Taboos and Superstitions of Chinese New Year

Taboos and Superstitions of Chinese New Year

House Cleaning

The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes, dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon. In sweeping, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the threshold, you will sweep one of the family away. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door.

Bringing In the New Year and
Expelling the Old

Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out.

All debts had to paid by this time. Nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be lending all the year. Back when tinder and flint were used, no one would lend them on this day or give a light to others.

Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word "four" (Ssu), which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning.
If you cry on New Year's day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.

Personal Appearance and Cleanliness

On New Year's Day, we are not suppose to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed away good luck for the New Year. Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year. Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given lai see, little red envelopes with crisp one dollar bills inserted, for good fortune.

More New Year Superstitions

For those most superstitious, before leaving the house to call on others, the Almanac should be consulted to find the best time to leave the home and the direction which is most auspicious to head out.

The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows.

It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.

Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.

While many Chinese people today may not believe in these do's and don'ts, these traditions and customs are still practiced. These traditions and customs are kept because most families realize that it is these very traditions, whether believed or not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with an identity.

Chinese New Year Decorations

Chinese New Year Decoration

Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese families decorate their living rooms with vases of pretty blossoms, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried sweet fruit. On walls and doors are poetic couplets, happy wishes written on red paper. These messages sound better than the typical fortune cookie messages. For instance, "May you enjoy continuous good health" and "May the Star of Happiness, the Star of Wealth and the Star of Longevity shine on you" are especially positive couplets.

Plants and Flowers

Every traditional Chinese household should also have live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth. Flowers are believed to be symbolic of wealth and high positions in one's career. Lucky is the home with a plant that blooms on New Year's Day, for that foretells a year of prosperity. In more elaborate settings, plum blossoms just starting to bloom are arranged with bamboo and pine sprigs, the grouping symbolizing friends &endash; the plum blossom also signifies reliability and perseverance; the bamboo is known for its compatibility, its utility and its flexible stems for furniture and other articles;the evergreen pine evokes longevity and steadiness. Other highly prized flowers are the pussy willow,azalea, peony and water lily or narcissus.

The Chinese firmly believe that without flowers, there would be no formation of any fruits. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to have flowers and floral decorations.
They are the emblems of reawakening of nature, they are also intimately connected with superstition and with the wish for happiness during the ensuing year.

Oranges and Tangerines

Etiquette dictates that you must bring a bag of oranges and tangerines and enclose a lai see when visiting family or friends anytime during the two-week long Chinese New Year celebration. Tangerines with leaves intact assure that one's relationship with the other remains secure. For newlyweds, this represents the branching of the couple into a family with many children. Oranges and tangerines are symbols for abundant happiness.

Candy Tray

The candy tray arranged in either a circle or octagon is called "The Tray of Togetherness" and has a dazzling array of candy to start the New Year sweetly. After taking several pieces of candy from the tray, adults places a red envelope (lai see) on the center compartment of the tray. Each item represents some kind of good fortune.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.

The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.

The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.

To find out more about Chinese New Year,

1. The 15-Day Celebration of Chinese New Year
   

The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth."Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth."Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.
On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.




































The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.











On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.















The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce. These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.












On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.




























The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.
The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.
The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night

2. Traditional New Year Foods

Probably more food is consumed during the New Year celebrations than any other time of the year. Vast amounts of traditional food is prepared for family and friends, as well as those close to us who have died.



On New Year's Day, the Chinese family will eat a vegetarian dish called jai. Although the various ingredients in jai are root vegetables or fibrous vegetables, many people attribute various superstitious aspects to them:





Other foods include a whole fish, to represent togetherness and abundance, and a chicken for prosperity. The chicken must be presented with a head, tail and feet to symbolize completeness. Noodles should be uncut, as they represent long life.










In south China, the favorite and most typical dishes were nian gao, sweet steamed glutinous rice pudding and zong zi (glutinous rice wrapped up in reed leaves), another popular delicacy.

In the north, steamed-wheat bread (man tou) and small meat dumplings were the preferred food. The tremendous amount of food prepared at this time was meant to symbolize abundance and wealth for the household.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR

There are 4.1 days until 2008!

It's Another New Year...

...but for what reason?

"Happy New Year!" That greeting will be said and heard for at least the first couple of weeks as a new year gets under way. But the day celebrated as New Year's Day in modern America was not always January 1.

ANCIENT NEW YEARS

The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring).

The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.

