New Year's, Take Two

Boy, 2008 was a doozy: economic catastrophe, the fading auto industry, foreclosures, job losses, melting ice caps...sounds like an R.E.M. song. So when it came time for New Year's Eve 2008, bringing with it the opportunity to get mind-numbingly drunk in the middle of the week, it looked like escape was finally at hand. But here's the rub: despite your best efforts trying to forget, you woke up in 2009 only to realize that the world hadn’t gotten any better. Well, consider indulging in one more New Year's festivity to help you cope. Except this time, you’ll find peace by meditating, not blacking out. On Sunday, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens will hold its traditional New Year celebration, Oshogatsu, consisting of activities unique to Japanese culture. Attain serenity during tea ceremony demonstrations, learn Japanese-style calligraphy, make a kite, or, if your practicality demands it, ask for stock tips during an omikuji session (Japanese fortune telling). Whatever it takes to finally purge your spirit of last year's baggage.

Visit the museum at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach. Doors open at 10 a.m., and admission costs $5. For more information call 561-495-0233, or visit morikami.org.
Sun., Jan. 11, 10 a.m., 2009