Goat lanterns, gold coins at upcoming Chinatown festive street light-up

Goat lanterns, gold coins at upcoming Chinatown festive street light-up


Members of the public seen against the backdrop of the 10m-high centerpiece of the Chinatown street lightup which features three goat lanterns. Chinatown will come alight this Saturday with 338 goat-shaped lanterns in anticipation of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Chinatown will come alight this Saturday with 338 goat-shaped lanterns in anticipation of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

The display, which is organised by the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens' Consultative Committee, contains the largest number of zodiac-shaped lanterns to date, and will also feature 1,500 gold coin lanterns.

Twenty-eight of the goat lanterns will be motorised, and will be grazing or gazing at the sky along the centre divider between New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street.

This year's light-up, which is part of the Hua Qing Spring Festival celebrations, will also feature songs and dances from 500 performers, again the largest number to date.

The performances are meant to invoke memories from past Chinese New Year Celebrations, from the 1950s to the present day.

These will include a shadow projection sequence, dancers enacting samsui women, and a lion dance showcase in which 50 lions will perform 'mei hua zhuang', a traditional Chinese martial art executed on wooden poles wedged into the ground in the shape of a plum blossom.

Dr Lily Neo, Grassroots Adviser and Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, said: "This year's Chinese New Year celebrations are even more significant with Singapore marking its 50th birthday. We are delighted to be the first major festival to kickstart the year-long celebrations."

The organisers are also planning to bring 1,000 elderly folk from the pioneer generation on day trips to Chinatown to view the festivities. The trips will occur from Feb 2 to 17, and each pioneer will also receive a $10 angbao, or red packet.

There will be a wishing tree located at shopping mall Chinatown Point, on which members of the public can hang their wishes.

The tree is inspired by the ancient banyan tree in Lam Tsuen, Hong Kong, which people travel to during Chinese New Year to leave their wishes.

The lights will be up till March 19, after which members of the public will be able to adopt the goat lanterns.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Thaipusam Festival procession to begin on Feb 3 midnight

Thaipusam Festival procession to begin on Feb 3 midnight


Children carrying palkudam during last year's Thaipusam procession. The annual Thaipusam Festival procession will begin at 12.05am on Feb 3 this year, the Hindu Endowments Board announced on Wednesday.

The annual Thaipusam Festival procession will begin at 12.05am on Feb 3 this year, the Hindu Endowments Board announced on Wednesday.

At the start time, devotees carrying milk pots can begin their walk of faith from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road, which will start receiving milk offerings from 12.30am on the same day.

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival which honours the victory of deity Lord Murugan over demon hordes. Devotees seek blessings and fulfil their vows by carrying kavadis - intricate structures of steel and wood - and milk pots as offerings.

Those wishing to put on spike kavadis can register for the free spike piercing service at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. Spike and chariot kavadis can make their walk between 4am and 2pm on Thaipusam day. All kavadis will be required to enter the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple via the Race Course Road entrance.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Celebrate Chinese New Year - and SG50 - at River Hongbao 2015

Celebrate Chinese New Year - and SG50 - at River Hongbao 2015



Artist impressions of next month's River Hongbao being displayed at a press conference for the event held on Jan 29, 2015. Next month's River Hongbao promises to be the biggest in its 29-year history, as it celebrates not just the Chinese New Year but also Singapore's Jubilee year.

Here are some of the highlights you can look forward to at the 12-day carnival - from Feb 17 to 28 - at The Float @ Marina Bay. Admission is free.

TIGHTROPE-WALKING: For the first six days of the carnival, two members of the Acrobatic Troupe of Xinjiang China, Adili Wuxor and Abulaiti-Maijun, will perform stunts on a 60m-long tightrope, at least 20m off the ground. They hold several world records for tightrope-related stunts.

LANTERNS: More than 60 handcrafted lantern displays will be showcased, including familiar characters such as an 18m-tall God of Fortune and the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.

There will also be several SG50-themed lanterns, featuring familiar Singapore icons such as the dragon playground and the New World Amusement Park from the 1920s.