In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

THE CHURCH'S VIEW OF NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the new year, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations.

During the Middle Ages, the Church remained opposed to celebrating New Years. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only about the past 400 years.

NEW YEAR TRADITIONS

Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California.

Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival.

The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth

Although the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus.

The use of an image of a baby with a New Years banner as a symbolic representation of the new year was brought to early America by the Germans. They had used the effigy since the fourteenth century.

FOR LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR

Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man.

Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.

Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the new year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day

AULD LANG SYNET

he song, "Auld Lang Syne," playing in the background, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days." The lyrics can be found here.

NEW YEARS

New Years

another year is ending in the rich world of Azeroth. Countless battles have been fought, and numerous accolades achieved. It is time to laud victories and give remembrance to those lost. In celebration of the old year's passing and anticipation of the new, skilled brewers and talented pyrotechnicians have brought their finest creations to the bustling cities; join the party underway and ring in the new year with your fellow adventurers!

Features

Type: Holiday Event

Date: December 31st - January 1st

Location: around Azeroth

Fireworks

The innovative and artistic engineers of Undermine have been slaving away since their display of pyrotechnics in July. Their latest and greatest -- not to mention highly dangerous to operate -- creations will be on display in the cities of the world every hour after sunset. Keep your eyes to the skies, and be sure to stick around for the finale!

Potent Potables

What good is a party without sampling some of the brewers' delicious work? Kegs of the finest brews are available in the cities of Azeroth, bringing good cheer as we bid farewell to the old year. Cups are available for all party-goers; simply pick one up and fill up at the keg to warm your belly and lift your heart!

Revelers, All

Many soldiers formerly abroad have come home to engage in the festivities. Share in the merriment and dance with the revelers, or, if you're so inclined, blow a kiss to one that catches your eye. It's all in fun, after all; they appreciate the attention!

Bay Area New Years Eve Party

Bay Area New Years Eve Party








SAN RAMON, Calif. - Nov. 30 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Professionals Guild announced today that it will host a Gala Bay Area New Years Eve celebration at the San Ramon Marriott Hotel on Monday, 12/31/07 from 8:30pm to 1 am. Both couples and singles are welcome for this special East Bay celebration.



More than 1,000 party goers will be on the property for the New Years Eve Party, which includes 3 huge party areas: one area for the Live Band (The Floor Shakers), a second area for the DJ (Mike Westerman), and a third area for Casino Gaming for Prizes. Also included are 2 New Years Eve drink tickets, party favors, exhibits, demos, and raffle prizes. Hundreds of balloons will drop and explode at midnight as party goers welcome the New Year and enjoy a champagne toast

The New Years Eve Tickets are $75 at the door or $65 in advance and may be purchased 1) at the San Ramon Marriott, 2) online at www.PGuild.com or 3) over the phone at 925-937-4744.This New Years Eve party has sold out for nine consecutive years.

"We've negotiated great room rates at the Marriott Hotel," said Phil Seyer, director of Professionals Guild. The rooms are newly renovated and normally cost more than $200 a night. But for those who book their rooms early and mention Professionals Guild, the cost is only $89 or $104 for a room and breakfast for two.Professionals Guild also simultaneously hosts another New Years Eve party at the Hilton Hotel, Arden West, in Sacramento.

About Professionals GuildProfessionals Guild is a unique social organization dedicated to single professionals in the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1985 Professionals Guild has offered monthly parties and mixers as well as New Years Eve extravaganzas for singles

Boom Chicago's New Year's Party 2007

Boom Chicago's New Year's Party 2007

The Roaring Twenties December 31, 2007 - 22:00 – Very Late

When the clock moves forward to 2008, Boom Chicago will turn it back to the Roaring Twenties. There is champagne aplenty, top DJs to dance to, live performances and, best of all, no alcohol prohibition!

Step back in time for just one evening to the most fashionable, revolutionary decade in history. It was a time where men never looked more dapper, women stopped covering up their legs and dance marathons lasted 72-hours straight.

Come for the party or the whole Boom New Year's experience with the party, show and a delicious three course dinner. (scroll down for more package info)

Parties at Boom Chicago are unique. The crowd is fun, the DJs are top notch and a creative theme always provides the ideal excuse to dress up!

