ISSUE NO. 74 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2007MICA(P)087/02/2006

Bishan-Toa PayohTown Council

BarrierFreeAccess

pg 8 & 9

page 02

Do not park your motorcycles at the void deck. It is

dangerous and causes obstruction to residents using

the void deck. It could also injure children playing

nearby and pollute the place with the engine running.

Park your motorcycle at the designated parking lots

provided. Let us work together for a safe and

pleasant living environment.

communitymessage

✓

All HDB residential blocksare scheduled forRepairs & Redecoration(R&R) to keep them ingood condition, and forthe services to functionefficiently and problem-free.

The Town Council is responsible for the maintenance ofsome blocks in the GRC. Thus, detailed planning is essential

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janu

ary

- mar

ch 2

007

SAFETY TIPS

A Resounding “yes ” to Lift Upgrading@ Blks 54, 55 Toa Payoh!

The voting results are out and the residents have plenty to cheer about.

In a recent poll conducted from 19 to 22 Jan’07, the residents of Blks 54 & 55 Toa Payoh gave their overwhelmingsupport for the Town Council Lift-Upgrading Programme.

Below are the results: Blk 54: 86.27% in favourBlk 55: 83.33% in favour

Thank you for your strong support. Do look out for more details on the project in the next issue.

✓

1. Keep away and don’t attempt to trepass any safetybarricades, chainlink fencing areas

2. Look out for any falling objects

3. Keep away from all machinery and hacking works

4. Walk under the void decks, walkway or shoringprovided, avoid walking at open space

5. Avoid hanging clothes outside when painting worksare carried out outside the unit

6. Avoid waiting at open space

7. Close all the windows when hacking or hoistingwork have been carried out

8. Avoid standing or sticking out the head outsidewindows or along corridor

to ensure R&R works are carried out smoothly and withminimal disruption and inconvenience to residents. Due tothe nature of works involved, we are mindful of your safetyand will do our best to barricade the affected areas, andkeep you updated. Thus, the Town Council seeks theunderstanding and co-operation of residents to informyour family members and advise your children to stay awayfrom the work sites.

We appreciate your support to ensure a smooth completionof the R&R.

Below are the lists of blocks that will be going through R&R works and lift Upgrading.

estate improvement

R&R WORKSDIVISION BLOCKS

Bishan East Blks 151A, 501 to 504, 505A to 505D & 514A to 514C

Sin Ming Blks 22 to 26

Toa Payoh Blks 97,99A to 99C,101A,101B,141 to 144 & 157

LIFT UPGRADINGDIVISION TC-LUP BLOCKS

Toa Payoh Central Blk 54 & 55 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh

S&CC Rebates for 2007S&CC Rebates for 2007For 2007, HDB residents will pay the following

page 04

Normal S&CC* applies to non-citizens, owner of private residential property (including

those from HDB). They are not eligible for the S&CC rebates.

For those paying through Giro, the Town Council will arrange with your bank to

deduct the appropriate amount of S&CC due to the Town Council after taking into

account the S&CC rebates that you are eligible for.

Multi-purpose court at

Blk 25 Sin Ming Ave

ROOM TYPE NORMAL S&CC* REDUCED S&CC S&CC REBATE NET PAYABLE FREE MONTH

1 room $53.20 $19.50 - $19.50 Jan, MarJun, Sep

& Dec

2 room $55.20 $29.00 - $29.00 Jan (0.5),Mar (0.5),

Jun, Sep &Dec (0.5)

3 room $57.00 $40.00 - $40.00 Jan (0.5),Jun (0.5),

Sep (0.5) &Dec (0.5)

4 room $61.00 $52.00 - $52.00 Jan (0.5),Jun (0.5),Sep (0.5)

& Dec (0.5)

5 room $63.00 $63.00 - $63.00 Jan (0.5),Jun (0.5) &Dec (0.5)

Executive $85.00 $85.00 - $85.00 Jun (0.5)

HUDC $105.00 $105.00 - $105.00

MG (08) $85.00 $85.00 - $85.00

MG (07) $90.00 $90.00 - $90.00

homefront

Dear ResidentsWe would like to hear your views on how we cancome together to strengthen community bonding inHDB towns.

