Ours is an impact-driven community when it comes to green practices, as the recent ESG Discovery Fair goes to show PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires & courtesy of DBSML Discovery Bay, as one of Hong Kong’s ‘eco-friendly towns’, consistently promotes sustainability within the community. Residents don’t have to venture far from home to recycle not only paper, plastic and metal, but liquid car tons, glass and food waste, and there are numerous forward-thinking initiatives in place that encourage us to live greener together. “DB has been a pioneer in environmental protection since the 1990s and has since expanded its focus to encompass a broader spectrum of sustainability,” opens Ernest Lee, Assistant General Manager of Discover y Bay Ser vices Management Ltd (DBSML), aka City Management (CM). “CM remains committed to advancing ESG development across our community by adopting innovative environmental technologies, fostering close partnerships with community stakeholders, and implementing strong governance initiatives,” he adds. “Through collaboration with these stakeholders, DB continues to lead local residential standards in sustainability, as proudly demonstrated by the awards we have received over the years.” One such sustainability leadership venture, the ESG Discovery Fair, organised by DBSML, successfully took place on February 28 in DB South Plaza with a focus on supportable eco-friendly living. The aim was to enhance residents’ awareness of and participation in sustainable development, whilst encouraging them to come together and have some fun. This year, CM was proud to welcome a diverse range of exhibitors and performance groups – from government departments, social enterprises and non-governmental organisations to public institutions and environmental service providers – each making a meaningful impact in areas such as climate education, fair trade, sustainable fashion, food-waste reduction and community care. Their participation underscored the collective effort to drive real change. The day’s activities were rich and varied, with over 40 unique booths in place providing information on everything from upcycling to energy conservation and ecology. There was a special emphasis on recycling services ( Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and used sports shoe collection points), innovative green products and well-established community-wide initiatives, such as the DB Food Waste Collection Scheme, DB Family Farm Project and Green DBers Programme. Community engagement was also high with residents and stakeholders getting on stage to provide stirring song and dance performances throughout the afternoon. In addition to educational exhibits, there were fun-focused interactive game booths and experiential workshops. In providing DB residents and visitors with an enjoyable experience, the event also encouraged a deeper understanding of the community’s achievements in creating a greener and more harmonious living environment. At the end of the day, every small step taken by each individual makes a difference. In line with this spirit, and following an impressive fencing demonstration by students and alumni of S.K.H. Wei Lun Primary School, CM donated the fencing piste used on the day to the school to extend the board’s life and facilitate sports training. “Education is the key to environmental protection and, going forward, the annual ESG Discovery Fair will continue to serve an educational purpose for all,” Ernest concludes.

Former Pen ‘n Paper owner and community advocate Sophia Lau-Duehring reflects on her four decades in DB. Martin Wray reports PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires Long-time Discovery Bay residents will recognise the familiar face of Sophia Lau-Duehring shopping at the weekend market or relaxing at a table in DB South Plaza. Sophia is familiar to many because she was the proprietor of a much-loved shop for residents, especially school-aged kids and their parents – Pen ‘n Paper. The shop was a community hub and a friendly place to hang out and browse for arts and crafts. We meet on a sunny afternoon, at one of Sophia’s preferred spots in the plaza, to talk about her four decades in DB. Dressed immaculately in white, Sophia exudes warmth and graciousness. A friendliness known by at least four other residents who stop by to say hello. Pen ‘n Paper opened in 1998. “It was not an easy time when I started,” she recalls. “I think it was during some financial downfall. Just after the handover, things got really different.” A friend helped Sophia secure a lease, and she hired three full-time staff so she could be open seven days a week. Initially, she sold just stationery, which she liked. But she quickly learnt "liking stationery and working with stationery is completely different." Take pencil sharpeners: she discovered she needed to stock left-handed versions, as well as left-handed scissors and left-handed fountain pens, all of which she air-freighted from Germany. “Then the craft thing came in, glitter,” she says. “It slowly built up as suppliers came to visit and introduced new products.” Eventually, the shop also offered arts-and-crafts items such as paints, brushes, stickers and canvases. Things like Play-Doh, air-dried clay and papier-mâché attracted the kids – and Sophia’s window displays were legendary. Ask Sophia about her favourite memory, and she doesn’t hesitate: “Every day. Every day, so many kids came. When school finished at 3.30pm, that was a rush. I also knew many of the parents, I would see them every weekend at the marina, in the plaza or on the ferry. We had that kind of closeness and familiarity. “For me, the shop was not only to sell stuff,” Sophia adds. “It was a place people could put