FEATURE

Sign language for babies Page 8

TRAVEL

Marvellous Mount Emei

Vol. 15 No. 01038

August 3-9, 2006

Local price: 1.00 yuan

Page 9

LIFESTYLE

Gardening passion grows Page 13

British students visit Shanghai and experience a new way of life learning calligraphy, Mandarin, and tai chi Pages 2-3

PHOTO BY GAO ERQIANG

Feeling Shanghai

COVERSTORY

British students in traditional tai chi costumes learn to do eye exercises in Jincai High School last Saturday. PHOTO BY GAO ERQIANG

British students visit the city and experience a new way of life through learning calligraphy, tai chi and Mandarin

Influenced by Chinese culture By Helen Roxburgh and Tang Lingshen

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he 2006 UK Students Chinese Language and Sports Summer School, which lasted more than two weeks, finished with a celebratory graduation ceremony in Jincai High School in Pudong District last Saturday. The summer camp, involving 89 British students from 9 schools, gave British and Chinese students a rare opportunity to learn about different cultures and co-operate with each other in sports events. The students, who arrived in China on July 12, were given daily lessons throughout the camp in basic Mandarin and cultural activities, such as calligraphy, painting, tai chi, martial arts and an introduction to Chinese opera and music. They also had opportunities to spend time in Chinese students’ homes, and learn about their ways of life. This was the third year this type of summer event had been held, and it has been increasing in popularity every year. “Every year some participants make up their mind to continue their Chinese study and go for related degrees in university. Summer schools have provided the most valuable life experience for students, both from the UK and China, to build up friendships and even to change their whole life to a certain extent,” said Terry Creissen, principal of The Colne Community School in Essex. “This was a fantastic opportunity for UK students to experience Chinese life and culture firsthand.” 2

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

With China’s increasingly interna- Chinese sports and martial arts from tional status and openness towards the experts, as well as playing Western outside world, foreigners have shown sports such as basketball, badminton great interest about Chinese language and football. learning and cultural studies. “We have established friendships In 2003, British Council, in partner- with Chinese students and try to better ship with Hanban (Central Administra- understand each other, as well as to tion for Teaching learn and appreciChinese as a ate Chinese culture. Foreign Lan- “We have established We have learned guage) punished paper cutting, knita set of Mandarin friendships with Chinese ting Chinese knots textbook, entitled as well as Chinese students and try to “Happy Chinese,” calligraphy,” said and since then, better understand each UK student Jade Alevery year, more len, from Hailsham than 450 Brit- other, as well as to learn Community College ish students and and appreciate Chinese in East Sussex. teachers have When they first visited cities culture. We have learned arrived in Shanghai, like Beijing and paper cutting, knitting students taught the Shanghai to take song “Here We Go part in summer Chinese knots as well as Round the Mulberry schools where Bush” to Chinese Chinese calligraphy.” they learn Chistudents. nese happily. The By the closing host cities offer JADE ALLEN ceremony, held on different characJuly 29, the Britteristics, with UK student from Hailsham Community ish students had some encourag- College in East Sussex learned to sing ing students to a Chinese song explore the cultural elements, and oth- called “Friends”, which was translated ers dedicating time to sports, such as into simple Chinese, involving simple holding Special Olympics. phrases such as greetings, numbers, In this case, participants of the sum- area names and affectionate terms. mer school in Shanghai’s Jincai High The song ended with the words School also had the chance to work as “Goodbye, friends, goodbye teachers.” interns at B&Q shopping malls in ShangThe young students also performed hai, as well as shopping guides, broad- fan dancing in traditional taichi coscasters and cashiers, to practically test tumes before the closing ceremony. the Chinese they had learned. Ihedin Ugorji, an African student Students were also introduced to now attending Newham Sixth Form Shanghai Sports College to learn various College, London, was also awarded the

first prize for his basketball playing skills. He said the Chinese experience had been incredible for him and his classmates, and he learned a lot during his time in the country. He and several of his classmates also performed a short play about their internship at the B&Q, focusing on many Chinese-specific elements, particularly bargaining prices with Chinese businessmen. The ceremony also included a performance from Chinese students at the Jincai School, and a special lucky prize draw for the students. The two-week camp finally drew to a close with all participating students being awarded a certificate, before returning to the UK the next day. As the cultural and language exchanges increase between China and the UK, the British Council China Offices (which function as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy on Chinese mainland) has seen applicants from teachers to teach in the UK as part of their exchange programme double this year. Usually, around 30 Chinese teachers are selected, but due to high demand, the number this year has more than doubled to 65. An annual Chinese language competition for British secondary school students is also run over the summer, sponsored jointly by HSBC and the British Council Recent years have seen an increasing number of participants of the competition, which includes Chinese speeches and dramas as well as judges from London Eurasian Institute, HSBC and the British Council.

COVERSTORY

‘Cruel’ summer camps win favour of parents By Xie Fang

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any Chinese children won’t be relaxing during their summer holidays. Some are taking part in various summer camps not only to have remedial lessons or to learn how to play musical instruments. In these special camps, they are forced to undergo hardships — including whipping — and intensive physical exercise in order to be strictly disciplined. Despite the controversial methods, parents seem to be enthusiastic about the camps. Wan Guoying, principal of Hangzhou West Point Boy’s Training Centre, fielded a constant barrage of calls from parents desperate to send their children to the summer camp from July 1 to August 31. The camp, which features strict discipline and physical punishment, costs 2,500 yuan (US$312) for each child per month. Rule breakers are whipped, as are those who tell lies, perform badly in homework or who ignore the safety regulations. According to Wan, every parent received a letter before the camp started, stating the discipline and punishment children would face during the two-month training. On the whole, parents said they didn’t find such measures offensive. “Someone said they beat their children at home even more violently than I do, thus they want me to feel free to punish their sons if they break the rules,” Wan recalled. The summer camp currently has up to 150 students, all of them boys. They are divided into five different groups according to their personal weaknesses. For instance, someone who is not good at his studies is in the team called “Tsing-

Q

uestion

Chen Tianping, 22, university student

Valentina Wang, 24, postgraduate student

hua University and Peking University”, in order to encourage him in realizing that everyone has a chance to study at the top university in the country as long as he doesn’t give up on himself. Meanwhile, a timid student is placed on the “tiger” team to develop more courage. All boys rise at 6:30 am and run 1,500 metres every morning. After breakfast they do homework and play games. Before going to bed at 9:30 pm, each of them has to do 60 pushups, 60 sit-ups and spend three minutes standing on his head. “Boys are more active than girls. If you let them get rid of some of their extra energy by doing exercise they are able to calm down a lot,” said Wan. The most serious punishment is to be whipped three times on the back. About one in 10 boys have been whipped so far, said Wan. A few boys have said that they cannot stand such a hard life without TV, candy and pocket money. They are only allowed to go home twice a month. “I think it is a good opportunity for them to be trained during the summer holidays to develop a strong will and a sense of duty, as normally they are too busy at school,” said Wan. She denied the short-term training will have little impact on boys’ behaviour. “They will definitely change in many aspects after the camp. If they behave in a better way, their parents will be happier with them. As a result, the atmosphere will become less tense at home, which is good for everyone,” she added. One Shanghai native surnamed Gu last month sent her 10-year-old daughter to join a badminton training camp in Pudong. The magazine editor felt sad when she

Q1

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO A SUMMER CAMP?

Children attend a class at Hangzhou West Point Boy’s Training Centre. PHOTO BY XIE FANG

heard that her daughter did 140 pushups in a single morning and then slipped on the floor covered by her sweat. “But I don’t for a minute regret my decision by sending her to the camp,” she said. “At least it is much better than letting her stay at home glued to the TV all the time. From a healthy point of view, she needs more exercise while she rarely does it at school because of too much work,” the mother added. Wang Jialing, a grade two student at a middle school in Xujiahui, said he was lucky not to be sent to any of those special camps. “I need a break, and my brain cannot be stuffed any more. I prefer to relax at home on my summer holiday rather than doing those useless trainings,” the 16-year-old said.

Q2

HAVE YOU HEARD OF CRUEL CAMPS AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THEM?

Yang Xiong, vice-dean of the faculty of Social Development Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, fully endorsed parents’ decisions. “Many children are spoiled as all of them are from one-child families. They never knew what hardship was. Therefore, I encourage parents to deliberately allow them to experience some challenges,” he said. “Even though the summer camp cannot last for a very long time, it will be helpful and influence them in the long-term.” Yang also pointed out that extremely strict punishment — getting whipped, for instance — should not apply to those in the camp. “If children are trained under a normal military standard, I think that’s enough,” he added.

Q3

HOW ARE YOU SPENDING THIS SUMMER?

No. I have not joined any summer camp.

I have heard about that. I don’t think it will have a big effect on children. When they return to the environment they used to live in, they will probably forget all they were taught to do during cruel camp.

I am now attending English classes in private school while working as a piano tutor. I also did an internship in early summer.

Yes. I have been on a wild trip camping.

I have heard of that, students there can learn skills and make a lot of friends and experience hardship.

I will travel with my family this summer.

Cui Xinyi, 11, primary school student

I have not taken part in any summer camps yet.

I think it is worth taking part in a cruel camp. At least we learn to be independent and develop various living skills and abilities through the camp.

I will learn piano, drawing, swimming as well as computer programming.

Kujima, 35, mother of a 15year-old daughter

My daughter used to attend the summer camp, but this year we haven’t signed up for it.

Yes. I have heard of such kind of cruel camping. It is beneficial to our kids’ development.

Practicing piano and going swimming take up most of my daughter’s spare time. Sometimes, she goes skiing, which seems more attractive to her.

No.

I have heard of them. I don’t think I would send my child to one, but I wouldn’t rule it out.

I am working for a company on an internship, before travelling around China with a very good friend of mine.