With 85% of us staying in HDB estates, HDB living is ashared experience for many of us. Over the next fewmonths, the Forum on HDB Heatware, organized bya group of Members of Parliament, led by Minister ofState Grace Fu, would like to invite you to comeforward and share with them your ideas on how wecan foster a stronger local identity, encouragecommunity ownership and participation, build closerties and develop mutual support in housing estates.

This is especially important, as globalization, an ageingpopulation, and the onset of a new generation ofSingaporeans with higher expectations will have animpact on how we live, and the environment in whichwe live in.

Share your aspirations and vision for the communityby taking part in the public dialogue sessions or givethe Forum your views on-line. Email your name,address and contact number to hdbheartware@mnd.gov.sg and the Forum will send you an invitationto the public dialogue session. You may also call thesetelephone numbers: 6325 7204 or 6325 7546 to register.

Your views are important to us. So do step forwardand let us hear you.

Yours sincerely

Zainudin NordinChairman, Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council

Forumon HDB

Heartware“We must ensure that the HDB livingexperience continues to be the glue thatbonds Singaporeans to their country and totheir fellow citizens. It is timely to review thestate of community building and considernew initiatives to strengthen communities inHDB towns”

Mr Mah Bow Tan,Minister for National Development,10 November 2006.

Forumon HDB

Heartware

page 05

Kadar bayaran biasa S&C hanya boleh digunakan untuk

mereka yang bukan penduduk tetap, pemilik kediaman

privet, perniagaan atau industri (termasuk yang dimikiki

oleh HDB). Mereka tidak layak bagi rebate untuk S&C.

Bagi mereka yang membuat bayaran melaui Giro/Inter

Bank Giro, Majlis Bandaran akan membuat pengurusan

dengan bank bagi potogan peruntukkan jumlah bagi S&C,

diambil kira rebat S&C yang bagi anda.

Covered linkway from Blk 81 Lorong 4

Toa Payoh to Toa Payoh Central CC

homefront

Do you constantly find it hard to get a good helpthese days? This seems to be a common problem, especiallyfor people who have to straddle both work and home. In thisfast-moving, highly competitive society we live in, work is nolonger a want but a ‘need’. Many of us have to thereforedepend on domestic helpers to not only take care of ourhomes, but also our loved ones such as our babies, childrenand elderly parents. But if our domestic helpers are not trainedin the skills and knowledge to provide proper care for ourloved ones, how can we then be assured that we can leavethem in their hands?

Many domestic helpers are equipped with the basic skills tocarry out simple household tasks and to take care of babiesand elderly like feeding, washing and changing them. However,most are not specifically trained on areas such as hygiene,nutrition and safety precautions knowledge which are equallyimportant to help them perform their task better. More oftenthan not, domestic helpers lack the necessary knowledgeand skills to care for babies and elderly within a safe,comfortable and hygienic environment.

Recognising the need for more well-trained domestic workers,the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics launched aprogramme to train and equip domestic helpers with thenecessary knowledge and skills in caring for infants, toddlers,children and elderly. The six-hour programme that runs acrosstwo days offers two modules: Care for the elderly and Carefor infants, toddlers and children.

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Place Your Loved OnesIn Good Hands

The programme is conducted by registered nurses and includesmodules on hygiene and grooming, safety precautions, nutritionneeds and elimination needs such as the application of diapers,use of urinals/bedpans and the care of urine/faecesincontinence. Participants will also be able to have hands-onlearning to ensure familiarity from practice. At the end of eachsession, participants will be assessed and be awarded acertificate upon their successful completion.

The programme also offers the flexibility to customise the coursecontent relevant to your needs from the various units offeredwithin the two modules, with no restrictions on the number ofunits you can choose.

With the necessary skill set that your domestic worker willacquire, you can then put your minds at ease when you areaway from home, knowing that your loved ones are in goodhands.

