ASIAN AVENUE - PRESIDENT’S NOTE
Annie Guo VanDan, President Asian Avenue magazine
Connect with us! hello@asianavemag.com @asianavemag
We invite you to connect with our Editorial Director Mary J. Schultz if you have any story ideas for the magazine. Email hello@asianavemag.com.
As summer fades into fall, we are reminded how art, food, and community bring us together in powerful ways. This month, we highlight two vibrant cultural art celebrations: the New American Arts Festival and the Roots and Routes, inaugural group art show by Colorado South Asian Artists Group Both events remind us of the importance of elevating art as a means of storytelling, healing, and community building.
We also spotlight Peter Choi, a Korean journalist in Colorado Springs, who is bringing his unique perspective as an immigrant into how he covers stories. Additionally, Lanterns Over the Rockies is a weekly radio program hosted by Kai Vong on KGNU that amplifies Asian American voices and perspectives across Colorado.
On the culinary front, MAKfam is rolling out new menu items to delight loyal fans, while Mama Kim celebrates its grand opening — bringing one of the only Malaysian restaurants to Denver. We invite you to join our friends Patty and Chea at the Cooking for Culture Bake Sale on Sunday, September 14 to purchase treats in support of Kaizen Food Rescue and Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, and the important work they are doing to serve our local immigrant communities and fight injustices.
As we welcome the changing season, may this issue inspire you to support local artists and community projects, discover new flavors, and stay connected with the many ways our community continues to grow and shine.
JENEVERRE SCHULTZ
LY
NGUYEN
LANGEVIN
VONG
on the cover MAKfam continues to shake things up with bold, innovative dishes. This month, they’re introducing menu items like Mama Wan’s Pork Belly, featured on our cover, a surf-and-turf creation, and a unique Caesar salad with Chinese broccoli. Photo Credit: Jeff Fierberg
Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 1932-1449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine
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9 ART: New American Arts Festival takes place this month with many programs
ART: Colorado South Asian Artists put on inaugural group art show
SPOTLIGHT: Peter Choi in Southern Colorado understands the importance of representation as a journalist 13
INSIDE STORY: Lanterns Over the Rockies welcomes AANHPI community members to share their stories on weekly radio program and podcast
PEEK: Mama Kim celebrates its grand opening bringing
MAKfam adds
and
FOOD: Cooking for Culture fundraises for organizations serving immigrant communities
COLUMN: Tips for multigenerational property planning
Bibi
The New American Arts Festival celebrates eight original presentations from September 5 to 21
Organized by Roshni, an E. Colfax-based Arts organization in Aurora, The New American Arts Festival (NAAF) is a movement that believes ‘Art’ is a Human Right and that when we are given the opportunity to tell our stories, we can truly transform, as Individuals, Community, Nation.
This year’s theme is Confluence-Move as One-Excluding None, presenting Powerful Stories from Diverse Cultures. The NAAF 2025 will feature following original productions and events.
CAGE
Thurs. Sept. 11 & 18, 6 to 7 p.m.
When a sudden storm traps four women at a gas station, their chance encounter becomes a profound journey of Connection, and Healing. Inspired by real-life stories of women who participated in the IARISE program.
Geared towards youth, Bibi is a touring show of a girl in search for her lost mother, encountering people who each have a wisdom to share. “Hindsight, Foresight, Insight’, Harmony with Nature and each other.
Abrazo Latino
Sat. Sept. 20, 12 to 5 p.m.
Join in the Fiesta! An afternoon of art, culture and cuisine from several Latin countries.
SING & DANCE
Wed. Sept. 17, 6 to 8 p.m.
Unique Colorado- based Dance companies and artists will perform to affirm that Art is not bound by Age or Ability but belongs to anyone who Aspires and Acts. ... and much more!
The New American Arts Festival has two-fold objectives. To make Art accessible to those on the Margins, but more importantly, through our year-long programs, we support them to tell their own stories. Roshni believes that ‘Art’ has a higher purpose to challenge our fears. It reveals an honest reflection of the brilliant multicultural tapestry of the contemporary American culture.