Harry Shiel, 22, British university graduate

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

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EXPATCOMMUNITY

Jewish community active in Shanghai By Cheng Feng

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he growing Jewish community of Shanghai is organizing programmes and activities to make comfortable Jewish living, under the leadership of Rabbi Shalom D. Greenberg, a spiritual leader who arrived in Shanghai in 1998. As China opened its door to the world, the immigration of Jews began in the 1990s. Now the Shanghai Jewish Centre, located on Hongqiao Road, has become the centre of Jewish life in Shanghai. The community is not officially established yet, but the number of members is continually increasing. According to Rabbi Greenberg, there are now about 1,500 Jews in Shanghai. Rabbi Greenberg came to Shanghai in 1998 at the request of Jews in Shanghai. “They want to learn Jewish culture and celebrate festivals. So they asked me to come here,” said the rabbi. Under his supervision, the Jewish centre was built the same year. Now, Shabbat services, kosher meals, child and adult education classes, bar and bat mitzvah training and social brunches are held in the centre. Shabbat is a religious service for Jews. Every Friday, 60-80 Jews attend Shabbat in the synagogue, which was built in 2002. “That’s much more than at the beginning,” said the rabbi. “Some people come every week, some sometimes.” “And different people have different ways, some come to pray, some to eat, and some to make friends,” the rabbi pointed out. Immediately following services are dinner and lunch in a communal setting, free of charge. Chinese nationals are not permitted to attend the Shabbat services unless they are married to Jews.

The centre also provides kosher meals, which comply with the list of approved foods in the Bible, to the relief of many Jews. “They don’t know what’s inside the food, for example, dumplings may have pork meat inside, and that’s not kosher food,” the rabbi said. Every day he checks the centre’s kitchen, whose workers can’t buy anything in stores without his permission. Local Jews and tourists can come to the centre for kosher meals. To make sure the younger generation understands more about their heritage and culture, the centre has offered classes for both Jewish children and adults since 1998. “Now about 40 children study in the classes in different locations and of different grades. They attend the classes after school. They are expected to keep our culture,” the rabbi said. Jewish history, the Hebrew language, the Bible and information about Jews are taught in the class. Group courses run on a weekly and monthly basis, individual classes are offered daily. According to the rabbi, the centre is planning to build a Shanghai Jewish school. “We have one now, but it is too small, only 35 students. The Jewish children in Shanghai attend international schools, and we want a Jewish school,” he said. The centre also serves as a connection between the Jewish people and Chinese. “Some Jews, for example expatriates, have many things they don’t want to keep when they leave. And some poor are in need of them. So we connect them. I believe it is important that the rich ones help the poor. It is a kind of responsibility,” said the rabbi. He expressed sympathy for the Chinese UN observer killed in Lebanon by the Israeli air raid July 26. “We are sorry this

Above: A gathering of Jews in Shanghai in this file photo. Left: Rabbi Shalom Greenberg and wife Dina COURTESY PHOTOS

happened. Actually, all Jewish people feel strong friendship to Chinese people. We appreciate the special Jewish history in Shanghai very much.” In September, the Jewish New Year will

be celebrated in the centre in a traditional way, just like many other Jewish holidays. “We would put the apple in honey and eat it, which symbolizes the wish for a sweet new year,” said Rabbi Greenberg.

CANDID CAMERA Jasper Vogt driving a Harley-Davidson Heritage Softtail Classic cheers with friends for his arrival in Shanghai August 2.

VOICE FROM SPAIN Jordi Portabella, vice mayor of the Spanish city of Barcelona, speaks at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) July 26. IMAGINECHINA

CELEBRATING HAMBURG FRIENDSHIP FISH PRINTING ART Japanese artist Mineo Ryuka Yamamoto, who is a master of Gyotaku, a Japanese art form of fish printing, performs in the Shanghai Aquarium July 29. IMAGINECHINA

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Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

After 67 days on the road, 41 vintage cars starting from Hamburg, Germany arrive in Shanghai August 2. The car race celebrates the 20th anniversary of the start of the friendship between Hamburg and Shanghai. The cars travelled more than 14,000 kilometres through Europe and Asia before reaching Shanghai. They have been on exhibit in the Shanghai Exhibition Centre since August 3. PHOTOS BY GAO ERQIANG

SNAPSHOTS OF THE WEEK Heat wave around the country

Patients, including a child, receive medical treatment at a hospital in Hefei, capital of East China’s Anhui Province, July 30. Many people have fallen ill due to the hot summer weather in Hefei, where the temperature hit a high of 37 degrees centigrade July 30. PHOTO BY REUTERS

Cool relief

Enjoying the breeze, if there is any, after dinner is a tradition among Shanghainese. Some Shanghai residents are seen relaxing in the street August 1, the 15th day with a temperature over 35 degrees centigrade this summer. PHOTO BY GAO ERQIANG

Diving queen wins again

Guo Jingjing wins the championship for the women’s 3-metre springboard July 29 during the 2006 Champions Diving Tour in Shanghai. PHOTO BY GAO ERQIANG

‘Stop torturing chickens’

Animal rights activists sit in a cage to protest against the US fast-food company KFC in Moscow August 1. The protest is part of an international campaign to pressure the chain to halt the cruel treatment of chickens by KFC suppliers. The Russian text reads: “KFC tortures chickens!” PHOTOS BY REUTERS

Celebrate the Army Day Mary Queen of Scots’ mask

Moira Gow of Lyon and Turnbull auctioneers studies a wax Death Mask of Mary Queen of Scots made in 1587 after the queen’s execution, which is on display at the auctioneers in Edinburgh, Scotland, August 1. The mask is part of The Treasures of Lennoxlove Castle exhibition at Lyon and Turnbull, which runs until August 18. PHOTOS BY REUTERS

Shanghai comic actor Cai Galiang performs at a party marking the August 1 Army Day on July 28 in Yipin Tea House in Pudong. PHOTO BY GAO ERQIANG

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

5

COLUMNS

Schools should not lock out their supporters

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f you visit Stanford or many other US university campuses, you will often see people walking Rousseau backward while Chen talking to groups of visitors, usually of all ages. They are volunteers giving people tours of their beautiful schools. These volunteers would be shocked to learn that Peking University, the most prestigious in China, has shut the door to adult and primary school student visitor groups, starting a few days ago. In fact, the ban was not a first for this top Chinese university. Less than two years ago, the school received harsh criticism for rejecting visitors, supposedly based on security concerns. The school authority that seems obstinately determined to make this inconsiderate decision should not forget that Peking University is a public school, supported by an average of 2 billion yuan (US$240 million) a year from taxpayers, all visitors included. Shutting out visitors simply means keeping out those -- taxpayers -- who are paying for the school to be built and maintained with their hard-earned money. That is totally insane. The taxpayers who fund Peking University should not only be entitled to tour the school, but also to use the school’s facilities, such as libraries and sports ground. Peking University should feel truly proud that so many people want

to make a pilgrimage to its historic campus. Children who visit the school may become their future students. The most acclaimed university in China should indeed feel ashamed about turning away these people. The huge disappointment shown by children and their parents who are stopped at the gate is heartbreaking. What’s even more disturbing is the consensus reached among so many people at the university -- administrators, teachers and students -- to designate adult and primary school student groups as “personae non gratae.” Excessive numbers of visitors during summer vacation make the school campus more crowded than usual. Vandalism and other forms of uncivilized behaviour could cause some problems. But using these as excuses is simply not acceptable. The summer vacation is the peak season for primary and middle school students to visit university campuses all over the world. Vandalism is annoying, but if Peking University opens its welcoming arms and provide more student volunteers to help on its overcrowded campuses in summer, the situation could be much m o r e pleasant. In any case, vandalism and bad behaviour cannot justify the

decision to keep certain groups of people out. Using the same argument, big cities like Beijing and Shanghai could decide to deport people simply because they make the downtown too crowded or spit and litter on the street. With a population of 1.3 billion, China is teeming with people. The spoiled people at Beijing University should not assume their campus is solely for their own use, as they have in the past. The suggestion that excessive numbers of visitors disrupt work and study on campus clearly shows the over-indulgence of these people. Many leading universities in the world don’t even have a real campus, just blocks of buildings along busy and noisy streets. The Peking University case is a typical example of people being denied their lawful rights -- access to facilities financed by themselves. Unlike US universities, very few Chinese universities open their libraries to the general public, resulting in a huge waste of resources. Chinese schools, which host 66.7 per cent of the nation’s sports facilities, still largely keep these grounds exclusively for the small group of students, ignoring the great public demand for places to play soc-

cer, basketball, tennis, badminton and other sports. While people search desperately in cities like Shanghai for places to play their favourite sports, school sports facilities in their neighbourhoods are locked and sit idle all night, as well as on weekends and school holidays. For some limited open facilities, you have to book a week ahead for a badminton or basketball court. While hundreds of students plunge into small swimming pools vividly or bitterly described by Chinese like a wok cooking dumplings, luxury and spacious pools built with public finance are reserved only for future Olympic champions and some privileged groups. Aside from libraries and sports grounds, the general public -- or taxpayers -- should also be entitled to the right to visit all public financed facilities, whether city hall or police headquarters. As a school with a proud tradition, Peking University should take the lead in welcoming the general public, to repay their love and patronage of the school and to enlighten the general public, even including those who commit vandalism there. Denying the public access to the university is not just rude and ungrateful to the taxpayers, it denies the university itself a chance to become the first class international school it has always aspired to be. More importantly, it denies its students and faculty a chance to understand and help the country. Peking University should truly reconsider its decision.

