The brand new Hilton Beijing Capital Airport’s Sunday brunch: nearby, yummy and family-friendly.
Welcome to the 7th edition our weekly Shunyi Happenings newsletter, where our Shunyi Correspondent Charlotte Moreau brings you all the goings-on from beyond the 5th Ring. Read earlier newsletters here. Have a Shunyi tip for Charlotte? Click here to send her the details.
Wow, 2011 is off to a busy start in the Shunyi area, and many people are sharing events, classes, new restaurants and more. Please continue letting us know what you discover. For this week:
*My family got to enjoy a yummy brunch this weekend at the Beijing Capital Airport Hilton. No longer do you need to go to the city for a delicious, relaxing and indulgent afternoon out. In their fabulous 360° restaurant, enjoy a vast array of fresh foods, many made to order in front of you, free flowing beverages including Mumm champagne, and a large and entertaining kids’ play area. Three different price ranges depend on the beverage of choice (RMB 298-368); children 6-11 are RMB 149; and children 5 and under are free. Check it out!
*A friend of mine leads a great toddler music group in her home at River Garden, and a new session begins on Wednesday (today!). The class is open to any child not yet in full-time school, but they need to attend with an adult. The kids sing, dance, play and learn together! Classes are on Wednesdays from 10-11am beginning January 19 through April 14; cost is RMB 200 for the full session. E-mail Janna Taylor at lumbug1@yahoo.com for more information.
*Don’t forget the INN Shunyi Coffee Morning meeting on Thursday, January 20, 10am at Mrs. Shanen’s Bagels. It’s a great way to connect with others and learn about what’s going on in the area.
*Word has it that Radiance will be closing right after Chinese New Year, perhaps awaiting their building demolition. In the meantime, I understand that there are tremendous sales in the store, including lamps and rugs, among other things, many at 70% off. I haven’t checked it out yet myself, but plan to go to browse, as well as to find out where they will be located after CNY.
*It’s curious that the only building flattened in the old Roundabout strip center thus far is, well, Roundabout. However, we knew it was coming, and proprietor Leslie Simpson has been good to provide updates regarding the charity store. Two of the most recent Pinnacle Plaza plans have been thwarted, and now a frustrated Leslie has given us the latest update: Their drop off location and retail store will be in the Tibetan Store directly behind where the Roundabout site used to be. Drop-off donations are possible now, and Leslie is hopeful that the retail operation will open on Monday, January 24. Hours remain Monday-Saturday, 9:30am-5:30pm. For Chinese New Year, the store will close at 5:30pm on Friday, January 28 and will reopen at 9:30am on Wednesday, February 9. Leslie thanks everyone for their continued patience during this difficult transition, and she hopes to see you next week!
*By the way, due to the tremendous success of the Roundabout going-out-of-business sale pre-winter break, there are two fabulous updates to give you. First, 40 new baby beds were purchased and are being delivered to a very poor orphanage in Henan Province. And second, a baby who desperately needed heart surgery has now received that medical treatment, with half of the expense covered by Roundabout just this week. The fate of that baby was otherwise unknown, and now there is great hope for her recovery. Well done, patrons of Roundabout!
BSB hosts a book sale next weekend to benefit Roundabout
*The British School of Beijing (BSB) is the first international school to host a Mega Book Sale on behalf of Roundabout! On Saturday, January 29 from 10am-3pm, shoppers will enjoy perusing MANY books, in both English and Chinese. Paperbacks are RMB 10, hard covers are RMB 20, and children’s books are as low as RMB 1 each. All proceeds allow Roundabout to give to various charities.
*Speaking of BSB, I visited their campus for the first time today and enjoyed seeing the school grounds and the students at work. Had a great talk with two 16-year olds and two 17-year olds for The Debate Club – who will be featured in the March issue of beijingkids magazine.
*The TWS ayi cooking classes continue this month in Shunyi – on January 26 it will be held from 2-5pm at Rits Garden. After a break for CNY, classes will resume on Wednesday, February 16. E-mail tinasworkshop@yahoo.com for more details.
*Another new way to get in shape is offered at the River Garden clubhouse. From 7:30-8:30am every Saturday, join instructor Cami Pipkin for a Total Body Workout (Functional Training), set up for both men and women. Start at your own level and proceed at your own pace. Classes are RMB 100 per person.
*Just learned about photography classes held at the YinYang Center in Shunyi, coming up on Thursday and Friday, February 24th and 25th (for those of you wanting to plan ahead!). Classes are from 9:30-3:30am and cost RMB 880. Other classes in the series are offered, but are not held in Shunyi. Go to www.lukasbirk.com/workshops for more information.
Sale on! Head over to Tai Tai to pick up some New Year goodies
*Tai Tai, located in Pinnacle Plaza, has plenty of new things in the shop to ring in the Year of the Rabbit! Come in to take advantage of some clearance items, and check out great CNY decorations, fun recycled rice bags, and the new Tai Tai Reality Dice – preparing for life without ayi (great going away gift!). Note that the store will be closed on January 28 and will reopen February 8. Also, stay tuned to hear about craft classes in Shunyi for both adults and kids. Maybe this will be a new birthday party option in the near future.
*Dulwich College Beijing will offer “First Aid Training in Times of Emergencies for Ayis,” presented by SOS. This one day course will ensure that your ayi is equipped with first aid skills necessary in an emergency. The class is taught in Mandarin on Saturday, January 22 from 9:30am-4:30pm at the River Garden Campus. Cost is RMB 550, including lunch. Contact Julie.pankratz@dulwich-beijing.cn for more information.
*Here’s something new and fun – a tamale making party at The Iron Horse Saloon! Beginning at noon on Saturday, January 29, come with some friends and plan to spend several hours learning about and making authentic tamales. Ingredients and supplies are provided, and a donation of USD 100 (RMB 650) per group (maximum group of five people) is requested. After ingredient expenses are covered (about half), the remainder of the money goes directly to a local orphanage trip providing toys and goods during the weekend of February 5-6. Contact brian_wylie@hotmail.com for more information, and see where The Iron Horse Saloon is by going to www.bmwsidecar.com.
