U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao welcomed the Lunar New Year by hosting a reception recently. She’s shown with (top) political appointees; (bottom) Dragon Dancers, and (middle) leaders of the International Leadership Foundation (ILF). Photos by Gino Wang/Asian Fortune.

Irene Lin, left, and Rose Chu at the February 2 Lunar New Year celebration at Luther Jackson Middle School in Falls Church.

U.S.Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), far right, is shown with Bryan Inoue, national president of Asian Pacific Internal Revenue Employees (ASPIRE) and Alexander Chan (center), advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on Minority Veterans, at a community event honoring the Senator.

Several community leaders were present at the County’s joint Lunar New Year proclamation by Council Executive Ike Leggett and the County Council. Photo courtesy of Lily Qi

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (D) hosted a reception at the Governor’s mansion to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

A delegation from the Chinese Health Qigong Association in Beijing, China held a three-day training seminar recently, hosted by O-Mei Kungfu Wushu Center in Falls Church, Virginia.

Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro (third from left), recent guest artist with the United States Air Force Band at DAR Constitution Hall, with well-wishers, from left: National Asian Pacific Center on Aging Board Member Ruby G. Moy, Turner Kim, Lindsay Horikoshi and Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Chair David L. Kim. Photo courtesy of R.G. Moy

Vera Ramaty, chair for concert series in Rockville, presented a concert by pianist Lily Chang and her students to celebrate the Chinese Lunar Year. The decoration by Elizabeth Lathrop was provided by Mei-Hwa Language School. The performers were Laura Zhang, Shuhan Jin, Kathleen Lu, Ashley Seto, Jackie Song, Emily& Paul Lathrop, Tiffany Kang, Cynthia Chow, JunZhang Chen, Lihua Mo Hunter, Li-Ly Chang, and Kevin Zhao.

The Annual Washington Auto Show at the Convention Center featured 15-time Global Billards Champion Jeanette (third from left). Jeanette is shown with Lily Chen (second from left) and friends.

The Mulan Foundation, which promotes understanding with the U.S. through artistic and cultural exchange, presents Chinese musical performers at Rockville Civic Center.

D.C. Attorney Miriam B. Riedmiller was chief judge in the Manne Moot Court Competition, sponsored by the George Mason University School of Law and George Mason Law and Economics Center, with top law students nationwide as participants. Cojudges were Dan Ducare (far left) and Alden Abbot, both Federal Trade Commission lawyers.

The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) hosted a 10-course dinner at Tony Cheng Seafoood Restaurant on Jan. 25. The evening featured cultural greetings, singing, dancing, games and awards. Photos by Gino Wang/Asian Fortune

The Coordination Council of Chinese-American Associations organized a Chinese New Year Gala performance at the Music Center of Strathmore, Maryland.

Some 50 people attended the Washington Asian Philharmonic Orchestra (WAPO) Lunar New Year celebration, with Board members in the front row. Linda Lee is the WAPO chairman of the Board with Barbara Teng as vice chair. Experienced musicians for strings, woodwind, and brass interested in joining WAPO can email wapodc@verizon.net.

Chinese and Persian seniors, with the Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe (center), gathered at the Pimmit Hills Senior Center to celebrate the Lunar New Year.