Welcome to our commemoration of
Our 20th Anniversary
and
Chinese New Year 4719 - Year of the Ox
(scroll way down for Chinese New Year Meal - Tour)
The First Twenty Years
View this video on our YouTube Channel
First Saturday PDX turns 20 this year! We are pleased to commemorate our program's enduring success since our inaugural presentation in February 2001. First Saturday PDX stemmed from Lan Su Chinese Garden, whose early volunteer docents expressed a desire to share their extensive knowledge of the Garden and garden-related subjects with each other. First Saturday PDX's programs have grown to include talks by local enthusiasts of Chinese-related topics, presentations by local experts and professionals, and lectures by regional and international scholars. We have over 180 programs to our name. Originally intended as continuing education for Garden docents, these programs are now available to all. They have been and will continue to be free of charge.
Becoming a well known program in the Portland area and many parts of the Pacific Northwest, First Saturday PDX is a testament to the dedication of its volunteer planning committee, generous supporters, and loyal audience members who eagerly await each presentation. Our program not only survives but flourishes with the support of our speakers, volunteers, and friends. Thank you for a great first 20 years! We look forward to the next 20 years!
Becoming a well known program in the Portland area and many parts of the Pacific Northwest, First Saturday PDX is a testament to the dedication of its volunteer planning committee, generous supporters, and loyal audience members who eagerly await each presentation. Our program not only survives but flourishes with the support of our speakers, volunteers, and friends. Thank you for a great first 20 years! We look forward to the next 20 years!
PDX今年第一個星期六滿20歲！我們很高興地紀念自2001年2月就職演說以來我們計劃的長期成功。PDX的第一個星期六來自蘭蘇中國花園，他的早期志願者講義表達了彼此分享他們對花園和與花園相關主題的廣泛知識的願望。 PDX的第一個星期六的節目已經擴大到包括與中國相關主題的本地愛好者的演講，本地專家和專業人士的演講以及區域和國際學者的演講。我們有180多個程序。這些程序最初旨在作為Garden docents的繼續教育，現在對所有人開放。他們已經並將繼續免費。
成為波特蘭地區和西北太平洋許多地區的一項著名計劃，第一個星期六PDX證明了其志願計劃委員會，慷慨的支持者和熱心的觀眾在每場演講中的奉獻精神。在演講者，志願者和朋友的支持下，我們的計劃不僅得以生存，而且得以蓬勃發展。謝謝您頭20年的美好！我們期待未來的20年！！
成為波特蘭地區和西北太平洋許多地區的一項著名計劃，第一個星期六PDX證明了其志願計劃委員會，慷慨的支持者和熱心的觀眾在每場演講中的奉獻精神。在演講者，志願者和朋友的支持下，我們的計劃不僅得以生存，而且得以蓬勃發展。謝謝您頭20年的美好！我們期待未來的20年！！
Reflections on the First Twenty Years of First Saturday PDX
Dennis Lee - Founding Planning Committee Member
It is quite astonishing that over the last 20 years First Saturday PDX has developed a broad range of speakers from various interests and backgrounds, who engage and stimulate our audience on varied journeys of discovery and enrichment.
On reflection, our program has blossomed and matured alongside Lan Su Chinese Garden -- its growth from an idea to a profoundly emblematic classical Chinese garden, whose roots are centuries old and whose many layers of beauty are constantly being unearthed. This parallels our program's genesis and development into high quality presentations with an ever widening breadth of topics.
Like the harmony of mountains and water, First Saturday PDX encourages learning together and the sharing of history, ideas and values of other cultures -- which has led to many connections and friendships.
I look forward to the continuation of First Saturday PDX and the ongoing quest to find new subjects to explore.
On reflection, our program has blossomed and matured alongside Lan Su Chinese Garden -- its growth from an idea to a profoundly emblematic classical Chinese garden, whose roots are centuries old and whose many layers of beauty are constantly being unearthed. This parallels our program's genesis and development into high quality presentations with an ever widening breadth of topics.
