The Year of the Ram begins on February 1, 2003, and on January 15, the US Postal Service will issue a  stamp to honor the event (above, left). The ram is one of 12 animals associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. People born in the Year of the Ram are said to be fond of nature and they are often happiest in a tranquil and secure environment. 
 The Zora Neale Hurston stamp (above, right) will be issued on January 24. It is the 19th stamp in the Literary Arts series. Hurston (1891-1960) was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance and is today considered one of America's most original and accomplished writers.
New Zealand Issues ‘Lord of the Rings' Stamps

 Last month, New Zealand Post issued a series of postage stamps with designs from the movie "Lord of the Rings," which was filmed entirely in that country. There are six stamps and associated products which depict characters and scenes from the movie. They are available from the New Zealand Post Web site  
www.stamps.co.nz.