Benefit for Quake Victims

[GeneChing]

We are working on this special event through our non-profit branch, the Tiger Claw Foundation (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/).

Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims will be a master's demonstration at the Ultimate Internationals (http://events.imartial.com/event-home.aspx?ehid=29&eid=44), our Tiger Claw Elite Qualifier (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39267) next weekend. It will be local martial artists coming together to support a worthy cause.

More to come...

[GeneChing]

"Chang said the alliance is planning a kung-fu competition fundraiser May 24 at the Santa Clara Convention Center" is inaccurate. There is already a competition scheduled, the Ultimate Internationals, which has an extensive Chinese division. The fundraiser will be a demonstration showcase of many martial arts styles.

More to come...


Bay Area mobilizes quake relief efforts (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/14/MNQC10LKO0.DTL&hw=anastasia+ustinova&sn=001&sc=1000)
Anastasia Ustinova, Chronicle Staff Writer

(05-13) 20:42 PDT -- Since Monday, the phone has not stopped ringing at the San Jose residence of Charles Mu, the president of the Northern Californian Sichuan Folks Association. Friends, colleagues and members all wanted to know how to help victims of the earthquake that struck China's Sichuan province.

"When there is a happy thing, people come together, and when there is a sad thing, people come together," said Mu, whose group represents about 300 Chinese Americans from Sichuan.

With the news about the devastating earthquake spreading quickly through e-mails, text messages and blogs, dozens of Bay Area Chinese American organizations are mobilizing their fundraising efforts to help the victims of the disaster.

While the telephone lines in Sichuan were down most of Monday, George Zou watched the aftermath of the earthquake broadcast on YouTube and saw pictures that his friends took with their cell phones. Luckily, his parents, brothers and cousins, who live about 150 miles outside the provincial capital, Chengdu, were not affected.

"The earthquake awareness there is nonexistent," said Zou, one of the 150 members of the Silicon Valley Sichuan University Alumni Association. "Chengdu has not been affected by an earthquake of such magnitude in years."

Scrambling to come up with a quick relief plan, the alumni association and other Chinese American groups are holding emergency meetings throughout the Bay Area.

"Within 24 hours, we mobilized all the organizations we know, and we all said, 'Let's join our efforts,' " said Albert Chang, co-chair of the Pan-Chinese American Alliance, which represents 55 business and family groups in the Bay Area. "Now we are trying to set up a bank account where people can send checks."

Chang said the alliance is planning a kung-fu competition fundraiser May 24 at the Santa Clara Convention Center and a concert featuring Chinese singers later in the month.

Volunteers with the Shin Shin Educational Foundation, based in Cupertino, have spent more than a decade rebuilding 26 elementary schools in Sichuan, and lost all the communication with them after Monday's earthquake, said member Betty Lee Young. Named after the Chinese motto, "group effort will bring prosperity," the foundation has already allocated $10,000 from its emergency fund to send to the schools.

"Those buildings were very dangerous and old - if it rained, the kids could not go to school - and we helped to rebuild them," Lee Young said. "We would like to know what the situation is with the schools, but the Chinese government is not giving us any information."

On Tuesday, the local Chinese-language newspapers extensively covered the aftermath of the earthquake and the fundraising efforts of the Chinese community, said Edward Liu, a local immigration lawyer and community activist.

"Blogosphere is also full of news not just from inside China, but all throughout the ethnic Chinese overseas diaspora scattered in over 135 countries, with at least 40 million overseas Chinese," Liu wrote in an e-mail. "And China's authorities have been amazingly open in allowing press access."

Sing Tao News ran a 10-page story Tuesday on the Sichuan earthquake and the local relief campaign, and kicked off a fundraiser in its affiliated offices in New York, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Toronto, London and Sydney. The newspaper organized similar campaigns after Hurricane Katrina and the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Whenever there is a major disaster, we do the fundraising very quickly," said editor in chief Joseph Leung. "(Our readers) are used to that, and yesterday we started getting phone calls from people asking how they can to donate."

