Chinese year of the dragon celebrated

     By Judy DeLoretta
     View staff writer
      A 150-foot dragon was just one of the highlights during Chinatown Plaza's sixth annual Chinese New Year celebration. This month marks the beginning of the year of the dragon in Chinese cultures.
      Nearly 2,000 Las Vegans showed up for the event, which took place at the plaza, located at 4215 Spring Mountain Road.
      It took nearly 60 people to manage and carry the dragon, including the eight members of the Chinatown Lion Dance team who were on-hand to help out. It is made of several different fabrics, in red, white, yellow, orange and gold, and held up with poles by those who carry it.
      "As far as we know, it's the largest dragon in America, and one of the three largest dragons in the world," said Chinatown Plaza owner James Chin. "It was custom-made for us and will be permanent for Chinatown Plaza. Chinatown is the home base of Chinese culture here in Las Vegas."
      The dragon is considered the ruler of the universe to the Chinese.
      "I believe the idea first came from the dinosaurs," Chin said. "It was huge and horrible, and so the emperor could use the dragon to scare the people. It has become the symbol for the emperor, then became the culture of the Chinese. We believe we are descendants of the dragon."
      The dragon dance included an eye-opening ceremony. The opening of the dragon's eye symbolizes the beginning of the new year.
      Included among those who carried the dragon were Louis Slife and Michael Maneeraj of the Lohan School of Shao Lin.
      "Shao Lin is martial arts, but it is always a way of life," Slife said. "Our Sifu (Steven) Baugh thought it was a good idea to participate and we're happy to be here. We really have to communicate well with others while we're carrying the dragon."
      Dozens of Las Vegas Valley businesses and concessionaires set up shop for the celebration, as well.
      Emperor's Garden Restaurant, which has a permanent facility in the plaza, took some of their dishes outside into the courtyard to sell.
      "We have just what we expected in attendance today," Emperor's Garden manager Kenny Wang said. "It allows us for all these different people to enjoy our dishes that normally wouldn't know about us. It's introducing them to our cuisine."
      The year of the dragon, Wang said, symbolizes hope for a strong year during which everyone will have success. While Wang himself was born during the year of the snake, he hopes this year will see the birth of a lot of children born under the Chinese sign of the dragon.
      "And hopefully, we'll produce a lot of dragon children this year," Wang said. "We hope the dragon will bring us good health and wealth."
      Also at the New Year's event was entertainment, including dancers and musicians from Thailand and other Asian nations and Hawaii.
      "This is wonderful," said Marlene Street, a Clark County volunteer who registers voters at Chinatown Plaza. "When I stepped off the bus, I couldn't believe it. It's so beautiful."
      Several Las Vegas chapters of national Asian organizations also had set up booths in Chinatown Plaza. Among them was the Chinese American Association, which represents the Republic of China.
      "I can't believe how many people I've met -- especially Americans -- who are interested in our organization," Chinese American Association president Judi Rock said. "People are so interested in learning about our activities, in learning about our culture. We're so happy to know that people want to know more about the Asian community."
      The Chinese American Association boasts 350 members in its Las Vegas chapter.
      "We believe we are building a new generation Chinatown to be more friendly and more enjoyable than a negative place," Chin said. "And I think Chinese tourists also make a great contribution to this town. We want to have a place for locals, as well as a place for tourists, and we think we offer this in our Chinatown."State Bar dedicates veterans' memorial