Learn more at Roshniislight.org/ festival or follow on Instagram @Roshni_islight
Roots & Routes: Where Cultural Roots
Meet Creative Journeys
Colorado South Asian Artists Group presents inaugural group exhibition featuring 22 artists from the South Asian diaspora.
The Colorado South Asian Artists Group (C-SAAG) proudly announces its debut exhibition, Roots & Routes, opening Friday, September 5, 2025, at Englewood CityCenter (901 Englewood Parkway, Unit 108).
Opening Reception (free and open to the public): Friday, September 5 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Exhibition Dates: September 5 – October 5, 2025
Closing Reception & Artist Talk: Sunday, October 5 | 3:00 – p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This landmark exhibition features the work of 22 Colorado-based visual artists from the South Asian diaspora, exploring themes of identity, heritage, displacement, memory, and belonging. Through painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, Roots & Routes captures the duality of being deeply grounded in cultural origins while navigating the transformative “routes” of migration and adaptation.
Featured artists include: Bala Thiagarajan, Navya Mallepeddi, Hatrita Patel, Rita Bhasin, Raj Manickam, Shohini Ghosh, Sangeeta Reddy, Mitra Verma, Anita Nagpal Schwartz, Maya Jade, Mala Setaram-Wolfe, Jyotsna Raj, Poornima Gopal, Dil, Shanthi Kumar, Meena Desai, Dhruvi Shah, Maha Kamal, Nisha Ghela, Kiran Wasim, Manick Sorcar, and Renluka Maharaj.
“This exhibition is more than just a showcase; it’s a statement about visibility, representation, and the power of community-led narratives,” says artist and C-SAAG founder Bala Thiagarajan.
“Too often, our stories are told by outsiders. Roots & Routes is about South Asian artists shaping and sharing our own sto-
ries, in our own voices, with the broader Colorado community.”
For artist Anita Nagpal Schwartz, the show reflects a personal journey of connection: “Half of my family has roots in India, and my heart reaches across the miles to faraway relatives. In my studio, I cut, paint, and paste a route from my landlocked home to a faraway place surrounded by water. Color and collage draw India to me in small but meaningful ways, piece by piece, bringing peace.”
Artist Maya Jade shares a perspective on heritage and responsibility: “The roots left by those before us guide our journeys and choices as we move through the contemporary world. We find comfort in our traditions that carry us through hard-
Holy Smokes
Photo by Raj Manickam
Haath (Drawing) By Dhruvi Shah
ships. We also feel the weight of honoring the sacrifices of our ancestors by trying to succeed in rooms they’ve never been in.”
The Colorado South Asian Artists Group was founded in 2025 to create a thriving, inclusive, and supportive network for South Asian visual artists across the state. With members connecting from Fort Collins to Castle Pines and Eagle, its mission is to amplify artists’ voices, foster collaboration, and enhance visibility both within the South Asian diaspora and across the broader Colorado arts landscape.
Roots & Routes is co-curated by Bala Thiagarajan and Hadia Shaikh, and is presented as part of CitySpark, an initiative to reengage the Englewood community.
Additional programming during the exhibition will include artist talks, workshops, and community events, offering audiences a deeper look into the creative processes and personal histories behind the artwork.
Visit their website at cosouthasianartists.com or follow them on Instagram @co_southasianartists.
“Too often, our stories are told by outsiders. Roots & Routes is about South Asian artists shaping and sharing our own stories, in our own voices, with the broader Colorado community.”
- Bala Thiagarajan, Founder of Colorado South Asian Artists Group
Friends (Sculpture)
By Shohini Ghosh
Liberation (Fiber)
By Harita Patel
Bhavani - Bharatanatyam Dancer (Mixed Media)
By Bala Thiagarajan
A Korean Immigrant’s Journey into Journalism: Meet Peter Choi
By Jadyn Nguyen
Did you know one of Southern Colorado’s most trusted news voices is a Korean immigrant? Peter Choi, a multimedia journalist for KOAA5, brings a unique perspective to Colorado airwaves.
