Reminder: A Christmas Carol Radio Live Production December 1st at the Learning Kitchen, Downtown Taipei

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the Radio Redux production of A Christmas Carol. I got to see the first performance today at Taipei American School.  This performance is wonderful for adults and children alike, and I highly recommend going along to next Sunday's performance at the Learning Kitchen downtown Taipei.  At just over an hour in length, it's perfect for introducing drama to children.

Tickets are available at the door: 300NT adults, 200 students, 100 for children under 12

 Directions to the Learning Kitchen:
  

Aveda’s Learning Kitchen, above the Aveda Salon:

No. 117, 2nd fl, Da An Road, section 1

北市大安路一段 117號2F

MRT Blue line to Zhongxiao Fuxing. Take exit #3 and it's an easy walk: straight out of the exit a few blocks along ZhongXiao E. Rd. At the first traffic light; turn right and you will be on Da'An Rd, sec 1

#117 will on the left 4-5 short blocks from the corner of ZhongXiao E. Rd. Look for the Aveda Salon Third Place.

When you are at the corner of Da’An Rd, standing in front of the Salon, walk down the lane to the first door on the left. We’ll be on the second floor.

BUS685。捷運忠孝復興。從SOGO百貨，過馬路一直走在忠孝東路，直到你擊中大安路1段。當你看到第Third Place Aveda沙龍右轉大安路。

Learning Kitchen 在Aveda Spa Third Place 的拐角處巷子, 2F。

[December 2013] Christmas Events, Taiwan

Following on from Halloween, here is my Christmas list. Come back regularly. I will add as I get more information.


November 23rd, 2013:

2013兩廳院聖誕點燈Light Up The Night

2013, NTCH invites New Media Artist Wang Jun-jie to create a geometry digital Christmas tree by programs and electronic controls. The new tree will become another landscape for the plaza. At the Light Up the Night event, NTCH presents several active performing groups with their free performances. An event filled with various art genres, creative imaginations, kind Santa Claus and friends in the glamorous bubbles and water scene. It is time for us to celebrate this heartwarming and romantic night together.

Address: The Plaza outside the National Theater Concert Hall, Chang Kai Shek Cultural Hall
No. 21-1 Chung-Shan S. Road, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

[30 November 2013] TAIPEI EUROPEAN SCHOOL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

 This event is one of my favorite ones for children.  The TES campus is the perfect layout for fairs for children and families.  Well-supported by the community, you will find excellent food, music, entertainment, and games for the whole family.  All the information you need is on the poster.
Time: 10am-4pm
Address: 727 Wenlin Road, Shilin District (near ZhiShan MRT)
Entry is usually something like NTD10/person.

[Ongoing] Taipei Grand Hyatt's Christmas Tree

The Hyatt's tree-lighting event was late last week.  I do not really like that event for families, actually, even though I know some do.  With the models and other small-time stars they bring in, it has a very odd kind of Christmas/not-Christmas, commercial feel to me.  The money raised does go to good causes, and the tree is pretty.

Here is an article from the China Post about the event, with a picture of the 10-meter-high tree. You can go in and take pictures in front of the tree whenever you like. 

[From Nov 16, 2013] New Taipei City Christmas Wonderland

Christmas is starting earlier every year!  And getting bigger and bigger! Last weekend saw the beginning of festivities for New Taipei City. "Christmas Land in New Taipei City"

This Friday, November 22nd, between 6:30 and 7:00pm, is the tree lighting ceremony.


November 23rd and 24th, 1pm-8pm, is the YOYO TV performance session.

The night of November 30th, 5:30-9:30pm, there will be a run with Santa.  Children ages 3 through 10 can register.  They must be accompanied by an adult, ideally not more than two kids per adult.  If you click on this link, you can see the Teddy bear gift the children who finish the run will get, as well as a map and registration form.

This is all happening in the square outside New Taipei City Hall in Panchiao.

