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    Pohn Mannorind raises her offerings in a carved om.
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    Penny Senamaatry peels a green papaya in the grange kitchen.
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    Oneta Sayavong at the buffet table before lunch.
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    By 11 a.m., the house is packed with community members taking part in the morning prayer and blessings.
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    Taking part in the morning prayer.
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    Monks from Wat Lao Saysettha, a Buddhist temple in Santa Rosa. say the morning prayer. Money is pinned to tree branches in donation.
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    lao_new_year-27-85215903d8579aaa
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    The crowd prays along with the monks on stage.
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    Praying during the morning service.
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    Water is poured into a silver om.
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    The monks sprinkle water on the kneeling crowd as a blessing.
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    Oray Phanhsavang waters plants outside with the remaining blessed water.
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    An offering bowl of bananas, rice and other food for the spirits of loved ones and ancestors.
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    Von Khounsinavong and his daughter Jazminh with their offering bowls.
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    Clockwise from left: Maliek Achane, Damon Achane, Ampha Mannorind, Ila May Fishe, Kerry Achane, Daron Achane and Ne’kosha Achane.
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    Daemond Worasen lined up to make his offering.
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    Women line up with their offerings after the prayers.
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    Pohn Goucher makes the New Year offering.
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    lao_new_year-16-51e9f91b54c7b157
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    Justin and Tay’vion Smith line up with a bowl of food to feed spirits of family members.
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    John Worasen, president of the Lao Community Association, immigrated to the U.S. from Laos as a refugee in 1979.
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    Elders in traditional pei sashes.
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    lao_new_year-22-1912d02d2ab33c47
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    Men wearing traditional pei sashes.
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    Mona and Vidia Vongphachan came from Crescent City for the celebration.
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    Proud parents took photos of daughters in the Humboldt County Lao Dancers troupe.
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    Photo ops under the New Year banner.
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    The monks bless the food and eat from the katoke tables.
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    The spread of traditional Lao food was home cooked by community members.
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    Nathan Phetsouphanh plates up Lao cooking he’s missed since his mother passed away.
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    Wild mushrooms and greens.
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    Dino Caraveo digs into the feast.
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    Make a donation, spin the wheel, get a number, take a fortune.
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    The monks tie blessed strings around people’s wrists for luck.
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    A little girl tries her hand at spinning the fortune-telling wheel.
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    Elders sort and count the donations for the monks so far.
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    Tina Bravo poses with the paper and ribbon she and her friends made to raise money for next year’s celebration.
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    The youngest members of the Humboldt County Lao Dancers perform traditional dance.
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    The older girls from the Humboldt County Lao Dancers take on more complicated dances.
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    A monk takes a minute to check his phone.
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    A packed hall for the morning prayer.
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    A sampling of the homemade dishes on a katoke.
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    Annalise Wignot bringing flowers to the monks.
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    Attendees put money in a collection for the monks, who do not charge a fee for their visit.
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    Families line up to make offerings.
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    Emily Worasen and Lucky Syphanthong make their offerings.
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    Pryah, Sophia, Samuel, Corey, Nicole and Nancy Phetsouphan and Giovanni Meuangkhoua with offerings ranging from bananas to Keebler cookies.
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    Alex, Amanda and Nathan Phetsouphanh, and Philly Masiglat.
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    Mary Worasen, Choua Cha and Jessica Felix.
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    Sanny Souvanna comes correct in his suit.
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