up notices... about playgroups, anything that was cultural, educational. People could put the note up there.” Pen ‘n Paper stayed open for over 20 years. When the landlord wanted to raise the rent, Sophia made a difficult decision, which, in hindsight, turned out to be a wise one. “I closed the shop in 2019. I have to thank them for raising my rent. Otherwise, I would have gone through COVID.” The end of the business was bittersweet. “I was very lucky after I closed the shop, people were sort of buying souvenirs from my window display. So in the end, only a little bit of stock was left, and I donated it to charity.” Sophia’s passion for people and community is deeply personal, rooted in her vibrant personality and long association with DB. A native of Hong Kong, Sophia was introduced to DB in 1985 by her future husband, Wolf, who was already a resident. Wolf worked as a German translator, and she was in the fashion business. She moved to DB soon afterwards, and both commuted to work via ferry. Remembering the daily commute, she explains that back then, the ferry docked at Blake's Pier. “The last ferry was at 1am. So, if you went to Lan Kwai Fong, you had to make sure you caught the ferry. And there was this shop girl we knew. She would say, ‘Here’s your beer; you can pay me tomorrow,’ when we were running for the ferry. And for the guys who smoked cigarettes, ‘Here's a cigarette’. In those days, people could smoke inside and outside the ferry.” She doesn’t miss that last part. Post Pen ‘n Paper, Sophia has a lot more time to do her own thing. “I’m taking piano lessons, which I like and really enjoy. I find it very soothing; memorising the notes is not easy, but I enjoy it.” And she has time to travel – three months out of every 12. This year, she and Wolf plan to be in Germany and Sweden. When in DB, Sophia remains actively involved in the community – and today, she has something to communicate to readers: “I just hope no taxis come to the South Plaza. With so many kids around, it really worries me. They’ve already put signs up, but you wouldn’t notice them. It’s just a little laminated sheet tied up with zip ties near the Peng Chau Ferry Pier. Nobody’s going to stop and read that.” As a member of the Owners Committee for Parkvale Village, where she has lived for decades, Sophia has raised the issue of taxis entering DB. She has called for a proper public consultation to determine what residents want, especially if there is to be an expansion of where taxis may go. “If residents want taxis, fine, but let them say so”, as they did before taxis were allowed in DB North Plaza. Through a series of Facebook posts, Sophia has launched a grassroots campaign encouraging residents to press the government for a public consultation before allowing more taxis into DB. Our discussion soon shifts to Discovery Bay Marina Club, which Sophia says was her second home before its controversial closure in 2018. “It linked the whole community directly and indirectly,” she says fondly. “We met members and sailors, and there were already some liveaboards. It was a very close community. There were lots of organised events... sailing races, birthday parties and sunset happy hours on friends' boats. And there were never any restrictions on bringing my dogs.” And so to dogs. Sophia currently has a 17kg mutt named Tega, but over the years, she has owned up to three dogs at a time, all rescues. This passion for pets led to her three dogs being featured in the South China Morning Post in 2003. At the time, the only veterinarian in DB was facing eviction. So she joined a march in the plaza defending him. Sophia represented the plaza tenants in speaking with City Management. The rally saved the vet’s practice. Tega offers her another way to connect with a different group of residents – dog minders at an informal playgroup in Seahorse Lane Park. “I discovered a new community. There is a big patch of lawn, which we call the dog park. At around 5 o'clock, you see 10, 15 dogs there. The Filipino helpers come, with their dogs, every day. Almost every other week, there's a dog birthday party, just like for kids. There are balloons, and they prepare food.” Sophia continuously seeks out ways to stay connected. “I find it’s important to socialise,” she says, “so every day at 6pm, we head down to the South Plaza for happy hour. We sit at a table and meet people.” Though nostalgic for old days, ways and friends, Sophia is still thankful. “You know, the great thing is, in the '80s, when I first came here, I met the first residents and we're still in touch. Some are still here.” If you would like to connect with a new old friend, you will find Sophia and her pals at a table near the post office, at DB South Plaza, on any late afternoon. Bring your smiles, drinks and memories.

AT THE 30TH TENNIS NATIONS CUP DBRC hosted the 30th Tennis Nations Cup on March 7 and 8 with 20 teams competing, and all players wearing national dress. Congratulations to the Hong Kong team who placed first, and to Germany, the second runner-up. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.] AT THE DBIS PTSA INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR The DBIS PTSA International Food Fair was a huge success on March 7 delivering delicious foods from around the world, and an opportunity for friends and families to get together. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.] COMMUNITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT The DB 3X3 Community Basketball Tournament played out on March 14 at the Club Siena outdoor basketball court. The competition was open to players aged 15 and up, with winning teams Saturday Morning (mixed category) and HKG (open category). [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.]

