Chinese New Year Is On Its Way!

THE Chinese New Year will be welcomed in on 3 February 2011 and it will be the year of the Rabbit. If you want to see the celebrations taking place throughout Merseyside, do not miss Liverpool's! Liverpool has the oldest Chinese community in the UK and will again be celebrating in style. Celebrations will take place in the Liverpool Chinatown area including Nelson Street, Berry Street, Great George Street and Great George Square on 6 February 2011. The festivities will include traditional performances at the Pagoda on Henry Street and Wah Sing Chinese Community Centre on Duke Street; and the Lion, Dragon and Unicorn Parade along Berry Street and Nelson Street, in the heart of the City! Also, in Southport, celebrations will be taking place at both the New China City and on Nevill Street at the Oriental Garden Restaurant. The events at the Oriental Garden Restaurant will take place on 5 February 2011 and 12 February 2011. So be warned as the road will be closed off for a short time that night for the amazing Kung Fu displays and Lion Dancing. If you are having a child in this, the year of the Rabbit, or you have been born in a year of the Rabbit, did you know that people born in this cycle, according to the Chinese, are usually kind, sweet, popular people, famous for their artistic sense, good taste and stylish wardrobe? If you do not know what it is all about, then the Chinese New Year has its roots in the lunar calendar. The Chinese New Year (CNY) begins on the first day of the first Chinese month, on the lunar calendar, and ends on the thirteenth day of the same month. Each year takes its name from a character from the Chinese Zodiac, or Sheng Xiao. The Sheng Xiao is a 12 year cycle where a different animal represents each of years. The system starts with the year of the Rat and ends with the year of the Pig. The Rabbit is the fourth animal of the cycle. Significantly, the last year was considered by the Chinese Zodiac as a bad year for Finance and this year is also generally considered as an unfavourable year. That is thanks to it being a Wood Rabbit in a Metal Year! But each of the signs have different opportunities and threats to look out for in 2011. It will be another roller-coaster year for many signs after the troubles and uncertainties of the last year, which was the year of the Tiger. So let’s see what happens, it should prove interesting!

Bar NoN's 14th Birthday

ON Saturday, 29 January 2011! The night will have the amazing DJ Bianca Gascoigne Alongside residents Andrew Phillips & Sean Sines! Bianca is well known after her appearance in a bikini as a contestant on ITV's Love Island back in 2006. Since then she has had a fantastic career as a glamour model, TV personality, presenter, DJ and professional party girl, so this party will be off to a flying start on that allow! But as many of the readers know, Bar Non is an amazing night out anyway, so do not miss this amazing event... Yes we are covering it in full, as well!!!! You have been warned; miss it at your peril!

Homeward bound patients get set in comfort...

PATIENTS ready to go home from Southport and Formby District Hospital are now finding their departure that little more relaxing.  The hospital has opened a discharge lounge for those patients who no longer need a bed but whose medication is still being prepared or who are awaiting a lift home.   The lounge, which is located between the Medical Day Unit and at the Accident and Emergency Department, has comfortable armchairs, refreshments, and a radio for entertainment. Meals can also be delivered. Christine Hughes, from Ormskirk, is regular a patient at Southport and appreciates the difference the lounge has made.

“Previously, you were either sat in reception or going in and out looking for your lift. But here you can sit down with your bags and relax. It’s a great improvement.” said Christine Hughes.

Janet Lloyd, the matron responsible for the lounge, said Christine’s comments were typical of those she had received.

“The lounge is a winner all round. Patients like it because they have somewhere comfortable, away from the ward, to wait while they’re waiting to go home. The Trust benefits too because we can get on preparing a bed for the next patient who needs it.” added Janet Lloyd.

The discharge lounge is open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4.30pm.