His journey into journalism began with an unexpected passion: “At one point, I dreamed of becoming a voice actor; I spent hours practicing impressions, including mimicking American news anchors.
Looking back, he thinks those playful impersonations not only fueled his love for performance but also helped his pick up English in a unique way. After graduating high school in Littleton, Colo., Peter studied at Seattle Pacific University.
“I pursued internships and gained real-world experience,” he said. “One defining moment was when I had to cover a school shooting on my own campus as a student journalist. That experience showed me the gravity and responsibility of journalism, and it solidified my commitment to the profession.”
The feelings of gravity and responsibility now define Peter’s work. He leverages his identity to ask deeper questions: “My identity as a Korean journalist gives me a broader lens through which to view stories.”
“I often ask myself: how would this issue be addressed in Korea? or what approaches do other countries take?“ he explains, relating stories like homelessness in the U.S and how Korean society may try to solve those challenges.
“
reduced to “topics.” Building trust, growing his skills, and carrying the weight of responsibility that comes with this role have all been challenging, but they are also what make the work so meaningful to him.
My identity as a Korean journalist gives me a broader lens through which to view stories.
He adds, “That perspective allows me to move beyond stereotypes and surface-level narratives. It pushes me to consider multiple angles, so my reporting can remain balanced and rooted in empathy.”
And what has been most challenging? “The hardest part has been learning how to tell stories that remain truthful, balanced, and trustworthy while also honoring the people at the center of them. Journalism isn’t just about gathering facts,” says Peter.
He’s reported on stories like how the City of Colorado Springs is tackling homelessness to an Iranian asylum seeker being detained by ICE in Aurora. It’s about listening with genuine care and ensuring that individuals never feel
As a multimedia journalist, Peter has the power to pitch, produce, and share stories to viewers watching KOAA5 in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. On a station that reaches close to a million viewers, Peter’s journalism makes Asian voices more visible in the media.
“I hope people will remember me as a Korean journalist who worked to connect communities through storytelling. If a young Asian boy sees me on TV and realizes he could grow up to tell stories too, then I’ll know I’ve done something worthwhile.”
Follow and connect with Peter Choi on Instagram @peterwjchoi. Thank you to Peter for showing that Asian voices matter and passions can lead to meaningful careers.
Lanterns Over the Rockies shines light on Colorado’s AANHPI community
Joanne Liu, co-founder and CEO of Asian Girls Ignite, shared her 20plus years of experience in leadership and education, highlighting how she builds systems that empower students to honor both their individual identities and collective strength.
KGNU has a new community show hitting the airwaves. Since April 2025, the Colorado Chinese Radio Network, which was broadcasted in Mandarin, has transitioned into a new program: Lanterns Over the Rockies, hosted by Kai Vong and produced by the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN).
The weekly program spotlights the stories, achievements, and challenges of Colorado’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. This transition allows broader inclusion of AANHPI stories, and KGNU’s partnership with CACEN ensures the community has a platform to share and document their experiences.
Through interviews, music, and conversations, the show explores cultural events, community organizations, and inspiring AANHPI leaders and artists—creating a platform where the community feels seen, heard, and celebrated.
KGNU is a noncommercial, independent community radio station licensed in Boulder and Denver. Owned by the Boulder Community Broadcast Association, the station has served the Front Range for more than 40 years by amplifying underrepresented voices and issues.
Since its launch, Lanterns Over the Rockies has featured a range of guests making an impact in Colorado:
Christina Ifurung, an energy healer specializing in Reiki, sound healing, and light language, spoke about the duality of healing, vibrational energy, and the Filipino concept of kapwa—shared identity and interconnectedness.
Other guests have included cultural leaders, mental health advocates, and artists across generations, with more stories to come.