How much do you know about Greta Gerwig and her films? 01. When is Greta Gerwig’s birthday? A. August 4, 1981 B. August 4, 1983 C. August 14, 1985 02. What is Gerwig’s full name? A. Greta Celeste Gerwig B. Greta Gerwig C. Greta Gabriella Gerwig 03. Where is Gerwig from? A. Sacramento, California B. Los Angeles, California C. San Francisco, California 04. Gerwig is a graduate from which university? A. Columbia University B. Barnard College C. New York University 05. Which 2017 film marks Gerwig’s solo directorial debut? A. Hannah Takes the Stairs B. Little Women C. Lady Bird 06. Who is Gerwig’s partner, also a director? A. Noah Baumbach B. Paul Thomas Anderson C. Richard Linklater 07. Which film directed by Gerwig received six Academy Award nominations? A. Little Women B. Barbie C. Lady Bird 08. Who stars as Jo March in Gerwig’s 2019 Little Women adaptation? A. Florence Pugh B. Saoirse Ronan C. Emma Watson 09. What type of films did Gerwig star in before becoming a director? A. Romantic comedies B. Mumblecore C. Horror films 10. Who is Gerwig’s co-star in Maggie’s Plan? A. Willem Dafoe B. Ethan Hawke C. Matt Damon 11. Which Gerwig film is the highest-grossing film of 2023? A. Little Women B. Barbie C. Lady Bird 12. In Baumbach’s Frances Ha, which character does Gerwig play? A. Frances Halladay B. Sophie LeClaire C. Julie Klein 13. Gerwig stars in which film directed by Whit Stillman? D. Damsels in Distress E. Love & Friendship F. The Last Days of Disco 14. Who is the writer of the Golden Globe-winning theme song for Barbie? A. Dua Lipa B. Charli XCX C. Billie Eilish 15. Who plays Gerwig’s partner in Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love? A. Ellen Page B. Jesse Eisenberg C. Alec Baldwin 16. Which major fantasy franchise is Gerwig directing in 2026? A. Percy Jackson B. The Chronicles of Narnia C. Twilight 17. Gerwig plays a character called Greta in which mumblecore film? A. LOL B. Yeast C. Baghead 18. What defines the puppet Gerwig ‘voices’ in Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs? A. A black-and-white striped collar B. A pinstripe jersey C. A blonde afro 19. Which actor stars in both Lady Bird and Little Women? A. Timothée Chalamet B. Louis Garrel C. Bob Odenkirk 20. What style of films is Gerwig best known for? A. Indie B. Thriller C. Coming-of-age Answers: B A A B C A A B B B B A A C B B A C A C

30TH TENNIS NATIONS CUP DBRC is hosting the 30th Tennis Nations Cup on March 7 and 8 with match play from 8am to 6pm. Twenty teams (eight men and four women per team) are taking part, and all players are encouraged to wear fancy dress. There’s also a carnival from 10am to 5pm on both days at the DBRC lawn area – expect face painting, game booths, food kiosks and a bouncy castle. To find out more, visit dbrc.hk/en. [PHOTO BY www.richardgordonphotography.com.] LOVE FROM LUKE BLOOD DRIVE This year, a group of Year 12 and 13 DC students are hosting the LoveFromLuke blood drive to support Hong Kong’s blood donation efforts. There is truly no substitute for human blood, which is why every donor counts. A single donation can save up to three lives! This year’s drive is being held on March 3, from 11.30am to 6pm, at DC’s Senior Student Centre. Residents aged 16 and up are invited to participate and support. Scan the bar code to register. DUFFY AND FRIENDS PLAY DAYS Everyone’s favourite Disney character franchise is taking centre stage at Hong Kong Disneyland from March 20, with Duffy, ShellieMay, Gelatoni, StellaLou, CookieAnn, ‘Olu Mel and LinaBell providing a series of fun fan experiences that feel both magical and warmly familiar. What we, and so many across Asia love about the gang is their curiosity, kindness and love of adventure, values that shine brightly during this seasonal event. Bring your plushies along as you explore and stop for springtime photo ops set up just for Duffy and Friends’ fans. You can also drop by the Duffy and Friends Playhouse for a hug and a quick chat, then catch all seven characters marching, singing and dancing together in Friendtastic, the park’s largest parade. StellaLou fans can see her perform with the Hong Kong Ballet in StellaLou’s Wonderful Wishes Ballet, and the whole gang appears in Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle! alongside Mickey and Friends and the Disney Princesses. As night falls, Duffy and Friends are back on stage making a special appearance during Momentous: Party in the Night Sky. If you’re planning an overnight stay at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, be sure to check-in on a Tuesday, with access to the Kingdom Club where Duffy, ShellieMay and LinaBell are taking turns to say goodnight to fans. Bring your own bedtime plushie and stop by before turning in for the night. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Hong Kong Disneyland.] PROSPECTIVE PARENT OPEN DAY AT DC Discovery College is holding an Open Day for prospective parents on March 11 from 8.30am to 10am. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the campus, get a deeper understanding of the school’s unique educational approach, observe lessons in progress and meet members of the student body and leadership team. Register to attend at https://shorturl.at/ZlMN5. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DC.] ORGANIC FARMING WORKSHOP Learn how to grow healthy and delicious organic vegetables at DB Community Green Square on March 7, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The workshop is led by a team from from O∙PARK1, the city’s first organic resource recovery centre, with instruction in English and Cantonese. To find out more and enrol, visit FB @db.community.hk. COMMUNITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT The DB 3X3 Community Basketball Tournament is back on March 14, from 9am to 4pm, at the Club Siena outdoor basketball court. The competition is open to players aged 15 and up, and in the mixed category there must be at least one female player on court. To find out more and enrol, visit FB @db.community.hk. DBIS PTSA INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR Head on down to Discovery Bay International School from 12pm to 3.30pm on March 7 to sample delicious foods from around the world at the DBIS PTSA International Food Fair. Choose from a wide variety of cuisines, enjoy a range of family-friendly activities, and catch up with friends while listening to live music. For more information, visit FB @dbishongkong. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBIS.] Dates For Your Diary MARCH 07 | GATHER AT THE CNY PLANT MARKET in Community Green Square from 2pm to 4.30pm. Visit FB @db.community.hk. MARCH 14 | SHOP THE DB WEEKEND MARKET in DB South Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit handmadehongkong.com. MARCH 21 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP! Meet at the Nim Shue Wan gate at 2pm. Email dana@plasticfreeseas.org. ALL MONTH | DONATE PRELOVED FURNITURE to people in need through DB Mothers & Friends. To arrange for pick-up, visit FB @dbmf.collection. SWAP & SHOP FASHION SHOW The student-led Swap & Shop Fashion Show, being held at Discovery College Theatre on March 13, from 6pm to 7.15pm, sets out to redefine style sustainably. In collaboration with Plastic Free Seas, the aim is to promote sustainable fashion practices within our community, while highlighting the talent and dedication of DC’s student designers and models. All proceeds from the show will be donated to PFS. Everyone is welcome, with tickets available at https://shorturl.at/cFyEb. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DC.] LAI SEE PACKET RECYCLING Do your bit by getting behind CM’s Lai See Packet Recycling Campaign running through March 26. You’ll find recycling boxes, where you can deposit as-new red packets at the DB Office Centre, DB Pier ticket counter and local management offices. To find out more, visit FB @db.community.hk. ALL-WOMEN'S RUNNING GROUP Fondly known as the Running Cult, DB’s all-women running group hits the trails four to five times a week. Regardless of individual distances, paces, or health goals, the ladies set out to support and inspire each other, finding solace and camaraderie in their shared passion for running. New members are welcome! To get involved, call Anita Schneider-de Vries on 5629 8123. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Anita Schneider-de Vries.] DBIS SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENT Discovery Bay International School is hosting a Sixth Form (Year 12 and 13) open event on March 12, from 6.15pm to 7.45pm, for parents of current and prospective students. Join the Secondary School’s leadership team for a presentation and tour of the school’s North Plaza campus, and find out why studying A Levels at DBIS is the right choice for your child. Go to dbis.hk/OpenEvents2026 or scan the QR code to register. For more information about DBIS, visit dbis.edu.hk. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBIS.] PFS SCHOOL TALKS For over 12 years, DB’s homegrown environmental education charity Plastic Free Seas has provided free education on plastic pollution to students of kindergarten age right through to university. The team has reached over 150,000 students in more than 400 local and international schools across Hong Kong. If you are a teacher, parent or student and would like to have PFS visit your school, visit www.plasticfreeseas.org. [PHOTO COURTESY OF PFS.]

In the lead up to the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Sam Agars sits down with four Discovery Bay residents who have made it onto the game’s biggest stage PHOTOS COURTESY OF Alessandro Nardoni Hong Kong China Rugby Club Pam Mirabella & Tim Alexander There are few Hong Kong sporting events as iconic as the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and the three-day festival of rugby holds a special place in the hearts of many Discovery Bay residents. In a place where rugby is such a big part of the community through the DB Pirates and beyond, the path from DB to Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po was well-trodden. That path now leads, of course, to the new stadium in Kai Tak and this year’s pilgrimage will be extra special as the Sevens, on from April 17 to 19, celebrates its 50th anniversary. While most DBers will be going as fans, some will actually get to grace the turf of Kai Tak Stadium, whether as part of the mini and youth rugby games and march past which gives youngsters the chance to soak up the atmosphere of the crowd, or – in the case of Alessandro Nardoni – actually representing Hong Kong. Af ter first living in DB way back in 2009 and starting his rugby career with the DB Pirates, Alessandro is back living in the community and, all going as expected, will be playing in his sixth Sevens come April. While Hong Kong teams are no longer in the main draw of the Sevens and play in the Melrose Claymores competition – in which Hong Kong’s men and women were both victorious last year – Alessandro has been lucky enough to play in the main event. He considers victor y in the 2023 Shield – the award given to 13th place of the 16 teams –as his standout Sevens’ moment. “Three years ago in the old stadium, we won the Shield, beating Canada in the final. That hadn’t been done by Hong Kong for over 10 years. Beating two circuit teams, that was definitely the highlight for me,” he says. “As players, we want to inspire the next generation and show them there is the opportunity to become a professional in Hong Kong,” Alessandro adds. “The opportunity is there.” While Alessandro has been blown away by the new stadium, he’ll never forget the buzz of running out at the old venue. “The atmosphere of Hong Kong Stadium was amazing,” he says. “Not many