PHOTO EXHIBITION: Find out how Singaporeans celebrated past Chinese New Years through pictures.

Among the photos on display are those featuring Singapore pioneer Lim Boon Keng and his family having their reunion dinner as well as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong carrying his daughter to view the Chingay Parade at Orchard Road many years ago.

The photos have been curated by Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao's editorial team.

FOOD STREET: Chicken rice, hokkien mee and laksa will be among the local dishes to be sold at the street, which will have 60 local food stalls. Visitors can find out more about the origin of each dish from the panels on display.

THEME NIGHTS: Different programmes have been lined up for each of the 12 nights. For example, visitors can sing along to popular television drama theme songs from yesteryear during Xinyao Night on Feb 23 and 24.

They can also watch performances from different ethnic groups on Harmony Night on Feb 28. Other themes include Family Night, Getai Night and Youth Night.

FIREWORKS: There will be two displays: one during the light-up ceremony at 8pm on Feb 17 and another during the Chinese New Year countdown on Feb 18, at midnight.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

National Orchid Garden to be upgraded

National Orchid Garden to be upgraded to showcase more orchid varieties


Other key features of the garden, such as the Mist House, will undergo enhancements.

The National Orchid Garden, located in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, will undergo its first upgrade in 20 years to showcase more orchid varieties and improve visitor experience.

When the upgrade is fully completed by 2020, visitors will get to see at least 2,000 orchid species in the 3ha garden - up from the current 1,000 in its collection.

They will also be able to get up close and personal with more varieties of orchid species, particularly those growing at higher altitudes, when a second level is built in the garden's Cool House. Currently, the Cool House only has one level.

Three other key features of the garden - the bromeliad enclosure, Mist House and orchid nursery - will also undergo enhancements.

The bromeliad enclosure and the Mist House, for instance, will be fitted with improved ventilation, misting and irrigation systems.

The public will also be able to look over the orchid nursery from a viewing deck after the upgrade.

"This completes the current experience for visitors who can also view a part of the orchid hybridisation process at the laboratory located at the Botany Centre," the National Parks Board (NParks) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The enhancement programme will start next year and is expected to cost about $35 million. Of this sum, $10 million was donated by Sembcorp Industries to partially fund the enhancements of the Cool House, which will be renamed the Sembcorp Cool House.

Said NParks chief executive Kenneth Er: "We would like to thank Sembcorp for its generous donation and for its partnership in our greening journey.

"The contribution will go towards creating an environment for researchers to grow and bring orchids to flower, that are naturally found at higher elevations. This, in turn, will create a refreshing educational experience for visitors to learn more about these orchids and their environments."

Wednesday morning also marked the launch of the World of Flowers Exhibition at the City Developments Limited Green Gallery @ Singapore Botanic Gardens Heritage Museum. An educational exhibit featuring panels of text and photographs has been set up, which was opened by Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee.

The free exhibit will run from Wednesday (Jan 28) to May 31, from Mondays to Sunday. It is closed every last Tuesday of the month.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Brownish tap water at Airport Terminal 3; F&B outlets affected

Brownish tap water at Changi Airport Terminal 3; F&B outlets affected


A toilet in Changi Airport's Terminal 3. There were signs reminding visitors not to drink the tap water. Cleaners also told visitors to drink the bottled water provided by the airport, which were placed by the sinks.

Food and beverage outlets at Changi Airport's Terminal 3 (T3) had to halt sales of drinks and soup on Thursday due to issues with the tap water.

F&B operators found light brown water flowing out of their taps at about 3pm, and it only started to run clear after 5pm, Lianhe Zaobao reported. But most did not resume sale of drinks and soup even then.

The issue had still not been fully resolved by 11pm on Thursday, Zaobao said.

This is believed to be the first time there has been an issue with the water supply at the terminal.

The airport advised operators and visitors not to drink the water, use it to prepare food, or for cleaning. Changi Airport Group (CAG) distributed bottled water to affected food outlets, employees and airport visitors.

F&B operators also turned on their taps so that the brownish water could flow out, as instructed by the authorities.

