Chinese New Year Parade

China Town Temple

China Town
2012
Year of
The Water Dragon

Chinese New Year
Temple
Offerings made during Prayer & Worship...
Fruit,eggs,meat & money are then dispersed and handed out to those in there community.
Such as elders and other families in need of assistance.
They really do take care of one another.
Humbling.

Olvera Street

Olvera Street
colorful Mexican marketplace
short lane closed off to traffic

is in the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, California, and is part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. Many Latinos refer to it as "La Placita Olvera." Circa 1911 it was described as Sonora Town.

Having started as a short lane, Wine Street, it was extended and renamed in honor of Agustín Olvera, a prominent local judge, in 1877. There are 27 historic buildings lining Olvera Street, including the Avila Adobe, the Pelanconi House and the Sepulveda House. In 1930, it was converted to a colorful Mexican marketplace. It is also the setting for Mexican-style music and dancing and holiday celebrations, such as Cinco de Mayo.

Chinese New Year

2012- Year of The Water Dragon
January 23rd

The Dragon, however, is a reminder everyone has dreams, and that the time to pursue them is now. Now is thus the time to take a chance, to reach for the proverbial brass ring, to not only dream but act on that impossible dream. The Dragon gives you the best chance to make it come true.

The fact that 2012 is a Water year is extremely important and demands consideration. That’s because Water nourishes the Dragon’s fixed element, Wood, giving this Dragon a big advantage over the rest of the breed when it comes to bringing good luck. The same holds true for accomplishment. This Dragon is actually going to realize some of those big dreams!

The Dragon is not, however, just about money. There will also be fireworks when it comes to love and romance. New love can blossom or an old one rekindle on the spur of the moment. It is relevant here to note the Dragon is closely associated with festivals and celebrations, as exemplified by its status as the star of New Year’s parades. That makes 2012 the perfect year for engagements, weddings and baptisms.

There is an even greater reason to rejoice. Ever since 1996 the year element has been in a destructive relationship with the fixed element of the animal sign. That is the longest unfavorable period in the 60 year cycle of Chinese Astrology, and that means a scarcity of good luck. The year 2012 is thus blessed not only by the lucky Dragon but also the end of that destructive cycle.

Furthermore, under the influence of the Dragon it is a yang year. Yang Water is like a flowing river rather than a stagnant lake. Things move, ideas flow, creativity abound, economies boom, and love blossom in this environment.This is likely to be an exciting year indeed.

Smurf the Blue Moon

Happy 3rd Smurfday
Logan

Blue moon

A blue moon is a rare astronomical appearance of the moon in its full-moon state, usually with the moon turning blue. In the cartoon show, it is used to indicate when a baby Smurf is about to be delivered to the Smurf Village. In the 2011 Smurfs movie, it is a time of celebration for the Smurfs, when Papa Smurf is able to see into the future to foresee what may happen to his little Smurfs. However, it is also the time when a special portal within the Forbidden Falls opens up that transports whoever enters it through time and space, with its other end exiting into a waterfall in Central Park in New York City in the modern age.

It was during one of these blue moons in the movie's story when Papa Smurf had foreseen his little Smurfs trapped in cages by Gargamel and Clumsy Smurf trying to catch a dragon wand. When Gargamel was accidentally led into the village by Clumsy, he chased the Smurfs out into the forest, causing Papa Smurf and five other Smurfs to head for the waterfall and be transported into the present through that portal. They eventually came across a human named Patrick Winslow who helped them in their search for a "stargazer" so they can determine when the next blue moon occurrence will take place. They also found magic words within a book at Mr. Wong's Mystical Emporium so they could reopen the portal to take them back to their own place in time.