市府地址: 新北市板橋區中山路一段161號

Chungshan Road Section 1, No. 161 (New Taipei City Hall)

[Nov 16 2013] Two Rummage Sales!

There are two rummage sales/flea markets on this Saturday!

I will post AGAPE first, because I have a table there. I am selling clothing, books, and leggings, with the aim of raising money for our school.  AGAPE is raising money for charity, and the remaining items are going to places including the typhoon-ravaged Phillipines.

This rummage sale has a long history, and there is a loyal group that donates quality children's and maternity items every sale.  Start time is 8:30am.

The second sale is the TAS Orphanage Club's one at Taipei American School. There are over 80 tables with second-hand items.  Time is 10am until 5pm.


Address: 800 Chung Shan North Road, Section 6, Taipei 111
Phone: 886-2-2873-9900
Fax: 886-2-2873-1641

 Both of these events are family-friendly, but do note that they can get very crowded.  I always enjoy them more without kids, and I certainly come home with less that way!

[Oct 26, 2013] Daniel Pearl Day of Music

This is a fun outdoor event for the family.  If you go, please support the New to You second-hand clothing charity sale, by finding their tent and seeing if there are any books, shoes, or clothing items that you can purchase.

Information below is from the Facebook page.

Address: Taipei City Hakka Park, No. 2 Ting Zhou Road Section 3.

丹尼音樂節在去年擴大舉辦獲得廣大迴響後，將於今年10月26日舉行第12屆紀念丹尼．波爾（Daniel Pearl）的音樂日。為紀念丹尼．波爾短暫卻燦爛的一生，他的朋友在同年發起「丹尼音樂節」，每年十月在世界各地舉辦，傳遞愛與和平、希望與寬容的理念。
The 12th Annual Daniel Pearl Day of Music will be will be held in Taipei on Saturday, October 26, at the Taipei Hakka Cultural Park from 2-10PM. The annual series of concerts honors the life of the slain Wall Street Journal reporter on what would have been his 50th birthday. Taipei is proud to host the free musical along with 129 countries around the world

樂團體包括 performers this year include: Suming舒米恩, Funky Brothers 放客兄弟, Omer Avital Quintet (Israel), Formosa Romance福爾摩莎羅曼史, Mary Bites Kerry 瑪莉咬凱利, Pan Africana泛非文化樂團 ,Mr. Loud Who Chance三十萬年老虎鉗,Jelly Roll Affair, Yellow Funky Stuff (Japan),Dread Rider, Megan Dooley Trio,Three Legged Cat三腳貓, and more ….

[Oct 26, 2013] Annual Taipei American School (TAS) International School Fair

With so much going for Halloween that this great event nearly passed me by.  Our family doesn't go to it because we don't handle the crowds well, but it is a much-loved fair with a long history, and well-worth going to at least once.

Held on the TAS campus in Shilin, and run by the TAS PTA, there will be food from over 20 countries, games, music, and even a haunted house.

Address: Taipei American School, 800 Chung Shan North Road, Section 6 (〞中山北路六段800號)
Time: 10am-4pm, Saturday October 26, 3013
Admission: NTD20/person

Halloween Family Events Taipei 2013

Boo!

It's that time of year, when parents start looking for Halloween events, costumes, and decorations for their families. I've been following things online, and decided to try to put everything in one place.

a. Halloween Costumes:

Behind Taipei Train Station, there are several stores (according to this Taipei Times article, there were 14 last year) that stock Halloween (and then Christmas) costumes and decorations. Costumes start at about TWD300.  Most are the kind you would find at a Walmart or similar store back home.