people get the support we do from the home crowd when we’re playing for Hong Kong. Just thinking about it now gives me goosebumps. There is a big change going to Kai Tak. The technology, the laser show, the atmosphere of a closed stadium and the music – it’s also amazing,” he says with a grin. Alessandro has experienced every facet of the Sevens, playing in the mornings as a youth, living it up in the famed South Stand and competing against the best. “I also went to the Sevens as a fan and spent time in the South Stand. That part is just unreal,” he says. “It just feels like a three-day festival. I enjoy rugby so I was actually watching some of the rugby but some of my mates had no idea what was happening on the pitch and they were just having a good time. “The Sevens is special because there’s such a big buy in from people that live in Hong Kong – everyone looks forward to it. It’s a big party; people are dressing up, people enjoy a drink and the city comes alive during the weekend. There are a lot of events going on outside the stadium as well and that adds to the enjoyment.” Like most, Alessandro is rather circumspect when asked for his best South Stand memory: “It is very good fun. I’ll just leave it at that.” Another DBer who was lucky enough to play in the Sevens is Tim Alexander, stepping out for Hong Kong at the tournament on two occasions and experiencing Shield success in 2010. “We beat Wales [in the pool stage], who were the world champs at the time,” says Tim. “The last try we scored [in the final], we got a turnover and it went through four or five sets of hands to score. It was almost a length-of-the-field ef for t. “The crowd was ridiculous. To be playing deep into day three on the Sunday when everyone was just topping themselves up from the Friday and Saturday, it was very loud. It was the first silverware Hong Kong had won at the Sevens for a long time.” Tim, who has lived in DB for almost 10 years, is a Sevens regular as a fan these days and he’s under no illusion as to what makes the event so special: “The atmosphere is amazing and it’s truly global. It’s not just people from Hong Kong but people from every corner of the globe and they’re all there for the one reason and that’s to have a party.” A raft of DB youngsters will again make the trek to Kai Tak this year to ply their trade on the pitch before the main event begins, including the McLeay brothers – 12-year-old Raph and nine-year-old Teddy. The boys have been to the Sevens twice, playing for the first time last year, with both brothers winning their games. “It was cool because a lot of people were watching and it felt like you were actually playing in the Sevens,” says Teddy. “Being seen on the big screen was really cool.” “The stadium is just so big. Playing and then getting to watch the rugby too was great. We won and at the end of the match there was a bit of a fight – a player threw the ball at one of our player’s heads and things got a bit heated,” adds Raph. While the crowd was still building when they played, Raph and Teddy enjoyed being able to soak up the atmosphere during the march past later that af ternoon. “Around 3pm we walked around the pitch before the next teams played and it was cool because everyone was there by that stage,” says Teddy. While the players will be leaving no stone unturned to ensure they perform at their best at the world’s most-loved Sevens tournament, there will be plenty putting almost as much time into a different sort of preparation – costume selection. While most subscribe to the mantra of ‘what happens in the South Stand stays in the South Stand,’ plenty also like to keep a lid on their costume ideas until the big weekend. If history is anything to go by it should be easy to spot the likes of Darth Vader, Wonder Woman, Superman, Ronald McDonald and the Harlem Globetrotters in the South Stand. If you look hard enough, you might even find Wally. Read more Community articles here

AT THE VIUTV SOUND BEAR FAMILY RUN A whopping 4,000+ people turned out for the ViuTV Sound Bear Family Run on January 31 at DB South Plaza, and there was something for everyone: a 10km race (16 years and above); two 3km races (10 to 15 years, 16 years and above); and two parent-child beach obstacle races, plus a carnival. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.] ROMANCE ON THE BEACH Tai Pak Beach transformed into the perfect setting for a romantic photo op on February 14 with over 7,000 LED candles arranged to form a galaxy of hearts. Live music was provided by local buskers The Flame. [PHOTOS BY Claire Al-Halabi.] CNY CELEBRATIONS ACROSS DB CNY was a blast in DB this year with a dedicated market on February 14 and 15, and lion dance parties at the DBRC and Club Siena on February 18. [PHOTOS BY Claire Al-Halabi.]

AT THE 18TH TENNIS CHARITY CUP DBRC hosted the 18th Tennis Charity Cup on January 24, with teams made up of eight players: four men and four women. Club members’ guests were invited both to spectate and get on court (maximum three members’ guests per team). Proceeds from the day went to Watchdog and the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association, two local charities that focus on children and adults with individual needs. [PHOTOS BY Andrew Spires.] AT THE DB OPEN FS CHALLENGE DB Ice Rink hosted the second ISIAsia-endorsed DB Open Figure Skating Challenge from January 2 to 4. There were opportunities for young skaters and beginners to gain competitive experience, and for advanced skaters to showcase fully choreographed freestyle routines. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF HKRI.] BEST MUSIC. BEST TASTE @DB TVB’s Midlife, Sing & Shine! season one stars Albert Chau and Ramon Lo performed live at DB North on December 26, alongside up-and-coming Hong Kong girl bands Beanies and IdG Bubbles. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF HKRI.]