Music by Electronation: DJs Tron, Baz Reznik and Clockwork.
Electronation began as a concept to fill the musical gap between the underground electronic scene and mainstream dance scene. Five years on they have emerged an innovative DJ collective with a fresh creative sound. In addition to hosting their own radio show on Kink FM, Electronation has played some of the best parties and festivals across Europe

Dress CodeDress to impress! The 1920s theme is optional, but encouraged. Think black & white, the flapper-look with bobbed hair and low-waist dress, three-piece striped suits, gangsters with sleek hair, Coco Chanel and hats like fedoras, bowler hats, cloche hats and tiaras.

The Roaring Twenties were all about jazz, Art Deco, women's lib, the dawn of film stars, alcohol prohibition and the illegal 'Speakeasy'.

Dress up for LessThe best selection of Roaring Twenties costumes is at Alternatief Kostuum Mention the Roaring Twenties New Year's Eve party and get a 10% discount!

The Complete New Year's Eve Package
Special New Year's comedy show VIP setting and festive decor Delicious three-course dinner by Head Chef JJ Holland Unlimited beer and wine during dinner and the show Ticket to The Roaring Twenties party (22:00 - very late) Glass of champagne at midnight

New Year's Eve Menu

Starter

Mushroom and spinach penne in a blue cheese and brandy cream sauce topped with pine nuts and rocket.

Main

Indian spiced fish Pollack on tamarind and green chili crushed potatoes, served with a cucumber and mint rita.

Or

Fillet of beef served on lemon roasted sweet potatoes with
rocket, chard and a horseradish and watercress crème.

Dessert

Tiramisu

Trend Talk: Luxe New Year's Eve Party For Less

Trend Talk: Luxe New Year's Eve Party For Less

Great Party Wines

Inexpensive, versatile, delicious wines, perfect for New Year's Eve:
Segura Viudas Aria Cava ($12) -- all-purpose sparkling wine in place of champagne. **Pair with marcona almonds. It's a classic pairing.

Antinori Villa Antinori Bianco ($12) -- all-purpose white wine. **Serve with Taralli, those little ring-shaped Italian crackers (esp. w/ rosemary). They're a nice combo.

Magnificent Wine Company "House Red" ($12) -- all-purpose red wine. **If you did a mix of nuts, particularly walnuts, with something like dried cherries, that'd be a nice pair for the red. Also amazingly good are the rosemary-maple cashews from Gifts We Like to Give story.

Wine Cocktails: Pitcher Solutions

Mixing cocktails one by one is impractical at a big party, so instead try this pitcher drink:
Frost Nip

The Ultimate American Cheese Plate
Fox & Obel or Trotter's To Go

The perfect cheese plate should include a mix of fresh, aged, soft and hard cheeses, arranged in the order in which they should be tasted: from the lightest and freshest to the ripest and most intense.

1.Fresh Cheeses

Ready to eat as soon as they are made – no aging required.
Generally have mild, minerally flavors of their primary ingredients: milk and salt.
Example: Fresh Mozzarella from Crave Brothers Dairy Farm, Waterloo, WI

2. Soft-Ripened Cheeses

Distinguished by their white “bloomy” rinds and creamy interiors, soft-ripened cheese get softer instead of harder as they age.
Best known are Brie and Camembert.
Example: Green Hill from Sweet Grass Dairy, Thomasville, GA
3. Washed-Rind Cheeses

Get their characteristic orange-pink rinds from being "washed" (rubbed, really) with a solution of salt water and beneficial bacteria
Often described as stinking (in a good way), washed-rind cheeses can smell stronger than they taste.
Example: Grayson from Meadow Creek Dairy, Galax, VA

The Best Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres One great way to save at a party is to have food with high-impact flavors. These comfort-food classics are transformed into irresistible hors d'oeuvres:

Bagel Chips with Ricotta, Chive Puree and Prosciutto

Using bagel chips as the base for an hors d'oeuvre is a quick way to add flavor and crunch. Top the chips with fresh ricotta, chive puree and prosciutto. As an alternative, you can use dried apricot halves in place of the chips.

Ginger Beef and Pork Toasts

These crispy, Asian-inspired hors d'oeuvres are similar to shrimp toasts (flavored shrimp paste spread on bread and fried), except they're made with a succulent combination of beef and pork.

Greek Salad Skewers with Anchovy Aioli

For a playful presentation, slide a fat, flat slice of cucumber onto the bottom of each skewer, so these hors d'oeuvres can stand upright on a serving platter.