Like the harmony of mountains and water, First Saturday PDX encourages learning together and the sharing of history, ideas and values of other cultures -- which has led to many connections and friendships.
I look forward to the continuation of First Saturday PDX and the ongoing quest to find new subjects to explore.
~ Dennis
2021 is the year of the Metal Ox, year 4719 in the Chinese lunar calendar. In the solar calendar for 2021, the first day of the lunar year is 12 February. Also known as 春節 (chūenjié), the Spring Festival, this holiday is celebrated for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival on 26 February, 2021.
The Spring Festival is the most festive holiday of the year - a time to cook and enjoy food with family and friends. In welcoming the Lunar New Year, one's home is cleaned and decorated with poetic verses and lanterns, with the colour red prominent. Outstanding debts are paid off, and gold 金 (jīn) and money 錢 (qián) are gifted to younger relatives and employees in red envelopes 紅寶 (hóngbāo)
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The ox’s element is earth, representing "stability and nourishment." Its earthly branch is associated with yin, which is slow, soft and passive. The ox is honest, earnest and low key, never looking for praise or to be the center of attention. This often hides its talent, but recognition will be gained through its hard work. The ox’s good attributes are found beyond the Chinese zodiac. The animal has been represented in religion, art, literature and popular culture throughout east Asia for centuries. The ox's importance in agriculture garners high regard. In China, it is considered an animal of strength that is associated with harvests and fertility. In the past, people created an ox using mud and beat it with sticks as part of a new year ritual to mark the start of spring. Placing a metal statue of an ox at the bottom of a river was believed to prevent a flood. Feng shui, which harmonizes people with their environment using energy forces, regards the ox as auspicious, giving it the reputation for granting wishes. |
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The year of the Metal Ox brings career advancement, success in business, prosperity, and wellness for all zodiac signs.
According to Feng Shui, in addition to (metallic) white being the color of the year, the lucky colors of the Ox are yellow and green, attracting prosperity and success. Wearing metal accessories can also increase one's luck. This year predicts new career opportunities and though some problems might occur for most Chinese zodiac signs, success and luck are ready to be present for those who are flexible and ready for anything. This is a favorable year for economic recovery or consolidation, a year of long-term investments (especially for creating a reserve stock for the coming unproductive years). The Metal Ox year is also great for making order in the family life; when family life is peaceful, things gets solved! Thus, 2021 is a year when all the problems find solutions with discipline and an extra effort in organizing one's time.
According to Feng Shui, in addition to (metallic) white being the color of the year, the lucky colors of the Ox are yellow and green, attracting prosperity and success. Wearing metal accessories can also increase one's luck. This year predicts new career opportunities and though some problems might occur for most Chinese zodiac signs, success and luck are ready to be present for those who are flexible and ready for anything. This is a favorable year for economic recovery or consolidation, a year of long-term investments (especially for creating a reserve stock for the coming unproductive years). The Metal Ox year is also great for making order in the family life; when family life is peaceful, things gets solved! Thus, 2021 is a year when all the problems find solutions with discipline and an extra effort in organizing one's time.
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We thank our generous speakers, valued volunteers, and loyal and new attendees. First Saturday PDX wishes you all a fulfilling new year with good fortune, prosperity, good health, longevity, happiness, success, kindness, and adventure ! |
This year, please join us for a virtual Chinese New Year meal,
served in our video below:
served in our video below:
View this video on our YouTube channel
Further information on Chinese New Year:
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G O N G X I F A C A I
Many thanks to chinesenewyear and The Woks of Life for information and images for our meal
For more information on the Year of the Ox please see here and here.
Our educational program series has been developed with support from PSU’s Institute for Asian Studies and the Northwest China Council, and is free and open to the public. First Saturday PDX current full season schedule and descriptions available HERE.
Although we are currently in an online format, our regular monthly location is at the address below, click on it 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
Although we are currently in an online format, our regular monthly location is at the address below, click on it 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
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