Looking ahead, CACEN is seeking new guests to share their stories, whether community leaders, artists, or everyday Coloradans making an impact. Plans are also underway to mark the program’s one-year anniversary in April 2026 with a special episode and community celebration.
Stacey Shigaya, executive director of the Sakura Foundation, reflected on her family’s experience with Japanese incarceration during World War II, the importance of cultural preservation, and her work to strengthen community through the Sakura Foundation.
Daranee Teng, managing director of strategy and impact at Moonshot, discussed her 18 years in educational nonprofits, her journey from working with first-generation students in North Denver to conducting decolonial research, and her vision for equity and justice in education.
Tune in to Lanterns Over the Rockies on KGNU and on major streaming platforms.
KGNU: kgnu.org/shows/lanterns-over-the-rockies Spotify: tinyurl.com/LOTR-Spotify Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/LOTR-Apple
For more information, email hello@coloradoasian.org.
Prioritizing Health and Strengthening Community at the Social Fabric Hub
Families meet with health providers and learn about ways to improve their health at the Family Wellness and Community Health Fair.
On August 24, 2025, the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN) hosted its Family Wellness and Community Health Fair, bringing together families, health providers, and local businesses to celebrate health and strengthen community in Denver. Asian American health providers offered resources and information, including: pediatric dentist Mike Hong, DDS; family medicine doctor Josh Chow, DO; optometrist Danny VanDan, OD; pediatrician and children’s book author Dow Phumiruk, MD; licensed marriage and family therapist Laura X. Williams, MA, LMFT, LAC, CHT; and brain-based chiropractor Lynn Tran, DC, RYT. Christina Ifurung kicked off the event with a welcoming sound bath. Dr. Chow, who will be opening his direct primary care practice Ohana Medical this month, talked about how to notice signs of hyper-
tension or high blood pressure. Laura X. Williams shared about the most common reasons for di vorce and its impacts on children.
Kids participated in physical ac tivities such as riding power bikes that generate electricity for the building or jumping rope. They also enjoyed balloon animals and games by Miss Bubbly Balloons. Delicious treats from vendors Penkhay Elite, Sweet Daruma, Sweet Rice Flour, Colorado Cocoa Pod, and Bahala Bakery were available.
Farm. Guests went home with bags of oranges, carrots, peppers, basil, potatoes, onions, and more.
Thuy Dam of So You Boutique provided energy clearing and healing sessions. Local realtor Hien Kim supported kids with uplifting affirmations. Walgreens provided flu shots for participants to get ahead of the winter season.
The highlight of the event was the free produce by Kaizen Food Share with contributions from Minoru Farm and Switch Gears
The event highlighted the importance of prioritizing wellness while strengthening bonds in the community. Partners and supporters included: Colorado Access Foundation, The Colorado Health Foundation, Immunize Colorado, and Sakura Foundation.
CACEN looks forward to continuing this tradition of bringing families together for health, healing, and connection by regularly offering health fairs and workshops at the Social Fabric Hub. Stay connected at coloradoasian.org or on social @coloradoasian.
Wellness Meets Malaysian Flavors at Mama Kim
A new restaurant is bringing the flavors of Malaysia to the Denver Tech Center. Mama Kim Malaysian Fusion officially opens its doors on September 13, offering one of the only spots in the area to enjoy authentic Malaysian cuisine.
A Global Concept, Now in Denver
Born in Malaysia in 2015, Mama Kim began as a neighborhood wellness kitchen and has since grown into an international dining experience with 13 locations across Malaysia, two in Taiwan, and now Denver. Rooted in Malaysia’s vibrant food culture—where Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan influences meet—Mama Kim celebrates authenticity reimagined.
The philosophy is simple: flavor with balance. Every dish honors the bold, comforting tastes of Malaysian street food while embracing modern, health-forward values. From smoky satay skewers to nourishing noodle bowls and creative small plates, Mama Kim offers a cuisine that is both familiar and new, where wellness and indulgence live in harmony.