Las Vegas' Coolest Cocktails

Las Vegas' Coolest Cocktails
December 4, 2007

In Las Vegas, where anyone at a blackjack table or slot machine is entitled to free drinks, the beverage gun used to be a bartender's best friend. Not anymore. The recent move toward upscale restaurants and lounges has prompted the rise of mixology -- the art and science of the cocktail. Here's where you can sample the best of the trend this New Year's Eve.

Carrot Cake Martini, Noir Bar

If you passed on the soufflé after dinner, order the Carrot Cake Martini at Noir Bar, a new, ultra-swanky lounge next to the LAX nightclub in the Luxor. Complete with raisins, fresh carrot shavings, a lump of brown sugar, freshly ground nutmeg, and a cream cheese frosting-rimmed martini glass, the cocktail is quite literally dessert in a glass.

Ken Hall, the bar's mixologist, says the secret ingredient to the drink is Toschi Nocello liqueur, a sweet walnut liqueur that mixes perfectly with equal parts of Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka, Bailey's Irish Cream, and Montechristo Spiced Rum to recreate the savory flavor of a gourmet carrot cake.

"I wanted something that combined sweetness and sophistication," says Hall, who interviews every patron so he can customize individual drinks. "The first time people hear about it, they say, 'Carrot cake? In a drink?' When they try it, even if they don't like it, they admit it's like nothing they've ever had before."

Spicy Brown Girl, Stir Lounge

Equally delectable is the Spicy Brown Girl, a cocktail made with Horchata, a spiced rice milk usually found in Mexico. Niles Peacock, the mixologist at Stir Lounge in the off-Strip Platinum Hotel & Spa, developed the libation for the wedding of Brent Hammer, the hotel's executive chef. The drink was so popular that Peacock added it to his regular menu. He named it (lovingly) in honor of Hammer's wife, Carla, who is Mexican.

While the Horchata gives the Spicy Brown Girl its creamy consistency, the drink's zing comes from Peacock's homemade Ancho chile simple syrup, a spicy mixer that leaves the palate surprisingly hot. Other ingredients: Smirnoff Vanilla Twist Vodka, dark Crème de Cacao, and Peacock's homemade Madagascar cello, which he makes with Madagascar vanilla beans.

"Between the refreshing Horchata and the vanilla flavors, the first sip of this drink soothes your throat," Peacock says. "Then the Ancho chile hits you and creates this wonderful warming sensation in your mouth."

Blackberry Smash, Boa

Muddling returned to fashion when mojitos made a comeback earlier this decade, and at Boa, a restaurant and bar in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, bartenders employ this technique to make the Blackberry Smash, a punch-like blend of fresh blackberries, spearmint, lemon, Belvedere Citrus Vodka, and Marie Broussard Parfait Amour liqueur.

The drink is the brainchild of Tony Abou-Ganim, one of the first professional mixologists to arrive in Vegas for the opening of the Bellagio back in 1998. Boa hired Abou-Ganim to create one of his signature cocktails, all of which incorporate fresh fruits, fresh herbs, and top-shelf premium spirits and liqueurs.

"For me, if you have quality ingredients, everything else falls into place on its own," says Abou-Ganim, who runs a mixology consulting firm and is set to release his first DVD, titled "Modern Mixology," next year. "In this drink, the fresh blackberries and spearmint provide most of the flavor; everything else is just accompaniment."

Corpse Reviver No. 2, Eyecandy Lounge

Abou-Ganim also enjoys modernizing cocktail classics, and has done just that with his Corpse Reviver No. 2. This drink, available at Eyecandy Lounge inside the Mandalay Bay, is a variation on a classic recipe by renowned mixologist Harry Craddock. You can make it yourself with equal parts gin, Cointreau, and Lillet, an orange-flavored aromatized wine.

To this trifecta, Eyecandy bartenders add fresh lemon juice and a splash of absinthe, a highly-alcoholic, anise-flavored spirit that was only recently legalized for distribution in the U.S. Abou-Ganim says that while mixologists previously had to settle for absinthe substitutes (such as Pernod, Herbsaint, or another pastis), the ability to use the real thing expands their creativity
"The good news is that anything with absinthe will be a big deal because it's something that was deemed illegal," he predicts. "The even better news is that most of the cocktails that incorporate it are incredibly complex, wonderfully flavorful, and entirely unique."

Honorable mentions

Not up for one of these innovative concoctions? Three other modern improvements on classic cocktails in Vegas are turning heads, too:

At Social House, a new restaurant inside Treasure Island, try the Tequila Moon, a modern spin on the traditional tequila sunrise that mixes Patron Silver tequila, Moonstone Raspberry sake and Cointreau with fresh watermelon purée.