 This is from the article mentioned above:

The Holiday House (節慶屋) at 95 Changan W Rd (台北市大同區長安西路95號), tel: (02) 2559-4897 is geared more towards women with the requisite flirtatious Little Red Riding Hood and risque female versions of Captain America costumes. Prices are between NT$499 and NT$599 for adult costumes and NT$100 less for children. Unfortunately, the Holiday House seemed like a Christmas store moonlighting as a Halloween shop.
A few steps down the road is Lucky House (吉祥屋) at 109 Changan W Rd (台北市大同區長安西路109號), tel: (02) 2550-0262. At first, the list prices on everything seemed to be a bit higher than the Holiday House, but soon the owner came over and started offering better deals. She turned out to be a spirited bargainer and a costume that contained a hat, wig and sailor’s dress went from being NT$970 to NT$750 with a few clicks on the buttons of her oversized calculator. Eventually, a price of NT$700 was settled on, but not before using the time-honored pretending-to-walk-away tactic of negotiation.
Technically not on Changan West Road but worth mentioning because it’s very visible from the intersection at Changan and Taiyuan is Party World Thematic Warehouse (派對世界) at 63 Taiyuan Rd (台北市太原路63號), tel: (02) 2559-9758. This two-level shop had the widest selection of all with kids’ costumes, fairy wings and tons of pirate paraphernalia. One of their specialties is all shapes and sizes of mylar balloons, which ranged in prices from NT$100 to NT$450 filled with helium. Overall, Party World would be the first place to shop to decorate for a Halloween party.

Here is a link to a map for a store at Tai Yuan Road No. 6 (just north of Taipei Main Station).

Lococo is a very large outlet store, with some fantastic costumes available all year round for good prices. The costumes are in the room off to the side of the main store. Beitou Road Sec. 1, No. 7 (Beitou District). This is just off the MRT line, so not as hard to get to as it sounds.
北投路一段七號

A seasonal costume shop downtown is about two blocks south of Renai Road, near Lane 456.  Thanks to Kelly for sharing this information.   They stock costumes for adults and children.
Address: Building No. 442, Guang Fu South Road, Taipei. 光復南路442號

Shin Mei, a stock-clearance store behind SOGO in Taipei currently has  20% off  Halloween decorations and costumes.
Address: Tung Hua South road, section 1, alley 190, number 53 (behind the white SOGO, Zhongxiao-Fuxing MRT, North-East corner.)

In Keelung (Jilong), you can go to the 3rd floor of Bao-ping Book Store (保評書局), near the big MacDonald's.   Address: Renai District, Ai-Er Road, No. 76. 基隆市仁愛區愛二路76號 - across from the big bus station outside the parking building.  The stationery store next to Hess Bookstore also has a few bits and pieces.  They both stock a few cute candy items, made in Vietnam.

Wellcome (頂好) is going a bit Halloween-crazy, with its pumpkin range, at least.  The tiny ones are TWD39, then they go up and up and UP to TWD1,000. They also have posters up about some events/promotions, but I didn't get a chance to read it properly.


2. Events:

Tianmu's Market Place Development Organisation runs a whole series of events for Halloween, the biggest being the free one at Tianmu Sports Park on October 26th, 1-8pm.  Their event information is all in Chinese (here).

http://www.tianmu.org.tw/modules/news/article.php?storyid=74&uid=0

It says on the poster that 200 stores in Tianmu are taking part in the Trick-or-Treating, between 11am and 12noon. I'm guessing that is on Saturday, but the poster does seem to show that it is on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday...

At the park, they will have food and drink stands, music, storytelling, and games.

Between 2 and 3pm, Shing Gong Mitsukoshi's Tianmu Store will be giving away 3,000 pumpkins and other gifts.


The Brass Monkey is running another Kid's Halloween Party this year, on October 27th.