For more information,please contact ourCall Centre at 6355 3000 orvisit our website atwww.nhgp.com.sg.

Contributed by NationalHealthcare Group PolyclinicsSetting higher standards forfamily healthcare in thecommunity

healthmatters

page 07

active lifestyle

There is a group of 50 elderly residents in Toa Payohwho will practise chi gong daily at Blk 86 from 6.30amto 7.45am. They belong to Toa Payoh Central Zone3 RC.

The group leader, Mdm Mary Tan said that they havebeen practising for 18 years. She welcomes residentsto join them for a day to see if they enjoy the exercisebefore deciding to sign up.

It cost $1 per month for the membership fees. So ifyou are looking for an active lifestyle, try chi gongexercise. It will put you in the pink of health.

Energise withCHI GONGChi gong is a gentle exercise.A common belief is that itcould help to improve one’simmunity system.

HOW TO JOIN

When : Daily unless it is raining

Time : 6.30am to 7.45am

Where : Blk 86 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh

Fees : $1 per month

Contact Number : 6251 0625

f eature

Residents in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC can

now look forward to a 'barrier- free' town.Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council has constructed ramps

to help the elderly for easy movement within their estate.

page 09page 08

Lifting barriersfor easy access

Lifting barriersfor easy access

Before

AfterScupper Drain atBlock 84 Lorong 2

Toa Payoh

Before

After

Footpath atBlock 82B Lorong 2

Toa Payoh

After

Footpath atBlock 1Lorong 7Toa Payoh

Before

page 10

meet theresidents

Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

MPs attend many

social activities.

We bring you some of the

recent ones...

page 11

aroundtown

BISHAN GIRLDESIGNS

WEBPAGESAt an age when most girls are happy to play

with toys, little Hiranya Suresh is busy designingweb pages. The talented five-year-old is an

extraordinary girl in many ways.

Hiranya’s parents came to Singapore from India. The familylives in an HDB flat in Bishan. Their home is not far from the newlibrary and it’s no surprise to learn that Hiranya is an enthusiasticand regular user of the library’s services.

She picked up a flair for IT from her mother, Mrs NagammaiSuresh, who is a director of a software company.

BISHAN GIRLDESIGNS

WEBPAGES

So far Hiranya has developed three websites – herown homepage, one for a doctor and anotherfor an astrologer.

She improves her skills through education - shehas completed a Macromedia DreamweaverMX course. Her skills extend to using searchengines like Google and Yahoo, uploadingfiles and creating tables. Frontpage is oneof the softwares she uses.

“I can add text, choose photos and usecolour palettes to change the colours,” shesays humbly, as she picks out the letters onthe keyboard and types in sentences.

Hiranya gets her inspiration from diverse sources.For instance, her Mum recently gave her a “BodyQuest” game, so Hiranya is busy brushing up herknowledge of the human body, which looks setto become one of the topics on her web page.

“I like scanning photos and documents and talkingover the Internet,” she adds.

Besides web design, Hiranya has many othertalents. From the age of two-and-a-half, she hasbeen singing in temples during festival season. She has sungin three this year. She sat cross-legged on the floor and gaveus a brief but touching sample of what would have been a

15-minute performance in the temple.Last year she performed in Toa PayohCC, singing during the Diwali festival.

She is by nature a caring and helpfulgirl. Her mother relates a story that isvery moving indeed. When Hiranyasees an ambulance on the road, shespontaneously prays, without evenknowing who is being transported.

Hiranya’s other interests includer e a d i n g ( w e l l – a s s h edemonstrated!), yoga, badminton,

painting (she’s a prize-winner) and dancing,She speaks basic Chinese and has a wide general knowledge.

Check it Hiranya’s website atwww.angelfire.com/planet/saihiranya/index.htm.

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community

Learn something new to enrichyourself. Here are some activitiesfor you.

