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Monday, July 14, 2025 at 7:33 PM

County Parks and Recreation Martial Arts Graduation Demonstrations 

  • Source: Steven Dowd
County Parks and Recreation Martial Arts Graduation Demonstrations 
Parks and Recreation’s Martial Arts Program Participants Graduate 

Author: Courtesy Steven Dowd

The Parks and Recreation’s Martial Arts program held its graduation program on October 21 in their multi-purpose building. The graduating Pee Wee Karate and Intermediate Martial Arts students were treated to two demonstrations as a part of the ceremonies. 

The exhibition of Sai-Taw was given by Grandmaster Steven Dowd and two members of his Pennington Life Center class, Susan Keinle, and Vicky Dowd. Both students were then awarded recognition certificates for their knowledge and demonstration. 

Kuntaw is an ancient Filipino martial art. Sai-Taw, a part of Kuntaw, is a series of breathing exercises with flowing motion and movements, to bring inner peace. Much like the Chinese discipline of Tai Chi, Sai-Taw movements condition and coordinate the mind and body, coordinating endurance, relaxation, and inner strength in movements of the art of self-defense.  

The study of Kuntaw involves principles, values, power, and the fluidity of movement uniting the mind, body and heart bringing a feeling of self-confidence and harmony. Kusog, the science of meditation and deep concentration is a basic principle of Sai-Taw. Positive thinking and mental training are an important part of the Kuntawan philosophy. By concentrating exclusively on whatever subject or goal you wish to achieve, your mind will react positively. 

Grandmaster Dowd teaches every Wednesday at the Life Center. Classes are held from 8-8:30 a.m. in Chi Fung, an exercise program developed by Martial Arts expert, Leo Fong, it is a combination of Tai Chi and Qigong, with Kung Fu motions and the western physiology of weight training. Saw-Taw is taught in the 8:30-8:50 a.m. class.  

 
 
 


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Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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