Just for Moms - Fun Page
Cultural Connections: Year of the Rat Ronni Rowland
Did You Know?
Red envelopes with "lucky money" inside are given to children during Chinese New Year celebrations. Have your children bring red envelopes for their classmates with a penny or chocolate coin inside.
History
The earliest Chinese settlers in San Diego were fishermen who formed a community at the harbor near Third Street. The area inland from the fishing community became known as Chinatown and attracted Chinese immigrants who worked as merchants, laundrymen, cooks, herbalists and gardeners. Chinese railroad workers, miners and construction workers also came to the area and contributed to San Diego's development.
Ah Quin (1848-1914) was a highly successful entrepreneur and community leader who helped his own family and other immigrants to bridge Chinese and American cultures. He came to San Diego in 1880 to serve as labor broker for the California Southern Railroad. Quin helped newcomers find work and housing and was revered as the "Mayor of Chinatown." His success in helping Asians assimilate into mainstream American society is illustrated by the integrated nature of San Diego today.
Places to Go
Asian Pacific Historic District Walking Tours Chinese Historical Museum
404 Third Avenue, downtown San Diego. PH: 619-338-9888
Second Saturday of each month or upon request. 11:00 a.m.
Explore old Chinatown over eight blocks of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter and Marina.
Chinese School of San Diego
8775 Aero Drive Ste. 136, San Diego. PH: 858-565-8008; www.chineseschoolsd.com
Students study not only Mandarin Chinese, but also learn stories, songs, proverbs, culture, philosophy and more. Children (4 and up) and adults are welcome to enroll.
Farmers Market & Asian Bazaar
Sundays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Third Avenue and J Street, downtown San Diego
Sample and purchase delicious Asian foods, locally grown produce and fresh fruit cut to order.
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
404 Third Avenue, downtown San Diego. PH: 619-338-9888; www.sdchm.org.
Formerly the Chinese Mission, this site now serves as the city's Chinese Historical Museum. Learn about the history of San Diego's early Chinese settlers through artifacts from hand laundries, herbalists and soldiers. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the garden and koi pond. Closed Mondays.
Cuisine & Shopping China Camp at Fat City 2137 Pacific Highway, San Diego. PH: 619-232-0686 Enjoy family-style dining in a setting that depicts the 19th-century camps where Chinese railroad workers and miners lived. Examine old photos, waterwheels, abacuses and other camp artifacts.
Emerald Chinese Seafood Restaurant
3709 Convoy Street, San Diego. PH: 858-565-6888
Go out for dim sum, where servers wheel around carts with steaming "small snacks." Dim sum is a popular weekend activity for Chinese families and friends. New to dim sum or dining with children? Try mild tasty treats such as pot stickers, shrimp har gow, and BBQ pork buns. Mango pudding and baked egg tart desserts are a fun choice for adventurous eaters.
Jasmine Restaurant
4609 Convoy Street, San Diego. PH: 858-268-0888
Hong Kong-style dim sum is served here everyday, as well as family-style meals. Enjoy your food with a pot of hot tea or Boba, sweetened tea with a layer of tapioca pearls at the bottom of the glass.
Ranch 99
7330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. PH: 858-565-7799
Ranch 99 is the mainstay of Asian markets and offers a huge selection of produce, rice, spices, fish, international groceries and novelty items.
Chinese New Year
February 7, 2008 marks the first day of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat. The rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac and people born in this year are noted for their leadership, passion, adaptability and charm.
Chinese New Year is a 15-day celebration that begins with a New Year's Eve feast with family and friends. Many dishes are served to bring good fortune in the New Year. Fish signifies abundance, and chicken represents happiness and a long marriage. Sweets such as sesame balls and tangerines are served to bring prosperity. Making dumplings together is a traditional New Year's activity and these yummy treats represent wealth and good fortune-try the recipe below and make them with your family!
Chinese New Year Fair San Diego Chinese Center
404 Third Ave. between Island and J Streets, downtown San Diego. PH: 619-234-7844
February 16-17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
www.sandiegochinese.net/sdcc/cnyf.htm
The New Year celebration features lion and dragon dancing, music and a variety of food and crafts. Activities for children include learning about the Chinese zodiac, having their names written in Chinese calligraphy and making paper lanterns. All children are invited to participate in the Lantern Parade.
Ronni Rowland is a freelance writer and mother of two. She graduated with a degree in Asian Studies in the Year of the Monkey.
SIDEBAR
Fun for Kids
Panda Express: Panda Kids
www.pandaexpress.com/pandakids/html/index.html
Chinese New Year and China Crafts
www.dltk-holidays.com/china/index.htm
Children's Books
The Silk Princess, Charles Santore, (2007, Random House Children's Books).
Animals in the Stars: Chinese Astrology for Children, Gregory Crawford (2002, Bear Cub Books).
Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes, Nina Simonds (2002, Gulliver).
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| February 2008 Calendar friday | 1 "Guys and Dolls." Set in mythical New York City, this romantic musical comedy soars with the spirit of Broadway. Tonight & tomorrow, 8 pm; Feb. 3, 2 pm. Adults $25-$45; half price for ages 12 & under. East County Performing Arts Center, 210 East Main St., El Cajon. www.sdmt.org; 858-560-5740. saturday | 2 Parents' Day Out: Big Game. Kids enjoy football-oriented games, crafts, snacks and drinks. Today, noon-4 pm. $10-$13; extended hours (4-6 pm), $7-$9. For ages 5-15. Extended hours include dinner, drinks and games. Parkway Center, 373 Park Way, Chula Vista. 619-691-5083. sunday | 3 African Books & Artifacts. Throughout this month, browse through the books of the library's African-American collection and see a colorful display of African artifacts. Free. Ramona Branch Library, 1406 Montecito Rd. 760-738-2434. friday | 8 saturday | 9 La Jolla Symphony & Chorus. This concert features rousing classical works of Prokofiev, Berlioz and Marshall. Tonight, 8 pm; tomorrow, 3 pm. $15-$26. Mandeville Auditorium, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla. www.lajollasymphony.com; 858-534-4637. sunday | 10 Nature Walk. Take an easy stroll and discover plant communities and wildlife. Today, 11 am-noon; Feb. 23, 1-2 pm. Free. For all ages. Walk begins at the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center. 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach. www.tijuanaestuary.org; 619-575-3613, ext. 330. tuesday | 12 Read to Your Breed. Kids gain reading confidence and a friend by reading aloud to therapy dog Sunny. Today & Feb. 20, 3:30 pm. Free. Register at the reference desk for a 15-minute slot. La Mesa Branch Library, 8055 University Ave. 619-469-2151. thursday | 14 saturday | 16 monday | 18 saturday | 23 monday | 25 thursday | 28 | |
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