Millions of people in the world are getting ready to welcome the Year of the Rat, and Portland will not be left out of the celebrating.
The Lunar New Year, easily the biggest holiday celebrated in many Asian countries, begins February 7. According to legend, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and 
Buddha named a year after each one. Legend also has it that the people born in each animal's year possess some of that animal's personality. (Here's a way to figure out what zodiac year you were born in.) So if you were born in the rat year, you may have the qualities to be a leader, pioneer and conqueror -- perfect attributes for parents of small children, no?
Here in our little corner of the world, the Vietnamese community will hold its Tet in Portland 2008 festival this weekend at the Oregon Convention Center. There will be entertainment, international foods and performances, and a kids' play area. Something like 12,000-plus people attended last year's celebration. This year's will be Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm. Admission is $3 and kids under 5 and seniors are free.
The Oregon Zoo marks the holiday with special keeper talks on February 7. Talks are scheduled for 11 am and 1 pm at the naked mole rat exhibit. At 10 am, you can hear about the Malayan Sun Bears, whose range includes Southern China.
The Portland Classical Chinese Garden holds its festivities February 7-10. There will be lion dances, story telling and calligraphy demonstrations. The first hundred visitors on each day will receive lucky red envelopes, or hong bao, which are usually filled with money. (My favorite holiday tradition as a kid!) The festivities will end on February 7 with a free family lantern-making session and parade to the gardens.
More Lunar New Year festivities take place at the convention center on February 9 during the Chinese New Year Cultural Fair. From 10 am to 6 pm, the live entertainment will include puppet shows, Chinese opera performances, kung fu demonstrations and acrobatic exhibitions.
Even if you don't make it to one of these public Lunar New Year celebrations, know that it's most importantly a time to be together with family and wish one another good luck for the year. Gung Hay Fat Choy!
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