ShanghaiExpat Community WebLog

As far as I can tell the earthquake in Sichuan did not affect the operation of the Shanghai metro or buses in any way. If you do happen to be on the subway when an earthquake strikes, what should you do? Metrofans member Chushuiyu (fish out of water) saw a report on TV that said:

抓紧扶手，降低重心，保护头部

Grab the handrail, lower your center of gravity, and protect your head.

Two cities that have both rail transit systems and serious earthquake problems are Tokyo and San Francisco. If you ride the subway often, it's a good idea to read the SF Bay Area Rapid Transit's guide to "Your Safety on BART". An excerpt:

1. Be aware of your surroundings. Knowing that something doesn't look "right" can sometimes make the difference in your safety.
2. Listen carefully to emergency instructions. A trained BART employee issuing instructions is a critical emergency resource. Whether you are on the train and listening to instructions over an intercom, or face-to-face with a Station Agent or a BART Police Officer, please listen carefully and follow directions calmly.
3. Report or act upon an unsafe condition immediately. Reporting an unsafe incident or condition to BART personnel can protect you and others from a dangerous situation. If that's not possible, this brochure contains some specific instructions for emergency situations.

The guide also goes on to give instructions on how to use emergency equipment on trains, as well as detailing practical safety procedures in case train evacuation inside a subway tunnel or on the elevated track.

The Tokyo Metro's Safety and Disaster Prevention web page lists the safety measures that their Metro system takes to ensure passenger safety:

To ensure passenger safety, we have not only installed Automatic Train Control (ATC) and other safety equipment, we also have state-of-the-art facilities for maintenance and inspection. In addition, our staff are carefully trained, in each and every work unit, to provide calm, quiet, quick and sure response to any unexpected event. We also conduct regular, large-scale disaster drills.

Here's to hoping that the Shanghai subway system will someday reach these high standards of safety and emergency response preparedness!

From a member of the Shanghai Mamas (and papas, unofficially) e-mail list, during a discussion of how to avoid getting ripped off by crafty cab drivers:

I get my [transportation] card from the booths in any of the metro subway lines. The deposit of the card is RMB20 and then you put in how ever much you want. The card is like a prepaid card and can be used for taxi fares, public busses, subway metro, maglev and also highway tolls.

That the card can be used to pay highway tolls is new to me. Another list member gives this helpful reminder:

If you are using the card, PLEASE MAKE SOME PERSONAL MARK ON IT, or put a plastic cover on it, or whatever, to make it look different to a standard card, because apparently some immoral taxi drivers take your cards and give you back their own cards without any credit in it after you make the payment.

I myself have the card in a plastic cover because I like the original green face of the transportation card, but my eyes wander each time I pass one of the subway station vendors selling colorful stick-on covers with faces of movie stars, cartoon characters, puppies and kittens, and other interesting designs. For you home shoppers, thousands of designs are available on Taobao.

Facebook Friday Newsletter May 9, 2008

Long week, Hand Foot Mouth Disease, Visa Issues and more, are all part of this first community Newsletter in May. Sorry I bailed on last week, but that holiday threw me off and even now is till barely realize its Friday after a 6 day work week. Working on Sundays…blah. Hand foot mouth disease is in the news as over 15000 cases have been reported this month and the number of child deaths resulting form this has exceeded 30. ☹ It’s a hygiene issue folks so just remember to wash your hands often, wash your kids’ hands often, and overall just be more cautious. For up to date discussions: http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/MDForum-viewtopic-t-75614.phtml

Along the lines of Health, wrote up a quick list of eco-friendly and healthy choice vendors that exhibited at the recent Eco0-Fair. They deserve our patronage for leading the way by bringing eco-conscious products to us in this market. http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/community/index.php?blog=5&title=eco_design_fair_comments_and_exhibitor_l&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

Visa issues has also been a big issue lately as many folks are not working legally here, some by choice, others by default. The latest news is that UK and Commonwealth passport holders seem to be able to get renewals in HK, but no confirmation on US and EU yet. Home country applications are still recommended at this time. A step by step guide to getting a Z-visa/work permit/residence permit can be found on my blog at: http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/community/index.php?blog=5&title=guide_to_getting_your_z_visa_work_aamp_r&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

Mother’s Day is THIS Sunday, so head on out to your favorite brunch this weekend with mom if she is here. If not, avoid those places like the plague as many of those places will be packed. Chinese places will likely have less crowds as Mother’s Day celebrated this Sunday is still based on a western calendar. And if Mom is somewhere other than here…better remember to make that phone call!