At the Petrossian Bar in the lobby of the Bellagio, try an authentic Cable Car, which combines Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Marie Broussard Parfait Amour, Orange Curacao and fresh lemon in a cinnamon sugar-rimmed cocktail glass.

Finally, at the Lure lounge in Wynn Las Vegas, order up The Geisha, a refreshing cocktail with Xellent Vodka, Tyku Sake liqueur, Trader Vic's rock candy syrup, and Sonoma Syrup Company's white ginger-infused simple syrup.

New Year's resolution: Hire more people

New Year's resolution: Hire more people

Most U.S. companies will either boost or maintain their employee counts in the coming year, according to results released Tuesday of a survey led by online job site CareerBuilder.com.
About 40 percent of some 2,600 hiring managers surveyed said they plan to increase their number of full-time, permanent employees in 2007. Another 40 percent expect no change in their head counts, and 8 percent are expecting job eliminations, according to the survey, conducted from November 17 to December 11.


Of the jobs for which employers will be recruiting, about 13 percent will be in information technology, the survey said.

"Of the tech recruiters surveyed, 48 percent said they would be adding positions in 2007, 10 percent said they would be decreasing posts, and the remaining said they were unsure or expected no change," said CareerBuilder spokeswoman Jennifer Sullivan.

More recruiting is expected in the areas of health care (24 percent), administration and clerical work (19 percent), sales (17 percent), and accounting and finance (17 percent). That sector breakdown is on par with previous surveys, according to CareerBuilder. The full report, conducted by Harris Interactive, was not immediately available.


The survey results also mesh with recent U.S. Department of Labor reports that the market is slowing at a gradual, reasonable pace and that inflation has steadied, CareerBuilder CEO Matt Ferguson said in a statement
.
"This bodes well for job creation as economists and employers alike predict a moderated, yet stable, hiring environment to carry over into the New Year," he said.

But while a modest recovery might be starting, when it comes to the technology sector, have claims of a rebound been exaggerated?

"The tech sector, most notably, is suffering from the longest jobless recovery since World War II, having lost more than 400,000 jobs since the start of the March 2001 recession," Marcus Courtney, president of the WashTech/CWA union of high-tech workers, wrote in a July CNET News.com column, adding that the recession officially ended in November of that year. But, Courtney wrote, "according to a recent study prepared by the University of Illinois at Chicago's Center for Urban Economic Development, only 76,300 new IT jobs were created nationwide during the last three years. That's less than one quarter of the number of tech jobs lost earlier in the decade." ("Information Technology Labor Markets: Rebounding, but Slowly.")

Other 2007 trends predicted by the CareerBuilder survey include: bigger paychecks (81 percent of employers report their companies will increase salaries for existing employees); more flexible work arrangements (half of employers say they are either extremely or fairly willing to provide job sharing or other alternate schedules); and more overseas hiring, particularly in China and India.

New Section: You Decide 2008

New Section: You Decide 2008

It’s chock full of the latest headlines, information on upcoming primaries and caucuses, details on the candidates, and blogs, blogs, blogs. Three of them, to be exact, all updated through the day by FOX News’ politics team.


Check out "Campaign Carl" Cameron and his analysis of all the day's events. Enter Major Garrett's Bourbon Room for a (snap)shot of the Democrats' doings. And Poli-Ticker keeps you up to date with reports from our embed producers, scattered around the nation with their candidates.


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New Years Eve London Events

New Years Eve London Events

When31st December 2007

WhereLocations Across London

Tired of the bar and club scene? Had your fill of special menus? Check out this list of New Years Eve London events and parties guaranteed to start off 2008 with a bang. If nothing takes your fancy here, click the link below for the View London New Years Eve section.

New Years Eve Events TicketsTogether New Years Eve TicketsGet your glad rags on for another night of New Years Eve madness at Turnmills, a party guaranteed to bring out the best party people in London. Turnmills and the folk at Together have struck up a funky little partnership that's seen some of the best nights in London over the last year and this one looks set to be just as good. The lineup is going to be worrying for other New Years Eve London events, with Belgian duo 2ManyDJs, Scottish legend Mylo, nu-rave innovators Simian Mobile Diso and much more funking up a great New Year party.