BISHAN EAST

Course : Dress MakingDuration : Every Wednesday / Every ThursdayTime : 2.00pm – 5.00pm (Wed) /

7.00pm – 10.00pm (Thur)Fee : $65 / $60 (Passion Card Member)Sessions : 10

Course : WushuDate : 9 March 2006 (Friday)Time : 8.00pm – 9.30pmFee : $45 / $42 (Passion Card Member)Sessions : 12

Course : Chinese Ink PaintingDate : 12 March 2007 (Monday)Time : 7.30pm – 9.00pmFee : $85 / $80 (Passion Card Member)Sessions : 10

Course : Folk DancingDate : 14 March 2007 (Wednesday)Time : 9.30am – 11.00amFee : $40Sessions : 12

For more information, please contact BishanCC at 6259 4720

BISHAN NORTH

Course : Chi Ball (Beginner)Date : 1 March 2007 (Thursday)Time : 7.30pm – 8.30pm

Course : Yogilates (Beginner)Date : 1 March 2007 (Thursday)Time : 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Course : In-Line Skating (Elementary)Date : 5 March 2007 (Thursday)Time : 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Course : Basic Game Making with Dinosaurs (Primary level)

Date : 12 March 2007 (Monday)Time : 3.00pm – 5.00pm

Course : Basic Computer IDate : 13 March 2007 (Tuesday)Time : 2.30pm – 5.30pm

Course : Polymer Clay JewelleryDate : 1 March 2007 (Thursday)Time : 7.30pm – 8.30pm

Course : Basic Computer IIDate : 27 March 2007 (Tuesday)Time : 2.30pm – 5.30pm

Course : Variety Baking WorkshopDate : 28 March 2007 (Wednesday)Time : 7.15pm – 10.00pm

Course : Western Flower Arrangement(intermediate)

Date : 13 March 2007 (Tuesday)Time : 2.30pm – 5.30pm

Course : Citarasa Kini –All about Brownies

Date : 7 April 2007 (Saturday)Time : 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Course : Citarasa Kini – Spice TrailDate : 14 April 2007 (Saturday)Time : 2.30pm – 5.30pm

Course : Citarasa Kini –Homeopathic Therapy

Date : 14 April 2007 (Saturday)Time : 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Course : Citarasa Kini – Arabic TeaAppreciation Workshop

Date : 7 April 2007 (Saturday)Time : 3.30pm – 5.30pm

For more information, please contactBishan North CC at 6451 5955 (after 2pm)

THOMSON

Course : Citarasa Kini – Mandarin On Stage – The Ice Breaker

Date : 9 March 2007 (Saturday)Time : 7.30pm – 9.30pmFee : $5 (member) / $7 (non-member)Sessions : 1

Talk : Improving your InterpersonalRelationship by understandingBehavioral Styles

Date : 10 March 2007 (Saturday)Time : 3.30pm – 5.30pmFee : $23 (residents) / $25 (non-residents)Refreshment will be provided

Course : Citarasa Kini –Balloon Craft Workshop

Date : 12 March 2007 (Monday)Time : 7.30pm – 9.30pmFee : $12 (non-member)/ $15 (member)Material : $6 (includes good quality pumpFee & balloons)Sessions : 1

Workshop : Release Stress –The Practical Way

Date : 17 March 2007 (Saturday) –1st -session (2hrs)24 March 2007 (Saturday) – 2nd – session (2hrs)

Time : 7.30pm – 9.30pmFee : $80 (Passion card Member)

$90 (Non-Member)Material Fee : $5Sessions : 2

Course : Citarasa Kini – Balinese MassageDate : 29 March 2007 (Thursday)Time : 7.00pm – 10.00pmFee : $25 (member) / $27 (non-member)Medium : MalaySessions : 1

For more information, please call Thomson CCat 6251 6344/ 6250 2283

TOA PAYOH EAST

Course : Elementary Japanese (Stage 2)Duration : 5 March 2007 – 21 May 2007Time : 7.30pm – 9.00pmFee : $70 (Members) / $78 (Non-Members)Sessions : 12

Course : Magic Fabric Painting workshopDuration : 12 March 2007 (Monday)Time : 10.30am – 12.00pmFee : $16 (Members) / $20 (Non-Members)Sessions : 1

