Celebrate The Year of the Pig in Leadville

Szechuan Taste II Marks 20 Years in 2019

Happy Chinese New Year! Tuesday, Feb. 5 marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebrated enthusiastically on the other side of the world with fireworks and fanfare. But you can also mark the holiday in Leadville Today by heading down to the corner of 5^th and historic Harrison Avenue.

The Szechuan Taste II has been a mainstay on Leadville’s main drag for years, notably marking 2 decades in The Year of The Pig.  The Chinese Restaurant, as it’s referred to by locals probably because it is the only culinary choosing of its kind in The Cloud City, has stood the test of time and weathered its share of bad reviews from both customers and local health inspectors along the way. Fortunately, those health and safety issues were addressed, fixed and now firmly in the rearview mirror. Today, Szechuan Taste II remains consistent in food quality and reputation and is a for a great place to take in some Won Ton Soup and the happenings on Harrison Avenue.

For readers who may not know, the “II” part of the eatery’s name is a reference to its beginnings, formally established in 1999 as the second of its kind, with the flagship eatery – originally known as Szechuan Taste – now operating under the name China Szechuan. That restaurant can still be found in the Office Max plaza in Frisco, however, the two eateries are now independently owned, with the Leadville location still operated by the Chong family.

So be sure to stop in and mark The Year of The Pig at 500 Harrison Avenue. Order up some Curry Chicken or Moo Goo  Gai Pan as you once again determine from the Chinese zodiac placements whether you are a Tiger or a Dog. The New Year festival lasts through February 19, so you still have some time to say Gung Hay Fat Choy (Happy New Year) to your friends and neighbors in Leadville Today.

In the meantime here’s the skinny on what astrology experts are saying about what to expect in the days ahead. 2019 is the Year of the Pig, a red one of the earth, more specifically, since each zodiac sign and year is associated with one of the five elements, as well as a color. In Chinese culture, pigs are a symbol of wealth and prosperity – their chubby faces and big ears signal great fortune.

According to Chinese astrology, pigs are diligent. They devote all of their energy to fulfilling their goals, combating the lazy and clumsy aspects of their personality. Pigs trust easily and are pure of heart, but they can therefore be easily fooled.

During the Year of the Pig, everything the boar wishes to undertake or improve meets with great success. So in the months ahead, it is predicted that luck, pleasure, and fortune are yours! But this will be fulfilled only if you are able to portray exemplary control over yourself particularly during the initial festival days. So don’t become a party pig in the days ahead!

As for the rest of you, please refer to the zodiac placement to find your beast of burden year. Legend has it that the 12 creatures represented on the Chinese Zodiac calendar were the animals that the spiritual teacher Buddha invited to a celebration. While there the animals participated in a race across a river. The order of the animals on the calendar reflects their completion of the race – the rat placing first and the pig finishing last. The animal signs are repeated every 12 years. The Chinese believe that the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influ­ence on personality. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived at his party. The pig was late because he overslept. Another story says that a wolf destroyed his house. He had to rebuild his home before he could set off. When he arrived, he was the last one and could only take twelfth place.

These zodiac animal signs also serve a useful social func­tion for finding out people’s ages. Instead of asking directly how old a person is, people often ask what his or her animal sign is. This would place that person’s age within a cycle of 12 years, and with a bit of common sense, you can deduce the exact age.

So that’s a wrap for the kick-off to the Chinese New Year. May it be a good and prosperous one! Gung Hay Fat Choy (Happy New Year)!Szechuan Taste II is located at 500 Harrison Avenue in downtown Leadville. (719) 486-0484. And guests can also order online through the Szechuan Taste Leadville website.

The first week of the Chinese New Year will bring cold and snow to Leadville. Stay warm! Photo: Leadville Today/Kathy Bedell

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