Gender equality? Not yet, but we’re getting there

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hat do women want from their men? If only the male population knew the answer to this question, the world might well be a simpler and happier place. Of course, the romantic paradox persists that you cannot tell a man what you want him to do: If he’s really The One, he should automatically know. But what if women don’t know themselves what they want in a lover? Talking with colleagues the other day, I was told there was a well-known joke in China -- “Why are there so many gays in Beijing? Because there are no good women in Beijing. Why are there so many lesbians in Shanghai? Because

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Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

there are no good men in mean you are a pushover? Shanghai.” Shanghainese men are While all the other womtoo weak to sweep a woman en giggled knowingly, I asked off her feet, then. After years for an explanation. of women being second-class Beijing men, I was incitizens in this country, it Helen formed, are rough, lewd, and seems the age-old desire for a Roxburgh do not treat their wives well. “bad guy” persists. Shanghainese men, apparently, So, I continued, you would are gentle and kind to their wives, and like to live with a man from Beijing? will act respectfully towards them. Emphatically no, came the answer. Surely then, I said baffled, you are They spit and they are uncouth and living in the right city? Not so. rough towards their partners. So nei“I don’t want a man who will be ther “pushover” nor “rough” will do, creeping around me the whole time,” but where does the happy medium lie came the reply. Fair enough, but does in 21st century China? respecting your wife have to necessarily It is very difficult to find a man who will not mind if you a earning more than him, I am told. Even in this day and age, apparently, these women have encountered real difficulties in overcoming the age-old problem of male pride. So what is the ideal man for young career women? Not too weak, not too strong, not too rich, but certainly not too poor. He must not diminish her in any way, and yet he must be

strong and masterful. In Shanghai, it seems many women will literally hang off their men as they walk down the street, wait with their arms wrapped around them at metro stations, and the man in the couple will always drive; never once have I seen a man being driven by his girlfriend. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate gestures of politeness, and, it seems to me, Shanghainese men are particularly good at this. I am always having the door held open for me or being offered to order first in restaurants, and this is lovely. But I would like the chance to do the same for male friends -- holding the door open is surely politeness, whatever gender you are. I am often called a feminist when I raise topics of gender relations, and yet every woman I have asked in Shanghai has said they still do not believe they have equal opportunities compared with male counterparts. The emancipation of women is one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of modern China, so why seek to stop exploring the topic now? Gender equality in China seems to me to have a long way to go, and attitudes and stereotypes Note cannot change until they are The views expressed are those of challenged universally. So start the individual writers and do not holding those doors open for necessarily reflect the opinion of everyone, man or woman. What the Shanghai Star. a polite city this shall be.

FEATURE

Drive-in movies make a comeback in the United States South African worm farmer Shaun Gibbons shows some of his livestock in the worm farm at the city’s Mount Nelson hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, July 31. REUTERS

South African hotel uses worms to cut waste

Bit to save the planet CAPE TOWN — Thousands of earthworms guzzle tonnes of scrap food left over from the tables of the rich and famous at South Africa’s plush Mount Nelson hotel, quietly doing their bit to save the planet. Cape Town’s oldest and most famous hotel — a pink temple to pampering where visiting celebrities are welcomed by doormen in traditional colonial-era pith helmets — has its own worm farm to help slash waste and, ultimately, tackle climate change. “This may seem simplistic but it was simply the right thing to do. We’re taking responsibility and actually producing something of value out of the waste,” Sharon Baharavi, of the five-star Mount Nelson, said. The worms are kept out of sight of patrons enjoying the opulent surroundings and gourmet treats, but they bask in pampered luxury in a backroom a short slither from the presidential suite. Up to 15 centimetres (nearly 6 inches) long, the worms, commonly known as red wrigglers or tiger worms, are housed in speciallydesigned crates and fed vegetable leftovers from the kitchen and pricey restaurant tables. Their fluid excrement, or “worm tea”, is carefully harvested and used as a prized fertilizer in the hotel’s rolling

gardens, where peacocks parade on manicured lawns. Their other by-product, vermicast, is a rich compost. “They are a specific species. They love food. They love eating decomposing food and they are really good at it. They’ve got a ferocious appetite,” said environmental activist Mary Murphy. Worms to the rescue? Murphy, one of the drivers of the project, said the potential of such projects was huge. “If we think really big ... if everybody took their organic waste and processed it through worm farms and we stopped organic waste going to landfill sites, it would have a dramatic impact on climate change. “It’s incredible. They reduce waste by 70 per cent (and) there is no smell here,” she said, wearing an “I dig worms” T-shirt and surrounded by thousands of the munching critters. The worms neutralize harmful bacteria, such as Ecoli, and produce beneficial bacteria while increasing the levels of nitrogen and potassium in the soil — elements that help vegetables grow. “It is exactly what we need to feed the soil and therefore feed vegetables and feed people,” Murphy said. Organic waste on rubbish dumps releases carbon dioxide

and methane, greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, adding to global warming. “Methane is particularly bad because it has about 20 times greater affinity for heat than carbon dioxide,” said environmental scientist Roger Jacques. The worms prevent this by devouring the waste and turning it into stabilized organic matter. The Mount Nelson project is the first of its kind in South Africa, and Murphy wants to expand it to the hotel’s competitors as well as schools and restaurants. The hotel is processing about 20 per cent of its organic waste through the worm farm but hopes to extend that to 100 per cent within the next nine months, as the earthworms reproduce and the farm expands. Under the right conditions, two worms can become a million in just one year. The project may also help South Africa work towards a goal of stopping waste going to landfill sites by 2022 by encouraging people to find other ways to deal with refuse. “Without a doubt, organic waste on landfill sites is what’s producing a huge bulk of our methane gas that’s contributing significantly to climate change,” Murphy said. Agencies via Xinhua

AVERILL PARK, N.Y. — It’s a smokers’ and drinkers’ paradise where pyjama-clad children and crying babies are welcome and bug spray is essential: The drive-in movie theatre is making a muted comeback in the United States. While it’s not quite a return to the heyday of the 1950s, when there were more than 4,000 outdoor theatres across the country, 20 new drive-in cinemas have opened up during the past year, taking the national total to 420. Jessica and John Catlin began watching outdoor movies when they were children and they now drive their red pick-up truck to the 54-year-old Hollywood Drive-In Theatre in Averill Park, 30 miles (48 kilometres) from New York state capital Albany, most weekends.

“You get two movies for one low price,” he said, referring to the practice of drive-ins screening two movies a night for one admission charge. The “double bill” can be a children’s movie with an adult movie, two children’s features or two adult films. Effinger, who owns a drivein, believes the future of the outdoor theatres is promising because of the experience they offer. Moviegoers can take their own food and drink — they don’t have to sneak it in, like many do at indoor theatres — and can also take home comforts like pillows and blankets. At the Averill Park Hollywood Drive-In people play baseball and football as they wait for the movie to start, teenagers are able to congregate away from their families and lawn chairs dot the parking lot. The family-friendly Fi f t y - ye a r- o l d atmosphere is a stark commercials for the concession stand and contrast to the dark an old-fashioned mosquito killer appear on days of the drive-in the screen before the between the 1960s movies. Bug sprays or citronella candles and 1990s when are needed to commany were closed and bat the battalion of because many others began showing bugs theatres are in heavX-rated movies in a ily wooded country last-ditch bid to attract areas.One of the downsides at the drive-in customers. There is the long line at the are no longer any bathroom during inpornographic drive-ins. termission. There are often too few stalls They bring their 2-month- and at older theatres many are old daughter Jadyn and 9-year- dirty and haven’t been updated old son Jacob and like the way since the drive-ins opened decthe drive-in can cater to all ages ades ago. — they were able to change Patrons used to listen to Jadyn’s diaper in the car, as movies from speaker boxes that Jacob sat glued to “Pirates of attached to the car window, but the Caribbean 2.” now they tune into a special “We like being able to be in radio frequency, and instead our own vehicle so we don’t dis- of being charged per car movieturb others,” said John Catlin, goers now pay per person an adding that he enjoys being average of US$7. out under the stars during “Our business is all weathsummer. er-dependent,” said Frank FishThe family-friendly atmos- er, owner of the 400-vehicle phere is a stark contrast to Hollywood Drive-In and a board the dark days of the drive-in member for the UDITOA. “The between the 1960s and 1990s summer has to be good for us to when many were closed and have a decent season.” others began showing X-rated Karen Dapper and her movies in a last-ditch bid to family drove 45 minutes to attract customers. There are the Hollywood Drive-In from no longer any pornographic their home in Pittsfield, Masdrive-ins. sachusetts. “The drive-ins are coming “You get two movies for the back due to the value they have price of one and you can talk in to offer,” said Walt Effinger, your car,” Dapper said. “I like to president of the Baltimore- be outside for the experience.” based United Drive-In Theatre Agencies via Xinhua Owners Association (UDITOA).

