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Happy Chinese New Year 2013, Year of the Water Snake

This is a great time to get your home in order with Feng shui!!!! The Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Because of cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the mid-February. On the Western calendar, the start of Chinese New Year this year falls on Sunday, February 10, 2013 — The Year of the Water Snake.

San Francisco has the oldest and largest Chinatown in the United States and is home to the largest population of Chinese outside of China. The New Year’s celebration is a continuation of a tradition in Chinatown that had been part of the neighborhood since the 1860s, the Gold Rush days.

If you were born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, you were born under the sign of the Snake.

Like the houses of the zodiac in Western astrology, the animals of Chinese astrology are thought by many to dictate personality traits or even to impact world events in any year they rule.Snake and those born under compatible signs benefit from good fortune during a Snake year.

013 Prediction for Snake

Snake can expect good fortune in relationships and look forward to a time when they personally or professionally shine. It will be a year when Snake can easily overcome recent setbacks or obstacles experienced in 2012. Even though Snake may not have the income desired in the first half year, financial fortune comes in the second half year.

Snake Characteristics

Self-reliant Snake's characteristics are complex. Snakes don't like to ask others for advice and some see them as cold and calculating – not so, they are just being careful.They need to plan every detail before embarking on an objective. Snake has excellent communications skills, but they are creatures of few words. Quiet and unassuming, they prefer to work alone and are more often in the spotlight for real and lasting accomplishments than for attempts at garnering attention. Actually, they can be a lot of fun when they want to be and they exude a charismatic confidence that is quite sexy.They have the ability to shed adversity like a second skin, and their recuperative powers are legendary.

The list of famous Snakes includes: Oprah Winfrey, John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Pablo Picasso, Bob Dylan, James Joyce, Martha Stewart, Kanye West, Pierce Brosnan, Charlie Sheen, Courtney Love, Howard Stern, and Edgar Allan Poe.

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Holiday, Los Angeles Living Laura Key Holiday, Los Angeles Living Laura Key

Your Home and the Chinese New Year

The Year of the Dragon should bring wealth and power. It begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013.  You have an Astrological sign and so does your home.  Let's take a break from all the real estate numbers and statistics and have a little fun. 

So which homes are going to enjoy a prosperous and stress free 2012?

Goat: 2012 will be a wonderful year to remodel or relandscape.  If you can’t afford either, simply declutter, and reorganize, perhaps paint a room or two.  Home improvements made this year will be hassle free.

Monkey:   2012 will be a wonderful year for Monkey homes and these homes will be filled with love.   Plan on having a Valentine’s dinner, an anniversary party or a baby or bridal shower at your home this year.

Rabbit:  Rabbit homeowners have it made this year!  Inviting the boss to dinner?  You’ve got the raise AND the promotion.   Entertaining?  It will be the best party ever!  Selling your home?  The open houses and showings will be perfection!

Rat:  Rat homes are often ostentatious.  Rat homeowners should keep in mind “less is more”.  Declutter your home and closets. Donate your abundance, there are plenty who will enjoy your excess.

Tiger:  If you have been thinking of selling your Tiger home, 2012 will be an excellent year for you to sell at the highest possible price.  Tiger homeowners hoping to earn a little extra money should consider renting their homes to the studios in 2012.

And which just so-so?

Dragon:  Dragon homes typically open well to the outdoors.  To avoid disaster during the next Santa Ana winds it is critical that Dragon homeowners should have their trees trimmed.  Dragon homeowners who plant fruit trees this year will reap a bountiful harvest.

Horse:  Horse homeowners need to avoid waste in 2012.  Do not overbuy at the grocery store (the produce will go bad).  2012 is the ideal year for Horse homeowners to start a garden.

Pig:  Pig homes are susceptible to break-ins this year.  To avoid theft it is critical that  Pig homeowners take security precautions: dogs, alarms….. Something!

Ram:. 2012 can bring peace to those who reside in Ram homes.  Marital problems?  If you live in a Ram home they should be resolved this year.

Rooster:  It is critical that Rooster homeowners keep up with routine maintenance.  Prevention this year is key!  Contact a reputable termite company and have your home inspected for termites.

Snake:  2012 is going to be a year filled with jealousy and suspicion.  Snake homeowners need to find a way to not partake is these vices.  Sincerely compliment your neighbors and allow their home to outshine yours. 

And which homes will be be susceptible to misfortune?

Dog:  2012 could bring much discontent in these homes.  In order for dog homeowners to have a happy 2012 it is imperative, that they start each day counting their blessings. 

Ox:  Ox homes are sturdy and well built, but the people living in these homes are often poor communicators.  Ox homeowners need to have weekly family meetings in 2012.

Follow me on twitter, facebook, yelp, google+ and foursquare! Maybe we can share some laughs and smiles along the way.

Los Angeles Real Estate Blog published a new post entitled "What does the Chinese New Year have in store for your home?" Published on 1/10/2012 1:41:00 AM, written by Phyllis Harb.

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Holiday, Los Angeles Living Laura Key Holiday, Los Angeles Living Laura Key

LA Chinatown Welcomes the Year of the Dragon With the 113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade

The Year of the Dragon is a significant year in Asian tradition: the dragon is sacred and symbolizes strength, luck and new beginnings. Throughout Asia and also in the U.S., cities are preparing for this important time of year with much fanfare and celebration—this is especially true in Los Angeles' most unique historic district, LA Chinatown. LA Chinatown hosts one of the largest New Year celebrations in the country with more than 125,000 attendees convening in the district for the weekend-long celebration.

LA Chinatown kicks off the Year of the Dragon the weekend of January 28 - 29, 2012, beginning with the 113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade. Attendees can enjoy hundreds of spectacular floats, decked-out cars, dancers and bands as they parade down the heart of Chinatown. This year's Grand Marshals include Disney's Mulan and Mushu and international bestselling author Lisa See whose book Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was adapted into a movie in 2011.

The Chinese New Year Festival gets underway following the parade with cultural performances by some of the nation's best Chinese acts, children's activities and hands-on cultural workshops. LA Craft Experience (LACE), LA's premier artist's market will feature over 40 local vendors, offering shoppers a truly unique shopping experience.

Attendees can expect to nosh on traditional Chinese cuisine offered at many Chinatown restaurants as well as non-traditional dishes offered by food vendors and some of LA's hottest gourmet food trucks. Additionally, the wildly popular show Cupcake Wars will be on hand with 1,000 Chinese New Year-themed cupcakes for people to enjoy.

There are two festival sites with entertainment stages at each: 727 N. Hill Street on Sat., Jan. 282012 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Central Plaza at 943-951 N. Broadway on Sat., Jan. 28 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 29 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.The 113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade is on Sat., Jan. 28 beginning at 1 p.m.

The always popular 2012 LA Chinatown Firecracker 5/10K run follows the Chinese New Year Festival on February 11 - 12. Visitfirecracker10k.org for more details.

For more information on the Chinese New Year Festival visit www.chinatownla.com or call 213-680-0243.

Keep watch because soon we will look at what the Chinese horoscope says about your home!

Follow me on twitter, facebook, yelp, google+ and foursquare! Maybe we can share some laughs and smiles along the way.

SOURCE Los Angeles Chinatown Business Council LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 

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