Friday, January 30, 2009
PCF Serangoon Celebrates CNY
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Solidarity....Forever
Monday, January 26, 2009
XIN NIAN HAO !
A HAPPY NEW YEAR !
The year of the OX is just around the corner ( 1st week February 2009 ).
Those of you who are interested to discover how the new year of the OX fare for you, just
click on the link below and locate your zodiac animal or birth year. Click on that or on the many
other links within...for some interesting insights, advice, and history of the Chinese New Year.
A word of caution though.
Unk Dicko is not advocating that you follow all the advice and tips contained within this website...on the ups and downs, the favourable periods or unfavourable periods or whatever.
As in everything, we need to use our God-given intellect to assess and not merely jump rashly into untested waters. Trust your instincts more...it is usually safer.
There are all sorts of horoscopes today.
Much of the knowledge of the ancients has been lost through the long passage of time.
There will always be some accuracy and likely inaccuracies in horoscopes.
The difficulty is in sifting out the inaccuracies.
http://www.chineseastrologyonline.com/2009/2009Zodiac.htm
Unk Dicko
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Mrs. Lim Hwee Hua posed for group photo with GRLs (see blog posted yesterday). Photos taken by Passion Photographers at the Event had been uploaded in the website for your viewing (www.theserangoon.multiply.com).
Vanishing trades, Old Simon Road Market
April Page:
Let us start with the top left picture. Two men, one bare-bodied, were carrying 3 pails each on bamboo poles over their back and shoulder. What do you reckon they were carrying inside the metal containers?
Anyone like to venture a guess? In case you think they are " night -soil" carriers, you think wrong! The night-soil buckets were not shaped like this. All the night-soil buckets had a standard shape and also the night-soil van would have been close by. I wonder if anyone can say which part of Serangoon Road this was.
The centre photo clearly showed the unloading of rubber tyres.
The photo on the right tells a lot. It clearly shows a young man by the side of his tricycle stall selling water chestnut drink. He had both hot and cold drinks. On either side of his stall were 2 old ladies selling an assortment of tobacco, tobacco paper, cigarettes in packets and tins, matches and perhaps some tid-bits. One brand of the tin can be identified...Lucky Strike!
Three cars were partly hidden from view...so can't really tell the make.
Bottom left photo...an old man milking goat. Could be anywhere.
May page:
Hey...this distinctly looks familiar. The giveaway is the bottom left picture. That junction with the traffic lights is the present SIMON Road and Serangoon Road junction. In the days of old we call this location " 6th milestone ". The only coffeeshop at the corner is still the same one as in the photo! Today, it has that popular Hokkien Mee stall that draws a long queue. This wet market was the old SIMON Road market which was also famous for the many " mouth-watering" hawker stalls like muah chee, Hokkien mee, wanton mee, mee-rebus, pigs' trotters, beef kway teow, etc..
Today, that place is no more.
Where did all the famous hawkers go? Surely, some are still carrying on their business elsewhere right? Anyone care to comment?
Unk Dicko
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Kampong Houses, Rickshaws & Bullock Carts
February page:
Typical scene of kampong houses built very close to one another. Today, in our sprawling housing estates many people hardly talk to their neighbours.
Back then, every kampong folk knew even if a stranger wandered into the kampong. People had time for conversations, innocent gossip or just chit-chat after dinner. Children ran around barefooted and played with other kampong kids without a worry and care in the world.
ps: I'm surprised this old photo has such a sharp focus and good resolution. Even the motor-bike number can be seen clearly...SAJ 2381.
Go There Sg Link.... latest addition!
I was watching it Live on CNA from 3.30 pm.
Our Finance Minister Mr Tharman delivered one of the most important speeches
ever made in Parliament.
That was because of the circumstances Singapore is in and the whole world is in.
All the nitty-gritty details of the entire Budget Resilence Package is online and in
the papers and on TV.
So I shan't bore anyone here with the details.
However, Mr Tharman mentioned something which caught the attention of some alert
ones like me and William Teo.
He talked about the innovative and creative project that was done by our own young students.
What project?
The 2-3 students came out with their own very specialised Directory of travel where you want to get from Location A to B...by walking, by bus, by car, by cab, by MRT etc...
With breakdown details in time and cost.!!!
To use that Link or check it out, just click on " GO There Sg" at our Links to our blog, top left side.
UNk Dicko
Aljunied Heritage Calendar 2009
I think the event was called "Upper Serangoon Heritage Trail and Exhibition ".
At that time, I was rather busy with my travels and a number of other things and did not get a chance to contribute some of my old pictures, photos and other memorabila of "our kampong".
Friday, January 16, 2009
An AMAZING Painter !
Hi folks,
If I provide you some paints and brushes and ask you to paint on a canvas sheet that is
much larger than yourself and to do so in approximately 5 minutes...paint something that is
beautiful and coherent, what will you say?
I won't blame you if you say " Nuts !" to me.
I would have said the same too!