Clean rooms and completed homework matter but they’re not what make children thrive. Happiness is built through connection, confidence and resilience – and being shown how to enjoy life PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels We put a lot of focus into teaching our kids to clean their rooms, act responsibly and do their homework. These things are important, but there’s one thing that’s more important: teaching kids to enjoy life. As parents, there is nothing we want more than to make sure our children are happy. Their contentment and well-being, afterall, is – in some ways – within our power. But what makes a happy child? Is it giving into their ever y whim – and granting them more screen time – or is it about building secure attachments, validating their experiences and encouraging autonomy? Being happy, proud and fulfilled aren’t just emotions that leave us feeling warm and fuzzy. Concrete positive outcomes are life-affirming, and they are associated with better school attendance, better academic performance, better self-esteem and better overall health. So how do we raise our children to be happy? While happiness may seem rather basic – one is either happy or not – many things can contribute to a child’s happiness. External stimuli, for example, may make a child happy (or, conversely, it could make a child sad). Validation can result in peace and contentment, and friendships can be full of pleasure and joy. But there is no one thing which makes children happy. There is also no way to ensure a child is always happy. Full-time happiness is a myth, something that is impossible to attain. Still, there are skills you can teach your children to help them enjoy life to the full. Nur turing resilience is essential: empowering children to be resilient sets them up for positive, constructive experiences and helps them learn how to deal with difficult situations. It can also help them bounce back, when stressors occur. Encourage your children’s ability to successfully adapt, positively transform and return to their baseline despite being surrounded by stressors and adversity. Teaching kids to believe in themselves is never a bad decision, so instead of mollycoddling or overprotecting, focus on building autonomy and self-efficacy. Once children have control over their own decision-making and become confident in their decisions, they feel empowered to take an active part in creating their own happiness. Encouraging problem-solving – in school, with friends and with you – is a first step. By talking through difficult situations, you help your child learn how to handle the problems they’re facing currently and that they will face in the future. Empathy, being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, is a skill everyone should learn. Children benefit from appreciating each other’s similarities and differences, and the ability to empathise with the people around them helps them build fulfilling relationships. Likewise, it’s important for children to understand the need for emotional regulation and impulse control. Incorporating mindfulness into their routine and encouraging them to be aware of their feelings helps with this. Children need to feel supported (and loved) in order to become happy and healthy. They also need to be inspired by your own attitude to life and willingness to embrace happiness. Here are a few ways you can do that. Foster connections: let your children see that you are actively involved in other people’s lives and, most importantly, their own. Spend quality time together having fun. Have meaningful conversations with them about school, friends and hobbies. Talk through and validate their experiences, and be open and honest about your own. Model what happiness means to you: from practising self-care to meditating, reading and playing pickleball, engaging in activities that bring you happiness will encourage your child to do the same. One of the best things you can do for your child’s emotional (and physical) well-being is to attend to your own. Practise gratitude: help your children feel safe, secure and happy by expressing thankfulness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, prioritise their health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships. So how do you foster gratitude in children? One simple way is to ask them to take time daily – before or during a meal, for example – to name aloud something they are thankful for. Then, make it a regular ritual. Discourage consumerism: children need to understand that while money can give them the opportunity to be happy, they can’t consume their way to happiness. How do you teach them this? Start by explaining that shopping is not a recreational activity, and follow through by limiting time spent in stores and malls. Many children get so much stuff given to them that it quickly becomes overkill. By giving children too many gifts, you encourage them to believe that having things brings happiness – so try to avoid that, even on birthdays. As for your own birthday, use it as an opportunity to reinforce your values. You might discourage gifts and instead ask your child to share a memory with you of a favourite family activity. You can also help your children dream up gifts for your spouse that will be meaningful, like a handmade card, a home-baked cake or a self-penned poem. Play games with your children to demonstrate how much fun can be had with a simple deck of cards. Pitch a tent or bake a cake with them to show the pleasure of a productive activity. Go to a museum to show them the pleasure of an intellectual activity. It sounds counterintuitive, but the best thing you can do for your children’s long-term happiness may be to stop trying to keep them happy. If we put our children in a bubble and grant them their every wish and desire, that is what they grow to expect… but the real world doesn’t work that way. To keep from overcoddling, recognise that you are not responsible for your child’s happiness. If we feel responsible for our children’s emotions, we have great difficulty allowing them to experience anger, sadness, or frustration. We swoop in immediately to give them whatever we think will bring a smile to their face, or solve whatever is causing them distress. Unfortunately, children who don’t learn to deal with negative emotions are in danger of being crushed by them as adolescents and adults. Once you accept this, you’ll be less inclined to tr y to ‘fix’ their feelings – and more likely to step back and allow them to develop the coping skills and resilience they’ll need to bounce back from life’s inevitable setbacks. Of course, if you really want to bolster your child’s self-esteem, focus less on compliments and more on providing them with ample opportunities to learn new skills. Master y, not praise, is the real self-esteem builder. The great mistake good parents make is doing too much for their children. While it can be difficult to watch our children struggle, they’ll never know the thrill of master y unless we allow them to risk failure. Few skills are perfected on a first try, becoming proficient in something takes practice. And through repeated experiences of master y, children develop the can-do attitude that lets them approach future challenges with the zest and optimism that are central to a happy life. Read more Parenting articles here