One cafe had put up a sign which read "No Tea, Coffee". Staff at the cafe said they were serving only toast, but the airport had provided bottled water for patrons.

There were also signs in T3's toilets reminding visitors not to drink the tap water. Cleaners told visitors to drink the bottled water provided by the airport, which were placed by the sinks.

National water agency PUB told Zaobao it received a request at 7pm on Thursday to provide a temporary water supply, and to check T3's water quality.

PUB sent a water wagon to the terminal, which found that the water quality was fine. A spokesman from CAG said they will confirm if the water is potable after clear water supply is resumed.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

New aviary opens at Jurong Bird Park

New aviary opens at Jurong Bird Park



A new aviary, Wings of Asia, officially opened at Jurong Bird Park on Wednesday. The aviary will have more than 300 of the region's rare and endangered birds.

It will eventually house more than 500 birds across 135 species, including five threatened species that will be on display for the first time.

Among them are the Javan green magpie, the rufous-fronted laughing thrush and racquet-tailed parrot.

The park plans to start a breeding programme for such birds as their population in the wild has declined due to the loss of their habitat and trapping for the cage-bird trade.

In total, there will be 24 threatened species in Wings of Asia.

The new aviary stands on the site of the former South-east Asian Birds Aviary. The area was revamped over three months last year to include better educational displays and the new theme.

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister of State for National Development, was the guest of honour at the event on Wednesday.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Bill to curb alcohol sales draws mixed reactions

Bill to curb alcohol sales draws mixed reactions

PROPOSED laws to ban drinking in public places, including parks and common areas in Housing Board estates, from 10.30pm to 7am could prove unpopular with young clubbers, but have been welcomed by residents living near entertainment districts.

The late-night happenings around Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay have caused many living there to complain about the noise and littering that takes place on weekends and on Wednesday's Ladies' Nights.

When The Straits Times visited the area on Friday night, as many as 500 people - mostly adults in their early 20s - were drinking in public, having bought alcohol from shops such as nearby 7-Eleven stores.

Clubbers said they preferred to get a buzz first from cheaper alcohol bought from convenience stores, before heading to clubs where drinks are more expensive.

Even at midnight, there were long queues for drinks at these stores, which currently cannot sell alcohol between 3am and 6am.

The Liquor Control Bill introduced in Parliament yesterday will bar retail shops from selling take-away alcohol after 10.30pm.

"It would make sense to impose a ban in certain areas, but imposing it islandwide would be harsh," said full-time national serviceman Evan Choi, 21.

But residents there said that they welcome the proposed Bill. A resident of Watermark condominium in Robertson Quay who wanted to be known as Mr Tan, 42, said: "There are broken glass and a lot of littering on Wednesdays and weekends. The restrictions will help address the problem."

Under the proposed Bill, first-time drink offenders could be fined up to $1,000, and repeat offenders risk paying a maximum of $2,000 or imprisonment of up to three months, or both.

If a person is found trespassing or appearing in a public place while drunk and causing annoyance to another, he could face slightly stiffer penalties: a fine of up to $1,000 or jail time of up to six months, or both.

News of the proposed Bill was greeted with dismay by Geylang shop owners.

Currently, many can sell alcohol until midnight.

But Geylang retailers will be hit doubly hard if the Bill is passed. Part of the area will be a Liquor Control Zone, where there will be further restrictions similar to those in place at Little India following the riot in December 2013.

In Little India now, licensed shops can sell alcohol only up to 8pm on weekends, public holidays and the eve of public holidays.

All 10 retailers in Geylang contacted by The Straits Times said that most of their alcohol sales occur between 9pm and midnight. Foreign workers, who make up a bulk of their customers, typically return to their dormitories after work to freshen up and have dinner, before heading out for a drink at about 9pm.

Deen Malim, 48, owner of Alfa's Mini-mart in Geylang, said of the new Bill: "It's bad, it's very bad news." He added that alcohol sales make up half of his revenue.

"When customers come to buy alcohol, they also buy other things like snacks. The sale of other items will also be affected."