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

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FEATURE

Instructor Etel Leit (right) leads a class where parents and infants learn sign language as a communication skill in Los Angeles, California, July 18. PHOTOS BY REUTERS

Early voice of babies US infants tell their parents what they are thinking through sign language

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OS ANGELES -- Nine-month-old Alexandra lets her mother know when she is hungry. Andrew, 11 months, makes it clear he wants some milk. They may be too young to speak, but Alexandra and Andrew have joined the growing numbers of hearing babies who are learning sign language to tell their parents what they are thinking. Once confined to communicating with the deaf, sign language is undergoing a rebirth as a way for new parents to understand the needs of their offspring long before they can talk. “It is about empowering children to communicate. They can communicate with you at an early age and not be frustrated,” said Etel Leit, who runs baby sign language classes in Los Angeles. Dismissed by some critics as a fad or part of the over-achieving parent syndrome, baby signing is spreading in many parts of the United States but seems biggest in California where it began about seven years ago. Devotees include actress Debra Messing of “Will & Grace” and a toddler signed with Robert de Niro in the 2004 Holly8

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

wood comedy “Meet the Fockers”. “The biggest interest is in California. People in California love new and interesting things,” said Professor Deena Bernstein, head of speech language hearing sciences at Lehman College in New York. Books, flashcards, videos and classes hail the benefits of teaching babies as young as 6 months old to sign with their parents, promising improved IQ, accelerated speech development and less frustration for everyone during the “terrible twos”. Leit spent 16 years as a language teacher before setting up her own signing business and says she is getting workshop requests from daycare centres and playschools. Dealing with diapers On a Monday morning in west Los Angeles, Leit leads a handful of mothers, babies and some of their nannies in an hour-long class featuring action songs, games and the week’s special topic -“dealing with diapers.” The infants -- around a year old - looked mostly bemused or laughed as their mothers wiggled their hands and

Instructor Etel Leit

fingers to make gestures for “diaper,” “wet,” “dirty” and “clean.” Some mothers are meeting opposition from older relatives who feel the classes will delay language development. Leit, however, stresses combining signing with talking to one’s baby rather than replacing speech with signs. And she has some encouraging success stories, like the one about the mother who went into her crying 13-month-old at night and the child signed that she was scared. A car alarm was blaring outside and when the window was closed the child went back to sleep. “The mom would never have realized that without signing because at 13 months a child can’t say, `I’m afraid’.” said Leit. ‘New fad’ Psychology professor and mother Susan Murphy said she joined the class because of research that suggested signing reduces frustration. “Andrew (11 months)

is also very active and I think he has a lot to say,” she added. Liza Roser Atwood has spent years working with deaf children and wanted her own hearing daughter Alexandra, 9 months, to reap the benefits. “She makes the sign for ‘eat’ so I know when she is hungry and when I make the sign for ‘daddy’ she turns round and looks back,” she said. Professor Bernstein is sceptical of some of the loftier claims. She said more scientifically controlled evidence was needed to persuade her that signing alone accelerates intellect or language development any more than long periods of one-on-one attention, reading and stimulating play. “I find that people in Los Angeles try to hook on to any new fad that comes along. They also have the money for it. You are not going to find this in areas where there is poverty,” Bernstein said. Agencies via Xinhua

TRAVEL

Spirituality meets nature Delight in the tropical forests, strange creatures and temples in a pilgrimage to the sacred Mount Emei By Felix Pouce

S

ituated in south-central Sichuan, Emei Shan, also known as Mount Emei or Mount Omei, is quite famous abroad. It is especially known for its rich biodiversity. In fact many plants and animals were described from specimens collected in this mountain range. Being a nature lover, I have known the place for a long time, while I am just discovering many others in China. So when I decided to put Mount Emei on my travel list while I was in Chengdu, I was not alone to do so. Besides being a beautiful place, Mount Emei is also an important Buddhist pilgrimage site and is one of the five most sacred mountains in China. For these reasons and more, Emei Shan is also a world heritage UNESCO site and really worth a visit. At the foot of the mountain is a city from which you can begin your hike. The park is quite big. This is the problem with the word “Shan” in China, sometimes it’s something we would call a hill — in this case it stands for a mountain range. The mountain is about 3,000 metres in height, including a few hundred kilometres of paths and stairways. You should at least spend two days exploring the site. We decided to take the bus midway from the peak. On our journey, we encountered a pleasant surprise: Tibetan Monkeys. In three days of travel, we covered most of the mountain, landscape, plants, animals

The “red bat” in the window

and temples. At the most famous peak rising about 3,000 metres, visitors will be impressed for one side of the mountain consists of a high cliff. This place is also very famous for a “sea of clouds” — a kind of halo which was long interpreted as a manifestation of the mountain’s holiness. It’s in fact a rare phenomenon due to odd geological factors. The vegetation there is clearly sub alpine with megaphorbia, a kind of meadow with giant grasses and plants. You can find this kind landscape about 1,000 metres lower in the European Alps. Like in every scenic spot in China, the path is paved with granite and incredible stairways are everywhere. Many plants were introduced from Sichuan at the turn of the 19th century, so plant lovers will easily identify Rhododendrons, Cotoneasters Lilies, Maples and a few other beauties that are now common in European gardens. As an amateur botanist, I was fascinated by the number of species I saw and the odd mixtures of tropical and temperate plants. About one-tenth of all the plants growing in China and one-third of that growing in Sichuan can be seen on Mount Emei. Many insects, birds, frogs and bugs of every kind turn the path into an endless discovery adventure. As the elevation decreases, the vegetation turns increasingly tropical, ending up as a lush laurel-like forest, one of the best of its kind in China. But the most famous “bugs” around are the Tibetan Macacas, a specific kind of woolly monkeys that can stand local frost. And indeed we were lucky enough to meet our hairy cousins. Etiquette is to be respected when dealing with them. If you want to feed them, offer them food on an open palm. Avoid touching them, especially the young. If you have nothing to offer them, show them your open palm. But keep a distance if you don’t want to interact. Observing the monkey can be great fun. At this time of the year, young males were having conflicting relationships with elders, so you could observe the competition to “bribe” the tourists. Elders were group organized chasing lonely youngsters. Females were more peaceful, accompanied by one or two babies. Guards were here to see that the etiquette was respected on both sides of the primate meeting. Like in “A journey to the west” we had monkeys and monks. At least a dozen temples are located in the mountain. Most of them have exquisite architecture and interesting inner landscaping. was Buddhism brought to China from India, and Emei Shan turned out to be one major step in

Emei Mountain is a heaven for plants and animals. PHOTOS BY FELIX POUCE

its propagation. At least three temples are very famous. Baoguo Monastery, the first at the feet of the mountain, is surrounded by exquisite gardens. Wannian Monastery, the oldest one, is dedicated to a deity standing on the back of a white elephant; Qingyin Temple, located along a stream is famous for the sound of water. But you have many other strange sights and temples. Early in the morning we went into a grotto. Bats were getting in for the day and swallows were going out into a criss-cross ballet. A gnarled old lady was waiting. Not unlike Lourdes in France, the grotto is a holy place where miracles are supposed to happen, with the help of old monks. This is one of the pilgrimage attractions. By 8 pm darkness falls on the mountain and so we start to seek shelter. But because I stopped every 10 metres to observe a bug or a plant, my travel partner became impatient. Nevertheless, we reached a temple in time to get a room. Surprisingly, you have a wide range of accommodation in many temples from spartan dormitories at 10 yuan (US$1.2) a night to 1,000-yuan (US$123) presidential suites. Our 150-yuan (US$18) room was on the spartan side. While trying to take a shower I also had my last “naturalist” experience of the day. I saw the facing wall dotted with insects. Carefully watching them I discovered about 20 different kinds. I was amazed — biodiversity is really everywhere on Mount Emei. The next day we slowly went down the mountain. On the road to Emei Shan City, I was

also impressed about the diversity of our experiences there. The beauty of nature, encounters with different social communities — whether human or animal — and glimpses of mystery and spirituality. Three captivating days in a relatively small area. Some places are blessed in such a way. Something like a knot of energy and beauty. A place where nature leads to spirituality.

TIPS

Traffic: Flight from Shanghai to Chengdu or Panzhihua allows you to get near the mountain. Trains on the line from Chengdu to Kunming stops in Emei Shan - Leshan train station. Hotel: Many hotels in Emei Shan City; hard negotiations are necessary, as in many “hot” scenic spots. Route: You should buy a map in Emei Shan City to prepare your trip. You can begin your journey from the base of the mountain or you can decide to reach mid level. A bus can lead you to mid-elevation. Entrance to the park is about 120 yuan (US$15). Inside of the park, you can sleep only in the temples. Prices are negotiable.

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

9

FLIP SIDE

Sharing intimates puts spark in couple’s 30-year marriage

Abigail Van Buren

DEAR ABBY: Please tell me if I’m going crazy. My husband of 30 years recently admitted that he enjoys wearing my undergarments! At first I was shocked, but now I am over it. We went shopping together and bought him several pairs of panties and a couple of nightgowns. He was in seventh heaven. Our sex life has never been better and we really are enjoying each other -- but still I wonder. -- MIXED UP IN FLORIDA

DEAR MIXED UP: You are not the first wife who has helped her husband cross-dress, and you won’t be the last. He is a transvestite -- someone who enjoys wearing clothing that is traditionally worn by the opposite sex. Because your sex life has “never been better” and you are “really enjoying each other,” my advice is to stop “wondering” and appreciate that after 30 years of marriage your husband finally trusted you enough to show you who he really is. DEAR ABBY: My 6-year-old grandson, “Andy,” was “Daddy’s boy” before his father and my daughter divorced. Now “Andrew” (the father) refuses to see Andy or even call him by name. I asked Andy if he misses his daddy a lot, and he nodded yes. It’s overwhelmingly sad. Distance isn’t the problem. It’s that Andrew has remarried and has a new son. Andy was named after his father; his new brother was given the same name! I don’t understand why Andrew is so cruelly punishing the boy. Andy has questions about the father he loves that we can’t answer, and a brother he has never seen. I hope Andrew will change his mind. He wants no contact with Andy or our side of the family, but I hope the rest of the family will stay in touch with the boy. My grandson needs all of his relatives even more now that his father chooses to be out of his life. Abby, please print this so Andrew’s family will know they are wanted and needed, not to take sides or to judge, but to love a child who is theirs, too. -- CONCERNED GRANDMA DEAR CONCERNED GRANDMA: Your former son-in-law’s actions are very revealing. They illustrate how shallow his commitment was to his firstborn child. In case your former in-laws miss seeing this letter, call them and tell them exactly what you’ve told me. If the paternal grandparents choose not to continue their relationship with Andy, you and your daughter should seriously consider enlisting a male relative from your side of the family to spend some time with the boy. If that’s not possible, consider Big Brothers, an organization that provides caring volunteers willing to become mentors and give of their time and friendship. To contact a chapter near you, write: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 230 N. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107; or visit www.BBBS.org. DEAR ABBY: I am thinking about trying something unusual, and I would like your opinion. I am a divorced mother of two who is fortunate to have an excellent relationship with my ex-husband and his wife. We all believe that the children come first. For many reasons, I believe the best arrangement may be for all of us to live together. I have found a house with a lovely remodeled basement with a separate entrance. I could live there, and my ex and his wife could have the upstairs. We would not have to venture into each other’s space unless invited, but the children would have easy access to all of us. Obviously, there are details to work out, but we think we are all mature enough to handle them. Have you ever heard of this working? -- L.C. IN MISSOURI DEAR L.C.: No, I haven’t. What you’re contemplating would require an unusual degree of maturity and civility, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. However, I can’t help but wonder what might happen if you brought another man into the equation. Would everyone be as comfortable then? 10

