Things are always changing in China, and that includes in our Shunyi neighborhood. Coming back from summer break means we see some stores gone, new ones opened, and unfinished business that we can only speculate about. If you know of any building plans, please share it with us so that we can anticipate new, exciting things to come!
*Great news! The New Life Center, who had put out a desperate plea for student financial aid, received the needed funds before the deadline! If you remember the blog post (click here to read it again), NLC is currently bankrupt and their ability to assist students’ needs on their own simply is not possible. Thank you to those who support them! If you want more information about how you can help the school, visit their website at www.asianservicesandprojects.org, contact Ginny at 1391 177 9630 or e-mail newlifecentre2@safe-mail.ne.
*If you want a good hair cut or color in the Shunyi area, you’ll hear many differing opinions about where to go. Whatever you’ve found that works for you, I have to give a shout out for West Hair Salon – if not for their cuts or color (both great), but for their heavenly 20 minute head massage during the hair washing. Oh my! Relaxing, therapeutic…I almost didn’t even care how my hair turned out after that treat (well, ok…maybe that’s extreme). If you have the time, definitely give them a try on the 5th floor of Euro Plaza.
*Last week I shared that Girls Achieving Balance (GAB) was back this fall. Now it’s time for the women to step up for Fit & FAB (Females Achieving Balance). Created by Stella Chan Marinaro, this weight loss program combines 15 minutes of nutrition counseling and group discussions (and weigh-ins), followed by 45 minutes of fitness (spin classes, kickboxing, Zumba and more). Classes begin on September 7 and meet Wednesdays at 9:30am in the Human in Motion spin studio, and Fridays at 10:30am in the Lane Bridge Clubhouse dance studio. Cost is RMB 3,200 for 12 weeks (24 classes). Space is limited! Contact stellachanmarinaro@yahoo.com.
*This isn’t new, but it’s new to me. I finally stopped by the Jamaicablue café right outside the Yosemite clubhouse. Yum! It’s a chain café, with three Beijing and eight Shanghai locations. Open daily from 7am-9pm, this restaurant serves breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, salad, soup, desserts, specialty coffees and smoothies. Prices for basic lunch fare range from RMB 35-50. The place is plenty big enough, too, with indoor and outdoor seating of about 20 tables for two or four people. Check it out!
*Another store gone. Chaterhouse Booktrader, located in the River Garden building below the Ice Zone, is empty. At least there is still the English language book store in Pinnacle for those of us out here, but it’s always sad to see empty store spaces around here.
*River Garden residents recently received a notice that parking along Yuyang Road was going to be prohibited, resulting in a ticket and fine. Two small parking areas next to the tennis courts were recommended as an alternative, and residents would argue this is necessary during school bus hours (not sure about always). But will the local police force really enforce this new rule? “Along Yuyang Road” also means by the Piazza Café area the way to Yosemite.
*Tai Tai tennis league registration time is here! Go to the Pinnacle Plaza Starbucks on Tuesday, August 30 between 11am-1pm to sign up. Cost is RMB 200 for the season, which begins mid-September through end of November, and includes the end of season lunch and prizes. If you have questions, e-mail beijingpennant@yahoo.com.
A friend saw Jenny (of Jenny Wang) outside her shop watching the ongoing construction right beside her. The red Easy Way building currently under renovation – what is it going to be? If Jenny was inspecting the work being done, might there be an expansion of her grocery in the near future?