The Chinese Association of Iowa Cordially Invites You to
2012 Year of the DRAGON
Iowa Chinese New Year Celebrations and Iowa Chinese Achievement Award Ceremony
Proudly Co-presented by
Chinese Association of Iowa
and
AIB College of Business
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, 11am-9pm
AIB College of Business Activity Cente
2500 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50321
Free Admission for celebrating Chinese heritages, cultures, community, and achievements. Enjoy friendship, cultural demonstrations, music and dancing, arts, food, and children activities.
Funding for The 2012 Iowa Chinese New Year Celebrations was provided by the Chinese Association of Iowa and its proud sponsors.
About Our Sponsors
The Chinese Association of Iowa appreciates the past sponsors of the Iowa Chinese New Year Celebrations in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011:
1st Consulting, Ankeny Community School District, Bankers Trust, The Chinese Language and Cultural Academy (West Des Moines), C and L Companies, CK International, Community CPA and Associates, DMACC, Drake University, Faegre and Benson LLP, Gift of Love International Adoptions, Golden Teapot, Green Yoga House, Holmes Automobile Group, Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Arts Council, Iowa Sister States, Iowa Realty, Kemin Industries, Mary Xu Foundation, Meredith National Media Group, Nationwide, Musco Lighting, Panda Garden Restaurant, Pioneer Hi-bred International, Principal Financial Group, RDG Planning and Design, Sams Club, Townsend Engineering, US Education Without Borders, Vermeer Manufacturing, Waukee Community School District, and Wells Fargo.
About Past Chinese New Year Celebrations
The Chinese Association of Iowa has hosted the annual Iowa Chinese New Year since 2004. The New Year Celebrations have been rotated to different areas to meet the community diversified culture needs: DMACC Ankeny Campus (2004), Drake University and DMACC Ankeny Campus (2005), Drake University (2006), Ankeny Northview Middle School and High School (2007), Waukee High School (2008), Valley High School (2009), Indian Hill Junior High School (2010), and DMACC Ankeny Campus (2011).
Sat., Jan. 21, 2012 New Year Celebration Program
11am-3pm The Iowa Chinese New Year Celebrations. Free Admission.
Children activities with traditional and inflatable’s
Chinese cooking demonstrations
Chinese food and drinks
Chinese music and dancing
Chinese calligraphy and painting demonstrations
Chinese martial arts demonstrations
Chinese Tai-Chi demonstrations
Chinese arts and art crafts for sale/silent auction and exhibitions
Iowa Chinese t-shirt
Lucky winners for the door prizes
12:00-2:00pm The China Visa Service
4-6pm The Chinese New Year Reception and Dinner for the Annual Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards. $25 per person in general, $10 per person for Chinese Association of Iowa members. Children below 10 is $5. The award honorees and one family member of each honoree will be provided a free dinner. RSVP to Swallow Yan at IowaChinese@yahoo.com before 10pm Jan. 19 Thursday.
6-9pm The Annual Iowa Chinese Achievement Award Ceremony and the Gala of the New Year Music and Dancing. Free Admission.
About the Year of the Dragon 2012 (01/23/2012 - 02/09/2013)
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone.
In Sung Dynasty (a Chinese imperial dynasty lasting from AD 960 - 1279) texts, the dragon is described as having the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales, and feet of a phoenix. The dragon usually clutches a pearl symbolic of its super-natural powers. Invariably accompanied by thunder and rain, dragons move like lightning and whirlwinds - - all powerful yet totally unpredictable.
People born in the Year of the Dragon share certain characteristics: Innovative, enterprising, self-assured, brave, passionate, conceited, and quick-tempered. The Dragons are the free spirits of the Chinese Zodiac. Restrictions blow out their creative spark that is ready to flame into life. So, they must be free and uninhibited. The Dragon is a beautiful creature, colorful and flamboyant. An extroverted bundle of energy, gifted and irrepressible, everything Dragons do is on a grand scale - big ideas and extreme ambitions. However, this behavior is natural and isn't meant for show. Because they are confident, fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful.
People born in the Year of the Dragon usually make it to the top. But, they must be aware of that too much enthusiasm can leave them tired and unfulfilled. They find pleasure in helping others, and you can always count on their help. Even though they are willing to assist when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others. Their generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart. Their self-sufficiency can mean that they have no need for close bonds with other people.
Dragon people tend to take thrilling risks, and burn the candle at both ends so they are fortunate to be blessed with good health. However, they can suffer bad health as a result of excess stress. Symtoms of their personalities often stem from emotional outbursts and can range from tension headaches to depression to hypertension. They can remedy these problems by maintaining their cool, implementing a routine in their daily lives, and practice meditation, Tai Chi or Yoga that soothe the mind and spirit as well as tone the body.
The Dragon is not the most domesticated of the Animal signs. So, people born in the Year of the Dragon prefer enjoying outdoor activities rather than staying at home. They are extroverts who have a deep love for nature. Their homes should be as large and majestic as their personalities, providing space for the fiery temperament or emotional eruptions that accompany their character. They have true and sincere love, which comes from the depths of their hearts.
Dragon people are quite imaginative, always able to see new paths and will take a radical approach. They have innate explorative spirit and try to succeed at one stroke. They are very adaptable and are fit for various occupations, especially if those occupations allow them to take the limelight. They work hard, but would rather give orders than receive them. They should avoid jobs that encompass too much routine, and should move toward jobs in which their self-reliance can be an asset.
People born in the Year of the Dragon like to spend money and are charitable themselves as well as with others. Many Dragon people will take big chances with their finances. It is very rare that they remain poor for long. They will always be straightforward in financial dealings and can always be trusted.
Dragon Years: 02/19/1904 to 02/03/1905 (Wood), 02/03/1916 to 01/22/1917 (Fire), 01/23/1928 to 02/09/1929 (Earth), 02/08/1940 to 01/26/1941 (Metal), 01/27/1952 to 02/13/1953 (Water), 02/13/1964 to 02/01/1965 (Wood), 01/31/1976 to 02/17/1977 (Fire), 02/17/1988 to 02/05/1989 (Earth), 02/05/2000 to 01/23/2001 (Metal), 01/23/2012 to 02/09/2013 (Water).
Famous Dragon People: Calista Flockhart, Colin Farrell, Courtney Cox, Courtney Love, Dinah Shore, Isabella Rossellini, Julia Ormond, Juliette Binoche, Reese Witherspoon, Roseanne Barr, Sandra Bullock, and Wynonna Judd.
For sponsorship opportunities or any questions, please contact:
Swallow Yan, Executive Director, Chinese Association of Iowa
Phone: 515-988-0901, Email: IowaChinese@yahoo.com, Web: www.IowaChinese.org
