ACTCM Year of the Dragon Party

The American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine is hosting a party to kick off the year of the dragon! Admission is FREE.

Sunday, February 19
Noon - 3PM
450 Connecticut Street (Potrero Hill)

Gung Hay Fat Choy in the Portola

Happy New Year!

The Portola Neighborhood Steering Committee put on a stellar event last night to help all of us get to know our neighbors a little better!

We joined 80 neighbors in the Portola at a fabulous Chinese New Year dinner last night at the New Imperial Garden Restaurant.

The volunteers who organized the event deserve a lot of credit, and with the force of nature that these people are, I'm certain we'll see more events like this soon!

Senator Yee Lunar New Year Celebration

Please join Senator Leland Yee at their annual New Year celebration kicking off the Year of the Dragon! This event is free and open to public so please feel free to forward and bring others. All the details are below and attached in English and Chinese. Additionally, we’ll have an exciting line up of performance and activities including lion dancing, calligraphy, drummers, music, Shaolin martial arts, folk dancing, singing and art.

Friday, January 27, 2012
Noon - 1:30PM
SF State Building Lobby
455 Golden Gate Ave (btwn Polk & Larkin)

What's my Lucky Element?

With the Lunar New Year approaching, many of us Gweilo may be wondering what all the fuss is about.  A few people have asked me if I know my zodiac sign I was born under, and how 2012 looks from a horoscopic perspective.  Well, being the respectful scientist that I am, I am loathe to call into question their belief in the power of the zodiac, so I generally say I was born in the year of the Monkey, and leave it at that.

Well, apparently, it's not that simple.  A calculator at Chinese Fortune Calendar will tell all!  Best to start with the 2012 Horoscope for the Year of the Black Water Dragon.   From there, find out your lucky element based on the exact time and date (and even longitude) of your birth.  For me, I'm a Black Water Dragon, born in the year of the Brown Monkey, with a lucky element of Fire.

How will my luck be this year?    "It's not good. Fire is afraid of Water. When too much Water comes, then Fire has a chance to be extinguished. That implies many pressures will come in 2012. Depending on the relationship between Fire and Day Master, Fire might be related to money, career, reputation or health. This is a year to watch for safety."  My Day Master is Water, which "represents your friends, siblings or same generation relatives. The 2012 events will connected to them and spend most of time with them. You will have more energy in social activities...If Water is your Unlucky Element, then your friends or relatives will bring you trouble. They might ask for a loan, or you may be forced to spend money on them."

Whatever this new year brings, it's time to hunker down and just get started!

Gong Hay Fat Choy, Everyone!!

Ring in the Lunar New Year in the Portola

Lunar New Year Celebration
Portola Family Connections
Friday, February 3, 4:30 to 6:30 pm
2565 San Bruno Avenue

Highlights include:

Lion Dance Performance (5:30 pm)
Raffle (6:00 pm)
Face Painting
Arts & Crafts
Tattoos & Games
Snacks

Admission: $1.00 per person or donation of a prepackaged snack.

Portola Lunar New Year Dinner

Happy New Year! Get to know your neighbors in 2012!

We will ring in the Year of the Dragon by celebrating the Lunar New Year with a festive dinner.

New Imperial Garden Restaurant

Private Banquet Room

2626 San Bruno Ave.

Sunday, February 12 

6:00 to 9:00 pm

Have you noticed the crowds and lines at this restaurant since the new owners took over last month? Let's find out what's cooking as we get together for an evening of good conversation and outstanding food.

The Menu:

Steamed Shrimp Dumpling

Steamed Pork Bun

Shanghai Pork Dumpling

Beijing Duck

Diced Steak with Black Pepper

Salt/Pepper Filet of Fish

Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) with Oyster Sauce

The cost is $22 per person, including tax and tip.

Please RSVP by January 31 by emailing Don Roberts at publisher@fairoakspress.com or calling him at 415-508-1390. (Payment must be made in cash in advance.)

Bringing the Portola community together and enjoying its wonderful diversity is our New Year's resolution. We hope to see you on 12th!

San Francisco businesses warned about crime ahead of Chinese New Year

From the SF Examiner,

Businesses in the San Francisco Bayview District were warned Thursday that they should report crimes to the Police Department during Chinese New Year celebrations next month.

"The only way we can ensure a safe community is for everyone to have thorough conversations," District 10 Supervisor Malia Cohen said.

San Francisco politicians at the event wished everyone a happy and safe Chinese New Year, or lunar New Year, which begins Feb. 3. The holiday is expected to attract many shoppers and potentially criminals to city streets, authorities said.

Read more at the San Francisco Examiner