Turn Five

A K-12 Education Blog

Archive for March, 2009

29
Mar

Surfers Protest Ban in Dubai

Over a hundred people gathered Saturday at Sunset Beach in Dubai, UAE to protest a local ban on surfing. Surfers argued that the death of a swimmer at the beach on Friday might have been prevented if there had been surfers present to help save him.

The city claims that surfers are hazardous to swimmers and have stepped up efforts to keep them off the beaches, fining anyone found with a surfboard in the ocean or on the beach. There have even been reports of fines issued to people who simply had a board in their cars. Police are confiscating drivers licenses until owners pay a fine of Dh200(US $54.45).

The protest organizer, Scott Chambers who is the director of Surf Dubai stated, “We have been surfing here since 1992 and to this date there have been no injuries to any swimmers through surfing on this strip.”

A further argument set forth by surfers is that there’s a tradition of surfers helping out swimmers in trouble. One of the protestors refuted the city, “There would have been surfers to pull out the person who drowned as we often do, but we were just too afraid to turn up, not knowing what to expect from the police and the municipality.”

Due to beach development projects such as the artificial islands, Sunset Beach is the only place in the emirate of Dubai that is conducive to surfing. The sport is popular not only with residents, some of whom are foreigners who list surfing as one of the reasons they moved to Dubai, but also with tourists. Many of the luxury hotels in Dubai UAE are located on or near the beaches and list surfing and other water sports as main attractions for holiday travelers.

An online petition of over 1,000 signatures will be presented to the city next week in an effort to get them to reverse the ban.

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posted by Aisha in Sports,Travel and have No Comments
28
Mar

The Highlights in KL

The Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur is affectionately known as “KL” and that appellation appears on numerous signage as well as throughout the local media. This exotic city has become one of the more popular travel destinations as the traditional charm of Malaysia has blended itself to the urban landscape of a global capital.

The city has many historic landmarks and is full of beautiful and interesting architecture. From the Federal Territoy Mosque and the Istana Negara (the official residence of the King of Malaysia) to the modern wonders of the Kuala Lumpur Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers (the tallest twin towers in the world), visitors can easily experience the melting pot of old and new that is modern day KL.

In recent years, Kuala Lumpur has worked to improve tourism and attract more visitors from the west. This has included the development of numerous luxury hotels Kuala Lumpur, a campaign to improve the availability of world-class cuisine through events such as the Malaysian International Gourmet Festival, and the builidng of dozens of shopping centers, including some of the world’s best megamalls.

In addition to its growing reputation as a shopping capital, KL is also known for its wonderful nightlife. There are wonderful restaurants, relaxing lounges, and trendy nightclubs, especially in the city’s “Golden Triangle” which serves as the commercial hub for KL.

Other popular tourist destinations in Kuala Lumpur include the Putra World Trade Centre, the House of Parliament, the Masjid Jamek, the Istana Budaya, the Aquaria KLCC, tne Masjid Negara, and the Zoo Negara.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
27
Mar

Renovation in the Heart of the Bronx

The New York Botanic Gardens sits in the middle of the Bronx, in the city of Manhattan, between bustling city streets, New York business hotels and busy highways. In the coming years, visitors will experience beauty and growth in the garden as never seen in the past. Many sections of the garden are undergoing restoration, with help and funding by such patrons as the Leon Levy foundation and the generous grants provided by Richard and Maureen Chilton. The firm of Oehme, van Sweden and Assoc. will be re-designing sections of the garden. This world renown company is known for their beautiful and inspirational works in the natural world. In 2012, the entire project will be completed, with various stages being completed along the way and in the next few years.

There are three major projects being tackled, each one with the specific intention of restoring the natural plant life as well as promoting the education of the public. Educational aspects will focus on the development of sustainable resources in order to protect the cities natural forests, as well as the natural forests and ecosystems in all the world. As well as historical accounts and plant life indigenous to the Eastern parts of the United States. One way the garden is addressing this issue is by cleaning out the natural forest section within the garden itself. Over the years the exotic plants have moved in and strangled the natural growth. Landscapers are in the process of removing and relocating the exotics, and replanting the native shrubbery, wild flowers and trees. This project’s intention is to restore and celebrate the diversity and the natural beauty of the eastern wildlife. This will become the center for the educational programs on the environment.

The Azalea garden will also be re-vamped. This section alone, is already than most city gardens around the world. As it stands, it far outshines others in terms of color and beauty. By 2011, 3,500 more plants and flowers will be added, with alternated blooming schedules to provide hillsides of color and delight all year around. And known as the ‘Heart of the Garden’, the eighty-five acres in the very middle of the Garden is home to various specious of native plant life, fast moving rapids and rushing waterfalls, dramatic mountains and cliffs, displays of historic gardens and ancient areas of trees. This area will be reinvigorated over the next seven years and will amaze and delight the public when the entire project celebrates the grand re-opening late in the summer of 2012.

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posted by Aisha in Arts & Culture,Environment,Travel and have No Comments
23
Mar

Chen Chong Swee: Artist and Educator

In 1994, the Sotheby’s Auction House in Singapore sold 151 pieces of artwork, most of them by Chen Chong Swee. The auction was a charity event, with the goal to raise one million dollars to provide scholarships to visual artists. It is a fitting tribute to a man who became well known not only for his artwork, but for nature and his teaching. Chen was born in Swatow, China in 1910, and after graduating from high school went on to study fine art, water color and ink printing, at the Xinhua Academy of Fine Arts. Upon graduation, he moved Singapore. He was a teacher in many different schools and became a well known speaker and lecturer on the subject of Chinese Ink Painting.

