Real Love Works – the annual event to celebrate marriage wellness has returned.

Celebrations kicked off on Saturday with about 1,000 married couples at the launch of the two-week event at Punggol Waterway.

Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob also launched Marriage Central’s first iPhone application, “Our Love Journal” – which can help couples remember details of special occasions.

Celebrations will go on till April 7 and culminate in a two-day Marriage Convention starting on March 31.

Tickets to the convention, which is jointly organised by MediaCorp, are already sold out.

Anita Fam, chairperson of Marriage Central, said: “This year, what we’ll try to do is bring messages forward in a bite-sized fashion, because we know how busy Singaporeans are. So by bringing it to them, at least they can start thinking about their own marriages and their own relationships.

“We are also very encouraged (by the response). More than 3,500 tickets were snapped up for Marriage Convention and that just shows us that there is a demand, there is a hunger for this sort of programme, for this sort of information to go to the community. So throughout the year, we will try to make programmes accessible to Singaporeans.”

Marriage Central is a one-stop resource point under the National Family Council to promote stronger, healthier and happier marriages. Strongly supported by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Marriage Central provides resources and referrals via various platforms including this website as well as resource points located across the island to help strengthen marriages. Marriage Central also provides a conducive and friendly environment for couples who wish to know more about marriage preparation and enrichment programmes, as well as marital counselling services available.

Visit Marriage Central at http://www.marriagecentral.sg/

NParks is also responsible for the management of over 300 parks and the streetscape (or roadside greenery). There is a hierarchy and diversity of parks, ranging from large regional parks to neighbourhood parks and playgrounds, where a spectrum of natural ecosystems co-exists with horticultural gardens. In this whole scheme, the PCN serves as the network that connects these green spaces together.

To view park connectors maps and descriptions in Punggol visit the National Parks Board website

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parkconnectors&id=3&Itemid=74/

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parkconnectors&id=2&Itemid=74/

Dragon dance in celebration of Chinese new year at Compass Point shopping mall.

Info about dragon dance on Wikipedia. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_dance

*Dragon dance* (simplified Chinese: 舞龙; traditional Chinese: 舞龍;pinyin: wǔ lóng) is a form of traditional dance and performance inChinese culture. Like the lion dance it is most often seen in festive celebrations. Many Chinese people often use the term “Descendants of the Dragon ” (龍的傳人 or 龙的传人 “lóng de chuán rén”) as a sign of ethnic identity, as part of a trend started in the 1970s. Another derivation is from (農的傳人) i.e. the descendants of Shennong, the legendary first king of the Chinese people who taught them agriculture, law and medicine, the foundations of civilization.

In the dance, a team of people carry the dragon — which is an image of the Chinese dragon — on poles. A dragon can be composed of up to 50 people.

The dance team does mimic the supposed movements of this river spirit in a sinuous, undulating manner. The movements in a performance traditionally symbolise historical roles of dragons demonstrating power and dignity. The dragon dance is a highlight of Chinese New Year celebrations held worldwide in Chinatowns around the world.

Dragons are believed to bring good luck to people, which is reflected in their qualities that include great power, dignity, fertility, wisdom and auspiciousness. The appearance of a dragon is both frightening and bold but it has a benevolent disposition, and so eventually became an emblem to represent imperial authority.

Prime Supermarkets are opened 24 hours at Punggol Field Blk 108, Punggol Field, #01-02, S(820108). ContactTel : 6315 9074 and Sengkang Blk 263, Compassvale St, #01-01, S(540263). ContactTel : 6881 6142. For more information, Read more www.primesupermarket.com .

The IKEA product range focuses on good design and function at a low price. It offers home furnishing solutions for every room in the home. It has something for the romantic at heart, the minimalist and everyone in between. IKEA Tampines is located just 5-15mins from Punggol. Buses no. 27, 34, 58, 168. Driving: Take Tampines Expressway. If you are heading towards the direction of Changi Airport, turn right at Exit 5 into Tampines Ave 10. Open daily (including Public Holidays) 10am – 11pm.  *** The restaurant is probably one of the few that is opened during the holidays where most stalls would be closed. More: http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/ 

Do comment if you would like to contribute to the places for the Chinese New Year!

Location Harmony Square@Rivervale Crescent (beside Chong Ghee Temple)

More info  Highlights:

1. Fireworks Display

2.Welcoming God of Fortune

3.Variety Show

4.Dragon & Lion Dance

5.Lucky Oranges Goodie bags etc (whilst stocks last)

 No administration fees.

Chinatown festive decoration 2012.

Reported by Today News.

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120103-0000143/SBS-Transit-extends-train-and-bus-services-for-Chinese-New-Year

SBS Transit extends train and bus services for Chinese New Year10:12 PM Jan 03, 2012 SBS Transit will be extending the operating hours of its train services as well as its Chinatown Direct bus services in the weeks leading up to the Chinese New Year.

For the next two Fridays and Saturdays, starting from Jan 6 and 7, the last train in the direction of HarbourFront will depart Punggol Station at 12.02am and Chinatown Station at 12.29am, while the one headed for Punggol will depart HarbourFront Station at 12.29am and Chinatown Station at 12.34am.

On Friday, Jan 20, the last train in the direction of HarbourFront will depart Punggol at 12.32am and Chinatown at 1.00am. 

The last train towards Punggol will depart HarbourFront at 12.54am and Chinatown at 1.00am.

On Saturday, Jan 21, the last train in the direction of HarbourFront will depart Punggol at 1.47am and Chinatown at 2.15am. 