According to a statement by the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, a disaster relief headquarters has been set up in China to coordinate rescue work, medical care, security and information.

Tuesday, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom called for donations to support the earthquake relief efforts and said he is planning to send members of his staff to China to assess the emergency response.

Newsom said he will collaborate with the Chinese government "so that San Francisco can do its part to assist those in need and learn from our Chinese counterparts in disaster response."

How to help
Organizations you can contact to make donations to help the earthquake victims:
Northern Californian Sichuan Folks Association: (408) 238-3614; www.sichuanfolks.org
Sing Tao News: 625 Kearny St., San Francisco, 94108; (415) 989-7111
Shin Shin Educational Foundation: www.shinshinfoundation.org
Red Cross: www.redcross.org
MercyCorps: www.mercycorps.org
CARE: www.care.org
Save the Children: www.savethechildren.org

[GeneChing]

Check Tiger Claw Foundation (http://www.tigerclawfoundation.org) for the latest updates. Gigi and I were at a press conference this morning at Li Shudong's school in Cupertino. About 50 masters and teachers came out to represent with many master from Sichuan, including my own master Tony Chen. Then Gigi went to do a TV interview. All of this is Chinese media so far - they've been extremely quick to respond and taking the lead in the relief effort.

Here's our Sichuan quake thread on the main forum (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50958).

[GeneChing]

We plan to have an English version of this up very soon, but you all are used to subtitled kung fu flicks, so I'm sure you can figure out what we're trying to say.

Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims 05-24-08 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFFo0DME-O4)

Please note that the time has been changed to 7:30 to give us a little more wiggle room for completing the Ultimate Internationals (http://events.imartial.com/event-home.aspx?ehid=29&eid=44). Additionally, there is no conclusion time, so disregard the 10 PM.

[GeneChing]

You'll find an article just below the fold on page B1 of today's World Journal (http://www.worldjournal.com/). It's a little confusing because the group photo is one the neighboring 512 article. That group was present at the press conference and I believe is getting involved, but the photo should really be associated with our article.

Yes, that's me on the far left of the pic. I regret not tying my hair back. :rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

There's another article on page B11 of the Sing Tao Daily (http://www.singtaousa.com/index1.html) today. It's a larger article and a bigger picture. The Chinese press conference was yesterday at Li Shudong's school (www.hdmartialart.com) in Cupertino.

I'm upstaged in this picture by my master Tony Chen (http://www.usaomei.com/index.htm). That's just as well. Tony is from Sichuan. And besides, my hair wasn't tied back. Mind you, this isn't about me or my hair. People just always ask what I look like. :o

[GeneChing]

Our paypal donations function is now live.

[GeneChing]

Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBgS8QS2rjM)

If you're wondering about the difference in contact information, it's because Li Shudong has agreed to take on the Chinese speakers and we've agreed to take on the English speakers. We are actually both capable of doing either, but there are more English speakers here and more Chinese speakers there, so it was more convenient.

[GeneChing]

This is coming together very quickly, so please jump in if you can. We are looking for contributions, not just cash, but also items for raffle and silent auction. There's more info on the website (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/), which we are now updating on a daily basis. You can make cash donations directly there via paypal. The Tiger Claw Foundation is a fully accredited non-profit organization, so cash donations are tax deductible. If you have an item to donate, it must be delivered to our office here in Fremont by Friday (only 4 days away).

Thank you for your support.

[GeneChing]

Both David Ross and Dale Dugas have pledged to deliver items for our raffle. The MSRP for these donations is tax deductible. All item donations will be fully acknowledged upon receipt. Raffle items must arrive here at our office by Friday to be included. Any late items will not be returned.

Contact me at Gene@KungFuMagazine.com if you wish to make a raffle donation. Send all raffle donations to:
The Tiger Claw Foundation
40748 Encyclopedia Circle
Fremont, CA 94538
ATTN: Gene

Additionally, there was news coverage on KCNS 38 (Chinese TV) late last night. I hope some of you caught that program. Gigi Oh was on representing the Tiger Claw Foundation (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/).