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

STB, Temasek to lead Mandai zoo revamp

STB, Temasek to lead Mandai zoo revamp



The 41-year-old Singapore Zoo (pictured) is located in Mandai, along with the Night Safari and River Safari. It is envisioned that the Mandai project will have a total site area of 120ha when completed, with rich, green spaces to see wildlife in their natural habitat. 

The major makeover and expansion of the zoo precinct at Mandai in Singapore's north will be led by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Temasek Holdings.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said yesterday that the partnership will help to realise the Government's vision for Mandai to become a world-class, nature-themed attraction.

In September, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that Mandai would be transformed into a bigger and better zoo by about 2020.

The 41-year-old Singapore Zoo is located at Mandai, along with the Night Safari and the relatively new River Safari. The proposals include using other land in the area to build the larger precinct.

Temasek is a majority shareholder of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which operates the existing stable of zoos as well as Jurong Bird Park.

It responded to STB's invitation to explore concepts for Mandai in about 2010.

MTI said Temasek shared the Government's vision for Mandai and submitted a compelling proposal to build on its existing attractions to shape Mandai into a leading nature destination in Asia.

It is envisioned that the Mandai project will have a total site area of 120ha when completed, with tranquil and rich, green spaces to see wildlife in their natural habitat.

New public spaces and waterfront trails are likely to be built.

Mr S. Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, said in a statement: "Temasek's concept builds on and significantly enhances the current WRS attractions in Mandai.

"The proposal is sensitive to the area's unique environment, while including exciting ideas and developments that will bring benefits to both Singaporeans and tourists."

Temasek head of enterprise development group Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara said in a separate statement: "We see the new Mandai as a haven for our broader community of Singaporeans and visitors, young and old, to enjoy nature in a fun and inspiring way.

"We aim to do this through an integrated, sustainable and inclusive approach, with Mandai developing as a nature destination to celebrate and protect our biodiversity."

Temasek said it will work with the National University of Singapore to undertake an environmental-impact assessment of the development and to ensure sustainable solutions in the areas of water and energy use.

~My Paper~

Pongal celebrations in Little India

Cultural, heritage events and light-up at annual Pongal celebrations in Little India



People walk across the light up at Serangoon Road as part of the annual Pongal Festival Celebrations (Harvest Festival) at Little India on Jan 10, 2015. Activities to welcome Pongal, a harvest festival celebrated mainly by the Tamil community, kicked off in Little India on Saturday with an annual light-up.

Jointly organised by the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association and the Hindu Endowments Board, the activities will be held until Jan 18.

Pongal, which means the boiling of milk and rice to signify abundance and prosperity, starts on Jan 14 this year and is a four-day affair.

Heritage and cultural activities will be held in Little India as part of the Pongal celebrations. For instance, Pongal, a traditional sweet pudding, will be distributed to about 6,000 visitors to Little India on Jan 15 and 16.

There will also be an annual Festival Village at the recently pedestrianised Campbell Lane, which will offer Indian delicacies, decorations, traditional outfits and henna.

Over at Hastings Road, a Cultural Village will showcase the vast culture, heritage and tradition of the Indian community. It includes a heritage exhibition and cattle farm.

Other events include a painting contest, an interactive debate in Tamil, and a treasure hunt.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Marina Bay Sands - Skypark

  

Meowseum of furry felines opened in Purvis Street

Meowseum of furry felines opened in Purvis Street



Friends of furry felines will be thrilled by a newly launched museum dedicated to cats. Called the Lion City Kitty - The Cat Museum, the three-storey centre located at 8 Purvis Street was launched by Law and Foreign Minister K Shanmugam on Friday evening. The museum will include a gallery where cats from Cat Welfare Society are up for adoption and an area where the centre's 9 resident cats are kept.

One could say that meowseum is the purrfect place to have cats.

After all humans just can't seem to get enough of the furry felines, both online and off.

On Friday evening, Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam launched the Lion City Kitty - The Cat Museum, a three-storey centre at 8 Purvis Street.