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

YOUR HOROSCOPE THIS WEEK You may want to pull out some of those unfinished projects you’ve got tucked away. Travel (March 21 - April 20) should be on your agenda. Do not react too harshly when dealing with partners. Stop telling others about your problems. Give everyone in the house a physical chore that will help burn off some of the excess energy. You may (April 21 - May 21) find yourself in an opportune position if you are willing to take a bit of a risk. Do not invest in ventures that only appear to be lucrative. Avoid functions that will bring you in contact with those you find difficult to get along with. Your high energy and discipline will enable you to complete any seemingly insurmountable tasks. You will do extremely well if you get (May 22 - June 21) involved in competitive activities this week. Check your project over carefully if you were not the only one contributing to the end result. Concentrate on spending quality time with children. You will be able to communicate well this week. Your high enthusiasm will be sure to inspire anybody around you. Don’t rely on others to handle the workload. Good ( June 22 - July 22) friends will give you honest answers. This is a great day to beautify your living quarters or to entertain at home. You can come into money; however, perhaps not under the best circumstances. Go ( July 23 - August 22) to the top if you’re being harassed or held back. You will be popular and will easily attract members of the opposite sex. You should get out and meet new people this week. Changes involving your domestic scene may be unpleasant. Don’t be critical or overly (August 23 - September 23) opinionated with dislikes; it could cause disapproval and unwanted opposition. This is a wonderful day to look into courses or hobbies that interest you.

You may need to make a few alterations to your living arrangements. Residential moves are (September 24 - October 23) evident. Don’t bother getting even; they’ll make themselves look bad. Refuse to get involved in idle chatter; it will only make you look bad. Don’t jump too quickly if someone tries to make you join in on their (October 24 - November 22) crusade. Don’t bother trying to make someone you live with see your point of view. You will be highly sensitive to comments made by your lover. Make amends if you can. You need to concentrate on your business ventures more (November 23 - December 21) than on your relationship this week. Do your own thing without drawing attention to it. The knowledge you have will enhance your reputation. Spend some time with the one you love. Pleasure trips will be satisfying. You may find that your plans will cost a little more than (December 22 - January 20) you had expected. Stop telling others about your problems. Do not sign contracts or get involved in any uncertain financial deals. You need to fulfill your needs and present your talents. Try to keep to yourself; work diligently on domestic chores and ( January 21 - February 19) responsibilities. Anger might lead to carelessness and minor injuries. You must not let fellow workers take advantage of your fine talents. Talking to those you trust and respect will help you sort out any problems. Drastic changes regarding your personal attitude are (February 20 - March 20) evident. Take a look at yourself and prepare to make those changes you’ve been contemplating. Sit tight. Things aren’t as bad as they appear. You’ll look guilty if you don’t lay your cards on the table.

Mouthful of rooster NEW YORK — A man accused of biting the head off his pet rooster was arrested Friday and faces up to a year in prison if convicted, an animal protection spokesman said. A neighbour had complained about a dead rooster near his Manhattan apartment and agents found the body of the beheaded rooster on a fire escape, said Joe Pentangelo, spokesman for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The rooster’s head was not located. Humberto Rodriguez, 52, told agents that he bit the rooster’s head off because he blamed it for injuring a pet pigeon he also kept in the apartment, Pentangelo said. Rodriguez is charged with animal cruelty and could face up to a year in prison if convicted. It is also illegal to possess a live rooster in New York City, Pentangelo said.

Strip poker championship DUBLIN — It started as an April Fool’s joke but an Irish bookmaker’s proposal to hold the world’s biggest strip poker contest will become reality this month. Paddy Power floated the idea as a joke but it generated so much interest — and hundreds of requests to take part — that the Dublin-based company decided to organize a contest. So this month, 200 poker buffs will risk baring all in an attempt to become the first World Strip Poker Champion — and earn a place in the Guinness Book of Records. The winner will also receive a “Golden Fig Leaf” trophy plus 10,000 pounds (US$18,630) in cash. “This will be the most fun you can have with your clothes on — or off!” Paddy Power said in a statement for the tournament, which will be held in London on August 19.

No sense of humour LONDON — A British woman has been ordered by police to take down a sign on her garden gate which read “Our dogs are fed on Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Janet Grove, who owns a terrier puppy called Rabbit, insisted the sign was a gentle joke to discourage callers at her front door. Her late husband put the sign up more than 30 years ago when members of the church called at their house on Christmas Day. But police were forced to act after receiving a complaint. “We were informed by a member of the public who found the sign to be distressing, offensive and inappropriate,” a police spokesman said. “Officers attended the address and the sign was voluntarily taken down.”

What can a cop do? TIRANA — Albanian police were speechless when around 30 Scandinavian women went topless, shocking local bathers and causing an uproar in an Albanian beach resort. “Police only watched ... they could not approach the tourists because they spoke no

Do you trust your partner’s plays? If he drops the eight before the three (or the three before the eight), would you notice and draw the appropriate conclusion? Could you trust that deduction? If so, everyone must dislike playing against you. Today’s deal, played in four spades at a team tournament in Sydney, Australia, is instructive in this area. West’s double was negative, showing four hearts and six-plus points (or five or six hearts in a hand too weak for a two-heart response). At the first table, the defence followed the logical route. East won the first trick with his diamond king, cashed the heart ace, and continued with a second heart. West won with the king and gave his partner a heart ruff — one down, At the other table, the play started similarly, except that the declarer, Bruce Neill, at trick two, dropped the heart jack under East’s ace, then played the queen on East’s heart continuation. West assumed that South had started with the doubleton queen-jack. So, he shifted to the club two. South ran that to his queen, drew trumps ending in hand, took another club finesse, and pitched his heart eight on dummy’s club ace — plus 620. Should West have seen through the ruse? Yes. If East had begun with the A-8-3 of hearts, he probably would have shifted to a low heart at trick two. But even if he did cash the heart ace, he would have continued with the eight, not the two: high-low with a remaining doubleton. However, although West should not have been fooled, one must admire South’s clever deceptive play.

English,” a local newspaper in the southern Albania coastal town of Sarande said. Albanian mothers dragged their children away and police received a barrage of complaints over the Scandinavian tourists. The Scandinavians left after two hours when their guide was informed that nude bathing was banned on public beaches. Nudity and topless bathing are still taboo in the poor Balkan country.

Bombs got the beat LONDON — A Lebanese musician has recorded a unique duet with the Israeli Air Force by recording on the balcony of his Beirut apartment during a bombing raid. In his sound art piece, trumpeter Marzen Kerbaj intermingles his music with the sounds of bombardment. Explaining how he put together his unique composition, Kerbaj told BBC Radio: “I was maybe three kilometres (two miles) away. I could see them explode and hear them but somehow I was safe. “It is freaking for the nerves but I quickly understood that if I play music while it is happening, it is much better than just hearing it happening. Somehow my brain shifts and I focus totally on the music.” Asked if he thought his composition was in questionable taste, he said: “Throwing bombs on buses with kids escaping from their villages is in much more horrible taste.” He said the recording was a way of making people listen to what Beirut was facing. “It’s not like on CNN. It is not a Hollywood movie, it is really happening.”

CROSSWORD

Dog lives, man hurt WARSAW — A man was bruised but alive on Wednesday after a Saint Bernard dog thrown out a two-story window landed on him as he was walking down the street in the southern-Polish city of Sosnowiec. The 110-pound dog was pushed out of the window by its drunken owner Monday, police said. “The dog had a soft landing because it fell on a man,” said police spokesman Grzegorz Wierzbicki. “The dog escaped with just a few scratches.” “The man was also more in a psychological state of shock than physically hurt,” Wierzbicki added. The 1-year-old dog, named Oskar, was placed in an animal shelter while police investigate its owners for animal abuse.

Woman bags flight HONG KONG — Armed police removed a woman from a Cathay Pacific flight after she refused to stow her Gucci handbag under the seat in front of her or in the cabin overhead, Apple Daily reported on Monday. The flight this month from Hong Kong to Tokyo was delayed for about an hour as the woman contested the cabin crew’s instructions to put her luxury handbag on the floor or in the compartment above her seat, a Cathay Pacific spokeswoman said. “We had to seek help from the authorities,” she said. Other passengers clapped when the woman with the bag was finally escorted off the airplane, Apple Daily said. The woman later apologized and she and four friends who also got off the plane were put on a later flight to Tokyo. “There was no problem on the other flight,” the Cathay spokeswoman said.