[GeneChing]

Design Sifu and I just updated TigerClawFoundation.org (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/) again. We're updating daily until this weekend. This update added performers and sponsors.

Be sure to come out and support this Benefit. It's amazing what can be put together in just two weeks, especially when there's a good cause.

[GeneChing]

Rose He, who is a member of the Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims organizing committee, just donated three Chinese brush paintings for our silent auction.

Dr. Effie Chow (http://www.eastwestqi.com/html/home.html) just donated three DVD and book packages for our raffle.

Keep those prizes coming! I need to receive everything by tomorrow!

[GeneChing]

We suspect that many people are buying tickets just to show support and won't actually go to the show. Such is Chinese community sometimes. So there's still plenty of tickets that will be available at the door, but come early. We are totally hoping to sell out.

[GeneChing]

Here are the items we will be offering for our raffle and silent auction.
Thank you to everyone who donated. We expect a few more tomorrow.

Donations for Raffle, Silent Auction and sales

2007-2008 issues of Kung Fu Tai Chi
Retail Value: $40.00
Donated by Kung Fu Tai Chi

The Tiger Claw Foundation DVD collection: Kungfu Qigong Magazine Gala Benefit Feature Masters' and Cover Masters’ Exhibitions, Shaolin Trips: The First World Traditional Wushu Festival.
Retail Value: $65.00
Donated by the Tiger Claw Foundation

(4) The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin
Retail value: $15.00 each
Donated by the Josh Waitzkin Foundation

Chen Style Tai Chi Progressive Silk Reeling Series – 3 DVDs
Retail value: $150
Donated by Dragon Door Publications

(3) Chow Qigong prize packages: Miracle Healing From China, Qigong Basics & Exercises, Qi Pressure, Laws of 5 Element Meditation
Retail
value: $100 each
Donated by Effie Chow

Sanda/MMA training DVD package – 4 DVDs: Intermediate San Da Skills, 2005 Combat Sports Training Camp, disc 2, Brazilian Jiu Jituse No Gi Grappling for MMA vol. 2, San Da Tehcniques for MMA, part 2
Retail value: $160
Donated by David Ross, New York San Da

STAMPS

(2) Beijing 2008 Torch Relay Commemorative Stamp Collection
Donated by Arthur Ku

24k Gold-Plated Chinese Zodiac Stamps Commemorating the New Millennium
Donated by Gigi Oh

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Nine Course Gourmet Dinner for ten, prepared by Effie Chow
Retail value: $1000
Donated by Effie Chow

Weekend Qigong Training Program for two
Retail value: $500
Donated by Effie Chow

ART

Double Eagle Silk Embroidery
Donated by Arthur Ku

Gold Photos
Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s Mausoleum
Donated by Arthur Ku

Shanghai Pudong
Donated by Arthur Ku

Shanghai Bund
Donated by Arthur Ku

TRADITIONAL CHINESE PAINTINGS

Large Chinese Landscape (unmounted)
Donated by Arthur Ku

Bamboo Scroll
Donated by Arthur Ku

Great Wall Scroll
Donated by Arthur Ku

Three Fish and Flowers Scroll
Donated by Arthur Ku

Tiger Ceramic-cap Scroll
Donated by Kee Fung Ng Gallery伍奇峰畫廊

Bodhidharma Ceramic-cap Scroll
Donated by Kee Fung Ng Gallery伍奇峰畫廊

Bamboo Ceramic-cap Scroll
Donated by Kee Fung Ng Gallery伍奇峰畫廊

Bodhidharma by Tu Jin-Sheng
Donated by Tu Jin-Sheng

Bodhidharma by Tu Jin-Sheng
Donated by Tu Jin-Sheng

TEA
72 cartons of Liver Harmony Tea
Retail value: $10 each
Donated by Yellow Emperor Natural Healing Center

[Dale Dugas]

I am hoping that my box will get to you guys in time.