銅猴子邀請您全家與我們一起瘋萬聖!!
Fun and games for the whole family!
日期 Date : Sunday 10/27星期天
入場時間 : 11:00AM - 4:00pm
Adults 大人 NT$550*
Children 小孩 (<1 br="" free="" nt="" old="" yr="">Under 2 yrs old NT$450
我們會有另您意想不到的好玩把戲讓您和您的孩子一起同樂
當天打扮最佳的孩子會有機會把大獎帶回家唷!!
 Be sure to dress up, as we have great prizes for the best costumes!
Full buffet lunch for adults and children
大人兒童可享自助式早、午餐
*BOOK BEFORE OCTOBER 19 AND GET 10% OFF!!!!!!
*10月15號之前預訂，可享9折優惠
訂位請 email puffy@brassmonkeytaipei.com
For reservations please email puffy@brassmonkeytaipei.com
或打電話訂位 Please call Puffy on 0918 620 088

I've heard from friends that The Brass Monkey runs pretty good parties for families, with lots of fun gifts, prizes, and games.

The Brass Monkey is at 166 Fuxing North Road, Taipei, Taiwan, 台北市復興北路166號.

It's right by Nanjing East Road MRT stop, so if you think you might have a drink, why not just take the MRT and/or taxi?  Parking is available nearby, but it is not cheap on weekends.

Kidchen Club (a cooking and activity space in Shilin run by a lovely couple) will hold two Halloween-related sessions coming up to Halloween.  Cost is NTD2,400 for the two sessions.  Their food is awesome!

Address: No. 68-10, Tian Mu N. Rd., Shihlin District, Taipei City, Taipei 111, Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan


Taipei City Playgroup also holds an annual Halloween party for children.  It is for members of the playgroup, and very much an event where families get involved in the planning and running of the afternoon.  Families bring treats to share and for the trick-or-treating.  Older children make games for others to play during the afternoon. If you are a family in Taipei and would like to join an English-language playgroup, the best way to join is to contact me with your email address so I can add you to the group.  You can also read about upcoming events on Taiwanease.com

The American Club will have a members-only event for children on October 27th.  If you have an active family that enjoys lots of sports and social activities and are craving an English environment, take a look at the American Club membership as an option.

Radio Redux will give three performances of Dracula over the weekend of October 26th and 27th. Click here for more details.  It is being advertised as suitable for adults and children over 12.

McDonald's seem to have two activities. The first is, add NTD30 to your Happy Meal and you get a DIY pack.  The second is, there is Halloween bus going to the stores listed on the poster (in Chinese at the bottom)

Taipei Zoo's Zoolloween is up and running. The main event is on October 26th , 4pm-8pm.  I need to gripe. Why is it EXTREMELY difficult to dig up anything really useful about events in Taiwan?  Even the Taiwan Government's English website fails to mention ANY of the event details... Here's a poster and a link, anyway.  I read that the baby panda is the feature of Zoolloween.

Xue Xue Kids in Neihu is having a Halloween weekend on October 26th and 27th. All this info is currently in Chinese. I'll try to find time to translate. Xue Xue Kids is a very cool space in Neihu.  Check out their website to find out more.

Alumni from  Columbia, Cornell, MIT, NYU, Wash U and Yale currently in Taiwan can attend the 2013 Taipei Intercollegiate Halloween Spooktacular.  See details here.

Sanchong Govt. will host a Halloween party over two afternoons (Oct 25 and 26). Information (Chinese) here.


That's what I have so far.  Halloween has become quite popular with the younger set in Taipei.  Many kindergartens and schools will have events where children dress up and learn the "Trick-or-Treat" rhyme. After all, who doesn't like an excuse to play pretend and eat lots of candy?

2013 Halloween Family Camp at Camp Taiwan

Running for several years now, and with an excellent reputation, Camp Taiwan organises several kinds of camp for children, youth, and families. They are currently arranging a Halloween Family Camp.  Please take a look on their website for full information and to register.

 Come and enjoy Camp Taiwan’s first open Halloween Camp. Families do not need to gather a big group as with a normal family camp. Simply register each member of your family using the ‘register online’ button below. Every member of the family needs to be registered separately. Those 12 and older should choose ‘adult’ registration [Ad], kids under 12 should choose ‘child’[Ch] registration and those under five should be registered as ‘toddlers.’ [To] It is important each member of the family has his own registration so we can have the kitchen well prepared. So we can keep track of your family and keep them together in our tents, please put the family leader’s name on each registration in the ‘tent with’ section of the registration. This system is designed for summer camp registrations so please bear with us as we use it for a family camp for the first time. It will hopefully be an easy way for everyone to sign up and enjoy a nice Camp Taiwan weekend.