Agencies via Xinhua

Across 1 Air-pump meas. 4 Fable writer 9 TV hookup 12 Atom fragment 13 Greathearted 14 — Wiedersehen 15 Traffic cones 17 Was entitled to 19 Shoe width 20 Flared, as a skirt 21 Camper’s shelter 23 Where SF is 24 Pine for 27 Do arithmetic 28 Psychics may see it 30 Overwhelm with humour 31 Roman eleven 32 Dead end 34 Distance meas 35 Incoming-plane stats 37 Some NCOs 38 Vim and vigour 39 Stack of papers 41 Pricing wd 42 Shrub 43 Police busts

45 46 48 51 52 54 55 56 57

Fury Eaves adornment Shook up Plunging neckline Barkin or DeGeneres Poodle variety Today’s answer Narrow openings Small bill

Down 1 Apple seed 2 Protein-rich bean 3 Toward the interior 4 Freud’s daughter 5 Sister of Helios 6 Antimony’s symbol 7 Refrigerator stick 8 Polar explorer 9 Barbarian 10 Actor’s prompt 11 Rural addr 16 Feedbag morsel 18 Della — of pop 20 Home annexes 21 Puts a strain on 22 A Piaf 23 Tea holders

25 26 28 29 32 33 36 38 40 42 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 53

Does a fall chore Dryad Kind of radio Movie canine Sir — Newton Ocean liner letters Hawks’ nests — Rico Grinds down Wintry cry Wooded valley McKellen and Holm Leafy climber Mediocre grade Travel option Years on end Colouring 51, to Cato Solution

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

11

FLIP SIDE

BRIDGE

ODDS & ENDS

DINING

East meets West at Yeeha

By Miao Qing

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n February, 2004, the Yang Restaurant and Bar opened in Texas, in the United States. Thousands of diners swarmed there in the first month following the opening to try what was promoted by the restaurant as “the finest Chinese American food in Houston.” The real attraction of the Yao Restaurant and Bar seems to lie more in its special ties to a sports celebrity than its food. It is named after Yao Ming, the Chinese basketball star who plays for the Houston Rockets, and owned by a group of Chinese living in Houston, including Yao’s parents but not Yao himself. The Yao Restaurant, now the most popular and expensive Chinese restaurant in Houston, recently opened a new outlet — Yeeha — in Shanghai, the hoop star’s hometown. Eighty per cent of its menu features dishes similar to those in the original Yao Restaurant. “Yeeha is a word many Texan cowboys usually shout out when they are lassoing horses with cords. It sounds cool and sporty,” said Yu Di, Yeeha’s vice-president and also a partner in the US-based Yao restaurant. He said most of the Yao Restaurant partners have invested in Yeeha. The restaurant is not named Yao since his parents are not involved in this venture. What distinguishes the new venue from its American counterpart is not only the name. The Yeeha Texas Barbecue Restaurant & Sports Bar is located near the Jing’an Temple, on two floors of an office building. The first floor at Yeeha serves American-style Chinese cuisine which is mostly available in Houston’s Yao Restaurant. But as smaller portions are typically served in the Shanghai restaurant compared to the one in the United States, the prices are also lower, said Yu. For example, the most popular Ameri-

can-style Chinese dish, “Minced shrimp with lettuce wrap” costs about 22 y u a n (US$2.70) at Yeeha while it is usually more than 100 yuan (US$12.50)

in the United States. Most dishes, also called “main courses” at Yeeha, can be ordered as a business lunch which includes rice and soup. But the “Yao Mom’s Home-made Wonton,” a US$6 dish favoured by many Westerners at Yao Restaurant, is not found in Yeeha. “We are aware that in Shanghai there are a lot of restaurants better than us at making wonton,” said Yu. As a combination of the East and West, the American-style Chinese cuisine seems to emphasize meat much more than vegetables and the latter is more often treated as a garnish on the plate. Soy sauce is always regarded by Westerners as the soul of Chinese cuisine, Yu said, and that might be why many dishes at his restaurant had a strong flavour. One of the signature dishes at both Yeeha and Yao Restaurant — shrimp with onion in tomato sauce (36 yuan, US$4.5) — tasted thick, sweet and sour. It was presented in a chili-red dressing and garnished with broccoli, looking like a representative American-style Chinese dish. The sliced fish filet in garlic butter sauce (35 boo and cook for 30 minutes. yuan, US$4) was Add salt if necessary. a bit dry, with a Notes heavy butter flaTaiwanese most comvour. Dishes made monly use the fresh shoots of chicken, beef, from one of the biggest bampork and seafood boos in the world — Taiwan have accounted Giant Bamboo. Use whatever for nearly 90 per you can get your hands on. cent of all the food If you use preserved shoots, there. rinse very well before using, A vegetarian as these may be very salty dish — king oyster and sour. mushroom with lettuce in oyster sauce (22 yuan, US$3) — became a hit with me and my dinner companions. The mushrooms were surprisingly big and tasted delectable and appropriately

Traditional Taiwanese soup Bamboo and Pork Chop Soup is a simple, traditional Taiwanese Soup. Serves 6 Ingredients 250 g pork chop, chopped into 3-5 cm pieces 300g sliced bamboo shoots 5 cups of water 1 cup of chicken stock or 2 stock cubes Salt to taste Preparation method 1. Blanch pork for one minute to remove fatty odour. Throw out water and clean pot. 2. Add water and stock to the pot and bring to boil. 3. Add the pork and cook for 10 minutes. Add the bam-

12

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

Above: A view of the Yeeha barbecue restaurant’s interior PHOTO BY GAO ERQIANG Left above: Assorted barbecued meat Left: Minced shrimp with lettuce wrap Below left: King oyster mushroom with lettuce in oyster sauce PHOTOS BY MIAO QING

salty, and the dish was not as greasy as it looked. The minced shrimp with lettuce wrap is a good choice for both Chinese and Western stomachs due to its refreshing and fleshy taste. The prime attraction of Yeeha is expected to be the Texas barbecue served on the second floor, where a large dining room combines with a sports bar. The whole room can hold more than 200 guests at a time. The decoration is very impressive. The surrounding walls are adorned with animal horns, deer head and various animal skins, all of which were imported from Texas. The room also features many photos of sports stars and various paraphernalia of Yao Ming. Eighteen television screens broadcast various sports events. The red cedar tables and chairs create a rustic and cozy atmosphere inside. Compared to the American-style Chinese food served downstairs, the Texas barbecue represents an even stronger US flavour. The dishes are made up of all kinds of different meat, which are grilled in a huge stainless steel oven in the kitchen. Among them, the barbecued beef and sausage had the best flavour. The beef, after being roasted for about 12 hours, was rich, tender and succulent and even the fatty meat tasted impressively delicious. The iced coffee served at Yeeha is also worthy of recommendation. They use a special kind of coffee powder made by the American “Cafe Du Mode” to prepare it. After mixing the powder and water into a container, diners could pour it into a glass of ice cubes and then enjoy the coffee. The average cost for each person at Yeeha’s second-floor barbecue restaurant is about 60-70 yuan (US$7.5-8.8) while the cost for the American Chinese food on the first floor is about 30-40 yuan (US$3.7-5). Yeeha Texas Barbecue Restaurant & Sports Bar 2 Huashan Road Tel:6249-9988

LIFESTYLE

Taste of nature waits just outside the city Renting a plot of land to plant vegetables or fruits in the suburbs has become a new trend among Shanghai residents By Wang Lan

U

rban dwellers with a craving for outdoor life now can have their own little piece of the earth. All they need is the rental fee and a little time to commune with nature. A slightly green thumb would not hurt, either. Agri-tourism is springing up around the outskirts of Shanghai, providing cityweary residents with small gardens in which they can cultivate vegetables and orchards of fruit for the plucking. “We can rent a plot to plant vegetables we’d like to eat or just rent a peach tree for picking. It really feels good to bask in the clean sunshine and breathe the fresh air of the countryside,” a young woman named Zhang Liping told Shanghai Star. Before the opening of the city’s agritourism areas, urban residents could only prod their memories of nature from their childhoods. Now they can escape the hot streets and gritty sidewalks to try their hand at gardening. Such rustic activity can be had in Shanghai’s suburban areas including Nanhui, Fengxian, Jinshan and Songjiang districts. As early as this March, Shipu Peach Orchard, with an area of 10,000 mu (6.7 million square metres) in Jinshan district, welcomed its first visitors. One year’s rent for a 0.5 mu (333.4 square metres) vegetable plot in Shipu Peach Orchard costs 1,000 yuan (US$125). Gardeners are free to choose which vegetables they want to plant as the seasons turn. “Those visitors who rent our plots come for a variety of reasons. Retirees may come to recollect their hard but sweet old days. Young white-collars may come in flocks to spend their weekends. A family may come to impress the kids with an instructive life experience,” explained Zhu Leidong, manager of Shipu Peach Orchard.

Residents enjoy the time outdoors.

“It makes me comfortable to eat vegetables planted by myself. I have retired from work and it is good to spend my leisure time here,” Fan Lijuan, a regular visitor of Shipu Peach Orchard, said. Few of the urban gardeners can flex their green thumbs every day due to their busy work schedules. Most of them attend to their plots on weekends or holidays. “Everyday care of the farm plot is usually handled by local villagers, who are paid an amount of money by the renters after harvest,” Zhu added. Xinqing Caidi (freshly sunny vegetable plot) was opened in Songjiang district this May. Its 30 mu (20,000 square metres) is divided into 290 plots, 70 of which are rented. Everything that is grown in a patch goes to the renters. “Thanks to the vegetable plot, our family is nurtured with fresh vegetables

PHOTOS BY WANG LAN

all year round, with no worry of crowding into the market. Besides, the price being charged is quite reasonable,” said Song Chunling, a middle-aged housewife who helps farm her plot.