Sorry about that brother.

[GeneChing]

Thanks for trying. We'll find someone to give that to, someone that will enjoy it.

[Dale Dugas]

Keep it for another raffle or event. Im sure you will have something come up.

Check your office today(Saturday) as I have this feeling its going to arrive there today.

[GeneChing]

It was a packed house. We're still tabulating how much was earned for the cause and probably won't know exactly until later this week. Thank you to everyone who supported this worthy cause. Our work is not over. The Tiger Claw Foundation will continue to generate revenue through DVD sales and other promotions to further aid the Sichuan Quake victims.

Stay tuned. There's more to come...

[Dale Dugas]

Glad to hear it.

Sorry that I did not get my merch in on time. Please use it for another cause.

Very glad to hear you raised much for the people who need it in Sichuan.

Be well,

Dale

[GeneChing]

It looks like it's leaking. I'm afraid to open it. :o

[herb ox]

So long as it doesn't smell like English cheese :D

Hmmm... if ye need hazmat, I'd be more than happy to check it out. I have some bruises that need addressing ;)

I'm really bummed 'cause I bid on one of Master Tu's paintings but at the last minute, some other person outbid me by a mere 12 dollars. Not even by an auspicious number... I bid 108 to counter the 88 dollar previous bid... Is Master Tu's artwork available anywhere else (outside of the prints offered by martialartsmart.com)?

peace

herb ox

[Dale Dugas]

Let me know if anything survived.

If not I will be sure to pack it better and not give the postal nazis any chance on breaking it next time I send some items out to you.

[GeneChing]

...but glass bottles just won't survive in a cardboard box packed with popcorn via regular post. The bottles broke and the shards broke the packaging. The liquids spoiled everything. The herbal ice looks like all that survived intact.

On a brighter note, initial tabulations indicate that we may have raised over $60,000. That's not confirmed yet. We're still collecting checks and receipts.

[Dale Dugas]

I have rarely had dit da jow bottles break. Next time I will send a separate pack out to you packed better.

Uggh:(

[GeneChing]

...once one broke, there was a chain reaction. You know, I used to make swords for a living - combat worthy European blades like rapiers and broadswords. Once, one of our broadswords got returned. It had been bent in four directions in transit. Now, this was easily a 2" wide piece of tempered steel. You'd have to put it in a vice and have a go with a sledgehammer to bend that mother. We kept it as a trophy, in awe of the destructive power of the postal service. It probably still stands at that shop today, although it's been a long time since I visited my old haunts. Anyway, thank you so much. We appreciate that you made the effort. That was really great. It was so last minute.

Gigi is in the other room with some of the other organizers, still counting donations. And we'll have more places to donate. This is a continuing relief effort and there has been an outpouring of support from the martial arts community. It's very reaffirming to see this for me. It reminds me of how good martial artists can be when they put their hearts behind something.

We've just updated TigerClawFoundation.org (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/) again, but this is just a temporary framework for our future fundraising efforts.

[GeneChing]

From our Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims accountant:

As of May 29, 2008, we have received a total amount of $68,484.15 for the quake victims, and they are:

Ticket Sales: $39,900.00
Donations from cash/checks: $27,984.00
Donations from PayPal: $110.15
Auction & Tea: $490.00

There are still more outstanding donations and ticket sales that have not yet reported in. Also, there are some expenses that must be deducted, such as the rental of the chairs for the show. The union wouldn't budge with any discount for supplying the chairs for this.

More to come.

[GeneChing]

It's not done (actually, it's a work in progress that will never be quite done) but you'll find our Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims has now its own section in the 'Friends' section of TigerClawFoundation.org (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/).

[GeneChing]

I received this announcement from Dave Pickens the other day. No doubt some of you received it as well. We appreciate their support on this.


Hello Fellow Instructors, Players, and Parents,

We are well underway for the 2008 United States Amateur Athletic Union National Kung Fu and Tai Chi Championships set for Saturday August 16th in Round Rock Texas.