You must watch this video to the very end and do turn on the voloume for Ray Charles'
wonderful singing of " Georgia...on my mind ". You will be amazed and inspired!
ps: Can we afford to invite him ( the painter DD ) to Sg Gardens? Such a huge talent!
Unk Dicko
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Serangoon North Village SPRING Festival Opening,Pt 4
Then they can update themselves and find or look for pictures and photos of events they participated in.
Since none of that has been done,
Monday, January 12, 2009
Serangoon North Village SPRING Festival Opening,Pt 3
There was an interesting banter between the emcee and the young lady who entertained the crowd...in Mandarin. Unk Dicko understood the message and fully agree with it wholeheartedly.
What was the message?
Roughly translated, " since we live in THIS village or kampong, we should do more of our buying or shopping for goods or services from shops at our own backyard. The shops provide and do cater to all with quite a wide range of goods. Moreover, it makes much sense to support your own kampong folks be it in business or in other ways. Everyone benefits."
Photos:
While the stage performances continued, Mrs Lim, accompanied by her GRLs, went round to meet and greet practically everyone who was there.
This must be a good sign...the outward exuberance of a people reflect their inner resilence.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM) Policy Forum @ Jurong GRC
Getting my first flat – Is it a challenge?
We were gathered at Bukit Batok CC for another installment of the PAYM Policy Forum series. Each year there are about 30 or so policy forums, organised by the Youth Executive Committees (YEC) from the various GRCs and SMCs.
The Guest of Honor for this Forum was Ms. Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development, & Ministry of Education, Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC. The other panelists consisted of Ms. Tan Poh Hong, Deputy CEO HDB and Mr. Tommy Tan, Marketing Director, ERA.
Ms. Tan gave a quick presentation about HDB, drawing the main conclusion that the government would continue to ensure affordable public housing as homes for eligible citizen families. Further, HDB would offer different types of flats to meet diverse housing needs, as well as ensure a steady housing supply and ensure public housing remains affordable.
Mr. Tan’s presentation centered more on personal observations from his business experience at ERA.
It was the Q&A that saw people raise issues such as would Singaporean’s risk taking appetite diminish if they are saddled with a 30-year loan and thereby affecting our overall happiness because it is difficult to contemplate a career switch or even to start a family. Another query was if HDB would on a case to case basis review first time buyers, whose combined income was above $8000, and not give the HDB subsidy but allow them to take up a HDB loan. Closer to the heart, a query was also raised about parents in mature estates but the children could no longer find a new flat in the mature estate but was encouraged to move to new estates such as Seng Kang or Punggol, which meant the family was ‘divided’.
Overall, the exchange was lively and Ms. Fu did the lion’s share of explaining and clarifying policies to the 100-strong youths present at the Forum. The message to youths remained: ‘Buy within your means. Do not over-commit your resources and do your homework.’ As always, it was time constraints, which limited the dialogue but well done to Jurong GRC for having touched upon this highly sensitive topic of housing and thank you Bukit Batok CC for the premises.
Gurmit learns Ukulele from Unk Dicko
The Expo continues today ( Sunday 11 January ).
Serangoon North Village SPRING Festival Opening, Pt 2
Photo:
Patrick....still struggling, while streamers were cascading down after being popped. Haha! Maybe Patrick would be consoled if he knew this...in the old days of firecrackers, when shopkeepers lighted up each packet with a joss stick and threw them onto the road...most would explode. But some would not. We call them "duds".
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Serangoon North Village SPRING Festival Opening, Pt 1
Mrs Lim Hwee Hua was the Guest of Honour.
The stage and pavillion area was very well decorated. In fact, last night Daisie and I were walking around that place and saw some key Committee members putting the finishing touches to the decorations. They were really hard working...Mdm Teng, Patrick, Edmund, Chua , etc..and their wives too...pitched in to help.
Dr Edmund Tan, as Chairman of the Organising Committee, was the first to be invited up on stage to give the Welcome address.
He was warmly applauded by the good crowd of residents as well as community leaders present.
The crowd and especially the coffeeshop and other shops nearby were filled with more people than usual.
Friday, January 9, 2009
CRIME Alert # 2 !
The fake 100 yuan note always bear the number HD 90...
Read the full details below.
http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20090109-113414.html
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Links to Our Blogsite
If you look closely at the upper left side of our Homepage, you will find Links to this
Blogsite. Links are very useful for visitors and readers of our site. At a simple click,
you can check out any number of things on any linked site. You don't have to surf or
search or key in anything. Just one click away is all you'll need.
If you have a blogsite or website that you want to be linked to our site, just type in
your web address in the COMMENT Box, at the latest post. That's all!
I will then do the addition for you as Blog administrator.
If your website or blogsite has a title, do include that too.
FYI, I have just added the " My Online Tour" website...the one with the moving widget/banner.
I believe that ALL of us will find the various links, info and content in that site very useful.
Do check it out...yourself.
Cheers!
Unk Dicko
CRIME Alert !