Learning an instrument can be slow, frustrating and occasionally soul-destroying but with smart apps and AI coaches, technology is making it easier (and cheaper) for you to hit the right notes. Andrew Spires reports PHOTO COURTESY OF Pexels I often wander into the kitchen and wonder why I’m there, and of late it’s taking me slightly longer than normal to remember the answer. Usually, it’s chocolate biscuits. In a well-intentioned effort to make sure my brain doesn’t turn into a boiled cauliflower as I progress into later life, I’ve been trying to learn an instrument. If you’ve ever taken the time to learn an instrument, you’ll appreciate how soul-crushing the initial stage is. The first few months are akin to Sisyphus pushing his rock up that never-ending hill. It’s worth remembering that all this effort is not without reward. In a study by the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, it was noted that playing an instrument regularly was associated with a 35% lower dementia risk, and like all worthwhile endeavours, learning to play any musical instrument takes time and patience. Whilst there are no hacks or shortcuts to getting good at tickling the ivories or plucking the G-string, there are now some cool bits of tech to help you on your melodious journey; a journey that’s undergoing a tech revolution. Where previously you had a teacher and a shared physical space, now you have an app, meaning you can study anywhere you feel comfortable. From artificial intelligence that acts as a personal coach to platforms that transform practice into play, technology is making it easier and cheaper than ever to puck and plink your way to finally learning an instrument. Finding a great teacher can be tricky, and finding the time to visit a music coach can be even harder, not to mention the cost. Most teachers charge in excess of HK$300 per lesson, so you need to really want to learn to play Tears in Heaven to justify spending HK$1,200 a month on instruction. If you’re serious about lifelong learning, an in-person, real-life teacher is always going to win out. A friend of mine who has tried using music learning apps is now sending her eight-year-old daughter to in-person lessons. She said, “I think there's a lot you can learn through apps and online, but personally I think it's worth paying for face-to-face lessons if you can af ford it. The teacher will not only help you learn but hold you accountable to keep you learning.” But before you commit, why not try some cost-effective tech to see if you enjoy learning an instrument as much as you thought you would. First up for the piano or keyboard, I recommend Simply Piano. In much the same way kids are taught in schools by slowly building up the information, Simply Piano gently takes your hand and walks you, baby steps, into an actual song, rather than chromatic scales or arpeggios. The benefit of this is that you feel like you’re making progress with a recognisable tune. Whilst it sounds like a quick fix – it’s crucially important to get the foundations correct before taking an instrument to another level – Simply Piano does get you hooked on learning quickly. The app has an audio function that listens to you play, adjusts the pace accordingly and recognises any bum notes you hit. You can set different goals, ranging from reading sheet music to playing your favourite songs. You can also select how often you want to practise. I recommend being realistic at the outset so as not to fall at the first hurdle and become downhearted. The Simply Piano app costs HK$1,400 a year, so nowhere near as costly as a tutor, but progress does rely on you practising. For guitar, I already have the basics down from when I was a teenager trying to learn Smoke on the Water, so I didn’t want to pay for an app. I’ve been really impressed with Guitar Tuna by Yousican. I stumbled onto it when trying to find a way to tune my guitar quickly and accurately. Like Simply Piano, Guitar Tuna can hear the notes you play, meaning you can tune up – and it also provides songs for you to play along with whilst following your speed. If you want to get more technical, there are a range of lessons, such as learning chords and an ‘ear trainer’ which plays a chord sound and you have to match it. Maintaining motivation is one of the greatest challenges in learning an instrument. Music learning apps tackle this head-on through gamification, essentially applying video game concepts to learning an instrument. By tapping into the intrinsic motivation to keep levelling up, one becomes completely absorbed in the activity. Failing the game makes you want to start over to beat your high-score. This gamification element works especially well with kids. My two like to compete against each other to see who can get the longest clean run on the piano without errors. They also love to find their favourite tracks from piano instructional videos on YouTube. I always used to use YouTube videos to learn how to change door handles and drain engine oil, but the kids have found a series of instructional videos by using simple search terms like ‘How to Play Für Elise on Piano’. There are great videos showing ‘first person’ hands on the keys, and the notes flow down the screen in a similar fashion to the famous video game Guitar Hero. YouTube doesn’t provide the feedback and structured learning that apps offer, but the videos are great tools once you’ve got to grips with the basics. When riding the tech train to Nashville, it’s also well worth embracing AI. Moises.ai is a very cool application that allows budding musicians to upload any song and separate it into individual tracks. For example, a guitarist can isolate the lead guitar part of Hotel California to learn it note-for-note, or remove it entirely to practise along with the professional backing track. The software can also slow down complex passages without changing pitch and detect chords automatically, making song analysis and practice far more efficient. Ear training (the technical word for recognising a chord or note) and theory, once reliant on workbooks, are now interactive through websites like ToneSavvy and Teoria, which of fer exercises cleverly disguised as games. The future of music education is not about technology replacing human teachers. Instead, it should become a partnership. Whilst the app can sort the analysis of a student’s playing, human teachers are liberated to focus on their irreplaceable role; that of offering passionate encouragement, nuanced and tailored guidance, and the inspirational encouragement a student needs when they feel they aren’t making any progress. Much like the invention of the washing machine made doing the laundry quicker and easier, music teaching apps offer another layer of support to those with dreams to one day play to an audience. Whilst these tools are breaking down traditional barriers of cost, scheduling and geography, you still need to have the dedication to learn, be able to commit the time and suffer the sore fingers to become a music maestro. Read more Insider articles here