Great News our Chief Arbitrators have been selected and both Grand Master’s Johnny Lee and JK Wong will be on hand for any Internal or External question.

Our Chief Judges Internal Dug Corpolongo and External Greg Watson with a host of distinguished ring judges all true Masters Michael Aronson. Sal Dela Rosa, Nelson Kitamura, Jeff Hughes, Rick Clark, Curtis Hardison, Donna Minshew, Ray Hildreth, Ray Albeta, Franc Gomez and the list is growing bigger every day. Our Senior Advisers list showcases some very respected legends coming starting with Grand Master Wu Cheng de and Grand Master Jeng Hsing ping both hall of fame inductees. His year's hall of fame balloting will take place at the tournament for a fall announcement. Please let us know if you intend to be a judge at this year events.

I have some more very exciting news about this event, it will be held at the 50,500 square foot Clay Madsen Recreation Center both this year and next year as a result of the city of Round Rock ’s Convention and Visitors Bureau helping us to find a location large enough to hold the event. As we in the AAU grow we may find the new Convention Center which is on the drawing boards right now an attractive venue for the future events as well.

We will be donating the proceeds from our spectators admissions as well as having some raffle items to aid the Tiger Claw Foundation’s China Earthquake Relief Fund.

You can find out all the things we have been up to as well as information on registration at http://www.aaunationalkungfuchampionships.com/

As we mentioned this year we are holding it in Round Rock Texas at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center you can see the Center and get a map there from http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/home/index.asp?page=210.

To make hotel reservations go to http://cwp.marriott.com/ausno/aau/

For those of you with families there is a very good City Owned Water Park designed for the grade school and middle school set. It’s one where the parents can enjoy the water too!

Rock'n River Family Aquatic Center http://www.sportscapitaloftexas.com/attractions.php?id=189
There is also a city owned Skate Board Park http://www.skateparkofaustin.com/content.cfm?cid=3894

For the young adults….Austin is know as the “Live Music Capital of the World” a title we have worked hard to claim with an array of top musicians ranging from the late Janis Joplin and Stevie Ray Vaughn to the living legend Willie Nelson. There is Spoon, Fast Ball, Asleep at the Wheel, Carolyn Wonderland, Marcia Ball, and Randy Newman who all call Austin home. I could fill the page with names of people and acts that appear here nightly. On any night in Austin you can see over 100 different acts going on in clubs around town. From Country to Blues, Hip Hop to Jazz, Rap to Bebop, Latin to Gospel, Austin really does not hold 2and to nobody…come see why we are so ostentatious about our music scene!

I really hope you will make our event shine even brighter with your presence, and to help get our word out please share this e-mail with as many Chinese Martial Arts friends as you can.

Dave Pickens
National Chairman
AAU Chinese Martial Arts Division

Discovery and making changes starts now and can last a lifetime join the AAU today!

[GeneChing]

You'll find the article in today's World Journal.

武術、藝術、舞蹈三團體轉交
重建四川小學 欣欣獲捐9萬 (http://www.worldjournal.com/wj-sf-news.php?nt_seq_id=1735317)

【本報記者王慶偉庫比蒂諾報導】灣區僑界武術、藝術、舞蹈團體23日將所募九萬多元交予欣欣教育基金會，協 助該會在四川災區重建學校的工作，其中漢風藝術中心捐出1萬5550、Sue & Kathy排舞捐2966元、武術界7萬2178元。灣區僑界為四川賑災捐款交給欣欣教育基金會至20日止 ，共有25萬5000元。

美國虎爪基金會、功夫雜誌發行人簡琪表示，美國武術界於5月24日在灣區為賑災舉辦「武術名師表演」，受到 灣區武術界熱烈響應，將當天的門票收入、義賣、樂捐等捐出。

簡琪指出，武術界有許多師父來自四川，學武之人也有份「義氣」，於是有太極傳人李書東、峨嵋派傳人陳朝暉等 人聚在一起，在很短時間完成這場義演，也獲得武術界積極參與，各門派不但展現絕活，同時也為四 川作了好事。