Together New Years Eve TicketsIce skating at Somerset HouseEnjoy an romantic evening skating under the stars on the ice rink at Somerset House, with live music, entertainment, skating display and hot chocolate and champagne. It’s the perfect way to start out 2008 with the one you love.

Somerset House Ice Rink TicketsIce skating at the Natural History MuseumAnother ice skating choice for New Years is the ice rink at the Natural History Museum, one of London's most beautiful and popular museums. As a special New Years treat there'll be champagne and mulled wine available.

Naural History Museum Ice Rink TicketsAsiana partyJoin in on one of the biggest New Years Eve London events of the year (aside from the fireworks, that is) as Agenda hosts an Asiana night, with quality music, sophisticated style and loads of bubbly. At 7pm at Agenda. Nearest tube: Tower Hill. For more information, please click below.

Agenda Bar Official SiteSpace 24: New Years EveThis is set to be one of the biggest nights in London for years as Space welcomes in 2008 whilst also saying goodbye to the clubbing istitution that is The Cross. For those of you into your clubbing you'll no doubt have shaked your thang under the stylish arches and what better way to say goodbye than to get down there for the mother of all parties. This one's going to be big. Nearest tube: Kings Cross. Space 24 tickets are £57.00.

Space 24: New Years Eve TicketsThe South Bank CentreHave your choice of two New Years Eve London events at the South Bank Centre. Party number one starts at 8.30pm with The Super Furry Animals, turning the Royal Festival Hall into a surrealist playground, apparently defying the logic of time and space. Sounds intriguing. The second party starts at 9.30pm and will welcome the hilarious, brilliant and addictive Silent Disco, a unique experience where party-goers dance away with headphones playing quality tunes. This Silent Disco will be the first to have a visual element, with the Visual Galaxy Show, a live projection of specially created visuals. Nearest tube: Waterloo. Tickets to the Super Furry Animal party are £50.00, tickets to Silent Disco are £30.00. For more information, click the links below.

The Best New Year's Eve Party Ever

New Years Eve Silent Disco and Visual GalaxyViennese New Year’s Eve GalaListen to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play classic Viennese songs at the Barbican – perfect for polka fans. At 7.30pm. Nearest tube: Barbican. Tickets range from £19.00 - £37.50.For more information and to book tickets, click below.

Barbican Official SiteNew Years Eve Black Tie BallIf you fancy something a little sophisticated this New Year then the 5 star Grange City Hotel is putting on a swanky affair. There'll be a luxurious 3 course meal with wine and Champagne, a DJ Ball until 2am and much, much more, all within the confines of a stunning London hotel. For more information, click the link below.

New Years Eve Black Tie BallThe Comedy StoreLaugh your way into 2008 with an event featuring comedians Stephen K Amos, Ian Stone, Paul Thorne, Glen Wool, Paul Zerdin and more Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus. Tickets are £60.00. To book tickets and for more information, please click below.

The Comedy Store Official SiteGangsters and Molls BanquetPut on your finest gangsters and molls gear for an evening of entertainment with fellow revellers at Volupte. The event will also feature burlesque performances, cabaret shows, a three course meal and much more. Nearest tube: Chancery Lane. Tickets are £34.00. For more information, please click below.

Volupte LoungeLondon Eye FireworksView some of the world's most famous fireworks being launched into the sky off the London Eye. This year's event is going to be so spectacular that you'll be able to see it from rooftops and high balconies all across London. For more information, click the link below.

London Eye New Years Eve FireworksNew Connaught Rooms New Years EvePossibly the most sought after tickets this year, New Years Eve London events don't come much better than this. Check out the link and see why.

New Connaught Rooms New Years Eve 2007 Tickets New Years Eve London events take place on Monday 31st December 2007.

Start fresh in the New Year

Start fresh in the New Year

Health and fitness, career and personal growth are top three goalsBy Ellen Wilkowe, Daily Record

In gearing up for the New Year, many wish for less -- as in pounds or debt.

According to myGoals.com, a Web site that functions as an electronic personal motivator for goal-setting and attainment, the top three New Year's resolutions for 2004 fall into the categories of health and fitness, career and personal growth.

The data, obtained from the current year's third-quarter goal setting activity of the site's clients, shifted slightly from last year, when career aspirations claimed the top spot.

"Things might actually be returning to normal," said Greg Helmstetter, CEO of myGoals.com.