DBGC coach and former golf pro Mimi Ho Miu-yee reflects on family, discipline and the unlikely joys of a game she loves playing far more than watching. Elizabeth Kerr reports PHOTOGRAPHY BY Andrew Spires Mimi Ho Miu-yee is sipping a drink at Coffee Academics looking, for lack of a better word, very golf-y, albeit in bright pink. Perhaps to no one’s shock, she’s just finished a round of golf, and lunch, with her dad and she’s in between coaching sessions. The Discovery Bay Golf Club coach and former pro begins with greetings on behalf of her mum, artist and past Around DB profile Judyanna Li, before reflecting on what took her to golf, a sport some call ‘a good walk, ruined’. Mimi chuckles, not taking it personally, and admits she can see where all those golf jokes come from. “I don’t really watch golf movies. I don’t really watch that much golf,” she says, surprising herself. “On a list of sports I want to watch, golf would be last. When people say, ‘Oh, I love watching live golf,’ I say, ‘You’re joking right now.’ You’re literally fighting for a spot to see a sliver of a player 170 yards away. And then you bust your ass running to the next hole. If I do watch golf, it’s at home and I let the cameramen do their work.” Mimi is relatively new to the DBGC coaching gig, but she knows the course like the back of her hand. She’s the sporty one of the family, having tried everything from tennis to tag rugby, and when she discovered the competitive nature of golf, she was hooked. She’s happy to mention her best game at the DBGC par 72 course, but her worst? “Let’s not go there,” she chuckles. Mimi’s family (mum Li, older sister and construction entrepreneur dad Danny Ho), has been living in DB since its earliest days in the 1980s. Mimi started playing at seven when her parents took up the game, at the time when Tiger Woods was peaking and spurring broader interest in the sport. “Seven is late, by the way. Right now, I’m coaching some kids that are three. It’s amazing,” she says of golf’s appeal. “For us, golf became a family thing, and it has thankfully stayed that way. There’s actually a good sense of a community to golf; it’s very sociable. And as cheesy as it sounds, you do learn a lot from it. It keeps you humble; you meet a lot of different people in different stages of life.” Mimi, just shy of 30, was raised in DB, and after demonstrating a natural aptitude for golf, she attended Discovery College on a full scholarship ( Year 9 to 13). Though the Kowloon school she started at was a good one, the local school system couldn’t support her travel for golf tournaments when her career really started to take off. “I was actually falling behind in school. I’m not wired that way, to do the work in that manner. My sister did really well in that system but international school was the right path for me.” Mimi is almost wistful as she recalls her golf development days as a kid, journeying well over two hours to Hong Kong’s only public course, Kau Sai Chau in Sai Kung, to practise. Her dad would lug her golf bag through the MTR, and occasionally take her golf clothes to work with him and pick her up after school to hit at a driving range. “My dad made a lot of big sacrifices,” she says. Sacrifices that ultimately paid off when Mimi won a full golf scholarship from California State University, Fresno, where she also completed a master’s degree in Sports Administration and certifications in golf biomechanics, elite coaching and kinesiology. “We’re not football players,” she cracks. But Mimi credits her DB home town, where she still lives, as a critical factor in shaping her career. “The course at DBGC is a tricky one. It’s quite challenging. It’s slope-y, it’s mountainous. I think any golfers that come out of training there have a really good short game. There’s a saying, ‘You drive for show and you putt for dough.’ At the end of the day, you’ve got to get the ball into the hole and DB trains you to be a really good short game player. It was a perfect environment to get me where I am now.” Which is a former HKGA Junior Squad member (at age 10), a national team member (12), and an NCAA Division 1 athlete. Mimi had intended to stay in California and work at the collegiate level until Covid derailed her plans but returning to Hong Kong brought new opportunities. She got licensed by the Hong Kong PGA, coached at the American Club for 18 months and, in 2021, finally decided to go pro. “I still had that itch to play,” she recalls. “I played with friends that had turned pro and I was, like, 'Dude, I still have my game.’ So I just bit the bullet.” Mimi played on the women’s Thai, China and Taiwan tours until 2025. Currently Mimi coaches at the DBGC and teaches after-school programmes for kids from kindergarten age to 16, every day. She’s also an advisor at ChipChipGolfHK, which runs junior development programmes around the city that are open to all ages and all skill levels, designed especially to provide beginners with a feel for the game. “That’s how it should be,” states Mimi of making golf more accessible. She understands the perception of the game in Hong Kong as a pastime for the ultra-wealthy and would like to see that change. Mimi has scads of tips for anyone considering taking up golf. “First, I say do it. You can play it forever; you can play with knee pain. You can’t play basketball in your 60s. Well you could but it’s not going to be fun. You can make the game easier or harder; you can choose how athletic you want to be. And again, there’s that humility element. Most people are not humble enough.” Mimi encourages trying out driving ranges, skipping the coach to start, playing mini golf and buying second-hand gear. “In Australia, anybody can play; you can literally get off work and just go in your jeans. When I was in college in California, we’d go to some public courses in sandals. I get the negative impressions golf leaves, and in Hong Kong it’s a business thing. But it’s a game. Make some mistakes. Have fun.” When Mimi’s not at the gym or coaching, she’s probably firing up some horror or dystopian science fiction on her Kindle (current read: “crazy” splatter punk novel Blender Babies). And because golf is one of those games whose fans have robust bucket lists (think baseball fans coveting a game beside Boston’s ‘Green Monster’), Mimi has a couple of targets too… “Augusta,” she says immediately. “My teammate in college played its first collegiate women’s invitational, and the second year I was supposed to go with her as an assistant coach. Then Covid,” she laments. “And St Andrews. My dad is an official rules tester and he told me it’s pretty cool, but also really flat,” she finishes. “But really, in the end, the wind might be different and the ball might roll weirdly, so I could play DBGC one million more times. It’s never the same and I don’t think I’d get bored.” Read more Profiles here