Building a Family Business
The restaurant is named after “Mama Kim,” an entrepreneur and chef who first entered the spa industry with a modest
200-square-foot space in Malaysia. She and her husband, CK Low, eventually expanded into hotels, restaurants, and spas, blending food and wellness into holistic lifestyle concepts. She handled operations while her husband managed finances—a partnership that remains the foundation of their success.
The Low family’s four sons grew up with this vision. Jason, the eldest, now leads the Denver restaurant, with his brother Ben. Joseph is pursuing culinary school in Taipei, while the youngest brother William is still in school in Colorado Springs.
Why Colorado?
The Lows first discovered the state during a conference event in Aspen and immediately fell in love. They chose Colorado over California, seeking a more diverse cultural experience for their children while also introducing something new to the local dining scene.
The family lived in Colorado, primarily in Colorado Springs, from 2015 to 2022, planting roots in the community before bringing their business venture here.
The Concept: Spa Meets Restaurant
Mama Kim’s Wellness Kitchen is uniquely paired with their Jalan Spa—a model
that has thrived in Malaysia. They have a second location in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood.
Guests enter the front doors to find the spa on the left and the restaurant on the right, creating a space where wellness treatments flow seamlessly into a nourishing meal. It’s part of the family’s belief that health is as much about what you eat as how you care for your body.
The Food
Mama Kim’s inspiration for healthy cooking began during travels to Kunming, in China’s Yunnan Province. After tasting the region’s famous rice noodles, she loved the concept but wanted to reimagine it in a lighter, healthier way—with less oil and more balance. That philosophy continues to shape the menu today.
Mama Kim’s menu highlights healthy soups and fusion dishes designed by their culinary director, a celebrity chef in Taiwan. While the restaurant began with Mama Kim’s original recipes, the chef now collaborates with the family to develop signature offerings. Highlights include: the signature Sauna Mee, Chinese radish cake, fruit centric rolls like Berrylicious Roll, their fried rice selection and Malaysian satays.
The restaurant also offers a full bar with
By: Annie Guo VanDan
inventive cocktails and specialty teas, and patio seating for the warmer months.
Unlike many Asian restaurants that adjust flavors for the American palate, Mama Kim embraces authentic tastes. After conducting multiple rounds of focus groups, they heard from participants to be authentic: don’t try to be something you’re not.
Three Years in the Making
Opening Mama Kim in Denver has been a three-year journey. Excited to be opening soon, the family signed the lease in 2022 but faced hurdles with permits and licenses.
Designed by an architect from Taiwan, the restaurant is modern, bright, and open, with clean lines and thoughtful Asian-inspired details. They incorporated the best ideas from their other concepts into this Denver location.
Carrying on the Legacy
As Mama Kim passes the torch to Jason and Ben, she encourages her sons to work together. She says in Mandarin: “Without one of you, you can’t complete it. Without the other, you can’t grow it bigger.”
She inspires her children to blend their strengths to continue the family vision.
8745 E Orchard Road Suite 520 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Tel: 720.923.7626
www.mamakim.com
The family will continue to travel internationally to oversee their businesses in Malaysia, Taiwan, and now Denver.
With the grand opening around the corner, Mama Kim is ready to welcome Denver diners into its global family—a place where community, wellness, and bold Malaysian flavors come together.
Sauna Mee
Lamb Yakisoba
Stir Fried Brussel Sprouts
Satay Skewers
Sushi Rolls
Mama Kim Malaysian Fusion and Jalan Spa are located in the Denver Tech Center.
Photo Credit: Mama Kim
MAKfam Introduces New Surf and Turf Offering on Sept. 17
Over the past months, MAKfam has been busy in R&D mode, freshening up their menu with tradition-inspired Cantonese-ish food. For owners Chef Kenneth Wan and Doris Yuen, a husband-and-wife duo that grew up in the East Coast and Hong Kong respectively, the following dishes give a reverent nod to the dishes they grew up eating which include a blend of Chinese and American influences as well as comfort food classics.
