The event included a martial arts demonstration which displayed various types of Tai Chi, Xing- I Chuan,
Bagua Zhang, Self Defense and Internal Sword.

The silent auctions had several  pieces of art made by local talent,  jewelry, gift certificates for services and
even a 250 year old Chinese Straight sword.

The Raffle Prizes were awarded with the $7,000 plus grand prize going to a lucky young man who was there to
collect it immediately.

We had DJ Maria. inspiring  many people to dance, eat great food and to drink light spirits and non- alcoholic options.

All in all there was nothing but positive comments about the event and a good time was had by all.

The Raffles’ 3 prizes amount to over $10,000.00 in jewels with the Grand Prize being a 10- carat Aquamarine stone, surrounded by diamonds within a hand-made gold setting. (Scroll down to see prizes below). Incredible artwork and antiques will be up for grabs at our live auction with other artwork and items which will be available during the silent auction.

The event hopes to raise enough money to provide one year scholarships for 10 under served local youth as well as 10 seniors who wish to learn Tai Chi to help with their health maintenance needs. We are accepting recommendations now for the scholarship winners so contact us if you know someone who would benefit from these services (send their name, address, phone number, email address and why they should receive the scholarship to localtriberp@aol.com).

The event will take place at the center behind the Bunker Hill Fire Station which is located at 3716 Rhode Island Avenue, Mt. Rainier MD 20712. There will be a nominal $5.00 entry fee to the event with light refreshments provided free of charge and more substantial food and drink for sale. There will also be a short hand dancing lesson provided prior to the dancing section of the evening. The hours of the event will be from 7-11pm and we plan to have a fun, informative, community based event for adults. Join us for the first great event of 2012. It’s going to be a blast!!

Call Paul Ramos at 301 270-0665 for more info or to donate items to either auction.

See you there!

The Grand Prize features an impressive 10-carot Aquamarine stone placed in a hand- made gold setting.
Second Prize is a treasure chest of Gold, Silver and semi precious stone pieces with a minimum value of $3000.
Our Third Prize is a selection of hand made and estate pieces with a value of at least $1500.00.
As you can see, we have great prizes and a great cause. We invite you to ally with our mission of spreading holistic health through varied paths. We ask for your support and good words so that we all may continue to evolve toward the next level approaching total health and fitness.
Tickets are $5 each or a book of 5 for $20.00. See Paul or Bonita Curtis to purchase tickets or to assist us in the sale of them. Call 301 270-0665 for information on the fundraiser or to help out with our new site build out.
Our second event will take place in February, a week or two after Chinese New Year. It will include a verbal and Silent auction of Art, Antiques, Services and more. Live music, food, drink, dancing are some of the activities planned. Check web site in the Fall for actual event date.

Below are pictures of the great prizes to be awarded through our Raffle.

First Prize

Valued at a minimum of $7,000.00

10-carot Aquamarine stone in a diamond encrusted hand- made gold setting

2nd Prize Tresure Chest

valued at a minimum of $3,000.00

Gold, Silver and semi-precious stone pieces

3rd Place Treasure Chest

Valued at a minimum of $1,500.00

Estate Jewelry and Fine Hand-Made pieces

So here we have great Prizes for a great cause!! Purchase your raffle tickets today!

Call Paul at 301 270-0665 for questions or more information.

The Rabbit is a yin symbol.  Legend says that if you gaze at this first and subsequent New Moons, energetically Yin white light will fill your body and grant fearlessness, love, courage, strengthened chi, and wisdom.

One is to regroup, solidify ones’ base and connect to others in a positive way. This fortification will keep one in good stead when next years’ tumultuous Year of the Dragon comes on the scene.

We, Wu Shen Tao and Wu Dang Long Men family wish you all a Healthy, Happy, Prosperous, and Enlightening Year of the Metal Rabbit!!

There is a purportedly Chinese curse that states:” May you live in interesting times”. Many people feel that we are most definitely living in interesting times. Times in fact, that can soon produce anything from the government taking over as a police state, to the coming of the apocalypse, to the end of the world in 2012. These and other scenarios sweep through print, movies and the internet like someone is paying to make it so.
However, where there is Yin, there must also be Yang. Other viewpoints counter with equally possible scenarios.
Some feel that our planet moves through cycles as do the planets and other inhabitants in the universe. This brings about the concept of ‘Ages’. They say one age has spent its course and now we begin another. There are always labor pains in creating the new. We must pass through tribulation, inertia, and growing pains before fully transforming into the new paradigm. Once there, a new world with new guiding principles emerge and take its turn until the next ‘Age” comes with its new rules. One can only hope that each age moves toward positive evolution instead of negative devolution (at least from the prospective of most of its members).
Another premise is that people have evolved to the point where their consciousness has expanded beyond total self – interest; to the point where a new consciousness is battling with the former one. This former / current mentality is that of mastering all that we survey. To take all that is possible so that we individually may prosper- according to our rules. This way we can be the best, richest or most powerful person, town, or country we can be. This idea, let’s call it, the consumer age versus the connecting age creates force against force which creates tension, polarization, and a more strenuous attempt to hold onto one’s own view point. At a local level we have coolness, suspicion, aloofness, and subtle or overt hate crimes towards acquaintances and strangers. On the country vs. country level we get posturing, financial and political pressuring or even invasion. This frequently leads to war on either, or any, of a physical, ideological, or financial level.
If change is the only constant in the universe then change is in mid- stride as we speak. Are these changes good for us or not? No world can consume its resources to the point of extinction. This becomes extinction for us all. Unfortunately, humans seem to finally adapt only when we are at the edge of the precipice. When we do, a new mentality of acknowledging our connectedness to each other and to this planet will force us to work together instead of continuing to play the old “every man for himself” routine.
Regardless of whether one perspective is correct versus another, we each must live life each day as though it is our last. Only then may we act with our full attention, faculties and courage. We cannot sleep-walk each day and then complain that society is keeping us down in any way. Life goes by so quickly that we can’t wait for that fantasy dream to be fulfilled. We either plan our life and then dynamically attack it with gusto, or we wake up one day and think back at what could have been. It is always better to try and fail than to not try at all. Find what is important to you and then create it, appreciate it, and then pass the best parts of it on to future generations.
As a martial artist, this is the mentality of a true warrior. As a historian it is the example of the mind set of those who paved the way to new vistas for us to follow. As an observer of the world around me it seems to be the wake- up call before we step off of the edge.
I feel that our culture (the human culture), can and must re-imagine itself. Business as usual has continued to cause the usual problems and headaches for us all. If we finally connect, share, respect, and act as one people- we will re-create the world. I feel this is not a matter of if this happens then… No, this is a matter of when this happens. It will have to occur otherwise man will fall and the earth will select a new dominant species. We need to ponder the world of our children, our extended families, and their children. What legacy do we leave them? We must act now and on each day to create a safer and healthier environment for them.
To do this we must be examples ourselves. We need to be observant and analytical of our surroundings, we must act from wisdom and not ego and we must remain vital as long as possible. A holistic path covers most bases.
Proper diet, unceasing education, exercise, rest, a nurturing  living environment, and a good mental attitude create fertile soil for growth toward a higher state of being. We are ‘human beings’. Being what? Being what we want the future to be. Being what we, as humans, can be. What do you want to be? What should one be? Be it and pass it forward.

Enjoy the Holidays and create a great future
The future begins 1…2…3… now!