in sharing how Chinatown is dying blaming gentrification and aging owners. The story is a heartfelt and humorous story about a young aspire chef, who must embrace her family legacy in order to save her childhood neighborhood in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

Don’t read this book when hungry. The recipes and descriptions can make readers feel like they are trapped in a kitchen filled with aromas of sesame oil, onions, garlic, soy sauce and everything else in a Chinese kitchen. The story starts with the main character returning home after traveling around the world for seven years. Natalie Tan’s return begins with her mother’s death. After her mother’s refusal to support her chosen career as a chef, she leaves Chinatown to strike out on her own. However, her mother’s sudden death forces Natalie to travel back home to get her mother’s affairs in order. In seven years, Natalie is shocked to discover how the vibrant Chinatown has faded with businesses failing and families forced to move out. Natalie encounters a mystical visit with the local tea shop owner. Her fortune indicates Natalie

holds the key to reviving the family’s closed-down restaurant as a way to save the neighborhood. As Natalie rebuild her connections with the community, she begins to forgive those she felt wronged by over the years. Author Roselle Lim is a Filipino-Chinese writer, who came to Canada from the Philippines as a young teen and learned English by watching wrestling shows on television. She earned a degree in Humanities and History from York University.

AUTHOR ROSELLE LIM What message do you want readers to walk away with after reading your book? Roselle Lim: I want readers to see that mental illness shouldn’t carry a stigma, that food can heal and bring people together, and the concept of family isn’t limited to blood. Mental illness needs the proper treatment and asking for help should be encouraged. Food is a wellknown language that binds and spreads kinship. To offer someone a seat at the table is not only an act of hospitality, but also of acceptance. Families and community can be made anywhere if you open your heart to others. Reviewed by Mary Jeneverre Schultz

What are your hobbies/interests when you’re not writing or reading? RL: I do a fair amount of art and crafting: embroidery and paper art. I love keeping my hands busy and it’s a great way to manage my anxiety levels. They also allow my subconscious to work on any issues that might have cropped up when I’m writing or revising. Is there anything that you’d like to say to your new readers and fans? RL: I hope you find my novel delectable, that you are immersed in the world I’ve created, and after reading, see everyday magic happening before your eyes.

There’s beauty and light in the most ordinary places and having the ability to see it, only brings joy. Any advice to aspiring writers? RL: I am an immigrant. English isn’t my first or second language. I’ve been told no so many times yet, here I am with a book ready to hit the shelves in June. Set aside the fear that prevents you from dreaming. English can be learned, and write that story that’s burning inside you. Book Review | asian avenue magazine

Taiwan Update

Call to Support Taiwan’s Participation in International Civil Aviation Organization The Convention on International Civil Aviation, adopted in 1944 by countries around the world, envisioned that “the future development of international civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world.” Founded upon these principles, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aims to work with all relevant parties and stakeholders to reach consensus on Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies. It also works to foster the planning and development of international air transport so as to ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation around the world. As ICAO marks its 75th anniversary this year and will hold its 40th Assembly Session in September, we once again call upon the global community to urge ICAO to allow Taiwan’s professional and constructive participation, which we believe would greatly help ICAO realize its vision and accomplish its mission of connecting the world. Taiwan should not be left out Taiwan, located at a key position in the Asia-Pacific region, has long enjoyed close air transport ties with countries and areas in the region. The Taipei Flight Information Region (Taipei FIR), for which Taiwan is responsible, manages large air traffic volumes in East

By Lin Chia-lung

Asia and provided services to over 1.75 million controlled flights in 2018, a 5.8 percent increase over 2017. As of the end of 2018, Taiwan’s 17 airports served more than 68.9 million passengers. Some 92 airlines offered services to and from Taiwan, operating passenger and cargo flights on 313 routes connecting 149 cities around the world. Taiwan is an active stakeholder in the international civil aviation community, and the Taipei FIR is an inseparable part of the global network of FIRs. Given technical, professional, and pragmatic considerations, Taiwan urgently needs to establish direct communication channels with ICAO and obtain the most up-to-date rules and regulations, so that the safe air transport of passengers and cargo can be ensured. Building a seamless sky together Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) works diligently to maintain the highest level of aviation safety and service quality in the Taipei FIR. However, unable to participate in ICAO’s meetings, mechanisms, and activities, CAA Taiwan is forced to make a substantial extra investment of both time and resources to understand the rationale behind ICAO’s decisions and to properly implement its SARPs. Taiwan will continue to endeavor to implement measures to meet ICAO’s SARPs so as to enhance aviation safety and security. Yet allowing Taiwan to participate in ICAO, including attending the Assembly and obtaining related information, is necessary and legitimate. It not only conforms to ICAO’s goals of a seamless sky and having “No Country Left Behind,” it would also create a win-win situation for Taiwan, the Asia-Pacific region, and ICAO. The need for international support Taiwan’s long-term efforts to seek participation in ICAO have attracted global attention. The G7 Foreign Ministers’ Communique issued April 7, 2019, following a meeting in Dinard, France, expressed support by stating that “We support the substantive participation of all active members of the international aviation community in ICAO forums. Excluding some of its members for political purposes compromises aviation safety and security.” This is in line with our appeal. As a responsible stakeholder in the international aviation community, Taiwan shares the global interest in safeguarding regional and global aviation safety and is committed to contributing to the further development of global aviation. We are willing to share our experience in developing the aviation industry as well as our technical expertise as we pursue the common goal of safe, orderly, and sustainable development of international civil aviation.

Minister of Transportation and Communications, Republic of China (Taiwan)

October 2019 | Taiwan Update

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NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION OCTOBER 10, 2019

Celebrating Multicultural

Taiwan

Oct. 10 is Double Tenth National Day in Taiwan. It is a time to celebrate the values on which the country was founded that gave rise to a multicultural society of various faiths, ethnicities and languages. As a maritime nation, Taiwan reflects the influences of peoples from the four corners of the globe, as well as its indigenous population. This is represented by the more than 20 government-recognized languages and dialects spoken by the country’s citizens. This cultural mix has grown in recent years to include new arrivals from Southeast Asia and beyond. They have come to Taiwan to start families and contribute to the nation’s economy. Thanks to programs put in place by the government and local NGOs, immigrants have access to 24-hour helplines, language classes and world-leading health care. Bringing their own traditions, Taiwan’s new arrivals observe holidays from home alongside local celebrations such as the Mazu International and Pangcah Harvest festivals. This adds to the country’s cultural heritage and marks it as a model for integration and respect.

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Double Tenth National Day is a chance for friends near and far to stand together in celebrating and safeguarding the country’s core principles: freedom, democracy, human rights and rules-based order. This shared commitment is the cornerstone of society and unites all who call Taiwan home.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver

i City Government