Friday, Oct. 25
1800 — Arrive. Guests are welcome to arrive Friday after 6 p.m. Please note, this Friday night dinner is gratis. There is no refund for those who cannot arrive Friday. If you do not think you can arrive before 9 p.m. we ask you come Saturday morning at the regular time.
1930 — Dinner. After dinner, families are free to relax in the dining area. There is no official evening program on Friday night, though camp staff will light a campfire for the families.
Saturday, Oct. 26
0730 — Breakfast. Families enjoy a western-style breakfast and sign up for the day’s activities
0900 — Activity Period 1
1030 — Activity Period 2
1200 — Lunch. After lunch there is an hour rest time. Please note, during all ‘non-activity’ periods, including meals, children are the sole responsibility of their parents. Children are not allowed to roam camp on their own. An adult must be present wherever there are children.
1400 — Activity Period 3
1530 — Activity Period 4
1700 — Rest/showers. Parents can choose to shower their children during this rest time. We have hot water 24 hours a day to suit any routine, but this rest time is when most get themselves cleaned up after a long day.
1800 — Dinner
1915 — Halloween Party/Campfire. We will have a campfire, roast S’mores and then get into our costumes. Once in our costumes, we will have games and treats for the kids and parents alike. Music, dancing and fun will last until people start to head back to their tents.
Sunday, Oct. 27
0730 — Breakfast. Families enjoy a western-style breakfast and sign up for the day’s activities
0900 — Activity Period 5
1030 — Activity Period 6
1200 — Lunch and departure.
This is open to all families who would like to join. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (02)7720-7721.
 

About Camp

Camp Taiwan is a unique English-immersion camping experience for both native speakers and learners alike. Forty-five minutes from Taipei, Camp Taiwan is nestled on 80 acres on the North Coast of Taiwan in the foothills between Jin Shan and Wan Li. The scenery at Camp is stunning. We are home to unspoiled forests, ponds, streams, mountain trails and hidden waterfalls. It is Taiwan as past generations remember it.

What We Do

We bring the traditions of North American-style camps to Asia and offer a unique camping experience to participants of all ages – from six-to-17-year-olds in our summer camps all the way up to senior executives in our popular corporate retreats. Whether you come to camp as part of a summer, school, family or corporate group, we bring the same spirit and focus to everything we do.

Our Philosophy

Camp Taiwan is a community founded on respect for self, others and nature. We give every participant an experience that encourages personal growth and inspires cultural, social and environmental awareness. In our fun, safe and supportive environment, campers are free to participate fully, make friends and have a memorable experience. We have had a successful session if each of our campers has tried something new, made friends and had fun.

[August 10, 2013] Do Re Mi 音樂劇童唱會 Concert for 0-6 Year Olds at National Concert Hall

These concerts are super-popular, so I am putting it up now even though tickets do not seem to be on sale yet.  You can go the 7-11 I-Bon and ask staff to help you find the concerts, or keep an eye online (this page is in Chinese, but you can spot the Do Re Mi once they put it up).

This year, there will be three shows: 2:20, 4:30, and 6:30pm. They are 40 minutes long.  Tickets are NTD150 each.  Music is from the Sound of Music:
Do Re Mi
I Have Confidence
The Lonely Goatherd
Edelweiss
Climb Every Mountain
So Long Farewell

Concert name: Do Re Mi 音樂劇童唱會 
Date: 8月10日
Place: 國家音樂廳 (National Concert Hall, CKS Memorial)

Actually, August 10th is a date with many family concerts on the go.  Here is another one that looks quite good:

The Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra 台北愛樂室內樂坊 第二十六期 古典親子音樂甜點—亞歷山大 蘇雅雷 2013來台音樂會
Alexandre SOUILLART 2013 Recital à Taipei (Family concert0

When: August 10th, 7:30pm
Cost: NTD300 per ticket, deal of NTD480 for one parent and one child
Where: 台北愛樂暨梅哲音樂文化館 (北市濟南路一段七號B1) Jinan Road Section 1, No. 7, B1, Taipei City.

