Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.

According to the Chinese calendar, it's the year of the Dragon, and apparently, that's a good thing.  Check out why 2012 is extra lucky. 

It’s the Year of the Dragon—apparently the greatest of the Zodiac.  According to the Chinese calendar, the dragon comes along only every twelve years, gracing all believers with good luck, good fortune, and good health. 

Paul Shashaty of Scottsdale’s Ling & Louie's Asian Bar & Grill gave me the scoop on what we can expect throughout 2012, in Chinese theory.  He says not only is it the Year of the Dragon, it’s the Year of the Water Dragon…and that occurs every 60 years.  Obviously, water covers most of our planet and comprises 95% of our body—we simply cannot live without H2O.  Therefore, the Chinese believe water signifies growth and fertility…so this must be a good year to reproduce.  The Water Dragon also personifies creativity at its best, and in Eastern philosophy, it’s said to be a master of authority.  (In other words, those born in Dragon years--1904 , 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000--are to be honored and respected.)

Too bad I’m the Year of the Rat.

However, if you happen to be born a Dragon, you tend to be free and uninhibited. The Dragon is a beautiful creature; colorful and flamboyant. You also have an extroverted bundle of energy, you’re utterly irrepressible, and you have extreme ambitions. Because Dragons are confident--fearless in the face of challenge--they are almost inevitably successful.

The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important of traditional Chinese holidays; in China, it’s known as the "Spring Festival.” The celebrations begin on the first day of the first month, and because the Chinese calendar is luni-solar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the "Lunar New Year.”

You can get in the Dragon spirit by heading to Ling & Louie's—an Asian-meets-American bistro.  Ling enjoys celebrating the Chinese New Year, so she annually prepares a festive Feast—and this year’s is based on fortune.  (Try the Dragon special: Crispy Asian Sea Bass!” 

To maximize your Dragon experience, Ling will offer you a ringing of the gong, as well as “lucky red envelopes” sealed with special offers for a future visit.  And of course, you’ll dine among Dragon swag—the place is decked out for the Chinese New Year.

For more information, visit: www.lingandlouies.com.

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