"Last year, a staggering 27 percent of people's resolutions were career-related, an 18 percent increase from 2002. For New Year's 2004, however, a 9 percent drop in career goals may signal a return to business-as-usual."

Under the health category, only 5 percent of users resolved to quit smoking -- far less than the findings of an American Legacy Foundation survey of New York City smokers in which 40 percent said they plan to kick the habit.

The survey found that 71 percent of those polled would like to stop smoking but only 38 percent believe they are "very likely" to succeed.

With smoking cessation low on the resolution list, shedding 10 pounds and paying off debt rank as the most popular, followed by career aspirations including starting a business, winning a new job or promotion and writing a book or article.

Reflecting the nation's fitness-driven tendencies, Gold's Gym Fitness Complex in Whippany braces each January for an influx of resolution-style memberships.

"Right after New Year's, from about January through the summer, is the busiest time of the year," said Jeff Schmitt, training department manager. "People tend to over-consume in the holiday season and tend to want to start fresh."

To keep from falling off the fitness wagon, Schmitt suggests recruiting a personal trainer and teaming up with a workout partner to maintain motivation and commitment.

"The biggest reason people drop out is because they don't get help or follow a proper program," Schmitt said.

Pamela Burke, a sophomore at Parsippany Hills High School, recently reconciled her 2003 fitness resolution -- running an eight-minute mile.

"Sometimes people make resolutions and forget them or reach them later," she said. "Mine was to run an eight-minute mile and I did that recently."

Whether the goal calls for losing 10 pounds, digging out of debt or starting up a business, the clients of Mary Cole, owner of Soul Choice Coaching in Madison are guided with a can-do over, will-fix approach.

"The folks that are creating most often stay with the process," she said. "The ones who are 'fixing' most often don't."

Take Vincent Brown of Budd Lake. The 20-year-old County College of Morris sophomore is still savoring -- or in this case, driving -- a past New Year's dream come true.
"I worked four jobs one summer and finally got a car," the 20-year-old CCM sophomore said. "Now I want another one."

When it comes to resolutions, Jean Malson of Wharton prefers New Year's "hopes." The teacher from Wharton hopes to eat less in the coming year, but would rather focus on her overall health.
"I have more hopes for the New Year than resolutions," she said. "Eating less would be nice, but continuing to teach in good health seems more important."

Also favoring the wellness approach is the Rev. Kenneth Lasch, pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Mendham, a non-believer in resolutions.

"I don't recommend them (resolutions) because everyone breaks them," he said. "I believe in taking life patterns seriously. Someone might say, 'I need to make some fine-tuning or adjustments,' but they shouldn't do it all at once."

Lasch's recipe for New Year's includes healthy eating, lots of water, sleep and "sipping a little bit of wine" garnished with prayer.

"You should stay low-key in January -- like the weather," he said. "Gear up for Lent, the season of repentance and renewal. Lent is more appropriate for looking at life patterns."

Kathy Miller, a prosperity coach from Stirling, who helps people overcome financial obstacles and achieve lifestyle goals, also uses life patterns as a tool for change, encouraging her clients to reconcile their mistakes before taking on new challenges.

"Spend time reflecting on your previous decisions and acknowledge the positive and negative consequences of the choices you have made up until this point," suggested Miller, who runs a Good Steward personal coaching service. "Then empower yourself with a balanced approach and an encouraging perspective."

"Instead of, 'I sure did make a mess of things,' say, 'I tried X and this happened. Now I am going to try Y.'"

Brazil stocks hit fresh record in new year (UPDATE

Brazil stocks hit fresh record in new year (UPDATE )

(Updates to close) SAO PAULO, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Brazilian stocks surged to a fresh record on the first trading day of 2007, lifted by European bourses, while the local currency was little changed.

The Bovespa .BVSP index of the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange was up 2.0 percent at 45,376 points. It surpassed 45,000 points for the first time on Tuesday after closing 2006 at its highest finish ever and rising 33 percent last year.

The real BRBY was 0.19 percent stronger against the U.S. dollar at 2.132 after Brazil's government reported a record 2006 trade surplus and the central bank bought dollars on the spot market to build up foreign reserves.

"The market remains optimistic about Brazil, the fundamentals are good," said Flavio Ogoshi, a derivatives trader with Rabobank.

Leading heavyweight stocks ending higher included oil driller Petrobras (PETR4.SA: Quote, Profile, Research), which was up 2.25 percent at 50.45 reais.


Iron ore miner Companhia Vale do Rio