The membership rolls of this community group is now up to 519 this week! Welcome to all the new members and thanks as always to everyone who has helped keep this group going. Speaking of keeping this group going, given that my company graciously allows me the time to write these newsletters, below is a quick ad that offers everyone here discounted stuff from my employer including some cool water filters that we have in our home and love! Heck, a 20% off a drinking water purifier translates to over $100US!
*
AD*** Members of this Group are eligible for a 20% one-time discount this month (MAY) on any HealthywayDirectway order of Water filters, organic Rice, or Memory Foam Sleep Products! Just go to http://english.obusiness.cn to see shower filters, drinking water purifiers, memory foam pillows and more to see what you like and use “SHXPCommunity” as the discount code. ** end AD
*
Some upcoming events and such:

Rain seems to be possible this weekend so try and stay dry. But if you do brave the weather, or if it changes to partly cloudy like we hope it will, head on out to Lujiazui Saturday afternoon at 3 to either participate or watch as “Frozen in Shanghai” part 2 unfolds. A group of participants will all “freeze” for a set amount of time at the same time and watch people around freak out. Info: http://shanghaiist.com/2008/05/09/frozen_in_shang_1.php Video from previous time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMd3WPWPS3Y&eurl=http://shanghaiist.com/2008/05/09/frozen_in_shang_1.php

May 10, 2008, 7:30om, Shanghai Concert Hall
Keren Ann Concert Famous for her whispery, melancholic voice, Keren Ann has continued to impress since her debut album "La Biographie De Luka Philipsen," a mix of French poems, trip-hop, French, Russian and Jewish folk songs. She continues to push creative boundaries, making use of a broad range of styles, instrumental and non-instrumental sounds to convey the emotions of her lyrics to the audience. RMB100-200

May 17, 2008, 7:30pm, Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Grammy award winner Chris Botti comes to China on his Italia tour. “Discovered” by Oprah Winfrey back in 2004 Jazz impresario Chris Botti has become a major force on the jazz scene. Tickets available from Da-Jam International, 5298-9697

May 22nd-24th, 7:30 pm, Shanghai Grand Theatre (www.shgtheatre.com)
Ballet San Jose -The American San Jose Ballet (my hometown ballet) was established in 2000 drawn from three large ballet troupes. In its new incarnation, the troupe performs the programs its inherited from the separate troupes’ past performances as well as new presentations created by artistic director Dennis Nahat. During their three days in Shanghai they’ll perform the ballets "Serenade," "The Firebird," "Ontogeny" and "Carmina Burana." RMB100-380

And the regular weekly events are listed below:

ShanghaiExpat Wednesday Night Mixer at Malones , 255 Tong Ren Rd. From 9pm to Midnight mix and mingle with old friends and new and enjoy appetizers and discounted drinks.

Every Saturday morning from 10:30-12:30, I host the Saturday Morning Coffee at the Coffee Bean in Cloud Nine Mall / above the Zhong Shan Park metro 2 station. The coffee meet allows expats to compare notes about their experiences, gripe and complain, and listen and share experience and advice on living and working in Shanghai. We usually do lunch around 12:30 after the coffee, and sometimes do afternoon activities as well. Come out and join us to meet some old friends and new!

And of course to round out each week, the SHXP Sunday Coffee Brunch, is hosted weekly by the SHXP events staff at Coffee Bean in XinTianDi from 12-3pm

For an update of events every Friday, please join this group and you will receive a weekly newsletter. :) And one last thing, since I plan to write these newsletters weekly for the Facebook group, join the ShanghaiExpat community group on Facebook to receive this newsletter everyweek on Fridays.

Spring is here so enjoy while you can. Summer sneaks up pretty quickly so…

Cheers and happy weekend!
Ed

This Sunday the Metro Express commuter paper is holding a salon at its headquarters in Puxi where several distinguished guests will answer questions regarding the Shanghai metro. These guests include staff from the Shentong Metro Company main office, operations management, planning department and subway management personnel.