Link to online ticketing site (you can download the English order form on the English page and fax/email it to the office).

They are also holding some workshops for children over summer (in Chinese): http://tspo.pixnet.net/blog/post/39217655http://tspo.pixnet.net/blog/post/39217655

[Aug 31- Sep 15, 2013] Taipei Fringe Festival

Well, the website is not up till July, and tickets are not on sale until the beginning of August, but... early notice... August 31st at 4pm, in Shimending, there will be the opening event, which is being promoted as a big family event.

Here is the link to the WIP website:  http://www.taipeifringe.org/englishinfo/eninfo.aspx.

So much going on these days in Taipei for families.  It's delightful!

[July 1-Aug 11 2013] Taipei Children's Arts Festival

It's that time of year again!  You can now go and book tickets to the great shows and workshops being held as part of the Taipei Children's Arts Festival!

Note that tickets for international acts can only be bought at ticket counters in North Taiwan. You can find local acts on the site http://www.artsticket.com.tw/ or at the 7-11 (Ibon system).

Comprehensive bilingual booklets are at local libraries.  Schools are also handing them out to students.  Alternatively, take a look on their website (some English).

[July 6- Aug 26, 2013] Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival

This yearly festival is a true favorite with our family. Water, food, music, games, open space... it's hard to find anything better to do over summer.

I've posted detailed information about this over the years, but this year organizers have managed to get a fairly complete English version of the site together in time. (It's funny to read my own post from a couple of years ago, and to see how things have improved.)

The festival is based on the banks of the Dong Shan River in Ilan.  There are shuttle buses going there on a regular basis during the festival.  Be warned, weekends are insanely busy. 

You can buy entrance tickets in advance if you want to save a little money.

Full information can be found on the English website.

[June 15, 2013] Taipei American School Charity Rummage Sale

Late, late, LATE notice!  This is a great chance to pick through lots of used items to find that treasure you were didn't know you needed, and to contribute to a good cause, too.

TAS Orphanage Club Summer Rummage Sale on June 15

The TAS Orphanage Club will hold a charity rummage sale of second-hand items on Saturday, June 15. Items such as clothing, toys, electronic items, and household appliances collected through community donations will be on sale.
The sale will take place from 10:00AM to 5:00PM and admission is free. All proceeds will support TAS Orphanage Club projects.

Address: 800 Chung Shan North Road, Section 6, Taipei, Taiwan ROC
Phone: 886 2 2873 9900

Taipei Children's Arts Festival 2013 - Keep an Eye on the Site!

Scheduled to run from July 1st through to August 11th this year, this event is always very popular.  The website will be up fully on May 27th. You then have to be FAST to get tickets to lots of the classes!  I have always missed out, but there is still a lot of ongoing stuff to enjoy even if you can't get into a workshop.

Website link (bookmark it/put it on your alarm) : http://www.taipeicaf.org/News/NewsContent.aspx?id=128&NewsID=584

[Sun Apr 21] Taiwan Book Fest - Books by Expats in Taiwan, Books About Taiwan, Buy/Sell/Swap Your Own Books

Running from 12 noon til 6pm today at Huashan 1914 Creative Park  in Taipei, the Taiwan Book Fest is all about English-language books.

You can buy, sell, and swap books.  The organiser has also set up a space for children's books this year, so you can take books your family has finished with and exchange them.  There will also be at least 200 books for sale very cheaply, with proceeds going to Animals Taiwan.

