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SAN FRANCISCO — On Saturday, Feb. 7, the U.S. Postal Service welcomed the Year of the Ram by issuing the eighth of 12 stamps in its Celebrating Lunar New Year series.
The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Forever stamp took place today at the Chinese Culture Center in San Francisco.
The series will continue through 2019 with Forever stamps for the Year of the Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar. Year of the Ram is being issued as a souvenir sheet of 12 self-adhesive stamps.
“The Lunar New Year is an inspirational time to highlight our shared prosperity and reaffirm our city’s commitment to ensuring that everyone can share in the success of San Francisco,” said Mayor Ed Lee. “I would like to thank the U.S. Postal Service for choosing our diverse and world class city to dedicate the Year of the Ram Forever stamp.”
Joining Lee in dedicating the stamp were San Francisco Postmaster Raj Sanghera; Organization of Chinese-Americans Past National President Claudine Cheng; Chinese Chamber of Commerce Supervisory Board President Eddir Au; Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association President Song Ning Ma; Organization of Chinese-Americans Acting Chief Executive Officer Ken Lee and stamp artist Kam Mak.
“For millions of people around the world, Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year,” said Postmaster Sanghera. “In my opinion, the Year of the Ram Commemorative Forever stamp is one of the most beautifully designed, colorful, festive and majestic stamps ever issued by the Postal Service. Starting today, this lovely illustration will be carried on letters and packages to millions of households and businesses throughout America. As you use them, we hope that the ‘Year of the Ram’ brings each of you good health, great joy and boundless prosperity.”
“One of my favorite Lunar New Year pastimes was to raid my grandmother’s tray of togetherness with all of the wonderful treats inside,” said Mak. “She would remind my sisters and I to save some for the visiting guests. People born under the Year of the Ram are artistically talented and have an appreciation for the fine arts. The artwork depicting the beautifully hand-lacquered tray of togetherness with the intricate inlay of flowers and bird, express these traits vividly.”
Art director Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, worked on the series with illustrator Kam Mak, an artist who grew up in New York City’s Chinatown and now lives in Brooklyn.
The artwork focuses on some of the common ways the Lunar New Year holiday is celebrated. For the Year of the Ram, (Feb. 19, 2015 – Feb. 7, 2016), the illustration — originally created using oil paints on panel — depicts a wooden candy tray known as a chuen-hop or Tray of Togetherness. The tray is filled with dried fruits, candies, and other treats to provide a sweet beginning to the New Year.
The ram, alternately referred to as a sheep or a goat, is one of 12 animals associated with the Chinese lunar calendar.
According to an old legend, the animals raced across a river to determine their order in the cycle. The rat crossed by riding on the back of the ox, jumping ahead at the last minute to win the race. Next came the ox, then the tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake and horse, followed by the ram in eighth place.
People born in the year of a particular animal are said to share characteristics with that animal. Individuals born during the Year of the Ram are said to be shy, creative and wise.
As the most important holiday of the year for many Asian communities around the world, the Lunar New Year is celebrated primarily by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan and Mongolian heritage. Images associated with some of these widespread customs are depicted in the Celebrating Lunar New Year series.
In the United States and elsewhere, the occasion is marked in various ways across many cultures; parades featuring enormous and vibrantly painted papier-mâché dragons, parties, and other special events are common.
Many families set out a candy tray known as the chuen-hop or Tray of Togetherness like the one depicted in the stamp art to provide guests with an assortment of dried fruits and candies for a sweet beginning to the new year.
Drums are played to celebrate this time of renewed hope for the future, with drumsticks sometimes painted red for luck. Firecrackers are set off to ward off evil spirits. Red envelopes (hong bao) containing money are given as gifts to children and loved ones.
The U.S. Postal Service introduced its Celebrating Lunar New Year series in 2008 with the Year of the Rat stamp. The Year of the Ram is being issued as a Forever stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
Customers may purchase the stamps at www.usps.com/stamps , the Postal Store, at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide or visit www.ebay.com/stamps to shop for a wide variety of postage stamps and collectibles.
Ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop , or by calling 800-STAMP-24.
They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
Lunar New Year: Year of the Ram Stamp
Attention: Station Manager
Chinatown Station
867 Stockton St.
San Francisco, CA 94108-9998
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by March 31, 2015.
