Pinhead

How did you start trading Olympic pins? I started in Athens in 2004 when I went with my siblings to trade and sell pins. So you come from a family of pin traders? Basically. My brother started in ‘96 in Atlanta and then Sydney and Salt Lake. With him ... Read more »

Boomsday

Why did you want to make an Olympic-themed documentary? I never wanted to make an Olympics movie. My interest in the Olympics is more than just the Games. I see it as a lens through which we look at the changes in the city and the people of China ... Read more »

Hot or NotWho can join Club Beautiful? It’s a democratic community where existing members vote for the opposite sex. So the applicant puts up their photo and information and the other members will vote whether he or she can join. What else is special about the group? According ... Read more »

Organic MatterWhen did you start BOCA? I started it at the end of April 2007. We do a lot of sharing of local resources, as well as general wellness and health issues. So is it just an online group, or are there meetings or events in real life? Last ... Read more »

Settling INN

How did INN get started? About 12 years ago, a group of expats saw the need to run events for newcomers and began meeting socially at people's houses. Eventually it outgrew that and moved to its current location at the Capital Club Athletic Centre. So what kind ... Read more »

iClub, You Club

So, what sets iClub apart from other networking groups? Well, we are really a lifestyle concierge membership program for Beijing. We try to make our events fun and different from what other people are doing. Most groups here organize networking events or parties. That's fun, but ... Read more »

A Ribbon of Support

How did BOWS get started? When I first got to Beijing a lot of people kept mentioning how there’s no place for support groups here. Also, I have a friend with eating issues, and when she got here the stress of moving and living in ... Read more »

She Wants Your Blood

Why do you need RH negative blood so much now? Only three out of a thousand Han Chinese is RH negative, but in the West about 15 percent are, and Beijing is anticipating 500,000 foreign visitors for the Olympics. What is RH anyway? RH is ... Read more »

Glee Club

Who is the IFC? We’re a community group of amateur singers all of whom were auditioned and who live, work and study in Beijing. Does China have any choral tradition? How does it compare to what IFC does? There is a recent choral tradition in China, and ... Read more »

Raise Your Glass

What exactly does the Toastmasters club do? In Toastmasters you get to give speeches to a bunch of strangers every week to sharpen your presentation skills. Why the name “Toastmasters”? I think maybe it's because at the beginning the founder thought that he was training people ... Read more »

An Inspired Idea

How long has INSPIRED been running and what “inspired” you to start the company? We launched in October 2007 but the idea of this platform came up right after I moved to Beijing, when I was struggling with the loss of my professional identity. Many of my ... Read more »

Hope Tastes Good

How is the Bread of Life Bakery any different from a normal bakery? Well,

it’s normal in every way like any other bakery, but it employs [physically] handicapped foster children.

Does making baked goods really help the kids get ready for life out in the wider ... Read more »

Get Up and Go

So why the Go Club?

We started it because we couldn't find another organization that focused on bringing the game to new players. Other organizations exist, but they focus on advanced players, and they don't work much with expats.

Do you do anything besides ... Read more »

A Loving Community

How did you find BICF? How long have you been involved?

When I find myself in another country, I often look for an English-speaking church to meet people, but also to connect with something that is familiar and meaningful to me. I introduced my family to BICF ... Read more »