As you can guess from the name, these lion-esque creatures that delight in snacking on children only come out of hiding around Chinese New Year (celebrated in January or February as dictated by the lunar calendar). Said to live high in the mountains or underwater, they traditionally approached and attacked villages but once a year, massacring the population. That is, until someone in one of the aforementioned villages discovered the weaknesses of the “nian shou” – fear of fire, loud noises, and the color red. (All of which, conveniently, now factor massively into Chinese New Year’s celebrations.) Come Feb. 10, keep your lion-dance costume and fireworks at the ready. Things have been quiet lately in Des Moines…too quiet.