Operations Department
Police Headquarters
New Phoenix Park
28 Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329560
5 January 2009
Dear members of the Safety and Security Watch Group,
CRIME ALERT:
USE OF COUNTERFEIT MONEY AS MODE OF PAYMENT(FOR YOUR INFORMATION)
Police has recently received reports of unknown person using counterfeit money as mode of payment. To date more than 30 cases were reported and as we approach the period of festive sales, we would like to reiterate the importance for being vigilant.
Modus Operandi
Please take note that the culprit will normally use a fake currency note of S$50/-note (commonly bearing the serial number: 2EY322725)
at pubs, restaurants, petrolkiosks, convenient stores and 4D outlets for purchases.
The scam can also take in other forms ie culprit may also seek assistance inchanging loose notes using counterfeit money, on the pretext of urgent need.Crime Prevention MeasuresPublic and sole proprietors should remain alert and pay extra attention when customers pay for purchases using higher denominations of cash, e.g. S$50/-.
Below are a few measures which can assist public to identify counterfeit notes and prevent you from falling victim to a similar ruse.
What to look out for?
1. Counterfeit Notes using serial number: 2EY322725;
2. Poor quality paper that has a waxy surface without the following intaglio:a. No raised printing;b. No shimmering effect on the kinegrams;c. No Security Thread; and
3. Although the counterfeit note simulated the outline of the watermark, but it doesnot have three-dimensional portrait of the late President Yusof Bin Ishak when examined under light.
What retailers and shop owners can do to prevent falling victim?
1. While such cases are not new, cashiers should be constantly reminded to be vigilant to prevent from falling victim;
2. During peak hours, cashier should decline requests for change of larger notes politely by citing the long queue as a reason;
3. If possible, additional staff should be deployed, especially during peak operating hours.
4. CCTVs should be strategically positioned to cover the cashier counter and allow the image of customers to be captured;
What you can do when you receive such notes?
1. When presented with the counterfeit note, do not return the suspected note to thesuspect;
2. Delay and keep the suspect at sight and if possible contact the policeimmediately;
3. Take note of the description of the culprit, eg gender, age, height, built, attire,scars/tattoos, accent of language or any distinct features;
4. Note the suspect(s)’ mode of escape and take down the vehicle registrationnumber if he/they had escaped in a vehicle;
5. Minimize the handling of the note and carefully place it in a envelope/polymerbag and hand it to the Police when they arrive.
We seek your assistance to disseminate the crime alert to all your members so that they can take the necessary precaution to protect themselves against such crime.If you have any information relating to the above cases, please do not hesitate to contact
Police hotline at 1800 – 255 0000 or dial ‘999’ if urgent police assistance isrequired.
Yours faithfully,
SHERRIN CHUA
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT DIVISION
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
Crime Prevention - A Shared Responsibility
Mrs Lim Hwee Hua's New Year Msg on Video
On Aljunied GRC website you can see the latest New Year Message by Mrs Lim Hwee Hua
recorded on a videoclip.
Simply click on the link below to view.
http://www.aljuniedgrc.sg/videodetails.php?vid=18
Thanks William for highlighting to me.
unk Dicko
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Living as lil kids again
You should have seen the adults touring the incredibly well decorated SPICE Centre at Block 125 - all marvelling and oogling at the miniature stuff.
Great to see such wonderful teamwork in action! Here we go, all ready to serve residents even better.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Little Nonya ... Reel vs Real !
We have cried along with her with each disaster, grown angry with each injustice and rejoiced at each triumph. There are many parallels to our current situation.
Challenges Overwhelming for Some
We should not despair and lose heart. We should explore all ways of coping with a smaller income, a tighter budget, and see how we can tap on the various Government assistance schemes.
During difficult times, it is crucial that family and community support is shown and felt. But the most important is emotional support which we must readily give.
The sun will shine again. In the mean time, assure residents that the Government will find the necessary resources to help all of us ride out this recession. Let’s stick together, reach out to those who may need help coping and emerge stronger as one people.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Dear GRLs and visitors/friends:
Starting January 2009, all photos taken by Passion Photographers for Events organized by The Serangoon will be uploaded into a NEW website. The name of the new website is: http://www.theserangoon.multiply.com/ (this is a easier name to remember !)
The old website (http://www.theserangoonpassion.multiply.com/) is still available for viewing. It contains more than 8800 photos from Events organized in January 2008 to December 2009.
The photos taken at the Edusave Scholarship and Edusave Merit Bursary Awards-2009 had been uploaded completely, in the new website as of Jan. 5, 2009 at 12:00 noon. Cheers !
Friday, January 2, 2009
He is the BEST in the world!
Hi folks,
This is simply wonderful to watch and be entertained by. The performer, Terry Fator, is the Winner of American Idol Talent show last year.
He can impersonate the voices of celebrities both living and dead...and doing it with his mouth
practically closed. That's because he's an incredible ventriloquist.
In this clip, he makes a couple of impersonations, the last one is of ELVIS Presley. I must confess I thought ELVIS was actually singing! That Good. Yes, that Good! See for yourself...
The clip was sent to me by William Teo. Thanks!
Unk Dicko