李書東表示，義演是武林人士該做的；而武術界希望這筆錢能重建四川小學，就希望能交給一個具有公信力的組織 ，欣欣教育基金會推動中國偏遠地區建校多年，並有長期監督機制，交給欣欣是最恰當不過。李書東希望為學校的 捐款能長期繼續下去。

漢風行政總監馮占元感謝橡子創業園提供兩萬元作為漢風四川賑災演出場地，而漢風在演出收入也全數捐出，協助 四川地區受損學校重建工作。Sue & Kathy則感謝李書東提供場地給籌款舞會。

欣欣教育基金會會長朱偉人感謝所有捐款人對欣欣的支持。欣欣教育基金會在四川災難救援中，將不會扮演急救者 角色，不會打擾中國政府救災行動，也不會作過錢經手通道。

朱偉人指出，欣欣將於9月之後派出考察團，先從地震災區周圍省份如陝西、甘肅等地開始考察，而後依據各地災 情嚴重程度，「將每一分錢都用在該用的地方」。

朱偉人表示，欣欣因為有許多義工，對中國所建小學在事前評估，修建監督，事後考核都有完整程序。朱偉人說： 「欣欣在四川建有26所小學，其中有四所需要重建，但沒有一所欣欣小學在地震中有人死傷。」

欣欣在四川震災中心汶川建有一所欣欣小學，在這次地震中無人傷亡。

2008-06-24

If you can't read Chinese, Babelfish (http://babelfish.yahoo.com/?fr=avbbf-us) it. :rolleyes::p

[Shaolinlueb]

lets hope the money reaches the victims now.

[GeneChing]

The Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims raised $72,178.39. The article above documents the donation of this fund to the Shin Shin Educational Foundation (http://www.shinshinfoundation.org/) Sichuan Earthquake Special Fund. Shin Shin is an organization that specializes in developing schools in China and this money is earmarked for the construction of schools in Sichuan.

Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims is a ongoing project for the Tiger Claw Foundation (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/). As part of our ongoing fundraising efforts, we have just released a new DVD: Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims (http://www.martialartsmart.com/dvd-ca112.html). The proceeds of this DVD are going towards this fund.


In order of Appearance: Ben’s Shaolin Kung Fu, Zhang Lingmei Wushu Academy, Wushu West Demo Team, King of Masks – J.D. Zhang, Richard Lee Demo Team, Tat Wong Kung Fu Team, James Chin – Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Ye Xing Lie – Shaolin Kung Fu Chan, Hong Dao Wushu Demo Team, Wayne Peng & Sophia Zhou – Zhao Bao Taiji, Daniel Weng – Shuai Chiao, San Francisco Wushu Team, Wang Kejian – Fly Whisk, Shaolin Temple U.S.A., Tiger Claw Elite Champions, Eddie Yuan – Wu Style Taiji, Larry Young – Taiji Sword, Dino Salvatera – Hung Sing Choy Lee Fut, Alex Tao – Jin Quan Dao, Kenny Perez & Dynamic Martial Arts, Li Shu Dong Demo Team, Tu Jin-Sheng – 99 Power Qigong, U.S. Wu Chi Kung Fu Demo Team, Zhang Xinyi – Shaolin Lianshou Dao, Emilio Alpanseque – Fanziquan, U.S.A. O-Mei Kung Fu Demo Team, May Chen Tai Chi Fitness & Health, Pure Shaolin Kung Fu.

[GeneChing]

We received another $500 from Dave Pickens, USA AAU National Chair. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showpost.php?p=886830&postcount=67) With the Olympics and America's own financial woes, many have forgotten Sichuan. The Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims is making good on its pledge to continue to support this cause as much as possible. Our deep gratitude to Dave and the AAU for this contribution.

[GeneChing]

We are still collecting donations for Martial Arts for Quake Victims through DVD sales (http://www.martialartsmart.com/dvd-ca112.html).