Ordering first-day covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation.
Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at www.usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724.
Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to U.S. Postal Service, Catalog Request, PO Box 219014, Kansas City, MO 64121-9014.
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EMERYVILLE, Calif. – Nationwide oil workers’ strike and rising crude oil prices are triggering an increase in the gas prices.
Tuesday's state prices are registering at $ 2.65 on average for a gallon of unleaded gasoline – that’s $0.7 more than prices since AAA Northern California’s latest monthly gas survey of Jan. 13, 2015.
Northern California’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.62 – that’s $0.06 more than last month’s AAA reported price on Jan. 13.
The highest recorded price ever registered in the state of California was in October 2012, at $4.67 a gallon for unleaded regular.
The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Marysville, where regular unleaded gasoline is $2.46 per gallon.
Of all metro areas tracked by AAA in Northern California, Eureka registers the highest price at $2.78 per gallon of unleaded regular.
On Tuesday the national average is $2.19, $0.12 higher than a week ago, and an increase of $0.04 from a month ago.
Hawaii continues to be the only state with an average price over $3 mark. California’s average price, $2.65 is the highest in the contiguous states.
Refineries typically use the first months of the year for seasonal refinery maintenance in preparation for the high demand in the summer driving season. This maintenance can lead to decreased production and supplies.
Another market uncertainty this week is that approximately 5,200 members of the United Steelworkers union have walked off their jobs at refineries and chemical plants responsible for processing more than 10 percent of U.S. petroleum products.
“While news of the strike has reportedly led to higher wholesale gasoline prices, the work stoppage is not expected to have a significant impact on production in the short-term because refineries continue to operate,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “The abundant petroleum supplies may provide the refiners and union’s time to reach an agreement before there is a larger impact on consumers.”
An oversupplied global market is expected to keep the price of crude oil relatively low for at least the first half of 2015.
But, the global market’s overall volatility is at a six-year high and prices have fluctuated in response to many factors that put pressure on the balance of supply and demand.
This past week West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude traded between the high $40s and low $50s reflecting market volatility. At the close of Friday’s formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI was up $1.21 to settle at $51.69 per barrel.
To get the best mileage possible, AAA recommends keeping tires at the recommended pressure suggested by the vehicle manufacturer, performing routine maintenance and making sure fluids are clean and belts and hoses are in good repair.
The way you drive can also impact fuel economy. Smooth driving to avoid sudden stops and starts, combining trips and lightening a vehicle’s load also help to conserve gasoline.
AAA Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed every day, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express LLC.
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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Gov. Jerry Brown this week reappointed a local man to the California Apprenticeship Council.
Jack Buckhorn, 59, will serve another term on the council, which he has been a member of since 2010, the Governor's Office reported.
Buckhorn has been business manager at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 551 since 2004, where he was a business agent from 1998 to 2004.
He was a journeyman electrician for several contractors including Kaiser Foundation Hospital and Contra Costa Electric from 2001 to 2004.
Buckhorn was a training director at Redwood Empire Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee from 1989 to 1998.
This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Buckhorn is a Democrat.
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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Six Sigma Ranch is proud to announce that its 2011 Cuvée was selected by Sunset Magazine to be included in their winter catalog.
Kaj and Else Ahlmann were excited to receive the news.
“We were honored to be featured in last April’s Sunset Magazine Lake County feature,” Kaj Ahlmann said. “The followup from Sara Schneider and the Sunset team to include our wine in their winter showcase is so exciting. I know the selection is very competitive.”
Cuvée is a French term that means the wine is a blend of several varietals. Six Sigma Winery’s Cuvée is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Syrah.
Each year the percentages of each varietal changes to accentuate the characteristics of that vintage.
“We’re always proud to work with companies like Sunset Magazine,” said Christian Ahlmann. “Here at Six Sigma, we share their passion for nature, farming and wine on the West Coast. We make a great effort to create in Lake County a destination for guests, and it’s exciting when a national magazine showcases our region!”
Six Sigma Winery is located at 13372 Spruce Grove Road just south of Lower Lake and is open daily from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. no appointment is necessary. The ranch can be reached at 707-994-4068.