Time: May 11, 2008, 1:30-3:00pm
Place: 508 Jiashan Rd #1 Bld 7 (corner of West Jianguo Rd)
Register: Send personal details (name, sex, title, company, address, contact info) by SMS to 13122005186 or by e-mail to salon@jfdaily.com

It's too late to sign up as a Metrofans member, but you are welcome to show up as a member of the general public. (I will not be able to attend; will be with my family celebrating Mother's Day.)

There's some new Shanghai Metro merchandise for sale on the Metrofans BBS, a new, more stylish flavor of button pin. All current stations are available. Here are a few samples:

They are going for RMB 8 a piece, and are for sale by 小马 on QQ at 86858823 or by Private Message on the Metrofans BBS.

There's a hilarious post on the "I Love China" weblog about an oft-seen seating debacle on the Shanghai Metro.

Having just participated in Shanghai’s first Eco-Design Fair late last month, my mind is full of eco-friendly thoughts. I was pleasantly pleased that the attendance of this grassroots exposition of environmentally friendly and health conscious lifestyles products was so high and that it included a diverse group rather than the stereotypical “hippies”. I was part of it because Sherry Poon of WoBaby basics, the organizer, contacted me to add my company’s drinking water purifier and chlorine filters to the mix of products being shown.

I was both honored and a bit hesitant to attend as I was unsure how a technical product, like The DirectWay Atlantis, a reverse osmosis –based drinking water purifier, would mix with organic cotton clothes and organic fruits and eco-friendly household products. But in the end it was absolutely grand. The exhibitors were expats of varying experience here in China, but all understood the importance of looking towards environmentally-friendly options, at least partially motivated by our daily struggle with pollution and the like here.

In addition to DirectWay Biotech Co, with our water safety products, 25 other exhibitors participated at this event. An estimated 600+ attendees came through the exhibit throughout the day. As an exhibitor, I was very touched to see so many show up to support this ever so important cause. I actually saw several exhibits with products I wanted to spend more time to look over and perhaps purchase, but alas I was there as an exhibitor and had to make sure the attendees go proper information about water safety here in Shanghai.

So since I wanted to contact some of these exhibitors myself to revisit their products, I though I may as well share this list with everyone else who is interested.
And oh, BIG THANKS to Sherry Poon for organizing this event all AFTER just giving birth to her beautiful baby! We look forward to Eco-Fair part two in October perhaps?

Directory
Advice/Support
Green Ideas Green Action (GIGA) Contact: Raefer Wallis E:rkw@azerozero.com
Greennovate for Project Gecko Contact: Mihela Hladin T: +86 21 13816130756
E: mihela.hladin@gmail.com www.greennovate.net

Joint US China Cooperation on Clean Energy (JUCCCE) Contact: Peggy Liu
E: PeggyLiu@juccce.com www.juccce.com
Shanghai Roots & Shoots Contact: Jerry Zee T: +86 21 53060001 ext 870
E:jerryczee@gmail.com roots&shoots@zuelligpharmma.com.cn
www.jpi-shanghai.org
Building/Technology
A00 Architecture Contact: Raefer Wallis T: +86 21 5465 3616
E: rkw@azerozero.com www.azerozero.com
Arc8X Design Contact: Jonathan Zhang T: 64517227
E: zhang@biohouse.cn W: www.biohouse.cn, www.auro-china.cn
Biohouse (Shanghai) Co Ltd Contact: Jonathan Zhang T: 64517227
E: zhang@biohouse.cn
W: www.biohouse.cn, www.auro-china.cn
DirectWay BioTechnology Company Limited Contact Person: Edward Yu
T: +86 21 62187799, ext. 162
E: EdwardCYu@gmail.com W: en.obusiness.com
Greenspace Ltd Contact: Justin Jencks T: +86 13801911269
E: jencks@greenspace.cn W: www.greenspace.cn
Fashion
Brown Rice Design and Consulting Contact: Georgia Sparling T: +86 21 62561123
E: info@migenerations.com
ChunkiChilli Knitwear Ltd Contact: Tim Wilson T: +86 21 52681973
E: tim.wilson@chunkichilli.com W: www.chunkichilli.com
else seven Contact: Elyse Singleton T: +86 13641788147
E: elseseven@gmail.com

