As expats, we’re blessed with friends and the time to share our stories with them. We’re also lucky to have material comforts. There’s an abundance of ways we can share these blessings to make a difference in other people’s lives, too. This week’s edition of Shunyi Happenings features ways to do just that.
A New Chance with The New Life Centre
Over the past five years, the New Life Centre (with the help of donors) has been able to send young Chinese adults to university. Marginalized children who would otherwise be out on the streets are able to take shelter at the Centre, then given years of training and the opportunity to receive an education.
One such deserving young adult is Bob, a Henan native who embarked on a four-year BSc in Information Technology at a good college in Tianjin. The New Life Centre has known Bob and his family since 2005, when his older sister joined the Centre. She is now graduating with a degree in Accountancy.
The New Life Centre recently put out an appeal for donations to cover Bob’s first year fees. If you’d like to help out, contact Ginny at 139 1177 9630 or visit the Centre’s website.
Charity Bazaar
This Saturday, September 7 from 10am-4pm, forty vendors will come together for a charity bazaar at the newly-opened Radiance at Roma Lake (Luoma Hu). It’s the first big gathering for the back-to-school season. There will be gift items, home decor, jewelry and accessories, artwork, as well as Radiance’s own collection of antique furniture and items. Look around, pick up some items, and have a coffee break at Radiance Cafe next door.The bazaar coincides with Radiance’s tenth anniversary. It will be a special day at the store, so do come along!
Bath House Dining
One of the fanciest places to have a meal in Shunyi is Green T. House Living. Daily a la carte dining used to be available in their front hall, a cavernous white space that also doubles as performance and exhibition venue.
Now, the dining has been moved to the cozy and cool Bath House Residence. While parents enjoy some of the many dishes on offer, kids can splash around in the bath or explore the loft playroom equipped with DVD player, Legos and other toys. On good weather days, they can run around in the big gardens.
Green T. House Living hosts a wide array of events, and there are lots of autumn-themed ones coming up. On Thursday, September 19, there will be farmer’s market (stay tuned for details).
Pinotage Has Moved
The South African cuisine and fine wines served up for many years at the Lane Bridge Clubhouse location of Pinotage has just moved deeper into Shunyi territory. Pinotage is now located at the Chuangyiyuan compound (which also houses The English Tearoom) next to Beidong Flower Market.
Pinotage makes some very good soups and a delicious roast beef that you can order ahead to entertain at home. They carry an impressive selection of New World vinos. The new location will also have patio dining. Stay tuned for more details on their opening.
Stay in Shunyi
Our sister publication the Beijinger has posted some useful information on what is expected to be the nine worst traffic days of the year. They are all in September, making us wonder whether there is a special significance in Chinese numerology for the nine-nine combination. The first heavy traffic day was Monday, September 2, – the first day of school for local children. However, there are still eight more to brace for.
So if you are at all able to avoid going into town on the following dates, do it. There are lots of shopping and dining options around here that should suffice for those specific dates. Visits to the Forbidden City or Drum and Bell Tower can wait.
- Tue Sep 10 (evening, Teacher’s Day)
- Mon Sep 16 (morning and evening)
- Tue Sep 17 (evening, pre Mid-Autumn Festival)
- Wed Sep 18 (evening, pre Mid-Autumn Festival)
- Sun Sep 22 (morning and evening, no limit on vehicles)
- Fri Sep 27 (evening, pre-October Holiday)
- Sun Sep 29 (morning and evening, no limit on vehicles, pre-holiday)
- Mon Sep 30 (evening, pre-holiday)
Photo by Dana Cosio-Mercado
Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.