The last train towards Punggol will depart HarbourFront at 2.09am and Chinatown at 2.15am.

An additional 419 more train trips will be operated which will enhance frequency to between four and five minutes at selected times on the days when train hours are extended.

The operating times for the Punggol and Sengkang LRTs will similarly be extended with the last LRT train departing five minutes after the last NEL train pulls in at their respective stations.

Separately, the Chinatown Direct Service 28 (CT28), which serves Chinatown and Clementi, will be in operation from Jan 1 to 22. 

The two Chinatown Direct services – CT8 and CT18 – that operate daily will also extend their operating hours. 

Reported by Asiaone.com

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20120103-319717.html

Train and bus services extended in lead-up to Lunar New Year

SBS Transit will be extending the operating hours of its train services as well as its Chinatown Direct bus services in the weeks leading up to the Lunar New Year, so as to better cater to the travel needs of commuters.
Besides extending train operating hours, commuters will also have a shorter wait as more train trips will be added to the schedule.

A total of 419 more trips will be operated which will enhance frequency to between four and five minutes at selected times on these days.

TRAIN SERVICES

North-East Line
For the next two Fridays and Saturdays, starting from Jan 6 and 7, the last train in the direction of HarbourFront will depart Punggol Station at 12.02am and Chinatown Station at 12.29am while the one headed for Punggol will depart HarbourFront Station at 12.29am and Chinatown Station at 12.34am. This is about half an hour later than usual.

On Friday, Jan 20, the last train in the direction of HarbourFront will depart Punggol Station at 12.32am and Chinatown Station at 1.00am. The last train towards Punggol will depart HarbourFront Station at 12.54am and Chinatown Station at 1.00am.

On Saturday, 21 January, the last train in the direction of HarbourFront will depart Punggol Station at 1.47am and Chinatown Station at 2.15am. The last train towards Punggol will depart HarbourFront Station at 2.09am and Chinatown Station at 2.15am.

Sengkang and Punggol LRT
In line with the NEL service extension, the operating times for the Punggol and Sengkang LRTs will similarly be extended with the last LRT train departing five minutes after the last NEL train pulls in at their respective stations.

For the two Fridays and Saturdays, starting from Jan 6 and 7, the last train on the Sengkang LRT will depart from the Town Centre Station at 1.05am while that for the Punggol LRT will do so at 1.07am.

On Friday, Jan 20, the last Sengkang LRT train will depart the Town Centre at 1.30am, while the last train for Punggol LRT will depart the Town Centre at 1.32am.
On Saturday, Jan 21, the last Sengkang LRT train is scheduled to depart the Town Centre at 2.45am while the last train on the Punggol LRT will depart the Town Centre at 2.47am.

BUS SERVICES
For the coming Chinese New Year, Chinatown Direct Service 28 (CT28), which serves Chinatown and Clementi, will be in operation from Jan 1 to 22.

Two daily Chinatown Direct services – CT8 which serves Ang Mo Kio and CT18 which serves Bedok – will be extending their operating hours in the weeks leading up to the Lunar New Year.

For the next two Fridays and Saturdays, starting from Jan 6 and 7, the last bus of CT8, CT18 and CT28 heading to Chinatown will depart from their respective interchanges at 9pm instead of at their usual times at 5pm.

The last bus back from Chinatown will depart at 12.30am from the bus stop opposite the Outram Park Station (bus stop number 06011).

On Friday, Jan 20, the last bus to Chinatown will similarly depart from the three towns at 9pm while the last bus will leave Chinatown at 12.55am.

On Saturday, Jan 21, the last bus will again head for Chinatown at 9pm, while the last bus back from Chinatown will depart at 2.10am to better cater to commuters’ needs.

On all other weekdays, from Jan 1 to 21, the three services to Chinatown will operate from 10am to 4.30pm while the return journey will be from 11am to 5pm.

On Sundays, they will operate from 10am to 8pm towards Chinatown while the return trip will be from 11am to 10pm.

For more details go to: http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/download/ext_of_ct_svcs_during_lny.pdf

Punggol, Singapore’s newest option for waterfront living, is fast entering a new phase of development as private housing takes off in the new town. The Government has just announced the release of a large 1.8ha private condo site, right next to Punggol MRT statio

n, which is able to yield 540 homes. The site is just the latest in a string of new home sites in Punggol. Seven other residential sites have been put up for sale, sold or developed in the last 12 months. These eight plots could add more than 5,000 homes over the next few years.

Read more about Punggol’s private property bloom at iProperty http://blog.iproperty.com.sg/punggol%E2%80%99s-private-housing-boom/

Some pictures of Gunpla event Singapore held @ Compass Point Sengkang to share!

Press release by HDB
Issued : 24 Nov 2011
Picture: Punggol Waterway Ridges

 Another 4,200 new flats in 7 BTO projects has been launched by HDB today, following its bumper 8,200 flats just two months ago. The latest launch offers new flats in Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Hougang, Punggol and Yishun. This brings the total number of BTO flats offered in 2011 to 25,200 units. HDB will continue to offer another 25,000 BTO units in 2012.
**2The details of the flats offered are inAnnex A
  (PDF 1478KB). At least 95% of the flat supply (excluding Studio Apartments) will be set aside for first-timer households. Eligible first-timer households can also enjoy various housing grants to help them own a new BTO flat. 

**Next BTO Launch in January

3In Jan 2012, 3,890 new flats will be offered for sale in Choa Chu Kang, Punggol, Sengkang and Tampines. More information is available in the HDB InfoWEB.