Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota will host its third 5K Walk Around Lake Phalen prior to the start of the Dragon Festival at 9 a.m. on Sat., July 14 at Phalen Lake Park, 1600 Phalen Drive St. Paul, MN 55116.

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By Dr. Howard K. Koh

WASHINGTON (May 3, 2012) — This month we are observing both Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Hepatitis Awareness Month. The dual observances are an important opportunity to bring attention to the disproportionate burden of viral hepatitis among the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the United States and to renew our commitment and call to action to address this disparity.

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By Nancy Wong
Asian Women United of MN

To celebrate Asian American Heritage Month (May), AWUM collaborated with Asian American Press (AAP), Metro State & Century College to highlight the strengths of API cultural values to end domestic violence and to share thinking to stimulate discussion around this vital issue. AWUM interviewed & photographed several Metro State and Century College students, documenting each student’s voice about promoting safe and healthy relationships. We hope their words, thoughts & feelings inspire you to commit to “doing the Asian thing”!

”Do the Asian Thing” engages APIs, especially youth and young adults, to elevate social discourse about safe & healthy relationships within the API experience; this includes expanding or redefining cultural traditions and what it means to be Asian when it comes to romantic and familial connections. To AWUM, doing the “Asian Thing” is to promote safe & healthy relationships.

41%-60% Asian Pacific Islander women report experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime. (Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence: www.apiidv.org)

The mission of Asian Women United of Minnesota (AWUM) is to end domestic violence by promoting safe and healthy relationships within the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community.

For more information about AWUM: www.awum.org or email: awum@awum.org.

Q: How can Asians promote safe and healthy relationship?

Nou Chee Xiong, Century College
Major: Undecided

Nou Chee Xiong

A: By being more open about it and sharing each other’s thoughts and being able to better communicate with each other.

Alvin Moua

Alvin Moua, Century College
Major: Environmental Studies & Minor: Law Enforcement

A: In order to promote safe & healthy relationships, you have to first live by it because it’s “lead by example”. So, if you don’t do it yourself, how can you preach to others?

Lorena Hurshuajer, Century College
Major: Human Services

Lorena Hurshuajer

A: By speaking out.

Photos and Interviews by Nancy Wong 
Asian Women United of MN

Q: What does a safe & healthy relationship look like to you?

Ronald Meng

A: It looks like compromising and being able to communicate with your partner and coming up with ways to help each other for both to succeed in life.
Ronald Meng, Century College
Major: Law Enforcement

Shoua Yang

A: Both sides come to an agreement on what needs to be expected and what needs to be done.
Shoua Yang, Century College
Majors: Criminal Justice Investigating & Education

Mong Her

A: Happy, smiling, not ashamed to show their love by holding hands; making the best of each other’s time.
Mong Her, Century College
Major: Undecided

To celebrate Asian American Heritage Month (May), AWUM collaborated with Asian American Press (AAP), Metro State University, and Century College to highlight the strengths of API cultural values to end domestic violence and to share thinking to stimulate discussion around this vital issue. AWUM interviewed & photographed several Metro State and Century College students, documenting each student’s voice about promoting safe and healthy relationships. We hope their words, thoughts & feelings inspire you to commit to “doing the Asian thing”!

”Do the Asian Thing” engages APIs, especially youth and young adults, to elevate social discourse about safe & healthy relationships within the API experience; this includes expanding or redefining cultural traditions and what it means to be Asian when it comes to romantic and familial connections. To AWUM, doing the “Asian Thing” is to promote safe & healthy relationships.

41%-60% Asian Pacific Islander women report experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime. (Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence: www.apiidv.org)

The mission of Asian Women United of Minnesota (AWUM) is to end domestic violence by promoting safe and healthy relationships within the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community.

For more information about AWUM: www.awum.org or email: awum@awum.org.
(Photo credits: Nancy Wong)

The Art of Zhen Shan Ren International Art Exhibition of Ancient Traditions Increasingly important in Turbulent Modern Times will be held May 2-4, 2012 at Coffman Memorial Union - Great Hall, 300 Washington Ave SE  Minneapolis, MN 55455.

The Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren, opens an intimate window into ancient and contemporary China. The works reveal the traditional Chinese culture based around mind and body cultivation (self-improvement) and living in harmony with nature. With moral improvement, a resilient inner beauty arises. The re-emergence of this tradition in China has come through in the recent popularity of Falun Gong over the past 2 decades.

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Dr. J. Nadine Gracia

By Dr. J. Nadine Gracia

WASHINGTON (April 25, 2012) — During April, we celebrate National Minority Health Month by reflecting on the progress that has been achieved in reducing racial and ethnic health disparities.

As we continue to move forward toward health equity, we recognize that this has truly been a year of unprecedented opportunity for minority populations.

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Hennepin County Public Health is offering low-cost immunizations to people who don’t have health insurance or their insurance does not cover immunizations.A vaccine is your best defense against many illnesses, including the flu. All are walk-in clinics so no appointments are needed. The clinics will be:

• Bloomington Clinic: Bloomington Division of Health, 1900 W. Old Shakopee Road, May 1 and 15, 3 to 5:30 p.m.

• Brooklyn Center Clinic: Hennepin County’s Brookdale Service Center, 6125 Shingle Creek Road, May 22, 9 to 11 a.m.

• Downtown Minneapolis Clinic: Hennepin Health Services Building, 525 Portland Ave. S., May 4, 8:30 to 11 a.m.

For more information about these clinics, call 612-348-2884 or go to www.hennepin.us/vaccines. Donations are requested but not required for the immunizations.

Photos & Interviews by Nancy Wong
Asian Women United of Minnesota

Q: What does a safe and healthy relationship look like to you?

Gao Chee Vang

A: Two people who are able to communicate; there is love, no violence.
Gao Chee Vang, Metro State University
Major: Social Work & Minor: Child Psychology

Peter Phong

A: Embracing, warm, comforting, being there for one another; no aggressive fighting.
Peter Phong, Century College
Major: Nursing

Panu Her

A: Honesty, good communication, and trust.
Panu Her, Metro State University
Major: Human Services Family Studies

Minnesota Buddhist Vihara cordially invites you and your family to attend the Vesak Celebration (Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away) will be celebrated May 5, 2012.

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By CARLOS GALLEGO
AAP staff writer

Nikki Orlay and Tonni Phimmyvong are the enthusiastic new owners of Vientiane, a Laotian and Thai cuisine hot spot for the past ten years. Nikki is Cambodian and Chinese and Tonni is Lao. As they enter their third month, they have adjusted menu based on customer comments as well as the specialties of their chefs. Shortly they will offer weekend specials in addition to their luncheon menu. Their weekend specials will include fried fish with special sauce, Bun Chau, Special rice soup and Salmon laab.

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