May 8, 2009
China releases Sichuan earthquake child death toll — but no names (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6245044.ece)
Jane Macartney in Chengdu

China has finally revealed how many children perished during last year’s earthquake but the publication of an official death toll immediately provoked criticism from parents and a leading campaigner.

Just how many children died at schools that failed to withstand the tremor has become an extremely sensitive issue.

Numerous questions have been raised as to whether the thousands of schools that crumbled had been built to shoddy standards, with corners cut amid the corruption and mismanagement that have dogged China’s rapid economic reforms.

Almost a year to the day when the 7.9 magnitude earthquake killed as many as 90,000 people in Sichuan, a mountainous region of southwestern China, officials announced that the number of children who died when schools collapsed was 5,335, including confirmed dead and those listed as missing. No names were given.

The announcement was criticised by Ai Weiwei, the renowned Chinese artist who, with the help of 60 volunteers, has been compiling an independent list of the children killed.

Mr Ai, an adviser to the architects who designed the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium in Beijing, has so far identified 5,203 child fatalities.

He said that the Government tally, which provided the total but did not explain how it had arrived at that figure, was insufficient. If the names are not known, he said, it prolongs the grief of parents who lost children in the disaster and helps prevent a proper investigation of possible wrongdoing by builders.

“I don’t think this is progress,” he said. “Any incomplete information is just a partial truth. These are all unreliable. The names should be made public.” The official death toll remains at 68,712 with 18,000 listed as missing and presumed dead. Many of the dead may never be recovered, buried in the ruins of entire towns and villages that disappeared. Children were in afternoon classes when the tremor struck on May 12 last year. About 3,000 schools simply crumpled.

Parents devastated at the loss of sons and daughters, most born under China’s strict “one couple, one child” family planning policy, have sought a government accounting and a proper explanation as to why so many schools fell down.

Police and local officials have blocked parents of the dead children from staging protests to seek information. An Amnesty International report this week chronicles instances in which parents were detained by police while seeking answers from courts.

Lawyers who took on such cases came under pressure to drop their involvement.

[GeneChing]

On May 12, 2009, the first anniversary of the Sichuan Quake, the Tiger Claw Foundation is pleased to report raising an additional $1,267.00 for the Sichuan Earthquake Special Fund, bringing the total contribution to $73,445.39.

See our updates on the Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims page on our Tiger Claw Foundation website (http://tigerclawfoundation.org/).

Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims (http://www.martialartsmart.com/dvd-ca112.html) was part of the Tiger Claw Elite Championships (http://www.tigerclawelite.com/) held at the RDK Ultimate Internationals. This year TCEC is on hiatus so we're holding our first Tiger Claw's KungFuMagazine.com Championship (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/info/tournament/index.php) on June 27, in cooperation with Shark City Nationals. The Tiger Claw Foundation will have an information table at Tiger Claw's KungFuMagazine.com Championship where you can learn more about Tiger Claw Foundation projects and contribute.

Check out what Jackie Chan (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=934072#post934072) and Jet Li (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36920&page=2) are doing in honor of this solemn anniversary.

[GeneChing]

...we're offering Martial Arts Benefit for Quake Victims as our sweepstakes prize (http://www.kungfumagazine.net/index.html). Contest ends 6:00 p.m. PST on 5/27/09. Good luck everyone.

Last year, these two weeks between the quake and Memorial Day were staggeringly hectic for me personally. It's fascinating for me to review my old posts on this thread and remember the intense amount of stress our department underwent in order to make MABfQV to happen. It was so worth it in the end. We set out to donate $50,000 and wound up raising now over $73,000. I'm very proud to have been a part of the S.F. Bay Area wulin that participated in MABfQV.

[Dale Dugas]

Brother,

Let me know if you ever need products to raise money for anyone in need.

The last time did not work out so well for you.

I will make it work when you need them

[GeneChing]

See our Martial Arts Benefit For Quake Victims winners thread (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=937761).