Chinese New Year Lunch:  Welcoming the Year of the Earth Pig 猪, 4717  
2 February, 2019     
12:30pm - 2:30pm
First Saturday PDX Planning Committee
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The Chinese Lunar New Year of the Earth Pig , a yin year, is marked on the Solar Calendar from February  5,  2019 until January 25, 2020.  Also known as the Spring Festival, this event is celebrated for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival  on February 19 (a worthy showing will be available at the Lan Su Garden February 16 - 19).  New Year's is the most festive holiday of the year, as a time to be home with family and fiends;  to cook and enjoy food together.  In welcoming in the New Year, one's home is cleaned and decorated with poetic verses and red lanterns, with the colour red prominent.  Outstanding debts are paid off and gold and money are distributed to employees and younger relatives in the form of red envelopes "hong bao".  
 
All 12 Chinese Zodiac signs of the lunar calendar can expect to spend a joyous year with a festive and relaxed atmosphere under the benevolence of the Pig.  Since it marks the end of a complete rotation cycle of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Earth Pig 2019 is the signal to take a well-deserved break.  It’s also an opportunity to do an analysis of previous years, in preparation to venturing more serenely into the new cycle that begins the following year, with the Year of the Metal Rat 2020.  

While the Earth Pig is known for its characteristics of generosity, kindness and diligence, it is good to note that well considered actions will be rewarded much more than risk taking during the Year of the Pig 2019.  Most importantly, all good wills and motivations are renewed and strengthened.    
 
​First Saturday PDX  and friends celebrated the Year of the Pig over a tasty Lunar New Year meal ($25/ person) at Szechuan Chef Restaurant.  Our fund raising and happy event with raffle and intriguing silent auction items was a great success, helping us to go through our next season comfortably without charge to all attendees.  
We wish our generous speakers, wonderful volunteers, valued attendees and YOU a successful new year with Good Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity,  Happiness,  Good Health and Kindness. ​
Szechuan Chef (503-227-3136)  is located in John's Landing, in the Water Tower Building on the west-side of SW Macadam Ave between SW Boundary St and SW Sweeney St. There is a parking lot on the SW Boundary St side and a parking garage on the SW Sweeney St side, for no charge.
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Xin Nian Kwai Le ​!
Happy New Year !
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​Many thanks to Northwest China Council for continuing  support
Our educational program series has been developed in collaboration with PSU’s Institute for Asian Studies, and is free and open to the public.​  First Saturday PDX  full season schedule and descriptions available HERE

View our regular monthly location by clicking on the address below for directions:  
Portland State University, Academic & Student Recreation Ctr (ASRC),  Room 230
1800 SW 6th Ave, Portland OR 97201
Excellent MAX and bus transportation is right by the venue; plan your Trimet trip HERE.   There is also a nearby parking structure at SW 6th and Harrison with an entrance on 6th Avenue is also available.
View PSU Parking info:  
https://www.pdx.edu/transportation/hourly-visitor-parking​​​