There will also be several authors speaking over the course of the afternoon.  They include Elias Ek, who will present his new book "How to Start a Business in Taiwan". 

Elias Ek is a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder and president of Enspyre, the leading provider of B2B telemarketing services in Taiwan, and winner of the 2012 CCIFT (法國工商會) SME Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award.

Another well-known member of the expat community speaking is Richard Saunders. I think most of us in Taiwan have read at least one of his guidebooks during our time here.  He will promote his new book "The Islands of Taiwan".

The website is comprehensive and has clear directions to the venue.


http://taiwanbookfest.com/ 

 
No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City

Summer Camp 2013 - A Chance to Let Your Children Let Off Steam, Learn New Skills, Speak English, and Meet New Friends

Further to my post about my weekly classes at Parents' Place in Neihu, I'd like to tell you about the two summer camps we are running this July and August.  Fitness Instructor Colleen Peterson and myself will share the job of taking up to twelve children through a week of fun, physical fitness, and mental exercise.

We do already have a couple of kids registered, so sign up early to avoid disappointment.

WEEK ONE JULY 1ST TO 5TH
WEEK TWO AUGUST 19TH-23RD
10AM-3PM (Doors open 9:30am-4pm)

Suitable for children aged 6-12 or so (entering first grade to entering Junior High), each camp is five days long and runs from 10am to 3pm each day. The camp will be run in English. Native speakers of English, and children with English as a Second or Foreign Language are all most welcome.  (Teachers do speak Chinese as a Foreign Language, but instruction will be in English.)

*Doors will open at 9:30am and close at 4pm. There will be four hours of organized activities each day.

*Cost for one camp is TWD5,000 per child. We need a minimum of six paid-up enrolments before the camp can go ahead, so please register and pay early. (Please pay by June 5th for the first camp.)

* The schedule for the two camps will be similar (fitness in the morning, quieter activities in the afternoons), but content will be different. This is to ensure children get to do a variety of activities, even if they sign up for both camps.

*Numbers limited to 12 children per camp.

*Schedule:

10-12 noon: Teacher - Colleen Peterson
Summer Camp Fit and Fun for Kids: Let's get fit this summer, have fun, make some new friends and learn some new skills!

10:00-10:15 : warm up cardio and light weight strength training
10:20-10:30 : cardio endurance training (10 spot circuit where there will be ten different stations to run to, 1 min at each, doing heart raising activites like jump rope, star jumps etc)
10:30-10:35: pilates core workout
10:35-10:50: three legged race, egg and spoon race, sack race, tunnel ball , air volleyball, bobbing for apples,red rover, funny mummy wrap game (each day will be a different activity)
10:50-11:00 Water and toilet break
11:00-11:50 To the park we will learn and play tee-ball

12noon-1pm Lunch Break/Rest

1pm-3pm Activity Time - Katrina Brown
Activities will include paper making, letter writing, felt craft, board games, environmental discussion, Readers Theater, science, and art. Exact activities will be finalized once we know the age group of registered children.

 

Address: 
2F, No. 315, Section 4, ChenGong Rd, Neihu District, 台北市內湖區成功路四段315號2F, Taipei, Taiwan 114

Registration Page:  http://www.parentsplace.com.tw/Register.html

[April 13, 2013] Agape Charity Rummage Sale, Taipei

April 13th will be a busy day for family bargain-hunters!  In addition to the Bethany Sale that I will be at, the bi-annual Agape Charity Rummage Sale is also on.  I'm really pleased to see them supporting local children again this year.  I'm a firm believer in giving back to the place that has treated many of us so well over the years.

This sale has grown pretty big, so be prepared to get there early if you love getting great stuff for bargain prices.

Agape Charity Rummage Sale: April 13th:
Dear Parents and Friends of City Playgroup,
We are excited to announce the sale will be on Saturday, April 13th, from 9:00am - 12:00noon.

