2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake, the sixth animal on the 12-year cycle. The snake is meant to symbolize wisdom, growth and renewal. The snake has the ability to shed its skin, which shows transformation. This is said to make people with the Snake zodiac sign visionaries and good leaders.

Thursday night, the Kern County Asian Chamber of Commerce had its first-ever Lunar New Year event at Rice Bowl on 18th Street. The room was decorated in lots of red and gold — colors of prosperity and luck in Chinese culture.