Course : Vietnamese Language(Elementary)

Duration : 15 March 2007 – 17 May 2007Time : 7.30pm – 8.40pmFee : $90 (Members) / $98 (Non-Members)Sessions : 10

Course : Elementary Japanese (Stage 1)Duration : 20 March 2007 – 12 June 2007Time : 7.30pm – 9.00pmFee : $70 (Members) / $78 (Non-Members)Sessions : 12

For more information, please call Toa PayohEast CC at 6256 7601

TOA PAYOH SOUTH

Teochew Opera ExcerptDay : Every third Thursday of the MonthTime : 7.00pm – 10.00pm

Toa Payoh South CC’s Gema IramaKaraoke ClubDay : Every FridayTime : 6.00pm – 10.00pmFees : $4/person

Course : Chinese Tuition for P3-P6Duration : 1 March 2007 – 19 April 2007Time : 3.30pm – 6.30pmFee : $80 (Members) / $85 (Non-Members)

(P3 & 4)$85 (Members) / $90 (Non-Members)

Course : Yoga (Elementary/Advance)Duration : 1 March 2007 – 17 May 2007Time : 7.45pm – 8.45pm (Elementary)

8.45pm – 9.45pm (Advance)Fee : $45 (Members)/ $50 (Non-Members)

(Elementary)$70 (Members) / $75 (Non-Members)(Advance)

Course : Abacus Mental –Arithmetic in English(Basic Stage 1 for 6-12yrs)

Duration : 3 May 2007 – 19 May 2007Time : 9.30am – 11.00amFee : $90 (Members) / $95 (Non-Members)

Course : Chinese Tuition for P1-P2Duration : 5 March 2007 – 23 April 2007Time : 3.30pm – 5.00pmFee : $80 (Members) / $85 (Non-Members)

Juara Karaoke Pop 60(Pop 60’s Karaoke Competition)Date : 18 March 2007 (Sunday)Time : 7.00pm – 10.00pmFees : $20 (Contestant)Free admission for supporters

Course : Fuzion Ball (Mini-Tennis)Duration : 25 March – 8 April 2007Time : 10.00am – 12.00pmFee : $40 (Members)/ $45 (Non-Members)

Healthier Food Trail by HPBDate : 31 March 2007 (Saturday)Time : 9.00am – 2.00pmFee : $15/personInclusive of lunch at one of HPB’s certifiedHealthier Restaurant & cooking demo

Sex & Pregnancy TalkDate : 31 March 2007 (Saturday)Time : 2.00pm – 6.00pmFee : $3/person

Health Talk by Professor Tan on Back& Knee OsteoporosisDate : 20 April 2007 (Friday)Time : 7.00pm – 9.00pmFee : $2/person

For more information, please call Toa PayohSouth CC at 6259 6602

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Potpourri

Is your place tastefully done up?Does it have a special cozy corner thatoozes charm & personality? Or is it sleek

& modern with clean lines? Here is your chance toshowcase your beautiful home. Send us photos of themand we will share with your fellow residents.

DESIGNERH O M E S

In this issue, we feature a unit at Blk 48 Toa Payoh East

with its pretty interior design. The apartment belongs to

Mr Alan Lee, a trainer and designer with People’s

Association. He designed his home all by himself.

What is the theme for your house?Tropical setting.

How did the idea come about?I’m a frequent traveller and have beento most parts of the world and have seenmany beautiful things. Thus, the conceptis derived from my travel experiences,which I have put together.

Which part of the house do you like mostand what is most special?The hall is my favourite as there are lotsof decorative displays that I havepersonally brought in from abroad. Iplanned and displayed every itemappropriately; and every corner and wallis decked with things that are pricelessand unique. What is most special is thatsome of these display items are hand-made by me.

Do you spend a lot of time at theplace?Yes, I do. The life size silk floralarrangement is constantly changingto suit the festive mood and season.Even the display items are changedas and when I like it. I enjoy spendingtime doing up the hall and givingit a new look.