The non-profit centre, which charges $9 for admission, will be open to the public from Saturday. It has three galleries.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre

5 things to know about the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre


Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre is located at the site of the Nagore Dargah shrine, which was built between 1828 and 1830 by early immigrants from South India. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

The Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre in Telok Ayer on Tuesday launched a new gallery that focuses on the history of the Indian-Muslim diaspora here. Featuring storyboards and a multimedia display, visitors will learn about various aspects of the community's history, such as how Indian-Muslim merchants sailed from port to port to trade items such as betel and gold.

Here are five other things to know about the centre.

1. The Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre is an institution with more than 180 years of history. The centre is located at the site of the Nagore Dargah shrine, which was built between 1828 and 1830 by early immigrants from South India.

Early Indian-Muslim settlers often visited the place of worship to thank its saint Shahul Hameed, a South Indian holy man who helped to spread Islam to India, for granting them safe passage to Singapore.

2. The Nagore Dargah is a two-storey peach-and-white limestone building in Telok Ayer Street. It is a replica of a shrine in Tamil Nadu, India, that houses the remains of Shahul Hameed. The centre's facade, which includes a 14-tiered niche square minaret (which means beacon in Arabic) topped by an onion-shaped dome, has architecture similar to other Indian-Muslim institutions in Singapore.

These include the Jamae Mosque on South Bridge Road and the Al Abrar Mosque on Telok Ayer Street.

3. The shrine was gazetted as a national monument in 1974. In 2013, it underwent a year-long upgrading process, which included the restoration of its disintegrating wall paint. The centre re-opened to visitors on Nov 30 last year. It had received $47,700 from the National Heritage Board's National Monuments Fund to defray the restoration cost.

4. When the centre opened in 2011, it had a dining area set up by Halal food chain operator Banquet, featuring one stall that sold a variety of Indian Muslim foods like prata, murtabak and briyani. The idea of a commercial dining area initially caused discomfort among the community, but the issue was resolved.

The committee went to India to consult the Nagore Dargah management, which gave its blessing for the dining area as the building is a memorial to the saint, not his burial site. However, it later shut in 2012.

5. The newest gallery that was launched on Tuesday comprises storyboards and a multimedia exhibit featuring pioneers of the Indian-Muslim community.

However, the centre is looking to include more interactive elements to it, including exhibits with touch screens and QR codes.

This would help in reaching out to the younger generation who is more tech-savvy, said Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre's secretary Naseer Ghani. It is appealing to authorities, including the National Heritage Board, for funding to do so.

~News courtesy os Straits Times~

Singapore Tourist Pass

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Marina Barrage

S'pore to stay cool and wet this month

S'pore to stay cool and wet this month

THE cool, rainy weather here is expected to continue until the end of the month, before the cloudy skies clear up next month - just in time for the Chinese New Year.

There will be "a few rainy episodes" this month, but these are conditions typical of the north-east monsoon, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS).

Total rainfall for the month is expected to be about 242mm, the long-term average for January.

February is usually one of the driest months of the year, with a long-term average monthly rainfall of 161mm.

The cooler temperatures in the past week have been due to the effects of a north-east monsoon surge.

"This is a surge of cold air from northern China that results in a steady strengthening of north-easterly winds over the South China Sea," an MSS spokesman explained.

"The monsoon surge has brought windy conditions and cooler temperatures to Singapore in recent days."

The north-east monsoon typically lasts from late November to January, causing between two and four monsoon surges.

Between Dec 26 and 29, the daily minimum temperature ranged from 23.6 to 24 deg C.

The long-term mean daily temperature in December is 23.5 deg C.

Meanwhile, the daily maximum wind speed across the island ranged from 19.6kmh to 23.6kmh.

"This was stronger than the average daily maximum wind speed of 18.3kmh for (last) month," MSS said.

Some Singaporeans have been feeling the chill amid the cooler temperatures.

"Sometimes the wind is so cold, I will open the windows (with) only a small gap and still use a blanket," said civil servant Choy Tze Wei, 25, who lives in a 14th-floor four-room flat in Potong Pasir.

MSS said windy conditions are expected to ease over the next few days, with the weakening of the monsoon surge.

Ms Choy added: "That's a pity, I was just beginning to get used to it."

~News courtesy of My Paper~

Happy new year 2015