Rock nights and river hopping

A change of face?

Look out for an edgier feel coming to your friendly neighborhood Zapata's. This popular expat hang-out is starting up a rock night, revamping their top 40 hit list routine by adding in a little more rock music for the masses. We're excited to see where they're heading with this, so watch for us out there on the dance floor. In related news, word on the street is that the lease on one of our favorite brunch spots and watering holes, Sasha’s, is coming up some time in the next year. They're playing it safe and starting to scout out new venues for this longstanding Shanghai institution–in Pudong! Not that we don't like an excuse to hit the Bund tourist tunnel every now and then, but we think Sasha's should stay put. Anyone up for picketing?

No more smoking

Dazhong Taxi takes a stand

Our favorite green (bluey-green, whatever) taxi company, Dazhong Taxi, is following in Beijing's footsteps and declaring their taxis "smoke-free zones." The smoking ban is intended to prevent drivers from lighting up more than the passengers. As to the rule's effectiveness? Let's just say we're not holding our breath, or perhaps that we should.

Down the tube

Bye-bye to net-TV

In the middle of the National Congress, our staple vehicle for vegging out, You Tube, decided to launch a Chinese version, making the open video forum site widely accessible to Chinese users. Subsequently, YouTube has been blocked by the Great Firewall and officially banned from use on Chinese Internet channels. Well done. So much for home-grown versions of Jackass, guess we'll have to settle for our regular live version on Saturday nights.

Safety in the home

First Aid for ayis

If you have an ayi or driver that takes care of your loved ones when you're not around then you may want to consider enrolling them in this First Aid course specially designed to teach them how to respond in case of an emergency. With so few of us knowing such simple life-saving skills, we think these classes may well be worth the investment. The courses run every Thursday and cost ¥300 per session. Contact the Community Center Shanghai for details at admin@communitycenter.cn.

Correction notice

Chefs still on the Bund

In the News You Can Use section of Issue 19, we reported that two Sens & Bund chefs, Pierre Altobellie and Guillaume Crouzet, had left the restaurant. Both chefs are, in fact, still employed at Sens & Bund and churning out the culinary works of the Pourcel twins. CW regrets this mistake and extends our apologies for any inconvenience caused.