Jooi Design for Project Gecko Contact: Trine Targett T: +86 13916399886
E: trine@jooidesign.com W: www.jooi.com
Shanghai LiveGreen Eco-Tech Inc Contact: Jessica Sun T: +86 21 58556298
E: jsun@livegreen.com.cn W: www.livegreen.com.cn
Shokay International Group Contact: Carol Chyau T: +86 13524561081
E: carol@shokay.com W: www.shokay.com
Urban Tribe Contact: Jasmine Mu T: +86 13916206058
E: mu_jasmine@hotmail.com W: www.urbantribe.cn
Wobabybasics Contact: Sherry Poon T: +86 21 54037107
E: info@wobabybasics.com W: www.wobabybasics.com
Wonderwall Contact: Bjorn Grip T: +86 21 62109905
E: bjorn.grip@shanghaiquest.com W: www.shwonderwall.com
Food/Drink
Arabica Roasters Contact: Ms. Irene Liao, Sales and Marketing Manager
T: +86 15901993011 E: irene@arabicaroasters.com
W: www.arabicaroasters.com
Bébémamie Yogurt Co. Ltd Contact: Julien Daubry T: +86 137 6483 3641
E: julien@bebemamie.com W: www.bebemamie.com
Organic Valley Food Co Ltd Contact: Mika Yuan T: +86 13918897736
E: sales@organicvalley.com.cn W: www.organicvalley.com.cn
Rocks and Wings Trading Contact: Xenia Kottulinsky T: +86 21 13601611944
E: xk@rocksand wings.com W: www.rocksandwings.com
Shanghai Organics Contact: Aypa Hu T: +86 21 51872261
E: info@shorganic.com W: www.shorganic.com
Shanghai Pie Company Contact: Caroline Major T: +86 15921852333
E: carolinem@shanghaipie.com W: www.shanghaipie.com
Furniture/Lighting
A00 Architecture Contact: Raefer Wallis T: +86 21 5465 3616
E: rkw@azerozero.com W: www.azerozero.com
Nuzi Contact: Bobbie Cornell/ James Cornell
T: +86 13816502201, +86 21 54653245
E: nuziconcept@gmail.com W: www.nuzi.com.cn
Lifestyle
Ba Yan Ka La Contact: Adele Jiang T: +86 21 61267600, +86 13801989361
E: adele@bayankala.com W: www.bayankala.com

bambu Contact: Jeff Delkin T: + 86 13801990926
E: jeffd@bambuhome.com W: www.bambuhome.com
ChunkiChilli Knitwear Ltd Contact: Tim Wilson T: +86 21 52681973
E: tim.wilson@chunkichilli.com W: www.chunkichilli.com
Jooi Design for Project Gecko Contact: Trine Targett T: +86 13916399886
E: trine@jooidesign.com W: www.jooi.com

Naked Retreats Contact: Gabriela Lo T: +86 13611701901
E: gabriela@nakedretreats.cn W: www.nakedretreats.cn
Nuzi Contact: Bobbie Cornell/ James Cornell
T: +86 13816502201, +86 21 54653245
E: nuziconcept@gmail.com W: www.nuzi.com.cn
Shanghai LiveGreen Eco-Tech Inc Contact: Jessica Sun T: +86 21 58556298
E: jsun@livegreen.com.cn W: www.livegreen.com.cn
Shanghai Toy Club Contact: Kirsty Heron T: +86 13564335442
E: kirsty@shanghaitoyclub.com.cn W: www.shanghaitoyclub.com.cn
Shokay International Group Contact: Carol Chyau T: +86 13524561081
E: carol@shokay.com W: www.shokay.com
TIC Bamboo Fabrics Contact: Maria Matar T: +86 21 13817873232
E: matar.maria@gmail.com
Urban Tribe Contact: Jasmine Mu T: +86 13916206058
E: mu_jasmine@hotmail.com W: www.urbantribe.cn
Wonderwall Contact: Bjorn Grip T: +86 21 62109905
E: bjorn.grip@shanghaiquest.com W: www.shwonderwall.com

Stationery/Gifts
HaPe Shanghai Ltd Contact: Bruce Xu T: +86 21 62685109，+86 13636486957
E: bruce@happy-puzzle.com W: www.hape-international.net
Paper Tiger Shanghai Contact: Lucy Young T: +86 13817817514
E: lucy@papertigershanghai.com W: www.papertigershanghai.com
Planet Carrot Contact: Effie Yuan T: +86 21 52697778 ext 227
E: effieyuan@jadepeak.com W: www.planetcarrot.com