We are very grateful to all of you who will make donations over these next few weeks, through drop offs and directly on the day of the sale. This time all cash proceeds will be given to Christian Mountain Children's Home, an orphanage near Kaohsiung, Taiwan, that has been in operation since 1952. The website link: www.cmchtw.org.tw

All remaining items will be donated to either a local infant / toddler orphanage in Taipei City or to a charity working with aboriginal villages of Taiwan, of which both we have donated extra things to for several years now.

This is a bi-annual event that allows families to reuse and recycle, as well as de-clutter for a good cause. We are asking for donations of infant and children's clothing, books, toys, and infant and maternity related items since these things have always been the main focus of our rummage sale. We also accept adult clothing, household goods, and simple useful items that are acceptable for rummage sales.

Please Note: the only furniture we can take is infant related such as beds, strollers, playpens, and highchairs, etc.

We have been very encouraged by those who have stepped forward already to volunteer and ask that if you are interested to help in sorting, or setting up and/or working at the sale on the day, to please respond to this post, or send me a private message. We need and appreciate any help you can give! Those who volunteer for a few hours will have an opportunity to select up to (5) items they wish to purchase while sorting and at 8:30am for those who will help on the sale day, as a gesture of appreciation.

Sorting & Set Up Dates

Thursday, April 11th: 1:00 - 4:00pm

Friday, April 12th: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Volunteers are always welcome on the morning of the sale for help at the tables selling from 9:00am - 12:00noon, and packing up from 12:00 - 12:30.

Location: 3F, Building No. 21, Chang Chun Rd., Taipei City / 台灣台北市中山區長春路21 號 3 樓
(Near the intersection of ZhongShan North Rd.)

The venue is located a few blocks from the Zhongshan MRT stop, EXIT 9, on the red line. The 5th exit is in the underground mall area and that you have to head north towards the direction of the Shuanglian MRT stop while underground. You will actually take an elevator at Exit 9, It is less than a 2-block way from there.

DONATIONS
If you have any items to donate, we ask that you bring them to the following places:
Taipei Area:
-City Playgroup Thursday Outing Locations / Kelly Manske

- Kelly's home address: 台北市慶城街69號11樓 11F., Building No. 69, Qingcheng St ., Songshan Dist., Taipei City Cell: #0919-996-827 / Home # (02) 2545-0459

-AGAPE Church office / Wendy Chen: 53 MinQuan W. Rd, Taipei City, #2598 - 1009 / #0922-174-083

In Taipei area, if you have larger items to donate (infant furniture / large boxes of items) that you are not able to drop off, please contact Kelly about a pick-up.

Tien Mu / Shilin / Beitou:
Community Services Center / In care of Jennifer Chau No. 25, Lane 290 Zhong Shan North Rd., Sec. 6 Telephones: (02) 2836-8134 · 2838-4947

Neihu Area: Parent's Place / Angela Chang #315, 2F, Cheng Gong Road, Section 4, Neihu Tele: 097-066-9040 - Please call first! Website: http://www.parentsplace.com.tw/

[April 13, 2013] Bethany Flea Market, Taipei

The annual Bethany (Morrison Academy) Flea Market will be held from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, April 13th, 2013.  I will have a table there, so please come and find me if you do attend.

There is usually a very good range of books, children's games and clothing, and household goods for sale.  This time, there will be wonderful natural products made by Katerina Klimes (Mila products).  I LOVE these products, and the fact that Katerina is working very hard to grow her home-based business really impresses me.  I will be selling leggings (yes, I still have many) at really good prices, as well as some new and used household items and children's and adult's clothing.

This flea market is a great size for those of us who get overwhelmed by the crowds of some of the bigger events held.  The quality of the items for sale is enviable, too.

I took this from the Bethany website:

Address:
Ting Chou Road, Section 3, #97, Taipei Taiwan 10090
 台北伯大尼美國學校 台北市汀州路3段97號

Map:  http://bethany.mca.org.tw/bethany-about/map-and-directions