By Jim Rhodes
On February 21 at 4 p.m. we will be celebrating Lunar New Year in the Gazzolo building at 5016 Main Street in Coulterville, California.
This is the Year of the Fire Horse. We will have a variety of events. An update on Yosemite Radio, KNHA-FM 100.9, by Station Manager and News Director Glynn Wilson, as well as finger foods, snacks and a crock pot rice dish from Tim Chang, a local resident and former third generation pressman for The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. The community is invited. All are welcome.
In February most of the world honors Valentine, a saint and martyr of third century Rome. Although there were a number of martyrs during this time period named Valentine, this particular one is the story most Westerners are familiar.
The story is timeless and inspiring. One person with moral courage and conviction does the right thing, then pays the ultimate price. It is so easy to live in the moment, avoid scrutiny and do nothing.
This brings to mind one of the numerous inspiring Bible stories we learned as children teaching us that a “Good Name” was worth more than “gold and silver.” Although we did not understand this at the time, over and over again, we have seen real world consequences regarding our actions. It surely is true that it takes an entire lifetime to build a solid reputation that seconds can destroy.
Saturday February 7 at 11 a.m. we are hosting a community prayer gathering at the Gazzolo building 5016 Main Street in Coulterville. All are welcome, and NO funds are ever solicited at Baha’i sponsored events nor do we seek “converts.”
We are beginning to experience turbulent times and we collectively should actively begin working together in a spirit of friendship and unity.
Saturday, February 14, is Valentine’s Day. Please support our local businesses. Tiffany at the Coulter Cafe had a wonderful event last year and she is worthy of our support as she hosts a sit down dinner this year. Also support the Main Street Deli across the street.
We actually have three Main Street bars with distinct and extremely interesting characters as bartenders. As I don’t drink, I commend them all for serving me coffee when I make an appearance.
The Haigh Saloon hosts one of the town’s most favorite and unusual veterans-Jack Wilmeth, a.k.a. Doc. His stories are priceless. The Haigh is known for showcasing local musical talent.
Crazy Coyote Saloon has trivia master Bob Powers, who is quick witted and always on top of things. It’s also a sports bar with a TV showing the latest games.
The VFW also has a bar TV with a variety of supporting programs (darts, Wednesday community dinners, karaoke). This is a great place to support our local veterans and auxiliary. We are planning a blues jam to be held in the backroom on a week night, coming soon.
Northern Mariposa County History Center Gala
The Northern Mariposa County History Center will also be hosting its annual Gala on Feb. 7 from 2-5 p.m. There will be live music, an auction, food, wine and beer, and desserts.
Year of the Fire Horse
The Horse is the 7th animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs, coming after the Snake and before the Goat. Recent years of the Horse include 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, and 1942, with the next Horse year in 2026 (Year of the Fire Horse). It is associated with the earthly branch sign of wu.
According to Chinese astrology, Horse is confident, agreeable, and responsible, although they also tend to dislike being reined in by others. They’re fit and intelligent, adoring physical and mental exertion; they’re decisive but also easily swayed and impatient.
The Chinese zodiacs, like many aspects of traditional Chinese culture, are derived from the Chinese lunar calendar, which does not correspond exactly with the Gregorian calendar.
In their zodiac year, Horses experience highs and lows in love, work and health. Breakthroughs are possible through persistence, while balanced self-care and steady finances ensure long-term success.
Personality Traits of Horse Signs
Horses are leaders who rarely accept defeat, so they can motivate themselves to put up an active fight in everything they do. This can come off as tenacity, endurance, stubbornness, or even foolhardiness in certain situations.
Once Horse matures and learns to harness this energy, they’ll be unstoppable since they’re agile and shrewd thinkers who innately understand human nature. They’re also principled, so their efforts will be put toward a good cause.
Socially, Horse has an outgoing and agreeable personality. They speak as quickly as they think and act, and they aren’t shy about showing off their talents and capabilities because to be falsely self-effacing wouldn’t be authentic.
Horse Strengths
Horse people possess many talents and strengths. They’re enthusiastic and candid, appearing as a hero to many when they decide to take up a good cause and do battle on behalf of the underprivileged with passion.
They are widely liked for their natural sociability and openness, as well as their courage and passion, which, when coupled with their eloquence and moral uprightness, makes Horses exceptional leaders and social advocates at work and popular in love.
Horse Weaknesses
Horses have a tendency to give up halfway through when their quick passion runs out of steam. It’s not that they fear failure, but they can get bored easily, which applies to work and love.
They can also be vain and self-glorifying, prone to seeking attention and applause. Because of this, they’ll often ignore others’ contributions to their team or family, brewing resentment in those closest to their capricious heart.
Horse Zodiacs and the Five Elements Theory
The Chinese Five Elements Theory assigns one of the five elements—Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth—to each year, in addition to the zodiacs. So Horses born in different years will have different personalities.
Thanks to the Chinese New Year website for information.