Chinese New Year celebrations are coming, but first head to the New Year Flower Market Fair and you are in for visual treats. Calling all lovers of cheese for the annual cheesemonger’s fest. Get your dairy on! MLK day is upon us and let’s not forget the great good this man did for our country. Have a craving for a puppy cuddle? The Bay Area’s Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog show is next weekend….get ready to adopt! Feeling burned out? Check out this week’s Happy Hour Podcast.

Feeling Burned Out?

Feeling burnout after the holidays or just in general? Listen in to my in-depth conversation with author, energy healer and Holistic Registered nurse, Jennifer Marcenelle.  You will learn how Jennifer healed herself from extreme burnout (a health crisis and near suicide) and turned her life around after working for many years as a critical care nurse and a top executive in a medical sales company. Listen in here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Jan. 18-19. Chinese Flower Market Fair

The Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair takes place this weekend and is an annual event that occurs the weekend before Chinese New Year’s Day. The Flower Fair is the place where those who celebrate purchase fresh flowers, fruits, candies and brand new supplies for the home to begin the new lunar year. If you don’t count this as a tradition, it is time to do so.

Delight in performances of traditional Chinese magicians, acrobats, folk dancers and opera as you take in the beautiful fragrances of spring. Don’t forget to pick up oranges and tangerines as they are symbols for abundant happiness. Then purchase new flowers and plants to symbolize growth.  Fun fact, if a plant blooms on New Year’s Day, this will signify a year of prosperity. January 18th – 19th on Grant avenue from Clay to Broadway. And now you know – let’s create prosperity! Chineseparade.com

Jan. 19. Cheesemonger Invitational

If a meal without cheese feels incomplete, then you are destined to attend the Cheesemonger Invitational. This Sunday at 4 p.m. get ready to see things with cheese you have never seen before and eat your way through all of it. The Cheesemonger Invitational is an all-you-can-eat event meant to discover the best artisan cheeses from around the globe. In addition to cheesey dishes like fondue, grilled cheese and raclette, guests are also encouraged to sample ‘perfect bites’ of cheese prepared by the participating cheesemongers.

Cheesemongers are honored by putting them center stage in unique competitions that showcase their technical skills, encyclopedic knowledge, and passionate salesmanship. Attendees are inspired through educational workshops led by the best cheesemakers in the world. And then join the party to celebrate the finalists, watch them compete on stage, and observe the coronation of one of them as the best cheesemonger in the country. This is a cheeseplosion of epic proportions. Cheesemongerinvitational.com

Jan. 25-26. Golden Gate Kennel Dog Show

Are you a dalmatian devotee? A French bulldog fanatic? Is there a pup in your future, or do you just adore being surrounded by man’s best friend? The Golden Gate Kennel Dog show takes place at the Cow palace and is certain to bring a smile to your face. Of course, there is the annual “Best in Show” each night to crown the Bay Area’s best, but there are more events and dogs to pet. This is one of the last remaining benched dog shows in the United States – benched dog shows are a rare breed (!) with only a few existing in the United States.

Anyone attending the show has the opportunity to meet and get to know the dogs on special “benches” organized by breed.  There will be over 1,000 dogs from more than 100 breeds, and you can ask questions of the breeders to determine who might be the best fit for your family! There is a canine fashion show – of course – and spectacular fly ball demos. Cuteness overload guaranteed. Goldengatekennelclub.com

MLK Celebrations

More than just a day off work, celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. is of vast importance in the history of our times. If you have not celebrated in a meaningful way for a while, why not attend one of the free lectures meant to spark contemporary contemplation of Dr. King, his message, and his symbology. 

In addition, the MLK Interfaith Commemoration invites people from all walks of life to come together in reflection – January 19th and 20th. If you prefer a more light-hearted celebration, the Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival celebrates African American creativity in the comic arts. All events will demonstrate the theme “The Time for Justice.” The largest event of the weekend is the parade/march that takes place on Monday the 20th. Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. at the CalTrain Station ending at Yerba Buena Gardens where the celebrations continue with music and poetry, a wellness festival and panels with leading experts from activists to actors to athletes.  Sfmlkday.org