“Growing up in a Chinese household, there was no greater luxury than walking into a steakhouse and ordering Surf and Turf,” says MAKfam Chef and Owner Kenneth Wan. “Doris and I love a good steak and it’s even what I typically prepare on Thanksgiving instead of turkey. MAKfam’s version of a ‘steakhouse-style’ steak utilizes our house-made XO sauce to add an even richer and deeper umami flavor.”
Taking center stage is MAKfam’s new Deluxe Steak Platter with Shrimp ($88.88) which includes boneless ribeye with seared shrimp and housemade XO butter. This larger format dish serves two and makes for a great special occasion meal and is available Mondays and Wednesdays only for dinner service starting on September 17.
Salt & Pepper Calamari ($15)
A beloved dish among ABC (Americanborn Chinese) kids, Chef Wan and his siblings had to order Salt & Pepper Calamari anytime they frequented Chinatown. MAKfam’s take on this Hong Kong-style dish features crispy calamari tossed with ginger, peppers, and onion and is served with a spicy mayo sauce.
“Doris and I absolutely love a good Caesar Salad so I wanted to incorporate our own version that’s quite off the beaten path of what MAKfam typically offers,” says Wan. “Our twist includes fish sauce and fermented tofu in the dressing that’s balanced by classic key ingredients in a Caesar, such as mayonnaise, anchovies, and parmesan cheese.”
“Swapping romaine lettuce for charred gai lan adds another depth of flavor that’s smoky, sweet and slightly bitter. Finally, we playfully topped the dish with milk toast croutons which is truly unique.”
Chopped Charred Gai Lan Caesar ($12)
This isn’t your typical salad with chopped gai lan, Fu-Yu lemon dressing, parmesan, and milk toast croutons.
A recipe developed by Chef Wan’s
that includes shredded braised pork belly, hoisin, and pickled vegetables over rice. Comfort food that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, Chef Wan grew up eating his mom’s pork belly over rice and demanded it when he’d come home for college or on special occasions like his birthday.
According to Chef Wan, every Chinese household has their own version of this dish. Chef’s parents made this meal nearly every week, a home-style and humble dish that includes wok-roasted tomatoes, marinated beef, scrambled eggs, and ginger.
Mama Wan’s Pork Belly ($17)
mom
HK Tomato, Egg, and Beef ($16)
Photo Credit: Jeff Fierberg
Cooking for Culture supports local social justice organizations
As daughters of Thai, Chinese, and Taiwanese immigrants and members of Denver’s media and culinary communities, Patricia Kaowthumrong and Chea Franz are launching a community bake sale in response to the many policy changes that continue to threaten marginalized communities across the U.S.
On Sunday, September 14 at 10 a.m. at Mile High Spirits (2201 Lawrence St, Denver, CO 80205), the Cooking for Culture community bake sale will feature a variety of baked goods from local community members, bakeries, and restaurants. One hundred percent of proceeds will benefit Kaizen Food Rescue, a Denver-based nonprofit founded on the principle that food is a human right, and the Rocky Mountain Immigration Advocacy Network (RMIAN), which provides free immigration legal and social services to children and detained adults in need.
“From our kitchens to a just world, this bake sale serves as a reminder that food can be an act of resistance and solidarity for Colorado’s immigrant and refugee communities,” says Kaowthumrong. “We’re proud to celebrate the flavors of the communities that make our state such a vibrant place to live while raising critical support for organizations doing life-saving work.”
Year to date, Kaizen has redistributed 17.5 million pounds of fresh and culturally appropriate foods to more than 400,000 households in the Denver metro area. The communities that Kaizen targets typically experience food insecurity, and are primarily BIPOC, immigrant, refugee, and low-income households affected by system inequities. The organization, which does food justice advocacy work as well, also grows food in their own community garden and food forest.
