Contact: Katherine Dress (Katherine.dress@verizon.net)
Chairman of DFWAACC Cultural Committee

Aging Conference 2008

Historical and successful dialogue between DFW Asian community leaders, health service providers, and North Texas health agencies was held on Saturday July 19, 2008.  The conference was co-sponsored by the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA.org) and the DFW Asian American Citizens Council (DFWAACC) Senior Program Committee.

50 Asian community leaders, senior health service providers, Area Agency on Aging,  Social Security Administration,  and Irving City public health officials enthusiastically exchanged information about each other, agreed on the great need to assist and work with each other, and pledged on future steps of cooperation in the beautiful Heritage Senior Center of Irving.

Honorary Clayton Fong

Area Agency on Aging Director Monita Mcghee happily agreed and declared she sees several areas of cooperation and possible funding for the proposed project.  Irving City health official Juan Carlos Reynoso encouraged more dialogue between the Asian community and city officials to explore possible areas of cooperation.

Several leading Asian groups have pledged close cooperation through support of DFWAACC with all public sector representatives towards better service and access to assistance for Asian Pacific seniors, and dignity, respect & tranquility in their golden years.

“We are very appreciative of the strong support given to us by the sponsors of the conference in the Philippine and Chinese communities, dedication of officials whom came from afar and on a Saturday, and the wonderful volunteer committee members who all helped to make this conference a grand success and a first step with significant impact. We are looking forward to the next steps in various directions to link our delivery network. We are of course seeking visionary corporate leaders to join us and help plan the future out-of-the-box model of a senior health service center for economic development and promotion of internationalism in the region” said Conference Chair Katherine Dress and Co-chair Merna Parcon.

We ask the help of the press to help spread this message. Thank you!

Enjoy a great tradition

2008 Annual DFW Dragon Boat, Kite and Lantern Festival.

DFWAACC is a sponsor of this activity

The festival features kite flying and dragon boat races in the morning, cultural performances and a lantern festival in the afternoon plus traditional Asian food, arts and crafts and educational activities for children. Come enjoy a day of cultural diversity and educational activities. This event is free to the public to attend.

Event Information

Celebrate ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

2008 Annual DFW Dragon Boat, Kite, and Lantern Festival
Sunday,  May 18, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Lake Carolyn, Irving, Texas

Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon boat racing originated in China over 2,000 years ago. It’s an ancient Chinese festival, commemorating the great hero and patriot, Qu Yuan. Rice wrapped in water rush leaves is the traditional food used to honor his sacrifices. According to legend, the local fishermen raced out in their boats to try to save him from drowning in the Mei Lo River. Over the past 25 years dragon boat racing has become an organized international sport. In fact, today it has become the world’s fastest growing water sport. Dragon Boat Festivals are celebrated across Asia, in Europe, Australia, Canada and here in the US.

Kites

Originally used for communication in battle, kites were invented in China about 2,000 years ago. In the 12th century, kite making spread to the West. As the handicraft of making kites developed in China, local and traditional Chinese culture.