The Purple Orchid is an Asian bistro in Aurora that serves a wide variety of Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines with a menu that includes an extensive array of sushi, tempura, bento boxes, noodles, curry, satay and hibachi dinner entrees...and more! Great variety!

The friendly owners are Rui Shang and her husband Binh Chu. They have special talent that would rival anything you see on the Food Network - - an artistry in presentation that is second only to taste!

Visit the Purple Orchid Asian Bistro for full menu descriptions, then, take advantage of these great summer coupons! Where else would you go for $1 sushi?!

Support for small businesses

Through Xcel Energy’s new Small Business Lighting program, you can lower your lighting costs by up to 40%, and they’ll help you through every step of the process. Customers whose facilities have less than 400kW of electric demand per month can get:

• A free lighting audit
• Assistance filling out the lighting rebate application
• Help with finding and selecting a lighting contractor

For more information, visit xcelenergy.com/LightingEfficiency or call Xcel Energy’s Business Solutions Center at 1-800-481-4700.

see below for your chance to win a $25,000 Business Makover. Also, note the marketing seminar for artists and the IRS Labor Law Forum:

• May 9 - - Internet Marketing for Artists at The Other Side Arts with Kim Harrell, silversmith and jewelry designer in the East End Arts District.  She knows how to gain the competitive edge.
  
  
• May 27 - - Labor Law Colorado Small Business Forum
  

• June 5 - - SURVIVOR: Thrive in any Economy
  Join the Aurora BDC at the Colorado Convention Center for the 5th Annual Economic Summit & Expo presented by MRBES - - Save the Date, and register today with the Mountain Region Black Economic Summit 2009 - - win a $25,000 Biz Makeover!  Your company could win a business makeover by an exclusive business executive team valued at $25,000. All you have to do is register for the Summit and complete the online application by May 27, 2009. The winner will be announced at the Economic Summit & Expo on June 5, 2009.  Visit http://www.mrbes.com/bizmakeover.html for contest details, or, for additional information: contact@mrbes.com or (303) 400-5928.

There are several events this month that will allow for new networking opportunities if you go where you've possibly never been before. During Asian Pacific Heritage Month, consider some of these local events that offer inexpensive ways to get your business name in front of new audiences:

May 14 - - Dinner (6PM) and a movie (7PM) with the Joy of Living Film Club at the Starz FilmCenter; see Ping Pong Playa...

May 16 - - Asian Roundtable of Colorado's Community Celebration, FREE

May 20 - - Business After Hours hosted by the Denver Bronco's Football Club, in cooperation with the Asian and Colorado Black Chambers of Commerce

Want to learn more about Colorado's Asian Pacific American communities? VOICES was written to highlight both histories and perspectives... (an AsiaXpress.com interview)