ONGOING:

APDC needs food donations for refugee communities
The Asian Pacific Development Center is collecting food items donations for refugee clients (especially at their behavioral health clinic) who have been struggling to get by. These clients include people from the Bhutanese and Burmese communities. They have been running out of food for their families and are in HUGE need of food donations. Any items such as rice, oil, ramen noodles, soy sauce, canned fish, canned fruit or vegetables will be extremely helpful for the families. Donations can be dropped off at either APDC office, or, for questions or inquiries, please call either office:
York office - 1825 York St. Denver, CO | 303.393.0304
Elmira Office - 1544 Elmira St. Aurora, CO 80010 | 303.365.2959 x 102

MAY EVENTS (AAPI HERITAGE MONTH):

FREE blood screening to Asian American Pacific Islanders
When: Sat. May 7, 7 am-12 noon
Where: Carpenter Recreation Center 11151 Colorado Blvd., Thornton
How much: Free
This is the last site for free blood screening in Denver; please fast at least 8-12 hours. Sponsored by the Asian Pacific Development Center, www.apdc.org

NAAAP Colorado Power Connect event: Asian Americans in Non-Traditional Careers
When: Tues. May 3, 6-8 pm
Where: Sushi Hai, 3600 W. 32nd Ave., Denver
Cost: Free for NAAAP members, $5 non-members
This event will include a panel of speakers including Judge Kerry Hada and Paul Maruyama who will speak about their journeys in pursuing "non-traditional" careers. Be inspired by their stories and engage in the conversation during the Q&A which will follow the presentations.

Japan America Society of Colorado Meishi Mixer
When: Wed. May 4, 6-8 pm
Where: Uptown Tavern, 538 E. 17th Ave., Denver
Cost: $10 JAC members, $15 non-members
Please join us for this casual networking event, where you can meet other JASC members, as well as friends of Japan America Society of Colorado. Be sure to bring plenty of meishi (Japanese for, "business card"), as this is surely to be a popular event! A light selection of appetizers will be available. Register & pay online; http://www.jascolorado.org/events.php

Asian Food Bazaar
When: Sat. May 7, 11 am-3 pm
Where: Simpson United Methodist Church, 6001 Wolff Street, Arvada
How much: $8 (adult), $5 (children)
Enjoy a Denver Japanese community tradition with bento box lunches cooked by members of Simpson United Methodist Church, as well as other goodies. Entertainment throughout the day, including taiko drums.

Asian Roundtable of Colorado's annual Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Community Celebration
When: Sat. May 14, 12-3 pm
Where: Wells Fargo Band Hershner Room, 1700 Lincoln Street, (17th and Lincoln)
Cost: Free
Entertainment and a complimentary lunch of traditional Asian Pacific food will be provided. Entertainment includes Chinese Lion Dance, Japanese Taiko Drummers, Hmong and Filipino Dance, and traditional Asian song. For more information please contact Lily Shen at 720-256-8888, lilyshen@comcast.net or Peggy Yujiri at 303-931-2034, pyujiri@msn.com

"Camp Amache: The Story of An American Tragedy" film screening &
discussion
When: Sat. May 14, filmmaker reception at 5pm and film screening at 6pm
Where: East Library Community Room, 5550 N. Union Blvd., Colorado
Springs, CO 80918
Cost: Tickets are $10 at the door or RSVP early at www.ppld.org and pay $8
During World War II, the U.S. government forced 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry from their homes and moved them to ten internment camps, or relocation centers, in seven states, including Camp Amache in southeast Colorado. Explore this controversial chapter in our nation's and state's history at a public screening of the award-winning documentary film, and a conversation with filmmaker Don Dexter, Ph.D. and scriptwriter Sandy Dexter, R.N., as part of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month observance of the Pikes Peak Library District. Proceeds will benefit the Dennis Apuan Asian Pacific American Historical and Cultural Collection Fund of the Pikes Peak Library District Foundation.

APDC Annual Dimsum Brunch Fundraiser
When: Sun. May 15, 10 am-1 pm
Where: Palace Seafood Restaurant, 6265 E Evans Ave., Denver
How much: $35/person, $500/table
Please come and support the Asian Pacific Development Center's Asian Youth Mentorship Program with great dim sum at one of the area's best Chinese restaurants. RSVP by April 30th to Ge Thao, (720) 921-5670

The Asian Chamber of Commerce & The Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce May business after-hours
When: Wed. May 18, 6-8 pm
Where: INVESCO Field at Mile High Budweiser Champions Club
Cost: $10 for ACC & CBCC members, $15 non-members
The Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce will be co-hosting this event sponsored by the Denver Broncos Football Club. There will be great food, tours of the facility and as always, this is a great opportunity to network with other business owners and professionals. RSVPs are required by Mon. May 16, ACC 303-595-9737 or CBCC, 303-831-0720.

Sunset Stroll at Denver Botanic Gardens
When: Thurs. May 19, 5:30-7:30 pm
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens
Cost: $10
Please join the Japan America Society of Colorado on Thursday, May 19th, from 5:30 to 7:30, for an evening at Denver Botanic Gardens. Take your time to stroll through the Japanese garden, enjoy demonstrations by the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society, and get to know your fellow Japan America Society of Colorado members during a private reception inside the beautiful Marnie's Pavilion. A selection of light hors d'ourves will be served, along with tea and coffee. Throughout the evening, volunteers and staff of Denver Botanic Gardens will be present to answer any questions you have about the Japanese garden or, indeed, the Gardens as a whole. http://jascolorado.org

Annual Pilgrimage to Amache, Colorado's Japanese American Internment Camp
When: Sat. May 21, 6 am-6 pm
Where: Bus pickup at Simpson United Methodist Church (6 am) and Denver Tri-State Buddhist Temple (6:30 am)
Cost: $25
This annual community trip to Camp Amache in southeast Colorado includes a memorial service at the campsite, potluck lunch and program at Granada High School (includes taiko drum performance by Mirai Daiko) and a tour of the Amache Museum maintained by the Amache Preservation Society, a class at Granada High School taught by John Hopper. Contact Frank Miyazawa 303 237-8641 or Hiroko Hung 303 979-4127.

AAJA Denver Asian Community Media Training Workshop
When: Sat. May 21, 9am-noon
Where: 9NEWS Training Room, 500 Speer Blvd.
Cost: $35
Join members of AAJA Denver, the Association of Asian American Journalists, as we offer an introduction to reaching out and creating relationships with the local media outside your communities. The Asian Community Media Workshop will be designed to help you get the word out about your community, event or performance. For more information and to register for the workshop, click here.

Asian American Heroes of Colorado 3rd Annual Ceremony & Brunch
When: Saturday, May 21st, 10 am-noon
Where: Red Lion Hotel, 3200 South Parker Road, Aurora
Cost: $20
Award ceremony will include recognition of 2011 Asian American Heroes of Colorado, acceptance speeches, acknowledgment of participating organizations, banquet brunch, entertainment, a commemorative video and a keynote speech by 2010 Asian American Hero of Colorado Karen Nakandakare. Come to hear their stories; come to feel inspired! The 2011 Heroes are: Drucie Bathin - Burmese Community Leader and Cultural Trainer, Ding-Wen Hsu - Founder of Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, Dr. Ben Konishi - 60-year Veterinarian and 2011 Colorado Ag Hall of Fame, Dr. Alok Sarwal - Founder of Colorado Asian Health Education and Promotion & Linda and Jimmy Yip - Founders of Nathan Yip Foundation. Sponsored by Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network, http://cacenetwork.org/