“I’m used to working in chaotic situations. Chaos is my vibe. I grew up in a refugee camp,” says Kaizen Co-Founder Thai Nguyen. “This feels worse than the pandemic.”
Damaging policy changes from the Trump administration has made Kaizen’s mission more urgent and even more difficult. More than 80 percent of the population that it serves, primarily Latin American communities, have been heavily impacted by current immigration policy changes. These communities are afraid to leave their homes to pick up food for their families.
RMIAN celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, providing free immigration legal services to vulnerable individuals and families navigating the immigration system, including detained adults, asylum seekers, and unaccompanied immigrant children. Increased detention, narrowed asylum pathways, and efforts to
dismantle legal protections under the Trump Administration have made RMIAN’s work extremely challenging but essential because these changes directly harm immigrant families, making it harder for them to stay together, feel safe, or find stability. With demand for immigration legal services in Colorado surging, many will be forced to face detention and deportation without due process.
“RMIAN’s work is founded in the belief that everyone should have equal access to justice,” says RMIAN Executive Director Mekela Goehring. “The immigrant community is being targeted in hateful ways right now. This is the moment for us all to stand up for the rights of all of our community members.”
The Cooking for Culture community bake sale will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 14 and will go on until goods sell out.
This event is inspired by Katie Knoch, Sarah Abell, and Liliana Myers, the dynamic team behind the Pro Roe Bake Sale, happening next in April 2026, which benefits Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
Stay connected to get updates and see the participating vendors on Instagram @cookingforcultureco.
WKND Bake
Denver Macaron Leven Deli
Revving Up Denver: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Brought Spectacle to the City
By Asian Avenue Magazine Staff
Denver was electrified as the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live “Glow-N-Fire” tour rolled into Ball Arena for a series of high-octane performances from August 9-10, 2025. The event delivered on its promise of glowing trucks, fiery stunts, and heart-pounding action that thrilled fans of all ages.
The show’s main attraction was the impressive lineup of monster trucks, including fan favorites like Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Gunkster, Skelesaurus, and the iconic Bigfoot, which was celebrating its 50th birthday.
The trucks competed in various challenges, with the glow-in-thedark and fire-themed elements adding a spectacular visual twist to the classic monster truck show.
Beyond the roaring engines and jaw-dropping crashes, the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live experience offered more than just the main show. Many attendees took advantage of the pre-show “Power Smashers Pre-Show Party,” where they could get up close to the monstrous machines, meet the drivers, and get autographs.
The event also featured a special appearance by a transforming robot and the death-defying skills of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Freestyle Motocross Team, which received rave reviews for their high-flying tricks.
While the loud engines and fiery spectacle were a hit with many, some parents noted the importance of bringing ear protection for young children. Overall, the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live “GlowN-Fire” event was a smashing success, providing a thrilling and memorable experience for families in the Denver area.
Theo, a Hot Wheels fan, met one of his heroes — Joe Cypher, a driver for the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour. The two bonded over their love for massive tires, awesome cars, and family.
Photo Credit: Frank Schultz
‘The Girls of Good Fortune’ reveals painful history of Portland’s Chinatown
New York Times bestselling author Kristina McMorris’ new novel The Girls of Good Fortune (Sourcebooks Landmark; May 20, 2025), sheds light on a little-known corner of American history taking readers through the saloons, brothels, and Shanghai tunnels of Portland’s forgotten past to reveal the greatest atrocity committed against Chinese immigrants in US history.
The Girls of Good Fortune is set in Oregon in 1888 and follows Celia, a half-Chinese woman passing as white, who has been “shanghaied” and is on the verge of being shipped off as forced labor, leaving behind those she loves most. As she pieces together the twisting path that led to her abduction, from serving as a maid for the family of a dubious mayor to becoming entwined in the case of a goldminers’ massacre (inspired by the real-life and little-known Hells Canyon Massacre), revelations emerge of a child left in peril. Desperate, Celia must find a way to escape and return to a place where unearthed secrets can prove deadlier than the dark recesses of Chinatown.