His own style was a mix of tradition, which he emphasized the importance of, and a new, more modern approach seizing on his own personal ideas. He was influenced by his life in Singapore, so much so that it eventually influenced the way he painted, thus creating his own style that veered away from the traditional paintings. However, he remained grounded by the education he had gained in school. One way is that he continued to put written words onto the paintings, a tradition for Chinese artists, known as idea writing. This was meant to, and did have, the effect of letting the viewer in on the meaning or story behind the paintings. It is because of his own personal beliefs, that the sole purpose of artist is to communicate with the public. That the sensibilities and the the concerns of the artist, should always be given to the viewer. In other ways he was considered a modern painter, but not in the tradition of alienating the public.

The Salon Art Society was founded by Chen in 1953. That same year he traveled to Bali with fellow painters, Chen Wen Hsi, Lui Kang and Cheong Soo Pieng. It was an inspirational trip as Chen and his fellow painters were so taken with the country resulting in a completely new style of painting now known as the Nanyang School. And while their work may have hung on the walls of galleries and in some to the best hotels in Singapore, their first group show was not until they returned from the trip. The artists arranged a show of the paintings they had created during their time and work in Bali. The four artists remain famous to this day, and they will continue to inspire generations of artists in the future.

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posted by Aisha in Employment,Finance,News and have No Comments
21
Mar

Spanish Beaches

Spain and the islands surrounding the mainland in the Mediterranean Sea have been popular traveler destinations for all of Europe for some time. This is in part due to the climate, which remains mostly mild all year. For those living inland, however, the summer temperatures can reach fairly high numbers, which causes a vast increase in coastal tourism. Temperatures away from the coast have been known to tickle 115 Fahrenheit. Anyone living in a desert environment, such as Phoenix, Arizona knows that anything over 105 can get unpleasant if experienced daily during the hot, sweltering, summer months. There are many excellent beaches along the mainland coast and on all of the surrounding Balearic Islands that can offer up some comfort and relaxation.

There are favorite locations, complete with night life events, activities and recreation and there are also some more private areas where one can disconnect from society in general. Most of the people in town will temporarily suspend their businesses and head for the coastal regions. For the die-hard visitors though, there is no need for concern as the most popular museums, galleries and other popular hot-spots remain open. Some beaches are extremely popular with tourists such as Costa Blanca, which is a very popular destination for visitors from the UK and Germany, while others are frequented by the locals trying to escape the heat. Europe’s most famous beach can be found in the city of La Concha. This beach town in Spain is nestled along the border with France to the north of Spain and is very rapidly increasing in population and stature, but it remains a great place to get away from it all and remains pure and picturesque despite its location beside a large population center.

If vacating the mainland is more one’s style, then any of the surrounding islands will make the perfect choice. For instance, on Ibiza, which is popularly known throughout Europe for its unrestrained night life scene, there are a plethora of options for going out and getting away. The island is quite small and any destination is more or less within a quarter hour from next. If your destination does not suit your needs or fancy, it’s a short trip to get to where you would find more suitable accommodations. There are many options for water-related activities and sunbathing as well as the perfect five-star hotel Ibiza has to offer. This island has more than eighty different and distinct beaches to choose from. Everything from whale watching, wind surfing, nude beaches to beaches specifically furnished with the ability to provide safe fun for the entire family.

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posted by Aisha in Arts & Culture,Society,Travel and have No Comments
19
Mar

Fire Above Cape Town Kills One

A late season inferno claimed the life of one and injured at least six others along Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. The blaze, which began Tuesday night near the Rhodes Memorial was largely contained by Wednesday night.

The one life lost was a man who received third-degree burns from the fire. He later died in a local hospital. A woman who was admitted with him remained in ‘unstable condition” as of Wednesday night. Five firefighters also sustained injuries while battling the blaze.

Tourists found the cableway on Table Mountain closed on Wednesday morning due to the fire. A number of roads in the area were also closed and some residents were evacuated from the City Bowl area, where schools were closed for the day. By afternoon the cableway was back in service, offering visitors staying at any Cape Town luxury hotel the ability to return to the peak.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and firefighters will remain on “high alert” on Table Mountain for the next few days. No property damage was reported and the plantlife in the area is expected to benefit from burn.

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posted by Aisha in Environment,News and have No Comments
11
Mar

Summertime Whale Watching

While there are any number of activities to partake in off the beaches and the coast of Spain and the Balearic Islands during the summer, one in particular is destined to leave the visitor and participant breathless, and that is the activity of whale watching. While relaxing, the experience is overwhelming, to see such stunning and powerful beauty in natures largest of mammals. Giant beauties of the sea. There are many opportunities for this in Spain. Some of the 5 star hotels Balearics house offer up tours of the like. The geography plays a large role here in providing so much to see. Two different continents, as well as two distinct habitats for the marine life, are connected by the Strait of Gibraltar. Light and dark, the lightness of the Atlantic waters combines with the higher saline concentration of the Mediterranean, creating a breeding ground for all the inhabitants. The many different species create an incredible food chain, further creating the opportunity for more growth and sustainability.

Great for the environment and wildlife, and great for the humans wishing to experience and witness it all first hand, well, second hand as none wish to become part of that particular chain any time soon. The strait, along with being the natural habitat for many species, known as the Whale Sanctuary, has become a stop on the migration route, bringing new species in daily. On a watching trip, one is just about guaranteed a siting of any number of the whales, dolphins and cetaceans and many of the tour companies back that up with the terms that should you be unlucky and see nothing one day, the next trip out is on them. The tours take place from only April through October, and in the last ten years, no trip has come back to port without sightings of these incredible beasts. With so many people traveling here for just this reason, every care has been taken to protect the animals natural and social environments. Take care that the company you are supporting by taking their cruise is one such company.

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posted by Aisha in Travel and have No Comments
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