As the first month of 2013 draws to a close, there’s still plenty going on and already planned for February. Coming up is Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, and by the end of the month hopefully a glimmer of spring. Here are some things to mark in the calendar:
*Tomorrow (January 31) enjoy a pre-CNY and pre-Valentine bazaar from 11am-3pm at Green T. House Living in Shunyi. Vendors will showcase all of their beautiful items, from jewelry to cashmere, gifts and more. There will be a drop off for Roundabout charity donations, and all table fees will be donated to Roundabout as well. While there, enjoy a fabulous buffet lunch, too!
*The annual Dulwich College Temple Fair provides fun activities and great entertainment, and it’s open for all to enjoy! Come to the Beijing Riviera clubhouse on Saturday, February 2 from 10am-2pm to enjoy lion dance performances (10:30am, 11:30am and 12:30pm) as well as opera mask changing performances (11am, noon).
*Also on Saturday with Dulwich is the annual event, The Red Ball! From 6:30pm-11:30pm at the Hilton Beijing Capital Airport, this wonderful evening supports Educating Girls of Rural China (www.egrc.ca). All are invited to attend the cocktail reception, four-course dinner, live music, fabulous auction prizes and much more. The goal is to raise RMB 200,000 to support 15 girls in their quest for a high school or university education. Tickets are RMB 900 per person; contact Veena Rao at 136 8355 4744 or raomittal@yahoo.com for details.
*Fitness is usually on the list of new year’s resolutions, so here are some great classes to consider by Stella Chan Marinaro.
- Fit and FAB (Females Achieving Balance): Get group nutritional counseling, cooking/tasting demonstrations, and learn about losing weight and keeping it off. Classes are Friday mornings from 10-11am at Boulangerie Nanda in Cathay View Plaza; RMB 80 per class.
- GAB (Girls Achieving Balance): Designed for pre-teen girls to promote healthy choices and self-respect, the girls exercise, talk, and make friends while learning healthy life-long habits. Classes are Fridays 4-5pm and have already begun; RMB 750 for six weeks.
- Spin +: high intensity indoor cycling classes set to great music, held at the Human in Motion Fitness Studio in Cathay View Plaza; RMB 150 per class or RMB 1,350 for 10 classes.
- Contact Stella directly at stella@achievingbalance.asia or 1860 127 4767 for specifics.
*Another fitness option is a new class in Dragon Bay – Body Balance, a low intensity exercise inspired by yoga, tai chi and Pilates. It improves joint flexibility and strength, and helps you feel centered and calm. Held on Fridays from 10-11am at the Dragon Bay clubhouse; contact antjepfeiffer@ymail.com for details.
*Shunyi crafters, take note! Stella at the woodcarver’s shop is selling her collection of craft supplies. From decorative hole punches and craft scissors, to candle-making or soap-making kits and much more, contact Stella directly if you are interested (136 9334 0571).
*The Roundabout book fair continues at The British School of Beijing in Shunyi until the CNY break. You can visit the campus during school hours (Monday – Friday from 9:30am-4pm) to purchase books, puzzles, games and kids DVDs.
*New year, new prices. The car wash over on Tianbei Lu (near Tom’s DVDs, Stella’s Woodcarver Zhang, and others) has increased its price for a regular car wash to RMB 25. While inflation has seen the price increase about 66% over the past five years, we can hardly complain about a $4 car wash.
