According to the Chinese zodiac, it is now officially the Year of the Dragon.  What can we expect in the future as we transition from the Rabbit?  Astrologers predict that the next year will hold good luck, as the dragon is the most auspicious and powerful of the signs, and an increase in the fertility rate.  Those born in this year are said to be intelligent, energetic, extroverted, often conceited, and quick to lose their temper when provoked.

Although considered to bring good fortune, some believe that 2012 will hold more international conflict, citing the relationships between earth and water elements.  The powerful yang of water might auger a natural disaster or the human struggles toward political equality.  The water sign also represents charity and generosity, which hopefully could signal for a positive transformation of economic and societal institutions.

While there will be fighting and strife in the days ahead, the elements are not as much in opposition as in the past several years.  From nature, we can forecast possible viral epidemics, and powerful disasters such as earthquakes and floods.  Sadly, experts say that there are fewer angels of mercy to aid in what could be higher death tolls than normal.  Fortunately, there should be an improvement in environmental protections and recovery from past human-made catastrophes like oil spills and and nuclear meltdowns.

Want to celebrate the Year of the Dragon here on the coast?

-Head to San Francisco, where 6,000 participants, 22 floats, marching bands, lion dancers, and an arsenal of firecrackers will dazzle your senses and help usher in good fortune and scare away the negative spirits of the past.  The parade is held on February 11, and is one of the largest celebrations held outside of Asia.  There is also a city-wide treasure hunt that takes seekers on a romp through San Francisco’s neighborhoods and rewards them with fun, prizes, and a healthy workout.

-San Luis Obispo locals can watch the Cal Poly Lion Dance Team perform around the county this month.  Witness a cultural tradition and see the amazing strength and acrobatic skill required to bring these creatures to life! (Visit their website for a performance schedule.)  If cavorting  lions are not enough to impress you, on January 25 the Peking Acrobats challenge gravity at the Clark Performing Arts Center in Arroyo Grande. Tickets range from $45-55.

-Cal Poly will be hosting a dinner on January 28, where Wushu Taichi masters Liu Yu and Norm Petredean accompanied by students will give a demonstration. This graceful martial art will inspire serenity, strength, and promote a healthy flow of qi that will help balance and prepare you for the upcoming year.

Break out the red envelopes, make some mooncakes, and have a great Year of the Dragon!

In elementary school, I lived for recess, summer vacations, and weekends.  When else could I have the chance to go hiking, camping, and fool around in nature?  Free time presented opportunities to explore and have adventures in the forests and creeks around my home and allowed for family vacations to national parks and recreation areas.  However, as a former environmental educator, I am aware that there are plenty of today’s youth that are cut off from open spaces and wilderness.

In an age where computers and televisions are our primary source of entertainment, schools sequester children indoors during class time, and working adults are confined to cubicles and households, the natural world has become an auxiliary part of our lives.  Organizations such as the Children and Nature Network have identified that kids living in suburban and urban areas may suffer from “Nature Deficit Disorder”, which some researchers believe can lead to or exacerbate cases of ADHD, hyperactivity, creates higher levels stress, decreases creativity, and diminishes the formation of community.

Luckily, with the understanding that knowledge of our ecosystems and direct experience with the landscape makes for happy and healthy humans, many schools have been established within the last couple of decades that seek to educate children and their families about nature.  One of the longest running and most influential outdoor education organizations is NatureBridge, a non-profit founded by the Yosemite Institute in 1971.  With campuses in the Marin Headlands, Olympic National Park, Yosemite, and the Santa Monica Mountains, the school possesses over 40 years of experience with connecting youth to the greater outdoors by facilitating direct and powerful experiences that last for lifetimes.  The programs are student-centered, allowing the flow of the courses to be powered by the questions and curiosity of its pupils.  Flexible lesson plans focus on the ideas of interconnectedness, sense of place, and stewardship.  In addition to becoming familiar with the complex interplay between habitats and ecosystems, children learn the importance of diversity, how they depend upon nature for survival, and ways to take concrete action to care for the world in which they live.  Programs and events are specific to each campus, and are open to both schools and individuals.

For those interested in outdoor education close to home, take a look at San Luis Obispo County’s school programs through Camp KEEP and Rancho El Chorro.  The CREEC Network has a huge database for Californians seeking local organizations and schools.  Get your kids away from the video games and out into the wilderness!  Become acquainted with the beauty and magic of nature!

For some of us, clutter counts as decoration.  Surveying my living room at home, it seems that the main culprits of congestion are the stacks of books piled on top of tables, wedged in between couch cushions, and stuffed into shelves.  Normally, this kind of disarray would not be much of a bother, but seeing as a number of the members of my disorganized library have been pored over several times and have been occupying the same space for a couple years, it might be time to sell them back to my local used bookstore.  While I would like to think that getting rid of this heap of paper would clear up some room to move freely along hallways and allow me to actually see the surface of my furniture again, I know that I will just end up replacing one set of reads for another.  Lucky for me that San Luis Obispo has a number of places to fuel my addiction.

Phoenix Books (990 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo)- Walking distance from Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Phoneix Books looks and smells like the way a used bookstore should.  Handmade signs alert you to each topic, and while a majority of the books are organized alphabetically, there are still a number that are piled on the floor without much rhyme or reason next to the ceiling-high shelves.  Lovers of pulp fiction with enjoy their selection of dime novels, fantasy and science fiction. The turnover can be pretty high, so each trip reveals new treasures.

Kreuzberg, CA (685 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo)- Both cafe and used bookstore, Kreuzberg CA is the perfect place to grab a novel and relax with a coffee, beer, or glass of wine.  With a great menu, funky decor, and friendly staff, the place is a comfortable place to study, meet friends, or simply enjoy people watching.  The books are placed randomly amidst the couches stacked in the shelves without too much regard to subject or author.  When hunting for something to flip through, you may find yourself awkwardly leaning over other patrons or digging next to diners trying to enjoy their lunch.  If you are serious in your quest for a book, it might be best to arrive when the cafe is quiet during the mid-morning or early afternoon.

Nan’s Pre-Owned Books (1328 Grand Ave, Grover Beach)- With over 55,000 books Nan’s Pre-Owned Books is bound to have something to strike a bookworm’s fancy.  Specializing in “hard-to-find” paperbacks, Nan’s takes a special interest in collecting classics, war history, philosophy, and self-help literature.  Located off the main drag in Grover Beach, the store is easy to find along the wide streets and strip malls.  Beware of trying to read the frequently updated witty quotes on the store’s display board while driving or trying to park.

With these great stores, you can find a gently loved book to take with you to the beach, gym, or cafe without fear of damaging a new glossy edition.  You can save a tree and a little cash at the same time, and support valuable local businesses.  Go ahead, browse around!  But be careful,  whole afternoons have been known to fly by amidst the stacks of a used bookstore.