It isn’t the renovation that made thehouse look good. I believe it’s thedisplay items and floral arrangementthat I did that made the placedifferent and attractive.

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Town Classified Advertisement

noticeboard

INDIAN CLASSICALDANCE COMPETITION

INDIAN CLASSICALDANCE COMPETITION

Organised byToa Payoh West Indian Activity Group

Only Bharathanatyam

Date :7 April 2007 (Semi-Finals)

28 April 2007 (Finals)

Time :11am Onwards (Semi Finals)

6.00pm - 10.00pm (Finals)

Fees :$10.00

Venue :Toa Payoh West Community Club

Contact :Ms Shanti @ 6353 0577/ 6353 4487

Closing Date:1 April 2007

Attractive Prizes & Cash to be Won

First Prize:Air ticket to India and trophy

First Prize:

Please send your entries on the back of an envelope to reach us before 7 April 2007Address the envelope to:

THE EDITOR, The Quiz Corner (Quiz No. 63), BTPTC News,Blk 125A, #01-134, Lorong 2 Toa Payoh, Singapore 311125

TRENDYT-SHIRTSto be WON!TRENDYT-SHIRTSto be WON!Question for Quiz #63Question for Quiz #63

ENTRY RULES1. Only HDB residents of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC are eligible to

participate and all entries must be made on the official entry form

2. Each household is allowed to send in only one entry

3. Councillors and employees of Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council andtheir immediate families are not allowed to participate

4. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will beentertained

5. Prizes will be awarded to the first 50 all correct entries drawn andwinners will be notified by post

6. Answers will be published in the next issue of Bishan-Toa PayohTown Council News

How old is the Bishan Girl, Hiranya, who designs webpages?

(Deadline: 7 APRIL 2007)

Name : (Mr/Ms)

NRIC No :

Address :

(Postal)

Tel : (H) (O)

(Mobile) Email:

IMPORTANT The information disclosed by you to the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council (the Town Council) is being furnished voluntarily and on the basis thatyou consent that it may be used by the Town Council and the Advisors of the Town Council (in their capacity as Advisors, Members of Parliament or in anyother capacity whatsoever for the purpose of communicating with you.

1 Ms Flora Lee2 Mr Tan Chin Hock3 Ms Edlina Chong Kai Ling4 Ms Shaniesse Yee5 Mr Syed Fauzi6 Mr Yeung Wallace Ming Sum7 Ms Janet Chai8 Ms Sharon Khng Lay Yian9 Neo Pei Ling Vivian10 Mr Lee Kee Leong11 Ms Mabel Chia12 Ms Tham Pei Ching13 Mr Francis Chan Shen Theng14 Ms Doris Choo Se Mei15 Ms Grace kwan Yee Kay16 Ms Zeenath Begum17 Ms Cheong Yin Wai

18 Mr Tan Tai Kiat19 Mr Gan Soon Jing20 Ms Elizabeth Lee21 Ms Lan Mon Ying22 Ms Goh Sok kiang23 Ms Siti Jariah24 Ms Liu Shih Shian25 Mr Goh Hee Soon26 Ms Ow Lay Hoon Cindy27 Ms Bee Bee Jan28 Ms Lim Yuet Ming29 Ms Deng Peck Wan30 Ms goh Siew Luang31 Ms Ng Shin Yi32 Mr Lim Shih Hao33 Ms Teo Lee Yan34 Ms Luk Yair

35 Mr Ang Ah Kwang36 Ms Tew Choon Eng37 Ms Chua Bee Chen38 Mr Kannan Sekaran39 Mdm Connie Teng40 Ms Phua Bah Lee41 Ms Woo Mei Ping42 Ms Jinnie Tan43 Ms Choo Cheng Kim44 Ms Lim Soon Wan45 Ms Boon Jun Cheng46 Mr Quek Teng Kee47 Ms Noor Dinah Md Amin48 Ms Chow Poh Chun Frances49 Ms Benazir Bee50 Ms Tia Teck Lee

WINNERS for Quiz #61answer to quiz

no.61India

page 15

f un time