The Girls of Good Fortune explores the complexity of family and identity, the importance of stories that echo through generations, and the power of strength found beneath the surface. McMorris has a personal connection to the story. She, like her main character is half-Asian and the daughter of an immigrant. She spent her childhood unsure of exactly where she fit in, straddling the line between two cultures. In a dilemma common to immigrants’ families, she recalls her father’s insistence that his children be raised as proud Americans yet later also regretted the faded ties to his Asian heritage.
How do you go about finding your stories?
Typically, I’ll stumble across a piece of history that makes me think, How on earth hadn’t I heard of this before? Everyone should know about this! For instance, for Sold on a Monday, my inspiration came from a heart-wrenching newspaper photo of children being offered for sale on their own stoop in Chicago in 1948; for Bridge of Scarlet Leaves, it was an eye-opening sentence in a WWII article that mentioned roughly two hundred non-Japanese people who lived in the “internment camps” voluntarily, unwilling to be separated from their children or spouses; and for The Girls of Good Fortune, it was a televised episode of (wait for it…) a ghost-hunting show that featured an investigation of the Shanghai Tunnels. The most astounding part is that, despite
The Girls of Good Fortune By
Kristina McMorris
KristinaMcMorris.com @kristina.mcmorris
Q&A with Author
Kristina McMorris
my being a native Oregonian, somehow I’d never heard of the tunnels until then!
How do you research past eras, especially when there might not be living witnesses to interview?
It’s definitely more challenging when interviews aren’t possible. Most notably, there are very few WWII veterans left to share their experiences, so I feel incredibly fortunate to have spoken with many of them when I had the opportunity— especially the brave nisei who’d served in the 442nd and Military Intelligence Service.
That said, aside from through interviews, I gather a great deal of my information from documentaries, nonfiction books (memoirs in particular), old letters, and libraries, as well as from archivists and other experts on various topics in my books. I also love unique hands-on experiences, such as going on a pilgrimage at Manzanar War Relocation Center or even riding on a B-17 bomber (which, obviously, I consider a really good day at work).
I try my best to imagine myself in the shoes of my characters, whom I think of largely as ordinary people going through extraordinary circumstances.
What has your writing journey been like? It started completely unexpectedly, all because of my maternal grandmother sharing with me the stowed collection of her WWII courtship letters from my late grandfather. They’d dated only twice during the war, fell in love through letters, got married while he was on leave, and remained together until he passed away fifty years later.
I was so moved by their story that I soon penned a novel titled Letters from Home, featuring a Cyrano de Bergerac-type epistolary courtship during WWII. That manuscript became my debut novel. Since then, I continue to find inspiration in buried threads of history that I feel passionate enough about to weave into a story, in hopes that those important yet lesserknown accounts won’t be forgotten.
How do you get into your writing zone?
Quiet is the biggest must for me, plus a block of at least four or five hours; otherwise, it’s extremely hard for me to focus and to get into a flow. Also, fuzzy socks and a large Yeti of vanilla tea loaded with honey and sweet creamer are my standard preps for a productive day of writing.
Ways to Support Social Fabric
• Reserve offices (175-205 sq feet) or shared desks monthly, weekly, or daily, which include a mailing address, utilities, internet, and other benefits
• Check out books from the community library featuring AANHPI books and authors, and join a book club
• Sign up for wellness activities (tai chi, yoga, martial arts), or ride bicycles that help power the building
• Join as a member to enjoy access to solo pods (for meetings/calls) and conference rooms, discounts to local restaurants/vendors, discounted Social Fabric events and space rentals, and giveaways ($50/month)
• Book event space for gatherings of all sizes such as meetings, conferences, and markets/festivals
Social Fabric Hub is operated by Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN), a 501c3 organization that serves Colorado’s AANHPI communities.
We could use support with funding for our renovation costs, donations (furniture, books, supplies, etc.), and getting the word out about the hub! Volunteers are also needed!
