Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Xinmin Secondary School's 65th Anniversary Musical and helping the less fortunate in Aljunied-Hougang GRC
Are you an aspiring song writer? Join PA songwriting competition
What have made living in Singapore a great experience?Hear what our songwriters have to say through their song compositions as they share their experiences and joys of living together as one, in our uniquely multi-racial Singapore!
Have a say by casting the vote for the song which resonate with you at http://PAsongcontest.sg.
The voting will close on 8 March 2010, 5 pm. The song with the highest vote counts will win the Most Popular Song award.
FOR YOUR HEALTH - Important Tips
Answer the phone by LEFT ear.
Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.
Do not take pills with COOL water.
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.
Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume.
Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night.
Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS.
Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time.
Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning.
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping.
When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.
Forward this to those whom you CARE about!
Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.
Do not take pills with COOL water.
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.
Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume.
Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night.
Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS.
Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time.
Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning.
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping.
When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.
Forward this to those whom you CARE about!
Bring back mahjong? Most CCs not game
IT COULD be some time before the click-clacking of mahjong tiles is once again heard at community clubs (CCs) across the island.While CCs got the green light from the police to organise social sessions of the game in January, many have been slow to re-adopt the popular pastime.
Most CCs are taking a wait-and-see approach, fearful of flouting anti-gaming rules which for years have made playing mahjong in public illegal.
Only four of Singapore's 105 CCs have said they will set up sessions, where betting is still prohibited.
Ms Gina Yap, manager of Cheng San CC, told The Straits Times her centre is thinking of launching a social mahjong club, but has no immediate plans to start games.
'We have to err on the side of caution and think about the rules and regulations, set up the guidelines first. We do not want to flout any law unintentionally. I guess it would be some time in the third quarter of this year before we set one up,' she said.
However, a small number of CCs - less than 4 per cent - have seized on the new rules, extolling the virtues of mahjong as a way to keep the minds of the elderly sharp.
For one, Sengkang CC started the games as soon as permission was granted.
Its Member of Parliament, Mr Charles Chong, said the sessions help senior citizens lead healthy and active lives.
'(It allows them to) indulge in an activity they are familiar with and like to do,' he said.
Madam Teng Mong Keyau, an avid player, said the game takes her mind off 'growing old and worrying about petty things'.
'I get together with my friends at the mahjong table. It beats sitting at home alone and longing for people to visit,' said the 68-year-old retiree who plays once or twice a week at Sengkang CC.
The sessions are held in the club's soundproof theatrette. Many of the regular players are older residents and housewives.
Retiree Ng Choo Huat, 73, said: 'We usually walk or take a bus to the CC, hang out, drink coffee or sing karaoke. Mahjong is but an additional social activity for us senior citizens.'
Mr Chong said Sengkang CC earlier 'got into trouble with the law and the People's Association' for allowing mahjong. So its name was changed to 'mind games'. 'We decided to reinstate it as the game has high health payoffs. No money changes hands,' he said.
Following hot on the heels of Sengkang is West Coast CC in Clementi. It has plans to start mahjong sessions for elderly members early next month. A mahjong competition is also slated to take place in June, said an official there.
Many point to mahjong as a key in the battle against ageing problems. Recent studies in Hong Kong show mahjong helps improve the memory, judgment and reasoning of people with mild to moderate dementia.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, which gradually destroys brain cells and leads to progressive decline in mental function.
Consultant psychiatrist Adrian Wang said mahjong and other games of strategy help flex 'our brain muscles'.
Medical experts also think the social interaction that accompanies mahjong could have cognitive benefits for the aged.
Dr Wang said: 'It is important to have things to do and look forward to, as old age approaches. And playing mahjong is a great way of socialising and, at the same time, giving the brain a workout.'
Organisations such as Henderson Senior Citizens Home and Care Link in Toa Payoh have daily mahjong sessions for the elderly.
Even at the geriatric centre in Alexandra Hospital, a group of old folk in rehabilitation turn up for their weekly round.
Dance instructor How Boon Pang, 58, said: 'It not only keeps the mind agile, but we also exercise our arms and hands while playing mahjong. Keeps the fingers flexible too.'
This story was first published in The Straits Times on Mar 17, 2008.
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