Year of the Red Monkey--February 4, 2016

According to Chinese Fortune Calendar February 4, 2016 (4713th Chinese Year) is the first day of the Year of the Red Monkey. The Chinese New Year is on February 8, 2016.

The status of things and events will change rapidly for most signs of the zodiac. Keep in mind the Red (fire) Monkey is quick and clever.  Thinking before you leap is an important trait in life, and is of utmost importance in the Year of the Monkey.

The monkey is a trickster, intelligent, quick witted and a delight to be around. For those born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2016 this is your year to shine in competition and in personal finance.

Some famous Monkeys are Leonardo da Vinci. Mic Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, Eleanor Roosevelt, Joan Crawford, Charles Dickens and Lyndon Johnson.

According to the astrologers 2016 will be a year of individual collaboration and unique intelligent solutions to problems.  Staying fit mentally and physically is a must in the Year of the Red Monkey. The year will bring progress and good fortune to those who can enjoy the ride and not get caught up in the stress of change. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Standing With Working People

                 Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

 As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day it is important to remember why the Reverend King was in Memphis, Tennessee.  On the eve of his assassination on April 3, 1968 he delivered his memorable, I've Been to the Mountaintop speech in support of the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike.

The sanitation workers of the Memphis Department of Public Works voted to go on strike after repeated attempts to grieve horrific working conditions. The deaths of two garbage collectors, Echol Cole and Robert Walker caused by a malfunction of the dilapidated truck sparked their decision to go out on strike.

The Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike was met with violence, arrests and tear gas ordered by the Mayor of Memphis. Mayor Loeb called in the National Guard and declared Martial Law.  Dr. King was in Memphis in support of the peaceful striking employees.

Unfortunately, Martin Luther Kings, Jr. was killed the next evening on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Dr. King stood firm in his belief until the end of his life that economic justice is critical for all citizens, regardless of the color of their skin or religion.

On April 8, 1968 some 42,000 people led by Coretta Scott King marched throughout Memphis in  peaceful protest, The strike ended when the city agreed to recognize the union and met some demands for better working conditions and pay.  Nonetheless, the union had to continue its efforts to force the city to make good on their agreement.

Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1964. He is the youngest person to have received the Peace Prize.