June 2009

Achoo
If spring, for all its glory, makes you cough and wheeze; or more seriously, if peanuts are considered deadly in your house, you’ll be glad to know that healthcare provider ParkwayHealth welcomes Shanghai’s first English-speaking allergist, Dr. Erina May Lin. Dr Lin specializes in all areas of allergy and immunology for both children and adults. She is a U.S. board-certified pediatrician and diplomat of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

Get Help
Sometimes we all need a little help, but where to turn? Shanghai International Mental Health Association (SIMHA) is a recently launched multidisciplinary professional association of therapists in Shanghai. Among the organization’s goals is to maintain a current directory of therapists available to international communities in Shanghai. Contact SIMHA for a list of therapists or check its directory online. Therapists included in the SIMHA directory represent multiple languages and specialities.

Lauren Muhlheim, president@s-imha.org; www.s-imha.org

Special Offer on Clothes for Changing Bodies
Tabetha Rosenberg, owner of the first Motherwear store (the business is 25 years old but until now was catalog only), is offering 20 percent off this summer for nursing tees and her new summer line of dresses, tops and swimwear. Offer good through July.
Room 405, No 3221 Hongmei Lu, www.motherwear.com.

Give Help
China has few provisions for handicapped children in schools and public areas. Children with cerebral palsy, for example, have minimal opportunity to navigate, function independently and become educated. Moved to action, two sisters, Lu Shun Ling and Iris Lieu, sold family property in Shanghai to raise funds towards starting CereCare Wellness Center for Children – a fully registered, nonprofit charity that helps these children reach for independence, achievement and emotional security. It’s a warm and loving rehabilitation center that currently cares for 30 children with cerebral palsy from birth to 12 years. CereCare is looking for volunteers to help with any of the following: writing, fundraising, speech therapy, playing with children, as well as donations of used books or clothing. Visitors to the center are welcome.
Contact Iris Lieu, cerecare@gmail.com.

More Music Fun
We’ve found a new music school in Gubei for children ages 6 months–6 years. The school, called ConKo, offers a play-based approach to music instruction. Children learn music basics through movement, focused listening and exploring with instruments. Classes are taught in English with songs composed by Canadian music instruction professional Denise Gagne. The school includes a Montessori-style playroom that you child can explore after class – so make a morning of it!
Room 3D-2, LA Plaza, 1665 Hongqiao Lu, 6219 9900, www.conko.com.cn

First International-Local Cancer Center Partnership
This is big news in Shanghai’s medical community. The Hong Kong-based AmMed Cancer Center (also affiliated with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute in New York) and Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai have recently joined forces to form the Shanghai Ruijin AmMed Cancer Center. With a group of experienced expatriate and local oncologists along with a network of specialist physicians and a team of overseas-trained medical professionals, this international center provides comprehensive and quality cancer care and treatment for patients. It’s the first treatment partnership of its kind in Shanghai. AmMed also includes AmMed Cancer Resource Center, a nonprofit organization offering supportive activities and therapy courses for cancer patients such as yoga, musical therapy and nutrition.
www.ruijin-ammed.com

Coffee Tree Redux
A new restaurant, Green Apple, has opened in the location formerly occupied by Coffee Tree café on Hongmei Lu in Gubei. The menu is eerily the same – panini sandwiches, waffles with Nutella, cheese and salami plates – but the outdoor space has been nicely renovated with grass, a small trampoline and a new playset. And we hear the owners plan to create an art corner inside for children to draw and paint while adults sip coffee.
3215 Hongmei Lu, Building 201
 
Prenatal Massage
Rachel Middagh, a Shanghai Family contributing writer and brand new mom, tells us about a new prenatal masseuse, Annie Des Rossiers. First, she’s specifically trained in prenatal massage. Secondly, she comes to your house, brings a massage chair designed for a changing body and asks important health and body-related questions before and after your massage to ensure the right treatment. Lastly, she’s much less expensive than other prenatal massage providers: 240 RMB/HR. Get four massages and the fifth is free.
1592 177 7894, cocoonmassages@gmail.com, cocoonmassages.blogspot.com
 
Smog or Fog?
The air outside is gray and you’re wondering if that day you’ve planned at the park will leave your kids’ lungs the same color. Now you can know. Before you set out for a romp, check the quality of Shanghai’s air online with Shanghai Family’s new up-to-the-hour air quality indicator. shfamily.com

Perogies in a Pinch
If your kids are like mine and prefer a steady diet of starch, or if you need a quick hors d’oeuvre, try Perogie Express from entrepreneurs Marvin Manalac and Chris Lomason (you may know long-term expat Chris from her previous business making beanbag chairs). Chris is putting her Polish heritage to work by making perogies – polish dumplings stuffed with potatoes and cheese. Keep them frozen, then just thaw and fry for a few minutes with butter and onions, and voila. More filling choices to come. 20 RMB/6 perogies.
Look for Chris and Marvin at bazzars or call 136 3662 4300 (home delivery).