Lovely peaches in the orchard

Sometimes, a one-year planting schedule is mapped out in advance. Many gardeners believe that better planning leads to a better harvest. “For example, you can plant string beans from May to August, lettuce from August to September, Chinese cabbage from September to November and garden beans from November to next April. It’s all at your own discretion as long as the weather permits,” Song continued. Intrepid beginners can ask experienced local villagers for advice. “At planting off-season, like summers or winters, we hold a series of activities, including “cool fruits festival” (to taste

fruits) and “picking festival” (to harvest fruits). Such activities serve as advertising. Visitors who have a chance to pick our farm products and sample them may feel involved with our products and recommend to their friends,” Zhu said. Yu Sui Fang, a tourist orchard in Fengxian District that mainly produces grapes, is attracting a growing number of visitors this summer. “I like to smell the soil here. I will not forget the experience of doing farm work in the orchard and even trying to make grape wine with my own hands,” says Ren Feifei, a student participating in a middle school activity held in Yu Sui Fang. As a science education base for teenagers in Shanghai, Yu Sui Fang often organizes some activities associated with farm work to complement school teaching. “Schools bring children here to make them learn more knowledge. They get to know names of some plants, which they had no idea about before,” said Song Meiyun, mother of a middle school student. Agricultural tourism is a comprehensive industry, accelerating the development of related businesses such as catering and accommodation, which generate more job opportunities. “Agricultural tourism is a high valueadded industry, which can bring an all-out development of the district. It incorporates agriculture, ecology, leisure and tourism and uses the local advantages to their full potential,” said Jiang Dechuan, director of the Tourism Administration Bureau in Fengxian District.

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

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LISTINGS

Stage Lion King The Broadway musical is hitting the Shanghai stage for the first time, for 100 performances. From July 18 140-2,000 yuan Shanghai Grand Theatre 100 People’s Avenue Tel: 6386-8686 The Emperor’s Ear Two children’s plays, “The Emperor’s Ear” and “Goncha and the Violin,” are presented. 2 pm, August 4 10 am, 3:15 pm, August 5-6 60-80 yuan Drama Theatre, Shanghai Grand Theatre Shin The rock group from Taiwan gives two concerts. Fans who buy tickets for both shows are invited to join a meeting with the band members. 6:30 pm, August 24-25 380 yuan (700 yuan for two concerts) Ark Live House 15 North Lane Xintiandi 181 Taicang Road Tel: 6326-8008 Angela Zhang Shaohan The pop singer gives a solo concert. 7:30 pm, August 11 100-1,000 yuan Hongkou Soccer Stadium 444 East Jiangwan Road Tel: 6217-2426 Jugendblasorchester Ulm Knabenmusik Founded in 1961, the orchestra is made up of more than 90 musicians aged 9 to 25, most of whom are award winners of German youth music competitions. 7:30 pm, August 6 80-380 yuan Shanghai Concert Hall 523 East Yan’an Road Tel: 6217-2426 Weekly broadcast concert The upcoming session features new musical stars playing famous historical instruments. 10 am, August 6 30-50 yuan Shanghai Concert Hall Piano duo Featuring Chai Qiongyan and Piotr Szczepanik. 7:30 pm, August 12 80-280 yuan Shanghai Concert Hall Lee Hom Wang The pop singer has a solo concert. 7:30 pm, August 12 80-980 yuan Shanghai Stadium 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu Tel: 6217-3055 How Much Love Can Be... An original play about a man’s love story. 7:15 pm, through August 10 100 yuan 14

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

D6 Space, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre 288 Anfu Road Tel: 6473-0123 Just Kill It An original play is presented. A story full of suspense revolves around the popular “killing game.” 7:30 pm, August 18-21 Yihai Theatre 466 Jiangning Road Tel: 6217-2426 Piano concert Cheung-yu Mo, a musician from Hong Kong, the first performing artist in Hong Kong to receive a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, gives a solo concert. 7:30 pm, August 5 80-280 yuan He Luting Concert Hall 20 Fenyang Road Tel: 6217-2426

LEUNG KIT WAH Daughter of a Hong Kong banker and entrepreneur, Leung has been actively involved in her father’s philanthropic endeavours. She puts a lot of effort into promoting art and creation. Leung has studied Chinese painting since the 1950s. Her paintings are exhibited in Shanghai Art Museum. These large-scale portraits depict women in Chinese history and legends. In a large series of “mother and children” she paints with deep emotions women of different social status and historical periods taking care of their children. • Through August 8 • Shanghai Art Museum • 325 West Nanjing Road • Tel: 6327-2829

Sun Yingdi piano concert The first Chinese to win the Liszt Piano Competition gives a solo concert. 7:30 pm, August 26 80-280 yuan He Luting Concert Hall Tang Quartet The chamber concert group from Singapore gives a concert, followed by a cocktail party. 7:30 pm, September 9 100-500 yuan Jinmao Concert Hall 60-120 yuan 80 Shiji Avenue Tel: 6217-2426 Cats on Hot Roofs of Split Presented by Face to Face Theatre from Croatia. 60-150 yuan 2:30 pm, 7 pm, August 5 10 am, 2:30 pm, August 6 Lyceum Theatre 57 South Maoming Road Tel: 6217-2426 The Ugly Duckling A children’s play, presented by the Shanghai Dongfang Children’s Art Troupe. 10 am, 2 pm, August 12, 13 60-80 yuan Lyceum Theatre Golden melodies Local singers present a nostalgic show of oldies. 7:15 pm, August 18-20 100-280 yuan Lyceum Theatre New soul for ‘Shaolin Soul’ The kungfu show “Shaolin Soul,” will unveil a new version next month. The show is performed purely by kungfu practitioners from a martial art house by the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province. August 3-6 100-280 yuan Majestic Theatre 66 Jiangning Road Tel: 6217-2426 Zhou Xuan The multimedia musical that tells the dramatic life of a movie

star popular in the 1940s, is presented. 7:15 pm, August 9-14 80-380 yuan Majestic Theatre Music from Guangdong A concert presents Cantonese folk music, presented by the Guangdong Music and folk opera troupe. 7:15 pm, August 18-19 50-580 yuan Majestic Theatre The Star An original musical starring Mao Ning. 7:15 pm, August 25-26 50-580 yuan Majestic Theatre Sandy Lam Yik-Lin The pop diva will perform her golden hits through the years. 7:30 pm, August 18 180-1580 yuan Shanghai Grand Stage 1111 North Caoxi Road Tel: 6426-6666

tail party. 6 pm, August 11 580-2280 yuan Shangri-La Hotel Pudong 33 Fucheng Road Tel: 6217-2426 Acrobatic shows Shanghai Circus World presents a regular acrobatic show. 7:30 pm, through August 100-200 yuan Shanghai Centre Theatre 1376 West Nanjing Road Tel: 6289-5855 The Barber of Seville To be presented by the Teatro di Carlo Felice of Genoa. August 8-9 Shanghai Oriental Art Centre 425 Dingxiang Road Tel: 6854-1234 Swan Lake on ice The ice ballet is presented by St Pertersburg State Ice Ballet. 7:15 pm, August 22-25 80-600 yuan Shanghai Oriental Art Centre

Wu Bai and China Blue The rock singer Wu Bai and his band, China Blue, give a concert. 7:30 pm, August 25 100-880 yuan Shanghai Grand Stage

Symphonic Swing A jazz concert presented by James Morrison and Emma Pask. 7:30 pm, August 25-26 100-580 yuan Shanghai Oriental Art Centre

Shunza concert The pop singer and Super Girl Competition judge gives a solo concert, followed by a cock-

Era -- Intersection of Time and Space, a multi-media theatrical spectacular, is presented by the Shanghai Circus in July. Those

Era

who buy tickets before July 22 have lucky draw opportunities to win a car. Mobile phone users who send the text message “ERA” to 5234 will have the opportunity to win two tickets for the Era show. 7:30 pm, throughout 80-580 yuan Shanghai Circus World 2266 Gonghexin Road Tel: 6630-0000 Happy Circus Shanghai Circus World presents summer shows. 7:30 pm, through August 27 80-150 yuan Shanghai Circus World Yueju opera Yueju opera masters come together for the show celebrating the 100th anniversary of the folk opera. 7:15 pm, August 11, 12 80-380 yuan Yifu Stage 701 Fuzhou Road Tel: 6351-4668 Peking opera highlights Presented by Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe. 1:30 pm, August 13 30-150 yuan Yifu Stage The Butterfly Dream A Yueju opera presented by Shanghai Yueju Opera Troupe. 7:15 pm, August 14 50-280 yuan Yifu Stage

Sun Xiaoli Sun’s minimalist, unfussy style derives from her desire to make her art accessible and pleasing to her viewers. Much of the contemporary art that one sees, in her opinion, is visually exhausting and overloaded with colours and images. Sun, inspired by the naivete and innocence of children, says “I like to paint with the heart of a child. Whether the theme is about children or not, I insist on the principle of simplicity.”

Through August 5 Art Scene Warehouse 2F, Building No. 4, 50 Moganshan Road Tel: 6277-4940 Mountains and Waters Chinese paintings featuring mountains and waters, by Zhao Bin, an artist from Sichuan, are exhibited. August 8-September 7 Han Wen Xuan Gallery Chen Shixiu Water-ink paintings by Chen Shixiu are exhibited. Chen finds power and persistence in grapevines and expresses his feelings for life through their depiction. August 2-6 Liu Haisu Art Museum 1660 Hongqiao Road Tel: 6270-1018 The Age of Metamorphosis Highlights of European art, from the Centro Pecci Collection. Through September 3 Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art at People’s Park 231 West Nanjing Road Spanish sculptures An exhibition entitled “The Blacksmith’s Alchemy” features

Events Shanghai BookCrossing Bring books you want to swap, take away whatever you like. Books are mostly English language, and include just about anything anyone likes to read -- fiction, non-fiction, travel books, magazines, etc. Open to all, no registration necessary, books are free. 2 pm, August 19 Cafe Figaro 160 Xingye Road

iron sculptures by modern Spanish artists Julio Gonzalez, Martin Chirino, Andreu Alfaro and Miquel Navarro. Through August 29 Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall 300 Renmin Avenue Tel: 6318-4477 Edward H Lim “From the extreme realms of old and new and the East and the West, I pursue meaningful innovations, explore the intelligence of human roots, where I use contemporary paintings to demonstrate new discoveries, emphasize individual characters, reveal the intrinsic values of national history and manifest the spirits of our time,” said the artist. Through August 25 Shanghai City Art Museum 3F, 211 Shiji Avenue Tel: 6888-1960 Strange Attractors Art and science are brought together in this international new media exhibition. Through August 28 Zendai Museum of Modern Art 28, Lane 199 Fangdian Road Tel: 5033-9803 Art from Houston Forty artists from Houston, Texas in the US, are exhibited, including some well-established contemporary masters, such as Lucas Johnson, Luis Jimenez, Richard Stout and others, who together create a unique cross-cultural style with a strong Southern character. Through August 6 Shanghai Art Museum 325 West Nanjing Road Tel: 6327-2829 Paris by Brassai The photographer went to Paris in 1924, and captured with his lens, the nightlife of Paris in the decadent 1930s. Brassai’s picture of Paris at night, collected by the Centre Pompidou, are exhibited. Through August 9 Shanghai Art Museum Antique replicas A pottery workshop from Jingdezhen has strictly followed traditional craft and working procedures to produce a replica of Chinese porcelains

Baobinga & I.D. These two Manchester-based beat scientists are working to create a new sound with their new Big Monster project. It’s time to show you their latest music. August 5 Babyface Huaihai 101, Shanghai Square 138 Central Huaihai Road Tel: 6375-6667 SCAA events Second Chance Animal Aid (SCAA), an organization sponsored by expatriates, holds reg-

auctioned internationally. More than 80 pieces are on exhibit. Through August 31 Cangbo Gallery 2, No. 9 North Lane, Xintiandi Tel: 6336-5862 Cheng Tsai-tong The artist’s latest paintings are exhibited. The exhibition space at Shanghai Gallery of Art is divided into four parts: a library, a tea space, Zen space and a backyard. It is the first time the gallery has designed its space to co-ordinate with a painting exhibition. Through August 25 Shanghai Gallery of Art 3F, 3 on the Bund Tel: 6321-5757 Construct a Scene Oil paintings by Qin Qi and He Jie are exhibited.

Through August 13 Zhu Qizhan Art Museum 580 Ouyang Road Tel: 5670-0741

artists, organized by Shanghai Culture Development Foundation. August 6-25 Duolun Museum of Modern Art 27 Duolun Road Tel: 6587-5996 Old ads Old Shanghai photo and advertisement designs are exhibited. July 1-31 Unique Hill Studio Rm 302, 907 Tianyaoqiao Road Tel: 5410-4815 Night Jazz Han Qing’s moody midnight acid wash oils are a unique and poetic expression of urban isolation and fascination. In a jazz riff on modernity and tradition, Han Qing’s streetscapes are a metaphor for the contemporary soul. Opening: 3 pm, August 13 Through August 31 Studio Rouge 17 Fuzhou Road Tel: 1380-174-1782 Epson Color Imagines Winners of the Epson Color Imagine Contest 2005 are exhibited. Through September 12 Epsite Gallery

1F, 651 Central Huaihai Road Tel: 5306-7711 16 Thoughts on Photography The exhibition features the work of 16 photographers, eight from abroad and eight native Chinese. Through August 16 Epsite Gallery Group show ShanghART features artists Li Shan, Pu Jie, Yu Youhan and others. Through August 31 Building 16, 50 Moganshan Road Tel: 6359-3923 Group shows ShanghART features Xiang Liqing, Wei Guangqing and Shen Fan in July.

Through July 30 H Space, ShanghART Gallery Building 18, 50 Moganshan Road Tel: 6359-3923

Spanish prints The exhibition features prints from Spain, illustrating the history of prints in the country. Print works from 33 artists are featured. Through August 13 Zhu Qizhan Art Museum Fly Oil paintings by Lei Min are exhibited. His works are full of amazing dramatic humour. Through August 7 The Room with a View 12F, 479 East Nanjing Road Tel: 6352-0256 Yang Xuan A painter who grew up in the Yangtze Delta area, Yang Xuan tells of his perception of the world in his paintings. Opening: 6:58 pm, August 8 Through August 17 The Room with a View Pioneer Shanghai An exhibition features young

ular adoption days at O’Malley’s on August 6 and 20. SCAA also has a monthly meeting at Zapata’s on August 15, starting from 6:30 pm. O’Malley’s 42 Taojiang Road Tel: 6474-4533 Emiliano Zapata’s Birthday Party Come celebrate the birthday of Shanghai’s most famous Mexican. Free Margaritas for ladies until midnight, free Mexican buffet from 8 till 9 pm. Garden Enter-

DATING MY EX-WIFE An original play by renowned playwright Li Wei tells the story of contemporary family life, with humorous dialogues and vivid description of urban life. • 7:30 pm, through August 29 • 100-120 yuan • Dramatic Salon, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre • 288 Anfu Road • Tel: 6473-0123

tainment, and hourly free Tequila pouring all night! August 5, Zapata’s 5 Hengshan Road Tel: 6467-6166 Solo performance by Korean People’s Theatre The Korean People’s Theatre will work with Shanghai Grassroots Theatre, presenting two shows, each featuring three to four solo episodes. 8 pm, August 19, 20

Duolun MoMa 27 Duolun Road Tel: 6587-5996 12+Experimental Videos Video works by Liang Yue are featured. 2 pm, August 19 Duolun MoMa Lecture on contemporary art Given by Zhu Qingsheng, professor of art from Peking University. 2 pm, August 5 Duolun MoMa

Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

15

LISTINGS

Exhibitions

SPORTS

Summer a time for sports Tennis leads array of activities popular with all ages at hotel clubhouse By Helen Roxburgh

T

ennis is proving popular with young and old alike at the Shanghai International Tennis Centre Club. It is both a great physical workout and a good social event. Children’s tennis lessons, workers in the city turning to the sport, and those who play professionally are all to be found at the club, which has eight outside courts and two inside courts, as well as a tennis stadium and professional coaches. “We definitely have one of the best tennis centres in Shanghai, that’s for sure,” said club manager David Roberts. “It’s a very popular sport in China.” Set in the spectacular Regal International East Asia Hotel on Hengshan Road, the health club also offers a wide range of sporting activities. The club has two gyms, a

proved very popular with women, especially. “I’m not brave enough to try that one!” he joked. Unfortunately, you have to be either a member of the club or a guest at the hotel to try many of these exercises, but the newly introduced children’s classes are open to anyone. “We used to only run kids’ classes through the summertime, but now we are going to keep them going all year round,” added Roberts. “The kids have a great time, they love it.” Children aged between 4 and 14 regularly attend both swimming and tennis classes — tennis in the morning then cooling off with a swim class in the afternoon. “I think tennis is a fantastic sport for kids,” said Roberts. “It’s great for hand-eye co-ordination and is lots of fun.”

“A lot of businessmen are starting to pick up tennis rather than golf because it’s a great cardio exercise without taking all day trekking round a golf course.” DAVID ROBERTS Shanghai International Tennis Centre Club manager swimming pool, squash court, aerobics studio, golf simulator and a variety of classes, which include ballet, yoga, Latin dancing and tai chi. “Tai chi is very popular with a lot of people who come to China for the first time,” said Roberts, adding that Latin dancing has

Adult tennis “mixers” are also held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which anyone can come along to. This is a chance for people to join in the sport in a friendly atmosphere, member or nonmember. David described yoga also as

English Corner Staff of the Shanghai Star and the China Daily invite everyone to join the English Corner in Huaihai Park Square every Sunday from 10 am to noon. Come and join us for Sunday morning sunshine, fresh air and language practice. Exchange ideas, socialize and boost your English skills, while meeting new friends. Topic for Sunday, August 6, will be

Should children be sent to summer camp to be disciplined? Shanghai Star/China Daily East China Bureau 20F, 200 Central Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200021 Tel: 6387-6060

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Shanghai Star • August 3-9, 2006

Children attend swimming class in the Shanghai Tennis Centre Club.

good for breathing and cardiovascular exercise, maintaining flexibility and without too much “wear and tear” on the body. The club has also hosted several amateur tournaments, including the HSBC Amateur Open in April earlier this year. They are looking forward to hosting more in the future, including another amateur cup in October. Before taking on the management of this club, Roberts was himself a professional tennis player, and then a tennis coach. Originally from Vancouver in Canada, he lived in Beijing for three years before moving to Shanghai last year, and even in that short time, he explained, tennis has dramatically increased in popularity in China. A lot of effort has been put into making the facilities in the club state-of-the-art, and the locker rooms were refurbished last year and now are equipped with television, a quiet reading room and soft carpets. A lifetime membership package to the club has proved popular among locals, as have family memberships, although generally not with foreigners who cannot always commit to how long they will stay in Shanghai. The club has several regular members who are in their 90s. “Most of our annual members are expats, and we have recently introduced a six-month membership package in order to cater for those here for a short time,” explained Roberts. The club also incorporates a traditional Chinese body massage centre, beauty salon, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, as well as a 12-lane bowling alley. “It’s quite hard to find a nice bowling alley in Shanghai like this,” said Susan Shen, public

COURTESY OF REGAL INTERNATIONAL EAST ASIA

Above: People practise tai chi at the Shanghai Tennis Centre Club. Below: Women learn ballet at the club.

relations manager for the hotel. “It’s nice and private.” The bowling alley is open for anyone to use and available for booking for children’s parties or corporate events. However, the club’s specialty is tennis, largely due to the enthusiasm of the club’s manager, who clearly looks forward to being part of the growth of the sport throughout the country. “A lot of businessmen are starting to pick up tennis rather

than golf because it’s a great cardio exercise without taking all day trekking round a golf course,” said Roberts. “Tennis in China is going to take off in the next five years, especially with the Beijing Olympics approaching. I think the fitness bug is really just starting to catch on here.” Shanghai International Tennis Centre Club 516 Hengshan Road Tel: 6415-5588